text | username: xXx_trueblue_xXx & redlion

[competing]

[With all the information coming out, it's apparent to Keith and Lance that one big elephant in the room has been ignored: the infection among the recruits themselves. Keith is tired and on edge, as he needs nothing to do with the infection to be cranky. Lance is jittery, too. But they have to talk about that elephant before it gets too late.

And for some of them, it might be. That's what Keith is really afraid of right now.]

Hey. It's Keith.

and ya boy, lance! [Because things are already pretty doom and gloom as it stands, and maybe things could use a little lightening up? Or something...

It’s a little more difficult to differentiate between people in a group message like this, but it’s a better idea to get something down on text in case they need to refer to it later, and anyone who knows either of the boys can probably tell them apart pretty easily through diction alone.]

we know your mind-phones have been pretty busy lately, but theres something keith and i wanted to talk to you guys about.

Before we get a move on in attacking Zymandis' agent, we need to look at our own numbers. A lot of us are sick. Maybe less than I thought. Or maybe more. Either way, we have to know who's sick and make a plan to help our own. And I'm serious about HELPING. Not putting someone out of their misery or any of the other stupid stuff I've heard from some of this team. We need to stop this disease. We need to help our own. Once everyone's BETTER, we'll make a plan for what to do next as a team.

[It's harsher than necessary but likely less harsh than how it might be normally, given Keith's frequently frustrated tone of voice. Text mitigates some of it, even if his frustration definitely does become CAPITAL LETTERS.

Lance, meanwhile, is quite eager to gloss over that sharp reprimand because seriously guys — kumbaya.]

yeeeeeah, so — helping! getting a head count is definitely ideal. we cant afford to be silent on this and we definitely CANT be alone right now, cuz every one of us affected and on our own can be a huge risk to everyone here. so we were thinking… since the city shut it down, we can use the middle school. those of us infected can stay there while we wait for our people to find that cure. like a quarantine safe house.. i know its not ideal, but its something. especially for those who dont have any other contingency plans.

[A pause. Well. May as well get the ball rolling, right?]

ill be there.

( ooc; p.s. there is an information plotting post for the quarantine space! )

Comments

[ofobedience]

[There's the sharp click of his tongue against his teeth, but--]

Well. Perhaps I was a little overenthusiastic in my approach at Perdition's Rest. With hindsight I can see that they didn't all need to be eliminated. Although I still maintain that those who's minds had been destroyed would have been better off dead.

[But even the mention of it has something dark and raw opening up behind his ribs, and so he'll attempt to move on from it.]

I'll give finding the cure a chance before resorting to mercy killing, never fear.

[secondnature]

Good.

Either way, it sounds like it's a good idea that none of this is left up to you.

[It's the kind of self-important thing someone says without realizing that it also means that the person in question has a higher opinion of himself.]

[ofobedience]

Who says it isn't? Early days, and all that.

[Though the truth of the matter is he's always preferred taking orders to acting under his own volition. But never mind that.]

Make no mistake-- if it comes down to it, I'll do what has to be done. Until then, we can try it your way.

[secondnature]

You know, you're not the first one who's said that, right? About doing what has to be done?

No one's gonna agree on what has to be done. That all depends on whoever's making the decision.

[ofobedience]

Should the alternatives fail and the rest of you end up as mindless flesh eating beasts, I'll be sure to make note of the fact that that's how you'd prefer to remain.

[Though the reality is, he'd probably kill you anyway. He's not that cruel.]

[secondnature]

Not all of us are infected.

Does that mean you can't get infected, though?

[Keith is planning on remaining ... uninfected.]

[ofobedience]

For now.

But yes, that's correct. I'm immune to all poisons and pathogens. Among other things.

[Lucky him, right?]

[secondnature]

That means you can help us guard the people inside. Maybe you'll get a fight out of it if you're strong enough.

And I assume you think you are, or you wouldn't be suggesting to take matters into your own hands.

[ofobedience]

Let's put it this way-- I was created with endurance in mind.

[He's strong, yes, but it's his autonomic regeneration that makes him difficult to stop. Just as well he can't get infected, really.]

But I could probably stretch to that, between shifts.

[secondnature]

["Created." Keith mulls over that word and decides not to ask.]

You work with Haise on the force, right?

[ofobedience]

That's right, yes.

[So at least someone's been keeping an eye on him.]

[secondnature]

Work out a guard schedule with him.

[It seems to be a more productive approach, and also, it means that he doesn't have to arrange matters himself. Keith knows that his patience here is going to run out.]

[ofobedience]

I'll give it some consideration.

[Said mostly because of your tone of finality, mister. You're not the boss of him. Though this gig will leave him conveniently placed should operation Last Resort be put into effect...]

[secondnature]

Give it more than just some.

[That is definitely his final word! Dang it, Giovanni!]

[ofobedience]

We'll see.

[But sure, he'll work something out with Haise. For now, he's cutting off the connection. The last word is his!]