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]

"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 nods slightly. "What kind of pitch will you use?" he asks curiously.

[kneel_majorzod]

That will garner a small sigh from him, and he shifts his gaze down to the table thoughtfully. "I'm going to have to give quite the speech. Luckily, that happens to be one of my specialties, but specifically, I'm not completely sure just yet. I'm hoping that, if I can clearly express my purpose, we'll be able to reach an understanding."

He pauses for a moment, meeting Oliver's gaze once more. "But as I said, I'm not going into it alone. And my ideas are not the only ones being expressed. My associates will have a great deal of input, as well."

[dl_greenarrow]

He is silent for a long moment, listening intently to the other man's words. "It sounds like there are still some things to be sorted out before you meet with them." He sips his tea and leans back in his seat, studying Zod.

Then he folds his hands on top of the table. "Do you have specifics in mind as far as how to go about achieving peace?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"There are. Which is why there is still some time before I'll be leaving."

Oliver's question, however, causes him to pause again. "The wisest course of action, I think, is to start from a purely diplomatic standpoint. Go to various countries, share my ideas, and in theory, begin to unite humanity. More specifics will come with time; a meeting for that very reason is planned to take place soon, between myself, Miss Sullivan, and the other woman I mentioned."

[dl_greenarrow]

He nods slightly. "I think uniting humanity will be very difficult," he admits after a moment. "But I agree that's the wisest course of action."

[kneel_majorzod]

"I know it will," Zod tells him softly. "But I have to attempt it. Otherwise, I'm afraid neither of us will ever achieve our goals. You'll never get your justice, and I'll have failed to save this planet. And then we'll never be able to give that other part of the balance the attention it deserves."

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver sighs softly. "I suppose you're right," he says quietly. "And somehow I don't think either of us is the type to give up very easily when it comes to things that are important to us."

[kneel_majorzod]

"No," he agrees, leaning back against his chair and sipping his drink thoughtfully. "We're not. And luckily, I think we want basically the same thing. Though justice in itself isn't my main goal, it will come if I succeed."

[dl_greenarrow]

"And I certainly have no protests about world peace," he says without hesitation, nodding a little. "So I guess that leaves us to think about how we can assist each other."

[kneel_majorzod]

"I suppose it does." Zod studies the other man curiously. "And do you have any ideas as to that?"

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver thinks about that for a moment, sipping absently on his iced tea. "I have a bit of influence in certain political circles. It may be able to help you gain meetings with some of them. I can't guarantee that of course, but...it's worth a shot."

[kneel_majorzod]

"You'd be willing to do that?" he asks uncertainly, keeping his eyes fixed on the man sitting across from him.