S1C4: The Lives That Matter

To those with our cause in their hearts,

While the last couple of weeks have been challenging and plagued with hardship, we finally have good news to share with all of you.

We were able to take a large chunk of Rivers End and evacuate Valhalla entirely.

This did come with a price, however. We had to pull the troops out of the Smoke to help with the advance on Rivers End. We lost a great deal of territory in the Smoke and Valhalla. This was the trade off for advancing further into Rivers End but I believe you knew that when you chose our priorities.

We were able to evacuate all the civilians in Valhalla through a combination of the underground territories and high-capacity air lifts. The people closest to the front lines were evacuated first. We got the last person out just as the androids broke our front lines. The civilians were then evacuated in groups while we emptied the territory’s vault of all it’s chips through the underground tunnels.

Our troops that we stationed at the Smoke were ordered to retreat to aid in the advance at Rivers End. They had already caused enough damage to force the Oasis Network into repairing their capital they advanced on Valhalla.

The Cultivation Society’s advancement into our frontlines was honestly laughable. They thought that the best option would be to send their troops in a large brute force charge. They were getting desperate and it showed. The cultists were rabid, firing erratically and breaking their lines. We used this opportunity to push further into the territory, eventually making our way to the main water treatment plant. While we have captured a large amount of territory, the Cultivation Society have managed to hold on to a small patch of the eastern side of the area.

We are now working on exporting the excess water to our other territories.

While we have suffered some losses, we have come out in an overall better place than we were. I’d consider this an outstanding victory for us.

From here we have a multitude of options:

We could focus on Rivers End, this would ensure that the Cultivation Society can’t gain a second wind and retake Rivers End. However, this would mean conceding Valhalla to the Oasis Network if they don’t stop to repair the Smoke. The risk might be worth it if it means pushing back the Cultivation Society.

We could attempt to retake Valhalla, this would allow us to stop the android army’s advance and give the civilians of Valhalla their homes back. However, this does require us to turn our backs on the Cultivation Society. That could be dangerous because they are getting desperate and might muster a large force to try and take back the plant. While the robots are a threat, the only worth left in Valhalla (other than propaganda material and the emotional value of the citizens returning home) but you might find it worth the risk.

Another major decision we have now that we control the water plant is whether or not to shut off the water going to all Cultivation Society territories. There’s two sides to this. Shutting off the water will weaken their forces and their territories, allowing us to take them over more easily. On the other hand, this could lead to them growing more desperate and forming an alliance with another faction to take it back. Not to mention that we might lose face among our supporters by using the same tactics that the Governed used on us. It’s a difficult choice and the Cells are split on this decision so you are the deciding vote.

I have faith that you will all make the right decisions.

Atiley Ona | Level 99 Cell Leader