Re: FW Part: One

by **Deathcap** Wed Jul 15, 2015 9:59 am

Josephe turned away and drank the remaining water in his glass, not having it in him to be conversational at the moment.
Anderson watched Sliet with a somewhat amused look on his face. "Where did you get promoted from?" He asked.
Josephe spoke up quickly, wanting to just shut the two up; he preferred the previous silence. "The Major brought her in from the peacekeeping officers out in the settlements. Didn't you read the report?" He didn't look up, but noted that Sliet was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with trying to make conversation. "I know it's different out here, more ceremony, but you'll get used to it." He added.

When the majority of the soldiers had left and it was just a few captains and lieutenants, it was the regular time to discuss how the training progress and issues at hand. Josephe, after returning with more water, stayed standing, while Anderson re-seated himself and looked at his papers, hooking one leg over the other. He noted Lt. Hamata was still present, picking things up and seeming to keep himself busy, and shot a look at the other, and then at Sliet. It was only generally captains allowed to stay for this sort of thing.

Harir hovered nearby, seeming unwilling to leave. He was the last lieutenant present- most of the others had wandered off to sleep or drink with the other officers.

by **melodiousmysteries** Wed Jul 15, 2015 9:33 pm

Sliet had opened her mouth to answer before Josephe did it for her. even more disheartened, she went back to her food, more poking at it than anything now. she looked up at him again when he spoke, nodding in thanks.

She didn't look up again until almost everyone was gone, just waiting for the meeting to start. Sliet noticed Josephe give her a look, but didn't need to look over or ask to know what he wanted. Shed noticed the lieutenant too, but she hadn't thought he was hurting anything at first, just cleaning stuff up, but this WAS supposed to be a captains meeting. "Can you make yourself busy somewhere else, Lieutenant?" she asked Harir, looking at him, unimpressed. In all honesty, if he was really dead set on staying, she would love to trade places with him, but as much as she wanted to get out of here, she knew she couldn't yet.

by **Deathcap** Wed Jul 15, 2015 9:45 pm

Harir looked up. "O-of course, sorry Captain," He replied quickly, dropping what he was doing and leaving the tent. He thought and re-thought leaving before settling awkwardly to stand at the wall of another tent across from the entrance of the mess hall.
Anderson muttered something as the other left. The guy hadn't been right since the incident with Captain Lin. "So, is everyone's company in order? There's been a few occurrences with some of the recruits. Especially the MCs. Nothing we can't fix, we just catch one and flog them and that should take care of it, you think?" He asked the two others.

Josephe let out a "hmm." But didn't reply for a few moments, considering what he had written down in the records he held. "I'm not certain. This batch seems to have more dissenters than I've seen since the drought we had ten years ago. I think it might be something more than the usual trouble makers." He spoke quietly. "What do you think, Leloup?" He asked, without glancing up.

by **melodiousmysteries** Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:15 pm

Sliet considered her answer for a moment, deciding that if she didn't want to get found out, she would have to do her job the way it was supposed to be done sometimes. "There doesn't seem to be enough incidents at this point in time to be too worried about them. Making an example should do the trick" She said, as much as she hated to agree with Anderson.

by **Deathcap** Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:30 pm

"Well, it would, if this is like Anderson said," Josephe gestured to the man. "But, if we're dealing with what we've seen taking place in the capital, making an example might only give someone motivated an incentive to try harder. Perhaps we should be careful about this-" His speech was cut off by a throaty laugh from Anderson.
"Dumont, come on, you're overthinking this, it's a bunch of scared kids, they aren't going to start a revolution."
"And you're being arrogant. Why do you think there is so much restriction of speech in the cities? Because for everyone of us sitting on top of a horse, well fed and trained, there is hundreds of them, desperate, frightened and holding a gun. Someone spoke up at the right moment and suddenly everyone thought they could. Now a good portion of our forces are suppressing things in the cities."
Anderson scoffed. "Well, what do you supposed we do then, not make an example? Leave behavior unpunished? If this is really so serious? In a couple months half of them will be dead, Dumont." Both of them fell into silence for a moment.

by **melodiousmysteries** Wed Jul 15, 2015 11:03 pm

Sliet almost smiled at Andersons revolution comment, because she knew better. that was exactly what was going to happen. She watched the two argue , taking note of how Josephe's ability to think things through, and Anderson's lack thereof. "something needs to be done, even if not that. If we don't handle this right, it will blow up in our faces, sending a message to the higher-ups and the recruits that we can't handle ourselves." she said, playing on Dumonts fear of being put out of duty which Anderson had pointed out earlier.

by **Deathcap** Wed Jul 15, 2015 11:14 pm

Anderson stood back, crossing his arms. They really seemed to think something was up.
Josephe nodded in agreement with Sliet. "I think a good strategy would be to weed out any leaders. Putting them down directly might make them into a matyr, but if we can humiliate or scare those who are inspiring trouble and they back down, any other potential trouble makers should fallow, if we do this right." He said quietly, looking to Sliet to see what she thought. She was obviously more for this conversation than Anderson, who often seemed to have trouble seeing past his own delusions.

by **melodiousmysteries** Wed Jul 15, 2015 11:34 pm

"That could work " sliet agreed, turning to Josephe. "Finding them should be easy enough. How would you propose we spook or humiliate them?" Anderson seemed to have given up on the discussion, but Dumont seemed really into it.

by **Deathcap** Thu Jul 16, 2015 12:00 am

"Catch them for anything minor with degrading punishments, if one who seems to be leading the group makes a mistake, punish those around them for their actions, so that they won't be seen in a kind light. Up cleaning and drills to tire them out. After they give up or break, reward them for obedience or submitting." He listed off rather calmly. He'd dealt with this sort of thing before. If anyone turned out to be persistent enough even when on the battlefeild, they were simply sent to the front lines.
"Some of the noted ones who might be problematic are Bria Jones, Seth Whitaker, Ebrem Mills, August Mcinnis, Allison Oaks, Raven Dumont, William Lunin, Haden Orwell, Rene Elliot.." Josephe placed a paper on the table with names scrawled down. "Most of them either exhibit particular issues or are considered high risk, but there's no doubt others who're under the radar at the moment." He told her, showing her the list.

by **melodiousmysteries** Thu Jul 16, 2015 12:21 am

Sliet nodded again at his response, though she found it unerving how quickly it came. This guy really knew what he was doing. She looked over the list of names, scribbling a few down for future reference. She felt more than a little satisfaction as she recognized some of them from her day spent at the prison, her choices then paying off. "So were decided then?" She asked, looking between the two others, almost hoping that they would disagree and argue some more so that nothing would come of this meeting.

by **Deathcap** Thu Jul 16, 2015 12:38 am

Anderson, while listening, said very little, but nodded after the other man said nothing. He headed quickly out of the tent.
Josephe took a moment to gather up his things, waiting until Anderson was gone to speak. "Be alert, and not just for those kids. There's more going on here that that idiot thinks. I don't know if the higher ups are keeping something from us, or they won't admit it, but things are changing in the federation. Things are... slipping." He muttered before fallowing suit and leaving the tent.

Harir waited absently for Leloup, keeping an eye out while trying to fend off his drowsiness. As odd as his new captain was, he was really starting to like her. She seemed to have more of a personality than a lot of the officers. He just hoped he didn't seem like a kiss-up waiting around like this.

by **melodiousmysteries** Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:41 pm

Sliet moved to clean up her own papers when Anderson got up to leave, just glad it was finally over. She looked up from her papers when Josephe addressed her again, nodding grimly at him before he left. He had no idea how right he was. She had a general idea of what was going on out there, and there was a lot more to it than he knew. Josephe was smart, and he knew what he was doing. It was surprising that he hadn't figured her out yet, She would definitely be keeping an eye on him.

Once he had left and she had gathered her papers, Sliet made for the door herself. She pulled her coat up against the cold as she stepped out of the tent, making a quick scan of her surroundings. The dark haired girl nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed a figure in the darkness across from her, more than a little on edge from the meeting. She let out a breath of relief when she realized it was just her lieutenant from earlier. Lt. Hamata right? He had seemed pretty alright so far, if a little strange. "Is there something you need?" she asked, looking at him with a mix of worry and confusion, one hand pressed over her still racing heart. something must have been wrong for him to wait out here this whole time, right?

by **Deathcap** Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:51 pm

Captain Dumont headed off, keeping his head up and almost jumping at the sight of the young lieutenant. He had his hand resting on his holster after that as he headed off to find his bed.

Harir became suddenly nervous, he hadn't meant to annoy the captain, only to keep an eye out for danger. "N-no Captain. It's part of a lieutenants duty to ensure the safety of their commanding officer. There were no other soldiers around, so I figured it would be safer if there was someone present. Wh-what with the deaths in camp and all." He stammered, seeming very uncertain.

The camp was relatively quiet, a few night guards walked around in pairs. 2nd Lt Marcel was chatting happily and likely drunkenly to the unfortunate recruit stuck with him a few tents down, but the wind was the most prominent noise.

by **melodiousmysteries** Thu Jul 16, 2015 10:51 pm

Sliet gave him a small, awkward smile, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Thanks, but I really can handle myself. Honest. Now get to be before you freeze to death, Hamata. " she said softly. She felt a little bit guilty for how these people were trying to take care of her when she was working against them every step of the way. She turned and walked away to find her own bed for thw night, far more relaxed than josephe, knowing that if she were to get into a fight here, she herself was just as deadly as her firearm, if not moreso, and comforted by the knowledge that if there was anything watching her from the shadows, it was more than likely a friend.

by **Deathcap** Thu Jul 16, 2015 11:37 pm

(skips again lol)

The camp was fraught with commotion and shouting. Pvt. Cook was brought in on a stretcher, a makeshift wrap covering her neck and side of her face. Over half of the platoon was badly injured or gone altogether. Anderson and a few of his Lieutenants making their way into his tent, something in tow. As the others went into the tent, he turned and shouted orders to get the wounded tended to.
He himself was bleeding heavily from a gash on his face and another in his chest where shrapnel had peppered him. He sent Marcel to collect Josephe and Sliet.
Afterwards, Marcel returned to the tent with the two captains in tow, slipping inside the tent awkwardly and walking to stand next to Raven. The boy stared at the ground, shaking and refusing to look up at what was going on.
Anderson had the girl tied securely, keeping at distance for a few seconds as he worked falteringly on some kind of device.

Kathrine was in bad shape; she'd managed to incapacitate half of Anderson's platoon before she'd been hit by a grenade and the captain had attempted to finish her off before he'd realized what she was. Half of her left side had been blown apart and was barely closing over, and she had six bullet wounds in her chest. Her breathing was ragged and full of blood as she tried to get a hold of herself enough to try to get out of this mess. She looked around wildly, unsure of what was going to happen. If they just waited for a few minuites, she would have enough strengthen back to fight her way out of this. She looked around for help, any familiar faces who might be able to provide some diversion.

Josephe entered the tent quickly, looking around. "What in hell is going on here Anderson?" He demanded. Bewildered by the situation.

by **melodiousmysteries** Fri Jul 17, 2015 12:09 am

Sliet trailed behind Josephe by a few steps , slowed by the shock of the chaos in the camp. She'd never seen it like this, and it was seriously making her wonder what could have caused it. Her thoughts were halted when she stepped into the tent, stumbling over the threshold less than elegantly, and going deathly pale at the sight. This wasn't good. She quickly worked to play it off, catching up to the other captain and acting confused, crossing her arms to hide her shaking hands. She spared a few quick glances at Katherine, trying to get a read on how she was. Of course she knew that she would be fine, given the short time needed to heal, but it that device of andersons was what she thought it was, she had to do something, and without giving herself away, otherwise they would both be in the same position.

by **Deathcap** Fri Jul 17, 2015 8:06 pm

By the time the three captains had gathered, there was only them and about fifteen of Anderson's soldiers who stood guarding the tent and helping Anderson secure the captive.
Two stood across with rifles aimed nervously at her head.
Anderson, still badly wounded, turned to the others, gesturing to the girl. He gave somewhat of a sour laugh. "Do you know what this is?" He asked the two, looking back to his machine.
Josephe remained silent until the younger captain ran a knife across the thrashing girl's arm and stood back as it slowly closed. He paled slightly. "You aren't serious? This is what destroyed your platoon? I thought-"
"You thought the higher ups were just paranoid? Me too, until it started creating concussive blasts with it's bare hands.
"It?" Questioned Marcel, shifting uneasily, stills shaken up from the fight.
"It's a machine, Lt." He stated, twisting something on the device with a click. "Bleeds and speaks like a person. That's so it blends in. It's a weapon from the old world."
"If this is what you think it is do you really think those restraints will hold it?!" Snapped Josephe, gesturing to the other soldiers to help restrain her, however, most of them seemed hesistant to touch the other.
"Calm down, you won't need those weapons." He waved his hands back at the frightened recruits. "This little thing is a failsafe, as soon as I attach this..."

Kathrine seethed, tugging with increasing panic at the restraints, baring her teeth at the recruits and trying to keep an eye on Anderson as he moved behind her. She felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck and grit her teeth, struggling against the soldiers before anderson caught her jaw in his hand and held her still. In desperation, she looked up, locking eyes with sliet before a wave of exhaustion suddenly hit her and her heart quickened, the pain the nanotech had suppressed coming back in full as she let out a withering cry, slumping against the restraints.
"Cut it down." He instructed, and one of the soldiers hesitantly cut the restraint holding her up, and she collapsed to the ground, jerking and curling up in shock.

"..and it's rendered no stronger than a regular person, A person with six bullets in them. You can relax." He laughed at the frightened looking others and made a disgusted face, pointing to one of the privates. "You, get a medic in here, I don't want it bleeding out before we find out what it knows."
He looked to Josephe and Sliet. "I've sent word to the Capital, they want it kept alive until they arrive to take it away. Should be a couple days. This is high priority so we can afford it, they instructed that we spend time drilling and training the recruits." He told the others. "I'll be spending that time figuring out where this monstrosity came from."
Anderson paused, looking over to the recruits and Marcel, his face changing to bitter annoyance, his voice rasing an octave. "2nd Lt Mcloud, you and Private Dumont will be watching the captive tonight, and if either of you fucking hesitate on my orders again and I'll have you strung up from the next tree we find." He growled. "Now get out. I want 2nd Lt. Peters and Lt. Leblanc in here with me for interrogation, and two of you guarding the tent entrance." He gestured for Kathrine to be re-tied before looking back to Josephe and Sliet. "Care to stick around?" He asked with an odd look on his face.

by **melodiousmysteries** Fri Jul 17, 2015 9:56 pm

Sliet listened to Anderson describe Katherine, fozen in her place with fear.he was describing her right now. He didn't know it, but he was just the same, and she was sure he would do the exact same thing to her without blinking if he were to ever find out. She watched in abject horror as Katherine fell to the ground, using all of her will to keep her face blank with the exception of surprise. She forced herself to look away from her friend when Anderson spoke to them again, trying to take in as much as she could. A couple of days. A couple of days and then there would be nothing she could do to help. A couple of days with Anderson. She had to get Katherine out of here. But for now, she had to get herself out of here before she blew it. "No thank you." She responded to Andersons offer, anger swelling up with her fear. " but you should probably get a medic in here for yourself too. You fared better than the rest, but that still doesn't look too good." She said, keeping her voice down so that only the three captains could hear, forcing an expression of worry and tdying to make it seem like she was just worried about him and not doubting him.

by **Deathcap** Fri Jul 17, 2015 10:21 pm

Josephe shook his head grimly. "I'm sure you've got this under control. Remember what you said about keeping it alive." He replied before exiting rather quickly to talk to his liuetenants.

As Sliet exited Anderon's tent, Harir caught up with her, having hardly any idea what was happening, other than that Anderson's platoon had been attacked. "Captain, what's going on..." He paused, noticing with worry how pale she was. "A-are you alright?" He asked softly.

by **melodiousmysteries** Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:06 pm

Sliet looked over at her lieutenant distractedly, running a hand through her hair and resting it on her neck in an attempt to calm down. "Yes. O-of course. I... I'm fine. "She told him, trying to convince herself as much as she was Harir. "Can you help me get the other lieutenants together? I need to explain this mess and our new orders for the next couple of days. " she asked him, barely keeping herself from shaking.

by **Deathcap** Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:13 pm

Harir nodded hesitantly. "Yes of course." He started to turn, but looked back at her, concerned. "F-forgive me, Captain, but you look like you're about to be sick... Do you want to rest alone for a moment? He asked softly. He was sure the others could wait for a few minutes.

by **melodiousmysteries** Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:29 pm

She couldn't deny that, she definitely felt like she was going to be sick, she just needed to not do it here. She was about to decline the offer, but thought better of it. She could probably use the help. "That would be perfect. Thank you. " she said quietly, offering a small grateful smile, though it was a weak one.

by **Deathcap** Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:40 pm

Harir walked with her a little off out of the main area where there was no one but some lumber, rocks and rubble to sit on. He stood awkwardly for a moment before holding his waterskin out to her. He wasn't sure why she seemed to upset. Maybe all the injured? He tried to think of something to say. "I-it's alright Captain... I used to get at the sight of blood... and, there's a lot going on." It sounded more stupid than he'd intended. He wasn't so good at this.

by **melodiousmysteries** Sat Jul 18, 2015 12:00 am

Sliet sat down on one of the larger logs, covering her face with her hands and focusing on her breathing. She tried to rsmind herself that all of her fears were ifs. If they found out. If they knew. She would just have to be careful. She took a drink of water when it was offered, having calmed down a great deal. She looked over at Harir when he spoke, smiling a little in amusement. She looked back in the direction theyd come, looking quite serious now. "Can you believe one person did al of that?" She asked him quietly, handing him back his water. "Or , rather, one thing i suppose."

by **Deathcap** Sat Jul 18, 2015 12:38 am

He shrugged, though was a little relieved at her smile. "I... I don't know, it's pretty insane, they said she was something made up of the nanotechnology from the old world. A lot of people were hurt." He added non-committedly. "I just wonder why she attacked us. Anderson said she was an it, too, a weapon, but to take on a whole platoon of soldiers... she must have said some reason, right? Some thought process or emotion? I don't think the settlements would have the means to control something like that.. even if she was... I don't know, mindless." He replied, then worried he was speaking too much. "I-I'll go get the others now."

That night Raven headed with Marcel to stand guard. They stood out in the cold air for half an hour and no one came by. Marcel gestured, yawning. "Come on, let's go inside where it's warm, no one will care." He muttered, and the led the way into the tent.
He glanced uncomfortably at the form of the girl before settling down near the door of the tent and relaxing in the warmth, taking a few swigs from his flask.

Raven instantly felt sick to his stomach. The form of the bloodied captive in the dark unnerved him, not to mention whatever they'd done to her. She barely looked recognizable at this point and if it wasn't for the shallow rise and fall of her breath he would have been certain she was dead. He kept glancing at her, wanting to do something. She must have been in so much pain. He was wary, remembering how easily she had destroyed the platoon, but felt more upset with pity than worry. Anderson was in a different tent for the night, and Marcel was inevitably falling asleep. His mind raced as he considered his options.
He wanted to help the other, at least ease her suffering, but he also wanted to know who she was, what she was, what that meant about pel.
His friend had always healed quickly, abnormally quickly, and if she was the same as this woman, then maybe, maybe there was some chance that...
He shook off the train of thought, and glancing one last time at Marcel, and again over his shoulder at the entryway, then walked over to the girl.
She didn't seem to acknowledge him, still held unconsciously on her feet by the restraints.
Decided, he went to undo the binds, so she could at least lie down, as he did, she let out a noise somewhere between a cry and a growl.
Tensing up at the noise, he tried to calm her down. "S-shh- I'm t-trying to help." He whispered, shaking from the worry this was going to go horribly wrong. She didn't open her eyes or make anymore noise as he carefully undid the restraints and caught her, carefully lowering her to the ground on a coat.
She remained still for a moment, and seemed to be barely breathing, though, she was at least better off than tied up like that. He remained sitting beside her after covering her with another coat, uncertain of what to do. He could try to remove the device that Anderson had left on her, but had no idea what it might do to her. She wasn't speaking, and he couldn't very well urge her awake to ask her when she was like this.
He jumped at footsteps, feeling his heart race in his chest.

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