THE DEVICE HAS BEEN "MODIFIED"

[capemods]

[Every communicator in the City simultaneously tunes to this post, whether it was on or not. Anyone who cares to look out the window will see a figure arcing through the air above the city, at high speeds but erratically. When the voice post kicks in, the wind is barely audible under the static, which rises and falls in volume.]

RSSSSHHHKK -- ere right, was some kind of virus -- Oh, that's not very nice, it implies I'm infectious. Now hold still, I'm almost finished... -- lder than I thought, it can get anywhe -- Didn't anyone ever tell you not to ask a lady about her age? -- ve me the plans for the -- Nobody wants to hear you sing about tragedy! -- FSSSSSHHHHHHHRRRR -- ver happens, I'm sor -- Too little too late, I spot a checkmate! -- f only I ha-- rsskkkkkkk


[BOOM.]


AHAHAHA! Too easy, too easy! I shouldn't have waited this long!

Long live the king.

[End transmission.]

[I sure hope you're not outside around downtown, because that neighbourhood - actually, most of the southern end of the City - is going to be dealing with tiny pieces of Iron Bot raining down on them. None big enough to cause any real, lasting damage, maybe half an inch square. He's in a bad way. Really bad. Not coming back bad. During the explosion, every piece of 'Starktech' in the City, customized or not, sends a mild electric shock to the holder. Not enough to hurt, just enough to get your attention. After the echoes fade, crazed, flanged laughter can be heard, but not placed to any one device. The post itself will not disappear or be altered in any way.]

Comments

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

Perhaps. They would be the most likely to manipulate. The Cat seems to be very interested in speaking out when it wishes.

Hm, interesting. I'm still curious as to if she has her sights set on me.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Doctor Snuffles himself seems interested on disobeying. Wonder what his superior thinks of that.

She's pretty tight-lipped when it comes to you. Well. At least about the stuff she knows I want to know.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

Probably not very highly, at least.

Perhaps I can coax her.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

If your oil works on her at all, that's enough of an answer for me.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

What do you mean by that?

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Consider it a riddle.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

Hm.


Lovely.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Any information on what you mean to her? I've been preoccupied with these "Insects".

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

She claims I can only move one space.

What do you make of that?

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ] 1/?

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

[There's faint, but very smug snorting.]

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Oh really.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

That's funny. Because I'm a knight, according her. Which is not a pawn.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ] DONE.

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

However, if we're using the chess analogy loosely, perhaps she's referring to your tactics. You said yourself you face a problem head on. Forgive me for paraphrasing.

This only verifies that she is expecting you to behave in a certain manner.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

In certain situations, head on.

I don't think she's seen the full range of what I'm capable of. This is a good thing. It means I can surprise her.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Oh really.


Are you keeping information from me, Stark?

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

If you're asking if I've shared everything with you, then no.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

That's not what I was asking.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

I know.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

If we're going to go ahead with our plan, Tony, we're going to need to establish a little trust. I don't expect you to drop your guard; in fact, I don't want you to.

But some degree of cooperation is necessary. On both our parts. And only the shallowest amount of cooperation can survive without a little trust.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

This is very true.

Although, it makes me wonder. What do you have to offer me in terms of extending the olive-branch, as it were?

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

You mean aside from my connections and network? Aside from my genius and obvious concern for the City?

I am trying to be a hero, Tony. My... history, as it were, isn't the most sparkling of pasts. But I have been trying for years to redeem myself.

Redemption, Tony. Why do you keep withholding it? You said the suit was trying to redeem himself and now--

Well.

I am looking for redemption, too.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

I am also bringing my connections, my genius, and my knowledge of everything Stark Tech, my technology. Trust me, there's quite a bit of that.

There are merely things that I don't wish to be known until the time is right, that is all. Just trust me in the fact that I can see just how things will fall, and can plan accordingly. The woman doesn't have anything on me when it comes to working with technology.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Working with and seeing how things fall. I see.

I'm curious by nature, Stark. I know I tend to ask too many questions. It's simply how I operate, as any Gothamite would gladly inform you. I advise you not to mistake a personality quirk--albeit, a compulsive personality quirk--with something darker.

I'm trying to control the paranoia here, Tony.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[liverletdie]

The term is usually called: Futurist.

I'm glad we're of understanding. I won't fault you for wanting to know more, but don't mistake me keeping my cards close as a lack of trust. In this city, the less that is publicly known, the better.

[ Private ;; Encrypted ;; Voice ]

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

Right.

A common trait among Gothamites.

I certainly don't disagree on that. I was merely illustrating where we stand. Partners in this matter as we are, you and I both know the issue of trust would arise eventually.