( audio o6 )

[desequilibre]

[ He does not know how long he's been gone. Nor an idea of where he has been. That is the worst part. That he could be taken and have nothing at all to account for it, no memories, no idea of what or where or why. Between one moment and the next, time has passed and Athos has too many unanswered questions. The anger that this causes, along with the strain to keep it contained, is evident in his voice when he chooses to address the network. ]

The Russians, the people who were taken, what happened to them?

[ He has to get back to De Chima, to make sure both d'Artagnan and Lucy are safe. But he is in Heropa somewhere and he does not want to waste time. If they are not safe then he will do whatever he can to find them again.

He has a cache of weaponry somewhere. He made sure to hide something in each of the Porter cities. So that is where he is heading first. ]

Is the fight still going?

Comments

[incogneto]

We allow these things to happen because though we are all the same, none of us are. We do not have worlds in common, technology, background, centuries, tongues... You and I may agree, but the next person that comes along may not.

We aren't unified because some of us don't see the need to be.

And right now.... we can't exactly start up a rally.

[desequilibre]

Surely surviving is enough to strike some sort of cord in the imPorts hearts?

[ To Athos it is simple. People become drawn together for a common cause. He knows that back home, in Paris, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, are all aligning together for France's success in the war against Spain. In his eyes it is only right for people to fight back because of a common cause.

He dislikes cowardice. ]

Forgive me, my frustrations with this place appear to be getting the best of me.

[incogneto]

You would be surprised.

[ After all... hasn't he noticed how so much of the violence against imPorts has come... from other imPorts? Especially during times of crisis... anyway. ]

But you are right. That's how it should be-- simple. The ones who are more easily swayed... I would expect the Russians to offer them more than survival to squash whatever plans we have made. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

What is your plan?

[desequilibre]

I can only make sure that the men in my care know what to do when the next attack comes.

[ Their garrison here is small and young, but both Athos and d'Artagnan are doing their best to teach and encourage. ]

They will protect those who cannot so that would an imPort wish to say no to an invasion, they are still able to.

[incogneto]

Then I wish you luck. And give me a call when that happens.

[ Because, he feels, of all the people he's talked to, Athos is among the ones who won't back down-- that's exactly what they need. ]

[desequilibre]

You will be one of the first.

[ Satisfied that their exchange has gone to a reasonable end, Athos disconnects. But he will be keeping an eye out for this man from now on. He's smart, and practical. It would not hurt to know him better. ]