[He chose a seat with at least an arm's distance between them as a caution, but still close enough to talk easily; he's not yet daring to take any chances with his voice, even though it's been much more steady the last few weeks.
It's no surprise that her question is so direct, but he gives a small shrug in response before taking a sip of his drink.]
It's been awhile since we spoke.
[Just a statement of fact, because he's pretty much ignoring the event, though it's probably clear enough that he didn't seek her out purposefully or anything. But he'll take the opportunity provided for now, and continues.]
I presume you saw Fear's post, and the latest one from the Null?
[Maketh sips her drink deliberately, watching him through narrowed eyes. The coffee is hot still. If it comes to that, she could throw it in his face as a distraction. Let the burn of alcohol and steaming water put him off balance while she goes for his throat. Easy, it would be so easy--
No. Control yourself, soldier. Sit up straight. Reveal nothing.
She lowers her mug slowly.]
Of course I have.
[She's not a fool.]
I am off-duty, Doctor Sweets, and you are interrupting my drink. There had best be a reason for that.
[He watches her in return, carefully, although he really isn't expecting her to start a physical fight; he'd definitely be caught offguard by that. But fortunately she seems to decide not to, even if he's unaware of it, and he takes another sip of his own drink again.]
I was just interested in your opinion on the subject. It's a divisive one.
[And considering how she seems not to like people disagreeing with whatever course of action she likes best, he can't imagine her not having a strong opinion on the matter and he'd like to know what it is.]
[He wants to say that she's right and he really doesn't care for her opinions, because it's true on a personal level, but he's definitely interested in her opinion for his own knowledge. Besides, he's trying a different tactic in dealing with her.]
What do you think about the options being given? If you had to make a decision immediately, would you find the Null or the gods to be the better bet to side with?
[Of course he's been paying attention to that. Maketh huffs.]
Given the option, I'd play them against each other and destroy whoever wins. But slavers hardly give their victims choices, no matter how much they pretend. The gods cannot be trusted. But the Null are unknown.
That's a good option, but it's a difficult one to manage.
[And he doesn't really think Maketh has the subtlety to do it, but he won't say that.
The rest of what she says is interesting more for how she says it and what words she uses than because of the actual content, and he makes a few mental notes. But the conversation is going civilly for now, so he'll try to keep it that way by keeping the subject on the conflict.]
What more information are you looking for? The Null made their stance on things pretty clear, between both of their announcements.
Their technological capabilities, for one. The gods fear them, obviously. But that means next to nothing. Do they have the ability to seize the Door, let alone control it? They promised weapons. What kind?
The Null have no reason to give us aid unless we further their ends. And the gods will fight to keep hold of their power source. Were it up to me, I would see them both suffer. But there are other concerns and so myself and the other Guardsmen wait. When we act, it will be with all the available intelligence.
How much of that information do you think you'll actually be able to acquire before it comes to making a decision?
[Because he doesn't think much of that is going to become available for certain, at least not before they're forced to choose a side. Especially considering--]
The gods seems to be becoming agitated, if Fear's post is anything to go by.
Unclear. Some tactics advise a test strike in order to gauge your opponent's defenses before launching the true attack. Assuming we would survive such an attack, it would provide a great deal of intelligence. But other strategists believe it is best to hold back and attack only once, lest your enemy gain valuable intelligence against you. There is no indication of which tactic the Null will employ.
[She doesn't like being forced onto the defensive like this. It's inevitable that they're going to lose ground when the attack does come.]
Of course they are. Something capable of hurting them is closing in.
[She laughs quietly, sipping her drink.]
Slavers don't like being reminded they can bleed too, Doctor Sweets.
[He listens, taking another sip of his drink, again for more interested in how she says things than what she says. The tactical stuff he mostly ignores because either way would mean they're choosing not to act until the Null do, which is eliminating many other possible options; Lance doesn't have any desire to just wait and see if they're all killed in an initial attack before doing something. Despite his generally docile personality, he's an aggressive chess player.
But he doesn't want to call her out on that subject, not wanting to hear a lecture about how he doesn't know what he's doing at best and potentially threatening anger at worst, and besides her last comments are for more interesting.]
That's usually when they start taking out their fears on those weaker than them.
[He says it as evenly and neutrally as possible, although he can't avoid some pointedness in his tone; this isn't something to seem so pleased about. This is when things get the most dangerous for the people caught in the middle.]
[Lance doesn't respond immediately, considering how he wants to answer. There are a few things he could say, and a few ways to lead the topic where he wants it to go, he just has to decide which is going to get him what he wants without everything going off the rails.]
I'm trying to get a sense of where all the chips are falling.
[He takes another sip of his drink, but watches her over the rim of it.]
Considering you're the leader--or a leader--of the Guard, that makes your chip an important one to factor in.
[A straightforward answer, at least. Maketh can respect that. She pushes her mug away, watching him.]
We are on the defensive. Fortifying what we have. The Guardsmen are motivated and strong, but our numbers are low. I will not order my men into an unknown situation unless it gains us something worth keeping, Doctor Sweets.
[The Guardsmen are her responsibility. She won't fail them like she failed her men on Lothal.]
They're all waiting for your direction on this matter?
[He finds that hard to believe, even if his tone continues to be neutral. It's especially difficult for him to believe after seeing several of them have conversations with the Null and Fear that are making their stances very clear.]
You are capable of speaking to them directly, [Maketh points out blandly.] I share command with Henry and we value the opinions of all our Guardsmen. If you have a suggestion, make it to one of them.
[There are at least a few he feels comfortable contacting at this point, although he raises an eyebrow at her last comment.]
I'm not interested in telling them what to do. I just find it surprising that you're expecting everyone in the Guard to act a unit, unless I'm understanding wrong.
[He adds the caveat not because he thinks he has the wrong impression, but because it's a counterbalance to the rest of his incredulity and therefore probably annoying.]
That is a horribly foolish thing to say, Doctor Sweets.
[Maketh frowns at him.]
Of course I do. The Guardsmen understand the need for a chain of command. They have proven themselves in the field multiple times and your failure to comprehend the fact does not negate it. You may disagree with me all you wish, Doctor Sweets, but you will not disrespect my men.
[He raises both eyebrows in return at that, considering it; it seems he might've struck a nerve, and the urge to be petty and run with it is so tempting, but he's not going to. It gains him nothing, and the point of this conversation isn't to antagonize Maketh.
At least not as a main goal, anyway.
And something she says gives him an opening to bring up another topic he's interested in hearing her view on, so he can move onto that smoothly enough after briefly addressing her response.]
I don't see how it's disrespectful to believe that those in the Guard might have their own opinions.
[In fact he's pretty sure that's the opposite, but moving on--]
As far as proving themselves in the field, I had actually heard about an incident that took place some time ago; I was wondering about your view on it.
And their opinions are given weight before a decision is made, [Maketh snaps. She doesn't know why this is difficult for him.] When the time comes, the Guard will act as a unit. Regardless of whether or not I, or anyone else, approves of the choice, it will be done. Do not insult my men again, Doctor Sweets.
[It's been made apparent he'll never respect her. Fine, that's fine, she can work around that. Regardless, Maketh won't abide him disrespecting the people under her command.]
I see. And the reason you haven't simply read the public report on the incident is....?
{He stares back at her, eyes narrowing just slightly as he tries to gauge how much of her response is posturing and how much is actual threat, but decides to move onto the other subject and avoid pressing the first one any further.]
Have you made the reports available somewhere besides on paper at the Guardpost?
[He's pretty sure he's made it clear why he doesn't read the reports, if not. Besides--]
It's also difficult to ask a piece of paper questions.
[He decides not to mention that if she doesn't trust the network then she should really make more of her conversations on it private, instead trying to keep his focus on the subject at hand.]
The Guard, as I understand, is a peacekeeping operation and not some sort of law enforcement, correct? Especially as there are no laws here to keep.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mismanagement) wrote2016-01-25 02:02 pm
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It's no surprise that her question is so direct, but he gives a small shrug in response before taking a sip of his drink.]
It's been awhile since we spoke.
[Just a statement of fact, because he's pretty much ignoring the event, though it's probably clear enough that he didn't seek her out purposefully or anything. But he'll take the opportunity provided for now, and continues.]
I presume you saw Fear's post, and the latest one from the Null?
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No. Control yourself, soldier. Sit up straight. Reveal nothing.
She lowers her mug slowly.]
Of course I have.
[She's not a fool.]
I am off-duty, Doctor Sweets, and you are interrupting my drink. There had best be a reason for that.
[A very good reason.]
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I was just interested in your opinion on the subject. It's a divisive one.
[And considering how she seems not to like people disagreeing with whatever course of action she likes best, he can't imagine her not having a strong opinion on the matter and he'd like to know what it is.]
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[Yet he's approached her willingly. It must be important, then. And considering his previous question--
Hmm. Maketh tips her head to the side.]
Ask your question, then.
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What do you think about the options being given? If you had to make a decision immediately, would you find the Null or the gods to be the better bet to side with?
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Given the option, I'd play them against each other and destroy whoever wins. But slavers hardly give their victims choices, no matter how much they pretend. The gods cannot be trusted. But the Null are unknown.
[She tips her head to the side.]
More information is required.
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[And he doesn't really think Maketh has the subtlety to do it, but he won't say that.
The rest of what she says is interesting more for how she says it and what words she uses than because of the actual content, and he makes a few mental notes. But the conversation is going civilly for now, so he'll try to keep it that way by keeping the subject on the conflict.]
What more information are you looking for? The Null made their stance on things pretty clear, between both of their announcements.
[He isn't asking sharply, just interested.]
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[She bares her teeth, remembering her last conversation with Hope.]
The Null have no reason to give us aid unless we further their ends. And the gods will fight to keep hold of their power source. Were it up to me, I would see them both suffer. But there are other concerns and so myself and the other Guardsmen wait. When we act, it will be with all the available intelligence.
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[Because he doesn't think much of that is going to become available for certain, at least not before they're forced to choose a side. Especially considering--]
The gods seems to be becoming agitated, if Fear's post is anything to go by.
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[She doesn't like being forced onto the defensive like this. It's inevitable that they're going to lose ground when the attack does come.]
Of course they are. Something capable of hurting them is closing in.
[She laughs quietly, sipping her drink.]
Slavers don't like being reminded they can bleed too, Doctor Sweets.
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But he doesn't want to call her out on that subject, not wanting to hear a lecture about how he doesn't know what he's doing at best and potentially threatening anger at worst, and besides her last comments are for more interesting.]
That's usually when they start taking out their fears on those weaker than them.
[He says it as evenly and neutrally as possible, although he can't avoid some pointedness in his tone; this isn't something to seem so pleased about. This is when things get the most dangerous for the people caught in the middle.]
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[And of course he's listening closely, probably searching for a weakness to exploit. Maketh finishes her mug, eyes narrowed tight.]
I'm not in the mood to play games with you, Doctor Sweets. What do you want?
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I'm trying to get a sense of where all the chips are falling.
[He takes another sip of his drink, but watches her over the rim of it.]
Considering you're the leader--or a leader--of the Guard, that makes your chip an important one to factor in.
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We are on the defensive. Fortifying what we have. The Guardsmen are motivated and strong, but our numbers are low. I will not order my men into an unknown situation unless it gains us something worth keeping, Doctor Sweets.
[The Guardsmen are her responsibility. She won't fail them like she failed her men on Lothal.]
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[He finds that hard to believe, even if his tone continues to be neutral. It's especially difficult for him to believe after seeing several of them have conversations with the Null and Fear that are making their stances very clear.]
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[There are at least a few he feels comfortable contacting at this point, although he raises an eyebrow at her last comment.]
I'm not interested in telling them what to do. I just find it surprising that you're expecting everyone in the Guard to act a unit, unless I'm understanding wrong.
[He adds the caveat not because he thinks he has the wrong impression, but because it's a counterbalance to the rest of his incredulity and therefore probably annoying.]
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[Maketh frowns at him.]
Of course I do. The Guardsmen understand the need for a chain of command. They have proven themselves in the field multiple times and your failure to comprehend the fact does not negate it. You may disagree with me all you wish, Doctor Sweets, but you will not disrespect my men.
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At least not as a main goal, anyway.
And something she says gives him an opening to bring up another topic he's interested in hearing her view on, so he can move onto that smoothly enough after briefly addressing her response.]
I don't see how it's disrespectful to believe that those in the Guard might have their own opinions.
[In fact he's pretty sure that's the opposite, but moving on--]
As far as proving themselves in the field, I had actually heard about an incident that took place some time ago; I was wondering about your view on it.
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[It's been made apparent he'll never respect her. Fine, that's fine, she can work around that. Regardless, Maketh won't abide him disrespecting the people under her command.]
I see. And the reason you haven't simply read the public report on the incident is....?
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Have you made the reports available somewhere besides on paper at the Guardpost?
[He's pretty sure he's made it clear why he doesn't read the reports, if not. Besides--]
It's also difficult to ask a piece of paper questions.
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[She stares back at him, unwilling to back down.]
And what questions do you have?
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The Guard, as I understand, is a peacekeeping operation and not some sort of law enforcement, correct? Especially as there are no laws here to keep.
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[She says it bluntly.]
So long as the people here don't kill each other, the Guard doesn't interfere.
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[Because that's very relevant to the matter at hand.]
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cw for vague allusions to child abuse, fighting, etc etc just in case
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