“Hmm.” Kaya didn’t sound too convinced. “I think we need to focus on those drones for now. So I guess, yes. The sooner you can 'convince' the local cops to request our help on the matter, the sooner Aarav and Peri can get their hands on it.”

“In the meantime,” she really grimaced there, “I’ll work with Rei to see if we can come up with a reasonable plan to get some information from the corps’s executives.”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 549):

"On it."

You find the rest of your crew eating a communal meal.  Not something they've been prone to do.  Aarav cooked apparently.  Mushrooms and squash curry.

Rei washes dishes afterwards.  "So how do you want to try to go about this?"

“I don’t?” Kaya rubbed the side of her neck tiredly, “The only outfit I’m comfortable in, is the uniform. I’m more likely to glare at anyone looking for too long, and smash someone’s privates if he even considered doing more than that.”

She looked up for a second, then sighed, long and hard. “So even before we consider the other risks, I’m not even sure we could come up with a plan that would work…” The young lieutenant looked at Rei, waiting to see if she had anything to say to that.

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 551):

Rei considers.  "Well.  Could Peri and I do it?  I mean...Peri is kinda butch.  But she might be able to pull it off a little easier.

"Or maybe we could try a different tactic.  What exactly do we need to do here?  Get info from the corporate office?"

“At the moment,” Kaya answered, “we are...suspecting...that an...unidentified...third party is poking the two corps into a war by hacking their drones to 'accidentally' get turned around and land in the other's lands.”

“Note that we don't have anything to back that but it feels right to Rokzi and me.” She paused, tapping her lips pensively for a moment, before shaking her head. “Even if that's the case, it's likely that someone has been paid in both corps to incite things. Probably not too high in the hierarchy, someone who's disgruntled for one reason or another. Didn't get a promotion, wants to stick it to a stupid boss, things like that.”

“So,” she continued after a longer pause, “what we'd need is to find something that could point us in the right direction. People who could have done just that.”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 553):

The others are quiet a bit.

Rei taps a finger against the table top.  "If we can find internal incident reports from both corps on some of the incidents, we can cross reference the names involved maybe."

Peri considers.  "I can try to hack into the corporate databases.  But from what I saw, the security is real tight.  I can either try to ram through the security barriers, grab what I can, and get out before they put a tracker on us.  Or we can try to tap into a connectivity node.  That'd be a lot safer.  But I imagine we'd have to sneak into their corporate offices to do it."

Aarav cocks his head to one side.  "On an unrelated note, I'd like to take a look at those drones.  Do we have access to them yet?"

“Rokzi is working on that as we speak. Hopefully he'll convince the local police to ask for our expertise on the subject. Much better for them to ask than for us to offer.”

Turning to Peri she added, “Let's try to stay discreet for now. It'll keep our options open for one, and I'd rather not have anyone guarded against us just yet. I assume we'd need to do it twice, once for each corp?” That was asking for trouble, but well...

“Would there be one of those connectivity node outside of their HQ in the station? A local office or something?” She glanced at Rei, “I may consider an infiltration here for one of the two corps, but doing it twice... I don't want anyone to add two and two and get to right answer. Best muck things up as much as we can.”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 555):

Peri considers.  "I didn't think about an outside office.  Hmmm."

She turns and starts working on her console.  After a few minutes, she turns back.

"I think I can give us one better.  Both corps have offices planet side. Both below on Zhestkiy and one on the populated planet, CherVlaz.  We could hit one corp on Zhestkiy and one on CherVlaz.  Less chance of them tying it back to us."

Kaya nodded. “Sounds good.” She considered the information for a second or two, then continued, “We could go stealthy on Zhestkiy and more...well, 'social engineering' on CherVlaz.” Even though that didn't seem to please her too much. “the timing may draw some suspicion, but if we use two different means it may throw them off.”

“Peri, would you need to be on site for this, or can we plug a relay or something?”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 557):

Peri ponders that question as well, then finally shakes her head.

"No.  I think it would be better to run it as a relay.  If we want to pull as much intel as we can, quick as we can, the processing speed of the ship's onboard will be a lot better than a hand held computer at the scene."

She meets your eyes.  "But do I need to be the one running the computer here?  I'd like to do the field work on at least one of the locations."

“I don't have a problem with that, in principle.” Kaya answered Peri with a shrug, “but this is Rokzi's domain of expertise. He will have to be the one you need to convince.”

“For now, let's see what we can find on both locations. Then we'll come up with a tentative plan for both. So. What do we know about both locations?”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 559):

You and Peri move through data feeds.

Both corps have offices on the two locations.  You really have four choices, not two.  Each corporation has an office on the two locations: planet side near their mine and on the homeworld of CherVlaz

I'm going to give you the information for each "world" in seperate posts so as to lessen confusion and allow for questions.

First, let's deal with the planet side mining offices...

ESC has it's planet side office on Nervnyy.  It seems to serve as a focal point for the miners planet side, acting as both a company store and a trading post to purchase ore and materials the miners collect.  It's a large compound type operation, with about seventeen seperate buildings including a canteen, exchange, a bunker and field hospital, and a command post.  It looks well manned.

DriveCorp seems to take the opposite approach.  It's main planet side office is on Zhestkiy.  A smaller affair, it seems to serve mostly as an admin for the corporation's planet side space port.  There's a building to handle the traffic control and a building to handle audits on shipments coming in to  the port and out of the port.  Other than the port itself, which is more or less a couple of landing fields, that's it.

Both offices are connected to the main corporate computer from what you can tell.

“It sounds to me that the ESC’s planet-side offices would be the easiest to hit. It would be easier to disappear in the crowd, maybe by pretending to be mercenaries or something.” Kaya commented, “On the other hand, if we manage to go to the DriveCorp’s one without raising any red flag, there’s likely to be less security.”

“Could we, I don’t know, pretend to be an audit team or something like that?” She asked Peri, “Or would you need access to the computers first to add our authorizations for that?”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 561):

Peri shrugs.  "That's kind a' more a Rokzi question.  I guess we can fake some IDs.  But I'm not really sure how good a job I can do.  I didn't do so hot in the espionage courses at the Academy."

The CherVlaz offices for both corps are located a block from each other.  They're both in office complexes, ESC on the third floor and DriveCorp on the fifteenth.  Both seem to serve identical functions: personnel.  It's where they recruit miners, handle payroll, all the usual.

The only real difference in the offices are the sizes.  ESC's office occupies half the floor it's on.  DriveCorp takes the entire floor and it seems part of the floor above it.

Kaya nodded. “For now, let's assume we're going to go to ESC's side office on Nervnyy and for DriverCorp we'll do it on Chervaz.” Kaya looked at Peri, “Try to find whatever information you can on those two places, I'll com' Rokzi to see where he's at with the local and ask him to come for a chat when he can.”

“In the meantime, Arrav, try to look at the drones both corps are using for their claims. Hopefully that should give you an idea of how they might have been hacked.” Assuming it was what was happening of course...

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 563):

Rokzi buzzes back.  It's kinda weird.  The cops want us to get involved.  But they're acting like they can't allow us to get involved.  They're real strict about it.  I think we're going to have to proceed without their tacit knowledge, if that makes sense.

On the way back

Peri shoots you a Welcome to Nervnyy holo.  It looks like some kind of brochure ESC puts out so new miners can find their way around the Nervnyy compoud.

There seem to be two points in the Nervnyy compound that might be good access points.  One is at the trading post.  There's a node there where the post uploads it's transaction records to the corporate office.  The issue is it's in the middle of the trading floor.  A wide open space where all the miners bring their ore to sell.

The other option is the compound command post.  It's in a smaller building set off in the back of the compound.  But it screams High Security.

Let's get back to Chervaz when it's time to head there if you don't mind.

Aarav heads to the station to look at the drones.

Will let you prep and talk to Rokzi/ask questions.  Thanks

“Alright,” Kaya answered Rokzi, “Aarav is looking into the drones. Maybe he'll find a way to get what we need remotely by piggybacking or something. We'll reassess when he knows more.”

When the sergeant came back, Kaya gave him some time to get a shower and a meal, then summed-up their conclusions and open questions. Once Peri was done presenting what she had learned of the ESC compound, Kaya nodded. “Sounds like the command post would be way too risky.” She tapped her lips pensively for a couple of seconds before asking, “How close would miners typically get to the node in the trading hall? Maybe not to register a trade, but to renew a licence or other administrative task?”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 565):

Peri checks through some screens.  "It seems like the trading hall is just used for that...trading.  Any registry or license issues have to be handled at the command post.

"Hold on...."  She opens up a vid holo.  It's the trading floor in full business mode.  It's packed with traders and miners, each standing near tables and arguing or discussing trades.

"This is on kind of a promotional video.  This is what it looks like during normal business hours.  The hall shuts down for a six hour window to allow for janitorial crews to come in.  That window may be our best bet."

"Sorry.  I disagree." Rokzi shakes his head and points at the paused vid.  "That moment...when it's in full swing...that's our best bet.  Everyone's gonna be paying too much attention to what they got goin' on.  No one will be paying mind to that central terminal.  And if there are cameras watching everything...and I'm sure there are gonna be cameras watchin' everything...their security will have a lot more to pay attention to than if that hall is empty."

Peri cocks an eyebrow.  "Okay.  But that also means the hall will be full of witnesses and security personnel when it's open for trade."

Rokzi shrugs.  "You're assuming they won't be there when it's just the janitorial crew.  And even in the off hours, you'll have witnesses.  The janitorial crew.  And they'll be much more likely to spot us if the room is packed.  Hiding in a crowd is the best kinda hiding."

"But there's going to be operators near the terminal during business hours..."

"And what if they shut the terminal off during the cleaning crew?  Or that's when they do the upload to corporate HQ?"

"We don't know that's when they do it."

"We don't know that's when they don't either.  I'm tellin' ya.  During normal business hours may sound counter-intuitive.  But it's our best bet."

Peri crosses her arms.  "Sometimes counter-intuitive means "too dangerous".  I say we go during the downtime."

They both look at you for a decision.

“Hmm.” Kaya took a second to think about it, then shrugged, “Well, it's Rokzi's domain, so it'd be stupid to not listen to his opinion.”

“Plus,” she added after a second, “it would likely be easier to have you both pretend to be miners than janitors who likely know each others anyway.”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 567):

Rokzi throws a shit eatting grin at Peri, who just rolls her eyes.  "Okay.  We go for that.  So what's the play then?  Me and him are miners?"

Rokzi pulls up the vid of the trading hall.  He points at the terminal.  "How long will it take you to slap the patch on and download?"

Peri considers.  "Part of that's gonna depend on the traffic.  But I'd say I'd need at least two minutes.  Long as ten."

Rokzi nods.  He looks at you.  "My suggestion is me an' Peri get up close.  I'll run interference and watch her back.  You," he points to a spot near the front door.  "Will be our back up.  You need to keep a line a' sight on me.  If you see me signal, you'll trigger some kind of distraction.  Doesn't have to be anything fancy.  Just something that will make everyone in the hall look over.  I can handle the extraction from there.  But hopefully we won't need that.  Sound okay?"

Peri frowns a little.  "Someone's gotta be here to run the computer download."

Rei holds up a hand.  "I can do that at least."

“Well...” Kaya looked at Rei, “I'll have to remind you that I can't force you to do it, that nothing will happen to you should you decide not to participate... Yada, yada.” Lower she mumbled with a frown, “_{Might need to have you sign a waiver or something in fact...}”

She then turned to Rokzi. “Because,” she grimaced, “There's one little problem with your plan: both Peri and I cannot be away from the ship at the same time. Regulations: a ship on active duty should always be ready to maneuver at a moment's notice, which can only happen with a pilot on board. Technically, a ship's captain is never supposed to be away from her ship but considering our...situation...there's some leeway in that. Anyway, that means if Peri handles the download and you run interference, if you want a distraction of some sort it'll be up to either Aarav or Rei.”

“And since Aarav is a bit busy at the moment...” Kaya turned to Rei once more. “Assuming you'd be fine with this, otherwise Aarav will just have to manage.”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 569):

Rei perks up.  "Consider it done."

Peri frowns but says nothing.  Rokzi just shrugs.  "Works for me.  I'll get prepped."

Aarav pings you an hour later.

"I've looked over these drones.  They were altered yes.  But not hacked.  Someone did it manually.  Switched out the circuit board on both of them with a board that contained the programming.  I can tell cos the registry codes on both boards show they were made within a day of each other at the same factory.  These drones are two different makes from two different manufacturers, neither of which is local to this system."

So for the caper, as an option, did you want to try roleplaying Rei for the operation?  Just to vary things up a bit.

Hmm, sure, I suppose we can do that.

“Manually?” That was clearly not an answer Kaya had been expecting. “That... Uh, well, alright. So, I guess we'll have to find two things: people who have direct access to the drones in both corporations, and where the boards are coming from.”

She grimaced slightly, “Is it out of system?”

In reply to Kaya Wilden (msg # 571):

"Just the drones are made out of system.  The boards are made locally.  From what I can gather it's a small shop on CherVlaz.  I'll hunt down the address.

"As far as who had access to them in each corp...you'd have to get that from their internal records."

"Which we'll get when we download everything.  Not a problem." Peri adds.

Rokzi comes back.  "Alright.  We got two options for a distraction.

"First, we can fill a cart with low grade ore...we can just pick some up on the cheap.  I'll rig a speaker at the bottom of the ore.  If Rei tips the cart over, it'll trigger the speaker and it'll make a much louder sound then it should.  Rei, you'd have ta make a big production outta getting it all cleaned up.  But the speaker should pass security checks.  And it'll give you something to work with.

"Other distraction option I can come up with is a small explosive charge.  This one's riskier, but it'll have more of an impact.  I can mix up the charge into two components.  Rei, you'll need to plant both of them at one location without anyone seeing you.  You then walk away and wait for me to signal.  If I don't signal, you just walk outta there.  No harm done.  If I do signal, you use a remote trigger to set off the charge.  It won't be big enough to cause any injury. But security will definitely make that a priority.  The miners should stampede for the door.  That'll cause a log jam.  We mill into the crowd and get out with everyone else.

"Whaddya think?"

“Alright.” Kaya nodded to Aarav. “Definitely something to look into. Especially when this one was bought: if it was recent enough, we might be able to mess with some of the boards to track them or something.”

“I’m…not enthused by the second idea. If nothing else because leaving the building doesn’t mean being out: you’d still be on another planet, with plenty of possibilities for security to find you. Or even to request an identity check which you wouldn’t really be able to pass.”

But… “But,” she turned towards Rei, “do you think you could manage the first one? Maybe make the cart fall and shove someone else to the ground and either make it look like you’re sure he’s hurt or that it was his fault - which would work best if you find an obnoxious guy - and cry that you’re going to get fired because you’re so clumsy and whatnot.”

Kaya grinned wryly, “Or anything else you can think of?”