Operation: Gigas Freedom

[bnw_void_npcs]

[OOC Notes: This upcoming event will not go live until June 5th, depending on the result of the votes. No matter what decision is made here, either will have a dramatic impact on the game and especially that of how the game will ultimately end. This is the first of several much larger events as we begin to wrap up major plot points that have been established since very early in the game, and expect the stakes to start getting higher as these events progress]

The feed flickers on to reveal a rather more serious looking Celito and Maeve. They exchange glances and nods, before Celito launches in.

“Hey everyone, Celito here. The Seekers have convened and have issued a directive. If at all possible, it is our duty to free the gods imprisoned by Gigas and return them to their natural state. Unfortunately, with the resources of the Seekers being dedicated to research, this is essentially impossible for us to achieve on our own. So, we’ve come to Union with a proposal. Right now, we have a fairly good idea of the defenses of Gigas, but as we understand we cannot rely on them to remain unchanged for very long, Gigan military is highly professional and they change patterns and routines regularly. I expect it’d be especially true with the Gigases. Right now may be the only opportunity we have to break in and free the Gigases. We don’t come to ask this lightly. We are asking the Union Alliance to join us in liberating the Gigases. We have brought this proposal to your Council and they have authorized us to proceed - if the will of the people will support it. We’re asking for your help, we need to free the Gigases and we can’t wait for another chance. Please, will you help us?”

Giving her brother a nod, Maeve directs her attention to the feed again.

“This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but it isn’t gonna be easy. There’s a lot that could go wrong here.” Averting her eyes from the camera, Maeve purses her lips into a frown. “We can’t do this by ourselves. We need your help going forward, but we understand if something like this seems too dangerous. Union’s done its best to stay impartial for the most part, but that might not be the case if you help us. Think about that before saying yes.”

[OOC: Voting is live as of now. The question: will the Union Alliance proceed with the attack on Gigas and attempt to liberate the Gigases? This could very well cause an international incident with Gigas, but as stated, another chance will likely not come again. It’s now or never. OOC discussion and IC discussion threads are open, only 1 vote per player please. As before, votes will generally be weighted with the assumption that PCs are in the streets advocating their position. As a reminder, the vote you cast should be your OOC opinion: do you want to go forward with attacking Gigas and freeing the Gigases, or do you want to leave Gigas alone and allow the Gigases to remain trapped, perhaps for good.]

Comments

[allergictoloveletters]

I trust in you, Waver-san, I do not trust the Seekers who asked us to gain the stones and promptly fled immediately following. For all we know, they are preparing to establish themselves as another, if just as dangerous, set of Elite Four.

I do not want the Gigas to be held captive either, allow me to make that perfectly clear. What I will not accept is the decimation of two cities because of their need to be vague and could be essentially using us for their own plans. I will not have our backs turned merely so they can stab into it.

I trust our people, I am even willing to extend trust to them. What I am not willing to do, is run into their plans recklessly when they've offered us nothing in return to assure their full involvement. They are a small group willing to sacrifice not one, but two cities.

That is not a matter to dive into lightly.

[untalented]

Then I suggest contacting the Seekers through private channels-- I don't think this is the avenue for sharing secret intel, Dr. Mizuno. And, you have to keep in mind that there are some here who would be willing to move in favor of rescuing the Gods regardless of whether we have intel or not.

It's a gamble no matter what we do, but we agree on the bottom line here: we can't leave the Gigases where they're at.

[allergictoloveletters]

Then why go down this avenue of communication to begin with if it is not secure? They have already announced the desire to infiltrate Gigas, that alone was a risky move, Waver-san.

It's a gamble, certainly, but I would rather a more favorable gamble than a blind one. I do am not willing to risk Union lives because they wish to be secretive and stoic. If we're going to be going in, better to know every possible outcome and prepare accordingly, and be prepared. Plan for the worst and hope for the best but that can't be done without all the facts.

[untalented]

You already have all the facts you need, honestly. Speaking as an outsider, and someone who grew up in a Gigas controlled city, we're more at risk if we don't make a move on this. It's tenuous, but we know we have an opening... And, if we don't take it, there's no doubt that the Gigan leaders will use their resources and hurt Union.

Sanctuary might stand between us, but they never have had much defenses. To preserve themselves, they found it easier to surrender.

... Besides, you're forgetting something, Dr. Mizuno; statistically, odds are in our favor if we can stack them like this... and, more relevantly,we can reason with these gods if we succeed, unlike the one in the winter.

[allergictoloveletters]

[She lets out a heavy sigh.]

I believe I will be in the minority for this, if only because I don't like what little facts we have. But, if the gods can be reasoned with, as you say, and more importantly, could be convinced not to attack innocent citizens.

As I said, I do not want the gods to be held captive. But contingency plans are a must in this.

[untalented]

Of course they are-- and I'm sure that'll come in due time. We've never been left without backup of some sort, and we still had plenty of help from the outside the one time we were blindsided.

[Because no one could forget the incident over the winter, with the Elite Four and their captive Gods.]

Who knows? We might even be allowed some creative leeway with our own knowledge of Gigas in those plans. The Seekers might just be waiting for us to be sure we're ready to commit.

[allergictoloveletters]

We had plenty of help because we were mercilessly attacked when we offered only welcome and open arms. We are actively engaging in a side of this war and may, whether we intend it or not, lead to the devastation of an entire city. We would be unwise to count our eggs before they hatch, especially when it comes to the gods, Waver-san.

[And that's precisely where Ami had a problem. She would not be the sort to commit until she had all the information, but the Seekers wanted them to do just that. It went against everything she stood for.]

Only the Seekers know, that's the problem. There is no telling how much leeway there will be our how much input they even care to receive from us because they've given us nothing.

[untalented]

They've given us nothing because we haven't agreed to helping them-- they're aware of what this decision can mean to Union, and they're clearly just as wary as you are.

[Waver sighed.]

It's two mistrustful parties asking the other to show some faith, Dr. Mizuno. Frankly, them asking us at all instead of putting themselves even further at risk means they have some in us.

[allergictoloveletters]

They won't put themselves at risk or they would have done so already, Waver-san. Just like they needed us to get the stones for them, this would be no different.

[She sighs and shakes her head.]

My opinion will matter little in this. [She already knows that. She tilts her head.] Union will support the plan, Gigas will be infiltrated, and we will deal with the outcomes, whatever they may be.

[untalented]

And we'll pull through, like we always have. You can't forget that, Dr. Mizuno.

[He knew various people would be wary because of this, but he also knew that there were people out there that were willing to do what was necessary to do the right thing.

He just wanted to minimize any casualties, if it was all possible.]

[allergictoloveletters]

[Yes, with the loss of life growing in number. She inclines her head though.]

My involvement will be as a medic. [She can make battle plans, of course, but she doubts they'll want them from her.]

[untalented]

And with my luck, I'll likely wear myself out healing anyone who needs it.

[Though he could have more spells stocked than before, he was still limited in what he could do with them.]

But that's why they need people like us around-- and all we really can do is minimize as much damage as we can.

[allergictoloveletters]

With any luck, Waver-san, neither of us will be run ragged.

[She inclined her head and leaned back.]

I suppose I'll begin planning Gigas escape routes.

[untalented]

Escape routes and safeholds-- anything to let us catch a break if the worst happens.

[allergictoloveletters]

I am aware, Waver-san, though you shall have to trust my judgement on the matter.