Log:Starguard Meeting - Tyler Beaumont and Kroskev

2013/03/24 	 Anthony Quinn|Quinn Jolt Ten 1

This is a rather large office, with black carpeting, soft black leather couches, and a number of plush seats. The large cherry-wood desk has a 3' multifunction video display is mounted on the wall next to it, and a computer workstation is on top, next to a PDA data center. Despite the anachronism, the west wall is lined with bookcases full of real books. The collection is an impressive array including legal works, history, alien contact and speculation, strategy and tactics.

Paul van Sterran is sitting behind the desk in his office when the heroes arrive for the meeting. He's clicking through a set of photos on this desk computer. At a glance, they appear to be satellite images.

Ten enters and, as usual, prefers to lean against the wall rather than sit. "Not late am I? Just paid a visit to Pi."

Jolt got a call to come in for a meeting... Unlike previous times she's running a bit late, maybe she got tired of playing guinea pig for the scientists for a while but she's here in time "No one's late until I get here" she jokes "I totally set the standard for late"

Paul looks up from his desk. "Hey guys," he says. "I've got some images for you to look at, from Kroskev. One moment..." He clicks a button. "There. you should have them now."

Ten has a look at the images. "Kroskev - not exactly number one vacation destination..."

Jolt takes a look at the PDA "It might be if you feel like cracking a few skulls" she points out for Ten "That said I'm guessing this has to do with the space pirates... you finally got proof they're behind it I take it?" she asks Paul

The image is black and white and it depicts a stretch of bridge that crosses over a frozen lake. "Yes, and well, there's good news and bad news," Paul says. "The good need is the we've found the graviton emitter the pirates have been using... Images are of a rail bridge that's not far from the launch facility in Kroskev that we were suspecting as a location for one of the gravity..."

Ten nods, trying to see what's so interesting about the bridge.

Jolt peers at the image "So they're using the bridge to amplify the effect... or the emitter is under the lake?" she asks "Either way I don't like either option"

Paul says, "And the later photos, those are of a train. On the flatbed car, that's our graviton emitter." He clicks through the series of photos. "That's the train... that's the train crossing the bridge... and..." Each click covers about a tenth of a second in time. "... Boom." There's a shot that looks like the graviton emitter exploding.

Ten says, "It was blown up? That's the good news, I take it?"

Jolt hmmms and thinks "Wait that cant be right... unless they're building a new emitter every time they make an attack"

Paul says to Jolt: "It looks like they were moving the emitter, either to its firing location or maybe to the coast for transport. According to Epsilon branch, it's more likely demolition charges that caused the explosion instead of something like a missile."

Paul shrugs to Ten, "Well yes - the good news is that the emitter is out of commission. The bad news is that if they were firing it from the rail line, we're still in the dark about the location of the other two emitters. We can narrow it down, but they might have a chance to clear out before we can find them."

Ten says, "Hm. How narrow or not are we talking?"

Jolt hmms and ponders "Couldn't be that easy could it... Here I thought someone did us a favor by blowing up the emitter. I guess you want us to find out who did it? Maybe they know where the other emitters are? Think it's the guild?"

Paul shakes his head. "They've denied it."

Ten says, "Well, whoever did it is likely to deny it. Kroskev doesn't take kindly to outside interence."

"Roughly the area of Rhode Island in both spots." Paul says. A voice comes in over the intercom. "Paul, you have a visitor coming -- I told him that you were in a meeting, but he insisted..."

Jolt hmms "Could always bee the Kroskev government then... I mean think of it. They probably dont like the microscope on them"

The door opens and someone enters. He a slim man in the light gray suit. A little under six feet tall, wearing glasses... He's perhaps in his mid-fifties in age. "Quinn," he says. "Where is he?"

Ten looks at the newcomer: that seemed an odd question.

Paul rises to his feet. "I'm in the middle of a restricted meeting. I don't know who you are, but you can wait in the reception area."

The man introduces himself. "Tyler Beaumont, Starguard Omega. I'm cleared for the material that you're discussing." He produces his Starguard ID badge. "I'm here to ask Mr. Quinn some questions."

Ten thinks. o O (Sounds ominous.)

Paul studies the ID badge. "Omega? That's the administrative branch that overseas the non-meta teams," he says. "You don't have any authority here over the Gamma team."

Jolt peers at the guy for a moment or two and shrugs as she looks over at Ten "While they argue about stuff what do you think we should do about the whole graviton emitter things? Do you know anyone who can track them?"

[To Jolt] Ten says, "not sure we should talk about that. Whatever this guy
 * says* he's cleared for."

Beaumont says, "As part of my duties for Omega, I deal with internal affairs. I'm wondering: do you know where your consultant was last weekend when the Kroskev emitter was destroyed?"

Speak of the Devil, they say, and the Devil appears. In a very similar way Quinn arrives, though with considerably less brimstone. "Someone taking my name in vain again?" he asks as he enters into the director's office, currently in his civvies. "I swear to you that the coffee machine was like that when I found it."

Paul sighs and admits. "Looks like his clearance is in order."

Ten says, "Hey, Q."

Beaumont turns to face Q. "Just the man I've been looking to talk to. I've got some questions for you."

Ten sings, "Oh I have a question, a question for you,/Remember the answer will start with a Q...."

Jolt hmms and smirks a bit "Isn't the question 'Did you blow up the Graviton Emitter in Kroskev?' pretty much..." she figures that's the core of the questions he's gonna ask anyways so might as well give the teammate a heads up.

Paul says, "Quinn, you don't have to answer any of his questions. Beaumont might have the right security clearance, but he doesn't have the authority question you..."

Anthony gives a quick wave to Ten. "Hey, Ten," he says. "How's the new staff working out?" he asks. He notices Beaumont and gives him a quick nod of acknowledgement but then finishes his brief conversation with Ten. "I've got a couple of ideas for modifications including something to give you some short range flight capabilities." Then he turn to Beaumont and extends a hand. "Pleased to meet you," he says. "Anthony Quinn. And you are...?"

Ten says, "Staff's great, thanks. And I'm not so worried about the flight idea - you'll see why once I show you what I''ve learnt how to do with it...."

"Tyler Beaumont, Starguard Omega." He declines to shake Quinn's hand at the moment.

"Care to tell me where you were when the graviton emitter in Kroskev was destroyed?"

Ten says, "You might want to tell him when that was!"

Jolt smirks a bit and says "Uhh not to be a buzz kill but ..." she gets cut off "yeah... that might help. I'm guessing though it wasnt in the last half hour or so since we've all been here"

Beaumont states the time of the emitter's destruction.

Anthony cocks his head slightly to one side and looks at Tyler. "Well, supposing I was going to answer that I think that A) it would probably be wise for me to have council present, not because I'm interested in hiding anything but simply because sometimes a person can mis-speak and cause a horrible snarl, and B) I would need to know when the graviton emitter is Kroskev blew up. There hasn't been anything about it on the news. I had only theorized its existence there."

Beaumont states the time of the emitter's destruction.

Anthony gives a nod to Beaumont as he states the time. "Is that our timezone, universal time, or Kroskev Standard?" he asks.

Anthony says, "There's not on Kroskev Savings Time right now, are they?"

Paul says, "I think I've had enough of you harrassing my people. Can you find the exit, or do you need someone to show you?"

Anthony raises a hand to Paul. "Hang on," he says. "I'm actually kind of interested in why Mr. Beaumont here would think I was involved in the destruction of a graviton emitter in Kroskev."

Beaumont says, "Maybe to cover up your involvement, Quinn. Your father was involved in the design of the original gravity deflection system, yes?"

Ten whispers to Jolt, "We should get Iota in here - they're responsible for taking out the trash."

Jolt smirks a bit at Ten's whisper and whispers back "Ah I'm sure he's just messing with them... I know if *I* was gonna destroy something like that I'd make sure people know who did it because I'd rip it apart piece by piece"

Paul reaches for his desk phone. "Hello, Security? Yes, can you please escort Mr. Beaumont from the grounds..."

Anthony nods to Beaumont. "He was," he says, "but I think we can rule him out as a potential suspect, what with him being dead and all. On the other hand the fact that my father worked on something means there is only the most tenuous of connections between me and it." He pauses to think for a moment. "Actually, I think a better question might be what you know about it. I mean, I doubt the government of Kroskev came to you and complained that their graviton emitter was blown up."

"I've seen the satellite photos," Beaumont says. "I'm cleared for them." He turns towards Paul and says, "I'll show myself out. It still doesn't change the facts, though. Quinn has access to the graviton emitter designs. He has the Physics knowledge to pull it off. He has the resources to fund what seems to be well-financed criminal organization. The leader to the criminal organization wears power armor too, doesn't he?"

Jolt peers over at Quinn "Really... You've been moonlighting as a criminal mastermind and you didnt invite me along to help? I'm offended" she ofcourse jokes along with the rediculous accusation.

Beaumont says, "I'll be watching you, Quinn." He begins to head out.

Anthony scratches behind one ear. "So I'm confused," he says. "I'm a criminal mastermind whose plan is to tell people where I've placed my superweapons and then blow them up before people can get to them? Is that your theory? I have to say that the subtlety of your theoretical plan eludes me."

Jolt says, "Awesome plan if I do say so myself... Can you go blow up whatever other ones exist for us so we can stop looking at boring satelite photos?"

Ten says, "Or at least put your superweapons in prettier locations so the photos are worth a look?"

Anthony shakes his head to Jolt. "No need," he says. "Apparently Mr. Beaumont is cleared to see satellite photos of the graviton emitters. I'm sure he will be happy to tell us where they are so we can neutralize them."

Beaumont scowls and leaves.

Anthony watches the departing Beaumont and arches an eyebrow. "Is it surreal in here or is it just me?" he asks.

Ten says, "Ugh. Somebody probably thought sticking him in Omega would stop him messing up any important work, given Omega is mostly just management."

Paul sighs and shakes his head. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm heard of Beaumont before.. some sort of bean counter, looking to make a name for himself."

Ten says, "Figured as much. Probably wanted to be a field agent and didn't make it."

Ten says, "can't think where I'd put him though. Not even Iota - I wouldn't want him looking through the trash."

At that time a call comes in from the local PD reporting that the statue of Atlas at the Colonial Trust Plaza is apparently attacking the city.

Ten says, "Statues attacking the city. Finally something that makes sense."