agoge | >>FROM:@STORMBORN

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>>FROM:@STORMBORN | >>TO:@ALL

I ask that you use caution if encountering Yhych in the courts. Or at least carry with you an anti-toxin.

[ dot dot dot . . . ]

Is anyone a weapon-maker here?

>>FROM:@STORMBORN
>>TO:@BURGERKING, @PONYTAIL, @MODERATUS, @POINTANDKICK, @DIEDHARD, @BOARING, @AEGONNER, @PERSONALSTAFF

Ignore my next message until you are alone or are able to control your reaction.

[ There will be a pause, one which seems to tick away as an eternity for her. And then: ]

I'm told Kebechet is here.

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How are you holding up?

[ He's definitely concerned about the mention of anti-toxin. ]

She was on their base when we destroyed it.

[ Or she should have been. ]

A minor poisoning for my arrogance. I'll live.

No body, no death.

[ So what if it's a movie trope? In his experience it applies to real life. ]

Yeah like poisoning is a minor inconvenience. You're lucky it was minor. Be careful, your highness.

So we should assume we've only destroyed resources, versus any of those who were present during the explosion.

[ Can you tell she does not sound happy, Arthur? ]

Minor insofar as I am not dying and I was able to use an anti-toxin. The repercussions are much more unbearable lord paycheck.

Safer to assume that than anything else. We'll be surprised less that way.

[ Can you tell he's had to plan for the worst before? ]

Just be careful. We're basically fighting on two fronts and being down by any number, even temporarily, isn't ideal.

What would you have done differently by assuming that?

[ Indeed she can. What a sad thing...

He would be perfect for their war back in her world. ]

I'm inclined to agree with you, if only for watching the arena's battles. My daughter fights in my stead.

Set up safeguards or contingency plans in case they showed their faces. Or planned on them attempting to get revenge in some roundabout way. It varies on enemy to enemy and in how much I know about them or their movements.

[ it all boils down to research. ]

If only your other children were here to help.

You speak like my Hand. I imagine he would like you.
That does beg the question of how you would approach her arrival in this place. She's a threat to us, not only because she is Regency, but because of what she knows.

[ His mentioning of her children leaves her heart heavy. ]

If they were here, these lands would be nothing more than fire and blood.

Your Hand? Something like a knight?

[ Probably a fair guess, given the context. He's not sure how to feel about the comment; it's flattering at least. Maybe. ]

I'll be honest, I don't know enough about her to make a good judgment call. But generally with people like her, it's best not to play any of their games, interact as little as possible, and keep an eye on your back.

[ constant vigilance ]

I know it would be. Probably something to behold, huh?

The Hand of the Queen, or King, is nearly the second most powerful person in the kingdom. A Hand's authority and responsibility surpasses nearly all, save for the ruler they've sworn themselves to. Understandably so, the monarch would choose someone they see fit for such a position.

[ More than flattering, Arthur. She just compared you to Tyrion Lannister. ]

You would suggest looking the other way? We've a Regency member in the same space as us who knows of our identities. Who aided and commandeered our kidnappings.

[ She wanted answers. ]

Beautiful, but detrimental to our mission objective.

That's.

A lot of power. Wow.

[ Ok he's impressed. And definitely flattered. ]

No, what I'm suggesting is we bide our time. Right now we're at a significant disadvantage; you said it yourself, she knows more. We need more intel before we can make any significant moves. So our best bet is not to walk into any of their verbal traps, be cautious, and pool our observations where we can.

It's going to take a lot of teamwork we don't currently have.

It is, but that position is not the only valued one in my circle of advisors. He stands in my stead when I am unavailable.

[ 'Bide our time.' An exasperated huff--which turns into a cough, and she's curling into herself when her stomach roils. ]

You're right in saying we should. Anything rushed would trip us into a trap she likely has planned, especially if she believes she's been discovered. Which is why I've contacted so few individuals. The less who know whilst we confirm this information, the better.

Darling, if it's teamwork we need, I will summon our allies and demand it.

Well, it takes a team to run a country. Delegation is important, as I'm sure you understand.

[ Still, holy crap. He can't even imagine having to run all that shit. ]

She's going to be on the defensive, like a cornered animal. Unless we think we can push her into a rash action that'll be in our benefit, it's better not to provoke. Sounds like you've got the start of a good plan of action.

Demand? Let me know how that works for you.

Several kingdoms.

[ She veers into risking specifics, so she leaves it at that. ]

The way we'll succeed is by playing our strengths, and we've a varied number of us with unique experiences. There are some of us who will need to practice control, but mostly we are surrounded by bright minds. I believe I remember hearing of your ability to gather information?

[ She'd chuckle over his belief in her ability to demand they all assemble. Perhaps 'strongly suggest' would be a better way to phrase it. ]

It's not failed me before.

[ Not one kingdom but several. Arthur just stares at the message in mute disbelief because what the fuck, that's so much responsibility.

(Of course, he can't help the automatic running of logistics he starts in on. It's a few minutes before Dany gets a response). ]

I'm not doubting our team's abilities by any means. We've clearly got a talented group, albeit a somewhat untrained one. There's just a lot of recruits that would fall under "cynical" or "mistrustful". Winning them over to COST's agenda would be a first step.

Intel is generally where I feel comfortable, yes.

[ But normally he has the internet at his fingertips, adjusting to that has been different. ]

I believe you.

Untrained, yes, but I do not speak of COST as a collective. There are those whom I do not yet trust enough with such delicate information.

[ Hux, in particular, with his attitude on the network calls many things to question. However charming he's been thus far in their interactions... she's learned never to trust a man who says the perfect thing at the perfect time. Likewise, there's a reason Rey does not trust Kylo Ren, and she would take that to heart as well. ]

I believe those I've contacted thus far in this group would be adequate for preparations.

[ So she wasn't wrong about Arthur. ]

Good. Have I convinced you to proffer your aid to us in finding and capturing Kebechet, then? Your training and experience would be priceless.

Start small and work your way out, that's a fair strategy.

[ There's a lot of people he doesn't know yet, but most of the recruits she's contacted here seem to be a decent lot. Driven, if anything. ]

Flattery, your majesty?

I'll start digging where I can. Coming up with information here has been a different process. Anything I should know off the bat? Admittedly, you've had more exposure to her.

It may be the only way we accomplish this, assuming I'm right in choosing who to relay this information to. Like I've told the others, tell only those you trust, if you feel the need to. I trust you to use your discretion.

Flattery? It's the truth.

[ She's not much good with flattery for the sake of it. ]

She said her role, her unit, was to observe. A detective, she'd called herself. Patient, willing to talk, but does not proffer much personal information and is quick to throw your questions back at you.

I'd say you've got a fairly good gut instinct. I'll let you know if there's anyone that'll be a decent candidate to loop in.

If you say so.

[ He's always been bad at taking a compliment, preferring to divert attention elsewhere. But he is flattered, knowing his work ethic has shown. ]

She sounds like a piece of work. But, I've known a lot of people like her in my business, so that might be something I can build from.

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>>FROM:@STORMBORN | >>TO:@ALL

@POINTANDKICK [2/2]

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one million years later