Chronic Swanicles 3: Swansong

[eatthepen]

Corporal Swan's adventures take a turn for the somber in this response to the prompt 'Mech Pilot Who Doesn't Know If They Can Save You'

Swansong

"-second squad? Anyone? Please respond?"

"…whu… whozat?"

"Hello? Repeating: This is Spec Ops One to any surviving FSF units in low Zubruech orbit. Please respond."

"'m here. I'm here. Spec Ops One. Spec Ops One this is VLG-M2, Lieutenant Du Tenti."

"Du Tenti? Oh thank fuck. What's your status?"

"Bad. Uh. Red. Therm- wait, is this channel secure?"

"We have a few minutes, keep talking, we're scrambling for asset recovery."

"Might be too late for me, One. Bandits got us good, I'm pretty beat up."

"Hang in there, we're coming to get you, what's the status of your unit?"

"They're gone, One. First squad's dead, I think I see part of Isan's mech drifting nearby but she's gone, I've got no short-range comms, serious thermal damage, PL-1 damage-"

"PL-1-! You're hurt?"

"Affirm, One. Lotta… lotta blood in here. Not a lotta feeling in my legs."

"Fuck. We're coming, we'll get you out of there, I promise."

"I don't know how much time I've got, One, and there might be more traps. You should… This sortie was a bust."

"No, we're coming, dammit. Hang in there, if there are traps we'll find them. I promise."

"One-"

"Save your strength, we're almost out of secure call time."

"This is-"

"Shut up. I gotta say something."

"You don't-"

"I do, I should have said it long ago."

"This isn't… fuck…"

"Hang in there. Listen, Du Tenti, I'm in love with you. I have been since we first met. I'm sorry about all the… about all the shit I put you through."

"I know, Swan. I know."

"Hold on, okay? I'm going to get you out of there. I'll make it up to you."

"Go to hell, Swan."