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Session #45781: Cross-Faction [Astral Express, Stellaron Hunters] Mission Briefing
Participants: Himeko (Representative: Astral Express), Kafka (Representative: Stellaron Hunters)
Location: Astral Express Conference Wing 3
Facilitator: Omni-Com Operations Interface (OCI, Bot)
[00:00] OCI System: Welcome to today’s session. All participants have been connected. Now initiating briefing.
[00:01] Kafka: Hello, darling.
[00:01] Himeko: Don't start.
[00:02] Himeko: I'm just going to cut to the chase; I know you've read the files already, the Stellaron was located in a containment unit in Pteruges-V. How do we get it?
[00:02] Kafka: Woah, woah. Slow down there. Skipping the formalities isn’t like you, Miss Himeko, don’t be like that. I came all the way here, I expected at least some courtesy from an esteemed navigator such as yourself.
[00:03] Himeko: I'm not here to humor you, Kafka.
[00:03] Himeko: We’re holding this meeting to strategize so we’re doing exactly that so I wish you would just cooperate because I will not be dragging this out. Do you think I'd be here for any other reason? We don't mingle with you Stellaron Hunters on a normal day
[00:05] Kafka: So strict with me, as always. But that’s alright, I quite like it when you’re assertive like tha— [Transcript data deleted.]
[00:09] Himeko: Just having you here in the Express sends a chill down my spine. I have a migraine brewing already and it’s still early in the morning.
[00:09] Kafka: You should know by now that I’d take that as a compliment. But I’m flattered! It’s been a while since I’ve been here, after all, that is to say, the actual me rather than my holographic counterpart.
[00:09] Himeko: I’d much rather have that if you're going to be doing this. Distracting me and purposely being a bother.
[00:13] Himeko: Well, what made you decide to come here with yourself anyway?
[00:13] Kafka: Protocol, mostly.
[00:13] Kafka: [Detected laughter from Kafka.] But as you’ve graciously mentioned in your emails, this mission is of utmost importance, is it not? Must be real serious if you’re turning to us Stellaron Hunters for assistance. I’m only treating it with the respect you’re expecting me to have for it. Otherwise, you’d think I’m not grateful you chose us for a change!
[00:17] Himeko: You’re not exactly our first choice so you're not getting that grace either way.
[00:17] Kafka: Hey, come on.
[00:18] Kafka: Any other day, I would be curious who our dear Himeko had first thought about to accompany the Express in such an important mission, but you look like you’re about to bite my head off right now, so I’d better keep my mouth shut, huh?
[00:21] Himeko: Least you have some sense. Why, is that a challenge?
[00:22] Kafka: Is that an offer?
[00:26] Himeko: Can you just please— [Transcript data deleted.]
[01:57] Himeko: And having such a powerful energy just contained in their camp for Akivili knows what, is dangerous. We have to act fast before they figure out what they want to do with it. Kafka, are you even listening?
[01:59] Kafka: Of course. You’re telling me things I already know but please keep going, I’ve missed your voice and I want to remember it for future reference.
[01:59] Himeko: Future re—I’m explaining why we’re making a collaborative effort in the first place. My plan. You asked for formalities and now that I’m giving it to you, you’re spacing off!
[02:08] Kafka: You misunderstand, my darling. I’m… appreciating you right now, no need to think so ill of me all the time. It’s nice to have a differing perspective from an equally intelligent individual when coming up with strategies, the view I get is just a bonus.
[02:15] Himeko: You’re insufferable. I must not be telling you that enough that you seem to keep forgetting. Eyes on the screen already.
[02:16] Himeko: You’re lucky I— [Transcript data deleted.]
[09:36] Himeko: Honeypot? Really?
[09:37] Kafka: No offense, darling, but I don't see you proposing anything better. Plus, do you know who you’re talking to? I’m from New Babylon, I know how their operations work. Even our precious Silver Wolf can’t bypass their systems by mere hacking. We can’t do this just by clicking buttons or blindly storming in, we need connections and we need to ambush them from the inside. We can’t be strangers.
[09:41] Himeko: Alright and how do you propose we go about that? You’re not exactly the best candidate, seeing as you’re wanted on that planet.
[09:42] Kafka: [Detected laughter from Kafka.] You know about that?
[09:42] Himeko: Wha—What about it? You’re not underground and neither is your little organization, of course I know you’re a wanted woman. Perhaps everyone in the universe does, even you know that much.
[09:51] Kafka: It’s not just that. Pteruges-V, specifically. Like I said, that place is heavily guarded. In every area, too. Information doesn’t just breeze through, but I digress.
[09:53] Kakfa: Are you blushing?
[09:54] Himeko: [Unable to transcribe.] with you. Stop deviating from the topic!
[09:54] Kafka: I’m just saying!
[09:54] Himeko: Then stop talking.
[09:56] Himeko: Ugh, we’re getting distracted again. Just enlighten me with your plan already. We’ve been sitting here for nearly an hour with absolutely no progress.
[09:58] Kafka: …
[10:06] Himeko: What?
[10:06] Kafka: …
[10:09] Himeko: Are you ignoring me?
[10:09] Kafka: You said I should stop talking.
[10:09] OCI System: Transcript data has been deleted.
[10:21] Himeko: Don’t make me repeat myself. What’s the plan? We can’t send you over there to play undercover, so what do you suggest?
[10:21] Kafka: Precisely, my dearest. That’s why…
[10:25] Himeko: Why what?
[10:27] Kafka: [Detected laughter from Kafka.] Who else would be the best candidate?
[10:28] Himeko: Welt?
[10:28] Himeko: Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t stay Stelle. I’m not sending her there, it’s dangerous. Or March. Or Danheng.
[10:32] Kafka: Who’s left then? Come on, Himeko, you’re so close.
[10:37] Himeko: [Unable to transcribe.] Wha—No. Absolutely not. I am not going to go undercover for that! I’m a navigator, I’m supposed to work behind the scenes. You’re the one who likes all the flair and the dramatics or whatever else it is that you do. I don’t do honeypot, that’s just… way out of my comfort zone.
[10:42] Kafka: Good thing you’re not the type to be bound by comfort zones, then.
[10:42] Kafka: Come on, Himeko, you know I see through your lies. With or without Spirit Whisper. What’s wrong?
[10:42] Himeko: …
[10:44] Kafka: I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.
[10:46] Himeko: Don’t even try that with me, Hunter.
[10:47] Himeko: You’re right, I’m not bound by comfort zones, but [Transcript data deleted.] I thought you [Transcript data deleted.]
[10:53] Kafka: Don't think I don't know what you're doing, you minx.
[10:53] Kafka: Of course I cherish you. That’s why I’m going to be the one working behind the scenes this time if you take the job. It’ll just be like old times. You know I’d personally hack anyone’s fingers off if they lay it on you.
[10:56] Kafka: That’s my proposal, anyway. I’m not forcing you, I just thought you’d want to, since it was how we did our missions before.
[10:58] Himeko: How we did it before was having you blow everything up and have me bail you out.
[11:00 Himeko: But ugh. Aeons, fine. You saw right through me, anyway.
[11:00] Kafka: That, I did.
[11:00] Kafka: But really? That fast? Wow. I might’ve underestimated my effect on you, then.
[11:00] Himeko: Very funny. Just… Consider it kind of like repayment for doing all the heavy work back then. I suppose.
[11:00] Kafka: Teasing me now, are you? Good to know you’re getting comfortable.
[11:01] Himeko: Nevermind.
[11:01] Kafka: Hey, look at me. [Transcript data deleted.]
[11:19] Himeko: [Detected scoff from Himeko.]
[11:19] Kafka: What?
[11:20] Himeko: I was just waiting for you to say that.
[11:20] Kafka: You—Wow. Okay. You know this is being transcribed, right?
[11:20] Himeko: [Detected laughter from Himeko.] [Comment added by Himeko ([email protected]): I was not laughing.] That’s why I’ll just delete it.
[11:22] Kafka: You…
[11:22] Kafka: OCI, record this. Himeko wasn’t actually worried she’d do a bad job, she just wanted me to say I’d protect h— [Unable to transcribe.]
[15:56] OCI System: Task assignments confirmed. The Astral Express is tasked with honeypot and intelligence operations, Himeko ([email protected]) as lead, Firefly ([email protected]) as second lead. The Stellaron Hunters are tasked with ensuring the security and protection of the Express, Kafka ([email protected]) as lead, Welt ([email protected]) as second lead. Necessary for checks and balances.
[15:57] Himeko: If this backfires, you’re the one to blame. OCI, please keep record of that.
[15:59] Kafka: I’m confident it won’t but, if it does, then fine. I guess I owe you a date.
[16:03] Himeko: [Detected sigh from Himeko.] That’s not even how that works.
[16:04] Kafka: Okay, then you owe me a date.
[16:04] Himeko: That’s not how, either, you—
[16:04] Kafka: Then I owe you a date.
[16:06] Himeko: Stop, now you’re just being dumb.
[16:06] Kafka: Then you owe me a date.
[38:08] OCI System: Task assignment specifics successfully emailed to the following: All members of the Astral Express, all participating members of the Stellaton Hunters.
[38:10] Kafka: That surprisingly went faster than I expected it to.
[38:14] Himeko: No thanks to you. I did all the work and all you gave me were useless comments irrelevant to the case. I’m starting to regret this more and more with how much you’re pushing your luck.
[38:16] Kafka: Aw, but you like our banter.
[38:16] Kafka: [Transcript data deleted.]
[38:16] Himeko: This is how I look everyday, flattery won't work on me.
[38:17] Kafka: Well, you’re also beautiful everyday so it checks out.
[38:21] Kafka: See, you’re blushing again.
[38:23] Himeko: Quit that already!
[38:23] Kafka: [Detected laughter from Kafka.] Come on, it's cute.
[38:24] Kafka: Well, if it’s anything, now that we’re done and you’re… rather tired from the assignments, I can always offer my help and services to pay you back in other ways.
[38:26] Himeko: …
[38:27] Himeko: And what would that be?
[38:28] Kafka: [Transcript data deleted.]
[38:34] Kafka: [Transcript data deleted.]
[38:41] Kafka: [Transcript data deleted.]
[38:58] Kafka: [Transcript data deleted.]
[39:02] Himeko: What the—Alright, I get it! What is wrong with you, seriously? W-We’re still in the Express.
[39:03] Kafka: You asked.
[39:05] Himeko: What time is it even? We’ve been here for hours.
[39:05] Kafka: Still early. Too early. So...
[39:12] Himeko: Ugh. Just come up here and kiss me already.
[2:03:38] Kafka: Satisfied?
[2:03:40] Himeko: Shut up and come back here. I'll just delete that later.
[2:03:42] Kafka: [Detected laughter from Kafka.] Of course you will. Go to sleep already, baby.
[2:03:42] OCI System: End of transcript.
"Two hours, really?" March gapes, looking at Himeko with a scandalized expression.
Himeko almost spits her coffee out, immediately getting on her feet to close the tab that March had opened. Cheeks flushed in embarassment, mind racing of everything that had happened the morning before. She splutters for an excuse but all the words die on her tongue.
"And you were already deleting so much," March adds, jaw still on the floor. "And in the morning, too!"
"March, I think we get it," Himeko hisses through her teeth, her hands perched atop the table, blocking both March and Stelle from seeing her move the audio file in a password-locked folder. "What are you even doing with this? This was not the file I sent for review."
"Hey, it's named KAFKA_HIMEKO_NEGOTIATION, I thought we were missing something." March says, putting her hands up in defense.
"They were negotiating, alright. They were negotiating all morning." Stelle pipes up, a small chuckle leaving her lips.
"Enough!" Himeko bemoans, clutching her head in agony. Her juniors' laughter rings in Himeko's ears, making her groan as March tries to patronize her, although with good intention.
This damn train will be the death of her.