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Post by skybright on Jul 24, 2006 19:50:24 GMT -5
see post in other locations first . . .
With espionage on his mind and Regina Dawson's newspaper clipping in his pocket, Cole approached the front desk of Tiernan Enterprises. He'd telephoned shortly after meeting with Dawson the previous day, to request an audience with Tiernan.
The morning news had announced that the police had found a suicide note written by the missing scientist -- a fact Cole hoped would not diminish the urgency of related issues in Tiernan's mind. Cole would need every advantage he could get if he wanted to find out anything useful without arousing Tiernan's suspicious nature.
Now he smiled charmingly at the receptionist and braced himself for yet another wave of faux-cheerfulness. "Good morning. James Cole, to see Mister Tiernan. I've an appointment."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 24, 2006 20:52:27 GMT -5
Now that Cole had been essentially roped into the workings of Tiernan Enterprises, Tanith did not feel obliged to treat the politician with false enthusiasm. Her expression was glacial as she replied, "Mister Tiernan is expecting you. Go on up."
In his office, Nick Tiernan was seated behind his desk, deep in thought as he awaited Cole's arrival. The news of the discovered "suicide note" from Franz Huber was no reassurance to him. He was still unconvinced that the scientist hadn't simply disappeared to refine his plans for genocide--although as the days passed and no deadly plague manifested itself, he had slowly allowed other matters to take precedence in his mind.
A knock on the door roused him from his contemplations, and he looked up. "Come in."
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 0:39:33 GMT -5
"Good afternoon, Mister Tiernan." Cole nodded cordially as he entered the office. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice."
As he spoke, Cole was already threading his way cautiously into Tiernan's mind; the sooner he started, the better chance he'd have of picking up on any useful thoughts.
Of course, it also guaranteed that he'd have a migraine in full-force before the meeting was over . . . but he'd deal with that when it came.
He took a seat across from Tiernan's desk and leaned forward with a concerned frown. "I'll spare you the tedious pleasantries and come straight to the reason for my visit. There have been items in the news recently that have caused me a great deal of concern, Mister Tiernan."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 12:04:43 GMT -5
Tiernan frowned. "I assume you're referring to the disappearance of Doctor Franz Huber, the well-known anti-mutant scientist." He raised an eyebrow. "How much do you know about his... 'research'... into mutation, Mister Cole?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 12:36:03 GMT -5
Cole frowned. "Until a few days ago -- when news of his disappearance broke -- I was more well-informed about his personal and scientific views than about his research. I've done some research of my own since that time, however -- and what I've found out disgusts me."
He leaned forward, scowling. "Naturally I was under no illusions as to Huber's view of mutation -- he has been quite vocal in the press. But it was still a shock to find out that he's been researching a way to eliminate mutants, not just mutation -- as if millions of fellow beings were an infection to be carelessly destroyed."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 21:21:15 GMT -5
"Quite," said Tiernan in a clipped voice, steepling his fingertips. "Which is why I find it hard to believe that Huber should decide to eliminate himself--and on the threshold of a conference at which he was eager to share his abominable views. In my experience, those who would casually blot out mutant life hold their own lives particularly dearly."
He shook his head. "Something is very wrong with this situation. I confess I've been afraid that Huber may have disappeared to put something catastrophic into effect... Still, several days have passed, and nothing has happened yet." His eyes hardened, his hands dropping flat to the desktop. "But I do not believe he's dead, Mister Cole."
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 21:33:59 GMT -5
Cole's frown deepened. The thoughts running through Nicholas Tiernan's mind were mostly ones of suspicion and fear -- but there was also a very tangible undercurrent of danger, directed at Huber and anyone who might be harboring him. Cole filed that away as something to warn Dawson about later.
"In that case, Mister Tiernan, my concerns become even more concrete." He shook his head. "Work obviously is going to have to be done -- legislation crafted. This kind of research is utterly immoral, and it can't be allowed to continue. Even if Huber is dead, there are certainly others who have similar goals."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 21:49:35 GMT -5
"Indeed. I'm certain Huber himself must have accomplices." Tiernan sighed, regarding Cole thoughtfully. "Well? Is there something I can do to help you grease the political machinery in this matter, Mister Cole? You didn't come here simply to tell me you were concerned."
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 21:57:44 GMT -5
Cole smiled. "Of course not, Mister Tiernan. In point of fact, I'm not even certain that you'll have an answer for me." Not one you'd knowingly share, anyway.
"Over the past few years," Cole continued, "Political intervention in the scientific arena has become largely a matter of who can produce the most support for their side. Now, while men like Huber are certainly out there, I believe they are in the minority.
"What I was hoping to gain from you, Mister Tiernan, is anything you might know about researchers working for the opposite goal -- those who are investigating ways to improve the lives of mutants through science." He cleared his throat. "If my people could get in touch with such researchers -- discreetly, of course -- it would help us build a group of people who could be called on to testify during the legislative process."
Then he chuckled. "I'll also admit to a certain healthy curiosity -- if there are any pro-mutant scientists whose work is as groundbreaking as Huber's apparently was."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 22:12:09 GMT -5
Tiernan nodded. "My organization is highly involved with bettering the lives of mutants through science and medicine. I'll see that you get a contact list of scientists we support." He was thinking, at the moment, of the very legitimate researchers he helped to fund, who knew nothing of the source of his money.
He paused thoughtfully. "I haven't worked with him myself, but I'm told one of Huber's fellow conference-goers is working to help make physical mutations manifest more easily. He might be worth your speaking to, as well. His name was..." Tiernan opened a drawer and leafed through a notebook. "David Schiller."
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 22:29:37 GMT -5
Cole nodded. "Excellent. I'll have my people contact Doctor Schiller -- and anyone else you can give us contact information for."
Secretly, Cole was doing the mental equivalent of gritting his teeth. Tiernan's twisted mind was starting to give him a headache -- the extreme dichotomy between the savior Tiernan believed himself to be and the person he really was created a psychic tension that made everything in Tiernan's mind vaguely skewed, like looking at a map through a badly-flawed glass. It wasn't making it any easier to find anything, that was for sure.
Cole decided to change tack slightly. He shook his head. "It's staggering to me that anyone would be depraved enough to use scientific research as a tool for extermination." He said sadly. "But what's every bit as shocking to me is how little outrage such things are generating in the media. If any mutant scientist were to research a way to exterminate normal humans -- or even if they attempted research into purposely triggering the X-Gene -- they'd be crucified by the press."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 22:54:05 GMT -5
"Mutants would have the sense to be more discreet." Tiernan made the remark sound like an attempt at a joke, but it only came out sounding vaguely sinister. "...Assuming, hypothetically, that any mutant would undertake such a thing."
He leaned back slightly, studying Cole, curious about the reason for the politician's remark. There seemed to be nothing suggestive about it, however closely it struck certain truths. His languid lower consciousness passed for the briefest of moments over the thought of his own research sector, but it went little beyond his facade of blithe blandness.
"Besides, there is plenty of precedent for scientific genocide--Nazi Germany being only the most prominent. Humans were researching ways to kill each other long before anyone knew mutants existed, if not before mutation appeared at all."
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 23:01:33 GMT -5
Cole cursed inwardly, although his outward facade never wavered. For a moment he'd actually had it -- Tiernan's researches into the darker side of scientific applications -- but then it had slipped back into the recesses of that bizarre mind.
He shook his head. "That's very true -- and it's particularly relevant to mention the Nazis. They acted out of a belief that certain individuals were not human -- and that's exactly what drives men like Huber, as well." He sighed. "What makes the particular conflict between mutants and mundanes so volatile is that both sides are willing to see the other as inhuman and inferior. That's a very dangerous way to look at the rest of the human race -- whether you're mutant or human."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 23:15:21 GMT -5
Tiernan half-smiled crookedly. "No. Humans should not be underestimated." Huber himself is proof of that.
He was beginning to get just slightly impatient. This little chat with the politician was becoming rather aimless, and he had things to do. He had to arrange a visit for one of his mobile soup kitchens to Spooktown; the natives were getting restless, and that would be inconvenient for him. He had a few errands to run that gave Tiernan Enterprises the appearance of being a normally functioning firm.
And then there was that call to make to Doctor Hooper about additional security at the Gray Lab...
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 23:28:41 GMT -5
The elation Cole felt at Tiernan's thought was almost enough to ease his rapidly-worsening headache. He seized at the thread of consciousness and quickly followed it back to its roots -- unfolding a whole pocket of vital information about the Gray Lab -- including the measures Tiernan was planning on taking to increase security.
Cole scanned the section of Tiernan's thoughts for all he was capable of finding, then quickly and stealthily withdrew from the other man's mind altogether.
"Well, I'll not take any more of your valuable time, Mister Tiernan." Cole rose with a self-deprecating chuckle -- and an inward sigh of gratitude at the meeting's end. "I'm afraid I have a tendency to talk more than I should at times -- you'll have to forgive me."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 25, 2006 23:33:49 GMT -5
"I'm sure talking is a very important part of your business." Tiernan rose halfway to give Cole a slight bow. "Let me know if I can do anything to further these efforts of yours on behalf of mutantkind. Good day, sir."
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Post by skybright on Jul 25, 2006 23:40:19 GMT -5
Cole nodded. "I will, sir. Thank you for your time."
He turned and left Tiernan's office, glad to be putting as much distance as possible between himself and the financier. He had a killer migraine setting in, one that was almost certainly going to put him flat on his back for the next day or two -- but he'd found out what he'd gone in looking for.
That made even the migraine worth it.
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