abraxasnet | to: everyone

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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It certainly couldn't hurt to take a break. A short one, though, since it's not like the Free Cities is going to stop... whatever it is they're doing in the meantime.

[ Sitting around isn't Claude's forte either, and especially not when there's some mystery going on that definitely concerns all of them. ]

I hadn't heard that about the summoning being on a schedule, but that'd likely be about as perfect of a cover as we could ask for. If they're mostly distracted with new arrivals we might stand out less. [ Might. ] Think we could get by with pretending to be some kind of welcoming committee as long as we do that part too?

I don't know if it's an exact schedule, but they seem to bring more people in every couple of months.

[ It almost makes Steve wonder if they could find a means of sabotaging the rituals. They know where it all happens, but he suspects all that would really get him is a long stay in a small cell. ]

I definitely think we could work that angle. Sam already makes a point of swinging by there to help people settle in, so there's a precedent for that kind of thing.

Edited 2022-07-16 19:46 (UTC)

Even guessing at it happening every couple months is a better start than just hoping we'll show up at the right time for it to happen. I wonder if there's any kind of knowledge in Cadens of when it's happening or if it's a "find out after the fact" kind of thing.

That's convenient that there's someone who already goes out there so it won't be suspicious if we do. I've heard of Sam from several other people before now - I'm guessing he's a good friend of yours?

[ Based on context clues, anyway. Most of what he'd seen was the exact kind of chatter he'd expect from his friends which is why it felt so familiar. ]

I'm not too sure on that. You would think that there would be signs of them using the Singularity, especially when they do it multiple times. I'll make sure to ask Sam.

[ Does he have some means of knowing, or does he just make a guess at when the summoning will happen? ]

That's right. We've been through a lot together back home. I'm sure you have someone like that too, right?

[ The girl with pink hair from Claude's nightmare — Steve still remembers that silent exchange and how it had told him so much. ]

My only real guess about it was maybe there'd be more military activity than usual, but given the state of things now... I don't think that'll stand out as much as a potential alert as it could've before.

And you could say that I do.

[ There's not really a point in pretending otherwise, so he won't let that minor deflection hang out there for long. ]

Or - yeah, I do. There's a real benefit to having someone you can count on like that here with everything going on. To say the least.

[ He'll let Steve fill in more details if he wants to share them, but if Steve believes in Sam the same way Claude trusts his friends: that's more than good enough for him. ]

Yeah, it's likely something like that isn't going to stand out too much right now, but I also don't want to waste time going back and forth from the outpost on a hunch. I'll let you know what I find out.

[ Their plan isn't going to be carried out right away anyhow, so Steve has time to look into this more deeply. ]

It's definitely nice to have some familiar faces around. Sam has been there for me through some of the roughest times, and I'm not surprised that he's so on top of things here. He's the sort of guy you know will always have your back.

[ Maybe it would be better if there weren't so many Avengers here, and yet Steve knows they do best as a team (when they can actually behave as a team). He'd rather be here, caught up in this mess, than Sam having to handle it all alone. ]

Is there anyone else here from your home?

Sounds like a plan to me. Even being used to traveling in a desert - that ride back and forth isn't something I'd like to repeat more than we'll need to.

[ What Steve says about Sam confirms what Claude's been told about the man in question by all those different Summoned. Though he'd already made a mental note to check in with Sam at some point, it gets underlined now. ]

That's very good to know. It makes sense that everyone's come to rely on him in any number of ways.

I don't think so, unfortunately. They could always be in Thorne or Solvunn if they're here somewhere, but I've checked in the Horizon and nothing stands out there.

[ A lot of people have come to rely on Sam, but Steve knows how after a while, that weight starts to take its toll. If he can take even a little of that burden on, he'd be happy to do so. Maybe this outreach had been a first step in that direction. ]

Yeah, I imagine you would have heard from them by now. I'm sorry.

[ Should Steve be saying sorry? No one wants to be in this situation alone, but no one would want to wish it on their loved ones either. ]

It seems like a lot of the Summoned here in the Free Cities have banded together. You'll have people to look out for you, even if they're not from your home.

It is what it is. It's not the first time I've had to go solo on something, so I'll adjust.

[ Which makes that next part all the more impactful despite his attempt to shrug off being alone.

Even after it disappears, Claude spends a good amount of time staring at where it was. And... right, he should definitely tamp down any sentimentality over that (statement? offer?) and, you know, actually respond to it. ]

Well. Thanks, Steve. That means a lot.

[ That's not really good enough on its own, so - ]

For what it's worth - I've got your back on whatever this is, too.

[ For all that Steve's been through a lot in his life, he's never actually been completely solo. Even at his lowest points, there'd been people like Sam and Nat there to keep his head on straight. It's why he makes a point of letting Claude know that he isn't on his own here. ]

Sounds good. I'll let you know if I find out anything about when we can expect another batch of Summoned to show up.

[ And then they can get to work. ]

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