@katelin.philips

[covertness]

hi @ everyone

i woke up here months ago. there bus were were on crashed and there was a firefight after. not everyone managed to get out and not everyone made it to the safehouse. i remember some of the faces of those who were on the bus with me and the others that did make it.

of those of us who were at the facility, our newest wave of arrivals? at least some were on that bus with us.

i don't know whether you've been held captive there or elsewhere for all those months, i don't know if this is true for everyone we met at the facility and i don't know what this means in the grand scheme of things, but i figure we should all know.

oh, and a lot has been happening lately, so this isn't entirely up to date, but those of us who've been around a while wrote up an arrival guide. it might answer some questions, at least.

Comments

[covertness]

no one has and it's a good point

any theories?

[impede]

Cassius is very powerful. Not just in hacking, but in connections.

When speaking to us, Cassius did claim to possess the knowledge of where we came from. While Cassius may not be involved in what brought us here—it's hard to say whether that particular statement was a lie or not, but I don't see the value in lying about that particular point—there is some awareness of where we came from.

Cassius made multiple mentions of not working alone. That none of the actions taken were independent.

I believe that's where Cassius' power comes into play.

I'm afraid I don't know enough to extend an additional theory beyond that. I know saying the AI that killed thousands of life is "powerful" may be merely stating the obvious ...

I'm sorry, if so. But still, it's a power that shows a certain familiarity of us beyond just seeing what some of us have done on social media and in the "fanart" of us.

I believe we're being tested. And that we're failing that test.

[covertness]

with as many people from as many different worlds and backgrounds as we are
i think what someone might think of as stating the obvious wouldn't be obvious at all to someone else

i could see a reason to lie about knowing where we come from, but that way paranoia lies

[impede]

To bait us into doing what he wants us to do.

The problem is, I believe we've already started.

[covertness]

yeah, we probably have
if not for the reason that he wants us to, but because our interests align

does that make it better or just mean we're being manipulated more expertly?

[impede]

I think our interests don't necessarily align.

He merely knows what we'll do when called to act.

[covertness]

which would indicate that it's in his interest somehow to make us act that way, wouldn't it?

[impede]

Naturally, but he may be testing the circumstances. How many of us may come at his beck and call? Will we risk ourselves again?

He knew that we wouldn't leave someone behind. It is less what we did and how to harness that ability and desire for himself.

[covertness]

that sounds plausible
depressing and worrisome but plausible

[impede]

Is it depressing that the Displaced all care so much?

[covertness]

no, that's not what i meant
it's depressing and worrisome that someone would manipulate us like that

[impede]

[Akechi does agree, but as someone who's used that tendency to his advantage? He understands it all too well.]

Then what do you plan to do about it?

[covertness]

what i've been doing so far
keep my eyes and ears open, try to figure out more answers and find a way back home

[impede]

I'm sorry to play devil's advocate, but what if Cassius finds a way to deliver things that point toward that outcome? You say you'll keep on doing the same, but that's precisely what he's relying on.

Or ... that's what I'd assume, having profiled characters very similar to him.

[Akechi loves playing devil's advocate, for the record.]

[covertness]

you don't want me to keep my eyes, ears and mind open?

[ because that's what she was talking about ]

[impede]

It depends on what you'll do after that.

[covertness]

that depends on what we know and what we learn

[impede]

Have you known enough to inform your actions before? I was given the impression that it was quite the opposite with your number.

Our number now, I suppose.

[covertness]

it still is
doesn't mean we shouldn't all do our best

[impede]

Perhaps my implication is that your best could be better.

["Your" and "our." He keeps going back and forth.]

[covertness]

make it happen

[ his best is all their best, now, too ]

[impede]

Impressive that you think a newcomer such as myself can influence all of you. Aren't you set in your ways?

[But sure.

He'll try.]

[covertness]

i did just say i was keeping an open mind and my eyes and ears open

but you sound like you've already made up your mind about all of us

[impede]

Let's say that you all remind me of a rather well-intentioned group back home.

Good intentions can only get you so far.

[covertness]

i'd rather have good intentions as the starting point than bad ones