003 Voice --> anon video + text

[makethman]

[It's been awhile since Harry has addressed the Network as a whole, but after last week's excitement, for lack of a better term, now seemed to be a good time. Busy sounds of sewing machines and idle chatter about fabrics can be heard in the background.]

I'm not usually one for bombastic declarations-- [Because only in some overly polite world might this be considered bombastic.] -- but I thought I should announce that Hart's of Heropa is open for business again.

Though, more importantly, I don't think we'll be networking at the swear in ceremonies in the future, for obvious reasons.

[A small sigh. Weary, but more annoyed than anything.]

I apologize to anyone who may have witnessed my behavior that night. Though it's my understanding that the gas used makes us act unnaturally, that's no excuse to not express my regrets.

[Harry's polite language probably wouldn't have seemed as sincere via text, which is why he sticks to voice-- he does mean it, and not just because more people now have hints about his training.]

On that note. Let's all stick to those with background checks for professional help in the future, shall we?


Are you holding up alright? I may need your help in Heropa. [He's going to avoid talking about what happened like is totally fine and healthy, at least until Eggsy presses.]


I had hoped to give you a demonstration of Kingsman training under better circumstances. How's the leg?


I'm afraid I made a dreadful first impression, so consider this a more personal apology on my part. And a thank you.


I think we should have a chat, Mary.

[More direct than Mrs. Watson, considerably less cordial than his general tone. Not angry, but guarded. She may not even respond, but with him, they'd both been exposed.]

***

[Several hours later, an anonymous video feed appears on the Network, the location currently scrambled. A rather battered looking man sits tied to a chair under blinking fluorescent lights, glaring at the camera. Typing can be heard slightly off screen, and text appears beneath the feed.

I'd like to introduce the Network to Mr. Leskoff. He and his KGB friends have been very busy following us up until recently, and now he's come forward to explain himself. If any of you have questions for one of the people that's been spying on imPorts for the last few months, now's the time.

Don't have the balls to ask any more yourself--

[Obviously, the spy can read what's being typed as well. The dull snap of a silenced pistol firing cuts the man off, however, and he freezes as the bullet punches a hole in the wall immediately behind him.]

Try to stay on topic, Mr. Leskoff. You don't want me to get bored.

Comments

audio

[112ounces]

[ This is what Carl wants. Actual action, no waiting around to make everything okay in the eyes of justice. ]

Did they get access to medical records?

[makethman]

[Leskoff looks surprised to see a child getting in on this, but something off camera spurs him to respond.]

We only have whatever your precious government already saw fit to collect. It's a relief to see Americans will just kill themselves with all the outbreaks you imPorts bring with you. We barely have to lift a finger.

[Strangely enough, he sounds American himself.]

[112ounces]

[ So they probably know about the virus Carl has. ]

And if these outbreaks overtake America? What's your plans then?

[makethman]

You expect me to share state secrets with a child?

[That's more directed to whoever's guiding the interrogation, who joins in again with text.]

I think the obvious route would be to ban travel and to the Soviet Union and ride it out unscathed. If only pipe dreams all worked out so well.

Fuck you.

[For one of the few times during the interrogation, the person behind the camera can be heard, and it's a soft laugh.]

text;

[likeaspy]

course i'm alright.

[He'd just avoid that for a little bit, too. Eggsy's not exactly sure how that all makes him feel, the toxin making his dead mentor confuse him for his dead father. Nah, was a lot to process, and he figured they'd talk about it when the time came.]

what's goin on in Heropa? i can be on my way in five?

text; encrypted

[makethman]

I've caught up with one of our Russian friends from last month's swear in, and I'm going to be giving him a little interview.

I need someone to cover me in case some of his comrades show up uninvited.

text; encrypted

[likeaspy]

i've already left. just tell me where to go.

[He's got his jacket on and already outside by the time the message goes through.]

i can be there as fast as these porters can carry me.

voice; private

[defensebonds]

It's healin' up fine. I've had to fight through worse.

[ Like a gut wound, for example. That was definitely a worse day... though this one is a close second. ]

You're damn spry, I'll give you that. [ And then, with a bit more kindness to his voice: ] How are you holding up after that?

[ Physically he knows Harry is fine, but he doesn't doubt that there was some mental strain involved there. ]

voice; private

[makethman]

That makes two of us, then.

[Because at least he could stop himself from killing people in De Chima. At least he had the awareness to not want it.

Harry just laughs quietly at the compliment.]

You don't do terribly yourself for an old man. But somehow I don't think it'll be difficult to dissociate you from a Soviet gulag butcher. I'm alright.

[Which is a lie, but there's probably a lot of that going around.]

voice; private

[defensebonds]

Yeah, I can imagine.

[ Given what he knows about you, Harry, he's pretty sure you've had days much worse than his. That little jab earns a small chuckle in return. ]

Gotta say, of all of the things I've been mistaken for, a Red is definitely at the top of the unusual list.

[ They're not okay. None of them. Given time, it'll get easier, won't it? But none of them will forget the things they were forced to relive. ]

Maybe next time we go head to head, we'll keep knives to a minimum?

private | video / id reads "power girl"

[boobwindow]

[ A casual hand wave. ]

It was Scarecrow's toxin. Don't feel too bad.

How are you doing after all that?

voice; private

[makethman]

Regardless, my behavior was untoward, even if there was no time to explain. But I'm alright. Maybe a bruised rib or two.

[The last bit sounds slightly teasing, because good lord, did she hit like a truck.]

voice; private

[boobwindow]

It was creepy to be touched without permission.

Ouch. Make sure to rest and let them heal or you'll make it worse.

[housebroke]

[ Ooh. Torturing Russian spies. It's a match made in heaven. ]

One would think the KGB would have more pressing business. What exactly are they planning to do with the information they've managed to gather? Seeing as it's worth the trouble.

[makethman]

[Cold War good times.]

My organization has hands in many pockets. I can promise you that. And don't you pay attention to your own dying nation? A few doubts planted about their precious imPorts and they're barely restraining themselves from witch hunts. [The spy manages a weak laugh.]

And we were right about Crane, were we not? How will they know the rest of it was bullshit or not?

[Harry isn't as generous about his warning shot this time; his patience is wearing a little thin. Another bullet flies, but this time right into the spy's foot. He cries out, but the text continues below the feed, unabated.]

Every time you start giving what I think is the wrong answer, I go higher. Keep that in mind.

[housebroke]

[ If only Sark wasn't a young'n. He can still enjoy it, though. Perks of being a PO'd Romanov. ]

One of those pockets being the CIA's, perhaps?

And really, people are going to assume whatever they choose to, with or without your help. It's hardly the KGB's business as to whether or not we promote our own anarchy, is it not? Or are you hoping we'll be the downfall for your supposed viewing pleasure?

voice, in russian, @ the video

[hubris]

What are your intentions here?

[makethman]

[The spy looks confused at first, as if it takes him a minute to translate what she says. When he replies, also in Russian, it's obvious he isn't a native speaker. Harry doesn't cut in; he understands Russian well enough.]

I'm helping you all to see that the West has so much less power than it believes it does. It's weak enough to rely on unknown entities to defend it, so why does it still think it can run the world it exists in?

[Delayed English text appears on the bottom as Harry translates.]

[hubris]

[Off-screen, she tilts her head. Continuing in English,]

Weak, like the Soviet Union using non-natives? Surely your mission isn't very important. You don't seem to be the best they have to offer.

Evidence also, being that you were caught.

VOICE.

[osreborn]

These things happen -- rest assured, I doubt people will hold it against you for very long. It's impractical to be too discriminating in our conditions.

[ He wasn't there this time, personally; seems like that was a fortunate choice. ]

What sort of business is it that you have?

[permavoice]

[makethman]

Impractical but perhaps difficult to avoid, I'm afraid.

I'm a tailor. My shop specializes in suits, in particular.

[osreborn]

Mm. That's a handy skill. Good tailors can be difficult to come by -- assuming you are good.

I doubt you have much to worry about in your case. No one's got a spotless record.

private; audio

[sizetwelve]

[ First name basis? That's ominous, given her paranoia of recent days. She can pick up on tones easily enough, but there's too little here for her to jump to conclusions. Listen to her be all innocent and chipper. ]

Should we? Nothing happened to the sundress I dropped off last, I hope.

ditto

[makethman]

Patched and pressed to perfection. Just like your marksmanship.

[Harry isn't in the most relaxed state himself, and he isn't fully sure of how to proceed with this. Mary had been under the influence of the toxin, just like him, so he doesn't hold the attempted murder against her. But what was she using that training for anywhere else?]

[sizetwelve]

[ Nothing for awhile. Then, just as chipper: ]

I'll pop by to pick it up in short order, then. It will be nice to have a chat.

[ FORTIFY THAT PLACE, HARRY HART. ]