[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.]
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.
[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.]
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.
[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.
[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? [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 only means you have rules. [Of course those rules change, but you must follow them. Otherwise you're nothing. Maketh lifts her chin, daring him to comment.] And that you will do what is required. I will always perform my duty.
Morality is a useless gesture. [Maketh snorts. How naive can he possibly be?] An inconvenience your enemies will not share. If you cannot counter them with every possible means, then the people under your command will suffer for your abject failure to do what is necessary. You would have made a weak officer, Doctor Sweets. Your men would have killed you themselves.
Morality is what separates us from being the people whose crimes we're investigating.
[He could say more, but that's what it comes down to. They go into their jobs knowing they're adhering to a stricter code than the people they're dealing with and that puts them at a disadvantage, sometimes to a great extent. But that risk is necessary and worth it to not become the monsters they deal with.]
If your enemies have been gentle enough to allow this, then--then perhaps your world is---kinder than mine. You will not find it so in Hadriel. And if you intend to protect anyone, then you will step aside when the time comes and allow me to do what needs to be done. Someone must.
You're drawing a lot of conclusions with very little evidence.
[It's a mild way of saying 'you're wrong' without bothering to actually challenge her outright. He doesn't need--or want--to; the more she talks the more he learns.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 02:13 am (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 02:20 am (UTC)And what were those methods?
[He's not letting that part go without more details, and doesn't answer her question just yet.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 02:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 02:45 am (UTC)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.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 02:50 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 02:58 am (UTC)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.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:07 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:11 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:20 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:33 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:55 am (UTC)[Just pointing that out there.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 01:14 pm (UTC)[How dare he. Maketh twitches. Forces herself to smile.]
I--I do not cause harm to others for the sake of it.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:32 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:39 pm (UTC)[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!
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:53 pm (UTC)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?
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 03:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 04:04 pm (UTC)[And her answer doesn't reassure him much.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 04:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 04:20 pm (UTC)At its most basic level, yes, it means you have rules. But integrity and moral ideals are also part of honor, and those are what vary so wildly.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 04:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 04:46 pm (UTC)Morality is what separates us from being the people whose crimes we're investigating.
[He could say more, but that's what it comes down to. They go into their jobs knowing they're adhering to a stricter code than the people they're dealing with and that puts them at a disadvantage, sometimes to a great extent. But that risk is necessary and worth it to not become the monsters they deal with.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 04:54 pm (UTC)[She says it quite simply.]
If your enemies have been gentle enough to allow this, then--then perhaps your world is---kinder than mine. You will not find it so in Hadriel. And if you intend to protect anyone, then you will step aside when the time comes and allow me to do what needs to be done. Someone must.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 05:05 pm (UTC)[It's a mild way of saying 'you're wrong' without bothering to actually challenge her outright. He doesn't need--or want--to; the more she talks the more he learns.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-05 05:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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