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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"..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?"

Steve figures that makes a lot of sense. Harrowheart is undead and his skills definitely aren't what one would consider aligned to the Light. Any kind of light. And he said Ixis Naugus helped with it, and Steve's got no idea what kind of magic the wizard wields.

There's no words for how grateful he is that Shaxx doesn't let go of the shield until it's resting on the ground. What was funny once would mostly just be sore and embarrassing on repeat. When he's able to lift it again he'll strap it back on his arm and follow Blaze out.

"I think I'm gonna die." Steve laughs nervously after he makes the comment but shrugs. "I didn't think he'd let me, to be honest."

"Because you're not a soldier already? Or because you're on the small side?" Blaze glances down at him as they make their way back out into the sunlight. "Shaxx's philosophy is that you can't know your abilities - or your limits - until you put them to the test. And he's been around since this city was nothing but a cluster of huts and tents. I think he knows you don't turn people away."

She looks around at the civilian technicians passing by, her fellow Guardians young and old exchanging news or striking up a dance party in the middle of the plaza. "Even if it's going to kill us. But it's not about our own survival."

"Because of everything that's wrong with me, mostly. All the recruiters used to say they were saving my life by not letting me enlist."

The sunlight is a warm reminder that this is still the world Steve calls home, even if nothing else about it is anything that he knows. This world could very well be his own in the far off future. He raises his head to look out across the base Blaze calls home and squeezes the leather straps that affix his shield to his arm.

"It's for the survival of everyone. The greater good. Yeah. I get that."

"Hmmm. Different perspectives, I guess. To your people, sending you out in the field is just putting you in harm's way. To us, being human means you're already there. And like we were saying earlier, your army and ours have a lot of, heh, philosophical differences."

She claps a hand on Steve's shoulder as they circle the outside of the Tower and then turn right, down what looks like a small street all the way up here. It's shaded by pillars and overhead walkways, decorated with tiled patterns and draped with hanging plants. Various craftspeople are setting up their stalls for the day, while on either side are neon signs - and tasty ramen smells - advertising the presence of quiet little stores. Aside from exchanging greetings, though, Blaze is heading right through for the open doors at the end. They need to catch an elevator.

"Don't think I'm okay with you getting hurt," Blaze is adding as they go. Now that Shaxx has granted approval, it seems she's letting her excited good cheer run free. She's setting quite a pace, too, eager to show Steve something really cool. "I'm not ignoring your limits, here. But you deserve to find out where those limits really are, same as the rest of us. Hell, you're going to do that with or without help. You said it yourself. Better if we've got your back."

"Besides, I'm sure this instructor knows what she's doing," Ghost comments hopefully.

"I'm ready."

Says the small man in a thick blue coat that makes him look more like a child set to go play in the snow than a soldier. The tasty smells are cataloged for later inquiry but for now the human is eager and ready for anything.

Well, ready to be completely crushed but as long as he learns something he's going to count this as a success. There's several stalls all along the way to the elevator--a huge industrial looking thing that may have once hauled grain before it was used to shepherd Guardians and their gear. Steve picks up his pace to keep step with Blaze and makes right for it as well.

"Have you met her before?"

The Titan shakes her head, punching in the level they need to head for. "Heard of her. She used to be in the Pilgrim Guard - they're an order who focus on escorting refugees to the City. Back when I was new, my friend Kaolin told me a story about her team walking an entire village out from under a Fallen flagship."

Blaze doesn't hide the admiration in her voice. She loves getting to meet the heroes out of her elders' tales. Delights in the fact that they're her brethren.

"She's with the Stoneborn now. They're more concerned with the direct defense of the City..." Ghost looks down at the floor, scanning through unseen records. "It looks as if she's been doing a lot of work on weapons testing over the years." They're descending steadily- and they have a bit of a way to go. Good thing the elevator runs smoothly. "We'll find her in the Titans' halls."

"Yeah. It's nice to come home once in a while." Blaze shoots a warm look down at Steve. "Better to come back with a comrade, though." She's looking forward to it. When the doors clunk open to an imposing stone hallway, she's quick to point Steve's attention to the great stone statues on either side. All are legendary Titans, armored and poised for action: Wei Ning smiling fiercely, turned to look out past the Wall with a readied fist; Saint-14 with his crested helm keeping calm vigil; the Iron Lord Radegast with mailed hands folded over the pommel of his lowered sword. They're still heading out and toward the right, but Ghost has to take over guiding because Blaze is having fun pointing out different banners and the stairs down to the forges and that guy over there who kicked her ass in the Crucible. (It was awesome.)

"Are all of these Titans...er...deceased? Now?"

The pace has slowed considerably once they're out of the elevator and in the stone hallway. He isn't sure where to look first and so follows Blaze's directions and studies each of the statues in turn as they pass. Every banner has a story. A person who wore those colors.

For it being some version of his own world, Steve has a hard time imagining this place as Home. But Blaze calls it as such. He wonders if people would view his place in Brooklyn much the same way. An alien place with unknown customs.

The heat from the forges keeps the halls from being too chilly, much to the human's gratitude. He has to remove his hood before long lest he overheat.

But past the statues and down to the right there is more noise than there was when they got off the elevator. He squares his shoulders and tries not to look as small as he feels.

"Okay. You can do this, Rogers." He's not nervous. Shut up. Okay, maybe a little bit.

“They’re long gone, yeah. Wei fell on the Moon, Saint disappeared- don’t know what happened to the Iron Lords over there. Saladin’s the last of them, and he doesn’t tell that story.”

Ghost takes a moment to drop behind his Guardian and bob encouragingly at Steve. He can sense his friend's nerves. “Don’t worry," he whispers. "You’ve got this.”

The terrace they head out to is much busier than inside. There are Titans gathered at (or sitting on) a couple of long tables, passing around big canteens of tea or coffee; holding up a fallen flagpole so a tech can bolt it back into place; playing Go against their Ghost. A couple of the newer recruits are tussling on the grass. On one of the other lawns stands a Titan bracing herself beneath a shield. Not a round shield like Steve’s: this looks like a short tower shield, slightly kite-shaped. Its wielder lifts it with ease that seems to belie its apparent weight, meeting the fists of her sparring partner and even turning it sideways to bat away a blow, step in and clock him on the helm… if he wasn’t bright enough to step back.

“Guessing that’s our woman, huh?” Blaze remarks, taking the lead as they head over. She and Steve – mostly Steve – draw a few curious looks as they pass through the others. But the sparring pair don’t leave off until she steps onto the grass and salutes. “Ma’am? Lord Shaxx sent us.”

The woman lowers her shield and leans on it, tapping her blue helm to turn the visor transparent. Dark eyes study the pair of them – cheerful Exo and determined young man. Mainly the latter. Her voice is light and calm, slightly altered from being relayed through her suit. “Blaze-37 and Steve Rogers, yes. You are here to present yourselves for training.”

“Uh, well, I’m not much of a Defender. Steve’s the one with a shield.” Blaze shifts back half a step, nudging Steve forward. The elder Titan looks amused behind her visor. Her Ghost has materialized to take a look at the arrivals, its shell patterned in stormy blue.

“Well met. I am Tarana Parvin, captain among the Stoneborn. Since you’re to be my student, you can call me Tarana.”

“And I’m Jie,” says her green-armored friend. He gives the newcomers a wave, his Ghost appearing beside him with a little spin. “Hi!”

"Ma'am, yes Ma'am."

Steve stops and salutes her as he had Shaxx before, standing as tall and straight as someone with scoliosis can while he tries to remember all of these new names and faces. Armors.

Whichever, really.

It's not until the very perky Ghost pops up that Steve relaxes even in the slightest. He steps out of attention to see the little Ghost, a smile flickering across his face.

"I..it's good to meet you. All four of you." Because he does consider each's Ghost their own person. It would hardly be fair not to considering how close he is to Blaze's Ghost.

"It's an honor to train under you Tarana, Ma'am."

Tarana's face is still shadowed by her helm, but the crinkle of her eyes suggests a smile as she inclines her head to him.

"Let's take this somewhere quieter," she says, gesturing for them to follow. They aren't going far, just through a couple of archways to a more private little sparring courtyard. Aside from the banner hanging overhead it's much less decorated, the walls thick bulkheads lined with heavy-duty padding and the floor a little springy underfoot.

Tarana props that big tower shield against a wall, moves over to a sturdy bench and immediately removes her helm. She turns to face Steve as she sets it down and starts unlatching the rest of her armor. She looks like she's approaching middle-age, dark-haired and strong-boned.

"Shaxx tells us that where you come from is a secret," she says to Steve, now that they're on more even terms. "It is enough to understand that you aren't from the City. But I want to know now everything about how you have fought before. What opponents you have faced and how you fared with them. This is not a matter of judging you, you understand. This is about knowing the ground in which we plan to set down our roots."

Jie has drawn Blaze off to lean against the wall and gossip: although the Exo and her Ghost are keeping a close eye on their friend, it might be easier for Steve not to have such an obvious audience hanging over his shoulder.

There's something comforting about his trainer being human.

Nothing like thinking she would be weaker than Blaze or anyone else either. With her heritage, Steve figures she understands the weight of a life more than others around here. It's not nearly so simple for his kind to come back after dying.

Something simmers hatefully beneath Steve's skin. Who has he fought?

"Bullies and louts, mostly. The occasional mugger. I get knocked down a lot. The best skill I've got is getting back up." With his medical history, giving up is tantamount to death.

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Excerpt 006: Aggressive Defence

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Please excuse Blaze while she squees

A Different kind of Museum Experience

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