Ch. 44 what a mess! ( Isamu, Tom & Sierra)

[doc]

Tom shakes his head. "Thanks, but no. It's important for me to have a place of my own, and I don't want to work for the government. I couldn't accept that. I'll just have to see about finding a new place. Maybe someplace closer to the school, if I can afford it."

[dakota]

" Yes, but there is a problem with that. On his own, Tom is a vigilante and we can't protect him if he gets in trouble. The same goes for Jason's brother and his group." He sipped at a glass of water. " Though the thought of Alexi tracking him to his home should certainly concern him. It's best if we approach him together prehaps?"


Dmitri shrugged. " Can't say we didn't offer."

" Arrgh" Ashley groaned as she slammed the dor behind her. " No wonder they're attracted to one another. He even harder on the head than Sierra. Kristian thinks we did something to upset Sierra. He's about to run out looking for her. Bonehead didn't even think to call her first."

" Calm down Ash." Janie tried to calm her," You'd do the same thing if Isamu was missing."

Ashley huffed, " Probably."

[Dome]

"We can try. With Wraith being involved with the mayor, Tom is also in danger from being captured by him. As for Tyler and his group, I do not think he will join us regardless of the consequences. Have you had any news on Brittania?"

[doc]

Tom sighs. "Yeesh. Some interesting people you got living here"

[dakota]

" Tyler won't, not as long as I am involved." Dylin replied. He shook his head," Nothing, other than reports that she is somewheres in the city. I don't understand why though, I expected either a blow up with an old enemy or she'd head straight for England. It has me a little concerned."


" You don't know the half of it." dmitri smirked, but it faded qickly with a glare from Janie. " So will you at least crash until you find a new place?"

It was Ashley's turn to smirk. " I've got a comprimise. What if I told you there's a way to have your own place and still be part of our team? I'd be rent free for a house."

[Dome]

"We will have to worry about her if she is seen. For now it seems we must find Ryne. Let us go speak to the brothers, and then to Tom."

[doc]

"It's not just about the team. I'm just not sure I want any part in working for the government. " Tom sighs. "Look, the reason I do this...it's about people, just people, on the ground and the ones who any government overlooks. What it comes down to is that any government, no matter how good its intentions, will let people slip through its cracks. When that happens, I want to be there - to fight for them. With words if I can, with fists if I have to."

[dakota]

" But we help people too, Tom. Like those two there." Ashley pointed towards the brothers, who had discovered the Xbox and were playing it. " We never got any orders from higher up about them. But it's your choice bud." She grinned," but the fifty grand a year plus free housing doesn't hurt any."


" Yes, lets go talk to the McManus brothers." MacColter agreed," This is the first we've been aware of them, so they are of interest. Lead the way, Isamu."

[doc]

Tom runs his hands through his hair. "Yes, but there's a compromise there; you do this of your own accord, and your own will, and that's fine, but it also colors everything you do - if I stay outside the system, and I continue doing what I do, would that mean that eventually the government would come after me? Would you? And then you have that character called the Wraith, and he's as corrupt as he comes. If the system of authority is so broken and twisted and corrupted that someone like him has theoretically the same kind of freedom and latitude as well-intentioned people like you, then what does that say about the whole system? Is that something you, as government employees would defend?"

Tom waves his hands. "Sorry, I'm ranting. Can you tell I'm an Ellison fan?" he smirks. "Look, I just have really big reservations about this, and while you guys are good, I'm not sure you're unbiased enough to give me the complete picture here. I need to know more."

[Dome]

Isamu leads the MacCoulter towards where he last saw the brothers. If they are not there he will ask someone walking by where they were. Once they find them he says, "Excuse us, this gentleman has something he wishes to discuss with you."

[dakota]

dylin is cordial enough, but he can't help hearing Tom's rant. " Excuse me gentleman, I need to clarify things with our friend first. Isamu," he motioned for Isamu to follow.

Ashley sidled up next to Isamu as Dylin folded his arms in front of Tom," You, young man, have a bit of a problem. I understand your desire for independance, and sympathize. But, you have been involved in wanton destruction in your little tift with Alexi Radinsky today. Now, as I see it, you are in the same boat as our friends playing video games over there, so I will not beat around the bush. You have two options. You can drop the independance routine, which I've seen too many times, swallow your pride and prove to the people in this house that you really are someone they can count on. Or, you can continue in your current capacity in which at very best, you are a dangerous vigilante and I wil be forced to have Isamu and Ashley here take you into custody to await transfer to Eagle Point or Gramercy Island meta containment facilities." He rubbed his nose non chalantly," Do I make your choices clear?"

Isamu could feel Ashley swallow hard at the mention of arresting Tom.

[doc]

Tom simply smirks. "And thank you, sir, for proving my point better than I possibly could have." He folds his arms equally nonchanlantly. "Now, this is the point where either I force my friends to put themselves in jeopardy by arresting me, or I compromise. Now, because I won't throw away their lives and safety for my principles, I'll compromise. But," He points a finger. "would, by your own words. Maybe it's a bluff, and maybe it isn't. You're clever, but you just proved my case. Give me the contract for my soul. And thank you for your assistance in this debate."

[dakota]

" You don't understand at all, young man." MacColter remained calm in his tone. " I'm actually trying to help you as much as myself. Yes, I've given you an ultimatum, to save your soul as you put it. but consider the alternatives. We have a known maniac serving as lead on the mayor's meta task force, who would definitely come after you. Yuo have your new friend Ragnarok, who knows who you are and will find you again. If we let you walk out, do you relish the chance to fight them by yourself? Because the team has to stay neutral if they respond to a situation like that and not choose sides. I allow alot of freedom for Isamu and Alice's decisions because the team is so green, but that would be a clearcut path to favortism. Do you want to put them in a corner like that?"

[doc]

"yes, and how did that maniac end up there? " Tom smiles. "After all, when the goverment creates systems without the proper checks and balances, this corruption is exactly the result. And when that happens, who is responsible? Well, some are more responsible than others, but in the final analysis, that would still be the people, for giving you the wide lattitude. " He pauses. "Now, don't mistake me, you probably are doing the best, and you seem to be a man with the best intentions. But say someone with less noble inclinations were in your position? You have the Wraith, and the mayor's squad."

[dakota]

" If I could figure that one out, I would." Dylin replied. " It makes no sense, nor does where his associates appeared from. They are all new faces yet seem to be experienced."