Drama Show

As we coast in for our landing approach Diana breaks off. Making a lap around the base as me and Clover occupy the landing strip. The tension from the incident remains stagnant in the air as our wheels gently caress the pavement. I pull into the taxiway, rolling down the rows of hangers as Clover pulls into Sakuras. I continue down the path as the Violet Vertex makes her elegant approach. Gently landing in an elegant manor before slowly rolling down the taxiway a couple hundred feet behind. I turn into the last hanger, rolling near the back before swinging Spirits nose around to face the outside world. I run my fingers over the dials and nobs, returning Spirit to her humble slumber. The illuminated dashboard falls dim as the engines' hum fades away. Unbuckling my harnesses, I sink into my seat. Letting the events of the day trickle out of my mind. The sound of Vertex's engines begins to fall silent from the hanger beside me.

Spirit: "Jax? Are you alright?"

Jax: "... Say Spirit, humor me on this for a second. If I were to pull the trigger there, would you fired as commanded?"

Spirit: "... As long as you remain my pilot, all commands given will be completed as order."

Jax: "Even if that command was to bring down your college?"

Spirit: "Affirmative."

Jax: "I see..."

I reach for the canopy's release, pulling it back as the canopy slides out of view. I throw myself out of the cockpit as the canopy returns to its former position. On landing, my feet seemed to give out from under me as I sink onto the floor. I haven't had that much adrenaline run through me during a mission in ages... In the silence of the desert, I regain my strength. Shuffling to the hanger's large open doors as I peer around the corner. I spot Diana exiting Vertex's hanger, positioned right beside Spirits. Down the path, Clover humbly waddles down the taxiway towards our hangers. She twiddles her thumbs as she walks, her eyes glued to the sandy pavement below. Meanwhile, Diana begins her stride down that same path right towards her.

Jax: "Is she going to start something again?.."

I silently watch from the corner as my imagination fans my once subdued anger. Still twiddling her thumbs, Clover fails to realize the minefield she's stepping into. Diana's small legs halt for a moment, signaling her newly found awareness of Clover. Turning her head away, she stands motionless as Clover waddles by obliviously. Diana turns her head back, studying the daydreaming Clover before continuing her, now hampered, stride.

Nearing Spirit's hanger, Clover finally peaks up, noticing me hanging around the corner. She shoots me a confused look, notching her head slightly. With this, I remembered my suspicious positioning. Me being peered around a corner as I continued to stare her down. I throw myself away from the wall, returning her confused look with a cringed smile. Hunting to change the topic, I throw out my first thoughts.

Jax: "You up to eat something? It's around dinner time now."

As usual, she silently nods in response. But her usual cheery radiance seemed to be missing. I began to walk as clover waddles at my side at her usual pace. My eyes dance around the airfield, trying to find some way to eliminate this strained atmosphere. I gaze into Vertex's active hanger, watching the mechanics swarm around Vertex. Reloading her used weaponry and conducting checkups.

Jax: "Ah..."

Clover: "Hmm?.."

Jax: "Oh, it's nothing. When I forced Spirit's nose into Vertex's wormholes, it would of overloaded Shattered Time. Shattered Time was designed to take in small objects for a fraction of a second. Sticking such a large object into it for that amount of time could of strained Shattered Time's core. When I realized that, I was hoping I didn't cause any damage."

Clover remained silent. Her dragging feet silenced as I continued walking. Noticing her steps vanish I pause, looking back at Clover. The reddening sky above hangs low as Clover averts her gaze. Her eyes begin to waver as she stands. Her petite hands locked into a loose ball. She raises her head, meeting my eyes she returns her hands to her sides.

Jax: "Clo-?"

Clover: "IM SORRY!"

She throws herself forward into a steep bow as I stumble back in shock. The once loud and bustling hanger falls silent. Focusing on what caused the outcry. I whisper yell out to Clover wondering what she's doing

Jax: "Hey, what are you doing!? Why are you bowing!?"

I exchange glances between the bowed Clover and the paused engineers. Some of them pulled up a chair or leaned against their stools. Awaiting their, turning normal, front-row, what seemed to be daily, drama show.

Clover: "ITS SOMETHING I READ ON THE INTERNET TO SHOW HOW REALLY SORRY YOU ARE!"

Jax: "That's not something we normally do! Stop it!"

Clover raises her head, keeping her body in a bowed position.

Clover: "It's not?.."

Jax: "No... It's not..."

Her head shoots back down regardless of my confirmation.

Clover: "I'M STILL SORRY!"

I look back at the engineers once more. Each of their faces plastered with cheek-wide grins as some of them murmur to each other. They must have told Doc by now... One of them had to...

Jax: "AAAUGHHHH. SORRY ABOUT WHAT!?"

Clover's shout suddenly turns tame. She raises her body, clutching one arm in hand as she looks away.

Clover: "About starting that mess... If I was a better pilot none of that would have happened..."

I look out into the crimson sky. Watching the passing clouds I speak my mind.

Jax: "It's fine Clover, you've done nothing wrong. I was just a little on edge after what happened and the nerves got the best of me. We all have made mistakes when we first started flying, Diana surely is no exception. Nick, one of the Aerocord pilots you've yet to meet. Told me a few stories about the time before I joined base Yurei. In one of those stories, Diana was flying out on her first mission. During the mission, she hadn't grasped how to use Shattered Time well yet and found herself in your exact position. Running low on options and with Shattered Time still new to her, she tried for a loop or climb as you did. In its apex she stalled out, allowing her bandit to fire a missile right on her six. Nick, luckily being nearby, threw a Mirage, one of those drones we fought, between the two. Saving Diana as he finished off her aggressor. Maybe seeing herself in you she's treating you harshly?.. I don't know, that's just my guess..."

I look over to Clover. With her eyes now filled with vigor, she listens to my story closely.

Clover: "I see!.. Is that why she said all those mean things?.."

Jax: "Hehe, I think so."

More so I HOPE so...

Jax: "Anyways, it's getting pretty late, and I'm starving. Let's go get some dinner."

Clover: "What about the briefing?.."

I had completely forgotten after we landed...

Jax: "Ah... I forgot... Guess ill go talk to the scary lady. You go ahead and grab some food, ill find you when I finish."

As always, she replies with a simple nod and sound. With her confirmation, I run off for the tower. As I run, I begin to hear the cheers and claps of the engineers inside the hanger, praising their show. The all too familiar embarrassed feeling swells up again at their cheers.

Jax: "DAMN IT!!!"

throwing open the door, I calm myself. Taking in deep breaths to recover from my full-on sprint. Catching my breath, I return my attention to my final tormentor. I leap up the stairs, climbing it in record times before tiring out once more. Stomping up to the last dozen steps, the hatch at the top creeks to life. I pause, studying the hatch for its passer. The hatch flies off to the side as Diana steps through. Did she report the mission already? That little brat probably ratted, didn't she... Damn it... Diana's elegant dress flutters by as she walks past, not sparing me a single glance. I look back towards the wide-open hatch, waiting to welcome me inside. My mind begins to race as the possible outcomes of how this interaction will play out.

I'm about to be put through hell, aren't I?