The woman had stood silent nesxt to her companions, her hand casually resting on the hilt of one of three scimitars she always seem to carry - her posture seemed relaxed but attentive as the 'applicant' spoke, watching him intently with dark, blue eyes.
"One is not what one's ancestry dictates, but the choices made through life" - the woman retorts - "I agree that mindset is more important than any skillset - learning how to wield a blade is something we can learn, belief is not" - she adds.
"I do not feel I am entitled to 'select' anyone - valor cannot be discerned through a mere conversation, and worth is in the eye of the beholder - I am going to assume that your words regarding skill are true, because there is no reason to lie" - she nods at him - "I will ask only why do you believe that this army, or those that cooperate with it, are the team that you want to belong in - why this fight, and not any other?" - she smiles, her words spoken calmly and bereft of any interrogation tone, more akin to honest curiosity.
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No everyone in this team belongs to the army, and therefore have our own method of doing things i hope you are ok with that.
The question sends Zeke's mind back to the army and his desire to fit in there. The truth is that they required obedience beyond my ability to give it. I could never blindly follow orders. And I could never truly belong somewhere that did not desire my opinion. No, I need to belong, but not at any price. Yes ma'am. I'll am quite ok with that. His answer, and the accompanying smile hints at a story or two that he would like to be able share in the future. It would be fair to say that while I am proud of my service in the army, and will serve again will called, I look at the army as more of a price to be paid than a vocation. He scans everyones face trying to get a read on that answer. I hope that sits well with you.
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The woman had stood silent nesxt to her companions, her hand casually resting on the hilt of one of three scimitars she always seem to carry - her posture seemed relaxed but attentive as the 'applicant' spoke, watching him intently with dark, blue eyes.
"One is not what one's ancestry dictates, but the choices made through life" - the woman retorts - "I agree that mindset is more important than any skillset - learning how to wield a blade is something we can learn, belief is not" - she adds.
"I do not feel I am entitled to 'select' anyone - valor cannot be discerned through a mere conversation, and worth is in the eye of the beholder - I am going to assume that your words regarding skill are true, because there is no reason to lie" - she nods at him - "I will ask only why do you believe that this army, or those that cooperate with it, are the team that you want to belong in - why this fight, and not any other?" - she smiles, her words spoken calmly and bereft of any interrogation tone, more akin to honest curiosity.
Ezekial finds himself nodding agreement with Erianna's initial words. When she asks her question he responds without hesitation. I chose to fight for the Freeland of Amerys partly because I believe in this crazy idea of democracy, and partly because they accepted me based on my actions, not my heritage. They gave me a chance. He then looks her full in the face as he finishes But the main reason I chose the this side is its stance on slavery. I do not abide the holding of another man in bondage. I hold that slavery is pure evil, and I will fight it with all my power and all my cunning as long as I draw breath. With this response he does not seem to try to discern what the group thinks, as if in this case it does not matter to him.
Well answered. While on this group each and everyone have their own method of doing things once a fight stars i expect you to follow directive.
I am done here. she says with a smile to go look at the other candidate
Mortimer finishes his sentence, closing the folder with a small nod. "Thank you for your time Mr.Dune. You can expect us back relatively shortly."
Mortimer follows Esther into the other room. With the same formal attitude he holds a new folder. "Cyrus Darkwater. Smuggled in as an infant, spent time in the streets, was captured and interrogated during your time in the military." He flips the page. "Your list of skills are extensive. Well we've seen how you are qualified on parchment, so tell us. Why would you be the best candidate for a small special operations team?"
Cyrus eyes the three individauls as they enter the room, taking in every detail. They weren't exactly military but not exactly civilian either. He reminds me a little of father. After the man holding Cyrus's personnel file askes Cyrus about his qualifications it became clear why he was here. They want to lease me out eh?
"A difficult question to answer without relevant information. Without knowing who you are, what you want to accomplish and what you need me to do I can't possably call myself the best." Cyrus replies relaxing in his chair somewhat. He spent his career gathering intel and he wasn't about to dive into someting blind. He also knew that if he didn't cooperate then his commander wouldn't let him hear the end of it.
"All I can say is I am special ops, have been for some time. Trained my whole life for it in fact. But if you want to know more about me want to know what's not in that file, then you're going to have to make it worth spilling my secrets." Cyrus says, a hint of defiance in his voice.
Mortimer arcs a brow at the proud man. Arrogant. And good at turning around the conversation. "I'm afraid I am not allowed to give out details of military operations to those that aren't involved in them." He closes the folder. "I'm also afraid that most of my stories are boring ones of research or tales of using evocation magic from the sky, which is exciting but hardly makes for a good story. What might make a more interesting story is your grave site and death certificate, null as of now, but still existing nonetheless."
Right now all we want is to know how you would go about capturing a group of bandits that completely attack at random times in a very large circle of operations, for various prizes and how your skill would help says the stunning cutie
Cyrus nods and does his best to keep a smirk of his face. "Of course you can't, that's understandable I just don't get that military feel from you three. As for my death certificate, I suppose it's easier to write deceased in the file of someone MIA than it is to keep looking. More so for people like me who often find themselves in places they shouldn't be." he answers, his voice calm though his posture stiffens slightly.
Cyrus looks to the woman. "Bandits?" Cyrus repeats. Ah. someone much more direct. "Usually they follow the same routine over and over again, taking anything they find of value along the way." Cyrus says.
He leans forward in his chair crossing his fingers. "You have to find them first. Examine everything that has gone missing, try to find what connects them. Talk to witnesses dig through every detail of every attack. There is always a trail, whether it's paper, money or physical." Cyrus explains.
"If you can't find who they are then you'll find what the want. Then you set a trap, or turn their contacts against them. This could be much harder if they travel via magic but the process would remain more or less the same." he finishes looking back up to the three.
An analytical approach. If only it were that simple.
"Any why do you fight for Amerys?" The simple but broad question hangs; clearly Mortimer expects a somewhat robust answer.
Cyrus leans back once again, looking away and taking a moment to consider his answer. This group of people worked for Amerys but not like Cyrus or others within the military. Working with them would give him the opportunity to distance himself from the direct athority of the state. The question was how much was he willing to reveal to them to take hold of that opportunity.
With a deep breath Cyrus answers. "I've traveled the world my entire life, from the first day I was adopted. I've seen just how dark and cruel it is and I've also seen how kind and beautiful it can be. I wish to make a difference, a change in how things are done on a large scale, to make the world a brighter place to live. An ambitious goal but one I would give my life for. Amerys is currently the only way to make that happen. To free this world of the inhumainty of slavery. That's what I want and that's why I came back." Cyrus replies looking directly at the man opposite him.
With a chiling tone the Rogue continues. "I've seen people who have forgoten their own name and some who never had one to begin with. People who've lost their minds and their bodies on a whim of their master. I'd like to think people have good in them, but when you tempted them with power over another human-being it warps people into something evil."
With a few silent gestures of his hand he finishes his answer. I don't fight for Amerys, I fight to free the world of this disease. Why do you fight Wizard?
Mortimer gives a masked look to Cyrus; it seems his face rarely changes beyond scrutiny. He writes something down in the folder, nodding. "I believe that is all I have for you Mr.Darkwater, although the ladies may have something else to ask you." He waits for any other conversation/questions to take place, then stands. "You can expect us back shortly."
I have what i need mortimer also she says nodding to Cyrus
Cyrus nods as the group exits the room. He does his best to relax in the cramped space while they make their decision. He mulls over their inquiry about bandits and tries to determine why a special ops unit would be assigned to such a task. If nothing else the mental exercise would serve as a distraction while he waited.
After discussing with the girls in private, Mortimer gives their decision to his superiors then goes to each room. He thanks Ezekial for his time and apologizes, wishing him better luck in the future. Then he goes to Cyrus.
"Congratulations Mr.Darkwater, you have been selected to join our force. We need to get you caught up; a quick job, but important nonetheless."
Cyrus stands from his chair relieved to be out of the cell. "Alright then but call me Cyrus and can you tell me who might I be working with?." he asks.
"Cyrus than. I am Mortimer Talinth, an evoker government sign on." He says this calmly, as if he's not a government weapon of destruction. "This is Erianna and Esther Pennycoat; I suppose the best way to describe their current situation is volunteers."
The Rogue looks to each of his new partners memorizing their names as Mortimer introduces them. "Pleasure." Cyrus says simply.
"I'd wouldn't mind getting some background on your group. If you can that is, I'd like to know what you've done so far. Allies, enemies, victories and failures. Then I'd like to know what happened to the guy I'm replacing." Cyrus asks.
"I've been training under and working for the government since I was six. With my...particular gift it makes people feel much safer when everything I do is recorded and overseen by a greater power." It seems dead on, everything about Mortimer screams military from his posture to his meticulously kept person. Not a hair out of place. "Most of my time is spent doing research and counter research for matters of the arcane, but occasionally I am sent out with strike forces, such as I am currently." His voice softens a bit. "There is some figure opposing us at the moment whose initials are R.R. He used shadow magic to abduct Erasmus recently. We still have hopes to reacquire him." There's a strong mask over Mortimer's face, but clearly he cared for Erasmus. It's hard to imagine a man like him with too many friends; all seriousness and business.
I am Esther, and most of my training, skills have to do with archery or wielding divine power and Mortimer is correct my sister and i are recent volunteer for the moment. We do not belong in any army and probably never will.
Erianna nods at Cyrus - "I have trained to fight with blade and magic, and try to hone my skills as best as I can, learning from every bout" - motioning for the scimitars at her hip.
"We were not able to fend off our capture at the hands of those led by Targ, the Twice Taken - they were just too many" - she looks at her sister - "We actually never looked at his despicable face, as we were left in shackles - I think they were trying to break us before throwing us into his harem - that was when we were freed by Mortimer and Erasmus - you have taken the space left vacant by him in our small group" - she states dryly - "They gave us the opportunity to recover our gear, and with them, exact our riposte on Targ - one he will carry to the abyss with him..." - the woman's eyes glimmer for a moment - "We have travelled together ever since"
Mortimer makes sure that their superiors are included back in the conversation. Never hurts to have their opinion. "One of the ideas we are currently considering is having me pretend to be a deserter, claiming that I was used as a scapegoat for a black operation and now I want revenge on the military. That way I would actually be in with them and we could have them come to us. There will be a fair amount of paperwork to do on that end as well as getting a strong story together."
"If we decide to take that course of action, I request some time to research spells that would allow me to make a colorful escape without causing any loss of life. There is a metamagic called "merciful" which I have heard of but haven't researched yet."
At Mortimers mention of merciful magic Cyrus draws a thin wand from it's holster. "You can use this, one of my father's designs to take targets alive. Just don't burn through all of the charges." he says handing over the wand.
Mortimer raises both brows - his version of complete surprise. "Well, you are already making yourself useful. I can't imagine a violent escape from the capitol would take place with only one spell, but this will certainly come in handy." He looks at the Commodore. "We cannot afford to tell the soldiers that I am still truly on their side. The more that know the ruse the more likely it will get out."
I would rather you pose as a wealth merchant who has dealing with important customer etc Mortimer. Having to create a scheme where you are actually wanted by the army is a lot more work and can only be believable once. you never know when you might really need that ploy. I would say we do this: Investigate the last know attack see if we can track the assailant. pose as a wealth merchant or we shadow a important convoy that we think might be a target.
"I've recruted before it's not a quick process. If they're professionals then they'll watch you for awhile before they approach you. Likely test you in some way first before ever telling you anything useful. In the time it takes to get into position they could hit 2-3 more targets. Although I've already given you my thoughs my plan can be equally as slow if they hide their tracks well enough." Cyrus explains.
"I do like the infiltration plan, though it may quickly become overly dangerous - it takes a lot of skill to infiltrate such a group, and you may have to prove yourself, and bluff through a lot of different situations" - Erianna retorts at Mortimer - "If something goes wrong, you have no backup and no support. Will you even be able to communicate with us at all?" - she adds.
"I can't imagine they would take too long to recruit, especially if I made myself available in the area. I have little worries about infiltrating them if they believe the original story. If something goes wrong there is a good chance I can dimension door away, and if not," He shrugs. "Well there's rarely a perfectly safe mission. We would have to organize a means of communication though."
Cyrus shrugs, after all it wasn't the Rogue who would be in the middle of this scheme. "I'd have to be less than 200ft away to communicate and it's not exactly without risks."
I am still against this plan but its your live Mortimer...