And Then Everyone Clapped

[Civil Servant]

CS was watching the show somewhere high above the service catwalks in the chamber hall. The moment he heard that this speech finally about to erupt, he had to give into his indulgence to see the outcome of what was once the great and esteemed Erich Klugmann; Someone that he has only known under times of unfortunate circumstances. His take, not as heroic or demeaning as some listening in shock below but on an equal level of desperation made the helmet bound individual. Underneath the visor was CS' glare of understanding as he leaned in with his elbows resting a top of the catwalk railings.

If only people could see the grin on his face throughout the majority of the speech, although some remarks did entice an uncomfortable shifting of foot position... CS was quite aware of why it made his so called conscious feel at least some guilt in the actions he participated in; Although he knew in judgement the likes of the humanitarian Bundschuh sects and even Klugmann's swing in condemning the submission of the Bundschuh that it would be expected.

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Before the near end within Klugmanns damning address to the crowd, another Helmet donned individual sends beside CS also looking down. His flight suit similar in its shape and bases colour of grey shades yet to the trained eye the differences became clear, featuring an embroidered pattern all over of a shadowed black variant of the Stuttgart Jillies. The helmet etched roughly with what seems to be a knife blade aggressively to read the letters 'Exiled Enigma'. "He speaks at us as if we haven't heard this before, this feels like the same thing for the past decade." Their voice, gravely and exhausted as it sounded past the helmet speaker, both refrained from looking at each other as they scanned their surroundings both on their level, above and below... They both paused for a moment, continuing to see an even more exhausted Klugmann that had tied the tattered bow on his vocal dismay before hunching away from the stand. "...and yet we persist in our purpose." "Blindly... are you sure he's the right one to lead the people's goals?" He didn't sound angry towards CS, but the calm concerning frustration in his voice was entirely present.

CS stood up away from the rail, before leaning back on the one behind him to make visor-contact with the other enigmatic figure. "Do you?" "... The familiar future will continue for us in this, I don't think we can savour the fruit of life like the others here." The two stood in silence with each other, CS began to swing his boots to caress against back and fourth the catwalk while the other took a moment to think with his arms folded. "... But I think this cause is worthwhile for our--" "Servitude. I know Enigma, I know..." An amount of depressing acceptance came from CS, his head hung low as it nodded in a shallow manner. "I wouldn't wish our lives to repeat to anyone down there... I think you told me that once." CS looked up, his nodding was still continuing but a small chuckle also followed through from his helmet. He gave Enigma a pat on the back before joining him in looking around level with themselves and below. "How many others have you see here?" "A few, Cipher and Hope are down below trying to fit in." "Oh yeah...? How they doing?" CS had some surprise in his voice as he eagerly brought himself to look down at the crowd below. Enigma pointed with a nod of their chin to down below to another pair of helmeted figures lingering in the audience as they were also conversing amongst themselves.

"We should return... Others want to see the recording for themselves." Engima's concern was valid as much as their desire to stay, he brought himself to stand up with CS soon copying. "I'll be staying for longer, I might have a few words with the man myself at some point..." Engima with a single nod and a fist held out low towards CS was met with an instinctive exchange, a sequence of bumps before parting ways, calmly returning from the catwalks into the shadows. CS looked down towards the empty podium, twiddling his gloved fingers... "Forgive us just enough... Please."

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SigComic made by @Big Bison Bessie