The last piece of the puzzle [locked to Damien]

[onewho_willbe]

John walked into the Black Sheep for his meeting with Damien, looking around. He found himself missing Earhart's, the atmosphere there. This place was still so strange, and for him to have ground below his feet, not metal... Still, he was getting used to it

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[for_ireland]

Damien arrived a few minutes later, dressed as he usually was - in tweed, with a trench coat and an Irish walking hat. He looked around a moment, not sure of the appearance of the man he was due to meet.

The idea of joining a village guard made him, honestly, a bit uncomfortable. He had fought, he had the skills necessary to be a soldier. But in his heart, he was very far from being a killer. Still, if the village needed protecting, if the innocent needed him to be there for them again - he would be.

[onewho_willbe]

John was looking around for someone who would be looking for him. He was dressed out of uniform, a casual jacket over his shirt, and smart pants that were made from fabrics that weren't available here, however much they looked like they should be.

"Damien?" he asked the man who was glancing round the room. "I'm John Sheridan."

[for_ireland]

Damien nodded, stepping forward and offering his hand.

"Aye, Damien O'Donovan, sir."

After shaking his hand, he rather awkwardly put his hands in his trench coat, taking a quick visual survey of the room. It was something you learned as a guerilla fighter, always to know your surroundings and your exits, wherever you were.

"I...I suppose ye have questions for me, then?"

He was obviously uncomfortable being here.

[onewho_willbe]

John shook the offered hand with a smile. "Can I get you a drink?" he asked, before gesturing to a seat.

"I'd like to know what you're used to with regards to fighting. I know you said you were used to fighting with small arms, but that could mean something different to what I'm used to, I've found."

[for_ireland]

"Aye, a pint of whatever's on draft," he nodded, taking the indicated seat as he mulled over the question for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was far away.

"I was in, and briefly led, a Flying Column during the War of Independence. We used pistols, rifles - mainly old style, both at close range and from a distance. We used some light explosives, conducted raids and ambushes. I'm trained in guerilla techniques, more in the countryside than in an urban environment, but I'm sure they could be adapted. It worked well enough for Collins."

[onewho_willbe]

John went to the bar, and ordered the drink, bringing it over for Damien.

He listened carefully as Damien spoke, though he was frowning slightly, trying to place the war. It took him a few minutes to think he had it placed. "You're talking about the Irish War of Independence, yes?" he asked carefully. "I should explain, I'm from further in the future it seems than most people here. For me, the year is 2261, now."

[for_ireland]

Damien nodded, saying nothing for a moment as he took a deep drink of his pint.

"Aye, I'm from further back than many, but not much as some. It's a strange place here, so it is. But I doubt that war has changed much, except in its weapons?"

[onewho_willbe]

John shook his head somewhat sadly. "No, war never changes. Even now we are in the midst of a massive war, having come out of one fifteen years ago."

[for_ireland]

"Ah, but I'm sorry to hear that. I nearly didn't volunteer for the guard, as I'd much rather be practicing me medicine than fighting, but when one has skills that can help others, you've sometimes got to do things you don't like. As long as you're a fair leader, I'll do as I'm told, sir."

[onewho_willbe]

"Ah, but there is always room for someone who knows medicine on the field," John pointed out. "Sometimes that knowledge is the only thing that can save a life, but I understand your point of view." He smiled somewhat. "I've been told by those who have fought with me I'm fair. I would never ask anyone serving with me to do anything I won't do myself, no matter the danger."

[for_ireland]

"Aye, that's the mark of a fair leader. Is there anything else you wish to know of me? I can't say I'm excited at the idea of being in another unit, but I'll do what I must."

[onewho_willbe]

"Well, I'm hoping we won't be needed much, but it's better to be prepared," John said. "Hopefully you won't be needed to fight." But John was always one to be prepared.

[for_ireland]

"I can do, if needed," he said, wanting to make it clear that while perhaps he wouldn't hugely enjoy fighting, he was willing to do what was necessary to protect those in the village.

"I don't think fighting is something anyone should be excited about, though."

[onewho_willbe]

There was an element of John that would be drawn to the thrill of the fight, though. It was his nature, and what made him a good leader, because he used that adrenaline and came up with the seemingly impossibly solutions. "Well, we can all hope that it isn't needed, but it's good to know that the option is there, from people who know what to do."