>>@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

[northerndragon]

All of them.

Are you in charge of all of this? All of your people in the area.

[agogenpc]

I was not aware I'd have to provide proof, and it is taking time to get clearance to provide you with what you need. I myself find it questionable you only wish to rescue captives that have not been harmed. But of course, what do I know, being that I am surely the heartless tactician, and you the heartfelt lover of peace?

[Another photo, similar to the one from before. Mordred rubs at her face angrily, but she's always angry.]

[northerndragon]

Don't put words into my mouth.

[Mouth? Talking... thing. BCE. Mind ravens. Whatever you call it: that's not what he said, Kebechet.]

I'd think someone trying to encourage the other side to surrender would give them whatever assurances they might want. It proves you can be trusted. I'd think you'd come prepared to do that.

[And it occurs to him: he's learned to use the BCE to capture images himself, something that's unimaginable at home without skill, paints and brushes, and a few weeks free. There's no guarantee that these images are fresh.]

[agogenpc]

I speak only of what you have said or implied. This dance makes very little sense to me. You clearly do not believe us capable of good faith and fairness. You clearly wish to prove it for your own sense of continued purpose, justifying a hard-nosed decision in your future.

I will give you what assurances are fair and true, regardless of your low opinions and abject hostility. I will not design facts to suit theory.

[northerndragon]

You'd have to be a fool to take the good faith and fairness of an enemy only on their word. It's not a good way to stay alive.

What happens if we surrender? I'd like to know more about what you have in mind.

[agogenpc]

And who decided we must be enemies? You, or someone's word you are taking in good faith?

Surrender, and leave field. Take your wounded with you. Leave the ANZAC soldiers to us. That is all we ask, for the safe return of your loved ones.

[northerndragon]

What do you plan to do with the ANZAC soldiers?

[SURE SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING HIM TO TAKE THEIR WORD IN GOOD FAITH THESE DAYS, KEBECHET.]

[agogenpc]

You know the answer.

Does their anonymous well-being matter more to you than the lives of those you love?

[northerndragon]

Should it be a choice? Your people are the only ones trying to kill any of them now. You're stopping them from making a peaceful retreat.

Those I love?

[agogenpc]

What they go on to create will be far from peaceful. In several centuries, the repercussions of this retreat will cause more war, more hate and terror and strife. The cost and the means are of consideration.

Do not play ignorant.

[northerndragon]

Start thinking that way and you'll end by destroying all the living on any world. Even yourself.

I don't play at anything, Kebechet. What do you think you know about me? About any of us?

[It may be that the answer is "a lot," or it may be that Kebechet is hazarding a guess and waiting for Jon to confirm or deny it.]

[agogenpc]

So I have heard, but I've yet to see such destruction from anyone's hands save your organization's.

We had to scan the captive's minds in order to make sure they weren't carrying organic weaponry or poisons that would infect our soldiers. When we scanned hers, we only found images of you.

[northerndragon]

[That's wonderful and terrible news all at the same time. He can't smile about it; he closes his eyes and gives his head a small frustrated shake.

He expects lies from an enemy, particularly when it comes to promises of good treatment after surrender: give up whatever advantages you have on a mere promise that someone will behave honorably, when honorable behavior depends completely on who the enemy is, what their goals are. An honorable enemy can become an ally.

Is it honorable to have stolen Daenerys and Ashitaka and the others away? Is it honorable to invade their minds?

How do they know who he is, from @AEGONNER to supposed images in Dany's mind, anyway? Either they do -- which is a problem if it's true -- or Kebechet is tossing out bait. And some of the rest of this doesn't make sense. How would someone carry poison in their mind?]

Then you must be wilfully blind. You don't stop killing with more killing, not on this scale. And if you were worried about someone carrying poison, you didn't have to take them to begin with. You could have let them be. Nobody forced you to do a thing.

This organization you hate so much must be a real threat to you, what with all their letting people you want to kill live out their lives.

[agogenpc]

You have, of course, never stopped to consider that we are not blind and you are simply a small-minded bumpkin from a backwater world with little skill for calculating the scope of wars that shake the foundations of galaxies. Such is beyond your purview. When I need to throw an ax over long distances, your advice will be sought.

Your organization has killed many of mine, many very dear to me. But I suppose I deserved that, just as my soldiers deserved the disgusting fates you have heaped upon them.

[northerndragon]

[Gods, Kebechet, Longclaw isn't an axe and you don't throw Valyrian steel. 🙄]

No, I've stopped to consider it. I think you're wrong.

Say what you want about my world. To defend it, I'd still give my life a hundred times over.

No one deserves to lose those who are dear to them, but why do you keep risking further losses?

[Please, nobody actually bring him back a hundred times.]