War Council

[bravenewmods]

It has been several days since the people of Union arrived in Caldera. The evacuation of the wounded and those unfit to fight is well underway, and supplies are being brought in periodically to bolster the people of Caldera. It is time to take action. On the dawn of the third day, General Ironborn summons the visitors from Union to a war council in the largest building in the city. All are welcome to attend.

But when they arrive at the set time, they are greeted by a perhaps familiar, smiling face. Rory Donnachaidh greets them with enthusiasm.

"Well met. I had heard it was Union that answered the summons from my home. ...And to think you barely had the means to reach your eastern mountains when last we met. You've come far!"

He drops his smile for a more serious expression.

"I have assured the General that you are nothing if not single-minded in your pursuit of what you feel to be just and right. We're impressed by the speed with which you've acted so far, but it is time to face the Gigas army. The General has impressed upon you that we cannot hope to win in direct battle - the options remaining to us are diplomacy and sabotage. As a representative of Team Evolution, I am in a position to bargain as a third party with allies on both sides. I shall be accompanying the diplomats. Do not betray the extent to which my interests lie towards Calderan independence, I beg.

"Well, then." A polite bow. "I shall be relying upon you all to help us end this war."

He turns to General Ironbrand with a nod and steps back.

General Ironbrand steps forward and gruffly clears his throat.

"As weenie, er, ahem, as Rory was stating, we cannot hope to stand against Gigas’s forces. But I think with our friends from Union, we stand a chance."

He places a map on that depicts a rough layout of the mountain and Gigas’s forces.

"Gigas has placed a lot of effort in protecting their siege engines. The army is massed around them and they are content to hammer our defenses without committing forces. They have occupied much of our farmlands but have left them guarded with only a token defense, as they feel they have us well locked in the city and think our Earthkin are unable to commit to offensive movements. Additionally, their supply lines are not heavily guarded, there’s a steady stream of food coming from Crescent to keep them fed. That’s their weakness. If we strike quickly and with small but powerful strike teams, we can cut off their supply lines. Recovering some of the food would be ideal, but honestly destroying it and setting it aflame would likely work best. With the supplies crippled, likely it would be several days before they could get more and a hungry army is an unruly army. This might open some other avenues to us. Of course, I don’t know your true capabilities, so if the people of Union can provide any further ideas or guidance we would be most appreciative."

((Characters will have the choice to speak with Rory, to speak with the General, or to discuss the plans amongst themselves. Other possibilities may still be suggested in character, of course!

Important OoC Note: Due to a combination of a large quantity of modwork at this time and the war environment being particularly volatile, we ask that people refrain from placing themselves in Danger at this time. ICly, the soldiers will not be allowing people to travel in the warzone on their own. OoCly, if your character is below the Danger Level, we will ask that you find a group or leave off until the end of the event. Thanks!))

Comments

[naturaldissension]

[Rory ignores her specious explanation, though maintains his smile.]

While there are severe penalties for those who willfully choose desertion, I suppose they do not apply to someone who is no longer a member of the team.

And how do you find life in Union?

[nighttimegps]

[If she has the opportunity to not continue along with that part of the conversation, she's going to take it. So she's thankful for the question.]

It's much quieter than what I was used to, but that's a good thing.

[naturaldissension]

You were unhappy in Gigas?

[This is a question spoken more like a statement. He is not surprised that people would be unhappy in Gigas.]

Or perhaps the Team.

[nighttimegps]

Both Union and Gigas have their own pros and cons.

However, it could just be the thrill of something new and exciting. I'm sure Caldera must be the same without the fighting going on.

[naturaldissension]

...You chose desertion because you were bored?

[This is possibly the first time Rory has ever expressed irritation with anything.]

I do not think I have the time to waste chastising you today, Miss Usami. Stay with Union if you please, but perhaps consider that your selfish actions have consequences for others as well.

[nighttimegps]

Boredom? No.

[Sigh.]

This is an opportunity to learn, see, and experience things I never would have otherwise.

[naturaldissension]

Many feel the same way, Miss Usami, myself included. And yet our organization would not accomplish much if we all wandered off to do as we please.

[nighttimegps]

From what I understand, the Team was responsible for a series of earthquakes that could have destroyed Union.

[That's the gist she's gotten from some of the locals, at least.]

[naturaldissension]

You know as well as I that the area was believed to be uninhabited. The accident was unfortunate, but we succeeded in our primary goal of inducing evolution in the subjects.

The scientists need only to tune the prototype - there were other undesired side effects as well of the process.

[nighttimegps]

If we'd scouted just a bit further, we would have believed otherwise.

[But that second part caught her attention.] Such as?

[naturaldissension]

[He arches an eyebrow.]

Have you paid no attention? There was a considerable amount of pain and discomfort observed.

[nighttimegps]

I thought you'd meant something else.

[It was the Pokémon in pain that had caused those earthquakes, after all.]

[naturaldissension]

The signals were also broadcast too widely. There is no need to have them observable tens of miles away.

It was a prototype, as I said.

[nighttimegps]

I would hope the next tests go smoothly, then. I don't think Union would take kindly to having a repeat, even if it is accidental.

[naturaldissension]

Naturally, the next tests are not being held in those particular mountains. ...But I think we should focus on the matter at hand, no?

[nighttimegps]

Indeed, there will be time for further discussion later.