[M][Namek] The Tempest

[Prototype]

Robert wasn't being received as warmly as he had thought. This was war, he guessed, and people weren't exactly renowned for their kind attitudes in the army. Besides, he must've looked rather fashion-senseless as he strode about in his nervo-suit, his Prototype armour restricted back to their individual capsules. He hadn't given it much thought, since the sight of the heavily bruised Vad had shut off most stray thoughts.

He activated the capsule secured to his waist, and after the shroud of smoke receded, was clad back in his magenta robe, pink buttoned shirt and dark, somewhat baggy slacks. While he was comfortable again, his casual attire certainly made him stand out against the uniformly dressed militia. Wherever he was on Namek, he would be a fish out of water. He decided he might as well be a little at ease, if only because he wore what he wanted.

Vad's disheveled, beaten appearance had thrown a hefty amount of salt onto his adventurous flame. It took a decent effort to convince himself not to turn tails and run to the safety of the meeting he was sure had already begun. Then to see Vad, a man who stopped a crashing car with the palm of his hand, scored and pockmarked by wounds and dried blood, was instantly concerning. If an experienced warrior like him was so badly beaten against the alien's forces, what chance did an experimental metal shell over a thirty-something year old inventor have?

Yet, whatever happened to Vad didn't dampen the confident spirit that was housed beneath several kilos of metal armour and even more kilos of hardened muscle. It was like he spotted Robert's trepidation and immediately set out to wipe it out. The manner in which Vad spoke, calm and collected even while untreated for his various wounds, gave Falconer a strange sense of mysterious appeasement. While walking into the militia bar and losing a portion of it in the exchange with the feisty woman, it stopped him from altogether losing it and exchanging his deal with the militia with sitting in the corner while cradled into the fetal position and crying.

Vad also seemed to notice this pugnacious female as some sort of criminal, although Robert wasn't devoting his full attention to the conversation until he was mentioned. Rather rudely, he thought. The scrawny looking one? Sure he was no bodybuilder, but ... well, maybe she had a point. Still, she didn't have to say it with that tone of voice, like having him there was a liability. OK, sure, maybe he was a little, but he still resented it.

There was also a grungy little guy there, with short brown hair and the look of a mercenary. He seemed to act as the unofficial leader, although from the outside he didn't look like much. Vad was the closest thing Robert had seen to reliable on this planet, and his instinct told him to stick with him despite his injuries.

A namekian covered in a black robe atypical of the agrarian race also waited nearby, close enough to be part of the group but far enough to only be on the outskirts of conversation. He watched intensely the ongoings of the motley group without actually contributing. There was a freaky, unsettling feeling to him. Maybe emos weren't confined to Earth?

Once everyone had exchanged ... pleasantries, Juno offered to begin the assault on the Grand Ship Myreen. Robert was fine with it, gesturing with a nod. Going up there with a few others to watch his back was the whole reason he came here, otherwise he would have engaged the floating city by himself.

"Are you feeling all right?" Robert said to Vad, who, considering his damages, was standing with ease without showing pain.

"I'll be fine." He spoke it like it was fact. If Falconer was in that position, he definitely wouldn't answer like that.

"All right, let's go then!" Robert said with a boost of enthusiasm. No one shared it, but no one disagreed. The unlikely clan made their way to their transport.