Location: Planet New Berlin, Capital City, Osnabrück Hotel.
"Well, it should be about time, hope nothing changed in last 2 days.", thought Eric, looking at the screen of his laptop. "That smuggler should've left by now, and they won't be able to track track him down. Dammit, sometimes I think it wasn't such a great idea. Hope, Roberts will manage if anything goes wrong." With that in mind, he connected to internal Military network and started to write a message.
========INCOMING TRANSMISSION========
To:Direktor Herman Voss, New Berlin, Innsbruck. Encryption:Medium. Rheinwehr internal communication channels. Location: Planet New Berlin, Capital City, Osnabrück Hotel Source ID:Cmdr. Eric Hoffman Subject: Inquiry.
Guten abend, Herr Direktor. Would you be so kind to send a car after me? I'm awaiting your people at the Osnabruck, Frauhoferstrase 136. Wouldn't dare to try and enter the H.Q. all by myself, after all that mess.
-Innsbruck Facility, Planet New Berlin, New Berlin System-
The Innsbruck Building, originally a Mansion of one of Imperial Rheinland's noble families, after the Emperor stood down all those years ago however the family that lived here left for Hamburg for reasons unknown, it was thus left stagnant...Unused...Until the Buro came into being and took it over, converting it from a comfortable home into a high-security facility with all the trimmings.
The outer perimeter was protected by an electrified fence that warded off all but the most brave or prepared of infiltrators, the Fence was regularly patrolled by members of the Black Legionnaires, one of Rheinland's most famous shock-troops, these men and women however were simply on loan and few in numbers on New Berlin, the majority of them still on Bonn Station keeping the station secured.
The green grass of the front yard maintained by solar-reflectors from The Ring in orbit, preventing the neatly trimmed yard from dying due to the chilly temperatures that New Berlin was known well for. The front doors of the Mansion were heavy wooden doors that seemed to be immovable by normal men, brass handles gleaming in the New Berlin sun.
Herman Voss was currently in the Buro Archives, formerly the Library but when the Buro moved in they took out many of the books and replaced them with hundreds upon hundreds of files, wall to wall all one could see were file-folders carefully stacked on the shelves by category. Voss stood in the center of the room where a steel table had been placed and chairs lined it's edge. His personal Laptop sat on the top, letting out a soft 'ringing' sound as it registered a new message for the Direktor. The man sighed as he placed the file down beside the computer and read through the message, a smile crossing his face as he typed in his reply quickly.
PRIORITY:High ENCRYPTION:High IDENTIFICATION:Direktor Herman Voss SOURCE:Innsbruck Facility, Planet New Berlin SUBJECT:Inquiry
"A pair of agents will escort you to an armoured car shortly, when you reach the Innsbruck Facility you will be required to leave any personal items with security, once the inquiry has ended you may collect them as you leave. Also weapons are not permitted on the grounds except for Buro Personnel, the Military Representative and the Kusari Representative (should they arrive) are no exceptions to this rule and will be similarly required to relinquish any personal items and weaponry upon entry.
Do not attempt to leave your escorts nor the compound until this inquiry is completed.
Voss out."
-Osnabrück Hotel-
At the front of the Hotel, an Armoured Personnel Carrier pulled up to the front of the building, the back hatch opening as it came to a full stop and let out a pair of Black Legionnaires, their black armour glistening in the sun as they waited outside for Commander Hoffman to come outside. Their rifles slung over their shoulders in a waiting posture while the turret of the APC scanned the area carefully for any insurgents who would love to take the opportunity to either kidnap or kill Hoffman...
Reply came quickly. Quicker then expected. Eric re-forwarded the message to one of numerous orbital communication satellites, turned off the laptop he bought two days ago at a local discount store, put it into the suitcase and went down to the reception to check out. It was a very small hotel run by an elderly woman with a pair of maids. Then, he settled himself on the sofa and closed his eyes.
“One of those moments when I’m happy that I didn’t create a family”, he thought.“Well, I’d better take a nap.”
… it didn’t last long. The sound of approaching APC quickly woke him up. He glanced at the scared staff, told them that everything’s fine, thanked grannie for a decent meal and left the building.
”Oh my, an APC? Herr Direktor should be really paranoid. No wonder, though.” – Eric saluted to Legionnaires as he came closer. Scary guys, elite troops of the Buro. Commander always help a deep respect for them. Without wasting any time, he gave away his experimental version of standard issue plasma pistol together with the suitcase, and asked them to search him right away.
“I’d like to get that gun back, afterwards”, he smiled. -“Well then, I’m all yours”. He knew there was no road back.
The Legionnaires methodically escorted the man to the APC waiting outside, When they got in Eric would notice that it was small, cramped, which was unusual for a standard APC, this one had been modified with multiple layers of Armour-plating by the BDM to ensure VIP's got to their destination fully intact.
The drive itself was quiet, due to the dilligence of the New Berlin Janitorial Service the roads were free of any debris that would cause 'bumps' in the road, making for a smooth and easy ride to the Innsbruck Facility. The guards sat on either side of him, staring ahead as if in a trance behind their masked helmets. Suddenly the vehicle came to a stop, causing them all to jerk forwards slightly before straightening out upright once again. The rear-hatch opened and the outside world was once again exposed, climbing out they could see they were parked at the bottom of the steps of the mansion, either side of the stairway was guarded by Legionnaires, cautiously scanning the area for threats, The Legionnaires with Hoffman beckoned him to move up the stairs and into the Mansion, a pair of Legionnaires opening the massive doors and revealing the main hall. The Hall was a work of art, a chandelier hung overhead, it's crystals glinting in the room's light, the floor's tiles were a smooth reddish colour that matched with the dark-brown stairs that seemed to stretch to the next floor lazily. The walls were covered with various paintings, even a picture of Sol's Napoleon hung upon it, his eyes seemingly staring at Hoffman.
The Guards ignored the splendor of the room and marched onwards towards one of the side-rooms, each grabbing ahold of the handles and pulling it open, revealing the Archives. Voss was walking around the room, a folder in his hand and his gaze intent upon it's contents. He looked up briefly before beckoning Hoffman inside to sit at the table.
"Herr Hoffman. The Buro has been expecting you, but nolonger for the reasons you believe, sit down please."
Upon entering, Eric was quite surprised to see the splendor of the internal decoration of Innsbruck and seeming lack of proper security – he always imagined the HQ to be slightly… different. Commander quietly followed Legionnaires, that escorted him to one of the side rooms. After saluting, he settled down at the table, as Vos asked.
“For different reasons? And what could it be, herr Direktor?” – he answered quizzically. Eric was absolutely sure that, in light of recent events, there’s very little chance for him to get out of this unharmed. At best, he’s going to spend quite some time in cell. Yet, he still hoped for some higher-up to understand the importance of Project – commander actually considered himself lucky that Buro decided to investigate the matter, instead of trying to hunt him down.