yellowthirteen | The Eighteenth Sortie: Decommission

Litchi,

I was hoping the time would never come that you would ever have to read this. But it has, and I can't tell you how sorry I am for it. How much this hurts you. The pain I must be giving you right now. And... I know many of the things that I have to say may very well make it worse, before it gets better.

You already know that... I never loved anyone as much as I did you. You helped give my life meaning, borrowed time as it was, after I had thought I had lost everything that ever mattered. After Ulysses, after the War... things happened that just made me lose hope. But being here... and finding you, Tsubaki, Tao, Nu, and Goroh made me live again. I can't thank you enough for giving me my wings again; and even though I've been sent back, I'll never forget. ...And I know you won't forget either.

Litchi, you mean everything to me. ...and I know this is a horrible thing to do to you. That this will probably hurt more than anything I could ever do. But... the ring with this letter, I intended to give you on the solstice. I knew... more than anything, that I wanted to be with you for as long as I was still here. And even though I'm gone now, and... was never able to give this to you in person, I still want you to have it. If nothing else, as the defining proof of how I felt about you, the woman I love with all my heart.

...But Litchi, more than anything, I need you to be as strong as I know you are. I know you'll be hurting, probably more than I can ever imagine. I can't ask you to stop hurting immediately. But you can't let that pain paralyze you forever. I just want you to be happy, to be able to live life as well as you can. To live for the future, not the past.

With all my love,

David Jordan

Nu,

The first thing I want to say to you is... I'm sorry for not being here for you anymore. I hope you realize just how important you were to me while I was here. Though you kept your distance a lot of the time, I trusted you, felt safe around you, and knew I could count on you if things turned sour. You saved my life more than once, and I want you to know that I'm forever grateful to you. You're a lot more than first meets the eye, and I see a kind person underneath all the armor, even if you prefer to keep to yourself much of the time.

But if I were to give you one parting request? You're strong, Nu. Stronger than anything I've ever seen, capable of doing so much. ...I'd ask you to use that power to protect. Having served in combat and seen and caused devastation many people don't dare dream of... I can say that it's easy to destroy. But it's empty by itself. ...Find something, or someone worth protecting. If you can't... just protect whoever you can, like you did with me. You possess the power and ability to do so much... and I only hope you'll put it to good use. You could truly make a difference in making the world a better place, Nu. ...You definitely did with mine.

Anyway, that's enough of that. ...I've left something for you as well. Litchi or Tsubaki should be able to give it to you.

...Nu, more than anything, you deserve to be happy. And I hope you're able to find that happiness someday. Best of luck... and I hope we'll meet again one day.

Sincerely,

Maj. David Jordan, “Yellow 13”,

Commander, 156th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Aquila”, FEAF

Tsubaki,

If you're reading this, that means I've returned to my world. I'm sorry, Tsubaki. I would've loved nothing else to remain in Luceti with you and the others for the rest of my life, if given the choice. Unfortunately, that is not the nature of this place, and I've understood that since the day I arrived. But... I will miss you a great deal, Tsubaki.

I don't have any reservations saying this. You were like a daughter to me, the daughter I never had, but wish I did. You're smart, strong, and courageous, and capable in all things you try. You're family to me, whether you're related by blood or not. You were an inspiration to me while we were here, if you could believe it. You inspired me never to let my edge weaken and dull, and you inspired compassion in me as well.

I only have two requests of you now that I'm gone. Please, protect Litchi from trouble. I hope you two can continue to remain as close as we were while we were together. ...And the second... well, I simply request that you continue to keep the promise you made to me and Litchi.

...I'm proud of you, Tsubaki. And I always will be. Take care.

-David Jordan

Tao,

Hopefully you won't be too sad that Fly Guy has gone. I don't know what to say to you, except that you've been a great friend, and even better family, Tao. You saved my life, and more importantly, Litchi's, and I'll never forget that. All I can ask for you to do is to keep Litchi safe for me while I'm gone. If we ever see each other again, I promise I'll buy, or make you, a huge steak dinner if you do. Thank you, Tao.

-David Jordan

Maes,

This is going to be a strange letter to read, I'm sure. I know you don't remember me from the previous time you were here, but I felt you should know that you were one of the best friends a guy could ask for. I'll miss meeting with you at the bar and just shooting the breeze. But you're a family man, and you have to take care of them. I know just how much Elicia and Gracia mean to you.

...And you were right. Little Elicia is the most adorable little girl I've ever seen. You are a very, very lucky man.

Sincerely,

Maj. David Jordan, “Yellow 13”,

Commander, 156th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Aquila”, FEAF

Daisy,

I think there's some things I could say that you've already heard before. You're an exemplary soldier, a great ally and someone I was honored to fight alongside when we battled the Third Party outside the barrier.

...But you've also been a great friend, beyond the battle, and beyond the armor. You're someone I felt I could trust with just about anything, and I knew I could rely on you for just about anything if I just so much as asked. You have no idea how much this meant to me. You were like family in my mind in many ways. A kindred spirit, a fellow warrior, and someone who was ready to protect all they held dear at any cost. I just wish I could've been around longer to have stayed close.

Though, if you could keep an eye on Litchi and Tsubaki for me... I would be eternally grateful. Thanks. I left something for you, as well...one of them should be able to give it to you.

Daisy, I hope you're able to find happiness and peace. A soldier who has fought as hard as you have deserves some rest, and to live life beyond war. I wish you only the best, my friend.

Maj. David Jordan, “Yellow 13”,

Commander, 156th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Aquila”, FEAF

The gifts presented are as follows:

For Litchi, there is a new gold and diamond engagement ring. It looks like he was waiting for the right moment but wasn't around long enough to present it.

For Nu-13, there is a custom, extremely well painted F-14 Tomcat model, fashioned to be in her color scheme, save for yellow wingtips. American symbols for the plane would be replaced with Erusian rondels and the crest for Aquila Squadron adornes the tail fins.

For Daisy, there is a custom F-35B Lightning II model painted in Yellow Squadron's colors, with the proper rondels and crests. The only addition is a custom made crest for Daisy's old unit as well, sitting beside the Aquila Squadron shield. As well, he's left her his H&K USP .45 pistol. Probably vastly inferior to her standard sidearm, but she's probably the only one who could make use of it.

Yellow 13, signing off.