[color=Silver][B][I]Archibald Andrews - Sapper[/i][/b][/color]

Was it over? Trick question; it wasn't - this was merely a lull. But Archibald's thoughts were not on how war was innately savage and against all ideals of altruism and civilization; he knew things weren't that simple. People made war because there were [i]reasons[/i] to fight war, and sometimes, those reasons were actually compelling. Saying a hurried Cruxian prayer, Archibald headed to his depressed-looking commanding officer, just in time to catch Lieutenant Middleton's last words. Not being suicidal, he waited for the Lieutenent to wander off before walking towards Jean, who had begun to cry.

Quickly, out of pity, Archibald positioned himself in front of the Lance Corporal in order to somewhat hide his tears from other people's judging looks. Now, how to reassure the other young man in a way that wasn't over-familiar? Archibald finally settled for saying, [Color=#c0c0c0]"Lance Corporal, it's all right; we're still alive - your squad is still alive."[/color] He paused, then opened his mouth a little. [Color=#c0c0c0]"I know that war is brutal, I knew that when I volunteered for this and so far, it hasn't disappointed me. I also know that people are cruel; they're naturally like that. But you're not a coward; we're still alive because of you, sir."[/color] 

There were no easy answers to war, no easy answer to the question on how to endure terror and brutality. But Archibald still believed that beyond war, there was peace, that there can be a world without war in the future. The appeal of the Cruxian faith was not in material benefits like Yggdism, but in its promise of absolute good, compassion, and self-sacrifice  Sometimes, the first and last principles can be twisted until one was as brutal as a Yggdist, but this isn't what was going to happen today. No, this day, he was going to show Jean that someone cared for him, that his subordinates cared about what he was suffering through.

A faint smile as Archibald said, [Color=#c0c0c0]"I know the worst is yet to come, Lance Corporal. The Federation and the Imperials; they have an arsenal of nasty tactics and perhaps even weapons to unleash on each other. But some of us here, some of us will live through that and we will be with you."[/color] A pause. [Color=#c0c0c0]"It's a faint promise, but I will still give what I can, to make sure that whatever comes, you have someone to stand by you. You've won the loyalty of your squad today by getting them through. And right now, you've showed them that you're not a coward but a human, and right now, we require humanity from our commanders."[/color] 

That was a jab at Lieutenant Middleton. [Color=#c0c0c0]"Tell you what; if you make it through this, even if I don't, go to Bangorburgh, in the United States of Vinland, and ask for the Andrews Inn. Tell the inkeeper you're my friend, a friend of Archibald Andrews, and he'll give you the best beer and sweet rolls the New Edinburgh region of Vinland can produce. And if I do survive, I'll serve you and everyone you bring myself."[/color] 

A wider smille. [Color=#c0c0c0]"So what do you say, want to make it through this?"[/color] 

It might not be enough to snap Jean out of his depression. Heck, Archibald might not be able to keep his promise and he might die. But he was trying to help; wasn't it enough?