"what are we doing?"
"the answer to that question has not changed since the last time you asked it, B, really."
"What do you expect from me? We're here. HERE - of all places. Why? What can we possibly hope to accomplish with this endeavor?"
"I do not know. You know that I do not know. You knew before you asked the question. We are here. The why does not matter. We simply are."
"Maybe it does, S, really. Maybe that's why we are here. Maybe we're supposed to question. You know we were never supposed to come back here. You know that was the vow. It's forbidden. This place is not only off limits - who knows what would happen if we were caught here. I don't even like admitting it to myself, much less talking about this place out loud, but-
"Yes, that is a grand idea. Why not try keeping those meandering thoughts of yours a little quieter. Possibly silent altogether. Hmm? Why don't we give that a try, B?"
B mumbles to himself something inaudible ....
S casts a sharp glare - "What was that? Were you speaking to me? No? Very well. We need to move."
"That's just it!!!! Move WHERE?!? I don't understand why we are moving at all.... or what we are doing. Do we have some kind of mission? Is there something we're supposed to uncover or learn or ANYTHING? I just need to know - this makes no sense. Usually when WE are deployed, we have a, you know, job to do - a task, as mission, a directive - SOME DIRECTION... I don't know, maybe you know where we're going, you seem pretty driven to saunter off in this general direction.... do YOU know where we are going or why we're here or what we're looking for?"
S stops, lowers his head and takes in a deep breath. There is a pause. He then turns to B - "B. I understand you are frustrated. I understand what you are saying and can see the point you are making and a valid point it is. The truth is just this - we do not have any directive. We are here to learn what we are here to learn. Whether we stumble across it in a literal sense or it comes to us out of thin air." B opens his mouth, gestures with his hand, begins to interrupt but S cuts him off - "Yes, I know, this area was supposed to have been "taken care of" - it should no longer exist. The fact that it does means something, someone, somewhere was wrong. We have to find out what that is. Yes, I am aware that in a few day from now, this whole situation will be moot. We must be out of here by then, hopefully with an answer. Which we will most likely find MUCH faster if you would stop with the incessant questioning and complaining. And I never saunter. "
B gathers his cloak around him and turns sharply away as if he were looking to the cold wind for reassurance, at the same time, trying to prevent as much heat loss as he can.
"What are you doing? You are not cold. You do not get cold. In fact, this whole charade - why? What purpose does it possibly serve?"
"It's fun. Don't you remember fun? doood! FUN!! - there's nothing wrong with having some fun. Besides, this place is so desolate, so barren, so void of any and every thing - I don't know, just looking out across that landscape gives me shivers. And speaking of "charades"" B mimics the use of the word with exaggerated air quotes and unnecessary inflection on the word - "why ask me that? You already knew. Seems like someone is playing a role as well..." B winks, "eh? EHH?! yeah, you're having fun"
A perceptive person, had they been able to witness this exchange, might have noticed the corner of the mouth rise, ever so slightly, on the man known only as S...