I. A Message [audio]

[ningwofuren]

[ Ever since that brief meeting within the courtyard, several questions plagued Cao Cao's mind. He had hoped to find the information on his own with the Initiative's help, but they weren't very...helpful in his opinion. Besides the whole notion of them using sorcery to unravel the United Earth's influences through a series of smaller skirmishes, Cao Cao wasn't certain as of how this war could possibly be won. From what little he's managed to understand, the enemy outnumbers them greatly and there's great dissent amongst the transports here.

Still trying to understand his role in all this, the King of Wei decided to act. He never used such a device before. These "tablets" as they call them were nearly two-thousand years ahead of his time. Though with some luck and minor concentration, he managed to operate one. He was still far from proficient with this odd device, but at least he got it work.

Now staring into the blank screen of the tablet, Cao Cao speaks. ]

Just how many generals sit amongst us? How many soldiers and how many strategists? If this is a war, then shouldn't we treat it as such?

[ He paused momentarily in hopes of hearing an answer, but nothing was said. So he continued. ]

I've won wars before but nothing resembling this kind of scale. Gathering the information necessary about my foes was never so daunting as this. Virtually nothing is known about the United Earth or their method of combat. I'm aware that they hold the most influence in this realm, but how so?

[ Mengde wondered if their were other factions out there who hoped to rebel against their federation. He wouldn't be surprised if there were, but they assist them? Surely this war doesn't fall upon the shoulders of a wayward few.

That would be suicide. ]

In truth, I see no victory in sight but I refuse to die a martyr's death.

Comments

Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her nod is slight but respectful. It's not hard to see that the man knows what he's talking about; that he speaks the truth, when he talks of wars won.]

Ideally I agree with you, but they've already gone on the offensive at least twice, and we have no way of knowing when they'll strike again. I doubt they're sitting on their laurels. [Another smile, dry and sharp.] Of course, if their system is anything like home's, it'll take a while for them to actually agree on anything.

[The smile fades as she moves on.] Usually gathering intel is my priority, but the protection of Exsilium and its citizens ought to come first. [None of them wanted this, either. None of them are soldiers.] We need to make sure we're prepared for another attack, and to launch a counterstrike.

[Her brow furrows, slightly, as her hands clasp in front of her.] I'd prefer a balance - the more we know, the better we can plan - but it's hard to say how much focus we'll need on either.

[ningwofuren]

[ Subconsciously, Cao Cao already knew they couldn't possibly match the United Earth in weaponry but he wondered if they could match them in efficiency. There has to be some way they could possibly win this war. Why else would the Initiative feel the need to drag them here to Exsilium if all was lost?

There's something else not being explained here. ]

Of course not. If I was them, I would already be planning my next strike in hopes of killing us all. However, I wonder why they haven't achieved a swift victory against us yet.

[ Mengde now wore a pensive visage as he stroked his beard slowly. ]

Balance is the key here. We cannot focus all of our attention on just one aspect of the situation. Where do we begin and how many shall follow?

[bodilesswarrior]

They obviously know we're a threat now, if they didn't before. It's possible they're distracted - we might not be the only resistance. [And if they aren't, they really should find a way to coordinate.] For all we know, there's dissent in Vandrova. [If only they could get people inside. She wonders if the Initiative has contacts they don't know about.]

I'd say our first order of business, regardless, is assessing what each of us is best suited to. Our skills, our abilities, our experience. Then we can assign tasks - defence, offence, reconnaissance.

Of course, this isn't taking into account the missions the Initiative sends us on. From what I understand, we're attempting to weaken the current regime by altering history. So each of those ripples will affect our game plan.

[ningwofuren]

[ This thought certainly crossed Cao Cao's mind before. If the Initiative were bold enough to challenge the United Earth, then there had to be others out there willing to support their cause. Why else would the United Earth hesitate in defeating them unless they were fighting two wars at once. ]

Then we must unite with others beyond this island, a task best suited for the Initiative themselves. [ Only if the rebels decide to cooperate, of course. ]

Now is a better time than never to form conference amongst us. We need to form a first line of defense before we can form an offense. The faster we organize this the better.

[ While he isn't certain how effective traveling back in time will prove, Cao Cao simply hopes that this initiative pays off in some form or way. ]

We do not want to find ourselves in the heat of battle with no leadership.

[bodilesswarrior]

Agreed. [The more tight their management, the more smoothly they'll run.

Unless, of course, they fall into bureaucracy, but then she'll just have to cut the shiny new red tape.]

We ought to divide leadership in the same way; there are different styles of leading, different sorts of experience, that will suit different kinds of battles.

[ningwofuren]

Many must step forward in order for this plan to be a success.

[ Despite him wishing he could handle such a task on his own, Cao Cao knew better. ]