Enfield's response was immediate, a low growl:
"Good."
In that moment, James' world would have become one of pain, his vision spinning. If he were to collect himself, he might have seen the wounded Enfield now pulling his one good arm back after delivering a punch to the side of the young man's face that was swift as a lightning bolt - and packed as much power behind it.
"For once... Shut your motor mouth, and listen."
Enfield straightened. Despite the fact that he was clearly in pain, he showed no signs of weakness. His voice was firm, calm... and cold.
"In a crisis situation, you directly engaged an unknown enemy - in a machine that wasn't even fully tested, with you yourself barely trained to handle it."
The Knight of Knight's features contorted into a furious scowl, his voice rising in anger, causing others in the hangar to turn and look at the two men.
"What were you thinking? That you're some kind of hero? That you could win? That you could save me?" - He shook his head in disbelief, practically spitting his next words:
"I've never seen anything so reckless in my entire life."
Sir Enfield exhaled, slowly, letting the anger flow out of his body. He was furious - and he had stripped others of their commission for less, but the boy... Needed to hear this. At length he resumed... Calmer, this time.
"You should have run, and gotten help. Forgotten about me, and focused on denying the enemy's objective - to take the Genion. No matter what... Your duty is always to survive. To live, even in disgrace, is preferable to any honorable death - no matter what anyone else might say.
Today, you got lucky. We got lucky. The enemy attacked alone, and even then we barely drove them off. If they had brought reinforcements - even one more of those machines?" He paused here for a moment, allowing the question to hang in the air before continuing:
"You would be dead."
He closed his eyes, his brow furrowing as he reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose - though whether it was because of his throbbing head, or perhaps something else - was unclear. He continued shortly, bringing a hand up towards the young man, palm upwards, his tone switching from anger... To melancholy, lost in memory.
"I've seen far too many body bags in my time, James. Today, you could very well have joined them."
The discipline lesson was over. He waved a hand, as if clearing the air, and kicked back to float away, saying as he did:
"Reflect on your actions as a Knight of the Moon. That is all."
"Good."
KRAK!
In that moment, James' world would have become one of pain, his vision spinning. If he were to collect himself, he might have seen the wounded Enfield now pulling his one good arm back after delivering a punch to the side of the young man's face that was swift as a lightning bolt - and packed as much power behind it.
"For once... Shut your motor mouth, and listen."
Enfield straightened. Despite the fact that he was clearly in pain, he showed no signs of weakness. His voice was firm, calm... and cold.
"In a crisis situation, you directly engaged an unknown enemy - in a machine that wasn't even fully tested, with you yourself barely trained to handle it."
The Knight of Knight's features contorted into a furious scowl, his voice rising in anger, causing others in the hangar to turn and look at the two men.
"What were you thinking? That you're some kind of hero? That you could win? That you could save me?" - He shook his head in disbelief, practically spitting his next words:
"I've never seen anything so reckless in my entire life."
Sir Enfield exhaled, slowly, letting the anger flow out of his body. He was furious - and he had stripped others of their commission for less, but the boy... Needed to hear this. At length he resumed... Calmer, this time.
"You should have run, and gotten help. Forgotten about me, and focused on denying the enemy's objective - to take the Genion. No matter what... Your duty is always to survive. To live, even in disgrace, is preferable to any honorable death - no matter what anyone else might say.
Today, you got lucky. We got lucky. The enemy attacked alone, and even then we barely drove them off. If they had brought reinforcements - even one more of those machines?" He paused here for a moment, allowing the question to hang in the air before continuing:
"You would be dead."
He closed his eyes, his brow furrowing as he reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose - though whether it was because of his throbbing head, or perhaps something else - was unclear. He continued shortly, bringing a hand up towards the young man, palm upwards, his tone switching from anger... To melancholy, lost in memory.
"I've seen far too many body bags in my time, James. Today, you could very well have joined them."
The discipline lesson was over. He waved a hand, as if clearing the air, and kicked back to float away, saying as he did:
"Reflect on your actions as a Knight of the Moon. That is all."
