==Game Chat Transcript from Sept 19 2012==
##Edited lightly by Jonah##

Previous Event: [[GameChatTranscript-2012-09-15]]

Santiago, Nemo, Fio, and Elana have rejoined the main group. Alaistar and Virgil are standing by a chalkboard with names on it. Jacob is still sitting quietly on the cusions. Chen is meditating. Serena is stalking angrly around the edges of the room. Duke isn't visibly present.

Santiago: "Speak his name and the Saint shall appear" Santaigo says returning with the others. "What was this about the Old Bastard now?"

Alaistar: We are planning on addressing the threat posed by him...with some finality.

"About damn time." Santiago says with a smile.

Virgil nods, and crosses the other names off the list, just leaving a circle around Pappas. He then moves to another section of the board. "Alaistar and I were discussing, that while we send forces to focus on Pappas, a good percent will need to remain behind, and keep the guild inteact."

(For reference, names on the board: out of order but its not important: Alchemists, Pappas, Graycloaks, Agency, Tiger, Snake, Lost, Alliance, HoG, Agency)

Virgil makes three clean collums on the board. He lables one, "defense" one "offense" and one, "other".

Elana is looking at the board as he writes. She seems impressed with the orderliness.

Under defense he writes: Virgil, Nemo, Chen. Under offense he writes Santiago, Under other he writes Raven, and Lucas.

Devi: What is other?

Alaistar: They are on assignment. Lucas, as you know, is searching for Tiger. Virgil says, "Raven is searching for the lost weapons, and Lucas is trying to track the wraths."

Fio: What about Renji?

Virgil says, "There are several people that are not...assigned yet, thus discussion about our tactics. And I did not want to presume to order any of our new friends around." He says indicating Jacob, Devi, Elana and Fio. "I would like a ranged defense at the Guild, with Santiago out..." He prints Renjis name under defense. "But I dont knwo if thats the best assignement."

Alaistar is pausing a second...seeing if there's any reaction.

Elana nods her thanks at Virgil's comment (dfn)

Devi: I am not wanting to be sitting around waiting for someone to attack. If I am helping, I am wanting to be DOING something.

Alaistar nods at her response.

Santiago says, "Your presence is always welcome close to me, my lady theif."

Alaistar glances at Fio.

Virgil adds Devi's name under Santiago's. He brings his hand to his chin, thinking.

Fio: I'm all for fucking up tze bad guys. But, can someone tell me why tzis guy is on tze top of tze list?

Alaistar: Well, in part, attacking him will make the guild more secure. He must have spent years planning his attack. I don't he plans to attack again.. but you never know. Also... it may prevent attack from others who perceive us as weak due to the attack. And finally, he still possess or has knowledge of the items he stole. Nearly all would be useful to us and are dangerous in other hands.

Virgil: "In the end though, it is an arbitray decision. I could make an argument to attack any of them, but I feel we must act decisively, as opposed to sending our forces piecemeal against those that are our enemies."

Devi: But if stealing them back was not working the first time, then stealing them back a second time is not making sense.

"We are not talking about stealing." Santiago says. Letting the unspoken words hang.

Alaistar nods at Virgil's statement.

Fio: So he attacked you here? Is his guys tzat fucked tzis place up completely before? And tzat was to get back at you for us attacking in china? Just trying to understand tze history, you know?

Alaistar shakes his head. "No. We went to China after his forces broke in here. He attacked about the time of the auction."

Elana interjects: "I don't want to derail things here... but if the priority is containment of the wraiths... this seems tangential. It's possible I misunderstood the priorities, though. Or that I'm missing a connection." (this is not said combatively, just as discussion)

Alaistar: But we must first find the wraiths. Lucas is working on that. We can only move when we have information.

Virgil says, "We do have the option to all defend until we find more information, but that lets our enemies grow in strength while we wait."

Elana: "Okay, I think I understand. The wraiths are the priority... but until it is clear what to do, this is a secondary useful measure."

Alaistar nods.

Devi: What is happening if Lucas is locating the wraiths just as we are starting to fight Pappas? Are we aborting and turning back, or hoping to be done quickly?

Virgil says, "Lucas knows better than to attack the wraiths on his own. Once he has reconed them, we can evaluate our next move from there. Planning for every contingency will be futile. Hopefully we will have defeated Pappas by then, but we will do our best to have everyone remain in communciation so that we can react quickly to whatever comes up." He writes, COMMUNCATION? in big letters on the side of the board.

Fio: I dunno if I want in on tzis. So Pappas attacked you here, I agree tzat makes him shitty, but is he really bad guy? Or you just having a rivalry witz him?

Alaistar looks at Santiago.

Fio: I just need a better reason.

Santiago says, "Look, my bias against the Old Bastard is hardly a secret, but I can understand the doubt. I look at it this way, the Old Bastard broke in here and stole the weapon molds, basically the only stuff on the planet that is good at fighting the wraiths. At the end of the day, the weapons are just swords and daggers, not much value for a weapon's dealer, espsically with the ammount of trouble and coldsteel that it took. The Old man wouldnt have gone through that trouble just for giggles, but hes the dealer, not the source. I hope that when we take him down we can figure out the ins and outs of why he did what he did. Because fucking with weapons that can fuck with wraiths...well it does not take much to tie that back into the dark bastards themsleves."

Virgil says, "But the argument stands, if one of the other targets makes more sense."

Elana: "Do you remember, in Libya (looking at those who were there), I mentioned the knife that I lost to Goreshade? It was Tao's, and it reminds me of the shards we have been discussing. That concern would be enough for me to target the Lost. Though I see Santiago's concern about the molds. As Virgil said, seems like there are reasons to go in several directions - and it's useful to decide on one.

Alaistar: When it comes down to it Fio...he's an arms dealer and he'll sell to the highest bidder. He is responsible for the deaths of (millions?)

Santiago says, "There is the additional perk that I have access to the old Bastards system right now thanks to our lady theif, and so we dont have to wait for recon, we can just...strike"

Alaistar nods.

Fio: Does tzeze molds have a connection to tze weird robots witz weapons like yours which we found at Nic's place?

Alaistar nods.: Yes, he used the weapons to create those robots. and using the weapons he reverse engineered our powers.

Elana: (to Santiago): "Does his system give you access to information about who might have been interested in the molds in the first place? Because if we knew, it would make most sense to simply strike there."

Nemo says, "WELL WE DO NOT KNOW WHO CREATED THE ROBOTS, WE ASSUME HE CRAFTED THE ALTERANTE WEAPONS THOUGH"

Santiago: "Alas no. There is a more secure network, implanted directly in the old bastard himself, that stores that sort of data, but my data lets me know where he is. But if I was to rip his guts out...oh the stories it could tell."

Jacob wimpers.

Alaistar gives Santiago an sublte admonishing look.

Elana: "Santiago, you know his style. Do you think he stole the molds to make weapons that he would market to the highest bidder, or does he tend to wait for someone to be interested in a weapon before he acquires it?"

Santiago: "For something this elaborate, my guess is that he had someone lined up."

Fio: Wait, so we know tzat Pappas stole tze molds, and tzat Nic was using molds to make copycat weapons... so doesn't it follow tzat Nic was tze buyer for tze molds? And tzat he basically hired Pappas to raid your fortress? dfn

Chen says, "The Alchemists are never that simple."

Virgil nods, "It is a strong possibility. However we know the weapons have passed though several hands before they wound up with Nicodemus, passing though at least one other Alchemist."

Fio: How do you know tzis?

Virgil turns to Alaistar, letting him respond.

Alaistar: We tracked the weapons to Fox. Some were recovered there.

Virgil says, "And there are still some at large, it could be there were multiple buyers. Or perhaps that the orgianal bidder was just a front for the Alchemists. Or many other possiblities, many of which Raven is trying to track down now. But we are going to come at it from the other end."

Santiago says, "And finish off the old bastard for dessert."

Alaistar: Not only does he remain our best source of information, but I suspect he tested the weapons...learned about them. The man does not like to sell a weapon he doesn't have a defense for. That knowledge is dangerous.

Nemo SAYS "HE DID HAVE UNFETTERED ACCESS TO MY COMATOSE FORM FOR SEVERAL HOURS"

Elana looks at Nemo. "Do you feel he could have done anything to you?"

Nemo: MANY HUNDREDS OF THINGS. I SUTTER TO THINK OF THE POSSIBLIIES MY DEAR.

Alaistar: We examined Nemo but have found nothing.

Nemo: THERE DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY LASTING EFFECTS AT THIS TIME AT LEAST.

Virgil turns to Fio, "Does that at least explain our reasoning?"

Fio shrugs, "I guess so... he's some sorta arms dealer who basically feeds off of tze power struggle between superpowerful metas, and leaves lots of innocent dead in his wake. Not a nice guy. I could be in for some fucking witz him."

Virgil smiles, "Well you can decide for yourself but for the moment." He writes Fio under Devi.

Virgil says, "Alaistar? Where do you feel you would be best suited?"

Alaistar: That depends on what Santiago thinks it will take to bring Pappas down. He looks at Santiago.

Virgil says, "At this point I want to concentrate our force, even if Santiago thinks its uncessary I would rather send more than we need an accomplish this quickly," he nods at Devi "Than underestimate the target."

Santiago merely shrugs, and lets Virigls statement hang. "The trick is balancing it with a strong defense here."

Fio: I tzink you right - let's send in all tze big guns. Overwhelming force.

Elana: (looking at the board speculatively) "I don't think I am well-suited to defense, though if there were a reason for me to stay, I would hear it. I would rather go find what I can about the weapon theft, or join Lucas. Since the strategy is unification, I suppose I would join the overwhelming force."

Devi: Other than hacking into his system, what is stopping you from doing this years and years ago, back when you could have all of the Guild helping? If you could not be succesful with everyone, why are you thinking now will be a quick triumph?

Alaisar and Virgil share a meaningful look...

Alaistar sighs: "We have always felt that our primary task was to protect the world from the wraiths. To that end, we have avoided the spotlight, avoided picking fights when we were able. Pappas has made that all but impossible for us and forces our hand. Our strategy has always been to defend. To protect the world. To mitigate harm where we could. Our strategy, must change to meet the current situation"

Virgil is listening but prints Elana's name under Fio's

Virgil says, "There is the fear that this will be a protracted battle, or that killing Pappas will acomplish nothing, but rise Shank or someone else in his place. It appears that is a risk we must take now. I would prefer to do otherwise, but our options grow slim. We must however not neglect defense as we go on the offense, without a safe place to return to, we are lost before we begin."

"Lets get the bastard." Serena says and Virgil puts her name on offense, and he turns again to Alaistar.

Alaistar nods (as if to say, put his name down on offense). "We will need a minimum of two earpieces...one for the guild and one for the attackers."

Virgil nods, and lists Alaistar's name on offense. Virgil holds up a hand to pause Alaistar..."There is one remaining." He quietly looks at Jacob.

Alaistar shakes his head. "Jacob has been promised the santcuary of the guild"

Jacob stifles back a sniffle and lets Alaistar speak.

Virgil nods, "And he shall have it." He lists Jacobs name on the bottom of defense"

Jacob, not quite looking relieved lets out a breath.

Elana looks like she was going to say something, but swallows it.

Virgil says, "There is Mi-yen as well, but she I assume will decide for herself, as she always has." He lists her under other.

Santaigo says, "You were saying about the ear pieces?"

Alaistar smiles, "I'm hoping at least two have survived.."

The nine come forward and you have 4 total.

Alaistar: We have lost some. Should they be adjusted in case the others have been recovered by third parties?

Santiago says, "There is a limit to what I can do, with some lost the whole system is comprimised. I can change frequencies, but the third party could as well."

Virgil says, "A risk we will have to take."

Santiago nods, "I shall do my best to make it harder." He begins to fiddle with the devices.

Virgil says, "Unless there is something else to discuss we should consider getting some rest. There is much to do, and we are all drained."

The haggard looking nine all nod in agreement.

Fio looks amenable to the suggestion of sleep.

Devi: A plan might be in order.

Virgil says, "I have always been a firm believer in not overplanning, no plan survives contact with the enemy, we have strong forces going when we are all rested, say in 8 hours we can have Santaigo access Pappas's current location, and then move out from there."

"Much can change in that time, I would rather not waste our breath on maybes."

Devi: There is no worry that Pappas will discover the hack in eight hours time?

Virgil looks around at the tired faces, "I think striking without rest is a greater risk." But his face says he is amiable to argument.

Chen is at 2 or less willpower, Nemo at 1, Santiago at 2 or less, Alaistar is also nearly drained 2 or less.

Devi: I was thinking we were going right away. So much can be happening in eight hours that why are we even spending this time planning to defend or attack? The more time I am spending with all of you, the more I am realizing that every fifteen minutes something dire happens to throw everything in jeapardy.

Virgil says, "We have, hopefully organized our forces, reguardless I woudl not want to move until Renji and Mi-yen arrive safely."

Alaistar: And there arrival, depending on their condition and the shards, may necessitate a change in plans. Another reason to rest for now.

Fio: Where are we going? And how are we getting tzere?

Santiago says, "I had a peek when we got in, I could not resist. Unless plans have changed Pappas will be in Toyko for the next few days."

Fio: So tzat is like a 6 hour flight or sometzing, right? Maybe we sleep on tze plain? Or we can get tzere in tze sewers?

Elana: "So, wait... we are not going to where he operates? We are going just for the man and not for his operation? Or does he have a facility in Tokyo?"

Virgil says, to Fio, "The sewers will get you close, to the coast of China, but then it will require some other means of travel."

Santiago says to Elana, "His operation is of little consern to me now, I want to stop the man, and get access to the harddrive he carries inside his body."

Elana: "In his body..." (under her breath)

Santiago says, "It could be that there might be a better place to ambush him in his schedule, but each time I access his network is another optertunity for me to be discovered."

Fio: So, tzis is just an assassination run. We're not going to stop his operation at all. One of his lieutenants will just take over. What's tze point? Recon?

Elana: "It seems more likely to me that a second would just step up to take his place if we leave his business intact."
(nodding at Fio)

Santiago says, "Im all ears to your proposal of how to dimantle his global operation?"

Alaistar holds up a hand.

Alaistar: "Agreed" - he says looking at Elana and Fio. "That was part of the reason we hadn't done this before. We can work on dismantling his empire when he is gone, but for the the reasons we've stated before this must be the first step. and when he is gone, the organization will be dealt a major blow and give us some breathing room to to that - or to address a more iminent threat."

Elana: "I didn't understand the nature of the plan and I am surprised. I don't have a solution, though. This was not my plan to begin with... I am willing to help something I feel would make a change for the better, but left to my own devices, I would go another route. That is why I'm asking for your reasons."

Alaistar nods: "The hardrive on his person, a response for the attack on the guild to prevent future attacks. Knocking back the oarganization long enough to deal with our other threats. Those would be the primary reasons for attacking him more directly."

Fio: "Shit, tzis is sounding more like anotzer power play in tze metahuman power struggle. I don't know if i want a part of it if tze only payout is a hard drive which MIGHT have some info on sometzing. You should be going after Nic. Plain and simple."

Alaistar: "I'm not sure why our particular reasons should matter to you. You were willing to attack the man as an arms dealer? and a murderer? Those things are still true. You are free to do what you like...but do not feel bound our rationale. But we do not seek power - certainly not for it's own sake."

Fio: "Tzat was when I tzought tzat you were trying to hit his organization. But you're not. It's just a payback mission."

Alaistar shakes his head vehemently: "No. No. We need to retrieve all the weapons and the knoweldge he gained because it is a danger to teh world. He's is our best chance at that. We need to protect the guild. Attacking him serves that purpose. Protecting the guild protects the world from wraiths....something we all have a vested interested in. I promise you if there was nothing to be gained but vengeance - I would not give the man a second thought."

Fio looks to Elana.

Elana: "What do you expect - or hope - to find on this drive?" dfn

Santiago says, "The information that he gained from Studying Nemo and rebuilding the weapons and who he sold them to, was not in his network. Either that information does not exist, or its stored within that secured harddisk. Something you must understand..." Santiago says, his voice quiet, devoid of his usual cheerfulness. "The old Bastard's orginization is, him, beyond him he has some scientists, some factories, mere things, he is so paranoid that he keeps everything of import under his direct control. We are hitting his orginzation, we are striking at its very heart."

Virgil says, "Though I do understand your conserns, I however do not think we have the power or the information to organize a strike on Nicodemus." Virgil seems to think. "We could instead defend, and allow Renji to gather more data..."

Devi: Why not be sending out everyone on information gathering?

Virgil says, "Nicodemus knows all of you, there is a very real danger that he simply picks you off one by one. That risk exists with Yoritomo as well, but he would do it reguardless."

Fio: Pah, we were just tzere twice, and fucked his shit up properly. We coulda done more if we hadn't been tzere to rescue Jacob. And what good is information? You said yourself tzat it's not wortz planning. So what good is info gonna do ya? And if you want to get closer to tze wraiths, I tzink you should go after tze Lost. Tzose guys are just tze kinda crowd tzat will know where tze wraiths are, and you can follow tzem. Otzerwise go after tze grey cloaks. Tzey got a god tzat tzey worship tzat sounds an awful lot like a wraith to me." (Fio continues to rant...)

Devi: "No, I am meaning in general, to be looking for wraiths. I am finding it hard to believe that the newly freed wraiths are just sitting around for eight hours being sneaky. Or maybe I am just not seeing wraiths doing their normal things.

Alaistar: Wraith are sneaky, actually. And sending those unfamiliar with them is too great a risk. And our weapons are designed to hurt them...there are few things in this world that do. We are better off with Lucas tracking. And formulating a plan.

Fio, ranting over Alaistar: "You got a fucking world of targets and you're going after tze only one which doesn't get you closer to tze wraithz."

Devi: The lost are seeming like they would be attractive to Wraiths, I am agreeing

Courtney: And the Lost have a weapon that will hurt wraiths.

Virgil says, "But we have no trail on the Lost, were would you begin looking?"

Alaistar looks at Elana: If you are right about Tao's weapon that is true. But while the wraiths and the Corruptor had a long standing truce they have never truly collaborated to my knowledge.
He looks at Fio. "He gets us closer to the weapons which we use to fight the wraiths and he gets us closer to takign away the information the wraiths might use in their own defense."

Virgil says, "I believe we can strike at other targets Fio, and I plan to, one after the other, but without information on where these people are we are striking out blindly. Unless you have a stronger lead, our options appear to be, wait for more information to come in, or strike out at Pappas. I will admit that it goes against my core to attack, I prefer to defend, it is my nature."

Fio: I tzink we should go find tze Lost. And I only know one tzing which tzey're after. We know that the Lost are interested in Deathblade, and Shesu has Deathblade. We find Shesu, we find tze Lost. Right?

Alaistar: But Shesu and his companion are convinced they have a better chance alone. They made it a long way...I'm not sure they're wrong.

Jacob perks back up.

Alaistar: We should respect what they have asked. dfn.

Elana (to A): "Unless I am misunderstanding Fio, we are not necessarily joining Shesu's mission. We can still respect him. We are intersecting with him, using his location or his trajectory to find the Lost."
dfn

Fio: Yeah, Elana's right. Or we could head where tzey're going, and meet tzem at tzat place in Siberia where tzey're headed.

Chen says, "Assault the corruptor's temple directly? To what end?"

Fio: No assault... isn't it empty? Didn't tzey destroy him?

Jacob says, "The place was covered with Lost when we were there, we only got out alive due to the confusion and Gateway."

Chen says, "They will have had time to re-enforce."

Fio: Fuck, well I guess we know how to find tze Lost tzen! Let's go and check it out.

Virgil says, "To what end do you believe stirring that hornets nest will gather us? The lost are evil to be sure, but I do not believe we have the numbers to simply march in and have our way."

Devi: These new wraiths are not knowing much of this world. Would htey not be looking for allies? They must be disoriented, not knowing what cars or airplanes or many things are.

Fio nods to Devi's comment.

Alaistar shakes his head: "They are not new. They have spent more time in this world than any of us."

Chen says, "They still sing the song, they know as much as Snake does, they are not lost, and they are not confused. and every soul they take will provide them with more knowledge."

Fio, to Chen: Now what tze fuck does tzat even mean? What song?

Elana says slowly, "Because Snake knows... they know too, though they've been in the darkness?"

Virgil says, "The wraiths exist in a hive mind, they share information instantly, seemlessly."

Virgil says, "The question stands, Fio." He sounds genuinely curious, "I would feel much more comforatble confronting the lost reguardless of odds, but I dont see a purpose."

Fio: "To find a wraith, if there's any to be found tzere. dfn."

Devi: "And the wraith hurting tool they are having"

Elana: "I agree they seem a more direct route to the wraiths. And perhaps to one more weapon that can be used against the wraiths rather than for them."

Kelly: Sanitago says, "I believe Tao has the weapon, not the Lost."

Elana: No.

Nemo says, I DONT THINK THE WRAITHS WOULD BE WORKING WITH THE LOST THEIR POWERS DIRECLTY CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER.
Courtney: I had the weapon after Tao. Last I saw, Goreshade had it.

Kelly: IF NOT FOR THE TRUCE, THEY WOULD BE MORTAL ENEMIES, AS THEY WORK AT CROSS PURPOSES.

Virgil frowns, "We do not know how Goreshade and Tao figure into this. Tao is not a member of the Lost, but he is clearly working with Goreshade, for what purpose I do not know."

Santiago says, "Merely striking out at the Losts most holy site, hoping that we turn up somehting seems like a very risky move."

Fio, impatiently: "I did not say attack. Did I say attack? (looking around) I didn't think so. I said Recon."

Alaistar raises an eyebrow at Fio:

Virgil says, "It might make sense to send one person to recon, Raven would make the most senese as she is most familar, but she is otherwise occupied."

Devi, to Virgil: "Tao may be working with Goreshade because he is thinking that only Zaizen can be killing him."

Elana, to Virgil: "I could go. Try to recover the knife. Try to find out more."

Alaistar: But you have to ask yourself what the Lost's interest in him is.

Virgil says, "I appricate your bravery my dear," he clears his throat "and I know you are stronger than you look but I would not feel comfortable sending you alone."

Alaistar: From what I have seen, he seems almost ambivlent to them. But the Lost are interested in him.
And I don't see the point in attacking Tao when we don't know how to stop him yet. he was ash and yet recovered.

Elana: (to V): "You would send Raven or one of your nine in alone."

Virgil shakes his head, "Only Raven. Only she knows the ins and outs of that horrible place, anyone else would be a great risk."

Devi, to Virgil: "I would be willing to be going with Elana. We are only sitting here waiting for Mi-Yen and Renji for hours anyway."

Santiago says, "There is no direct sewer route to the Temple, you would need to hike for at least 3 days overland, through the sibrian wastes."

Alaistar shakes his head: "I am shocked you would have any desire to come near a shard again, Devi."

Elana looks at Devi regretfully: "I would need to sleep first, before that."

Devi: "I would not be touching it!!!!"

William: "That seems like a poor combination - even if you don't intend to touch a shard - - what if. The consequencs are too dire."

Virgil says, "We do not own you, I would not stop you and I would give you any help I can, but I cannot advise that course of action."

Devi: "If it is taking three days, and another three to bring back hte information, then that is too long."

Elana nods to V: "Understood. And thank you. I'm not trying to work at cross-purposes with you."

Santiago says, "I bet you could get there faster lady theif, but the lost are masters of Darkness and Death and know runecraft beyond any of us. I would not depend on my power for stealth."

Nemo says i HAVE REPAIRED THE LOOM, I CAN MAKE YOU SOME WINTER CLOTHING.

Virgil smiles, "I hope that will not be necessary."

Serena says, "So the Agent and the Thief go to the temple and the rest of us go after Pappas?"

Alaistar looks at Elana and Devi: That is not what I understood.

Elana (to Serena): "If it is going to take upwards of six days of travel... it seems too slow. Though I may be able to come up with a better mode of transport at another time, I do not have one right now."

"So back to plan A?" Serena says.

Virgil looks at Fio.

Fio: Fuck man I dunno. I gotta sleep on it. Been far too long since I slept.

Elana looks at Fio. "I know we have reservations. Perhaps it is best to go with this now, to have a plan. And sleep. It is surprisingly hard to find common ground right now, for people who have, at least on some basic level, similar end-goals (looking around)."

Virgil nods, "We will revisit this when we can act."

At this point the group breaks up to do various tasks. Devi is reading, Elana is sleeping, Alaistar is meditating. Fio is sleeping.