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Pher

Request for Proposals

OK. Joe. You want me playing Tacboss? I’ll give it a shot. I’ll note that most every idea I’ve thrown up has been shot down by either you or Ethan. Your reasons are good. Objections valid. Cause I’m boss, I’m not going to put them back in. Still, if Ethan goes into indignant objector mode, or you go into back seat driver mode, I not going to play at being Tacboss when I’m not. If you two are going to fight me, I’m throwing the hot potato right back at you, Joe.

 

This isn’t my style. I’d like better planning. I don’t at all like being declared Tacboss with no notice moments before contact. This is mad lib. We’re landing and making it up as we go along. I don’t think there’s anyone on this crew that likes working that way was less than me. If Joe really wants me trying to impose order and restraint on a mission that might genuinely call for independence and flexibility, I’ll try, but I’m dubious.

 

Everybody. Think for a minute or two. How would you use this opportunity and your particular talents to pick up a little information at minimum risk? Note, this isn’t endgame. This is the preliminary round. We’ll never get to end game if we start taking big risks and blowing cover this early. Lay out roughly where you’d like to go, what you’d like to do, what you’d like to learn, and who you’d like with you in support. Everybody is going to want to fine tune everybody else’s proposals. I’d like everyone to take such criticism and tuning in good grace. I might even be able to force myself to listen to Ethan. After everyone gets a chance to make proposals, we’ll put the best options in action.

 

Me? I’d like to wrangle an invitation to that party. Thing is, Evenstar Bay is Gular, and for a short while a few years back I was the face of Evenstar Bay. I was a celebrity of sorts. There’s a significant chance I’ll be recognized if I mingle with the big shots. In fact, I’m half counting on it. My best chance of getting an invite is latching onto somebody I know. Thing is, if my real name comes up while I’m running on Samus’s bogus ID, things are apt to fall apart. If I go into that party It will need to be on my true ID. Good arguments have been made that this should not happen early on. I’ll accept these arguments if anyone else thinks they can get in. I’ll add that if you do want me crashing the party, wrangling an invite on the fly is not a sure thing, and it will require time. If Ethan and Joe continue to object for any length of time, it’s a no go. On the other hand, if we decide to try it, I’ll be flying solo or maybe with Byblos as a wingman. I won’t want to contact the rest of you. The risks will be too high. You’ll need a new Tacboss.

 

That’s was how I’d approach it if there were no other options. It’s already been shot down. I need more options. Anyone else care to say what they’d like to do? I need ideas. Give me some small fairly safe first steps.

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Recall having this discussion once already. Had you desired to, think you could've planned something at that time. ::shrugs:: Don't know why you didn't, when the opportunity was there. Maybe you just weren't up to it, given your apparent mood at the time.

 

Look, force yourself to listen or don't. ::shrugs:: I don't like operating without a plan anymore that you do. But I'm not in a position to make the decisions, and nothing'll happen if you expect it to come together without a little 'good grace' and a lot of decision-making on your part. Not off to a great start. Hearing a lot of doubt and, maybe, irritation here.

 

Sharing the intel we have on the Rainmakers too soon is the only objection I've heard recently. I've advised against a few things like cover IDs. Do what you want with my advice. But don't make it what it isn't. I've explicitly objected to only one thing; don't think we need to revisit what that was. You going to this party wasn't it. You might not learn a whole lot as yourself, but you won't know until you try. I wouldn't shoot down your own idea yet.

 

But we don't have to focus on a single approach, either. We have clearance to enter Gular. I still suggest you select a small team to observe the district where we have access for a while. Visit the shops; get to know the layout and the traffic. Learn everything they can about the area. Look for opportunities: openings for business, things to exploit. Any intel we get is more than we have now. Build on your plan from there.

 

Like you said: it's not an end-game.

Edited by Ethan Neufeld

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I'd been hoping not to assign a team, but for people to say what they want to do and suggest who they would want to team with. Wandering public areas eyes open is a good if conservative start, and, yes, starting conservative is a plus.

 

Anyone want to suggest anything just a bit less conservative?

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Byblos turned the corner upon hearing the question? Did someone say less conservative? Good Grief I could here you two from the Boss's Nest. How about this?

"If anyone on this collection of rocks knows a Duke Redding...tell him his head is going to be at the end of my sword. Anyone want to enjoy the sight of scum on a stick? Just tell the ole' the Nausicaan where the Pet`taQ is so I can show you all, kind folks of Gular, a true work of art!" Byblos literally shouted.

Byblos changed his tone. "Okay maybe a bit much. Listen, once we arrive these Gular folk probably want business. So I think we just shop. Now, Mr. Non Logical Vulcan who is not Vulcan but someone else has a point. We can't go in there looking like we are scoping the place. Just shop, trade..inquire. Pher, Ethan, I doubt ODRIs are going to be norm on strangers. My suggestion is leave'em. People scoped places out before ODRI's, are we not talented enough to the same?

"Now I am willing to bet these Gular Consortium folks probably have a nice gentlemen's club. I would love to visit that place. Look at the Women, and just who the heck is putting latinum in their...uh ....::looks to Pher:: Panties? Of course I would be looking for people of interest."

"Anways, we just stroll the place. If there are accommodations, we consider them. Now..::looking to Ethan:: I do not know what skillset you possess other than undercover work and martial arts...but if you can slice, or in your terminology; Hack a system, the accommodations list would be nice to know. If they don't have a hotel on these rocks for their people...we just go back to our ship and snooze. Then repeat the drill of shopping, enjoying the sites ..expanding the perimeter."

"Now obviously we cannot pretend we are on a Gular trip, nor a family vacation." Byblos turns to Pher, "Sorry Lifeguard, I highly doubt they would believe I was your hubby." Just a ship's crew on a breather..that needs a breather..and hopefully with capital courtesy of Mr. Samus. We behave like normal travelers..setup a routine..for as long as we need to be here..which I am not certain. People who set up routines are less likely to catch the eye of whatever security this company puts on it's rocks. It also gives one a sense of direction in this place."

Byblos stopped looked at Ethan then back to Pher.

"Okay, Honestly I prefer putting Duke Redding's head on a pike...I admit!"

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So Byblos focused more on the how than what or why, but I'm not hearing a lot of dissimilarities between our suggestions. ::inclines head:: Short of beheading Samus's right-hand guy.

 

Sounds like two votes for conservative. But I don't know anyone here well enough to make an educated proposal for a team. Leave that up to you, and you'd probably be better off with Shane or William if you're looking for a skilled hacker. I'm better as tactical support.

 

Think there's a few key pieces of data we need before we can launch into anything too aggressive: where we'll find info on these ships and who or what has it. In my opinion, the best way to get that data is observation and social interaction. So, Pher, what's your idea of 'less conservative'?

Edited by Ethan Neufeld

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Shane spoke up suddenly from down the corridor where he had been leaned against the bulkhead listening with hi face expressionless. "What we need is info from the head honcho in that asteroid, not just from a bunch of shop keepers in the market. And that we can get from the command center of the asteroid. Each of these portions will have some sort of central control for environmental controls, power supplies and...communications. We need to get access to either that or a data line leading to it. Perhaps we can infiltrate the maintenance crew of the district and go from there. As for who we send...I ain't much for going unnoticed down there," he nodded to the bioinic arm, "so I'd suggest Will. He can figure out quite a bit and what he can't we can work out through communication links."

 

 

Okay, sounds like Shane's got the 'less conservative' you're looking for. My only advice is that you don't rush. Infiltration and hacking might yield quicker results, but that also comes with a higher risk of detection.

 

Minimize the risks. Like I said before: start with the basics and build on your plan from there. First: learn something, at least the routines of the people you're going to infiltrate or hack, if you can. Then move on from there. Starting out conservative in this stage doesn't mean the next stage can't be more aggressive. ::clearly giving advice, without expecting them to follow it::

 

cleardot.gif

Edited by Ethan Neufeld

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“I’d agree with Shane that command centers and communications are good things to keep an eye out for. I’d agree with Byblos that crew or low ranked nobodies on break is a good cover, whichever fits Samus’s IDs better. I’d agree with Ethan that the first pass should be a low risk look see in public areas, though Shane is right too. The shop keepers in the market won’t know enough. I’d also agree with Byblos that The Duke’s head on a stick isn’t going to be our first priority.

 

“I do have a few more suggestions that might in time lead to ‘higher risk’ ideas. I was hoping someone else would have suggested them, so I could have been the one arguing against them. No, it’s too soon put em in place. Lots more information to gather first.

 

“I’d like a copy of the abandon station drill, notably the locations of airlocks and escape pod positions. We might get similar information snooping on the outside. Anyway, where could we park an invisible spaceship where people could quickly jump from station to ship? How hard would it be to block the network so the airlock or escape pod doesn’t report a hull opening back to station ops? There isn’t a lot we can throw at Gular that they haven’t had lots of time to plan against. This might be our biggest unexpected twist, an ability to escape after doing something really outrageous. What do we have to learn so we can make it work reliably once, preferably leaving behind no hints as to how it was done?

 

“Are there any Gular or affiliated cowards afraid of pain, tycoons open to blackmail or other individuals that might be made to talk? They’d have to be too important not to be in the know and apt to get party invites? How many of them have easier security back at home than they’ll have here, or will be traveling home on slow lightly armed ships? If they live on the station, how many have jobs that bring them out of the tightly secure areas, near airlocks or life pod stations?

 

“I’ve a general query. How many of us can work with non-energy weapons, preferably concealable, stuff that won’t set of alarms if used? Knives? Clubs? Slug throwing chemical weapons?

 

“These guys aren’t Starfleet, but do the big shots have any fancy security toys? How many security sensors, and where? How many big shots are followed around by tall muscular types that’ll make Byblos look pretty? Might they have comm badges with medical sensors that sound silent alarms should the wearer suddenly fall unconscious? We saw some of this stuff on New Risa, but I was on my home ground, knew what was there, and how to get around it. Some early looking around to blunt the home field advantage might be good.

 

“We aren’t ready to execute any of the above. In fact, asking questions about a lot of the above will be hazardous enough. If we do start information gathering towards any of the above, we do it on tiptoe. Got it? I’ll open the floor to discussions on which of the above shouldn’t be done until we finish not doing the other thing.

 

“But I’d also like other slightly higher risk options that might suggest possible paths towards an endgame. Tis far too soon to execute an endgame, but what information do we need that might get us ready to talk about one? You guys are supposed to be good. What are we working towards?”

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Honestly think you've already got the answer to that question.

 

You have a vague idea of what you're looking for: intel on these ships, why they're being built. But you're missing other vital pieces of data: who specifically is involved and has the info we want; where that info and the ships are or will be; when they'll be there; and how you're going to get it. That's what you need to talk about your endgame. Yeah, shop keepers aren't likely to have that info. But they might know the routines of Gular maintenance and security teams. They might know some of the Gular's security measures. They might know the habits of Gular execs. They might notice unusual traffic. They might reveal local sentiments. Observing Gular security might give you a rough estimate of numbers, patterns, the type of people they employ and what they're carrying. Observing Gular business offices might give you an idea of who they're doing business with and when. Observing can give you points of ingress and egress, and more. The kind of info that can be followed up on and exploited, will open options for more aggressive tactics in the next stages, and steer you toward your endgame. Everything you've suggested is info you should attempt to gather or know in the first stage. You should be able to learn some of it through observation without attracting a lot of attention. Guess I took for granted that what or how didn't need to be coached. I'm used to working with people who've done this sort of thing before.

 

At any rate, it's a good practice to consider all the possibilities, anticipate contingencies. But consider that higher risk options are just that. Employ them too soon and with insane luck, they might succeed. If they fail? You've tipped the Gular off and there won't be a second chance because, now, they're expecting it. That and your endgame aren't even questions I'd try answer or dwell on this soon. The more you do, the more you'll stall. You can't predict where your intel will lead at this point. You could be looking at anything from simple recon to the extraction of a VIP or, maybe, an HVT. Keep It Simple, keep it focused: you want info on those ships. That's your objective. There'll be opportunities to regroup later and consider your next move, when you've a better fix on the scope of your mission. The question right now isn't how you're gonna make the final throw or even the halftime goal, but how you're going to begin the game.

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::listening::"Hey I was joking about Duke Redding's head on a stick, although if the guy conducts business the way I understand he does, I'd make a fortune as a traveling side show! "::hah::

 

 

::noone laughs::

Okay, whatever we choose, we have do to I presume Samus' timeframe is only. The amount of time the Mark is on this station. What I may of suggested earlier would take too much time. Shane is right about William. He's the one that sticks out the least among us.

 

::looks at Ethan::

"I could be wrong there. 'Mr. Disguise' Listen, I am in willing to support whatever actions we choose. One action I think we might ought to consider is a Plan B. And personally although the boss would not support it. I see every reason to keep it a viable option"

 

"And Plan B means taking Samus back to his little "front of an office" where he can hide from his dirty deeds..and dumping this job. I am no coward, but we are not a cohesive team yet, and the lack of a slicer is a big negative on any effort we make. This job is very big, a hit on the Gular VIP? In his own nest? Gathering Strategic Intelligence? "

 

::Looks around:: "Yeah I said it. Option B. We pass on this one. And you can say to the Boss it was my idea as well. Let me know when you guys are settled. I have to a blade to work on."::

 

With that the Nausicaan left the scene of the conversation for his quarters..a large "clank" is heard, the slamming of a bulkhead door"

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::smirks, evidently unable to disagree with Byblos's option 'B' and showing a hint of envy for his dramatic exit::

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The question right now", Ethan asked, "isn't how you're gonna make the final throw or even the halftime goal, but how you're going to begin the game."

 

"I think that's really obvious," Pher responded. "We're going to start out chatting with the shopkeepers, customers, etcetera in public areas. Anyone seriously thinking of anything else? I just think we can chat smarter if we what know the options in front of us might be, and what sort of problems might have to be solved further downstream. Anyone have any positive suggestions? If not, we might be done here. We're starting to go in circles. Might as well forge swords, or whatever. The only other thing is seeing that the minor bases are each touched, and only touched once. Who is looking for airlocks, who command centers, who big shots, who security sensors, whatever. First pass, everything is low key, low risk, but does anyone think they'd be good at one thing or another?"

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::subtly smirks again, looking amused; but the look fades before he speaks::

 

Do whatever you need me to do. ::glances at watch::

Edited by Ethan Neufeld

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“Do whatever you need me to do,” Ethan said, subtly smirking and glancing at his watch.

 

“That’s just what I figure will happen,” Pher replied. “I’ll end up doing what I need you to do myself.” She shook her head. “What I needed from you was positive ideas and less smirking obstructionism."

 

She looked at the rest. “Anyone else? Positive ideas? Tasks which you think you’d be good at? I'm getting the notion that Joe has it right. The way to go is to issue orders without seeking input, consensus or giving explanation.”

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You sought our input and got it - more than it sounds like you wanted from some of us. We're waiting for a leader in return. There's a point when a team needs you to give them direction. Now's the time. If you don't step up to the job, the team'll break down into doing their own thing and really leave you to do it yourself; or someone else will step up and they might not run the show how you like it.

 

Team needs a leader and a leader needs a team.

 

::cringes a bit as he stands from an unmanned station:: Captain, if you don't mind, I'm gonna go check into sickbay. If you figure it out and honestly need me, let me know.

 

::quietly exits::

Edited by Ethan Neufeld

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“Anyone else think making a dramatic exit at this point is the mature proper thing to do right now? If so, this is your moment. Go ahead. Walk out. Just a warning. If it turns out there are no positive ideas or folk volunteering to do this job or that, I am going to start issuing orders. Not sure I'm going to call back the prima donnas. If anyone hasn't got the discipline to sit though a meeting, they haven't got the discipline for a covert ops job. This first pass doesn't require a lot of smarts, or a lot of skill, but it does require discipline. So, anyone else want to walk out?"

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::comm:: +Bridge+ Pher, Ethan. Thinking I might be laid up in sickbay here on the ship for awhile. Why don't you let me monitor comm traffic and compile all the intel we get into a working mission profile. Have experience in it and it's something I can do from here.

Edited by Ethan Neufeld

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Byblos was not forging a sword in his quarters, since the only safe place to do such a thing was the Qob's small hanger bay.

 

He felt anger at himself for not being able to work with this team. Anger was a good way to say something utterly wrong or get into a fight like most Nausicaans did..and ended up dead as a result.

 

Instead Byblos worked on his body, doing pushups to drain away the famous "Nausicaan rage." He also exercised to try to think. His Boss, Joe in his mind did not have the crew for this job. The critical lack of someone who can access the Andus information grid THE RIGHT WAY, that is not to leave a trail. Was a huge handicap for this job. The mark was to high up the Gular chain of whatever Byblos thought.

 

Muscles became sore has he continued doing pushups. He was going to go along with whatever Joe decided, but he had to speak from honesty, botched jobs on Tranquility usually happened when his crew was in the formative stage. Byblos having just landed Vargros, a gem of a find he rescued from Guardians in the streets...was what this current crew needed.

 

But Vargros for all he know was dead, and not an option. This crew had talent, Byblos was beginning to observe. They were willing to think things over on how to do a job. The problem was a the lack of time working together. Byblos sort of knew Pher, and as for "Ethan" he could be anyone he darn wanted to be. Of course computers could get around disguises. But he still did not know this human, who impressed him with his operational planning capabilities..but where did he get them?

 

::muscles ached so Byblos turned to leg thrusts and continued thinking:: How in a targ's arse were they going to pull this job off? Joe was not going to back down, he didn't seem the type to refuse the amount of money Samus offered. And this ship desperately needed the funds for a repair job.

 

They had to do the job. There could be no "plan B" as he mentioned moments ago. Byblos concluded after his body finally said enough. He turned and looked at all the apparel acquisitions he had obtained from the human known as Samus, of whom he certainly did not trust. Well, he had just pledged the Boss..err Joe his loyalty earlier. And Byblos was not going to back stab him by joining that imp Samus.

 

In this game of "Klin zha" or what humans called chess. The board was not in the Boss' favor. Byblos believed Joe knew this. He had few pawns left, thanks to Duke Redding..a Pe`taq he (Byblos) for some strange reason wanted to kill having never met the guy. Joe was going to have to play the game with what he had left. The Boss had to defeat this job to achieve just another few months of survival.

Edited by Byblos

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