Week 85: A formal greeting.

Amets tapped on her PDA. She didn't particularly like using the small device, but she wasn't going to activate her array of computers in the middle of Oracle HQ. Even so, given that she had only meet one of the currently active Oracle agents, it may be a good idea to introduce herself via email.

FROM: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
TO: All Oracle agents.
SUBJECT: Greetings from a new agent.

Hello. My name is Amets Basamortu, and I have recently been hired into this Corporation. I am primarily a hacker and information researcher, previously an employee of the Bright and Sunny Media corporation. I look forward to working with you all.

Agent Basamortu.

(This text is shown three times, in English, Mandarin and Spanish.)

Coraline looked up from her research in surprise as her phone dinged the ding of Oracle mail. She hadn't received a general email or even another agent's through the Oracle group in a long time. Switching off her 3D hologram of the human body the plague doctor got up to look at her phone. After a moment her fingers flew across the touch screen.

From: Carnations@buttons.wdn
TO: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
SUBJECT: Re: Greetings from a new agent.

Hi there Amets!

Its wonderful to hear from you, new hires are always quite an excitement. I'm Coraline, former plastic surgeon and field doctor at your service. You should head to the HQ and pick up your kickstarter/memorial fund package, if you haven't already. I'm not sure how they get distributed these days since I haven't see Ace in a long time but that package is full of all kinds of wonderful toys. Nothing recreational, unfortunately but I'm sure you can find something entertaining with the money included.

I look forward to meeting you in person sweetie. Information research sounds like such an interesting area to specialise in

Amets lent back in the chair that came with her office in Oracle. Coraline Carnell. Trained medical doctor. Known former EI agent (reasons for defection unknown). Former Complete Delivery Girl. She tisked slightly at that. Complete Delivery had been the subject of a slight distaste for her ever since one of her coursemates during training had decided to celebrate the end of their examinations by hiring a rather loud and enthusiastic young woman, the night before a very important exam for Amets herself (attempts to ask them to turn it down were met with laughter, and complaining to the dorm supervisor was met with a lecture about how, as a field agent, she'd be expected to rest through much worse than that). But still, she wasn't going to hold that against the other agent.

FROM: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
TO: Carnatons@buttons.wdn
Subject: Re: Re: Greetings from a new agent.

Thank you for the pleasant welcome message, Coraline. I have been informed about the existence of the fund, but so far I have only meet Agent Potenza and the CEO, the former of which did not where to get the package, and the subject did not arise in my conversation with the latter. I will admit, I was not expecting a meeting with the corporation's CEO on the first day. Oracle seems to work in unusual ways. (On this matter, I have been informed that missions are usually found by agents working independently, rather than put forward by the corporation itself. This seems strange, but I think will enjoy this working environment, and if there is any matter you believe could benefit from my skill set, please let me know)

I also look forward to us meeting in person,
Amets Basamortu.

Amets sent the email, before switching to the mission report she had been reading, and settling in for a night of study hopefully uninterrupted by the sounds of a Complete Delivery courier providing client satisfaction.

From: Carnations@buttons.wdn
TO: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
SUBJECT: Re etc: Greetings from a new agent.

And thank you for the offer, I'll be sure to take you up on it in the future. I'm afraid I am unfamiliar with Agent Potenza. I was incommunicado for quite a while recently and I'm not 100% situated again yet. My time away was unfortunately fruitless, little 'secret' data uncovered and I think my medical efforts have only delayed an epidemic in Taiwan rather than prevented it. So I'm afraid you may have to go looking for the package on your own, sorry! ><

Certainly I hope you have better luck in investigation, whatever they may be ^^ And of course Oracle works in unusual ways, unusual is always more interesting.

Amets frowned to herself. It made sense that Oracle was involved in Taiwan somehow, but curing an epidemic there seemed...unusual for the company's line of work. Although the person doing it was a doctor...or may possibly be behind the disease in the first place.

FROM: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
TO: Carnatons@buttons.wdn
Subject: Re: Re ect: Greetings from a new agent.

Taiwan? I can't say I expected you to be out in an active warzone, but I suppose doctors are needed everywhere. Is there anything that could be done to help on this end, such as leaking the epidemic's existence to put pressure on the Ai Jinn to help cure it?

I agree with your last sentence entirely. Oracle is certainly fascinating.

Amets Basamortu.

From: Carnations@buttons.wdn
TO: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
SUBJECT: Re etc: Greetings from a new agent.

Ah, I'm afraid I wasn't entirely clear. I was practising preventative medicine in Taiwan. It was going okay until the situation became untenable. There isn't an epidemic yet but I'm sure there will be one. When it happens, even if there was wide international pressure, I really don't see the Ai-Jinn interceding. An epidemic among the local populace, aka the people at risk, would pretty much consolidate their hold over Taiwan.

Regards,

Coraline.

After many hours, a reply came through.

TO: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
FROM: Carmen@anonymous.ei
SUBJECT: RE: Greetings from a new agent.

Another hacker? Now there are two of us.

TO: Carmen@anonymous.ei
FROM: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
SUBJECT: Re: Re: Greetings from a new agent

Two of us? Still a smaller group than I am used to operating in, although I suppose given the smaller nature of the Oracle Corporation we have a greater concentration than most (I was also lead to believe that other agents, such as Ace Nizky, were capable of hacking. Do you know if they are still active?)

Any other issues you'd like to discuss?

Amets.

A fast reply.

TO: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
FROM: Carmen@anonymous.ei
SUBJECT: RE: Greetings from a new agent.

I don't know who that is. If other people can hack, I don't really care. It is my focus, and you're the only other person to share that.
You should ask them for money. Go on.

TO: Carmen@anonymous.ei
FROM: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
SUBJECT: Re: Re: Greetings from a new agent

I see. Well, I look forward to working you when our paths eventually cross.

I have been made aware of the existence of the Maxwell Positron fund, however the agents I have talked to so far have not been aware of how to access the money. Or do you mean asking them for more money?

Amets Basamortu.

Another fast reply.

TO: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
FROM: Carmen@anonymous.ei
SUBJECT: RE: Greetings from a new agent.

Both, but there's a credit chip in a mule-tech in a locker somewhere in the HQ.

To: twowasteland@datavault.wdn
From: K_Pillai@Eroz.wdn

Hello newbie! Still feels strange saying that. My name's Karishma, welcome to Oracle! Have you had the tour of the main facility yet? Met the CEO? Had an inordinate sum of money dumped into your lap unexpectedly? If not, I've attached a document explaining the details of the Maxwel Positron Memorial Fund, and how to access it; hope that helps.

I look forward to working with you Ms Basamortu.

Amets paused in her searching of the HQ, ostentatiously for the memorial fund, as her PDA blipped and Karishma's email arrived. She quickly scanned it, and sighed. She was rather enjoying having this excuse to look around. Turning around, she headed back to where she'd already worked out the fund was located. At least she'd get a fairly large sum of money out of this.

Well. Part of her was annoyed. Part of her was going "Holy shit 200,000 credits think of all the stuff I can do", while a third part was responding with "yeah, but they make so much more than that. It's actually kind of stingy for these guys".