Day 9 LA: Crodino

[Galatea]

Galatea closed her eyes for a second. She'll have to rely only on herself, as always.

''I have no knowledge of the door or the Ultrum Empire beyond what I have told you. I try to look for patterns but most are assumptions at this point''

[Bee Haw]

She nodded. "If there is ever anything I can do to help, you can always ask me to do stuff without telling me the whole picture. I trust you."

"So, let's try to make sense of the parts we can talk about. Why would UNJE lie? What do they possibly gain by pinning this on Pantheon who had nothing to do with it, and denying everything related to multiple dimensions and alien invaders? I feel like they are putting the whole world at risk, and I can't figure out why."

"Are they just ..." she leaned in close and whispered the word "...villains?"

[Galatea]

''Allright...first things first: the UNJE'' she passed a hand through her hair, pulling them back a bit ''There is something in politics called the shock doctrine. I think the term was first coined by Naomi Klein in the 2020's. It posit that disasters and tragedies can prove to be highly beneficial to those with high capital. While a calamity is disastrous for the society at large powerful opportunists can more easily recover and gather land, resources or public opinion for cheap. When recovery happens the assets they bought low will net incredible profit.''

''The UNJE is unlikely to be a monolith. Normally organizations of this size have a lot of internal politics, more so the more money or influence is involved. One guess is that by designating Pantheon as the attacker some in charge within the UNJE can more easily consolidate power within the organization itself, oust rivals or steer in internal discussion. In that aspect finding out disgruntled employees or those you lost the power struggle could give us some insights.''

''The public angle is simple: they give the image of being on top of things of being in control. It's power projection. By directing the attention outwards people are less likely to question the ways the UNJE fails. If it's an us against them mentality then it's easy to excuse bad behavior when the opponent is so much worse. One way Pantheon could counter that is by coming out and condemn the Ultrum Herald's action...as I hinted when I spoke.''

''The lie might also simply be a quick and easy way to keep cohesion and feed the public something that is already known. Truth would have been harder to manage even it would have been better. Never underestimate how lazy and unimaginative people in power can be.''

[Bee Haw]

She nodded. It helped to think about it.

"Do you think they will try to find some blue skinned elite somewhere and pin this on them? Maybe thinking there is a 'this earth' version of the herald, if it's more parallel universe stuff."

"Do you think our doubles, like Cowgirl, are in danger? They are proof of alternate universes when they want to pretend it's not possible."

[Galatea]

''The herald might come from a different universe but might not be from that universe's earth.'' she shrugs ''I don't know.''

''For our doubles...they might get stuck here for a while and I don't know how the UNJE will treat them on the long run. That is why I spoke of politics when you asked me of what I will do. I have a gamble to take that could tackle several front at once''

[Bee Haw]

She nodded. "I hope it works. What you are planning."

"I'm thinking to stay in touch with a friend who I think is in Pantheon. Keep the lines of communication open. Maybe get us closer to folks working together. Sharing information. Sharing potential solutions."

"I think we have to close the door. So they can't get to us. But I have no idea what that involves. Hopefully someone will."

[Galatea]

''It's too late to close it. Anyway I don't think it would be a good idea...''

''As for Pantheon...ask them to denounce the blue invader, that'll throw a wrench in the plans of the powers that be.''

[Bee Haw]

"I can do that!"

"But if we can't close it, could we ever be strong enough to fight them? You saw the blue herald. She was vastly more powerful than the professional heroes with us. She caused thousands of deaths in the blink of an eye. Extreme violence that we could not even interrupt. And she is one of many. Not even the strongest of them. Their herald."

[Galatea]

''Don't be afraid'' she replied sternly ''Fear is a tool they can use against us.''

She relaxed a bit

''They are powerful...but not invincible, nothing is. She caught us unawares this time and we have three years to prepare.''

[Bee Haw]

Do not be afraid. It was what angels said.

"It is important to use the time well. A plan. To save the world. And all the sentient creatures here. It is a good point that she caught us unaware. We did not feel or sense a traveler pressing into our universe. Maybe a way to detect that before the act is even complete would help us cage whatever comes through."

"She - and others like her - they cannot act even once. We've seen what they can do in one breath."

[Galatea]

''I talked to Ayesha about that. Detection and tracking tools can be done but it's not the top priority for the UNJE''

She laid back on the bench

''I think we'll have a play in three acts: the Ultrums will win the first encounter. We must endure them until we can win the second act and finish it all in the third.''

[Bee Haw]

She had not imagined a scenario so grim. Survival only after the population is literally decimated? Only after enslavement to forces of inconceivable cruelty?

She looked horrified.

"Then maybe some of the focus must be that a remnant survive. That our vulnerable are ... where could they go? A third universe yet? The moon?"

People's from every culture and race? Every animal? Was this an ark event?

[Galatea]

''This world is our home, dear, we'll fight for it''

She mulled things over

''If history teaches us anything is that the uses of raw power is limited. They might be powerful but they can't be everywhere and don't know the layout of the land. Let their overconfidence be their downfall.''

[Bee Haw]

"Oh, I'll fight. No question. We must. I just wish we could protect our children and elderly. Put them someplace safe somehow. But if we knew the limits of the Ultrum power, we'd know a lot and be able to plan a lot."

"Do you suppose it's possible to take the fight to them? Go there? Try to get their currently enslaved to fight back before they even get to us? Or, at the very last, gather info on their abilities and tactics. Their history. Their weaknesses, if there are any."

[Galatea]

''Going in to play in their yard is certainly a possibility. A good opportunity indeed.'' How will the happen? Or when? I do not know. I can only plan for what I can foresee''

[Bee Haw]

She nodded.

Deep breath.

"You're right. We don't have to know the answer tonight. Just ... what are we going to prioritize first. Then, we can put our heads together based on what's been learned and what's been achieved, and work on the next priority."

"It is a heavy weight. Is this the right priority? The right next step? But we only know what we know today. And it is enough."

Steps. One foot in front of the other.

They could do this.

God was present. In each of them.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.

Had the whole world ever prayed for deliverance with one voice before? Maybe it was time to find out.

[Galatea]

''Indeed. I hope I am making the right decisions''

[Bee Haw]

"Me, too."

"No matter what happens, I'm glad I had the chance to get to know you. I feel better about our chances, knowing you are doing your part."

[Galatea]

''And I you darling. Watch your back, the UNJE will not react positively to our defiance.''