10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
After experiencing some unwanted problems with her Odin Mk I, Lea Kaufman contacted the AP Manufacturing director, Jessica Scarlet about her situation. She explained that the Odin in question had obsolete systems that needed replacement in order to be more efficient, to be capable to support other technologies despite having a quick work on her ship to allow the ship to support the Core technology such like the engine and four PT90, also known as Enforcer Mk II, a particle gun developed by The Core she obtained after a dangerous mission. Lea also requested to have a new hull over the Odin to resist better against the environment hazards and hostile gunfire. As Jessica explained over the comms, it will be a job taking weeks to complete counting the imports of components and the time to execute the changes on the ship. To her surprise, she is free of charge. However, she will need to pay the job with her services for another mission.
The travel the Omicrons and to dock on Durban station took quite a while. As the ship's engines were turning off in the hangar 3 of the station, the pilot grabbed her bag, containing everything she needs for a week, clothing, soap, towels, her teeth brush and tooth paste. She left the Odin, carrying her bag in her left hand. Whenever she comes here, Lea always was amazed by how well organized it was. After all, The Core is a paramilitary organization with a division destined to develop new technologies. She felt nostalgic. Last time she came here was when she finished her mission with the previous guildmaster unconscious. It was unfortunate to not see him anymore. Jack Daniels used to be one of the rare men Lea respected.
Soon enough, the Rheinlander was met by the responsible of the hangar. She briefly explained that she was there because her Odin is meeting with some problems caused by its systems in general. She also added that the job will take some weeks according to what she knows from the AP Manufacturing director. A job requiring to replace all the systems of the ship and to replace the hull plates. The responsible verified the says of Lea and wished her a nice stay.
The woman then headed to the living sector of the station, where she will mostly stay for quite a moment. As she entered in the room of her stays, it was similar to a hotel room. A living room with a big bed and a small bathroom. Lea put down her bad to a corner of the room and spent most of her time on her PDA, sending messages to some people saying mostly she won't be free. She also let a notice to Jessica Scarlet that the ship was in the hangar 3 and ready to receive the modifications requested.
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
Scarlet's virtual retinal display lit up, giving the illusion that is was her actual eyes that emitted the light. The cause of this was the new priority message she had just received. A certain high profile mercenary had just touched down. She headed to the merc's assigned quarters. As she was a few meters away from the doors, Jessica received a message from Lea Kaufman, the mercenary in question. She just smiled and proceeded to walk calmly into the room, as the doors opened automatically.
She leaned against the frame, crossed her hands in front of her chest and greeted the guest.
"Hello there, Ms Kaufman. Welcome to our little slice of heaven smack dab in the middle of a warzone. I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I'm not a fan of knocking on doors. Takes the element of surprise out of the equation. You understand, I'm sure."
Scarlet smiled and proceeded further into the room. What seemed like a wall split in half and the two massive sliding doors retracted away, revealing the actual size and luxury of the flat. It had a massive living room with its own full sized bar and one of the walls was actually an illuminator, revealing the magnificent sight of planet Nauru.
The Director of APM poured herself a glass of whiskey from the bar,sat on the sofa, crossed her legs, took a sip and looked at Lea with an cold gaze, capable of piercing one's soul.
"Let's have a chat, you and I. I'd like to hear how the hell you managed to convince Daniels to authorize upgrades on that piece of scrap you call a ship."
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
Obviously, the sudden entrance of the APM director surprised the Rheinlander who was just sitting on a chair, still wearing the pilot suit. She simply gave nods to the first sentences as greetings and also as she understood why Scarlet did not knock at the door like anyone would do. Lea followed her from the eyes until Scarlet took a seat. As soon she heard the words: 'that piece of scrap you call a ship' clearly hit a sensible string, but because how important was Jessica Scarlet, it was better to keep the cool.
''No need to explicitly say how is my ship. I'm the one piloting it.''
She paused a moment before to answer the question.
''To answer you, I time to time clean the presence of the Corsairs, but also he owed me one after I brought that battleship with him unconscious after an explosion three years ago. Also, it was me who brought the battleship with Jack who was unconscious. I obviously earned quite a reputation after this. It is only natural to have a reward meeting the difficulty of the mission and I think it was you who gave me that mission because Jack vanished mysteriously.''
She paused again, this time, having her eyes locked with Jessica.
''Jack clearly had me in high esteem and so was he to me. He saved my life on the Overlord. The only condition he had was to not be against you while I have your technology on my ship. I accepted and he processed to my request to have new weapons on my Odin in order I can continue my work as mercenary. All was well, until I meet problems that informed you over the neural net.''
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
"Hmm. I was expecting a more fiercy reaction. No pilot should allow someone to insult their ship, no matter its state, looks or condition.
But yes, you are correct. You really have a very impressive dossier. On an unrelated note, that Overlord has been repaired. It is now has its full operational capabilities. If you were present at the latest skirmish at the Freeport in Theta, you might've seen it."
Scarlet stood up, crossed her arms behind her back and started pacing slowly around the room.
"But I digress, we've a situation at hand. Jack is gone. The situation in Theta is complicated. Nomads are still as powerful as always. Hyperspace is weird. All in all, we live in a very interesting period of time. Not many realize it, but the coming few years might mark the destruction of Sirius as we know it. Deep down, you know it. And in such volatile times, we need to make sure those who stand with us are truly loyal."
She moved towards the illuminator and fixed her gaze at Nauru
"However, we also need to keep tabs on all the players around us. And that is precisely where you come in. Tell me, what do you know about the Wild? Have you met any of them? Do you know anyone who is infected?"
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
Lea was still sitting on the chair, still having a look on Jessica.
''I don't know why this discussion has a thing to do with my Odin, but fine. I will answer to your question. In fact, I know too little about the Wild. Nor if I know someone is infected. How would I even know if someone is infected while I am in space? Only stations with the technology would have the ability to tell, but in space, it is hard to guess. I've seen things, but I can't confirm if they are infected. The only thing I can fairly tell you is that I crossed the path of a Freelancer with nomads weaponry, but I doubt just the possession of such equipment is a proof in itself.''
She looked away a moment. When Scarlet mentioned: ''Not many realize it, but the coming few years might mark the destruction of Sirius as we know it.'' Lea then looked back at Jessica, wondering what she was talking about.
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
"Look around you. Everything is going to shit. We've got a crapton of rogue AIs running around unchecked. We've got nomads prowling about and eviscerating anyone that is foolish enough to get in range. We've got psychopaths with false ideals fighting for causes that matter little to none. Everybody is armed to the teeth and eager to go to war over whatever little resources are left. The bubble will burst soon, it is not a question of "if" but rather, "when".
Scarlet kept her gaze fixed on Lea.
"This is precisely why the Core will be prepared. We need to be able to fight the enemy, no matter their shape or form. Historically, we've had a lot of problems with engaging in CQC with infected humans, but we have... created a solution of sorts. If you are interested, I can show you. "Hera" research labs are a few levels above us, it is a short trip and we've got nothing better to do. What do you say?"
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
The blond woman thought a moment. Since she is stuck here for a moment while the engineers work on her ship, she had nothing much to do.
''I mean... It's all cool to see what is your solution, but I am not even a member of The Core. Don't you think it is risky? It's not like I will say something, but still.''
She paused a moment before to continue.
''For quite a while, I lived multiple weird situations and a dear person of mine is also pushing too much his luck and I want to be here to protect him. Those situations I am talking about it's not in Omicrons, but everywhere else. In order to achieve this, it is imperative my ship is good for launch in the brief delays. Sorry to sound desperate, but the sooner my Odin receive the upgrades, the sooner I will feel better.''
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
"It will be done when it is done. You cannot rush quality. Now then. Follow me."
Scarlet exited the room with Lea in tow. They went to a nearby elevator and rode it for a few levels. When they reached "Hera" labs, Scarlet handed a bracelet to the merc.
"IFF bracelet. You go in without this on your hand, you're pretty much fucked. Also, if the specimen detect infection on you, well...I'm sure you are not infected, so you will be fine. We'll also make sure the IFF bracelets work!"
Jessica waved her hand and the reinforced bulkheads slid open. She stepped in and beckoned the Kaufman to follow.
"Come on then, stick close."
The duo walked right into a huge hall with containment cells on both sides. Inside the dimly lit containment cells were robotic animals. The nearest one was slowly pacing around, examining the newcomers. Scarlet snapped her fingers and the shield was turned off, letting the animal out of the cage. It walked past Lea, while gently rubbing her with its tail and then it sat next to Scarlet.
Scarlet gently patted the biological machine on the head and spoke to it.
"Good girl! This is Lea. You will not tear her apart, now would you? She is our friend. For now.
Anyhow, Lea, this is my solution. A human can't fight another infected human. Not as effectively as we would want them to, anyways. However, Sasha here can. And she did. Has three kills to her name already. This is why I asked you about infectees. I need them captured and shipped here, so we can train more murder kitties. I know, I know. This seems insane, but the combination of cybernetics, augments, robotics and minimal biological parts means Sasha here can't be infected. We've exceeded a certain level of madness and actually made something viable. We've around twenty of those at the ready. I reckon the Gaians wouldn't be too happy with us, but what can you do. I can't please everyone, I guess. Anyhow, what do you think?"
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
Lea followed Scarlet without complaining too much, but at least, she had an answer that the work will be done, when it will be done. It took a moment before to reach the ''Hera'' labs. When the director handed her a IFF bracelets, the mercenary simply put it on her right wrist. The animals she saw there, especially Sasha, the Rheinlander was quite uneasy. Wondering eyes and concerned eyes could be seen on her facial expression. Never she thought The Core would do this.
''This is... This is beyond madness! Wouldn't it be better if it was robots instead? Or I don't know... Thermic sensors and then blaster turrets shooting on an infected when an anomaly is seen?''
Lea Kaufman is clearly not sure what to even add more. She is rather speechless toward what she is looking at, Sasha.
10th January 834 A.S - System: Omicron Delta / Durban Station
"Robots are easily hacked. AI go rogue. So instead, we opted for the best of both worlds. Hence,we ended up with the murder kitties.
Plus, if it works, it works, no?"
Scarlet smiled and continued.
"Anyhow, if you happen to find any infectees, you'll get a handsome reward for turning them in, alive.
Also, there is another topic we need to discuss. I have suspicions that Daniels isn't as dead as we think. We've managed to isolate a few databursts from Strix, his own pet project AI.
This should be investigated. Have you got any clue on this subject?"
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