realityshifted | (no subject)

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doctor who (dl) the brigadier

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[the Brigadier arrives on the plane during the middle of what, presumably, must be some sort of action scene! why is this? well, the fact he arrives mid-dive, and upon hidding the 'ground' lays there panting is one indication. another is the fact he's been shot in one of his shoulders, and said shoulder is being soaked with black blood - until it heals, anyway

a third thing is the futuristic gun he has with him, which to informed individuals is a laser rifle]

Didn't [a hiss of pain] expect the ambush. Damn.

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Brigadier, what haven't you told me?

Nothing you need to concern yourself with.

You're hurt; that makes it my concern.

Harkness. I'll be fine.

....You didn't leave me alone when I asked you to last time. Why shouldn't I do the same?

Because I'm not asking you to leave me alone. I'm just telling you there's nothing to worry about.

All I'm asking is for an explanation.

Harkness. Jack. You know I died. This is just... part of that.

Then what's wrong with telling me that? I'm not going to stop worrying just because you tell me to, sir.

I'm afraid I've never been quite that good at following orders.

[he sighs] Because I don't like talking about it, Harkness. It has nothing to do with you.

[Jack maybe looking angry now] Me getting tortured by the Master had nothing to do with any of you, yet I didn't get a say on who stuck around, did I?

[he pushes himself up roughly, but he keeps a neutral tone, as if he is completely unaffected by Jack's look] You were a wreck, Harkness. And even then, you might not be one of my men, but by terms of rank, you are my responsibility. And damnit, man, I should be able to keep him away from you.

[Jack stands up as well, but he's not backing down] I am nobody's responsibility, Brigadier. You and the Doctor need to understand that. Whatever happens to me, neither one of you is to blame.

And I'm telling you that not as a subordinate, but as a friend.

[he stands straight, his laser rifle hanging off his shoulder by the strap] Captain. I am a soldier. My job is to protect others - and you getting hurt means I'm not doing that job. I have to protect civilians, I have to protect my men, and I have to protect soldiers that aren't my own.

It might not make you happy, but I'm not about to shirk my duty.

[yelling now] You can't protect everyone! Out of every person in your reality, every person here on the Plane, I am the one you should be the least worried about! [His voice goes quiet] I go out on the field with my team, always knowing that the stakes for me are not the same as for them.

I value life Brigadier, just not my own.

[the Brigadier is completely unbothered. he has that cool, calm, emotionless facade up and it isn't wavering - though his voice takes an edge of command, that sort of 'alpha male' tone] I do what I can, Harkness. The circumstances surrounding you are no exception.

You're a fool for that, Harkness. You should always value your own life. [he crosses his arms behind him, pauses, then continues] Do you think I wouldn't lay down my life for any of my men? I would, without hesitation - because I have to keep them safe. If I'm killed, it doesn't matter. I'm easily replaced.

[Jack is stubborn enough that he doesn't even waver, just holds his ground more firmly] You value a person's life because death means the end. You can easily replace a rank, but your men will feel the difference. People can't simply be replaced; that's where the value of life comes from.

What does that say for a man who can't die?

Most of my men don't know me outside of the uniform, Captain. I don't think there'd be much of a difference if I was replaced.

I don't know, Harkness.

You;d be surprised what your men notice, Brigadier.

Why is your wound healing so quickly, Brigadier?

Maybe. But they'd adapt to a new leader. They're well trained.

[a pause] I don't know, Harkness. It just has since I was brought back.

That's not the point.

So the Twins again. The Doctor, does he sense anything off when he's around you?

He might. If he does, he hasn't said a word of it to me.

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