Arrival | OTA

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal was always a little reluctant at accepting even mandatory leave. Still, she knew the reasons for it, and could defend the policy as needed, whether she liked it or not, and as an officer she had an obligation to serve as a good example. Although the FMS Viking remained at its post in the Belt, high-speed transports ferried personnel and special-order supplies, and it was aboard such an interplanetary shuttle she was traveling back to Mars. The visit home would be trying, as usual, but seeing her militia unit again would be good, as well as her mother.

Resting her eyes momentarily, she didn't notice the bright light. Other changes, however, she noticed: the tone of the nearby conversations, in particular, and although it was subtle, something was definitely not quite right about the feel of the shuttle. Scowling, she opened her eyes again--then scowled more so, looking around. She was definitely not in the shuttle. She was still in her red-tone camouflage fatigues, with a holstered device (most likely some kind of pistol, at a glance) at her side, and a duffel bag rested at her feet.

She stood abruptly, wary, but of all the people in the room--judging by its size and the totally open view of starscape, most likely aboard a large ship--none showed any signs of hostility. In fact, most barely even showed much interest in her presence. Whether they were aware of the situation or not, though, it was unacceptable. Resting a hand on her sidearm, but not drawing it, she kept her eyes peeled for any sign of someone who might be in charge. No explicit threats--yet--but she couldn't make any assumptions under such circumstances.

"What the hell's going on, here?"

Comments

[major_egret_msfsod]

Seriously, "you're not when you were" sounds like he's either a philosophy student, or suffering from a nasty whack on the head, or might just be tripping. It's hard to be sure if he's just struggling to say things in a way that makes sense (that is, without any scifi context at all, good luck there) or being patronizing, or both, but she doesn't particularly like either.

Still. Keep civil with civilians. She just looks thoroughly irritated, but doesn't really react much, except to confirm.

"No. Not really a thing."

She shakes her head.

"...Alec. Major Egret, MSFSOD. Thanks for the help."

......not that she considers it all THAT helpful, but at least he's pointed out who the ship's crew are, and given her a taste of the sort of crazytalk she ought to expect here.

[element_wizard]

Sadly it's none of the above though the latter two have featured heavily in Alec's life.

"Major," Alec said with a nod. "I was in the army a while ago... Infantry."

A quick shadow of sorrow crosses his face.

"It was... interesting. I've never heard of the MSFSOD. But you're welcome."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal narrows her eyes slightly at his mentioning "the army" (which army?), but nods, albeit somewhat curtly. At least he addresses her by rank, and by that look he gets, there are good odds he really has served in some military or other.

"Martian Space Force, Special Operations Division." She pauses a tick, there, before clarifying. "Mostly counterterrorism and antipiracy, in peacetime."

[element_wizard]

"United States Army, 34th infantry." he said and snorted a horrible bitter snort, "Drafted for World War Two."

Of course counter terrorism in peace time. That's what they all call it, don't they? "Martian? Ah, no wonder the disgusted look when I mentioned Earth."

[major_egret_msfsod]

...right. World War Two. He was in the pacific theater, and she's George S. Patton. Even if he was making it up or totally delusional, at least his attitude began to make some sense to her. He was that sort.

"...we're at peace. But history's history."

She obviously wasn't terribly convinced by any of his story, but at least his understanding of Martians not being fond of Earth made some sense. That, everyone knew, of course. And whether they liked to admit it on Earth or not, there were damned good reasons.

[element_wizard]

Yup. World War Two. Though, he was actually in the European side and ended up playing spy because he spoke fluent Russian and could pass as one.

"And peace rarely lasts."

Alec has no idea why Mars is unhappy with Earth, but it's pretty obviously from her sneering that there's something going on there.

[major_egret_msfsod]

Ah, she'd assumed he was referring to the Regular Army 34th Infantry Regiment, rather than the Army National Guard 34th Infantry Division. That wasn't exactly the part that didn't make sense, anyway.

She raises an eyebrow at that statement, but looks a touch more suspicious, as if he might be trying to provoke a reaction.

"Considering how hard we've worked to let water go under the bridge, it had damned well better last."

[element_wizard]

"Yeah. People always say that... but if you look at history, it rarely lasts. Maybe not in your generation, but eventually." He shook his head sadly. "People are too easily offended and eager to fight despite what they think they are."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal shook her head, looking a touch more stern.

"Nothing lasts forever. A generation or two of relative peace's as much as anyone can really ask for. It's not because they're easily offended, but because there's always competition for resources and authority. Fine, that's how things are. However. So long as Mars is materially dependent on Earth in any capacity and permitted to manage its own affairs without unilateral Terrestrial intervention, it absolutely isn't going to be Mars starting any fights. Radicals only gain power on Mars when the UN interjects itself into Martian concerns. You want to look at history, good. Even just in Europe: Greece, Rome, Russia, Germany, Ukraine. Someone gets desperate enough, they tend to stop asking questions about whoever's offering protection."