A Proposition

[3kul]

"Good afternoon, esteemed members of the Corporation."

HollowEyes addressed the camera before him in a rather polite manner, bowing his head slightly. "My name is HollowEyes, I am the Second-in-Command of the Evil Council." He figured that they probably already knew this, given that he was relatively well known about the Dojo, but he introduced himself all the same because it was necessary. It was more a way of letting them know that they should be careful with how they react to his presence here than any desire to be polite, as any act of aggression towards him may as well be an act of aggression towards the Council itself. "I have business to discuss with you on behalf of the Council." He stood back to show the camera that he was alone and unarmed... Well, as unarmed as a being with blades for arms can be.

He did not really approve of the Corporation or the way that they did things, but to do this their way rather than his own way seemed to be far wiser in this instance, as his way would probably attract a lot of attention for very little in the way of results, something that he most certainly did not want.

He said nothing more to the camera and merely stood there, waiting for some sort of response. There was little point in making a request if he didn't know whether or not he'd get an answer, and if none of the higher-ups were around he'd probably be waiting quite a while to get one.

Still, he maintained his standing position, waiting in a calm and patient manner for somebody to respond to his message.

((Excuse my sudden appearance here, and feel free to speak out of character, but I felt that this would be more effective than a PM given how infrequently the few members of the Corporation are seen here in the Dojo.))

[Laur Doyle]

Laur had been waiting for one of the other two to respond for a while, but it seemed they were busy away. Again. The 30-something year old woman was getting a little tired of this. She had been watching, waiting, biding her time as was her way. But it seemed even here it was up to her to initiate something.

"State your business, HollowEyes of the Evil Council. We are listening"

Laurs voice came out over the system where he was standing. Perhaps she did not trust even an unarmed being enough to show herself, or perhaps she simply did not want him inside. Either way, this was about as good as the 'Parasitian' was going to get. For the moment.

[3kul]

((Apologies for the late response Laur, somehow I managed to miss your post.))

"Oh good," HollowEyes replied. He had been hoping for a little more of a response than just a voice, but given the history between the Corporation and the Evil Council he expected that this was about as close as he was going to get to a meeting with anybody from this place.

"I suppose I'd best be blunt then. The Council is currently interested in acquiring some ability blocking technology - magical or supernatural prevention, that sort of thing. Given the Corporation's history we're inclined to believe that you possess something that might fit this description." The Parasitian Second-in-Command was being deliberately vague here, concerned that if he was too specific he might describe something that the Corporation didn't have. There probably wasn't very much that they didn't have, but he didn't want to sabotage his chances at getting what he wanted just because of his own poor choice of words.

"Of course, we don't expect that you'll be willing to just give us this technology, which is why I've been sent - so that we can discuss some kind of deal. Interested?"

This, he wasn't so sure of. HollowEyes couldn't think of very much that the Council could offer the Corporation that they'd actually want to give, but he was hoping that the Corporation would surprise him.

[Laur Doyle]

((Ah, apologies 3kul. This Real-Life that is plaguing my colleagues appears to be affecting me as well))

Laurs bright blue eyes contemplated the screen where the Evil Council member could be seen as she mulled the proposal over. It was true and rather apparent that there was very little the Evil Council possessed that the Corporation would want, especially when it came to the trade of such technology as he was suggesting. Then again, there was perhaps a way this could benefit them.

"Yes, this sounds like it could be beneficial. Please wait"

Laurs voice came once more over the speakers as the business woman rose from her desk, briskly leaving it and moving towards the outside. The reluctant mutants approach only allowed five minutes of time to elapse before she appeared in the once locked doorway, looking straight at the Parasitian. Up close, he looked even stranger than what the Corporation member had observed in her office. She could contemplate that another time, however, as she put on her business like attitude.

Laur wore her usual brown suit, with trousers replacing a skirt and flat shoes as she had always appreciated functionality. Her long dark brown hair contrasted greatly with her bright blue eyes as she briefly sized him up before speaking.

"Please follow me, HollowEyes. We have a meeting room for discussing business deals... Unless you would prefer to stay outside"

The politeness in her voice was a front, nothing more, the result of years of experience. This creature had better tread carefully.

[3kul]

((Don't worry about it, there's really no rush.))

"That sounds appropriate." HollowEyes replied in a similar tone to Laur, nodding his head in approval. From his own dealings, he'd come to learn that behaving in such a polite way was merely how to get things done the way that you want them to be done. Despite the fact that she was giving him the choice it was quite obvious that no business dealings would be conducted outside.

So with no other choice the Second-in-Command quietly followed after Laur, not bothering to open his mouth to speak unless she had something specific to ask him. As he was wandering around in Corporate territory he knew that he had to be careful to not so much as breath the wrong way, let alone say something stupid and unnecessary.

[Laur Doyle]

Laur led HollowEyes through several sturdy, cleanly looking corridors with doors into both marked and unmarked rooms placed along the walls. Every so often a pair of security guards in full uniform passed them, most managing to give the Parasitian more than a cursory glance as they made their tours around the place. The woman paid them barely any heed as she walked, until she halted at an open doorway. It led into a large room filled with tables and chairs, ordered in such a way that the tables formed a square with the seats spaced evenly around the outside.

Laur waited for the Evil Councils S-i-C to walk through before she shut the door, then briskly made her way over to a pair of comfortable seats and moved one of them so she could sit down. The Corporate suit crossed her legs as she gestured to HollowEyes.

"Please, sit. I cannot imagine you would be more comfortable standing"

Laur did not believe it was necessary to mention that this room had cameras in it, as it was obvious due mainly to the deliberately large lumps in the ceiling.

"My name is Laur Doyle" she informed him, simply because it was polite to do so when attempting to negotiate deals "Your Council is interested in our magical ability blockers, I believe?"

[3kul]

"Thank you Ms. Doyle," HollowEyes replied to Laur's offer, careful not to damage the chair with his back arm blades as he sat down. He didn't pay too much attention to the camera domes in the roof, odds were security had been monitoring him since he'd first set foot in the Corporate building.

What did surprise him was that this young woman shared the same last name as the infamous head of the Corporation, Till Doyle. She matched the description of his underling, Laur Wilkins, perfectly, but HollowEyes had not heard of... No matter, he wasn't here to discuss personal affairs.

"And yes, we are interested in acquiring something along those lines." He paused for a moment, not quite sure where to go with this next. "Though just to be sure that we're on the same page, when you say a 'magical ability blocker' what exactly are we talking about? Specifics such as size, range, limitations are all important factors for the Council to take into consideration with this."

[Laur Doyle]

((I do not believe Rawlings will thank you for that, it is he who is head of this organisation. Till is one step below, but head of a different company))

"Mrs"

Laur corrected automatically, the creature obviously had no knowledge of her most recent connection with Till, which was just as well for her. It meant that the technology used at that gathering had worked as required.

"Of course, portable blockers are less powerful than the ones that require installation. You are looking at a one hundred meter diameter range for one of those, twice that for the installed. As for size, it is possible to carry one in the palm of your hand"

The brown haired woman reeled off easily, she had had more than a little involvement in making these ones. It was the joint members of S. G. R. that had suggested those after coming to this world, so Laur had often come in to oversee their efforts. That, and she'd committed the specifications to memory for this particular piece of technology.

"Sufficient enough?"

[3kul]

HollowEyes took a moment to absorb what Laur had just said, weighing up the possibilities. He couldn't imagine how many years of research would've gone into something like this, but his guess would be 'a lot'. Still, Laur had left out a few details that he wished to hear more about.

"At the moment I'd say that we're most likely to want the portable model, but exactly how large would you say that the installable type is?" He'd more or less made his mind up about that though, but if the installable one wasn't too big to move about then perhaps he should see if he could get both types. It was as he was pondering the possibilities that he felt another concern.

"I'm also curious to know if there are any limitations to this technology. Exceptions to the rule, that sort of thing." Despite what he was asking he didn't sound too worried - considering that this was the Corporation they were talking about it was pretty unlikely that they'd strive for anything less than perfect.

[Laur Doyle]

"I see"

Laur said, though the reluctant mutant remained silent briefly as she brought the details he was enquiring about to mind.

"An installed unit is about half a foot long and quite light. It requires a large amount of energy to function efficiently, any less and the subject might be able to break through the dampening field"

"As for satisfying your curiosity, there are few exceptions to the rule. One is if the subject is reliant on that ability to survive, the field will make them less powerful but it will not halt it altogether. The other is that of the gods, from what we have gathered it has no effect on them. We have not yet had the opportunity to test them on a spirit, but it has been theorised that it will not work on them either"

The Corporate suit leaned her figure forwards just slightly as she regarded the ECs S-i-C with her bright blue gaze.

"Any more questions?"

Laur asked, keeping the impatience she was now beginning to feel out of her voice. If HollowEyes found these things to be what his Council needed then he'd do well to tell her before it ran out.

[3kul]

"Only a couple more," HollowEyes said with a patient smile on his face. This was a very important deal that the Council was getting into, and he wanted to be certain that they got exactly what they wanted.

"I know that this probably goes without saying, but the ability blockers will affect those using it as well should they enter it's field, yes? Is there any way to change that?" He doubted that there would be, as it could be exploited by Corporate enemies too easily that way, but it was a question worth asking.

"And perhaps most importantly of all, at least from your point of view, would be my next question regarding payment." Were he physically able to HollowEyes might have crossed his arms at this point, but instead he settled for a somewhat awkward crossing of one leg over the other. "Perhaps I'm incorrect in assuming this, but considering how you allowed me in rather than turn me down straight away I imagine that you might already have something in mind?" This was something that had been bugging him since he'd walked through the Corporation's front door, and HollowEyes was almost dreading Laur's response... He got the distinct feeling that he wasn't going to like it.

[Laur Doyle]

"No, there is no way to change who the field affects. They were not designed with that type of usage in mind"

Laur answered bluntly, as there really was no alternative to put in or dress up. The device made no differentiation between friend or foe, and to put workers on such a project would amount to nothing more than a waste of the Corporations money and resources. No-one within the organisation used magic as standard, thus it would be considered a colossal waste of time. There was no reason for them to pursue that avenue of research.

The reluctant mutant idly brought a hand up to her face in order to flick a strand of dark hair that had escaped the rest away from her eyes, considering her response to his next question.

"You would be correct in assuming that, HollowEyes. We would have answered you with warning shots if it were considered a waste of our time. I have something in mind, but I believe it might be...upsetting. This type of technology is not something we would share lightly"

Laur stated as she brought her hands together just a little ways in front of her, the tips of each touching their opposite partner.

"So, HollowEyes, Second in Command of the Evil Council, are you still interested?"

((I feel the need to enquire about my message, I assume you got the PM?))

[3kul]

((I received your PM, and have since discussed it with the Council and have come to an agreement.

The Council is willing to agree to this trade, but we wish for the following conditions to be upheld:

1. That if we are used for battle, we are not to be used to invade Psychotopia.

2. That if we are used for marketing, the interior of the Corrupted Cave will not be used, and we will not wear clothing that displays advertising of any kind on it.

3. That we not give up ownership or leadership of the council. If you would like membership, you will have to undergo the same procedures that everybody else does.

4. That we not be asked to do anything that serves primarily, or as an added benefit, to destroy the Evil Council or it's reputation. You may ask us to put ourselves at risk, but no all-out suicide missions, unless you plan only to use our reincarnating members.

5. You must ask of the favor withen one year, with no extentions. This is simply because our leadership changes on a yearly basis, and as such neither I nor Fort can personally guarantee that our successors would uphold our deal if you should wait too long.

If this is satisfactory to you, then consider it to be a done deal. If there are any problems, please let me know.

For the sake of continuity, I shall continue to roleplay through this deal, though if you feel this to be a waste of time then we can stop.))

HollowEyes hesitated for but a moment, considering what on Blackstar the Corporation would ask the Council for. The two groups were not strangers with each other, and so the Corporation would surely know what kind of deals the Council would and wouldn't be accepting to make here, right?

"Very well then, Mrs. Laur Doyle, I will be sure to keep an open mind as you tell me what the Corporation desires in exchange for such technology."

[Laur Doyle]

((Acceptable. Consider this a done deal, magical ability blockers are now yours to use.

I have enjoyed roleplaying with you and your creation.

This is a little embarrassing, I asked you via PM since I was not entirely sure how to ask it whilst using Laur. I shall continue the RP as though terms have already been discussed, if it is OK by you))

Laur relaxed a little on the confortable chair within the large meeting room after the negotiations between herself and the four armed HollowEyes. From the reluctant mutants viewpoint, they had gone rather well. She hadn't been expecting him to just agree without any terms for themselves, neither had she been disappointed. The idea that had begun to form within her mind at his initial request was starting to take form already.

"Those terms are acceptable, there's just the small matter of delivery. We could send them directly to this 'Corrupted Cave' your organisation inhabits, but if you have an alternative drop off point in mind we can send them there"

A delivery to nowhere would seem suspicious, though nowhere near as suspicious as a Corporation vehicle trundling across the Black Forest. The reluctant mutant frowned as an unbidden thought flitted across her mind.

"I must ask that you keep this location a secret. We would not want any of your members to show up uninvited and become injured after this transaction. You can reach us by our other outposts should you believe you need to talk with one of us"

[3kul]

((It has been interesting, roleplaying through this deal and all. It's also a little strange, most of the time when our respective groups meet we're usually butting heads over something or other. ))

HollowEyes too was pleased with the outcome, although he felt a little uneasy with such a vague promise in exchange for what the Council saw as a most valuable asset to possess. Still, as Laur had agreed to all of the terms there wasn't too much that she could request that the Council would be overly opposed to, at least, not anything that HollowEyes could think of.

"The Cave is fine, if you disguise your vehicles as cookie delivery trucks of some variety nobody will suspect a thing." Like Laur, HollowEyes didn't want anybody outside of the Council to know about their acquisition of the Ability Blockers, lest they develop a counter-measure against them before the Council could use them on their enemies. If the trucks were disguised as ones from just about any bakery they could make up some lame story about Addman being rewarded for putting the owner's children through college or something.

"As for your base, I'll be sure to keep it's location a secret as you've requested." Her last line seemed to be a cue for HollowEyes to leave, so he obliged Laur. "When you want to contact us, make sure to mention my name. It should be obvious once we've gotten the Ability Blockers, but I'd hate to see a misunderstanding if you found yourself facing one of our more hot-headed members." He frowned a little at this, as though he had too many of those sorts of people to deal with. Laur probably wouldn't be able to relate, he imagined that the Corporation kept far tighter reigns on their employees.

"Thank you for what has been a most beneficial transaction to the Council Mrs. Laur Doyle, I will take my leave now so that I may inform the rest of the EC to expect some cookie trucks to arrive very soon... Unless you have anything further to discuss, that is?" He was fairly sure that Laur had nothing more to say to him, but at the same time he didn't want to appear to be simply rushing out now that they'd gotten what they wanted. The Council and the Corporation weren't strictly enemies all of the time, and there was no harm in at least being polite to one another.