The Practice War [Complete]
- Thread starter Snowfire
- Start date
- Original Sci-Fi
[X] Diplomacy
Are people here actually defending the atrocities commited by the shiplords? 'They did it to push the progress of new civilisations' doesnt change the fact that they slaughtered billions upon billions of people.
Like, a bare minimum demand for any diplomatic solution should have a trial for anyone involved and/or responsible for the slaughter of billions commited by their tribute fleets. Obviously including the execution of anyone found guilty of having participated or being responisble for it.
Also, given their history, the shiplords cannot be trusted to keep true to any purely diplomatic solution, so another demand that needs to be enforced would be the demilitarisation of the Shiplord, which in practice means the full dismantling of their Tribute, Regular and War fleets. A coalition fleet would need to be stationed over any shiplord world to ensure that they dont build new ships with any fighting capacity.
Why do these terms sound like a full surrender? Because it is. Do I expect them to agree to it? Not at all.
[X] Why
Like, a bare minimum demand for any diplomatic solution should have a trial for anyone involved and/or responsible for the slaughter of billions commited by their tribute fleets. Obviously including the execution of anyone found guilty of having participated or being responisble for it.
Also, given their history, the shiplords cannot be trusted to keep true to any purely diplomatic solution, so another demand that needs to be enforced would be the demilitarisation of the Shiplord, which in practice means the full dismantling of their Tribute, Regular and War fleets. A coalition fleet would need to be stationed over any shiplord world to ensure that they dont build new ships with any fighting capacity.
Why do these terms sound like a full surrender? Because it is. Do I expect them to agree to it? Not at all.
[X] Why
- Location
- The internet
[X] Why
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Alright, that's a wrap folks, of what I'm pretty sure is the largest vote in Practice War's history. Including the denied options that remained, this vote pulled almost 60 voters. To put that in context, Purify only had 40. Thanks for all the discussion. I'll work on the update this afternoon.
Vote Closed
Vote Closed
- Location
- Somewhere.
...wow, and it was close, too.
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Ok, so. Update is provisionally done, but I'm exhausted and not feeling entirely happy with it so you aren't getting it tonight. I need to let my betas look at it, then give it a scan with fresh eyes tomorrow to see if this really is all I can put into this scene.
Right now it doesn't feel like enough, and I want to see if that feeling is held by my betas or it's just me setting myself unfair standards.
Right now it doesn't feel like enough, and I want to see if that feeling is held by my betas or it's just me setting myself unfair standards.
The Third Battle of Sol - Seeking Cause
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
[] Why
One question had haunted humanity for more than half a century. Some might have said that it was a foolish one to seek answers to, to try and understand a race that had made itself so utterly your enemy. And yet, as you stood there, staring at the still and silent fleets scattered across humanity's home, that question still found you. Not just for the question itself, but for how you still didn't even begin to have an answer to it. Insight had tried, and almost been destroyed for it. You had tried too, and found nothing but words that still didn't make sense. And despite all that…you still wanted to know.
Why?
Such a simple question, yet one that you knew could topple empires if only the right voice demanded it. And if not you, then who? Humanity had not suffered the slow death by cuts that the Shiplords had instituted upon the rest of the Group of Six, but you had suffered all the same. The only difference was that your suffering had given you something real in return. The power to stand against a Shiplord fleet not once, but twice. The strength and, there was no other word for it, faith to dive into the fires of another soul's death and deny not just the flame, but what should have been lost, besides. Maybe this time it could give you a true answer.
You pulsed that thought out across the Two Twenty Three, and a wave of approval swept over you in reply. A few questioned, if you were certain, if you thought it might help. You answered them as you always had, with confidence and honesty. This was right, you believed that entirely. Humanity's deepest question to the Shiplord had always been this. If it would help? That, you didn't know. But you did know that the galaxy as you knew it was terribly sick. If you were going to help fix it, you had to know how. If you didn't try to discover that, you wouldn't be you.
Lea had lifted Kalilah gently away from you, and to her feet, being careful to hold her steady. Mir was still retrieving Asi, and without him, Kalilah was just another Potential. The Aegis she'd somehow maintained without her Unison Platform had disintegrated under the torrent of destruction she'd unleashed into the world. You hoped that she'd be able to recover it with Asi in her hands, but for now her Heartcircle was keeping her safe. That did mean that she hadn't felt your question to the rest of the unit, however. And that…wasn't right.
"I'm going to ask them why," you explained softly, stepping up through the rings of protectively clustered Unisonbound. For this, they had to see you. And humanity needed to, too. You weren't entirely sure why, but you'd learnt to trust your instincts in this a long time ago. Kalilah nodded slowly, a very different reaction to the last time you'd done this with Shiplords.
"Make it count," she told you, and even though the words were barely more than a whisper, they still had strength. More than you'd have thought possible, after all she'd been through. "We need real answers today, Mandy."
"I know."
You took another step, then rose straight up, and the Two Twenty Three swirled out around you like a deadly, prismatic flower. As theatre went, it was certainly effective. You felt the attention of billions focus again upon you, but more than that, too. Something in the way the Shiplord craft held themselves shifted, and you knew that they too were listening. You wondered what they thought you were about to say? Angry words, full of hate? Demands? Pleas? Maybe this would surprise them.
The staff of light in your hand pulsed silver-cyan, and the star system rang like an impossibly huge bell as you brought it down on the empty space beside your feet. You fed Practice into your words as the tone held, longer than it had any right to. Not enough to Speak, not as you had tried before, but enough to be heard. And for the meaning of your words to be unmistakably clear.
Why her?
"Why." Silence greeted the word, but you'd expected that. You hadn't phrased the word as a question. The meanings layered through it though definitely were. "Why this. Why try to force us to accept sacrifice in exchange for survival. That isn't living." Something shifted again, less than movement, but present.
Why them?
"Why should we greet you, when this is how you treat us? Why should we accept the fear you claim to represent?" That sparked a visible reaction, and a surge of utterly alien emotion which made you bare your teeth. "That got to you, didn't it," you muttered, the statement devoid of Practice. Purely to yourself.
Why us?
"I know you can understand me. And I'm done waiting on you. Tell us why," damn you, you did not add. The courier that had been built for you drifted closer, and a silent query told you that it would soon be ready to jump again. You chose your words. "We cannot call it from the stars. But the fire we wield can still be your doom."
The reaction from the Shiplords was again unmistakable, but mixed in with the alien feelings was something more, more human, at least. Not fear, but confusion, certainly. Other things rippled through it, though nothing you could catch, and you concentrated on relaying all you felt to the Insight focused of the unit. And yet even with them, the whispering crackle of an open lagless broadcast came as a surprise.
The voice which emerged wasn't human, but it did have emotions. Insight Focused would be ripping it apart for months. But what it told you, and the way it did so, said many things. "We have tried every other way that exists to protect these stars. All failed, in death and war." There was a weariness in that statement that would put paid to the stars themselves.
"If you believe you can find a better way, then please, find it swiftly." The fleet that had paused in its dive into the SEZ abruptly turned, racing back out of it. They ignored the fortifications, and there was nothing the defence fleets could do. They were still too far out.
Humanity received only one message more from the Regular Fleet that had come for them. Unwilling to risk her strength against them, Lina called the mobile fleets of humanity together. Clustered, they would be able to withstand an assault if what was left of the Shiplords chose to attack. But they never did. The Regular Fleet withdrew without firing another shot, clustering together themselves as best they could whilst their drives recharged. And, just before they did, they spoke one final time.
"You will not have long."
And then they were gone.
The Third Battle of Sol is over.
One question had haunted humanity for more than half a century. Some might have said that it was a foolish one to seek answers to, to try and understand a race that had made itself so utterly your enemy. And yet, as you stood there, staring at the still and silent fleets scattered across humanity's home, that question still found you. Not just for the question itself, but for how you still didn't even begin to have an answer to it. Insight had tried, and almost been destroyed for it. You had tried too, and found nothing but words that still didn't make sense. And despite all that…you still wanted to know.
Why?
Such a simple question, yet one that you knew could topple empires if only the right voice demanded it. And if not you, then who? Humanity had not suffered the slow death by cuts that the Shiplords had instituted upon the rest of the Group of Six, but you had suffered all the same. The only difference was that your suffering had given you something real in return. The power to stand against a Shiplord fleet not once, but twice. The strength and, there was no other word for it, faith to dive into the fires of another soul's death and deny not just the flame, but what should have been lost, besides. Maybe this time it could give you a true answer.
You pulsed that thought out across the Two Twenty Three, and a wave of approval swept over you in reply. A few questioned, if you were certain, if you thought it might help. You answered them as you always had, with confidence and honesty. This was right, you believed that entirely. Humanity's deepest question to the Shiplord had always been this. If it would help? That, you didn't know. But you did know that the galaxy as you knew it was terribly sick. If you were going to help fix it, you had to know how. If you didn't try to discover that, you wouldn't be you.
Lea had lifted Kalilah gently away from you, and to her feet, being careful to hold her steady. Mir was still retrieving Asi, and without him, Kalilah was just another Potential. The Aegis she'd somehow maintained without her Unison Platform had disintegrated under the torrent of destruction she'd unleashed into the world. You hoped that she'd be able to recover it with Asi in her hands, but for now her Heartcircle was keeping her safe. That did mean that she hadn't felt your question to the rest of the unit, however. And that…wasn't right.
"I'm going to ask them why," you explained softly, stepping up through the rings of protectively clustered Unisonbound. For this, they had to see you. And humanity needed to, too. You weren't entirely sure why, but you'd learnt to trust your instincts in this a long time ago. Kalilah nodded slowly, a very different reaction to the last time you'd done this with Shiplords.
"Make it count," she told you, and even though the words were barely more than a whisper, they still had strength. More than you'd have thought possible, after all she'd been through. "We need real answers today, Mandy."
"I know."
You took another step, then rose straight up, and the Two Twenty Three swirled out around you like a deadly, prismatic flower. As theatre went, it was certainly effective. You felt the attention of billions focus again upon you, but more than that, too. Something in the way the Shiplord craft held themselves shifted, and you knew that they too were listening. You wondered what they thought you were about to say? Angry words, full of hate? Demands? Pleas? Maybe this would surprise them.
The staff of light in your hand pulsed silver-cyan, and the star system rang like an impossibly huge bell as you brought it down on the empty space beside your feet. You fed Practice into your words as the tone held, longer than it had any right to. Not enough to Speak, not as you had tried before, but enough to be heard. And for the meaning of your words to be unmistakably clear.
Why her?
"Why." Silence greeted the word, but you'd expected that. You hadn't phrased the word as a question. The meanings layered through it though definitely were. "Why this. Why try to force us to accept sacrifice in exchange for survival. That isn't living." Something shifted again, less than movement, but present.
Why them?
"Why should we greet you, when this is how you treat us? Why should we accept the fear you claim to represent?" That sparked a visible reaction, and a surge of utterly alien emotion which made you bare your teeth. "That got to you, didn't it," you muttered, the statement devoid of Practice. Purely to yourself.
Why us?
"I know you can understand me. And I'm done waiting on you. Tell us why," damn you, you did not add. The courier that had been built for you drifted closer, and a silent query told you that it would soon be ready to jump again. You chose your words. "We cannot call it from the stars. But the fire we wield can still be your doom."
The reaction from the Shiplords was again unmistakable, but mixed in with the alien feelings was something more, more human, at least. Not fear, but confusion, certainly. Other things rippled through it, though nothing you could catch, and you concentrated on relaying all you felt to the Insight focused of the unit. And yet even with them, the whispering crackle of an open lagless broadcast came as a surprise.
The voice which emerged wasn't human, but it did have emotions. Insight Focused would be ripping it apart for months. But what it told you, and the way it did so, said many things. "We have tried every other way that exists to protect these stars. All failed, in death and war." There was a weariness in that statement that would put paid to the stars themselves.
"If you believe you can find a better way, then please, find it swiftly." The fleet that had paused in its dive into the SEZ abruptly turned, racing back out of it. They ignored the fortifications, and there was nothing the defence fleets could do. They were still too far out.
Humanity received only one message more from the Regular Fleet that had come for them. Unwilling to risk her strength against them, Lina called the mobile fleets of humanity together. Clustered, they would be able to withstand an assault if what was left of the Shiplords chose to attack. But they never did. The Regular Fleet withdrew without firing another shot, clustering together themselves as best they could whilst their drives recharged. And, just before they did, they spoke one final time.
"You will not have long."
And then they were gone.
The Third Battle of Sol is over.
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
I know that this won't be everything people will have hoped for, but on my honour as a QM, it is a true answer. Given the nature of the Secrets' Crusade, I was never going to give you the truth here, even if the Shiplord might have - they wouldn't. That said, what I have now is a lot better than what I had before. It wasn't even all that big a change, just a few words in the right place. They did a lot to the way the piece felt. Many thanks go to my beta team as usual, though a bit more than that this time, given how they helped me identify what my half-asleep brain last night was trying to tell me. I'm very glad that I didn't post what I had before they looked at it. And my not being exhausted helped too.
I have the wrap-up update to do, but at this point I feel comfortable opening up the floor to voting on interludes you might like to see. This is something Ishamelessly ripped off borrowed from another QM, who had a significant influence on PW. At the end of the Second Battle of Sol, I offered the quest the choice of two Interludes from a list - with write-ins allowed so long as I approved them. With the Third Battle of Sol over, and Practice War as a Quest now in its final stages, it seems reasonable to offer this again.
You now have Two (2) Interludes to pick, the subject matter of which I'm leaving pretty much completely up to you. A few valid suggestions that stuck in my head are detailed below. If you have any other ideas, let me know about them and I'll get back to you. Approval voting is permissible for this vote.
[] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[] Now Inevitable - A human perspective to the Third Battle of Sol, coming from a journalist reporting on the matter as the picture of what has transpired becomes clear.
[] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
[] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
[] A Darkling Watch - The vision of one beyond the stars. Do not expect actionable information.
[] Write-in - subject to approval, please tag me with a post that contains them. Try to be specific here, please. It'll make narrowing down what you're looking for easier.
I have the wrap-up update to do, but at this point I feel comfortable opening up the floor to voting on interludes you might like to see. This is something I
***
You now have Two (2) Interludes to pick, the subject matter of which I'm leaving pretty much completely up to you. A few valid suggestions that stuck in my head are detailed below. If you have any other ideas, let me know about them and I'll get back to you. Approval voting is permissible for this vote.
[] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[] Now Inevitable - A human perspective to the Third Battle of Sol, coming from a journalist reporting on the matter as the picture of what has transpired becomes clear.
[] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
[] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
[] A Darkling Watch - The vision of one beyond the stars. Do not expect actionable information.
[] Write-in - subject to approval, please tag me with a post that contains them. Try to be specific here, please. It'll make narrowing down what you're looking for easier.
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[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
Not sure about the second choice but I would like to see more alien perspectives.
Not sure about the second choice but I would like to see more alien perspectives.
Shwaggy
Weapon of Math Instruction
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- he/him/his
And so the question is answered. Kinda. And then a gauntlet is thrown down. Have to admit, I'll look forward to the Insight group's analysis, because I wonder if that was a snide "see if you can do better, upstarts" or a desperate "please do better, we don't want to do this anymore", or something altogether different. Seemed more like the second to me, which is...interesting.
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
Beacon's Light and Darkling Watch are tempting, but the warnings put me off. Definitely want the alien view, though.
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
Beacon's Light and Darkling Watch are tempting, but the warnings put me off. Definitely want the alien view, though.
- Location
- PA
War...And death to protect the Stars...
First secret is locked until you can handle it via fighting off tributary fleets.
Second Secret is banned permanently once you find it. That bit is important.
The ship lords said at the end we'd call them friend, despite the static state they enforce, and there are things between the stars they fear...
But then. The Warfleet play of nuking the star outright to doom the race to extinction by heat-death...
We know that happened to someone. What we need to know now is why the Shiplords did it. What, at the very least, are they looking for? It'd be a hint as to what precisely they are attempting to war against.
First secret is locked until you can handle it via fighting off tributary fleets.
Second Secret is banned permanently once you find it. That bit is important.
The ship lords said at the end we'd call them friend, despite the static state they enforce, and there are things between the stars they fear...
But then. The Warfleet play of nuking the star outright to doom the race to extinction by heat-death...
We know that happened to someone. What we need to know now is why the Shiplords did it. What, at the very least, are they looking for? It'd be a hint as to what precisely they are attempting to war against.
Mother Nyx
Mother of Elpis
- Location
- The Kei Klub
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Now Inevitable - A human perspective to the Third Battle of Sol, coming from a journalist reporting on the matter as the picture of what has transpired becomes clear.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
Vortex279
Changer of Fate, Seeker of Donuts
- Location
- Del Rio, Texas
I know that you said this would not give us much in your post just now, but seriously, this is one set that has me wondering if there isn't a Thanos analogue out there that the SL have faced:
Honestly, that last line there has me a good bit worried. It almost seems plaintive, a plea for release from a duty that they have performed for however long it has been. The question then is, Just what are the Ship Lords trying to prevent? That first line, "in death and war", makes it sound like there is a species or antagonist of some sort that comes, maybe in cycles or in response to the Secrets themselves. From that, the species targeted always seems to die, possibly from civil war or growing arrogant and fighting others, (supposition on my part, just a guess) which results in the entire species being wiped out. What more there is to this, I cannot say at this point, except that the Ship Lords gave a response I was DEFINITELY not expecting.
As for my choices for the interludes, I think i am gonna choose these:
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
The first is mostly for the outsider look at the possible allies that Earth is trying to get together for their plan. This second win ( if it can be called a win) in a row is bound to impress the others, giving improved chances for the alliance to grow further, faster. The second is me wanting to see how the 223 is holding up after encountering that Soultear weapon, especially with Kalilah. Even with the nat 100 on the consequence roll, I can't help but wonder what scars and other injuries she'll have come back with. Also, I'm hoping that among the various Practice Focuses that the 223 have amongst it's numbers will be someone who can give a better in-depth look at that Soultear, if only to give us a better idea of what the Unisonbound are up against.
Also, refocusing on something I mentioned earlier, @Snowfire, does this ending to the TBOS end definitively as a Win? Or is it something more of a conceded draw? I am having trouble deciding what is what here, given that the SL just turned around and left after responding to Amanda's questions.
Honestly, that last line there has me a good bit worried. It almost seems plaintive, a plea for release from a duty that they have performed for however long it has been. The question then is, Just what are the Ship Lords trying to prevent? That first line, "in death and war", makes it sound like there is a species or antagonist of some sort that comes, maybe in cycles or in response to the Secrets themselves. From that, the species targeted always seems to die, possibly from civil war or growing arrogant and fighting others, (supposition on my part, just a guess) which results in the entire species being wiped out. What more there is to this, I cannot say at this point, except that the Ship Lords gave a response I was DEFINITELY not expecting.
As for my choices for the interludes, I think i am gonna choose these:
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
The first is mostly for the outsider look at the possible allies that Earth is trying to get together for their plan. This second win ( if it can be called a win) in a row is bound to impress the others, giving improved chances for the alliance to grow further, faster. The second is me wanting to see how the 223 is holding up after encountering that Soultear weapon, especially with Kalilah. Even with the nat 100 on the consequence roll, I can't help but wonder what scars and other injuries she'll have come back with. Also, I'm hoping that among the various Practice Focuses that the 223 have amongst it's numbers will be someone who can give a better in-depth look at that Soultear, if only to give us a better idea of what the Unisonbound are up against.
Also, refocusing on something I mentioned earlier, @Snowfire, does this ending to the TBOS end definitively as a Win? Or is it something more of a conceded draw? I am having trouble deciding what is what here, given that the SL just turned around and left after responding to Amanda's questions.
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Himmelhand
Giant Sinkhole 2020
- Location
- Midwestern US
You will not have long.. until what? It may not be the Shiplords' return that is being foretold. A big question for Insight, to be sure. I suspect it's not actually the War Fleets that they're referring to, but some intrusion by a SL antagonist.
I agree that these look like good choices. Definitely the G6.
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
And these may not win but I think they'd be cool anyway.
[X] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[X] A Darkling Watch - The vision of one beyond the stars. Do not expect actionable information.
I agree that these look like good choices. Definitely the G6.
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
And these may not win but I think they'd be cool anyway.
[X] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[X] A Darkling Watch - The vision of one beyond the stars. Do not expect actionable information.
Not sure which other one I want, but here's the one I'm sure on:
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
- Location
- Head in the clouds
Raising questioning finger (no not the middle one, index)
Did the Shiplords honestly not realize that for all that they see themselves as defending against force X (for lack of a name) to everyone else they're the monsters? Not even villains but monsters?
The only way I can read that response was gotten is that they really didn't get that they aren't the heroes in this piece. (If they are our QM has to find a big rabbit and a bigger hat to start practicing for that magic trick)
Either that or sheer arrogance and thinking that no one would ever question them. But as they're apparently not supposed to stay the manically laughing omicidal maniac... I'm leaning towards one.
It's slightly more sympathetic
Did the Shiplords honestly not realize that for all that they see themselves as defending against force X (for lack of a name) to everyone else they're the monsters? Not even villains but monsters?
The only way I can read that response was gotten is that they really didn't get that they aren't the heroes in this piece. (If they are our QM has to find a big rabbit and a bigger hat to start practicing for that magic trick)
Either that or sheer arrogance and thinking that no one would ever question them. But as they're apparently not supposed to stay the manically laughing omicidal maniac... I'm leaning towards one.
It's slightly more sympathetic
- Location
- Florida
[X] Now Inevitable - A human perspective to the Third Battle of Sol, coming from a journalist reporting on the matter as the picture of what has transpired becomes clear.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
Definitely want an outside perspective, so this or beacon.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
This could be interesting....
[X] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
I feel like this would have similar info to the reporter, but more emotionally involved
Definitely want an outside perspective, so this or beacon.
[X] Web and Blade - The Two Twenty Three come to terms with what they just experienced, and the immediate consequences of what saved them.
This could be interesting....
[X] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[X] Waters of Mars - The truly personal reaction of Mary D'Reve to the events that the entire star system just witnessed.
I feel like this would have similar info to the reporter, but more emotionally involved
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
This was most definitely a win. More later.
- Location
- Kansas City area
[X] Once Unthinkable - A perspective from one of the Group of Six emissaries sent to talk with humanity, reflecting on all that has happened since, and on the war soon to come.
[X] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
[X] Beacons Light - The reaction of the local relay station to the Regular Fleet's return. Warning: this is in many ways a safe vote for me as a QM, and will be highly unlikely to unravel things further for you.
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Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
