Log Title: Security Prep Before Launch
Characters: Axegrinder, Shawn Berger, Jr.
Location: Hangar (Berger Building) - Berger Building
Date: March 25, 2023
TP: Space Pirates TP
Summary: Shawn Berger consults with his pilot, Axegrinder.
As logged by Berger - Saturday, March 25, 2023, 7:25 PM
Hangar - Berger Building[]
- This is the hangar for the Prometheus.
Shawn Berger, Jr.
Shawn Berger, Jr. returns from yet another interview about his impending launch of Berger Three, after making it clear to the reporter that this is his THIRD craft. This journalist wasn't responsible for the mistake made in Rakesh Saab's less-than-flattering coverage, but that didn't prevent Berger from verballing punishing the writer for what he feels are all the constant slings and arrows from the success-hating liberal media.
Sarah is busily applying polish to the Stratus' fuselage when Berger comes in. She stops in her work to walk around the front of the jet until she can see him. Her suspicious frown turns into a snarky grin. "Heya, Mr Berger," she calls, waving the polishing rag at him, "howzit?"
- GAME: Shawn Berger PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of Average difficulty.
"FUCKING liberal media," Berger curses. "I can't believe I have to deal with them just to make sure Berger stock rises with the Berger Three launch." He frowns deeply. "Find anyone snooping around our launch site? The downside with such publicity is you know some moron from Cobra or S.K.A.R. is going to come sniffing around trying to steal our technology."
Sarah flips the rag onto her shoulder. "Woof, sounds like you've had a day, mate. Nah, I ain't seen nobody. But you got security, right?" She rests a hand on the Stratus' nose, beaming proudly at the jet for a moment before looking back over at Berger. "I mean you hired me t'be a pilot. I can bloody me knuckles with the best of 'em, but that ain't my job. Unless you want it t'be."
Berger holds up his soft, ring-covered hands. "No, no," he says quickly. "I have people for that. I just don't want the Decepticons pulling some stunt the day of - they have a history of that sort of thing, and some of them hold a grudge against me because of my father, although he tried to help them and HE's the one who got betrayed." He smiles at Axegrinder. "I almost relish one of them showing up to try to steal the Berger Three, however. I'd love to watch you tear them apart," he grins.
A wicked smile spills across Sarah's face. "Oh, Mr Berger," she says in a low, sultry tone, "Me an' Prometheus here will rip any filthy -Decepticon- into bits an' energon-soaked pieces, have no doubt." She clenches a fist. "One o'these days we'll get our weapons into Megatron himself an' avenge Damon," she growls.
Berger starts to reach out to pat Axegrinder's shoulder, but then thinks better of it and withdraws his hand. Still, his voice is encouraging. "Yes, and I will provide you with the money and technology to get that revenge. And don't worry --- if they show up with more Cons than you can take on yourself, I have backup ready. I won't leave you hanging taking on 3 Cons to one - not that I'm sure you couldn't handle it in a pinch," he grins confidently.
One of Sarah's eyebrows rises as Berger reaches toward her, relaxing somewhat as he changes his mind. "Say," she says suddenly, brightening. "What ever happened with that big remote control robot you guys had? Centurion? That thing is badass. Not that me an' my jet can't handle some crappy 'Cons," she amends, smugly regarding her knuckles, "but it'd sure shift the balance for us."
Berger laughs. "You remember that, huh? Because that's exactly what I was talking about when it comes to backup. I have Professor Morris on standby, and the Centurion is stored close enough to provide instant assistance if needed. I'd rather not tip our hand before it's necessary, but if the Cons show up in force - heh - we'll be ready for them. Morris doesn't have the zeal you do for protecting our planet, but he'll do what he's told if he wants his grant money to keep flowing," Berger laughs.
"Ripper!" Sarah enthuses. "I was hopin' you'd say something like that. We all got our motivations, right? Mine works for me and the prof's work for him. So when's the launch?"
Berger rolls his eyes dramatically. "UUUUUGH!" he exclaims. "If only I knew. I'm trying to set a date to work with the media, but the nerds keep going on about nerd stuff and launch windows and bullshit. I'm sure they're just milking me for overtime, so if this doesn't work, heads are going to ROLL. I already laid off most of my workforce at BergerTime. BergerX can be next. I should make it clear their livelihoods are on the line when they whine about 'work/life balance'. 'You'll have plenty of time to spend with your family in the employment line, nerds!'" he yells at imaginary employees.
Sarah nods emphatically. "Sometimes you gotta put yer foot down," she agrees. "There's always somebody who'll try to take ya fer all ya got if ya let 'em." She moves back around her jet, taking the rag from her shoulder. "Me an' Prometheus'll be ready ta keep yer ship safe when ya launch it, Mr Berger," she says, raising her voice slightly as she moves away from him to resume polishing her jet. "You just give the word."
"I know you will, 'Grinder," Berger replies, raising his voice slightly as well. "You are one of the only people I can fucking trust in this world, and you know why? You are solid. Your motivations are clear, and you act accordingly. You don't play bullshit games like most women. You want one thing: Revenge. And I can respect that and make that happen. In Damon's memory," he adds, as if he gives a fuck.
"You bet, Mr Berger," Sarah calls back, smiling at the shortening of her handle. "I'm yer weapon. You point me at the enemy an' I wreck 'em. Simple. Efficient. One day we'll avenge Damon," she adds, her expression clouding briefly. "Wish we still had that Darkspace tech," she laments. "But we'll fight with what we got. I ain't backin' down."
Berger frowns thoughtfully, walking around the plane now to get back in comfortable conversing distance with Axegrinder. "What ever happened to that tech? Did it all implode, or did someone wind up with any of it? Because if it's on the black market, I can get it for you. And if someone else has it - well, I can probably still get it for you," he grins, with dark confidence. "With me at your back, almost nothing is out of your reach."
"I dunno," Sarah replies. She stops rubbing at the jet's fuselage for a moment and turns around to face Berger, a thoughtful look on her face. "I remember the one time we used it and it just went starkers. Totally crazy." She squints her eyes shut for a moment. "That was the day Damon died," she recalls, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "Damon dropped a pair of Darkspace bombs... they started hooverin' up everything."
Sarah looks up, a somewhat haunted look on her face. "I think it was -supposed- to, but we were supposed to keep control of it. But we lost control." She shakes her head rapidly, scowling. "I dunno what happened to it. I don't remember. I don't wanna remember that damn day." She turns back around and starts polishing the jet again, using more force than is necessary. "If you find it, Mr Berger," she says, "better make sure you got people who know how to keep it from killing all of us..."
Berger nods slowly. He lacks empathy, but his experience in manipulating people tells him he shouldn't push it. "Well, I have contacts that can get us more reliable technology. Both US made, and alien stuff we can use against the very monsters who brought it here to Earth. Almost poetic, right?" he laughs.
"Yeah," Sarah answers quietly. "Whatever we need t'do, me an' Prometheus will do, to get rid of the goddamn robots and avenge Damon. He trusted me to carry on with IMORTAL and I ain't been doin' such an awesome job of it." She looks back over at Berger. "But we ain't quitters either." She sighs. "I could use a drink."
Berger starts to roll his eyes as she brings up Damon AGAIN but catches himself before she fully turns around. "Well, let's get that drink. And think of Concurrence as IMORTAL's spiritual successor - picking up where you left off and carrying that torch for you - and with your help. We'll finish what you started. What Damon and you started. I promise." He heads in towards his private bar to get her that drink.