Falling into the cockpit

[itbelongsinamuseum]

1
[Following the attack on Brussels, Alex had followed the Unity Group people back to their base. Not like the city was terribly livable at the time and if anybody could help her make sense of things it was the people whose job was dealing with these issues. The awful weather in Brussels during the mission was still clear as she was sitting in the transports back to base, showing themselves as wet, matted hair and positively soaked clothes.]

I should explain...Anything you want to know?

2
[In the hours following the return a new girl could be found trying to find her way around base. She seemed faintly uncertain and rather preoccupied with something.]

Is there a shower I can borrow somewhere?

Comments

1

[jianai]

Hello.

[A strange, dark skinned, horned individual waves in a friendly fashion.]

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Wait what?

[Because clearly horned people are far more shocking than suddenly summoning Sumerian gods as mecha.]

[jianai]

I wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. Not many people would have courage and determination to fight that... thing on such a short notice.

Oh, don't you recognize me? I was the genoace pilot out there.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I didn't get to see any of you.

And I didn't have much choice, Enki was going to be summoned regardless of what I did and Asag wasn't going to leave me alone.

[jianai]

That's true, but a lot of people would try to flee instead. There'd be nothing at risk that was precious to them except their own lives, so I wouldn't blame them for trying to preserve it.

And no, of course you did't see me. I mean, not to sound self centered but my appearance is rather... striking. I wondered did you remember my voice though.

2

[brought_it_back]

...Do you need one for some reason?

[Nevermind that Alex clearly has horribly tangled and damp hair.]

Re: 2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes. Fear makes you sweaty. And even if it didn't, I was still out in a storm.

Re: 2

[brought_it_back]

I see.

Down the hall, to the left. It's one of the cleaner ones.

Re: 2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

One of the cleaner ones? Aren't they all clean?

Re: 2

[brought_it_back]

You've...

...never shared a shower before, have you...

1

[a_louse]

Perhaps we should start with introductions? I am Roger Smith, a negotiator. I am sure you noticed my Megadeus, Big O, during the battle; it is rather hard to miss.

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I am Alexandra de Witt. I'm just an archeology student who got caught up in something weird.

And it is definitely hard to miss it.

[a_louse]

How did a student get her hands on a medallion that lets her summon an ancient Sumerian god?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It was a gift from my dad. He'd bought it from some shady guy to sell to a collector, then the guy appraising it said it was a forgery so he gave it to me. I kept it as a keepsake, because even if it's fake it's kinda cool. I have no idea about it's history before that.

[a_louse]

And you've never encountered any ominous people or events of Sumerian nature before?

Hmm...

Where is Enki right now?

1

[keep_your_dignity]

[As you speak, the large power armor that was stopped nearby when Alexandra comes out of the transporter suddenly speaks]

GOOD. THEN START EXPLAINING. TO START WITH, ARE THOSE ACTUAL SUMERIAN GODS OR UNITS NAMED AFTER THEM.

[The voice is flat and robotic, and the armor is plastered with insignias of the wellknown shady and suspicious organization Graveyard, so not exactly confidence-inducing, either]

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[Alex came to an immediate halt as the big, intimidating robot called out to her like that. She didn't look terribly comfortable with the whole situation.]

Who are you?

...And I'm pretty sure they're actual Sumerian gods.

[keep_your_dignity]

MAJOR KAGURA. EXECUTOR FROM GRAVEYARD.

AND THEN I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN SOME OF OUR PERSONNEL WILL WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU AT SOME LENGTH AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. YOU COULD SAY GRAVEYARD IS PROFESSIONALLY INTERESTED IN MATTERS LIKE THIS.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I see...I'll make sure to tell them properly. But unless the voice that showed up in my head before the robot was summoned lied, and I'm not sure I should trust voices in my head, it's an ancient game between Enki and Enlil for the fate of humanity.

[keep_your_dignity]

A GAME. WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED. A BULLET BETWEEN THE EYES IS MORE LIKE WHAT ALL THESE GODS DESERVE.

ANYWAY, I'M SURE THE LABCOATS WILL FIND A LOT OF INTEREST TO ASK YOU. DON'T WORRY, WHATEVER TV SAYS WE DON'T KIDNAP PEOPLE UNLESS IT'S STRICTLY NECESSARY. [...it's very hard to know if that's a joke or not. Faceless frame and all.]

1

[empress_without_a_throne]

Anything you can fill us in on would be appreciated, yes.

[Okay, Mizuki's not a red-skinned horned being like Ren, but she still looks unnatural with those ears... and another flashy ornamental gown on since the DuskBird's still getting repaired.]

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[Alex paused for a bit, nodding in agreement. She was pretty tired, after all.]

Right. I'm Alexandra de Witt, an archeology student. This pendant, [she gestured towards the alabaster snake double-helix she wore around her neck], is an investment my dad bought for reselling when he was a kid and after learning it was a forgery he gave it to me.

It wasn't. If the voice I heard during the battle is to be trusted, it holds the power of the Sumerian god Enki for his champion to use against the champion of the god Enlil. Whoever wins decides the fate of humanity, if Enki's champion does humanity lives, if Enlil's does he'll try to eradicate humanity. I think that monster, Asag, was Enlil's champion.

[She sighed, pausing for a bit.]

It's just weird...The day started normally too.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Well... the saving grace is this sounds like a conflict that's been resolved for us almost as soon as it started.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Right. I hope that's true, I'd prefer living without getting hunted by giant monsters like that. Once was plenty.

[empress_without_a_throne]

I know what you mean. Admittedly there's a giant monster living at one of the bases, but he's pretty much just a big, harmless plant-dog.

I know that sounds crazy, but it's the best way to describe him.