[text] - backdated to January 2nd

[maskedtyrant]

[Writing is not something Codi usually does when given the opportunity to instead speak her mind, which she prefers, but when it comes to organizing a speech or proposal, there are few better ways to go around it than with a pen, scrap paper, and a couple hours of uninterrupted revision. The final product is transferred into her journal with a surprising amount of care and a confident slant and flourish that monopolizes an entire page.]

[It's also in bold red to start with, which she hopes will draw in the wandering eye.]

Good day, fellow sailors of the seas! If you would please take a moment to read through this proposal I've made, I promise it will be worth your while!

[There are a few blank lines between the first and second paragraphs.]

...If you're still reading this, great! First of all, let me introduce myself--my name is Dakota Perkins, I hail from the Sinewave. Those that I know usually call me Codi; if you don't know me yet, I insist that you do the same! We are all comrades in whatever mass kidnapping event brought us here, so we might as well stay on a first-name basis.

Now, I would like to address a notice that Karen wrote several days ago, mentioning what has been accomplished and what we need to prepare for in the future. After some negotiating, we both agreed that having a welcoming committee for new arrivals based on the issues she addressed would be extremely helpful in keeping all of us better-organized, and to make sure the more recent victims of Davy Jones are kept better-informed. Such a committee would have at least one member from each crew to represent them--preferably the most experienced with this place we're trapped in--and would be tasked with the following:

• Keeping track of all crews, their current capacities, shipmates lost and willingness to accept new ones;



• Organizing a formal welcoming party--a crew tasked with staying on Empieza during the second week of each month, to make sure new arrivals are kept safe and informed;



• Gathering all events, warnings, answered and outstanding questions, and crew information as listed above into one document, which is updated and posted in the journals or on islands visited at the beginning of the new arrival period; and



• Coming up with informed questions for Dog, based on the individual concerns of each crew and any new information that becomes available. (Maybe when we have more members!)

As you can imagine, this will be quite the undertaking and will require the cooperation of many people! But despite the concerns also addressed in Karen's proposal, I've talked with enough of you to trust that you'll see the benefits of such a system, and that they vastly outweigh the grievances of a couple ill-wishers. If you still have your doubts but are willing to put them aside for the time being, I do have a fail-safe condition that should keep everyone involved in check--and to make sure we all have each others' full confidence. I will reveal this plan to anyone that promises to work in the committee, but no sooner, and in private.

Feel free to contact me at any time if you are interested in becoming part of this group, or if you have any suggestions or concerns regarding it! Be aware that the time to act on this opportunity is short--we should be receiving the next round of arrivals in less than a week, and Dog's update just as soon! Having this committee in place before then would be optimal.

Thank you very much for your attention!

- Codi

Comments

text

[thatched]

Has it ever occurred to you, missy, what keeping tabs on ship capacity, strength and location would do if that list happened to fall into the wrong hands? Navy for example? Or rivals?

[text]

[maskedtyrant]

Now, who ever said I'd be asking about strengths and locations?

[Not yet, anyways...]

Only numbers, if even that. At a minimum, we could do with a list of ships, their captains, missing crew and if they're willing to take on more people. I doubt military types would be satisfied with so general a list!

More importantly, those military types wouldn't be able to get hold of that list unless one of us gave it to them...and none of you would be silly enough to do that, would you?

[text]

[thatched]

Maybe I misunderstood. In that case, my apologies. But I'd warn you not to take the Navy lightly. It has ways of getting what it wants. Information will travel no matter how secretive you are so I'd keep that in mind when you begin writing some down.

As to them not caring, well don't be so sure of that either, lass. You never know what can be used against you until it is.

[Written]

[redcinemareel]

No.

[And that's all Grell will say on the matter. Her red cursive, short reply is all Codi needs anyway.]

[Written]

[maskedtyrant]

Well, I give you credit for your directness!

[That's fine Grell, Codi wasn't especially looking forward to working with you anyways!]

[Written]

[redcinemareel]

[It's not that she doesn't wanna work with Codi, either (which she doesn't). It's mostly because her plan sounds naive at best. She had been reading the interaction between Codi and Thatch, and she has to side with him on the subject.

But there's no use in poking a dead horse...or however that saying goes.]

You have my thanks.

audio;

[dersite_dj]

Shit, this would be way too fair, dude.

I'd help, but I imagine I couldn't take it seriously for even a moment.

audio;

[maskedtyrant]

Hey, this place could use a little humor every once in a while! I can find something for you to do that doesn't require a lot of serious commitment. What's your skill-set like? Anything other than being a troll?

audio;

[dersite_dj]

I'm immensely offended by that-- No, not really.

I mean, I can rap.

text

[orderispeace]

Your ideas hold a great deal of merit. Anything that might prevent a repeat of the tragic destruction of another island is something that should be implemented.

However, I suspect you may fail in this if you do not narrow your focus. Make the committee to welcome new arrivals and leave the rest for later. People would be more inclined to join in if there were not so many changes to adjust to all at the same time.

text

[maskedtyrant]

I'm glad you agree! I suppose I could be convinced to leave out making up questions for Dog--that's more of a side-effect anyways, since keeping new arrivals informed will prevent them from asking her unnecessary things that we can answer instead.

With that in mind, are you interested in helping?

text

[orderispeace]

I was more concerned that people would balk at having to give information on the strength and composition of their crews. Especially those actively engaging in piracy might be less than inclined to accept those conditions.

I would help where I could. I think this could be a most useful organization. Have you had many others express an interest in joining?

[Voice]

[grizzly_tea]

[Maribelle was skeptical at first, but after reading through everything proposed her smile is positively beaming at the idea. Not that anyone can see her smile, but by her tone it's pretty obvious.]

I think that is an absolutely excellent idea! It is the type of thing that we the Shepherds should and would wholeheartedly support.

[Voice]

[maskedtyrant]

I'm sure they will! As you're speaking for them right now, I'm assuming that at least you're willing to join in. What's your name?

[Voice]

[grizzly_tea]

Maribelle, captain of the Shepherds, and benefactor to all those who wish to be free of pirate oppression. I had originally been thinking of doing something similar to this, but having you to already lay out most of the ground work for me certainly makes this easier.

written

[wavemotiongunner]

I have some experience meetings between parties that are inclined to not trust what the other has to say. Though I was part of the last group brought here.

Like some of the others have noted detailed information on everyone's location may prove to be a security risk and it may be difficult to maintain an accurate list.

written

[maskedtyrant]

If you're quick and willing to learn, then I see no problem with accepting your help! Your experience with negotiations is extremely valuable, with or without explicit knowledge of this place. Plus, some new arrivals might be able to relate to you better than some of us others who have been here longer, which could prove quite useful.

On location: you're absolutely correct, so I will not make tracking all of the crews' positions a priority, nor will that information be made public if we happen across it. You needn't worry!

voice

[theleonking]

I wouldn't mind lending my presence to the island team.

voice

[maskedtyrant]

That could be arranged! Although I'm wondering if having a single team dedicated to staying on the island once a month is the best way to go about this...you know, since we'd either need to use a lot of Navs to get them there or buy a separate ship. Maybe if each crew takes a turn at it every month or something?

...Unless you'd rather organize that crew for yourself? If you can find enough people to join, I'm sure we can pitch in for another caravel or whatever for you to captain.

written

[oceanicbutterfly]

Hopefully this goes without saying, but you can count me in.

written

[maskedtyrant]

I would hope so! I'm glad my interpretation of your idea is respectable enough to have your approval!

By the way, I have your name but not where you're from. What ship do you represent, anyways?

[written]

[hollywood_bro]

where do i sign up?

[written]

[maskedtyrant]

[Oops, Codi thinks you're the other Dave. Please excuse her confusion/sarcasm.]

Where you replied earlier, I would think! Do you just want to make it more official in writing?

[written]

[thethundersaid]

What's to keep the navy from dropping in on the island the second week of each month and picking off this welcoming crew and new arrivals alike?

[written]

[maskedtyrant]

They could. But not only could they do that regardless of if we have a crew there to help out, but they already tried that before. It's not like we can't plan for this.