Sunday Bloody Sunday

[Carthrat]

Remarkably, most of the contract is incredibly boring, with little bearing on what actually has to be done. It clears up little legal issues, sets terms, and all the rest of the stuff contractors do.

Apparently, working for Shizue has some nice perks, including;

-Free Medical Attention!

-A significant salary on top of whatever other benefits she throws at you ($100,000 US a year!)

-Company-paid transportation to all places of work, by whatever means you prefer.

-At least two personal bodyguards, hand-picked by you if you prefer, or simply chosen for you.

-Access to personal protection; this includes firearms, body armour, and safehouses in most countries throughout the world.

-Kinomoto Industries has a reputation for employee protection. If anyone harrasses you, attempts to extort or blackmail you, or otherwise troubles you, it'll only take a quick call to a superior to sort them out- assuming you can't do it yourself.

-You can reserve the right to claim aid from Kinomoto Industries in whatever way most appeals to you. However, there are clauses placed on this (naturally). Basically, you can't ask for anything that is going to compeltely ruin the company, or significantly hinder it's other operations. No matter if it's financial ruin, ruin because a whole bunch of other companies get really peeved at her, or physical ruin (i.e. a bomb blows up in the main tower). However, it's quite broad, and you have good access to 'resources', as it's said. You're free to contact Shizue at any given time (though she may be busy) and make a request, which will generally be solved in a timely fashion. If, for whatever reason, she declines your request, it's open to appeal.

On the other hand, there's what you need to do for her.

-As an employee, you're technically answerable to her at all times, or her designated officer.

-Your life *will* be at risk. However, you will not be thrown into situations where your life is almost certain to be lost without your consent, and you'll get a significant bonus (if you survive).

-Your designated job will vary greatly. In general, all assignments given *must* be accepted without suitable reasoning otherwise. If you decline more than three assignments during the term of a year, you'll be released from service. As a mage, you'll generally be called upon to serve in a variety of capacities; it's recognized that you're not going to be doing much fighting, but you'll be needed in a variety of support roles, as well as for research and infiltration.

-You're expected to help out your fellow employees whenever doing so would not hinder your current assignment. Kinomoto Industries likes to foster good relations amongst its workers, and you're not to break that chain, either.

[Bjorn]

Many, many minutes later, Cadfael puts the contract down.  "No," he replies.

[Carthrat]

"Dissapointing," replies Shizue, musing to herself. She doesn't say much after that.

[Bjorn]

Taking that as being rather final, Cadfael turns and makes his way to the elevator.

[Carthrat]

"May I ask why you decline?" asks Shizue, drumming her fingers on the tabletop.

[Bjorn]

Stopping and turning to face Kinomoto again, Cadfael explains.  "Agreed to do single job.  Not be an employee.  Contract for one job, details all laid out.  Afterwards..." Somehow, Cadfael gives the impression of shrugging without actually moving.  "Another contract, maybe."

[Carthrat]

"I see," replies Shizue, nodding. "I'm not entirely fond of contracting in this fashion, but I'm willing to make an exception in this case. In the intrests of not keeping you waiting, I'll talk and write at the same time."

She produces a small laptop from somewhere and sets it in front of her.

"Specifically, you're going to go to a dig site. You're going to be taking orders from the coordinator. He will primarily be asking you to identify and interact with runic symbols of some kind or another that have killed two men and are preventing further progress into the location. After that, you'll be expected to help around the site in whatever capacity you can, and accompany the archeologists into the site proper, where your skills will be used as the coordinator sees fit. You'll have the transportation provided, and medical attention if need be. You forfeit personal bodyguards, but I have enough security on the site that you won't need them. If you need equipment for the work, it will be provided. Housing and food will also be given.

In return, I'll do something for you. Name it, and it's yours. Specifics aside, don't ask for anything ridiculously out of proportion. I'd much rather you specified what you wanted now, but you seem reluctant.  Allow time for delivery. I'll pay you $8,000 now, and another $8,000 on completition, plus a danger bonus if you're in combat or at risk for any reason beyond the actual runes you'll be dealing with themselves." She pauses for a moment, perhaps to catch her breath.

[Bjorn]

"End of contract?" Cadfael inquires.

[Carthrat]

"For a month," replies Shizue. "If the dig-work is still in progress, it will be subject to renewal. We're still not sure how much there is to go, and we don't know how much there is after the current stumbling block, so you could just have this month, or you could be offered a year."

[Bjorn]

"One month, or end of dig," Cadfael corrects.

[Carthrat]

"Well, of course," replies Shizue, nodding. "Is that acceptable?"

[Bjorn]

"Acceptable," Cadfael concurs.

[Carthrat]

Shizue nods. "You'll be starting as soon as you're able to go. I assume that's tomorrow or so, judging by your lack of other commitments. Was there anything you wanted to prepare before you left?"

[Bjorn]

It is Cadfael's experience that runes can be prepared anywhere, really, and so he replies, "No."

[Carthrat]

"Well, then, get some sleep, and you'll be shooting off tomorrow," says Shizue. "Your room is on the sixty-sixth floor, number 7."