6819/The Business Game

The Business Game
Date of Scene:	09 March 2019
Location:	Lex Luthor's Office - LexCorp Tower
Synopsis:	Plans are made by the Light and associates to recover intelligence on the current Sentinel models.
Cast of Characters:	Lex Luthor, Polaris, Blink, Magneto
Tinyplot:	Sentinels

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Lex Luthor has posed:
LexCorps involvement with Genosha is well known, and well invested. For anyone investigating the arrangement, everything going on with LexCorps presence there is above board and doing nothing but good for the people there. Economies are booming, stability is forming with one of the giants of industry at the reigns, and all in all, the deal has been honored with no catches so far. After everything mutants have dealt with and continue to deal with... one could be forgiven for calling it refreshing the way LexCorp has been treating both humans and mutants there. The job fair in Mutant Town was only the latest example of Luthors commitment to providing safety and prosperity for all.

Now... now there's a potential threat on the horizon: Sentinels.

These giant robots are nothing new, but they are clearly getting a shot in the arm. And so Polaris and Blink come to LexCorp Tower in order to discuss matters of global interest with the Man of Tomorrow.

Helmeted Team Luthor security escort Blink and Polaris up to Luthors office, where they're 'handed off' to the elite security detail on the office floor itself. The mutant inhibitor field kicks in just as the elevator opens for the both of them, and they're invited by the Team Luthor security there through the steel double doors into the Office proper, where Hope and Mercy flank the giant office desk in the back, the sunset outside the glass wall behind him providing an interesting contrast.

Lex himself sits behind his own desk, clad in a well tailored business suit as he stands up to greet the two, offering a handshake, "Your Highness." A glance to Blink, "I apologize. I was told to expect guests, but they didn't give me your name." He gives a winning smile to Blink. Charisma is the name of the game for Lex Luthor, and it's all on display.

Polaris has posed:
Blink had found Lorna earlier in the day and it was truly, just in time too. The young woman had scheduled an appointment out to meet with Lex Luthor some time ago, particularly with an interest in discussing the situation with the Sentinels. As she had said to her father and Scott, they needed to make it unprofitable to continue to create the killer robots. How better to do that than with a multinational company that supported Mutant rights to work and be compensated fairly for it?

The Genoshan Princess knew the value of showing up as her status merited, for all that she'd taken time to be on 'vacation' while in the US, she was still acting in an official capacity as a representative for the island nation. The car she'd ordered for transport had been showy, a sleek black model with a hired driver from Mutant Town. Though she had Blink with her, it was a matter of appearances. Lorna had asked Clarice to suit up even, to look the part of her 'security' and to not hide who she was in the least. Even as they swept into the refined and modern looking building, Lorna took point. She wore a pair of high heeled shoes that clicked with every step she took, and a tailored suit of dark purple.

The power dampening field had her frowning minutely, and her gaze narrowed as she rode the elevator up, but said nothing against it. Nor did she try to test the strength of it.. This was a friendly visit after all.

As Lex greeted them she plastered on her usual polite smile. something she had picked up in the last year and reached to shake his hand as offered. "Mister Luthor, a pleasure. Thank you for having us." She glanced toward Clarice and nodded. "This is Blink, she's part of my security. You'll understand given what happened at the last protest I was at. My father is a cautious man."

Blink has posed:
Blink had donned an all black outfit, with boots to her knees and brown leather flare about the shoulders and waist. Her quiver was left behind, but even without the outfit does a fine job of giving a sleek, even elite appearance to purple and magenta-haired mutant.

Blink glances over to Lorna in the elevator, giving her a little smile and nod. Her faith in Lorna and the royal family in general has always been near absolute, and that confidence radiates in this situation as the elevator reaches the top.

If Blink is feeling less confident in herself, it doesn't really show at the moment. Her eyes flit about at the different members of security here, before settling on Lex Luthor. At the introduction from Lorna, Blink inclines her head in a respectful way towards Luthor, but doesn't say anything. She takes up a position a little behind Lorna and where she can keep an eye on the goings on without being in the way.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I'm well aware of many things, Ms. Dane. Including the protest. I make it my business to keep up with currents events, always." Lex gestures to the two luxurious chairs in front of his desk, "Please, sit if you like. Mercy and Hope can get you anything you need by way of refreshments if you'd like them."

WIth that, Lex moves behind his desk, and sits down. Then, he leans forward and steeples his fingers on the desk. "I understand your interest in this meeting is finding ways to make the Sentinel initiative untenable?"

Polaris has posed:
By having Blink there at her back, Lorna was better able to hold her posture and her calm, confident manner despite no longer having clear access to her powers. It was an itch at the back of her head, to be cut off even if temporarily from the magnetic fields. One that wouldn't relent until they left the power dampening field behind. Still, she inclined her head and took the offered seat, settling on the edge and crossing her ankles as she perched primly before the large desk.

"I'll have a tea, thank you." She turned her focus back to Lex and smiled again.

"Indeed, I spoke with my father extensively about what to do regarding the situation. I'm a fan of the more diplomatic, business approach of things. Why bother to tackle a problem from one angle? It hasn't worked well for Mutants up to this point. But I figure, follow the money, and the supplies and we might have a chance. And of course, who better than a business man and associate of Genosha's to help with such a venture? Giant robots aren't cheap, otherwise everyone would have them."

Blink has posed:
Blink stands quietly by, not participating in the conversation. She might be listening to it, but her attention is as much on the room and the others in it as it might be on what is being said.

Blink takes a moment to look over each of the other people in the room. She thinks of what the members of the Brotherhood might look for. Weapons. Bulges that indicate weapons. Can you tell how trained someone is from their posture and stance? Well, Blink can't so she stops trying and instead just keeps an eye on everything else, allowing Lorna to focus on the negotiations that are underway.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I know where the money is coming from, where it's going, and what it's being used for. It's something of an interesting dilemma." Lex leans back, and he gives a thoughtful pose. "With the current state of affairs... the only way I could reasonably say would be an effective plan is to mitigate current potential damage the government based Sentinels can do. That means knowing their specifications." A purse comes to his lips as he tilts his head just so, "As of right now, Trask Industries is highly profitable making these Sentinels, and governments all over the world are buying them in mass quantities as an 'alternative' to superteams." He smirks. "I do believe they're tired of relying on protection from The Alien, among others."

As Blink looks around, Mercy is already bringing Lorna her tea. Hope is keeping an eye on the two of them. They both wear business dresses... but a close inspection reveals a number of suspicious creases and bulges along their suits... and both have the stance of someone well trained in melee combat, ready to pounce at a moments notice. There are also a number of obvious cameras at each corner of he office.

Of course, Mercy and Hope are the constant bodyguards for Luthor... so it makes sense they'd be /very/ well trained for their work.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna paused, dragging her focus away from Lex briefly as the tea was brought out. She flashed the woman a smile as she brought out the saucer and tea cup, thanking her gently and balancing the steaming cup with practiced ease in her grip as she took a sip and set it down. Normally, in Genosha she had a strictly enforced code for accepting drinks and food. According to some her father was paranoid. According to the other royal families out there, he was sensible. After all, not even the Queen of England drank water that she didn't bring with her.

Still, the green haired woman returned her focus back to Lex after a brief look to Blink and a smile. "Let me know if you need anything, alright?" She offered softly once she set the tea cup down in front of her.

"So it is government funded. As I feared." She sighed once, "Is it possible.. or feasible, to buy out the resources they use to build them if we knew the specs they use? Jack up the prices? Or even offer them a different solution entirely?" She asked, arching a brow. "Genosha is still earning its place globally, and as a result, our ability to choke their trade deals for buying Sentinel tech isn't currently an option." She pursed her lips at that, seeming to be irritated at that.

Blink has posed:
Blink's eyes sweep over Mercy and Hope, trying to be inconspicuous about it, using a few glances over time rather than staring for too long. She keeps a closer eye though when they are in closest proximity to Lorna, and Blink watches as the tea is prepared if it is done in the room.

As Lorna has the comment to Blink, the purple-haired mutant gives a small nod, "Yes, Your Highness," she responds softly, though does not ask for anything. There's warmth and a smile in her eyes, which Lex probably notes. Not merely a case of an employed bodyguard. A believer.

Blink goes back to observing quietly, including watching Lex as well. Not schooled in reading body language as others in the room are, it is still a chance to watch and learn.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"It's capitalizing on the current highly fear filled climate after the chaos in Mexico and from the fungus threat. They want solutions /they/ control." Lex then waves a hand at the ceiling, and a very well detailed and clear representation of Earth appears above the desk. Soon, red dots start to appear all over the map... with a couple smaller ones in the US. The biggest ones seems to be in Russia. "The actual factories where current models are being produced are mainly in Russia, but Trask has brought out a number of plastics factories and is in the process of converting them for mass production of Sentinels for the US itself."

Lex looks directly at Lorna's eyes, "the Sentinels are coming here. They're less defended in comparison to the ones in Russia, but they're building them now." He shrugs, "It was a long time coming, honestly... all these superteams with their own agendas. It was a fantasy to believe the governments of the world would tolerate being at the whims of those sort of people forever." There's a pause, before he looks back up to the Earth, "Harmony, bring it down to the desk." The globe gets smaller, and soon it's directly in front of Lorna and Blink. "Touch any dot, and it'll tell you what I've found out. I could just buy a group of Sentinels myself... but that would give me the public image of condoning these robots." He pauses a moment, then he shrugs again, "after the protest in Gotham went badly, I'd need to give that more time for the PR hit."

As Blink looks at Lex... he's charismatic and warm, and gives every impression of being genuine. Of course, his reputation is mixed, to those in the know.

But then, if you want information like what Polaris is asking for, you want a ruthless businessman on your side.

Polaris has posed:
The green haired mutant frowned faintly, her fingers looping through the tea cup's handle as she remained perched on the edge of her seat to listen intently to Lex's words. She exhaled a breath, pursing her lips together. Her green manicured nails tapped gently against the fine porcelain and she paused to take a sip of the tea again while it was still warm, seeming to consider what Lex had to say. Particularly as he brought up the intricate holo of the globe at large.

Green eyes narrowed and she nodded faintly. "They're building plastic ones because it's cheaper you think, or because they're fearful of my father and I particularly?" She arched a brow, musing her thoughts on that subject outloud. Still, there was an intent look of focus to her and she gently reached out to prod at a few of the marked dots as he offered her the chance to look at them. It was all quick, not in any depth, more of a passing glance to see how much more information there was yet to click through.

"I could understand the countries trying to defend themselves from threats and all beyond reliance on a team of supers.. But these target people with the X-gene. Their own citizens. If these things react like they did in Gotham, then we could see a genocide worse than anything previously." She set her tea cup down, turning her green eyed gaze to Lex.

"Is it possible to start an anti-Senintel, anti-Trask advertising campaign? You said they have a pretty bad PR already, why not lean into that? Make it worse. Make it unprofitable from the public image stand point and offer a different solution. They want giant robots.. give them some. Better. Ones that don't target those with the X-gene."

Blink has posed:
Blink continues to stand quietly, not letting the holographic globe pull her attention away from the others in the room. The young woman's vivid green eyes glance about, focusing on the two assistants / body guards as often as on the other, more obvious guards in the room.

The mention of plastic factories draws a glance from Blink. Noting the relative locations on the display and trying to commit them quickly to memory before resuming her watchful stance. Easier to look such things up in the financial information than go from the display like that, but a count of them surely will not be bad information to have.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I actually have no idea if they're using plastics for any of the components in these robots, but it would make sense." Lex offers in reply, before he taps the globe, "They've already disavowed the Gotham Sentinels, so any campaign against them would have to be about the government issued Sentinels flying around, not those." Lex leans forward then, "The way I see it, we have two options; I can buy one publically, and use them as security and to reverse engineer the technology. I wouldn't be able to do much with them, but it's possible. Or, one of these factories-" he waves a hand at the holo-Earth, "-could have an 'accident', and some of their technology could... disappear in the confusion."

"I don't see any campaign to smear them working. Offering them an alternative... might be possible. I'll have to look into that."

Then, Lex looks to Blink, "I agree though. The Sentinels in Gotham publically refused orders from their Owners. That tells me something else is controlling them." After a moment, he looks back to Lorna. Blink will notice that Mercy and Hope have taken up positions on either side of the office desk now.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna sipped at her tea as the conversation continued, and she nodded along as Lex tapped at parts of the globe to continue the discussion. "What I don't get is that the collateral damage of giant robots would be massive to cities, towns.. anywhere they'd fight. These aren't being built to take mutants out in a quiet way. These things are massive, showy.. They want people to know they're there and who they're targeting. Part of it is all for show. Most mutants statistically, don't even have powers.." She muttered, and exhaled a breath as she glanced side long at Blink briefly, making sure that the woman that stood guard was still more or less comfortable where she was.

Green eyes drifted back to Lex. "If you could offer an alternative, and with a few looks into their tech, find a possible flaw to hit their products.. maybe we could create competition and therefore introduce uncertainty into the market. We want to offer these people a solution that is going to benefit us and our allies. Not them. Somehow, make it unprofitable for them to keep on as they are. Shoah happened because they could steal my people's valuables to drive the German war machine at the end of the day. Genocide was profitable." Her voice soft and carefully measured.

Blink has posed:
A faint vibration comes from Blink's pocket. She pulls out a small digital device, checking it. When a pause occurs after Lorna's last statement, Blink says, "His Majesty wishes to join the discussion. With Your Highness' permission?" Blink says before looking to Lex to ask, "If you would be willing to turn off the inhibitor for a moment, he can join us directly."

Once Lex has made that happen, Blink looks over to a clear spot in the room. She sends back a message, awaits a reply which is quick in coming. Then she moves her hands and a slash of purplish light forms, opening into an oval shape which is more than large enough for a person to step through. The edges ripple and move, as if the boundaries of space and time wish to close again but are held apart. On the other side can be see the location where Magneto awaits. Blink keeps the portal open until he is safely through and clear of it, before letting it fade away again.

Magneto has posed:
     The Master of Magnetism was clad in a black and silver variant of the suit he wore in Gotham. He was dressed for war. Floating through the portal with cape billowing behind him from Genosha. "Thank you, Blink." He comments, looking to Lex. "Better than any zeta tube."

  "You have our attention, Luthor." He adds in, then looking to Lorna, he gives a smile.

  "Sentinels, Luthor. These Sentinels pose a direct and immediate threat to my people. I will not abide another genocide in my lifetime."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Your Majesty." Lex gives a nod to Magneto, "And I don't want one either, but fearmongering is driving sales right now. We're not going to be able to get in the way of that after recent events." Lex clasps his hands as he looks up to Magneto, "the power inhibitor field is down for the moment. If you would like it kept down, just say the word." Then, he's taps one of the dots in the US, "going after one of the factories on US soil would be easier, but I have no way of knowing what sort of technology is already there."

Another tap on a dot in Russia, "The Russian factories have more complete inventories, but are far more heavily defended. If you want me to bring LexTech to bear on reverse engineering these things, I'll need schematics or a Sentinel itself."

He sighs as he gestures across the globe, "for obvious reasons, I cannot be overtly connected to any such aquisitions, unless I legally buy one."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna didn't expect her father to make an appearance, but then again, she really should have known better. What other topic could occupy so much of the King of Genosha's mind other than an extensive threat of genocide? She nodded to Blink as the woman answered the summons and Lex lifted the dampener. She exhaled a breath, rolling her shoulders back as the magnetic fields snapped back into focus in her mind's eye.

Then her father came striding through the portal and she set her tea aside to return his smile with one of her own. Green eyes flickered back toward Lex though, as the man greeted her father smoothly and continued.

"We need to acquire a Sentinel or the schematics for one. And none of us in this room would be in a good position to be caught raiding a factory." She shot her father a look as if already chiding him for doing exactly that when he hadn't so much as breathed a word of doing so.... yet.

"Would it be possible to get into Trask's data banks instead if the factories themselves are heavily guarded, then I'd imagine their offices would be too.. but without the threat of standing killer robots on the premises...?"

Blink has posed:
Blink stands by quietly, moving back to make more room for the two members of Genoshan royalty and their host. Blink's arms rest at her sides, her eyes continuing to roam about the room, keeping an eye on everyone at once as best as she can. The two assistants who stand flanking Lex get a fair amount of her scrutiny still.

The view of the Russian factor locations does get another glance from Blink, but again, it isn't something she would be able to get enough detail from, so she resumes her watchful state. The young mutant's vivid green eyes look about, sometimes staring at the regular guards before returning to the conversation at hand.

Magneto has posed:
     Magneto waves a hand to Lex, permitting the dampener to be activated again. "As you wish."

  "Perhaps not. But one does have ideas on a less...overt option to take one for ourselves. However, I think this is what this...loathesome man wishes we do. In order to gain knowledge of our allies, and our strongholds."

  Magneto gestures to Lorna as she makes her last point. "That is one option, and allows more room for error."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"The thought of intelligence did cross my mind, but eventually, a move will have to be made. Operators will be revealed to these people regardless, unless we make it a stealth mission. In the case of the offices, I can't guarantee they'll have what we need; the factories are a guarantee of at least physical technology." Lex shakes his head, then, "Harmony, reactivate the field."

The mutant inhibitor field snaps back into place over the office, and Lex glances to Hope and Mercy, before looking to Lorna, "There are mercenaries that can handle either objective. My preference would be a stealth operation for this, which means a US soil factory or office."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna spared a glance for Blink as the magenta haired woman took up place beside her and her father. Before her focus returned to the conversation at hand, she wanted Blink's thoughts before she offered the woman's services, but necessity had her speaking. "Fair enough, a factory would be difficult, particularly if they have power dampening fields in play already.. Which, I'd imagine they must have some kind of a system in place. Possibly an alarm system triggered by the X-gene. Humans would be ideal for breaking into the place, but it would pose its own unique issues." She nodded to the magenta haired woman.

"Perhaps a combination team would work best?" There were so many other factors already running in her mind and she pursed her lips together.

"I'd really prefer to send a remote virus through their computer systems and watch the fireworks.." She rose, and glanced around. "The lady's room is...?" She made a vague gesture in which she thought it might have been, before making to head in the direction indicated.

Blink has posed:
Blink gives Lorna back a small nod, indicating her willingness, but otherwise stays quiet. As Lorna heads off to the lady's room, Blink looks towards Lorna, and seems to get instruction to stay with Magneto. She does, remaining near him, shifting her position a bit to best keep an eye on everything with his protection in mind now.

The mention of a combination team got a flicker of movement from Blink's face, one that might be interpreted as agreement. Though she continues to stay quiet, leaving the two leaders to talk in peace.

Magneto has posed:
     The activation of the field cuts off Magneto's own connection to the magnetic poles, just as Lorna had a distinct feeling of that leaving him, as did Magneto.

  "We should try the stealth option first. If we can simply access the needed information from there, we need not expose ourselves. However, if that should not work, we have the other option open. Or if we can attack by both means, we can cripple them." He adds in, looking to Luthor. "So, a combination attack, gather what we need physically and electronically."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I agree. I can setup the mercenaries and keep you in the loop. A mission to one of the US factories. We can start it off as a stealth mission... and if they're found, we can give send in the heavy hitters and give the team time to extract." Lex looks to Blink, then. "Your ability would be very useful in sneaking in." It's part statement, part question.

Blink has posed:
Blink glances over to her king, making sure she doesn't seen any signs he doesn't wish her to respond. Barring such she says, "I would be willing to participate if His Majesty wishes. The more that I know of an area, possibly the more useful. Maps, blueprints, pictures, and the like," she says quietly, eyes glancing to Magneto as if making sure he is pleased with what she's had to say.

The purple-haired young woman falls silent again then, resuming her watchful stance.

Magneto has posed:
     Magneto does not give any indication that he wishes this a private matter. In fact he motions to her to join in the conversation at hand. "Your gifts are extremely useful, Blink. This operation is no exception."

  Magneto balls up his fist, the leather gloves creaking in protest to the force. "You know how to reach me, Luthor." He adds in.