Discussion

Posted on Sat Jul 2nd, 2022 @ 6:11pm by

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Armory

Wagnor stood at a work table in the armory with the custom parts he replicated. He had stun grenades and plazama flares set up across the table.These were standard issue items and would need no special explanation in his reports. The couplers he's replicated would combine the two into and bomb that incinerate everything in about a ten meter radius. He hoped and prayed to whatever deity might be listening that such things wouldn't be needed but if they were he'd be prepared. The stun grenades also had a proximity sensor, allowing them to be used as a trap if necessary. He was well aware that the brass wouldn't look kindly on his men carrying lethal ordnance, so he had a way to keep appearances. If he'd had these on Archanis III, would there have so many casualties?

CJ entered the room, he was glad to see Soran was alone.

"We need to talk, Sir." He said.

"Do we?" Soran said. "I'm pretty busy and you should be too."

"Yes Ren, we do." CJ said. "I need to talk about Archanis III."

"Why?" Soran inquired. "What is there to say? We were both there and we did what we had to do."

"I don't know how to deal with what happened, when I tried to recalibrate Josephine. All I could think about was the last time I looked down those sights. My hands were shaking, that's never happened before." He paused, "and the way you've been since that day… I know you're having trouble too."

"It's not supposed to be easy," Soran said. "The day it becomes easy is the day when you know you've lost your soul."

The Commander set his tools down, "I'm sorry I haven't helped you deal with this. We saved lives by taking lives, I don't know why this world is so cruel."

"You haven't even mentioned any of them…You haven't said Pat name…" Boucher looked down. "When I think about him all I can think of is him lying there…"

There was a silent moment as both men thought about their fallen friends.

"Remember when you told Pat and Greg the best hangover cure was orange juice and raw eggs?" Soran said quietly.

"They ralphed all over the Chief's desk and you made me clean it up," CJ laughed.

"Damn straight I did, Commander Allen had no patience for your shenanigans,'' he answered.

They both laughed, CJ looked Soran in the eye. "Thank you."

"Focus on life," Soran said. "We're alive Boy and we're doing our best to stay that way."

The two silently embraced, "I promise your brother Biff I'd take you." Soran said quietly. "I'll do better,"

"We'll take care of each other Ren," CJ stated. "Now are these the boom links?"

He picked up one of the couplers.

"Yes I'm gonna have you instruct Lieutenant Carey on their use," Soran said. "Do you have to give everything a ridiculous name?"

"Yes, Sir." Boucher's boyish grin had returned.

Soran rolled his eyes, "I want you to check in with Lieutenant Jansen."

"Already have, Sir"

"Good," Soran smiled.