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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.

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I'm sure we can arrange something a little more formal. I hear there are some boxes that need moving.

My concern is that they're specifically focusing on weaponry, or maybe even magic that could be used on the front line. If you're willing to cooperate to get more information on what they're prioritizing and why, it might be worth it.

[ Wait. Is he supposed to sign these messages? ]

- Steve Rogers

There aren't that I know of, but I'll put some things into a box for you as an excuse.

I'll see what I can do at the academy, and see if Sypha has heard anything on the magic front. Usually around here they don't like magic, but they probably do when it comes to wars.

-Jayce Talis

You don't have to go to all that trouble. I'm sure I can find a reason to come by.

The researchers here are more about combining magic with tech, right? Whereas Thorne is a little more traditional. Either way, it sounds like they want to make sure that they have some tricks up their sleeves for whenever that last straw breaks.

[ No one else is signing their name, just this guy. So Steve figures he probably doesn't need to, but he continues for the sake of being polite. ]

- Steve Rogers

You should, any friend of Wanda, Sam, and Tony is well worth meeting.

[ That's a lot of people that Jayce likes who are all friends with him. It really says good things about him! ]

Yes, they utilize something called New Magic, it's a cross between advanced technology and magic, sometimes in execution or technology powered by magic. Thorne doesn't use New Magic and I worry that they would not be prepared for this particular kind of violence. Not that I want violence for everyone, but I've had exact experience in something like New Magic, and it can be uniquely dangerous.

Oh, was I signing my messages again? Sorry.

[ Jayce knows all three of them? In the case of Tony and Sam it's no real surprise, but he's glad that Wanda's been making friends outside of Solvunn too. ]

What experience do you have with it? If you don't mind elaborating.

[ Steve's gathered that this mental network is public to some degree, at least with a message sent out like this, to everyone. He won't be pushing anyone to share outside of their comfort level. ]

Oh, don't worry about it. I think most of us are getting used to this type of communication system.

Viktor and I created something called Hextech in our world, it is remarkably similar to New Magic, it uses arcane magic to power technological devices that we designed. Even items that were meant initially to be helpful, like giant gloves to help miners in the fishery, could easily be turned into superpowered weapons. Used to punch through walls and people instead of in mines.

I can give you more details when you stop by, or if you want to meet in the Horizon, I can show you. But I am confident that if they have figured out how to weaponize that type of power, people are in more trouble than they know.

Science meant for progress and to benefit people being twisted into a weapon will happen no matter where you're from, I'd guess.
Raw magical power can't be underestimated either, though. I wouldn't count out whatever Thorne might have up their sleeves.

Are you two trying to create this Hextech stuff here, too?

[ Was Tony involved in it? ]

That's the problem with scientific curiosity and drive for progress. No, I don't underestimate Thorne, but they don't know New Magic. I'm not sure they know what being on the receiving end of something like that is, if they're used to fighting with the arcane they already know. Although it is possible they've been training for that, I would if I were them, but it is hard to know, we're not inside of their war rooms.

We couldn't even if we wanted to, they limit access to arcane crystals that power things. I'm a blacksmith, most of the time I'm making normal things for people here.

[ Technically that's not a no, but he would say no if pressed, he doesn't see the Hexcore as the same thing as Hextech weapons. It's to save Viktor's life. ]

From what I understand, the conflict between the Free Cities and Thorne has been going on for a long time, right? Thone must have some idea, but I'm also guessing that's why they're rushing through certain research projects here. They want to make sure they hit Thorne with something they couldn't prepare for.

[ But again, who's to say Thorne isn't doing the same and that they couldn't also find ways to be unpredictable? Ultimately, it comes down to which nation is more strategic. And then there's Solvunn, who seems like much more of a wild card.

A blacksmith, huh? No wonder Tony has been working with these guys. ]

Arcane crystals. Are those the same crystals that we mined to assist in containing the nightmares?

[ Sometimes he has to sit back and reflect on how strange his life has become. This is one of those moments. ]

Free Cities used to be a part of Thorne until they rebelled and cut out their own lands from it. So there is some very old bad blood there and no love lost. I think they have a serious grudge against each other that is long-lasting and may be why any of this is happening. I'm not sure entirely where Solvunn fits in.

Yes, although those were brittle and not very strong. Strong enough they'd allow us to gather and use them for this temporary solution, not strong enough to power anything dangerous. They wouldn't risk any of us being able to pocket one or find a way to utilize it privately. They're not refined.

I know they have refined and stable crystals that they use for other things.

That's what I've heard, yeah. It's why we're more interested in damage control than actually trying to convince them to not go forward with this war, is my understanding.

[ The conflict has existed since long before they arrived, and will probably continue after they leave. Steve would rather they not get dragged into things, but there's only so much avoiding they can do. It's a matter of making sure uninvolved people aren't hurt in the crossfire. ]

If those were brittle, why are we storing potentially dangerous nightmare creations in them? I tried to ask them where the crystals would be stored or what they were going to do with them and they didn't want to give me a straight answer. They just told me they had it under control, basically.

Just because the crystals were independently not very strong doesn't mean they couldn't be put together into something more solid. Or that they haven't transferred the caught ... whatever it is somewhere more secure. Which might be something to bite us later on, if they find a way to use it. I tried to do the same thing with the same brush off. But I spent my life studying arcane crystals, I just don't know exactly how they work here yet.

Glad to know that them pulling the "you don't have clearance" card on me wasn't anything personal.

[ But boy, if it didn't still hit a nerve. ]

At least you have some experience to pull from. That puts you ahead of most of us.

No. To be fair, I do understand it, to an extent. We are outsiders. Outsiders they forced to come here, but academics are notoriously private when it comes to their more in-depth research to a point. I unconsciously sign my name on everything because that way no one could have stolen my research as their own, back when I was still working on my project. So there's a kind of paranoia when it comes to these things, even beyond outsiders being involved.

Sorry, I ramble. Basically: it's not personal. That's why I've been spending my time building a reputation that could lead to the kind of trust to get us closer to answers.

I get that no one wants their research to fall into the wrong hands. I've seen how people thinking they can replicate something can end up with way more than they bargained for. [ The Hulk, anyone? ] But when it comes to getting rid of the nightmares, that's something that started with us and that they asked to collaborate on. They could at least let us know what they plan to do with those crystals.

As for the other research going on, you're right that the only way to get more information is by earning their trust. Sounds like you're the right guy for the job.

Believe me, I know that it's unfair and frankly shady on their part, who knows what they're doing with whatever that thing was now, but it's a carrot in front of a stick situation with these people.

I hope so. I'm going to do my best.

Glad to hear it. And I'm sure we'll see each other in person soon enough.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZMFD_QLbLs

LOL

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