The Kaiju Runt in the Room....

[genericbiggerbrother]

One fine day, someone posts a general video message on the Unity Group network.

"Hello! This is Ranger Yancy Beckett, on loan with his brother from the Pan Pacific Defense Corps."

He smiles. "I've been impressed by everyone I've met here, and I'm looking forward to defending the Earth with you all!"

His smile fades. "That being said, there's something that I've been meaning to ask folks, something that's been bugging me for a bit." He fidgets, then blurts out:

"Why are there so many kids here?"

Comments

[kill_all_vagans]

I'm here because the UE don't care if you're a civilian or not. I've lost two homes from them already, and I'm sure between other threats there's people who've had to suffer the same fate.

And I can do more good helping fight, using the AGE-1, then I would if I was just on the sidelines.

[genericbiggerbrother]

"I'm not disputing your ability to make a difference, kid." Yancy says quietly. "I'm not even saying that you should be forced onto the sidelines."

He meets Flit's eyes. "But are you sure you want to do this? Every time you sortie in your mecha, you risk getting killed–shot down cleanly in an instant, or dying painfully as your cockpit slowly caves in around you, or you choke on toxic fumes. If you fight at less than your peak ability–hell, if you get unlucky–you could lose your comrades and friends, with only memories and dust to show they were even there."

He nods slightly–a nod of respect. "You're already shouldering a big burden, kid, and doing it admirably. But there's no telling how much heavier it'll get.

Knowing all that, do you still want to fight? Risk death so people can live, feel fear so they won't?"