Metal Gear Minun

IC: Jake Harris - Eterna City

"Perfect," Jake said with a perfect smile as he inspected the road sign in front of him. "It's a straight shot to Eterna City down the road."

A joyful cry came from the Pikachu on his head.

"Alright, let's go and tell the others," Jake said as he turned and looked at the large house once again. "Huh, wonder what they've found in there?"

IC: Richard Apollo - Alamo Command Center

Richard Apollo glanced at the door before looking at the datapad in front of him. The highest number by far was Normal, but as it was unavailable, it chose Water for him next.

"Water type, eh? Got to be something for me here," Richard mentioned to himself as he looked through the list of water type moves. Most Pokemon moves that dealt with sound were Normal-Type to Richard's knowledge. Close to the bottom of the list was one move he hadn't heard of before.

"Sparkling Aria... hmm... Well it's something," he said popping up from his seat. He began humming an aria to himself as he left the room, placing his violin back in its case, and letting the patient Sableye who was holding it reclaim his spot on the bard's shoulder.

He looked around outside the room, scanning all directions until he found Claus walking away. He walked quickly up to Claus and tapped his shoulder.

"Hey you, alright?" Richard asked as Claus turned around. The technician who was going around disqualifying people had nearly skipped Claus, but he was caught in the end. Apparently he missed the cut on the age limit and was disqualified.

"Hmm? Oh, it's you Richard," Claus said. "So you volunteered, too?"

"Yup, water seems to be the type I'm going in. At least that's what that little screen thingee told me," Richard said.

"I don't need that machine they were using to tell me I would've gotten Fire," Claus said proudly tapping Flint and Porky's Poke Balls. "I was gonna make some more poffins. Want to join me?"

"Sure," Richard said as he followed Claus into a kitchen.

Claus checked the stores for ingredients while telling Richard which bowls and utensils they were going to need to bake the poffins. The toughest part in Claus's opinion, was picking the right berries. He eventually chose to use Bluk and Wepear berries as the base. He figured it was something that both Hades and Flint would like. After mixing the initial ingredients into a dough, they lit the stove and began to stir.

While they were spinning, Richard spoke up, "Is it irony that I volunteered for this mission to make sure you'd be okay, and now I'm going and you're not?"

Claus laughed, a bit bitter but also genuinely amused.

"I think it's only irony if you volunteering meant I couldn't go. As it is, it's just a coincidence?"

"Heh. Fair enough-"

"Slow down, you're going to spill it!" Claus interjected noting the bard's speed. "Keep matching my pace."

Richard nodded, shutting up. They two continued to stir at a synchronized pace, until the dough began brown and tough to move. At that point, Claus began spinning at a speed that Richard couldn't hope to match. The bard threw all the force he had into spinning the dough like Claus did, but he could hardly match half of Claus's speed. Richard was nearly exhausted by the time Claus turned off the flames.

"I think I can finish the rest of it on my own. I'll deliver some for your team tomorrow as well," Claus said with a smile as he wiped sweat from his brow.

"Alright, I'll see you later then," Richard said, taking off the apron Claus made him wear. Picking up his violin case, from where he had left it, he nodded to Claus and left the room.

"He can bounce back rather quickly, can't he Hades," he asked as the Sableye once again reclaimed his space on Richard's shoulder.

I think he's just good at pouring his frustration into something. Kinda like someone else I know, the Sableye commented. I think that's why you two get along so well.

IC: James Arthur - Alamo Executive Meeting Room

A light appeared in the back of James's eye as Amanda spoke and a smile showed on his face. "In the spirit of good will I could share the equation. I authored the equation, actually. The simplified equation is a simple matter of counting the types of Pokemon and their move sets, but the extended equation is designed to take in factors such as experience into account and to prevent ties. If you will inform the Bishops of our good intentions, both in general and explicitly regarding the power suits, then I would gladly be willing to show a copy of my equation."

"As for your reaction to my sister... I have no idea what could have caused that. I can keep that in mind, however."

James had to admit he found such a reaction odd. Jamie, causing unease? Exhaustion, maybe, but he never thought she'd inspire unease in people.

IC: James Arthur - Alamo Executive Meeting Room

James took note of the pendant as Amanda clutched it before dismissing it from his mind.

"You are forgiven. The Power Suits were developed to be use against Team Rocket in our war against them," the Executive stated impassively.

James stopped himself from an adding a sarcastic 'of course' or 'obviously'. A conversation with a representative of Team Plasma was in and of itself a political act.

"As I stated during the presentation, the war was still actively going when the Power Suits started development. They were intended to aid our agents as they fought against Team Rocket."

IC: James Arthur - Command Center

"I suppose you will have to simply settle for me," James said with a smile as he watched Jayron leave to deal with what looked to be a familial problem, though he remembered that Amanda specifically asked for him during his presentation.

"If you will follow me," he said signaling for Amanda to follow him. He showed her out into the hallway and towards another room. At the door, he had to scan his ID before the door would unlock. Inside was a plain, if well equipped meeting room.

"This room requires someone with Executive authority to unlock it. We will not be disturbed here. You may ask your questions."

IC: Jamie Arthur - Alamo

"Nope, come on Jamie, you just finished crying, come on... gosh darn it."

Jamie tried to stop the tears of joy from rolling down her face. But she couldn't. Seeing Ray hug his mother was just too happy. Even Tristan from inside his Pokeball, felt manly tears rolling darn his face. He knew how emotional it was for a parent to finally be reunited with their child that they have not seen in a while. How it touched his iron heart. 

IC: James Arthur - Alamo Command Center

James turned to see Jayron. It wasn't the worst idea, with the sparse amount of volunteers that they had. However...

"I will speak to Dr. Vert about this if you wish, but I am pretty sure I could tell you what she will say," James said shaking his head. "She will probably say something along the lines of, 'one day is too short a time frame to readjust and re-calibrate the suit for a non-human frame.'"

James shook his head slowly. "I am not completely certain of this, but as far as my knowledge of the suits goes, this is most likely scenario. I will check, but do not get your hopes up."

IC: James Arthur - Alamo Command Center

James snatched the letter from Lucia so fast, it was a wonder that he didn't end up hitting Lucia. He immediately grabbed the lip of the envelope to open it right then and there, when he stopped himself.

It wouldn't do to open it here, if even hearing about it prompted such emotion in him, then he needed to read it where no one else would see him.

"My apologies for grabbing it so rudely. Thank you for delivering this letter," James said as he placed the letter into his inner suit pocket. He gave Lucia half-hearted nod and turned away.

IC: James Arthur - Command Center

Well that was one thing taken care of. Now he just had to make the upgrade after knowing which suit she would use. Then, he could be sure that she would be safe. But he still had two people he had to deal with before he could be free to work on the suits. He would have to ignore the Plasma operative slightly longer, he had one more important answer to attend to.

The woman that he had seen Jamie with more than once. However, he hadn't expected to see both of them in the same room until Guinevere returned. The fact that she didn't appear to be with either of them, concerned James.

"Pardon me," James said as approached the girl. "Miss Lucia correct? I left Guinevere in Jamie and your care. I was wondering if you could tell me her condition and whereabouts." 

IC: Jamie Arthur - Alamo

"Wh-whoa," Jamie said stunned. "You're, you're, you're actually are his mother?!"

Jamie didn't know what to say. It wasn't that she didn't believe Ray, but to here it directly from the source still caught her off guard.

IC: Jamie Arthur - Alamo Command Center

"Hmm, alright," Jamie said a little suspicious. It didn't particularly feel warm in the room. At least, it hadn't gotten any warmer since the meeting started. She didn't know why this Mimi White didn't want to talk here, but she moved to follow her when someone spoke up.

"Pardon me," Jamie heard from behind her. Turning around she saw James standing there, looking towards the three of them. "I need to borrow Jamie for a few moments, if that is alright. This will not take long.

"Sorry, could you wait for me?" Jamie said Ray and Mimi before following James a little ways over.

The atmosphere between the two was stuffy and awkward. James tried to speak once before closing his mouth. A moment passed before James sighed and began to speak.

"I would say that I do not want you going on this mission, but I do not exactly have the right to say that." Jamie agreed with that sentiment. "At the very least, I have a couple things for you that would put my mind at ease if you had them.

"Such as?" Jamie said curiously.

"I had this delivered while we were having technology exchanged with Team Rocket," James said as he revealed a Poké Ball.

"Wait..." Jamie recognized that Poké Ball "is that?!" she called as James smiled, wordlessly dropping the Poké Ball to the ground.

It was impossible to tell whether the girl or the Metagross had pulled the other into a hug first. The sudden sight of each other was more than either Jamie or Tristan could take. The asymmetric hug of two very differently sized beings looked very awkward but neither seemed to care. They both seemed to be crying tears (or rather Jamie was crying and Tristan did what James had to assume was crying) of joy (in addition to some of sorrow from Jamie for getting Tristan said injuries on top of even more tears of joy that he was now better). James smiled for a while watching them; even without his powers, Tristan's sheer strength would help keep Jamie safe. More than that, he knew that Tristan's presence would keep Jamie's morale up. His smile faltered a bit when James tried getting her attention more than once and failed each time. He eventually decided to just let them hug it out further.

"When you are done, I have something else for you," James said which finally caught Jamie's attention.

"Okay, okay. We can continue later, Tristan," she said as she finally let go of the Metagross. "So what's the other one," Jamie asked as she wiped her tears away. 

"The second is an upgrade for your suit. Tell me which suit you end up choosing and I will apply the upgrade."

"Huh?" Jamie asked, quizzically as Tristan positioned himself behind her. "I mean, not that I do not want it, but why me specifically? If there is an upgrade, shouldn't everyone get it."

James shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment, breaking his eye contact with Jamie. "This upgrade is very new, and it needs to be adjusted for each individual suit and then calibrated. If I gave this upgrade to everyone, we would be calibrating suits all night and lose our chance to train before it is time to leave. It is also technically untested, and while the risks are minimal, asking everyone to trust me that it will work is not something we have time for."
 

"Hmm," Jamie couldn't quite shake the feeling that James was leaving something out, but relented. "Alright, I need to go with Ray now. I'll tell you when I get assigned a suit, okay?"

"That is all I ask," James said. "I will take my leave then," he said before giving a slight bow and walking away.

Jamie walked back towards Ray and Mimi, patting the Metagross who was following her the whole time, "I am sorry about that, lead the way."

IC: Jamie Arthur - Command Center

Jamie was able to follow Ray much closer this time. He was clearly pointing towards a technician that was walking towards a corner of the room. She looked older than Jamie (though even most who looked younger were older).

"Brown hair, shoulder length?" Jamie asked. "Who is she?"

IC: James Arthur - Command Center

The executive nodded. "I can spare some time after the meeting if you wish to speak," he replied to Amanda.

James looked around the room, waiting to see if anyone else would ask a question. Hearing none, he continued to speak.

"If there are no further questions, then this meeting is adjourned. Please submit information on your respective Pokemon teams and read the details on each suit. Suit assignments will be completed within an hour after you all submit your info, so if there are any special requests, please make them quickly."

IC: James Arthur - Alamo Command Center

The executive nodded before standing up from his seat and walked towards the front of the room. As the executive who was given official control over the project, as well as the one who suggested this mission to begin with, he had items prepared for the high probability that he was going to be asked to speak. 

"To decide who will be using which Power Suit, will be collecting information on every trainer's Pokemon team to determine their Type Affinity Potential or T.A.P. for short. The equation is a little complicated, but generally the more Pokemon of a type and the more moves they have of that type, the higher your T.A.P. for that type will be. It should be noted that the Electric and Normal Type Power Suits have already been assigned to Goldhawk and myself respectively."

Clicking a device in his hand, the executive brought up the Normal Type Suits specs onto a screen on the center of the stage. The technicians around the room began handing out packets that contained the specs on all eighteen suits.

"Information on the technical capabilities of each power suit will be handed out to all of you. Each Power Suit has its own set of capabilities, but each one is generally capable of replicating almost every move of its respective type. Requests for certain Power Suits that are filled out along with reasons for such requests will also be taken into consideration."

And then there was the other question. James paused for a moment as he looked towards the woman who asked it. They couldn't afford fracturing right now, and well. James spared one glance towards the other reason he wasn't going to give the entire truth on the subject. Not that he was going to lie, either.

"The project began before the ceasefire while the war was still ongoing. Research on the subject was officially suspended by Goldhawk due to ethical concerns as well as the cease fire. Doctor Meghan Vert's unsanctioned continued work on the project," James mentioned, casually leaving out his own unsanctioned work on the project, "lead to the loss of her rank and her incarceration. However, during a consultation with her in light of Missing Zero's appearance, she proposed an alternative that allowed us to bypass ethical concerns and finish the development of these Power Suits."

And if you think that her suddenly pulling that out of her rectum is Tauros droppings, then you are not alone. I would have appreciated that knowledge -before- getting so much blood on my hands, silently seethed, his face betraying nothing.

IC: Jamie - Alamo Command Center

Jamie scanned the technicians in the room. Most were now focused on Goldhawk, though a few seemed occupied with other things. But 'ghostly' wouldn't have been the word she'd use to describe any of them. At least, she hadn't seen anything to suggest that they were.

"What do you mean, you saw someone that can't exist?" Jamie asked confused. 'If Ray thought he saw them, then how could they not be able to exist?' was her line of thought.

IC: Jamie Arthur - Alamo Command Center

Jamie had been focusing on the presentation when Ray interrupted her concentration. Mainly she was thinking about how cool the power suits looked and how she wanted to try one on right now. When Ray asked his question, the Heroine of Time tried following his eyes. She saw the technician that was standing there but didn't see anything ghostly about her.

"I mean I have a Haunter," Jamie whispered back to Ray. "That's... not what you are talking about, is it?"
 

IC: Jake Harris - Old Chateau Grounds

"Eager aren't they?" Jake commented to no one in particular.

"I'll go check out the front. See if I can find the path that'll lead us to Eterna.  I'll meet you all inside," he called to Yugo before taking off towards the grounds in front of the house to try and orient the group.

IC: Jamie Arthur - Command Center

"Nice to meet you," she beamed back at Ray, clasping his hand with hers. "I'm Jamie, Heroine of Time!"

Her mood fell back down to more restrained levels as she remember what Ray said just before that,

"I just... need some more time. Not right now when we're about to go fight. I'd rather focus on that for now, if that's alright."

IC: Jamie - Command Center

"...Do we have to talk about it?" Jamie said her face slightly pale from remembering all the vomiting she did last time she talked with Xander.

"I just... don't want to particularly talk to him. Not right now at least."

IC: Claus - Alamo

Claus stared at the screen in front of him for a few moments longer. He was right near the entrance to the command center. That broken message still bothered him. How did they not fix that the first time? Eventually he just sighed and turned around. It would be nice to know what they were facing at least. Even Richard hadn't told him much. Richard. The man who could talk about anything for an hour straight probably.

Flint was a few feet over, wrestling with Porky for the last poffin that Claus had made. It was kind of cute, in Claus's opinion. He could have split the dough of the poffins he was making for those two in a way to guarantee an even amount, but he decided to pull a slight prank on the two. Knowing that they'd compete for the last one, he guaranteed there would be an odd split.

Maybe a little mean, but it was funny and he needed a laugh.

"Come on guys, we need to get going," he said picking up Porky who swallowed the poffin as he wrested out of Flint's range, a victorious smile on his face.

As he walked into the command center, he grew introspective. This was what he was supposed to do right? Go in and risk himself to help save the world. He felt woefully under-qualified, and yet he felt he had no place if he did not enter that room. So enter the room, he did.

IC: Richard - Alamo

Richard walked down the hallways of the Alamo, with a Sableye on his shoulder. The message rang out all over the Alamo, that they were looking for volunteers for an extremely dangerous mission. He had been very tempted to sit this one out, considering how much of a bust the last one had been for his inspiration... among other things. But there were reasons he had to go. One of which just entered the command center. I mean, if Claus was going, Richard would have to go. He was stupider than Claus was, he couldn't let him go off on his own.

He'd left half of his Pokemon in the care of the band hall director. He had instructions for most of them to continue practicing what instruments he had assigned for them. Among them, Erebus particularly didn't like that, considering where Richard was going. He had taken Dionysus and Oceanus with him. Even without power, they still had ways of helping. And Hades of course. He could take care of himself no matter what. And it was comforting to have Hades with him.

As he was walking close towards the the command center, he found a reflective surface and peered into the reflection. That wasn't a happy face. He smacked his cheeks a few times until he eventually formed a smile. There. Happy face.

Don't force yourself to smile, if you're not in a good mood, the Sableye told him.

Even if Richard knew exactly what the Sableye was saying, he wouldn't agree. Smile, no matter what, he told himself.

"Hold my case for me, would you Hades?" he suddenly asked and the Sableye hopped off Richard's shoulder.

He handed an emptied case to Hades and positioned the violin on his shoulder. Why was he about to play the violin? Because he was Richard the bard; those that knew him would expect it from him and those who didn't, he wanted them to. So as he entered the command center, he began drawing the bow across the violin, causing it to utter its sweet song.

IC: James Arthur - Executive Arthur's Office

Well that is another item checked off of the old 'to-do list', James thought as he clicked around on his laptop, closing classified files he had shown Sonja. Compared to dealing with them, charging out to fight this monster was almost refreshing.

Lancelot walked out of the door to the next room. He had been waiting there with the door cracked just slightly open. Had anyone decided to do something stupid, Lancelot would have made them regret that very quickly.

"I am sorry about making you wait there, Lancelot," James said turning towards the Scizor. "But I was confronting a potential traitor in a windowless room without witnesses, and I needed the safeguard just in case."

Lancelot made a shallow hiss with a nod towards his master. James interpreted it as a sigh.

"It is not the most glamorous part of our job, but it is necessary that we do it," James reminded Lance.

The Scizor nodded again, but James could tell that right now Lance would rather be fighting. The longer the power was off, the more pent up the Scizor would get. There was not much James could do for him at the moment, so he continued finishing the project he was working so they could leave. It had been something he had been working with... which was it again, Tatsuro, Tetsuro? (How did two unrelated people look so similar and have names that sounded almost identical). Whichever one it was, he had been working him him here and there ever since he fought Lance in the ruins of Research and Development. Something to give himself an edge if needed.

Considering what this mission was going to entail, they needed whatever edge they could get. It was however, untested. While the chances of danger were minimal, it was best to only give it to anyone else if absolutely necessary. He would need to upload the new firmware into the power suit he was going to use.

"It is about as ready as it going to be," James said sighing before packing up the necessary materials he would need to upgrade the suit.

"Let us go Lancelot, James said as he and Lancelot left the room.

IC: Jamie Arthur - Command Center

"Hello," Jamie said flatly, pointedly looking away from Xander. She was still not exactly happy with Xander considering how their last encounter with each other went.

"I saw Evan on the way here," Jamie said looking towards Ray. "I don't think that he was coming here. At least, it didn't look that way to me."

IC: Jamie - Alamo

For all the running off and charging she did, Jamie didn't know the Alamo any better than she did when she first arrived. So she more or less kept heading towards what seemed to be more 'official-looking' areas. When that failed, she just kept taking rights. Eventually she gave up, asked for directions, and after deciphering the surprisingly thick accent of the person she asked, she managed to find her way to the command center. The door was being held open by a man that she thought she recognized, but was too concerned with the door potentially about to close to notice who it was.

"Hold the door!" she called thankfully reaching the ear of the man holding the door, who stopped and allowed her to pass.

"Thanks, uh," she took a look at the man who had held the door. "Ray, right?"

IC: Executive Arthur

If nothing else, the executive was impressed by the agent's self-confidence.

"That really was not your call to make, Agent," the executive said mimicking words once said to him. "How did you even plan on leaking the information? Even if Ford's ritual did not bind you, were you gambling on Ford letting you have your cell phone and calling whoever you pleased? If you had informed anyone else beforehand of such a plan, it could be worked into a viable option. A plan made with haste is generally not worth betting on. In addition, from the number of people that showed up on Two Island, you caused many people pain and worry..."

Something I'm familiar with doing, James thought, momentarily losing himself in this thoughts as images of Jamie, Lancelot, Gawain and Guinevere flashed into his head.

Remembering himself he continued, "on top of which, the timing of your actions came on the heels of a major problem of desertions and agents away without leave following the cease-fire. Something we have only been able to recover from recently. Thankfully your actions were not widely known. If they had been, morale would have sunk further, something we really did not need."

The executive looked briefly at the gesture that the agent offered him.

"You say that Ford will be able to seal it again if we let him go free. Ford might disagree with you on that. He told us explicitly that he neither knew how to destroy it or how to seal it. And even if there is a way for him to help, unless there is an explicit reason that he would be unable to help while in custody, I do not see any reason why I cannot keep you all in cells."

The executive looked back into Sonja's eyes and stared. He seemed to be weighing the options in his head before finally shaking his head.

"That all being said, if what you are saying is the truth, that warrants insubordination, not treason. I am willing to let you prove your good intentions. You may put your arms down."

A brief click could be heard near the interior edge of the room. As if a door that had been kept just the slightest bit open was suddenly fully closed.

"The punishment for insubordination is probation. I will inform Goldhawk of the results of my investigation before your punishment goes into effect in lieu of arresting you. If you understand, then I have something for you."

The executive open a drawer of his desk, pulled out a sealed envelope, and offered it to Sonja.

"I was informed that you were not you were not allowed to visit Sophia Baron. Take this letter to Executive Ladon. If she does not immediately allow you to speak with her, tell her to come see me."

IC: Executive Arthur - Executive Suite

"Come in Agent Baron," the Liberty executive said with a smile, totally contrasting how Ryan appeared when he left. "My apologies for making you wait. I will try to make this meeting as short as possible."

He offered a seat to Sonja much the same as he did with Ryan. Exchanged the same pleasantries he had offered beforehand.

"In our meeting, there was an exchange between Agent Sanders and myself that I believe you have the right to hear," Executive Arthur said as he clicked his mouse a couple times on his laptop, before it began to replay part of the message it had recorded.

"I do not believe I need to inform you that willingly joining Ford is tantamount to treason," the executive said, his face betraying no emotions. "I have all the evidence i need for your conviction to be acquired. I could have you arrested on the spot, however... I thought it prudent to give you a chance to defend yourself. If you have anything to say, I will hear it."

IC: Executive Arthur

The Executive met Ryan's glare with an impassive expression. He merely hit a few keystrokes on his keyboard in rapid succession.

"That is all the information that I require. I will need you to vacate the room so that I may speak with Agent Baron," he said standing and walking towards the door.

With his hand on the doorknob, he spoke once more without turning around.

"I should inform you, that everything we have just exchanged is classified information. Disclosing it to anyone outside this room without my permission would be a strict violation of confidence."

IC: Liberty Executive James Arthur

"To summarize, as far as you know, each of Ford's Children, including Agent Sonja Baron, willingly chose to join him."

IC: James Arthur - Executive Suite

The executive nodded in response to Ryan "I cannot say for certain that we will learn anything worthwhile from following those leads, but considering our lack of understanding of the origins of the Sins, it is worth a try."

"For now, I would like to change the topic. From what it seemed on Two Island, you were leading a number of people on a rescue mission."

James paused for a moment as he considered how to best broach the topic. He had hoped that Ryan and Sonja would've arrived separately. Perhaps he should have added a delay between the messages.

"The people you sought to rescue were Agent Sonja Baron, Agent Ray Hakuda of the Team Rocket Separatists, Agent Skye Hall of Team Rocket and Ellen Burks, a civilian from Unova who was caught up in these events," James listed, briefly glancing at a list he had open on his laptop screen. "I was wondering if you knew the circumstances behind Ford capturing each of his hostages."

IC: Jake Harris - Eterna Forest.

"Besides another detour?" Jake said with a slight hint of sarcasm.

But as Jake thought about it more, the more he thought of it as a good sign.

"It might be the landmark we need to find our way. They wouldn't build a house that big incredibly deep in the forest. Can hardly drive so you can't get food fresh without serious labor. And you'd have serious food needs if that house was fully staffed at any point. Plus not enough open space for farm ground to supply its own food. We have to be getting close... unless..."

At this point, anyone smart would stop paying attention or someone merciful would interrupt him has he began to list countless alternatives as so to be as thorough as possible.

IC: James Arthur - Executive Suite

The sinner sitting across from Ryan moved his lips as if he were repeating the name 'Melissa' to himself, keeping Ryan waiting for several moments.

Eventually he spoke again, "If there was anything left that could be considered human in them, I did not see it. There was no conflict in Greed. Although..." he didn't particularly want to get Ryan's hopes up, but it was the only thing he noticed. "They remained together even as Sins, even choosing targets that were next to each other. If that could be explained by some residual feeling of fraternity, then there is that."

"My question is why you are able to remember the Garven twins when their own parents could not?"

I could at least make some calls to try and find if there is any documentation proving that Melissa existed, James thought silently.

"Did you ever meet anyone else who once knew the Garven twins?"

IC: James Arthur - Executive Suite

The Executive kept eye contact with Ryan the entire time, but clasped his hands as Ryan finished speaking. He held them there for a moment before responding.

"Correct, I fought both of them alongside Dr. Vert, though only Greed had a particular interest in myself," he said, the executive's voice slightly distant. "When I visited Dr. Vert in her cell a while after the experience, she mentioned that you apparently the knew the human names of both Greed and Lust. Elaborate on this for me, please."

IC: Heroes

Jamie was caught between pleasant shock at finding her mentor so easily, and horror as she ran into his arm, considering that she had just come from visiting someone with a serious arm injury. But one heroic pose later, she was reminded of how to act as a hero. She needed to respond with a pose of her own, but couldn't think of one. So she imitated the Rocket soldiers she had seen from her days at Abyss and slammed her right arm to her forehead, holding her right hand parallel and shouted "Sir! It's good to see you again, too. Sir!"

Evan was so caught off guard, that he broke broke his stance and chuckled a bit at his fellow's Heroine's pose. "Ease up, Little Miss Stopwatch, we're on equal terms." Evan said lightheartedly, giving a two-fingered salute of his own. "What's up? Where's the fire?"

"That's..." Jamie said breaking eye contact with Evan. Her spirits took a slight dip as she actually thought about what she was doing again. "It's the message that all the leaders sent out. Did you see it?"

"Yeah, I heard about it." Evan replied, breaking his salute, smiling a bit. "You going to get briefed about it? You gonna go fight?" He could tell that she wanted to go, but she also looked a bit.....discouraged.

Jamie nodded slowly, looking to the side as if in thought. "Yeah, that's the idea."

".....Go and fight, then!" Evan said, grinning at Jamie. "Did you stop to ask for my help, or......did you come for some advice?" The Plasma Agent then gave a slight bow to the Rocket Agent. "It'd be a joy to provide advice to you." He said helpfully. "As for help in battle......my arm prohibits me from thinking of joining....."

Jamie was quiet for a moment as she looked at Evan's arm, though it wasn't his arm she was thinking about. "It's just... I'm the right person for this, right? " Jamie said, bringing her arm "I have to be. I've seen these before and I can freeze time. I might be the only person for this mission. I can't ask you to go with me, and I can't ask the people who were with me last time to go with me. But when I was in that chamber with Ford... I think for the second time I can recall I was... scared."

As soon as she finished, Evan felt a strange sensation, one that brimmed with familiarity. It would seem that his fellow Hero was uncertain and afraid. This wouldn't do for the Hero of Space. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a gentle tone. "Why wouldn't you be the right person? Your hero's spirit burns bright and hot." Evan said, his voice sounding proud. "However, being scared.....isn't a bad thing in of itself, Jamie."

"Jeez, it is like I am talking to myself."

"All of the bravest heroes, at one point or another, have been afraid." The Plasma Agent spoke, his eyes focused on the Heroine. "It's ok to run. It's ok to be afraid. There's a difference between bravery and recklessness. You're showing that you -will- run, if things looks dicey, if that makes sense."

"I..." Jamie was admittedly a little worried that being scared meant she was doing the whole hero thing wrong. "I mean, does that mean even you get scared, sir?"

"Of course I have." Evan replied, smiling. "And I have had to flee my fair share of times. Of course, when I return to the fray, I made my foes wish they didn't make me do that."

"Heh," Jamie laughed, as she imagined what villains Evan must have struck terror into as he returned gloriously to battle. For some reason she got stuck on Lucia's not-dad. "That sounds totally hero."

"Dang right it does." Evan said, patting Jamie on the head playfully. "A Hero is courageous and tenacious, with little time for regrets. Give 'em heck for me, Stopwatch. Show them what -you- can do, and if things get scary, just come back here, and we three will better ourselves." As he spoke the last line, his eyes shone a lustrous dark pink, giving them an air of confidence.

Jamie laughed a little as Evan ruffled her hair. "Right, I'll show them whose side time is on. Hopefully Dahlia will be there too." Taking a deep breath and pumping her arms back, she shouted, "I'll show them what a chosen hero can do!"

"Atta girl!" Evan said, striking a dynamic pose. "This is your time to shine! You ain't no lionheart. You're a dragonheart. Give 'em what for!"

"Here I go!" she called running off to go find out where she was actually supposed to sign up for this mission thing.

IC: James Arthur - Executive Suite

The door opened after a few moments. Out from it the Executive who owned the office appeared. He was wearing a black double breasted suit jacket with a yellow vest peaking out of it. And if anyone said that he had been wearing anything different at any point since he returned from his mission on Two Island, they were lying and would be dealt with.

"I see both of you arrived at the same time. In truth, I need to speak to both of you individually. Agent Baron, would you wait out here while I spoke with Agent Sanders?"

Executive Arthur allowed Ryan into the room while Sonja stayed outside. Lancelot could be seen for a brief moment while he entered a room on the other end. The Executive took a seat at his desk, briefly passing his hand over the keyboard of his laptop.

"I would offer you something to drink, but I only have a limited amount of time I can spend here. Please forgive me. Have a seat if you wish."

As Ryan took a seat, the Executive began speaking again.

"Allow me to get to the point. I need more information before I can make a decision on my next move. Your name has come up a number of times, when I looked into the Sins and as well as Ford's agents. If you would not mind, please tell me what you know about them, starting with the Sins."

OOC: It was the Easter Bunny who moved Ryan into the room by himself without Sonja and into the chair.

IC: Jamie Arthur - Liberty Hospital

Jamie almost giggled with delight when Lucia gave her approval. She could've frozen time completely right then to savor the moment. The young Rocket agent feared that her best friend would think this was a bad idea. Nothing else had gone right recently, why should that? But seeing the approval boosted her spirits back up to dangerously Jamie levels.

So she didn't actually register any context to what Shannon had said. Rather Jamie merely heard "I'm going with you to that briefing" to mean, "Let's go!"

With her almost delusional twisting of Shannon's emotions, ran to the door shouting, "Right! Onward!" her sheer bubbly energy blowing past Shannon before anyone could react.

She was already out in the hallway when she stopped, "Wait..." she spoke to herself as she realized something.

If there was any time that she needed to dip into her mentor's experience of being a hero, this was it.

"I need to go find my fellow Hero. Could you all go ahead without me? I will catch up wherever we're supposed to actually go."

She turned to go find Evan, but then made an about face and looked back into the room at Lucia one more time.

"Oh and Lucia... thanks," she said with a smile before running out to go find Evan.