[16:13] Qu'essan Lunaris sees Melna enter and smiles. "Good now that everyone is here, we can begin. I'm sure most, if not all of us, are aware of the recent rash of Hound attacks that have made the colony practically a warzone."

[16:15] Melna Milos: " Yes yes. Sorry I am a bit late. Was grabbing some coffee from the lobby. "

[16:15] Melna Milos: " Yes yes. Sorry I am a bit late. Was grabbing some coffee from the lobby. "

[16:16] Sylus Cain nods and leans back. "If anyone didn't know after they blew the Chimera parking lot sky high then I'd be concerned."

[16:18] Qu'essan Lunaris nods. "So. We have seen more than three attacks in almost as many days. Earth Government Corporation, cannot sit by and let these brazen acts go un-punished. I have called this meeting to Discuss the HOund threat and what we are going to do about it."

[16:20] Melna Milos plops herself in a chair and huffs loudly. " Well....recently I have already planted an agent in the junk town, watching movements, and eavesdropping, If I hear anything other than their usual chatter, I will report it to give COL-SEC advanced warning."

[16:22] Melna Milos adds in "They one of my newest agents, so we will see how she does. I already have a second one in training as we speak, once their training is finished, I will get them planted someplace useful as well."

[16:23] Sylus Cain looks to his notes. "It's... atleast eleven attacks in three months. Most in May, but it's been escalating since the gate raid in February. My office has been warning about these raiders increasing persistence since that raid. We scored a small victory last night, but by and large they've been running our security forces left and right. Their ability to just melt away into the city means we can't pin them down."

[16:23] Cinder folds his arms over his chest, remaining situated by the door as he listens in.

[16:27] Qu'essan Lunaris nods. "I'm tempted to petition ISIS Station for intervention. Colony Security doesn't have the authority to commit forces to an operation outside the walls. And we have been reactionary for too long."

[16:28] Sylus Cain quips. "We have the authority if this board votes to grant us it."

[16:30] Melna Milos scoffs. " This again? Look. I have contracts with Marshal's Enforcement. I can take a strike force out there any time, should the board grant it, and EarthGOV's hands will be clean of the matter as well. "

[16:31] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Cain for his input.

[16:31] Cinder leans forward to offer his input. "Director, we've positive confirmation the Hounds have infiltrated Marshal."

[16:32] Sylus Cain rolls his eyes. "That untested bunch? They HIRE Junkhounds. Ordaro, one of the Hounds most lethal fighters, wanted for rape, murder, grand sabotage." Cain trailing off the offenses. "He is employed by Marshall." Nodding to Cinder as he affirms it."

[16:32] Sylus Cain continues. "We have multiple strike options ready to go. From targeted attacks on HVTs to a secure and burn on the Junktown. These are things we know we can do."

[16:33] Melna Milos: "Even if they have, this is one way to confirm that for sure. if they don't make good on their contract, we will publicly out them as harboring criminals, make several arrests, and then Cain will be green lit launch his own strike, with the public backing us. "

[16:34] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Cain, then to Melna. "It's underhanded, but makes sense."

[16:34] Sylus Cain snarls "And in the meantime this city burns."

[16:35] Qu'essan Lunaris nods to Cain. "Agreed, the longer we'sit and wait', the more thay will throw at us."

[16:35] Melna Milos: The city will burn brighter with riots if you go out there now with little to go on, other than your flared tempers."

[16:37] Sylus Cain narrows his eyes just a little. "This is meant to be the jewel of Earth. Our largest Colony, second only to Alpha in visitors from orbit. If we turn over it's security to a bunch of rapist harboring, jumped up wastelanders, what does that say about us?" Once more turning to his notes. "We know the Wastelands is split. The corsairs can't decide who's side they are on. The Hel'Cathra are hiding in their mountain. The Hounds are alone and more importantly, vulnerable. We have strike plans that have been in the works for months, ready to implement. Today. How long would it take for Marshall to scramble eh?"

[16:40] Cinder remains silent, returning to leaning back up against the pillar behind him.

[16:40] Melna Milos slams her palm on the table. " Noone will know about a EIA black op, Cain. That's the whole point, and even if they are using wasters, then phase 2 of my plan can go into motion, they will be outed, and you will have full jurisdiction to bomb the both of them. It's a win win. I vote against Cain's plan, and motion to place one vote on mine. "

[16:41] Qu'essan Lunaris leans back and sips her coffee. "Then a vote has been called. Two plans on the table."

[16:41] Qu'essan Lunaris (maregana): @use 1 coffee

[16:41] [RoE] Inventory HUD~v1.1.0.4: Qu'essan Lunaris (Maregana Resident) has used <1> coffee.

[16:42] Melna Milos: I imagine Cain will vote for his own plan...obviously...So that leaves you, Director Lunaris. You must be the tie breaker.

[16:42] Sylus Cain turned to look to Quessan. "Looks like it's your choice." Pulling a cigarette from his webbing, lighting it with an old, battered TAFN lighter. Blowing a cloud of smoke into the room. "Going to trust your city to rapists Madame Director?"

[16:42] [RoE] Inventory HUD~v1.1.0.4: Sylus Cain (Huttser Ishelwood) has used <1> box_of_cigarettes.

[16:43] Melna Milos: Of course...If you are not comfortable making a call, you may also defer your vote to Director Sani (SP?)

[16:44] Qu'essan Lunaris takes a pause of careful consideration, as she weighs cost versus benefit, and potential damages.

[16:45] Cinder swivels his tufted ears forward, lips blunting together. "If I may propose a third option?" he abruptly announces, standing straight.

[16:45]   [Weather] Dust Storm.   (Poor Vision. -1 ACC, -1 PER. Negate if you have Gas_Mask. Vision is impossible past 30 meters.)

[16:45] Sylus Cain gestures Cinder forward.

[16:45] Melna Milos: The only person who has the authority to allow a third party speaker is the corporate director.

[16:46] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Cinder. "Let's hear it."

[16:48] Cinder looks to the EIA Director, uncertain if that meant he should keep quiet. He takes the two votes of confidence as a good omen and raises his voice. "We can have our cake and eat it. Involving Marshal makes sense. Let them do the heavy lifting. Let them make enemies out of the Hounds. In the same instance, give us strike authority so that if Marshal fails, we can launch immediately. In the interim, allow us to send small teams - CIRG - to bag individual high value targets. Low energy, low footprint. Achieves all objectives, and keeps our hands clean."

[16:49] Qu'essan Lunaris lokks to Cain and Melna for input.

[16:50] Sylus Cain nods in agreement. "We're acting like these are mutually exclusive options. The Captains plan is sound. CSEC Special Forces can execute targeted strikes, whilst EIA performs their own plan."

[16:55] Melna Milos rolls her eyes, resting her chin in a palm, situating the elbow on the table. She'd pop a chem stick in her lips, puffing at it, before blowing a red haze of chemicals into the air. " Going out there in any capacity before we determine if Marshals is, indeed, a threat is not only death trap to CIRG, but highly illogical, with my plan, we wait to see if Marshals can and will deploy against the Hounds. If they do not, then Cain can enact his plans, as well as arrest any offending members of Marshal's, as they will have blown their cover, I can personally see to it that the news is plastered all over the colony, and radio, the Public will be in full agreement to launch Cain's counter attacks. Again...It's a win win situation. Either way...Hounds will be bombed in my plan. "

[16:56] Sylus Cain sighs and just looks to Quessan.

[16:57] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Melna. "What intel does EIA have on Marshall's current Standing military strength?"

[16:58] Melna Milos sighs again, tapping at her datapad in front of her. " Not much, but enough to launch a strike on the Hound's gate. Even if they fail, who cares? It's not our men. Best waste the cannon fodder before we send our own in, right? "

[16:59] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Cain. "What do we have on standby as of right now?"

[17:00] Cinder looks up, opening his mouth to respond - but he pauses, waiting for the order.

[17:01] Sylus Cain leans back in his chair. "Captain Cinder has ta full compliment of CIRG, he can brief on that. Outside of special forces our Cavalry Corp consists of two fleetships, two full air wings of a dropship and four fighters each, eight tanks, seven APCs and multiple light strike vehicles. With almost eighty combat ready officers in the Metropolitan division alone."

[17:02] Sylus Cain looks to Cinder to see if he has anything to add.

[17:02] Cinder chimes in from behind. "I have two ODAs on REDCON 2, we can be wheels up in thirty minutes."

[17:02] Qu'essan Lunaris also looks at Cinder

[17:04] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Melna. "Marshalls is a mercenary group. How much would be on the table for an op of this size?"

[17:05] Melna Milos shook her head. " I haven't begun dropping the idea of such a plan in their laps yet, not without authorization of course, so I am unaware. I could have the figure later today, or even tomorrow though. "

[17:07] Qu'essan Lunaris thinks. "The minute they get wind of it, IF they are compromised, the entire plan would be a wash." she turns to Cain. "Do you have projected costs for damages and resources?"

[17:09] Tabika Kyrees would give a gentle cough, stepping forward a half-step as she'd wait to speak up on that current topic.

[17:09] Melna Milos goes to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration. " You -do- know I wouldn't just tell them the entire plan, right, Director? If I did that, then -yes- it would be compromised."

[17:09] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Tabika. "Go ahead."

[17:09] Sylus Cain nods. "The Activity has been running rough estimates. Presuming we went with CIRG ODA's to begin with, we're putting maybe 3 million in assets in play. C-SEC has 6 million in collateral in our operations budget. With the Activity estimating we have about 2 million worth of hard labor rewards which we could collect." Then he'd look to Tabika. "Deputy Commander Kyrees may have more."

[17:15] Tabika Kyrees gave a gentle nod, clearing her throat with a muffled cough. "Thank you." She'd start and let ember eyes meet those around the table. "As for Marshall, I believe opening up to them with a contract as large as this is a risk of its own accord. If we're unsure of their own militarized strength, numbers and equipment, proposing or hinting at a operation as large as this one is seeming to be, I'd advise against it. I'd rather run the PMC through a series of trials with smaller contracts from EarthGov first, before pressing for something larger. Cordon and control, checkpoint, simple escort and VIP tasks. This way, we can possibly learn on just who they'll raise a rifle against and who they won't without having to ask them if they have any groups they'd rather not butt-heads with. It takes away the risk of them digging for information from us." A slow breath pulled in after a brief exhale."I don't expect you to unveil the entire plan to them, Milos, but the act of asking them questions has them dig for

[17:15] Tabika Kyrees:  answers as to why we're asking those questions, instead of offering them up contracts for tasks. Also, it allows us to observe how they operate in the field, which has more value then anything in my eyes, if we run against them in opposition for whatever the cause. They are mercenaries..."

[17:17] Melna Milos: "Corporate policy dictates, we never send COL-SEC into an offensive operation first, when we have the option to send in a third party. COL-SEC is not a military. They are police! With my plan, we scrub our hands clean of the responsibility, find out if they are using wasters in Marshals, and can grant Cain the strike capability he requires, if they are indeed using wasters in their ranks, all in one plan. It's killing three birds with one stone, director. "

[17:18] Sylus Cain takes another drag. "That policy has not served us well so far." Looking to Quessan. "Madame Director, Colony Security stands ready to defend this city with their lives, at home or away. We need our orders."

[17:19] Cinder turns his head, looking to the officer beside him. He nods, silently concurring before turning his attention back over toward the trio at the table.

[17:19] Qu'essan Lunaris leans back for a moment while she processes the presented information.

[17:20] Melna Milos shakes her head. "We are not here to change our policy! You said it yourself. You are to -defend- the colony. It's not COL-SEC's place, nor within their jurisdiction to go on offensive operations UNTIL we have exhausted all our options first. Madam Director. Enough of this....your vote. Please."

[17:23] Qu'essan Lunaris sits up straight. "You needn't force me to make a decision. I realize the time sensitive Nature of our discussion, But I am the one who called this meeting in the first place. I must be allowed time to deliberate in the event of a tie. Tempers are high, I get that, but that doesn't mean rushed decisions are going to benefit us in the long run."

[17:25] Melna Milos: "I will add...it is -my- branch's responsibility to conduct clandestine operations and assess for offensive strikes outside the colony. We have -always- used a third party black op to strike first, and when that fails, -then- we grant COL-SEC or TAF clearance to engage. I can even deputize COL-SEC should I require such a strike. "

[17:28] Sylus Cain nods and continues to puff away on the cigarette. "By your will Ma'am. " Then he'd turn his one remaining eye to Melna, a small sigh. "Director Milos, if you're going to sit their and cite your statutory authority then we don't need to put the pressure on Director Quessan to make a decision, since you will go ahead with your option anyway. So I suppose the choice is with you, will you let this board vote or stand on EIA's statutory authority. Either is your prerogative."

[17:29] Qu'essan Lunaris looks to Melna. "Duly noted." She looks to Cain. "Hypothetically, in the event of marshall's failure, how quickly would Col-Sec be able to switch gears from defense to offense?"

[17:32] Sylus Cain looks to his notes. "Almost immediately. However we'd of lost strategic surprise. The Hounds will be on full alert, they may have even managed to unite the Wastelands in their defence. Our casualties would be...much much higher."

[17:34] Qu'essan Lunaris sighs. "This is quite the pickle."

[17:35] Melna Milos leans back in her chair and cracks a grin. " That I will, and don't forget it, Cain. " she'd say, looking over her nails as she spoke. " But I will be here to make sure you do not. -- I will support whatever this board elects, and support you. I am only trying to ensure your men do not walk into a death trap, and we have the most strategic advantage. The way I see it, my plan gives us the proverbial high ground. "

[17:37] Sylus Cain tilted his head as Melna spoke, blinking a few times, gears turning. He debated saying something, words on his lips before he thought better of it. Giving a shake of his head, he'd turn his attention back to Qu'essan.

[17:52] Qu'essan Lunaris heaves a heavy sigh. "Corporate moves to vote for Director Cain's plan. The Surprise attack has a far better Cost versus Benefit margin and Corporate can have PR clean up the backlash, if any." she slumps back in her chair, visibly exhausted from the pressure. "And I'll submit myself for reprimand for breeching Corporate protocol."

[17:52] Cinder visibly raises his brow in surprise.

[17:54] Sylus Cain blinks. He really hadn't been expecting that. "Thats why these boards exist Madame Director. To ensure flexibility in a time of crisis. We wont let you down. CSEC's ODA's will be airborne within the hour." He'd issue the order, but his eye would turn to watch Melna's reaction.

[17:52] Cinder visibly raises his brow in surprise.

[17:54] Sylus Cain blinks. He really hadn't been expecting that. "Thats why these boards exist Madame Director. To ensure flexibility in a time of crisis. We wont let you down. CSEC's ODA's will be airborne within the hour." He'd issue the order, but his eye would turn to watch Melna's reaction.

[17:55] Tabika Kyrees audibly held her breath for the moment.

[17:55] Maregana: AFK, Not sure how long

[17:56] Levi thought he heard some movement outside of the cell. He glared at the entrance in anticipation, not sure who he'd be greeted with this time.

[18:08] Melna Milos: (back)

[18:14] Melna Milos just closes her eyes and turns to face the wall, crossing her arms under her bust. "You idiots are missing out on a opportunity to expose the mercenaries for their affiliation with the hounds, -and- forcing me to remove my embedded agent. But fine. I will support you anyway I can." She'd say, rolling her eyes.

[18:16] Sylus Cain turns to Cinder. "I want your ODA's at REDCON 1 within the hour. I'll order RCAB to start preparing aircraft for insertions." Turning back to Melna. "We can still bring Marshall in. Fight the hounds on two fronts, if you so wish Madame Director. Maybe give us the measure of them."

[18:21] Cinder straightens out, composing himself. He draws a deep breath before bowing his head. "Understood, sir. Standing by."

[18:21] Melna Milos tapped her fingernails on the hard wood of the table. "My fear is that if there are hounds enlisted in the Marshal's group, that they will back stab you during an operation, leaving you surrounded. That is why I was suggested we send them in first, to test the waters. "

[18:22] Melna Milos: " It also exposes their true intent, giving us one hundred percent clarity on their allegiance. "

[18:25] Sylus Cain shakes his head, tapping a few keys on his tablet before he'd look up. "Separate operations Ma'am. CSEC and CIRG ODA's have very specific parameters. Marshall can be put on a wide scale disruption campaign. CSEC acts as the scalpel, Marshall the hammer. If they prove loyal, we move to join together as a sledgehammer. That way, we get both results." He'd move to stand up though. "With your permission?"

[18:26] Cinder has his PDA in hand, working along the keyboard with his thumbs. The chatter raises his attention back toward the table. "That is a sound idea, Director. Let Marshal draw the ire. Let us destroy their key enablers. If Marshal fails, then we commit."

[18:26]   You do not have the proper permissions for this vendor.

[18:26]   You do not have the proper permissions for this vendor.

[18:30] Melna Milos slowly shook her head, her arms remaining crossed in a defensive way, only breaking to reach up and palm her face, slowly dragging it downwards. " As I said. I will support you in anyway I can, but this just sounds like another trigger happy scheme of yours. Let's just hope your plan works. " She'd stand up and move over to the lift, Whispering to Cain, so others could not hear. " You are lucky I dont tell the Director what you planned to do during her kidnapping. So don't say I don't ever support you. " She'd say in a hushed tone. (gotta beat my SNK roll to overhear this >)

[18:30] Melna Milos: @roll 1d20 + 6

[18:30] [RoE] Inventory HUD~v1.1.0.4: Melna Milos rolls 1d20 + 6

[18:33] Sylus Cain offered a small incline of his head. "We're professionals Ma'am. Thirty years of service has beaten the trigger happiness out of me." He'd pause to lean in, simply nodding. "Your support is always appreciated Madame Director." Then he'd take a step back, snapping a salute out of respect to the two Directors. "Ma'am's" Then he'd about face and make for the lift, beckoning his staff to follow.

[18:35] Cinder executes a crisp right face (after getting sake out of character, my bad). He keeps his composure, remaining silent as he starts putting together the tasks ahead of him.

[18:35] Melna Milos nods. "I don't like this, but I'll go along with it. " Melna would say, hitting the button for Cain, summoning the lift for him. Melna would follow along after the ding, but she'd get off on another floor. " Just message me should you require my agent. She is already in place. " Melna revealed, before she'd disappear into a hall. (thanks for the RP, chaps. This council thing is pretty fun. I been wanting to do this for a long time, and now I finally can)





















------------------------------------------

RP Log cleaned using http://rplogcleaner.com/