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| Enough rope to hang yourself; Hodge, Havok, Volt | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 2 2009, 08:32 PM (630 Views) | |
| Cameron Hodge | Aug 2 2009, 08:32 PM Post #1 |
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Director of SHIELD
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Time of Day: 10:05 am Place in the Timeline: August 2nd Cameron Hodge stepped out of the midnight blue Mustang… quite a different vehicle than what he the type he normally piloted. For that matter, it had been a solid two months since he’d been behind the wheel or stick of anything. Sometimes he was surprised at the number of things that were done for him; he was catered to and waited on hand and foot by the myriad of men and women under his command. Being the head of one of the largest intelligence and specialized military divisions was sometimes comparable to being the king of a small nation. It made the man uncomfortable, but it was something he was willing to deal with to see that things got handled the right way. His way. All that to say… he’d missed driving. Throwing the door shut behind him, he glanced up and down the X-Factor building, his hands in his pockets and his face nearly expressionless. Dressed in non-descript clothing, Hodge wanted to draw as little attention to himself as possible in a place like this. Here in Mutant Town, he was an outsider, and as head of SHIELD, he was likely an enemy to some residents’ eyes. He also thought Havok would appreciate the low profile… after all, the idea of being a government-sanctioned group, and getting funds from the same people who had employed Sentinels a year ago had to rub several people the wrong way. It was best to let X-Factor handle the PR on the mutant side. He approached the door and climbed the small number of steps, stopping in front of the barrier and reaching out to press on the buzzer, awaiting someone to let him in. He returned his hand to his pocket and waited patiently… sure that they were aware of his presence before he had announced it. He looked over his shoulder at the Mustang… he really needed to get out more. |
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| Havok | Aug 3 2009, 12:15 AM Post #2 |
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Superheated Plasma Blasts
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Settling into a routine was harder than Alex had thought, but he was doing it, because there was nothing else that could be done. He had to be the bossman they needed him to be, whether or not he felt like he could be. It was more important than ever that he walk the path of redemption, because at the moment, it was the only hope he had. He couldn't pray. He didn't believe in God, not after all that had happened in his life. The idea that some otherworldly deity was watching him fall over and over again was maddening. It made him want to throw his hands in the air and blast out his powers until he had burned Heaven to the ground. If only, right? It helped though to have his friends here, his girl, the support of his family. Scott was Scott and didn't really over tons of warm platitudes, tearful hugs and lollipops to make him smile, but in some weird way, his almost clinical analysis of things, his battle planned strategies, were comforting to a degree. It was... dependable, the one thing Alex Summers had never ever been, much to his dismay to admit it. If he wanted a hug, there was always Jeannie, who had an uncanny ability to balance comfort and responsibility. Sometimes he just wanted a drink really really badly though. So, in the comfort of his locked office, he'd had a beer, and was now doing his best not to have another one, by getting paperwork done, when the security system that Box had attached to the door bell flashed to life on his computer, showing a man standing at their front door. A man that Alex had been expecting thanks to his visit some time ago to his big brother. He clicked the intercom for the HQ and said, "Jonny, can you meet me at my office? We got a visitor." He got up and went out into the lobby, opened the front door, after checking to see that his image inducer was turned on, and greeted the man there. "Director Hodge, please, come in. My brother told me we should probably be expecting you." |
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| Cameron Hodge | Aug 4 2009, 01:36 AM Post #3 |
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Director of SHIELD
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Within moments the door’s passage lock popped open and there stood the man of the hour – Alex Summers… also known as Havok. He looked exactly as he had before his transformation, and for a moment, Cameron marveled at the fact that his people had been able to restore him so completely. Had it been McCoy’s genius? Perhaps the little golden boy’s work? The fact that he hadn’t expected this nor could come up with a definite answer disturbed him slightly… but not for long. Hodge was a man that was never truly alone… not after taking over as Director of SHIELD. Every dish and beverage was tasted before it was even brought to him; every piece of clothing they afforded him was laced with wires, scanners, cameras, and GPS devices; and his conversations with even the news stand owner on fifty-forth was analyzed by hundreds of translators and code-breakers stationed under a McDonald’s in Hoboken. He didn’t even take a shit without filing the paperwork on it. That being the case, he was sure that someone somewhere already had an answer to the question running through Hodge’s mind, and while he was curious… Cameron could wait to find out exactly what the deal was; he was confident they would let him know sooner if needed. He smiled at Havok’s greeting and stepped inside the X-Factor building, offering his hand as the door was shut behind him. “Mr. Summers… you’re looking remarkably well. I apologize for not scheduling an appointment. I’m still adjusting to the position and the amount of time it occupies.” |
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| Volt | Aug 5 2009, 07:20 AM Post #4 |
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Electrokinesis / Cloned Origin
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He was down the stairs in an instant. Oh, sure, Jon could lie and say he was training, or patrolling or doing something productive with his free time, but the true fact was that he was watching Nascar and having a beer. Clone, killer, X-Man, Hero, X-Factor, whatever the hell Jonny was now, beneath it all, he was still a good ole boy from Virginia, and he had money resting on the chase. He supposed being from Vee Ay, he should be rooting for Denny Hamlin or Elliot Sadler or Jeff Burton, but there was money involved. Tony Stewart was 197 ahead of Jimmie Johnson, and had been in the top five twelve times, starting twenty one times. You just couldn't argue with that, you know. Of course, with Nascar, you never knew what was going to happen. Driver hits a skid on the 45th lap at Pocono and you could see your bet burst into flames along with the number fourteen Office Depot Chevy. The intercom to sounded overhead, "Jonny, can you meet me at my office? We got a visitor." Jon rolled his eyes, "Summers, you gotta be kidding me," he muttered to himself. "There's like sixteen laps left." He sighed, and got up to see what the Bossman wanted. He came down to see Alex greeting an officious looking blond man with glasses, and an attitude that Jon could recognize anywhere as being gub'ment... well, that and he just happened to be dating this man's top soldier. "Director Hodge," Jonny greeted, "Slumming it, huh?" |
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| Havok | Aug 5 2009, 08:46 AM Post #5 |
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“Mr. Summers… you’re looking remarkably well. I apologize for not scheduling an appointment. I’m still adjusting to the position and the amount of time it occupies.” Hodge said as he entered. Alex shut the door behind him and said, "I imagine so, sir. I can't fathom what you've got on your plate. I can hardly keep the fourteen or so crazy people I have hanging around organized. Multiply that by ten thousand, and I'd be reserving my padded room, I think." "Director Hodge," Jonny greeted, "Slumming it, huh?" Alex smiled slightly, "Speaking of padded rooms and crazy people," He gave a nod to Jon, "Do you know my second in command, such as there is one, Jon Harper?" He made no effort to hide their civilian names from Hodge. The man was SHIELD, he could likely tell them what color underwear they'd put on this morning. "Let's talk in my office, okay?" He beckoned them both towards his office, feeling strangely embarrassed about the headquarters though he never did before. "Welcome to our HQ. It's not my brother's shiny mansion, and it's a far cry from a helicarrier, but it's not bad, I guess, for a mom and pop organization," Alex said. "Am I Mom or Pop?" Jonny quipped, unable to let that slide, even though he was trying to be professional. He was who he was after all. "You're mud," Alex said, dryly, a slight tinge of irritation in his voice. He led the pair into his office and took his seat, glad he'd dumped his beer bottle before Hodge showed up. It would be bad enough news if the team found out he was drinking again. It would be a disaster if SHIELD did. "Have a seat, Director, Jon." |
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| Cameron Hodge | Aug 12 2009, 03:31 AM Post #6 |
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Director of SHIELD
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“Keep those padded rooms on reserve, Mr. Summers. You might need those after all,” Hodge said as he gave a quick glance around the area, catching Harper as the young man bounded into the room with energy that reflected his mutant ability. According to Fury’s files, Volt was actually a clone of the original… something about Mojo and Genosha. Hodge was still a little fuzzy on those details as he was then working on a previous Latverian crisis at the time. “Harper,” the Director replied reaching out for the second-in-command’s hand after Havok’s formal introduction; his eyes and lips both smiled with affected humor at the clone’s bit of humor. “You could say that. Your landlord’s been replaced and the new one is here to see what we can do for each other.” Hodge wasn’t the best at banter… he’d always been more of a straight-to-the-point man like his predecessor; it was one of the things he’d always appreciated about Nick. He closely followed Alex to his office as the man apologized for the state of X-Factor headquarters, allowing Jon to get another few words in before speaking in turn. “You’re mud.” He chuckled, flashing a quick glance at Jon before resettling his gaze on the man of the hour, “No need to apologize, Mr. Summers. There is only so much you can do using money through charitable organizations and the private sector. It’s actually quite a display of your abilities when your limited resources are taken into consideration.” Taking the offered seat with a nod of thanks, Hodge didn’t hesitate to dive into things, “I can’t imagine the amount you could accomplish were more at your disposal.” He shot both of the men a quick look as he settled back in his chair… he wanted this. Having X-Factor under his direct command would be a feather in his cap… an incredible first step in solving the mutant problem. This would be the beginning of his legacy. Fixing an intense stare on Alex, “I’m not going to beat around the bush. I’m not much for small talk and Mr. Harper here would make me look bad if I were to try and match wits with him, so I’ll just lay it out for you. First of all, you’ve done an amazing job with the organization, not to mention the hand you’ve had with getting X-Corps established. Alex,” he leaned forward in his seat, his hands clasped together, “May I call you Alex?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “I’m going to be so bold to say that you are doing a much better job with bridging the gap between mutants and humans than your brother. Yes… you’re located in mutant town, but you’re on the street and among the people. You encourage human and mutant alike to walk through those doors, and being located so close to X-Corps reinforces that idea. While Scott is holed up in his mansion, you’re getting your people out there… noticed and for the most part loved.” “But there’s only so much you can do in your situation,” he sat back in his chair again, holding his hands out in mock resignation. “You can’t really grow the way you should without some real help, and that’s a real shame. I’m in love with your organization and the way you go about things, and I’m coming to you once again – as the Director of SHIELD – to offer you all the help and support you could ever need.” And there it was… all out on the table as honest and open as Cameron could be. He glanced from mutant to mutant, awaiting their responses. |
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| Havok | Aug 13 2009, 12:18 AM Post #7 |
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[jp Alex and Jon] Exchanging a glance with Jon, Alex frowned a little, "I appreciate the encouragement, Mr. Hodge, but it's sort of a backhanded compliment. Besides, the applause should really go to Jon, here. He's been keeping this team together when... when I couldn't. He's done miracles. As you probably know, we don't have a team full of entirely stable personalities." Hodge's comments on Scott made him laugh though, "Cyke has a hell of a lot more to deal with than PR, sir." He used the codename because while he was sure that Hodge knew Scott's name, this wasn't really about Scott. It was about how he ran the X-Men, and Scott did that as Cyclops. It was force of habit, perhaps. "He's got the future to think about, not just the present. X-Factor's really small beans compared to his team. Just trying though, you know, to do what's right." He didn't take any credit. He didn't deserve any, not right now. "I wouldn't say we're loved, but if we are, that's not my doing. This team's been a god send, working harder than most of us ever have before, trying to undo the damage that..." The word caught in his throat and he coughed, to cover it, his gloves hiding the still blackened tips of his fingers as thoroughly as the image inducer hid the fading grey of his face. Jon leaned forward, taking the opportunity to cover for his bossman, knowing exactly what was up. "What Havok's trying to say, Director, is that X-Factor's been doing pretty good, on their own, and is only growing stronger and doing more for Mutant Town. We pretty much turned you down last time you offered us sponsorship. What makes you think we're going to say yes this time?" |
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| Cameron Hodge | Aug 16 2009, 12:18 AM Post #8 |
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Director of SHIELD
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Hodge stared at Alex for a few moments, digesting what Summers was doing; he was passing off the praise Hodge had given him left and right without keeping any for himself. An admiral trait in many respects, but one Cameron felt was highly overrated. The fact was that despite Havok’s recent… episode, he had lead X-Factor most of the time and built it up to what it was. The man deserved some credit. “The reason I felt that our meeting would be beneficial,” he finally slid his gaze to the second in command, “was because of recent events.” He glanced back at Alex to gauge the man’s reaction before turning his full attention to Volt, “Despite the fact that Apocalypse was defeated, a lot of damage has been done. I’m not talking about just physical damage. Crops can be replaced, buildings rebuilt.” He shook his head, “No… what I’m talking about is the already frail relationship between mutants and humans. It’s strained to a serious point. I’ve heard talk of mandatory nullification chips injected under the skin of every registered mutant and the immediate imprisonment of every unregistered mutant. Yes… you’re doing fine here in Mutant Town, but we’re only talking about two or three square miles of New York. There’s only so much you can do here, and there’s only so much I can do for your people on my own.” He divided his attention between both X-Factor leaders, “Don’t you want a chance to work with resources that SHIELD can provide and make a bigger difference? Show the world that mutants stand for peace and justice, and not just interested in helping out each other?” He focused on Alex, “What happened was inexcusable, Havok, but it wasn’t just your fault. It was your brother’s. It was mine. If we were working together from the start… looking out for each others’ interests, this could have been prevented, but our forces were divided and Apocalypse took advantage of our blind spots. We have an opportunity to right a wrong here…” He clapped his hands together and pointed all of his fingers at Summers. “We have a chance to stand together and show the world that humans and mutants can hold each other accountable and responsible for what goes on in the world and that we can work together.” He looked back at Jon, “I’ve come here practically begging you to help me. I’m tired of this struggle… especially when I see an easy solution to such a large problem.” |
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| Havok | Aug 16 2009, 09:41 AM Post #9 |
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"Mandatory..." Jon gasped, "That's bullshit. No one's going to allow that, not without a fight, and believe me, what you saw with Apocalypse isn't going to be a blip on the radar if you try to take the powers away from a million mutants or whatever our numbers are." "Jon," Alex snapped, "Quiet, please." He sighed and said, "Mr. Hodge, I don't know what you expect from us. You want us to stand with you, but how? The last time you were here, your little plan sounded like you wanted a team of pet mutants that you could trot out at PR events, and that's not what we're interested in, you know." He rubbed his forehead, tiredly. "But, it's becoming very clear to me that I can't do this the way I've been doing this." "Alex, don't get hasty here," Jon said, warningly. Havok looked at him sharply, "What do you want me to do, Harper? Wait until the next time I..." he glanced at Hodge, "You can help us, how? And, don't say with resources. Let's get down to brass tacks. If I want fancier digs, or a jet plane, my brother could probably get it for me, or maybe Worthington if he's... feeling better. Besides, what can you possibly give us in equipment that Jeffries can't build out of a spare parking meter and a bucket of washers?" Jon, folded his arms and muttered, "He could get us registered, and cataloged." "I'm already registered," Alex said, "And so are you." "Jon was," the clone said, petulantly, "These people don't know half of what I've been up to in my five years on this planet." "Whatever, Jon, the point is that what I'm doing fails time and time again," he ran his hand through his hair, the holographic image laid over it moving like it was real. He hated this, hated letting the fact that Hodge was seeing him like this but... but what was he going to do. "Hodge, I need something to make me understand what you want, I need you to lay out what you think this little arrangement would entail. I need help, I finally get that, I'm not Scott. I can't do it on my own, even with people like Jon to back me up. I need more and if you think you can give it to me, I gotta know it's the right kind of 'more.'" |
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| Cameron Hodge | Aug 18 2009, 09:42 PM Post #10 |
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Director of SHIELD
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The two mutants went back and forth with each other for several moments, discussing whether aligning themselves with SHIELD was prudent. Hodge merely listened attentively; he didn’t want to push them too hard and make them feel pressured. X-Factor coming into the fold would only happen if Alex decided for himself that it was an idea worth considering, and as the director observed him, Camreon was convinced that Alex was more than halfway to that conclusion. “I need more and if you think you can give it to me, I gotta know it's the right kind of 'more.'" Discerning green eyes flickered from the clone to Havok as Cameron considered where to take this conversation. The man had already said that resources weren’t an issue, which took away one of his chief selling points… after all, the Director of SHIELD had access to the best of anything from stereo equipment to foreign cuisine. “Boys,” he finally said, elbows resting on knees as he slowly rubbed his palms back and forth over each other absentmindedly… almost as if they were talking about a football game, “I’m going to be straight with you. I don’t have the upper hand here, and I don’t really have anything to give you out of the goodness of my heart, and honestly… I don’t think you do either. It’s all you can do to hold this team together. You’re stretched thin and when half your guys aren’t on the verge of going off the deep end, they’re playing babysitter for a few square miles of New York and helping with the clean-up. Don’t get me wrong… all that’s well and good, but you’re treading water. Seems like it’s three steps forward and three steps back, and I hate that.” “But SHIELD is in the same boat. Nick screwed up with the Sentinels and sent us back to the stone age in terms of tolerance. The whole deal with Apocalypse severely crippled us… transportation is a total nightmare and we lost thousands of our own men. Not to mention the ones the guy made into his mind slaves. I have hundreds taking up space in mental wards across three states. Basically… we’re largely ineffective.” “Fact is… you and your group has a big heart, kid, and Mutant Town isn’t big enough for it. New York isn’t big enough for it. You need bigger problems… something to keep you too busy to get in trouble. And SHIELD needs the extra manpower. We need your energy because we have a lot of really big problems out there, and we’re low on personnel. We need Jeffries to help us get hellicarriers up in the air again. We have some seriously dangerous mutants out there that need to be stopped before they hurt more people. The world needs to be safe, and right now, it’s too big a job for me to do with the headcount I have. We need you, and that’s exactly what you need.” He fell silent, looking from one face to the other, allowing his words to sink in. “I’ll even throw in a set of Ginsu knives. Don’t make me beg.” |
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| Havok | Aug 18 2009, 10:33 PM Post #11 |
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It was what Alex needed to hear, though he would never quite admit it. He was so tired of being the fuck up, so tired of making mistake after mistake. To be told by someone that he had done something right, by someone who had no personal stake in this at least... well, it was a damn manipulative tactic and it worked like gangbusters. But needy or not, Alex was still very much a Summers, and while he didn't have the confidence in his strategic skills that his big brother had, that didn't change the fact that beneath the fragile shell of a man near his breaking point, Alexander Phillip Summers was a natural born leader. He could have grabbed at Hodge's plans and hoped that things would be made ok for him, but he had a team to think about. He didn't know if Hodge understood just who or what the various members of this team were, but he didn't want him to be able to use it against them. "What you're offering us then is simply sponsorship, and basically a legal right to continue our work, unimpeded to a reasonable degree?" Alex asked. "There will be impediments,' Jon interrupted, "Alex..." Ignoring him, Alex continued, "I want to see some guarantees then, Hodge. I get that we'll all need registration. I want that to be 150% confidential, top clearance or whatever category you use. I don't want to see our names as the banner of the Bugle. A couple members of my team are not exactly legal citizens, I want amnesty or diplomatic privileges for them, and topmost, I want all former criminal actions sealed. Not everyone here had the greatest start as a mutant. We're here for redemption. You can't offer us that, but you can see to it that it's not going to come back and bite us on the asses." Jon's eyes went wide. This was not what he expected from Havok, this sticking it to Hodge thing. Was it enough to assure them the upperhand, no, but it was a start. He folded his arms and said, "And I want a pony." No use being entirely serious, right? Wouldn't be Jon if he was. |
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| Cameron Hodge | Aug 19 2009, 02:44 AM Post #12 |
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Director of SHIELD
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Hodge allowed himself a little smile at hearing Alex’s thoughts on the matter. Finally… a Summers boy was actually listening to reason; his smooth words were actually starting to pay off. Not that Cameron’s words were solely the product of manipulation… he believed nearly everything he had confessed. Mutant-human relations couldn’t continue this way… they would end up destroying each other and likely the world in the process. Humanity wasn’t about to give up its place of control and mutants weren’t going to continue being feared, despised, and treated as second class citizens. If nothing changed, the world would find out exactly what happened with an unstoppable force met an immovable object. And he silently thanked God that he had found his ticket to making sure that never happened. He nodded at each of Alex’s concessions… they were minuscule by comparison to what SHIELD would be gaining – mutants fighting mutants of their own free will. It was the very definition of fighting fire with fire. “Not a problem, Havok,” Hodge finally replied after Jon’s interjection, “And Jon… if you’re serious about the pony, that can be easily arranged. Just say the word. I’m just glad you don’t actually want the Ginsu knives. I have no idea where you get something like that,” he added as his grin broadened. It was his attempt to keep the atmosphere light and friendly… it was crucial that the pair stay comfortable with him. He didn’t want to lose X-Factor because he put on too much pressure too quickly. He would slowly acclimate them to more difficult tasks over time, but for now, heavy wasn’t a good idea. “I can have all your requests taken care of within seventy-two hours. No one but myself and my personal staff will know the identities of X-Factor. Not even the President. I hope that’s close enough to the chest for you. There are a few things we’ll need from you. First of all, I want to meet your entire group… at least introduce myself. Also, we need to have them evaluated by a professional… one of the few who will know your identities. I’m afraid this will be mandatory, despite the fact that your people are starting off with a clean slate, the fact is that several of them have a bit of a reputation,” he hesitated… not wanting to go on. Hopefully this little confession would show the pair that he wasn’t just telling them what they wanted to hear. He wanted them to get the impression that he was being upfront and honest with them. “And with them possibly inside government facilities and having access to restricted information, I need to know what kind of people I’m dealing with. I’ll be directly responsible for your performance.” “I hope that’s okay because I have to tell the two of you that this is very exciting for me. You people have the ability to do some great things for the world and SHIELD wants to help give you the direction to actually make that happen.” |
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| Havok | Aug 19 2009, 09:41 AM Post #13 |
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Alex was seriously about to blast Jon through the far wall for his joking, but he understood that his temper was irrationally short and that Jon was simply being Jon, the charming jokester that made his position here essential. Quite a few of his team were cheerful sorts, which he supposed was good since he had enough angst for them all. Hodge, however, picked up the teasing tone and bantered a bit, which seemed to lessen the tension. Hodge's last visit here, he had been a different person, much less accommodating, more by the book, which suggested to Havok that the last time he was struggling to make his mark. Now that he was in charge, that mark was made. He was more free to manipulate the system. Which he made clear, considering that he was so ready to agree with the concessions Alex made. Sort of made Alex wish he'd asked for a pony too. Seventy-Two hours, and top secrecy... The things one could do with such power. Alex frowned though at the idea of having a therapist though. "I'm not sure I like this idea of being evaluated but, I suppose there's no harm in it. It'll probably do us some good--" "I don't like people I don't know inside my head," Jon interrupted, "It worries me." "Jon, trust me, ok?" Alex said, "I've been thinking about this for a while, since I... got back, and he's right. If we're going to make a difference, a real difference, we have to do it on a grand scale, we have to be given the chance to make that difference without being afraid we'll be arrested mid-rescue. We need direction, and I can't do it alone." Jon leaned over the table and said, "You aren't alone. You've never been alone. We're in this together because we believe in what X-Factor's doing, because we need it as much as the town needs us and--" "And, we are going to keep doing what we need to do," Alex said, "We're going to remain X-Factor, and do what has to be done. All this changes is that we've got a bigger playing feel, right, Mr. Hodge?" |
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| Cameron Hodge | Aug 21 2009, 03:00 PM Post #14 |
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Director of SHIELD
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Hodge nodded as he turned his attention to Jon, “I’m not trying to change you, Jon. If I didn’t like your group the way you were, I probably wouldn’t be so desperate to bring you in, but I’ve studied your file. Thoroughly. And I like what I see.” He looked back at Havok, “You aren’t perfect. None of you are. Goes to show that mutants are just as subject to human error as we are.” He gave a dry chuckle, “But… you play off each other in a way that even my best-trained ops can’t match. You have each others’ backs… even when it places you in some pretty precarious positions.” Cameron shook his head a little, “No… you don’t have anything to worry about from me. All I want to do is set you loose on the world and let you fix it. I’ll have certain things that I’ll need you to do. We have a list of dangerous mutants who pose a serious problem to everyone, but you come to me with whatever you want to do, and if I can help, then you have it.” If that’s what it took to get X-Factor to play ball, then Cameron had no problem doing some back scratching… and who knew what unforeseen good points would come from it. He was a different man from his predecessor; before he had become director, Hodge had to play by Fury’s rules… a man who was terribly stubborn and unwilling to give in order to gain so much more. Now that he was in charge, things would be done right – his way. He stood up, “Now… I hate to cut this so short, but I have a lot of work to do if I’m going to get your team legit. I’ll be by in three days to personally hand over all the documents stating that each member of your team is an American without so much as a parking ticket to their name. Sound good?” He held out his hand with the intent on shaking Alex’s, “I look forward to a fruitful future with X-Factor, Mr. Summers. I trust we won’t let each other down.” |
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| Havok | Aug 22 2009, 09:57 AM Post #15 |
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Jon wanted to protest more, that was clear, he wanted to do more to convince Alex that this was not what they needed, that this was not what Alex needed, but it was very clear also that Alex believed that it was. He looked at his leader closely. Alex was a very different sort of man than his brother was, and Jon didn't think that X-Factor would work if Scott was running it, and he honestly didn't understand why Alex didn't understand that either. But looking at the Bossman, Jon realized why he'd hooked up with this group, instead of the X-Men, why he stuck with Havok despite everything they'd been through. There was no doubt in Alex's eyes about this. He felt that what he was doing right at this moment was for the betterment of the world, and while Jon didn't know if he was right, he knew that if Alex was willing to ally himself with this snake in the grass to save Mutantkind, well, then how did one argue with that kind of commitment. It went without saying that a man like this would not hesitate to stop this if it went to far. And, it was their job to make sure he understood when it was too far. If Alex knew what Jon was thinking, he made no sign of it. He rose when Hodge did and took the offered hand. He didn't trust Hodge, but he accepted that they needed the help. The entire world had changed because of the actions of Apocalypse, and he had been one of the major means of that change. He had to do this, for the team, the people, the world. Whether or not, he wanted to, he had to play the game long enough to make the goal. "Director Hodge," Alex said, as he shook the man's hand, "My team is at your disposal with terms laid down. I'll do what I can to make this transition a smooth one, and I appreciate the expediency on my terms. Thank you for coming by, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon enough." Once Hodge had left, Alex looked at Jon. "What the hell did I just do?" "You either did something amazing for our people or something disastrous," Jon said, arms folded over his chest in a huff. Alex sighed, "Yeah, but which one?" |
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9:00 AM Jul 11