video;

[alderwood]

[The video comes up on a sparse office with three sheets of paper on the desk and, standing behind it, the Alderwood Commander in uniform. The wear-and-tear of the past month show minimally, but those that saw him at the festival may note slight shadows under the eyes from pulling overtime the likes of which you wouldn't believe. He rests his hands on the desk and addresses all console users with clipped words and a clear tone.]

Those of you that haven't stuck your heads out the door in a month might be surprised to hear we've got trouble on the rise. My officers are tasked to the breaking point handling it and there's intel to say more breach attempts are incoming.

Since they're using you Foreigners to take exception, it's about time you got the chance to do something about it. [A terse grin.] Effective immediately, I am authorising all Foreigners to act as enforcers to uphold the laws of Keeliai.

But don't go sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong. Each precinct's got a stack of cases that need follow-up, most of them arrests. Those of you community-minded enough to help can head to the nearest precinct and get your orders. Report back when you're done and a note will be made. Lieuen's agreed to pay five juulan per successful job once the troublemakers are all rounded up, so trust that it'll be worth your time.

[He stops and refers to a sheet at his left, scanning the data on it.]

I also need crisis response teams, three of them. You'll be on standby to move out at my order in the event of a breach. Teams will be briefed as activated. It's not a voluntary deal either. I know what you can do and if you're needed, you'll be there. You lucky souls-turned-soldiers are ID'd at the end of this message.

And you mercenary types are wise not to tune this out. Lieuen's chipped in danger pay for each deployment of the CRTs, fifteen juulan per head. That sweeten the deal enough?

[A pause for the information to sink in.]

This isn't about pride or falls, people. It's about whatever you need it to be, as long as that need gets you moving when you're needed. Good kedan are dying out there and there's no way to remedy your situation as long as all hell's broken loose. The sooner this is sorted, the better.

Any questions? Ask them now.

[The video ends for those not assigned to a crisis response team; to each of these, an encrypted segment is included.]

team 01 | encryption 100%
encrypted to:
Aaron Cross, Asami Sato, Chase Young, Damian Wayne, Kon-El, Korra, Megamind, Namorita Prentiss, Princess Yue, Shifu, Sokka, Stephanie Brown, Triela Hilshire

You lot are fast and strong one-on-one. If we get a riot, then I'll send officers to activate you.

team 01 | end encryption 100%

team 02 | encryption 100%
encrypted to:
Aisling, Annabeth Chase, BA Baracus, Brandon Sharpe, Bucky Barnes, Cassandra Cain, Karrin Murphy, Liz Sherman, Ororo Munroe, Rin Okumura, Tim Drake, Wally West

Turns out you crew have a knack for saving people. If things get sticky and lives are on the line, expect a call.

team 02 | end encryption 100%

team 03 | encryption 100%
encrypted to:
Billy Kaplan, Clark Kent, Clint Barton, Garret Hawke, Jason Todd, Kara Thrace, Peggy Carter, Rikki Barnes, Steve Rogers, Teddy Altman, Tommy Shepherd, Tony Stark, Yelena

You guys are my heavy hitters. Plan is that you won't have to do a damn thing, but don't kick back too much. Things go to hell, I'll activate you to knock it back together.

team 03 | end encryption 100%

Comments

video;

[littlecousin]

If you'd asked, I'd have said yes.

[She's not childish enough to refuse to help regardless of how high-handed he's being, but it's the principle of the thing.]

video;

[alderwood]

If you're looking for honey-coated queries, talk to Lieuen. I tell it like it is or it needs to be, nothing more.

video;

[tasteforpoison]

[Yelena doesn't waste time asking where he found out who she was or that she has skills. She hasn't really kept it to herself and it's possible he saw her fighting the last day of the festival.

Still, it's new to be considered a heavy hitter. To be considered threat enough to be part of a team. She recognizes some of the names he's mentioned which at least means she'll likely have people to get her back as she'll get theirs.]

And until we're "activated" you want us to take jobs with the precincts? Instead of our usual work?

video;

[alderwood]

On top of. [An even-keeled look.] The turtle keeps swimming and that means the work needs to be done.

[audio]

[lunargoodness]

[Wait what.]

But I've never actually fought anyone before! I only recently started learning how to do it!

[audio]

[alderwood]

Never said you had to fight, princess. Just put down unrest. [A wry look.] 'Sides, no better teacher than real life.

[audio]

[stickshift]

It's all right, Princess. I'll be there with you.

[She'll look out for you, bittyfrand. :(]

[video]

[dadissues]

You! [That guy who totally slaughtered some kedan and ignored the hostages! But never mind that now.]

Wait...you're saying we can fight back against these guys, but only when you order us to do so?

[video]

[alderwood]

That's how laws work, Okumura.

[video]

[mistyoldworld]

This is your world. I would no more clean up the kedan's messes than I would clean up the humans'.

[video]

[alderwood]

Then enjoy living in a filthy mess. [He's not here to split hairs over it.]

[video]

[knowsmadness]

[Kara can appreciate people in charge doing what they need to do and issuing orders when they need to be issued. She can also recognize the need for Foreigners/Civvies to initially stay out of the frakkin' way and let the Kedan handle Kedan affairs with Kedan police and task forces. If aid was needed, the 'heavy hitters', as he'd put it - and no doubt others - would be asked for help. Of course they're to be given orders. Without orders, chaos reigns. Kara's seen it. She knows madness.

What creeps her out, though, is that this guy knows who she is and that she is a heavy hitter.

But it's a chance to fall back on what she knows best - kicking ass and taking names.

She salutes, and smirks.]

Aye-aye, sir.

[video]

[alderwood]

[He grins, sharp and swift, then mirrors it.] See you on the battlefield, soldier.

video;

[repelled]

[oho. authorized to act on behalf of the law? not something he's traditionally fond of.

but there are times when exceptions can be made.]

And precisely what level of force are we authorized to use, as enforcers of your laws?

video;

[alderwood]

Try to keep troublemakers alive. [Evandau's bound to uphold the laws, even if right now they're a bit flexible.] No point letting a good prison go to waste.

[notpredictable]

WHO ARE YOU TO--

[...Wait. Wait a moment.

Now -- Megamind knows about the gangwars and everything that's been going on in the city, and...well. He may or may not be taking a bit of advantage of the situation, but...

Innocent people dying is an entirely different story. He's not exactly inclined to help anyone - he certainly hasn't ever had any - but murder isn't something that he can condone. ]

Hmph. We'll see.

[alderwood]

Thought you'd say that.

[agentdork]

Are we just gonna assume that everyone here is all kind and nice and not gonna take advantage of anything?

[ Because, much as he wants to think they're all good people, he knows not everyone is. ]

[alderwood]

No, but sometimes you've got to look past the moral compass to get the job done.

[Video]

[tactile_telekinesis]

You know what I hate? People who assume they can tell me what to do.

[Video]

[alderwood]

That's great. [Note the lack of enthusiasm.] I hate it when the people that can make a difference act like they're too high and mighty to do it when the time comes. You going to be that person?

[ Video ]

[sciencewhizard]

Hey, saving people's what I do. I guess this'll make things feel a little normal around here. Don't worry, I got this.

[ Video ]

[alderwood]

Good. If you're activated, you'll hear from me again.

[Video]

[andaway]

Uh, sir?

[HOW TO WORD THIS] ...I'm a heavy hitter?

[Video]

[alderwood]

[Evandau looks at Mr. Intimidating.]

Clerical errors happen. Too late to fix it, you might as well report on it.

video

[shootingshields]

And what kind of situation might you be expecting?

[Because even if he hopes they won't have to do anything, the fact that he's planned for it means possibility.]

video

[alderwood]

Could be anything. It's been building for a month and we've busted down kedan trafficking, dealers, ransoms, weapons trade. [It's a tired repetition by now.] The risk's that they'll start moving in numbers and that's the problem. Open conflict, inter-gang or worse, won't do anybody any favours.

video

[sophos]

Something worse on the way than the normal kidnappings that have been going on, I take it?

video

[alderwood]

Nailed it on the head.

[video]

[cowled]

Commander! Just the man I've been looking for. Might I have a word with you, when your schedule allows?

[He's dialed dat playboy charm up to eleven, all megawatt smiles and eau de Prince of Gotham.]

[video]

[alderwood]

Kind of busy here, civilian. [A flat look.] Keep it brief.

[video]

[withoutaworld]

Wait, um... sir? [ She kind of half-raises a hand, and then awkwardly pulls it back down. ] I don't think... I mean, I've got training and all, but I'm not a heavy-hitter. Not like Cap or... or Iron Man or whatever. I'm just an ordinary human.

[ And a tiny teenage girl, at that. But she figures that part's pretty self-evident. ]

[video]

[alderwood]

Then hide behind them if you get activated.

video;

[crotcharrow]

Uhhh, I don't remember joining an army?

[he scowls.]

Y'can't just boss us around like that and expect us to do what you want. I'm not becoming anyone's weapon, you got that?

video;

[myothertights]

[Billy's walking in the background and hears Tommy after hearing some of what Evandau had said and he's frowning coming up to him.]

He isn't looking for us to become weapons Tommy, he's looking for our help, you know help those that need it?