} 053 - [VIDEO] - mostly public, one private

[Amanda's got her communicator set up on the itty little dining table in her cabin; she's sitting before it, one injured hand set very gently atop the other. It's nice to have someplace other than a shitty old bed to sit and broadcast from.]

Good thing the distraction worked. I didn't have enough time to build everything up to my standard--especially those fuckin' shotgun gauntlets. Recoil was a bitch.

[Her hands and arms are mottled the same horrible purple they've been for days.]

The bruises haven't faded. If it continues, I'll have to open up my forearms and evacuate the hematomas myself. Not my idea of a good time, but I'm responsible for someone else's safety now and I can't protect her when I'm all fucked up like this.

Anyway, I just wanna say...thanks. To the people who fought alongside me.


[PRIVATE TO LUA]

We need to talk. In person.

Today.

[Pause.]

You're not in trouble. I just need to say a few things.