Starting Over with dl_greenarrow.

[kneel_majorzod]

Once again, Zod doesn't really know what to expect. That seems to be the way most of his meetings have gone lately. Not that he's at all frightened off by that fact. Quite the contrary; the Major arrives at the Talon earlier than planned, selecting a table and sliding into a chair

Comments

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver arrives right on time. He's not entirely sure what to expect from this meeting, either. But he feels a great deal more open-minded than he did in previous months. On top of that, he feels calmer, as well. Weird.

He spots the major in the Talon and nods at him even as he slides into the chair across from him. "Major," he says, even going so far as to extend his hand.

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod nods in greeting, giving the other man a very small polite smile and extending his own hand to shake the one offered to him. "Mr. Queen."

[dl_greenarrow]

"Are you hungry?" Oliver asks after returning the small smile.

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod shakes his head as the waitress returns to set his drink on the table. "No, I'm all right. But feel free, by all means."

[dl_greenarrow]

"Yeah, she did," he says quietly, nodding. "It wasn't a pretty picture, Major. You and your people had completely taken over the earth. The majority of humanity was gone. That which wasn't was enslaved."

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod can't fully conceal his genuine surprise at that information, and he remains silent for a long moment, considering Oliver's words carefully. "That explains a lot," he says at last, sighing softly. "Now I understand why you jumped to the conclusions you did."

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver is still surprised that the man across from him clearly had no real idea of how the future could have turned out. Fortunately it seems as though enough has changed that it isn't going to happen now. "I didn't realize you were unaware of that information," he says honestly. "I just assumed you knew."

[kneel_majorzod]

He stares down at his drink thoughtfully for several seconds before speaking again. "Well, I hope you believe me when I say that I want to prevent this future as much as you do." He glances up at Oliver again, meeting the other man's gaze. "That is not what I want for this planet or myself."

[dl_greenarrow]

"That makes sense," he says with a slight nod. "I assume you're planning to do this in person?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"Yes, I am," Zod tells him quietly. "I'll be leaving fairly soon, and I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. It depends on how much time is needed to get through to them. And once I do so, it is very possible that I will need to travel to other countries, as well."

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver considers that for a moment. "I assume Tess is probably helping you set up meetings with the UN leaders and arranging for travel?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"Tess is helping, yes, but a great deal of the assistance I've received in this approach has come from Miss Sullivan," he says with a small smile. "As well as another woman I've become acquainted with. Apparently, she possesses certain influence within the UN and will be able to arrange a meeting."

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver thinks for a moment, though he returns the small smile. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure," he admits.

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod raises his eyebrows slightly at that. "We'll just have to say I owe you one, then. For when you do think of something."

[dl_greenarrow]

He pauses and looks at the other man seriously. "What if we agree not to keep score on this? We have the same general goals. If I can be of assistance, let me know. I'll just do the same."

[kneel_majorzod]

A hint of his smile returns, and he nods in agreement. "Very well. Thank you, Mr. Queen. I really appreciate it."