Slavegear - Part 4

"Moon.." Kaylee quietly called, placing a hand on her shoulder: "...Harlequin" she placed a hand on Harlequins shoulder as well.


Harlequin only nodded with determination: "Marek's right. We're wasting time.
I'll requisition a laptop from the armory. We can use it to copy the data from the briefcase"


Kaylee nodded: "I'll head over to Fluttershy in the med-bay. Ask her for the laxatives"


"Alright" Harlequin nodded: "Everyone, use the earpieces. Stay in radio contact. Find Councilor Chambers, try to start a casual conversation. Keep her distracted and occupied. We can't let her leave the base and we'll need her distracted to drop the laxatives in her coffee.

Lets move out"

"Does anyone know if she is married? Has kids? Likes ladies?" She asked, looking about "Any good topic ideas to cover?"

"I'll pull up her personal file" Mercer said, thinking: "Head out for now. I'll begin feeding you info over the radio, as it becomes available.
According to the visiting schedule, Councilor Chambers should be in the hangar bay at the moment. That's where we keep our submarine and other naval vehicles"


"We have a submarine?" Kaylee asked, her eyebrows rising.


"Yes.. that's where the remains of Slavegear are also kept for the moment" Mercer replied: "Councilor Chambers is inspecting it personally, in preparations for dismantlement. You should find her there"

"Alright lets move out" Kaylee nodded.




She opened the door, leaving the cell. Kaylee, Harlequin and Mercer all split up, heading to their own objectives.



After a few minutes, Mercers voice began to ring in your earpiece:
"...comm check. Are you reading me clearly? I'm back at my office, looking over Councilor Chambers' file now.

Dorothy Chambers.
Age 57.
Rank: General.
Served in the Gerran Intelligence Division for most of her life. Great... she's a spook. A former spy, in other words. Quickly advanced through the ranks, finally assuming command of the Gerran Intelligence Network. Then used her connections to advance to the position of the Gerran Councilor in the Union.

Most of her file has black paint and the words 'redacted' written all over it. She's been involved in some highly classified missions and if she's still alive, then she's good.
Don't take her lightly.


As for more personal info, from what I can gather, she never married. No kids. Pretty much married to her work.
Patriotic, loyal to Gerra, doesn't miss a chance to advance her countries interests.

As for topics for conversation, if I'm reading the signs right, Chambers spent quite a few years running deep undercover missions. She had to pretend to be an art collector, some politician, corporate manager, movie producer, game developer, writer... okay, what wasn't this woman?

If she spent time pretending to be all these things at some point, she had to be well educated in them. Its a guess but I believe she'll be fine talking just about anything.




"Yo guys" Kaylee's voice cut in: "Got the laxatives from Fluttershy. I had to bolt quickly. She started giving me odd looks. I'm on the way to the hangar bay now"

"I am on the way as well" Harlequins quiet voice echoed in: "I requisitioned a military grade laptop. It should prove useful in quickly copying large amounts of data"

"Meet us in the hanger bay" Kaylee called over the radio.

"Good luck everyone" Mercer called: "...please be careful"

"Im heading to the hangar bay as well." Moon said as she started to walk "So, we need to distract her. How bad will it get if this goes wrong?"

"I'll do my best in holding a conversation~ i think i have some things that'll intrest her." she chuckles, "did you know my mother was a blacksmith?"

"For real?" Kaylee asked over the radio: "That's coool!"

"Hey, stay focused" Mercer's voice cut in: "I've ordered refreshments to be delivered to the hangar bay. It should provide you opportunity to drop the laxatives in one of the drinks.
Please exercise maximum caution. If this goes south, the worst case scenario will be Gerra viewing this as an act of war.
You will be charged with treason against the Union and Equestria will face heavy sanctions."


"Unless we prove Chambers is a war criminal right?" Kaylee called.

"Right" Mercer replied: "Stay sharp everyone. Good luck"



As you approach the hangar, you notice a heightened presence of security. Over a dozen soldiers wearing the Gerran insignia were posted along the corridor and stood at attention.
Councilor Chambers' personal escort, as Kaylee speculated.

As you reach the heavy double doors of the hangar bay and walk inside, a massive open space came into view.



The ceiling was very high, almost 50 meters above you. Far ahead, you noticed a massive opening in the wall, revealing the ocean line. The water was freely entering and exiting a large part of this room and you noticed several long piers along the wall.

Most of the piers were empty. You noticed a speed boat or two. No signs of the earlier mentioned submarine.


But what caught your attention was the massive silhouette that cast a long shadow on everything in the hangar bay.

Slavegear. Sitting with its lower half submerged in the water, its massive jaw hanging open in a snarl, its back hunched over.
You notice several points of damage along its carcass but it mostly looked intact. At least on the outside.


Standing on one of the piers under it, you noticed Chambers and a dozen of her office staff members.
Chambers was looking up at the robot, her expression unreadable. Her staff members were actively talking and asking her something. It doesn't look like Chambers is listening.


A moment later Kaylee showed up in her formal navy uniform. Her hands in her pockets.


Harlequin and the refreshments haven't appeared yet.

Moon looked at Kaylee before walking forward, not too close to Chambers, so as not to attract attention yet. But her heightened sense of hearing could hopefully pick up any conversations.

After a few moments of listening, it seems that the staff are droning on and on about some political meetings that Chambers has to attend once she gets back to the mainland.
The meetings had something to do with budget cuts and financial status of the countless farm lands in Gerra and its vicinity.


The details were complex and convoluted and you found yourself slightly zoning out on the conversation.

From what you can tell, Chambers has completely checked out of the conversation as well.




Then you heard a distant rumble of engines and Chambers suddenly became very lively.

As you look toward the source of the noise, you noticed two massive cargo ships, slowly entering the hangar bay and carefully sailing toward a set of large piers.

The cargo of the ships looked extremely large and bulky, made of some kind of metal. As the ships sailed closer however, you noticed several distinct shapes.



Four giant robots were laying on the ships decks. Two robots on each ship.
The things were extremely large, about the size of a two floored building. But in comparison to Slavegear, the four robots were noticeably smaller.

On closer inspection, the new, smaller robots didn't have any visible weapons on them. No canons or artillery of any kind.

As the ships transporting them slowly began the docking procedures, Chambers smiled and began moving closer to the ships, apparently using the opportunity to escape her staff members.


As Chambers began walking toward the ships you notice a small briefcase, handcuffed to her arm.

(Omega)
"Chambers!" Omega shouted across from the room. "What's with the robots?"

Chambers turned around in confusion, unsure who was the one shouting.

Kaylee came a bit closer to her and smiled. Chambers smiled as well:


"The second generation of the Neurolink Robots" Chambers said, tilting her head toward the cargo on top of the ships:
"Same software as Slavegear. The pilot uses a Neurochip to link with the robot and control it with his thoughts. These four robots were constructed shortly after Slavegear. Don't worry, they're not equipped with any weapons of mass destruction.

These smaller robots were initially planned to be mass produced, but the entire project was scrapped after the Slavegear incident.
Now, they're just kinda sitting there, without purpose. We wanted to deploy them to fight Slavegear, when that giant robot attacked Adelheid, but you took care of it pretty quickly"



Chambers looked at the four robots again with a sad smile: "...they were a unique breakthrough in combat technology. Probably would have revolutionized the entire worlds warfare. Minimized our military casualties and so on.

But as the Slavegear incident showed us, some weapons should not exist. The world is not ready to handle that kind of power.



I thought since Slavegear was brought here for dismantlement, I might as well bring these last four to get dismantled as well. They will be the first and last pieces of Slavegear technology.

Slave ... Gear.
A gear that is enslaved to the pilots will, when a connection is established between man and machine, using the Neurochip.


This field of research could have taken many turns but I guess we'll have to scrub everything now...
I don't want any more indirect deaths on my conscience..." Chambers sighed and looked away.



You notice a few men in navy fatigues slowly enter the hangar bay and roll in a trolley full of small cakes, drinks and refreshments.

Twilight looks around the hangar, frowning a lot. She takes in the various machinery that made the Slavegear mega mecha and the smaller versions. Many thoughts were running in her head, both violent and pragmatic. She sighs once, as she listens to the words of Chambers skeptically.

"Interesting design. More maneuverable, lacking most of the danger... Is it really what it was meant for?"

"Yes" Chambers nodded, fading into her own thoughts: "The second generation of Neurolink Robots was  going to completely change the face of the battlefield.
Can you imagine? A machine like that, sprinting across an open field, flipping over tanks like they were nothing? Ramming through the walls of enemy strongholds and busting its way into impenetrable bunkers.
The rules of warfare would change completely. But-"


Chambers continued to drone on and on. Kaylee took the opportunity to inch toward the refreshments trolley.
She happily smiled to one of the staff members and emitted a carefree laugh. You notice how she subtly dropped something into one of the drinks.

Now that she's done it however, Kaylee appears to be completely unsure of how to get the drink to Chambers.
After fidgeting for a few moments, Kaylee is looking around for help.



"-..these weapons, they're just... too efficient for their own good" Chambers continued: "We now have to account for a scenario when one of these things can be stolen, and then used against us, or an unsuspecting civilian population.
We can't have that. I won't allow it" Chambers frowned to herself, looking at the floor.

A deep concern reflecting over her face.



Kaylee is still stuck with the modified drink. She seems unsure how to get it to Chambers.

"I know nothing about machines, but by the looks of these things, I guess your right." Moon said, looking at them, then Chambers. "Wow, all this thinking is really giving me a headache." She turned to Kaylee.

Kaylee nodded, then somehow managed to lift four different cups of drinks and came closer to you.

"Hard to believe its finally over" Kaylee said, releasing a tired smile and passing a mug to Moon, Twilight and Chambers.

"Yes" Chambers nodded. She took the mug but didn't drink yet. Her eyes drifting across the hangar bay for a moment.
"So" Chambers finally said:
"I understand you spoken to Marek again in the interrogation room.
Did he say anything new? This situation still worries me.
After Mareks assassin chased Tony all the way to this base, I believe the location of Mother Base is no longer a secret to the Vampire Unit.
If the Unit still exists, then they know of this place.
Did Marek share any more information?" Chambers asked, holding her mug. She hasn't drinked yet.

"No" Moon shook her head "He didn't say anything. People speak less in captivity, it's not surprising her said nothing."

"I see" Chambers sighed.

"Guys" Harlequins voice echoed in your earpiece: "I'm hiding in the nearest bathroom with a laptop. I'll hold my position here. It would draw attention if I would be seen walking around the hangar bay with a bububu-..... bubbuuuububuu-----........." the radio transmission became distorted and slowly faded to static.


Kaylee slightly scratched her ear. She seems to be hearing the radio distortion as well.

"Something wrong?" Chambers smiled to you.

"No.. its nothing major" Kaylee emitted a carefree laugh: "My ear has just been ringing ever since the Slavegear attack"

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that" Chambers nodded: "Perhaps its best to have a doctor run a quick check" she raised her mug and nodded to you:
"To your health" Chambers said and emptied the cup with one gulp"

"Bububuuubu---..." Harlequins distorted voice continued to ring in your earpiece: "---....bu bubu buuuu bububu!---..." it faded to quiet static again.

(Radiance)
Radiance had joined the conversation stepping up to make the group one larger once everyone was holding their drinks. He had secured a plate with a cake on it for himself.

"A secret this big was going to be found eventually by someone." he gestured to the ruined corpse of Slavegear.

(Omega)
Standing at the back of the hanger, mostly just watching the robots with slight confusion Omega's ears pricked at the sound. As Harlequin's speech started to lose any coherency his face slowly grew bored, like this entire room had no interest to him anymore. He slowly turned and stepped out the door then started briskly walking towards the bathroom.

Moon winced and covered her ears, her sensitive hearing picking up the distortion and sending it ringing in her ears. She swore under her breath.

(Everyone)

"My boy" Chambers smiled to Radiance: "Slavegear was never meant to be a secret.
We kept it under wraps during construction, sure, because we had to avoid the risk of sabotage, but after its completion?

The existence of Slavegear would be eventually leaked to the public, by our intelligence division.

It was meant to be a deterrent against terrorism, and a deterrent only works, if people are aware of its existence. 'We have a big club, so don't mess with us' attitude"



After seeing Moon wince and cover her ears, Chambers stopped smiling and looked at her with genuine concern:
"Miss.. Moon? Are you alright?" she asked, coming a bit closer.

The quiet static in the radio continued.










(Omega)


As you begin walking toward the bathroom, you once again pass between the Gerran honor guard, standing on each side of the hallway.
The soldiers stood straight and looked forward, their eyes hidden behind tactical dark tinted glasses.

You count about twelve of them in total.

Eventually you passed them and the hallway turned mostly empty. Only an occasional soldier in navy fatigues passed you by, hurrying to one task or other.

All seemed relatively quiet and business like. The distant roar of the cargo ships engines, slightly echoed through the walls, even this far away from the hangar bay.


You eventually reach the two bathroom doors. One door with a stallion sign on it. The other door with a mare. The drawings were very abstract.

~Something's going on. I need to distract slightly.~

She coughs once. "You see, I have an idea for these miniature droids that may prove even more useful then for warfare. Perhaps we could discuss that sometime? I would ask now, but your schedule seems tight. Perhaps in the near future?"

She takes a sip from her drink.

(Everyone)

"Yyyes, of course Miss Sparkle.." Chambers replied, still looking at Moon. You get the feeling that she's not really listening.
Chambers took another step towards Moon and her expression changed. She noticed the earpiece.

"...Miss Moon?..." Chambers called, raising her eyebrow. Then looked toward Kaylee with suspicion:

"Are you.. talking to someone?" Chambers' eyes began to narrow: "...you wonna tell me what's going on?"

"No, it's just" she paused "Lots of electrical circuitry and stuff messes with my magic. It gives me headaches. Bad migraines and stuff. It's fine" she said hurriedly, still wincing.

Rain looks to the beings whom had brought the refreshments, "could i uh... Mabye... Get some red wine... Or moscoto..." she looks at them tiredly, "mabye... Hard cider..." she laughs weakly rubbing the back of her head, "just...Somthing with alchohol..." she nods to them.

(Radiance)
Radiance nodded, his expression turning ponderous. "I suppose hiding something like that would become difficult after a while. But tell me something, if you could go back and never build Slavegear would you?"

He took a bite of the cake "As much as pain as that thing caused and as much as my morals would never want that thing made. I believe it still served as a valuable teaching tool for the future."

(Omega)
Omega entered the door to the stallion's bathroom then made his way to the wall that separated the interiors of the stallion and mare bathroom, pressed his ear against it and began to listen intently.

His predatorial instincts listening for the sound of either intensely confident or frantic fast heart beats.

(Everyone)


Chambers squinted at Moon: "Is electrical circuitry messing with my Kaylee Browns magic as well? Don't take me for a fool and don't change the subject" she scowled at Radiance:
"What the hell is going on! Who are you talking to!-" her eyes suddenly widened for a moment and Chambers paused. After a silent moment ticked by, Chambers scowled at you:

"....we're not done here" she turned around and marched towards the hangar bay exit. Her staff members noticed her leaving and quickly huddled around her.


As they all moved away from the refreshments trolley, the man serving the drinks released a small sigh of relief, then nodded to Rain and poured her a small glass of red wine.



"...the laxatives must have taken effect" Kaylee quietly whispered, as she watched the Councilor angrily march out of the hangar bay: ".. her entourage decided to flock to her apparently. This may be tricky.."



Harlequins voice suddenly cut in through the earpiece: "-----bbbuuubuys what the hell's going on down there?!"


"Harlequin?" Kaylee asked in confusion: "We lost contact with you for a second there"

"Yeah no shit. What's the situation?" Harlequin called.

"Chamber's knows somethings up. She spotted our earpieces" Kaylee grimaced: "But she did take the laxative. I think she's on the way to the bathrooms now, with her entourage in tow"


"Don't let them follow her!" Harlequin called: "Distract them somehow. Make sure they're separated for Chambers!
I'll keep hiding in one of the bathroom stalls. Once Chambers enters, I'll see what I can do about the case"
 

"Okay" Kaylee nodded: "But what was that radio static?"


"You must have entered an area with poor reception" Harlequin said after a moment: "The walls on this base are pretty thick. Mind where you stand, it may affect the radio traffic"


"Okay" Kaylee said and looked at everyone: "Come on. We have to separate the Councilors entourage from her. Maybe distract them somehow. Lets head out"














(Omega)

You can't seem to hear anything, as you press your ear to the wall. Either due to the thickness of the walls, or a complete silence on the other end, its unclear.

After a moment you hear someone flush the toilet behind you and a changeling wearing navy fatigues, left one of the stalls and went to wash his hands in the sink.

He suddenly noticed you and raised an eyebrow:

"....uuuuuhh sir? Is.. everything okay?" he called in confusion.