1466/Just Marvelous

Just Marvelous
Date of Scene:	14 July 2017
Location:	New York City
Synopsis:	Carol Danvers makes it a point to visit one of Senator Gradyon Creed's rallies, to stress on him the power he wields, and how he missed channel it for good uses.
Cast of Characters:	1075, Captain Marvel (Danvers)

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Graydon Creed (1075) has posed:
Senator Creed doesn't want to be at work today. His staff is... well.. Kind of terrified. He's not acting like his normal upbeat and driven self. He came into work unshaven. They had to remind him. He has been going through the motions of doing work, skimming over bills, delegating things he would normally do himself. He hasn't even made inappropriate comments to any of the women on his staff today and that means something is horribly wrong.

His office consists of two parts, the staff area with desks, a watercooler, chairs and computers, a TV, everything you would expect, then beyond that his private office where he holds his meetings. The people in the staff area are worried, quietly talking among themselves wondering if he's having some kind of break down. There is a lot of anger between him and the chair of the Senate Defense committee over some kerfuffle. Senator Greendale and he got into a heated argument over something. So heated his staff told Creed's staff they almost came to blows. Now Creed's people are wondering if they are going to have a job by the end of the week and if they should "leak" information now or wait a few days and see if he straightens up. The problem with that is the old Washington saying, "He who leaks first lasts longest." there is no such thing as loyalty in Washington.

When the crusader for justice arrives they pretend everything is normal and send her right in with big fake smiles and pleasantries because none of them want to deal with Creed in a bad mood. He doesn't have bad moods. This is something they have never seen before and they aren't touching it with a ten foot pole.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Colonel Danvers is certainly well known figure in the United States, her exploits in the USAF, her achieving a Colonel rank as a woman in combative roles, her later shattering of glass ceilings by becoming director of security at NASA, and some tales of heroics with the CIA. Ultimately, they all dwarf compared to her storied career as an Avenger, and various codenames, be it Ms. Marvel, Warbird, Binary or the current Captain Marvel. Despite all of these, her most remarkable achievement has to be while serving as editor of Bugle's WOMAN magazine, and clashing famously with JJ before leaving the paper and disparaging the would be 'feminist' agenda of the Bugle.

Long story short, she is used to deal with men of all walks of life, from supportive to down right misogynists, and while she seldom involves herself in politics at all--true to her military upbringing--she is very much concerned with some elements of Senator Creed's campaign, which is why she set this meeting.

No doubt Senator Creed's staff allowed the meeting purely for the ability to toot that such a high profile retired officer and current Avenger is taking interest in the Senator, and Carol for her part wanted to ground the meeting in daily affairs, which is why she shows up in her USAF uniform, rather than dressed in the flashy Captain Marvel uniform.

She acknowledges the people who meet her and show her to the Senator's office, but only seem to break her scowling visage once the two are left alone in his office. "Senator Creed, congratulations on being one of the most highly publicized Senators in Senate. There are some Senators people aren't even aware exist, and you're well on your way to being more of a household name than the President."

Graydon Creed (1075) has posed:
The Senator has made himself presentable at least having shaved and combed his hair. He still looks tired. Not sleepy but worn down in his soul. "Fat lot of good it does me." he says then takes a breath and stands up offering to shake the Captain's hand. "Sorry, thank you." he says. "I'm just having a rough week. Please, have a seat. What can I do for you?" he asks trying to force himself onward past his disappointment.

He thinks she must be here to ask for something. Probably something for the vets. He's always been a big supporter of the veterans and fixing healthcare for them. Not like other Republicans want to "reform" healthcare he actually wants to give more money to take care of them and encourage new technologies to be used to replace lost limbs in such a way they can simulate human touch again. It's one of the things that makes him popular with the service men. He doesn't just leave them hanging out to dry once they aren't of use any more.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol shakes hands with Graydon, and while she's not looking to hurt him, she has a firm assertive grip, belying the years of having to prove herself in the USAF. "Any particular reason your week has been rough...?" Carol asks curiously, leaving it to Creed to share or not share, either way, she knows better than assuming why he is having a hard time.

Invited to have a seat, Carol does move to sit down comfortably, before turning to look directly at the Senator, "I actually wanted to see you in person, because I know better than to trust the media, and I was looking to satisfy concerns of my own..." she leaves the Senator room to take a guess at her concerns if he'd like to, but also to measure his method. She, for once, would wait to let the other person speak before taking guesses, as she's just done with the issue of the Senator's difficult week.

Graydon Creed (1075) has posed:
Moving back to sit behind his desk again the Senator says, "I guess I might as well tell you. I don't think I'm going to be around here much longer. " he says then he glances at the door to his office. "The rats are already jumping ship and frankly I'm not sure I want to stay." he says then he turns to his laptop and pulls up a set of files.

The first one is a timeline showing wars and conflicts with a growth chart that shows the mutant population. It's a timeline that spans most of man's recorded history. Whenever there is a major conflict in history, just before it there is a growth spike in the mutant population. As history has progressed the spiked have gotten larger and larger.

The latest spike is 10 times larger than the largest previous spike. There is a second chart showing the records of active Meta-Genes that looks very similar.

"I've been working for years to get congress and the white house to curb the powered population in some way. To let me distribute a mutant cure to mutants who want it, to make power suppression devices available, to make laws that protect the citizenry from the random destruction caused by mutants who can't control their powers. It wasn't a fight I am fighting for my own fame or satisfaction, I'm trying to save lives. "

Turning the computer to let her look at the charts side by side. "I've funded research since college to figure out why mutants and metas exist. The data shows one inescapable conclusion, there are at least two groups of people who have been altering the D.N.A. of humanity throughout time. They come, they tinker, there is a bloodbath then they leave and things return to relative normal. They are using us to make weapons. For years I have been trying to curb the progress but no one wants to listen. No one wants to believe that it's just going to keep getting worse. No one wants to believe that we are who we are today because of outside forces but it's true and we are on the eve of destruction. No one will listen. That is why I'm having a bad week. I can see it coming and I can't do anything about it."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"Is that so...?" Carol sounds surprised at the revealation, inclining her head slightly at Creed, "sorry to hear that. Rats jumping ship at the onset of a storm tells you a lot about the character of the crew."

"Seeing all of your data, I've no doubt you heard the name Weapon X?" Carol asks cautiously looking over at Creed, and naturally, if he had heard of the name, he'll know Carol at the very least will accept there are those into this whole business purely to make living weapons.

"Funny you should mention rats jumping ship and seeing the end in sight, I came to speak to you for an altogether different reason. I see someone with potential in you, Senator," Carol sounds quite genuine as she offers the compliment, "you believe in something. But more than that, you act on it. I see you holding rallies, making contact with people, talking to the public, to your constituents, and it seems you have a drive and willingness to do what it takes..." resting a hand on the table, she raps her fingers on its surface once, before adding, "but I also see a devise tone in your politics. Now I've seen your very publicized debate with the blogger, and silly though it may be...I mean, nobody will take an anonymous blogger seriously, you choose to reply...and you entertained that...whoever that even is. I see in you someone who can become President, Senator, and on a personal level...your use of devisive rehtoric is a concern to me. As you might guess, I love my country, our country. I love our values, and I would loathe to see them change. Would you have mutants in your administration if you do soar high enough? Would you consider laws for mutants benefits, along with the very rightful concern for laws to curb mutant crime?"

Graydon Creed (1075) has posed:
Creed says, "Of course I would." like that's a silly question. "I've never advocated for excluding mutants. I'm for excluding mutant powers. For example, I found research done in the early 1990's on a mutant cure. It's unstable, to dangerous to use, but not only did I put my own people on it, I gave it to the Justice League and to Hank McCoy because I wanted to be open with everyone mutant, human and meta alike. There should be a cure and there should be a cure for the cure so no one could ever use it as a weapon. It should be a choice."

Leaning back in his chair and letting his head fall back so he can rub his temples, "It's a choice I would like mutants to make, and I think there is a real need to offer power suppression devices on airplanes and in other dangerous environments." he says.

Looking back down at the Captain, "I imagine what it's like to be a mutant whose power makes them deformed, or causes explosions. If I was them, I would want to have a device that makes me normal while I'm on an airplane. Then you don't have to worry about being treated differently in an already tense situation. Or you wouldn't need to worry about falling asleep and accidentally blowing up the plane on a long flight. But somehow offering these options to people makes me a racist." he says and flicks his arms up like WTF?

"I just want people to not have to suffer like so many have suffered from the cruelty that the power divide creates. Because that is what it is. People who have power define themselves by that power and fight not to lose it. It's the same for wealth and influence. You've seen it, I'm sure."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"There's a certain tone to your rallies, you must have noticed it," Carol never quite goes as far as to suggest it is Creed's guidance to have that 'tone' she is referring to, "do you honestly think mutants would feel safe at your rallies? I am not accusing here, just offering a point of reflection. I think I understand where you're coming from, and it's important to have your voice heard, but I think there's a danger of people misunderstanding you, and riding that wave to take it too far off shore, if you catch my drift."

Carol nods at some of the steps mentioned, and then suggests off handedly, "if you could get a person like Dr. Hank McCoy on your team, I think it'll do wonders for you in calming down claims you are on an anti-mutant crusade. You know, when people feel threatened, that's when it's easy to guide them into very bad places. I dare say that is precisely how Magneto got the upper hand in Genosha when he did."

Tilting her head at the racist question, Carol notes, "the issues you raise are valid. But you should try and work on your phrasing, if it's more 'us', and less 'us and them', I think your message would resonate better. Also, I would put money on devising other means to neutralize powers. How about get a wrist watch or bracelet form of that collar? I bet people like that blogger wouldn't be as riled up about humiliation aspect if you advertise an effort of the sort."

"Ultimately, what I want to present to you, or rather hear from you, is that we're all Americans. We're all in this together, and we want to help a subset of our population to not harm the rest, while being part of the whole. Just, try to work on the phrasing of your message, make sure it's clear we don't want to expel anyone...that is your message, am I right?"

Graydon Creed (1075) has posed:
The Senator says, "Honestly, I can see where they are coming from. A lot of my supporters are anti-mutant and if I seem to lenient on them I'll lose my base." the classic Republican problem, "Honestly, when I was younger, when I saw the world through the lense of loss I've suffered at the hands of mutants, I was like my supporters. That anger is still there. I try to do what is right in spite of those feelings but I resonate so strongly with the racists because I do, deep down inside, hate them. I hate everything they stand for. They are elitist, power mad bullies who claim to be the rightful rulers of the earth." he admits then shrugs, "I want to do the right thing, I want to be inclusive but you can't negotiate with terrorists and that's what most of them are. There are a rare few who don't abuse their power but the majority of them do."

"Being a mutant is a cheat code for life. Can't get what you want? Use your power. Something standing in your way, use your power. Can't pay the rent? Use your power to steal. The crime rates prove it. The racists are right. Mutants are dangerous. I will say we are all Americans and we should all be caring for each other, but I won't say having powers is a good thing or even appropriate. If they want to be treated like everyone else, they should want to be like everyone else. That means giving up their powers. If they won't, that is their choice and everyone else has the freedom to make choices in response. "

Taking a beat to focus himself he says, "You're right. I do fight for what I believe in and I can't in good conscious pretend that having mutant powers in the hands of random people is acceptable. Powers like that should only be in the hands of people who are trained and held accountable. We don't hand out bazookas to civilians, I can't condone them having powers just as strong or stronger because they were born with a special gene."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"I wonder, Senator, if there is ever a time we can educate and uplift our base, rather than condescend to them in sliding our own values, instead of uplifting theirs..." it's a rather important question that likely makes Captain Marvel such a unique standout among the many heroes out there. She seems to look at a bigger picture, and appreciate people's potential to improve and raise themselves, likely why she went so far as to protect criminals the other week in Gotham. She can understand the Senator's plight, but she sees it as cowardly to give in before such a hurdle, rather than leap over it.

"Believe you me, I've had my share of loss," Carol takes a distinct moment of silence after speaking those words, doing her best to keep her visage deadpan and avoid giving away any signs of pain or anger. "I'd like to think I've overcome it. I've forgiven the woman who nearly ended my life...I know it's not easy, but that woman is now counted in the ranks of heroes, doing her best to help people. She changed her ways, and my giving her a chance to do it, made it happen. She does more good being alive and heroic, then dead to my revenge, and not helping anyone."

"Senator," Carol starts once he's explained how deep his hatred goes, and how the majority of the mutants are terrorists, "I've seen from your own team's statistics, a large correlation between young aimless mutants and violent incidents. Have you considered perhaps legislation to provide these young people direction? Guide them to control themselves as well as their powers? I know of some individuals who work in that field...but if it was a recognized national issue on a federal level, I believe it could help decrease the numbers of such unfortunate incidents. Look at the NRA, we have a staggering number of incidents where guns wrought death, but it is not the gun that they blame. And I agree. Guns never kill nobody, people get shot by people with guns. Do we take the guns? No, 2nd Amandement. For the same reason, we should give these mutants every chance to be good citizen and contribute to the greatness of America, wouldn't you at least agree to that? Nobody should be considered guilty before proven so, correct?"

"Senator Creed, let me just remind you that other countries have their own powered individuals, and powered warfare between countries isn't that far off..." perhaps that is the line of thought that had the Colonel interested in meeting with the Senator, future thinking from a military perspective, "I think it would be wise to invest in our own powered community, rather than condemn them from the getgo and find ourselves at a disadvantage compared to our enemies down the line...I don't have to tell you what the Chinese for once are doing with the powered individuals they get their hands on, do I?"

Standing up she extends her hand towards Creed, "exactly, people can't learn powers, but they can be trained, and they can be taught accountability. I fully support the need for power negating devices, albeit I would prefer a wristwatch or bracelet form to a collar, and I agree the justice system might be a force to be reckoned with. But I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that all mutants should be trampled without first having criminals, and they should have a path to be good citizens if they wish it. You'll be surprised by the number of hopeless people who don't know there's a better way."

She looks at the door, as if announcing her time running out, before looking back at Creed, "I think you are getting targetted more than you deserve, politically, but I also think you could improve your efforts to be less devisive and more inclusive, and at least recognize there's more than just black and white at hand. I want to believe in you Senator, because at the core, you have a good message...please make it easy for me to do so."

Graydon Creed (1075) has posed:
Standing as well to shake her hand again recognizing that she must be on a tight schedule the senator says, "Perhaps you're right. I have been trying to do everything on my own. I'll reach out to S.H.I.E.L.D. and see if they have any ideas. Perhaps we could start a powered training school. I know some privately run schools already exist but it would be good to have that kind of resource enfolded into our national defense if we need it. Once trained they could become reservists for the National Guard or even your team if they want. Sadly control devices are going to be out of the picture, even for people who want them. The security agencies have made it very clear, the technology is never going to be released where the public can see it. They wouldn't say why but I suspect there is a easy way to defeat the tech that they don't want people figuring out. " he explains.

"But I'll stop trying to do everything myself. Maybe if we work together with them we can turn the chaos into something productive. I'll keep you up to date." he says, "Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about. And I know you must hear it a lot, but thank you for your service. I know it must sound tired coming from someone like me, but I mean it. I can't imagine how you do it. "

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"I find that peculiar, that technology I would say is of essential homeland security importance...it's a shame people only consider worst case scenarios." Carol notes, she does shake hands with the Senator before making her departure, nodding and levelling her blue eyes with his, "it never tires me to hear anyone, especially Senators give thank to a soldier's service, more so if it's for enlisted personal and Sergeants with years of service who do not get as many benefits as Officers. A country's strength is measured by it's people's willingness to fight for it, protect it from harm home and away. We owe our future to the men and women who serve." As she starts for the door, she looks back once again and adds, "thank you for giving me time of your busy day Senator," apparently despite being an Avenger, she takes the role of Senators very seriously, and doesn't take it for granted a Senator will clear a spot on his calendar to see her. "I really hope you mean it when you say I gave you food for thoughts, you're certainly one of the more promising Senators we have...I can see you one day making it to the oval office. Good luck, Senator."