Comic 1179 - Reach a different conclusion
Posted on 30th Mar 2019, 7:55 PM
in Like a Bullet from Behind
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Author Notes:
If you do try and push Carpenter to wait, it may be better to try and do it more... privately. Maybe a direct message, sent to him, not one that involves the public.
"That still fails to address the main issue," Liz points out. "Arvin wants to dictate the schedule himself. He enjoys the power, as petty as it is. If you try to take over the terms of the engagement, it's going to set him off."
Dr. Finch nods. "Carpenter wants to think this is his battle to orchestrate. He didn't tell us he's waiting for us--the Tradesmen did. As far as Carpenter is aware, he's going to be surprising us."
"It's not just about the tactical advantage," Michelle adds. "He just likes bein' in control. He prob'ly don't care as much about havin' an ambush ready as he does bein' the one to name the time an' place. ...Yeah, it makes sense, but damn. Makes this hard to approach."
There's a brief silence before Fuse speaks up.
"...Guys. When I got MY weird message, I didn't know where it came from."
Another silence ensues. Michelle's face lights up first.
"Ohhh. Oh! If we do the Tradesmen message thing, he don't have to know it's from us!"
Fuse points at her. "That. Yeah, exactly. We could drop that cyborg asshole an anonymous message that we're gonna be there in a week or so. We know there's cosmic guys on both sides of this--some for us, some against us. Nil's gotta know that, too--right? So some rando from the outside tipping them off about our plans shouldn't come as a shock."
Dr. Finch hmms, stuffing his hands in his coat pockets. "Could we manage that? Convincingly, I mean--if we pretend to be some mystical, anonymous third party... that... that's quite a substantial bluff..."
"We don't have to sign anybody's name to it," Fuse replies. "Just keep it short and sweet, a quick She's Coming In A Week or something. Creeper thinks he's getting a hot alien tip instead of thinking we're scheduling the fight. He'll feel smarter and more confident about the shit he's pulling, instead of getting pissed that we're spoiling the game. It'll make the wait more exciting, 'cuz he'll think we're still totally in the dark but he'll know we're coming. He doesn't have to know that WE know that... uh... he knows."
"You should send it in an older language," Pierce suggests. "Something obscure and ancient. I could help you decide on something that... well, something that you wouldn't normally have sent a message in. That would help sell the illusion to Carpenter's passenger."
"It's deceptive," Liz starts. "Anyone familiar with this group's usual tactics wouldn't anticipate subtle, arcane misdirection." She pauses. She takes a breath. Hesitates. "It could work."
You have a raven at a used bookstore--the address where the Tradesmen's messaging ritual is allegedly located. If you decide to follow through on this plan, the next step would be to... well, see what that's all about.
Should we send someone to help the raven, if it’s not too far away?
(Also really glad to see the comic's updated again! You go!)
i agree x:
"Mine's group is trying to pull a fast one on me" seems like it would indeed sound terribly out of character to an outside enemy observer. So let's try the Tradesmen's messaging system next!