Post by Threid on May 21, 2010 18:03:07 GMT -5
Another day, another assignment to the former beam team, and another day at the long, rectangular table. This time, another warm body was present: corporal Karol Ryder. He reminded Kyle a bit of himself when he'd first joined the EFGF. The kid's military dress was immaculate, and Kyle noticed with repressed horror a small patch of crumbs on his own uniform. He'd become a little lax in his uniform upkeep since joining the EFGF, especially since the passing of Madelaine and Tybalt. The more important things in his life had become clear, and the pendulum of his focus was swinging a different way now.
Kyle wondered how long the new kid would survive. He had arrived to their team on the cusp of a major EF operation against a heavily-defended Zeon base. Undoubtedly, many would die. Cynicism overpowered Kyle as he decided whether he should introduce himself to the kid or not. Maybe after the first battle? What use was getting to know people on the battlefield, pouring time into them, if they just went and got themselves killed? He couldn't protect everyone, no matter how hard he tried, and Nora would not appreciate him getting killed to save the life of another. He wasn't sure that he was selfless enough to do that, even without Nora.
In any case, corporal Ryder seemed to gel pretty well with the protocol-heavy style of Lt. Gerard. No doubt part of it was his recent transfer from the academy; his lessons were still fresh in his mind, and he was eager to show what he knew. Karol barked his responses back to Lt. Gerard with vigor and importance comparable to that of Gerard himself.
Kyle tried not to feel left out as the two traded information about MS Unit M303 and Karol's previous combat experience. Before, he had been the leader, with the responsibility of getting to know his team, so that their strengths could be played to, and their weaknesses covered by their other teammates. It had been him who formulated the battle strategy, scheduled crew meetings, canceled them when Tybalt or Madelaine were falling asleep, or had other things to do. Perhaps he had been lax in protocol, but they had been happy, and they had done well.
"Sergeant Slater! Are you still with us?"
Lt. Gerard snapped Kyle out of his reverie. He hadn't meant to slip so far away from the meeting. After all, he had to be a good teammate to corporal Ryder, even if he wasn't friends with him, and at least parts of the discussion were relevant to that responsibility. He didn't feel like digging through the conversation for those relevant tidbits, though, and the realization surprised him. Was this what his classmates had felt when they'd put aside studying for partying? Was this what it was like to be lazy?
"Yes, sir!" The vigor behind the declaration stood in stark contrast with Kyle's slumped demeanor. I am not lazy. I will not be lazy. Kyle straightened up, but it required unusual effort. Conscious self-discipline was the only thing that got him through the rest of the meeting. He felt like an antsy schoolboy in a boring class. I will not be lazy. I will do my best. He burned the thoughts into his mind as he forced the words of Gerard and Ryder into his brain. It was like writing with a pen that was almost out of ink.
Karol just nodded as Kyle walked briskly toward the nearest reputable establishment where an EF officer could get a drink. "You coming or not?" Predictably, Karol followed; new recruits were usually eager to make friends. Kyle let a half-smile escape his lips as he led the way. "So Karol, where are you from?" It wasn't going to be easy, but Kyle would try to make it worth it.
Kyle wondered how long the new kid would survive. He had arrived to their team on the cusp of a major EF operation against a heavily-defended Zeon base. Undoubtedly, many would die. Cynicism overpowered Kyle as he decided whether he should introduce himself to the kid or not. Maybe after the first battle? What use was getting to know people on the battlefield, pouring time into them, if they just went and got themselves killed? He couldn't protect everyone, no matter how hard he tried, and Nora would not appreciate him getting killed to save the life of another. He wasn't sure that he was selfless enough to do that, even without Nora.
In any case, corporal Ryder seemed to gel pretty well with the protocol-heavy style of Lt. Gerard. No doubt part of it was his recent transfer from the academy; his lessons were still fresh in his mind, and he was eager to show what he knew. Karol barked his responses back to Lt. Gerard with vigor and importance comparable to that of Gerard himself.
Kyle tried not to feel left out as the two traded information about MS Unit M303 and Karol's previous combat experience. Before, he had been the leader, with the responsibility of getting to know his team, so that their strengths could be played to, and their weaknesses covered by their other teammates. It had been him who formulated the battle strategy, scheduled crew meetings, canceled them when Tybalt or Madelaine were falling asleep, or had other things to do. Perhaps he had been lax in protocol, but they had been happy, and they had done well.
"Sergeant Slater! Are you still with us?"
Lt. Gerard snapped Kyle out of his reverie. He hadn't meant to slip so far away from the meeting. After all, he had to be a good teammate to corporal Ryder, even if he wasn't friends with him, and at least parts of the discussion were relevant to that responsibility. He didn't feel like digging through the conversation for those relevant tidbits, though, and the realization surprised him. Was this what his classmates had felt when they'd put aside studying for partying? Was this what it was like to be lazy?
"Yes, sir!" The vigor behind the declaration stood in stark contrast with Kyle's slumped demeanor. I am not lazy. I will not be lazy. Kyle straightened up, but it required unusual effort. Conscious self-discipline was the only thing that got him through the rest of the meeting. He felt like an antsy schoolboy in a boring class. I will not be lazy. I will do my best. He burned the thoughts into his mind as he forced the words of Gerard and Ryder into his brain. It was like writing with a pen that was almost out of ink.
~
Afterward, he introduced himself to corporal Ryder. "You can call me Kyle." At the young man's - no younger than me, he thought - he said, "At ease. Save the protocol for Gerard. He needs a double helping of it anyway. A joke about a superior officer?! I would have been horrified at myself a few months ago. And don't tell Lt. Gerard, but this unit is called The Beam Team. Now, join me for the customary after-meeting drinks.Karol just nodded as Kyle walked briskly toward the nearest reputable establishment where an EF officer could get a drink. "You coming or not?" Predictably, Karol followed; new recruits were usually eager to make friends. Kyle let a half-smile escape his lips as he led the way. "So Karol, where are you from?" It wasn't going to be easy, but Kyle would try to make it worth it.