[2011-05-19 19::31:13] Doink: It's quite a popular place, actually. Given the work enviroment. Of course, there's a table reserved for you when you arrive. Being the third-highest ranking officer has its perks.
[2011-05-19 19::33:23] Doink: With you is Dr. Al-Misiri, whom you asked to share a drink with you. He and the Commander just returned from New York only a day ago; the commander politely declined your offer but thanked you for offering.
[2011-05-19 19::34:06] Dmitriy_Platonov: is, actually, quite a regular client. He waves and nods to several familiar people, including that cute waitress, before getting to the table. Then he forces himself to feel relaxed. Yes, that won't be a simple bar crawl, but he expects to talk with Dr. Al-Misiri as a scholar to scholar, not as an officer to officer.
[2011-05-19 19::34:23] Dmitriy_Platonov: "What do you prefer, Doctor?"
[2011-05-19 19::36:44] Doink: Al-Misiri slids into his seat. "Something light. I'm not much of a drinker, really. Didn't even start until I came over from Egypt. They're still pretty strict about it over there."
[2011-05-19 19::38:06] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I understand. I prefer stronger drinks, but with a very reserved approach. It's all about relaxation, not intoxication."
[2011-05-19 19::38:26] Dmitriy_Platonov: orders a bottle of wine while continuing to talk.
[2011-05-19 19::39:23] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I always wondered, how is the life in the East and South. My life always belonged to the North. And it's all the same in the North - cold, dark and dragging for a long time."
[2011-05-19 19::44:13] Doink: Al-Misiri chuckles. "Well, we never had to wear quite as much. But it's been a while since I visited. Years, actually. That whole region is still sort of... dangerous. Especially for someone in my position."
[2011-05-19 19::46:59] Dmitriy_Platonov: "Dangerous? You mean, political instability or something else? It's funny, I know of Middle East only things that I learned in university quite a long time ago... or things which are way too old..."
[2011-05-19 19::51:39] Doink: "Yes and yes. The whole region pretty much dissolved after second impact. If it wasn't for the UN Peacekeeping forces there the warlords would have free reign... and, well, they aren't our best friends right now either."
[2011-05-19 19::56:42] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I understand. It actually surprises me a little how such a place brought to existence such a brilliant and well-educated person as you. Were there enough resources for that then?"
[2011-05-19 20::03:31] » Doink left the chat room.
[2011-05-19 20::03:33] » Doink|2 joined the chat room.
[2011-05-19 20::03:41] » Doink|2 is now known as Doink.
[2011-05-19 20::05:30] Doink: Al-Misiri gives a dismissive wave. "Things were never /perfect/, but they were better, at least. I was bright enough to get out after my undergraduate. Most of us got out of the country as soon as we could. All the good oportunities were elsewhere."
[2011-05-19 20::05:44] Doink: "I ended up at Miskatonic, and, well, the rest is history."
[2011-05-19 20::06:07] Doink: The waitress arrives with the bottle and two glasses. Al-Misiri pours himself a small glass.
[2011-05-19 20::10:26] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I guess you were lucky." - Dmitriy pours himself some wine too. - "In my case... things were just getting better and then suddenly the Impact happened, and everything was ruined forever. I could have lived a peaceful life full of mundane science instead of all this. And it's only getting weirder. Do you already know what happened recently? What Mia did?"
[2011-05-19 20::11:10] Doink: He nods, taking a sip of his wine. "How could I not? Although, in a way, I guess I should thank her for it."
[2011-05-19 20::21:18] Dmitriy_Platonov: "Well, the great sleeper is way more... harmless in that form. Though the whole event is quite disturbing. Disruptive to our usual point of view, isn't it? Anyway, Mia's reaction at all this pleases me a lot. I'd say that we can count on her childlikeness." - Dmitriy sighs. - "How weird. It's innocence which is going to save us. Not the military power, or high political authority... a child."
[2011-05-19 20::30:04] Doink: Al-Misiri's expression darkens a bit at this. He takes a sip of his drink. "...in this case, I mean it literally."
[2011-05-19 20::30:46] Doink: "The alarm she set off? It was a priorty alert. The commander and I used it as an excuse to leave the UN deliberation and return here to Arkham."
[2011-05-19 20::31:31] Doink: "...They might not have let us go otherwise. There was a motion on the table to replace him."
[2011-05-19 20::32:23] Dmitriy_Platonov: "Hmmm? What was the reason for that? Were there anything else except such an attempt?"
[2011-05-19 20::37:13] Doink: The Doctor sighs. "...We're headed for bad times, Dmitriy. They're trying to shut us down, or replace us with someone that will listen to them. We didn't expect them to be so forward, but... apperently our last mission gave them a chance."
[2011-05-19 20::38:32] Doink: "We violated some part of our charter. They shot down the bill that would have given us authorization at the last minute. Now they're claiming that we're a dangerous military force that doesn't answer to anyone..."
[2011-05-19 20::39:21] Doink: He takes another drink. "They want Carter out. And me too, probably. I wouldn't go along with them if they took over."
[2011-05-19 20::42:32] Dmitriy_Platonov: frowns. "Now I understand. An all-front advance, huh? I guess the finale is close." - he makes a short pause. - "I like this place, but it's a little bit crowded now. Is there a way to continue our discussion in the place where no one would disturb us??"
[2011-05-19 20::50:36] Doink: He shrugs. "Of course, but I wouldn't worry that much. We've managed to keep at least the higher levels of NERV as clear of their influence as possible." He gestures towards the bar. "And I think she's keeping people away from us for a reason."
[2011-05-19 20::55:24] Dmitriy_Platonov: shrugs. "I think I am getting paranoid, but whatever. Actually, what I wanted to tell you - or the Commander - is one thing. A date is set when I'm required to stay away from the headquarters or they "wouldn't guarantee my safety". I think you understand what is me telling you that means. I don't want a promotion on such terms."
[2011-05-19 20::57:30] Doink: Al-Misiri gives a dry laugh. "I'm glad. When did they say? The commander will certainly want to know about that."
[2011-05-19 21::05:03] Dmitriy_Platonov: "April the 4th. In 2 am a car will be waiting for me. They seem to be interested in me. Trying to persuade me that it's you and Carter who are deviant and untrustworthy. They told me about your past being a complete mystery. But I prefere to trust my eyes. I see that you're competent and reasonable, and that's enough for me to ignore your... secrets of the past. Everyone has their skeletons in a closet."
[2011-05-19 21::06:26] Doink: He frowns. "That soon?..." he trails off, taking another sip of his drink.
[2011-05-19 21::07:43] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I guess the time is running out. Maybe the stars are right again?"
[2011-05-19 21::18:34] Doink: "All too right..." He shakes his head, as if clearing it out. "...Well. I'm glad we have you with us, then."
[2011-05-19 21::19:48] Doink: His voice lowers. "We may have to... go against the UN in the near future. Are you familiar with the NERV charter?"
[2011-05-19 21::21:04] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I think that I forgot some details, thinking too much of the recent issues. So tell me, please, what exactly do you mean."
[2011-05-19 21::27:47] Doink: He nods. "Understandable. That thing is a monster... but, well, there's a certain article. Article 3. If the NERV Commander has reasonable suspicion that the UN or any other civilian power with authority over it has been compromised by... I think the term in the document itself was 'forces aligned against the best interests of humankind'..."
[2011-05-19 21::28:44] Doink: He takes another drink, his face tired. "...We're only stalling for time now. If Carter goes back to New York, he won't leave. They'll either keep him there, or just... remove him."
[2011-05-19 21::29:16] Doink: "We may have to... take some initiative ourselves."
[2011-05-19 21::35:32] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I am NERV's First Section Operations Director." - Dmitriy half-smiles. - "So I will be just following my duties. Performing operations."
[2011-05-19 21::38:08] Doink: He smiles. "As shall I." He raises his glass. "Then, let Sections One and Three continue to work well together."
[2011-05-19 21::40:39] Dmitriy_Platonov: "For the best interest of humankind." - Dmitriy raises his glass too.
[2011-05-19 21::43:04] Doink: He drinks. "So you... actually saw Mia's field, then?"
[2011-05-19 21::45:13] Dmitriy_Platonov: shudders a little. - "If it can be called so. I felt awful, Doctor. I am still wondering how did I handle it so... calm. It's too much for human perception."
[2011-05-19 21::52:09] Doink: He nods. "I'm sorry. I didn't think she would manifest it on her own, so I never warned her."
[2011-05-19 21::54:05] Doink: The Doctor swirls the wine around his glass, watching it. "...Calling it a 'field' is a bit of an understatement, but so are AT Fields in general so I guess there's at least a precident. But like it or not that field could save us someday."
[2011-05-19 21::54:50] Dmitriy_Platonov: waves his hand. "It can't be helped. I warned her... and then she did it again! While her schoolmate was around! It went really weird, though. That Albert Danforth... he isn't gibbering mad now. He is still following her around and acting like nothing happened!"
[2011-05-19 21::57:07] Doink: At this, Al-Misiri actually seems surprised. "He saw it? But... hm. Perhaps the... modifications to his psyche were more involved than we thought. He is still behaving normally?"
[2011-05-19 21::59:51] Dmitriy_Platonov: "Yes. Their relationship with Mia seems to be quite warm and humane. And it hasn't undergo any changes. It should have been disturbing, but... aren't we a bit same to him? I don't think it's a major problem now, just a thing of note."
[2011-05-19 22::03:06] Doink: He nods. "It's a moot point anyways. They're always being watched..."
[2011-05-19 22::04:21] Doink: The Doctor lets out a sigh. "Sometimes... I know that Mia is only my daughter in a loose sense, but... I wish she could have grown up normally. All I can do is give her the best chance I can for..."
[2011-05-19 22::04:42] Doink: He trails off, taking a sip of his drink.
[2011-05-19 22::05:56] Dmitriy_Platonov: "I understand you, Doctor. I have children under my command, and I hope that they will get better... somehow..." - Dmitriy sips his wine, and sighs. - "Though I doubt that they will be ever able to live a completely normal life."
[2011-05-19 22::07:12] Doink: He lets out a sad chuckle. "Normal will be too much to ask for any of us, I'm afraid. We can only hope for alive, and still sane enough to appriciate it."
[2011-05-19 22::09:21] Dmitriy_Platonov: "Well, we've done enough insane things and managed to pull through them... I mean, raiding the Sunken City... keeping the Ancient Sleeper as a pet... It is unbelievable!.."
[2011-05-19 22::15:11] Doink: "I'm afraid they're only going to get less so as time goes by..."
[2011-05-19 22::50:00]