Cobra Business Meeting

Log Title: Cobra Business meeting

Location: SE US an old chemical plant

Date: 01-27-2023

Summary: Interrogator drops in on Cesspool and they discuss chemistry and biology.

As logged by sabels

Southeastern United States - North America[]

Like the Northeastern US, this area extends from the Mississippi to the Atlantic and encompasses a variety of states, including those states most commonly associated with the Old South. Once considered a backward region, the South has indeed risen again to become an area of culture and industry.

There is an old chemical plant with a train track leading up to it. If anyone was to look at the plant's platform, there are a few Sludge Vipers and Cesspool standing there, as if they were having a meeting.

Peklabog flies in, cloaked. Having gotten Cesspool's location from the Tele-Vipers of Crown City, Interrogator thinks, "This should be good."

Taking his helmet off and not aware of Peklabog's activities, Cesspool takes a seat on a metal barrel. "So, after we sell some more to Russia, I'm thinking we sell that information to the highest bidder. Let's set both of them up for needing more of our resources. A bidding war brings more profit."

(Radio) Interrogator transmits, "Where can I land?" to Cesspool.

Cesspool sends a radio transmission.

(Radio) Cesspool sends Interrogator a radio transmission, 'There's a field by me if you want to visit. If I had known you were coming, I would have baked you a cake.'

"Look alive, boys," murmurs Cesspool to his Sludge Vipers, as he points to a clearing. "Looks like a friendly is coming in to inspect on us. Make sure everything looks as if we were following protocol." The Sludge Vipers nod and head back into the chemical plant. Cesspool takes his helmet off and waits for company.

Peklabog lands at the edge of the field near the chemical plant in a location where it won't be easily spotted from the air. Interrogator uncloaks it, sets it to overwatch mode, and sets the scanners before stepping out.

D'Alleva salutes Peklabog from the distance as he heads over. "I wasn't aware I was on your agenda. Forgive the mess. We've been busy here. Still selling to Russia and casually getting access to what was left behind at Broca last year." He looks around, "Oh, where are my manners. We do have clean bottled water in the office if you are planning on staying a while."

Interrogator returns the salute and chuckles, "I don't file flight plans and try not to make public agendas. That leads to the word 'pre-meditated' being tossed around the courtroom, right?"

"Russia and Broca are both of interest to me, as are what you have been up to all these years in general. As for the water, thank you, but I am not staying long."

"Well, if you must know," says Vincent as he looks over at Interrogator with a smile, "I've been working with some other firms. We've gained access to some new biological weapons that I have been trying to sell on the black market with some success." He shrugs, "Honestly? The Commander has been giving me free reign as long as my financed projects yield him results. I've been spending some of my own bankroll as well to get some of these projects started but in the end, I've been happy with things. Chemical and biological warfare is where the money is at. Not whatever new shiny missile MARS is trying to build."

Cesspool looks back, "In regards to Broca, New Jersey, I've been using it as a testing ground now that we lost it. It's been leveled by the Joes and their clean up effort has proven that they were hoping to find any last bit of information left by Cobra. I figured I might as well cause some fun for both of us with minor effort." He then grins, "Oh, Russia? I've been selling to them and some others."

Interrogator nods and looks at the heavily modified Sky Serpent and says, "MARS has its uses, but they're behind the times. I have Ascension Wing designing new vehicles based on the Off World technology and knowledge we've acquired."

Interrogator nods and says, "As long as you make profit and stay out of prison, Cobra Commander is content and gives you a long leash. As for biological weapons, I tend to shy away from them, but chemicals...there we agree. I'm looking at energon, myself."

Interrogator says thoughtfully, "My Russian mob contacts, well, at least the Kirstovs, have been buying up the old Soviet bases and converting them to luxury survivalist bunkers and camps since the Quintesson Invasion, so they wouldn't be of much help. Baroness would be the one to go to for Russia and Eastern Europe advice, as well as MARS. I haven't met the new Destro, but I did recently look around the showroom."

"Broca's loss was a huge blow, but I've been in Cobra Unity these past 3 years. Still, it is good we are getting something out of it. I do wonder how far the Joe weapon punched through underground."

Interrogator asks hopefully, "I don't suppose you have anything for long term survival in space you're working on?"

"Space? Oh, I was thinking we grab that Joe station. Gamma was it?" Cesspool grins, "I think we could easily release some Compound Z somehow into the works and take that station for ourselves. I suppose we could work on some new space gear." The man looks around and considers this. "I wonder, if we can get our hands on what this Energon is supposed to be like and we make an artificial version of it, perhaps..." He shrugs, "A synth version could be useful. Not to mention, the waste I am sure has potential for being profit." Cesspool smiles for a minute. "What are we planning?"

Interrogator says guardedly, "We have energon samples you can access in R&D. I was working on a way to poison it and other things, but there is no need to make an artificial version because you can create it from electricity, which can be generated from renewable sources, like solar, wind, and hydro. I'm looking at a space colony in the long term. I have feelers out for a ship capable of such, and Vilnacron looks promising."

"As for Compound Z...Why are we back in that?" Interrogator asks in an annoyed tone.

Interrogator says coldly, "I would advise against taking out anyone's space assets, as Liege Maximo's agents could come back at any time and we might not get lucky again. The only reason we had any warning when they tried to mess with our Sun was because I noticed shifts in the Sun due to reports from everyone's space assets."

"Should we concern ourselves with perhaps a cease-fire?" asks Cesspool as he looks back at his superior. "The Joes do have resources that we can use. We are talking with the EDC as well. For now, at least, a truce would allow our resources to double up against one like Liege Maximo." The man looks around, "Not to mention, the Commander has not been using us as much against the Joes as previously used. I think we need to keep the Joes as an ally if we were to protect this planet." He smirks slightly, "So, should we propose to our Commander that we work with our enemy to find a way against something like Maximo? Or the Decepticons?"

Cesspool shrugs, "Personally, I find Compound Z of interest as it opens up potential. Why kill our enemy when we can control them?"

Ah. There it is. The total control thing. Inwardly facepalming while remaining outwardly stoic, Interrogator replies, "Ascension Wing is working on entering the EDC, as well as with the Joes and Autobots. There are neutrals on Cybertron, and they bear researching. But Ascension Wing is not planning treachery and are negotiating in good faith with everyone."

"For now, work on what Cobra Commander wants you to and access what you can with your security clearance from R&D about off world matters."

"Russia, though..." Interrogator sighs. "I will need to go there eventually. I have... things.... to resolve there."

Interrogator adds "I'll make sure not to interfere with your dealings there. Mine are... personal in nature."

To be honest, Russia is just business." says Cesspool with a smile. "I don't have a reason to be involved other than to take a briefcase or two. And drop off a few weapons." He shrugs as he looks around. He knows that Interrogator outranks him so he's not going to argue or cause any issues. "I'm not really with much off-world these days but I will see what I can do. So, now that we have work with the EDC, does that mean we keep any ties with Decepticons minimum?" He rolls his shoulders, "I don't want to have a bad encounter with you. For some reason, I like our alliance." He then smiles, "Complete control with that Compound Z is more or less just a way to get our enemies to be not an issue. I don' need to control the world. I want to own the world."

Interrogator nods and says, "Russia is complicated, so keep it just business. As for owning the world, I get that. You're a businessman, and I can respect you as such."

Thoughtfully, Interrogator says, "As for Cybertronians, they're complicated too. It's best not to make assumptions based on the sigil they wear. I'd look more into knock out and neutralization chemical tech - for both biological and machine based beings. Biological Warfare though...I know Mindbender and Cobra Commander are into that, but I am hesitant. When I was High Warden of Borovia, we were looking at bio warfare. This was back in the 60's and in the 70's there was Russia when I worked for the KGB." he pauses and says quietly "I saw things. And did things. And had to put things down and clean up messes."

"I do see value in it, don't get me wrong, I just would rather see Cobra with more defenses against it. So far we've dealt with machine based invaders..."

"So Far."

"But there are those things that wrecked the museum in California and they worry me. There is also mental and physical guided Human evolution to look into. All that would be something for you to look into, a man with your expertise in biology and chemistry would be perfect."

Nodding with a smirk, Vincent looks over at the man. "So, if I understand things, you want me to find a chemical weapon to shut off a Cybertronian? There's got to be a corrosive agent or something that we can use that would mess with their armor or something that can be deployed into their fuel system to rust them from the inside." Cesspool looks around sighs, "I'll see what I can come up with but I really was looking into this biological warfare for fun. You report to the man who signs my checks so I guess I have to listen." He looks around again, "Too bad we can't them to tell us how to fight their enemy." Cesspool rubs his hands together, "So, what exactly is your special gift? You have a lot of knowledge but you seem to be calculated. What's your reason for listening to our fearless leader?"

Interrogator startles, and Cesspool gets hit with a bolt of panic before Interrogator calms himself and says guardedly, "I'm not ordering, I'm offering suggestions, from one businessman to another. As for corrosive weapons against machine based life forms, they have weak points. Personally, I'm less 'spray and pray' and more sniper rifle. I'd say your best bet is some kind of delivery system that punctures armor and then explodes for corrosive against Cybertronians. Now knock out and neutralizing, area effects would be good. Then again, I'm looking at space combat and combat on worlds not friendly to Human life, where destroying the environment would do more harm to Humans than machines."

"Wasn't there some mission where the Joes went off world to help some aliens about our size and such fight the Autobots and Decepticons there? I think it was Romulos?" asks Cesspool idly. "I don't have the information but I remember it was a big deal about a year ago that they were there. Perhaps, if we could, we can make contact with that race. They might not like the Joes and our enemies. Maybe we can get some of their tech and information and try to stop our common enemy." He shrugs, "Maybe the EDC might have that as well." He looks over at Interrogator. "Look, it's only business. I know you are on the payroll like me. We listen and do what our boss asks us to. I respect you enough to not be upset that you arrived to see what I'm up to. I just don't--"

Cesspool runs his left hand through his hair, "I don't get you angle. You're leadership quality with a solid brain. You don't seem like you'd want to to waste our resources carving your face into the moon. I'm financially in a spot where Cobra Commander makes sense as a boss." He smiles, "I revealed my hand."

Interrogator nods and says, "I may be able to help with the finances, if you're willing to put in the work. As for me, I'll send you that information."