melodiesoflife | Meetings and Strategy

[ Jessie nodded to them all. ]

The plan is to happen in three steps. You have to understand that there is little chance for us to win unless this plan succeeds. I believe you may win against the first wave... Seven Airships are a lot, but if you coordinate your action and develop a good strategy, you may save the city.

But the second wave will have even more Airships and will be led by Kalki herself. By that point our forces will be exhausted and Kalki knows your weaknesses. This is why we need Ultima Weapon to dispatch the second wave.

[ Then Jessie turned to take a look at Yuffie and Minako. ]

They will be safe, but I need them to lure the Weapon here. I need at least one of you to equip Engineer and Programmer to hack the weapon. I will provide Ancient translation if you do not have a Scholar with the Translator ability. Everyone else needs to be ready in a first time to fight Ultima Weapon, then to protect it from imperial troops.

[Yuffie nods, she is happy to know that the heroes will be safe and with that out of the way she's all in. She puts her arms behind her head and looks at Jessie as she speaks.]

Alright and yeah, sounds like we need this. I'd be game for equipping new jobs. I'm not the type to let anyone keep me out of anything. [It certainly sounds like something she might be able to do and she's known as a thief already.] I'm also down for fighting. I have some experiance with Ultima weapon so either way I'm in.

[She looks at the other two and silently hopes they get a few more people.]

You can count on us. I'll try my hardest, and I trust the other Heroes. We're here to bring the light of hope to this world, and hope shines the brightest when it's overcoming despair.

[Chiaki nods, the look on her face both serious and confident. Then she glances toward Yuffie and Minako.]

So the hacking will be a team effort, then? Me and one of you guys? We'll have to make sure our timing is perfect, since we'll probably have to coordinate a lot in real time.

[And then she looks back to Jessie.]

Is there any way we can practice that before the invasion?

[Minako just keeps note in her mind on what the others are saying.]

I think the hacking portion would be down to your two, while I can handle a video game or two, I don't think I could hack my way out of a paper bag. So I'll be the one who will fight to protect you should we need it. That is to say if we need to fight.

[She looks over at Jessie slightly. She gets the feeling the answer might be no, but if that was the case maybe she could set something up herself, maybe. She had experience after all.]

[ There is yet another figure in the room who hasn't spoken up yet, having arrived at the time of Jessie's explanation. It was Zelda's advice that's led Ace to the place of the meeting, and although he's not sure how those gathered might react, he wishes to aid the cause, knowing how essential this part of the defense would be. The boy steps forward. ]

It might not be possible to face the Weapon in a direct battle, should its strength overcome ours. This only makes the line of defense more important, in the case something goes wrong. Concentrating on avoiding the enemy's attacks while exploiting its weaknesses is a tactic on its own, and that requires good cooperation.

[ Short version: he wants to volunteer. ]

[Cloud is walking past to go offer his help to either the military or police forces with defending the city and its people when he overhears the plan being put together. The fact that Yuffie is part of the gathering catches his attention as well.

He wanders up, curious about what everyone is discussing and he's glad he does. Like Yuffie he was a little worried about Zack's safety. The other crystalized heroes as well but his best friend came first.]

I could help out with guarding Chiaki and Yuffie. But once they take it over, are they going to be the ones controlling it? How is the Empire controlling it in the first place?

[He hadn't the chance to see it in the Heran Research Facility himself, but from what he had heard about it he can't imagine how anyone could control such a beast.]

The more hackers there are, the faster it will be. You may train with regular computers until then, but it will not measure up to the real task.

[ She looked at Ace and Minako. ]

That is correct, you cannot hope to defeat Ultima Weapon. But you will have to fight no matter what happens. [Then she turned to Cloud.] No, someone with the Magitek Knight Job will have to pilot Ultima. Now, listen carefully.

[ She waved at Artemicion and the Black Crystal. ]

The first step of this operation is to lure Ultima Weapon. I shall start doing it as soon as the Empire will strike. However, it may take hours if not days for the Weapon to come here. Therefore, protection of my laboratory in the 07th District until then is key. You do not have to worry about that however, the military should take care of protecting the 07th District.

The second step is when Ultima will finally be here. The Hacking Team will have to proceed with the first phase of the hacking from my Laboratory. It is impossible to hack Ultima from the outside, but you can at least shut its systems down and paralyze it. However--

Ultima Weapon at this point will recognize Heroes of Light as a priority threat. Therefore, it will target the highest concentration of Heroes of Light in the city-- It's to say the hospital where those in crystal stasis are. This is where the Fighting Team will be needed. You need to hold off Ultima Weapon until the Hacking Team manages to shut it down. The more people will be working on hacking, the faster it will go. Likewise, the more people will fight Ultima, the more manageable the fight will be.

Then comes the final step. With Ultima paralyzed, the Hacking Team, at least one Magitek Knight and myself will need to go inside of the Weapon. From the inside, Hackers will have to complete their work and take control of the Weapon. However, Ultima Weapon is a massive construct, larger than any Airships. It is certain to attract the attention of the Empire. At this point, the Fighting Team will have to switch its objective from fighting Ultima Weapon, to defending it from Imperial Troops until Hacking Team has completed its objective.

Then, the Magitek Knights will be able to pilot the weapon and take out the imperial fleet.

[ A pause ]

Any questions?

[she's listening, arms folded. She still thinks it's a bad idea, but… If they can pull it off. If something doesn't go wrong…

Her gaze settles on Jessie for now, and she straightens a little, arms falling to her sides.]

I'll go wherever you'll have me. I've some small experience in such matters. […meaning mostly fighting the thing, but details.]

Then we'd need to move it swiftly away from the hospital, to avoid further damage…

[she tilts her head, looking to Artemicion for a moment.] That… what role does that take in this?

Sounds simple enough

[Yuffie puts her hands behind her head.]

But I think we might need a lot more hackers and fighters.

[This doesn't sound like a bad plan.]

Count me in as a hacker though, I have some experience with that sorta stuff.

Yup. The more of us there are, the easier each phase of the plan will be. I'll see if I can work on a simulation for the hacking team to follow to help us with our timing.

[The Programmer Job should make that possible, at least in a rudimentary sense. It may or may not take the form of a Dance Dance Revolution beatmap.]

We still need someone who can pilot the Ultima Weapon at the end, though.

[ Jesse has provided a solid base for a plan, but the insufficient number of warriors involved casts a shadow of doubt over its success. Decisions need to be made wisely. ]

What information have you collected regarding this particular Weapon? I have fought magitek armor in the past, so if I am correct in assuming that the general mechanism remains the same across the worlds, I can claim to have some experience.

[ It would be unwise to accept such a big responsibility considering his low levels, though. The boy turns in the direction of other Heroes.]

However, I am also willing to join the hacking team if that is where we decide to place our focus. If that is the case, would it be possible to request backup from the outside?

[ At least it should be easier to mobilize other warriors than seek out additional volunteers for the hacking job, with how specific it is. ]

Yes, more hackers and fighters would make this task simpler. A Magitek Knight will indeed be necessary as well.

[ Jessie then turned to Ace. ]

From what little we know, Magitek Armors were created by the Empire after their studies of Ultima Weapon. However, do not be fooled. Ultima Weapon is far more dangerous than a hundred Magitek Armors together. It was created by the Ancient to fight the Calamity. Whether or not it can indeed defeat the Calamity is questionable, but the mere fact that it is designed to oppose it is a testimony to its power.

You may ask the militaries or law enforcement for help. I believe Sephiroth and Sparks Nevada are who you should address for this.

[ Artemicion looked at K'pandolu. ]

The black crystal is what we'll be using to lure Ultima Weapon, Kupo. It seems to have effects on the fragment of the Calamity that Kalki claims is a part of you. We hope to use it to virtually amplify the Calamity in you and fool Ultima Weapon into thinking the Calamity is here, Kupo.

A black crystal…

[between that and whatever power this Ultima Weapon might have, she's feeling rather less than assured. There are no Ascians involved that she knows of, but…]

I would like to know more about those effects, but for now- I need assurances. [and she glances about at all of them, meaning to make eye contact.] I need to know that each of us will do whatever we can to ensure that this succeeds with a minimum of casualties- that we prevent inference from outside sources as best we can.

[Yuffie listens curiously. She is usually one to snap and say something sarcastic but Jessie and Artemicion seem to have thought this through so she has nothing to say.

She does however make eye contact with K'pandolu with a slight scowl on her features.]

That is stupid. Of course we are going to try and not get hurt or get others hurt. If you really think that any of those involved would do that then leave.

[With what's about to happen they didn't need any doubt and having her motives be put in question is more than a little insulting for the proud ninja.]

[Chiaki sighs a bit, shaking her head.]

It's a risky plan. It's natural to be worried about it. But I don't think we can afford to be sending anyone away who wants to help. Let's just agree that we're all going to do our best to keep the city safe - it should be fine to leave it at that, right?

[Minako wished in all honesty that she could say 'Hey none of us will get hurt' or that 'there will be minimum casualties' but she has been many a battle and always knows there is a change of getting hurt or death.]

As much as I would love to baby you into thinking that there will be minimum casualties, I very much doubt that will be the case. While it is important to try and stay safe, the risks are too great to reassure you of such a thing, you should be able to understand that. If not then why are you even joining in the fight?

The most important thing is to instead focus on doing your best to avoid it and not focus on that.

[With that out of the way, she is focused on the task at hand.]

However plan wise, I'll always try to do my best with defence, if I die then that nothing unusual.

[Cloud finally speaks up, a little shocked at the mention of a need for a Magitek Knight. There aren't that many among the Heroes near as he knows, and if Marshal Nevada is busy with the police forces then that means....]

Me...

[He shakes his head and breaks out of his mumbling daze.]

I'm a Magitek Knight. I worked on learning that job after you gave it to me after...[He trails off, not particularly wanting to think about his death in their first encounter with the Empire.]

I agree with the others. From the sound of it this is our best way to limit the amount of damage and casualties this city is going to see...but we're not going to have an option to save everyone. Not with our numbers. But I don't think anyone will do less than the best they can.

Is the Weapon anything like any other Magitek Armors? I mean how it's piloted and everything. Does it have a normal cockpit? [Taking it over and using it against the Imperial forces is one thing. Not destroying the city in the process is the slightly more important thing though.]

[Yuffie's smile grows looking over at Cloud. She runs over and jumps on him as if the argument seconds before had slipped her mind.]

Yeah! Cloud's got this!

[Plus fighting with him reminds her of old times which is always fun. Yuffie looks back at the group, releasing Clouds neck, and then standing next to him. She is completely ignoring K'pandolu for the time being.]

We got a knight and so we just need to go bug some of the other heroes to hack and fight with us. [Though she's sure that some will join in the fighting when they see the Ultima weapon hovering over the city.]

Meredy will become a Hacker, too!

( the girl had been listening quietly, quickie perched on her shoulder, and both of them paying attention this time.

from the sounds of it, this job might be something to be interested in, with the bonus of having studied engineering in celestia as well.

aside from that, she didn't have much more to add, but nodded at the heroes enthusiastically as they spoke their turns. )

Of course…

[…of course there could be casualities. Certainly, if the Ultima Weapon gets free…

…she can't think like this. Not when people are relying on- this plan. If he were awake… she'd never hear the end of it.

No. As a Scion, as a soldier of the Maelstorm…

Til sea swallows all.

She straightens, tail flicking, and breathes. With a glance at Cloud, she nods, feelings pushed aside for now.]

I would assume there would be- it seems the easiest post from which to control such a thing. Otherwise- could our Hackers create something themselves?

[Chiaki's posture relaxes just a bit as the argument seems to subside for the moment, her expression brightening as Meredy wanders over to volunteer to help as well.]

So we have a hacking team and a pilot. Now we just need enough people to keep us safe while we work. I think we can probably rely on whoever is around at the time to help, but it might be good to try to do some recruiting between now and then.

[As to K'pandolu's question, though...]

Jessie, do you have a diagram or schematics of the Ultima Weapon's design? I remember seeing something like that before in your lab. There must be an existing entry point if you're proposing a plan like this, right?

Meetings and Strategy

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