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Post by Kooshmeister on May 7, 2005 12:47:50 GMT -5
Renfield frowned as he watched Lance leave. These Atlanteans sounded like they could be big trouble... for both sides of the fence he was playing. He decided he should contact his superiors on Toxus One immediately and inform them of all that Lance just told him. Vague though it was, it was still worth reporting.
Grudgingly, though, Renfield had to admit he'd noticed that Wing Commander Sludge had been taking less and less interest in him, and more than anything Renfield feared being abandoned and left stranded on Genus. Regardless, he was loyal... wasn't he? It was times like this be felt confused about where his loyalties ought to lie. With the mammals, or the toads? What was he, anyway?
He shook these thoughts away and decided instead to focus on the task at hand. He'd speak to Fritz - and his toad superiors - about the uppity Atlanteans later. Right now, he had to go down to the holding cells and see if he might speak to Emily.
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 24, 2005 18:14:12 GMT -5
Accompanied by Agent Hunter and the security guards, Renfield returned to the Offices and was escorted up to the office of Chairman Fritz Warner himself.
Even though Renfield had worked for the UAC for several years, the Political Officer had only set foot in the Chairman's Office four times, and only once for longer than a few minutes. Mostly, he and Fritz had conversed via telephone or viewscreen.
They took the lift to the floor where the Chairman's Office was, and the nervous young commander and his escort approached the door. Renfield paused to adjust his tie, his ID badge, and his hair before going in, purely as a matter of habit.
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Post by whitehind on May 24, 2005 18:24:11 GMT -5
* Fritz is seated at his desk reading a report when Billings enters *
"Take a seat Renfield", says Fritz, "One of the main bodies of resistance on Warren has been almost eradicated, according to my sources".
Fritz pushes his paperwork to the side and looks at Renfield.
"What do you think is the best way to deal with a traitor?", asks the Chairman.
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 24, 2005 19:04:53 GMT -5
Renfield looks over his shoulder. Apparently neither Hunter nor any of the guards followed him in. He is alone in the office with Fritz. Taking a deep breath, he walks forwards and seats himself in one of the chairs placed before Fritz's desk as instructed.
He folded his hands into his lap, twiddling his thumbs as he listened to Fritz, somewhat mystified. Was Fritz talking about him? Fritz's question caught him off guard and made him fidget in his chair. He was clearly nervous and not even trying to hide it, although at this juncture he was having second thoughts about turning himself in.
"You're asking my opinion, Fritz?" he put forth nervously. "Well, uh, although there are a number of people who believe death is a suitable punishment for treason... but, I think it should depend on the nature of the treason as well as the traitor's reasons for his or her subterfuge."
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Post by whitehind on May 24, 2005 19:34:54 GMT -5
"That's interesting that you should say that, Commander", says Fritz, "because I too believe that. I also believe that under the right conditions, most animals can change... often for the better".
Fritz holds up a picture of Bartholomew Cryer.
"Cryer here was incarcerated in a Toad slave camp... messed the poor guy up for life", Fritz informs Renfield, "... and less than an hour ago he tried to kill me. Later Bucky questioned him. He was given the names of some spies within the UAC. Many people, as you say, will want their execution... but I don't - I really don't, Renfield. I would love it if they'd help the coalition, misinform the toads and relay information back to me instead. What's your view on that?".
Fritz gestures to the mini bar in the office, "I'm sorry I haven't offered you a drink, would you like one?"
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 27, 2005 7:18:38 GMT -5
"Oh, well, it certainly sounds like a good and fair policy for all involved. Certainly more merciful than a f-firing squad," Renfield replied. "I suppose it depends on the traitor's willingness to cooperate, although between that and execution, I don't know anyone who wouldn't choose the former."
At the mention of a drink, his mouth watered. "Yes, please," he said, "I, uh, I need a drink..."
"Mr. Chairman," he said after a moment, "I don't know precisely why you called me here but... I have something I wanted to tell you. Something that's been eating away at me for some time now. I..." He trailed off into silence, unsure of exactly how to phrase his confession.
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Post by whitehind on May 27, 2005 17:34:50 GMT -5
* Fritz moves to the mini bar and begins to pour a drink. He uses Renfield's moment of silence to interrupt him *
"There are a number of reasons why I called you to my office" says Fritz "The main ones are for your protection and to go over some ideas with you. What do you want to drink?".
He pours himself a drink while he is waiting for Billings to answer him.
"Don't tell me anything you'll regret Renfield" says Warner in a warm and friendly tone "We're in an advantageous position at the moment and I don't want it to be compromised politically... Neither of us are what we appear to be, so let's try to help each other out".
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 27, 2005 19:02:15 GMT -5
"Uh, gin if you've got it," Renfield responded. Then, confused, he said, "Wait a minute, my protection? From who?"
His mind raced. Why would Fritz want to protect him, unless he knew the truth about him. "Do you know...?" he asked simply.
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Post by whitehind on May 27, 2005 19:18:35 GMT -5
"There's a lot of people who might be after you at the moment and I'd prefer to keep you here where Kadaf can look after you" replies Fritz "Cryer squealed in a relatively public place and then repeated certain claims when in custody".
Fritz pours Renfield his requested drink and passes it to him.
"I know" says Fritz "You're officially a hardworking and loyal bureaucrat. However unofficially you're an extremely useful double agent providing us with key information on toad operations".
Fritz sits down at his desks and sips his drink, "At least that's the story that I'll release if you agree to renounce your loyalty to komplex".
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 27, 2005 21:53:25 GMT -5
"Well, that might be a bit difficult, sir," Renfield said, sipping his drink, feeling the alcohol calming his nerves somewhat. "Because you see, what you don't know, what no one knows, not even your informants, because I've made it my number-one priority to hide it all these years... is that I, myself, am a toad."
He took another long sip of his drink and sighed. "And before you ask, no this isn't a mask. I was... subjected to a surgical process devised by the Empire's most brilliant scientists. But, living as a mammal for so long, and lack of exposure to Toad TV I expect, has had its toll on me. I don't know to whom I should be loyal."
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Post by whitehind on May 28, 2005 5:35:59 GMT -5
Fritz looks completely unfazed by Renfield's announcement.
"I see, very ingenious" says Fritz "But don't be concerned with loyalty to race, we have a significant number of free toads supporting the coalition. You just have to choose between freedom and mindless enslavement under Komplex".
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 28, 2005 7:19:03 GMT -5
Renfield blinked, amazed that Fritz did not seem surprised at all about the revelation of his true species, despite the fact that as far as he knew, the Chairman had no idea of it up until now. He took another drink, draining his glass and then setting it aside and licking his lips.
"Well, I've never looked upon myself as being enslaved to anybody," he said at length, "but then again, I'm sure most of the other toads back on the Homeworld fell the same way. I was hypno-indoctrinated like everyone else, but that seems to have worn off in the last few years, leaving me free to make my own choices, and until now I've continued to serve KOMPLEX of my own free will... albeit with a lot of trepidation."
He loosened his tie. "But earlier today, before you summoned me here, sir, I was attempting to steal Prof. Simmons' particle beam gun for the Empire. I.. I realized I couldn't get away with it without killing Simmons, a fellow toad, and that's when I realized... how can I show loyalty to a ruler who forces his own people to kill each other?"
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Post by whitehind on May 28, 2005 18:28:37 GMT -5
"You've got to stop thinking of Komplex of a toad, Renfield," says Fritz "He's a malevolent computer program and nothing more. Life is only a statistic far as he is concerned, why else would he hypnotise and lobotomise his subjects? It's just a means to an end... you're all just a resource to him, maintaining his insatiable desire for conquest".
Fritz sets his glass down and slides a piece of paper over to Renfield.
"It's very commendable for you to spare the professor..." says Warner "But take a look at those figures.... that's the best official estimate for the current death toll on Warren. They're mostly non-combatants, don't they deserve to be extended the same courtesy as Prof. Simmons?".
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Post by Kooshmeister on May 28, 2005 18:46:36 GMT -5
Renfield picked up the piece of paper Fritz handed him, and suddenly felt sick at his stomach at the thought of working for a ruler, computer program or not, who could perpetrate such an awful crime.
"I don't understand," he said, "I thought Komplex merely wanted to enslave mammals, not completely exterminate them..."
He let the paper fall from his hand, staring down at his lap. "Unlike my fellow toads I... I don't hate mammals. I don't want anyone to be killed, mammal or toad. Please believe me. I-I won't lie... I believed that you mammals should be enslaved for the glory of the Empire... but not anymore."
He took a deep breath, then looked up at Fritz. He swallowed and said, "All right, Fritz. Tell me what to do, and I'll do whatever you want. Anything to end this dreadful war as soon as possible."
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on May 29, 2005 3:13:55 GMT -5
OOC: In case anyone was wondering, Simmons is standing behind the guards. That's why Fritz hasn't noticed him.
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