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

[5055034455]

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!

Comments

[hejhej]

[The silent exchange between Saul and Stephanie had been extremely awkward so Lisbeth was glad that Mike and Skyler steered the conversation in another direction.

Lisbeth remembers the first time she discovered she had a power. It was frightening and difficult to control it. Telepathy - especially around their target - would certainly be a challenge.]

I say if you've made it this far, you're a lot more clever than he is.

[Lisbeth giving a compliment to a complete stranger? There was a first time for everything.]

[launderer]

I don't know if I'd call it making it, but I know his game, and there's enough I already know.

[So yes, she can do this. No matter where he's from. She steels herself already, giving them a nod.]

[5055034455]

Okay. If something goes wrong, or if you change your mind, Sky, Jesse can always take it back.

[Saul takes a breath, chews his lip for a moment, then nods.]

All in favor?

[Yes, he's really going to make them vote.

His hand is the first to go up.]

[hostage]

[Jesse raises his hand, too - and immediately looks at Mike to see what he's voting.]

[controlledvariable]

[Her gaze lingers on Skyler for a long moment, expression apologetic.]

I'm sorry, Mike has my vote, but I can't condone Skyler doing this.

[She's pretty sure she's going to get over-ruled, but she can't in good conscience vote for a woman to see her abuser's thoughts.]

[fullmeasure]

[Mike's thinking along the same lines. And he isn't about to forget that Skyler involved herself in Walter's mess too, even if it was just laundering money. If it's the majority vote, well, he and Steph are shit out of luck. But that still won't stop him from airing his opinion]

I'm with Stephanie on this one. I'm not saying I don't think Skyler can handle it, but at this point I don't think it's a good idea.

[launderer]

[She raises her hand.]

It's the best tactic we have. The element of surprise. [And she's handled much worse.]

[5055034455]

We could hold off on it.

[His hand's not going down, though.]

Give it to Mike now, give it to Skyler after the situation's been assessed — should it arise in the first place.

[hostage]

[Jesse gives Skyler a sidelong glance. It doesn't make sense to him, holding off. Isn't it better to get as much information as possible right away? But... Well, it's not like he really needs the damn council's permission, anyway. If Skyler wants it, he'll give it to her. Between her and Mike, they won't miss anything.

But Jesse nods at Saul's words as if he's agreeing.]

[launderer]

[She catches the look Jesse gives her, waiting out how this will play out. It seems the best bet. Out of everyone here, Jesse and her know him best. If he doesn't want it, it seems the best strategic move to give it to her.]

[controlledvariable]

[There's that sharp look at Saul again, because the best way to surprise Walt would be if Steph could get into his head since he doesn't even know she exists.

But apparently she's not trustworthy enough, so she just puts her hands up in a gesture that's half surrender, half washing her hands of this.]

Do what you want, I'm just not voting for it.

[If this was her mom, offering to read her dad's thoughts, she'd shoot it down just as quickly.]

[hejhej]

[Lisbeth could feel that something wasn't right with Steph - anger? annoyance? Maybe it was a combination of the two. She looks to her briefly before raising her hand.]

[5055034455]

[It isn't until Lisbeth's hand goes up that Saul looks like he's faltering, hand dropping back to the table.]

This probably shouldn't be something we do without unanimity.

[fullmeasure]

We'll be here all damn day if we wait for that. Might as well go with the majority this time.

[as much as he doesn't want to. He leans forward, folding his hands on the table] But, if it doesn't work like we're hoping, or something goes wrong, then we do it the way me and Stephanie want to do it. [he glances at Steph for a moment to gauge her reaction, then glances around at everyone] Does that sound fair enough?

[controlledvariable]

[She doesn't smile, but her expression is grateful; thank god there's someone sensible here, since apparently Saul doesn't have her back, anymore.

She doesn't speak up again, just nods to let Mike know she's in agreement. That sounds more than fair to her.]

[5055034455]

Sounds fair to me.

[Saul looks over at Steph, then immediately wishes he hadn't and looks over toward Jesse instead.]