>>@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

@BURGERKING

[dipolar]

Are you expecting individuals to surrender or our team as a whole? This group suffers when it comes to unanimity, where democracy is concerned.

So what will you do if a spare few give in and the rest don't?

[agogenpc]

It is our understanding that you have put decisions to a vote before. That you have chosen peace over slaughter. I ask you to do it again.

FROM: @AEGONNER

[northerndragon]

[Well, somebody's looking murderous. Anyone who's around him as he sends this message will be able to tell that he's angry.]

I've heard that before. If you don't have the credentials to surrender, how do you expect us to believe that you have the power to make any other decisions? If you do have the power to make other decisions, it seems convenient that you're telling us you don't have the authority to surrender.

You should start by proving to us that our people are being treated well.

[agogenpc]

I am a first class officer, five stars, of the Anubian Battalion Keshos. I assume your superiors have kept you in the dark about what that means, so I will illuminate. I have jurisdiction over prisoners and information gathering. I cannot dictate troop movement.

As you wish.

[An image attachment: Ashitaka standing on his own power, looking tired and worn, but not particularly distressed or pained. His eyes still have fire in them. He is standing in front what looks like a series of boxes stacked in a wall.]

[northerndragon]

All of them.

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

[dipolar]

Calling that vote anything close to organized or valid in any way. Some votes weren't even swayed by our real opinions on peace; the whole thing was just a desperate scrabble to impress and please other COST members.

I can't have the lives of the detained be wagered on the votes of fools. Please allow solo surrenders.

[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.]

[agogenpc]

What would that accomplish? I wish it were so simple, but it would only lead to my replacement with an operative far less willing to entertain thoughts of peace and exchange. You are rather lucky merciful minds were overseeing this stage of operations.

I have done all I can. Now it's your turn.

[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.]

@PETTYOFFICER

[neutronium]

So you are acting outside your chain of command? Or do you have express authority from your leadership to do as you are, now?

[As much as Hux is loathe to admit it, he wants Ren back--but he also knows what he would be doing, were he on the other side. And this is not a play of weakness from the Regency. This is something entirely else.]

[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.

[agogenpc]

I have authority over the exchange of prisoners. I will not do it without a promise of surrender. You must understand, I do not wish to see more of my soldiers slaughtered, exchanging yours without the barest hint of common interest.

[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.

[neutronium]

Your numbers, firepower, ability to attack from the air--everything you have lends itself to wiping us out completely. Why not do so?

I don't believe in the concept of surrender for simple prisoners. Those you have should know their lives don't matter in the scheme of the cause. One life in exchange for many? Ridiculous and inefficient.

But I know I'm far in the minority of that thinking.

[The network is unsecured; he wondered if the scarab he had been provided would matter, now. But he isn't about to do anything with it. It's nestled under his clothing, at his side currently.]

[dipolar]

I'm thankful that you're the one to receive us, but wouldn't allowing solo surrenders would thin the ranks and chip holes in the integrity of the team? It'd be a strategical weakening of an already weak rebellion.

How long are you giving us to accomplish something like this?

@WEHFRIED

[gerechtigkeit]

What happens if we surrender? You’ve mentioned the prisoners, but not any other outcome.

@BUCKET

[lefthandfree]

You’re still asking us to surrender as if this is a simple matter, as if this isn’t a battle in a war. A war you’re likely still inclined to hope to win.

You do realize we’d have to be out of our minds to just take your word like this and do as you say, right?

@SWORDARTONLINE

[prizeneck]

huh
why come to us
thought we weren’t the ones to call the shots here

@MINIMALCAT

[hakanai]

Your side is more inefficient than I expected, considering the immense size of your empire and the confidence in your superiority that you possess. I'm perfectly certain at this point that there's some rot in the Regency even if it's not COST that is causing it.

Strategically there are many holes and problems in the offer you are offering. This surrender you offer may cause much more harm than good. Tell me, what are the conditions?

[agogenpc]

I can give you a few days, nothing more.

I wish that I was in a position of unilateral mercy, where I could offer without thinking of my own gains. I am not. What would individual surrender accomplish?

[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.

[agogenpc]

[He may feel that little object growing comfortably warm.]

There are parameters we must stay within as well. I am not at liberty to discuss them more than that. A shocking fact to you, of course.

You believe these lives have no worth, once they are brought to the altar of COST? A popular assessment, admittedly.

[agogenpc]

Surrender and leave. We will let you go in peace. We will deal with the ANZAC soldiers as destiny dictates.

Re: @BUCKET

[agogenpc]

All hope to win wars they are involved with. Do not posit yourself my moral superior; your hands have seen blood enough.

I was not aware empathy for your comrades constituted madness. In such a case, I have been mad all my life. On this subject, surely you are the expert.

[agogenpc]

You have in the past. Though I've heard COST has a habit of wiping the memories of their recruits; I would not be surprised if you've forgotten it.