[JackVII]

As each of the men greets the fixer by name, Mlinzi does her best not to respond. She hadn't used the name in years but still found she had to will herself not to react to it. Of all the names in Africa, go figure... Taking a sip of her beer, she leans back and waits for Asha to respond. As the fixer explains the job, Mlinzi slowly nods in understanding. She is a little surprised that the job seems to require such a large group, not that it bothers her overmuch. It does, however, highlight a few gaps in the details the fixer has provided. You don't bring an elephant gun to a mouse hunt, after all.

Responding to the fixer in Kiswahili, Mlinzi says, "Sounds good, Asha. If I may ask a few things before I agree to the job... Is the job to escort a single researcher or a group? Can you tell me the general area or our destination? Last but not least, what kind of pay are we taling about here?"

[Reminder]

Responding to the fixer in Kiswahili, Mlinzi says, "Sounds good, Asha. If I may ask a few things before I agree to the job... Is ithe job to escort a single researcher or a group? Can you tell me the general area or our destination? Last but not least, what kind of pay are we taling about here?"

Asha's eyes drift over to Mlinzi. As she speaks, her small mouth curves into a smile. "So eager."


After a brief pause, she continues, "The client will provide you the details seen fit in a moment. I wished first to bring you together and impress upon you the need to make a good impression. You are responsible for more than yourselves in this. Remember that."

[Csjarrat]

"You've got my ear. Hit me with the specifics."

[Crunch]

Francois rocks backwards a bit in his chair. Asha's silly games made her seem nervous, made it certain she wouldn't get top flight professionals. How far out of her league is she? Can you give us any information, or shall we just wait for the client? Francois' Kiswahili has a North African Arabic edge to it. An accent, but definitely not one that matches your expectation of the man in front of you.

Thought
Speech-English
Speech-French
Speech-Arabic
Speech-Kiswahili
Matrix/Text

[Ren]

Seems we can't even finish a conversation in one language. Just like the hunting parties. Mutumbo drank, then also switched to Kiswahili. "Fine by me. Just let's get over with it."

[Reminder]

Asha subvocalizes something, and for those with the commlink capacity, an image of a middle aged caucasian man dressed in a grey suit appears (the rest receive audio). He speaks in plain English.

So these are the guides you have found for me? You are certain they will be sufficient to keep Alzmer safe?


Asha responds simply, with a single word "Yes." It is the first time you have heard her speak a word of English.


After a pause, the Johnson continues."Very well then. Alzmer is due to arrive by ship at 9:00AM in two days time. You will collect him from the docks and ensure he obtains the samples we require. Payment of 30000 nuyen has been authorized, with 20 percent in advance. Additionally, transport for Alzmer's equipment has been arranged."

[JackVII]

Sounds Corp, Mlinzi thinks to herself as the Johnson speaks. She wasn't a big fan of working on behalf of the corps, but the very few times she had done it, it had been fairly lucrative and generated interesting information. Weighing the Johnson's words, the elf begins to sketch a few of the details out in her mind and tried to fill in the blanks.

She found it odd the researcher was coming in by boat. Granted, Mombasa was on the ocean, but it had an airport. While she pondered it, the Johnson mentioned both the payment and equipment. Probably accompanying the equipment... must be expensive or this Alzmer person just doesn't want anyone fragging with it. The pay was surely a total payment rather than per person. Assuming everyone invited to the party was sitting at the table, it wasn't a bad payout for what sounded like a relatively simple task. That probably meant the task wasn't so simple.

Deciding to get the measure of the others at the table, she held her tongue to see if the others would ask the Johnson anything.

She sends a quick missive to Mzimu, "Thank you for staying with me, friend. Farewell."

[Csjarrat]

The image of the suited man filled Ultra's AR feed. Mentally, he issued the "screenshot" command, storing the still image in an encrypted folder on his commlink.
We'll give this guy the once-over later eh? Questions first though.
//So what are the samples you require, and where are we getting them from? I assume by the size of the team you've assembled, these "samples" either aren't likely to come willingly or are under protection of some sort?//

[Reminder]

If we knew the exact location the desired materials could be obtained from, there would be no need for this expedition. The best information puts the most likely location 200 to 250km west of Mombasa. You will begin the search from there.

As the field expert, Alzmer will brief you on information pertaining to collection upon his arrival.

[Crunch]

How long should we plan on the search taking, and will our fee increase if your expert takes longer than expected? Francois pauses. Also, what gear will your expedition be providing and what do you need for us to acquire. 

Thought
Speech-English
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Matrix/Text

[Reminder]

If you do your jobs adequately, total time for retrieval should not exceed two days, with three as the expected outer limit. Contingencies are in place that allow for twice that, but that is a suboptimal result, and as such will not result in an increased payout. If you complete the retrieval in less time than that......we'll talk.


As for equipment, you are the contracted guides, and as such are responsible for any equipment beyond that needed to take the samples.

[JackVII]

Absorbing all of the information relayed so far, Mlinzi asks in accented English "Can you tell us a bit more about the samples? Rough size? Special Handling? Providing secrutiy and escort through the bush below the radar shouldn't be a problem, but it gets much more complicated if we need specialized equipment or have to make special arrangements to transport it."

Mlinzi opens up a notepad file and types in the name Alzmer using the tiny keyboard on her commlink. Probably an alias, but doesn't hurt to check.

[Reminder]

As I said, the equipment needed and the means of transport for the equipment and collected samples has been arranged. All you need to do is get our man where he needs to go, and get him back.

Now, is there anything else?

[Crunch]

So we should prepare for two to three days overland. Your expert will take care of the handling, transport and collection of the sample. Is that correct? Frenchy pauses. I assume that the advance will be paid now and Asha will hold the completion payment in escrow.

Thought
Speech-English
Speech-French
Speech-Arabic
Speech-Kiswahili
Matrix/Text

[Reminder]

That sounds correct, yes.