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Post by Brie on Jan 24, 2007 13:54:57 GMT -6
“Just one more test here,” Flell replied, “then a quick stop by the firing range. After that I’ll show you to the barracks, introduce you around, and also let you know where you can grab a bite to eat. As I said, you’ll meet Major Brie in the morning.” He smiled. “You’re doing fine, you’re obviously a natural.”
Lieutenant Flell waited until the young cadet was our of sight before resetting the controls. As the simulation started up he glanced around to make sure that no one was looking before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the old photograph, thankful that he had a second copy that wasn’t so beat up back in his quarters. He looked past his father’s smiling face and saw it in the background. It was the same helmet, he was sure of it.
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Post by tara on Jan 24, 2007 15:48:12 GMT -6
Shannon felt the simulator buck sharply, seeing an astroid field. She did a fast situation assessment. The only illumination was from a twin star. The larger, brighter was pulsing giving off irregular brightness, the other was also pulsing, but far more rapidly. The confusion of the tumbling asteroids was doubled by the shadows jumping back and forth. At times it was like a strobe light, at other times it was like having a mirror flashed in your eyes at noon. She was doing her best to navigate through the field. Its smaller meterorites were bouncing off her canopy and wings, banging the Viper around, making it hard to hold the stick steady. Larger asteroids smashed around her, destroying themselves or others caught between. She had no doubt that her Viper would be less than vapors if caught between them. The Raiders dancing around her shot at other Vipers, but many times the blasts were impacting the rocks before they got any where near their targets. Ahead of her, to her right was her element leader. He was chasing a group of six Raiders. His voice was blurry and hard to understand. At times she caught only a word or two here and there. Shannon tucked in closer to him, but then backed off as it made it harder to stay in any sembelance of a formation. He would dive one way to avoid a larger rock, and she would ahve to duck below or above or to the other side. It was a horrible place to choose to fight. From her left, she saw a large rock impact several Raiders, then another rock. It began to tumble right for her element leader. She broke her radio silence to warn him but he seemed to not hear her. She tried to get close enough to tap him on the wing, but he was bouncing around far to fast, it would have destroyed them both. As the rock closed in, she fired over his canopy, forcing him down, out of its path, but she was not able to get out from under it, and the simulator shook as she died. She felt angry. It wasnt a fair test, but then, life isnt fair, and there was a good chance that some day she would die just like that. As the canopy opened, she took a deep breath and slipped her helmet off. The Lt was looking at her oddly, so she figured she failed the test. She didnt say a word as he kept looking at his clip board then at her. She felt ashamed, her mother would have done it right, she screwed up, but she just wanted to protect her leader, that was her job, thats all her life was worth.
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Post by Brie on Jan 25, 2007 8:52:38 GMT -6
Flell kept looking peripherally at the helmet as Cadet Shannon put it away. He wasn't going to come right out and ask her about it, but couldn't help wonder how it had come into her possession. He looked directly at her, he could tell that she was upset about the test but she didn't say a word. For a young one she certainly had a good sense of military decorum! Flell knew that some seasoned veterans could learn something from this woman. "You did very well," he said at last. "That final test was based on a real mission, we lost a lot of good warriors that day." He started to walk quickly again, Shannon matching him step for step. "The firing range won't take nearly as long." He debated what he was considering saying next, then decided that there was no reason not to. "That helmet of yours seems a bit beat up. Would you like for me to acquisition you a new one?"
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Post by tara on Jan 25, 2007 9:58:17 GMT -6
Shannon smiled her best smile at the question. She figured it was an honest one, it was after all, a bit beat up. She could see why someone would think its probably scrap. "Thank you sir, but if its ok, I would like to keep it, it means a lot to me. It belonged to my mom." she said quietly. The last part was barely a whisper, like how people speak in church when they talk of the Gods. Reverence, she thought, thats the word. She tightened her gun belt and followed him to the firing range. THis, she thought, would be a breeze. She was good with a gun, or a turret, or a Vipers weapons. Shooting was something that she learned by the time she was seven. Relax, let your breath out slowly, squeeze the trigger, dont take your eyes off the target, look sleightly above where you plan to hit. Every time she ended up hitting her target. The Lt seemed less than impressed with her answer, and as they walked seemed to be off in his own world. It never occured to her that his question had more significance than just a polite offer to get her better equipment. She didnt think twice about it, but to Lt Flell, and to the many officers that served with her mother, that question was likely to be more than importaint. If they were friends with her, then the family resemblance and the sound of her voice, the way she moved, it was going to be either welcome or eerie. But of course, fate has its own sense of humor.
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Post by Brie on Jan 27, 2007 13:07:57 GMT -6
After Shannon had finished her tests the first thing that Lieutenant Flell did was give her her ensign insignia. He then offered to show her around some more, but she politely refused. It was just as well. He headed back to his quarters and pulled out the larger, clearer copy of his favorite picture. Normally he would stare at his father, but this time he couldn't help but focus on the helmet. "It was her mother's," he said quietly to himself. "How could that be?"
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Post by tara on Jan 29, 2007 0:24:27 GMT -6
Shannon clipped the new Ensign pips on her mothers flight jacket and headed down to the Viper pit, as she liked to think of it. She wanted to get a drink, but first, she HAD to visit the Vipers. She couldnt suppress the smile on her face as she wandered the bay, running a finger along the lines of a Viper that was on stand by. Her caress was like that of a lover, tender and soft, confidant and accepting. She knew these birds, was soon to be part of one. Just like a machine, it would be part of her, an extension. She closed her eyes, her hands around the gun barrel in a rather risque manner, imagining the power and glory she would wield. It made her feel good, in a very special way. She liked to think of how she would use those guns, to kill Cylons and avenge her family. Shannon felt a chill and realized she was feeling light headed, it was time for that drink, definately!
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Kaneli
Lieutenant
Colonial Storm
Posts: 57
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Post by Kaneli on Jan 29, 2007 22:17:46 GMT -6
Kaneli walked into the gold squadron viper launch bays and was using his time to consider the dreams and nightmares that had plagued him lately. This area of the ship is quite hectic during battles, but at times like these it is peaceful and empty of all crew members. He wanted to be far away from black squadron so that he could just be alone and think. Well at least that is what he had planned on. Kaneli sees Shannon looking at a viper. Kaneli walks over to Shannon.
"Well I guess I'm not the only one who likes to walk around the launch bays by their self. I couldn't help but notice the way you seemed to be mesmerized by this viper. I don't think I have seen anybody else act that way around a viper, except for me that is. Hi my name is Kaneli, I'm in black squadron, what's your name?"
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Post by tara on Jan 30, 2007 9:23:36 GMT -6
"Um, hello Sir, Im Cadet... I mean Ensign Ratliff. I um, really cant wait for my turn in the cockpit. Nothing means more to me than killing Cylons. Its all I ever wanted to do." she said looking at the lethal birds longingly. "I really envy you and the others. This is a lifes dream for me. I cant think of anywhere Id rather be than around these old birds, just waiting for the chance to kill." The look in her eyes wasnt just youthful exuberance, she was really trained from birth to kill Cylons. The look in her eyes, the old beat up flight jacket, and the venom in her voice when saying the word Cylon spoke volumes.
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Kaneli
Lieutenant
Colonial Storm
Posts: 57
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Post by Kaneli on Mar 20, 2008 22:52:02 GMT -6
"Well, we all want those fracking Cylons dead. We all have our reasons. My whole family was put out of existence and they destroyed everything that I enjoyed and that meant anything to me." He thinks to himself.... keep it quiet, keep it in, no one needs to see this side of you. "Where was I ? Oh yeah, I was thinking about heading for a drink, you want to join me?"
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