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+--- Thread: Ageira Exposed (/showthread.php?tid=11294)
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Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Manhattan***
Ageira Technologies director of development Jeremy Booth was getting his daily brief. On the 4 paged report, he reads with loud voice...
"...an engineer specialized on telecommunications has invented a new and very prolific way of sending huge amounts of data through deep space, thus rendering the normal transmissions via trade lanes obsolete..."
Hmm he thought. I will have to search for this man. His work might be of importance to us. Suddenly, he leaves his office, and heads for the Bureau of Communications, from Manhattan.
Arriving at his destination, he asks: Who is this man? The one mentioned in this report?
He receives a quick response:He is a promising engineer born on Denver, Colorado. He got his grades at the University of Colorado, and currently he is working on Pueblo Station. His name is John Frost.
Oh, perfect... tell him Jeremy Booth summons him at his office, on Manhattan. Prepare a special convoy, and transport him here. Use an armored transport, and take care of him. Royally. Understood? Jeremy said.
The attendant responds in a hurry:Yes sir. I will make it happen now sir. When do you want to see him?
Whenever he arrives. Preferred if this evening. I will clear my schedule for him. Goodbye.
After this words, he goes in his private library, smoking and reflecting... If this works, he'll get rich and famous. And Liberty will get more safe, Hackers won't be able to steal the informations from the Trade Lanes or Jump Gates... a dream. Little did he knew, that the man he was to meet was indeed a member of the Hellfire Legion, sent to plunder Liberty... and that he was under direct orders from the Legion's Executive Commander.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Manhattan, later that day***
Booth was in his office, watching the news.
The Group 0 Terrorist group, the Hellfire Legion, assisted by the Lane Hackers, made a bold move, taking a small flotilla of ships in New York, wreaking havoc as they passed. Our Navy was able to thwart the attack, but it was taken by surprise. Several Bounty Hunter allied vessels were destroyed, along with numerous Navy patrols. But rest assured that Liberty was, is and will forever be sa...
A knocking sound from the door... Booth stopped his TV. He said Enter.
A tall man, well built, impressive at the first sight, entered the room. After him, was Booth's assistant.
She spoked loudly:Sir? This is John Frost, the man you asked to see.
Alright. Mister Frost, take a seat. Make yourself comfortable. A drink? and he made a subtle sign to his assistant to go away.
Thank you sir for seeing me, and yes, I would take a drink. The trip was long and tiring, and I am so thirsty...
Very well. Assistant! Get us some Liberty Ale... No. Make that a strong, dry gin. With lemon and water please. Thank you.
He then returns to Frost and says:Son, I heard you are working on a new way of transmitting data through deep space...
Yes, sir. You know, how the Navy coordinates their actions in a system? Basically sir, it's the same principle, on a larger scale. You can send valid informations to another starship, base or whatever point in space, from the transmitter, with an incredible accuracy. I can fill you in the details...
No need son, I believe you. I heard that this is still on the drawing board, correct?
Yes sir, from my salary I can't do too much, the research is expensive as hell...
How much money do you need?
I estimated, that this technology is feasible in around 5 years. With a budget of... 100 million credits per year, give or take a few thousands.
Five years?!? FIVE?? Son, we need this. Look at the news tablets. Our enemies are jumping on us more than ever. And they know every move we take. We need every advantage in order to win!.. he stops to take a breath, then continues:Alright, how much do you need to make this work, in a few months?
Uh oh... way more than that sir. Billions?
Done. Whatever you ask, you will receive, from the Ageira Technologies, our suppliers, and funds from the Liberty Government. Begin your work as soon as possible.
Yes sir, about that. I will need a safe place, remote, and without eyes and ears. For all we know, we can be spied upon on Manhattan.
Yea, you have a point. I know a low place. You choose. California Minor, in California System, or Detroit Munitions, in New York.
Detroit sir? Isn't that under constant attacks from Xenos?
That's why it will make such a perfect place for this kind of research. The Xenos never do real damage, and we like to let it this way, even if they think they're stealing our shield busters that we produce there. Everybody thinks that's not a safe zone, and no one sane would place the HQ of a top secret research there.
Sir... that's just brilliant! They don't really harm us, that's the last place they expect us to do work... that's perfect.
It is son. No one will know you're even there. Now, I prepared a room for ya. Finish your drink, and prepare to go in three days. I will do the necessary preps for your new home. You will have a starting budget of two billion credits, and the total funds are limitless. Just work and do this as quick as you can. You can go now. We'll meet tomorrow.
Great... thank you sir.
As Frost finishes his drink, and he gets lead to his room, Booth thinks to himself:Oh my... if this works... I will assure a fat retirement...
When in his room, Frost pulls a small communicator from his pocket. He whispers in it:Frost here. All is set sir. Prepare for some funds and tactical informations, with love from the Liberty Government. Frost out.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Detroit Munitions base, three days later***
A pair of transports and their escorts take off from Manhattan. Their destination was Detroit Munitions base, and they were heading for the trade lane.
This is Convoy BF-4 to Manhattan... everything is on green. Proceeding to Detroit. Leader out.
In a few minutes, they were over the station. Some Xenos, doing the regular daily strike on the station got scared by the convoy and it's escorts and fled the scene in a hurry.
What a disarray through their ranks... no wonder they're so ineffective Frost thought.
Mister Frost? A voice said. We are at our destination. The materials have been deposited on the station. All is set. Sir?
Yes yes...he was broken from his thoughts. I am coming, will be on the station's deck in 2 minutes.
On the deck, the station's commander, Sarah Ward, greeted him.
Mr. Frost, welcome to Detroit! We've heard you will do some research here... Top secret and other craps from the government... and she laughs. What's the Navy up to nowadays?
Nothing that secret madam... it's just about data transmissions. No prototype gunnery, or whatever. You know how the government reacts to these things... they label everything as TOP SECRET.
Yea, you're right. Follow me, I'll show where are your quarters. Heard you'll spend some months here with us.
Yea, I'll be around for some time. After you show me my quarters, lead me to my lab. These guys are pressing me hard, they want results soon.
Hehehe... they always want quick results. In my opinion, they throw the cash too easily just to get a thing released with a couple of months earlier. Two months ahead the schedule, and for a research project like yours, the budget triples. Not the best way to do a deal nowadays.. eh?
Yea... Frost said. Then he was a bit surprised. She knew a bit too much about the Liberty officials, their policies in these things... what was going on?
She must be a spy. Sent here to keep me under observation... or maybe it's one of our agents. I will find out later. he thought.
...alright this is your quarters. You'd better remember the way... hehe
Yea, funny eh? I'm barely here and you expect me to know this station inside out...
Yea, I do and she smiles. And at the end of this corridor, is your lab. Get on with your work... we'll hear of each other soon.
Alright... and I guess I'll hear much about yourself from now on he said.
He took quick steps towards his lab, and he started testing his "theories". This research was done on the Legion's research centers, Frost was no engineer, and surely not a genius capable of inventing such a thing. He was just a soldier... ready to die for his cause.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Detroit, one month into the research***
Frost was doing his daily work. This plan was set up by Executive Commander Aethulu, in order to spy with a greater efficiency on the Liberty Naval Fleet, their troop dispositions, troop effectiveness, and all the rest.
In the meantime, he was informed that Sarah Ward, the station's commander is actually working for the Rogues, and she was his contact with the outside world. Somewhere between Detroit and the California gate was a Hacker Gunship, gathering all data Frost was receiving about funds, and getting back instructions. That ship was the OPerational Command Centre of the Hacker Expeditionary Force.
Frost, a good and agile negotiator, was constantly draining funds for various inexistent difficulties, and un-needed materials for his "research". Then he would pass out the account numbers and passwords, while the OPCC could dry them and re-send those funds towards the Lane Hackers and the Hellfire Legion.
By having access to the Naval Intelligence Network, or NIN, and the LSF intelligence, Frost could read the daily brief of the LSF's Director, Brian Copeland before it hit the desk of the intended official... that was insane.
A few more months passed...
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Manhattan, three months in the project "Quick Silver"***
LSF Director, Brian Copeland attends to a meeting with Ageira's Director of Development, Jeremy Booth.
Mister Booth, I came here to get a full brief on the project Quick Silver from the man in charge. You. It drains a huge amount of resources, monetary and otherwise. What's going on? A few experimental satellites have been placed in Texas and California, and you successfully sent data to them. Isn't that meaning that the project got it's promised results?
Sir, basically it is done. All we need to know is that these data bursts are safe to transmit. We're working on developing a security protocol for the transmissions now. One so good, that it will take years for our opponents to discover and read the data inside a transmission.
Mmm. Alright. A simple question then. Why you'd test your protocol with high security data? For example, you transmitted the location of our forces from California to and from Detroit. Was that a secure transmission?
Yes, sir.
But you said that the protocol isn't finished yet... what's really going on here?
Sir, these are the final touches. It will be ready soon. Two weeks tops.
Mhm. As you say. I smell something fishy here, and I will do a full investigation on the matter. Have a good day mister Booth.
You too, sir.
Hard times were coming for Frost, he was about to be discovered. And he had absolutely no clue about this...
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***On the board of the OPCC, almost three months in the project***
Sarah Ward was onboard. She was doing the final relays of intelligence data towards Mactan Base, using the same principle, only way more advanced than the one in the Project Quick Silver.
All of the sudden, on the main screen, Commander Aethulu appears.
This is Executive Commander of the Hellfire Legion. I wish to speak with Frost.
Hello sir, I am Sarah Ward. Frost is not here sir. Want me to relay a message to him?
NO, I SAID I WANT TO TALK TO HIM. As in, in person. Get him to a communicator, because I want to have a few words with the man.
Yes sir.
After a few minutes, Ward managed to get a stable connection via the OPCC between Aethulu and Frost.
OPCC*** Link Engaged
Frost! Have read your reports. What do you mean, the OPCC is overwhelmed? With data or what?
Yes, sir. Frost said. As Mrs. Ward can explain, the amount of data is too great. We're falling behind schedule, and soon the volumes of transmissions will overwhelm our current capabilities. We request another OPCC ship, and another 2 Gunboat-class escort ships.
Ward? You're the expert on communications here. Is that true?
Yes sir... I'd suggest to bring a Battleship-class vessel here to act as OPCC.
All our forces and capital ships included are tied down.
We can use the Ven'Gyr... the one I've built for the Legion.
That's the OPCC we use in our raids in California. Sorry can't be done. The other capital ships are assigned to defend Vespucci. Propose something else.
Actually, I do have a backup plan... Frost said.
I'm listening...
Here's the account number and password of a Liberty Bank deposit. It contains 2 billion credits. Use that to build a new Spyglass... we really need a new OPCC as soon as possible.
Frost, you never cease to amaze me. Alright, it'll be ready within a week. I will give you the bone of another Spyglass we were building, but ran out of funds. That's how you'll get yourself a new OPCC. Farewell. And keep in touch. Aethulu out.
Roger that sir. Frost out.
OPCC*** Link Disengaged
Hmm. I'll have a new Battleship, which will be MINE after this mission. I'll christen it...
Scythe.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Manhattan, a bit over 3 weeks in the project Quick Silver***
LSF Director finally realized what was going on. He put piece to piece, head to head, and he got the full picture now. Frost was a man of the Legion, along with Ward. Or something similar. They had to be stopped. He realized that the Legion and it's allies had access to their intelligence, they never hit the Liberty Navy so hard, and run without any losses. At all.
Alright, this is Fleet Command. All units report. said director Copeland.
FC, this is the cruiser San Diego. Identification code AC-1. Please give instructions sir. Leader out.
AC-1, set course to Detroit. We're using the old communication protocols, and trade lanes. They don't hear us. Also, DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT USE the trade lanes. Fly through open space from West Point to Detroit.
Understood. Proceeding with the operation.
Hard times were coming over the Hacker Expeditionary Force. Fortunately, the new OPCC, the Scythe, which arrived only two days ago, saw them moving. This was looking bad. Another fleet was launched from Manhattan. They were trapped. If they would evacuate to the OPCC and try to do a run for it, they would face possible destruction. They needed a better plan.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Onboard the old OPCC, two hours later***
Sarah Rain was anxiously waiting for instructions from the Legion's OPCC from California.
Beep beep beep... New transmission.
This is Aethulu. New plan. Tell Frost to stay on Detroit, and not to resist arrest. In the mean time, you take out the trade lane which links Detroit with Manhattan, then leave in a hurry. You'll play a role in his extraction later on.
Yes sir. Sarah said.
Alright, so from what the OPCC tells us, you have a bunch of fighters and bombers coming from Manhattan. And a cruiser, two gunboats, and support vessels coming from West Point.
Yes sir. What should we do? We obviously can't tackle and win this one.
Yea, you're right. You meet with the other Hacker GS and position yourself East of Detroit, 11 clicks.
What about the RA-4 GB the rogues sent to aid us sir?
I've given new instructions for that one. Relax, you just play your part. If hopefully all goes as planned, you will be a hero by tonight, miss Ward.
I hope so too, sir.
Back on Detroit, Frost was informed of what's happening. And he decided to play it stupid.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***Detroit Munitions base, one hour after the last communication***
This is AC-1 Leader hailing FC. We have apprehended the subject.
Copeland here. Did he tried to resist arrest?
No sir, he was actually surprised. He kept asking us "what's going on", "what's the meaning of this", etc. Instructions?
Find his little girlfriend. Capture her, ALIVE, and bring them to me. I will be waiting.
Coordinates sir?
Battleship Missouri. Don't be late.
Frost heard this conversation. THE MISSOURI?!? he thought. He won't have a chance to break away from that. Top security prison cells. Torture. Why he didn't tried to escape?
An officer entered in his cell aboard the AC-1 Leader. He was followed by two armed guards, and he decided to try nothing at this moment.
Frost! On your feet! the officer shouted.
Yes... what did I do now? Frost asked.
You have been arrested for treason. he said. Due to the fact that you have connections, and you willingly sold sensitive information to the Terrorist Group 0 Class Hellfire Legion, you are to be debriefed, and interrogated upon arriving at our destination...
Debriefed and interrogated. Frost thought. As in, beaten and tortured, to speak everything he knew. Then probably he was to be fed to the fishes on Manhattan.
...you have lost your human rights, for a fair trial and the stance of not guilty, due to the fact that you cooperated and helped to achieve the demise of the Liberty Government. That is punishable by death, ejection in space, or by firing squad. Your choice.
Frost realized that the man never stopped talking, and he probably lost a good part of his pointless rant. He was dead meat, unless the Legion tried something, and he was realizing that.
I will answer on how to die when we get to that point, alright?
Very well. said the officer as he was leaving. Move us out! he shouted afterwards.
Frost felt how the ship was moving... but they weren't taking any trade lanes. He was lost, he knew it.
Ageira Exposed - Edge - 08-15-2008
***In the same time, aboard the OPCC***
Sarah Ward, please come in. This is the Flight Control. Please respond. Over.
What? an angry voice was heard.
New orders, mrs. You are to intercept the hostiles coming from Manhattan. Take your Gunship, and the other one to assist you in your mission. Goodspeed. OPCC out.
We're staying... we're going.. make up your minds already!
Proceed as instructed, OPCC over and out.
Alright... Ward out.
On the AC-1 Convoy, the Leader was contacted by the Fleet Command.
This is FC, Director Copeland. What's your status, AC-1?
Sir, we have been already attacked twice by rogue fighters sir. They never ever attack Naval cruisers. We had damage on our power distribution and the hull suffered moderate damage. They have disabled a gunboat, we saved the crew, and scuttled the ship. We have also lost most of our fighter cover. Please advise.
Damnit! Probably the HF intruder haves a hypodermic transmitter. Do a full sweep on him and neutralize it. NOW!!!
Yes sir.
A few minutes passed, and they found the transmitter Frost used to broadcast his position to the OPCC. Now he really thought he's lost.
Sir, this is AC-1 Leader. Threat removed. We suffered yet another attack. We've destroyed all hostiles, but now the remaining ships in the convoy are damaged, losing H-Fuel, and we won't be able to get to Missouri.
Alright, scanning for alternatives. Can you atleast reach West Point on your own?
No sir. We need an emergency redirect. Now, before it's too late.
Alright, here's how we are going to do. Proceed to sector 3-B/C, middle section. There is a hidden Naval Depot. A repair ship will wait you there. You will receive supplies and ammo from that location. When you reach that destination, you will transfer the prisoner to the repair ship, and you will scatter in all directions. Understood?
Yes sir.
An organized disarray, to confuse the Hackers. That sounds bad... and the situation gets from bad to worse for Frost.