hadriel | ten ☠ text

Right. Okay. We need to get in front of this and make a plan. I'm the one who has to put my neck out there so I'm the one who has to talk about options.

If they've got Tranquility, they're probably using him in their machines as a power source until we get there. Now, if we can forget that this is all Sorrow's fault for a minute here, we've got to come up with a plan and he has some pretty good ones, so- here goes I guess.

First option is do nothing. We sit on our thumbs and probably let Tranquility die, but it means that we won't be handing over their ally and it means that we won't be playing into whatever trap they're setting for us. As much as I don't want to advocate for this one... well, if they're setting a trap and they want me there, I don't like my chances of walking away from it. This is probably the safest option, but- damn.

Second option is to go ahead with the transfer. I go with some of you, we give them Delight, we hope that they don't trap or kill us during the whole ordeal and get three gods for the price of one. I don't like this at all, but this is probably the best way to get Tranquility back safely- if we don't do this one then I can't guarantee that he'll make it out of there.

And the third was presented by Rage herself. If we assume that they're going to trap us, we go there and trap them instead. Rage can disguise herself to look like Delight and we go through with the transfer. They'll be expecting Delight to work with them- I hope- and so we'll launch a surprise attack during the exchange with Rage's help. We take them out, save Tranquility, keep Delight. If they're expecting this then we lose, big time- but if they're not, then we could win out more here than otherwise.

I don't... I don't really like any of these options. There's risking myself and then there's being stupid- but what other option do we have? I'll hear your concerns or alternate ideas if you have them, as well as any volunteers to go with me.

It doesn't need to be said that if we die at the meeting point... well, Hope won't be able to gather our essences or your bodies for a resurrection when it's so deep into the Null territory. For all intents and purposes, a death there would be permanent. Keep that in mind while you make your choice.

Poll #21277 Well?

This poll is closed.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 66

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What should we do?

View Answers

Do nothing, let them keep Tranquility
7 (10.6%)

Make the exchange, lose Delight, risk that they're true to their word
33 (50.0%)

Strike with Rage, risk losing Rage, Fear, and Tranquility in the battle
26 (39.4%)

[[Mod note: this is a major plot-related poll and the outcome will change the tone of the game as we head toward a potential endgame scenario. While we cannot simultaneously vote and take suggestions for radically different options, we can modify the voted plan based on character suggestions and comments. Please contact the mods if you have any questions!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do you believe Delight would aid them in finding and harming the rest of us? I've been told that the Null have kept their word, in the past -- I'm not one to abandon Tranquility nor rush to battle, but I never knew Delight to understand the risks.

I don't really know what she'd do. Rage seems to think she's still on our side, just confused or scared or whatever.

As someone who's actually scared: I don't know if I buy that.

Being scared is, in this case, self preservation.

It was explained to me that they wished to exterminate you, and had the means to do so, yet they want their ally back... won't being in her presence evoke emotion, the very thing they consider a disease? I know none of us will be able to fully understand their motivations, but if they haven't lied thus far and don't intend to kill or keep all three of you, this proposition is illogical. They must think that having Delight would give them an advantage somehow that's worth being 'infected' by her.

If we make the trade, do you still need volunteers to go along? I have a great deal of experience in peaceful negotiations.

If they're able to use us for batteries, I'm willing to bet that whatever prison they place us in will mitigate our effect on them.

If you'd like to, then I would be happy to have you. I don't think they'd react differently to machines, but it's possible- and you would be invulnerable to their crowd-killing machines.

Use you for batteries? Oh dear. That does seem a worthwhile endeavor for them, then, to lay a trap and seek to capture you instead of simply continue their genocide. I will hope that they keep their word once again.

[ DiMA is a little surprised by Fear's response -- he thought that would take more convincing given how Nick spoke of the gods being uncertain of the mechanical folk living in the city. He's pleased, though, because he wants to help. Being useful is DiMA's favorite thing. ]

Yes, I would like to assist however I can. Especially if it would be safer to send mechanical individuals, I volunteer.

Good.

It might be dangerous. If you're killed there, Hope can't revive you.

I understand the risks. I'm used to being in danger when I meet with groups that wish me harm -- this involves even more uncertainty than usual, I admit, but I am not afraid. I want to help.

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