[color=#000000]I've other business to attend to, so I'll make this one short. To whatever wrench wielding maniac out there that might consider himself remotely useful in full scale ship repairs, The Outer Project is offering a hefty sum of credits to whoever manages to fix up the ship we're currently based out of. For further information, that ship is a Barge, and by fix up, we mean making it mobile once more, in addition to opening what may be close to five hundred and sixty three locked rooms.
For even MORE information, please backtrace this signal and leave a message. That is all.
PS: Feel free to apply even if you ARE an actual certified mechanic or engineer. I've had my share of nutjobs for the week, to be frank. Ta ta.
<span style="color:#000000">The awful plight of he who cannot draw to save his own life.</span>
---Incoming Transmission---
--CommID: Jordan Forbes--
-Location: Planet Leeds
-Attention of: OPEN CHANNEL 116932
-Ship Details: CSVII Rafale ID: Geordi-"Fixer"-Forbes
Well I hope a gal can fit the role of a wrench wielding maniac for you. Geordi Forbes here, repair work is my lively hood so I should be able to give you a hand... but I got to say I have never worked on something as big as a barge before. And it will take ages to do so unless some other people are involved. I am perfectly willing to take on the job, assuming you have no problems with a Junker coming on board.
Willing to do the job so long as you pay for the parts needed to fix the thing, those new bits are not coming out of my pay I hope. Anyways, just send along some more details in regards to a time and a place and I can take a look and see how bad the damage is.
With all do respect,
Ms. Forbes -End of Transmission-
--Data Connection Lost--
[color=#009900]Signal Source : Liberty, Cortez, Planet Curacao Signal I.D. : Civilian Comm I.D. : Alexander Nagy the 1st Intended Recipient: Who ever the hell that was from ToP Subject Matter: You are now benefiting from my services.
- - Displaying Transmission Message - -
[font=Book Antiqua]Salutations!
I caught your broadcast calling for me just as I was leaving a massage parlor. Wonderful ladies, truly know what they are doing, these Curacao masseuses. Seeing as how that place took the rest of the money I had left, though, I will be needing more, so I will start work immediately.
Now, I have no previous experience with "Barge" class vessels, which is fortunate for you because otherwise your offer would probably not interest me. I have extensive knowledge of all things, including those of ship designing, construction, and modification, which I am eager to put to use once I have been granted the freedom that comes with the title "Master Engineer", which I would like to be given as my first request.
My second request is that I am allowed the freedom of time to explore your Barge, because from the sounds of it there is much about it that even you do not know. I must say, if I was forced to list my vices, a good mystery with the promise of new discoveries is definitely my second.
Which brings me to my third request, and my first vice.
Does The Outer Project have many female members? Or associates with many? Or at least comes across a few once in awhile?
I will need specific instructions on where to go and where to begin. Send this information to me as soon as possible.
And... thank you. I was truly beginning to wonder where I would get my next income from. About time someone contacted me directly.
~ Alexander Nagy the 1st
[color=#FFCC00]- - End of Transmission - -
<span style="color:#999999">"There are many ways this could go wrong. Let's try them all."</span>
Incoming transmission...
Source: Slum City, Office Room 042, ToP Public Relations and Transportation Department
Recipient 1: Jordan Forbes
Recipient 2: Alexander Nagy
Unknown encryption method detected...
Accessing external memory drive, extracting codesolver.exe...
Message encryption recognised. Encryption pattern: CORSAC
Bypassing security protocols, probing system.
System probe sucessfull. System sucessfully entered. System ID: Unknown
Acessing internal mainframe, anchoring connection, securing data uplink stream...
System anchor in place, streaming transmission. Executing Protocol C...
Message decrypted in private channel. Video uplink established.
Message for Recipient 1 follows:
Greetings, Miss Forbes,
You'll notice I went to full lengths to secure a safe transmission this time. Standard procedure when dealing direct business proposals. Anyways...
If there's anything I respect, it's a shrewd business sense, and you, dear lass, have it in spades. No, we don't have any issues with a Junker onboard our Barge (after all, who better to fix up a pile of junk than a Junker? No offense intended), nor do we expect you to pay for the materials by deducting it from the salary. Of course, you will understand we do NOT pay by the hour. For obvious reasons.
The lack of experience with Barge class vessels isn't an issue. At this point, this isn't much of a Barge as it is a pile of loose bolts. And we'll make sure we have as many capable hands working on this as possible.
That said, welcome. Details will follow at the end of the message.
Message for Recipient 2 follows:
You're obviously full of yourself. I like that.
No one better to face down an immensely complicated problem than someone who believes himself incapable of error. Because, very rarely, that might work out just right. I like them odds!
(As a side note, I am NOT being sarcastic)
To adress the more direct note, The Outer Project has a very frequent tendency to end up surrounding each and every one of it's benefactors with the best, most classy women in Sirius.
(Side note 2: THAT is sarcasm)
You will not be given free reign to explore the Barge, but are welcome to accept a guided tour alongside the other engineers working in this project. Oh, right, you won't be getting all the pay for yourself. Unless of course you can fix a Barge top to bottom ALONE. We DO appreciate those who appreciate a good mystery, though.
As a closing note, I'd like to add, yes, the pay is good, but we are NOT a "source of income". You will see, given time, that either you're productive, or not. Mess up, and your behind will be kicked out of airlock quicker than you can grab a spacesuit.
Details follow:
1) ToP WILL require more than two engineers. As such, please await further instruction.
That is all.
Connection lost, system probe withdrawn...
Data uplink stream cut, source disconnected...
<span style="color:#000000">The awful plight of he who cannot draw to save his own life.</span>
[color=#009900]Signal Source : Liberty, Cortez, Planet Curacao, Ship Comm Signal I.D. : Civilian Comm I.D. : Alexander Nagy the 1st Intended Recipient:That Slum City P.R. guy Subject Matter: I praise you / A minor detail
- - Displaying Transmission Message - -
[font=Book Antiqua]Salutations again!
I received your transmission regarding accepting my job offer, though I was most rudely being followed far too closely by an absolutely atrocious pilot while I was receiving it, and had to take more extreme flying maneuvers. As a result, I did not hear some the the unimportant bits, and I cannot be bothered at this time to go through it again for them, not that I really need to.
You are absolutely correct, sir, in you assumption that there is no one better than I to face down an immensely immense project of such immensity! And I am further inspired by your absolute faith in believing I am incapable of error, even though you have received bu one communication from me. You are an observant fellow, much like myself, and I can tell we will get along spectacularly.
In addition, I cannot begin to describe for you just how ecstatic I am to hear about the female company your group makes available members such as I will soon fully be. Mostly because the simple-minded simpleton behind me is now discharging his weapons in my general direction. Very rude indeed.
You said some other things about giving me free reign to explore the Barge, and asking me to guide other engineers around. As the Grand-Master Engineer I know all of these things already, and will be glad to escort the new engineers around. You also mentioned all the pay, and though flattered as I am (I already said I liked you, no need to offer me a cherry~), I must insist that you handle the other worker's pay, I will have better things to do than Pay-Roll.
Speaking of roll, have you have seen a modified armored transport do a barrel-roll and slip between two moored Heron transports? Neither have I, and yet I almost was able to do it. I am sure what ever it was that got torn off them was just for looks. A pity that Patriot was small enough to get between them without any skill needed, though it has stopped firing, most likely to avoid hitting other craft. Perhaps not so rude after all.
Anyways, about the final matter you brought up; I am glad, but had already expected, to hear you say you will be paying me good. And, you are absolutely right, this job is not just a source of income for me. It is now mylife! At least until I learn everything there is about our ship, run out of ways to improve Slum City, get bored, say my farewells, and move on to the next adventure in my life. But I am somewhat certain that won't be happen for at least two or three years.
There is one more additional matter I would like to bring up, which I will go into as soon as I crash into some of these asteroids, with the goal being that the debris from them will slow down and deter this Patriot that has become even more rude than before.
[font=Georgia]
Hahah! Precisely executed as I planned. Now, as I was saying, there is one more thing I wish to bring up. And that is regarding advanced payment. Now, I know I can already expect a gracious starting bonus, but in addition to that I will enough credits to cover some outstanding loans of mine. Student loans to be exact. Helping me in taking care of those right away will make me graciously indebted to you. Not "literally" indebted, haha, of course, but emotionally. And, spiritually. And... personally. You would be helping yourselves by making a sound and true friend of me, that you will!
The fellow who was pursuing me for some reason has, politely, given up the chase. What I do not understand is why they did not try hailing me? It's not like they couldn't-
...oh right, I was already sending a communication... well they could not have expected me to notice the "Incoming Comm" light while I was maneuvering, could they!? So rude.
Anywho, look forward to hearing from you again, friend. Until next time (which is hopefully soon).
~ Alexander Nagy the 1st
[color=#FFCC00]- - End of Transmission - -
<span style="color:#999999">"There are many ways this could go wrong. Let's try them all."</span>
Incoming transmission...
Source: Slum City, Office Room 042, ToP Public Relations and Transportation Department
Recipient: Alexander Nagy
Unknown encryption method detected...
Accessing external memory drive, extracting codesolver.exe...
Message encryption recognised. Encryption pattern: CORSAC
Bypassing security protocols, probing system.
System probe sucessfull. System sucessfully entered. System ID: Unknown
Acessing internal mainframe, anchoring connection, securing data uplink stream...
System anchor in place, streaming transmission. Executing Protocol C...
Message decrypted in private channel. Video uplink established.
Dear Mr. Nagy,
I'll assume you were joking when you spouted that string of inconsistent drivel and move along assuming you'll have the minimum intelligence required to reread the message. Considering you call yourself a Master Engineer, I presume such level of non-simian thinking isn't lost on you.
On to your demands. Let me put this in quick, easy to understand terms: there will be NO advanced payment, there will be NO covering of student loans, and there will most definitely NOT be any kind of payment before the entire work is done. We keep our deals, considering you keep yours.
Also, do not mistake necessity for hospitality. This is a business contract, not a roomie request. That said, we will pay for accomodations during your stay. Of course, don't expect pay-per-view or caviar.
Taking that into account, I hope you'll reconsider exploiting the Patriot's small size by getting into traffic jams. They tend to veer into oncoming traffic quite easily.
I will hear from you when I have more information, and do be a good chap,
"Big Joe"
Connection lost, system probe withdrawn...
Data uplink stream cut, source disconnected...
<span style="color:#000000">The awful plight of he who cannot draw to save his own life.</span>
[color=#009900]Signal Source : Independent System, Coronado, Barrier Gate Station Signal I.D. : Civilian Comm I.D. : Alexander Nagy the 1st Intended Recipient: Big Joe Subject Matter: Agreement Accepted
- - Displaying Transmission Message - -
[font=Book Antiqua]Salutations Big Joe!
It's a pleasure to finally get a name from you, I was beginning to consider what I would name you myself, but now I won't need to! Also, do feel free to call me by my first name, Alexander. Is it alright if I call you Big?
I will begin by apologizing, you are right, I most certainly did rambling on a bit and waste your time in that last communication. I guess I was simply caught up in the moment, spouting off details like I was some kind of live syndication announcer, hahah. Though I would make a good one.
Though I am greatly disappointed to hear about the tightness of your current financial resources, I not only fully understand where you are coming from, but I can sympathize as well, having fallen on hard financial times myself in the past. And present. But, as fate would have it, I have come across some people who have sound investment instincts, who are willing to grant me a gracious loan. Fortunate that these men do not share financial records from any of the other 4 houses, not counting this newest one... hrmm, I had not considered them yet...though the men did take down my I.D., personal records, and Ship details as part of the loan process. I am not concerned, though, since I am certain I will be able to pay this loan off in a prompt manner.
I will, naturally, accept your offer to accommodate me, just like I will understand that you are limited in what you have to offer. But do not fret! For I will provide the most I can to you despite it, which, as you can imagine, is very generous generosity, and shows how far I am willing to go for our Slum City.
~ Alexander Nagy the 1st
P.S. I did consider causing a great calamity in order to distract the Patriot, but weighed the chance of success against the price of failure, and I determined I simply could not afford the repair bills on numerous commercial transports at this time.
[color=#FFCC00]- - End of Transmission - -
<span style="color:#999999">"There are many ways this could go wrong. Let's try them all."</span>
First things first:
I am no mechanic.
I am not particularly handy with a spanner or grease.
I will not be fixing a broken locking mechanism or repairing leaky pipes.
What I am proficient in, however, is high-energy particle physics and, more importantly to you, the application and implementation of systems involving such; I.e engines, reactors, power conduits, electrical engineering, and power distribution and modulation systems for ship-wide functions.
As a necessity and requirement of my chosen speciality, I am also more than practiced and qualified in building, programming, installing repairing and hacking high-end optical computer systems such as those used in astronavigation and the complex calculations required to maintain fusion in a reactor; I.E the shiny things with buttons that run the ship.
You may call me Adrianna.
Please reply on this frequency if interested.
gone four years, first day back: Zoners still getting shot in Theta :|
Incoming transmission...
Source: Slum City, Office Room 042, ToP Security, Public Relations and Transportation Department
Recipient 1: Adrianna
Recipient 2: Jordan Forbes
Recipient 3: Alexander Nagy
Unknown encryption method detected...
Accessing external memory drive, extracting codesolver.exe...
Message encryption recognised. Encryption pattern: CORSAC
Bypassing security protocols, probing system.
System probe sucessfull. System sucessfully entered. System ID: Unknown
Acessing internal mainframe, anchoring connection, securing data uplink stream...
System anchor in place, streaming transmission. Executing Protocol C...
Message decrypted in private channel. Video uplink established.
Message to Recipient 1 follows:
I cannot come up with any words that can describe such a fortuitous application by one such as you. Mind you, as much expertise as you may have, you WILL have your work cut out for you. This old bucket of bolts will require a complete remodelling engine-wise. As for the computer systems, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you NOT to revamp it, considering the minds operating flight tend to be quite... simple. As such, something on par with their level of... finesse is more required.
At any rate, welcome aboard!
Message for ALL recipients follows:
Welcome, budding applicants. You'll be pleased to know all three of you have been chosen to handle the repair of the Barge class vessel reffered to by ToP as "Slum City". In order to keep conversations private and to provide you with information one can only remember face to face, I would ask that all three make their way towards the Kansas system, specifically, Colby orbit. There's a huge, stationary mass of metal in orbit. Can't miss it.
Once inside, ask for Office Room 042. And stay way from a young man with a Smurf haircut.
Hoping to see you soon,
"Big Joe"
Connection lost, system probe withdrawn...
Data uplink stream cut, source disconnected...
<span style="color:#000000">The awful plight of he who cannot draw to save his own life.</span>