[Video Post]
[All five of the Embryon leaders are standing in the conference room of a brand new above-ground base. The previous one has been abandoned since it was found and breached by the Solids. Everyone's attention is on Gale, who looks particularly solemn.]
I have bad news. It seems that Vishundha has been overrun.
[Cielo reacts with shock] You said da Wolves would last longer dan dat!
Though it defies probability, the fact is undeniable. And to make matters worse, the remaining members of Solids have been forcibly enlisted by the Brutes Tribe. At this rate, I am afraid they will destroy us all.
[Cielo growls with frustration] Aww, gimme a break! Didn't Serph kill der boss...? Why did de Solids join de Brutes, huh?
[Gale looks at Argilla instead of answering Cielo] Argilla... Tell me, would you follow Varin if he defeated Serph?
Of course I wouldn't.
Heat?
[Heat doesn't appear to be paying attention] Huh? I'd take Serph's place.
Exactly. The law states that members of a defeated Tribe are to obey the leader of the victorious Tribe. That rule has been disregarded.
[Argilla looks at her own hand as if she doesn't recognize it] The law seems to be losing its effect on us. But, why could that be?
[Gale's grey eyes sweep the room] Everyone has changed, just as you have.
[Argilla glares at him suspiciously] It sounds to me like you knew about this all along. What were you planning to do?
[Gale pushes a finger into the bridge of his nose] If the Wolves had held out, we could have fought the Brutes together. That is why this is so unfortunate.
[A member of the Embryon rushed into the room and interrupts the meeting.]
Boss! Lupa, from the Wolves.... He's asking to see you.
[Gale turns to the man in surprise] Did you say Lupa? Where did he come from?
[The newcomer shakes his head] Well, you wouldn't believe it if I told you. We have them detained at Svadhisthana.
Let us go, Serph.
[Serph nods and they all leave the room]
[The scene shifts in a burst of static. They are outside now, a group of strangers standing near an open grate that seems to lead down into a sewer system. The clear leader is a dark-skinned man with red dredlocks and warpaint on his face. Gale and Serph walk towards him]
[Gale speaks first] State your business.
[Lupa gazes at them coolly, but with determination] Will the Embryon assist us to defeat Varin?
Under what conditions?
[Lupa closed his eyes in contemplation. He is calm and resolute] Your leader will receive my head. In exchange, I ask you to treat my men fairly.
[Gale slides out the knife hidden in his boot and brings his leg up and around. The blade stops touching the side of Lupa's neck and Gale stands frozen, balancing easily on one leg. Lupa didn't even flinch]
[Argilla cries out with shock at the sudden and brutal move] Gale!
[Gale still doesn't move, holding the bootknife to Lupa's throat] What assurance do we have that you are not here on Varin's behalf?
[The Wolves by Lupa's side tighten their fists, ready for a fight, but Lupa holds out an arm to stop the impending confrontation.] I vow upon my honor.
[Gale looks confused] Honour...? What is this "honour" you speak of?
[Lupa gazes into Gale's eyes] I see it within you, as well.
[But this doesn't enlighten Gale] I do not comprehend. How does one see such a thing?
I can see it in your eyes.
[Gale's eyes flashes green briefly once more. However, they returned to their old grayness again, and the video dissolves once more into static]
I have bad news. It seems that Vishundha has been overrun.
[Cielo reacts with shock] You said da Wolves would last longer dan dat!
Though it defies probability, the fact is undeniable. And to make matters worse, the remaining members of Solids have been forcibly enlisted by the Brutes Tribe. At this rate, I am afraid they will destroy us all.
[Cielo growls with frustration] Aww, gimme a break! Didn't Serph kill der boss...? Why did de Solids join de Brutes, huh?
[Gale looks at Argilla instead of answering Cielo] Argilla... Tell me, would you follow Varin if he defeated Serph?
Of course I wouldn't.
Heat?
[Heat doesn't appear to be paying attention] Huh? I'd take Serph's place.
Exactly. The law states that members of a defeated Tribe are to obey the leader of the victorious Tribe. That rule has been disregarded.
[Argilla looks at her own hand as if she doesn't recognize it] The law seems to be losing its effect on us. But, why could that be?
[Gale's grey eyes sweep the room] Everyone has changed, just as you have.
[Argilla glares at him suspiciously] It sounds to me like you knew about this all along. What were you planning to do?
[Gale pushes a finger into the bridge of his nose] If the Wolves had held out, we could have fought the Brutes together. That is why this is so unfortunate.
[A member of the Embryon rushed into the room and interrupts the meeting.]
Boss! Lupa, from the Wolves.... He's asking to see you.
[Gale turns to the man in surprise] Did you say Lupa? Where did he come from?
[The newcomer shakes his head] Well, you wouldn't believe it if I told you. We have them detained at Svadhisthana.
Let us go, Serph.
[Serph nods and they all leave the room]
[The scene shifts in a burst of static. They are outside now, a group of strangers standing near an open grate that seems to lead down into a sewer system. The clear leader is a dark-skinned man with red dredlocks and warpaint on his face. Gale and Serph walk towards him]
[Gale speaks first] State your business.
[Lupa gazes at them coolly, but with determination] Will the Embryon assist us to defeat Varin?
Under what conditions?
[Lupa closed his eyes in contemplation. He is calm and resolute] Your leader will receive my head. In exchange, I ask you to treat my men fairly.
[Gale slides out the knife hidden in his boot and brings his leg up and around. The blade stops touching the side of Lupa's neck and Gale stands frozen, balancing easily on one leg. Lupa didn't even flinch]
[Argilla cries out with shock at the sudden and brutal move] Gale!
[Gale still doesn't move, holding the bootknife to Lupa's throat] What assurance do we have that you are not here on Varin's behalf?
[The Wolves by Lupa's side tighten their fists, ready for a fight, but Lupa holds out an arm to stop the impending confrontation.] I vow upon my honor.
[Gale looks confused] Honour...? What is this "honour" you speak of?
[Lupa gazes into Gale's eyes] I see it within you, as well.
[But this doesn't enlighten Gale] I do not comprehend. How does one see such a thing?
I can see it in your eyes.
[Gale's eyes flashes green briefly once more. However, they returned to their old grayness again, and the video dissolves once more into static]