Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Not So Odd Couple

Posted by Civilian Kodek Vonn (Clandestine Associate) in The Not So Odd Couple

Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Not So Odd Couple
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Eryn nodded, “Zhis is all true. Vith high risk comes high reward. Perhaps it is time to find out vhat zhe governor’s goal is and who ve are working for. Hyrushi or James. I have no doubt we can do vhat they vant. For however long we decide to stay here, vorking for them would be advantageous. I have no real objections. Though James seems very unsure of himself.” She held her hands, palms up, “But then most agency directors are and cover it vith bluster and threats.” The Côtelette à la Kiev was excellent, a truly luxurious meal. It was so much better than hard rations, and she had to agree with Vonn that they had earned some comfort and ease.

Eryn

Vonn leaned back and crossed their arms on their chest. “And how do you intend to find out that answer? Asking nicely of our potential employer… or perhaps his employer?” Vonn asked. It was near impossible to tell, but there may have been a hint of amusement in the synthesized voice.

Vonn

“As you told James, I am zhe spy. You’re zhe blunt object. Finesse my dear Kodek. Finesse, observation, research, and polite conversation. I certainly vill not be threatening anyone. But I think perhaps his employer. He is zhe vild card here. The unknown or at least to my perspective. From vhat I have gathered from you and James, though, I get the impression he vould be very disappointed if I did not introduce myself. He is probably expecting it.”

Eryn

Armored suited shoulders shrugged. “More than likely. He doesn’t seem the type to miss much. That being said… if he is, that speaks to James’ abilities. If someone like the esteemed Governor thinks he can handle building a clandestine intelligence agency from the ground up…” and the synthetic voice trailed off.

Vonn

Eryn finished her tea. Vonn didn’t use words like ‘esteemed’ and the fact he used it to describe the governor spoke volumes to her. “I shall plan to pay a visit to him zhen.” There wasn’t really much more to talk about. There wasn’t a lot of information to be analyzed just sitting there. Vonn knew the governor, respected him if not trust him. James made an offer, and if she and Kodek were going to stay on Oed it was a good option for them. Talking more about it wasn’t going to change anything. “How shall we inform zhe new director? He seems zhe type zhat doesn’t appreciate the simplicity of meeting over coffee. Likes to sneak around and surprise people.” Oh the sarcasm dripping forth…

Eryn

“You deal with the Governor. I’ll handle Mr. James. We shall see how well he does with unexpected visitors.” the voice said.

Vonn

A truly wicked grin crossed Eryn’s face. “Kodek…you’re giving me chills.” Eryn laughs lowly and a moment later thanked the bartender for refill of tea he brought her. Then with a soft swirl of her spoon in the tea she spoke again. “It vould seem our visitor has arrived. She is checking her appearance in zhe reflection of zhe door. She is professional and has high hopes zhis is not a vaste of time.” Eryn relayed quietly as she picked up the woman’s thoughts.

A moment later a woman of average Hight, in a dark charcoal pant suit with a lavender blouse walked in and spoke to the man at the door. He led her straight over to where Vonn and Eryn were sitting.

Eryn

The helmet swiveled slightly in the direction of the new arrival. As her eyes fell on the fully-encased armored chill-suit wearing Breen, her smile faltered slightly before being jacked back up and onto her face. “Um… yes. Uh.. Hello. I am Davivica Haley-Smythe. I believe you had requested an immediate appointment for assistance in locating a property?” The helmet nodded once and the large gauntleted hand rose and gestured as the voice said “Be seated, Ms. Haley-Smythe. And yes. My employer wishes to relocate to OED V in order to bring her artistic creativity to a new level. She will require studio space, living quarters for herself and a permanent staff of five, single approach to the house if at all possible… cul de sac is preferred… and at least three stories with a large yard in front and back. We will require background checks of all adjacent neighbors, and a dedicated circuit off of the colony’s main power trunk line to the area. She prefers the Presidio District, and has little interest in City Center or near the Government sector; but she will entertain suggestions for alternative areas… but only to a point. If you can accommodate such specifications, then we have business to do. If you cannot, we will move forward elsewhere. So are you able to handle such a request, Ms. Haley-Smythe.” The realtor looked askance at Vonn slightly, turned to look at Eryn, and as her mouth opened to speak Vonn cut her off. “You speak to me, madame. My employer is an artist of no small reputation. She will speak to you if and only if you are able to bring her what she wants. If it helps to soften any concerns…” and the other gauntleted hand rose form under the table and spilled five bars of gold-pressed latinum on the table…

“We pay cash.”

Vonn

Deep, very deep, inside Eryn was laughing hysterically. Ms. Davivica Haley-Smythe swallowed hard and her eyes darted back to Vonn. Eryn was not dressed for the part of someone so temperamental as he was describing. But a subtle shift in her posture and abstracted gaze to her eyes filled the part. She made a note that the next time they visited the exchange she needed to get some very off the wall, expensive quality, but weird outfits.

Ms haley-Symythe sat as she was bidden and stared a moment at the latinum and then, to her credit, blinked and simply nodded at Vonn. “Cash transactions will make the process go much quicker. How soon were you wanting to move in?” She’d learned, living on Oed, to not ask where people got their money or what they did for a living. If they wanted to pay cash that meant she didn’t have to financial or employment background checks. She’d learned if her clients wanted that kind of privacy she really didn’t need to know. She’d never dealt with the Breen before though, and memory of rumors made her mouth slightly dry.

She turned to the PaDD she had brought with her and started flipping through properties currently listed in the Presidio District. 3 stories, large yards, cul de sac approach, living space, staff accommodations, studio. “There is only one property currently available in the Presidio that would meet your employer’s needs. Also the dedicated circuit will require a permit from the colony. I have no listing that meet that specific requirement. I can however arrange for a contractor to accommodate that need.”

“The Mandrel district might suit your needs. It’s still in development. The houses are very far apart, practically estates on the outer edge of the dome with woods planted that line the property borders, leaving the center of the properties open and clear. The developer purchased the writes to the land out side the dome, ensuring each property would continue to have landscaping and ‘tranquility’ around their properties once the dome is removed. There is still quite a bit construction traffic in and out of the neighborhood. Gated community requiring biometric and voice recognition to enter. There are two properties currently available for immediate move in with a single approach.”

Eryn

Vonn sat quietly for a moment and then said “New attracts attention. My employer values her privacy. And she doesn’t need an estate. A home is what she is looking for. We are not wary of city permits, such is expected.” and the helmet swiveled to Eryn for a moment and then back to the realtor. “We will finish lunch and then you will show us this property. Would you care for tea?” and the gauntleted hand delicately picked up the silver tea pot and refilled Eryn’s cup.

Vonn

“Yes, of course.” It would be extremely rude to refuse, and Ms Haley-Symythe nodded, “Yes thank you.” Eryn picked up her cup, for all the universe, seemingly ignoring both her table companions. She handled the cup with delicacy as if drinking the tea were a ritual. And it was, the ritual just looked different depending on the culture.

The woman’s mind was easy to read. Even while she presented a calm professional manner, her mind was racing through other possible neighborhoods, and checking listings. She did not want to lose a client because there was only one property to show. What if the Presidio property didn’t meet the woman’s needs? She landed on one that might work, but it was older and need of some updating, from much earlier in the colony. It was situated on a small rise in the park district, and the square footage was slightly less than the one at Presidio. She glanced at Eryn from the corner of her eye. The attention she was giving the tea made her wary to break the silence. “This one might work as well.” She said quietly passing Vonn her PaDD. She did not want to disturb the woman’s attention to her tea.

Eryn

Vonn picked up the device and looked at it, an almost comical gesture since Eryn knew they had feeds in their gloves that transmitted files to an internal display in their helmet. And then, unbeknownst to Ms. Haley-Smythe, Vonn pulled all of the listings in the OED database, organized them based on property adjacent accessible roads (least to most), and then compiled a map. “That may be acceptable, depending on the neighbors and the substructure of the property. My employer needs both open light for one studio, but also one hidden from prying eyes… and that would be below ground. If this has infrastructure or such running under it, we may as well not even look.” As they spoke, Vonn had already used the PaDD in their hand to access the OED central public database and pulled up the power schematics for the district. The property seemed to have no issues below ground that would impede their ‘expansions’.

“Of course, sir. Let me contact my office and we will try to get that information for you.” and Vonn handed her the PaDD back after returning the device to the suggested property. She tapped a few commands, lifted her tea and took a sip, and glanced between the two figures with her at the table. “Um… if I may, sir. Your employer… is she famous?” she asked in a slight whisper. The helmet swiveled to look directly at Davivica.

“Only as much as I tolerate to keep her safe.” came the voice from the helmet. “Thus this will be a purchase handled discreetly, will it not? Because I am certain we could find some other realtor that is less highly respected as you if that is a problem.” “NO NO NO!” the woman almost yelled as the panic at losing the sale crept into her voice. “not at all. I assure you, sir… I am the epitome of discretion.” The helmet didn’t waver for a moment, and then it simply nodded once and turned to Eryn. “Blut’rightew. Shambalaza di heri nom sulin colo dre?” It was, of course, complete gibberish. But the intent was clear. Let’s go.

Vonn