(Untitled)

[shamlock]

[ flightsuit-- check. helmet-- check. haro-- check. eyepatch-- ... check.

the dull, throbbing ache in the space where his right eye had used to be was probably a great indication that he shouldn't be out and about right now, much less going about preparing to sort into a battle where he'd be immediately disadvantaged. a sniper that had lost the use

Comments

[eltneg]

[Lockon Stratos had never really presented problems with disobeying orders- that was more Setsuna's scene. Exia's pilot was notorious for it, while the sniper was known to be relatively well-behaved. Ptolemaios' crew had no reason to doubt Lockon's ability to abide by their demands for bed rest.]

[but Tieria knew better.]

[the gloved fingers of one hand move deftly across the keypad while the other holds his helmet against his side. he pauses only briefly at the sound of his name. he doesn't even turn to greet him.] Lockon Stratos.

[shamlock]

Y'know, after all these years? Just 'Lockon' is fine.

[ okay, so the bare minimum of acknowledgement wasn't really anything new-- tieria erde was not a people person and to expect enthusiasm from him for a greeting was asking a little too much. ever since the accident, he'd changed a bit. a little more secretive, a little more concerned.

a little more human?

however, neil was more intrigued (worried?) by the fact that he seemed to be doing something with the panel of his docking bay. combined with his new-found compassion, the meister could only concoct the most fantastic ideas of how whatever he was doing could make his own plans go horribly wrong. ]

Can I ask what you're doing?

[eltneg]

You may. [he's almost finished with his objective- he'd taken several precautions and revoked more than just Lockon's access to Ptolemy's passcodes.]

[shamlock]

...

[ sometimes, neil has to pinch himself to remind him that tieria is for real. ]

What are you doing?

[eltneg]

[aaand- complete! the panel chirps cheerfully at him as it saves the changes he's made. it's then that he turns to face Lockon.] Nothing, now.

[shamlock]

[ that mechanical beep has never sounded so forboding. one hand on his hip, the sniper looks the very epitome of skeptical-- obviously something is up the other's sleeve, otherwise they wouldn't be having this conversation. ]

That doesn't really answer my question. What were you doing?

[eltneg]

I don't recall being required to answer your questions. I only agreed to hearing them.

[shamlock]

And I asked so nicely, too.

[ a sigh as lockon moves over to the door, his hand lingering above the access panel. something had been done to it, and the voice inside neil's head was telling him it probably wouldn't be great news. ]

I suppose you won't mind if I go and check in on Dynames, then?

[eltneg]

[and Tieria removes himself from the space before the keypad. he says nothing in reply to the pilot's question. after all, it's not his opinion Lockon should be worried about.]

[-- which begs the question: can an access panel even have an opinion?]

[shamlock]

[ getting no reply, the only thing left to do was key in his access code. funnily enough, the door refused to open after the six digits had been entered and decided to spout some angry beeping noise at him instead-- confirming that the sinking feeling in neil's stomach had been warranted after all.

great. ]

-- you changed my codes.

[eltneg]

I did. [he looks just as indifferent as he sounds.]

[shamlock]

Mind telling me why?

[ -- he's running out of time, too. there's an edge of impatience in lockon's voice, a contrast from the constantly easy-going drawl. ]

[eltneg]

Sumeragi has already removed Dynames from the plan of action. Your assistance is no longer needed, Lockon Stratos.

[shamlock]

And she told you to do this?

[eltneg]

Of course not. This was done by my own volition.

[shamlock]

[ that's... kind-of the wrong answer. whether or not he's incapable of fighting at the standard required of him, his fate should be his own. right? ]

What right do you have to change my own codes, Tieria?