maskormenace | 4th Mission | Text

[This one’s a fair bit longer than Jacob’s previous posts, and he’s not much for speeches, so he’s typing it out. It’ll be easier for people to review later, that way.]

Hey, this is Jacob Taylor. I know we’re still recovering from the Flare, but I’ve got a proposal for all of you. A chance to do some good.

Maurtia Falls has a crime problem. The streets aren't safe, the black market is booming, and the cops just look the other way. Everyone knows it, and I know some imPorts are already trying to help out there. What I've got is a plan for taking it to the next level. It’s called Operation Archangel.

I’m proposing that we join forces on this. Not as a permanent team, but as a project: to make Maurtia Falls a better place. We’ll clean up the streets, solve some crimes, and find out who’s corrupt and who’s honest. And I’m not just looking for fighters. Everyone who’s got something to contribute is welcome.

We can’t fix the city overnight, but if we work together, I say we can make a difference. There’s already a base set up that we’ll operate from. You join us, you get the address. We’ll take some time to share intel and get organized, and then we’ll get to work. At the end of a month, we’ll take stock, see how things are going. Plan our next moves. This could end up being a long-term thing, or it could crash and burn. Only one way to find out.

I’m going to be honest: this is a dangerous mission. We’re going up against gangsters. We can’t expect the cops to back us up. And if you’re Unsettled, it’s not what the authorities would call legal. But Archangel is open to all imPorts, Registered or not. It’s all secure: no one has to know you’re helping out with this.

There’s also a system for weeding out the bad seeds. You sign up, you get a chance to VOUCH for one other imPort you say we can trust. You can also VETO one name you think should not be in on this. I’ll take your input into account, screen out people with bad reputations. I don’t want any psychos using this mission as an excuse to get their kicks.

We might be willing to bend the rules, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have any. If you join up, there are some boundaries you’ve got to respect. If you don’t, you’re out. Cross a big enough line, and I’ll hand you to the cops myself. Some of us will be in charge of enforcing these rules, making sure we don’t go overboard.

1. No executions. You don’t take a life unless there’s no other choice to save someone else’s.
2. No torture. We’re not going to brutalize people for information. There’s a line between intimidating someone and torturing them, and we’re going to respect it.
3. If you’re under 18, you don’t go into danger alone. You need to have someone watching your back. It’ll be better if it’s an adult.
4. We’re all volunteers here. Don’t expect any reward for this. Just let me know how much time you can contribute, and no one will ask any more from you.
5. Respect boundaries. A lot of us have secrets. Some of us will be doing this under a mask and another name. I know it sucks being kept in the dark, but you’ll have to respect that there are some questions you can’t get answers to.

If you believe the hype, there was a time when heroes here didn’t care whether you worked with the government or not. No Registration, no politics: just people who wanted to help, and did. They changed the whole country for the better. People loved them for it.

I say we treat Operation Archangel as a chance to bring those days back. To show everyone that we can help people without an emergency call from the government or a leash on our necks. Our mission, our terms, on our own initiative. Standing up to the bad people, the way heroes are supposed to.

That’s about it. If you've got questions, now’s the time. If you’re in, let me know. And if you've been fighting crime in Maurtia Falls, I’ll take any information you've got.

[ooc: regarding this plot! Sign-ups will remain open all month if anyone wants to jump in late. The log will be posted Saturday or Sunday this weekend.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know. If we reform the police and the courts, maybe that will stop happening. But even if it doesn't, the rules stand- no executions. I want us to be the good guys here.

There are lots of imPorts who are good at finding out secrets. Hackers, detectives- I want them on board. It helps that just about everyone already knows the Maurtia Falls cops are dirty. It's not exactly a big secret.

[ Jacob is very lucky this is Samara and Samara rarely gets offended by anything. Otherwise she might be slightly offended by the implication in the phrasing he chose. I can respect your point of view and wishes on the topic. I think you will find yourself meeting considerable resistance by trying to reform the police and courts in a place such as this.

No it is certainly not a secret at all. Perhaps with a group working together something could indeed be done.

[Sorry Samara Jacob is just really pro-mercy, especially since leaving Cerberus. And he is sometimes awkward as fuck without being aware.]

Believe me, I'm expecting all the resistance a city can throw at me. The gangs will hit back, and so will the cops. There might be other imPorts involved in the underworld too. You can bet they'll fight us on this. And then there's the chance that the military will crack down on us in favour of Registration.

All that is a risk I'm willing to take. It would mean a lot if you helped us, Samara.

It sounds like you're at least prepared for the potential consequences.

If you believe that I would help you then I think I would enjoy lending my services to your pursuits. I have been looking for something productive to do here and I do not believe my usual methods would be the best choice for cleaning up the area.

I've thought about it a lot. Lost track trying to count up the ways this could all go wrong. But I'm convinced this is something that needs to be done.

I've seen you in action. And I can't think of anyone here who has more experience fighting crime than you do. I know you can make an impact with Archangel.

Sometimes it is best to not focus too hard and too long on the many ways something can go wrong. Take it from someone who has had considerable time to contemplate the things that have gone wrong in their own life.

Then I would be happy to lend you my assistance. And you need not fear, I will agree to follow your wishes.

That's good advice, Samara. Thanks. And I won't worry about you. I know what your word is worth.

[If this was in person, this would be about the time Jacob initiated a handshake. Or a salute. Maybe a fistbump, although that's probably not a good fit for Samara.]

I appreciate that you realize that. If you require any assistance know that I will provide it.

It seems like you have put a considerable amount of thought into this. I am rather impressed.

To be honest, it wasn't all me. It wasn't even my idea. I've had some help on organizing this.

[This is one of Archangel's biggest secrets and has to remain that way- it's one of the reasons for the fifth rule up there. But Jacob trusts his Normandy crewmates implicitly, and he's not going to hide things from them.]

Can you say who your help was?

Might be better if we talked about it in person. You'll meet them at the base anyway.

I don't think this is a setup. I wouldn't be going ahead with this if I didn't believe in it. But I could be wrong. There are things I don't know.

Keep your eyes open for me, okay? These people joining up- they're trusting me. I don't want to lead them into a disaster.

We can speak in person soon then.

I will certainly keep my eyes open. If you wish I can try to get to know some of them. My experience has given me a better understanding of how to read people.

That would be a big help. A lot of the people who sign up are going to be strangers. If I only opened up the operation to people I knew, we'd never have the numbers we need to take on the gangs.

The more we get to know this team, the better its performance will be in the field. Learned that from Shepard.

[Jacob's experiences have led him to believe that 90% of effective management boils down to asking 'have you got a minute to talk?']

There are some points where one must take a chance on others. I will keep my eyes open and see what I can find out about them.

Thanks, Samara. Sometimes the biggest chances are the ones that pay off the most. Or the ones that go to hell the fastest. We'll find out which this is.

There is no need for you to thank me.

I would like to believe this will pay off.

So would I. If we pull it off, we'll celebrate. But until then, we've all got a lot of work ahead of us. Better get to it.

We'll talk more at the base. I'll send you the form and the information you'll need.

I look forward to seeing you there.

4th Mission | Text | MIRRORNET

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