When everyone had suited up sufficiently, Luca stood outside, waiting for everyone to assemble. Luca was outfitted in everything he and his harnesses could carry.
Everyone else had loaded themselves with whatever they could carry.
"Okay, the shuttles are loaded," John reported, "We can make a stop off to fly-through gunshop and get ammo, weapons, clothing - whatever we need through there."
When they came and assembled in a row, Luca had to address the crew, he stood at attention, next to the
ISC Big Bird, which John had loaded both the
Junker and the
ISC Phoenix into.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, Friends," Luca started with conviction, "Today, we're putting our lives on the line for the sake of billions of others," He paused and sighed lightly, frowning, "As fun as it sounds - I have to be honest with you all, we may not return from this one."
John, Mel, Hitori, Jim, Mitch, Crane, Anna and Sebastian glanced about to the other people in the crew, noting the expressions of dismay and doubt - The captain's optimism had appeared to fade.
"But no matter - If the possibility is that we're going to die, then we'll fight as though we've nothing to lose - fuck the odds!" The captain stood tall, yelling and inspiring his crew, raising his hand high in the air:
"If things go south - we might as well go out with a bang - no matter the odds! We've got the gear, and we'll get extra support from the other Yamataians, Nepleslians, Aliens and mercenaries from abroad - and together we'll hold the forests of Tami like we'd hold a lover on a lonely night!
"We'll preserve it's beauty yet for our friends and children to see! The tendrils of the Mishhu cannot take us apart when we're all together!!"
He then stopped, and saluted his crew sharply, who returned the favour.
During this speech and unknown to the crew, Luca had his communicator turned on, in his pocket -
recording the soliloquy and posted it to a public communications channel. He
was going to get help.
"Now let's hussle and drive 'em out!!"
Luca went to the bridge of the
ISC Big Bird, and sat at the captain's chair. John took up the controls, with Vincent welcome to co-pilot. Hitori remained near Luca, standing nearby. Jim and Crane stayed at the bunks - ready to administer medical treatment when they could.
Anna and Sebastian were sitting in the lounge - wondering what sort of conviction had come over their son. Mel and Mitch were on the opposite couches - self-medicating with alcohol and cigars before battle ahead.
Tensions were high, the odds seemed impossible - but that was how it always was for the crew.
Fuck the odds - I've done this before... Luca thought to himself, sitting down and considering the outcomes. Victory and triumph, stalemate and retreat, defeat and loss. It made him shudder.
"Ready to go when you are," John said over P.A.