A Leader's Descision

[vjockey]

[Cheng was surprisingly stoic despite the declaration from the insurgents. Despite having his wife kidnapped he was keeping everything together while he formed an action plan with his advisers. Clearly a small and elite force was required to foil them, but the fact that his choice was the White Chalice and not an entirely Gucun Contingent as the

Comments

[2hell_weride]

[[MarKus doesn't get political things so... he laughs, at, well, what they did.]]

They... kidnapped Devon. Really? What, was she asleep?

[[Might wanna esplain things to him...]]

[vjockey]

They also killed her body guards. Thoroughly.

[Uh.. MarKus... you might wanna backpedal there. Cheng sounded absolutely deadly here.]

Men I happened to have put a great deal of trust into. Devon can protect herself, but even then I needed people who I could put faith into to be around her.

And its something beyond that MarKus. The Insurgents are trying to use her to force me to surrender my position.

[Cheng gets even more serious now as he looks to the side - out the window.]

Trying to burn all the good work Devon, Han Zhi and I... along with everyone else. All our sweat, blood and tears for the past seven years. They would see it all wasted in a puff of gunsmoke.

[2hell_weride]

R-right... I'm just saying... Like... on a personal level... taking Devon hostage... It was probably a fluke... and really stupid.

She's probably not fighting back for a reason too, right?

So... what're your orders, bro. I haven't even gone to see her yet so... you know you got my hand gettin her back.

[space_mcgyver]

Kinda wish I'd manage to save up some Mirage Colloid, now...

Anything stealthy you need installed? Smoke bombs?

[vjockey]

Baffling their machinery's optical systems would be difficult seeing as some of the Zilong units are equipped for such an eventuality...

We'll need something unexpected...

[space_mcgyver]

Yeah, any kind of jamming won't work here, they'll know you're jamming them.

Are there any underground tunnels in that part of Gucun? Sewers, anything?

[vjockey]

A few... but its barely large enough for any machine and even then we would be restricted to single file formations - there wouldn't be any room to maneuver. Sending anyone through those would be a death sentence if the insurgents have anything prepared below.

[emorangerpink]

How.

[vjockey]

The details are still being searched for... but if they intend to make their statement as loud and bold as they possibly could... they couldn't be any louder.

[He was looking very severe here... before looking around the area carefully.]

...

[emorangerpink]

[Laura doesn't quite have the age or looks to pull off that severity, but she does look... barely contained. It's easy to guess that once she finds something to let loose on, whatever it is won't last long.]

And we still don't know what they want beyond the one demand.

[She doesn't miss Cheng's caution. She raises an eyebrow and points first to her ear, then up. Are they being listened in on?]

[vjockey]

[Even in one of the most secure areas of the State of Gucun, there are eyes and ears everywhere. Cheng gives Laura an affirmative to her signed question.]

Most likely they want Gucun to return to the old ways. They were a minority in the beginning, but it seems that they have far deeper roots than any of us have previously thought.

[The old ways... some of Cheng's past and the State's history would have gotten around the Chalice. Live-Fire exercises, horrific losses of life - even during training, bloodshed, conquest and expansionism.]

... After what that led to, I can't let it happen again. I refuse to see Gucun fall for a second time.

[He rests one of his hands on his wrist, then shifts his position so his fingers are steepled but resting close to his neck. An odd motion... but... to a shifter - especially one that knows Devon... it should be obvious. Devon still has her amplifier AND the crystal in it.]

[hobo_lantern]

Are they kidding? They got Devon kidnapped?

[vjockey]

Yes. The insurgents managed to get her...

We're trying to work on a plan of rescue, things are looking quite grim given how well equipped the insurgents are.

[hobo_lantern]

Man, I despite everything I feel sorry for them.

[vjockey]

They made their decision. I doubt they will live long to regret it.

[saikyocivrobo]

Does anyone in Gucun even realize what is Devon's true power?

[vjockey]

No. They do not.

[A short answer. Odd. Cheng was giving Werter a look though - as if to say not to go into detail.]

[saikyocivrobo]

They're in for a surprise, then.

Sorry, but I won't participate in the rescue operation. Stealth is not exactly Prometheus' strong side.