annexednet | Video

[ At a disgustingly early hour of the morning, Obi-Wan will record and post up the following video. At least the location appears quite serene? Deep in the jungle, with the sound of a river washing softly over rocks in the background.

Obi-Wan himself is looking thoughtful, one arm settled across his chest while the other lifts a mug of tea to his lips for a sip, before he starts talking. ]

Good morning. I apologize for the early hour of this transmission and I promise to keep it brief.

A few weeks ago I had the unique opportunity to speak with one of our Sylphid captors. During the course of our most pleasant discussion I learned that aside from the method they attempted to use on all of us, kidnapping with the expectation of infestation, they have other methods of increasing their ranks on this planet.

Apparently they can bring in more of their number via ships in orbit to this planet, which unfortunately means that the more of them we dispatch, that many more of them they can replace. This war could continue indefinitely, and if the Sylphid get smart and stop bringing in new potential hosts -which we then free- we're going to be overrun.

[ He's going to pause for more tea, sorry folks but tea gets cold quick. ]

I would like to propose that -on a volunteer only basis- we consider finding out what we can about how the Sylphid are transporting their reinforcements from ships in orbit, to the surface of the planet.

If, and it may be a very big if, we can secure that information, then we may be able to come up with a plan for how to incapacitate the Sylphid's abilities to easily replenish their numbers.

In the sake of full disclosure, I do not expect any of this to be particularly safe or easy, we are talking about a deep infiltration of Sylphid held territory. But it may be possible, if we are successful, that in the longer view we are looking at a possibility of gaining ground, rather than merely holding on to what we already have.

[ And even that is a loooonnnggg shot, but hey. He's the eternal optimist? ]

Would there be any volunteers?

[ He doesn't want to have to do this on his own, but ... it wouldn't be the first bad idea he's jumped feet first into. ]

[OOC: IC interest check for the Player Plot discussed over here!]

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["General" is almost on his lips, but he manages to catch himself in time to simply nod his greeting before fixing his goggles.]

That...is concerning news. Bad enough that the Sylphid have been using the methods they employ to bring us here, but for some reason I was under the impression that everyone on this world was cut off from extraplanetary access in general. From what I'd been able to gather off the data from the last rescue missions I partook of, I know for a fact that anyone brought here by the Sylphid has already been cleared as a potential candidate for them to assimilate.

I would like to volunteer to assist in this. I've been looking for a chance to have a closer look at Sylphid territory in general, but what you've found out certainly presses the need for action sooner than later.

[ Damn it. He is sounding like the General isn't he? Some habits are difficult to break, when you're not consciously trying to hide yourself. ]

Hello Tech. [ There is a smile in his voice if Tech can't see his face. ] It does not surprise me to hear you've been picking up information in your travels, and I am grateful for your assistance. [ It would help to work with someone he knew. He had been learning about the others and trusted everyone he had reached out to, but that didn't change the fact that he'd seen the results Tech and the Bad Batch could deliver.

Am I correct in taking your words as volunteering for the initial recon work? It is going to take us deeper into Sylphid territory than we've been before.

In particular I've been focused on the matter of the chips and the relays. The last few missions have provided some opportunity, but I imagine I can gather more data closer to the source.

But yes, I am well aware of the risks. I have not yet removed my chip, for whatever advantages that may provide.

That might provide the very advantage we need most for what I am proposing. [ He doesn't mean to, but to Tech's ears Obi-Wan might sound more and more like the 'General'. ]

I fear that getting into the city and getting close enough to these locations is going to require the chip. [ There is frustration in his voice, because Obi-Wan never sent anyone where he himself was not willing to go. He was willing to go this time as well, but had to accept that he would be more of a liability than an asset. ]

So I've heard. Our missions thus far have not made such requirements for where we've been tasked, but I assumed it would be an eventuality.

[It's something of a comfort, really, but then slipping into familiar roles in an unfamiliar place has always made it a little easier to operate, and it's not something Tech really minds too much.]

I'll start making preparations. Did you have any plans for when to set out, sir?

This is Shepard.

( There is something in Shepard that compels her to respond the way she does: with a determined urgency that leaves little to no room for hesitation. She simply doesn't have it in her to turn her back on potentially gaining the upper hand on a threat. )

Count me in.

( There's a brief pause, but her voice remains steady. )

Are there others, aside from potential volunteers after your message? I don't imagine you'd be going at this alone otherwise? ( Hey, she may not know him very well...or at all, really, but it's good to know who'd be crazy enough to do what it takes even if that meant going solo. ~~Someone like her.~~ )

[ Obi-Wan recognizes her voice, though he realizes that they have never been formally introduced. ]

Hello Shepard, it is a pleasure to meet you. [ His tone is formal, but also pitched to be warm and inviting. ]

This is actually the first chance I've had to broach the subject with anyone. [ Save perhaps if his tether mates had picked up on his thinking. ] It is not my desire to try this alone, particularly as I have removed my chip, which severely limits the depth to which I can infiltrate Sylphid held territory.

Pleasure's all mine. ( And she means it. He wants to help and is willing to risk his safety to do it. That goes a long way with her. )

I'm a soldier who specializes in infiltration. I'm chipped and I'd be willing to command a small infiltration unit, should you find enough volunteers.

The mission will be top priority, and I'd like to see everyone come home safely. ( Her tone is thick with military influence, but softens with sincerity at that last bit. )

As of right now, is there anything you need from me? I'd like to help in any way I can.

Count me in! Deep infiltration of enemy territory is my specialty.

[Or, it's rapidly becoming a specialty of hers. Even if it wasn't, Codi would still sign herself up; this sounds like an excellent opportunity to make a good impression on the rest of the rebels, and by extension, the Witch and her inner circle.]

If we have an idea of the type of facilities we're going into, I can make some fake IDs and disguises for a small group to use, and make sure no one pays too much attention to us once we're in.

Hello Codi. [ If text messages could smile, his would be doing so. ]

Regretfully that is exactly what the initial stage of this mission would involve. Learning what facilities we need to infiltrate. If we can get a determination of what, and where then we will take the next step towards actually getting inside and hopefully incapacitating.

Hello yourself!

It sounds like I will just have to be useful twice, then. I'll do some research on the usual plainclothes styles in Zephyr and make sure everyone's documents are in order, in case anyone gets flagged by Sylphid customs or something.
Unless you know a way we can skip the main routes into the city? I'm perfectly fine with the direct approach, but others might not be.

[ This is why he asked for help.

He hadn't even thought about clothing to blend in. In the past, that would have been part of the initial planning for any infiltration op. Obi-Wan was more rusty than he realized. ]

In the front door was rather my initial thinking, at least when it comes to going back into the city. Since we don't know the how or there where for these methods of transport, I imagine it is going to take some putting our ears to the ground once we get in there.

[ He keeps saying we. He knows he can't accompany them, he's just struggling with getting his subconscious on board with that part of the program. ]

Fine by me - I've always preferred using the front door.
We'll need covers for why we're there, and probably someone to authenticate them in the Sylphid's records. Probably best if we stagger our arrivals, too, so that they don't raise an eyebrow at a whole busload of strangers showing up at once (depending on how big of an operation you anticipate this will be).
Are you planning on organizing once we get in there, or are we working with a remote coordinator?

I'll participate. Their developing techniques for addressing us are more than a little concerning. Adding reinforcements on to that is a recipe for disaster.

I mean, this sounds pretty much exactly while what I've spent the last fours years doing, against similar odds.

I'm in.

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