TERRACE Draft - Day 1

[lucetimods]

Who: All Draftees
What: Arrival at TERRACE
When: The first day, from 8AM to the wee hours of the night
Where: TERRACE!
Summary: Information post here
Rating: Varies on thread, please mark explicit material.

This post covers the first day, before the attack. Remember, characters here are not expecting an attack and are under the impression they will be going to Region 1 to fight. During this day, draftees will be restricted to T6 and T7 and not permitted access to other areas.

Be sure to tag this post appropriately: [canon] character name

Comments

[deathsdoctor]

"I would imagine. Hopefully though, you don't have to remain in seclusion any longer. Everyone was quite worried."

The pirate takes a small sip of his coffee. It's grown lukewarm. Even more dreadful than before. But he masks his disgust at the taste.

"I must ask though... would this working towards the future involve what we discussed in June?"

[biliruben]

"Ah, you may have to remind me. I have many discussions about many things."

[deathsdoctor]

"We were speaking about long term relations between Luceti and the Malnosso."

They had also been speaking about the droids, and Law has a few choice observations about that. He finds it interesting that the droids on the draft can be fought off now when they had infiltrated a Rogue facility and not one from the main Organization. That could mean a few things.

And then there was the incident in January. Which he still wasn't sure of.

[biliruben]

"Integration with the organization." That was part of it, now that he thought back. "It is certainly possible. Were you, perhaps, at the battle of Vaskoth? There was a woman there. Carol."

[deathsdoctor]

"No, I wasn't. I was involved with the creation of the cure there, but my role was doing research and simulations back in Luceti and transmitting what we found back to the battle site."

He looks thoughtful. What was it Raine had said? Aa, yes. There had been a schoolteacher back then named Carol. And he had definitely heard details of things going on in Vaskoth as they came, due to his own involvement. Were they the same person? Who knew. Carol wasn't exactly an uncommon name.

"The name is familiar, though. She was running relief for the enclosure there, or so I heard."

[biliruben]

"Ah, well, Carol is a rather extraordinary woman. Relations between enclosure residents and the organization is something of a specialty of hers. Of course, she isn't scheduled to visit Luceti for some years, but ah, I believe I can pull some strings and expedite things."

[deathsdoctor]

"If you could, it would be greatly appreciated." Law's going to abandon his coffee until he can go later to find a microwave to heat it up. "Very recent events have just proved to me that at this time... we're at the point of knowing enough to make decisions that could prove very costly in the long run to a lot of people, but not enough to know or understand the consequences of our actions. Integration might be a ways off still, but I'm sure you'll agree that now some guidance wouldn't be amiss."

There's another thoughtful pause as he lets that sink in.

"There's another person to keep in mind if you can pull those strings. I would understand if the Organization doesn't want to send Miss Carol in alone - it's us, after all. However there's a member of the MSF who is extremely well respected in our enclosure - Specialist Davis. I haven't met a single resident who has had a bad thing to say about him. I would highly recommend him."

[biliruben]

The guards behind Bil exchanged glances, but said nothing. They looked a bit somber.

Bil chewed on a fry thoughtfully before concluding: "Specialist Davis was relieved from his post after being found unfit for duty. I'm afraid he won't be of much use to you."

[deathsdoctor]

"..."

The briefest expression of shock flits across Law's face as he stares hard at Bil first, then at the guards. He doesn't even bother trying to hide it; it would work well to mask the furious round of calculations running through his mind. Because of course, he knew of the Specialist's involvement in one thing... and what the rumors had hinted at.

"... hell. People are going to have a tough time with this. I know I'm having a hard time processing it - I served directly under him on the Tyr's Revenge, as you're probably aware." Second Officer to Davis' First. Captain Fruthers barely left her cabin. "What happened?"

[biliruben]

"I'm afraid I can't say, on account of not knowing myself. The MSF are rather private when it comes to their own members. The Commandant doesn't even like me using her name, after all."

[deathsdoctor]

"... I see." He's been keeping a close eye on the guards' behavior ever since the inital glancing, looking for more clues. "Well. ... well, that is a damned shame. I hope whatever it was, he can return at some point. If it's something that can be returned from. He was a fine commander."

... he can't help himself. He crooks an inquiring eyebrow at Bil at the mention of the Commandant's name. The expression is a muted - really? Is it that embarrassing or does she just have a hard on for titles like some people I've met in my time.

[biliruben]

The guards are stone faced, though in such a way that shows they know more. Possibly more than Bil does.

"Indeed, indeed. Quite a good man. I certainly enjoyed working with him."

[deathsdoctor]

Law'd be willing to bet Beri that they do. Hmm. Finding that out will be a priority, then.

The first step is figuring how far down the chain of command news of this has traveled. He takes their rank insignia while his main focus remains on Bil, as it should. It doesn't mean much to know their rank, not in the grand scheme of things where who knows what is often based on involvement and need to know, but it's a start. He also runs their faces through his mind. If he's encountered them somewhere before - say the Tyr's Revenge - and had their names uttered in his earshot, he'll remember.

He nods and continues smoothly, not missing a beat, "I'm sure whoever they assign to work with the enclosures will be equally good - if there's been a choice made already. The MSF has many fine officers."

[biliruben]

One was a Foreman, the other a 1st Arms Manager. Two and three ranks below Specialist. But neither of them have encountered Law before.

"We shall see, but I can't speculate on who would be picked for such a post."

[deathsdoctor]

He can't place them. But a Foreman and a 1st Arms Manager. That would put them squarely middle of the MSF pecking order. Hmmmmm. It seems perhaps news has gotten quite far down the food chain. So it's likely big. Or something scandalous. Or both.

"I guess we will." It promised to be interesting, like the response to what he says next will be, "While we're chatting, is there anything you would like to know, Mister Bil?"

[biliruben]

Bil seemed to consider this. He knew a lot of things, after all. But on the subject of Luceti, he was aware of most things that went on.

"That's a tricky question, Mr. Law. It suggests you might know something I don't and are more interested in that absence of knowledge than actually giving it."

[deathsdoctor]

But you've already given him what he's wanted, Bil...

"Well, here's the thing and I'll be blunt - I might. I might not. Depends on what you might be interested in, if anything. Will it possibly be informative for me? Sure. I believe we touched on my ignorance to your reach of influence... can't say I have a good idea to how far your knowledge stretches to things as well."

That is the truth of it.

"So the floor's open if you want it. It's fair - we poke questions at you every time we meet."

[biliruben]

Bil leaned forward, resting his hands on the table in front of him.

"What do you know about Rataneran Keep?"

[deathsdoctor]

Law gives a pointed look at the guards, and then picks up his clipboard and begins to write.

"Count Zompano had many enemies. Some more obvious than others... but understandably not a very popular fellow with a lot of the Organization. At least that's how I know it. Before he went missing, he leaked a number of secrets about key Organisation personnel and the General into the enclosure with secrets about the inhabitants. The Commandant, CJ, Specialist Davis, that blonde you speak with, John, someone named Jacob, and yourself. Some of it was obviously lies... some of it... well. Who knows."

The pen pauses.

"I imagine you are aware of who was at the Keep then." Or are you, he wonders. On one hand, why ask if he had no idea of Luceti's presence in the first place. On the other, well, that was a good way to tease out information if he had no clue and only a suspicion.

It is a good place to pause, regardless.