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| When Stella met Marcus Part II | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 26 2017, 05:21 PM (23 Views) | |
| V.V. | Feb 26 2017, 05:21 PM Post #1 |
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Stella and Marcus meet up at Clark Allen's memorial to discuss the next phase of Stella's plans for world domination! --- or rather just control of the Democratic Movement. Stella is no longer content taking orders from those she considers beneath her within the Movement. (14:53:09 ) . Secure . the . Future . . Stella | Haden . Candidate for Mayor Room Admin | MC-1 | IC - -Is at an unknown location somewhere within Mega-City One.- says to ALL: -The death of Clark Allen, a Hexia Corp employee, had been a sensational and ugly thing and yet it scored some of the highest ratings in Mox News history. After taking the fall for unwittingly inciting a riot at a Displaced Persons Camp in a bid to bolster Stella’s campaign, the young man, suffering incredible remorse as a result of his rogue actions, blew his brains out on live air while being interviewed by popular news personality Melissa Shelly. It had shocked and horrified some, but to others, a great many in fact, it made for great news. Indeed, many citizens now tuned daily in hoping to see a similar event play out on live air but Stella had increasingly distanced herself from the sensationalism in order to devote herself to the heart of the matter. The cost of human life in Mega-City left devastated by war…- -The funeral for young Mr. Allen had been a quick and quiet affair meant to keep all public attention focused elsewhere which was not a difficult thing to do. His suicide on live vid was only news for 48 hours before another news cycle eclipsed his short lived fame, and while she felt little remorse for his passing as it had served to protect her Stella still attended the service taking care not to be recognized or observed coming or going. When the service concluded and the family and small smattering of work colleagues attending left Stella was left standing alone in a small square where Clark Allen’s name was engraved. His body had been incinerated in keeping with sanctioned practices of disposal meant to prevent the spread of disease, and also avoid his corpse being used for unsanctioned experimentation or organ harvesting. Along the wall other names of similarly unremarkable people were engraved some lost to disease and war, others yet to the long powerful reach of the Law. Clasping her hands in front of her as she browsed the names on the memorial wall Stella waited, patient but expectantly for the arrival of someone far more remarkable and useful than those whose lives had been lost, wasted or simply sacrificed for some greater cause as had been the case for Mr. Allen.- (15:08:09 ) . . . Hand of Liberty . . . · Marcus Lamont · . New Democratic Party . MC1|IC -Is at an unknown location somewhere within Mega-City One.- says to . Secure . the . Future : ...I hadn't attended the service for Clark Allen however I knew the location it was being held. Not many people in Mega City One didn't know the name Clark Allen after he blew his brains out on a live broadcast of Mox News. It was the type of sensational tragedy that cleared the slate for Hexia Corp in the eyes of many and not just the everyday joe on the streets but the personas pulling strings behind the veil of shadows too. No one was talking about how a riot that was incited at the Displaced Persons Camp anymore, the buzz had died down to a whisper after Clark Allen had taken his own life and the heat for Hexia and Stella herself. It seemed like the air was clearing quite nicely now that the shells had stopped falling so to speak... ...once the service had concluded I'd stepped out of my car parked a respectable distance away from the square where Stella found herself. The Car was a luxury automobile with more than a few perks but it still paled in comparison to anything that used hover technology and didn't have armor like the transportation of the rich and powerful. It had tinted windows though which breached some minor infraction laws without special permits. I dressed in a black suit and slacks, polished black shows and the sunglasses I wore were tinted black. A heavy watch encircled the wrist of my right arm. Somewhere in the background Stella would likely be able to hear the footsteps I made as I approached. Once I'd come closer I settled in beside Stella where I glanced over the names engraved on the wall quietly like I was just another stranger... ..."Ms. Haden."... ...I used her name in the professional sense, completely formal while in public though my eyes never turned away from the wall during this time..."Seems like your people cleaned up a potentially volatile situation."...I had serious doubts that Clark Allen just took his life without some coercement but the hows and whys didn't interest me after all last time I spoke to Stella she had sent me to complete a job of my own..."Congratulations."... (15:24:24 ) . Secure . the . Future . . Stella | Haden . Candidate for Mayor Room Admin | MC-1 | IC - -Is at an unknown location somewhere within Mega-City One.- says to . . . Hand of Liberty . : -Indeed, Stella heard your approach and perhaps felt the shift in the atmosphere as you arrived but she remained as she was, her back turned in silent respect for the dead commemorated here. Other such squares dotted the landscape of Mega-City One in place of graveyards and cemeteries of the past as grim and quiet reminders of the cost of life here. Some of these squares were against the law however especially those memorializing criminals and it remained to be seen if this square and the name of Clark Allen would be allowed to continue to exist. When you addressed her however by name Stella turned at last to regard you and the statement made about the clean up. It was a rather tidy and neat conclusion she had to admit but that was not why she was here. She hadn’t come to hear your commentary regarding her campaign’s efforts, you had a job, a very delicate one in fact and Stella desired an update. It would have been easier to simply receive an update via data link but she was cautious about any electronic communication being potentially tapped by the Hall of Justice. In fact, great care was now being employed to ensure her privacy as a body double and other tactics of disguise and distraction were being employed to confound any potential surveillance on her.- “Mr. Lamont. We meet again.”-A cool air of easy confidence lighting her voice as Stella was one very stoic and calm character though a hint of an amused smile always seemed present on her lips, as if she knew a secret…many in fact…that others had yet to uncover.- “I would celebrate your congratulations with a toast but alas I did not bring anything to drink with me. I do however hope you took care of the matter we spoke of previously?” -The matter being the little piss ant Democratic rallying voices of dissent against Hexia Corp. Something she had specifically forbade her contacts in the Democratic Movement from doing but alas revolutionaries cannot be trusted to keep to their agreements. Too much hot headedness and emotion prevailed it seemed to Stella. Turning back to the memorial wall she’d wait to hear if you tidied up that one matter either in the form of a report or some proof of the job being done. Sometimes it was a piece of identification or an object of some significance, other times a location where a body was left in plain sight to be found by the Law.- (15:39:21 ) . . . Hand of Liberty . . . · Marcus Lamont · . New Democratic Party . MC1|IC -Is at an unknown location somewhere within Mega-City One.- says to . Secure . the . Future : ...so soon we come to my reason for being here but I could appreciate the forward manner Stella presented. Nodding my head once I laughed a bit like she had said something funny before remarking..."That's right, I spoke to the Chef and relayed your displeasure to him. I don't think he'll be botching your breakfast again."...I spoke in code primarily because as a member of the New Democratic Movement with ties to several different factions within the group I may have even been more paranoid than Stella herself. Regardless the job was done and I would have said..."I have your proof of purchase here too.."...then I reached into the suit I was wearing slowly, elbow cocked out to the side as my hand disappeared into an inside pocket to retrieve an item... ...the datapad I removed was secure and encrypted not to mention it had its ethernet and local connection removed so it was essentially a stand alone device. On the datpad were two files depicting the picture of the young man that had appeared at Stella's rally after he had been loaded into a Meat Wagon dead of an apparent overdose and the other of a name that had been blacked out but had been singled out as taking bribes from a corporation known as Globtrax. I handed the datapad over to Stella... ..."The hard copy of your order. There are no duplicates. My friends back home were disappointed to learn that the Chef's mentor may have been taking corporate funding to back another candidate and the man has since gone dark. You have the complete backing of everyone mainstream again but fringe elements may be hard to control in the future."...basically the New Democrats were with Stella again but the Handler of the man I'd dispatched had friends that could still potentially act against Hexia and Stella in the future if she wasn't careful.... (16:04:30 ) . Secure . the . Future . . Stella | Haden . Candidate for Mayor Room Admin | MC-1 | IC - -Is at an unknown location somewhere within Mega-City One.- says to . . . Hand of Liberty . : -When you spoke Stella turned and paid attention as was only natural given the type of man you were who carried himself with an authority that contained an undercurrent of danger to it. She appreciated this about you as Stella herself was a predator of a similar sort navigating the troubled, turbulent waters of politics while attempting to live her brand of freedom. A woman like Stella does not do well within the constricting confines of Law as interpreted by the Hall of Justice after all and it was this commonality which brought you and her together in purpose. For the time being at least. There was no avoiding the fact that there was the potential of one day being on opposing sides which was a consequence Stella was comfortable with as risks were all part of the game of power. Alliances shifted and yours were often tied to monetary gain making you more of a mercenary than a Democrat. A capitalist to the core.- -Accepting the data pad containing the proof she required Stella was pleased and impressed with the lengths you had gone to. It wasn’t just a bullet to the brain but an actual story giving context to the young idealist’s downfall as justified and simply inevitable. He and others like him were made sloppy in their quest for freedom believing polluting their veins with whatever they wanted was the equivalent of freedom of speech and movement. This was good and it was evident by Stella’s expression as she viewed the contents of the data pad that she was relieved and aware of the complexities which lie ahead. It wasn’t enough now to simply be aligned with the Movement, it had to align to Stella and transform to her ideals if it was to continue or even succeed.- “The fringe, yes, they are a troublesome bunch but I have a way of handling them and it seems you may be the answer by what I have seen here today, Marcus.” -Offering the pad back to you Stella would turn from the memorial wall to begin making her way toward a nearby high rise where the armoured limo was parked in the levels below it. Although the building itself was not as well guarded as a Mega-Block it served as cover and it was there she led you in the bid for more privacy. The vehicle being equipped with mechanisms meant to foil any interference and listening devices she’d eventually invite you within it after descending into the lower levels of the relatively empty and abandoned parkcade. Upon settling into the leather interior where her campaign manager sat bent over various devices monitoring polling data Stella would state with more openness than could be allowed out in the square.- “I think it is time for the Sov’s to up their efforts in Mega-City. My campaign after all hinges on eradicating the Sov threat within our walls and it is not unlikely that the fringe you speak of could be colluding with the enemy to bring down the Hall of Justice.” -She was in effect suggesting you begin aiding the Sovs or even orchestrating events made to look like their brand of terrorism done in retaliation for the destruction of East-Meg One. In the aftermath of the Apocalypse War they made for a terrific scapegoat in an election year but now perhaps there was a way to further reshape the Democratic movement by discrediting any further voices of dissent by joining them to the Sov threat. What Stella was proposing was usurping control of the Movement as it seemed the office of Mayor was not enough for her.- (16:21:14 ) . . . Hand of Liberty . . . · Marcus Lamont · . New Democratic Party . MC1|IC -Is at an unknown location somewhere within Mega-City One.- says to . Secure . the . Future : ...the datapad found its way back into my waiting hand and taking it I pressed my thumb to an indentation until a confirmation was flashed across the screen and the files the pad contained were promptly deleted. Stella had seen the evidence now there was no further need for it so I erased it completely. Later on this particular datapad would be smashed to pieces eliminating the threat that anything it contained could ever be retrieved. Now that we were done in the square I turned to follow Stella down to the parkade where her armored Limo was waiting... ..."Don't underestimate the fringe elements."...I warned her...."There are a lot of powerful names counted among them. Names you wouldn't ever suspect."... ...right now Stella and I were allies but it was clear that I had dealings with the Fringe elements of the Democratic Party in the past as well, dealings enough that I knew their names and their faces to some extent however professional acumen prevented me from revealing them outright to Stella. As we moved below the skyrise and into the parkade below I would slide into the Limo behind Stella and take a seat across from her where I listened to her tell me about the Sov threat and how her platform hinged on it and while this was no surprise my eyebrows did raise behind the tinted glasses I wore a bit... ...."I'll do what I can."...the undertone being that as long as the money was good I would work with Stella..."There are some names we can tie to Sov activities if its spun the right way. You'll risk turning the Mainstream against you if they catch on though Stella. If you do this they may come for blood."... ...it was only fair I warned her that the Fringe and Mainstream camps of the New Democrats could align if it appeared that Stella was attempting to make herself the name and face of the movement behind closed doors. There were other power players after all and while some were radicals others played the long game in the shadows and had been doing this for a long time now. Either way I gestured to her, rolling the wrist of my right hand once as I said..."I know where to start. This will be double the usual rate again though."...then I relaxed back into the comfort of the seat I'd taken a place on and waited to hear if Stella would pay me what I wanted again... [paused for rt here] |
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| Chev. | Feb 26 2017, 05:28 PM Post #2 |
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I was here! |
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2:12 PM Jul 11
