By all outward appearances Agent Ross was a rather unimpressive individual, a member of the Liberty Security Force, features that did not stand out in a crowd such as his short brown hair, Manhattan accent that was all too common within Liberty. Even in the LSF he was not that impressive as an agent, a rookie by all accounts who by a miracle managed to pass his tests as most men would say 'by the skin of his teeth'. He was the sort of man that was most likely to pass under the radar of the Security Force's promotion board due to the shear lack of interesting facts or features.
If anyone could say anything about the man if was that he was 'unmotivated' and 'unlikely to be missed'.
This was precisely the image he had worked hard to cultivate, a face he had perfected since he first came to Liberty and established himself amongst the citizenry, outside of Liberty was another story entirely, the man's hair which most would think was his natural color was in reality darker, and his accent was thicker when in the company of those who held his leash.
His name in Liberty was Marcus Ross, the lazy agent who's never going to be promoted due to his lack of ambition. Outside of Liberty however he was Hermann Voss, a member of Rheinland's Buro der Marineintelligenz. Officially 'retired' from the Buro, he was in actuality re-assigned into the long-term Covert Operations unit with the mission of infiltrating Liberty and ferreting out what information he could to aid in the war effort. For months the man had worked to establish his identity on Manhattan, having to change his appearance, his mannerisms and even his own accent to better fit into those around him. His application to the LSF was a lucky break for him, despite his 'unmotivated' persona he managed to complete the basic training course and join the lowest of the low of his agency's foe.
He had thought he had done an excellent job, however he recently received a transmission that had him nervous on the inside, a Colonel from Division 9 had taken notice of him, hopefully it was nothing serious...But he wouldn't hold his breath. Now he was on-route to a Liberty vessel by the name of 'Wyoming', requested to meet the Colonel of the division there for some peculiar reason rather than an LSF facility. He had received a set of coordinates and had set out in his assigned Avenger-Class Very Heavy Fighter to meet with them.
He had worn his uniform and had his cap tucked into the small storage unit in the cockpit, he had to make a good impression if he wanted to get out of this alive if they suspected his true loyalties to the House their parent government was in a shooting war with...He sighted a Battle-cruiser in the distance and swallowed hard, steeling his nerves before he calmly opened a channel to the warship.
"This is LSF Agent Marcus Ross to LNS Wyoming, requesting approach vector and clearance to dock, over."
A lone figure stands on the bridge, looking out into space. Arms crossed, rather odd posture for someone who was possibly 'on duty' at the time.
"This is LSF Agent Marcus Ross to LNS Wyoming, requesting approach vector and clearance to dock, over."
Turning and nodding at the officer who was sitting at the communications channel, the figure slowly starts down to the docking bay.
"Roger that, we've been expecting you. Vectors are being uploaded, you are free to moor on slot two."
By the time Ross moored properly and exited his ship, he'd find a single female standing a little ways off. Seeing he was situated on ground, she starts to approach him. "Aaaannnd Agent Ross, was it? Hello, hello, hello, welcome to the Wyoming. Sorry if i'm not who you were expecting, Colonel has been rather busy with things and sent me to greet you instead. Sorta disappointing, but hey. Can't win them all I suppose. You'd be Agent Ross I presume? Lucky you. Not ever agent gets time out to visit this external division of the Liberty Security Force, of course things become a whole lot stressful when you leave too. If you accept, that is. It all boils down to your willingness for the service of the people in the end i'd say. Gotta handle things that the Security Force doesn't like to hold on public face."
Motioning towards the innards of the ship.
"Comeon then, lets get moving. There's something we need to discuss. I suppose i'll start with a simple question. Do you know why you're here dear?"
"Roger that, we've been expecting you. Vectors are being uploaded, you are free to moor on slot two."
His navi-computer received a string of information, putting his ship into automatic using the information provided the ship maneuvered itself to the 'Wyoming" , allowing him to look at the Battle-Cruiser up close, he had to admit while his parent organization may be at war with Liberty he was impressed with the engineering expertise that went into the larger vessel. As his ship slid into it's designated slot he waited for re-pressurization before climbing out. Not far away he could see what appeared to be a female officer waiting for him as he climbed out. Grabbing his cap as he got out and hit the deck-plates.
She approached him and started talking, she seemed...friendly enough, however a small part of him was 'waiting for the other shoe to drop' as it were.
"Aaaannnd Agent Ross, was it? Hello, hello, hello, welcome to the Wyoming. Sorry if i'm not who you were expecting, Colonel has been rather busy with things and sent me to greet you instead. Sorta disappointing, but hey. Can't win them all I suppose. You'd be Agent Ross I presume? Lucky you. Not ever agent gets time out to visit this external division of the Liberty Security Force, of course things become a whole lot stressful when you leave too. If you accept, that is. It all boils down to your willingness for the service of the people in the end i'd say. Gotta handle things that the Security Force doesn't like to hold on public face."
He gave a small nod, he had been expecting Red Rose, however it seemed to not be on the cards, odd considering she was the one who requested his presence, nonetheless he gave a small shrug at the end before he gave his reply, keeping in mind to keep his Berliner accent out and use the Manhattan accent he had worked hard to speak with ease.
"I was expecting the Colonel yes, I suppose you cannot always get what you are expecting in life ma'am. I am somewhat surprised to be called out here considering how new I am to the organization. Life seems to enjoy throwing these curve-balls at me."he replied while crossing his arms behind his back, remaining as calm as possible and maintaining eye contact.
"Comeon then, lets get moving. There's something we need to discuss. I suppose i'll start with a simple question. Do you know why you're here dear?"
Giving a nod as he started to follow her into the ship 'Ross' did his best to keep pace with the woman as they left his parked Avenger behind.
"I am not sure, all I was informed by the Colonel that there was a job for me with your Division, however she did not elaborate on the details as it were."
"I am not sure, all I was informed by the Colonel that there was a job for me with your Division, however she did not elaborate on the details as it were."
"That sounds like Rosie alright. You'll meet her eventually. For now though, she's put you on me for the time being. Alright then, i'll boil it down for the time being. The Division Nine, something which is obviously kept a little down or you'd hear more about it on the news or such. We need manpower. Our operations which we base here aren't really the 'smallest' things. Although there is a catch. The people here are.. special. Pulling just anyone over from the Liberty Security Force isn't very beneficial as things start to get a little shaky in our day to day operation."
Emerging into a busy room. People moving all over the place, the numerous amount of computer terminals being manned by multiple people, information obviously flowing at it's finest through the facility from one place to another, only to be distributed outwards.
"The Wyoming. We consider this our home base, despite merely being a battle-cruiser. It's mobile, and houses the facilities which we need. Anyways, as I was saying.. The people that we need involved are people who can get things done. From what i've been told, Rosie looked over your records and picked you out as a source of interest. While I don't know why exactly that is the case, I did catch a few words which interest me. Low position, and lazy. This is not an insult Ross. I'd hate to say it, but when those two traits are paired together, the person usually has higher capacities than they show. What they are, I dunno. For all I know that could mean you're an extremely good chess player. We're taking a risk in expressing our interest, perhaps you'd be interested afterall.
Tell me Ross, hearing the little details that you have heard right now, give me an answer. Are you interested in staying within the Liberty Security Force, or are you interested in a little sub-division of it where some strange chick has managed to hold off in talking too much about the Division Nine, while judging your interest. What do you think. A preliminary answer, of course."
This female was not in uniform. Although judging by the other crewmates expressions and reactions to her, it was apparent that she held some position in the Division.
"That sounds like Rosie alright. You'll meet her eventually. For now though, she's put you on me for the time being. Alright then, i'll boil it down for the time being. The Division Nine, something which is obviously kept a little down or you'd hear more about it on the news or such. We need manpower. Our operations which we base here aren't really the 'smallest' things. Although there is a catch. The people here are.. special. Pulling just anyone over from the Liberty Security Force isn't very beneficial as things start to get a little shaky in our day to day operation."
From the sounds of it the Division was a small-time operation that drew manpower from the main branch of the Liberty Security Force, however from the sounds of it they looked for something in particular...However he noticed she was conducting a classic 'play', give a person information yet nothing valuable or specific and gauge the reaction received. Basic but clever enough. 'Ross' decided to play along and nod here and there.
"The Wyoming. We consider this our home base, despite merely being a battle-cruiser. It's mobile, and houses the facilities which we need. Anyways, as I was saying.. The people that we need involved are people who can get things done. From what i've been told, Rosie looked over your records and picked you out as a source of interest. While I don't know why exactly that is the case, I did catch a few words which interest me. Low position, and lazy. This is not an insult Ross. I'd hate to say it, but when those two traits are paired together, the person usually has higher capacities than they show. What they are, I dunno. For all I know that could mean you're an extremely good chess player. We're taking a risk in expressing our interest, perhaps you'd be interested afterall.
Tell me Ross, hearing the little details that you have heard right now, give me an answer. Are you interested in staying within the Liberty Security Force, or are you interested in a little sub-division of it where some strange chick has managed to hold off in talking too much about the Division Nine, while judging your interest. What do you think. A preliminary answer, of course."
Again nothing very specific, however she did let some small pieces of information slip, the Wyoming serves not only as a combat purpose but has facilities for some other reason, likely as a Command and Control center for their operations. However the fact that this 'Rosie' looked over his records was somewhat worrisome, increased by the fact that her 'theory' concerning his two 'cover traits' tended to conceal 'higher capacities' had him concerned that his cover may be in deep danger of being exposed. He gave a small shrug and a sheepish smile before he replied, keeping his tone embarrassed like she had touched on something somewhat sensitive.
"Yeah...I don't know what to tell you ma'am, but I am not nearly as smart as that theory suggests, I think my experiences as a child involving playing with a police-grade taser side-arm and accidentally discharging it on myself says otherwise."He muttered before continuing."Still, I admit you make a good sale's pitch for the folks here, I would rather not commit before getting a more solid idea of what I'm wading into."he carefully replied, not wanting to over-commit and get himself into something far out of his range. However he was somewhat interested in this 'Division' and this could provide a treasure-trove of information on Liberty's 'Back Operations'...
The female nods her head. Seeming convinced, if not quite amused by the little story of the taser.
"Good. Glad you made the connection that you shouldn't answer right away. See, you aren't completely hopeless, you seem to possess some cognitive thought. Then again, you wouldn't be in the Liberty Security Force if you weren't. I've heard training is hellish to a degree."
Turning to face him, holding out her hand.
"Jessica Snow. Nice to meet you. I'm a bit non-standard here, although I can assure you that i'm operating within my job capacities with you for the time being. You say that you're not as smart as the theory suggests, I suppose if you'd like to put yourself down like that, go ahead. Just a thought. Of course there's probably more behind it, Rose doesn't always tell the full details when she's rushed. I'm merely making conclusions as we talk personally.
Interest in what we do. The million dollar question. You being in an entrance level to the Security Force, i'm sure all you've learned about what they do. Of course, that limited to what they advertise to the public. No real special assignments or all of that jazz. Division Nine sorta skips that command structure. The structure which the Security Force has laid out in terms of special operations, government conspiracies, spying, all of that is ignored here. We choose manpower specifically for doing multiple things. People with many talents. The Security Force is paranoid internally about who knows what, which is pretty darn standard for an organization like we are a Division of. We operate differently.
Unrestricted operatives given a specific goal, keeping things general for the time being.
You may be wondering why you are here. Those two 'talents' that I mentioned earlier don't make you a man of very special capacities. Why you then. I'll make this simple. Quite frankly, i'm not a recruiter. Never have been, never want to be. I'm completely allowed to do a half-assed job and send you back to the Liberty Security Force. You've interested Rosie however, which makes you interested in my eyes too.
What can you offer, Ross. Your laziness isn't a proper answer. What information comes next is dependent on your answer. I'm more than willing if I like what you say, to start talking about the details rather than explaining a comparison between us and the Liberty Security Force. This of course, presuming you're smart enough to put the details i've merely hinted at into practice rather than letting it go over your head."
"Good. Glad you made the connection that you shouldn't answer right away. See, you aren't completely hopeless, you seem to possess some cognitive thought. Then again, you wouldn't be in the Liberty Security Force if you weren't. I've heard training is hellish to a degree."
He gave a nod, the LSF training course was as brutal as the Buro's own. And many of the Buro had former Military experience beforehand so they also had to break the 'bad habits' gained from the Military. He stopped when she stopped, turned and put out her hand. His body went through the reflex of shaking it, although he did a cursory glance of the palm looking for any surprises before giving a brief and firm shake of the hand, his hands retreating behind his back and clasping onto each-other once again.
"Jessica Snow. Nice to meet you. I'm a bit non-standard here, although I can assure you that i'm operating within my job capacities with you for the time being. You say that you're not as smart as the theory suggests, I suppose if you'd like to put yourself down like that, go ahead. Just a thought. Of course there's probably more behind it, Rose doesn't always tell the full details when she's rushed. I'm merely making conclusions as we talk personally.
Interest in what we do. The million dollar question. You being in an entrance level to the Security Force, i'm sure all you've learned about what they do. Of course, that limited to what they advertise to the public. No real special assignments or all of that jazz. Division Nine sorta skips that command structure. The structure which the Security Force has laid out in terms of special operations, government conspiracies, spying, all of that is ignored here. We choose manpower specifically for doing multiple things. People with many talents. The Security Force is paranoid internally about who knows what, which is pretty darn standard for an organization like we are a Division of. We operate differently.
Unrestricted operatives given a specific goal, keeping things general for the time being.
You may be wondering why you are here. Those two 'talents' that I mentioned earlier don't make you a man of very special capacities. Why you then. I'll make this simple. Quite frankly, i'm not a recruiter. Never have been, never want to be. I'm completely allowed to do a half-assed job and send you back to the Liberty Security Force. You've interested Rosie however, which makes you interested in my eyes too.
What can you offer, Ross. Your laziness isn't a proper answer. What information comes next is dependent on your answer. I'm more than willing if I like what you say, to start talking about the details rather than explaining a comparison between us and the Liberty Security Force. This of course, presuming you're smart enough to put the details i've merely hinted at into practice rather than letting it go over your head."
Thinking upon the information given to him he formulated a response, his face turning pensive as if deep in thought as he spoke.
"Well, as you said the Security Force has it's specialists, however the Division prefers to acquire agents with multiple skills, Jacks-of-All-Trades as it were. The Command Structure of the Division is much more linear rather than branching into different sub-sections. However the Division is much less public about itself than the LSF which everyone knows about, meaning the operations here are much more sensitive than the main branch deals with, yet the fact you employ people with multiple talents means you must be flexible, meaning you run more than simple espionage operations, flexibility means you must be adaptable to the situations that crop up meaning your operations can range from, and this is just me making a supposition, deep-operational espionage to securing high-value targets or equipment...
So that means the Division has a specific goal in mind, a specific aim rather than the generalized nature of the LSF's main branch which stretches itself out with it's various sub-divisions, that tells me the Division has been granted a greater deal of independence as the LSF tends to be tightly controlled by checks and balances within the organization. However I could be completely wrong, but from what I've determined thus far the following is true; The Division is small and highly mobile for ease of shifting operations as needed, your manpower isn't geared towards specific skills but employs people who are adaptable as 'specialists' tend to be set in their reactions and not easily changeable to fit the needs of the situation. There is a good deal of support for this venture judging by the use of an Assault battle-cruiser which does not seem to be missed during a period of war, this generally means a political connection rather than a naval connection and finally the big one, the fact that I havn't heard of you before now. This tells me that what you are doing is likely dangerous or highly sensitive, enough to keep it out of the public eye."He states while looking her right in the eye, unflinching, his sheepish behavior long since gone..
Jessica listens to his little condensation of her entire speech beforehand, a slight smirk going across her face. Once he was done, she reaches over and pats his shoulder twice. It was very obvious she wasn't trained in military presentation.
"See, there is a smart head up there. All that leaves is the wonder on why you were trying to hide it earlier. I'm sure you have your reasons. Leave me to my own suspicions on that one I suppose.
Well then, this keeps things relatively simple. I like it. Are you interested in possibly risking your life in sensitive operations around Liberty and the surrounding houses? While not often, we do indeed do business around other areas surrounding Liberty, granted our own house is a handful on it's own.
You seem to have a good grasp on what we do. Take it or leave it. Either way if you agree or disagree, i'm gonna take you down and get some ice-cream since suddenly I really want some. Ah. There is a catch too." She says hastily at the end.