Some More Of The Usual

07:21:20: <klaus> Mirasol, late evening. Klaus retreats into the factory to assess inventory and see what last minute contraptions he can construct before leaving the next day. His phone is kept on, in case anyone need contact him as he browses his family's wares.
07:22:29: <Revas> Safoulk, hopefully the exact same point in time although it's kind of hard to tell here because of reasons. Revas actually has no real idea what time it is when he calls; opting for Klaus second - he has failed to get through to Clayton at the moment because ????
07:24:23: <klaus> "Oy, Klaus here. Hoping this isn't going to be a ransom call or something, eh Revas?"
07:26:13: <Revas> "Of course it's not," Revas would be sticking his tongue out if he was actually there. "I have my shit completely together in places like this."
07:28:08: <klaus> "Hah, I don't doubt it, with the shit you pull like the poker tournament. So I take it you found something out?" There's a clacking of keys heard in the background as Klaus pulls up some files. "Clayton gave me a few theories about how Criterion is operating, but it's nothing to stage an infiltration with."
07:28:58: <Revas> "Well, I got... some stuff, yeah. Clayton must be busy; couldn't get through to him, so I suppose I'll spill to you first."
07:29:57: <klaus> "Yeah, I yapped at him about getting ourselves more equipment earlier today, and he went off with some ideas. I bet he's pursuing them now like me, or just busy with prep work in general. Anyway, what I know is there's a tunnel connecting Safoulk and Ramtaban. And...not much more."
07:32:35: <Revas> "That wouldn't surprise me. There has to be some way to get things there from here," Revas chuckles. "If it turns out important, I could probably find it in a heartbeat."
07:33:46: <klaus> "Clayton sure seems to think it is. Says it's probably how they're moving supplies. I mean, two options, right? Either all their shit's still coming straight out of Ramtaban and we'd see more air drops and going through tunnels like this, or they have a base outside which is...well, fuck it's somewhere I guess?"
07:34:53: <Revas> "Well, I can't answer everything, but... everything they get from us goes through here. And... straight to Ramtaban; so it's pretty much confirmed they're still in full operation out there."
07:36:07: <klaus> "Interesting...so, is there someplace we can strike at and cut off some of their transport lines? We're fighting a losing battle if all we do is play catchup to their constant attacks."
07:36:46: <Revas> "Well..." Revas bites his lip. "...It'd be easiest, but..."
07:37:59: <klaus> "But there's a catch, eh? Clayton seems convinced we can do a more subtle infiltration if we got support, maybe something relatively risk free..."
07:39:13: <Revas> "...The catch is kind of me, here. Don't forget... these suppliers are a neutral party that includes me, technically. Even if I don't like it, that's the way we operate."
07:41:27: <klaus> "And you can't lose customers, even over this, huh?" Klaus sighs tiredly. "Alright, so what do we do then? Would it at least be safe to knock out their tunnel into Ramtaban? Or does that cross some lines too?"
07:43:05: <Revas> "Well, more like right now I was helped out because it's become a personal thing, but I don't think they know I'm linked to people who've got a lot bigger plans. There's... a certain code of honor that has to be followed here," he's gritting his teeth on the other hand, definitely not happy about this either.
07:43:35: <Revas> "Anyway... it's not impossible, but if you were to do it I can't really risk being involved when it does happen."
07:44:35: <klaus> "Shit, well, what I want to be able to say is fuck that we're going to do the right thing, but..." He sighs again and chucks a pen at the wall. "But I know that isn't reasonable, at all. Alright, let's say some of us do strike, independent of you. What's the chance they suspect you tipped us off?"
07:47:17: <Revas> "Right now, probably fairly high. Depending on who goes, at least. It's... argh," Revas is clearly getting frustrated with this. "Honestly I'm doing pretty bad bringing information to you guys as is."
07:49:00: <Revas> "I dunno. Give me... give me a night to think on it. Really, at this point, risking my neck a little more should not be worrying me."
07:49:07: <klaus> "Well, fuck. I mean, Clayton told us about the tunnels, and he's military. It's not too much to make it seem like we're operating purely on his intel, but...yeah we can't exactly strike exactly when a convoy happens to be moving or else they'll know it was an inside job."
07:49:56: <klaus> "I suppose that's for the best..." Another loud sigh. "...On another note, are you any closer to finding your sister? Seems if there are any favors your guys would want to pay you, that'd be at the top of the list if they knew."
07:50:00: <Revas> "I'd prefer you don't cause any casualties. They're good people, Klaus; well, as good as you can get in this business. I think, honestly, most of them are civilians from the area anyway..."
07:50:34: <klaus> "...See, this I need to know. How many of your people are manning the tunnels into Ramtaban? I'd thought up til now we could collapse them and only catch Criterion in the process, but..."
07:51:01: <Revas> "I don't know, but I can probably find out. Give me time."
07:51:54: <Revas> "...Anyway, though. Yeah. I... only really confirmed what I suspected for where my sisters may be."
07:51:57: <klaus> "...Clayton is who I'd worry about convincing. I don't want to kill any third parties, even if...fuck they really shouldn't be collaborating with Criterion but I ain't a soldier. I can't think like that yet. But yeah, I have a feeling Clayton..may not care."
07:52:20: <Revas> Revas bites his lip, going silent at that. "...I want to believe otherwise."
07:53:06: <klaus> "You saw how he reacted to Malahn. He has a temper. This...won't sit well with him. And where do you suspect your sister's held? That may even be a better target to hit if possible."
07:55:00: <Revas> "Well, Ramtaban's the obvious if she's high priority, since that place is basically completely under their control. Otherwise... that place east of here. Pityly... Pitalala..." Revas seems to be having some trouble remembering it, but at least is aware he's pronouncing it wrong.
07:55:54: <klaus> "That's the city with uh, all that medical research, right?" More clicking of keys, Klaus is clearly just looking it up himself.
07:56:23: <Revas> "Yeah, that... that one." Revas mood is clearly dead, discussing it.
07:57:12: <Revas> "Otherwise, Jambale as well, was it? Though he's not sure if there's anything in either of them."
07:58:03: <klaus> "Well, it's just across the water from where you are now, and we have a few transportation-capable pokemon." clickity clack. "Maybe if what Clayton is planning goes through in Safoulk one or two of us could hitch a ride over to Pitaliya to get a look at the circumstances there."
07:59:08: <klaus> "Jambale...that's where I went to school. I don't really have any connections specialized for this sort of thing, but hey, maybe I'll email an old prof of mine or something, see if they've noticed anything shifty going on. I mean, if they've brought her there, it's to take advantage of the research going on."
07:59:29: <Revas> "That's a start. Ramtaban... would be really risky right now, even if it's the most likely answer," Revas sighs. "Whatever you can do, I'd appreciate."
08:00:16: <Revas> "Other than that... oh, right. Our business with them is... not quite what I expected it to be."
08:00:18: <klaus> "No problem Revas. Just...yeah, Ramtaban is off the table right now. No one knows what the hell is going on in there, and it's too dangerous to just swoop in on a Skarmory."
08:00:39: <klaus> "Huh, do tell..."
08:02:09: <Revas> "What we are apparently sending them is prototypes and plans related to capture technology... there's a couple more expensive purchases in there to deal with transportation issues, but the big thing that struck me was..."
08:02:20: <Revas> "There's no evidence that we're arming them, really."
08:03:47: <klaus> "That really doesn't help my worries. At all. Capture technology. Man we're both sorta experts in a way on this, what does it look like to you? Something to be worried about?"
08:06:27: <Revas> "I don't want to think so, but all signs point to them really trying to do something we've been worried about afterall," Revas grumbles. "Still, it's what we're not sending them that gets me more."
08:07:29: <klaus> "Keep going...is this the idea of capturing humans? Hell, this sounds all really fucked up. Your organization's okay with this for the sake of business?"
08:08:38: <Revas> "...We're a neutral party, Klaus. Unless it should happen to become dangerous for us to do so, we'll supply anyone with anything for the right price." Revas tries to say it neutrally, but... his confidence in that is clearly a little shaken.
08:10:22: <klaus> There's a few seconds of silence punctuated only by the clacking of keys. "...What if, we 'found' evidence Criterion was going to dump you guys once they got the shit they needed?"
08:11:50: <Revas> "If that was true, we'd pretty much cut loose. And or possibly strike first. We don't take nicely to being backstabbed by our clientele, generally."
08:12:06: <Revas> "Unfortunately... my man out here seems relatively confident at the moment."
08:13:58: <klaus> "Then he must know where this is all going...an all-out civil war, right? Criterion can't step back to any less than that at this point. And so he has to be sure your crew has a place in the new order."
08:15:52: <Revas> "Something like that. Or he'll just up and disappear, fortune under his thumb and job done, unharmed. It would not be the first time we've invested in rebellion and forcible takeovers," Revas sighs a little, and there's the sound of him slumping down on something - a bed somewhere? "Either way, I don't think convincing him to stop would be easy."
08:17:30: <klaus> "I'll look into it. I find it hard to believe Criterion would hold their promises, so there has to be evidence somewhere. Mind, they're ex-military. Ex because they've already stabbed someone in the back."
08:18:31: <klaus> "In the meantime, you're going to have to broach this with Clayton the best way you can. I just can't see him liking your organization's position. Frankly, I don't either, but I...don't really have a pragmatic solution."
08:18:33: <Revas> "Supposedly. They're still armed like the military, so..." Revas shakes his head. "Not to mention their commander's a real snake."
08:19:14: <Revas> "...And, yeah, I know. I'll... try to do what I can. Just need some more time."
08:19:16: <klaus> "Oh? You know of him? I've been keeping a running file of the Criterion. Methods, abilities, preferences, anything that will help. Lay it on me."
08:19:20: <Revas> "Him?"
08:19:23: <Revas> Revas seems surprised.
08:20:33: <klaus> If Revas were there he'd see Klaus's grin. "Yeah, I got Clayton to give me his files on some of the members. And I'm keeping careful track of what we know they can do, coming up with countermeasures, all that. So anything you can tell me would be handy."
08:21:12: <Revas> "Well... no, no, their commander was a woman. Reinguard."
08:21:41: <Revas> "...Unless she suddenly died or something; it'd explain why she vanished a few days ago."
08:22:20: <klaus> "Haven't heard that name yet. Got a type to match to her? And I doubt she died. I think that means they're setting another scheme in motion. Fuck it all."
08:23:34: <Revas> "She was the commander of the military at least a couple weeks ago when it became really clear to me I'm being blackmailed... it's worrysome if she's up and just disappeared," Revas bites his lip. "Though, if she has... maybe that confirms she really did set this all up."
08:23:39: <Revas> "And now she's had to jump ship."
08:26:44: <klaus> "Ugh, none of this is really pointing towards an obvious concrete next step for us to take. So she's gone, but there's no indication if this was according to some plan or if she fucked up. And on top of that we have to dance around how to handle Criterion's various dealings. They've got us beat on logistics at least. We can't get anywhere as fast as them..."
08:27:55: <Revas> "...Yup. That... seems to be the situation," Revas is back to irritable as ever. "Well, I'll... do what I can."
08:28:44: <klaus> "As will I. Good luck man."
08:28:53: <Revas> "One thing at a time. We need to get to Pit-place and I need to find out what's going on with our guy here, and..." a long sigh. "Hey, don't... don't tell my brother that sis might be in Ramtaban."
08:29:50: <klaus> "He'd charge in if he thought there was a possibility? Well, alright, I'll keep it vague then. Pitaliya is in reach though, just a matter of flying over."
08:30:37: <Revas> "Yeah. Even I want to just charge out there, but I know it'd be foolish..." Revas' voice hitches for a moment near the end of that. "So... yeah."
08:32:03: <klaus> "Got it." Another heavy sigh on the other end of the line. "I'll just focus on what I know well and good for now then. Engineering. Any particular details...probably should work them out with Clayton tomorrow."
08:32:34: <Revas> "Yeah. I'll worry about everything tomorrow... this is too much for me to deal with right now."
08:33:26: <klaus> "Can't blame you. Caught between a geodude and a hard place, huh? I don't envy you."
08:34:36: <Revas> "I think the metaphor's better this time as three Wailords and a hard place. Can't see much of anything in terms of escape routes."
08:35:31: <Revas> "...Like the only thing keeping something from finishing me off is that there's just not space enough for all of them and none of them can work up the strength to shove the others out of the way yet," he's waxing poetic suddenly.
08:36:12: <klaus> "...I'll find something on Criterion. They're dirtbags and traitors to one cause already. I just can't see them playing things any different with you guys."
08:36:27: <Revas> "Yeah, I know. Thanks."
08:36:59: <klaus> "I got some work to finish up here then. Clayton's idea for a machine to block telepaths, and some other things. I'll catch you later."
08:38:19: <Revas> "Yep. And I... need to go clear my head. See ya."