Once more...
Nelson's team returns to the safety of the Citadel, intent on catching a short respite before embarking upon another mission. Their previous mission being somewhat a 'delayed victory.' Phil had a few choice of words of the way back, but was restrained by Joshua.
Stronghold Training Center
Rebecca?
Yes, Joshua?
I wanted to talk to you about your attitude.
Oh, spare me your talk. I know I'm hot-blooded, and that I should think more before acting, and so on. But that's how I'm made, I'm sorry. So in short: take it or leave it.
I'll take it.
I was wondering, if you were always like that, or...?
...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like you are trying to impress someone. Tom, perhaps?
What? TOM? Hahaha, you MUST be joking!
Relationship Change: Rebecca Fox +10
You could be right, though. Maybe I'm trying to impress someone. Not Tom, though. He knows me well enough.
Ah, I see.
Was there anything else you wanted to say?
No, see you.
Stronghold Medical Center
Good day, Nelson.
Hello, Rumi.
... Ask away, Joshua.
Wh-what? How did you know that I wanted to ask you something?
I do possess some special psionic powers, remember?
Right, I forgot. Well...alright. I am curious. What happened that caused the loss of your vision?
I was ten years old. I was training in a Psionics military camp on this planet. You know better than me that the training in those places is rather intense.
Yes. They assess your Psionic Power and classify you with a Potential Psionic Level.
As you know, normal ranges are from level 1 to level 5. I was... level 7.
What?! Level 7!? That's incredible!
Yes, that's what everybody else said. Then they began the 'training experiments' as they called them.
You don't seem to be happy about that.
I was a test subject. They tried every drug and psionic enhancement device on me, until my Psionic Powers were reverted back to levle one, and most importantly, I lost my eyesight.
What!? This is terrible!
It was. Now I've learned to accept my condition. But in the early days, I thought about my life. Now, all I can think about is revenge. Often I think about going back to the training camp and...
Subject Zero?
What would you do? Kill everyone in the training facility?
I couldn't even if I wanted to. The place is just an empty shell now. It would be nice to destroy all the robots that patrol it and blow the place up, though.
You shouldn't be thinking things like that, Rumi!
I know, but that place stripped me of my sight and my honor.
Your honor? What?
Sometimes I cannot control my anger.
That is unacceptable. You of all people need to keep your emotions in check.
Relationship Change: -5 Rumi Kai
That is easy for you to say. You didn't experience the pain. I'm really sorry, Nelson, but could you leave me alone?
Yes, I'll be going now.
She is acting strangely. I hope she's not thinking of doing anything rash.
Stronghold Main Hangar Bay
There he is, the famous Red Thunder Pilot.
Surely you did not come just to make fun of me, Joshua.
Well... I wanted your opinion on something.
Ask away.
About the Emperor...I know that you support him, and I do not regret my choice. Even so, I was hoping to get your opinion on him. What do you know that I don't?
Let me guess. You have doubts about what he asked you to do?
Well yes.. I... I don't know, the line between good and evil... between what's right, and what's wrong. Is really thin...
This planet is headed towards a great war. And one side will be completely annihilated when this is over.
Sometimes I wonder if the decision I just made was the best one, or not...
I know. That is why it is easier to just be a soldier.
You mean-
You just need to follow your orders. The difficult part is making decision, since you know that they'll affect many people.
I agree with you.
Relationship Change: +10 Tom Shatz
Don't let those new responsibilities get to you! You don't need to let your teammates know that you have doubts about what you're doing.
You're right. And I already failed with you...
Tom puts a hand on my shoulder.
You have not failed. I have absolute trust in you and your command.
Th-thanks. I'm going now. See you.
He's right. I must not display of doubt in front of my team. Once a decision is made, there is no turning back.
Stronghold Relaxation Lounge
Hi, Joshua.
Hello, Michelle. How are you doing?
To be honest... I am a bit tired of this war.
Oh, but it is your duty-
I know, I know. Someone can tire of duty, though. Can't they? War is a terrible thing.
I agree. Unfortunately, sometimes it's necessary.
Perhaps... still, I wish there is a way to solve problems without resorting to violence. Do you think that will ever happen?
I'd be lying if I said that we'd be free of that. Just look at history. Before intergalactic exploration was possible, humans were observing the stars, asking themselves if there were other forms of life in the universe.
And...?
But the only reason men asked themselves that question was because they wondered if there were unknown enemies out there. New battles to fight.
You mean that war is something that is within human nature?
Yes. We are born wanting to fight. That is how we were made. Unfortunately.
Relationship Change: +10 Michelle Lafleur.
You're right, Joshua. Anyway, I didn't want to depress you. Sorry.
Don't worry. It's fine. I'm never depressed when I see you.
That's a nice thing to say.
(It's because you're a nice person. Michelle.) I have to go now, but it was a pleasure speaking with you.
Thanks. Stop by when you can!
Stronghold Landing Pad
Joshua! You've come to hear an old man's ramblings?
You're not old, Bellamy!
Haha! If you say so. But after all the battles I've fought, and everything I've seen... I feel very old, inside.
You fought against a lot of enemies, haven't you?
Oh yes. There were so many races on this planet. Much more than there are now. But tell me, do you like fighting? Is that why you got into the army?
No, I don't like to fight, unless I'm forced to.
Relationship Change: +10 Bellamy Dupont
You're right! I underestimated you.
Why?
Well... I thought that at your young age, you joined the army only for the classic reasons: the adrenaline rush, the glory from battles...
I cannot deny that I like fighting, but there has to be a reason behind it.
Exactly. Never forget this. It was nice talking to with you, Joshua. Excuse me for now, I'm going to rest for a while.
Wait, have you made any more grenades?
Yes, here. Take them.
Stronghold Science Labs
Nelson.
Jacob. Where are you from?
What do you mean?
Your origins. Your profile said you were raised by androids on this colony...
Well, that's true....
That's it? Nothing else to add?
Relationship Change: -5 Jacob Miles.
No. Why are you interested in my personal story, anyway?
You can call me Joshua. I want to know you better because I'll be fighting alongside you.
Ah, I see.
And if someone choose to lie about his past, how can I trust him?
But I'm not lying.
True, but hiding the truth isn't too different from lying.
I suppose... Could you give me some time alone? I need to think. See you, Joshua.
Very well. Lucille, any new reports?
Yes, Commander. We have found the last two alien races, the Arnox and the Apex Rahn. If you're not aware, there's an endless battle between them.
Quite a feud, that one. I was just studying it today. It's as if they've been at war since they were born in this planet.
We can use this to our advantage. Recent rumors say that the Apex Rahn have captured the Arnox warchief. We don't know the reasons, but this is an incredible opportunity.
How?
Enter the Apex Rahn territory and find where the Arnox warchief is being held prisoner. He should be somewhere in their main lair. The alpha Apex Rahn should be with him.
What is the 'alpha' Apex Rahn?
The Apex Rahn live in a pack society like dogs or wolves. The leader is called 'alpha'. He is the strongest of his race.
I see, but aren't the Apex going to kill the Arnox warchief?
Not immediately. They will torture him first to get as much information as possible, but it won't be long before he is killed. Because of this, you must hurry. While the warchief is alive, the alpha Apex Rahn will stay in one place to question him. Once the warchief is dead, he might start moving around, making it much harder, if not impossible, to find him.
Hmm. Then subjugation their race will be more difficult. I understand.
Take this ion bomb. If you place it in their lair, the explosion will eliminate most of the Apex Rahn. If you do not raise any alarm, it might be possible to infiltrate and complete the mission without having to fight.
Updated my Codex.
This task requires the most attention. I have a limited time to execute this task.
However, even if you fail to eliminate the alpha Apex Rahn, or place the bomb, not everything is lost. The Apex aren't a numerous race, so they aren't a big threat to the Empire. Should the assassination fails, our main concern is finding a way to destablize the Arnox race.
I see. How do I do that?
Without their warchief, the Arnox race is in a state of chaos. There are three Arnox Sentinels as possible candidates to replace him. Eliminate all three of them.
And this will ensure the chaotic situation in the Arnox territory?
Yes, and for a long time. The Arnox religion says that the candidates are picked by divine intervention every ten years. By eliminating those three, their region will be weakened long enough for the Empire to conquer them.
Updated my Codex.
All right, understood. I'll be sure to take advantage of the situation then! We've no time to waste! Jacob, inform the team to assemble at the landing pad. We're moving out.
Yes, sir!
And btw After seeing what latest Western 
Space Marines aren't supposed to cry!
I just want the personal quest and EXP, actually.
