[ They're regrouping at the jeep again after canvassing part of Sector L - he's been hunched over his blackglass, and after stepping away from the others and engaging in a bit of furious typing he's going to try to catch Tony's attention and quickly motion that they should head around to the back of the vehicle.
[And Tony had almost entertained the idea of interrupting Steve during his intense texting session (to idk his bff Gertrude?). He doesn't stray far from him, and when he catches movement in his peripheral vision, he looks over and finds Steve motioning for him to follow him.
Which he does, hands in his pockets and gaze sweeping the private little behind-the-van nook that Steve secured for them.]
Slight glare, then he inclines his head to the blackglass. ]
Someone on Orange just messaged me about their new team assignment - instructor's got them digging graves and won't say for what. [ He lets out a deep breath from his nose and looks up. ] No gag order. Sounds more like he's screwing around with his team than planning on murdering anyone, probably seeing who gets riled up. Told her that, but she still seemed pretty freaked out.
[ Raises an eyebrow and frowns, expression relaying the question do you disagree and think this is worrying? Just in case he's noticed anything else odd around camp lately, no point in chancing anything. ]
[He hasn't noticed anything or heard anything that he could automatically connect to a bunch of graves. Or even belatedly in the long pause that he takes after Steve finishes speaking.
Tony crosses his arms across his chest, a deep line etching between his eyebrows as he frowns.]
Can't say I've talked to Warriorhead enough to know if he likes screwing with people for kicks and giggles. [He says this at length, selecting the words carefully.] Though the instructors as a whole seem to love it...it still seems far-fetched to waste time and resources on a trick. Even for them.
Can you remember the last time they asked us to do something without telling us what it was for?
[ Still frowning. Always frowning. You mean nearly every other assignment they've had? Armada had them building bombs that exploded glitter. They still don't know half of what went on in Sector R. ] They're big on trust exercises.
More like power play. "Do what we say because you have no choice." Plus it's kinda hard to trust someone that lied to you from the very get-go.
[At least for the group of recruits that didn't get the fine print of what they were agreeing to. As opposed to the others that knew right off the bat.]
That's military. [ Go dig a hole, now fill it back up - it's crappy leadership, but not entirely uncommon with certain officers (usually bad ones). ] But I don't know - from the start they've wanted loyalty. [ As ridiculous as that might be for the reason Tony just stated. ] Banking on soldiers under your command to be more afraid of you than whatever it is you're fighting is always going to be a gamble. [ A beat. ] And we've seen what happens when people break ranks.
[ Almina. Stakes are high for the officers if they have weak links, or anything less than some level of trust. A sigh, and with some frustration: ] Or maybe they're waiting for Stockholm Syndrome to sink in - I don't know. [ He's been a little afraid that he's falling for that himself.
[He presses his lips together and makes an exaggerated face to show that he's thinking.]
Statistically not the best approach. [He agrees with Steve.] I mean fear is great and all, especially if you're a dictator, but it's less predictable than loyalty...or forced capture-bonding.
[He smooths his fingers over his goatee and looks away.]
Sometimes I wonder if the officers are just the start of our problems.
I wouldn't doubt it. [ Not when the CDC sent those harpies down to the planet without whatever precautions should have kept them from attacking recruits.
But back to the current problem. ]
We should see about finishing this up. [ So they can head back as soon as possible. ]
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DAY 45 | 15:30
Need to talk before they head out again. ]
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Which he does, hands in his pockets and gaze sweeping the private little behind-the-van nook that Steve secured for them.]
You're not going to sell me drugs, are you?
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Slight glare, then he inclines his head to the blackglass. ]
Someone on Orange just messaged me about their new team assignment - instructor's got them digging graves and won't say for what. [ He lets out a deep breath from his nose and looks up. ] No gag order. Sounds more like he's screwing around with his team than planning on murdering anyone, probably seeing who gets riled up. Told her that, but she still seemed pretty freaked out.
[ Raises an eyebrow and frowns, expression relaying the question do you disagree and think this is worrying? Just in case he's noticed anything else odd around camp lately, no point in chancing anything. ]
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Tony crosses his arms across his chest, a deep line etching between his eyebrows as he frowns.]
Can't say I've talked to Warriorhead enough to know if he likes screwing with people for kicks and giggles. [He says this at length, selecting the words carefully.] Though the instructors as a whole seem to love it...it still seems far-fetched to waste time and resources on a trick. Even for them.
Can you remember the last time they asked us to do something without telling us what it was for?
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[At least for the group of recruits that didn't get the fine print of what they were agreeing to. As opposed to the others that knew right off the bat.]
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[ Almina. Stakes are high for the officers if they have weak links, or anything less than some level of trust. A sigh, and with some frustration: ] Or maybe they're waiting for Stockholm Syndrome to sink in - I don't know. [ He's been a little afraid that he's falling for that himself.
This is getting off topic. ]
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Statistically not the best approach. [He agrees with Steve.] I mean fear is great and all, especially if you're a dictator, but it's less predictable than loyalty...or forced capture-bonding.
[He smooths his fingers over his goatee and looks away.]
Sometimes I wonder if the officers are just the start of our problems.
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But back to the current problem. ]
We should see about finishing this up. [ So they can head back as soon as possible. ]
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Let's say those orders fell on your manly, patriotic shoulders and they told you to dig the holes. What would you do?
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I'd dig the holes.
[ If he had another answer, he'd be back at camp right now trying to stop them. ]
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I'll keep my eyes peeled. Promise to ring you first if anything comes up.
[Because really, that's the most that he can do, in this moment.]