Malik has ideas

[loyalrebel]

Now that we have had some time to relax after the events of Harrowgate, I have some ideas about how to improve our responses as infiltrators to situations.

For those of you who are newly joining us, greetings and apologies for what will likely be uncomfortable discussions. The previous Jaunt was… not a good one for many of us despite the successful outcome.

We, as a group, need to get better at talking about what happens to us on Jaunts, no matter how emotionally difficult it is. I understand not wanting to think or talk about a traumatic event, but talking about it allows others to avoid the same situation in the future. Avoiding something doesn't make it unhappen or stop existing.

We have people, including myself, who know how to keep to facts and events when relaying information to prepare others. I cannot speak for them, but if you wish to use my services my door is always open and I will not think lesser of anyone for finding it difficult to speak openly.

Which brings me to my second suggestion, and the reasons I see for it.

We need a better system for gathering information and taking action as investigators. Running headfirst in to something without a plan keeps getting people arrested, killed or worse.

I know that dying may not be as bothersome to some of us as it is others, but it is not a pleasant or always acceptable price for information.

What I propose is that we put together a dedicated response team of investigators willing and able to follow an actual plan and work in coordination for gathering information in sensitive or dangerous situations as well as extracting those who get in over their heads.

Powers beyond use of the mental network that I believe would be beneficial or crucial to this are teleportation, shapeshifting, interface, summoning Travelers, portal creation, and some sort of healing knowledge. Nobody needs to have all of them, but a few or a willingness to learn them would be good.

Stealth and combat skills can be taught, but most important will be an ability to take and follow orders of whomever is taking point as coordinator for the jaunt based on their knowledge and experience as well as put aside personal opinions and egos for the sake of a greater good.

I know that we have no idea who will or won't be themselves on Jaunts but if there are enough people in this Response Squad, for lack of a better name, then the odds are that at least a few will be themselves and able to act.

...and yes, this is a request for volunteers, regardless of your personal opinions of me or other Travelers.

If you wish to speak with me privately about this, my door is open through the Workshop Library.

Comments

[claudiometer]

Having people willing to charge headfirst into the unknown gets us the information we need to do the rest, half the time.

But you're right that we could use something more coordinated for after that. I'm in. Got teleporting, portals, and interface, and I can't be far off Thorne's goo-healing trick.

[loyalrebel]

There's a difference between running in headfirst without a plan and running in headfirst with a plan.

I am not going to try to stop people from jumping in to the void, I am simply looking for people willing to put on, or act as, a proverbial safety harness first.

[claudiometer]

Trust me, I know all about making sure the exit strategy is in place before diving in. [And she knows Malik does too, since it's the reason he's the Black Knight and not 'briefly as dead as Armin was.']

Addendum to the portals bit, as many people as possible who can do long-distance portals would be good. Backread that there was a massive bottleneck on that front in Ninjaville, and even on the individual level, if the idea's pulling people out of trouble, the last thing we wanna do is drop them right back into it.

[loyalrebel]

Not everyone does.

Having someone set up an inconspicuous and reliable portal location isn't terribly difficult. Besides, minimizing the number of locations may not always be a bad thing.

[claudiometer]

And if you only have one person with portals available? Unlikely, yes, but it's possible.

[loyalrebel]

Then we figure out a different extraction method.

Sometimes being calm and having a believable story is a better option anyway.

[claudiometer]

True. I still think there's room for being able to move a lot of us as quickly and efficiently as possible, since sometimes the plan of action requires a lot of people in one place.

Or a lot of people not being in the danger zone.