Call to Arms

[bravenewmods]

Rumors abound within Union as a number of sudden, secret and late night meetings are called by the council. Long hours of deliberation behind closed doors with no public or media admittance cause quite the stir. By morning, theories run rampant as the great doors finally open and haggard, weary, and stone-faced council members emerge, accompanied by General Ironborn of Caldera and a group of four figures, clothed in dark black robes. One of the Councillors steps forward to a mic-bearing podium and clears his throat.

“Citizens of Union, we know rumors run across this fair city, and now is time to put them to rest. Last night, we received word that Caldera had made contact and requested an immediate meeting. The request was granted.”

He shuffles a bit nervously before continuing.

“The quakes of the past month have had an unexpected benefit. They dislodged some rocks under the city of Sanctuary, opening new tunnels. As some of you may know, Sanctuary is a city currently occupied by Gigas. The rebellion has managed to escape the city, and have come to their old Calderan allies for aid. It appears Gigas is tightening their grip, nobody can enter or leave Sanctuary without approval from the Gigas Senate or military. Within Sanctuary, it is a time of fear and unrest.”

General Ironborn steps forward with some impatience, and the council member yelps and moves out of the way. His expression is grim.

“We of Caldera intend to liberate Sanctuary from Gigas. Too long have they suffered under the Gigan yoke, and we will break it by the coming summer. I am here before you today to call for aid. Alone, Sanctuary and Caldera are not sufficient. But with Union, with Refuge, with Citadel, we are strong. Today, people suffer in unjust rule and oppression. Tomorrow? Tomorrow, they can be free!”

The General steps respectfully back as the councilman reclaims the podium.

“Union has heard the pleas of Sanctuary and Caldera. We will aid. But as we have made clear, we are not a city of killers. While we will provide aid, we will not aid in the taking of life.”

Those near the podium at this point might hear General Ironborn snort and mutter under his breath “if some Gigan bastards ‘accidentally’ shuffle off the mortal coil, you’ll see no objection from me.” The Councilman, however, continues as if he didn’t hear the comment.

“We are seeking volunteers. Our allies will be convening here tomorrow to discuss the plan of attack. The good general and the rebels will be here to answer questions as needed.”

The councilman stops as one of the robed figures places a hand on his arm. They confer briefly, before he nods and steps aside. The figure takes the stage and draws back his hood, revealing a haggard man in his 30’s with a scraggly beard and skin pale and unhealthy.

“Citizens of Union, my name is Clement of House Blackwatch, Magus of the Third Order. I am a representative of the Sanctuary Resistance. Please, we need your aid! Long we have suffered under Gigas. To think that potential allies lay so close - I could not dream it! Please, lend us your aid! I implore you!”

Desperation is clear in his eyes and voice, but he respectfully steps aside as the councilman once again clears his throat.

“Ahem, yes, as I said, everyone will be available to answer questions. I must also note, Sanctuary is outside of our Warp Band network. Your bands will not function and you will be unable to summon your Pokemon as you approach the city. Our allies with Team Evolution have offered to provide us some assistance but it is… ah… a bit…”

He trails off.

A calloused hand grips the councilman’s shoulder, ushering him out of the way. A woman steps out from behind the councilman. Dressed in old-fashioned Calderan garb, she looks strong despite her size. She holds something in her left hand.

She begins to speak, without the microphone. Her voice carries surprisingly well. “My name is Ryuuko Nishimura. Mister Donnachaidh sent me ahead to prepare you.”

Holding out her left hand, a strange looking ball expands in her hands, before she tosses it out, away from the crowd. The Pokéball flashes, before a Darmanitan appears from the light, bowing deeply.

Taking the microphone, Ryuuko takes a few steps closer. “Rory tells me that the people of Union do not use Pokéballs here. However, we have taken special care to make sure that your needs will be taken care of. The Nishimura clan is well-known throughout Caldera, as master blacksmiths for countless generations. Before the cataclysm that struck our great land, the Nishimura clan was world-renowned for their Pokéball design.

“I understand your reluctance. It is for this reason that I have gone to great lengths to craft each Pokéball that we provide by my own hand.” She holds the Pokéball up again for emphasis. “What you see here is nothing like the terrible devices of old. I have studied the Habitat Tower in Caldera, as well as the Warp Bands from Union, and learned what I could from it. I have used this knowledge to construct what you see here.”

Pressing the button at the center, the Pokéball retracts, and Ryuuko pins it to her obi.

“I have done my best to make them as comfortable as possible for your Pokémon. However, I do understand your reluctance. If there are any doubts, I would be more than happy to show you the process in which they are made, if this should ease your minds.”

The woman steps back, again ceding the floor to the councilman who really, at this point, looks like he wants to go home and go to bed.

“Well then. Any questions?”

Comments

General Brand Ironborn

[bnw_void_npcs]

Clement of House Blackwatch, Magus of the Third Order

[bnw_void_npcs]

Ryuuko Nishimura

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[lunchleader]

You said you're a Magus...does that mean you do magic?

And how is everyone at Sanctuary? Are they still getting stuff like food and water okay?

[schmott_guy]

You reinvented pokeballs? That's...going to ruffle some feathers.

[rainsrespite]

What's the difference between yours and the old ones?

[The woman in the photo is, by the way, looking very, very grave. As are the seven assembled Pokemon.]

[bnw_void_npcs]

Yes, I'd been told Union only has Earthkin. I am a Magus, so unlike Earthkin I learn spells through study and memorization. It's a very common discipline within Sanctuary, there are many more Magi than there are Earthkin.

As to our circumstance, our base needs are met but we have no freedom. Every movement is watched and dissenters often vanish, never to be seen again.

[niepokonany]

You have got to be kidding me if you think we're going to trust this junk.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ She blinks a few times. ]

Not me personally, of course. And I understand your apprehension. However, we only wish to help. Unfortunately, given the nature of this operation, time is truly of the essence. As such, we were not able to come up with a better solution.

[ Ryuuko frowns slightly. ]

I do not expect to be well-liked. But, I have done what I could to accommodate Union's... peculiarities.

[expertonshutters]

Nishimura, eh? Is that name still as notorious as I remember? If so, that adds some legitimacy to your words. Like everyone else, I'd like to know how they're different from the ones in the past.

[Look who's gone full reporter mode with a pen and paper.]

[lunchleader]

That actually sounds pretty amazing. An entire city with lots of magic...

[But then he shudders at the latter half of what Clement says.] But that part sounds really creepy. How'd you guys manage to keep from being caught?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ She looks relatively unphased. ]

I have created them to work similarly to your own technology. They do not bind Pokémon to their user. They are, in fact, quite ill-suited for capture, as it turns out. Really, their only function is a means of easy conveyance.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ If Feliks is looking for a reaction, he will get none. ]

I take personal pride in my work. You may think that it is junk, but I can assure you that it is not. Should you have any doubt, however, I would be more than happy to show you my processes.

[ She also seems to have missed the point of what he means by "junk." ]

[schmott_guy]

"Peculiarities." How very tactful of you.

Of course, some of us are more open minded than others. I would not be averse to getting my hands on a few of them, myself.

[rainsrespite]

It's completely voluntary? And can you explain what they do? Is it just like a half-complete warp transfer? Or...something else?

[She remains just as grave, but there's no anger there. It's more that she's taking it seriously, like she has to know before she can decide.]

[bnw_void_npcs]

The resistance has existed for as long as Gigas has held Sanctuary. We used to use the tunnels under the city as a means of exit, but recently, Gigas has been cracking down on our activities and sealed off the tunnels. It was only a matter of time before they were able to squelch our activities, but the quake proved quite serendipitous.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

"Notorious?"

[ Is... is that an actual smile? Maybe a little? It's hard to say. ]

Of course. The Pokéballs that I have crafted for the people of Union are a labor of love, and are, in fact, quite unique. They serve little purpose other than transportation. They do not bind Pokémon to their user, and are, in fact, quite ineffective for capturing Pokémon.

[niepokonany]

[Feliks, as usual, is less interested in reactions and more interested in expressing himself. Noisily.]

What, like this is about quality? I'm not putting my friends into cages just because you've made nicer cages, and neither is anyone else with half a brain!

[sparkofgenius]

How are we getting there, Sir?

[Lucca salutes smartly, though she's in her very, very irregular outfit. She's no soldier, but she remembers the man from the war.]

[divine_braid]

Wait... you redesigned PokéBalls? How do they work?

[brandnewshoes]

General Ironborn!

[Estelle's actually seen Ironborn before; her father was a high-ranking officer in the Calderan army. But "seen" isn't "feels comfortable addressing him." She walks forward.]

I'll go, sir. The chance to help them--it's what we have to do. Do we know the Gigans have locked the city down, though?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Thank you.

[ Was that snark? She said it with such a straight face, so it was really hard to say. ]

I am happy to hear that. I will admit, I was worried coming to this city, that my work would not be appreciated.

[ She stops abruptly, clearing her throat a bit hastily. ]

Of course, this was not why I wished to help. But an artist feels quite useless if her work is not at least somewhat appreciated.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

It is voluntary, yes. It does use older technology, in that it will contain them as a form of energy, however this is where their similarities end.

Above all else, I did what I could to design them for comfort as well as functionality.

[bnw_void_npcs]

[The General returns the salute with practiced ease]

We'll have to travel by foot. Likely we'll move to set up a base of operations outside the city. Some of our own engineers are already working on a way to keep the comm link moving so we'll still have direct contact with Union and Caldera.

[bnw_void_npcs]

[The general smiles a bit]

As I understand the Resistance was getting a bit creative. They've got the Gigans scared so they're punishing the whole city in an effort to smoke them out.