You supply the Pictures, and I'll supply the War..."

[reactorhead_russians]

[Post "Challenge Honorably"]

[1]

So now Earth is at war with a nation of honor-bound hide-mecha warriors. All thanks to the ridiculously provocative actions of the Fumerco's Corporation's private security forces.

It doesn't take a political science degree to realize there's something going on

Which is why one day, while you're walking down the hallway of Saikama Base, Sasha and Alexis accost you and drag you to a corner of the room.

"We're going to investigate Fumerco," Sasha says softly. "We need a third person to watch our back."

Alexis grunts. "What my wife means to asks is...can you come with?"

[2]

The Kaidonvoskies, clad in formal uniform, knock on the office door of the UG Command Staff

"Can we come in to talk?" Alexis asks.

Comments

1)

[not_a_prize]

[Peola blinked in surprise, she didn't get anything hostile off the Kaidanovskies which was what allowed them to yank her into the corner.]

Wha-?

[Fumerco... the thing that happened with Ankaia...?]

Sure. Security has to stick together right?

Re: 1)

[reactorhead_russians]

"Mmm!" Sasha grunts.

Alexis strokes his beard. "Spacebo, Peola. I should warn you: we'll be heading into grim places and treating with shady people. You okay with that?"

[not_a_prize]

I can deal with it.

[It'll be tough... but...]

I'll be able to pick up on trouble... and if anything goes wrong I can help punch a way out.

[reactorhead_russians]

Alexis nods enthusiastically. "We'll be counting on you!"

A short TSEN hop and air-taxi ride later, Alexis and Sasha bring you to...a slum.

It's a slum in an industrial area, bordering a complex of factories and warehouses. The people here aren't necessarily living hand-to-mouth...but every window or so has a crack, litter lines the streets, and resident walk around with heads full of worry and care.

A beggar wearing a coat patched with extra sewn pockets coughs as you pass by. "Spare a little something, please, miss?" He wheezes, revealing a gap in his teeth. "God bless and thank ye..."

[not_a_prize]

I think I might have something... hold on.

[Peola couldn't help but wince a little... still... she reaches into one of her pockets to spare some money. Though it always helps to keep one's senses sharp. Is this truly a man who needs the money or someone setting her up as a mark?]

[reactorhead_russians]

The beggar reaches out a calloused hand and makes the change disappear in his pocket. "Thank you, miss," he says, smiling. "It's a rare soul that pays heed to a chap like me. You got a name?"

When you reach out with your your senses, you don't feel the anxiety you've sensed in others around you. You do feel...tension and alertness mixed with curiosity. He's also got a healthy life aura for a man of the streets...

[not_a_prize]

I'm... not that important around here.

[Kind of hesitant, like a person not used to dancing around the truth. But in a way its kind of true. After all she IS just a security guard. Sort of.]

You're not like the others around here.

2

[srwu_mods]

"Yeah? Come in."

After Commander Antov's demise, all affairs of this kind are directed through Dirchs' office. Which he doesn't seem too happy with, staring from behind an evergrowing stack of papers.

"I'm kinda busy, but don't let it get to you. So, what is it about?"

2

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha and Alexis sit down and fold their legs in unison.

"We wish to talk about the Fumerco Corporation, Sir," Alexis says. "Specifically, whether we can prosecute them for war crimes and for conspiracy to provoke conflict."

[srwu_mods]

"Yeah, locking the whole corporation down would help us. We know what they're up to. They know we know, too."

Sam grabs a folder from the middle of the pile and pulls it out, almost making the rest scatter to the floor.

"There's nothing we can accuse them of. No proof, no leads. If there was, we'd be on their collective ass already."

[reactorhead_russians]

"A pity their Black Ops units didn't have corporate logos on them," Sasha grumbles. "Damn! We should have taken a prisoner before that Ishin butchered them."

Alexis grunts in thought. "I have a few thoughts on how we can gather evidence against Fumerco." He mumbles. "Permission to mention them?"

[srwu_mods]

"Wouldn't that be convenient. Almost like if Fumerco is making sure to leave no connection, hmm?"

Commander Huffman adds while peeking from behind a human-tall stack of books and papers. Apparently he was there all along.


"You need to realize if anyone finds out we're investigating a corporation without jurisdiction, Unity Group will be in deep sh... anyway, continue. Let's hear it."

[reactorhead_russians]

Alexis nods. "Da, you are right," he replies. "In that case, it would be inappropriate for us to discuss venturing to urban areas that possess Fumerco holdings."

Sasha grunts. "Completely unprofessional," she agrees. "Gathering information on Fumerco shipments of military and scientific supplies, then trying to trace them to their private research complexes would also be completely off the table."

[srwu_mods]

"Don't try to arrange an official tour of their facilities and then do some on-site espionage of your own through sneaking in ventilation shafts, either. The nearest opening for a tour is in four months."

1

[tiger_ken]

[Ken had been put on edge by the sudden upheaval from his training routine... but he'd heard about what happened.]

Sounds like a plan. I mean, I assume you have one?

Re: 1

[reactorhead_russians]

"We know some folks who know things," Alexis rumbles.

"They're awfully shady, though," Sasha clarifies. "We figured we needed a ninja to watch our backs. You game?"

Re: 1

[tiger_ken]

...Yeah, why not? Let's... try to keep Mizuki from finding out though - not sure she'd particularly approve.

Re: 1

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha raises her fingers. "Ranger's honor. She won't hear a word."

~~~

After a quick jaunt through the TSEN, and a ride on a maglev. You and the Kaidonovksys arrive at the first sight of your investigation...the Sprawl. Specifically, the dockside warehouse where the Ankians first emerged to attack Fumerco's holdings.

The warehouse is still in ruins, but a few buildings still seem to be intact. "If we can find where the office is," Alexis rumbles. "We might retrieve some incriminating data from a disk or document! Let's split up and meet back here!"

Roll for investigation, Ken!

Re: 1

[tiger_ken]

Alright then...

[Ken is quick in deciding which way he'll go - namely, up the side of the nearest building, searching window by window.

He rolls a 3, with a +8 awareness bonus.]

Re: 1

[reactorhead_russians]

Most of the warehouse is downright, rubbles, concrete and rebars and roof sheeting stir-fried into a heap.

However, there is a small side building that's still intact, with a door and and a swiveling security camera. Radio jingles trick out from a window that's been left open a crack.

Investigate further?

1

[keep_your_dignity]

YEAH, I DON'T THINK I'M THE BEST PERSON TO TAKE INTO THIS. I'M WHAT IS MILITARLY TERMED REALLY FUCKING CONSPICUOUS. BUT YOU'RE NOT THE FIRST ONES TO THINK THIS SHOULD BE DONE.

[Kagura gets up and floats to a nearby terminal, though, grabbing a small data unit and plugging it into her armor for about half a minute before tossing it at the rangers]

HERE. THESE NAMES WILL BE OF USE TO YOU.

Re: 1

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha ponders making a joke about how Kagura could blend in by going Tinkerbell and riding in one of their pockets...but decides not to.

Alexis accepts the readout from Kagura. "Spacebo, Major." He scans the names: any of them stand out?

Re: 1

[keep_your_dignity]

[Not really. They seem to be people inside the Fumerco hierarchy - bureaucrats, clerks, security agents - nobody super high, but generally in positions to get a look at things]

I HAD INTELLIGENCE DO SOME PRELIMINARY PROBING. THESE ARE PEOPLE INSIDE THE COMPANY THAT OUR AGENTS HAVE DEEMED AMENABLE TO EITHER BRIBES OR THREATS.

[Oh, right. GRAVEYARD is not exactly a strange to cloak and dagger shenanigans]

Re: 1

[reactorhead_russians]

Alexis tucks the readout in his pocket. "These are good names: it's the minor cogs in the machine that notice what they shouldn't." He nods to Kagura. "We'll get right on them."

Sasha flicks her nose with her fingers. "We were never here," she says.

Re: 1

[keep_your_dignity]

YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF THE CUTESY SPY TALK, RANGER. THIS ISN'T MY FIRST TIME AT THE RODEO.

GOOD HUNTING.