Log:Overman, Scene 10

Overman 2020/11/20 	 Artemis Ascendant Harlequin Magda Spirit Overman 10

Overman's Universe. You are near Mars orbit, and nearer an asteroid still heading in the general direction of Earth. Overman has been cleansed of theta radiation, but is still being kept unconscious. Linda has been returned to Earth-1 for medical attention. And now the heroes have to decide what to do next! 

Spirit is still concerned with Linda, but needs to help deal with the situation here first. "Let's open this to suggestions. What do we do? Turn him over to the rebels? Talk to him? Fling him into space? I'm sure he'll survive the exile."

Spirit looks to Ascendant, "Can you communicate with his mind? That might give us some feel for whether or not letting him wake up is a good idea."

"I believe I can- though he has some will." Ascendant replies. "Is there something I should look for in particular Commander?" He inquires because the Hu-mans always surprise him with their cleverness.

Spirit shakes his hsae,d "Nothing in particular. I want a way communicate with him before he tries to punch holes in us again. That's all."

"Do you wish to speak with him or simply plumb the depths of his mind, Spirit?" murmurs Harlequin.

"Well then- I shall connect all our minds and you can guide the journey." NNS says calmly, though there's no doubt he wouldn't mind a second round with Overman.

NNS looks to Spirit and attempts to telepathically link their minds. An eyebrow is raised at Harlequin's query.

Spirit nods slowly, "I...want to get as much information as possible before we decide waht to do with him. The man...is destructive. And depressed. But not self-destructive, since he really can't be destroyed, at least by us. He clearly has some kind of weakness, but we dont' know the details. The capitol got taken out under his watch, and he's been affected heavily by that. I refer you back to my original request for suggestions."

Korkoro smiles a little. "I think we would like to find out if talking with him is possible -- if he's willing to listen to opinions other than his own. We already know that his madness is at the very least greatly lessened, but that is a long way from dyed-in-the-wool conservatism."

"I can enter the deepest parts of his mind given time, Spirit. Even down below his thoughts into his subconscious and suppressed memories," states the masked mage. "But, I cannot alter anything an iota. I can only read what is there."

"This sounds most impressive." NNS says after a moment. "I would like to see this done."

Korkoro's eyebrows lift. "-Very- impressive," she agrees.

Spirit nods to Harlequin, "Go ahead and try. Find out what he'd be likely to do if we actually let him go. Or just let him wake up."

Artemis plants her hands on her hips. "Lord Command--Ah. Commander Perrault," she corrects, "Shall I attempt misdirect this asteroid to ensure it stay off the Urth's course?"

Harl moves closer to Overman. "I need to be within 4m of him. The Akashic Eye does not shine far," murmurs Harlequin. He then murmurs something under his breath as he makes a series of gestures ending with the first two fingers of each hand touching his forehead. As he removes them, an oversized blue eye opens on his forehead and sheds light upon Overman. "And so, into the Record we shall follow this soul..."

Korkoro watches the spellcasting as closely as she can, but eventually just shakes her head. "A wavelength I can't explain," she murmurs, and turns to Artemis. "Perhaps push it towards Mars?" she suggests. "Or punch it to smithereens."

Artemis chuckles. "There are a number of methods I can use to eliminate the threat to Urth. Which matters little to me."

Korkoro smiles impishly. "Which would you enjoy the most?"

Spirit nods to Artemis, "Exile would be easiest. I could take him elsewhere. But I have mixed feelings on it."

Harlequin sinks into the depths of Overman's mind. He seeks out the depression, the guilt and looks them over. How deep are ther in truth? Is he suicidal? What might alleviate it?

Artemis looks to Spirit and smiles. "I meant of the asteroid threat, but unless ye exile him to another reality, it seems within Overman's power to return and threaten once again." She looks to Korkoro as she smiles back. "Hmmm, I will think on this."

Harl murmurs as he moves a hand as if turning a page. "I am exploring his subconscious, the depths of his depression. I am not, I fear, a psychologist so, any help would be useful. As he's unconscious, I cannot read his thoughts. I am limited to his memories and subconscious."

NNS watches Harlequin with some interest, so much so he's totally silent.

Overman's mind seems rather more stable than it seemed under the influence of theta radiation. He is weary, certainly, of the unending fight, perhaps somewhat burnt out, but stopping short of despair. The rage he had displayed is much lessened; there is perhaps more sorrow. He does feel a deep sense of guilt over his failure to defend Washington.

Artemis looks back to Spirit. "What is your Urth's custom in such matters? He sought to create a cataclysmic event that would end a world, and nearly slew the Youngling in the process, though perhaps while not in his right mind due to illness."

Korkoro smiles at Artemis, but turns back to the plumbing of depths. "I ..." She hesitates; this is the sort of opportunity most psychologists wished they had. "I think the questions I have need to be answered buy a waking and rational mind. So long as he seems to have returned to rationality, I am content to let him awaken."'

NNS smiles and summons a dagger, burning into existence & becoming whole in time for him to catch it by the hilt. He's ready.

"One questoin I need to determine the answer to first, then, yes, awake would be better," murmurs Harlequin. He searches through the memories to see if he reationally decided use lethal force against the rebels or not.

Spirit looks to Artemis. There IS no Earth custom for something like this."

Spirit adds, "Though some would likely want him executed for it, I'm sure."

Korkoro's expression is wry. "A trial, incarceration with psychological therapy. For a hero who has done great wrong, public sevice -- but is that not what heroes do anyhow?"

Spirit nods, "It's complicated by the fact that there likely is no court that could hold him."

"It would seem to be the only way to ensure he becomes not a threat again," Artemis replies gravely. "Were he controlled by another, I would suggest mercy. But what he hath wrought was part of his own weakness." She glances over to Korkoro. "And who hath the means to restrain him to sit through trial?"

Spirit nods slowly. "Though that's likely the correct solution, honestly. He needs to stand trial. I'm not sure he'd get a fair one, though."

The initial use of lethal force was not premeditated. It was done in rage. He justified it to himself afterwards, and kept on doing it. But it is more like emotional 'reason' than rational. Unlike his pre-exposure thoughts.

Harl relays all that he finds to everyone. He 'sits' back on his heels as he keeps the Akashic Eye open and focussed on Overman. "Unless you all can think of anything else to seek deep in his mind, any other questions need to be put to him awake." He then adds after a beat. "In truth, if he can, he needs to make amends at the least. In addtion, he is one of the few, perhaps only, person on Urth with the power to repair what he has done. Urth needs his strength but he, well, needs a kid with a leash maybe."

"Why, The method to restraining him is right there," Korkoro states, with a gesture at the slumbering hero. "His own sense of decency, justice, nobleness, and honor. As for a fair trial,? she adds, "I recommend he undergo one on our own Earth, with the people of this United States bringing suit against him."

Spirit says, "His crimes were committed here. He would have to stand trial here. And I'll be honest. I don't want him back on our world."

"How can he return to Urth to make amends? Tis where this radiation would threaten to take his mind again," Artemis says with concern.

Spirit nods in agreement with Artemis. "There's that, too."

"Indeed." NNS says in agreement.

Harl murmurs, "Doesn't he simply have to avoid certain areas around where Washington was?"

Korkoro nods in understanding to Spirit's words. "And yet," she suggests, "on our own world, grave crimes committed in a nation by an individual may be prosecuted outside of that nation's jurisdiction -- in the World Court. The truth is, no matter what he will be found guilty; going into a trial, he will undoubtedly know this. It is not the verdict that concerns us, it is the sentence."

Harl murmurs, "And perhaps there is the equivalent of the World Court on Urth?"

Korkoro glances at Harlequin. "With Doctor Destroyer and VIPER dominating the landscape?"

Korkoro answers her own question. "Undoubtedly. And since one of the two, if not both, have already attempted to slay him, what do you suppose the sentence will be?"

Spirit nods to Korkoro, "I'm not concerned about the verdict itself. I'm concerned about justice. Will he be given a fair trial here? Or would he get a fair trial on our world? And do we want someone this powerful and this unstable freed on our world if found innocent?"

Korkoro opens her mouth for a moment, then closes it after a thought pops into her head. "Master Harlequin, can you apply a geas?"

Harl murmurs, "It's amazing how often the gods of Justice find avatars even when evil dominates a world. Even if those avatars are simply normal men and women. His world needs him to face these foes you named." He then falls silent at Korkoro's question as he gazes at Overman. "Yes, I can craft one. And it would work best if taken on willingly, but, free will is not necessary."

Artemis tilts her head. "If he cannot, and if Overman be reasonable, I can make him Oathsworn."

"Either. Both. And I believe he will be willing," says Magda. "And he absolutely /will/ be facing the things he has done."

Korkoro looks over to Harlequin again. "Can you give me his memories?" She sounds very, very grim.

"Yes, I can," murmurs Harlequin. "But for what purpose?"

"A true and thorough facing of his acts," Magda replies. "I have done such things as he; worse, in their ways, for mine were coldly rational. I will be his therapist, and make him face each and every one of his deeds. This, as a willing condition of his sentence," she adds quickly, "not /now/. But ... if we can persuade the rebels that he will do service even as he faces the justice of his own conscience, I think it may be an ... easier sell."

Spirit raises a brow at the idea of Magda being a therapist for Overman, but he doesn't comment on that. Instead he says, "I'm thinking...we need to wake him up. And discuss this with him. I hate to say it."

NNS looks around the bubble, shrugs and stops flipping and catching his dagger. If evaporates into whatever figment it was before it was summoned- that's about as much as he can help with waking Overman up.

Spirit looks to see if others have an opinion on such. "Or do we turn him over to the authorities in the US here?"

Korkoro gestures at the superhero. "Wake him here."

"The authorities could not stop or hold him there. I say we wake him here," Artemis adds her opinion.

Spirit nods. "Alright. I suspect he'll come around quickly as long as we dont' keep...stabbing him with psychic knives." He uses his TK to try to shake Overman awake.

Tendrils of light reach to to gently shake Overman.

"Indeed." NNS agrees, and there were no more blades summoned- so far.

Overman does not take long to come around, once active methods are used to try to wake him. Finding himself surrounded by the heroes, he adopts a fighting pose reflexively - then drops it as looks of confusion, horror and anguish pass over his face in quick succession. "Great Scott - what have I DONE?!" he yells, grasping at his hair as if trying to rip the memories from his head.

"I believe the question now, Overman is, 'What will you do?' Face justice in the hopes of making amends or..." NNS says simply, trying to coax the man away from the void if possible.

Korkoro is silent for a few long seconds; the moment of realization cannot be softened. Nohrbor has the right idea, to redirect his attention to the future.

Overman says, "Jusice? What justice is there I can face? I've stepped over the line - far over. I've become as bad as the villains I fought!"

"The most terrible justice in the world," replies Magda. "Having to face those you have wrong with abject humility and lack of ego, in the hopes of being allowed to work to put it right."

Spirit watches Overman closely, but doesn't say anything immediately.

NNS simply nods and considers the man before saying, "Indeed you had. And yet- before, as I understand it, you stood for that and more on your world. You tossed it aside in madness, but with your sanity restored- what does it mean now? Is it lessened in your grief?"

Overman shakes his head. "I can't abandon the Earth! It needs me!" He frowns heavily. "No. It needs heroes. And I am no hero. I have no right to the word. If I ever had."

"That's the spirit!" NNS says with some excitement, clapping Overman on the back. "You are freed from the burden of such a title and instead, can set forth to restore your spirit! Thinking of your Urth first is a good sign of what might be and how you might fare in teh crucible to come, if you have the gumption to face it." NNS every word is encouraging.

Overman shakes his head. "The decision is not mine to make. I want to make amends - or rather, do what little I can to make amends - but perhaps the people won't have me. They might consider me too dangerous - or demand justice."

Korkoro sighs, looking at the asteroid meant for Colonial Bay. "Earth -- your America -- needs /people/," she agrees with Nohrbor. "People willing to strive to do right. To make mistakes. To /admit/ their mistakes -- and then strive to do better the next time. To seek the more perfect union. Establish justice. Ensure domestic tranquility." She's sure his mind will fill in the rest. "No man or superman is above the law. The question is ... will you submit to it? And you fear retribution, not justice."

Spirit nods slowly. "Justice is necessary. We can provide the authorities what we know about the sitaution, including the effect the Theta radiation had on you. While that does not make you blameless, it does mitigate things."

Overman nods. "I will submit to it. Although - it's unclear who the legitimate authorities are, now."

"Then we shall find out, together." NNS says certainly. An invisible hand gives Overman's shoulder a supportive squeeze as he adds, "You have chosen wisely, Overman."

Overman says, "Wisely? No, I don't think so. But it's what my conscience tells me to do."

Artemis smiles as if this solves much. "Good. Then you are a threat to thy Urth no more."

[To Artemis] Overman says, "I don't know about that. Nothing stops me from being poisoned again."

Overman says, "Have you any means to restrain me? I doubt people would feel safe at my trial if I were free. And so the trial could not be fair."

"The theta radiation fallout will be cleaned up," says Magda, "and with assistance, I will be performing regular checkups on you. And, if our suggestions are taken, helping you deal with what you have done."

Artemis thinks on it. "We have no way to restrain thee if thy will is to struggle for freedom. But we can tie thee in restraints for their peace of mind."

Artemis draws her sword and with a flick of her wrist, it unwinds into a bladed whip to demonstrate one option to be restrained. In the air bubble, it makes a sharp whipcrack.

Overman says, "Then they will just have to trust me. Though I've shown myself unworthy of it."

Overman says, "Come then. Take me to face justice. I'll stand trial before whatever court you feel most appropriate."

Spirit nods slowly, "You took over the US goverment, right? Is there a world court?"

"Perhaps they will remember the man you were, and see who you might still yet be if given the chance." NNS says calmly. "In any event, there is only one way to find out for sure. We shall be your restraints if need be, but your own inaction will say much and more to those of your world."

NNS nods. "Aye, so be it. Let us see this justice done." He falls silent and lets Spirit take things from there.

Overman says, "There is a world court - though it's the tool of VIPER. Most countries of the world are dominated by them, so the court is too. There is no elected government of the United States. I did not take over exactly, but - it is true that the various martial commands may feel some loyalty to me. And the AFF, of course, are against me - and tools of VIPER too."

Korkoro brings the group back to Earth.

Spirit nods. "That may be the case. But you also backed them into a corner, forcing them to look for an ally where they could find one."

Overman says, "Ironically, I might get a fairer trial before the Kaiser of Europe, or in Free Russia."

"I suggest," says Magda, "that you spend judgment upon those seeking free and fair elections in the United States. It may, in fact, be a wise move to refrain from political judgments altogether."

As they head back, Artemis asks, "How sure are we the radiation threat hath ended?"

Spirit says, "It hasn't ended. It's been cleaned up now, as far as I understand."

"I'll see if I can't manage it a bit faster," Korkoro adds.

Overman nods. "Wherever you take me, be sure it is nowhere near Washington."