A hero

[herodrawing]

[Guess who's back in the hospital. Izuru got to know the bed very well, and Red Five is wrecked pretty badly... but this time it's different.

He's here because of injuries, not due to piloting his AHSMB. No symptoms related to the JURIA System synchronisation have appeared. It's as if the recent feats stabilized his DNA's relationship with Red Five.]

We've done it! Everyone, we've done it.

Humanity is safe now. Well, safer I mean. There's still more dangers to take care of, right? But the Wulgaru one is gone, thanks to everyone's hard work.

You guys... are all heroes!

Comments

[keep_your_dignity]

HITACHI.

[Ruh roh Raggy]

[herodrawing]

Oh. Hello Major. Nice day, isn't it?

[keep_your_dignity]

NOT THE WORST I'VE SEEN AS DAYS GO. [Kagura floats in. She's been floating more, lately.]

LET'S GET THROUGH THINGS IN ORDER, HITACHI. [Oh boy, here comes the pain...]

FIRST, I HAVE TO CONGRATULATE YOU. [Wait what?] YOU NOT ONLY FULFILLED YOUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF KEEPING JIART BUSY LONG ENOUGH FOR THE PORTAL TO BE SUCCESSFULLY NEUTRALIZED, YOU SUCCESSFULLY ELIMINATED HIM YOURSELF AFTERWARDS, THEREBY MINIMIZING THE CHANCE OF ANY FUTURE ATTEMPTS ON EARTH, WHILE ALSO MINIMIZING DAMAGE TO UNITY FORCES.

MUCH AS IT PAINS ME TO HAVE TO BE THE ONE WHO POINTS IT OUT, YOU EARNED YOURSELF A DECORATION TO SERVICE YESTERDAY, AND AS A FIELD OFFICER INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION I WILL FILE AN OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION SAYING AS MUCH TO YOUR SUPERIORS, THOUGH IT IS UP TO THEM WHETHER IT'S DONE IN THE END.

[herodrawing]

Ahh, I'm really sorry for acting so reckless, but in the end I ask you to consider eeeeeh?!

Official recommendation?!

[keep_your_dignity]

YES. FIELD OFFICERS ABOVE A CERTAIN RANK ARE ENTITLED TO NOMINATE SOLDIERS FOR DECORATIONS FOR SUCCESS IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES. NOT BEING PART OF YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND, I CAN ONLY FILE A RECOMMENDATION AND SEE WHAT YOUR COMMANDER WANTS TO DO. BASIC PROTOCOL.

[herodrawing]

I'm still dreaming, right?

[keep_your_dignity]

THAT'LL BE WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO BE THE ONE WHO SAID IT. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S TEST THAT.

[Two metal fingers grab one of Izuru's ears and pull just enough to hurt, holding him there for a bit as Kagura speaks. Talk about a pinch to see if you're awake]

WHAT THE BLOODY FUCK WERE YOU THINKING WITH THOSE STUNTS AT THE END, HITACHI? WHEN I SAID THAT EITHER YOU SORTIED OR YOU'D END UP KILLING YOURSELF I MEANT YOU WOULD WASTE AWAY FROM FRUSTRATION AND GUILT, NOT THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE A HOBBY PROJECT OUT OF TRYING TO FIND THE MOST OUTLANDISH WAY TO COMMIT SUICIDE ONCE YOUR MECH STOPPED TRYING TO KILL YOU.

[herodrawing]

Ow! Ow, ow, ow! I'm awake! I'm definitely not asleep, honest!

And I had to lure Jiart away from the rest somehow!

[keep_your_dignity]

THERE IS SUCH A THING AS BAITING INSTEAD OF THROWING YOURSELF AT THE ENEMY SWORD.

[Kagura lets go. That's probably going to smart for a bit though]

AND EVEN IF THAT WAS THE HIGHEST CHANCE OPTION, LEAVE THE SUICIDAL MANEUVERS TO PEOPLE WHO WON'T BREAK THE SQUAD IF THE DIE, HITACHI.

REST FOR NOW. IF I'M STILL AROUND WHEN YOUR LEGS WORK AGAIN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED THEM.

[...aaaand there is the pain.]

[herodrawing]

Ah, I can't wait.

[keep_your_dignity]

IF YOU CAN SAY THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE, HITACHI, THERE MIGHT BE A FUTURE FOR YOU IN ACTING ONCE YOU LEAVE ARMY BUSINESS.

[Kagura takes a step back from the bed, turning]

I'LL BE LEAVING NOW. THERE'LL BE PEOPLE WANTING TO VISIT YOU THAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY WANT TO TALK TO, AND I'M NOT KNOWN FOR INDUCING EFFECTIVE BEDSIDE MANNER.

[herodrawing]

I wasn't... I mean. Nevermind.

[As Kagura walks away (how'd she fit in the door anyway?), Izuru suddenly has one last thing to say.]

Thanks for helping out, Major.

[keep_your_dignity]

[She has to duck a bit as she goes through doors, like she always does. A bit more now that she's floating. She stops when that is said, but doesn't turn again.]

I TOLD YOU BEFORE, HITACHI. I'VE PUT TOO MUCH EFFORT IN KEEPING YOU ALIVE TO JUST LET YOU STUPID YOURSELF TO DEATH AND MAKE IT ALL WASTED. AT LEAST WHILE I'M AROUND. AFTER THAT, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.