7070/Sentinels: Trask's Private Lunch

Sentinels: Trask's Private Lunch
Date of Scene:	28 March 2019
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Trask and Shredder meet about their relationship, and mutant town.
Cast of Characters:	Bastion, Shredder
Tinyplot:	Sentinels

---

Bastion has posed:
The meeting took a long time to set up. Trask, for whatever reason, is not easy to make appointments with if one isn't a world leader or a government official. He has also been doing some campaign trail movement, which makes his location very variable. He's been giving demos, speeches, and similar receptions. And they always have the large, robotic Sentinels present, in some form, like eerie bodyguards.

This lunch is not different, although the Sentinel that is present is not in the room that Trask is in: it is in one of the adjacent rooms that also contains a number of Trask's employees, as they eat separate from their boss. The beautiful, upscale Japanese restaurant has multiple private sections in the back, and Trask has taken over one of them: himself, and several of his assistants, for a meeting with Saki.

Trask himself appears middle age; he is a little person, but does not carry any room to be lookd down upon with his bearing or manner, when Saki is escorted politely to the chamber.

Shredder has posed:
    Saki wears a suit, strong, and very tall as far as Japanese men go. He walks with a casual confidence of someone who already has achieved what they set out to achieve, rather than most, who have a certain anticipation in their step. His suit is expensive, shoes are Italian leather. As he enters the room, he seems to mostly disregard the escort, not out of rudeness, but out of a more focused approach to Trask himself. "Mr. Trask," he says. "We finally meet," he comments. "I'm glad our schedules have finally converged."

Bastion has posed:
Trask has a politician feel about him: something that's a little false, yet his smile is almost genuine enough. He's very successful in sales, might be the immediate awareness on meeting him. He'll sell his products well, and is smart enough to entirely act in a way that will cause that to happen: even if that means acting a little different than is exactly himself.

"They have, though it always takes some work, in the end, with busy men such as us, to force it finally to happen," chuckles Trask. "Welcome, Oroku Saki; please, order anything you wish," invites the politician, with a mild gesture to the waitstaff that is nearby.

He'd stood up to greet Saki, entirely owning his height without posturing, but now returns to his seat.

Shredder has posed:
    Saki bows slightly, just a nod really, and takes his seat. He doesn't look at the menu, but simply says, "I'll take the okonomiyaki," he says simply. And miso soup." He orders in English out of deference to his company, rather than to order in a language not understood. "I appreciate the gesture," Saki says. "And I mean not to waste your time, and so I shall be direct, if that is to your liking." He does, of course, wait for Trask to order as well.

Bastion has posed:
"It isn't a waste of time to breathe between other tasks, and enjoy a fine lunch," Trasks says a little overly pompously. He also orders in Japanese, though his accent is pretty heavy. Whether he is showing off, or bridging the gap in his way, may not be readable from the man. He did order quietly, and did not select anything alcoholic. It's lunch, and he has to focus.

"Please, be direct, though," Trask replies, adapting to the style Saki has swapped to: direct and to the point. "I expect you are interested in buying, or selling, or both."

Shredder has posed:
    "I think you'll find that my particular interest falls somewhat to the side of what you are presuming," Saki answers, his hands folding into his lap. "You have before you a rather ambitious plan, to employ these sentinels across the United States," he says quite simply. "But you have found resistance on several fronts, between 'hero' groups," he says, making a quick quote from his fingers, "Mutant activists, equal rights organizations, all who either fail to understand the concern you wish to address, or outright object to the safety measures you are providing out of a sense of political obligation or cowardice." He arches his brow. "I can provide you with the political support that you need."

Bastion has posed:
Trask laughs a little bit, "We're employing them globally, but yes, the united States has the largest contingent of 'heroes' that aren't agreeing with the need for safety. Which is natural: they do not like their weakness being shown to the population, they like being in power and control." Trask settles in his chair, fingers weaving together against his stomach as he sits back. "The point, of course, being that the heroes are just as apt to fall to problems as anyone else, as we saw with the Black Sleep. My solution puts more power in the leaders of the countries: elected officials. Not self-proclaimed 'heroes'. But those elected by the population."

Trask's emotional, and his explanation, while rehearsed, also has emotional power under it. He really believes what he says. "Political support? You can convince those that cling to their /unstable/ heroes to listen?"

Shredder has posed:
    Saki doesn't smile. "No, I do not," he says plainly. "I cannot change their minds," he says. "But I can motivate them to change their vote." He pulls a golden coin from his pocket, slightly larger than a half dollar, and his hand places it on the table, index finger pinning it in an upright position. "You see, I have a great deal of leverage with many officials. Particularly those in New York, Gotham, and Metropolis, the highest concentration of resistance, if I understand your challenge correctly."

Bastion has posed:
Trask chuckles a little bit. "Fair enough. I'm not as ?persuasive as I'd like to be, with those that have been my business rivals for years," Trask snorts, rolling his eyes. "Blinds them to seeing my motivation in the proper light." He extends a hand to pick up his drink, having a sip, and cradles it in his fingers.

"Is it that you believe in my crusade, or is it something else you're interested in?"

Shredder has posed:
    "Yes to both," Saki makes no bones about it. "Mutants have their uses, when properly...domesticated," he says, choosing his word carefully. "Allowed to move unchecked, they are dangerous. The world has sanctions on nuclear weapons now. After what they have done in the past, it is understandable why. The same needs to be done for mutants, regardless of their status as a person or not, they are a danger, and the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. So yes. I believe in your crusade. But, I am a man of business. A man of profit. And I did not come into my current standing by giving things away for free."

Bastion has posed:
"They are a cancer," Trask says flatly, firmly. He seems somewhat disintersetd in the comments on domestication, but nods to the danger of them. "Like any weapon, they should be identified, controlled, and removed if they are a danger," he agrees calmly. "My registration pressure has recently gained ground," he adds, coolly, bragging, perhaps.

"Of course not. I make deals; we can both be happy, no doubt. How many Sentinels are you interested in?"

Shredder has posed:
    Saki arches his brow. "You misunderstand my desire. Not that I would turn them down. I wish to have control of New York City's Mutant Town. No sentinels there unless I place them there. Mutant genes can provide some remarkable research for biomedical advancements. Something that helps humans. Helps the world." He looks dangerously serious. "I would like to preserve that town to harvest from, and it is easier if they are not struck with terror."

    As the meal arrives, Saki takes up his chopsticks. "I'm sure you can appreciate the logistic and political advantages to finding ways to consolidate the mutant population. It would be difficult to get the agreement to engage in whole sale erradication, particularly from so many world governments. But containment..." He tilts his head to one side. "That is another matter." He takes up a bite with his chopsticks politely, chewing it patiently.

Bastion has posed:
Trask's expression started to cloud until the statement about 'harvest'. That does change it for him. Experimental research is different than protecting them. He lifts his eyebrows somewhat. "If they are gathered there and registered, such that they can be tracked and monitored, their evil deeds more easily exposed, that is a-- good start. We don't want them hiding in the human population, spreading their genes into it. Identifying the mutants is the first step, of course."

"A mutant town left to run wild is not something, morally, that I can simply look the other way on," Trask says, disgust entering his tone. "One that is contained, the most dangerous members addressed properly, though... for now that's a start."

Shredder has posed:
    "Indeed," Saki agrees. "Not only this, but how much easier is it to round up mutants if they believe there is one place. A 'safehouse' for them. By leaving Mutant Town be, it will attract more of their kind. Of course, I would be happy to arrange an exchange of information. I'm sure that the research I might develop would result in advancements for your sentinels. Make them far more capable in future models."

Bastion has posed:
Trask taps his fingers slowly on the table, considering. "If this is an attempt to gather them and make them more powerful, while I look the other way, perhaps even to rouse them to stop the sentinels, it isn't going to work," Trask says, finally, with a slight smile. "I'm not going to withdraw my scans and continued registration of subjects from mutant town at this time. I don't see a reason to. Besides, they may have a specific ...test subject I want among their number. And I need it back. But I am willing to move resources elsewhere over time, should you manage to contain and show that you're reducing their strength."

Shredder has posed:
    Saki doesn't smile back. His amusement remains wholly unmoved, neither angry nor happy. "Mr. Trask," he says, placing his hands folded before him in front of his plavte. "You have a need, I have a means. I have told you directly what I plan and my motivation for helping you, and we both know directly the desire of your own purposes. Accusing me of deceiving you may be your natural fear, and I can grant you that given your precarious position." He makes a point of mentioning it verbally.

    "I am curious about this subject, for that is something I may also be able to acquire, dependent on identity, but that would come at its own cost."

Bastion has posed:
"It is more a warning, not an accusation. I have had more than one person think that the cancer of mutants can help us in some way. Research them to better destroy them, fine, but the stance of using them to aid humans, I think, will only lead to ruin," Trask answers, bitter. He's an opposite to Saki in some ways: quite emotional, particularly when he starts to talk about mutants. He loathes them, and there's no secret about it.

"My Sentinels will soon be in a position to push the mutants into being just a memory," Trask says confidently. "The only thing 'precarious' is the political climate for it. And we'll be ready, when the mutants naturally show their plague to the world."

Trask moves off the tirade to reply about the missing test subject, "I have hired someone to handle it. If they fail me, well."

Shredder has posed:
    "Every venture poses risk," Saki says. "You are welcome to your perspective, but this is the path that can take you to victory." Saki draws his finger around the edge of the gold coin he had placed on the table. "You do not need to agree with all of your benefactor's stances, but I am not going to change them for you either. If you choose to reject my help, know that others with an opposing agenda may accept it. I have no fear of this. The choice is yours." He slides the coin to the center of the table, directly between Trask and himself, and removes his finger from it.

Bastion has posed:
"I suggest... we try it out, and see how it goes, instead of getting caught on /details/," Trask decides abruptly, with a shift in emotion to being more amiable. He is not actively interested in picking fights with others that care for, at least, similar goals. "Should mutant town be controlled for the forseeable future, I have no reason to act against that site."

Trask looks amused but skeptical of the odd gold coin on the table that was used to suggest Saki has paid off officials. Trask is not in that group in his opinion, and obviously ignores the suggestion of being 'paid' himself. Arrogance is strong in this one.

"Should you find word of a strange cyborg that speaks of my tech, I want it, and our relationship can improve if it's returned to me."

Shredder has posed:
    "Cyborg," Saki echoes. "We will see, then." He takes one more bite of his food, then places the chopsticks at the side of the table. "Mr. Trask, it has been a pleasure. That coin," he says, "It is a means of identification. If the possessor of another coin sees you with it, you will not need to concern yourself with their cooperation as best as they are able." He dabs his mouth with a napkin. "But know, they may need your help at some point, and you will be expected to do the same for them. And regarding the sentinels, I'll take three. You can get with my accounts payable department to arrange payment for them."

Bastion has posed:
"Magic, mm?" Trask asks, with a dubious amusement of the coin, now suddenly paying attention to it. He mostly ignored it before. Whether he's cautious of it or otherwise might not read well. He does stand, though, smoothly. "It is you I've agreed to work with, not a group of possessors of magic coins," Trask says, brows up, but he nods once. "Our people can discuss the business of the sale, yes. I hope we can work well going forward."

With that, Trask summons more of his assitants into the room, and sets about giving them orders.

Shredder has posed:
    Saki looks slightly disappointed at the rejection, but he doesn't speak it. He stands to his feet. "I didn't say magic," he clarifies. "Nonetheless, very well," he says, taking the coin back and placing it in his pocket. "Thank you for the lunch," he says with a mild bow. "And I look forward to a lucrative relationship for both of us."

Bastion has posed:
"Oh, well. Whichever." Magic or not. He doesn't seem to be the most respectful: his 'magic' comments leaned a little bit scornful. Some type of special society, maybe? Pft. "Well, I'll work with you, but I'd want to know more about the coin club," Trask says. "I use technological recognition systems means for my own groups. Sentinels are adept at identifying biological signatures. No need for odd objects." Bragging? Yes. "We all carry our 'coins' in our bodies, undetected... to most."