[center][h3]ALEXANDER SKY AND [color=f9ad81]TAHLIA STYLES[/color][/h3][b]MESS HALL, NEW ANCHORAGE[/b][/center]

Before Percy's outburst, Alex was focusing on this part of Graham's reply, finding it the most relevant:
    
[color=olive]"Both wards have been deemed to be safer behind the walls of this base then in some sad excuse for an orphanage or alternative guardian— hell, Moore is the only guardian that little girl has. I’m not damning her to an orphanage when she has a father right there to lead by example; and Jackspar’s ward is applying for civilian employ.”[/color]

Not that he wasn't appalled by Graham's words about testing Ana for NC compatibility, and even more appalled by the exchange between Graham and Percy. Appalled, frightened, and and above all, angered. Curling his fist, he didn't know if he should resort to physical violence, shout at Graham, or console Percy. Or perhaps a combination of either of those options. Running up to just behind Graham, Alexander began to shout but before he could voice a single word the butt of an assault rifle hit the front of his face— sending him down onto the floor. The soldier in front of him shook his head as if mouthing a word: [i]"Don't"[/i].
    
Alexander forced himself up, glaring at the soldier, and moved forward - he would not be stymed, he would not be intimidated, not anymore. He would keep moving until Graham heard him. 

Unforunately, whatever the reaction, the soldier's response would be the same as long as he attempted to make for Graham. A fact he deduced after the second blow to his head— it was more about his movement then his vocal actions. Maybe he could appeal to Graham through his words? Still, his head felt like a thumping NC. [i]Ouch.[/i]

Tahlia stepped forth to the man who was now lying on the ground, moving around the guards that were giving him a stern beating. She kneeled down and placed her hand on his head, pushing it  down to make sure that he didn't move from the submissive position that he was locked into. [color=f9ad81][b]"If you are going to keep lunging forward like that, blindly, then you have already proven how poor your ability to fight really is."[/b][/color] Her words were calm, yet forceful, making sure that he understood the gravity of his own actions.

"I don't want a fight," Alexander explained, "I'm tempted to, but what I really want to say is—" his tone grew louder before being ultimately cut off by Tahlia's own words.

[color=f9ad81][b]"You may not want a fight, but you have now entered into one, and this is a fight that you simply cannot win."[/b][/color]

Alexander breathed heavily, trying to glare at Tahlia, but knowing that he was already making this worse for himself. Instead, he said, not trying to address anyone else; it was up to them whether they overheard or not:

"When Graham gave his speech, I thought - here was someone I can follow; here was someone who I could admire and obey—" 

[color=f9ad81][b]"That's right. You will obey your superior. You got that, slave?"[/b][/color] Tahlia lifted his head up by his hair, looking into his eyes and making sure he understood exactly where she was coming from. She had a grit in her teeth, hoping that he would answer her correctly.

"Present generations deserve a better life than those in the past, future generations deserve a better life than that of the present; Graham can still provide that, so I'm not resigning..."

Tahlia released her grip from Alex's hair, somewhat satisfied at the answer that he had provided her. It was then Graham's voice who addressed the pilots again once the room had finally reached a quiet stand still.

[color=olive]“Heh, with that dealt with if you all could follow me to the hangar, that'd be [i]wonderful[/i].”[/color] Graham's voice concluded his altercation with Percy as he began to walk forward, the soldiers following him as he did so. It seemed he didn't have a comment on what had gone on behind his back during the altercation at all; so either he did not realize what had happened or just [i]did not care[/i]. As far as anyone could tell it was hard to read Graham unless he wanted you to know exactly where he was coming from. A lesson Percy had learned today. Perhaps a lesson Alex did as well, but it was too soon to tell.