[Video]

[sightlessly]

[For once Matt has the video on. It's no use to him, but he wants his face to be seen this time, because this is serious. And he's furious.]

I'm going to guess most of us read the post that the ones who call themselves the Null posted. If you didn't, it's because you're on their list. The list of targets they've asked us to kill in exchange for the location of the god killer. I'm not the first to post about it either, but the louder the signal, the less chance it can be missed or ignored.

And it needs to be known.

This is the list of names as of this moment.



[attachment: names.txt]
Jo Harvelle
Ellie
Duck
Fingon
George Lass
Alphys
Chris Hartley
Hanako Nurumi
Seel har Parasiel
Curufin
Will Solace
Gilbert Beilschmidt
Maglor
Cecily Trevelyan
Kate Galloway
Maedhros
Calanthe
Atem
Trafalgar Law


I'm no fan of the "gods" who brought us here. I'm no fan of these null either. But I refuse to stand by while people are used as pawns and killed. This is their game, not ours.

[His voice is low. No sunglasses this time. And even if his eyes can't see, they can absolutely reflect indignation and fury. And they are. Clearly.]

If you know anyone on this list, reach out to them. Warn them.

If you are on this list and cannot protect yourself, reach out to someone you trust to help. If you cannot protect yourself, I can help. I will help. Lives are not games or currency.


[EDITS: FURTHER ATTACHMENTS]
[Update1.txt]
Lup Taako
Aren Brosca
Rydia
Matt Murdock

[Update2.txt]
Temperance Brennan
Terrence Ephemera
Lee Rosen
Margaery Tyrell
Julie Grigio
Kyna
Nathan Drake

[Update3.txt]
Taako Taaco
Eddie Kaspbrak

Comments

[action]

[synthedick]

[And recognize him, Nick does. The first think Matt might hear as he meanders over is that Nick has a heavier gait than most. While he doesn't sound mechanical in any way, from his voice to how his joints move, he does have the distinct smell of oil, only somewhat covered by that of smokes and cigarette ash. If he listens carefully, he might occasionally hear the quiet whrr of his internal processor.]

You look dressed for a funeral.

[Given he's on the list now, maybe he is.]

[action]

[sightlessly]

[It is an interesting scent, and Mat is entirely curious, but those questions will have to wait.

He moves towards him easily enough, holds his hand out as though for a handshake.]

Yeah well, when you're blind, black is easy to match. [It's a weak joke, but not untrue.] These are easy to move in. If there's going to be a fight, I plan on being ready for it.

[But okay, focused now.] You still have access to that post?

[synthedick]

[Nick's eyes flick to Matt -- he'd wondered about that, and now wonders what the odds are the Door would bring in another blind person -- but he says nothing of it for now. He takes his hand and gives it a shake: that is definitely not a hand of flesh and blood, given the bare metal fingers.]

I do for now. Even if I lose access, I've got a few eyes on it.

[Some people are playing both sides, after all. He properly introduces himself with that shake.]

The name's Nick Valentine.

[sightlessly]

Good to meet you, Nick. Good as it can be, given the circumstances.

[But that handshake. Definitely not flesh and blood, but aside from tucking that information away for now, Matt doesn't linger on it much.]

Good. The more eyes the better. That's part of what I wanted to ask about.

[Away from the network because the last thing he needs is everything he says being overheard by ears that it isn't meant for.]

[synthedick]

[There's something to be said about eyes and a blind man asking about them, but Nick has more tact than to make a joke about that, especially at a time like this.]

I'm listening.

[sightlessly]

[At any other time, Matt would be the one making the joke. But for now, with a hit list floating around, he's focused.]

Anyone who happens to be paying attention, keeping an ear to what the Null are saying. That information could be vital, and it's no good to burn a resource to get that information out. We need a way to let people know.

[An information network.] I've already opened my big mouth, and I don't mind opening it again.

[synthedick]

The more distance between our moles and the one who is circulating the information, the less likely the Null are to find out who is leaking their information.

[He likes it, considering his family is currently posing as one of those moles.]

It's a good idea. Not like they can do much more now that they've blocked you and put a target on your back. You sure you're all right with that, though?

[sightlessly]

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Remove it a couple steps, as long as we can.

[His mouth stretches into a smile, maybe a bit on the grim side, but still a smile.]

More than all right with it. If it can keep a target off someone else, I prefer it. I'm used to fighting. I can defend myself, and that's not true for everyone here.

[synthedick]

Yeah. It's not.

[He's not going to question how well a blind guy can fight; he's seen plenty of raiders and ghouls do just fine without eyes. Something about how the human senses compensate. It's more science than he's in for, but Nick knows better than to overestimate people, especially those willing to help when there are folks who've never been in a fight in their life on the Null's hit list.

He considers it a moment.]

All right. I'll see if I can't keep you updated with what I hear as it comes in for as long as we can keep this thing running. People need to know it's not just the gods they want dead anymore.

[sightlessly]

I think this is a pretty clear demonstration of how much these Null value our lives.

[The "gods" at least seem to have some vested interest in keeping them alive to feed off of. Not that that's all that better. But still. Neither side is their friend, so far as Matt can tell.]

Great. I appreciate it, Nick. I'll get it out to everyone I can. Forewarning may be the best weapon we have at the time being.

[Oh and speaking of that.] Other thing on my mind is the clinic. Couple kids who work here whose names were on that list were ready to stop coming instead of put the place in danger. If things go south, this place above all others needs to be operating at full capacity. I know the city's got a guard, but having a watch kept on the clinic in particular... might be more than worthwhile.

[synthedick]

[Neither side is their friend, but it's clear to Nick which side is the lesser of two evils.]

If there's one place we do need running when folks are out for blood, it's the Clinic.

[Hell, they need that place running even when folks aren't trying to kill each other.]

I'll see if I can't get a couple of the Guardsmen to watch the place full time until further notice. Glacius would be a good choice. Big fella, made of ice, packs one hell of a punch when he wants to. Pretty sure he's close with Miss Galloway, and would volunteer in a heartbeat. I've had him watching the lab, but I can put that on my route for now.

[sightlessly]

Yeah. My thoughts exactly. And even if the people who work here can fight, they're better served being healers.

[Matt is well aware how dead he would be if not for Claire, so he has a fairly strong appreciations of doctors and nurses and otherwise.]

Great. I'll be keeping my attention here too, when I can. But like I said, the more eyes the better. [A faint smirk. And now he does say it.] Metaphoric eyes in my case, but you get what I mean.

[synthedick]

Yeah, I do.

[Nick can't help but smile just a little at this guy's sense of humor, even if things do like grim right about now.]

I'll go make a few calls and see what other information I can send your way. Until then, you be careful.

[sightlessly]

Sounds good.

[Matt think offers another smile, tired somehow, but a smile.]

Thanks. You be careful too. Things could get messy fast, if it goes that way.

[synthedick]

Let's do what we can to keep it from coming to that.

[And with that, he'll head off. He'll be in touch, Matt.]