Economics, or the Repitition of History - RPLOG
Participants
Date
1/1/2018
Log
Niles sits in the lobby, tapping his foot as he sits in the single cushionless folding chair that RSX has allocated to him out of pity. There were worse times once, chairless times.
He watches the clock, knowing that he'd be happier elsewhere. He is keenly aware of the fact that he could fulfill his dreams with a single transfer. He is sacrificing a lot to be here, away from what he desires so deeply, he receives nothing in return for what he considers his manly duty. A tear rolls down his face and he wipes it away and inhales deeply, before exhaling slowly and composing himself. He is not here for this. He is here for the future he can build.
The file he holds in his hands bears a wet spot where the tear ended up. It dries slowly in the dry air of the room.
All that remains is to wait for the agents. One day, his trials will end and he will be free to pursue his dream. One day he will not be naked to the outdoor air. It will not be today or tomorrow. This is okay, because all he has to do is wait for the agents and brief them. This will be easy enough. He will endure.
Fenris is right where he is least expected. At Niles's elbow with a handkerchief. "It's clean," he promises, then trots around to smile at the agent.
The tubby tanuki does not comment further, but waits quietly.
Hana hadn't particularly planned on taking an assignment like this, but seeing as she was coming in off of Woodfield patrol anyway... She tugs her overcoat more tightly around her, dressed in her usual patrolling BDU. "So, ah... What's the plan with all this, anyway?" She asks, tucking her hands in her pockets.
Ebreus hops of the chopper having come from a bit further away than Fairhaven this time but still needing the chopper to get here from his new abode. He aproaches the familiar RSX Employee, Niles, as par for the course helping to keep Woodfield in order. "Hello Niles, Fenris. How are you two today?" he says as he aproaches. He looks over Hana as she aproaches, apparently prepared for combat. He raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment it instead saying, "Hello to you as well."
Niles looks at Fenris, briefly alarmed, then shakes his head, "No thanks, but I appreciate the offer" He does not attempt to justify Fenris' sudden appearance. He knows better than to try that with shapeshifters. His reaction to Hana is favorable, since she her choice in dress suggests some modicum of the traditional respectedness of a soldier. Ebreus is, on the other hand, an element of less welcome familiarity, the tale of 'The T-Shirt' having circulated so widely within RSX over the last few months, he looks Ebreus in the eyes, so far as he can attempt to do so to someone so much larger and returns his greeting with "I see that our profit margin has returned to us."
"So. I see two unfamiliar faces here today." Niles says, looking between Hana and Fenris. "I don't believe you've dealt with the Brass Orrery before, Ebreus has. The Brass Orrery are a bunch of fucking cosplaying steam-punk obsessed goblins. They are reasonably friendly and have contributed some of their members time to reducing the chaos in the streets of Woodfield." Niles shrugs, "The rest about them reads like an even worse joke, if you can believe that, but, as a stabilizing force in south woodfield, they are generally appreciated by myself and the rest of RSX."
"On the other hand, 'The Laconics' have had little to do with us. They are of a more huamn stock, if you can accept creatures with such grotesque quantities muscle as human. Contrary to the stereotypes associated with the 'Bodybuilder' infection, they are also cosplayers, but they tend towards another opposite end of the technological spectrum compared to the 'Brass Orrery'. They value high technology items and, it seems, they may have several former RSX employees among them, they are remarkably proficient in the usage and maitenance of computers, though, we don't think they own very many working examples of such. They are 'cyberpunks', by their own terminology. They are also, laconic by their own terminology. That is what we know about them."
He clears his throat, "The nature of the trade dispute is over the control of the supply of recovered scrap metal. The Brass Orrery, having a technological base that uses hundreds of tons of it for relatively little has a very large issue with them requiring so much of their trace metals, which they need for whatever flavor of the month of Alloy they are favoring." "Simply, solve it. Ebreus has been through this before. If it's like the last time The Brass Orrery got involved with something, there'll be a lot of talk and a absurdly simple answer to their issue. You can leave the way you came in."
It seems that Ebreus is a bit of a trigger for Niles.
Fenris smiles amiably and nods as Niles makes his explanation. "I get on pretty good with muscleheads," he claims with a grin, "I helped negotiate with the autobody guys, and that went pretty well!" The big tanuki makes his handkerchief vanish as quickly as it appeared, then looks down at his outfit. "You think I'm dressed okay for this?" he asks.
Hana folds her arms, nodding along. "I see, I see..." She lifts a hand to rub at her chin with a thumb and forefinger. "Well, anyone that helps maintains order and makes my job easier is certainly getting a good note in my books. I'm not the best at negotiating, but I will certainly see what I can do to help the situation along peacefully."
Ebreus nods as Niles briefs them on the situation taking mental note on each detail of the new group of oddballs to deal with. He grins a little wider than normal as 'cyberpunk' is mentioned then raises an eyebrow as Niles explains that they're laconic in more than just name.
When Niles points out that Ebreus was involved in solving the last problem he nods, "Sounds like I should've brought my armor. I'm sure it'd impress the Laconics." he comments. He looks to his two compatriots for the operation then back to Niles, "Well if we're suppose to get the location of the Laconics or the salvage from the Brass Orrey I think we have what we need."
Ebreus leads the group south through the cold night to the Brass Orrery's compound, a structure of reasonably clean bricks and mortar around what is still a fairly trashed neighborhood. Pieces of Brass and steel glint off the sides where the Goblins have made their modifications to the structure. Lime powered spotlights flare to life as the group approaches, and the guards, recognizing Ebreus lead the group inside. Inside the workshop is quieter than before, being late at night, compared to before. The guards show the group in to the area in front of the main boiler, where Heinrich, the leader of the Brass Orrery tends to be. The boiler casts bright slits of light over his face as it blazes. He appears to be fairly concerned.
The guards announce the group, a formality that Ebreus has not observed before in this gang, and he stands up, "It is good to see the agents of RSX's employ today." Heinrich says, his bald head gleaming muted in the intensely yellow light of the boiler, "Sorry to bring you back for something so troublesome Ebreus. It's quite nice to see you again. Though, it does strike me that your companions are never consistent."
"In any case, what do you think you should know before moving on? As is traditional, or so it seems, in our negotiations?"
