Inquiry

[Forger]

"Oh, well, allow me to introduce myself then."

Monroe, dusting off his suit, reached into his pocket for another slip he used for his contact information.  Examining Eric up close, it was easy to see why some people would seem intimidated by him.  Eric seemed to carry himself with a lot of strength, something a man of the armed forces would usually do.  Monroe knew better than to operate socially on first assumptions, but Eric had managed to distinguish himself from a lot of other people rather quickly.

"Monroe Stein, I've been hired by Lustre here to represent him regarding his illegal detention by none other than the Zarenthian Hand.  I've advised my client not to speak to you personally, but if you're willing to let your men contact me, I'm sure we can set up a meeting to discuss these matters...diplomatically, of course."

[Zero]

Telepathically, Aseron asked Monroe. -Should I eject him from my office with the security system?- He calmly looked at Mann, but knew that the man was not here for political friendship. Debugging his home had been hard enough, and that was reason to distrust any of the words that Mann said. Still he pretended to go along with the words of Mann, but did not even shake his hand but put the remote away. Voice technologies were all the rage these days, and if needed he would speak and tell his security system to kick Mann out harder than he would normally. You see the resentment and hatred of this man, Eric Mann had been building in Lustre for a few days now.

Stealth bugging a property was definitely on one of the things he would bar the hand from doing when/if he got into the senate. Obviously to do so he would need to surpass Mann in the race, but that would not be yet of course. For he did not know of Ezra's little plan to make all his affairs look legitimate. But still, Mann was a grade a moron. Which meant something had to be done about him and soon, but what could be done. Also, he made the telepathic message in such a way that Mann could not intercept it.

[K2]

"Call my offices any time. We would be happy to set up a meeting to discuss what you have referred to as my organization's.. "illegal" actions. I'm sure we can get all these matters settled.. Without having to put Mr. Lustre through the experience of loosing a court battle."

Eric Mann had chosen his words carefully as he accepted Mr. Monroe's card, subtly placing it in his pants pocket. A lawyer -- just what he needed. So much for coming to apologize. He couldn't very well talk to Lustre in the presence of a lawyer.. It could have ruined everything.

Mann couldn't let a lawyer ruin the elections. Truth was, there was no telling who would win in a court case. Normally, Mann would have no qualms with.. buying out the court at a time like this. However; he couldn't much do that now. He was running for the senate, after all. It was too risky.

He was sure not to let his thoughts be revealed by his face or body actions. Training permitted him to keep stable in the presence of others -- intimidating, even. It was the quality of a good leader. He knew how to keep people at bay. He knew how to affect their emotions.. He did so by affecting his own emotions.

"Of course, Mr. Lustre, I must say.. You are brave. Launching a court case during an election? What will the voters think?"

He smirked, glancing at Mr. Monroe.

"We'll be in contact, I'm sure.. Good day, gentlemen."

He walked out of the transport vehicle with a confident smile on his face. He had not accomplished what he came to do, but he had accomplished something. He'd shown his opponent that he wasn't going to be taken down without a fight. Things were shaping out to be much more interesting than Mann had hoped. He liked that.

He really did like that..

[Forger]

"Good day."

Monroe merely nodded with a smile, unwavering from his previous gestures, as Eric Mann exited the premises.  Even as Eric left both of their presence, Monroe's smile was unwavering.  Turning back to his client, Monroe couldn't help but speak bluntly.

"Well, Eric seems to be a very tough and confident individual.  Either he will let his confidence betray him and screw up, or he'll come to his senses and do the right thing...whatever he thinks that is."

[Zero]

"We need to make sure the Hand can't interfere anymore. So I propose we write him a cease-fire document that is legally airtight and will prevent the hand from getting involved again. Particularly I don't relish the idea of cleaning out my office of bugs again once I move to a new location. So do you have any solutions that could work to handle the problem?" asked Aseron as he went over and pulled out some contract paper and laid it on the table.

"Now, what terms should we put on this cease-fire document?"

[Forger]

"No cease fire document should be issued.  Not at this time, anyways.  Right now, we just need to get your documents to a safe location outside of this office, and you need to get back to your campaigning.  I want you to show the public that, despite these incidents, that you are addressing them in a calm and orderly manner.  And with that, I think it's best we part ways.  You have my number, just call me whenever you need my services."

Dusting himself off and straightening his tie, Monroe let out a confident breath before remembering something.

"Actually, something just occurred to me.  Do you know if Eric Mann has ever served time in the military or any other kind of government service?"

[Zero]

"Yes, but not much about it. I need to get an inquiry done on that. Also, do you have the ability to file a restraining order to keep them out of whatever new place I decide to use? I don't feel like sweeping my office a 2nd time.  After all the effort I went to cleaning it, I suppose you could understand." said Aseron.

[Forger]

"I'll look into it, but that would probably take a little bit of time.  In the meantime, make sure the office is occupied by someone you trust at all times, and nobody comes in unless they are authorized to be there.  In the meantime, get back to your campaign and keep working.  I'll be in contact shortly, and if you need anything in the meantime just call me."

And with that, Monroe's first leg of business of establishing himself in his client's case.  Everything else at this point was just a matter of concentration and patience, because eventually this incident would reach some kind of settlement.  Giving himself a mental pat on the back, Monroe looked over to the rest of the office (which was being shuffled around) before looking back at his client.

"Do you have anything to eat here?  I'm kind of hungry at the moment."

[Zero]

Some La'con brew and Qi wraps appeared near Monroe. "Alright. Ezra will get right on that while I get back to the campaign, each of us to our strong suits I suppose." With that, he walked out to where the media was gathered and gave his second speech that he had done in so many days.