(no subject)

[pain_train]

Who: Wrath
Broadcast: Video broadcast to the fleet
Action: On the Iskaulit, near Wrath's mural, or later on the Windrose
When: May 30

[Wrath's just finished another part of her mural; it's visible behind her, the rolling fields and the starscape blending together somehow. For those her know her, she seems a bit more sober than normal, more thoughtful, pink hair and all. But this is something she's been thinking about for a while, as she's begun to unwind and consider things in a nominally safer environment.]

Hi everyone. This is lieutenant Wrath, of the Windrose. And...

I think there are a lot of people around like me. Soldiers and former soldiers, I mean. Active duty or discharged with honors or turfed out on medical, it doesn't matter. We were all soldiers and... we still are, maybe, because it's not something that just goes away with the uniform.

I think it would be good for us to talk some time. Just casual stuff. Maybe meet up on the Iskaulit for beer or coffee or hot chocolate for people who can't have alcohol or caffeine. [Like her.] Because... there are things about our lives that no one but us, but people like us, can really understand. And it's important to have someone who understands you, and what it's like to be in the shit, and what it's like to have your squad at your back.

Also, I just finished this phase of my mural, and I think next I want to do something that's for... us. Because we have people we should remember, and things we shouldn't forget. So I'm going to start working on the concept sketches for the next big panel, and I'd like to hear feedback and ideas from my fellow soldiers.

And everyone else, this doesn't mean that you're less special, or the rest of the mural is any less for you, or you're not allowed. I still care about all of you, too.

[But. It's not the same. She's not really sure how to put it, though, so she gives the camera a firm nod, and ends the video.]

Comments

video;

[bloodbiter]

[a pause of a few moments, and a slightly sad smile.]

I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.

video;

[pain_train]

Thanks.

...who are you?

[Her tone's not unkind. She's just very direct about things.]

video;

[bloodbiter]

My name is Adelina, I'm assigned to security on the Huntress. It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Wrath.

video;

[pain_train]

Nice to meet you, Adelina. I'm on security assignment as well, but on of my crewmen also has security so he takes on a lot of the duties. [The ones she shouldn't do since her back is messed up, and then some.]

I was a lieutenant in the mobile infantry division of my city's army. What was your assignment before this?

[Video]

[wolvenmemory]

Nice painting.

[His uncovered eye drifts over to her mural for a moment before turning back to her.]

So, mercenaries count?

[He knows sometimes they don't, depending on who you'd bother talking to. What with their nature of being soldiers for hire, and lacking the sort of national loyalty army-types often espouse and fight to the death for. He knows it. But doesn't mind it particularly.]

[Video]

[pain_train]

Of course mercenaries count. You're loyal to your brother soldiers, right?

[Video]

[wolvenmemory]

[He half-smiles at that, though it's slight.] Against my better judgement sometimes. Never know what side you're going to end up on later, after the job's over. [Though it was hard not to get attached to those you worked with, though he's loathe to admit it.]

text.

[astrobleme]

That mural is really beautiful. Especially the stars.

[... if there's something he wants to say about soldiers, he can't find the words.]

text.

[pain_train]

thanks the stars are where i started because that part was for the aliens that were on the iskaulit before we had it since they deserve to be remembered too

text.

[astrobleme]

There were aliens on the Iskaulit?

[...]

What happened to them?

video;

[theroadcop]

[Oh, excellent.

Thanks to some augment malfunctions, Max is not only young, but he's actually a vocal, social person who is more than willing to comment on the network. Bless his heart. The young fella gives the feed a little smile at the mural. Things like this feel less and less common back home, so it's... something.]

That's a great idea. I'm just a cop, and a newer one at that, but it's hard to forget the ones that came before me that didn't make it through the years. Or the boys back home who cover your back. So... guess I can understand that sentiment.

... Don't have active soldiers anymore, though. The wars've already warred.

Re: video;

[pain_train]

I think... being a police officer might be similar, depending on how your city runs things. For a long time in Proles, the military was also in charge of administering justice. There's something about being in situations like that. About having squadmates.

[A wry quirk of the lips.] There are always more wars.

video;

[theroadcop]

Not if there aren't anymore people left for war, right?

[BUT THAT'S TOO BLEAK, he's not one to stay too bleak]

There are police officers; that's about it, now. And they're woefully over-worked, s'far as I know. They made my branch specifically to fight all the bike gangs and criminal road-ragers on the highways. What's left of the highways, anyway.

text; encrypted

[forcesensitive]

[It's not that the others on his ship don't know he's been a soldier - he offers that up readily enough if anyone asks - but for some reason he feels easier talking about it in text to someone he's only barely met.]

hey wrath its finn id really like to meet up and talk to other people some times about being a soldier theres a lot thats the same even though theres a lot thats different too i was a soldier for a long time and i still am even though there's not an army or a war or a co or anything its weird how do people know what to do all the time

text; encrypted

[pain_train]

okay finn i'm gonna try to see if i can get a group going or something if enough people are interested because i think it is a good idea to talk like i totally understand the feeling of not knowing what to do because there isn't a mission here and everything is weird and civilians don't make any sense i think it would be good for you to meet winter and tenno at least if i can get them on board they're both kinda shy but they get it we're all in the same troop carrier here

text; encrypted

[forcesensitive]

yeah its probably different for people who are only part time military or who remember what life was like before but i dont ive been a soldier all my life its not that im shy but i dont talk about it because

[There's a long pause before he sends a continuation of that.]

well lets say there are things im not proud of

text; anonymous

[mortalcoil]

[he stares at the screen for a long time, even before he goes through the process of making sure his response will be anonymous. so, when the sloppy text does come through, it's a little delayed.]

what counts as a soldier ?

text; anonymous

[pain_train]

normally it means having been in the organized military of some political or financial entity but i don't think this is something to be exclusionary about like i think honorable mercenaries are soldiers so i guess it's more do you think you are a soldier was it your job to be in combat

text; anonymous

[mortalcoil]

yes

video;

[stefanged]

That sounds like a great idea, Wrath. I figure you'll want to meet in one of the bars, but if not... you're always welcome to use the Center.

There's plenty of hot chocolate and tea, and those who want beer can always bring it in themselves.

video;

[pain_train]

...what's the Center?

Oh, that might be good... hot chocolate and tea are relaxing.

video;

[stefanged]

Oh, the Interfaith Center. We're right by the meditation room.

I know it's rightfully associated with faith, and I'm not exactly a soldier, but if there's anything I can do to help... [He shrugs.] You've got it.

text;

[huaaaaagh]

[this is very, very much against his better judgment, but.]

is someone considered as a soldier if they were only recruited for a short time?

text;

[pain_train]

do you consider yourself to be a soldier?

text;

[huaaaaagh]

[.....

haaaaaa hahahaha]

guess I never gave it much thought.

some professionals back home would say yes, if that counts.

[those delightful counselors and educational recruiters who tossed all the death-game kids into one school to watch the ticking time bombs go off? yeah, they'd call him that, and worse.]