To: Finn McCool CC: Max Wolf, Isamu Sato (Datapad), BlackBox

[AlphaWolf215]

Joseph sat on the bridge of the still damaged Nephilim. It should have been a burning heap on some planet or scrapfield by now, but it was still floating, acting as mobile headquarters, and chief research station of the runners. Finn could see the bridge sparking, small fires starting up here and there behind him. Beams hanging, one end still attached to the ceiling, the other laying against the floor. He sat forward as the comms came into life, taking a sip of whiskey before speaking

Finn my friend,

It has been a while. Too long if you ask me. How are you, and your team over at the Ingenuus project. I haven't checked in on that for a while, I'm still interested to know how it's going.

But, as always, I must get down to business with you. My own project has grown since we last spoke, but also run aground. My brother, Max, has been continuing his work, but been coming across a few problems. Our team has grown though. A promising young runner, Mr Isamu Sato, or is it Sato Isamu? I can never quite get used to these Kusarian names. Regardless, a fresh face to the project, our personal aid, and a very bright young man. He has been a great help to us thus far, but even with his help, we are stuck, which is why I come to you. Your project had some... let's say interesting details. I wonder if you would be so kind as to allow the three of us, or four if you include my AI, to come aboard and take some readings. Even some of the plans if you would be so willing to allow us. I am of the mindset that it may contain some secrets that would allow us to move further.

I don't want to disclose to much now, not until I am sure that it works, and that I am correct. Once I know for sure, you will be the first to know.

Please, let me know of your interest, and how happy you would be to share this with me, and perhaps we'll catch up over a beer some time. Until then Finn, my old friend,

Councilman Joseph Wolf
Secretary of Fleets and Diplomatic Affairs
Solar Runners

The comms feed closes, and the pure black cube appears before him, the physical projection of BlackBox, or BB as he was colloquially known by the Runners. The blue glow around it pulsed with the words he spoke, and Joseph seemed to say something in return, it could have been a time from the movement of his lips. A time scale none would have noticed.

---

[Arioch]

-_-_-_-_-: Secure Channel Open :-_-_-_-_-
-_-_-_-_-: Encryption Level Beta :-_-_-_-_-
-_-_-_-_-: Sender: Finn McCool :-_-_-_-_-

Well well! It has been a while my friend!

As you no doubt can see, things have changed quite a bit since we last spoke. No longer on Ames nor Corinth due t' some controversy if you will. Meh, nothing t' worry about though. Funny enough, I'm working out of Cayman, with ta help of ta Reapers. Never thought I'd be saying that, but... you really never know where life will take you.

Anyway, on t' your message. First off, your ship looks like it has seen better days. Perhaps a retrofit is in order? Well, we can discuss that at a later date. As far as our project. Well, it is going on smoothly. In fact it is nearing completion!

But, I'm afraid I must cut ta transmission short. Duty calls as you know, as time is a luxury I do not have right now. What I'd like t' do though is introduce you t' my colleague Rachel Winterton, one of ta head researchers here at IRG. Feel free t' pick her brain and hopefully schedule a time t' come and visit us.

Take care old friend. I expect beer in ta near future!

Finn out.

---

[Remnant]

:: Incoming Response ::
:: Sender ID :: Rachel Winterton ::

Good afternoon, my name is Rachel Winterton. Strange situation here, McCool sends me something over to my data-pad including your message, and zips off down to the nano-constructor. Don't hold it against him, we are nearing a critical point where I suppose the thing needs to be watched explicitly to make sure everything goes well.

It seems McCool thinks quite highly of you, so quite frankly i'm merely going to ignore that silly confidentiality thing we made orally instead of writing, since, well.. If he didn't trust us, we wouldn't be here.

We could do this a few ways, i'll be glad to answer any questions you have over this Neural Net channel, however it seems McCool is alright with you coming down to take a look at things yourself in person. Whichever you prefer, merely let me know and i'll see what I can do.

:: Transmission Cut ::

[AlphaWolf215]

The comms flickered into life. Wolf still siting in the captain chair, the ship in as bad a condition as before, but now he seemed to be bathed in a red light. The whole bridge seemed to have a red tint to it, then it clicked. Emergency lighting. The ship clearly didn't have long left. For once in his life, Joseph didn't have a glass of whiskey at the ready either

Ms Winterton, I must apologise profusely for my delay. It's a wonder I got the communications array working in this state.

As you can see. My vessel is in a state of disrepair, destined for the scrapyard rather than a refit currently. I'm holding her together, and searching for a suitable replacement, but still, time is of the essence here, I'm sure you'll agree.

I would prefer to visit you at Ingenuus. I will bring a team of three, or four if you include my AI BlackBox. From there, with Mr McCools permission, and I'm sure your supervision, we would like to collect some data, and recieve any plans we can from yourself about the core in question. If this is possible, please let me know.

Regardless of your reply Ms Winterton, we are setting course for Cayman now. I can't afford to delay, and even if you can't help me, I'm sure Finn would take a gander at my ship, over a few beers of course.

Until then Ms Winterton,

Councilman Joseph Wolf
Secretary of Fleets and Diplomatic Affairs
Solar Runners

BB projects once more, this time you see them talking. From the looks of things, they are talking a matter of time, although you are not quite able to determine how long

---

[Remnant]

:: Incoming Response ::
:: Sender ID :: Rachel Winterton ::

Luckily, we're docked in Cayman still. I suppose I could arrange taking a break from my work, in order to give you some data and show you around. Hopefully when we're all finished, McCool may be finished so you two can do whatever guys do. Drink beer, watch sports, whatever. Never been a fan myself.

At any rate, i'll be waiting for you. Throw us a communications message when you get in range, I should receive it. Until then.

:: Transmission Cut ::

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