God, it's like you guys don't ewen know how to successfully defect or somethin'.

[But no, usual douchebaggery aside, he's not here to start admonishing the participating mutiny-goers. He's gonna try and be...civil.

Besides, he's the last person who should be giving helpful mutiny advice anyway.
( cut for BOY ERIDAN SURE CAN TALK A LOT )

[Saul would've come to the network sooner, but his earpiece picked something up not long after the network came back online.

So, he waited.

And waited.

And now, he thinks, is as good a time as any for this broadcast.

He's seated in DITR's office; the interior looks much the same as any other bedroom on the base, but in lieu of the beds, there's a medium-sized desk. This is where he's perched in his usual pose with elbows on his knees, hands folded, leaning forward just slightly and addressing the camera — which someone else is holding — with an expression so grim it somehow almost seems amused.]

This is not how you get what you want.

[A pause. He appears thoughtful for a moment, then waves a dismissive hand at nothing and smooths down his tie.]

I mean, sure, it must've sounded great in theory. And I'd bet any amount of money that you all thought you had your bases nice and covered, buuut —

[Tch.]

Looks like maybe not, if the network being back online is any indication. Hi, by the way. Are you having fun yet? Because that whole lack of gravity thing — man, that was a blast. I'm just wondering, you know, if this is gonna work in your favor the way you'd all hoped. Messing with the systems is all well and good and yeah, okay, we get your point: you're mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore. Fine.

But I think — and this is just my lawyerly opinion — you're gonna have a hell of a time dealing with the fallout from this. And I promise you, Charlie, there will be fallout. Civilized fallout, of course, assuming no one gets hurt. I'll keep my promise if you keep yours.

[He grins, then winks.]

Anyway, I dunno about everyone else, but I'm waiting with bated breath for your next move. And if you need anything from us —

[A quick sweep of his arm to indicate the entirety of the room and, with it, the entirety of DITR's staff. Whatever anger he's been keeping at bay finally seeps through, Saul's eyes narrowing for the split second it takes him to say:]

Good fucking luck.

[And off goes the video feed.]

( A few minutes later, a text message for the DITR staff: )

[Kido is trying not to be agitated since a good leader shouldn't be but hey she's tired, things have sucked, the reports from the rescue mission really suck and yeah. So she finds some solace in her old role.

She taps her fingers against her leg, hair damp from one of those lovely short showers with a towel around her neck.]

Hey everyone. I've been thinking it'd be easier to figure out things if we were all together. You know, like a real meeting. What if we just pick a day and grab one of the VR rooms and try to figure this out. Everyone's been getting together the information they got from the rescue mission- [She frowns slightly. None of it sounded good.] -so we've got a better idea of what we're up against now.

[A beat.] I'm not in charge of everyone, but we need to be organized. [She gives a lopsided smile.] Some of you are better at it than others. If no one else will take up the lead, then I'll pick a day and spam everyone with it.

[She's kind of hoping someone else does though. Leading the Mekakushi Dan and leading a small army are pretty different things.]

I've seen a lot of you with good thoughts and ideas though so... let's keep this up.

Do you know, I've been here for a year now. Oh, how the time flies, or whatever other cliches you might like! But then with all of this time flying, I'll get straight to business and stop wasting it.

I'd like to suggest a celebration. I personally will be celebrating a year here, but I'm certain we can find a good handful of other causes, if you're in need of one to allow yourself a little food, drink, and dancing!

Ah, let's see… we might celebrate that the Initiative has finally come to its senses and realized the value of a therapeutic trip to the beach. Yes? Lovely, that one. I'm sorry to any of our new arrivals who've missed it! Or if you're not a fan, for some reason, of sun, water, and half-naked people, then maybe we might celebrate a favorite holiday from home. Calendars between here and our collective homes hardly match up, so it shouldn't be any trouble at all if it isn't the right time of year for it. Or if you're of a grimmer persuasion, perhaps we might simply celebrate the fact that, despite the United Earth's occasional brutal efforts, most of us are still alive.

So then. What do you think? Shall it have a theme? I've already done a masquerade in Versailles, it would be unsightly to do a repeat performance. I don't suppose there are any suggestions? Food requests may be delivered to Adrasteius, who I'm quite certain won't mind at all managing the banquet again. He's very agreeable like that.

[ Feferi looks worried-- frowning, braiding and unbraiding a lock of her hair ad nauseum. She doesn't speak at first, distracted by something offscreen as soon as she turns the feed on. She brings her attention back to the tablet after a few seconds. ]

I have been thinking a lot lately, and I think I understand now what other people have been saying the whole time.

We should leave here. I mean it, just leave the Hold! They cannot do anything about it if we do. I know they can't send us back, and they're probably not going to kill us because they need us, and even if they tried, I bet we could take them on! We fight and win against the UE, why couldn't we fight and win against the Initiative? We have magicians, scientists, doctors... everything! We could make it on our own if we wanted to!

[ She gets herself all worked up the more, the finally sighs and deflates a little, her shoulders sagging. ]

I don't want to be here anymore, I am tired of being the scapegoat for something we didn't do.

[ And, quieter: ] I wish my lusus was here...

[[ ooc: Feferi is currently falling victim to the runeblade shadow demon thingies from this plot here. ]]