@Namek
On a planetary GLE Base, far away from the graveyard of the Assistant's planet, the base was in chaos. Since the GLE Main HQ had to cut funds for everything but the most critical planets, most bases were understaffed, under equipped and over budget.
On the 71st level, the Head Detective, Captain Mason Raigon was busy puzzling over the recording. He listened to it again and again, sometimes altering the bass and treble levels, sometimes bringing the volume up to ear shattering (and glass shattering) levels
He eventually gave up before pressing the button to summon his personal assistant, John Earador. He told him
"Take the recording down to the audio department and have them listen to it until either their ears start bleeding or the speakers tear themselves to pieces"
John nods, but replies, "Sir, we received a different message a few minutes ago. It's from Central Command"
Captain Mason waves it off and says, "I'll open it later. Oh, and can you also go down to the Basement and grab the package?"
"Certainly sir"
John gave a polite salute before taking the datapad and going to the elevator, leaving Mason alone in his thoughts. Without anything better to do, he picked up the message and started reading it. It was mostly garbage about certain areas going over budget, but one piece of the message caught his eye,
" The SGG has granted us an annual budget of over tenfold of what we were previously allowed. Payments of planetary bases will commence in a few hours."
He simply couldn't believe his eyes. For over three years, the allowed budget for planetary bases had been steeply going down. It was now three times smaller than what it had been.
Suddenly, the lift opened. John stepped out, followed by two Prison Guards (with their Electro-Staffs active) and James, the runaway GLE officer and so called "Mercenary". Mason stood as they entered and dismissed John with the wave of his hand. He invited James to sit in front of his desk and also told the guards to stay nearby, but out of immediate earshot.
He sat down again and pulled up James' file on his computer.
"Ah yes, you were involved with the murder of Juan, you were associated with the Four Star Fighter Squadron, you disobeyed orders from control to cease your behaviour and you wasted the time of an important military leader, none other than Chaze. You also tried to illegally set up a mercenary group and desert the GLE."
At this, Mason leaned forward.
"But we caught up with you and captured you. Not even the R-UPA know you're here. Not even the SGG. You simply disappeared. Of course, people asked a few questions, but we sorted them out."
James shifted in his chair, clearly uncomfortable with what was being said. He could feel where this was going
"But James, I'm willing to let that all go if you do a favour for me"
Mason activated the holoprojector and opened a file.
"This is X8D - 83K, the Assistants place. It's practically the Jucarian Mafia Black Markets all over again, but at far far larger levels. I want you to go to that planet and gather as much information as you possibly can. Buy some weapons and slaves for all I care."
"But the important thing is that you will not be known to be part of the GLE. This place is impossible to bug and everyone entering and exiting this place has been screened dozens of times. None of my men can do this because they're all on records"
Mason leaned forward again, switching the holoprojector off in the process
"But you, my dear James, are off records as far as the world is concerned"
