A promise given to one's homeland

[stupidhonor]

[1]

A. Ah... be more careful if you please... tch!

[Sielje is wincing and making various strange noises from discomfort of being shot in the back. But the beasthide she wore protected her - all she suffers from is a bruised rib or two. It could've been so much worse.

Regardless the knight needs some medical attention now.]

[2]
[The artifact from the Great Forge is back on Earth now. Another part of Discovery of Self has been retrieved - however an old trouble seems to be not quite defeated as everyone originally thought.]

That group of merchants... no - of all kinds of people. To think Fumerco still exists. Even if it is under a different name, housed in a different city. But it is the same.

What may we do to put an end to it? Not just defend Ankaia against their predations, but to defeat a corporation once and for all?

It may seem as if... not all battles can be won with the sword.

Comments

2)

[in_over_his_head]

No... sometimes it takes more than just beating someone on the head to get a victory.

[Calvin's coming by with a cup of coffee.]

If you want to beat a corporation you need to hit them where it hurts. They want money, so you need to do everything they can to make sure nobody would even want to have anything to do with them.

Find the people involved and run their names through the mud, make it clear that they nearly started a war and played a part in causing mass destruction on two different worlds. Not just their the people in charge but every person who's ever worked with them.

No profits, no buyers or sponsors... not even anyone who'd want to buy them out or re-hire any quitters.

[stupidhonor]

That sounds like no easy task.

I mean, neither is felling mighty beasts but with that, at least you know where you stand. It is so much... simpler.

[in_over_his_head]

Believe me it isn't. I didn't even get to the complicated stuff like getting witnesses, gathering proof and media dissemination.

But if nobody took care of this kind of thing there'd be a lot more groups like Fumerco around.

[stupidhonor]

Certainly, you are correct.

This is a field I find myself... not confident in. I do not think anyone from Ankaia would feel much different. At the very least, Ynya and Kimhone ensured no one will be able to come and go as they please...

2

[majestic_keiki]

Given how much they've already done and how much harm they've done to political relations, you'd think the police and various intelligence agencies were already trying to track them down. They're clearly a threat to the political stability of Earth and the war effort against the Lady and the alien invaders remaining. As well as murderers and criminals.

[stupidhonor]

I would not know how this kind of thing is handled on Earth. But even if someone is considered a man of dishonor and extreme ill reputation... there may be others who see some gain in dealing with him. Others similar to him...

[majestic_keiki]

They should be in jail for their crimes and any assets related to Fumerco confiscated or at least frozen for the duration of the trial. It isn't just about people's trust.

[stupidhonor]

I will trust you on that.

[Sielje is not sure about the specifics behind this statement, but it sounds about right.]

But what I mean is, perhaps the tradesmen of Fumerco escaped into someone's protection. Away from the hand of law, into domain of those who wish to keep them around... for some reason.

[majestic_keiki]

And they took a lot of material assets that are hard to move with them. Either that or whoever is hiding them is putting a lot of resources up for it...Which some intelligence agency should have dug up by now.

[stupidhonor]

What may we do, then? I sense foul play...

[majestic_keiki]

Not sure...Defeat the Lady and hope that she really is behind it? And otherwise fight and make sure we defeat these threats as they come.

[stupidhonor]

This is my intention. I gave my word to keep Ankaia safe... and even if it is not combat that achieves it, but deals like the one Ynya struck - then if it works, the better.

[Even if Sielje isn't entirely sure she can do such things.]

[majestic_keiki]

Combat will probably still matter. If alien invaders conquer Earth or the planet descends into political chaos, it'll probably spill over to Ankaia too.

[stupidhonor]

Ah, I wish this to be avoided as well. It is not just Ankaia I gave my word to keep safe, after all.

[majestic_keiki]

Yes. We'll all work together to keep Earth and Ankaia safe.

[stupidhonor]

Certainly. We will do all that is in our might.

[majestic_keiki]

Yes. Hopefully it'll get to the point where I can leave the military soon.

[stupidhonor]

Ah.

Yes, that is true. This is not what you wanted to do all your life.

Then, what comes next?

[majestic_keiki]

I'll study to become a doctor. I was already accepted at one of the best schools in the world.

[stupidhonor]

Oh.

It was hard to get into, I assume? I see. Congratulations.

[Sielje speaks with hesitation, as usual when probing territory she doesn't know much of.]

[majestic_keiki]

Thanks.

It was, but I manage. [Even if fame and military service was probably part of it.]

[stupidhonor]

The future... you have a solid grab on it, do you not?

All we need is not let anyone - or anything, ruin it.

[Even Sielje is looking forward to the future, just a little. Of course she won't admit it though.]

[majestic_keiki]

Yes. And so far it seems to be working.

1

[lostamigo]

Not even a bleeding wound? That's one hell of a dress.

[stupidhonor]

The beasthide is not pierced easily, but... it did feel like someone smashed a hammer against my back.

1

[a_monetized_mind]

[While the medics do their work, Jen sits nearby, staring off into the distance. Now that she knows Sielje is going to be fine, she doesn't look a tenth as worried-though something's pretty clearly bothering her.]

[stupidhonor]

Ah. Jen. Umm...

[Sielje shifts awkwardly.]

I did make you worry again, did I not?

[a_monetized_mind]

[That jolts her out of her brooding.]

Huh? Ah, yeah...you could have told me that thing was bulletproof. But I'm just glad you're okay.

[stupidhonor]

Beasthide is armor. Its strength depends on the wearer... but even for me, it is enough to stop a weapon like this.

It... still does hurt, though.

[a_monetized_mind]

Well, I can kiss it better when we're done here.

[Jen gets up from her seat, walking over and sitting on the floor next to Sielje. She makes sure to reach up and hold the knight's hand, intertwining their fingers.]


...Say, Sielje? Do you mind if I ask you something important? You don't have to answer right away, or even today...

[stupidhonor]

Ah, I...

[Sielje was probably going to react to the teasing again, but she is interrupted by this. This is new, and it's not often that Jen appears so serious.]

Yes?

You have my attention, and I will answer the best I can.

[a_monetized_mind]

Well...I don't really know what all this would mean on Ankaia. But...I was thinking about how I felt, when I thought you were going to die...and how dangerous are lives are. So, I think, well...

[She looks up at Sielje, from her seat on the ground.]

Would you marry me?

1/2

[stupidhonor]

!

[Sielje inhales sharply, her grip on Jen's hand tightening for a second. So many thoughts race through her head, she isn't sure what to say. What to do.

Is it alright, for them to do this? But their relationship is only just beginning... but then, how can she promise to spend the rest of her life with Jen, if Jen herself doesn't have that much more time to live?

Once again, Sielje is going to fail. Once again, she doesn't deserve this...]

...

2/2

[stupidhonor]

I did so little...

[She nods. A lot of her thoughts say that she shouldn't, that it's better to keep things the way they are. But she nods.]

I am sorry that I was a bad... girlfriend... and it may be selfish but I want this.

I want this, a chance for happiness...