9520/Road to Madripoor: Slade

Road to Madripoor: Slade
Date of Scene:	07 January 2022
Location:	St. Bridget's Church
Synopsis:	Slade and Bane reach an agreement about a new endeavor.
Cast of Characters:	Bane, Slade Wilson

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Bane has posed:
Bane had put out through the shadow network to get a meeting with Deathstroke the Terminator. Bane didn't respect the reputation of many - most of those with fearful stories attached to them were underwhelming, in his experience. But he had learned enough of Slade's exploits to know the man himself was formidable.

His message was simple: "A business opportunity presents itself. Meet with me at St. Bridget's Church in Gotham at the time below and we can discuss. Come as you like."

Bane had no intention of waiting alone and he didn't, with a dozen or so of his gang placed at various places around the church, the priest currently tied up in the back. He would be released in time, but nobody needed to hear his platitudes or have him fruitlessly trying to call in the police or the Bat.

Bane stands at the altar, a massive coat with a fur lining draped over his massive shoulders, gloved hands on the surface and smoothing away the visage of Jesus, "The transforming power of bloodshed. You almost had it right," he laughs to himself as he awaits his visitor.

Slade Wilson has posed:
Slade was in one of his many safehouses, looking through the open contracts that were put out on major world leaders, small-time tyrants, other assassins, the works. He had recently returned from a job in Venezuela, guerilla fighters that weren't too good at the 'guerilla' part...but that's when he spots something curious. A notification, that read simply:

'You should see this'.

Slade maneuvered to the message, asking for a meet at St. Bridget's church in Gotham City. Slade frowned, and got geared up. Not too often that people come to Slade wanting a meet. Normally, they're smarter than that. Which means, this is a different kind of business arrangement. It might be a trap, might be the situation of a mouse entering a den of cats, yet who is the mouse, and who is the cat?

Rarely has Slade seen a clean deal.

Yet, as Bane laughs to himself over what he has spoken to a crucifix, there is a voice that comes from behind him. "You wanted to see me?"

Slade was dressed like he was on a mission. He wore his Ikon suit and accompanying mask, which left half of his face black and the other half orange with a single eye on that side. One-eyed. Otherwise, he's wearing full metal armor, with a pair of katanas on his back and what looks to be other military-grade weaponry. His arms were left at his side, watching. Waiting.

Bane has posed:
Bane expected nothing less. A man who showed up for a meeting such as this unprepared was no one who should be having a meeting like this. Not unless they were eager to have their spine shattered.

"I did," Bane says simply, holding his place at the altar, "I hope you don't mind the environs. I'm not much prone to superstition myself. In Santa Prisca, the faithful were few. Hope was for the foolish. Salvation was not permitted."

He flexes his gloved hands, "I am seeking to create a haven for people such as you and I. Dangerous people, the kind that the governments and so-called heroes of this world attempt to stamp out. Even the most dangerous predator needs a den, a place of solace. How can we wage war if we never know peace?" he says.

"I have learned of a power vacuum on the island nation of Madripoor. I'm sure you've been there, it's lawless enough, but crude, ill-run. I would remedy that. But I have my hand to many wheels and I cannot use all of my attention on the task. So I would seek fellows - a council. A compact. A group of the like-minded who can create a utopia of the damned."

"So, of course, I thought of you first." he smiles.

Slade Wilson has posed:
Yeah, Slade knows of what Bane did to the Bat.

Anyone who's anyone is firmly aware of Bane's victory. Arguably his greatest. But even still, Slade is a fool to come expecting peace without peparing for war. "Any man who seeks salvation does so by his own hands." Slade tells Bane. "The locale is fine. It's the business that has my attention." Slade tells Bane as he starts to approach closer so they can more easily see eye to eye. "A haven...we don't have a haven. People like us are always on the move. We only stay put if we want to be put behind bars." He tells Bane with understandable skepticism.

He speaks about the power vacuum on Madripoor. "I'm listening."

and listen he does. "You want to make Madripoor a government...a government of ill-intentioned men and women who could expand their operations from there...a continental mission." Slade looked at Bane. "You have my attention. But the question must be asked, are we ruling over this island nation, or are we more...allowing the rampant to run free? There must be a sense of honor among thieves, lest we destroy ourselves."

But, all in all, Bane has Slade's attention - and more importantly, his interest.

Bane has posed:
Bane nods, "There must be order, I agree. A neutral zone, an enforced peace. Personal vendettas must be allowed, but no gang warfare, no factional disputes. Those conflicts can be arbitrated - by us or those who we appoint to serve in our absence," he says.

"But we keep out law enforcement and intelligence services. SHIELD, SWORD, the DEO, Checkmate, I/O, Mossad, CIA, KGB - or whatever they call themselves these days - will not be permitted. Heroes will be expelled or eliminated with prejudice. And the only police belong to us. The only administrators belong to us. This is why I am choosing only the most fearful, the most potent, to sit upon this council. To keep the rabble in line, to know that breaking the few laws we set would be a most foolhardy choice."

Slade Wilson has posed:
Slade grunts.

"Neutral zone. No backstabbings, no blood feuds, and sure as hell no law enforcement coming to shut us down, which means we need to prepare for every eventuality. Our members should be the most feared, I agree. We will rule by fear...and we will rule by respect." It would appear that Slade Wilson is in! Though he crosses his arms. "Keeping intelligence services out could be a challenge. We'll need state of the art technology, which means significantly bolstering Madripoor's current capabilities."

He brings a hand to his chin.

"I'll call in my favors, bring my people to meet your people." Because Slade is owed a great deal, and the devil always comes to collect.

Bane has posed:
Bane smiles, "Perhaps, to settle things, we might open a gladiatorial arena. Bloodsport to both settle rivalries and to entertain the masses. Especially if we have a cut of the gambling involved," he says.

"I will be looking into some scientific elements to help bolster island security and build defenses. I would recommend finding a second to serve as your hand and your eyes in times when you have business elsewhere as well. Someone you trust - inasmuch as people like us can trust anyone," he laughs.

"I will keep you informed as the council is chosen. But I am glad to have you as the first among it."

Slade Wilson has posed:
"Now you're thinking."

Slade says in a snappoint. "Give them a way to get out all their frustrations. It offers a way for gangs to settle their disputes, by sending their seconds or their 'best' to fight. Madripoor is where the strong will survive, and where the free will take what is not freely given." Slade grumbles a little bit then. "I have a few people in mind, only fewer than those could I consider trusting."

He shrugs then. "But, Bane, you have yourself a councilman." and with that, Slade will extend his hand to Bane to seal the deal, the way man has always sealed deals.

"Cover me, and I cover you. The Council acts in the name of the council and for Madripoor. We project a unified front. All business happens under the table, and we stand above the table."

Bane has posed:
Bane takes Slade's hand, his powerful grip meeting its match in the mercenary master's.

"Power and wealth alike will follow. And we'll have a bit of fun along the way as well. Who knows, I might get in the pit myself sometime. Just for the exercise," he says.

He raises an open hand in the air and there is stirring in the shadows as his men disperse and prepare to leave, creating an honor guard to flank Bane on the way out of the church.

"I know how to reach you. You'll hear from me soon."