[VIDEO]

[infinite1up]

[The video opens with Sato's face mostly filling the screen, so it's hard to tell exactly where he is. For anyone who's seen him before, there's one major change; he does not look happy.]

Hello everyone. I'm Sato.

I've been here for many months now, and been watching the sad state of affairs we are living in. Our lives are nothing more than playthings for the so-called gods, revived again and again to serve as their sources of power. Yet even in this troubled situation, man always seems to find a way to oppress man.

I'm speaking, of course, about the City Guard.

These people have put themselves in a position of authority over all of us in this city, keeping the peace... their idea of the peace.

But I ask you, who are they to tell you or I what we should be doing, how we should be feeling, when we are already prisoners to begin with? We have to go with our emotions, speak.. and act... from the heart! [he clenches his hand and places it over his heart, speaking with renewed intensity] If you feel that the windows should go, if these buildings need to burn to the ground, then you should be free to do it! If god damn animals are infesting this city, then you should be free to take them out and throw their corpses in the river! Whatever aggravates you, there is always one of them in the way trying to calm things down and keep you from expressing how you truly feel! We have let these feelings simmer for far too long, let them keep us quiet for the gods to feed from for too long! And I know that I, at least, am not willing to let these jackbooted thugs tell me what I can and cannot do.

No, they will not have their peace. The first step to liberation is to depose these puppets, and show the gods our fury.

That's why I'm calling to all of those in the City Guard to disband their organization, abandon their posts. Of course, [...he shakes his head...] we all know that they won't give up the authority that they've been holding so easily, will they? That's why I am asking all whose hearts beat with mine and earn for true freedom to join me in front of their headquarters at dawn tomorrow... where we will deal with them and put an end to their injustices once and for all.

Let me remind you that extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice, and that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

[There's a brief pause with him scowling into the camera before he adds:]

And in case the Guard thinks they can stop this resistance by blocking off the Armory [Sato adjusts the phone to angle over his shoulder, showing off a pile of assorted weapons that a medieval warlord would be proud of, largely collected over the last few months from the Armory, everything from crossbows and morning stars to pickaxes and... is that some C4 on the table???] Think again.

[That scowl twists a little at that point into a vicious smirk before the feed cuts off.]

Comments

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[survivethis]

What you're suggesting is anarchy. How are we supposed to survive here if we destroy the city we live in? I don't like it anymore than you do, dealing with whatever the gods throw down at us, but you'll only make it worse.

And yes, I am in the city guard, before you start the name calling. I just want everyone here to be safe. That's all we want.

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[infinite1up]

Just how much safety are you providing? People are still getting hurt, and those fucking monsters are still roaming the tunnels. Why haven't you been working on a permanent solution to that? The answer seems clear. The guard is more in love with its sense of authority and organization over us civilians than willingness to actually stick their necks out.

[voice]

[circumitus]

[Rey, having never been all that public about her role with the City Guard, isn't about to make any exceptions to her routine now.

[Instead, she just stares blankly at her phone for a moment, before flipping on the voice:]

...Seriously?

[In the background, one might be able to hear a series of fiery cracks that doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.]

[video]

[infinite1up]

Of course. I hope I can count on you to be there tomorrow.

[video]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh doesn't look surprised or even angry. Just resolute.]

If you truly believe this will be effective, then you have fewer brain cells than I'd thought.

[video]

[infinite1up]

In gathering brave souls prepared to make a stand? Mmmm... perhaps not. But not everyone has the benefit of being something better than human.

I take it that I'm correct then, that you won't stand down?

[video]

[foundafamily]

So this is how you do that 'freedom fighter' gig, huh? Do you really think this is gonna work?

[He's tempted in spite of himself. He's no fan of the guard, and he's seen enough to know that Sato's tough--so he's probably not just running his mouth. Ingrained mob rules say that you shouldn't go after law enforcement, but... Firo's Family isn't here.]

[video]

[infinite1up]

What do you think, Firo?

[He asks with a much softer touch than the rough proclamation made a few minutes ago. It's not a rhetorical question, nor is it an actual questioning for Firo's assessment of the situation per se. He wants to know what Firo actually thinks about the whole business.]

video;

[therewillbeorder]

From what I've seen, you're giving the Guard far too much credit. They hardly seem like an effective force. And I hope that's not all of the weapons you have because that is pitiful, to say the least.

[Constructive criticism is always helpful, right?]

That's not to say there aren't those in the guard who aren't dangerous. I know there is at least one who should not be trusted by the name of Maketh Tua. She betrayed everything we stood for on a whim and without hesitation. A traitor is always a traitor, I have no doubt she will betray those who were foolish enough to put their trust in her here.

[Video ; private]

[mismanagement]

[Someone is going to murder you one of these days, Hux, and it will not be pretty.]

I was wondering when you'd nose your way into the middle of things. Shall I be contending with you as well, General? There's no room to bark orders from a distance, after all. And you never struck me as the type to get your hands dirty.

[Not on the front line, at least. Maketh's face is tight and furious, though her voice remains painfully calm.]

Well?

video;

[infinite1up]

I ran into her attempting to recruit me into their little organization not that long ago. I'm glad I wasn't fooled by her act. [Really. he's just having too much fun with this. Interactive city-wide broadcasts are a whole new level of messing around.]

As for the weapons... I've always been able to make do, but if you could make any kind of contribution, it would be welcome. Feel free to drop me a private message.

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[unknowable]

I wouldn't say they've been particularly oppressive, or even that they have all that much authority. They're just trying to help out.

You must be either very bored, very fond of chaos, or both. We really don't need to be encouraging people to burn down buildings and break windows. This place is enough of a trash heap already.

video

[infinite1up]

If they were truly trying to help out, they'd have exterminated every last one of those fucking monsters still lurking in the caverns by now! [It's still utterly bizarre to feel this strongly about anything, but on the other hand, it's certainly useful. He doesn't even have to act out that snarl.]

Would you rather wallow in complacency and let our jailers have what they want from us? The city was ruined before we were brought here. I don't have a problem with it returning to that state, if that's what it takes for everyone to wake up to what's happening here.

[voice]

[synthedick]

[Looks like Nick can finally put a face to the infamous Sato he's heard about. So much for that kindly old man act.]

Cute how you say we're the bad guys when we're the ones trying to make sure folks don't go murdering one another when the gods are messing with their heads... or when someone is trying to manipulate them into starting a riot for no damn reason.

[video]

[infinite1up]

[Sure, it's transparent as hell. But the point is to have fun more than it is to be 100% convincing.]

I trust you'll be there tomorrow?

[Like he's setting up a party or something and checking that all the guests are properly invited. In his mind, well, it's close enough.]

voice;

[hotspurred]

Who, precisely, do you expect to rouse with the promise that you will bring naught but violence and ruin under the pretence of freedom? You are a breedbate, plain as day.

But by all means, tell us of what justice there will be when one's home is left rubble and ashes, one's pets slaughtered and one's friends assaulted at the fancy of your lot.

voice;

[infinite1up]

[Mentioning pets is enough get that awfully bizarre surge of fury rising. Until it's time to meet up with the guard tomorrow... maybe he should work on that.]

I'm sure I can't be the only one fed up with the situation at hand. Pets, of all things. [he very nearly snarls, unable to let go now that it's been mentioned again] Wasting time on stinking animals instead of focussing on what really matters, rebelling against these so-called gods.

audio

[unitas]

Look, I'm all anti-authority too but the guard has no authority here. They're basically self-appointed high school hall monitors and if they tell you not to do something, fucking ignore them. [ She digs this down-with-the-establishment thing but this does nothing to further their efforts against the gods. And it certainly won't show them their fury. ]

[video]

[infinite1up]

I'm tired of ignoring them. Haven't you ever felt as is you simply couldn't take it any more?

[ video ]

[wormintheglass]

[Bianca's video transmission comes from outside the Guard headquarters.]

Big words, dearheart. Did you have help looking them up?

[ video ]

[infinite1up]

[Not a face he remembers seeing around the Guard HQ much while he was staking it out, hmm.]

And you are...?

video

[war_itself]

Well said, very poignant and rousing. You do know civil war is only going to benefit the real oppressors, though, right? A clever old warrior like yourself. [It's pretty obvious, with all that talk of resistance and that nice pile of weapons.]

So what are you really after? [She's not judging, really, just curious, trying to get a sense for the politics of this place.]

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[infinite1up]

[Can't let the cat out of the bag, certianly not this early on. So Sato's non-committal as he states:]

I thought my broadcast spoke for itself. Make no mistake, this is only the first step in securing our freedom.

video

[prestonian]

Sato. I'm Preston Garvey. Not affiliated with the Guard, so I hope you're willing to hear me out.

What do you think this chaos, the anarchy, you suggest will bring about? What is the goal to it, if any at all? We're all trapped in this cave one way or another, so why burn it all to the ground?

video

[infinite1up]

Of course, Mr. Garvey.

Let me put it this way: how long have you been here?

( video )

[infinite1up]

[And while normally he'd get a more reasonable response and maybe a curious question... Sato's problem this week rises to the forefront when he sees just what is on his screen. He squints, unable to keep his expression from twisting into one of hatred.]

Reminder? I'll tell you what I'm getting a reminder about, just how many filthy animals are on the streets of this city!

video

[skelebro]

['Sup, Sato? Remember Sans? He's a real smiler. Smilin' good and hard right now, though he sure don't seem all that pleased.]

Really figured you were smarter than this, pal.

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[infinite1up]

Hmm? I would have thought you'd be all for it. I'm sure that if the Guard found that you'd been destroying windows, they wouldn't be happy about it. Would you be satisfied if they told you to stop just because they didn't like it?

text

[hornrims]

Why the fuck are those people trying to stop you from talking?

video

[infinite1up]

I don't mind a dispute. It lets me know where everyone stands.

And how about you, Richie?