(no subject)
Oct. 29th, 2005 11:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gabriel_tamIt's evening, and Gabriel is sitting at the desk in his home office, studying the image that's paused on the Cortex terminal before him. A terrified young woman, desperately determined to spread the word of a disaster.
""I won't live to report this. People have to know."
It's a message that's been seen all over the system. The Miranda Plan is the topic on everyone's tongue, from Core to Rim, at business meetings and parties and even heard on the street.
"We meant it for the best. To make people safer."
Trust in the Alliance government hasn't been so shaken since the war. Parliament is scrambling to find balance in the wake of the constant newsfeeds and analysis. So far they're failing.
Gabriel Tam looks down at the letter in his hand. It's never very far from him these days-- a missive from one Kaywinnit Lee Frye, engineer for Bentley Aeronautics, expressing polite appreciation for their chance encounter not all that long ago.
It's the coded part that means more to him, however. River, simply and sweetly saying, "I love you. Watch your back." Simon, in his turn: "Encrypt anything else you send through Crowley, and do it well. We're not out of danger yet."
His children are not safe yet-- and if the news is to be believed, the entire universe is at risk from those in control. Gabriel believes it. In fact, he has rather a great deal of reason to believe that it's so, along with personal experience-- and more than that, he has faith. And perhaps, just perhaps, he now has one more thing.
A chance to take action, in a way that none of the rest of them can.
"What matters, I suppose, is what you do next."
Gabriel looks thoughtfully at the letter once more, then puts it away and clears the image from the terminal. He codes in a contact sequence, then activates it.
""I won't live to report this. People have to know."
It's a message that's been seen all over the system. The Miranda Plan is the topic on everyone's tongue, from Core to Rim, at business meetings and parties and even heard on the street.
"We meant it for the best. To make people safer."
Trust in the Alliance government hasn't been so shaken since the war. Parliament is scrambling to find balance in the wake of the constant newsfeeds and analysis. So far they're failing.
Gabriel Tam looks down at the letter in his hand. It's never very far from him these days-- a missive from one Kaywinnit Lee Frye, engineer for Bentley Aeronautics, expressing polite appreciation for their chance encounter not all that long ago.
It's the coded part that means more to him, however. River, simply and sweetly saying, "I love you. Watch your back." Simon, in his turn: "Encrypt anything else you send through Crowley, and do it well. We're not out of danger yet."
His children are not safe yet-- and if the news is to be believed, the entire universe is at risk from those in control. Gabriel believes it. In fact, he has rather a great deal of reason to believe that it's so, along with personal experience-- and more than that, he has faith. And perhaps, just perhaps, he now has one more thing.
A chance to take action, in a way that none of the rest of them can.
"What matters, I suppose, is what you do next."
Gabriel looks thoughtfully at the letter once more, then puts it away and clears the image from the terminal. He codes in a contact sequence, then activates it.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 07:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 07:28 am (UTC)Gabriel studies his hands for a moment, then looks casually back at the screen.
"I admit I've found myself keenly interested in the possibilities."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 07:56 am (UTC)He takes off his sunglasses now, not bothering with the illusion of anything besides penetrating gold, as he taps an earpiece deliberately against his chin.
"The question really is, Mr. Tam, whether anyone has the clout, or - if you'll excuse my language - the gāo to take it."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:06 am (UTC)He sounds almost amused, but he doesn't flinch or hesitate as he meets those golden eyes.
"An interesting question, to be certain. I think you might find that there are those who would be willing to make the move, if certain of support."
A beat, and then he says candidly, "Perhaps even without it, but it would certainly help to smooth the path in such a case."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:26 am (UTC)An enigmatic little grin, then, as he tucks his sunglasses into his breast pocket.
"The idea, though. That's where the key might be. Show me a man striking out with backing big enough to make a difference, but still small enough to play at Leonidas and his Spartans against the Alliance behemoth... That would grab people's attention. Give them a fighting chance at changing the outcome of Thermopylae."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:40 am (UTC)"Quite a vision, that."
The sharp smile is back.
"Inspiring, I'd think. Wouldn't you?"
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:52 am (UTC)"I draw from personal experience. And - " his grin flashes knife-edged and confiding, " - there were no Human Interest stories back then."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 09:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 09:06 am (UTC)"Okay," he says then, simply.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 09:14 am (UTC)"Xièxie nĭ." The words are formally said, but the quiet sincerity behind them is evident -- as is the sudden, barely-contained energy about him.
This is something that he can do, and moreover, it's something he's skilled at, something he's been preparing for.
"Plans will have to be made, of course. There's a lot of work to be done."
It's a long road to a seat in Parliament. But it's a start.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 09:34 am (UTC)But the first steps, at least, might be easier than Gabriel Tam thinks.
Oh yes, Andronicus Crowley has been very busy indeed.
"I'm a bit swept off my feet at the moment, but... if I were to suggest neutral ground for strategising some time in the near future, how would you feel about, say, Southdown Abbey, Persephone?"
He smirks a little, but not without genuine good humour.
"You never did get the guided tour last time, and the orchards are lovely, even this time of year. Very temperate climate."
A holiday, he'd said, after all.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 09:40 am (UTC)"But as it happens, I believe my schedule would certainly allow for a return trip in fairly short order."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 09:55 am (UTC)In the absence of being able to shake Gabriel Tam's hand, Crowley inclines his head.
"It appears we have an accord. Now, numbers're waiting - " he indicates the spread of papers and folders behind him, " - but I'll be in contact soon, shǒu lǐng."
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 10:04 am (UTC)"Wăn ān."
With a deft motion of his hand, the signal is terminated.