If war were a game that a man or a child Could think of winning [Open]

[not-prncss-tldr.livejournal.com]

Lafiel staggered out and away from the sensorium pod, clutching her bruised jaw. Blood pooled between her teeth, coppery and salty in her mouth and she swallowed it.

There was a special kind of humiliation that came with being physically bested and though Lafiel knew she was in the right, it still stung.

Master Chief or Captain Kirk would have known what do immediately, but she had only exacerbated the situation. She knew this to be her own fault. The punch had been a predictable consequence of her actions.

She couldn't even curse for fear of spitting more blood.

Comments

[not-prncss-tldr.livejournal.com]

Lafiel, though calmed by the touch was still defiant and full of a mixture of shame and determination. "I will take this up with Squadron Command then. But I should have never let it get to this point in the first place."

[yubyubcommander.livejournal.com]

Wedge had also been on the way to the Sensoriums, if only to check in on Asuka and see if she was still at it. He came up short, watching the two for a moment before he approached, one eyebrow raised at the mention of 'Squadron Command.'

"Something wrong, Your Highness?" Oh. Kriff. That's a nice bruise you've got started there, Lafiel. "...what happened?"

[not-prncss-tldr.livejournal.com]

Lafiel was almost relieved by Wedge's approach. There was something about Kelly's manner at that moment that was soothing, a bit of balm on the burn of her humiliation. "Thank you, Kelly. This is need-to-know information though. I'll find you after this is done."

And, when Kelly had left, she looked up at Wedge, snapped him the Abh salute (index and middle fingers to forehead). "Sir, I came upon Pilot-Trainee Soryuu in the sensoriums. I let my temper get the better of me and challenged her to a dogfight. I outstrategized her twice and continued to provoke her when we were finished, though I knew the Pilot-Trainee's nature. This is, for the most part, my fault."

[yubyubcommander.livejournal.com]

"...and she struck you?" Wedge asked, crossing his arms with a frown. This was going to be a bit of sticky situation to deal with. And indicated that Soryu needed more attention and training, specifically to deal with that temper. At the same time, of course, it seemed Lafiel let her pride get the better of her. Hm.

[not-prncss-tldr.livejournal.com]

"Yes sir. I am prepared to accept whatever punishment you deem neccesary for my actions." Lafiel looked a lot more dejected about this than Asuka did. But then she was the type to hoard responsibility to herself. Being an Abriel did that.

[yubyubcommander.livejournal.com]

"What happened, exactly? I want all the details." Wedge crossed his arms. He was going to get to the bottom of this...

[not-prncss-tldr.livejournal.com]

Lafiel went on to describe the whole ugly event in detail. She couldn't keep a note of pride out of her voice when she showed how she outstrategized Asuka. When she got to the part where she punched her, her jaw ached again and she rubbed it.

[yubyubcommander.livejournal.com]

"...I see. Deca-Commander Abriel." He's chosing to use her rank, not her title here. "You had good intentions, trying to teach Asuka that there is no such thing as 'cheating' in the battle. However. After the first time, it might have been better to let the matter drop. I'll deal with Asuka. I think your sore jaw will be punishment enough. Carry on."

[not-prncss-tldr.livejournal.com]

"Sir, one more question." Here comes a nonsequitor.