thisavrou | text;

Entry tags:

text;

[ "Augusta" is the name attached to this TAB. The picture is of curved white metal with a stripe of dark orange — leg armor, for any who may recognize it. ]

UNSC. Marines. RT-636.

[ In order: the military Maine knows, the branch he's in, and the hull classification symbol for the Mother of Invention.

[ North insisted on gathering intel while keeping a low profile. Maine's only interest is in returning to their mission. This is the result of compromise. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ That's one issue taken care of, making sure she knows where he is while he gets settled. And more than that, having Maine back is something she never expected. ]

York told me, I'm sure he's already gone off to find him.

[ And she's looking forward to seeing him, too. All these old friends she had thought she'd made her peace with. So much for that. ]

Any other questions? I know things are pretty strange right now with everything going on.

[ York. That conversation — the way it ended — is next on his list. The mission is complete. Carolina knows North's status. Time to find out about the "shitshow" York mentioned.

[ Scattered. York said they scattered. As though there could ever be a reason good enough to justify it.

[ A low, irritated growl rumbles in Maine's chest. He looks down at Carolina — older, but whole and alive — and he shifts his weight back. Adjusts his stance so that any forward trajectory won't be aimed at her. He's not threatening her; he just wants a goddamn answer. ]

Project's status.

[ Of course. She sighs, hand rising to rub the back of her neck unconsciously. She's not the same person Maine would remember, all that intensity and anger mellowed into someone more stable than she was. And much as she wishes she could lie to him it won't do anyone any good for her. ]

It's long over, Maine. The Director-- he pushed things too far. Everything fell apart.

We fell apart.

[ It's not a familiar gesture. It's one that signals discomfort. When's the last time he saw Carolina uncomfortable about answering a question? Or about anything? It's jarring. It's genuine. And it makes her words hit all the harder.

[ Maine would believe her anyway. She's Agent Carolina. He trusts her completely. Isn't that why he'd wanted to get the answers straight from her?

[ He just hadn't expected that answer.

[ ... Fuck. ]

The war?

[ At least that question she can answer with good news. It's a small mercy but it's one she'll gladly hold tightly to. ]

The war is over, Maine. For a few years now, actually.

[ And now Carolina is fighting a new war on a different planet far, far away. Because some things never change, like the fact that she doesn't know how to live a peaceful life. ]

[ He doesn't have to ask who won. If humanity hadn't, Carolina wouldn't be around to tell him.

[ It's good news. Undeniably good news. He should celebrate, or something. Later. When he's in a celebratory mood.

[ Right now, he doesn't know what he feels. Doesn't know what he should feel. Doesn't care to puzzle it out, either.

[ He nods and asks nothing else. His other questions seem unimportant. ]

[ It's a lot to take in, to find out things have changed so much. Carolina reaches out and knocks her knuckles against his chest plate, opposite the side where the sniper shot him. ]

Come on, I have a patch kit at my place. We can get your armor fixed and then get some food. York and I are paying so you can get as much as you want.

[ A dangerous offer for someone as damn big as Maine but it's the least she can do. It's not every day you get a dead friend back, especially one who took a bullet for you. ]

[ A dangerous offer indeed. Maine tilts his head to the side, raises an unseen eyebrow, and growls out, ]

No take backs.

[ Is it childish? Yes. Does he mean it? Yup.

[ It is indeed a lot to take in. But, thanks to Carolina, he has other things to keep his mind occupied. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

text;

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action