As a follow-up to my last post...

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

Could we please designate the Hellfire Club as hostile territory of the 'Do not go fucking go there' type now?

This has been playing with fire all along, to foster connections with them. I suppose there's an argument to be made for keeping the lines of communication open, but exactly how many times do we let the Inner Circle hurt our kids before we stop giving them the opportunity?

Pete's gone to talk to Emma. To be perfectly honest, I don't care what she has to say for herself. Unless she was being similarly restrained and assaulted in another room while this was going on, she's proven herself untrustworthy when it comes to the welfare of our students, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm thinking a blanket ban for minor students on any contact with any member of the Hellfire Club, including Emma, wouldn't be going too far. As for student who are of age, right now I'm leaning towards the idea of no contact with the Hellfire Club being a requirement of their tenure here. Any thoughts?

As for those of you on the team... this is me being dictatorial and overbearing. Anyone who would like to continue taking orders from me will not get themselves involved in any way with the Hellfire Club, except in case of emergency, with suitable back-up on hand if humanly possible.

Edited to add: Scratch the dictatorial and overbearing part. I'm spoken to those of you who have business relationships with companies associated with the Hellfire Club (with the exception of Betsy, of course, who's still unconscious) and I'm satisfied that the risk can be managed. As for social contacts, if you report to me, you report on them. I think we've had enough incidents at this point that you're all aware of how stupid it would be to go into that place without back-up, so I'll leave it at that.

Comments

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

Right now we're not an enemy. This school is too tied into the club, with the Worthingtons, the Braddocks, even Xavier's family is on the register. We're a piece on the board, either asset or liability to others. That means we're looked at as something to be exploited, or manipulated, or betrayed. But we start cutting ties, remove the possibility advantages to them, start looking like a threat, and we'll be seen as something to be destroyed.

Whether personally acceptable or not, the best defense we may have is bolstering Emma Frost's position in the Inner Circle. As long as they are fighting each other for control, they're not fighting us.

More importantly, if they feel we're still in the game, that gives us rare and slim chances to manipulate it for our own ends. It also puts us at risk of being exploited.

There is no good solution, Scott. I'm the first to agree with that, but this school hasn't come up against the Hellfire Club yet. We skirmished with the Black Circle and some individuals. For all we know, Manuel's attack was a personal affair between him and his father, and not the IC itself. But if you cut everything off, you're drawing a line in the sand. And, trust me on this homme, they'll step over it if you do.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

I'll wait and hear what Emma had to say for herself. That's all the compromise I'm willing to make right now.

But the kids stay away. Each and every single one of them. I can't justify the risk anymore.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

I'll wait and hear what Emma had to say for herself. That's all the compromise I'm willing to make right now.

Just remember that our options are limited, Scott. And taking what is the morally or ethically correct stance to prove something could still get a lot of people killed as a result.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

You think this is about morals and ethics?

Any other day, I'd find that funny.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

You're talking about cutting off all intelligence and communications, and just maybe dumping us in a war with powerful people because you're afraid that Emma Frost isn't trustworthy and we might get exploited.

Also, you just laid down the law for people who have day to day dealings with HFC organizations, like Worthington Industries. Enforcing that is going to make people notice, Scott. You up the stakes, they're going to up them right back.

It's reckless tactically, strategically, and operationally, and increases the amount of danger to the school and students. Which means if it's not a moral or ethical decision, I can't understand why you're making it.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

First of all, I was under the impression that I'd already backed down when it comes to cutting off all communication? Haroun already pointed out how unfeasible it is to break off certain business relationships. I've talked to Warren and Moira already today about their business ties. What do I need to do, LeBeau? Wander around mea culpa-ing until you're satisfied I learned my lesson?

But the kids are non-negotiable. Unless you can provide me with some sort of plausible way in which letting them wander into the Hellfire Club and come back to the medlab somehow serves the greater good.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

You know what, homme, if you're not listening, there's no point in me talking. Do what you think is best.

[x-juggernaut.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I'm siding with you on this. The kids shouldn't be out places like that anyway - I've heard of what goes on there.

But regardless, whatever happened, happened THERE and not HERE. Small comfort, but what're the odds these two delinquents (and don't get on me for calling them that, you know them as well as I do - troublemakers the both of them) got in over their heads with that stuff?

Doesn't mean it's someone overly hostile - could be our little witch just bit off more than she could chew.