To Match the Log on 4/17

[complicatedcop]

There was the click of something in her meatsuit pocket as she came in.

The security cameras in the brig recorded an entirely different conversation as they were hacked by the device in her pocket. It was an amazing false simulation, created from just a few snippets of Azula's talk and countenance from her fight on Obs. She really did have a magnificent flair for creating certain things to engender certain reactions and that wasn't limited to her own acting. Writing a convincing part for a simulation was just another part to play, and imagining the princess's possible reactions was child's play.

"Zam" pulled up a chair to Azula's cell and sat on it.

"I've overridden the security cameras with images of a false conversation between the two of us," the woman said in clipped tones. "I only was able to make up several minutes of the simulation, however, and that means we cannot talk long while unseen by the ship's security force. You have something I want, and I can give you several things you want. I would like to make a deal."

Comments

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

Now this...was something new.

This was no hallucination deriding her. No sickly sweet bleeding heart trying to fix her. No Doctor hoping to pick her apart.

This was something she understood. This felt all too real.

Her eyes focused on the newcomer and she slowly sat up. "I'm listening."

[complicatedcop]

"I have measures that can allow one to go through this ship unseen, to allow one to even do things with the illusion that they're another person. There are such ways you could use this to your own ends--perhaps to frame your dear, dear brother and make his life miserable? I can also control certain aspects of the ship, certain exchanges of information through her systems. In the end, I plan to use my...gifts to kidnap a large contingent of the crew for my own purposes and take them away on a ship."

She tilted her head, a lizard-like, alien gesture.

"It's a very simple exchange of goods and services. In return for your assistance in the final stages of my plan, in which I need someone powerful to help me keep all of my captives properly restrained, I am willing to give the bald boy and his friends to you to do whatever you wish with them. I have no need of them myself. In return for your assistance, with my new position as a security officer, I can seek your release, pretending to be a moral guardian of sorts, all while we both work towards our collective goals."

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

It took time for the words to find meaning in Azula's mind. But under the layers of shattered psychosis and emotion she was still a schemer. Still had the capacity to understand and the creativity to imagine how these things could apply to her.

"What about Stacy? How do you prevent her from interfering?"

[complicatedcop]

"A false mission, planted into her systems, will lure the crew members to be captured into a trap. Off the ship, she can do nothing to assist them. A virus will be left in the communications systems to prevent the captured crew-mates from hailing assistance from the ship proper until we can make our escape. I'm quite familiar with the communications technology on this ship by now."

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

"I see." Further thought and speculation. Her mind was racing as it struggled to maintain grip on this scheme. It made sense. But she didn't want to accept that her freedom and revenge could be so easy. That someone would just come and hand it to her.

"Why go to all the trouble of protecting me. There must be others on board who would suit your purpose."

[complicatedcop]

"You want revenge. This is something I can easily give you. There are others that could perhaps assist me but their motivations are far more nebulous. They could just as easily attempt to turn me in to garner power in the ship's hierarchy. With you, you want something I can give you, and I want something you can give me. After you obtain your revenge and your enemies are dead, I can drop you off with a great deal of credits at the nearest interdimensional port to travel anywhere in the Multiverse you want. It can be a very clear and easy transaction, with very little reason for either of us to stab one another in the back, as our goals are not at all at odds with one another."

Another alien head-tilt. "It is akin to hiring an assassin. There is always a chance they might turn against you, of course, but most will simply fulfill their required role and take their payment. I can easily 'pay.'"

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

There was something about the cold logical was this woman handled her dealings that Azula could respect. No flashy show boating. No chest beating to establish who was in control.

Just logic. A chill passed through Azula as she realized just how dangerous that could be. After all she herself had once been so removed from emotion.

Still...curiosity begged just a bit more.

"What do you intend to do with your captives?"

[complicatedcop]

For a moment, she considered whether or not to tell her, but then opted for the truth. Or at least part of it.

"Medical and scientific experimentation. I am a scientist. I enjoy scientific exploration and causing suffering in others. Sentient experimentation affords me both pleasures."

Those same calculating eyes turned on Azula.

"Before you ask or even wonder, I do not intend to betray you and turn you into a subject. Your powers, to all appearances, are spiritually based and while I intend to study some magic users, there is little I can do to understand how your physiology truly works in relation to your powers."

A slight smirk.

"That, and it would not be worth the fight. It's in my best interest to give you your payment and then the freedom to go wherever you please."

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

It all sounded too good to be true.

That's because it is. A voice warned her and she didn't even bother to look towards it. "Very well. I'll play your game. As I have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this I can't imagine a problem."

Which was a lie. Her paranoia could imagine thousands of problems. There would never be a moment where she wasn't looking over her shoulder waiting for the betrayal to come.

But it beat having nightmares in this cell. Call it fate. Call it destiny.

[complicatedcop]

"The recording that anyone watching this cell is seeing is of me convincing you to behave because it's for your own good, because you can always get your revenge back home. You must act as if this conversation has happened between us instead what was really said here. As Zam I will speak up for you and act as your guardian--it's the only way they'll allow you freedom."

Her eyes glittered brightly.

"You must behave on this ship, not harm anyone, follow their rules. Whenever your thirst for revenge grows too strong, I can help you get your snipes and secret blows in without getting caught, but the final betrayal must only happen when our plans are ready for it. It would serve you well to act the part of reformation, as if you're actually joining the side of your enemies. Do it with a sense of realism if you decide to do it, obviously, but it would help cover up your true intentions."

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

Azula took the instructions to heart, already attempting to construct plausible branches of logic to feed to the doubters. It would be best for her to avoid The Avatar and his friends as much as possible, but at the same time...it would be more believable if she could at least pretend to be remorseful.

"You will need to give me all the information you can about this ship so I don't slip up. I don't even know what's outside this cell save for those two rooms I saw before."

It felt so GOOD to have her mind focused on something. She hadn't even felt like backing against the wall for fear of attack while she was distracted! Sure her mind was still a constant sea of chatter, but now so much of it was zeroed in on this new opportunity.

She almost felt...happy.

Almost.

[complicatedcop]

"Of course. When you're freed, I will apprise you of all I know of this ship, its technology, and its operations."

Zam stood.

"Our time is up. There was only so much I could convincingly program of your image and speaking in the illusion I made. I will seek your release and we'll talk more of this later."

Her tone got even colder somehow.

"Tell no one of what was really said here."

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

"Of coarse."

Azula turned and retreated to her corner. The hallucination of her mother shook her head disapprovingly and was replaced by Ty Lee. Colorful and bright with a sad smile on her face.

"She's just going to betray you.
Everyone betrays you in the end Azula."

Azula said nothing...because she hoped Ty Lee was wrong. Even if she wasn't real.