Tom

If you want to just shock them without going to technical extremes, you can point out that there are already efforts to create a medical system that doesn’t bankrupt people and welcome them to the cause…

If you want to just shock them without going to technical extremes, you can point out that there are already efforts to create a medical system that doesn’t bankrupt people and welcome them to the cause…

If you want to just shock them without going to technical extremes, you can point out that there are already efforts to create a medical system that doesn’t bankrupt people and welcome them to the cause…

If you want to just shock them without going to technical extremes, you can point out that there are already efforts to create a medical system that doesn’t bankrupt people and welcome them to the cause…

If you want to just shock them without going to technical extremes, you can point out that there are already efforts to create a medical system that doesn’t bankrupt people and welcome them to the cause…

The unplanned celebration of Ariana and my engagement also served as a welcome back party for the old timers, and a 'you done good, rookies' tribute for the newer crowd.
Almost no one was wearing a costume. And frankly, it was weird. I felt oddly exposed, and a bit like some of the magic was gone. This wasn't the first time I'd seen this or that team mate in normal clothes, of course. But the fact that we were doing it in such numbers and all at once, it felt weird. And I had to chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
 
Yours truly was wearing jeans and a nice button up shirt , with the sleeves rolled up a little as if I were ready to get to work. I'm not vain, but I noticed Ariana liked the look, so I played to her tastes. Word had gotten out that 'casual nice' was fine, so styles varied from t-shirts and up to nice but without a tie. My bride-to-be, damned how good it felt to think of her that way, wore a fetching blouse and slacks combo.  I nearly spit my drink out to see Mabel wearing fake glasses  as the robot 'clark kented it' for her own amusement. Pogo wore leggings and a  new T-shirt that was for a Halifax sports team. I eyed Aspirant, who now that you could see his mouth, wouldn't stop smiling that she was wearing what I assumed was his gift. 
 
I wondered if he had to head back to Canada or not. It was possible any of them might have plans after the training was done. They'd proven themselves, and any super-team in any part of the world would be happy to have them. I glanced over to see a shrunken Hussar fluttering about angrily at Pin-Prick, discovering bluster didn't fly with the world's littlest archer. It reminded me of what I felt a long time ago when he gave me a sit down and think  speech by the side of the pool. I knew neither would let it go to far. Even Hussar had matured.
 
Though I did think maybe he and I weren't the best match still. It was getting better. Maybe with time, but I had to be fair to him as well. It was weird, darn weird, to try to sort through folks like I had a right to decide who was worthy of what area. They were all worthy. Old friends who I knew would always have my back, new allies that had already done the same. I'm not dim. I realized that Lady O was hitting Ariana and I with one more test of leadership, or at least team management. But I didn't see it as an insult, but as a sign of trust. It was making me nervous anyway.
 
Who did I want to be on the team with me regularly? Then I realized just who, and went over to him. I definitely wanted this guy on my team. The fact he was a good friend was only part of it. He had pulled more rabbits out of his hat when we needed them than could be ignored, and I mentally patted myself on the back for such an apt metaphor. Mayo was, after all, a magician. Biases against mystics aside, it was obvious they were useful.
 
"Hey," I realized as I closed on him, "You're not wearing the breather." Indeed, his face was exposed to the open air.
 
"I have a spell that lets me breath air without it, but it has limits as I learned to my detriment," He turned his blind eyes to me "Your future wedding is turning into a fine excuse for celebration and potential intoxication."
"Then I'm glad my romantic dreams coming true serves some humble purpose," I deadpanned before moving on, "Say, Mayo. Your spell earlier, terrifying but effective. You okay?"
 
"I am recovered. You? Your powers are returning?" He inquired back.
 
"Slowly," I answered, "I don't feel weak as a kitten anymore. But I'm still not tops," I had almost forgotten that, but as I did a mental check I could feel the absence of a lot of my power. I decided not to get into an arm wrestling contest with anyone at the party.
"I'll be fine" I assured him, "Actually, if you don't mind me mixing business with the celebration, I wanted to ask you something?"
 
"You have but to ask," he nodded. His blind eyes weren't on me, of course, but he had his head in the right direction.
 
"Would you be interested in working with a team regularly?"  I said, then feeling awkward, added, "My team. Well, Lady Obsidian's team, but the team I'm on?" I realized I was perhaps not making my best pitch here, "It's complicated, but in a nutshell a second team is forming and we're sorting stuff out. I'd like you on either, but we work well together."
 
Mayo looked thoughtful for a moment, and laid a finger against his  chin to complete the image before answering, "If you weren't just recently engaged, I would wonder if you were proposing."
 
"Don't make this weird," I winced.
 
And he smiled at that, then seemed just a touch contrite, "Perhaps I am trying to use humor to ease the blow of my refusal to both teams. Kind though the offer is. My being a mystic brings complications."
"You're about the only mystic that I like," I told him to head him off and hoped no one passed that onto Doctor Salem,  "If this is because of MY hangups, I assure you I'm working on it."
"It's not," Mayo shook his head, "As with many magical things, there is a three fold answer, but your dislike of mysticism is not one of them. A mystic is dragged by tides of fate and purpose, needs on the spiritual and cosmic scale. Arrogant as it sounds, we are more aware of where we will need to be, even if we don't always know when those pulls and pushes come.  I will happily work with either or both teams when and if I can, but a regular member should be constant, and I won't be. You don't need someone who might, in the middle of a crisis here, throw his cloak over shoulder with a flourish, says something cryptic, and speaks of  how he is needed elsewhere then depart while you fight one person down against the aforementioned crisis."
 
I had to admit, that would indeed tick me off, "A bit vexing yeah." 
 
He went on with the second reason, "Also, there is a demand from more than surface culture for help such as we provide. I may not be welcome in some of the undersea nations, but that doesn't change the fact they face threats and have fewer saviors to draw on. I don't plan to desert the surface folk, but I must be ready to attend to my fellow water breathers."
 
I felt a twinge of guilt there. I mean, I grew up topside, and was very human, thank you very much, but who knew what was happening to the average Atlantean or Mu citizen down below? Maybe they needed heroes too. But it couldn't be me, "My life is up here. I'm sorry."
"Do not apologize for lacking the power to be at all places at all times, Caleb. Frankly, much as I like you, you'd become very tiring if you could," Mayo shook his head at the notion, "one can only have so much Fish Guy on the menu."
I rolled my eyes at 'Fish Guy' but let it slide. Then something else sunk in, "What's the third reason?"
 
"mmm?" 
 
"You said there were three reasons," I reminded him, not letting him off the all too apt proverbial hook,  "Mystic calling one, needs of undersea folk was two, what's three?"

"The one I've told you before," he says "I was a soldier, now I'm a mystic, but I have noticed in both cases that I still would hesitate to call myself a hero. I lack your noble restraint. I may use methods that are beyond merely weird, and delve right into the dubious. It would not be fair to you, my friend. You would be too quick to take my choices that you did not agree with on your own back. Look at how this started, you taking blame for a group choice has done harm to you. I will not contribute to that, and it will eventually happen."
 
"You're not a killer," I frowned at him. He had been plenty heroic, and I found myself wanting to argue on this last point.
 
"I am not a murderer," He corrected, "There is a difference. My point remains though, your New Samaritans have high ideals. I respect it, but the strongest pillars are eroded or cracked in time. I would not be a part of the pillar, I would be a force rushing past to support, but weakening it. Hard choices in my future, not a simple kill or be killed either, but more on par with what you faced with the cancer cure refusal. I will not add the weight of that to your own loads. You may blame yourself, Eel. You're so decent I fear I would -" he searched for the right word "tarnish you."
"I think you need those eyes checked again, blind or not," I snorted at his praise.
 
"Nevertheless, my three reasons stand," Mayo informed me, "But fear not, when the tides of time demand the waters writhe and the sky blacken with the fury of dirges too long silenced, I shall return with secret fire in hand to show you a way through the maze of ruination to the egress of hope."
I blinked at him, then gave him a stare and hoped my aura matched it, "You almost had me going for a moment there, then it got too corny."
"It was egress of hope that killed it, wasn't it?" He asked as if taking notes for the future.
 
"Lil over the top," I nodded with vigor.
 
"Poop," The enlightened one said, "Ah well. I shall work on my cryptic speech. Get back to recruiting, Caleb. I think the next person you run into will say yes. The stars are right for it." 
"Uh huh," I snorted, "Sure. Fool me once and all that," I said as I took a step to take my leave-
 
and promptly stomped on Pinprick.
 
As God is my witness, I didn't see him. Wasn't he with Hussar just a minute ago? Well, where ever he had been, currently he was on his back, the top part of him sticking out from under my shoe, glaring at me.
"If you don't move this size ten by the count of three," Pinprick warned me, "I'm going to shove it some place dark and I don't mean the Marianas trench. Comprende?"
 
I took my foot off him fast. 
 
"Whoops?" I said. Really I was going to get chewed out no matter how flowery I made it. 
 
"Whoops, he says" Pinprick got up dusting himself off, "You're lucky I don't fillet you, but Ariana would probably fuss about being a widow before she was a wife. Seriously, this is how sloppy you're getting when I'm gone?"
"Let me make it up to you," I told him and looked down, "They're forming a spin off team, and I figured it was a given that you'd stay here with Lady Obsidian but just to make sure-"
"Yes, I'm staying, Duh. Shouldn't even be a doubt. I stick with the boss lady, you know that," A shake of his head, "Now move quickly or you're going to lose two speedsters."
 
"Two...wait what?" I looked over to see Valentino talking to a certain redhead, "Wait, we were just sorting things out, getting a feel, he can't start recruiting."
 
"Who do you think is gonna lead the team in Port Cascade. Tornado and Brazen … seriously kid, you honestly think we wouldn't pick up on this plan? We're professional superheroes, which means we snoop on folks habitually. Now go before you're left with a team with zero speed unless you count you in the water. Trick question, super swimming  impresses no one."
 
I was already making haste while Pinprick was still griping.
 
"And after all my years of gentle mentorship too..."
 
"I'll buy you a beer!" I told him. And maybe stuff you in it , I thought, glad Aspirant was distracted.
 

A bigger nightmare (for Republicans) would be if Disney were to throw Scrooge McDuck levels of money at a massive PR campaign to convince Floridians just how badly they were going to be hurt by DeSantis and Republicans ruffling the feathers of the golden goose...

A bigger nightmare (for Republicans) would be if Disney were to throw Scrooge McDuck levels of money at a massive PR campaign to convince Floridians just how badly they were going to be hurt by DeSantis and Republicans ruffling the feathers of the golden goose...

I’d say Tornado and Brazen for co-leaders. 
 
As noted, Arctic Fox hasn’t really seemed a “people person”. Viewpoint and Slime have been more accustomed to running solo (and Slime may not have quite enough experience with Earth culture to ride center seat - though Viewpoint might appreciate an opportunity to go someplace where he doesn’t have a reputation to live down)
 
I also don’t see Pinprick leaving Lady O without pressing need, and moving cities would also likely impact time with his kid.
 
Tornado has the experience and people skills and Brazen can probably keep him grounded and on track. Plus, being in a different city will make it easier for her to keep from falling back into the “base support” role (imo)
 
Hussar makes sense to PC, both because it puts a brick on both teams and because he and Eel tend to rub each other the wrong way.  
 
Aspirant is going wherever Pogo goes, the question is whether she feels ready to maybe step out a little (and I’m not 100% sure she isn’t a minor still). 
 
I can see Bramble maybe stepping back to reserve status(?) - depending on how hard she plans on hitting the books.  Where depends on who has the better botany program and how much she feels the need for space. 
 
I like the idea of Trailblazer staying to fill the speedster role, plus I like how her powerset and Eel’s clash (my inner GM just starts cackling  and rubbing his hands together diabolically for some reason). 

I’d say Tornado and Brazen for co-leaders. 
 
As noted, Arctic Fox hasn’t really seemed a “people person”. Viewpoint and Slime have been more accustomed to running solo (and Slime may not have quite enough experience with Earth culture to ride center seat - though Viewpoint might appreciate an opportunity to go someplace where he doesn’t have a reputation to live down)
 
I also don’t see Pinprick leaving Lady O without pressing need, and moving cities would also likely impact time with his kid.
 
Tornado has the experience and people skills and Brazen can probably keep him grounded and on track. Plus, being in a different city will make it easier for her to keep from falling back into the “base support” role (imo)
 
Hussar makes sense to PC, both because it puts a brick on both teams and because he and Eel tend to rub each other the wrong way.  
 
Aspirant is going wherever Pogo goes, the question is whether she feels ready to maybe step out a little (and I’m not 100% sure she isn’t a minor still). 
 
I can see Bramble maybe stepping back to reserve status(?) - depending on how hard she plans on hitting the books.  Where depends on who has the better botany program and how much she feels the need for space. 
 
I like the idea of Trailblazer staying to fill the speedster role, plus I like how her powerset and Eel’s clash (my inner GM just starts cackling  and rubbing his hands together diabolically for some reason). 

Normally having the leader of the opposition incapacitated is a fantastic development, sure to lead to an after victory party complete with unhealthy beverages of one's preference, and cake! But neutralizing aforementioned leader at the cost of taking your entire group out at the same time is far from ideal when said bad guy's minions are still in play? Well, that a disaster. 
 
The tide shifted abruptly and without mercy against us. From the corner of my eye, I could see Trailblazer get kicked in the side by the empowered henchman who had decided he didn't want his fist burned a second time. Only the fact her natural protections hadn't faded during the psychic backlash of pain kept her from getting her ribs caved in! As it was, he sent her sprawling across the floor, and her flames snuffed.  Hussar crashed into the ground, disoriented, and got sucker punched by another assailant once he was in reach. The only other one I could see in the shadowed and chaotic setting was my co-Captain and lady. Valerosa had been a force. Stronger than the Mini-Eel set one on one, her might, durability, and martial arts training made her more than a match for any three of the goons. She was a professional, quick, and supporting any holes in our defenses the less tactically savvy had left open.
 
She was amazing. Then she always is. But the pain hit her too, and that moment was all it took for her to find herself with two of the Talent punching her in unison. One to the solar plexus, one to the jaw. Her powers aren't like mine are.... were. I am... was, always tough. If you shot me in my sleep, you better hope it was high caliber or all you'd get for your trouble was an angry North Carolinian who didn't appreciate someone making a BANG noise against his forehead while I was trying to get some shut eye. Valerosa shifted between densities and for her, it took some concentration.  It was a testament to her will power, and the fact she was no stranger to sudden agony in this business, that she managed to keep her density hard and resilient or that would have killed her. Ideally she would have shifted to ghost like intangibility instead.
 
Circumstances were far from ideal so it's amazing she stayed compact and unyielding, even if I worried she had slipped from diamond to mere steel. As it was, she was on the proverbial ropes. I had no idea how the others of the team were doing. The mental network had sent it's pain and clicked off as Aspirant went down being at ground zero of Ophiotaurus' madness. That was my fault. All of it was.
 
But I'd been beating at my chest far too much lately anyway, and there was work to be done. It was a hard call who was in the most trouble. Every selfish protective instinct in me wanted to take aim for one of the two trying to kill the woman I loved. But I pushed it down, and blasted instead at the goon about to finish Trailblazer off. Her own protections had gone out, there was no way she'd survive the gun aimed at her. There was another shudder, and the pulse blast came out a second time catching the guy in the torso and driving him back and out. 
 
I had recovered faster than my team mates from this. I'd like to say it was sheer willpower, but while I do have a certain pride in my tenacity (Which others have sometimes cruelly labeled 'pig headedness') the truth is, it was experience. Every superhero learns to cope with physical pain. Mental onslaughts are rarer, but after an Elder God puts you through a tragedy gauntlet,  other attempts don't hit you with as much surprise. Don't get me wrong, I still wanted to call for a time out and take two minutes  while the commercials played to sniffle off to the side and catch my breath but that wasn't an option.
 
Bully for me, right? 
 
That's when I got shot at again! Only blind dumb luck, distance and a bad angle for the shooter kept me from having a leg so filled with lead I'd set off airport security screenings when I walked in. I already had a round in my shoulder I was pretending didn't happen. No need to add to it. 
That's when Mayo reminded us he was still in the game. I hadn't realized, but the same backlash that had stung so many didn't even faze him. It was like he just let it pass through him, and made his move.
 
And his move was scary as hell.
 
He rose up in the air, a strange halo of violet hues casting shadows in a dozen directions. No, not casting shadows, revealing them. Mayo's voice reverberated through out the chamber despite being whisper soft. We all heard it, but we shouldn't have. 
 
"This way out of the Maelstrom, this way once more to the land you knew, I give you the power to make a difference one last time, and then you pass onto to the hidden seas of joy where you may finally join those who loved you. Spare my allies. To the rest? Bring Bedlam as Bedlam was once brought to you!"
 
And the shadows moved as if some dam behind them had burst open and was sweeping them forward on the Talent! As they did, they each took more individualistic forms; forms they must have worn once as flesh, but the recreations were imperfect to say the least. One shadow was now clearly in a straight jacket, but the buckles had broken loose and the ends of the straps now moved about him like snakes lashing and striking at the poor members of the Talent who he got near. Another shadow lurched zombie like while shocks popped along the surface of his body and head. He reached out and touched one of our foes and sent a charge through him. Yet another shadow held a large looping belt that caught fire and began to beat and burn the guy who had shot at me.
 
And each shadow was screaming, sharing their own brand of the hell they had been trapped in this place for decades with the unfortunate targets they'd been allowed by a mystic of the depths. 
 
"Let me out! My family needs me!" The shadow, oh hell, let's call him what he was, the GHOST in the serpent headed straight jacket cried out "Johnny needs his father! Johnny needs his father!" the fangs bit and tore at a member of the talent who, quite reasonably, blubbered like a little girl between screams.
One of Ophiotaurus' henchman fired at the ghost on him. It shouldn't be a surprise when your bullet goes through a haunt, but his eyes still widened as the lead flew through the shadow to hit the wall behind him. Still popping with electricity with no source beyond memory and madness, the lurching one caressed him again, causing the poor living man's to gasp as voltage from the other side electrified him. The ghost yelled "Why are you resisting your treatment? Why are you fighting your treatment?! This will go so much better if you let us help you!"
 
All the strength the members of the Talent had stolen from me didn't do them any good, as the guy who punched through one found out, only to find the ghost could very much affect him with a belt wreathed in ghost fire  that struck out again and again to the words "The Doctor will see you now! The Doctor will SEE you now! " each repeat of the phrase with an emphasis on a different word as the ghost struck out again and again.
 
Others passed by me, by the other New Samaritans, with hungry looks in their eyes, a desire to lessen their pain by sharing it. Perhaps out of envy that we got to live, and their lives had been taken from them by a place that had promised help, and failed in a time where such abuses went unpunished by law. 
"No! Not the innocent" Mayo declared "You go to Judgement... and the freedom it brings. Add no more weight to the scales!" He made a gesture I did not recognize, a circle with his hands which he blew through- and the ghosts were picked up by a new invisible tide, pulled out to another ocean I hoped not to cross for some time. And... they stopped howling, spread their limbs, and smiled as they were carried away to that 'Hidden Sea of Joy' Mayo had mentioned.
 
And they were gone.
 
Mayo fell to his knees, looking as if he might pass out if he tried to so much as stand up again. Ophiotaurus's men were a mess. Some were in fetal positions, one was praying, another was waving his gun around to this spot, then that, as if expecting the ghosts to return. They weren't as badly hurt as I had expected, not physically, the wounds caused by them seemed to be fading as if to follow after the ghosts that had afflicted them. But  they only healed so much, not completely, and I beat right now the more rational ones were wondering if their boss' health insurance plan included therapy.
 
Lots and lots of therapy.
 
Mayo had brought us time, I realized. Saved more than one of us from being taken out while we were dazed. We should, I concluded, probably take advantage of that. 
 
I shot the guy who was pointing his gun at shadows rather than us, sending him against the wall "Clean house ,and quick, Sammies! Before they recover!" 
 
"Before they can recover? I need new underwear myself!" Hussar declared unfurling his wings which had folded around him as if to act as a wall to hide behind during the ghost surge "Jesus!"
 
"is not to blame for that" I finished "Aspirant, you okay man?" I saw him rising. Good, he'd be needed. I had a new idea, and hoped our favorite Canadian would trust me enough after my last mistake. Trailblazer was still out. Mayo was spent. Viewpoint? Where the hell was... 
There was a blast sound that did not come from my gun and another member of the Talent toppled. View point's eyes glowed as he cradled what appeared to be a broken arm. 
 
Above us, was Bramble ignoring orders and poking her head in as a target. Well,  that worked. I'd have her wrap up foes we downed , the tide had turned again, and at this rate, there was no way we'd lose.
 
Ophiotaurus grabbed me from behind, holding a gauntlet blaster to my throat with a grip that was so strong, I was sure there was some low grade exoskeleton technology, "I can kill at least one God.  I can finish, at least one who kept a healer from healing. Good bye,  Fish Guy"
Just had to jinx yourself, didn't you, Caleb? I thought to myself and considered trying to slip the grip.
 
'I'm up, I'm up,' Aspirant thought to me 'But don't ask me to bring up that trauma again. Trust me, it did not help'
 
I abandoned the idea to break the hold. Too chancy. Right now, I was sure Valerosa was circling as well, looking for the best way to help me. Hussar thumped another Talent. Glad to see he was at least passing his time unable to help me directly productively.
 
Viewpoint seemed to be contemplating shooting through me to get at Ophiotaurus. Hard to tell.
 
'New idea,' I told Aspirant 'I distract him, you probe his mind... for these sorts of memories' and I visualized as best I could. 
 
Meanwhile my lips moved "Doctor Bench, you're a good man, you're just confused. I'm not a god, none of us are. But what we did, we did not out of apathy. It may have been the wrong choice, it may have been a mistake, and if you wanted me to hurt over that choice, you've no idea how much I've done that recently. But what you're doing, this isn't going to fix what happened. This isn't going to make it right. This isn't a cure for humanity. It's just more pain only this time, you're becoming a willing participant in spreading it."
 
"I can make sure you never make such another 'mistake' again," the man seethed, "And it's Ophiotaurus now. Doctor Bench believed in you and was helpless. I know better."
 
'Now' I thought to Aspirant 'Slow and gradual then build' and I spoke to Ophiotaurus, no, I spoke to Dr. Bench, "Ophiotaurus is the one who is helpless to help. You, Dr. Bench, did more good than he ever did. Ever will do. You have to remember that. If you only cling to your defeats and ignore the victories against the dark, you end up joining the Dark. Trust me. I've been there."
 
'Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs' Aspirant thought back at my advice on how to do this.
 
'Seriously?' I mentally retorted 'You're using that phrase on me?'
 
'American's don't own folksy. I got some friends in Alberta who can out good ole boy you any day of the week, now quiet, this is hard, like walking through a land mine field'
 
Speaking of things, or people, that might blow up any second, Ophiotaurus fingers dug deeper into the sides of my throat. He could rip really hard and tear it out, or he could blast away and just take my head off, "Trust you?  I did, remember? You have the audacity to mewl about your pain behind your life time of super powers that kept you sheltered ,and secure? The arrogance, the unmitigated gall. I've seen pain, I remember ... " his eyes got distant "I remember true courage. A thirteen year old boy, putting on a smile on his face for his parents, then weeping when they left because he could see their helplessness was killing them even as he died. I saved him, i helped him save himself, and I..." 
 
"He lived?" I asked. Clearly I needed to get off the subject of me. This was not an Eel moment, this was about the missing Doctor Bench.
 
"Yes, it so close but the surgery and treatment worked. The boy was a fighter I," A smile , not a sinister smile, no, almost beatific, filled his face and flowed into Ophiotaurus/Bench's voice, "I remember how I felt when I told his parents that it was gone."
 
"Must have felt wonderful," I told him "To save lives like that." In this, I did know something of it. I'd saved some lives myself. Mayo was right. I didn't thank  the folks I rescued enough. It might be selfish, but a sense of purpose , making the world just a bit better, was a form of happiness I wouldn't trade for anything.
"oh, it was,"  He said, his grip loosening, "I took the families, there and ours, out on a steak dinner. Doctors are supposed to keep their distance, you know? But to hell with it. There was much to celebrate."
 
"Only time you ever did that for a patient?" I asked.
 
"No, there was a young woman with a very rare disease, her father paid for that, insisted. She was a pianist," If not for the blaster hand still at my throat, this might be a nice conversation. Aspirant, I realized, was doing what I hoped for. Not going for the worst days of his life, but the best. 
We need to remember our victories. We need to remember those few times, those far too few times perhaps, when we added beauty to the world instead of ugliness. When we made it better. Bench had been making things better for people for years. I was hoping our resident telepath would help him realize that.
 
"Classical?" I asked.
 
"Yes, My wife and I went to a recital she put on just two years ago I..." His voice caught "My wife must be worried. Oh, my son. I.."
 
"They miss you," I encouraged gently, "They miss the real you, Dr. Bench."
 
"She left me" he muttered.
 
"No, Bench left, and when she couldn't find him anymore, she left Ophiotaurus" I told him in a tone of ruthless honesty. It was a gamble, but it was my head to risk. Besides, he needed to hear it, "I get killing me. I do think Dr. Bench should live though."
"He.. I .. was a fool," But the villain and victim holding me hostage didn't sound sure.
 
"You were a healer, and could be again. A healer, not a crusader, not a judge. a healer. I am so sorry what I've taken from you, and from your family. For my part in it. I may have made a mistake, and I'll have to live with that burden for the rest of my life. But please, don't let your rage towards me, however righteous you feel it is, rob you of everything good in this world, and don't let it rob the world of a loving husband and father, and a healer. You wanted to save tens of thousands; but you can't. I'm sorry, but does that mean the dozens, maybe hundreds you can save deserve to die because Bench was abandoned so Ophiotaurus could avenge the rest? I looked at the big picture once. The many over the few. Now, now you're doing it too, and throwing away a good man with a wonderful life on top of it. We gotta break this circle, you have to break it, Doctor Bench. You don't have to forgive me, but you can at least forgive yourself."
 
I worried I was blathering, that I sounded like an idiot. I meant every damn word, but sincerity, while powerful, isn't always easy to be sure of from the outside. Aspirant was the real hope here. Every memory of everyone Bench saved was was infusing his active thoughts, all the good he did before, a reminder of what he might yet unfold.
 
Suddenly the grip was gone. The gauntlet not over my neck, but around my shoulders, causing me to fight a wince as my wound was aggravated. And then? I was holding a mastermind, as he  sobbed into my arms. What the hell do you say in such a situation? There there with a back pat? Read him his rights?  No, you tell him what you hope will be true, then you work hard to make it so.
 
"It'll be okay" I told him putting a hand on his shoulder in turn and looking him in the eyes, "It'll be okay, Doctor Bench."
 
Kindness, mercy, compassion, had defeated Ophiotaurus where brute force might have cemented him even if we won. There was a lesson in that.
 
Didn't stop us from disarming him and his men, of course. We're idealistic, not stupid.

…and Russia says he’ll leave if she agrees not to join the neighborhood watch (NATO), gets rid of her gun and dog (demilitarizes), doesn’t disagree with him ever in public (becomes officially “neutral”), and abandons “woke” ideologies (ok, so I have no more idea what de-nazification is supposed to be than anyone else).
 
Sound about right?

I’m thinking I’ve seen where he said something similar fairly recently. Though unless he backs it up with something egregiously stupid, it’s just posturing. 
 
Attacking a NATO country, or pretty much any other country, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when he apparently has his hands full militarily with Ukraine. 
 
I’m in the camp that suspects he’s just trying to convince everybody else that he just might be crazy enough to do the unthinkable if he’s pushed too far and maybe we shouldn’t be too enthusiastic with the implementation of sanctions. 
 
Hopefully I’m just not trying to reassure myself that Putin hasn’t really gone crazy and he’s trying to convince himself (and the people who would have to actually push the buttons) that he’s justified in trying to destroy world in self-defense. 

I’m thinking I’ve seen where he said something similar fairly recently. Though unless he backs it up with something egregiously stupid, it’s just posturing. 
 
Attacking a NATO country, or pretty much any other country, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when he apparently has his hands full militarily with Ukraine. 
 
I’m in the camp that suspects he’s just trying to convince everybody else that he just might be crazy enough to do the unthinkable if he’s pushed too far and maybe we shouldn’t be too enthusiastic with the implementation of sanctions. 
 
Hopefully I’m just not trying to reassure myself that Putin hasn’t really gone crazy and he’s trying to convince himself (and the people who would have to actually push the buttons) that he’s justified in trying to destroy world in self-defense.