Few things to note before you read
1). I really liked Bandog, so I felt compelled to right a chill non-combat scenario that doesn't portray him as a complete ass (he's still a dick in this fic, but can be somewhat nice when he feels like it).
2). My portrayal of Trigger might be different from most. I decided to make him a very chill dude and kinda uncaring (and also kind of an idiot), contrasting with the 2 other fics I've read that featured him. I also sort of base Trigger's personality off my general feelings I had toward certain events in the game (Ex: I didn't give a damn about Spare Squadron, so naturally, Trigger also doesn't care)
3). As you probably expected there's going to be some headcanon in regards Bandog, ya know to flesh him out a little.
So enjoy a nice fic about Bandog and Trigger just talking
o-o-o-o-o
Bandog and Trigger.
Location: 444 Air Base, Zapland
Time: 2200 July 12, 2019
Bandog really needed to smoke.
Currently he was in the middle of a Poker game with a few guards and convicts. He was never any good, and the amount of money he's been losing proved it.
Yet despite this, poker was one of his favorite pastimes. The reason for this is actually pretty straightforward: There was barely any shit to do.
Contrary to popular belief, the 444th Air Base was (aside from when the princess spoke) rather quite most of the time.
It's actually pretty common to see prisoners walking freely around the base, all hours of the day. This was due to the guards being rather crappy at their jobs. Unless a prisoner stepped outside the base, they didn't give a shit what they did. Hence why Bandog and the guys were playing poker in middle of the Mess Hall late at night. Really the Guards just enforced the rules whenever they felt like it.
Bandog stood up from his seat and began walking to the exit door.
"Leavin' already Guard Dog?" One of the prisoners taunted.
Bandog looked over his shoulder boredly "I'm gonna go take a smoke. Be back in a minute". The guys just shrugged and went back to their game.
The cool night air hit him as soon as he walked outside. He leaned against the wall and took out a cigarette and before he could reach for his lighter, he heard another person lean against the wall next to him. He looked over and saw Trigger staring at him.
"What are you doing up so late?" Trigger asked.
"I should asking that question" Bandog remarked, still fishing around for his lighter. He finally found it a began to light up his cigarette. He one to Trigger but he declined.
"You know that stuffs bad you" Trigger stated, with mock concern.
Bandog took a nice long puff before saying "I don't give a fuck".
Trigger expected that answer.
"Why the hell are you bothering me Convict?" Bandog asked with mild annoyance.
"I got bored so I started walking around the base…" Trigger shrugged. "I saw you here and…"
"And…?"
"Honestly. I don't know why I walked over to you" Trigger chuckled.
"Heh. Dumbass".
"I have been getting called that alot"
The two remained quite for a little while before Trigger attempted conversation again "So. Yesterday was pretty intense huh?".
"For you guys. I wasn't the one flying during a thunderstorm".
"You're telling me that you weren't just a little bit worried that Bandit would shoot me down?"
Bandog rolled his eyes "I knew you guys could handle it".
"Seriously?"
"Okay I knew you could handle it".
"Aw Bandog. I'm flattered" Trigger grinned.
Bandog glared at him "Shut up".
From the way Wiseman and his crew were talking, that Bandit Trigger fought was skilled as hell. Apparently very few would have survived that encounter but Trigger did. Bandog kind of respected him for that.
Not that he would admit it of course.
Trigger decided to sit down on the ground and lean back "So how did you end up as AWACS for 444th anyways?".
"Why would you like to know?"
"Just curious. I doubt Osea would just take any AWACS controller away from their regular duties to be in charge of a bunch of criminals".
"Well it's none of your damn business"
"Okay then. Well tell me about yourself".
"What are we, on a date or some shit? The fuck do you wanna know about my private life all of a sudden?"
"Just want to get know my overseer".
"Hmph"
"Cmon. I'll go first! My name is-"
"I already know your name dumbass. It's on file".
"Oh yeah. Well. I was born in Oured. I love pizza rolls. I like jets. Video Games. Movies. Guns. Transformers. Anime. Female workout videos and-"
"Oh. My. God. Why don't you just be quiet like you are on missions?"
"I like to focus while I'm flying. Sign of a true Ace pilot".
"Your not gonna leave me alone are you?"
"Not until you open up a little bud".
Bandog tossed his cigarette on the ground and crossed his arms "I don't even know where to fucking start…".
"Well, where were you born? That should be a simply enough question to answer".
"...San Loma"
Trigger looked up at Bandog, surprised "San Loma? Your Emmerian?".
Bandog growled "Yes".
Trigger looked away awkwardly "Oh. Damn. Huh."
Bandog raised a brow "What?"
"Oh nothing. I just thought Emmerians we're supposed to be, ya know, nice.
"Fucking stereotype. I mean...it's a good stereotype, but one I don't live up to. Unfortunately".
"Hm. So how is it?
"The hell do you mean?".
"I mean what was the country like? I've never been to Emmeria".
"...It was nice".
Trigger quickly realized that Bandog didn't really open up a lot. More questions were necessary.
"Why did you leave Emmeria?".
"My father got a job at a mining corporation that required him to move to Osea. So my family, aside from my brother, moved. I was ten when this happened".
"Why didn't your brother come with you? You got any other siblings".
"He was was already in his twenties and serving in the Emmeria Armed Forces by the time we decided to move. And yes I also had a little brother".
Trigger didn't like the sound of that "Had?"
"I don't want to talk about it" Bandog glared.
"Oh shit, sorry"
"It's fine".
That made everything awkward for a few minutes.
Trigger coughed a little a decided to change the subject "You like Osea?"
"I've lived in Osea for over twenty years idiot".
"Doesn't mean you have to necessarily like the country you've lived in for most of your life".
"Eh. It's decent. To be honest I've traveled to so many different countries and let me tell you, the same shit stain people are everywhere. All over the world".
Trigger nodded his head in agreement "Alright thent". Trigger stretched a little "So where in Osea did your family move?".
"For the first couple of years it was Oured. Then my Dad got relocated to Cranston".
"You sure did move a lot. Was it hard?"
"Nah. Not really. Dad made a point about not getting to connected to places or material objects. Plus I never made a lot of friends so I never felt like I was leaving something behind".
"I'm assuming the third move was last?".
"For my family, yeah. Obviously I moved when I became an adult…".
Suddenly a Convict and Guard walked up to them carrying a crate of beers.
"Yo Trigger!" Yelled the Convict. "Great job on that thunderstorm shit! We got these for you!"
The guard dropped the crate of beers in front of Trigger.
"Uh. Thanks man." Trigger said scratching the back of his head.
"Don't mention it!" The very drunk Guard exclaimed. The two walked away laughing from the pair.
Trigger looked up at Bandog "Does this happen a lot?
Bandog smirked "Yeah. I gave a couple of guards copies of the key for McKinsey's secret beer stash".
"Wow. How'd you manage to pull that off?"
"That's classified" Bandog chuckled. He decided to sit down on the ground along with Trigger and took a beer out of the crate. Trigger did the same and they both began to drink.
"So what do you think of McKinsey?" Trigger asked while sipping his beer.
"He's a piece of shit. What else is there to say?".
"How can you stand working for that bastard".
"You learn to tune off his bullshit after awhile. Whenever he's talking, most of the time we treat it as background noise".
"You seem to love enforcing his rules".
"Only in the skies. Only in the skies" Bandog took a large gulp of beer before letting out a nice huge belch. "Ah. You smell that?".
"Yuck. I bet you're really popular with the ladies".
"My ex found me pretty charming"
"You had a girlfriend?"
"Yes. Unlike you I'm actually attractive".
"Oh ha ha" Trigger crushed his can and grabbed another beer. "What was she like?"
Bandog grimaced "She was smart, funny, a great musician…"
"The relationship ended badly didn't it".
Bandog glared at him again "How the fuck do you know?".
"Bandog, your face is a dead giveaway".
"Hmph".
"So what happened?"
"None of your damn business".
Trigger shrugged and drank his other beer "You miss Champ?"
"Hell no. Do you?"
"Nope".
"Then why the fuck did you ask?"
"Just wanted to know if you cared".
"Ugh"
"Do you like anybody here?"
"Eh. Not really, I don't like making connections with people. Full Band is cool I guess. And I thought High Roller was okay. Tabloid is entertaining. And you're alright too. I guess. Everybody else I don't give a shit about. Especially Count".
"I'm touched. What's wrong with Count though?"
Bandog proceeded to give Trigger an Are you fucking kidding me look.
"Okay I'll admit. Count is a bit of a douchebag". Trigger admitted.
"Bit?"
"Okay. A lot of a douchebag".
"I don't even know if your grammar was correct there…"
"English was always my worst subject".
"That much is fucking obvious".
"Why are you always such a dick to people?"
"I help try to run a penal unit. Are you seriously asking me that?".
"Hm. Point taken. So does Count actually lie about his kills?".
"Oh big time. Everybody knows it. He's so full of crap I can smell him from a mile away".
"Why do you think he does it?".
"So people don't realize how crappy of pilot he truly is".
"I think he flies fine"
"Course you do".
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The way you look at Count. Looks to me like your trying to hide something. You think about him while you're in solitary?" Bandog chuckled.
Trigger flipped him off "Screw you".
"You mean Count? Sure go ahead".
Trigger shook his and finished his second beer.
"This stuff taste like shit" Trigger said while reaching for another beer.
"Meh. I've had worse".
"Really? This stuff is pretty horrible".
"Trust me. You've haven't tasted horrible until you've had a fucking Yuktobanian beer. I've tried all there brands and they're ass". Bandog crushed his can and reached for another.
The two remained silent while they looked up at the night sky. Every now and then one of the lights from the base would flicker on and off. For some reason watching bugs fly around the lights was entertaining.
Bandog glanced over at Trigger "Since you asked me. Do you care about any of your squadmates?".
Trigger put his hand on his chin and thought for a second "To be honest Bandog. No, I don't. Well, except, maybe, Count".
"Well why's that?".
"I've only known you guys for like, what, a little under a month?". Trigger spit on the ground next to him and shook his head. "Plus they're all a bunch of criminals, I don't care what to happens to them. By hey, maybe that'll change the longer I'm here".
"Hm. A little hypocritical don't you think? Being the one who killed Harling".
"I didn't do it on purpose".
"So you do admit it. Course I remember you were denying it left and right at your court hearing".
"Eh. To be fair it all happened so fast, It took a while to process it".
"So you're saying you accidentally killed the Harling".
"What? You don't believe me?" Trigger questioned with a frown.
"Never said that. It's definitely possible. You don't look like a murderer…"
"Damn right I don't. I'm gorgeous".
"But then again there are a bunch of guys here that don't look like murderers, but are".
Trigger looked at Bandog disgusted "How many murderers are on this base?".
"I stopped keeping track at around thirty".
"Ugh".
"We got all kinds of scum here. Murderers, Robbers, smugglers, a couple of rapists...Hell we even had a Child Molester here".
"What happened to him?"
"I told everyone in the base his crime. He was found dead in his cell a couple days later".
"Good riddance. Who knew the military could have all these psychos".
"Bastards infect every corner of society. Nowhere is safe. Best remember that".
Trigger nodded and changed the subject again "How's your parents?"
"You got a lot of fucking questions".
"Hey, you're the one answering them".
Bandog scowled "My father's is in some retirement home or some shit and my mother died of a heart attack years ago".
"Sorry about that".
"Don't be. I'm glad that bitch is dead".
Trigger looked mildly surprised at that "Mommy issues?".
"Let's just say a drug addiction made for a pretty unpleasant home life".
"Enough said".
"Yeah. Enough said". Bandog stared at his hands. "You didn't seem upset when you were found guilty. Or when you were transferred to this base".
"Yeah so?".
"So I'm wondering why that is?".
Trigger shrugged "I just accepted my fate. I killed Harling, one of the most revered presidents in history, and no one believed it was a mistake. I knew going in that fighting it was hopeless".
"And the fact you were being sent to an expendable unit didn't bother you at all?" Bandog asked confused.
"I still get to fly. I say that's a good thing" Trigger smirked.
"You're a strange man Trigger".
"You should see me at parties". Trigger laid down on the ground and put his hands behind his head. "So tell me about your ex".
"Didn't I say that was none of you fucking business". Bandog snarled.
"You did, you did. But c'mon man, I promise I won't judge".
Bandog sighed and took another swig of beer "Ugh. What the hell, fine I'll tell you what went down. But you tell anyone and I'll kill you. We clear?".
"Crystal"
"Hmph. Alright so in so a little bit before I left to join the Air Force I met this chick named Anne..."
"Go on"
"She was a coffee shop barista. I found her attractive so, naturally being the confident guy I am, I ask her out".
"Your such a go getter man".
"Shut the fuck up. Anyways, the date goes well. We go out, that date goes well. Then again, goes well. We do this for awhile and before we know it, we're dating".
"Typical relationship progression".
"Yeah. So things are going strong for about 6 months. She likes me I like her. Things are all good".
"This is where the bad stuff happens right? I wanna hear about the bad stuff".
"I getting to it, shut the hell up. So everything's going well, I'm super happy. Happier than I've ever been. Then my friend John calls me one day…"
"What did he say?".
"He calls me up and tells me he saw Anne walking out of a movie theater with another dude. Now when he tells me this I'm sitting there thinking it must just be a friend or something, not what my friend's making it sound like".
"But…?"
"It was what it fucking sounded like".
"How'd you find out for sure?".
"My friend was having a party at his beach house. Me and Anne went. A few hours pass and I was getting hammered, totally drunk, fucked up. I started to go look for Anne because I want to squeeze her breasts…".
Trigger laughed.
"I was drunk okay. Anyways, while searching for her, I open up the door to one of the guest rooms and guess what I saw?"
"Two people playing checkers?"
"Ha ha ha, fuck you. No. I walk in to see my girlfriend on her knees, in front of a dude's...".
"Oh shit".
"That wasn't the worst part. There were 2 other dudes in there and money on the floor. Apparently she was just selling BJs to random guys at the party".
"Jesus Christ what a bitch.."
"Now when I saw all this I immediately grabbed the guy and slammed him to the ground. Like, I beat this shit out this guy, I wasn't holding back at all". Bandog threw his unfinished can at a fence. "Of course with all the noise I was making, and the guy screaming for me to stop, a crowd gathered around the door".
"Nosey dicks"
"I finish beating up the guy then I turn to Anne. I ask her what the goinhell asg on. She proceeds to tell me that while we were dating, for a little side money she would give other men "favors".
"That's messed up man. Why was she even dating you then?".
"What do fucking think? She was mooching off me to make double the cash….I kind of spoiled her. I was a dumbass".
"Doesn't give her the right to use you".
"Things just got uglier from there. We yelled back and forth for minutes on end before I up and left...the rest of night was a blur. I don't wanna talk about it".
Trigger could tell that Bandog was starting to get hammered and stopped him from grabbing another beer "I think you've had enough man.
Bandog snatched his hand away "Don't fucking touch me".
"Listen, sorry that happened to you".
"Pffft it was years ago. I'm over it. Mostly".
"Mostly?".
"You gotta understand all this happened a year after my little brother died".
"Shit man you had it rough".
"Yeah. After this happened I decided it was time to to get away from it all. I joined the Air Force. They deployed me on the other side of the country and for the first few years it was all good. I became an AWACS for a squadron and things were great".
"What? Did something else happen?".
"You asked me earlier why I end up at 444th. Well let me tell you something: I'm a Convict, just like the rest of you".
This actually surprised Trigger, but he soon smacked his face at how obvious this revelation was "Just what did you-"
"I stabbed one of my superiors 4 times" Bandog interrupted blankly.
"Oh. Well...why did you do that?".
"He called my mother a, in his own words, a crackhead bitch whore who deserved to die".
"I thought you hated her".
"It was more of a love-hate. Plus she's dead. Don't disrespect my fucking dead family". Bandog grabbed another beer, glaring at Trigger so he wouldn't attempt to stop him again. "After that happened, BOOM, I was sent here and rotted here for a year. When the war started 2 months ago, Osea turned our little military prison into a penal unit and I became the AWACS controller of Spare Squadron since I was the only one qualified..."
Bandog coughed a bit on his beer before continuing, "They weren't gonna send an innocent guy to handle this base after all. I also have the responsibility of making sure the prisoners-turned-AWACS operators don't screw anything up, considering they were given the bare minimum training".
"Shit. You learn something new everyday".
"That's when that fuck McKinsey came in. He treats me like shit. So naturally, I take my frustrations out on you guys" Bandog take yet another swig "Or at least threaten to. I've don't actually have the authority to send you guys to solitary. I just say it because it's fun...and because McKinsey sends me there a lot"
"He does?".
"So you honestly believe I'm just gonna stand there a let him treat me like I'm his bitch?"
"Wellll…."
"Fuck you".
Trigger raised his hands in defense "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I don't think I'd be able to control myself if I had to work with him everyday".
"You know, I actually tried to help keep everybody alive while they were in air when we started".
"Really, why'd you stop?"
"Because McKinsey was all like 'those convicts are expendable. Let them die. Mission comes first or else solitary for you Bandog'. Eventually I got sick of spending the a few nights in solitary after every mission. So stopped giving a damn about what happens to you guys".
"So after you let us refuel…"
"I got 4 days of fucking Solitary straight. Lucky me".
"Sorry about that" Trigger chuckled. "I've never seen you be this unprofessional before".
"It try to at least act somewhat decent while on the radio".
"Well you you certainly do a poor job bro"
Bandog just flipped him off and went back to drinking. They both continued to talk for about two hours until a Guard came by a told Bandog McKinsey wanted to see him.
"Ugh. Fine" Bandog got up along with Trigger. He turned began to walk to Mckinsey's office. "See you around Trigger".
Trigger gave him a thumbs up as the Guard escorted him back to his cell.
o-o-o-o-o
Bandog open the door to McKinsey's office "You wanted to see me?".
"No I wanted to leave you to your own god-damned devices" McKinsey said sarcastically.
Bandog rolled his eyes and sat down "Just what do you want old man?".
McKinsey sniffed the air "Is that alcohol I smell…"
"I, uh spilled, some rubbing alcohol…"
"Hmph. Words been spreading that one of the convicts has got his hands on something he shouldn't".
"Okay? Then just take it away from them. Simple as that" Bandog began to get up from his seat.
"Sit the hell back down" McKinsey ordered. Bandog compiled at sat down, eager to get out of this room.
"What this prisoner has is top secret plans to an Osean Strategy against Euresa".
Bandog crossed his arms. He knew exactly who he was talking about. Full Band had been bragging about finding some intel. That idiot..."So what do you want me to do about it".
"You find this person and bring them to me. They will be tried and punished. For all we know they could be an Erusea spy. Probably a hacker, that's the only way they could have gotten access to that top secret Intel".
Bandog didn't have to heart to tell McKinsey that the only reason Full Band found out was become some idiot wrote down his password or something.
Bandog resisted the urge to facepalm "Fine. I'll see what I can find out. Can I go now?".
"Not yet. If you find that this person is in the process of leaking this information in any way. You do what you have to do".
"I'm not understanding…"
McKinsey did a neck slice gesture.
"Colonel that's unconstitutional…."
"I don't give a damn. You see any threat of this information getting out, you eliminate them. Do you understand me? Or do you want me to convince the higher ups of some insubordination on your part..."
Bandog narrowed his eyes "No Sir".
"Good. Dismissed".
Bandog got up from his seat and headed for the door.
"Asshole" he said under his breath.
"What was that?!" McKinsey yelled.
"Heh. Nothing" Bandog smirked as he walked out the door. He headed back to his cell and thought about what he was gonna do next.
"Alright, all I need to do is tell Full Band to stop being a fucking idiot and to keep his dumbass mouth shut. As long as he doesn't do something stupid everything should be fine"
Right?
Right.
o-o-o-o-o
Fun Fact: Trigger was in Spare for only a month (well, a month and 5 days). So I feel it's perfectly acceptable for me/Trigger not to gain a solid connection with any of the Spare members aside from Count (who we know for quite bit longer after disbanding: 5 Months).
Also I may make a continuation of this, depending on how it's received, detailing the events leading up to Faceless Soldier and maybe after as well (also don't expect Trigger to be particularly upset about Full Band, cause I certainly wasn't).