Into the Black, Part I: A Final Briefing

[bring_a_sponge]

Zed's been spending most of the day staring out the Observation Window. He doesn't need the holographic data or the floor plans anymore. He really didn't need them in the first place. He could have run this entire scenario in his head if he had had to. Laying it out on paper and screen was just a matter of convenience, and a way to double-check that he wasn't making an obvious mistake.

Either way, the time for prep is done. The word's gone out to the volunteers about tonight's briefing, and they have already begun to show up. Zed's found a quiet corner of the bar and a small table, on which sits the cylinder which is now projecting a holographic image of the MiB logo.

He's been staring at that logo. It's never been more compromised than it is right now. By the time this mission is done, it will stand for something again--or be finished for good.


But then comes the sight of the first people arriving, and just like that, all his worries are cast aside.

Comments

Arrival

[bring_a_sponge]

Zed greets each team member with a handshake and, "Thanks for coming."

His game face is so on you'd swear the man must have been born with it.

No more of that planning bullshit. It's time to put the hammer down.

Re: Arrival

[sime-channel.livejournal.com]

When Suzi comes in she's not wearing armor. Yet.

She's got it with her, though! Enough to cover her from head to toes, excepting her forearms and face. At least she's taking it seriously?

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

Barbara is sitting off to the side. It's not even entirely clear that she's here for a briefing or if she just happens to be in the area. She's not entirely sure she can keep her involvement covert, but she's going to do what she can without compromising the mission.

She's not in her normal chair though. The one she's sitting in today is significantly bulkier. It's motorized and loaded down with communications gear, computers, and enough batteries to keep it all running.

Re: Arrival

[doc-venkman.livejournal.com]

Peter would certainly agree with that sentiment. Sooner they get going, and finish off the damn gunk, the happier he'll be. Sporting the usual GB gear of course. Well, the pack's gotten set aside. Too heavy to wear it longer than necessary.

Re: Arrival

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

Jen doesn't need armour, at least not at this point, unless it's a cosmic level entity, but that's a whole other playing field in terms of power. After all the conflict back home, with everyone she loves busily tearing each other apart in a superpowered civil war, she finds herself actually looking forward to a morally unambiguous slugfest.

At least she thinks it's morally unambiguous. If Zed turns out to be conning anyone, she'll be inclined to toss him into planetary orbit in the mother of all Fastball Specials.

"You rang for the cavalry?"

Re: Arrival

[maxwellsdemon02]

Taking one of the chairs, Duo spins it around and sits down, crossing his arms on the backrest.

"Evening, chief."

Re: Arrival

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

Goldilocks arrives in a vaguely timely fashion, and joins the mustering crowd. There's no visible weaponry or equipment about her person, though that doesn't mean she is lacking in that department.

Somewhat appropriately, she's a woman in black for this mission, sporting a sleek leather jacket over a turtleneck and cargo pants. Her illustrious hair is tied up (if only to keep oil spatter out of it) and mostly covered by a partially-rolled balaclava, also in black. Boots that are perilously close to sensible complete the ensemble.

She toyed with the spandex uniform Rachel got her for Christmas, but she just couldn't go with it in the end, despite a barrage of enthused incitement from Steph. She had an inkling that the Robin's encouragement would quickly turn into mockery once her wardrobe was out of range.

Speaking of Steph, she's not far behind. She might be sulking slightly.

Re: Arrival

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob and Matrix have game faces on as well. Or Game faces, to be more precise.

Every time you go into a Gamecube, there's a chance you won't come back. It's one of the risks you take when you wear a Guardian protocol. You put yourself in danger to protect others.

The last two Guardians in the 'Net are here, and they're ready.

Re: Arrival

[gone_byebye]

Ray comes scrambling into the room at the last minute. At least he has an excuse; he's got two more fanny-packs slung over one arm.

Re: Arrival

[misterbunny.livejournal.com]

The Bunny is there, well armed as always.

Re: Arrival

[livewithrats.livejournal.com]

Krycek's there. He's been there, inspecting his trusty gun.

You just didn't notice him.

Yep.

Re: Arrival

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill looks irritated as as he hurries in, having been delayed back home. He's here though, in uniform with his hand gun in a holster on his hip. He nods at the few people he knows and takes a seat.

Re: Arrival

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Captain Ryan picked up a bullet proof vest from Bar earlier and has it on, along with his black BDUs. Suzi has her armour, he has his.

Teeth gritted, he's very much unhappy at being inside. He's managed to limit himself to shifting his weight from foot to foot, but the faster this is done and they're out the door, the happier he'll be.

Briefing I: What the Black Oil is

[bring_a_sponge]

Now that everyone's arrived, Zed punches up a holographic image of the Black Oil. Ray and Peter will recognize it as a photo from last year's mission with K against the Oil-infected Harvard professor, John Fox.

"This...is what we're up against."

“I know some of you are already familiar with the alien entity we call Black Oil. Some of you—“--Zed eyes Ray, Venkman, Krycek—“more than others.”

“But for the rest of you, the Black Oil is an entirely new adversary. With that in mind, here’s what we know:

“The Black Oil is a sentient being, petroleum-based, with limited telepathic ability. It draws strength from human theta brainwave activity. We've had some success in blocking that, but not in combat situations. To the extent the Oil has intentions, they've been entirely malevolent, not only toward the human population on my Earth, but also those on several other Earths."

"We've determined the Oil's point-of-origin exists in another dimension, on a planet called Altair IV. We're still not sure what provoked the Oil to cross over into other dimensions, but it’s now heavily invested on my bureau’s planet Earth. MiB spent a year researching it, with additional intel provided by Dr. Stantz here, and other sources. We were in the middle of a top-level briefing that would initiate a sweeping plan of action against the Oil when we came under attack from several Oil-compromised agents.”

“Many of you know my colleague, Agent K. To the best of my knowledge, he was the one responsible for rewriting the emergency protocols of MiB Headquarters so they would divert me from our usual procedure and bring me instead here to Milliways.”

Zed almost manages to hide his annoyance about that.

“Now it’s up to me, with your help, to get back there and throw the Black Oil and its operatives the hell out of my bureau.”

“Any questions so far?”

Briefing II: MiB HQ

[bring_a_sponge]

“If I’m here, it means MiB Headquarters is currently under a code one-oh-one lockdown. That includes a pressurized containment zone which prevents escape. It's damn hard to get in, next to impossible to get out. Which means, there’s every reason to believe the Oil and its operatives are still there, somewhere in the building."

"Our headquarters is in New York, on the island of Manhattan, at 504 Battery Drive. Nothing to look at from outside, but inside, it's the most sophisticated facility on the planet, as well as the main terminal for off-world travel."

"This is the Main Hall. Normally, it's the center of operations, but for us, the real command center is down on sublevel C. The other important area is here, the Landing Bay, up on Level D."

Briefing III: Team Omega

[bring_a_sponge]

"We're going to have three separate teams on this mission, each one critical to our success."

"First up, Team Omega. Bob, Matrix, and the Bunny. You three have the most important job of all: do whatever it takes to prevent the Oil from establishing itself in Milliways.”

“There’s no way to tell how much the Oil knows, but it's infected several MiB agents, so it may have breached our data control centers. If the Oil has been able to access K's reports from the past year, then it’s going to know about this place. And that means, it’s going to know that access to Milliways means access to every universe in existence. We can’t let that happen.”

“If everything goes well, you'll have to hold the line at the Front Door until the other two teams complete their objectives. But if things go pear-shaped, we’re going to need you to provide cover fire for a retreat back to Milliways."

"If things really go bad, you may have to make the hardest decision of all: close the door and put everything and everyone in MiB into a permanent quarantine.”

“I wish I could say you can leave that decision to me, but if things get that serious, I may not be around to make that call. Which means it's going to be up to you three."

Zed isn't happy to say that. He knows how hard that would be.

Re: Briefing III: Team Omega

[renegade-enzo.livejournal.com]

Matrix nods, with a grave look on his face.

"You can count on us."

Re: Briefing III: Team Omega

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob looks alarmed. He hadn't been told about the quarantine option. He's not sure he's prepared to make that leap.

Re: Briefing III: Team Omega

[misterbunny.livejournal.com]

"Couple of things."

The bunny puffs on his cigar.

"How can we tell if someone has been infected? Cause, I don't wanna fry someone who's just tryin' ta get to safety, or let one of you guys back in if you're infected, right?"

Puff puff.

"Also, no worry bout all that closin the door. If the situation looks like it's gone to hell, I'll take care of it."

Briefing IV: Team Alpha

[bring_a_sponge]

The other two teams will be going in all the way. Based on what K has told me about the Door, I should be able to get us to this area here, which is right next to the most secure armory in the facility. Only K, J, and I know exactly where it is. My gut tells me, even if the compromised Agents have discovered everything else, they won't know about this."

"That's where we'll arm up. Remember, take all the explosive and incendiary weapons you can. Don't worry about the building--it can stand up to some serious punishment. And what the hell, we were due for a renovation anyway. I'll sell the damn Velcro patent if I have to."

Team Alpha, you'll be with me. That's Venkman, Stantz, Suzi, Ryan, Krycek, Pardy and our friend over there." Zed nods to Oracle.

"We'll be the ones heading down to the command center on sublevel C. That’s down this corridor here, through the shooting range to this door here, and then on down."

"Once we get there, we’ll need to eliminate any opposing forces stationed in that room. It could be one hell of a fight. They may not know about this armory, but they sure as hell will know about that command center. Once we have it--and we better get it--we'll need to take control of the building’s surveillance systems, and see where we stand. Then we're going to commandeer every defense system in the whole damn place and turn them all against the Oil.”

“If we can get that done, then we can start worrying about helping out the other teams.”

Zed nods again to Oracle. "I'll be counting on you to maintain communications throughout the mission."

"And Suzi, we're going to need you to give us advance notice if we get close to the Oil or any of its operatives. I'm confident you'll be able to zlin them well before they can detect us."

Re: Briefing IV: Team Alpha

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

Oracle sets a large black briefcase on the table in front of her. "I've got comm gear for everyone who needs it. It should be completely secure against any outside surveillance or tampering."

Once opened, the case reveals an array of slightly oversized earbuds. And nothing else.

Re: Briefing IV: Team Alpha

[livewithrats.livejournal.com]

Krycek eyes Zed for a moment, thinking.

"We're going to have to be extremely careful. If anyone we kill is infected, the virus will immediately go in search of a new host, so we'll have to destroy it as quickly as possible."

Re: Briefing IV: Team Alpha

[sime-channel.livejournal.com]

"I'll do my best." She says softly, nodding and swallowing hard.

Briefing V: Team Delta

[bring_a_sponge]

“And, finally, Team Delta. Goldilocks, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Maxwell. You’re going to have all kinds of fun."

"You'll gear up at the armory with Team Alpha, then head in the opposite direction, down this corridor here, until you reach this stairwell. That will take you up to the Main Hall. From there you’ll access the elevator shaft here and take it up to the Landing Bay on D Level. That’s where you’ll find this little baby, a Stiletto mech we picked up a year ago.”

“Do whatever you have to to get Maxwell into that mech. Liaise with any active Agents you can, incapacitate any who are compromised. I want my people back, but the fact is, we haven't been able to cure anyone once they’ve been compromised by the Oil. Krycek may know of some cases on his world, but on ours, if the Oil sinks in, it's game over. So do what you have to do. Keep yourselves alive."

“And if that means setting off bombs and blasting every part of the building you pass through all to hell, then so be it. One way or another, the Oil is losing control of that building. If I can't have it, then nobody gets it."

"Jennifer, go nuts. As far as I'm concerned, every girder in there is a weapon for you just waiting to happen. Goldy, arm up. Shoot and blast the crap out of everything you see. Maxwell--hell, I don't have to tell you what to do."

"And Stephanie, you take the high point. The MiB facility probably has more rafters and girders than even you've ever seen--ought to be perfect for a Bat. Especially if you have this." Zed hands her a dark colored box.

"All right. Any questions?"

Re: Briefing V: Team Delta

[maxwellsdemon02]

Duo raises a hand.

"Couple things. Does the Oil desert a host that say, falls unconscious? Or does it override their senses? And how much danger would we be of getting uh, possessed by these thingies? 'Cause eventually I'm gonna have to turn off my shield when I get in the mech."

Briefing VI: Holtzmann Shields

[bring_a_sponge]

"Now. Personal defenses. You'll all have Oracle's comm gear. You'll also have some special equipment, courtesy of Ray Stantz."

"Ray, why don't you introduce the shields?"

"And those of you on Alpha and Delta, listen up. This is going to affect what weapons you'll be taking from the armory."

Re: Briefing VI: Holtzmann Shields

[gone_byebye]

Ray coughs in surprise briefly, but steps up. "Okay. Um, as some of you know I have something of a tendency to play with reverse engineering technology from descriptions I've only ever read. These are the result."

He holds up what looks rather like a fanny pack festooned with LEDs, gauges, and circuit tracks. There is a single red button on the underside, and it is attached to a broad belt with circuit tracks of its own. Most of the material involved, in deference to the situation, is black.

"Second-order Holtzmann Effect generators, named in honor of the pioneering theoretical work of Ibrahim Vaughn Holtzmann, born in the year 7593 Before Guild. They're planar effect generators and produce the lowest-order Holtzmann Effect to have a physical existence. I could go into a lot of detail here, but the short version is that when they're switched on they produce a you-shaped bubble of distortion in the atomic bonds around you that repels baryonic matter above .25 grams per cubic centimeter. If it's made of atoms and it tries to get you, it has to move slower than seven centimeters per second in order to get through. Bullets? Kabong." He makes a bounce-off gesture. "Knives? Gotta be wielded by the Ninja of Slowness. Tentacles? Gonna have to slither in if they want to get you."

"Which is really fantastic except for the part where the slightest contact between the planar Holtzmann effect region and any form of coherent light whatsoever, such as a laser beam or a lightsaber, causes an instantaneous atomic blast with a force only marginally less than .1 kilotons. Radiation included. Uh, if it's any consolation the shield should repel electric shock pretty well and admit EM frequency wavelemngths from short-wave radio through gamma rays and emit longer-wave radio at need."