2nd // Audio

[prez_tentacle]

FILTERED TO CHAOS

I'm curious, 'comrades'. Seven days from now, what are you all going to do? What choices do you intend to make?

What will you fight for?

PRIVATE TO ZIDANE

You've probably already heard the news, but just in case you haven't:

Brace yourself.

PRIVATE TO ALBERT

We should talk.

Comments

[locked - video]

[lastmessiah]

[Almost immediately after receiving this message, the image of this dapper magician appears.]

It's quite a thrill to hear from you again, Snake. I take it that you've heard the latest news from our brooding overlord. Chaos seems to believe that victory is in his grasp, but I honestly disagree.

The poor fool must be rather delusional.

[locked - video]

[prez_tentacle]

I don't like anything about this. Have you seen the communications from the Cosmos members? It seems that they received an identical briefing- a battle to be fought in a week. It's as though they've scheduled it by mutual agreement like some kind of sporting event. Sound like any war you've ever heard of, Albert?

[locked - video]

[lastmessiah]

None! I can't say I've ever been a war that was sponsored like a game of cricket. It almost disgusts me to know how trivial our lives are in the eyes of these false gods.

I say, there must be a way to punish these fiends for their amoral ways.

[locked - video]

[prez_tentacle]

Until they show themselves, there's only so much we can do directly. But we may be able to break their power over us. We're not alone in our anger...

Albert. This battle is going to be a disaster, for both sides. But after it's over, the survivors should be more ready to recognize the folly of this insane war. That's when we'll act.

CHAOS FILTER | VIDEO.

[narcissistic]

Must you all insist on making this difficult?

'What choices do we intend to make'...

[ He parrots mockingly. ]

Ha! We fight. And if you fools would get your heads on straight, we will win. Leave the asinine questions to the self-effacing heroes.

CHAOS FILTER | VIDEO.

[prez_tentacle]

So eager to be a slave.

CHAOS FILTER | VIDEO.

[narcissistic]

Call it what you will.

We'll see what you have to say about it later.

CHAOS FILTER | VIDEO.

[prez_tentacle]

Yes, you certainly will.

Audio - Filtered

[goldenthree]

In seven days, I'll play, and then win this trashy game. That's all there is to it.

Audio - Filtered

[prez_tentacle]

Of course. I'm looking forward to seeing your power demonstrated.

Audio - Filtered

[goldenthree]

[... Hmph.]

The Endless Magic isn't something for amusing humans with.

Audio - Filtered

[prez_tentacle]

Surely there's nothing wrong with awing them, is there?

[terrafantoma]

The sooner Cosmos dies, the better.

[prez_tentacle]

You're right. I can't disagree with that. I'm considering going along with this farce for the opportunity to gather intelligence on everybody engage her.

[Video - filtered]

[zerosuitjill]

It's hard to really plan anything after a warning that vague. Even if you and I are set on not cooperating, there's no telling what they'll throw at us.

[Video - filtered]

[prez_tentacle]

Yes, and it would be a shame for us all to be wiped out because some of us refused to collaborate... it's a fine line, between capitulating to them and being annihilated in battle.

[Video - filtered]

[zerosuitjill]

Now's just the time that we need to keep our heads and not do anything rash. It could play right into their hands, otherwise, or get us killed; both, most likely. [She exhales quietly]

I spoke with Rebecca and filled her in. We can count on her.

[Video - private]

[prez_tentacle]

Good. Then as long as we keep our cards close, we should be able to find ourselves in a good position once the dust settles.