@clarke.griffin | may 28, 2512 (after event start)

[strove]

I'll be the first to admit that I wish we had done more in preparation. It was my fault in assuming that we had no way of preparing for this outcome. I still think that's true—but setup in the future based on this can be handled later. Right now, we need to work with what we've got.

We've done this before. I'm stepping up to do it again because I've called in some friends from PRESERVE and they're setting up a station here in Red Wings. We've got medical supplies, beds, and any halfway care that can be managed. We're also reasonably fortified. For now.

But this is happening all over. So, here's a place to discuss.

1. What have you noticed about the monsters? Any weaknesses?

2. Any sign of how to stem the flow? Is there a flow?

3. Actually, this isn't a question. Don't burn the monsters if you can help it. If these are like the last ones, that could be a problem.

4. If you get samples, store them well and we'll figure out what to do after this.

Otherwise? Use this as an organized way to discuss how to approach this. Some of you haven't been here for this. But it's worked. Let's use the resource we have.

One more thing. If anyone seems sick, holding on to them might help. It might cure them and bring them back to how they were before. We might be the cure to whatever's coming. Keep that in mind.

EDIT: I'm asking that we put a moratorium on discussion of training, whether obligatory or otherwise, until after this crisis. I think healthy debate and discussion is good, and we can even look at reworking our welcome materials to find a good middle ground. But now isn't the time.

I'm happy to set up that discussion then and take part, if you'd like. But—again—now isn't the time.

[OOC: This is the Clarke's "let's discuss in one place" post that she's done a few times. I won't necessarily be tagging everyone who tags in!]

Comments

@marian.hawke

[championofsnark]

I'm doing fine with my weapon for now, but we're going to need to be armed better. Do you know who has access to them?

[championofsnark]

Also armor of some kind.

@adora.weaver

[dumbjockenergy]

• Civilians are pretty badly scattered right now. Our best bet might be to form groups to go out searching for people who still need help, and try to clear out safe areas that way. The same goes for looking for supplies. I'll be volunteering myself first and foremost, if anyone would like to join me.

• We need to train the civilians to protect themselves. There's more of them than there are of us. We'll need their help, and this is their city. They likely want to defend it.

• THIS is why I said we should require any new Displaced to learn to fight before they leave the Safehouse. The guide provided to us when we arrive even explicitly says that Displaced can expect to 'fight for their lives at some point or another' after detailing multiple violent attacks this world has endured.

When I suggested this before, I was told that this should not be expected of everyone and would not work for everyone. But we are in a situation where we need every able body we can get to fight off this flood of monsters. We do not know that this will be the last time we are in this situation.

To allow unsuspecting Displaced to come into a new world with these kinds of dangers, unable to protect themselves is unacceptable and irresponsible. It is going to cost lives.

@james.barnes

[freightcars]

You're right.
There are days of downtime where they can't join the general population. They could be used for basic training.
Field medical, survival, self-defense. Even a small amount of preparation would make a big difference.
We have hole right now in our ability to come together as a group to strategize and implement plans efficiently. We need to solve it.

[strove]

It still can't be expected for everyone.

Either way, this isn't the time to discuss what we should have done. I'll keep your other notes in mind, but we're still operating according to what people are comfortable doing. We are not, and will not, require anyone who's Displaced to partake in combat training because you think it should be standard.

I should add that we're also not going to force training on civilians. If they aren't prepared or ready, that's up to them.

[strove]

We're not requiring anyone to do anything to adapt to this world, regardless of what's happening right now.

[strove]

I have weapons, but not enough for everyone.

@tifa.lockhart

[powersouls]

That isn't fair. We shouldn't force people to prepare themselves to fight or even kill because they've been kidnapped here against their will. Not everyone wants to be a warrior or a soldier, and it's awful to say we won't give them a choice.

What does that mean, exactly, requiring them to learn to fight before they leave the safehouse? Do you want to trap them there until they agree, or until they're good enough?

[dumbjockenergy]

This is exactly the time to be discussing it. We're staring the consequences of that decision right in the eye. You said you wish you had been more prepared. That is how you prepare.

Refusal to provide people, Displaced or civilians, with the skills they will need in a world where monsters can take over cities and slaughter indiscriminately is unconscionable.

In the middle of an actual slaughter, it is outright murder.

[strove]

You'd rather have this discussion than find a means to gather information and help people? I was reflecting on my own reluctance to expend resources (manpower, construction supplies, and more, all of which may not have helped us here even if we had them on hand given the strength of these things) when the signs pointed toward something else.

Now is not the time, Adora. Prioritize better. We can't go back to where we were before and discuss what could have been done.

No, we do what we can do.

[strove]

For what it's worth, a belief like that has never held and it won't hold now.

[freightcars]

Who's involved in 'we'
Seems like something we should discuss as a group

[powersouls]

I'm glad. If we can keep people from experiencing that, I think we should.

[strove]

Yeah? Don't you have anything better to do right now?

[strove]

A lot of us have been to war. I think it's even more likely among the current group. But I refuse to tell someone how to live their life here.

@tifa.lockhart

[powersouls]

I love being able to defend myself, but part of the reason I love it is knowing that I can protect people who can't protect themselves, even if that's only because they aren't comfortable with violence.

Besides, forcing people into learning to fight won't help at all if their hearts aren't in it. It might just be more dangerous. I don't think we should put anyone in that position.

There has to be a different way we can protect everyone. We aren't a military. We shouldn't be forcing anyone through basic training.

[dumbjockenergy]

I'm able and ready to do both.

You're right. There's no point in talking about what should have been done with the Displaced right now.

But our priority should be the lives we can save right now by preparing civilians we've rescued before another monster tears them in half. We have no guarantee that all of us can protect every or even most of the people in the city. They would be sitting ducks. We don't know how many monsters there are. We don't know where they're coming from. We need every fighter we can get if we want to get rid of them.

[freightcars]

I think there's a middle ground here that's missed when we shut down discussion without conversation
I'm not saying we put people through boot camp
I'm saying we can get experienced people to come in and teach during those days
Nobody's forcing anyone to fight here, but if we at least take the time to have volunteers teach these basic skills it might save someone's life if nobody's around to save them

[powersouls]

You were agreeing with Adora who said we should require everyone to learn to fight before leaving the safehouse.
I don't think that's fair.

[dumbjockenergy]

I understand why there would be opposition to it. Some people may have come to this world from somewhere very peaceful, where fighting wasn't expected or knowing how to fight was needed. Some may simply not like it.

But their lives are at risk here.

[freightcars]

I agree with the idea
In principal it's sound, it's something we can build on
Implementation is something we can discuss and compromise on with each other

[freightcars]

I think this is something we can start organizing if we make it through this
I know some people with field medical knowledge
Some people who would probably volunteer a few hours of their time
Think we could make it work
Couldn't hurt to make it a bigger initiative if we survive the onslaught now

[powersouls]

I think if we decide to offer training, we should put someone in charge who's willing to be flexible and understanding, and not pressure anyone who says no.

[What she's trying to say without saying it is: Not Adora. (':]

[dumbjockenergy]

I want people to be taught how to protect themselves in a world that has monsters flooding the city that was just pulled out of a large-scale forced simulation, and other attacks.

I'm saying require them to know self-defense and at least some basic offense to give them a fighting chance when these things happen.

The specifics of what would and wouldn't work or be fair can only be worked out if we're willing to consider it. This isn't forcing people to be soldiers. It's keeping them safe and alive.

[freightcars]

I think it's something we can organize as a group instead of putting one person in charge of it
Communication and coming together as a unit is gonna get us farther and do the most good
She's got a good idea
You've got good ethics
Just matters that we find a way to combine them, couldn't pull that off alone.