So I’d actually like that dilemma resolved at this point, so let’s do that.
Hfsalt: “You will, naturally, demand more concrete proof. This we have expected. Have it. The following was recorded at the Citadel of the Protinam 60 hours ago. You will note that the recording resolution is beyond the means of speech editing technology, so there is no question of it being faked.”
The line then beeps as it switches to a recording of some kind. Just as Greno described, there are none of the characteristic flaws or static required to cover up a falsified recording.
"The future is always murky," the recorded voice of David Eborrenial says. "But some things are clear. If the empire falls, it'll be by your hand. Victory is not guaranteed and the path forward is difficult, but you and your friends represent the best hope we have of shaking off the oppression of the Antarcticans. You, Jacob Eldin, are destined to end the oh-so-misnamed Republic of the South."
"That's helpful," says a voice you can tell is Jacob Eldin. "But I was hoping you'd have some advice about getting to the-"
"Your goal? You don't have to reach Antarctica to finish it." David continues. "Tunnels go places. The wormhole has two ends and it can be collapsed from either. One is anchored in Antarctica, but the other is on this continent. That's the whole point."
"But we don't know where the Brazilian end is stored-" says a voice you recognize as Anna Drimoxi.
"Of course not. It was hidden away in some sort of underground complex. But the Antarcticans are moving it out in a ship. Search the docks of Santiago. You'll find it there."
"Where, exactly?" asks Anna.
"I don't know,” David admits. “I just know where you can begin your search. Go to the piers. Once you get there, don’t trust the bees and the king. Your friend has a yellow hand."
"And you're on our side about this?" Jacob asks.
David sighs. "The Republic isn't all bad. They think they're doing the right thing, which makes them even more dangerous. But I've seen that the Republic must fall, lest our civilization crumble into darkness and ruin. I will support you any way I can. I'll try to mislead their investigators a bit if I can."
"Well, thank you, High Visionary-" begins Jacob.
"Anna?" David says, cutting Jacob off. "Can I speak to you in private for a moment?"
"Uh, sure?" Anna says. There is the sound of feet and then a beep as the recording apparently changes to another track, based in whatever room they walked into.
“Anna Drimoxi,” says David thoughtfully. “So young and yet so troubled.”
“You’re literally a year older than me at most,” she shoots back. “And is there something you’d like to tell me?”
“It’s about Jacob Eldin,” David says.
“What about him?” Anna asks.
“You like him, don’t you,” David replies.
“What does that have to do with anything?” demands Anna.
“But you do like him,” David presses. “I don’t even have to look into the future or whatever, just the way you look at him, the way you talk to him… You’re literally almost finishing his sentences.”
“I… I mean…” Anna stammers. “I don’t get why you want to know.”
“I don’t. Just… you know what you’re father wants to do, right? The monarchy?”
“Yes,” Anna answers flatly.
“He’s a Visionary. Of a different sort,” David says. “He’ll do anything to finish what he believes is right. And that’ll drive him on forever. He’ll eventually will see everything as an acceptable sacrifice for his cause. He’s not there yet, but he’ll get there. He’ll make himself get there.”
“And your point?”
David sighs. “Someday that drive, that determination, will begin tearing things apart. Eventually you’ll have to choose between Samael Drimoxi and Jacob Eldin. You’d best begin thinking about your choice.”
The voice of Greno Hfsalt comes up again.
Greno: “That should do it, right? That’s the proof you needed. David is helping the enemy. We will negotiate no longer. Capture or kill him. That’s our terms of alliance. We have people watching, we will know when the deed is done, but cannot do it himself while he is guarded by you.”
There is a click. The line goes dead.
What do you do?
A: Comply with Goonswarm’s demands. Get rid of David Eborrenial
>A1: Have David arrested at gunpoint
>A2: Send soldiers after him with orders to kill
>A3: Try to trick him and lead him to Goonswarm’s territory
B: Do not comply.
>B1: Inform David of the accusations levied against him by Goonswarm Federation
>B2: Bring up the accusations, but in a fashion that does not make it clear that an outside agency has accused him of something. Ask, for example, “Have you communicated with Jacob Eldin? Why are you helping us after all?”
>B3: Ignore the accusations completely.
(Explanation of numbers: This is not a plurality vote. Otherwise there could be spoiler effects or strategic voting from one side being more divided or something. Instead, a major option A or B will be first chosen based upon the majority of people voting for an A option or a B option. Then, once one of those has won, a suboption will be chosen based upon the suboptions selected.)
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