rekindledtitan | Excerpt 006: Aggressive Defence

Entry tags:

Excerpt 006: Aggressive Defence

TYPE: Personal log

LOCATION: The Last City, Earth

PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Ghost-type, [1] Guardian-type, designate Blaze-37, Class Titan [

rekindledtitan], One [1] Unconfirmed, designate Rogers, Steve [

juststeverogers]

ASSOCIATIONS: Multiversal Nexus; Rogers, Steve; Harrowheart; Earth; Ixis Naugus; Blaze-37; Shaxx

You can’t teleport straight into the Tower, so once again Blaze and Ghost are bringing a guest aboard their ship. The Exo stands back a step as the materialize, not wanting to crowd their human friend in the cramped interior.

“So this is our jumpship,” she explains, gesturing at the little cabin. Ghost’s already powering up the lights - and the life-support, which fires up with a hiss of fresh air. It’s fortunate they’ve been keeping the place better heated since their last organic visitors. It looks pretty bare and cold right now, everything that might mark it as a living space tucked away behind patchwork metal plating. “Sorry we have to take the long way round, but on the bright side that means you get to come in the scenic route. Go ahead and take a seat.”

She has to mean the only item of furniture there: the hefty pilot’s seat with its worn padding. Blaze is going to move around it and go right for the cockpit controls. And hey, the interior decor might not be much, but the view from the big forward displays is nothing to sniff at: a sweeping window with the glowing blue curve of Earth visible below, and no atmosphere masking the countless stars above

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The technician's not exactly chipper, but he can't help smiling at Steve's face when he hands over the bundled coat. "I hope that helps."

The coat is a slightly more outdoorsy version of those worn by other civilians around the Tower - a technician's coat, waterproofed and padded on the inside. Blaze looks him over and gives a thumbs-up. "Suits you, Steve. All right, one more stop and then we go hunt down a tutor. We'll make it quick."

Said stop is to the doctor's office, alas. But the doctor in question is a mild-mannered fellow who introduces himself as Doctor Saab and is quite happy to talk Steve through what he needs. Which basically is to take a few tiny samples and screen Steve for any alien bugs he might be carrying - or any vulnerability to local ones. Local medicine isn't what it was in the Golden Age but at least he doesn't need more than a pinprick of blood for the screens. He might mention that this is largely confirming the data 'your friend's Ghost' forwarded.

Sorry Steve, Ghost has some gaping blind spots when it comes to matters of personal privacy.

(( Hope this is okay, just didn't want to either spend too long on the security details or skip a chance for Steve-development! ))

Steve has a very long list of things wrong with him Doctor. And that's not even counting the partial hearing loss in one ear or anything he's picked up since coming to the Nexus. He's learned to live with it but he is by no means a healthy man.

Hope reintroducing those 1940s germs of his isn't going to wreck the Tower. For his part though, Steve doesn't seem to mind that Ghost has found some sort of record of his medical history. It's convenient because he can never remember all of it.

Chances are he's going to be vulnerable to whatever super viruses are about here though. Best to be careful. it helps Steve stay calm that the doctor is quite human.

"I'm..uh..not from around here." Steve offers by way of explanation to anything strange in his files.

Edited 2017-01-11 17:09 (UTC)

"I know." The doctor looks away from the computer screen in front of him to give Steve a wry smile. "Don't worry, you're not the first person I've seen with a profile this, er, unusual. I know not to ask exactly how you came in contact with extinct fevers... as long as it wasn't here."

He moves away from staring at the file (mostly the results of scans on Ghost's part). "I used to work with incoming refugees down in the City, when I was training. People from long-isolated groups in every corner of the wilderness. I thought when I came here that I'd already seen the strangest cases the world could throw at us - after all, Guardians don't need doctors." He sounds quite amused by his own naivete.

"So, I see there's a note there indicating you have asthma. Can I ask if you are using some type of inhaler at present? Or any other medication? Have you felt at all short of breath since landing? We're just at a low enough altitude that most people don't have trouble adjusting to the altitude, but you should pace your physical activity for a few hours regardless. Allow your body time to adapt."

"No sir. Not here."

He gives a shake of his head and grips at the ends of his coat sleeves while the doctor goes over the file. Steve just doesn't want to cause trouble is all.

"I uh--I have been for the last year." Since he got to the nexus, that is. "The only treatments available back home were shots or pills. This seems to work better. I uhm...a little bit? I've mostly just been a little light headed."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that," the doctor reassures him. "Okay, Steve, I'm going to give you a quick injection to make sure you're inoculated against the worst bugs you could pick up here, and some pills to take if you start to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Does that sound okay? You can always come back if you'd like to go over anything else or if you have any questions, but I think that will be enough to begin with."

"Yessir."

He's more than used to getting poked with needles and all manner of unpleasant doctory type things that usually come with his visits to medical professionals. Frankly, he's surprised that no one's tried to open him up for science and figure out how in the heck he's still alive with all the junk that's wrong with his body.

Just let him slip the coat off and roll up his sleeve on one of his arms for the doctor.

"More than fine to me. I don't wanna catch anything while I'm here any more than you all want to treat me for it."

The injection Dr. Saab gives him is cold and prickly and comes with a brief sensation of pressure, but there's no visible needle. Once that's done he finds a small canister of pills and double-checks the specifications before he hands it to Steve with a list of instructions on when and how and why to take them.

"If you feel unwell in the next hour, you need to return and see me immediately. And don't exert yourself too much today: sometimes Guardians forget that other people need to rest now and then." The doctor gives him a smile. "Of course, I expect your friend's Ghost will be watching over you as well."

When he sends Steve on his way it's with a friendly hope that he enjoys his visit. Blaze is standing outside, talking to a blue-skinned Warlock in a long green robe while Ghost peeks in through the door. She lifts a hand to greet Steve's return, the Awoken man with her studying the young man with glowing green eyes. "Hey, how did it go? Ready to go talk some weapons design?"

The Warlock coughs for attention and offers Stevea hardened ID card: there's no picture, but his name and the words 'Visitor Pass' are on it in three languages. A Ghost with barred markings on its shell watches from over his shoulder. "Courtesy of the Vanguard, to ensure you don't get lost."

"Oh you know. Shots, warnings that I should be careful, and come see me if there's any side effects. The usual."

Steve is busy tugging his coat back on and rebundling himself to be as warm and toasty as possible. It's now that it's been mentioned that he notices having to breathe harder because of the altitude. Hopefully that will go away as he acclimates.

"Oh, uhm. Hello there sir." He takes the ID card gratefully and gives a bit of a nod. "I appreciate it." It will get tucked away under his bundle of coat in short order so as to ensure he doesn't lose the card.

"Heh, medic stuff." Blaze nods sagely, being an expert on that kind of thing. Clearly.

"My pleasure." The Warlock sweeps a graceful bow, as Awoken are wont to do. Note that you do not have authorization to visit the City at present, but you are welcome here." He glances at Blaze. "I hope you find what you seek."

"Thanks, Urien." Blaze lifts a hand in farewell as he leaves, but her attention is swiftly back on Steve. She claps a hand on his shoulder and leads him back toward the entrance plaza. It's the only way to reach their destination- into the low entrance that lay directly ahead when they first arrived.

"Lord Shaxx keeps his post outside the Vanguards' hall," Blaze explains, possibly overestimating how much sense that will make to Steve. "He oversees the Crucible- live-fire combat training, Guardian on Guardian. He'll want to take a look at your shield, and he'll know who to ask about training."

"I think he knows everyone. He's one of the most senior Guardians in the Tower."

He waits until the Warlock has made his departure before he looks back up to Blaze with one eyebrow raised.

"Hey, what's the difference between here and the City?" He sort of thought that's where they were, but if not there certainly seems to be enough folks hanging around wherever here is. The tower? He's not totally sure. As long as what they need is here he's sure it won't be a trouble.

"So...he's the officer in charge of training the Vanguards?" Steve tries to make sense of her explanation anyway, equating it to what he knows about the army from his own time.

Right now we're inside - well, on - the wall that surrounds the city. The Tower here is home and headquarters for all the Guardians, and the last line of defense between the outside world and the rest of the City. I think the Vanguards just want you to stay where they can keep an eye on you for a while.

"

Blaze nods. "The Wall, the Tower - us - it's all part of the City, but sometimes when we talk about it we mean everything down there." She gestures to her right as they pass one of the open balconies, with the vista of the Traveler and the metropolis below. "Most of it's civilian stuff, anyway. We've never needed to go down there."

Probably ought to visit, one day, but there's always something more pressing, she thinks.

"Training them?" Blaze laughs, tickled by the idea. At least she's quick to explain the joke. "Think he'd love to get them into his arenas, but nah. The Vanguards are our central leadership - sort of like generals, but we don't have the kind of rigid military hierarchies old armies used to. Shaxx kind of answers to them, I think. But the Crucible is his and nobody messes with it."

One thing Steve will soon come to realize about Guardians is that for as dedicated as they are, for as brave and loyal and trustworthy as they are with important matters... their idea of military discipline does not involve standing still, acting with decorum or consistently following orders. (Obeying quarantine is Right Out.)

"Not enough people for that kind of thing? Or just, not that kind of operation?"

It seems bizarre to Steve that they wouldn't have a formal military to combat there varied and many enemies, but they seem to do alright for themselves so it's probably best if Steve doesn't press the issue too terribly much. The last thing he wants to do is accidentally offend anyone.

"Well, you folks may not need training, but I sure do." Steve reaches back and taps at his shield. "I'd like to do a little more than flail aimlessly with it."

"A little of both. With the number of Guardians we've got, it makes more sense to focus on small-unit tactics with largely independent fireteams. About the only time we fight pitched battles is when the City is threatened - and then the Vanguards are in charge, no question."

"That, and Guardians are notoriously, um... independent-minded."

"Mostly the Hunters, but yeah. The way we're chosen doesn't lend itself to training up a regular unit. And we're charged to protect humanity and fight the Darkness, but there's no rule about how. The Vanguards mentor new Guardians, but every one of us follows our own path, serving the Light as we see fit. When we have officers, it's because we choose to follow them. Not like they can force you to obey."

They have to go down a flight or two of low steps, and the lighting is significantly dimmer here. They have to go around a sturdy bulkhead that shields the hall from the wind (and sight lines) outside. A veiled figure watches them with three glowing green eyes from the shadows behind it. Blaze tips a salute to her in respectful greeting and... possibly gets a slight nod in return. It doesn't bother her: that's just Eris. Besides, the other Guardians passing in either direction are quick with a greeting if you catch their eye (or optic, as the case may be).

She's busy shooting an affectionate look at Steve anyhow. "Heh, Shaxx is all about training. Just might take a little while before you're ready for the live-fire type."

"Gosh, you woulda hated the Army back home."

Steve laughs outright but the way he grins at Ghost in particular says he knows what the little bot is so delicately trying to say without actually outright saying it. Still, Blaze has a point. Steve can't think of any kind of drill sergeant no matter how rough and touch that could make Blaze drop and give them twenty pushups or anything else for that matter unless she felt like it.

Come to think of it, he's not even sure the drills would help her out. That may have something to do with the lack of structure here too.

"Ready and willing." He agrees eagerly. Training may be rough work, but it will only make him better.

"Hey, we Exos used to be regular soldiers!" For a certain value of 'regular'. She's not referring to...well, Bryn... either, though there's a pang she has to shove to the back of her thoughts. "The rest of us, though, there's no telling who they were before."

Steve's attitude will stand him in good stead, not least with the likes of Lord Shaxx. They're about to step into the main antechamber to the Vanguards' hall. It's a room wide enough to accommodate one side being taken up by an armored Frame running a small armory on one side; on the other, by a couple of armchairs and couches behind a counter.

Monitoring the holographic screens atop said counter is a Titan bigger and more impressively armored than Blaze. The collar and shoulders of his white and orange armor are lined with shaggy fur, a twisting bull's horn sprouting from the right side of his blank, all-concealing helm. Its twin appears to be missing. Even his Ghost has a bigger shell. The Titan himself is intent on the battles playing out before him: teams of Guardians locked in combat with one another. As they approach, he leans closer and jabs a finger at the comm button beside one image.

"Alpha team is taking point C! Get on them, Bravo!" His voice is smooth, and British-sounding, and softer than one might expect. He switches to another display in time to catch something he likes, and laughs fiercely. "Three down! Excellent!"

Ghost leans toward Steve and whispers, "Shaxx really loves training."

"This....is just simulation, right? They're not really killing each other right?"

Steve shifts on his feet while he watches what he can of the screens that aren't blocked by Shaxx's enormous frame. He's admittedly a little nervous that he won't be good enough comparatively.

Not with seasoned soldiers of so many races and...no. He makes himself take a deep breath. He's here to learn how to do his part. Even if Shaxx refuses to train him, he may be able to watch and learn enough he can try on his own.

It's worth a shot.

"There's nothing more real than the Crucible. Its lessons are harsh, but for a Guardian death in the Crucible is a momentary setback. The Darkness won't be so forgiving." Shaxx speaks with weighty certainty, but his tone isn't unkind. He turns to look his visitors up and down, his Ghost drifting in to keep an eye on the monitors. Blaze salutes cheerfully and gets a nod in reply.

"Titan. Good to see you." His faceless gaze rests on Steve, armored hands resting on his hips. "And you don't look like my usual kind of customer. What can I do for you?"

"This is Steve Rogers, sir. We're looking for a Defender who can teach him how to use a shield."

"..So...they are okay after it's all over."

Steve doesn't want to ask how that works, but considering Blaze's physiology it's probably not the sort of thing that he'd be able to pull off. Best to not get killed in the first place. Or at least try not to.

Steve nods at the introduction before offering a salute. It's the Army salute form his time so it may not be immediately recognizable but the gesture is one of deep respect.

"She's correct sir. I'm looking for training."

It is indeed a very old gesture - but it'a also one Exos tend to use a lot, so Steve unknowingly comes across looking like one of the old mechanoid solders. Shaxx's gaze lifts to Blaze for a moment, probably wondering how much the young human's picked up from her. Blaze and Ghost muddy the waters further by looking rather proud.

"What you're asking is grueling even for a Guardian." Shaxx returns his scrutiny to Steve. "It wouldn't be the Crucible, but it would be dangerous. You've got nerve, I'll give you that. But who are you so eager to fight? And do you really think you're up to the challenge?"

He lifts a hand before Blaze can speak up on her friend's behalf: well-meaning she may be, but these are questions Steve must answer for himself.

"I don't know if I am."

Steve's admission comes before anything else. But he unfastens the shield he has strapped to his back and settles it on his right arm all the same. The crystal reflects the light from Shaxx's screens in the dim room.

"But I've never been given the opportunity to find out before. The world and time I come from is in the middle of a war. The place I met Blaze is safer, but innocent people are still being hurt. I have no right to do any less than anyone else. All I'm asking for is the ability to better survive the situations I will already be putting myself in."

He's got plenty of marks and scars for proof if Shaxx doesn't believe him, but there is nothing but determination and honesty in Steve's conviction.

“We can definitely vouch for that,” Ghost pipes up.

Blaze nods firmly. “That’s why we brought him here. We’ve seen him fight.” Shaxx seems to meet her gaze for a moment, but his attention remains on Steve: the resolve in the smaller man’s eyes, the determination with which he hefts that shield.

“I’m not doing you a kindness,” he says finally. “It’s going to be hard, and I guarantee it’s going to hurt. There’ll be days you wish you’d never come to me. Stay on this path and it won’t be a question of whether it kills you, only when and how. Maybe you won’t even last that long.”

The big Titan leans forward a little, his voice lowering as his tone intensifies. “But you know what I think? I think the enemy doesn’t give two smoking damns if you’re ready or not. War doesn’t pick on people its own size. You step out there, you’d better be ready to face it. And before you ask, Ghost- yeah, I’ve heard the rumors, I can guess where he’s from. “ His own Ghost is looking curiously at that shield. Shaxx nods in its direction. “So how about a deal? You let my Ghost take a look at that shield’s composition, and I’ll recommend you to one of our Titans for training.”

"I'm used to pain."

It's not something he likes by any means, but it is something he's had to get used to over the years. From his asthma to the bruised and broken bone she's gotten standing up for what he feels is right.

"I don't like bullies, no matter what form they come in, sir." If Shaxx thinks he knows who Steve is, then it's all the better for him right now. He's never thought that about the man people think he should be before but he is right this moment. Steve is careful when he pulls his shield off of his arm and offers it to the commander.

"I accept the terms."

Shaxx handles the shield with respect as he takes it to inspect, testing it with his own strength to see how it handles the force. His Ghost flies down to sweep it with the blue light of a scan. There's a noticeable lift of Shaxx's head after a moment, and Blaze can't resist chuckling when he speaks.

"Hmm. Heavier than it was - automatic mass adjustment? Where did you get this?" The serious negotiations over with, Shaxx's tone is all fierce interest again. "It's sturdy. Classical design. This will serve you well. You need to talk to Tarana Parvin downstairs. She knows more about shields like this than anyone else in the Tower. I'll send word that you're cleared for training."

"Thank you, sir." Blaze's gratitude is warm, though it gets her a very stern look in return. Direct, anyway. Shaxx's expressions have to be from his voice, and that's stern enough.

"Don't thank me, Titan. Just start showing your mark in the Crucible again. What, do you think surviving a few Wolf hunts makes you an Iron Lord? I want to see you in there learning from your elders, novice. Make time for it."

"Yes, sir." Blaze rubs an antenna, looking distinctly chastened. "I know I've still got plenty to learn. I'll be back."

"It was a birthday gift from a friend."

Steve's voice is proud when he speaks about the shield. Harrow had it made specially for him. But that also means it's probably more magical than it is scientific in design.

"I'm not sure how it works much beyond 'magic'." He pauses when Blaze is chastised, and then shakes his head. "I'll thank you instead. And not because you've done me a favor. Because you've given me a chance."

"I don't recognize the power that crafted it, but there's a darkness to it. Be mindful with this weapon." It's a warning, though Shaxx clearly doesn't feel too great a concern.

Once he and his Ghost have finished their examination, he offers it back - mindful enough himself to turn it so one edge rests on the ground. It's about a ton heavier than when Steve handed it over, after all. There's a nod of his one-horned helm at Steve's thanks.

"It's all any of us get. The chance to make a difference. I'm trusting you to make it count. Go ahead and find Parvin. She'll be in the halls of the Stoneborn. You know the way, Titan?"

"We do, sir." Blaze gives him another respectful salute before they head back out.

They wait until they're out down the hallway (and the explosive sounds from Shaxx's station have resumed) before Ghost pipes up, "That went well! What do you think, Steve?</big?"

Excerpt 006: Aggressive Defence

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Looks good to me!

\o/

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Please excuse Blaze while she squees

A Different kind of Museum Experience

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