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Post by Brie on Jun 20, 2007 7:51:09 GMT -6
Brie glanced around the room. "If there are no more questions I have a couple of comments. Captains Skyler and Amy, you're my top two officers. I've put you two in the vipers because of that. If needed, I expect you to do your duty. No questions, no regrets. Second, I'm very pleased to have our two Lieutenants from Bronze Squadron along with us. I know that guard duty isn't the most glamorous job in the fleet, but I feel a lot better knowing that we have someone in each shuttle watching the prisoners that I know I can trust. I hope that all three squadrons will be able to work more closely together in the future." Brie took the final gulp of her coffee. "I guess that's about it. We'll meet in the Alpha Launch Bay in..." she glanced at her chrono "...45 centons. Captain Amy, this briefing was recorded so you can listen back to it and you can also read over my notes. It's pretty straight forward, if you have any questions just buzz me. Everyone else, dismissed. I'll see you in 45 centons." Brie grabbed another muffin then headed out the door.
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Post by Brie on Jun 20, 2007 16:50:12 GMT -6
There was one thing that Brie wanted to do before leaving on the mission. She headed back to her office and took the Caprican Rose out of the glass of water. The color was still vibrant, although the flower itself was starting to wilt. Carefully, she placed it between two sheets of tissue paper, laid it on her desk, and placed several heavy books on top. She could preserve its beauty and the memory of her incredible first date with JustinB for all time. One leaf from the stem was sticking out. Brie pulled it off and placed it in her pocket. Even though the assignment had to do with her past, she was going to bring with her a little bit of her future.
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Post by Skyler on Jun 21, 2007 7:45:30 GMT -6
Skyler stood and headed for the his viper to begin the pre-flight check list. He wanted to make sure everything was working at 110%, which it always was, Micklin was the best fracking line chief in the Fleet, even if he constantly harassed the hades out of the pilots. Hutch was also one of the best, though more laid back and easier going. Skyler just wanted to make sure. If the felgercarb hit the air turbine unit and he was ordered to vape his best friends in existance he didn't want to doubt his equipment. He didn't want them to suffer....
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Jun 21, 2007 23:51:08 GMT -6
Hmmm...that's a lot to digest, in some cases re-digest.
Knowing his friend as he did, the thought of some mangy daggit truly believing that he could gain one such as Logan in the form of a submissive PRIZE was beyond his ability to understand. However, it went along way toward his understanding of the level of maniacal loonies they'd be escorting.
Simple mission.
Well, one good thing was that he had a hard professional flying "escort" (like they didn't know what THAT meant)...his good friend and brother Skyler would make sure they went quickly, none of that "suffering" felgercarb.
After watching him straighten the Captain's collar (that was classic Skyler), he walked over and shook his friend's hand in the style of Colonial Warriors that tradition says went back to the time of Kobol itself. He looked Skyler in the eyes and with complete faith that his meaning was understood he said "Brother, if it has to happen I'm thankful that it's you."
His friend simply nodded, held his arm and eyes for a moment, then left the room. No doubt to give Micklin high blood pressure while giving his Viper the once-over.
He headed for the door himself, commenting that he was headed to pre-flight the shuttle to Logan and that he'd speak to her in the bay. She looked like she had much on her mind.
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Post by Logan on Jun 22, 2007 10:24:09 GMT -6
Logan stood off to the side of the room, going over her notes on a pad as Brik and Skyler talked briefly. Logan had a feeling she knew what Brik was saying to their friend. Out of the entire group, no matter what personal demons Brie had to battle or feelings of contempt for Comeek that Logan to to deal with, the part of the mission that Skyler and Amy had been assigned was both the most crucial and potentially nerve-wracking.
She didn't envy them their assignment, but it wasn't the first time that she had trusted Skyler with her life. She hoped it wouldn't be the last.
As Skyler turned to leave, she met his gaze and nodded. She didn't need to repeat whatever Brik had told him. He knew.
Skyler left the room and Brik turned to her, letting her know he was on his way to start the pre-flight for the shuttle and he'd see her later. Logan nodded and turned to the people left in the Ready Room.
Persephone had disappeared into the barracks and Amy was looking over the notes of the briefing she had missed. Hush and Janey were talking quietly, but seemed to be waiting for something.
Logan swallowed her trepidation and walked over to them, clearing her throat so as not to appear rude in interrupting their conversation.
"Well, welcome to another routine mission with Gold Squadron." She attempted a smile to put them at ease, but it wasn't necessary. Janey seemed full of excited anticipation and Hush was his stoic self. Neither of them seemed nervous. With what they had already been through, she was glad to see their dispositions hadn't changed from when Gold and Bronze's paths had first crossed. Although the haunted looks that were behind their eyes were there, plain for anyone with the same experiences to see. They were both changed by the last mission, whether it was obvious to outsiders or not. Warriors always knew.
"Hmm, Hush, I need to go over a few things with you before the pre-flight of the shuttle," Logan's words seemed rushed. "Since you're my guard, there are...strategies and logistics...that need to be addressed." Dear Lords, what am I talking about? Of course, you need to talk to him. Stop explaining why. It's procedure, for frack's sake.
Janey looked at Hush and Logan saw an almost imperceptible 'look' pass between them. What is that about?
"I probably need to do the same with Lt. Brik," Janey said and left them.
They stood looking at each other for a micron. Now that the moment was here Logan didn't know what to say. Not one to suffer from an inability to talk to almost anyone, she was again taken by surprise at Hush's unconscious ability to make her get tongue-tied. She knew that her face was turning red and that just made her angry with herself.
She shook her head and bit her lip, looked down at her notes and back at Hush, who stood there infuriatingly patient. Just say it, Logan. You're a Colonial Warrior.
Hush had his arms crossed, almost casually, but his blue-gray eyes were intense as he watched her.
Finally, she couldn't take the silence anymore. "Hush, I'm sorry."
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Post by Amy81 on Jun 23, 2007 17:51:47 GMT -6
"What could you possibly have to be sorry for?" Hush asked. "I'm the one who's sorry. I haven't treated you right at all since we got back, and I wouldn't blame you if you hated me for it. Maybe what they say is right, that Bronze is second rate. I'm sure no one in Gold would even think of treating a fellow warrior in such a way."
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Post by Logan on Jun 24, 2007 7:55:49 GMT -6
At first, Logan was so stunned to hear him talking so much she was taken aback just at the sound of his voice. She hadn't really expected Hush to say more than a few words to her ever again.
Then what he was saying registered.
She shook her head, her hair brushed her shoulders with the movement.
"Hush. this isn't about Gold. Or Bronze. This is about humanity and the things we're fighting for out here in the black. Your reactions are the same as anyone's in the same situation. You lost people, not just teammates, but friends. Friends who were like family."
Memories of missions past and fallen friends of her own came rushing back to her. For a micron, she recalled the smlle on her sister's face. The late night talks in the Officer's Club with pilots she had known for yahren, pilots who had fallen in the line of duty, sometimes right beside her. She could remember the anger, the hopeless feeling in the pit of her stomach as she had looked to blame someone for their fates. Even blaming herself.
She looked Hush in the eye and wouldn't look away. "If you hadn't reacted to losing them the way you did, if you had carried on without a misstep, then I would think someing was wrong with you. If lashing out at someone can take some of your pain away and that someone is me, I'll take it." She reached out and laid her hand on his arm. "I'll take it."
Hush's eyes were full of emotion, but he didn't say anything.
Now that she had started, she couldn't seem to stop herself from talking. "And I'm sorry for everything. For not being able to save Weasel. And Ally. Sorry that a group of Warriors as fine as any I have ever had the honor to know have had a micron of doubt as to their worth because of Gold Squadron."
She broke eye contact and moved her hand, letting it rest on her blaster and glanced around, unsure if she should continue, but knowing that the words were like a flood and she wouldn't be able to stop them.
"And the thing I'm most sorry for is that everything went so terribly wrong just as I met you." If he doesn't feel a connection with you, you're going to look pretty stupid here. But if you don't say it, you'll never know. "I...I only hope you'll give me a second chance to know you. Beyond Squadrons, beyond missions."
Frack. I'm no good at this. He's going to think I'm crazy. We've never even talked about anything beyond missions.
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Post by Amy81 on Jun 27, 2007 13:29:05 GMT -6
Hush didn't quite know what to say. How, after the way he behaved, this woman, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, almost seemed to be pleading for a second chance. He'd never been in such a position before, especially since he'd all but given up any hope that Logan would even want to talk with him outside of missions.
Beyond Squadrons, beyond missions....
"I'd like that, Logan" he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'd like to get to know you better too."
He'd felt elated when she'd placed her hand on his arm, and he wanted contact again, even the smallest bit...
Heart pounding, he reached up and gently brushed aside a stray strand of hair from the side of Logan's face, unsure, fearful of her reaction but grateful when she didn't flinch or swat his hand away...
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Post by Brie on Jun 27, 2007 13:59:49 GMT -6
After leaving her quarters Brie proceeded to the shuttles. She stopped by the second shuttle first and programmed in the flight plan. The two groups would be following different paths, neither of them direct. It occurred to Brie that they were taking a lot of precautions against a group that Command claimed no longer existed, but Brie was relieved. In the back of her mind she couldn’t help but think that there were still people out there. Logan’s comments about Comeek wanting to know if there were others helped and made it worse at the same time. Comeek knew of no others, but he expected there to be. She momentarily flashed back to when she insisted that Turner’s disappearance had been no accident but she was told that she had been wrong. She had never wished so badly that she hadn’t been right.
Brie left the second shuttle and headed to her own. She entered the flight plan before checking her shuttle over. She checked the inside first, every seat, every strap, every inch of the floor. She checked the turboflush, even though they wouldn’t have someone have their restraints removed even if nature called. She looked over the support systems and the canisters of anaesthesine vapor. She shuddered as she remembered the effects that the vapor had had on her body and momentarily regretted that second muffin. When she was satisfied that everything was correct in the passenger area, she checked over the cockpit. Finally, she started her pre-flight check and examined the outside of the shuttle. Everything was right. Then why did she had a feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong?
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Post by Logan on Jun 27, 2007 17:14:02 GMT -6
"I'd like that, Logan" he said. "I'd like to get to know you better too."
She had steeled herself for the rejection she was sure was coming and almost looked confused at his words.
Logan was not used to being so open with people she didn't already know well. There had been many overconfident advances by new pilots in the Officer's Club and crewmembers who got too zealous over a game of Pyramid when they thought her defenses were down. She had rebuffed them all. Most often very verbally and on rare ocassions, sent a few to the Med Lab. She was aware of her reputation as being 'as cold as the depths of space' as one disappointed Lt. had put it as he nursed his sore jaw with an icepack.
The typical sort of male hoping to score with every girl who crossed his path held no appeal to Logan. She didn't have time in her life for bravado and the chest-thumping types who seemed to take her reserve has a direct challenge to their masculine prowess.
But the situation she faced now was so different from what she was used to dealing with. She had actually approached him, not the reverse. She had sworn to herself long ago that she had lost enough of her heart in the past to never put herself in the position for it to be damaged again. And until meeting Hush, she had had no problem keeping that promise.
His eyes held a curiousity and intelligence that she wanted to explore. His shock of blond hair hanging in his forehead was endearing and his habit of only speaking when he really had something of worth to say fascinated her even more. She assumed the latter was because she herself had so much trouble keeping her mouth shut.
Comprehension of what he was saying dawned on her at the exact moment that he reached out and gently brushed a stray hair out of her face. The touch of his fingers on her cheek warmed her. The contact was brief, but even after he moved his hand away she could almost still feel it there. She couldn't help the smile that spread over her features as she looked at him.
"I....well, yes. I...good," she suddenly realized that for the first time in a long time, she was speechless.
Hush seemed to be amused and returned her smile. "Yes. Good."
She almost laughed, but realized that no matter how elated she was at his attention and attitude change towards her, they had a mission to prepare for.
"Well." She cleared her throat to steady herself. "I'm glad we settled that, but now I'm afraid I have a shuttle to prep. Meet me there after you've grabbed your gear and we'll go over any last minute details."
Hush nodded at her and as she turned to leave she noticed him throw a playful wink her way. Her grin now plastered on her face, she crossed to the door and entered the Launch Bay, headed for Shuttle 2 and her pre-flight check.
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