Commonwealth Recruitment Channel

[Enkidu]

*With a visage tightened with the cords of disdain, Nadeau glowers at his adversary, before suddenly snapping into a tinny, oxymoronic chuckle.*

Whine, plead, grovel… now where within that limelight hugging body of spiritual whoredom lies your respect for another man's hypocrisies?"

"…It is a pleasant anomaly to be confronted with a person possessive of an ardent intolerance for another's societal bloopers. Such a precondition is as refreshing as it is mandatory for any pertinent applicant. Thus far, you have manifested as a pertinent applicant."


*Appears to be clapping, rhythmically, slowly, the odd, illegible grin syncopating the whole.*

"…You pass the primary test with your standard aloft, despite facing the slight marring quality that you abstained from noting that any of the offered cues were in fact deliberate responsive snares, in a phrase; aural man-traps. Whilst a few remained open to seal at the ankles the majority of the exchange proved adequately cohesive. Provide yourself with a pat on the back instead of a boot to the spine."

"…Now all that awaits is to match an insignia to your shoulders. Proceed to Commonport Two at your leisure - you certainly bear mine."

"…You have been duped ami - but preferably the experience is naught but educational."

"Till we meet for more overtly bracing greet, adieu."

---

THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

Information | Recruitment | Message Dump |
Feedback | Diplomatic channel

(Links pending redevelopment).

[CinnamonStickk]

>>> Halting Current Program . . .
>>> Encrypted Video File Detected
>>> Initiating Decryption 0% . . . . . . . . . . .47% ERROR!
>>> Unable To Locate Neural Net ID Code
>>> Resolving Error . . . . . . . . . . . .
>>> ATTENTION! Unidentified Signal Has Been Supported And Mounted
>>> Reattempting Decryption 47% . . . . . . . .100%
>>> Opening Video File On Main Monitor . . .

*The video appears blacked out at first, a light in turned on and a hooded man appears, his face darked and unidentifiable in the dim light.*

"Sorry for all the subterfuge, I hope you understand that one cannot make waves without knowing
that someone is undoubtable trying to stop the waves.
I for one, have a lot of enemies and so I cannot join you in an open communications channel.
But, I'm sure you don't want to hear about the people trying to kill me. Onto business."

*The man shifts and readjusts the camera slightly; his face still a mystery.*

"For security and personal reasons; the alias "Mengsk" will suffice. As you are probably well aware I have extensive experience in hacking in
every meaning of the word.
Trade lanes, corporate systems, neural nets, communications of all kinds, AI's, ship systems..."

*The man scratches his exposed neck, the light revealing a portion of his lower face. A smug smile appears across the lit mouth.*

"...even military channels and systems. Oh...and the dirty little secrets they all have."

*A pause. Then a loud drawn out sigh.*

"Alas...there is no money in knowledge without the right
application. That is where I believe the Commonwealth can change that. "

*Another pause and shift from the hooded man.*

"I wish to join the Commonwealth. After hearing and
reading what I have, I do not wish to be stuck in some forsaken part of Sirius when all of the chaos unfolds...and get rich in the meantime.
I'm young so I guess that means I'm quick at learning. Please, the least I want from this deal, is more knowledge."

*The hooded man looks to the left of the screen, peering at a nearby screen.*

"Before I go; I'll be sending all my messages through secure files like this one. Don't worry, I can boost your decryption capabilities from here."

*The man shifts the camera again.*

"If you want to contact me, just run the file I just uploaded to your systems. Don't worry, its not malicious.
Just a simple program that allows you to send a message to my systems here. "

*The man looks around. As if spotting something he spins back to the camera.*

"Think about it. Mengsk out."

>>> . . . End Of Video File
>>> Attachment Automatically Saved Onto System As "Play.Mengsk"
>>> Video File Deleted
>>> Unidentified Signal Terminated
>>> Resuming Halted Program . . .

---

"Who?...Me? I'm just a harmless Freelancer; A free spirit, a feather in the wind, a wan- Oh. The Cardamine. I'm holding it for a friend."

[Remnant]

The screen flashes on with a video response. A woman is standing in the center of a room looking obviously made for returning Neural Net transmissions. Her clothes were rather bland consisting of a hoodie and loose fitting pants. Leaning forward, she gives a small smirk.

"Konnichiwa, Guten Tag, Hello, and.. 'ello. Ah, and whatever greeting and dialect I missed. Well then, I must say that rude awakenings is something that I am not a fan of. It's slightly irritating that when I wake up and find this in the recieved transmissions list, the encryption this thing was forced through lowered the quality enough to shove the monitor down to 1080p while displaying."

Stiffiling a sigh. Raising a finger in the air a few seconds later.

"However, I admit that you are not what I expected 'Mengsk'. I have encountered a wide variety of different people in my lifetime, but the thought process of guarding such heavy.. ahh.. Secrets, and merely using them as a bragging point is rather interesting."

"I cannot shoot down the quest for knowledge. I personally desire the very same thing myself. I am sure the others within the Commonwealth gun for the forbidden fruit of the tree of life openly as well. We do not desire to be part of the silly systems of Sirius on which many people are subjigated to live under. The Houses. They do not come without their merits, and admittidly Sirius would be a horrible place without out them. It infact does allow the others of this world to find a place. However that place is not for everyone. "

"I am well aware that some people merely wish to get away of everything. The Commonwealth was a result of that idea. Ahh.. back to the subject of knowledge. I am going to speak frankly. I do not care very much of the wellbeing of the others outside our little circle. This however does not mean that I wish to go after them as well. The Commonwealth exists to move forward. For ourselves. Nobody else."

"Enough of the appeals. Tangents is something that I am vunerable to, unlike my predasessors. The irritating Achille Nadeau, and Robert d'Autoine, and I must appologize about that."

"What you claim to have at your fingertips.. Being bluntly, what do you want. More knowledge, that is quite a noble cause. However there is one very important thing that I see lacking right now. Of course, that may merely because you seem so.. cautious of hiding your identity."

"Identity can be a powerful thing, however I find it quite.. unneccisary seeing the amount of encryption you pushed into this thing. The only others that I have heard who can do such as you have, would be the Lane Hackers."

"The Commonwealth is quite.. different in reguards to most things however. We do not care who you are. 'I' do not care who you are. Many of us are polar opposites to each other internally, however our lack of desire to learn about each other brings us to new heights."

"I ask only one mere thing. What do you desire, and why. I'd imagine you can be slightly more indepth then you have right now. If it's from world-peace, to world-domination, I could care less. However, a sight of a drive is all I desire to understand."

"Think about it. I'd imagine i'll be hearing of you in the future."

-- End --

[CinnamonStickk]

>>> File "Play.Mengsk" Deleted
>>> File "New.Message.From.Mengsk" Saved
>>> ATTENTION! Unidentifiable Signal Detected
>>> Boosting Signal Strength
>>> "New.Message.From.Mengsk" Encryption Detected
>>> Encryption Overwritten
>>> Opening Video File On Main Monitor. . .

*The same hooded man appears on camera, his face shrouded in the carefully placed light. You notice the background has changed since the last video message. Perhaps he moved.*

"Hello and sorry again for causing any inconvenience with this form of communication. I'm afraid its the only thing I can trust at this point in time."

*He shifts in his seat, uncomfortably moving to better face the camera.*

"Hacking is an artform. Infiltration at it's finest. Every artist adds their personal touch, a flourish if you like. Everyone leaves a trace of some sort, no matter how large or small this trace is, I long to find who left it. That's how I began to do what I do. A mystery begging to be solved."

*The man pauses and rubs his chin exposing his lower face*

"To be quite honest. I'm not entirely sure what I seek or desire. I like to think I have goals, but the more I think about it. I'm just gathering knowledge and solving mysteries because its what I know how to do. It's all I know. That right there is my biggest flaw..."

*The hooded figure lets out a sigh and shrugs, leaning back in his seat.*

"...I guess I'm just a wild card. No one knows what its going to be, if its going to help or hinder them in their endeavours. But people play the wild card all the same. Savouring the moments before revealing it. "

*The man pauses then springs forward close to the camera, an obvious show of excitement.*

"But here is the juicy bit. Illusion and perception are the most powerful tools. Keep your enemies and allies confused and no one will be able to predict your next action. Causing paranoia and fear, those caught with the animalistic disease quickly make mistakes. And that, is when you strike."

*He sits back in his chair catching his breath after speaking quickly.*

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I use my anonymity for my own sake. It excites me to know that people are asking questions that only I know the answer to. Petty as though it sounds, we all have to have a hobby don't we?"

*The man takes a drink from a glass placed off screen.*

"As you said: The Lane Hackers are good at what they do, but they make the flaw of getting caught, being identified gives people a face to catch, makes it easy. Quite easy to code the data they use too...Anyway. The point I'm trying to make clear is that I seek more knowledge. It is a game to me, another challenge waiting to be solved. Perhaps if the Commonwealth can use my skills, maybe put a greater motive or driving force behind my childlike attitude, might help me refocus."

*The man leans forward to the camera, his right arm stretched behind the camera.*

"Feel free to pry. I think it's time to settle down. Mengsk out."

*The camera switches off.*

>>> . . . End Of Video File
>>> File "Play.Mengsk" Restored
>>> Unidentifiable Signal Terminated
>>> ATTENTION! Decryption Data Lost

---

"Who?...Me? I'm just a harmless Freelancer; A free spirit, a feather in the wind, a wan- Oh. The Cardamine. I'm holding it for a friend."

[Remnant]

The same person shows up once more, however wearing a slightly different set of clothes. Once again preferring to go with the more baggy type.

"Your words have allowed me to learn a good deal of things behind who you are. However I honestly cannot tell if I am satisified or not yet. You are graciously kind to admit that you have a childlike attitude, which I am able to relate quite a few people I know of to. Despite being the more.. 'difficult' people to fit into society, I have noticed that kinds of people with a mind like that tend to accomplish things that others do not even think of."

Running a hand through her long hair down to above her waist idly, eyeing the text of the message transcript for a few moments.

"I do have some slight dissapointment. Illusion and preception are very powerful tools, you are precisely right. The Commonwealth has lasted and has gotten to where we are now precisely due to those two things. Although 'you' come out with an alias. You come out with a hooded figure, and most importantly, you come out causing others to ask questions. You are not doing it with the utmost efficiency that can be achived with someone of a smart mind."

"Why hide in the shadows, when you can hide in plain sight? Many of us within the Commonwealth circle do not really appreciate the 'hidden' life as you seem to do. It is too much of a hassle, and frankly? It is hindering beyond belief. It has perks compared to the former, sure. However does it all add up? Personal preference is the only thing that can answer that question."

"No matter. I am not interested in prying. I care about who you really are, as much as I would care if my 'dear' friend Achillie flew accsidently into a star. Not very much at all."

"You call with interest of the Commonwealth. I have but one request for you. Come and have a drink with me. Consider my overall interest perked. Not of who you are, or what you can do. But instead the delightful gears of that head of yours. If you wish to decline out of this secrecy which you hold, that is your decision. This is your show. Make use of it."

"Attached to this message is the Freeport which we reside in most of the time. There's a nice little bar that I tend to hang around, believe me. You will find it. It sticks out beyond belief due to the 'interesting' people within. A.. pre-cursor to an invitation I suppose is one way to push it."

"Until then."

---

Location Attached - Freeport Ten - Sylvania Dome

[Omicron]

To my cousin, Robert.

I hope you remember me and your uncle, I bet it would have been hard to forget this man. To cut it short, due to our nobility status he tried to put me as an officer to Gallic Royal Navy... through it did not worked as he had hoped for, you may have a general idea why. Eventually, it became apparent that to continue to live in luxury I am accustomed with, I had to take matters into my own hands. I always was interested in this "Sirius" everyone was speaking about and I knew you established splendid establishment somewhere near.

I do hope you were not the one to choose this name, Robert... sincerely, "Zoner"? Gallic accounts did mentioned some irregulars sitting outside civilized space. As I explored this concept, I can kind of understand why... even if most of those Zoners do not realize. With little effort, one can be friend to everyone and no one at once... in this particular case I see a lot of potential for a lot of profit. Not that I care but credits pay for various distraction this world has to offer...

Let's share a cup of wine when we're done with it? Piloting space vessel requires unnatural resistance to alcoholic beverages, at least when around those fellows from Royal police. Commonwealth looks like a place for me, despite all those weird "employment offers" I have found so far. Would I want to smite rocks in forgotten corner of the world, I would join up with GMS instead.

~Tyrion d'Autoine

---

[Eduard]

Bonsoir, my dearest and closest cousin to whom I happily converse now with extreme gaiety and unfathomable merriment. It is most exquisite and overtly finespun to rekindle the blood bond that shackles us and enables for quite the insouciant environment.

Cousin, Tyrion, I tell you wholeheartedly that it would be unwise to belittle the term of a "Zoner" before you actually possess the opportunity to see for yourself the benefits and opportunities that it gives. Not only it paves you a path of prosperity, should you have the ambition to find the materials for such an endeavour, but it also allows you to play the strings for intrigues and plots one could never conceive of.

There is a certain intimacy that one can achieve here, an intimacy that I lust for and it is the same intimacy that allows one's passions to exert themselves without restraint or constraint. There is no need for firepower when you are gifted with the slithering tongue of diplomacy and as a "zoner" one can use such a flickering, twisting tongue to its full potential.

But don't heed to my obviously superfluous and well erected words, cousin, come here, come to Freeport 10 and you should see for yourself. Should you find this type of life suiting for you, there is this fraternity, a fraternity that transcends the brotherhood of blood that will most certainly appeal to you. You are accepted into it whenever you deem it.

My gates are always open to you, a dearest family member, and the wine will clamor the tables.

Yours faithfully,
Robert d'Autoine.

---

King Eduard is the greatest

[Moberg]

l| Receiving transmission

---

[img float=left]http://i.imgur.com/uymuLJz.jpg?1[/img]

Source: < Richard Gaillard > rgaillard@lemessager.ga

---

[|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||]
Signal Strength: Overtly finespun
Encryption: GTFO

---

Subject: New horizons, new fraternities

---

Bonjour, well known Commonwealth,

It warms my .. *coughs* pardon, heart greatly that destiny led me, Richard Gaillard, entrepreneur mobile, to your pile of wonders you see as your home. Even though getting used to the term 'Zoner' is still something I may find myself doing, I have already adapted the lifestyle that stands behind it.

With the breach of Sirius, I have found myself to very much annoyed by the rules that were enforced in Gallia. I usually adhere to these, but it certainly becomes easier once there barely are any to begin with. If you see what I am getting at, you probably know why I have come here.

While solitude is something that can be very much enjoyed, it proves to be barely profitable, if at all. I have tried searching in the southern systems of New Gallia - apparently called Tau-Systems by its inhabitants - for 'Zoner' groups that might enjoy a fair portion of money and wine but all I found were crazy lunatics. Your group, however, seems to be a very much more enjoyable party.

I am going to travel back to your Freeport at my nearest convenience, and I would be happy to share a crate of wine with you so we can discuss a little more. Of course, if this channel is more than convenient, a meeting here can be arranged as well, although you would miss out on the fine regional wine.

I am looking forward to your response.

Signed,
l| Richard Gaillard

[Eduard]

Bonjour, monsieur Gaillard.

It is certainly a glimmering sight beyond repute to witness the acquaintance of another Gaul, or shall I say, ex-Gaul as, mind me, monsieur, but you may soon find out that trivialities such as nationality, ethnic or any other similar bigotries are nothing else but... well, trivialities... charades, fallacies.

No doubt you may feel honoured, flattered as the entrails of your mind find themselves tingled, surged by the privilege of coming forth to our fraternity, but I have to inquire: Was it the fear of solitude alone which influenced you to follow such a road, monsieur?

Indubitably, a man possessing the charisma and ruthlessness you so eloquently express both indirectly and directly to possess may not find fear in the sheer notion of solitude, do you, monsieur? Certainly, there are other reasons that pushed you towards us, reasons that fornicate my curiosity and as such, reasons I would like to hear.

We all have goals, and personal interests, monsieur. It is not a shame to hide them, as it is only natural for the human nature to possess such noble traits so idiosyncratic to it. Sometimes, however, more individuals possess similar interests and they realize that a cooperation for mutual gain far outweighs the inconvenience of competition.

So yes, let me hear you, monsieur.

And about the meeting, your entreating calls are... undulating and fluid, just as fluid and sweetening as your wine and it would be rude of I not to heed to them. You shall find the gates of Freeport 10 open to receive your... gift.

Yours faithfully,
Robert d'Autoine

---

King Eduard is the greatest

[Moberg]

l| Receiving transmission

---

[img float=left]http://i.imgur.com/uymuLJz.jpg?1[/img]

Source: < Richard Gaillard > rgaillard@lemessager.ga

---

[|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||]
Signal Strength: Exquisite
Encryption: GTFO

---

Subject: Re: New horizons, new fraternities

---

Monsieur d'Autoine,

S'il vout plaît, be assured that the notion of solitude can be a very pleasant one for a busy man such as myself, while at the same time it should be avoided most of the time due to its attributes of not being very profitable. In my view, that is.

What I expect to be granted by such an exquisite organisation such as yours, if you allow me to mention, would be a certain degree of .. *he ponders* .. freedom. You see, I used to be on a prison liner. Not as filthy underling or even captive, mind you. Occasionally people didn't agree with their treatment, until I had the freedom to 'enlighten' them. I hope that you could provide willing .. hmm .. material for me to continue my work.

Now, this led me to quite some trouble, as you can probably imagine. In a place where there as many rules as there are citizens, certain .. 'subjects' and affiliated persons did not like my ways. It shames me to admit that most of my wealth was lost due to this incident, and eventually I forced myself to leave to a less .. biased environment. I would highly appreciate if it would be of no consequence for my chances.

Now, why I have come to seek the profit that I can not find in solitude would be the metaphorical phoenix from the ashes and regain what I have lost. Indubitably, the great influence that you have spread like the ravens wings of your banner within these new reaches of space are going to be a great assistance in doing so.

In any case, do not fear that I am just a filthy supplicant who has no intention of compensating for the great gifts given. Non, I may provide any services that are within my field of knowledge.

When paying close attention to the already said, you may have noticed that I already am experienced with the work as captain on a liner, bringing several people from A to B. My skills at 'enlightening' certain people may also be of great use to the likes of you. Moreover, management is a discipline I have mastered during my time in Gallia. And, of course, being a sympathetic host.

If the need arises for an experienced captain with shining management capabilities and that certain indefinable something when it comes to 'enlighten' the unwilling, I promise you that I myself, Richard Gaillard, am absolutely fitting in that position.

I will also arrive at the Freeport shortly. Reading the exquisite booklets about your dome, you will probably find me there by the time you read this transmission.

I am looking forward to speaking to you in person, Monsieur d'Autoine.

Signed,
l| Richard Gaillard