002: Very Elusive

[the_end_run]

Phone: Filtered from Drones, town authorities

I take it everyone heard the phone call. Is anyone interested on storming that place?

Action: High School entrance

[Shepard's a high school gym teacher. Today's actually her first day, and she is going to push all you kids hard.]

Listen up and pay attention.

[She's had them all lined up facing her as she paces in front of them.]

I'm sure at least some of you have heard the phone call about what's going on at 3 pm tomorrow. Regardless of whether you are going to be charging the dairy, or whether you'll be staying away from that place, you need to prepare yourself just in case the whole thing goes to Hell. People might get hurt, droned even. It's going to be messy, because there will be people who are going to that dairy at 3 pm. The town's not going to like that, and when it does strike back, everyone's going to be punished.

I'm not going to sugarcoat this for you: you kids have the right to know what's going to happen. And that's why I'm going to run through a basic escape plan with you in case you need a way out. Simply running around, or hiding in your homes, isn't going to save you. What you need to do is to stick together, run together, and fight together.

We're going to time how fast you all can run from the High School to Makeout point. I've scouted out the fastest way from here to there, and I've left markers for them, so you won't get lost. Imagine that this is a real life scenario, that you're really running for your life. At the same time, remember: no one gets left behind. You see a team mate lagging behind you? Drag him with you if you have to. We're all in this together, so we have to do this as a team.

So, you kids ready? Three, two, one, GO!

Action: While running through the town

[Shepard's running with the kids, making sure that they all stick to the route. She'll be shouting out encouragements to those slowing down, grabbing those who are trying to take this opportunity to skip school, and just generally ensuring that the whole activity goes well. Do you want to complain about this exercise? Or are you one of those starting to huff and puff?]

Action: Makeout Point

[Somehow, you got here to the Point. Shepard's there, checking that all of the students are around, before she speaks to them again.]

Good job kids. I'm proud that you all got up here. This may have just been an exercise, but it may just save your life if things go as badly as I think they could. Make sure that you head here in a group of people. You see anyone other group? Join up. There's always strength in numbers. And when you get here, make sure you stay vigilant. Before 3pm, make sure you pack some food, water and medical supplies. Get together in groups, so that if the alarm's going off again, you can just start running. I'll come up here once things start to calm down, and if not me, then I'll get someone else. But just make sure you stay together, and stay safe.

Oh, and if I see ANY of you at that dairy...I will make you run so many laps around Mayfield you won't be able to walk for the rest of the week. This isn't the time to play hero; this is the time to protect each other.

Comments

[trapofthewilds]

That would only depend on key factors. Combat experience, adaptability to circumstances and knowing when to fight and when to run.

[the_end_run]

Makes sense: reality isn't exactly set in stone here. They could just bend it to whatever they want, so it's important to be able to judge the situation and make the call whether to fight or to retreat.

How about weak spots? Did you manage to destroy the machine?

[trapofthewilds]

No, we were merely able to create a weak point after the repetitive strikes on it. Someone else that had control of a metal beast was the one that had dealt the final blow. If I were to say that if any of these... things that we face were to have a weakness, it's their ego.

They are too proud to think they would fall by anything. They can be very challenging, durable and more likely than not, more overpowered in comparison to us. But you'll need to keep striking. To keep hitting. Because eventually, something will break and will give out. That's when you've made your weak point.

[the_end_run]

[Shepard notes everything he's said.]

I've fought men with oversized egos before; I understand what you're saying. So it's all a test of endurance.

That I can do.

Thanks for the help. Can I know who I'm speaking to? I'm Commander Shepard.

[trapofthewilds]

Mm. You are free to call me anything between two names, since I don't have a preference on either. Lancer or Enkidu.

Should conflict were to happen in the end, I do wish you luck on your battle to come, Commander.

[the_end_run]

Ok, Lancer then.

You the type to go things alone? I don't mind working together.

[trapofthewilds]

Alone or with a group, I do not particularly mind either way... but that is up to the final decision of my own 'commander'. And that man and I have formed a partnership that is involved in absolute trust in one another.

[the_end_run]

Don't suppose you could drop me the name of your Commander?

[trapofthewilds]

I'm afraid he is not the kind of person who would like his name given out so freely to anyone he has not met yet. I'm sorry.

[the_end_run]

I understand. Given the nature of some of the town's inhabitants, that's probably a smart move.

All the best to you Lancer, if I don't see you and your Commander at the Dairy.