zwei [Video] Day 16

[token_vengeance]

[The feed turns on with Erik dressed in a simple black turtleneck, looking out a window. He's sipping on a mug of coffee, and he takes his own damn time before looking at the camera. The helmet is not on--but it's nearby, sitting on a table.]

So with the change in day, it appears we will be going on another mission. They rightfully know giving us

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[femshep]

[She's got a careful eye on both Erik and Giles, don't you make any mistake, but for now she's just asking a few careful questions.]

What can you tell me about the missions?

[She wasn't here for the last one, and she wants to know something so she's not leading her squad in blind.]

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[token_vengeance]

What specifically do you want to know?

[If you want an info dump, go to Charles. Erik rarely gives up information without it being asked.]

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[femshep]

What did the last one require everyone to do?

How many people can we count on to cower in their rooms instead?

And honestly, how bad is it rigged against us? Don't tell me it's not, I know their type.

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[token_vengeance]

There were three levels, creatures or puzzles at each.

It seemed...exceedingly easy.

[And that bothers him.]

I didn't pay attention to who didn't participate--only my group, and any that might have gotten in our way.

[A pause.]

We all got tokens. Which makes me believe they're most likely worthless.

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[femshep]

Those tokens again. [She keeps hearing about them, and judging by her tone she feels the same way he does: Useless.]

So that's it, then? Creatures and puzzles? I thought this was supposed to be a challenging game.

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[token_vengeance]

So they say.

[Erik is silent, but it's clear he's frustrated.]

With the monsters, the ghosts--it's clear that the 'game' isn't just about the missions.

There is something bigger here. And we've only scratched the surface of the prison.

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[femshep]

It's never as simple as it says on the package. Especially when the talking heads won't give us any names or faces. They don't want to be responsible for whatever the hell they're going to try to do to us.

[Note the word 'try'. Shepard's still a firm believer that she doesn't take shit from anyone, even anonymous companies with enough technological shove to get them stuck in a virtual world indefinitely.]

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[token_vengeance]

Why should they? They're holding all the control currently. No one has made any headway in gathering information, yet.

[Erik hasn't had a chance to try; interpersonal issues have been taking up a great deal of his time, annoyingly.]

A man named Stephen says you were trapped in the forest with him.

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[femshep]

[This would worry her a lot more if she weren't used to people knowing too much about her back home. But just to be on the safe side:]

Is that all he said?

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[token_vengeance]

And that you'd be worth aligning with.

[In some form or fashion. Shepard's own attitude has gone a long way to prove that too.]

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[femshep]

[A short pause. She's weighing this.]

You probably get this a lot, but I really don't take orders well.

[She's not rejecting him altogether, but she's making sure he knows where she stands before they work anything out.]

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[token_vengeance]

Wonderful, because neither do I.

But I do know how to work with others, if need be.

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[femshep]

What is it you want from me, exactly? [Straight to the point so she knows whether or not it's something she can afford to offer.]

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[token_vengeance]

Simply to work together. Loosely.

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[femshep]

And what would that entail?

Sharing intel, resources? Or do you just want to make sure there's someone to pull their asses out of the fire if things get dangerous? [But it's not accusatory this time. Just a question.]

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[token_vengeance]

Intel.

A heads up when something's coming goes both ways.

But we can take care of our own. [Meaning he's willing to leave people out to dry just as much as she probably is.]