biteouttagrimes | IC CONTACT

It was heavily guarded. Both inside an' out. Each level had about fifteen soldiers stationed. An' when we got down to the lowest floor, that's where the soldiers got the most desperate. They were the last line of defense.

I take it you're healed up by now?

Yeah. We had healers with us. Nicolas got the bullet out, an' once we took care of LACKEY, I had someone take care of the wound for me. Ain't really a big deal. Ain't the first time I've been shot. Doubt it'll be the last. Jus' more convenient happenin' in this world 'cause we do got those healers.

I was hoping no one would be stupid enough to launch an assault on an enemy base without... healers around. [ Medics had almost come out of her mouth instead. She's still not used to thinking of healing magic as the go-to remedy for injuries. ]

Bet it still hurt like hell, but good to hear it wasn't there for long.

I was fine.

[ It's one part male pride and one part truth. Rick had definitely been in worse shape than a bullet to the shoulder. ]

We can be pretty stupid. But not that stupid. All in all, the whole thing went smooth. Was the rescue the same? You guys get outta there unharmed?

Most of us did. I know of at least one harmed imPort, but he pulled a stupid stunt to get him there. He's fine now.

[ Pulling Miles out of the fire had been an unexpected turn of events, particularly against a fellow imPort. ]

We had back-up arrive pretty quick to get us out of there.

[ Rick laughs faintly. ]

Well, glad it turned out alright in the end. But when you say stupid stunt, did he do it for the right reasons? Or is what he did just plain stupid?

Right reasons, but bad execution. He's lucky I got there when I did.

I get this impression that's somethin' you're used to doin'. Savin' people's asses.

It's what I get paid to do, both here and at home.

What is it you do?

Back home, I was in the military. Here, I work my government assigned job and do personal training and body guarding on the side.

Did this place wind up givin' you a shitty job? 'cause from my understandin', it does that to a whole lot of people.

I don't know if they thought they were landing me with a shit job or not, but they stuck me with imPort liaison to the Navy. It's better than most of the others I've heard.

Who knows what they think when they assign the jobs. But you definitely lucked out. You been doin' that ever since you got here? Or have you moved onto somethin' else?

Since I got here, plus some bodyguarding and personal training lessons on the side. Thankfully some imPorts see the value in brushing up on their hand-to-hand skills and are willing to pay for it.

What about you?

Would I pay for it? Nah. The skills I got aren't exactly skills I was trained to have. I fight dirty.

[ He is....purposely avoiding answering the question she was actually asking. Mall cop. How embarrassing is that! ]

You could pay for mine if you'd like to add to what you already know. I can handle dirty.

[ Unfortunately for Rick, she notices that little sidestep and decides to tackle that directly. ]

That doesn't tell me what job you have here.

Can you now?

[ It just slips out of his mouth before he realizes it -- this borderline flirtation. He does realize it's a bit inappropriate and manages a weak laugh. ]

Sorry. I really can't believe I just said that.

[ STILL AVOIDING THAT QUESTION. ]

You can save the sorry for when I'm twisting your arm later. Are you still working the crappy joke job they saddled you with?

[ Sorry Rick, she's used to talking with dumb boys. ]

You don't give up, do you?

[ He sounds playfully exasperated. ]

Yeah. I am. They got me workin' as a mall cop. The joke bein' I was once a sheriff back home.

[ Oh. That's his job. ]

With a uniform and night stick and everything? [ She lets out a low, 'impressed' whistle. ] I didn't think you could go up from sheriff.

Hey now. I'll have you know, I was pretty vital to them fightin' off the hoards of holiday shoppers on Black Friday. That wasn't easy work.

Were you able to get any good deals in the middle of fending off the assholes?

You would think that'd be a perk. But surprise. It wasn't.

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