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Sun 23rd Oct 2022 01:06

Debriefing - the sub job

by Nichol Trafford

*the following is one of several handwritten transcripts, found in Parliament City at some point after the assassination of The Roc.*
 
(T) "Really? This one's getting written down?"
 
(M) "...yes, Mr. Trafford."
 
(T) "Okay. Just surprised at the change. I'm sure the bosses got a reason for it. Anyway...
 
"I was doing what I've been doing for a while, keepin' my eye on whoever's able to sneak around those rift things causing trouble."
 
(M) "..."
 
(T) "C'mon, Numbers, you know the other eye works too. It's a play on words. Anyway. Some of our people in Port Barter were talking about this new syndicate that was going around, taking things and having some way to deal with the rifts. Lockstitch something, I think. Of course the bosses wanted all of us to keep an eye on them. So when Penny's top long-ear in Port Barter gave me a job, I took it real seriously.
 
"Turns out, these Lockstitch people made a deal with some Port Barter leaders to deliver supplies all around the world, and that sort of thing could put a real crimp in Parliament's work. As it also turns out, they grabbed the supplies that's supposed to go to The City, including a little surprise that's supposed to go to some trouble maker that's causing issues for the boss. The long-ear got me a little something that would set it off when I got close enough, and told me to do a bit of the normal smash and grab. She also told me to keep a real close eye on this one snake tailed lady, and try to avoid her best I could or it could get real messy.
 
"Turns out, it's a lot harder to tail someone when they're able to ignore so many rifts. I was waiting for them a little outside Port Barter, but even with that, I only barely caught up with them when they were already finishing the offload at Pastura. At least I was able to get close enough to find out the lady I was warned about wasn't with the rest of the crew.
 
"I thought it was gonna be a day of catchup until their sub suddenly slowed down on the way to Salt & Sand. No clue why, but it gave me the opening I needed. While they were distracted, I got close to the sub, and I set off the party favor. The rush of water delivered the rest of the goods right to my ship, so me and a couple others grabbed the goods that survived and booked it back to The City."
 
(M) "And what about the sub itself?"
 
(T) "Looked like it was taking on water hard when I left. It might've sunk right then and there with everyone on, but... I didn't stay around to check. The waves were getting choppy, and I had to finish the job. Honestly, if that syndicate lost their sub, I'm sure it would really hurt their ability to d- no. Wait. Sorry, not my job, not my position, I know. Anyway, I brought the stuff to The City, and that was that.
 
"So yeah, I'm sure I got another job waiting for me, so I'd better get to that. Good seeing ya again, Mr. Numbers."