Negotiation, Force Optional [Mission: Tseng, Mikuru]

[wrnpcs]

[As the Ragnarok lifts into the sky with its two SeeDs as cargo, their briefer hands out a packet to each of them, speaking as he does.]

Several days ago, a Galbadian squad discovered a cave in the midst of a Centran excavation being conducted by Esthar. Contained within this cave is a device of offworld origin. Esthar, which has retained Garden's services for this mission, wishes to claim ownership of the object.

Esthar's claim stems from their excavation. Galbadia is asserting that as finders of the object, they deserve it. In addition, a third faction has appeared claiming knowledge of the device's purpose and either the ability to operate it, or a -- I suppose 'key' to it, for lack of a better word. Information on this point is sketchy.

The mission is to see the device declared Esthar's property, and if necessary, enforce that declaration. In addition, if you can do so without compromising the mission, find out what it is and what it does.

Any questions?

Comments

Any questions?

[wrnpcs]

[The two SeeDs had plenty of time before their arrival to ask questions, discuss, and plan.]

Re: Any questions?

[plotdeviceturk]

Are we to let it be known who we've been hired by, or has that already been divulged to Galbadia's men? Do we also know how well the security around and within the cave has been established?

[wrnpcs]

You'll need an escort by Esthar to get on-site, given the situation, so there's no real way to keep it secret. The cave itself is being occupied by the Galbadian forces, although the site it is contained within is held by Esthar. The data Esthar has released to us is in the packet in full, but we don't have a reliable assessment of the forces from the other two factions.

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru nods, scanning the packet. Good thing she's using her translator today and doesn't have to take the slight extra time to translate.]

Are we allowed our weapons on-site? [Or will they have to conceal them...]

[wrnpcs]

Yes.

[He pauses, then smiles.]

Or rather, Esthar expects it. The other groups there might complain, but they have no authority over you.

[plotdeviceturk]

[Tseng looks at Mikuru.]

Have you done anything like this before?

[He's not worked with her before, and while it's rather bland low level turk work to him he's well aware that other people have vastly different lives.]

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru shakes her head.] I was more like... a bodyguard, I guess, back home. [Protecting a guy from aliens is totally bodyguarding, right?]

[plotdeviceturk]

I see. Luckily, I've been doing it for the better part of your lifetime.

[He takes a long moment to consider her, frowning a little as he thinks.]

How good are you at remaining calm under pressure and not rising to vebal attacks?

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru folds her hands in her lap before she can start fidgeting.]

I never rise to verbal attacks. [Statement of fact right there, not bragging... because she's more likely to get upset and defensive or just cry than attack someone herself.] And I'm gotten a lot better at staying calm under pressure: Running the GFC helped with that.

[A pause and a glance down at the mission packet once more, and then she looks up at him, voice quietly determined:] I'm sorry you got stuck with a rookie, but whoever assigned me to this mission must have thought I was capable [even if she's not so sure she is], and I'll do my best.

[plotdeviceturk]

[He offers her a small smile.]

Don't worry about it, I'm sure we'll be fine.

How do you feel about playing the part of my bodyguard until we have to reveal more of our hand? I'm certainly capeable of keeping myself alive but this would allow them a... misconception about us. They'd likely be freer in speech if they think you aren't the one they need to be worried about and not think I'm capeable of maiming the lot of them and then calmly drinking tea out of fine china.

[There's a note of amusement to it.]

Unless you think a more blatant approach would work.

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru contemplates this, then nods, straightening in her seat.] I could do that, yeah. I... might not be dressed the part [in a blouse, skirt just past her knees, and a blazer] but I could act all tough.

[She shifts her pistols in her pockets so that the handles are sticking out. Do visible guns make her look more badass?]

[plotdeviceturk]

It's less about what you're wearing and more about how you stand and look at people.

[He manages not to sigh before stripping off his own jacket and, after placing his own handguns on the table, takes the shoulder harness off and hands it to her. Without the nearly black fabric of his jacket covering them it's a bit more obvious he's got a few things up his sleeves.]

Here, put that on over your jacket to hold your pistols instead. It adjusts in size so it should fit well enough.

[It's obviously well worn and there's a few faint stains in the leather.]

You should pick one up that's a better fit though, once we get back.

[He puts his jacket back on and zips it.]

[bunnypassingby]

[Alas, drama class did more for Mikuru's confidence than it did her acting ability, so she nods seriously to those instructions, and tries to muster up a glare at an empty seat (it doesn't go entirely well) before taking the harness. She only looks at it enough to figure out how to adjust the size as she puts it on.]

I've been meaning to get holsters, but I didn't really know where to start, or what kinds would be better...

[plotdeviceturk]

I can help you with that after we're done with this mission.

[He's standing and shifting his clothing back in to place.]

I think we're ready as we'll ever be, if you are.

continued in below thread!

[bunnypassingby]

Thank you, I'd like that!

[With one final tug at the holster, she stands to join him, raising one small fist.]

Yeah, let's go.

The Centra Descent

[wrnpcs]

[The Ragnarok touches down with barely a jolt -- the pilot's skill and the advanced technology combine to make for a ride smooth in all particulars. Without delay, the rear door opens, allowing surprising warmth to blow into the vehicle. Centra is just now in the fullest depths of spring, after all.]

[Outside, a winding dirt road crossed the fairly desolate terrain to an excavation on a cliff's edge, perhaps half a mile away. A few large excavation vehicles stand motionless and inactive in the middle of large gathering of tents.]

[Much closer, a pair of soldiers in mighty but bedraggled mechanical suits stand at attention not far from the airship's ramp, and in front of them, the man their mission packets identify as Corporal Howse.]

[On sighting the two SeeDs, the Esthar military man salutes.]

[OOC: Post here when you are ready to begin the mission proper!]

[bunnypassingby]

[A step or two ahead of Tseng, as seems to befit a bodyguard, Mikuru decides Howse may not be the best person to practise her fierce look on, but simply salutes back, meeting his gaze evenly.]

[plotdeviceturk]

[Tseng's own salute is decidedly crisp, he's playing on the businessman side of his attire. Corporate desk jockey instead of soulless assassin, and while it's not really a better persona to have but it's less deadly.]

Cororal Howse, your reputation precedes you, sir.

[He's calm, tone pleasant.]

[wrnpcs]

Sir, ma'am.

[The Corporal is savvy enough to realize his name has been provided to them, but also enough to appreciate the technique even as he acknowledges it.]

I apologize for the lack of transport. Most of our vehicles have been ships, and I'm afraid it simply isn't wise for your airship to approach the camp much closer at the present. Both Galbadia and the group calling itself Sol Invictus keep a close watch on us, to prevent us from simply smuggling the device out. In light of that we believed that a closer landing would be viewed as an aggressive act. And frankly, we don't have the power to come out second in that fight, let alone on top.

[The admission is cool and matter-of-fact. If it bothers the Corporal to hire SeeDs as supplementary forces, it is purely a matter of professional pride and nothing against Balamb Garden personally.]

[bunnypassingby]

Understandable. [Mikuru has decided to try pitching her voice a third lower than her usual wouldn't-harm-a-fly key; let's see how long she can keep this up. She's grateful to be using her translator today instead of having to think about both pitch and accurate translation.] I'm sure we'll be fine walking.

[plotdeviceturk]

I see.

[He looked mildly annoyed at the revelation that they'd have to walk.]

I suppose it makes sense not to provoke anyone. At your lead then Corporal, the faster we get down there the faster we can get this sorted out.

[wrnpcs]

[The Corporal turns and begins walking, speaking as he does.]

I'm sure you've been briefed, but to supplement: our current resources are one squad outfitted for monster-killing in mechanized armor. Galbadia has fielded a company and has a gunship off the coast as artillery support. Sol Invictus has their airship and approximately 20 individual fighters who seem able to combat in one to five person assault units. Most if not all of them are not from our world.

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru looks startled before trying (unsuccessfully) to smooth this over.] What kinds of weapons or powers do Sol Invictus use? The information we were given was... lacking.

[Galbadia, she's studied. Off-worlder enemies, like those who had attacked a year ago, are a surprise and an unknown entity.]

[plotdeviceturk]

[That meant up to eighty enemies, a severe outnumbering by some standards. He didn't know how good of a shot Mikuru was or how she'd feel about wholesale slaughter to finish the mission. He could probably take on the Sol members himself if need be.]

Is Galbadia that willing to risk their own men or the object?

Who do they have on the negotiation team?

[wrnpcs]

"The object".

[Howse mentally debates, very briefly and very fiercely, how much information to disclose -- and falls on the side of disclosure.]

The object in question is undeniably a vehicular weapon of war, and I have no doubt its capabilities exceed those of a Galbadian company. If they can acquire it, their losses would be worth it. Their negotiator is Captain Valhada, their company commander.

As for Sol Invictus, we only know that they make use of offworld technology and devices, and offworld powers. We don't know anything more, because we haven't engaged them.

[The Corporal looks sidelong at the two SeeDs as he states that. They might have powers of their own, but even if not, they've lived in Balamb Garden amongst others who do. Surely they can imagine his reluctance, even setting aside the diplomatic consequences.]

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru wishes she'd worn more of her Miracle outfit. She's wearing some of the less noticeable or easily hidden items - shoes, kneesocks, the cuffs under her blazer - but it's not enough to get her eye powers or jumping to full power.

[Regardless, she nods, trying to keep the image of composure. This name rings as few bells as Sol Invictus, so it just seems interesting that Galbadia's negotiator is someone likely more suited to war than diplomacy. (But then, isn't she the same? She specialized in firearms, not international business.) Unable to think of any other information that might be useful, she looks to Tseng. Maybe staying quiet will help her bodyguard image.]

[plotdeviceturk]

[Tseng nodded, wheels already in motion as to what plans to make and in which order they would need to be executed.]

Forgive me for putting this to you, but which is more important to Esthar; keeping the vehicle or making sure the other two don't get their hands on it? In other words, if all negotiations, subterfuge and force are not enough to ensure it goes to you is destruction or sabotage of it a viable last resort?

This would only become a choice if all your men have been killed as well and Mikuru and I have only enough energy left to do it before our own lives end.

[Not that he'd let either himself or Mikuru die but the Corporal honestly didn't need to know that.]

I'm not much of a fighter but I know enough about explosives to render something unusable.

[He smiles, an attempt at being disarming.]

Of course, I'm a much better negotiator.

[wrnpcs]

If combat erupted, we would do everything in our power to destroy it ourselves. If that proved impossible, keeping it from their hands would probably be the wisest course of action from both our viewpoints.

[Actually, the wisest course of action would be for Garden to acquire it themselves, from their viewpoint, but the Corporal trusts they will follow the mission objectives as they were hired to do. He doesn't have much choice, after all.]

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru's gaze flicked to Tseng in alarm at the idea of dying after destroying the vehicle. Yes, death on this mission had occurred to her as a possibility, but there was something about saying it out loud that made it more real.]

U-understood. [While she couldn't hold in the nervous stutter, she does mask her dismay at this, her expression fairly neutral as she clears her throat.] Of course, I'm sure it won't come to that.

[She reaches into a blazer pocket, checking her gloves for the nth time. With her pistols all but on display, she'd rather Esthar and this Sol Invictus group think of her as only a shooter, leaving her martial arts as an element of surprise.]