Faction Operation: Papercut Part I - Project Ledgerbook

[Avenyx Bevan]

"This plan is strictly Need-To-Know!"
- Operation Mincemeat

CAIROKA'S GATE - BRIEFING ROOM
0903 HOURS LOCAL TIME
[MOOD MUSIC]
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Avenyx Bevan -- known by most in Cairoka's Gate as "Q" or "Quartermaster Bevan" -- stood in the alcove of the small briefing room, stirring some sort of chalky white powder into a cup of acrid black coffee. She had already added sweetener, but the stuff still smelled strong enough to burn nostril hairs. The chalky white substance managed to make the coffee turn a dark tan color. She took an experimental sniff, then a sip, and immediately regretted it. The coffee from the machine in the mess was a lot more palatable; she wondered if this coffee had been sitting in the warming cradle since yesterday morning's senior staff meeting. Shrugging and taking another sip -- she tried not to wince -- Bevan put it out of her mind. She glanced back towards the room, where operatives were entering.

Avenyx paused for a moment to pull an elastic band from her wrist to tie her vivid ginger hair back into a serviceable ponytail, then collected her cup and took it to the front podium. After a quick glance at her wristwatch, she set the coffee on the podium and raised a hand in greeting. "Good morning, everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Quartermaster Bevan, and I'll be your point of contact and handler for OPERATION: PAPERCUT. Just as a reminder, this is a secret operation and not everyone in Section C is read in, so remember to observe Need-To-Know protocols."

She picked up a device from the podium and clicked it. Behind her, the screen came to life showing a map of the Kuat system, showing the multitude of shipyards, drydocks, and other shipbuilding facilities that existed in the system. "Kuat -- formerly crown jewel of the Galactic Alliance's industrial sector, currently obligated to feed the Galactic Empire's war machine. Through a confidential tip, we have learned of the presence of the Exactitude, an Arquitens-class Light Cruiser at this facility." Another click, and the map zoomed to a small facility, far afield of the main traffic in and out of Kuat proper. "The Quayside Orbital Staryard is one of the facilities owned by Quayside Defense and Industrial." Another click. The image of an attractive blonde woman in her forties appeared on screen. "According to our tipster, the CEO of QDI, Jezminda Crane, is hoping to make the Exactitude a gift to the Empire, once its refurbishment is completed, in hopes of gaining favor and earning more business. Well, with all due respect to Ms. Crane: not on my watch."

Another click, and the woman disappeared from the screen, replaced by a grainy image of a distant QOS from a security camera on another facility miles off. "Initial visual assessment of QOS tells us that a ship roughly the size and shape of an Arquitens-class Light Cruiser was delivered to the staryard approximately two weeks ago, but a visual assessment of distant surveillance footage and the word of an untested informant is not enough to give us confidence that it's the real deal. So, the first act of OPERATION: PAPERCUT is PROJECT LEDGERBOOK. Put simply: verify that the ship is what we think it is, that it's not some sort of trap to flush out resistance operatives, and obtain a full technical readout of the ship so we know its condition and status ahead of GO/NO-GO decision by Cresh about whether to steal the thing."

Half-turning toward the screen, she clicked again, and a list of potential operations came up. "Our analysts have proposed three methods of obtaining the information we need. Ideally, we'd like to keep things quiet. If we make too much noise, or overplay our hands, even if the ship is there and the informant is legitimate, we could put the facility on alert or worse: cause an uptick in security in the Kuat system. To that end, the safest and quietest method is also the most involved: a physical infiltration of the shipyard. A small team of agents will have identities created for them by Q Branch and be placed as employees at Quayside Orbital Staryard. We do not know how long it may take to extract the information we need, so if you choose this operation, be advised you may be deployed for... a while."

Another click. "Alternatively, we've traced the route that our informant used to reach out to us. It was relayed from QOS through an orbital satellite, here." She used the laser pointed on the map, indicating the satellite. "A talented hacker could remotely access the satellite and hack through the signal relay to the data center at QOS. The downside to this? The hacker would need to keep a close proximity to the satellite for the duration of the hack, and loitering nearby is an excellent way to attract the attention of Kuati system defense, which would in turn raise questions and visibility."

"Lastly, and with the most potential for raising our profile, is a quick-and-dirty drive-by scan. This is the least ideal option for two reasons: first, the aforementioned profile raising. There is no way to do that on the sly, nor to cloak the scan from QOS' external sensors. Second, most shipyards deploy jammers to prevent, among other things, industrial espionage. With a quick drive-by scan, we won't get as detailed a report as we otherwise could with other methods. But if all else fails, or if there are no volunteers for other methods, it's good to have the plan in reserve."

Bevan cleared her throat and took a sip of coffee, then cleared her throat again more violently. The coffee really didn't help matters. "On that note -- these missions are voluntary. They have the potential to be exceedingly dangerous, and we don't take that likely. That's why there is some flexibility as to whether and how you approach the missions. Now, I'll open the floor. Proposals, questions, volunteering, whatever you've got, I'm all ears."

Avenyx stood to the side of the podium and touched the controls to raise the lights a little so people could see each other when they spoke.

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[Arcann Pehnataur]

PERSONAL LOG — ARCANN PEHNATAUR
Cairoka’s Gate, Section C
Timestamp: 2327 GST


I wasn’t supposed to be here.

I told myself I’d left the soldier’s life behind when I walked away from the Republic, from the committees, from the speeches about hope and reform that no one ever meant to keep. But here I am again — in a dim, recycled-air briefing room, surrounded by operatives half my age, listening to talk of infiltration routes and signal relays like it’s all muscle memory.

Maybe it is.

Bevan runs a tight room. Reminds me of command briefings from the old days — short on patience, long on purpose. She didn’t flinch when she saw my name on the roster, though I caught the momentary twitch of recognition in her jaw. I’ve gotten used to that: the look that says You were supposed to be dead or worse. I didn’t correct it. Let people believe what they need to.

When she opened the floor, I volunteered before I could stop myself. It felt… familiar. Natural. I said I could provide a diversion — walk into Kuati space with my name, my history, my face, and make sure every Imperial analyst in the sector loses sleep trying to figure out what I’m doing there. I told them, “I’ll be seen.” That got their attention.
Truth is, I don’t know if I’m doing this for the cause, or just because I owe my brother. Thexann has always been the anchor — the steady one. I was the storm. He built things; I broke them. Maybe this is my way of building something, even if it’s just buying time for others to act.

Kuat’s a risk. They remember the Eternal Empire’s fleets, the blockade, the destruction. They remember me. The Empire paraded me through their halls once, broken and bound, before my brother traded everything to get me back. They’ll be watching me the moment I enter the system. That’s the point. Let them.

If something happens — if I don’t come back — at least this record explains the decision. No one ordered me. No one manipulated me. I chose it. For once in my life, the choice is entirely mine.

Funny how that feels almost like peace.

End Log
-Arcann Pehnataur


TAG- Avenyx Bevan

This is when he speaks to someone in real time

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