sapphire_sniper | [Video] Fourth Target

[Video] Fourth Target

[Scary is a new look for Michael, but he wears it well- those eyes can manage murderous... better than flirtatious, even.

And he hasn't smiled in at least... five whole seconds. And counting.]

It seems the Third Party has been replaced by a rogue Zentradi force, judging by the fact that they need a singer in there more than another soldier.

[Still not smiling, instead he sighs, causing his entire body to sag like a stuffed animal with half the stuffing removed.]

I need someone I can trust among those being sent into combat.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This sort of look is completely alien to Daisy. Even after the last shift... She used to see Michael completely calm about it. But she remembers, the thought of battle can tense anyone.

SPARTAN-023 answers, in her tone of awaiting orders.]

Sir.

[He still looks sour. And that tone goes clear over his head right now... maybe if he were thinking more clearly.]

Yeah Daisy?

[It puzzles Daisy-023 why wouldn't Michael recognize it. But because of that confident tone he gave in the aftermath of that event, she's willing to give him that confidence.]

You asked for someone you could trust.

[To watch someone over, Daisy mentally completes, but still unsure if he would trust her enough for that. Spartans were always meant to think on the offensive, but there were too many unexperienced combatants to forsake them.]

[Good. At least they've picked a few people who know their way around a battlefield.]

That I did. Someone very important to me is going to be out there, and by no means is she a soldier. I need someone to make sure she stays safe out there.

[A pause.]

This will sound strange, but I'm thinking of taking a defensive role for this battle. Some people here aren't even familiar with rainforests, and I want to see how much can I do for those staying behind.

[She knows what this is like.]

If she's a civvie, it won't hinder me a lot.

She's... been on battlefields before- flown in to sing, to be specific.

And... there should be another friend of mine watching out for her- Giles. He's good with defensive magic, but not quite recovered from another of the Malnosso's little games.

[Good. At least more people will be helping her... Too many lives to watch over.]

If she's been there, she'll know what happens there. But we'll do what we can, sir.

[The images of the Pelican return to her. She will not allow it to happen again.]

...I won't be as much help as I was [back at the Third Floor] in the past, but...do I qualify, Michael?

...because I'm assuming that you're referring to Ranka, unless there's some other singer on the roster that I don't know about. [And, thanks to the last experiment, he knows most of the musically inclined people in the village.]

Nail on the head, Giles. Think you could keep an eye out for her out there?

Ears more than eyes, probably.

...the Malnosso saw fit to put me on the list before they'd let their work on my eyes entirely heal. But I can make out her shape, if she's anywhere nearby, and that's all I'll need. Especially for a protection spell.

I'll watch out for her.

[Oh, that just irks him more. Two people he cares about, one has only ever been in combat situations to sing, the other can't see for crap, and here he is, eagle-eyed and combat trained, sitting on the sidelines.]

Thanks. Don't go getting yourself killed out there either though, you got that?

I have no intentions of letting either of us get killed, Michael.

[You should have seen him three weeks ago, Michael. Giles is actually quite pleased with the improvement he's made.]

Well, I've got someone else who's offered to watch over her too. Daisy's an experienced soldier, so the three of you should be fine.

Daisy. I look forward to fighting with her.

...the three of us will be fine, Michael. The draftees will be fine.

I'm sure you will be.

[Filter turned on from here. He's going to make an attempt at opening up a bit more... and this seems like a good time, and you a pretty good person for it Giles.]

Sitting idle has never sat well with me. Particularly in situations like this.

[He tries his best, Michael.]

I can't imagine it would. Especially not in these circumstances.

Be that as it may, driving yourself up a wall won't do you or Ranka any good.

She's holding up remarkably well, from what admittedly little I've heard, and I think the best thing you can do for her is to keep up a brave face until she leaves.

[That... helps a lot actually. He looks and sounds a lot more in control.]

You make a good point... And I know she'll be careful, and that everyone out there will do their best to watch each other's backs.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

You'll have your turn again, Michael. For now, you'll just need to trust us.

[somewhere out there Ranka is making this face at this post]

[Feel free to come find him, he might need some moe therapy right now.]

[She will, if after a few hours, lingering in the doorway and knocking rather than just walking in.]

Ranka... hey

[Mister always cool-and-in-control here is clearly worried half to death.]

I don't suppose Major Lee ever took it upon himself to teach you some self-defense, did he?

[FFF EVEN THE THOUGHT. She shakes her head, sticking to her doorframe.]

No, he didn't.

Well, then we should at least go to the battle dome for a while after dinner. I'll run you through basic firearms safety, and maybe you can get some target practice in.

[He's trying to put on a brave face... but it's actually not working all that well for once.]

[ffffff. she looks kind of alarmed at the thought, but she nods.]

...okay.

I don't think they care about who they send at all... I mean, I know they've sent little kids before too.

So I've noticed. One would think that if this war with the Third Party is as important as they make it out to be, the Malnosso would take it a bit more seriously.

Maybe they're just sending anyone they can, but then why wouldn't they send the people who actually know how to fight? It doesn't make sense.

The worst of it is that I actually spoke to this "Commandant" about volunteering. Not even an option.

They won't let you turn it down, either... I tried once and they sent droids to my house to drag me there anyway.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video] Fourth Target

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

Re: [Video]

[Video]

Re: [Video]

[Video]

Re: [Video]

[Video]

Re: [Video]

[Video]

Re: [Video]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[Voice]

Re: [Voice]

[Voice]

[Voice]

[Voice]