2024-12-03: Keeping the Record
- Log: 2024-12-04: Keeping the Record
- Cast: Flay Allster, Aurora Dusk
- Where: Heaven's Base
- OOC - IC Date: December 3rd, UC 0099
- Summary: Flay makes her after-action report on the events with the Keepers of Order to Emily (and a loitering Aurora). They chitchat about various things.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
After a few days in delay, due to the briefing about the Vajra, Flay submits the after-action report on the events in Ireland to Heaven's Base. As a senior, ranked officer, Colonel Ashcroft's office was where Flay was directed to - which is perhaps good timing for the both of them.
"...Since the Aion was in the area, and with support from NERV, we were able to intercept the two who called themselves 'Keepers of Order' with only some trouble." Flay concludes the summary of her report.
"Since their abilities caused a bug in the VPS Armour, the mechanics are taking a look at the Strike E right now. Other than that..." She considers Aurora's disposition during the battle. "It sounds like one of the enemy pilots was able to wield some kind of 'pressure'... and it seemed to have an effect on Lieutenant Dusk." The paper in Flay's hands hide her expression when she says this. "Um... would you know anything about that, Colonel?"
Whether she gets an answer on that, or not, she sets the paper. "Anyway, that's about everything. Is there anything else?"
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
Emily's office is... it's an office. The lighting is low in the "apartment at daytime when the sun isn't shining directly in the window" way. A NUNE flag occupies one wall, various maps the other. The desk is occupied by a large amount of paperwork, but also a picture frame and an ashtray. Off to the side, 2nd Lt Aurora Dusk stands, flanking the desk.
The desk also happens to be occupied by the owner of the office, sitting in a chair behind it. "Lieutenant." She greets Flay's entrance with a simple nod.
Emily listens to Flay's account attentively. This is one of the more urgent reports, in her eyes. They're all urgent but this one is urgenter. After a second, she responds to Flay's question. "Those who experience quantum brainwave phenomena - for example, Newtypes or Psychodrivers - often report the sensation of 'pressure', especially coming from powerful awakened enemies. It appears the one in the... shadowy unit has a notable psychic presence." A basic answer explaining the 'what' of what just happened. The unstated question of 'what's with Aurora' hangs in the air. No need to volunteer the information if not asked. Aurora's eyes flick between them. Is Flay concerned, she wonders?
Afterwards, she picks up the paper, examining it briefly before settling in her chair and leaning onto the desk. "Good work. Actually, there are a few other reasons I wanted to see you."
"You were at the post-wedding..." A brief sigh. "...peacekeeping operation in PLANT, right?" Emily's voice takes a more serious tone, and she produces a tape player. Obviously, some recorded interaction from somewhere.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
For one, Flay appreciates that Colonel Ashcroft actually takes her account of the battle seriously. Even after her 'promotion', it's not entirely rare that some senior officers address her like she doesn't know what she's talking about. But Emily orients on a rather vague-sounding concern she had - that idea of 'pressure' - and provides an explanation.
Quantum brainwaves... Flay's eyes shift towards Aurora as Emily delivers her explanation. She's not unfamiliar, of course. Back on the Archangel, the crew always remarked that Mu la Flaga must be a Newtype, and that's how he could use the gunbarrel pods to protect the ship. She was saved by Rena Lancaster - a powerful Newtype in her own right. Could Aurora also be...? She always did seem 'different' from a regular Natural... in a way Flay couldn't put her finger on.
"I guess it only makes sense that one of them would have that kind of presence... after all, they had some pretty fearsome magic at their disposal." And it only follows that the abilities of the awakened, must also be magical. "So that means you get those kinds of heightened senses, too... right?" She directly asks Aurora, when it ultimately goes unstated.
At this point, her business with Colonel Ashcroft seemingly over, Flay turns to continue her conversation with Aurora - until she brings up 'a few more reasons'. "Oh? Um, sure. I mean.. what do you need?" Flay tilts her head. The 'peacekeeping operation' in the PLANTs... "I was," She answers, honestly. "What about it?" She adds, hesitantly.
And the panic more deeply sets in when Emily brings out a tape recorder. Does the Colonel know - that she helped Shinn, that she let Rena and Anita get away? How in the world could she have gotten those comms? Her expression goes pretty obviously pale, even trying her hardest not to look more suspicious. She couldn't fight her way out, if Aurora's here... so she just waits, to hear what Emily has on that tape recorder.
"I'm surprised you got footage, of the battle, in that kind of Minovsky density..." Flay says, twisting her hair around, in a way to look nonchalant. "Either way... my comms were private, so I have no idea what you're getting at, Colonel." She stands her ground, not realizing that only sounds worse before it's too late.
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
Well, naturally. Emily likes to think she makes for a personable CO who pays attention to concerns and the situation on the ground. Makes a nice contrast with... some of the people around her.
Aurora, meanwhile, meets Flay's eyes. Did Flay ask that because she was thinking she was a Newtype, or...? She wonders.
Emily continues. "I'm not quite ready to call it true 'magic' yet, Allster. There's a quote by a science fiction author about technology indistinguishable from magic that comes to mind here... on the other hand, we HAVE fought the Kafims before, and what they do basically IS magic..." She makes a thoughtful face.
Aurora nods. "Yeah, I do," she says, quietly. "I can feel attacks coming... and predict enemy movements... and I'm also very spatially aware."
Emily brings out the tape recorder, and Flay... panics? Well, she is a superior officer about to ask about a comm record. It's natural to assume you're in trouble... Wait, there IS something in her comms record? Emily wouldn't know, she wasn't spying on Flay or wiretapping her or anything. She raises an eyebrow, giving Flay a quizzical look. But she DOES think she's figured out what's going on. Back in her day, her squaddies were like that, too. Flirting. Regulations weren't really that strict in that era, but you DID get some people who insisted on enforcing them, and now that they've returned to the professional military era, more people care about fraternizing. Emily still doesn't. She decides to let it pass. They can't afford to lose good soldiers on stupid technicalities like that.
"Footage? No, Allster, this is a tape recording. Of two communications in particular... What do you make of this?" She smiles. Just because she's letting her pass doesn't mean the Colonel can't make Flay squirm a little bit. Remind her that she should be careful.
When she presses the button, it's NOT Flay's voice, but Major Rindt's that begins playing back.
"Be proud... all of you we have lost, and those who are still with us. Today we deal a decisive blow to two hundred years of conspiracy against the people of this Earth. Today we correct the mistakes of the past. Never again shall we allow the enemy to sit at our gates as their siege destroys all we hold dear."
Emily manipulates the recorder's buttons and the tape's audio cuts to a different section. "I AM IN CHARGE HERE!" Rindt's outrage pours from the recorder, loud and clear. "I will not be condescended by a CIVILIAN! On my pride as a Gaia Saber!" Thump. "How dare you! How DARE YOU! Do you have any idea what you've done!? You've handed over the Earth to the Goddamn JOVIAN FILTH-!"
The recording cuts.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
"The Commander said something like that during the battle," Flay remembers, about technology indistinguishable from magic. "I'm no scientist, but it all seemed pretty magical to me. Then again... we were able to fight them off with regular beams, so maybe it wasn't so bad." She frowns, when Emily brings up the Kafims. "Elisa Kafim... that woman is dangerous, and yet..." She spared her hand, even after showing Flay the darkness of the Void first hand.
"...So, you're a Newtype?" Flay asks. "That makes sense. You're not the first one I've met or anything, but those kinds of abilities seem like they'd help you out." She notes that Aurora leaves out mention of the emotional resonance aspect of Newtype abilities, that Rena talked about.
"It's strange. I don't think I'm a Newtype or anything like that, but sometimes when I'm in danger..." She's not even sure how to describe the sensation, the way her senses become clear. Is that kind of heightened awareness just normal, as if it's some kind of curse once you climb into a mobile suit? "Well... never mind that. I guess that's just adrenaline doing its work."
That doesn't mean Flay knows what's going through Emily's head once she panics, or what she's mentally accusing her of. Flirting with your allies is one thing, but it all sounds worse in her head - and Flay's paranoia pretty thoroughly convinces her she's about to be accused of fraternizing with 'the enemy'. All because she couldn't take away another home from Shinn, and because Rena was woman who saved her life.
The mention of two communications furthers that, but despite what's going through her head, she still stands her ground. "You've got to be mistaken! I don't know who you think I spoke to... but I only did what was right." It's probably lucky that Emily just hits play before Flay starts explaining it's not her fault she met these people before the battle - that they taught her to symphatize with the Coordinators.
But it's Major Rindt's voice that plays back. A transmission that was confusing at the time, but easily glossed over considering all the other chaos going on. "...Ah. Jupiter, huh?" She tries to play it cool, and recover her posture. "I know a lot goes on in Jupiter, but it didn't really seem relevant this time. If the Major was acting on information the rest of us didn't have..." There's a glint of spite in Flay's eyes. "Then that man got a lot of people killed for nothing."
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
"I never assume any enemy is completely beyond us until I see proof. Not in the mood to lay down and surrender because they had impressive special effects." Emily brushes through her hair.
Aurora nods again. "Yeah. They've saved my life before. I can do other things too, like... feel how people feel," she adds. Best not to clarify that she's a Cyber-Newtype unless directly asked. Aurora and Emily agree on that. Aurora perks up very slightly when she hears that Flay is experiencing something... something, for sure. "...Like the last battle? There was something different about you. I could tell."
"The boundary between 'Newtype' and 'Oldtype' isn't as certain as people are taught," Emily adds in the language familiar to her. "Some people experience Awakened phenomena despite not being Newtypes, and people can gain these abilities later in life. It's not like being a Coordinator."
Flay panics and ALMOST gives something away. Emily decides to file it away in a mental drawer somewhere. On to the more pressing matter: "I believe he WAS acting on information we didn't have. And not being particularly careful about it either. I doubt it was simple nepotism that led to him being put in command of an operation like that, above officers two ranks his senior." When Emily makes that last comment, there's a trace of her own spite. She resents having to answer to some... random who never tells the officers around him anything. Even worse, he's not even competent, clearly.
"Well, maybe it'll turn out to be nepotism, in which case certain people will have hit a new low in my estimation, but... I doubt it."
She sighs and gives Flay a sympathetic look. "I understand the anger. The smug asshole threw a lot of us into the meat grinder of his... human wave tactics for his little 'master stroke' and we don't have anything to show for it." Emily shakes her head. "Well, keep your ears open. There's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if that something involves a threat, I would like us to be able to see it coming." Oh, she already knows what the threat is. She doesn't want to give her source away, though.
"...Since you were clearly worried about something else." Emily thinks for a second. She only did what was right, Flay was saying before she was cut off. What was right for her? "If you're going to be sneaking somebody into a broom closet, you have to be more subtle about it. We skirted regs like that all the time in the cowboy days in 0079, but these days people actually enforce those," she says, smiling nostalgically. "I don't want us to lose promising young officers on technicalities because they did what was right for them." She sighs, and stops short of bringing up her own past romance. It... didn't end well. "Just make sure nobody catches your cross-rank romance. You understand how serious this could have been, right?" She looks directly at Flay.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
"That's one way of looking at it," Flay nods, when Emily says she never assumes an enemy is unbeatable. "I mean, despite what the Coordinators were capable of, the Bloody Valentine War was a stalemate for a really long time." She looks down, for a moment then. "Too long if you ask me." It's over now... and yet some would argue it never ended and is still in stalemate.
"...Do you ever feel things from others that you'd rather not?" Flay wonders. It's ironic that it can be so much easier to be unempathetic and selfish, and yet Newtypes have that empathy forced upon them. "I guess it's something you'd have to live with," She realizes, then.
But Aurora says there was something 'different' about her, and Flay's brow furrows. "Really? Well, now that you say it, some parts of that battle were a bit of a blur... and I was way more tired than usual once it was over." Even if it's pretty normal to be exhausted after a battle. What Emily adds is a little more disquieting. "Then it's not always what you're born with. Your experiences can really change you... is that it?" Still... Newtypes have always been associated with weapons, and who would want to be a weapon.
"But why? What do the PLANTs have to do with Jupiter?" Flay asks, though she's sure Colonel Ashcroft doesn't have the answers, either. "They had their genes messed with, but they're still..." She sees Kira's face, if for only a moment. "People who came from Earth." While there might be the possibility of nepotism, sounds like there's more to it than that.
"Those soldiers... they all lost their families to Junius Seven, and they needed someone to blame and take their revenge on." Flay says, quietly. "I was the exact same way, when my father died. But they were given nuclear missiles... and they died for it!" She clutches her fist. "Is that what the Gaia Sabers are supposed to be?" Emily says to keep her ears open, though. "...If there's really something, I think we all deserve to know."
But she doesn't let her off the hook either. "Eh? A broom closet? That's a pretty old fashioned place to do it. I mean..." It's a weird feeling, as guilt and relief wash over at the same time. No, that isn't what happened - at least not since she was on the Archangel. But she can't exactly admit to helping the enemy, either - nor can she change the reputation she was given. This is a perfect out. "Right." She smiles, almost deviously. "Yes, ma'am," And then shoots Aurora a look that screams don't tell anyone outside the room about this exchange.
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
Aurora nods. "...Sometimes. It happens sometimes... no, it's not just what you're born with." She, after all, wasn't born with it. Or developed it naturally.
Neither brings it up, but in Aurora and Emily's opinions... it doesn't matter if the war formally ended. Neither has known true peace for a long time. Perhaps that's why they're the way they are - they've been changed by the course of their lives. Emily nods. "Yes, your experiences really do change you... sometimes, the past feels like a different planet." She sighs. "I don't quite know how they do things on Jupiter, but I aim to find out."
Flay hints at the cycle of revenge, and... the people who lost their families and picked up weapons in exchange. Ashcroft ought to be able to relate to that. After all, she's lived that way for 17 years now. "They took up arms because after their world was broken, they knew nowhere would be safe. They took the only option open to them." . She sighs the sigh of an exhausted woman. "They deserved better than to be thrown away like that by some... some figurehead captain like Rindt. And we all deserve to know what he's keeping under his hat that lets him act like that."
What are the Gaia Sabers? It's a good question. Aurora remembers being inducted. The Gaia Sabers are the fist that will bring order to Earth. They are the sword of Earth, pointed out at the stars. She knows neither fear not mercy because it has been driven from her heart. Col. Ashcroft, however, has better words to use here. Considering the way Flay was talking about the nuclear attacks... Maybe a poke at what her loyalties look like at home. She doesn't sound anything like the standard issue Blue Cosmos figurehead. "We are the sword of Earth, charged with ensuring its safety. We are professionals. We are not the personal militia of... men like Rindt, or Azrael, and their rabble."Flay seems to get what Emily means about flirting. "Good to see you understand."
"I think we'll be seeing more of each other soon. You're part of our anti-Vajra task force, and you'll also likely be asked along to any potential meetings with the... Keepers of Order? On that topic. What are your thoughts about... the offers we made to each other, as organisations? Since you were actually there."
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
"...And sometimes, people never find themselves yourself in a situation where you would need abilities like that?" People who were lucky enough that they can still live a normal peaceful life. "Once you do... then what?" Is there really no way to escape the fighting, and find peace? Will she and Aurora both be stuck here, fighting for the Gaia Sabers forever?
"You're right about that," she says, about your experiences changing you to the extent that you can't even recognize the past anymore. What she says next, is curious, though. "'They?' Who's they?" Somehow, she doesn't believe either Major Rindt, nor Colonel Ashcroft, are talking about the Jupiter Energy Fleet.
"There was nothing we could do to save them, but I still... don't know," The sensation of putting a beam saber to the cockpit of another young woman just like her, is one Flay could never forget. "First Junius Seven, then this... I'm so tired of saying that 'there was nothing we can do'." She too sighs, though it lacks the sheer exhausation of a woman who's seen seventeen years of this. "I thought that's why I came here in the first place."
So she does listen, when Emily explains what it means to be a Gaia Saber. "Right... I know that part already." She nods, when Emily brings out the classic 'sword that will protect the Earth' line. "And I know that there's a lot that the Earth needs protecting from, too. I... wanted to make sure no one else would have to lose the things I did, and that I wouldn't have to be scared of what threatens us anymore." With that, though, there's a slight flinch when Emily brings up Azrael in particular. Is there some history there? Entirely possible.
"...Mhm," She nods, and moves on from the matter of whatever Emily thinks she was up to. "I think that's likely, too, Colonel. So... I'll do my best." The Vajra and the Keepers of Order... both threats the Gaia Sabers will once again be needed to meet.
"My opinions on the Keepers of Order? Well... I didn't appreciate the way they put people's lives on the line for a test. I think there's a lot they don't understand about the Earth... and it's arrogant that they think they do." It's seemingly negative, what she has to say about them. "...But if they really aren't trying to hurt anyone, maybe we can show them we can get along after all."
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
'What then' is an extremely good question."What then..." Emily leans back in her chair and exhales slowly. What exactly would they do without war? Neither Aurora nor Emily know. For them, the answer is that they can't see that future. The Colonel's soul was devoured by war long ago... and neither of them think too hard about what Aurora's future looks like. They're both stuck here forever. "...There are many things that could be said to define war in the late Universal Century. Newtypes are one of those things."
"'They'? The rookies in those Windams. They all signed up because they'd lost their previous lives. There was nothing else to do but fight." Though neither of them can deny that their lives have been like that, too. When nowhere is safe, everywhere is a battlefield. When everywhere is a battlefield, you never get to go home. That's right. There is nothing else either of them can do about it.
'I wouldn't have to be scared of what threatens us anymore.' Can Flay spot the recognition in Aurora's eyes? This is part of why she fights. The safest place in the world is behind a gun... not to imply anywhere is actually safe.
At the flinch, something in Emily's eye... flickers. "Previously acquainted with the man yourself? I never had the pleasure," she drawls. "I've only heard about his conduct from a distance. Good riddance."
"Arrogant. Careless. Smug. And they're here now. But yes, we do have the same stated motive."
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
'Late' Universal Century. Almost makes it sound as if it will end soon, Flay doesn't say out loud. And something that was once a hope for the future becomes another tool of war. Flay wordlessly regards Aurora, feeling as if she's stepped into a landmine. At least for now, she's her responsibility, so...
"Ah... right. They had no choice but to fight until they die, is that what you're saying?" Flay asks, her tone turning harsh once again. She knows that's just the reality of colony drop warfare - a home becomes a weapon to drop upon other homes. But that's just too much to keep thinking about.
Flay does know Aurora fights for much of the same reason she does... they were able to relate to each other through that the first time they met. But she also knows it's not really the mindset of a soldier that drives either of them. So when Flay looks back into Aurora's eyes, the look she gives isn't a happy one.
Azrael. "Yes. I'm sure my father was well acquainted with the man." She has several complicated feelings about that. "But at the end of the Bloody Valentine War, we were both on the Dominion. And he was just... terrible." Flay shakes her head, not going into any more detail than that. She feels lucky that Natarle was there to protect her.
As for the Keepers of Order... "I guess so. Keeping order with force. Captain Fari seemed pretty confident we could reason with them. I guess we'll see how that turns out." She kind of just shrugs. It's best to be prepared, in case they decide to just attack again.
"Well... that should be everything, Colonel. For real this time, right?" Flay turns once again to exit the office, having just been given a lot to think about. "I'll keep you posted about those anti-Vajra missions." She looks to Aurora, then, to see if she's coming with. She's been pretty quiet today. "...Thanks." She says, then, and throws up a weak salute.
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
Fight until they die. That's the life they all lead, isn't it? "...that's the world we live in."
Aurora looks back at Flay, and the look she gives her is one of... understanding? Is that what her icy eyes reflect?
Emily visibly relaxes when Flay shittalks Azrael. "Good riddance to bad rubbish. Whining child should have sat down and let Badgiruel do her damn job instead of trying to shoot her because she was prioritising preventing all of our deaths over his ridiculous ego trip."
"That'll be all." Emily returns the salute.
Emily nods at Aurora, and she decides to follow behind Flay. They're going to be on the same team, after all.