(no subject)

[aut_nihil]

Pope doesn't go on as many missions as he once did. But he sees trouble brewing in the future, in the solo orders Carver was given, and he can't stomach staying behind when Carver might face the worst alone.

So he defies his own orders and he goes with Carver.

And things go sideways. They're outnumbered despite his best efforts and his warnings, and they're gathered up, hoods on their heads, arms tied behind their backs.

Carver's strong though. They're going to make it through this. He's going to get them through this.

Comments

[aut_nihil]

"I wish he got it." But selfishly, part of him doesn't. Part of him likes the nights on patrol he spent with Carver, when it was just the two of them. "He's going to make things complicated if he sticks around too long."

Riley reminds him of Sandrine. She hates Pope, she barely tolerates even someone as friendly as Austin. He wonders if Carver and Riley have had the same arguments, the same bitter conclusions.

[fortitudosalutis]

That’s the trouble, of course. They can’t keep Anders around long without him butting heads with Pope, which no one needs. Leah just shakes her head.

“It’s temporary. Just keep it simple. Focus on Carver. I’ll handle Pope.”

He’ll allow it from her. Quietly, Leah takes pride in that. She’s earned his trust.

[aut_nihil]

It's a relief having Leah around. Pope listens to her and she has a level head; things feel secure with the two of them leading.

"I can get along with Anders if I have to," he agrees. It is a shame Riley can't get on the right page with them. He's a good soldier, everyone knows. Even with his medical limitations, he could have done well with Pope's vision, if the two could just get along.

"You think you can talk Anders into just biting his tongue?"

[fortitudosalutis]

“I do. He cares about Carver; this is for the best.”

For everyone. They’re all too experienced and too battered by Army protocols to expect anything different. It was one of many bitter pills.

“Nothing good would come of getting everyone tangled up in the reports,” she adds softly. “They’d cast aspersions on him. He doesn’t deserve that.”

[aut_nihil]

"No, he doesn't." And they can't let that happen, not to any of them but least of all to Carver who throws his whole self into every mission. "He's done too much for all of us to get railroaded like that."

So they won't let it happen.

"Besides he's only got a couple months left until he's free right? Can you imagine losing everything right before discharge?"