FROM: @CMDR | TO: @ALL

[byfist]

ATTN: ALL PERSONEL.

We have had recent recruits that have joined our fight. I understand you have been briefed and given training for this mission and our stay in Aranean society. As for the rest: I am your Commanding Officer, Grothia, previously of the Regency. Unfortunately, at present, I am often tied up in diplomacy meetings with the high court. But you can reach me via your BCE, or at certain times during the day in COST's supplied quarters.

Field Officer Young, who is at present wearing of her human appearance, is also present. She can be found at similar through similar means.

If you have any concerns, you may bring them to either of us.

As for your mission here. Our main concern is to secure COST's supply of Ymir, this substance is responsible for powering all forms of time travel in the Galaxy and the dimension shifting required to do so. It is the bones of the fallen God, Ymir and it seems mankind was not made to touch their Gods. Aranean's are a species genetically made to mine such a thing and no human is capable of it. That is why they are absolutely crucial and our alliance with them over the Regency, at all costs, must be assured.

At present, High Queen Thsch is our best bet of this. There is no denying the woman is cruel. A slight is enough to make her snap your limbs, one by one. But the natural Jhashcn bias to those who would eat those who suppress inclines her to us, and we need to foster that fondness.

Her daughter, on the other hand, wishes to overthrow her mother, as is their way. So far in my dealings with her, she has been far more moderate. She favours neither heavy slavery nor absolute forms of punishment. She even has an open, qualitative relationship with her brother as I have observed them. They frequently whisper together at the meetings I have attended. That may be appealing, but she will have no bar with us, as we cannot at present assure what she needs to take the throne.

That is as much as my limited position has allowed me to learn. Sadly neither Officer Young or I can move too freely due to our high profile scrutiny. Remember: if it moves, it is a spy, here. There is nothing you say, or do, that is not being reported to someone unless it is done through the BCE.

As such: COST operatives, I require a debrief of your actions, so they we may assist one another. If you have an idea, a skill, speak up, so that we can use it. This is not a usual type of battle, more's the pity, and awareness of movements is needed more than ever.

Comments

[kometes]

You dare talk down to me?

You've no idea what Kebechet has done to me.

Don't stand in my way. Either offer to join me or fight me for the chance to take their head.

[dipolar]

Mordred's right in that the stakes are too high for this.
Kebechet has slighted all of us, my intention wasn't to start some idiot quarrel within our ranks.
Both of you want her head and there's enough blood here to go around.

[kometes]

She needs to pay for what she did to Noctis.

[dipolar]

She will.
But you need to understand that he's gone now and he's not coming back for some time, if ever.
There are many people here who were kidnapped and need the catharsis far more than you do.
Than I do.
That, I think, is something that he'd say to me.

So stand down.

[kometes]

That is something he'd say.

[dipolar]

Yeah.
We can't be fighting amongst one another now.

always private.... ;)

[kometes]

You know him well. My master.
It's comforting to hear his words even if it has to come from you.

If you could tell me that you can think of what he'd do and say
I'd want you to stand in his place and become my temporary master

[dipolar]

(........................
.........
..............)

What?
Why???
No.

[kometes]

Because even if you aren't a good person, you know how a good person should act and think.
If you could promise me that you'd only ever give me orders Noctis would, I'd trust you to be my Master.

Why would you refuse? You've been trying to reason with me and the possibility of being able to control me easier doesn't appeal to you? Not that I'd ever let you completely control me. I won't follow orders I don't like, even if it were Noctis who gave them.

[dipolar]

I can't give you orders Noctis would, I'm not him and I could never be him.
It's an insult to even imply it.
So if you trust me to uphold an impossible promise like that you must be more of an idiot than I thought.

I don't even have the right mana you need to keep yourself alive, my abilities are like a mutation.

[kometes]

You'd be a better man if you tried to be like him.
That's what I'm trying to tell you.

I'm not being supplied any mana right now without a master, but I'm still strong. I find other ways to get it.
I'm not asking you to be my Master because of mana.
This is about my loyalty to Noctis.
I only trust you because of him, because I know he trusted you.
So don't call me an idiot.

[bloodings]

you were not one of those taken. more than that, you failed to stop your master from being among them. to claim you have a right to her head because of your failure is utter nonsense.

for the sake of my father, i will kill that accursed woman. and i will fight you to see that happen, rider.

[kometes]

[ LMAO OWNED. ]

[kometes]

Even if you're right about all of that it's still my duty to take vengeance in his place.

I will fight you if I have to should it come to that, though I don't want to.

[bloodings]

enough small talk. i already feel like killing you first.

listen closely. ill send you straight back to the throne of heroes if you stand in my way. you wont even live to see kebechet fall.

[kometes]

Saber

I respect you as a warrior but you'd never stand a chance against me. Even with you having the master you have right now, I can find enough mana to crush you.

I won't convince you to back down. I've given you a warning.

I won't insult you by refusing to kill you like I would any other warrior.

[bloodings]

i know your weak point. isnt that enough? treat me as an honourable opponent, and it will be your demise.

youre still a selfish fool, rider. i guess that part of you hasnt changed.

[ryuji]

[oh god why is this happening]

Guys! Enough.

You two are both some of the best warriors in COST. Working against each other's only gonna screw us all over.

[Can't believe he's the one to say this-]

Get your heads together and come up with a plan that works.

[Privately, in his own head:]

Mordred, listen to me. Hei's a giant pile of flaming dicks, but he's right. We can't rush in and take Kebeshit down as much as she deserves it. But... shit, I can't live with myself if you get captured again or something happens to you because of it.

telepathy

[bloodings]

Kebechet is a woman, Master. I was an idiot for not considering that... in the end, she's no different from my hag of a mother.

[ Don't be sexist... ]

I have agreed to stay my blade for now. But Rider has no right to her head. He is a fool, and a fool who knows nothing should hold their tongue, lest it be cut off. I refuse to sit around and let him take what is rightfully mine.

[ryuji]

If he steps forward and tries to act on his own, I want you to use your strongest attack to hold him back.

[He knows what it'll do to him, mana-wise.]

[bloodings]

[ Ryuji can't see it, but she's smiling. ]

I will. My Noble Phantasm... no one can stand against it. Not even King Arthur.

It's an anti-army attack, so a wide open space would be best. He may try to lure me somewhere crowded, but I won't let him. I'll find a place to rampage around freely without dragging the common folk into our fight.

But Master. If you start to struggle, I want you to sever our connection. That goes not just for this, but in any battle. I'll use up my remaining mana and fade away, but you should be spared from any serious injuries.

[ryuji]

[She should always be smiling




Gross.]

So that's what your limit break is called, huh? Noble Phantasm. Has a cool ring to it, I like it.

I don't know how powerful I am... I'm probably still a shitty mage, sorry. But the more I work with you, the easier it's gettin. Like... I feel like I could cast my lightning magic even with you draining on me. I think it means I'm slowly getting better at this stuff.

So... even if I'm hopeless, I'll continue to be your battery. Promise. I won't push myself past the point of no return.

[Sad, considering they're both knights of rebellion.]

[kometes]

[ He wasn't expecting Ryuji to butt in, but knowing him he shouldn't be all that surprised. ]

Fine.

As long as she's dead, I guess that will be enough.

[ryuji]

Y'know, normally I kinda try to find the pacifist route and avoid the whole killing shit

But man, I agree with you here

It'll happen. We just gotta play this cool.

[It's taking him leaps and bounds to keep his cool himself. So many of his friends were taken. So many of them tortured. He's just as angry, but he knows that he's useless when he lets his hatred control him.]

[kometes]

Normally I'd hate being advised by someone who isn't even a warrior.

But you've got a surprisingly level head.