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[Redbelle]

Anika nodded. "So you all know, Droptop.... The armature. It's designed primarily to be a mule. DeeTee's weapons were removed by Kolme, mainly because he doesn't want Geth Tech to be seen killing people and mainly because he needed to lose the weight of the weapons to add extra function. DeeTee's got thick armour and barriers and can be dropped from orbit with a belly full of equipment in case we're out of what we need. He's handy as a moving bunker. Can move quickly over rough terrain and can carry heavy loads....". Anika took a breath and continued. "Also, Jess designed a platform for all our Armature's to load specialist equipment platforms. DeeTee can have powerful comm gear, radar, area jamming. You name it, Droptop can haul it and deploy it. He just can't defend himself while he's on his own".

 

At that Anika looked around the room. "I promised Kolme I wouldn't try to outfit DeeTee with weapons by the way. It's his one condition for acting as our outfitter. I say we take it. Kolme's ability to produce kit and develop tech solutions is.... Well sorry Jess but I think he has you licked".

 

"No offence luv. I agree. I've worked with him. The only problem is that he's married to his workshop. He's happy building so I let him build. He's devout too in his own way. Doesn't want his machines to take life..... It's not absolute I don't think but.... Well, I'd rather not test him. We've got plenty of fire power available to us. Kolme's tech is for more.... lateral use than direct".

[Kel Riever]

Morgan gave a subtle ohnonever look to Jess, then looked at the newcomer, and the expression on his face.  "You'll get used to it," he said to the man, still in his alliance uniform.

That probably won't last.

Then Morgan said to Naleena.  "It isn't armed, though I hear someone might be working on that."

Tallis was eyeing one of the donuts that had a little purple jelly coming out.

"No," Jenus commanded.

Tallis looked disappointed, then stared past Jenus to Jess and was about to say something when Jenus beat her to it.

"Captain...Stone," Jenus interrupted as the Commandos took their seats, "We're not going to have to worry about any bets, because we're all assigned and have everything we need on board the Janiri.  So, thanks for the offer but this team stays here."

Jess spied Tallis over Jenus' shoulder, sticking her tongue out at her team leader and making faces.

With a snap of her hand over the shoulder, Jenus caught and pinched the end of Tallis' lavender tongue with her thumb and forefinger.

"OwOwOuthOuth!"

Jenus let go and Tallis retreated into her chair.

"And congratulations," Jenus added, "To those who got the commendations."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

“Next, I have asked that Essul Ran’perah be made my lieutenant, my second in command pertaining to mission control. He accepted my offer, and the Council has formally approved my request. Essul, congratulations,” Naleena said and handed Essul the data pad with the Council’s approval letter and security clearance code.

[Redbelle]

Jess looked up at ceiling and made a show of thinking hard. "Hmmm, everything you need.... Must be nice never having supply issues where innovation and creative thinking has to bridge the gap between desire and reality. Still, as long as you have enough explosive I suppose it doesn't matter what you blow up. You'll always have your sugar daddy council to give back what you use". Jess grinned a grin full of teeth. "See luv, that's the difference between people who make their life in the shipping lanes and the tourists. Some people have the luxury of bringing a packed lunch and go home for refills. The career spacer's have to know how to scrape the bottom of the basket to get every last crumb of performance without wasting anything. Because waste means spending more cred's and cred's bring in what the Medusa needs to fly. Waste them now, might not fly later".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Jess, what's your point here?" Naleena asked. "How does this pertain to Essul's promotion?"

[Cknarf]

Johnny smirked a bit, but it quickly faded. He was thinking the same thing.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul had been staring with surprise at anika and her new military assets. His surprise was evident, but even more so, he was curious what that armor and weaponry can really do on a battlefield.

He blinked and turned his attention back to Naleena as he tilted his head, "Yes...it is an honor. Thank you." He said getting his composure back.

Vayne meanwhile was looking at anikas armor and half paying attention to the others, having made sure to nod and give proper repsects to the medals being handed out. "I want one..." he mumbled to himself, talking about anikas heavy armor.

[Kel Riever]

Jenus sort of understood what Captain Stone was getting at.  She picked up the Jelly donut that Tallis was eyeing, put it on a plate, and slid it to the Captain.
 

Iole and Tallis blinked at the gesture.  Even for Jenus, Iole thought that was a pretty bastard maneuver.

Though Jenus didn't.  Jenus wasn't fully thinking, making the gesture on instinct, because most of her attention was occupied with Essul Ran'Perah and his promotion.  The commendation was one thing.
 

The promotion was another.

Irina could tell when Jenus fumed because sometimes it was hard to tell with her glare if she was just acting naturally or something was really wrong.  And in this case, the glare could have also come from Stone, who Irina knew got under Jenus' sense of order.  But Irina knew that sense of order was really put off now by something else that bothered her much more.

Jenus said no congratulations to Essul.  She just stared at him, and for a person who had shown no great dislike for Essul up to that point, Jenus sure had changed course.  And it wasn't a look of envy either.  It was something else.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina sat dumbfounded. What? A f*cking batarian?

 

Something was amiss.

 

Naleena could feel it. Something was amiss, and now she was concerned. She knew it when she saw it. Takes one to know one, she thought.

 

She looked at Jenus. "What is it, Commando?"

[Kel Riever]

Jenus leaned back, "Nothing respectfully, Spectre.  Just adjusting to all the changes."

The Team Boom leader sat back in her chair.  Naleena could see her neck muscles strain with tension as she ground her teeth.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul kept his heae up and his hands crossed behind him, hands clenching as he could tell something was amiss. There was animosity that he could read off a few there. He knew he'd need fo work hard to gain the trust of his comrades. Their dislike only made him more determined to improve himself.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena shot Jenus a quick glare and continued. "The reason for this promotion is due to the fact that I was incapacitated during our last mission. Essul assumed command and made the right calls. The rest of you, as members of the team, responded positively." Naleena said and looked around at everyone in the room. "While I was in the hospital recovering, I was thinking. We put our lives in the line of fire every single time we go on a mission. This could happen again, and I need someone who has experience with these types of operations, and who can make quick and correct calls. That was why I selected Essul Ran'pereh for the position. So if you have a problem with this decision, I suggest that you take it up with me. Anyone want to make any comments, now?"

[Kel Riever]

Iole and Tallis sat quietly, knowing it wasn't for them to speak for anyone.  They also didn't have a problem with any of it.

As far as Jenus went, even with Naleena's offer, she knew what loyalty was for Jenus, and she watched her say nothing as her guts turned.  It didn't look like it was getting any better either, but Jenus was locking it down, and wasn't going to admit to anything.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena looked around the room. It was quiet. Typical.

 

Essul sat in his chair.

 

“Last is our mission. A while back the Shadow Broker provided a lead regarding a Batarian defector. The Council sent one of its Spectres to retrieve this person. Then they asked me to go to Illium and interrogate him. That was when I transported the Alliance Lt. Commander. I was not at liberty to discuss any of the details with you at the time due to the fact they were classified. Officially, I was on holiday. However, now the Council wants us to finish the job.

 

“In 2163, the Batarians discovered what was believed to be a giant corpse of a genetically engineered starship on the planet Jartar. They called it the Leviathan of Dis. Shortly after its discovery, all traces of the corpse disappeared. The Hegemony has since denied it has ever existed. The defector told us where it is, and that the Batarians are researching it.

 

“Our job is to gather intelligence: take pictures, hack computers, and find out what the Batarians are doing with it. We are to avoid engagement if possible. This is an espionage mission. The Council will use our intelligence to apply sanctions against the Hegemony. The Hegemony won’t be able to deny hard evidence.

 

“Our source said that the Leviathan of Dis is located in the Vular System on Erszbat in a large underground facility outside the City of Marzeh.

 

“The Hegemony is closed and it is very difficult to gain access to any information, including maps of its cities. I met with a Shadow Broker agent on the Citadel to obtain a map of the city and surrounding area, including its underground.

 

“And Jess, before we continue the agent informed me that the Shadow Broker conveys his sincere apologies for what happened on your vessel. It is not among the Broker’s normal operations to slaughter crews and to turn a ship into an insane asylum for the amusement of one of his operatives. Operative Iyana went rogue. She left the network and stole a number of assets. Needless to say the Broker is not pleased.”

[TheMajonese]

Arian wasn't overly happy to hear that Essul was now second in command but unlike Jenus he didn't show any reaction. He hardly knew anything about the other team members and as long as the batarian knew what he was doing, Arian wasn't going to complain. Obviously the spectre thought that Essul was capable of doing this job.

 

But during the briefing he almost laughed out loud. Espionage?, he thought in disbelief, looks like the perfect job for me. Arian still didn't say anything, he just hoped that the spectre had a good plan for this.

[Redbelle]

Well that makes two of luv". Jess said plainly. "Though I hope ol Shadker takes the damage done at face value and offer's something I can use rather than apologies. Good as it is to know I'm not on a wanted list, Iyana's antics has cost, and still is costing me a small fortune. I'll need to start pulling in some serious credits if the Medusa is going to stay in service to your flotilla here. Which reminds me".

 

Jess leant forward and gestured to Essul. "Good as it is to know you've got a solid player on your team, how is this going to work for the ships? I don't technically answer to anyone except the K&Q and their ignoring every effort to contact them". Jess gestured to Anika. "Since we need clear communication between ships I've assigned Anika to be a liaison between the Medusa and Janiri. You military types call it an exchange. She still works for me, but she'll effectively under your command". Jess sighed as she leant back. "I want you to know I'm giving up one of my best combat specialist's on board luv. I hope you'll keep her close....".

 

"Jess....". Anika said warningly.

 

".... Allow her behind close door's, so to speak....".

 

"Jeeeeess"! Anika almost hissed.

 

"I imagine you'll want to talk to her about back door channels....".

 

"CAP-tain". Anika managed to reign in her voice but her face had gone bright red. "....There's.... really no need I can handle the... details".

 

"Course luv". Jess winked at her. "Now as for Dis Leviathan, I guess if the fuel bills up for discussion the Medusa can follow anywhere the Janiri goes. Provide a tool box to the stiletto. If this is a starship and a corpse rolled into one giant hulk then I've got people aboard who can strip it down and figure out what the parts do and haul it outta system faster than anyone else. Or else, do the sneaky stuff. I figured out a collector vessel on the fly. How hard can a corpse ship be"?

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Impossible. .." Essul whispered as he heard the news of their latest mission. The leviathan of dis, real? There weree soke things the batarian had a hard time believing, Especially after reading the reports himself. "According to the hegemony offical records, the leviathan of dis was a hoax by early officals to get support to colonize the planet and drum up interest..." he said, quoting what the hegemony circulated as fact.

"If this information is real, we would most definitely face security forces beyond the colonial police, or even the BSIU. We could end up fscing Internal Affairs...the most well armed and trained of the hegemony military" he said as he looked to the others.

"Erszbat's a major economic hub for the hegemony. Its security is somewhat more laxed. But they will be paranoid of any unidentified ships in their space. Do the king and queens have any dealing in hegemony space?"

[Redbelle]

At the sound of an economic hub Jess leaned forward, a smile broadly appearing on her face. "Reeeeeeeeealllllly". She drew out as Anika face palmed across the table.

 

"Oh no".

 

"Captain Fox has been rumoured to have had dealing's in that area". Jess went on. "I could target fire him for information. I've been knocking on their doors politely but it seems the time come to boot the door in".

 

Anika looked up from where she sat at Morgan. "Word Morgan, when she get's that look, 'Silver' used to come out to play".

 

"I've been thinking about that". Jess went on. "I think if a suave, well liked, famous Captain like myself is going to be involved in disreputable behaviour on behalf of the council that can't be traced back to her.....".

 

"Why do I think your thinking about robbing someone"?

 

"Because if there's one thing I'm good at, is distracting people's attention from what we want to take by taking something else first".

 

"A distraction"?

 

"It's about needs luv. The Medusa needs credits. We need to get to Dis. Credit transfer's need intercepting and a culprit needs to be caught before effecting a daring escape that will pull attention from our target".

 

"The guard force won't move from that site..... But if the distraction wasn't targeted at the Leviathan any reinforcing assets might be pulled away. Attention might be focused outwards rather than inwards".

 

Jess sat back in her chair and shrugged at the group. A motion made odd by her missing arm. "Espionage to me means showing people what they expect while doing something they don't. Classic misdirection. It's up to the group though. What do you people feel comfortable with getting access to the Leviathan"?

[Kel Riever]

Morgan couldn't imagine any apology mattering from the Shadow Broker.  None would ever matter to him, but he paid no heed to it beyond that.  The point was the mission, despite the difficulties, and the lack of cohesion that seemed to be present on the Janiri resident members of the team.  Nothing new for him on that note, so he gave his thoughts.

"I won't disagree on the need for a distraction.  Needs or otherwise, an illicit trade deal is a good cover.  And going under cover is something I can, I'm sure Jess can, and at least some of the rest of us can, do."

With a look at Jess, before turning to Naleena.  "How long do you expect this operation to take place?  And how long to get where we're going?"  Morgan cleared his throat slightly.  "In the interest of making sure our crew can be well-rested before our undertakings."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"How much time do you need? The Council is pushing me to get going on this, however, I can get us off the Citadel, and take a circuitous route via Illium to waste a day or two," Naleena said. "We can stop there, and I can introduce Essul to my boss. It's a good excuse to tack on another day or two to the journey. Also Erzsbat is not on the relay system. We'll have to travel directly into the system with the Batarian homeworld, and FTL directly to Vular.

 

"Jess will need some credentials to get past Harsa System security. We'll enter with stealth systems engaged."

 

Irina scoffed at the plan. "Right. I served on an Alliance frigate with stealth systems, and you realize it's only the heat emissions that are concealed. They can look out a window and see us."

 

"And if we stay dark it will be difficult to see us unless they're right on top of us." Naleena countered. "Jess, you'll need some legitimate cargo. We can provide that on Illium. What sorts of things do the Batarians use that they need to import?"

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Erszbat grows most of the tea batarians drink, as well as many spices that are hard to grow on other non-garden worlds, and that wouldn't survive on Adek. They also provide a large amount of Palladium, Platinum, and Iridium to the hegemony military and batarian tech and industrial sectors. Few are allowed to admit it to non-batarians, but Erszbet is one of the most vital worlds the hegemony has..." He said as he looked around the room, making it clear the weight of the information he'd given them, to him at least.

 

"This gives them certain privileges that other worlds do not receive. The ability to trade, and to dictate their own military regulations and custom laws, concerning what can or cannot be imported. Their main goods imported tend to be rather benign actually. Tobacco, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Skycars. Coffee is a major import, it's a very popular trend to drink the stuff..." He said flatly as he looked to jess, curious if she could easily get her hands on said items, enough to import them at least.

 

"The most popular import however, is technology. Omni-tools, VI's, Outside Vids and Media. Things that normally require months of government censorship, bugging, and a seal of approval. Erszbat, like Camala, has a large desire to get its hands on these products. Unlicensed reproductions were a major problem to deal with. If you got your hands on enough omni-tools alone to sell, even low grade Cipher Tool models from Elkoss Combine, the government could purchase them and make millions in credits distributing them to the people. If you want to persuade them in a short while to deal with you, offer them this. Just be ready, you'll attract more attention then just the local governments eyes."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Tech will be easy to get on Illium," Naleena said. "It'll be expensive, Jess, but I'll loan you the credits. Some things we can expense. Others... I'm sure being who you are, you'll find a way of turning a profit of some sort."

[Redbelle]

"Tobacco, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Skycars. Coffee.... We can get our hands on that... I can tap a few sources, see what type of items they like. You know, word is when Earth started importing cheese to Thessia an entire yearly supply of cheddar was bought up at a ridiculous price. I wonder how Batarians will take to Columbian? Then there's granules or beans.....".

 

Jess was tapping data into a tablet as she spoke, making notes as she suddenly thought of something. "Omni-tools.... Huge numbers.... Software....". Jess grinned. I need to talk to my code monkey's but I think if we can get this deal to work the Medusa might be better served heading out before the Janiri. I've an idea for the Omni-tools. Low grade models we can buy in. But the high grade....? I figure they'll divide the low from the high and distribute them accordingly. I'll need to know what kind of screening they'll be subjected to on delivery though". She added.

[Redbelle]

Anika eye'd Jess suspiciously. "What are you planning"?

 

"The usual luv. Just a little security exploit".

 

"Hacking"?

 

"Useful if the tools are given to the right people".

 

"Software screening takes time".

 

"We'll be gone by then".

 

"Could add a kill code for the exploit".

 

"Tricky but doable".

 

"Especially if you want repeat business in the future".

 

"The kind of tool will dictate who it goes to".

 

"Top end tools to high end official's"?

 

"Rugged, reliable and simple and cheap designs to their grunts".

 

"They won't go to the guard unit's....".

 

"....unless there is a need".

 

"We create the need before we arrive....".

 

"....We become an opportunity. Especially if we're just passing by their space...."

 

"....And shoot a request to trade with a list of inventory....".

 

"....That would otherwise just sale by their space".

 

Anika nodded thoughfully as she rubbed her chin. "Omni-tool's tie into networks. Networks can be corrupted".

 

"You thinking Omerta III"?

 

"The hacker who got into the network and planted a trojan"?

 

"That corrupted Omni-tools and spread the infection.... He's on my speed dial".

 

Anika sighed. "Of course he is.... What will the exploit do though"?

 

Jess shrugged. "Beat's me love. Maybe stop the hornet's from stirring if a call for help slips through. They must have patrols and call in's. If the ground team goes in, takes out the occupying force and can stop their transmissions from gonig out then the team will have until the next patrol..... It's up for discussion though. It all depends on what how this is going to be done..... For my money, the ground team will need time and no distractions to find what they need. That suggests staying hidden is a risky strategy as if someone trips an alarm the missions a bust.... Probably ought to draw up a list of what we want out of this. Figure out a priority of what to take and how we're taking it. If it's data and pictures that's one thing. If it's hardware.....". Jess shrugged. "...Depends on the size of the object and how many we need. The actual tech is more valauble than a picture of it. Can't pop the hood off a picture check out the chrome underneath".

[Kel Riever]

Jenus looked impatient and like she could barely stand the banter.  But her glare stayed straight on the center of the table, as her fuming was reserved for others now. 

Tallis wasn't following what was going on, but she seemed interested.

Iole was following and was interested.  "It sounds like the Hegemony would be on the lookout for that kind of trouble.  But, if it is successful, it's more risky than tea...or coffee...but the payoff.  The payoff of getting into their systems could be huge."  She looked across the table at Jess with her golden eyes full of curiosity.  "You think this person is that good that you're speaking about?  I mean, this can't fail."

Morgan assured her.  "Naleena might need some reassurance but I think she knows, and I know, that if Jess is talking about someone that good, they're that good.  You haven't run into Kolme..."

"...actually, I've seen his work, first hand, on Frank."

"...Then there you have it," Morgan confirmed to Iole and the others.  "This might cost, but what is the price of success?  I bet it's worth it."