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Glancing through the abstracts and titles of Dr. Solus's most recent works, Murphy can piece out that he concentrates on agricultural enhancement for yield and growth in adversarial conditions. He's come up with a few techniques and strains of plants which could potentially thrive in very harsh materials. Very curiously, Dr. Solus is the whole researcher credited, and no corporate sponsorship is listed on any of the documents. Typically, sponsored research programs would have all kinds of company specific adverts, whether overt or hidden.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Murphy is not smart. He knows it, but something clicks.
"Huh, well that is certainly interesting. Let's discuss after we dine of course. And of course Bobbi is right. TnN is no longer in the running so they had an exhibition match with Hawaii yesterday. Squeaked by with a win. Some corporate event with Telestrian industries I think. Half the ads were for some new AR glove that was actually a sub dermal implant underneath the fingers."
The red haired elf awaits proper social queues to begin eating.
-Posted with Wayfinder
'Bobbi' will scrutinize Mr. Johnson's every reaction and response while he talks.
Bobbi roll a judge intentions.
To all outward appearances, Greg the Johnson is a cool, collected speaker. He smiles and laughs, raising eyebrows at the proper times. In short, he is a wonderful conversationalist, and jovial entertains your speech throughout dinner.
Once dinner is completed, and coffee or tea has come by, he steeples his fingers and assumes a more serious air.
"Now that pleasantries have been satisfied, perhaps we get down to business? My employer has a task, for which your team should be quite satisfactory. Obviously, it concerns Dr. Solus and his research. Are you interested in hearing more?"
Leaning back, Murphy quiets a burp and excuses himself. The elf reaches into his breast pocket to pull out a small ornate case that holds his glasses. Putting them on, the polarized lenses set to the lighting of the room and his AR display pops up with a calculator.
"I'd be interested in hearing more. These notes must be interesting. So what do you want? The information or the doctor?"
Murphy sets himself up for a data lift or extraction job.
-Posted with Wayfinder
A slight smile is all that Hawatari needs to give; Murphy has, after all, asked all that really needs to be asked. Oh, it's possible that the Johnson would want the researcher eliminated or his test area destroyed, but why do that when you can purchase a potential bounty for the same amount of money?
Causally, 'Bobbi' will say "I'm in so far. Let's see where you want to go with this."
'Bobbi' will wait until the Mr. Johnson actually describes the run for her JI roll.
( 2 hits, boo)
"My employer would like the experimental notes on the good doctor's latest project. That includes the data collected, any samples you can acquire, and especially the project design and experiment notes. They would much rather not have to reverse engineer the whole kit and kaboodle."
As he speaks, his demeanor shifts slightly, becoming much more calculating and cold in his delivery.
"Now, this is where you task becomes a litter more interesting, and potentially profitable. Dr. Solus has, thus far, remained in the near-unicorn status of a "pure" researcher. My employer would like to change that, and here is a good-faith offer of employment they would like to extend him." Greg slowly draws out a heavy white envelope, unsealed, and slides it across the table.
"It's open, so you can take a look if you'd like. Basically, my employer considers the research Dr. Solus has accomplished well worth the time and effort to recruit him. Let me be clear, Dr. Solus is not an extraction target, not at this time. The data is the primary goal here, and the man himself is a bit of a hail-Mary bonus. If you can pull off that play, expect a significant reward, of course."
Looking over the group, Greg sits quietly after his pitch and waits.
"What kind of in-house security keeps Solus under wraps? Any intel on his living conditions? Or a kind of personality profile?"
Waiting until AL got a response, Murphy realizes he needs to ask about compensation.
"And how much is the information and a job offer worth? I apologize I didn't get who would be offering a position. Clarity is a powerful tool when relaying information."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"You have his published catalog and university bio. We believe he is operating in the Plastic Jungles section of Redmond, working on his latest project. Beyond that, that is why my employers have sought outside professionals. To be frank, it would be unseemly to reach out publicly, and might damage the opportunity for Dr. Solus's recruitment."
Enthusiasm, check. Willingness to answer questions, great. Now for the nitty gritty nuyen
-Posted with Wayfinder
Dr. Solus,
This letter is intended as an invitation for further discussion regarding your research opportunities and possibly lucrative business openings. The bearers of this form have not been provided with details beyond a request to deliver it to you and possibly escort you if you so desire.
Please realize we value your past contributions to the fields of agricultural science and botany, and greatly respect your methods and tenacity. There is much we can discuss, although in person would be for the best.
With all due respect, we hope to speak with you soon.
The paper is nice, heavy and crisp, but does not bear any watermarks or other identifying marks on either envelope or letter. The printing could be from any printer or printshop in the modern world.
"We do not expect the good doctor to be extremely heavily guarded, although he is known to work in fairly hazardous conditions or amongst dangerous flora and fauna in the past. Given that, and the discretion we hope you will bring to this task, we are prepared to offer you each ¥10,000 for the retrieval of the data. In addition, we can supply an additional ¥4,000 for supplies, information, or other operational expenses as needed. The timetable remains open, although obviously we would prefer to obtain the desired information as soon as possible. Any questions?"
The Johnson leaves the white envelope on the table, just past his drink glass as he proposes the mission.
Thinking numbers, and something seems wrong.
"If he plays his cards close to his chest, and say the only copy is on the Dr's person or stored physically on Mr Solus, would you like to meet him? If the Dr comes with us for said reasons or accepts said offer would there be room for a bonus? Great numbers, don't think I want to change anything around at this time, but I'd like to leave the door creaked open just in case."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Yes, of course. The payment discussed is for the data requested only. The recruitment of the good doctor is a secondary goal at this time. If this introduction letter gets you close enough to achieve that mission, great. Remember, however you achieve that, you musn't destroy the experiment or Dr. Solus himself. The methodology and setup are just as crucial as the recorded data itself."
"This might be nitpicking - are we wiping the experimental data we collect? Fine line between industrial espionage and sabotage but there are extra steps involved."
"In an optimal situation, Dr. Solus never knows you've acquired his data. Not only is simultaneous research more effective, my employer hopes to leverage their resources to rather massively upgrade the sample area. Thus, the methodology and data are both critical. Discretion or subterfuge are the key words here."
Far easier to destroy than to copy; destroying after copying is just a matter of, well, deleting the damn stuff. Getting samples was always ticklish, and more often than not bigger trouble than it's worth. However ... that depends on what you're getting a sample of. "Dr. Solus is a botanist," Hawatari says, musing out loud. "Working in the Plastic Jungles. Do you have any knowledge of what the focus of his current experimentation happens to be? Gaining samples of a vine intended to claim the smog-elimination prize in Dunkelzahn's Will is one thing; experimentation with a variant of Sangre del Diablo trees for security purposes would be a significantly different thing. Different precautions to take while extracting a sample, different requirements for the lab's location, environmental qualities, and so forth. Having any such knowledge would certainly be of assistance, and such assistance would greatly accelerate our delivery timetable."
"Given his history, I highly doubt Dr. Solus would be working on anything weaponized. Toxic or dangerous to touch, eat, or breath, possibly. But this is a man who has maintained a non-corporate research lab for more than a decade. His primary focus has always been on improving existing crops for environmental adaptation or consumer yield."
Mr. Johnson shrugs with that piece of news, before continuing, "If you can acquire some of the physical samples, great, but the setup and data are more important. If you are unfamiliar with the Plastic Jungles, I'd suggest reading up on the history a bit. In short, huge "indoor" swathes of arable land has risen from a fallen TwenCen plan, and it's population has come of age in a bizarre agrarian civilaztion. It's like something from 300 years ago, in places."
Mentally opening her BD's messaging system, she flicks across to the other three, Looks doable. Suggest either a negotiation for twelve-five kay, be willing to go down to eleven, or the Expenses fund up-front.
'Bobbi' discretely looks down at her Comm, read the message from Hawa and replies:
"Agreed."
Seeing the display pop up on his glasses, the elf dismisses the messages and continues talking.
"Hmm, 4k for supplies and other things, 10k each for some data. I did ask earlier if we would receive a bonus if the good doctor were to accept such an offer. Perhaps we could negotiate a set number that can slid up or down depending on factors such as speed, well being, and secrecy of such a delivery? Of course we won't be doing such a thing unless the doctor wishes."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Roll negotiation for anyone who is trying to talk up the Johnson.
Negotiation 5 hits!
"The expense fund would, of course, be provided immediately upon conclusion of these negotiations, with the balance remanded once the task has been completed." Greg smiles over his folded hands at Murphy.
"The payment for recruitment of Dr. Solus would be on the order of your original payment for this task, I can assure you. At least that much, and possibly more if he brings valuable resources with him."
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Murphy, I assume you are Blowing the Limit, which will allow those 6's to explode? Bargaining will come into play.
9 hits so far
If so: exploding 6's 3 more for 12 total
Cavan nails the negotiation, mixing in plenty of scientific mumbo jumbo, smooth talking, and corpspeak, and basically completly runs circles around poor Mr. Johnson.
Cavan 7 net hits * ¥300 per hit = ¥2100 additional to the total. Each PC will earn ¥12,100 upon completion, with the ¥4000 provided in a lump sum at this time via certified credstick.
Nicely done, Cavan!
"Are you looking to branch out into a new line of work, Mr. Murphy? I might just have an opening for a man of your talents on this side of the table, assuming things go well for you on this task." Greg's cold demeanor and narrowed eyes soften a bit, and an actual smile crosses his face after the back-and-forth.
"So, do you have any further questions? If not, I will take my leave and allow you to get to work."
Taking another sip of his beer, Murphy smiles a bit.
"Well, maybe I could pick something up as an outside contractor after this. Nothing too serious. We all have reasons right? The newly agreed upon amount seems more than reasonable. Thank you for your generosity."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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You could certainly go looking for jobs and shopping around for work on your own. You know a few people who just may have things needing to be done, I believe Tarnish and Shady Ratburger Guy mentioned they might have work for you in the future. Whether you want to work with/for them depends on you, after all.
Re: guess the Corp, you can try...whether you are successful, the future is uncertain. :)
(5 hits)
(2 hits)
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Mr. Johnson's language is very smooth & polished, to the point where you can't really determine any particular accent. He almost sounds like he learned to speak English from trid newcasters.
Given the subject area and insistence that Dr. Solus not be physically disturbed, in addition to not caring if he keeps his own data, you'd guess the employer is a significant, but not mega-level agricultural corp. That seems especially likely given the desire to acquire the experimental methodology, data, and man in that order. Someone with a ton of money to throw around would just black-bag him and force him into working, while someone smaller would probably want the paydata to sell for a single payment.
The employer is almost certainly an A or AA rated agricultural firm or subdivision looking to expand or be absorbed by a mega with this new technology.
Thinking over the offer, Murphy removes his glasses and readies to close the deal.
"I don't see any reason why we cannot accept such a lucrative offer. Should be simple enough with a bit of legwork. I'm in. Anybody else?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Sounds equitable."
Wonder if we'll be going coach or by freight crate...
'Bobbi' nods in agreement and gives Murph a smile of appreciation.
"Lets finish our meal and start the business of retrieval"
'Bobbi' will put away the white noise box once everyone is done talking.
She will mull over the Concrete Jungle and Biotech, neither of which she knows anything about it.
(2 hits)
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The Plastic Jungles is a section of Redmond, north of the Bargain Basement and west of the Rat's Nest. It is a huge sprawling conglomeration of essentially greenhouses, on the scale of entire Arcologies, if not as tall. The people living there eat and drink well, seeing as how it's a mostly agrarian society, but suffer from a distinct lack of high-technology or modern comforts. Think Amish farms mixed with Conan.
Watching Murphy bargain with the Johnson brings a slight smile to the Japanese woman's eyes; her lips, though, don't move a bit, and her hands' movements are minimal at the moment, mainly resting on her thighs as a samurai will - only inches away from her weapons. At the suggestion from the Johnson about Murphy working 'his' side of the street, a twitch curls her lips into a momentary smile; she remembers that. Upon the successful negotiation, she gives a slight shoulder-bow to the Johnson and asks, "Your commcode for delivery arrangements?"
Once that's complete, and after the group has decamped, she glances aside at the other three. "Transport?"
Before he excuses himself, Greg nods to everyone and slides a commcode over via AR.
"Excellent. I look forward to hearing of you upon your success."
'Bobbi' will make sure someone on the team takes the envelop from the table before we leave.
She thanks our host and outside she asks the group,
"Anyone here know about the Concrete Jungle? I know the basics but we could use a contact or meet place there.
We need to plan for what to expect, where to find the 'Doctor', how to get in and out quietly?"
To Hawa she says,
"I can follow behind on my bike."
Before leaving, Murphy grabbed the envelope. Feeling for a cred stick just to make sure the group isn't getting hosed. Once outside he tucks it into his coat pocket.
"Whew, that Johnson did not like budging. I got lucky in there. As for a ride, I don't got one. I took a lift like I did last time. But we can afford a Johnny Cab. Plus the job doesn't have to get done tonight. We can case out the joint for a few days before doing anything serious."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Still rideless myself," agrees Hawatari, then peels up her purely-headspace commlink setup. "As for the Jungles ... let me think about that one. I know a couple people that might know people, so ... let me make a call."
So she calls Six, as most of her calls these days are liable to be. She gets his voicemail, and tells it, "Six, looking for an in or two on the Plastic Jungles - local guide would be best, but someone who has an eye on the power and water flux in there would be good too. Call me back."
Shaking her head as she hangs up, she speaks again. "Al, a thought for you - growing stuff, experimental stuff, requires power and water. Gaeatronics should be power, but I don't know who's doing water out that way. We find out where the power losses are, and especially where they're not - places that tend not to suffer from brownouts and that sort of thing - and we have ourselves a lead. Hey, Bobbi." Frowning, she eyes Bobbi's motorcycle. "Think Niko might be able to pass us along, introduction-wise? Might have contacts inside the Jungle."