[@Karos] 

Mako listened intently to Otto Von Kruger's brief details on the mission. He smiled as the stammering Otto eventually revealed a successful endeavor in retrieving the journal. "That's excellent news! It also explains why Dr. Isaacs was so overly enthusiastic when I last saw him. The Reinhardt Journal was a bit of a missing puzzle piece of sorts for some new tech he's inventing. Splendid work, Otto!" Mako patted the man on the shoulder, who suddenly walked off toward one of his many work benches. There were all sorts of gizmos splayed about, and Otto began rummaging around for something in particular. His gloved hand revealed a silver plug. After Otto explained to him that it was a charing interface, Mako took off the goggles and inspected the item up close. 

"Oh, genius!" Mako's exhilarated response caught the attention of several scientist that were within earshot. Three of them immediately paced over to the two, staring intently at the object in Mako's hand, then listened closely. "The charge time on my containment pack was starting to lag over 10 seconds. I was getting 15 second delays at one point. With spirits flying overhead and newbies fumbling about, that's 5 seconds too many." 

"Heh!" Scoffed one of the scientist. It was James Kepler, one of the senior researchers that had taken over Mako's position as Dr. Isaac and Hartwell's assistant. "Don't be so hasty, Mako." His hawk-like nose pointed over to Otto as he adjusted his spectacles. Kepler was a tall and lanky man that had long bushy grey hair kept in a pony tail. "As senior assistant, I have to approve this item before it goes out on the field." Kepler said, staring at Otto's messy work benches. "Can't have Investigators thinking they can just make adjustments like they know what they're doing." The condescension in his tone was prevalent as ever. The other two scientist snickered. Kepler walked forward and swiped the plug from Mako, then handed it back to Otto. "Show me [b]how[/b], and [b]if[/b], it works." 

[hr]

[@justTypical]

Zuma could sense the internal dilemma within Ben. Clearly, much more transpired than what he let on, but he didn't want to pry further. Instead, he sought to look at the silver lining. "At least you've managed to get something out of it." Zuma said, referring to the notebook. "I'm sure Dr. Isaacs and Professor Hartwell will find something of value." His thoughts fell onto the enigma that was The Yellow King Disciples and shuddered. "Anything will suffice at this point." 

A random 2nd year Investigator overheard Zuma and Ben's conversation. "Yall talkin bout Elly Margaret from Southfield?" He butted in. It was [url=http://www.flylanddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/Max-Brian-Allen.jpg]Gregory Stills[/url], the youngest recent grad in The Consortium. He spent his entire Fall rotation at a security checkpoint in Northend behind a desk, filing paperwork. Being among other Investigators who've been on the frontlines is the most excitement he's had in months. "I know her! She's a diviner, right? Reads minds. Has a buncha cats." Gregory teetered over with a glass of orange juice, the only beverage Carmina was willing to pour him. He sipped at it before continuing. "She's a close family friend. Me and my sis, we used to go over to her apartment and help feed her cats when we were little. She had a voice of an angel..." 

Zuma cleared his throat in an attempt to try and change the subject. While Ben didn't divulge on any details, he knew enough to surmise that this Madam Margaret didn't have a happy ending, but Gregory was oblivious to Zuma's signal - and pretty much everything else about the situation. Stills understood that things were bad in Aegis Luna, but he had no idea just how extreme the Inner Shell had become. He came from an Outer Shell community that was on the outskirts. Even with all of the info received during training, he was still green, and completely unexposed to the horrors beyond the wall. 

"That family from 317 still there? Me and my sis used to visit them too. We'd take turns holding their baby, Jacob - gee he must be a big kid now - so his ma could finish doing chores around the house. His pa was a funny guy. Played the piano real nice like. Sometimes Aunt Elly would sing while he played. They'd invite everyone in their building over to listen...those were good times. Never kept in touch with any of them after we moved out into the country. Hope they're doing okay out there."