to: everyone

[assembles]

Hey there, everyone. My name is Steve Rogers and I'm one of the people most recently summoned to the Free Cities. I'm also a good friend of Sam Wilson's — we've worked together for a number of years. I know he's made quite the name for himself here.

I've only been here for a little over a month, but in that time I've noticed a sudden increase in military activity within Cadens. There's increased drills and training exercises, equipment moving in and out, that kind of thing. I went by Fort Wilbridge and tried to ask some questions, but all they really had to say was that they were acting out of an abundance of caution. Almost like they're expecting something.

It seems suspicious, so I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a change in how the factions are behaving, whether it's something I haven't picked up on in Cadens or something going on in Thorne or Solvunn. I figure it might be a good idea to compare notes so we won't be completely blindsided if something else is coming our way.

That's all I've got for now, but it's nice to meet you all. In a manner of speaking, anyway.

Comments

[techmaturgy]

We managed, barely.

I try to stay away from the military operations. It's unsurprising they had little to tell you. What kind of equipment are they moving?

[assembles]

I'm not sure. I just saw them bringing large crates and boxes in. I think we can probably make some guesses.

1/2

[techmaturgy]

You should have offered to help them!

[techmaturgy]

Actually. That isn't a bad idea. Espionage under the guise of assistance.

[assembles]

Subterfuge like that isn't really my style, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it.

[techmaturgy]

You would be uniquely positioned, if you choose to do so.

[assembles]

Yeah, I guess I would be. I'd consider that more of a last resort, but I'll keep it in mind.

[techmaturgy]

Something to consider, when you get tired of moving boxes.

[assembles]

From the sound of it, I'd still be moving boxes.

[techmaturgy]

Yes, but those boxes are, hypothetically, full of state secrets, and you could look inside them.

[assembles]

[ How many times can one man be at the center of state secrets being uncovered? Steve gets Viktor's point, he really does, but this is something that will take a lot of careful thought. And commiserating with his teammates. ]

What about you? It sounds like your friend Jayce might get himself attached to some of these high-priority research projects.

[techmaturgy]

The Academies have resources that we're interested in.

[assembles]

Yeah, it sounds like there's only so much you can do unless you go through them. But they're only interested in one thing, I'm guessing.

[ Military advancement. ]

[techmaturgy]

Left unchecked, all technological roads lead to weaponization. It's my goal to prevent that.

[assembles]

And I'm glad to hear it.
But with them seizing supplies and greenlighting the research projects they want, it sort of feels inevitable. War's coming whether we want it or not.

[techmaturgy]

If it does, it will not be because I hurried it along. There are ways to safeguard our contributions. Improve the lives of the general populace here without offering them weaponry.

[assembles]

I agree. And if war is on the verge of breaking out, people are going to need more protection than ever.

[techmaturgy]

All the more reason to find out what it is the military and the academies are planning.

Of course, it's only a matter of time before we become scapegoats. But perhaps that's pessimistic of me to say.

[assembles]

How do you mean?

[techmaturgy]

The Singularity's interference has finally affected more than just the Summoned--as I understand it, the entities manifested in our nightmares very nearly broke through to the real world.

What if it happens again? What if a civilian is injured, because of our direct ties to the Singularity? We might end up more than the government bargained for.

[assembles]

That's how I understand it too.

This is why you don't summon people from other worlds and expect everything to go as planned. Still, I see what you're getting at. They must not have anticipated how much we'd interact with the Singularity.

[techmaturgy]

Eventually, they might decide we aren't worth it. Then what happens?

[assembles]

Then we rely on each other.

[techmaturgy]

Ideally, yes. You might find that others don't necessarily share that sentiment.

[assembles]

Yeah, I wouldn't expect this many people to be on the same page. We could still rally together those of us who are.
What would you suggest?