Honor and Money

[Dome]

Dante says, "just look around the Labyrinth and you will see what needs to be changed."

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[shiivster]

*Jeckle turns to look at Ivan again. she simple asks 'and if we had done that to you? ... told you a missing person from you life was seen. how would you react now, after being told it was a lie?'

*she cuts a small tidbit of potatoe and takes a bite of it and chews with great concentration. most of her attention is diverted to the conversations at the table. she suspects that his reaction will be interesting, but most likely rehersed as well.

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[albatross]

"Ten years," TS responds to Charger, "Though I started after the Captain left the team - lets see - at least four years ago your time. It was much longer than that for me. I started a year or two after Nan did. What about you? Did Tiger call you and ask you to meet her here for old times sake?"

Bell leans forward towards Dante, "Yeah sure, it was even worse when we got here: no food, no electricity, and all the city's gangs and homeless in one place. I'll bet more than a hundred people were dying each day. Still, you really think the mayor's plan would work? If there was no 'Minotaur' then anyone would be able to enter or leave the Labyrinth. All these gangs and transients would spill out into the city and plenty of people who wandered in here would be killed. The Labyrinth might spread if it isn't contained." Bell watches Dante's reaction closely, to see if he has thought beyond his mission to the seemingly insurmountable challenges cleaning up afterwards would involve.

At the other end of the table, Ivan smiles, having gotten a reaction out of Jeckle. "Craig told me your team made sure quite a few people won't ever rejoin their families in that little firefight, and they were on a rescue mission, so you'll have to go easy on the righteous indignation." He shrugs, "Friendly fire and misinformation aren't pleasant, but if it was my brother I would make sure that I did what I needed to do to make sure he came home safely." He takes a drink, watching to see if he can get her to react even more, gauging her susceptibility.

[shiivster]

*Jeckle simply gives a faint smile. she knows her brother is still alive. like the way a twin knows if the other is still alive, she knows. she knows at the same time, while Ivan is trying to get another rise out of her, she won't fall into that trap. she does have an ace in the hole in that regard.

*she calmly returns to eating once again just enough to keep the body alive and nothing more. sipping at water and then states simply ' .. would sure love a can of coke unopened .. chances are slim though aren't they to get it ice cold ... '

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[Renekin Skywalker]

Charger shakes his head, still looking around. "No, no." He said. "It was a chance meeting, really. Does your boss pay well? Does he send you just anywhere he wants, or do you get to choose your destinations?"

[Dome]

Dante looks at Bell and once again puts on a smile, "the lesser of two evils, is still evil," he says. "As for the mayor's plans, you have to ask the mayor. I've never met the man. What I do know is that a river that has been damned will flood the area and wipe out everything in its path if that damn were to disappear. If you open the floodgates gradually preparations and contingencies can be put in place to prevent death and destruction."

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[dakota]

Khris shook his head after another bite, " Nah, none of that new fangled stuff for me. I've worked with people who use lasers and big cannons, but I've built a reputation to live up to with my old Dragunov." He smirked and took another sip of his whiskey.

[Mierin]

Miranda continues to quietly eat, as she listens to what is going around her. Not understand Vietnamese, she tunes out on that conversation until they start speaking in a language she understands.
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[albatross]

TS begins with Charger's second question, " The leader gets forty percent of the profits, Dervish gets thirty-five, Fakir gets twenty-five. Associates and apprentices are paid with a percentage of their master's pay. Typically five percent for trained apprentices and between ten and twenty five percent for associates. We've been here about eight months and Ivan is a billionaire. And while this mission pays well, we still normally pull down billions each. As for time off, we get a day off each week and a fortnight after each mission. The rest of the time, we keep a strict schedule. If we aren't in the right place at the right time...." She smiles.

Jeckle's coca-cola arrives from the kitchens exactly as she described.

Talking to Kris, "Too bad," Nan smiles, "We've got so many guns we can't give them away. Does it have to be pythons or would you use other revolvers? Tiger has a few different kinds.."

Bell nods, understanding, "If the flow of food and water was regulated and the snipers changed their positions and orders you could let some people out while keeping the rest inside, gradually emptying the Labyrinth." He turns to look at the head of the table for further direction.

Switching back to English, his small talk with his daughter over, "Certainly, Tiger's father says, "Some variation of the gradual plan would need to be put into effect." He looks around the table.

Dervish speaks up, "If the Labyrinth were converted gradually then operations could continue until the heart was turned over."

"Good, good," Tiger's father muses. "That could still result in a shortened timetable, especially if there is success. We would want something to offset our losses." He looks at Tiger briefly, "Which is why we are here. Fakir, why don't you start us off. I'd like to hear your proposal."

Fakir looks around at everyone carefully, "I would sign the Captain, Kris, and Charger to three year contracts - they keep any excess earned. In three years, they should be able to cover the loss."

Patriot stirs in his seat, but keeps quiet for now.

[tag: response to Fakir's opening offer, etc.]

[Renekin Skywalker]

Charger looks around, and chides himself for letting himself get into such an indulgent conversation. "So, this is one of those 'time is rigid' camps? Billions don't interest me... but..."

Charger's head whips around as they mention his name. "I'm already spoken for." He says, clearly. "Also, what are you talking about, signing us on?"

[Mierin]

Miranda keeps the same polite smile on her face as she wonders what kind of games are being played now. She also wonders why Patriot, herself and most of the team was left out of the opening offer. She wishes she'd refused the mission to join up with the Omega team to begin with as she waits to hear the other's reactions.
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[Renekin Skywalker]

"Also... And here's where I'm confused." Charger says, looking around. "When did I become a bargainning chip in this..." He paused, choosing his words. "In this bargainning?"

[dakota]

" Sorry, you'll just have to sell them on Ebay." Khris smirked at Nan. He was about to take a drinkwhen Fakir spoke, his eyes watering as the alcohol burned his sinuses as it very nearly came out his nose. Setting the glass down, he wiped the tears welling up before speaking. He looked right at Tiger. " Maybe someone should bloody well explain what is going on here. "

[Dome]

Dante freezes as Fakir makes his offer. In thought, 'I knew it. We have nothing of worth for them except ourselves, and basically our slavery. This is going to go from bad to worse, and I still can't call upon any of my abilities.'

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[albatross]

Fakir smiles, "Is it so insulting to have three years of your work appraised so highly? Don't worry, there will be a chance for you and even the rest of us to make other offers and suggestions. This is a meeting, not a briefing, and everyone will get their say."

"My reasons are simple, Tiger, Kris and Charger can all use rifles and have skills we could use. And I'm sure she could train them in quickly. Still, in order for turning the Labyrinth over to be a success, you would need someone to rally more troops," he inclines his head to Patriot and gestures at Dante, "and you would need powerful super heroes," he looks at Wind Chill, "and you would eventually need someone to decipher the technology of the Labyrinth, " He says finally, nodding to Jeckle.

Tiger says nothing in response to Fakir, and Patriot settles back in his chair, but his arms are folded and he clearly is pissed at the turn things have taken. He looks at Tiger, but she doesn't make eye contact with him.

The other minions return to their food and drink, taking their time thinking about Fakir's proposal. They don't say anything against it, yet. And they wait calmly for their turn to offer their own plans.