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

[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.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I had a lot of things to focus on, I didn't keep track of voices.

And...I said I'd explain. If the voice of Enki, I guess, I heard in my head can be trusted Asag was there to defeat him to settle an ancient argument between Enki and Enlil. It was about whether humanity deserves to exist. If I'd run I would have been chased down by Asag at best. At worst Enlil would take it as his opposition defaulting and claiming victory.

[jianai]

Oh.

So, humanity's existence was at stake? I take it you supported the side who wishes for humankind to prevail.

I wonder who might Enlil be. That name does not sound familiar, I'm afraid.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Of course I did. I rather like being alive and for my friends and family to be so as well...I need to call people to tell them that I'm okay once we reaches your base.

And Enlil is the head of the Sumerian pantheon. Enki told me a few things, including this.

[jianai]

The Sumerian gods are real? That is a bit hard to believe, isn't it? Yet here we are.

[Said Ren, the very image of normalcy.]

What would happen if Enlil wins?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It is. And a random thing my dad tried to pawn off holds the power of one of them

And he'd try to eliminate humanity, but I don't know how. Maybe he'll try to drown us like he originally planned, but that wouldn't really work with all the space colonies, commercial flight and similar.

[jianai]

Stranger things have happened in our world... not many of them, though.

Well then, we cannot let an ancient god just try to drown the Earth, or whatever he has in store for us. Can we?

[Smile, smile.]

My name is Ren Ubuntu by the way.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

No, we can't. But if Enki was right, he'll wait for centuries before trying again. Unless he thinks it was cheating that I had help...

Anyway, I'm Alexandra de Witt.

[jianai]

It's nice to meet you, Alexandra.

If Enlil summons another monster, let's protect humanity together. Oh, by the way.

I'm not a human myself.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I thought that was obvious...I just had enough to deal with without questioning it. And I wasn't sure how to comment anyway.

And...I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'll need some time to think things through and figure out what to do. Hopefully the rubble is cleared when I go back home.

[jianai]

I am sure you can stay around the Unity Group for a while we wait for Brussels to cool down. Everyone here is really friendly and they will understand what you've been through.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Thanks...I live near the fighting. The supermarket I do my daily shopping in was in one of the buildings destroyed and I'm not sure my apartment is still standing.

[jianai]

It happens again, people are losing their homes and well-being because of all the conflicts going on.

If I can help you in any way, please just say the word.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I think I'm good for now.

But I'll probably need somebody to talk to to figure out what to do now.

[jianai]

I'm just a perfectly ordinary Unity Group pilot, but maybe you should talk to the commander in chief?

After you heat up a little, if I may suggest. You look rather cold and miserable, how about some coffee?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

A cup of coffee would be nice. And a shower afterwards, even if I don't have any clothes to change into.

[jianai]

That shouldn't be a problem.

[Ren smooths out the baggy overalls they're wearing.]

My attire isn't technically mine, either. I'm sure you can borrow a change of clothes.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That's good to hear, I'd like a change of clothes as well, even if it's just something temporary. I really wish that the attack had come with more warning so I could have done some packing.

Where is the base anyway?

[jianai]

There's one in America, another in Japan, oh - and you can visit the Star Rose, too. Isn't that convenient?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

So I get the chance for sightseeing and shopping, I see. I'll better make use of it while staying with you.

[jianai]

Oh, now that you mention it, it'd be nice to do one or the other some day, wouldn't it? I didn't even consider that.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

So what kind of place in America and Japan are the bases? Not everywhere has anything to see or buy.

[jianai]

The American base is in the middle of great wilderness. Ah, the air there is so refreshing!

I haven't been much to the Japanese one, but it's under ground, and in a city. As you can see, there's quite a variety there.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Seems like it...I guess I know what I'll do for the next few days while I sort things out, reassure people that I'm fine and such.

[jianai]

Ah! That's right, I almost forgot. Your family and friends must be really worried, Alexandra. We should contact them as fast as possible.