Orders Suck (OYW4)
Danyan had never much liked orders. Sure he'd listen if they came from someone he knew and respected - hell, he'd follow Arcaile Nasr to hell and back if the man asked - but when the came from 'The Brass,' the faceless entity governing the military as a whole, Dani couldn't help but feel a small pang of resentment. If They wanted to give orders, especially ones similar to what was printed on the page clutched in the young man's hand, They should have some damn idea of what was going on in any particular theatre.
Dani read over the dispatch for the umpteenth time. 'What the hell were they thinking?' he mused, and wished his abilities could provide the answer to the rhetoric. Following what was demanded would be inconvenient at best for him, and impossible for the other it called on. Earth was, after all, in a messy situation.
He rose from his chair, clad in just his uniform pants and an undershirt. He pulled a relatively unrumpled uniform jacket on and stepped outside his bunk.
He'd need to talk to Arcaile, but finding the man was an adventure in and of itself, even with Dani's 'intuition.'
~
I'm not in the best of moods. Once again the brass has managed to royally piss me off. It's one thing not to send me enough staff and resources but to take away my best pilot to be poked and prodded by some wierd egghead on Green Noah right before a sortie.
"Yuu, find Seamen Dani Jhouty and tell him to meet me on the bridge. Also tell Ensign Mila that I'll have to delay our meeting on the Horatio until later"
"Will do sir!" Yuu calls for Jhouty over the ship's intercom.
"Attention Seamen Dani Jhouty is to report to the bridge immediately."
That's what I've been calling my sessions with Rachel "meetings." She won't be too pleased about me cancelling so fast but she'll understand she has a team of pilots to worry about now. What I hate the most about this request is the incredible lack of detail. What the hell are they up to?
~
Well that was easy.
Dani paused in the hallway to quickly do up the top few buttons of his jacket (the bridge demanding proper dress, after all,) and made his way to the most important room on the ship.
The doors slid open, and Dani stood instantly to attention, managing to stay grounded, even as those around him float, ever so slightly, in Zero-Gee.
"Seaman Jhouty reporting, Sir!" he said sharply, resisting the urge to add a lisp to the line. "There are matters I wish to discuss with you sir, if I have the permission to speak freely."
~
Dani's got something say.
"Everyone, if you'll excuse us."
The bridge crew stand, salute and make there way out of the bridge.
"Go right ahead Dani."
~
Dani waited quietly for the crew to leave, smiling a bit as the captain used his nickname instead of his full one. He wasn't sure if the opposite was allowed, but he figured it best to play safe and stick to more formal names. Namely 'sir'.
Dani brandished the piece of paper. "I take it you got something along these lines?" Of course the question was a stupid one - He didn't have to be a Newtype to see the lines of aggravation on his CO's face. Dani sighed figuring it would be best not to dance around the bush. "I'm requesting permission to follow these orders as soon as possible, Sir, but I don't want to delay the attack. I'd be willing to go ahead on my own."
~
Dani does not need my permission to follow those orders but he asked anyway. I slowly been earning the respect of crew and pilots alike. This gesture brought a smile to my face.
"I'd hate to see you go but permission granted. The abruptness of this whole situation only means the brass has something special planned for you."
Something about Jhouty. A person tends to open up a bit around him. I'm not sure if its his abilities but you always feel comfortable around him.
"Honestly, those eggheads bother me. They seem to have no regard for the life of their "subjects." The only thing that concerns them is their precious data. Be careful around Jamitov Heiman, I don't think he can be trusted."
Enough of that. I'm generally worried about my pilots. I think Ensign Mila is making me more soft than usual.
"The operation will continue as planned. I just wanted to personally thank you for your part in this fleet's success. You're an excellent pilot. You'll be missed out in the battlefield and aboard this ship. Thank you."
I extend my hand, too bad I'm losing a pilot of this caliber. I would have be satisfied with Cherish and Nolan and their nonsense. I can only hope this fleet will survive without Jhouty.
~
Dani took the captains hand and clasped it, bring his other hand to join the shake - Jana had once told him that using both hands conveyed more warmth...
Well okay, she'd used the word 'love,' but that didn't seem appropriate here.
He smiled at the advice and nodded when he'd finished. "Tell me about it," he said quietly. "I was holed up at Green Oasis a few weeks before I hooked up with this rig. God. I thought they were going to drive me to death, but no, that would mean they couldn't get anything else out of me..."
His silver gaze drifted down towards the paper, glossing over the words a few more times. "This time I think they might actually do it though..." He grimaced, but looked back up at his captain, throwing up a smile, however transparent it was.
"Your praise means a lot, sir," he said a bit sadly, "My only regret is that I won't be able to fry some Zeeks. " He fought down a slight pang of worry for the other pilots of the Nasr fleet - as far as he knew, he had the most combat experience of them all, and his sixth sense was certainly a huge asset in battle. He hoped they'd be alright without him. Especially David and Candice. The team. His team. The grin on his face became honest and spread.
"Take care of 'em all for me, Sir."
~
"You've got nothing to worry about there."
The thought of being a human guinea pig just disgusting. Have we really come to this? Each day I think the only thing that makes us different than the zeeks is our different uniforms.
"Dismissed."
I turn away from Dani, I'm really no good at sappy good byes.
"Also, unless I get the ship blown up, you'll always have a a bunk aboard this ship. Now go and bring back a fancy toy."
We'll have to make do without him. I'll need to fall back on this fleets sheer dumb luck. What else is new.
~
Dani snapped a sharp salute and turned to go. He could sense the discomfort from Arcaile was radiating, but he knew it was the good-hearted sort.
"Then keep this old rig in tact for me, eh? I'll depart as soon as I'm set to go." He stepped out of the way of the door, letting it slide shut before either man could say anything else.
Dani sighed. He'd need to pack. He hoped he wouldn't run into anyone on his way back.
~
It was barely noticeable at first to Candice, but since the victory long ago, it seemed the morale of the Sleipner was decreasing at a rapid pace. She spotted this mostly amongst the mechanics, whom she worked with even when she didn't have to spruce up her GM E more than she had to. She liked being amongst the wiring, the hydrolics and people; oh god, the people. They were all that kept her from going insane. She thought back to Texas, and how long ago it felt to her, but was surprised at how calm she had been back then, how much control she held over herself.
Candice's state was neutral when she left the hangar. Her arms were numb, but it was a good numb - the kind you got from knowing you did a good job on something. She smiled halfheartedly. There was a female mechanic she took to immediately since boarding the Sleipner, Francisca. She wouldn't reveal her last name, but to Candice it didn't matter. She was a genius, and Candice couldn't help but smile along with her whenever a joke was shared between the two, silent but soft. It was a good feeling she hoped would last throughout her stay in the Nasr fleet.
Through her musings she realized she had reached her room. She let go a soft sigh of relief as she touched down, ready to press the keycode, when she heard someone up ahead. She raised her eyes and saw Dani, and immediately frowned. Something was wrong. He wore a solemn expressing that hardened his features, and she was almost positive it had to do with the transferring of pilots to aid the flailing ground forces in Europe and Africa.
It was best not to stirr the pot until she was completely sure, so Candice waved her hand from side to side, then from front to back, beckoning him.
~
The rumor mill was buzzing. Danyan was gonna be transferred. Sure, I never really believed in Newtypes, but I knew that he was at least a good luck charm. And now he was leaving.
It could drive a man to drink, losing a teammate for some fucking test run.
And so I was in the mess hall, bottle of hooch in hand, a high ball glass in the other, pouring whenever I needed to refill the glass.
A good friend, and a great pilot... leaving because the Brass wanted a fucking guinea pig.
"Here's to you, Gimpy..." I raised the glass in the air, and took a long drink.
~
He almost didn't see her. Dani had almost floated right on by Candice, and only the small waving of her arms caught his attention. He touched down gently next to her, sparing a quick hug, and then took off again, grabbing her wrist to tug her along. He didn't say anything, but his grip on the sheet of paper in his other hand tightened uncomfortably.
He had to tell them both, regardless of how much he didn't want to. And he wanted to tell them together, so he tugged Candice along behind him, heading for the mess hall.
~
She didn't even have time to react when Dani hugged her, but Candice soon came to her senses the moment he grabbed her wrist and tugged, wanting her to follow. Staying silent, she followed obediently. He'd tell them when he felt ready, but she couldn't help but feel like a flailing fish out of water in the current situation.
Nervously, she slid her wrist out of Dani's hand, and clasped his fingers. They felt cold compared to her own hand, and she suddenly had an urge to transfer something of herself over to him, so she closed her eyes and thought. We're here for you, Dani. All of us. To this, she squeezed his hand, and opened her eyes. The mess hall was coming up soon.
~
HE felt her hand, and smiled at it's meager warmth, giving it a small squeeze back, although he said nothing. Her thought echoed once in his head, earning a look back and a small nod in acknowledgment, even as he palmed the mess hall doors open.
David was drinking. Figures.
Dani sighed and let go of Candice's hand, drifting towards David's table and laying the abused sheet of orders out in front for him to read.
~
There was some small hope inside Candice that wished for Dani's smile to be genuine, even if she didn't have any reasons backing her up. She couldn't explain the whole emotion she was feeling herself, but she let it wash over her anyway, and smiled back.
She came to her senses quickly when the door opened, and the hand that Dani had used to guide her dropped to her side as she entered. She followed close behind, and stopped a little ways away as Dani set the paper he'd been holding in his other hand down in front of David. She already knew what could be on that sheet, but she somehow didn't want to fathom the idea herself, and looked away, as if ashamed.
~
I looked up from the glass, at the crummy sheet of paper. "So, the rumors true?" I looked at the empty glass, the ice cubes slightly melted from the alcohol that had been inside it. I poured another glass from the bottle, and then looked at it.
At least before now, it was a goddamn rumor. Nothing confirmed. And now, there it was, staring me right in the face.
And he didn't even have to say anything. Especially with the look on Candice's face. I couldn't even say anything, I just held up the glass, swirling the liquid slightly. Part of me wanted to throw the glass at the wall.
But that would be a good waste of liquor.
"When're you leaving?"
~
"As soon as I can get my ass out the door," Dani responded with a sigh, sliding into a nearby chair with all the grace of an elephant. "As far as I know, it's a temporary thing - I won't be gone long, but it's Green Oasis. Who the hell knows what could happen?"
He rubbed his head absently. He hadn't been there since...well, almost since he joined the fleet. He thought back to the report he'd sent. The one he lied on. Oh did he ever hope they didn't find out about that. His heart sank more (if that was possible), but he tried not to let it show.
"Anyways," he continued, "I won't be around for the attack, which is what hurts me the most."
~
Feeling awkward, Candice stood adjacent to Dani, but stepped in closer once the man confirmed what everybody knew. It felt as if a cloud of doubt had settled over the room once Dani finished, and Candice found herself gripping the man's shoulder for support - whether for her own or for Dani's; even she wasn't sure.
"We'll be alright." She spoke, slightly surprised at the ease which she said those words, "We're not as inexperienced as before. You can expect us waiting when you get back." She wasn't sure anymore if she was speaking for herself or for everyone, but feigning ignorance was always a trait she managed to stride in, even in the military.
To this, she looked to David, who showed his anguish more than she'd thought he would. Another pang of worry appeared, but she continued to keep a straight face as best as she could.
~
"The fucking attack, that's what worries you most? We can handle the damn Zeeks, that's for damn sure." The words were harsh and angry, probably a result of the alcohol that I had been consuming since I heard the rumor. I stood up, looking at the pair, anger and hurt in my eyes.
"Other than Candice, you're the only other pilot in this fleet that I absolutely trust with everything I've got. I know that I can count on you in any situation, and don't even need to worry about a thing, just like Candice. And now some fucking asshole up in the Brass who only understands the numbers game decides to take you out for testing, doesn't even realize the damage he's done!"
At that point, I threw the glass down, ice scattering amongst the glass debris on the floor of the mess hall, liquor splashing about. I looked down at the mess, then back up at Danyan.
"And you're worried most about the mission. We're a goddamn team, and high command just took out a leg of a tripod. There's a reason squads come in threes. It's a prime number. Prime is lucky, and now, we're down to two, and it'll take too long to start trusting some grunt to take your place. And no one can. Dammit man... they just fucked us, and who knows what they'll do to you."
~
Dani winced at the outburst, but knew from experience it would die soon. He didn't move as David did, and watched placidly as the man threw his glass. He didn't flinch at the sound of it shattering, nor did he wince at the sharp smell of the spilled hooch. His father, after all, would throw similar tantrums often enough that the silver-eyed man was all but immune to them.
Only when David fell silent did Danyan speak again, his gaze not moving from the sparkling shards of glass.
"I'm worried about the mission because I'm worried about you two," he said quietly. "I'm worried that one or both of you will turn up dead or worse, while I go on a little trip to make a megalomaniac happy. I'm worried that I'll come back to find my home and everyone I love as no more than a god damned debris field and it will have been my fault for not being able to support you. "
He sighed, lifting his gaze to David. "I'm not worried about myself. I'll be coming back. That much I can promise you."
~
Dani read over the dispatch for the umpteenth time. 'What the hell were they thinking?' he mused, and wished his abilities could provide the answer to the rhetoric. Following what was demanded would be inconvenient at best for him, and impossible for the other it called on. Earth was, after all, in a messy situation.
He rose from his chair, clad in just his uniform pants and an undershirt. He pulled a relatively unrumpled uniform jacket on and stepped outside his bunk.
He'd need to talk to Arcaile, but finding the man was an adventure in and of itself, even with Dani's 'intuition.'
~
I'm not in the best of moods. Once again the brass has managed to royally piss me off. It's one thing not to send me enough staff and resources but to take away my best pilot to be poked and prodded by some wierd egghead on Green Noah right before a sortie.
"Yuu, find Seamen Dani Jhouty and tell him to meet me on the bridge. Also tell Ensign Mila that I'll have to delay our meeting on the Horatio until later"
"Will do sir!" Yuu calls for Jhouty over the ship's intercom.
"Attention Seamen Dani Jhouty is to report to the bridge immediately."
That's what I've been calling my sessions with Rachel "meetings." She won't be too pleased about me cancelling so fast but she'll understand she has a team of pilots to worry about now. What I hate the most about this request is the incredible lack of detail. What the hell are they up to?
~
Well that was easy.
Dani paused in the hallway to quickly do up the top few buttons of his jacket (the bridge demanding proper dress, after all,) and made his way to the most important room on the ship.
The doors slid open, and Dani stood instantly to attention, managing to stay grounded, even as those around him float, ever so slightly, in Zero-Gee.
"Seaman Jhouty reporting, Sir!" he said sharply, resisting the urge to add a lisp to the line. "There are matters I wish to discuss with you sir, if I have the permission to speak freely."
~
Dani's got something say.
"Everyone, if you'll excuse us."
The bridge crew stand, salute and make there way out of the bridge.
"Go right ahead Dani."
~
Dani waited quietly for the crew to leave, smiling a bit as the captain used his nickname instead of his full one. He wasn't sure if the opposite was allowed, but he figured it best to play safe and stick to more formal names. Namely 'sir'.
Dani brandished the piece of paper. "I take it you got something along these lines?" Of course the question was a stupid one - He didn't have to be a Newtype to see the lines of aggravation on his CO's face. Dani sighed figuring it would be best not to dance around the bush. "I'm requesting permission to follow these orders as soon as possible, Sir, but I don't want to delay the attack. I'd be willing to go ahead on my own."
~
Dani does not need my permission to follow those orders but he asked anyway. I slowly been earning the respect of crew and pilots alike. This gesture brought a smile to my face.
"I'd hate to see you go but permission granted. The abruptness of this whole situation only means the brass has something special planned for you."
Something about Jhouty. A person tends to open up a bit around him. I'm not sure if its his abilities but you always feel comfortable around him.
"Honestly, those eggheads bother me. They seem to have no regard for the life of their "subjects." The only thing that concerns them is their precious data. Be careful around Jamitov Heiman, I don't think he can be trusted."
Enough of that. I'm generally worried about my pilots. I think Ensign Mila is making me more soft than usual.
"The operation will continue as planned. I just wanted to personally thank you for your part in this fleet's success. You're an excellent pilot. You'll be missed out in the battlefield and aboard this ship. Thank you."
I extend my hand, too bad I'm losing a pilot of this caliber. I would have be satisfied with Cherish and Nolan and their nonsense. I can only hope this fleet will survive without Jhouty.
~
Dani took the captains hand and clasped it, bring his other hand to join the shake - Jana had once told him that using both hands conveyed more warmth...
Well okay, she'd used the word 'love,' but that didn't seem appropriate here.
He smiled at the advice and nodded when he'd finished. "Tell me about it," he said quietly. "I was holed up at Green Oasis a few weeks before I hooked up with this rig. God. I thought they were going to drive me to death, but no, that would mean they couldn't get anything else out of me..."
His silver gaze drifted down towards the paper, glossing over the words a few more times. "This time I think they might actually do it though..." He grimaced, but looked back up at his captain, throwing up a smile, however transparent it was.
"Your praise means a lot, sir," he said a bit sadly, "My only regret is that I won't be able to fry some Zeeks. " He fought down a slight pang of worry for the other pilots of the Nasr fleet - as far as he knew, he had the most combat experience of them all, and his sixth sense was certainly a huge asset in battle. He hoped they'd be alright without him. Especially David and Candice. The team. His team. The grin on his face became honest and spread.
"Take care of 'em all for me, Sir."
~
"You've got nothing to worry about there."
The thought of being a human guinea pig just disgusting. Have we really come to this? Each day I think the only thing that makes us different than the zeeks is our different uniforms.
"Dismissed."
I turn away from Dani, I'm really no good at sappy good byes.
"Also, unless I get the ship blown up, you'll always have a a bunk aboard this ship. Now go and bring back a fancy toy."
We'll have to make do without him. I'll need to fall back on this fleets sheer dumb luck. What else is new.
~
Dani snapped a sharp salute and turned to go. He could sense the discomfort from Arcaile was radiating, but he knew it was the good-hearted sort.
"Then keep this old rig in tact for me, eh? I'll depart as soon as I'm set to go." He stepped out of the way of the door, letting it slide shut before either man could say anything else.
Dani sighed. He'd need to pack. He hoped he wouldn't run into anyone on his way back.
~
It was barely noticeable at first to Candice, but since the victory long ago, it seemed the morale of the Sleipner was decreasing at a rapid pace. She spotted this mostly amongst the mechanics, whom she worked with even when she didn't have to spruce up her GM E more than she had to. She liked being amongst the wiring, the hydrolics and people; oh god, the people. They were all that kept her from going insane. She thought back to Texas, and how long ago it felt to her, but was surprised at how calm she had been back then, how much control she held over herself.
Candice's state was neutral when she left the hangar. Her arms were numb, but it was a good numb - the kind you got from knowing you did a good job on something. She smiled halfheartedly. There was a female mechanic she took to immediately since boarding the Sleipner, Francisca. She wouldn't reveal her last name, but to Candice it didn't matter. She was a genius, and Candice couldn't help but smile along with her whenever a joke was shared between the two, silent but soft. It was a good feeling she hoped would last throughout her stay in the Nasr fleet.
Through her musings she realized she had reached her room. She let go a soft sigh of relief as she touched down, ready to press the keycode, when she heard someone up ahead. She raised her eyes and saw Dani, and immediately frowned. Something was wrong. He wore a solemn expressing that hardened his features, and she was almost positive it had to do with the transferring of pilots to aid the flailing ground forces in Europe and Africa.
It was best not to stirr the pot until she was completely sure, so Candice waved her hand from side to side, then from front to back, beckoning him.
~
The rumor mill was buzzing. Danyan was gonna be transferred. Sure, I never really believed in Newtypes, but I knew that he was at least a good luck charm. And now he was leaving.
It could drive a man to drink, losing a teammate for some fucking test run.
And so I was in the mess hall, bottle of hooch in hand, a high ball glass in the other, pouring whenever I needed to refill the glass.
A good friend, and a great pilot... leaving because the Brass wanted a fucking guinea pig.
"Here's to you, Gimpy..." I raised the glass in the air, and took a long drink.
~
He almost didn't see her. Dani had almost floated right on by Candice, and only the small waving of her arms caught his attention. He touched down gently next to her, sparing a quick hug, and then took off again, grabbing her wrist to tug her along. He didn't say anything, but his grip on the sheet of paper in his other hand tightened uncomfortably.
He had to tell them both, regardless of how much he didn't want to. And he wanted to tell them together, so he tugged Candice along behind him, heading for the mess hall.
~
She didn't even have time to react when Dani hugged her, but Candice soon came to her senses the moment he grabbed her wrist and tugged, wanting her to follow. Staying silent, she followed obediently. He'd tell them when he felt ready, but she couldn't help but feel like a flailing fish out of water in the current situation.
Nervously, she slid her wrist out of Dani's hand, and clasped his fingers. They felt cold compared to her own hand, and she suddenly had an urge to transfer something of herself over to him, so she closed her eyes and thought. We're here for you, Dani. All of us. To this, she squeezed his hand, and opened her eyes. The mess hall was coming up soon.
~
HE felt her hand, and smiled at it's meager warmth, giving it a small squeeze back, although he said nothing. Her thought echoed once in his head, earning a look back and a small nod in acknowledgment, even as he palmed the mess hall doors open.
David was drinking. Figures.
Dani sighed and let go of Candice's hand, drifting towards David's table and laying the abused sheet of orders out in front for him to read.
~
There was some small hope inside Candice that wished for Dani's smile to be genuine, even if she didn't have any reasons backing her up. She couldn't explain the whole emotion she was feeling herself, but she let it wash over her anyway, and smiled back.
She came to her senses quickly when the door opened, and the hand that Dani had used to guide her dropped to her side as she entered. She followed close behind, and stopped a little ways away as Dani set the paper he'd been holding in his other hand down in front of David. She already knew what could be on that sheet, but she somehow didn't want to fathom the idea herself, and looked away, as if ashamed.
~
I looked up from the glass, at the crummy sheet of paper. "So, the rumors true?" I looked at the empty glass, the ice cubes slightly melted from the alcohol that had been inside it. I poured another glass from the bottle, and then looked at it.
At least before now, it was a goddamn rumor. Nothing confirmed. And now, there it was, staring me right in the face.
And he didn't even have to say anything. Especially with the look on Candice's face. I couldn't even say anything, I just held up the glass, swirling the liquid slightly. Part of me wanted to throw the glass at the wall.
But that would be a good waste of liquor.
"When're you leaving?"
~
"As soon as I can get my ass out the door," Dani responded with a sigh, sliding into a nearby chair with all the grace of an elephant. "As far as I know, it's a temporary thing - I won't be gone long, but it's Green Oasis. Who the hell knows what could happen?"
He rubbed his head absently. He hadn't been there since...well, almost since he joined the fleet. He thought back to the report he'd sent. The one he lied on. Oh did he ever hope they didn't find out about that. His heart sank more (if that was possible), but he tried not to let it show.
"Anyways," he continued, "I won't be around for the attack, which is what hurts me the most."
~
Feeling awkward, Candice stood adjacent to Dani, but stepped in closer once the man confirmed what everybody knew. It felt as if a cloud of doubt had settled over the room once Dani finished, and Candice found herself gripping the man's shoulder for support - whether for her own or for Dani's; even she wasn't sure.
"We'll be alright." She spoke, slightly surprised at the ease which she said those words, "We're not as inexperienced as before. You can expect us waiting when you get back." She wasn't sure anymore if she was speaking for herself or for everyone, but feigning ignorance was always a trait she managed to stride in, even in the military.
To this, she looked to David, who showed his anguish more than she'd thought he would. Another pang of worry appeared, but she continued to keep a straight face as best as she could.
~
"The fucking attack, that's what worries you most? We can handle the damn Zeeks, that's for damn sure." The words were harsh and angry, probably a result of the alcohol that I had been consuming since I heard the rumor. I stood up, looking at the pair, anger and hurt in my eyes.
"Other than Candice, you're the only other pilot in this fleet that I absolutely trust with everything I've got. I know that I can count on you in any situation, and don't even need to worry about a thing, just like Candice. And now some fucking asshole up in the Brass who only understands the numbers game decides to take you out for testing, doesn't even realize the damage he's done!"
At that point, I threw the glass down, ice scattering amongst the glass debris on the floor of the mess hall, liquor splashing about. I looked down at the mess, then back up at Danyan.
"And you're worried most about the mission. We're a goddamn team, and high command just took out a leg of a tripod. There's a reason squads come in threes. It's a prime number. Prime is lucky, and now, we're down to two, and it'll take too long to start trusting some grunt to take your place. And no one can. Dammit man... they just fucked us, and who knows what they'll do to you."
~
Dani winced at the outburst, but knew from experience it would die soon. He didn't move as David did, and watched placidly as the man threw his glass. He didn't flinch at the sound of it shattering, nor did he wince at the sharp smell of the spilled hooch. His father, after all, would throw similar tantrums often enough that the silver-eyed man was all but immune to them.
Only when David fell silent did Danyan speak again, his gaze not moving from the sparkling shards of glass.
"I'm worried about the mission because I'm worried about you two," he said quietly. "I'm worried that one or both of you will turn up dead or worse, while I go on a little trip to make a megalomaniac happy. I'm worried that I'll come back to find my home and everyone I love as no more than a god damned debris field and it will have been my fault for not being able to support you. "
He sighed, lifting his gaze to David. "I'm not worried about myself. I'll be coming back. That much I can promise you."
~