Letter Bee

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

Guys, I won't be able to post on the IC tomorrow; I have a collab on another site to work on in that time period. I will appear on Etherpad and Chatzy, but I won't talk much.

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

ALEXANDER SKY

LOCATION, NEW ANCHORAGE

Alexander's heart dropped; even in his time laying low, he had heard of Jan and Stein; two of the best known pilots in recent history. They were in New Anchorage?! How should he react? They were known to be very good pilots - possibly better than him, and with their own reasons to dislike him for being Red-Star. Especially as he had heard that Jan Van Gent had killed Fubuki, one of the 'solo players' of Red-Star. Did Jan hate all Red-Star and Fairbanks pilots, or was it just a few? As for Stein, she was frightening too - killing at ten?!

He wasn't worthy, and Graham, Graham or the Former Commander must have had a magnetic personality if they were able to attract them to their side. This was, this was overwhelming. As he followed Graham through the corridors, he tried to steady himself, and noticed that Graham, once more, had established a deeper grip into his mind, not one that would blind him - he was sure that even Graham didn't want blind obedience, but, well, it was one that made Alexander see the man as someone who can get him what he wanted - a life better than what he had before, a life for any children he had or might adopt that was better than what their parents had before, and a world that is slightly better than the present.

Also, one last thing; they were rumored to be, well, very handsome and beautiful, especially Stein. Yes, his thoughts had turned towards that direction.

Tahlia was right; you're a child, the rational part of Alexander murmured to him. But you'll grow up; like Graham said, you're no longer a child in an Iron Giant.

"No, I'm no longer a child in an Iron Giant," he whispered to himself. Graham had seriously impressed Alexander with that speech, showing that he was more than your typical despot. Disagree with him about Morality all you like, fact was still that when people like him spoke of honor and integrity, he listened.

Tokoshie no Ansoku

Hey, friend of Flamelord here; just thought I should introduce myself to ya all!

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

You'll give it until they either post or I decide to move the scene forward.

@Gowi

*Nods*

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

Prob should let Jingo and Yeshua's player do something?

@Gowi

All right, I'll give it till tomorrow, my end.

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

Should I post, or should I wait for everyone else?

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

ALEXANDER SKY

LOCATION, NEW ANCHORAGE

Alexander's initial reaction on hearing Graham's words was feeling as though he had been stabbed with an icicle. Infatuation was forgotten as the twenty-four year old tried to muster a response to Graham's words; leaving was out of the question; he would not dare show weakness to this 'man of stone'. Despite having a high sense of morality, Alexander knew this, that he can now appreciate the struggles and motivations of others, regardless of whether he agreed with them or not. So he would wait, wait to see how others responded. But he would think this:

The root of our 'morality' is the desire to live a better life than our parents have, and for our own offspring to live a better life than we have. Can your 'Order' provide that, Michael Graham?

When Ray spoke up, asking Graham for further clarification, Alexander made to put his hand on the other NC Pilot's shoulder in a gesture meant to be encouraging, when Graham spoke up, offering an affirmative answer, genuine admiration flowed through the young pilot's veins, along with a new insight into the man. He couldn't help but smile, despite the risks it carried.

The next thing Alexander knew, he was giving a slight bow, before getting up, making eye contact, and saying:

"Sir, this is all I can ask for; thank you." It took a lot out of Alexander to say those words, and one can see that.

"I can't wait to see what kind of world you create," more words blurted out.

Morality will never stop being my dream; Good and Evil, those do exist - I believe that. But part of being a good person is understanding and even working with, or in this case, following, people who believe other things than yours'.

And, Michael Graham, you are that person.

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

ALEXANDER SKY

LOCATION, NEW ANCHORAGE

The clause allowing Alexander to resign at any time was a comfort to the 24-year old as he watched the other pilots gather around him. Right now, he felt comfort in their presence, except for Tahlia's, but he supposed he had all the time in the world to repair relations. Of course, he was more than certain that the piss had come from the sixteen-year old among them, but he was not going to betray the kid, not unless he asked for it.

Then, he saw Graham, and his thoughts were: Wow, that man is attractive. Did he just age well, or did he use medical tech? Of course, Alexander wasn't dumb, he felt like Graham was someone who took advantage of the pilots' desperation to give them a contract that signed away their rights, as well as a hard man who was a former elite pilot of Denver-Vegas for a reason. But still, that face, those looks! And he was meeting them as soon as possible! Now, time to think up questions, questions that would hopefully not betray his hopefully temporary infatuation.

He needed something related to military matters and the base, something actually relevant and not a waste of time.

"Sir," he said, "What is the military history of New Anchorage? All I know is that it is an independent outfit that takes on mercenary jobs with a complement of skilled pilots and that it has a feud with more than one of the Mega-Corps." There, something relevant and useful for new pilots to know. Also, Alex was sure his voice was even, that his eyes were level and not too wide, and of course, that he wasn't sweating with tension.

Scattered Shades: Arcadia Chronicles

Paradise 'Par' Rapids - Diver's Paradise

"Hurrah!" Par said to himself as he brought down the enemy commander...only for the CMAS troops to keep moving anyway, towards the support columns of the underground settlement. That would not do. Rooftop-hopping to the next tall structure, a tannery that was close to the third support column (first and second were being guarded by Luke's brother-in-law and wife), Par then looked for any support, any knots of resistance.

He found it in several parties of Divers who had the same idea he did; to defend the third support column...but who were being cut off by CMAS fire teams! Par fired a few shots towards the enemies' way, trying to clear a path for his fellow Divers to make their way towards the column, as well as inconveinience the approaching enemy. But even if his shots hit, he would realize that with the enemy being able to act without any officers...sniping won't have any effect.

It was time to move up close.

Climbing down to an alleyway, Par withdrew his Sniper Rifle, strapping it to his back, and drew his pistols, and drew his pistols. Moving in the general direction of the support column, trying to sneak past the CMAS troops and any Diver who might mistake him for one of them, Par began to sweat; he was not built for long-term physical exertion! Nevertheless, he pushed on; he was named after 'Diver's Paradise', after all.

Should he reach the support column, he would find what cover he can, such as a large rock or a stack of crates, and prepare for the onslaught...

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

@Gowi, Night!