Yeah..... This quote is from Eidolon part 3. "Arrogant fools" I'm guessing refer to the Horae Guards. Considering how we seem to be aiming for a raid on Elysium Station for Moon River, and we've just seen a glimpse of what 7 and 9 are capable of, I can see why going for Wider than a Mile right away would be instant TPK even with Black Swan and Valiant Gold on our arsenals.
Considering Anansi's the one putting the alert, it's hard to imagine the Mysteries won't get involved in this as well even with their wounded status. Speaking of, with the Hours switching their focus, I don't think Anansi or Ronin will be sticking around for long, tho perhaps the latter may be different considering she has no actual contract with Faust. I also wonder what Star's role is considering she was ordered to "prepare her charges". We've theorized before that she was part of the Horae Guards but with recent revelations, that seems unlikely.
Then there's the Interlocutor, someone or something that's been deemed enough of a threat for King to move and for him to recruit Valkyrie in the midst.
The games with the not-mes have been amusing as of late, but even it can grow weary of repetition. Novelty and an answer to its question are what it truly seeks.
But, now, this is curious.
The creature touches its chest with a hand connected to a much too-long arm.
"What is it we feel now?" it asks out loud, "Such warmth. Such joy. What a curious feeling to have. The not-mes never cease to surprise me."
It continues its search. In Horizon for certain, but where is she? Ah well, today has been worthwhile for this alone, at least. It enjoys its "good mood".
"Pride in someone else. How very unique a sensation."
When it comes to a project as big and sensitive as PP (Project Prometheus), we really need to operate on a Need to Know Basis.
Do the members of New Dawn, besides Wolong, aboslutely need to know about PP? I have yet to see a decisive explanation as to why we should. The more people know of a secret, the harder it is to keep. I don't think they'll blab, but when you're fighting people with access to psychics, you can never be too careful and the fact that our enemies are all absolutely clueless about what PP actually is remains one of our biggest advantages.
I don't think we should take its secrecy for granted. Until the merge happens, they'll have to be kept in the dark.
When it comes to a project as big and sensitive as PP (Project Prometheus), we really need to operate on a Need to Know Basis.
Do the members of New Dawn, besides Wolong, aboslutely need to know about PP? I have yet to see a decisive explanation as to why we should. The more people know of a secret, the harder it is to keep. I don't think they'll blab, but when you're fighting people with access to psychics, you can never be too careful and the fact that our enemies are all absolutely clueless about what PP actually is remains one of our biggest advantages.
I don't think we should take its secrecy for granted. Until the merge happens, they'll have to be kept in the dark.
Truly I find this reasoning. Just a very good bit annoying
It acts as if they will be lesser members as if they have not earned enough reason to be let in on it
We can trust the one mission cyclops but can't the people we want joining the team
Truly I find this reasoning. Just a very good bit annoying
It acts as if they will be lesser members as if they have not earned enough reason to be let in on it
We can trust the one mission cyclops but can't the people we want joining the team
PM with Wulong taking charge ther Orgs are technically under 1 leadership instead of just alliance and keeping 1 side in the dark feels not treating them as trusted teammates.
Besides at the very least we know all our enemy orgs arent focused on us right now so its a risk we can take.
PM with Wulong taking charge ther Orgs are technically under 1 leadership instead of just alliance and keeping 1 side in the dark feels not treating them as trusted teammates.
Besides at the very least we know all our enemy orgs arent focused on us right now so its a risk we can take.
Like we are on the good foot right now I very much don't see a reason we must keep them in the dark that isn't but what if they tell someone?
Like as if they weren't keeping a very tight lid on how many people they had post movement & were keeps wonder land in check with it
Opsec is the least of our problems at this point.
We're telling thembecause,.... quite honestly we at tthis moment narrativly are desperate, and we need help. Now thing is we need their support for Reality Check and all the other problems.
Plus if no onw haas inferred power granting of PRometheus at this point odds are they won't.
Nowthe main concern right noww is not secrcy itis shoring up relationships and capitalizing on our good posiition to that end we need a lot of help. anda t this point we need a stopgap for our manpower problem. New Dawn is that
Also idea on where the info is coming from...... What if the data in the eXCEED armor had its data replaced with other info.... And Augur transferred info from Kyoko and another timeline's Nora into the exceed Armor
Also Does anyone know waht penitent Scholar or Boy who ssmilesmeans?
To the point a Probability Precog Thinks we have 67 of just having an alliance with monarch yeh. Unless theres spy on ND theres no reason to them to leak PP.
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. And I appreciate the feedback, where provided.
I know Dynamite made for a pretty intense update. And I know a a lot was left unexplained.
This is a quest with a myriad of mysteries and where you are grappling with forces and foes stronger than yourselves -- I like to think that's part of why you've all enjoyed it so far, but it does have consequences. That kind of update is one of them.
Either way, I'd appreciate if people moved on from arguing about what just happened. Rest assured: Yes there are reasons, No you do not have the information necessary to understand them now, Yes you will have avenues to gain more information, No you are not 'doomed' or 'in a death spiral', Yes you are in a very difficult situation.
But please, trust me. Over the tens of thousands of words you've read this quest, I hope I've earned that.
You are Silvio Serra Fernandes, and two days ago, you survived the most intense fight of your life.
It was more brutal than any of your skirmishes with Monarch. More exhausting than any of your war of words with Lady Leizi. More daunting than even your worst dreams about the Movement.
And it was a harder loss than any Crusade has faced. One of you was killed. All of you fought foes you had trained for, and lost. And in the face of a foe you weren't prepared for, you were brutalized and incapacitated.
For all that, Red Iustitia's benediction left your body in perfect shape.
And her judgment left your mind reeling.
Disappointing.
Your captain was there, probably the closest she'll ever be.
She saw you. She judged you. And she found you a disappointment.
You felt almost disembodied as you participated in the mandatory debrief yesterday. The brass wanted answers, and...
DC 10.
Stat Check: OPS 10. Valiant Justice has OPS 9.
You rolled: 15.
15 - 3 (Disappointing) = 12. Success!
You at least were able to provide some. You tried to focus on the details, because the big picture felt overwhelming.
But you could describe the powers you had seen Valiant Gold execute (as she trounced you). What you had learned of a powerful metahuman referred to as Socialite Butterfly (who treated you and your team as a laughingstock). What little you remembered of a glimpse somewhere else (Disappointing).
The meeting could have gone worse. But you could tell the Brass wasn't happy. You could tell they were pissed, actually. The last line in the meeting made that very clear -- "it's only been a month, and you've delivered us a veritable stockpile of failures, Valiant Red, White, and Blue."
If you had heard that a few days ago, you'd have been pissed as well. But now, it wasn't much more than a bird flying into the maelstrom of your mind.
Disappointing.
What you've done? Disappointing.
What you've become? Disappointing.
What you're doing now? ...Disappointing.
That's enough. What are you, fifteen again? Seventeen? No more wallowing on the bed, Silvio. It's time to get up. You're still Crusade's ostensible leader, and you have no idea what's been going on in your base for the past 48 hours. You weren't the only one brutalized, hell, some of your teammates walked away in much worse shape than you. And you've ignored them? That's disappointing too, but at least that's an error you can correct.
You take a deep breath. And then you get up. And set out to try to figure out what you've missed.
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: ESP 10. Valiant Justice has ESP 6
You rolled: 16.
16 - 2- 3 (Disappointing) = 11. Moderate Success!
It doesn't take long to get a sense of what most of your teammates are doing. Largely for the simple fact they're mostly still in the hospital. The medical records are a bit of a puzzle to unlock, but the challenge almost seems fun. You've mostly been facing insurmountable ones, and it's nice to have a task that yields with a little effort.
Joules is a wreck, though the doctors think it'll only be a week or two before he's mobile again, even if it'll be a month before he's fully functional. Not that his fully functional is all that impressive, you think with a sigh.
The physicians seem slightly more optimistic about Ete -- no plasma burns, at least -- but she has been almost totally uncommunicative. You thought having a team again had made a slight difference for her, and that you had helped her a little, but it seems that has all been washed away.
Sunlight Knight is physically well, but weak. Same with The Brass Shield. That's a ray of sunshine, at least. Hah.
Plasticity is doing okay, but the fact that his sister is not must be agonizing. He's been falling asleep in the chair beside her hospital bed, it seems.
White Hawk... you pause for a moment. You could pull up his file. But you need to have a conversation with him, and that takes priority. If his schedule is accurate, he should be done an -- ultrasonic procedure (really?) In ten minutes.
You put down your screen. Your armor is a wreck, but should still get you there in nine. Is there anything else you should check on first?
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: OPS 5. Valiant Justice has OPS 9
You rolled: 2.
2 + 2 = 4. Failure!
No. You've put this off too long already. You don't really hope this is going to be a friendly conversation. It seems like it will be a heated argument. Maybe even a long-awaited confrontation. But whatever comes next, it's time.
"White Hawk." You begin, as soon as the doctor leads him out of the Procedure Room. He looks fine, though how much of that is real and how much is makeup you'll never quite be sure.
"Valiant Red, White, and Blue. I was looking to talk to you. Thank you for coming by." His voice is warm. It's the kind of warmth you trusted once, but now you know means he's lying out of his teeth. Even if every word he says is true.
The fight with Valiant Gold was, among other things, a reminder that you can't afford to lose the initiative. And that applies just as equally here and now. You press on, "We need to review the Osanyin Operation. Immediately. We can't let something like that happen again."
White Hawk's voice is still warm, and he replies, "I agree, we can't. But we also can't spend time looking backwards right now, Valiant Red, White, and Blue. We have to look forwards, first."
That brings you up short. You ask, "What do you mean by that?"
White Hawk gives you a sad look. You want to punch it off his face. He reaches into a pocket inside the coat he's wearing, and pulls out a sheaf of files.
"Unfortunately, our superiors," his voice shifts at that last word, warmth replaced for a moment with the venom underneath, "have been profoundly disappointed in Crusade's performance over the past month. They see a need to revitalize our operations and restore our reputation with the public."
Disappointing. You've been thinking much the same. So why is White Hawk's mouth curving in the faintest hint of a smile?
White Hawk quickly provides you the answer. "And to do so, they have decided a change of leadership is required. Effective immediately, they have granted me operational and tactical command. They would like to see more in the way of results -- such as the wider access to EXCEED armor you promised was possible -- before they return you to your leadership role."
He finally gives you that smile. "I know the feeling of wanting to make the hard decisions. But I also know sometimes we can be pushed too hard. I am sure this will only be a temporary arrangement."
If before you felt like you were caught in a maelstrom, now you feel oddly calm. Furious, yes, but calm. Your tone is level, your words measured. "The team won't stand for this."
Luck Check: 9! Unlucky!
He shakes his head. "The team has already been informed. They understood the necessity. Besides, orders are orders."
White Hawk continues, "I am truly sorry, Silvio. But I believe in the goals of Crusade, and they matter more than any of us. Will you work with me to accomplish them?" He offers his hand to shake.
You look at it for a moment, before swinging your eyes back up to meet his gaze. Another moment passes, and then...
[] You shake his hand.
-You will remain with Crusade, even though you will no longer be in a leadership role.
-You will maintain the opportunity to socialize with other members, and such actions may be more effective.
-You will maintain access to Crusade's resources, including the Brig.
-You will face requests from the Brass, and you will have little recourse to argue. -This is the stay-loyal option, and you will not consider leaving Crusade again, unless the situation changes drastically.
[] You retort, "I won't stand for this!"
-You will go to the Brass immediately.
-You will talk with your teammates imminently.
-You will make a desperate case that this cannot happen.
-You are not optimistic that any of these will succeed.
-This is the hail mary option. If it fails, you will have a choice between the other two paths, but from a severely disadvantaged position.
[] You offer a succinct reply: "I hate you."
-You will immediately make preparations to leave Crusade.
-You may have the chance to encourage others to follow you.
-You will very soon (but not immediately) lose access to all of Crusade's resources, including the Brig.
-The Brass will be very angry. Others may be as well.
-This is the betray Crusade option, and you will not rejoin it, unless the situation changes drastically.
Whatever you decide, there will be subsequent rolls and planning votes. But whatever you decide, there will be no going back.
Choose carefully. 24 Hour Moratorium.
Umamigirl said:
I know when this discussion has come up in the past, things have gotten heated. Please remember to keep it focused on the choice at hand, and please do not bring up past votes or plans. You are not Augur, You cannot change the past. Also, remember that you can respond to people's arguments without attacking them directly.
Feel free to ask questions, but many answers are likely to be 'You don't know.'
If you're disappointed or frustrated, I truly promise, I can see ways both paths go amazingly well. And ways they can go terribly. It will be in the hands of the dice and your plans. But remember, I like Silvio, I do want him to succeed, and you are not doomed. (Even if the dice have not been doing you any favours the past few months.)
We did well on the rolls that didn't really matter, and bombed the ones that did. Including a luck roll off by a hair.
Honestly, what an absolute classic Truth, Justice and the Horizon Way performance. No notes.
Well. It's time to make up our minds, and I think the choice is clear. Crusade has been awful for us, and truthfully, we've been awful to it. It's time to leave.
Started thinking through what the last update looked like from nega!Quest perspective, and couldn't stop. Now it's 3 AM and I've only written half of what I've planned. There's still the whole Brig scene, where finally these poor questers will catch a break. But it's enough for now.
I imagine the Stockpile!Quest QM is having a pretty rough time of things. It's a good thing salt tends to bring out umami flavours?
Truly I find this reasoning. Just a very good bit annoying
It acts as if they will be lesser members as if they have not earned enough reason to be let in on it
We can trust the one mission cyclops but can't the people we want joining the team
They're not lesser members because they're not members at all. We have an alliance, but they're not members until the merge happens.
We let Belle know because she's joined us directly already. New Dawn hasn't, they're a independent and friendly organization we work with, but not members of JU.
They're not lesser members because they're not members at all. We have an alliance, but they're not members until the merge happens.
We let Belle know because she's joined us directly already. New Dawn hasn't, they're a independent and friendly organization we work with, but not members of JU.
Like dog Wolong is one of the most vital people we have added to the project he's 3rd pick for leadership for a dam good reason
New Dawn was doing the scouting for candidates
This isn't telling the tiger or like trying to bait sockpile or even telling the fellowship trying to take down LD telling them is a decent step to integrating them like we have been wanting to do sense we made clear communication with Wolong
Like we found out about SB & the video in a chapter where we were following Wolong
It's crazy to say they are just someone we have an alliance with when we consult Wolong like every turn
Like dog Wolong is one of the most vital people we have added to the project he's 3rd pick for leadership for a dam good reason
New Dawn was doing the scouting for candidates
This isn't telling the tiger or like trying to bait sockpile or even telling the fellowship trying to take down LD telling them is a decent step to integrating them like we have been wanting to do sense we made clear communication with Wolong
Like we found out about SB & the video in a chapter where we were following Wolong
It's crazy to say they are just someone we have an alliance with when we consult Wolong like every turn
An alliance is quite literally our agreement with Wolong. We're allies, but the merge won't happen until after we finish dealing with Monarch and her gang. Got a problem with that? Take it up with Lady Leizi and Wolong who hashed it out.
Wolong is absolutely one of the people who needs to know about PP since we regularly consult him and he's 100% on board with the idea. The rest of New Dawn don't need to know, and by all indications, they're fine not knowing either. The more people know about PP, the harder it is to keep a secret, and I don't see a benefit to breaking operational security until after ND and JU merge which will take a few more turns since Monarch isn't easy to deal with.
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate how absurd Lady Leizi's spy network is? And how absurdly incredible a job she's done at keeping Project Prometheus concealed?
We've got a very powerful Metahuman whose whole power is probability analysis and manipulation who has been left barking up the absolute wrong tree. That's nuts!
The downside is that when it does fail, the failure is both more dramatic and unbelievable. Observe the opinion of Silvio and Towarri that of course she must be aware of Towarri's survival if she's alive and unconscious, thus not rescuing Towarri means abandonment.
The downside is that when it does fail, the failure is both more dramatic and unbelievable. Observe the opinion of Silvio and Towarri that of course she must be aware of Towarri's survival if she's alive and unconscious, thus not rescuing Towarri means abandonment.
There a reason I think revealing Prometheus to them the first chance we get is needed to reconcile with Towarri. Its such a shocking claim that it would actually make Towarri listen instead of thinking LL is just making excuses about abandoning towarri.
The downside is that when it does fail, the failure is both more dramatic and unbelievable. Observe the opinion of Silvio and Towarri that of course she must be aware of Towarri's survival if she's alive and unconscious, thus not rescuing Towarri means abandonment.
The circle of in-the-know people has already grown quite a lot and the amount of hints at the conspiracy available both publicly and within specifically New Dawn has also increased and will necessarily receive another bump as Wolong tries to improvise the next stretch.
Even without the explicit sharing it's already plausible for someone who compromises our close partners to have enough puzzle pieces to put things together. So let's just make Wolong's life easier.
Mmmm, introducing the fact that Justice Unlimited has the ability to grant ordinary people powers is one thing, but another is….well, its potential candidates.
