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Post by inakamoto on Mar 23, 2014 2:40:10 GMT -5
A small smile had formed on Tony's face as he received Alpha-7's report through the communicator.
"All but one of them, eh?" he said as he poured himself a glass, "well, we'll deal with that one at the appropriate time. For now, get yourselves back, safe and sound."
Alpha-7 gave her acknowledgement, and cut the line.
Tony reclined in his chair as he sipped his drink, "Not a bad start, if I do say so myself. Don't you agree, GLaDOS?"
"Not bad at all," GLaDOS responded, "if you discount the cy-bugs we lost."
"Acceptable losses," Tony said, taking another sip, "all this means is that we can't rely on small squadrons to back up our team anymore."
"Agreed," GLaDOS stated, "I'll also have to make some adjustments to their armor plating."
"At least now we have an estimation of their fighting capabilities," Tony spoke after emptying his glass, "and we've confirmed Facilier's one great weakness."
"Are you so certain of that?" GLaDOS asked.
"Trust me," Tony said, placing his glass on the table, "now that we have his daughter, we'll have all the advantage we'll need over him."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2014 22:06:22 GMT -5
"Such a shame, possessing so much power but being too weak to use it because of a simple blood tie. It really is a pity."
The smooth and slightly amused voice spoke from the shadows of the room before a figure stepped forward into the light, adjusting the cuffs of his suit as he smirked at Stark.
"From what I have gathered, you were quite successful in your assault against the Cirque. Good, I hate having to waste resources getting the same job done twice." Xanatos' eyes flickered darkly as his footfalls echo around the room, slowly approaching GLaDOS and Tony.
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 4, 2014 3:19:42 GMT -5
GLaDOS immediately turned towards Xanatos, her one optic becoming slightly enlarged at the sight of him suddenly appearing in Tony's office.
Tony, on the other hand, continued staring into his drink, not bothering to look up to greet his 'guest', "GLaDOS, could you give us a moment?"
"Of course," GLaDOS answered; immediately, her holographic form faded away, leaving Tony alone with Xanatos.
Tony then turned towards Xanatos, placing his glass on the desk, "Just so you know, we've only performed a successful preemptive strike. Now that we have a general idea of their fighting capabilities, we'll be better prepared for the next time we strike; that is, if it'll ever come to that, which I'm confident it won't."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2014 11:38:54 GMT -5
Xanatos strolled up to Stark's side and stroked his chin lightly.
"While I admire your confidence, Stark, a word of advice. Nothing in this world or any other goes according to plans, so be prepared for all outcomes, not just the ones you expect."
For once, his smirk had fallen and a look of annoyance flickered across his face. After all, his advice came from his own personal experiences with Sally. Despite his belief she would be easy to control, that he would have her the moment she put pen to his contract, she had managed to allude him for nearly a century. However, her run was about to come to an end and the smile quickly slid back onto his lips.
"I take it you are treating my special guest well?"
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 4, 2014 17:23:47 GMT -5
"I couldn't agree more," Tony said as he made his way over to where Xanatos stood, "planning for everything is one of my specialties. You don't get to become the CEO of your own company without being prepared for the worst, am I right?"
His demeanor was calm, but Tony's insides began to tremble as he got closer to Xanatos; he only hoped the demon wasn't aware of this.
"I'm afraid your 'special guest' is in our medical bay," Tony said with a cough, "she sustained some minor damage during the assault. Rest assured, she'll be delivered into your loving care in due time, and in perfect condition."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2014 17:33:21 GMT -5
Xanatos had been looking across the space as he thought of his failures when it came to Sally. However, something about Tony's voice made him frown slightly and turn to stare directly into the man's eyes, the dark brown turning to black as they seemed to be searching for something.
"Perhaps I assumed too much of your team after all. I thought I made it clear I wanted her left uninjured. Then again, humans are so largely flawed that maybe I presumed too much in the promises you made."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop for a moment before returning to normal, Xanatos' demonic gaze locked onto Stark.
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 4, 2014 18:10:31 GMT -5
Tony cleared his throat upon noticing the subtle temperature change, "Obviously, there were complications during the mission. Rest assured, her injuries were only superficial, and she's currently being cared for by GLaDOS herself, who has an excellent hand at medicine."
Tony then walked over to his bar, picking up a bottle of red wine.
"Believe me," Tony said, putting on his best smile, "you couldn't have asked for a better team than mine."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2014 18:20:11 GMT -5
Xanatos' gaze didn't waver from Stark as he moved across the space to retrieve a bottle of red wine. He let his glower remain a moment longer before the tense atmosphere surrounding him dispersed. He pushed back a strand of his hair but no longer wore the smug smile he normally carried on his face.
"Perhaps. One cannot deny you achieved that which was desired in the end. However, once GLaDOS has finished with her, I will be taking the dear girl into my personal care. Then we need not worry about any more mistakes."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 4, 2014 18:25:41 GMT -5
"All in due time," Tony said, pouring himself another glass, "but only after I complete a few...simple scans of my own."
Tony could tell Xanatos wasn't likely to take this news well, so he pulled out a second glass, and began filling it with wine.
"It's purely out of scientific curiosity, to be honest," Tony continued, "she's quite the fascinating specimen. Much more than what you had initially let on. I'd like to collect as much data as possible on her, before releasing her to your care. I hope that's not too much trouble."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 0:22:07 GMT -5
Xanatos raised an eyebrow at Stark's comment, clearly not amused by the CEO's remark. He completely ignored the glass of wine that Stark was pouring and took a step closer. His voice was calm as he spoke in a polite manner but despite the cultivated tones of his words, the energy behind them was as tight as piano wires.
"And why might that be necessary? I seem to recall you only taking an interest in my fine undead lady because of my personal request in having her returned to me. Why the sudden flare in curiousity, Stark?"
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 5, 2014 2:05:53 GMT -5
"Let's just say it comes from you not being entirely forthcoming with certain...details," Tony said casually, offering one of the glasses to Xanatos.
"GLaDOS was monitoring the events that transpired during the fight, and I must say, this 'Sally' you're so fond of is much more than you initially let on," Tony continued, "some of her abilities make her...unique. Much more unique than you'd probably be willing to admit. Of course, we're not planning anything too invasive. Merely a few probes, here and there, just to get a general idea of what she is. That won't will be a problem, will it?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 20:21:32 GMT -5
"Oh? Well then, please illuminate for me the unique abilities that you find so fascinating in Miss Burton."
Xanatos pushed his hands into the sides of his pockets and waited in silence for Stark's respond. He had waited a hundred years to finally have Sally again, but he was a demon as well. He could wait a little longer as long as Tony remembered he was under a powerful contract. If he made him wait too long, the consequences would be unpleasant for everyone under the influence of his contract.
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 5, 2014 22:28:40 GMT -5
It appeared Xanatos wasn't interested in partaking any drinks, so Tony placed the glass back down, and took a gulf from his own glass to steady his nerves.
"Two things in particular that interested me," Tony said, maintaining an air of calm, "an instance of what GLaDOS described to me as 'radical matter manipulation', where she apparently turned a simple needle into a deadly weapon, as well as a report of 'self-healing' properties. I don't suppose you'd be willing to elaborate on those particular abilities?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 22:40:31 GMT -5
"Hmmm, GLaDOS truly has an eye for even the smallest of details."
He rubbed his beard as he thought back to GLaDOS. She had agreed, of course, to aiding him in his own goals in return for presenting her with the magical component that would make her backup version unstoppable. However, that didn't mean she wouldn't muddy the waters for him along the way and her observations of Sally were doing just that.
"What did you assume I wanted her for if she didn't possess SOME unique and desirable characteristic? It is true, she has a source of power that she has remained unaware of throughout her life. When I first came across her, I could sense the untapped potential. After all, I like to "collect" beneficial talents around me, much as you seem to do with your Team X. Her powers could have been utilized to expand my own holdings and handle personal enemies quite well. She willingly signed a contract with me."
At these works, the wicked smile came back over Xanatos' face as he leaned against the desk where the untouched glass of wine sat.
"She never fulfilled the contract, to come and... work for me, as she had promised when she put pen to parchment. And there are few things in this world that annoy me as much as a contract left unfinished. As for her healing, you can draw that back to myself. The dear girl wanted immortality,and naturally that is where our contract arose. Her body cannot age and, while it does suffer from a bit of wear and tear, it remains fairly intact and can even recuperate, given the wound."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 6, 2014 0:48:30 GMT -5
Tony raised an eyebrow as he listened to Xanatos speak. His interest in Sally certainly rose upon hearing him describe her abilities. There could be no doubt that she was a powerful individual, and she would most certainly prove to be a hazard to public safety, especially if released to Xanatos' care. However, Tony was no fool. He could read in between the lines of Xanatos' words, and knew very well that he could not keep her from him. If he breached the contract, he'd be a dead man, and all his work up until this point would amount to nothing. There was little wiggle room for him in this case, but not so little that he couldn't work in some conditions. At least, that's how it seemed to him.
"I must say, I'm most appreciative of all that you've shared with me," Tony said after emptying the contents of his glass, "this will certainly go a long way in furthering our own research. However, in the interest of ensuring your colleague's well being, I'd like to ask that she stay at least 24 hours, to allow her to recover from her ordeal. And, as a show of good faith, we can arrange living quarters for yourself while you wait, so that you can ensure her well being while she's in our care. What do you say?"
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