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A2	Despite their presence being requested on ostensibly diplomatic goodwill grounds, anyone who intends to answer the public call from this 'YoRHa' organization (it's actually spelled that way in broadcast) gets nothing more than a time and a set of coordinates to arrive at, without context, specification, or any idea of what to expect. It's not exactly friendly and transparent, even though those seem to be the intentions communicated by the offer in the first place, and requires a certain degree of blind (or calculated) faith to take them.     It's easier to tell why when one has stepped through their nearest Warpgate and found out where they've ended up. A recent and artificial construction, the Warpgate they exit has been built aboard what is clearly a space station, plain as day. There's no sense beating around the bush about it, because the first view they get when they exit is one of Earth through a wide, transparent stretch of window, slightly fogged and gritty on the exterior with accumulation of orbital particles.     West Africa onwards is experiencing daylight, whereas eastern Europe and Asia are plunged into night, at the moment. The Antarctic is still locked in frozen ocean, determining which half of summer it is. A hurricane is brewing in the middle of the Atlantic. A chain of smoke drifts from the Pacific volcano ridge. No sprawls of electric city lights can be seen, even where there is zero cloud cover. It's altogether serene and surreal, seen at a significantly greater distance than the ISS ever was, but at such a peaceful drift that they may very well be geostationary, somehow.     The interior doesn't do much to distract from the view of the stars beyond. It's extreme spartan, with smooth, seamless walls and floors of white metal, striped and accented in deep grey. The lighting is sterile and pale, washed out blue, save that cast by the odd, extremely minimalist holograph that marks a rounded section of wall as a door and which provides directions and timetables on otherwise blank black squares. It doesn't really look like something meant to be inhabited, but it's too clean and spacious to really be a work area either. It is completely silent, without even the typical whirr of air recycling, though also too small for anything to echo in any way, giving it a somehow stuffy feeling.     Also, despite being in orbit, there is no satellite communication. No GPS or cable or anything. All the networks, for those looking for them, are local and extremely heavily encrypted, or at least, heavily encrypted and lead into the local ones.     There is absolutely nothing in the room they were lead into except the Warpgate and the window, probably set aside for the express purpose of building said gate, but someone comes to fetch them right away; a young woman with short, blondish hair, impossibly pretty, and dressed in a form-fitting black outfit highlighted with dull gold. She is clutching some kind of data screen in about the same way one would see a secretary with a clipboard, immediately injecting a good sense of what her job is here.     "Is that everyone we should be inspecting?" she asks straight away, technically chipper, but a little bit toneless. "You must have a lot of questions, so I don't want to keep you waiting."
August Kohler	It might be a surprise to some that of all people, August Kohler is here, and he isn't hiding his presence. He's in a hoodie, an armored vest underneath. He's uanrmed mostly, no gun but has a mirrored bracelet on his wrist. Staring out at the window, he's mentally mapping things, frowning. This is A2's world, huh? It's so...bleak. Without the lights of cities and people working and living, it doesn't really feel like Earth. As the woman comes out, August turns to her. "August Kohler. I'm as unarmed as I possibly can be." The redhead is curt, clearly simply wanting to hear what they have to say. "Is that good enough?"
Iria	Just a time and coordinates, nothing else. Sounds like something out of an espionage film or story. It seems suspicious, sure enough, but you don't know what is behind it all until you check it out for sure. It could be truly diplomatic and they just want to keep information to a minimum to avoid drawing suspicion or anything like that. Or it could very well be a trap waiting to be sprung. For Iria, the only way she's going to know for sure what's happening is if she looks into it. And that's exactly what she's doing, clad in her cape and all. Upon heading through the warpgate, Iria looks around for those she might recognize while taking in the environment that she's arrived in. "Huh, a space station," She comments to herself a little, a slight look of suspicion on her face as she doesn't fully know for sure what's actually happening here. "I wonder where in space we are." Iria turns towards the window nearest the warpgate and her eyes widen in disbelief as she gets a look at what things are like on Earth. "What the hell?" Earth looks like it's gone crazy in various ways, and Iria doesn't like it one bit. The more she takes in about this whole thing, the more she scowls and clenches her fists underneath her cape. "OK, that's just..." The brunette bounty hunter turns away, not wanting to stare for much longer lest her temper get the best of her. "Don't blow up now, Iria. We're just getting started." A rare show of self-control for Iria. As soon as August speaks, Iria looks to him and gives a nod of acknowledgement and greeting, before looking towards the woman as well. "Iria. Hunter 9799-5. I can assure you, though, that despite my occupation, I am completely unarmed." Indeed, Iria came completely unarmed, despite wearing her armored bodysuit underneath her cape. Even if things get out of hand, she's still capable of using her hands and feet as potential weapons. Hopefully, though, that won't happen.
Ezekiel Gravez	Ezekiel steps through the warpgate, and moves to the side to have a look around. He runs his fingers alongside the machinery and the infrastructure as if investigating it. A heavy brown coat and hat cover most of his body, and a futuristic gun belt hangs from his hip where The Patriot rests. There isn't much remarkable about his appearance if it weren't for the fact he was surrounded by others that looked so at odds with him that he clashed intensely with the group. "Evenin'" He says as he tips his hat to A2. "I got the call," He drawls with his thick country accent.      Zeke tilts his head upon seeing something that resembles Earth, and it seems to stagger him a little. A hand reaches towards the viewing glass and lays upon it softly. The cybernetic gauntlet shines against what little light is available, reflecting space in the alloy. He takes a deep wispy breath, and looks away towards the group with a look of subdued listlessness.      He sees people gathering, and offers a very casual introduction of sorts; "Name's Ezekiel. I guess'n we gunna work together for some time."
Kyoko Takada	Alpha-Three-Nine is here, despite her previous statement about letting these 'droids come and find her. None did, that she knows of. She's hear because August is, and can't even explain to herself why it is she feels like it's paying him back for something to come in for the purpose of reducing his own chances of dying in an ambush, but that's where her subconscious is currently at.     She's wearing a camo poncho of sorts that reveals a good deal of unexplained bulk on her frame. It's easy enough to guess that she came armed. There's no way she wouldn't, and it hadn't been specified. "Inspecting?" she asks. The last time she'd been through customs would be approximately "never." In fact, she did leave some of her gear at home. The AMR would be unwieldy in close quarters, and just slow her down. What she might have left on the other side of the warpgate, to cover a retreat, is another story.     She glances out the window, but not for long. The people in the station are a lot more immediately interesting than the potential for gawking like a tourist.
Tanya Degurechaff	The next person to step out of the warp gate is...unexpectedly small, and unexpectedly dressed.     A small girl, blonde and blue-eyed, no older than eleven or twelve just by her height. What makes this further unusual is that this girl is clad in an immaculate olive drab military uniform, with piping, epaulettes, a handful of theater and service medals, and a large pin of crossed swords over a filigree rose. In full ostentation, she also wears a dress capelet and carries a saber in a decorative scabbard at her side.     Finding herself indoors, she adjusts her peaked cap, then folds her arms lightly behind her back while regarding the Earth through the window.     After a moment, she turns towards the arrivals attendant. Lifting one hand, she tightens the glove, flexing her fingers, before returning both hands to behind her back and glowering at the woman beneath the brim of her cap.     "Major Tanya von Degurechaff, Imperial Liason." Eyes shift, wandering from the secretary to August, then Iria and Ezekiel before returning to the woman, "Your presumption is correct."
Kotone Yamakawa	The Paladins got used, even to the point it seemed to bothered All Seeing Eye troubled. IT was time to try and find out some more about this YoRHa and just what sort of stunt they were up to. She's dressed in casual looking smart clothing which has her badge visible on her belt and she arrives via the warp gate. She looks a bit on guard, she's not sure what to expect here and for once Kotone has a fairly serious look on her face to the point she's looking a bit doll like. She's not hostile but she does want to see what's going on but since this group has extended a desire to talk? Well here she is, she rather talk than shoot if she can help it. She would not be shocked about other people getting the invite. There are no GPS systems, no wireless nothing she ends up turning off her own wi-fi systems for the moment as well. She's lead along and takes note of the place, it's very minimalist here, very minimal indeed. "I am Chevalier, Kotone Yamakawa with the Paladins" She makes note of August, Iria and Ezekiel for a moment but then Tanya shows up which gets her gaze for a moment longer. Before turning her attention back to their host. "I'm glad this time your orgnnization is willing to talk, and I do have questions. I'm certain everyone here does."
Starbound Flotilla	"Still think we ought to be sneakin' a bomb aboard." "That is why I am the diplomat and you are not." "Can I also put my vote for the bomb thing?" "Yes, because that will make Mr. Petrov vote against you spitefully." "Optimistic. Isn't there a chance that this could be talked out...?" "Ehhh... Chance, maybe, but Floran hasss ssskepticism." "Aye. Suppose it'll not be harm, though."     The Starbound Flotilla's primary representative leads the way today. Moonfin of the Hylotl and one of the more diplomatic of the captains, the fishier member of the fleet is the one who handles the lead of heading to the interior. As befits the situation, the Flotilla are here in Durasteel armor rather than diplomatic clothing, simply because of YoRHa's history with attempted assassination and capture. Moonfin, the fishman, is in elaborate full-body durasteel armor that looks like a powered cross between a diving suit and a samurai's armor, glowing cyan at the faceplate. Biteblade, the humanoid plant, is in durasteel plating with elaborately carved wood and bone ornaments over glowing powered components that glow an intense green. Pavo the bird-girl wears a divine-aesthetic set of mesoamerican-style armor, with yellow runes and inscriptions lighting up on stylishly gleaming golden armor and robes. Albert the monkey-man is wearing elaborate dystopian commando armor reconstructed with a 'rebel spy' aesthetic: A sleeker faceplate, a slimmer form, and a more chaotic design that integrates thin, resilient plates of durasteel, and lines of bright white. George (just plain human) wears a futuristic combat EVA hardsuit that glows a gentle red at the flat faceplate. Seft, the robotic Flotilla member, is wearing full-on medieval knight armor with a soft energized blue glow below the plates on her body, and especially around the eyes. Each has a heavy industrial-yellow two-pronged plasma-cutter-like tool strapped to their side, a Matter Manipulator. "Reminds me of the old days, George." "Nostalgic, innit?" "Indeed."
Starbound Flotilla	The Flotilla will be keeping their weapons checked and unlikely to provoke, despite the tension. Moonfin, of course, bows stylishly low to the one with the clipboard. "Indeed. Please excuse our chosen equipment, as you must understand our caution. We rather appropriately value the true weight of diplomatic integrity, however." Or, outside Hylotl-speak: "You tried to blow us up, but we're okay with diplomacy if we can keep our EVA-capable gear."     Of course, a few other folks they recognize. "Heyyyy, burny ghossst friend! How hasss been sssince big sssnake fight? Been good? Floran hopesss!" Biteblade says, waving and offering upbeat greetings. Iria is recognized as well! Pavo gives that usual approving nod at the note of her bounty hunter nature, always seeming a bit more at ease about someone who has such sensible motivations.     "Hell," George says, peeking over at Ezekiel Gravez. "Someone bring a Novakid along? Haven't heard that accent since one of them was running me over with a train. No, whaaat, that's looking humanlike! No way." It's kinda rude to gawk, but George really doesn't mind being rude as he sort of peers at the man.     A-39, of course, receives her usual greeting: An over-enthusiastic handshake from Biteblade, who seems excited just to try out the still-unfamiliar gesture. Much the same wordlessness and much less the same enthusiasm from Albert to Tanya, though; the two are alike enough that Albert just sort of quietly and constantly approves of her demeanor in short nods of greeting. Kotone gets a better greeting, a series of beeps and boops from Seft. "Cheerful. Oh, Kotone! We haven't seen you since that fight with the biohazard demons, have you been well? I know that acid was terribly dangerous, it's good to see you again after all that awfulness." Always friendly, that one.
All-Seeing Eye	If anyone came here with a degree of calculated faith, it's All-Seeing Eye. Anyone who sees his bright, eager smile might mistake it for honest, diplomatic spirit, a chipper exterior presented even under such dubious circumstances. In truth, that smile doesn't come from diplomatic spirit at all, but a feeling best described by the Earth expression 'I wish a bitch would.' The Paladins would have easily agreed, had this YoRHa come to them asking for assistance. Instead, they attempted to cause an international incident (at least, in Eye's mind, this was their intent). Now, they finally want to talk, and they don't even give any information, save a meeting place? He would /love/ YoRHa to try something. It would give the much-needed opportunity to demonstrate, in detail, the futility of trying to sway the Commonwealth with brute force.      "August Kohler?" This is the young man who once described him as 'totalitarian.' Eye steps forward, offering a hand to him. "All-Seeing Eye, Warden of the Paladins, Head of Public Security.~" The office's name is spoken with a musical lilt. Whether August shakes his hand or not, the Exalt continues. "I know you had some concerns about my methods, but I'm very glad you're here today. It should give me the chance to... assuage those concerns." He offers a little bow, and turns an ear towards Iria--not looking directly at her, but listening.      Interesting. He's /absolutely/ come armed. His weapons are all integrated. What was he going to do, /remove/ his Charms? Absolutely not. But, he sincerely doubts that technology sufficient enough to discover his currently hidden augmentations exists here, in such a place of such scarcity. So he tells something that he technically believes to be true. He doesn't say 'I didn't bring any weapons. He says, "A search of my person will reveal no weapons." It's uttered in a tone that seems to agree with Iria's.      He makes the rounds, greeting every party that arrives to the negotiations. Part of Public Security is Public Relations, in his mind--how can he protect the Multiverse if it doesn't know him? After some brief, but seemingly polite pleasantries, he turns his attention once more to the representative. "The first matter we should discuss," he says without regard to anyone else in the room who might think otherwise, "Is the matter of your attempted entrapment." We're starting this diplomacy off on a good note here, folks!
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone also would discloge her own interal weaponry which is limited to interal heavy taser systems known as eelware in her body.
A2	The young woman begins entering names on a touchpad the moment each person introduces themselves, though there is the uncanny feeling they're probably being recorded on camera somewhere anyways. Space stations have few rooms and lots of complex and fragile systems after all, so that tends to be the typical. "I don't /believe/ acceptable militarization was specified, but the gesture is appreciated anyways! I mean, really though. One look out the window and you'd agree it's a bad idea to go firing weapons on board, right?" she says in the most convincingly welcoming tones anyone has ever heard spoken without a real inflection anywhere in them. "I'm 26O. Not that it really matters. You'll be wanting to speak to the Commander, or I guess she'll be wanting to speak with you. I'm just a data analyst and communications officer around here." She nods towards Ezekiel. "That's certainly our hope. We understand some of you have been caught in an unfortunate situation previously, so we'd like to clear things up and make sure there are no hard feelings, to ensure a working relationship." She keeps going in further response. "You're on board orbital installation 11, codename: Bunker, though it doesn't really have a real name, so, we all just call it 'the Bunker' anyways. It's where we do most our data processing and orbital transit, so command is being very trusting in letting you on board. Please try not to make a mess. Now, if you'll follow me, I'll have you right where you need to be. Answering questions is sort of above my pay grade. So to speak."     '26O' salutes somewhat casually to the group, though oddly with her left hand instead of the near-universally traditional right. She then turns to the door, which opens for her automatically, letting everyone out onto a long, straight hallway, though straight may be a misnomer; it curves upward very faintly as it progresses, just enough for the distance to vanish up into the ceiling. There are probably some familiar with why that might be. They pass a number of other doors, but they're all identical, save for number and letter designations, and a few odd symbols. Oddly, they pass a grand total of zero decontamination or screening areas, despite the obviously sterilized and pressurized environment.
A2	What's more interesting are the personnel they pass in the halls. Specifically, every last one of them appears to be female, about the same age, and dressed in black and subdued gold. Though they have varying choices in outfit and general personal style, as well as moderately different physical characteristics, without a real uniform between them, they manage to kind of seem uncannily similar, like being dozens of permutations on a handful of exceptionally beautiful women, or something like that. Still, they act as about one would expect. They cluster in the hallways, watching the procession past with great interest, chattering quietly within their circles, no doubt gossiping about how they look. Anyone here automatically stands out sorely, no matter how suited for the occasion they think they are. The local aesthetic is much too specific.     Eventually, they wind up standing outside of a door that is solely marked with what must be the organization's logo, though it's really hard what it's supposed to be resemble. It might just be an abstract collection of vaguely Gothic points and calligraphy, for all anyone can tell. 26O stands by the door, and waits until everyone enters, where they are presented immediately with a short elevator ride to a 'lower floor'. Even from up high, they can tell the space is some kind of vast communications center, with even further rows of near-identical girls at individual terminals, working on satellite footage of various chunks of Earth, or through impossibly complex code.     Unsurprisingly, there are armed guards, though they wait completely motionlessly. Dressed head to toe in heavy, sealed, powered armour, with nearly industrial aesthetic despite the much brighter gold accents, they actually manage to look fairly intimidating, despite /also/ obviously being female. They're also armed with swords rather than guns, probably for the reason of 'being on a space station'.     The elevator takes boarders to something like a conference platform, with a terminal setup like the captain's seat on a ship's bridge, commanding view of the central screen (though broken up into hundreds of smaller ones anyways) and all. It isn't difficult to tell why, since the woman there, older and taller than the rest, is dressed in bright stark white and extremely bright gold, probably denoting a huge difference in rank, along with obviously non-military length of hair and style of dress. She stands to receive the group, but doesn't salute, and has a somewhat deeper and more 'believable' voice.     "Greetings. I think this makes for representatives of all three major players we were able to contact?" she asks at a glance, though immediately checking her own datapad, likely having been transferred everyone's names and introductions preemptively, both in time to run a background check and also to avoid repeating the whole intro sequence twice. "I thank you for listening to reason and deciding to see the truth for yourselves. I wasn't completely optimistic, but there was a chance. I understand that a number of you had the misfortune of being caught up in an internal intelligence operation, pursuant to being misled by the wanted fugitive, A2, no doubt used as insurance. We at YoRHa sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding, and I assure you that the recording units of the E-type personnel involved are being thoroughly examined, pending investigation and possible disciplinary action."     "For those of you fortunate to be making contact on first terms, may I ask, first of all, what your knowledge is of YoRHa? Our mission? I have no doubt it's been thoroughly misrepresented by someone at least some of you are familiar with, to which I ask you to keep an open mind for the time being, with the knowledge that anything you've heard so far would have been from a wanted war criminal."
Ezekiel Gravez	Zeke thinks for a moment, and waits for a comfortable moment to slip a comment in. "I dunno much bout it. Care ta gimme and some of newfolk the three credit tour?"
Iria	Kotone Yamakawa may wish to take note of Iria, but Iria's not really taking specific note of anyone here. She's just waiting attentively for the next instructions from this woman in black, whether it is to follow her someplace or listen to her tell them something. When Pavo notices her and gives her that nod, Iria turns to smile at Pavo and give a nod of her own, albeit with a spunky expression on her face. "Nice to see you too," She says. Indeed, Iria's motivations are truly sensible, in that she hunts only for benevolent purposes instead of just taking on any old job that's handed to her. Are they being watched on camera or something? Who knows? Iria doesn't know for sure, but there is a slight tingle within her telling her she might be on not-so-candid camera. When 260 salutes the group, Iria replies by rendering her custom 'Bounty Hunter's salute,' before following after the woman casually. The issue of the doors looking pretty much the same as well as a lack of decontamination or screening areas means nothing to Iria. She's only here on business, not for a tour of the Bunker. The bounty hunter keeps her hands by her side underneath her cape as she walks alongside the others. It's true there are other personnel who all appear to be female and they all seem to look very similar to one another, but that, too, means nothing to Iria. It's mostly useless trivia to Iria. It's not until they reach the door with the logo on it that Iria narrows an eye as if trying to make out what it's supposed to mean. That attempt is brushed aside, however, when the door opens and everyone goes inside, Iria included. From there, they take a short elevator ride, which causes Iria to fold her arms underneath her cape and cross her right ankle over her left. The armed guards give a sense of security, especially with their armour and their sword combination. Apparently, security is very tight here even if there were no screening rooms or anything like that. Finally, they reach their destination, and the woman speaks, explaining what is going on here. As Iria listens, her eyes widen as she realizes that they're definitely in on something a lot deeper than Iria initially anticipated. She's about to say something, when Ezekiel speaks up, and the way he speaks makes Iria turn to look at him with a hint of disgust. "We're in a serious situation, and he's using slang terms and casual speaking?" She shakes her head. "I don't understand people sometimes."
Kyoko Takada	It's been a little while since Alpha-39 and Tanya had been shooting at each other, and as far as she knows, the sniper never got identified after that fight. She recognizes Tanya, if only because she's a rather more public figure, as well as that silhouette from under her crosshairs. Still, time to play it cool. Drawing attention to interfactional or merely past conflict would create needless risks in what's already a potentially dangerous situation. Radiation is one thing, but hard vacuum isn't something A-39 wants to chance.     And there are the flotilla members. Biteblade gets her handshake from the grim child soldier, who is getting used to this, somehow. She glances over to see how the other captains are dispersing for their greetings, and to take a closer look at Ezekiel. To her, that's a new face. Her attention then shifts to All-Seeing Eye, having not heard that full introduction-with-title at their previous appointments. She doesn't have the social subtlety to fully hide the look he gets for that, but a sharp look from that taciturn, dirtied soldier could mean just about anything, really.     The salute is not returned. Moments later, they're being led through. Once again, A-39 gets through a meeting without ever giving a name or code number. Excellent. They should still recognize her, if only because the E-series units saw her face, and it's recognizably the same to any half-decent, future-tech recognition software. Hopefully, they'll consider that encounter her sole reason for being here, and not because she has any stake in the safety of the other attendees.     The various androids stare, and A-39 flicks her gaze side to side, staring back and subconsciously adjusting her walk to fade into the sound of others' footsteps, her hands hidden where they rest against blade hilts. She doesn't say anything until they're face to face with the commander, and she's posed several questions.     "You're enemies with the machines transforming the planet under you. That's about it." No reason to get into the vague accusations A2 vaguely made.
August Kohler	August is clearly skeptical, as he's quiet while they approach, besides nodding to Eye (he does not shake his hand) and replying briefly. "We'll see." It's not until they reach the woman in charge, August slowly scanning the security with his eyes to get an odd of numbers, that he finally speaks up again. "August Kohler, Cloak of the Watch." He says it firmly, knowing his identity's already public, and clasping his hands together briefly before stuffing them into his pockets. There's a glance to Ezekiel, and then a glare to Iria, before he speaks to YoRHa again. "I know you fight machines. I know you don't allow dissenters and treat your soldiers as disposable slaves. I know you're hunting A2. And I know I have no reason to trust you and you have no reason to trust me, and I'm not going to believe anything you tell me without solid proof. If you can provide me that, I'll listen. If you can't, you're sure making a show of nothing." August is clearly supportive of A2, but the fact he's here means he's willing to listen if they have something, atleast. "I'll be upfront that I work with this 'war criminal' you're talking about. But I assume you already knew that." August removes his hands from his pockets again to place them behind his head. "What did she do?"
Starbound Flotilla	Moonfin bows deeply to the commander, yet it's the sort of bow that carries a little smugness, like "hey look at how much more respectful I'm being than yoooou", sort of. "Indeed. I am Haruto, Moonfin of the Hylotl, First of the six Starbound Captains, Hand of the Concord, at your service. I understand you wish to clear up the misunderstandings perhaps born of contact with the one known as A2. I am the last one to disqualify the words of another simply due to nuclear threat, and the first to ensure your information is received, understood, and distributed to those of the Concord and those with strong Flotilla associations."     The others settle about restlessly, but it's Moonfin who will do all the talking right now. He clasps his fingers pleasantly, with a soft, smugly knowing smile. "Our association with A2 is limited at best, as is our knowledge of your particular brand of Earth. Our interests are disassociated from loyalty to the interests in it, and focused simply on ensuring the Flotilla may maximize gain and minimize risk... In all ways and in all metrics. Please, provide us further insight and one hopes that our alignments shall need not be so /explosively/ disparate." He gestures in broad, placid motions as he talks, and seems hopeful.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa listens as 260 explains a bit more with them. She looks to Eye as he speaks up and she's not going to argue with what he's saying. The Paladins got screw jobbed it's true and maybe they can get somewhere with this. "The Bunker without a name?" She looks about for a moment longer as she follows their host. She makes note there's no decontamination areas or screening areas. Odd, very odd really, she gets how much she stands out but there was no real way to mimic the local styles without any real information on it. She might do so later if they end up working with them or having other official functions. She does note the armed guards as they finally make it to the. Then comes the woman who greets them at the end and she listens to her nodding she hears the name A2. "I'm willing to listen and hear what you ahve to say, I am Kotone Yamakawa an operative of the Paladins." There is a bit of respect gained for August flat out honesty that he's been working with A2. "I would ask what is the nature of your missions and just what are A2's crimes? Also I am curious about the people who make up this military orgnization. Just what happened...to this world?"
Tanya Degurechaff	Tanya keeps her arms behind her back as she follows 26O. She observes her surroundings very carefully, taking in the appearance of the station's interior, the uniforms of its soldiers, as well as the behaviors of the non-Concord representatives present. The Flotilla's members being present is a welcome relief, at least, and she offers a nod of recognition to Seft and Biteblade before they disperse too far. George just gets a scowl. It's Moonfin that's actually acknowledged by voice.     "I'll be relying on you to keep your crew under control," the little officer comments to the fishperson, "If they get too rowdy, it may harm our position."     A-39 is acknowledged with a look-- but she never saw the sniper in the Argonne, and so this is simply another soldier to her. Tanya merely narrows her eyes, but makes nothing of it.     When brought before the commander, Tanya stops smartly and clicks her heels. An equally sharp salute is provided, touching the brim of her peak cap, "Commander." Immediately, she parts her feet and folds her arms behind her back again, head lowering to stare under the brim of her cap once again, "I represent the Imperial Army. The agent 'A2' was identified as one of several parties interfering with peacekeeping operations within the Empire's borders. As we have learned of this agent's association with your organization, that is the context of my particular interest in what you have to say. Beyond that association, I know precious little about your operation on a personal level, as I have only secondhand accounts from subordinates as to the activities of this agent."     Head dipping, she adds, "My mind is open. Say what you want to say, with this context in mind, Commander."
All-Seeing Eye	Eye is silent when the subordinate officer they're speaking to is addressing them. The moment he learns she's not the one making the policy, the Exalt loses all but the most basic interest in her. He needs to talk to the commander, then. To his surprise, the commander opens up on the same matter he did. It's good to see that reason hasn't escaped them entirely, in their desperation to win this war.      But one admission does bother him. The recording units are being examined. If they discover his facial reaction to the spies attempting to apprehend them... that could be troublesome for his image. It might be prudent to make some social calls later. But, for now, he'll play nice.      It's good, too, because August is currently not playing nice at all. He's never gotten to play 'good regulator' before! "While I don't collude with criminals as August clearly does, I am an upholder of the law. If you make a request to the Paladins in good faith, and explain what laws A2 has broken, I would be happy to uphold yours." He has a thoughtful expression, then, as if remembering some detail he left out. "Is YoRHa a Commonwealth world, by chance?" He hasn't found anything in his own research, but new worlds unify every day. And, there's an angle he's trying to play here.      "I only ask because there's only so much of us to go around, you see... We try to help everyone, but we do tend to prioritize member worlds."      There's another matter, too, the issue of their culture. The fellow who identified himself as Ezekiel asked for the 'three credit tour.' That might be of some use, too, but more specifically, "What can you tell us about your culture?" A question like that, open-ended as it is, should be very telling.
A2	There is something of a mixed response, but August's clear mistrust and combative attitude seems to be in the minority. The girls keep their eyes to their terminals, admirably. The guards remain motionless. The Commander, as the only name she's been addressed by so far, seems to contemplate for a moment, before deciding the situation is acceptable.     "I'm pleased to meet a number of apparently distinguished individuals. I'm also pleased to hear that the damages, as they are, are minimal so far. For the benefit of those joining us, or else, for everyone, allow me to start from the beginning." She motions to one of the terminal girls, who turns around, and appears to be wearing some kind of short black veil over half her face, who nods and then switches a bulk of the main screen over to what looks to be a sliding timeline and orbital display.     "YoRHa is a military organization formed as of 11931AD; a special operations unit in light of the 14th Machine War. Though a semi-private and independent unit, YoRHa does answer to the chain of command, and ultimately to humanity as a mission. Let's dispose with any ideas of YoRHa being some kind of shady secret board ahead of time."     The timeline, currently set to 11945, scrolls a considerable way back, all the way to half its length, stopping at 5012AD. "This was the year that very humanity, which we are sworn to protect, was suddenly and abruptly forced to leave Earth behind. In this year, at the height of their glorious reign, mankind was invaded from beyond the stars; an alien civilization previously completely unknown, and to this day, ill-understood. Instead of occupying the Earth themselves, they deployed the Machine Lifeforms some of you have already seen as the proxy, and began a global conflict that lasted less than a single year."     The screen transitions to a huge spread of both field photographs and study images of hundreds of types of mechanical being, instantly recognizable for their shared oddity. Despite being ostensibly deployed as a weapon by advanced aliens, every single one of them looks incredibly simple --almost childishly so. Though they come in shapes from the distinctly humanoid, to things like hover craft, armoured vehicles, bizarre quadrupeds, multi-armed giants, and even odder forms, their shapes are almost all basic primitives, and they all share the same perfect spherical, featureless 'heads', with almost button-like glowing eyes. It kind of seems like a joke at first, but the longer one looks at them, the more the uniform simplicity starts to become kind of creepy.     Less than weapons, they could remind a viewer of toys. Tin dolls. Disposable, replaceable, wind-up killbots, with much more complex guns and blades crudely welded or jammed into them. Field images put some scale to them. The largest specimens are multiple storeys tall. The broadest captures can count units in the tens of thousands. Being excessively simple to build clearly has some advantage.
A2	"A self-replicating, self-modifying kind of evolutionary machine life, their rise in number was exponential, and exterminated the vast majority of humanity. The survivors fled to the moon, where they have now been forced to take refuge for thousands of years, while Earth belongs to the Machines." the Commander continues.     "We don't know what the aliens want with Earth, or why they haven't moved to claim it in all this time, but we do know the Machines are evolutionarily incapable of developing space travel, likely as a coded safeguard by their creators. Using this network of orbiting installations, we have been locked in 14 mass deployments, and following world-wide wars lasting decades each, and still been unable to break the stalemate. YoRHa is a special unit that represents the culmination of the few thousand remaining humans' scientific advancement after all these years. A special weapon with an overwhelming technological advantage, with the purpose of ridding the Earth of Machine Lifeforms for good, and finally allowing mankind to return home." The screen swaps to a number of infographics and lunar topography, but the detail isn't useful at this point, though it does display a number of other satellites orbiting in a dense ring.     "Our mission involves the development and deployment of new generation weaponry and tactics for massive scale anti-Machine operations, and the unwavering protection of the remainder of humanity, until such a time that this war is won. 'Culture' is irrelevant. YoRHa exists with a purpose, and there are few luxuries until that purpose is complete. Simply securing enough resources to continue to supply such a small lunar colony is already a full-time mission for those survivors of previous descent operations, never mind those who struggle just to get by day to day on the surface."     "With that in mind, you should be able to understand the grave importance behind unit A2's actions. She was one of the very first wave of YoRHa soldiers ever deployed, as part of a crucial prototype mission to finally put newly developed weapons and tactics, and reverse engineered technology to the test. A surgical strike on a Machine server housed in Mt. Kaala, which successfully disabled their network across the entire island region."     "Rather than returning with the information gained from the operation, and allowing YoRHa to capitalize on the victory and crush the Machine presence in the area for good, which we needed to establish a permanent planetary stronghold, unit A2 deserted and went AWOL, taking YoRHa secrets and technology with her. Because of her, the island chain belongs to the Machines again, and they began adapting to our first generation of weapons. By deserting the military, she has set the salvation of mankind back by an unknown number of years."     "As well as effectively stealing valuable data on the enemy, without being able to recall her, we are unable to produce an effective model line based on her combat type, which deprives us of an entire branch of valuable soldiers. Lastly, she has been evading capture or termination for upwards of four years now, and all attempts to bring her in have met with the wholesale murder of retrieval teams. Even you must understand why no legitimate military can tolerate actions of this kind."     She shakes her head at Eye specifically. "This 'unification' phenomenon is one we weren't aware of until the fugitive apparently enlisted the aid of foreign actors. As I understand, none of the 'usual' hallmarks of the process would have been easily noticed here. There's no telling how long ago it may have happened. A strategic alliance may prove necessary to obtain a decisive victory in this war, but that isn't something I can agree to immediately. There would be many stipulations to an arrangement like that."
Iria	Iria is not used to being called 'distinguished,' so the term makes her smile a little. However, that smile soon fades as she remembers she's here on official business, so she returns to a somewhat neutral expression instead. When the explanation appears on the screen, Iria watches with intrigue and interest. When she learns what time era they're from, her eyes widen again. "From that far ahead in time? Wow..." She whispers, never once having considered YoRHa to be shady in the least bit either. If she had thought they were, then the odds of Iria appearing here wouldn't be that high. They go back to 5012 AD to explain what happened in that era, and while some might be shocked by the news of an alien invasion, it's nothing new to Iria. She simply nods her head as she listens to what is being told to her. "Machine Lifeforms, so that's what we saw," She says to herself. The variety of mechanical beings do little to faze Iria for the time being. Even if they do look like children's toys, Iria knows that they're definitely more than just that, otherwise they wouldn't be here talking about them like this. "Self-replicating and self-modifying?" Iria echoes, raising an eyebrow. She'd say more but she doesn't want to risk interrupting or appearing to be out of her mind by talking to herself excessively. Instead, she focuses on the continued briefing of what's been happening. When she gets to the explanation about A2, Iria nods a little with understanding, but then frowns when she learns that A2 literally went rogue in a sense, a scowl starting to form on her face again. "I understand what you're saying," Iria says to the commander in a firm yet respectful tone, "But what would cause her to go AWOL and desert you like that?" She pauses for a moment, then sighs as she continues. "I admit, I'm not big on robotics or anything like that, especially something like this, but I'm thinking this is more than just a malfunction of some kind?"
August Kohler	"That's a nice story." August says, staring dead at the commander after watching the screen. He's considering it, considering the aliens, and how much might be true. But he can't believe her, not at face value. He trusts A2 too much. "But as I said, I need proof. From what I've gathered, you were going to dispose of A2. It's very possible she found something and you moved to kill her, so she's escaping. The fact that you were reclaiming her to make more aids that idea in my head. And while I don't have proof on my end, you're trying to convince me she's a war criminal who has done some very bad things. Can you prove me she hasn't been doing this in self-defense? That she's not just some rebel from a totalitarian state? Or that you're not just flatout lying about what you're saying in the first place?" August hmms, before turning to Iria. "Please. There's no reason to believe she malfunctioned. Don't go believing them that easily." August says...while willingly ignoring the fact he's believing A2 at face value, without any evidence of her own.
Ezekiel Gravez	Zeke's left eyebrow raises when a number of very passive aggressive jibes start to unfold, whereas what you get from a room full of high powered mercenaries and elites begin posturing. Electing to stay silent, most of them are already telling him everything he needs to know for now, and is filing it away in the mental rolodex for later use. However, the moment the really real helpful information comes out, he listens to it very carefully. Whether or not any of is true at this point in time, remained to be seen. One thing remained incredibly clear however, that members of the group were volatile with each other, leaning toward evidence of past struggles. That was going to be a big problem, should the objective suddenly become at odds with personal squabbles. The future remained unclear for now, so it seemed that subtlety is the tool coming out of the toolbox now. Zeke simply needed to see how things played out for now.      Ezekiel shifted his weight on one foot and turned particular attention to the Hylotl who identified itself earlier and mentioned something about a Novakid. Might be worth researching later, to be sure.      And then open discussion about improving warfare technology reaches his ears. Dialing his hearing into it, Ezekiel let a calm settle over his features. Considering what had been said, having Nanite enhances weaponry, bio or otherwise would definitely be a been to these people. And, that makes this a very very dangerous situation. 'Keep a cool head, Zeke. This is poker. Don't drop your hand too early, or you'll be made.' He thought to himself. His face straightened, his fell into a neutral mask.
Kyoko Takada	The timescale takes a moment to hit Alpha-39. She grunts, imagining millenia of stalemated war. Cross-check that with the size of the lunar colony, and she has questions about viability. Are they just practicing very careful population control, or did they make themselves immortal? She's not sure, but a colony of thousands sounds like something at the very low end of sustainable population, not that she's an expert on interplanetary colonization efforts. Life must be both horribly boring and poor for the only humans still around.     "Sounds like you should just give up on the place, or let your leaders do that." Like the extermination unit pretended they were going to. But that means they already knew it was an option, and decided they couldn't. Military command, of course. Orders can't be broken. "Quarantine the damn planet and find some greener grass." She shrugs. REMFs gonna be REMFs.     She shoots Iria a look, trying, probably unsuccessfully, to communicate the uselessness of asking any authority with secrets to keep why someone would betray it and carry away its secrets. She whispers into her communicator, practiced at maintaining both low volume and minimal movement, while still letting her equipment pick it up when so configured.
Tanya Degurechaff	"She /is/ a war criminal," Tanya states evenly at August's objection, her eyes shifting his way under the brim of her cap, "If not in your eyes, than in the eyes of the Empire. Remember we are discussing someone who invaded a sovreign nation and attacked its military directly under no provocation. Regardless of what you believe her reputation to be with this organization, this woman is doubtless a war criminal and a terrorist in the eyes of the Empire." After a pause to let that sink in, the tiny officer brings out the big guns: "Or would you like to justify her actions to the wives, daughters, and sons of the men she murdered?"     Tanya returns her attention to the display, only now removing a hand from behind her back to stroke her chin, "Desertion is a severe crime regardless of the time period it occurs in. It requires little more evidence than 'not being at your post'. There really is no excuse for that, after all, following orders is the easiest thing in the world." After a moment's thought, she nods once, "This seems reasonable to me. Especially given the state of the war that is currently being fought. Every resource is precious. Waste in this situation is abhorrent. Sinful, even. And to break the trust of your commanders for any reason is no less than complete heresy."     After a moment, her eyes shift to the Commander directly, "I imagine there is precious little in what you are willing to share that explains /why/ she deserted. Though it hardly matters, a crime is a crime, sometimes context can help predict future actions."
Kotone Yamakawa	That was a heck of a lot of information to take in, Kotone had thankfully been paying attention and also activated an internal recording system too for her sensory input as well which would let her go over this later as the Commander had given them a lot of information to go over about this. Much like Iria she's not used to being called distinguished herself. It's a simple summary but the talk of a self replicating weapon system? If those robots found a warp gate, they could have a hell of a time in the multiverse as a whole dealing witth something like that. "Von Numan machines of a sort? Troubling, I have seen what similar technology has done on another world." She'll never stop being haunted by what happened on Rory's earth either. "Relocation to another location? That's a new option unification now provides." She gives a look to Eye who is her superior she has some ideas but she's going to wait to see what he does first. He should be able to catch she does have some ideas but doesn't want to ruin what he's going for at the moment. "Though on the matter of A2? More information on the nature of her crimes and behavirour."
All-Seeing Eye	"But of course," says All-Seeing Eye in response to the Commander's mention of stipulations. "We'll discuss them later--I'm certain it's something the people of Earth would like to be present for, anyway."      When August interjects, Eye doesn't do anything to countermand him, save for a thoughtful frown. Instead, he focuses on the commander using his augmented hearing. If there's a heartbeat or something similar, he's trying to find it so that he can listen for any aberrations if and when she provides her proof. While he listens, he attempts to sway the commander further to his side.      "Agreed," says All-Seeing Eye, with a surprised smile on his face and a grateful nod to Tanya. He doesn't have to look down to see her, and chooses not to. Something about her demeanor tells him doing so would just sour things, anyway. "I don't condone A2's actions at all, but a motive would greatly assist in her capture, if you do desire our assistance."      Kotone's expression doesn't escape his notice, but he'd argue that very little does, anyway. "Chevalier Yamakawa also brings up a good point," he says with a congenial smile. "Though as an outsider looking in, it seems as though you've invested a lot to take your Earth back. I'd perfectly understand not wanting to give that up in search of another."
Starbound Flotilla	"Hmmm..." Moonfin puts the webbed hand to his chin, and seems to contemplate what he's been told, taking a moment to clasp those webbed hands together and tap a single finger thoughtfully. "A remarkable scenario you have come upon. I sympathize quite deeply; the homeworld of my own species was invaded and occupied by hostile, violent, aggressively reproducing... Masses of opposition." Yes, don't be racist right here. "Though sadly, I can little afford matters of charity. Strategic alliance may offer us some, but I can guarantee only a particular set of interests on the part of the Flotilla and the Concord."     "As of now, I can likely guarantee that we will take no action to assist A2 in matters of conflict with YoRHa, as long as YoRHa makes no moves against us. I can similarly state that I cannot imagine we would take action to assist the Machines in maintaining their hold over the Earth. But I can certainly guarantee that our actions to pursue profit, benefit, and growth in all matters pursuant to this Earth of yours, assuming full knowledge in all matters, will not be done with any intention to support your foes, and that our own assistance may certainly be rendered at the proper times."     "Our weapons and armor trade will certainly be open, and operations we may collaborate for are on the table." He says, gesturing broadly as a few holographs project from his Matter Manipulator, showing off stylish melee and ranged arms and armor. "And we will endeavor to keep you appraised of work that we pursue pertaining to our shared interests. Some of our own interests are tangential -- perhaps perpendicular may be the better term -- but I can foresee no true opposition to your cause."     He's open. He's not committing. But he's open. And he certainly isn't going to get any bad relationships for the sake of A2. If YoRHa brings something for the Concord and Flotilla to the table, he'll likely shift his tune, though he almost wants to see what could be done with the machines themselves before committing to this two thirds of the way through understanding all parties involved.
A2	Despite what some might expect, the Commander actually answers Iria, albeit with a distinctly unhappy and reserved tone of voice. It is at least a solid show of transparency, which is probably surprising, given the authoritarian military bent of this place. "We have no reason to suspect any kind of corruption. If her memory were that severely damaged during the operation, or were she infected with a logic virus, she'd be long dead by now. It's much simpler than that. During the operation, she and the rest of her team, along with a number of the members of the local Resistance, were surrounded by over a hundred thousand Machines, and made to resort to drastic sacrificial tactics to continue the mission, as well as forced to execute personnel who succumbed to viral infection. Unit A2 was the only surviving member."     "Understand that the original wave utilized a wide variety of core personality data for the sake of versatile thinking in order to maximize success. Some of these turned out to be dead ends, but others were deemed successful templates. Unit A2 was a control; a YoRHa unit deemed to have the most 'average' and 'human-like' personality. Records from training onward show a high level of empathy, aptitude for teamwork, communication, and sympathetic organization, but ultimately a low ability to deal with conflict and stress, and dramatically lowered levels of aggression. The deaths of her team resulted in a form of post-traumatic stress and emotional breakdown. Unfortunately, /too/ human-like. Even unable to continue a soldier's duties, she would have been a hero if she had returned."     She looks even less happy with August, though at this point, few could probably blame her. "You don't believe me? Fine. See if you believe this." She gestures again to the same operator. The girl looks hesitantly back at her, getting as far as "Commander-" before she is interrupted with "Do it." The central screen takes on footage of what could be conceptually called a 'helmet cam', though it's obviously direct visual feed. It's dated 11941, and labeled 'Pearl Harbour Descent Mission', marked 'A-4'.
A2	The quiet, previously punctuated only by the faint bleeping of terminals, is replaced with the background thrum of high-tech thrusters, and the rush of air. It's aerial footage, taken from breaking through a cloud screen, with the ocean stretching out far below, hundreds of miles into the horizon. The owner, no doubt unit A4, looks to either side, and checks up on a number of craft around her, though she seems to be following a lead vehicle, denoted by its white colour opposed to the black of the others; some sort of flight-capable frame, partway between a powered suit, mecha, and fighter craft. The pilots are locked in such a way that it looks almost like an exoskeleton, and one easy to dismount. This makes it easy to identify a number of other women, some of whom looks vaguely similar to some faces they've seen so far, flying alongside her.     The audio is crystal clear, and after a robotic voice from the flight machine assesses: "Altitude: 50,000. Units are past point of critical heat re-entry. Heat shields are cooling. RCS are operating nominally. Electrical systes, check. Phased array radar systems are coming online. Preparing to open comms. Restoring voice communication. 45 minutes from mission start." the girls begin to talk.     The first one is unmistakable as A2, and yet so different that her words are practically a smack to the face, or at least, a smack to August's. She sounds as if she were 15 years younger somehow, and legitimately . . . happy. Even when A4 turns to look at her, despite the difference, he would recognize her face; her actual face, without burns and grey scars, pretty as all the others, if not prettier. She even has a black and gold outfit, with actual skin and unbroken limbs. No 2: "So, that's the ocean~! It's so beautiful~!" No 16: "Heh, you're one to state the ovvious, No2." No 4: "Hey, hey! What do you think Earth is like?" No 21: "I assume it would be much like in the simulations." No 4: "Ugh, that's not what I mean!" No 3: "You guys, we're in the middle of the descent mission! Knock if off with the unnecessary commentary." No 2: "Okaaaaaay." No 1: "This is Squadron Leader No1. The mission is progressing as planned. We will reach our designated landing point in 40 minutes. There is no sign of the enemy."
A2	The Commander's own voice tunes in at this point, clearly having been supervising the mission. "She only gets as far as to say "Don't lower your guard." before a ruby red streak from far over the horizon blasts the lead machine out of the air in a fantastic explosion, being some kind of laser artillery. The group falls into hurriedly rearranging and frantic chatter to command, but A2 can clearly be heard over the others, screaming "It can't be! Not No1! What's happening?!"     The Commander stops the video at this point. "These are logs of a lengthy, detailed, and ultimately gruesome weeklong mission, containing a great deal of classified information. I may decide to release the full footage for review, but not without any kind of compromise in return. Are you convinced I know what I'm talking about, Kohler?" she asks, more like a little coldly.     All-Seeing Eye is wise to focus his senses on this particular exchange. Though the Commander's voice is exceptionally convincing, what he finds is thus: she has no heartbeat at all. In fact, none of the women in the room do. Their heat signatures are abnormal as well, if he moves to check that. Not a single one of them are human. Nobody on the whole satellite is. It certainly puts talking about humanity like that in a new light.     Every single person he's met from this world so far, every last one, has to have been an Android.     "I'm glad many of you are willing to see reason. However, abandoning Earth at this point is an unacceptable choice. Our kind has fought long and hard for these long millenia to free our planet from the Machines --the menace that has killed countless millions of our sisters and brothers, and exterminated billions uninvolved with the military. Packing up and leaving, without avenging our comrades, and forcing mankind to abandon its original home once and for all, is not acceptable. Everyone who has fallen so far would have died in vain, especially when we are poised to finally bring an end to this war with the greatest weaponry ever devised. It might be a fallacy, but nobody sane would agree to throw away all the blood shed for this cause when we're a few short years away from total victory. We cannot betray humanity in that way. It runs counter to our entire purpose."     Finally, she seems to lose some of her tension as matters of trade and assistance come up. "However, any further advantage would be a blessing, and unlikely to be something YoRHa would turn away, to say nothing of those on the surface. If we can reach amicable terms, I'm sure the board would be open to negotiations. At the moment, there is already a matter that I could ask you to see to. As show of good faith, and a test of your intentions and overall competence."
Iria	"A lot simpler than that?" Iria scowls. "Sure doesn't sound like that to me. And PTSD as well?" She lowers her head and shakes it. "This is getting more and more strange by the minute." When she hears the Commander speaking bluntly to August, Iria looks up again and proceeds to watch the footage that is being shown. For some strange reason, Iria isn't fazed from what she's seeing, although that could be because she's having a hard time believing what the Commander has just told her. They're conversing among one another as well, which fails to make any difference to Iria as well. It's not until the huge beam attacks, taking out the lead machine almost instantly that Iria takes notice. When A2 cries out in disbelief, the bounty hunter's mouth begins to hang open a little. "I don't believe it..." She shakes her head again, glad that she's not in August Kohler's shoes and being spoken to so harshly. When the Commander brings up reason, Iria attempts to soften her expression again and nods a little. "I've learned through my profession that learning to see reason is one of the key elements to being successful, and I wholeheartedly agree that abandoning Earth wouldn't be the best of things to do." A pause as Iria thinks something over, then she replies with, "What is this matter that you speak of?"
August Kohler	"I don't know what you're talking about, so I'm not going to comment on that. But from 'she's a criminal so she's wrong' is something we won't agree on, ever." August stares down at Tanya briefly, before moving to look at the video. August finds himself staring at the footage. At A2, specifically. As much as he wants to deny this...that's her. That's absolutely her, and she's absolutely different than the person he's seen. It's clear from his face that he believes it, too. "Fine. I believe you. So, what, she couldn't handled it and snapped? PTSD?" August asks, flatly. The pure hostility has sort of faded, though he's obviously not really supporting them yet. "And that made her a murderer. Is that all it is? Or is there more to it?"
Kyoko Takada	Alpha-39 snorts. It's unclear whether it was Tanya or the commander. Probably both.     She listens. That sounds like A2, alright, though with androids being what they are, she's still not going to take that as any kind of proof that that really is the same continuity of consciousness that led to the one she's talked to. Some of that "most human" and "empathic" stuff is interesting to hear.     "Fine, you keep fighting for it. That's what you're for. But don't you think a moon base is harder to keep up, with your total lack of safe supply lines, than moving all the humans, and just the humans, off-world? There are worlds where humans live safely, you know?" She shakes her head, straightening up and relaxing enough to draw her fingers back away from the knives under her poncho. "And whether you do that or not, you've still got to make sure the place is quarantined. Or do you want the machines expanding their factories into other worlds, so that even if you're not just propping up morale with your timeline, you kick them off this world to find they're coming in at you from another? They don't need space travel to get out of here anymore. They just need to find a point where this world connects to another one, that isn't in space."
Starbound Flotilla	"If such a matter being seen to would be in our mutual interests, I would be quite happy to oblige." Moonfin says, bowing again. "With such an effort, perhaps we may gather more information." His smile goes from pleasant to smug, as it so often does. "I have no doubt we can prove our own intentions and competence. With luck and with hope, an alliance with YoRHa may turn out to be the point of greatest benefit here. If not, well, collaborations however brief are a pleasure." And getting pointed at more points of interest on that planet is a good thing to get into.
Tanya Degurechaff	Tanya's gaze returns to August, while he speaks. However, she doesn't have a response for him. Her eyes return to the videos on display, glowering beneath the brim of her military cap. Her hand lowers from her face, shifting back to behind her back as she regards the logs presented. After a moment, she straightens, "Forward these videos to my comrade, here." She tilts her head slightly towards Moonfin as she says it.     It seems like the actual events that unfolded in the footage shown has had...little noticeable effect on her. Even the sudden demise of A1 and A2's panicked shouting doesn't show any change on the little Major's face.     Then again, she's fought in wars before, so perhaps this is simply nothing new to the Devil of the Rhine.
All-Seeing Eye	"Completely understandable," says Eye on the matter of not wanting to abandon Earth. He then makes another appeal. "And... from one custom-built defender of humanity to another, I commend your loyalty."      August's assertion regarding criminals invites a direct response from Eye. "That's unfortunate," he says with slight disappointment, looking over his shoulder with a small smile. "But I, at least, can agree to disagree. In the mean time..."      Eye turns his head to face the commander once more, flipping his hair over his shoulder. "I must also admit to some interest in the footage, myself. What would you ask, in return for its release, in entirety? You understand some caution is necessary on our part after that... dreadfully unfortunate little mixup we were involved in."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa was not expecting what she was shown, part of the landing A2 being happy? That's gets a stunned response out of Kotone from the look of shock on her face. As more of the Commander's story is told she starts to wonder about several things as the talk about her being the most human, the PTSD makes sense. "Humans can only take so much before we break..." she has to wonder how she hasn't herself with what she's experienced. "A human suffering PSTD from a situation like that isn't shocking to me. Humans can only take so much before we break from mental strain." She seems to be thinking for a moment. Kotone would push the evac idea, maybe a relocation until the machine plague can be purged might be in order right? Still this does not feel like the time for her to push it. "I'd not give up on my home either and I too wish to know more and would be interested in aiding if thing prove to be premissiable." SHe looks to Eye for a moment then back to the Commander. Things were more complex than she though about A2 and then some still if this is true...? Either way there's much to do one way or another.
Ezekiel Gravez	Listening to all the information being exchanged was very interesting. More is always helpful. He absently spun a revolver cartride in his right hand, falling into thought. There was a longing to explore it again, even if this wasn't the Earth he had known and studied. The Multiverse was vast, and thus the opportunity to be a part of an expedition just to VISIT the place seemed worthwhile. That being said, stirring up a battlefield condition will obviously take away from that. Nostalgia flooded his mind which precipitated him flicking his hat up in response. "I'll go." He said, simply.     Resources were important to people, to be sure. But not to mince words but a planet liberated from a machine menace posed a significant amount of resource gain potential, ON TOP OF getting its natural populace back upon it. Clearly the people inhabiting this place have had their history subverged by it all. "Yeah. I'm in." Zeke looked around to all the others, with a look on his face that hopefully appealed to their sense of virtue, if any. He wasn't sure how many would, but it seemed All-Seeing Eye was interested; Calmly at that. This may the opportunity to get to know 'the team' as it were a bit more, provided they had the courage to stand for action. It might be brave. It might be stupid. It might be a terrible idea. It might even result in Zeke's death. But, at this point in time there can be no going forward without ACTUALLY going forward. He takes a silver flask from his gun belt and twists the cap away, taking a swig. The cool liquid swirled around in his mouth, and he wiped his moustache with the back of his right hand.     Hand played. A pair of 9's. It's not strong but it gets the table looking to push bets.
A2	"I don't claim to understand unit A2, and frankly I don't need to. All that needs to be understood is that she is a traitor to YoRHa in possession of crucial information resources and an exceedingly violent and dangerous fugitive." the Commander responds to August, quickly taking on that tone common to people in authority putting their 'hat' back on after being challenged when leveling with someone.     This time the operator doesn't talk back when she indicates to her again. The screen fills with splices of video footage from at least twenty other units, all of them visually accompanied by at least one other in their respective moments. A2 is obviously featured in each one, and they paint a scattered timeline of her time on the run, with each image depicting her in gradually worse states of wear and tear. Her YoRHa outfit disappears piece by piece, her artificial skin retreats up her arms and legs and away from her joints. She takes on a tapestry of burns, abrasions, jagged 'scars', and carbonization.     Every single one though, is the picture of graphic, brutal violence. The excitable young woman devastated by the loss of her commander from minutes ago now uniformly bears the same hollow, living-dead stare in each recording, and proceeds to decapitate, dismember, impale, and mutilate scores of others without hesitation. There is an /extensive/ library of attempted retrievals, escalating to attempted captures, and then attempted assassinations, that end with artificial blood on every surface and scattered limbs and corpses littering the ground. any of them look like A2 actually took them by surprise, and initiated the conflict first. They're mercifully set to video only, but the only words to mute anyways are in a handful of different recordings labeled alternately '2-B' and '9-S', which recur multiple times.     "That looks like a killer to me. Furthermore, one with no sense of hesitation or humanity. Whatever your compulsion is to defend her, I advise you to cut off contact with unit A2 as soon as possible, unless it is to aid YoRHa in a recovery operation that demonstrates some probable chance of success. Otherwise, you would do well to avoid her. Without any kind of maintenance for years on end, it's entirely possible her personality data may soon degrade to the point that she becomes completely uncontrollable. Furthermore, the A series was built to test the uppermost limits of YoRHa's offensive design specifications and attack technology, and possesses numerous features that were removed from all further models for being considered too dangerous."
A2	Determinedly, she moves on to what she believes is the more important (or at least potentially productive) subject matter at hand. "YoRHa obviously does not constitute the entirety of us fighting on behalf of mankind. In the first place, there are already plenty of people still surviving on the surface. Along with the remnants of previous mass descent forces, a sizable number of them, larger than YoRHa by far, call themselves 'the Resistance'. They are valuable personnel, responsible for our most reliable and regularly updated data on Machine movements and local conditions, as well as the indispensable ground crews that are needed to constantly acquire supplies and launch them into orbit. They fight for the same case we all do, and deserve YoRHa's full support, as we have theirs."     "We have a number of designated contacts in amongst them, but a particular region has completely dropped off our radar, and we haven't heard from the designated contact in some time. Their last transmission was a significant length of time ago, and not only will we lose a great deal of information if they aren't recovered, or at least their body, but we are in danger of losing the Resistance cell in that area if the Machines locate them and organize. I'd like someone to reestablish contact with the cell in the area, and then see if the missing contact can be located."     "If at least one of your parent organizations can accomplish this mission, we will open full negotiations regarding the trade of resources and technology and the release of classified information to qualified personnel, however no earlier. The subject of relocation is something I am certain the board will be reluctant to discuss, as am I. It would be difficult to convince so many people whose sole purpose is to protect humanity and bring them back home, to take them somewhere else, further away, to some other world that isn't understood, where any number of things could happen."     "For the time being, the Machines have demonstrated no capability, and possibly no desire, to leave the planet. Our analysts believe their programmed behaviour to be narrowly defined within an extremely rigid structure of orders left to them by their alien creators, and they are unable to evolve their minds to a point that would circumvent these restrictions. If they haven't left by space flight by now, it's doubtful they would leave via these 'gates'. I would trust only highly qualified personnel to determine whether a large scale relocation is worthwhile, never mind in order. Securing additional supplies and labour for the existing lunar colony would seem to be more immediately practica."     Finally, the Commander pauses a long time at one last point of discussion. "Lastly, the board wishes to verify the authenticity of a number of foreign agents claiming to be physiologically human. If any of you would be willing to submit to a brief genetic testing process and these claims can be verified, further arrangements can be made."     That's a real weird one. There is also one very specific person to blame for this, who is sadly non-present.     Finally, the Commander actually looks pleased for the first time during this whole visit. Ezekiel had been by far the quietest member of the group so far, delaying his first impression for a considerable amount of time, but when nearly the first words out of his mouth are a ready and unreserved offer to volunteer for the mission, it seems he's proved his worth. "That's good to hear. I'm glad to know that at least some of the people we share a universe with now have a sense of pride, even perhaps honour. I'll have the information downloaded and handed over before you leave."
August Kohler	Despite August's use of violence, he actually has issue watching the entire footage. After a bit of trying to stomach through it, he turns away, and waits until it's done. He knew A2 was violent, but watching this...this was bad, for a specific reason. August was clearly uncomfortable, as he turned back to the Commander. "I'll do what I end up thinking is the best choice, but I thank you for the information you've given us. Can you release any of it to be shared to the rest of our factions?" As uncomfortable as it is, the Watch has a specific methodology, and showing the videos to everyone to decide for themselves is something he has to do. August then prepares to leave. "I'm going to fight these machines one way or another, though." Whether given the information or not, August moves to return through the warpgate. He doesn't have much else to say, and he has someone more important to talk to.
Tanya Degurechaff	"Mission objectives which seem entirely reasonable," Tanya nods once, taking mental note of the highlighted points. Re-establish contact wit rebels. And...verify humanity. Which strikes her as unusual. Her head tilts, an eyebrow lifted, but after a moment she tilts her head up with her eyes closed, "Well, I don't see the harm in proving what species I am. Perform your test."     Eyes open again, though, as she regards the still shots of A2 on display. The disregard for her own condition. The single-minded ferocity. Blue eyes narrow. Little more than an animal on the run. Perhaps 'terrorist' was too generous of a term, but she already went and said it. Might as well stick to her current stance on the matter, rather than appear indecisive.     "I will continue tracking A2's activities to the best of my resources," she commits to after a moment of thought, "And I see no reason not to commit firepower against the machine menace should YoRHa somehow request the Empire's specific assistance." Eyes closing, she admits, "Though for you this is the 120th century, but for me it's 1925. Of the Empire's assets I imagine only my magic would be of use."
Starbound Flotilla	"Ahhh, you know, we do in fact have a human member--" "Nah." "Er... Just one moment." "Nah." "'Nah'? I am certain--" "Oh, well, the easy fix is to take that certainty and make it uncertainty! Nah." "...My apologies, it appears I cannot provide you with proof of humanity." "Snubnose over there can cover the genetics bit easy, I'm sure."     After that brief exchange between George and Moonfin, even Moonfin himself seems baffled by George's unwillingness to either claim humanity or to submit to genetic testing, but with a few plaintive gestures he moves on to the more relevant topic. "The matter certainly sounds like one we are both qualified to investigate, and which may lead us to useful resources and points of interest. We would be quite happy to act on such a lead, to pursue matters in that location ourselves, and to work where our benefits align."
All-Seeing Eye	Eye seems pleased, too, when the Commander mentions the conditions for the release of the full footage. "Splendid," he says, excitedly clasping his hands together with a bright smile. "As for genetic testing..."      The color drains from his face until his skin is shock white. From his forehead emerges an oval-cut champagne diamond, vertically set in a way reminiscent of the classical 'third eye.' Circuit pathways cross his cheekbones like delicate, iridescent tattoos, and dark metal cybernetic augmentations unfold themselves into being--mainly on his ears and his eyes, but his sleeves bulge slightly as well, hinting at further augmentation.      "I'm not human," he says, idly twirling his hair around a finger. "Just built to serve them. I'd be happy to serve those of your world by helping you regain contact with your allies, and bringing A2 to justice." Evidently, the videos were proof enough for him.
Ezekiel Gravez	Ezekiel continues to listen, though the thought of submitting to genetic testing seemed to ruffle his feathers a bit. The moment the consequences entered his mind, the Cyberdeck immediately lit up. A holoprojection shimmered in the air in front of him, with a screen of code. He started to write more code right away, without even speaking or using his fingers to type. It seemed to write itself. The word CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL AMENDED blipped across the projection. It was at that point he shut the program. Several bits of organic circuitry along his exposed body pulsed with the same azure glow and then faded.      "Okay," he said, his face continuing the same expression of neutrality. Better the conversation of symbiants not come up. This was better for all involved. If blood is extracted, then no nanites will be found. That is also to say, that entire missing blocks of information will be missing.
Iria	The thought of submitting to a genetic testing process seems a little weird to Iria, but at the same time it makes her chuckle, wondering how Zeiram would handle under something like that. As for Iria herself, she nods in approval to the request. "Hey, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help out. If you need me to take that test, then I'll gladly do it." She smiles a little. "Shouldn't be too difficult, should it?" She runs a hand through her hair.
Kyoko Takada	"Oh, they haven't? Good thing, if that's true. Given how it took you a few years to notice the gates opened up, though, can't say your intel's that reliable. Guess we'll find out once it happens." Alpha-39 watches the footage, but it doesn't cause any discernible reaction in her. Not even the instances of A2 ambushing other androids. The violence is, at most, interesting for just how human these not-humans look, even when wounded.     Maybe she'd think differently if she hadn't been subjected to a YoRHa ambush, herself, under threat of point-blank nuclear strike. Probably not. More like half a dozen things would have to change to faze her, here.     "Yeah, I'm human. What do you want the DNA for?" Curious.     All-Seeing Eye's rather theatrical demonstration draws her attention for several moments. "Huh."
Ezekiel Gravez	Zeke steps forward, "I can attest to bein' human, but how much ya consider it ta be.. well, thats up for a long night of debate n whatnot."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa gets more detailed information about those whom are planet side. So there are stranded combat androids down planet side. She takes note of this for a moment she takes note of this. There could be some help planet side if they were to go after the machines. So they offer a mission she looks to Eye it does seem like she would like to accept. She pauses for a moment, "I am human and I would be willing to submit to such testing however I must warn I am a cyborg with the majority of my body is no longer organic." She seems willing to help with this and doesn't seem paused by the asking for her DNA.