The retry

[srwu_npc]

[1]
"Good job, Unity Group. The Lady's Good Men have been defeated without civilian casualties. We have captured a number of enemy pilots and intelligence, and analysis of discoveries made is underway."

"The noose is tightening around their necks."

Do you have anything to say to Major Ingram before the transmission ends?

[2]

"Hey."

Look who's there. This time though, Apollonius "Loni" Gavin looks a bit apologetic.

"After what happened, me and Desta talked a bit and he's got something to say now."


"..."


"Come on man, just say it."


"I'm not... going to do something like that again."


"See? Desta's sorry for what happened. What happened with that hostage taking guy - it was fucked up."

"It's not my intention to start shit or anything, and I know there's some bad blood here. Soo... let's try everything from the start, like we don't know each other. Okay?"

[3]


"Tch. I got distracted for a second and ShotSaber's all busted. Top notch mecha my ass..."


"That man... I made a mistake and let him go. He was an enemy..."


"What happened out there? Was that the true power of friendship, or something like that? Why don't I have that kind of power, is something missing?"

It seems each individual member of Loni's team is busy angsting over something. Confront one or more of them, maybe?

Comments

[sang_av_helten]

You demand to speak to me face to face when you have not even proven yourselves to me? Very well! I shall allow you this privilege, if only you are able to redeem yourselves in your next showing in the battlefield!

HAH!

[There's a blur from up above along the gantries, skidding and sliding down several containers, limbs and wires before landing on its feet solidly in front of Loni's crew. On all FOUR of its feet.]

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Skald Skogkattson! Of the line of the Chariot Bearers of Freya! Whose mighty ancestors plied the seas and snow alongside mighty warriors and faced perils innumerable!

I am unsurprised if you are intimidated by my mighty appearance!

[Skald puffs up, making his fur all poofy. He doesn't really care that he only just barely comes up to Loni's knee.]

[srwu_npc]

You get a speechless while as a response. It takes some time before anyone says anything.


"... A talking cat...?"


"You must be shitting me."

[sang_av_helten]

...I admittedly expected much more surprised reactions. Bah, no matter.

Yes! I am a talking cat! But not just that, I am also a pilot of skill!

[srwu_npc]

"You're kidding me. I can barely buy talking cats... is this a prank?"

Loni looks around before shrugging.

"Okay, I buy it. But a pilot? Really?"

[sang_av_helten]

You doubt my word? ... Ah of course, you merely think me to be some common housepet that lies across the laps of its owners and is simply happy to be pampered.

[He sounds a little annoyed by the thought but shrugs it off with some rationalization. Just barely. His claws are still out and almost hoping for a chance to lash out at someone's leg.]

If you do not believe me, then why not join me in a round of simulated combat or utilize a pair of the machines in the hangar for the purposes of a spar? Then I shall prove you wrong in your beliefs that I am simply nothing more than an oddity but am in fact a true warrior!

[srwu_npc]

"Is that a challenge? What is this, some kind of a fairy ta..."


"Challenge accepted."


"... Huh? Ilinka?"


"I'll fight you in simulated battle. Is that acceptable?"

[sang_av_helten]

Indeed! We shall see if you can measure up to the standards that I have seen so far and see what you can learn. Be warned however that you face a most fearsome foe in me!

[And with that Skald struts off to prepare for the simulated battle. Surely this will end in the way everyone expects it to right?]

[srwu_npc]

Of course it will.

After the battle...


"..."

"You are rather good."

[sang_av_helten]

And you are quite skilled yourself. Admittedly I was not at my best... these controls in the simulator were not adapted for my usage. A handicap you could say.

[srwu_npc]

"Is it because you're a cat?"


"How can a cat even pilot anything? You can't reach controls!"

[sang_av_helten]

Yes it is because I am a cat.

[At this Skald turns to give Loni an irritated look.]

And I wonder if you would be yelling that out the entire time if you fought against the Cat Liberation Army of the World which I was once a part of.

[srwu_npc]

"There's more than one of you? This is too much! What kind of crazy world we live in?"