"I'll go flying pretty damn easily... you could probably backhand me off my feet. But I won't be injured. I'm pretty sure they've broken diamond sledgehammers on this thing." Rick braced himself just in case Camilla took the back-handing remark as a challenge.
James finally walked behind the leader of the dozen or so Security that were still in a circle looking around dramatically for him and tapped his shoulder "I could have killed you all by now, you know." The leader screamed and dropped his weapon, and the soldier all tripped and sprawled over one another trying to turn around as James walked over to the other WINGS "I'm back, just wanted to see the controls I'd be working with. I set up some protocols and diagnostics for it to work on while we wait to get underway."
She watched Rick tense, and a part of her cringed; she hated being seen as the brute. Outwardly, she forced a smile, aware that it would look brittle, and gave him a gentle punch.
His words of food echoed in her mind, and down into her belly, which replied with a growl. She allowed herself to grimace, and hoped it would seem that her hunger was the cause of her upset, "Bloody hell," she remarked, "You have no idea how my I have to eat to just break even"
She set off, looking for food, and came across a table laden with rations. Gathering an armful, she sat down and began to eat voraciously, conceding to her hunger. Looking up, she saw a female FEATHER watching her, and waved, "If you're going to stare," she called, "You might as well come over and talk to me."
"This kids, is why we don't enter programmes that tell us to ignore the instincts we've had since we dragged ourselves out of the water all those years ago and started throwing sticks at each other. They make you stupid and forget that the weak points on your armour are the joints. I'm not going to wound a piece of kit developed from many billions of pounds of research." She paused for a moment. "You there, with the face" she said, looking over to Drock "Stop trying to flirt with that poor, poor girl who had the bad luck to stand next to you and give me your pea shooter." The soldier complied and presented his weapon, quickly ignoring the titters he heard behind him as he made his way over. "Any modifications on this?" she asked
"No ma'am." Drock responded, standing to attention and smiling in such a way that it would be almost imperceptible to most. Saryll however, noticed and didn't like the way his eyes lingered as she took the gun from him.
"So you have no imagination then." she said, then paused. "Actually, I assume you actually have a very active imagination, just no creativity, which is a shame. Creative people are always fun. You weren't doing too badly until now" she corrected, looking a little disappointed in him she knew it was unfair to tease him like this, but he deserved it for saying what he had. "Do you know how misaligned your sights are?" she asked
"Three degrees?" he asked, obviously not knowing the answer, but hazarding a guess.
"In which direction?" Saryll shot back, looking surprised but mistrustful
"To the left." Drock said, sounding more confident as he believed he had accurately guessed the inaccuracy.
"No, they're fine. I was going to commend you on your maintenance, but you probably lucked out and got a good gun." she said. "I'm going to teach you how to use your eyes kid, so you'd best start putting them to good use." she walked past a set of crates to get a better firing line, then fired a shot at the wall. "You're going to be hitting that exact spot and anything else is unacceptable damage, so watch my body positioning carefully..."
Rick saw Camilla eating. A rations table, and he somehow missed it? Bleh, it figures.
Rick left Private Knobs leaning on the ship and grabbed a set of rations. He sat near Camilla, and noticed that she was beckoning over a female FEATHER. He listened hard to hear what they were saying.
After a few minutes of coaching Drock on how to look down the sights properly and breathe so it didn't interfere with aiming, positioning his arms and legs by moving them herself, Saryll left him trying to hit one spot with an assault rifle, smirking at the thought of him with the task that he would likely only be able to succeed in by luck, especially when hampered by the vaguely flirty nature she had taken with him. She spotted some people congregating around a table of rations and made her way over. "That soldier is going to get his dues." she muttered cryptically as she opened a breakfast bar and bit off a corner thoughtfully.
Oh, I see, I control Jinxie too, eh? I'll write something in here in a minute...
The recruit moved nearer, but didn't say anything, and Camilla realised she didn't have much to say
"What's your name, girl?" she asked gruffly, and winced as the words came out deep and grunt-like. She half expected the Feather to bolt, but the girl stayed in place, probably scared stiff instead.
Jinxie was, for her part, more curious than anything else about this giantess, most obviously altered of all the Wings troopers, physically intimidating yet with a strange look in her eye
"My names Jinxie" she volunteered, "and I'm not a girl. I'll be 20 by Christmas"
Camilla raised an eyebrow, replied, "That's quite a way you've got for talking back to your superiors"
"If you're pulling rank, Sarge, then I'm a private, but I'm still not a girl." shot back Jinxie
"I was going to say that you'll fit in fine, but you just went and proved it." Camilla smiled, and it felt more real than earlier, " My name's Camilla, and I reckon we'll get on fine. Hey, I might even be able to teach you something. Now come on, let's go find where we're bunking..."
This time it was Jinxie who raised an eyebrow, but Camilla didn't see, and the Feather kept her mouth shut
Jason sat in the chair that Dr. Thompson told him to sit in. Jason flashed back to an early part in his life, It was during one of Dr. Thompson's "tests" where Jason was put in a room much like the one he was in currently. Dr. Thompson would quiz him and wouldn't take a wrong answer very lightly, Jason was tortured for every wrong answer he gave. Dr. Thompson said this was to ensure that Jason's body would instinctively make the right answer quicker, but Jason was sure that it was to ensure that he wouldn't stand up to Dr. Thompson.
"So Jason." Dr. Thompson started as he walked into the room and sat across from Jason. "Why did you kill General Kim so suddenly?" Dr. Thompson questioned. Jason's body calmed down, he was used to these types of things by Dr. Thompson and it was the only time he was unafraid of Dr. Thompson. "Well sir he began with not allowing us access to the ship which in itself is treachery and treachery is a crime punishable by death. If that was not enough he met us with armed guards when we were unarmed, If I hadn't brought so weapons we would have been killed." Jason started to explain noticing that Dr. Thompson already knew the reason he just wanted Jason to say it.
"So are you telling me that you killed General Kim because he brought armed guards to meet you?" Dr. Thompson asked. "Yes Sir, that is exactly what I am saying." Jason answered not caring what Dr. Thompson thought of his decision. "Very good Captain you acted just like I taught you to. If you would have hesitated any longer General Kim would have blown up your Pegasus." Dr. Thompson revealed. "What? What do you mean by that?" Jason asked not knowing what Dr. Thompson was talking about.
"General Kim wanted to kill you and your squad Jason. He rigged the Pegasus with explosives right before the Pegasus left to pick you and your squad up. His plan was to blow you guys up outside of the ship, He didn't allow you access to land so it would buy him more time to blow up your Pegasus. The plan backfired when the Hangar controller panicked and granted you permission to land. He planned to kill you by blowing up the Pegasus but you killed him before he could do that. Nice instincts Captain, even if you didn't do it for that reason that's what happened." Dr. Thompson explained while going to stand up.
"Wait how did you know all of this?" Jason asked as he got out of his seat. "Why This was all my doing." Dr. Thompson said softly as he walked out the door. Jason was in shock at learning that, Every part of his being screamed to kill Dr. Thompson but Jason couldn't bring himself to do it. Jason followed Dr. Thompson to the hangar trying his hardest to make his body respond to his command but he could not make his body respond.
"Okay Everyone pay attention!" Dr. Thompson ordered as he and Jason walked into the Hangar. "All the surviving soldiers are going to be rounded up and taken off the ship. Because of this Kell I am making you apart of this squad and the rest of you recruits will study under the WINGS squad for now." Dr. Thompson explained while everyone listened to him speak. "Sir, What will happen to the soldiers you're taking away?" Jason asked knowing most of his squad wanted to know. "They will be court martialed and most likely executed." Dr. Thompson answered coldly while the wounded soldiers were loaded on Dr. Thompson's Pegasus.
"Well You're in charge now Captain Kahlil, you may begin you're quest once all the systems are up." Dr. Thompson said as he walked onto the Pegasus. The Pegasus' doors closed and it took off out of the hangar towards earth. "Well Sergeant Kell it looks like you're under my command now. Are there any questions? If not you may explore the ship or go to your station." Jason said exhausted from the entire ordeal.
Knobs finally stood up straight and stretched. He wasn't sure what he thought of being accosted by two giants right off the bat, and getting assigned to accompany one of them at all times. He was positive that the male had been bluffing about crushing his head, but it still kind of gave him the heebie-jeebies. He was pretty curious about the girl, though - Camilla, had he heard right? She seemed like an odd choice for heavy-based modification, but hey. A chain gun is a chain gun, as long as the wielder can use it.
He realized that he was peckish as well, and decided to grab some rations while they were out.
Knobs carefully walked towards the table, then quickly ran over, grabbed a nutrition bar, and dodged back out before any untoward comments about his aura were made by those already there. He looked around and saw Rick sitting on the ground. He walked over, and paused. Oh well, he'll have to used to my scent sooner or later. He sat down.
Rick grimaced slightly, but took the intrusion well.
Knobs peeled the bar, noting that Rick had four. "I don't think I caught your name, sir."
"Sergeant Osten. RICK Osten. Call me Rick."
Knobs took a bite out of the bar. "Rick. Hmm. I'm Nobby." Rick made a valiant effort to not snicker. "Gee, do you think you took enough food, Sergeant?" Knobs wasn't sure if he was being accusatory or joking.
Rick shrugged. "Camilla took eight. I'm not sure if she's being polite or is on a diet, but she needs to stop starving herself."
Knobs wasn't sure how this answered his question, but the factoid was a bit startling.
Suddenly, the Captain strode out and announced that they were free to leave the hangar. Rick prodded Knobs with a massive gauntlet. "I'm about ready to go see where we're bunking. Want to come along?"
James tapped into the ship comms so that Thompson could hear him "Make sure to die in a pit of your own morbidity and arrogance, I brought along champagne for it and I think a collapsing star would make a great spectacle to the celebration." James said to Thompson's ship. He had never liked the doctor in even the loosest sense as he waved cheekily goodbye to the leaving shuttle, then turned to the Captain "Sir. Reporting for active duty, I started the weapons full boot up earlier, and I could always do some calibrations while I wait, and I'd like to take my FEATHER through basic first response." James stood at ready
"James you should never talk to a superior like that, no matter how much you hate him you must keep it inside." Jason said lecturing James. "You may take him through first response training. You guys seemed to have picked out your recruit while I was gone." Jason said noticing that each member of the squad seemed to take one of the FEATHERS under their wing. "I'm guessing you paired me up with one of em." Jason remarked looking around to see which one he would get.
Jarmen walked over to private Hunter, having finished looking over the squads personnel files, and stood beside her. Even with her sitting she was still roughly his height. She turned, averting her eyes from the WING squad for the first time and asked
?Sir? What do you? think ofthem??
Her speech had a strange rhythm to it, speeding up at some points and pausing oddly at others.
?I think they trust me about as far as they can throw me, Maggie? She was, as far as he was concerned, his star pupil and he?d grown fond enough of her that he called her that when they were alone, ?And rightfully so, I think I was a bit too abrasive to them when I first stepped off the shuttle. Didn?t have the full picture. I?m pretty sure I managed to patch things up with ah?? he paused, trying to remember ?Reynolds and Lier, but the others, I have no idea. Bit worried too, get the feeling Doc Thompson didn?t just bring us up here for a training run. Knowing him he?ll probably make me go with them, to keep an eye on them. And that mean?s I?ll have to leave you rookies all by your lonesome. Shame, since they all seem to be bonding so well with the WINGS. Even though they?re supposed to be guarding them? He muttered the last bit under his breath.
There was silence for a few moments as they both stared at the recruits mingling with the squad.
?I thinkthe tall woman trusts you, sir.?
?I ... what? Why?? Jarmen asked, confused.
?She... looks like she could throw you pretty far.?
Jarmen stared at her for a moment, blank expression framed by several ginger braids, each ending in a single silver bead. Hunter always acted as though she was very literal minded and Kell could never tell if she was faking it or not. The girl either had one hell of a poker face or was odder than he?d always thought.
?She probably could?? He eventually replied.
Sorry, I typed this and the following post up before I read staika's post. I guess just act as though they took place before Jason and Dr. Thompson got back.
With Jarmen standing beside her, Hunter smiled very slightly as she watched Drock grow more and more frustrated as he tried to hit the same spot. His earlier comment about the ?giant fucking woman? had annoyed her, more because it broke her concentration than anything else. She?d been ordered to watch the WINGS squad and that?s what she?d do, even if the others goofed around and socialized. They all seemed a bit in awe of the WINGS, as though the Thompson procedure had made them into something more impressive than human.
Her expression returned to neutral as she watched them. You didn?t need the procedure to be a better soldier. Mr. Kell had proved that. He was a hero long before he ever got the procedure. But now he thought he might be leaving, which was worrying. He?d taught her so much, things she knew he?d avoided teaching the other recruits. Sneaking into restricted areas of the academy, laying traps for people who?d wronged her, moves and techniques for easily taking on men twice her size in hand to hand. How was she supposed to keep learning these wonderful, strengthening things if Mr. Kell left? Well?there?s probably some way to stay with him. She knew he enjoyed having her as a student, welcomed her as a sometimes confidante. Perhaps she could stay on as his aide? If worst comes to worst, this is an absolutely massive ship. It would be easy to drop her radio beacon somewhere and hide away until long after the point of no return had been passed. Nothing would keep her from her teacher.
"Captain, you must understand, Thompson and I... haven't ever liked eachother. If I DIDN'T insult him, he'd have me executed for being an imposter most likely...." James saluted, and then walked over near Kell "I'd like some files on Flagpole, if I'm going to be dragging him around, I'd like to know more about the man I'm trying to turn into a decent asset to the ship. Maybe even make him a decent WING if he lives that long."
Knobs stood up and shrugged. Rick stood up as well, startling Knobs a bit. Knobs looked up at him. "...Shall I escort you? Or should I ignore Sergeant Kell?"
"I don't know. What do you think?"
Nothing about this situation made any sense to Knobs, most of all being that he of all people was expected to "keep an eye on" Rick. Rick was more than a foot taller than him while in armor, and as Rick had mentioned earlier, a good deal more powerful than he was. "Uhm... I don't know either. It makes more sense to follow you around, as my superior."
Rick shrugged. "Fair enough." He walked over to the wall-mounted directory, selected through "Accommodations/Guest/Search". He typed his name into the console, and it filtered through the guesthouse data. It returned nothing.
Rick turned towards the Captain. "Hey, Captain! We aren't registered in any guest houses on here! What should we do?"
Rick paused. "Also, where are our... guards... sleeping? Same rooms?"
"Each of your rooms are near the bridge. Look for the corridor that says WINGS, your names should be on the door to your room. As for your the recruits." Jason started explaining, he paused not knowing what to do with the FEATHERS. "I actually don't know I wasn't planning on them coming with us. Since the Barracks are basically full I guess your recruit will have to bunk with you." Jason explained coming up with what to do with the FEATHERS on the spot.
JARMEN KELL
Well, thought Jarmen, I guess it turned out exactly like I predicted, though having the recruits stay on was a bit odd. Maybe he thought they'd learn something? Nah, he never payed any attention to them before.
Jarmen called out to Jason. "No, no questions..." he hesitated for a moment "...sir." He added, finally.
James approached and asked him for files on private McMillan.
"You..." he stopped himself. He'd been about to chide the boy for poking his nose where it didn't belong. If he wanted to learn about the McMillan he'd have to find out the hard way. That was what Kell had wanted to say, but he was under Kahil's command now, might as well start getting friendly.
"What's your PDA's number, I'll send his personnel file to you. Not medical history though, you want to find out what he's been pricked with and where, you can ask him yourself." There, he thought. Small concessions would make this easier.
Jarmen glanced at Hunter as James walked away. She was looking at him, beaming.
"Well, don't you seem thrilled. Happy to be heading off into combat?"
"Very muchso, sir." she replied.
"You don't have your very own special WINGS friend like all your squadmates." he said sarcastically.
"I've got you, sir."
Kell grinned widely, was she just kissing his ass or was she really this happy to be going into combat with him?
"...why don't you go and find us somewhere nice to bunk before everyone finishes eating and all the good ones get taken." he ordered before adding "Preferably with more than one bed." He knew she idolized him quite a bit but he'd rather she not get that friendly.
"Right away, sir."
MARGARET HUNTER
Hunter jogged through the hall towards the bridge as per Jason's instructions. Several male crew members gave rather friendly hellos as she passed. She ignored them, following the various signs pointing towards her goal. She stopped next to a man crouched low repairing a floor panel in order to get her bearings. The man looked up, leering at her.
"Lost, miss?" he asked.
"I'm lookingfor the WING quarters."
"Well that's back a ways, I think you missed a turn." The man grinned widely, he was missing more than a few teeth and those that were left had an unhealthy green tinge to them. "I could show you the way...if you like." Disgusting... she paused for a moment, wondering whether or not to crush the mans hand, still on the floor, under her heel. Just to teach him a lesson. She decided against it. She was going to be living on the ship, it'd be better if she didn't turn the crew members against her on her first day there.
"I'm fine, I'll go... back and look for theturn."
A short while later she found it. All The doors along the hallway were open. Apparently the crew had prepped the rooms after Doctor Thompson left. The first room looked very suitable for Mr. Kell and her, with a large king size bed and several plush looking armchairs for her to sleep in. As she was preparing to walk in she noticed a placard next to the door reading "RESERVED FOR CPT. KAHIL"
It would be easy to remove the placard and claim the...no, if Mr. Kell found out he'd be annoyed. She ventured further down the hall, finding a slightly more spartan room with two beds and a small antechamber. This would do nicely...
I'm trying to find a way to represent Hunter's speaking style. At the moment I've settled on two words mashed together for the speed ups and ellipses for the pauses.
"Sir, with all due respect, I'm not necessarily comfortable "bunking" with my Feather. Can I do a trade with Sergeant Kell?" Saryll asked Captain Kahlil, shooting him a look that read death should he challenge her on this.
"Yeah, that makes sense actually." Kahlil responded "Kell, when you're ready to move, tell the Feather to stop hunting snipes and tell your biggest fan her dreams are broken"
"Exhale slowly! Knee up, thigh tense!" she called back to Drock, then turned to follow on in the direction Hunter had run off in like a hound. She found her in the accommodation corridor poking her head into one of the rooms. Saryll whistled on her way past and said "C'mon eager beaver, the Captain doesn't like how some of you recruits are looking at your superiors, so I'm thankfully not sleeping in a room with that slimy bugger Drock, and you aren't going to be collecting Kell's hair from his head while he sleeps. We're in the end one on the left. Executive decision" The room on the end at the left had the newest looking door frame, meaning if there was any chance of newer, more luxury facilities outside of Kahlil's quarters, they would probably be in there.
Jarmen clicked a button on his collar and spoke quietly into his headset.
"Maggie, you read me? there's been a change of plans. Apparently gender politics have hit the ship."
Her voice came back, tinny in his ear. "What doyou mean, sir?"
"That Marksman girl who snapped at me after I got off the shuttle put up a fuss about having to room with Cock...er, Drock" he clarified. He was pretty sure he hadn't told her about his private nickname for the boy. "You'll be bunking with her"
There was silence on the mic. He could tell she was iritated but it was better all around this way.
"Maggie?"
"Alright, sir. I've found a... room for you though. Would you likeme to reserve it for you?"
"Yes, thank you."
He heard a strange whistling noise in the background as she clicked off her transmitter.
Knobs turned from the terminal just in time to see Rick stride off. He jogged to keep up.
A short while later, they walked past the bridge and started checking the side corridors. "Found it!" Knobs darted down a side passage.
Rick followed him past a sign reading "WINGS". "Let's find a bedroom with one bed, if we can," said Rick.
"Why?" asked Knobs, suddenly concerned.
"Because then we aren't hogging a bed that someone else might need." Knobs started to protest, but Rick wasn't listening.
Halfway down the hall, they found what they were looking for - a room with one bed, and a pretty comfy looking chair. Apparently, they had run out of beds. Knobs glanced around the room, shed his clunky vest and dropped it on the chair. "I guess I'll take this, then."
Rick looked at him as if he had just thrown money in a compactor. "Why? There's a bed right there."
Knobs looked at him uncomprehendingly. "That's yours, even if it is a bit of a squeeze."
Rick picked up the vest and tossed it onto the bed. "Nope, that bed there is for you."
"I'm honored, sir, but you're my superior. You get the food, I get the crumbs."
Rick shook his head. "I'm a survivalist. A meat shield. If you get crumbs, I get the stains. I haven't slept in a bed for six years."
Knobs stared, filled with a mixture of awe and sickly surprise. "That's... that's... wow."
Rick lay on the floor and stretched. "Heh, I have enough room to stretch out, in armor no less. Luxury."
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