Billy heads down the ramp in front of Kayla and Muse, keeping himself between the two and the armed soldiers.  He waves casually at their welcoming party, "Director Kelce, I presume," he calls down the ramp, his pace unhurried.

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 7):

Nightmare lurking in the back where I assume the cool kids are chimes in.

Nope.  Not one of them.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 8):


"Indeed," the director replies, offering her hand for Billy to shake. "Welcome back, agent. I've heard a lot about you. Commander Faust oscillates between infuriated and impressed, so you must be doing something right."

She smiles at Xander, nods toward Rebecca and Battalion, and blinks in surprise at Kayla and Muse.

"I wasn't aware that yours was a...personnel-recovery mission, Agent Lesueur-Fische. You should have sent word ahead -- we'll need to find bunks for them. I'm sure we have them somewhere."

"My name is Director Kelce," she says, directing her attention to Muse and Kayla. "I run this facility. If you are friends of the IDA, you are welcome here. We'll make sure you get where you need to go, or perhaps even put you to work, if you want it and an arrangement can be made. Details for another day, I'm afraid."

"But first, we'll need to get right to the business of debriefings," Director Kelce continues. "If you'll follow me, we'll go ahead and get started. Your new friends should come, too."

She motions to the soldiers, who stay behind with the shuttle at her command. Viceroy and Dr. Hawkins turn to follow her, and the implication that all should follow is obvious.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:19, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

In reply to Director Kelce (msg # 9):

"Oh, it's all coming together marvelously," Dr. Hawkins says to Rebecca in hushed excitement as they walk. "Viceroy's done marvelous things with the schematics you've brought back to-date. I think you'll be very pleased! And I know he's eager to show-and-tell."

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 10):

"Oh, yes!" Viceroy perks up, hurrying over to walk between Rebecca and Xander. "You'll both be overjoyed when you see-see how far along my Enforcers have come-come. They have lots of bells!

He cocks his goggled had to one side.

"One short-live-lived model had whistles, too."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:04, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 10):

"Your agent has a keen eye for talent, Director," Muse says, stepping to the fore and putting his bag down as though staking a claim.

He looks at the other two persons of note before continuing.

"My name is David Miles. I provide first-rate protection for VIPs, train combat forces for the most unrelenting of circumstances, and carry out highly sensitive dark ops solo missions with the utmost precision."

He looks around and asserts himself with an authority that threatens to overshadow that of his compatriots.

"As such, it is important that my presence here remain a mere rumor."

Muse (David?) stands tall in front of his three new presumed superiors.

"What can I do for you?"

In reply to Muse (msg # 12):

"That may depend on what you were doing for SAGE, Mr. Miles," Director Kelce responds, her expression betraying little but a neutral smile. "If you were providing them with protection, I see no reason why we can't work together. If you were training combat forces...well, SAGE is not supposed to have combat forces in the traditional sense, so if you were doing that, I hope it was under the umbrella of the protection service you offer. And again, we'd have no trouble working together."

She taps a finger idly.

"But the deep-cover secret agent bit? That might complicate things. I wonder if it will come up during the debriefing? I'm grateful to have your take on the situation -- as well as your friend's."

Director Kelce stops and turns to make her next point.

"The main rule here at The Factory is to stay out of trouble. Live and let live. If you don't make waves and are generally useful --" she glances at Battalion for a moment "-- then your stay here will be a pleasant one. Regardless, if your talents are as advertised, there's likely much you could do for the IDA."

She smiles again, and continues leading the way toward the debriefing area.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

"Oh yeah, something's a specialty of mine," Billy responds as his grasps Kelce's offered hand with his cool metal.  When she makes her observation about Muse and Kayla, and Muse subsequently asserts himself with military precision, Billy simply looks on awkwardly, " Uh, yeah, there seems to be a lot of confusion about the particulars of our mission, a debrief sounds great," he looks at Muse over his shoulder and silently mouths, "David?"

Xander follows along, noticeably more upbeat than you've seen him since Ceres. He chats with Viceroy about the improvements to the new enforcer models, and exchanges a few words with Kelce as well.

In reply to Xander (msg # 15):

Nightmare takes up residence next to Hawkins.

What were you able to make of Olson's research.  I've seen it firsthand and it is... terrifying.  In all honesty her 'solution X' doesn't even act like it follows chemistry from this universe....

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 16):

"You didn't think Muse was like, my real name, did you?" Muse says quietly to Billy as they walk.

In reply to Muse (msg # 17):

"Still puzzling that out," Dr. Hawkins murmurs to Rebecca. "That's part of what's so fascinating about it, because I thought the same thing. But Viceroy says he's studied reactions similar to those described in her data back before he starting working for IDA."

***

The group weaves its way through the facility, which is remarkably more straightforward than any portion of the SAGE complex. The corridors and rooms form an orderly grid, with regular signage and clear labeling.

The room Director Kelce eventually ushers everyone into is likewise different from SAGE's idea of a debriefing room. A generous space occupied by a large table, many chairs, and a wall-sized presentation screen, it would be more charitable to call it a conference room than anything else. A plate of breads, fruits, crackers, and cheeses has been set off to the side, next to stacks of cups and their matching dispensers for coffee, tea, lemonade, and water.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," she says, taking her place at the head of the table and motioning for the others to fall in where they wish. "I gather we have much to discuss."

[Crossroads]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 18):

Kayla, apparently taking her cues from Xander's enthusiasm more than Rebecca's trepidation, seems to be sightseeing as they make their way to the room. She looks back and forth with an incredulous smile, clearly pleased to be included.

When they reach the conference room, she walks over to a chair not far from the door, begins to pull it out to sit in it, and then stops short when she notices the food and drinks on the other side of the room.

"Real food?!"

She rushes over, decorum forgotten, and loads a plate with breads, fruits, and cheeses. Pausing only long enough to snatch a forgotten napkin and pour a cup of lemonade, she is soon eating happily at the table.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

"Pretty sure I asked you if it was," Billy retorts to Muse out of the corner of his mouth but doesn't stress the issue on their walk.  When they arrive he takes a chair near the door, declining to take any refreshment.  He makes shure his chair is oriented so that he's facing directly toward Kelce from his seat as he lounges into it.

Xander isn't far behind her, and soon has a plate piled high with cheese and fresh fruit in one hand and a tall black coffee in the other.

God, I can't think of a more welcome sight after two months of combat rations, he remarks to Kelce. I appreciate the thought.

He nonchalantly takes the seat next to Kelce, leaning back with a contented sigh. Is the temporal dilation brewery unit still working? he asks, adding with a grin I've thought of some improvements on the mission that I'd like to tinker with...

In reply to Xander (msg # 21):

Muse stands against the back wall for vantage on the entire room and closes his eyes. No snacks.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

In reply to Muse (msg # 22):

How much do you know about Viceroy... I mean before the IDA, there is something that I feel like I'm missing.  A piece to the puzzle.  There have been some strange things centered around him and I'm getting curious. 

Nightmare will sit at Billy's right hand... he lounges to her left, Xander lounges across from her, she sits straight backed, declining refreshments as is her wont.  Her datapad in her lap tapping away.  She beckons Dr. Hawkins to fill in the chair next to her she whispers animated to him while they sit.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 23):

Dr. Hawkins whispers with Rebecca as the group gets settled in.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 24):

"It's still working, yes, though we've had to hide it from the techs," the director replies with a smile. "They were getting a little...shall we say, overzealous, with their experimentation during working hours."

In reply to Director Kelce (msg # 25):

She sighs and rolls her eyes.

Xander laughs. Well, I suppose there is something to be said for rigorous quality assurance testing...

In reply to Xander (msg # 27):

Dr. Hawkins frowns.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 28):

Nightmare blushes furious red

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 29):

Muse taps his foot and nods his head so as to slowly spur the debrief out of inertia.

In reply to Muse (msg # 30):

(Autofollow)

Battalion deigns attend the conference, taking the nearest available seat to the door. Duplicates are swiftly made to fetch him snacks and beverages; to massage his neck; and to take notes for him while he dozes.

All of this is done in an exceedingly heroic manner.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:41, Mon 06 Mar 2017.