Alexi has been instructed to use any means necessary to retrieve The Exeter Prototype, Maggie and Andi (Or at least his DNA)
Black/Grey/Jade Min SCL 5 Discrete squad required for investigation
of the disappearance of
All items last reported at Alexi's
Vehicle shop. |
The following is a briefing he gives to the varies squads that take this BPN
"Good morning ladies..."
The large human places a large paper folder on the table before them.
"I am here to brief you on BPN number 291HDSF342. Is this correct?"
"Yes."
"Ok then lets get on with it." He sits down. "On paper the BPN looks straight forward. All you have to do is locate and retrieve a missing SLA op and some experimental equipment. However there are a number of things the paper does not say."
He taps the folder looking up. "This is ALL the information we have. All computer records relating to the equipment and the operative were destroyed. Even the I.A. Records. In fact every time we attempt to up date out records they are almost immediately deleted." He grimaces."That may give you some indication about what you are up against."
He looks at them for a reaction and then sighs.
"Ok. The Exeter first." He reaches over an places an ageing vid slug in the player. The display crackles badly before partially clearing to reveal a series of images.
The power suit is unlike anything they have seen before. It is lithe, almost human in proportions. It is hard to see where the pilot sits, or indeed how any control system plus pilot can fit into the torso. It performs a number of scarily fluid martial arts manoeuvres against and invisible opponent before dropping back into a classic Crane king fu ready position. It flexes to maintain its balance.
A voice sounds distorted by the static. "Still not happy with the leg servos."
"They just need time to settle in." The responding voice sounds remarkable like the man giving the briefing.
"We could try a lower friction lubricant." Another seductively female voices sound on the tape.
The suit shakes its head in a very human gesture."No. I don;t want to compromise...." The static swallows the image and sound.
The briefing officer stops the vid. "And that is all we have on the suit. Like I said all other records were destroyed." He pulls open the file removing a number of scribbled sheets. These are the estimates of his capabilities. But they are only from memory and con not be totally accurate."
He coughs almost embarrassed."Now the A.I. It is also experimental and utilises an actual Ebon neural net."
The squad stares at him.
The officer take a deep breath. "Its an Ebon head in a box." He simplifies. "It potentially has Eb abilities. The casement was meant to prevent that but it would seem in some way this restriction has broken down. Certainly we have had reports of flux usage. And as Andi is human and has a somewhat infamous aversion to Ebb shit we have to conclude that the A.I. is responsible. " He shrugs. "In short we have no idea of its capabilities.""On the good news front, the A.P.C. is relatively standard. A few minor modifications all detailed here." He hands over the form.
"Which brings us to Andi." The briefing officer puts down the pen and rubs his eyes.
"I take it you have heard of The Core?"
"Who hasn't? They are Third Eye News favourite squad."
"Andi should have been their primary pilot. Unfortunately due to an over site in the project, problems occur." The mans voice hums with repressed frustration. "He left. I was assigned to locate him and bring him back into the SLA fold. Which I achieved." He looks at them. His eyes serious and warning.
"Every one underestimates Andi. He was given permission by Cloak to build the Exeter because no one thought he could do it. Now he has, and he has vanished with it. SLA want both back. Preferably as undamaged as possible. This will be very difficult. It is likely that no one but Andi can pilot the Exeter. No one but him really understands how it works. We need what he knows, and we need his genetic data."
The squad look at him confused.
"He destroyed all medical samples as well." The briefing officer squirms."He has not left Mort. Nothing big enough to be the Exeter./APC has left Mort. However all tracking equipment on the A.P.C. Maggie and the Exeter. itself have failed. He has not been spotted by any chipped individuals. He has not been seen on any surveillance, including the orbital Sats. We don't even know how he left the AVS facility."
"You said there were Ebb abilities. Could he have Reality folded?"
"Possibly, but he took the APC with him and he has always been reluctant to fold before. He even objects to Ebships. "The big man takes a deep breath. "Fundamentally we have no idea where he is. I have followed up all the contacts I was aware of and, with the exception of Rich, I have drawn a blank. Contrary to his public image Andi was never the most loyal SLA op. As I am sure from your own work you are aware that during high level BPN you are exposed to numerous Anti SLA sympathisers. The work the Misfits took on was no exception to this, and Andi, and the Exeter, could be with any one of them."
"You said Rich had had contact with him? Who is Rich?"
"Richard Godfrey. Squad leader of the Misfits. Andi sent him a note."
He holds up a plastic bag with a note scrawled on a paper towel in it. The note reads:Rich
Your father was right,
Control is the key.
Don't go Nec, It's all a lie.
Do what ever you have to do to avoid it.
If you need us Call.A&M
He stands up leaving the folder and note before them. "And that is all I have for you." He moves as if to leave and then almost as an after thought turns to them. "Do you have any questions?"