[IC] Σωτήρ: the Solar Age (Mecha) - Still Accepting

[Letter Bee]

"Understood," Henry said in a flat tone, one that deliberately didn't show any emotion. He would then take up his Beam Rifle and shoot at the opposing mech, sending out one or two beams, while at the same time allowing his own machine to float freely, ready to move only at the last moment, when Lumen 1's vehicle moved...

@Crimmy

[Krayzikk]

Jannah Hangar: Intermission

"Then now you know why I refuse to stop running checks." Sasha replied, continuing to give Joan a reproachful look. A milder one, admittedly, but the understatement had not passed beneath her notice at all. Some would point out (before they perished) that little did, but that was irrelevant. She tightened her grip despite outward appearances and continued to let Joan work at her hair in vain. Both of them knew there would be new grease streaks inside of a few hours. "I'm glad he performed up to spec, though. And you didn't get a scratch on him, so I'm not going to have much work to do. Not much on Valk, either."

"But you're still a fibber. And I will make sure to remind you of it when we're using that spare time for hanging out. You need rest."

[Plank Sinatra]

She's Right, You Know, Father Joan!

Joan exhaled and nodded once, keeping her head bowed as her breathing continued to steady. Her job, she knew, was done; all the OSDT pilots had either remained by their HFVs or gone off to various debriefs, and her fellow Paper Tiger pilots would no doubt wish to remain with their prototypes and talk shop with the mechanics. Joan knew she should be among them - or, at least, detail her experiences with Judah to her own crew chief - but right now, revisiting the events of the last few minutes...

It seemed an insurmountable chore.

Until someone came to her for guidance, some rest and contemplation of her own seemed like the best course of action.

"Fair point. I'll be in the room," Joan agreed, lifting up her head again and drawing herself to her full height. "Try not to work too hard. And watch your tools more carefully, you little klutz. That little nose of yours isn't built to withstand many wrenches."

A quiet beat before Joan stopped fixing Sasha's hair, long fingers stroking the blonde ponytail one last time before dropping to her sides.

"My...my thanks, Sasha."

[Crimmy]

@Letter Bee

Francis Bertrand

With Henry's damaged machine in clear sight, Francis was able to quickly move out of the way of the beams shot in his direction, before immediately returning fire with his own beam rifle, aiming directly at the cockpit of the younger pilot's simulated HFV.

[Letter Bee]

Thank God these beams are slower than light! Henry said as he accelerated sharply to his left, barely avoiding the beam, but getting his shoulder hit. Due to the fact that his offensive options were declining, he would then begin firing beam shots at Lumen 1 again, knowing it would be futile...

@Crimmy

[Crimmy]

@Letter Bee

Francis Bertrand

The beams were met by Lumen 1's missiles, creating an ever-expanding cloud of dust and gas upon impact and obscuring Henry's opponent from view. From his position, the young pilot would be unable to see when the other machine would start firing, or where it would emerge from. A single beam immediately burst through the cloud, veering towards the centre of the crippled Rook Henry was piloting.

However, a shape materialised a mere second later to Henry's left, Lumen 1's own Rook having taken advantage of the reduced speed and manoeuvrability of the young pilot to close the distance with ease, beam saber igniting to slice once more at Henry.

[Letter Bee]

Henry's simulated mech's chest was struck by the beam, while the left arm was cut off. In response to this, the young man drew his Beam saber with his mech's right hand and stabbed at Lumen 1's shillouete, knowing full well there was no chance...

@Crimmy

[Crimmy]

@Letter Bee

Francis Bertrand

The beam saber was met by Lumen 1's own one, the two particle blades clashing and sparking with energy. Henry was correct in his assessment that his chances were quite low, as his opponent immediately pointed the barrel of a beam rifle into his machine's side. Something clicked.

You are dead.

"A better showing," crackled Bertrand's voice over the comms. "However, you must control your recklessness."

[Letter Bee]

Henry nodded at that, then said:

"Thank you for the learning opportunity, sir. It seems I had much to learn." And by that, he was suspecting that the real reason his transfer to the Jannah was accepted was because it was him, Henry Yatogami, who had been at fault for more reasons than believing in Aliens; namely, he had been reckless, used his former mech in risky ways, and had been obtuse because he and it hadn't been wrecked yet.

@Crimmy