|
Post by Geneenh T'Loris on Aug 6, 2017 8:25:40 GMT -6
"Still functional after all this time?" Geneenh said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Does the Broker have any information on what exactly was found?"
|
|
|
Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 6, 2017 8:34:51 GMT -6
"What about the pirates' leadership, does the Broker have any intel on that?" Joe asked.
|
|
|
Post by Feron on Aug 6, 2017 11:36:13 GMT -6
"I'm afraid we do not have those specifics at this time," Feron said, addressing Fischer. "It is a large group. There are a fleet of ships which fly under their banner. We do know that it's not the leader of the entire fleet. He has been seen elsewhere. We are currently narrowing down the list so that we will have an answer by the time you depart."
"Still functional after all this time?" Geneenh said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Does the Broker have any information on what exactly was found?"
Feron shifted his stance slightly. "No. The technology shares similarities with our own but is also quite different. What we do know is that one of the programs activated was a translation matrix. That translation matrix is the reason your primary objective is the site's programming and database."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 6, 2017 14:37:54 GMT -6
Jondum Bau, salarian Spectre...
Eric surmised that he could only have been a member of the STG for the Council to take notice. If Meldom were still with the team, his insight would have been invaluable. If there was no choice but to deal with Bau he should only be delayed. Rendered unconscious or immobile for a while. Not harmed in any way that could incur the wrath of the Council.
An archaeological team comprised primarily of asari...
They were known for their longevity and stratagem in addition to their beauty and grace. As they also were the first species to discover the Citadel and found the Galactic Council they would have a strong interest in maintaining their status as the unofficial dominant species. Securing all the ancient technology they could, prothean and otherwise.
Fortune's Hand...
Eric did not keep up with pirate activity much after Luther Zaicress; the geth fast became his new principal menace. Not all of the former pirate lord's subjects were captured or killed in the raid on Wolff Bridge and chances were very good that some were assimilated into the Hand. This had the Man in Silver worried, especially since their tactics, as described by Feron, were uncomfortably familiar. His young counterpart's question about the Hand's leader did nothing to ease concerns.
"I'm afraid we do not have those specifics at this time," Feron said, addressing Fischer. "It is a large group. There are a fleet of ships which fly under their banner. We do know that it's not the leader of the entire fleet. He has been seen elsewhere. We are currently narrowing down the list so that we will have an answer by the time you depart."
Zaicress was locked up airtight when I left him. Only the Shadow Broker or the Illusive Man could swing an early release. He only played the obedient dog until he was taken off the leash; never liked second fiddle. If this really is him... if Mr. Illusive got him out... he has to have something big over him just to steer him where he wants...
Eric listened on as the other team members asked their questions, hoping that the Broker's network would shortly confirm or dispel his suspicions.
|
|
|
Post by Urdnot Thrak on Aug 6, 2017 20:19:13 GMT -6
Thrak grunted at Feron's answers. He was familiar with Fortune's Hand. They had tried to recruit him once, five decades or so ago. His reputation garnered their attention, and he gave serious thought to joining them, only to be called away to help his friends from Tuchanka at a critical point in his evaluation. He ran into them one other time.
It was one of the few jobs he failed. A turian business executive hired him as a bodyguard, not disclosing the nature of the threat he faced, no doubt fearing it would cost him more. He was right, of course. Thrak would have insisted on a dozen other experienced guards to accompany him, rather than the two C-Sec dropouts who served as the man's typical security. Instead, the foolish bird trusted in the krogan's admittedly inflated reputation.
Thrak was only glad he escaped alive when the pirates surgically struck, kidnapping the exec. The krogan felt no need to rescue him, and he was glad his handler was wise enough to save Thrak's reputation by using the story as a parable exalting the virtue of being up-front for the need for protection. The krogan was held as an example of how even the best in the business was unable to guard against an unseen adversary. Rather than hurt his reputation, the story grew it, portraying him as an indomitable survivor despite the betrayal perpetrated by his client.
The krogan had worried that Fortune's Hand would want to retaliate for the story exalting the man who fought them, but it turned out to be to their benefit too. His volus handler, who Thrak jokingly nicknamed Moneyball, was smart enough to tell the story in such a way that it exalted the abilities of Fortune's Hand too. Rather than silence the story, the pirates decided it bolstered their reputation as well, and thus both sides saved face.
Thrak kept quiet, though. His personal experience with the group was quite old. He doubted it would be of use to them in planning the mission. Still, it brought a smile to his face. He already bore a scar for fighting Fortune's Hand. The thought of a rematch was one he relished.
|
|
|
Post by Naetilia Bolanis on Aug 6, 2017 20:24:20 GMT -6
"I believe that if circumstances permit it, we should try to recover those who were killed by the pirates," Naetilia said. "Their families deserve closure."
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Aug 6, 2017 20:33:19 GMT -6
Maelstrom listened quietly, as the others in the group asked their questions and the drell either answered or parried each in turn. The number of unknowns made him nervous, and he made a mental note to see how many of those issues Feron said they would be updated on would truly be addressed prior to their departure. Truthfully, Maelstrom was far less interested in pursuing this mission for its goals than to see how effective the Shadow Broker would truly be in preparing them for this mission.
He drew a throwing knife from his belt and played it under and over his fingers, as he listened to the drell. It seemed to him a slightly more involved version of the first mission he had accompanied Lysander on. A slight grin, followed by a saddened frown crossed his face, as he realized he and Lysander were the only original members of that team present.
His gaze darted to Emily. She was remaining silent, not drawing any attention to herself and instead seeming focused on the drell's words. He approved of her manner, the inebriated woman somehow managing to suppress her behavior enough to remain silently professional. It caused him to smile.
"I believe that if circumstances permit it, we should try to recover those who were killed by the pirates," Naetilia said. "Their families deserve closure."
Maelstrom knew it would earn him no points with the doctor, but he could not help himself. His appreciation for the woman did not change the grim practicality of their profession. "Respectfully, Doctor, I disagree. We face two opponents: Fortune's Hand and time. We cannot be certain how soon the SPECTRE will arrive, but we can be certain that we will draw the Council's wrath if we steal this database out from under the nose of one of their most praised agents." Shaking his head, he said, "We need to complete our objectives and get out. The SPECTRE will arrive with forces of his own- even a SPECTRE will not attempt to take on sixty men single-handedly. He will see to the disposition of the dead, and it will be done through official channels. Ones that won't draw unwanted attention."
"As it is, we have Cerberus and the Collectors as enemies. We don't dare make foes of the Council." Silently, he added, If we do, I doubt even the Shadow Broker will risk keeping us around much longer.
|
|
|
Post by Naetilia Bolanis on Aug 6, 2017 21:11:40 GMT -6
"Your points are valid, Maelstrom, but that does not relieve us of the moral obligation to properly deal with the dead," she said. "We cannot assume there will be any bodies left to recover upon our departure. Perhaps the dig site will be destroyed in a firefight, or perhaps the pirates will set up charges and blow it up rather than allow anyone else to get the technology.
"I will not leave the dead behind because it is the easier course of action," she snapped, then took a steadying breath. "As I said, we should do it if circumstances allow it. I will understand if they do not, but if they do, that is what I will do--even if I have to do it myself."
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Aug 6, 2017 21:22:27 GMT -6
Maelstrom shook his head. He knew from experience that it was useless to argue with the doctor when she felt she held the moral high-ground. In the end, Lysander or someone else on the team with a more pristine reputation would have to convince of her the necessity of his words regardless of what circumstances appeared to be at the time.
|
|
|
Post by rulaan on Aug 6, 2017 21:45:25 GMT -6
Rula'an got turned around. Something he normally wouldn't experience but the many many docks and staterooms confused him. What was most confusing was whenever he asked for directions the people he asked gave him odd looks told him to go away or the culmination of his odd journey when several Volus ordered him to a room for maintenance. It took him a moment to realize they thought he was part of their staff, 'No wonder I got so many odd looks ,' Rula'an thinks sighing quietly. Straightening himself he politely tells them no and continues on leaving two very flustered Volus hollering after him.
Finally after many wrong turns and many rebuttals from doorways and terminals he arrives at an abandoned terminal. Connecting to the mainframe was out of the question but feigning as an off course mech gave him this areas layout, a trick he learned while in Omega. Finally pinpointing the meeting room he maneuvers through the station there entering quietly and moving along the back until he reaches a table with no occupants.
Listening carefully Rula'an realizes just how late his getting lost made him finding the debriefing well underway catching the tail end if Ferons answer. He merely listens while fine tuning his Overload suite
|
|
|
Post by Feron on Aug 6, 2017 22:03:03 GMT -6
Feron nodded at the quarian mercenary, as he made a quiet entrance. There was a slight look of displeasure to the drell's face, though no hint of it entered his voice.
Turning to the turian doctor, he added, "Not to dismiss your moral considerations, Doctor, but avoiding the wrath of the Council is of paramount importance to the Shadow Broker. The balance maintained by the Broker is a delicate one. While our purposes may not always be directly in-line with those of the Council, neither can we allow them to perceive us as being in opposition to them. I hope you can appreciate the gravity of this."
|
|
|
Post by spartan560 on Aug 6, 2017 22:13:02 GMT -6
Izahm looked up at the attention focused on Naetilia and says, "Whatever the case I've got her back. She's come through for me and I'll be damned if I don't return the favor," he stops fiddling with his helmet once he notices the extra member. It was a Quarian in a dark enviro-suit with an odd design on the right arm. He doesn't say a word but Izahm watches him nonetheless curious as to his presence. 'I wonder why he's here? He wasn't here when we got here and if he's supposed to be part of the crew he's mighty late,' he thinks thoughts swirling through his head as he focuses both on Feron and the Quarian.
|
|
|
Post by Naetilia Bolanis on Aug 7, 2017 3:26:39 GMT -6
"I still fail to see how doing the right thing is wrong," she said to the drell. "But I also realize that this discussion is not relevant to the one at hand. Perhaps we can continue it at a later time?"
|
|
|
Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 7, 2017 3:42:59 GMT -6
Joe watched the discussion on handling the dead with interest and appreciated how the turian doctor didn't back down as both Maelstrom and their new employer's representative told her that her idea would bring the wrath of the Council down on them. He shared her position in failing to see how treating the dead was wrong but held his tongue, curious to see how she handled the situation.
"Doc is right, we're getting sidetracked," he said. "We got more important things to discuss, like who the hell the new guy is. So, new guy, are you here to fix something or are you the latest addition to the team?"
He took a swig of root beer and shot Feron a look, wondering that if the quarian was new to the team why the drell hadn't said anything.
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 7, 2017 7:56:13 GMT -6
As Naetalia and Maelstrom debated the issue of recovering any dead researchers versus strictly completing their objectives, someone entered the lounge that momentarily got Feron's attention. Eric looked over and saw that it was a quarian. For an instant he thought it was Shala'Bekk Vas Neema but this quarian had a different build. A male.
"Doc is right, we're getting sidetracked," said Joe. "We got more important things to discuss, like who the hell the new guy is. So, new guy, are you here to fix something or are you the latest addition to the team?"
Eric rose from his seat next to inquire of the newcomer.
"Feron hasn't cut his feed so I guess you're with us," he said. "A little late to the party but we can get you up ta speed afterwards. Eric Lysander, team XO. And you are?"
[Insert response by Rula'an]
The senior N7 gestured. "Welcome aboard. Grab a seat..."
|
|
|
Post by rulaan on Aug 7, 2017 12:09:15 GMT -6
'I'm tired of people thinking I'm part of the staff,' Rula'an thinks exasperated but stands up shutting off his Omni-tool as he does so. He then speaks loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Yes I am the latest addition to the team no I'm not here to fix something," his eyes pointedly look at Joe but his helmet conceals it, he then turns his head to face Lysander, "My name is Rula'an Kaaris vas Orthris. I am an engineer and mercenary. Previously employed by Aria T'loak but now I'm freelance." After he introduces himself he sits nearby Lysander inclining his head towards the man speaking quietly so inly he could hear, "Thank you, I got turned around in this unfamiliar station and no one would help me get directions. They all though I was part of the staff."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 7, 2017 12:18:31 GMT -6
"No problem," Eric replied in the same hushed tone then nodded and pointed at the image of Feron. "Try to glean what you can for now - we'll fill in th' blanks after."
|
|
|
Post by Feron on Aug 7, 2017 12:22:08 GMT -6
Feron held his arms out to his sides for a moment. "Do you have any other questions which have not already been addressed?"
|
|
|
Post by rulaan on Aug 7, 2017 12:23:41 GMT -6
Rula'an nodded focusing on Feron as he summons his defense drone adding a short term recording subroutine for recording. 'Hmmm Fortune's Hand,' Rula'an thinks, 'Their name's come across Aria's desk more than once.' He then waits for the debriefing to continue.
|
|
|
Post by spartan560 on Aug 7, 2017 12:28:44 GMT -6
Izahm at Ferons inquiry says, "Just one. Why's the Quarian here? We already have a tech with Geneenh. Is there something else we need multiple techs for?" 'Feron never mentioned having approached a Quarian when the Broker gave me this observation mission' he thinks, 'I can't properly do my job if I don't have all the information.'
|
|