Event Post 62 - Negotiations

[i_like_red]

*In Juudai's office at SAI, a meeting has begun between himself, Onni and Tenjou Kaito.
Stood up, leaning slightly against his desk, Juudai looks over to his two guests before speaking.*

It seems we have a lot to talk about.

Comments

[becomeanwarrior]

[Onni's opted for a suit, for this negotiation, sitting straight in a chair. Around his his shoulder is what looks like a dusty, ancient scroll case - and in his lap are several folders, the largest and most prominent reading "NUMBERS CASE - ONGOING", there are others, with bits of name poking out. "COSM-" "DAR-" "BARI-", etc.]

For what it's worth, Officer, I do understand your position as it is, so I am hoping for a reasonable outcome for all parties.

[photonslight]

::Sitting in a chair, wearing his black duster. With Orbital 7 sitting next to him quietly. His arms are crossed.::

So the entire position at issue isn't my ability to enforce the law but your concerns that my superiors are so ideologically corrupt that any action I take is pointless to you as long as they remain in the system.

Even at the cost of your own lives and those of your world?

[i_like_red]

We have a number of reasons to distrust Judgeman, with how much he's hiding, as well as reasons to believe that some of the Numbers may of very well been imprisoned under false accusations and that they aren't 'dangerous'. I just want the right kind of justice for those specifically, but I don't have trust that Judgeman will give any of them a fair trial.

That said, I do acknowledge that there are Numbers that ARE dangerous criminals, and I am willing to negotiate the handing over of some of the more dangerous ones, as long as we know they are dangerous.

[becomeanwarrior]

I discussed issues with Judgeman, back when Number 96 was our highest priority, he essentially wanted me to hand over anyone on Earth capable of handling Dark Mist, in exchange for information. Obviously, the protection of Earth and the people here are our highest priority, which is why we're meeting here today - if we can at least get Judgeman off the trigger, that gives us more time to help some of the other parties involved - the Barians, especially.

As for the most dangerous Numbers, we may have to go back through the records, but as I mentioned, I can personally vouch that Number 10 is a danger, from my own personal experience at being manipulated by him. I'm sure there are others we can negotiate while we discuss exactly where the three of us go from here.

[photonslight]

As I noted, Judgeman is in the right to request those people:

They all fall under "Danger to Existence" entities or "Fugitives". But I won't dismiss the fact he's been rather gungho about me trying to take the Numbers the Supreme King, here has, has, up to the point of attacking him. When it's a known fact you're probably the most dangerous entity in this room.

As to immediate dangers regarding the Numbers, I'd like Number 9 as at least the first you'd hand over. It's not inherently malevolent, in and of itself, but it's essentially an old war weapon. The technical term is that it's a planet buster.

[i_like_red]

So he's concerned with the me having so many Numbers, to the point where he's told you to attack me for them, despite my known status? Why is he so desperate to get the Numbers away from me specifically? Is he afraid I'll use them?
And no-one, not me or the others he wanted to apprehend, will be handed over.

...I'm fine with handing over Numbers 9 and 10.

[becomeanwarrior]

I feel like that's a big, big red flag. Even Judgeman has to understand at this point that Juudai isn't the same as the 'Supreme King' that made previous watchlists. If he's concerned about Juudai of all people holding onto them, I feel like there's way more too it than he's afraid of misuse. And yeah, I'm not planning on handing over anyone as far as "fugitives".

So that's Dyson Sphere and Illumiknight. Easy partings. Are there any others you feel you need to obtain? I should note we should also be discussing what measures to take if Judgeman not feel this is satisfactory.

[photonslight]

He's afraid you're lazy, irresponsible and lack any grasp of really how important the situation is, and basically that you wave your hands going "Tra la la la, gotcha.". From my talks with him. Basically you don't care to secure them sufficiently.

The Supreme King is inherently very dark black magic from what I understand. Very old magic. Very wild magic. Very dangerous not because the person who is the Supreme King is inherently themselves at fault but the magic behind them is that. Dangerous.

And I would be agreeable with 9 and 10. Along with Number 43, and potentially Numbers 15 and 40, I think this would turn out productively, handing over 5 more Numbers, which would prove that using a more gentle hand here might be preferable.

... Though, which Numbers do you consider dangerous from the ones you've collected?

[i_like_red]

I keep them in a place that only I can access. Believe me, I'm very serious about keeping them as secured as I can.

*He picks up a sheet of paper from his desk which contains a list of the Numbers he currently has. He looks it up and down.*

Hm. There's no others that I know have been inherently dangerous.

*He shows the both of them his list.*

Are there any you would suggest, Onni?

[becomeanwarrior]

[Opens up his file, thumbing through it.]

...Numbers 6, 33, and 36. The takedown of Atlandis was rather intensive, though Atlandis itself is nothing more than a nested mecha, essentially, and a superweapon. I'd rather not have to fact that thing again, it's a war machine - though probably not as powerful as, say, Dyson Sphere.

To my knowledge, 33 is needed to operate Number 6, and 36 needed to operate 33. If we don't want to hand over all three for fear of Atlandis resuming operation, we can likely hand over at least 6 and 33.

[photonslight]

I'd like to request Number 11.

Though, Numbers 6, 33 and 36 are rather.

Interesting.

They have very highly censored files.

[i_like_red]

Highly censored?

I'm very curious as to why they are... and if it's related to why some other Numbers also have highly censored files.

[photonslight]

Can't tell you, because they're censored to even me.

LATER...

[becomeanwarrior]

[Onni's in in Juudai's office, having put aside the files somewhere. As opposed to talking with Kaito, he's now leaning against a wall of the office, his entire attitude has changed - more weary, and frustrated.]

Agent Kaito's gone, then?

Re: LATER...

[i_like_red]

*Juudai looks over to Onni, before shutting the door to the office after returning.*

Yeah, he has. I gave him the Numbers we settled on. Just hope it's enough.

You said there was something you wanted to talk to me about?

Re: LATER...

[becomeanwarrior]

...Yeah. Yeah.

[He sighs, shoulders drooping.]

We've... we've got to do something about Alex. I don't know what, but I know I can't do anything without practically get myself mad at her. That's my fault, but just. We need to talk about this. And figure out a plan.

Because I can't see this ending good.

Re: LATER...

[i_like_red]

Yeah, I know. It sounds like she's... not on a great path right now.
I had hoped that being around Yuma and his friends would help her in some way but...

*Juudai lets out a sigh.*

Eventually one of us might have to step in to try and take her away from this self-destructive path she appears to be on.
Isabel told you about what she sensed about Alex, right?

Re: LATER...

[becomeanwarrior]

A bit, yeah. She said she hadn't picked up on much of the details, but she advised me to talk to you. I assume you know more about it - whether that's because she was comfortable revealing more of it to you, or what. I don't blame her.

What'd she tell you?

Re: LATER...

[i_like_red]

She likened Alex's current state to how she felt herself after she was defeated by Z-ONE.
She said it wasn't exactly the same, but... she told me that Alex has been feeling a lot of sadness, a lot of pain and... there was the feeling of just wanting it to stop, no matter what.

That really has me worried me for her well-being.

Re: LATER...

[becomeanwarrior]

...So I was completely off the mark, huh. She's not in it for the glory of trying to be a hero.

She's straight up trying to throw her life away.

[He groans, tilting his head back.]

Alex...

If she's trying to be a hero at the cost of her own well-being....I know what that's like way too well, and I know it's only going to lead to everyone getting hurt.

Re: LATER...

[i_like_red]

Believe me. I know that feeling all too well myself. There was a time where I didn't have much regard for my own well-being either.

*He sits down in the chair behind his desk and puts his head in his hands.*

I'm not sure really what we can do. She doesn't want to see either of us right now, but even if we tried something, I'm concerned about pushing her too far.
I could ask Yuma and Yuya to contact me if they ever think she's going to do anything too dangerous, but I wouldn't want to put them on the spot like that. Besides, I want Alex to be able to keep trusting them.
Back when Alex was going to simply take Galaxy-Eyes and go to Heartland to take on whoever it was who attacked it, Yuya was the one who was able to talk her out of not going.

Re: LATER...

[becomeanwarrior]

I agree, we absolutely can't involve Yuya and Yuma. They're probably the best ones that can reach Alex at this point. If she thinks that they're going to tattle to us at the first sign of her doing something reckless, she's just going to close herself off further to the point where not even they can reach her.

During our last argument, she called me a coward because I wouldn't admit that I just hate her. For trying to be the big hero and trying to find some way through this. She said there was zero chance of us being friends again. That she was disgusted by me.

[For a long moment, Onni looks down. His shoulders droop, and his eyes seem far-away and distant.]

...I guess it might be silly to think that it might be true, but part of me can't help but wonder if she's got a point, you know?

Re: LATER...

[i_like_red]

I don't care what she says to me. I still consider her my friend.

She could call me all the names under the sun and insult my work. I won't say it wouldn't hurt or make me angry or damage the friendship in some way, but I know, deep down, she's doing this because she's upset, because she's in pain, lost and frustrated.

And someone like that needs friends to help them. Whether they like it or not.

Re: LATER...

[becomeanwarrior]

...Yeah. Even if I'm pissed at her - and I am. I know she needs... someone. Ugh, I've been too mad to think straight about it, but. She's been hurting, and I know I haven't been helping her either. But I told her flat out, I still feel like there's a chance for us to still be friends.

[He laughs, weakly.]

...I guess I should apologize to you, Juudai. I should be pulling my weight more when it comes to helping pull Alex out of her funk, but I'm sure I've just been making it worse.

Re: LATER...

[i_like_red]

You and Alex are both... kind of hot-headed when you're angry, so I guess that's why you both clash so much.

*He pauses for a moment to think.*

We need to figure out a way to help her, but if we're too forceful, then we do run the risk of making this all worse, but it's been obvious from talking to her that reasoning with her hasn't worked either.
I don't know... maybe I can give talking to her another try.