Roleplay Area

"Hey, Ren!" Ren heard a familiar voice call up to him. "You up there?"

Ren looked over the side of Eclipse's cockpit, seeing Leo looking up to Tsukuyomi before noticing Ren in the other frame.

"Oh, there you are." He said. "What're you doing?"

"I dunno." Ren said. "Stuff."

"Well we're just about at Earth, now. Should be a few minutes."

"Okay, thanks." Ren said, Leo leaving the hangar.

Ren leans back and sighs, deciding to download Eclipse's combat data from its encounter with Tsukuyomi to his data pad so he could compare them side by side to Tsukuyomi's own data later, in hopes of piecing together exactly what happened later. Afterwards he sighed and leaned back in the cockpit.

TESS finally spoke up after Leo left the hangar, speaking in a calm manner.

"Earth, huh? So we're finally at our destination. Mmh...I wonder how Zack will react to seeing Earth for the first time..."

"Probably the same way I did." Ren said, jumping out of the cockpit. "By almost falling onto his face from the gravity."

Soon after, the fleet exited the catapult and Earth could be seen, surrounded by Space Force ships and stations as usual. The fleet passed through the defense force and the ships began shaking as they re-entered the atmosphere. The bumpy ride didn't last for more than a minute before it was smooth sailing back down to the Space Force base, all the ships landing safely on the ground, the artificial gravity being turned off of the ships, the full force of Earth's gravity now taking over, causing Ren to have to adjust to the extra force, like stopping on a descending elevator. It's something that took him a bit to get used to, what with living in space his whole life.

Ren sighed and left the hangar, deciding to meet up with Leo.

TESS goes into idle mode, waiting for whatever is to come.

Zack, meanwhile, is woken up as he felt the ship shake upon entering Earth's atmosphere. Fortunately for him, the shaking stopped as soon as it started. Unfortunately, he felt himself pinned to the ground, face first, as a result of feeling Earth's gravity. It was nothing like he had ever felt, having only been used to artificial gravity.

"Argh...so, I guess this is what Earth's gravity feels like...yeesh, so uncomfortable..."

Soon after, a group of guards came into Zack's cell, opening it up and gesturing for him to come out, cuffing his hands behind his back to escort him out of the ship. Meanwhile, Ren had met up with Leo, already outside the ship, and Dingo had come out to meet them as well. The two were discussing their mission with Dingo while the ground crew tended to the ships; unloading cargo and running diagnostics as well as preparing to repair any damages the ships had taken during the fight.

Zack remains quiet as he is escorted by the guards, thinking quietly to himself.

"I hope I'll get to see Ren again. I hope...no, I know he kept his promise to see TESS for me. I just hope I'll be able to reunite with her, though..."

"I heard about that frame you two fought." Dingo said to Leo and Ren. "A new model?"

"Seems like it." Leo said. "I've never seen it before, that's for sure... it's way beyond the Raptors we're used to."

"It was a manned unit." Ren explained. "Though according to the plans that the defector brought in, it looks like they're planning to mass produce the model."

"That doesn't sound good." Dingo said, putting a hand to his chin. "You two got the combat logs on the mission, right?"

"Yeah." Leo said.

"Alright, I'll want to take a look at them to see what we're going to be up against." Dingo said.

"I don't think you have to worry too much, Dingo." Leo chuckled lightly. "Not much can beat Jehuty."

"Doesn't mean I can afford to get complacent." Dingo said sternly. "When you get a chance send your logs over to me so I can go over them."

"What's all this serious talk for?" Cagalli said, entering the conversation.

"Oh, hey." Ren said.

"Heard you got your ass handed to you out there." Cagalli teased. "Looks like even in Tsukuyomi a rookie is still just a rookie."

"C'mon, don't make fun of him like that." Leo said. "I had a hard time with him too..."

"I heard." Cagalli said, taking a more serious tone now. "But you did complete the mission, right?"

Leo nodded.

"They're taking the defector to the holding cells now." Dingo said. "I imagine they'll question him some more there before deciding what to do with him."

"I don't think he'll be able to provide much more than he already has." Ren said. "Oh, yeah, I should go inspect some Dulahans, too. I'll need to get a feel for their performance as well..."

"Why's that?" Dingo asked as Ren began to make his way to the main hangars.

"I'm going to be helping make replacements for them." Ren said. "No way LEVs are going to be able to go up against these new units."

"What, you've already been assigned to it?"

"Not yet." Ren shouted from a distance. "But I know I will be, so I might as well start now."

"I'll bring you lunch, then!" Dingo said.

"Okay!" Ren then broke into a jog to the hangars.

"Geez..." Dingo sighed. "First thing after a mission and he's already back at it... kid's a workaholic."

"Well, if you're free, I'll take you up on that offer for lunch!" Cagalli smiled.

"I didn't offer you lunch." Dingo frowned.

"Yeah, come to think of it, I'm hungry too..." Leo remarked.

"Oh, you're working with her now, huh?" Dingo said.

The two only laughed at Dingo's expense, Dingo hanging his head as he's dragged into getting lunch for everyone again.

Zack decides to speak up, speaking in a curious and slightly worrisome tone.

"So...what happens to me now? I'm a gonna be kept around for further questioning or...?"

The guards didn't answer, still leading him into the main facility and downwards into the holding cells. There, they uncuffed Zack and put him into the cell, closing it behind him.

"You're to stay here for now." One of the guards said. "Still gotta figure out how we're going to deal with you."

With that, the guards left Zack alone once again. About half an hour later, an officer came into the cell to question Zack more. However, the officer didn't end up learning anything new, Zack only reiterating things he'd already said. After the further questioning, the officer left Zack, heading to a main office where Commander Weinberg was. He opened the door, multiple high ranking officers seated at the large table.

"Did you find out anything new?" One of them asked.

"Nothing." The officer stated, sitting down at his seat, placing his data pad on the table. "I believe he's already told us everything he knows."

"There's no trusting Neo BAHRAM." Another officer said. "He could be lying!"

"His report matches up with that of our forces on the field who encountered the new frame." Another said. "The data this runner has provided is legitimate. Our forces did in fact encounter this Fenrir unit."

"Taking in one defector is one thing, but two in a row like this seems off." Yet another contributed. "Both carrying with them highly classified Neo BAHRAM data... seems too good to be true."

"If you ask me, I still don't trust Silber. I think you were too soft on him, Commander Weinberg."

"I trust Leo and Dingo." Weinberg stated plainly. "I don't think you would disagree with me on that."

"Still, putting him in an Orbital Frame squadron with our two best pilots-"

"Is more than enough of a contingency." Weinberg interrupted. "If he is against us, not only can Leo and Dingo take care of him, but the squadron is under my direct command. I'll know about anything that happens. I didn't put him where he is on a simple whim, Officer Barrow."

"I think we've all already discussed the matter of Ren Silber enough. What matters now is this new defector."

"This information he's provided is quite valuable." The officer who had questioned Zack said. "It at least shows us how ill-equipped we actually are..."

"We underestimated them..." Another said. "How were we supposed to know that mere remnants of the old BAHRAM could be this superior?"

"I don't even want to think of what could've happened had we not received this information. We'll need to develop a countermeasure for this new frame."

"We'll need to secure funds and materials for research and construction... though we don't have any engineers experienced with Orbital Frames. The closest to that we have is Leo."

"Back to the matter at hand." One officer said to get the conversation back on track. "This Neo BAHRAM runner... what should we do with him?"

"He's technically a prisoner of war at the moment." The questioner stated. "Executing him is not an option."

"Even if it was, I don't think that would be the right decision. His talents and his Orbital Frame would go to waste."

"You're suggesting we let him join the Space Force? Are you crazy?"

"I think we should use him as a bargaining chip and scrap the frame for research on developing new machines to replace our Dulahans. That frame he brought in isn't at Tsukuyomi's level, but it's certainly a formidable machine."

"On top of that, Neo BAHRAM will most likely want their runner back so they can execute him themselves."

"And what of these soldiers from the Merchants? We cannot take such people into the Space Force as they've demanded."

"It would be a shame to lose such skilled pilots, though..."

"You can't be serious!"

While the men before her discussed this matter, Commander Weinberg sat silent, deep in her own thoughts. She knew that she had the final say in the matter... taking in one defector was one thing, but two? The first was a bargain that may still backfire on her, but another so soon... she wasn't sure if she should take such a risk. As she had stated, if the worst came to it, she could have Ren executed easily... the VR combat she had proposed against Jehuty was partly to ensure that fact to her. However, two runners would be a problem... even with Dingo and Leo, there was a high risk to it...

"Commander Weinberg, you've been awfully quiet." One of the officers said, taking her out of her thoughts.

"Oh..." She mumbled.

"What are you thinking?"

Weinberg sighed.

"I'm thinking I want to talk to him myself before I make any decisions."

"He's already told us everything he can, Commander." The questioner reiterated. "I don't think there's much use in talking to him again."

"That's not what it's about." She said, standing up to leave the room. "I'll be back when I've made my decision."

With that, she left the room, heading for the confinement cells.

Zack walked back and forth in his cell, tapping his foot nervously. He couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to him next. Were they gonna let him go, albeit under surveillance from the Space Force? Were they gonna put him and TESS into the Space Force's army to fight Neo BAHRAM? Were they...going to execute him regardless of his actions to help them?

"Aye...my brain hurts...I really wish TESS was here to lighten things up...hell, I wouldn't even mind hearing her scream 'wake up' into my ear. At least it'd be funny for her..."

It didn't take long for Commander Weinberg to get to the holding cells, taking the elevator down and opening the door, the sound being the only one heard in the entire ward. Commander Weinberg strode to the cell where Zack was being held, looking inside at him, her arms behind her back in an authoritative stance. She sized him up carefully from behind the bars, seeing him as not much more than a young man, not unlike Ren himself. Someone impressionable... someone who could see the difference between right and wrong.

Zack looked back at Weinberg with curiosity, not knowing who she really is. Regardless, he ceases his pacing and tapping and stands attentively, facing her with complete focus. He took notice of her posture, seeing how authoritative she came off to him. She must be a high ranking officer or someone of importance...why else would some random person come to see him? He finally speaks up in a calm, attentive tone.

"Hello, ma'am."

"So, this is the newest defector..." Weinberg said. "Can't say you look like much. I expected someone older."

Zack frowned slightly at the remark, feeling as though he was being treated like he couldn't do what he had done.

"Mmh...if I may ask, who are you? Judging from your clothing, you seem to be a captain or something."

"Commander." She corrected him. "Commander Weinberg, senior officer of the Space Force and commander of this base."

Commander Weinberg knew full well of the authoritative presence she possessed, and she knew exactly how to use it.

"And who might you be?"

Zack gulps before speaking in a fully attentive tone, now knowing who he is talking to.

"Zack Tristano, Commander. I'm the Runner of the Eclipse, and the person who stole the data pad containing the plans for Neo BAHRAM's Skoll and Fenrir Orbital Frames."

"I understand that much." Weinberg stated plainly. "However, there is still something I'm unsure of."

Weinberg continued to stare Zack down... she wagered he couldn't be much older than 20. She was aware that Neo BAHRAM usually picked their recruits young. They were impressionable; impulsive. They didn't fully understand the difference between right and wrong or the consequences of their actions. It made them perfect for them. They could use them in any way they wanted and as long as they were fed the lies that what they were doing was for the greater good, they wouldn't question the things that they would do. Zack was especially guilty of this... Weinberg was aware that Zack most likely had a few atrocities under his belt. Ren was a different matter in that regard... at least he wasn't out on the field destroying cities or murdering innocents.

Weinberg had to calm herself down, as she could feel herself being worked up by her hatred of Neo BAHRAM... she had to ignore her bias for the time being.

"My question..." She said. "Is simply why? Why did you leave Neo BAHRAM and come to us?"

"I left because of Neo BAHRAM's plans to eradicate Earth and everyone on it through the Project Obsolescence, which I was only able to discover because of looking through Adalia's data pad. I never knew of such a plan before, and had I known Neo BAHRAM's true intentions, I would have never joined them. You have no idea how much hate I felt for Adalia and Neo BAHRAM after reading it, and knew I couldn't let such a vile act of genocide go through."

Zack spoke in a harsh yet truthful tone, wanting to let out his bottled up emotions to show how serious he was.

"I know that I've killed hundreds of Space Force soldiers under the guise of fighting for 'peace' and 'justice' while I was with Neo BAHRAM, especially during the past two years of fighting on the field, and their lives are something I'll never be able to bring back. Their deaths are my burden that I now must carry for the rest of my life."

Zack had begun tearing up at this point, squinting his eyes as they filled up with tears, yet still maintained eye contact with Weinberg as best he could.

"I wish to join the Space Force so that I can stop Adalia and Neo BAHRAM from taking anymore innocent lives, to prevent any more deaths of Space Force soldiers, and to stop them from committing an unspeakable atrocity that I unknowingly was helping. I don't care if I end up being executed after this war is over, in fact I deserve it for what I have done in the past, but I at the very least demand that I live long enough so that help put an end to Neo BAHRAM and bring Adalia to justice for her crimes."

"Yes, I understand that much." Commander Weinberg said. "But immediately coming to the Space Force? You must understand that there are many people here who would rather kill you than let you join their ranks. Did you really think about that or was that just your first thought?"

Commander Weinberg seemed to be able to see right through Zack, and she didn't hold back on him.

"Did you think about your orders or did you just do what you were told like a good little soldier?"

"I know damn well that nearly everyone in this base wants me dead, and I don't blame them for it. I killed God knows how many of their friends without even realizing it. And pardon for my language, but I don't give a fucking shit about the fact that they want my corpse and head as trophies. I had no other alternatives other than going solo, which would have been a death wish for me and TESS as we would have to fight off both the Space Force and Neo BAHRAM. Joining the Space Force was my only option, even though I was aware that I would be confronted with hatred and anger by Space Force soldiers. I'd rather join the group that hated my guts but was fighting to stop a horrible evil than continue staying in the group who's ultimate goal is the destruction of an entire planet with innocent people on it."

Zack chokes up as he is confronted with Weinberg's second question, however, knowing the truth.

"I shamefully admit that I did my orders without much thought back when I was in Neo BAHRAM, however I was constantly told that I was doing it in the name of peace across the galaxy, and even furthermore out of fear as I saw what happened to soldiers who didn't follow orders. They would be executed right on the spot. That should have been a red flag to me, but due to my naïve and young mind back then, I was more concerned with wanting to live than actually standing up to such horror. I should have known better..."

Zack sniffles as he wipes his eyes, now red as he sternly looks back at Weinberg.

"And why do you think we should let you join?" Commander Weinberg asked. "It would seem easier just to execute you and give your Orbital Frame to a different pilot, wouldn't it?"

Zack seems to snap at the idea of Eclipse being given to another Runner, as he widens his eyes and shouts in a panicked voice.

"Because I'm the only one who TESS will allow to pilot the Eclipse!"

Zack pants and exhales sharply as he looks directly at Weinberg sternly. He was clearly distressed over the idea of being separated from TESS after stating her name.

"TESS is the AI of Eclipse, and me and her have been together as best friends for the past two years. Me and her have built a bond so strong that she refuses to let anyone else pilot her aside from me. We're practically inseparable...and I don't even want to imagine what she would do if she knew I was executed just so that someone else can replace me...and I refuse to be separated from her...if nothing else, I must be alive at least for her..."

Zack breaks down as he slumps to the ground, his tone breaking as he curls up in a begging position, shivering as he fears being severed away from TESS...

"Please...I beg you...let me join so I can stay with TESS and help defeat Neo BAHRAM...please..."

Commander Weinberg's lip curled at Zack's words. She didn't exactly understand why he was so distressed over that frame, more specifically the AI. She wondered why he was panicking so much at the thought of losing the frame. It reminded her of... Leo. When ADA revealed her intentions of self-destructing in Aumaan. How he felt over it... Zack must have formed a strong bond with the AI, just like Leo had with ADA. It struck a deep chord with her.

"To be perfectly honest, nobody wants you here." She said. "The other officials want to hand you back to Neo BAHRAM. And honestly, that would be the best course of action. We'd taken an incredible risk with Ren and he still might turn out to be a bad decision on my part. The only reason why he's with us now is because both Leo and Dingo vouched for him. Understand that you are in quite a different situation."

Commander Weinberg sighed before continuing.

"However, you're a prisoner of war. Executing you ourselves is not an option, as much as most soldiers here would want." She stated. "Despite what you may have heard of us, we follow the standard rules of warfare. The same can't be said of Neo BAHRAM."

Zack simply nods his head gently as he stays in his begging position, still sobbing as he thinks about TESS. He knew what Weinberg said is true, for he saw Adalia's true colors in the week she treated him like utter crap, among other things...

"Just please...if there's any other way to show that I'm not talking crap...to show that I'm not some spy for Neo BAHRAM...to show that I want to help the Space Force and stop Adalia...tell me now...please..."

Commander Weinberg sighed, crossing her arms in deep thought. Letting Ren in was tough enough to get past the higher-ups, and they still give her trouble over that. The only reason why she was able to get that to pass was because Leo and Dingo both advocated for him, and then the following fact that Tsukuyomi rejected Leo as runner. Without Ren, they wouldn't have Tsukuyomi, and they wouldn't have one of the keys necessary for Neo BAHRAM's plans. But Zack was in a completely different situation... she couldn't know for sure if he was telling the truth or if he was just a spy sent to report back to Neo BAHRAM. He sounded sincere, but such things were easy to fake. She couldn't take the risk, no matter which way she looked at it.

"No matter how I see it, you're a liability." She said in a stern tone. "There's no way the lead officers will let someone like you join. They'll most likely confiscate your Orbital Frame and send you back to Neo BAHRAM."