Track 10: Sympathy for the Devil

[Mr. Handy]

Liz remains hidden, holding her mace ready in case things turn violent.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

With a thin smile, the man in the suit replies "How curious that you should happen to appear in a secured facility. We shall soon know the truth." To the guards, he says "Take her to Interrogation."

[jp1885]

Not wishing to put Zara in further danger, Tony steps out from his hiding place, smiling.

"No need for interrogation dear boy: the young lady is here on my orders."

He leans on his stick.

"Kudos to your guards for not falling for my deception: I must be getting rusty - blame the exhausting hike. My employer will be most displeased, alas."

[SunlessNick]

"It was worth a try, right?" Zara says lightly, playing into Tony's approach. "And your door wasn't that secure I'm afraid."

[Mr. Handy]

Liz stays in her hiding place for now, continuing to listen.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Very well. Since you are willing to be sensible, perhaps we can discuss this situation in a more civilized manner. First of all, however, where is the other fellow? The Norwegian. Surely he has not deserted you."

[SunlessNick]

"That bit about hiring him for his boat was true," Zara says. "He's an innocent party in all this."

[Mr. Handy]

Liz keeps eavesdropping, not wanting to reveal her presence yet.

[jp1885]

"Indeed; there is an element of truth in that at least. Dear Jan, not being the most reliable of sorts, has, I think, scarpered."

Tony grins ruefully.

"A civilised discussion then - somewhere more comfortable than this chilly corridor I trust?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Liz keeps eavesdropping, not wanting to reveal her presence yet.

Remaining absolutely still, Liz can hear the sound of a large volume of water rushing by, somewhere not far away. The noise is hollow, as if the water -- or perhaps some other liquid? -- is contained in some sort of tube or pipe.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Barking orders to the guards, the man leads his guests -- or prisoners? -- through a maze of corridors to an office, which is furnished in simple but comfortable fashion. The guards remain standing by, dogs at their heels. The man directs the two to sit, in a pair of plain metal chairs. Both Zara and Tony feel a tiny tingle as they sit; not strong enough to be unpleasant, but noticeable. The man sits at a large desk. Pressing some kind of control under it, he causes a flat glass panel to rise from the surface of the desk. It tilts toward him, and he observes it carefully.

"You may address me as Lazlo. My family name is beyond the ability of most to pronounce," he adds, with a slight smile. "Now tell me. What do you know of SHRIKE?"

[Mr. Handy]

Liz slips out of her hiding place and stealthily follows the group, staying out of sight and relying on the sounds of their footsteps to track them.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

From a nearby location, Liz is able to overhear Lazlo's questioning of the others.

Meanwhile, Jan seems to have slipped away somewhere else, unknown.

[jp1885]

Tony drums his fingers on the arms of the chair.

“Hmm, tingles... what is it? Some kind of lie detector?”

[SunlessNick]

"You may address me as Lazlo. My family name is beyond the ability of most to pronounce," he adds, with a slight smile.

"Try me," Zara says, knowing that her memory power will allow her a good shot at pronouncing his name. "And have you got any booze? Or coffee at least. Since we're being civilised." (She keps her tone of voice polite, though her choice of words is mostly down to the ratty mood the hike has put her in).

[Mr. Handy]

Gathering that there is something electrical in the room, Liz has her EMP device ready just in case she later needs to use it. She continues to eavesdrop.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

With a thin smile, Lazlo continues. "You are both avoiding my question. What do you know of SHRIKE? Answer properly, and we may be able to provide you with a more comfortable environment and further amenities."

[Mr. Handy]

Liz continues to listen from concealment, ready to intervene if Tony and Zara are in immediate danger.

[jp1885]

“Well, let’s see...”

Tony wracks his brain. Has he heard of this no-doubt villainous organisation?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

“Well, let’s see...”

Tony wracks his brain. Has he heard of this no-doubt villainous organisation?

Nothing comes to mind. How should he respond? Admit ignorance, or bluff his way through?