> Saving the Future: Playing Both Ends
>
> “Why are you doing this?†Kerry Shepherdson demanded to know of the secret benefactor of the Junior Lair Legion, a.k.a. the New Lair Legion. “All of this stuff gives us the edge over the … other Legion, but they’ve got the government’s seal of approval, and you’re –â€Â
>
> “A non-confrontational industrialist whose business relies upon maintaining cooperative relationships with that same government,†Mr. Gideon Book anticipated Kerry’s objection.
>
> “Something like that,†Kerry admitted, peeved at his ability to peg her so placidly.
>
> Mr. Book sighed heavily, and for just a moment, Kerry felt like she could spot genuine regret behind his mirror-shades mask of detached professionalism. “Foxglove had … unfulfilled potential,†he frowned, before turning to her, his eyes still hidden behind reflective lenses. “He would not have endorsed your rivals for the title of the Lair Legion, and while he and I never fell short of matters on which to disagree, I learned to respect his judgments of character.†The corners of his mouth curled into a wry smile. “Which is not to say that I wouldn’t appreciate your discretion about this arrangement –â€Â
>
> “Hey, I’m no snitch!†Kerry shot back. “If you could trust him, you can trust us!â€Â
>
> “I’m sure you’re not,†Mr. Book tilted his head deferentially, “and I’m sure I can.â€Â
> __________
>
> “Why are you doing this?†Baroness Elizabeth Zemo inquired mildly of the secret benefactor of the Purveyors of Peril, a.k.a. the New Lair Legion. “All of these materials afford us an advantage over the … other Legion, but they’re acting against our government-sanctioned authority, and you’re –â€Â
>
> “A so-called ‘supervillain,’†The Word of Order completed her thought.
>
> Beth indulged in a smirk. “You said it, not me.â€Â
>
> “Despite the pejorative labels that have been applied to my person and my organization, I can promise you honestly that I hold the law in high regard,†The Word claimed, in an eerily serene voice that Beth couldn’t help but think sounded truthful.
>
> “Be that as it may, this aid must come at a price,†Beth’s stubborn skepticism persisted, in spite of The Word’s persuasive personality. “There’s no such thing as a gift without strings attached, especially not one on this scale.â€Â
>
> “True enough,†The Word’s voice betrayed hints of amused approval, even as the expression on his black-and-white facemask remained disquietingly fixed. “Regardless of the outcome of this conflict, all that I’d request is that you convey to the authorities my genuine intention to bring about a more perfect Order.â€Â
>
> “Is that all?†Beth snorted, then shrugged. “Why not? It’ll irritate Dream’s friends and family no end to hear me testify to his archenemy’s deeds in defense of the law.â€Â
> __________
>
> “Why are you doing this?†the Priestess Pelopia, the Disciple of Logos, sought to understand. “By arming both sides of this conflict, you actually foster greater Chaos –â€Â
>
> “Which will ultimately resolve itself into Order much sooner than it would do otherwise,†Pelopia’s father pointed out. “I am hastening the conclusion of this ‘Civil War’ of Lair Legions, by enhancing equally both of their respective capacities to eliminate one another. As much as I am opposed to Chaos, Order can learn much from it. In this case, I’ve adopted a strategy which would no doubt meet with Foxglove’s approval.†He met his daughter’s confused stare. “The numbers and natures of variables in this equation make it impossible for me to forecast which side will win, so … I’m cheating.â€Â
>
> “Cheating,†Pelopia repeated, with what almost sounded like distaste.
>
> “No matter which side wins, they must believe that I played an instrumental part in their victory, and that I acted against my own best self-interests in order to do so,†Pelopia’s father explained patiently. “Therefore, Mr. Gideon Book, the civic-minded but cautious and law-abiding capitalist, has risked any number of lucrative contracts with the legally recognized establishment, simply by tossing a few bones to a pack of teenage rebels, whereas The Word of Order, so often reduced by consensus opinion to the role of a costumed criminal, has contributed to the operations of a system that would apprehend his person and stamp out his organization.â€Â
>
> “And thus, because both your personae appear to be acting contrary to tactically sound patterns, those who attempt to make sense of their behaviors will assume them to be morally motivated,†Pelopia deduced.
>
> “And once again, Order proves its superiority to Chaos, by making Chaos itself a Tool of Order,†Pelopia’s father concluded.
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