Description: A short social scene between the leader of the Ikari and the leader of the Vigilantes, in which a deal is struck.
A crisp, wintry Southtown morning--and the Business District is bustling as usual--perhaps even more so, given the five weeks of shopping left until Christmas. Southtown is not immune to it any more than any other city, and it is as lively as any other.
Despite the hustle and bustle Charlie is quite placid, but perhaps that is due to the fact that he's just relaxing at a sidewalk cafe, that distinctive hair almost lost in the crowd; sipping at some coffee, reading the newspaper, he looks for all the world like the Most Relaxed Vigilante in the World. Like Chun, but less stressed and with smaller thighs. But perhaps that's all just a facade... he could be out here for any number of reasons... meeting with fellow do-gooders, or even observing low-level targets.
Strolling through the bustling crowds of people, standing tall amid most of the crowd, is Commander Heidern - supreme leader of the Ikari Warriors, clad in a relatively drab outfit, his olive green trenchcoat floating over his lanky, but deadly, frame. A similarly coloured beret rests atop his dark head of hair, and the trademark eyepatch rests over his left eye - the wound that is a constant reminder of his greatest rival and deadliest enemy.
What could the military man be doing in the middle of the business district on such a busy shopping day? Buying presents for his troops? No, not today.. looking for someone. His keen eyes spot Charlie seated at a table outside of a rather quaint cafe, the vigilante easily recognizable by his hair and glasses.
"Captain Nash.."
Standing behind his fellow crime fighter and veteran, Heidern keeps his hands deep in the pockets of his green trenchcoat, waiting for Charlie to acknowledge his presence before taking a seat next to him. "Good to see you.."
Woo! That could be a bit disturbing--having Heidern come up behind you all silent and ninja-like like that. Thankfully Charlie's hard to spook; at the sound of his name spoken by the familiar voice, Charlie tilts his head back, gazing upwards at the now upside-down image of Heidern, then righting himself as the man sits at the table. Gesturing for a waitress, Charlie examines Heidern, paying little attention to the eyepatch, though it briefly reminds him of Rugal... ah, a subject to discuss with the Ikari leader, for sure.
"So what brings you out here today, Commander? Though I must admit, it is a fine day..." Any serious talking can wait for a bit; Charlie lifts his coffee and sips at it, savoring the bittersweet flavor and the warmth that rolls through him as the liquid slides down into his stomach.
Heidern seems much less upbeat than his fellow vet, the Ikari Commander's face being a mask of seriousness - not so much as the faintest hint of a smile present on his tightly sealed lips. The eyebrow above his remaining eye is furrowed, a sign of a troubled mind.. frustration at not yet tracking down the man who murdered his family.. especially after having came so close to defeating him when they last met. It's a rather bothersome splinter in the old man's mind..
"A fine day indeed.." states Heidern after a few moments of silence, casually removing his hands from the trechncoat's pockets and walking around the table - pulling out a chair and taking a seat on it. When the waitress approached, the military man turns his head to face her, ordering a black coffee in a rather cold, emotionless tone.
"We have some things to talk about, comrade. But my troubles can wait.. how's this world been treating you recently?"
He'll get Heidern to open up, some day. It's like a personal issue with him. Still... no reason not to be pleasant, and Charlie knows that this is about as pleasant as the man can be. Issues, y'know. Charlie shrugs, and grins a little.
"Oh, good, bad... it's had it's ups and downs... I've seen some promising young talent in the fighting scene, that's always good... and I've had some run-ins with an... old friend of yours. But I'm sure you know about that. Your information network is rather good." Now, well, Charlie might as well get to the point.
"I've also heard rumors that an old... friend of mine... is also showing his face around..."
The Ikari Commander doesn't seem shocked at all, not quizzical - it's almost as if he knows exactly what Charlie is talking about.. and perhaps he does, Ikari intelligence certainly is amongst the very best in the world. Add to that the fact that the majority of that division's resources are being put into tracking down Rugal, and it's very likely that this news comes as no shock to Heidern.
"Bernstein.. yes, my men told me that you had something of a run-in with the man.. I came to see if this was indeed true.." his eyes roam up and down Charlie as he speaks, examining the man for signs of injury, "But it looks like you came out of it relatively well.. strange, for if Rugal were to win, I would fully expect that you would be dead right now. And if you were the victor, I am certain we would have that son of a bitch in a cell right now.. so I must ask, what happened?"
A shake of the head. "Who knows what goes on in his head, Heidern? I've fought him twice now. He's won both times, yet here I am." Charlie shrugs.
"He's demented... I've thought about assigning a small task force to keep tabs on him. But I didn't want to step on any Ikari toes." Charlie's gaze narrows, his cheerful expression sharpening some. "Can't say why he didn't kill me after the first fight--it was a pretty pathetic effort on my part. Maybe he thinks he's toying with me, or something like that...."
"And maybe he has other plans for you.." says Heidern, finishing Charlie's sentence.. he becomes silent as he spots the waitress out of the corner of his eye, turning in his chair to face her and accepting the coffee with a small nod. Not much one for the whole customer-server relationship, apparently. Besides, there's more important things to worry about now than being polite to someone bringing him coffee. "Or maybe he wanted you alive, so you could pass your story on to me.. who know, indeed.."
There's a few moments of silence as a contemplative Heidern sits and thinks on the situation. Rugal defeated one of his greatest threats - Charlie Nash - and yet didn't kill him. A pointless attack that can only serve to bring the Vigilantes and the Ikaris closer to his trail.. the fact that Bernstein could locate and defeat Captain Nash twice, yet refuses to show himself to Heidern.. it's puzzling..
Maybe the evil genius behind R is beginning to realize just how deadly the Ikari Commander really is.. or maybe he's just toying with him, taunting him by attacking his comrades and leaving him alone. The thought makes Heidern's blood boil.. it's just the kind of sick, twisted game that Rugal is known for.
"That bastard.." he says, before cutting himself off, his tone becoming much more professional. "I think it is imperative that we put a stop to his madman as soon as possible. I propose a pooling of our resources - I already have most of my intelligence division working around the clock, but we've just come out with dead ends so far. Whatever you could spare towards this cause would be of great assistance, Captain Nash.. and most likely in your own best interest, as well. It appears as though your relationship with me and my soldiers has put you on Rugal's shit-list, too.. So what do you say?"
It's true--few know the mind of Rugal well enough to predict his actions. And Charlie would not enjoy being on the receiving end of whatever Rugal has in mind... Nash is quiet throughout the speechifying... and as Heidern proposes the pooling of resources, he grins. And it isn't a nice grin; it is wicked, almost feral.
"I agree, Heidern. You and I have worked together in the past; it will be a pleasure to do so again. While Guile is still--out on assignment--" meaning, who knows where the hell that moody @$$hole went, "--Chun-Li has been increasingly involved with the Vigilantes. We should bring her in on this too." Not only is she one helluva fighter but she's also got Interpol resources, and that'll help too.
Charlie holds out a hand to Heidern. And offers the man a serious, intent look.
"We'll find him, Heidern. We'll find him and put him out of business. Shadaloo, too. I'd appreciate any help the Ikari could offer in dealing with -that- snake's nest, too."
Accepting Charlie's hand without hesitation, Heidern squeezes once and shakes - a very efficient, German handshake if there ever was one. Leaning back into his chair and taking the first sip of his potent black coffee, the Ikari Commander takes a long breath, before he continues. "Shadaloo.. another topic entirely.. and yet, perhaps not so different. Word has reached me from my intelligence department.. perhaps they're just rumours spread by the underworld.. you know how paranoid those criminal thugs can be. It's probably nothing.. but there appears to be increasing amounts of cooperation between R and Shadaloo's seperate criminal ventures."
Shaking his head as if dismissing the topic entirely, Heidern turns his gaze back to Charlie, having gotten lost in his own thoughts for a second - but can one blame him? The concept of an alliance between Rugal and Vega is.. frightening, even to the Ikari Commander who has been present in the world's worst conflicts.
"Like I said, it's probably nothing.. I'll pass along any concrete information I get on Shadaloo's actions, but I cannot promise that the full support of my intelligence department until we've taken care of R. The sooner we get that finished, the sooner we can focus on destroying the next evil.."
Finishing his coffee in one, long gulp, Heidern suddenly stands up - gazing down at Charlie as he adjusts his beret. "But perhaps we've said too much in public.." he states, keeping his eyes firmly on his fellow veteran, "I have a safehouse nearby that is more private, but I would hate to drag you away from your day of relaxation.. perhaps we should save further discussion for another day? Of course, it is entirely up to you, Captain.."
Ah, yes, the fine German handshake... just like fine German watches and beers. Charlie hears out Heidern, and though the man doesn't speak the rumors out loud, he can intimate what's behind them, reading between the lines.
"Such rumors... could be very bad, if they turn out to be true... but then, who knows... perhaps the sharks will devour each other instead of their prey... we can but hope." After all, when have megalomaniacs ever worked well together?
"And, as I said--any help you can provide will be appreciated, Heidern. I know that R is your primary focus, and I wouldn't want to take away from that." At Heidern's suggestion, Charlie just smiles.
"Heidern, I have a suggestion for you. Relax. Enjoy the day. Remember why we're fighting the good fight. That's why I'm out here. After we've done that--then we can get down to business."
What are the odds of that happening?
Offering a short nod followed by a sharp, practiced salute, Heidern
begins to walk back towards the crowd - stopping when he's beside Charlie.
"I'm afraid I have no time to relax, my friend.. there is work to be done..
something big is happening.. I can feel it.."
Angling his neck down and to the side, the Ikari Commander tips his
beret towards Charlie. "Have a good day. I'll be in contact with you."
With that said, the aging military man begins to walk into the bustling
crowd, disappearing amidst the Christmas shoppers and people out enjoying
the day.
Log created by Charlie, and last modified on 00:27:22 12/04/2005.