Maybe, a lady

Eae's resting place was roughly five kilometers away from Asbestos. It took us two hours to walk the distance. I didn't worry about the time. The haulers would take double that to move the other mechs to the repair bays, so I saved Command a lot of time. I hoped she wouldn’t use it to continue chastising me.

The other mechs were in worse shape than I thought. Only two were still active. Onoel lay inside one of the broken domes, so I had hoped he would be usable. Unfortunately, some rubble had damaged his missile launchers. Iaoel had the opposite problem - she was too far out. A return trip to her would take ten hours. That excluded the time necessary to investigate her systems. I had asked Command whether Cerviel could carry her back, but the answer was an emphatic no. I answered the same way when Command asked whether Eae could do the same. Zaapiel was the final candidate, but his power cores were damaged. There would be no reviving him.

That left Eae, Mihr, and Tartys as the surviving mechs. Mihr had fired all her missiles before her demise. Tartys had a full compliment. It struck me as odd. I remember Grus being trigger-happy.

A medical team waited for me when Eae's ear hatch slid open. While I was tired, I gave them the all-clear. A splitting headache, one undoubtedly generated from interfacing with the incompatible personality core, was the only affliction I suffered. Even so, I wanted to continue helping with the preparation, but my body would have none of it. Only the thought of a good night’s rest kept it going.

When I left the Command Center, Raifin's streets were bustling. People scurried like ants, carrying everything from food to clothing to sleeping bags. I smiled upon noticing a few kids who carried portable gaming devices. I doubt anybody would complain. Keeping kids busy at home was hard enough. Doing so for four days in an uncomfortable environment would be nearly impossible. Any adult would welcome the distraction.

The weary faces throughout the crowd didn't escape my notice. More than one person stepped into the tram beside me. Their thoughts were likely split between worries about the imminent future and getting some shut-eye, with the latter taking priority. I was in the same mindset. That is why I opted for the women-only carriage at the front. I found it pleasingly empty. Only one other occupant would join me in my trip home. It was one I've met before.

"My." The old lady's smile went from ear to ear. "To think fate would bring us together again."

"I'm glad to see you up and about." I returned her smile as I sat down. "I didn't think the Overseer's message would call the elderly to action as well."

"Are you insinuating the elderly are nothing but a burden on society?"

"Hardly. I merely wondered whether you're at the stage where it is easier to receive than to give."

"Yet us old folks are often accused of spoiling the younger generations too much." The old lady chuckled. "I can hardly stay idle after hearing such an honest message from our Overseer. The help I can give may be little, but it is help nonetheless."

"Every bit is appreciated." I wouldn't deny my preference for sitting at the back of the carriage, especially after a tiring day. I'd rather not let the old lady feel unappreciated. "Have you been well?"

"Oh, just dandy! My son reached out after the last attack. Some of the fighting took place close to where he lives. He says the prospect of death has made him re-evaluate some of his life choices." She winked. "He's too proud to admit he's scared, but a mother knows."

"That's good to hear. I hope it's not a one-time thing."

"As did I, so imagine my surprise when he showed up to visit the same day. Oh, we had the most wonderful time. He's promised to call me regularly since then. He's kept to it so far. I couldn't be happier."

"I'm glad for that." I smiled. "How did they take the Overseer's message?'

"Oh, I'm not sure. We haven't talked since yesterday. They have probably gone to help the others. And what about you? I'm sure even the Angels have their worries."

"My worries can wait until tomorrow. The day has been... tiring."

"I assume the risen mech was your doing?"

"You saw that?"

"An Angel is hard to miss." The old lady smiled.

"I see. Yes, being able to walk Eae back was truly a blessing. Interfacing with her systems seems to be one of my less popular decisions. I received quite the tongue-lashing from my colleagues."

"I'm sure your effects are appreciated, but it is wise not to put yourself at risk, young Angel."

"That is the nature of my job." I resisted the urge to blow out a breath when a sudden wave of tiredness washed over me.

"Was it not to save people?"

"Yes?"

"Then you should look after yourself. You are a person as well, not just an Angel."

"Though their words and tone differed slightly from yours, that is the gist of what my colleagues told me earlier."

"Then it falls upon the recipient to listen." The old lady said.

"I try to. But it's not easy with so much in the balance."

"Every person has a limit. When that has been reached, the way forward is to ask for help, not work harder. You have the heart of Asbestos behind you in this battle. If that isn't enough to survive this fight, then fighting alone would surely fail as well."

"You make it sound so easy."

"Is it not?" The old lady said. "I'm sorry. Age tends to give a perspective the young don't yet understand. Few people understand the worries of somebody in your position. So maybe this is all the musings of an old lady."

"I don't mind," I said with a smile. "It helps to share my thoughts. Even more so if there is no answer in sight."

"You are more than welcome to knock on my door if you feel your worldly worries might get the better of you. I cannot guarantee an answer, but I found the road to a solution often starts with a good cup of tea."

"I might take you up on that one day."

"I'll be waiting. Now, tell me something while we wait for our stop. What is it like to pilot one of those mechs?"