Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco Recipient ID: Damien "Cobra" Morreti Subject: RE: Invitation Cobra
Such a charming romantic gesture.
Everything I needed to arrange has been taken care of. I am currently in Liberty, gathering reports from my agents. I presume we can arrange to meet tomorrow at Barrier Gate.
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Sender:Alliance Commander "Cobra" Recipient:Fiorella Arianna de Marco Subject:Pulling the plug
Dearest.
I need your help, mostly your connections and access to some of your retainers. I'm trying to keep a former Technocrat from running back to his masters. But to do this properly I'll need to be able to offer him access to proper maintenance for his prosthetics.
I can handle anything to do with code and software incompatibilities but I need someone who can handle things from a potentially surgical and hardware point of view. I'm sure your wondering what we stand to gain, and my angle is quite simple. To show people like this kid that walking away from that cult isn't a death sentence.
I also feel I owe it to Vincent to try and prevent somebody from making the same mistakes he did. But that's more personal than strategic so I'll spare you my regrets and insecurities.
Could you loan me a member of your staff for this purpose?
Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco, Golden Cross Cartel Recipient ID: Damien "Cobra" Morreti Subject: RE: Pulling the plug Damien
Why such concern for a single Technocrat? They have chosen to be Malta's enemies of their own volition, and the only assistance I am willing to provide is an injection of one of the more delightful Carinean toxins into their veins.
Even if I were to show mercy in this matter — disconnecting the wires of one of their Pinocchios is no trivial task. It is beyond the capability of most cyber-surgeons in the Sector, including my own employees and Clan members. The individual you seek is a scientist who has dedicated her over a century-long life to the study and application of cybernetics - someone who delved into them long before any of the Technocrats were even born. I am acquainted with such a scientist; indeed, she has previously performed a similar service for me and she was the best choice I had with my wealth and status. However, there is a crucial difference: I could invite my patient to Malta with a clear conscience back then.
Your robotic doll could explode the moment someone tries to open it, and even fifty technocrats are not worth one of our cybernetic experts. Remember, you are dealing with a cult that makes old Don Benitez look like a good Samaritan.
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Sender:Alliance Commander "Cobra" Recipient:Fiorella Arianna de Marco Subject:Pulling the plug
Concern?
No, I intend for this to serve as a means to destroy their cause utterly. For the others to see that escape and a life beyond the reach of their current masters is possible, because eventually more than a few of their number come to realize that their cause is not what it seems.
I would assume we have a shared interest in destroying an enemy, a mutual enemy. The fewer loyal hands these freaks have to rely on - the better.
And while I could just ask Section 8 instead, I trust you completely. So I've come to you first.
Seeing as what the situation calls for is maintenance rather than removal of the apparatus, I'm sure a distinctly less vital mind can manage the task and that the century old expert's brilliance would be wasted. With this in mind, are you still entirely in opposition to helping me? If not, Section 8 is my only alternative and I expect their terms will be less than ideal if not outright counterproductive.
And seeing as the boy that's run away will refuse Section 8's involvement, I suppose he'll have to rot. Which would be less than ideal given the opportunity this situation provides.
Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco, Golden Cross Cartel Recipient ID: Damien "Cobra" Morreti Subject: RE: Pulling the plug Damien
Never underestimate your enemies - even though their leadership is full of sociopathic lunatics, they are well-versed in advanced technologies. If the necessary maintenance has been deliberately designed to control your stray technocrat, then a regular cybersurgeon will not be able to overcome it. After all, it is not as challenging to design a device with limited-lifespan exotic parts.
First, we need thorough scans of the cybernetic implants. Only then we can start figuring out how to bypass their limitations.