T E X T » the world is not enough

[repetitio]

How many of you had combat-training or -experience in your matrices? Call it curiosity.

Comments

[forcemageure]

Oh, I suppose there were a few squabbles here and there in mine. ]

[ ...there was a world war going on when he was extracted. ]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

That's a very specific curiosity. Do you need help?

[repetitio]

Squabbles, yes?

[ a second message, a moment later: ]

Of what sort

[repetitio]

No.

[ but that's sparse even for rita, so she elaborates a moment later: ] I'm a soldier.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

So you're just looking for other soldiers?

[sfoils]

I did. 14 years of it.

[repetitio]

Consider it a roll call.

[repetitio]

Did you win?

[sfoils]

If you're a soldier, then you know there's no 'winning', just individual victories here and there, and an ever-shifting enemy.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

I see.

I was the commander of a starfighter squadron and I helped lead a rebellion.

[scission]

How would you define 'combat'?

[repetitio]

Starfighter squadron?

[repetitio]

I've been told we won the war I was fighting, inside.

[ she doesn't remember that, but apparently there are a great many things she doesn't remember. ]

[repetitio]

Start with a broad definition, work from there. Prolonged fighting.

[sfoils]

You mean the Council told you.

[repetitio]

No.

[ and a moment later, ] Someone from the same matrix.

[sfoils]

I'd trust them, then.

[repetitio]

I do.

[ she's not sure if she hopes cage sees this, or that he never does. ]

Would you not trust the Council?

[ probably a politically very unwise question, but rita has never cared for politics. she's a soldier, nothing else. ]

[sfoils]

There's someone from my Matrix here, and I trust him too. With my life.

[ Well, what a lovely minefield to walk into this morning. ] Not blindly, no. I've been a soldier for too long to believe politicians have our best interests in mind.

[repetitio]

Did you know him inside?

[ she's not sorry; that would imply caring more than she does. ] Blind trust rarely works in anyone's favour.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Yes, a squad of single-passenger ships built primarily for space combat. I flew an Incom T-65 X-wing which were just about the best fighters around. I also have a lot of ground combat experience.

[sfoils]

Yes.

But that's what politicians want the most.

[repetitio]

The closest thing to space combat inside involved choppers.

Space travel normal in yours?

[repetitio]

Tough luck.

[sfoils]

Yeah, I had my own little personal war with a politician. I don't miss it.