South looked at him for a while, nodding slowly eventually. “As long as you don’t go on any more suicide missions!” She eventually offered in exchange. “Sorry Cal, but you’re my friend and I’m not just going to let you go off and get yourself killed. None of you guys. But at the same time I’m really not looking forward to North yelling at me again… especially considering I know he’d do the same thing, given the opportunity.” She shrugged slightly before standing, giving him a look. “I think it goes without saying we don’t mention this to the others.” The girl said quietly before motioning her head towards the door. “Wanna go find em? I think I heard talk of food and I’m starving.”
North chuckled again, sitting back slightly. “Now you’re asking something.” He said, thinking over past missions. Surprisingly nothing leapt out at him at first. Sure there was the odd mission here or there but nothing spectacular. “Oh! I got it!” He said putting the glass to the table with enthusiasm. “Perhaps not my finest moment, but probably the one I think about the most. My squad and I had been sent to this really primitive planet at war with itself, the original, primitive inhabitants were give the modern settlers a bitch of a time so we had been sent to see if a treaty could be reached.”
The place was full of thick jungles, you couldn’t walk in a straight line the trees were so think. Anyway, we’d had our talk with the settlers, gotten what they wanted and were trying to find the original inhabitants, who were very at one with their environment. It was proving difficult. Now, they had no clue who we were, so I can understand why assumed us to be enemies too, especially since they had no doubt seen us talking to the settlers. They ambushed us during the night and my squad was scattered and I found myself on my own.”
“I didn’t last long. After an hour or so I heard this really ominous click right under my foot before my world exploded. Now, remembering that this was a primitive planet the blast wasn’t enough to kill me thanks to my amour. But I was down, injured and all but out. I was bleeding heavily thanks to a bit of shrap and all I really remembered seeing were those natives hovering over me and these vague… nonsensical images between bouts of darkness. The next thing I really remember was waking up in an infirmary.”
He went silent for a long time after that, for a while it looked like the story was over before he eventually continued, though something had changed in his voice, the carefree happiness was gone, replaced by a serious tone of contemplation. “They said they found me naked, no sign of my amour, covered in this strange substance and leaves of all things. Apparently none of the rest of my squad were found. I never said anything to any of them but I honestly think those natives saved me… for whatever reason. And whilst I can’t say for certain… I think the rest of my squad didn’t want to be found and I like to think they’re still out there somewhere with those strange beings.”