day :33

[greentech]

[ Pidge is a bit distracted. She's been working her job and trying to figure out how to find things and the combination has been a bit exhausting. Especially since she's tiny and some of the aliens she's had to try and deal with have been much, much larger. Still, she's found time to get away and despite the note of exhaustion, there's something triumphant in her mental tone. ]

( Hey, I found out where they're keeping the prizes! They've got it on some sort of ship, way out in the system, behind one of the moons- )

[ And here everyone is treated to a mental image of a sprawling, edge-master looking ship that's been finished rose gold chrome. Sort of a contradiction. ]

( It's called "The Fair Heart" and apparently it used to be some kind of prison ship. "Sorrowful Death Hole" or something. Uh, either way, it's where they're keeping the prizes until later in the competition.

I think we should go out there and grab them. )

Comments

[sistershoggoth]

( So just because you didn't fuck it up last time, you're not trying to do any better this time. How long have you assholes been like this? )

[greentech]

( You know what? This isn't gonna go anywhere. How about instead of getting on my back, you do something productive? )

[sistershoggoth]

( Bitch please. Actually stand up for your fuckin' shit, or don't be putting it directly into my motherfuckin' head. )

[greentech]

( Am I supposed to be impressed or something? I don't even know who you are. )

[sistershoggoth]

( Who gives a shit if you know who I am? I'm part of your fucking mission. )

[greentech]

( You're being a pain in the quiznak is what you're doing! )

[sistershoggoth]

( Then you got a dainty little quiznak and need to toughen the fuck up. Cuz I haven't even started. )

[greentech]

( Do you actually have anything helpful to add? )

[sistershoggoth]

( I'm glad you asked, Tiny Twat. I have a wealth of experience running all kinds of fuckin' paramilitary missions. I'm just fuckin' astonished by the lack of professionalism in this operation. )

[greentech]

( You're supposed to be professional? Could've fooled me. )

[sistershoggoth]

( Yeah. Raised soldier since birth. Shocker. )

[greentech]

( Well, that sounds terrible. )

[ The Garrison was tolerable (and she might've enjoyed it if she weren't trying to sneak around), but military life 24/7 sounds awful, as far as she's concerned. ]

[sistershoggoth]

( Yeah, well, that's the dealio when you got an alien raising an army to take over the planet. )

[greentech]

( You're not the only one who's had to fight alien empires. )

[sistershoggoth]

( Uh yeah, I fuckin' hope not. Way I killed that cunt was a one time deal. All I got left is my wealth of experience, no more pathos for me. )

[adamance]

( You are not the only leader among us with experience. I would advise you to suggest tactics rather than what you're choosing to do right now. )

[Lexa's mostly trying to put an end to a discussion where they could lose useful conversation time to trying to prove who is better at what.]

[sistershoggoth]

( Eat shit and die? )

[adamance]

( I see, so you have nothing to offer after all. Feel free to do nothing. I would prefer not to think of you as a resource. )

[sistershoggoth]

( Do what you do, babe. )

[adamance]

( And it appears that what you will do is begin a discussion with one of our allies assuming the worst of her intentions. If you begin every planning operation in a similar manner, you will find yourself having similar conversations to this one.

I assume you have no reason to have any ill feelings toward Katie here? )

[The flippant brushing off is so commonplace now that Lexa barely even acknowledges it.]

[sistershoggoth]

( Thanks for the lesson, I'll be sure to write it down in my diary. )

[adamance]

( You're right. It would be wiser to keep your insights to yourself. )

[As much as Lexa likes to criticize people's plans—and she has, multiple times before—she doesn't see much of a plan here to criticize. From her perspective, the sound reason that comes via bluntness should only find a place once ideas have been laid out.

But also: she has to admit to herself that she's fond of Katie, even if she can hardly explain the fondness or where it's come from, it's developed just the same, like her mind has sought out a likeness that may not even be there.]

[sistershoggoth]

( Aw shit she turned my own words against me! You tiny twat's mom, or what? )

[adamance]

( I'm merely someone who's listened to what she's had to say. )

[And, of course, the Katie fondness does come from the fact that she had been willing to listen and discuss Lexa's reasons before.]

[sistershoggoth]

( Wants to go steal the prize. There. See. Listened. It's a better plan than sending us in to play American Gladiator against a bunch of fuckin' aliens. )