Esper Story: Falken

Mission planning, done; Helena's leave request, approved; supply coordination list, finished... Good, time for a five minute break.

......

That's Commander Falken! We could ask him...

Shhh!

Dude, it's Falken! He must be in the middle of something. Don't bother him.

Yes?

...H-hi Commander! Actually...

Nothing! Don't worry about it! Just passing through!

Is there a problem? Best to resolve it then.

Actually, we were just looking for the Reference Room, but we, uh, can't find it. And, uh, maybe we are on the wrong floor...

You've got the right floor. The Reference Room is in Section Two. This is Section One. Keep going down this corridor to Section Two, and you'll be well on your way.

Do you... need me to take you there?

Oh, no! I mean, uh, we're perfectly fine! Thanks! Thank you, Commander!

...Three minutes and fifty seconds left.

Mona? Look!

Isn't that Commander Falken? Just go ask him.

I'm not bothering Commander Falken over this! Come on. He's a very busy man!

We'll handle it ourselves. We'll be fine.

On the contrary, I don't think it'll disturb him at all.

I bet Falken is just spacing out. Or doing a bit of bird-watching. The guy is stressed, Mona.

Uh, no. He's got something major going on. I can tell.

Oh yeah? How about a friendly little bet?

A "friendly little bet"? For what?

How about... one week's worth of dinner?

...You're on.

......

......

......

Look at the guy. Just look at the intensity of that stare. He's thinking about something really...

Huh. It flew off.

(Cough)

Arcana? Mona?

Yes? What is it?

Uh, nothing, Commander Falken. Please, uh, continue doing whatever it is that...

...We do have something to ask of you.

What's going on?

I just wanted to ask...

Beg your pardon?

Commander, what were you... I mean, were you just daydreaming?

Daydreaming? A fine word. Sure. You could put it like that.

We're not robots. Breaks are important. And rest, particularly mental rest, is scientifically proven to improve efficiency.

It improves focus. In any case, I allotted only five minutes to my little reverie. So, unless you have a more serious request, I would ask we all return to work.

The Shadow Decree has just discovered one of our major Union supply recovery sites. And it's near this Miracle.

Clock's ticking. We're gonna need a full evac by the end of the day.

Bardon, you're in charge of loading everything up.

Yes, Sir.

David. You and your team work on the explosives. Clear the field. Make it safe.

Sure thing, Commander!

The rest of you? With me. We'll be doing the tallying. Balancing the books.

Yes, sir! Commander!

Hey. Bardon.

?

Falken's still cool as a cucumber, huh? He never changes.

Think he's always been Mr. Macho Soldier Man? Even after work?

Ouch! Bardy, Bardy! Not cool! Ouch!

How about you deal with these dangerous explosives instead of worrying about Old Falky?

I checked. We're talking shards over eighty centimeters, all of them. Or if you're not, then who? You expecting the Miramon to help?

Fine, fine. I'm going. Just wanted to know a bit more about our commander, that's all.

What's Commander Falken like when he's not working? I dearly want to know.

Do we seriously have to clear all this stuff out today? There just ain't no way...

This is harder than I thought.

What's going on?

Commander Falken!

Give me a rope.

Sounds good.

Follow my lead.

See this knot? It's easy to tie, but it'll stay on. Perfect for moving bulky supplies.

You can also tie on the harder-to-carry sections behind. It'll make your job a lot easier. You got that?

...What? Why the face?

Well then, what are you waiting for?

Um, I was just thinking, uh, sir... I'm thankful you're our commander. You're a lot friendlier to us than I first took you for.

Oh?

That's gonna be a great help, that technique.

Technique? The stopper knot?

Hm.

You know how I know that? Someone taught me too.

So... Keep up the good work.

Yes, Sir!

Yo, Bardon. You notice anything?

Notice what?

What Commander Falken said. About that "someone".

Uh-huh. So?

He's a stern man. Didn't seem so stern just then.

You sure? Maybe.

He learned it "from someone else". Who? That's what gets me.

Do you know who?

YOWWWWW!

You know what? You should see Chloe after we get back.

Chloe? Is she the one Falken was...

What I mean was, let Chloe fix that crazy head of yours.

......

Alright. Now let's get to work!

Even with the knot, it'll still be a huge pain in the butt moving all this today.

*Sigh*... I have to say, this rescue mission has been tough...

Good news is we relocated everyone just in time.

......

Hungry?

Sorry. I am a little...

It's been eight hours straight. Of course, you are.

Do we have any food here?

Nope. But it's okay. I'll be fine until we get back.

My, my. I miss civilization.

We could get ourselves a decent meal in Gyrate.

Let's pick up the pace. We'll try to finish soon.

Please just hang in there a little longer, everyone!

That's our commander!

Let's go. The last area is right ahead.

We'll head straight back after.

Look! I didn't know there was a river here. And fish too.

If we had a rod, we could have caught lunch.

...Woah!

Great survival technique!

We all had to learn how to fish in our family. It's nothing special.

Let's grill some fish.

Smells great...

This one is done. Want a bite?

Oh, really? Thank you, Commander!

Mmm... Tastes a lot better than it looks!

A bit burnt on the outside but... it's a really nice crispy texture. And the meat is so tender...

If you want some more, these two will be done soon.

Speaking of which, how'd you manage to spear the fish just then, Commander?

There's no real secret to it. Just get in the water and move quick. It takes practice though.

But I can teach you if you're interested.

Teach me...?

Well, it's a "survival skill". Particularly as you're an Ops Chief in the field.

A survival skill?... Do you think I can learn?

Give it a try.

Spend a few moments evaluating how it swims. Then try to surprise it.

Ah. Missed...

You need to predict too. And don't hesitate, not even for a split second.

Ah! Wow! I did it!

Looks like I can add this little skill to my growing repertoire of "survival skills"!

Raven, do you have a moment?

Of course, Falken. This is a rare pleasure.

Is it urgent?

No... it's not. I just to talk about something.

Sure thing. Please. Have a seat.

Is it something related to our work here at the Union?

......

Bullseye. That's it.

Go on...

It's a difficult one. My subordinates are a bit, eh, they seem to be a bit...

A bit... tense around me.

Tense?

Yes. For example, David. He became obsessed for some reason about my past. Particularly my "partner" back in my military days.

I summoned David to a meeting to discuss it and...

He never turned up. He took three days off instead...

That, I assume, bothered you?

There's more.

Mona visited. I didn't immediately notice her as I was lost in thought.

I was upfront with her that I was simply daydreaming.

She was... confused.

Confused?

I'm reliably informed my habit of staring out the window has led to a rise in "birdwatching".

At least that was what they told me when I found them staring out the window. As I had been doing.

......

It was most odd. Mona then informed me that our "new hobby" would remain a secret between us.

Ahem.

Anything else?

I've mentioned a few times I regard fishing as an important survival skill.

Those same Ops Chiefs have apparently begun fishing on the weekend...

...To the extent of forming a "fishing club".

Am I being foolish?

Oh, no. Sorry, sorry.

Don't worry about it. That's my honest opinion.

But...

It's respect. They respect you so much your opinions carry enormous weight.

It's affection. Albeit in a rather odd manner.

You think?

I was wondering where I went wrong. And I assumed...

You assumed...?

You are doing great. You have great rapport with your subordinates from what I can see. Never doubt yourself.

You do you.

And others will always respect you.