Words Among Factions

JP with Jaxx, mdman, Lorem, Trustno1, Redsword and Cindy

Alyssa watched the interaction between Max and the other Eun-Ji, she softly bit her lip. It was coming across as Eun-Ji liked to mess with people or attempt to. Alyssa then heard Max talk about a package sent to him through her. It didn't take but a few moments before she saw a message on her screen. "Max, you want to come over here and see if this is it?”

Agent Powers smiled at Alyssa and nodded as he popped his chest muscles for Eun-Ji before he walked to Alyssa to see what she was showing him. He looked at the screen and asked, "Watcha got?" He then looked at the screen and saw the FedEx email notice and nodded as he replied, "Wow that was fast. I might get it tonight at this rate.”

Eun-Ji’s illusion moved on, having completed her objective of testing the large man. She observed deflection through comedy and charm in his body language and tone. It made her consider he was potentially hiding some form of insecurity, was a self absorbed narcissistic, socially awkward or just immature; maybe all the above. Of course she didn’t have enough repeatable evidence yet to be certain, but it did make her seriously question his reliability and prudence.

In short, having been observing the Illuminati in action, and up close, she had a gnawing concern that they were more liabilities than assets for what they were about to undertake. Master Sung and Choi would be carrying this so-called “team-up”, if it were to be successful.

The real Eun-Ji continued to patiently listen.

Walking and sitting back down Sung thought for a moment. While in thought he had forgotten that Eun-Ji was trained in Sabotage more like espionage. Eun-Ji skill set and training were the best for what she could do. How Sung contributed to her training in many areas but she was not like him. An enforcer more or less. Sung knew to buy time and wait to see what would unfold. Not that he trusted anyone but Sung would not let that show.

Sung spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "When everyone is done and ready to go Let me know if we should split up and leave at different times and arrive that way too," suggested Sung looking relaxed. "Eun-Ji, what do you think is the best way to approach our target area?" Sung asked genuinely interested in her answer.

The illusion Eun-Ji stopped what she was doing and looked over at the center of mass of the gathering of individuals as if surprised by the question, while simultaneously looking at the real Eun-Ji as if to wonder what she would say. The real Eun-Ji paused to think. They had a meager amount of useful evidence. It made the operation similar to sticking one’s arm down a dark hole and hoping there weren’t pit vipers inside. That was not her style.

After collecting her thoughts, she replied, “Prepared and prudent.” Though she did not necessarily know if they had the luxury of wasting more time than already spent. She paused to see if Master Sung and the others wanted her to continue, reading their body language. It was clear by the hitch in her voice that she could continue. She was skeptical on why suddenly her opinion mattered in present company.

Sartre removed his MP5 from a suitcase in his bedroom.

Alyssa did one of those things she was quite good at watching and listening. She didn't think that her contributions would be best served in the catacombs. Fighting just wasn't the young woman's forte, would probably be more of a hindrance than a help. "I have small cameras I can attach to people. So, I can keep an eye on things from my van. Drones if needed, as well. And I can block-off the alleyway from others." As for what Eun-Ji had said, she wasn't wrong but it was doubtful they had the time to find everything. If the other woman wanted to keep going she could.

Agent Powers put his hands on his waist as he pondered what Alyssa said and nodded his head up and down till he gave her a smile and smolder. He replied, "Awesome Alyssa! You can guide us from your van in case we take a wrong turn or encounter something bad like a cave in. In the past my handlers had to do that stuff but sadly not all of them were good at it. I had to dig my way out a few times from the tunnels after the enemy set off some grenades. If you need to attach any gear to me, I'm cool with that." Agent Powers liked the idea of extra eyes on the team. It would make it harder for them to get in deeper trouble.

Eun-Ji did not agree with Alyssa staying in the van, in a sense it felt like she had less skin in the game. Decision making on high was removed from the pressure of immediate threat. It could lead to lag between inputs and outputs; especially if any interference or distance messed with the signals. She was apprehensive of letting the illumnati place any form of technology on her person.

“I recommend you come with us.” She directed to Alyssa. “I doubt your signals are going to work the more we descend and that is when your technology MAY be of the most usefulness. I have a person that can handle the topside tasks you proposed.” She was referring to David.

She then addressed the group. “Once down there I propose pairing off in an order for confined spaces. Big guy and Choi in the front, keyboard and I in the middle, gunslinger and Master Sung in the rear. Perhaps climbing gear would be appropriate with attachments between in case the environment is unstable?” She looked to Alyssa to see if she could verify the necessity of such items or not. She didn’t know their names, so descriptive nicknames were the best she had to offer at the moment. She also intentionally paired one of them with one their own, to keep tabs on them better.

Alyssa didn't like the idea of being in the catacombs. She wasn't scared of the place, or even the cult members, as formidable as they might be. She was aware there were those who would protect her, it was more the question what if what had been happening to her happened again. What if whatever was after her, somehow had even greater access to her down there. These weren't things showing on her face, but they were certainly running through her mind.

Alyssa logically knew she was likely no safer in her van but the grey large metal vehicle felt safer than most other places.

Not wanting to voice her concerns, though unclear as to why she suddenly felt that way Alyssa responded, "From what I've seen climbing gear could be useful in some areas." She paused, "Does your tech person have their own drones will I have to hook them into mine?" There was no way Alyssa was given her van over to a Dragon to play with, especially one she had no idea of their actual technical skills.

Agent Powers scratched his head as he was amazed by what he had just heard. True there was a logic to it much like in his RPG games but what irked him was the source of this plan. He then gave a smolder to Alyssa and then Eun-Ji as he asked, "Did you know that is the most you have said to any of us this entire time? Not to mention you are being very helpful all of a sudden, especially for someone who doesn't even know our names." Then he looked at Alyssa with a smolder and asked, "Now back to the weak signal she mentioned earlier (pointing to Eun-Ji), if you need me to I can carry some signal boosters to lay them out like bread crumbs in the tunnel. This way you can still work from the van. I mean that is an option we can look at since I am a bit concerned her friend (pointing to Eun-Ji) might panic and call the police on us ............. again." Then Agent Powers smiled at Eun-Ji and gave her a smolder.

Eun-Ji met eyes with Max, wondering if he had a point or if he just wanted to try and discredit her suggestions with ad hominem attacks. It took a double portion of patience to switch gears from what was important to talk about to his present foolishness.

“Words are not a measure of worth. Value the substance of what is said, not the frequency of speech.” She would leave it at that, in a battle of wits it was dishonorable to engage an unarmed man.

Eun-Ji then moved onto the next point, “My colleague does have equipment, but his aid would be only useful in securing our entry and temporary in regards to communication. Wireless signals, like radio waves, weaken underground due to the thick layers of earth and rock. Even with boosters stationed along the path, the signal would still be unreliable, akin to shouting across mountains – it might get through, but unclearly. I do not recommend putting ourselves in more of a vulnerable situation then is necessary. I once again recommend a localized alternative.” She hoped she didn’t have to break out more of her physics degree to explain to them how such things scientifically worked.

“And one more thing…” She returned her attention back to Max and the other Illuminati. “It was not the Dragons that initially notified the police to the church, but the foolishness of the Illuminati to cause such a clamor with gun fire and smashing furniture inside a church along a public city block. Next time think before you act, or at least learn like my colleagues here to use more silent techniques.” It was true she didn’t initially call the police; however, once they were already on the way she did take advantage of the opportunity to call them in the hopes of pinning a crime on the Illuminati. Of course, they couldn’t know that from an anonymous call … and they never would.

Alyssa rolled her eyes at Enu-Ji's comment. "Silent? I believe it was a Dragon that busted the down the front door to the very house we're standing in. I had to clean up that mess. So, why don't you give that advice to your own or at least get rid of that attitude - at least while we're attempting to work together. " Alyssa had definitely felt it since coming in proximity with Enu-Ji and it was getting on her last nerve. "The part about the radio signals is accurate, normally. However, perhaps you've heard of the Through The Ground communication system. It sends low frequency voice signals through soil and rock, at least 300 ft down. Miners use a form of it, but the IIlumanti has better equipment than that." Alyssa then turned to Enu-Ji. "You're not the only one with an advanced degree. Try thinking that some of us might know what we're talking about. However, if you're going to insist, sure I'll come with you. There's really little point in your friend coming if that's all he can offer.”

Were all Illuminati logically inept Eun-Ji considered? The petty rebuttal came off to her like the type of schoolyard retorts used when there was no articulate argument to be made. Instead the subject got switched. How does breaking a door of an abandoned manor in a slow neighborhood compare to a gun fight in a public church building? It was like comparing apples to oranges; even though she did agree that Choi had been foolish to break the door. It would be a waste of time and energy to say any of these thoughts, so she kept silent.

Taking the high road and sticking to more important matters, “True … the through-the-ground communication system is a method of transmitting signals or messages through solid substances like earth or rock. It typically involves technologies like ground-penetrating radar, seismic waves, or specialized underground communication devices to send and receive signals through the ground over short to moderate distances. Need I emphasize short to moderate distances? Once again I am not in favor of something unreliable and untested when faced with the large amount of current uncertainty. In addition, having someone secure our entry could prove somewhat useful for when we have to exit, hiding our activities from the public, or for keeping things from coming down behind us.”

She paused, “I insist you come, you are a Bee after all, computers are not the only thing you can do?” She was inferring this from her comment about fixing the door, such skills could be needed in the catacombs.

Alyssa didn't want to get into a entire session of what the IIlumanti equipment she had could do that the regular equipment couldn't, there likely wasn't time to walk through all of it anyway. "You're not really up on the latest equipment, if that's your knowledge of it." Alyssa was either insinuating that she knew more about that subject that Enu-Ji, as it was completely in her wheelhouse or insinuating that the Illuminati just had better equipment than the Dragons.

Either way, the subject moved on to her going into the tunnels. Alyssa didn't want to give Enu-Ji the satisfaction of knowing about her messed up bee. The only person Alyssa had told about her bee situation was Peter, who she glanced at quickly. "I already said, I'll come." As reluctant as the computer hacker was about it.

Eun-Ji conceded the technology point. “If your Illuminati equipment is beyond the industry standard specs, then I am sure you can have someone man it topside alongside our Dragon operative. Maybe it will work as intended, maybe not; we can call it a backup plan.”

Finally, progress Eun-Ji thought. “Good…. So if time is of the essence, perhaps we should gather what we each need and meet at the designated entry point?” She was concerned this grouping could easily waste time spinning over things which were mostly distractions. In addition, the sooner she could get this collaborative mission over and behind her the better.

Agent Powers gave Eun-Ji a raised eye brow after her snotty response. She reminded him of some handlers and targets that had to prove that they were right regardless of the circumstances. He didn’t understand why they had to be right all the time. Perhaps it made them feel important or something. He sighed as he shook his head side to side and then looked at his watch. He then said, “Wow. Anyway…….. we should all agree on who we team up with since not everyone is good at combat and tech support. Oh and my package should be arriving soon via drone so let me know when it arrives at your van.”

"Alyssa do you have a weapon preference?" asked Sartre.

Sung watched all of the exchanges between the groups there. Giving a smirk Sung stood to his feet. "I am going to get a drink, be right back," stated Sung walking to and out the front door. " Try not to annihilate one other while I am gone," Sung remarked sarcastically opening the front door and walking out. Sung wondered if they would be like this the whole mission. Sung grinned getting to his black SUV going to the back he pulled out a pack of four bottles walked back into the house and sat back down.

The bottles were green in color with white, black, and red on the label. They were written in the Korean language (Jinro Soju). Everyone could see as he pulled it out Sung twisted off the top and took a sip. Sung's face had an expression of satisfaction on his face.

Alyssa responded to Peter, with a shrug. "Not really, I'll have my pistol. Just whatever firearm's available."

A brow raised at Sung's reaction and when he came back and started to drink something written in Korean, Alyssa shrugged, and turned to Enu-Ji. "Well, the IIlumanti are ready. We come prepared but certainly if you need sometime to gather things we can meet you there."

A notice popped up in the computer hacker's phone, "Max I think your package has arrived at my van.”