<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ef/Damian_Harper.jpg)</div><br/><br/>Damian leaned back in his seat when Kari began to talk. For a brief instance, there was a flash of annoyance on his gruff features when it was clear he wasn't going to be left alone yet. His hint that he wanted her to leave hadn't been all that subtle. But, he quickly reminded himself there was now a different chain of command, and it was better she spoke her mind now, than bottle it up and get distracted later. His work could wait... for a little while. But it quickly became apparent that the subject was going to be uncomfortably emotional. It wasn't that the clanner was entirely stumped or apathetic; but many times he simply believed that everyone was as pragmatic as he was. Of course, he was human; flesh and blood, and even though he refused to admit it, he needed to talk to someone just as badly.<br/><br/><strong>"You do not need to thank me. Even if I were to leave, where would I go. Just concentrate on the task at hand. We can pat backs later,"</strong> he explained, his fatigue not helping his grumpy mood. He shifted and crossed his arms over his chest as she began to applaud his skills, but it did not seem to stroke his ego like it would others. To him, he just seemed to hear her underselling herself. <strong>"I will teach you what you need to know. But the important thing is that you lead. By example and by character. The nitty gritty can be left to me,"</strong> he responded.<br/><br/>Despite everything, Damian was a good listener. When one spoke to him, his eyes were focused on theirs. He listened to every word that passed their lips and he just kept silent until it seemed like they stopped, and needed to hear something; anything to help them focus again. He was no good at pep talks or at making people feel better, another reason why he immediately passed up any chance at replacing Carlos. But he knew how to cut through all the doubts and get to the core of a matter, of what someone -had- to do, as opposed to what they wished they could do. It was akin to a very sober slap to the face, but he found it tended to work oddly well. At first, though, he didn't quite know what she was getting at. He nodded when she mentioned her lack of direct family, but slowly, he began to piece it together.<br/><br/>Kari would know it was uncomfortable and painful, even for the iron-faced clanner. He would clear his throat, and avert his eyes just enough so he looked at her forehead instead of into hers.<br/><strong>"I was not some glorious battle for the ages, ma'am,"</strong> he warned, but he knew resolve when he saw it.<br/>He sighed again, before planting his palms onto the arms of his chair and lifting himself up out of it so he could pace to one wall of his office, the one that was covered in the few personal items he had on display outside of his room. They were just general paraphernalia for the only sport he cared about.<br/><strong>"I was making my retreat after losing the last of recon lance to a barrage. His 'Mech was standing still in a tiny clearing. The damage didn't seem too bad at first, so I attempted to hail him. When I circled to the front, he finally responded, and I noticed how a direct hit to his cockpit had torn apart the armor and insides,"</strong> he stopped for a moment, actually looking at Kari through the reflection in a framed picture of one of the best players his favorite team had ever had. His hands clasped together behind his back and he exhaled slowly.<br/><strong>"He seemed barely awake; barely alive. The hit had shoved shrapnel and debris into the cockpit. Apparently, it had injured his abdomen. His... description was colorful,"</strong> he continued, adding the last bit only because he knew Kari would remember how fond her father was of being blunt with his exclamations; swear words were a favorite. <strong>"He was going to die long before I got him anywhere. I insisted he moved from his 'Mech into Charybdis, but he refused and gave me a direct order. He was going to overload his machine and try and take passing Falcons with him. I do not know if he was successful. But there was no chance for him to make it out of there alive,"</strong> as he finished, he looked at Kari from over his shoulder, a little emotion on his face as he missed his friend, and felt compassion for her.<br/><br/><strong>"He made me promise something,"</strong> he started, not knowing what compelled him to tell her when he had earlier been resolved to never have her find out. <strong>"I promised I would look after you. I intend on keeping that promise."</strong><br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/ba/Emily_Jirani.jpg)</div><br/><br/>Emily did not turn to look at Allia when she heard the soft voice greet her. The stern woman remained silent for a few moments as she shoved a towel unceremoniously into her bag. She had a few bruises, but nothing major, as well as a small, patched-up cut just above her left brow. Eventually, a long sigh passed her lips and she turned around to face the lieutenant.<br/><strong>"No, there isn't. The company's dead, Allia. You know it, I know it,"</strong> she admitted, her voice having a husky, deep but still feminine tone to it. <strong>"I had to send my husband a message essentially telling him I almost died out there yesterday. My kids will grow up without their mother. I don't see them often as it is, but at least I still had a paycheck to send home while my husband breaks his body working himself to death in a factory."</strong> With another sigh, the experienced woman sat down on the wooden bench, next to her sports bag. Elbows moved to rest upon her lap as her palms rubbed along her face; a visage that was starting to show wrinkles and age.<br/><br/><strong>"That clanner sent you didn't he? I'm going to guess that bastard's taken over as commander? Figures,"</strong> she assumed. <strong>"Never liked him. He's always watching us and I can swear he knows everything about us while I don't even know where the fuck he came from. Wouldn't be surprised if he misfed the info. It just turned out a little messier than he had hoped,"</strong> Emily had never gotten along with Damian, though no one did, but it was obvious she was searching for a scapegoat at this point.<br/><strong>"I'm not working for a Sea Fox gangster. Carlos' legacy deserves better than to be handed over to his ilk."</strong></div>