Chrysalis
Aug 20, 2022 18:13:12 GMT -5
Post by OrochiGeese on Aug 20, 2022 18:13:12 GMT -5
*It is around noon on Monday, August 1st when the doors to the UBL wing of the Peter Venkman Memorial Arena are pushed open. A stoic-faced Geese Walker enters, surveying his surroundings while breathing deeply. He walks with purpose over to the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. Security office and is intercepted by Thunder Strike who has already opened the door for him. Thunder studies Geese’s face and nods to himself, then lets Geese into the office.*
[Thunder:] “Just as I thought. Most people probably assume that you are overjoyed right now but you are so furious that it is taking all of your energy to just talk.”
[Geese:] “It took me one month before I could even step foot in here. Robin was concerned that if I came in and happened to see anyone involved, that I would revert to the ways of the past. I could not disagree.”
[Thunder:] “Let’s try to keep this civil, for the sake of Celes’ hopes for you. Speaking of, how is Clyde.”
[Geese:] “Clyde is back to his old self. His recovery was quick, as expected. And there's no reason to assume anything other than civility. You had nothing to do with the 'thrashing of Gauntlet' so we have no problem.”
[Thunder:] “I don’t know if you’ll feel the same way by the end of this visit.”
*For the first time in years, a trace of red could be seen in Geese’s eyes as his expression hardens.*
[Geese:] “You…you knew this would happen?”
[Thunder:] “Not consciously but, as head of security, I should have figured it out. I missed a warning sign.”
[Geese:] “What warning sign could there possibly have been?”
[Thunder:] “One that we were too myopic to see: being intensely focused on Gauntlet and not enough on our allies.”
*Thunder approaches the surveillance area. Using a computer, he selects video footage that occurred on 4 PM on May 6: exactly one week before the events of Second Dimension.*
*When the footage begins, Thunder is approaching THRASH in one of the many hallways of the Arena.*
[THRASH:] "Come on! I already told Carter that I stopped smoking in the hallways. She doesn't need to keep siccing you on me."
[Thunder:] "General patrol, Ogawa, I'm not after you. But I'm surprised to see your paranoia, given your recent fraternizing."
*Thunder lifts his chin and his expression turns more serious.*
[THRASH:] "And what do you mean by that?"
[Thunder:] "In Jean Carter's words, you have become quite the social butterfly."
[THRASH:] "Is that a fact?"
[Thunder:] "Yes, so your concern about accusations of misbehavior from others seems misplaced. I see an inescapable contradiction in you. You want to fight more than anyone else, yet you are the only one here who is on good terms with just about everyone on the roster. Under that warlike exterior lies a secret diplomat."
[THRASH:] "I wouldn't put it like that, and I certainly wouldn't put it the way Carter did."
[Thunder:] "Flowery phrasing aside, she's right. Somehow, you're able to talk to the Walkers, Matsuki-Gun, Barton's camp, and El Exilio. You’re one of the role models of the Basic Training roster. And up until last year, you were even on civil terms with Three of a Kind."
[THRASH:] "Wanting to fight everyone isn't personal to me until someone makes it personal. Sanders made it personal so yeah, no smoke breaks with him anymore. Carter will be pleased."
[Thunder:] "And how does someone make it personal with you?"
[THRASH:] "Easy - by taking away my opportunities to fight. Sanders and Langford interfered in what should have been the best fight UBL’s ever seen between me and King, so they paid the price.”
[Thunder:] “You remind me a lot of Alicia. She’s practically jumping out of her own skin due to impatience from not fighting over the past year.”
[THRASH:] “Makes sense – she’s one of the three people I want to fight the most."
[Thunder:] “I’ll pass on the compliment. So, does Kyle Walker fall within that group too?”
[THRASH:] “I know you’re special ops and all, but it doesn’t take military intelligence to figure that out.”
[Thunder:] “No, but I do have special insight into Kyle.”
[THRASH:] “I mean, if getting laid out by him imparts that, I guess you and Geese are experts.”
[Thunder:] “You should be more careful.”
*THRASH leans against the wall with an arrogant look.*
[THRASH:] “I don’t think Gordon would like you getting to me before she has the chance.”
[Thunder:] “Careful about Kyle. He seems less dangerous these days because he’s been actively repressing his true nature for years. This time though, he’s doing it for love rather than hate. However, when it does come out again, and it will, he’ll be even more explosive than during the Jinchuu era.”
[THRASH:] “I don’t care about his motivations; I just want to fight him.”
[Thunder:] “Kyle Walker isn’t a competitor, he’s a killer. And he doesn’t have any middle ground between his current caged state and fully unleashed weapon. He won’t give you the fight that you want now and if he got into that frame of mind, he wouldn’t be able to turn it off until you are hospitalized.”
[THRASH:] “Look, this is a great talk, really. But it’s futile.”
[Thunder:] “Because you already made up your mind about him?”
[THRASH:] “No, because I have to first ensure that there will even be a place to fight him.”
*A rare look of confusion appears on Thunder’s face.*
[Thunder:] “What do you mean by that?”
[THRASH:] “I’ll put it this way. Carter wants to call me a social butterfly? Fine, then it's time to help UBL hatch. It’s been cocooned for too long.”
[Thunder:] “Technically, a butterfly hatches from a chrysalis.”
[THRASH:] “Technically, the same bodies will be on the floor either way.”
*THRASH smirks and walks away, leaving Thunder Strike concerned.
Another camera picks up Jean Carter excitedly checking off her “Butterfly Words of the Week” list.
Thunder turns off the footage and looks at Geese who is in deep thought.*
[Thunder:] “There is no shortage of reasons for you to be angry.”
[Geese:] “Let's start with the most obvious. Even if the incident with Gauntlet had not happened, would you still have shown me the conversation about Kyle?”
[Thunder:] “Certainly. Out of everything on that tape, that was the most public knowledge. I’ve never hid my feelings about him to you or anyone else. As long as you and Robin are still wrestling, you’re playing with fire by Kyle’s accompanying presence. It’s just a matter of time until he snaps at someone.”
[Geese:] “You understand that I am not angry about those words.”
[Thunder:] “Yes, but what about my inaction to Ogawa’s?”
[Geese:] “I could not have expected you to know what he would do based on that conversation alone.”
[Thunder:] “Wingate agreed but I sensed he would have liked to have known about it.”
[Geese:] “I would have too, but I recognize that the staggering amount of information you get on a daily basis requires you to make choices as to which to act on. And given Gauntlet’s stated threats for Second Dimension and propensity to follow up, you needed to focus your energy on them leading up to the show.”
[Thunder:] “So you do not blame me for failing to see the signs of the attack?”
[Geese:] “Hardly. I blame the perpetrators.”
[Thunder:] “Now comes the difficult part. In a month, I don’t want to be talking with Arthur about whether I missed signs from this conversation of the horrors that you inflicted on ‘the perpetrators.’
[Geese:] “There are no signs because there are no plans. It would be futile.”
[Thunder:] “So you aren’t going to punish them?”
[Geese:] “They rendered obsolete years of my machinations and intelligence gathering. I’m not going to allow their actions to force my measured hand to become as impulsive as theirs.
Gauntlet is my enemy. Publicly, I should be overjoyed that they were seemingly eliminated as a threat. If I were to then punish those who hurt Gauntlet, the remaining members will know that I was up to something. That choice will hurt my goals worse than anything that the butterfly brigade did.”
[Thunder:] “Somewhere, Carter just crossed another term off her list.”
[Geese:] “So you do not have to be concerned about me taking revenge on anyone from UBL.”
[Thunder:] “Then what will you turn your energy to? Just the Continuum league?”
[Geese:] “Primarily, but I’m continuing the part of the plan that is still available against Gauntlet.”
[Thunder:] “Those in charge of Gauntlet are in government custody and the remaining members have scattered. What possible plans could you still have?”
[Geese:] “We've had this conversation before. You are on a 'need to know' basis with my plans. I know you do not like when others make you repeat yourself. Afford me the same courtesy.”
[Thunder:] “Your continued refusal to tell me your plans confounds me. You are not one to repeat the same actions after seeing evidence of their errors. If you had given me more information about your plans against Gauntlet in the first place, maybe I would have been able to accelerate your plans before THRASH’s actions. This exact situation is a sign for you to accept my assistance.”
[Geese:] “I have always encouraged you to share information with me.”
[Thunder:] “Until I know your exact plan, I will never know which information is relevant.”
[Geese:] “It wouldn’t have changed anything this time.”
[Thunder:] “But it could in the future.”
[Geese:] “Then a question - does this surveillance extend to everywhere in the building?”
[Thunder:] “No, but I thought you already knew that.”
*Geese smiles and turns to exit the room.*
[Geese:] “Of course I did.”
*Thunder is left thinking about yet another possible hint as Geese walks out.*
[Thunder:] “Just as I thought. Most people probably assume that you are overjoyed right now but you are so furious that it is taking all of your energy to just talk.”
[Geese:] “It took me one month before I could even step foot in here. Robin was concerned that if I came in and happened to see anyone involved, that I would revert to the ways of the past. I could not disagree.”
[Thunder:] “Let’s try to keep this civil, for the sake of Celes’ hopes for you. Speaking of, how is Clyde.”
[Geese:] “Clyde is back to his old self. His recovery was quick, as expected. And there's no reason to assume anything other than civility. You had nothing to do with the 'thrashing of Gauntlet' so we have no problem.”
[Thunder:] “I don’t know if you’ll feel the same way by the end of this visit.”
*For the first time in years, a trace of red could be seen in Geese’s eyes as his expression hardens.*
[Geese:] “You…you knew this would happen?”
[Thunder:] “Not consciously but, as head of security, I should have figured it out. I missed a warning sign.”
[Geese:] “What warning sign could there possibly have been?”
[Thunder:] “One that we were too myopic to see: being intensely focused on Gauntlet and not enough on our allies.”
*Thunder approaches the surveillance area. Using a computer, he selects video footage that occurred on 4 PM on May 6: exactly one week before the events of Second Dimension.*
*When the footage begins, Thunder is approaching THRASH in one of the many hallways of the Arena.*
[THRASH:] "Come on! I already told Carter that I stopped smoking in the hallways. She doesn't need to keep siccing you on me."
[Thunder:] "General patrol, Ogawa, I'm not after you. But I'm surprised to see your paranoia, given your recent fraternizing."
*Thunder lifts his chin and his expression turns more serious.*
[THRASH:] "And what do you mean by that?"
[Thunder:] "In Jean Carter's words, you have become quite the social butterfly."
[THRASH:] "Is that a fact?"
[Thunder:] "Yes, so your concern about accusations of misbehavior from others seems misplaced. I see an inescapable contradiction in you. You want to fight more than anyone else, yet you are the only one here who is on good terms with just about everyone on the roster. Under that warlike exterior lies a secret diplomat."
[THRASH:] "I wouldn't put it like that, and I certainly wouldn't put it the way Carter did."
[Thunder:] "Flowery phrasing aside, she's right. Somehow, you're able to talk to the Walkers, Matsuki-Gun, Barton's camp, and El Exilio. You’re one of the role models of the Basic Training roster. And up until last year, you were even on civil terms with Three of a Kind."
[THRASH:] "Wanting to fight everyone isn't personal to me until someone makes it personal. Sanders made it personal so yeah, no smoke breaks with him anymore. Carter will be pleased."
[Thunder:] "And how does someone make it personal with you?"
[THRASH:] "Easy - by taking away my opportunities to fight. Sanders and Langford interfered in what should have been the best fight UBL’s ever seen between me and King, so they paid the price.”
[Thunder:] “You remind me a lot of Alicia. She’s practically jumping out of her own skin due to impatience from not fighting over the past year.”
[THRASH:] “Makes sense – she’s one of the three people I want to fight the most."
[Thunder:] “I’ll pass on the compliment. So, does Kyle Walker fall within that group too?”
[THRASH:] “I know you’re special ops and all, but it doesn’t take military intelligence to figure that out.”
[Thunder:] “No, but I do have special insight into Kyle.”
[THRASH:] “I mean, if getting laid out by him imparts that, I guess you and Geese are experts.”
[Thunder:] “You should be more careful.”
*THRASH leans against the wall with an arrogant look.*
[THRASH:] “I don’t think Gordon would like you getting to me before she has the chance.”
[Thunder:] “Careful about Kyle. He seems less dangerous these days because he’s been actively repressing his true nature for years. This time though, he’s doing it for love rather than hate. However, when it does come out again, and it will, he’ll be even more explosive than during the Jinchuu era.”
[THRASH:] “I don’t care about his motivations; I just want to fight him.”
[Thunder:] “Kyle Walker isn’t a competitor, he’s a killer. And he doesn’t have any middle ground between his current caged state and fully unleashed weapon. He won’t give you the fight that you want now and if he got into that frame of mind, he wouldn’t be able to turn it off until you are hospitalized.”
[THRASH:] “Look, this is a great talk, really. But it’s futile.”
[Thunder:] “Because you already made up your mind about him?”
[THRASH:] “No, because I have to first ensure that there will even be a place to fight him.”
*A rare look of confusion appears on Thunder’s face.*
[Thunder:] “What do you mean by that?”
[THRASH:] “I’ll put it this way. Carter wants to call me a social butterfly? Fine, then it's time to help UBL hatch. It’s been cocooned for too long.”
[Thunder:] “Technically, a butterfly hatches from a chrysalis.”
[THRASH:] “Technically, the same bodies will be on the floor either way.”
*THRASH smirks and walks away, leaving Thunder Strike concerned.
Another camera picks up Jean Carter excitedly checking off her “Butterfly Words of the Week” list.
Thunder turns off the footage and looks at Geese who is in deep thought.*
[Thunder:] “There is no shortage of reasons for you to be angry.”
[Geese:] “Let's start with the most obvious. Even if the incident with Gauntlet had not happened, would you still have shown me the conversation about Kyle?”
[Thunder:] “Certainly. Out of everything on that tape, that was the most public knowledge. I’ve never hid my feelings about him to you or anyone else. As long as you and Robin are still wrestling, you’re playing with fire by Kyle’s accompanying presence. It’s just a matter of time until he snaps at someone.”
[Geese:] “You understand that I am not angry about those words.”
[Thunder:] “Yes, but what about my inaction to Ogawa’s?”
[Geese:] “I could not have expected you to know what he would do based on that conversation alone.”
[Thunder:] “Wingate agreed but I sensed he would have liked to have known about it.”
[Geese:] “I would have too, but I recognize that the staggering amount of information you get on a daily basis requires you to make choices as to which to act on. And given Gauntlet’s stated threats for Second Dimension and propensity to follow up, you needed to focus your energy on them leading up to the show.”
[Thunder:] “So you do not blame me for failing to see the signs of the attack?”
[Geese:] “Hardly. I blame the perpetrators.”
[Thunder:] “Now comes the difficult part. In a month, I don’t want to be talking with Arthur about whether I missed signs from this conversation of the horrors that you inflicted on ‘the perpetrators.’
[Geese:] “There are no signs because there are no plans. It would be futile.”
[Thunder:] “So you aren’t going to punish them?”
[Geese:] “They rendered obsolete years of my machinations and intelligence gathering. I’m not going to allow their actions to force my measured hand to become as impulsive as theirs.
Gauntlet is my enemy. Publicly, I should be overjoyed that they were seemingly eliminated as a threat. If I were to then punish those who hurt Gauntlet, the remaining members will know that I was up to something. That choice will hurt my goals worse than anything that the butterfly brigade did.”
[Thunder:] “Somewhere, Carter just crossed another term off her list.”
[Geese:] “So you do not have to be concerned about me taking revenge on anyone from UBL.”
[Thunder:] “Then what will you turn your energy to? Just the Continuum league?”
[Geese:] “Primarily, but I’m continuing the part of the plan that is still available against Gauntlet.”
[Thunder:] “Those in charge of Gauntlet are in government custody and the remaining members have scattered. What possible plans could you still have?”
[Geese:] “We've had this conversation before. You are on a 'need to know' basis with my plans. I know you do not like when others make you repeat yourself. Afford me the same courtesy.”
[Thunder:] “Your continued refusal to tell me your plans confounds me. You are not one to repeat the same actions after seeing evidence of their errors. If you had given me more information about your plans against Gauntlet in the first place, maybe I would have been able to accelerate your plans before THRASH’s actions. This exact situation is a sign for you to accept my assistance.”
[Geese:] “I have always encouraged you to share information with me.”
[Thunder:] “Until I know your exact plan, I will never know which information is relevant.”
[Geese:] “It wouldn’t have changed anything this time.”
[Thunder:] “But it could in the future.”
[Geese:] “Then a question - does this surveillance extend to everywhere in the building?”
[Thunder:] “No, but I thought you already knew that.”
*Geese smiles and turns to exit the room.*
[Geese:] “Of course I did.”
*Thunder is left thinking about yet another possible hint as Geese walks out.*