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[hacktivist]

sometimes i hate to be right

but so far

ENGLAND
ARGENTINA
NORWAY
RUSSIA
ITALY
GHANA
GERMANY
SAVOLETTA
(DOLVANIA)

if i were you i'd be canceling your travel plans (effective immediately)

[Encrypted to Maxine Gibson, unhackable]

your current status [?]

[Encrypted to Tony Stark and Magneto, unhackable]

last chance to abort

Comments

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

You are impressing me, Mr. Stark.

It's becoming a bad habit.

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

Well you know, I like surprising people.

By the way, I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of getting things together.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

The dual elements of control and superiority exist in that space, Anthony. As I am sure you know.

Perhaps I'll surprise you, as well. [a hesitation.]

Efficient. Who knows of your --plans? [it's not like he doesn't think this is a secure channel, but obliqueness is safer atm.]

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

Perhaps you will, but as it stands, nobody. [ He pauses. ] I have things in place, should I need them.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

Approximately how many contingencies?

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

Twelve standard contingencies. Six that will activate in case of failure of any two that are required to ping where they're housed.

So Eighteen total.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

Heh. I'm glad you're on my side instead of at my back, Tony.

[would that he had more Thunderbolts, but then Tony is like a hundred Thunderbolts in one convenient mustached package]

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

Now don't get sentimental on me yet. [ The arid quality to his voice suggests it's a joke. Of sorts. ]

Don't worry, though. We have Vulcanus to deal with, and I don't think either of us want to waste time turning on each other.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

Heheheh...

I admit the thought has crossed my mind. [What thought? Him turning on Tony, or Tony turning on him? Or both?]

Stark. [a pause. He's not going to mention Max - or the fact that he feels he'll fail in discipline and probably contact her while they're gone, bouncing satellite relays, worrying at his lip invisibly.] Do you believe it possible to save this world?

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

Ghost, my net worth is 57 billion dollars. I make several million dollars an hour. If I didn't think this world could be saved, I'd be focusing on funneling these funds elsewhere, like figuring out why I can't send us home, instead of letting things lie for the moment in favor of trying to save it.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

I feel it illogical to blame yourself for being unable to return us home. The problem before us now should be dealt with first - and you are qualified in abundance for it.

[whoa when did he get motivating.]

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

Oh believe me, I know.

I think this situation will need the both of us, there's no qualifying one or the other right now.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

But we must prepare for the possibility that one of us will need to leave the other behind.

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

I think we know which one of us can be left behind if necessary. What's the worst they can do, kill me?

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

As usual, I cannot separate your martyr complex from your practicality.

You believe you can hold up under torture.

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

[ It takes him a moment, a significant pause before he finally actually admits something. ]

I cut off my own foot, Ghost. For the sake of saving 97.5% of the population. I think I can handle whatever they throw at me.

Encrypted; voice

[hacktivist]

Heheh. If nothing else... this will make for an interesting autobiography. Won't it, Stark.

Encrypted; voice

[liverletdie]

[ A laugh ]

My autobiography is already pretty interesting. There are some things people just don't need to know about, including things like that.