Human Edge

James had discovered that the simulators were available for use at least if no one else was there. He was no warrior, but he could at least show Mata the basics. Maybe he'll be able to convince one of the mechwarriors to teach her. Mata was a bit intimidated, but she would try.

After a while a man approached,humming soulfully.

He paused when he saw the pair, and then strode over, a smile on his face, and amusement in his eyes.

"What brings you to the simulators today, Mr. Hall?"

How he knew Jame's name, wasn't entirely clear, but Alexei Herald offered an airy wave toward the many white pods, crammed one beside the next.

"I didn't think you rode the iron giants, only fixed them."

James bowed. After his experience with the pirates, it seemed wise to bow to anyone remotely of higher rank.

"Captain. I was trying to show my daughter a few things. I am no pilot, but she has mechwarrior blood in her veins. I hope to help her to achieve her purpose."

Mata poked her head out. She seemed concerned. She wasn't sure they were supposed to be there. Though James didn't seemed concern. If he was wrong, he would take his punishment.

A bow?

That brought a raised eyebrow, and Alexei shook his head. "Gracious man, it's hard enough getting my sailors to salute."

Walking into the simulator room, Alexei felt the heat as the temperature rose a good 4-5 Fahrenheit... and the pods weren't even running yet.

"Mechwarrior blood? I suppose some people believe in that sort of thing, though if you claim you aren't... then her mother, I presume, is the source. I personally have always felt that a man is what he makes himself, not what he is born."

Drawing out a silver flask, he unscrewed the cap thoughtfully.

"So you wish her to pilot a mech. What does she think about it?"

"Aerospace fighter actually. Her genetic father was a mechwarrior though. Blood doesn't decide all, but it can be used a guide. Whether she is fit to be a mechwarrior, time will tell. But I want to give her the best chance possible."

Mata pipes up. "If I can be good one like the Star league Defense Force, I think I'd, I mean, I think I would like that. I would like to protect people. I would kill all those filthy pirates. Daddy says pirates are bad and have honor. So, you can just kill them." At mention of the pirates, her cheerful face grows angry and then turns back to her normal cheerful self as she talks about killing them. James nods approvingly.

"Oh? Pirates?"

Alexei squatted down, fixing the girl with a thoughtful stare.

"Maybe some are just down on their luck? You can't eat honor, you know."

His tone was casual, as if he didn't have any opinion on the subject.

The girl's face grows fierce and her voice gets louder. "They have all the food. It's us who starve. They take everything. You work. You die. They laugh and eat. They..."

"Mata." James interrupts in a stern tone, but softens quickly. "He is the captain. Show him respect." Mata calms down, and tries to hide her sulkiness. She mutters, Sorry.

James then turns his attention to Alexi, keeping his tone neutral. "I apologize for her outburst. I will talk to her about respect for her superiors later." Then, after a moment, he continued, "Captain, we know pirates all too well. The reason we are alive is because I am a skilled tech. Otherwise, I would have been worked to death years ago, and Mata would have died with her mother. But we were lucky. I was valuable. Few beatings. Hunger, but not starvation. Others..." James shrugs. "Well, you're right. They can't eat honor. Then, it best to put them down. Like you would a feral dog. It's best for the dog and for those it may attack later."

James had mixed feelings. On one hand, Mata would never have challenged anyone before like that. At least, not an authority. He was happy she was losing her fear. But she should still not challenge authority. James wasn't sure how to handle that. He didn't want to quash her newfound boldness. But he didn't want her mouthing off to the wrong person either. Just because the captain seemed laid back didn't mean he wasn't capable of punishing insubordination. After all, you didn't get to become a captain without maintaining discipline.

The captain didn't seem offended, but just nodded.

"It is a reasonable argument to say that morality isn't conditioned upon necessity, but upon a more permanent truth."

Standing back up, he smiled disarmingly.

"That's the real test of a person, isn't it? Put them in a difficult spot... will they practice what they preach? I'm glad your daughter has a good role-model."

Walking over to the pods, he gently kicked it in the side, prompting the hatch to open with a geriatric wheeze of ancient hydraulics. Reaching inside, he pulled out the neurohelmet. An oversized thing which extended down and braced on the shoulders of a grown man, Mata could practically have hidden inside.

"I'm afraid it may be rather difficult for Mata to use the simulators, however, without a neurohelmet that fits... we have some cadet programs she can run without it, but the experience really isn't the same."

James realized the kind of man he was. Similar to the head of the techs back home. He liked this man.

He nods at the captain's point. "I figured she could at least try to learn the basics from those programs. When she got good enough, I was planning on seeing if I could get the materials to fix up a neurophelmet to fit her." Then James wondered, was that the best way? Should he just through her in the deep end?

"Well, you'd have to take one apart to fit one for her, and the Major would like to run simulations tomorrow, so I'm afraid you can't use any from here. There may be spares in the hold - there are many things stowed in there, so it's distinctly possible."

Placing the cumbersome helment back into the pod, he added, thoughtfully, "We also have Aerospace training programs, if you think she would like to try them."