[ 14 ] Voice

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

On Earth - my Earth, anyway, though I'm sure it's true on other ones too - today is celebrated as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in much of Europe and North America. It marks the day World War One ended, and in remembrance of those who've served in the armed forces, particularly those who died on the battlefield in sacrifice of a cause.

I've been a soldier most of my life - at times an unconventional one, but it doesn't make the battles any less real. I've seen a lot of people die fighting.

And here we are, today, conscripts in the middle of another war. So take a moment and remember those you may have lost at home - people close to you, or people you never knew who were fighting for you all the same. And think about why you fight here. Or why you don't fight, if that's the case. Both are choices not to be made lightly.

Comments

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Space as well as time. I've moved around a lot too, and I don't always remember either.

[kneecaptain]

Yeah? You ever been on the moon?

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Yeah, once.

[It was not a happy experience.]

[kneecaptain]

Oh.

That wasn't how I expected this conversation to go.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Let's say I know the full meaning of 'may your life be interesting'

[kneecaptain]

That's supposed to be a curse, right?

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Yeah - and trust me, it is.

[kneecaptain]

I think I already know.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

In the same boat yourself?

[kneecaptain]

I'm on the moon, ain't I?

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

I meant in a more general sense, but you've got me there.

[kneecaptain]

Isn't that the point, though? While we're here, we're here. Just like everybody else. Fresh start.

I mean. I forgot Armstice Day. And my dad fought in that war.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

It may seem like a fresh start, but really, it's just that everyone has different baggage from home, now. Or the complications that multiverses inevitably bring with them.

[kneecaptain]

Yeah, but… now it's harder for the baggage to catch up.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Depends what kind of baggage it is, I suppose. [says the man who brought at least half of his with him]

[kneecaptain]

I guess. [ Yeah, let's change the subject. ]

You got anyone you're remembering?

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Yeah. Too many, really, but - they need someone to remember them, and I may be the only one who can.

[kneecaptain]

See? That's why I hate forgetting.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Not sure the situations are entirely the same. [Because he doesn't really run into any 'commanders from dead future timelines' that often] But fair enough.

[kneecaptain]

It doesn't have to be. Stuff's stuff.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

More than one way to end up in a shit situation, that's for sure.

[kneecaptain]

All roads lead to Rome.