>>5198076“Can everyone hear me?” You ask, forefinger on your Commling. A round of affirmations from across the field reach your ears, and you clear your throat before addressing your allies as a whole.
“We’ve gathered here today in recognition of what's at stake.” You begin, gravely. “An impossible task is set before us. Negotiation and diplomacy is likely to fail in the face of our honest attempts, and combat will be a near certainty considering the nature of our opponent. This battle won't be like any that you all have participated previously since your awakening in the Crucible. This isn't a one-on-one, nor a team fight, where the victor is determined by whoever is the last one standing."
"This is will not be a *battle*.” You emphasize. “No...this will be a *siege*. This will be indicative of what's to come when we go for the Cord. To our front, Behemoth. Arguably the strongest of the Apocalypse Three according to the testimonies of Ziz and Leviathan—representative of what the Crucible would expect from us Daughters. Solitude, power, rage, and spite, focused into the single-minded pursuit of our selfish passions. And at our backs—the culmination of Humanity's collective hopes and dreams. A rocket into the stars and the future. An Ark to survive the flood."
"Our goal is not to defeat Behemoth. Even with our assembled forces, we may fail to deliver a decisive blow that could halt his advance permanently. Self-sacrifice and martyrdom will do us no favors here." You declare firmly, your voice drawing a line in the proverbial sand. "No, our goal is to survive, to slow him down, to buy time so that the rocket can launch, to show him that our collective ability to resist him can match and endure his overwhelming strength."
You pause, glancing to the north where the very event you’re preparing to defend is nearing its final stages. "Each minute Behemoth Delays in his advance is a minute of time bought for the Rocket. For every inch we give, we extract a cost from him. We may falter, but we. Will. Hold."
"We will hold the line against him like humanity’s held their own against certain doom for the past two years. We will survive, because our existence here and now is proof enough despite everything. And we will succeed, for we have what the Crucible's Creators lack. For family, for friends, for humanity, and for the future."
A few voices cheer, a few whistle, but most remain in solemn silence at your words…at least, until you add-
"…My name's Shu, and thank you for coming to my TEDTalk."
There’s a few peals of much-needed laughter, and then…silence.
It’s quiet as you and your allies await the inevitable, and after a short while, you think there may be something wrong. Some miscalculation, some misstep.
Until…
“He’s here.” Gina whispers in your ear.
(Continued)
