[b][i]Intermission Three - All Saints' Day in Mischief Reef[/i][/b]

[b]Mischief Reef/Đá Vành Khăn/Panganiban Reef - 11/01/2022 08:00 UTC+8[/b]

"What I [i]do[/i] know is that you work with people who can pull off a miracle," Han Rui replied to Cristina, even as he stared at the destroyed dummies, appreciative of the techniques that went into the attack. "And you stood for more than a minute against that 'Pervert Dragon' himself, so you're competent." 

His English was good but also student-like, as though he was reciting from books. Nevertheless, he continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "Redemption is what you were taught in your Churches, right? That you can 'baptize' people and free them of sin. Find a way to do that; you have a band of actual comrades - Use them. And if you have not depleted your Noble Arm's potential, get a new power that can drive the corruption out of your sister and then hug her..."

He then looked at his watch and said, "Speaking of siblings, I have to eat breakfast with my brother; he defected too. But one last piece of advice: Do not underestimate yourself and your ability to pull off a miracle. Or if you feel you can't... Ask Ms. Lei or Mr. Makri or That Nun for help reversing the Descent's brainwashing. Don't just mope around or rage at the world - Unlock a new power and get better."

[@Digmata]

[hr]

"You forget," Jin Li started his response, "My Noble Arm [i]can control water[/i]; I can cool myself off whenever I want. And I'm the one offering hospitality here; aren't I?"

But the smile on his face as he asked that question showed that Marta's words had their desired effect of relaxing his mood. He then crouched, and as his Noble Arm flashed into existence in his right hand, and he began doodling on the sand with its blade like the child he was, the boy spoke, "Thanks anyway, you helped."

Looking at the blue horizon of the sea, the claimant to the 'Restored Qing Dynasty' continued, "By the way, have you heard the bad news from the US? Preliminary polling suggests that the party against aid to the Ukrainians is going to sweep most states, and the other party has insisted on tying ASEAN aid to aid for Kyiv. We are likely to not get either in this case unless a miracle happens among the American electorate."

Then he smirked and said, "Let's just say I'm going to gamble and hope that a miracle happens, while at the same time preparing for if it doesn't. What are your thoughts?"

[@Amidatelion]

[hr]

Noel was the first to reply, saying, "Preliminary polling is often accurate - The war has worsened the US' border crisis and that is going to embolden the critics of the current President's party... And the current President of the United States wants to focus on internal prosperity and infrastructure anyway, even if it means letting his alliances dry up. We're going to have to prepare to stand on our own; maybe commit to an insurgency should things go even further south. Heck, it's a miracle we held out this long, and that in turn is due to [i]us[/i]."

He then sighed and said, "Lingayen Gulf was decisive in that it prevented a quick Chinese conquest of the Philippines. The next two operations - Mischief Reef and Jinghong Dam - loosened the noose the Chinese had around us. Ironically, it was the Jinghong Dam operation that provides us with hope now - Ai Chen's actions are a scandal to both her people and most other nations, and that might get voters in the US to vote for candidates who would punish people like her and Huo Ren for their... activities."

Looking at Henri, the eighteen-year-old advised, "That said, now that you're here, I will need you for something."

Then he continued with, "Angelito Jaime, the Hero of 1988, is dying due to a cancer that feeds on his Arms Master Survivability. His Noble Arm, a bamboo spear that can open portals wide enough to swallow Chinese ICBMs and spit them back at the Chinese heartland, is important to our war effort. Your own Noble Arm can turn the cancer into a normal one that can be taken care of through high-end radiotherapy. So what do you think of helping us in that regard? Is it within your remit as a volunteer?"

[@Chiro][@Creative Chaos]