The aftermath of the slaughter, the burnt buildings and his fallen comrades - Logan’s mind should’ve been occupied with plotting his revenge for the Monstrum’s destruction. But watching Abraham press Serah up against a nearby ruin while her hands fumbled around beneath his shirt - kissing the most vicious embrace he’d ever seen, he was far too preoccupied trying to piece together what had led to that development to let Smile’s death sink in in full.
Luna was chatting with Jarek, sharing reports of the two sides of the incident while Logan and Jorn stared at the horrific scene playing out in front of them.
“I’ve been gone for… two weeks?” Logan asked. Jorn nodded. “Yupp. Kids these days move fast - ain’t like we wus. They looked like they wus havin’ fun, so I just let ‘em. Boy even wanted me to watch ‘em fuck.” Logan felt his stomach growl with discomfort and for a moment, he considered he’d rather watch the writhing tentacles again.
“You all right, son?”
Logan huffed a grunt of acknowledgment. Jorn crossed his arms over his chest and continued his prying: “I knows she was a good friend to you. The Lurkers know you ain’t got many tae lose, so I’m sorry ‘bout that.” Logan grunted again. Hesitantly, he confided: “I trained her from recruitment… she was with me on the Frontier, but I asked the Governor to have her transferred. Her being here was on me.”
Jorn drew a long breath and growled a long sigh. “That’s the bidness of this world, kiddo. You’ve gotten a lotta people killed over the years - we both have. But losin’ someone whose face you can remember… well, there ain’t nuthin’ quite like that.”
“Is that why you quit?” The old man raised his hand to scratch his chin ponderously.
“Might be part of it. ‘Course, biggest part is I got me a good replacement. There a time and place to give the reins to the next spiteful sonnovabitch. That, and I needed to look after my ma'.” The old man’s powerful arm closed around Logan’s neck in a tight hug. “But you take care of that one there. She’s a good girl and she’s good for ya. Lookin’ like you do, you need to hang on to whatever humanity’s left in ya.” After seeing what he had, his mind was already tumbling down a spiral of questioning… was being human really that much better than a deformed monster?
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“Co-... Brigadier Logan. Can I get a word?” Jarek’s voice spoke from behind the old man. Jorn released his son from his grip and sat down on a large piece of rubble to behold the two eager lovers leaned against the building, offering no objections as Logan passed towards the Captain, Luna and Mara.
To his surprise, neither of the two had turned away with disgust at the sight of his face. In fact, if anything, Mara seemed more smitten than ever as she beheld his teeth and the pitch-black eye.
Jarek signaled a strict salute and spoke: “This strapping young lady has told me you’re going after it. We may not be part of your order, but I’d like to offer my support in front of the tribunal. If my name still means anything in the Citadel, my testimony of what transpired here might come handy.”
Logan turned around demonstratively to look at the ruined town. “I suppose you don’t have much to guard back here.” It was refreshing to share in the grim humor of veterans.
Jarek maintained his salute throughout his controlled chuckle before a brief bitterness seemed to overtake his aged features. “Indeed. We’ll find a way to survive at the end of this. Private protection and caravans are always hiring veterans. She might be missing a hand, but Mara can still castrate a squirrel from a mile away with her remaining gun and a light-caliber.”
Logan crossed his arms, nodding in agreement - the girl was a good shot with a mortar, at the very least. “I wish I could wish you good luck in your hunting, brother. But I can’t let you leave.” Jarek dropped his fist from his chest and jerked back, rattling the usurped rifle against his green carapace armor. “I’m not going to kill you. Chances are you’ll meet an early death, yes, but at the hands of the Monstrum, not my gun. The Order needs more people like you - people who aren’t afraid of them. People who dare to look at them with the eyes of logic and reasons… I would like for you to accept my commendation - both of you.” It took both Mara and Jarek a moment to understand that what they had first surmised to be a threat was , in fact, a job offer.
When the Captain’s shock had settled and his eyebrows had crept back down from his long forehead, he stuttered: “S-Sir, you can’t be serious. I’m an old man and Mara’s only got the one hand. We can’t possibly do what you do-” Logan spoke a decided interruption:
“What Cradle needs isn’t guns or swords. It needs someone to show them that we’re going to kill every last one of the Monstrum. You, better than anyone, should know what comes after you’ve conquered the fear and moved on from crying in a hole. So, please, help me drag these people out from their holes. Help me kill these fucking things.”
Jarek looked down at his hands. He’d always heard that the Ghasts were fighters above all - warriors who would engage with even the most frightening of the Monstrum, no matter the size - no matter the cost… “You’re sure we’re the right people for the job?”
“Without a doubt. I’ll await your decision on our way back to the Citadel. For now, we need to return to Longmire - we’ve got enough lodging to get us all rested up. If my apprentice ever gets finished molesting my sister, we’ll get a few days’ rest as they wrap up their initial training.”
Jarek threw a glance back at the embracing forms against the wall and cocked his head at the impressive passionate display.