Chapter 5 - Wildcard Shuffle

Terra proceeds into a break room where she aggressively snaps open her casual shirt and puts on an airman's jacket, opening abreast. A long, drawn out sigh emanates from her as she lounges on the sofa, head up toward the ceiling, arms spread out and legs slacked at an angle; a seemingly pronounced posture of a defeat. She felt her moment of peace slowly slip when the echoes of a boisterous voice accompanied by a meek and drained voice. Priming herself for what is coming next, she sits upright in anticipation.

??? 1: I'm telling you, one of these days, that bullshit you've been pulling lately will get you killed one of these days. Don't take away the chance of me putting a bullet in your back because of your high flying antics.
??? 2: Funny coming from you, you damn sadist. At least my unit is built for those kind of "antics". Just because you flaunt around that damn magnum of yours doesn't mean you should constantly go point blank to finish the job. I'm starting to think you're the bigger hedonist than me with your fetish for executions.
??? 1: At least I can get some satisfaction. Nothing ever seems to satisfy you.

The double doors of the break room open, greeting the two men to an atmosphere of silence and tension just from Terra sitting upright. Her eyes slowly scan both men. The scruffy, bold faced man cracked a smile to her. The frail, dead-eyed man, shoots a piercing gaze.

Terra - Madbull, Windace. I hope you have some good news for me. I'm starving for something here.
Madbull - Well, Bossman, you're in great luck. Turns out we'll be getting new operations to start wrecking face and going on the offensive a bit more. The new tactician seems to have found something good in store.
Windace - On top of that, our units have been slightly upgraded to convert the dark matter taken in into special cells that act as batteries. Makes them ideal for longer operations and harder hitting weapons.

Terra, unimpressed, lazes back into her previous position.

Terra - Tell me something that is ACTUALLY worth talking about.

Madbull and Windace look at each other for a quick moment, nodded, and turned back to Terra.

Madbull - If you're looking for "actual news", the Black Shields are moving in on an outpost that's been a point of interest. Seems boring as shit to me since its been dormant for who knows how long, but I guess wondering how your boys have been.
Windace - They do have an impressive service record so far. Majority of missions have been accomplished with minimal resources used AND not a scratch of paint on one of them except for the Armorlion, which is meant to take some abuse as well as dishing it out. Gotta love Divine Crusader engineering...
Terra - Ahh, yes. I raised those boys to be in top, fighting shape. They're so cute when they look so proud and cheerful. Truly a photo-op worthy moment. Any less than that and I will "correct" them dearly.
MB - How domineering. Quite the viper you are, sinking your teeth in whatever you get your hands on.
T - Oh shut up. You have no place to talk. Why don't you tinker around with that magnum you love so much if you have the time to make snarky comments.
MB - Aye aye, sir ~

Windace, looking out at the window to the blackened city scape. A sky pitch black with only the light of the buildings filling the streets. A landscape of perpetual night. Unaware of when the sun rises or sets.

Windace - So... you think if we keep up this campaign, we can finally clear the dark matter covering our nation? I feel like it'll just become needless bloodshed if we're just constantly sacking other nations and settlements left and right.
Madbull - Where's your head been this entire time? We make it clear to attack areas that are capable of defending themselves. Any other nation, we do negotiations. At least, that's what's done on the white paper. Boring shit as always, but we still have to play the long game before showing our hand.
Terra - We don't wanna end up like Shadow Mirror and their antics leading up to them losing everything for the sake of evolution, survival and advancement. We just need to get enough resources to help R&D's efforts in creating an artificial sun powerful enough to blast that dark matter into nothing.
WA - I guess you're right... but ideals like that don't last that long. With what my unit's carrying, I don't think we'll be the just ones in our history books.
MB - Look here you sad little bitch...

In a simple motion, Terra stands up and stares at Madbull. Madbull was in breathing distance of Windace, practically ready to hem Windace by the collar of his military uniform.

Terra - If that's what it takes to bring the sun to us, then I won't shy away from that reality. Anything to get that poor girl some peace...