Jul 12, 2024 6:38 am
Peter finds Douklan to process a bit. Their conversation:
After taking some time to recompose himself Peter heads to the crew mess. He chats with some of the crew onboard, even resorting to some bribery if necessary, but eventually grabs two beers. Before the meeting with all the others he will try to find Douklan alone to have a quick chat.
"Hi, i don't know about you but back in the ranks i would always own a beer to anyone that saw real combat with me, so i think you've earned this"
He hands Douklan one of the beers and opens his ownDouklan is touched by this gesture; it's one of the first times any of the crew other than Synths and Corbin have tried to initiate conversation with him. He takes a bulb, breaks the seal, and clinks it against Peter's.
"Thanks!"
Peter stays a bit in silence, taking a few sips of the beer, and looking at the can."Yeah." Douklan twists the nozzle, takes a sip, and nods. "...yeah. I was just going along with everything, you know? 'We're gonna go here, we're gonna do that,' and I just obeyed, because what else am I gonna do? There has always been someone in the chain of command, telling me what to do, just like that." He takes another sip. "You wanna know something, though?" He leans forward and lowers his voice as if someone might overhear a terrible secret. "I don't think Hank is even an officer!" He shakes his head. It's madness, and they both know it.
Eventually, Peter continues.
Despite their camaraderie, Douklan is momentarily taken aback at this gesture from a member of a different armed service. But he recovers quickly, recognizing the honor that is being extended. "Absolutely. I've got you, you've got me. Maybe together, we can make some sense out of this crazy civilian organization!"
Peter raises his can into a toast, and Douklan joins him. "To brotherhood, staying alive, and a good new life outside of the service!"
"Sure thing, brother. It's my honor to serve with you. I know you'd do the same for me." Douklan smiles, "Not that I'm ever gonna need it, of course!"
arthur12320 says:
After taking some time to recompose himself Peter heads to the crew mess. He chats with some of the crew onboard, even resorting to some bribery if necessary, but eventually grabs two beers. Before the meeting with all the others he will try to find Douklan alone to have a quick chat.
"Hi, i don't know about you but back in the ranks i would always own a beer to anyone that saw real combat with me, so i think you've earned this"
He hands Douklan one of the beers and opens his own
"Thanks!"
arthur12320 says:
"It's strange isn't it? even after leaving the frontlines our brain is still wired to blindly follow orders" Peter chuckles, "Even, and especially, if it leads us directly into harm's way, I think I still need some time to adapt to all this new found freedom. Being able to choose where we go and how far we need to commit is something I need to relearn…. And i think you do too"Peter stays a bit in silence, taking a few sips of the beer, and looking at the can.
Eventually, Peter continues.
arthur12320 says:
"Let's keep watching each other's backs out there. If I get too focused on the combat I need to know someone will pull me back to reality, think you can do that?"Peter raises his can into a toast, and Douklan joins him. "To brotherhood, staying alive, and a good new life outside of the service!"
arthur12320 says:
"Thanks for protecting me"