Adrian Malprave got really lucky. He got an assignment of the highest priority. He knew that a success will elevate him to the new heights within The Inner Circle. Adrian was also very unlucky. This assignment was of a critical importance. He was well aware that in an event of a failure he better just kill himself straight away. There was simply no point to delay the inevitable and risk the punishment. For his mission there was no room for mistakes and nothing could be left to a coincidence. For this reason, Adrian was reading Admiral Victoria Knight's dossier for the fifteenth time. He knew by heart where she was born, what was her first pet's name and when did she lost her virginity. He memorized all the faces, names and ranks of her known closest staff. He inhaled a small dose of Cardamine to clear his mind.
- Little Adrian got a big mission. But which Adrian should undertake it? - he spoke to himself while going through his recent incarnations.
Adrian the Poor Wretch[resource] was good enough to maintain a role of an unimportant and harmless nobody. It allowed him to get into the Inner Circle and survive the initiation without too many questions asked, but it certainly won't work with the Admiral. Neither will Adrian the Honorable Gaijin[resource], a role he so masterfully played during recent talks with the Blood Dragons.
- Knight is just a soldier. A diplomat will be for her another typical Liberty politician, someone you do not like nor trust. But soldiers respect strength...
He first thought about Adrian The Cutthroat[resource], a role he used during talks with the Unioners. But then he realized that Harmony officers are still rookies in the underworld. Unlike Unioners, they have not been yet corrupted by decades of abuse, struggle for survival and cruel laws of the frontier. Bawdy language and complete disrespect for any values will not earn their respect.
- Mirror! Visualization: Harris Defense Force battledress. Stripped insignia. - he issued commands to the invisible AI controller.
A wall in Malprave's personal cabin aboard Airdrie Hideout turned into a mirror. A visualization algorithm created an overlay with the battle uniform adjusted to the Lane Hacker's body shape. Adrian drew himself out, took a stiff posture and started to experiment with his facial expressions. He started his training and after eight hours of working on his vocabulary, posture, way of walking and non-verbal communication, Adrian smiled.
- Soldier, you have your orders! - he said to himself and saluted.
Ten hours later a lone Vindicator fighter entered Discovery's docking bay. A Lane Hacker exited it and was escorted to the officers' lounge doors. Adrian Malprave energetically walked into the room hastily prepared for his arrival and stood at an attention.
- Infiltrator Adrian Malprave to Admiral Victoria Knight. - he said while focusing his eyes on the void directly in front of him.
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