Got real estate, I'm buying it all up in outer space

[monopolyonsnark]

WHO: owwmyspine and freedomofreach
WHERE: Just outside the Porter building
WHEN: This afternoon! The 10th.
WARNINGS: Possible violence or mention of violence
SUMMARY: The Negotiator gets Ported in and gets stumbled upon.
FORMAT: UH, WHICHEVER



On a street corner outside the MAC there was an alien. A rather green, rather angry alien. His long dark robe fluttered, as long, piercing claws gripped a small communicator.

The Negotiator hissed through his teeth, concentrating on redrawing his claws to normal fingertips, so he could use the communicator.

He was on Earth. He knew this. What he didn’t know was the how or the why. Being a hero was a ridiculous explanation. He had dismissed it outright. That it was possibly Jaime Reyes fault was still an option, although how the boy could have transported him halfway across the continent was still unclear. Outside forces were also a possibility.

And this communicator – perhaps it held the answers. Some of them, at least. So, oblivious to any stares, he stood in broad daylight, trying to figure out this infuriating piece of human technology.

Comments

[scarabsuited]

Jaime half-squinted. Was that why folks were getting zapped to Sibera and Italy and elsewhere? He really didn't know for certain. But then again, the Porter was being assaulted nearly at the same time, so...

"Like I said," he shrugged. "You're not really in control here. You're going to have to play nice with folks, unless you'd rather hang out in a maximum security prison until you get blipped back."

[monopolyonsnark]

"Prison. I'd like to see you try, Jaime Reyes. You don't even have the fortitude to threaten me with death. I've seen you fail, Reyes, don't presume to threaten me."

He was already forgetting his earlier decision of carefulness, getting sidetracked by the moment. He didn't appreciate the feeling of powerless, especially when that feeling came from one of his enemies.

[scarabsuited]

Oh, man. Jaime had forgotten how grating this guy could be. He huffed, fighting the urge to facepalm or just outright punch him.

"You got nothing, man," he insisted, jabbing a finger at him. "In fact, the only person in this entire universe who even knows what you're about is me. No cronies. No motherships." The finger retracted, tapping at his own temple. "But all I gotta do is ping the Network and a buttload of folks a lot less considerate than me'll know what you're about. Save yourself the beatdown and maybe try behaving? Because you really don't have any better choice."

The hand dropped to his side, then settled on his hip as he pondered over this...this...whatever it was. Did other superheroes have to chat it up with their more-or-less archenemies like this? What other choice did he have? Besides beating the guy to a pulp, which wouldn't do at the moment. Like it or not, the Negotiator wasn't guilty of anything in this dimension. And if it could stay that way, then...all the better, right?

He sighed. Man...

"This could be one of those change-of-heart things, you know," he said, a little flat. "A chance to see what it'd be like if you worked with humans instead of playing them for saps and plotting their downfall."

[monopolyonsnark]

It was true. He was alone. That fact, the fact that here he was practically nothing was starting to hit him. He had been relying on the power of the Reach and now he was the only one.

"So that is your plan. Hold your knowledge of me as leverage. And who will believe you, Jaime Reyes?"

But even that sounded hollow - he had no idea what sort of contacts Reyes had in this dimension. Was he as isolated as he was? It was all so uneven. Jaime had unknown resources and he had none -

Unless.

Oh and how he hated to think it. But Jaime Reyes was right. He could work with the humans. They were easily manipulatable. It was desperate, but perhaps he could use them. That's what he was good at, that's why he was the Negotiator. He had lost track of that in all his games with Reyes.

"But perhaps you're right. I will have to make do."

[scarabsuited]

He rolled his eyes despite himself. The guy had no idea what was up, but still had to throw the attitude around. Of course. But what could Jaime do? It was, in a way, practically a clean slate. Trying to promote good behavior was better than having to beat the bad.

And, of course, in Jaime's' mind, work with humanity by no means meant work with humanity to promote humanity's downfall.

"Without world domination," Jaime pressed, folding his arms. "So I guess if you've ever wanted to try a new hobby, now's the time."

[monopolyonsnark]

"I don't have hobbies"

He was almost insulted, except for the part where he didn't care. "Are you quite done lecturing me, Reyes? If you're right, then I'm just an average, ordinary citizen now."

And if Blue Beetle stuck around, poking into his business any further, Negotiator would find it much more difficult to keep his temper under control. He needed to retreat, make plans.

[scarabsuited]

Was this really alright? Jaime wasn't sure, and Scarab wasn't helping. Not with all those 101 ways to fry a Reach Negotiator it was trying to offer. But lecture aside, what could he do?

He rocked back on one heel in a backward step, looking as reluctant as he felt.

"Don't do anything stupid," he said, knowing full well how stupid it sounded. He wasn't Superman; that kind of thing just didn't hold the weight coming from him. But what could he do? Just hope this guy decided to be smart and not stir things up, perhaps.

He needed to talk to some more experienced people about this, that was for sure. Tim, or Ted. Definitely Ted. What would Ted Kord do?

The wings popped out with little flair, lifting him up slow. He stared down at the Negotiator for a length before turning and leaving, double-triple-checking to ensure yes, Scarab knew the guy's "scent." If there was going to be trouble down the road, he'd need to be able to track him. Fast.

Please let there not be any trouble.

[monopolyonsnark]

Negotiator watched him go. He wouldn't say he was relieved, but he was.

Jaime Reyes was going to be a problem. On top of how being here was a problem. He'd do his research, he'd gather resources, and he'd get rid of the Blue Beetle once and for all.

But now? Now was time for old tactics. Problems could be dealt with. Sooner rather than later. He had learned that lesson the hard way.

Now, what was he doing? Oh yes, the communicator. Now that he had some context, it should be easy enough to solve.