In the name of...

[jianai]

[1]
[The conversation from a few days' back assured Ren into making this decision.

Here they stand, wearing a pilot suit sans helmet - two obvious reasons get in the way of wearing one.]

Hello again. I was taken to your leaders and just a few moments ago it was made official. Starting from now on, I am Unity Group's newest pilot.

[Salute.]

I can't just sit back and wait while everyone is risking their lives. I'll help too! I had some experience piloting mobile suits already, but it seems it's time to add "combat pilot" to the list of things I've done during my life. Also, well.

I love everyone.

But I understand that sometimes, there is no other option than to hurt someone to save someone. I won't hesitate.

[2]

Well then, which one of those would suit me~?

[Ren is checking out Unity Group's hangars, trying to find a unit for themselves. They act more like they're picking up groceries though.]

I must say, the selection is quite amazing! You have some really rare suits... I think. I'm not much of an expert. But some of them don't even look that much used.

Comments

[jianai]

When I spoke to Unity Group's commander in chief, he seemed like a reasonable person. Maybe you could talk to him? Ask him to put pressure and replace the vice admiral with someone a little bit more competent?

[majestic_keiki]

...The vice-admiral outranks him quite a bit. And in any case, me and the rest of my team are here as a joint project, final authority over us is still outside Unity Group.

[jianai]

What a complicated situation...

Since we cannot do much to change it, we may at least try to minimize effects of bad decisions.

[majestic_keiki]

Yes...How did that man ever get a promotion? He isn't even charming in his incompetence.

[jianai]

I do not know him personally. Perhaps there are some sorts of inner talents that he possesses which are not immediately obvious?

Or perhaps, well. There must be a reason why he received his position, but that reason may not always be something that makes you happy to hear of.

[majestic_keiki]

I suppose...Not sure I want to know either way.

[jianai]

Some things are just beyond our ability to reach and influence.

I'm repeating myself on this matter, aren't I?

[majestic_keiki]

Yes.

But so am I, I think.

[jianai]

A new topic for conversation then, so that we break the vicious circle.

What was your life at the academy like? You mentioned something about a team, that must be the other Majestic Princes?

[majestic_keiki]

That's just a nickname the press made up from the term MJP. Officially we're Team Rabbits of the MJP program. And the academy was pretty much how you'd expect a military academy. It's a boarding school with lots of instruction in combat tactics, larger strategic maneuvers, armed and unarmed combat, mecha piloting and so on.

[jianai]

Did you study mostly tactics and other forms of warfare?

[majestic_keiki]

It was a comprehensive military education, but probably with a bias towards mecha piloting.

[jianai]

Aha.

You can probably guess why I asked. I wanted to know if you learnt ordinary school things too, or just strictly military ones.

[majestic_keiki]

Mostly military ones, there was only so much time, but we did learn history, math, science and so on too.

[jianai]

I see. This calms my worries, actually.

[majestic_keiki]

I'm not sure we could be decent soldiers without knowing basic physics or math. And history helps explain why we're fighting.

[jianai]

It's not just about being a soldier. It may be a naive wish, but I want everyone to have a future outside of fighting.

[majestic_keiki]

I was just thinking about the logic of the ones choosing what we learn.

[jianai]

Oh. I got a bit ahead of myself, didn't I?

Whatever the case may be, if I may say so - you are a sharp and responsible young woman, Kei. People who raised you should be proud of themselves. And of you.

[majestic_keiki]

I guess. I wouldn't really know.

[jianai]

Oh? What do you mean?

[majestic_keiki]

It'll probably come up again until I say it...

All the students of the MJP program are clones created for space exploration, but turned to military purposes after the Wulgaru attacked. We were raised in foster care until we turned 12, then we were taken to the academy, had our memories wiped and were trained to be soldiers. I literally don't know anything about the people who raised me.

[jianai]

[Hearing this, Ren just freezes for a few seconds.]

But... memories are some of the most precious things you can have.

I don't think I like that.

[majestic_keiki]

I know. The military doesn't care about us, except as a way to defeat the aliens. It's important, but still.

[jianai]

I see.

That explains pretty much everything, doesn't it?

[What a vague statement.]