text | un: Sasaki

[ex_adept136]

Like a few others here, I'm among those who met the goddess Nalanni. And like others there are things I learned from having a conversation with her. First and foremost, I'd like to request some help in conveying a message she intended for her people.

She wanted them to know that she loves them, and that she knows they can go on without her.

At the time, I was struck with the thought that she'd considered her own passing a possibility. And now that I've seen mentions of slaying gods here, it seems she wasn't wrong. Maybe some of you know more than me, but I'm not convinced it's the only way. Having said that, I'm not blind to the reality that those are our orders, and that there are those who will follow them.

I'm more interested in helping the Nalawi. I gave my word that I would do whatever I could, and so... To those who are already making efforts to ensure the Nalawi are able to sustain themselves, whatever may come, I'd like to volunteer any help I can provide.

If anyone wants further information on the conversation I had with Nalanni, please let me know. I'm unsure how much would be redundant, since admittedly, I've picked up on recent developments here and there.

Comments

[ofobedience]

I'm not certain, though I have heard some mention of attempting to recruit her to ALISTAIR. It seems a waste of energy to me, but who am I to argue with the majority?

And those are my sentiments, exactly. Don't get me wrong, now. I have no qualms about killing whoever it is we're expected to kill, and I'm no stranger to following orders, but one has to wonder whether the natives of each world we invade can really be expected to stand by and let us alter their fates without their input or acquiescence.

[He has few morals to speak of, doesn't really give a damn one way or another what happens to a bunch of aliens on some planet that has nothing to do with him, but its interesting to consider, isn't it? The feelings of those they have supposedly been sent here to help.]

[ex_adept136]

I wonder... if we consider how our interference might be perceived, would she even want to side with us? It begs the question of what the appeal or gain would be, considering the apparent drive behind her actions.

Meeting resistance would, if anything, make a great deal of sense. If not in this world, in another - as you've said, we could be regarded as an invading force. Were we to be sent to a world where the inhabitants are far more powerful than ourselves, it could be very dangerous.

It makes me wonder how previous worlds treated the intrusion.

[Not that he's unaccustomed to being thrown into dangerous situations and expected to succeed regardless of difficulty. But the point remains, it's actually surprising they've been received as well as they have been so far]

[ofobedience]

[All Giovanni knows for certain is that, were some outside force sent to his world with the intention of killing the object of his unwavering devotion, of the destruction of Mother, he'd tear them apart with teeth and nails or be killed in the process of trying. That the Nalawi, so far at least, seem so placid in regards to their presence here, leaves him feeling mild revulsion towards them.]

It's something to consider, isn't it? As you say, even if we meet little resistance here, that won't necessarily be the case in the future. who's to say ALISTAIR is 'right' to tamper with something that, in many ways, is not their business? I'm sure a little resistance would make things more exciting for us, but there must be at least a few people here obsessed with the difference between right and wrong. It could make things interesting, sooner or later. Having to decide where they stand.

If we want to know how it has gone in other worlds prior to our arrival, I suppose we'd have to ask the veterans, assuming there are any.

As for Pomarr, I can't really see what we stand to gain from trying to recruit her. Assistance in the destruction of both goddesses, perhaps? But it'd be a strange thing, in my opinion, for her to turn her back on her original goal at the insistence of some outside force who have little idea of the subtleties they're dealing with.

[ex_adept136]

It would surprise me if we never ran into any sort of resistance, since it's their world and their way of life. So far as I can see, there isn't any coordination with local authorities either, which suggests that we come in and take action without acknowledging any local powers in place. I can't imagine many worlds would welcome that.

So far as I've heard, there are some who are above us in rank and doled out "grades" following the last mission, but it seems they're unavailable during missions. A lack of seniority among the ranks strikes me as odd.

[But then, the CCG was structured such that those in lower ranks were paired or grouped with those with higher ranks and more experience. It is, so far as Haise has seen for the past few years, fairly effective]

With how far Pomarr seemed to be willing to go for her goal, and the fact that she's apparently tossed ALASTAIR operatives around with storms multiple times... I have a very hard time believing we'd have much means with which to win her over.

[ofobedience]

No, I can't imagine many worlds would welcome that at all. If anything, it leads me to question the sanity of those who's world we've invaded that they seem so calm in the face of it.

And the lack of seniority strikes me as odd too, I must say, particularly given the nature of our recruitment. If we were soldiers in whom they could unwaveringly place their trust it would be one thing, but you'd think a ragtag group like this would require a firmer hand. How, after all, can they guarantee that we'd be willing to work together, or even to do as they wish us to do?

[He's accustomed to following orders and directions from a power he considers far higher than himself, and when in doubt it seems the safest thing to do is fall back on what he knows, follow the instructions he's been given, as vague as they are. But he can't promise that it'll remain this way, finds it hard to believe that everyone who comes here will act similarly.]

Precisely. She hardly seems a trustworthy sort, not that I can blame her. But ultimately I suppose all we can do is see where the chips fall and act accordingly.

[ex_adept136]

It really is a strange thing. I'm not sure how the other recruits initially approached the Nalawi, but they seem far less wary of us than I might've expected. Granted, it's been a few months from what I understand.

[Even so, they were distinctly a case of outsiders, ones whose emergence would have come seemingly out of nowhere. Had the Nalawi accepted ALASTAIR as it was advertised? Surely there would have been dissent...

Of course there was their desperation to consider, too]

It seems to me the only way they could ensure that we perform is to cement the idea that we can't return to where we belong otherwise. If that weren't hanging over our heads, the lack of structure would make it difficult for them to actually control such a diverse collection of individuals. We're not necessarily united by common beliefs or objectives, for one thing.

That does look to be our only option at this point. The decision has already been made by the majority.

[ofobedience]

Something we've missed then, perhaps. Though even a few months seems a relatively short space of time, considering. Its possible they could be a particularly passive race.

[And because this message comes over text, his incredulity and mild disgust is adequately disguised.]

That one uniting factor is a strong one, at least. I expect most people here want a swift return to their own worlds. Perhaps they should consider wielding it as more of a threat if they'd like to ensure our good behaviour.

And yes, so it would seem. Time will tell, I suppose.

[Though he'll hold to the belief that killing Pomarr would have been the most sensible option.]

[ex_adept136]

You're right, it is relatively brief still. Not only that, but I doubt they're aware of what the general consensus is among our ranks now. If they were aware that the plan was to kill their goddesses I can't imagine our reception would be the same.

They may capitalize on that threat at some point. So far they seem less than organized, but I can't imagine they're unaware of that factor - much less unwilling to use it. So far what I've heard of their methods doesn't seem very concerned with the well-being or productivity of their recruits.

For instance, apparently a "test" was issued without warning to gauge survival skills. While that might be of some use, offering no basic training or guidance for those with no experience doesn't seem to prime anyone for success.

Strange to imagine this as a first mission.

[ofobedience]

One would hope. It'd be an odd bunch who allowed a group of strangers to push their way onto the scene and kill their goddess, all without the least resistance. A race that passive is surely doomed to extinction regardless of what we choose to do about it.

And there's another thing that I find baffling. Lack of care as to our well-being is one thing, but to be unconcerned with our ability to produce the results they want? Therein lies the mystery. It makes them look incompetent, and who - ultimately - wants to follow the word of an incompetent leader? But given that I've only just arrived, perhaps I ought to reserve judgement.

I'm all for being thrown in at the deep end, if I'm honest. But you have a point. There is something strange about this being a first mission.

[ex_adept136]

It would be highly concerning, to say the very least. I've never known any people to offer no resistance to sweeping change like this, whether in history or personal experience. Granted, this is an entirely different world, but still.

Unfortunately I can say that people who have been here longer seem to share similar sentiments. What they've told me doesn't leave me particularly hopeful with regards to leadership, but there is something to be said for seeing the answers for oneself firsthand.

I wonder whether they've put thought to the timing of this or not. What brought us here, I accepted, but it feels as though so much is edging on the haphazard.

[ofobedience]

I'll say. I'm beginning to suspect we're currently inhabiting a doomed world regardless of what action we take.

And that's just dandy, isn't it? I'm not going to pretend I have any enthusiasm toward running about at the behest of an incompetent organisation when he could be elsewhere, tending to more pressing concerns. But alas, the choice is out of my hands.

But who knows. Perhaps ALISTAIR is privy to some information that we're unaware of. It seems they'd been doing their thing for some time before we stumbled along. I'd like to think there's method to the madness and we just can't see it.

[He'd like to think that, yes, but whether he actually does remains undisclosed.This all feels so messy compared with what he's accustomed to.]

[ex_adept136]

I would hope not, though it seems difficult to imagine what would come after so much upheaval.

It seems all we can do is wait and see what else we can find out - and whether our initial impressions are accurate. No doubt we'll have plenty to draw on in due course, at this rate.

[Though watching and waiting isn't exactly his favorite tactic]

[ofobedience]

[Watching and waiting. Perhaps 'favourite tactic' would be the wrong term of phrase, but it's something he's certainly had practice with.]

So it would seem. Time will tell, I suppose.

[ex_adept136]

I hope what we see is more promising than the initial impression.

[ofobedience]

Don't go holding your breath, now.

[ex_adept136]

I'm afraid I'm far too fond of breathing for that.

[ofobedience]

Wise words if ever I heard them.

[ex_adept136]

I should say that of yours, if anything.

But while we're both making sure to breathe, please do take care.

[ofobedience]

I'll do my best.