SRWU Application Test Post

[broken_puppet]

[1]

[Lamia is busy at a terminal looking further into the history of this world and into whatever personnel as she struggles to adapt to maintain her cover. As she pours over the records she isn't paying attention to the entrance which is behind her.]

[2]



[Lamia approaches you with a confused expression as things calm down after a rather disruptive display by one of the younger members of the Unity Group.}

Why is everyone more amused by what happened than upset? You must adhere to the discipline or we cannot ensure that orders will be properly followed. [Lamia once more looks embarrassed/annoyed that her verbal tic has re-asserted itself.]

[3]



[Lamia has just recently returned from a mission that turned south to a rather severe degree. Angelg is fine but another pilot has been injured during his unit's almost complete destruction. As she sits on a crate near in an alcove near her unit she looks upset as she thinks to herself.]

I have always been taught and seen that soldiers are tools to fight and die as the mission demands. Why am I upset now that they were injured when it ensured that we accomplished the mission?

Comments

2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

We're not really an army. Or a guerilla...Or anything that should be allowed to have this much firepower, really.

But even if we were, soldiers still need to be able to unwind when off duty or they'll go nuts. Even if movies probably tend to exaggerate that.

3

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

[Chris didn't hear Lamia.

But she can see her.]

Hey. The mission was a success. I thought that's the only thing that matters for you?

[broken_puppet]

This is a special task force tied to the UN for the special purpose of response to the threat of, to alien threats. I believe that is a good definition of a military unit.

A soldier should be mentally disciplined enough to not need such disruptive behavior as to unwind.

Re: 3

[broken_puppet]

[Shaken from her thoughts Lamia looks up somewhat embarrassed and upset.]

The mission is always paramount. If we sortie and fail then what happens to our objectives? I just feel annoyed for some reason that we didn't do it more cleanly. Thought I couldn't tell you why I feel that way.

3

[brought_it_back]

...Tools we may be, but it is difficult to replace a lost one.

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

I could tell you why you feel that way.

That's because the mission doesn't mean shit when people you care for get hurt.

[broken_puppet]

I see, that does make sense. You do seem to be the only one here to make sense in these types of situation Eva.

I guess being here confused me in that regard a bit.

[broken_puppet]

People I care about?

[Lamia stops and gives Chris an odd look as she thinks to herself.

People I care about? That shouldn't be possible. Soldiers are resources, tools to be used for a purpose.]

We have our mission and the goals to achieve, caring has nothing to do with a soldier's lifestyle beyond those. It just makes situations more complicated and adds uncertainty.

[brought_it_back]

It's normal to worry about your comrades...a victory with fewer casualties is better than the same one with more.

Is there some reason you expected to feel differently?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Soldiers are people and have you really never gotten stuck with a hangover at your boyfriend's place when he demanded to watch old war documentaries instead of something interesting to pass the time? Soldiers have a history of acting out when off duty.

And, yes, it's a military unit. Just a really odd one.

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

Why're you doing this? To save people, right?

How can you save people if you don't care what happens to your friends? They're also people. That doesn't make sense.

[broken_puppet]

Perhaps unusual and boisterous behavior is to be expected but making a mess for others to clean up is wasted time and energy. Such energy could better be used in training or conserved for operations.

[broken_puppet]

I was always taught that the mission was paramount, that allies were to be used as efficiently as possible to achieve the mission's goals. Casualties were to be accepted as long as they served a purpose but not to accepted heedlessly.

[broken_puppet]

A soldier is to accept their duty and the costs that it carries. Unnecessary sentimentalism is a detriment to duty.

But...

[But why can't I just dismiss what she says. Lamia seems conflicted and confused even more.]

2

[whats_a_good_end]

Honestly, I can't figure it out myself.

[Here Ana'd been trying to read some poetry when somebody'd gotten the idea to try to do some bowling of all things.]

And I'd wish they'd just go and quiet down.

[brought_it_back]

You had strange teachers.

...I don't see how that makes caring for your allies strange...is it really a new feeling for you?

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

There's no "but"! Wait, no. Rather, everything before the "but" is all wrong.

A soldier is supposed to just do whatever they're ordered to, like a soulless robot? This attitude is exactly why there's so much conflict in the world. I refuse to accept it!

Don't tell me you're okay with it too. If you were, we wouldn't be having this talk right now!

[broken_puppet]

Well after Major Kagura's intervention I believe the situation is rapidly resolving itself in that direction. Could you have not done the same if they were actively bothering you?

[whats_a_good_end]

Probably not. She can pull rank on them, I'm just an ensign. That and... well she's Kagura. What she can do on foot is kinda ridiculous... even compared to people like Miss Former Magic Girl.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Could be worse. It wasn't even a very big mess. Still, you're right that it's rude to expect others to deal with it.