338/Plans Within Plans

Plans Within Plans
Date of Scene:	09 May 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Psylocke, Magneto

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Psylocke has posed:
To say that Braddock Manor was a mansion is like saying the sun is hot. While both true statements, it does not quite encapsulate the sheer immensity of the reality. Suffice to relate, the estates of the Braddock family are immense enough for the purposes of those who need and have the privelage of using it.

Elizabeth Braddock, AKA "Psylocke," sits in one of the many large study rooms of the manor. Flourishing woodwork whose artisitc and market value exceeds that of most middle class homes surround her. A large wide fireplace sits vacant of any flames, with various heads of differing Earth creatures adorn the home. Looking at the room, one might assume that this room was the study of some wizened professor. However, we all know what happens when we assume, don't we?

Betsy licks the tip of her finger, flipping the page of a book about Shakespeare. She is currently preparing for her next class, one of the last of the year. To say that paper was the extent of the technology available to her would be incorrect. She is just rich enough that whatever resources she desires she acquires with very little fuss.

Any maid or manservant can access this room to inform her of any messages, though she has communicated she would rather not be disturbed.

Magneto has posed:
On the other side of the world, a very different sort of mutant is sitting in a room not unlike the one in which Elizabeth finds herself. A mansion of epic proportions, filled with the sort of finery one would expect of the very wealthy.

The only difference is that this room has a couple of gigantic holes in it.

The mansion that used to belong to the President of Genosha has survived a war, barely. Nearly everything inside is destroyed, and what hasn't been destroyed has been covered in pro-mutant grafiti. Magneto likes to come here every now and then, when he wants to collect his thoughts away from the squabbling mutants who make up his new interim government.

"Have you considered renovating the palace? It seems a shame to leave it like this."

The Master of Magnetism is jarred from his reverie by one of his new Acolytes. The mutant who has chosen the name 'Scanner' is young and naive, but quickly becoming one of his most valuable subjects... er... constituents.

"Unfortunately, this bastion of opulence is a symbol of the old regime." Yes, Magneto actually talks that way... "It must be removed to make way for the new order."

Scanner looks around the place wistfully, as if she still thinks it's a shame to destroy the president's mansion, but she knows better than to question the logic. "You asked to see me, Mister President?"

Ruefully, Magneto smiles "I'm not the President, Scanner. But yes, I did. I need you to patch me through to one of my contacts..."

Less than a minute later, the air in front of of Elizabeth begins to shimmer with a pinkish-purple gleam. The image solidifies into the life-size form of Magneto. Well... slightly oversized, but hopefully Psylocke won't notice.

"I trust this isn't an inoportune time?"

Psylocke has posed:
Psylocke is dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, with socks on. England has not quite warmed up yet. She, also, despite her age, wears a pair of half-moon spectacles that she uses to read her book. Being two minds in one body mean she has a hard time interpreting words from time to time. The glasses make one eye far-sighted, so that the side of the brain that reads English naturally takes over.

Betsy turns another page just as Magneto appears larger than life in her presence. She pauses mid-flip, but then completes the action as though a breeze had just momentarily distracted her. She does lower her spectacles, however.

"Mmm, are we compensating for something, Maxwell?" Betsy asks, while looking over her book at the projection of Magneto. She then returns her attention to her book, "Last time I think we left this conversation, all you had to do was think my passphrase, and I'd hear you. Though, something tells me, you have something rather pertinent in mind that you wanted to actually speak to me without Charles potentially overhearing us."

She closes the book, and gestures the projection to have a seat across from her, "How can I help you?"

Magneto has posed:
"You'll forgive the intrustion." It's not really a question, and it's not really an apology. But it's close enough to at least SOUND polite. Magneto is stern and overbearing, but he always manages to add just enough polish and refinement to keep from sounding like a complete boor.

"But we can never be too careful, not when matters of state are hanging in the balance." Okay, so she was right. It certainly appears to be something important, we're all on the edge of our seats...

"Charles, however, is no longer the biggest risk when communicating telepathically. Suffice it to say that Genosha has many enemies, and I must rely on the only channel that I know is secure."

The self-styled Master of Magnetism is wearing his helmet, as is his custom. Indeed, he never seems to be seen without his full regalia these days. His paranoia is growing as rapidly as his ego...

"Genosha has need of your services, Psylocke. I need someone who is both capable and discreet. But most importantly, I need someone who already has access. Tell me... how soon could you be on a plane for twice your standard fee?"

Psylocke has posed:
Psylocke does not tolerate flattery, but she will listen to Magneto. He's sometimes wrong, but a lot of times right. He also tends to be melodramatic, which irritates Betsy, but she can deal with it. People always tend to be that way anyway.

Betsy then opens her book again, "There's always something worse than the last guy, Magneto. You are not telling me anything that is new." Then, she gives him a flat look, "Besides, you know my fee isn't in money. What sort of information are we talking about here?"

Magneto has posed:
Despite himself, Magneto's lined face breaks into a smile. Sure, most of it is hidden behind that helmet, but the sliver of mouth that's visible gives him away. He tries to suppress it as soon as possible.

"That's the other reason Genosha needs YOUR services: We're broke, and you don't care about money." He uses the word 'we' a lot when referring to Genosha. It's a sign of a royalty complex, or dissociative identity disorder.

"I've been consulting with Destiny recently. She's having something of a lucid period. Last week in fact, she mentioned the 'Children of Braddock' by name before she slipped back into her coma. But I'm sure that I could remember exactly what she said to me if you were to do me this little favor."

Psylocke has posed:
There. Right there.

A slight chink in Psylocke's exterior emotional armor. Her face hesitates. Normally, she wears a mask of impassivity, disinterest. The right side of her cheek twitches, and hunger enters her eyes. It prowls predatorily beneath the cover of her violet eyes, having located its prey. Betsy sits up, leaning forward.

"Well, I would not say I do not -care- about money," Psylocke begins slowly, trying to gather her thoughts once again, "It is just not something that will inpsire me to be generous," Betsy finishes flippantly. She now examines her nails "Normally, -I'm- the one paying someone to do something I'd rather not do for the moment. Remove a threat here, take care of a problem in France there..." Elizabeth breaks into a grin. She really is a breath-taking, beautiful woman when she wants to be.

Then, she chooses her words carefully, "But, if something is important enough for you to remember what Destiny said, I could theoretically be on a plane in an hour."

Magneto has posed:
"I'm glad we're able to come to understanding. But this isn't something that I'd rather not do, it's something that I'm... unsuited for." Given that Magneto's taste in suits include giant bucket helmets, this is probably an entirely accurate assessment.

"You see this man?" The image of Magneto is joined by another highly-lifelike hologram. Standing next to Magneto, in three dimensional psychic high-def, is a pudgy, balding little man with glasses. From his nondescript polo shirt to his wrinkled khakis, there's nothing whatsoever remarkable about the man.

"This man is one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most effective surveillance experts. For obvious reasons, he's able to remain unnoticed while he conducts his work. Unfortunately, his work these days involves taking lots of video footage of my children."

The scowl on Magneto's face deepens, as if to drive home what a serious affront he finds this to be.

Psylocke has posed:
Psylocke's eyes fix on the man, she keeps her expression very careful now. Magneto is pretentious and believes himself to be better than everyone else. And he is wickedly powerful, which makes for a dangerous combination.

"And, what would you prefer to happen to Mister...?" She begins calmly.

Magneto has posed:
"Smythe. With a 'y' and an 'e', if you can belive it. Of course, he pronounces it 'Smith' because... look at him." It's true, the man does look like a 'Smith.'

"I would prefer that nothing at all happen to Mister Smythe. In fact, I want him to continue doing his job. He's excellent at it, after all, and I see no reason that he shouldn't live to collect his miniscule S.H.I.E.L.D. pension." Magneto's tone becomes slightly playful, as if he's taking his time getting around to a big 'but.' However, the 'but' never comes.

"Nothing about his schedule must change, and he must continue making his regular reports to S.H.I.E.L.D. And when he submits his regular reports to S.H.I.E.L.D., he'll send a duplicate copy straight to me."

Psylocke has posed:
"What do we know already about Mr. Smythe?" Psylocke asks, investigating her finger nails again. She already will have the man in question investigated for the future for her activities.

Magneto has posed:
"It pains me to admit that even my intelligence capabilities don't allow me to get full access to S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel files. Truthfully, I know very little about him other than that he's nearsighted and has a credit score of 838."

The image of the man remains, frozen stiff, while Magneto walks around him. His footsteps make no sound, obviously, since we've already established that he's some sort of freaky hologram.

"However, he's currently staying at a hotel in Westchester under a false identity and skulking around one of my daughters. I'll leave the rest of the detective work up to you, and eagerly await your report when the mission is complete."

The image of Magneto disappears as suddenly as it appeared, leaving only the still-life image of Mister Smythe for a few more moments, allowing Psylocke enough time to burn his likeness into her memory.