A Frightening Friend's Return

[broken_frightener]

[In the aftermath of the Wulgaru attack a familiar face makes a return... at least for a while. Leos and his team - not just the two that accompanied him but a number of other pilots as well were taking some time off at a Unity Group base.]

Well... I'm glad not much changed. Like I said to everyone out there.... its good to see you all again.

[There's something odd about Leos as well. For one he doesn't seem as energetic as he was before, and his voice was significantly more calmer too.]



"So this is the Unity Group huh? Can't say I'm impressed."

Boyle. Do shut up. Remille. Keep your brother from talking too much please.



"Understood Commander Klein."

[Boyle simply grumbles and folds his arms while the rest of the Frighteners chuckle at his expense.]

So. About that Pudding.

Comments

[broken_frightener]

Sort of. People in ESUN offered me work. And then a team of my own. I figured I may as well make the best of it.

[Leos toyed with the pudding cup for a while before opening it.]

How are Mizuki and Dido doing?

[tiger_ken]

They're doing... okay. We're working through some things right now, so...

[Ken shrugs.]

Seems a bit strange to run away from an ESUN facility, to go and work for a different part of it. What is it you do?

[broken_frightener]

Well if there's any problems I know you three can get through it.

[Leos' smile remains unbroken.]

And it is a little strange isn't it? Funny how life works out. We mostly deal with threats as quickly as possible. Drop in from orbit and wipe them out before they cause any trouble. Terrorists and the like mostly but we helped out with the Kijin a little too.

We're peacekeepers. Even if some of us are a bit too enthusiastic to keep the peace.

[tiger_ken]

Peacekeepers, huh...

[Ken casts a wary glance.]

And you weren't keeping the peace with Unity Group? Or is it a 'distance' thing?

[As in, distancing from the bad memories...]

[broken_frightener]

It was something like that.

[There's a near imperceptible twitch near his lips as if his expression tried to change but decided otherwise. Still... there seems to be an air of melancholy around him.]

But you know Ken... putting all your eggs in one basket and leaving the protection of the world in the hands of one group is a bit risky isn't it?

Its why we have so many different groups right? Me leaving didn't hurt UG much and you've all got another ally.

[tiger_ken]

At the same time, fighting separately has only done so much for twenty years - which is why Unity Group came together in the first place.

Though from what I understand, your timely arrival was... appreciated.

[broken_frightener]

Maybe, but at the same time the Unity Group can't be everywhere at once.

And... I guess it was. Everyone there was doing pretty well though.

[tiger_ken]

...Then one last question. If you were working for the ESUN, why didn't you try to get in contact? If not for the attack, we'd have no idea you were even still alive.

[broken_frightener]

I was... preoccupied. It isn't exactly easy running a team, and the first few days were tricky.

[Something about how Leos said it felt inexplicably odd to Ken.]

[tiger_ken]

Maybe, but unless you only just got this team, that should've left you some spare time. And the fact that your subordinates look up to you so... fervently, makes it sound like you've all gotten familiar.

[broken_frightener]

Well Ken... you'd be surprised how little spare time ESUN likes to give me. Not everybody has as much freedom of operation like you guys.

[tiger_ken]

...Exactly how little? Surely they let you sleep at least?

[broken_frightener]

We sleep enough. Its fine though... we've all got a slight advantage.

[The way he said it... and the somewhat erratic behavior of the others. Surely he didn't mean... they can't ALL be Human PLUS subjects...can they?]

[tiger_ken]

An 'advantage' is not an absolute. You can't be shipped off to fight every day and expect to stay in reasonable shape, physically or...

[He catches the word before it slips from his tongue.]

[broken_frightener]

[The Frighteners bristle at the unspoken word, Boyle especially. He doesn't like the fact that Ken may have went and almost called Leos insane and took several steps forward before Leos held up a hand to keep him from going further.]

Boyle. Shush. No talking. No saying a word. And no trying to beat up Ken either. He's just making a point.

[There's a soft chuckle as he mulled over the ninja's words.]

Or mentally was what you were about to say... right Ken?

You're worried about me getting worse. But its alright... we're used to it. You're right. Maybe I should have been able to send a message in whatever miniscule amount of spare time my team gets.

Its a little useless to say right now honestly, but I'm sorry about that.

[tiger_ken]

That's... okay. What's not... is you being 'used to it'. I don't care how much any of you are made of metal beneath the surface, everybody has limits, and their rights. Otherwise its little better than the way Russia treated Battalion Zhar, as weapons instead of people.

[broken_frightener]

There's a lot that isn't right with the world Ken. But we can handle it.

[tiger_ken]

...The words of addicts and the abused...

[Ken thinks, but says nothing.]

Well... wherever you go after this... try to keep in contact. That way I can send some pudding at least.