I10DT: War and Peace

[Gideon Rede]

"It will be the starting point at least," Gideon said, "I'm having a hard time imagining what they'll come up with."

[Nailah Weaver]

"I'm sure they'll come to a conclusion soon if they haven't already."

[Gideon Rede]

"Maybe," Gideon said, "Won't know until they pull us all out of here...."

Gideon was silent for a moment before speaking quietly.

"Thank you for coming down here."

[Nailah Weaver]

"You're welcome." she smiles faintly before turning to leave.

[Madrox Saavedra]

Sometime later, Madrox approached the cell. His face was a veritable sea of conflicting emotions.

[Gideon Rede]

Gideon was meditating again, eyes closed, and back turned. There really wasn't much of anything to do inside of a holding cell, so he was making do.

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Awake in there?"

[Gideon Rede]

"Madrox?" Gideon asked turning to look at his friend.

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Please tell me he forced this on you."

[Gideon Rede]

"You and Nailah both asked the same question," Gideon said, "The answer is yes and no."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Go on," he said, wanting to hear it for himself.

[Gideon Rede]

"Apocalypse approached me through Death after I got back from Moscow," Gideon said, "I didn't know it was Death at the time. Once he'd taken me to an alley he watched the entrance while I went to meet his leader. His leader turned out to be Apocalypse, so basically I was stuck between Apocalypse and his horseman in a secluded area."

"Apocalypse made me an offer and I accepted it."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"So you felt it was a join or die situation?"

[Gideon Rede]

"I would be lying if I told you that a large part of me didn't want what he was promising," Gideon said, "Power to protect and uplift mutants. Telling me I could do everything I always wanted to do and the only price was loyalty. Or I could die."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"I can't say what choice I'd make in your shoes... but you were in the same class I was, you knew exactly what his twisted version of loyalty was."

[Gideon Rede]

"I did," Gideon said.

[Madrox Saavedra]

"I... I'm glad you broke free..."

[Gideon Rede]

"McManus and Kyra deserve the credit for that," Gideon said, "They helped peel back the War persona, so that I could break free from it. I don't think I would have broken free on my own."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"I imagine few could."

[Gideon Rede]

"Maybe, maybe not," Gideon said with a shrug.

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Gid. I know you weren't in your right mind when you did those things."

He sighed, "But... I won't lie to you. Part of me was scared that you might have been all too willing."

[Gideon Rede]

"I can understand that," Gideon said, "It's hard to describe what was happening."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"I won't make you relive it."

[Gideon Rede]

"Kind of you, Madrox," Gideon smiled slightly. "But I'll relive it every day of my life, eh?"

[Madrox Saavedra]

"I suppose you will..."

[Gideon Rede]

"People dying by the hundreds," Gideon said, "Some I killed myself, others killed for me, and others who were collateral damage. I hurt people I'd fought with. I felt Stephanie's bones break beneath my hand."

Gideon closed his eyes for a moment then looked at Madrox again.

"I'll never forget those things and I never should."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"The best you can do is let it strengthen your resolve to avoid that path."

[Gideon Rede]

"That's what I'm trying to do," Gideon said, "Can't do anything else."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Good," he said, "I... never want to fight you again."

[Gideon Rede]

"I don't think you could beat me anymore, Madrox," Gideon smirked.

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Stupid new psi powers..." he mock-grumbled, "Cheating is what that is."

[Gideon Rede]

"I can't replace my limbs with rocket launchers," Gideon pointed out.

[Madrox Saavedra]

"And frankly my Kung Fu is still stronger," he said, nodding sagely.

[Gideon Rede]

Gideon chuckled briefly.

"That's only because you downloaded a program," Gideon said, "Some of us had to work for our kung fu."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"Oh I did not," he said, rolling his eyes, "I still learn most things by doing. Just... faster."

[Gideon Rede]

"I'm sure that and not needing to sleep or rest only helps a little," Gideon smirked, "Then again I learned Russian by wandering through her mind."

[Madrox Saavedra]

"See, we both cheat," he smirked.

[Gideon Rede]

"I suppose so," Gideon said.