2nd cut - Video and action; private [backdated to 23rd]

[revolutionista]

[OOC: Private to Kaido and Sanageyama

Satsuki seems to be even more frowny since the Caldera announcement. Less than even an hour later, she video-messages both Kaido and Sanageyama, her expression even more stern and resolute than ever.]

Nikaido, Sanageyama. I have a favour to ask of both of you. You must have heard the news already, and I am sure you both realize I shall be going there. Sanageyama, I expect you to come with me. Nikaido... Do what you want. But I need both of you to meet me as soon as possible outside Union, close to the walls. Be at your best. There is something I need to try.

[The message ends there. And when you two arrive outside Union, she'll be waiting there, easy enough to spot with her usual white clothes. Not as usual this time, though - unlike most of the time, she's wearing Junketsu. Which might give you an idea of what she wanted to try.]

Action; Advance Party

[indy_wannabe]

[The Advance Party has definitely made great progress, but they are now in the middle of the Western Desert. While they are reasonably well-supplied, it's not necessarily pleasant.]

Savior. Why is it so hot?

[This is open to all Advance Party members! Feel free to make your own threads and mingle as you wish!]

(no subject)

[bnw_void_npcs]

The Advance Party arrives to find a city besieged. Nestled about midway up a towering mountainside, the area to the east is stained with the glow of torches and the assembled legions of Gigas, their distinctive gray banners flapping in the wind. Their encampments are neat and orderly, with rows upon rows of soldiers, Ponyta cavalry, and Pidgeot cavalry, as well as several cannons well-protected within the ranks.

Upon your arrival, the city greets you warily, and it takes a number of exchanges before an aged but stern man appears on the walls. These walls are much smaller than those of Union, but they are unique in that they appear to be formed of raw iron, not forged but instead shaped around the city. The city itself is also rough-hewn from stone and steel, the buildings squat and functional but not terribly graceful. Caldera is easily the size of Union, but without the sweeping towers of Union it is much smaller in population, numbering perhaps only 200,000 souls at best. But it is a hearty place of strength and resilience, and even as beleaguered as it is the soot-stained faces of its people still shine with grim defiance.

After a brief discussion, the man orders his men to open the gate and permit access to the city.

"I can't say my people will trust you, but any offer of allegiance is better than none. I am General Brand Ironborn, I have defended Caldera for some fifty years now. Gigas has ever claimed this land to be part of its former empire, and demands our surrender that we might be re-incorporated into their civilization. We would have none of it, but we cannot fight much longer. You are welcome within my city, and any reinforcements you can send are appreciated.

You may have free rein of the city and I am happy to answer any questions you might have. The major issue before us is the army. We cannot hold them for much longer. We either need to convince them to back down, or we need to cripple their supply lines that they cannot keep themselves fed. Hopefully that will prove enough to force them to withdraw. Either way, if this "Union" you speak of is as large as you say it is, then perhaps we can make it through this siege yet.

He hesitates for a moment.

"I hate to be the beggar, but in our hour of need I am left with no choice. Please, good people of Union, some of my men are gravely injured, and we have many elderly and children behind our walls. I need them escorted to safety, if you can spare the aid. Will you take them in?"

[This is an open post, characters are free to tag General Ironborn at will and ask questions about Caldera and the situation]

Action & Voice; Caldera -- Forward-dated at least one day

[ladyofluminosity]

[ ACTION ]

[The second wave of help comes rolling into Caldera during midday, many of which look as if they've had a hard time of it. The desert certainly took its toll, on some more than others, but there's a certain blond that, despite looking a bit wilted, is in high spirits.

Also on a somewhat high, fiery horse.]

All right, everyone, stay together! It's hard to say what we'll be running into. Renko and you all ( OOC: left open to others who join Lux's group ), we should look to find out who is in charge, so we can get an idea of what is going on.

The rest of you, try to run reconnaissance. Let's see if we can find some of the others from Union and reconnect with them as well.

[She continues to give out a few orders, then dismounts, taking hold of the makeshift lead on her Rapidash and starting to walk around to get a survey of the lands. Feel free to recognize her, take her orders, question her orders, what have you.]

[ VOICE ]

We've reached Caldera. It's... about as bad as we thought it would be. Gigas has them stretched thin. Right now, we're trying to get as much information as we can. Hopefully we'll be able to get a bit more as time goes on, but things are heated to say the least.

If you do have questions, I can try to direct them to the right channels.