<"Fairchild"> *salutes* Evening.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Kenzie I do know.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Kenzie?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> McKenzie, sorry.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> The guy on the bridge of the Odyssee *She laughs*
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I see.
<"Fairchild"> What?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Apologies.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Hello, pilot.
<"Fairchild"> *sniffs* Accepted. But please be careful, this Scimitar is fragile as hell.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> But ... why does it feel weird Troy? I mean, some time has passed already and all...
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Well... It's just weird. I can't forget things as easily as you do, I suppose.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Hm. I hear a sound that's somewhat more common in Taus and Omicrons.
<"Fairchild"> Who are you 'Forlorn' lot anyway, out of sheer human curiousity?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I guess it's time to sum up things again.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> You're the boss, so you explain.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I'll just enjoy being a lazy underling with no duties.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We're a private mercenary company, specialized in a few things, from escort work to military scale actions.
<"Fairchild"> "Private mercenary company". Aha.
<"Fairchild"> Well that didn't require that much explaining, did it.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Yes.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> So, you wanna know more huh?
<"Fairchild"> Well I don't know, I met some group of freelancers like that some time ago.
<"Fairchild"> 'Auxesia' they called themselves.
<"Fairchild"> Kinda sad they turned out to be non-human garbage of the worst sort.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Except, our main strength is the beauty of our women. Not how crazy they could be.
<"Fairchild"> "Trans-humans" *spits*
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Many thanks, Troy. *She chuckles*
<"Fairchild"> Smooth.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Though, they DO get pretty crazy sometime.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Crazy is my second name. *She laughs*
<"Fairchild"> Where are you lot based off, anyway?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Liberty.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Obviously.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> That's not a target...
<"Fairchild"> Quite specific, really.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I suppose we all have our own favored locations.
<"Fairchild"> I don't have one. I don't think so at least.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I like that new butique burger sho? in Trenton, for example.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> And Elena likes to shop for shoes. A lot of them.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> There's a lot of shoes to be bought on Manhattan.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> *sigh*
<"Fairchild"> Sounds... vain. Extremely so.
<Forlorn|-Akuma.Kotegawa> Konnichiwa.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> At least she didn't yet start to pirate people for designer clothes, like those girls in Kusari.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Hello, Kotegawa.
<"Fairchild"> Eh, generous calling GC "girls".
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> They are not women?
<"Fairchild"> For some very broad definitions of "women" I suppose.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Oh? Do they pack something extra? *raises an eyebrow*
<"Fairchild"> Tsk.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Hey Akuma.
<"Fairchild"> Something extra orange, maybe.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> What's your name, anyway?
<Forlorn|-Akuma.Kotegawa> Hey Elena.
<"Fairchild"> Mine? Well, I've been calling myself Fairchild for a while now.
<"Fairchild"> Might as well stick.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Don't wanna tell me your other name? Suit yourself.
<"Fairchild"> Which "other" name?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> The one that's not Fairchild.
<"Fairchild"> There are two that aren't Fairchild. But no, not really.
<"Fairchild"> Besides, it's more complicated than that.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Oh well.
<"Fairchild"> Fairchild is not one person.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Are you carrying an invasive alien being within yourself?
<"Fairchild"> That's supposed to be an insult or something?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> What am I supposed to understand from what you're suggesting?
<"Fairchild"> I've killed Nomads, Outcasts, GC and assorted orange menace for long enough to think about words like that as such.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> And? I really don't care what you take it as. Though I speak literally, don't need to think too hard.
<"Fairchild"> Heh. Maybe what they say about the abyss and killing dragons is true.
<"Fairchild"> But no. You're wrong.
<"Fairchild"> It's been a... well, a favour for someone dear to my heart.
<"Fairchild"> Long story.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I have a lot of time, especially for interesting long stories.
<"Fairchild"> It might be the time, but it's definitely not the place.
<"Fairchild"> I would not like to blow my cover that quickly, especially considering there's Navy here.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> And I have the freedom to move anywhere I wish.
<"Fairchild"> Pick a different place then.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Not 10 clicks over the sun, maybe?
<"Fairchild"> I don't know if I trust you enough to go 10K above the sun with you, if you catch my drift.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Why, what could I do to you?
<"Fairchild"> I don't know. And unknown is something I don't really like.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> You killed nomads, sniffers, and all kinds of assorted things. I bet you can handle me.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> No comment.
<"Fairchild"> *chuckles* Fair enough. If you think of yourself so low.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Well, you have been quite silent, Elena.
<"Fairchild"> See you there.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I had an incoming message from Nick.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Could my friends follow as well?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> They might be bored otherwise. If they want to come, that is.
<"Fairchild"> Eh, why not. You seem like a good bunch.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> *takes a swig from a bottle*
<"Fairchild"> It's a nice view up here..
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Urgh... Don't tell the cops, please.
<"Fairchild"> Eh. Sure.
<"Fairchild"> Well, you wanted to know about me. What exactly?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> *takes another swig*
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> You said you have an interesting story to tell. I like to listen to them.
<"Fairchild"> Well, as I said... I don't think I trust you enough to tell it all.
<"Fairchild"> But, I guess a bit of it might be in order.
<"Fairchild"> You ever heard of a company called Wisp Innovations?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Don't worry, we're good at building up trust with others.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Hm... Nope.
<"Fairchild"> Yeah, that's what I'm scared of.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> It's kinda our business after all.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> The only thing is ... we don't lie about trust.
<"Fairchild"> Well. *scratches her cheek* Wisp is a subsidiary of Cryer that I worked for.
<"Fairchild"> Well, it used to be. It no longer exists as far as I know.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Ahh...
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Those stabiline producers... And baby pills.
<"Fairchild"> Yeah.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I should have gotten those damn baby pills, yes.
<"Fairchild"> But Wisp didn't deal in that. They made... more... powerful things.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Like... weapons of mass destruction?
<"Fairchild"> No, gods, no.
<"Fairchild"> More advanced drugs.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Troy ... always interested in that stuff. *She laughs*
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Well, I am tryna' think big.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Hmm... Drugs.
<"Fairchild"> We've engineered something called Vergil. Cryer now calls it a recreational drug, but Vergil is something much, /much/ more.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> A ... recreationial drug?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She raises an eyebrow*
<"Fairchild"> Well, you see.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> If it gets you high, they call it recreational, Elena.
<"Fairchild"> That's the thing. It doesn't get you high. Quite the opposite actually.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I'm Rheinlandian, don't blame on me.
<"Fairchild"> Some time ago, through some contacts in the Omicrons, we managed to find a species of alien bacteria.
<"Fairchild"> Turned out that this bacteria had some special properties.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Ooh, alien bacteria ... always a dangerous thing.
<"Fairchild"> Not really dangerous. Useful as hell, though. Or so I was told.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> If there's a chance for things to go things south, they always do.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> So what happened with this drug of yours?
<"Fairchild"> Well, long story short. A professor at Wisp, and a good friend of mine, figured out that these bacteria-
<"Fairchild"> -could be paired with nanites to create something quite extraordinary.
<"Fairchild"> Specifically, an interface to the human brain.
<"Fairchild"> Wisp worked with some top scientists from Ageira to make this happen and it did, eventually.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Wow... So I could mind control Elena, finally.
<"Fairchild"> Well, you see. No.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> You always wanted that, didn't you?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> My most secret desire.
<"Fairchild"> We've worked as hard as possible to make sure this doesn't happen. There were... casualties.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I see.
<"Fairchild"> But eventually, yes. We engieered a secure system which, essentially, allowed you to launch an instance of nexOS-
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Wouldn't you want to be one of those casualties, Troy?
<"Fairchild"> -literally in your head.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Let me think... Nope... I'd not want to be one of those casualties.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> You under my control ... man, a killing machine.
<"Fairchild"> You lot seriously have strange fantasies.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Elena is a playful one, simply.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Strange only when Troy is around.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Don't mind her. She's teasing. She's in a very healthy relationship with another guy.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> You got it. *She laughs*
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Well. Reviewing what you said, it's incredibly... well... scary.
<"Fairchild"> Depends how you spin it.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> What happened to that thing?
<"Fairchild"> But soon after Vergil was released, some... problems started.
<"Fairchild"> But, well, before that.
<"Fairchild"> I was the first subject on which Vergil was tested fully.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> So you literally released a drug?
<"Fairchild"> It's... well. It's available for consumers, yes.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> So, uh... How does it feel?
<"Fairchild"> Could probably venture out into any Cryer-operated drug store and get it.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Uhm ... alright.
<"Fairchild"> My experience is different, and from what I know it's different for everyone.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> How was it for you then?
<"Fairchild"> The integration, while generally painless, is quite interesting though.
<"Fairchild"> It's... personal though, so I'd rather not talk about it.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She nods* I see. That's alright.
<"Fairchild"> But, well.
<"Fairchild"> There was a problem in Wisp after Vergil was finished.
<"Fairchild"> Something Cryer called "corporate restructuring".
<"Fairchild"> Something I would call a "hostile takeover".
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Uhm... *She frowns* ... what the hell?
<"Fairchild"> Basically all of the assets of Wisp were bought out and seized by Cryer.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Ah... Well... so you mean to say that there's a drug out there which installs an operating system in people's brains and which-
<"Fairchild"> The professor who led Vergil, Nikita Nagrebetskiy, was outright refused any rights to his research.
<"Fairchild"> So, well, he asked me for help.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> in turn allow those people to be mind controlled or something?
<"Fairchild"> No, no, gods.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I am somewhat tipsy, sorry.
<"Fairchild"> Mind control is impossible. We made sure of that.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Still sad about that, Troy?
<"Fairchild"> There always is a 'master override'.
<"Fairchild"> This is the reason why casualties happened.
<"Fairchild"> One, specifically, some expendable Outcast we found too close to Atrka.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I am not sad. It's simply nice to be a drunk.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> That's true though. Being drunk is funny.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I see.
<"Fairchild"> We had to investigate brain patterns for various negative emotions, like panic, terror, extreme fear, et cetera.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Uh...
<"Fairchild"> It would require very deep, wetware programming to change these patterns. Not something anyone would be able to do.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> That's not so ethical, is it?
<"Fairchild"> Well, depends who you ask.
<"Fairchild"> Of course, it violates human rights.
<"Fairchild"> Such experimentation that is.
<"Fairchild"> But Outcasts aren't humans. At least they aren't for Cryer.
<"Fairchild"> They aren't for me either.
<"Fairchild"> Nobody who voluntarily puts themselves under the influence of Cardamine is human.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I have a soft spot for animals as well. But uh... I guess such happened anyway, no need to argue about it now.
<"Fairchild"> Well.
<"Fairchild"> Regardles.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> So, what would happen if I decided to go to a pharmacy now, and swallowed some of those drugs?
<"Fairchild"> I couldn't tell you.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> In fact, I just might. Because you won't tell me.
<"Fairchild"> Neither me, nor Nagrebetskiy knows what they changed.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I wouldn't risk that to be honest.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> You don't want me to be your personal toy of destruction?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I'd rather like to see you safe.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Also, wow. Am I just a killer toy for you, Elena?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> And not on a complete killing spree.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Oh, for a second, I thought you thought weird things about me.
<"Fairchild"> They may have removed our overrides. Who knows.
<"Fairchild"> Maybe Cryer is indeed planning mind control on a massive scale.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> No I wouldn't ever.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I wonder what else you're not telling me, Fairchild. Because this info is massive.
<"Fairchild"> Well.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> And you told me that you'd not tell me everything, before.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> It kinda makes my brain getting more tired and tired.
<"Fairchild"> We still have the original code for Vergil.
<"Fairchild"> And the nano-replicator recipes for the nanobots.
<"Fairchild"> We don't have any of the bacteria, but that requires just an expedition to the Omicrons with appropriate equipment.
<"Fairchild"> And, of course, an AR lab to produce the clean version of Vergil.
<"Fairchild"> That's what we want to do, in a nutshell..
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> "You"?
<"Fairchild"> Oh. I haven't told you something, yeah.
<"Fairchild"> Nagrebetskiy, the professor who made Vergil, right?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Right.
<"Fairchild"> He... Well, he became ill. After all, he was an old man.
<"Fairchild"> But thanks to Vergil, he undergone a quite dangerous operation, he called it 'Brain-in-a-jar'.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Uhm ... I guess I can imagine what happened.
<"Fairchild"> Do... Well, do I have to tell you what that might have been or is your imagination good enough to envision that yourself?
<"Fairchild"> Yeah. And, thanks to Vergil, we are now... well... connected.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> But that's just ... oh well, weird I guess.
<"Fairchild"> He sees with my eyes, hears with my ears, feels with my skin.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> You are ... -connected-?!
<"Fairchild"> This is why I said, Fairchild is not one person.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> My god.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Uh... I suppose it would feel very weird to the old man if you ever had a lover.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She sighs*
<"Fairchild"> I couldn't know, we don't share memories.
<"Fairchild"> You see, once you start Vergil for the first time, your memories are kind of separated.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> It's like a switch? He can just become you, at times, or something?
<"Fairchild"> You obviously keep your human brain as normal, but what you see and hear goes into Q-coherence storage.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> So is it like a nomad incubus or something ... can he take control over you at times?
<"Fairchild"> Your thoughts, if you so desire, as well.
<"Fairchild"> No, of course not.
<"Fairchild"> Only if I agree.
<"Fairchild"> It's /my/ body after all.
<"Fairchild"> But there are certain implications of this.
<"Fairchild"> Indeed, I was the one who performed the surgery on his brain.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> That's actually ... woah. Mind blowing
<"Fairchild"> Having /absoultely no idea/ about neurobiology.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She laughs*
<"Fairchild"> Imagine that./
<"Fairchild"> Well, bloody hell. I've said a lot more than I meant to.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Yeah, I have such an effect on people.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Yes ... yes you did. *She sighs* And my brain hurts now.
<"Fairchild"> But now that I've told you this.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> But it is quite interesting, ma'am. I am glad I heard it all.
<"Fairchild"> I guess I'd have to join up with you, eh?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Uhh..
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Oh why, do you think so?
<"Fairchild"> Well, you can help me out with my mission.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> That's up to the bosses, I suppose.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Oh, and what's your mission again exactly?
<"Fairchild"> Provide the 'clean', early version of Vergil, open-source to anyone who desires.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> To be honest, this Vergil sounds really troublesome to me.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We're not exactly ... the people to produce drugs, so I wonder why you think we could even help you?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> It sounds like a revolutionary, yet still dangerous idea
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Like, sure, it certainly does SOMETHING to your brain. Which surely /won't/ allow you to be mind controlled. But what-
<"Fairchild"> You're mercenaries and freelancers.. You've got contacts, probably.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> advantages does it bring to a person, you never tell me.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Or provide, that is.
<"Fairchild"> *sighs* You ever used a computer. Or a console, or a PAD or anything like that?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Yes we did.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Oh yes, why don't you tell me that? I was expecting that explanation from the start.
<"Fairchild"> Imagine skipping the entire "chair, keyboard, monitor" process.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Oh wait.
<"Fairchild"> Vergil is an /interface/. It uses your brain to communicate with the console.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She raises both eyebrows in awe*
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> That's ... *she whistles* ... something!
<"Fairchild"> There are many ways to do this.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> You know what, I'll make sure to talk about this with the other leaders.
<"Fairchild"> I, for example, have a subdermal chip implanted somewhere, uh... Here.
<"Fairchild"> *she points to her neck*'
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Cause, if I hear right, this actually could become a great and enduring business.
<"Fairchild"> That chip is basically a low-end quantum console which I can use through Vergil.
<"Fairchild"> Well. The code you aren't going to get for yourselves.
<"Fairchild"> The code is for everyone.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Of course.
<"Fairchild"> But, if you get a head start on pumping out
<"Fairchild"> -clean Vergil nodes and cores, then you might get a lot of clientelle.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> So, my blackbox is recording that conversation anyways. I'll make sure the others gonna see it too.
<"Fairchild"> My eyes are recording as well. Don't worry.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She whistles again in surprise*
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I am fine with her joining us. The more the merrier, huh?
<"Fairchild"> We both have ways to blackmail each other I guess.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Oh, she doesn't necessarilly have to join us.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> But, it's up to these three, very choosy, Knight Captains of ours.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Cooperation would be just as fine.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> But we'll see.
<"Fairchild"> *sniffs* Quite a name, "Knight Captain".
<"Fairchild"> Reminds me of the Core. *she chuckles*
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We're not as choosy as Troy thinks we are though.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We're anything but the Core, ma'am.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Very, very fancy, these show ponies are, I tell you.
<"Fairchild"> Good, because Core is a bunch of incompetent idiots.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We are neither incompetent nor idiots.
<"Fairchild"> I figured.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Though I guess we all have our "phases" at times, at least that's the case with me.
<"Fairchild"> Else I wouldn't have told you my story, eh?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Not sure about my competence, but I sure want to be flashy.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> You're competent, Troy.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Don't doubt that. *She laughs*
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Oh, you're making me blush.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Didn't intend to.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Anyways, I must thank you for the information you gave us, they all sound very interesting to me.
<"Fairchild"> Don't mention it.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> If only you could give us your comm details, so we can message you directly over a private channel?
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We're good at keeping secret stuff secret, ma'am.
<"Fairchild"> Sure. *sends the communication codes*
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Very well.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> I swear, Elena, you really are not that good at keeping secret things secret.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Do you know what I heard from this Mary Dross, person?
<"Fairchild"> I would watch out if I were you, with sharing this information.
<"Fairchild"> Pick the people you share this with carefully, you're in possession of Cryer's trade secret now.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Uhm, what?
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Nevermind. I have no idea how she knew that.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> *She sighs* Starting with stuff but not ending it. Typical.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> And, pilot, I'll keep my mouth shut, don't worry.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> I will so as well.
<"Fairchild"> Fair enough. *salutes* Catch me on the Net if you wish to help out.
<"Fairchild"> There's probably cash in it too.
<"Fairchild"> Farewell, for now.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> We'll sure do.
<Forlorn|-Troy.Augustin> Have a safe flight.
<Forlorn|-Elena.Voigt> Farewell to you as well, See ya around.

<Forlorn|-Seraph.3> Greetings.
<''Fairchild"> Well, here we are again.
<''Fairchild"> Afternoon.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.3> Again?
<''Fairchild"> Well, I've talked to a couple of your friends yesterday, Mr Question Mark.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> Ah.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.3> We can leave the question mark as it is if it bothers you.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> Interesting choice of ship
<''Fairchild"> Well.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.3> One, do you want to speak?
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> Mmm, depends.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> I assume you were not expecting us out here?
<''Fairchild"> Not really.
<''Fairchild"> I've been expecing a transmission from Voigt though, that hasn't come through though.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> Ah, and what do you believe will be in the transmission?
<''Fairchild"> Well, ask her, she can tell you, hm?
<''Fairchild"> You seem to be from one bunch.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.3> I'll make sure to ask her the next time I see her.
<''Fairchild"> Well.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> Oh, I could easily do that, but I'm curious as to what you believe will be in it.
<''Fairchild"> *shrugs* No clue.
<''Fairchild"> I'm not in her head.
<Forlorn|-Seraph.1> No, thats true *laughs*

<Paragon> And so we meet at last
<"Fairchild"> Welcome.
<Paragon> Glad to finally find you
<"Fairchild"> It's mutual, although I still don't know who you are.
<Paragon> Just as I don't know much more about you than you've shared with my associates in the Forlorn.
<Paragon> I prefer to keep anonymous, being an information collector and broker.
<"Fairchild"> That is still more.
<"Fairchild"> And I did reveal quite a bit to the Forlorn.
<Paragon> I do hope you don't want my life story. I'm more interested in Wisp and all such things.
<"Fairchild"> Well, haven't the Forlorn shared their conversation logs with you?
<"Fairchild"> I'm sure that would have been in order.
<Paragon> They have, but my own investigation into the matter has left me with exactly no results.
<Paragon> Wisp very much exists, but more than that, I can't find anything. Which makes me very curious
<"Fairchild"> Wisp very much doesn't exist, that's the problem.
<"Fairchild"> At least not anymore.
<Paragon> And then theres the substance! Such wonderful technology. Full integration of a human mind with that of a machine?
<Paragon> Or did I misunderstand it?
<"Fairchild"> Well, groundwork for it, at least..
<"Fairchild"> If there were people to write software for it.
<Paragon> I assume you've approached the obvious choices already?
<"Fairchild"> I'm curious what you mean by obvious choices.
<"Fairchild"> To me, there are none.
<Paragon> The Order, the Core, the LSF. I know you spoke to Auxesia. These all seem like logical choices for the development of
<Paragon> the software
<Paragon> Perhaps the question the Forlorn forgot to ask, was what do you need to further your own goals?
<"Fairchild"> None of the ones you listed, perhaps with the exception of the LSF, aren't going to cut it.
<"Fairchild"> Order are widely regarded as terrorists and if we approached them for help, even /assuming/ they came up-
<"Fairchild"> -with something, it would instantly be discarded and labeled as contraband in all of the Houses. The exact-
<"Fairchild"> -opposite of what I want.
<"Fairchild"> The Core are too power hungry and too blinded by their chase for chrome to understand the power of this technology.
<"Fairchild"> And the LSF... Well, I don't trust Libertonians. I fear they might be colluding with Cryer and I'd rather avoid that.
<"Fairchild"> If there are no other options though, they are probably the ones who I'd approach.
<"Fairchild"> The technology proficiency of Liberty is unparalleled, sadly.
<Paragon> Ah, I understand. Well, there may be some who are better when it comes to software and hardware regardless.
<Paragon> The Prime AI out in Gamma come to mind. Although they are supicious at the best of times.
<"Fairchild"> What I need is a visionary. Someone with the reach and reliability to put this out to the world.
<Paragon> Even in its framework stage?
<"Fairchild"> Someone has to carry it out of this stage, no?
<"Fairchild"> Of course it could just be the two of us, me and Professor.
<"Fairchild"> But that would take ages and we don't have that kind of time.
<"Fairchild"> Not until Cryer gains popularity with their own version. And that would be rather tragic.
<Paragon> Indeed. Well, I have contact with the Primes, far away and suspicious they may be, and I have... contacts... within the
<Paragon> Lane Hackers as well, that may help with the software as well.
<"Fairchild"> If the Hackers learn about this, I will personally make sure to eviscerate you in the most painful way possible.
<"Fairchild"> Understand?
<Paragon> Don't worry, the Hackers won't hear a thing from me.
<"Fairchild"> This is not a game.
<Paragon> I was entertaining thoughts out loud.
<"Fairchild"> Well anyway.
<Paragon> You and the Professor are linked, yes?
<"Fairchild"> In a manner of speaking.
<Paragon> So its functional, and applicable already?
<"Fairchild"> In its base form, just to serve as a communication tool, yes.
<Paragon> Did it hurt? Does it hurt?
<"Fairchild"> A lot of it is based on existing technology already as Vergil itself is... well, not very elaborate.
<"Fairchild"> It doesn't, no. The synchronisation itself knocks you out for a couple of hours and that's it.
<"Fairchild"> It's different for everyone though.
<"Fairchild"> As far as I know, anyway. We haven't had that many subjects though and it was difficult to understand how-
<"Fairchild"> -exactly they felt.
<Paragon> Intriguing. This process, you can carry it out still? You have the facilities?
<"Fairchild"> Well, technically speaking, what we need is access to several things.
<"Fairchild"> None of which we have currently.
<Paragon> I ask because I find myself drawn to the idea.
<Paragon> I have a friend. A member of an LSF agency.
<"Fairchild"> Oh.
<Paragon> You know the 404?
<"Fairchild"> Well, I heard the name, but that's about it.
<Paragon> They may be the steps needed to achieve what you seek.
<"Fairchild"> Who are they, exactly?
<Paragon> They fly the LSF flag, but are seperate from them.
<Paragon> Libertonian, but with distrust towards the government
<"Fairchild"> Interesting.
<Paragon> In their own words. "Anything nessacery to protect liberty"
<Paragon> They have ties to the Forlorn as well, allowing you to make use of a mutual friendship.
<"Fairchild"> It does sound promising, yes.
<Paragon> I can put you in touch without a problem.
<Paragon> In fact, I find myself unearthly curious about the process.
<Paragon> I have to ask, and forgive me for being so blunt. But would it be possible for myself to undergo the operation?
<"Fairchild"> Not at the present.
<Paragon> A pity. But understandable nonetheless.
<"Fairchild"> As I said, we don't have the resources and machinery to produce additional working sets of Vergil nodes.
<Paragon> What equipment would you require for this?
<"Fairchild"> Well, the Vergil itself is made of three distinct parts.
<Paragon> And I assume the equipment itself would be vital to furthering your goals in general?
<"Fairchild"> The equipment, not really. It would help everyone who wanted access to this technology though.
<"Fairchild"> And if any brilliant software developers got interested, well, then they perhaps could contribute.
<"Fairchild"> So I suppose, in an indirect way, yes.
<Paragon> And it would prevent Cryer from gaining a foothold with it in advance if you were already producing for consumption.
<"Fairchild"> You got it.
<Paragon> Any adverse effects in its current stages that would harm its reputation?
<"Fairchild"> None that we found.
<Paragon> I need a list of the equipment you need.
<"Fairchild"> The professor has gone to great lengths to ensure nothing bad can happen.
<Paragon> Interesting cargo you have there.
<"Fairchild"> There are quite a few precautions put in place to ensure the user themselves has the largest control over it.
<"Fairchild"> Anyway, the equipment.
<"Fairchild"> First, to produce the node shells, we need nanofiber alloy as the material. That's what the tiny nanite spiders use-
<"Fairchild"> -to settle in your synapses.
<"Fairchild"> Or, what they're made of, not use.
<"Fairchild"> We would also need a nanoreplicator to actually make them.
<"Fairchild"> What powers the nodes and gives them their ability to read electric pulses from synapses-
<"Fairchild"> -is a special kind of bacteria found in the Omicrons.
<Paragon> Alien organisms?
<"Fairchild"> Yeah, from a place in the Omicrons.
<"Fairchild"> A special kind though, not those used on Junyo to help rice grow or whatever.
<Paragon> Interesting. So nanofibers, a nanoreplicator, and alien bacteria.
<Paragon> A lot of travel coming through here at the moment.
<"Fairchild"> Well, the alien bacteria won't do because I don't expect your friends to know where exactly to mine and what equipment-
<"Fairchild"> -to use.
<"Fairchild"> Rather, someone with an appropriate mining ship and mining equipment.
<"Fairchild"> Leading a sortie to the Omicrons is not a problem for me.
<Paragon> The Athena is out in the Omicrons at the moment I believe.
<"Fairchild"> What or who is that?
<Paragon> Its a Forlorn exploration ship. Its possible they have made contact with miners in their travels.
<"Fairchild"> Perhaps, but using any ordinary miner for this task might not be the best idea.
<"Fairchild"> Space is dangerous.
<Paragon> Indeed.
<Paragon> So, I'll leave the Bacteria off the list for now then
<"Fairchild"> Anyway, I suppose if those 404 people you are talking about...
<"Fairchild"> ...are worth anything, they might be able to get all of this without an issue.
<"Fairchild"> Anyone with a deep enough wallet can probably get it from Ageira without a problem..
<Paragon> Aye, thats true as well.
<"Fairchild"> After all, it was Ageira who engineered the shell.
<Paragon> Interesting. Are there more materials required for this, or is it just those few?
<"Fairchild"> Just those.
<"Fairchild"> As I said, it's not a complicated machine.
<Paragon> So simple, and yet so powerful.
<Paragon> Very well, I'll see what I can do to help you. I'll contact 404, and I'll set things in motion with a few of my friends in
<Paragon> terms of materials. Do you have any idea how much we would need to begin with?
<"Fairchild"> It's difficult to judge, depends on how many sets of nodes we need.
<"Fairchild"> Or want.
<"Fairchild"> And, well, Nanofibre is expensive.
<Paragon> As mentioned, I find myself wanting to undergo the process. Further than that, any we produce could be used to begin
<Paragon> establishing its name.
<"Fairchild"> I suppose the 404 will want some for themselves as well.
<"Fairchild"> And this also depends on what kind of nanoreplicator is used.
<Paragon> An interfaced network to communication channels would be invaluable to military assests.
<"Fairchild"> Undoubtedly.
<Paragon> Say myself, and two or three members of the 404 want to be upgraded. How much would need to be acquired?
<"Fairchild"> This requires some specific caluclation, but I would estimate one needs about ten to fifteen cubic centimetres of nanofibre to-
<"Fairchild"> -make one set of nodes.
<"Fairchild"> Our testing showed that one freighter-full of mined bacteria can also do it for one set.
<"Fairchild"> That, and any sort of consumer-grade q-chip for the server.
<"Fairchild"> But that's the least problematic part of this.
<Paragon> Looks like we have a plan here then.
<"Fairchild"> Fair enough.
<Paragon> I'll get in touch with 404, see if theyre open to the idea. I'll also get hold of Nanofibers and a Replicator.
<"Fairchild"> Very well. Do let me know if the 404 responds.
<Paragon> I expect I'll have an answer in a day or two, three at the most.
<"Fairchild"> *she nods* All right.
<"Fairchild"> I suppose that's all then?
<Paragon> It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Fairchild. Unless theres anything else, I'll get to work.
<"Fairchild"> It was a pleasure.
<"Fairchild"> See you in a while, then.
<Paragon> Stay safe out here.

<"Fairchild"> "He has the data, should I copy it over to you as well?"
<Paragon> You are hard to find, and he has been busy with a more civilian life recently. I'm waiting for final confirmation from him.
<"Fairchild"> "I've been away."
<Paragon> That would be appreciated. But what I was really curious about is if you would be willing to use the Forlorn as a cover to
<Paragon> continue with this project.
<"Fairchild"> "I don't think I understand."
<Paragon> No one else has the experience or knowledge that you do.
<Paragon> It would be a shame to not try and tap that when we work on this.
<"Fairchild"> "I agree."
<"Fairchild"> "But what am I needed for? You'll have the technical documentation, the white paper, everything."
<Paragon> Well, in that sense, not much. In a more, is personal the right word, sense, it would help with getting the labs up to 100%
<Paragon> You already know how it works, how to use it. We'll be teaching our people that knowledge first.
<Paragon> You're the expert on the subject. The only one as well I believe.
<"Fairchild"> "Well, if you need it."
<"Fairchild"> "However I still need to show you the place in the Omicrons to mine the bacteria from."
<Paragon> It's an offer. Feel free to take your time in making a decision. We'll continue as planned either way.
<Paragon> And yes, that would definitely help the efforts.
<"Fairchild"> "I'll work with you on this, sure."
<"Fairchild"> "And the bacteria is the only significantly difficult part of producing the nodes, realistically speaking."
<"Fairchild"> "I mean, I think a trained monkey or a Bretonian could deal with plugging a nanoreplicator to a socket and pressing a few-
<"Fairchild"> -buttons."
<Paragon> I'm glad to hear that Miss Fairchild. And yea, I can imagine. Luckily, we have more than enough Bretonians around for the
<Paragon> easy parts.
<"Fairchild"> *she sighs*
<"Fairchild"> "I would like to help you with this, as I said, however there is still one thing that I need to do before I commit myself to-
<Paragon> Oh?
<"Fairchild"> -anything. Ageira is being slow with an order, of course, as usual."
<Paragon> Yeah, while their products are quality, they do tend to linger.
<Paragon> Unfortunately, such are corporations. I assume the order is of a rarer item?
<"Fairchild"> "Custom android shell, nothing particularly special."
<"Fairchild"> "The only special thing is we wanted full technical documentation for it and for that reason they apparently
<"Fairchild"> had to make a fully new thing, or something. I don't know, really, it's for Nick."
<Paragon> Just special enough to take longer than desired.
<Paragon> Well, if Ageira continues to fail to deliver, the Crayterians do have Yuma Robotics.
<"Fairchild"> "We'll see."
<Paragon> Indeed. Your ship should be arriving soon, and I've brought the access codes for it.
<"Fairchild"> "Good."
<Paragon> When you're ready to work with us on Vergil, you know how to find us.
<"Fairchild"> "Right."
<Paragon> All that remains is the location of the bacteria?
<"Fairchild"> "Ah, right."
<"Fairchild"> "I'll lead you to it, it's in Omicron Sigma."
<"Fairchild"> "I'll know the place when I see it."
<Paragon> Works for me.
<"Fairchild"> "You probably want to arrange a party of some sort, though.."
<"Fairchild"> "Let me know once you have at least a mining ship and a few escorts.."
<Paragon> I'll do so. I assume we'll meet here?
<"Fairchild"> "Wherever you might prefer."
<Paragon> Don't believe I've ever been to Omicron Sigma, but where we meet can be decided closer to the time.
<Paragon> I do hope you enjoy your new home, and I trust you'll get in touch should you need anything more.
<"Fairchild"> "I'll be fine. Thanks for your help."
<Paragon> Stay safe out here Miss.
<"Fairchild"> "Cheers."

<"Fairchild"> "Greetings."
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Ah, there's our rendez vous.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Greetings to you.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: The rest is going to arrive in just a second. They had some problems with that dumb drone.
<"Fairchild"> "Sure."
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Don't look at me like that, I ain't that drunk.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Crew, Scientiest, or whatever, prepare to unmoor.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: Nick> Sorry, I'm late. Got stuck with an over zealous LPI.
<"Fairchild"> "Hello there."
<Forlorn|-Athena: Pilot> Sidethrusters engaged. Airlock closed.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Get us off that station.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: N> Good to see you again.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: N> All's been well I assume?
<"Fairchild"> "I haven't had issues, no."
<Forlorn|-Athena: Pilot> We reached a safe distance. The ship is yours.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: N> Excellent. Athena, will be carrying the samples, and Gerald will be mapping for the database. We're all good and ready to go
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> when you are .
<"Fairchild"> "If you are ready, let's depart."
<"Fairchild"> "I'll lead the way."
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: Nick> Right behind you.
<"Fairchild"> "Greetings, Freelancer."
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: Nick> Hey there
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Yeehaw.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Hail.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Suppose I shouldn't ask how you found out about this stuff.
<"Fairchild"> It's a long story.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Fair enough. What matters is we can get to it.
<"Fairchild"> We should be able to.
<"Fairchild"> I haven't been in that region for a couple of years.
<"Fairchild"> ## Jumped to Shikoku.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> I doubt memory will be a problem given your implants.
<"Fairchild"> You wouldn't believe.
<"Fairchild"> Besides, at the time when we first went to the place I did not have Vergil yet.
<"Fairchild"> And we haven't tackled the memory issue until, like, two days ago.
<"Fairchild"> So pretty much everything I remember up to this point has been in my natural brain.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> I see. That is good news. I'll admit, I am leaning towards the implantation myself.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Heads up. Cloaker.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Well, we should be fine.
<"Fairchild"> Auxesia seems to be interested in us.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> I'll divert to Shinjuku.
<"Fairchild"> ## Jumped to New Tokyo.
<"Fairchild"> Seems like my concern about Auxesia following us has proven to be unsubstantiated.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> As intrusive as they can be, sometimes they act half-decent.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Good, just more eggheads that are complaining about something. Just like the whole crew of this "thing" I'm commanding
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Easy, Garrus. You knew the job when you signed on.
<"Fairchild"> They are useful for removing Outcasts. Not much else.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: I did. *rolls eyes*
<"Fairchild"> Despite not being much different from Outcasts themselves.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> *an empty vodka bottle floats by Gerald's face, he slaps it away*
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Its a galaxy of hypocrites at times.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: *Over the ship comms* No, I won't care to fly eays when it comes to a fight. Screw your equipment, a fight is about
<Forlorn|-Athena> lives.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Rowdy as they might be, theyre good at their jobs. Although Garrus seems to have gotten too used to combat runs.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: *coughs* Exuse me, I'm not used to fly with scientists.
<"Fairchild"> Having one for two years inside your head changes your view about them.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Point.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Did it hurt?
<"Fairchild"> What hurt?
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Y'know, putting it in?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> I'm curious about the procedure. We've assembled a lab since we last spoke, and if you believe it possible, I would be willing
<"Fairchild"> Not really.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> to volunteer for the first operation.
<"Fairchild"> From our experience you just pass out for a couple of hours.
<"Fairchild"> There are also some hallucinations involved. Nothing too terrible though.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Huh, hey Nicky you think I can get me one of those?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> lets first see if Miss. Fairchild can use our labs to do so.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> No jumping the gun on this one.
<"Fairchild"> *sighs* Sigmas...
<"Fairchild"> I know these systems like the back of my hand.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> But if she thinks its possible and is willing. I don't see why not. History?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> There's always a history with a sigh like that.
<"Fairchild"> Well, when I worked with Wisp, we used to secure those systems from Outcasts.
<"Fairchild"> Intercepted their transports, killed their pilots.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Quite a bit of history then.
<"Fairchild"> Some of my fondest and worst memories are involved with Atka.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Sounds like its been a ride.
<"Fairchild"> It has.
<"Fairchild"> Right. We're about to jump to Omicron Sigma.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Luckily this could be the last time you're forced to come out here. From here on out, it'll be at will.
<"Fairchild"> I'm not entirely sure what's on the other side.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Roger that. High alert everyone.
<"Fairchild"> As I said, I haven't been here for a while.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: I'd say I go first, but that thing is as armed as a potato.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> *Gerald makes a spooky noise*
<"Fairchild"> Angels...
<"Fairchild"> I don't remember this place looking like this.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Hey y'all, look down.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Lets hope its only the visuals that have changed.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Well damn. A black hole.
<"Fairchild"> *she gasps*
<"Fairchild"> This is concerning.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Now this is a sight. Kinda reminds me of an explosion.
<"Fairchild"> We should move, and keep together.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Holding thumbs.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> I'm cookin' in this damn thing.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> We'll need to look into improved rad-shielding when we get back.'
<"Fairchild"> Has this entire system been abandoned?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> I see a station over there.
<"Fairchild"> Before there were some Zoners here at least.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> By the planet.
<"Fairchild"> And Core.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: At least that potato has an Air Conditioner. It even is chilly in here.
<"Fairchild"> Oh.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Gerald, do a sweep.
<"Fairchild"> Bad idea.
<"Fairchild"> Keep together.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Alright then, you heard the lady.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Fine.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> We
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> We'll sweep it next time.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Got somethin' strange on my scanner.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Whats that?
<"Fairchild"> A Nomad Lair.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Four o'clock high.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Just like the one in Inverness.
<"Fairchild"> This wasn't here the last time I visited.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Explains why the area's deserted.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Maybe we should go faster?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> These thing's are popping up everywhere.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: If these scientiest didn't draw half of the engines power, I'd catch up with you in no time. But no, "we got important
<Forlorn|-Athena> stuff that needs the power". *sighs*
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> This was the area?
<"Fairchild"> Yeah.
<"Fairchild"> All right.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Heads up.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Incomming signatures.
<"Fairchild"> Nick, you start with the mining. Me and Gerald will secure the area.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Prepare the weapons for defense.
<"Fairchild"> Let's hurry up and get the hell out.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Alright, I've got some samples. Garrus, get ready while I load you up.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> On it.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> My ears are startin' to ring. Not sure if its the drink or the radiation.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> How much did you say you need for a single operation?
<"Fairchild"> A few containers.
<"Fairchild"> Depends how many sets you want to make.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> This should be good for now. Now that we know where it is, we can always come back as needed.
<"Fairchild"> *she nods*
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> We have enough for two, three sets at least. That'll suffice.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: *to a scientist* Good, I'll tell them.
<"Fairchild"> We should get out, then.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Agreed.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: One of the egg, erm I mean, scientist just told me that stuff is perishable without propper containers.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> That just makes it more fun.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Lets get moving.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Them some pretty mean guns you got there.
<"Fairchild"> Let's go then.
<"Fairchild"> We got what we came for. At least a bit of it.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Mason, rendevous in normal space. We'll fill you in then.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Enough to get the wheels in motion.
<Forlorn|-Mason.Coleman> Alright, where to? I'm almost in New Tokyo
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Once we've got the labs running at full speed, these trips will become more routine for our logistics.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> We'll meet you there Mason.
<"Fairchild"> Does any one of you know whose base that is over there?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Afraid not.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> I can check.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Gerald, go ahead.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> I can outrun anything if it comes.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Breaking off.
<"Fairchild"> Right.
<"Fairchild"> Where did Athena go?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Testing out our newest addition to the ship I believe.
<"Fairchild"> Huh?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Cloak drive.
<"Fairchild"> Ah.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: What do you mean I plotted the wrong course? You typed it in the computers! Correct it!
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Or he just flew the wrong way...
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: I clearly said Sigma 17 Jumphole.
<"Fairchild"> We should wait for Gerald.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> And Garrus.
<Forlorn|-Mason.Coleman> Waiting for you by the planet.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: I got you on the scanners now.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Cairo Station, an order base. OCV Sesmu, a cruiser platform.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Roger that Mason, let us know if you see anything suspicious headed out way.
<"Fairchild"> Right.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> There's no one around it though.
<"Fairchild"> Order should not cause problems, at least not me.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Lights are on. They ain't shootin' at me
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Nor to use. We have... and understanding.
<"Fairchild"> Good.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Finnally, remember me to send the navigator back to training when we're home.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Dont drift too far now Miss.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Its quite the view thought.
<"Fairchild"> Let's go.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Screw the view. I'm cookin'
<"Fairchild"> It makes me uneasy.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> We're outta there for now at least.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> wow cant dock.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Find anything useful there Garrus?
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Nothing, just useless crap.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Gerald on the overtake! Athena falls to second place!
<"Fairchild"> Oh.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Can't take the race out of a racer.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Srcew that potato. It aint flyin' under my command anymore.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> So far so good.
<"Fairchild"> I think we're out of the woods.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Seems so. Heading back to liberty Miss. Fairchild?
<"Fairchild"> Might as well.
<Forlorn|-Mason.Coleman> altough
<Forlorn|-Mason.Coleman> By the way, there's a police officer at the planet. Not sure if she will make problems with that cargo
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Garrus, you have a cloak. Use it when we get close.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: He won't, or I turn this potato into a battleship.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Heh, just kidding, those scientist would disect me. *laughs*
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Mason, we're on our way to you now.
<"Fairchild"> "Greetings."
<Akina.Suzuki> Konbanwa.
<Forlorn|-Gerald.Carry> Yeehaw.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2: Nick> Officer. *nods*
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Alright Mason, lets go.
<Forlorn|-Athena> Hendrix: Hail.
<Akina.Suzuki> Kon'nichiwa to you all.
<"Fairchild"> Where are you planning to store these?
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Glendalough Orbital. The labs there, as is a storage.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Coronado system.
<Forlorn|-Mason.Coleman> Pretty sure Barrier Pass would have been faster
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Riskier, draws attention from the wrong types of people
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> I assume we'll be seeing you around when the labs are ready?
<"Fairchild"> We will visit, surely.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Glad to hear it. My offer from the other day still stands when you are ready.
<"Fairchild"> We will see about that.
<"Fairchild"> We still have a few things to take care of before we can help you with this.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Entirely understandable. We'll get started as best we can of course.
<"Fairchild"> Right, here we are, right where we started.
<Forlorn|-Picket.2> Indeed. A quiet trip.
<"Fairchild"> I hope you'll have a good run with those.
<"Fairchild"> Have a good day.

<"Fairchild"> "Greetings."
<LSS-Fearsome> Good day to you.
<6th|LNS-Hampshire> Michael: Greetings.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> But every stone leaves a paperchase.
<"Fairchild"> "Greetings."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *suddenly all proffessionalism.* Unknown contact in the Freeport Two defense zone - identify yourself.
<"Fairchild"> "I was under the impression this was a Freeport, to be honest."
<H|-Delta-3> Its more like a Harmony Port, but same thing for you.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Squinting close* Oh yea'? Well, freedom ain't Fre'.... wait - is that a reaper ship?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> You don't say - I thought you types had died off with the era.
<"Fairchild"> "Is it?"
<"Fairchild"> "I don't know, I bought it four days ago on Barrier Gate."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Apparrently. *suddenly meditative, lip-chewing* Unless you're fudging your IFF real good and proper - I know my ships.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> That's no raggedy-ass Maltese-vintage stock sabre.
<"Fairchild"> "Was in good condition and for a low price, eh?"
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *snorts* Yea', can't argue with that logic.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> There's a buttload of old LWB flying barns on the Rheinland greymarket retail nowadays, as well. Mostly whatever...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Die Union didn't mannage to hoover up during the grand merge.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> We've got whole squadrons of the things nowadays without a hangar to compartmentalise 'em in.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> But ya', where are my manners? This sure is a freeport - of sorts.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> The Locals call it Freeport Providence.
<"Fairchild"> "I wouldn't know, I don't frequent this place."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Nobody of any right mind would - this is a hellhole that only those of us without any other place to go, crawl to, to be safe.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> It's the closest thing to the far edgeworlds you'll get in the centre of the sector.
<"Fairchild"> "I don't know, seems like a fine travel destination to me."
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: I'm back.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *laughs* Hah! Well, barring the general hive of scum and villainy, present company excepted, of course.
<"Fairchild"> "Though Edge Worlds are more welcoming than Liberty as far as I'm concerned."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> ....Unioner gravimetric mines littered everywhere, Rheinland Liberty war wreckage
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Did I miss something here ?, Who's that ?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> ...The blown jumpgate....
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> ....The utterly worthless pasalt asteroids.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Sure, it's practically candyland.
<"Fairchild"> "I've had worse."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *demurring* 'Don't doubt you.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> You'll get a drink here. Most of the local rogues, Seppies, of both the Rhein and the Libbie varieties, Ratpackers, Junks, and
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Syndics, don't bother one another.
<"Fairchild"> "You get Outcasts here?"
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> We've got something of a gentleman's agreement to keep this sector outta' the hands of the houses as long as we can...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> undermine them.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *grins* No 'casts. They're not the most welcome characters. This is the last pitstop of Corsair fairweather before...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Bridging over into their zone of control. Cardamine runs through here on occasion, but the Rhein's got little market for it.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> We don't buy, what doesn't sell. Why, you got a beef with the Malts'?
<"Fairchild"> "To a degree."
<"Vault.Torn": L-41> Hayo
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Contact.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Suddenly all professionalism*
<"Vault.Torn"> L-41:Unioners and Harmony
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Eyes up, eyes up, we have crimson ping - possible tango. Throttling drives.
<H|-Delta-3> This one fired on the Harmony correct?
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Commonwealth on scanner.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> We have an unknown target in the area.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Intercepting !
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Ugh. *hissing* Frickin' Commonwealth traitor scum.,
<"Vault.Torn": L-41> What&
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Run back to Kansas, Dorothy, because you sure ain't there anymore.
<"Vault.Torn": L-41> Don't you like a travellers?
<H|-Delta-3> Why on earth you would come all the out here after firing on the Harmony is beyond me.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: A Lancer that is shown as Comonwealth...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> We like travellers, sonny-Jim. We're not fond of Commonwealth spies.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> He's a 'Lancer? Well, your sensors probe deeper than mine. *she slackens off, still naturally suspicious.*
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Leave the area, its better for your life.
<"Vault.Torn": L-41> Hey. I going to leave
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Look, 'Lancer - I'd be lenient to fellow gentlemen of leisure, but that's Commonwealth hardware you're packing. Run back...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> To Liberty - don't take the strait.
<"Vault.Torn": L-41> Do you like to follow me foreve?
<H|-Delta-3> I'm waiting for you to give me the excuse I need.
<H|-Delta-3> You're doing a great job of not leaving so far.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: The vessel refuses to run, weapons warming up.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Frequency matching Fairchild* By way of explaination - the Syndicalist Unions used to be bonded with the Legion, and its...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> puppet 'Commonwealth'.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> About a year ago, the Legion betrayed us without givin' due cause. Apparently a new party came in power in the...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Commonwealth, that didn't take too kindly to our methods, nor our mutual affair with the Cretian Empire.
Base Helium-3 Trade Center TR destroyed
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> The situation... degenerated... when they tried to move a task force in here. *With obvious pride* I say 'tried'.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Beringia looks after its own.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> They're no fans of the Seppie's either, since they tried to glass the Seppies when we aided 'em back in their hour of need...
<"Vault.Torn": L-41> Heh.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> up in New Hampshire.
<H|-Delta-3> You had a choice
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> I guess it's hard to seem like the noble opposition to the Liberty Navy if you've got competitors around. *grins*
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Delta 3 clear to engage.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Remove that thing.
<"Fairchild"> "Politics are not very interesting to me, really."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Amen to that - they bore me to tears as well.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Unfortunately, I keep gettin' caught up in 'em. All I want at the end of the day is a fistfull of credits in one and a drink in
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> the other. Or, y'know, other, non-Maltese sourced Narcotics.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> So, Lancer - what's your attitude to the Empire? You a friend of Crete?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Not that I'm quizzing you - you could be totally opposed to 'em and I wouldn't mind.
<"Fairchild"> "I've got family on Crete."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Whistles*
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> That was nearly me after shore leave in Xi.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> "You're a long way from home out here.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Listen, if you ever need a way back up there - I could get you sneaked into the return journey of one of our artifact transport
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> s.
<"Fairchild"> "I would hardly call Crete home nowadays."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> My sympathies. More of the wandering type?
<"Fairchild"> "I have a... mobile home and a lab, parked not far from here."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Taking professional intrest* Hm-hm? Travellin' lab, 'eh?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> You cook anything intrestin' to the Union? We're in the process of restockpiling after an exaustive war with the damn Hesse.
Base Maryland Storage Facility destroyed
<"Fairchild"> "Perhaps."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> If you're got so much as pain pills to market, we'll be happy to buy your wares.
<"Fairchild"> "I suppose the technology we've developed might be used like that. You'd need a competent programmer though."
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *grins* Oh, trust me. We're the Unioners - best software slicers this side of 'The Man'. 'Cept the Hackers, 'course.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Harmony contact, harmony contact - I've got a Bowex transport pinged up here.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Looks like a super-train.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Copy that. what's your status?
<Sherman.Grant> Harmony, Sean is one of my boys
<Sean.Devlin> i work at Sherman
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Big damn ship to be loitering taking rads right in front of the sun. Status is clear - both me and the ship are immobile at
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> three hundred metres VR.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Solid copy. *Squinting* Harmony - is this stiff supplying you?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> He's carrying Reinforced Alloy - looks like the good stuff.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Not us. But they're clear to pass by us.
<Sherman.Grant> Stand clear, he's one of my boys
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Gunda, Position?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Roger, standing clear.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Mary, at ease. He's working for the Seppies'.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Additional contact, additional....
<H|-SNS-Harmony> This is Battleship Harmony for Civilian Armored Transport state your intentions.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> NTF.... *intakes* Neo Terran Front?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Out here?!
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: This is Neo-Terran gunboat Kimbilio, here to parlay.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: I wanted to set up an information exchange, if I could.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> We don't know who you are.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Uhm, Roger, Neo-Terran. *with suspicion* Ah, your organisation has been flagged as assumed dormant or deceased...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> for a good few years now. Where did you come from?
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: We've been in hiding a while.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *switching bands, still audiable* I'm patching through the Union's files from when we were still in cahoots with the Legion,
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Admiral.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: The Belisarius tends to draw a fair bit of attention, so it's been parked in an outer system out of the way.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> According to what the Legion shared with us at the time, they're a fairly technically astute group in possession of some rather
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> whack hardware.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Mostly we've been staying under the radar and gathering funds for our colony ship project.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> So what do you wish to exchange?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Right. Uh, we don't have anything on file for the NTF less than four years old.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Third contact, third contact.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Yeah, after the internal Zoner mess in the Omicrons, we decided to get out of the fighting.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Man all defenses.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> LSF fighter varified! Delta three, on me!
<H|-SNS-Harmony> We have hostiles in the area. Advise to defend.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> We're going in, weapons hot!
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Ah, hell.
<H|-Delta-3> Weapons ready.
<H|-Delta-3> On Wing.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Visual varify, visual varify! The LSF is using infected weapons!
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Wait, what?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> I repeat, the LSF is carrying frickin' hybrid guns.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Exhales* Great kill, Delta three.
<"Fairchild"> "The absolute level of combat expertise of the LSF..."
<H|-Delta-3> Ah, sorry, next time I'll wait for the scans.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: I see a few spaced pilots. We have medical facilities on board, but I'll let your search and rescue handle it.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *squinting* Uh, Fairchild, I don't mean to be an arse, but my fellow Unioners appear to have a beef with you.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> What did you do?
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Anyhow.
<"Fairchild"> "I dunno."
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Good work by the way Delta 3
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *exhales* Did I just see a whale?
<H|-Delta-3> You did.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: The NTF has a whole bunch of files from the LSF, Order, and Outcasts, though a lot of them are fairly outdated.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *grinning* What have you mannaged to pull, Knight? To be able to get the Zoners to help us fortify against the damn...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Zoners.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: *starts laughing*
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Well so far we didn't have to fight any Zoner.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> I'll say. All manner of occurances have happened since the incident with the NTF went down.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> How did that lane just disrupt
<H|-Delta-3> Feel free to keep moving Catport. I don't know why the cancelled the lane.
<The.Catport: Hookier> Okay!
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *appears to be tapping into her Console* Neo Terran.... this is on-the-record, now.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: But the most pertinent info I'm looking for is this.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> What's your organisation's reputation regardin' the Syndicalist Union? We're a.... confederation between the LWB remmenant
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> and the Unioners. It's a long story. The LWB disintegrated. Something of a civil war has been broiling...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> in the Rheinlandic underworld, and they were the victims.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: We, ah, haven't had much of any contact apart from trading farming data with the LWB a bunch of years back.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: They seemed like good folks, though, sorry to hear about this.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Gunda shrugs* People come, people go, causes rise, causes die.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> I lost enough good friends in the LWB to come to terms with it.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> You have to.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: True enough.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Speaking of friends... one of the reasons I'm here is to investigate rumors of a weird Arbiter-class ship in the area.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *grinning* Wierd Arbeiter class ship? That'd be mine, bub'.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Gun he said Arbiter not Arbeiter.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Learn the diffrence.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> And it's not wierd - it's majestic. Eight guns and the powercore of a titan.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *irritated* Mary, shaddup.
<H|-Delta-3> Seven.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: You know what I mean.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Arse-gun counts as well, Delta three.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: The Legion battleship class.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: No it doesn't.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: There aren't many of those outside of Hellfire control.
<Andrew.Coolins> ahoy lads
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: There isnt one here either.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Ours is one... and one of the others that isn't accounted for was the metropolis.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Salut, Junker.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: The Vagrant Raiders' old flagship.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl: Gunn> *expressing sudden intrest*
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: *Nods* Scraper.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Ooh, I know that old gal'!
<Andrew.Coolins> ae hav some intel at ney york, all navy camps out noforlk ey *light up the cigar*
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> She made quite a ruckus up in Kansas back in the day. 'Course, the Natio Octavarium's buried now. The Metropolis is...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> lazing under a hundred feet of water in the Orinoco basin on Kansas's surface.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> She breaches the surface in low-tide.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Sad fate, but... movements come, movements go.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Sirius is dangerously darwinian.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Damn. I was hoping our old friends might have made it.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> The friends might - the ship? As far as we know, it got ditched.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> But it's mostly old, artifact smuggler's rumours.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Hmm. So are the rumors of an unknown Arbiter actually true, then?
<Andrew.Coolins> ew my buddies floatin out space *sad*
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Take everything you hear from those clowns with a touch of salt. I once met a guy who pretended he knew Shawn...
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Ashcroft. The Arse.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *Shaun
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *frowning*
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Well, apparently there's one of the things we've been....
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> It might solve a problem we've been having.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> What problem is that?
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Knight - remember what I said about the kraken in the mist?
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Well certainly.
<Andrew.Coolins> see ye lads *opens up the whiskey*
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Seems Die Union isn't the only group hunting a Kraken.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Isnt it weird that we just can sit here and talk ? I wonder how long we can continue.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> An E-war battleship would certainly fit the description of 'things that go bump in the night'
<UN|Gunda.Riehl: Gunn> Roger, Mary - I don't like it either. Move yourself up near the Texas gate - we need someone to early warning picket.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Got it.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: If you don't mind, I'll offload this alloy to the station for a moment.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> So - you think we're hunting the same thing?
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Maybe. I was hoping it would be our old friends, but...
<ApS|Lanzo.Walker> <Hailing all UN| Ships> <Initiating long range contact bandwidth>
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: If something is out there, it might be worth looking into.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> *cautious* We have contact.
<CONSOLE> Possible cheating detected: Mango
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Who the hell are you, buster?
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: I've got pretty wide leeway out here.
<ApS|Lanzo.Walker> Representative Lanzo Walker of the Apostatales. To whom am I addressing? *pauses
<H|-Bravo-2> Time to kill.
<H|-Bravo-2> Weapons are primed.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Man all defenses.
<]NTF[-NTGB-Kimbilio> Rusk: Wow. That bounty hunter did not choose the right system to enter.
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Hostile in the area, ready to defend.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Gunda Riehl, Oberarbeiter for the Hamburg cell - Many thanks to you, captain, but we're in the middle of a war here.
<Abyss> Weapons hot
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> we've got hostile hunters in system.
<UN|KKS-"Curse.of.Koeln"> Mary: Uh lets see when they will overheat.
<UN|Gunda.Riehl> Weapons free, going in on the Abyss.
<6th|LNS-Hampshire> Michael: Alright, group. And...
<6th|LNS-Hampshire> Barney: Damn it!
<H|-SNS-Harmony> That's a lot of hostiles. Man all guns.
<6th|LNS-Hampshire> Michael: How much them?
<H|-SNS-Harmony> Ready to defend.
<"Fairchild"> "I'll excuse myself, I suppose."

<"Fairchild"> "Hackers here?"
<Kathie'Modest> Well, wait for the Administator response.
<Kathie'Modest> And remember to ask him out.
<Kathie'Modest> About me.
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hai but that seems to be taking an awefully long time, too long for my liking....
<"Fairchild"> "Why is this Hacker still alive, KNF?"
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> the hacker has done nothing to me nor this base so it seems, and i will not shoot down some one who....
<Kathie'Modest> Maybe because i stick to chase after the goals of this Freeport's administrator?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> is by ain all acounts, seen the error of her ways?
<"Fairchild"> "Well, I will."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> im only here for reconesance so far, and this pilot may have usefull information
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> well by all means your quite free to do so how ever do not expect anyhelp from me pilot
<"Fairchild"> "Cardamine sniffers and useful information, doesn't seem connected."
<Kathie'Modest> Freelancer, contain your hatred for those residing at that rock chunk.
<"Fairchild"> "I can kill a Hacker unassisted."
<Kathie'Modest> Not for me.
<"Fairchild"> "Pretty sure those in the rock chunk aren't Cardamine infested scum."
<"Fairchild"> "You on the other hand..."
<Kathie'Modest> What a stubborn fool.
<Kathie'Modest> I have no desire to tolerate this nonsense.
<Kathie'Modest> Bye
<Sahiko.Masaki> Quite strange..
<"Fairchild"> "Interesting."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hmm indeed.....
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> maybe we should keep an eye on the goings on around this freeport a little bit more wouldnt you agree sahiko san?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> report what exactly?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hai, but baised on what she said, she has turned against her former breathrin.. to protect that freeport
<"Fairchild"> "You're trusting a Hacker."
<"Fairchild"> "Tsk tsk."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> and seeing as we are here for "reconnacance" that is what i shall do unless hostile intentions are openly admited towards me or
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> this ship.
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> callsigh fair child please identify yourself.
<"Fairchild"> "Hello, I'm Fairchild."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hmmmm your name is just fairchild hai? thats not just your ship call sign?
<"Fairchild"> "It's more complicated than that."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> please digress more information...
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> youve been hanging around like a bad smell...
<"Fairchild"> "It is my name and it is my ship's name. Because I am more than one."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> more than one in what aspect?
<"Fairchild"> "A scholar and a knight, a vagrant and a noble, a beauty and a beast."
<"Fairchild"> "Many things."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> sahiko-san have you been given clearance to dock yet?
<Sahiko.Masaki> I think yes.
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> "fairchild" you are not making sense in the slightest
<"Fairchild"> "Neither are you, to be honest."
<"Fairchild"> "Either way, who I am is not important."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> proliminary scans of your ship indicate no other people onboard, nor any abnormalitys
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> it is very much important
<"Fairchild"> "I work for the greater good."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> and so are your intentions in this system
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> is that so......
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> and who prey tell is this greater good?
<Sahiko.Masaki> You work for the greater good you said, and yet you refused to listen on someone who apparently wished to help.
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hai very confusing
<"Fairchild"> "Part of the greater good is removing Cardamine."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> konnichiwa callsign deliquente
<"Fairchild"> "Every crown needs a sword and every forest fire needs a firebrand."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hai it would seem to me that your some sort of cultist?
<"Fairchild"> "Far from it."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> then state your intentions more clearly in this system
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> besides your drivvle of cardamine
<"Fairchild"> "But I don't really have intentions in here."
<Delinquente> Ah.....CowNitzetWaa KNF forces. ah...Freelancer Del Inquente here onboard the Anki Freighter Delinquente. Copy?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> recieved comunications are coming through loud and clear, what is your perpous in this system? over?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> so what are you doing here if you have no intentions of being here?
<"Fairchild"> "I told you, I am the firebrand. First of a kind, first of many."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> understood be sure to get it looked at when you dock at your destination
<"Fairchild"> "Over in that orange cloud."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> firebrand?? never heard of you
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> your a very strange person hai?
<"Fairchild"> "That's expected, fire needs a while to kindle."
<"Fairchild"> "When it starts, though, it becomes unstoppable."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hmmm
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> i advise you to move along as your not being helpful
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> go back to your cardamine hunting
<"Fairchild"> "Advice ignored."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> semi robotic then?
<Sahiko.Masaki> But fire is often compared to evil or such. So if you claim working for a greater good.. Might not chose that.
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hai very strange indeed this one sahiko san
<"Fairchild"> "Fire gives heat and light. Yet it also burns and destroys."
<"Fairchild"> "The technology we wield is both good and evil, your choice what to do with it."
<"Fairchild"> "We're just letting people use it."
<"Fairchild"> "It's the next step."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> and what technologies are these?
<Sahiko.Masaki> As water can be calm and peaceful and can destroy many things.. Quit using those words, really, it makes conversation weirder.
<"Fairchild"> "Writing, priting press, radio, computers, Internet, BMI, faster-than-light, Neural Net, Vergil."
<"Fairchild"> "All good, all evil. One more significant than the previous."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> what ever has happened to you fairchild, i have no idea..... but you should perhaps get looked at by medical at the next planet
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> or station you visit
<"Fairchild"> "I can assure you, I'm perfectly well."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> konnichiwa fast turn
<"Fairchild"> "When you experience communication beyond words, words become limiting."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> you certainly do not act it "fairchild"
<Sahiko.Masaki> I'm actually wondering if you're human or..
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> hai im starting to wonder the same thing....
<"Fairchild"> "I am. But I am more."
<"Fairchild"> "Not this 'transhuman' or 'posthuman' or 'cyborg' or 'upgraded'."
<"Fairchild"> "No."
<"Fairchild"> "It's just more. I am /more/ human."
<Sahiko.Masaki> Like a second stepped human ?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> your more human ?
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> how ever that may be fairchild.. your logic has let you get in the way of simple reconnisance to this system
<"Fairchild"> "If you experience Vergil, you will understand."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> and your becoming more of a hinderance as time passes
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> who or what is vergil?
<"Fairchild"> "We've devoted our lives to developing it. It's a wonder."
<"Fairchild"> "It's a piece of technology, a means of communication."
<"Fairchild"> "A drug, an interface, a medication, everything."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> a means of communication with who ?
<"Fairchild"> "With anyone."
<Sahiko.Masaki> Hum.. Like telepathy via technology ?
<"Fairchild"> "With you, with me, with oneself, with the universe."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> the universe isnt self aware though.. so thats a physical impossibility
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> how ever your distractions have done more than enough to hinder my recon opperation
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> so i shall be terminating this comunication channel with you.
<"Fairchild"> "In the ancient times, they burned books as well."
<"Fairchild"> "Or the authors."
<"Fairchild"> "It's your choice to remain in the dark."
<Sahiko.Masaki> I'm kind of enjoying this little "game" of guess who. *Chuckles*
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> sahiko... as much as it may be entertaining... its also stopping us from reaching our objectives set out by HC
<Sahiko.Masaki> You're right.
<Sahiko.Masaki> Well, farewell, Fairchild.
<"Fairchild"> "As you wish, we may perhaps meet again."
<[KNF]li.M.N.Tametomo> perhaps... sayonara
<"Fairchild"> "Contact the Vergil Foundation if you ever change your minds."

<"Fairchild""> "Thief."
<"Fairchild""> "Thief fell asleep at the controls."
<[CryerP]-CMS-Pathfinder"> Phil : Not likely.
<"Fairchild""> "Looter will become the looted."
<[CryerP]-CMS-Pathfinder"> Phil : Whatever.
<"Fairchild""> "Cryer death merchants will pay for their machinations."
<[CryerP]-CMS-Pathfinder"> I surrender.
<"Fairchild""> "No surrender necessary, death merchants will die."
<[CryerP]-CMS-Pathfinder"> Phil : You win , whoever you are.
<[CryerP]-CMS-Pathfinder"> Phil : I will pay.
<"Fairchild""> "Stop working for Cryer, your ships will stop exploding."
Death: [CryerP]-CMS-Pathfinder was put out of action by "Fairchild" (Mine).

<Olivia.Sable>Heya, cap.
<CV-Palantir>Hello, Freelancer.
<Olivia.Sable>There you are, Isla.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Hey there.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>How are you Olivia?
<CV-Palantir>Greetings, Officer.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Are you alright?
<Olivia.Sable>A little bruised.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Greetings Captain.
<Olivia.Sable>Did things turn out alright?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Ugh... Not really, Olivia.
<Olivia.Sable>Let me guess. She got you, too?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I hate to dissapoint you, but I can't lie to you.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>She did.
<Olivia.Sable>Jesus, that bitch.
<CV-Palantir>Wh-- Who are you talking about...?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Next time she shows up I'll bring the Elizabeth.
<Olivia.Sable>Just some cunt who takes it upon herself to bother us as much as possible.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>An oddly disgusting Freelancer affiliated criminal.
<Olivia.Sable>And succeeds at it.
<CV-Palantir>That's... Uh.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I prefer the 'cunt' description.
<CV-Palantir>There's someone I'm looking for that might sometimes fit that description...
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Lyndon's coming by.
<CV-Palantir>Do you remember the name of that ship?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Finally sometime to -actually- talk to, and not shoot us.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I hope, at least.
<Olivia.Sable>Lilac.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Lilac.
<Olivia.Sable>Ring a bell?
<CV-Palantir>Not really, no...
<Olivia.Sable>Consider yourself lucky.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Hey Lyndon. Good to see you again.
<CV-Palantir>Hopefully it's not the woman I need to find.
<Olivia.Sable>Unlike us... who have to deal with this guy now.
<Olivia.Sable>Heya, Zoner.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Good day zoner.
<Olivia.Sable>Lilac's name seems to be Haze.
<CV-Palantir>Oh...
<Olivia.Sable>If that's who you're looking for, cap.
<CV-Palantir>Thank God, no, that's not the one, then.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Jennifer Haze, I believe.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Or... something.
<CV-Palantir>My... uh.
<CV-Palantir>Not sure how to even call her, to be honest...
<CV-Palantir>"Other half" is a bit semantically charged...
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>The name 'cunt' fits her perfectly, Captain.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>You can call her that.
<Olivia.Sable>Having a good time down there, Sherburne?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>He seems to be doing alright against that gunboat patrol.
<Olivia.Sable>It's almost like you're a hostile flying around right in their patrol path.
<Olivia.Sable>Crazy.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Indeed crazy. *giggles*
<CV-Palantir>Is nowhere safe these days...
<Olivia.Sable>Liberty sure isn't.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Welcome to California.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Want a Vodka?
<Olivia.Sable>*sighs* Damn it.
<CV-Palantir>Liberty's got all manner of weird criminals... Bretonia is already run by Outcasts at this point...
<Olivia.Sable>My cargo hold got breached in that fight with the bitch.
<Olivia.Sable>There goes the wine... again.
<CV-Palantir>Kusari's fighting, Gallia's fighting, Rheinland is kind of fighting but not really...
<CV-Palantir>Very annoying.
<CV-Palantir>Nowhere to settle down and do one's job right.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I actually had that in mind, Olivia. I kept some from the first box Jeanette gave me.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>So I made sure to pick up some to bring you.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>You can thank me later.
<Olivia.Sable>*chuckles* Aren't you a thoughtful thing.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Not really thoughtful in general.
<Olivia.Sable>Palantir, if you want a safe place you'll have to leave Sirius. *laughs*
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>But when it comes to you, -very- thoughtful.
<CV-Palantir>Well, I don't know about that. Outside Sirius seems a bit more dangerous than in.
<Olivia.Sable>I wouldn't count on it.
<CV-Palantir>Also the name's... well, "Professor Nagrebetskiy", but "Nik" will do as well.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Nik -definitely- will do.
<Olivia.Sable>Nagreb...iz...ky?
<Olivia.Sable>Sounds an awful lot like Coalition to me.
<CV-Palantir>I'm not talking about that part of my life.
<Olivia.Sable>Fair enough.
<CV-Palantir>Suffice to say, it's been in the past for a good decade now.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>The CV- does kinda remind of it.
<CV-Palantir>Stands for "civilian vessel".
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Oh...
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>My apologies. I had other things in mind seeing it.
<Olivia.Sable>Isla and her prejudices. Tsk.
<CV-Palantir>Not sure what the communists are up to these days. Nothing good, probably.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, -Nik-, I'm Olivia and this lovely girl here is Isla.
<Olivia.Sable>Pleased to meet you.
<CV-Palantir>Nice to meet you both.
<CV-Palantir>Hm
<Olivia.Sable>And I thought we could have at least a -few- minutes of peace and quiet here...
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>got a little too close there! *laughs*. It's nice to meet you too, Nik.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I told you he's not looking for a fight, Olivia.
<CV-Palantir>Today.
<Olivia.Sable>The fight'll end up looking for him.
<Olivia.Sable>This is Liberty, after all.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>He's taken me down enough times in Texas to fuel him for the next year.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Right, Lyndon?
<Olivia.Sable>Right...
<Olivia.Sable>So, Nik.
<CV-Palantir>Yeah?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I'll at least give you the benefit that I was bloodthirsty too, back then.
<Olivia.Sable>Who exactly are you looking for, if I may ask?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I didn't exactly act peaceful.
<CV-Palantir>It's... a complicated situation.
<Olivia.Sable>Maybe they're trying to tell you that you just shouldn't be here, Sherburne.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Happens, Lyndon.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>They are like that.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, that's so complicated about it, Nik?
<Olivia.Sable>What's, even.
<CV-Palantir>It's a woman who has run away following an... accident.
<CV-Palantir>She goes by 'Fairchild' these days. Or used to when she was still with me.
<Olivia.Sable>Fairchild? Never heard that name before.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Same here.
<Olivia.Sable>What sorta accident are we talking about?
<Olivia.Sable>An -actual- accident? Or an "accident?"
<CV-Palantir>It's... a little difficult to explain. And to be honest, I haven't had the opportunity to exactly examine what-
<CV-Palantir>-went wrong.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Always the kindest, Lyndon.
<CV-Palantir>In general, though, something bad happened with her brain. I think. She couldn't speak after the procedure.
<Olivia.Sable>How kind, Sherburne.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Truly an amazing individual, no sarcasm intended.
<Olivia.Sable>A failed brain surgery?
<CV-Palantir>Not a surgery, no.
<Olivia.Sable>Uh...
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I hope, Lyndon.
<CV-Palantir>As I said, it's a complicated situation. That would take a bit of time to explain in detail.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Take care.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, I can't exactly say I have any better plans at the moment.
<Olivia.Sable>Sure as hell not looking for any more work today.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>At least you got some cash.
<Olivia.Sable>Yeah, I don't feel like I really earned that.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>You did.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>You were with me, sweety.
<Olivia.Sable>-I- got spaced.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>That's all that matters to me.
<Olivia.Sable>-You- got spaced.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Doesn't matter. You were there to support me.
<CV-Palantir>I need to ask for my own safety though if perchance either of you have present dealings with Cryer Pharmaceuticals.
<Olivia.Sable>*sighs* Fine, Isla.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>You more than earned it.
<Olivia.Sable>Cryer? Can't say I've ever had any dealings with them at all.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>And no, Nik, Cryer is just a corporation. Why would we have dealings with them?
<Olivia.Sable>Because you're a cop tasked with protecting their interests?
<CV-Palantir>As I said, it's a very long story.
<Olivia.Sable>Just saying.
<CV-Palantir>But, suffice to say, Cryer is not exactly very fond of me. And my lost partner is not very fond of Cryer.
<CV-Palantir>/Murderously/ not fond of Cryer, in fact.
<Olivia.Sable>Ah...
<CV-Palantir>That's why I'd rather know if I'm dealing with insiders, you know.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I mean, of course I'd defend them. But god damn... Haven't seen a Cryer ship in ages.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, no need to worry about me. Just a merc.
<CV-Palantir>Either way. Yeah, I used to work for them a few years ago. Or for a subsidiary of theirs. We had a whole-
<CV-Palantir>-wing of Atka for our personal disposal. In the Sigmas.
<CV-Palantir>*pauses and murmurs to himself* Been a while since I had to use /words/ to tell this story...
<CV-Palantir>Anyway. Fairchild worked there as a sec pilot. I worked there as a researcher.
<CV-Palantir>Ups and downs, but at the end of the day we developed a kind of tech... that's a little contrived to explain.
<CV-Palantir>In essence, it allows you to use your own brain as an interface to a machine. A console, a PAD, a ship command module-
<CV-Palantir>-stuff like that. Anything that has electronics in it and basic neural net support, you can network with.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Greetings, Jeanette.
<Olivia.Sable>Bonjour again, Navarre.
<CV-Palantir>Of course, a double edged sword, because it could be used for mind control and a whole bunch of other-
<CV-Palantir>-nasty stuff that I really did not want to have to deal with.
<CV-Palantir>The tech is called "Vergil" by the way.
<Olivia.Sable>Haven't heard of it.
<CV-Palantir>Somewhere in the middle of that Cryer got really upset with us because it was their product, and they had to-
<CV-Palantir>-cut costs and wanted it out the door. With no security that I put in. That people /died/ to help research.
<CV-Palantir>Actually, well, it was one person and he was an Outcast, so not much of a loss, but still. People died.
<CV-Palantir>So we had to run. We developed it on our own and had some contacts with some groups.
<Olivia.Sable>Ssshhh, Navarre. Let him tell his story.
<CV-Palantir>Liberty Security Force was interested in it, some fellow named Avery Reeves, an agent. They supplied us.
<CV-Palantir>Forlorn Hope, wherever they've gone, also were interested. A merc group, very good guys overall. Nick Stenn... if that-
<CV-Palantir>-rings a bell.
<Olivia.Sable>I can't say it does.
<CV-Palantir>My last contact with either of them was about two years ago. I don't know what happened to the division of LSF that-
<CV-Palantir>-Reeves was in charge of or what happened to Forlorn Hope.
<CV-Palantir>In any case, well, Cryer doesn't really like me, but they can't do much to me.
<CV-Palantir>As far as Vergil is concerned, what we wanted to do was to release it into the public. Open.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>That sounds like a terrible idea.
<CV-Palantir>Schematics that anyone can make on their own with a nanoreplicator, open-source software, everything out there.
<CV-Palantir>It's safe. If the code is open, it's safe.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Easy to build mind-control technology open to the public?
<CV-Palantir>But Cryer wants their own version, a version they want to control. And that's indeed a terrible idea.
<Olivia.Sable>I don't know much about programming, but that doesn't exactly sound right to me.
<CV-Palantir>As I said, I worked on safeguards against this type of stuff.
<CV-Palantir>I am not sure if ladies want to listen to the precise details of the story of how an Outcast died in a cell on Atka...
<Olivia.Sable>*chuckles* Ladies.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I mean...
<CV-Palantir>But generally speaking, my authority and frankly, my existence hinges on the fact that this stuff is safe.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I have no problem with it.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, I guess we have little choice but to take your word for it.
<CV-Palantir>And if you are unsure about my word, you could always look into the code. It's out there. It's free. It's for everyone.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>She did say she's not really into coding.
<CV-Palantir>If Cryer releases their version, you won't have the code. You will have to take the word of some nameless executive for it
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>She probably won't even understand anything.
<Olivia.Sable>Hey, come on.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>No offense, Olivia. I'm on the same level as you!
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>*giggles*
<CV-Palantir>Well... Checksums exist, independent audits exist... You know... It's more solid than Cryer.
<Olivia.Sable>Checksums, audits, of course. Yeah. -Totally-.
<CV-Palantir>Anyway. That's the story of Vergil.
<CV-Palantir>Very concise and with not much detail.
<Olivia.Sable>Yeah... So, what does this have to do with your... Fairchild?
<CV-Palantir>Oh, that.
<CV-Palantir>Well, so, she is my test subject of sorts... Or used to be.
<Olivia.Sable>Ah... right...
<CV-Palantir>Willingly of course. We have a deal about this. Had.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>And how did that deal break exactly?
<CV-Palantir>And it's safe... Most of the time. Up to that fatal mess-up, it was safe.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Yeah.... very safe.
<CV-Palantir>I was working on a feature. Something she wanted, actually.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Take care Jeanette.
<CV-Palantir>Err... It had to do with connecting to fighter controls and turrets... Generally.
<CV-Palantir>Yes, yes, good bye.
<Olivia.Sable>Au revoir, Navarre.
<CV-Palantir>But something went wrong, wrong neuron fired or something... Fairchild went into a seizure. Normally we have-
<CV-Palantir>-precautions against this, normally she's in a controlled environment, but that time she was in her fighter.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>That is just... a sad way to end a project, Nik.
<Olivia.Sable>He's not done yet, let him finish.
<CV-Palantir>*sniffles* I saw only the readings of her neural scan.
<CV-Palantir>Through the roof. Epilepsy. For a good few minutes.
<CV-Palantir>After it ended I tried asking her but she didn't even attempt to compose words, she just turned on her cruise and bolted.
<CV-Palantir>I have no clue what happened exactly. I don't know what went wrong.
<CV-Palantir>Last I saw her was in the Omicrons.
<Olivia.Sable>Oh, Christ.
<Olivia.Sable>Of course this kinda shit happens out there...
<Olivia.Sable>And -when- did you last see her?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>And since then you've been looking everywhere for her?
<CV-Palantir>It was... hell. Hard to say. More than a year.
<CV-Palantir>Anyway, what was I saying...?
<Olivia.Sable>It's been a year.
<CV-Palantir>Oh, that.
<CV-Palantir>Well, it has. And I'm not a valiant fighter or a hero to look for her in the Omicrons...
<CV-Palantir>I'm hardly a
<CV-Palantir>"person", even, at this point.
<Olivia.Sable>What's... that supposed to mean?
<CV-Palantir>Oh. Right.
<CV-Palantir>I neglected to mention that fact.
<Olivia.Sable>Uh oh.
<CV-Palantir>I... kind of... haven't got a body anymore.
<Olivia.Sable>Of -course-.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Oh god.
<Olivia.Sable>That's just the plot twist that was missing from this nightmarish story.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Plus one.
<Olivia.Sable>So, you're... integrated into your ship?
<Olivia.Sable>Vergil worked that well?
<CV-Palantir>Three years ago I was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer.
<CV-Palantir>This might sound horrorish, but... With Vergil, Fairchild allowed me to take control of her own body and perform-
<CV-Palantir>-a semi-automated brain surgery on myself.
<Olivia.Sable>You...
<Olivia.Sable>Fucking what?
<CV-Palantir>Since then, I've been little more than a brain in a jar.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I feel like I'm going to puke.
<CV-Palantir>We had a deal, with Fairchild. She would allow me to "use" her senses to experience the world.
<CV-Palantir>In exchange, I would stay with her and work on Vergil to make it even more robust so that perhaps in future-
<CV-Palantir>-I might somehow become a person again.
<CV-Palantir>But, well, that's... That's not happening now.
<Olivia.Sable>And -that's. why you're looking for her?
<CV-Palantir>Yeah. Yeah, for the most part, yes.
<Olivia.Sable>Okay. -Okay-...
<Olivia.Sable>Now, I've been around. I've seen a lot, done a lot.
<Olivia.Sable>But -that's- the most freaky shit I've ever heard.
<CV-Palantir>I told you in the very beginning. I've been through things you people wouldn't believe.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Can't say I have the same experiences with Olivia here, but I'll agree with the last statement.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Well..... He -is- right about that. I mean.... 'it' is right?
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>I don't even know at this point.
<CV-Palantir>I'm fine with "he".
<Olivia.Sable>*sighs* Okay.
<Olivia.Sable>So, you're too... afraid of going to the Omicrons, right?
<Olivia.Sable>Understandable. I was there once and didn't like it myself.
<CV-Palantir>I'm not a fighter, as I said.
<CV-Palantir>And Palantir is a yacht, not a battleship.
<Olivia.Sable>Do you... have anyone...
<Olivia.Sable>Looking for her?
<CV-Palantir>Cryer probably is. But I... no. I don't know of anyone doing that.
<CV-Palantir>I would have asked my old friends but as I said, both Reeves's LSF division and Forlorn Hope are no longer around.
<Olivia.Sable>So... are you -looking- for someone to look for her?
<CV-Palantir>And, believe it or not, it's difficult to make interpersonal relationships in my state.
<CV-Palantir>Well...
<CV-Palantir>Well. I guess, so.
<Olivia.Sable>Well.
<Olivia.Sable>As I mentioned, I'm a mercenary.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Why do I feel like I know where this is going...
<Olivia.Sable>But I have experience in all sorts of fields.
<CV-Palantir>I am not wealthy, though. This is a non-profit project.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>*she sighs*
<CV-Palantir>So this is a moot point. I have no way of paying you.
<Olivia.Sable>Huh. That's a shame.
<CV-Palantir>Unless you are interested in Vergil yourself. But seeing how you reacted... I'm not that sure about it.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>*whispers* Thank you lord almighty.
<CV-Palantir>Seriously.
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>Those ion storms don't want to chill today.
<Olivia.Sable>Alright, so we left off at you not being able to pay for any... services.
<Olivia.Sable>Right?
<CV-Palantir>Well. Not really, no.
<Olivia.Sable>Anything -besides- credits you can offer?
<CV-Palantir>I'm an expert in neuroscience and microbiology, not exactly a crafty field that.
<CV-Palantir>Palantir is carrying some Vergil hardware, which is really the only thing I can deal with.
<Olivia.Sable>*sighs* Well, I can't exactly work for free...
<LPI-Isla.Nazumaki[Lt]>*Isla removes her helmet and grabs a peach, taking a bite as she observes.*
<CV-Palantir>As I said, it's a moot point.
<Olivia.Sable>So it would seem.
<Olivia.Sable>I -do- feel for you.
<CV-Palantir>Vergil Foundation is a non-profit, my entire work is based on an ideal.
<CV-Palantir>I don't think much can be done without finding any other idealists.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, the only idealists you'll find around here are nationalist terrorists.
<CV-Palantir>Well. Perhaps they would be the people to take this up.
<Olivia.Sable>I'm pretty sure their whole deal is -not- dealing with things outside of Liberty.
<CV-Palantir>Although, if I'm honest, we met both the LSF and Forlorn in Liberty... And they both agreed to fund-
<CV-Palantir>-the Foundation. Seems rather idealistic to me.
<Olivia.Sable>*chuckles* If the LSF was interested in it, it wasn't out of idealism.
<CV-Palantir>Well. Reeves seemed like a very honest man. At least so it seemed through Fairchild's eyes.
<Olivia.Sable>Ugh, right...
<CV-Palantir>Good day.
<Olivia.Sable>Well, Nik. All I can say, I guess, is good luck.
<CV-Palantir>Well, thanks.
<CV-Palantir>If you do happen to find someone with that name, though, please do let me know.

<Little.Trashmaid> Not much of a party, huh.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Good day.
<Little.Trashmaid> Palantir, Palantir...
<Little.Trashmaid> That sounds familiar.
<Little.Trashmaid> Where did i see it?
<Little.Trashmaid> Jeez, really.
<Little.Trashmaid> Hey, you over there. Onboard the Democritus.
<Little.Trashmaid> Where would i remember you from?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Sorry?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I haven't got a clue.
<Little.Trashmaid> Uh-huh...
<CV-Palantir> Nik: First time I see a little trashmaid.
<Little.Trashmaid> The thingy changes callsigns every now and then.
<Little.Trashmaid> Palantir, Pala... Oh! "Forlorn" rings a bell?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Well, Palantir has been Palantir forever. Or at least since Forlorn Hope gifted it to me.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Aha.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I see.
<Little.Trashmaid> A-ha. One of those Stern's dolts.
<Little.Trashmaid> Now i remember.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Stenn was a good man. No clue what happened to him, but he was always welcome aboard this ship.
<Little.Trashmaid> Just not sure if you are from the proper Forlorn, when BLueberry was around - or from the rotten N.S. version.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I'm a bit lost, too.
<Little.Trashmaid> Suppose it was the last, since i did not see you around Dice or Blueberry.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I was never a part of Forlorn, I merely worked with them. They financed my operations.
<Little.Trashmaid> Callsigns, sweety.
<Little.Trashmaid> Dice stands for Karin Walker.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I don't know any of the names you mentioned, other than that of Nick Stenn's.
<Little.Trashmaid> Blueberry stands for Nick's girlfriend.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Girlfriend?
<Little.Trashmaid> Mhm.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Hm. Never heard of a Nick Stenn's girlfriend, to be honest.
<Little.Trashmaid> Elena Voigt.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Oh, that one.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Yeah, I know that one.
<Little.Trashmaid> Blueberry, that was her callsign.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Seems like we operated under government names at the time.
<Little.Trashmaid> Told her not to stick around Nick. She did not listen.
<Little.Trashmaid> And then she ran to John Armada or something like that.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Seems like you are quite up to date with what's been going on with that lot.
<Little.Trashmaid> Could not care less, since i did not care to start with.
<Little.Trashmaid> Me? Huh.
<Little.Trashmaid> If blueberry were around, she would have been running in circles by now.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: What happened to them in the end? Stenn... Hasn't been returning my calls, so to speak.
<Little.Trashmaid> Screaming something like "THAT PERVERT AGAIN".
<Little.Trashmaid> But she is not around. So huh.
<Little.Trashmaid> So. why are you around Liberty, then?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Where else could I be?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: It's a place that generally is easiest to stay hidden in plain view. And I'm not one fond of attention.
<Little.Trashmaid> Why so?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: It's... a complicated matter.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Look, I've already told this story today once to those two, I don't really want to go through it again.
<Little.Trashmaid> Impress me. I am curious.
<Little.Trashmaid> Why, i am not fond of that either.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Hm. Well. Are you interested enough to do a favour in exchange for the story?
<Little.Trashmaid> Depends on what it is. Sure you'd want a favor from someone like me, though?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: You seem like a freelancer. Normally you work for money. But since I haven't got any, I can't offer you much.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: A good story is the best I can do.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: And the favour involves finding someone.
<Little.Trashmaid> Sounds like something i can do so far.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Does the name "Fairchild" ring a bell to you?
<Little.Trashmaid> Besides, it could possibly give me that feeling of...
<Little.Trashmaid> Huh.
<Little.Trashmaid> Yes.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: What do you know about... about Fairchild?
<Little.Trashmaid> Not much. Female, snubcraft pilot, used to stick around Blueberry.
<Little.Trashmaid> They were looking for something with Blueberry in Omicrons, quite some time ago.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I see. Well. Yes, I know about that as well, because I was there to witness it.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Sort of... Anyway. That's the person I'm looking for. And I would... genuinely appreciate any help with it.
<Little.Trashmaid> Given that i did not see that Fairchild in a while, suppose they found it.
<Little.Trashmaid> *Shrugs audibly.* That's a bit problematic, though.
<Little.Trashmaid> I mean, i have no problems looking for someone. But the moment they realize that's -ME- who is looking for them, umm..
<Little.Trashmaid> They'll probably rather not show up.
<Little.Trashmaid> I have a certain kind of reputation people do not like.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I'm not sure Fairchild is going to remember you. In fact, I am almost certain she wouldn't.
<Little.Trashmaid> Huh. Well, if you say so.
<Little.Trashmaid> Any ideas where to check, then?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Last I saw her was in Omicron Theta. But that was over a year ago.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: She flew a Lick equipped with Acrobatics.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Lich, even
<Little.Trashmaid> Did you ask the right guys yet?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: The right guys being...?
<Little.Trashmaid> Like MND or 404. Those are the two sniffing around Omicrons, usually.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I don't know MND enough to trust them.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: And as far as 404 is concerned, Reeves hasn't returned my call.
<Little.Trashmaid> You don't need to trust them, though. And you can use my name to ask around, if you'd want to.
<Little.Trashmaid> Normally, they at least read my messages.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I'm a bit apprehensive of asking well-connected organisations about this kind of stuff...
<Little.Trashmaid> The one in charge of MND should be Enfield, if nothing changed from the last time i checked.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: The thing about them is that agencies tend to have a very heavy-handed approach to this kind of stuff...
<Little.Trashmaid> Tell Geoff that John Silverstone is looking for Fairchild.
<Little.Trashmaid> He'll probably show some kind of reaction to that.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Huh.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Now, now. I know that name.
<Little.Trashmaid> Same for Reeves.
<Little.Trashmaid> *Shrugs audibly.* Yeah, yeah. That's me. Again.
<Little.Trashmaid> What, gonna gross out and fly away yet?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Reeves... Reeves, I'm sure, will be willing to work with me without names thrown around.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Reeves needs to know that I'm looking for him, though, and as I said, I'm not even sure if he's around.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: But if you claim that he is... I'm gonna keep my eyes, figuratively, open wider.
<Little.Trashmaid> Last time i spotted 404 crafts was in Lost.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Fitting.
<Little.Trashmaid> Normally they would not go to Lost unless someone tells them to.
<Little.Trashmaid> Normally, that would be of someone with sufficient authority.
<Little.Trashmaid> Other than Reeves, there are not many of those around.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I wonder if he might be looking for her, too...
<Little.Trashmaid> At least in 404, that is.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I doubt that, but who knows.
<Little.Trashmaid> I am curious, though. Why would you be looking for Fairchild?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Well. The answer to that question, and any others you might have, is the reward for finding her.
<Little.Trashmaid> Aww, cute. You sure know how to make my kind interested in work.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Well. Learned from the best.
<Little.Trashmaid> Best as?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Reeves. Stenn. Order. Cryer.
<Little.Trashmaid> Aww, but those are...
<Little.Trashmaid> Well, maybe Cryer. But they are rarely around now.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Thank God.
<Little.Trashmaid> Oh come on, they sure were fun.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: No, not really. Cryer is extremely dangerous. Best avoided, frankly. Or even better, shot on sight.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I wonder if Fairchild still has that murderously vicious dislike of them.
<Little.Trashmaid> *Rubs his cheek.* Well, at least i did not see her where i usually go looking for troubles.
<Little.Trashmaid> Means she has high chances of still being alive and human-shaped.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Hopefully.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: She's... very important to my well-being, let's put it that way.
<Little.Trashmaid> Hmm.
<Little.Trashmaid> What about Omicrons, then? Did you ask the locals?
<Little.Trashmaid> Such as freeport administrators.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I don't travel there. And they, even more than the agencies, have a very heavy handed approach.
<Little.Trashmaid> Oh, but they are somewhat easy to ask for help?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Hmm...
<Little.Trashmaid> The ones in Delta and Theta, at least.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I'll be honest with you, I'm every bit as worried about Fairchild herself as about those who would try-
<CV-Palantir> -approaching her.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: She is still /very/ deadly.
<Little.Trashmaid> *Shrugs* Suppose any female is fine with bald lesbians or buddhists, right?
<CV-Palantir> Nik: If she's alive... That's one thing I'm sure of.
<Little.Trashmaid> Deadly, eh?
<Little.Trashmaid> Hmm. Well, i suppose that Max or Sun won't be glad to see her, then.
<Little.Trashmaid> Depends on your definition of deadly, however.
<Little.Trashmaid> Might be quite different from my own.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I don't know. I haven't got the slightest clue, to be honest. I'm just guessing.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Look, the fact of the matter is, I don't know many things about this situation.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I would like to know more but I'm not a hero or a fighter, I'm careful enough not to venture too far away from Liberty-
<CV-Palantir> -space. Not in this ship, which attracts various hostile borderworld elements like a magnet.
<Little.Trashmaid> Let's see... On a scale from one to deadly, Harbringer was "angry when rubbed wrong way". She could not possibly beat that.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: That's why I need help from daring heroes and fighters such as yourself.
<Little.Trashmaid> *Shrugs once more.* Well, i am neither a hero or a fighter, but...
<Little.Trashmaid> Nicole used to praise me for how indifferent i am to dangers.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Any information, I'll be grateful for.
<Little.Trashmaid> Then again, dieing a couple of times for Nicole wasn't that much of a favor.
<Little.Trashmaid> Well, i guess i'll look around.
<Little.Trashmaid> Huh.
<Little.Trashmaid> That one was familiar, too.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I'll get in touch with the people you mentioned... Those might've been avenues I haven't thought of.
<Little.Trashmaid> Mhm.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Good talking to you, Silverstone.
<Little.Trashmaid> Geoff Enfield, he owes me one.
<Little.Trashmaid> Max Cosmo-something.
<Little.Trashmaid> The one in Delta, FP11 administrator.
<Little.Trashmaid> She would normally throw plates at you when you mention me, and she is bald.
<Little.Trashmaid> But otherwise she is fine and kind.
<Little.Trashmaid> Sun something-something.
<Little.Trashmaid> A buddhist from Theta.
<Little.Trashmaid> You can't possibly go wrong with a buddhist.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: I think my present condition might throw even a buddhist for a loop.
<Little.Trashmaid> I wonder who else...
<Little.Trashmaid> Oh!
<Little.Trashmaid> You can ask that flat excuse of a woman from Union.
<Little.Trashmaid> She has some influence in Rheinland, too. Gunda Rhiel.
<Little.Trashmaid> She is one of your shaved and tattoed bandits on the lanes, but she is a good person.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Hmm... I don't know about Union.
<Little.Trashmaid> And she might know Fairchild's whereabouts, if Fairchild was or is dealing with rheinland criminals.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Enfield seems like the best bet out of all of them.
<Little.Trashmaid> Just mention my name. Union will help.
<Little.Trashmaid> They owe me one, too.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Thanks, Silverstone.
<Little.Trashmaid> Did not do anything yet, i suppose.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: If you hear anything about her yourself, too... Let me know.
<Little.Trashmaid> Mhm.
<CV-Palantir> Nik: Safe skies out there.
<Little.Trashmaid> Will do.
<Little.Trashmaid> I love stories, afterall.