The Feeling Of Working Far Above One's Pay Grade

[a_monetized_mind]

[A crazed terrorist stealing a nuke. Ankaia declaring war on earth. Optimus's death, and the withdrawal of the Autobots from earth. Some giant space monster rushing towards the planet. It's been a great time, and so its end finds Jen perched on the edge of Alahambra Base's roof, staring off into the night at a distant city.]

...The hell do you think you're doing, Jennifer...gonna get yourself killed at this rate.

Life ain't a superhero comic...

Comments

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It's pretty bad, yeah. And things were looking up with the destruction of the Wulgaru gate and the peace treaty with that Zentraedi fleet...

[a_monetized_mind]

Ah, jeez, you heard all that?

[Jen sighs, and looks back out over the landscape.]

...It all feels kinda...too big for me, you know?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I think it does for most of us. Even the Rabbits and they've never known anything else.

[Alex shrugs slightly, taking a seat next to Jen.]

But we've both got enemies that don't care if we leave, so we're stuck regardless.

[a_monetized_mind]

Mmm...

...About that...doesn't it defeat the purpose to be working here?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Maybe. But I still prefer having a small army of special forces, superheroes and who knows what else around when Enki himself shows up.

[a_monetized_mind]

True. But if you've got to keep fighting other things to get that protection...Doesn't mean all that much if you just end up dying saving someone else.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I know...It's kind of a mess. It was a lot simpler just being an aspiring academic, instead of trying to go into heroism.

[a_monetized_mind]

I can imagine...how are you holding up? Kasper?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I've gotten some people to look after him and my mom in case somebody else decides to try holding him hostage to force me to fight for him. He's still pretty shaken by the whole thing.

[not_a_prize]

...Jen? What are you doing up there? You know what... nevermind. Just give me a bit!

[Peola's voice was coming from down below... then there was a sudden flare up of blue before she manages to fling herself up and onto the roof.]

DURF!

[It wasn't a really stylish or graceful one.]

[a_monetized_mind]

Jesus, did you have to jump up here like that?

...Do you need a doctor.

[not_a_prize]

[Peola gives Jen a thumbs up before she dusts herself off.]

It was that or taking the long way.

[Either way she sets herself down next to the courier.]

I'm fine. Learned fall training from some of the soldiers that helped my Brother teach me how to fight. The trick's making a cushion of ki before you land... its like one of those air bag things.

[a_monetized_mind]

You know, some of us make do with rolling.

[Jen sighs and looks back out across the landscape.]

Bet you're havin' the time of your life with all this...

[not_a_prize]

Something's really bothering you Jen... and I'm not saying that just cause I can feel it. You've got a look on your face too.

What do you mean by I'm having the time of my life?

[a_monetized_mind]

Your planet is literally a fighting game, and here you are getting to punch shit up.

It fits.

[not_a_prize]

...That's-

[Peola actually looked a little shocked here.]

Is that really what you think I...

I like a good fight sure but not if innocent people get caught up in everything and good people get hurt or killed! I'm not my mother!

[a_monetized_mind]

Sorry, I-That's not what I meant.

[She doesn't look away from the scenery.]

...Just forget about it.

[actuallyselfish]

"Superhero comics aren't all fun and games, you know," Dido points out as she walks up, plops down on the roof, and opens her lunch-box. "They can get dark as heck sometimes."

She chews on a sandwich for a bit, then swallows. "Do you want to go, Jen?"

[a_monetized_mind]

I know, I know. I read that "Serious House" thing, and all...

...Maybe.

[actuallyselfish]

"Ain't no one keeping you, obviously," Dido notes. "You're free to get discharged and go your own way."

Dido hesitates. "Of course, there's the guilt of knowing people you like here won't have backup while fighting the umpteenth or so enemy of earth."

She shrugs helplessly. "That's what kept me from leaving UG at first. Is it the same for you?"

[a_monetized_mind]

...Okay, fuck off.

[actuallyselfish]

"...huh?"

Enjoy a confused Dido, oblivious to the insensitivity of her earlier remark. "What'd I do?"

[a_monetized_mind]

What guilt. If you haven't noticed, I didn't exactly volunteer for all of this! And I'm not a professional in beating the crap out of people, either!

[actuallyselfish]

"Neither am I, dude!" Dido protests. "I'm just a grunt mechanic that fell into a mecha cockpit during a dimensional invasion! I was going to step down as soon as we rescued the original pilot...but then she turned out to be evil! And–!"

Dido cuts herself off and rubs her face.

"Look," she says. "You have every right to go your own way, and the UG'll be fine without you. But if you're not feeling some sort of guilty obligation about this, why are you here brooding at the top of a twenty-story drop?"

[a_monetized_mind]

...Oh, shut up.

[Jen just looks off into the distance.]