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SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Broadcast over speakers onboard, Doss speaks:
This is a CODE RED ALERT and all hands are required.
Earlier this evening, Bone intercepted a directive from the Architects to initiate a Sterilisation Event in Xitang, China on 01/29/2026 at 1600. There's no information about what is triggering this, but we have a unique chance to save 50,000 souls from eradication.
Evacuation is our primary goal here. We know the blast radius is 15.5 miles (25 km for our non-Americans). We need to get as many people as possible out of the radius as quickly and as efficiently as we can. St James has a suggested approach here. Espionage, consult with your chain of command for assignments.
Ground Forces will be on site getting as many people to safety as possible. Your primary directive is evacuation. Utilize any resources at your disposal.
These people are Veiled. This makes things easier and trickier at the same time. We won't have widespread panic: you're fighting against complacency.
Pilots, your primary directive is drone destruction You're the hail Mary: as long as the drones are targeting you, they can't execute their orders. We need to give people on the ground as much time as we can. You'll be against the big boys, not just the standard drones. They're powerful, but they're slow. Take advantage of your maneuverability.
Strategists, you'll be manning Command with Science. Let them run point on ground communication and stick to what you know best: how to keep our pilots alive.
Remember the mission. Let's go be big damn heroes.
Jamie & Kit
His eyes alight on a familiar silhouette, “hey!” he calls out just as Kit is about to walk past him. Kit immediately stops and turns to face him. “I’m glad I found you,” Jamie tries to offer a genuine smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. The nerves he’s been trying to stave off are quickly rooting into his body.
"Yeah? Here to give me a token so I can carry you with me while I go off to battle?" Kit teases because it's easier to laugh and pretend that this is a simple mission with no risks involved. It's easier to joke than to acknowledge the anxiety in Jamie's eyes.
Kit has been doing this for long enough to trust in his own abilities— and Jamie's— and he isn't terrified at the prospect of putting his life on the line. But that doesn't mean he isn't concerned for what could happen to Jamie on the ground.
His smile softens. "Glad I caught you too."
“How’d you know?”
"It's the thing to do, isn't it? Place a photo in the cockpit or carry a trinket in your pocket." Nevermind that this is usually reserved for soldiers carrying mementos of their family.
Jamie appreciates the ease with which Kit lightens the mood. He wishes he did have something to give Kit even if it was just to bring a smile to his face while he was doing the dangerous part of today. He makes a mental note to have something on hand next time.
They were going to get through today, not based on previous data he could reference, but because they had to be okay. His brain wasn’t allowing him to come to any other conclusion.
“Wouldn’t have felt right to not say bye. And good luck, of course” Jamie replies.
"Goodbye makes it sound so final," Kit points out, his expression turning serious. He never knows how to feel about goodbyes. Part of him worries that too many will jinx things, that it will impact his confidence, that it'll trick his brain into going in expecting defeat. But then, a part of him knows that if one of his friends didn't come back from a mission, he'd regret not saying goodbye beforehand. "We'll be together again in no time."
“It does and I didn’t mean it that way. I don’t know,” Jamie shrugs. “I know we shouldn’t be nervous, this is run of the mill stuff, but I just get worried about everyone staying safe.” He did not want to bring the mood down and yet he knew he needed to get that off his chest. Kit would understand where he was coming from, he hopes. “You’re right though we’ll all be back here soon,” he tries again to smile but again struggles to do so. “You’re going to do great out there,” Jamie adds as he moves a hand to clasp Kit’s shoulder.
Kit's first instinct generally is to refuse any kind of compliment or praise but this is different. He will do great— he has no other choice. "I'll make you proud," he pledges. His smile comes easier than Jamie's— he's better at faking it, he assumes. "You'll do great too. It's normal to be nervous but we've trained hard, we're experienced— we've got this."
A laugh escapes Jamie’s mouth, genuine this time, “yes please do. I hate to be disappointed.” Jamie isn’t certain what has him so nervous, he trusts himself, his team, and everyone else. He just can’t seem to shake it. Maybe next time, his emotions would be better prepared. “You’re right,” he sighs. “I think once I’m down there I’ll feel better. The anticipation is just terrible.”
"Waiting is the worst," Kit agrees. He spent the night before envisioning all the things that could go wrong and it had been exhausting and draining and led to fitful sleep. He's been here for years, but he isn't sure it ever really gets easier. "In the field though, training and instinct kick in. It'll be okay." Kit is no optimist but he wants to believe that's true, for all their sakes.
“I mean, that’s what we do all of the training for, right?” He shrugs, attempting to downplay his feelings. “And we have a great team. I believe in every single one of us,” this was the thought that got him through a lot of the stress. No matter what obstacles they face, everyone is committed to the cause and doing what it takes to help people. It’s a good feeling.
"I believe in us too. When we're back, we'll get a drink and you can tell me all about what it was like on the ground."
Jamie nods enthusiastically, “please. I think we both are going to need it. If you had a picture of me in your plane, you could just pretend I was there with you and talk me through everything,” he jokes. “It’ll be better hearing it in person though.”
Kit makes an imaginary camera with his hands. "Click. Now you'll be with me." It's cheesy and he swears he can feel his skin redden. But he also imagines it will make Jamie laugh again, which would make the mild embarrassment worth it.
“You didn’t even let me pose! What if that picture came out bad?” Jamie can’t hold back laughter at this point. Bumping into Kit is exactly what he needed today.
A mission accomplished. Kit's smile turns fond. "Jamie, you're gorgeous, the photo turned out fine." Or would have, if he really had a camera. "I'll still tell you in person though."
“Thank you, I look forward to it. We can drink in my room if you want? I don’t think Carl will mind some company.”
Kit nods. "Sounds like a plan. Good luck out there, yeah? Not that you'll need it."
Jamie smiles, finding comfort in Kit’s confidence. “You too, stay safe,” he pulls Kit in for a quick hug before he can stop himself. “Kick some drone ass out there or something,” he says into the other man’s ear before stepping back from the hug.