The Ring

[caressthedarkness]

[There has certainly been a lot of chaos as of late. But the brief respite that follows also comes with a video call from a familiar face.]

Ah, hello...?

...Can...anyone hear me?

[Seta waves awkwardly at the camera while you are walking by a terminal or checking your phone. She isn't alone, though - behind her are a handful of curious looking human-shaped figures, both male and female, whose real identities are betrayed by their glowing eyes staring at the lens. They say nothing, and the dim lighting in the room doesn't help much.

Still, the former UG member smiles on the screen.]



If you can see this...how is everyone faring?

It has been weeks now...I am doing fine. And...I hope it is the same for all of you.

Comments

[kill_all_vagans]

... And sometimes there are things just out of your control. Like the Unity Group having its budget cut so much just because of Loni wanting a new machine.

Even when I decided and started actively piloting, problems can still come up that can't be solved on the battlefield.

[caressthedarkness]

"That's a lot to think about...I might reconsider."

"What's a budget cut...?"


I...would like to hear more about that as well...

[kill_all_vagans]

It's Loni. He's finally jumped off that slope he was always teetering on the edge of, whining about how his machine needs to be stronger or else he can't protect anyone. So somehow he managed to get a lot of our funding diverted to a new machine for him and Dirchs had to cut corners pretty much everywhere! I even told him it's like Loni wants to make his own personal Granzon equivalent or something!

And he's not going to save anyone with it! He was willing to let a whole bunch of hostages die just to save his one friend, acting like it was the right choice! No talk with us about finding a way to save everyone, he just went on ahead like he always does and we had to pick up the pieces before he got everyone killed!

[caressthedarkness]

...Is there...no way to reach them now?

When I spoke to Desta...he seemed to at least understand...

[kill_all_vagans]

None of them have really shown their face around here at all since then. Either they're being careful, or Loni's just so obsessed with his new machine he can't be asked to even come and thank us in-person for our unwilling charity.

[caressthedarkness]

In that case...I can only hope for the best for everyone there...