[voice] 001

[ruleoftwo]

[Councilman Palpatine's voice is a familiar enough one. Like some old timers, he has a penchant for using the voice function of the Warp Band; video is still quite new to him. However, he sounds relaxed today. Even a little grandfatherly.]

Good evening, people of Union. I hope that this finds you well. I know the last few weeks have been trying. The tragedy that befell our city was felt by everyone, and all of our lives were touched by it... and, I think, by the aid so generously brought by our allies.

[Enough of that.]

I'm hoping to submit several proposals to the Council for the rebuilding of the city. One concern that we should consider is defense -- how to prevent attacks like that, and, should one occur again, reduce the loss of life.

I thought I should ask all of you what sorts of defenses you might see. Shelters and evacuation routes seem necessary, first and foremost, I think.

Comments

[Voice]

[lunchleader]

[Oh, hey, it's that one councilman that everyone likes. Nothing wrong with talking with him about this kind of stuff.]

Maybe we can look at making shelters in the Old City? I mean, we'll have to talk to a lot of the Pokemon there, but I think they'd understand if it's to protect everyone for just a little while.

[ruleoftwo]

The Old City...

[Palpatine repeats it, weighing it audibly.]

Yes. I think that might be a wise idea. It would be more secure than the towers, and easier to build evacuation tunnels.

Do you think the Pokemon there would be troubled, if we asked?

[lunchleader]

Maybe at first, but I think they'll come around if we explain everything to them. I know a few get really territorial, though, so we gotta watch out for that.

[ruleoftwo]

Hmm. Yes. We would want to send a delegation, then. And... some engineers, to make certain that it is stable.

[He remembers the earthquakes.]

[lunchleader]

I can help translate if the delegation can't find anyone else.

[voice]

[arachnocide]

Pardon me, I am a recent arrival, and only know of the incident second hand, but I had noticed given how... vertical the city is that those working and living on the upper floors are would have the highest risk of being a casualty, am I correct in my assessment?

[ruleoftwo]

It's true, sadly. The height of the buildings was hard to avoid, for a long time...

But it also makes the upper levels very dangerous, if the buildings are badly damaged.

[arachnocide]

Because of the walls I assume?

What might help is figuring on multiple ways of exiting the higher floors - perhaps external stairs, or every floor requiring multiple collapsible ladders?

[ruleoftwo]

Quite so. Union stayed in this territory for a long time.

Ah, but those are good ideas! Collapsible ladders would be a quicker solution to the problem, while we work on adding stares and other permanent solutions.

Voice;

[soulofmagus]

That is good of you to do, sir. A evacuation plan would certainly help, though of course, one might hope that such a thing does not occur again.

[hope for the best, but plan for the worst]

As such, I think locating a safe place, or several safe locations to send those most vulnerable to would be the first step to take.

[ruleoftwo]

Hmm. Yes. It is difficult because many places outside of the city aren't safe.

But... that means creating the necessary shelters.

[soulofmagus]

While safe harbour in the city should of course be considered, I do not think it impossible to locate suitable places to make temporary shelter. The forest has many paths, does it not? One could conceal the correct paths away with the canopy, so any airborne intruders are less certain where to follow.

[ruleoftwo]

It's quite true. We could do that. It would be easy to lose an enemy in the forest.

Perhaps the Old City, too, as another suggested.

[soulofmagus]

It could.. And no doubt there are those who could confuse the trail further, or pokémon who might aid in an escape that way.

Yes, though.. Would that be safe? We would not wish for the pokémon there to see us as encroaching on their territory, however brief the stay might be. Although, I recall hearing mentions of a mine - if there is a tunnel already in place, perhaps that could be of use as well?

Voice

[rememberher]

[ Ah yes, she knows that voice. ]

I believe the best defense comes from learning as much as we can about our enemies. Wouldn't you agree, Councilman?

[ruleoftwo]

Ah, Luxanna! How are you doing? Congratulations, again, on your wedding.

I would agree, too. Knowledge is... a very useful thing, in that regard. Understanding our enemies can be quite powerful. Have you thought of ways to learn more?

[rememberher]

Thank you very much. It's good to be back, although seeing the city in such a state was a bit difficult for the both of us.

I'd like to conduct some investigations outside of Union, with the help of the Seekers and Rangers, among others. Meet with the elders in Glacier, and ask them what they know or have observed. Moving further west and looking for signs of aggression in other areas also would not be amiss. I'll admit, it is a bit difficult with the current restrictions in place, however.

[ "Although someone like you could possibly put in a good word for her, right?"--is what her tone of voice very clearly hinted at. ]

[ruleoftwo]

Ah, wonderful. It's a shame that you returned to find the city in such a state. But, we can fix what was done.

[Palpatine gets the hint. He's used to this. There's a soft 'hmm' over the voice line, then:]

Let me see what I can do. I think the council is afraid, and fear can make men take many sorts of actions. I'll explain the necessity of reaching out, not pulling in. I agree with you completely, Luxanna.

[rememberher]

I agree, the people of Union have shown that we're strong. We won't let this keep us down for too long.

[ There is a distinct smile in her tone. Yes, she knew she could count on him. ]

That's a relief, I'm glad that someone does. I've been butting heads with my father over this since we got back--although I suspect that has less to do with ideals than it does with the "sudden" wedding. Is there anything that I can do to make the process easier for you?

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

[Ordinarily Rei wouldn't involve herself in council business. However, in her father's absence? she had little choice but to at least speak on behalf of the Hino family.]

Well said, Councilman.

[She bows slightly.]

Shelters, evacuation routes, perhaps passages into the Old City that can be opened at a moment's notice. We've long known the tunnels there lead deep into the mountains, and that is a potential escape route.

[ruleoftwo]

[Ah, video calls. Palpatine has to fiddle with it for a moment, but then he's there -- smiling, and he nods slightly.]

Thank you, Rei.

[He considers for a moment.]

Others have suggested similar. I think it's a wise idea, but we'll need to be sure that we don't anger the Old City's... residents. It wouldn't due to start a second fight, in the event of an evacuation.

[faithfulflame]

[She's patient, she can wait. Video just feels appropriate.]

That's something easily addressed, if we delineate clear pathways for evacuation. The wild pokemon can be reasoned with, generally, and those of us gifted with the ability to speak with them could very easily attempt to make such overtures during an emergency situation.

And frankly, a furious god bearing down upon the upper city is reason enough for most of them to hide.

[ruleoftwo]

Indeed. They would want to be clear of that, much as we would. We can reach out to them. We may also want to build shelters there, too -- some stores of food and the like would be of immense value.

Voice

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

I agree, Councilman. Our first thought should always be the safety of the people.

[ruleoftwo]

Ah, Lenna. Yes.

We can't forget that, in times like these.