Never tell the truth when a lie will do.

[Markovnikov]

It'd been about six months since Monday had last visited Mimi's Diner at Barrier Gate - but he was comforted by how little anything had changed since then - or since had been assigned there almost a decade ago. The same bartender served at the same bar to the same five or six regulars that sat at their same places. It was always a slow thursday evening at Mimi's Diner.

"We have case of grenadine arrive from Los Angeles," snapped the barkeep, in a thick coalition-ish accent. His voice cut over the ambiant noise of idle chatter and the clinking of glasses - there was substantially less hostility in the harshness of his tone now, perhaps from the years of patronage.

"I'll have my usual, then." Monday sat down at his usual second to last seat at the end of the bar - sliding a ledger diskette from his coat pocket onto the counter for the barkeep.

The room quieted - as the regulars stood up and scattered to close down the Diner in practiced unison.

The barkeep bowed his head and closed his eyes for a moment, raising his head once more but with a cold composure. The Bartender placed the palm of his hand over the diskette, as his left eye darted widly in its socket for several moments.
"I've transferred the bounty funds from Auxesia and the Molly bounty board to the cleaners for our operational funds. Do you have anything else to report?"

Monday failed to hide his rather visceral discomfort for but a few fractions of a moment. "We've seen increased Liberty patrols around the border worlds, corroborating the rumors that we may be seeing an incursion into Inverness soon enough - the Auxesians have increased patrols and locked the system down. Per our standing orders regarding assisting with the independence of Inverness and Coronado, I've begun earning their trust as an independent operator."

The Bartender narrowed his gaze on Monday's face.
"Herr Siegfried has returned to resume his duties as Flotillenadmiral and made a site visit while you were in Dublin. He was quite satisfied with your current progress. The briefing he provided indicates that relations with the Auxesians and the Buro have soured, of late - but that your standing orders remain unchanged. He's also brought you some new equipment to supplement your current kit - STALACTITE and VOIDBLAST turrets which should prove useful enough to assist your work while providing a flashy and more importantly non Rheinlandic ship profile that will help you build reputation."

The beginnings of a grin briefly cracked on Monday's face. The Old Man's return boded well for Monday's operations - it was the Old Man that was the architect for his extended missions out here in the first place.
"Regarding my work in Dublin, I believe that working with the Mollys and Auxesia will be effective in proving our usefulness to the regional underworld. We just repelled a major Bretonian offensive but they'll likely start again soon."

"Coincidentally, Herr Siegfried has an interest in supporting the Provisional Republic as well. The Extended Logistics wing has been shipping defensive materials to the Republic for a few weeks now. He'd like for you to temporarily assist them in defending Dublin - though, you are to avoid firing upon Rheinland vessels where at all possible unless fired upon first."

Monday stood from his seat and started towards the door.
"In that case, I will return to Dublin as soon as we're cleared. The hole in the Bretonian blockade will probably not last much longer."

"Good hunting, Magpie."