*Mandalorian steps up to the podium.* The darkness is not retreating, as you may believe it is. It is instead undertaking what the strategically minds amongst us would call a tactical withdrawal. Now, some of you may be asking why I would say that, given that the darkness has never done this before in regards to Offtopic. Good question, allow me to elaborate. The darkness, as I understand it, is an entity of near limitless power, so why would it retreat, it is not threatened by us. Even though we have bested all but one of its servitors and their actions, I doubt that we could stand against a concerted effort by the darkness to undo us. The darkness's latest actions, the successful kidnapping of the child of one of our great warriors, has proven that we are not infallible. With that said, why would the darkness retreat after scoring such a victory? It has no reason to, but it is pulling away nonetheless, why? I don't know its logic or rational, but that which it has visibly employed is quite familiar to me, the tactical withdrawal, essentially the removal of men, material, and other resources from an area of operations, typically from one in or soon to be in danger of an enemy, or an area that no longer holds relevance beyond that of proximity to one's enemy, with the purpose of minimizing further loses due to ongoing operations. The darkness has achieved a victory as well as made off with a valuable resource, and is now no longer interested in continuing "active" operations in this area, which would no doubt bring it into immediate conflict with at least one most likely ambivalent combatant. *pauses and surveys the room.* I caution against pursuing the darkness into its own realm, where it has no less than nigh omnipotence and has set traps for those who follow it, such actions will result in futility and an assured death. *looks at Bop, then scans the room again.* Defenders of Offtopic, I advise that you make use of this down time, get some sleep, good food and drink, whatever else you need, then rearm refuel, whatever, i doubt this respite will last for long. Any questions? Robo Owl: [quote]“I have two points of interest to add.” “The child that was taken is not native to this timeline. She was brought from a world where the Deep had won the fight and fully corrupted Bop.” “And something far more concerning is that the Speaker of the Deep has tried to use this child as a vessel before.”[/quote]