Does anyone hope that the Captain continues to devolve into scope creep so Zaiyu can continue to do as he pleases?
I believe that this is essential for basically all our plans. Fortunately, we have no shortage of sources of mission creep, especially since our Captain also seems to be plotting behind the back of the higher-ups.
On another note, I think that it's safe to say we have a broad consensus in favor of preventing genocide, and while future events may change our trajectory, I think it's important to keep the different ways we can do so in mind. In order of preference:
1. We can work to change the mind of the leadership and persuade them that genocide is not a desirable solution.
2. If the current leadership is not receptive, we can seek to bring a new leadership to power that is receptive to not committing genocide.
3. If a coup seems impossible, we can defect to the humans and aid them in defending themselves, or in transporting them off world as a last resort.
Obviously, we should do everything in our power to make sure that option 1 works out, and if it doesn't, that option 2 works out. I would consider resorting to option 3 a failure condition in its own right, although it's less of a failure than actual genocide.
With these three avenues in mind, here are the things that I feel we should prioritize in the near-to-midterm. Many of these insights have already been proposed by other people, but I feel that by collating them, we can have a clearer sense of direction and a good starting point for further deliberations.
1. We should continue to do our job as an infiltrator. It is vital that we remain in good standing with the Captain and Estili leadership for the time being, and infiltration will also give us the resources we will need for all the other priorities.
2. We should seek to unravel the mysteries that surround our mission. It is abundantly clear that everyone on this task force is substantially in the dark about many of the details of the invasion plan, and the Captain is also not telling us everything he knows. There is also much reason to suspect that some or all of the information we do have about the invasion may be false. In order to accomplish any of our objectives, including basic self-preservation, we need better intel.
3. We should aggressively conduct research on humans, the Earth's manasphere, and any Estili technology which remains on Earth. Direct access to these research subjects, the first instance of direct access in millions of years, can yield massively valuable information for basically any purpose, including persuading the higher-ups not to commit genocide or stopping them by force.
4. We should seek to build our relationships with our teammates. Any treason that we may seek to commit would be easier with their assistance, and psychologically speaking Zaiyu is lonely and would benefit from many friends who he doesn't need to deceive on a fundamental level. The Captain would be particularly useful as an ally, since Rins is loyal to him, and as a descendant of the line of Mythos, he would be a relatively socially acceptable alternative leader if we do need to pull a coup (Lady Starspite would be most optimal, but she's one of the genocidal members of the leadership).
