Signing up

[itbelongsinamuseum]

1
[An announcement is playing. It shows Alex alone trying to look in control.]

Hi everyone

I've been staying here for the last week following the attack on Brussels and I've met several of you already and I imagine the rest of you have at least heard about the battle, but I'd better introduce myself anyway.  My name is Alexandra de Witt and at the battle it turned out that I have the ability to call on the power of the Sumerian god Enki to fight monsters sent by the king of the gods Enlil...I don't think that will ever stop sounding insane. Regardless, I can summon the Sumerian god Enki as essentially a giant robot and while I think there won't be any more monsters, I still can't be sure.

I've spent the last week trying to figure out what to do about that and I have come to a decision. I will stay with you and help protect the world against alien invaders and rampaging monsters. I never thought about becoming a soldier before, but I have a powerful weapon in my hands that I can't hand over to somebody else and I can't just turn away and let others fight in that situation. So I'm officially introducing myself.

...And I'm probably also going to need to ask for your help in learning how to properly fight. I can pilot, or whatever you want to call it, Enki just fine, but I have no training in tactics or other parts of how to handle myself on the battle field.

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[Later that day Alex can be found sitting slumped against the wall a short distance down the corridor from the gym to the showers. She's wearing what looks like very new training clothes that appear to be drenched in sweat.]

...Maybe I overdid it.

Comments

1

[jianai]

[Clap clap clap.]

I'm really happy for you.

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That makes it sound like you're making fun of me.

But at least I've sorted things out enough to come to a decision.

[jianai]

I'm not! My reaction is because I found this situation to be very familiar.

What you're doing now - not too long ago, that was me in your place, right there.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

So you're happy that I've sorted things out? Or something else? I'm really not sure what you meant.

[jianai]

Yes.

You have an incredible one of a kind power in your hands, and you decided to use it to help humanity.

That's a decision worth praising.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Well, yes, you should be proud of me.

More seriously, I hope everything works out properly.

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[ugyuuya]

Well that just means you know how to watch it better next time. Now get up before you REALLY start hating life.

[Tarisa pulls Alex to her feet by her arms and starts shaking them.]

Now get your feet moving.

[After a moment Tarisa begins talking.]

I know you probably think I'm crazy but if we'd just let you sit there in a ball like that you're whole body would have seized up and you wouldn't be able to move at all. I've been meaning to catch up with you since your announcement to say thanks. We wouldn't have judged you if you'd gone back but with everything going on we welcome all the help we can get.

Re: 2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[Alex winced as she got up, standing somewhat unsteady on her feet.]

I was just resting for a bit, I was gonna make it to the shower just fine.

And, yes, it seems like the world really needs everybody. I just need to learn how first.

1

[abugslife]

You are not the first member of Unity Group who found herself in this situation, and in need of training. Fortunately, she was able to receive it from the best source.

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

And from how you say it, I imagine that source is around here, right?

[abugslife]

Yes. You are talking to it.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Not the most humble, are you?

Anyway, thanks for the offer, I know I need it. So just tell me where to start, I guess.

[abugslife]

I know where my strengths lie. One of the most important things for me as a general is to keep my soldiers alive. Training is a significant part of that.

Enki possesses the power to control water, does he not?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Right, and transmute things into other things. I believe it follows physics and chemistry to a degree, so I couldn't make a rock into a ham, but it is still quite versatile. After I study some more science, at least.

2

[caressthedarkness]

...

...Will you be alright?

Re: 2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes, I will.

[Alex pushed herself to get up again, wincing in pain as she did so and standing a bit uncertainly.]

See, I'm fine.

[caressthedarkness]

Ah...!

[Seta quickly moves to put her hands on your shoulders, Alex. She's trying to brace in case you tip over.]

You...do not look so fine.

...Um, what was it that you were doing out there?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[Alex didn't tip, but she accepted the bracing anyway.]

Working out. I guess not getting any since I stopped having PE in school was worse than I thought.

[caressthedarkness]

I did not know that this much is necessary for piloting...

[Blink.]

...What is a PE?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It probably isn't just for piloting, but I can't rely on never ending up having to escape on foot or getting attacked somewhere I can't pilot...

And PE is athletics exercises at school.

[dolorous_sensei]

Do you really need training? Your robot god looks pretty capable.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes, but I have no military experience, can't fight in even the most rudimentary way outside it and would probably fall over, gasping for breath if I had to escape on foot.

[dolorous_sensei]

In these day and age, if you're involved in a giant robot battle, and then have to continue fight outside of it, you're as good as dead anyway.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I'd still like to be able to run away should something happen.

[dolorous_sensei]

Well, you can join my team training. We're pretty good at running away when something happen.