lucetilocked | [LOCKED TRANSMISSION TO RESIDENTS] (backdated to the evening of the 20th)

[LOCKED TRANSMISSION TO RESIDENTS] (backdated to the evening of the 20th)

[The following transmission is both dictated and typed.]

Attention all residents of Luceti. This is Gai Tsutsugami, transmitting this over the secure network that is concealed from the Malnosso. Doctor Trafalgar Law is also with me. We're reporting in on the mission that took place from the 7th to the 11th of September.

As some of you may know, those of us on that mission were sent to a desert to investigate and report in on the activities of a mercenary group known as the Iron Eye. The Malnosso wanted us to ascertain whether or not these mercenaries were a threat to them, and if so, to take steps to neutralize that threat. What we found was far more than any of us had bargained for.

The Iron Eye had convened in the middle of a desert subject to powerful natural Shifts that made venturing outside of the camp a risky affair. The group itself was led by a man named Hoi Hidekan, whom some of you might know from the mission at Depot 8.

Law.

Over six months ago, a group of us were sent to Depot 8 to protect the underground factory that shipped supplies to two enclosures – Pagoda and O’Connell – from Hoi Hidekan, the FTSA, or Free The Test Subjects Association, and the hired Iron Eye.

Who’s Hoi Hidekan you ask? He used to be a MSF Foreman serving under Specialist Davis. I encountered him the first time during a mission before Depot 8. However he left the service after the Moon Draft. It was the last straw. He had always hated how the people inside the enclosures were treated and he saw joining with the FTSA as a way to put real change into action. However, by destroying the factory at Depot 8, the enclosures were at risk of starvation. His gamble was that the Malnosso would either release the people in there or move them to other enclosures. In short, draw attention to the conditions in the enclosures and create a rallying point.

The Sherriff of the town disagreed with that. The Malnosso weren’t going to move anyone – not unless they absolutely had to. They didn’t have the resources. For the people on that mission, it was too great of a risk to allow.

We fought and they lost. And that was that until now, when we found out Mister Hidekan was now leading the Eye.

But he wasn't the only person of note there. Bil, or Sir Catherine to some of you, was also present. He claimed that he'd hired the Iron Eye and that he wasn't going to be turned over to the organization. That was our first clue that there was more going on than met the eye.

I had a conversation with him, and in it he revealed that the state of the war against the cultists is worse than we'd originally been led to believe. According to him, the original estimate had been that we had five more years before we'd lost all of the outer regions like that desert to the Third Party, and three more after that before total annihilation. But after TERRACE and Vaskoth, that estimate was lowered to two more years at the most. Things are desperate. Desperate enough to require drastic measures.

He also told me that the Third Party had a base out there in the desert, which explained why the Iron Eye was there. It was a large city, larger than the one some of our residents encountered on the draft in the mines. They were still searching for the entrance when we arrived.

Law also made some discoveries while in the process of treating the Iron Eye's wounded.

They had a massive amount of wounded among them, mostly battle causalities and contagion. However there was a group suffering from radiation poisoning - in some cases quite severe - and Shift Afflictions. While it initially didn’t look related, the causes of these injuries on their charts were blacked out, which suggested a connection and caused us to look deeper.

Turned out that the patients there were predominantly of two types - guards and scientists – and their care, at least for some, wasn’t being handled by any medical doctor, but Mister Bil himself. They didn’t want to speak with us - or anyone in fact. They were being bitter and resentful towards their own people and that raised some serious flags.

Between that and the conversation with Mister Bil, we suspected a weapon of some sort was being developed. Further investigation revealed just that.

I confronted one of the members of the Iron Eye with our suspicions and learned that their objective was to find the entrance to the cultist city so that they could destroy it with a Shift explosive that was developed in collaboration with Bil.

[Let that sink in for a moment.]

We were then faced with a choice: did we help the Iron Eye gain ground in the war against the Third Party, or did we do what we were sent out there to do and report their activities to the Malnosso, and lose a potential ally in the process? Whatever decision we made would have repercussions. The question was whether the potential benefits outweighed the risks.

In the end, we chose to side with the Iron Eye and help them find the entrance to the city. It was uncovered shortly before our departure by a group of Iron Eye members. The bomb itself was still being built when we returned here, but now they had a target on which to use it.

We were told when we left that the Shift Bomb would take at least one more week to complete, meaning that it should be deployed any day now. Let's just hope that it ends up being as effective as they seem to believe it will be.

(OOC: Open discussion post for the mission aftermath! Gai and Law will answer questions, and anyone else who was also on the mission can feel free to do so as well. Start your own threads, threadjack, do whatever you want.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Why is it that no one wants to be responsible and step up to fight. Ugh, cowards. But fine, he'll do what he has to since they won't. He won't let anyone touch the residents of Luceti if he can help it.]

They're going to have to start being comfortable with defending themselves. We can't be around to protect them all the time. [And that just reminded him about how Bulla might have to fight for herself after all. What if he can't be around to protect her?]

I know.

[His tone was oddly solemn, for him. This was something to be a little serious about. One way or another, he knew that he would do what he could to protect his people. For the moment, that included Luceti. But, even he had his limits.]

It's why I'm working on teaching a few people simply how to not die. That itself is a skill that most people forget about 'round here. At the very least, some of these guys will know how to take care of themselves in a pinch if there's no one around.

[Like Florian before he left. Like Ion.]

Then maybe, somewhere down the line, they'll be able to help a little. But, we can't force anyone to do anything-- it won't work.

They need to decide on their own.

[So now he shows his own knowledge of how to work tech, throwing up a filter because he likes his privacy and would prefer that only the people that he wants to know his business, let know his business.]

I'm aware. Some of them have shown interest in truly learning to fight. I've got my own little nuisance now that shows up at my door for instruction on how to use his ki. Now, you know me, I'm not jumping all over the idea of taking time to teach these little ingrates on how to fight, but it's becoming increasingly clear to me that perhaps I might...have to. [Don't get him started on how much he hates that idea. It's a true test of his patience.]

It's bad enough that I'm even considering this. But if I can't blast these idiots into smithereens, I'd rather someone else be able to.

Hey, just be glad that you'll be able to keep up with that kid. Two of mine...

[They would far surpass him.]

Let's just say that it's out of my field.

[He was no Symbologist. He was no master of Ki. He was just a brawler who knew how to throw a damn good punch and played at politics every once in a while. Anything he managed to accomplish was just something that happened on accident.

At the very least, he was good at one thing that a lot of people in town weren't. He was good at watching people.]

I know you're not keen on the idea, but when you think about it? You're probably one of the guys around here whose best suited for it. You've got years more experience that most don't have, and you can keep up with all of these kids-- powers or no.

At the very least, it's something that us old guys should think about doing, because the young people here shouldn't be left out there without a field guide.

Edited 2013-09-23 01:35 (UTC)

[He feels his eye twitch at the 'old guys' comment, but doesn't get too angry considering Cliff just insulted himself in the process. And since he just got a nice compliment to his ego there.]

Yes well, I don't have the time to waste to be teaching inexperienced punks with no combat sense. [He's spend probably a grand total of half an hour with Firo over the past four months.] If I'm to take on anyone, it'll be those who simply need advanced instruction. Like you said, there's plenty here who can teach the basics. You're right. Only a few are capable of what I can bring to the table.

[Cliff, what have you done. Have you really manipulated his ego like this?]

[Just as planned. Although, there was no humor in the sentiment.]

It's because you can bring a lot to the table, and your experience both in combat and as a thinker, that you're perfect for this. There's plenty here who probably do want more advanced instruction, but they're not sure where to or who to go to.

Everyone needs options, and you've got an interesting one.

That may be so. But you could say my teaching methods are a little unorthodox. Failure isn't an option, and I've no time for weaklings who can't handle it. Manipulating ki is a daunting task, especially if you aren't built for it like a Saiyan is. Now don't get me wrong, humans are capable. But in my experience they are few and far in between. 'Alien' races seems to be more fit for it than most, but I don't see a whole lot of them running around here.

[He's not sure who can really handle it. Firo is learning to fly, but the boy blasting things? That would take years.]

Unorthodox, huh?

[There was humor and a note of challenge in his voice. Cliff was the man that started a watergun fight in one of the shops for the sake of training combat awareness, after all. He was the one who fired paintballs at his daughter to help her refine her agility]

I think we need a little more of that around here, actually. Some of these loud kids could use a few hard knocks, if only to get them to stop running their mouths.

[Some adults too, if that one whiney 'captain' was any indicator.]

Besides you and me, I don't think there're too many people 'round here that aren't from Earth or a place like it. The bit with ki might be a bit much...but, there's always more than one way to train if you can be a little creative.

Well, you can have all the fun with being creative to train. I'll stick to what I know. Unless you feel that throwing someone five hundred feet up in the air is what you'd call enough of a hard knock. [Yep, he's an asshole and he totally did that.]

You don't learn to fly by not getting off the ground first.

Well. That's one helluva way to teach someone a lesson!

[It was far different than anything he would deliver himself, but this was Vegeta they were talking about. Just being tossed into the air and not into a brick wall was blessing enough, even if it was hundreds of feet high.]

I'll just do it my way and you'll do it your's. I'd offer that we partner up in this, but most of mine aren't even at the flying stage yet.

[It was a joke. Most of his weren't even aware that they were his, and the few that did didn't even care about flying. The first step for the one was going to be just getting him to walk around town without passing out, which would be a small trick itself.

But, aside from them, there was always that one major wall that Cliff would never breach.]

There might be one I'd ask you to help with. I dunno if you've met him but...

Just trust me when I say that he could probably come close to rivaling you if he could learn to control his talents.

[There was no way for him to tell with how little he's seen it done. It was possible...but there was no way he could ever really help Fayt gain control of it.]

Rival me? Hah! I don't think you truly understand the capabilities of the being you're speaking to, Cliff. Who is it then? You've got my attention.

[Because if Fayt really is that powerful? Sure as shit Vegeta wants to see that power, even uncontrollable. He is confident he can handle it.]

Who do you think is the one I'm always thinking about? He's a solid, level headed guy, but...

[He drifted, searching out a way to put the details delicately without revealing too much.]

...let's just say, if he and my Captain [his daughter] ever got into this place together and we had the right things in play, the two of them could easily do what you guys had to do back there.

If they both learned how to harness their full potential.

[It was almost an awe inspiring and terrifying thought for a man who claimed atheism as part of his personal philosophy. They both could take out massive warships on their own. What could they do if they worked together?]

...

I wish one of my ladies were here. Either one of them are better able to help him figure this out than I am. That doesn't mean I'm not gonna try.

Just because you worry yourself over him doesn't mean I know who he is. Unless you're speaking of that boy I met when our minds were warped. Fayt, I think his name is. Anyway, I want to see this power you speak of. Destroying a small part of a planet is child's play, so if that's what he can do then I'm interested. Especially since if that boy loses it in Luceti, then a lot of people here will die.

Well? Are you just going to stand there and speak to me all day or are you going to show me?

...

That's the thing, Vegeta. He can't do it at will. There's no way for us to show you, so you're gonna have to trust me on this.

It's actually why this whole debacle has me concerned, because I don't want anybody to find this out, especially the bastards who put us in these messes. People can argue ethics and morals all they want. People may even want me to get involved, but he's still under my watch here.

I'm not gonna let anything like that happen to him if I can help it.

Hmmmm. Then maybe it needs to be forced out of him. [He can think of ways of doing that.] How do you learn to control a power when you don't ever use it? I'll tell you now, you can't. So if you want that boy to be able to keep a lid on his own destructive nature, it's got to be used more than once. I didn't learn to control my own power by sitting on it.

He single handedly destroyed a galactic level warship without leaving a scrap of metal behind. Maria did the same.

...I'm not sure how Maria got a hold of her's. She's spent a lot of time back home while I've been working on the Diplo. Remember the stubborn old man I told you about? She was working with his daughter-- who, I might add, is the singular most powerful woman I've ever met.

[And has kicked his ass a thousand times over. Not that he'll ever admit it.

He sighed. He was more than keen on Fayt learning to control his abilities, but he also didn't want to risk another major incident. It was fortunate that Fayt was a cool, relaxed kind of guy that rarely was rocked by anything.

But. Fayt had also single handedly taken down 'God'.]

They were both in an life or death situation when it happened. Fayt's learned a whole lot more about life since then. I dunno if you'll be able to rattle him. I'm not even sure if we should risk the village for this.

[Ethics. Morals. He still didn't want Fayt to know the amount of casualties from the incident on Elicoor. Dion and Ameena were hard enough for him.]

Edited 2013-09-26 04:45 (UTC)

....And how big exactly is a galactic level warship in your world? [He isn't impressed yet. Yeah, that's enough power to level Luceti. But still not impressed.]

I'm pretty sure I could find a way. I'm not one of the most feared beings in the universe for nothing. [A slip of his ego, but there it was. Take that as you will, Cliff.] The village should be fine. I've deflected attacks powerful enough to incinerate entire worlds before, and if your Fayt isn't on that level, then I'm not worried.

Edited 2013-09-26 05:08 (UTC)

They're pretty damn big. [The Diplo, being an intergalactic diplomatic flagship, was huge and still was dwarfed by the Invisible. He shook his head.]

Maybe 'destroyed' isn't the right word here. 'Removed from existance' might work better. It was as if the ship had never been there.

[He did sigh in irritation.]

...Look. Maybe I'm biased, but I'm really not too keen on putting him in danger and risking this information leaking out to those who shouldn't know. [It wasn't that he didn't trust your discretion, Vegeta, or else he wouldn't have bothered talking about it.] This is just a real wall for me here, and it's damn frustrating to know that I'm not gonna be able to offer much of an assist where it counts.

Are you trying to tell me he can manipulate the very fabric of existence himself? [Ok, that's a new one. Total destruction, yeah he knows that. But he's never met anything that can just will something away into nonexistence.]

From the way you make it sound I'm not sure if anyone can help the boy. I'm familiar with turning things to complete dust but not even I have the ability just to make something disappear like a magic act. In fact, not even the gods of my world can do that. What is he?

...

.......

[Cliff thought it over himself. The memories of what happened were far more fresh for him than they were for Fayt, and he would never forget what happened with the Invisible until the day he died.

The mess of genetics and illegal projects aside, there was still the fact that Fayt, Maria, and Sophia were all altered in conjunction with eachother to bend the space of time and reality, to create passage to another realm and learn the truth there.

But, there were still some things that he couldn't reconcile, or even properly explain.]

It's complicated.

[He wasn't going to say more on that matter.]

I just know that I owe him and Maria both big time. And, if helping Fayt is the best way to clean the slate, then I'm gonna do my damnedest to do my job.

'It's complicated' isn't telling me anything. [Yeah, he knows Cliff won't talk anymore on it but that doesn't mean he still won't be annoyed by it.]

Now, I don't care whether you have an obligation or not. I'm more concerned with that boy willing this sector of the planet out of existence. He'd better get a grip on it or it may be that he has his corpse thrown into the chamber with that woman they found in the tunnels.

[A threat like that is better dead, in his opinion.]

Why do you think I've got my concerns here then?

[He huffed in annoyance.]

Gah--

Like I said, He's a very level headed guy, and he's from farther along than I am. [Re: He knows things that Cliff doesn't, and has experienced an entire world's worth of events that Cliff only knew about second hand.] I don't think there's gonna be another incident like that, but do ya get my point now?

[He knew that he was going to need to tell Fayt one day. Especially now, after this decision had been made and new gears were set into motion. Timing and approach were the delicate issues here.

Regardless of what happens, he needed a plan. But, before that...]

We're already working on it. Keeping a cool head out there, no matter what happens. It's just gonna hit a point where I can't help anymore, which is why I'm thinking you could offer an assist. After all, you are one of the strongest guys here.

Edited 2013-09-27 03:29 (UTC)

There better not be an incident like that. [Not that he'll be able to do anything about it.]

And what exactly am I supposed to do about this boy anyway?

I was thinking that you could maybe help us get started on getting a hang of this. Like I said, you're one of the most capable guys here.

[He wasn't lying, but he had a feeling that he was just wasting air with his request.

Still, this was Fayt he was talking about. In light of this shift in the playing field, Cliff was willing to adjust and adapt to the game's new rules.

Ultimately, Fayt was the one that mattered here. He wasn't going to let anything go wrong so long as it was in his power to do so.]

[He doesn't see why he should help with something that Cliff could barely explain to him himself. Though it was unnerving to the Prince that someone here could will people, objects- right out of reality without having control of it.]

[He doesn't know. He doesn't feel like it's really his problem, but it could easily become his problem. The kid, if he fights, might be useful if he can get this power of his under control. And goodness knows he's already been rendered useless before. And he hates that idea. He can't do it all himself.]

Alright, I'll give it a go, but if it turns out to be a waste of time don't expect me to stick around, scratching my head trying to figure out what's next.

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