You don't get to the top of TRIDENT without keeping on eye on recent events, so when an outbreak of mutant creatures hit the streets of LA, Black Ghost had been rather interested. Especially when they proved to be a fair match for one of the numerous vigilantes in the city. While it had taken his sources some time to track down the origin of the creatures, analyze the mutagen, and determine the most likely source, he hoped the effort wouldn't be wasted. Why waste resources developing new weapons when someone had already done it for you.
He'd waiting till dark, knowing Veloci would be working late at his office, since these kinds of meetings typically went better with the right mood. The lights in Veloci's office flickered briefly, and when they came back on, Black Ghost was standing in the middle of the room cape billowing dramatically. In actuality it was one of his holograms, but it was just as intimidating looming over the desk, perhaps only slightly larger than life.
"Hello, Dr. Veloci. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." He announced smoothly, the eyes on his mask emanating a faint gold light.
Even though it still had a long way to go before he could create any actual dinosaurs, Veloci was decently satisfied with this early test of his little 'project'. He had an idea of where to go from here to improve it, and besides, there was something very satisfying about seeing those presumptuous, usurping humans in a panic over his creations.
Unfortunately, his true goals weren't the only thing he had to worry about these days. Even if it was necessary in order for him to have access to the resources he needed, keeping this facade going often felt like more trouble than it was worth. Especially when he had to do things like staying late, trying to divide his time between mutagen development and financial concerns.
His gaze jerked up to glare at the flickering lights, then started to drop back to the papers in front of him, when he noticed that there was someone else there. Right in front of his desk. And it wasn't just any random human.
He tried to force his surprise not to show on his face, and stood up slowly, clearing his throat. "Not particularly. Now... may I ask why, exactly, you are in my office?" He would ask how as well, but he supposed the answer would probably seem incredibly obvious in retrospect.
He was pleasantly surprised that Veloci didn't act overwhelmed with his sudden appearance, it made it easier to get down to business. Though far less entertaining. He gestured to the space next to him, where another hologram appeared, a mirror of one of the mutated creatures.
"Your recent work has caught the attention of my organization. We were quite interested in your recent...demonstration."
"How did you-" He closed his mouth with a snarl. "...I had hoped that the origins of the mutation were covered up sufficiently. Apparently not..." He made a mental note to figure out who to fire later - even though he supposed that, if anyone could figure it out, TRIDENT could.
He clasped his hands behind his back and kept an eye on the visitor as he walked out from behind his desk. "I can guess more or less what you would want with my research, but I'll ask anyway - what is it to you?" He doesn't especially like the idea of working with humans, but he may as well humor them.
The mutant hologram flickered out of existence as Veloci got up, having served it's purpose. Black Ghost turned on the spot, keeping eye contact with the scientist. He wasn't going to mention that it was quite difficult to track down his involvement, when he could leave the assumption that TRIDENT was better equipped than his own company.
"I have a bit of an interest in the development of biological weapons, and I'm sure you can see the applications of your experiments."
He raises an eyebrow. "I can. However... you must understand, I have my own plans for this project." And for this planet. "Any partnership with TRIDENT would have to come in second place to my own goals."
He couldn't help but chuckle, as if most TRIDENT members weren't in it for their own gain (himself included).
"I would expect nothing less from an entrepreneurial inventor such as yourself. But consider this," he waxed on, hands spread in a gesture of good faith.
"You provide TRIDENT with access to your research, such as the mutagen used on these intriguing creatures, and in return we will supply additional resources and facilities. More secure facilities, perhaps."
...he hated that he was actually finding himself considering this. For a moment, anyway.
"As tempting as your offer may be, I can't make any agreements if I don't have a better idea of what, exactly, you intend to do with this 'biological weapon'. After all, I can't let my research be used for anything I myself would be... ethically opposed to." He allowed a smirk to creep onto his face; no point in playing the philanthropist here, so he may as well make a joke of it, even if there was some truth to his statement.
Black Ghost was grinning under his mask. He certainly appreciated the way this man thought.
"Oh, we have many plans, the advantage of an organization such as ours. We can afford to pursue many goals at once. But let's just say your research would serve us well in....clearing the opposition"
"Considering the efforts you've taken to hide your activity, I imagine you're just as keen on keeping your goals in the dark."
"That would be correct." And considering that Veloci himself would likely benefit from the removal of the 'opposition' in question in the long run...
"Very well." He gives a short, decisive nod, and for a moment a glint of bright orange seems to flash across his eyes. "How would you prefer I transfer the data?"
Well that certainly went easier than he expected. Usually he had to deal with quite a but more negotiations (civil or otherwise).
"I'll have one of our representatives contact you shortly, with instructions on how to access your new facilities as well." Once they'd been prepared with the requisite tools, and wired for monitoring of course. He was rather interested in finding out what Veloci's real plan was.
"I'll be waiting, then." He had little doubt that TRIDENT would try to keep an eye on his activities, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it. In the meantime, let them; he didn't suppose they would be able to glean much useful information about his plans for quite some time.
Maybe he shouldn't have been so confident about his ability to outmaneuver TRIDENT, but humility had never been one of Veloci's strong points, so he would make all the assumptions he pleased.
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For Veloci
He'd waiting till dark, knowing Veloci would be working late at his office, since these kinds of meetings typically went better with the right mood. The lights in Veloci's office flickered briefly, and when they came back on, Black Ghost was standing in the middle of the room cape billowing dramatically. In actuality it was one of his holograms, but it was just as intimidating looming over the desk, perhaps only slightly larger than life.
"Hello, Dr. Veloci. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." He announced smoothly, the eyes on his mask emanating a faint gold light.
no subject
Unfortunately, his true goals weren't the only thing he had to worry about these days. Even if it was necessary in order for him to have access to the resources he needed, keeping this facade going often felt like more trouble than it was worth. Especially when he had to do things like staying late, trying to divide his time between mutagen development and financial concerns.
His gaze jerked up to glare at the flickering lights, then started to drop back to the papers in front of him, when he noticed that there was someone else there. Right in front of his desk. And it wasn't just any random human.
He tried to force his surprise not to show on his face, and stood up slowly, clearing his throat. "Not particularly. Now... may I ask why, exactly, you are in my office?" He would ask how as well, but he supposed the answer would probably seem incredibly obvious in retrospect.
no subject
"Your recent work has caught the attention of my organization. We were quite interested in your recent...demonstration."
no subject
He clasped his hands behind his back and kept an eye on the visitor as he walked out from behind his desk. "I can guess more or less what you would want with my research, but I'll ask anyway - what is it to you?" He doesn't especially like the idea of working with humans, but he may as well humor them.
no subject
"I have a bit of an interest in the development of biological weapons, and I'm sure you can see the applications of your experiments."
no subject
no subject
"I would expect nothing less from an entrepreneurial inventor such as yourself. But consider this," he waxed on, hands spread in a gesture of good faith.
"You provide TRIDENT with access to your research, such as the mutagen used on these intriguing creatures, and in return we will supply additional resources and facilities. More secure facilities, perhaps."
no subject
"As tempting as your offer may be, I can't make any agreements if I don't have a better idea of what, exactly, you intend to do with this 'biological weapon'. After all, I can't let my research be used for anything I myself would be... ethically opposed to." He allowed a smirk to creep onto his face; no point in playing the philanthropist here, so he may as well make a joke of it, even if there was some truth to his statement.
no subject
"Oh, we have many plans, the advantage of an organization such as ours. We can afford to pursue many goals at once. But let's just say your research would serve us well in....clearing the opposition"
"Considering the efforts you've taken to hide your activity, I imagine you're just as keen on keeping your goals in the dark."
no subject
"Very well." He gives a short, decisive nod, and for a moment a glint of bright orange seems to flash across his eyes. "How would you prefer I transfer the data?"
no subject
"I'll have one of our representatives contact you shortly, with instructions on how to access your new facilities as well." Once they'd been prepared with the requisite tools, and wired for monitoring of course. He was rather interested in finding out what Veloci's real plan was.
no subject
Maybe he shouldn't have been so confident about his ability to outmaneuver TRIDENT, but humility had never been one of Veloci's strong points, so he would make all the assumptions he pleased.