meadowlarklogs | (no subject)

We can talk about it more when I drop it off. [It did come down to branding, though not for a revolution—That was Morningstar's job. Still, there wasn't a good secretive way to talk about marketing for their group when they didn't even really have concrete goals or methods yet.

Their beer's gone neglected, so they make a point to take a drink before moving on.]

For this other stuff—How good are you with engines?

[ unsatisfying to be left hanging, but he'll accept it for the moment.

it helps that sniper's question startles a laugh out of him. ]

I deconstructed and rebuilt a car engine when I was 13. [ his mouth curves. ] And one of my PhD's is in engineering. [ dry, ] The other's in fussing, by the by.

[ Or maybe something something physics. Fitz lifts his beer, a sort of faux cheers. ]

Go on, then.

[Sniper smiles, not just because this suits their purposes. 'Voker' was one one of the highest compliments you could give someone in their world. Short for vocateur, it meant someone passionately devoted to their work. Sniper considered themself a voker, in their own field, and it sounded like Fitz was one as well.]

You'll like this, then. I'm not an engineer, [This said with note of warning. What knowledge they have is through exposure.] but my bash' has been working in transit systems forever. [Their bash' had in fact invented their world's current transit system two centuries ago, but that was a lot to get into. 'Bash' will go untranslated by the implant. Fitz can figure it out or ask; Sniper's doesn't feel like equivocating on one of the most important concepts of their world—a bash' was not the same thing as a 'family', especially not that sad isolated units they had in this world.

At this point Fitz will receive a file with some very basic specs—a couple of designs, materials. They're not about to drop the whole proprietary engine design on Fitz. It's clear that these designs are components of a highly sophisticated engine. The vehicle the Saneer-Weeksbooth bash' had designed, the mukta, was a flying car that could get anywhere in the world in three hours on clean-burning energy. It had revolutionized the world.

Right now, Sniper needed it to make some fast cash.

They give Fitz a minute to take a look, and then continue:]

I want to patent these, and then find a buyer. I'll need you to knock these down to working about 50% as good. Maybe low as 25%; I'll leave that up to your judgement when you figure out how to get it compatible with what's out there now.

Edited 2019-02-28 22:28 (UTC)

[ He does like the idea of playing with top tier designs, even if downgrading them hurts his pride as an engineer. Understandable, however, to keep the technologies of their world under wraps, beyond the reach of this capitalist hellscape. ]

I'm interested. [ his eyes flicker, shifting as he opens the plans and extracts 3-D models for immediate perusal on the implant interface. even without knowing the lingo, he gets the gist of the idea. a "bash" must be a familiar group (a team, maybe, which means family after his time at SHIELD). ]

But if I help, [ slowly. ] I'm working with you, not for you, [ it's mild, but there's a firmness to his steady gaze and even tone. fitz doesn't have an established relationship with sniper, and while their network encounters have been pleasant, he knows how easily his brain can be used for unjust ends (how it has been, time and again, by friends, mentors — even a lover). ] so I'll ask again: Why?

[This, Sniper can be perfectly transparent about.]

Just plain money. We're doing okay scrapping by right now, but we're going to need a lot of it at some point, and I want it on hand when we do.

[The things they might need money for are too numerous to list, so Sniper doesn't bother. But there was another reason—for Sniper, one thing that was clear about their kidnappers is they had a lot of money. Money to hold a few dozen adults in a secure facility, drugged, for several months, nevermind the dimension-hopping stuff.]

Edited 2019-03-06 21:33 (UTC)

We. [ another lift of his brows. ] Are you ringfencing these funds?

[ for displaced business only, is that it? the revolution needs funding, certainly, and he's happy to help earn it, but he wants the terms and checks clear from the start. ]

[They quirk a brow, too, but it's amused.]

I'm not going to be sharing out the account numbers. I can think of a few people off the top of my head I wouldn't trust to spend responsibly. And no offense, but I don't have confidence in anyone here but me to know how to manage that much money.

[Any money they got out of this would be perfectly legal, and since this was a long game it was going to have to look like it got spent legally, too. What Fitz had in front of him now was just step one, seed money for the bigger projects.]

None taken.

[ their lot's rather irresponsible on the whole, but he won't aid a venture without a second pair of eyes on the side, preferably his own. ]

But if you want my help, then I'll be having those numbers. [ tipping his head up. ] Just don't have the confidence in anyone here but me, as you say.

As long as you promise not to share them around without my authorization, sure.

[They appreciate due diligence. ]

[ And Fitz can respect a tough bargain. This partnership could work. ]

Then we have a deal. [ downing a sizable amount of his pint. ] I'll get you some schematics to consider within the fortnight. [ a beat. ] Everything stays in your name — can't have mine associated with competitive work.

[ as a Loyal Pulsar Employee™ ]

Great. [Everything was definitely going to be in their name anyway, for that reason among others, but they're glad it's not a detail they have to go over.] I work days right now. [Evenings, when the heat wasn't making New Amsterdam operate on reverse hours. Whatever was currently opposite of the corporate crowd, since that's who their industry catered to.] But I could swing by before or after my shift with the rest of what I need.

[ he finishes off his drink, satisfied with knowing the numbers and having access to the finances, for that particular venture.

as for the rest — ]

I'll see you then. [ standing, he offers a two-fingered wave, not quite a salute. ] Door'll open for your ID, if you can make it before your shift.

Edited 2019-03-13 21:31 (UTC)

[Sniper flicks a wave in return, lingering after Fitz leaves to finish their drink.

And that next evening, Sniper does swing by before their shift. They'll text Fitz to let him know they're on their way, entering with a cheery:]

Hello!

[ Between their three STEM incomes, the flat's located in a nice area, mid-rise. As the neurally-activated doorway swings ope, he shouts come in!

No need to move, after all. Fitz sits at the island that separates team SHIELD's open kitchen and sitting room, tinkering with another project. Hard to say what it is, in its infancy. Aside from the assorted tools, the flat is mundane. Definitely lived in, with enough personal touches to feel like a home. ]

[ casually, ] I appreciate the personal call.

[ that Sniper's willing to do the legwork and explain himself. ]

[Sniper looks around with the polite interest of anyone entering someone else's home for the first time. Noting the quality and the size, indicating Fitz had roommates. It seems most of the displaced did. Sniper had pulled the short straw on that, but given their work hours and the number of weapons they were accumulating in their "cozy micro studio", that was probably for the best.

They're in workout clothes, sweaty, carrying a bag that doesn't seem to have much more than the mask in it when they open it up to place it on the worktable.]

Sure. There was another thing I wanted to talk to you about anyway, I just couldn't figure out a good euphemism for "bullets."

[ He glances up, gaze skimming over Sniper and the bag. ]

We tend to go with cryptonyms.

[ designated codenames over euphemisms. difficult to memorise short-term, but invaluable in the long run. ]

Shoot.

[ get it? with the bullets and all... just pitch the idea... ]

[Ha, ha. The corner of Sniper's mouth quirks at the ""joke"".]

You don't have one for the blue stuff in our chests, do you? I was telling Loki, we really need a snappier name for it.

[But that's not important right now. Sniper draws one more item out of the bag: a rifle round, which they set next to the mask. If Fitz pays a lot of attention to bullets he'll note it's not the same as what the UNA uses in their guns. Sniper's own rifle had appeared out of their chest, loaded with this single round.]

I'm out of them, and I can't get these on the market. Do you think anyone on your team could make more?

[So bullet smelting was a bit more low-tech than Fitz's other projects, but Sniper was really hoping someone on the ~~nerd squad~~ R&D department had a power cheat.]

Scientifically speaking, it's quantum energy. [ incoherent gesturing. ] The Hotta theory, if you will, though Bennett had the idea first. [ lifting his hands, as if to say amiright. wow so snappy... such common knowledge... everyone knows the quantum energy teleportation theory!! with a sigh, ] Daisy calls it the glowcube.

[ so they'll workshop something better. ]

I nicked heavy artillery of theirs during the raids. [ offhand, with one corner of his mouth hooking upward. ] Armour-piercing. [ and he's already working on replicating them, so more rifle rounds is absolutely in his wheelhouse. He runs a hand over the round. ] Meaning yes, we can.

[ he doesn't have a team yet, exactly, but he will soon. got his eyes on key recruits already, after all. He motions for Sniper to help themselves to anything in the kitchen and take a seat. ]

So, tell me about the masks. [ openly curious, that. ]

[ In his mind, the displaced need a something as bold and brilliant as their powers (distracting), anonymity to act, but the look and feel of a greater cause. ]

[Sniper uses a lifetime of acting to look thoughtful and attentive at this information, rather than counting down the seconds until he's done. Having to listen to a sibling babble theory as a preferred method of communication had worn Sniper's indifference to the subject of science near to antipathy. Recent events had proved science a thin crutch for navigating reality, anyway.

The good news is worth the patience. They still appreciate the practical applications, which is why they're intent on getting a lot of money to throw at this fledgling R&D division.]

Excellent. I need some for the UNA rifle, too. [The specs of which they will recite aloud for Fitz, down to the metallic composition.

With that taken care of, they do help themselves to whatever's convenient to drink before settling in to satisfy Fitz's curiosity.]

It's only a matter of time before we need to act publicly again. My money's on another monster. [Though the UNA would be looking at them, now. Waiting for them to show themselves.] And I think that when we do, we need to distinguish ourselves from Morningstar. People are recognizing us as our own phenomenon, and that's to both of our benefits.

[ As Sniper talks, Fitz takes rapid notes on his implant. Consider him impressed, both by the idea and the ointent behind it. ]

Mine, too. [ Fitz has his theories about the quakes and power outages that predated their arrival by almost a year. That's a pattern of escalation. ] And I agree. Recognition without exposing the whole of us is essential. [ There are noncombatants and individuals trying to live semi-normal lives among them. And for a spy, preserving one's identity is important for protecting your loved ones, as much as for doing your duty. Moving swiftly onward — ] That's freedom to choose. [ to act for a cause, not as an individual. ] And the mobility for us to act without compromising our intelligence gathering operations.

[ He leans forward on his elbows, brows arched. Fitz would prefer the vigilantes put on domino masks, so to speak, but he knows that's not his call to make. All he can do is ensure others have options. ]

I've a mind to see if Gaby would be willing to assist. With NA Morningstar cut off from the other branches, we may have more freedom to play with their cache of tech and weaponry.

[ and he's an agent of Morningstar, besides. Even if trust there is slow to bloom, he's well-positioned to make the ask. ]

That weapons cache is at least half ours, too.

[Favors were never free, not even the fun ones. Sniper idly swipes at the condensation on their glass, and presses a cold hand to the back of their neck.]

It's only a matter of time before the UNA realizes that blue glowing people are only in New Amsterdam—if that's the case. If we're vulnerable disorganized when they decide to crack down, so is Morningstar. And I know Gaby doesn't want to cut and run.

Or perhaps we're finally even, [ paying for their initial rescue and safeguarding. ] but Morningstar doesn't traffic in debts.

[ they asked for volunteers, not recruits. he won't treat gaby like she owes them anything. if he asks, it's an open question. ]

No, Gaby wouldn't. [ but she's cut off, so they have to rebuild. he doesn't mention he and carter's plan to sniper, as it's still in its infancy, when they speak. ] But the UNA passed us over during the attacks this time. I've been turning that over every night.

[ They're not ready to crack down on them, not yet. Why? ]

We didn't go through all that trouble for Gaby to sit on it.

[Morningstar was a credit to itself, if Gaby was anything to go by, but having to work around their scrupulous precautions was frustrating. Sniper had their own timetable.]

I don't think they knew about us. If they did, they would have had orders to secure us.

We didn't go through that trouble with a deal for goods on the table, [ a sharp look — this conversation tells him Sniper intends to put the displaced above the locals, including Morningstar. That information won't prevent a working partnership, but it does mean Fitz will keep a close eye on them, when he can. ] but I'm still keen to explore our options there.

[ one step at a time. first the masks, then the rest. Fitz shakes his head. ]

Or they were ordered not to secure us, or their source was a third party, [ the third party. ] who intended for us to go unharmed, as valuable assets.

[ Gaby seems to think they were passed over intentionally, not due to an oversight, and Fitz agrees. ]

No, but they're not in a position to take advantage of it, and we are. Advantages are slim on the ground for both of us. Whatever we learn will be good for them, too.

[The displaced and Morningstar weren't separable issues, not when it came to surviving in New Amsterdam.

Sniper shrugs.]

"Asset for what" is the big question. If they want to use us, letting us hang out with a rebel organization is a pretty bad idea. They had us for months; they could have scrambled our brains or put us on whatever those soldiers are on if they wanted us compliant.

I don't see the advantage for the UN. They already control this world; super powered glowing soldiers are overkill.

Edited 2019-03-21 13:28 (UTC)

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