Teamwork, Monday, Period 2

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

The class met at the edge of the causeway this morning, where a portal was scheduled to appear in a matter of minutes. Jack kept her remarks brief.

"It's Veterans Day, so you guys don't get a normal class. I booked us a portal to the Mall in Washington, D.C.," she said. "Once we get there, we're going to the Vietnam Memorial. It's a big black wall with names of dead soldiers carved in it. Might not sound like much, but some of the best people I've ever known have ended up names on walls like this. There's always some stupid war to kill more good people."

She paused there, brushing her hair out of her face.

"Some people like to leave flowers or notes at a place like this. Some just want to walk around. As long as you're respectful, that's fine, but if you are a disruptive jerk I will have your ass. Questions?"

Comments

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

"Damn," Jack said, and then didn't say anything at all for a moment. "Sure wish there was something better to say than 'sorry that happened.'"

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

He shrugged. "It wasn't a highlight." He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "Don't even know why I've brought it up."

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

"I asked," Jack said. "And sometimes stuff just has to come out. I dumped a bunch of stories on my old squad way back when. Sometimes as soon as you get somebody to listen..."

She gestured there, indicating a great flow of words.

"Just glad you felt you could tell me."

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

"Well, you seem to karking get it," Cade replied after an awkward pause. "I blame the memorials. We don't have one of those."

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

"My ship had a wall of names of dead people who'd served on it," Jack said. "This seemed to be the earth version. Just ... bigger."

She glanced over. "Still probably smaller than what you'd need."

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't know half the names to put on it, either," Cade said quietly. "There were a bunch of us."

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

Jack nodded slowly. "Anything you want to do today to remember them?" she asked. "I dropped off a flower at the wall for somebody."

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[makemyownway.livejournal.com]

"I was going to get drunk?" Cade offered.

Re: Back on the Island [11/11]

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

"Always the right answer," Jack said.