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 Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 6:36 am
Umber remained in the database room at length as he scanned the list of captains open to taking new lieutenants. The Destiny City-based captains numbered few to begin with, at around thirty, and those accepting new lieutenants for assignment remained even fewer. Often Umber found entries on the captains barebones at best, indicating a lack of information provided forthrightly in their time with the Negaverse, and the general chose to omit such captains from his headhunting process. Still, Umber compiled a short list from the information available, and chose to start at the top for his interviews.
The first was one Captain Arsenopyrite, a relatively recent addition to the captain roll call. He often performed well for meeting his quota appropriately and transacted no great transgressions against the Negaverse during his time with them. Additionally, the boy never corrupted from knighthood, and thus retained all of his memories. Umber himself wanted no gaps in knowledge for the one who would be Faustite's new primary assignment. Arsenopyrite's record left him an ideal fit for new lieutenants, even for problematic ones, but the captain's record stated nothing of Umber's other inquiries. A list of Negaverse transactions offered no insight into Arsenopyrite's personality, his belief systems, his real history with the Negaverse, or anything of the sort. Umber needed to know more.
After returning topside, Umber called his crystal communicator to hand and left a message for the captain in question. The static crackled and hissed over the line as he spoke.
Arsenopyrite, this is General Umber. I am requesting a meeting with you in regards to placing a lieutenant under your command. Please meet me in the main hall of the Cathedral at noon, or any time after four to discuss this assignment. Umber out.
Umber dismissed the crystal communicator shortly thereafter and returned to the depths of Negaspace for preparation. Umber seldom cared for the bureaucracy behind the Negaverse, but adhered to it accordingly whenever he dealt with a new subordinate of any kind. This business brought him no joy to conduct. The payout, however, convinced him to begrudgingly follow through with the steps to reassign his problem lieutenant to another party. Now, he need only wait in the crumbling, decadent halls of the Cathedral for the captain to show.
If he showed, Umber considered thoughtfully.SSBrosB hope this works. i am still in finals season so i won't really be able to tag much until after my chem exams are done this week.
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Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 7:29 pm
Arseno had been surprised when the General had contacted him. He was surprised that he had even been a candidate to get a lieutenant placed under him. Sure, he had signed up on purpose, figuring that if he had someone to guide in the Negaverse, he would have a reason to stay until he really figured out his place in it, but still, he hadn't expected it to actually happen, or happen so quickly for that matter.
Unfortunately he had been in class for the first meeting time and when he had been able to check had left a message as soon as possible saying that he would meet the general sometime after 5:30. Though he didn't tell the other that that was just to get some food so he wasn't on a totally empty stomach when he was trying to impress the General. That and he still had a couple of classes to go to that day.
So when he was finally able to meet up with Umber, he was feeling a bit nervous, though glad that he had something in his stomach. This was the first time he had felt so nervous in a while, it was almost like going to a job interview. Though it was a lot more than that, because while one could go to multiple interviews, if he made a bad impression on Umber there could be... other consequences.
He made his way to the main hall of the Cathedral, hoping that his watch had been correct and he was arriving just on time.
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:59 pm
In truth, Umber cared little for punctuality. The Negaverse placed a great onus on it, however, and Umber adhered to issuing definitive times for meetings just as he adhered to a rigid, regimented hierarchy between the differing ranks. Equality came seldom, he knew, and those of similar rank often resisted each other in the undercurrent of contention. Each contended for another scrap of glory, another proving token with which they could bribe for more adoration from the highest eschelons of the Negaverse.
But there was no one to impress here. Transferring primary oversight of a lieutenant was a small action in the context of their operations, and thus none of the other generals or eternal senshi jockeyed for claim on who distributed the most lieutenants. Seldom would they notice such a matter, as it promised no great boon at the end of its course. Thus, Umber found the matter far more agreeable than his other Negaverse duties, which more often than not, included correction of particularly unfavorable traits in his fellow officers. If he had to do so a third time with Faustite, then he expected Metallia to strengthen her grip on her followers.
Umber only recognized Arsenopyrite from the description in the database - the picture included proved quite helpful, as the descriptive characteristic of 'plague doctor' meant nothing to him. Umber approached to close the conversational distance, then gestured up toward the grand staircase that spiraled out into the other hallways. "Captain. Come with me."
He expected little response as he turned toward the stairs and started up the steps. The chosen office remained but a short distance down the left hall. A few paces, and the desiccated door in question stared back at him dully. He tried the knob. Although it nearly disintegrated in his hand, the latch gave way and allowed the pair inside. Little more than glowing crystal growing out of the wall lit the area, and little existed within the cube of space beyond an equally ancient desk and a few chairs. At some point prior, the location may still have been a desk, with a view far more breathtaking than that of the endless Rift chasms.
"Sit." Umber pointed briefly to the chair on one side of the desk before he took his seat opposite the captain. "Is there anything you want to ask before we begin?" More formalities.
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:36 pm
Arseno wasn't sure what to make of Umber in their first meeting. Granted it had only been a couple of minutes, but he was never sure how he could act in front of one General versus another. All that Arseno could tell was that he seemed... not all for small talk. Which was completely all right, though Arseno wasn't sure what else to make of him.
Unfortunately Arseno had neglected to look much on any of the other agents in the Database unless he was meeting them a while later. Umber's request had come so suddenly that he had been unable to look up anything on Umber. So he decided to stay quite and follow the other up the stairs, which the General seemed to have wanted him to do anyway.
When they were going up to, well, what he supposed was Umber's office, he wondered what could be behind the door. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to see into many of the offices here, and it made him curious, though he didn't expect that there would be many personal affects lying around them.
When the door finally opened he couldn't say that he was disappointed, except for perhaps the lighting. They should really have more glowing crystals or something. He followed the direction of the general and took a seat, only taking a quick glance to see what the rest of the office looked like before turning his attention to Umber. "Not that I know of, at least not right now. I may have some questions later though once I know more of what you want me to do, or perhaps what you expect of me."
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:54 pm
Little remained about the office for defining characteristics. While three of the four walls looked demonstrably man-made, the fourth consisted of rock outcroppings and rough crystal formations that defined the outer edges of the cavern passageways. Umber himself sat just before one of the larger crystals, and watched Arsenopyrite as his face was lit in the ominous purple glow.
Beyond the pair of rickety chairs and the ancient, naked desk, little else remained about the area. A rug stretched across the floor to cover disintegrated hardwoods and a candelabra sat upon one of the ancient wooden bookshelves. Most of the texts that once sat on its shelves disappeared entirely, though a few laid in a dusty heap on the floor before it. The room spoke of enough width and commanding presence that other furniture may have existed in its confines, but they long since collapsed - splinters of wood and rotten upholstery dotted the corners of the room as fallen soldiers on a battlefield. And if Arsenopyrite chose to explore the remaining offices, he may find much the same in other unclaimed rooms.
Truly, Umber held a great preference for taking his 'office' with him rather than anchor himself to a specific location.
Umber nodded once to Arsenopyrite's admission. Fewer questions meant they could address the grueling formalities and finish arrangements with minimal holdup. "I'll start by telling you why I chose you." After pulling on one of the dilapidated desk drawers, Umber procured a thin file. He opened its manila folder to the cover page, displaying Arsenopyrite's name, image, and some rudimentary record details. "Your file states you met your quotas and never transgressed against the Negaverse. No serious injuries. No current recruits. No reported activity from SpecOps. They would say you're a clean slate." He looked to the captain then, and watched him unblinkingly for any willingness for eye contact. "You're dutiful and careful. You're responsible enough with your own life to avoid pointless risks. But you're a recent captain without subordinates. To see your full potential, I would assign you one."
He pulled a second file then, placed upon the first. Opening the manila folder revealed a different identity, and Umber turned the file to face Arsenopyrite fully. "This is Lieutenant Faustite, corrupted in March. He's clever, but untempered. He has the beginnings of a good officer, but needs someone less pragmatic to guide him. He will need training on draining energy and starseed ripping. I will continue his combat training personally. Any further training or mentorship is up to you." He sat back in his seat and allowed Arsenopyrite some time to process the information or ask questions of his own.
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:21 pm
There wasn't much else to look at, and he wondered a bit where this Cathedral may have come from, though this wasn't the time for that sort of conversation. It was interesting though, that they would take something like this and put it in the Negaverse. Were they not interested in creating their own structures? Or perhaps it could use a bit of updating at least, though he was sure that some of it stayed the way it was because of how the Negaverse worked.
Arseno almost wanted to reply with a shrug and tell Umber that he was only doing what was expected of him, and really had no reason to betray the Negaverse considering, but instead he just nodded at what Umber was telling him and looked at the file of the Lieutenant that he might be in charge of. He still wasn't sure of it. He didn't want to be in charge of someone who was... throwing off a "I'm a serial killer" vibe like one lieutenant he could mention.
He wasn't sure about starseed ripping as of yet. But if it was needed, he could teach the Lieutenant. He would have to get over his aversion of it eventually anyway. "That sounds fine to me, though I would like to have a bit of a trial period with Faustite to see if we would be a good, well, assignment I should say. Though is there anything you would want to personally tell me about him that isn't contained in his file?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:48 pm
Arsenopyrite continued to have very little say in the matter. This proved favorable to Umber; he could be out of here in a half hour to spend his time on more fruitful endeavors. He was certain that Arsenopyrite wanted to do the same.
At the captain's request, Umber pifted the cover page of the file to examine himself. He studied the features of his lieutenant in detail before he lowered the page enough to make eye contact with the captain once more. When he responded, the lower half of his face remained obscured by the file. "He refuses Negaverse duties based on moral imperatives. He's very stubborn about this. He hasn't been disciplined formally about his lack of energy quota, but if he doesn't start draining energy by next month, he will get reprimanded." Whether by himself or by Arsenopyrite. After a pause, he added a last detail. "He's in a hurry to grow up, and chooses to disobey instruction about avoiding powering up. I warned him that powering up without a superior's oversight could get him killed. In this, he's still a kid." Umber then retired hte file to the desk.
Finally Umber laced his fingers over his lap and sat back into a more comfortable position. When he spoke, he carried the same lack of tonality, but his cadence changed to a less formal, less projected speech. "I don't like formalities. They take too long. But the Negaverse wants formalities, and so we're here. Go ahead and take a week to spend some time with him first. See if he'll work for you. I can post the paperwork later."
As an afterthought, he added to his concessions. "You can take the file with you." Umber didn't know what he'd do with it if Arsenopyrite chose to leave it behind.
"Accepting this assignment doesn't mean you'll report to me. You retain your CO, who will be overseeing your progress on training a subordinate. I retain responsibility for his combat prowess." The rest would remain under Arsenopyrite's jurisdiction, and by extension, his commanding officer.
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:19 pm
They really didn't have a lot of information on me did they? Arseno thought as he learned what was expected of him as a... mentor to Faustite. Arseno certainly didn't like energy draining himself, though he feared the punishment for not doing it more than anything. Though... if he could mentor a lieutenant like this, perhaps his mind could change too if he could see how it had an effect on another. It's not as though he would have to threaten the lieutenant, at least not yet. He figured he could start by talking to him at least. And after all, although the lieutenant was still a teenager and whether he learned to follow authority through his civilian life or though the Negaverse, it would benefit Faustite in the long run.
After a while, Arseno let out a small breath before saying, "All right. I'll try my best and see how we do. Hopefully this will work out and I'll be able to reign him in a little. I don't like seeing other agents shirk their duties." 'And possibly be punished for it because they don't agree with what the Negaverse is doing.' He would have added at the end, but kept his mouth shut on that part, not the best time to be showing his doubts.
He took the file back and tucked it under his arm. He would keep it... for now. Though he would try to find his own personal place for it here in the Negaverse. His apartment probably wouldn't be the best place for keeping random files of Negaverse documents.
Though he wondered how he would report this new development to Benitoite. His general probably wouldn't care too much about overseeing it, or at least he would just say it was a good idea, but Arseno would report it just in case. "All right. I think I got everything. I'll arrange a meeting for the two of us and see how it goes. I believe this should work. And I'm glad for the opportunity." He replied, just before getting up. "I'm... assuming that's all you have for me, unless there's something else I need to know." He didn't want to feel like he was ending the conversation so abruptly, but he wasn't sure what else they needed to talk about.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Umber nodded his acknowledgement of the statement, unwilling or uninterested to provide further sonance to the statement. 'Reigning him in' wasn't necessarily a term Umber would have used, nor did he quite appreciate its use here; saying as much provided the inference that Arsenopyrite through that Umber, as a general, could not control an unruly lieutenant. It wasn't so, but Umber similarly found no great reason to expound on that now. Arsenopyrite could think what he wants of him.
He watched the captain tuck the file beneath his arm and thought approvingly of it, regardless of intention. Arsenopyrite understood well enough to seize on opportunities given as most officers often did when searching for their next higher rungs on the Negaverse ladder. He would do well to take the lieutenant, then.
Arsenopyrite was also eager to excuse himself from them eeting, to which Umber found no qualm. "You're dismissed," Umber offered as permission for leave. Likely Arsenopyrite had a slurry of considerations to parse through now that he obtained a subordinate - he needed to look into training methodology, lesson plans, and make time to answer any quandries or queries the lieutenant had over his present transfer. He needed to address the burgeoning issues that Umber mentioned of Faustite's inclinations away from his duties. And, mber supposed, he still needed to consider any personal issues he himself may have with the Negaverse or with the assignment. A subordinate most certainly entailed a gain in responsibility and a loss of subsequent freedom.
And that was, of course, all beyond the bounds of the too-perfect file. Umber shut the manila folder promptly and relegated it to the drawer; he knew of better methods to conduct an investigation.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:57 pm
Arseno didn't really feel as though the general couldn't control the lieutenant, he had only thought that the general might be too busy. He quickly stood though, making sure to keep a grip on the envelope and nodded once again to Umber. "Thank you. I'll do my best with him." He still wasn't sure if he was saying the right stuff, as he hadn't had ever talked to two other generals and still wasn't used to the rigid military structure. Perhaps he would have to come down here a bit more.
And with that, he swiftly walked out of the room, closing the door as quietly and quickly as he could, as he walked down the stairs and through the hallway of the Cathedral. This time he let out a large sigh, wondering what exactly he had gotten himself into, especially considering the finals were coming up soon. It was just something else he had to worry about.
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