Cor looks over at Merreck briefly, double-taking when she sees the man staring at her.  She shrinks a little into her seat, blushing mildly.  Why was the human staring at her?  Had he just worked out what species she was?  Was there suddenly going to be a huge argument?  Worse, did Merreck... like her?  As in... like like??  She doesn't meet his gaze, can't meet his gaze, and just stares at the table in front of her, hoping he'll look away.

Merreck look away after a few moments, as it was too hard to try to make eye contact with someone trying to hide in her own chair, especially as his own vision was a bit shaky.

On the other hand, he did just come up with a theory about why the droids were acting a bit, odd.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Fri 24 June 2011.

"Thank you CC9.  Though in future I would appreciate you being on time for briefings, you're five minutes late."


He turned back to the others.  "As you may have noticed, B2-CC9 has been handling security arrangements for us.  Mr Flash, I want you in charge of ship and base security, CC9 will serve as adjutant, handling most of the day-to-day work."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:49, Fri 24 June 2011.

Darvin pipes up, coming out of his reverie after the battle droid's intrusion: "Getting back to the pirates... The pirates are an interesting riddle, aren't they? The man you captured preferred to jump in mid hyperspace than survive to be questioned.  There's no proof of course that that's what happened, but let's assume he did... That means one thing in my mind... Fanatical. He believed in what he is fighting for, and what he was fighting for is bigger than him, and worth his dying for. It's one thing to die in the field in a huge blaze of fire... quite another to do so willingly after the guys who captured you offer you a roof and sanctuary. Of course, he could have been scared too... but most yellow bellies try to negotiate"

He shifts in his seat again, "About the shift in tactics... I'd gather there was a recent change in leadership... Do you have more intel on what's been happening? The reason they're not attacking Imperial targets could indicate that they're still growing their forces for example, like they're at practice... getting ready for the big game. Or... as some have hinted, they're an extension of imperial covert activity."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:37, Fri 24 June 2011.

CC9 stares at Mark briefly and then inclines its head. "I shall endeavour to have all higher-priority tasks completed before meeting times in the future, Commander," it states, and then moves to stand against a wall.

"It would be better to learn more before drawing any conclusions about the pirates Mr Sloan.  As Ms Jax has already mentioned, they are not our focus today."

"Now as you all know, we have three organisations here we are working against; the Imperials, Typhon Energy and the pirate band.  Now our plan for the pirates at the moment is to gather intel.  At present we have a damaged navicomm, the holocomm frequency Ms Trake sliced and information on their tactics.  Ms Jax will be going over all of this data, perhaps Ms Lambar will free up R2-A9 to assist with some of the slicing.  We can do little about the pirates until we know where they operate from.  Sending out decoy convoys is time consuming and requires materials we don't have."

"So our target for now is going to be Typhon Energy.  By hurting them we hurt the Imperials while helping ourselves.  To add confusion, we're going to follow the tactics and methods used by the pirates.  By doing this we may bring the pirates out of hiding.  Or if the pirates are working for Typhon or the Imperials we may find evidence to support that theory."

"So we need to choose a target that suits this.  I have three possibles in mind that we shall discuss.  The first is a ground based refinery.  This will hurt Typhon's fuel production significantly and reduce their ability to meet demands.  This target benefits Phindar financially as fuel supplies will still be needed."

"The second possibility is to strike a fuel convoy.  We hype in, destroy or capture everything and hype out.  This one seems the most straightforward but carries much risk depending on the escort size.  There may be a chance to acquire some fuel or perhaps ships but that would be a secondary objective."

"The third option is a covert raid to taint a fuel delivery to the Imperials.  This possibility could create severe friction between the Imperials and Typhon and cause a great deal of damage to Imperial ships.  It doesn't help Phindar or the Talons financially but it does hurt the Imperials."</b>

Mark sat back and indicated the others should share their thoughts.  The commander was interested to see how this new team would handle planning missions.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:50, Fri 24 June 2011.

Feeling much better and actually fully alert for the first time in a couple of days Xil attentively listened to the initial discussion around the table, in particular from the new members. From past experience he knew that what Mark had opened with would not be their main focus.

He considered the options presented by Mark, all had good points to them. An idea formed in his head "How about combining two of those options? In quick succession hit a convoy and then a refinery, or vice-versa. I doubt they would be expecting it and it would keep them guessing. I also doubt they would beef up security at a refinery if a convoy was hit first."

"That will always be an option Mr Nallis but we must be careful not to overextend ourselves.  Raids take planning and timing.  Also remember after the last mission you were barely in a fit state to breathe, let along conduct a mission."

He nodded in Marks direction in acknowledgement of the point "In that case, I would suggest the refinery be our first target. Helping Phindar helps us, and there are things that we need that require credits to obtain. Whatever we do, making sure we have the equipment to do the job should be high on our list of priorities."

Merreck things for a few moments before answering. "All three options carry risk of exposure. In some ways I prefer the covert sabotage. We don´t want to call attention to us or our ships, and if everything goes well, it´s the Imperial Navy that is hurt."

In reply to Exilim Nallis (msg #20):

Devon nodded agreement with Xil's point about getting equipment.
'Right. I know some of us ended upwith more holes in us than is recommended...  but capturing that R41 made it a very pofitable Mission for us. we can't afford to overlook opportunitiesto aquire more hardware of any kind.  A ground raid might let us get hold of some things we're badly in need of.'

To Devon. "I don´t see how we will have time to salvage during a bombing run. If we want equipment, wouldn´t the convoy be a better target?"

Perhaps unexpectedly, or perhaps not to those who've met Cor's medical droid, CC9 takes a step forward. "Sir, if I may? Talon Five makes a sound tactical point in stating that a bombing run is unlikely to yield the time expenditure required to obtain additional equipment or salvage. Furthermore Talon Five is correct in the risk of exposure that the Talons have in attempting any of these proposed strikes.  To have outside forces positively identify the same organisation as being responsible for both the protection of Phindar Petroleum and aggressive action against the proposed target would be tactically unwise." It turns its head to observe Merreck briefly before looking back at Mark.

"However, Talon Four makes a likewise tactically sound point that it may be possible to combine two of these missions into one. It would be particularly efficient and may at least partially mitigate the likelihood of exposure - though that," it adds, "will always be a factored risk. According to the exact nature of the company, shipping and targets it may be possible to combine all three strikes into the one mission." After a pause the droid continues.

"All of these missions revolve around the one single resource - fuel. That fuel must come from somewhere. While it may be possible to disrupt the target's ability to acquire unrefined fuel at the source I would suggest a different tactical approach. As there is a higher likelihood of neutral parties visiting, inspecting or joining staff at the refinery of a public company that is also, logically, the place in which that company has the least option of having illegally heavy defensive firepower. Having access to a facility such as this may place the Talons in the prime position to disrupt fuel supply and quality."

"Should a small strike team infiltrate such a facility, one positively identified as shipping fuel to the Imperials, it may be possible to taint that fuel, place explosives on outgoing canisters destined for other locations, gather intelligence on said company and also taint, disrupt or destroy said facility once the necessary tasks to taint and arm outgoing loads have been completed."

Having said its piece the droid then steps back.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Fri 24 June 2011.

"Baldy's got a point," he said pointing a thumb at the battle droid. "As Merreck indicated, a covert op would let us do more than one of these things without tipping who we are, including tainting the fuel, and perhaps lifting a few key pieces of equipment that we need. It'll be easier, say, to lift an extra fighter if the fighter is unattended, its pilot safely tucked away in his sleeping quarters for example." Darvin raised his caf cup to his lips and took a sip.


"The covert aspect opens up several interesting possibilities. If tainting the fuel is to be the first objective, then we could accomplish that and several secondary ones if time permits. For example, one possible secondary objective is to slice one of their nav computers to have it fail during hyperspace travel. If we could sabotage a fuel tanker and have it pop up several parsecs away from its escort, we could just swing in and take it. Granted, I don't know if such a thing is even possible??" he looked at Masters to see what she thought of the idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Fri 24 June 2011.

Merreck looked surprised when the battle droid spoke up, siding with him. He wasn´t aware that its tactical software was this advanced. Then again, if people are the best killers, then the best artificial killer must be as much as a person as possible.

"Perhaps the computer could be rigged to use another course without the crew knowing, that way we don´t have to guess where they drop out of hyperspace. We need to know enough about the convoy ahead of time, but we can get that information on the refinery."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Fri 24 June 2011.

"Depending on time permitting," the battle droid states impassively, "sufficient infiltration may allow Talon members to assassinate, coerce, bribe or even legally replace pilots, navigators and workers."  It looks toward Mark.  "An element to consider is the number of hours of work this mission is to span, whether an additional number of hours in the one location may save hours of work in others, and the lengths to which Talon members can infiltrate the facility - legally joining the facility's staff would logically require more resource expenditure but may allow greater freedom of operative movement."

It pauses then.  It's hard to tell why.  Droids don't exactly have facial expressions.

"An additional consideration is the willingness of operatives to eliminate non-hostile civilian bystanders should such a matter be necessary or tactically sound."

Cor sits by, watching, a look of mild amusement on her face at the battle droid's willingness to become involved in the talks, and also the reactions it's getting from the members of the Talons.  She's still quite surprised Mark has given no one, but two of her droids direct places in the chain of command - second-in-command of medical, if she's understanding this paramilitary lingo correctly, and security adjutant?  She watches CC9.  'Is it satisfied?' she thinks to herself. 'Or does it just think the Commander's decision makes 'sound tactical sense'?'

Mika's head bobbles from speaker to speaker...

"A few points here.  First, taking out the refinery does not equate to a bombing run, unless that's the way the pirates are doing it and I'm not sure that they are.  If they are, that'd be easiest, but we're not going to snag any equipment as a result and that seems to be a major focus for yo... uh, us.

But you can forget about loading the fuel containers with explosives to hurt the Imps.  Sure, it might drive a wedge between the Imps and Typhon Energy, but I bet even the Imps aren't stupid enough to load a bunch of unscanned fuel drums onto their ships just so we can enjoy watching them blow up.  But if we could find a way to taint the fuel as Sheppard suggests, and I'm not enough of a chemical engineer to know what that is off the top of my head, but that has some real potential.  An additive to clog fuel lines, changing the thermal characteristics so that the fuel burns too hot... or not hot enough..."  She pauses as the ideas flicker behind her eyes....  "Yeah, real potential."

She shakes her head slightly, putting herself back into the present.  "But if snagging equipment is our big goal, I think hitting the convoy makes the most sense, if we've got the fire power to take down the escort.  Obviously, it'd be best to use the R-41's for it.  If anyone gets away, they'll just see the same thing people report from any other pirate raid."

Edited.

"Hurting civilians will not get us any public support. In fact, it might only rile the civilians to side with the empire at that point," Darvin stated as he considered the droid's idea. "It's the empire that we want to damage, it's the people we want to unshackle. We need to be careful about civilians casualties in my opinion... keeping them at a minimum should be something to consider."

His caf finished he simply held the cup by looping his index in the handle and crossed his arms, "Miss Trake also has another very valid point, the possibility of making enough damage to imperial assets by delayed detonation of a fuel cargo isn't very high given the port inspections. It would make a fine distracting tactic, but only in coordination with a strike in my opinion. We could save that idea for another mission," he suggested.


"One benefit of tainting the fuel (water is usually sufficient to cause trouble), is that you can also pin point where the gas is being used through cause and effect. If the pirates are on the Imperial side of the business, they might end up with surprises of their own if they use the same suppliers."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:32, Fri 24 June 2011.

The battle droid swings its head to look at Mika.

"Clarification, Talon Ten: I was suggesting that operatives may taint some fuel supplies and load explosives onto others.  The former would be primarily aimed at fuel supplies heading to the Imperial destinations, the latter to less security-conscious destinations.  Your calculation of Imperial action, in specific their likelihood of scanning incoming loads, is sound.  I have no chemical analysis or chemical engineering software either, so that task would require clarification and completion by Talon units ahead of time."

Then it looks back at Darvin.  "Talon Eleven.  Public relations are not a part of my programming but I concur that all civilian casualties - all casualties that do not directly relate to the pirates or Imperials - are best kept to a minimum."  Another pause.  Perhaps it realises that organics find this a sensitive topic.  Perhaps it's just calculating something in between talking.  "However if an operative is part way through committing an act of sabotage and is found by a civilian bystander it is tactically logical to stun or kill that civilian if it is not possible to deflect them in any other way.  My point is a tactical one referring to the intellectual and emotional processes of the Talon operatives.  It would be unwise to send operatives who are not willing to eliminate civilians should it become necessary in order to see the mission through to completion."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Fri 24 June 2011.

In reply to B2-CC9 (msg #31):

"I think that is something we all considered when we joined the navy, army, or whatever uniform some of us wore at some point," Darvin replied, "civilian caualties are unfortunate, but a reality, unfortuately."

Merreck looks shocked when he hear the droid talkinga bout killing civilians, and he asks it a question in a serious voice. "Droid, does your programming permit you to kill unarmed civilians without a direct order? If so, under which conditions?"

"About hitting a refinery, it must be a bombing run or an infiltration on the ground, none of which allow us to salvage anything. The risk of reinforcements arriving make anything else too dangerous. The only things we might be able to salvage would be if we steal ships on the ground, before calling in our own fighters for an attack run."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Fri 24 June 2011.

The battle droid observes Merreck for a moment and then states flatly (as if it states anything in a way that's not flat), "My programming in that respect is irrelevant.  It would be tactically unwise to send this battle unit into a covert mission of any kind, with the unlikely exception of needing to infiltrate droid units of the same model.  As the B2 super battle droid line is largely obsolete," it adds, pausing to glance at Cor before returning its gaze to Merreck, "that likelihood is extremely low.  The programming of those units that would be involved - organic units - is the relevant matter."

Merreck continue slowly, with some command in his voice. "The reason I ask is irrelevant, your programming is not. Does your programming allow you to eliminate civilians with deadly force, with or without a direct order?" He frowns to himself. For a deadly combat droid, it acted, evasive.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Fri 24 June 2011.

"You know, you can ask me that," Cor says mildly.  "But it might be worth noting that it has no orders or programming that require it to answer you, Five.  CC9 is not a computer, it is a droid.  Some measure of autonomy is inherent to them."