Positive Outlook.

The jumpship's cockpit is quite cramped. The recycled air has a noticeable, although not unpleasant, scent to it. Even when fully reclined, the pilot's seat does not lean backward much. More so, it just sits a little less straight. With the simulated windows turned off, the interior resembles a space age coffin. Dark, cramped, and silent. Nevertheless, to Klutz, it is the most comfortable place imaginable. In the seat of his grounded vessel, the man sleeps. The late afternoon sun shines rays over the exterior of the vehicle, but inside the cockpit is near complete darkness, aside from the dull glow of some meters and indicators on the dashboard.

Wearing only his underclothes, Klutz rests heavily with his feet kicked up atop the console.

The tiny room lights up as Spark appears above the man's extended legs. "Klutz? How are you still sleeping? It's been nearly ten hours!"

Opening his eyes only slightly, so as to avoid the pain of his Ghost's bright light in this vision, the man adjusts himself in his seat slightly and lets out an ambiguous grunt.

Spark comes closer, shining her light brightly on her partner's face. "I know you had a long day, but I have an important message for you."

Shielding his eyes from the light, the man stretches his back and sits upright. Following an extended yawn, he asks, "Osiris follow up on my report already? And people say he's the 'Busiest Man in the City.' Did he mention anything about the uh… transfer request?" He sits back with heft.

"No and no."

"Oh… Eyran then? Did he listen to the instructions I asked you to pass on to him?"

"He listened to me, but he claims 'avoiding the area is pointless if the threat has been destroyed.' I told him our Hunters have run into Fallen scavengers on the sites of recent battles before. He didn't say anything else, so I'm not sure if he will follow your suggestion…"

"Not surprising. Doubt he'll put his people at risk though. Not after what happened…" He moves his hand as Spark dims the light.

"I agree, but the message I have has nothing to do with Eyran."

Klutz looks to his Ghost curiously.

"It's from Marin."

Sitting up from his seat in surprise Klutz asks, "Marin? She's awake?"

"Oh yes! I spoke to her briefly after I met with Eyran. She was obviously still sore, but she seemed to be in good spirits, all things considered," Spark beams.

Stopping himself from saying something too quickly, Klutz leans back into his seat and says, "That's good."

Spark spins her shell back and forth for a moment expectantly. "'That's good.' Is that all you have to say? You saved her life, Klutz! The situation may not have been ideal, but this is the best outcome."

He thinks to himself before replying. "…It's my fault she got hurt in the first place."

"That's not true. If you weren't here, those Fallen may have killed everyone in the village. You did your job and protected them."

"If I wasn't here, Marin would have organized the others and handled the Fallen themselves. If other folks are even half as good as she is, they could have taken out the Fallen before they knew what hit them… They wouldn't have froze up like I did."

"Hey, don't talk like that! Your empathy is not a weakness. I know it was hard for you to take those lives, even though they deserved it. I don't blame you for hesitating, because you don't know them like we do."

"Thank you, Spark. I appreciate it, but I know I could have done more."

Spark drops slightly and looks up at the man.

"Marin only took me with her because she wanted to give me a chance to prove myself to the folks here. I jumped at the opportunity when I should have taken a step back. I should've asked her to gather more volunteers, I should've asked the City to send backup. Hell, I should've told her to stay behind and let us try to get things done on our own. Even then, I would have… I almost lost you, Spark." He reaches out and holds the Ghost in a light grasp. "That Captain hit you… If it was a better shot…" He runs his thumb over the damaged part of her shell.

"You can't live your life based only on 'could's' and 'if's.'" Her words are soft but direct. "Marin asked to meet you. Later tonight."

Klutz sits forward and runs his hand over his head. "Did it sound serious? Not something someone else can handle?"

"She wants to see you!" The little light exclames as she dashes up to meet the man's eyes. "I don't know what Marin wants from you, but there is no sense wallowing in your own doubt. It's obvious she cares about you and I know you care about her. I understand what happened was… traumatic. But more than anything, I think you are letting Eyran's pain get to you." She moves closer. "He wanted to hurt you like he is hurting, Klutz… Don't let him."

For a moment there is no response, but soon a small uncertain smile creeps across Klutz's face. "You're pretty good at pep talks, y'know?"

"I've learned that the trick is to mean what you say," she says with joy in her voice.

Stretching his back, the man has a visible change in demeanor. "Alright, I'll see what she wants, but I'm not canceling my transfer request."

"That's fine, but until it is approved, you still have a patrol to do here… A patrol you are a few hours late for."

"Better get out there than. Did you manage to get my gear looking a little more presentable?"

In an instant, a flash of light particles envelop the man's body and dissipate just as quickly. Looking down at his body he finds himself now clad in his freshly cleaned and repaired combat robes.

Spark gives the outfit a quick look up and down. "The repairs went fine, but I still think we should have gone with burgundy."