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

[ningwofuren]

[ Cao Cao blinked his eyes slowly. The names of these people are just...bizarre. Out of fear that he would butcher the banker's name, Mengde repeated it a few times quietly before speaking once more. ]

You are well met, Giovanni Auditore. [ He managed to get through that by somewhat mimicking Giovanni's strange accent to the best of his abilities. The name "Giovanni" is odd enough to prove difficult to pronounce. ]

I hail from China, the beating heart of the world.

[deadlybanker]

The beating heart? There are many countries that would make that claim.

[Not a bad try on the name though. It was a little accented but pretty close.]

Have you just arrived here?

[ningwofuren]

All those who do are clearly lying.

[ He offered Giovanni a slight smirk. The Chinese are proud people and Cao Cao would sooner fight to the death for the glory of his country rather than denounce its beauty. ]

You are correct. I've been here for no longer than a day and wish to have this war won by tomorrow. Of course that is not possible.

[deadlybanker]

[Giovanni smiled right back, finding his sense of how long this war should take to be a most interesting one. ]

That would be for the best, but it might take at least two days to win the entire war.

[But more seriously.]

Tell me, from what you have heard of the place do you find the Initiative to be an ally?

[ningwofuren]

Only if wars truly could be won so easily.

[ He almost let out a wistful sigh. The war he just emerged from was the bloodiest he ever witnessed. Simple peasants turned militant under the blink of an eye. Men were killing each other all across China in hopes of ironically finding a way to peace. ]

We have no choice other than see them as allies.

[deadlybanker]

Concordato.

[(Agreed.)]

No? They bring others here against their will to fight in their war... I am afraid this does not sound like the actions of an ally. If they needed help they should have asked and accepted no as an answer if their plea was refused.

[ningwofuren]

If you had your back against a wall and there were only certain death before you, would you not seek an alternate path?

[ Mengde asked with a hint of curiosity in his tone. ]

Believe me when I state I'm not sympathetic towards their plight. However, I can easily recognize desperation being the reason for our presence here.

[deadlybanker]

I sympathize with them. It is not an easy world they live in, but I still disagree with their methods. All people should be free to chose their own paths in life. They should not have it chosen for them.

[This is the idea he fights for as an assassin.]

The choices we make when situations are at their worst can be the most important.

[He has faced death many times. Never has he ever felt the need to involve the innocent. In fact he goes out of his way not to.]

There are many paths they could have chosen. I am afraid it was a poor idea to settle on this one.

[ningwofuren]

[ While he can certainly see the logic behind Giovanni's words, Cao Cao had to personally disagree on some aspects. Sometimes a few innocent lambs needed to be slaughtered for the greater good. Unfortunately, this means all the transports as a collective whole were the 'innocent lambs' waiting to be slaughtered. ]

Their choice may have been a poor one, but now we must face judgement for their mistake. This is why we must fight to preserve our lives however we can.

[deadlybanker]

[Sacrificing innocents went against the code of the Brotherhood. Even here away from the majority of his fellow assassins their ideas would be maintained as best he could.]

There may be those of the United Earth who disagree with the methods of their leaders. We should act to protect our lives, si, but we should also be cautious.

[ningwofuren]

We mustn't act with only caution but with haste as well. [ He truly felt the need to add that 'haste' part. Time is ticking away. With every moment they waste, the United Earth is surely growing stronger. ]

We must be as swift as the wind, and as powerful as a violent torrent to defeat them.

[deadlybanker]

Si, but how... and where should we strike?
Once we know more about the enemy we would have a better idea of what could do the most good.

[It seemed to him a few spy missions where in order.

OOC: And can't resist this: ♪ BE A MAN, We must be swift as a coursing river... With all the force of a great typhoon... ♫ ♪]

[ningwofuren]

[ Cao Cao gave a thoughtful hum. Where should they strike? They certainly cannot make a stand here on Exsilium. That would be a suicidal mission and he's not eager to die just yet. ]

The details shall we be dealt with whenever the Initiative gives us the information necessary for our next deployment. Until then, I believe it would be best for us to hone our skills and form alliances were none has been forged.

(ooc: ...so THAT'S where I got that line. *just watched Mulan two days ago* Oh boy! That was COMPLETELY subconscious. *facepalm* )

[deadlybanker]

[No, apparently not. The bombing had made that clear enough. The United Earth could strike at them from such great distances without ever putting any of their troops in danger... An enemy like that would be difficult to fight.
If... they were the only enemy. ]

So you will wait for orders and train when they tell you to until that time??

[OOC: Had you? I thought it was just a coincidence that it reminded me of that song so much!]

[ningwofuren]

No. [ Mengde sternly said. ] Not entirely. In order to learn more about our adversaries, research is needed. I refuse to fight a war blindly.

[ A slight escaped him. Perhaps the gravity of the situation was beginning to wear him down a bit. ]

( ooc: Yeeeeep! I just watched it less than a day ago. *lol* I guess I liked the movie more than I realized. )

[deadlybanker]

Capisco.

[(I understand.)]

I will let you know if I discover anything that might help you, if you will do the same for me?

[Forming alliances was a good idea. ]

[OOC: That's cute. I loved that movie too. ]

[ningwofuren]

[ He gave Giovanni a slight nod of approval. While honestly doubts there's much this mild-mannered banker could do, Cao Cao's grateful nonetheless. ] Of course.

[ A smirk slowly uncurled upon his face. ]

Let us see if we can unravel the mystery that shrouds the United Earth, shall we?


(ooc: it's a crying shame that Cao Cao himself would have never heard of the Legend of Mulan. Her tale takes place way after Romance of Three Kingdoms. Nearly a thousand years or so later. )

[deadlybanker]

[Maybe one day he will see the claws of this banker. ]

Si, buona fortuna.

[(Yes, good luck.)]

I hope the answers we are looking for will not be so difficult to find.

[OOC: He could stumble on the story in a book some where. ]

[ningwofuren]

You honor me with such a blessing, Giovanni. I shall hope for the same good fortune to find you as well.

[ Cao Cao replied with a slight smirk before taking his leave. ]

( ooc: stumble away, my good man! find anything that could be of some help)