raisetheearth

[The video begins, showing a woman sitting in an office with her back to a window. The sky-line of Gateway City can be seen behind her, facing the west. She stares forward for a few moments before pausing, and adjusting her glasses. For all intents and purposes, this is a new face on the Network.]

Ah, hello everyone. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sonia Clarke, and I'm Benjamin Factor's personal assistant. As I'm sure you are all aware, both Mr. Factor and his company have been supporting the Numbered heavily in this past year. It was therefore decided that there needed to be a direct liaison between all of you and the company.

[She pauses, before adjusting her glasses and continuing.]

Furthermore, we'd also like to personally thank those Numbered who assisted in the recent... incident here in Gateway City. The animals that caused such damage are being cared for, but as you might understand, there are certain struggles in doing so for such bizarre creatures. However, Mr. Factor would like for me to assure you that they have not been mistreated or experimented upon. This has created some friction with the military, but we anticipate that will be resolved before long. Any damages to personal or public property are also being taken care of, as well.

[Sonia pauses for another brief moment, before her eyes widen slightly, and she sighs.]

I suppose I should also address the elephant in the room. Seeing as how I can communicate with you like this, it should go without saying that I'm a Numbered, just like all of you. I want you all to know that you can trust me, and that I do not intend to betray anything I learn here. Mr. Factor and I imagine that this is an area where you've potentially been used or manipulated, and it's for that reason that we intend to be as transparent as possible. We are committed to supporting all of you as much as possible, as we have in this past year.

[She offers a tiny smile, before speaking again.] Now, I would be happy to take any questions. I cannot promise an answer for every single one, but I will make an effort to be clear and concise for the ones in which I can.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm the first one he contacted about Shepherd's Haven, to my knowledge. I feel that his objectives are pure, but I think it would assuage the concerns of others significantly if he was able to speak for himself.

That's not to discount the significance of your voice as a Number, of course.

That is correct. You were, by all accounts and reports, one of the foremost people still around who made effort towards bettering the livelihood of our kind. You were a natural choice, and giving you a bit more in the way of resources to do that seems to have paid off, hasn't it?

Mr. Factor does wish to see more of you all, but... there was some concern if he approached too strongly, as I'm sure you can understand.

I don't know what to say. It's... very flattering.

[He's horrible at accepting even honest and earned praise. Even though he's done pretty well with those resources, he is the type to feel like he could be doing better, and should be.]

Yes, I can understand. If anything, his safety can be better guaranteed the less accessible he is.

Take pride in what you've done. We provided those resources, but you, with your friends and colleagues, shaped the community. The project on the whole went as well as we could have hoped. And you did it all with minimal input from the company itself, you simply used our investment well.

And ah, that's not the only issue. [Mr. Factor is quite protected. Sonia knows this personally.] It's more that we wonder if walking right into Shepherd's Haven might make us seem suspiciously heavy-handed. Some people are understandably slow to trust someone they know has all the cards, and it's the responsibility of those in power to avoid seeming as though they're too free to wield it.

Thank you for your confidence.

If that's your concern, I could prepare everyone. At least draw a bead on what the general opinion would be. Heavy-handed or now... I'm sure that the majority would appreciate transparency enough to overlook some heavy-handedness, and we're small enough as a community that anyone else could be swayed.

That is at least worth bringing up to Mr. Factor. Of course, doing it at all it depends wholly upon his schedule, and it's going to be particularly dense for the immediate future. Especially so, thanks to our prehistoric friends.

But rest assured, I will get back to you.

Edited 2015-09-20 05:07 (UTC)

Understood, and of course only worry about this at your convenience and that of our mutual colleague. After all he's already done for us, I would hate to impose.

I appreciate your understanding. It'll take time, but we'll get something arranged, sooner or later. If I'm being honest, something like this is in my own best interests as well - anything we do to support the Numbered indirectly supports me.

Understanding's the least I can offer in these troubled times, especially to someone who's already been so kind. Please keep me updated.

Rest assured, I will. I look forward to speaking to you again.

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