[BTR]

[eelseason]

[Locked to Julian Sark]

Before you ask: Revan told me you were leading Martha into something. No, she didn't give me details. No, so far as I know, she didn't tell anyone else. But you're going to lock me in on this, so that whatever Martha's trying to do doesn't wind up absolutely destroying her, and I won't have to shut the two of you down immediately. Understood?

Comments

[sarkraticmethod.livejournal.com]

And is the reason all of this always comes down on my head simply because between Miss Jones and myself, I'm the least trustworthy party?

Just so we're clear on that.

[eelseason]

Because between Miss Jones and yourself, you're the one I'd expect to keep a professional distance and an objective view of what's going on.

[sarkraticmethod.livejournal.com]

Well, that's the most logical argument I've heard since this began.

She aims to kill Shepard. I'm sure the concept of revenge isn't a foreign art to you, Mr. Harkness. Considering I stand to benefit from Shepard's death as well, I felt it was in my best interests to agree when she sought out my help. Whatever's going through Martha's head at this point isn't my business and I don't intend to pry into it.

That being said, I'm sure Martha's the sort of woman who will run this through every available channel if you try to shut her down, so if that's your intent, I doubt it will make the situation any better.

[eelseason]

I think most of the available channels here would not be in favor of this plan. To list two people, you'd have the Doctor and Revan up against you, and that rarely works well. But that's beside the point.

She needs Shepard dead, fine; I'm hardly one to argue. But she's an untrained doctor under a lot of psychological stress and Shepard is a career soldier. Whatever help you're offering, what makes you think she'll manage a successful kill and come out alive?

Never mind that last bit. That's my responsibility.

[sarkraticmethod.livejournal.com]

To be perfectly frank, you're all speaking like I coerced her into this, which I didn't. It's not my business to change her mind. And as far as channels are concerned, she could have found any idiot off the street who understands a little about basic weaponry if I hadn't agreed. Personally, I think she's safer in my hands.

She has me training her. I have considerable experience in killing people. I don't think I have to tell you that. While it takes years to get to my level of skill, it isn't nearly as hard to line up a shot from the roof of a building than you'd think. All that matters is whether or not she'll be able to pull the trigger, and at that point, my business in this affair will be over.

[eelseason]

I think changing her mind will be a losing proposition, at this point. But we're up against a special-ops trained soldier from the future with all associated equipment and weaponry, not to mention a history of backing herself with plenty of goons. Even with your no doubt excellent rifle training, it's something I wouldn't feel comfortable sending one member of my team into. Let alone Martha.

If we're done with accusations and defenses, now, maybe we could discuss how I could be helpful. You know, just to ward off any chance that everything will blow up in our face.

[sarkraticmethod.livejournal.com]

You forget I worked with her. I'm fully aware of what she's capable of.

If you intend to engage in some countermeasure, it would have to be kept private from Martha, considering she'll just find another way to go through with this without either of us finding out, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that either.

For the record, at the moment, the only plan I have is to present Shepard with something she wants and hope Martha can take her out before anything gets out of hand.

[eelseason]

If we can get this done cleanly, I'm all for putting Shepard away. And I'm sure the amount of training Martha will need will give us plenty of time to flesh out that plan so it's less patently suicidal.

When and where will you be training?

[sarkraticmethod.livejournal.com]

You have no idea how desperate that woman is to get this finished. It'll take less time than you'd think if she's a fast learner.

We haven't decided on that yet. Hopefully, someplace discreet and out of the way. I'm sure there's a slum somewhere that will suit our purposes.

[eelseason]

Yeah, desperation gets you killed. We'll have to train that out of her.

Let me know when you find a spot. I'll be there. And I'll explain, myself; you don't need to say anything.

[sarkraticmethod.livejournal.com]

We. If I'm in that collective 'we' you keep using, I'd love to know when exactly that happened.

Of course, because anything I might say at this point will just prove to her that I've done the very thing I told her I wouldn't do. You know, you make it hard for a man to keep his word.

[eelseason]

It happened when I decided you wouldn't be written out of this. I take care of my people, Sark, and if that means using you to do it, so be it.