NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC:

Happens before Vicky's appearance in the Rangers. Figured I'd explain her sudden ISB powers.

IC:

"And now, as then, a beast approaches; patient and confident, savoring the meal to come. This beast is made of men and horses, swords and spears. An army of slaves vast beyond imagining, ready to devour tiny Greece, ready to snuff out the world's one hope for reason and justice. A beast approaches."

Delios, 300

Several weeks before her enrollment in the Rangers

Victoria Liang (http://www.celebrity-pictures.ca/Celebrities/Leah-Dizon/Leah-Dizon-i116852.jpg) exited the office of Premier MacIntyre, breathing in and out to calm herself. Inside, she knew the significance of her mission. She knew that Imperius had tried to stop this event from happening. Now, Imperius would pay for her mistake.

The conversation had been brief--the Comrade Premier was busied managing things from the tiny room inside the JRCCC and he wasn't eager to give much time to someone he thought was a fake. At least initially. However, Vicky had persuaded the old man that not only was she real, she even tested some of her knowledge out, performing a blind test against a Colonial datafile.

Now, pulling out a cigarette, a simple tobacco dealie, she puffed on it as she appeared in her office. Putting down the title plaque of "Victoria Brockdorf-Rontzau Chaing, Special Advisor" she then sat in her chair and leaned back. Now head of the Eight Hundred And Third Unit of the Internal Security Division's Electronic Intelligence Division, she was now left with the task of gathering, in the words of the blank check issued by Premier MacIntyre, "all necessary and vital resources to create and implement measures to defend against Cylon Contamination."

Ironically, Victoria herself was a Hybrid. Descended from a Cylonized version of Gracie, the battle AI that powered the Dornalian war machine, Victoria herself inherited her mother's will and her father's strength. Of course, acting as a secret agent was new to her. And, so was a blank check. The initial budget was not going to be large, Mac was still somewhat suspicious. And, as she stared at the order signed personally by the Premier himself, she got the feeling that as heavy a duty as this was supposed to be....something told her the onus of saving the universe--or at least making the foundations for such salvation--lay all on her only.

So, it was time to meet some people.

The 803rd's offices at the present moment comprised of a small, relatively spare office block with some computers, mainframes, and a motley crew of technological wizards. This being New Dornalia, the idea of a motley crew saving the universe was standard issue. TV, movies, society.....it seemed hardwired into the Dornalian brain, an almost obsessive mania with victory and never giving up and using the scrappiest of people to win the day. That had been accomplished for five hundred years...why change?

There were several people in the office cluster. One office belonged to Raoul. The moment Vicky walked in, she encountered a bespectacled, gum-chewing Mexican man busy working on his laptop. Looking up, he got up and said, "Raoul Sanchez, Liasion Officer. I'm here to ensure our ops comply with the rules as laid down by the Boss and her Boss."

Vicky nodded and shook his hand, saying, "I see. Tell me Raoul, what is your speciality?"

Raoul replied calmly and firmly, "Graduated from UCLA law, with a J.D. Admitted to the National Bar. I am, by all accounts, a Lawyer."

Leaning in real close, Vicky replied, "I see. Well, Mr. Raoul Sanchez with a J.D. from UCLA and any number of alphabet soup acronyms corresponding to pieces of paper that will get you places in life to his name, have you ever met a Cylon?"

"No, ma'am."

Leaning in closer, Vicky continued with, "Do you wanna meet a Cylon?"

"No ma'am."

Leaning in so close Raoul could smell the very pleasant and odd combination of breath mints and French Vanilla flavored coffee and feel an occasional particle of spittle as she grabbed his lapels, Vicky replied, "Do you think a thorough knowledge of the New Dornalian Constitution and the Colonial Articles of Colonization and any and all legal knowledge pertaining to things pertaining to the State of California and Los Angeles County in particular will stop a Cylon?"

Slightly panicking now, Raoul replied, "Um, no. Never assumed that."

At that, Vicky let him go, and she backpedaled, replying, "Good. Just making sure we're on the same page here." Wiping her mouth, Vicky continued sternly with a simple, "I find lawyers in situations like this tend to prevent people like me from doing our jobs."

Raoul, clearly offended, replied, "We don't do that.....I dunno what rumors you have heard, but just because a few people in foreign nations and in GFFA conferences insisted on carrying accountability to strange extremes doesn't mean we do."

Vicky smiled and replied, "We'll see about that, Mr. Sanchez. Besides, you should keep in mind that the Executive Order issued by the Comrade Premier himself gives me very wide latitude to prepare anti-Cylon countermeasures. It's a proverbial 'Grandma's nightshirt.' Do respect that, and feel free to refer to the Order--which by the way was duly voted on by an emergency session of People's Congress and approved--if you have any questions, thank you." With that, Vicky left to see the rest of her staff, as Raoul sat down, wondering what had just occurred.

--------------------------

So far, so interesting. Vicky was getting into the swing of things; she knew that observing her mother's use of "The Treatment," copied from a legendary, if tragic, US President (http://www.trivia-library.com/b/u-s-president-lyndon-b-johnson-description-and-personality-part-2.htm) would definetly come in handy. Now, it was time to meet the rest of the staff.

She found the computer room with six mainframes, high powered machines that could calculate things within seconds and nanoseconds, and a number of computer experts with headsets working some consoles. The head of them, a black man in Navy fatigues, stood up and saluted Vicky, saying, "Political Officer Charles Beauregard, People's Navy. Expertise--"

"I know. Electronic Intelligence and Counter Intelligence," Vicky said. "You gentlemen read up on your Cylon yet?"

Still standing ramrod straight, he barked, "Yes, ma'am. We have obtained copies of all known data on Cylon characteristics and qualities, ma'am. It would be an honor to launch a Directed Denial of Service Attack on them, ma'am and defend this great nation from Cylon electronic counterattacks, ma'am."

"Good. We need people with enthusiasm. Of course, the Cylons are clever little flibbertigibbets, but with time and the development of proper technologies, we can win. Carry on." Vicky smiled and walked away.

Her assessment of the situation wasn't far off the mark. Being a hybrid, she knew the Cylon all too well. And, she knew that Beauregard and his men, as clever as they could be, wouldn't cut the mustard with a few wi-fi connections, FTL comms trackers, and the hacker tools that they had presently.

-------------------------

Now, it was time to visit the Special Weapons department. Every spy spot had to have a Special Weapons department, right?

Well, sorta. The 803rd ELINT unit, being part of ISB, had access to a common pool of decidedly exotic weapons and technologies. Tennenbaum Devices (the legendary modified Walther PPKs that could cause small explosions upon usage), nanotech augmentation, door breaking devices, etc. However, its Special Technologies Unit was specifically designed, it seemed, to make ELINT advances. Sadly, Vicky walked in, scanned the equipment, and walked out as Doctor Asahina walked to greet Vicky.

----------------

Clearly, there was work to be done. Any number of things would have to be done. Hackers, scientists, etc.....all sorts of things would be needed to mobilize a defense versus the Cylons and Imperius. The tools she needed weren't there, or if they were, were going to have to be improved considerably. New Dornalia was confident in preventing a Cylon attack, but would it really? Better to be safe than sorry, Vicky thought, as she began sketching out the Byzantine measures she would requisition in order to create an effective defense.

After all, this was no ordinary ELINT project. This was an ELINT project to save the universe.

(OOC: The reference in particular, obviously from the link, is LBJ's particular method of persuasion.)

Vicky then composed her new requirements, and as soon as she sent them out, began to make the necessary phone calls to make them a reality....

"
Special Advisory Memorandum #1

From the Desk of Special Advisor Brockdorf-Rontzau Chaing

WARNING: The information in this letter or memorandum herein is officially Beyond Top Secret. Any unauthorized distribution of this data will result in immediate liquidation and denial of existence for said offender.

It has come to my attention that after an inspection of the 803rd Electronic Intelligence Unit's capabilities and facilities, several key elements are wanting or nonexistent. This is entirely unacceptable.

The Cylon is a tenacious enemy, and as you can see in the appended Colonial Datafiles, is capable of infiltration, cyberterrorism that would make Dorniechanners squeal, and sheer unadulterated violence with the explicit goal of human genocide.

Being that their Fifth Column capacities are rather extreme even by the standards of our worst nightmares, a throrough revision of Unit procedure and practice must be undertaken.

A set of new expectations has been activated, by my fiat. A copy of said expectations has been issued to the Director herself; she has given them her blessing. Please follow them as you would your own mother's. Also note these are defined as Beyond Top Secret; expect immediate liquidation upon even accidental leakage or posting on unauthorized servers and mainframes not of G5 encryption or higher.

Expectations and Goals for the 803rd ELINT Unit--Classified Beyond Top Secret

1. A capable, flexible resource structure capable of supporting the 803rd Electronic Intelligence Unit's operations without considerable drain on government expenditure from either the Workers State or the United Colonies. Said structure should enable the 803rd to become self-sustaining economically, if necessary in the event of Cylon cyberterrorism or conventional attack, or mix of the two. Said resource bases may involve investment in private sector activity, including arms dealing.

2. A capable, flexible force that can monitor Cylon activity and if necessary engage and neutralize Cylon opposition with all due force and readiness. Said force must consist of field agents as well as organized, unorganized and stay-behind armed forces that can operate covertly and if needed independently of outside support for extended durations.

3. A capable, flexible technological base that can not only sufficently defend the United Colonies and New Dornalia against Cylon cyberterrorism, but also become capable of responding in kind to the Cylon. Said base includes not only ELINT technologies and Counter-Intelligence/Counter-Cyberterrorism technologies, but also technologies of any sort that can prove of value in sustaining goals 1 and 2.

4. A capable, flexible policy of integration and coordinated activity with any and all Allies, including both GFFA and non-GFFA parties, that can prove useful in anti-Cylon efforts. This includes rebellions within certain nations deemed suspected of falling under negative Cylon influence that are deemed viable "national liberation movements" under the Tsujimoto Act and Internal By-Law #24 which can and will recieve military assistance.

5. A capable, flexible policy of defense, centered around protecting key Dornalian/UC assets and Allied assets as well.

All programs must herein comply with these expectations. I will make my rounds unnanounced to ensure compliance. So, clean yourselves up, or I will myself.

Sincerely,

Victoria Brockdorf-Rontzau Chaing
Special Advisor
803rd Electronic Intelligence Unit
Electronic Intelligence and Analysis Division
Internal Security Bureau"

With the new regulations going up and spread among the 803rd's personnel, Vicky's rounds found the personnel appropriately concerned, and busied with retooling for the effort at hand. Now, she appeared in front of the Technologies Division to make a pitch. Lighting a Lucky Star cigarette, its distinctive Trilithium Resin smell diffused through the room, making the staff cough and making Doctor Asahina decidedly nervous. Luckily, they were in a room with no sensitive equipment, lest bad things occur.

"Doctor Reginald Asahina, Ph.d in Computer Sciences, Electronics and all things pertaining to computing and computers (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Senor_Nb3/MasiOka_Phill_12285709_400.jpg), was it? I apologize for being brusque, earlier, but I am a busy, young urban professional with little time and money and a long list of things to shoot."

Vicky then proceeded to yawn as Asahina explained with undisguised dismay, "Well, to be frank, your requirements are pretty steep. I'm used to refining IM bots and creating new spyware programs to intercept hackers and smugglers. This...is a whole new level. Especially after seeing what those lovedolls can do from the docs."

Vicky then moved in closer as she said, "Well, Doctor Asahina, these are extraordinary times, which naturally call for extraordinary measures. You are well advised to remember that. Being that you, Doctor, clearly are an expert in the field of the computer sciences, which will be very necessary in the upcoming anti-Cylon effort, I have full faith and confidence in your ability to make those lovedolls experience some rather unpleasant surprises."

"Well...." Nervous due to the leaning in of his boss, Asahina leaned back and said, "Well....to be frank, ma'am, what you call for doesn't just require computing tech. We need a number of things. Biology, chemistry, the ability to detect synthetic Cylon bodies which, for all intents and purposes are human bodies with a few kinks--you're asking for A LOT."

Grabbing Asahina by the shoulder, Vicky replied, "I know, Doctor. That's why I called a very good expert in all those things." Dragging him almost to a waiting console, she pushed a few buttons and onscreen emerged a familiar sight, one that made the Doctor smile.

"Oh. My. God."

The face replied, in a Southern drawl, "My dear, blasphemy is not the way to begin a conversation."

Vicky activated the Cone of Silence, and then, the face introduced itself by simply saying, "Well, I can safely say I am neither God nor the Messiah. I am however, Doctor Edelmira Tennenbaum, Ph--"

Vicky waved her hand and said, "I know."

Doctor Tennenbaum was shocked--no one ever cut her off. Still, she remained quiet, as Vicky said, "Ma'am, do you know why I have contacted you?"

"I believe it was something to do with another government project. Of what sort of mess have you children gotten yourselves into this time?" Tennenbaum said, unamused at Vicky's brusqueness.

"The mess in particular involves developing countermeasures so what happened to the Twelve involving the Cylons does not occur again, and so we can resist and fight back. I believe you've seen--"

Now, Tennenbaum cut off the hybrid, as she said simply, "I have, my dear, and the puzzle is indeed one of some significance. I presume you have people working with this? That Japanese fellow?"

Asahina nodded.

"Good. Assuredly, you have made the right choice in terms of computer technology, being an Electronic Intelligence Unit, however the Cylon's slippery manner demands, obviously, scientific knowledge of an interdisciplinary nature. Therefore, I have a few ideas already in the works that you may be interested in. I will need all--"

Vicky nodded and said, "Already done. You staying in BA to make this tech, or would you like an onsite laboratory?"

Tennenbaum gritted her teeth, and said simply, "Madam, do not interfere with my conversations again! This is perhaps the second time you have done this; there will not be a third! IS THAT CLEAR!?"

Vicky nodded and said, "Sure, Doc."

"As I was sayin', Advisor, I have some plans. But, I may need access to a specialized facility to carry them out. I can use the University's facilties, but some of the more...sensitive projects may be best kept out of the prying eyes of the Institutional Review Board."

"Granted," Vicky said.

With Tennenbaum onboard, it was now time to get another asset. Namely, cash. People's Congress allocated a generous Black Fund for all sorts of special projects, but Vicky had crafted her goals with the idea in mind that not all of those fun special funds would be available for her boys and girls.

Thus, she used her status as an ISB official to get cash, and made some phone calls. It was thus, the next day, several men in suits, along with several men in street outfits some would call "gangsta," sat in a round table in an anonymous, blank room in some recently rented office space.

"So, what's happening."

"I was told there would be a meeting?"

"Yo, man. I ain't got time for games.....if this chick's late, I'm out."

At that, the door opened up, and Vicky, dressed in a power suit, entered the room. Shutting the door and locking it, she then walked to the head of the table to the tune of suspicious looks and groans from the assembled.

"This better be good. You're ninety minutes late, Miss Hergesheimer!" One of the old men exclaimed. "I was promised a nine-thirty meeting."

"Well, aren't we a group of punk-ass bitches," was Vicky's retort. She put her briefcase on the table, setting up a projector as she said, "Look, traffic on the 110 was bad today. You know....so many accidents. I mean, does anybody know how to drive nowadays? I guess not. I mean, wouldn'tcha know it, I'm on 405 when I run into some Goddamn construction and then I take a detour into the east. Then I run into Gardena and then I have to drive through Compton, and then I find myself shooting it out with a buncha people. Real fun."

At that, everyone raised eyebrows, but said nothing.

"Right. So gentlemen, this meeting is convened in these sparse facilities....to propose a new venture. One that combines street cool and modern business sense into a profitable new venture to make financial investing and savings accounts 'cool' again for kids. I call it...."

She then projected the image onto the screen.

"36 Chambers Enterprises."

At that, everybody began to laugh.

One of the gangstas replied, "You're serious? Man, that is the worst concept I've ever heard." One of his fellow street-clothed friends said, "Yeah. That's racist."

"You know, I have to agree with my rough-natured friend here. This model is silly and won't work. Have you ever been to business school, Miss Hergesheimer?" one of the old suits said.

Another joked, "See, that university president is right. Women do have smaller brains."

At that, Vick--er, "Miss Hergesheimer," walked up to the offending individual, and then leaned in. Putting her hand on his shoulder, she then pulled him up to the tune of gasps from the crowd. She then told them, "Sit down" in an angry voice.

Before the man could reply, "Miss Hergesheimer" replied, suddenly lept in close and attacked with, "Mr. Donald of the Bank of New Monterrey.....tell me, sir, have you even studied the business model?"

Donald declared, angrily, "No-"

Grabbing Donald by the lapels, "Hergesheimer" then frowned, saying, "Then shut up, so you can at least know what you're insulting."

Then, "Hergeshiemer" shoved the businessman into his seat and then sauntered around the room, then saying, "As I was going to say before I was duly interrupted, 36 Chambers Enterprises is, simply put, a new wave of investment banking and financial enterprise. Utilizing the talents of famous up-and-coming rap and rock musicians, such as the South Side Boyz here, to promote the business and occasionally dispense sensible financial advice, and grunts who do actual stockbrokering like Mr. Donald here to handle investment. Branding wise, it is a fusion of sensible investing, banking, and music....allow me to go on...."

With aplomb, she laid out her plan, answered skeptics, and clearly laid out how venture capital would work. And then, when all was said and done, she finally let them go.

Then, she pulled out her phone, and called Raoul.

"Raoul? This is Momma Bear. Call the Boss and tell her to authorize those funds from the Hajarran accounts. We have our independent financing. Here's a hint. Pick up a rap album someday...."

Now, it was time to find some operators. Financially, "36 Chambers Enterprises" and the other operations she had set up in the meantime would work well.

Dr. Tennenbaum was reportedly setting up her own for-profit research institution (the Autonomous University of Buenos Aires was disappointed to see her go, but rumor had it that many of the faculty was glad to see her go) and reportedly, various other financial enterprises had come into being thanks to the beneficence of a certain "Miss Hergesheimer," Vicky's business persona. One of them, set up in Houston, Texas, was a small outfit named Powerthirst Arms. Another was a shipping outfit named Highwire Starlines. And yet another would appear soon enough.

As Vicky rested on a railing somewhere in Leipzig, Germany, she looked over the city, which clearly had seen better days. The Cold War, then an atomic apocalypse, then centuries of war in Europe had turned it into a dingy, drab place, a far cry from its glory days.

As she lit up a Lucky Star brand cigarette--the trilithium resin-spiked cigarettes delivered a kick she enjoyed, and never could get out of any other brand--she then paused and said, "I know you're there."

Turning around, she was confronted by an elf in an armani suit with sunglasses, and a Kroot.

Extending her hand, she then said to them, "Gentlemen, I'd like to thank you for coming down here today. Follow me."

--------------

Now in a beer cellar somewhere in the city, Vicky lit up another cigarette and said, "Gentlemen, Mother Dornalia needs to hire you for some rather sensitive matters. What I am about to tell you does not leave this beer cellar, nor the Cone of Silence I will erect. Failure to comply with this order will result in some very unpleasant circumstances for you, your kin, and your companies. Is that clear?"

The two nodded, and then the Cone of Silence was erected.

"Gentlemen. You two lead rather reliable mercenary outfits. Your records are blameless, if ruthless. I can trust you to handle any job thrown at you with the utmost professionalism. Therefore....."

She then slid two packets of paper forward.

"I want to offer this to you. My organization is willing to recruit your outfits for Cylon Hunting missions. These jobs are strictly off the books. No news outlets, no blabbing, nothing. Just chaos, and destruction, and the occasional prisoner capture."

The two nodded and read the documents.

"Your men would work under the cover of the Schattenschutze Sicherheitskonzern GMbH, based in Leipzig. I've already filed the appropriate forms, and begun the necessary want ad recruitment. Your contracts and pay would be...generous. And, you would be working with Marine Commandos and SpecOps for certain missions."

Nodding, the men read the documents.

"Any questions?"

The elf raised his hand. Skeptically, he decided to grill the government woman.

"Fraulein....how generous would the pay be? Duration of the contract? And what sort of enemies would we be hunting?"

Vicky lit up one of her cigarettes, and puffing, asked, "What was the pay on your last job, Herr Gruber?"

Gruber replied, "Last contract was to provide security for a private plantation in Nova Louisiana. Pay was equivalent to 640,000 dollars a year."

Casually, Vicky replied, "We'll double that."

The elf paused as Vicky puffed.

"You are serious, Fraulein? Six figures is no small amount."

Vicky then leaned in real close, smiled, and said, "I am serious, Herr Soldat." Pointing to her eyes, she then lowered her voice, and then, adjusting her body so "the goods" would get involved, asked, "With eyes like these, would I lie?"

"Fraulein, I have dealt with eyes like those before. They have often served liars and honest people" Gruber replied, slightly surprised by the sudden closing-in.

"Well, what would it take to prove I can be honest?"

Gruber replied, frowning, "You can get your girls out of my face."

Vicky coughed and said, "Oh my. Where did the time go?" Laughing, she leaned back, and put out her cigarette. Searching through her purse, Vicky then smiled and said, "I also know another thing that might prove my honesty."

She then tossed a small sack at Gruber, who picked it up. Opening it, his eyes widened as Vicky said, "There you go. Sixty thousand dollars in gold Krugerrands. Those are Pre-Apocalypse Krugerrands too. Rarest of them all."

Gruber then coughed and said, "You have me convinced."

The Kroot then said, "I too, have questions. What of the robotic nature of the Cylon? My people need new spirit material to survive. We cannot eat metal to gain this."

Vicky replied, "The Cylon has human-forms, which are similar to humans but exhibit considerable physical strength and endurance, as well as extrasensory abilities. You would find them...." Puffing on her cigarette for dramatic effect, she said, "...a good hunt." She then added, "Besides. The Centurions can be hunted for more effective weapons, and wargear. Wouldn't more wargear be better for your people? Think of the benefits...."

The Kroot pondered, and then said, "The Centurion would make a worthy opponent. The plunder is good. But, I require spirit material still, you know our people need it to continue. Otherwise, all the gold you provide cannot buy my services."

Vicky sighed and said, "Alright, alright....you'll get your genetic material. Besides, we'll have some jobs for you well enough." Puffing on the cigarette again, she then said, "Tell you what. You get to plunder the Centurions, you keep all genetic material you find, and you get standard pay. In exchange, your Kindred fight for us. Is that clear?"

The kroot said, "Very well. But we expect spirit material soon. If this deal is not profitable, I can always go to Nova Louisiana."