outer_divide | [ video ] 001 (Sunday p.m., Week 66)

[A man in a blue uniform coat with a ridiculously high stiff collar appears. His expression is grim under an abundant mess of brown hair peeking from under the large front-brimmed hat he has jammed onto his head.]

This is Captain Bulge of Sirius Platoon. If anyone in the SDF can hear me, please respond. I don't know yet where I am, and I need to know what happened. Did the Alfort forces retreat? Is Destiny safe?

This is very important. I have no idea where I am, except that it's not one of our trains. I may be in an enemy ship. If-if that's the case, then if anyone in the SDF gets this transmission, leave me. It isn't worth a rescue. I know what to do if the situation is that hopeless.

[A pause, because it isn't usually in the course of his duty he has to offer to commit suicide if necessary. He looks around again, and the background shows he is still on Salvation, although its obvious not something he recognizes. After another grimace and frown, he turns back to the device.]

I have reason to believe that I may be somewhere else entirely. It's far too quiet here to be still in battle.

I've been prepared to give my life to the Railways for years, but I don't want to waste it. Yu-Manabu, one of your damned insubordinate rescue attempts would be welcome about now, so long as I'm not on an Alfort ship. The rest of you, David especially, you'd better take care of Big One. I'm counting on you, too. Save Destiny and the Railways and get your butts home.

Somebody please respond. Come in, SDF headquarters.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes, I believe he was. But, I suppose, he was just like any other monarch. He simply wanted a way to protect his people from the tyranny they'd fled. The Companions were his answer.

[Bulge looked around Selenay at Caryo's head and shoulders.] A conscience writ large, with hooves.

Something like, yes. It's they who Choose the Heralds, and they simply won't Choose anyone with evil intentions, or who will give less than everything they have for Valdemar and her people.

Consider me impressed.

I certainly will.

You're a very decisive lady.

Another hazard of my occupation, I suppose. There isn't much room for indecision in a Herald's line of work.

I can understand that, too.

I'm glad someone can.

It isn't much of a stretch for anyone who's had to make decisions under fire.

No, I suppose not. But then most people don't understand the Heralds. Even in Valdemar.

Is it that hard to understand?

Not to another Herald, I suppose. But not many understand that a Herald's duty to Valdemar is absolute and will always come before anything or anyone else. They don't understand why we put ourselves through hell as many times as necessary to preserve others when we could be spending that energy preserving ourselves. Heralds tend to die young and it's hard, sometimes, for others to comprehend our reasoning.

That sounds like people asking about the SDF, and we don't even have special horses choosing us. We choose ourselves. Not everyone is as dedicated, but most are. The SDF isn't even a proper army--it's more a very large private police force.

Cat-Ssomeone once asked if I ignore a call for duty just once. I couldn't, but I couldn't tell her why. When people depend on you to save them, if you don't do your job, they often die.

Precisely. At least I know I'm not the only one entirely crazy here.

You're not. [A chuckle.]

You've no idea how much better that makes me feel.

I'm glad to do something for you.

I hope that means I won't be tripping over favors as you try to repay me for services rendered free of charge.

It does. You're a hard woman to impress.

Not so much, really.

Maybe you should broaden your perspective.

I'll keep that in mine.

I'll not keep you any longer, them, unless there's something else you wish of me.

I wouldn't say that. But it's probably enough for one day. [Saying bye without thanking her again seems awkward to him.]

I'm sure we'll see each other again around here somewhere.

Doubtless. We're rather easy to spot.

[ video ] 001 (Sunday p.m., Week 66)

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