entry_6
1241 hours, Saturday, February 3, 1973.
We are in transit to the next base. The Sniper's van is small with a good many seats in the way of where one might want to walk, and there is a fold-out table in the wall that keeps falling down every time the Sniper hits a bump in the road. Herr Engineer does not seem comfortable with how tightly we are packed in. I do not mind it much, though if I were to move around it would be difficult to maneuver. That is one reason I am remaining seated. The other reasons are that I would probably fall over and hit myself against everything if I got up while the vehicle was in motion, and I am dented enough as it is.
It is odd; I did not used to need to keep myself occupied as much as I do now. On the long tank rides, I would never see anything wrong or unpleasant with sitting still for hours on end, but that was when I was still a combat medic. Now I have only sat for thirty minutes and seventeen seconds, and there is a compulsion in me to do something to keep busy. I was not sure what this something was, which is why I began recording more in this journal. It is helpful, but I am running out of things to record about, and Herr Engineer told me to shut up when I tried to talk with him. I think he is worried about being overheard, even if that is a little silly.
That reminds me that there was something that happened before we left, of course, which is that Miss Pauling arrived. I was able to hear her conversation with the Sniper through the window, which was a little bit open. Her voice is curious to me in that it is higher in pitch than any of the human voices I am accustomed to hearing. That is probably due to her being female; I believe the Administrator Herr Engineer talks about sometimes is also female, and I used to hear her voice over the speakers on the battlefield. Her voice still wasn't as high pitched as Miss Pauling's though.
But yes, the conversation was interesting, so I will record that too. It started with just the Sniper sounding angry but being too far away for me to make out what he was saying. As they drew nearer to the van I was able to decipher the conversation.
foreign entity(assign name="Miss Pauling"): I know I said this was a routine equipment check, but she wanted-
Sniper unit: I don't bloody CARE what the Administrator wanted! Neither one of you is about to invade my privacy just because the old- I mean, I don't want anyone poking around in my business.
Miss Pauling: I understand that, Sniper, but I'm not going to be doing anything besides making sure your van is up to the trip. Trust me on this; the last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable. And I'm checking tire pressure and oil for all of the vehicles, not just yours.
Sniper unit: (unintelligible grumbling noises) I can do that meself. I don't need nobody poking around under the hood. Besides it ain't like it's a company van. It's MINE.
Miss Pauling: Well you know how the Administrator gets about things like this. She wants me to do all of them. It's not that she doesn't trust your judgment, it's just...
It was quiet for a moment. Herr Engineer and I glanced at each other before I slowly raised myself up to glance out the window. I could just see her standing beside the Sniper through the blinds. I was surprised to see that she was even shorter than Herr Engineer and thinner than the Scout. Her clothing was not a uniform like those of the mercenaries. I tried to get a better look except then Herr Engineer crossed the back of the van to pull me back down.
Sniper unit: I take good care of my van.
Miss Pauling: I'm sure you do. Here, you can watch and make sure I don't do anything you don't like if that makes you feel better.
Sniper unit: ...fine. I still don't like it though.
They walked off to check the functionality of the Sniper's van. Herr Engineer let go of me.
E-001: You're gonna get us found out.
0031: I was only curious, und they were preoccupied with their conversation. She would not have-
E-001: I don't care. You keep your head down and your mouth shut for the rest of the trip, or we're going to be in trouble.
I made a sighing noise and shut the window all the way. We could hear muffled voices as they walked back around, then Miss Pauling's voice became faint. She must have walked away. The Sniper opened the back of the van.
Sniper unit: Bad news. Everywhere else is full up, so if Miss Pauling wants a seat belt she'll be sitting with me up front.
E-001: (groan) There's got to be somewhere else. You could switch with somebody.
Sniper unit: Sorry mate, but that's how it is. There ain't no connection between the back and the front so it's unlikely she'll hear you or nothing.
E-001: Yeah, that makes me feel loads better.
Sniper smiled a little bit and then left. I settled myself into the seat, and I've been sitting there still and quiet until now.
The folding table just fell down again. It made a very loud noise this time; I do not know why Herr Engineer keeps putting it back
No, we are stopping.
I do not think the noise was from the table.
/entry_6