It begins (D1 LE Practice Range)

[John Slaktare]

"Well, that ain't really an issue for me. I don't wear anything fancy and I'm not worried about how my clothes look. But if someone wants an honest opinion about how they look they shouldn't get mad if they think different. If it's just being noted and they didn't ask, I can see why they might get annoyed," John replies with a shrug.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Well, that ain't really an issue for me. I don't wear anything fancy and I'm not worried about how my clothes look. But if someone wants an honest opinion about how they look they shouldn't get mad if they think different. If it's just being noted and they didn't ask, I can see why they might get annoyed," John replies with a shrug.

"What if they have dirt on their clothes though?"
Yori frowns slightly, reloading her piece.

"Some people will become angry if they are not told about the dirt. Others become angry if told about it. And sometimes-"
She pauses
"I am sorry, it is an issue of some difficulty to me, there is considerable nuance."

[John Slaktare]

"Best bet, if it looks like something is wrong like dirt or a tear, just let them know in private. Might be that they don't want to be embarrassed. But if they ask, I always tell the truth, so that is the best advice I can give. Might not be good advice."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Best bet, if it looks like something is wrong like dirt or a tear, just let them know in private. Might be that they don't want to be embarrassed. But if they ask, I always tell the truth, so that is the best advice I can give. Might not be good advice."

Yori gazes off into the middle distance
"...It is a simple enough system. I shall attempt it on a probationary level. Would you say you are an honest man then? Even if honesty sometimes has resulted in undesirable outcomes?"

[John Slaktare]

"Yeah. Better to be upfront. Start telling lies and you gotta keep track of who you lied to and what you said. Not worth the extra work. If someone don't like the truth I tell them, it's their problem. Sure, they might make life hard for me if I piss them off, but least I won't feel bad."

He inspects and unloads the revolver.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Yeah. Better to be upfront. Start telling lies and you gotta keep track of who you lied to and what you said. Not worth the extra work. If someone don't like the truth I tell them, it's their problem. Sure, they might make life hard for me if I piss them off, but least I won't feel bad."

He inspects and unloads the revolver.

"Have you considered a role as an advisor to command? I understand you might be fired quickly, but someone who is absolutely unafraid to offer their opinion can be useful there. It is the role I previously filled for my commander."

[John Slaktare]

"Wouldn't be very useful. Got better mechwarriors than me, I ain't a strategist, and I don't know a whole lot about taking care of folks. So not much I could provide they wouldn't already know."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Wouldn't be very useful. Got better mechwarriors than me, I ain't a strategist, and I don't know a whole lot about taking care of folks. So not much I could provide they wouldn't already know."

"Hmmm, but you could learn, if you wanted to."
Looking over neutrally.
"You don't have to want to though."

[John Slaktare]

"Got better ways I can help out. Always figured it was better to improve what you know instead of doing something you don't. Plus, gonna have my hands full learning all the armory stuff," he counters.

"Prolly easier to get someone that knows all that stuff already and just tell them to be honest."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Got better ways I can help out. Always figured it was better to improve what you know instead of doing something you don't. Plus, gonna have my hands full learning all the armory stuff," he counters.

"Prolly easier to get someone that knows all that stuff already and just tell them to be honest."

"But we all are born knowing very little. Still, I see your point, your armory duties must take priority."
Yori checks the range is clear before bringing up her gun and firing another salvo as she considers the issue.
"People do not like to be told to be honest though."

[John Slaktare]

"People don't like a lot of stuff. But it ain't necessary to like everything. But if you can't take orders or do what's expected of you most of the time, prolly shouldn't be in a merc outfit," he says with a shrug. "So it shouldn't be too big a problem here."

[Yori Hakamada]

"People don't like a lot of stuff. But it ain't necessary to like everything. But if you can't take orders or do what's expected of you most of the time, prolly shouldn't be in a merc outfit," he says with a shrug. "So it shouldn't be too big a problem here."

Yori gives Butcher a long look as she finishes shooting.

"I always believed many people were mercenaries because they did not do what was expected of them, or because they didn't enjoy following orders."

[John Slaktare]

"Any combat unit's gonna need discipline. The difference is you get a say, abd you can pick the company that fits best. But you still need discipline or you falter and folks die."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Any combat unit's gonna need discipline. The difference is you get a say, abd you can pick the company that fits best. But you still need discipline or you falter and folks die."

Yori looks impressed by his answer.
"Is that why you picked the Angels?"

[John Slaktare]

"Nah. I didn't pick. I feel in with. Steffen knew my dad. More than I did at least. Fought under him. Found me in a dark place so he brought me in, as a favor to an old warrior that saved his ass. I think he thinks its the only way to return the favor, looking out for me," John explains.

"So I picked the Angels because Steffen was literally the closest thing I had to family in this galaxy. And I didn't even know him at the time."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Nah. I didn't pick. I feel in with. Steffen knew my dad. More than I did at least. Fought under him. Found me in a dark place so he brought me in, as a favor to an old warrior that saved his ass. I think he thinks its the only way to return the favor, looking out for me," John explains.

"So I picked the Angels because Steffen was literally the closest thing I had to family in this galaxy. And I didn't even know him at the time."

Yori considers this with a cocked head.
"My first guess was not accurate, but that seems a good reason. What he did was, is, very honourable. Not many repay a debt if it is inconvenient."

[John Slaktare]

"Yeah, he's a good guy. Appreciate him looking out for me. Definitely shouldn't have swing on him when I first got on board. But I was bad. Still not good, but not as bad as I was. How about you. Why did you choose the angels? Good profit margins and high rate of survival compared to others?"

[Yori Hakamada]

"Yeah, he's a good guy. Appreciate him looking out for me. Definitely shouldn't have swing on him when I first got on board. But I was bad. Still not good, but not as bad as I was. How about you. Why did you choose the angels? Good profit margins and high rate of survival compared to others?"

"I believe you are becoming reasonably familiar with my mindset. Those were two of the main reasons, as well as the company's general operating area. Given we were in possession of our own vehicles there were several options open, but the Angels was the best by approximately 3%."

Looking back at her target to gauge her performance
"I am not sure how long I should remain, it has already been several years."

[John Slaktare]

"Stay for as long as you're gettin something out of it. Or at least more than it's costing you. Don't forget to account for your happiness or enjoyment," he suggests.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Stay for as long as you're gettin something out of it. Or at least more than it's costing you. Don't forget to account for your happiness or enjoyment," he suggests.

"I think those will remain secondary priorities for some time. But I am not unhappy here. I am reasonably health and well fed. I have my own quarters and people I trust. It is not so bad."
Back at him
"How long will you stay?"