Calm before the storm

[not_the_deer]

Both the Infected and Zeon at once... Talk about bad timing!

Is there going to be another war? There must be something we can do to stop it!

Comments

[runners_low]

There is going to be a war?

[The voice behind the small machine sounds very worried.]

[not_the_deer]

Another one, in addition to the ones we have already.

...If we don't stop it.

[runners_low]

The world is dying, but people still continue to fight all the time...

Can a single ship stop a war? Even if it's special like White Chalice?

[not_the_deer]

Yes.

If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't have joined Crossbone Vanguard. Yet here I am.

[runners_low]

Oh.

...

What's Crossbone Vanguard?

[not_the_deer]

We're a group of space pirates who fight against the tyranny of Jupiter Empire's leader, Crux Dogatie!

[runners_low]

You're space pirates?

[And now the voice sounds excited. But after a second of consideration, the drone inches away very slightly.]

The Jupiter Empire is the enemy... but aren't pirates bad guys too?

[not_the_deer]

It's mostly for show! We're really more like freedom fighters. We only attack enemy ships and try not to kill anyone.

[runners_low]

So you're not real pirates.

[Relieved or disappointed? Hard to tell.]

[not_the_deer]

No...

But you could say we're better than real pirates!

[runners_low]

Hmm... I guess...

[zetahatsudo]

Tobia. [Kamille's looking pretty intense at the moment.] Do you think you'll be able to help us set up the charges to destroy the Colony?

[not_the_deer]

Do you have a plan already?

[zetahatsudo]

We're going to stall for time. We're going to keep the Axis forces occupied by anything we can do, negotiation, combat, whatever we can do. I'm going to need you to try and set up charges along the colony walls and inside the colony support strut. If we're lucky we can stop them before the point of no-return and convince them to turn the damn thing around. That's only if we're REALLY lucky. The more likely situation is me, Char, Haman, we're all going to be labeled as traitors for trying to stop this and battle will break immediately.

[not_the_deer]

Haman Karn is the leader of Zeon. If that battle breaks out, shouldn't the guys who try to drop the colony be labeled traitors instead?

[zetahatsudo]

Most of the upper brass in Axis were killed by that terrorist attack. The power structure is in flux and that means those with ambition are going to try and make a power grab. This colony drop is as much a political gambit as it is an act of war. ['Connect the dots, Tobia, you're a smart kid...']

[not_the_deer]

...Shit. If they won't be stopped, they will start another One Year War!

[zetahatsudo]

[Nods] Exactly. Unless Haman plays her cards right here, even if we stop this, we're looking at a civil war as everyone tries to make power grabs within Axis. It's going to be ugly, Tobia, regardless of what happens in the coming battles.

... [He's suddenly staring very intently at you now, Tobia.] Listen, if we get out of this alive, I want your help in the battles to come. There's something very dark happening within Axis right now, and it isn't just these petty politicians doing colony drops. I trust you, Tobia, to help me do the right thing. Will you help me?

[not_the_deer]

Hey, you're talking to one of the best explosives experts on this ship. And stopping tyrants is pretty much what Crossbone Vanguard is all about!

Count me in.

[paladin_robot]

[Watch out, flying water bottle coming at ya!]

We'll find a way - just stay positive. If we think of only the worst case scenario, we're not gonna get anywhere, y'know?

[Richard's not exactly looking too great himself, but then, thats why he has his own water bottle to drink as well.]

At least we can still try talking to Axis. That... thing that's eaten a colony though? We have to make sure it goes no further.

[not_the_deer]

That thing is one of the creepiest thing I've seen, and I fought the Invaders. We're going to blow it up, right? No sacrificing crazy German guys?

[paladin_robot]

Hey, I fought 'em too! ...Though, you're right...

But yeah, we're blasting it to bits. Far as I see it, any counter infection or whatever would take time to spread. We can't risk that - plus, if we're lucky, everyone gets out of this one alive. Thats... sadly rare with some things like this.

[not_the_deer]

If we weren't lucky, this ship would've sank ages ago.