BODY SNATCHERS [modplot]

[letsgolegion]

Who| Rico, Tadashi, Zenyatta, Reinhardt, Joshua, Vance, Locus
What| "Body Snatchers" plot
Where| The planetary senate complex of prospective UP world Epryria, and the capitol city Mejehn.
When| The same time as "After These Messages"
Warnings/Notes| Plot has some really angsty stuff, mind control, character death. Please see ooc post.

Epryria and the UP have had contact for quite some time now, but it took new of the threat of Chronoblivion to finally push the world into joining the United Planets for safety in numbers.

The UP government has had its eye on Epryria for some time now, thanks to its thriving scientific community. The planet's advances in bioengineering even surpass that of the Coluans' in some respects. It's a large part of why why most of the population is sporting different cybernetic implants. The Legionnaires have found that to be something of a hurdle in acting as diplomats for the mission. Half of Epryrian communication takes places nonverbally, due to the sharing of words and images through implants.

Since the team is largely there as extra security and only the most experienced Legionnaires are being expected to help the UP ambassadors with actual diplomacy, Brainiac 5 and Kid Quantum were the ones that had opted to temporarily have optical and cortical implants put in.

There's one day left before the actual signing of the treaty, which is to happen in front of a crowded hall of government officials and special guests.

Comments

[googledox]

"We'll keep you apprised if there are any changes, so that we're all adequately prepared," Brainy says, finally tucking his omnicom away in his belt. "But so far this seems a minor hurdle."

He holds up a finger.

"Oh! There is a slightly more serious issue - due to a malfunctioning Titanet array, our comms are currently cut off from Legion World's network. We still have secure localized communication, and Kid Quantum has secure access to several long-range comm stations."

He adds, "And before you ask, the issue doesn't appear to be the result of sabotage or related to events here on Epryria. Invisible Kid took a team out to confirm, due to past incidents sometimes being related to the Heralds and Chronoblivion's forces. The Titanet relay on Planet Madros was temporarily shut down for planned upgrades and the engineering team made several oversights in their implementation plan. Basic incompetence appears to be to blame."

[truefaceofthelaw]

An assignment's an assignment. Rico as a first-year is familiar with this grunt work, even with his bloodline and name. He squints at Brainiac and Kid Q's shared glance though. So is it or isn't it?

"Alright," he says slowly. "So this will definitely not involve any kind of underhanded dealing. We'll just have new orders, under the table, factoring in the involvement of undercover operatives that have infiltrated the treaty signing, alongside a whole host of last-minute security changes. Gotcha."

He's still not entirely unconvinced they're not planning some kind of takeover. Isn't that how it goes?

Hrm. Despite a faint nagging sensation like he was missing something, Rico shrugs it off. He'll figure it out later. But whatever happens, at least he'll still be on scene to deal with the mess when it all inevitably goes to stomm.

"Our comms are down because of incompetence. Acknowledged." At least that's something he's not surprised by anymore.

[orbislife]

Zenyatta listens. If the new security detail has passed their background checks, then he will have to trust that they will do their job. The Legion will do what they need to in order to make the treaty mission success. Although the communication troubles are a little worrying. "That may explain why my systems do not seem to be functioning normally. Please do not worry. It is nothing that should compromise my ability to do my task."

Being a machine makes him a little more sympathetic for how hard it is to do upgrades and patches that don't also introduce bugs like someone reaching unintended locations or voice lines playing incorrectly.

[agnominal]

"So long as we can remain in communication with one another, it shouldn't interfere with the mission." And that's what counts, really. Do the job, get back safely.

It never goes quite that smoothly, especially when it comes to treaties of this magnitude, but it appears all in the group have some measure of misgivings. It means they'll be looking out for anything that doesn't quite fit. Better prepared than not.

"Is there anything else we should be aware of, or should we move into position?"

[relativityspeaking]

"You can go ahead and move into position now. We'll contact you as the situation developed," Kid Q says without missing a beat.

[googledox]

But Brainy just...stares at Zenyatta after he mentions the problem with his systems, and then he looks away, as if getting back to work.

[truefaceofthelaw]

Well that's a clear dismissal if he's ever heard one.

"Yes, Ma'am," Rico drawls sardonically as he salutes. "I'll be awaiting my new orders."

[orbislife]

Zenyatta notes the look that Brainiac gives him, but he doesn't draw attention to it. He trusts that if it was a major issue, Brainiac would have said something and pulled him from the mission.

"I understand. Let us depart."

[agnominal]

Time to make their way into the crowd, then. It's a little more close and personal than he prefers, but this isn't a matter of preference. It's getting the job done.

Though he's curious about their replacements, and why the last minute change of plans. Something about this isn't setting right, though there's nothing he can call attention to.

Time will tell.