Lair of the Chimera

[srwu_npc3]

[1]
With Lowen leading the way, a small group of Unity Group members made it to the Chimera headquarters. A surprisingly small base hidden in South America, its insides seem to consist mostly of computer rooms housing gigantic servers - but there are hangars as well, as well as some automated facilities.


"This way please. There is someone I would like you to meet. This is Colonel Edel Bernal, our leader."


"The pleasure is all mine." The Chimera leader turns out to be a beautiful and refined woman.
"Through Lowen's efforts our cooperation grew remotely, but I am glad that we can finally talk face to face. Let's work together towards a peaceful world. And in the meantime... I believe you are here for a reason? I will let Schlan Opel explain, he is our specialist in data collection and intelligence gathering."


"Thank you Colonel Bernal. I'll get to the point - my mission was to track down the so called Glory Star, believed to possibly be Lt Toby Watson. This turned out to be easier than I expected because Glory Star contacted the Chimera on his own. However there's strong suspicion he may not be exactly who he seems to be, mainly the elusive Asakim Dowen. So I have hid the fact that you are coming from him."

Schlan presses a button and a screen lights up.
"If you approach the destination point from this vector, you will arrive undetected. Instead of falling into an ambush, you will set one up for him."

Do you have anything to say to any of the Chimera members present? Which by the way seems to be all, or almost all of Chimera members in general?

[2 - mainly for Setsuko]


"What is this? Yes, yes. What a beauty."

A creepy old man in a labcoat is looking at the parked Virgola in Chimera HQ's hangar.

"But it's all wrong! Its potential is unrealized at all. Sad, sad. It needs to soar the skies, like a pretty bird!"

"I really want to get my hands on it. Upgrades. Everything needs upgrades!"

Comments

1

[prismphantom]

[Look who came along for this trip, Lowen! Though Selena is all gameface.gif today though.]

You certainly run a tight ship here, and thank you. I can't fully speak for Setsuko, but Asakim's long since made himself an enemy to all of us.

Though once this is over... if you're willing to take on another request I have one you can hopefully help with.

[srwu_npc3]

"Yes? What's on your mind... miss Recital, I believe?"

[prismphantom]

Correcto, Colonel.

[A smile, nod, and a little curtsey just for formality. But then back to business.]

I've been in the need of finding some answers myself, lately. Answers about an incident that claimed the lives of most of my own teammates, practically my own family. And if lone facts got out about what happened, rather than the actual truth...

[srwu_npc3]

"Just Edel Bernal, please. My rank does not matter outside of Chimera."

"It looks like you are looking for truth yourself, while trying to conceal... no, that is not right. To hide parts of it from the outside world until it is fully prepared to be revealed. Am I correct?"

[prismphantom]

"Lone facts are the enemy of the truth". That was something my Captain would say. And prior to his death, for some reason I don't know he made a deal with a traitor. He had his reasons, but I don't know what they are and if word got out before I can find the reasons why, the whole team may be labeled traitors too.

[srwu_npc3]

"Then we must be very careful to secure this fact before all pieces fall in their place."

"But the question is, miss Recital - you already told us what you wish to remain hidden, but what is it that you wish for Chimera to uncover?"

[prismphantom]

If you can find him... Ingram Plissken.

[And there it is. Out in the open at long last]

The mission that took Captain Symphonia's life, took almost all of Team Jelba's lives, was something planned between him and Major Plissken. After Ingram revealed himself as a Balmarian plant. And for that matter, the woman in charge of the group that massacred Team Jelba sported a similar face too.

Wherever he is, Ingram's the only person who can explain why my captain... why he sent himself and the rest of my comrades to their deaths. So if you can find him...

... Then I'll be able to beat the truth out of him.

[srwu_npc3]

"Investigating a member of Ze Balmary empire? You ask for a lot, miss Recital."

"Well, it would say little about our determination to change the world for the better if we gave up just because the task is hard. Wouldn't it?" Edel smiles.

"I will have Schlan and the others look into it. As soon as we know anything, we will let you know."

[prismphantom]

[And Selena smiles right back.]

If it makes your job any easier, Ingram's R-Gun Rivale is likely one-of-a-kind, so when he shows himself he'll be easy to spot.

And gracias. I'm in Chimera's debt.

1

[actuallyselfish]

"Wow: how did you manage such a complete comm and sensor blackout?" Dido wonders aloud.

[srwu_npc3]

"I did not. If it was a blackout, he would notice it and know something is wrong. I would also have to assume Asakim Dowen uses the same radar detection methods as standard Earth units do. That's not a wise assumption to make."

[actuallyselfish]

"Then what will conceal Setsuko's approach?" Dido frowns in thought. "The terrain, perhaps?"

[srwu_npc3]

"That's rather close."

"In addition to the terrain itself providing cover, there is the matter of approach. If you are at a location that seems more far away than it really is, or that you were there for reasons unrelated to the meeting - that will allow you to spring into action quickly, won't it?"

2

[tiger_ken]

...

[Ken slowly puts away the kunai he had initially drawn.]

What do you mean the Virgola's... potential? Some kind of hidden power?

[srwu_npc3]

"No. Look. Look over here!"

The old man runs around Virgola and excitedly points at its back.

"What's missing? It cannot fly at all! It is aerodynamic but there are no systems for flight! Who made this? And this!"

Now he points at the Carver.

"Amateur work cobbled together! Needs streamlining, yes, yes!"

[tiger_ken]

...Oh.

[Ken's had odd suspicions about the Virgolas for a long while, so would explain why he made the wrong conclusion...]

There's admittedly a few machines like that, due to specialisation or... budget issues. You saying you'd be able to change that, for Setsuko at least?

[srwu_npc3]

"Setsuko? The pilot's name is Setsuko?"

Jii nods frantically.

"Yes, yes! Leave it to me!"

2

[star_of_sad]

Umm.

[Oh boy, creepy old man. Setsuko's day is not looking up at all.]

Upgrades? I believe you're talking about my unit... you might be?

[srwu_npc3]

"You are the pilot? Beautiful! Beautiful lady pilot for beautiful unit!"

He walks in closer - not uncomfortably close, but then with this guy even a single step forward might be too close.

"I am Jii. Jii Babel, I make best robots for Chimera. Did you see Chaos Leo? That was mine too."

[star_of_sad]

Chaos Leo? You mean, Lowen's unit? I see...

[srwu_npc3]

"So let me do it Setsuko-chan! I'll make your unit much stronger, yes yes!"

"I promise to do good! If I don't or I mess up, Edel will hit me again."

[star_of_sad]

Stronger... do you think it might help me beat...

[She doesn't finish the sentence. But the lingering thought is still there.]

Please do your best, Professor Jii.