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

[assembles]

I think I got here around the same time as you, so I'm only going off of what I've heard from people who've been here longer and the signs I'm seeing. But based off of that? It's not looking great.

[catholica]

From what you've said, it definitely sounds like something's on the horizon. The question becomes what, how serious, and how will those not from here be involved.

It still feels strange to call myself Summoned.

[assembles]

It just seems to be the moniker that everyone uses. But I get what you mean.

I'm gathering as much intel as I can. There may not be many of us, but as you probably already know, it's surprising what a small group of people can pull off.

[catholica]

Yeah, I know.

( though he hopes this place doesn't turn into another new york. but, if it happens, it happens. )

I don't know what else we could do to prepare besides just to be ready for the worst. Hopefully we'd get the best, though.

Not sure what the best is here but...I'm sure there's something.

[assembles]

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, right?

Hopefully whatever fighting does break out takes place outside the city, somewhere there wouldn't be many civilians. If it does come here, we'll need to start figuring out ways to keep people out of the crossfire, running damage control, that sort of thing.

[catholica]

Yeah.

I would like to hope there are some spaces that would house civilians should an evacuation of some kind be needed.

[assembles]

With how long these factions have been gearing up for war, you'd hope as much. Most nations also don't want to fight on their own soil. If we're lucky, the worst of it will take place in the Badlands.

[catholica]

There's an actual place here called the Badlands. And here I thought I'd only encounter that in books and movies.

[assembles]

Yeah, apparently that's the name. Though I'm not sure if that was coined by a Summoned or if it's actually what it's called.

It's the area northwest of here. It's neutral land between the Free Cities and Thorne, where the Singularity's located. I haven't been there myself, but Sam has.

[catholica]

The Singularity's something I have heard of. And how people from way out of town are the only ones that can access it.

Which immediately makes me uneasy but not like I can do anything about that.

[assembles]

Yeah, we've got a connection to it that the people of this world are interested in. For better or worse.

[ It's possibly the real reason that they're here, all talk of war aside. ]

[catholica]

So I've heard.

Kind of makes me uneasy.

[assembles]

That's understandable. It's already messed with us once, and it sounds like there was another time before the nightmares.

[catholica]

You know anything about that since we both weren't here?

[assembles]

It was pretty similar to what happened with the nightmares, from what I understand. People were seeing glimpses of each other's memories instead.

[catholica]

( ah. )

Well, I'm not sorry I missed that.

[assembles]

Yeah, me neither.

[ A good chunk of Steve's memories were a lot to go through the first time. He doesn't see much need for a repeat. ]

There's no telling if this is going to be a pattern going forward, but we should be prepared for anything. At least you have experience with things going sideways.

[ You know. Because he's from New York. ]

[catholica]

Yeah, I'm gonna start adding it to my resume.

( lawyer. new yorker. vigilante. has stock in multiple bandage companies. )

Should get me hazard pay in certain places.

[assembles]

You make that argument to the people in charge here and let me know how it goes over.

[catholica]

I can be pretty convincing when I want to be. I could do it.

( yeah, right. )

[assembles]

I'd like to hear how it goes. Really.

[ If Matt was looking for someone to discourage this behavior, he came to the wrong place. ]

[catholica]

Done.

( thanks for encouraging his bad behavior, steve. )