8/8 "A Dream is a Murky Thing"

 Arch asks, "- 'Scuse me?"
 Arch asks, "Am I getting drafted?"
 Olivia Docro says, "Hey, Arch. That guy's got a /really/ nice hat."
 Olivia Docro says, "Hey- you've got a /really/ nice hat."
Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "We'll handle your enlistment papers soon!"
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "I do! Thank you."
 Arch says, "-- Drafted. RIght."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Ideal."
 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "We'll meet with Captain Orlov soon enough to formalize things! You'll understand what our company stands for!"
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "ADVENTURE."
 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "SCHOLARSHIP!"
 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "BIG GAME HUNTING!"
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "And of course scotch."
 Arch says, ". . ."
 Arch says, "Yeah. I'll fight for that."
Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "That's the spirit old chap!"
 Olivia Docro says, "...Scotch? This integration's already sounding good."


"Look."

Slowly, a hand reaches up. It pulls forwards, almost entirely uncaring about the balled fist of Misha. She'd been in this exact same position not many years prior. This time, however, her left arm curls. Protection for her nose.

She remembered what happened last time.

The hand raised aims first to press against Misha's balled fist, and then pulls up to rest against her shoulder. She inhales, slowly, her amber eyes staring into Misha's beady, soulless, horrifying rat eyes.

"They are from a different walk of life. They all are. Trained from the beginning of their very existence for a specific purpose and design. They're soldiers, Misha. Trained soldiers. Each and every one of them. I'm not asking you to immediately drop your own ideals and worries. I'm not asking you to throw away everything you believe."

The hand falls back to Tanya's side, and she glances towards the line. She inhales, slowly, then shakes her head ever so slightly. She knew, first hand, just how uptight most of the Barsburgians were. It was, after all, by design.

There's the faintest smirk that forms at Tanya's lips as she looks back at Misha, hopefully not straight into her fist for the second time in less than five years.

"..There's more important targets for your fists, anyway, Misha. In time, you may grow to respect and understand these folk, even as different as you may be. But I know you. And you know me. And both of us know there's one sort of people we can't stand more than the proper rank and file of an army."

She nods, slowly. Then leans in to whisper, quietly.
(Tanya pyr Volkova)


 Gallagher would tip his hat respectfully to General Volkova, listening in to the chatter idly as he smoked away on his cigar. It was good to be home.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Oh, she had her again.. All the words in the world at her arsenal and she fired off her shots at the silly rat.

The brass knuckled fist is put down gently.. A hand on Misha's shoulder and so on.. Once again, it seemed like she was calming her down, doing a way good job at it for that matter. - It was a tough time for Mish, none of this had been prepared for, no brief on it.. Just dropping her in, head first at the deep end.

And because of that, they're met with what they have now.

A smirk was all it took, a mocking side glance. It set her off again, there's no actual limit to how far she'd push this, so long as her point wasn't clear, she'd probably keep trying to pummel through them.

So, the smirk isn't met with a broken nose… But a right hook to the side, breaking down that ribcage to lead up with a barrage of .. More hate. "I'LL SAY IT 'GAIN."

Mish was only going to keep beating the magistrate down, right in front of all her lovely loyal soldiers! "WE'RE NOT NOBLES. THEY LEARN THAT NOW."

Again, anyone was free to come to the rescue, Walt especially.
(Misha)
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Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "Why, Captain Misha, you're acting rather noble right now!"
 Misha is actually going to ignore Tanya and go for Gallagher.
(Misha)
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 Gallagher was sitting there, smiling wide with a flash of his rogueish grin. He'd simply offer a wink to the charging Rakuza.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
 "Enough."

Walter cuts the distance between the pair with the imperious speed of a jet. Before any of the two militarized women would know, the gundog general had blitzed his way between the razuka and barsburgian by sheer virtue of physical prowess.

The air ripples in a shockwave as he narrows in on the boxing captain's torque of fist, eventually catching it with his own black-gloved claw.

"You won't lay a finger on Tanya, Misha. Act like you're supposed to."

The pale jade in his stare grows impatient, morphing into a scowl.

"You're much better than this. You're capable of thinking for yourself. Figure out why this is a good thing. Do so at your own pace."

A sharp, lifeless inhale.

"But save the fucking fists for someone worth it."
(Walter pyr Docro)
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 There's a bare motion in Tanya's expression as she finally, finally comes to calm Misha down. Perhaps, finally, they could start getting somewhere. Maybe they should start calling her the rat catcher-

She's interrupted in that thought by a wayward fist, and with no time to dodge, it's probably going to connect. All she can do is actively attempt to deflect it with her body, pooling cosmic mana and stardust and-

Walter cuts in, and she manages to step back, unscathed. A bit worried, perhaps. Slowly, a hand raises upwards, idly dusting herself off as she glances to Misha, to Bolt, to Walter.

If she were smoking on her pipe, she'd probably have just swallowed it.

"..Honestly. There is a /time/ and a /place/ to come to blows. To freak out and assault each other. Just because you have different views does not mean you should simply destroy that which you do not understand. We are not cave men, Misha. Bolt. We are not scared little dogs, cowering away from the first crack of thunder we hear."

She idly pats at her bag, looking for her pipe. She frowns, ever so slightly. Maybe she /did/ swallow it.

"..All I am asking is for the most bare resemblance of cooperation. If you were ever really my friend, Misha, I don't suspect this to be so difficult. Please. You've all the potential in the world. And if you could tap it into the right target, instead of letting anger overtake you-"

She hesitates, quietly, glancing to Bolt. Specifically, entirely, looking into Bolt's eyes from across the room.

"..Then we would be an unstoppable force in Esshar. Period."
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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 Olivia quietly shuffles far across the dojo, sliding into what's apparently the cowboy hat squadron.
(Olivia Docro)
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A situation that perhaps he had expected to happen all along. The roughness of the citizens of Osrona was already noted, his measured steps slowly approached the on-going conflict as he tilted his head.

"Captain Allaire, is everything alright here?"

Kirill's gaze shifted past Bolt and towards the other.
(Kirill pyr Orlov)
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[21:21] Gallagher would continue to scribble with vigor in his notes as he puffed away on his cigar, shaking his head at the lack of thought he'd offered in not bringing his walking brandy with him! He'd have to speak to Captain Orlov on commissioning a new crate of the stuff, how was he supposed to commit to research if not IN HIGH SPIRITS.

"It's quite alright! I believe this may be the beginning of a breakthrough! Is it possible the Razukan people possess a primitive hivemind! This group aggression is possibly not truly disrespect, but in fact a biological miracle we are witnessing!"

The nice hatted lieutenant would scratch a firm note at that, taking another drag from his cigar as his hazel eyes fell upon the fuming Misha.

"Perhaps this chemical reaction could be synthesized....horde mentality and loose telepathic connections could offer a fine solution to human wave attacks and their flaws....hmm. Captain Orlov, we'll need MORE scotch."
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Not something she's up for doing, there's a hard, core belief in this rat that the plague had been ridden of Osrona, everything was good again.. WAS. If Tanya couldn't prepare her people before hand, that was her big mistake.

And surely Misha's to come, Walter is going to be swatted off and fought off further to prove her point here..-

At this point, he's the same as Ancelin, defending the noble scurge trying to come back into their home.

"Y'DON' EVER SHUT UP, D'YA?!" Toward the nobles. Then, for Walter, further attention is needed, all fed by this frenzied rage. "NEVER AGAIN."
(Misha)
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] Space breaks into a purple halo of transhumane properties. Mana, by the gallon, is sapped in near proximity. Tanya's words had fallen on deaf ears, and now - the same scenario as few years prior would ensue. He saw it coming, how could he not? Why would he not?

There's certain stoicism, and apathy lain throughout his expression.

He is a noble, now.

Barsburg has acknowledged him as one. It had driven part of the bargain.

"Then, you leave me no choice, Captain."

Yahoel, the mechanical angel, bursts into a bizarre violet blaze. The general's hand reaches out to touch the surface of its grip.

"What a tragedy."
(Walter pyr Docro)
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 A Captain already down.

Kirill's attention never left the pair that fought within the arena, a fight with nothing held back, the two orbs only leaving Misha and Walter when the rat was defeated.

And Gavriil's words caught within his ears.

"Is she always like this? General Tanya spoke before of her.. energy."
(Kirill pyr Orlov)
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Tanya doesn't look away from the fight, even as Bolt is apparently and actively shot again. Instead, she just rolls a single hand down her face.

"Always. She'll get over it in the morning."
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Yes, when I'm in a bit of a heated mood, I get some good scotch and shoot something! Makes one feel cultured."

 Kirill turned, eyes peering towards the back of Gallagher's head for a moment. The Lieutenant attached to his platoon, an asset that was needed, but also a troublesome factor.

"Do keep a clear mind when we're in such situations, Lieutenant."

The man's taste of fine scotch wouldn't leave him, but it could be contained, and if not there was always the route of discipline.

"And I see. Well, it seems it has been handled. At least one side of the chaos."

Towards the other half. Of Bolt and Yarrow did his attention shift.
(Kirill pyr Orlov)
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 Hoss would scoff lightly at that, mustachio furling briefly at the mention that he might perhaps be anything less than PERFECTLY CLEAR OF MIND.

"Captain Orlov, please, a bit of steak and brandy barely gives a man of character and good breeding a stomach ache. It'd take a lot more scotch than we brought with us to truly put me in the cups! OHOH!"

The frontiersman lieutenant would chuckle lightly at that; the banter a clear display that there was nothing but respect between the captain and lieutenant. They were both big game hunters after all.

That was the sort of bond that went beyond blood or duty. The bond of good sport.

"But if it keeps you at ease, I'll water down my scotch with coffee to keep me sharp. I didn't get my degree in zoology SLACKING OFF!"
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 For the first time since the occupation, she actually seemed surprised - one of the Barsburgians actually spoke to her in a shockingly friendly manner. She was sure that it'd all come together eventually, but as tense as the current events were - it came as something of a surprise...

"Greetings!" she responded enthusiastically, surprise dropping in favor of a large grin, "Olivia Docro," she told him, "Currently... rankless. I'm waiting for things to, well..."

She trailed off for a moment.

"Normalize, as it were."
(Olivia Docro)
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Gallagher J. Hoss whispers: I am....rather glad that one won't captain us for a time.
Gallagher J. Hoss whispers: Strength, sure, but any beast can possess strength. It requires tact to lead, to inspire rather than divide.
Gallagher J. Hoss whispers: What's your take on things, Lieutenant Zero? You've likely better eyesight than myself, I wear reading glasses.
Awilix Zero says, "Unconcerned. Just growing pains. Obligatory."
Awilix doesn't whisper, despite being whispered to.
(Awilix Zero)
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 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Ooooh, no indoor voice! I like it, builds CONFIDENCE in the people."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Clever girl..."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Yes, you are quite right. One cannot make an omelet without breaking a few drug addict eggs."


 Gallagher J. Hoss asks, "So Lieutenant Zero, what's your favorite part of the city so far?"

 Awilix Zero says, "I hope I haven't seen it yet. Maybe the fountain outside."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "..."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Hmm."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "You know."

 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "That would be horribly disappoint Lieutenant."


Gallagher J. Hoss says, "We'll cross reference our scans of the city later, try to find the most SCENIC PLACE."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "There must be one, right? Every city has "the spot""
 Arch says, "It's the fountain."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Nay..."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Impossible..."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "That's the EASY answer."
 Arch says, "Essharian's often gather around sources of Water.."
 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "But we are not here for an easy job Corporal!"
 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "We are here for discovery!"
 Gallagher would assume the Captain Morgan pose.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "When we see a fountain, we don't just ACCEPT IT as the nicest spot."
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "WE LOOK HARDER. FOR THE GLORY OF THE EMPIRE."
 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "FOR SCIENCE!"
Arch asks, "Corporal?"
Gallagher would take a few steady breathes as he stopped himself from growing too excited, returning to pace beside Lieutenant Zero as he nodded to Arch.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Yes, well, perhaps private. But you're rather tall....in itself worthy of a modest rank."

 Lieutenant Hoss would tilt his hat to the young corporal with a flash of his adventurous, rogueish grin, puffing away steadily on his cigar as he blew streams of smoke up towards the distant rafters of the Osronan dojo.

"The battle has only begun Corporal! This is not merely a taming of a city, no, this is the taming of a wild land, an anarchic place consumed by war and filled with the potential for civilization to rise once again. An age of discovery, of hope, of a new dream for the Essharan people!"

Hoss would flash a toothy smile once more, patting his fellow cyborg Lieutenant Zero upon the shoulder with a firm nod.

"But have no fear. We are here to help."
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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Lieutenant Hoss would offer a salute to Captain Orlov upon being addressed, shaking his head firmly at the inquiry as he clicked his teeth together before offering another salute to the pair of generals to the north of him.

"I largely summarized it into shooting large game for science, Captain. But feel free to give him a firm appraisal of just EXACTLY what our company stands for!"

The frontiersman lieutenant would tip his hat to the Captain at that before glancing to Arch, patting his shoulder one last time before his gaze fell back over to Lieutenant Zero, flicking over the ensemble of individuals as he tried to remember faces.

"A good day to be a soldier. A good day to fight for something that matters."
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Walter pyr Docro says, "I'm tired of fighting clowns. Please refrain from chimping out in the foreseeable future."
Walter pyr Docro exclaims, "Many thanks!"



 Gallagher J. Hoss exclaims, "With pride General Docro!"
 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "No monkey business."
---------------


"
[22:31] "...I share that unfortunate sentiment."

Her eyes, one a complex mechanical creation of Barbburg ingenuity, and the other her flesh and blood currently flared a beastkin-dyed hunting pale yellow, level on the corporal.

What was Esshar, but what they had been told their whole life? It was no worthy foe, no dramatic inevitably conquest that would climax in a legendary battle befitting the advancement that the rival Empire had managed to pushed Barsburg in.

There had been a purpose in Esshar, even for their mortal enemies. The existence of an enemy is a significant factor in one's ability to continue to grow and improve.

Though there was so much left to do here, and they had only just arrived?

She, too, was disappointed.

"But don't let it distract you."
(Awilix Zero)
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 Gallagher would turn to Awilix, squinting at their muted, but clear disappointment in this having not been the great invasion of her dreams. In truth, Hoss did expect to receive a few potshots from dark alley ways, a bit of guerilla warfare, perhaps being set on fire a few times!

But this was different. Like entering the hollowed out husk of a great beast you'd spent all your life imagining the hunt of. It brought a damper even to Hoss' mood in truth.

For a moment!

Turning, he'd clap Lieutenant Zero amiably upon the shoulder with a flash of his rogueish grin.

"Don't be disappointed Lieutenant Zero! Yes, admittedly we didn't have a grand battle against the Essharan empire we could send home news to the homeland about. But that just means the real enemy is somewhere else!"

The Barburger marksman would raise his rifle with a distinctly cheerful and jolly gesture.

"And if we can't find a good fight here, we'll just need to go hunting! The adventure will be half the fun!"
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 A gaze casts away from corporal and towards fellow Lieutenant- the particularly chatty, eccentrically friendly one. Of course, nothing can be done about Osrona's complicitness. Nothing should be done. This is, likely overall, the best possible outcome. Whatever inconveniences them the least is for the best, but she had more prepared for the worst.

"Yes. But there would have been conveniences in it."

Things for her, mostly. Esshar was a vast wasteland compared to the homelands, perhaps- but that does not mean it lacks in opportunities similar and, perhaps, even more easily attained through so very much less watchful of eyes above. She has so few superiors, here. No watchful circulations of scientists and whatever else have you.

There would always be other ways. It just sucked. It was made harder for her, now. A hassle.
(Awilix Zero)
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 Hoss would tap his chin thoughtfully at that, taking a long drag from his cigar as he straightened out his frontiersman hat. She raised a fair point, and in truth it was telling of his fellow Lieutenant's personality. It wasn't so much that they were the glass half empty sort, but that their expectations had to be readjusted.

Never particularly pleasant.

"You're right, there would have been. But then, what's life without a bit of grit and challenge to keep things interesting!"

The lieutenant would pat Awilix warmly upon the back as he continued to puff away on his cigar with cheer.

"Besides, I doubt there's a thing you can't get done long as you set your mind to it. Especially if that thing is becoming an even niftier bionic than you are! Which would be difficult."

Ever the optimist.

"Any particular interests you had coming to the city? A draw for this campaign?"
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 "Freedom. Opportunity. In that order."

She draws her attention around the arena, as again she is taken aback by how unseemly dark this giant building is. After a pause for a moment, she raises a left hand, flexing the fingers before she then reaches down and idly fidgets with the butte of her gun. It's gone so quiet, so quickly. Just the quiet murmurings of the invading force, having found no great and immediate glory to revel in. Instead, this is almost quiet.

Almost sad.

But not quite.

"But foremost, in my commander's interest. In the Machine's interest."

But her words belie ambition. Intent. Yearning for greater, for something more, and perhaps something that deviates from the traditional plan.

It's just what Barsburg doesn't know what they need yet. Specifically, anyway. She can accomplish many things simultaneously, and so it will be fine in the end.
(Awilix Zero)
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 Gallagher would tap his chin thoughtfully at that with a smile, his rogueish grin spreading as he heard out the taciturn Lieutenant with a sense of camaraderie. It was good to get to know those he'd serve beside, and even still Zero possessed a sense of mystery and intrigue to her gait.

"The freedom to do what you desire, the opportunity to make it happen huh? Admirable in truth, you and I are birds of a feather. I could have spent my days growing fat in a lecture hall swatting student's hands and writing dry thesis' on metaphysics..."

For something so boring, Hoss sounded somehow equally excited by the prospect.

"But this....this is a chance to do something...real, you know? Make a difference in the world beyond writing papers. This is a lawless frontier, demons run rampant and the power vacuum of a broken empire is no more clear than here in this city."

The frontiersman lieutenant would take another drag of his cigarette at that, hazel eyes falling back upon Zero's pseudo-mechanical visage with a thoughtful hum.

"This is a chance to see new sights....to discover new things and how to shoot them! And....okay my subtlety is lacking, also to find new components to make bigger guns. I've always found engineering....fascinating."

The lieutenant would nod firmly at that, smiling to Zero once more with a lighthearted, warm thing.

"So, when'd you first get augmented, and how?"
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 "Whenever I was first inducted into the... program, I forget the name. I was... seven, eight."

She seems disinterested by the discussion, but there is a hint of an edge to her voice that carries even in her brief explanation.

"My eye. First. That one was necessary. An infection, inevitable blindness. A lot more came to follow before I transferred into a young military career. My applications varied. I held a lot of posts in a lot of places. Earned some regards. Guess that's how I was trusted enough to end up here."

Such an opportunity, it really was. Before? Under watchdog surveillance, every waking and sleeping hour. Months of her every year were taken away for maintenance, observance, and new operation and adjustment to the ever-growing complexity of her very being- to the amalgamation of magitech and flesh working in increasing unison, the extent even she was entirely unsure of at this point.

She was one of hundred, thousand of test dummies brought from insignificant and forgettable cogs in the machine, so very far down the ladder that they could fall off by that very same number and not slow the turning of the gear that truly mattered at all.

And she was Awilix Zero, because that was the number of failures she had suffered. She was perfect, as far as anything had ever taken her in both research and application, and in terms of field use. She was a test, sent to Barsburg to be put through as much stress as could possibly be.

And she knew that. Few others did. She would never stop being a test dummy for the future of Barsburgian technology as long as she had remained in the homeland.

Maybe even here, she couldn't escape that.

Awilix passes a little glance away from the rest of them, quietly thoughtful.
(Awilix Zero)
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 Gallagher would nod with a reserved visage as he heard out Awilix's words with patience and interest, clicking his teeth together softly as he mulled over the Lieutenant's statements with a steady drag of his cigar.

Was there a spark of empathy in his eyes amongst the braggadocio? A sense of familiarity in the ever-present expectations of the machine, even in different walks of life.

Suddenly, Hoss felt as if he was being intrusive to have asked something so frankly.

"I understand not desiring to discuss the matter. Progress...has costs. Sometimes heavier than we like to admit. Even flawless, oiled gears accumulate wear and tear."

The Lieutenant would nod lightly at that, tipping his hat as he took another drag from his cigar.

"Well, it's a beautiful piece of engineering. Compliments your visage well, few can manage such a symbiosis of aesthetics, form, and function. I wasn't quite so lucky."

Hoss would remove his trusty hat, turning the back of his crew cut head to Awilix. Parting a bit of hair at the back, a long trail of stitches that went far beyond the hunter's hairline were displayed.

Before a firm rapping of his knuckles against it would reveal not the crunch of bone, but a metallic cacophony.

"Hunting accident, must have been around eight, perhaps nine. I was wearing my father's favorite raccoon hat, stalking in the brush for what would have been the shot of a lifetime....you should have seen it. Perfect clearing, ideal line of sight, northwards breeze...it was perfect Awilix.."

A thunking sound would be heard as Gallagher tapped the side of his head.

"Apparently another hunter thought the same. Because one moment I was looking down my scope, then next I saw my own blood pouring from eyes as I lost consciousness. You know, average nine year old things."

Hoss would nod slowly at that, thoughtfully. Tapping his chin as his hazel eyes fell back upon Zero.

"Well, goes to show getting shot in the head by a super heated bolt of mana is bad for your health. Minced my skull cap, crushed the whole back and top of my head. Massive internal hemorrhaging, seared and mashed brain matter. The works."

Hoss would trace the scar on the back of his head thoughtfully, mulling over things for a time as he considered it.

"They said I had a year to live at most. I'd be crippled, dumb, deaf, blind, and live a short, agonizing life as a vegetable. Invasive surgery at my age could have caused more harm than good, but then, there was little more harm that could be done..."

Another firm tap of his head at that.

"So they scraped the mashed gray matter and minced skull out. Had to lose a large amount of the logical half of my brain. All replaced with silicon, whirring gears, boundless coils of circuitry, and processing bits bound to my central cortex."

The Barburger would simply smile softly at that, patting Awilix once more upon the shoulder.

"Do you have a dream, Awilix?"
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Defying expectations is what makes fighting the good fight worth fighting."

 Cosmas says, "Lieutenants."

"...Can't say there's much more story to it than that."

She doesn't particularly ramble on any further. Her story was already told now, for all intents and purposes and for whatever she felt like was worth telling. Nothing that she would so openly divulge was further said. It only drawled into a long silence, pondering over the question that finally followed it after he was done with his own recollections.

"A dream is a murky thing. I don't concern myself with it. Not right now, anyway."

Her shoulders roll. It's half a shrug, half just a measure against growing stiff from standing still for so long.
(Awilix Zero)
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 Awilix Zero asks, "Hm...?"

 A salute.

"Brief report. Some old man, tanned skin, white hair is waiting outside of the gates. Attempting to steal the weapons of those in Barsburg. Hostile. Did not say much else. I could not collect a name."

With that said, they wait for a reply before moving to leave.
(Cosmas)
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 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "..."

"At ease, soldier."

Gallagher would click his teeth lightly at that, considering Cosmas' words for a time as he steadily removed his rifle from his back, sighing as he prepared to return to the job at hand.

"Not surprising, typical reaction of a lesser technological entity to desire to reverse engineer Barsburg technology. Difference of course is that we're here to stop that now."

Hoss would tilt up his frontiersman hat, nodding firmly to Awilix as he prepared to go check the situation out.

"And yes Awilix. Dreams are murky things. Uncertain, amorphous, malleable and subject to change. But that is what makes them wondrous, I think. Limited only by imagination; the mother of creation."

Rifle cocked, the Lieutenant would begin to march.

"...It was getting to know you better, Lieutenant Awilix. I look forward to seeing what more to your story there truly is. I've enjoyed the company so far."

With a final salute, Hoss would MARCH.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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 Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Time to go check on a vagrant I suppose."
Awilix Zero says, "... I would remind you of the prerogative we have here."

"Lieutenant Hoss. Any orders?" he asks, now at ease he wondered if his superior wished for him to accompany him. Either way.. Cosmas was ready. Ready to serve.
(Cosmas)
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Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Hmm."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Return to the scene, better to have more eyes on the suspect. I'll join you shortly."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Just need to ash my cigar."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "And....which prerogative Lieutenant Zero? "
Gallagher would offer a wink. But it was with his fake eye, so it looked kinda stupid.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)
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Cosmas says, "Yes, Lieutenant."
Awilix Zero says, "We do not know from where they come."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Yes. Gather information first, act second."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Smart thinking."
Awilix Zero says, "Our only immediate engagements are upon demons, yes."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Still playing with a delicate political fabric, better to..."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Not incite the locals to riot until things are clear."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Yes."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "There'll be plenty of demons to hunt when the Diamond Eagles spread their wings anyhow."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "In the meantime, I'll go check on that situation. Until next time Lieutenant Zero, it was an unexpected pleasure."
Awilix Zero says, "Mhm. Take care. I'll be around."
Gallagher J. Hoss says, "Do try to find a more scenic spot than the fountain in the city. Otherwise I will be cripplingly depressed."
Gallagher would chuckle warmly, offering a final wave as he departed.
(Gallagher J. Hoss)