Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Sounds like you're just the type we're looking for then."

The man's voice was a broken up through the speakers by a bit of static as the helicopter prepared for take-off, but still understandable. He waited until the chopper took to the air, leaving the city far below before answering.

"I'm not sure of the specifics, as they'll discuss that with you when you arrive...but I can give you the basic premise. CRONUS is a research facility that operates on a privately-owned, remote island. Primary work involves development of healthier, sturdier crops, medical research to find new treatments using plant life, and work of that sort. Nothing dangerous in itself, however, knowledge that would prove very, very valuable if obtained. Security is a constant concern to deter industrial spies. We need people who are capable of handling themselves in a scuffle if necessary, but mostly are dependable and trustworthy to do their job. In return, you'll be paid quite well for your service. With luck, you'll never even have to worry about dealing with any intruders, as the mere presence of heavy security is enough to turn away most potential spies. Our remote location helps by making things difficult enough to sneak up on us, of course," he added with a wink.

Already, the chopper was flying over the clear, blue waters, white waves cresting as the wind picked up or dropped. The city was far behind now, long out of sight. It would be some time yet before a dark island, their destination, would take shape on the horizon.

The man in the suit simply nodded back with a smile, falling silent for a majority of the flight. He didn't speak again until they were closing in on a smallish island, no other land in sight as the chopper prepared to descend.

"Welcome to CRONUS' private island. It's no resort, but we do well enough for ourselves..." He trailed off with a chuckle, leaving the other man to take in his first airborne view of the island, soon to become his new home.

The island's location provided not only solitude and isolation, but an interesting mix of climates, supporting both temperate plant life and tropical, co-inhabiting the same living space. A few short stretches of beach lined the coastline while the rest remained wild and untamed brushline. Trees covered the island that had yet to be "cleared," but it wasn't hard to see where CRONUS had set up shop. Several sterile-looking square buildings sat in the middle of a completely cleared area, only a couple of access roads leading into or out of the facility, one heading to the nearby helipad and another down to the docks where supplies were presumably shipped in.

The man let out an honest laugh, clapping the other on the shoulder. "Glad you like what you see! They'll settle everything once we get inside. Paperwork and details and stuff like that."

The helicopter landed shortly and the man in the suit was busy talking on the radio with someone up at the lab, seemingly arranging things before they got there. A jeep arrived to take them down the short access road towards the lab, and he nodded towards the vehicle while still talking on the radio.

"Yeah, we're on our way...yes...yes, I know...of course, he's interested...right, well, we'll be there in just a moment anyway."

He switched the radio off with a click as the jeep bumped down the rough road. "Obviously, the money taken for research doesn't go towards smoothing out these roads," he joked lightly, grabbing for a handhold as a bump in the road nearly sent him flying out of his seat.

The lab soon loomed, stark, sterile white against the background of the forest beyond.

"Seriously," the man muttered with an eyeroll, letting his professional manner drop for a bit. It was with an obvious sigh of relief that he hopped out of the jeep and headed for the lab door as soon as the vehicle had lurched to a stop. He pulled out a security card, swiping it quickly so that the electronic lock in the door clicked open. He led Steve into the building and down the hall. The interior of the building matched the exterior: sterile and stark. He took a couple twists and turns in the corridors that all looked the same, eventually reaching a room that looked like a simplified meeting area, complete with table, chairs, and not much else.

"Obviously not much money going here either, you see..." He chuckled softly, shrugging and leading the way inside. It wasn't long before a young woman entered the room, carrying a tray that she set on the table before looking at the two men with a smile. "Coffee or tea for either you, gentlemen? Or anything else I can get you? Dr. Hakan is on his way and wanted to offer you some refreshment in case you had to wait."

The woman hid a smile as she hurried to pour the coffee for Steve, ignoring the man in the suit and his order for a coffee with sugar. He tried again when she was less "distracted" and finally managed to get his drink.

Rolling his eyes again, he sipped his coffee, shrugging a bit. "Something like that. Dr. Hakan is the lead researcher around here, which sort of puts him basically in charge of everything major that happens. Plus, he apparently likes to talk to new staff personally before they start."

"You could try turning around next time."

A middle-aged man with scruffy brown hair that looked like it hadn't been combed in over a week leaned on the doorframe, clipboard under his arm. He smirked slightly, a ghost of amusement crossing his expression before he started to cross the room, taking a seat across the table from Steve.

The man in the suit nodded slightly before stepping back and taking a seat out of the way. His job was done, but he wasn't about to cut out without permission first, so he'd just stay silent for now.

"I'd ask if the coffee was to your liking, but I heard as much while entering, so let's move on, shall we? Any questions to start with?" The doctor seemed at ease, flipping through a couple pages on the clipboard before looking back at Steve over a pair of square glasses resting low on the bridge of his nose.

Dr. Hakan chuckled a bit, then nodded. "No wasting time with you, hmm? I like that, straight to business." He folded his hands on the table, leaning forward slightly. "You raise a very good point. While working on the island, we will cover your food, lodging, and all other necessary living expenses. You'll have little need for money while working for us. We won't keep you from your pay, simply that you'll have little use for it here. Now, we pay well, and the longer you work for us, the more you'll have when you decide you've had enough and want to leave. I'm sure it would be nice to set out again with a bit saved up, wouldn't it?"

The lies were so easy at this point. He could promise them anything he wanted, but if he didn't keep it within reason, they'd get suspicious. The trick was keeping it believable, and only ALMOST-too-good to be true.

Dr. Hakan narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking so much for an easy one. "I understand your concern, Mr. Callahan, especially considering your earlier situation. However, you will receive your pay every week while in our employment. I only meant that there would be little to spend it on except the odd vending machine around here. Granted, some of the other guards will request something special when it comes time for shipments of supplies to be sent in, but I tend not to ask too closely about some of their claimed...'needs.'"

He leaned back in his chair, hands still folded on the table and a slight frown on his face. "However, I'm not sure exactly what sort of proof you want regarding our promises regarding the termination of your employment with us. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to what might convince you that our intentions are for the best."

"Of course, we don't want our secrets being spread or sold. We do have ways of tracking the source of such a leak, but our usual threats are more along the line of a lawsuit at the face of a team of lawyers that make a pack of Houndooms look like a swarm of Magikarp, if you catch my drift." He smirked slightly at this, tilting his head at Steve as if imparting some great secret.