Through the heart

[jianai]

[1 - locked to Argos Flight]
[Immediately after the mission ends, someone is checking on VG's downed TSF.

VG himself can see a weird person appearing in the entrance to the cockpit, looking at him with a concerned expression.]

Are you wounded? I know you didn't die, but it'd be a shame if you were hurt because of me.

[2]
[Later, back at Unity Group Bases, someone is making a video introduction.

That someone is an individual with horns and an unchanging smile on their face. Ren switched the old robe to standard, baggy technician overalls. The reason for that is simple: the robe had a gunshot hole at the heart, and was stained with blood - Ren's blood.]

Hello, my name is Ren Ubuntu. I am really grateful for saving those ESUN soldiers. Let me explain. Hmm, where should I start? Ah yes. These...

[Poke at the horns.]

They are real. No, I am not a demon or anything supernatural like that. I am an artificial human-like being, birthed from a cloning pod. I'm afraid that my kin, beings similar to me, are after me. They want to, well, kill me and eat my flesh. I am not too concerned for my own safety, but they started to target people around me as collateral.

So I'm turning to you for help. I know Unity Group is powerful and can defend itself against my kin, and your Commander-in-chief agreed to grant me asylum, at least for a little while. I have a little bit of skills I learnt here and there, so don't worry, I won't be a freeloader. If there is a way I can help you with anything, I will.

This introduction feels... impersonal, but I'll gladly talk to everyone in person. I'd like to get to know all of you better.

I'm sure you are all wonderful people.

[The transmission ends there, but Ren is easy to find in person. They don't exactly blend in with the crowd.]

[3]
Several people have died that night. So many more could've perished, but even that few make me sad. It's a tragedy.

[Ren found the memorial, and puts a lit candle in front of it.]

I know most of them were not members of Unity Group, but I hope it's alright if I remember them this way.

Comments

[jianai]

In this case they would know as I just told you.

But...

[Ren's smile fades a little.]

It seems Unity Group has been through some hard times.

[majestic_keiki]

Recently it has...Several people died, some vanished and one got trapped in another world.

[jianai]

It was a recent thing? So the wounds are still fresh... I'm sorry. It must have been hard for you.

[majestic_keiki]

You do know how that sounds when you're smiling all the time, right?

One of my friends died a few weeks ago.

[jianai]

I... know. It's just... an unusual part of who I am. It is the same as my horns.

[Ren shuffles awkwardly.]

But I'm not taking any joy from suffering of others. Every single person is like a universe, full of hopes, dreams, fears and memories. Even a single death, of a human being I never knew, means the death of an entire universe. It's a tragedy.

[majestic_keiki]

Yeah...And all of these deaths hurt others a lot too. Each had people they were close to who were traumatized by them. At least as far as I know.

[jianai]

Connections you have with others make it very painful when bad things happen to them. But they're also important and beautiful. They make you human.

The connections, I mean, not the suffering.

Hmm...

We weren't introduced. My name is Ren Ubuntu, what is yours?

[majestic_keiki]

I didn't say I wanted everybody to just be alone.

And you're right. I'm Kei Kugimiya.

[jianai]

Indeed you didn't. I just wanted to say that what is humanity's greatest curse is also a blessing.

But, I think that's enough of that from me. You are probably fed up with people telling you to feel happy when you are sad. Could you tell me about your friend, Kei?

If you don't mind talking about it.

[majestic_keiki]

I'm not sure what to say...It's Kanade Amou, the idol. I guess you've already heard the well known stuff about who she is. And, well, not sure how much I want to talk about it with a stranger.

[jianai]

I was in America at the time but yes, I learnt of what happened. Such a skilled singer, and a good friend no doubt...

[Ren stops mid-sentence, realizing Kei is not comfortable talking about this.]

That's alright. Every topic of my life is free for discussion, but I understand boundaries of others. I won't impose on them.

[majestic_keiki]

[There was a bit of a sense of relief at that last statement. Still quite a bit of quietness, shuffling and generally standing around uselessly.]

[jianai]

[Okay, this is awkward.]

Kei, could you tell me...

Is there anything around I can help with? I have some experience with a wide variety of occupations, and I do not want to sit around and do nothing while others fight so hard.

[majestic_keiki]

I'm not sure...I'm generally busy with training, missions or other duties. But they might need more mechanics, units around here often get damaged.

[jianai]

Fixing machines? That's one thing I never did... though you never know if you are good at it, until you try.

So you are a pilot? How does a life of a Unity Group pilot look like? Except for the classified parts, of course.

[majestic_keiki]

Busy...There aren't a lot of us and we get called to missions all the time. And some of us are under ESUN command as well and they seem eager to use their people for morale boosting.

[jianai]

Morale boosting? That sounds like a strange activity for a combat pilot.

Would you like some coffee?

[majestic_keiki]

Ah, yes please.

And don't remind me. They've already had me shake hands in a skimpy nurse outfit and do cheerleading. At this rate they're probably going to try to put me in a skimpy swimsuit or something.

[jianai]

[Ren lifts a thermos.]

I don't have any money on myself... or material possessions for that matter. I'm really glad I managed to get this for free. Though I think we should drink elsewhere.

That's still rather strange. Don't you think a big organisation would have dedicated people to do something like that? When the time comes and they call for your "morale boosting" services, perhaps I should switch places for a little while?

[majestic_keiki]

I don't think that works...They're choosing me because my team got famous defending Nora Colony. I doubt they'll accept substitutes.

[jianai]

[Ren spots some chairs and tables places a distance away, and beckons for Kei to follow.]

Ah. I have no intention of becoming famous, so that may be a problem.

Also, that was a joke. I don't think I'd make a good body double for anyone else in Unity Group.

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei obviously followed Ren to take a seat at the table as well.]

I'll just have to tell them to shove it the next time they ask, really.

[jianai]

It makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it? You're obviously unhappy that they force you to do it.

[majestic_keiki]

Wouldn't you? It's not like they're even trying to build morale in a respectful way.

[jianai]

No, no, I agree. You have every right to feel bad about it.

[Ren pours some coffee into a cup and hands it over.]

Which is why it's morally wrong to force you to do something like that. Is there someone you can go to, tell them that you'd rather not to, anymore?