So the joke conversation someone could write here is obvious.
"Hey Maine, I wanna leave the crew." "Why?" "Section 9 has better benefits." "We have big guns!" "Section 9 has dental." "Huh... There happen to be room for one more?"
However I wrote this instead. No, I don't know why.
~~~For My Honour, Maine-Taichō!~~~
Rebecca kept her breathing steady before Maine, the giant looking down at her even as they both sat quietly in seiza, steam wafting up from the cups of tea before them.
"Thou wished to speak, Becca-kun?" Maine grumbled, running two cybernetic fingers across his chin.
"Yes Maine-Taichō," Rebecca nodded. "This one wishes to discuss further employment with thee."
The squad leader stared down at her, before scoffing. "More money, is it? Laughable. Thy contributions pale in comparison to the-"
"No!" Rebecca cried out, Maine's eyes hardening in annoyance and Rebecca curling in on herself. "That is, this one means, on the account of money, tis not the reason. Deepest apologies for the interruption!"
Maine let out a slow breath and sipped some of his tea. Only after he'd calmed himself down did he speak, and even then it was with a hint of irritation. "Thou art excused, Rebecca-san."
Rebecca's fingers clenched at the address, before sharply nodding to herself. "Thank you, Taichō. Mine issue is simple. Jobs this group have brought me on pay well, but... Eddies are not the sole value in the world."
Maine paused at that, before his eyes widened slightly. Then, after a few more moments of thought, he let out a huff.
"A desire for honour," he said quietly. "For respect."
"Yes Maine-Taichō," Rebecca nodded.
"A Solo?" He asked idly. "No, the girl. Kusanagi. Thou art a fool, Rebecca."
The tiny girl bristled at his words, but Maine held a hand up to stop her.
"Experience. Support. Connections. Family. All can be found with us, yet thou desires to leave it behind? Dost thee believe subversion will carry you to the top? They may be children, but fools are not so easily granted passage to the Afterlife."
Rebecca sat quietly for a few seconds, rubbing her toes against each other before finally speaking. "This one does not wish for such manipulations, Taichō. Only respect in a way that could never be granted while working with you."
"And why is that?" Maine asked with narrowed eyes.
"Because while I desire glory for mine own satisfaction," Rebecca said with gritted teeth, "thou desires glory for glory itself. Such contradictions chafe upon each other, and your hunger will devour either my own, or continue to grow as it has such that it devours itself."
Maine stared at her quietly for a time, Rebecca growing increasingly nervous.
"Well said Becca-san," the towering man widely grinned, making Rebecca's eyes widen. "And thine words ring true."
"Then-" Rebecca started.
"Spread thy wings little bird," Maine mused to himself as he stood up, "and truly learn to fly. But know that, when the infinite sky overwhelms thyself, it is only by my trust that you may find solace in our nest once again. And if such trust is betrayed, thou shalt never find peace even within Pilar-kun's protection."
Rebecca let out a soft breath at that. "If such things were to come to pass..." she muttered as Maine walked to the door, "Then such will be dealt with whenst they come."
"Thine leave shall be official when Sasha-san recovers," Maine said with his hand on the door. "But thou mayst depart at any time. And it need not be said, but inform thine brother before doing so."
Rebecca stayed where she was, hands clasped around her teacup.
"And Becca-kun?" Maine said, making Rebecca's head turn to him in surprise. "Good luck."
She couldn't hold in the soft smile even as the giant walked out the door.
The future was bright. And maybe this way, she could find a new path forward. Both in the name of her honour... And for herself.