ABS FIESTA REDUX

[Qwepir]

"Yeah, i haven't been this tired since Palestra. The only exception is that it was colder."

: I've never been. What's it like?

"I meant to ask earlier, but how come you weren't flying your usual?"

: Can't bring Thunderbolts on a Terminator. Too big and heavy.

Walter huffs with a smile before replying
"We have drills but not often. Maybe I should join you guys sometime to see how different it is from ours."

: Hah! Careful what you wish for.

[Ad Bot]

[Tayasaurus]

: I've never been. What's it like?

"While I was there it was so cold anti-freeze froze. It's home to one of the worlds biggest tank graveyards I can think of. There are tons of un-exploded munitions beneath the soil and snow and my jaw is still missing out there somewhere. Even the people that live there congregate primarily on the coast because not all of them are ballsy enough to set foot inland which is populated by a violent militia, and the hazards i mentioned previously. As a result the coastal towns rank #1 in the world for their crabbing industry. I can't think of a better place to stop for lunch. The people there deserved better, and i was there to help however i could... i just feel like i only made things worse though... I don't even know what became of the situation when i was shuttled out of there..."

Tippy stands back up and re-seats herself at the table and cradles her coffee cup, still feeling the cold from Palestra from her reminiscing of it.

[Badger]

: Hah! Careful what you wish for.

"Is he behind me?"

[Deoxys And One Noob]

Graf quietly nods, salutes quickly and sharply, and throws his finished meal into the trash can. He's not sure whether to join the others or go back to his bunk, so he thinks for a second. What's the harm in visiting? He sits down at Tippy's table, recognizing one of the faces he knows.

He doesn't interrupt and waits for an opportunity to greet the other people sitting at the table.

[Mr. Hurricane]

Jaakko remembers the last time he was so tired. He remembers Gantevir and the surge operations leading in to Taiton. So many sorties a day carried with it unsustainable demands on the body.

He hears the sound of shrapnel slamming into his aircraft, along with a tray hitting the the table. He doesn't move, and quickly reasons it was a hallucination, almost definitely connected to his exhaustion.

He realizes that he is zoning out and having trouble keeping his eyes open. He quickly continues eating, motion keeping him awake.

[Operator¹]

While the conversation at the table is still about the loadouts, Ellie asks,

"What did you kill with the Thunderbolts anyway?"

[carolcat]

: Can't bring Thunderbolts on a Terminator. Too big and heavy.

"Ah, that makes sense, I suppose."

[CypherX]

Gus rubs his chin, brown furrowed in worry.

"I'll keep that in mind, I suppose."

The warning makes him realize how alert and seemingly calm Xiaomei is.

"And how about you? They had everyone fly back earlier this morning, no? For a few hours of sleep, you seem fine, yesterday considered."

[Qwepir]

"While I was there it was so cold anti-freeze froze. It's home to one of the worlds biggest tank graveyards I can think of. There are tons of un-exploded munitions beneath the soil and snow and my jaw is still missing out there somewhere. Even the people that live there congregate primarily on the coast because not all of them are ballsy enough to set foot inland which is populated by a violent militia, and the hazards i mentioned previously. As a result the coastal towns rank #1 in the world for their crabbing industry. I can't think of a better place to stop for lunch. The people there deserved better, and i was there to help however i could... i just feel like i only made things worse though... I don't even know what became of the situation when i was shuttled out of there..."

Tippy stands back up and re-seats herself at the table and cradles her coffee cup, still feeling the cold from Palestra from her reminiscing of it.

: I... see.

"Is he behind me?"

: Nah, drills just suck. If you really are interested though, I can tell him.

While the conversation at the table is still about the loadouts, Ellie asks,
"What did you kill with the Thunderbolts anyway?"

: Airship. You know, the thing they were built to kill.

Gus rubs his chin, brown furrowed in worry.
"I'll keep that in mind, I suppose."
The warning makes him realize how alert and seemingly calm Xiaomei is.
"And how about you? They had everyone fly back earlier this morning, no? For a few hours of sleep, you seem fine, yesterday considered."

: Yeah. Last night was pretty rough.

[Badger]

"As long as it's not today I'd be curious enough to tag along and see the difference."

[CypherX]

Gus nods.

"Let us know what we can do, if there is anything. After Tocatlan, most of Mjolnir just wanted space and some time to think and heal, but...sometimes its good to talk to someone."

"They're not alone. We're here and we'll be here. Any of us. Let them know that," he says solemnly.

[Operator¹]

"Your Foxbat was beat up, did you take on the airship by yourself?"

[Qwepir]

Gus nods.
"Let us know what we can do, if there is anything. After Tocatlan, most of Mjolnir just wanted space and some time to think and heal, but...sometimes its good to talk to someone."
"They're not alone. We're here and we'll be here. Any of us. Let them know that," he says solemnly.

Xiaomei nods without saying a word.

"Your Foxbat was beat up, did you take on the airship by yourself?"

: Yeah. Got clipped by a SAM in the process.

[CypherX]

"I appreciate the openness. I know you must be drained, so I'll leave you to your morning, Commander."

[carolcat]

: Yeah. Got clipped by a SAM in the process.

"Oh, so that's how you wound up so damaged," Cualli comments, finishing up a piece of toast.