Acquiring Hardware [ArchAngel]

[Lief]

The visions had been unbearable.

Seeing his brother that way had left the man quaking in his boots, the countless number of enemies strewn around him with Blaise in the middle... It had been a sight to behold, but not one he ever wanted to come true. Shor had quite the body count, but each had been deserving of their fate. So why was it tormenting him so much?

He didn't see the hypocrisy of it all. He saw Blaise as nothing more than his brother, his twin, on a personal level. He could not separate the personal from business. And he would most definitely never lay a hand on him.

But the Galaxy had become writhe with Forcies the past few years, more and more crawling from the woodwork like cockroaches and claimed to be just as resistant as the near-unkillable creatures too. Well, Shor would not play nicely any longer. They would pay.

As his ship descended into Denon, with a flight path toward ArchAngel Headquarters, the boy collected his thoughts. He had to remain strong of mind just as much as of body. Else they would work their way into him, and destroy him from the inside. Wasn't that something Jedi and their brethren were known for?

[member='Moira Skaldi'] | Whoever Else from AA

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


Archangel Research and Design had a strong commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs while retaining a keen sense of corporate social responsibility, as its several humanitarian enterprises showed. Wait, that's the advertisement!

Anyway, Archangel had settled in well on Denon ever since Corellia had been so tragically destroyed. The corporate building was very modern and had much glass and aristic design. To any outsider, it presented an image of modernity, innovation and transparency. What this obviously concealed was the fact that the building was heavily guarded by battle droids, turrets and a military-grade shield generator. Secretly, every single employee was a droid, which did wonders for efficiency.


As Shor's ship descended onto the massive ecumenopolis of Denon and swept towards the Archangel corporate offices, its approach was noted by the Tower there. Presumably Shor had a prearranged appointment, so his ship was identified, thus saving him some time. "Incoming vessel, this is Archangel Port Control. Please proceed to docking bay 18, Mr Laurent," the control officer spoke politely.

 

[Lief]

With permission to dock acquired, Shor guided the vessel down into the respective bay and proceeded to power down the engines. He wasn't sure how long he would be there, but he didn't figure too long so he left without much in the way of supplies, a rucksack over one shoulder containing the relevant credit chips and a little something extra. On his belt was his blaster, and he sorely hoped they wouldn't expect it to be left at the reception desk. Shor did not like to be without protection.

Exiting the vessel, he pulled his jacket tightly shut and stepped through toward the magnificent building. Truly he'd never seen so much glass in one structure, and wondered how it was that it didn't simply shatter from stray rocks kicked up by spaceships or silly children. He was also curious if it wobbled in the wind. But now he was being silly.

Stepping into the reception, Shor could not help but whistle his approval. "Mighty fine looking place you got here" he remarked to nobody in particular, admiring the place with a swift scan of the room.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


Shor would have to wait for a few minutes at the reception. Fortunately for him, there were several fascinating magazines he could read in the interim. Such as as one about gardening and orchids. Or the latest pamphlet from #CloneLivesMatter, since it had somehow found its way into the reception area.


If such literature did not hit his fancy, then no matter, for he would soon be received. "Mr. Laurent," high heels clicked on floor and a statuesque, striking redhead stepped in. "Welcome to Archangel. I am Callisto Scarlett, personal assistant to Director Alderana. Please follow me." Presumably the Director was busy with other matters, so Ms. Scarlett would be handling this. No one in the Galaxy without either the Force and a strong aptitude for mentalism or a sophisticated scanner would be able to tell that she was a droid.

 

[Lief]

Shor whistled and continued to glance around the place. A few holo-mags took his attention for all of a second or so, but the subjects left something to be desired. Naturally an on the go man, he found waiting around to be very tedious and time wasting, and had issues just allowing himself to stand still, so he tapped his hands against his legs and waited as best he could.

Then, from the corner of his eye, a pamphlet attracted his attention. Reaching down to the coffee table he plucked it up and read the title. Clone Lives Matter... Interesting. Shor had never really met a clone, not that he knew of anyway. Were these guys in the cloning business as well as everything else? He hadn't really looked into them in all that much detail.

All at once came the clicking of heels and a voice which disguised the owner's droid-ness very well. Turning on his heels, and feigning surprise like any ordinary person would, Shor beamed a smile in the direction of [member="Callisto Scarlett"] and half lifted his hand in an almost coy-like wave.

"Why hello there... Ms Scarlet" came his reply, oh she certainly suited that name. "Is it Ms? Mrs?" His voice trailed off, she had to be a miss surely? Honestly he didn't care but it didn't hurt to feign interest.

He allowed the woman to set off before following, eyes trailing a little below the belt. This warranted a somewhat satisfied nod and an impressed little smirk to boot. Were all of the employees like this? The Receptionist had looked just as stunning, though there was something he couldn't quite place his finger on that jarred with him on a more professional level.

But it didn't matter, a little bit of eyecandy, the securing of some bolters, and then off into the Galaxy with him. If something untoward was going on here, he honestly didn't care. They didn't look like Forcies, that was all that mattered.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


The solution to all of Shor's problem lay in volunteering for the Upgrade. He would be stronger and more durable in combat, which would be a boost in his Crusade against arrogant Space Wizards. His body would never age and he would not have to worry about disease or sickness. Or those pesky emotions.


This would enable him to fight Force-users 24/7.


"Ms. Scarlett," Callisto confirmed. There was a wry tone to her voice. It did not escape the redhead's attention that Shor was, how shall we put it, appreciating her assets. There was quite quite a bit to look at in a good way when it came to her butt. She had been designed with such reactions in mind.


In any case, she led him through a corridor to a meeting room. Opening the door, indicated a chair in front of the table and beckoned him to sit down. "I can have refreshments brought in if you like, Mr Laurent," she said softly, giving the man a smile. Sitting down, she crossed one long leg over the other. "So how can Archangel help you?

 

[Lief]

He stuffed the pamphlet into his pocket as he followed after [member="Callisto Scarlett"] and secretly hoped that none of the employees would mind or even notice that it was missing. Something interesting to read on the journey to wherever he went next. Shor honestly didn't know where that would be.

When she confirmed that she was a ms he couldn't help but pout a little, he hated being wrong after all. Still it didn't really matter, the chances of him seeing her again - let alone scoring - were slim to none. He doubted he'd need anything else from the company.

Entering the meeting room, Shor shot another smile in the direction of Callisto before shaking his head. "No refreshments necessary, ma'am" he responded, sliding into one of the chairs. He felt it turn a little, and upon realising that it was a swirling chair his inner child tried to take the reigns. What he'd give to be able to spin in it for a few moments.

Coughing into his hand, trying to compose himself despite the fact Callisto couldn't read what he was thinking --- could she?? --- Shor opted to lean back in the chair instead. Back to business, such a shame.

"I know of many ways you could help me" he mused, perking one brow in thought, before sighing. "No, but seriously, I'm in need of some of your finest bolters. Outstanding work on them, by the way, if they work the way I think they do..."

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


The machine was perfection. Even if organics did not realise it. Her advanced protocols told Callisto that the human was apparently hitting on her. The HRD chuckled a bit. "You know, normally men offer me dinner first," she spoke in a rather amused tone before turning her mind to business.


"Anyhow, our bolters very much live up to their reputation. You'd be free to give them a test drive on the shooting range if you want to see for yourself. We have both the Mark One and the mass produced, easier to use Mark Two available, along with appropriate ammunition types. How many would you like to purchase? And is this an individual purchase or for a larger group?" As for what he wanted to use them for, well, Archangel didn't care.

 

[Lief]

Had he been drinking, Shor might have spat out his drink at her first comment. "Oh come on, toots, you can't tell me no one's ever casually hit on you? You." He seemed genuinely shocked, then again there may be a reason for that. Best he stray away from that conversation. He wasn't so sure that flattery was going to work on this one. Business, Shor, you're here for bolters not --- his eyes drifted a little bit below the neck -- bolters.

Still he did like the fact she had chuckled. That was a good sign.

"Individual purchase" he replied, before pondering over quantities in his mind. It would be nice to be able to have access to both, every different blaster had a different feel to them, and a different use in his mind, he had a rather large arsenal as it stood and two new variants wasn't going to change that too much. But he didn't want to go out into the world without a backup plan either.

"How much would two of each come to?" Money wasn't really the issue, he had a fair bit squirreled away for things such as this, he just wanted to make it seem like he was considering it rather than already sold. It never did to be too eager.

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


Perhaps Callisto had been trolling the man. Perhaps not. Either way his reaction made her feel a close approximation of what organics would call amusement. Enteched models were better at simulating human reactions precisely because, in a sense, they were still human.


This was very ironic considering her manufacturer was a machine cult obsessed with the 'purity of metal'. "We sell a Mark One Bolter at 1500 credits, a Mark Two at 500 each. Each of the above comes with four magazines of explosive bolts, additional ammo is purchased at 50 credits per magazine. Buckshot costs 25 per magazine. Special ammunition for the Mark One, such as ion and flash rounds, cost 100 credits per magazine. We sell Anti-Personnel Explosive magazines at 200 credits each. These rounds work for both the Mark One and Mark." Well, that was a bit of an info dump. Callisto was nice enough to press a button on a holoprojector, so that Shor would be able to see a holographic display.

 

[Lief]

To say he was a little bit let down by the cease in their little back and forth would be an understatement. Still, this did mean that business would be concluded at a faster rate, which meant he could be out of here soon. Not that he didn't appreciate the sharp look of the building, and the beauty of the woman before him.

With a nod of his head, Shor cast his gaze to the projection and gave an appreciative nod of his head. Lifting a hand to his chin he scratched at the line of stubble across his underjaw and pondered for a moment. "I'll take one Mark One, two Mark Twos, and some anti-personnel's."

As an after thought, brows slightly furrowed, he added, "Is there any way to acquire further ammo, outside of returning here? Not that it isn't a lovely place to visit, just a little out of the way."

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


"Excellent. The anti-personnels are quite shiny. No minimum range, devastating against all but the heaviest personnel armour and space wizards can't deflect them with their glowsticks," Callisto commented. Archangel was all about empowering the common man and giving him the tools to protect himself in a Galaxy that was sadly dominated by arrogant Forcers. Her tone remained professional, but something it suggested she wasn't that big a fan of space mages. Well, except Enyo and [member="Phaedra Amaryllis"], but they were special snowflakes.


#NFUsMatter
#TakeBacktheGalaxy
#DestroySpaceWizards


"You can purchase further ammunition via our holonet site. We'll register you as a known client, so that you can avoid pesky bureaucratic checks and all that." Customer service was an important thing these days.

 

[Lief]

Shor looked impressed, his head nodding ever so slightly as she further explained the AP's. "Well if you endorse them, how can I resist?" he asked, leaning back in his chair and dropping his gaze from the holo to the woman.

"As for the site, I'll be sure to bookmark it for later. Thank you."

Beginning to rise from the seat, Shor pulled the bag from the ground and chewed his lips. "So I'm guessing you want the funds wired? I can do that or pay with credits... Your call."

He had brought quite a lot of credits with him, enough to cover the transaction at least, but big businesses tended to like having paper trails for purchases.

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


"They have their charm. At Archangel we take our merchandise very seriously. Fancy space magic is overrated," Callisto commented, smiling slightly. This was why Archangel was firmly committed to the principle of 'bolters for everyone'.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZQdaEFa_60


Her eyes followed Shor when he rose from his seat and produced a bag. "If you have cash, you can pay directly. Just sign here," she spoke smoothly, then passed over a piece of paper for him to apply his signature to. Archangel was a customer-friendly company.

 

[Lief]

One hand clenched ever so slightly. "Sordidly overrated" he retorted, exhaling through his nostrils. For the first time in this meeting, he was genuinely serious and somber.

When she said that he could pay with credits he pulled the rucksack onto his chair and opened it up, pulling out the correct amount of credits in no time. "Here's a little extra, for your great customer service." And he meant it, he wasn't just attempting flattery.

He pushed the credits toward her, and then took up the pen and wrote down his signature.

"Thank you, you've been a great help."

The mention of Force Users had put him in a bit of a bitter mood, which was a shame. He didn't want to rush off, [member="Callisto Scarlett"] genuinely intrigued him.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


Callisto smiled brightly in response. "Oh, thank you. Glad to hear I was helpful," she said warmly, using what would have been her most human tone. However, the sudden change in did not escape her. Her client seemed more somber and even bitter.


"I do not wish to pry, but you seem in a bit of a grim mood. Was it something I said?" she asked softly, keeping things non-pushy. She had a bit of a theory of what might have triggered the mood change, but would hear for herself first.

 

[Lief]

Zipping up his rucksack, Shor shouldered it with a small sigh. He'd be able to leave soon, but then what? He had the destination, but did he have the guts to go free his brother? He hadn't laid eyes on Blaise since the pair were five years old, how would he even recognize him?

The beauty before him snapped him from his thoughts. A small smile graced his lips, before he shook his head. "No, no, nothing you said, Sweetheart; I just hate how Forcies run around like they own the Galaxy or something." He shrugged, and tried to press down the rest of his feelings. He'd wipe them all out if he could. But that was no way to woo a Lady.

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"]


Oh, it was definitely the way to woo a lady! Well, Callisto sort of was one. The Archangel minion nodded understandingly. By all outward appearances, the redhead seemed interested. "They're a blight. Acting like they're higher beings because of fancy powers, and when they cause destruction, rather than own up to it they blame it 'on the Dark Side' and expect everyone to forgive them." Yep, she made air quotes.


The droid had a feeling that Shor's animus towards Forcers was personal. "I don't mean to pry, but I come from a planet that's repeatedly been abused as their personal playground, so I can sympathise," she shrugged.

 

[Lief]

Shor raised a brow in genuine amazement. Oh this Lady got more and more appealing to him with each passing second. His anger fizzled out, replaced by a more base desire. He took a few steps around the table, eyes intently set upon hers. The rucksack was forgotten, dropped upon the chair.

He did not want to press his luck.

He did not want to be tossed from the building before he had acquired what he came for.

But, ugh was she so tempting. He reached out, tipping up her chin with a delicate graze of his thumb. There was no way for him to know that he had just fallen for a droid, not a woman. "I personally believe people should take responsibility for their own actions."

His gaze was intense, his thumb flexed against her chin and up against her cheek. Oh, he was pressing his luck for sure.

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Shor Laurent"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"] (totally not tagged for likes)


Just how much of Callisto was still 'human' remained elusive. Unlike most of her brethren in Archangel, she was not merely a replicant whose mind was a facsimile of what she had been an organic. Her essence, her soul if you will, had been transferred into a mechanical shell. Of course, a sophisticated droid brain guided her actions, though she possessed all the memories of her human self.


But she was still a bit more human. The infiltrator recognised an opportunity. She could use the man's apparent attraction to her to her advantage. "We seem to be on the same wavelength." She said sighed softly when she felt the delicate touch of his thumb across her chin and cheek.


The older models of HRDs had the flaw that their skin was good deal colder than human's to touch, which was a good giveaway. However, technology had advanced over the centuries. Hers was soft and warm, with an occasional scar here and there. The mechanical woman seemed to lean into the caress, then leaned forward to brush her lips against his. Unless he deepened the rather tame kiss, she would withdraw. Otherwise Shor might get to experience the awesome mechanical tongue!