[voice/telepathy, ota]

[rebells]

About those messages we've been receiving from the government--if the danger to the coven as a whole doesn't dissuade you from taking their deal, the fact that it's almost certainly a trap should. Shehui is suspicious and fearful of magic, and they must know that we all have it by now. Why would they just let us live among them?

We've been placed in not one, but two situations beyond our control. The only advantage we have is our own numbers, so we need to stick together, take care of one another, and find a way out of this as a group.

If you haven't been following our conversations, we're working on a plan to free those of us who have been captured. Anyone with skills in fighting, reconnaissance, or infiltration who is willing to help should contact Dirk or Percival. Likewise, those of you who are in detention, please keep us updated on what's going on down there. We're working as quickly as we can.

Everyone else, stay close to others in the coven if possible. Be on your guard, and let us know if you get into trouble.

Comments

private to percival, dirk, roy, 9s, shiro, (others to be added?)

[rebells]

That said, we can't afford to assume we won't be informed on. We should keep that in mind.

I'm having this conversation with you because you seem competent and willing to take charge of the situation. Let me know if there's anyone else who should be part of this discussion.

[talim]

I spoke to Percival, and I'll be on healing duty if needed. That being said, I hope it doesn't come to that.

Thanks for this, Jay.

... Lately, I can't help but reflect on what you said in the beginning about seeking out the unpleasant secrets of this place. You were right all along.

[spaceforged]

As much as I'd like to say no one would turn anyone else in...you're right. It would be a good idea to keep any sensitive information out of the public talks. Just in case.

[rebells]

I felt someone ought to say it. And of course. Every place has its unpleasant secrets; it's just a matter of how well-hidden they are.

[rebells]

Yes. I don't think we can realistically conceal that there's a plan, or the general contours of it, but the specifics should be kept on a need-to-know basis.

[spaceforged]

The authorities likely know there's a plan anyway. Why try to bribe someone if you think they're not going to oppose you? Personally, I think they're trying to lure more people to them.

[rebells]

Honestly, I think they'd want information either way. I can only assume the people in the cells aren't giving it to them.

[spaceforged]

That would be a reason to push the rest of us. But with this attempt to get on our better side I still wouldn't let your guard down when you're out and about.
We don't know what they'll do when they see how many of us don't take the bait.

[talim]

In terms of hiding it, they didn't do a very good job, did they?

But I don't think any of us expected it to escalate this far.

[rebells]

Unfortunately, there's only so much we can do to defend ourselves against an entire government.

[rebells]

[Darkly:]

We still don't know what they want from us. If they just wanted to get rid of us, they could have done that by now.

[talim]

As unsettling as that train of thought is, you're not wrong. What concerns me is the idea that they might have something worse in store, especially for those missing. How did they choose them? Why did they choose them? Was it just random? I don't...

[ he rubs his temples. ]

Sorry, I'm just rambling on.

[spaceforged]

Yeah. Speaking of that, I'm not sure what aerial defenses they have. But I do have enough practice to really draw their attention and keep it for a little while.

It's just a matter of what they have and how good their pilots are.

[gimmecandy]

-The voice across the telepathic void sounds mature, almost soothing in its tone.- You seem very assured of your position, regarding Shehui. Do you have much experience in this regard?

[lohengrins]

The authorities of this land have weaponized their pleasantries against us time and time again — there is no trusting them. Their have an advantage over us; regardless of whatever it is they'd like to negotiate, it's unlikely that anything good will come of it. There is no living among them; after this, leaving is the only option that will leave us intact.

It's grim — but their actions supersede their words.

As for the specifics, I'm in agreement. Those who need to play their part can do so accordingly. But the stakes are high, and people are fearful.

[rebells]

[Careful:]

My experience comes from careful observation over the months I've spent here. Do you disagree with my position?

[rebells]

You're welcome to ramble, if you think it'll get you anywhere useful.

[Dry, but not mean (for once!): he means that if rambling helps Jude shake a good observation loose, he's happy to listen to it.]

Honestly . . . I don't know everyone on the list, but there's a number of young girls, isn't there? I'd guess they went with a mix of people they were especially curious about--hence Geir, for example--and people they thought it would be easy to intimidate.

. . . that, or they're laying a trap.

[splinten]

Agreed. Better not to risk it.

That said, there was this really helpful saying on Ancient Earth that goes 'snitches get stitches.' Anyone jeopardizing this mission is going to learn about it.

[lohengrins]

Well put.

[gimmecandy]

My experience tells me that the people of Shehui are suspicious and fearful of that which they don't understand. I have been routinely subject to xenophobic practices since my arrival. But this... is nothing new.

-A youthful, bright, cheery tone chimes in, though clearly still the same voice.- It's an aspect of humanity, after all~!

[insubordination]

[ it's a smart idea. and throughout the day, riza has been feeding him information from within the cells. it takes some moments for roy to respond, figuring out what he wants to say. ]

I've given specifics of the plan to the people on the inside capable of assisting and readying the less-capable prisoners to be ready to run, once we're inside. I've avoided sharing the specifics to the people less able to withstand any interrogation the city may use.

[ so. the soldiers have the plan. jusis, julius, and riza. anyone else, not so much. sorry, kids. ]

Colonel Hawkeye has been feeding me information from inside the prison to the best of her ability, throughout the day. Any information shared here will be shared with her, first and foremost. [ just putting y'all on notice. ] Other than that, most of you know more about the people here than I do. I only know those who offered to help when I asked for information on how to do so a few weeks ago.

[talim]

I didn't consider the male to female ratio. Or the human to dragon ratio...

[ what a poor attempt at a joke. ]

But you're right. I don't know everyone on that list, but it could also do with who answered those random interviews with what. How strong their magic is, how willing they are to cooperate...

If only we had more information on the general response to those surveys. I imagine that would help us a great deal. There's no point in dwelling on what resources we don't have, though.

[rebells]

It is. I'm not condemning the people of Shehui. Merely pointing out that their government seems to have it out for us.

[rebells]

We can ask around. But we don't have time. We need to get our people out of there as soon as possible.

How many of the prisoners do you know?

[gimmecandy]

That much is obvious. -The mature tone chuckles.- And while I don't know any of the captured, personally, it seems to have made some people I *do* know very upset...

-The youthful tone chimed in, again.- So I'm gonna help! It should be interesting to find out where this all leads, right?