Iteration Start

[a_linear_mind]

[1]

[A few days before the Unity Group announcement, a knight-like machine enters Fort Alhambra. The pilot that emerges from the machine is a rather scruffy looking young man - who looks like he's been wearing the same jacket for years.]

Let me see if I remember how to do this...uh nice to meet everyone. My name is Willis Clades. I'm just a regular old merc who's been hired by the Unity Group. So yeah, I hope we'll be able to work together well in the future.

[2]



[Several days later, the real reason behind Willis joining the Unity Group was made clear. Willis can be found in the cafeteria with a mountain of empty plates piled on one side of him, full plates on the other. ]

Real food! No more scrounging or having to wash dishes for a meal. This is the best!

Comments

2

[star_of_sad]

Willis?

[Setsuko glances at the huge pile of dishes. It's rather intimidating.]

I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

2

[empress_without_a_throne]

Tell me about it.

[Mizuki's busy slurping up the tentacle of something you'll just have to take the word of marine biologists on it being native to Earth, and with a big broad smile on her face.]

Never had Atlantic cuisine before.

1

[smileys]

Greetings from one regular merc to another, then!

I didn't think I'd be seeing you here.

Re: 2

[a_linear_mind]

Not at all, I'm just trying to enjoy the new perks that come with being a member of the Unity Group.

[A large slice of Pizza is devoured.]

It's a bit of a mess though, isn't it?

[star_of_sad]

No, no. It is not a problem at all.

New perks you say. Does that mean you didn't have any, well...

[Another glance at the food graveyard.]

[a_linear_mind]

[Willis has had stranger meals.]

I don't think I've seen you around here before.

Re: 1

[a_linear_mind]

M-may Greenfield?

[Well this was a pleasant surprise.]

Yeah same here. Wow, I don't even know long it's been.

[a_linear_mind]

Food? Barely any, I was a starving merc. It was all quite tragic really.

[smileys]

Don't try to count. I'm trying not to keep tabs on my years.

But...the last time I saw you was right after that meeting in Genting Highlands.

It doesn't look like you've changed much...at least on the outside.

[She's pointing at that jacket of yours.]

[star_of_sad]

... Oh.

I'm sorry to hear that.

[a_linear_mind]

I'm kind of the spitting image of myself from back then, aren't I?

You look pretty great to me though. Even better in my opinion. I'm sure attaching a number to yourself wouldn't change that.

[a_linear_mind]

I'm just joking around Setsuko. It wasn't that bad. I just like to spoil myself sometimes.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Well, fortunately TSEN makes it easy to pay this place a visit.

[She offers Willis a hand.]

Mizuki Onodera, Sakihama base.

[star_of_sad]

Ah. I see. Ha ha...
[Awkward forced laugh.]

I honestly believed it though. Life can be really harsh and unfair sometimes.

[a_linear_mind]

Ah right, don't think I'll get used to that.

[Willis takes the hand.]

Willis Clades, resident of the Fort Alhambra base I guess.

[a_linear_mind]

It really can. I've had my own fair share of that.

[For a brief moment Willis actually looks like he's being genuine here. His usual demeanor quickly returns though.]

What's important is that you keep going, no matter what life throws at you.

[star_of_sad]

[Nod.]

That's why I'm here, with the Glory Stars. I'll keep going, no matter what. And if I falter... Chief and Lt Watson will support me.

1)

[break_the_nine]

Oh hey! You're a mercenary? Me too! We can talk shop about how to make people's lives a living hell and misery incarnate!

Except not really because I'm not that sort of guy! I'd feel terrible if I was!

[Leos is going to shuffle over to Willis and whisper conspiratorially to him.]

Are you?

[a_linear_mind]

Hey, don't forget about the rest of us.

[Somehow he's gotten to dessert throughout this conversation. His expression changes to one of pure joy as he digs into a cheesecake.]

Aaahhh how did I ever go three years without eating one of these.

Re: 1)

[a_linear_mind]

Come on, we both know that kind of mercenary is just a stereotype.

[break_the_nine]

Oh yeah! Of course! I mean if you really were that kind of Mercenary you wouldn't look like Oscar the Grouch!

[a_linear_mind]

And if you were that kind of Mercenary you wouldn't look like Ernie.

[star_of_sad]

Of... of course not! I am counting on your assistance.

[Setsuko bows lightly - but her eyes start to shine as she notices the cheesecake.]

[break_the_nine]

I know! Isn't life great? We could have a show or something!

[a_linear_mind]

We could call it Two Mercs and Friends.