tushanshu | video;

[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%

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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.]

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

[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?

Edited 2012-09-09 01:58 (UTC)

Honey-coated nothing. You ignore us for weeks, then start paying attention once you've hooked a fish too strong for you to land on your own? And you're trying to sell it like you're doing us a favor? I think most of us would settle for you having the basic decency to tell us what the hell is going on.

Door swings both ways, Namorita. I never got a call asking me about it while I've had a gang war keeping me from playing babysitter.

[It's a flat delivery, simple facts that he ends by holding up a hand with two fingers extended.]

With gang activity on the rise, there are two ways to handle this. One, you help out and a whole lot of lives get saved. Two, I authorise lethal force and a whole lot of lives are lost.

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

[She stiffens. Yelena's not afraid of work but...]

All this without any answers as to why we've been brought here?

[Wait what.]

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

Should've asked Eshai when you had the chance. [Evandau knows about the audience and the three-day stay in the palace, Yelena. Not his fault that you picked antidote over intel.]

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

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?

Good to know.

[Because the next time there is an audience, she definitely will ask.]

Is there anything else you can think of that we should know about all of this trouble?

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

I... I suppose so.

[...]

Will it be like it was at the festival? [She still has bad dreams about all of that.]

[That's "Your Highness" to you, jerkface.

She settles for not asking him to call her by her nickname.]

Point me at the door and I'm gone, Commander. I never asked to be here, and if my presence is a cause for fighting, I'll happily disappear and let you get back to your lives.

[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.

Edited 2012-09-09 03:20 (UTC)

[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?

Wouldn't it be grand if it were that easy? [A tense smile.] Let's get this sorted, then worry about the rest.

All you need to know's in the precinct dossiers. Anything else and you'll be briefed if team three gets activated.

Edited 2012-09-09 03:23 (UTC)

Of course not. [A grim humour takes him.] This time, we know that they're up to something.

That's how laws work, Okumura.

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

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

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

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

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.

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