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[truthcharted]

Looks like I got caught up in the case myself... I should have listened when they warned me, but no, of course I didn't listen.

In the interest of fair disclosure, I guess I'll introduce myself. My name's Kevin. Kevin Steele. I work for the FBI, and I'm assigned to keep an eye on the city and make sure nothing untoward happens. But now I'm part of everything, just the same as all of you. At least I'm not coming in totally blind, but... well, there's not a whole lot else to be said for it.

Don't mistake this for a truce - if something happens, I'm going to be on top of it immediately. And I'm not going to tolerate any idiocy in what is now my city. I just want to make sure that's clear now. Don't do anything crazy, and you won't have problems from me.

So, now that I've said that... I'm working my way through the backlog, but I'm certain there are things that weren't in the briefing that I need to know. Anyone have any ideas?

Comments

[audio]

[seed_of_memory]

...

Agent Steele.

This is... an interesting coincidence.

text;

[saviorsoul]

what exactly is untoward. and are you doing anything about the gang attacks

voice;

[kyoumibukai]

You seem pretty no-nonsense. Maybe you should tell us what you do know before we let you know what we know. With all the bullshit going around about us nowadays, on Fox News and shit, we need to know what the hell you're all thinking about us, don't you think?

[He's not broadcasting video, trying to hide his obvious youth from the FBI agent. His voice is surprisingly deep for his age, making the illusion fairly complete.]

I mean, you're one of us, sure, but we have to know we can trust you to treat us right when the time comes to mediate.

[truthcharted]

Ms. Terasawa. Looks like trouble's found you again... not that I'm one to talk, after this.

How's business?

[truthcharted]

People with numbers trying to kill each other, mind control being abused, using being on this network as a justification to commit crimes against others... That's the kind of thing I can't agree with.

As for the gang attacks, we're still trying to gather information. Or at least, I am. There are only so many of us around here, you know. Once I know enough, and we're not going to turn this city into a warzone trying to take action, we're going to. [Read: My hands are tied, but I'm trying to work the knot as quickly as I can.]

[saviorsoul]

i really think that's a minority. most people here aren't out to get each other.

what do you know so far

[truthcharted]

I think there are more than a few loose cannons, and that much has been proven. But I've heard more than enough to convince me that most of you are good people, or at least not bad people. It's just that the problem children have been very, very visible. And I like Fox News about as much as I like paying taxes, ignoring that my salary comes from that. As for the rest of you, I'm willing to listen to people before I make rash decisions.

Basically, if I can count on you not to do something we'll all regret, I'm on your side.

[truthcharted]

That's what I'm hoping for. It's not like I got a binder of names, faces, and histories when I took the job, so I'm learning from what little I've picked up already, and what I've been told by the other agents working the case.

And because of that, I don't know much more than you do. I can't openly investigate without turning a LOT of heads, so I'm stuck trying to gather what I can between the network I just got access to and the information I can take from the police. I promise, I'm not resting on my laurels. I don't like it either.

[saviorsoul]

how many agents are watching us anyway

i didn't mean to say you weren't doing anything. we're just kind of on own when it comes to that and i'm trying to figure out what sort of help is even out there.

[kyoumibukai]

So the FBI hasn't got any particular persons of interest, then? Or I suppose you're not at liberty to say. I think pretty much all of us are just regular people, no matter how crazy our powers have gotten.

[He sighs audibly.]

I just want to know that there'll be someone on our side in the government. Someone to be there to help convince them if they think we're starting to get dangerous. Most of this trouble has been caused by problems that might have popped up around us, but aren't our fault specifically. That's all. I'm worried about the politics.

[He's more than worried, he's terrified, given how often his dad has talked about the "numbered problem" since he came home. And he thought he'd be happy if his dad got off the family values horse for a while...]

Anyway, I tend only to do things that I regret, not ones that affect the world at large.

video;

[hotshots]

[ Neil blinks for a second. The guy looks halfway familiar... he'd seen him in passing, at least, right? ]

Oh, hey. 'Sup. If you're with the Feds, I guess I don't need too much of an introduction.

Kinda good to see another one of you guys on here though, I gotta say.

[truthcharted]

I can't be sure of the exact number - I'm certain there are some that are undercover, or something like that. But it's more than a few.

There's more than a little bit of help. I'm sure you realize this, but you represent a group that could become very influential in national, or even global, politics in a hurry. Even if for only that reason, we have a vested interest in keeping the numbered safe. Beyond that, though, you're also people that haven't necessarily done anything wrong, and we have agents among the group, myself now included. We have a number of reasons to protect you all from danger.

[saviorsoul]

i don't know anything about all that. i just want to make sure people are safe.

is it weird being on the fbi and being one of us

[audio]

[scarlet_devil]

[The voice is young, teenage and has a very slight accent.]

Your city? Goodness, are you going to put on a cape and cowl next?

[Yes, brilliant idea Emi, make fun of the FBI agent.]

Now, the question is, what exactly do you consider 'doing something crazy' as you put it?

[senseandcecilbility]

[What a scary person.]

Forgive me for asking so, sir, but which city is now...er...yours?

[Because Vegas could use some law enforcement, really.]

video;

[drama8om8]

Your city? Aww. That's cute! Cute and adorable and completely fucking precious.

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

Just so we're clear, exactly what do you classify as "crazy?"

[Says the gigantic humanoid bug.]

[Video]

[scramasax]

[This is someone of technical import connecting, these responses can't be helping anything - not that he will for that matter but... hopefully cooperation will a gesture, at least. Establishes connection, hesitates a moment before speaking up and locking it in visually - hushed and compressed, perhaps subconsciously reeling in a high upper edge.]

By uhmm - ...By "briefing" - sir, d-do you mean the guide...?

-- I apologize, excuse me...

[sylvanguard]

[Ariel is a little bemused and a little something else when she turns on the video form her laptop in order to respond.
]
Just to be clear, what is defined as crazy? And what if it was self defense or something?

Video

[onecream_fivesugar]

H-hi.

Uhmmm... I dunno if I know anything that you don't already know, what was in the briefing?

[seed_of_memory]

I have not worked formally since coming here, I'm afraid.

video;

[starlightheart]

[ Before responding, Natalie is initially floored by the mere sight of this man. She'd never gotten an echo from just the sight of a person before, so the sudden familiarity that floods into her is unusual beyond just the normal results of such a thing. It takes her a few moments to get her bearings, and while she may not have completely by the time she responds, she's at least not a stammering mess. ]

Ah, pardon me, Agent Steele... I don't believe we've ever met before, but... that just makes recognizing you even weirder.

video; private

[buildyourworld]

Are you sure it's wise to expose yourself now that the mafia are openly targeting Numbers?

[ Seriously, what the hell is wrong with all the FBI agents and their inability to keep their identity quiet? ]

[truthcharted]

No? That's too bad. You're fairly good at what you do. I shudder to think what kind of idiots I'm going to end up with in your absence.

Has something happened, then? [A pause.] Something other than this whole thing with a couple hundred people being linked across space and time to their past selves?

[truthcharted]

That, we're in agreement on. I took this job because I had people I needed to protect, and that hasn't changed. It's just a different group of people than I'd originally planned on.

I'm still trying to work out the whole "being part of this" thing. It was nice to be able to take a step back and not have to think as hard about the human element. Although, I suspect I'll have a better sense for what some of you are going through. I happen to uniquely have a job that will want me more now that I'm part of all this, at least.