>>@KEBECHET | TO: @ALL.

[agogenpc]

By now, you may have noticed some among your number missing. I can assure you they are being well taken care of with what supplies we have in this time of war.

Our struggle here is drawing to a close. I presume both sides would like to avoid further loss of life. The Empire-- the Regency, as you call us-- certainly would. I myself grow weary of slaughter, especially this senseless murder of my soldiers.

This can be ended. I do not have the credentials necessary to surrender. You do. Call off this useless struggle. Your people will be returned to you.

Of course, if you have questions, I beg you to ask them while we have the time. This transference into your network will not last for long.

[ooc Discuss surrender here! Threadjacking welcome.]

Comments

[agogenpc]

What a bloodless response to a bartering of lives.

We only ask you to take your soldiers and go. The ANZACs will be left to us. And when we meet again, I can only hope it will be under better auspices.

@SHITZU

[cutlery]

I must admit, this is a surprisingly pleasant request for surrender. I would imagine they're far more charged than this most of the time.

Yet unfortunately, I personally refuse. As a matter of numbers, a surrender for a handful of soldiers is a poor bet. But if there is more to it than simply that, I would be interested in hearing it.

[neutronium]

[Hux can feel it, yes. It gives him pause, and he shifts his line of phrasing, slightly.

He truly appreciates the sarcasm; if only because he would have said something similar.]

Oh terribly shocking. Though I suppose it gives me some comfort to know our enemy doesn't give away tactics easily.

[Must keep things interesting.]

They have worth, but like all things, the worth shifts as the stakes do.

The fact remains that the grandstanding by others makes it clear that 'surrender' is less than likely. There is not one of us that can negotiate, unlike you.

A query: if we do not surrender, what shall you do with our people, once you have gained what you want from them?

[dipolar]

It's as I outlined in my last message. You could wipe out an entire COST cell, while picking information from the surrendering members.

We're tired, injured, and low on morale. You know that already.

[gerechtigkeit]

I see. Do you expect the whole of us to agree to this?

[agogenpc]

My division is trained in diplomacy. Another fact that's been obscured from you, no doubt.

What, precisely, do you find more precious than the lives of your comrades?

[hakanai]

What you are essentially doing is holding hostages in order to win your war, then; you may speak of this as if it's an act of mercy, an equal exchange, but it's not. I think you know that too. There is no bloodless end to this.

If my unit chooses to agree to your demand I will not fight it, but the flow tells me that will not happen. And I am rarely wrong.

[cutlery]

That would not be a surprising, to be honest.

[ It's all he says on the matter, but he hasn't been like. Super thrilled. With how COST isn't very forthcoming with their terms, considering he's heard of a few caveats in the past few days. But it's all he'll say, since the implied offer is much more interesting. ]

That depends. Are you asking out of curiosity, or are you hoping to strike a bargain?

[lefthandfree]

Just calling it what it is. Never said we aren’t wanting to win too.

And nice try, pal, but empathy alone doesn’t dictate action. I can empathize plenty and still know when to doubt someone’s advice. Hell, for someone who acts like they get it, you sure get offended over strangers not believing you immediately when they have no clue who you are.

Is antagonizing the people you’re attempting to negotiate with what qualifies as diplomacy where you come from?

@ANGLE

[circumspector]

Guess it wasn't as easy taking us by surprise as you thought, huh?

Did you want the bodies back? I mean, since you're offering.

> @ANGLE, @PRIVATE TO ALL COST OPERATIVES:

Our position at the tunnels was attacked. We sustained some losses but not as badly as it seemed they wanted. I'm not really... Sure how long we can hold it, though. Not for any length of time at least.

Keep your eyes out, when you make it back. I haven't been able to get visuals on them since it happened, I don't if anyone else can see otherwise.

But... I've got to wonder how strong their position is for him to make an offer this this.

private

[mylawn]

If they wanted us all dead, they've had at least half a dozen better opportunities to do it. Something else is going on here. Don't give up your position.

@kruger

[trample]

liar

[agogenpc]

The only way to ensure there is no bloodless end is to make it so with your own hand. A bellicose endeavor I shall leave to you.

I see humility does not stain your tongue, either.

[agogenpc]

Perhaps both. It depends on your answer, doesn't it?

[agogenpc]

How will I stand up under this verbal assault.

[agogenpc]

If we are being honest, which is my earnest attempt: yes, we would.

Private

[circumspector]

I don't want to. Just not really sure if that ever counts for much.

I wonder why they don't want to kill us, what are they afraid of losing? What are they hoping to gain, us at each other's throats?

[agogenpc]

I am not offended. Only disappointed. I had thought the habits of human kindness extended further, if a dialog could be made.

Have I offended you, now?

from @BUCKET ; private

[lefthandfree]

It’s shifty at best. I don’t doubt he is who he claims to be, but given that, he deals in intel; that’s a red flag.

I doubt any of this is black and white. War never is. He’s trying to paint the picture for us, but you’re right. Something’s up. Even if we can’t hold, we have to do our best until we figure out what’s what. This is definitely not the silver platter he’s pretending it is, and time is running out for both of our sides.

[agogenpc]

I ask for a majority, and the minority to stand by whatever the majority decides. A test of your much-loved democratic thinking.

[dipolar]

I can assist in gathering the dead.

[cutlery]

Certainly. It would be unwise to agree without knowing the exact terms you were bargaining for.

But to that, may I ask why you are pursuing this option? You said you wish to forgo further loss of life, but forgive me for finding that surprising. Why does it matter to you?

@BURGERKING— PRIVATE

[dipolar]

Acting smug when there are lives on the line, including the life of your roommate, is foolish.

When I'm able, I'll patrol the tunnels.

[lefthandfree]

Not particularly, no. I just think it’s a bit silly to fallback on insults when you’re supposedly trying to convince us.

You’re not wrong; they do extend quite far. I wouldn’t call what you gave us a dialog though. Sounds plenty like orders, even with your offer to answer questions. Hence why the others are reacting quite harshly to it.

How far does your guarantee stretch? Only the safety of the soldiers being returned? What of our offenses once we’ve begun to withdraw? You’ve said yourself you haven’t jurisdiction to call a surrender. This also means that you haven’t the means to properly respect the surrender either. Ain’t saying your word isn’t good, but that’s all we’ve got: your word. Not anyone else’s.

[hakanai]

I do not expect you to simply leave the soldiers we came here to protect alone. Does their blood not count? Or do you have other plans for them?

Knowing the extend of my abilities is essential to my job; I am neither prideful about that fact or modest. What good is the natural ability to read the flow of the times if I act like I do not have such a gift? If you'd prefer I can detail all of my many faults instead, however.