audio;

[powdered]

[ Effie clears her throat. Taps the microphone. Puts on her best smile even though nobody can see it and parts her rouged lips to speak in that designer Capitol accent.

She is a woman on a mission and for once it isn't entirely selfish. ]

Attention.

Attention everyone.

Thank you.

There has been some concern as of late regarding the lack of feminine necessities available to the recruited ladies of this establishment. I have taken it upon myself to run a charitable drive for distribution of these items to any person who requires them.

We would be delighted to accept your generous donation of fine fabrics and aesthetic materials such as powder or perfume that could contribute towards a woman's well-being.

Please note, gentlemen, that this effort is as much for your sake as it is for ours, and on behalf of the ladies in Exsilium we appreciate your cooperation in advance.

Comments

[powdered]

Doesn't that sound important.

So you're a real soldier then? I'm glad they have one.

[goinbust]

"Sure am. Was a Sergeant in the Confederate Marine Corps and Chief Marshal of Mar Sara back in the day. I get the feeling there are a few of us here, just not as many as others."

[powdered]

I am most certainly not a soldier, as you may have guessed.

It feels like the majority of us 'recruits' or people who have never held a gun, or have no interest or place to be fighting. I'm more likely to accidentally shoot myself than an enemy, I can assure you of that.

[goinbust]

"Yeah. Noticed that too. Scrounging firearms to offer people a basic course on how not to hurt yourself. Was wishin they'd do that here but doesn't seem to be in the cards."

He facepalms a bit.

"They'll send kids out to die but don't quite understand they don't get to be elites without knowing how to duck."

[powdered]

Ridiculous. I'm no commander but even I can look at this situation and see we are being set up to fail. I just don't see what there is to gain from recruiting and equipping so many unskilled people who are likely to die without making a difference, wouldn't it be more profitable to hire experienced persons?

They should just pick ten of their best men, the enemy ten of theirs and let them fight for supremacy. It would certainly be a lot cheaper.

[goinbust]

"Well, that may be, but the enemy has a lot more experienced men so I don't think they'd agree to that, and the people in charge here are more in love with their tech than their soldiers."

[powdered]

Can't you do anything about it? You're a man of action, make them act!

[goinbust]

"Ma'am, rarely are the men of action listened to. I think this is a job for the political types. I'll teach anyone how to fire a gun and dodge a bullet, but really, convincing a government to do spit takes skills I don't got."

[powdered]

I suppose I can't argue with that, what a pity.

This city is a circus.

[goinbust]

"No, the circus is fun. This is what happens when you pull in a bunch of angry, murderous hobos and let them run things."

[powdered]

That is an unfortunately accurate description.

[goinbust]

He sighs and nods.

"Yeah, I know. Wish it wasn't but seems about the best description of this place."

[powdered]

All we can do is survive as best we can.

[ She sighs. ]

It's so difficult to wake up in the morning knowing I'll be forced to wear yesterday's dress.

[goinbust]

"Well, can't speak for the dress bit, but yeah. The mornings can be tough and we all gotta do what we gotta do to survive. Who knows though, next mission may actually be in a civilized place."

[powdered]

As pleasant as civilization sounds, I couldn't possibly go on a mission; I have no experience with weapons or any such things.

[goinbust]

"Read the briefing first. My first mission involved getting some bozo elected in a town, not shooting anything. Now some people found ways to make parts of that INTO a shoot out, but the bulk of the work was done by the political types."