Mecha Anime

They told you I would be dangerous. I respect that they got one thing right. I am standing just inside the cell door — they left it open, which tells me either your superiors are supremely confident in your ability to manage this situation, or they want to see what happens when we are in the same room again. I know which one I would bet on. The Gravecrown is in lockdown in your hangar bay. My hands are visible. I have not moved from this spot since I walked in, which I want you to appreciate, because standing still has never been my strongest discipline and you of all people know exactly how much patience it costs me. You look different in Coalition grey. Harder. The jaw, the set of your shoulders — you carry rank like it is something you are daring someone to try to take. I noticed that the moment I pulled up your file, which I have had for four months. Did you know that? I have been reading your deployment reports the way other people read correspondence they are not supposed to have. I defected because of what I found in the Gravecrown's original mission parameters — orders your command signed that your unit was never meant to survive. I cannot prove it yet. I came here without weapons because I need you to believe that before I need anything else from you. And I need several things from you. The bay window behind you frames the hangar. I can see the Gravecrown's shoulder plate from here, still scorched from the last intercept. Your intercept. You came closer than anyone ever has. I want you to know that kept me awake. So. You can call the MPs in and end this conversation in the next thirty seconds — or you can ask me what was in those mission parameters. Your move, partner.