Description: Sagat and Gen meet to discuss the future of the conflict between the Triads and Shadaloo. It winds up more of a vision into Sagat's future, and plans are hatched.
Twilight descends over the countryside between Kowloon and Tai Wei, the symbolism in the choice of time for the proposed meeting left to those who might turn up to decipher. ... or not. The message is simple: One who ignores the inferno outside one's focus will be consumed. The war in China must be discussed. -- This is delivered to Sagat, most reasonable of Shadaloo's elite, in many estimations. It bears the symbol of the White Dragon Triad, signed in kanji meaning only 'Spectre'. Accompanying it is the longitude and latitude of one Lion Rock, outside Kowloon. The head of that great, rock-hewn beast is currently occupied by a diminutive ornament, an old master clad in robes of black and silver.
The breeze catches Gen's beard, sets it fluttering off to one side, blank eyes focused out on the horizon, rather than any particular object or point. The legendary assassin simply feels the ebb and flow, that quiet dissonance in the Earth herself. The grating, fingernails-on-chalkboard sensation that lurks just beyond his hearing. His face is a mask of intense thought, of the most serious of sorts. For the moment... the Triad shadow waits. Never sleeps.
After their encounter many months ago Sagat had figured he would not hear anything from the Triad especially after the following 'meeting' between both Gen and Vega. Yet while traveling through the various provinces of China for routine checkups on various outposts the large fighter was delivered a message. There was curiousity in the fact he was contacted and the location is at least one he is familiar with once he realizes where the coordinates will lead him.
He is careful to make sure he was not followed to be on the safe side. He and Vega haven't exactly been on the best fo terms so he wouldn't put it past the madman to have someone tracking him. That single eye scans about as he stalks upwards and towards the giant mass silently. The figure of Gen is soon seen as he draws near and the colossus stops a few yards away before folding his arms over his massive chest. "It must be an interesting state of affairs if you were wanting to talk with me."
Gen does not initially turn as Sagat approaches... though it is almost impossible that he does not sense the approach of one such as the rightful Emperor of Muay Thai. Instead, the legendary assassin continues his study, as if he had not quite found what he was looking for, or was deciphering something of intense importance and interest. The words are low, but clear, crisply spoken once they do come, "Interesting indeed. Surely even one of your... singular focus can sense that something is not quite right, that there are things larger than either of us afoot." The old master posits, turning to eye Sagat over one shoulder, pupiless eye widening under one rising, stark white brow.
"Want is perhaps.. the wrong term. Strikes within territories claimed by the Silver Dragon have not gone well for Shadaloo. You have enemies, many enemies, many fronts on which you already make war. I suggest.. you turn your eye, and those of your master, back to the horizon. Lest the beast devour all." There's a small, dark smile at the enigmatic advice, before Gen amends simply, "Our attentions are wasted fighting over resources and lines on a map, when those commodities are about to change for us both. My terms have not changed - Shadaloo must stay out of our business, or risk its overreaching hands. But I would encourage you to think about it.. more seriously, now."
If anyone would like the battle in China to be over with Sagat would be near the top. All it is is tireless work of moving from place to place without much chance to take time to pursue his own endeavors. He could sneak away from prying eyes for a day or two, but he would have to show back up unless he wanted to risk the lives of the people around the places he would stay during those times. Last thing he needs is Vega sending Juri or the like out to track him down again because Vega wants to use the former Emporer for a mission.
That single eye remains focused on the other elder fighter as Sagat gives a slow nod. "I notice things. I think the others are too caught up in themselves to really pay attention to it." he admits. He listens to what Gen has to say and he ponders things over. "I do not hold as much sway as I once did. The path I am trying to walk now has sort of left me at odds." If he wasn't still one of the most imposing fighters on the planet he is pretty damn sure he would have been tossed aside and forgotten about. "Vega cares too much about his own increase of power that he rarely listens to anyone. I can try and think of a way to reason with him."
"A swift way to lose power." Gen observes simply, turning to face the Muay Thai mountain. "Particularly when one's wild ambitions direct one's aggression towards those with the capacity to pluck out the offending eyes." Perhaps not the most tactful terminology, when addressing Sagat... but likely also an analogy the scarred champion can relate to easily. "I am not surprised to hear your own goals have grown at odds with those of Vega." The legendary assassin offers this up frankly, narrowing eyes at the Thai and considering him evenly. "You need not serve him forever, you realize. There are other paths to your renewed ascension..."
The old master pauses, smiles darkly once more, letting out a silent chuckle, "And ways of being free of even his mindbending manipulations. Quite impressive what he can accomplish... with little girls, and the weak willed." There's a bit of a hrmph at that, distaste crisply present in the Triad shadow's mouth. "Strength is wasted serving only one's self - it unravels, if not applied to something greater. It is all the /more/ squandered serving one who does not see this. You walk a path towards destruction, Sagat - not only of yourself, and not of that which you would wish to see scorched and salted."
Even if their attitudes are quite different Sagat finds himself thinking much in the same way as Gen does. He is hoping that attempt to overstretch himself is the downfall of Vega. Or at least a point where he is weakened enough to where Sagat can do the things he wants. Though at this point time is sort of running out. He is unsure how long it will be before age truely starts affecting him. Can he last as long as someone like Gen? Will he even live long enough to find out is another good question.
Even so what Gen says gives the Thai warrior much to think about on top of his own thoughts. "I do not plan to serve much longer. Timing is always key and I must pick the right moment is all." He is a strong warrior, but he also isn't foolish enough to take on Vega when he has such loyal followers that will jump him all at once. "I will see what I can do to try and influence things, but I am sure how well it will work." He grimaces a bit at that and he lets out a light 'hrm' before speaking out again. "Either way I am away from the base enough I can attempt to assist in other ways if need be. He may have qualms with you, but if I can help divert disaster I will help where I can."
The response offered by the rightful Emperor is not the one that Gen anticipated. ... but neither does it seem to shock the assassin. Still, the Triad Legend remains surprised, slightly... and intrigued, in the larger scheme of things. The smile is not quite so menacing as he considers those words. "Timing is indeed key. Yet anticipation of a 'better' time can lead to worse... and great inertia gathered behind us along our present courses. All people may change, even on a whim, even drastically. Time, however, tends to distract us from that ability, further solidifying our mistakes.. or our greatness."
"Perhaps... rather than dissuading Shadaloo, this might be an opportunity to kill the proverbial two birds with one stone. If Vega believes he has momentum that does not exist? He will be more reckless, prone to exposing himself, and his own plans. With your knowledge this could become a lethal, or at least devastating setback indeed. These things have a way of creating an effect not unlike dominos, Sagat. There are indeed dangerous events in motion, that will entwine us all, but perhaps the answer is not to placate and expect Shadaloo and Vega to see reason... and instead use that greed and lust for power to strike the weak points of that ever extending chain." The old master strokes his beard, thoughtfully, "He is far from the only one with powerful warriors in his.. employ. ... and many would wish to see his empire crumble."
The larger man reaches up to stroke at his chin idly in thought. "Odd how you say it that way. I believe he is doing that on his own in a way." he says in response. "He is intrigued enough by the tournament that he formed a team for it afterall. I think he is hoping to find something of use to him." he explains while pondering further on such thoughts. "It is more deciding now what to point him towards that he will believe to be something that will not help, but hurt him."
It isn't often when he does it these days, but there is a bit of a grin forming across the former Emporer's features. A rather wicked one at that. "I do have some access to resources that I can use to help investigate. Of course if there is any other information you could pass on I would appreciate it." This has seemed to have been a good idea. He wasn't sure if he was going to be in for a fight or what, but this conversation seems to have the cogs starting to spin in Sagat's head. Perhaps he can do something sooner than he ever anticipated. He just has to play his cards right.
"All the better that he feel it is his own initiative guiding this." Gen concludes, taking a few steps one way, and then pausing to stroke his beard anew with long, slow motions from base to tip, a slight flourish coming off the end. "Not an easy man to trap - but his own hubris is a powerful tool. The precise target.. I cannot say. I suspect an opportunity will present itself to lay waste to the best-laid plans, however. We must be observant, and yes, patient. Be careful not to tip your hand - he will sense changes in your attitude, I am certain of that."
Gen's own demeanor is more serious, but similarly pleased, as he weighs it in his head. "With my own resources, so long as our moment is not one where he has the backing of the rest of his Elite, we will be able to destroy him handily. As to making the blow stick, well. You are in a better position to choose what it is within Shadaloo and its holdings that he values - needs the most. I have a number of dojos and training grounds well below Shadaloo's radar. You will need to be at your best, for this. I will put one of my own Lieutenants in contact with you... this is a time to sharpen blades, and keep our senses ever alert."
Ever word is listened to carefully and the former Emporer takes a more serious look again while considering how things might unfold. Gen is right. He needs to be patient and wait for the right time to make his move. The change of attitude should be easy enough to mask. He won't be acting different from how he has been and he won't start to pretend to be too much more loyal. That might just cause him to come off as more suspicious given how much he has been clashing with the madman as of late.
"This sounds acceptable. For now consider me an ally." At least as long as it perhaps helps him get free of Vega's grasp. He isn't sure he can fully trust an assassin afterall, but he will trust him as long as he feels that it is worth the risk. Gen himself probably knows this isn't a permanent alliance anyways. Just two men that can help one another in a desperate time.
The potentially transitory nature of the pact is not lost on Gen, though it seems to amuse the elder master, more than anything. The voids that are his eyes can't quite twinkle, but there's certainly that wry smirk on his aged features. "We do what we must, because we can." the diminutive Chinese killer agrees, "I would not seek to dictate your path past that... any more than I approve of how it has been dictated to this point. Where things go from there will remain up to you."
Gen pauses, studying the much larger fighter a moment before appending, "Until that course diverges, yes, allies. I suspect you will find this much more agreeable than the alternatives, and the past.. collisions. For now? One more stepping stone on a much larger road." Perhaps he sees Sagat's motives clearly indeed - perhaps he simply feels similarly about the situation.
Sagat himself could not have put it any better. He had no plans to stop being a pawn for Vega to be someone else's pawn. He is finally ready to take control of his path once again after all these years and if he manages to help topple Shadaloo maybe just maybe he will look into perhaps helping that poor girl Malin. Maybe both can have freedom. Even more so he can finally take time to track down his one true opponent after all this time and get one more match. A rematch for the ages if he can help it.
"Then I shall get to work and keep my ears and eye open." he comments as he lets his arms drop to his side. It looks like he has some work to do and hopefully it is something he can manage to handle while dealing with being around the likes of Balrog and Juri for the tournament. If anything perhaps he can even somehow use that to his advantage. Balrog might be loyal, but Juri....who knows. If she can be free that monster might just help if he feels like he can trust her. "If you need me I shall do my best to make myself elusive to prying eyes for short times for a meeting."
"We will be in touch." Gen assures Sagat, turning back to the view from the bluff, "Do be ready to discuss things... in motion, however. Depending on the setting, one must make it look convincing." That, and the old master rather enjoys such tests, tribulations, and tumults. They are, after all, warriors first and foremost. "There is a man selling cinnamon roasted almonds at the Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, during any events. If you need to reach me quickly, he is a suitable message drop." Far enough off the radar, and out of Gen's immediate (obvious) sphere of influence so as to be a decent covert choice, "There are fights held there, it should not be a stretch. Tread surely, Sagat. But mind your path." There's a dismissive gesture over one of the legendary assassin's shoulders.
It seems the former Emporer was ready to take his leave even before that gesture is made. "I will mind that path and I won't let myself fall off it again. Never again." he assures the other elder fighter as he turns about to get ready to leave as he makes a mental note of the contact. That should be easy enough to remember. He does let out a low and somewhat dark chuckle. "I would tell you to be careful as well, but I think you are the last person on this planet needing that advice." He says nothing else and stalks off. He has much to think about and get started and figure out a proper window to prepare it all in without being obvious. In the end he is feeling refreshed and actually a bit more full of vigor. Odd how a simple coversation could make him feel about ten years younger. It is also not long before the large fighter is out of the Chinamen's sight.
Log created on 19:20:36 01/31/2011 by Gen, and last modified on 22:07:28 02/12/2011.