[03:19] <@Thinik> The car slowly begins to move, leaving an underground parking. The Commander speaks dryly. "I assume you've been visited by Barbara, and thus realize where are we going."
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[03:20] <Gregory_Hughes> His head perks up a bit at the name. That's her name? "Yeah. She stopped by and picked up my sister."
[03:21] <Jacob_Neilson> "We were told about the social event, sir."
[03:24] <@Thinik> "Good. So, as Barbara will take care of your female friends, you are left for my care." - he smiles a little. - "I expect that you two are adult enough to understand the basics of etiquette and politeness, aren't you?"
[03:26] <@Thinik> The car speeds up, moving along a highway. The road seems less flooded with civilian cars, and heavy duty military trucks can't move as fast as a limousine, so the left row is left to it completely.
[03:26] <Jacob_Neilson> "Of course, sir. I've had lessons."
[03:28] <Gregory_Hughes> "I don't really know the proper silverware etiquette but I know plenty about knowing when to keep my mouth shut and addressing people. It's kinda shameful how immature a lot of people our age are."
[03:29] * Gregory_Hughes notices the car speed up and sinks into his seat, pulling on the belt to make sure it's extra tight.
[03:31] <@Thinik> "That would be enough. Those people - and me too - are bored to death with silverware. Just be quiet, polite and talk when you are talked to. You are our little heroes. People from the UN were not actually expecting this to happen so soon and the outcome shocked them a lot." - now he is clearly grinning.
[03:31] <Gregory_Hughes> He starts sweating just a little bit.
[03:32] <Jacob_Neilson> "Of course, sir. I'll do my best."
[03:33] * Gregory_Hughes silently takes a deep breath or two, "They weren't the only ones shocked."
[03:35] <@Thinik> "Your sufferings were not in vain. They are scared for their lives. And only I- only we can save them now. So expect praise and a lot of handshaking with people you probably saw on TV."
[03:35] <Jacob_Neilson> "Yes, sir." He looks pleased. He enjoys being praised.
[03:36] <Gregory_Hughes> "So why didn't the television in my hospital room show the news when I was in there?"
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[03:37] <@Thinik> "Because they are distressing. You want the news?" - the car is leaving the highway, slowing down and turning on the streets of the city, as the Commander gestures to the window. - "Look around."
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[03:42] <@Thinik> It's painfully obvious for you two what he means. Armed people in military hazmat suits guarding streets. An unnerving number of ambulance moving around - you catch a glimpse of a stretcher being carried by people in white hazmats. And then you hear a gunshot and see a faceless soldier shooting down an incredibly weird creature - a horrible dog-sized insect crawling in the middle of a sidewalk.
[03:43] * Gregory_Hughes starts relaxing in his seat again and looks out the window.
[03:47] * Jacob_Neilson almost frowns. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
[03:49] <@Thinik> "No. You defeated the main host. These things are leftovers. I mean both the spawns and the virus. It will be dealt with. And our base is on a proper quarantine."
[03:50] * Jacob_Neilson nods, trusting that the Commander knows what he's doing.
[03:52] * Gregory_Hughes cringes, "The hell IS that thing? Is this all because we couldn't stop that thing soon enough?"
[03:55] <@Thinik> The Commander sighs with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Probably if you had stopped the enemy way earlier and faster, the collateral damage caused by its... spawns would be less significant. But it doesn't matter. Losses are acceptable."
[03:56] * Jacob_Neilson does frown at that. "I'm sorry, sir. We'll try to do better next time."
[03:57] <Gregory_Hughes> "This is what happens when we win.."
[03:58] <@Thinik> The Commander finally looks directly at Jacob. "Jacob. Do you understand that your priority is living long enough to encounter all the enemies? There will be more. If we won't have what to put against them - we will lose and everyone. Will. Die." - he puts a lot of emphasis on these words. - "So don't try to be a hero and save everyone."
[04:00] * Jacob_Neilson looks down. He can't meet the commanders eyes. "Yes, sir."
[04:06] <Gregory_Hughes> "How long do you figure until everything's back to normal?"
[04:08] <@Thinik> "City authorities are dispensing the vaccine - it was salvaged from you blood, if you're interested. NERV's paramilitary forces are exterminating the swarms. They are not that dangerous, actually. Just big flying carnivorous things. But they are spreading the disease..."
[04:12] <@Thinik> While the Commander speaks, Gregory notices another scene from the Geofront City's daily life. An old, scruffy looking man with a shaggy beard and in ragged clothes is standing near the corner of a big mall (which is almost devoid of people now, though). He is holding a big sign with Hebrew letters on it. His mouth is open - he screams something, then stops and begins coughing violently...
[04:13] <@Thinik> And right at the moment, two hazmat-wearing guys with assault arms appear behing him. One of them hits him with his rifle's butt, another tries to supress him and put restraints on his arms. There's a police van near them.
[04:19] * Gregory_Hughes cringes again, "Harsh. Kinda weird for the police to go around brutalizing people at a time like this. Could either of you read what his sign said?
[04:19] * Jacob_Neilson looks up. His face remains neutral as he watches the trailing end of the scuffle.
[04:22] <@Thinik> "He is preaching about Judgement Day which is near." - the Commander frowns. - "Repent, you deluded. He is the one who is deluded, crazy fool causing unrest. Probably even resisting to get vaccinated. There is a procent of lunatics like him in the city."
[04:25] <Gregory_Hughes> "Hmph. Guess you gotta do what you have to to keep order?" He doesn't sound entirely convinced that the violence was necessary.
[04:25] * Jacob_Neilson doesn't say anything.
[04:26] <Gregory_Hughes> "But my blood, really? Huh. Makes me feel better about all the needles and sleepless nights at least."
[04:29] <@Thinik> "Right. Order." - the Commander nods, and then the limousine enters another underground parking below a shining skyscraper. - "We're at place. Follow Michael, he'll guide you to the place where you'll get your suits and some freshening-up. The party will start soon."