06 ▌video ; cerbos speaking

[creepinginmy]

[The video shows Jack -- what looks like Jack, anyway -- from the chest up, looking considerably less moody than your average. The seal is in his palm facing up and he's playing with one of those little pink beans between his thumb and index. There's the start of a smile in his lips.]

Big fan of these beans, this place, ain't it.

[It's an English

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[oneliners]

Experience has just taught me that it's easier to go a familiar route. In this case, beans.

How long do you give it before the first person falls for it this time?

[creepinginmy]

Can't really say that's any of my concern.

[A beat. Maybe that isn't quite true. He grins.]

As long as there isn't another killing spree around these parts, right?

[oneliners]

I wouldn't call that much of a killing spree.

[creepinginmy]

Why's that?

[oneliners]

Seen a few. Usually involves a bit more on the body count.

[creepinginmy]

[Oh, he wishes he could say the same. Imagine going through a field of dead bodies to find those left with a last breath of life begging to be killed or saved.]

What happened?

[oneliners]

The near end of the human race happened.

[ She laughs, bitterly, and runs a hand through her hair. ]

I was a soldier. I saw enough corpses to make a mountain out of them.

[creepinginmy]

[He should say something sympathetic or horrified, but 'what a waste' is the only thing that comes to mind.]

Must've been tough. [a beat, considering.] Even for a soldier.

[oneliners]

You get used to it. [ She gives a weary smile. ] Just another day in the office.

I miss it sometimes. I don't feel like I've had as much purpose since I 'retired'.

[creepinginmy]

What was your purpose, exactly? [he wants to say 'killing people'.]

[oneliners]

I'm a SPARTAN.

[ So wry, ]

We're designed to be war machines. Bigger, stronger, faster than the best human athletes. I lead an unconventional warfare unit.

[ So, in other words, government sanctioned terrorists. ]

Originally designed for use against insurrectionists. Wasn't long before we were put to use against invading alien forces.