I will keep on fighting, so long as there is breath within me

[a_young_legend]

-It is late. While many of the other members of the base are fast asleep, Shinji is alert and awake. He appears to be battling the simulator's AI with Unit 01's combat data. There are deep rings under his eyes, but he has yet to tire

Comments

[robot_penguin]

*walks quietly up to the simulator, leans against it for a bit, saying nothing; then nudges the power cable with his foot and kicks it unplugged*

Go get some sleep, kid.

[a_young_legend]

Line up the target, pull the...

-Shinji blinks in confusion. It takes him a moment to register his visitor.-

Do you have a problem? You realize I can just plug that back in, right?

[robot_penguin]

Not in your sleep, you can't.

The problem with this isn't even that you're putting your training before your health. Sleep deprivation is counterproductive.

[a_young_legend]

Why do you care, again? You don't exactly look like the sappy sensitive type.

-He begins to scowl.-

If you think it means not sleeping means I'll be a liability, then you're wrong. I'm used to it. I've dealt with it all my life.

[robot_penguin]

You're right about one thing: I'm not here to be your mommy. I'm just correcting a soldier with bad study habits.

And trust me. I know what it's like to not have to worry about taking care of my body, and I can guarantee you you do.

[a_young_legend]

My mother died along time ago, and my father...

-Shinji continues to glower.-

What the hell is that supposed to mean, not taking care of your body? What are you, part cyborg or something? Get off your pedestal already and focus on what's good for yourself.

[robot_penguin]

*"Oh this is just precious" snicker*

"Part cyborg?" No, I guess I'm not "part" cyborg.

*removes one glove to reveal a neatly-crafted android arm*

But you know, you're either a cyborg or you're not.

Three years ago I lost my wife, my daughter, and 70% of my own body. So don't argue with me about your angst and your stupid habits, you little runt. Try going a few months without having to worry about your health and maybe you'll realize how great it really was.

Now go the hell to bed. Incompetent soldiers like you kill us out there.

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji's eyes fly wide open in shock. He is torn somewhere between disgust, terror, and sympathy.-

T-that's... I...

-He struggles.-

How was I supposed to know?! God, do you always creep people out like that?! And I'm not incompetent! If anything you're incompetent for getting yourself wrecked in the first place!

[robot_penguin]

That's real nice. Make fun of the "handicapped" person.

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji seems to have been cringing, as if expecting some sort of angry blow for his words. He looks surprised when it never comes.-

You... you have a tough skin, don't you? Who are you, exactly?

[robot_penguin]

Heh.

Kurtis, Defender of Earth.

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji still appears nervous. He is silent a few moments... and then bursts into laughter.-

Ha... hahahahaha! Oh man, "defender of Earth"? Seriously? Did you seriously just call yourself... hahaha! Oh, wow. Man, I never knew we were breeding a secret robot army all this time! Maybe it's just a cover, though, and you're gonna rise up against your human masters and just destroy everything? Geez, you're really something else, Kurtis.

...Defender of Earth.