TEXT - UN: Etrepa - **Security Alert**

[corpse_soldier]

Attention, citizens.

I have located a perpetrator of criminal larceny.

Her appearance: seemingly human, not quite two meters in height, lean, ill-shaven; a fringe dweller, outside the settlement density perimeter, likely an arrival from a more recent jump. [ More recent than herself, she means. ]

When confronted she pretended compliance before affecting a transformation into a mammalian monster. Teeth, claws, pelt, accelerated healing. Increased sized and strength. She fled after I fired my sidearm, wounding her leg.

I have pursued her to a ridge some distance from the river. [ coordinates are provided ] I am having trouble keeping pace. If anyone with combat experience is nearby, backup would be beneficial.

We should take her alive, if possible. Justice must be served.

(( OOC Note: This post refers to an encounter with Flint Deckard, not the ongoing modplot about thefts in the camp. So much crime, so little time! ))

Comments

voice.

[queasycrow]

[ It does take a moment, between the technological barrier of not yet being in the habit of checking his cellphone, and all the lady pronouns being flung around, but Hawke can put some things together. He's talked to Etrepa before.

And he's seen this perpetrator of criminal larceny before. ]

She's a werewolf.

[ What? He can roll with it. He sounds like he's running in response. More to directions about ridges and rivers than coordinates, but he has Dog with him, who also doesn't know coordinates, but has a good nose for an old friend. ]

And, I'm certain, woefully misunderstood.

[corpse_soldier]

[ Hawke gets the most prompt reply, and the only one that is actually vocal. The voice is predictably toneless, laid over a similar backdrop of trampled undergrowth sounds. ]

You understand this creature, then?

[ That could well be useful. So would the ability to manipulate gravity, or whatever it is Etrepa knows Hawke can do. ]

Estimated time of arrival?

[queasycrow]

Foremost expert. And, I mean.

[ Indecisive pause. Good question. ]

How long did it take you? That, but slightly faster.

[corpse_soldier]

[ Etrepa isn't sure she understands the question. She's also not sure how Hawke could get anywhere faster than a fully operational ancillary. Then again, so-called magic users have their own arcane means she can't pretend to understand. ]

I encountered her on patrol. I have been in pursuit since.

[ If there is any irony to Hawke's claim, Etrepa either does not recognize or does not acknowledge it. ]

Expertise would be welcome. I may need help tracking her.

[queasycrow]

Keep a look out above you. She climbs. And didn't seem all that interested in having a go, when we met.

[ Hff hff. More running. He'll start cheating with magic, soon enough. ]

Probably values justice serving too.

text - un: fedoratheexplorer

[foundafamily]

[Firo's not sure if this'll even be dignified with a response--probably not in the middle of her chase, at least--but he's certainly not above wasting his own time and that of others just to be a brat.

...And, well, the thought of people taking it upon themselves to police crimes just makes him nervous on principle.]

Who died and made you sheriff?

text - un: etrepa

[corpse_soldier]

[ Considerable delay before a reply appears, stubbornly textual. The answer itself takes the form of a question: ]

Who is currently in charge of law enforcement?

[ She needs quibbles like this the way she needs holes in her segment. It would also be so much easier if she could still divide her consciousness. ]

[foundafamily]

No one. That includes you. If this girl stole from you, fine. But don't act like it's some big mission for justice and keep your nose in your own business if she didn't steal from you or your friends.

[corpse_soldier]

[ Another delay, then a message that - being textual - necessarily carries no identifiable tone. Not that a voice message would be any different. ]

If you object to the enforcement of justice in this instance, please petition at your nearest provincial palace.

text (un: srogers)

[starspangled]

Did you actually see her take anything?

text - un: etrepa

[corpse_soldier]

[ There's a measure of delay before Etrepa responds to this, a pertinent if somewhat inconvenient query: ]

I have proof of her guilt.

[ Which is literally true. The feeling of guilt itself is the proof. ]

A trial can wait until her apprehension.

[starspangled]

So you didn't see her take anything, and then you shot and injured her.

I think you should cease your pursuit. Let someone else approach her.

[corpse_soldier]

Would 'somone' include you, citizen? I am in need of timely assistance. Can you help concretely, or is dissuasion all you have to offer?

Text - UN: fleetside

[hairrands]

You mean there's more than one of these fucks running around

One of them tried to fcuk me up

Probably bit by something with rabies like one of them jungle alien animals

Ugly mother fuker big knife looks like he'd shit bricks if he had enough in him to do it

Wouldn't be surprised if he could go full monster ashole too

text - un: etrepa

[corpse_soldier]

If you have experienced other infractions, your testimony may prove useful. Would you consider testifying, citizen?

You may also consider raising your other concerns with me. The interest in public order exceeds this one instance.

[hairrands]

Not much to testify

Drag out a big magic dick to wave around and things settle down

[Now that there's been a few days between her and her near miss with 'Steve', AJ is feeling a little more cocksure than she might have otherwise. ...It's probably not a good thing.]

[corpse_soldier]

I am not sure I understand this particular exercise of justice.

[ She's not sure she understands any of what AJ has written, to be quite honest. ]

Still, I might want to call on you during the judgement.

[ Assuming it gets as far as that... ]

text; un: ◖⚆ᴥ⚆◗

[doggedly]

how do these criminals all find tyou

[corpse_soldier]

It is the nature of light to press back darkness.

[ Trust me when I say that, in Radchaai, Etrepa has just made a very clever play on words. ]

[doggedly]

lovely
very poetic


bit dramatic though innit

[corpse_soldier]

[There's no arguing with this. In fact, Etrepa finds this comment both on point and quite funny. Not that there are any clear indicators of this in her communication, beyond the simple agreement:]

Just like a line from a melodramatic entertainment.

text; un: mystique

[anybodies]

If I could get there quick I'd try

[There's somewhat less shame in admitting this than usual. Pressing concerns-- 'help.']

is anyone coming, or people just giving you shit with their thumbs?

[corpse_soldier]

Please don't concern yourself, citizen. I am receiving some assistance, but Hawke and I will have our hands full.

[anybodies]

Ok.

hey you should know that if he's anything like the stories, he might be contagious.
Has anyone mentioned that?

[corpse_soldier]

She is sick?

No one has mentioned this.

Suggested precautions?