2929/You See Nothing Special... Hopefully

You See Nothing Special... Hopefully
Date of Scene:	25 October 2017
Location:	Metropolitan Museum of Art
Synopsis:	Don't be so suspicious. Lots of people go to art galleries. Nothing to see here...
Cast of Characters:	Phage, Wonder Woman

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Phage has posed:
Most operatives get used to making aproaches to people. Some hostile, others friendly and the rest anything in between. Usually though it's easier. Usually... both parties know something about the other. Known to tradecraft as a warm approach. The opposite, approaching cold, is a bad scenario.

What makes it so is the agonising trade off of attention grabbing and misunderstanding. Call in a threat and start a ruckus in Times Square and lots of people'll show... but forget about talking or getting anywhere on anything. Send a polite request to make an appointment through official channels and the world'll have ended a thousand times over before an email's thrown in the cyber-trash.

It helps to be creative. Like arranging LexCorp to have a surprise donation of pieces to the Metropolitan for an exhibition, a personal invite from one of LexCorp's Executives but mixing it up by sending it directly to the Embassy for Themyscira and not on any corporate branded material. Of course It was just a quick note from Carl Mach requesting, if at all possible, for Diana Prince to make an appearance at what is otherwise a uneventful place with a less than dazzling display of art works.

Nothing else would have been left on the invitation. It's hardly subtle to write something like 'Please come to talk. Matter of utmost urgency.' As it'd leave a paper trail. Unless it was a bonded courier that made sure the letter was handed over and read within the hour before the writing faded away.

... at a guess. At any rate. Meanwhile Mach takes a huge interest in the same few exhibits by the front door. Definitely not looking through his yellow tinted glasses to zoom in and see if he can spot one arrival in particular out of all those comings and goings. Just a casual encounter. Nothing special to see here...

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana Prince would arrive as well, and she'd even arrive on-time because she was always punctual... or strived to be at the very least.

Diana would be delivered to the Museum via her Embassy's town car, driven by one of her Amazonian sisters. Diana was dressed to fit into a social setting today, she was wearing a black leather jacket and a white top beneath it, she had her armored bracers on but they were hidden beneath the cuffs of her jacket that had little metal zippers unzipped, so the bracers could be seen by anyone with an attentive enough eye. Dark black slim jeans and some simple wedge heeled black leather shoes finished her attire, her black hair was tied back into a braid down past her shoulders.

Diana stepped into the area, her hand removing a pair of dark sunglasses from her eyes, she was... instantly recognizeable by many, she was a hard woman to miss and was a well known public figure for all she did in the world and many other reasons.

Diana would greet thsoe who greeted her, and she'd move toward wehre the invite had said to go.

Phage has posed:
Although it's an exquisitely tailored suit, likely costing the same as the defense budget for a few countries added together the black suit, matt shined shoes, shirt as black as pitch, all... should be an ensemble for any occasion. Except, on this occasion, where he rolls his shoulders a little, giving away that the conventional wardrobe that he used to be used to, even when reckless abandon is applied to his unconventional expenses, is just not the first choice for him anymore.

In deference to his preferences though Mach's had to accept that after falling off of one building and other assorted mishaps that trusting there wouldn't be some intermittent failure to the very clothes he's wearing in a very public place might not be the best thing. Still. It's relief enough to compensate for his discomfort when Diana arrives. He moves as directly as he can, around the building crowd at first then, when it gets too thick, cutting a path through to her.

"So very glad you could make it." Mach says to Diana, relying on his build and height from him being swept back and away, "Carl Mach. I hope you got my invite and I've not pushed through just to make a fool of myself." He, tries to indicate a direction but, on the first attempt a pang of pain is his only reward...

Trying again with more success he adds, "I've arranged a private viewing of some pieces on the first floor. If I could steal you away, just a few precious moments of your time... it would be something I could not appreciate more."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana's blue eyes would go to the man in the nice suit when he approached her and greeted her. She'd offer him a faint and soft smile. "It is a pleasure to meet with you, Mister Mach." Diana would reply to him in her Greek accented voice. She'd give a glance in the direction that he indicated and she'd nod once again.

"A private art viewing is a great honor, I am sure of that." She said in as diplomatic a way as Diana ever conducted buisness.

Diana would offer another light smile to the man then and a little shake of her head right to left. "I am certain that you will not be making a fool of yourself. Or at least, I hope not." She smiled faintly again before turning to follow his lead.

Phage has posed:
The time it takes to go from the main floor up to the private gallery is relative. It doesn't actually take long. To him though... every step is forcing the molten lead of his legs to move, having to actively swap for his right arm to push the button for the lift up... The cool of the upper gallery just enough to take the edge off his rising temperature so he doesn't sweat.

Drawn towards a bench in amongst the paintings, sculptures and other piece he happily sits, taking some welcome weight off of his frame. He takes a labored breath or two and admits, "I'd say it was the art that took my breath away... but I'd find it hard to back a lie like that up."

"Don't get me wrong..." he corrects, "Life hasn't been so hard on me I can't appreciate the expression or passion that goes into them... just events move fast and haven't left me the time." He takes off the glasses, drawing in air greatfully, before adding, "Like the events that have brought me to reach out to you." He places his hand, fingers spread on the bench, leaning on his good arm for extra support and draw cool from the bench's surface.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana would observe the man idly and casually as they ascended to the private gallery and she then watched him move to the bench and settle down to seat upon it. She'd listen to what he had to say while she stood there a few feet away and let her eyes roam over the room and her hands rest together in front of her lap.

Diana would turn to look at one of the displays and she'd take a moment to study it, using her deep experience to instantly draw many opinions of the piece... all of which she'd keep to herself in this moment. "Quite a lovely collection." She would idly add though.

Diana then turned to take a glance back at him and partially turned to face him. "And what events are those, Mister Mach?" She'd ask him, noting that he didn't seem well... but she didn't bring that up just yet.

Phage has posed:
"Now that... is a question and a half." Mach says, then blinks a few times. He stands and walks over to one of the paintings, "I'm not sure where to begin..." For a rare change he actually looks at one of the paintings and nods at it. "Yeah. That nails it really. Mr Gray. Made a deal with the devil himself to stay the same and everything changed, even him, deep down, only making it worse. I didn't make a deal, it wasn't with the devil, and a lot changed along the way."

He turns and looks at Diana's blue eyes with his. Most simplify it to hazel but, really it's the scars of green, brown, other facets and flects depending on the angle too... if the proverb's true and they are the window to the soul... Mach's all fractured fragments reset in a frame, many things at many times, but, in the end, something that is ultimately broken.

He sighs, "I made a choice and I've been doing everything I can to keep up with the consequences of that... but, now, I think I've seen too much. More than I could handle alone." He pauses before trying to be clearer, "I'm in deep... all to try and fix something. In doing so I've seen... a factory. Mass producing monsters in the making."

He shrugs and winces, "Maybe it's too late to stop the production line. Maybe not. Which is why I'm calling for help. I'm on the inside with the man behind it. He still may be able to help me but... even if it means risking my own end... I can't unsee what I have. Can't unthink what'll happen if those things are let out in their hundreds... thousands... millions..." tailing off, somewhat pathetically, Mach falls silent all the same.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana would stare at the painting that Carl was speaking about and she'd just silently absorb what he was saying while then turning her eyes to look into his uniquely shaded own. When he started to spill the beans on what sounded like some kind of robot war machine facility, Diana would turn to face him fully now.

"Mister Mach." She started. "If you have some inside information on what you believe is an... insideous plot to build an... army of mechanical soldiers... I would very much appreciate all the information you have on it, and no theatrics or misinformation."

The Amazon Princess' eyes would narrow a little and her dark eyebrows would furrow downward across her brow. "What exactly is that you know, sir?" She'd inquire further of him. "What is it that you wish of me to do in regards to it?"

Phage has posed:
"Diana." Mach starts softly, slightly quieter than he has been speaking before, "It's not mechanical. It's... organic. Like... I dunno... like this." Mach then closes his eyes and focusses.

...I know you're tired, hurting, and if there were any other way you know I'd do it partner...

,,,There is strength enough for this demonstration. Proceed,,,

The fluid trickles up from the insides of his suit, slowly taking a new form. Stumps rather than blades, yellow scarring more present than usual, Phage's form flows into place and, now changed, he continues, "We assume you have seen the others. Like Venom. A sample of it was obtained and a crude attempt to grow it was made."

The shift back is somewhat swifter, as Phage is too tired to keep it up for long, "However the same one who did that had made advances enough to, perhaps, fix a flaw in our own bonded partnership. Luthor may have damaged my symbiote, Phage, without realising and, the scientist I discovered may be effecting a way to repair the damage done."

The spy in all but official classification looks to her. Trying to get a read, see if there's anything he's missed. While he does he continues, "What I exactly know is limited. I've been an operative for longer than most and he's good. Move at the wrong moment and those feral duplicates'll be hidden where no one could find 'em. I hoped, and still do, that I may be able to prevent them being loosed."

He sighs. It's not doing right by Phage. That kills him. Wearily he continues on though, "However, should that fail, I need to have some people rush in, preferably those with fire, microwaves, sonics... stop these things so they can't get out and find people."

Mach presses the point home. "My symbiote, Phage, is as the name implies. Symbiotic. It only can live by being bonded to me. I only benefit by being bonded to it. Those things are parasitic. They'll consume anyone they try to bond to entirely."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana's look while watching him shift forms was one of confusing and dismay, but she maintained her composure while listening intently on what he had to say about... all of this.

"I see." She said softly when he stopped explaining. "Well then, that sounds like a potentially very hazardous situation... And you are afraid that my associates at the Justice League would be... too dangerous a risk to send after this... parasitic bonding factory? You are fearful that they would flee only to hide anew and come back another day?"

Diana slowly would shake her head. "If that is the case, Mister Mach, you are going to have to suggest to me a way that we might intervene and disrupt this situation, before it gets any worse for others who have no interest in a symbiote, let alone what these things may wish to do once they are... bonded with one. How do we stop it then?"

Phage has posed:
Carl waves his hands vaguely in that way people do when trying to explain something complicated, "It's on two fronts. First is those parasites are corrupted. Phage easily managed to assert itself against them. It may be able to stop them, control them... maybe destroy them before they can be turned loose but the treatments we've been going through have weakened it. My powers have been intermittent. I fell of a building as I suddenly couldn't stay stuck to the wall."

His face then creases. How does anyone explain that one? "... the facility those things are in could be moved in a moment but there's no way to know if the place can even hold the ones in there." He then grins brightly. "Luckily... I had a career making facilities super-proof. So, I can do that."

The grin grows brighter as he reaches into his pocket. "I might be sore, I might be blowing my only chance to help heal my partner... but I didn't forget my manners." He offers what, to be fair, looks like a phone. "Always bring a gift. Don't bring a problem without offering a solution. On that... there are design specs for a tracer chip. It'd take someone boosting the power on the city's cell towers but... that'd focus the microwaves on whoever was tagged with them."

He takes out the yellow tinted glasses and puts them on. "All symbiotes and bonded pairs share similar vulnerabilities. Like I said, sonics, fire, microwaves... but... to initiate a bond... physical contact's required. As much as a cleaning crew's sealed suit'd be enough to stop even the most compatible pair from bonding. Parasitic, Symbiotic or otherwise. I assume the League have sealed suits?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana would listen to what the man was explaining and she looked a bit unsure of all of it, but she seemed to believe him and was worried for his well being, which is what made her speak up next.

"Mister Mach." Diana started without a thoughtful tone. "Since I have gotten here, I have observed that you appear to be... fairly distressed. I can only assume that this distress is related to the symbiote that you, are, bonded with." Diana would peer a bit more curious at him then. "Are you... in discomfort?" She'd ask. "Is there a way to separate you, from this symbiote that has bonded itself to you? Is that something you even desire?"

Phage has posed:
Carl replays that in his head, just to be sure. The look of surprise is something he doesn't even try to hide. Then he chuckles softly. "... in all due deference to your preceding reputation... no. Very much no." Oh boy. Let's give explaining this a go. "Many people don't understand things. You, me, anyone. How they react to that is the important bit. Luthor didn't understand Phage is a living alien creature. Sentient and as alive as you or I. I was the one it chose to bond with. It's a symbiotic relationship though. I benefit it... it benefits me."

Sometimes tactical considerations get in the way of what an operative wants to do. In this case... smoke. "Phage, I suspect, was hurt by Luthor, trying to force it to bond to him rather than me. He didn't understand it can't be done." He sighs, "I didn't understand how to fix Phage so, using the company's less than sterling reputation, I attended a little meeting that led me to a gifted scientist who's trying to undo the damage done. He doesn't understand that, so far, the treatments have left Phage exhausted and, I only found this out myself when, at the top of a building, I suddenly couldn't stick to the walls any more."

There's a slight shrug, "About twenty storeys trying to slow my fall with brute force, damn nearly ripped my arm off, about ten more on my face... and a crash landing in a dumpster. Still. There's worse that coulda happened." He looks for that glimmer of understanding. Hopeful and quizzical mixed together replacing the surprise on his features, "I don't want you to misunderstand me Diana. I chose it like it chose me. I will go to any length to protect its life. Easily at the cost of mine. It got a rough deal, was messed with, tortured, before it had any say in anything. It's alive, sentient and that's not exclusive to humanity. Never thought so myself."

Another soft chuckle follows, "I'm used to hurting. Beauty of the disposable and deniable. Nobody's problem except on my own. All I need is a little time to set things up so, when I call in the cavalry, it doesn't turn into a bloodbath. The same things that can stop those parasites... can stop Phage..." He adds, almost as an inconsequential afterthought, "... and me. I've went some set of lengths to find out what I have and try and save it. More to let you and your colleagues know but let's be clear."

"I signed up for this life. To be a spook. Meaning nothing to noone and, if I'm lucky, dying when I get sloppy... Phage didn't. Push comes to shove I'm saving it's biomass at the cost of my own. To that end... where you can... don't put my name about too much. More information recieved rather than Carl told you. If something goes down I'm just another hostile. Best chance it's got."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana would stand perfectly still with her hands at her sides, eventually moving them so that her fingertips are touching lightly against one another while shse listens to him. Eventually, Diana would simply nod her head two small times.

"You have to understand... I had to ask." She told him. Though she wasn't convinced that this symbiote had attached itself to Carl wit Carl's permission. "I am... glad you did not suffer any real terrible damage in the fall." She'd show a light smile then and there before moving on.

"With that said, I would like to know precisely what it is you feel I can do to help you with... all of this?"

Phage has posed:
"It'll likely come as no surprise that LexCorp has extensive files on all the gods and supers around. Why I could sell specialised security systems." He waves the phone again, "Even if you don't have people available at the time who have sonic of fire based powers... the schematics on this give you, or anyone, little symbiote, or parasite killing tags. Just put one on, send a power surge through the cell towers, and it'll fry anything that the tags are stuck to. Likely leave unbonded people with nothing more than a tan."

He smiles, he's out of his depth, Osborn's likely gonna kill him... not a metaphor... but it's one last time. Where the world makes sense. On an operation. That moment... where he's useful... still solid... if just for that fleeting moment. "So, take the science, make a good few of them... wait for my call and bring all the fire and noise to any parasites that are made, or half finished or whatever. Then... whatever you do... arrest the guy yourself, hand him over to the cops... I've worked too many small time compared to your team's ops to know how the real big leaguers do."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana would reach her hand out for the phone, assume it had been offered to her, and she'd offer a soft smile to him. "Likely... to leave a nothing but a burn." She said to him then. "We shall have to make sure on that, because if it were to kill a large amount of people, well then... we would have to alter the plan."

Diana would then nod lightly a single time to Carl. "Thank you, Mister Mach. For bringing all of this to me. Let me give you my personal number so that you can contact me via text or otherwise, I would rather you communicate directly with me than through messages sent between others."

Diana's right hand dipped into her leather jacket pocket and she'd extend a business card to him a moment later, it was simplistic in design with her name and info written in dark gold text on a glossy white background.

Phage has posed:
Mach passes the phone and swaps it for the card, "Thank you. It's an older model phone. Real buttons. Old and obselete... like me. But, like me, still has a few tricks to it. Hardwired the unlock button to speedial the network I bounce my calls through. Best skip the details but, call that, anywhere in the world I might be... I'll answer."

The fleeting smile fades a little and he adds, "Shame really about the circumstances but it has been a pleasure meeting you. Just wish I could have found something at short notice I could have expensed. It annoys Luthor when I expense things... so I try to do it whenever I can." He's gotta admit it. Especially now, since Phage is dormant and resting. i.e. it wont hear his thoughts and be able to gloat. Mach's thinking was flawed. There was, and is, more to life, more to him, than the next job or objective.

Smart-alec alien-bonded partner... he couldn't have done better. It couldn't have done worse. Maybe it all balances itself out. "Then again... I might hear more soon enough to maybe arrange a better venue for an update. Stranger things have happened. Of course, the private gallery is for the day so, as best pleases you, feel free to enjoy the works here." Then his smile changes gears from faded to bright. He felt a small vengeful attempt at an internal jab. His partner's way of saying... it's down but not out.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana would accept the phone and she'd offer a little smile before nodding at his words. When he spoke of enjoying the gallery she'd glance around again and comment idly. "It is quite lovely." She told him. "I am a big art enthusiast, so you could not have selected a better place to ask me to meet with you on all of this."

Diana would hold the phone between both of her hands in front of her stomach, she'd glance down at it a moment before looking back up at him. "I best be on my way, I suggest you try not to peeve Mister Luthor, I hear he has quite a temper." She was just teasing though and the playful smile she expressed would help elaborate that.

Diana would make to leave though, turning back the way that Carl had escorted her in. "We will be in touch." She'd say back to him then in her heavily accented English.