Prosperity | Sungrey
Phenom thought about the Umbras words for a moment. He put his hand to his chin in thought and contemplated what could have possibly been the reason for him being allowed to undertake this task when there were a number of other, more knowledgeable individuals in this world who could probably handle it in a safer manner than he.
"I can't say I know, Umbra. Enlighten me?"
Eternal Galaxy: Phoenix - Intermission
07/27/2015, 07:38 PM #372
Prosperity
"Consider this: The Hunteri have a fleet of thousands, a great portion of which are gunships and bombers all equipped with Aura'va cannons and explosives as well as sensors that could easily locate the Null if they put in the time to scan the area. Yet instead of using the resources to destroy it, they choose to eliminate any means of escape for it." To punctuate the end of her statement she took another drink.
"Consider this: The Hunteri have a fleet of thousands, a great portion of which are gunships and bombers all equipped with Aura'va cannons and explosives as well as sensors that could easily locate the Null if they put in the time to scan the area. Yet instead of using the resources to destroy it, they choose to eliminate any means of escape for it." To punctuate the end of her statement she took another drink.
07/27/2015, 09:51 PM #373
Prosperity | Sungrey
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
"Hmm..." It hadn't seemed too strange earlier when they only wanted to capture the Null, but that may have only been because Terra hadn't seen what "resources" they had available. Now that this Umbra woman had pointed it out a bit more, suspicion crept through Terra's mind.
"That's certainly a bit odd... I may be way off the mark here, but this Null being - and based on how those people talked about them, maybe all Nulls - are fundamentally evil, am I wrong? It would make sense for them to want to kill it, but when there's still life on this planet, why trap it here? Couldn't that wipe out the rest of the planet? Maybe they have some kind of ulterior motive for doing all this, is that what you mean?"
Instantly in her mind, Terra began running through the possible scenarios. Reading plenty of stories had probably allowed her to become better at this than she might have been otherwise. At least, Terra thought so. Perhaps her first thought was that maybe they intended to harness the Null's power somehow, and maybe that was why they would let him live. Maybe they simply didn't want to waste all their own power trying to kill him. But no, wouldn't imprisoning him be more difficult and costly? That probably wouldn't make sense. He could be immune to their attacks, however. Yes, that could be possible. Although... maybe their goal wasn't to imprison him at all. Could there be another force on this planet even more feared, even more destructive that they wanted to keep locked away? If that were true, then Terra supposed the Null might be their fall guy. But were any of those theories even close to the truth?
Last edited by Aria of Forbidden Magic; 07/28/2015, 02:06 AM. BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
"Hmm..." It hadn't seemed too strange earlier when they only wanted to capture the Null, but that may have only been because Terra hadn't seen what "resources" they had available. Now that this Umbra woman had pointed it out a bit more, suspicion crept through Terra's mind.
"That's certainly a bit odd... I may be way off the mark here, but this Null being - and based on how those people talked about them, maybe all Nulls - are fundamentally evil, am I wrong? It would make sense for them to want to kill it, but when there's still life on this planet, why trap it here? Couldn't that wipe out the rest of the planet? Maybe they have some kind of ulterior motive for doing all this, is that what you mean?"
Instantly in her mind, Terra began running through the possible scenarios. Reading plenty of stories had probably allowed her to become better at this than she might have been otherwise. At least, Terra thought so. Perhaps her first thought was that maybe they intended to harness the Null's power somehow, and maybe that was why they would let him live. Maybe they simply didn't want to waste all their own power trying to kill him. But no, wouldn't imprisoning him be more difficult and costly? That probably wouldn't make sense. He could be immune to their attacks, however. Yes, that could be possible. Although... maybe their goal wasn't to imprison him at all. Could there be another force on this planet even more feared, even more destructive that they wanted to keep locked away? If that were true, then Terra supposed the Null might be their fall guy. But were any of those theories even close to the truth?
07/27/2015, 11:35 PM #374
Prosperity
"Close, ad'ita. Very close." A smile spread across the woman's face, warmer than her usual cynical one. "They do want to trap it, but leaving it to roam free on the planet would still be a risk due to Oudri'sa and their ships." She paused as she closed her thermos. "If you wanted to trap someone, what would you use?"
"Close, ad'ita. Very close." A smile spread across the woman's face, warmer than her usual cynical one. "They do want to trap it, but leaving it to roam free on the planet would still be a risk due to Oudri'sa and their ships." She paused as she closed her thermos. "If you wanted to trap someone, what would you use?"
07/28/2015, 02:09 AM #375
Prosperity | Sungrey
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
Terra thought for a minute. "Well, I myself would probably use magic, but I'm not sure they have that capability. But there is something else I would definitely need to use. Wit. Traps are traps because they're smart. You don't trap someone by throwing them in headfirst, you trap someone by tricking them into getting as close as possible so you can push them into it when their guard is down. If you're hinting at something else, I'm afraid I don't know what it is."
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
Terra thought for a minute. "Well, I myself would probably use magic, but I'm not sure they have that capability. But there is something else I would definitely need to use. Wit. Traps are traps because they're smart. You don't trap someone by throwing them in headfirst, you trap someone by tricking them into getting as close as possible so you can push them into it when their guard is down. If you're hinting at something else, I'm afraid I don't know what it is."
07/28/2015, 02:11 AM #376
Prosperity | Sungrey
"Simple. You use a cage and you use bait. I suppose in this case, I am the bait and the planet is soon to become the cage. But there's more to it than just trapping. It sounds to me like your aversion to our Null is more fear than anything. If he's such a threat to life, why not neutralize him?" Phenom said, becoming uncharacteristically dramatic. He began to gesture with his arms as he spoke. One might think him acting strange, when he really finds the whole situation slightly humorous. Beyond that though, the fact that this faction didn't quite seem to care for the lives of the rest of the colonists littering the planet irked him.
"Aaaah, but you ARE neutralizing him," Phenom said, chuckling and pointing at the Umbra, "By clipping his metaphorical wings and pinning him to this planet, you've neutralized him, far as the rest of the galaxy goes... No, the real reason we are the ones doing this is because we're expendable resources. We're a capable, unaccounted for force willing to do the job. And should we fail, at least the Null is trapped on this planet, right? Ian mentioned earlier that committing resources to killing this Null is something that he simply would not do, but you.. Hunters... number a respectable amount. Even the Angel's of Heaven numbered on a grand scale before our military strength was wiped out. The reason no resources will be committed to the actual kill is clear: Fear. Strategically Sound Fear, it may be, but we Angels took an oath to protect every life that we could. As we see it, if we cannot stop him, then he is simply out of our control. But if we do not make the attempt, then we are no lower than dirt."
Last edited by Kilelicus; 07/28/2015, 02:16 AM. "Simple. You use a cage and you use bait. I suppose in this case, I am the bait and the planet is soon to become the cage. But there's more to it than just trapping. It sounds to me like your aversion to our Null is more fear than anything. If he's such a threat to life, why not neutralize him?" Phenom said, becoming uncharacteristically dramatic. He began to gesture with his arms as he spoke. One might think him acting strange, when he really finds the whole situation slightly humorous. Beyond that though, the fact that this faction didn't quite seem to care for the lives of the rest of the colonists littering the planet irked him.
"Aaaah, but you ARE neutralizing him," Phenom said, chuckling and pointing at the Umbra, "By clipping his metaphorical wings and pinning him to this planet, you've neutralized him, far as the rest of the galaxy goes... No, the real reason we are the ones doing this is because we're expendable resources. We're a capable, unaccounted for force willing to do the job. And should we fail, at least the Null is trapped on this planet, right? Ian mentioned earlier that committing resources to killing this Null is something that he simply would not do, but you.. Hunters... number a respectable amount. Even the Angel's of Heaven numbered on a grand scale before our military strength was wiped out. The reason no resources will be committed to the actual kill is clear: Fear. Strategically Sound Fear, it may be, but we Angels took an oath to protect every life that we could. As we see it, if we cannot stop him, then he is simply out of our control. But if we do not make the attempt, then we are no lower than dirt."
Sometimes I feel like the only normal person here
"My Threshing has been Extra Princely Fresh"
"My Threshing has been Extra Princely Fresh"
Hazmer Baybee
07/28/2015, 02:21 AM #377
Prosperity | Sungrey
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
"You're probably right, Phenom," Terra said. Then she gave a derisive "ha," as she stood up. "If that is true, and these Hunter people are just going to consider us and this planet expendable, then I can't say I respect them, you see. If they plan for us to die here, I'm not going to just die. I think... we should squash the bastard." Terra hit her fist into her hand, illustrating the squashing with her gestures.
Her eyes, now lighting with a fire of anger and loathing, turned to the Umbra woman. "Well, is that true? Are we expendable to them? Do they plan for us to die trying to defeat the Null?"
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
"You're probably right, Phenom," Terra said. Then she gave a derisive "ha," as she stood up. "If that is true, and these Hunter people are just going to consider us and this planet expendable, then I can't say I respect them, you see. If they plan for us to die here, I'm not going to just die. I think... we should squash the bastard." Terra hit her fist into her hand, illustrating the squashing with her gestures.
Her eyes, now lighting with a fire of anger and loathing, turned to the Umbra woman. "Well, is that true? Are we expendable to them? Do they plan for us to die trying to defeat the Null?"
07/28/2015, 02:45 AM #378
Prosperity | Sungrey
After Phenom's rant, his disposition became normal again almost immediately. He placed his hand on Terra's right shoulder and applied a small amount of force. "Sit down, Terra. You're jumping to conclusions. Allow me to elaborate."
Phenom took a moment to clear his throat before speaking again, "Umbra, earlier... you called me 'Maki'te.' That word means 'Brother,' yes? Ian said that word means you respect me. And I assure you, I will make good on such respect. You see... despite my tirade a moment ago, I see how you're viewing the situation. Our involvement in this issue is a gamble. A gamble weighed in your favor. To put it bluntly: We are not the last line of defense: We are the tip of the spear, and the cage you've created is the last line of defense. If we fail: we four die, alongside the rest of the colonies, but the Null is trapped. If we succeed, we four may live, along with the rest of the colonies. the Null is either dead or in a state where he is no longer a threat. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Where Angels have vowed to protect every life they can, the Hunters seem to have taken an oath to the greater good."
Phenom adjusted himself in his seat against the wall and tore a piece of his cloak. At the same time, he released the magazine in one of his Desert Eagles, pulling out a bullet. He released enough adrenaline for him to pull the bullet clean out of the casing, and proceeded to throw the casing and its gunpowder out the window. He then held the bullet up, presenting it to the Umbra.
"As for the structure of their plan and my confidence, Terra, allow me to illustrate it like this: This bullet is the Null. That wall over there is the cage, or his doom." He said, gesturing to the wall off to their right. "And this piece of my cloak is our lives. Umbra. If I throw this cloth into the air," he said, folding three corners of the cloth. "What do you think the chances of me flicking this bullet through the unfolded corner of this cloth is, still hitting the wall? If I hit it, we live. If I miss, we die."
Last edited by Kilelicus; 07/28/2015, 02:59 AM. After Phenom's rant, his disposition became normal again almost immediately. He placed his hand on Terra's right shoulder and applied a small amount of force. "Sit down, Terra. You're jumping to conclusions. Allow me to elaborate."
Phenom took a moment to clear his throat before speaking again, "Umbra, earlier... you called me 'Maki'te.' That word means 'Brother,' yes? Ian said that word means you respect me. And I assure you, I will make good on such respect. You see... despite my tirade a moment ago, I see how you're viewing the situation. Our involvement in this issue is a gamble. A gamble weighed in your favor. To put it bluntly: We are not the last line of defense: We are the tip of the spear, and the cage you've created is the last line of defense. If we fail: we four die, alongside the rest of the colonies, but the Null is trapped. If we succeed, we four may live, along with the rest of the colonies. the Null is either dead or in a state where he is no longer a threat. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Where Angels have vowed to protect every life they can, the Hunters seem to have taken an oath to the greater good."
Phenom adjusted himself in his seat against the wall and tore a piece of his cloak. At the same time, he released the magazine in one of his Desert Eagles, pulling out a bullet. He released enough adrenaline for him to pull the bullet clean out of the casing, and proceeded to throw the casing and its gunpowder out the window. He then held the bullet up, presenting it to the Umbra.
"As for the structure of their plan and my confidence, Terra, allow me to illustrate it like this: This bullet is the Null. That wall over there is the cage, or his doom." He said, gesturing to the wall off to their right. "And this piece of my cloak is our lives. Umbra. If I throw this cloth into the air," he said, folding three corners of the cloth. "What do you think the chances of me flicking this bullet through the unfolded corner of this cloth is, still hitting the wall? If I hit it, we live. If I miss, we die."
Sometimes I feel like the only normal person here
"My Threshing has been Extra Princely Fresh"
"My Threshing has been Extra Princely Fresh"
Hazmer Baybee
07/28/2015, 03:01 AM #379
Prosperity
The Umbra had a soft smile of understanding. "You have confidence in your own abilities, and I trust you know your limits." She shook her head. "The question is, though, do you have confidence that you are not underestimating your opponent?" She smirked as she leaned back. "Plan C. The beast is cornered, the diversion is set, the other hunters prepare the trap to capture it." Laughter overtook her for a moment. "you are right on all but one thing: The planet is not the cage. They were not expecting to find a Null here, so they did not have a proper trap for it. So they improvised. They don't expect you to kill it, only stall it long enough for their... trapper to arrive. You could also call this a sort of initiation test. They want you to see for yourselves what they've been dealing with for thousands of years and to see if you can survive it." She paused for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "Hunteri actually means survivalist in your language. These people were trained, nay, bred to survive in this Galaxy. They will do anything necessary to achieve that end." She got up and walked over to a table, laying out supplies she had: The thermos, an ancient-looking book, various herbs and spices, a glass bottle, and more corlaviri crystals. "If the ad'ita wishes to fight she will need a crystal as well. If either of you are in danger, we will pull you out of that fight, and the Hunteri will aid you with air support." She turned back to them with a look of partial guilt. "I should also tell you... I speak for them but I am not truly one of them. I have lived among them long enough to know, however, that although they hold the wellbeing of their home, this galaxy, above all else, they will not let others suffer as they have."
Last edited by Cucoo5; 07/28/2015, 03:27 AM. The Umbra had a soft smile of understanding. "You have confidence in your own abilities, and I trust you know your limits." She shook her head. "The question is, though, do you have confidence that you are not underestimating your opponent?" She smirked as she leaned back. "Plan C. The beast is cornered, the diversion is set, the other hunters prepare the trap to capture it." Laughter overtook her for a moment. "you are right on all but one thing: The planet is not the cage. They were not expecting to find a Null here, so they did not have a proper trap for it. So they improvised. They don't expect you to kill it, only stall it long enough for their... trapper to arrive. You could also call this a sort of initiation test. They want you to see for yourselves what they've been dealing with for thousands of years and to see if you can survive it." She paused for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "Hunteri actually means survivalist in your language. These people were trained, nay, bred to survive in this Galaxy. They will do anything necessary to achieve that end." She got up and walked over to a table, laying out supplies she had: The thermos, an ancient-looking book, various herbs and spices, a glass bottle, and more corlaviri crystals. "If the ad'ita wishes to fight she will need a crystal as well. If either of you are in danger, we will pull you out of that fight, and the Hunteri will aid you with air support." She turned back to them with a look of partial guilt. "I should also tell you... I speak for them but I am not truly one of them. I have lived among them long enough to know, however, that although they hold the wellbeing of their home, this galaxy, above all else, they will not let others suffer as they have."
07/28/2015, 03:45 AM #380
Prosperity | Sungrey
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
Terra looked at the crystals the woman spoke of. "U-um... what am I supposed to do with this, exactly? I'm not sure what they are, really..." Terra assumed they'd help her out somehow, but... how?"
What the Umbra said about the "survivalists" troubled Terra. She understood that survival was important, and these people acted with that in mind, but she found it difficult to accept that they might not find Terra's life worth saving. It was almost as if her death would be simply of no consequence to them. It worried her.
BGM: Umineko: When They Cry - Stupefaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X76lu7TCvOg
Terra looked at the crystals the woman spoke of. "U-um... what am I supposed to do with this, exactly? I'm not sure what they are, really..." Terra assumed they'd help her out somehow, but... how?"
What the Umbra said about the "survivalists" troubled Terra. She understood that survival was important, and these people acted with that in mind, but she found it difficult to accept that they might not find Terra's life worth saving. It was almost as if her death would be simply of no consequence to them. It worried her.