∞ 79: A post-battle report [written]

[chikaidestroyer]

Everyone drafted out to Desset City should be accounted for by now. My gratitude to those who successfully worked together while we were out there.

I am sure there are residents and recent arrivals who may have questions about the situation and what we encountered out there. As longer-term residents may remember, we first encountered an army of cultists last autumn -- these cultists are referred to as the Third Party. The members of the Third Party, unlike us, have the ability to fly and Shift their surroundings. The scientists keeping us in this barrier, the Malnosso, drafted several of us to head out to another settlement.

We have been told that Desset City, the location we were sent to, was one of several settlements outside of our village. It was unlike anything seen within our barrier prison. The troops we met were an occupational force, maintaining patrols and one major base of operations that became apparent towards the end of our campaign. Despite the Third Party having a greater number of troops, we prevailed. The arrival of electricity and appliances coincide with our successful return.

Of note is the fact that draftees who initially refused were dragged by force onto the battlefield. These reluctant draftees were given less time to prepare, and included the likes of children. If you are drafted in the future, be aware that refusal does not appear to be a valid option. You will be taken and put to work, or you will be killed out there.

The New Feather cycle should begin shortly, so everyone should be on alert and maintaining their patrol schedules. This is especially important with the heightened amount of conflict in Luceti. Patrols should be properly equipped for skirmishes by now, so I'll forgo any other needless reminders.


[Filtered | unhackable]
I would like to have a word with the Organization's CEO.

[/filter]

Comments

[locked / unhackable]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Might?] I expect it will until you flush out the perpetrators entirely. Whether it's a harmful prank or deep-seated, intentional sabotage is certainly a worry.

In any case, I would like to know that we will be given more support to counteract these issues. Not every situation will be like Desset's, and I do not want to leave much to chance, if we can be provided with more information on each battlefield. Is that something you can relay to the appropriate channels, sir?

[locked / unhackable]

[malnosso]

It most certainly is! Hm- though, there is a problem. I may need to ask for your assistance, considering your specialty.

[locked / unhackable]

[chikaidestroyer]

A problem? If there is any way that I may be of assistance, I will certainly listen.

[locked / unhackable]

[malnosso]

I think this little hiccup has proven that I can't trust my staff! Or at least, not the ones I don't personally know, ha ha!

I'm not much of a strategist however, and while I could feasibly gather all the information required on my own, I'll have no way of effectively organizing it or delivering it to you other than to use networks easily compromised. So!

If it's at all possible, I'd like you to gather a few like-minded individuals. If it's too great a burden for you, by all means let me know, and I'll most certainly find another means! But if I can provide you with the information directly -of course, I will deliver in person. Can't get trust without giving, after all!- you'd most likely do much more good with it than any unsavory fellow on this side.

[locked / unhackable]

[chikaidestroyer]

I see. [He frowns contemplatively. Collaborative planning is by no means an unfamiliar beast to him, but he has had little reason to trust others' strategic sense in Luceti.]

"A few" would be difficult to call for in such a strong-minded community. It is likely there will be many who would argue to have a say in these matters. [And that was just amongst the established combat groups in Luceti.] Frankly, I would prefer to handle tactical planning myself.

...But you will only provide this information once these "like-minded individuals" have been gathered?

[locked / unhackable]

[malnosso]

Oh no, if you think you're capable by yourself, by all means! I simply didn't want to bog you down when you're doing me a favor!

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[chikaidestroyer]

I would consider it a mutually beneficial exchange; you avoid untrustworthy channels and tedious organizational work, and I receive what is necessary to provide us tactical groundwork.

[locked / unhackable]

[malnosso]

Very well, very well! There most likely won't be another recruitment for some time, given the circumstances. But I'll be sure to send the information your way post haste!

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[chikaidestroyer]

I will look forward to the collaboration.

[...But wait...] Given the circumstances? The cycle of New Fe-- new arrivals?

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[malnosso]

Oh yes, that too.

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[chikaidestroyer]

[Did he forget?]

...I suppose that isn't something you really think about anymore.

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[malnosso]

Ah ha ha, no, I do! It is both a time of anxious anticipation and downcast guilt, so it's quite important to me!

[locked / unhackable]

[chikaidestroyer]

I can understand the guilt-- [as the CEO seemed quite interested in the success of that portal] --but I have yet to see any issues on our end leading to anxious anticipation.

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[malnosso]

Mmm, yes, I can see why...it must be rather tedious for you.

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[chikaidestroyer]

I would think it more tedious for you, having been here much longer than me, sir.

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[malnosso]

Oh no, no! Every day is a bright new day, in which I live and breathe! There's nothing tedious about existing, not for me, no sir!

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[chikaidestroyer]

You're very optimistic considering the global situation. [There might be the a sliver of genuine respect in his tone.]

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[malnosso]

Gracious, it is because of the global situation that I must be optimistic!

Though my mother always did refer to me as her silver lining. ...or was it her golden fool...? Nonetheless! You come to appreciate this sort of thing after some time, as I'm sure most of you do as well! Or will. Or have.

[locked / unhackable]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Silver lining. Golden fool. It's almost enough to get a snort of amusement from him.]

I suppose we are much more sheltered than people in other settlements. Residents may take living for granted, with your organization bringing us back to safety once we are revived.

[locked / unhackable]

[malnosso]

Hahaha! Well, it really was for the good of all, so really, you don't have to be so grateful.

[locked / unhackable]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Grateful wouldn't exactly be the word he would use...]

May I ask one more question before you return to work, sir?

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[malnosso]

Of course my boy, of course! Ask away!

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[chikaidestroyer]

[What happens to the cultists that they kill? Why are there death penalties? Why are their lives attached to the wings they have? There are so many questions, and each one has a different level of importance. But he does not want to try this man's patience.]

...There are spirits within Luceti. Ones that we contact to harness elemental power that seems like very weak elemental Shifting we saw the cultists use last year. I tried to call upon that power while I was drafted, and it did not work.

What are those spirits, and why would their presence be in our barrier but not Desset?

[...He knows he's asking a lot.]

[locked / unhackable] there was a rip in space and time this comment is not late

[malnosso]

Oh dear.

That...I'm afraid, I can't answer. Not that I won't, mind you, not at all! But rather...I don't know.

If she were with us, she might have told you...alas.

[locked / unhackable] we'll just call this some sort of temporal anomaly

[chikaidestroyer]

I see. I suppose it is a bit much to expect you to know; it seems like something only the most knowledgeable, like the Great One, would understand. Or this "she" that you mentioned.