lifetothefullest | [IC Inbox]

[There's so much about that response that he doesn't know what to do with, but at least her indignation seems genuine and so she probably did just bring the weapon for self-defense. It doesn't mean she won't decide to use it for otherwise, but at least it might not be her main intent.

So he'll stay on guard--very on guard--but lets the topic drop.]

Nevermind. What did you want to speak with me about?

[This is not off to a good start. Maketh huffs, straightening her back. Look professional. It gives her credibility.] You deal with criminals with certain personality types, yes? I want your professional opinion about how one should deal with a psychopath. And keep in mind simply executing him is not a feasible long-term option.

Well, there goes my first option.

[He doesn't make the slightest attempt to hide his sarcasm there. Also, what the hell; this is not what he was expecting--although he isn't sure what he was expecting--and not only that, but that's not at all enough information to actually give any sort of professional opinion.]

I deal with criminals of all personality types, who act on many motivations. How do you know this individual is a psychopath, and are you using technical terms or colloquial ones? Do you have any evidence or examples of anything he has done or not done?

[As if it were so unreasonable. Maketh tips her head to the side, wondering what they do in his world. Are criminals not executed or sent to labor camps?] It was a term Will Graham applied to him. And the man in question attempted to kill my guardsmen. He attacked our headquarters and caused significant damage. Had we not subdued him, he would have slaughtered my men.

[It's all said very matter-of-factly.]

He claimed anarchistic motivations when we questioned him. But I suspect he was merely bored.

[He's quiet, listening to that carefully, and while that's definitely a dramatic story there's a few problems. One is the lack of details, another is not being particularly confident in Will's diagnostic skills, and another is not trusting Maketh's side of things to be completely factual.]

How and when did he attack the Guard headquarters?

[He'll get to the rest of the parts of what she said once he has more answers.]

[Maketh relaxes slightly. She knows this part. Giving a report.]

He announced his intentions over the network first. It was not a surprise. We knew he was coming. I applied countermeasures to the building and surrounding areas. Several of my guardsmen provided support. You are free, of course, to verify this with them, or review the reports of the situation.

[It's important to get the details right.]

Sato has powers. He can heal himself. Or something of that nature. And he'd stockpiled a considerable amount of weaponry. We had difficulty putting him down.

[Okay, someone who announced their intentions ahead of time is not just confident but arrogant; someone who wants to display their power and is sure they can't be stopped. Usually that's about fulfilling their own ego, although it can also be from enjoying causing anxiety and fear.

The whole healing powers thing is... Definitely not something that happens in his world, but it is something he knows is possible here. Taking it at face value, that would certainly account for the confidence.]

When was this? Has he done anything in the meantime?

Several months ago. He's been behaving himself since.

[It won't last. Maketh lets out a slow breath.]

My methods were deemed too extreme for dealing with him. Thus he was released. What would you do with such a man?

[Not entirely unusual; if this person got what he wanted out of attacking the Guard then going dormant for awhile wouldn't be strange, but it'll only last until that satisfaction runs out.]

And what were those methods?

[He's not letting that part go without more details, and doesn't answer her question just yet.]

Rendering him braindead. [Maketh says it simply. She thought over the logistics carefully. It would have been messy and without a guarantee of success, but safer than leaving Sato to his own devices.] I don't know the full extent of his abilities, of course. But stabbing him in the skull would likely solve the problem temporarily. Hope doesn't heal our injuries.

[Okay, he's a psychologist with the FBI. He's seen a lot of really awful things, read about even more awful things, and most importantly knows that even if life is incredible and wonderful it's also not fair and shouldn't be expected to be.

And yet, the first thing that crosses his mind is 'what did I do to deserve this?'

He knows the answer is nothing, just like he didn't deserve any of the other terrible situations he's found himself in throughout his life, but still he thinks he deserves a good moment of self-pity before he has to figure out how to respond to that admission. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the time for that, mostly because she's right there and it's kind of important to remember that considering what she just said she's capable of. At least her other Guardsmen had apparently had a problem with the whole idea, but that's little consolation.]

Attempted murder is usually given a long prison sentence, provided there's intent and enough evidence for a conviction. However, I'm aware there may not be such a system that would make that possible here.

[It's easier to answer he previous question than to actually respond to what she said, so that's what he does as he continues to go over things mentally.]

His guilt is not in question.

[Maketh huffs. This tells her nothing.]

If he makes another move against my guardsmen, I cannot allow that to stand unpunished. But imprisoning him in any meaningful way would be called cruel and undermine the authority the Guard has developed. You understand the problem.

[As much as he doesn't like Maketh's methods--and won't for a moment support them--he does understand the problem. There are only a few options he can think of to attempt, and they're not at all as effective as he would like.]

Motive is important in figuring out an effective way to prevent a future attack.

[And Maketh had said he's claimed to be an anarchist but she thinks he was just bored, which provides two very different motivations and Lance has no idea which--if either--is correct.]

You haven't given me a lot of actual information to go on, but from what I do know he's likely extremely confident and arrogant about his capabilities and believes--or believed, at the time of his announcement--that he couldn't be stopped. You proved otherwise, and so may have deterred him for a time.

[However--]

Still, depending on his true underlying reason, he might try again. Or he might attempt something more subtle that fulfills the same needs, whether those needs are bolstering his ego, making a statement, or just entertaining himself.

[So he really can't advise without more information.]

Would it help you to look over the reports of the incident?

[She doesn't like the idea of him being underfoot, but if it helps prevent Sato from striking again, fine. She'll endure.

She pauses a moment.]

He wasn't cowed. When I questioned him. I had an efficient threat. It kept him from harming my men for a time. But he wasn't afraid. He seemed amused by the whole thing. Though not so keen on finding out how much I could hurt him. I suppose that is worth knowing.

Yes, but I'd also like to speak to anyone who was present and is willing to talk to me.

[He can learn a lot more from individuals than from potentially biased paperwork. And, considering what's been happening lately at the FBI, he doesn't trust reports not to have been altered.

What Maketh tells him is indeed useful, and it's another piece of the puzzle to consider even if it's not enough on its own.]

Again, that speaks to his confidence, although it shows he does have limits he doesn't want to cross. It's definitely worth knowing, and means you might have some effective options in dealing with him in the future.

Of course. I'll provide you with a list.

[She's a little annoyed he doesn't trust the reports - her files are immaculate - but that's hardly the point. Any information he can provide could help in the future.]

I'm not certain it was a limit. He wasn't afraid of getting hurt when he attacked my men. Perhaps it was simply pragmatism. Avoiding unnecessary pain. It wouldn't have gotten him anything.

[Maketh lifts her chin, meeting Lance's gaze head on.]

I rigged a device to keep him still, you see. A small explosive with a pressure sensitive trigger. Plenty of shrapnel. It wouldn't have killed him. But it would have hurt.

[Well, at least she agreed. He nods a little at her clarification although he isn't so sure about her conclusions, but he's not going to write them off just yet.

Also, wow. Things he definitely didn't want to know, and it's kind of last straw just how matter-of-factly she tells him this. He stares back at her evenly.]

You sound almost proud of that.

I designed a temporary solution. [Maketh narrows her eyes a little. He ought to be pleased. It means Sato can be contained.] What I did was entirely logical.

I'm sure that what this person you're talking about did was perfectly logical to him, too.

[Just pointing that out there.]

I am nothing like him!

[How dare he. Maketh twitches. Forces herself to smile.]

I--I do not cause harm to others for the sake of it.

For the sake of it, probably not.

[He'll give her that much, but there's a fine tipping point there.]

But it doesn't seem to bother you either, and you have no trouble justifying your actions. He can surely do the same, and believes in those justifications just as strongly.

I am an officer of the Imperial Court!

[She doesn't mean to yell. It just comes out that way, rage boiling so close under the surface. Maketh shivers, clenching her fists.]

I am not weak like him. I will perform my duty with the u--utmost dedication and honor!

[This is the point where, in the FBI office and with Booth five feet away, he would normally keep needling; outbursts mean he's hitting upon some sort of nerve, and therefore important information.

But he's alone here, even if there might be someone somewhere else in the building, and he has zero interest in getting into a fight or being shot. And, considering the subject matter, he thinks those are distinct possibilities if she gets angry.

So he changes strategies for the moment, his point made, and tries a different approach.]

What is your definition of honor?

What? [Maketh shivers all over. She doesn't know why she said that, why she always says that. It just happens sometimes. But she can't look weak in front of him, he'll take advantage. Can't let that happen, have to do something about it before he gets ideas.] That I will do what is necessary. For these people. And not for myself. Why are you asking that?

It means different things to different people, sometimes drastically so.

[And her answer doesn't reassure him much.]

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