9711/City Fall: The Stand

City Fall: The Stand
Date of Scene:	24 October 2019
Location:	Fisk Towers, Midtown
Synopsis:	Wilson Fisk calls a meeting for those who want to fight back against the Foot's control of NYC.
Cast of Characters:	Shredder, Samuel Morgan, Raphael, Pippi, Doctor Octopus, Zorro
Tinyplot:	City Fall

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Shredder has posed:
    There's little opposition left in the city to the Foot clan. While the Turtles were away, what little power against them has all but evaporated as dissenters either have been killed off, or they have fled the city.

    Until one week ago.

    Wilson Fisk had been an early supporter of Shredder, he signed on at the ground floor. However, things have not gone quite as he hoped. Everything has gone according to what the Shredder planned, but not according to the profits Fisk hoped to see. It's hurt business. It hasn't helped him reform the city where he wants, and he doesn't always get what he wants in the politics of the new regime.

    It was time for a change. The mountainous man pulled his support, and has hired more than a few mercenaries known for their expert capabilities to protect the tower. The Foot knows by now, there's no doubt. The only question is whether he can pull off the cooperation he hopes to pull off, or if he needs to leave the city and regroup. He's rather not do the latter.

    He's set aside his conference room in the tower, and in an effort to be a good host, he has refreshments. Veggie trays, crackers, little sausages, and the like cover a black clad table, waiting on those who have received the word, along with clear orders to look out for those who may attempt to infiltrate the meeting.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    It's odd how someone can get drawn into these things. Take Sam, for example. Two days ago he was out scouting the ground around Times Square for a trip his friends were thinking of going on a few days later. He's less than a few minutes looking around the place when he gets attacked by a small group of street thugs. One very short, very vicious fight later, he's left wondering what has happened to the city he hasn't seen in years, and going on his merry way.

    And then less than half an hour later, not only does he run into the Punisher, someone again tries to importune him, with the same results as before. On his way home, there's a message on his phone, with a time and an address.

    So here he is, strolling past security as if they don't exist, the teenager dressed in his street clothes as before with the second hand denim jacket and the black cap to hide his hair and shade his eyes, taking the lift up to the conference room. In he walks, taking in every angle and every corner, hands behind his back, wondering just who is summoning him, and why. It had best be worth sneaking out of Westchester for.

Raphael has posed:
    The return of the Turtles to New York City had not been as pleasant as they had hoped, no doubt, but only Raphael has an alternate means to potentially get himself into Fisk's meeting on the Foot. And so, despite his concerns with his identity being known by his brother, Raph determines it's time for the Nightwatcher to make a return. He slips into the armor, dented from his last fight, and with a rev of the engine once he hits the open streets, the Nightwatcher rides out, his cycling skills quite honed from his near-nightly rides on patrol as the armored vigilante.

    He parks a good way from Fisk Tower, but he has no doubt it's going to be hard going to just break in. But he IS a Ninja Turtle, one of the Foot's greatest enemies, so he's getting in there to figure out exactly what's going on. Even at great personal risk. But would he be mistaken for a Foot, or could he try and talk his way in? Chances are, talking's gonna turn into headbutting and chaining sooner than later, but he knows he can fight well enough. So he decides to go for a stealthy approach, with the idea in the back pocket to let them know he wants to help against the Foot if he gets caught.

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi is escorted in by a few people in Fisk's employ. The first thing that folks might note about her is she's smaller than the men who escort her in as an 'interested party' in defeating The Foot. The second thing is the fact that there is a canine muzzle sticking out of her hoodie, and her tail, staying low, hanging behind her.

    The canine mutant makes her way up to the office feeling horribly awkward, but trying to put on an air of cool. What would Leo do in this situation?

    Well, for starters, Leo wouldn't have told two guys discussing how to defeat the Foot that working with 'the good guys' was a 'great' idea, from the sewer drain.

Doctor Octopus has posed:
Otto Octavius aka Doctor Octopus was a recent returnee, sort of like Fisk himself. Only he came back almost a month ago, and has been doing hit and runs against Foot interests since. No doubt Fisk has heard about Doctor Octopus negotiating with various elements in the city... and tearing to shreds those who would defy him. He hasn't been extremely successful... but he's managed to find a few supporters.

Fisk coming back, however... changes things.

Instead of coming in through the 'hallways', Doctor Octopus has opted to walk 'up' the side of the building, and come into view from outside, looking in through the window.

Otto isn't making any attempt to infiltrate, but he's clearly scoping the place out... before one tentacle opens the window, and the other three tentacles 'walk' into the conference from the outside, before that same tentacle closes the window again.

Moving down to the floor, Otto drops onto his own legs, "Fisk. I was wondering if you'd come to your senses anytime soon." Otto almost sneers. "You've never struck me as a man who stays in the background."

Shredder has posed:
    Fisk stands in his white suit, examining carefully those who enter. Otto is of course a known factor. "Dr. Octavius," he says with a polite nod. "I had heard you came back to town, didn't like the Shredder's offer. Good to have you here. As Pippi enters, there's a certain curious look and a tile of Fisk's head, spotting the nose. "Interesting," he says quietly, only to have the interesting replaced by the entrance of Raphael. As his gaze falls over Raph in his cover and Samuel who is unfamiliar, he speaks, not afraid of the unknown. "And you are?" he asks before motioning to the table of food with that huge paw he calls a hand. "Please, enjoy some refreshments, I am sure a few more will join us, but make yourselves comfortable." He then adds to the Nightwatcher, motioning at his helmet. "Take that off, I won't have anyone in here that I can't identify," he says, a casual order, and a tone that says he expects it to be followed.

Doctor Octopus has posed:
"I played nice until I could do something about it." Otto replies, "I underestimated the sheer number of idiots supporting the Foot clan. Amazing, how many fools think this would somehow be a worthwhile alliance." Otto walks over to the conference table and sits down. He takes no refreshments, but he /is/ taking the offered chair, "I had heard you were a supporter yourself."

Otto looks to Wilson, those safety glasses looking right to Wilson's own eyes, "what changed?"

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    It's certainly an interesting gathering, and Sam keeps an eye on everyone who enters, giving them a once over, doing a quick threat assessment, and taking a spot away from the doors where he has room to fight if need be. He takes note of the canine muzzle sticking out of that hoodie, and makes a mental note, a corner of his mouth lifting in what would threaten to be a smile if only he'd let it. He doesn't.

    In fact, he doesn't move much at all, standing at parade rest with his hands behind his back, neither eating nor drinking, listening to everything and saying nothing. At least, until Fisk arrives, and he does a quick mental check for any references he can find. Honestly, it's cheating when you can connect your brain directly to the internet.

    "Techno will do for now, Mister Fisk." The voice sounds young, the intonation is utterly without emotion, and the stance just screams 'operative'. But from what organisation? His name certainly isn't familiar. "Let's hear the mission." And possibly he'll expect to discuss payment afterwards.

Raphael has posed:
    Having found himself with surprisingly little resistance (aka an escort) up to the conference room and getting a moment or two to look around the room, the Nightwatcher crosses his arms, focused on the mountain of a man that is Wilson Fisk. The rest of the assembly, sans one, is largely unfamiliar outside of news stories and possible nickname associations, though Pippi's presense here immediately puts the turtle on edge. He can't PROVE it's Pippi just from the muzzle, of course, but he's seen her so many times he makes the connection automatically.

    Fisk gives his order, and Raphael shakes his head. "All due respect, but I have to keep my face hidden for a very specific purpose, even from this assembly. I am not exactly lauded in the community as I am, and to have my identity known would make it very difficult for me to help you with your problem."

    I mean, this part is a lie, since the Turtles always oppose the Foot, but if Leo found out he was part of this meeting in an official capacity on behalf of the brothers? The fact that he had come in the Nightwatcher garb would be the least of his worries.

    "They call me the Nightwatcher," he says, "That will have to be good enough."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi attempts to keep her cool as Fisk just calls her 'interesting'.

    That didn't sit well with her, but her nose twitches, and she turns towards the food, her tail giving a momentary wag and she politely gives a bow to Fisk, and remembers to say "Thank you for your hospitality."

     -- and immediately goes to fill a plate with cocktail sausages.

    Her ears are up though, and she smelled something familiar, gaze turning to the Nightwatcher before she narrows her eyes, and she sits accross from him. She looks back over to Fisk, and speaks -- and there can be no doubt that it's Pippi under the hood.

    "I hang with some old enemies of The Foot." the mutant teen states quietly, "Their cause is my cause, but I came here on my own."

Zorro has posed:
Zorro was visably scowling as he made his way to the conference room. He had known about The Foot as taking down a small time drug smuggler connected to them and nearly getting decapitated later on by a Foot ninja. Ever since then, he has been trying to find ways to topple them from their perch and end their tyranny in NYC. This, of course, lead him here, thanks to a nessanger from a "concerned party".
    
     He hated Wilson Fisk with a passion, knowing of his status as one of NYC's biggest crime lords and, in his view, one of it's biggest tyrants. But, if it was necessary to topple the bigger tyrant, he would work with him and save him for later. As he walks in, the man in black observes the rest of the people in the room, raising an eyebrow in surprise upon seeing the dog-girl who hit the slum lord in Bushwick with a car door. He then takes a seat and looks around, his disgust not as evident as it was before he came in.

Shredder has posed:
    "I can respect that," Fisk says to the Nightwatcher. "And you're welcome to keep your identity...But I still personally need to see your face for my own security." He gives a jab of a nod upward, as if to indicate raising the visor. "You understand of course." He doesn't wait for the response, but instead looks back to Otto, and the rest of the gathered. A few others have entered, and he gives a glance in the direction of Zorro. He's heard of him as well, and while he doesn't see all of his face, he seems content that he can identify him. "For most it is a beneficial arrangement," Fisk answers calmly to the doctor. "The financial balance I've found is not what it was. It's not in /my/ best interest anymore. But some of the city's most cunning crimelords still find it in their best interest. They don't have as much as I do, and so for them, it's still step up." He glances around the table. "I assume you all recall the episode just outside that occurred a few weeks ago, when the Shredder had several criminals executed by throwing them to their deaths." He lets the weight of the memory sit for a moment.

    "Many of us in this room might not otherwise want to sit at the same table, and I get that. But we all have come here because we have a joint foe that currently has a standing that none of us can personally overcome."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    'Techno' continues to just stand and listen, refusing to sit, refusing to eat, refusing to drink. Honestly, he's no fun at all. But he does take in everything that is being said... The Nightwatcher's reluctance to show his face, the canine woman's affiliation with a group opposed to 'The Foot', which appears to be the target, and the bold admission by Fisk that he's involved with this group, only to want to take them out for personal gain. Someone had seriously miscalculated his motives here... But on the other hand, fighting evil was its own reward, even if it required the assistance of a lesser evil. And that lesser evil could be addressed in time, especially if it was now known. Given that Fisk doesn't think that some here would speak with him if it wasn't for a common foe, he's pretty certain he can find common ground with some of those here to deal with Fisk afterwards. If he can even be bothered to stretch himself to so byzantine a goal.

    "Is there a mission, or are we going to have nothing but grandiloquence from you?" It seems Techno is one of those operatives that don't care much for politics.

Raphael has posed:
    The Nightwatcher grunts lightly, weighing his options. With Pippi around, the Turtles already now have a hand in this meeting, but he's kind of up against the wall here. Fisk, certainly, hasn't earned his trust enough be asking such a thing, but on the other hand, if he has insight on the Foot, isn't THAT worth the risk? He takes a deep breath, then nods. "Very well, but my identity does not leave this room. If it does, the Foot will be the least of your worries."

    He approaches Fisk, watching the man with narrowed eyes, then opens his visor, pointedly facing away from anyone in Pippi's vicinity as he reveals his turtle visage, the red bandana still in place even under the helmet. He gives the crime lord a good look, then slides it back into place before turning around. "And I will know if you divulge. I have sources that would not hesitate to inform me." He crosses his arms and leans against the wall, feeling a sinking feeling in his guts as he does.

    How much did Fisk know about the Turtles, he wonders. Enough to put the color to the name?

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi keeps taking looks over to Nightwatcher, her eyes narrowing, and then to Zorro. The only two in the room she's ever encountered. She rubs the back of her head a moment, pulling her hood forward a bit, and she tries to be casual, leaning lightly against the table as she snacks on those cocktail sausages, which provide Raphael some cover for his scent. Spicy sausage is a better focus than turtle, after all, and he canine seems distracted enough to not notice.

    She wisely doesn't say much, but seems to echo 'Techno's' sentiment.

Doctor Octopus has posed:
"Simpletons that had no plan, but resisted regardless. Brave, but foolish." Otto notes aloud, one of his tentacles moving to grab a pitcher of water, another going for a glass, and moving to pour himself a glass in front of himself. "There was no substance behind their work. No... intellect. I've been in the shadows too long and people underestimate what I'm capable of constantly these days. Annoying, but I'm working to educate them."

Otto leans forward, Wilson seeing his own reflection in his safety glasses. Then, he looks to Samuel, "This is bigger than you, child. You could do all the missions you like, but without alliances, the Foot have the whole tri-state underworld in fear. Even Metropolis has a Foot presence now."

Zorro has posed:
Zorro watched in silence as the kid questioned Fisk. His eyes widened a bit as he saw the black armour wearing man takie off he helmet, revealing a face with turtlish features on it. He stifles back a surprise gasp with a suddenly swig of water. He then glares at Fisk and says in a deep, slighty accented voice,
    
     The only reason I am here Senor Fisk is to topple Shredder's tyranny. My question is, what is stopping you from killing all of us once this is done?"
    
     Zorro's voice, of course, was deeper then his Hector Rodriguez voice.

Shredder has posed:
    Fisk watches closely, his face not moving as Raphael raises the visor. He doesn't give any emotional response, but nods. He turns to walk back to the head of the table, and looks at Raphael once more before placing his hands on the back of the executive chair at the head of the table. He let's Otto's comment to Samuel be enough of an answer, and squeezes the head cushion before speaking.

    "I give you my word, that I will not hunt any self-fashioned heroes down on account of working with me. In this venture." The last three words seem to have extra weight, indicating he promises nothing in the event of further meddling in his affairs. "And a man in my position must keep his promises if he wants anyone to believe his threats." He leans over the chair, squeezing it again as if angry with it.

    Fisk voice raises in volume, but maintains the same tone as he continues. "There is no mission," he declares, "It is not as simple as a singular operation. What I propose is that we work to undermine the Shredder's control. Optimally before he has us all hunted down and killed." He lets go of the cushion, splaying out his fingers. "The question is, how do we convince the rest of the city to part ways with him." An arch of his brow, glancing around the room, as if to say the floor is open.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Why should I care that one crime lord is afraid of another? What would it matter that one criminal organisation consumes another through prowess or greed?" is Techno's reply, looking Otto directly into the goggles. "Eventually all balance shifts. If a group as large at this Foot even exists, it's only a matter of time before internal strife takes them apart again. Case in point, this very meeting."

    Techno then looks over to everyone else in turn, ending with a look at Fisk who is showing signs of agitation and anger. Never a good look for a leader, and Sam's esteem for the man drops even further. "If there is no mission then you've wasted my time. You're wasting everyone's time. Either you call us because you want to take charge of this fight against the Foot, or you turn this into a committee of hopeful heroes and scared criminals. Everything you've said clearly indicates you want to be on top of the heap when this Foot is defeated. And yet you refuse to take charge of this effort. It's no wonder you've been outplayed."

Raphael has posed:
    Raphael offers a nod as Fisk looks in his direction. The big man echoes exactly what Raph would say if he weren't in his Nightwatcher persona, his brashness no doubt getting the best of him when the veil of secrecy need not apply. "I can respect that, for now," he says, "And well said in that regard. I can appreciate the value of backing up one's words to ensure that said word is trustworthy." While he's not a fan of Fisk, certainly, he can at least show a respect for him. He knows how to get things done for sure.

    When Fisk mentions what he wants done, or rather his end goal, Nightwatcher does actually have ideas in this regard. "The easiest way would obviously be taking out the head of the Foot Clan. However, that is far easier said than done. The surest way to break the Foot's control is to undermine their efforts. Show the people there is a different way, or show them that there are consequences for being allied with them. I choose the former route, to show the cracks and strains of their hold and try to show people the evil they represent. And I don't harm civilians, despite what one among our current number may have 'witnessed' to the contrary. However... if you are serious about breaking Foot control, and some are resistant..." He lets the statement hang, before rounding toward Techno. "Yes, because that is a sound way to progress the conversation," he says, resisting the urge to Raph out and lunge at him, "Are you so bereft of concern that you have nothing to contribute?"

Doctor Octopus has posed:
"You clearly don't understand what you got yourself involved in." Otto looks to Samuel, his frown evident, even through the safety glasses, "The Foot clan itself is a united front, and they've been using their skill and resources to create a stranglehold over organized crime in the region for months." The water is sipped from a tentacle, before he looks to Fisk, "You have better intelligence than I do, likely. You'll want to explain the situation for everyone else."

Then, he leans back, "break his stranglehold on the police, and cut off financial support to make their profits fall for as long as they support the Foot clan. You said it yourself, they profit, you don't." Otto sneers, then, "The only reason I haven't been able to do serious headway is lack of intel. If I know where the weakpoints are, I can break them."

As if to emphasize his point, two tentacles shoot up in the air and snap their pincers, menacingly, above him.

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi suddenly gets a worried look, glancing around the table. There's no mistaking she's non-human, but she had little desire to start making plans on behalf of Alopex and The Turtles, but she looks thoughtful a moment.

    "The Foot Clan -- and the Shredder -- have hands in too many things for one group to take them on alone." she states, and she scratches at her muzzle, where a scar lingers right accross it. "An' I know a few who wouldn't mind paying Him back... I can't make any plans on my group's behalf... but I can act as messenger." she states, unsure."... but if it means breaking the hold the Foot have on the city, I can't see them sayin' no."

    She doesn't look at Nightwatcher. She's mad at him for hurting Raphael.

Zorro has posed:
Zorro rubs his chin for a bit, as if in deep thought. Everyone, except for the kid Nightwatcher was yelling at have actually offered pretty darn good ideas. Zorro then says," What i sugest is taking down some of his "partners". As you all know, Shredder has been recruiting crime bosses all over The Tri-city area to join his "organization". I am figuring that if we take down some of his allies, or at least cripple them, it may scare the rest into pulling out of their alliance with Shredder and discourage any more late comers from making deals with the Foot."

Shredder has posed:
    It looks as if Fisk might give a punch to Samuel himself, but as others admonish him, he stays his hand and his tongue, and instead addresses others present. "Taking them down, making them fear their security could help," he says. "But there are so many it would be like the hydra of fable," he observes. "If we can make them believe that the Foot does not have their best interest at heart. That the Foot will in fact betray them, then..." he makes a mock frown. "The problem may take care of itself."

    So we have three things to accomplish then, as the good doctor has pointed out a few. Politically, if we break the hold on the police, the amnesty he offers his allies will dissolve. If we break the financial flow, the prosperity he offers will dissolve. And if we break the trust, the loyalty they offer him will dissolve. So who in this room can break what?"

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Your scope is too narrow." Techno replies to both Nightwatcher and Otto. "Your focus has been on this city and the areas just beyond. My concerns so far have been more global. I could hardly be expected to care about a single city, or even a small organisation that has tentacles in three. But don't mistake my reluctance to jump in feet first with indifference. I tend not to make a move without information." And for the first time since entering the room, Techno moves. His hands unclasp from behind his back, and he takes a few measured strides towards the table.

    "You all have experience with local crime and local issues. You see the city as the totality of the battle ground, and that's why you're not getting anywhere. To deal with a threat of this size requires you to think bigger, to consider more variables." He looks around the room again, those unnaturally blue eyes holding gazes for a few moments before moving on. "You have to think of this as a military operation, rather than a street fight. So let us begin at the beginning." He's seen them all react to his style, heard what they had to say, and measured their responses. Now, at least, he knows what he has to work with. Now he knows what sort of team this might become.

    "Assets. You've all identified assets within your own sphere of influence. You're aware of them, you have considered them, and that is good. But you've fixated on them, which isn't. The assets in play, both ours and theirs, are but a small piece of the equation. We need to know more to properly plan a campaign. First of all, logistics. We need to know where they get their equipment, what they do with their gains, how they spend and invest their liquid assets, and what kind of static assets they command. Warehouses, forges, distribution centers, vehicle parks, bolt holes, safe houses, the list goes on. We need a list of them, both in this city, and for the whole tri-city area."

    "Following, communications. This group is too large to have a single means of messaging or contacting members. We need to expose their communication network, infiltrate or dismantle it, and use that intelligence against them. Preferably without them becoming aware we've done so."

    "Next, organisation. This group is, again, too large to have a single head." he glances around "Trust me, I know about the advantages of a diffuse leadership." And then back to topic. "Identify sub groups, regional commanders, their own subordinates and the types of crime they are responsible for, all the way up the chain. These are our HVTs."

    Another glance around. "Any questions so far?"

Raphael has posed:
    Raphael, from behind his visor, blinks as Fisk speaks, then even more as Samuel does. As he listens, his fists clench and unclench, as though he wants to punch the smartass right in his face. But as he listens, he realizes something: the kid is talking sense, and with a wisdom far beyond what he looks like he should be capable of. Sure, Raph could bluff, but at the end of the day, he's still a teenager. This Techno, on the other hand...

    What's his deal, anyway?

    And so Raph crosses his arms, looking between Fisk and Samuel for a long moment. "I can see now why HE'S here," he says, "He has a point, but my focus is local. New York City is my home, and breaking the Foot's hold on IT is my primary concern. So while our genius over here helps with the big picture, I'll see what I can do about starting small. Breaking the smaller holds as we can uncover them and shake their control in neighborhoods first, just to prove it can be done. And then we can scale up. Does that sound reasonable?"

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi rubs her hand against the back of her hood, and she weighs considerations. "I can help rack down safehouses, provided I've got a partner who can move. An encounter with the foot and tagging them with some strong scent would mean they can't really deec tech bugs, but I should be able to follow the marker pretty closely. Tag the house, raid it, let them know they're not safe there either. More they sweat, the more they make mistakes." Pippi adds thoughtfully, then turns to Nightwatcher, and gives a nod.

    "Ours too. We have to make sure my group is secure before we move to other areas."

Doctor Octopus has posed:
"Looking global is a mistake." Otto counters to Samuel, "Their stranglehold is centered on New York. This is where the money goes. Break their hold here, and everything else becomes a matter of pushing the dominos." Otto puts the water and pitcher down, and then brings all four tentacles down to the ground around him. "Dealing with the police should be the priority. They'll do the job for us if we clear house."

Zorro has posed:
Zorro nods as Techno starts talking, he does make some good points. Zorro takes a sip of water as he says," The kid makes a good point. But, I can't help but agree with Senor Octopus and Nighstalker. The Tri-City is my home first and foremost. The people I swore to protect from the depradations of the coruppt and evil live here. I would focus on toppling their regime here before going International. Besides, NYC is a very imprtant area as Octopus pointed out and driving them out of here can help in the long run."

Shredder has posed:
    Fisk nods. "There are many safe houses. They are promised safety, to disrupt that would certainly shake the confidence. Particularly if it appears they are being disrupted by uncoordinated attacks."

    Fisk takes a deep breath, and looks at Samuel. "The Foot have connections around the globe and on virtually every continent. The Shredder has delusions of grandeur, that somehow." He moves his hands outward. "His brilliance and prowess will be able to subdue the world. He wouldn't replace governments, he would just puppet them from behind the scenes, an illuminati of sorts, funnelling power when he desires where he desires." He nods to Zorro. "Yes, New York is a central hub of business and politics around the world. The United Nations meet here, that is why this area is his primary focus."

    "For now, it sounds that some of you have ideas on what you might be able to accomplish," he acknowledges. "You can count on my men to back you up if you need help, but if you bite off more than you can chew, don't expect me to bail you out."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Your concern is very valid." Techno says to both Nightwatcher and Pippi, watching them each in turn. "You cannot move if your own base of operations is not secure. And you know the problems in your area best, but consider this..." A slight pause, and he looks first to Pippi. "Your group is fairly secure where it is. Must be, or you wouldn't be here calmly discussing it. Unless I miss my guess and they are on the verge of being wiped out, they are likely to remain secure for a few days longer." Then to Nightwatcher. "And I'm sure you have a group in mind. But what group? What do they do? Who is commanding them locally, who is commanding that commander, and who is below them depending on them not being taken out? More importantly, what are they responsible for? What group is going to take over from them? Know that before you act."

    Next he looks to Otto. "Don't misunderstand me, I don't propose we overreach ourselves. The local police are a strategic asset we can use. But it would be a shame to get rid of the foot only to be kicked by the leg it is connected to. Tendrils can spread far..." and now he looks at Fisk. "... and the Hydra isn't mythical."

    "If we are going defeat them, it will have to be in a series of focused raids, gaining local superiority. With each group we eliminate, we gain information, as our enemy grows weaker. But we have to hit them everywhere, not just New York, or a new head will grow to replace the one that was lost. But we must have a clear objective for every raid. It would be foolish to defeat a group only to make another one of their sub groups stronger. Every strike must weaken them, perceptibly, and that means going beyond the foot soldiers, beyond the street lieutenants. Our aims must be exact and well defined. It would weaken us to fight, gain a moral victory, and fail to gain a strategic advantage at the same time. That..." and once again everyone gets a glance "... is what will win this fight. Coordinated cooperation. That means sharing information, sharing intelligence, and sharing assets."

Pippi has posed:
    "Eeeeither waaaay..." Pippi goes to stand, keeping her hood firmly down. "I'll deliver a message about the idea to my f- my superiors, and they will contact you if they think it's vis... buya.. if it's a good idea." the canine states, and she quietly stretches her fingers a moment, then makes a sort of stiff, unpracticed bow.

    "Thank you again for your invitation and hospitality. I'll... ah... see myself out." she adds awkwardly, and turns, making her way out.

    Oh, but there's going to be a looong conversation with Leo and Alopex when she gets back to the lair!

Raphael has posed:
    Raphael listens again, to all parties and nods. Sam, of course, earns a bit of his ire again, but he merely gives a clipped, "Noted," in response. He knows that he speaks truth, of course, but at the same time he also hates the sense he gets from the boy. Something about him and the way he talks gets him riled. "We'll start an investigation, and then we can start working on attacks. I'll see what I can do alone, and then try and coordinate with others here to make big moves. But, until then..."

    Until then, he has to work on acting surprised to hear that Pippi was here too.

    "Have a good evening. I have my patrols to make."