AAG - Wyngarde and Strathdee

[x-adrienne.livejournal.com]

The two plotters discuss their plot before the Hellfire Club party, as Wyngarde has altered it without Strathdee's knowing and Strathdee is not impressed.


“I have missed dear drab old London. Even tarted up for the Olympics, it still maintains such a thorough sense of tired, grey history.” Jason Wyngarde poured himself a whiskey from the decanter on the sideboard, with a generous drop of water to excite the bouquet. He’d arrived less than an hour prior, Shaw’s advance man in preparation for the events of the evening. The London Hellfire Club was holding a rare, semi-public event for charity. The reality was that the black tie evening was a cover for the meeting of the Lords Cardinal to discuss the stunning revelations of the damnation of the Steed/Shaw affair. A few non-members from the rich and influential would have a chance to see the expensive masterpieces and priceless artifacts from four centuries of Empire, be richly dined, and open their pocketbooks to write checks for some hospital or another.

In truth, secretly, the deliberations would begin. The thought excited Wyngarde, although he was far too controlled to let it show in his face. At this time next week, he’d have a celebration of his own in New York, as he was named Black King. “Conrad, you’re looking tense. Something on your mind?”

Strathdee took a moment to answer swirling the whiskey in his own glass before looking over at his accomplice, his thoughts as turbulent as the whiskey in his hand. "Can you blame me?" he asked tersely, “I’ve been waiting for this moment since I first laid eyes on the Wilson account.” He’d been manipulating the Red King for some time, but this to actually influence the entire Hellfire Club like this, it was something he had only ever dreamed of.

"You should be savouring the moment. Steed is neutralized and the only person she can possibly see as the person orchestrating this is either Templeton or New York's White Court. Either way, it will stop them from thinking that poor Sir Alan had any hand in it. And since he doesn't benefit, what possible reason could you have to influence him to do so?" Jason took a sip, relishing it. The setup was brilliant- Shaw was already distrusted for his ambition, and Steed's attitude made them seem like perfect partners for a conspiracy. Remove Templeton and the London Chapter would be dominated by Steed.

Her help would give the Black Court a tremendous advantage over Frost and her mutant allies.

A slow smile spread over Strathdee's face as he took Wyngarde's advice, their plan was going perfectly so far. He raised his glass in the other man's direction, "A masterful plan," he toasted. "The White Court won't even know what hit them, and poor Sir Alan," he continued sarcastically anger and disgust at his "benefactor" filling his voice, I can't wait to see his face when the everything kicks off."

"Assuming he grasps it the first time around. Let's not celebrate prematurely, though. Steed and Shaw are extremely dangerous. His reliance on my networks has allowed me to obfuscate his search, but Boudreaux is doing her own, no doubt mobilizing what remains of her assassins. If either of them have someone in Quentin's retinue compromised and our dear Blue King has been careless, they could tie things back to you, Conrad." Wyngarde took a sip of his drink. "Which is why I have made some adjustments to your assault plan."

Strathdee froze, his drink half way to his lips; his lips narrowed as he turned to face Wyngarde full on. "You did what?" he asked coldly. "And what exactly possessed you to do that my friend?"

"Because Templeton is a liability to us both. Fortunately, the Black Queen's former Guild was more than happy to accept a generous contract on his life, with the added fiction that the contract comes from her. So when they are captured, tortured and questioned, it will seem yet another piece of their plot to puppet the Blue Court for Emma's benefit. Obviously, with Templeton dead, they believe that they can intimidate the rest of us. And when Sir Alan acts as we suspect he will, the vote of non-confidence from the Red Court will stand.

Strathdee's fist tightened on his glass, forcing the blood from his fingers as he absorbed Wyngarde's answer. It had been the right decision, but to so casually alter the plans and only inform him after the fact, that was a situation that Strathdee couldn't stand. "I see," he mused as he turned away from the other man, "an acceptable decision. But Jason, never forget we're partners in this" Strathdee reminded Wyngarde, a glacier would have been warmer than his voice at that moment, "next time you have a brain wave please do let me know before you unilaterally decide to enact it."

"Oh course, Conrad." Wyngarde said, hiding a smile. Allies today, but tomorrow? Ah, what would the future bring?