>>5128608>>5128915>>5128920"Oh thank you, but I'd rather not. They aren't good for you." You replied politely, Katerina just rolled her eyes and set the pack down on her lap. Taking the initiative you continue asking questions. "Do you happen to have any ideas about what it's like piloting an Emperor Class? They didn't tell me much." Her eyes flicker over the other pilots again before coldly settling on you. Shifting forward she sat almost at the edge of her seat, closing the space between you until you could feel her breath on your face. Uncomfortably close.
Earning yourself a face full of smoke she spoke low in a whisper. "I heard it fries your mind. It burns out your eyes. Well the part of your brain that causes them to function. Same with taste, touch, hearing and even smell. It steals everything from you. But when you're in it… The whole world is within your hand. People say you can taste the sweat on the brows of your enemies, smell the piss in their pants as if it was your own and hear the rumbling bubbles of blood welling up from their throats. Emperor pilots stay in for so long their arms and legs atrophy becoming useless until they waste away. And when the body finally dies they fight on, their mind trapped and bound to the metal sarcophagus. Killing friend and foe alike in a blind rage until it is finally taken apart." Her words were heavy for once, the snide tone shifting to a more neutral one. "Well that's the rumours I've heard anyway." She takes a long pull, your eyes lock.
As your mind races, the idea of that happening to you. It was almost too much to bear. Katrina blows another puff of smoke right into your face. "if you could see your face. Not so happy to be one now huh?" You gave her a meek nod, thoughts of becoming numb lingering in your mind. Dying and living through an alien tool before dying again. You chalked it up to rumours, trying to reassure yourself. "Well I hope we can work well together in the future, coordination is fundamental in battle and training." Katerina sighed. "Aye, Aye Captain!" The girl retorted sarcastically, she even did a little salute. You smile, her lingering words making you feel unsure.
