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Cage Within Cage

Interrogation chamber was a dark and rather small compartment on Airdrie Hideout. Highly guarded, it was off limits to everyone besides specially trained interrogators and the highest ranked members of the Lane Hackers. The holding cell was in the middle of the room and it was in fact a small four square feet cage with a chair inside. With his wrists and ankles strapped to the chair, a prisoner was effectively deprived of any possibility to move. Furthermore, a specially designed hypnotainment band on his head was suppressing any external sensory experiences coming through the spinal core. Instead, the device was transmitting fake images and sensations directly to the prisoner's cortex. Supplemented by injection of various psycho-active drugs, it was being used by the Lane Hackers as a sophisticated method of torturing their captives in order to break or brainwash them. The prisoner held in the cell was an officer of the Liberty Security Force captured several days ago during a fight in New York. For almost two days he has been forced to watch a guncam video showing the destruction of his ship over and over again. Suddenly, door opened and a tall young woman in a black dress entered the room. She quickly sat in the interrogator's chair and opened administration console. She picked virtual reality setting, adjusted security protocols and finally put on a hypnotainment helmet. The surrounding reality disappeared.

The prisoner was no longer sitting in a chair. He was standing in a park. The woman in black dress was sitting on a bench next to him. She touched her expensive jewellery and smiled gently. - Good afternoon, officer. I am afraid that the last time we've met there was no place for a proper introduction. Let me amend this faux pas now. My name is Nicole Hunter and I am, as you probably already know, a Lane Hacker Professor. Would you be so polite and repay me in kindness by introducing yourself? Also, please, sit down here - she said while tapping the bench beside her - I believe it will make our chit chat much more comfortable for both of us...
After hour upon hour of being forced to watch what was very nearly his own death, the LSF agent was in quite a bewildered state. This mixed with whatever concoction of drugs the Hackers were feeding him, left his mind rather fuzzy. The agent rubbed his eyes and began to look around, trying to recognize any features of his surroundings and frantically attempting to figure out just where he was. Little did he know that everything he saw was just a virtual prison created by his captors.

The agent then focused on the woman in the black dress, a Lane Hacker Professor... Not the ideal situation to find yourself in. - The last time we met? I assume then that you are the one I've been watching destroy my ship over and over. Believe me, it's unlikely that I will ever forget the last time we met. - He then looks to the ground, carefully considering what to say next. He knew the Hackers would attempt to squeeze whatever information they could from him. - *Sigh* My name is agent Brand and I am a member of the LSF's Department of Homeland Security. Now Professor Hunter, where exactly are we? - Seemed like the best response at the time. Cautiously, Brand then took a seat where the Hacker had gestured.
Nicole smiled again. - Where are we? - she looked around and thought for a moment - I believe we are in a park, a typical English landscape garden from late XVIII-th century. But if you don't like parks... - she snapped her fingers and everything became shrouded by utter darkness. A second later a new universe was loaded in. An oasis in the middle of a desert. - ...we can always choose something else. However, it's certainly too hot here. Let me think. This should be appropriate. - the desert was quickly replaced by a retro office from the middle of XX-th century. Nicole Hunter was sitting in a comfortable chair behind a wooden desk. She found a cigar in a drawer, lit it and then took a file from a pile laying on the desk. She looked on the officer sitting in front of her.

- Agent Elijah Brand, call-sign Phantom One, born on Planet Manhattan in 795 A.S., graduated West Point and delegated to the Liberty Navy in 816 A.S., recently transferred to the Liberty Security Force by own demand. - Professor suddenly stopped reading and thrown the dossier to a bin. - I am afraid it was just a bunch of worthless phrases. Ironically, you can usually learn more about a man by investigating trivial elements of his life than by reading his whole career record. Things like books on the shelf standing in alphabetical order, favourite places in restaurants, subscribed magazines, et cetera. The bottom line is that I don't know you yet and I would like to change it. Please tell me, why you have joined the Liberty Security Force and how much did you enjoy killing Order agents in Alaska, who nota bene for almost two decades were the only organized force fighting the Nomads...
As he put two and two together, the look of puzzlement on Brand's face was quickly replaced by a smirk, realizing that he was in some sort of artificially controlled reality came as a slight shock at first, however as an agent he was trained to adapt. - Impressive, very impressive professor. Must admit I would have chosen some sort of tropical paradise but I suppose we should get to business so I agree, this is appropriate. - He took a seat across from Hunter.

You wouldn't happen to have another one of those fine cigars lying around would you? Been a while since I've enjoyed something of such luxury.. That is of course if you don't mind... - The agent then sat up very straight and placed his hands on the desk - Your intelligence resources are quite impressive, unfortunately I must inform you that they are not without flaw... - Brand then looked Hunter right in the eye - I have never set any weapon of mine upon any member of The Order, never mind "enjoyed killing them". Don't get me wrong I am by no means their biggest fan but between you and me, I am some what sympathetic to their cause. You wanna get to know me? You wanna know why I joined the LSF? I love my home Professor Hunter, I love my family, I love my friends and I love going to sleep at night knowing that I'm helping to make Liberty both stronger and safer by the day. - Brand then sits back in the chair, keenly hoping for a cigar.
- Please, be my guest. - Nicole brought cigar box closer to Brand and opened it, allowing the officer to choose from several exclusive brands. Then she quickly picked up another sheet of paper. - As for the Order, it was more of a rhetoric question. Primary aimed to measure your emotional reaction. It looks like these results... - Professor passed the sheet of paper showing live analysis of brainwave patterns, pulse and amygdala's activity - ...are well within normal, which means that most likely you have a conscience and you're not yet an unapologetic fanatic incapable of reflective analysis of his actions. In other words, it is possible that when you're ordered to destroy a transport full of innocent civilians you will at least ask your superiors if they are really, really sure. - Nicole laughed for a moment and made a short pause afterwards.

- What you said sounds very nice, mr Brand. "Protect and serve common citizens." Tell me in what way the LSF improved their lives? By sabotaging Order at every possible step or by up-keeping war embargoes and shooting those who oppose them? IND and Ageira are exempt from embargoes against Rheinland, which makes them effectively monopolists in that department. Who do you serve then? Common citizens or those few who thanks to the war make billions each day. Tell me what a common citizen has gained from the war with Rheinland? You don't even hunt terrorists any more, allowing Xenos to roam free every time you detect a Rheinland vessel on the long range scanners. So please explain it all to me, as I am a bit confused. - Hacker finished her monologue and gave officer Brand a piercing look while awaiting his reponse.
After listening intensively, agent Brand exhaled some of the cigar smoke and then smiled at Professor Hunter - Well, first of all I must thank you for the cigar, real or not its very enjoyable.

Brand then took another drag on the cigar and savored the flavor for a short moment. He then met her piercing glare with one of his own. - Professor, I do not want to come across as being rube, I am after all a guest, but I do not need to be lectured on the many imperfections of the LSF. I am well aware that we are a long way from being perfect but, with everything considered, I will say that we do a damn fine job. I myself can lay claim to a number of terrorist kills and arrests and I can bare witness to seeing members of my own squadron as well as others doing the exact same thing.

Brand then takes a deep breath - Look... I want an end to this foolish war as much as anyone, perhaps even more because I know we have bigger problems to concern ourselves over. With that being said, as long as Liberty is at war with anyone, I will serve to the highest of my ability. Rheinland continues to invade Liberty Space and endangers our citizens. - Brand then once again leans back in the chair and pauses for a moment. - Let me ask you this, you're a professor and as one I'm sure you have your own plans. What would you have us do?
- Rheinland Military does not really endanger common citizens. During their incursions they target only military assets, with the only exception being MND. However, I believe this is exactly the same what LSF does in Rheinland. If you were a Navy officer maybe I could be persuaded that you really believe in such empty phrases like "serving the common people". However, you're a trained agent. Unless the training standards in the LSF have been seriously lowered, you should be capable of analysing current state of affairs and figure out who your actions benefit the most. - Nicole put down the cigar and roached it. Her tone changed to a more serious and emphatic.

- The Liberty Security Force is primarily a part of the Liberty system of oppression. You protect the laws and order which benefit few while giving the rest only illusion of freedom. Tell me why a common citizen without ties to the Big Three cannot get a permission to export goods to Rheinland, while an IND cockalorum have it for granted? I will not even get into whole base permission system, credits that were earned this way and good people that were hurt in the process. Common citizens are sheep, they are too lazy and too cowardly to be masters of their life. They choose the safety of the cage called "the Liberty dream". But make no mistake. You do not protect them, you guard them. Congratulations, overseer of the slaves. - Lane Hacker Professor became silent for a moment. She picked up a phone and entered a code, after which she put the phone back.

- You asked what are my expectations of you? As for LSF I have none. Certain elements in the society never change. Organizations like your agency will always be villains guarding the status quo, while people like me will fight you in order to show at least some of the slaves you guard the way out. Now as for you in particular... I can only hope that I will manage to plant a seed of awareness and critical thinking which will grow and allow you to make the right decision when the time comes. Is this too much to ask for?
Brand had a confused look on his face and shook his head - Where to start? I suppose in the same order as you. You say the Rheinland Military does not really endanger common citizens? You should come along next time we're called to respond to an invasion force, you can be my personal guest. They come to Texas in full force Professor, on average at least four Heavy warships and of course the LSF is normally the first to respond. The LSF has minimal capital assets so its obviously very difficult to counter such an attack without calling the Navy. They are... - He pauses to consider the right wording and with a slight sigh says. - Slow to respond and Rheinland forces tend to be impatient, so to cure their boredom they use anything and everything as target practice. The prison stations and the docking fixtures of planet Houston are amongst the more popular of the targets. Truly, come along next time and have a look.

Brand took a deep breath, it was important for him to remain calm - Now on to corporate politics, as it were. IND originated through Interspace Commerce, if I'm not mistaken, IC is seen as a Liberty Corporation but they have grown to such and extent that they are now considered to be a Sirius-wide organization. Before Rheinland banned them, yes thats right, RHEINLAND banned them, they had stations present in each House. So my point is that, trade between IC and Rheinland has ceased. With regard to IND, they are pretty much free to do whatever the hell they want. If you ask me I think its completely unacceptable, unfortunately there's not much I can do about it, not yet anyway - Brand took one last drag of the cigar before disposing of it. - As far as the whole base building system in Liberty goes, I completely agree with you on that front. If it were up to me all the laws would be revised, unfortunately its not up to me. As far as you calling the people of Liberty slaves.. you really need to travel more, try Gallia for example.

Finally, I don't see that as too much to ask for, as you said. Of course it all depends on the nature of this "decision" you speak of.
Nicole Hunter smiled expressing content and recognition - Good. You seem to be going into right direction, however, you still lack necessary background, both theoretical and factual. To allow you to fully understand the level of corruption that plagues Liberty, on your next re-education session we will upload you some ancient classics, like Ethics of Liberty or The Machinery of Freedom, as well as our collection of documented corporate crimes. It should allow you to retain open mind in future. You asked what I meant by the right decision. Only this, that at some point you will undoubtedly face a final dilemma, whether to uphold the system at all costs or to bend the rules, because you believe it's the right thing to do. This is when you will finally make a stand. And this is when we will either become mortal enemies or allies. I have a feeling that this day will come soon. But it's not today.

After the speech Nicole Hunter remained silent for a moment. She took another file from the desk. It contained many pages of gathered intelligence, among other showing guncams of a Valor class vessel escorted by Bretonian and Liberty fleet, incomplete dossier of Alice DeFrance, reports of increased Nomad activity in Liberty as well as analysis of limited hostility between the Order and the LSF in recent months. She passed the file to Brand and took another sheet showing live analysis of the officer's brainwave patterns.
- Fill in gaps of this story for me and tomorrow you will wake up in a pod broadcasting an emergency call somewhere in Rochester debris field.
Brand silently read through all the intelligence that had been placed in front of him. Analyzing every single detail as only an LSF agent could. This potentially could give the agency an insight into exactly what the Hackers knew. Once confident that he had a good idea of their intel, Brand's eyes went from the pages to Hunter - Well Professor this evidence is rather definitive so I suppose there's no point in lying to you. This Valor you see here - Brand pointed to the photograph of the vessel - is under the command of the Liberty Navy. That's right, Liberty has in it's possession the heaviest battleship that Gallia has to offer. Alice DeFrance, daughter of the King of Gallia, commands the LNS-Normandie. So as well as knowing what Gallia's strongest weapon is, we also have a former Royal on our side.

Brand then paused for a second while Hunter took in this information. - As for the Nomads, your reports are accurate, their presence in Liberty has been increased recently. We don't know why, but we can only assume the worst, this is where the Order comes in. We are by no means allies, but we do not rush to kill each other as we used to. Basically, we want to know what they know as it could help in countering the Nomad threat. I hope I've "filled in the gaps" enough to satisfy you, Professor. Having hardly blinked once, Brand sits back in the chair, his gaze still going strong.
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