Private We Can't Just Let It Burn

[Dr. Veinstein]

Cass Gemini Faison Kelborn Levi Vinbul Diocletian Kahmen’’a

In the briefing room of one of the multiple dreadnoughts in orbit of Planet [REDACTED], Dr. Veinstein and Subject 73 Red stood at the holo-table, looking at the group assembled before them. In front of them, the group of mercenaries they had hired were gathered on the other side of the holo-table. They didn't even know what the job was, or what they'd be doing, they had just accepted the job because of the massive reward that came with completion of the job.

"Alright, listen up." Dr. Veinstein said to the group. He pressed a button on the holo-table, and a large structure appeared on the holo-table. "This is your target, Research Area 15. A couple of days ago, we received emergency beacons from the Research facility, before the facility went quiet, with no further communication. The contents of this mission are considered of L-7 importance, and as such are highly classified. You will not tell anybody about this mission, you will not tell anybody what you did during this mission, and you will not tell anybody what you see during the mission. Failure to follow these instructions will result in termination. Red, you have the floor."

Subject 73 Red stepped forward. "Alright, your mission will be to deploy onto the site, move into the site, locate any survivors, figure out what happened, eliminate any hostiles, and recontain any Anomalies you are informed of. Now, the Site has multiple levels, including levels underground. Be careful, as we don;t have much in terms of intel on what's happening down there. Beta-3 will be on stand-by to provide reinforcements, Violet-8 will be nearby for medevac and evac, and Omega-4 will be nearby providing remote recon support and live intel. We will deploy to the surface in drop-pods, allowing us to quickly reach our objective. I will be deploying down with you to help guide you. Any questions?"

 

[Faison Kelborn]

Yeah, one question Faison thought to himself: Why do I always sign up for these FUBAR assignments? The Mandalorian stood in the briefing room alongside a fit, attractive woman with reddish/black hair, another young(ish) human who appeared to be a wandering vagabond, and what appeared to be a Ubese mercenary. We're all gonna die... He thought again. He hadn't quite gotten the measure of the woman yet - she seemed confident in her own abilities (what woman wasn't), and the human male was... a wildcard, in Faison's opinion. He'd worked with Ubese before. They were capable enough, if not weird as hell. And they were all going to go into some top secret facility without any details, to find survivors for a tragedy that "didn't happen" for an obscene amount of credits? I deserve to die.

"Do we have any intel as to what, exactly, these survivors were supposed to... survive? Are we talking natural disaster? Or something of the more... violent variety?" His voice finally broke through the speakers, his facial expressions of bemusement over how he had a distinct talent for getting wrapped up into situations like this hidden from all except himself. He hadn't quite had an opportunity to replace his well worn armor. It wasn't damaged per se, just clearly well used. It was a useful intimidation device when it was needed, but it was high time he replaced this kit with something more... well, less used. It was a patchwork of duraplast, with his vambraces and shoulder pads being the only items made of actual besk'ar. He was well armed though, he could say that. He wore his full kit on his person, ready to burst into hell itself after this meeting if that's what these crazy areutii had in mind for them.

Cass Gemini Levi Vinbul Diocletian Kahmen’’a Dr. Veinstein Subject 73 Red

 

[Diocletian Kahmen’’a]

Location: Onboard a Dreadnaught at an undisclosed Planet Orbit

Tags: Faison Kelborn Subject 73 Red Cass Gemini Dr. Veinstein Levi Vinbul

Diocletian stood alongside the other Mercenaries at their side of the table/desk, giving the holo projection a careful look over. He wasn't given many details on exactly what they were going to walk into, no sneak into, which didn't concern him too much. Even though it really should concern him.

A vague job often means there is way more going on than he was privy to. As for the survivors, even he didn't quite understand what they meant to survive exactly and how. Since there is nothing to go by. How do they know it's not a wild mutant thing on the loose? Or a very nasty virus or Zombies?

Then his thoughts quickly condensed into a very strange mental image of something big, slimy, with lots of limbs and suckers with teeth all over it. Why did he suddenly picture this? His late-night movie watching has to stop, full stop. It wasn't because he was afraid, no, it was because his imagination ran wild afterwards, usually it was too off-kilter to be acknowledged at all by the Ubese. As of right now, he's not dismissing it outright.

<"Adding on to what the Mando is saying, could the place be housing a mutant eldrich horror gone wrong that has escaped?"> Diocletian asked, tone polite but cold. He was smart enough not to be rude to potential employers. Especially when there are vast amounts of Credits involved.

 

[Cass Gemini]

Dr. Veinstein
Diocletian Kahmen’’a
Faison Kelborn
Subject 73 Red
Levi Vinbul

Spoiler: Gear and other links

Equipped: Calypso's Thunder, Harlequin sabers, Gravpack, Viper mk2 skinsuit
Ship: Midnight Kyber
NPCs: Crew of the Midnight Kyber

Cass laughed as both of the men before her spoke the words she already had in her head, what are we facing. They couldn't expect to jump down with no knowledge at all, covert or not, you are asking to fail if you don't tell your agents how to prepare.

Looking around was a fairly mixed bag of individuals, but then she was used to that working as a pirate. She knew nothing about them though, what their capabilites were, how they fought, useful stuff.

"So hey, can't wait to get stuck in down there, but some information would be great? As the other guys have said. And for my part I am Cass Gemini, call me, Cass, Gem, Gemini, whatever, I dont really give a rats." She had a big smile on her face. "I specialise in close ranged combat, and am pretty good at it, can fly fairly well and can do a bit of the old jedi stuff" she wiggles her fingers as if casting a spell. "If you've got my back, I've got yours."

She turned to the Dr. "And you can trust me with all your juicy secrets" she have a flirtatious wink to him.

She was momentarily distracted as she felt a presence from out the viewport. Pix, she was out there in her fighter somewhere somewhere, probably cloaked in one of these dreadnoughts blind spots. The bond the two of them shared had advantages other than just the pleasure of her company. She was going to stay dark as long as possible. She was insurance, just in case things went south and she had to make a getaway.

​

 

[Dr. Veinstein]

Diocletian Kahmen’’a Cass Gemini Faison Kelborn Subject 73 Red Levi Vinbul

"Do we have any intel as to what, exactly, these survivors were supposed to... survive? Are we talking natural disaster? Or something of the more... violent variety?"

<"Adding on to what the Mando is saying, could the place be housing a mutant eldrich horror gone wrong that has escaped?">

"So hey, can't wait to get stuck in down there, but some information would be great?

Subject 73 Red and Dr. Veinstein looked at each other. Red shrugged. "I say we can tell them. Them seem trustworthy. Except for that pirate..." Red said, shooting a glare at Cass Gemini . Red didn't exactly trust pirates, and for good reason. From his past experiences with pirates, they hadn't exactly proven to be trustworthy, or even loyal for that matter.

Dr. Veinstein sighed. "Fine, we can tell them. I guess." He said. He didn't like it, but it probably would be necessary for the mission.

"Alright, pay attention, this is going to be important." Red told the group. "As of right now, you all have temporary Level 7 clearance, meaning that now you are allowed to know more details of this mission." He started. "Research Area 15 is a secretive research facility designed for the purpose of containing and researching Anomalies. These Anomalies exhibit unusual properties, and their origins are mostly unknown. These Anomalies are all different from one another, some are objects, others are sentient beings, and some are horrible abominations. Most of them are dangerous or deceptive, so you must always remain on guard, and you can't trust anything. Now, we believe that some anomalies have breached containment in some unknown way, and many of the prisoners housed there are also rioting. We have no idea what has happened down there, since communications have been cut off, but we can only assume the worst. Since I'm going down with you guys, I'll let you know about any anomalies if we encounter them." Red finished.

"Alright, does that answer your questions? Anymore questions before we equip you with the necessary equipment?" Red asked.

 

[Faison Kelborn]

When the woman turned and introduced herself, Faison had half a mind to be a bit brash with her in return, but he checked himself. It wasn't like him to think that way, and he wasn't sure why the urge to do so arose now. "Faison Kelborn" he replied flatly, before turning his attention back to the ones briefing them. When the answers came to his and the others' questions, he finally realized why his thinking was a bit 'on edge.' Something didn't feel right about this mission. Every fiber in his being was telling him to turn around and find another job. It wasn't that he was a coward - far from it, he had seen more than his fair share of atrocities effected in the name of a higher calling. And the answer itself gave Faison pause. The Doctor and his associate referenced abominations, prisoners, containment breaches. At first, Faison would have thought this research facility may have simply been for weather or tectonic patterns (not that he knew anything about them, they just sounded obscure enough to require research in his mind). But why would a research facility house prisoners?

Realization dawned on him, and although no one could see it, it made the Mandalorian go quiet and his mouth drop open slightly from behind his helmet. Are they... experimenting on these prisoners? The thought wormed its way into his mind and burrowed itself front and center. He would riot too if he knew he was going to be cut open and experimented on. He almost turned to leave the conference room, but he didn't. He wasn't sure why he didn't. Everything screamed inside of him that this was a suicide mission. Was it the money? It was alot, but not the only reason. No mission was worth dying for regardless of how much money was at stake. There was something else...

Curiosity? He didn't exactly have the urge to see someone's chest cut open and stuff done to them. No, it was deeper than that. For years, Faison had told himself that he didn't care about anything anymore, save his mother and credits. But this... this was something else entirely. While it was certainly possible that he was entirely wrong about the whole thing, if he left now - he would never know. At least if he went, and his fears were confirmed, maybe he could do something to...

What, stop it? he mentally chided himself: Like you're some karking hero or something? Faison didn't consider himself a hero. Maybe he was in a past life, but not anymore. This wasn't about heroics. This was about... doing something more meaningful than just credits (although he would still take them if he came back alive). And if he was wrong? At least he'd be richer for it. He remained silent, not having any further questions that he felt needed to be addressed, at least right now. He still was a professional. If he asked the probing questions that still resonated in his mind, then there was a good chance he'd be removed from the mission entirely. While he'd hate to miss out on a payday, he also would hate to miss the opportunity to see if he was just being paranoid, or if there was something more.

Dr. Veinstein Subject 73 Red Diocletian Kahmen’’a Cass Gemini Levi Vinbul

 

[Diocletian Kahmen’’a]

Location: Onboard a Dreadnaught at an undisclosed Planet Orbit
Tags: Dr. Veinstein Subject 73 Red Cass Gemini Levi Vinbul Faison Kelborn

<"That explains it,"> He muttered, swishing a hand through the hologram idly, tracing a possible route he could take in the infiltration that will come next.

Ah, so he was half right about it being a monstrosity. He said nothing else as his question had been answered, albeit in a very backhanded way. Diocletian scowled at the hologram, his concentration was focused on the point where the thing is said to be. Not only that, that there is also a high possibility of there being more of these things. Well, it was not like he faced horrid things before. He was uneasy about it, but what kept him from going out the door was the smell of credits and the possibility of getting to kill things.

He hasn't done that in a good while, he is slipping a little. His last kill was a rather pushy Zeltron, the act was very messy as the guy didn't go down on the first blow. By the end, the alley was awash with blood and gore. That was fun, he collected the obligatory trophies and bounced before people noticed him. He cooled off for a few months, which lead him here to this place and this top-secret mission.

Strangely enough, everything made sense. The Holonet crazies would have a field day with what they are being shown. Diocletian was not going to share as it wouldn't benefit him in the slightest nor, will it keep him alive. After all, the threat of being killed was very palatable even to someone like him.

The Ubese was interested in what kind of equipment they will have on this mission, they better be efficient and strong enough to do their job. He even wondered if the others were able to do their part as well.