Description: Rugal approaches Sagat, thinking to take advantage of Sagat's recent departure from Shadaloo to bolster "R" Organization's ranks, but the Muy Thai legend refuses to trade the shackles of one tyrant for another.
The village used to be a simple enough locale. Wooden buildings with a river nearby to allow for fishing and agriculture and normally that is all people here would ever have to worry about. But now times are different as the war has not left this simple lifestyle alone either. The crop outside the village has been burned down and what used to be fishing boats are now just shattered, wooden husks floating in the water along the shore.
The town itself is barricaded with makeshift fortifications, sandbacks stacked into rudimentary walls. The buildings are still standing, so it would appear whatever offense Shadaloo mounted on their previous attempt to take the location was repelled. Perhaps due to the might of the Resistance guerilla fighters located here. Or maybe they had... special help. But holding back Shadaloo once just means they'll be back again with more firepower, more guns, more tanks. Some of the resistance, as hopeful as they may try to appear, may have begun to feel like they are merely stalling the inevitable.
When the sound of a chopper is heared in the horizon, it might be the first clue that another Shadaloo attack is inbound. But when the single, sleek, black airvehicle comes in low over the tree line as if deliberately trying to avoid detection, it makes it seem something else is afoot. Coming in to land on a dried, dusty surface out front of the town, it bears no markings or means of identifying it. And when it touches down, only one well-dressed man steps out of rear portion of the chopper. Not known to all, but known to anyone with veteran experience in the fighting circuits. Rugal Bernstein.
Veteran Experience like that which Sagat has. Sagat is here in this town. He has helped to coordinate its resistance. He has provided key insight on Shadaloo forces and tactics and he has even fought to help repel the invaders. Sagat is the hero of his people after all. The mighty former Emperor of Muay Thai was inside one of the huts within the village, snacking on a bowl of rice after a brief workout in the square when he heard the sounds of the incoming VTOL. Sagat quickly places his bowl down and vacated the building. The shirt he wears over his upper torso is quickly discarded by the time he exits the building. His eye is cast skywards as he seeks to spot the coptor. He sees that the coptor goes in for a landing and makes his way towards the entrence to the town. Sagat peers over the walls and barricades and spots none other than Rugal Bernstein.
Pausing a moment to adjust his red and black suit coat, making sure it rests perfectly over his shoulders with the sleeves ending just right at his wrists. The rotors of the chopper stay spinning, as if the vehicle is going to stay prepared to lift off with minimal ramp up time if necessary.
Apparently satisfied with his appearance, the man strides toward the town itself. Like Sagat, he has but one human eye with which to take in his surroundings. But his right eyesocket is occupied with a black cybernic eye that moves just like the real thing. Both such eyes come to rest on the visage of Sagat and Rugal comes to a stop, smiling ever so faintly as if amused that his intell on the whereabouts of the Thai fighting master turned out to be accurate.
"Sagat!" the man calls out. "I wish to speak with you... in private for a moment."
Sagat turns to regard the other resistance fighters of the village. He nods to them and in a gravelly voice commands, "Stay here. Keep an eye on us and on his vehicle." Sagat turns to regard Bernstein for another moment before he plants his large hand on the top of the barrier. He pushes and propels himself into the air and over the barrier. He lands in a crouch and then starts to advance towards Rugal, "What do you want?" He asks bluntly.
Sagat proves to be as impressive sight in person as Rugal figured he would be, having seen him appear in public fights before but never stood face to face with him. Rugal himself towers over many people, but even he has to lift his face to look into the eye of the Muy Thai legend.
No pretences or niceties. Sagat is straight to the point. It's somewhat refreshing to Rugal, so used to dealing with powerful men who like to have their ego stroked with vain pleasantries before getting down to business. He glances behind Sagat, at the village, his living eye studying the faces of those who look back through and over the fortifications.
"Your defense of your people is admireable. I don't doubt that it played a factor here, allowing this humble location to withstand Shadaloo one more day. Lord Vega was a fool to believe that you would stand obediantly at his side while he rolled his machines of war against your people..." He pauses before getting to the point, his expression demonstrating feigned sympathy. "I am in a position to help you and the Thai army."
The Muay Thai Tiger narrows his eye at everything that Rugal states. His statement of admiration. His comment about Vega and his obediance and even Rugal's admission that he is able to help Sagat's people. The mighty Thai grunts in response to everything the other man says. Sagat shakes his head, "Are you now?" He comments verbally to Rugal's last statement. His normally gravelly voice sounds drier and scratchier than normal. The Thai Legend then states, "And yet you are here talking to me rather than doing something that truly matters to aid my people." His head tilts, "What do you have to gain by assisting my Thai brethren?"
"Ah, yes," Rugal chuckles softly now. "It probably comes as no surprise that I am not interested in investing the assets of "R" to help the people of Thailand because it will make me feel good." "R" is certainly not a charity organization, to say the least. "But I am in the position to provide technology. Weapons, amunition, explosives. Whatever your people need in order to fight back and reclaim their land as it is their right to do. But you're correct. I do want something... or rather, someone... and that is why I am talking to you right now."
There is another pause, his right hand idly folding the end of the black scarf around his shoulders over and over. "I would be extending my aid as a favor to you, Sagat... In exchange for perhaps a shift in loyalty. Think about it. If you were to secretly align yourself with "R" it would be one more step toward bringing down Shadaloo once and for all and putting an end to Lord Vega's regime. The loss in confidence from his own ranks would be enough to weaken his forces. It would give me the strength on my side to act more openly in bringing him down knowing you were on my side."
Sagat crosses his arms over his chest and gives Rugal quite the narrow-eyed glare. The audacity of such an offer and its stipulations. However the narrow eye of the Thai Fighter widens a bit as Sagat pulls his head backwards and faces the sky. Boisterous laughter roars from the Thai Tiger for a long several moments. When Sagat settles, he faces Rugal again, "I cast away the shackles of one megalomaniac for another? I am far from stupid, Rugal." Sagat keeps his arms crossed as he steps towards the other man, "You have my blessing if you want to try and tear down Vega. I am not going to stop you. However I am not throwing my hat into your corner. I am aiding my people. I will best do that while remaining independent."
The scarf folding hand tightens into a clenched fist at Sagat's laughter. "You can't be everywhere, Sagat! Your people will have to be able to stand on their own or the front they've sacrificed so hard to maintain will collapse eventually. Vega's resources are vast, can you say the same for the Thai Resistance?"
The man's eye narrows for a moment, then relaxes slightly as he calms down a little. "I could bring them what they need. I have the resources. Our goals are the same. And being aligned with me would be nothing like it was with Shadaloo. I'm not out to take countries, Sagat, or crush villages beneath my fist. You need men like me to balance men like Vega... In turning me down you are only helping to ensure that Vega's occupation takes a more permanent root here. Eventually it will be impossible to overpower him!"
Sagat continues to observe Rugal, his head shaking slowly as the other man speaks. When it's his turn to speak, Sagat does so, "So you're saying you have the ability to toss your hat into the ring and aid the resistance. My refusal to align with you disables your ability to aid these hungry, dieing and freedom loving people?" Sagat scoffs at the man, "Pathetic. Help these people unconditionally or get out of the way. If you are correct, Vega may succeed without your assistance. However are you willing to let him succeed? The world needs people like you to balance out people like Vega? Well if he gains the power he seeks, you will no longer be able to balance out that Tyrant." Sagat grits his teeth, "Are you willing to simply accept his dominion?"
Sagat's words elicit a slow, annoyed sigh. The type that rumbles deep in a man's throat. "So you would risk defeat in order to defend your useless pride?" Rugal demands, his hand still clenched, raised now in front of him in a fist.
"The world doesn't work that way. The world works by making compromises in order to get what you want out of it. You can't retain your independance and expect to survive this war. If Shadaloo succeeds or fails, what do you think will happen to you, Sagat? Do you think Vega will look blindly upon your betrayal?" Rugal stretches his back a little, reaching his full height - still practically a foot shorter than the towering kick boxer in front of him. "If you were with me, attacking you would be the same as trying to take on "R" itself. Vega's position is too precarious to do that now. And if he loses this war, he never will be powerful enough to try again. You would be safe from his retribution."
Sagat leans forward and bellows at Rugal, "I am not compromising my independence again!" His response is almost immediate. His response is fueled by anger and shame. Sagat turns away from Rugal, "I made compromises already. Compromises that I regret. I will make no more." He turns his head so that he looking at Rugal again, "And I am not without allies of my own, Rugal." he takes a moment to stare at Rugal and let that sink in, "You speak of compromises. Compromise your own desire. Accept the fact that I am willing to let you and your people fight Shadaloo in my country. Accept the fact that I'm willing to let you take down Vega instead of allowing myself the pleasure of ripping Vega from his megalomaniacal high horse..."
Rugal doesn't concede a step back as the mighty Sagat roars at him, though lesser men would be prudent in doing so to say the least. He looks like he wants to lash out at the Muy Thai master at this point. And, were he not driven by very specific ambitions at the moment, he might have just to teach him a lesson in his mind.
"Yes..." he allows, speaking in controlled tones, holding back the rage that would compell him to push this meeting to violence. "Very well. You are a proud, stubborn man, Sagat. But you are right in one thing. I won't stand idly by as Shadaloo tries to extend its arm beyond its means... Even without your cooperation, I will help your... people." He almost spits the lsat word, as if the idea of fighting for a cause just because of shared nationality disgusts him.
"But the day will come when you realize that men like you... men of stature and power... you cannot exist alone. You will have to take sides or pay unimagineable losses just to say that you are independant. When that day comes, don't forget my offer. Perhaps it won't be too late then."
Sagat points a meaty finger at Rugal and offers the man a nod, "Yes, I'll remember your offer. And I'll remember how I waved at it as it passed me by." Sagat grits his teeth and turns away from Rugal. The Muay Thai Tiger stomps back towards the barricade that he lept over. He pauses on his trip there though. He turns and looks over his shoulder at Rugal, "Welcome to the fight, Rugal. Imagine. When we succeed, you may be viewed upon as a hero. That can create a surprising amount of leverage when utilized appropriately." He offers a thoughtful grunt, turns back, and continues towards the barricades.
Rugal grunts, shaking his head as Sagat walks off. Stubborn, proud, powerful. Attributes the crimelord can appreciate. Being unwilling to work with him though is an attribute he isn't particularly keen on. It's his eye on the bigger picture that keeps his outward appearance calm even if he rages within. In his younger days, he would have thrown aside his ambitions just to charge the kick boxing giant. But for now, Bernstein has the long term goals to keep in mind.
"Heh. 'When.'" he mutters in replies to Sagat's final words to him. When they succeed. They better, for if Shadaloo takes hold, there will be no balancing against the combined might of Vega and his NESTs allies. Turning around himself, this meeting in the harsh hot jungle at an end, Rugal steps back into the chopper that brought him here and the black helicopter lifts off before racing over the treeline to head back out toward the ocean.
Log created on 20:06:39 06/25/2007 by Rugal, and last modified on 22:26:37 06/25/2007.