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1
[In a move to capitalize on the fame the Rabbits got from their deployment at Nora Colony and to alleviate civilian morale following the attack on South Ataria Island, Kei has been sent to talk to the refugees on the Macross, listen to their worries and reassure them that people are keeping them in mind. As part of her busy schedule doing so, she's currently visiting those injured in the battle, having been put into a nurse outfit for this part. Between stiff smiles and very limited, awkward small talk it's an open question how good an idea it was to pick her for the job.]
2
[A small break is scheduled after the hospital visit and Kei is using it in the nearest breakroom she can find away from the masses of refugees. Still wearing the nurse outfit, she's somehow scrounged up a can of soda and a bar of chocolate to comfort herself with.]
What am I even doing here?
3
[Sometime after the endless handshaking and reassuring speeches ends, Kei is back to base clearly affected by what she saw.]
This is going to be something we will see over and over, isn't it? Except the next time, we might not succeed in evacuating everyone like we did at Nora and South Ataria. And that's not even talking about the places we couldn't get too because the new enemies force us to respond to even more places at once.
[In a move to capitalize on the fame the Rabbits got from their deployment at Nora Colony and to alleviate civilian morale following the attack on South Ataria Island, Kei has been sent to talk to the refugees on the Macross, listen to their worries and reassure them that people are keeping them in mind. As part of her busy schedule doing so, she's currently visiting those injured in the battle, having been put into a nurse outfit for this part. Between stiff smiles and very limited, awkward small talk it's an open question how good an idea it was to pick her for the job.]
2
[A small break is scheduled after the hospital visit and Kei is using it in the nearest breakroom she can find away from the masses of refugees. Still wearing the nurse outfit, she's somehow scrounged up a can of soda and a bar of chocolate to comfort herself with.]
What am I even doing here?
3
[Sometime after the endless handshaking and reassuring speeches ends, Kei is back to base clearly affected by what she saw.]
This is going to be something we will see over and over, isn't it? Except the next time, we might not succeed in evacuating everyone like we did at Nora and South Ataria. And that's not even talking about the places we couldn't get too because the new enemies force us to respond to even more places at once.
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[Kei, the Autobot's Medic is with you. Maybe organic medicine wasn't his field just yet, but he could still carry equipment around - and being able to turn into an ambulance really helps.]
I'm not going to say anything to soften the blow. I've seen too much to even try with something like this. Its going to be bad, and you won't be able to save everyone. That's a reality on the battlefield or on the operating table.
But what you can do is give it more than your best every time you can, because there are still people you can save. So Try not to let this eat at you too hard. You're still a few centuries too young to be brooding over things like this. Cybertronians your age would be blustering about their egos and how invincible they are, even when I've got to replace their limbs.
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I don't think I'll get to even one century.
And I know, it's just...Earth has been at war with alien invaders for as long as I can remember. And we were losing. Now two more have arrived, even if we win the costs will be high.
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Figure of speech. But with your scientific advancements so far, who can say?
And the costs are always high with war. But sometimes its best to focus on the now, and even if you have a few more problems - everything's been going well as far as I've heard.
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But perhaps the various invaders will start fighting each other. I can't imagine that they're all working together.
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[Setsuko puts a cup of tea on the table. Did she make this just for you?]
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[Kei looked up, managing a genuine, unforced smile as she accepted the cup.]
Out here to help out as well?
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... Though I wonder if the nurse outfit was entirely necessary, here.
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[There's a brief flare of anger and very visible embarrassment at her current outfit.]
And I'm not used to being anybody's savior. I just did as I was told and all of a sudden they dragged me to that press conference.
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[3]
[Kei turns to see Stella with a gentle smile on her face]
I'm sorry for intruding but it seemed like you were upset and I couldn't help but overhear as I came closer to check on you.
[Stella steps forward next to Kei and looks out a window down to the planet below.]
It all looks so small from up here doesn't it? In the grand scheme of things we're such a very small part of the universe but even then it's still precious to us.
Do you know where the term "Eishi" that several TSF pilots use to describe themselves comes from? It's an old term in Japanese from the time of the shogunate that refers to the mentality of the Imperial Court guardians, just don't tell Yuuya that or he may start demanding to be called a TSF Pilot as his sole title. [She smiles at attempt to brighten Kei's mood.]
I know that you and the others just consider yourself pilots without the more specific term but I think we all reach the same place in the end. You've given already and before this is over we'll all be asked to give more but at least you have a reminder [she motions towards the earth in the window] that we're still here and you're part of the reason for that.
[Stella waits for a few moment before she grins mischievously and speaks again.]
Now for that cute little nurse outfit you wore earlier, did you show it to Izuru? Though I guess Asagi could be more your speed but I think I was right in the first question.
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[The response to that last question is immediate and rather defensive, the embarrassment of being reminded of the whole issue clear.]
And, right, we need to protect Earth and the colonies. I just can't help but think about all the people who'll die or lose everything in the process.
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[Setsuko knows her embarassment, trust her on that.]
But try to endure it. You could look at it as... giving a tiny part of yourself to help a lot of people.
I wouldn't mind doing it myself. You could say I am a bit jealous.
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Yuuya said something to Asagi while they spoke after our introduction. I'm not sure if it sunk in due to the following argument but it was "Your life is the most precious thing you have, but you can't protect it by yourself". It's something they teach us to impress the importance of acting as a unit in the field but it also applies here. You can't even carry the weight of your own life by yourself out there so don't begin to add the weight of others unnecessarily or you'll only hurt yourself.
["There will be plenty of time for that for all of us later" Stella thinks cynically as she shakes away painful memories.]
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[She pauses for a bit to look into her cup of tea, taking a sip before continuing.]
They never taught us about it at the academy.
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[Sorry, Stella, no smiles appear to be forthcoming. Not even a faint hint of one.]
And wouldn't that expression mean that we all have an obligation to help carry the weight of others' lives, rather than that we should be careful doing so?
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...
I mean, try not to worry about it too much.
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It's still tiring, though.
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It's both Kei, you really need to lighten up a bit or you'll drive yourself into a corner. [She motions for the younger woman to sit down before continuing.] There was a reason I said "unnecessarily" for taking on that weight and perhaps an example would help to drive the point home.
A wave of BETA emerge heading towards Stockholm. TSFs are sortied to intercept between the coast and the city and the battle line is drawn. During the battle one squad is unengaged on the front line when the call for reinforcements comes from down the line, rear guard units are being pulled but it will take time for them to arrive so the squad leader orders her team to move to reinforce. They arrive and the loss of one pilot from the squad saves a dozen others. [Stella's face hardens further as she continues.]
As they begin to return another emergence is reported at the squad's original location and the presence of large numbers of laser class are reported. The pilot who fell was the one equipped for ALS bombardment which could have prevented the laser class from attacking so widely and helped seal the tunnel but instead the lines were pushed back from within and more casualties are incurred on front line and rear guard forces, including the Squad Leader's best friend and sister-in-law. [Stella finishes her coffee and turns to throw the can away.]
That Squad leader blamed herself and pushed herself to excel to keep that from happening again. She did so well that she was sent back to help test and improve the newest TSF units for front line deployment.
That's a typical Eishi's story and there are many like it throughout the world, anyone who pilots long enough will have one like it including you if this goes on long enough. Nobody want's to pass that tradition forward but combat is cruel and unpredictable. You'll have enough to mourn by the end of this, don't make it harder on yourself by crying for them before they're gone.
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Ah, thank you.
[Chocolate get! Setsuko will never say no to sweets.]
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But it's still something else to see it yourself twice in a week. And that's without even going into the wider issue of the war as a whole.
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