❧ High Road/Low Road

[luministimods]

[At the end of his discussion with everyone in the White Rabbit Pub, Nathan stands, feeling somewhat tired but absolved of what information he's been able to give everyone. His burden feels...less like one now.]

All right. Like I said, we need to find the missing lab. Find the schematics--they may be in Caligin's lab office or in that mansion of his here in town, and that should narrow down where that lab was before things changed around here.

Now, I suggest--[He doesn't get to say what he suggests, not after a red spot suddenly appears on his forehead. A nanosecond later, blood starts to trickle out of the wound and Nathan collapses to the ground. The very moment the bullethole appears, a shot rings out from the door of the pub and in the doorway stands none other than Filippo Resarci, a literal smoking gun in his hand.]

Yes, I agree with that suggestion. Do sit down and shut up for a while. [Resarci puts the gun away in the inside of his jacket pocket, then looks at everyone expectantly.] Oh yes, don't all clap at once! I only just saved you from a pack of bullshit. But I will warn you...[He pulls something else out of his pocket.] Try to do anything to me or get within five feet of me, and you'll get a nasty shock from mister zapper here. [He wiggles a little yellow device, looking them all in the face.]

Good. I'm glad we seem to have an understanding. [And if they don't? Oh well, he's going to talk anyway!] Oh, and don't worry about him there. He won't die from that, unfortunately. Neither will any of you, come to think of it, but I'm not in a killing mood right now.

I'm here to give you all a counter offer. He wants you all to waste time searching for something that he isn't even sure is around here. However, I ran things here last year. I know this place like the back of my hand--and more importantly, I know where to go.

So you have a choice: stay here and do your little fruitless search with a man who could have escaped at any time and only chose now to appear--or come with me. I escaped here once and I can do so again, and let me tell you something else. I am sick and tired of the games these people play. I have been all over the damn galaxy looking for people and hiding from others. I haven't had a single goddamn home-cooked meal in over a year. I'm done with it. And once I'm rid of you, I'm rid of my problems.

Now, I know this might be a little much to think about. Yes, I'm the guy who tortured you all last year, blah blah blah. [He waves a dismissive hand.] I'm over it--and you should be too. No need to live in the past.

[His eyes flicker to a watch on the hand that's still holding the yellow device.] Hmm, time's almost up. He'll be up and about soon. So, make your minds up soon! I won't steal you all away just yet. You'll want to get everything in order because once we leave, you're never coming back. Take your time. After a certain amount of time has passed, I'll contact you all again with a location. Be ready.

And if I were you? I'd think twice about that guy. He waited this long to tell you things. What else hasn't he told you? [He shrugs, a small smile on his face.] Food for thought. See you soon. [His fingers flip open the yellow device, presses a button--and disappears in a flash of shimmering light.]

[Once Filippo leaves, Nathan groans, wipes the blood away from his forehead (the wound has healed itself), and sits up long enough to retrieve his CAT from the table before he too disappears. But he doesn't get any flashy lights. He's just gone--and he's very angry.]

[And elsewhere...the man in black grins at all he sees.]

( OOC: Plot Details )