IC CONTACT

[howillusive]

[ If you know this number, you know who it is. Expect it to be picked up, but no answer on the other end. ]

Comments

[fightforthelost]

[You fucker. You're going to make me talk first, aren't you.]

It's Shepard.

[Do I really have to say my first name because I'm pretty sure that surly, manly, awesome voice lets you know which Shep.

[howillusive]

[ YES HE IS, and oh look, he's going to even light a cigarette before actually speaking. He's just full of being a nice person today ]

Ah, Shepard. You're on board finally?

[fightforthelost]

Security's extra tight.

Something about a shootout on the planet below.

[howillusive]

Unsurprising, given the mess down there. I'll need to see how good their security actually is.

[fightforthelost]

Not good enough, if you know how to get around those sort of things.

[howillusive]

No security is good enough if you know how. Is that how you got in so fast? Knowing how?

[fightforthelost]

Something like that.

[howillusive]

[ oh now he's really curious :|a ]

And what exactly happened. Your counterpart listed failures, not something I'm accustomed to hearing when it applies to her.

[fightforthelost]

[Thessia totally doesn't count because he turned that shit around, okay.]

They didn't want to make it easy to bring my weapons back on board, so I decided to bypass security altogether.

As for Jane? Well, like I said, I do things differently.

[howillusive]

I'm beginning to notice. I think a demonstration will be in order later.

However, first we need to discuss our mutual enemy here.

[fightforthelost]

The Purists. Garrus knows more about them than I do -- he's been here a lot longer. I've seen enough to know they need to be stopped at all costs.

[howillusive]

[ HA H A encouraging him to be nice to a Turian... ]

I've heard enough from your other counterpart, but I'm interested in your impression of them, more than the facts. I already have those. From the information we've gathered, they are going to be a tougher antagonist than I'd originally planned.

[fightforthelost]

[There's a lengthy pause from Shepard before he speaks again.]

So you do plan on taking them on?

[He just needed the confirmation. It confirms what renegade Shepard has always thought of TIM: the guy can see the real threats and is willing to do something about them. That's really the biggest reason Shepard will work with him.]

[howillusive]

Of course. We have a very real threat on our hands, and they could jeopardize anything else we try to do. I'd rather see them put to an end as quickly as possible.

[ A beat; ] I suppose it's obvious you will be doing the same.

[fightforthelost]

You're damn right I will. It's about time someone actually did something about them. Don't get me started on Preventer's methods of dealing with them. Talking them to death isn't a viable option.

[howillusive]

Is that their preferred method? Perhaps they're more useless than I previously thought. I'm not surprised that such methods would be rendered ineffective. Most organizations don't understand how to work against a group like the Purists.

[fightforthelost]

They don't know how to fight fire with fire.

You wanted my impression of them? I say each and every one of them, and anyone that sympathizes with them, deserves a bullet to the head.

[howillusive]

[ a beat, why didn't he know this Shepard before..... ]

I would be inclined to agree. I think we can make that happen.

[fightforthelost]

[Do you have a boner yet, Illusive Man?]

I know you're a man that can get things done, and I know you can be counted on for the best resources when it comes down to it. I've just got one condition: I want to meet in-person.

[Despite being in agreement with Jack over pretty much everything during their past experiences together, there was that whole ME3 thing. Shepard has to make sure he's not dealing with an indoctrinated Illusive Man, even if the possibility seems remote with no Reapers around.

He's more cautious this time around. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.]

[howillusive]

[ M-MAYBE. IT'S NOT LIKE I THINK YOU'RE COOL OR ANYTHING.

There's a pause. Without his wonderful and well-connected network of holograms, he supposes that sacrifices must be made, and he has met with the other Shepard. There's a light tap of a cigarette against an ashtray. ]

I believe that can be arranged, Shepard.

[fightforthelost]

[Well, his willingness to meet is a check in his favor. With the timelines and all, Shepard wants to know if TIM even knows about London or the Reaper War at all for that matter. Could he just be from after the Collector Base like Jane?

Hmm...]

I'll even make my own concession here and let you pick the place and time.

[He kind of figured TIM would do that anyways based on past experience. At least this way it makes it seem like Shepard's idea!]

[howillusive]

There's a small, unused building at [ some...location. The same one he met other Shepard at. ]. Tomorrow afternoon, at two.

[ You know him too well. ]

[fightforthelost]

I'll be there.

[And he'll cut communication because he really has shit to do and an asari lover to check up on (HEH DIDN'T YOU BANG ASARI TOO?)

Also, log/handwave/chocolate?

/COMPLETELY FINE WITH WHATEVER!]

[howillusive]

[ (THEM ASARI, BRO. HOT STUFF)

I'm cool with logging! I can put something up later this afternoon when I get off work!]

[fightforthelost]

[Sounds completely awesome and you are awesome and this is awesome. /Excited forever.]

[howillusive]

[ asldkjff well you are awesome too, so there!

and here is the log! ]

DATA

[fightforthelost]

[Shortly after their meeting, Shepard will send this file which contains all of Garrus' IC notes on the Purists.

Have fun, TIM.]