[ Akobi's expression sours, but to tell the truth, his heart isn't in it either. ]
Just try to keep a level head. With this much of the team gone, and the rest working in overdrive, we don't have the budget for you to go breaking any more standard issue equipment.
I think... I owe you a bit of an apology. For my behavior, before. I was ... Some distance removed from active leadership. I had taken for granted the war of it. Now that I'm back in that position, with the DS looming overhead...
No. [ He agrees, perhaps a bit too readily for this attempt at reconciliation. But it is what it is.
There's something else on his mind. Something a young man told him about Archie attempting to control supremely powerful, godlike beings, and nearly destroying an entire region of his home planet. But...
This probably isn't the time. ]
Well... [ he coughs to clear his throat ] If you need anything from me before I head for the Death Star, now's your chance to ask for it.
[he thought he'd be angry at that confirmation-- lashing out at an unwanted confirmation. maybe he's too tired. or maybe he's just accepted that he was acting like a damn idiot.
archie shrugs.]
I don't have anything to ask. [he sighs, tilts his head.] Sorry. For not taking you seriously. Arceus, the paperwork would be a bitch if you got hurt up there and we were still actin' like fuckin' idiots.
[he's being sardonic, as he usually is, but genuine nonetheless.]
No, it was me who didn't take you seriously. I can see now the pressure you were under, to hold this group together. I'm used to commanding uniform legions of clone troopers, all solely focused and dedicated to the cause we serve, pledging their lives to the Empire. This small force...
[ He gives a half sigh, half laugh, scrubbing a hand over his goatee. ]
Everyone here is working towards the same goal, but the means and methods they use to get there are as different as night and day. It gives me a headache just thinking about it.
I meant the war crime thing. We should, uh, talk about that properly when you get back. I'm a little closer to that than I'd like to admit, which is partly why I used it...
[anyway:] Well, good to get the practice in for people that might not listen to ya, right?
[ Akobi's expression darkens. He clears his throat. ]
Yes, that. Well. I have matters I'd like to discuss with you as well, regarding some of what you got up to back in your home universe, that I heard about from a young man on the network.
But perhaps that is best left until after the mission.
Fuckin' Niko. [yeah he guesses who that was instantly.] Yes, of course. Contact me when you feel ready for it. It's not the sort of thing I'm going to deny you a talk of.
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Not yet. Just checking in before I leave for the away mission. Everything handled on your end?
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[he shrugs a shoulder, pulling the paper off his forehead and discarding it on the desk.
tilting his head:] Good luck up there and don't die. You think I'm a petty bitch now? You just wait.
[it's meant as a joke, but falls a little flat. his heart isn't really in it.]
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Just try to keep a level head. With this much of the team gone, and the rest working in overdrive, we don't have the budget for you to go breaking any more standard issue equipment.
[ AKA he remembers you smashing your phone. ]
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[ He sighs. ]
I think... I owe you a bit of an apology. For my behavior, before. I was ... Some distance removed from active leadership. I had taken for granted the war of it. Now that I'm back in that position, with the DS looming overhead...
There are more stressors to it that I realized.
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Oh.
[he's not sure how to feel about this.]
Uh. Yeah. I mean. I didn't exactly handle it very well either...
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There's something else on his mind. Something a young man told him about Archie attempting to control supremely powerful, godlike beings, and nearly destroying an entire region of his home planet. But...
This probably isn't the time. ]
Well... [ he coughs to clear his throat ] If you need anything from me before I head for the Death Star, now's your chance to ask for it.
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archie shrugs.]
I don't have anything to ask. [he sighs, tilts his head.] Sorry. For not taking you seriously. Arceus, the paperwork would be a bitch if you got hurt up there and we were still actin' like fuckin' idiots.
[he's being sardonic, as he usually is, but genuine nonetheless.]
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[ He gives a half sigh, half laugh, scrubbing a hand over his goatee. ]
Everyone here is working towards the same goal, but the means and methods they use to get there are as different as night and day. It gives me a headache just thinking about it.
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I meant the war crime thing. We should, uh, talk about that properly when you get back. I'm a little closer to that than I'd like to admit, which is partly why I used it...
[anyway:] Well, good to get the practice in for people that might not listen to ya, right?
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Yes, that. Well. I have matters I'd like to discuss with you as well, regarding some of what you got up to back in your home universe, that I heard about from a young man on the network.
But perhaps that is best left until after the mission.
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[ He sighs, not liking that choice of phrasing but it puts him on equal footing with Archie. And that's what they are now, equals. ]
Later, then. After I return from the mission. I'll come see you first thing, to debrief.
[ Little does he know, he won't be there to debrief after all. ]