Log:Search for an Embassy

2021/02/09 Lien Sentinel Victory|Wayne Lockwood Indira 1

Indira is in her temporary office in a subleased section of the SPDA offices. It's been that way for far too long due to delays and emergencies. It's relatively calm today, and there's a new employee being onboarded, so Indira has invited the available security team secretly known as Zero Division to meet him. Her offices are sizable enough to fit several people comfortably, between the couch, single chair, and two guest desk chairs.

It's still early morning, about 9am. Wayne has just finished his full on boarding process, which took a few days from setup, getting him an office, and having to go through security protocols. He's also got his security badge to get into the building, and secure devices needed for the job.

Wayne is dressed in a suit. It's still a borrowed one from Wade for the time being, until he gets a paycheck or two so he can get his feet underneath him - so to speak. He goes through the entire process without any complaining. In fact, he seems...downright happy to have the structure.

Lien is likely the least 'officially' dressed peson present... or perhaps it's more that her official duties don't require business or formal wear most of the time. Thank goodness. Fatigue pants and flight jacket could still be considered official wear. She is currently behind the Ambassador's desk, watering the plants. Which may or may not include the Ambassador.

Ms. Violet Wyndell shows up at Wayne's final structured briefing as he's dismissed. "Well, it's official-official," she smiles, still looking constantly anxious and high strung. She holds out Wayne's employee security badge, with his photo and Wayne Lockwood on it. "Your badge gives you access to all the offices. No more waiting at reception to get let through."

Wayne smiles and takes the badge, and then clips it on his jacket. "Thank you again, Ms. Wyndell."

Griffin Freeman is late. No surprise there. He's generally about as eager for the official business as Breach is, but he's always got a very good excuse and often with an airtight selection of witnesses & camera footage from people on the ground.

Today is not really different- other than the margin of lateness. Today its barely 60 seconds.

He gets through security and flash-steps his way to Indira's office, only slowing to open and close the door behind him.

"Sorry guys. You know the routine. I hope you haven't delayed on my account." He says as he comes to a halt- perhaps for the first time all day.

He's naturally wearing his Sentinel suit since he's been on patrol.

Indira occasionally requires a misting, especially since the dry cold weather means less humidity. She's more of a fair-weather plant in need of partial or full sun. "Not at all, Griffin," she says as she pours herself a cup of hot water from a tray on her desk left by Violet prior. She motions for them to help themselves if they wish. There's assorted tea bags, a coffee carafe, cream, and sweetener. "I have a new member of staff to introduce you to."

Ms. Wyndell smiles. "You're welcome. Good luck." There's an implied 'you'll need it' in her eyes. Like she's warning him to run while he can. "Ms. Paxis is in her office and would like to introduce you to another member of the group and have a meeting," she motions down the hall towards the office Wayne interviewed in.

Wayne nods to Ms. Wyndell. "Thank you." He heads down to the office in question, and knocks on the open door as a means of announcing himself.

Griffin nods graceously at the Ambassador, slowing down to fully human speeds with a bit of concentration. Office buildings are really his worst enemy. One super-speed misstep and you're doing serious property damage.

"Thanks. I could probably wet my lips a bit." He says appreciatively as he heads towards the table.

"So who's this new staffer? You finally getting Violet some help?" He asks with a wry grin on his face as he pours a bit of coffee.

Like most things 'Griffin', its unembelished- black, no sugars, piping hot or cold. He isn't one to complain. These niceties aren't lost on him though as he seems to savor the scent.

He turns as there is a knock on the door.

Indira sips her water and comments to Griffin warmly, "Violet may be assisting him as well, but no, this is a more diplomatic position. One to help me navigate certain issues. Their resume was impressive and full of potential. Ah, there he is." She looks up and smiles. "Mr. Lockwood, please come in. We have refreshments if it pleases you," she motions to her tray with a light turn of her wrist. The blinds are all wide open, allowing as much light as possible in. Her hand then moves to Griffin. "I imagine you have memories of Griffin Freeman, yes? Griffin, this is Wayne Lockwood, our newest employee."

Wayne smiles. "I do have memories of him, yes." He offers a hand to Griffin to shake, and explains, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Freeman. I am an android with the memories and personality of Wade Lockwood. That's why I have memories of meeting you when we haven't actually met."

Let's be reasonable, here. How often does one get to spray a diplomat and not get in trouble? Whatever minor rebellious glee Lien might obtain from a mist in Indira's direction, she reserves most for the plants in pots. Further, all of that stops as Griffin arrives, and then Wayne. The irrigation equipment is put away to better offer a wave-salute to the arriving gentlemen.

The Sentinel returns Liens salute then smiles as he recognizes the face entering the room at 1000x speed. Luckily, Indira performs an introduction or he'd certainly have assumed it was Wade but he can /feel/ the differences that are more than skin deep.

He cocks his head and his smile takes on a curious hint as he moves to shake Wayne hand.

"Wayne, is it?" He asks rhetorically as what he senses is confirmed by Wayne straight away. He appreciates that straight-shooting attitude and nods approvingly.

"I see. Well, then you have me at a bit of a disadvantage, but if you're anything like ... your brother? Cousin? Do you guys have a word for that now? I still feel like I'm a bit behind the ball in these situations." He admits with a self-effacing laugh as he shakes Wayne's hand. "Anyway, I'm sure you'll be a welcome asset around here."

Wayne smiles. "'Brother' is probably closest. His family has been...very welcoming." He also gives a wave to Lien.

Some of the misted water collects on Indira's white petals. It revives her, along with her sip of water. Ms. Wyndell finally steps to the door, nods to Indira, and closes it. She remains outside to deal with office work and scheduling, actually relieved Wayne is standing in for her in this meeting. She could use a chance to slow down a little. Indira smiles as the introductions go smoothly. Maybe it's a good thing Mr. Mason isn't here at the moment. "Mr. Mason is busy, I lament. He has the duty of surveying and securing a venue for an event this evening," Indira explains. "So it is solely us today. Griffin has assisted on assuring public safety for some events. It has been most welcomed with the increased tensions and activity from ACE. Please feel free to seat where you please."

Lien takes up a post, rather than a seat, to the Ambassador's left-rear. Her stance is rather relaxed; she isn't expecting trouble, though the mention of ACE does make her frown for a moment.

Wayne nods and takes a seat on the available couch.

"Ha- I'll bet." Griffin replies, looking relieved there isn't some (relatively) new conceptual word he needs to learn regarding he and Wade's relationship. "That's awesome though- I know when I got unboxed it was real disorienting, not that being popcicled is the same thing as... Robofication?" He looks unsure about his word choice, but is clearly not trying to be offensive. This is a first for him. He backpedals a bit and returns to the topic he was shooting for. "What I mean is having something familiar to fall back to would probably have been helpful." He shrugs since he's no psychologist & honestly it doesn't bother him. He seems earnestly glad Wayne's experience was different than his despite his uncertainties on the proper vocabulary.

He nods. "Well, its always nice to help out." He says as he finds himself a seat within some of the light spilling in from the open window. Its also nice having all his medical supplies as part of his payment since he doesn't exactly money most days.

Indira leans back and murmurs to Lien, "Is it 'to seat' or 'to sat'?"

Indira hears Lien's telepathic voice: << "Sit," Lien clarifies, "or 'seat yourselves,' to be more formal." After a moment of eyeing Wayne, she asks, somewhat off-topic, "Do you think EVI would like him? That might give Griff a break from her flahsing him her engines or wanting him to fill up her reserves all the time..." >>

Indira sends a telepathic message to Lien: << Aridot likes him. Seeing how EVI's personality has developed...she may like him too much. I think EVI gets it from you. >>

Wade is going to TransMat RRP room TransMat RRP1.

Indira corrects herself with no word from Lien noticed, "Ah, sit? Yes, sit."

Lien nods to Indira, perhaps in confirmation or approval, though one brow arches slightly at the Ambassador for reasons unknown.

Indira hears Lien's telepathic voice: << Gets what from me? Knack for piloting? Technical skills? Natural charm? Definitely all of those. >>

Indira sends a telepathic message to Lien: << Mmhmm. >>

Wayne sits quietly, waiting to see what exactly needs to be discussed.

Griffin listens to the emergency bands while he sips his black coffee, though he appears to be attentively paying attention to what's going on in the room before his more conventional senses.

Indira smiles to the gathering, with Lien behind her and unable to be aimed at with the smile. "First and primary point of business...our lease terms with the SPDA will soon be ending. I've had some meetings, and it has been approved. It is time to renew the search for a property to serve as a more permanent embassy."

Wayne nods. "Do you have some locations picked out yet? I'm assuming you'll want to at least stay in the Alien District."

"Has it been that long aready?" Griffin asks aloud, sounding a bit incredulously though time's creep is slowing its pace on him biologically so he should probably be forgiven.

"The SPDA's space has some serious benefits security wise. So I can't imagine there's a lot that checks all those boxes. Oh- have you told Mason yet? He's going to pop a gasket." He says with a laugh directed towards Lien, sounding very much like he he'd be happy to tell him.

Indira smiles in a very diplomatic way. "I...have not shattered the news to him yet. He has enough on his mind for this evening. How did he put it? Hmm. 'Too many attack vectors' for his tastebuds. We've attempted to look for a place in the past, but I believe my desires and his are quite...divergent." She smiles to Wayne. "Yes, I think you are right, unless any of you have other suggestions?"

Lien considers a moment before giving Griffin a defering gesture as permission to trigger gasket-popping, along with a grin. The expression flattens promptly back to neutral with the dicussion. Mason isn't the only one concerned with site security, afterall.

Indira hears Lien's telepathic voice: << I'd remind you that you -could- manage with telepresence from the ship... but I know that would make you miserable, and Rick far too happy. >>

Indira sends a telepathic message to Lien: << It is nice, but I do enjoy the outdoors. And freedom, as you know. Still, in case of emergencies, that would be useful. >>

Wayne shakes his head, "I think staying in the district makes the most sense. Maintaining a certain proximity to both the hospital and to Starguard makes sense."

"Probably a smart play, Ambassador- he does his best work when he can focus on the task at hand." Griffin agrees while silently making the intention to buy a round & break the news to his favorite curmudgeon.

"I'd imagine being close to the Alien District would be helpful. Have you ever thought of maybe building something specific for all of your divergent requirements?" He inquires.

Indira smiles. "Well, I wish for my staff to be content. My only request is someplace with a section with fresh carbon dioxide, a breeze, and sunlight. This is what Rick disagrees with. So I would like to hear from all of you what your needs are for this new location."

Wayne smiles. "An industrial power outlet would be nice. That would be my only request. I can function with a standard wall outlet, but the larger industrial outlets are more efficient."

Lien does have a list of preferences and/or requirements for the new location, but doesn't voice them. This shouldn't be a surprise. She does, however, pull out her qPid so that she can take notes of others' (and possibly add her own comments).

Indira nods in agreement to Wayne's request. "We shall ensure we have it, then, and especially one in your office. We'll need others with converters for any other artificial races, like the Kem."

Griffin cocks an eye at Wayne. "Might be nice if there was a battery-backup. Large enough to run the building on- but definitely for Wayne. I can stop off regularly and top it off to keep it off-grid too. That's what I do at my place." Speaking of, Griffin begins suffusing power into nearby devices via his modulation of the electomotive force. Everything within a few meters of him should begin maintaining its charge without input.

"Otherwise, I don't think I'm too picky. Better medical facilities if we're getting off base entirely." He suggests, though between his skills & Quiet's NURRS rounds its probably a bit overkill.

Indira thinks a moment. "Though I believe most of the Kem are self-sufficient for power. Or so they say. They're a private people."

Wayne: Outlets to plug into. Bigger the better. Alternatively, send Griffin fill him up.

Lien adds starts her note-taking with tap-tap-taps on her device, pausing mid-way at a thought or three before continuing.

Indira hears Lien's telepathic voice: << I don't know how long Wayne can go on a charge, but we might be able to get him something with a bit more punch. I'm sure EVI and I can put together a micro-reactor or energy cell he could use, even if just as an emergency backup. >>

Wayne nods at Griffin's suggestion. "A battery backup would be important, at least for I.T. purposes, just in case the power grid goes down for some reason. But I'm not sure if there's anything you're keeping on that kind of hardware, which you couldn't deal with on a personal device."

"You say that but you clearly haven't seen one of the Ambassador's presentations." Griffin says jokingly. "I'm sure some tech jockey will probably be needed either way. And then what about Lien's ride?"

"Perhaps lighting and any security and locking systems? Mr. Mason would have requests on that. I am sure of it," Indira smiles. She looks to Lien wordlessly for a few moments and nods, then looks to Wayne. "Ms. Van Den Brand was unsure of how long your charge lasts, but she suggest she and EVI may be able to develop a micro-reactor or energy cell that could be compatible with you."

Lien looks up and over at Griffin at mention of her ride. Brows quirk. Her attention is divered to Wayne shortly thereafter when Indira shares her thoughts with him. In the vocal sense.

Wayne blinks as he thinks about it. "I think...that sounds possible, but we should be cautious. I'm not sure what the long term effects would be for me. But I will certainly consider it." He pauses as he thinks, but then adds. "A single charge for me lasts a couple of days currently."

Lien nods, makes a few notes on that. Mental ones, that is, as there is no immediate tapping in the context of Wayne's world.

Griffin nods. "It'd probably be good to have your office facing an interior courtyard." He says as he brainstorms through a few easy security tasks so Mason & Lien won't have to. This plan gets Indira her natural lighting & keeps her out of easy line of sight.

Indira nods. "So...an interior courtyard. And...a place for Lien's ship. If we aren't too far from Starguard's landing field, perhaps it can be arranged to remain in a hangar there?"

Lien snap-points at Griffin, adding her assent with some nods. To which aspect, she doesn't say; perhaps both.

Wayne nods. "I suspect that can be arranged, since it's for official business."

"Going to need to consider entrances too- don't want anything we can bunch up vehicles at. Maybe a roundabout or something to allow for rapid deployment of VIPs to keep carpools moving too." Griffins ays before adding, "And if this is Make-a-Wish session, you can't go wrong with a secret entrance/exit in case we need to slip out due to hostile activity. Not that I'm expecting any- but hey, if we're shooting for the stars..."

"I am told most embassies require gated walls, though this is from other ambassadors across your planet. I...do not wish it, but I think Mr. Mason will insist," Indira says in dismay. "Well, this is a list of needs, yes? I think there isn't one property to accommodate all this, but one with the most potential is what I will have Mr. Lockwood research." And so Wayne has his first official project on the job.

Wayne nods. "Whichever property we pick will require some changes" He makes some notes on his PDA.

"True. I think we've got three things we should focus on." Griffin says, looking around the room. "Access Control- standard stuff. Surveillance & Alarm Systems, and last but definitely not least- Territorial Reinforcement, you know where we'll draw the line if worst comes to worst." Griffin says, working down a problem like a well skilled operative.

Wayne continues making notes of teh various requirements mentioned thus far. "Anything else that you think would be ideal to have included?"

Indira laughs softly. "A nice resting quarters for staff. Rick calls it a break room? Some accomodations for off-world visitors in need of certain environs. Now you may consider your wish lists for employees if there are more."

Indira motions to Wayne, "You have given me your needs for power. Is there any desires you wish for your work space or environment? You will have more permanent facilities here than Griffin, after all."

Griffin looks to Lien a moment as he considers what's been brainstormed so far.

"Definitely- so much honestly. I said 3 things. But when you break those down, you're going to want to pay extra careful attention to topography- though that's less of an issue in the Alien District. So counting that out, sight lines, adjacent land use, location of utilities- though we'll mitigate that by having an off-grid battery backup system." Griffin says, as he thinks to some of the missions he's run to protect VIPs and what proved advantageous enough to remember before he continues.

"With any luck those high-level design elements will focus your search to buildings with other benefits, like berms, ditches, and other seperating structures."

Griffin clearly hadn't even considered the ambassadorial duties or creature comforts required of the building- though, in truth that is not his job either.

Wayne smiles. "I think...the only things I would need would be a work PDA or computer to keep my personal things separate from the official ones. And...a comfortable working environment, with a desk."

Indira listens openly to the requests and smiles as Wayne think on his wants. "Those needs will be fulfilled. Security and Violet will be setting you up with work tech soon. I am certain you already know to keep all secure communications to those devices only. As for needs and desires, yes, we shall work with ensuring you and the others have comfortable environments with desks, chairs...perhaps those interior views if we can find them?" She pours herself another cup of hot water and sips.

Wayne nods, and makes a note again on his personal PDA. Nothing about this is really confidential, after all.

"Seems like we've got a good plan then." Griffin says with a good-humored tone before taking a drink from his cup of coffee.

Indira doesn't seem worried at all about Wayne using his personal PDA. She looks to him with a kindly expression. "Can I assign the initial search of potential locations to you? I would trust you to find an agent to assist you in the search. Ms. Wyndell can help you along the way as you need. I would guess she would have more answers to this than I would."

Wayne nods. "Of course. I should hopefully have some suitable locations for you by the end of the week, I expect."

Indira looks surprised and pleased at that. "Most wonderful. We can review them to see which should be viewed first hand. I will inform Mr. Mason to be prepared for these viewings soon." She pauses in thought. "After tonight."

Griffin nods and stands up. "Glad everything got worked out. You guys call if you need something. There's a fire on the Upper East Side I should probably assist with." He flash steps out.