x. voice

[firstroar]

The reports seem to be mixed. Have those of you who have returned found yourselves safe places and warm clothing? Some have offered already; I should hope the message has reached those in need.

I'm not certain of what remaining here could be of use to you Earthside, but it can be brought when I join you. But not just yet.

[a beat.]

The people...

What are they like now?

Comments

[firstroar]

[our Initiative...]

And so these people...they're Initiative still? Just not ours, as you said. Familiar with us.

[highfrequency]

No.

You know the scouting group the AI sent down? We made first contact.

They're pretty underground, too. Not like before.

Things are gonna be...

[A rusty sigh]

They're gonna be different. And awkward, too, I guess. We remember some of them but they don't remember us.

[firstroar]

Changes as dramatic as the landscape... [trailing off, thoughtful.] That there could be familiar faces to be found at all could be considered remarkable, couldn't it?

[highfrequency]

Mmhmm.

We're lucky there is an Initiative, still. Or an Exsilium, even. We coulda gone back and found the whole island under the control of the United Earth.

[firstroar]

[lucky, huh.]

For how little control and knowhow we have, "lucky" is probably the right word for it.

[highfrequency]

Yeah. Guess that's not exactly what you wanna hear during a war.

Still, if it's between good luck or bad I'll take the good.

[firstroar]

Of course.

Thank you for your hard work, Raiden.

[highfrequency]

It's not a problem. I wanna see the UE stopped as much as anyone.

[firstroar]

More than most, Raiden. [he knows. psychic.]

[highfrequency]

You think so?

[firstroar]

Many here crave the change, yes. But of those, most do not come with the awareness of what our idling puts at stake. What the United Earth could become.

You understand it, though. The stakes...the cost of idleness, well beyond personal comforts of ourselves and the people around us. It's not something that can be understood simply by speaking of it; it's something one experiences themselves.

[highfrequency]

Guess it just comes from being a soldier. I saw people like the United Earth back home...

All the manipulation, the propaganda, the fighting, the threats.... Not an easy thing to put into words...

[He trails off, voice growing tired. He wouldn't mind knowing what a more civilian view is like.]

[firstroar]

That's why you being here is significant. [not a shred of flattery nor humor; it's a fact.]

[highfrequency]

[He does feel flattered, though, at least somewhat. A life of being dumped on means he perks up at any sort of validation, he can't help it.]

I'm just doing what I think is right.

None of us asked to be here, but I think everyone has something they offer, you know?

[firstroar]

Yes. With this change, maybe efforts can shift, cooperate better once more.