HOME | DD

Description
2007 a.t.b., unknown medical center. Alistair had experienced a terrible amount of losses during the assault on his home. As he woke up, he noticed that he couldn't move his eyes, let alone open them. The bandages covered Alistair's eyes, making him unable to open them. Immediately, a female voice rang out, somewhat echoing on Alistair's hearing.

Female Voice: Alistair Wake?
Alistair (Age 6): Pretty much.
Female Voice: Good to hear that your awake. Don't worry. I'm a doctor. Call me Carol.
Alistair: So, I'm in a hospital, then?
Dr. Carol Miller: A little off, but close. Welcome to the Las Vegas Medical Clinic.
Alistair: Vegas, huh? So, I was in the Mojave.
Carol: You would be right.
Alistair: I'm the only survivor, aren't I?
Carol: Only survivor?
Alistair: My home, my friends, my school. All of them are dead. Am I right?
Carol: That's the unfortunate part, yes.
Alistair: Thought as much. Shot by science fiction mechs and assumed dead. I guess that's all I was to them. Nothing more than cannon fodder to test out their new toys. They have no right to be called human.
Carol: Right. Listen, Alistair, I need you to answer some questions for me.
Alistair: You need information that only I can give. Fire away.
Carol: This is just for a psychological profile. Nothing shady. Alright. Let's say you were walking down the street...
Alistair: Intriguing choice of words.
Carol: Sorry. Well, you're moving down the street. Next thing you know, you see someone being bullied. The bullying reaches some...let's say fatal stages. What would you do?
Alistair: I don't know what I would do, originally, but I would force the bullying to stop, risking my own life in the process.
Carol: "Originally?"
Alistair: Most of my memories are currently blocked off by the trauma of those mechs shooting me. I try to reach a memory, it bounces me right back to being shot.
Carol: Dark. And...that seems like a good answer. Okay, imagine yourself back in school. I'm sorry if I'm causing any more discomfort.
Alistair: I'm blindfolded and can't move. I'm envisioning as we speak.
Carol: Alright, then. Well, let's say you're in high school, the heartthrob of the entire school. And you only date the pretty girls...
Alistair: Bite me.
Carol: (surprised) Ex-Excuse me?
Alistair: Who says I have to be whatever other people want me to be? Only I can choose who I am. Not you.
Carol: I...was...talking about the "bite me" part.
Alistair: Apparently, cursing is the only way for most people to understand.
Carol: It explained a lot, actually. Sorry. Forget about the "dating pretty girls" thing. Well, it's about time for the prom and you don't have a date. Then, you see a girl that catches your eye, but you know that she's been blind since her childhood. Would you take her, anyway?
Alistair: Yes. Who else is there?
Carol: Who else? Uh, there's a deaf girl, a girl with no legs, a girl with no arms and a girl who had suffered from severe burns and is severely scarred.
Alistair: All of the above.
Carol: Okay. Let me get this straight. You would go on a date with several different girls, completely ignoring the fact that they would be upset with you for doing such a thing? What, do you believe in polygamy, or something?
Alistair: No. I don't.
Carol: Then, why, oh, God, why, would you date all of those girls at once?
Alistair: (leans head in the direction of Carol's voice) Because they deserve to be loved. Considering what you said about the girls, they have had a terrible time in their lives. Being "different" to those around them, seen as "outcasts," "freaks." That's nothing more than prejudicial bullcrap. You and I both know that.
Carol: (pauses) Oh. Uh...huh. I...really didn't expect the "equality" answer from you. I mean...hell, I wouldn't think of choosing that answer. You're, uh... You're a really smart kid.
Alistair: (leans head back to its previous position) I've had straight A's all my life. Currently, I don't care about my intelligence. I care about my morals.
Carol: I think that's all I can do, on my part. Rest easy.
Alistair: Nothing else to do.

Before Alistair could begin resting again, he heard a door open in the room. Alistair could hear footsteps and a male voice as the person entered.

Male Voice: Sorry. Had to barge in.
Carol: General Chase? What are you-?
General Campbell Chase: I'm visiting a friend. It's not a crime.
Carol: You really shouldn't be here, sir!
General Chase: I've known his mom before he was even born.
Alistair: You seem to know me. You're a military big shot, like my mom was?
General Chase: You should know me, too, Alistair. Your mom should have talked about me.
Alistair: Sorry. Memory's a little fuzzy. I got shot by sci fi death machines.
General Chase: I can see that. We were attacked by Britannia, Alistair. Those death machines were called Knightmares. To reintroduce myself, I am Campbell Chase, a General in the Army.
Alistair: Thus the name "General Chase."
General Chase: (chuckles) Impressive perception, Alistair.
Alistair: How would you know my mom, anyway?
General Chase: Everyone in the military knows about your mom. Cheryl "Paragon" Wake. The very first female Ranger in the Army. I'm sorry that she's dead.
Alistair: There was nothing anyone could do, General Chase. You couldn't have seen this sort of thing coming.
General Chase: Fair enough. But, everyone's taking the loss pretty hard. Chief Hanlon's been mourning for days on end. Why aren't you crying, though?
Alistair: I've done nothing but cry when I saw my parents get slaughtered, before I was shot. I was in a crater in the Mojave, for God's sake.
General Chase: Again, I'm sorry, Alistair. About everything.
Alistair: (sighs) I guess I can understand where you're coming from, General Chase.
General Chase: Wait a minute. (to Carol) Why are his eyes bandaged?
Carol: Due to his wounds, we had to heal him, quickly. Surgically.
General Chase: What kind of surgery?
Carol: (indistinct whispering)
General Chase: Well, that part makes sense. But, why are his eyes bandaged?
Carol: The effects of the surgery would happen to include improved eyesight. His eyes are currently adjusting, sir.
General Chase: I guess that makes sense, too.
Carol: Sir, I don't think you should jeopardize your safety any more than you already have.
General Chase: I have to tell my friend what's going on, right?
Carol: Very well.
General Chase: Alistair, our military is on the run, underground. Britannia's taken over everything. Daughtry's dead and Hawking betrayed us all.
Alistair: A Vice President selling out his country. That's a first.
General Chase: Yeah. Pardon my language, but everything's gone to shit, fast. Over 50,000 people were killed in the onslaught of the Knightmares. And the survivors... Let's just say that they are either pissed, mourning or having an absolute breakdown.
Carol: Sir. Time to go. Now.
General Chase: God, do you ever have patience? Alistair's patient, and he's suffered some major disability.
Carol: He's not at risk, sir!
General Chase: Have patience. Things take time.
Alistair: You should listen to him, doctor. You could learn something.
General Chase: Thanks, Alistair. Just stay safe, alright?
Alistair: I've got nowhere else to go and nothing else to do.
General Chase: I hope to see you, again. (pauses) You, uh... You have to say "dismissed."
Alistair: Why?
General Chase: Because it would make me feel better when I leave.
Alistair: (sighs) Very well. You are dismissed, General Chase.
General Chase: Thank you, sir. Rest easy.

After hearing footstep after footstep fade away, Alistair fell asleep once more, this time in a more comfortable environment.

2017 a.t.b., Tokyo, Japan, Britannian detention center. Jeremiah Gottwald had awoken to the sound of his cell door opening, quickly remembering that he was tied to a chair. A familiar voice immediately caught his attention.

Male Voice: You're getting out, Jeremiah.
Jeremiah Gottwald: (looks up) Lord Guilford?
Gilbert G.P. Guilford: Correct you are, Orange-boy.
Jeremiah: Ouch.
Guilford: Still feeling hurt?
Jeremiah: No. That name hurt.
Guilford: It seems you've been proven innocent, Orange.
Jeremiah: (groans in pain)
Guilford: Sorry.
Jeremiah: Hold on. If you're here, does that mean Princess Cornelia is here, too?
Guilford: Right, again. However, we've come to a decision. You've been demoted three ranks for failing to stop Zero from rescuing Suzaku Kururugi.
Jeremiah: That might cause some issues.
Guilford: You have two choices ahead of you. Either start over as a pilot, or cultivate an orange farm.
Jeremiah: Hmm. You like orange juice, Lord Guilford?
Guilford: Excuse me?
Jeremiah: Hey, I'm just asking a question. I can't do anything to you. Tied to a chair. You see?
Guilford: Aren't you scared? Aren't you angry? You've been demoted!
Jeremiah: Just a lesser paycheck. I'll figure something out. Maybe, on my free time, get some kind of part-time job.
Guilford: Did you see this coming!?
Jeremiah: I just thought it up, now, actually. Why? Is that weird?
Guilford: Very. You don't seem...normal, Jeremiah.
Jeremiah: Define "normal."
Guilford: (pauses) You have officially frightened me. You've been demoted, but...your paycheck will not be hindered.
Jeremiah: How nice of you.
Guilford: Just... Please, stop acting like that.
Jeremiah: What the hell are you talking about?
Guilford: Your attitude! It's not normal!
Bodyguard: Lord Guilford, calm down.
Jeremiah: Look, there's no need to make a scene. Have you had enough sleep lately?
Guilford: Don't tell me how to-! Wait, how do you know that?
Jeremiah: You're currently on edge. Also, have you eaten enough? Vitamins and nutrients are essential to the human body. Hence, the orange juice question. Actually, you never answered that question.
Bodyguard: Lord Guilford?
Guilford: (deadpan) Run. Very fast.
Jeremiah: Wait. Don't you leave me!

Immediately, Guilford and the soldiers accompanying him began running towards the exit of the cell block, leaving Jeremiah alone.

Jeremiah: Guys! I'm stilled tied to a chair, you assholes! Guilford!? Lloyd!? Private Kururugi!? Somebody!? (pauses) Screw this.

Jeremiah attempted to stand up, while tied to the chair that he was sitting on. The result was a bent position with less fluid movement.

Jeremiah: This is going to hurt like a bitch. (begins walking) Got to...reach the door. Why...would Guilford be such...a pansy-ass, at a time like this? God...dammit, man. How long is this freaking corridor!?

As Jeremiah slowly walked through the cell block with a chair tied behind his back, he finally came across the exit door.

Jeremiah: Oh, thank God. Now, I have to open this door. With no hands. I have to use my face. (pauses) Well, shit.

Before Jeremiah could attempt to open the door, the door immediately opened. The soldier on the other side of the door noticed Jeremiah and was utterly confused.

Soldier: Uh...
Jeremiah: Yeah. Guilford kind of ditched me in the cell and didn't untie me.
Soldier: Well, that explains why he left in such a rush.
Jeremiah: You think you can...?
Soldier: On it.

The soldier untied Jeremiah from the chair, creating relief for Jeremiah.

Jeremiah: (stretches) Holy shit! That feels so much better.
Soldier: Good to hear, I guess.
Jeremiah: My, uh, uniform?
Soldier: Follow me.

Jeremiah followed the soldier and reclaimed his uniform. Once Jeremiah put his uniform back on, he turned his attention back to the soldier.

Jeremiah: So, how has your life been?
Soldier: Do you really care?
Jeremiah: Jeez. Just trying to make conversation. I mean, I have this attitude, right now, but I don't know when it's going to wear off. I'm starting to like it, though.
Soldier: What brought up the attitude?
Jeremiah: This...guy.
Soldier: A guy, huh?
Jeremiah: Bravest son of a bitch I've ever seen. Taught me some things, too. I think it'll be on my subconscious if my attitude doesn't stick around for too long.
Soldier: How could an Eleven be brave?
Jeremiah: One, the correct term is "Japanese." Two, he wasn't Japanese. Three, I was in my Sutherland, and he kicked my ass with just his words.
Soldier: (pauses) Huh.
Jeremiah: Yeah.
Soldier: Elevens had a name before they were called Elevens?
Jeremiah: (sarcastically) Please, say that again. It's helped you, thus far.
Soldier: Why do Elevens exist, anyway?

Upon hearing the word "Eleven" again, Jeremiah immediately punched the soldier's face, with the force of the punch and Jeremiah's fist pinning the soldier's head to the wall. When Jeremiah removed his fist from the soldier's face, the soldier fell to the ground, bloody nose and all, unconscious.

Jeremiah: (normal tone) I take it back. That. That will hurt like a bitch. (thinking) Now, where's my Sutherland? It's the only ride I've got, at this moment. Unless it's not here. In which case, I have to walk. Dammit. Got to head to the front.

When Jeremiah exited the detention center, he noticed a car parked in front of the entrance. Jeremiah approached the car and the front window rolled down, revealing the driver.

Driver: Good to see you out, Lord Jeremiah.
Jeremiah: (out loud) Are...you my ride?
Driver: Yes, sir.
Jeremiah: Good. I was not fond of the idea of walking home.
Driver: Get in, sir. Lady Villetta requested that I bring you home, as soon as you got out.
Jeremiah: (gets in car, thinking) This... This is something. What a day, that was.