Preserving Our Freedom (Open)

[The Sentinels]

Adriana smiled and shook hands as she wondered if there was something else she could be doing rather then being here. At the moment she was in a US-military run PMC convention where they would showcase the latest in combat technology as well as current global situations, officially it's to let all PMCs be on the same page so they know what's going on and not have to resort to espionage and possibly a lot of killings to get the information. But in reality it's to have the US military keep an eye on the PMCs as they were starting to be on the rise due to the increase of Shocker-related incidents, personally Adriana didn't care who it was that was fighting against these monsters. As long as they were willing to fight for freedom and for the good of the American people she wouldn't mind, however if they ever tried to go against America or started to hurt the civilian population then they would know why she was called the Sentinel of Liberty.

"It's so good to see you here Captain," an Army general said shaking hands with her, "it truly is an honour to have America's hero with us today," as Adriana smiled.

"Thank you general it's good to see you here too," she said as he walked away as his aide nodded in acknowledgement before she decided that perhaps it's time to have a drink. She walked to the caterer and took a glass of champagne as she began sipping it while watching for any signs of danger or trouble.

[Dominic Geiszler]

Dominic wasn't a member of a PMC per se, but, as a sometimes ally of a number of the biggest, he felt it necessary to get involved. Business is business. If anyone asked who he was with... well, he was with whomever the people asking weren't.

He thought for a moment about grabbing a drink, going so far as to approach a caterer, but decided against it at the last second. His mind flashed back to the last time he had 'a drink'.

Hmmm, maybe not. He distinctly remembered waking up in a ditch in rural France.

[The Sentinels]

After drinking down the whole champagne glass she noticed someone that seemed out of place, he didn't look confused, just that he looked like he was just chilling out rather than participating. Adriana thought of that as a bit strange so she approached him with one of her fake smiles, "Hi there, you look a little lost," she said to Dominic.

[Dominic Geiszler]

"Oh, do I?" he said. "I guess I have that kind of face."

What was the best way to play this? Should I just come out with it?

[The Sentinels]

"No not really," Adriana said, "so which PMC are you with? Or military division if you're still under our payroll."

[Dominic Geiszler]

Dominic wondered for a second whether Dr. Kline would have bothered coming to shindig like this. Perhaps he'd become more open about his work in the couple of years since they'd seen each other. That's a good a lie as any, I suppose.

"Technically I subcontractor/consultant for whomever needs my services.. but you could say I'm with Kline & Associates."

With a bit of luck they weren't in attendance and this woman wouldn't have a clue who he was talking about. Last he checked K&A were small fry in the PMC business and well... he hadn't heard anything of them lately at least.

[The Sentinels]

"Kline & Associates huh?" Adriana said never hearing about it, she'll have to check it out with intelligence once she got back from this convention, "Can't say I heard of it, whereabouts you guys work? Afghanistan? Somalia?"

[Dominic Geiszler]

"We're based out Switzerland. Fairly new in the game though, so we're not officially in any war zones as of yet." He was really thinking on his feet now. Nevertheless, he knew he'd seen this woman's face somewhere. Better be careful.

"Personally I've done a bit of work in Europe, Japan, you name it. Small business mainly. Requisitions, scouting missions, that kind of thing."

[The Sentinels]

Ah that makes sense, it was a new player in the game, still it would be better to ask intelligence about it and have them keep an eye on it. A European PMC wasn't anything new, but she wouldn't like it if it started to cause chaos in America, "I see well I hope you're all prepared for it, PMC is a tough game to play in," she said as Dominic told her that he had done works in Japan and Europe before. "Interesting, small-type work huh?" she smiled, "I'm sorry I catch your name Mr..."

[Dominic Geiszler]

"Yeah, nothing major."

She certainly talked like she knew her stuff. The conversation was getting a little dicey, and Dominic knew if he didn't find a way to bow out soon, he'd truly land himself in it.

"I haven't told you my name," he said, with his best smile. She was definitely fishing for information on him now. "Nic Engel. Pleased to meet you." He shook her hand.

The name was one his own private jokes. It was a true dead end identity. Full of the average nonsense any normal person would accrue on record over the years. Ultimately it led no where; the kind of no where that smelt suspiciously of the secret service community. What better than to give her a god run around and drop Kline in it up to his elbows.

Serves the man right, I say.

[The Sentinels]

"Nice to meet you Mr Engel," Adriana said shaking his hand, "Captain Adriana Washington, US Air Force." She didn't give a false name because eventually he'll figure it out, she was America's hero after all and she was treated as a military celebrity so there was no reason to give out false information. One of the things that she learned was to give information truthfully unless it compromised the security of the United States and at the moment there was nothing about the man that was dangerous about him.

[Dominic Geiszler]

Easy part over. The hard part would be to gain her trust. What's better than a fool proof false identity? Giving the people-who-mattered absolutely no reason to check up on you.

"Well Captain, like I said, pleasure to meet you." Small talk wasn't the best way to start, but he needed an opening. Best to play the fool for now. "How's the convention treating you so far? I've mainly being trying to figure out who everyone is. Names don't really stick, you know?"

Shocker was the conversation on everyone's lips, but they didn't half keep it on the down low. He didn't imagine anyone would want to ruffle feathers with such scare mongering. In truth, no one wanted to believe it was as much of a problem as it was. At the end of the day, Dominic was only trying to do what most wouldn't. Actually help.

[The Sentinels]

Adriana nodded in acknowledgement before 'Nic' told her that he wasn't sure who was who as Adriana tilted her head slightly, who came to a convention without knowing the major players? Even if the company was new and small they should at least know some names such as the Secretary of the various armies. She decided to test if he really was telling the truth, "Of course it would be my pleasure," she said as she pointed to a Colonel of the Army, "That's General Briggins over there with the bald head, he's the SECARMY," she said pointing to him, then to an Admiral who wasn't the SECNAV, "That's Admiral Jones, he's the SECNAV," and finally to an Air Force general, "That's General Adams, SECAF. Those three are the main players in the military, the Deputy Secretary and Secretary of Defence hasn't arrived yet, but I'll tell you if they do" another lie since she wanted to make sure that this wasn't just a fishing expedition.

[Thomas Fleming]

((Excuse the wrong account...))

He backhanded her jokingly on the shoulder. "Good one, captain. You're testing me, aren't you?" Though he couldn't be expected to remember individuals, he'd been a privateer long enough to do his research. "I don't blame you, to be honest. I'd probably do the same."

He chuckled, before continuing. "I was talking about all PMCs. Certainly springing up out of nowhere, aren't they?"

[The Sentinels]

"Astute," Adriana replied, "I was just checking," so at least the guy knew who was who. Perhaps she was a little bit too easy on him by giving him the SECs, but at least he knew that much. Nic clarified that he was asking about the rise of PMCs around the world as Adriana nodded, "Ah right. Yes well with the rise and increase in attacks around the world by Shocker it's no surprise that people would want to capitalise on this by creating weapons that can be used to destroy these monsters; you would be surprised by how many companies are asking for a government contract for a weapon or research that they're doing."