"Hmph."<br/><br/>Canaan couldn't believe he just heard that.<span style="font-style: italic">Was it worth it?</span>Did that question even need to be asked? What separates them from those children bastards are their humanity. If they discard that, then they would be no different from those heartless monstrosities. Still, Canaan knew that his military career was nothing compared to majority of those in this ship. Short as it may be, it was also dangerously enlightening. Decisions like these were not really something he had to deal with on an everyday basis and he knew that some of the others are just looking at the bigger picture. Yeah, look hard, they have all the reason they need to do so. At least don't get so lost in it and start forgetting the little things that actually matter. If they can't save a single life, human or not, then they don't qualify to be humanity's last hope, savior, or whatever the hell they are right now.<br/><br/>"If it's decided, I'll be in the hangar tuning Anubis for the next mission."<br/><br/>Ignoring the<span style="font-style: italic">"I don't need tuning."</span>from Annie inside his head, Canaan excused himself from the group. Had Angela not said anything, he doubted he would have been able to keep his cool and started arguing. That was the last thing they need in their group right now, infighting. As he made his way out of that stifling meeting, Canaan's thoughts began to wander. Battle fatigue was starting to get to majority of the Elyandra's crew. Even the Captain wanted to turn around and give those children a taste of their own medicine. One way or the other, people are getting tired of running. Just how long would they have to keep this up? How many more comrades in arms would have to fall before this ends? Does he have the strength to see things through to the end? Will he even make it there? The answers to his questions were in the dark. Nothing mattered at this point but the next mission. He had to focus.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Are you alright Canaan? The balance of your emotional state shifted."</span><br/><br/>Making sure there's nobody around, Canaan spoke. "I'm fine. Just a little tired." he never really gotten used to Annie getting stuck inside his head the moment he had to jump inside the ETCF and started fighting for his life. Up until now, it still felt weird to him if he had to talk to Annie inside his head without using his voice.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Your physical condition is fine. Your cybernetic parts are working at 100% capacity. Yet you claim to be tired? I don't understand."</span><br/><br/>Canaan chuckled. "Tired isn't limited to the physical realm Annie." Shaking his head sideways, Canaan inputed the access code to the hangar on the side terminal. The metal doors slid open and the pilot casually walked in. Three steps into the hangar and he stopped, closed his eyes and listened to the sounds. It felt like home to him. All that hustle and bustle of people working on mechs, this was the next closest thing he has to home apart from that one man cabin designated for his use.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I finally understand Canaan. You are mentally fatigued, hence the reason for the shift in your emotional state."</span><br/><br/>Annie's digital voice broke him out of his silent reverie. "That's a fair diagnosis." he mumbled and made his way over to section B of the hangar.<span style="font-style: italic">"I can provide comfort for you in my cockpit. My life support systems can ease your fatigue."</span>the A.I. offered. The chuckle Canaan had earlier turned to laughter. "It would have been nice if you were a real woman." he scratched his head as he stared at the giant humanoid mech before him. "Then again, the real women freak out when they see what's under my hood." he continued laughing.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You don't have a hood."</span><br/><br/>Canaan's laugh fell to a sigh. This artificial intelligence was but an infant, only as old as the day that the two of them integrated. Annie has much to learn. "I meant my cybernetic arm and leg Annie. The real women are not used to seeing a man like me... nor would they want to." he informed the A.I. and boarded the lift that will take him up to the cockpit.<span style="font-style: italic">"I am always happy to see you Canaan."</span>with that said, the frame's head slowly bowed, eyes glowing a faint green as if looking at Canaan coming up to the cockpit. A few restraining cables got snapped in the process. Shortly after, a couple screams of warning pierced the hangar atmosphere.<br/><br/>"Woah, woah! I get it Annie, I get it! You don't have to make the Anubis' head move! That's dangerous!"<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"My apologies Canaan."</span><br/><br/>"Sorry guys! She just got excited to see me! I'll clean up the mess later!" Canaan yelled down below to the angry crewmen. He then turned to his mech with a sharp look in his eyes. "Don't do that again. You're gonna hand my head over to the hangar chief! Geez."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Hangar Protocols rewritten. It won't happen again Canaan."</span><br/><br/>The man then jumped inside the cockpit and made himself comfortable. He had no plans of resting in his room this time. If they have to sortie, he would be the first one out. "We're going on standby. Wake me up if the bridge gives a green light for the rescue mission."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Affirmative."</span>