exsiliumlogs | [closed] if you believe there's nothing up his sleeve

Date & Time: Late October
Location: Around the base
Characters: Saul & various
Summary: This is the log I promised everyone throughout the month and never put up oops. In which Saul holds various meetings!
Warnings: N/A; will be updated accordingly.

[CLOSED to the NPC crew; October 24th —

Saul has an idea.

His idea is what brings him to the area of the base he's sure other Transports don't frequent for funsies with a cup of coffee in hand. It's not his; it's a peace offering. Or maybe it's a bribe. More like both, actually.

He just hopes this works.

After searching for someone, anyone working for the Initiative, he knocks on the nearest surface with his free hand and calls, in sing-song:]

Yoo hoo!

*

[CLOSED to Kerrigan; October 28th —

A knock on her door, a note left behind:

Meet me in the cafeteria.
—Saul

And a steak, cooked medium rare, waiting for her when she shows up.

Saul must have a thing for women with weird hair.]

*

[CLOSED to Jesse, Mike, Skyler, Stephanie, and Lisbeth; October 29th —

Saul has another idea.

He's never held a meeting quite like this, but that's okay. He's prepared.

The VR room's been set up to look like a legitimate conference room, complete with conference table, a large screen on which he can put Important Information, and cozy virtual reality chairs. Also: carpeting. He felt that was an important detail.

This idea may or may not go over well.

Then again, things involving Walter White — even as the subject — rarely do.

He's positioned at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair with his feet up until everyone is present and accounted for. Then, he stands, bounces forward on his toes, claps his hands together, and grins.]

What a crowd.

[Except the mood is grim, so the smile doesn't last long.

And then he switches to business mode, wringing his hands momentarily and clearing his throat.]

Alright, so — let's just cut to the chase, shall we? The first of the month is but a few days away and we all know what that means, so it's time for us to figure out some kind of contingency plan in case you-know-who shows up again. Ready? Go!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, okay then.

It's not like Saul was going to offer a handkerchief to him anyway, gosh. He just put his hand in his pocket to look casual.]

Are you too busy for a little chat?

Can't bring the coffee down there with me, so shoot.

[You have until he finishes his drink, bro.]

[Saul can do a lot with a little time, dude. Don't worry.]

Do you know anything about the Department of Initiative-Transport Relations?

I know that it's a Transport-started attempt at integrating themselves more into Initiative's decision-making, and I know you're the co-founder. I'm not against the idea of it.

[The "I'm against your execution of it" goes unsaid.

Siiiiip.]

[Yeah, but this guy can take a hint.]

I'm coming to you on their behalf today, obviously. My — our — concern is simple: What can we do for you? Because a lot of this has been us asking for things from you, but with the population numbers now skewed the way they are...

[He trails off, making vague gestures.]

[He wants to just simply say "I want to be left alone." It's what he really DOES want, but probably not the most helpful.]

I don't know. The Transporter doesn't need any replacement parts yet. I'd prefer if it was used less on a daily basis- I have a handful of people who insist on going out each and every day, for supplies I don't even think we need anymore. The only thing I can think of is some kind of "the Transporter is not a toy" speech, which I've already given a million times over.

I'm working on a supplies list so we can prioritize what's needed.

[A pause, a hum, then:] If the Transporter were to need replacement parts, what would they be? Can you get me a list? Better we get them ahead of time.

I can get a list. Better to have back-ups now than to not have them when we need them, you're right.

[A particularly loud sip to compensate having to say the phrase "you're right."]

But you'll need to collaborate with Vennett on this one. He's the one who knows exactly which parts in the timeline are okay to snag pieces from. These aren't the sort of thing you can just jump in, grab, and head back.

Noted. But yeah — that'd be good, if you can tell me what's needed. Maybe we can all sit down together sometime, talk this out...?

Yeah. We could.

[Lowell looks away for a moment, staring off at a wall to the left of him, and then turns back to narrow his eyes at Saul again.]

I don't know what you have to gain from this. From what I'm aware of, your organization isn't very popular and most of the Transports hate me- us.

[Freudian slip, whoops.]

[Whoops.]

Exactly. That's the problem. I dunno about you, but I don't work well in hostile environments — all this cut-it-with-a-knife tension is gettin' real old.

You must have some insight that I don't, since I've never had the privilege to know a non-hostile environment. At least they have an honesty to them. I don't know what kind of atmosphere you're looking for, but an openly aggressive one at least gives you a chance to defend yourself. One that smiles and waits for you to turn around is more dangerous.

[Well.

The guy's got a point.

Saul frowns, wringing his hands together for a moment. It's not a nervous gesture — it's more contemplative.]

Right. That's fair. But I'm not supporting the idea of playing nice just to play nice — I'm thinking we can get some real cooperation going. Willful cooperation.

You really think that, don't you?

[Oh Saul, you naive man.]

Alright. I'm in.

[In hindsight, he's going to kick the shit out of himself for this.

-insert bitter laughter here-]

Great.

[closed] if you believe there's nothing up his sleeve

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