Private Guilt of the Survivor || Tegan

[Titus Dorn]

INSTALLATION 02: LUPUS REX

The hiss of servos was a welcome sign.

Although the battle had been won, Titus could still feel the heat upon his body. Still hear the rattling of blaster bolts shattering against his armor's plating. Still remember the cries roaring over the comm. Once more, the Khanate had reared their ugly heads - and once more, the Legion had been sent to beat them back down. But the day had not come without its costs. It was a victory of course. The raiders were sent scurrying back to the stars with their tails between their legs. The citizenry surrounding Solium - a mining city - were free to live another day.

But the Legion knew loss in their victory. Their faith in the Throne kept them moving forward, but their faith in each other caused them to feel every fallen soldier. In the case of Titus, the explosion had been meant for him. A rocket which had been on a collision course was intercepted by a young recruit. He had to be no older than eighteen - perhaps younger. Perhaps he lied to get into the Legion. But regardless, he dove in front of the ordnance and was reduced to a sack of meat.

In a flash, life was gone. Robbed. This was the nature of their enemy.

But as the helm was removed from Titus' form - as he departed from the armory devoid of armor - his thoughts were on what could have been. He could have been killed. Should have been killed. Perhaps then the young recruit would have lived to see the end of this strife. Over the past seven years, so many had perished against their foe...when would it end?

Titus found himself at the Installation's mess in short order. He slid into a booth and buried his face in his hands, exhaling solemnly.

Tegan Farron​

 

[Tegan Farron]

TAG: Titus Dorn


There was never really a time when the thoughts slowed down, much less stopped. The images of a day out on the field were burned into memory, never dulled and hardly ever quiet. Sleep came in restless waves, accompanied by a cacophony of brutal sound effects that highlighted the worst part of any night's sleep. That did not keep Tegan from being sharp when it was needed from her. It did not stop her from following orders, from holding her ground, and from doing her duty. However, as soon as the armor was off and she was left to her own devices? The weight would caught up to her.

This day had been no different, and while she had thought perhaps a hot meal and a cup of cafe would help ease her racing mind? It had not been so. In fact, she hadn't even made it to procuring food for herself. She had come in, found a wall to hold up with her body, and became stationary for a while. A short while at least, considering the next body that filed into the mess, one she recognized at least.

Tee watched for a moment, watched the same body language from the one person she knew was stronger than she was. It caused the blonde to push herself away from the wall and close the distance between herself and the opposite side of that table. "Well, don't you look like a basket full of sunshine and rainbows." There was no asking to sit down, she just did so, taking up position seated across from Titus. "Rough day in the office, cookie?"

It was of course purely a tease, because if anyone knew what he had endured out there? It was Tegan. She was never far behind him when they were out there in the trenches.