[Nexus] AMEN 32: Srs Bzns

[ThePhantom]

The speakers crackle.

"Oh Moff. I'd like to see you in my office. And by like, I mean, you are coming to my office on pain of having all your limbs broken if you don't."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff complies, doing the same backup routine he did during his previous encounter with Gordon. What can I do for you, bossman? You thought about our offer anymore?

[ThePhantom]

Gordon stares at Moff from behind his desk, with the masks of Jack and Requiem hanging on the wall of lava behind him.

"Yes, I have. Now tell me, Moff, why Magtok? Why not someone else? Give me your reasons of who would be better than me."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff smiles. Well, let's look at AMEN's current membership. Aside from you and Magtok, there's myself, Jack, Rot, several deep-deadtimed members, and a couple of recent additions. I think I've demonstrated that I'm too impulsive for the job, and honestly, I don't want it. Jack would make a passable leader if he wasn't quite so insane and liable to shoot up GLoG at a moments notice, and Rot, is, well, incompetent. He hardly even makes an effort. So really, that just leaves Magtok. AMEN has changed radically since he was last in charge; you know that. Magtok is also remarkable as an AMENite in that he can walk into at least some other orginizations without being shot on sight. For instance, I know he has a friendly relationship with WATCHTOWER, and we can always use one less enemy. Listen, Gordon, you're probably the most powerful person in this base. No one is disputing that. But leadership is about way more than personal power.

The Moff is silent for a moment. Look, Gordon, this isn't about me and this sure as hell isn't about you. I care about AMEN and I'd like to see it in good hands. Er, evil hands. You know what I mean.

[Murkus]

Jack reappears from his room, a snazzy new suit with diamond cufflinks covering his form. He looks relatively normal. Probably went and got more healing potions (and that new suit) with his teleporting.

This will be probably hours later, so he looks significantly less annoyed. Oddly enough, however, there's no grin. Just a normal, passive look.

He goes on a tour of the base, examining the rebuilding process, checking on the henchman clones, etc.

[Reinholdt]

"Jack! Hey Jack!" It's Ilpholin! She seems to be jogging up to him and bugging him. How nice.

[ThePhantom]

"Now then. I'll give you the reasons why Magtok would make a poor head of AMEN. Thanks to the man who had the office before he did, Magtok bearly has a spine. Also, Magtok is running a business, and trying to clean up apocalpyses. Plus, with his girlfriend, he wouldn't have the time to give AMEN the attraction it needs. Can you say that I don't give AMEN almost all of my time?"

Gordon steples his fingers, winces as his right arm moves.

[Murkus]

He doesn't seem to mind. A smile, haunted, but actually friendly, forms across his lips. "Hey Ilpholin. What's goin' on?"

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin smiles back. "I was wondering about that attack earlier. Who was that girl? Where'd she come from?"

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff raises an eyebrow. You certainly do. But you must admit that there's an, er, appeal, in a more, shall we say, malleable leader. Tell you what: you step down as leader, and allow Magtok to take your place. You, me, and Jack, if we're all in agreement, have the power of veto on anything Magtok does. Essentially, if he tries to do anything that isn't in AMEN's best interest, we bitch slap him with bureaucracy. Really, the only thing that'll change is that Magtok will represent us to the other orginizations, and Jack and I will get a little more say. Honestly, Gordon, I can't see why you wouldn't want to take this offer. Unless, of course, you put personal glory ahead of AMEN. Hmmmm?

[Murkus]

Jack shrugs, folding his hands behind his back. "As far as I could tell, she was named KR, and originated from Watchtower. Y'know, that semi-good organization?"

"Apparently, they really want their dagger back." Jack produces, as if from nowhere, that black, distinctly evil dagger. "This thing."

[Reinholdt]

"KR..." She breathes dreamily. Even the name... well ok, it wasn't that great of a name.

Ilpholin eyes the thing carefully. "That thing? What's so special about a black dagger? Purple is much prettier."

Says the person wearing the black leather catsuit. But she does have purple hair.
*shrugs*

[Murkus]

Jack's smile grows a bit, studying Ipholin. "I don't know. Some enchanted weapon, a soul-based affect, as far as I can tell."

He twirls the weapon a little, looking it over. "Real nice, too."

[Reinholdt]

"Oooh. Is it like that box with the people in it?"

[ThePhantom]

"Well, then. You better get Jack in here. I'll write up the pact."

Gordon takes out a piece of paper and starts writing.

[Murkus]

Jack blinks a few times. Figuring he doesn't want to bother, he says, "Yes. Just like that."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff is frankly shocked that Gordon accepted the deal so quickly, but the look quickly passes. 'Course, bossman. I'll be right back. The Moff locates Jack. Sorry Ilpholin, but I gotta borrow our hollow friend. Please follow me, Jack. En route to Gordon's office: potentially some very good news.

[Reinholdt]

"Wow. A soul stealer." Ilpholin lifts her hands above her head and twirls rapidly in place like a ballerina. "No wonder she wanted it. Imagine all the hearts you could steal with one of those. How'd you manage to hide it?"

"Awww... wait your turn!" She tells Moff.

[Murkus]

Jack chuckles a little at Ipholin's sudden desire to perform balle (Ihopethat'showit'sspelled). "A very special place of mine." He remarks.

Then he turns to Moff. "Oh. Okay. Sorry Ipholin, gotta take care of this." And then he's guided away. "Talk to you later, I suppose."

Then, Moff again. "What's the news?"

[Reinholdt]

Close. Ballet is what you're looking for.

"BAH!"
They always leave...
She huffs and storms off in another direction.

[Moff Chumley]

Apparently talking things out with Gordon wasn't a bad idea after all. Essentially, Magtok will be the face of AMEN, with you, me, and Gordon forming the evil council of doom, as it were. The Moff and hopefully Jack arrive in Gordon's office.

[Murkus]

"What about Rot?" Jack says, listening intently. "The older members deserve some respect, in my opinion."

After a pause, he says, "Sounds, good, though. I'm surprised Gordon gave up so easily. I hadn't intended to dethrone him for quite some time."

[ThePhantom]

And in the office Gordon waits. Those two are in for a little surprise.

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff opens the door, and steps aside. After you, my friend.

(())

[ThePhantom]

The office hasn't change much, other than two chairs in front of the desk.

"Have a seat."

[Moff Chumley]

Assuming Jack comes in and sits down, The Moff follows. ((Curse you and your dramatics, Phantom, curse you!))

[Murkus]

Jack nods to Moff, stepping up to the chairs. "I think I'll stand, thanks. How do we do this?"

[ThePhantom]

"What? Afraid the chairs are rigged to explode?"

Gordon waves at the paper on his desk.

"Just sign on the dotted line."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff carefully reviews the entire form. He is, in fact, completely fluent in legalese and is capable of reviewing the AMEN application without his mind imploding. So if that's Gordon's avenue of trickery, The Moff'll be able to detect it.

[Murkus]

Jack stands by, perhaps reading over it himself once Moff finishes, and will sign if there are no shenanigans.

"In AMEN? I'm surprised the furniture hasn't started combusting already."