(no subject)

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

In a leased floor of a commercial high-rise in San Francisco, Yuri Ivanovich Mediev conducts his business. A small staff of secretaries answer phones, make appointments, and coordinates talent with clients. Business seems to be booming.

The two visitors he's receiving today raise a few eyebrows - most of the business here isn't conducted face to face, but it seems that these two are special. Grant and Mar'i are getting a lot of raised eyebrows as they're shown into the man's office. Yuri is a blond man, perhaps in his early forties, who has the appearance of a lapsed intense fitness routine - while still a formidable physical specimen, the muscles of his neck show a lack of recent dedication.

He stands to greet the pair as they enter, beaming an overly friendly smile. "Ah, so good of you to come. Please, please - sit. Can my assistant get you anything?" His English is perfect, and though the accent is thick, it seems purposely exaggerated.

Comments

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

The two young Titans have been practicing for this meet-and-greet for the last two days; as Nightwing had said during the briefing, they only had one shot at this, and Grant certainy doesn't intend to screw this up. Equipped with one of Blue Beetle's holographic images, his hair, skin, and eye color have been altered, along with the bone structure of his face.

Rory O'Halloran is a red-haired, hazel-eyed Irish-American, a low-level member of the North Jersey Irish Mafia specializing in small arms sales, as well as more...specialized products. Mediev is, no doubt, already familiar with O'Halloran's dossier - why else would he and his assistance have been allowed into the Russian's place of business.

Extending his hand to the older man, O'Halloran - nattily attired in a three-piece suit and tie, carrying an expensive-looking briefcase in his free hand - returns the over-friendly smile with one of his own. "Coffee would be fine," O'Halloran replies. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice, Mr. Mediev."

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Ciara Kelly" does not sit. Instead, the "black Irish" woman takes up a stance behind and to one side of "Rory O'Halloran." Her face is frozen in a neutral expression. Bodyguard's eyes.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"Anya, coffee for Mr. O'Halloran. Cream? Sugar?"

He glances at the bodyguard with the practiced eye of a man who's spent years in the mercenary business, and there's an almost imperceptible nod of approval.

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"Yes, thank you," O'Halloran replies, releasing the Russian's hand, sitting in one of the heavy chairs in front of Mediev's desk. Setting the briefcase down, Rory shifts in the chair, crossing one leg over the other, his ankle resting on his thigh as he rests his elbow on the armrest. "I'm sure your time is rather limited, " the Irishman explains, regarding the other man with an easy smile. "You are already familiar with the people I represent, Mr. Mediev?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"Of course, of course. Rather surprised to hear from the Irish, but it is a pleasant surprise, and I'm most intrigued by the .. items you mentioned."

Anya sets the coffee, with cream and sugar, down in front of Grant, and departs, closing the office door as Yuri shoos her.

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

O'Halloran gives Anya a brief glance as Yuri's assistant sets the coffee down and he nods politely to her. Reaching for the coffee, Rory sips at the cup, leaning back in his chair, holding the cup by its slender handle. "The firm that I represent has taken something of an interest in your...enterprise, Mr. Mediev," Rory explains, setting the cup back down on its saucer.

Reaching for the briefcase beside his chair, O'Halloran sets it on his lap, snapping it open, then draws out two small devices - a PDA and a rather impressive looking miniature holographic projector. Setting the projector down on desk, Rory taps the screen of the PDA, the projector whining as it powers on. A moment later, the holographic image of an AR-15 assault rifle is spinning slowly above the desk, the image emanating a soft, bluish glow. "This is a small sample of the various goods the firm specializes in," he explains, tapping the screen again, the display changing to that of an MP5A4 submachine gun.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"Weapons are always necessary when one is protecting the interests of a high-profile client, of course.." The technological display seems to have piqued his interest as well.

"And if I can acquire them cheaply, I can lease or sell them to the talent, to increase my share of the profits."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

A few more taps on the PDA and the image shifts - a SIG 550 assault rifle, a FAMAS service rifle, and an RPG-7 antitank weapon. Rory's gaze shifts from the image above the projector to Yuri's face with each tap, the smile on his face widening at the Russian's reaction.

"Of course," O'Halloran says, pressing a key on the PDA, the image above the projector fading away. Reaching into the briefcase again, Rory takes out a weapons catalog containing pictures, descriptions, and prices for all manner of handheld weapons, from tazers to machine pistols, specialized grenades to various rifles. The catalog is placed on Yuri's desk and he pushes it toward the Russian. "This is...shall we say...an intro-level selection from our warehouse," Rory explains, taking the projector and setting it back in the briefcase along with the PDA. The case is snapped shut and Rory sets it on the floor, returning his attention to the Russian.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

On a roof near by, Flamebird is listening to the Titans channel. Some part of her is thrilled to be the person who has been asked to be back up for Mar'i and Grant. Not that they'll need it.

Of course they won't need it.

But if they do, she'll be there. She even has her entrance planned. It would be all dramatic and that. Well, she thinks it would be. Hard to tell until she does it, of course.

Not that she'll need to.

[speedy-mia.livejournal.com]

Speedy really likes the idea of teamwork and family. People who are there ready to back your play whether it's just letting you do your thing or jumping into a fight on your side, because it's your side. Either way, she's there for Mar'i and Grant and can see that Flamebird is too. As Speedy come up beside Flamebird she nods to her.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

The nod is returned with a grin. Two blondes in yellow and red. This is gonna be awesome.

When they're needed.

Not that they'll be needed.

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Leaning back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap, Rory chuckles at Yuri's comment, grinning at the Russian. "I see that you're already somewhat familiar with my firm's business model," the Irishman replies, reaching forward for his coffee once more, taking a sip from the cup, then leaning back again. "Although a drug combination resulting in more permanent effects would fetch a far higher price, there is no incentive for the customer to maintain their relationship with the seller."

"As I'm sure you're aware, Mr. Mediev, there are a number of sellers in the market with...inferior products that have displayed some rather serious side-effects," Rory continues, sipping again from his coffee cup. "In addition to these products, the people I represent are also developing a line of products that can counter some of the more unfortunate aftereffects of these substandard products."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"Your point is well-made, Mr. O'Halloran. I have only two questions. Can I have some samples to test, and what are your pricing terms?"

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Here we go..."Rory" thinks, leaning forward, resting his arms on the rests of the chair, sitting up a little straighter. "Normally, my employers charge a consultation fee for this sort of information," O'Halloran says, lifting a hand, gesturing at the case on the desk and the catalog. "You can imagine the development and production costs of such highly specialized pharmaceuticals."

"This, however, is a special case," he continues. "A certain man has come under the attention of my employers, a man only known to them as 'Boris.' I cannot go into specifics, but the attention that he has drawn is of a...how shall I say this...a rather negative nature. We understand that this man was last seen in the San Francisco area. Therefore...in exchange for these samples, and as a show of good faith, we would appreciate any information you have on this 'Boris' person."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Yuri reacts.. interestingly. At first, there's a measure of astonishment, but the expression gives way to one of smug superiority. "Boris suggested I would be very grateful that he kept his identity from me. To a degree, that was confirmed by the reports I have received regarding Mikhail's hospitalization, but he said that I might expect visitors."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

The Irishman tilts his head to the side, resting his head against his hand, leaning on his elbow as the Russian speaks. "That's unfortunate," Rory replies, the smile fading a little, his expression becoming a bit more serious. The mention of Mikhail - the crazed Spetznaz agent subdued by Speedy and Obsidian - appears to surprise O'Halloran. "Mikhail? This is an associate of yours, I presume?" he asks, lifting an eyebrow, the hand dropping away from the side of his face.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"He was talent. And premium talent at that. His fate is unfortunate, but the business has it risks, yes?" The Russian accent has been drastically muted as his jovial persona slips away to reveal the hardened ex-mobster beneath.

"Mr. O'Halloran, I am not in the custom of giving out information on my clients - I imagine that if you are who you claim to be, you understand that very well. However - " He slides open a drawer of his desk, removing a small notepad. " - I was asked to deliver this message to any who might inquire after Boris."

He slides the notepad over to Grant. There's a handwritten message there:

Mankind will soon assume its proper place. I should think that you would assist me in this endeavor, but you are as shortsighted as ever, no doubt. I congratulate you on tracing me as far as Yuri, but it will avail you nothing. When you find me, my goal will have been achieved.

"It is somewhat overwrought prose, but.. I wrote it down precisely as he dictated."

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Ciara Kelly does not seem to be reading the note. But Nightstar's mind is racing.

Later, at the Titans Tower....

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Once they have all returned to the island, Nightstar drops her disguise and takes another look at the message. "It definitely sounds like we're looking for an individual rather than a group," she says thoughtfully, "but I think we need to have everyone look at this--maybe one of the older Titans will recognize something."

Re: Later, at the Titans Tower....

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Bringing his hand to his wrist, Damage deactivates the holographic imager, the disguise fading away - he looks exhausted. Shrugging out of the suit jacket, Grant lays it over the back of the couch and sighs, running the fingers of his right hand through his hair. "Yeah," he murmurs in response to Mar'i's observation, turning his face toward the Tamaranean, giving her a tired smile.

"I don't have a clue what it could mean, but...well...it's something, anyway." Leaning back against the couch, Emerson sighs heavily, closing his eyes, bringing his hand up to his forehead. "Can't believe we pulled it off."

Re: Later, at the Titans Tower....

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"Of course you pulled it off. I mean, c'mon. No way you'd mess that up." Bette is still in costume but she's currently doing a handstand on the back of the couch.

Yeah. She didn't want to jump in to save them but she'd geared herself up for jumping in and she's still a little keyed up.

Re: Later, at the Titans Tower....

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Nightstar gives Flamebird a grin. "Glad you and Speedy were there in case things started getting ugly." She stretches. "I think I want something to eat, and then maybe a swim. Anyone want to grab a snack with me?"

Re: Later, at the Titans Tower....

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Looking over his shoulder at Flamebird as she vaults onto the back of the couch, Grant gives the blonde an awkward smile. "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly Mr. Subtle," he replies, eyes shifting toward the coffee table.

Standing, he loosens that godawful tie from around his neck, unfastening the collar of his shirt. Really, the suit hadn't looked all that bad on him. "Food sounds great right now, Mar'i," Grant says, moving toward the kitchen, sitting at the breakfast bar. "Heck, I'd take a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk at this point."

Re: Later, at the Titans Tower....

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Sounds good to me." Mar'i pours two glasses of milk, bringing one over to Grant.

Re: Later, at the Titans Tower....

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"You two enjoy."

Did she just wink at Mar'i? Maybe she did.

"I'm going to do a bit of bar work in the gym and then head toward sleep, I think."