None of the candidates’ credentials impressed Mavriq, but he recognized that MOS was a place where the only free agents were essentially cast aways. Anyone who excelled in their field already possessed gainful employment through corporate contracts. Beyond society’s dregs were a handful of would-be double dippers—people who wanted to get two paychecks for just a little bit more work, a category it seemed Cass fell squarely into. Given the lack of conflicts of interest between Origin and Mercury Inc., public anyway, Mavriq was relieved someone with such a preponderance of experience was, even with some restrictions taken into account, available. Vin was another matter, but his pre-authorization with his willingness to interface directly with Derelict—assuming the implication was understood—made him a valuable, if not disposable, asset for the team.

Data slate folded in his pocket, Mavriq tapped off the microphone on the podium. Meanwhile Feurtes signaled that the interview process had finalized. In his deep brusque voice, the soldier announced, [i]“Everyone, refer to the number you were assigned when you invited to be interviewed. Interviewees 17B, 3RK, 11O, C49 remain. All others, you are free to leave at this time, but keep in mind you may be contacted later.”[/i]

A rumble of grumbles reverberated throughout the room, but steadily settled as the mob filtered out through the automatic plexiglas door. To those who remained, he verified their credentials and handed them a folio with information on where they would meet, their schedule for the next couple of days, and so on. From where Mavriq stood, Sophia seemed somewhat relieved by the dissipation of riffraff, although of those who stood in the room she was still the best groomed and, not surprisingly, monied.

[i]“Any questions?”[/i] Mavriq asked as he stepped out from behind the podium and watched the people review their data slates that contained a rather rudimentary mission briefing.

Just as a refresher, he pulled it up himself. Mainly it was instructions on their facilities, equipment they were to be provided, and their objective regarding Derelict. Aside from his lab on the Thunderclap, which only actual military personal were availed access to, there was a suite on MOS they would share that included an attached laboratory and storage bay, a private shuttle and hangar for passage to and from Derelict, and a mobile hover facility for use within Derelict itself.

His eyes drifted down to the stipend and he cringed, although the expression was mainly inward—mainly. Such a pittance for such dangerous work, but far more than anyone here, outside officers, hoped to amass performing slave labor for megacorps. He noted that if Cass played her cards right, she could pay off her augment in under six months, assuming the mission and she survived so long.

[i]“If not, you’re dismissed for the time being. Take this time to gather some belongings and transport them to the new facility, go to the secure web and fill out your banking and personal information, and so forth. The usual employment schtick.”[/i]