TSW 24: John Calls Home.

IcePickLobotomy	August 5th, 3:21pm. Location: Pilot Housing.
IcePickLobotomy	Artyom ushers you into his room. It's somewhat sparse, a few posters of Russian musical groups and movies adorn the walls, and next to his bed is a large work-bench with several weapons hanging above it, boxes of ammunition and gun-maintenance parts litter the bench.
	IcePickLobotomy	He gestures to the rotary phone next to his bed "Call your father on that one. I'll be outside if you need me."
	JohnH	"Thank you." John picks it up and rotary dials home
	IcePickLobotomy	The phone rings twice before it's picked up. THe gruff voice of your father crackles on the other end. "Hello?"
	JohnH	"Hello dad.
	JohnH	"
	IcePickLobotomy	"Ah John. I spoke with Artyom earlier, you have questions I take it."
	JohnH	"What gave it away?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"Nothing, I just didn't expect you'd all me for no reason."
	JohnH	"Well I guess I'd like your advice."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Alright, on what?"
	JohnH	"Well I assume I can trust Artyom, since you've said so in the past. But who else can I trust?"
	IcePickLobotomy	He sighs "Most of the men I'd say you can trust are either dead, retired, or out of contact.  Though. . . There's a man by the name of Schofield. Former SBS, was one of our Intel guys. He's. . dependable. For a spook."
	JohnH	"What should I be looking for in...the others..?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"They need to be driven. Hesitation will just get them and others hurt or killed. They need to be loyal to you and the rest of your squad. We can't trust METI so they either need to be loyal to the ideals of METI or not to METI at all. Any loyaty to METI as a organization is a red flag. They need to be capable as well, no sense of bringing someone into the fold if they can't contribute. You...
	IcePickLobotomy	...need a mix of skills as well, direct action, support, people persons, spooks."
	JohnH	"And how many people do you think there are in this group?"
	JohnH	"Should I be concerned about everyone or just keep my eyes open?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"As many people as you need. I'd say just concentrate on your pilots and let Artyom handle the others. Focus on your peers and the higher ranking staff you're working with, but keep your eyes open as well. Unless you've got the training or talent leave the spook work for the spooks though. It's not something you want to playing at amateur hour with."
	JohnH	"Of course."
	IcePickLobotomy	"And I'm not saying you can't or won't help, just stick to your strengths. I told Artyom he's free to train you if you'd like to take him up on that. Weapons, tactics, hand to hand."
	JohnH	"is there anything I should avoid doing?"
	JohnH	"Aside from playing spy, that is."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah." His tone is drier than the New Mexico desert "Don't die. You're mother'd kill me."
	JohnH	"Thanks for the vote of confidence, dad."
	JohnH	"I'll do my best."
	JohnH	"But now that I think about it.." John trails off
	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah?"
	JohnH	"Kasra is quite the...patriot"
	JohnH	"He quite like METI. He has been acting a bit weird lately, though."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Go on."
	JohnH	"A little bit ago he told me that he had an executive order, coming from above Walker, to stay alive, regardless of the circumstances."
	JohnH	"That seems odd considering what we are here to do."
	IcePickLobotomy	"He tell you anything more about that?"
	JohnH	"Just that the order came from above Walker."
	JohnH	"He didn't say he would let us die, but that's almost what it sounded like."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Hmmm. Maybe ask him a bit more about that. See if he's able to tell you why that is." You hear him take a breath "Maybe. It's. . . hard for a man to let his squad down, regardless of what his orders are. He may have that order, but he may not be able to follow it through. Still, it's something of note, I'd ask him about it."
	JohnH	"Will do."
	JohnH	"Dad, I have to ask. Are you still involved in any of this? Are you and the family safe?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"I. . . Listen John, you never really stop being involved in this, it never leaves you. But I'm not neck deep either. Family is safe, they're staying. . . with Grandpa. Nobody knows where they are. I'm getting back in the game though. Stakes are too big not too."
	JohnH	"Well don't die. My mom would kill me."
	IcePickLobotomy	He chuckles "I'll keep up my end of the bargain as long as you do."
	JohnH	"Deal."
	JohnH	pauses for a moment then follows with "You said I can trust Arina, right?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"Well Artyom said that, but I trust him so yeah, you can trust her."
	JohnH	"Did he spoil the news, then?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"No? He was giving me his assessment of the other pilots."
	JohnH	tries to sound as serious as he can, failing miserably "The russian girl and I are getting married."
	IcePickLobotomy	". . You've not even kissed her have you?"
	JohnH	"Well I mean...."
	JohnH	"No. I haven't."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Heh, don't sweat it. Take your time and enjoy it. Just uh, make sure to use your rubbers if you do get that far. Artyom can get you set up with that if you need 'em."
	JohnH	"Thanks, dad." John isn't able to hide the obvious embarassment
	IcePickLobotomy	He chuckles "Old man's gota get his kicks somewhere."
	JohnH	"And don't worry. We're not getting married, in case you couldn't tell I was joking."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah, I figured."
	JohnH	after a pause "I think I've asked all I have. Anything else I should be aware of?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"Hmmm. Yeah, things probably won't work out. I only say that cuz the odds are just against you. If the two of you stick together that's great, if not, well if two people ain't right for eachother that's that."
	JohnH	"I mean the other thing."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Ah, heh, no."
	JohnH	"Well keep me posted if I need to, or can do, something."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Artyom'll handle most of that. I've got things in hand over here."
	JohnH	"Sounds good. Thanks Dad."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Be safe son." The phone clicks
	JohnH	goes to the door "Thanks, Artyom."
	IcePickLobotomy	He nods "Let me know if you need to talk privatly again and I'll set things up."
	JohnH	nods and heads back to his room