The Game: Chapter 05
In reply to Batallion (msg # 5):
"Finally," Commander Faust mutters as Battalion arrives. "Sit down. All of you."
This last statement is directed at the myriad Battalion corpsmen milling about.
"Let's get to it. As you know, my name is Commander Faust. What you don't know is that I've been assigned to be your handler for the foreseeable future."
He levels his gaze at each of you in turn (though he picks a single Battalion to represent the group in this regard).
"Up to this point, Director Kelce has been rather hands-off with your operational parameters. She felt that you would benefit from having a measure of autonomy, particularly since you were acting under the supervision of Viceroy."
"That changes today. While we appreciate you successfully completing your objective in securing the ore, you recklessly endangered yourselves, IDA property, and the mission during your escape. Your actions cost us the only prototype we had of the plasma drive engine system, and resulted in Viceroy sustaining significant damage. I'm told he still hasn't recovered from the accident, which is a pity. If anyone could have rebuilt the plasma drive, it's him."
He clears his throat.
"You've made inroads at returning to our good graces by capturing this base for the IDA -- provided we can clear up a bizarre legal challenge that's cropped up -- but Director Kelce felt that you might benefit from having a more seasoned, steady hand at the wheel for a while nonetheless."
"That's where I come in."
Commander Faust motions to his subordinates, and they quickly pass out presentation packets to those gathered. Battalion is made to make do with a single copy.
"I want you to read and memorize this document. It's the IDA Agent Field Manual, packed with information about what to do when a mission goes right, what to do when it goes wrong, and how to handle a mission that has to be abandoned to preserve the fight for the next attempt. It includes regs and protocols and callsigns and fallback locations. It is your Bible, and it is the first thing normally given to new agents. I was appalled to learn that the Director did not require you to read it prior to now, but... that was her call. This is mine."
He stands and begins to walk out of the room.
"Meet back here in three days for the test. Anyone who passes it will be invited to the next mission -- a lucrative, important one. Anyone who doesn't will stay here until they manage it. And I must warn you, agents who can't pass the test get very, very good at peeling potatoes. That is all. Get to it."
With that, Commander Faust exits the room. There is no time allotted to questions.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Mon 01 Aug 2016.