One of the most important things that kept Jack alive in Nymia was acting.

It was surprising how often a few well-placed words and the ability to play a character had got him out of otherwise dangerous situations. All-in-all it may have come in handy even more than his sword and bow did—and that was during a rebellious war against a titanic empirical overlord.

From the first time he was able to convincingly redirect someone’s attention and pass through a situation unscathed he was hooked, and after years of practice, being able to seamlessly slip into a moment and act completely natural wasn’t just something Jack could do extremely well, it was something he used to be an absolute expert at.

But there was an emphasis on the used to. He hadn’t improvised his way out of a dangerous situation since coming back to Earth. It had been years, and if whatever was going on with Genys and Orvalys was going to turn out to be one of those situations, he wasn’t so sure he would be able to pull it off.

When the homunculus and the commander had first arrived beside his flyer he had first only been able to feel betrayed. Orvalys had tricked him somehow for some reason—that was clear. Jack had no idea why Orv would do something like that, or what he was trying to accomplish by reporting him to Genys, but he was much too intelligent to not have a reason for doing so.

Orvalys was a friend, a real one, or at least it had felt like it, but Jack immediately pushed those emotions away. He had been betrayed and sold out before by people he had decided to trust, and he learned a long time ago it doesn’t do any good to dwell on the sting of it. Besides, whatever was happening was happening fast and he had to take action, and he was going to have to fight his way free of whatever was going on

And that’s when he had decided to improvise. Whatever was happening and whatever was about to happen, his best bet was going to be to play it off. Maybe that way, even if he had to make for the woods, he could at least do whatever he could to get information out of them first, and if possible maybe even redirect any suspicion away from Ki if that’s what this ended up being about.

All these emotions and thoughts went through his head in the few moments it took him to walk from the flyer to where they were standing. He avoided looking at the weapon Genys was holding and stopped himself from glancing toward escape routes—that was an old rule he and his companions lived by, if you act suspicious you are suspicious. He took one more second to clear his throat and then began speaking in an excited but quiet tone.

“Yes! I do have something to discuss with you,” he said to Genys as if he had been expecting this. “I’m so glad Orvalys told you! I know how busy you get and this is a really important thing. He filled you in I assume?”

Genys looked at Orv and back to Jack. “He said you would fill me in.”

“Ah well, that was good of him,” Jack said, glancing quickly at Orvalys and nodding. He used the moment to try and assess anything the homunculus would communicate with his expression. There was nothing to learn, Orv just watched him speak without any apparent emotion. Jack looked back at Genys to continue, but she interrupted.

“He said it related to the security of the Republic.” The Commander was very deliberate and kept him fixed with a piercing gaze. Orv was and wasn’t letting any information loose either, and Jack realized he maybe wasn’t the only one playing a part.

“Um, well yes, it was,” Jack said. He dared to take a step closer and lowered his tone, “but I think it’s a good idea to tell you about it without anyone listening.” He motioned subtly to Jik behind him.

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Genys narrowed her eyes. “Recruit, head back to camp,” she said loudly, not breaking eye contact with Jack. From behind them Jik saluted and walked away. Whatever was going on, it seemed like the Yarvan didn’t want any part of it. That made Jack suspect that whatever Ki was involved in, Jik could be a part of it too—or maybe it was something completely unrelated. Either way, it would be better if he was far away in case anything went wrong.

“Listen, commander, I tell you this completely anonymously,” Jack’s tone was still low. “I don’t want any of the other recruits to know what I’m about to report.”

“Understood,” Genys said. Jack saw her mouth twitch like she wanted to say something. The commander was resisting impulses as well it seemed. Now was his moment, it was time to play his cards and place his bets. Whatever he said next would decide the direction of the rest of the conversation.

“I have learned some important information about the Yarvans in this squadron,” he said, lowering his tone even further. “And of course, as far as how valid it is—this is only my observation.”

“I’ll determine its validity,” Genys said.

Jack shrugged. “Of course, of course. It’s just that I’ve recently become aware—” He feigned hesitation.

Genys said nothing. She just waited.

“And I suspect this could be a widespread issue,” Jack continued. “Not just relegated to our squadron.”

“Yes,” Genys said. Impatience flavored her words.

Jack made sure to look around once again. “It’s just that… I really think none of them should be allowed to fly.”

Genys blinked. For a moment Jack could clearly see the confusion flood her face before she locked it back down. That was it, that was all he needed.

“They’re really just not very good at it,” he said. “Every Yarvan I’ve flown with has been… awful.”

“I see,” Genys said flatly.

“I don’t want to be rude,” Jack said. “But I just don’t feel very safe when a Yarvan is flying.” He turned and motioned to the flyer behind him. “I mean this is a finely tuned machine. It takes a long time to accustom oneself to this. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’ve been flying since I was young. I have years of practice and even then I’ve struggled to learn.”

“I’ve heard reports of your flying,” Genys said. Her tone was slowly turning into a disinterested one. “You’re reckless, but apparently also rate high.”

“Ah well, I’m sure I have a long way to go,” Jack said modestly before putting on a concerned expression. “But then if you’ve noticed that, you’ve certainly noticed the um—” he looked around again. “You’ve certainly noticed the lack of ability.”

“I’ve noticed,” Genys said. “But we do the best we can with what we have.”

“Of course,” Jack said. “And honestly Commander you do more than the best with what we give you. I just wish we could give you more.”

It was a little brazen of him to compliment her like that, but it felt right. It didn’t necessarily accomplish what he wanted it to, but it did seem like Genys softened—even if only by a barely perceptible degree. He decided to go one further. “Tinaria deserves everything and more. I know the Yarvans are learning, but I’m personally just worried they’re not ready for the flyers, that’s all.”

“Why don’t you let me decide what my recruits can handle,” Genys said. It wasn’t hostile, but it was meant to put him back in his place, and it meant he had won.

Jack quickly bowed his head, “Yes, of course, Commander. Kir ukk Tinariakl.”

“Kir ukk Tinariakl,” she repeated, switching out of Yarvan as well. “And soldier, work on your Tinarian. It’s important to speak the tongue of the Republic.”

“Ba Utriklaān Genys,” he said, nodding.

“If that’s all, I’ll be off,” she said, this time letting the impatience fully show. She turned to Orvalys. “And next time there’s something ‘very important’ tell me what it is first.”

“Yes Commander Genys,” Orvalys said in Tinarian. The homunculus watched her walk all the way back across the camp before turning back to Jack. He looked up at him expectantly.

“And what the tojink hell was that?” Jack said.

“It was kind of brilliant actually,” Orv replied.