[quote=@wikkit]The location concerned her in more ways than one, though.  With a rigid stamp of the boot she stood up, as she often did during these briefings, and spoke to the Colonel once allowed to speak: [color=SteelBlue]"First, sir, are we allowed our own arms?"[/color]  She could've meant many things, but a brief reflexive grip of the saber on her belt suggested she wanted to bring something all the more archaic and conspicuous.  [color=SteelBlue]"Beyond that, given our contact's location...what are we to expect from Stiletto themselves?  Is there anything known about this individual?"[/color]  She wanted to know how sober the two of them could expect Stiletto to be, but that was already too harsh on their contact...
[/quote]

Daschke had a point. Even with backup in close proximity, sending unarmed operatives into enemy territory was a major risk, and one he wasn't entirely willing to take. On the other hand, if they were stopped by NPDRE soldiers and searched, having weapons on them might put them in just as much danger.

[color=Olive]"I'm authorizing you to carry a small sidearm at your discretion,"[/color] the Colonel decided. [color=Olive]"Something that you can easily hide or ditch-- the NPDRE doesn't have total control of North Nui Awa, but we can safely assume they'll be setting up checkpoints at major intersections. Sgt. Dalton's team will scout approaches to the city first to see if we can avoid contact with the Espian Guard on the way in. If it's doable, you can go in armed. If not, the safer bet would be to ditch the weapons on approach. Once in the bar, make sure at least one of Dalton's team has eyes on you at all times. Do [i]not[/i] enter the bar without finding at least two exits first, do [i]not[/i] go to a second location with anyone, do [i]not[/i] accept drinks from anyone, and do [i]not[/i] give away any information about yourselves or the Green Knights. As far as anyone knows, you're refugees who fled from Yuzhny Portveyn a few days before the Heavenly Sword attack."[/color]

[color=ed145b]"I may be able to help in that regard,"[/color] Cassandra spoke up once again. [color=ed145b]"A perk of helping run the planet's largest corporate empire is that my marketing department happens to have some top-notch graphic designers, who are used to working with a tight turnaround. I can put a few people I trust on the job and put together some false documentation, good enough to pass if some jack-booted grunt stops you and asks for your papers."[/color]

The Colonel raised an eyebrow, wondering why Jeong would sit on that potentially major asset until now. Was she merely struck by inspiration in the moment, or did she have other cards she was playing close to the chest?

After a moment's consideration, Gaius returned to answering Ramrod's questions.

[color=Olive]"As for Stiletto,"[/color] he stated, [color=Olive]"we have very little info to go by. We have reason to believe Stiletto is female, and originally from off-planet. The majority of Espia's population is ethnically either Slavic or East Asian, so anyone who doesn't fit the bill is a possible contender. Prioritize anyone who looks like an out-of-towner, but be subtle about it."[/color]

Turning back to the Green Knights at large, the Colonel began to wrap the briefing up.

[color=Olive]"Each of these missions has the potential to turn things in our favor,"[/color] he said. [color=Olive]"Contacting Stiletto can hopefully get us into touch with the FPA and a possible ally in the fight. Scouting the spaceport will give us a clearer picture of what the NPDRE is planning to use and who is funding this operation. And protecting the dam will not only save lives, but ingratiate us with the locals so they may provide us with information you can't get from the top down. Splitting up the team like this is a major risk, but it's one I wouldn't even consider if I didn't have absolute faith in your ability to succeed. Stay sharp, keep your head on a swivel, and trust your teammates. This is how we start to turn this fight around."[/color]

He nodded to Lieutenant Lyons, who switched off the projector screen.

[color=Olive]"You have 24 hours to make your preparations. Dismissed!"[/color]