In reply to Nightmare (msg # 510):

"Ah. The new Controller, I presume? Good. Lloyd was a pain in the ass. I owe you a beer."

The voice is cool and emotionless, and sounds an awful lot like the voice belonging to the armored figure you saw in the video recording of your initial recovery/capture.

"I've got plenty of pies here," he continues. "Should keep you running for another couple months. Brought a dozen new marks, too. They're already sedated. And a new toy I think you'll like -- a cadre of J-10 units, fresh off the line."

There's a brief pause.

"Looks like the prison's docking area is showing signs of damage. You want us to dock at the station instead?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:59, Thu 14 July 2016.

Billy snorts, "Lloyd..." he mutters, supressing a chuckle, "Yeah, dock at the station. There were some...issues prior to the command change we're still sorting out," he confirms once he regains his composure.

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 512):

I'm sorry but you'll have to help me out here, I have not learned the new terminology... Pies?

Nightmare, who has been muttering the whole time about her illusions not working except for that one day while sack kicking the controller has slowly been getting her powers back and is able to manifest Percy in smaller than normal but still intimidating package.



The thing about him... is that he is still wearing his mech outfit that has now been scaled up to cover his full height.  Complete with pink trim and glitter cannon.  He hovers alongside Rebecca as they go to meet their new friends.  She beams a smile at Xander.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:24, Thu 14 July 2016.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 513):

"You got it. We'll be docking shortly. Kopf, out."

In reply to Kopfgeld (msg # 514):

The ships maneuver to the docking bay in which you had originally docked. Fortunately, this one has been cleaned up by the diligent workers and the docking process occurs without a hitch.

OOC: Unless you wanted to add a hitch somewhere. Also, who is coming to meet them?

"It's what sone backwards thinking people call pizzas.  We will shun him for it, as is the proper way," Billy answers Rebecca after the channel is closed.  "Is there a Kopf in that updated AoS personnel log?" Billy questions his headpiece, "This guy sounds mercenary as fuck." He heads down to the hangar to greet the new arrivals and accept his free drink, regardless of whether the others follow.

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 516):

Should we be concerned that he will recognize us as he was part of the acquisition and identified us as IDA?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Thu 14 July 2016.

"We were in a ship with an IDA ID.  We were also on a b-line from Mars after all hell broke loose and one of their colony bubbles popped, for all he knows we stole it.  Or he could not reognize us, or everyone wearing armored space suits could sound the same over the radio, and he's never seen us in the first place.  I wouldn't worry."

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 518):

There is a "Kopf" entry in the AoS database, but he is listed as a mercenary contact, not an employee. Money is funneled into his account at regular intervals for "deliveries", but there are a few very high-value transactions that pop up here and there as well under the "contract services" tag. The notes field under his profile simply says, "Efficient. Expensive. Reliable. Quiet."

**

The quartet of ships slips into the docking bay without incident, where they are met by Billy, Rebecca, and whoever else deigns attend.

The pair of fighters are, to your discerning eyes, top-of-the-line models, as is the freighter.

The cargo ship is a piece of junk that's barely running.

Each fighter holds two pilots, and the freighter spews out a crew of three people -- including Kopfgeld.

No crew at all emerge from the cargo ship, and this is the only ship whose ramp does not extend upon arrival.

All told, your welcoming committee is faced with Kopfgeld, two fighter pilots, two fighter gunners, Kopfgeld, and two freighter crewmen who look less like pilots than enforcers.

They wear matching military-style uniforms, but they do not conform to the Alliance of Sol's logos, specs, or color schemes in the slightest. They do wear patches on their left shoulder that feature a helmeted figure and the letters VAI. All wear a holster at their hip, and most also have a sheath tucked into their uniform as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Thu 14 July 2016.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 519):

Kopf's helmet and goggles retract into the neck of his armored suit as he dismounts the freighter's ramp, revealing the features of a grizzled veteran. His hair is more like stubble, which covers his head, cheeks, and chin with equal vigor. Scars and pockmarks can be seen here and there, but his eyes are bright and focused.

"Controller," Kopf grates, advancing toward Billy purposefully. Once he gets close enough, he extends a gloved hand and grasps Billy's hand at the wrist in a strange handshake.

Billy just goes with it as best he can, after which Kopf takes a respectful step backward and clasps his hands behind his back in a military at-ease stance.

"It's good to see someone take an interest in handling business matters personally. No more drones. I like that. And your command staff..."

He sweeps his eyes over those who came, paying special attention to the armored Rebecca and Billy's chrome-plated arm.

"... you have style, I'll give you. Good working with professionals again."

He jerks a thumb behind his shoulder.

"Where should we offload the cargo? This station can't handle it, and the facility's dock is a mess."

"Oh," Kompf pauses, holding up a hand and snapping his fingers. One of his crewmen advances, keying at a wrist-mounted tablet vigorously. "And I'll need the usual payment approved. Now's good. You have the authority, I presume?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Thu 14 July 2016.

"How much you got?" Billy responds to the question of cargo, "We've been ferrying staff on smaller shuttles as we clean up, we can do the same for the cargo if you can unload in the hangar." At the question of payment and authority he screws up his mouth thoughtfully, "I hope so.  Aside from telling us to get the place back in order and appreciating," Billy pauses slightly and can't suppress a smirk as he says his predecessor's name, "Lloyd's disposition, we didn't get much briefing from Gestalt.  What is your usual payment?"

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 521):

Nightmare standing next to Billy greets Kopf in a 100% by the AoS manual manner and stands next to him with a datapad tapping in notes.  At Billy's mention of autohrization she begins to query databases in search of the authorization and tries going into the contact lists she has found for a direct line that she can use to contact them.  She whispers to Billy:

Perhaps the J-9 units are still able to authorize the transfer since it seems to have been handled by them in the past.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 522):

JJ and his cadre of guards (and one suit) stand casually but with weapons ready behind Billy and Nightmare.

JJ frowns but remains silent for the moment.

One of the guards whistles in admiration of Kopf and his goons arms and armor.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 523):

"Food, water, medicine, and other supplies to keep you going for a couple more months, plus the new heads. Plus the J-10 units. You really don't have the pricing?"

He grins slightly.

"Call it 90 large? Keep 10 for yourself. You deserve it, being stationed at this dump."

Kopf's crewman with the tablet looks expectantly at Rebecca, correctly assuming that she is the he will be working with to balance the ledgers.

Rebecca, checking the registry, notes that similar deliveries in the past ran the AoS about $60,000.

"Now that we have the business out of the way, what say we leave the unloading and the paperwork to the people we pay to handle that crap? I owe you a beer, and you owe me a story."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Fri 15 July 2016.

In reply to Kopfgeld (msg # 524):

JJ, the suit and the corpse nod enthusiastically at mention of beer.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 525):

At the mention of the 90,000 Rebecca starts tapping furiously on the keyboard.  She steps towards Billy with an imperfect military salute and shows him the datapad.

Apologies Kopf, but the controller has been busy with the take over of day-to-day logistics, and I have been doing the deep dive into the financials.  So according to your history of....

she scrolls through the pad

267 transfers...

More scrolling

and you have made..... 52 nearly identical transfers.... yielding an average pay of.... 47,836.27.  Given that I am feeling generous, I'm willing to round your pay to 48,000.

She show Billy another screen on datapad indicating that the IDA has transferred 500,000 in fake money.

Though I would prefer to have the J-9 units attempt to authorize the charges using the same protocol as the previous regime.

/ooc do I know about your internet capability yet?  I can't remember. /ooc
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Mon 18 July 2016.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 526):

Kopf's crewman blinks at Rebecca, looking askance at his leader.

"Straight and narrow, are we?" Kopf says after a moment's silence. "...fine. We'll take $55,000, directly transferred, no kickbacks. The surcharge is for overhead related to the new J-10 units, which are not part of the standard delivery. You can see for yourself on the receipts, since apparently that's how we're doing this now."

He pats Billy on the shoulder.

"If you change your mind and feel like skimming the top in the future, let me know. It's a big pool. Nobody ever misses a splash here and there."

He leaves the specifics of the transfer to his crewman and Rebecca and heads toward the lifts leading to the recreation level. (The previous routing codes work fine when connecting to this authorized account, allowing you to actually use AoS funds for this purchase.)

"I'm thinking we'll probably stay the night and head out during the next cycle," Kopf continues as he walks. "Should give us plenty of time to transfer the cargo where it needs to go."

"Pay the man what he's owed," Billy instructs Rebecca, leaving what that is to her better judgement, "Someone always notices, they just don't usually care, but for the short term I'd rather not make any waves at all.  I owe you a story but the short version is that I got this," he points to his headpiece, "by punching the last guy in the face with a laser.  So excuse any paranoia about the security of my position."

He walks with Kompf, taking the mercenary to whatever equivalent of a cantina the station posesses, "I'm sure we can put you up somewhere," he offers at Kompf's suggestion of overnighting.  He sits down with Kompf, and most of Batallion for a drink and shares a loose version of their story.

He starts with waking up on the asteroid, the daring escape to the station, unsettling encounter with mindslaves, taking charge and climbing to the third floor for a daring showdown where he punched Lloyd in the face for being a creepy dick.  Any involvement with the IDA is excluded, and where exactly they were coming from or going Billy doesn't volunteer, other than briefly stating the were new AoS recruits.  He's also vague on his team's full capabilities, simply describing Xander as a hacker, and Rebecca as smart for her age.  Batallion is hard to cover for, so he simply doesn't bother.  He describes his own cybernetic hand and laser as experimental tech, but leaves out how he managed to get in to the position to be testing military ordinance.  He also omits the bit where he mostly ignored robot buzz saws before being put in charge.

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 528):

Rebecca begins to authorize the transfer of the 55,000 but then taps the pad thoughtfully as the mission as per director Kelce and the words of Kopf sink in.



If I am to cause maximum internal damage to the AoS prior to Kelce's arrival while maintaining anonymity... I would rather 25,000 with these guys... as despicable as they are and 10,000 with us to assist.

She taps her lips with the pen and Percy growls as the armor folds into his skin and he falls the short distance to the floor.

Should I....

She trails off as she realizes she is talking to Billy's back.  She scurries after the group with the transfer of 90,000 credits awaiting authorization.  She will position herself with the beer drinking group abstaining from the alcohol and opting to drink some facsimile of orange juice.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Mon 18 July 2016.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 529):

Four JJs sit at the table with Kopf and Billy.  Two share a beer with them while the other two join Nightmare for OJ (with vodka added).

To business! one says, clinking glasses with anyone who will reciprocate.

And business is booming! another chimes in.

Three or four armed Battalion guards stand nearish the door looking both aloof and paranoid.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 530):

She will quietly pull Kopf aside at some point in the evening.

I have reconsidered your offer and I will accept it.  After transferring 90,000 credits to you then you will transfer back to us.  Is that correct?  As I am sure you assume this is out of character for me and the first time I have done such an undertaking.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Mon 18 July 2016.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 531):

The crewmen with the ledger nods and walks Rebecca through the process needed to jilt the AoS out of $90,000 with a $10,000 kickback going to Rebecca's designated account.

"The boss'll be happy you came 'round," he says with a smile. "You wanna show us what to do with the cargo while they chat?"

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 532):

"You're a fascinating guy, you know that?"

Kopf drains his third beer and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"So I did a little legwork... well, Nicole did, really... and it turns out our boy Lloyd is a fugitive from the law. Something about terrorist ties, if you can believe it."

He grins slightly.

"I've got contracts with legitimate authorities in place, as well. If you want him off of your hands, I could take him with me tomorrow and wire you an advance against his bounty in thanks for the easy payday. What do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Mon 18 July 2016.

Xander [having just returned from a weekend of a lack of internet connectivity] keeps out of the way of the proceedings as best he can, not wanting to draw the attention of any over-inquisitive bounty hunters.

He will, however, attempt to examine the J10 units as soon as possible.

Xander [having just returned from a weekend of a lack of internet connectivity] keeps out of the way of the proceedings as best he can, not wanting to draw the attention of any over-inquisitive bounty hunters.

He will, however, attempt to examine the J10 units as soon as possible.