Let's get brutally murdered by B-movie aliens in XCOM: Enemy Unknown!

"Ha. You're devoted. Though, if you're intending to hold that 'I have nothing better to do' stand point, I could certainly offer alternatives. Just say the word..."

She chuckles under her breath again.

"And for the record, I'm concerned about the boy, I mean him no ill. He's a good boy at heart."

She peeks open an eye to look around the infirmary they all piled in to visit Logan.

"Banana and Sofaer should be in any time. I'm sorry I wasn't there to watch their backs, but I'm so glad they did such good work. They had that bomb situation licked from what I heard..."

She smiles a bit.

"I don't think anyone had much confidence in our rag-tag group originally, but we do good work."

Many... maybe. I never think ahead. Doesn't pay, in my experience. One day Lamarque dies from the cholera, or they storm the Bastille, aliens invade, and everything changes. That's when you need people with belief and all that. Courage, as it were. The infirmary here will crawl with them. And I will take special care... not to care. Easier that way. You should, too.

...heavy?

I'm not actually sure how that differs from assault. Maybe we just assault the alien scum harder. Which is...yeah, sure. I can work with that.

Oo, and I'm uninjured, so maybe I can go do heavy things on the next mission. Go me!

She thinks about this hard, looking very grave.

"I will never stop caring whether my comrades live or die. I would not want to."

She closes her eyes.

"However, I think from here on out, I will refrain from drinking. It's easier to keep my distance and think clearly when I am sober and focused. It is burdonsome and lonely, but it is probably for the best if I try to get some semblance of professionalism back."

She opens her eyes to stare at the ceiling.

"I will miss talking and such. But if I want to keep my word and protect everyone, I must work to be like a machine. A finely honed instrument. Not to have friends or waste time..."

Ahah, so her borderline lack-of-personality on arrival was on purpose. ..And she plans to kill her spunk off a lot again. That's a bit sad.

"Sorry I've always been such a 'pain in the rear.' I'll try not to make it a problem again."

"It means you get to play with the big guns, like me! Prep for a machine gun and rocket launcher! Are you as excited to explode some aliens as I am?"

*There's a nearly imperceptible frown for once... and then it's gone*
Kiddo, don't shoot me in the ass now, but you're sounding like Enjolras. That would account for the lack of getting on, really. I think that's why he's on such a short fuse, too. See, if he's alive and everyone else isn't, that means he led them to their deaths, and that's quite a few... lives more than... Actually, let me try to just be flat about it. Remember that guy Enjolras mentioned shooting? That was the first man he ever killed. I don't think I ever met anyone who valued life more than Enjolras, and it's the... closest thing I ever saw him to frightened, but he did it, because if he hadn't, that man would have shot at more civilians, for his own amusement. We were short of experienced, hell, any shooters and he refused to compromise his ideals. That's why Enjolras is. It's what... I couldn't understand.
*Grantaire mulls for a moment, then mutters something in French and leans to the wall, heaving a heavy sigh*
I'm glad you're not agreeing with me, to be honest, but foregoing anything that makes your life fun isn't a way to make sure yours or anybody else's remain. Why do you think every revolution has a hymn? People get together, kid, and they become friends, and for friends, you'd do what you think you couldn't. It's... not... I mean... that is... If you want everyone to live, make that your belief, direct your fire towards it. Simple as that.

But believe too much, and... well... there was this police spy we caught at the barricades... more accurate to say Gavroche did, really, little gamin getting underfoot, but he knew his rats. Anyway, we catch this spy, sent to lure us int traps and he had no remorse, no emotion. It was... Enjolras if he was a monarchist, really. He tried to get us to kill him so we'd waste ammunition, he didn't care about his own life as long as his own side won. Never even the slightest afraid. It was the stupidest thing I'd ever seen, but... When I see Enjolras, when I hear you now... when I saw him stare at us without fear... I wonder what it would be like to believe.

Alcohol is clearly wearing off, Landis's stiff halting speech creeping back upon her as she finally replies, eyes vacantly toward a wall.

"This is no revolution.

There are no hymns.

Just a cold, soulless war, being invated by an enemy we do not know and have not wronged.

It has nothing to do with beliefs, only the desire to survive.

I am quite used to giving up any desires for those around me.

I raised two children while still a child myself.

I don't quite understand what it is to want, what it is to have normal priorities.

I will fight.

I will take a bullet anywhere need be to ensure my comrades, my family, my race survives.

I am not afraid anymore.

Don't worry about me.

Just take care of yourself, and perhaps the boy.

...I'm used to my position in things, I simply forget myself when I drink.

You can count on me.

I will go on the next mission now that I've had time to steel myself, and I will protect us.

I will fight hard for our lives."

Too much like Enjolras, she seems to have made up her mind and commited her body to a decision already. She has prepared herself as a pillar for the others to stand on, no matter the cost. Distance and a cold, harsh exterior seems to be the only way she knows how to cope with her bag of social awkward toward the others she keeps yelling at.

It's hard to tell if this means she's given up on something, or renewed her resolve.

*sigh*
What's the difference?
Die a schoolboy, die a policeman, die a spy?

Do as you please. It was never my objective to change anybody's mind. However, as we seems to be sharing a moment of intimacy, I'm going to be very French about it and impose a request on you. Let's assume I get the fancy to get shot at, again. Let's assume I die, as I am nearly positive I did back then. Let's assume this time I don't come back. If that happens, and Enjolras is still here, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. And provided you're both here, go have a Pinot Noir on me. It's a very special bottle, been saving it. It's in my quarters. You can tell Enjolras the passcode for that 'safe' is Lesgle's real name.
Or, you can forget all about silly distractions and get on with your duty. Regardless, I'm going to bed. I'm absolutely loathsomely sober at this rate. Good rest. It was nice to get to know you, kid.

*Grantaire walks off singing quietly to himself again. You can practically make out all of the words, though*

...to days gone by
Can it be
You fear to die?
Will the world remember you when you fall?
Could it be your death
Means nothing at all?
Is your life
Just one more...

The most irritating thing is, they're not even debating the actual French Revolution, but the fictional version of a two day attempt presented by Hugo.

Ah, Corporal Banana, Corporal Sofaer, congratulations on your recent promotion and welcome to my tender ministrations. Unfortunately, you've managed to avoid getting wounds sufficient for me to get to try out another new prosthetic, but don't worry, I'm sure we'll find something fun to do with you while you recover!

Although I'll likely be called away once you've begun your convalescence, I fear.

This is the problem with running a base on a shoestring budget and a handful of employees. It's a good thing clones are so cheap and expendable.

(On the plus side they're in such caring hands! OwO)

Toni listens intently the moment he mentions his death and requests again. The idea really seems to perturb her, more so than the idea of losing anyone else. Sh tries not to flinch, but you can tell, it eats at her.

She nods a bit, then looks down, sort of ashamed.

"I only wish I could keep that promise.

The boy doesn't listen to me, though...

What a burden.

I had better just make sure nothing happens to Grantaire..."

She blinks and mumbles,

" 'Lesgle's real name.' ...Ok."

Deciding she'd rather not be alone anywhere, she remains in her seat in the infirmary near Logan. Her eyes slip shut toward a very light and unsettled sleep. There is no doubt in her mind a new mission will come shortly. And she will try to be there at full capacity when that time comes. Not out of duty, out of compassion.

((Don't worry, if he gets killed I promise he'll be in a killer robot body before you get the wine uncorked. :D))

((What's bad is, I'm at least half ok with this. Probably more than half.))

(If you do that, can you please name it PATRIA? It'd fulfill his fondest dreams.)

((My only concern at this point is keeping you both alive long enough to unlock Alloy SHIVs. That's right, you can BE the barricades!))

((ALL OF THE LIKES. Maybe not all of Grantaire's likes, but who cares what he thinks...))

((I WANT TO BE THE BARACADE! Damn this game is fun.))

BOY HOWDY AM I EVER.

(...even if I wanted to be a medic. You can always locate the medic when she has hair like this!)

(Enjolras strides out of his quarters.)

Now. I am rested. What were you all talking about?

...

What? Why isn't anyone saying anything? What?

((Fun fact: Victor Hugo accidentally got involved with the June Rebellion when the barricades rose up around him while he was busy writing plays in a garden. He was totally the Marius.))

Landis peeks an eye open.

"I'm still resting now.

If you have to be annoying again today, do it quietly.

Can you behave?"

Her stilted and unfeeling tone has notably returned while he was away.

... please... just... five minutes more... sacre bleu, my head feels like someone dropped the Arc de triomphe de l'Étoile on it... No more shouting, s'il vous plaît? I can't even remember half the... the... things... to... speak... English... to defuse anything... just... mind les grenouilles on the floor... I think I named them after Les Amis and stepping on them would be trés tragique...

Landis's eyes pop all the way open this time.

"I thought you left for bed?"

She fishes a frog from her pocket, still dressed.

"I renamed this one Franco..."

Ok, not all of her personality is gone.

Doctor Stargazer (Ph.D, Psy.D, M.D., and DDS) continues to work away at the injured as the discussion restarts, and apparently the musical nature of certain guests has gotten to him, as he hums and sings softly to himself...

"Gamma Rays
Tidal waves
Influence there's so many ways
The human race can take a hint
Whip on a zinc and you can swim
If you don't mind a little change of skin
designer genes are a better fit..."

Can somebody get me some earplugs? Thanks. There's an incredibly annoying fly buzzing around my head.

((I always miss so much! XD))
Between the alcohol and Enjolras and Landis' constant philosophical "debate", Logan was unable to stay awake any longer. She nodded off in one of the infimary chairs, probably not the best place for someone who was not yet totally recovered from her wounds to sleep.

Logan woke with a jolt. "What what? What'd I miss? Oh good, you two didn't kill each other."

"Resting doesn't sound like a bad idea." She yawned and began to search for her helmet. "Probably better if I do that in a bed, yeah? You might want to do that too, Landis."

((So he would be fictional French revolutionary Bender?))

"Oh, certainly. Here I am, taking my own valuable time away from actual SCIENCE to tend your injuries, having miraculously gotten you to the point you need simple bed rest to recover from PLASMA BURNS, and what do I get? Complaints. Honestly it would be easier on everyone involved if we just recycled the injured for the cloning vats, but no, THAT would be unethical. Narrow-minded idiots handcuffed to outdated morals..."

((What he and Enjolras get up to in their private bunks is their business.))

"Why's everyone convinced I'm gonna kill him?

He's usually on track to taking care of that himself.

Makes certain commitments of mine difficult."

She groans slightly.

"I don't want to be in bed."

She doesn't want to be alone, really. She can ahrdly fathom sleep, just resting her eyes...

((Do want.))

((That's quite a wall of certificates, right down to dentistry.))

(Given our team leader's quack credentials, I wouldn't trust a single one.)

She laughs. "Remind me to tell you sometime about the group before I came here. I'm just glad that everyone here can keep a handle on their tempers." Of course, she will be leaving out the fact that she was the one responsible for most of the injuries that resulted from disagreements. It was a long while ago anyway, and it was amazing what not being stranded in a zombie infested city can do for one's disposition. Besides, everyone was getting along okay by the end, anyway.

"Suit yourself. Want me to bring you a blanket?" She picks up her helmet, noticing that the weight feels off. She looks inside to find a small frog making itself comfortable. A gentle poke confirms that the frog is in fact real. "I'm going to have to clean this before I head out again."

((But what does he do with the teeth?))

"I'd be glad to hear it."

She smiles slightly at Logan's offer.

"Don't worry about me.

Get some rest and keep healing.

You have injuries still..."

((Clone people from the DNA left behind on gum traces, of course.))

((Frankly, given the fact he's a manic depressive hyperactive sadist, I'd be more concerned by the degree in psychology.

And unlike our beloved commander, they're all legitimate degrees from the Miskatonic University's Institute of Questionably Sane Sciences. Go Squids!))

I... what is this thread and how was it hidden from my sight for so long?

Damn. I'd like to join in on the action at some point, despite royally sucking at these things. c:

((Join us Kaneda, you know you want to. We don't have a cat yet. :D))

Join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!

Then I'll leave this here. Just in case.

Gentlemen, I come bearing terrible news of a most insidious nature! I awoke today in my lavish private quarters my bunk, and found myself confronted by a terrrible, strange, new reality. I awoke surrounded by...

FROGS!

GAH-No, wait! Put the bottle down! I didn't mean our French allies!

These were FROG frogs! Wearing little French uniforms! I-I can only assume it is some sort of Xray plot, towards what ends I cannot say, but....THE AMPHIBIANS ARE REVOLTING!

But more importantly, THE FROGS ARE REBELING!