○ 002 Transmission [Video and action.]

[helljumper]

[Huh. If this didn't feel like home, he didn't know what would.

Off to the side of everyone else, and for the most part minding his own business, would be a particular armored soldier lounging with his feet propped up on a piece of rubble. A position that likely wouldn't be very comfortable to those who weren't wearing armor, considering he was sitting on a very debris-ridden spot and leaning back against some of the rocks like it was some sort of make-shift chair.

And though he appeared physically exhausted, the rush of data flying across both his netbook - and most likely his visor's - screen showed that the Rookie wasn't taking the time to relax completely just yet.]

Well, the people here wanted a war, so I guess we've got one. [For those listening over the netbook, there's a large amount of static, and the video makes a point to flicker and pixelate before the Rookie casually raps the screen with his knuckle. Mostly out of the whole 'if technology doesn't work, hit it' habit. Not that it did much to solve it.] But at least we didn't come out of this completely empty handed, if those videos involving the Masked soldiers are of any use to us.

[There's a slight pause then, before he's propping his arms up behind his head and adding in a little more quieter. Though his next couple of words might be a little hard to make out over the network, with the occasional pops of static appearing over the feed.]

Suppose the real question now is, how ready are we?

Comments

action;

[ardor]

[Walking over, a very familiar redhead scoffs as she holds out a bottle of water for him to take.]

Ready for war or for hibernating in caves? Honestly, I don't think we're ready for either, though we're being forced into both.

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[helljumper]

[His visor appears to melt away at the sound of her voice, before he's reaching up to grab the offered water. Though Rookie doesn't appear very interested in taking a sip out of it just yet.]

Long as this place doesn't fall down on top of us, I'm not too worried. [Casting a small nod over to the bulk of refugees, adding in.] Just hope these people have enough sense to cooperate and work together, if things get any worse.

[Though they seem to be doing a good job so far.]

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[ardor]

[Kallen glances over to where he's nodding, studying them all as well before looking back to him.]

It really depends. If they're mostly civilians unused to this sort of thing? It could go south very quickly. But... so far so good.

[She reaches down and grabs a blanket from their small pile of things. Once it's wrapped around her, she settles herself next to his "chair" and leans against the side of it with her head resting on his arm.]

Is it bad to think I'm starting to miss my bed at the castle?

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[helljumper]

No, because I miss it too. [Take that as you will.]

But as long as they stay calm and don't panic, everything will be fine. [There's a sigh, however, as he moves to accommodate her and get a little comfortable himself.] Although I will admit, some of the people down here are making me a little nervous.

[Not that he'll say whom, but it's probably not all that hard to figure out considering his history.]

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[ex_bandai157]

[ Now here we have a good question. ]

Having a firsthand look at what our enemy is capable of should prove to help a great deal.

[ His voice is tight despite his best efforts, a little from residual effects of the air and a lot with anger. ]

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[helljumper]

[The anger is noted, and though it makes him curious, he also knows there's plenty of reasons to be annoyed when they're stuck down here like rats in a sewer.]

Mm. I have a feeling this was more like a showy display of power, rather than what they're actually capable of. [A wave of his hand towards the ceiling above him, as he continues.] Especially if they consider something like that a warning.

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[ex_bandai157]

[ He raises an eyebrow. He's considered this, but - it seems a little odd. ]

If that's the case, why stop after a few days? With most of the populated world at their disposal, I've no doubt they can be more destructive than this, should they desire it.

[Video]

[trustycrowbar]

It shook us out of our complacency, [Static!] that's for sure. But I'm not hearing any rally cries yet. In fact I'd be willing to bet that most of--[More static.]--want to get back to their lives here and not even talk about what happened.

[Video]

[helljumper]

Woul-- [Ksssh] -- first time it's happened. [A pause, as Rookie smacks the side of the netbook, before speaking up again.] Most people not accustomed -- war, generally -- to pretend the world isn't falling down around them.

[trustycrowbar]

I know.

This would be a good time to incite some--[SSSSSSSS!]--spirit into these people, but I get the feeling if we did that they'd point their weapons at the Initiative instead.

[audio]

[kingdom_of_song]

Who in the buggering hell wanted a war? I just wanted t'go home.

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[helljumper]

[That gets a sigh, because if anything that answered part of his question. Though he'll keep his tone amicable as he responds, even as he moved to prop his chin up and stare at the screen.]

Not enjoying all this excitement, sir?

[audio]

[kingdom_of_song]

I cannae imagine anyone is. Are you?

video;

[bittertears]

Clearly not [bzzt]-ared enough, I would thin-[crackle].

video; [/edits forever. sdlfjs]

[helljumper]

[There's a considering pause when the video pops up and he sees it's a young girl, before Rookie's giving a light nod.]

I agree. We've obvi-- [kssh!] -- still got a long way to go, if this te- tells me anything.

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[bittertears]

We would [bzzrt]-ise not to waste the opportunity.

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[sacrificar]

T-[bzzt]-nswer is obvious.

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[helljumper]

[He knows, given the static-filled sigh she gets in return.]

We've got some long days ahe-- [fsshpop!]- us, then.

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[sacrificar]

Enough tim-[crackle]-o learn, if they choose to.

[voice]

[loyalism]

I think recent events pro— [static] —eady we are.

[And that would be "not at all".]

We're a ragtag army without structure or a leader. I imag — have wiped us out had they intended to.

[video]

[helljumper]

Not a comf-- [More static!] --ting thought, but tr- trying to lead people from a variety of backgr-- [Crackle, kssssh.] -- like herding cats.

[Shift of his weight, then, as he lowered his hands back to his sides and gave a shrug.]

We need -- start somewhere, though.

[loyalism]

Start with those — want that structure, want to be led. They're easy to find; the ones calling out for it. Once there's proof that it works, the rest — be able to make up their own minds.

[video]

[ohmygodgreywardens]

Not ready enough, in my opinion. You don't send a group out to fight by only giving them the means to do battle. They need the strategy, as well.

[video]

[helljumper]

[Oh! There's definitely an interested lift of his visor when seeing this person on screen. Provided Cailan's armor was in view.]

Very true, sir. Sounds like you have a little experience with this.

[video]

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[Oh, it's visible. It's always visible, and always perfectly polished and shining.]

Back home I led our troops alongside the Grey Wardens in battle against the Blight. The battle plan was well suited for it, I took a long time working on it.