|
Post by Amy81 on Apr 20, 2006 5:29:47 GMT -6
"Really?" Ally asked, surprised. They entered the ready room and headed for where a coffee pot was set up. It was a large one, and obviously had been at it for a while. The coffee promised to be good and strong.
"Well then" Ally went on, "I hope I haven't been offending you at all calling you Brik. And if you don't mind me asking, how did you get that sign, and what's your real name?" She leaned closer and whispered "Unless of course you're a wanted fugitive or something and would rather not say..."
|
|
BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
|
Post by BRIK on Apr 21, 2006 1:27:35 GMT -6
"Well, since you mention it, I am wanted." He paused to watch her glance at him... "Yep. Back on Tauron some friends and I spread Borellian bun-paper all over a yard down the street from our house when we were kids...and the case remains unsolved to this day."
He smiled at her as he watched her realize that he'd been teasing her, telling the story of his boyhood antics. He added: "That guy was really angry and we had to clean his yard for a secton to keep him from telling our parents!"
"As for my real name...well, I'll get to that in a minute but, no, I am not remotely offended at being called Brik. I like it better than my birth name actually. In some ways. Now, as for how I got the name Brik, that's an interesting story that happened before I came to the Callisto...which means that you're the only Colonial Warrior that knows that Brik is not my real name. But if you tell anyone I may have to break your fingers. And, oddly enough, there's a broken nose in my story." He smiled and winked at her in collaboration as he quoted her earlier threats and jests. Whew! She was smiling back! Ok, all is well, continue talking!
As he talked he had poured coffee for both of them and now handed Ally her cup, nodding his head to indicate that they should find a table.
"So, living in the Fiann Province of Tauron, on the northern coast of the primary continent was pretty neat but we still had regular growing-up problems. There was my friend Tobias and he had a feud going with this boy down the block from us named Mann. Yes, his name was Mann. Anyway, Mann and some of his cohorts felt that it was a good idea to ambush Tobias outside of the learning center one day. He didn't know that Evan was with Tobias...and that I was with Evan. So, what began as an ambush turned out to be a fair fight...and we cleaned their chronometers! All of us did well...suprise, fear and anger will do that to you. So after the 'battle' we all took these cool 'Colonial Warrior' nicknames that we used among ourselves as we played our children's games."
He sipped his coffee...good, hot and strong...as he allowed some of his story to sink in...
"Good coffee...and company." He smiled at her. He liked doing that.
"Let's see...My self, Tobias and Evan became...ah yes, Brik, Blok and Break, respectively! So, when IT happened to the Colonies...I realized as we boarded the escape vessel that became my first 'space-home' that no one would know if I changed my name. So, when humanity left Tauron for the last time, the last survivior of my family remained with his family on the primary continent. Brik was born in the cold of space, you might say." He smiled the smile that comes with the faded pain of old memories...that still have yet to lose the ability to sting. Again, he sipped his coffee...
|
|
|
Post by Amy81 on Apr 21, 2006 5:33:35 GMT -6
Ally smiled, and laughed at the funny parts as Brik's story unfolded, but she could feel the tinge of sadness even as he sat there smiling. It was always this way with people old enough to remember life in the colonies. It was just this fact that had been used against her more than once, mainly by a man who could have cared less about her other than his plans for the evening, but she knew that Brik wasn't like that. His feelings were genuine.
Would he really tell her his real name? Something no one else knew about him?
She sipped at her coffee. It was strong and eye-opening, but it was the best cup she'd ever had.
"No one else from your family survived the attack?" she asked, her heart breaking as she looked at him.
|
|
BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
|
Post by BRIK on Apr 22, 2006 0:33:20 GMT -6
He sipped his coffee after finishing his tale to cover the fact that he was absolutely stunned by the fact that he'd told this brand new person in his life something that no one else alive had known...and that he may just tell her more. Absolutely stunned!
On the other hand, it was the first time that he'd ever spoken of his family and his life before space to anyone that now knew him and a weight that he hadn't been aware of was...not gone...but significantly less heavy.
"No one else from your family survived the attack?" she asked, her heart breaking as she looked at him.
He paused... "No." He contemplated telling that story as well but decided that it would wait for another time. "As for Tobias and Evan...I don't know what happened to them. Tobias was on vacation with his parents and Evan was travelling to Caprica to visit some relatives. I thought about looking for them among the survivors...but the idea of finding them dead or missing, which is the same thing, was just too much to bear."
A small welling of moisture hung in the corner of one eye.
He had no idea that is was there.
Again, he sipped his coffee.
|
|
|
Post by Amy81 on Apr 22, 2006 7:29:06 GMT -6
Ally wanted to take...Brik... hold him and comfort him, but instead took another sip of coffee. It was too soon for such intimate contact, and besides, the room did have other warriors in it. He might just push her away anyway. She didn't know.
Ally wondered if it was her. Was she a downer somehow to Brik? Did she remind him of someone and triggered him to pour out something he hasn't told anyone else and carried around inside for yahrens? The thought was depressing to her. Did she misread his behavior as attraction when all it was was the strong pull of the past?
Ally took another sip of the coffee.
Then felt worse, guilty even, for her entire family had survived aboard the gutted Starliner Alpha... Oh yeah, now's the perfect time to point that out...
"I'm sorry, Brik..." was all she could think of to say at the moment. She reached out and gently placed a hand on his....
|
|
|
Post by Logan on Apr 25, 2006 16:59:40 GMT -6
After Bronze had left the washroom, Logan took a few microns to put herself in order. She hoped that Bronze's meeting with Brik went smoothly. Well, she knew it would, if Brik had any say in the matter. She laughed to herself and shook her head a little at the notion of her tough friend Brik suddenly stumbling over words and blushing, of all things. She was happy for him though. Lords knew in this place, in this time, with everything the people of the Fleet faced on a daily basis, a few moments of happiness was a rare thing and she wished her friend well. Both, her friends, she corrected mentally. And yes, she was beginning to think of Bronze...no, Ally, as a friend. It had really seemed to irk Ally that Logan insisted on using the nickname she had acquired on the battlefield of space. Logan didn't understand the aversion and had thought Ally calling her 'Gold' was a compliment. She could tell it was important to the girl though and so she made a mental note to subsist from calling Ally by anything other than her given name because she truly had no intention of offending the girl. Leave it to me to put my boot in my mouth, yet again.
Giving up on getting rid of the most stubborn knots in her her long auburn hair, she twisted it back into a ponytail and tied it in place with a piece of leather she kept in her uniform jacket for just such occassions. She stowed the medkit back in the locker and was pulling on her uniform jacket when she noticed Ally had left the pic of Skyler laying on the counter in her haste to meet Brik. Well, I'll just slip it back to her later, Logan thought as she pocketed the pic and turned to leave the washroom, a sly grin on her face at the fun she could have with the pic at Skyler's expense. Of course, she wouldn't actually use it. She wouldn't abuse Ally's trust that way. But, frack, it is tempting.
She cleared the door to the washroom and took a quick glance around the landing bay. The techs were hard at work on the damaged Vipers, pilots and civilian workers alike were busy prepping the ships for their return to the void and whatever plans Apollo and Sheba had in mind for that Cylon Baseship that they were all still aware hung over the planet's surface. She turned towards the door to the Ready Room and stopped midstep as she thought she saw Skyler across the bay talking to the Crew Chief. She turned in that direction and thought she might get an update on their status. One thing she knew for certain, she wasn't going to take a nap. Not now, not when they were technically still in the midst of a battle and apt to be called to launch at any micron.
Logan's boots barely made a sound on the deck as she strode to the Vipers on the far side, the activity of the bay muffled such subtle noises. Two blackshirts were also crossing the bay heading for the security office, but Logan noticed that they suddenly changed their direction and now were seemingly on an intercept course with her. As they got closer, they became familar and she was instantly on her guard. These two, Ennis? No, Enoch and Jared. What are they doing? They were rumored to be the lowest of the blackshirts, into all manner of illegal activities, the blackmarket, had even at one point been suspected of working for that daggit Pierce. Logan knew they had been Brie's bodyguards at one point and had played some part in saving her from a botched murder attempt, but she still didn't trust them. Logan's neck started tingling as they drew closer, her every sense heightened in case of...What? They haven't done anything. But Logan's Warrior instincts had saved her many times and she wasn't about to ignore it.
She kept her eyes straight ahead, but casually lowered her hand to her blaster in its holster, seeming to rest it there as Warriors often did as the men's path crossed hers...her eyes never wavered as they passed her and one of the men inclined his head in greeting. Seemed harmless enough. One of them, Jared, seemed about to speak, but Enoch elbowed him in the ribs and said, "We're in a hurry." They kept walking and so did Logan. What in Hades was that about?
Logan shook her head and saw that Skyler was inspecting one of the Vipers and he didn't seem happy. It looked to Logan like many of the Vipers wouldn't be going out anytime soon. But she'd seen the techs work miracles before and was sure their skill would get many of the ships back out. Including Ally's, Logan thought. With Bronze Squadron already out she had a feeling Skyler wouldn't complain about having an extra hand out there. She knew Ally wouldn't mind that either. She'd done good out there, saved Brik's butt thats for sure. Logan had a feeling it wouldn't take much persuading to get Skyler to request Ally be transfered to Gold Squadron permanently after this mission was complete. The girl definitely had the skills and the drive for the tough missions and it did seem that Gold got their fair share of them.
Skyler was just climbing down from the cockpit of one of the Vipers when Logan reached him. Logan felt like the pic in her jacket was burning a hole through the material, but she just smiled as her friend turned to face her.
|
|
BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
|
Post by BRIK on Apr 26, 2006 10:12:32 GMT -6
"I'm sorry, Brik..." was all she could think of to say at the moment. She reached out and gently placed a hand on his....
Lost in his thoughts (and his coffee) for a moment or two, Brik was suprised (and unexpectedly relieved) to feel human contact, another hand placed on his own.
Then the part of him that had managed to find the time to shave while on battle-alert looked at the two hands on the table and realized...It's her! She is holding my hand...in front of other people, she's holding my hand! He could feel himself blush and hoped that she didn't notice, just as a part of him hoped that she did. He also felt a smile begin to explore his face...
"Thank you, Ally. Thanks for listening to a story that I had no idea I needed to tell. You know, I have no idea why I told you that story. Not even my best friends know that my name is not actually Brik but..."
This was one of those tests that Brik usually failed...the test of true courage that looks to see what you're made of deep down. This was the test that knew the BIG answer, that knew that destroying un-living robots was merely filling the great need of a homeless civilization...that knew that the true test that determined the greatness of a people was in knowing that the deep strength contained bravery without bloodshed and love without shame.
In his waking mind, however, Brik simply knew that the time for change, for personal evolution was at hand. And that he wanted to have a personal reason to fight and survive beyond the needs of the masses. So, back to the test of a single moment... Not even my best friends know that my name is not actually Brik but...there is something very special about you...and the thought of trying to share with you...connect to you...was one that made me willing to risk a secret."
He took a very deep breath.
He also knew that he had reached a point of destiny and that such points could prove sharp unless padded in some way.
"Besides...you, um..." Great, he momentarily forgot what he was going to say...oh yeah! "Besides, you haven't told me your nickname secret!"
He grinned nervously as took a deep draught of his coffee.
And...found himself hoping that her hand would remain on his for a few moments longer.
|
|
|
Post by Amy81 on Apr 26, 2006 11:55:25 GMT -6
Ally sat there studying Brik's face as her hand continued to rest on his. He seemed conflicted, ready to tell more but held back somehow by something she could only guess at. Was there something there between them? Ally wasn't sure, and after so long dealing with insensitive warriors she wasn't about to make a leap of faith, just as he was now holding back. It might mean missing a chance, but the walls she'd built up were pretty tall at this point. She just couldn't tell if there was an attraction or if he'd been drawn to her by some memory.
But still... Ally smiled gently. She'd made a friend, a meaningful one, and in the life of a warrior that was huge in itself. And felt part of her heart breaking at the thought that she'd read more into it than maybe she should have.
"Besides...you, um..." he said, "Besides, you haven't told me your nickname secret!"
Ally's smile turned into a laugh. It helped hide the emotion racing through her. She pulled away, leaning back, running a hand through her hair. It still felt damp. "You really want to know?" she asked. "Well, it's not really a secret. No mystery to it. Just one of many bad experiences."
She took another sip of coffee. "Okay...you asked for it" she said. One more sip then she put the mug down. "Calling me Ally is much better than my real call sign" Ally began. "I have a call sign. I mean, duh, we all do. But way back when I first became a warrior I had a little trouble with mine. Originally they tried to call me 'Bedher'."
She laughed as she thought back. Like most things, the humor of a situation didn't show up until later. Much later sometimes.
"I thought they were saying 'beTTer', and I was thinking that was cool enough, until I found out what they were really saying. After I handed out a broken nose and spent two days in the brig, I learned that on my first day, it seems three different guys in the squadron made comments to the C.O. about me, each one saying a variation on...", she lowered her voice to imitate a man's, "Hmm, sure like to bed her" or something worse I'm sure. Nice, huh? But since each had actually said 'bed her', the C.O. thought he'd try to hang it on me as a call sign."
She sipped at her coffee again. The mug was nearly empty. "Didn't work, obviously. After I got out of the brig, they still had to have a call sign for me. After the broken nose thing, they settled on 'Little tude', then just 'L-tude' in honor of my attitude. Little refers to my height. The L also means "Lotsa tude'. On a survey mission it stood for 'Latit-tude'." She smiled, recalling something. She took another sip of coffee, draining the last from the cup.
"Anyone using it outside of missions either wants to irritate me or just wants my attention for some reason" she concluded. "And I guess it's why I don't get into naming things like vipers, or people." She laughed again. "It's really not that bad of a call sign I guess, but I'll never let them know that. Beats 'Bedher', or the other one they tried, though I think that one was a joke. Know what it was?" She laughed. "It was 'Cocksure'... They insisted it was inspired by my confidence, but can you just imagine going around being called that?"
She looked inside her empty mug, then up at Brik. "So, Brik, pleased to meet you, I'm L-tude". She reached forward and shook his hand. "And if you ever call me that, I make with the finger breaking!" She stood up. "I need a refill. How 'bout you?"
|
|
BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
|
Post by BRIK on Apr 26, 2006 19:08:25 GMT -6
The warrior looked down to notice that his cup was almost empty, absently blinking to remove the fog from his vision. Must be particles in the air from the flight deck.
"I'd love some, that's a good suggestion."
He paused for just a moment to look at her, specifically to look in her eyes. He truly wished that he could tell what thoughts were hiding behind them, what questions lie unanswered...or unspoken.
He stood to stand next to her and walk with her back to the pot.
That was some story, the kind that made him truly ANGRY. He had very little tolerance for behavior that not only insulted a single person but made a mockery of being a Colonial Warrior. It was a good thing that such men weren't in his squadron, he might wind up in the brig for what his anger might inspire!
"Well, Ally...the story definitely gives a very understandable explanation of your dislike for nicknames, although it makes me wonder that you could tolerate your squad-mates after that. That would never fly in Gold...between Skyler and myself, someone might find such actions to be a very bad idea." His free hand absently clutched into a rather large fist.
Arriving at the counter, Brik poured both of them another cup of the dark, strong brew. "Also...I didn't mean anything by calling you 'Bronze'. It started, of course, because of you being the only Bronze member in the immediate vicinity. Now..." He smiled again. "...It continued based on an entertainment vid that I used to watch as a boy. You see, 'Bronze' was a nickname given to this particular group of highly dedicated and motivated local constabulary, based on the color of the metal from which their badges of office were made. They were noble in the vid...and you struck me as noble in the battle. That was when I first knew that I had to meet you. And..."
From his deep deep brain: Come on, Brik, Barvery without bloodshed! Take a chance!!!!!!
"...And the fact that..."
How could she not hear his rabid heartbeat?!?
What color was his face turning?!?
"...thatyouhavethemostbeautifulspeakingvoicethatI'veeverheard!"
Okay, maybe one quick burst was just a bit much...
Again, he took a deep breath...
|
|
|
Post by Amy81 on Apr 27, 2006 15:07:28 GMT -6
"Why thank you" Ally said with surprise. "Actually, I did think about a career in communications. But I didn't have the right look for IFB, and I didn't want to work the bridge of some astral rustbucket. And since the military pays for your schooling, I went for warrior instead. But nice of you to say so."
She took the coffee and made her way back to the table, suddenly understanding what Brik thinks about a squadron that gives it's members ugly call signs. The need to explain overwhelmed her."You have to understand something about Bronze squadron" she said. "We're not first choice for missions. Or second choice. Or third for that matter. You have Gold squadron, Black squadron, then Silver Spar squadron. Plus Gold and Blue on Galactica. Then comes us. It makes all of us feel second rate in a way. And it doesn't make it easy when your primary duties involve regularly scheduled solium leak inspections. So I guess when a person doesn't respect himself he can't respect others too well. Only difference is, I wasn't raised that way." She laughed. "I just hand out broken noses." Does that make me sound better or worse I wonder...?
"But we don't see action" she went on, "unless it's something on a scale of like what we are up against right now. Next secton I'll be crawling around the outside of the caboose of this fleet looking for leaks again."
She held the mug in her hands. The heat felt good on her fingers as she squeezed the cup as much as the heat would allow. "It's a whole different world than the one you are used to. We have a relatively new leader now so things have gotten better the last couple of yahrens or so, but it's still nothing like I thought it would be. And it's probably why I'm not planning to re-enlist again when my tour is up. I have 5 yahrens in now, I've seen enough, and I've got a job waiting for me back on the Starliner Alpha."
"Though" she added. "Meeting you was worth a 5 yahren wait. I'm glad it happened." She leaned forward slightly, her dark brown eyes looking closely at Brik. "If only our worlds weren't so far apart..."
She looked down quickly, taking a sip from her mug. Her heart pounded. Had she actually let that slip out? Face it Ally, you wanted it to.
|
|