His dad was insane and so were his friends asking him to do this. What a birthday gift…and of course only a High Marshal of Special Operations could show up and swing things for some leave for an "emergency assignment" for Ord and his two friends. Vaukt very much did what he threatened Zha with before, disappeared into the woods. The General even broke out his old power armor to appear flashy to the two young bloods. Ord was wearing none other than Skrem's own armor from the Shadow Strikers as Skrem wore his original armor set from his days as an Invader.
Alcohol abounded, as did smokes, and even Ord finally took a cigar from his dad to enjoy. The apple truly didn't fall far from the tree in some senses of the word, but he was just as much Rem's kid as he was Skrem's. Vard joined them as well, being the last chance he would have to take some more time off with yet another smeet on the way with Aero. Perfect as a couple as they were, each knew when alone time was needed. She had her friends and he had his.
"You know, DZ, when you said we were going to hang out with your dad and the General, I figured I'd be getting laid at the Galactic Strip, not going camping in the woods seeing you boast around in your dad's old armor." Joker mentioned with some disappointment.
"What, summer camp too hard for you that you need to find some hooker?" Skrem taunted.
"Look at him, I get the sense he's blushing!" Alurac spoke from the vox caster on Ord's armor.
Radec, robust as ever despite his noticeable age much like Skrem and Vard, laughed as he poked at the fire.
"Y'all almost sound disappointed. What, are intergalactic badasses not cool 'nuff for you kids these days? I risked my ass so you could have an opinion, sprout." He teased with a grin.
Skrem grinned, "Get some candles and cook Radec a nice medium rare steak. Maybe he'll be your date since you need one so bad."
"Ffffuck you, alright?" He laughed, taking it in stride.
"Hey, I'm the one who threw you over my shoulder like a sack of flour right before Rem walked right in, remember?" Skrem laughed.
"No, I completely forgot since you bring it up every freakin' time I come 'round…I know what we got is special, but Rem might get jealous. I bet the apple don't fall far from the tree does it?" He gestured to Ord before turning his crimzon gaze to the young man. "What 'bout it, big boy? Like what ya see? Your old man sure does."
"Just pass me another beer, big guy." Skrem spoke teasingly.
Joker stumbled to find words as Radec passed Skrem a beer.
"Clearly the little boy has never been hit on by someone before, how cute and hilarious!"
"So much for all those girlfriends you said you had if you can't handle a little flirting huh, Siph?" Ord lightly elbowed his friend.
"Y'all are in the military an' this shy? What're they doin' to ya kids these days?" Radec scoffed grabbing himself another beer from the cooler and smoothly popping the cap off with aid of the back of his sheathed knife on his belt.
"As for me, Radec, maybe I do. Should come over there and give you a big wet kiss." Ord called his bluff, smirking.
"Don't threaten me with a good time, little boy." He played along, chuckling. "Good thing Dyb ain't here, she'd think I was fruity as those two." His knife pointed to Ord's bashful friends before sheathing the blade again.
"Give them a break, Radec, they'll come into it the more bitter and jaded they get with their service to the Republic. Anything to break the monotony and tedium." Vard reasoned sardonically.
"Precisely why I took up smoking on Vort." Vaukt added as he lit his pipe. "Then I get introduced to this pipe tobacco from Earth and I find something enjoyable, contemplative, classy. Smoke while I do carpentry at home. Very soothing. Though I know in the field I always welcomed a chance to light a cigar or a cigarette."
"Yeah, and some of us followed you down that hole." Skrem grinned as he waggled his cigar in his hand. "Glad you could make it on short notice, Radec. Things aren't bad at home I hope."
"Bah, they're just fine. We get sick of each other sometimes an' need our space. Part of it. I'd say you know it well but your woman is still beatin' the stupid outta ya to this day."
"The fact she hasn't put me in the ground yet or driven me into your strong arms just shows she loves me." Skrem laughed.
"I'm convinced it's outta pity an' feels bad for your dumb ass." Radec clearly jested, pointing to Ord. "Had to be somethin' to agree to lettin' you put that inside her."
Vard, mid drink, nearly spit-took at Radec's vernacular and implications.
"Well surely never would've gotten him out of you!" Skrem cackled.
"Shiiit," Radec scoffed, incredulous. "That boy fell outta your ass, he looks just like ya!"
"Maybe that's why you're so attracted to me huh, big boy?" Ord joined in the teasing.
"See your dad's taught you well in at least one thing, however misguided it is." He snickered, shaking his head. "Man, I've missed this. None of this boring day-to-day crap. Gotta admit, minus the harrowing, near-death experiences…things were pretty fuckin' awesome back then, weren't they?"
"You mean before or after you tried to share a sleeping bag with me that night?" Skrem taunted as he puffed on his cigar.
"What makes you think I ain't crawlin' in yours tonight?" Radec countered, a veteran at such games.
"Because you're gonna crawl into Ord's and show him a good time." Skrem elbowed his kid who nearly did a spit take of his own beer.
"Hear that? Your dad's handin' you away to me like his firstborn daughter. Ain't that sweet?"
"Uh-"
"Oh don't worry he ain't so bad." Skrem laughed as he slapped Ord's back.
"Yeah well he better kiss me after or have the common decency to give me a reach around."
Everyone burst out laughing at Ord's remark. Several moments passed before any of them could breathe again, let alone speak.
"Haha, I like 'em, Skrem. Figured he was gonna grow up a sissy, but you did right by him." Radec complimented.
"Wouldn't be looking to join up and work for dad after I'm done with the Academy if I was some dick sucking sissy." Ord grinned at Radec.
"Fair point, your old man does it for ya."
"Only for you, big guy." Skrem winked at him.
"I swear, if I didn't actually know both of you, I'd be mighty uncomfortable right now." Vard admitted, shaking his head with an amused huff.
A thud nearby and rattling alerted the group as another man uncloaked. It was one other than Ehrkas'Mharo himself, wearing his Ohnmatu suit. Apparently he got the memo from Vaukt and Skrem. He casually approached, dropping an armload of gathered firewood near the pit.
Yerd's eyes widened at the sight of him.
"T-t-that's Nomad!"
"Fashionably late as always." Skrem tossed a beer to the sword armed man as he came over to sit by the fire with them.
Ehrkas took a sip as he removed his mask. "Spend some time with my friends while I'm here giving a lecture on special warfare at the Armada Academy? Wouldn't miss the chance." He looked at Digits. "So you already know who I am, huh?"
"Yeah, Corr's been telling 'em the whole story." Skrem gestured to Ord and his two friends. "Currently up to the point where they got the orders to go knock off the General."
"So they know about my history with Volx then." Nomad sipped his beer. "Well, Ord definitely looks like he takes after his dad but what about these two?"
"Oh, they're still going Honor Guard." Ord began, "They think that their fancy uniform is going to get them laid or something."
"That's not the only reason why!" Siph defended. "Sure, it's one of 'em, but still!"
"Only action you two are gonna get as boottenants are Smoothy Palm and her three sisters." Skrem taunted with a laugh.
Ehrkas shook his head. "They'd have better luck with the Armada on shore leave." Ever the Navy man. "Sure worked for me when I was a recruit at the naval academy."
"Hey, don't ask, don't tell." Radec teased before taking a drink.
"It ain't gay if it's underway, dirt boy." The Vortian played into it with a grin.
"Aaaaah, there it is." Radec snickered, pointing at him. "Glad you could make it. Skrem's boy bragged to his buddies how awesome we are. Had to meet us ourselves."
He stood up, doing his best dramatic impression of none other than Zim, mocking shrill voice and all.
"FEEL HONORED!"
Skem quickly joined him. "Yes, bow down before the mighty Radec and Skrem!"
Ord, drunk as he was enjoying the bonding with his dad, quickly rolled onto his knees and started bowing. Causing Vaukt to laugh.
"Yes! Bask in our glory! Bask in it!"
Vard leaned over to the younger men, speaking behind his hand.
"This is the type of nonsense you three have to look forward to when you're our age. Get used to it."
"Nonsense?" Radec incredulously commented, breaking character. "I'm surprised you ain't dead yet, man!"
"Why's that?"
"Aero crushin' your tiny ass! Seven? Really?"
"Hey, if there's any way I could choose to go, that'd be it." Vard shrugged with a smirk.
"The dude's clearly got the strongest pelvis out of all of us if he can take Aero smashing it all the time like they seem to do." Skrem elbowed Vard's side with a grin.
"Come on, can we not? Not in front of your kid." He sighed, taking it in stride.
"What? He's an adult, ain't he?" Radec shrugged, taking a drink.
"That's-...that's not the point. Be like graphically detailing my escapades with my own children."
"Just do what Dyb an' I do…give 'em money, throw their asses outta the house an' tell 'em to stay gone for the rest of the day. Saves them the mental scarrin'."
"Sure didn't save my antennae when I heard you from the fucking broom closet." Skrem shook Radec's shoulder.
"Hehehe, gotta keep it fresh. Spice it up every now an' again, don't ya? All that "spontaneous" crap?"
"Vard…" Ord started, "that money you, dad, and Vaukt pooled for me to get some time in the VIP room resulted in some very adult stuff going on in there."
"I know…but you really don't need to hear about what Aero and I do in detail, do you?"
"I mean Radec sure doesn't seem to care." Ord countered.
"I ain't bashful. Probably curl your antenna with some of my stories, kiddo. Dyb…phew…she's hard to keep up with. Never leave 'em disappointed, boys…an' they'll never leave you alone."
"Radec is more of a meathead than I am but he's still our friend." Skrem answered and puffed on his cigar. "But Vard's right. I definitely don't go on about what goes on between Rem and I around you."
"I'm surprised you even have energy for mom with what you and Radec have going on." Ord teased back at his dad.
"Ooohohoho…friendly fire. Buddy fucked by your own KID!" Radec cackled.
Skrem faked a gunshot wound to his chest and keeled over in dramatic fashion, causing Ord and Vaukt to laugh.
"You know, if I didn't know Skrem any better, I'd say the man would have his mind set for a career in the theater." The General puffed on his pipe with a smirk.
"Some things really do never change." The Vortian chuckled. "I definitely miss things like this with you guys."
A brief lull of silences overcame the group of men. Drinks in hand, shared around a crackling fire backed by a cool, moonlit night. Peace. Tranquility. A life spent risking life-and-limb under constant threat and danger around every corner…only to sit and brood about all of it in retrospect.
"I miss it sometimes." Radec finally spoke up.
"Miss what?" Vard queried.
"Bein' in the field. Doin' what we did. Kickin' ass an' takin' names, y'know, excitin' stuff."
"Exciting for you, maybe." Vard huffed, shaking his head. "I had my fill of getting shot at long before the end."
"Yeah, it's dangerous and scary, but it's all 'bout perspective. To me? I ain't found another thing in the civilian world that remotely comes close to it. The things we did together, the stuff we changed, for better or worse…part of me don't wanna grow old just to wither up an' die surrounded by safety."
"Why not go the private military contractor route?" Vard offered.
"Bah, it ain't the same doin' it just for a paycheck. We were doin' it to topple the tyrannical government feared across space an' time. Protect the freakin' universe at-large from it. Major step down putin' a few bolts in some jerkoff's brainpan because someone pays ya to do it. Start gettin' into ethically-questionable territory dependin' on who's signing that check, too."
"I feel the same damn way." Vaukt added, "Zha knows it but I hate retirement. The most fun I had was taking Kerkt out into the field and teaching him everything I know. If it wasn't for carpentry to give me some sort of outlet I'd be bored out of my gourd and consider eating a plasma bolt to end the boredom. If I go private, it'd either be as a sole gun for hire or not at all. I'm not working for some jagoff who just wants people dead from whoever has a check that clears."
"You know, you both could always come back to work with me if you guys miss it so much. I definitely have an opening for Radec under my desk." Skrem tried to lighten the mood.
Radec closed his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief with a huff before looking to Skrem in the glow of the fire.
"Here I am, bein' serious for once, an' you gotta go an' do that. Ain't no wonder why Rem hates your guts."
"Love you too, Radec." Skrem shook his head. "In all seriousness though I would be fine drawing you two back in if you guys really want it."
"Can't." Radec responded, tipping his bottle to polish it off, throwing it into the growing pile before standing up to get another.
"Why not?" Vard queried, genuinely curious.
"Dyb said no."
"Never known my big strong man to take no for an answer." Skrem blinked.
"Yeah, well…you remember who we're talkin' 'bout here, don't ya?" Radec knowingly asked as he retrieved another beer. "I know Rem don't like ya acknowledgin' there are other women besides her in the universe and all."
Ord blinked, thinking back. "Yeah, yeah I seen her, I know her."
"Wait, you remember her?" Skrem asked him.
"Yeah, yeah I do." Ord nodded. "Remember, that trip you arranged to the ordnance range where you finally let me play with that rocket launcher after you found where mom hid it?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Radec, I can't blame you for saying no. If I were you I'd be too busy tapping that to get anything done."
Skrem's head slowly turned to face Ord with both a mild amount of shock and emphasized amusement that he'd make such a remark about Radec's woman.
"Throttle back there, kiddo. Might make your dad jealous." Radec commented, smirking to Skrem as he turned about to his tent. "Also, 'fore I forget…since Skrem passed the message 'long about Corr throwin' OPSEC out the window…"
As he spoke, he rummaged around in a small locker he brought with him, eventually returning to the campfire circle with…weapons? Sidearm holsters and pistols within. Surplus Empire models issued to officers many moons ago and long since discontinued. Equally due to the negative connotation of being favored for summary executions as they were getting long in the proverbial tooth.
"Figured you an' your friends would like these. I personally looted these off three different IIA scumfucks near the end of it all. Couple of Sergeants an' that one there…" He placed in Ord's hands. "A Major. Piece of livin' history, even if it's ugly history."
"Dyb making you thin your collection out?"
"Gotta make room for the kids. Is what it is. Figured I'd give 'em to people who'll appreciate them instead of endin' up scrapped or melted down for some garbage art installation.."
"Whoa…" Siph commented, in awe as he held the weight of the pistol in his palms. "I thought the Republic scrapped all remaining existing Empire hardware. I've only seen stuff like this at the museums and in the vids."
"Most of it, yeah. Lucky I like y'all. Could easily pay for my kids' college with one of those. I'm the cool uncle."
Ord looked his over, the Internal Affairs insignia evident on it alongside the Imperial insignia clear as day. A nicer model than the other two, an apparent gap between officers and the lower ranks even in the Empire.
"No fucking way." Ord tried sticking the pistol in the holster on his waist but it wouldn't fit, clearly made for Skrem's custom SMG. He instead fitted the holster to a free spot on the belt and slipped it in. He then glanced up to Radec with a smirk. "Thanks. Should my dad consider this a dowry since he doesn't exactly have a daughter to give you?"
"Careful now…might make me blush yet. Unlike your dumb ass dad, I waited 'til you were old 'nuff for cool stuff."
"Hey, what six year old could say his ex Invader dad gave him a rocket launcher?" Ord defended his dad. "I even got to shoot his custom SMG and sniper rifle as a kid. Why didn't I ever get to see more stuff like this?"
"Lost a bet to Radec long ago. The stuff you saw that I got in my study was all I managed to get before that bet. Very high stakes game of cards. I surrendered all my looting rights to him after that."
"Vortian gear was always superior." Ehrkas spoke before sipping on his drink. He then gestured to the pistols with his bottle. "Those are legitimate souvenirs from the big battle at the end of the war. Genuine history. You could probably go look up their serial numbers in the archives and find who they were issued to."
Digits did just that. Looking up the serial number of his own sidearm, finding it registered to a Staff Sergeant Jid, male Irken of an Internal Affairs Infantry division.
"Whoa…"
Radec watched the young men, enamored with their gifts, as he took a drink before speaking again.
"How's it feel?"
"W-what?"
"Them guns, how do they feel?"
"...like a gun?" Siph answered, confused as he looked to Ord.
"Nah, nah, not what I mean…hundred years ago, I watched them men execute their own troops with 'em. Summary executions, one to the back of the head, point-blank…them guns tasted blood in battle. I personally domed the Major, right 'tween the eyes with my rifle."
He casually paused for another drink, unnervingly never taking his berry red away from the boys. Ord's friends found themselves suddenly uncomfortable in the presence of Skrem and his former squadmates. Men cut of a different cloth responsible for all they hold dear.
"...so how do they feel?"
"A lot heavier than it did a few minutes ago." Siph admitted in grim realization that the weapon in his hands had ended lives.
Ord took his pistol out again and examined it. He aimed it, holographic sights popping up on the weapon as it detected a grip as the safety flipped off.
"Somehow I got this vivid visual image in my head of the Major's rifle jamming, he's struggling to go for this, and you nailed him before he could draw it out before he got you."
Radec laughed, bemused.
"You're funny…assumin' IIA officers carried rifles. Fuckin' morons. Outside of their special response teams in the heavy armor, most of 'em packed sidearms. Some had PDWs an' SMGs. Got a few of those too."
"Wait, really, not even shotguns? Even when it was apparent the war was going bad for them and they needed to arm everybody?"
"Some did. They got desperate towards the end, too little too late. Their beloved Imperial Standard fucked 'em over in the end. Gotta follow the rules, even when you're gettin' your shit pushed in by yours truly hahaha."
"And you see why I let my more loyal troops experiment with things and allowed the use of captured enemy weapons as they deemed fit." Vaukt added.
"Yeah, no kidding." Skrem gestured to his own custom fabricated armor he was wearing. "Definitely never would've gotten armor like this if I wasn't one of the best."
"Not to be the stick in the mud…" Vard began, gesturing to the boys and their gifts imparted on them by Radec. "...avoid gettin' caught with those. Skrem being your father and you two by association or not, the Republic doesn't take kindly to possession of Empire artifacts."
"Yep. They ever search my house, I'm goin' to prison for the rest of my life." Radec summarized casually.
"What? Why?" Digits queried, confused.
"Knee-jerk reactionary policy makin'. Fear of pro-Empire resurgence. Obsessive weirdos who weren't alive then not realizin' how much it fuckin' sucked for everyone beneath the Control Brains. Take your pick."
"I actually had to fight just to keep our trench coats when they were completely gutting everything from weaponry to uniforms." Vaukt added. "The Special Operations overcoat is probably the one piece of Empire uniform left in the Republic inventory that made its way into civilian fashion through men I commanded."
"Bet you three wondered how there could be so many Empire troops and so little surplus left now, didn't ya?" Radec commented. "That's why. Republic scrapped, shredded, melted, an' destroyed everythin' they could get their hands on…I really should open a museum with my stuff."
"Gers got that arms museum. You ever get a tip about a raid, you're his conservator or something." Skrem mentioned.
"Fuck that. I ain't 'fraid to sling plasma with the cops."
"Yeah but what would Dyb say?"
Radec grinned before taking a drink from his bottle.
"Lock an' load, babe. Pass me the ammo….Irk, I love that woman."
"I'm kinda likin' her too the more I hear about her." Ord chuckled.
"Son's clearly got my meatheaded nature. Careful, son, that's a tango for two and you ain't invited."
"So why do you have all your stuff still?"
"Some of it in there is Rem's. You know that piece of a fighter hanging on the wall above the window?"
"Yeah?"
"She managed to get that thing to slam into an asteroid in a trick maneuver with a larger vessel. I offered to go retrieve a piece for her once the action ended. It's her one major piece of the Empire she took back…and I'll never forget what she said after that."
"What was that?"
"Vult, I love you, but if you ever put me in a situation like that again, I'm going to make you face fuck a bulkhead. I'm never going fast again!"
"Ask Ehrkas why you need to preserve this stuff." Radec gestured to their Vortian comrade.
"Lots of stuff got swept away…buried events that will never see the light of day without things like this…that battle in Tallum where I made my peace with Volx for what transpired in the past? Completely gone. Wiped away by SIS after the war. The only ones who know what went down that night were any survivors of the regulars, the SIS teams that were there, us survivors of Athka, and Corr's team…nobody else knows. Keep this stuff, preserve it, fight against these stupid policies and make sure people know what really happened."
"I bet you kids would've shat your pants if I showed up with my Irken Elite gear. Say what you will about the Empire, but that kit was tight."
"Neck armor and a lack of a helmet was extremely stupid though." Vaukt contended with the former Elite.
"Rule of cool, don't matter. Don't need a helmet to kick ass. You ask anyone this side of the universe which uniform inspires fear an' terror on-sight an' most of 'em will say the Irken Elite battle dress uniform. War's just as psychological as it is physical."
"Surprised you know how to pronounce that word." Vard sniped in good humor with a smirk.
"Years of practice. I can almost spell my name right now." Radec fired back facetiously, dragging the locker over to his feet. "Got more crap in here for show an' tell but it's goin' home with me. Don't get greedy."
Skrem knocked on his chest plate. "Custom fabricated SpecOps armor always tops the standard issue stuff. Even that customized look the Scout Snipers had and the field mods guys like Kazak did look hot though, I can't deny that. Something about sewn on pouches and stuff that strikes me different."
"Such were the finer days when we could mess around with our gear." Vaukt puffed on his pipe.
"Besides, Ord, you got the armor we were wearing once we got rogue. He had a set too, I just worked with Vard to fabricate my own helmet. Eventually prototyped the aesthetic I prefer in what you got on."
Ord glanced at Radec. "So how'd you like this stuff once you came into SpecOps?"
"Almost liked it more than I like your dad. Almost." He insinuated with a chuckle, digging in the now-open crate for a closed pouch. "Cutting-edge, top-of-the-line, able to twist a rifle into a pretzel? My favorite part? Elimination of swamp ass."
"You're welcome." Vard pointedly spoke. "I spent way too much time trying to make that work. Be grateful."
"Oh, I am, little man, for sure. I'd kiss ya but Skrem would get jealous." He chuckled, tossing the pouch to Ord. "Check those out. Bunch of patches I scrounged up. Some of 'em are mine, others off dead shmucks. Sucks to suck."
"Nah, go ahead and give him a big kiss, Radec. I know you won't touch Vard like you touch me" Skrem snickered.
"I just might, he's travel size."
"You guys are absolutely original and hilarious." The short-statured man deadpanned sarcastically. "I have never heard this before."
"Hey, he's right. I might pick you up and take you home with me. Rem might actually appreciate a man with brains around the house." Skrem shook his head as Ord looked over the patches with curiosity. "At least you never lost your legs or anything and got made shorter."
Within the tightly-bound stack of salvaged patches were several unit identifiers, including Radec's own home 524th Mechanized. Plenty of rank identifiers across nearly every branch from the lowliest Privates up to the field insignia of Marshals and Generals. Even a few VDF items were mixed in with the Armada garb.
"What's this one?" Ord held up one of the Vortian patches. Ehrkas leaned in for a look and blinked.
"That's the Sixth Naval Infantry Division, our marines."
"Pretty similar to the Irken Elite, ain't they?" Radec queried, sipping his brew.
"The Naval Infantry? Oh yeah, back when we were retaking Vort they helped form our beachheads on the planet alongside your own Republican Elites. Though most times our marines are mainly restricted to shipboard stuff. Got fancy jetpacks and they go and capture enemy vessels or stay back and repel boarders. You know, marine things."
"Cool guy stuff, yeah, yeah," Radec muttered, rooting around briefly before pulling out a wrapped item. Unravelling the cloth around it, he revealed a near-pristine Irken Elite vibrobade in its sheath. "Ever see one of those?"
"Not up close, no." Siph answered, surprised. "That one yours?"
"Yep. Ended up stowed away in my trunk with the rest of my kit. Here, check it out." He offered, holding it out by the handle to Ord's friends. "Don't cut yourself. Take your fingers clean off."
"Hey, dad, didn't you-"
"Yes, that was very similar to the knife I gave you when you were fourteen. Same one I carried when I was an Invader."
"Mom wasn't too happy."
"At least she wasn't too mad about a knife. SpecOps vibro knives are one of the things we still use right under the Republic's radar. Mark of an Empire and resistance veteran in the ranks."
Ord reached to his left thigh and pulled out the blade.
"Oooh! Little boy taking a risk in carrying it like that! You're growing up so fast, Ord!"
"Yeah, well, I see this different side of the family, hearing about what you guys did…really opens my eyes to how much I owe all of you for what you went through for us young bloods. Risked it all on a gamble and came out on top."
"Victory or death." Skrem smiled as he shook Ord's shoulder.
Vaukt raised his beer bottle, "I'll drink to our victory."
"I really want to see the rest of Radec's stuff at some point." Ord was practically grinning. "And he's right about this armor. It's like wearing a feather and I'm as cozy as can be."
"So where are you all in your story time with Corr anyhow?" Skrem asked.
"Oh, we're just about to the part where he's about to tell us about the false flag you guys do." Siph answered.
"Well, well, maybe then the General doesn't mind telling you his side."
Vaukt grinned as he puffed on his pipe. "Corr doesn't have first hand knowledge. I suppose it wouldn't hurt since they were simultaneous events. You'd probably like this too, Radec, where I first met your woman."