OC testrun

[reach_understanding]

[1]

[There are enemies you face. Sentient but not necessarily human enemies. The fight won't be easy but you think you can make it. And good - there's something you must protect, a location or a MacGuffin, you can't afford to lose it.]

[So when they demand surrender, Philia answers them back. And the one-eyed woman has a different idea.]

We accept your conditions. I repeat, we surrender.

[Wait! She is the negotiator but she has no right to decide that on her own!]



[2]

I have no respect for them.

[The talk you had with Philia changed into the topic of military and soldiers. Maybe you're a soldier yourself.]

Humans have a natural aversion to killing others. Did you know? Military training is about removing that aversion.
Soldiers aren't defenders of anything; or heroes. They're tools for the government to kill others. I have no respect for them.



[3]

[Do you try to socialize or have fun together? Sorry, you get rebuffed.]

S-sorry.

I'm not good at things like these, so let's just forget about it and, maybe...

[The usually composed and unbearably self-righteous negotiator is now fidgeting uneasily.]



[4]

[You want something from Philia and were informed she's in her room. But as you enter, the door is unlocked and the room is empty. It's not just its occupant that is absent. Other than few books and bare necessities, the room is stark and devoid of personal touch.]

What, what are you doing in my room?

[And there she is, right behind you. Having just taken a shower all she wears is a towel. This attire shows just how heavily scarred her body is. She doesn't seem to care, considering it just as normal as her missing eye.]

Comments

[a_monetized_mind]

Well I'd really love to do that, but seeing as the guy with the password is currently residing in the next life, it's gonna be rather difficult!

We'd need top-secret naval equipment or a supercomputer cluster to get at it, and I don't really have either of those on hand!

[reach_understanding]

Did you hear that?!

[Philia is yelling to the Aegis pilots again.]

Nobody can decrypt this data! The man who was supposed to receive it is dead. What you are trying to do here is pointless! You will only draw more attention to yourselves!

[a_monetized_mind]

[That gets them to shift around somewhat, though they don't stand down.]

"...Our orders are to bring her back, dead or alive. If you cooperate, we'll oversee the operation ourselves, and make sure she's returned unharmed."

...Philia, I am not having those people cut open my skull.

[reach_understanding]

I am not letting anyone cut open anyone's skull.

[A side comment thrown at Jen, then back to the goons it is.]

You are making a big mistake! Allow me to talk to your superior - it will be much better for everyone involved, especially you.

[a_monetized_mind]

"You know what? Sure. Hang tight, we'll get him over here."

[The Aegis units scatter somewhat, moving around through alleyways and side streets.]

...We need to go. Now.

[reach_understanding]

So it actually worked?
[A sigh of relief.]
I must stay here. You are free to go though.

[a_monetized_mind]

No, you idiot! They-

[Jen is cut off by gunfire, as the Aegis robots open fire with their rifles and back-mounted mortars. Only instead of all being on one side of team hero, Jen and Philia are now completely surrounded. Jen's Cethlenn gets several direct hits. It's a hell of a lot tougher than the surrounding buildings, but it's no Mazinger Z.]

D-damnit!

[reach_understanding]

They're firing?! They're firing at us!

[Philia immediately ducks for cover. Her speed shows that she was forced to do this more than once. Probably all the time.]

They had my trust, and then betrayed it!

[a_monetized_mind]

No shit, Sherlock!

[Cethlenn crouches down nearby, a hatch on the back opening up.]

Hurry! We've gotta get out of here!

[reach_understanding]

I know, I'm coming!

[Philia waits until the Aegis rifles have to reload, then makes a run for it to the hatch!]

I'm in!

[a_monetized_mind]

[The inside of Cethlenn's cockpit is cramped, being meant for just one, but if Jennifer minds having her view of the monitors blocked she doesn't mention it. The hatch closes up behind Philia, and then Cethlenn's off like spiderman, using its grappling hooks to speed through the city.]

...You could have gotten yourself killed, you know.

[reach_understanding]

I know.

[Philia examines her body, as much as she can without interrupting the mecha driving. It seems today there won't be any scars to add to that large collection of hers...]

Trust me, I know.

[a_monetized_mind]

Well...Fine.

[Jen doesn't even seem to be looking at the monitors; it's more like she's staring off into the distance, and the monitors happen to be in the way.]

Are you hurt?

[reach_understanding]

No, not this time.

I almost felt like I managed to reach out to those people. What a shame.

[a_monetized_mind]

...It was worth a shot.

Though next time, let's try starting with the higher-ups, alright?

[reach_understanding]

We weren't exactly in position to decide that.

At least nobody died...