Complete Comms Main Story The Frontline: Forward

[Raid Boss]

Kiryuu turned toward @Imoogi.

"Just because this world is messed up doesn't mean we have to be. I did terrible things during my military service and I will probably never be able to atone for all of it within this lifetime. But, even someone like me was given the chance to make up for it. It might be a tall order, and maybe even impossible, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try."

He balled his calloused hand into a fist, as a pang of pain crossed his face.

"When you walk the path of blood, there comes a point when you won't be able see the path through the blood of those you've killed."

 

[MAI]

MAI's drone that was announcing enemy movements to people on the battlefield finally established connection with people operating around the convoy.

"Connection established - This unit has caught a portion of your conversation. I, too, was under the enemy's control briefly. Those who remain... must be terrified of their own action. And of you who will face them."

"Plea - Please, try to disable the enemy. Restrain them rather than destroying them. Dissonance is like an infectious disease. Our expedition encountered magia and showed just how it can twist even kind personalities. It can be cured... albeit with difficulty."

@Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Raid Boss @Rael @Imoogi @Asher

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

If we're going to do this we'll need everyone to cooperate.

(She looked at Asher, then at Cleo.)

As pointed out before, incapacitating without eliminating is difficult. Watching each other's backs goes without saying, but we won't succeed without accepting the risk of casualties.

(The memories Rael showed were certainly ominous, but less helpful than Mizuki would have liked, as made evident by her frown and the agitated movements of her tail. That Trinity would come out and say such things held weight, but overall she'd hoped for something more... Concrete.)

I can see that you're not lying about how important this is, but we still have the issue of a lack of a plan. When the Calculator got corrupted the magia who called herself Null abandoned it rather than trying to fix it.

(Noble sentiments wouldn't save the world. Not without a plan. However, the fact that both Ayna and MAI seemed to be in favour of saving Szofrit caught Mizuki off-guard, the luna wolf blinking as she first looked at the swordswoman, then at the drone sharing her friend's voice.)

...I didn't realise you were listening.

(She grimaced as she scratched the back of her head. She looked at Cleo over her shoulder, finding support in the lancer's presence even as she wracked her brain.)

If those who were brainwashed by her want to save her I can't really say that we shouldn't try. But how to do it...

(Truth was, now that Ayna and MAI had spoken up she did have the beginning of a plan. Unfortunately, it wasn't a plan that she liked.)

...MAI. Would you be able to connect with Szofrit if we incapacitated her?

@Asher @Ayna Nietzsche @Cleo Looker @Imoogi @MAI @Rael @Raid Boss

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

"Huh?"

Kyanna frowned when @MAI began talking, apparently not to @Eva or anyone else in particular.

"Who you are talking to, Mai?" Kyanna's words hinted with concern, wondering if her friend was having side-effects from the corruption.

 

[Hanno Futaba]

A half an hour after the mine incident, Hanno was covered with curatives, with his left arm being entirely wrapped by bandages and quivering, weakened after receiving such a severe damage.

While recovering with the group, he breathed a sigh, calling the three of them to tell them about Rael's message, and to explain everything that happened in that particular day.

"... And I know she can be trusted... Not only because I've seen the same as her, but in Camp Hope, she and her group knew what was going on before the attack..." He said, rubbing his bandaged arm.

"So I'm sure she is onto something. Not that I think we can win this fight with hug and love, but... Maybe we will need an alternative... And understand what is going on, so we won't do far more damage than it is already happening."

Feodan (@Raid Boss) @Bradwynne @Alcea

 

[MAI]

The realization that she was talking out loud while transferring her voice through the drone took MAI aback a bit.

"Err, sorry. I've scattered my drones on the battlefield to establish broader communications. A group of our allies is trying to come up with a plan of action... and are arguing whether we should simply slaughter the magia here or try to save them from the dissonance."

@Kyanna Wynne @Eva

"I have connected and salvaged parts from the DEAD.Naughter after its attack, extracting some information from it. I've also interfaced with some of the enemy's technology when we encountered the Calculator. A direct connection with Szofrit should be possible, but likely only after the Handler's Lullaby has been completely disabled to ensure that it is not used against me at that moment."

@Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Raid Boss @Rael @Imoogi @Asher

 

[Cleo Looker]

Well, that's all a bit much to take in, but I think I get the gist of it. I do agree with Mizuki that the lack of an actual plan is pretty unappealing. I'd very much like to avoid putting my life on the line for little more than a hail mary, truth be told.

So the bottom line is, really, how many people do we need to pull something like this off and what kind of combined skillset is required. If uh, if robot here (she points at MAI) is capable of counterhacking Sofrits or whatever her name is, but only after the Handler's Lullaby thing has been disabled, is our first call to action to fully disable that?

@Rael @Ueno Mizuki @MAI @Raid Boss @Imoogi @Asher

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Good, that's what I thought.

(She turned to Cleo.)

If Szofrit was able to take control of our magia allies they should be able to connect with her. If we do want to save her that'll be vital, since we're lacking too much information about what exactly is wrong with Szofrit and how to fix it. "She's corrupted" is too vague. As MAI said, she's got experience with the type of systems Szofrit should also be using. (She paused for a moment.) Also, not a robot.

But yes, if we do want to do this our best shot is to first incapacitate Szofrit without killing her, then let our magia allies try to fix her. As for the Lullaby...

(She looked back at the drone MAI was using to speak to them.)

That black-haired human who helped save MAI had some method of countering the effects, so she'll have to be there as well to prevent MAI getting taken over again. But that alone might not be enough... We'll have to think of some other ways to protect the magia.

First of all, we'll need as many people as possible to cooperate with this. Having a dozen of us trying to save Szofrit won't do us much good if everyone else is trying to tear her apart.

@Asher @Ayna Nietzsche @Cleo Looker @Imoogi @MAI @Rael @Raid Boss

 

[Rael]

Music. The answer is music.

Anyone slightly proficient with it should help, and I say this as one of the people who quelled Eve's song with others who shared in the melody. Music seems to have a calming effect, and at its strongest, to completely subdue them.

Eve's Song controlled the Magia before, but the Starcalled's Song prevailed and disrupted that form of control. It has been proven to work several times, we should use that.

(As more and more people joined the conversation, she gladly took the opportunity to breathe somewhat easier, working on restoring her energy reserves and letting everyone else follow their own lines of their conversation. Three things came to mind:

1) They needed allies, and if they could, the backing of the major factions.
2) The Magia could counteract the mechanical parts of Szofrit, just like she had done them.
3) Music had served, time and time again, to quell the discordant songs of the Magia leaders, calming them and ceasing their effects.

Her eyes fall on Ayna, a telepathic message cast her way.)

Miss... Ah, pardon me. I do not know your name.

I saw you out there. You are fast, incredibly so. We could use help spreading the message to others... If I gave you a list of names, and described them to you, do you think you could try to reach them and deliver a message?

@Asher @Ayna Nietzsche @Cleo Looker @Imoogi @MAI @Rael @Raid Boss

 

[Raid Boss]

(The Mountain, who was covered in bandages, quietly listened to Hanno spoke about the message he received from Rael.)

"Hmm..." (Feodan stroked his mustache.)

"Dangers should be respected, even more so at the level of the Magia Leader. When one is hasty and works off of only emotions and fervor, death comes quickly to you and your company.

My priority is with our people and you young'uns. If the opportunity presents itself, we can think and act on it at that time. But, otherwise, keep your eyes open and air on the side of caution.

(Although he did not explicitly express where he stood on the matter, Feodan did not seem keen on the idea of saving Szofrit.)

@Bradwynne @Alcea @Hanno Futaba

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

"Wait, there is a way to uncorrupt them?"

Kyanna's eyes brimmed with hope, glancing at @Eva before returning her attention to the magia.

"How can we do it, @MAI? If we can spare them, it would be for the best, and we can also save @Tick Tock without harming her!"

 

[Eva]

"By saving, are you implying that they are in fact, being controlled like you and Tick and Tock?"

She spoke to @MAI, who was currently communicating with her allies.

"It's not about saving and sparing. If this is true, then no magia were accountable for their actions. They were just used, like Tick and Tock."

She turned to @Kyanna Wynne.

"Thus, by punishing one for being an accessory to war and crime, we are implying that all magia are also guilty of the same. It would be the last thing I wanted for my daughters."

 

[Imoogi]

Imoogi seems ready to say something else... but then @Asher snaps at her, and she reddens with anger.

"You know what? FINE! I will leave!

She fumbles through her robes, and eventually pulls out a glass grenade.

"But don't think I'm gonna let you all sneak around converting people to your stupid scheme in secret! I'll tell the others, and then we'll see who ends up underfoot!"

And with that last angry hiss, she drops the grenade, which bursts with a loud pop! Foul-smelling smoke billows up from the remains and clouds the air. By the time it clears, Imoogi is gone, her escape covered by her Shadow Arts.

 

[MAI]

Before anything else, MAI had to address what was going on here.

"Obviously, there is no way to confirm this for sure... but in a way, these magia are being controlled, yes. But not in the same way as me or Tick Tock. They've been twisted by Dissonance instead." She eyed Kyanna "So yes, there should be a way to uncorrupt them, just like that book we went into."

@Kyanna Wynne @Eva

The conversation shifted back to the other group.

"Her name is Kyanna. She managed to use some of her corruption magic to counter the lullaby. There is no guarantee that will work as well next time, but the more minds and support are involved, the better my odds if I am to directly connect with someone as powerful as Szofrit."

Then, there was the explosion. Given that the drone did not carry over any image, it was rather concerning to hear.

"W-what was that? Is everyone over there alright?!"

@Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Raid Boss @Rael @Asher

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Her eyes turned to Eva as she mentioned the twins, asking for confirmation regarding the magia, only for her to finally point out something that had completely slipped Kyanna's mind... Truly, if the magia's actions were to be punished, that would mean both MAI and Tick Tock were in dire danger.

@Eva calling the twins her daughters prickled Kyanna's emotions even more.

"We... We won't let anyone hurt them. Mai and Tick Tock haven't done anything wrong." She frowned. "If anyone dares to touch them, Eva, we won't allow it." Kyanna said, resolute before turning to @MAI.

"Just like that book... If it is like that, we could try something, for sure." Kyanna nodded, but just as much as she nodded, her eyes turned to a worried state. "Connecting directly to-- Mai?! Are you crazy? This is way too dangerous." She protested, pursing her lips.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

(Ayna simply nodded in Rael's direction.)

"It's Ayna Nietzsche, and I should be able to."

(She then commanded her Storm Drones to return to her, all of which skittered toward their creator not unlike buzzing insects.)

"My constructs should be of great help as well. I should be ready as soon as I get that list, miss...?"

(Ayna looked on as the bratty opinionated girl disappeared in a puff of smoke, appearing emotionless on the outside but somewhat impressed on the inside. She shifted her attention back on the team once that was done with.)

"...perhaps a shorter message for quicker dissemination? I should be able to run back to the Ruined Palace, or anywhere you all need me to, and back before we march for...Szofrit."

@Rael @Ueno Mizuki @Imoogi @Cleo Looker

 

[Rael]

Well, Miss Ayna, you said you have allies of your own so I trust you to find them first and ensure they are well and safe. Share it with them, if you trust they will help.

My list is short:

@Hanno Futaba is a small, blue-haired faerin walking around in armor, and @Ash Vargold is... Pretty much the only male beastfolk with animal ears, so he shouldn't be hard to spot. They both have experience with Dissonance.

And then... @Valmont is like you, someone who got controlled, a white-haired adult Magia.

Tell all three of them Rael would like their help.

@Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

(Mizuki was left puzzled by Rael's claim that music would be the answer to their predicament, but before she could question the elf further the snake-girl threw her smoke bomb, leaving Mizuki reeling as the foul stench assault her nose. Protecting her nostrils with a hand the luna wolf coughed before answering MAI's cry.)

We're fine MAI. Just... just some drama.

(She didn't know what Imoogi's deal was, but she didn't have the time to hunt the other beastfolk down and have a talk with her. She wasn't the best candidate for that kind of thing anyway.)

We're running out of time as well, so let's keep it simple. Try to convince the faction leaders to capture Szofrit without killing her, as well as anyone we trust to help. All our efforts will come to nothing if she dies.

(She turned back to Cleo, her expression focused.)

Neither of us can help with what comes after, so let's do our part by disabling Szofrit non-lethally. Although I'll have to at least try to talk to that king and see if he can see reason before the fight starts. You coming?

@Asher @Ayna Nietzsche @Cleo Looker @Imoogi @MAI @Rael @Raid Boss