|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randomly Gone Insane Vice Captain
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:47 am
 ⊰𝔅𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔟𝔞⊱ Bathsheba jumped in surprise when the door opened. She was trying to listen for noises, like footsteps, so she could move back ahead of time to prevent being caught. Her stomach sank and she felt like a deer caught in headlights, standing at the door.
She responded quietly with a nod as she slowly walked inside, standing behind her brother as ordered. As she entered, she briefly looked around, noting the KGB agent and Tobias, who was a big and angry surprise for her. She shot him a glare before she moved in behind Jarid, almost disappearing behind him due to their size differences. Once there, anger turned in worry. She was absolutely scared to death of what was going to happen. Everything felt wrong to her, especially since she was being allowed in the office, not to defend her brother, but to hear something. What's so important that I need to hear it..? She thought worriedly while her stomach sank even lower with anxiety.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:59 am
"So you expect all people to communicate in the same way, sir?" Jarid asked, already knowing where this was leading.
"You expect that in the MIDDLE of a battle, I will stop my evasion and ask them to speak, along with just allowing OA and their Zabat AIs to kill our fighter pilots by shooting their parachutes out of the sky and hide behind 'programming' which must first be directed to do so?" he continued, his composure staying the same.
"And as I said, Commander, Crosshair is apart of my team. All violations they cause, I will take the full brunt of." he added, before looking behind himself at Bathsheba, giving a softened look to her.
"If you want someone on the chopping block, I will go alone. And ONLY alone. Otherwise you will have to kill me right here and now to satiate your friendly little pacifists in Russia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lord Redtail Rathan Captain
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:12 pm
The woman spoke up now. "I suggest you watch your words about Mother Russia. Would you prefer the war to go back to the way it was when your parents were killed? While aboard a transport? Because the Tsardom of Russia is the only thing preventing that. The Rules of War were created to prevent that. The Zabat pilots in charge of the drones were...dealt with approprietly." The KGB, back in the days of the Soviet union had a reputation for making undesirables disappear. The Colonel leaned forward. "Ever hear of the Nuremburg Trials? Nazi Officers and Key leaders were tried for their actions in the Holocaust. That was when the defense of "I was just following orders" was deemed void. it was also decided that a Commander cannot accept the consequences of a soldier's actions for that soldier. Private First Class [Insert Crosshair's real name here] will pay the price for his actions. And consider this a standing order: Names are to be used, not callsigns. And if you move your head to look at your sister again, then I will summarily judge you and you will take a trip to Russia. Understood, Sergeant?" The KGB Agent kept her face as calm as possible, though anger radiated from her. Tobias spoke up this time. "Sir, Sergeant Caymen has a valid point. In the heat of combat, if one of my Angels takes a hit and I'm in the middle of a fight, I don't stop to ask if they are ok." The Colonel waved him off. "I agree. However, he stated he tried to get ahold of the pilots and heard static, in which he clearly did neither. He is covering the true source of his anger. I will find out what it is. I would go better for him anyway. Especially since you and I already know why. He just needs to make the statement here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:24 pm
⊰𝔅𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔟𝔞⊱ When Jarid looked back, Bathsheba immediately looked up at him, looking at her brother worriedly. She didn't dare to speak to him, so she let her eyes do the talking. She stared at him, her eyes starting to shine with upcoming tears. Practice and mastery of her eyes though kept the tears from coming, only showing. She knew why he was offering himself to save his team, but she hated it and would rather they take their own falls. Just as long as she could keep Jarid, she would be alright.
When the KGB agent mentioned their parents, Bathsheba noticeably flinched, but said nothing and did nothing. Her eyes glistened more and her face paled, but she refused to cry and show any remorse. This was not the place to do so, not with an atmosphere that felt like a ton of cement. She started to hate the KGB agent a bit for bringing up the death their parents, but was slightly relieved to hear she was going to enforce Jarid to not take the blame for his men. Maybe he'll get out of this after all..
After that, Bathsheba became confused. She batted her eyes, but dared not to move her head. It sounded like Jarid was in trouble for something he did in this morning's fight (which she just realized she forgot to hug him still after it), and on top that Tobias was defending him, which was a bit shocking after seeing how well they got along (and they just met too). She became confused and very scared. If this was because of what might have happened during today's fight...
Just in the dining facility, Bathsheba's mind started to come up with multiple dark possibilities...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randomly Gone Insane Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:34 pm
Jarid did not even look at the woman. If she made another outburst like that, he would do more than belittle her childish nation.
"Sir, you wish to know the reason of my anger? It's the fact we've allowed ourselves to succumb to the hypocrisy laid out by Russia's oddly dire need to keep people alive so that this war never ends. Yes, it also stems from the fact OA and EU hunted down the transport and killed my parents and siblings in front of me. We're playing a goddamned school recess brawl and Russia just sits back, enjoying the sights all up until they realize any signs that the war might end. Only then do they come out of the woodwork like now to judge how we operate." he finally replied before giving a deep sigh.
"Do with us what you want. I can already tell where this leads."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:54 pm
The KGB Agent flashed smile that could melt a soul. "Think what you will. But perhaps you should see this report..." She looked up at Tobias. So did the Colonel. Tobias placed his hand on a DNA scanner. "Display BDA of the last flight of the Raptor. Authorization Winters, Tobias Michael." There was a slight pause, followed by a cool female voice. "Please state codephrase." Tobias rolled his eyes. Even he didn't get like that. "We shall win cause we are destined by the Heavens! The evil ambitions of our enemies shall be thwarted, for I am the Baron of Wings; Araballonae!" Another silence. The display then lit up. Tobias stood up straight, addressing Jarid, his team, and Bathsheba. "As you are all aware, the Pteras was the first Flying Combat Zoid created. To defend against it, the now defunct United States Air Force used the F-22 Raptor to shoot them down. It was only moderately effective, as the Pteras Bomber can move in any direction, thanks to its Magnessor Wing Technology. The last time a Raptor was used, a horrible accident occured. The Raptor was streaking towards an enemy Pteras that was passing overhead to attack a nearby airfield. The Raptor banked left...and a bomb with a faulty attachment slipped off the wing. If hurtled downward...right into a transport full of innocent civillians." Tobias looked at Jarid, then Sheba. "That was a PAC bomb that killed your family. Not the Alliance. Not the Union. Us. The Coalition. A weaponsmaster didn't check the attachements properly. Your family wasn't murdered by the enemy. They were killed in a horrific accident." The room was silent. "The American Council blamed it on the Alliance. But even the Alliance wouldn't do that." The KGB Agent spoke up again. "Mr. Caymen, that was the reason Mother Russia interceeded. Not because the war was ending...but because it was escalating. The Coalition Government used it as an excuse to launch massive offensive bombings. The Union began flattening cities. A simple accident, and the world went to hell. We cannot end the war, but we can reduce the loss of life." The Colonel sighed. "Jarid, the Chairwoman of the Council was notified about this. She's furious. A massive investigation of all past incidents are being re-examined. She swore that she will bring your family justice, as well as to the rest of the survivors of that accident."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lord Redtail Rathan Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:11 pm
Jarid merely listened to the report before looking at the KGB agent.
"So in other words, you held onto this as a trophy why your Russian hypocrites should be seen in the best light possible?" he asked, as if staring into her soul.
"And if my own country was at fault, I still see the others responsible. RUSSIA, on the other hand with their fast action AFTER the fact, just hows how quickly you spit on the graves of the fallen." he replied before turning to the Commander.
"My family requires no justice. It would not serve them any consolation. NOT to have Russia reign as champions of Justice, as the woman clearly shows by her actions, but for them to let the war end as quickly as possible." he added.
"I am still awaiting punishment."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:14 pm
⊰𝔅𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔟𝔞⊱ Bathsheba started look around nervously, her anxiety and thoughts getting worse with each passing moment. She no longer cared about the Colonel. He wasn't in charge here, not anymore. Her attention was on the agent, who seemed to be only held back from just shooting Jarid in the head right here and now because it would make a mess, and it wouldn't be on Russian soil.
And of course, Jarid had a wonderful way of making things worse. So much for learning how to close his mouth... Bathsheba thought bitterly.
When the agent mentioned a report, Bathsheba got curious. Was this why she was brought in here? She wasn't sure anymore. This whole thing kept changing and turning, she wasn't even sure why Alpha Team was in trouble anymore.
Bathsheba rolled her eyes at the code phrase, and smirked a little, remember what Tobias had told her about rolling one's eyes too much. Th smile quickly went away though. No more times like that..
She listened dully to the report, not even sure where it was going, and almost tuned it out completely until she heard a bomb had fallen off. Her curiosity on that brought her back from her zoning out, just in time to hear the results. She was shocked, almost to the point she didn't hear Tobias clarify what the report meant.
"No..." She quietly muttered now, shaking her head. "No. It wasn't an accident." She couldn't hold back her tears now, which started running down like waterfalls. "That's not what happened. It can't be." She buried her face into Jarid's back as she cried, wanting to hide her face in shame as she started to openly cry in front of the CO, Alpha Team, the KGB agent, and Tobias.
She didn't (or couldn't, or maybe even wouldn't), hear anything after that. She even tuned out her brother as he argued a bit once more. Her mind was starting to shut down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randomly Gone Insane Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lord Redtail Rathan Captain
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:22 pm
The Agent shook her head. "This did not come from us. We were as surprised as the Council. The Captain here discovered it. Was quite furious about it, really. And Mother Russia had been trying for a long time prior to end the conflict. This incident gave us the final card." Tobias looked dumbfounded, keeping his eyes away from the sobbing Bathsheba, focusing on Jarid. "How can you hold someone responsible for something they didn't do? if anyone is a hypocrite, it's you. And god forbid your life rests on the shoulders of an enemy pilot." The Colonel shook his head. "Too bad. The Council already authorized a full investigation. And seeing as you refuse to move from your stone wall of stubborness and pride, I have no choice but to move on, seeing as these charges are done." The Colonel looked over to the Private that piloted the Gun Sniper. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?" COL Jackson glanced at Jarid, "You keep quiet. I want to hear what HE has to say." He turned back to the Gun Sniper Pilot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:27 pm
"Why was the Raptor out in the first place, Captain?" Jarid asked simply, making sure not to say too much more to upset Bathsheba further.
Preston looked straight at the Colonel, no fear in his eyes.
"My actions are that of a soldier who wishes nothing more than to fight for the cause he believes in. If that requires I die, then so be it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lord Redtail Rathan Captain
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:33 pm
Tobias went over the BDA again, to make sure we wouldn't give Jarid the wrong information "There was a Pteras Bomber en route to destory one of the last air bases the US had. The Raptor was sent to intercept it. It was a surprise attack, so the Weaponsmaster didn't have time to remove the two GBUs from the loadout, which is why there were bombs on it to begin with." The Colonel sighed at Preston. "That wasn't what I asked. I want to know if you have anything to say in your defense. Kid, you're being charged with murder. That's the death penalty. A line like that will put you on the fast track to a firing squad."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:35 pm
⊰𝔅𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔟𝔞⊱ "And who the Hell was the Weaponsmaster?" Bathsheba growled lowly, hiccuping as she struggled to regain control of her breathing as she cried. Sadness was turning in anger, dangerous anger...
"Who the ******** was he and where is now?" She growled, looking around Jarid to glare directly at Tobias since he seemed to be the one handling this. "I want a name." It was clear in her eyes she wanted blood. Even if the bombing was a horrible freak accident that won't happen again, she was beyond reason. She wanted justice, personally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randomly Gone Insane Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lord Redtail Rathan Captain
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:38 pm
Tobias sighed, then stood up straight. He was a Zoid Warrior. He would not flinch from his task. And he would never hide the truth. "Technical Sergeant David Peter Winters, USAF. And as for finding him, he ate his sidearm when he heard what had happened." Well, if Jarid and Bathsheba focus their anger on me instead of the Alliance pilots that are just doing their jobs, I can live with that.The Colonel glanced at the Agent, then back at Preston. "Actually, the murder charge is coming from us. WE would decide your fate. She's just here for Jarid. I just want to know why you killed that pilot." Tobias turned to Jarid. "So then why don't you get mad at the Coalition as well? We attacked the Alliance. They attacked us. As you said earlier, it's war. The Alliance cannot be held responsible for the mistake of one man from the Coalition. If that were the case, we might as well dissolve into a fre-for-all and become like Africa."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:38 pm
"What do you want me to say, sir? That I wanted to make sure my comrades were safe from harm? That I wanted the battle to end as quickly as possible? All of it is true, but the fact you've already decided like usual, I will not waste my breath or your time."
"PAC may have been the ones to drop the bomb, but it was because of the attack the bomb was still there." Jarid replied before looking at Tobias with a dull expression.
"Would you rather I just decided that everyone should die for it? I'm sure the Russian instigator would love that."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
