5864/Black Sky: With Friends Like These

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Black Sky: With Friends Like These
Date of Scene: 27 November 2018
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: The Hand and Foot meet at last, a deal is made that puts Matt Murdock and the Defenders in their crosshairs.
Cast of Characters: Daredevil, Elektra, Shredder, Madame Gao
Tinyplot: Black Sky


Daredevil has posed:
Since Elektra's death and the raids against the Hand. Word had come that the leader of the Foot wished to speak with the Hand. Gao, agreed to take that meeting along with the new Hand's new finger: Takara Sakai.

It was always good to show unity after internal changes and this was one of those moments.

Gao had sent out the invitation to meet her at an office building downtown known to some as having ties to the Hand but not yet discovered by the FBI. It was a quiet spot to meet in the current storm of legal trouble.

The room Gao had chosen was a small lounge off one of the main offices, it was simple and elegant and provided a stunning view of New York and Gotham beyond it. The old woman had seated herself with her back to that window, her cane leaning against her chair, a elegant porceline cup in her hand, holding baiju instead of tea.

She addressed one of the Hand ninjas who attended her. "Please be sure to allow our guest in with no delay, then," she looks to the other ninja as well, including them in her command. "Leave us. We will attend to our guest ourself."

There are nods and the ninja depart to guide the famed Shredder to the meeting when he arrives.

Gao looks then to Takara. "Are you ready?" she asks taking a sip from her cup.

Elektra has posed:
Takara wasn't an elegant figure. Tall, she wasn't the picture of Japanese perfection, being neither dainty, nor discrete. So, instead, she'd cultivated that to her advantage. If she couldn't be dainty, or a picture of perfection, then she would be a stark, and solid figure. And if there were those who initially mistook her for male, so be it; she would use that to her advantage, too.

Unlike many others in the organization, Takara understood what it was that Elektra had been trying to do, and had actually encouraged the shift in focus. The days of straight out street level infiltration and petty crime were nearly at an end - well, if not at an end, at least they weren't the cutting edge of crime anymore, and anyone with half a brain knew where the action was. Where it should be going. At 24, Takara had BA in Business Administration, and a Masters in Data Technologies. She'd come to play, and play hard, and her work had finally paid off with Toshido's fatal allegiance to Elektra.

It wasn't so much that Takara had snitched on the man, as she'd allowed Madame Gao to see that she, Takara, had seen through him too, and let the cards of that gamble fall as they may.

It had paid off.

Today, though, she was Madame Gao's right hand. As the newest Finger, Takara had much to learn. As Madame Gao's personal protege.. well, Takara was willing to learn all that she could. If she couldn't be the Fist that Rules, she could make herself indispensible instead.

Like today, with the meeting of their nemesis, Shredder.

Takara peers over the edge of her cup - tea, unlike Madame Gao's - "I have been ready for longer than you could know." She smiles, almost saucily. "But if you only mean today, then yes. I do wonder, though, I see the logic of what you are doing, but is it not a dangerous game, so close to how she would have played things? Do you not worry you will be seen in the shadow of that light?"

Shredder has posed:
    The Shredder, in all of his regalia and metal armor, arrived punctually. His contingent of elites consisted of only two, though they were known to be remarkable combatants, and his chuunin, Karai. They all stay outside as he enters.

    "Gao, and you must be...Takara." He says it as if he didn't remember her name, but of course he did. "Your people have been suffering a great deal since the loss of your 'fist'." He's blunt and to the point about the matter.

Daredevil has posed:
While Gao waits she takes in Takara more closely. She was one of the new breed of Hand, as capable in a business suit as she was a in a shozoku. She had been an easy choice to replace the fool Toshido, someone she could cultivate through the new centuries that lay before the Hand. Ones where technology and commerce would be as needed as blades in the dark.

The woman's observations earn a faint smile as Gao lowers her cup. "A valid point, but as they say, when you are weak appear strong, when you're strong appear weak," the old maxim from the Art of War was timeless, though which was the Hand in this case strong or weak?

When Shredder enters Gao does him the honour of standing, smiling warmly like someone's grandmother. "Welcome Oroko Saki," she greets. "If I may address you by that name, I see the centuries have done little to dull your pride," she observes but it wasn't so much a chastisement as a remark. "Please sit, will you have tea or something stronger?"

She doesn't address his remarks about the state of the Hand, at least, not yet.

Elektra has posed:
Takara's smile remains an enigmatic thing for moments longer before the young woman's mein grows seroius and thoughtful. "Then you do attempt what I thought. It is a daring move." Not that Madame Gao was unaware. "I will make certain that we are ready, when the time comes, then."

She bows her head over her teacup, the cup held midchest for that moment, the gesture of respect a fleeting and momentary thing that lasts no longer than the subtle noises that announce Shredder's arrival, and just as easily as the gesture had been given, it fades away, and Takara's features take on an impassivity as she regards the armoured man that they shall strike a deal with, should the gods be willing, and the terms agreeable.

She takes her leave from Madame Gao, and does not address the state of the Hand - that matter is not hers to speak of out of turn. At least not yet, not before the man has shown more of his hand. She does, however, incline her head to him and murmur, "I must be" in regards to his naming of her. And now she has his name as well - his proper name. Not merely the street slang tossed about in regards to him.

Shredder has posed:
    "Nor should it," the Shredder answers. His title is also hardly street slang, but has been the title he's been known by from his days in feudal Japan. "Tea would be excellent," he says. His time with Kitsune taught him the respect for a tea ceremony, and he's been known to use it frequently. "You do appear quite weak, Madame Gao," he says, not paying much heed to the young newcomer, seeming to prefer the more seasoned veteran.
    "Raids are being spent against your locations daily. You have made attempts to recover your strength, but from what my intelligence has gathered, you are as the Americans say 'on the ropes.' The Hand is in a precarious position, prone perhaps not for destruction-for we both know that it will never be fully destroyed-but for significant loss in power."

Daredevil has posed:
Gao for her part rises to pour tea, an extreme act of deference for their guest.

"What you say about the raids is true," she admits as she fills a cup and offers it to Shredder in both hands.

"Though, Takara, what do you think of our guest's appraisal?" she asks the new finger. "Is he correct, or does he perhaps presume we are weaker than we are?"

Elektra has posed:
Takara considers first their guest, and then Madame Gao.

She knows that the woman does not ask this lightly, and that there is a balance to be sought between betraying secrets, and in pointing out truths. It would be a simple thing to agree to Shredder's appraisal of both Madame, and the Hand, but then again, if she is right, then Gao asks this as test - both of her ability to balance, but also of her ability to see through what others have not.

"You are correct," she tells Shredder politely, but in tones that are carefully couched to betray no emotion. "Raids continue against our locations almost daily. But we are aware that these targets are at risk. We have known for some time. You will perhaps have noted that the numbers of those taken in, or secured, are much smaller than a full scale operation should render. This is no accident."

She gives the barest shrug of shoulders.

"We have been engaged in a campaign of restructuring." Takada very carefully does not say relocating. "Those who have been targetted by the raids are acceptable losses. What you see as a weakness has been a deliberate excising necessary to convince those who remain to fall into place underneath the restructured framework."

Calmly, she turns to regard Madame Gao, for that is where her approval will come from.

Shredder has posed:
    "And what do you think that framework will be?" Shredder asks. "You've been exposed, the world knows of your existence at large, the greatest tragedy for those who practice stealth is to be seen." He hmphs. "Will you take the path of those who came after me during the Foot's dark years? Let your organization decline into white collar crimes and lawyering for the sake of personal financial wealth, like a common mafia? Or would you rather gain real power? Power that is lasting, that can command the world?"

Daredevil has posed:
There is an approving "Hmph," from Gao at Takara's assessment. Quiet but significant praise from the ancient woman.

"She is correct. We knew of the Fist's betrayal well before it happened, we prepared. Our name is known yes, but in this world of technology and lies, the truth is no longer the truth and people will believe what they want. Even the newspapers do not report what we truly are, because they don't believe in monsters, only the banal relaities of the world they expect."

She shakes her head at that world. "In time the memory of the Hand will fade back into the shadows where it belongs." She picks up a cup and has a sip. "After all, we have eternity to wait."

Gao returns to her seat. "But you speak of power, I am always willing to hear of it, please do go on."

Elektra has posed:
There's the faintest inclinations of Takara's head to Madame Gao, the gesture not merely one of respect, but of quiet thanks. Her approval has been noted and accepted. She carries the gesture through to a sip of her tea, and lets the other two speak for the moment, taking time to listen to what it is that Gao allows to be known, and also, to take a measure of the venerable warrior who sits with them.

His appraisal of power is not the same as the one she, herself, sees, and it is of considerable interest to her to see how he might defend against the age of technology - an age, that like a dragon, can not be hidden away again once loosed into the light of day. And dragons, after all, were part and parcel of the mythos she was learning.

Shredder has posed:
    The Shredder arches one eyebrow, the left one, an old scar still visible from centuries past. "The Hand has long desired to see their 'black sky' prophecy fulfilled. I once relied on such prophecies, but what I discovered is that no prophecy has power over me. I have broken those prophecies so that I could ascend to my rightful place as the immortal dragon warrior. How many do you see me answer to? I answer to no one. No political heirchy of lackies with their own agendas. And as a result I have returned the Foot in the span of a couple of decades to its power of old, and it continues to expand. Contesting already the Hand who has been uninterrupted for centuries. Tell me, how long do you think it will be before you are dwarfed? Or, you could join me, and have in me what no black sky could ever accomplish. True dominance. I'm not a lost prophecy that you hope will one day appear. I'm the prophecy of the immortal warrior, already come to realization."

Daredevil has posed:
Madame Gao's expression is pleasant throughout Shredder's pitch.

"Hm, you have done very well for yourself Oroku Saki," she admits. "The Foot was a mere shadow of it's former glory before your return."

She lets that statement stand for a moment as she once again looks to Takara. "What do you think? Would it be wise for us to trade one broken prophecy for one that has been fufilled?" she asks.

Then turning her shrewd eyes towards Shredder she asks, "And if the Hand were to join you, what would you do then?"

Elektra has posed:
Takara knows things that Saki doesn't, but it isn't her place to inform. In fact, she knows full well that would be the end of her sojourn as either protege, or Finger, and wisely keeps her own counsel on the matter.

"It is said that it is good to know your enemy." Because by tradition, Hand and Foot have ever been at odds. "It is also wise to know when a united front is stronger than the animosity you bear between you. That at times similar goals can be shared goals in the interests of reducing a common foe to nothing but crumbs beneath one's feet."

She smiles ever so faintly at Shredder. "A prophecy may be left in pieces, but it does not mean we must bow to defeat. Our enemies can still be brought to their knees and left begging for mercy we shall not deliver."

She nods, as much as if to herself, contemplating the idea of those who would oppose them being brought to bear, and the prophecy of what Black Sky will bring them being brought to bear.

"We would waste valuable resources to maintain our separate fights against a common enemy. It may be that our paths do not remain the same, but while they do, would we not all be fools to squander this opportunity?"

It is, after all, the answer she was given before Shredder arrived.

Shredder has posed:
    "Swear fealty to me, and you will see the fortunes of the Hand replenished." Shredder isn't known for going half way with his scrambles for power. "My plans to change the direction of authority in the US are nearly at a time for execution. The Hand would be part of a new national order. With the power of the world's superpower in hand, the rest of the world can soon follow. The addition of the Hand is not necessary, it simply makes the process faster. You have a rare opportunity in this." He pulls his mask from his face, and takes a sip of the tea.

Daredevil has posed:
Madame Gao looks thoughtful at both Takara and Saki's words. She takes a sip from her cup.

"Takara's assessment is accurate," she says. "We would be fools to waste the opportunity to remove, certain common obsticles from out path."

She frowns though. "Fealty though, may not be possible. Would you be willing to accept an alliance?" she says in counter offer. Giving a nod to Takara. "As she said, we stand at a moment of golden opportunity."

Elektra has posed:
At mention of - or, rather, slightly leaning towards demand of - feality, Takara sets her teacup down with rather more force than she intends. "We will not--!" she begins, catching herself a heartbeat and a breath too late to stop the words, her outburst stayed only by Madame Gao's measured appraisal of the situation and counter-offer.

It is with some discontent and disgruntlement that Takara sits back. Angry with herself for her outburst, but also indignant that Shredder would have the audacity to ask such a thing.

Wisely, she stays her tongue any further, though.

Shredder has posed:
    "You can have your own organization," Shredder answers Takara. "I'm not looking to see the Hand be absorbed by the Foot. I could take out every assassin in your ranks myself should I desire. What I can't do is be in all places at once." He finally sits for the first time, placing his hands casually on the table at shoulder width apart. His posture is casual, unconcerned with the outburst, though his eyes shift briefly to Gao. "Should you not join me, you will have the pleasure of feeling my wrath when this city bows to me, followed by the rest of the nation. Or you could join me, and you can appreciate the rewards of my hard work, and will have needed minimal effort of your own to enjoy it." His eyes glance back to Gao again after his spiel, looking remarkably unconcerned whether they accept in his countenance.

Daredevil has posed:
Madame Gao's head turns sharply at Takara's outburst. No words are spoken but her eyes speak volumes. 'Know your place, young one'. Though there is a touch of levity in her expression, suggesting this may be more show than true anger.

"Forgive my associate's outburst," she says.

"And we have similar problems, being all places at once," she says. "If you would be willing to accept an alliance here in New York, we'd be willing to work with you. Provided you help us destroy Daredevil and his associates, he seems to have made it his business to interfere with our plans."

Elektra has posed:
Takara averts her eyes, and lowers her gaze. There may be levity in Madame Gao's expression, but the younger woman feels the sharpness of the rebuke, just the same, if only because she, herself, is ashamed of her outburst. And that such an outburst could have had catastrophic repercussions. Thankfully, it hadn't, but it could have, serving only to show the young woman how much she still had to learn. She almost jerks her head up again when Gao's counter is offered yet again, but it is a thing she catches in time to cover the action.

It may be that the surprise is in the counter, or it may be in the acceptance of the seemingly uncertain terms Saki is offering. And while Takara is burning to ask if allegiance must also include fealty, she does not allow herself voice in this matter, knowing, in this time and place, her station. In this? She is nothing more than observer. Her elders are negotiating. She is merely honoured to be present.

Shredder has posed:
    Saki gives a mock frown. "He's likely to be in my way as well," he says, "I am looking for a broader cooperation than one city. This will be a global endeavor. When I succeed, heroes will be of little concern. They have a habit of following the laws of the land, more or less. Those who don't can remain outcast vigilantes, but the nice thing about mortals," he casts a look back at Takara. "They all die sooner or later."

Daredevil has posed:
"If you want our assitance globally, then, we will need Daredevil destroyed, until then, we will help you in New York, once he is gone, we can expand our relationship to one of more global reach," Madame Gao says. "I trust this will be acceptable?"

There is a look to Takara then, an invitation to comment, and one that does not seem like a trap.

Elektra has posed:
Takara's lips press together into a thin line, but it's also a line of assent. She sees the value in this covenant, and if it is played rightly, they will be rid of a mutual enemy - a win for both sides, however the rest may play out. Even if there are still matters about this that do not sit well with the young woman...

But then again, she also understands the value of what her discomfort brings to this table. It lends weight to Madame Gao's offer in the matter of it being so visibly a step that does not sit well. The Hand has already shown how it deals with dissent - those lost to the raids spoke volumes.

In truth, Takara is already seeing the wisdom of this alliance, of the deals that Gao is forging. They lose utterly nothing in this gesture. It is written only so far as the fall of the Daredevil, and no further, and as a mutual enemy, that both wish gone, there is no face lost in allowing that to be the bounds of their initial deal and things falling to the wayside after. Neither side will need to claim a dishonour against the other no matter what the outcome.

Face has been offered and saved to both. Now all that remains is to see if Saki sees that as well.

Shredder has posed:
    There is a slight smile. "Very well, I'll have my Foot destroy the Daredevil, and I will have a list of targets that I would like help in destroying or coercing. Government officials and crime lords alike. Soon my plans will be ready to put into action, and the cities of this nation will be mine." Yes, his, not ours, or the Foot's. Shredder's. Though it is likely no surprise to Gao. Shredder has always had power, and always sought to use that power to gain more of it.

Daredevil has posed:
Madame Gao considers Shredder's words as she drains her cup of liquor and sets it in it's saucer. "Acceptable," she says of helping coerce targets in New York for the Foot. Indeed many of them would be helpful in abating the problems the Hand faced in the city. Provided the Wing Kong, did not deliver on their grand promises of striking those enemies down with magic. She had her doubts, which is why she made contingencies.

There is a smile from Gao then, and a nod. "We have a deal."

Elektra has posed:
Takara's lips fall over a faint smile. Things, it seems, are looking up. Or down, depending upon your perspective. She wouldn't want to be a Defender right now.