We'll be traveling to New Utopia for a festival today! I hope you all enjoy yourselves. I know many of you have wanted to learn more about the world, or complained about the quiet here, so this should be a welcome change.

Everyone's going. We'll be lodged in a hotel and get meals there free of charge, but do bring your money for any extras! The journey itself is done by what seems to be some kind of magical teleportation process involving 'bridgelamps' - it's quick and fairly easy, although a bit disorienting. I believe our Veritian and Ex-Favilan counterparts will be there as well. Please pack for a few days' stay, and be ready to leave today. The generals will be coordinating the brigades. I and my fellow officers will take care of the civilians: I'll pick you up at your cabins in a couple of hours.

Answers to some questions:
* Just to repeat: everyone is going. The trip isn't optional.
* You can bring weapons. There are fighting arenas in New Utopia. Violence outside the permitted areas is illegal, and dealt with very efficiently.
* The hotel food is free, but alcohol, among other things, costs money.
* You'll be marked with Valoran-coded bracelets before you leave, so it would be very difficult to pass for a local or move to another country, if any of you were considering it.
* You can walk around the city freely, and meet conscripts from the other countries, if you so wish.

Is it just me, of has this place become rather empty? Silent at least? Don't tell me you're all getting depressed because the the impeding war and horrible death?

Just kidding. But really, is there any reason for this glum mood? You could think everybody was dead here.

A report on the medic situation, sir.

Dietrich von Lohengrin, 1st Brigade, has some medical experience, and volunteered for a transfer.

Others with at least field medicine skills: Tino Väinämöinen and myself.

I understand the symptoms have worn off of those of you affected by the spill, but expect to be watched closely for any additional side effects. Any who disagree with being chaperoned may find themselves thinking over the situation in a more secluded area.

Questions are not to be directed to Lord Valor himself - instead, look to your commanders and seniors in your brigade first. If they cannot answer your questions, my office and those of all our Officers are open during designated hours.

Good luck with your training. Welcome to Valora.

Are there soldiers in your brigades with medical skills? Failing that, are there any you think might do well as medics if they could be trained?

In particular, Luc, how would you feel about losing Dietrich von Lohengrin? He volunteered for a transfer.

Hey, first brigade! News for you.

From now on, we're gonna be approaching training a little differently. Why? 'Cuz it needs to be done. How? You'll see. But, just to give you an idea..! It will not end at 11am. You've gotta be ready, alert, and vigilant. All day, every day, and especially in your sleep. The second most important objective in this exercise is to learn when and how to project your awareness, and when and how to mask it.

If you already know this stuff, consider it a refresher course. If you don't, consider it a test.

So! Don't get caught with your pants down!

[ There's a small snicker just before the transmission ends. The exercise is a serious one, but Yuffie's gonna have fun with it. ]

[OOC: She's gonna be approaching some of the officers and other generals to give her a hand with this. If this applies to one of your characters, and you're up for it, lemme know. She's also aiming to acquire a camera. GUESS WHY.]

As you may be aware, we currently lack any medics, which isn't an acceptable situation anywhere, let alone in an army. I would ask everyone with any medical training to contact me - regardless of whether you're interested in a permanent reassignment, we at least need a list of people available in emergencies. You may also be asked to train others in basic medical procedures.

Likewise, please let me know if you're untrained but interested in learning and being reassigned to a medical position.

Since General McDohl has gone missing, there is a need of an Ace in the 1st Brigade. Luc, you will now act as the Ace General. Yuffie Kisaragi, you will replace Luc in being the new Right-Hand Woman of that Brigade.

I expect you both to do your parts well.




JAMES VALOR

There has been an influx of missing soldiers and generals alike. While that is unfortunate, I can't go on dreading on those with weak souls. That said, I encourage you all to return to your regular schedules.

Brigades with missing Generals will be corrected soon enough.

Your reports?