Video - Keeping Promises

[checksum]

[The video opens on what could be a video game interface - a first-person view looking down from above, a courtyard with Initiative personnel taking a break from their work, enjoying lunch and the outside air, each individual bracketed with HUD reticles as they go about their business, while a variety of status indicators frame the edge of the display. Osprey's voice is heard, calm and professional.]

It has been 32 hours since I issued my demands. There has been no apology from the Initiative, nor has there been any indication that any is forthcoming.

[Osprey's sniper rifle comes into view in the frame, and the display changes, zooming in on one particular table down below, where several men are having lunch. The tracking reticle on one changes color from white to red, and the video of the man discussing the use of the mind control drug displays next to him.]

Colonel Jonathan Landry. The man responsible for the attempted brainwashing attempt.

[The video disappears, and crosshairs appear, centered on the Colonel's head. Then comes the bang, and the man's now headless body tumbles from his seat, before the video cuts to Osprey in front of a non-descript background.]

I repeat my demands. A public apology from the Initiative. Immediate cessation of the drugging. And increased openness and collaboration with the transports in the execution of the campaign against the United Earth. If no apology has been delivered in 24 hours, I will attack a new target, and then again 24 hours after that.

If there has been no apology by the time of my third strike, I will be forced to conclude that the Initiative prefers a state of guerilla warfare, and the pace of attacks will increase. I await your response.

Comments

[Video]

[noble_nate]

[Nathaniel stares at the screen in disbelief, watching the scene unfold in stunned silence. It takes him a few minutes to respond, but really, there's only way for him to respond.]

Have you lost your damn mind?

Voice

[checksum]

I am in greater command of my faculties than you are, unless you've managed to find a safe source of food and water since we last talked. The Initiative has demonstrated that they are unwilling to participate in dialog except in extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, a change in circumstances is called for.

video; private/hackable

[birdhousesoul]

Funny, I could ask you the same question.

[septim]

[ Martin stares in disbelief, seething. A diplomat's cold, composed wrath leaks into his tone as he speaks, looking unusually haggard. ] We are no better than they are if we issue ultimatums! Cease this madness at once!

Voice

[checksum]

I will cease and desist the moment the Initiative issues an apology for tampering with our minds, or when someone succeeds in stopping me. Until then, I feel my interests are best served pursuing this course of action.

[Audio]

[biwinning]

Thweet headshot.

voice

[samham]

You just killed one of them. Do you think that put them in an apologizing mood?

Voice

[checksum]

I killed one of them in broad daylight in the heart of their own stronghold, and departed with impunity. I'm far from the most dangerous transport here.

That should put them in a considering mood, if nothing else.

permatext;

[boughtabookstore]

Mistake.

text; private/hackable

[birdhousesoul]

You'd suggest what, then?

video

[hernes_son]

Osprey, my friend, I understand your anger, but this is not the way!

[He takes a deep breath and tries the approach he thinks will most likely make sense to Osprey.] We have neither the information nor the resources to carry through on this action of yours - we are likely far outnumbered and we have no idea of their true capabilities, nor even, in most cases, any reliable way of identifying who they may be. Many of the transports are no more than children, despite what skills they may own. Wars are won by armies and we do not have one.

Consider what they have done thus far. If they choose to retaliate, how will we even know until vengeance is upon us?

video; private/hackable

[birdhousesoul]

We are their army.

[ comment not here ]

[boughtabookstore]

[ man she always knew she liked Robin Hood for a reason. ]

video

[birdhousesoul]

Why wait twenty-four hours? You've started the ball rolling. Every one of the officials who made this decision deserves justly to die.

Voice

[checksum]

A variety of reasons, which I prefer not to put on the network.

[voice]

[stonefaith]

[ dead toned ]

Osprey. You're making a mistake.

Voice

[checksum]

Perhaps. But I am acting. I'm open to other plans and paths of action, but my time waiting to see what happens next is done.

voice;

[whatatool]

Looks like that guy isn't getting ahead in life.

[Yep, that pun was intentional. Here's to coping with violence with really bad jokes.]

Voice

[checksum]

Mess with my head, I'll mess with yours.

[Voice]

[bloodupontherisers]

::There is the crackle of static, as though he's hit the button to reply well before he's honestly thought of a reply.::

I ain't gonna beat the dead horse about what a stupid idea this was, because I think that point's been well covered from the responses I see you got.

I'm just wonderin' where you hope to go with this, because Goddamn if I can't see any way this won't end in trouble for everyone.

...

Good shot, though.

audio;

[understands_nothing]

[Sora really isn't built to handle this. Cold and calculated murder in his mind is still wrong, regardless of what the victim's done to deserve it. And his response is only delayed because he may have been a little busy trying not to get physically ill just seeing the video feed.

He also recognizes that he's new here, and doesn't know the details of what's been happening, and everyone's been telling him different things. But he can't just sit by and watch.]

H-how is killing people going to make a difference? Can't that just cause more problems?

video;

[tequilaselai]

[Okay, that was a hell of a shot, but. Really. Really?]

Sorry to throw my voice in with the choir, but I don't think this is going to help our case much.

video;

[twiceadays]

[Jesus. Jesus. Shepard isn't sure whether she should be pissed or congratulate him for having the balls to actually shoot one of them.] Hey. I'm not a fan of the poor indoctrination tactics myself, trust me on that, but terrorism isn't exactly going to get us anywhere.

voice

[onemoredeath]

How lovely. I am sure we are just going to give them even more reasons to not trust us. More than half of us carry weapons with their seal on them. what is to say they will not turn it against us? Or what of their hated enemy? They may end up letting them back in to take care of us.

Voice

[uncalled_for]

[Backdated to around when this first happened. Because, sobs. Timezones.]

Are you mad? Osprey, what are you doing?

I'm just as pissed as you are, and these bastards deserve a taste of their own medicine. But this isn't going to help any of us. They're messing with our heads and you're threatening to murder them. Do you see the difference here?

voice;

[charades]

I think skipping straight to the execution step of terrorism is a little extreme, but overall I like your attitude.

VIdeo

[bloody_hime]

*Hime sips her tea before saying anything*

Humans do now respond well to threats like these.

Voice

[checksum]

But they respond, which is more than the Initiative has done before.

[fe_male]

Easy to hit a target that doesn't see it coming. You just gonna open fire with a semi-auto if they keep refusing to listen to you?

[checksum]

If they hadn't responded by the time the third target came due, I was going to move to explosives. Thankfully, the point is moot.