|
Post by Skyler on Dec 21, 2007 14:23:45 GMT -6
The Prison barge story line appears to of have caught up with the time line Brie started give or take a few microns, so I will start the search for Brie....
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Mar 11, 2008 15:02:54 GMT -6
Com chatter filled his ears. The shuttle transporting the Prison Barge teams was on final approach. Great, they will be needed to help find Brie…
Brie… she couldn’t be gone.. It didn’t feel right. It had been less than a cycle that he had been holding her. That he had kissed her. His gut was telling him that she was still alive, somewhere and she needed him. What the frack was taking them so long to give him clearance to launch. It was only microns, but it felt like sectons.
“Core Command to Gold Lead Launch when……”
The person on the other end didn’t have a chance to finish the sentence before Skyler had rocketed out of the tube and at full thrusters headed to last known position of Brie’s Viper. He had his scanners set to the max, looking for anything sign of life, for a glimmer of hope, for something. So far all he found was scattered debris. His mind raced through all of the possibilities. Ejection pod maybe, there was a small planet close by. It couldn’t support human life for long, but if she stayed in the pod, and the emergency power supply would last until she was found, she had a chance. As he closed with the site of the viper wreckage the light from the closest star in the system caused it to look like so much glitter thrown into the air. His scanners collected raw data and displayed the results on the H.U.D.D.S in his helmet. His hopes sank as a few shards of the material the canopy glass was made from registered. But it could have been a scrap piece a lazy tech had left under a seat in a past repair. There was still hope and he wasn’t going to give up. He flipped a few switches and diverted some of his sensors to start sweeping the planet for debris or escape pods or anything. He slowed his approach and almost drifted through the scattered wreckage, his eyes looking over every single piece that came with in visual range for any signs of Brie or the cause of this. Once through the wreckage he turned towards the planet…
“Gold Leader to Core Command, no signs of Major Brie in the wreckage, there is a small planet that an escape pod could of have drifted to. I am going to start sweeping the planet. Have S.A.R. operations include it in the search. The planet will not support life for more than a few centons at best before anyone not in a protective suit or pod would die. It is a slim chance, but it’s all we have. Have the other Squadrons sweep the area of space between the Fleet and the wreckage site then head for the planet. I didn’t pick any thing up on sensor sweeps, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t miss anything. I want Gold Squadron assisting on the planet. The atmosphere will limit our scanners and our best chance to cover the ground and find her is to fill the sky with searchers.”
“Core Command received Major. Commander Sheba will be in contact soon.”
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Mar 13, 2008 20:53:12 GMT -6
Skyler’s Viper cleared the debris field; his main scanners were focused on the planet. He turned his ship and began his approach. The Combat Scanners registered the other Vipers launching, and judging by the vectors away from the Callisto it wasn’t Gold Squadron.
He ran the numbers in his head; the life support on a fully functional ejection pod would give her 48 centars before it failed. Of course that was assuming that she was not injured and breathing normally. His scanners were having a hard time penetrating that soup below. He entered information gathered from his scanners into his flight computer and made a few educated guesses and it kicked out the most likely trajectory a drifting pod would enter the atmosphere. He followed that path letter perfect. His computers sending a constant telemetry of data back to the Callisto to aid in the search planning.
The more time that passed the more his heart sank. He was grasping at straws, but he was going to grasp. She couldn’t be dead…. Could she? He would know, he would feel it wouldn’t he? They were close, had been close, and had the potential to become close. Someone you have known that long, someone you loved that much, you just know. He knew when Kellie was dead. He just felt it, almost from the micron it had happened. He knew he would feel it this time as well.
His Viper entered the thick cloud mass that covered the planet. It reduced his visibility to almost zero. The scanners were also affected. They worked but the range was reduced by more than half. Running quick numbers in his head, he figured the ejection pod’s life support would run out several centars before the search could be completed, at best.
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Mar 14, 2008 14:50:31 GMT -6
Skyler made one pass over the area the computer models predicted the ejection pod would land, given all the known information it had. Not so much as a scrap of metal, let alone an entire pod. He would need the more Vipers if they even dreamed of finding anything. He banked around for a second run, widening his flight path to slightly overlap the last scanned section hoping he would find something this time. His speakers crackled to life.
“Major, this is Lt. Thunderhawk. We have completed a sweep using search pattern ‘Kirk Ellison’. We are nearing the planet, we have six Vipers, Lt. Wraith, Lt. Ike, Lt. Najinn, Lt. Bishop, Lt. Talon, Lt. Dakkar and myself, how do you want us deployed?”
“We will use the computer model of the most probable area the pod would be and work a Parallel Search Pattern. Lt Thunderhawk, you are my wing, we will fly the first berth, and we will stay close enough that our scanners overlap just slightly, to make sure we do not miss any thing. Lt Wraith and Lt Ike, you fly the next berths, Lt. Najinn and Lt Bishop, you take the next and Lt. Talon and Lt. Dakkar the outside berth. Each group will overlap your scanners with the Viper on either side of you. If you find the Ejection Pod, mark it and call for medical evacuation. Once we finish with this area we will expand outwards.”
The Vipers formed up and started their runs. Skyler and Thunderhawk dropped in and started the first pass. The first pass Skyler had made alone was the center of the search, so it was getting a second pass. Checking his chrono he noted that five centars had passed of the 48 centars he hoped she had.
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Mar 20, 2008 15:14:31 GMT -6
The Vipers above the planet had completed another pass, and hadn’t even found a piece of scrap metal from Brie’s viper. Skyler’s heart sank as he started yet another run. He checked his fuel levels and would have to return soon to refuel. He still hadn’t heard from Sheba, so he could only guess what was going on with the Fleet’s search efforts. What if she was really gone? Could she be gone? At any micron he would wake up, this nightmare over and everything would be back like it was… or would it. He knew it wasn’t a dream, it was real. Brie’s viper is in so many pieces it would take the investigation team a secton to put it all together and figure out a cause. Could he accept the fact that Brie was…. Gone… dead…? His gut was telling him a different story, but sis gut could be wrong. It could just be the knot that was growing, knowing she could really be dead. Her death had been faked before, and if this was one of those secret missions of Apollo’s and he hadn’t been told… well brig be damned, he was going to punch Apollo right between the eyes. Then his thoughts went to the baby Brie carried in her womb. A life that may of have been taken before it had a chance to even live. How would he tell JustinB? Would he tell JustinB?
This was it, the low fuel indicator just lit up in his console and the alarm sounded. “Gold Leader to all Gold Vipers, my fuel is getting danger low, I have to return to the Callisto to refuel. A second wave of fresh vipers will replace you soon. Watch your fuel, and if you find anything, let me know. I will be back if I have to get out and walk.” He finished the run they were own and when they reached the apex of the search arch he pulled up and headed for the black. He watched on his scanners as they adjust the search grid to cover his spot and continue on.
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Apr 2, 2008 16:21:19 GMT -6
Skyler passed back through the debris field. Much of it had already been loaded onto two waiting shuttles. He drifted past members of the Colonial Investigative Service clad in EXO Suits gathering up the wreckage, cataloguing it into the system and stowing it on one of the shuttles. He knew once back on the Callisto, or Galactica, depending on where Apollo ordered the investigation, they would use a empty cargo bay to piece together the puzzle that caused a perfectly good ship to implode itself. The facts were right in front of him. His mind was telling him there was no way she could of have lived. It was too sudden to eject, and there were no signs of the cockpit ejection pod anywhere. He had already searched every inch of the planet with anything over a 10% of landing, starting at the most probable site first. The space around the wreckage had been cleared; the space from the planet to the fleet was cleared. Even the long shot odds were clear. If there had of been another ship in the area, then maybe, but there was nothing except the first responding transport and it arrived after the explosion. His gut and his heart were telling him to never give up hope. Hope, all he had was hope. Hope to guide him, to get him through the days and the nights, hope that when he last saw Brie, that is would not be the last time that he was able to look upon her.
He cleared the debris and the workers and engaged his engines again. In a few centons we would be back on the Callisto, and a meeting with Sheba. He was sure with what they had found she would call off the search. What would she say to him? What would he say to JustinB? Would he tell him that Brie was with child, his child? Skyler looked up into the blackness of space, sending a silent wish to the Lords of Kobol… “If it is possible still, take me and bring her back. I will gladly sacrifice my life for hers.”
“Gold Leader you are cleared for landing Alpha Landing Deck, begin final approach you have the ball”
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Apr 8, 2008 9:35:46 GMT -6
Skyler sat his viper down on the flight deck and taxied into position. He pulled off his Helm and his head fell back into the seat as he stared off into nothing… The crew refueled his ship and pushed it into position. None dared disturb him at this time. After several centons of just sitting, Micklin, the crew chief for Gold Squadron approached the viper. Skyler and Micklin had a long history of butting heads. Micklin had a history of butting heads with all pilots. He saw them as spoiled brats that trashed his Vipers and expected him to work miracles to keep them flying. Micklin reached out and tapped on the canopy. Skyler was jarred back to reality and popped the hatch.
“Major, we have your bird ready to go, but you need to get some rest. At least something to eat before you go out again.” He paused, but not long enough for Skyler to object, “I know you have not been off duty since you brought Brie in from the Prisoner Transfer Mission. I know you want to be out there looking for her now. Hell we all do, but you are not doing her any good if you pass out from lack of care. You are like these vipers; you can only run them so long with out maintenance before they stop. Go, food, rest.”
Skyler was stunned. In all the yahrens he had know Micklin that was the first time he had addressed him with out using the term Flyboy anywhere.
“Thanks Chief, I am going to the ready room to call the Commander, and then I promise I will grab some food and a quick nap.” The two men shook hands and though they respected one another, they shared a new measure of respect at that micron.
Skyler started across the flight deck and headed to the ready room. He could feel the lack of sleep catching up with him, his body ached and his eyes burned. He knew he wouldn’t be able to find sleep anytime soon. His heart told him Brie was still alive, even if the facts didn’t. Both would battle and haunt his dreams. Just as the hurt of losing Kellie still chased him in his sleep. He checked his comm. And found a message from Sheba.
***Skyler, report to me on the Bridge after you have eaten and if possible, rested***
Skyler’s mind was so occupied with thoughts of Brie he didn’t even notice JustinB following him.
|
|
|
Post by JustinB on Apr 16, 2008 22:56:59 GMT -6
I followed Skyer at a safe distance so he wouldn't know I was there. I was still angry and frustrated but I was calming down. After a few stops to talk to people he finally walked into the Gold Squadron ready room. He laid down his helm then sat down. I looked around and saw that we were alone. In a calm voice I spoke.
"Major Skyler I presume."
|
|
|
Post by JustinB on Apr 16, 2008 23:10:10 GMT -6
Whilst in her inner sanctum Commander Sheba was going over the reports over the last few cycles. From Combat Reports to the Intel Reports she was distracted and she knew why. She had on her desk a brown package she didn't want to open. But after a time, she decided to open Brie's Will and read it. Slowly but surely she opened it, pulled out the piece of paper and read it.
After re-reading it, she left a message for JustinB to come and see her. Since Amy was missing, JustinB was closer to her than anyone else alive.
She knew that time her in this system would soon be at an end and that meant a lot of low moralled officers. If there was just some good news for a change.
|
|
|
Post by Skyler on Apr 17, 2008 15:19:29 GMT -6
Skyler stopped and spoke with another of the Flight Crew. He confirmed that Logan, Brik and the rest of the team from the last mission was back, in the life station and resting. Other than minor injuries and being exhausted they looked fine. That eased his mind some. The doors to the ready room parted and he entered. The illumination sensors detected his arrival and brought the lights up to standard. He approached the desk, Brie's old desk, now his desk and laid his helm on it. At that very micron his senses focused enough for him to detect someone was behind him. It was all that kept him from being startled and drawing his side arm when JustinB spoke...
"Major Skyler I presume?"
"Major JustinB..." Skyler allowed his body to relax in the chair. "There is no trace of Brie around the wreckage or on the closest planet. No sign of an ejection pod. A Gold Squadron Flight is still scanning the planet, but I fear we have covered all options, even the remote possibilities of finding anything. Even if we did," he paused and checked his chrono "the air supply in an ejection pod would of have ran out a few centons ago. It is not looking good for the home team..."
|
|