IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

[dun_moch]

"You have reached Count Dooku. I regret that I am unavailable to answer your hail. Kindly leave a message, and I shall respond at the earliest opportunity."

Text | E-mail | Voicemail | Phone call | Hologram | Other

Comments

voice;

[angelfire]

Or perhaps we'll open the borders between alternate worlds, with my help, and we can put an end to all this pussy footing around--we want to change things where we come from, reorder the stars in our favor, correct history. I do, at least. That's what I want out of this, make no mistake.


[ ooc: I was going to put up an open catch all log tonight but got a little overwhelmed. I'll have something up tomorrow, though! ]

voicemail; backdated before the attack

[flowerette]

Count Dooku? Please call me back at your earliest convenience when you are in private. It's urgent.

[ But not urgent enough to not worry about protecting her identity as the Clairvoyant. ]

[dun_moch]

[The Count returns the call within the hour, duly concerned.]

Hello, Raina. Is something the matter?

[flowerette]

I had a vision.

[ She cuts straight to the chase. ]

There's danger coming for you and it's coming soon. Someone has murderous intent. I could feel their determination. They want you dead.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku has no reason to distrust Raina's foresight. Being an imPorts is dangerous, after all, and she has never lied to him yet... that he knows of.]

Their agenda shall fail. I will be on my guard. And after this threat is dealt with, I will let others know that the Clairvoyant helped to guide me to safety.

[Quid pro quo. The Count knows Raina can always use more opportunities to boost the Clairvoyant's profile as an accurate and helpful resource.]

Did you foresee any other details of this threat?

[flowerette]

Not too many. This isn't the first. I saw others by the same hand. You won't be alone when your attack happens. And from what I can tell, the assailant is male and short. I could not see his face with clarity. I'm sorry I cannot be more helpful than that.

voice;

[baetiful]

Count Dooku. My sincerest condolences on the outcome of this election. I found you to be an excellent opponent, and it is beyond my understanding why that dog received as many votes as it did.

[ A beat. ]

But I am not calling for the purpose of speaking about what's past. I wish to talk about the future. And more specifically how I can help you further your agenda. Lucifer supported us both for a reason, and I believe we could be far more powerful as an alliance than we can as one single ambassador.

voice;

[dun_moch]

Thank you, Lord Baelish. I must say, if I am to be defeated, I would much rather have it be by one of your courtesy and experience than by the Ambassador of soft cream.

[If Dooku is, say, inwardly seething with rage and humiliation at his defeat, it doesn't show at all in his eternally cool and polite voice.]

You have my attention, Ambassador. What manner of alliance are you envisioning?

voice;

[baetiful]

I maintain what I've said throughout my campaign. You are far better suited to much larger things than ambassadorship of a single city. What you accomplished in Mexico is proof of that. Your goals encompass the entirety of the imPort population, and I believe in your vision. I chose my platform because I believe power comes through influence, and by giving the natives what they need -- they will in turn come to need us far more. But ultimately, our goals align. We both wish to see the imPorts thrive above all.

I believe I can use my resources to help you achieve your ultimate goals -- leading the imPorts to a position of power far beyond that of this government. And I can begin by offering you the Helix Station. I have no desires to utilize it for myself, but as you had said. You wished to see it back in imPort hands. And I can see no better man to take charge of operations there than you.

Re: voice;

[dun_moch]

You would offer me Helix freely? That would be a mighty gift, m'lord.

[Dooku pauses, contemplating.]

What might you desire from the master of Helix in return for such a favour?

[The Count does not believe for a second that Baelish would toss him a fortress out of simple generosity, or his supposed support for Dooku's goals]

voice;

[baetiful]

Someone needs to keep an eye on RISE. While I have no doubt they have the best of intentions at heart, people clearly have conflicting views on them. They could prove to be problematic in the future.

[ A pause. ]

But more than that, what I seek is a peace offering. I am from a world of betrayals and backstabbing. And while I do not question your character, Count Dooku, [ he absolutely questions his character. ] if this were someone from Westeros in your current position, I would be faced with murder attempts and slander. Considering I already faced one such attempt during that week of imPort oddities, I must say, I will do what I can to keep such a thing from happening once more. It is in my nature to come up with a solution that will be mutually beneficial to all parties so that we can combine our powers and work toward a grander goal.

And perhaps that goal would be seeing you as the first ambassador of the imPort capital Heropa. Or perhaps you are seeking something beyond ambassadorship. Either way, I offer my support. The Helix Station would serve as a token of good will.

voice;

[dun_moch]

I see. Your offer of peace is as appreciated as it is unnecessary. I would never resort to assassination... although I will admit that I will be less inclined to criticize your policies if I am occupied with the management of Helix.

[He said, metaphorically brushing a pile of assassination plots out of sight.]

I have had good relations with RISE thus far... and with some of their strongest critics, as well. I would be happy to do what I can to resolve some of the tensions surrounding them. Perhaps I should speak to them regarding these changes, while you can petition the government to return Helix to imPort hands.

voice;

[baetiful]

I believe it would be best if you speak with them.

[ Little does he know that Sabriel will be contacting him shortly after this to petition for RISE to gain control of the Helix. ]

How stable of an organization do you believe them to be? The criticism of their policies seems to be growing, and it does not appear as though they have too many members or people willing to join.

voice;

[dun_moch]

As long as the government supports them, their funding and resources are assured. They do not rely on our consent to police us. No doubt that helps to fuel the criticism they have experienced.

I believe the question before us is whether RISE should be defended against its critics... or if the attack should be pressed against them. Which do you believe would best serve the imPort community, Ambassador?

[Dooku could personally go either way. The subversive in him wants to champion RISE's opponents and make an example of the government's paramilitary enforcers, but the aspiring tyrant appreciates the benefits of having an sternly-disciplined fighting force on hand.]

voice;

[baetiful]

My opinion on them is fairly neutral at the moment. I intended to watch a bit longer to see whether they will prove themselves during the next crisis or whether further criticism will come to light in regards to them such as this whole ordeal with Yuri Petrov.

But one does have to question their effectiveness when you look at their inability to house Lucifer.

Text - Forward Dated to July 8th if that's cool?

[dirtyredneck]

How dedicated to safety are you?

[Random text from Daryl is random?]

voice;

[dun_moch]

What do you know of their dealings with Lucifer, precisely? I am aware he has had some exciting times recently, but I'm afraid I have not been at liberty to delve deeper into the matter. It does strike me as odd that Lucifer remains at large, however. He certainly makes little secret of what he is, or of what he desires.

[dun_moch]

[Well this is interesting. The Count had expected people like Daryl to lose interest in him after the lost the election. But perhaps something can still be salvaged here.]

It is one of my highest priorities. Why do you ask?

[dirtyredneck]

[He doesn't really want to lay all his cards on the table right out the gate, but he doesn't see a point in lying about why he'd sent the message in the first place, either. But he also had a few other questions before he answered any of Dooku's.]

Do you consider the assigned housing safe? Do you consider the assigned jobs good enough to provide enough money for making a person safe? If there is a place you think is safe, where is it?

voice;

[baetiful]

I do not know the full details. Only that after the most recent kidnapping, Lucifer went on a killing spree -- taking down as many Russian soldiers as possible. He was, then, detained by RISE and held temporarily. But they did not hold him for very long. Whether that was because they were persuaded otherwise or merely that they could not, who knows.

But if they cannot house our most dangerous, then what is their purpose?

[dun_moch]

My answer is 'No' to all three questions. Our assigned housing is provided and controlled by the government. We are close to our fellow imPorts and their powers, which can deter some aggressors. But we are also close to our fellow imPorts and their instability, and our general location is known to any who would wish to target us. As for employment, the problems with our assignments hardly needs to be elaborated upon. Some jobs are well-fitting and rewarding, others are menial or absurd. But that is beside the point.

The point is that as long as we have the government's nanites in our bodies, we are only as safe as they wish us to be. The Soviets proved that when they invaded us. They showed that imPorts can be harmed and sickened through the nanites. There is no place on this planet we can go where that will not be the case. Besides which, the authorities can track us if we leave the country: again, through the nanites.

The little machines also assist with healing and communications, however. They can even return a dead imPort to life. You may judge for yourself whether the benefits of this arrangement outweigh the costs.

Re: voice;

[dun_moch]

I will be sure to put that question to them when the opportunity arises. Although I would suspect an outside influence in the decision to release him. The complaints I have heard of RISE implies they are too hard rather than too lenient. It is our government hosts who insist that imPort criminals receive sentences of probation... and who approve of violence against the Soviets. It will be interesting to see if they had a hand in Lucifer's release.

[dirtyredneck]

[[The so called benefits were bullshit. As were the costs of them.]]

Needing money for anything is bullshit. But right now we do. You be willing to throw in on some land ain't no one need know some of us got? Something that could be be closer to that safety you keep saying you're all for?

[dun_moch]

[More and more interesting. It sounds like Daryl is prepared to evade or at least bend the law to keep this land hidden from the authorities. A fine quality for an imPort to have, in Dooku's opinion.]

Perhaps I would be willing. Whether I would be able is another matter. How much funding might you require for this land- and in what location?

[The Count is almost certainly not in a financial position to sustain a big project, but that doesn't mean he can't fish for more information.]

[dirtyredneck]

Cost of the properties we're looking at is between a million two and a million eight. Before fixing them up. Ain't looking for the whole cost, but ain't no way any of us got that kind of money on us, neither.

[yeah, he's not giving the location.]