Twenty-three [video]

[trueltning_fury]

It's time I spoke up openly.

The escalation to wild accusations and violence has been too fast. While I don't necessarily share the altruism of the young woman who messaged earlier, I do agree that dividing this community is going to be fatal for all of us. It occurred to me that despite being exposed as a Skrull, Deconnick's message a few weeks ago had a grain of truth in it. That being, we Imports are in danger of being eliminated. By whom, or what, or why, does not make a difference in the long run, the simple fact is, we stand as the last, best force available to counteract any large-scale threat. Invasions, manufactured super-powers, what have you. The civilian population of this world cannot handle it, that's why they brought us here. We are the last thing standing in the way of Vulcanus, or Skrulls, or any other similar threat. If they remove us, or cause us to remove each other, they have this world free for the taking.

I'm no Silverberg, but I have some training in battlefield tactics. I offer these to you now.

First, we must prepare non-lethal means of incapacitating our foes. You are a community of people with powers, can none of you use them with a sense of restraint? I have no qualms about killing those who come against me with deadly force, but I also know the value of using my power to incapacitate rather than kill. For one, it will ease the consciences of those who end up attacking innocent people. For two, it gives us the chance to capture and interrogate legitimate foes.

Second, do not rely on the porter-machine's tendency to resurrect. Those who knew of the demon Illidan who lived in the park...when he was killed, he did not return. I hear rumor that he is not the only one. Rash actions still have consequences.

Third, use your damn common sense to figure out who may or may not be vulnerable. As I understood it, when I was told about these Skrulls, they need to abduct their victims before replacing them. Anyone who has been out of contact with friends, coworkers, allies, or family for lengthy periods of time is more likely to be suspect than those you've had around you regularly. I say suspect; accusations are pointless. Simply keep a closer eye on anyone you may suspect. Keeping your guard up and your suspicions to yourself is wiser than simply blindly trusting all, or trusting no one and pointing fingers. Those with a power that may allow them to identify the spies in our midst should start using them right about now, unless they are as unreliable as the lobster.

I don't even know if there are more of them out there, or if they have already replaced some of us. Assuming that this has happened is as foolish as assuming it hasn't. I advise caution. If they're out there, and they have a purpose in mind, it will reveal itself in time. Use your heads and stay on your guard, but do not divide our forces any more than they're already divided. Each man or woman sitting alone on an island is an easy target, not a bastion of defense. To think otherwise is naive.

...I have half a mind to leave you lot to yourselves and head out to the wilderness to enjoy the solitude of my own thoughts. But if I abandon this place, that's one less warrior on the front line. So, I will stay.

[police informant filter]

Jack, I don't know what use I can be to you at the moment. I may have raised suspicions about myself by losing my temper with Ghost. I can deny being a Skrull all I want, but I have no way to prove it other than my word. But if anyone comes after me, they risk unleashing True Lightning again. If I die, it will be loose in this world with no rune orbs to contain it. I feel it only wise to warn you of this.

Comments

Voice, informant filter

[out_of_time]

[Growling] That's all we need.

If someone comes after you, how much of a chance do they have at taking you down? I know you can hold your own against most people.

and perma!

[trueltning_fury]

[a slight chuckle] It depends on the person. I'm not about to reveal my vulnerabilities, but I will put it this way: most True Rune bearers in my world don't live to enjoy their immortality as long as I have. There are perhaps less than three individuals in all of history who have kept a True Rune longer than me.

[out_of_time]

And if you die, it breaks loose and goes on a rampage.

Who do you think could be targeting you?

[trueltning_fury]

I don't know. It depends on who feels most like acting upon the suspicions of others. But I am not letting my guard down.

[out_of_time]

Considering that people are getting dismembered on the Network, I'd say you're being smart.

Geddoe, I want you here right now. If there are Skrulls, they will almost certainly try to infiltrate the police force. That's how they're supposed to operate. If that happens, I need people I can trust outside the police.

[trueltning_fury]

I had the same thought. If they think like us at all, they would want to infiltrate law enforcement and the government.

[beat] You also need people who you can trust will not flinch if they're forced to raise a hand against a friend.

[out_of_time]

Yeah, City Hall is definitely under threat.

You've never seemed like the flinching type, Geddoe. That's another reason I'd like to keep you around.

video

[onblackwings]

As nice as heading into the wilderness is, even that isn't very good for escaping all of this.

video

[trueltning_fury]

No? [hrm] I suppose it would be if you chucked this piece of technology into a river.

[onblackwings]

That's true. But then I would never know it when my belongings were being bothered, over here in civilization.

[trueltning_fury]

Belongings. [just...what, Khisanth]

[onblackwings]

It's as good as true.

[trueltning_fury]

My concern is not for material objects.

voice

[livesarock]

Sleep spells, maybe.

Or a shadow snap, at least. Long enough to hold someone still and call reinforcements. I can do those, short of resorting to heavy-duty magic.

voice

[trueltning_fury]

Good ideas. Are they quicker to perform than heavy-duty magic?

[livesarock]

Yeah. I don't need to say many of the words to get them to work most of the time. It's just a matter of proximity for the one.

[beat.] And lighting for the other, but...It's not a problem.

[trueltning_fury]

So much the better. Likewise, a Soaring Bolt that covers all targets but isn't too strong is faster for me to cast than a Thunderstorm.

Basic, elementary logic. [snort]

[livesarock]

[a little flat:] Too bad rules like that don't seem to matter for some. [but that's neither here nor there.

beat.]

...Do you really anticipate a big fight out of all this? So far, it looks like just a whole lot of hearsay and in-fighting to me.

[trueltning_fury]

At the moment, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm concerned that if the in-fighting gets out of control, the big fight will be between ourselves rather than against a common enemy. Either way, it won't end well.

video;

[hexappeal]

I'm going to have to save your ass, aren't I?

video;

[trueltning_fury]

I'm hoping it won't come to that.

video;

[hexappeal]

Or you could work with me from the get-go so it won't.

video;

[trueltning_fury]

Interested in working together?

['bout time]

What have you got.

video;

[hexappeal]

Magic, for one.

video;

[trueltning_fury]

...I'm aware of that. [deadpan] I meant, do you have information or a strategy to share with me?