As you might have guessed I work for The Order. Section 2 in particular, though you do not need to be too concerned as “Two” ain’t anything like the ‘Eight’. We may be spooks, prosecutors and executioners, but never the judge. Lightbane said you will be more cooperative if I mention his callsign. Just so you know, I am doing this in support and tandem of his own effort.
To get to the point, I am to meet you on neutral ground. Currently I am on Freeport 9, however as a matter of trust I am willing to permit you to choose another place nearby if you consider them more trustworthy than Zoners of the Nine - so long they are not going to blast me on the approach. I will perform a test for the presence of a Nomad parasite within your body. You may not have been infected last time you did that, but the more recent the result, the more valid the result. It will be undeniable proof of not being an alien meat socket for the coming weeks that validity cannot be undercut by anyone’s complaints at least within The Order and the few those who understand our work. Agent Lightbane says it will come in handy for his own superior. You are free to do whatever you do as soon as I get the green light. 5 minutes is all I ask of you.
Procedure is not invasive. I will need to acquire a sample of your blood to receive reading which will tell with one hundred percent certainty whether your squishy parts are in any way host to Nomad tissue, which does have an impact on the body that we can detect regardless of their adaptations. I will be present with one additional - unarmed - medic as a witness. Section Two is the one accustomed to be in harm's way, in an event you would turn on me.
Scenario is extremely unlikely as I read the file you helped a bunch of other operatives in bringing down a known Nomad sympathiser. However protection of our own non-combatants is taken with utmost seriousness and I presume you will understand.
Inquisitor Valkyrie
Wedjat - The Order Intelligence
Section 2, Special Operations Command
MESSAGE ORIGIN: Ames Research Station, Kepler System
[The merc remains seated on a hospital bed, hands supporting his helmet as if he was contemplating his next move. Various tubes escaped through his cybernetic right arm. Transparent, revealing a bright orange substance being pumped into his upper body. The concoction flowed rapidly towards his body in short intervals. A five second burst, followed by a complete pause in which vapour of the same color escaped through the arm. Caliban's helmet had a defective optic. It had a constant flicker to it not unlike a twitchy eye - irregular, sporadic even. Words left his mouth with great effort. Perhaps exhausted. He faced the camera with fixed eyes - optics.]
Valkyrie.
No judges you say? -- ...remains to be seen. I --...cannot travel long distances at the moment. Ames if you're willing to conduct a scan. Right now the Zoners have me hospitalized here, see. Go the extra mile for us both and visit me, or wait some time before I can fly over long distances again.
As for Lightbane. He has shown common sense. That doesn't mean I have to trust anyone he sends or acts on his behalf. "Trust no one" -- ...is what I have learned after certain experiences. Wouldn't you say the same?
Ames is far and often frequented by Auxesian filth but I have no choice but to reluctantly agree to your terms. The sooner it is done the better for both of us. I will take a flight to the Kepler system immediately discreetly and with no further delay. I will notify you if circumstances change due to affairs outside my control. Noshima in the Shikoku system is an alternate spot if Kepler becomes untenable.
You are also correct, Caliban. You have no reason to trust me beyond a limited range of factors you can influence to a satisfactory degree in your favour. This is why I allowed you the possibility of compromise to name the place rather than have you openly refusing due to the chance of an ambush. It is a risk to the safety of my own person that I am also perfectly aware of.
Inquisitor Valkyrie
Wedjat - The Order Intelligence
Section 2, Special Operations Command
MESSAGE ORIGIN: Ames Research Station, Kepler System
Valkyrie.
"No choice". If I had a credit every time someone said that I'd be considerably richer. Whatever, I won't bust your balls over it. When you -- ...reach Ames you will find one of my subordinates. Let him know who you are and what your intentions are. I may have stopped attacking your people to see where these negotiations go, but my peers won't be so well mannered. It's not personal -- ...mostly. But you get the point.