I Need To KnowThe battle had begun. All Spartanian pilots rushed to report to their stations, geared up and ready to go. The mechanics and fighter technicians were frantically doing last minute checks of the machinery before send off.
Commander Poplin had already launched, and Karin was one of the few pilots remaining in her fighter, seconds after the initial launch.
The air lock opened, and in a rapid and intense speed, she whooshed out into space. In her peripheral vision, she could see Poplin’s fighter, as well as the fourteen or so already in formation.
Her com messenger beeped, and she flicked the switch on to hear her Commander give his short motivational speech.

“Listen, don’t you dare try to make your motivation for surviving something as lofty as protecting the nation Think of only the cutest girl you like and coming back home alive to see her smile. Then jealous God’ll abandon you, and you’ll have the Devil’s luck”

Karin could hear the other pilots shouts of affirmation, and the clicks of their own intercoms gradually switched off. Only Commander Poplin’s remained open.
“Commander” Karin piped over the com system.
“Yes, Karin”
“What if I can’t imagine a cute girl to come home to” She asked earnestly.
Poplin let out a small laugh, smiling at Karin’s timid question.

“Ah, it doesn’t have to be a cute girl Cute boy, cute girl, anyone that makes your heart flutter, try to imagine going home to their warm smile.”

She shifted in her seat.
“Cute boy…” Karin asked, her nervousness audible in her tone.

“Yes. Anyone that makes you want to stay alive.” Poplin assured.

Karin didn’t answer right away, her shyness trying to hold her back. But this was a battle of life or death, like all others, and she didn’t want to die without having this sole question asked. To not ask was denying her a peace of mind. It was now or never.

“...Can I imagine a kind and handsome flight Commander to come home to”

Silence. Karin’s heart seized as she waited for Poplin’s answer. She could still hear faint static from his end, which means he hadn’t switched off his com system. She hadn’t thought far enough as to what his answer would be, but letting her feelings be known would be enough to satisfy her, if she died.
Then, in the warm voice she had only heard in her dreams, Poplin spoke.

“Sure, Karin. Of course you can."