This thread is permanently archived
(Setting) Fisherman Jones's Fish Tank
| >A tall, young man walks in and looks around as he waves over at Jones once seeing someone he recognizes
| >As you step in and look around, you notice a man at the table in the far corner. Not only is he alone, nobody else sits at the neighboring tables. This whole corner of the room feels as if warded off by something. The man from the first glance looks rather old, his grey suit and grey hair not helping to change this impression. Wrinkled stern face of the man doesn't express anything. He notices you and nods to the empty chair at his table.
| "Aye, how can we help you?"
| "Hey Fisherman Jones, just meeting someone for some business."
>He nods towards the corner
"I'll of course order something though, don't want to seem rude after all."
>He walks over and takes a seat at the empty chair
| >>146796
>Man in front of you looked you over, and then put his hands on the table. It would have been a gendo pose, if only he wore glasses.
"I assume you are CN? I am JoKey. First of all, before we discuss anything, I will have you sign a non-disclosure agreement. —
>He extracted a small metal tube from a small bag on the floor next to him, unscrewed the cup and then placed a piece of paper from inside in front of you.
You need a pen?"
| >>146812
"Yes please. I shouldn't be surprised considering how much your paying for this... but eh."
>He shrugs
"So what's the job then? I'm saying now my skills lean more towards support and digital security instead of direct firefights."
| >JoKey nodded, and reached in his bag. As he offered CN a pen, he also put a strange looking metal ball, about the size of his hand, in the table's center, and pressed a button on top of it. Ball started glowing, everyone looking at or listening to the pair, be they human or lilim, felt slight dizzyness, then it passed.
"Considering that we hire security so that there will be *no* firefights, it is to the best. Sing first however, then I'll explain. The ball as well."
| >sign*
| >A woman walk in flanked by a pair of men. The woman leading wore a black greatcoat with a matching peaked cap. And the men behind her a black uniform and armor. The group radiated opressive officiality
>The woman takes her cap off at the sight of Fisherman Jones. Loosing her white hair.
"Table for 3 please, we'll have whatever set you recommend"
>She says coldly
| >>146818
"Well I like to read things before I sign them so you'll have to give me a minute here..."
>CN takes the next few minutes carefully reading through the NDA.
| >>146837
>According to the NDA, you will be agreeing to not disclosure any information received from and about the other party during the time period of the following two month, through any known direct and indirect means. Agreement also states your obligation to avoid any interrogations concerning said information whenever possible, but gives you no responsibility for any leaks forced from you, unless you knowingly allowed such actions towards yourself.
| >>147071
"Job only lasts for 12 days. It doesn't begin immediately tomorrow however, as we still need time to find necessary personnel, and some of the information that I will provide will remain relevant even after the operation finishes."
>JoKey shrugged.
"If anything, this is rather short."
| >seeing the restaurant being mostly empty aside from two men sitting at the table. One being recognizably CN, The Woman approaches and sits at an adjacent table with her guards.
"Would you happen to be the employer in need of a security detail?"
>She asks the other man expressionlessly
| Urmomgaylol
| >JoKey turned his head towards the company. He pushed the button on top of the metal ball on his table, and thing stopped glowing.
"This is correct. I also am in the middle of an interview. And you, miss, are who exactly? The only appointment I had for today is with this, —
>man nodded towards CN,
— gentleman."
| >>147133
>She puts a hand to her chest and gives a small bow
"My deepest apologies"
"In truth, I happened to be in the Area and decided to see the employer while I was here, apologies again for not having any prior appointment."
>She then leans back into her table with her men, both looking over the menu
| >JoKey only raised a brow in reaction.
"Well, since you are already here, we might as well just speed up everything and make this meeting slightly more crowded. I will have you and your men signing an NDA however, otherwise there will be no buisness. You will also have to come to our table. This thing, —
>JoKey pointed towards the weird ball on his table,
— has rather limited range."
| "Very well"
>The group comes to sit around the table. Reading the NDA.
| >The man sighed, and pushed the button on top of the ball again, and the thing began glowing again. It felt really uncomfortable to look at, but for the people sitting at the table it seemed that nothing else happened.
"You will have to share a pen with this gentleman however, I only have one." >JoKey continued.
"So, mister CN, are you going to sign it? You will still be able to decline the job, if you keep it's details to yourself as per agreement, of course."
| >>147144
>He shrugs
"Well alright."
>CN begins signing the NDA, writing his name as Ryan Cuadrado.
"There we go."
| >JoKey nodded.
"Thank you. Miss, gentlemen, your turn."
| >The others nod to one another and sign the NDA in turn
>Danesh Habadi
>Felicia Ryshlayevskaya
>Hermann Müller
|
| "Great. Now to the buisness. As you already know, the job is a security detail. To be exact, it is a city-wide VIP protection effort."
>JoKey leaned forward and brought his hands up to his mouth, fingers intertwined, so that no one would be able to read his speech from lips movement.
"The device on the table is a newly-developed cognito-noise emitter. It generates information agent, that, if perceived by a conscious being, renders all other information perceived — meaningless."
| "Your job will be a combined operation between UKoBIaNMC military and hired local agents. We have a reason to believe GCPD to be compromised, so they do not participate in this operation."
>JoKey lowered his voice and continued.
"Now about VIP in person and the reason we are hiring local agents for an operation of such importance. Her Royal Highness Victoria Augusta Mary decided to grace Glitch City with Their presence."
>JoKey took a pause.
| "Her Royal Highness are the VIP in question. They intent to visit Neko Park and grant it's current residents, the refugees, UK patriality along with the place in colonies. As you can expect, this raises all sorts of problems regarding Her Royal Highness'es security."
>He took another pause.
"Round Table thus decided to hire as many local agents as possible to work alongside our own forces in protection, *discreet* protection of Her Royal Highness."
| >Ferris keeps her arms crossed and breathes a sigh in thought
"I will not lie. My men and I answer to the GCPD. However should the job remain fully in accordance with the law. My Unit and I will be more than willing to maintain confidentiality from the rest of the GCPD."
| >Outside, a man finishes his smoke, and enters the building, taking a seat near the entrance.
| >>147174
"So just watching over an elected official? Huh, I was expecting something a little more malicious with all the hoops to jump over. Not that I'm complaining."
| "I believe our operation falls within private security category, and as such is perfectly legal, miss... Ryshlayevskaya, was it? As such neither you or us should have any problems, lest you break NDA. While we do not cooperate with GCPD as organisation right now, we will not have any problems with hiring an affiliated individual. We will notify GCPD officials couple hours prior to the VIP's arrival."
>JoKey shrugged.
"I'm glad you're so confident, mister Cuadrado."
| "This is all the information I will provide right now. Operation's details are reserved for those who have taken the job."
>JoKey lowered his hands and leaned slightly back.
"Your decision, miss, gentlemen?"
| >>147182
"Not so much confident is reaffirming to myself that I'm glad I don't have to worry about having a moral conflict on a job that pays well. Either way I've gone through worse things that some security details so I can't complain. I would be able to handle the bulk of the cyber security."
|
| >>147183
"We find the terms acceptable"
>Ferris' frigid expression looses a barely noticeable smile
"We offer a 30 man platoon. Who will mostly be functioning in sniper and indirect fire roles over a wide area. We will also be able to provide access to most of the security cameras in the city, supplemented by our supply of aerial drones."
| "I'm glad that we've come to an agreement. On current stage we are only preparing contacts with agents."
>JoKey covered his mouth again.
"We will have a final strategic meeting on saturday. It will be held at the UKoBIaNMC embassy, as the only place we can really trust. You will be given contracts at the beginning of the meeting, with the last chance to decline job offer. Miss Ryshlayevskaya, as per our agreement, you cannot inform the rest of your men just yet."
| "I'd like to meet with you later today to give copies of our non-disclosure agreement. We have to make sure every one of your operatives signs the NDA before they know the operation's details."
| "A concrete clarification if you will"
| >JoKey nodded.
"As much as we would've loved to use the Upper Plate Project presentation as a distraction, it is supposed to happen this friday, afaik. We won't be able to prepare operation of such scale this fast. We currently expect VIP to arrive on monday, unless circumstances change."
| >>147197
"Well if everything is all set and down, how about some food then, the crab legs here are great."
>He waves over one of the waiters
| >JoKey relaxed his posture. He pressed the button on the cognito-noise emitter and put the ball away.
"Well, thats about all the details I can give out right now anyway. Miss Ryshlayevskaya, when would be the most appropriate time and place for us to meet so I can pass agreement's copies to you?"
| "We'll be here or around westport for the rest of the day actually. Or you could have it mailed to a P.O. Box for pickup."
"And you may call me Lt. Rys, Being difficult to say"
>Ferris turns to acknowledge CN
"Pleasure to have met on more favorable circumstances.
...Hero"
| >The man near the entrance waves over a waiter, while taking a sharper look at the meeting going down.
|
| "Well then, lady, gentlemen, I will be going. Still a lot of preparations to do and people to speak with. Please do not discuss the job details until our planned meeting. Now, if you excuse me, have a good evening."
>JoKey stood up, brought up his bag and headed towards the exit. Before leaving, he turned towards the Jones.
"I still have some stuff to do, so I'll come catch a meal later today. Hold me a table please."
>He exited the building and disappeared into the crowd.
| >Ferris leans back into her chair while one of her men raises his hand to signal for a waiter.
"I won't be offended if you'd take another table. But I do have one question, is your name actually Cuadrado?."
| >>149108
"Let me ask you a question with my own question: Have you found any public record related to me in any well? Police related or not?"
| "You're well known enough to be on the watchlist. We've got some records of actions, appearances and 'purchases' here and there. But nothing pertaining to a past identity."
"But hell, you don't hide your face. so you might as well be tagged as CN from the start of the records to forever."
>Ferris takes a pause
| "The reason why I asked you that question. was to gauge a bit of information of what kind of person you are If you would have lied to the UKMC in a legal document"
| "A little poke at a personality test if anything"
>She ends with a small, polite nod with one black gloved hand to her heart
| >Before JoKey leaves, the guy at the entrance gets a good look at his face.
| >>149223
You see a stern, deeply wrinkled face. Deep, brown eyes full of steel. There are multiple scars, most notable the one on his forehead — long and thin, appears to be recent. Small stains of blood are clearly visible on the edges of his mouth.
| >Satisfied, the man relaxes, leaning back on his chair.
| >>149114
"Good that's how I want it to be. Only a handful of people know my first name, and even less know my full name, and I worked for two years on it to make sure things ended up like that."
| "Besides its not like I plan on breaking the NDA anyways. The info involved in this job doesn't really help the general populace in any way so I have no reason to open my mouth. I'm actually pretty happy with that since it means I don't have to feel bad for working on a 1 mil a day zenny paycheck."
| >>149350
>Ferris breaks eye contact, crossing her arms with a heavy sigh
"You know, tampering with legal documents and running around unregistered is a serious offense"
| >>149366
>He shrugs
"You gonna arrest me? I doubt the client will ever admit to the existence of the document in court even if you did."
| "The mere fact that you have no documents to support your existence is evidence enough..."
>Ferris takes a long moment to think. Her expression visibly torn.
>Contemplating her principles intensly, she finally comes to a conclusion and gives CN a piercing stare
"But no... I won't arrest you. As far as I've seen and heard, you've been one to help people. And I can respect that."
| >>149386
"Good. Besides its not like I ever admitted to messing with the government records. Maybe the White Knights just misplaced my paperwork at some point during the transfer. They don't exactly seem like the type to properly take care of paperwork and online archives and such."
| >>149392
"-I worked for two years on it to make sure things ended up like that"
>Ferris replies coldly
| >Repeating CN's Words
| >>149463
>CN just looks back with a neutral expression
"So? I could had referred to other stuff. Like high school photos and such. You never really realize how much of a presence you leave in the Matrix until you go about removing every single trace of it."
| >>149468
>Ferris shakes her head and laughs.
"I look forward to working with you."
"hero"
>Her frigid expression breaks into a warm and cheerful smile. Raising her hand in a gesture that plays at a salute
| "*Sigh* Why you insist on calling me that I'll never know..."
| >Ferris shoots a look at her men, which they take as a signal to occupy themselves with something. One starts scrolling through his phone, while the other peruses the menu intensely
>She leans over to CN to whisper
"It's because you've caught my attention."
"I believe there's much for me to gain by stalking you"
| "-Oh did I say stalking. I meant following, Observing"
| "So am I just a means to an end then? Like Anomeat?"
| "Isn't everyone? Even friends are a means to the end of feeling better"
"I wonder, what do you think of me and what do you think my primary motive is"
>She asks innocently curious
| >The man feels a shiver go through his spinr. He tries to wave for a waiter again.
| "Honestly I don't think very highly of you. You're way too manipulative in your methods. And as for your motive I'm going to go with a twisted sense of justice or something."
| >Ferris giggles, taking it as some sort of compliment
"I was raised completely on 2 principles. To devote my life to serving my country and its people. And to accomplish that by any means necessary."
"But please. do remember that despite my 'manipulative' methods I did get the job done without hurting anyone besides the target. and not more than what was necessary"
>she continues sounding a bit hurt
| "Oh. So your an 'ends justifies the means' kind of gal. Personally I abhor that phrase... just gives people an excuse to do what they want. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and all that."
| "Who did I hurt and what wrong did I do on my hunt for AM."
"The Tuna girl received an empty threat, the effect we expected was for her to lay low."
"I didn't lay a finger on you nor AM's men. the damage done to Dr. Marley's office was limited to fake bloodstains"
"And does no one have the littlest -why- -I- Was sent to secure him"
| (littlest Idea*)
| "I gritted my teeth through his initial bullshit to at least try to help improve his mental health. Know that it's both of us. Not just him, that was forced into that situation"
| "Don't know and don't care. I'm not talking about just physical injuries, but mentals ones. Manipulations only work for so long before it comes to bite you in the ass. Eventually it's going to affect your rep to the point it doesn't matter what position of power you're in. This is the kind of thing that makes people not trust the law enforcement in the city."
| "In the end of you didn't like it you didn't have to keep being in the PD."
| >A loud car engine roaring grows outside. It can be heard for a minute or two, then the sound stops abruptly.
| >Ferris stops. composing herself back into her usual frigid expression
"It's alright. I didn't come to this city to be liked. I came to do what is asked of me"
>With another sigh, she mutters her convictions to herself
"Besides. If my manipulative bullshit gets things done. I'll be out of the city eventually."
"It was softness that made you weak"
>She speaks to herself as if reciting someone else's words
| "It was a pleasure"
>She stands and walks to take a different seat by the entrance instead. Her men following along.
| >Door to the restaurant opens and a moderately tall figure stumbles inside the restaurant. Blond teenager in a yellow buisness suit looks around with a curious look around the restaurant. A huge grin on appears on his face as he notices the man at the table near the entrance, then it becomes even wider as he notices the woman and her escorts, and then becomes unnaturaly wide as he notices CN at the table in the corner.
>Boy starts casually strolling towards the bar.
| "Here we go..."
>The man mutters to himself.
| >>149504
"Softness is not a weakness, it just means you care. Not that that's a bad thing..."
>He goes to check a notification on his phone
"Goodbye then Ferris. I'm sure we'll have more time to talk when the job starts."
| >>149508
>Ferris sits at a nearby table, nonchalantly scrolling through her PDA. She's obviously noticed his presence, but doesn't say anything
| >Meanwhile the boy in the yellow buisness suit reached his destination, and raised his hand, greeting the girl in sailor uniform behind the bar, confident smile on his face.
"Hi there miss. Can I get something quick and not too strong? I'm driving, so wouldn't want to get too tipsy. A simple snack would be also nice."
|
| >servers move to get food for anyone else quickly
(I'm not good on a lot of fronts)
| "King."
>Teenager answers with genuine honesty, as he leans on the bar slightly.
"Just don't laugh, that's really my name. Second one, actually, but it sounds, well, exactly as it sounds. So I prefer to use it instead of the first one."
>His eyes openly check the girls uniform, looking for a name badge.
"Now that you know my name, you've gotta tell me yours."
| >CN finishing his meal and payed, walks up to Fisherman Jones before leaving
"Hey Fisherman Jones can I ask you something? The fishermen are going to be in the forum correct?"
| >>150463
"Well, then Kingfish. Oh, I need an ID first."
>she says holding the shaker in one hand.
"Names Aquarius Pisces Jones."
| >>150464
"Yar. They didn't want me specifically there but they're not going to be able to keep the others out. Why?"
| >>150466
"Well I was wondering if I could I accompany them to the forum? If you want as like a data analyst or something in a official capacity."
| >>150465
"Oh-ho, now that is a really gracious name."
>King replies, while taking an ID card out of the pocket on his chest and handing it over to Aquarius.
"Not to sound trivial, but it suits you. The person who named you has a great eye."
| >>150469
"Well honestly... I'm worried about what may occur. This feels like the summit that happened last year and while I made it out of there, it wasn't unscathed. If something does happen I want to make sure those events don't happen again in the same way. Im not sure how much of a difference I can make but I still want to try... plus it may also be a good opportunity to gather some dirt on the other corporations."
| >>150478
>he stares at you for a while and relents
"Well we can have one stay in West Port and get you in. But I expect you to share anything you find."
| >>150482
"Yar. Well. Its going to be coming soon. We can work out the details now or a bit later."
| >>150476
"You're welcome."
>Boy answers with a beaming smile.
>According to the ID 'King's age is 19.
| >>150484
"Whatever works for you. Regardless I imagine all the groups will end up in one room in the end since it is a forum after all."
| >>150485
>the girl gives a bit of a smirk as she looks which quickly fades and drops the shaker
"Ah, damn... I'll have to make another one."
>she hands back the card and gets to work
| >>150488
>after a few more seconds she hands a glass of pink and bubbles with carbonation.
"Here you are mino."
| "Ah—!"
>'King' exclaimed as he noticed the shaker slip.
"I'll pay for two."
>He sighed.
"'No' is not an option, by the way."
>Previous confident smile returned on his face as he got his ID back.
"Thanks, your grace."
>He returned as he accepted the drink.
| "Can I also get a snack from your beautiful hands, or do I need to take a table for that?"
>'King' asked, and took a careful sip from the glass.
| >AM, sitting near the entrance, waves for one of the waiters.
| >Teenager looked around, noting a now free table in the corner.
"Oh can I get then of crab cake portion small to that amazing seat over here?"
>He declared, dramatically spinning around away from the bar and landing in the free seat, face towards the bar.
| >>150513
>she talks to a scottish man with a machine gun for a leg who looks in your direction and then makes their way to the stairs in the back."
>>150510
one of the other servers comes by to take your order
| >AM smiles as they come up.
"Ah, finally. You guys have Fish and Chips?"
| >>150531
"sure"
>they take your order after a few minutes they bring it to you
>>150513
after a few minutes the scotsman brings your order to you
| "Big thank you. I'll pay right now."
>'King' took a credstick from one of his pockets and offered it to the scottish man.
"Add drink's price to the tip please."
>Boy smiled.
| >>150538
>he nods, and makes the payment and hands back the chip.
>then he goes over to the girl in the sailor uniform.
"You think they'll do a placebo thing?"
"Possibly."
| >'King' nods as he receives the chip back and turns to his meal, getting through both the glass and cake at a surprising speed.
| >AM finishes his meal, satisfied.
"Bill please."
| "Thank you for the meal."
>He leaves a disposable cred stick, which as a bit more than the required amount, as he begins to put his coat on.
| >Teenager in yellow finally finishes off his order, and heads out, turning around at the doors to wave to Aquarius. He winks to AM as he exits the restaurant backwards.
>A minute later loud engine roaring comes from the outside.
|
| "looks like it's time"
>Ferris stands up, giving an AM a small nod and heads out with her men following along.
>On the table is a credstick left as payment, rounded up to leave a decent tip
| "Funny the people you meet at lunch."
>AM says to nobody in particular, before heading out.
This thread is permanently archived
| >On the side of one of the many streets in West Port stands a particularly weird building. Big wooden restaurant with a weird, huge, stupid-looking blue fish figure on top. Fisherman Jones was surprisingly empty today. Aside for the kilted scotsman and a girl in sailor form at the bar, only a couple visitors seem to be enjoying their meal at the moment.