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[ The number on the network seems to be the same as a certain Marina Santana that people know - including a few newbies now. It's taken from a low-quality camera phone, and the background seems desolate, and the blue-haired girl the video is looking at has shorter hair than Marina and, quite notably, has both of her eyes intact.

She sighs, and waves at the propped-up camera. ]

So it looks like we're getting new additions to this network for the first time in a while - and from what I've caught looking over the network, it coincides with a new wave of oddities.

[ Not-Marina leans in closer, eyes narrowed. ]

To everyone new, if you notice that I look identical to a certain Marina Santana, there is a good reason for it. Over a year ago, our planet created copies - doppelgangers - clones - what have you, of some of the reincarnations. Mirrored selves... and some of us are still alive. You may call me Umi Ryuuzaki, the name of Marina's past life, because I was in a hurry to be my own person and the name stuck well enough.

[ Yeah Marina, she doesn't really care how you feel about people talking about your past life. Just sayin'. ]

To everyone else, if this trend of strange occurrences continues, you'll be hearing and seeing more of me than you have for the past year or so.

It's... a pleasure. Goodbye. [ Although she'll chat with anyone who wants to.

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[ It's probably the coldest water she's had in a long time that hasn't come out of some kind of cave. ]

That is one of your... employer's goals, then. Regardless of how I feel about people in general, this untamed wasteland makes them far worse than the mindless trappings of civilization.

That's correct. But then, what you've seen out there is nothing new.

[The woman smiles, the first real shift in expression since the meeting began, but it's a cold one.]

But I'll let him explain the details. Why don't you take this opportunity to rest a little? Enjoy the flight.

Yes, I would like to hear it from his mouth.

[ Cold smiles are to be expected of someone in a position like hers. Umi should practice as well.

She leans her head back and takes a deep breath. While she won't sleep, she can try to relax. ]

[The rest of the flight is quiet as Umi's only other companion settles into silence. Time ticks by until, finally, the city comes into view. It's... a sight.

The first thing to notice is that unlike so many other settlements dug out in the wastelands, the city is lit. There's the usual section of camps, cordoned off and illuminated by spotlights, but toward the center is a cluster of buildings some completed and some under construction. The construction projects are lit by powerful floodlights, providing light to the workcrews toiling away but the ones that are completed are shining with lights from hundreds of windows. Even the expected communal shelters in the refugee camps are fully powered. It's a rare sight these days, perhaps one only matched by Gateway City.

Their path takes them over the camps and even a residential area with low buildings, past a massive dome on the outskirts of the city, fenced off and surrounded by guardposts, before touching down on the roof of a large multi-level structure. As before, the soldiers disembark first, standing by and when it's Umi's turn she'll find herself approached by a tall, elderly man dressed in a fine black suit, his coat flapping in the wind given off by the slowing propellers.]

Miss Ryuuzaki. [The old man smiles at her, and although it isn't as cold as Evelyn's, it's... not particularly warm either, and offers a hand to her. Evelyn herself steps by, quietly taking a place at his right side.] My name is Anton Keldek. Welcome to Infinita City.

[ Not talking is good. Umi likes this.

When they near the city, though, she can't help looking out over it in awe. Civilization, carved out of this blasted wasteland. Buildings and lights; refugee camps with power, with comfort and with people milling about.

Umi might not like people very much, and yet... she can't help a feeling of hope rising up in her chest for a moment.

It's left a good impression by the time she disembarks, and is pleased that her host has come up to greet her. The look on his face is one she expects - a businessman, looking at a possible asset, analyzing it while trying not to make it inaccessible.

She holds out her hand, and returns a mild smile. ]

A pleasure, Mr. Keldek, thank you for having me.

The pleasure's mine.

[He takes her hand, shaking it with a firm but not crushing handshake. He keeps it brief though before stepping back and gesturing toward a roof access door.]

Let's go talk in my office. I'm sure you have plenty of questions.

[ Just the kind of handshake she likes, although her own grip is a bit weak. ]

And you have at least as many answers, I am sure. Lead the way.

[That isn't unexpected. He can only suspect that it's been some time since the girl's had a decent meal. An observation he makes not with any particular concern or caring, just an assessment that she isn't at her best.]

Right this way. [The doorway leads to an elevator that takes them on a short downward journey before opening up on a sprawling room that it's apparently built to grant direct rooftop access for. His "office" is... impressively large, larger than what most people could call a home nowadays and sparsely decorated with a painting or two chosen to fill up wall space. At the far end is a wall devoted entirely to a window overseeing the city and in front of that is a wide, metal desk with a high-backed leather chair behind it. A clear seat of power if there ever was one.

Most notably, the room is cool compared to the heat outside. The building has air-conditioning.]

Have a seat. [He gestures toward the smaller seats at the front of the desk before moving around to his own chair. The desk is largely featureless, outfitted with a few built-in computer monitors and a phone. Like everything else about the office there's nothing ornate about it. It's functional. Designed for purpose rather than appearance. He folds his hands when she sits, leaning back in his chair.] So, why don't we begin by getting some of those questions out of the way.

[ That, and her nerves are catching up to her a little bit. She follows, the sense of this man's power growing ever greater in her mind.

This is not just some kind of businessman, or someone looking for mercenaries. An office that she could easily live in, more comfortable than anywhere she's taken shelter in... probably her entire short life, actually. Even out here, in this city, he has the privilege of this space, power-sucking air-conditioning.

Umi sits, back straight, hands folded in her lap, even if she's starting to feel like she should be shrinking away from him. ]

Alright then. This is your city, isn't it? In the truest sense.

[She's catching on. He can see the wheels turning in the girl's head, see her nervousness in the way she's sitting and in her expression. But that was all by design. Oftentimes the best displays of power aren't in any way bombastic or grandiose, but casual. The resources he'd dispatched the bring her in for a simple meeting, the flight over the city, even the comfort of this office. All designed to make an impression, and it appears that has certainly been achieved.]

That's right. [He settles back in his large chair, his hands on the armrests. There's no need for speeches or platitudes, no sentimental ramblings about it being more than just "his." Just a statement of undeniable fact.] It was built on land I claimed, using resources provided by my company and powered by the same. Its laws are enforced by my people at my command.

[The corners of his mouth quirk upwards in a cold little smile.] You can say that everything you see here and outside this window... is my property.

[ It all makes sense, but she's surprised that he was able to do THIS well for himself, and acquire this much power. That also impresses Umi, of course; she can respect power and the drive to seek it. ]

Frankly, it's amazing what you have done here. A city of your own - and it is one of the nicest places to live on the entire continent. Maybe the most peaceful one, at least.

[ Umi tilts her head, thoughtful. ] But you want people with further power on your side. To protect, or to expand?

[A fair amount of ingenuity, timing, and recognizing and seizing opportunities if she'd asked aloud. That... and a few other resources that could be called otherworldly.]

Hm. [He nods a little at her question, seeming to consider it for a moment before he leans forward, leaning on the desk.]

Umi, if somebody were to ask you why the world is in the state it is today, what would you tell them?

Edited 2015-08-21 03:03 (UTC)

[ All to be assumed. ]

It is a complex matter... [ Not just aliens, certainly. ]

While the events surrounding the Numbered played a huge part in it, the balance of civilization and global society were already fragile; it exposed the flaws, dashed it apart, and allowed basic human nature to run with less restraint. Fear, hatred, envy, greed... are all more pertinent, I think, than aliens.

[His smile grows as she talks, becoming a little lighter. Approving.]

Good. [He nods.] But it all began long before all that. The world found themselves with invaders at its doorstep and it welcomed them in. Made them feel at home, let them speak, gave them support and shelter. And then, even as monsters woke up from the ground and started rampaging, they drew lines and argued.

Even when the invaders arrived in force, the world couldn't even decide that there was a war that needed to be fought at all, let alone how to fight it.

[His voice is low and measured as he speaks, but nonetheless an edge of distaste seeps into it. A plain contempt for the world he spoke about.]

Now, what do you think might have happened if the invaders hadn't come to a world made up of fractured, bickering nations run by fools but one that stood united, under one rule, with a single focus?

[ Umi's eyes widen as Keldek speaks. That feeling about the world - its reaction - its foolishness, and inefficiency, picking on the wrong targets, nearly dooming itself through infighting and illogical pointless hatred and just utterly missing the point.

And that last statement hits her. He wants to expand. All of it. The whole world; for power, for his own sake in part, perhaps, and an eye will need to be kept on him, but a unified Earth could do wondrous things.

Her hands are clenched tight. ]

Beating them back would not have required sacrificing millions. This land would not be blistered and scarred and ravaged. ...you truly wish to change the world that much.

[By all rights, a goal like that could easily be dismissed as the raving dream of a madman. Something dreamt up by a lunatic, but that is not the man Umi finds herself sitting across from. He's controlled, focused, and it's clear in his words and behavior that he not only wants to change the world that much.

... But that he truly believes that he can.]

The world as we once knew it is gone. Forever. No matter what shape it rebuilds itself in, it cannot be the same as it was. The only choice ahead of us is if we want to allow ourselves to slip back into the mistakes of the past, or make something better.

I don't plan to change the world. I plan to rebuild it, from the ground up, into something stronger and greater than it ever was before.

Edited 2015-08-21 04:40 (UTC)

[ This is not a tyrant - or at least not a mindless one. She's sure that the society he builds will be a bit stricter than what many would consider ideal, but frankly, people suck, and have had their chances, and now it's time for some change.

Dammit, she's enthralled now. ]

Your ideals are... amazing, I must admit. I am, technically, less than two years old - and I have spent much of my life seeing the worst of what this world has had to offer in its time. Further, I have the memories of Marina Santana, of what she went through and what she learned.

I do agree that the world needs reshaped, and... you really do seem like a man capable of doing so.

[ She's going to accept. Even if the lifestyle he offers her is modest, Umi knows she'll accept. It'll be a world she can hate just a little less, perhaps, that accepts her a little more.

And, maybe, a better world for Reki. ]

[He has her, he knows it. A lifetime of convincing people to see things his way and change their mind has only granted him the ability to see when he's been successful and it's crystal clear in this conversation.]

I've been around much longer than both of you, and so have I.

[He trails off, leaving that statement hanging in the air before continuing.]

Make no mistake, our goals [yes, they're "our" goals now] will be difficult to achieve, but you won't only have your own skills and what you received from her to rely on. You'll be given proper training, equipment, whatever you may need.

[He smiles a little bit again.]

But in return, you'll have a place in the world we build together. A good one. For both you... and your companion.

Edited 2015-08-22 18:17 (UTC)

[ Umi's interested enough that she doesn't mind that he knows it anyways. There's no hiding it any more. ]

This sounds... fantastic. I am sure that she'll be interested in this as well, so I'm not at all worried about that part. [ She looks as relieved as any other emotion. This is a purpose in life - a new beginning. ]

I promise, I will be dedicated to all of those goals, and everything that I must do to help achieve them.

Excellent.

[His smile becomes something almost approaching pleasant, even warm, as he stands up, holding a hand out to her again.]

I look forward to working with you, Miss Ryuuzaki.

And I with you, Mister Keldek.

[ She reaches out to give him another sorta lame handshake. ]

[The girl isn't much for handshakes, that much is apparent. Still, he's pleased. This meeting went even better than he'd hoped and in a single move he'd secured not only one doppelganger but possibly even a second, if her friend could be convinced as well.]

Now. [He continues, releasing the handshake and pressing a single button on his desk. A moment later, the large doors at the other side of the office open up to admit another pair of uniformed men. Although these two aren't decked out in the full stormtrooper look.] There's plenty of work to be done, but I'll let you take some time to settle in. My men there will show you to your new quarters and, in the meantime, I'll send somebody for your friend.

[ Making herself seem less timid takes enough effort, frankly. ]

Would it be alright if I accompany them? To make sure she feels more comfortable? [ Even sending Reki all the information she has would leave Umi worried about her reaction. ]

[That isn't a problem he's ever shared with her. Though that much is clear, if only because of the room full of people waiting on his word.]

If you like. [He nods.] If you don't mind making the trip with a few of my soldiers. I assure you, they'll do everything to make sure you have a safe trip.

[ Umi wants people waiting on her word. ]

I would like that indeed, yes, for both our sake.

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