[center][h1][color=dodgerblue]Epsilon:[/color] Private Talk[/h1]
[@solokolos][/center]

Decoy considered Ira's words for a moment, clearly mulling over the best way to address the situation. To address Ira's concern. This whole event would be pivotal in the young woman's development. If not handled with the utmost care and concern, Denver could potentially have the worst villain it has ever seen running amok... The woman showed clear concern as she spoke back. [color=cyan]<"Few knew about the true nature of Dean's power. The Director, of course. He authorized everything. I knew because nothing happens in these walls without my eyes and ears. But please, do not mistake my acceptance for approval. The decision was Dean's alone.">[/color] With that bit of information provided, Decoy wandered to one of the walls of the room and placed her palm on a holographic sensor. A small compartment slid to the side in the wall, revealing a coffee dispenser of all things. The machine seemed to funnel the black liquid from elsewhere in the building, giving the impression that Decoy's room truly was entirely self-sustaining.

The tinker poured two cups and offered one to Ira before continuing. [color=cyan]<"The information I'm about to tell you is confidential. I will be fired if anybody learns I shared this with you. Dean, the one you knew, wasn't the first Dean.">[/color] She took a sip, not too big so as to avoid burning her tongue. [color=cyan]<"The power steals alternate versions of the user from variant timelines. Parallel realities. To compensate for the paradox, the extras break down on a molecular level, as you witnessed. The very act of summoning his alternates was a death sentence. That said, if the user of that power dies, the power passes itself on to the alternate that is closest to the one that died. The original Dean Ryder was a Ward known as 'Spawn.' He... Didn't make it, but he had summoned another Dean. The Dean you came to know. That event was when the PRT really discovered the full ramifications of his power. Spawn had kept it from the organization, didn't want it to get out. Everyone did their best to make the new Dean at home. He chose to join the Wards himself, under the name you're familiar with: Martyr. Despite the consequences, he wanted to be a hero. Maybe with such an awful power that was never going to be possible. I can't say. But in the end, it was his own decision. Just as it was the decision of Spawn, before him.">[/color]

She finished drinking her coffee and deposited the cup into some sort of dishwasher looking equipment built into the wall. With that done, she continued. [color=cyan]<"It was foolish to think that you of all people would never figure it out, Riese-chan. For everyone's sakes, and on Dean's request, we kept silent not only to the public, but to his friends. I hope you understand. But he... He made his choice tonight. Like he always made his choice. Like you have to make your choices.">[/color]

Again she took a seat and urged Ira to do the same. [color=cyan]<"I've come to trust and even admire you somewhat, Riese-chan. You're an excellent student. I'd like us to be able to work face to face from now on. What I told you before is confidential because it will get me fire. What I am about to tell you now is confidential... Because it can get either of us killed. Riese-chan, I have determined that this office has a mole. Someone planted here by The Community.">[/color]

[hr][hr]

[center][h1][color=red]The Jacks:[/color] Well That Just Happened[/h1]
[@yoshua171][@BCTheEntity][@Eklispe][@floodtalon][@Old Amsterdam][/center]

The Broker stood in one place as he listened to his employees bickering. Amusing as it would have been to someone else, he found no joy in it. First he would address Thunderbolt's question, then quash the argument. [color=purple]"Yes, Thunderbolt. In the basement you'll find the ledger and contact information for my people, the same way the rest of the Jacks made their requests before you joined on. As for the rest of you..."[/color] His tone rose as if preparing to give a big speech, but when it came time he spoke rather quietly. It did nothing to diminish the command in his words. [color=purple]"Heartless is correct. Your entourage already has too much attention from the damage you caused Noble and Captain Morales. His method looks much better to the public, and convinces the PRT you aren't enough of a threat to warrant their full attention. Which is [i]exactly[/i] what I need them to think. Have a capital evening."[/color] 

With that, the Broker took his leave. Each of the villains were left to their own devices, with nothing official to work on for another three weeks or so. This could be interesting...