un: ut malum pluvia

[somebadnews]

[ Five never enjoys addressing the network. When he does, it's usually with good reason. They aren't going to like what he has to say, but considering how close he is to it, he needs to tell them something before the situation escalates. Even if there's large parts he'll leave out to keep them from getting distracted.

That is to say: he did something. ]

I think we can come to an agreement that we've got problems that go beyond dark water. First of all, if you're still with the Hand, forget your assignment and leave. Get a group together to transport you, or find somewhere to seek refuge. I don't know what they're building towards, but at this point I'd say even the undead encampment is safer.

I know some of you are hesitant to jump into undead politics, but we're in the middle of them if we like it or not. [ Messalina seemed like an opportunity to fight fire with fire, but he has mixed feelings about the advice he gave her. In his defense, he didn't know everything he does now. ] Our shapeshifting friend in the Senate gave a pretty clear indication of the way things are going. I can't tell you if Messalina is the solution to our bigger issues, but she's not going to wait for us to decide.

In the meantime, if anyone has ideas on how to counteract the effects we keep hearing about, this is your chance to pitch them.

Comments

un: of corpse not / audio

[nothinglikefather]

If anyone needs a hand getting out- no pun intended- I can help. Especially if you don't want to camp with the undead.

But I agree with Five, you do not want to remain involved.

un: absterge

[downswing]

Master Jacob speaks wisely.



( Said no one. Ever. )

[nothinglikefather]

Anyone would think you liked me Wangji.

[downswing]

Unlikely.

un: ut malum pluvia

[somebadnews]

[ He was expecting to immediately be met with objections, so it’s nice to have the backup. ]

If you’ve got somewhere secure, we need to get them moving. Time isn’t on our side here.

[nothinglikefather]

It's easy to disappear in a big city full of people. Especially in the parts where all us undesirables live.

[somebadnews]

[ On the one hand, Messalina claims she has no reason to move against the living, but on the other, the Hand certainly is. ]

I don’t know if the Hand is that picky about undesirables. Or if someone is alive or not, but we’ll make do with we have to.

un: absterge

[downswing]

Agreed. The Hand is where danger sleeps.

[somebadnews]

Any idea how many are there?

[downswing]

Hundreds. The barracks quarters are numerous.

Some deployed.

[somebadnews]

I can see why they'd be a prize for the undead. They're making them nervous.

un: sizhui, voice

[paperbutterflies]

I understand that safety is important, but is it wise to leave things unobserved?

un: ut malum pluvia, voice

[somebadnews]

Yes. [ Trust him. He’s trying to do the right thing here. ] We’ve observed, now we need to go.

[paperbutterflies]

[ It's not that Sizhui doesn't trust him!

... well, it's complicated, he's seen a lot of conversations over the network over the. Well. Years.

That aside, he hesitates, because for some reason it seems very... vulnerable, to turn their back on a group that is this dangerous and what they will be doing next.

But ...

But Five is not one to tell people to run, in Sizhui's appearance, and certainly not with the urgency of this message, yet here he is. ]

I understand. If anyone has trouble and cannot make their way out, I can stay a little and assist, as I can make my escape by air if all else fails.

[somebadnews]

[ He appreciates that he’s not going to argue with him, even if he fully expected this to be more difficult. Hopefully he can convince the others. ]

Do you know where to find them?

un: headless ragdoll | audio

[matermali]

If one of our own does not remain near the Hand, we will only further our ignorance on their purpose, no?

[ It's called spying. It's not supposed to be safe. ]

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[somebadnews]

[ Usually yes, but that was before certain developments. ]

Only if you want to sacrifice them when we already know everything we need to know about them.

[matermali]

[ 'Everything we need to know', really? Oh well, what does she care. She has no horse in this race, so to speak. She's just...here. ]

What I want is of no import. I am only curious if anyone working alongside the Hand would think the same. By all means, I should still welcome any who do wander into this encampment for...sanctuary.

[somebadnews]

[ He could clarify that he knows everything he needs to know, but he’s comfortable speaking for everyone in this case. ]

They might, and I’m telling them not to. [ For reasons that anyone could innocently have. ] Sometimes there’s something to be said about hiding where they wouldn’t be looking. In theory.

un: xunxian; voice

[topoiran]

I have... an inquiry. While the danger calls for immediate action, of course, I would question what the chances are that the Hand will cut off food supply when they do act, as they control both the food storages and the adoration of the farmers.

[ He probably has not that much time to stock up on food, but a little is better than none at all. ]

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[somebadnews]

[ Five doesn't question that they could, but he doubts that would impact the threat of the undead. He's been so entrenched in Messalina's side of the equation, it's possible he missed a larger picture of what the Hand is preparing. ]

As a way of strong-arming the population to their side?

[topoiran]

That is, unfortunately, far from improbable. The goodwill they have been developing is unlikely to be unintentional.

I am grateful for the warning, this was just a consideration to keep in mind.

[ This seems a complicated situation, but there are enough of them who have handled difficult ones before. ]

private, un: strange

[rehandle]

[ No beating around the bush on this one. Sparing Five the need to do it himself, Stephen sends the questions privately. ]

What do you know?

private

[somebadnews]

[ He thought he'd been vaguely-specific enough to get the message across, but Strange is right, he does know more than he said. Things will get worse before they get better. ]

I know what Messalina is thinking. She doesn't see a deal happening, and soon she's going to make a move.

private

[rehandle]

She's told you as much?

[ There's a difference between supposition and knowledge. He wants to be certain before he figures out where to place himself on the board. ]