EPD Communication Log - T2 SCO "Commander Kinya Caasjuun" to EPD-PA53 "Hiro Protagoni

[Hiro Protagonist]

A woman is seated at her desk, a few paper reports ib front of her. She is in a sparsely furnished office, with a couple personal touches on the walls. As the video begins, she looks straight at the camera and speaks in a clear, commanding voice.

"Agent Protagonist. Good day. I trust you've received a missive from one "Karl Jak" recently, correct?"

Hiro is crouched behind something, a circuit panel open next to him, lights flashing and circuits pulsing. The low din of conversation and bleeps, bloops, and the hum of arcade machines filter into his voice communication.

"Commander. Yes, maam. I think everyone did. I'm debating going to check it out."

The woman smiles humorlessly and shuffles a few papers, pulling a datapad out from underneath, and tapping on it.

"Good. You are being included in a selection of agents being sent to investigate. Mr. Karl Jak, while enigmatic, is considered an ally of the state, and the Empire feels that this is also a lucrative opportunity to find out more about his personal Verse. Your mission is to aid the Syntech recovery team and collect any information that you can. I am sending you any pertinent details on past year contests, and the admittedly small dossier we have on Jak." 

A small pause, and a few more taps of the datapad.

"These contests attract many Primes, from many different Verses. Including those that are currently fugitives of the Empire's justice. I trust you understand. Now....Do your duty, Agent. Caasjuun out."

Hiro saluted as the transmission cut off, and reached into his jacket. There was a small leather wallet sewn t the inside of his coat, and inside was a badge, made of black steel and shiny chrome. It authorized him as a Prime Agent of the EPD, and now it seemed he would get a chance to use it.

[Hiro Protagonist]

Commander Kinya Caasjuun reads a report in great detail, her desk as immaculate as ever. After a few moments, she pulls a datapad up and punches in a comm code. The screen displays a placeholder image of an "ID Card" for one Special Agent Hiro Protagonist, serial number 31337-H4X. After a moment, the live video feed connects to show Agent Protagonist passed out in front of his computer, crumpled cans of energy drink and empty junk food bags strewn about his desk.

"Agent Protagonist."

Nothing except an audible snore.

"AGENT PROTAGONIST!"

Commander Caasjuun pounds her desk, and Hiro jumps up in surprise,  wiping a small fleck of drool from his mouth. "Huh? Whazza- oh shit. Commander! Uh, yes, Agent Protagonist here."

"I'm glad to see you have been using your vacation time appropriately, since it has been a decent amount of time since you have served your Empire." Hiro looks a bit sheepish, until the commander continues. 

"However, I did particularly enjoy your F-Zero appearance. Quite a thrilling contest, not to mention your displayed your ingenuity rather well. It will serve you well in your next duty."

Hiro sits up in his chair and brushes some snack crumbs off his shirt, before reaching for his goggles and strapping them on. "Standing by for details, Commander." The goggles flash blue as Hiro swipes and taps the air in front of him. "Wait. ..this is just the bounty list...plus a bit more detail."

"Indeed, Agent. You need to show a bit of initiative, and each one of these individuals has comitted crimes against the Empire. Choose whichever you believe you can reasonable apprehend or terminate. Caasjuun out."

Hiro manages a salute before the Commander cuts the feed, and slumps back in his chair. He yawns, stretches, and gets up to go take a shower.

[Hiro Protagonist]

There is anomalous amount of activity in Commander Caasjuun's office as she places the call. Her pure white hair is disheveled, and she bears visible signs of stress and anger, which is entirely out of the ordinary for the normally unflappable officer. She watches the commlink connect and ring, silently hoping that the recipient doesn't pick up and she can do this tomorrow. She's had enough for one day.

-click-

Silence for several tense seconds, the picture half cut off. No video feed from the contact, just audio. 

"....Commander."

She rubs her brow, letting out a deep sigh. "Agent Protagonist, I trust you already know why I am calling?"

He responds. "Yeah, they just let me ou-"

She cuts him off with a barked order. "Enough. Agent Protagonist. You have never had a failure of this magnitude before and that is the only reason why you are not being dragged before the EPD Agent Review council. I want your explanation, for the record."

He sounds discomfited, ashamed. "I...the target overwhelmed me. I wasn't strong enough to subdue him. He knocked me out and the Cinnabar police picked me up."

Commander Caasjuun softens her tone just a tiny bit. She was a field officer once, she knows how hard it can be. "Nevertheless, you failed. However, the events leading up to that were out of your control. Your target was heavily involved before you confronted him, and it was his uncovering of a covert operation that snowballed into the situation we find ourselves in now. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Agent."

Hiro clears his throat. "I'd be inclined to agree with you, Commander, but the fault also lies with me."

"Agreed. As of right now, you are off active duty. Your saved leave is being assigned to you early. Take a couple weeks off, clear your head. When you return to Coruscant, you will be assigned to a remedial training course until you display your readiness for field work once again. Do whatever you need to recover, Agent. And stay sharp. Do not cause any further incidents for the Empire. Caasjuun out."

She cuts the feed and sighs. "These rookies are going to be the death of me, I swear."