001 Target

[mr_dynames]

[action]
[For those at 751 Partridge Drive, they will find that they have a very bewildered man, Neil Dylandy, codename Lockon Stratos, wandering around the house. This can't be a joke, unless Miss Sumeragi thought it would be funny to leave him in some really outdated house while she was overly drunk. The odds of that had to be slim, especially

Comments

[purging_virtue]

[Listening in on the phone was proving to be a very trying method for gathering intelligence. People would chat about the stupidest things, usually complaints or completely unrelated matters; he was starting to get the impression that there were actually people not actively trying to escape.

Frustrated, he'd been ready to hand up the phone until he'd heard a painfully familiar voice over the line.

It was impossible. As much as he hated remembering, this man was dead. And yet the person speaking... It was a voice he couldn't forget if he tried. It caused his palms to sweat against the impractically receiver of the phone, his focus straining to catch any proof that he was mistaken or that it was an impostor. But the little things, the choice of words and the infliction in his voice on certain letters, Tieria knew for sure there was only one person who spoke like that.]

Lockon, are you...?

[mr_dynames]

[Oh hey, a familiar voice! Unless this is a very elaborate trick... but then they'd have to know his real name and codename. Little by little, this is starting to look less like a trick by the three power blocs and more... who knew what.]

That you, Tieria? What the hell's going on? Some new training exercise?

[purging_virtue]

[How is he supposed to respond to this? He's happy that Lockon's back, relieved to have a real ally in this strange place, but there's a million other things he's feeling at the same time. Lockon's blitheness only serves to confuse him more.]

How can you respond so casually, like nothing has happened?

[So right now, anger will have to do; it's the easiest to deal with, the one he understands the most. His voice almost trembles from it, a cold sort of rage that's he's rarely, if ever, used with Lockon.]

[mr_dynames]

Er... [...Why is Tieria so mad, HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE DID.] Would you prefer I run around yelling, wondering why I'm here? It doesn't seem like a productive thing to do though.... [THINK NEIL THINK.] Unless... are you talking about the power blocs having mobile suits with GN Drives?

[purging_virtue]

Don't play dumb with me!

[Because clearly that has to be what Lockon is doing. Maybe he's trying to make Tieria feel better or something equally benign but misplaced; he can't tell, and he hates how, from anyone else, Lockon's attitude could have been considered malicious.]

Even though you were injured and ordered to stay in the ship, you left. Why? Why couldn't you have waited for Setsuna F. Seiei to come back, or for your eye to heal?

1/2?

[mr_dynames]

[There's silence on the other end for at least a minute, maybe longer.]

[mr_dynames]

I wasn't... when did... my eye?! [Another minute passes, this time the silence is parted by broken starts as he actually struggles to find something to say. Congrats Tieria, you completely stunned him.]

Tieria, what the hell are you talking about?!

[purging_virtue]

[Waiting impatiently for Lockon to speak again (for surely it was a contrite silence; Lockon was just looking for the right words to explain and apologize and make things better again), Tieria tries to calm himself down. It doesn't work, though Lockon's answer does a good job of knocking the wind out of his sails.]

... You're serious.

[So Lockon hadn't been trying to trick him before; he really didn't know what Tieria was talking about, because he'd somehow lost those memories. But how? Because of Mayfield, or because he'd died?]

What's the last thing you remember? And what's the status of your eyes?

[mr_dynames]

Last I remember was watching the Trinitys getting knocked around by some mobile suits with fake GN Drives with everyone else on the bridge of the Ptolemaios. [...Not gonna lie, Tieria, but he's a bit weirded out about the eye question.]

...And my eyes are both firmly in their sockets. Like they were yesterday, and every other day since I was born.

[purging_virtue]

Those events have already happened, along with... other things. Somehow, Lockon, you're from the past.

[Lockon isn't the only one weirded out; however, Tieria sounds more relieved than anything, as if this was somehow a good thing.]

I suppose I should apologize. I yelled at you for things you haven't done.

[mr_dynames]

The... past? I didn't think time travel was possible, not yet, anyway. [Ow. His brain.]

Uh... well, I guess we can always say we got it covered if I ever end up doing what you think I'll do to deserve it in the future.

[purging_virtue]

It shouldn't be. I thought maybe your memories had been tampered with, but since you don't have that injury, this is the only explanation.

You won't do it. [His voice has lost any softness to it, suddenly intense like he's been given a mission.] I won't let the past repeat itself. This time, I'll protect you properly and keep you from making that mistake.

[mr_dynames]

Okay then, I guess I have to take your word for it.

[Whoa whoa whoa, back that shit up a second.] I hate to put a damper on your plans, but I don't need protecting. It's a nice gesture, but I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.

[purging_virtue]

Regardless of if that's true, I'm not taking any chances. [Nice try, Lockon, but he's passionate about this point. He's not giving up, no matter what he hears.] If time travel is possible, than any enemy we've defeated can return to this place. And that means- [-that man could come back and ruin everything again.]

You are officially under my protection. If you see any suspicious activity or if anyone threatens you, report it to me immediately.

[mr_dynames]

Any enemy? [Was that a hint of sharpness in his tone? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he doesn't remember any news of Saachez dying. But if he ended up here too... oh that would make his life. Still, they've made quite a few enemies in all the power blocs... especially after the Trinity siblings.]

Wha-- [He stops himself, thinking that this might be one more thing Tieria probably wouldn't budge on. Maybe it'd be better to just go along with it for now and take care of anything strange himself. As for threats, he could handle that just fine.] Alright, alright, I will.