xi. voice + text

[firstroar]

I have information to share with you all, about information that we lack.

[a pause.]



For as long as we have endured this world, changed it or watched it change well beyond our control, the amount we do know is vastly smaller than what we don’t. Perhaps never will. So it is that our struggles are like...swiping in the dark, feeling out shapes and phantoms we can perceive as guesses at best. Or, maybe better...there are suggestions of light to trace out those shapes, but never enough to be certain. Only enough to strike.

The artificial intelligence we rescued has confirmed there is no exact point recorded for the origin of the United Earth’s ruling computer. It makes sense: History is written and told by those in power. The less we understand about it, so more is the advantage and threat it has against us. As it stands, we don’t know what dire impact we may have caused in altering the world to this state. We don't know how long days like these can last, what is in the works over there.

Regardless of what is chosen for our steps in the future, I believe it in everyone’s interest to know about this machine’s past. AI has offered the chance to piece together the missing history of the United Earth, should we wish it.

[another pause.]

The problem with this is the exact one it seeks to resolve: I can’t tell you what to expect.

The point of focus to start is the very day the United Earth is established, and the records of it are vague at best, pointedly pro-UE throughout. What may be waiting there could be dangerous or not at all.

It’s why this is something everyone should hear and understand. Something everyone can put a hand in, in some way. Powerful fighters, quick-thinking saboteurs, hackers, healers…

But going in all at once, as an army, may not be the best approach. A small number to survey, relay information, and signal reinforcements should there be a need...Which means a greater number waiting on standby for a potential call.

The AI itself can be carried to this point in time by way of one of the diamond drives, and, given the chance to digest as much as it can in that particular point in time...it can clear the path for greater understanding of what was at work to build this enemy.

It means this isn’t a single trip, but the springboard to a number of missions. It’s knowledge to be gained to make wiser choices for the here and now...and tomorrow and yesterday, perhaps. I can’t say what’s right, how much of a hand we should have in this world’s history.

At the least, we can paint for ourselves a better picture of the world we are all trapped in...and, maybe, glean some sense of what kind of impact we make on it, living as we do.

Should you wish to do this, I can give you what little information there is to work with. And that's something that can change and grow.


[immediately following this posting, a text transcription of this entire tl;dr is available to read. all responses by Blue will be VOICE

also, ooc sign-ups]

Comments

audio

[gevurah]

[ Steeled: ]

I'm in.

[firstroar]

Very well.

You've worked with others here before, haven't you? Even if not knowing them well, being able to trust on their talents...

[gevurah]

I have. If you need names, I've got a few reliable ones.

[ ENCRYPTED NOW: ]

I had this discussion with the AI not too long ago. Its archives need updating. Peter Quill and I have discussed a small group infiltrating the UE, relaying information back to the rest of the Transports, like you've said.

[firstroar]

[a soft sound to the first remark, but it's the rest that gives him pause.

some silence, considering it.]

In doing so, being able to compare what data can be gathered here in this time, as opposed to what records in the past will show...it could be useful, seeing our footprint in such a way.

permaencrypted from here out

[gevurah]

It's a gamble, I know.

[ If it's not done right or discreetly enough, the UE will catch onto them and they're dead. There's no question about that. ]

I've been inside the UE before. Two weeks unnoticed.

[firstroar]

Others haven't fared so well. [Kaworu...] And you can't be certain the conditions you dealt with previously will match up now.

[a soft breath.]

But that's exactly the problem with what I'm proposing now, isn't it? The unknowns.

[gevurah]

That is true.

[ He can't see it, but she nods. ]

It's something to consider, but probably best done sooner than later. I'm surprised the UE hasn't noticed us when we've been hiding in plain sight.

[firstroar]

I won't stop you if you do this, and...I doubt you need someone like me to warn you to be cautious. But if you do, I do believe linking that task to these will be important. If you know someone tech-savvy enough for a job like that...

[gevurah]

I've been considering the options for a while. I know a couple of veterans [ actual veterans ], the tech savvy, and I've been told to consider a magic user or two.

[firstroar]

I think that would be wise. As far as we know, magic is a variable the United Earth has few countermeasures for.

[gevurah]

I wonder why.

[firstroar]

I don't know...It's something else this world shares with the history of my own. Magic was a non-factor there, too.

[gevurah]

I don't know much about it either and it exists where I'm from. Could be its nature is difficult to understand.

Which gives us an edge.

audio | private

[selfequipped]

Hey, Kate. I'm putting together a group to go on this. I'm feeling out everyone's skill sets, and this is a little more immediate than putting together a perfect group, so I'm going with what I can. I'm contacting a guy named Bucky—you might know him as James Barnes—a girl named Felicity, and my boyfriend, Noh-Varr.

Not sure where your skills lie, but you've seemed interested, and two Kates could be better than one, right?

audio | private

[gevurah]

I'm selfishly inclined to agree.

[ Heh. ]

I've got something in mind too, but I need to determine whether or not it's too risky to do first.

audio | private

[selfequipped]

I like risky. [Which isn't always a ringing endorsement, but she can't help herself.] What is it?

audio | private

[gevurah]

Getting intel from inside the UE.

audio | private

[selfequipped]

So we go in and pretend to be one of the happily drugged masses.

Sounds interesting.

audio | private

[gevurah]

Staying hidden is safer, I feel. It might still be possible.

[ She was able to, so she doesn't doubt in the others she's thought of bringing along. ]

audio | private

[selfequipped]

I'm interested. It sounds like something we can do. Something we have to do.

audio | private

[gevurah]

I've already got five names in mind, myself included. I'd like a couple of magic users along, too. UE doesn't a countermeasure as far as we know.

I can't make promises, but I'll consider it, Kate.

audio | private

[selfequipped]

Who do you have in mind? [There's a pause.] I'm curious.

And no promises are necessary. If our paths don't end up the same, at least we can talk about it afterward. I'd be interested in working with you.

audio | private

[gevurah]

Bucky, for one. [ She says, her voice coloured with amusement. ] Worked with him before to know he's reliable and knows how to keep a low profile.

[ They stole a truck in Paris. ]

Nate, Collette, and another soldier, Lightning. Not too sure on Lightning yet, though. She can uses magic, but it all seems primarily offensive.

[ Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but something to keep them protected is sorely needed. ]

audio | private

[selfequipped]

Bucky's one of the best. [It's not said with an ounce of school-girl appreciation as it did when she was talking to Eli a couple years ago, or at least, Kate figures that was kind of how Eli understood it. It's just a fact: Bucky is one of the best.] Former spy and an Avenger. [Not that these things were by choice, but Kate doesn't need that to be out. That's Bucky's business.] It's more than keeping a low profile. [She considers adding more and leaves it to that.]

I don't know the rest. But I've contacted him and he's interested in working with you, at least.

As for my group, we're on the blunt force side of things. It's not ideal, but I could make it work. If needed, we could stagnate our missions, make sure mine goes first before you guys head in. Noh-Varr might be able to process data that the AI won't even dream of figuring out.

Magic-wise, there are a few people here who are good, but Loki's possibly the only one up to snuff. Problem is he's about as unsubtle as it goes, so I'm not sold on the idea yet. [There's a beat.] Plus, he's fourteen. [Cassie was fourteen, too, but Cassie could show a little more discretion.]

audio | private

[gevurah]

[ The things that man doesn't talk about. Of course, she doesn't exactly hang out with him as often as she would like. She's been too busy to sit down and share a drink with him. ]

I'm with you there. If potential teammates for the mission are running off on other missions, I'd rather wait until they've met those objectives before walking right into enemy territory.

God of mischief. Hard not to notice him.

[ She's never seen a god who was so pop culture savvy. ]