"I love it when a plan comes together!"

[infinite1up]

Who: Members of the City Guard, Sato, and a few others
What: Catchall for everything associated with Assault on Guard HQ
Where: City Guard HQ
When: From after Sato's network post through the next morning.
Warnings: Many violences, much death (likely mostly Sato's), wow.

Comments

[infinite1up]

[Sato doesn't shift around. The cuffs aren't exactly comfortable, and although it doesn't really bother him that much, he does twist his wrist a little as if trying to find the most best position -- a little, subtle show.]

I thought I already explained it fairly well to everyone in the city. Or is this interrogation just to get me to say what you want to hear?

[mismanagement]

[He's not afraid to squirm a little. Probably not afraid at all. Maketh had hoped for that, but didn't count on it. A person like Sato wouldn't be afraid of dying. But, hopefully, not too quick to resort to it.]

Yes, yes, we all heard your little speech.

[Maketh shakes her head, moving in a small circle.]

Rather late in the game to play the anarchist, isn't it?

[She has a feeling he's up to something a little different.]

There are two possibilities. Either you truly believe we're helping the gods, in which case you're both a fool and -- [far worse] --inefficient. Or you had something else in mind. Weakening Hope, perhaps?

[Kill enough of the guard and that would give the gods something to worry about, something to waste power on.]

[infinite1up]

Wouldn't you say those two things go together? Perhaps you needed to read between the lines a little more. Trying to protect the people here from harm... well, that's one more job he doesn't have to do, another few revivals he doesn't have to deal with.

[There's also the third possibility, that he was bored. But the great thing is that there's nothing wrong with the idea of getting at the gods indirectly, even as he hinted to others in more private conversations -- it makes a neat little justification for his idea of 'fun'.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh shrugs. He's right, of course. Get rid of the guardsmen and the city defenses would falter. Especially if Hope took too long in bringing them back. But there are far more efficient ways to go about that. A man with Sato's gifts could have killed them one by one in their sleep. It would have been simple and devastating. And yet, he attacked the guardpost head on. Why?

There's a simple answer to that as well, she realizes.]

Sato. Did you get bored? Is that it?

[infinite1up]

[Sato remains placidly seated, unperterbed, with only the faintest wrinkle of his forehead in mild mock confusion.]

I'm shocked that you'd think I was acting out of anything but the best intentions. Well... depending on your point of view, of course.

[mismanagement]

[Everything depends on the perspective. Maketh huffs.]

I see. That's been made abundantly clear.

[Either way, he's not playing by rules she understands. Not yet, at least.]

You'll be dissuaded from trying it again. Means are being discussed. Mine were deemed...unkind. We shall see.

[infinite1up]

I suppose that shouldn't surprise me, given the stories I've heard.

[Not that he really talked with Hux about her in any great detail but... Maketh doesn't have to know that.]

Who's making the final decision?

[mismanagement]

[Maketh smiles, thin and humorless.]

Ah. You've been talking to Hux, then.

[There's nothing to do about that but endure.]

Hmm. It's a group effort. We're attempting democracy.

[She struggles over the word a bit, eyes narrowed. It rattles her a bit to have such an important decision put to a vote. So much could go wrong. But that was the decision.]

I imagine you'll hear the result soon enough.

[infinite1up]

Oh yes. We had a very interesting talk. I guess you've finally learned how to be loyal to something.

[Is the corner of his mouth turned up in a bit of a smirk, even in the position he's in right now? Yes, yes it is. And given the way she's clearly wrestling with the decision making progress, he can't help egging her on a bit more.]

I'm surprised the Guard even knows about democracy. I'd have thought fascism would be more to your tastes.

[mismanagement]

It would be to mine. [Maketh doesn't deny it, eyes on him the entire time. The process would be much simpler if one choice was made and that was the end of it. Alas, it was not to be.] But as you say. I'm loyal to something now.

[infinite1up]

Seems like I'm not too far off the mark with some of the guard, then. Tell me then, out of curiosity, what would you do if it was up to you?

[mismanagement]

[Maketh just smiles.] Now that would be telling, wouldn't it? A woman must have some secrets.

[infinite1up]

[Sato chuckles in return.]

A little intimidation, is that it? Something more horrible than I could imagine?

[From the tone of voice, it's hard to tell if he's taking it seriously at all.]

[mismanagement]

Don't be dramatic. A man of your talents must have thought of a great deal. [She doesn't pretend to match him that way. Maketh knows her limits, just as she knows a few tricks for restraining troublesome fools with abilities. Time will tell if she'll have to use any of them.

All she needs to do is hurt him just so. Keep him alive but incapacitated.

They have doctors, engineers. Warriors with sharp knives and steady hands. It can be done.

Maketh smiles just so. If Sato is half as smart as he pretends, he'll know that too.]

You would have been either an asset or great annoyance to the Empire. The Inquisitor would have liked you very much. Pity he's dead.

[They're all dead. Isn't that funny?]

Anything you'd like to tell me before it's done?

[infinite1up]

[Hey, between the network post and this, it's becoming pretty clear over time that Sato loves drama.

Considering that Sato himself was the one responsible for the leaked footage of demihuman experimentation by the government back on his world, he's quite familiar with the kinds of cruelty that can stretch on for decades. But although he's not scared of anything that they could do, he's also not about to give her any ideas.]

Not really.

Oh. Actually, there is one thing. If you get the urge to betray everything you stand for again, there's always room for a revolutionary. Siding with me, why, you might even learn how to have some fun.

[mismanagement]

[Cheeky, isn't he? In another life she would have beaten him for that remark, or ordered someone else to do it for her. In this one Maketh just shakes her head, a faint smile on her lips. She knows what she is. That has to be enough.] You're a strange man. I'll allow you that. But you know nothing of me. Threaten my guardsmen again and you will regret existing in my presence. Of that I assure you.