Shu — Roleplayer Guild

Herman had been watching the front door with little distraction aside from the young human waitress who had approached him moments before asking if he needed anything else. He had considered requesting another a refill on his water but then decided against it, politely waving her away. Herman had also taken a few moments to eye the other patrons of the cafe. In a booth nearby were a pair of asari gossiping about work as they ate, totally oblivious to their surroundings. A human couple sat several tables away from Herman closer to the bar and likewise were absorbed in their meal and conversation. A group of salarians had filled up two booths near the front door, their uniforms marked with the logo and name of a construction firm. Most likely they were workers that had been contracted for repairs in the ward and were staying at the motel. 

Herman doubted any of who he saw were tails that were following him on someone’s order. Those he had previously worked for weren’t the type to hire aliens for any reason and the sole human couple nearby seemed unsuspicious enough to Herman. While this did not totally relax him it took enough edge off to allow him to think more clearly as well as be able to functionally communicate when the Alliance contact he was supposed to meet arrived.

When a tall, dark-haired human man entered the cafe the the former doctor believed this was who he was awaiting. The man walked with the slight cocky assertiveness that most military types had and made his way straight through the cafe towards the aged Herman. Herman sat still arms folded just in front of his empty plate as the man took a seat, ignoring the casual touching of his empty cup by the new arrival. 

With a slight exhale Herman looked the man dead in the eyes, “A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.” This was the choice phrase that was meant for the Alliance operative to assure them of the identity of the former doctor, Herman of course would expect the assigned return phrase before becoming outright direct in regards to details. He smiled, wrinkles creasing the corners of his mouth and eyes as he absently scratched away at the top of the table, “That would be James Joyce,” he said, “the poet and novelist, writer of Ulysses.” 

Herman forced his smile a little wider, the mellow cafe lighting highlighting the thin gray stubble on his cheeks and chin, “Are you familiar with him?” Herman did his best to keep his voice level. While he knew it was impossible to conceal the entirety of his anxiety he had no intention of painting the image he was scared out of his wits. A cowardly and perturbed man was easy to be dictated to and bullied and Herman had no doubts that the operative or his superiors would try to take advantage of this. Especially considering how Herman was technically turning himself in for partaking in research both sorely unethical and illegal, the information and strings he had attached the only vantage point he had.

INTRODUCTION:
A PERSON OF INTEREST

Herman Jauch nervously sipped at the glass of water on his table as his eyes scanned the small motel cafe where he had come for lunch. He sat alone near the back away from the entrance which he had been watching like a hawk since sitting down. Having not eaten anything in over twelve hours he had quickly scarfed down his meal and  was now on his second glass of the mineral water the cafe served. Filling as the food was it hadn’t soothed his racing mind nor eased the stress induced rush that plagued him to the point of barely sleeping.

As he drained the last of his water through a straw Herman thought back on the events that had lead him to where he was now, hiding away in a modest side street motel aboard the Citadel. It had all started when a woman had first contacted him back on Earth several months ago asking the former scientist to lead a project sponsored by a “special interest group”, it’s focus on human biotics. Twenty years ago Herman Jauch was at the top of the list when it came to dark energy and human biotics research, at least until his untimely fall from grace. A memory that still stirred resentment within him. Once a tenured academic with a long list of credentials and career accolades Herman had lost it all in the heat of a single moment. Since then he had made a decent enough living teaching at a public school back on Earth. Reduced to a quiet, bitter old man who would have otherwise spent his twilight years mulling over the past.

So when this well dressed and charismatic woman presented him with a lab, staff, resources, and objectives he could not resist, resigning from his teaching job immediately and setting out across the stars for what he saw as a chance at making a difference again. And hopefully regaining what he had lost.

This idyllic future was in fact anything but and - after destroying his lab and equipment - Herman was now on the run from his former employers. In his possession a flash drive with all the research data from his lab as well as various other files he had snagged before fleeing. Originally he had considered going into hiding but realized this was not possible seeing as who he was dealing with and the resources they had at their disposal. 

With nowhere to hide and nothing gained Herman knew there was only one possibility left for him - to use the data he had as a bargaining chip. Despite the methods and outcomes of the project the research data without question was invaluable, as was the other files stored on the flash drive he was nervously rubbing between his fingers. The only predicament he faced was deciding on who to approach and attempt to strike a deal with. The Alliance was the most immediate and obvious consideration. Herman however had a suspicion that once light was shined on what had happened at that lab as well as his involvement the Alliance might just arrest him and confiscate what he had.  There were other options as well but like going to the Alliance they all had their contradictory cons about them. 

Realizing he couldn’t afford to be picky the former scientist had made his way to the Citadel, booked a room, and early this morning made a few calls. And now here he sat on pins and needles, waiting for the Alliance contact promised to meet him. He reminded himself that if he played things right he could come out smelling like a rose.

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