Tales from the Dragon's Nest
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Welcome to Tales from the Dragon's Nest, home to various bits and pieces of story that, for whatever reason, didn't make it into either 'XCOM: Humanity Rising' or 'Humanity Rising: Phoenix Reborn.' Most of these will be little more than snippets that tend to focus on CSM Hopkins and Commander Harrington, plus some other minor characters. So, without any further ado, let's get started![][][]
January 20, 2030
77th Human Volunteer Group HQ
Experimental Warfare Wing
Hopkins was reading a report on his terminal when he heard a knock on his door. "Door's open," he called out, not looking away from the screen in front of him. The door slid open, and the guest stepped in.
"Can I speak with you a moment Sergeant Major?"
Hopkins turned his head and saw Tyler standing there, looking unsure of himself for once. "Yes sir, let me just lock down my terminal here real quick," he replied, saving his work before flipping a switch on the side of the terminal monitor. Turning his chair around, Hopkins looked Tyler in the eye. "So, what did you need Commander?"
Tyler gulped as he held out a small envelope. "I would like to invite you to the officer's club tonight for dinner," he said, watching as Hopkins took the envelope and opened it. "I've extended the offer to Doctor Val'leis and others outside the 77th, and I… I wanted to start making amends with you." Hopkins looked up, his eyebrow raised in disbelief.
"And this is different from the other thirty-eight invites to these parties of yours, why?" he asked.
Tyler took a deep breath and let it out heavily. "As much as I don't want to say it… I respect everything you've done for us so far Sergeant Major," he answered. "So far, you've been the one asset I've had that has always gotten results, despite all your griping and discontent for the Administration. I think that the other commanders deserve to know what you've done to help me."
Hopkins' other eyebrow rose to match its twin. "...who the fuck are you, and where's Commander Harrington?"
Tyler's face twisted into one of shock as Hopkins got up from his chair, the older soldier heading to a table, a disassembled… something laying atop it. "Hopkins, what the hell are you doing you asshole?!" Hopkins stopped moving as he smiled mirthfully at Tyler. "Wait… you… did you?" Tyler sputtered as he realized that he had just been had.
"I'll think about it," Hopkins said, setting the envelope aside. "I've got some things that need working on down here, and some reports from Sergeant Ortega and Private Ventura to go over and authorize." Tyler nodded as he began stepping out of Hopkins' other office.
"I see. Well, I leave you to it Command Sergeant," he said as he left. Hopkins watched and waited for Tyler to leave the hallway before turning his terminal back on, the circuit that cut it off from the ship's mainframe still on. Sighing, he turned to look at the screen, the schematics to the micro-elerium core and the barest hints of the composition of the alien alloys ready to be downloaded.
"...eh, bugger it all," the CSM spat out as he resumed typing.
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Hopkins walked stiffly into the dining room, his gaze flickering over everything of note. Two points of entry, one of which he just went through. Minimal cover, unless the chairs were made of alien alloys or magic duct tape. And besides the kid, everyone was there.
"Command Sergeant Major Hopkins, arriving as invited sir," he stated, stopping a respectful distance away from the table. Besides Tyler, he saw at least two command level Vipers sitting at the table along with Valerie and Hissa, a few other department heads that Hopkins didn't really associate with, and then there were Captains Lawrence and Abrams.
"As you were," Tyler said as he gestured to an empty seat beside Valerie. "Go ahead and sit, the menus will be out shortly." Nodding in reply, Hopkins took the offered seat, allowing Tyler a good look at the recovering soldier. His charcoal grey dress uniform somehow managed to fit over his undersuit, the uniform itself sparsely decorated. In fact, other than his name and rank, the man only had his Wounded in Action medal, combat action badge, and Infantryman badge on it. "So, Sergeant Hopkins, how goes your therapy?"
Hopkins gave a noncommittal shrug as he scanned the assembled department heads and officers. "Docs say I should be clear for active duty in a few days," he answered. "Other than that, I feel fit as a fiddle." Lawrence humphed in disbelief.
"As your Captain, I still have to authorize you for duty, and after your performance in Tokyo-" Lawrence hotly began, only to be cut off by Tyler.
"Captain Lawrence! That is uncalled for, and unnecessary!" he exclaimed sternly, his voice level as he spoke, drawing everyone's attention to the angered human commander. "Command Sergeant Major Hopkins took the initiative to not only secure an avenue of approach for our aircraft to even support us, but he and his men took out the second jammer at Tokyo Tower and stopped an armored column from hitting the Palace's flank! The gear he and his foundry crews have made, Captain, is one of the only reasons we even still have any soldiers left! So please, a little professional courtesy if you can please."
The room was stunned at Tyler's outburst, only to jump as Hopkins let out a heavy sigh. "Ma-Commander," he said, correcting himself when it came to Tyler's rank. "While I do appreciate your defense of my actions, Captain Lawrence does have a valid point. Because of my actions, I deprived the 77th of a critical asset in the AO and medical resources better used on other soldiers. Besides Commander," he added with some degree of cheer, "It wouldn't be the first time my actions have… shall we say, angered some members of this assembly of fine individuals."
Tyler frowned at the fairly subtle jab at his own treatment of the older soldier. "Regardless, we aren't here to point fingers at each other," he said as waiters came out with the menus. "Tonight, we're here to relax, have a good time, and smooth things over with each other." Menus set down, everyone looked down to see what they had available to order. Taking his menu in hand, Hopkins glanced down at it.
Prime rib? Considering where the beef now came from, not a chance.
There was something else with a name that Hopkins couldn't pronounce, so that was definitely off the menu… no pun intended.
Sighing, he set the menu down and beckoned a waiter over. "I'll take the grilled chicken salad with the balsamic vinaigrette, a cherry coke to drink, and the '07 Napa Moscato to finish it off later," he ordered. Tyler and the other Viper looked at him in surprise.
"A Moscato?" I figured you a whiskey person Sergeant Major," Tyler commented.
"Only when things go horribly wrong," Hopkins replied as he folded his hands in front of him, his Viper-friend curling her tail around his right leg. "And in all honesty, I don't usually drink or care for the hard stuff, just doesn't agree with me. That, and the more tasteful years are in the hands of those who make far more than I do." A few of the civilians chuckled at the seemingly innocent joke. Tyler on the other hand groaned internally.
"So, Sergeant Major Hopkins, what made you join the Peacekeeper Corps.?" the Viper asked, leaning in to hear his answer. "I understand why Commander Harrington joined, but you are something of an enigma to us all."
Hopkins took a moment to collect himself as their drinks came out. Taking a sip of the soda, the Command Sergeant Major set the glass down and sighed. "Forgive me, you have me at a disadvantage, miss…?"
"Varasha," the Viper responded, making Valerie's head bow down in respect. "Major Varasha. I command the Legion Guards at the nest next to you." Hopkins nodded in thanks.
"Well then Major, I joined the Peacekeeper Corps. because I got sick and tired of losing people I cared about," Hopkins said candidly. "I survived the Unification War, which by the way was no easy feat, and I survived everything else Command threw our way. And in all that time, I've lost a grand total of three families. Not looking forward to adding more." Hopkins sighed as he looked down deeply into his glass. "But then, I wouldn't expect most of you assembled here to know how that feels."
Tyler groaned as his Viper associate gave him a look. [Commander Harrington, is this… normal behavior for your Command Sergeant?] she asked in her native tongue. Tyler sighed.
[He does take some getting used to,] he told her honestly as the table dissolved into separate conversations, Hopkins looking at the two of them with a smirk on his face. [Despite his many faults, his heart is in the right place when it comes to the safety and well being of my soldiers.]
[Commander, words like his are grounds for treason,] Varasha said, narrowing her eyes as Hopkins rolled his.
[Better honest fool than lying genius,] the man commented, taking a sip from his glass.
[Thank you Sergeant, that's a good-] Varasha paused as she realized how Hopkins had responded to her. [You speak Viper?] Hopkins gave the Viper officer his best Gendo Ikari impression.
[For me to know, you to question,] the older soldier replied, grinning as the two officers looked at each other in surprise. "So, Major, how goes the construction next door?" he asked, gently caressing the knuckles of Val's hand. "I know I had Elisif help out as much as possible in getting as much of the outside finished up, but the inside is something that eludes me." Varasha herself looked startled briefly at the question.
"The next is slowly getting finished," she confirmed. "I have tried to make it as quick as possible for the families soon to be living there and for them to ease into living there. Any particular reason you ask, Sergeant Major?" Hopkins shook his head.
"Concerned citizen," he replied. "Besides, I've been helping out in construction your nest, so a few bulkheads still have my name on them." And so the conversation went for the next few minutes as the diners all waited for their food to arrive. And once the food arrived, Tyler stood up.
"Ladies and gentlemen of all species, thank you for coming here tonight!" he announced, drawing approving smiles from the majority. "Now, I know that I'm a little… well, young to be doing this, but I would like to honor several people here tonight that without their efforts, the 77th Human Volunteer Group would not have ever have come this far. First, to Commander Vissta of the Third Viper Core, who while not present, deserves special mention! It was by her endorsement that we were allowed us to rise up above our station, and for whom I hope we've gone above and beyond her expectations!" The crowd all clapped politely as Varasha smiled.
"Second, to our engineering teams, lead by Mr. Cliff Reynolds and Felix Sanchez, for their efforts in making this old ship a home, and for the Vikings, whose fury rains from the sky with the cries of the Valkryies!" The Chief Engineer and Avionics Head both smiled as they had their turn in the spotlight. "To my soldiers, who continue to make me proud! And finally, I would like to mention the guest of honor tonight. From the beginning, I was warned that he was a troublemaker." Tyler paused as he tried to assemble his thoughts as Hopkins' throat suddenly went dry.
"Our first meeting, in retrospect, could have gone much better, but he arrived at a time where I needed all hands on deck just to keep up afloat. And by the Elders, he certainly helped make sure we did, as he helped train his soldiers, repaired this base, and through ways I have yet to fully figure out, get us everything we needed when we needed it. My first engagement with him, I thought him a fairly average soldier. After looking through his AAR of his next engagement, my opinion of him changed.
"To help fill in the gaps of logic here, this soldier has, in almost all cases, been one of the top scorers in our sim-battles, both on field and the command simulator. And while his methods are, and continue to be unorthodox, sometimes to extremes, I do not think that I could ever imagine anyone else capable of getting a mission done with excellence. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank Command Sergeant Major Hopkins for his service and dedication not just to the Peacekeeper Corps., but to humanity and our soldiers here. His input in furthering our capabilities, and advice on how best to be a human being, may not always be recognized by those who deserve to know, but… after a little over a year serving with him, I can think of no better soldier, or more deserving hero, than he. Sergeant Hopkins, please stand."
Slowly, Hopkins stood up as he looked at Tyler critically. Seeing Tyler give him a gentle nod, the Sergeant picked up his fresh glass of wine and looked at those assembled. "Unlike Commander Harrington, I hate speeches," he said, drawing a chuckle from his human audience. "I am not a hero. I… never have been, I never will be. I don't like being labeled as one. As a Sergeant, it is my responsibility to ensure my men perform their duties admirably. As their Command Sergeant Major, it is my job to make sure that they are trained to protect themselves and come home. It is a duty that I have failed.
"In Tokyo alone, we lost forty-seven young men and women who could have changed the world in so many ways without ever firing a shot in their lives. Another twenty-two will never see combat again. Out of those, eight of them have been medically discharged. Commander Harrington may command them, but in the end, each soldier posted to the HVG is my soldier. A child. A child that I will never see come back home." Valerie reached a hand up to gently squeeze his shoulder, calming the emotional human.
"I mourn for them. My kids and everyone else that's died since those fateful days back in March of 2012. I weep for my training class when I enlisted in the U.S. Army. I wept for those who died in that hellhole that Los Angeles turned into back in '15. I don't sleep at night because of the faces. So, sad to say Commander, I am not a hero." Sighing, Hopkins raised his glass. "To the real heroes, may they rest in peace."
"To absent heroes," Valerie agreed, raising her own glass up as well.
"To absent heroes," the rest intoned, taking a sip of their respective drinks. Hopkins finished his sip and set the glass down.
"I return the floor to Commander Harrington," he said, nodding to the young officer. Surprised, Tyler stood back up as Hopkins took his seat.
"…Sergeant Major, you are better than you think you are," he said after a moment before smiling ruefully. "But, we are here. Tonight. And we remember the people we've lost, and we will continue to fight for them." Tyler continued his speech as Hopkins leaned back, sighing. Valerie took notice of the sound and leaned close to him.
"Gabriel, are you okay?" she asked him in a whisper, the Viper looking at the rest of the table in worry. Her human nodded as he sipped his wine before setting it down.
"Yeah, I'm good," he replied before Lawrence glared at him from his spot at the table.
"Sergeant Major? Is something the matter?" he asked venomously. Valerie and Hopkins looked at the captain as they stood up together.
"Nothing too serious," Hopkins replied with a wave of his hand. "But I'm afraid I've gone and overstayed my welcome. I'm sad to say that some members of present company have soured my mood. I will though be taking my wine. Commander, requesting permission to leave?" Tyler looked at the two sadly before nodding.
"Permission granted Sergeant Major. Enjoy the rest of your night," he responded. Nodding in thanks, Hopkins and Valerie got up and left the dining room, arm in arm.
"…Gabe, I'm sorry you had to leave," Valerie said softly to him as they entered the elevator a couple of minutes later. Hopkins chuckled lightly as he hugged Val.
"I'm not," he told her. "Besides, that just means we can party the right way for a bit."
"Oh?" Val asked teasingly as she leaned into his hug.
Nearly half an hour later, and Hopkins was watching as Val danced her hearts out on the dance floor in the Viper nest's recreational hall, the relaxing bass tones of Kaleida's Think echoing across the room. He himself was tapping along to the beat of the music, and the older human laughingly shook his head as Val gestured for him to come and dance with her. The other Vipers took notice, and soon, the whole hall was urging him to dance with her. Shaking his head in resignation, he went over to her, and their movements were almost the physical definition of fluid cohesion, as they danced in perfect synch; with each gentle bob of her body, a proud arch by him. Each stare, a look into their souls. And when the song closed, the two of them were embraced in the other, moving as one being with the beat.
Hours later, Hopkins lay in his bed with Valerie at his side, her tail coiled possessively around him. It was quiet, and dark in the room, but it wasn't much of a problem now that his eyes were capable of low light vision. Hopkins glanced over at where he had a few photos set up on his dresser. There stood his families, all of them reminders of happier times, and of why he was fighting. There was Training Company G, class of 2012 out of Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Then there was his actual, biological family as they sat together for their last Christmas photo together; the first Phoenix Squad, with Captain Yamada and Lieutenant Dreyfus flanking the squad as Hopkins sat in the front. And then there was the photo of his little girl, smiling and laughing in the photo booth with him.
Looking over, Hopkins smiled fondly at the orange alien sleeping at his side. And so, he closed his eyes, and snuggled closer to her.
