Cath Omake

Mercenary 2030 Quest Omake 2, Cath’s thoughts on Will


	*The following is written inside of a well kept diary, with large flowing letters written by a steady hand.*

	Morrigan forgot to tell us that we were getting a new recruit today. I think Mary expected her to, otherwise she would have said something. It was surprising to see him standing there, then to put his stuff in a corner when we told him to get ready. I thought there would be issues since he was a boy, but all he did was follow orders. His hands didn’t move until we got him his kit.

	I thought I saw him looking when we were on the march, but he wasn’t. Not how they normally do. He was just checking our weapons, our stride. I don’t think he even knew he was doing it on purpose, it was automatic. He just went back to marching after he was done talking to Morrigan.

	I was surprised when he didn’t want me to clean his gear. I was more surprised when he knew how to clean as well as he did. He took care of the guns while I did the armor. He was very thorough and put everything back where it belonged. Much better than anyone else who tried to help. Morrigan and Nem always make a mess and Mary only knows how to clean her gear. Will might even be better than me but I need to show him how to clean the armor.


	Offered to work out with Will, he said yes. He didn’t know how to do it at all to start with, but he followed directions. Still didn’t look, felt a bit more comfortable around him. His eyes are still odd though, he’s seen too much. Just like everyone here.


	*Entry made at a later portion of the diary in the same hand*

	Will is still exercising with me. He’s still not very good but he’s learning quickly and I’ve already upped his weight once. It’s nice to have somebody there with me in case something happens. Morrigan does her own PT and Nem is Nem. He also offered to clean the gear with me again, he picked up on cleaning the armor quickly. Makes the work go faster with him there. He still hasn’t looked, even though he’s had the chance plenty of times. Nobody else has lasted this long.

	He’s strange like that, he doesn’t look, doesn’t sleep in his bed and he’s still afraid to eat very much. When I woke him up he froze, like he was expecting to be hurt. He didn’t really seem to know what eggs and sausage were when he ate either. I don’t think he’s eaten very much in quite a while.

	Took him to Doc’s after Nem and Morrigan went. Made sure that he knew not to draw first, Doc is nice but he doesn’t like problems. He didn’t order anything to drink, just water. Probably for the same reason he doesn’t eat much. Made a mistake, let him go off on his own. Somehow got in trouble with a weird girl in the back, had to pry her off of him after they started fighting. Thankfully she gave up quick, but I’ll keep an eye out.

	After we left Will asked why you would sleep with someone. I turned bright red, it was so embarrassing to hear him ask that with how he looks. He didn’t know though, he just didn’t understand. He also thought that the bed wasn’t for him, that he wasn’t allowed on it. Morrigan told him that he could, he seemed confused. Hopefully it works out, Will isn’t bad, just lost.


	*Entry made mostly in the same hand, more marks for erasure and corrections made, almost as if in haste near the bottom.*


	We had a talk about Will the other morning. Morrigan brought it up, sometimes you forget how responsible she is with her normal attitude. Mary didn’t quite believe us when we told her since she wasn’t there, but she came around after I told her he’d never looked. She seemed a bit surprised at that, but we all agreed to try and help Will as we could.

	When we worked out again he acted like he always does. I upped the weight again, he’s growing fast. It’s strange how much really, like his body is making up for all the times he didn’t have enough. He looks normal enough,  no big scars on his upper body. Still hasn’t looked.

	Afterwards he went out with Morrigan, then they came back with the girl from the bar. Apparently she was looking for a job and wanted to join up. Concerned she just wants to join up for Will. A second girl joined as well, she’s a bit quiet but not like Will. She’s a sniper and the other one has a LMG like I do.

	Took them out on a mission the next day, one that was quite far away. The girl, Bellona, didn’t seem to act up during the march, but she did watch Will. We got there late, Will offered to pull out a blanket and she jumped on it so I did too. Just to watch over Will of course. It was warm and Will seemed to enjoy himself, as much as he ever enjoys things. His eyes didn’t seem nearly as dark as they used too.

	The mission went well, even with the new people. Nobody got hit, even if Will did give us a scare. Found a decent stash in a nearby building and spent the night. Nothing weird happened so far. Hopefully when we make it back things will quiet down a little bit.


	*Entry made with less than steady hand and there are a few spots that look like they were tapped on repeatedly with the writing instrument.*


	I can’t believe it, I hit Will! I just punched him when he woke me up! I mean, I didn’t mean to but it was still my fault. It’s even worse because it started the night before!

	Will finally decided to order some food and he even picked vodka instead of whiskey like Morrigan and Nem have. Good choice but… agh! Bellona started to pour him more to drink and then I joined in! Why did I do that?! At first it was just to keep her off of Will, but then it got more serious and before I knew it we were both drunk. The only one who wasn’t was Will! Then he carried me home. He carried both of us home. I remember doing stuff to him on the way back, nothing dangerous but still!
	Then when we finally got home and Mary took Bellona I did something worse! I… I did it on purpose! I said I’d never do it after all the times… after… everything. But I did. I even told him that I knew he wasn’t looking! But he just took care of me. He must have, I don’t remember making it to bed. The next thing I remember is punching him.
	Then of course he didn’t say anything. He was fine. The worst part was that he meant it. He didn’t care that I’d hit him. He’s had it so bad that it didn’t even register for him to complain about it or even say it hurt. I know he doesn’t care, but I don’t think I can face him right now.


	*Entry made with shaky hand, a few water spots on the page.*

	Will… asked about me. Even he could tell I was upset. We were working out and he asked me if I was ok. I was surprised. Will is messed up, but I think he’s getting better. When he was first here he wouldn’t have noticed. I tried to explain to him why I felt so bad, but he still said it was ok. That didn’t make me feel any better, but he wanted to help.
	I know that a large part of that is just him but, it was still nice to hear. Then when I took him to my room, that wasn’t a good choice. It helped, it really did but it was stupid. I was using him as a replacement. Still he listened to my request and that was nice. Normally he just blurts things out if he’s asked questions.
	We have a mission we’re leaving on soon, hopefully it goes well.

	*Writing is back to a steady hand and clean lines.*

	The mission went as well as it could. Scouting out a hostile location is always dangerous but we weren’t spotted. Morrigan was pleased and so was everyone else I think. I certainly don’t mind not getting shot at. We’re going to head back towards Salina later today.
	Last night was a highlight. Mars rolled into town to deal with Salina, Morrigan was not happy. Neither was I to be honest with what some of them tried but Morrigan is more vocal about it. Mary even came with us to the bar but Will stopped anything bad from happening. Mars was well behaved to be honest, but it came down to Will winning a drinking contest. He beat nine full grown men by himself. Even with Bellona and I supporting him it was something almost unbelievable. What was even more unbelievable was that he looked so… calm during it. It wasn’t quite happy, but it was good for will to do that I think.
	He was drunk though, so very drunk. Bellona and I carried him home, I don’t think he noticed most of the trip.  He did manage to get up the stairs on his own, but it was a near thing and he would’ve passed out fully dressed on his bed if we hadn’t been there to take care of him. Bellona pointed out something that I just had to agree with, even though I’m not sure I fully trust her yet. Will has a good face when it’s at peace.
	He still hasn’t looked.


	*Entry made with characteristic steady hand, though some lines are firmer than others.*

	The last few days have been intense. The attack on Salina went pretty well. Nobody got hurt and we did our part. We even rescued some sex slaves that they were holding in secure rooms. I… I can’t even describe the rage I felt when I saw them, how broken most of them were. Even Will seemed to understand, he moved away from them when they first came out. Later he even asked one of the girls if it was ok for him to be around. While I don’t think he fully understands his own reasons, Will is growing. It’s heartwarming to see and I realized I need to do so myself. Still, it’s hard breaking habits.

	On the way back Will tried to talk to me about the day on the bed.  I… I couldn’t really talk to him about it. I started to but… I didn’t want anyone to hear. I feel terrible, I can’t even tell Will who doesn’t have a judgmental thought in his head about why I did that. I wanted to tell him later, alone, but then we ran into that force.

	We  were lucky Morrigan discovered them, if we’d crested the hill it would’ve been trouble. It still was when we ran into the patrol, but with that head start we still managed to get things done. Will… I couldn’t believe him when he spoke up like that, advocated trying again to get the garrison on our side. I told him on the way, told him why. At least a little bit. He seemed to understand. Then at the garrison, he was amazing. He spoke up, spoke well and managed to convince them to let us in and then to believe us.

	Only a little while ago I would’ve never imagined Will doing stuff like that. He’s so quiet most of the time, like when we were waiting for the enemy to arrive. I don’t think he knows it, but he’s pretty warm. I think if he keeps growing like he is he might turn out to be very warm.

	The battle was intense and Morrigan got hit, but luckily not very badly. Will took care of her even if she didn’t need immediate attention. We all helped out after it was over, then went to Doc’s for a drink.

	Will still hasn’t looked. I don’t think I’d mind if he did though.