Thelma
```cs
 sir, forgive me, but I do not recall a man with your name ever being invited onto the premises. I do not wish to escalate a conflict with you. However, you truly must leave. We are on strict time and personnel schedules, and regardless of your origins, former accomplishments, or talents, you are an unknown factor which may pose a threat to the safety of the expedition team entering the Vektet."```

Alois — simply for courtesy, yet again — put on a remorseful tone and a slight, half-understanding frown, as he carefully explained to the man before him. Entirely disregarding the discourse on just how useful he would be to the expedition, as was argued by both Kuouo and Gaige himself, Alois gave a polite, apologetic bow. Then, yet again, he stood straight from his bow, emptied his gaze, turned towards the gate's security team, and motioned, as if the conversion had never even happened.

```cs
 this man from the premises."```
 
***The security team rushes towards Gaige, grasping him by each arm and, quite forcefully, pulling him back towards the gate. Considering how well-armed they were, resisting would likely end up in a less-than-favorable result.***

Alois didn't bat an eye as Gaige was dragged off. An unexpected factor who was unwilling to work under Odysseus Corp.'s stipulations was of no use to this expedition team. For their goals, he was more of a liability than an assisting member of the team.
_ _
Laurel
The masked man gazed from within his gray tent as he witnessed the cloaked man — the one he had distinctly, even from a distance, heard introduce himself as Gaige — get dragged off, towards the gate.

***`SSSSP`***


*`"ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ʟɪᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇᴛᴇɴᴄᴇ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ꜱᴍɪᴅɢᴇᴏɴ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴍᴀɴ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴍᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇʀᴏᴄɪᴏᴜꜱ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴛ. ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ ᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʟʏ. ɪɢɴᴏʀᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴏᴡɴ ɪɢɴᴏʀᴀɴᴄᴇ."`*

***`HSSS`***

He murmured, from beneath his gas mask, his muffled words unheard by anyone. Lowering his head, he emerged from the tent, stood in the sunlight at an exceptional 196 cm. His stature was impressive, yet his build remained unseen, overshadowed by a draping cloak that hid the specifics of his body from the shoulders-down. Rough, rubbery combat boots PRESS against the ground carefully. Silent. Eerily silent.

*`"ꜱᴏᴄɪᴇᴛʏ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪꜱ ɪɴꜱᴏʟᴇɴᴛ. ᴘᴜᴛʀɪᴅ. ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ. ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴡʜᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪ ᴄᴀᴍᴇ, ʜᴇʀᴏᴇꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴄᴇʟᴇʙʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛꜱ. ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ. ꜱʟᴀʏᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇᴀꜱᴛꜱ. ʟɪʙᴇʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʏʀᴀɴᴛꜱ. ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅꜱ."`*

***`SSS—CK`***

—The oxygen supply in his mask briefly stopped up, and he found himself wheezing. A cough, yet his stride did not stop, as he approached directly behind the guards who dragged Gaige away, yet remained completely unseen. Then, extending an arm—

*`"ɪᴛ ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ɴᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴡɴ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ'ꜱ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴀᴄᴋ, ɪꜰ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇɴ ᴏɴᴇ ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ."`*

—he forcefully pushes one of the guards aside with ease. They appear, at first, to show signs of hostility — yet regress as soon as they see who the act came from. As if... There was a degree of fear.

*`"ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ɢᴀɪɢᴇ. ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴀꜱᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʀᴜᴇ."`*
_ _

As swiftly as he spoke, he grasped Gaige's left arm, lifting it from his cloak, and bringing it to his masked eyes. Carefully, closely, he scrutinizes...

***`SSSSP`***

*`"ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ'ꜱ ꜰʟᴇꜱʜ. ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ'ꜱ ᴠᴇɪɴꜱ. ʏᴇꜱ, ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴇᴇ ɪᴛ. ꜱᴍᴇʟʟ ɪᴛ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ. ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ."`*

—he spoke, turning without a further word, returning to his gray tent.
Daniel
Gaige gave Alois a scornful glare, "After all that, huh?" He motioned his arms in a shrug, "It's your loss in the end, shorty. If this expedition fails, just remember—it was your choice to turn my expertise down." He affixed his gaze to Kuouo, "It was a good attempt, bandit. I was convinced that'd work, but what a shame. Wish you luck on your little expedition; perhaps we'll see each other again after you return." Gaige spoke his final words before allowing the security team to take him away.

The cloaked man could more than likely easily handle one, two, even three of these pushover guards; the sheer amount of them though made the idea of resistance a pipe dream. The mercenaries served as wildcards as well if he were to combat the security force. He also had little interest in identifying himself as a criminal. This analysis left Gaige with the unfortunate outcome of compliance to Alois. Gaige's expression changed to one of sorrow as he was dragged away, his hopes of acquiring greater strength in his quest shattered.

He abruptly lifted his head up as the muffled voice began to speak from behind one of the guards. He watched as some of the guards began to slowly back away from him; the former hero donned a look of confusion at what was happening, `The security force is... Scared of this guy?` He thought to himself as the security guards which grasped him relinquished their grip on him. He did not halt the masked man from grasping and examining his arm, "This a skill of yours or something? I'm gonna assume it's accurate...? I don't lie when I say I'm the Gaige from five years ago." He said with a smirk, shutting himself up afterwards to allow the man to work in silence.

_ _
He slowly returned his arm to his side as the masked man finalized his inspection. "Well? You see I'm telling the truth?" He inquired; perhaps his hopes were not shattered yet. He raised an eyebrow at the man's response, `Smell it...? Ah—doesn't matter.` He rolled his neck, moving past the fearful security guards and following the stranger into his tent without speaking a word.
Joe
The man followed Alois through into the military encampment, he needn't look around, his sight laser focused forwards, instead he lifted 2 fingers and made a twirling motion, then continued to where the contracts lay, he made careful work to read every word and detail down to the fine print, the contract was troubling, directly interfering with his goals however he had a very simple way to work around it, signing confidently, with a simple X.
Marta
Upon receiving signal from Cumhall the drone flew up a ways, its head span around taking in the area and transmitting the data to Cumhall acting as his eyes, once done it hovered around his head, giving an alert bleep as it watched his back.
Joe
```diff
- "I dont see how an extra set of hands would be a detriment to us, i can only see benifits, surely if he signs the contract then he can only help your intrests." -
``` He spoke without even looking back towards the group as he placed down the contract, reaching into one of his many satchels and drawing out a hip flask, he went to take a drink completely forgetting he was wearing a helmet, then quickly put it away, cursing under his breath.
He composed himself, adjusting his tie and turned around.
```diff
- "Unless you have something specficially against this one man it seems odd to deny him, with such good credentials and with you clearly in need of hands" -
```
He motioned around vaguely to the camp and the barebones militia that occupied it.
```diff
- "Generally people who put out search for mercinaries are not in position to deny them? Am i not right?" -
```
Marta
The drone did a lap around Cumhalls head, releasing a few beeps that seemed to be backing up the man' s statements before remembering its duty and going back to watching with its head on a swivel.
Ellis
She watches as the guards drag away the odd ""Hero"" Person, taking in that somebody says they don't know the world history — of course she doesn't! Who does? It's not even her choice, regardless. 

Seeing the goat go up to bat against the aforementioned peacekeepers, Tabby simply tilts her head, flicks her tail, and *Considers* Doing remotely anything useful, but banishes the thought nigh immediately. Her defender stands tall, keeping the cat atop its very broad, metallic shoulders. For all the razzle-dazzle on the wielder, the golem seems to be rather lackluster; a piece not often used or refined, likely thrown together last second. Still, despite that, it remains a marvel how it can fit into such a small suitcase-form-factor.

"Yes, you would be correct." The artificer calls down, responding to Cumhall's inquiries, "But if someone shows up who isn't invited, then they might not have the necessary paperwork to fill out... Would I be correct in guessing that, sir?" She questions Alois, putting her right elbow down atop the behemoth's head and leaning on her hand as she talks, pushing her goggles around and messing her fur up ever-so-slightly.
Debra
"Not to be rude, but we should hurry this the hell up." Josh said, responding to the other mercenaries.

Josh continued, "Whether or not that guy joins doesn't matter to me, but we're wasting time here. The Vektet has technology unknown to human and monster kind, and the sooner we can explore it and figure out what this stuff does, the better. Don't you want a way to escape this hell hole of a timeline?"
Adrienne
"I know I'm not a part of this conversation, but like I just wanna hurry up and explore the damn thing already." Shade unnecessarily added.
Thelma
Alois payed no attention as Gaige's escorting-out-of-the-premises was essentially hijacked by the unnamed, gas-masked man. Instead, he focused his attention on those before him, still smiling, waiting patiently as they signed off on the contracts. Quietly, he was observing — yet without peering, as not to be rude.

```cs
 you are two sentient individuals,"
Alois spoke with a pause, staring at the peculiar figure that was Josh,
 please, sign with both names."```

Not a moment was wasted, and Alois had already returned back to his expressionless, careless demeanor, that sought only to complete business. Then, another issue to resolve... Alois was worried that his skin would start chafing before they could actually get any work done. Now, that would just be plain problematic, wouldn't it...? He has to wrap up this process sooner, rather than later.

```cs
 Odysseus Corporation, we seek only the highest-quality of workers, with innovative minds and efficient work structures. As such, each member of this squadron was personally sought out by the best of our scouts, and vetted ahead of time to ensure the greatest probability of a favorable outcome on this dangerous expedition."

#" You are valued guests, and so too are your opinions, yet this man was not extended the same invitation as you were. He did not go through the same, rigorous organization and investigation that you did, and thus is an unknown factor in an otherwise perfectly-orchestrated plan."

 It is a shame to deny such a serendipitous encounter of natural talent, to allow a stranger into our midst would go against the careful, planning nature of Odysseus Corporation's business structure. Does that make sense?"```
_ _

Alois explained with a rather monotone voice, as if he was reciting some form of script that he had once overlooked. Yet, it was spoken with such fluidity that, despite its cold and uncaring nature, was quite impressive. He must've memorized the entire thing from top-to-bottom, still retaining his elegant and courteous, apologetic tone as he spoke.

```cs
 for those of you which have not yet signed,"
He said, motioning towards Kuouo. The fact that he had not yet signed would not go unnoticed.
 Do so, and then follow me. I will restate... The signing of this contract is essential for a smooth, cooperative work environment between you contract workers and Odysseus Corporation. Please understand our caution in this formality."```

Alois slowly stepped away from the plastic table, turning towards the *Vektet,* Yet briefly stared over his shoulder, ensuring they finished up their business.

```cs
 on..."
 Will be discussing with you all some of the equipment that you will be using while aboard the Vektet. I will not sugarcoat this: it is a highly hostile and foreign environment, and so, Odysseus Corporation has devised certain countermeasures and pieces of equipments to offset its detriments."

 — the V.A.R.E.T, or simply the Varet, short for the Vektet-class Anomalistic Realm Exploration Tether."```

Once closer to the Vektet, Alois stepped towards a tent, positioned quite close to its base. Briefly stepping into the tent, he returned from its interior, a strange, satchel-like device within his hands. Two, unarmored staff members also exit the tent with him, each holding two of the devices themselves, as Alois continued to explain.
_ _

```cs
 some precursory analysis of how the Vektet functions, and failing several initial attempts to enter it, it has become apparent to us that it is impossible to enter the superstructure through traditional means. The Vektet, itself, has no physical means of entry. Rather, it utilizes what appears to be an onboard form of teleportation, whose specifics we have deciphered over the past two days."

Alois further approached the Vektet. Now, they stood at the very base of the superstructure, a massive, sealed, gate-like structure towering before them.

 Gate-like entrance at the base of the Vektet is not intended to be used as an entrance point, in a traditional sense. Rather, we believe that it is a form of emergency exit, which utilizes the aforementioned on-board teleportation principles, which I described earlier. The V.A.R.E.T directly interferes with this transportation system, and repurposes this emergency-exit to be used as a form of entry to the Vektet."

 Analysis akin to spectrographing, we have determined that there are more gates within the Vektet that may be repurposed using this function of the V.A.R.E.T. Once you have cleared a floor, activate the device like so,"

Alois spoke, pressing a switch on the satchel-like device. 

 You will form a two-way transportative gate between this repurposed emergency exit and the internal gate which you stand at. Deposit the V.A.R.E.T at this position, and Odysseus Corporation can use the V.A.R.E.T to extract you from the Vektet, as well as send in reinforcements directly to the gate."```

With a motion of his hand, the two unarmored staff-members that followed Alois withdrew more equipment. Ear-pieces, they seemed... And some form of eye-contacts?
_ _
Ellis
The cat shakes her head, ready to depart with her robot. She outstretches her hand for both a VARET and the components to the RASWLT.

Upon reception of these things, she places her equipment as described. The robot gets nothing. The robot is weak. It does not deserve these things. Weak. She takes note of the instructions required to activate the VARET, but not much else. She pulls one of the bags off of her waist, reaching into it and observing a few small knicknacks, palming them thoughtfully. For a few of them, she examines up close, sliding the goggles down her face to cover her eyes. It appears that they also have some sort of magnifying effect, allowing her to interface with the objects she holds. Once they pass the visual inspection, they are inserted right back into the bag. 

The tabaxi unsheathes her claws, unscrewing a few things on her gauntlet with said claws; no doubt a precise skill to master. A few compartments hinge open as she does this. She takes the second bag off of her waist and proceeds to insert a few things into these strange compartments. One compartment appears to received hand-carved dice, likely done once again by the artificer's claws, very sticky solution in another, a couple small iron balls... And a canister of gas with a very simple white smile on it. She presses a button on the top, all hinges closing shut to allow her to screw them back into place. Last, but not least, she presses another button; electric batteries powering arcs of lightning across the two gauntlets. With that, she raises them above head — allowing the sparks to arc and crackle between her two palms. The gate closes, and the lightning shuts back off. 

The cat lowers her hands back under the chin of her mounted familiar, "Allllll squared away!" She calls out. "Ready for whatever this place holds."
Debra
"Thank you, sir." Both Josh and Shade proceed to sign the papers, then analyzing the devices before them.
"So the VARET can intercept the emergency exit and form a teleportation gateway, and the Raswalt can decode the language within the Vektet? This tech is honestly impressive!" Josh exclaimed.
Ellis
She stifles a laugh upon hearing this outburst, though it is apparent on her face. She quickly composes herself however; pretending as if nothing happened.

*This place isn't the Forgotten Realms, this is far from it.. Perhaps this is not readily available through magic here.* She reminds herself.
Philip
Kuouo reached his paw out, trying to grab Gaige but hesitates at the sight of Gaige being pulled away by multiple guards. 

*```Damn, giving up that easy?-```*
*``nah man... C'mon! Come back!``*

Though there was a sorrow look in Gaige's eyes, Kuo hoped that his friend could re-kindle his motivation to find his own way inside. Kuo turned towards his contract with a grimace, skimming the fine print as Gaige's resistance towards signing echo throughout his mind. 

*```So they really don't want us to sue them, talk shit, or steal shit. Well two outta the three are still gonna happen - What are they gonna do, sue a prison escapee? Throw me in their jail? The hell do they expect by vettin' a bandit to explore this shit?```*

Kuo slides the pen in-between his left paw's middle and index finger, needlessly twirling it before putting it to paper and scribbling his signature. Surprisingly, although it wasn't the fanciest, it still had a pretty nice flow to it.

*``daheh! Nice. That's gonna be my mangaka signature.``*

Kuo listened into the monotonous man explaining the technology they use to get in and out of the super-structure — ``oh no.``

Fear strikes harshly into the Bandit's ~~heart~~ — Rather, his stomach as the word 'teleportation' was mentioned. What with the restricted diet, teleportation sickness did *Not* Sound like a fun thing to deal with... 

He was already looking queasy.

... But that didn't matter in the end. As the etiolated man furthered his explanations with the second device, it shifted the bandit's attention away from the future nausea he was about to endure. A device that could translate a new language in real-time with nothing but a contact lens and a bluetooth ear piece? Although the thief constantly has his judgement clouded by his hotheaded stubborness, his perception was rather clear despite Gaige's forced escort irking him quite a bit...

*```That's a cool as fuck piecea tech, but there ain't no w a y it isn't gonna be used for watchin' us. I better watch it with what I do. Gaige made a good point about companies like this biting you on the ass.```*

Kuouo pushes the second-rate table aside, stepping forward and reaching for the pair of tech. He stuffs the Varet into his inventory and equips the Raswalt with ease from the earlier days of his cosplaying. He blinks a couple times, making sure it was adjusted to be at least somewhat comfortable. 

*Blink, blink...*

To his left, a strange symbiotic duo and to his right a (possibly) monster cat riding a giant golem. Kuo looked out of the corner of his eye, making a slight observation of the masked man who 'know who he was' — and one especially for the girl who has yet to say a word throughout this whole ordeal.

*```I need to watch myself. Can't believe I'm workin' on a job where I might have to worry 'bout snitches, daheh - But still, I've been worried about bein' stiffed again this whole time. Ever since this disparity, shit's been crazy.```*

The sensation of the mage's powerful aura buzzed through Kuo's body in response to remembering that tiring ordeal. He shook his head and focused his gaze on the large sealed gate Alois professionally stood in front of.

```fix
"I bet there's gonna be some crazy shit inside, huh?"
```
Ken
. . .

Not even a look, and several minutes in. Good.

Everyone here meant business, regardless of their varying personality types. Blending into the background of slight tension, it was seamless for her to attempt a read on individuals of interest. In particular, the rude beggar *Seemed* Apparently of more importance then given thought, whereas the goat-like entity had a connection, perhaps even deepened, and in turn was potentially equal in relevance. The alternatively horned and his. . . Companion, fretted to have a larger agenda at stake. Meanwhile, the cat-like one, presumed as 'Tabby Browncoat' based on a booklet upon her shoulder, had her own peculiarities of general exclamation. The well-dressed, and well-spoken foreigner bared the same explanation.

All unique characters that'd seek deeper analysis later, and to an extent where she was an afterthought for the moment. As for the man of status, *Alois*, and his explanation, it seemed fairly straightforward and expected of such a dangerous adventure. Once more, in subtle, exact strides, and in tightened control of herself in contrast to the former, she'd grab the required technologies after everyone else, and return to her shaded area quietly. 

The woman attempted to strike when her upcoming co-workers all seemed preoccupied as yet another measure to not draw attention being the advantage and ease of operation she had on her side. Still, she clasped her hands together and awaited anxiously for forwarding of objectives. Things were taking a little longer then she would've preferred, and she'd made peace with the momentary precautions.

Just remain composed, and uninteresting.
Adrienne
"Josh, can I have your phone?" Shade asked pleadingly.
Debra
"No, Shade." Josh responded.

"I didn't bring it, anyways. There's no flash photography allowed because this is a restricted zone."

Josh proceeded to retract his arms until they were visibly missing, then lean on the railing for relaxation.
Adrienne
Shade, now bored, retracted himself back into Josh's body, seeming to disappear