Fourth Game

[break_the_nine]

[When Leos was brought back to the Star Rose after the failed attack on the Wulgaru... the state of the Huckebein he came back in was... phenomenal to say the least. Practically EVERYTHING was destroyed except for the cockpit block. EVERYTHING. It lost all its limbs, thrusters, its communications systems were fried, its controls busted, monitors either fallen apart or shorted out, its OS was completely fragged and the oxygen tank died the moment it got back.]

[But what's more he was piloting when he should have been in the off duty roster due to his issues! He hadn't even went for his first meeting with his therapist yet! What does he have to say?]

I'm sorrryyyyy! Its just that this Admiral guy wanted me to turn up... I don't know why but he said if I could make everything look good...

[Wait... was Leos only there because of just how crap a pilot he was? Was it to boost morale that even raw rookies like him would be able to take on the Wulgaru... or was it to make Team Rabbits look better? Either way though.... we all know the results.]

I know I shouldn't have been out there... but I really wanted to help! I won't let anyone talk me into something like this again! I promise!

[He ducks his head, looking painfully apologetic.]

Comments

[genericbiggerbrother]

Yancy gapes at Leos. For multiple reasons.

Then he abruptly nods. "I'll hold you to that promise, Leos. I'm trusting you to keep it."

In the meantime, Yancy sees an opportunity.

"So tell me, Leos." He says. "Why do you think that EDF admiral wanted you to do this?"

[break_the_nine]

I... dunno... because he needed more people there?

[genericbiggerbrother]

"Even though you aren't part of the EDF, and have no spaceflight training whatsoever?" Yancy asks rhetorically. "No, something's screwy about this. Why would that Admiral send you into that battle, knowing you'd most likely get shot down?"

[break_the_nine]

He... wanted me to get shot down?

[Leos sounded incredulous.]

But... that's stupid! Why would he want that?!

[genericbiggerbrother]

"I have no idea." Yancy admits. "Maybe he thought that your clumsiness would make Team Rabbit look better on television? Maybe he wanted to 'prove' to the world how dangerous the Wulgaru are in combat so that the EDF would get more funding? I don't know."

He shakes his head in disgust.

"Either way, you're completely right, Leos: what that Admiral did was just. Plain. Stupid. I hope that bastard's been busted down to a paperwork position."

[break_the_nine]

... I thought since he was in charge of Asagi, Miss Kei and Izuru he would have been a good guy. I guess I was wrong.

[Leos sighs and presses his hands to his face.]

I don't even want to know what Lana's going to say to me... she's got to be really mad.

[genericbiggerbrother]

"Don't beat yourself up over it." Yancy says, sighing. "Most of the people in the world are alright...but the rotten apples are really good at disguising themselves."

And then Leos goes on to worry about Lana's approval. Yancy pinches his nose.

"Mad about you getting shot down, or mad you didn't put advertising decals on your Huckabein?" He asks.

[break_the_nine]

The first part...

[Leos let out a tiny noise halfway between fear and relief.]

If I did the second thing she'd be out for blood for sure with how badly I got kicked around!

The enemy's gate is down, Leos!

[genericbiggerbrother]

"Speaking of which..."Yancy says, stroking his chin.

"Do you want to sign up for zero-g training? I know a guy who knows a guy."

[break_the_nine]

Yeah. Yeah I do! If I can do better than I can help Izuru and Asagi and Miss Kei and everyone next time without screwing up!

Can you? Please?

[Well Yancy, you now have to deal with the AC pilot looking at you with big sad puppydog eyes.]