IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

[dun_moch]

"You have reached Count Dooku. I regret that I am unavailable to answer your hail. Kindly leave a message, and I shall respond at the earliest opportunity."

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Comments

[dun_moch]

[The Count does know, and nods accordingly. He shows no sign of startling at how Duo suddenly speaks from the darkness.]

Such emptiness. In my universe, this sky would be filled with signs from satellites and space stations, and the traffic of starships. But this Earth has barely even begun to touch the stars.

[hellrisen02]

Yours too, huh? [Duo replies cheerfully, glancing at the different constellations as they were mapped over the ceiling.] It seems quite a few of us come from worlds that are missing out on a lot by being stuck here. Feels kinda... constricting.

...I wonder what else is really up there. How far they've really gotten, I mean. What they've found out there. [He turns towards the Count.] Don't you?

[dun_moch]

I must admit I dislike being so constrained. To be restricted to a single planet is rare in my Galaxy, let alone a single nation.

[Rare for people as wealthy as Dooku, at least. AKA the people who matter.

The Count regards Duo with a curious expression. What is the infiltrator getting at?]

Perhaps I have thought about such mysteries. But I have always been too preoccupied with matters closer to Earth to investigate them.

[hellrisen02]

That's right, open space travel... So you must be one of those types that travels between various systems, right?

[He looks thoughtful. As far as his world was concerned, there wasn't much out there to explore beyond mining resources and scientific curiosity, but mankind had extended its reach far in the past 200 years. Maybe they really would get to that point, given another few centuries.]

[Duo lets out a puff of breath in mocking disappointment.] Keep your nose to the ground and you'll miss the birdshit overhead.

This country's space program sits in Cape Canaveral. You know that, right?

[dun_moch]

[The Count nods slowly, then grimaces at Charon's vulgarity.]

Hyperspace travel is common where I am from. And those who gaze too often at clouds risk stumbling over roots.

[Don't try to out-saying a former Jedi Master Duo, just don't do it.]

I'm aware. My research indicates that they once tried to involve imPorts in a scheme to travel to the planet called 'Mars' in this system. Between space research and the Porter, that base is a vital concentration of important technologies.

[hellrisen02]

Haha! [Duo's laughter barks out loud; if the Count didn't know he was silent outside the two of them, he wasn't going to worry about it.] Fair enough. Maybe we should just keep looking forward.

[If the Count didn't totally have Duo's attention before, he does now that he's let slip that little tidbit. The man is pretty good at keeping his interest casual, but he still turns to look at the Count, a smile playing at his mouth. There's a pause before he replies.]

Mars, huh? And just what were they gonna have imPorts doing over there?

[dun_moch]

[The Count spreads his hands and frowns with regret.]

I must admit I do not know the details. It was from long before I was imPorted.

[AKA old 2014 modplot stuff.]

[hellrisen02]

Tsk, that's too bad. Maybe there's some information sitting around about it though. At that base. What do you think?

[He turns to the Count again with a playful smile.] Think the launchpad there is as heavily secured as the Porter? Wonder if they'd get distracted by the birdshit or the roots.

[dun_moch]

[That's more like it. That's what the kind of thinking he likes to hear. That's why he tolerates the aggravation of associating with people like Charon to begin with: for the potential results of inspiring them to bolder action. Dooku returns the smile, although from him it is less playful than sinister.]

I would be quite surprised if there were no secrets to be found within those walls. I can only imagine what great revelations lie within Cape Canaveral, waiting to be revealed...

[He lets the speculation hang in the air for a moment, as the planets and comets and suns wheel overhead on the dome above them.]

The launch pad is likely less well-defended. The Porter is their greatest and most closely-guarded prize. But there is only one real way to find out, isn't there?

[hellrisen02]

[Lucky enough for Dooku, Duo hardly needed to be inspired to give what he viewed as a shady and quietly corrupt government hell, but it sure didn't hurt to have the network established for him to act on it, in lieu of a state of the art murder robot.]

[He nods in agreement; of course it was the Porter where the majority of security presence would be focused, but if they could get inside the base to begin with, it would give them an idea of what to expect when the Porter itself was taken on. And maybe, maybe they could use this as a red herring, make them think this was the major Porter break-in everyone who knew of Constellation was expecting, and get further inside the space program while they scrambled to protect the Porter half of the base.]

[If he could just come away with the supplies he needed to get into and survive in space...]

Yeah. So what you gonna do to help me get in there and find you a whole mess of dirty little government space secrets, huh?

[Fuck subtlety; give him the goods, Antares.]

[dun_moch]

[The Count spreads his hands outward, a gesture of offering. Life is your restaurant Duo and he's your maitre'd: just tell him what it is you want, you've never had a friend like Count D.]

You have already received reconnaissance photos from my courier. They should assist in your planning. But if you require further assets, they can be arranged. You need only name them... And ensure they cannot be traced to the organization if you are compromised.

[hellrisen02]

They're helpful. [Duo agrees. He's pretty sure he's had better friends than Count D, and they were the heirs to resource satellites, but hey- taking advantage of a little twisted political influence while double-dealing behind it never hurt.]

[Probably.] But I'm thinking something more like ...manpower. Y'see, I can get in on my own just fine, probably. But having someone who can ensure that whatever... goods I get make it safely out of the compound, you know, just in case- never hurts to have a friend.

Preferably, someone as familiar with the technologies involved in space travel as you and I are. Someone who really values what we're going after. Think you could recommend someone like that to me?

[dun_moch]

[Dooku thinks a moment, his cold, mechanical mind sifting through names and histories and qualifications. Then that half-smile pokes through his beard once more.]

I think I might, yes. But they will need to be tested first, to ensure they are truly suitable. You will be kept informed.

[hellrisen02]

Oh yeah? [Duo turns to give the Count a raised eyebrow, piqued interest. His grin never leaves him, making it hard to tell how he actually feels about anything, but curiosity shines in his eyes.] ...Testing's fine. I don't got time to be babysitting a newbie, y'hear?

If I'm doing a serious run on this government, you don't gotta talk to me about compromise. I know how it goes. Just make sure they do, too.

voice

[h2no]

Count-- I know you got your ear to the groud, as it were, in regards to a bunch of stuff... I got a favour to ask.

I'll accept being in your debt again if necessary.

voice

[dun_moch]

[Intriguing.]

Very well. What is this favour, Archie?

Re: voice

[h2no]

My best friend from home, eh. He got given a dumb as shit job. He's a pretty good scientist. Figured you might know an in. Not interested in Starktech.

[maybe if he's extra this old man will do something cool like he did for archie!!]

voice

[dun_moch]

You have come to the right person. I know many brilliant minds in our community who I am certain would be happy to work with your friend.

All I will ask in return is another favour, some time in the future. But for now, what is your friend's field of specialization?

Re: voice

[h2no]

Geology, physics, tech. Math-based stuff. He's pretty smart and adaptable, and I'm not just sayin' that because he's my friend.

Definitely got more of a rock-on for rocks more than any other discipline, though.

Re: voice

[dun_moch]

Technology may be the most useful of his skills. Geology is not in high demand, so far as I am aware.

What is his name?

Re: voice

[h2no]

I thought not, but havin' the skills for it to adapt is good, right?

[archie hesitates for a second.]

Maxie. Maximillian, if you wanna be formal.

voice

[dun_moch]

Maximilian, then.

[Always formal, all the time.]

I will contact him, and see what his thoughts are on the matter. I am confident I will be able to assist him. You made the right decision in coming to me, Archie.

Re: voice

[h2no]

[and he sends maxie's number.]

Yeah, well, you got me a sweet deal. I want him to be happy too.

Re: voice

[dun_moch]

How very generous of you. The two of your must have a close bond, in your own world. Old allies, perhaps?

Re: voice

[h2no]

Allies, bitter rivals... we've been just about everything in between. I won't have any harm come to him, so you be careful now, Count.