Keep Away failed

[srwu_npc]

"So, you guys were interested in the container we asked you to retrieve, right?"

Look, it's Elan Cubis, the PROGTECH research and development chief.

"It's only fair if I told you since you brought it back safely... well, for the most part. Anyway, we studied the derelict ship and you saved our databank with information pertaining to it. But that's not all."

"I've been investigating Nineball-related incidents, and the conflicts between various megacorps that were springing around lately. All my data is in the bank too, and let me tell you - something really fishy is going on there. Each time there's a huge battle, someone important, like an esteemed scientist, an investigator or a political figure, dies in collateral damage."

"I don't think that's coincidental. I think someone's causing these fights on purpose, as cover for assassinations."

Comments

[srwu_npc]

"They resided in megacorp territory, it'd be surprising if they weren't related to their interests somehow."

[keep_your_dignity]

SO, OUR FIRST WORKING THEORY IS THAT WHOEVER IS BEHIND NINEBALL, IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETING CORPORATION USEFUL ASSETS FOR SOME REASON.

YOU KNOW, WERE IT NOT FOR THE COLLATERAL I'D BE CHEERING FOR THEM. BUT I SUPPOSE WE HAVE TO STOP THIS AND WAIT FOR A TERRORIST WITH BETTER AIM.

[srwu_npc]

"Cheer all you want, either way it means people are dying. I suspect the inter-corporate conflicts are being fueled by someone from the outside."

[keep_your_dignity]

BOO HOO. YOUR CORPORATIONS KILL THRICE AS MANY PEOPLE EVERY DAY, SO EXCUSE ME IF I'M LACKING IN SYMPATHY. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE BYSTANDERS.

AND YES. THAT'S ABOUT WHAT I EXPECT. YOU FLAME THINGS UP A BIT, WAIT FOR THEM TO GO FOR EACH OTHER'S THROAT, TAKE OUT SOME PRIORITY TARGETS UNDER COVER OF THE FIGHTING, MAKE THEM EXHAUST THEMSELVES, THEN DIVE IN FOR THE KILL WHEN THEY'RE SPENT. BASIC STRATEGY.

ANY PARTICULAR PATTERNS BETWEEN THESE TARGETS BEYOND BEING RELATED TO THE CORPORATIONS? SHARED PROJECTS, PARTICULAR INTERESTS THAT JUST SO HAPPEN TO BE COMMON, SHIT LIKE THAT.

[srwu_npc]

"Funny that you mention common interests. A lot of them were interested, or maybe I should say concerned, with Leos' old nemesis. Among others."

[keep_your_dignity]

ELABORATE. WHAT OTHERS?

[srwu_npc]

"There's the Nineball I just mentioned, also Black Stranger, Shu Shirakawa... powerful individuals with mysterious goals. You could even say: wild cards."

"Most of the people who died were interested in those wild cards. And I suspect that those who didn't... still were. They just didn't make it public."

[keep_your_dignity]

LIKELY THEY WERE GETTING TOO CLOSE TO SOMETHING, OR WERE GETTING TOO INTERESTED ABOUT SOME OF THEM. SOME SECRETS ARE WORTH KILLING FOR.

[It's always hard to know what Kagura is thinking, and even more so when she's not being forthcoming]

TELL ME. WHAT IS KNOWN - AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW - ABOUT NINEBALL AND ITS PILOT?

[srwu_npc]

"Very little. Ravens are a secretive bunch, and Nineball is secretive even for a Raven. The only fact we know for sure is:"

"In terms of performance and results, Nineball is the #1 Raven. Both in the Arena and on the battlefield."

[keep_your_dignity]

I KNOW THE RAVENS ARE SECRETIVE. BUT YOU CAN'T BE TELLING ME YOU DON'T HAVE A MOLE OR TWO IN THE LOWER RANKS OF THE RAVEN ARENA. THEY'RE A BUNCH OF MERCENARY ASSHOLES WITH A LOVE FOR VIOLENCE AND HEAVY WEAPONRY, AND THEY OPERATE FOR YOUR CORPORATIONS OFTEN. KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM IS JUST BASIC BUSSINESS SENSE.

BASICALLY YOU WANT ANYTHING THAT CAN GIVE YOU A CLUE ABOUT WHAT NINEBALL'S PILOT IS HIDING, BECAUSE I HAVE A HUNCH THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO FIGURING OUT THE CONNECTIONS AND THE PLAN.

[srwu_npc]

"I know. But I need to be careful. We're talking about people who got too interested in Nineball. If I don't cover my tracks, I might be next."

[keep_your_dignity]

YES. IT'S THE PROBLEM WITH INVESTIGATING CRIMINALS. THEY TAKE AN INTEREST BACK AT YOU.

I'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR YOUR RESULTS, BECAUSE SOMETHING ABOUT THE MODUS OPERANDI MAKES ME THINK THIS THING IS NOT GOING TO BE NORMAL CONSPIRACY STUFF. AND I HAVE A VERY GOOD GUT. GOOD LUCK WITH THE NOT GETTING KILLED THING.

[And with that, Kagura turns to leave. It's pretty clear she's thinking more than she lets on, but it's also pretty clear she's not telling]