Date: 20Dec2023
In the Cafeteria:
Time: 13:43
We see Liu, Garcia, Kane, Diaz, and Fenix together, inside of the buildings Cafeteria. With this being her first time here, Fenix looks around noticing the school café like structure along with the small booths selling their own ready-made sandwiches and such. After deciding to purchase a ready-to-eat meal, she sits down with her new comrades, now having lunch after their debriefing. Garcia, who is seated next to Fenix, senses an uneasiness coming from her.
Garcia: "Hey Fenix," she looks up from her plate. "You know that if you have anything you'd like to ask about, we're all open to answer."
Fenix: Letting what Garcia said resonate with her, Fenix begins to remember the mission and what had occurred. "Well, honestly the two things that are still swirling around in my head are, 'What is he?' and 'How did he do all that?' Like, I've heard of him and read reports of his abilities but, seeing it for myself is so… different! Don't get me wrong; during the mission, my primary focus was on saving the girl, so none of this even crossed my mind. But afterwards…", as she talks, she gains a perplexed look on her face.
Garcia: "Ya see, the thing is, we don't know. All we know about is the training he received from Liu and Claude. Other than that, his past is pretty average. Normal public school, fairly average grades and intelligence, human parents, no outstanding ancestry, no weird jobs, and pretty normal life."
Fenix: "Alright, then could you tell me what he's like? I only ask cause one moment he's sleeping and lazing around at while a mission is in progress. Next thing I know, he's bursting into action, launching himself from a mountain, blowing up helicopters and tossing around trucks like they were toys. And after that just acts so reckless, threatening that guy's family and detonating that bomb collar."
Liu: "My student is an idiot. He is reckless, stubborn, and too kind-hearted."
Fenix: "Kind-hearted? He ordered us to kill an innocent family!"
Diaz: Speaking with food in her mouth, "Well, first off that was only given for if the container blew. Secondly, we'd never kill an innocent even under orders. The Commander isn't someone to play with the lives of others." She smiles as she speaks.
Fenix: "Then what's his motivation?"
Kane: "You're asking an awful lot of questions. What, do you have a thing for him or somethin'?"
Garcia: "Oh, shut up Kane. You act like we all didn't have questions when we first met Xerxes. Actually, from what I remember, your first question was, 'Are you a terminator or some s**t?'"
Kane: "What the hell do you expect me to say?! Dude took a grenade to the back, shook it off, and then threw a helicopter at a f**king tank! And what, I should act like that s**t's normal?"
Liu: "That's enough. Since we have the time and we didn't before the mission, we should introduce ourselves to Fenix.", he turns to face Fenix. "My name is Liu Longwei. My rank is Sergeant/E-5 and I'm 37-years-old. I have two kids with my wife Liu Yang. Before joining I was a farmer and a Master of Shaolin Kung Fu. Now I'm a team leader as well as Xerxes' Mentor."
Garcia: Overjoyed, "Alright, my turn. I'm Specialist Gabriela Garcia, age 27! I'm an Ace Pilot from the Mexican Air force! I have a blonde lab named Lucky, I love sky diving, and my favorite artist is Mary J. Blige!"
Diaz: In a bland and monotone voice, "Hello, I'm Elena Diaz, age 25. I'm the explosives expert."
Garcia: "Don't mind her, she's always tired after a mission." Fenix nods in understanding. Garcia then leans over and whispers to Fenix, "She's only engaged when talking about Commander Xerxes or explosives."
Kane: "I guess that means it's my turn. The names Christian Kane. My mother's Norwegian and my father is Irish. I was trained as a hunter by my grandfather who had also trained me in the rifle. Which leads me to ask, where did you learn to shoot at such unbelievable distances?"
Fenix: Somewhat hesitant, "Well, my father trained me in multiple combat forms from a young age. Sniping just happened to be something I excelled at."
Kane: "Alright then second question, what's good with your rifle?"
Fenix: "Well basically it was a prototype meant to stop Xerxes."
All: "WHAT?!"
Kane: "Wait, wait, wait. So basically, you were shooting an anti-Xerxes weapon around Xerxes; during the mission?!"
Diaz: Finally showing a morsel of interest, "Did the Commander and Sergeant Curtis know you were using that kind of weapon?!"
Fenix: Overwhelmed, "Uhm."
Liu: "Of course he knew, I was there when he and Agent Slate were finalizing her transfer. Sergeant Curtis found out about her assigned weapon afterwards. Now Fenix, please finish introducing yourself."
Fenix: "Yes Sergeant. My name is Terra Fenix, and I am from Kyoto, Japan. I am age 25, enjoy playing violin, and am trained in four Japanese martial arts."
Liu: "Now that's out the way, everyone head back to your temporary courters and be ready for the next mission."
Diaz: "Next mission?"
Kane: "But Sergeant, we're supposed to be heading home for our two and half week's holiday leave."
Liu: "We understand, but we need to act fast in order to save the families of the prisoners. As far as we know they are innocents and it'd be wrong for us to leave them to REACH to decide their fate. Is everyone in agreement?"
All: "Understood."
Once done eating, everyone goes their separate ways to await orders.
Operation: Table Talk
Status: Complete