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Post by persephone on Mar 22, 2007 0:33:09 GMT -6
Triton couldn't believe his ears.
The Bartender seemed very serious about it.
"Is this some kind of joke?", he asked Osh.
But Osh merely shook his head, and pointed again to the closet.
Triton's mouth was agape...but covered it with a weak smile, nodding his head slightly.
"Then I guess I better get onto it", he finally remarked, in an almost comical tone, letting out a sigh. He thought privately, Persephone must be psychic.
He made his way to the Janitor's closet and took hold of the mop, and bucket.
Osh, showed him the rest of the cleaning aids he would need to use, finally handing Triton a turbo flush brush.
Pressing his lips together, with a faint upturned mouth, he said thanks to Osh, and started his duty.
Meanwhile, Persephone was now on her way to the Launch Bay to meet her wingman, Logan.
A sentry passed her in the corridor to Alpha Bay, he was dressed in the usual Black Security uniform. He nodded with a quick smile, showing some curtesy to her.
He seemed pleasent, she thought. His blonde hair shined in the corridor lighting. Have I seen him before?, she wondered.
The Sentry kept walking toward the door to the next corridor. Where have I seen her before?, he asked himself curiously. He glanced back from the connecting door, making sure the woman didn't see him doing so. Persephone dissappeared around the corner out of sight. Lieutenant Lysander stood and thought for a moment about it, then continued on his way.
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Post by Logan on Mar 22, 2007 13:56:25 GMT -6
"Lieutenant," Brie said, stepping out of the way. "Come in, take a seat and tell me what's wrong."
Logan had almost walked straight into the Major. Seeing her concerned expression, she let out the breath she had been holding without realizing it. She stood in front of the chair momentarily as if undecided on whether she could actually remain still for more than a micron.
She took another deep breath to steady herself and sat across from the Major.
Brie seemed relaxed. A state that Logan couldn't ever recall seeing in her CO before. And there was something in her eyes that spoke of happiness. It took Logan aback, but in a good way. Seeing the peace on her face made Logan calm down enough to get the words out she had come to say.
"Major. We have a problem. Or I think we might have one on the way. I just came from being questioned by the Lt. Col. from the Galactica. Flynt. In a nutshell, I think he may be trying to gather evidence that Gold, or at least, Skyler behaved inappropriately on the Cylon Baseship mission. He was especially interested in every detail of how Captain Lazant got injured."
Brie raised her eyebrow a bit.
"We lost other good people on that mission and he barely asked about the circumstances. I smell something funny and I don't like it."
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Post by Brie on Mar 22, 2007 16:00:58 GMT -6
Brie took a deep, calming breath. Skyler was a good friend and a darned good SIC. But he was also as hotheaded as they came, and had no use for Lazant. Brie needed to forget about all those things and switch totally into professional mode, a CO asking about a mission instead of someone talking to one friend about another friend in trouble. "Lieutenant," she started, "I'm going to ask you about something. I want you to answer with only the facts, forget for a micron that Skyler is a close friend who was almost a part of your family. This is totally off the record. I've heard bits and pieces about the mission and Skyler's actions towards Lazant. Specifically, I've been told that Skyler dressed Lazant down in front of the entire mission team during the briefing, and that Lazant was sent away by Skyler to help with the fuel retrieval. Is that true?"
"Yes," Logan replied, "but..."
Brie held up a hand. "Then we might have a problem already. Lazant was placed on that mission as SIC by Commander Sheba herself because of his previous experience with the new breed of Cylons. Sending him away could be enough to make a case that Skyler disobeyed orders. And technically Lazant should have had seniority over Skyler, he had been a captain longer. I don't know if you've heard, but Lazant has since been promoted to major." Logan shook her head, whether it was because she hadn't heard or in disgust Brie couldn't tell. "Tell me, in detail, what you saw when Lazant was injured. Don't leave anything out, even if you think it would be bad for Skyler. As I said, this is off the record. I'm going to do everything that I can to help him, I don't really feel like breaking in a new Second in Command." There goes lunch with JustinB Brie thought to herself.
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Post by Logan on Mar 23, 2007 8:01:56 GMT -6
Logan recalled everything that had happened on the mission in detail. She had filed her official report and gone over it with Flynt. She explained how Skyler had broken up the team in the Landing Bay of the Cylon baseship. How Lazant hadn't been happy about being assigned to go with the Fuel Recovery team and hold the Bay. How keeping the number of Warriors at the minimum number to actually go into the COmputer Core had made sense. She didn't second guess Skyler's orders or offer her opinions.
"On the way back to the Bay, we took heavy fire." Logan stated, in her best professional mode. Relayingthe losses they took along the way and how the Purple Cylons had nearly wiped them all out. She recalled the point when Lazant had grabbed a couple of Infantry and come into the corridor towards the sounds of the battle to find them.
"Where's the rest of Bronze?," Lazant asked.
A shadow flickered over Skyler's face, one that was reflected in Logan and Brik's eyes as well. But it passed quickly as they took in their situation.
"Didn't make it." Skyler was already moving down the corridor, Logan and Brik bringing up the rear, constantly vigilant for any signs of the approaching Centurions that they knew were there and coming to stop them from getting off the Baseship.
Lazant seemed about to say something else, but Skyler talked over him, "We don't have time for questions. Those tin cans will be on top of us any micron." Skyler reached back and took the computer pack from Logan, a look passing between them that spoke volumes. They had been friends for a long time and knew what each was thinking had to be done now.
Skyler shoved the computer gear into Lazant's hands as they all broke through the doorway to the Launch Bay. "We've seen the Purple Cylons. They're coming. Take this terminal and get it back to the Callisto. We lost some good Warriors getting that computer core information, so you make sure it gets to the Commander."
"What? What are you...?" Lazant started to ask.
"We're going to hold them off for you, give you time to get the frack out of here. There's a charge set in the core. You don't have much time." Skyler was scanning the Bay as he spoke. Logan and Brik had moved to the heavy infantry guns that Skyler had the Infantry troops bring on the mission. It was a true mark of their friendship that the three of them hadn't even had to discuss that they would cover the retreat. Several of the Infantry troops had taken up positions on their flanks and they were aiming at the opening to the bowels of the ship as the sounds of the Cylons approaching grew even louder.
Lazant stood there with the computer in his hands as Skyler called for the remaining Warriors to board the drop ships and get out of there. A laser blast shot through the doorway as the Cylons entered the bay and let loose a barrage of fire as the first drop ship cleared the Bay and shot into space.
Skyler pushed Lazant and yelled, "Move," forcing him towards the remaining drop ship. Skyler dropped behind a Cylon Raider and rolled to the defensive line Logan, Brik and the Infantry had established.
Logan fired on the Cylons as they emerged through the doorway the Warriors had recently exited themselves.
"I didn't see whathappened to Lazant after that. We had no way of knowing. We were just trying to buy them some time to get the critical info off that Bases ship and back to the Callisto."
Logan sat back and looked at Brie. She knew there was no love lost between Lazant and Skyler. And Lazant had made it perfectly clear to all of them that he didn't like them much.
"The thing is, Major, if Lazant hadn't come down that corridor, he wouldn't have had the computer core info to take back to the Callisto. It might not have made it back here at all. It was a fluke that we found that prototype Raider. There were no guarantees. Skyler did what he thought was necessary to complete the mission."
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Post by Brie on Mar 23, 2007 12:52:34 GMT -6
Brie sighed. "If Flynt decides to cause trouble I can see two areas that he could go for. First, you said it yourself, Lazant was sent by Skyler to help with the fuel retrieval before you ran into the Purple Cylons. He had been placed on the mission specifically because of his knowledge of them. I'm not second-guessing Skyler's decision, just trying to look at it through someone else's eyes. Flynt could try to make a case that the casualties were worse because Lazant was no longer there, he wasn‘t being allowed to do his job. If you ask me, it's a pretty thin argument, things happen and plans change during a mission and there's nothing to show that there would have been less casualties if Lazant was around. The worst thing that would happen would be a blotch on Skyler's record, but I doubt that even that will happen.
"The second scenario is worse. I've seen diagrams of where everyone was standing when the core was passed to Lazant and from where the Cylon fired. Skyler was within the line of sight. The question would be whether or not he saw that there was a Cylon about to fire." Brie shook her head. "You and I both know that he never would have hurt Lazant on purpose. But we also know his infamous temper. That chair that you're sitting on? It's not my original chair. In fact several pieces of furniture are gone from when I was in the brig and these were Skyler's quarters. He was so upset at my conviction that he destroyed everything in sight, and from what I've been told he had to be physically restrained to keep from going after Pierce. You know as well as I do that Skyler would have killed him. He didn't know that my entire tribunal and conviction were faked, and that it was all part of Commander Apollo's plan to put an end to Pierce's mutiny. But Skyler's temper could have ruined everything." She took a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is that anyone who doesn't know Skyler might think that, in his dislike of Lazant, he saw the Centurion that was about to fire and purposely gave Lazant the computer core, making him the target instead. That's what Lazant thinks, he told me so himself, although I don't think that this investigation is coming because of Lazant‘s paranoia. It's coming from higher up than that. Or instead of trying to kill Lazant they might think that Skyler wimped out, didn’t want to get shot himself, although one look at his service record should disprove that argument."
Brie bit her lip, thinking. "I don't want you anywhere near Skyler until the investigation is over. In fact, that's an official order. Pass it along to Lieutenant Brik and anyone else in Gold Squadron who was on the mission, no one is to try to contact Skyler in any way until I say otherwise. Flynt would take it as trying to warn him and coach him as to what he should say. And I’m about to go see Skyler myself. I can't tell him what we've discussed, but Flynt can't have a problem with a CO going to visit her SIC. I'll also see if they'll allow me to talk with Lazant. He respects me, if he's planning on doing anything he'll let me know. And finally I already have a meeting with Commander Sheba this afternoon. I'll voice our concerns with her." Brie paused. "There's something unrelated that I need you to do for me. Find Ensign Persephone. She's your new wingman, at least for now. I want you two to develop a good working relationship, I think you'll be a good match." Brie cracked a very small smile. "If you can't find her she'll be back here at 17:00, dropping off my laundry."
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Post by persephone on Mar 23, 2007 22:53:53 GMT -6
Persephone walked into alpha launch bay after getting off the lift. She saw flight crew going about their duties. They seemed to be cleaning a few vipers. A whole different persepective dawned on her, different from in a Simulator class. These were shining beautiful machines all lined up in launch tubes. One day soon, would be her turn to launch in one herself.
She stood for a moment to take it all in. I wonder if Logan is down here already?, she thought.
"Can I help you Ensign?", asked someone appraoching behind her. Persephone quickly turned a little startled, as she did not hear anyone coming, due to the noise in the launch bay from the steam vents, and workman tinkering on vipers. The sentry she had just passed on her way down to alpha bay, nearly ten centons ago, was standing there, with an open face and earnest eyes.
"Ah, actually I was looking for Lieutenant Logan. She's my wingman, and I'm suppossed to meet her...somewhere."
"I don't recall seeing Lieutennant Logan down here this morning, or on my way down here just now. Maybe I can have her paged. Does she know you're here waiting for her, Ensign"?
"No..my fault. I should have told Major Brie I would be coming down to Launch Bay to meet the Lieutenant. I have a viper check to do with her."
The Sentry smiled and offered, "Well, if you like I can patch a message through for her at Major Brie's office, and that way you'll be sure Lieutenant Logan will get it."
Persephone liked his smile, and still wondered where she had seen him before.
"Thank you er..."
"Lieutenant Lysander". He introduced himself.
She smiled politely, relpying with her name.
"Ensign Persephone..right, I'll go and patch through a message to Logan immediately for you".
Lysander walked back to the intercom on the rear end wall. He compentantly engaged in communications to send the message up to Major Brie's office.
After thanking the person on the other end for patching it through, he walked back to Persephone to inform her to wait a little longer for any return message.
"If the Lieutenant gets your message, I'm sure she won't be too long arriving", Lysander ensured her.
"Thank you Lieutenant."
"That's quite alright. Well, I'll be nearby patrolling alpha bay before heading back to Beta deck, so if there's anything else you need help with, just yell out".
Lysander's brown eyes sparkled with an goodness in his character. Like chocolate diamonds, Persephone thought.
He too couldn't think where he had seen Persephone before.
Her eyes twinkled in the flicker of the lights in alpha bay. Like emeralds, he daydreamed.
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Post by JustinB on Mar 24, 2007 2:11:13 GMT -6
After ten more centons of prodding and testing the physical was finally over. I thanked Holodoc for her time and for playing along. I was in too much of a hurry to find out whether I had passed the physical or not but I knew I had. I looked around as I exited the Med-lab to see if Roxzanna-Rizou was still around. I made my way down to the beta launch bay to confer with Zane over the two last vipers under repair.
I hadn't heard from Brie yet about lunch, so I decided to contact her once I had finished with Zane. People were scurrying about doing their duties. I can't remember how many jumps we had done since I joined the Callisto, but it was the same everytime. Luckily for me I wasn't one prone to jump sickness, but I bet for sure there were plenty that were.
On arrival to the launch bay, I heard Zane voice carry and he wasn't happy.
"Who in Hades do you think you are and what makes you so special that you don't have to pull your weight during a jump?" He said to a you tech.
"What's going on here Chief?" I asked Zane.
"Well Major, as you know from my report we are two vipers short of being fully operational. I decided to find out why. Seems here this new young recruit of mine thinks he is above menial tasks. I went over the log and found out the reason they aren't ready is because seems this one here likes the fancy things in life. Seems he just had his twentieth novayahren and has being partying hard. Seems while he should have been working hes been smoking and had a hip flask of some home mad brew. Also he.."
" I get the idea Zane." Turning to the young tech, "What's your name son?" I asked.
"I'm not your son!" he replied.
"You insolent little creep Franklyn, when I'm finished with you after speaking to the Major like that, I am gonna launch you out of an airlock and lets see how smart you are then."
"Yeah, as if pops."
"Well you little basta.."
"That's enough Chief, I'll handle this.' I looked at Zane and gave him a hand signal which he then acted upon. After a centon I spoke. Franklyn, as a Senior Officer aboard the Callisto, I am placing you under arrest. You will be charged with dereliction of duty, drinking whilst on duty and anything else I decide to charge you with."
"Is that right and I bet you are going to drag me all the way to the brig right."
"Wrong, they are" I said pointing behind him. He turned around and two black shirts were there and grabbed one of his arms each. "Take him to the brig and I will soon have the charges I have made available."
"Pierce" he yelled, "he was right about you losers. I should have listened to him. He was right dammit" he yelled as he was being dragged away.
Great, I though to myself, now I am going to have to cancel lunch on Brie.
I dialled Brie's code into the comm. I hoped she wouldn't be upset about lunch.
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Post by Brie on Mar 24, 2007 6:53:13 GMT -6
Brie received the message from Lieutenant Lysander. "When did I become a messenger?" she asked out loud as she read it.
"Excuse me?" Logan asked.
"Oh," Brie replied, slightly embarrassed. "I tend to talk to myself. Persephone is waiting for you. Alpha launch bay." Brie typed a quick reply, letting them know that Logan was on her way. She then stood up, Logan did the same. They walked towards the door. "I'll do what I can," she promised. "And you need to warn the others to stay away from Skyler. I’ll be in touch."
"Thanks, Major." Logan left.
Brie went back to her desk. She knew she had to cancel her lunch with JustinB. She just wasn't in any hurry to do so.
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Post by Skyler on Mar 25, 2007 0:59:03 GMT -6
Skyler grabbed the half dead trooper and pulled him to cover behind the battered drop ship. He returned fire, ignoring the pain that burned thru his body from his own injury. Across the open field his commanding officer lay wounded, maybe even dead. Regardless he had to get him back to cover and hopefully reinforcements would come, before it was to late. He turned to one of the few remaining troopers and ordered covering fire and he dashed from cover into the maelstrom of fire that rained down from the Cylon positions. He reached the downed officer, and his worse fears were true, the man that had lead them for yarhens, thru all kinds of engagements was slain. A clean blaster wound to the head, nothing could be done for him, except to lay his soul to rest with the honor he deserved. Skyler shouldered the body and sprinted back to cover, feeling another burning pain stab thru his body as he was hit again by laser fire. Falling face first into the dirt he crawled back behind the downed drop ship, taking the lifeless body with him. The pain from multiple wounds forced him to choke back bile as he shouldered his rifle and returned fire on the Tin Cans. It felt like cycles, instead of the centars it actually was, before the flash of light on the horizon signaled the approach of fighters and microns later the prayers of the few survivors of this battle were answered as a flight of Star Hound Vipers unleashed hell on the Cylons. Several drop ships followed and more troops hit the ground and secured the landing zone as medical shuttles landed and pulled the wounded out. Skyler fought back the pain as he resisted being evacuated until the rest of the troopers, dead included. The last one loaded before Skyler was a young medic they all just called Doc. The few left alive were because of him. A man Skyler himself would put in for the Gold Cluster for his actions, posthumously. Skyler’s vision blurred at the pain as the medics worked to stabilize his wounds, his battle uniform, what was left of it, cut off and discarded on the floor with the rest of the bloody, burnt scraps, the only thing he had to focus on was a pretty blonde Med Tech wiping the blood from his face, most of it his own. Her soft voice talking to him… “Sergeant, my name is Cassie, stay with me, we will be back to Galactica in a few centons.”
“Captain, are you alright.” Skyler felt a damp cloth wipe his face. A dull pain, nowhere near as bad as the one he was just dreaming about ached through his body. As his eyes focused from his sleep, another pretty Med Tech filled his vision. Concern filled her eyes as she spoke again. “Captain, you were having another bad dream, your covered in sweat.” His thoughts returned to the present, to the fact that he was laying in a bio bed on the Callisto, twenty yarhen after this bad dream happened, and he was one of but a few survivors of that horrific battle. Skyler reached up and took her hand and smiled. “Mary, its ok, not really a bad dream, more of a bad memory. Nothing to worry about.” Forcing a smile, his thoughts flashed to the faces of all the people he had lost, family, friends, fellow warriors and knew they would forever haunt his dreams.
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Post by JustinB on Mar 25, 2007 5:01:28 GMT -6
Brie didn't answer her comm.. After a second try failed, I left a message.
"Brie, JustinB here. I am real sorry and I tried to leave it to the lat minute. But you wouldn't believe what kind of day I have had. I am going to have to cancel lunch. I am so so sorry. If you have heard from the Commander and when we can see her please let me know. I have an idea for after shift if yu are interested but will run it by you after the meeting. Sorry once again. Can't wait to see you."
I hope Brie would'ntt be to angry with my cancelling a it was the last thing I wanted to do.
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