keeps_a_cool_head | Log 0008 - Cosplaying as Judge Dredd, apparently

Log 0008 - Cosplaying as Judge Dredd, apparently

[Broadcasted to all citizens of the Emperor is the weekly list of names and photographs of men and women suspected to be in allegiance with the rebel forces directly]

Please peruse these names carefully and report suspicious behavior directly to any officer of the law. Compensation remains generous. All citizens are expected to do their part to keep our systems safe in times of crisis.

[Broadcasted to his inner circle of politicians, officers of the law, and the Emperor's private staff is a much larger list of supposed loyalists who are suspected to have rebel sympathies]

Please keep in mind the several dozen names of new addition at the bottom of this list.

[Open to spam, up to individual players whether they want to appear on one or both lists]

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Thank you for the update.

My duty is only to serve.

[Scorpius it's less believable when you're grinning like that]

Most useful. [Francis is obstensibly loyal. Certainly, he's never displayed interesting in being disloyal and he's certainly always obsequious to those he can't control. He just occasionally lets people slip by if there's an interest to be served.]

Slight critique, if you wouldn't mind it? Possibly better if the word 'crisis' doesn't pass your lips? Suggests you lack control of the situation.

[She doesn't return a smile. The Emperor's personal bodyguard has a reputation for being very serious and extremely suspicious.]

As it should be.

There is a Rix ship hovering above the atmosphere as we speak. That is a crisis. The insurgency grows stronger. That is a crisis as well.

But I concede your point. I'll amend my statement for next week's report.

Of course.

Is there anything further I can offer you? Or the Emperor, perhaps? I feel...close to ripping apart this conspiracy. It should only be a matter of days now.

Just do your job. If the Emperor requires anything more than that from you, you'll be informed.

Your judgement there is quite correct, of course. But they're crises for the police and the military, for the populace, merely a problem. Thank you for listening.

I understand, of course.

Yes, sir.

[Sulky police officer is sulky, but will obey. Loyalty is ingrained within him]

Good.

Best of luck in your search.

Thank you. I'll keep the capitol clear.

[ He suspects that if Scorpius were truly given free rein, he would list Zane on those suspected.

Scorpius probably does not know the whole story: that Zane broke in to the palace, that his powers allowed him to slip past guards and detection, that he was sent to kill the Emperor but offered a deal instead. The riskiest move Zane had ever made, out of desperation, out of murderous revenge. He wanted his father dead. He got what he wanted.

But now he is the son of his father - and Straff Venture was clearly some kind of rebel, and now Zane has the Emperor's ear in a way no one else can match. Resentment breeds far and wide over Zane's role in the government.

He enjoys it. He would rather be hated than ignored. ]

I will remember.

[ A soft voice, and calm.

It is amusing to him, too, because he has never leaked any information. On the contrary: he has rarely said a word to anyone who would manipulate him for political gain, or who would use him to manipulate the Emperor. He is absolutely, scrupulously reliable. He does not depend on Scorpius' lists. ]

[After a pause]

It will not happen again.

[Scorpius loathes Zane but does not suspect him. Zane is above him in most aspects: pay, influence, favoritism. One of the elite who seems to just be blessed with good luck, unlike the surly police officer who fought his way every step to get to where he is.]

You've been quiet recently.

I do have a newborn.

[ Which Scorpius knows, of course. It's almost an insult to say it so directly.

Augustus Demetrios Khaman. The boy resembles Aslan more than Zane, but there is, as ever, something of them both in him. ]

Another day, another list.

Is this another set of guessing games, or have you made progress?

[ She asks genuinely, and actually means the casualness with some respect. She likes police officers. Senator Gard has proven herself to be a little bit of a meddler, but a mostly harmless and sometimes very generous one. She has a great interest in justice being done. ]

Edited 2014-03-11 00:19 (UTC)

It has better not. It is my sworn duty to protect him from all harms. I have no qualms about adding you to the list if you prove incompetent again.

[Her tone holds so much heat, it could scorch fresh.]

Of course. I'd forgotten.

[Which in and of itself is bullshit: Scorpius never forgets a thing if he can help it.]

Fatherhood must be taking up a significant portion of your time.

If I say it will not happen again, then it won't.

I take my position seriously.

I'm afraid I can't afford to release knowledge of an impending investigation, Senator.

[ An unreadable flicker of expression - amusement, perhaps? ]

I'm forwarding an invitation to dinner. I hope you come.

Haven't lifted your nose from your investigation in six weeks?

Do you really feel such a thing is appropriate? I'm significantly under your pay grade.

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Log 0008 - Cosplaying as Judge Dredd, apparently

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