James Bourne (JB) looks at the two of you across the table, quietly.

Layla (L): Is this what you wear normally?
JB: To work, yes. I 'ope you're not going to ask me what I wear to bed, are you, miss? (smiles slightly)

> Work Experience
> - GEO Marine Corps, 16 years' experience in marine infantry units
L: Which unit, and what years?
JB: Well, I moved 'round a bit, see? The programme I was on had me in a new unit every four years. I started out in 2184 in the 51st under Lieutenant Hamilton, then moved to the 78th under Lieutenant Aldiss in '88. Joined the 69th under Lieutenant Baker in '92, and finally the 72nd under Lieutenant Kendall in '96, just a few years ago. Those are all GEO marine squads in the 22nd division out of London, by the way.

L: Why did you leave the military?
JB: Di'n't see no future in it, miss. I made some money an' some friends, but I ain't goin' to make a decent retirement package out've it, am I? B'sides, I ain't officer material. (slight shrug)

> - distinguished awards for rifle marksmanship L: What other weapons are you proficient with?
JB: If you're talkin' about hand weapons, I know how to use all of 'em. I can shoot with just 'bout anything, but I'm best with rifles.

L: How much experience do you have with treating cetaceans or modified humans?
JB: Hmmm ... well, I seen some of 'em bein' treated, but I ain't done it m'self.

> close-quarters combat, and piloting (naval) L: Piloting what exactly?
JB: I mostly piloted small subs in the GEO, but I can handle jus' 'bout anythin'--sea, air, or land. (briefly and almost inaudibly hums a tune that you don't quite catch, and smiles distantly)

L: Do you own any vehicles?
JB: No. Wish I did, though.

L: How's your knowledge of mechanics and electronics?
JB: Well, I've worked on most things. Some engines here an' there, comms systems, small craft, computers ... all kinds o' things. Reckon I can fix jus' 'bout anything.

L: What languages do you speak?
JB: English an' some InterSpec. (seems to pause reflectively for a moment)

L: What education did you receive prior to entering the military?
JB: Well, let's say I didn' 'ave no privileged childhood, eh? (chuckles briefly) I was out on the streets all o' the time before I joined the GEO, when I was sixteen.

> Hobbies:
> - acting, computer games, shooting, swimming L: ACTING?! Layla looks at him in disbelief JB slowly draws a large knife from its sheath at his left side and solemnly intones: Is this 'ere a dagger wot I sees before me? JB seems to contemplate the blade, broodingly, then looks at each of you intently before sheathing it, with a slight smile.

L: I assume you have never been to any of the other colonies?
JB: No, miss.

L: Why Poseidon?
JB: Well, I heard there's lots o' money to be made there, what with all this new world stuff, eh? An' I heard there's lots o' water there, too, which suits me just fine.

> He says that he has no family or any other ties here on Earth. L: Why not?
JB: They're dead.

L: Have you ever worked with cetaceans before?
JB: Sure have, miss. Swum alongside 'em many a time on missions. Good, hard workers.

L: Are you a herbiv... I mean, vegetarian?
JB quirks an eyebrow slightly, then says: No. It's related to the job somehow, miss?

L: What is your opinion and/or experience with chemical and biological weapons?
JB looks slightly bemused, then says: Well, ain't used 'em myself. War ain't pretty, any way you look at it, miss.

L: Have you ever had any anti-ageing treatments?
JB: No.

L: How much bioware do you have, if any?
JB: I 'ad a jack put in so's I could pilot better. That was some years ago, an' it's been paid off.

L: If yes, do you have any bioware that GEO still owns?
JB: No.

L: Which corporation does the bulk of your script come from at present?
JB: Well, I jus' finished a job for Hydrospan, but that was just to keep me goin' till I can get to Poseidon.

L: How well can you spot concealed weapons?
JB shrugs slightly, then says: 'bout as well as any soldier of my experience, I s'pose. I ain't had any special ops trainin' in that kind of thing, if that's what you're askin'.

L: Does your abilities as an aquaform include sonar or echolocation?
JB: Aye, it does. Pretty useful, I might add.

The Italian: "So, my good man, why is it you are happy to go tromping through the wilds of Poseidon with the likes of us, instead of attaching yourself to some civil war somewhere?" JB eyes TI appraisingly for a moment, then says: Well, I'm a li'l bit tired of the military life. Sure, you get leave, but you can't put down any roots, so to speak. I'd like to be workin' in somethin' where I can be a li'l bit more me own boss, you know? Your ad sounded in'erestin', so I thought I'd take a look.

TI: "Will you be able to refrain from being overprotective? I would prefer to avoid bloodshed of any kind, and if given the wrong reputation, it could potentially prove disastrous! Indeed, sometimes it may be better to allow ourselves to be taken as prisoners or hostages before even considering violently defending ourselves." JB smiles with bemusement, then says: Well, I personally don't recommend gettin' captured by anyone, guv. See, the problem is you might think they mightn' be too bad to you, but you can be wrong. I've seen some pretty nasty things 'appen to people over the years ... saw one chap who came back to us without 'is prick (looking towards TI) an' even a dolphin we rescued with all 'er fins an' flippers cut off (looking towards L). Then there were the ones we never saw again. No, I don' recommend gettin' captured 't'all. See, 's'all nice havin' the ol' Geneva Convention an' what not, or I could say freedom of the press seein' the line you're in, but the problem is not everyone's heard of it, you know? I'd s'pose that even less people 'ave heard of it on Poseidon than 'ere. (shrugs)

TI: "Otherwise, all I can think of asking is, do you happen to be a good cook?"
JB: Well, I can burn a quick fillet or two if you like, eh? All of our cookin' was done for us, I'm 'fraid. Well, the stuff in the mess hall, anyway. It was either that or ration packs.

JB: An' now, I actually have a few questions for you, eh? S'what a good employee should do, reckon.

JB: How much is this job payin'? You mentioned some possibilities in your ad that I saw, but give me a rough figure, eh? What kind o' contract are you offerin'?

JB (to L): How long 'ave you been in the film line, miss? Don't recall seein' any documentaries by you--no offence. (slight grin)

JB (to TI): How long 'ave you been in the journalism line, then? Can't say I've seen any of your pieces--no offence, guv. (smile)

JB: Which group's your fundin' comin' from?

JB: Why do the two of you want to go to Poseidon?

JB: So, 'ow do the two of you know each other, then?

JB: Have you hired other soldiers before? If you 'ave, who might they 'ave been, then? I might've known some of 'em.