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[The feed shows Sonya near the Guardsmen HQ, a stack of..rather colorful papers infront of her.]

This is for Daenarys and the other guardsmen, but I'm leaving this open for others concerned, since we can't really afford to be exclusive at this point. It's been a month since talk of plans started, I think it's long enough to discuss what we have and what we could start to plan on.

I have a number of ideas we could set against the Null, but most of what I'm personally proposing is escape routes and cover for those who can't fight. [She looked once more at the papers, a careful eye would show them full of rough, simple diagrams and notes. She turns cautious and looks around a moment before checking once more on the device.]

We can talk in the Guardsmen HQ. I don't know if the Null would be able to hack the devices, but I'd rather not take any chances and risk them finding out our plans.

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What makes you think they haven't bugged the whole city somehow?

[My isn't he cheerful.]

[Perhaps not, but it was a fair question.]

Because the gods..for all their worth, [Which wasn't much to her, but that was besides the point.] Wouldn't go through the trouble of hiding us if it meant risking detection. They're too paranoid about that.

Also, have you looked around here? Between the heat and humidity, the sound interference for bugging devices would be unreadable, and the Null put too much faith in electronics to try more primitive means.

[But that's also why she'd prefer to talk in person. She hadn't lived this long by NOT taking precautions.]

I guess that makes sense.

I wonder how far their reach is, if they can intercept even our network messages. They don't seem to be anywhere nearby. Though I guess... hard to say with how thick the jungle is.

I don't think they've found the planet yet, part of why this planet was an option.

However, if they do find their way here, and find a way to hack into the network, I'd rather they not find anything too useful in terms of plans.

Yeah yeah, I get you.

What about those of us who aren't in the guard?

How're you with a weapon? Would you prefer to be on the front or defending the non-combatants, and helping them escape if the towers are surrounded?

I'm from Montana.

[A pause while he remembers that half the people here don't even know where Earth is let alone Montana.]

Any guns are good. I have an M60 but limited ammo and that thing will chew through it in a few minutes. I think you're gonna want me helping people escape, otherwise I'll be a nice chunk of meat.

There's people here with super powers, let them use 'em.

Unfortunately, ammo of any sort is on short supply here [Yes, she had her energy gauntlets as well, but she wasn't sure what their power on electronics would be.] Any other weapon you're skilled in?

Guarding the towers, got it.

Edited 2019-05-06 12:56 (UTC)

Knives.

[If you want a human skinned in under 13 seconds he's your man.]

You asked them about that? Maybe Rage could stock us up on artillery. You'd think they'd want to since we're defending their asses and all.

Could you work with a short sword? [The amount of time she's spent in the armory, she had a pretty good idea of what was available to them.]

He could, and in payment he'd have us go all murder happy on eachother when we really can't afford to loose anyone. [She knew how things went here; nothing was just 'given' to them.] That does give me an idea. A lot of the drinks and substances sold here are flammable. If we keep the flames small enough, the enviroment's wet enough the fire shouldn't spread as much.

Short swords aren't really knives. I can swing it around but I'm not going to be doing much in the way of quick slice attacks.

Couple of people mentioned they had flamethrowers when I set up the range. Apparently if you build a shooting range, people will immediately try and burn it down. Human nature.

Check the armory for something you can work with. Not sure how knives will work against machines. [She'd figured he'd find something to work with. The armory may've lacked fire arms, but otherwise it was fully stocked.

That's..odd. [Much as she wanted to know details, now wasn't the time or place.] My only concern with fire is keeping it controlled.

I don't think swords will be much better. We need to figure out how to get more heavy artillery. Without firepower we're going to be harmlessly shooting sticks at them.

Are you thinking we're standing siege or taking the battle to them?

We'll have to take the battle to them. We're talking machines and AI here, so waiting till they're tired or need to resupply isn't really an option. [Because of course this wouldn't be that easy.]

You want to walk with me to the armory? Like I said earlier, the only we we'll get artillery is by asking the gods, and the way things are going, the cost might be too high. We have heavy spears, and the jungle has substances that can stick a bunch of them together. The right about of leverage and weight, should be enough to do some damage, the same for using wooden frames fitted with hardened spikes.

[Perhaps not enough to completely destroy them, but a few well placed blows from spring loaded traps should slow the Null down enough to get in.]

Too bad we can't EMP them like in the Matrix.

[He's pretty sure they don't have the tech to do something like that, and even if they did it probably wouldn't work like it did in the movies and have them drop dead instantly.]

Yeah, we can hit up the armory. Unless it means having to talk to Rage because she's not one of my favorites.

[None of them are, but at least Tranquility and Love haven't tried to destroy his house... yet.]

I'm pretty sure I remember Sorrow stating somewhere that it wasn't likely the Null could get in but it might be something to check up on him with. I think it's probably for the best to do it all in person but I think it'll be hard to get everyone involved that way, or keep everyone informed.

They've underestimated the Null before. I'd rather not take chances.

Half the guard will be told anyway during shifts, the rest-lets be fair, it's not like everyone has that busy of a schedule anyway right now.

You're right, though now that I think about it, I may have an idea that could be useful. [ If the Null can access the network, both the more private conversations and older ones, then maybe they should consider putting up a plan—a fake one. It wouldn't be the first time someone used such tactics in war to mislead and confuse the enemy. ]

You know where HQ is? We could talk about it there? [She had an hour till her shift, so it wasn't like she was in a hurry just yet.]

[ Honestly, Sharon doesn't much care for the Guard HQ, not that she's ever actually entered it; she's just always clashed with most of its members, too often writing them off as useless regardless of the help others may receive from them. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I know where it's at. I can be there in ten?

Sure thing, will be here. [Ten minutes was a fair wait for anyone on their way there.]

She would still be going over notes by the time Sharon arrived.]

[ Like she'd stated, Sharon gets there in little more than ten minutes. Her expression is somewhat pinched, uncertain; she can't say why she's bothering because it doesn't matter what happens.

Or, rather, she just doesn't want to admit that it matters. ]

Hey, 'm Sharon. [ She doesn't extend her hand for a handshake, opting instead to keep them crossed tightly and just get on with it. ]

Have... you guys considered tricking them?

[Sonya looked up from her notes when she heard and saw someone come into the building. Between her expression and the way her hands were set, Sonya had to wonder why she responded in the first place-or she was desperate for something.]

Sonya Blade. The problem is we're trying to actually get rid of them. THat means full on confrontation. Tricks and traps will help weaken and deflect them from Delight's towers, but we can't fully count on them.

I was trained as a warrior rather than a member of my people's military, so fighting to defend those that cannot defend themselves is something I am familiar with... and very good at. My skills are flexible, though, and I ended up taking on more offensive duties during the last Null invasion, so I will go where I can do the most good.

If you are open to discussing your plans, we could try to get a better idea of where that is most likely to be. I do not believe we have ever conversed before? My name is Glacius.

Sonya Blade [So the guy was clearly not human. Fine, they couldn't afford to be picky or prejudiced. Seems most of the guard will be on the front line, but we'll have to see on numbers.

Could we talk in the Guardsmen HQ? Again, I'd rather not risk the network being hacked.

Yes. I will arrive shortly.

[And, true to his word, Glacius strolls into headquarters before too much time has passed. Sonya has likely seen his unmistakable form around; recent months have seen him return to his duties with the Guard more and more, now that his partner's health has been stabilized. Nearly seven feet tall, encased in shining ice armor with crystal-like spikes jutting from various points of his body, Glacius is a being as imposing as he is regal.

The towering ice alien flicks his glowing green eyes around the room until those thin, sickle-edge pupils of his land on a strong, official-looking woman. That must be her; he gives a courteous bow of his head on that arched neck.] Hello. Good to meet in person in a more official capacity. How long have you been with the Guard?

[Seeing him face to face, Sonya inwardly scolded herself that she didn't recognize him as part of the guard; then again, the blue sash did blend in with his 'form'.

She returned the bow with a nod of her head. After her experience in Outworld and the Netherrealm, she tended to take take non-humans, especially giant ones, in stride.] Fourteen months.

[She wasn't counting the time she was away.] What sort of plans were you looking to discuss?

You mentioned having ideas in regards to Null counter operations—I am guessing they are what you have written all over those papers? I would like to hear them; I need to stay abreast of everyone's ideas, so I can plan my own involvement carefully. [He is pledged to the Guard, and will assist them wherever he can, but he also has other friends and loved ones that he must protect. Being aware of what's going on in the city can help him see when these goals coincide and thus, where he needs to focus himself.]

Perhaps we can start with the escape routes—where are you planning on evacuating people from, and bringing them to? The Colosseum is easily defensible, for example; though there could be risks to gathering many in one location, it would at least allow more of the Guard a place to focus their efforts.

I can come but... where do we hide those who cannot fight?

I will join the fighters and I spport the idea of defending those who cannot but... I really wonder how.

Delight's housing will be a suitable shelter-fortified of course. [She's not about to discuss details on the network.]

WHat sort of skills do you have in terms of combat?

I see... I will head toward the HQ then so we can discuss this better.

I'm a mage specialized in destructive spells, I a not entirely sure of how useful that may be but I am at least able to manipulate the elements as needed.

Do tell? [Much as she's wary about magic users in general, it's all hands on deck at this point.] You know where HQ is located?

I've been there before but this was way back when the city was still in a cave... if it wasn't relocated I should be able to find it.

[ Dany smiles, nodding her head once with approval. ]

Thank you for your hard work. I'll stop by soon to look over what you've done.

[Sonya actually had to turn her face away for a moment.] Between you and me, this is the first time in over a year I've felt useful-so..I probably should be thanking you.

[She's not sure how pathetic it is; that the only time she felt like herself is preparing for battle; nevermind it was what she trained for.] I have the plans already set, but they need to be discussed and worked out. Some have been here longer than I have and had more experience with the Null, so their consideration needs to be taken into account before anything really progresses.

I've done nothing worthy of your gratitude. You took action on your own.

[ And thank goodness for that. They need as many bright minds and able soldiers as they can get for the war to come. ]

Do let me know what you hear. All information should be shared among us to give us the greatest advantage.

You and Jon were the ones to send out the summons. I just answered.

[Because that's what soldiers did after all.] Meet me at the Guardsmen HQ and we can discuss what I've found. I'll make copies to leave where the others can read them.

[There's a moment's pause before she speaks again, the corner of her mouth turning up in a slight smile.] Mind helping me with copying notes? It'll get done faster.

[And the thought of paperwork, even work she knows needs to get done, makes her cringe all over.]

I've already left. I should be there before long.

[ Copying notes? She quirks a curious brow, but offers a smile as well. ]

Whatever you need. I'm happy to offer my assistance wherever I can.

[ Lucretia takes the woman seriously when she cautions against being too open on the network. She doesn't reply at all, just goes straight to the guard HQ, knocking on the door and then hesitating for a moment before poking her head in. ]

Uh...Hello?

[Sonya's still going over her notes and pictures when she heard the knock on the door. Most of the guards didn't bother knocking, and since this was so soon after her network message, that didn't leave much for guessing. Come on in, I still have some time before my shift.

[ The voice sounds familiar, and so Lucretia doesn't hesitate to open the door and step inside, smiling in greeting when she sees the woman from the network. ]

Hello, I saw your post about the Null? Regarding plans for cover and escape?

[Sonya nodded.] Close enough. If the Null come here, it's down to a full scale attack. Those with no combat experience will be located to one of Delight's towers. In the event the Null make it past the traps, there should be covered escape trenches so no one is trapped inside. The lower levels of the tower should allow for such things.

[She was hesitant on the idea of actual escape tunnels. The risk of collapse or them becoming trapped was too much of a risk.]

We certainly have to prepare something.

[ She hasn't seen Delight's tower herself, but as a plan, it sounds promising. ]

These escape trenches - is this something we'll have to build? Or an existing structure?

We'll have to build them ourselves. [There was no other way around it, but there should be enough for supplies.] The walls in the lower levels are more or less built into the caves themselves, so that shouldn't be a problem, but I don't think the gods make the homes with those in mind.

No, I imagine they didn't.

[ Well. This isn't what she'd expected, but she does see the logic behind it. ]

I'm happy to help, however I can. Unfortunately I'm not much of an engineer, but I do have a few spellls that may help.

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