2010-03-20: Falling On The Sword

Starring:

Noah_V4icon.pngDanko_V4icon.png

Date: March 20th, 2010

Summary:

Bang!


"Falling on the Sword"

PREVIOUSLY ON HEROES MUSH...

It is no lie that the tension is thick enough to be cut with a knife. Yet despite the silent gauging of one another, the probing for lapse in poker face, the conversation continues on. Two wolves fighting to lead the pack and with that, perhaps the face of American History. There is a long pause as Noah considers the alternatives that Danko could be having issues with. Only one thought comes to mind. "You referring to the Petrelli, I'll assume."

"No." Danko pulls his Protocol issue gun from its holster as his hip in one move, trained by many years of experience. It's instantly trained on Bennet. Click. "I'm referring to your termination order."


NOW

Governors Island

New York

The Company Man tries to match Danko, but this time, he is a little too slow and the hand slips away instantly. "…You really think that killing me is the best thing to do. The one man that been helping you keep this all under control?" While Noah's voice is calm, there definite anger in his eyes. Knowing Bennet, it's more for himself for not getting being fast enough on the draw.

"Maybe you shouldn't put yourself on so high a pedestal. You mighta had twenty years experience dealing with these people, but the game has clearly changed, you can see that. You're not as useful as you think you are. They don't need you. I don't need you." Danko's words are nothing but cold. It's business. His hold on the weapon does not waver. "The men who died during the line of duty for this godforsaken operation might've died in vain, but if killing you makes me a loyal soldier who can march on in and see the Wizard, then at least your death won't be for nothing."

"And you think that killing me is going to bring you any closer? The game hasn't changed at all, Danko. Different players, sure. But the stakes, the power struggles? Just the same now as they've been for over fifty years, maybe since those with abilities first began. Results are results, Danko… I figured of all people, you'd know my records speak for themselves." Noah's hands are up, but the older man doesn't flinch. He's stared death too many times in the face to show it fear now. "But fine, Danko, shoot me. When you do, you've just shot one of the few people capable of watching your back. Why take out someone that wants them gone… How about we both work to take them out and come up with a solution they WON'T see coming. Then if you feel the need, we can do last man standing."

Is that hesitation in the eyes of Agent Danko? Compassion? … No, actually, it's not. It's not at all. It seems Noah picked the wrong man to bargain with — not that he had a choice.

"Unless you can produce a body or play a convincing game of possum, we're both out in the cold." He flicks his gun an inch to the side, wagging it in gesture before it levels again. He's getting impatient. Less talking, more shooting makes things much more clear-cut. "Think of it as… falling on the sword."

The hands are still up, but Noah manages the slightest shrug he can. "There are a lot of options. I know people, ways, plans… You should know first hand a death is an easy thing to cover up when Evolved are involved. However, if you want to be shortsighted enough to assume you can do this solo, then I welcome you to end this in the way you feel is best…"

Noah pauses to think for a second, surprisingly calm with the thought of his immediate death at hand. "Before you do, I hope you can indulge me for a moment though… Azhar-Qahaar, that name ring any bells for you?"

Danko is exceptional at his job … in most respects. Maybe he does think he can go solo. But the man's brows buckle in when Noah utters that last name. Creases set in around a dubious gaze, sparked with dark recognition. "A terrorist cell out of the Middle East… it means the Shining Light of the Almighty." His gun doesn't move, but Bennet has gained Danko's attention.

"Ah. Figured it was a terrorist cell. I was looking into that name… I suppose I won't be able to go about it using my own leads, if you pick up this case yourself," the Company Man states as he gives a small shrug. "I trust you know the people in the Protocol who are already aware of this other organization as well, so you'll be able to do that on your own."

As much as his suspicion seems to rise, Danko's patience also wears thin. So does his time. Taking care of Bennet should not be taking this long. A vicious glance is thrown at the forms of the buildings. "Talk straight, Bennet, what do you know?" he rasps, admitting ignorance on his part.

"Why, so I can tell you and you shoot me after I get it? Helping my killer really isn't my cup of tea, Danko. Partners though… That is a difference all together. There are people here, working with the Evolved. Some is necessary. Some is not. There is a lot that is going on here that you don't know about and because who you are, those people will never trust you. You know it to be true." Noah puts down his hands at this point. He's making the sell and seemingly confident how it will turn out. Of course, confidence is half the battle.

"But if we can work the angles, we can play our strengths, get further together then we could apart. I planned on doing it with Nathan Petrelli, but that was before he was a little too weak and sloppy for my liking," Noah admits… Something that is a little closer to truth than most of this conversation. "If you are willing to work with me, you'll find that we can get a lot done. Unlike you, I have no reason to kill you… Unless you plan on giving me one now." And he ends his sell with a smirk, suggesting that even if Danko wants to pull the trigger, he'll get out of this. In Noah's mind, he will or he'll die. In times like these, Noah enjoys the simple things as best he can, even when they are brutal as life and death.

"Petrelli, huh. The jailbird." And one of them. Danko's stare grows steelier. "Partners is going a little far, given that someone wants you out. The herd is being trimmed one by one. Consider yourself fired." He lowers his weapon several inches, changing the angle. "Because I think you might have something here, I'm not going to kill you, Bennet."

No, not kill him, but…

"I'm going to shoot you. You're going to wrestle this gun from me and punch me in the face. You better be right … but I hope you're to hell you're wrong. I suggest you find a genius way off this island. If you have any cronies left from your time partnering up with them, I suggest you give them a call. I hope they can fly."

He pulls the trigger.

The bullet tears into Noah's shoulder, but he manages to move swiftly. After recoiling from the bullet, Noah gives the gun a powerful kick. If that doesn't get the gun away, Noah will move in to grab the gun with his good hand. If it does fall to the ground, Noah will pull out a powerful punch. He'll follow Danko's plan for now… After all, as long as Danko feels like Noah has something he needs, he'll be safe. Right?

It's planned. Danko's gun falls to the ground on the first try. Their fight doesn't need to have flair, or be better matched as it would in reality — no one is watching. It just needs to have an outcome. The bruise resulting from Noah's fist to the shorter man's face oughta do it. Spinning, he crumples to the cold ground.

Noah is on the run, much like Angela. It is clear that he is being watched and it will likely be a matter of time before he is hunted down. Danko's gun is taken. It may get returned later, it may not. Either way, the Company Man merely makes his way back toward the front gate, pulling his jacket off. He forces his wounded limp to bend up, throwing the jacket over his shoulder mostly, as if he was pulling the GQ move. Not only does it hide the blood from the sleeve, the jacket, and apply pressure to the wound without revealing it, but it does it while seemingly natural. He won't have a chance to get his files, but considering this turn of events, he likely won't need them for sometime.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License