That Was Probably Only The Start

    The battle beast moved over the lands with Xander and Kaydon on its back. Xander didn't let it stop for anything on its way to Takamatsu, where the Salamander hope to catch a ride to the port town of Kogushi.

Once there, he dismounts and waits for Kaydon to get down before dismissing the feline. On the way there, Kaydon may have heard Xander talking to someone who his horse voice, a voice he tends to with something to drink ale wise.

There now in the city, he drinks his mug and watches everyone. Inspecting any and all who slip by them. He at last inhales, before letting a sigh. "... This is fucking bad." That was obvious captain obvious. "... I explained to Rylen the situation on the way here," Thus who he was talking too. "And I'll say to you, what I said to him-- something you probably also know as well. That," His thumb jabs back to Mac Anu, "That was a test run. They now know they can do it... and that means every root city is in danger of having its Guardians turned against them."

The ride over is mostly silent, at least with Kaydon not saying anything. Once they have settled down and the beast has been dismissed, and they find themselves in the tavern at the port, Kaydon is obviously seething. It's taking everything in his power to not throw this table they're at.

"How are they doing it." He says, "I know you don't know the answer, because if you did you'd tell me. But how." He has his knife out on the table, digging the blade into the wood a bit, as he growls faintly, "I know some folks have been working on fucking with code.."

    "I wish I knew, but I am sure it is something to do with hacking their code. Altering it to see us as foe, instead of ally. This process means they can repeat it and do it again I'd wager." Xander admit taking another sip of the ale to soothe his throat.

"I even tried to use a coin that should have given me the ability to override them-- but the system protection was to high. Backfired beautifully." He closes his eyes. "I plan to talk with Mizufa. You can come with me if you like," He opens his eyes. "Or see if you can get someone who can look further into the /how/... which may be ideal."

He motions to Kaydon. "You know some people, I am sure, who probably can figure this out. If we can get their help on solving the how, we might be able to create a counter measure to protect the zones." He then chuckles a little. "... and never thought I'd be talking like this again."

Xander then looks down at the mug in his hands. "But I am serious. We /need/ a counter measure-- or this war..." He doesn't want to say the next part.

"I know someone who may know a thing or two about how to alter code." Kaydon says, as he sighs heavily, and then sticks his knife into the table, "We need to go on the offensive. None of the leadership wants to do it. You know how many times I've seen folks still going to do normal stuff while we're at war.." He growls again, deeper this time, "I don't know how to get through to them."

    "They are kids. Most of them." Xander says to Kaydon as he leans back in the chair, not bothered by the were's growling or him stabbing the table. "Kids, teens, or civilians who think war is like games such as Quake or Doom... or any first person shooter really." He says this doing a finger gun at the other, before a gentle 'bang' motion.

"Like I said, I am going to talk to Mizufa. She is a lander, yes, but most of the military falls under her command and she is my patron." At least he is fairly sure the military falls under her command...

"If I can get the Westeland to assist us, we will have a military force of the Holy Empire at our call. I also want to see if we can construct ballista weaponry. Maybe get some gunpowder or-- see if we can make some and put that on the tips of the ballistas. Load those on some boats and sink some Palace ships." Xander says all this, his throat starting to bug him again, so drink the ale down for a moment.

"Maybe I can talk to Sumeragi too." Kaydon says, "No way is he going to be willing to let Mac Anu getting taken sitting down." He nods a little bit at the mention of them being kids though, "I guess I forget that sometimes." He says, "I'm used to, you know, Instant willingness and obedience to orders. People who understand the gravity of the situation. Whether this is still a game or not." He does rub his muzzle for a second, "I might not be able to do gunpowder, but I have been working on something that could work.."

    Xander hrms as Kaydon admits the gunpowder ordeal and then seems to talk over his chimlink. He glances over to Kayden, then seems to ask about the elements that make gunpowder. Then talks about using that Ballista's on boats.

Once done he lowers his hands. "The Scale has access to coal, Doc, aka Prophylaxis thinks we can make the sodium nitrate. All we are missing is sulfer." He explains to Kaydon. "But what else do you have in mind..?"

"I have recently come into posession of an object that allows me to enchant things.." Kaydon says, "I've been considering enchanting cartridges to create explosions via fire magic. While I can't use magic directly, I think this'll allow me to have a bit of a work around." He replies, "But if you guys can just make straight gunpowder, we can make some frag or high ex shells."

    "That is-- pretty awesome." Xander admits to Kaydon as his eye brows raise a little. He then seems a touch distracted by the chimlink chatter, before he looks directly at Kaydon once more. "We also have Propane apparently... so that was an option to use against the ships if we can't make gunpowder."

"They also have given Wake some pressure activated landmines." His nose wrinkles a little at that. "But I am going to push for the gunpowder as that can have multiple uses if we can perfect it down the road."

Xander then finishes his drink. "For now, you focus on what you can find out about the how-- and maybe see if you can find sulfer. I'll... see if Rylen knows anyone who sells the stuff as well."

"Please let me know when Scale moves on the offensive. I want in." Kaydon says, "Even if I end up doing geurilla stuff off to the side, or behind enemy lines. I want to help strike back at these assholes somehow." He picks his knife back up and sheaths it, "We need a win."

    "That we agree on." Xander admits, as he goes to stand up. He extends out his hand to Kaydon. "I'll keep you informed the best I can. See if you can get your own alliances to understand the scope of what went down and /why/ we need to group together as a nation... not as factions."

"I'm just glad in the end though," Xander smirks, "We got one another's backs."