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

[falcony]

MAYBE NOT COMING OUT OF THE BLUE
BUT IT IS A CHANGE FROM THE STATUS QUO
WHICH MAKES US THINK SOMETHING IS BREWING

AT THIS POINT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHOSE GOING TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE

[earthborn]

Maybe I'm the uninformed one, but in what way does it matter who goes first?

[falcony]

BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE IN EACH FACTION
THEY DESERVE A HEADS UP IF A MISSILE'S LOCKED ONTO THEM
JUST AS WE WOULD HOPE TO GET ONE TOO

[earthborn]

Fair enough.

And what's the plan, if there were? I assume that if you really thought they had missile strike capabilities, you'd be thinking farther ahead. You know my objections.

[falcony]

NO
WE'RE STILL MAJORLY IN STEAMPUNK TERRITORY HERE
THE ONLY WAY THEY'RE GETTING MISSILE TECH IS FROM ONE OF US SUMMONED

BUT IF MOVES ARE GOING TO BE MADE
THERE'S NO HARM IN KNOWING THE PIECES ON THE BOARD

[earthborn]

And you don't have any better option than the rumor mill for this?

[falcony]

HONESTLY?
IVE BEEN OUT OF THE CITY FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO
SO RIGHT NOW IM JUST TRYING TO CATCH

WHY- YOU GOT A BETTER IN FOR INFO?

[earthborn]

Captain, I enlisted in the Alliance when I was eighteen years old, and I have been in black ops nearly as long. I have fought, and killed, and died, and been made a science experiment in the name of heroism or survival, or whatever bullshit line we're putting on the brochures these days to convince teenagers to sign up.

But I have never, not even for a good cause, worked for free.

[ofthesword]

God, we get it, man. Maybe if you talk to someone instead of tossing your life story onto the mindweb when people are tryin' to work, you'd kind of catch on that almost everyone here's been through some shit. You're not special. You know how many times I've been impaled? I lost count, actually. See? Anyone can do it.

[earthborn]

Excuse me? Point out the part where you were part of this conversation.

[ofthesword]

The part where your words are literally in my field of vision, fuckhead.

[earthborn]

Learn how to mind your own business.

[ofthesword]

Nah, I like stickin' my nose where it doesn't belong. For free.

[earthborn]

Well then, that's economics for you. You get what you pay for.

So, I'll leave you to it.

[ofthesword]

Ahhh, yeah, I get it. That's why you couldn't come up with, you know, some way to help, instead of sizing the guy up for tryin'. Dollar Store Military Chap over here. Really do get what you pay for.

[falcony]

AND I ENLISTED AT 17 AS PART OF THE AIR FORCE'S PARARESCUE TEAM WITH EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT, COMMANDER
AFTER LOSING MY WINGMAN ON THE JOB I JOINED A TEAM OF LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS TO SAVE THE WORLD ON AN INTERGALACTIC AND APPARENTLY NOW MULTIDIMENSIONAL LEVEL
SO I GET IT, BELIEVE ME

BUT ALRIGHT
WHAT'S THE GOING RATE FOR INFO THESE DAYS?

[earthborn]

Start making some stockpiles of essential resources. Find external locations to withdraw noncombatants to. Secure water supplies, figure out routes, organize people. Network with the locals. If you want to make this an us versus them thing, then you had better make sure there's an us to actually be part of.

You have had months on the ground, here. I don't stick my neck out for people who can't accomplish results; it's wasteful. You want to be in charge, you want information? Do the damn job. Show me someone worth informing.

I'm sure we'll be in touch.