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Post by persephone on Feb 24, 2008 22:14:04 GMT -6
"This is Callisto Shuttle returning from the Prison Barge, requesting clearance for landing".
Logan had handed over the communications task to Persephone, allowing her to get more experience with using the commlines in flight.
After a couple of microns she heard the reply, "Callisto Shuttle, you are cleared for landing in Alpha Bay", came the voice of a Bridge Flight Transfer Officer.
Logan looked proud of Persephone's competence, and her handling of the co-pilot's seat.
The young lieutenant took a deep breathe, and felt a sense of immense relief to be only centons from landing back on the Callisto, at last. She was glad the day was wrapped up, well with the Prisoner transfer, that is. Although, she wasn't sure those prisoners were really going to be locked up for long, and if they were truly in cells at all, at this moment. Persephone's gut feelings were trying to tell her something.
She switched her thoughts back to Triton's message. Her fingers swiftly pressed buttons, and switches as she and Logan brought the shuttle into the landing bay. The two women took advantage of the peaceful flight and found the time to have bit of a chat between them, as they made their way back home.
The landing bay lights were a comforting sight. They looked like stars pulsing to a rhythm. Flight hanger crew were awaiting their arrival.
A small group of what looked like to be fellow warriors were also waiting at the farthest end of the bay.
As they touched the surface and pulled the shuttle to a stop smoothly, Persephone could just make out through the cockpit window, Triton standing among the group of people.
It looked like Misty Star and Helix were there too. She let out a sigh of joy to see her friends waiting for her.
Shutting down the engines in the shuttle and unbuckling herself, she removed her headpiece as Logan did the same.
As the two women stood up, they looked at each other and extended a professional colonial arm shake, acknowledging one another's bravery, and duty served throughout the day's assignment.
Logan showed great encouragement in her wingman. Persephone was feeling a deep sense of pride at that moment, and said to Logan, "It was an honor to take my call of duty with you today, Lieutenant Logan. And I thank you for giving me the opportunity to prove myself as a warrior, despite the mistakes I may have made in being a little hasty at times. I guess I just lived my first day to fight another day".
Logan grinned, as did Persephone.
She had just performed something she never truly ever imagined she would ever undergo in her life. But there is was. All over with now. And here she was, still standing. Even the shuttle was still all in one piece, after landing!
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Post by Logan on Feb 25, 2008 13:02:05 GMT -6
Logan took in her muted reflection in the viewport of the shuttle and frowned. Not one to spend too much time worrying about her personal appearance, she couldn't help but grimace at the grime and bruises. And what is this? She ran her fingers over her eyebrow and felt a small cut there, dried blood that she hadn't noticed until this micron.
She exhaled as she stood in the cockpit of the shuttle and preceeded Persephone into the main compartment. The young lieutenant had performed well and gained a measure of confidence during the harrowing events of the mission. Logan had seen many recruits who would have been throwing up with nervousness in lesser circumstances.
Janey had entered the cockpit and gave Logan a nod. Logan didn't push as she wasn't sure if the girl still harbored any resentment towards her for the disastrous outcome to Bronze squadron on their last joint mission. "What can I do?" Janey asked.
Logan took the offer as a sign that perhaps things would settle down with the squadrons soon enough. "Help Persephone power down. Sub-systems. The works. With all the creative adjustments we made to the circuitry on this boat, I don't want any techs screaming about improper procedures when they check it out. They'll be irate enough that I rigged everything like I did."
Her eyes met Hush's as he rose from his seat. There was an understanding there, an understanding that all past differences had been erased. The rivalry between Bronze and Gold which reared its head on the baseship mission and after had morphed into something else entirely. Respect and admiration. She knew there was more in her eyes and she didn't attempt to hide it. Hush didn't look away and she wanted to believe that she saw her own feelings mirrored in his gray gaze.
"I'm home, honey." Brik's deep voice boomed with mirth, an effect of genuine relief at being back and almost complete exhaustion.
Logan and Hush both laughed and Brik clapped them both on the back, bringing them into his embrace and squeezing. Logan almost thought he wouldn't leave her any oxygen, so she kicked him in the shin. This caused the big man to laugh even harder, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"We'd better get out of here before they put us all on psychiatric lockdown." Logan pushed her friend out of the way and opened the hatch.
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Feb 25, 2008 23:33:06 GMT -6
"I'm home, honey." Brik's deep voice boomed with mirth, an effect of genuine relief at being back and almost complete exhaustion.
Logan and Hush both laughed and Brik clapped them both on the back, bringing them into his embrace and squeezing. Logan almost thought he wouldn't leave her any oxygen, so she kicked him in the shin. This caused the big man to laugh even harder, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"We'd better get out of here before they put us all on psychiatric lockdown." Logan pushed her friend out of the way and opened the hatch.
"Yeah, I suppose..." The Lieutenant thought quickly and gripped Logan and Hush before they could begin to leave. "Hold on a minute." Hush looked mildly confused and wasn't helped at all by Logan breaking into a grin and small chuckle. "Lords, I almost forgot" she said with a knowing smile creasing her lips. Brik turned slightly. "PERSEPHONE! JANEY! Come here for a minute!" Both warriors joined the three of them, making for a very motley and battle-hardened crew. There was no danger of them being disturbed in such condition. Brik began to address them, still pleasant but with a mildly serious undertone. "People, we've had a very long and strange day but we've managed to put yet another mission, a JOINT mission at that, behind us. As such I want to extend an invitation to you that is a Gold Squadron tradition that I began some time ago." He looked at Logan and she nodded approval. "Sometime in the next day or so, after everyone has been to Med-Lab, slept, changed and ate...we meet in the club for Milk and Cookies on me. Now...GROUP HUG!" And they all did just that for several centons before making their way toward the other end of the bay. It was GREAT to be home and GREAT to be alive!
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Post by persephone on Feb 27, 2008 23:35:32 GMT -6
Persephone thought she would be hugged to death by the large lieutenant and the rest of the team, but she loved every centon of it. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Such a team spirit pervaded the moment.
"Milk and cookies sound just great Lieutenant Brik", she said to him, laughing, and exchanging smiles with everyone. Brik came near and patted her firmly on her shoulder. She perceived him to be a very warm soul underneath his mostly serious exterior.
She made her way out of the shuttle and followed behind her senior officers who mad their way to the other end of the bay.
Triton anxiously waited for Persephone to arrive. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Triton, you'll make a hole in the landing bay floor if you keep doing that", Helix remarked to his friend, making a silly grin.
Triton grinned back while rolling his eyes. He was rather anxious, barely unable to stand for long before he could hold Persephone again in his arms. "Look, here she comes", Misty pointed out to Persephone nearing them.
Triton's eyes looked at her, and her eyes met with his. He strangely felt though she had been gone all day, and a very long day at that, it also seemed as though she had never left.
Persephone's fingers touched her tunic at her chest and ran them over the small bump beneath the fabric. The pendant seemed like a guardian angel to her.
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Post by persephone on Feb 29, 2008 19:22:56 GMT -6
Triton felt like the wind had been taken out of him as Persephone approached him at last. He was releasing his worry and feeling relieved to see her again. Her hair, bedraggled, was draped over one shoulder, her face marked with minor scratches, her emerald eyes though catching the lighting from the bay, were exhausted looking. The right hand sleeve on her combat jacket was coming apart slightly on the shoulder seam. Did she have to tackle someone? Or did those grid lice tackle her? He wondered now, beginning to feel the worry hitting him again, as it did during the time of crisis, with the risk of the shuttles ramming the Starliners. "Triton. I am so glad to see you"! "Persephone..." he paused with his brow wrinkled with concern, then stepping close to her, he rested his hands on her shoulders, before embracing her. "Are you alright"? Persephone felt the warmth of Triton's arms around her and his heart beating next to hers, as she replied, "I'm fine..just fine". Triton pulled back his head, and took a deep breathe. "I was never so worried in all my life". Persephone only smiled reassuringly at him. For a moment during the hi-jack, she wasn't sure she and her team were going to make it back. Helix and Misty Star stayed at the side for a few centons to give Persephone and Tritonthe chance to reunite. But by now had came up to them to greet Persephone and welcome her back on board. She once again found herself being in the middle of a group embrace. It was good to be back with her family. Family! That's right...Triton's message, and her mother's message conveyed to her while under the gas vapour. She had family still! Ganymede was yet to be found, and Io? Her emotions were swimming now.
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Mar 5, 2008 1:28:16 GMT -6
Brik stood for a few moments as he re-adjusted to actually being back home. He could allow himself, now that the mission was done, to contemplate just how possible it had been for that to have been their LAST mission. SON OF A DAGGIT! Those mad prisoners, on BOTH shuttles no less, then those two aliens that tried to hijack them. The additional escape on the Prison Barge... What a LONG day!
He exchanged meaningful glances at Logan, perhaps his best friend, and gave her a quick half-hug. She knew what that meant. As they drew apart he gave her a questioning look and an almost imperceptible nod toward Hush. She grinned and blushed just a bit, both quickly, and gave him a shrug of the shoulders. Ah, they'd talk later.
As Logan and Hush walked away and Persephone melted into her group of friends he felt the briefest twinge of loneliness. Then, smiling ruefully to himself, he got his thoughts under control (for the moment) and began the trek to his barracks and a turbo-wash!
He didn't want to admit to himself (yet) that Ally was still very much on his mind and that he missed having close contact with another person. But that could wait. Being clean and rested could not and off he went.
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Post by Logan on Mar 8, 2008 15:02:21 GMT -6
Logan stopped a few feet from the shuttle and sighed heavily. She was exhausted. Hush had stopped and was looking at her. Neither of them said anything, but she felt like they knew each other a little better after the events on the mission. She no longer had that doubt in the back of her mind that he felt she looked down on him because of his squadron.
She felt his hand rest reassuringly on her shoulder for a brief moment and knew that her feelings were right.
When she looked at his smudged face and rustled blonde hair hanging just in his eyes, she couldn't help but grin. "You look like felgercarb."
He lifted his finger to her eyebrow and wiped dirt from the skin. "Seems to be going around."
"What in the name of the Lords do you all think you're doing?"
The deep growl sounded throughout the bay, causing Brik to stop in his tracks near the door to Gold's barracks, Persephone to spin on the spot where she stood with a small group of people and Logan to put her hands on her hips in bewilderment. Hush was the only one who showed no outward reaction.
Lt. Baris was striding across the deck towards Logan and Hush, his arms gesticulating wildly towards Persephone and Brik, almost as if he wanted to scoop them up and draw them closer, even though he was much too far away from them.
"Lt. Baris, wh-", Logan started.
His lips pursed, his hand came up to forestall further speech. "Captain Logan, you of all people know that the first duty of a Warrior returning from a mission is to go through decontamination and be cleared by medical staff. It isn't to wander aimlessly, chatting and rubbing dirt off each other's noses like a bunch of 12 yahren olds."
Baris paused, tugging at the waist of his immaculate uniform, his dark hair gleaming in the overhead light. Logan had never seen a man so clean all the time. Must be the doctor in him.
"And considering the state of your exteriors...," He paused for dramatic effect as he made a show of looking Logan's torn uniform and muti-contused and abrased form up and down, "...there's no telling what could be broken or bleeding on the interior."
Properly chastised, Logan squared her shoulders and met Baris' gaze with the respect he deserved. "You're absolutely right, Lt. The mission must have made us all so...did you say Captain Logan?"
Baris looked concerned at her unawreness of her own rank for a micron, then nodded. "Yes. I suppose you haven't had the news yet, but you and Captain Brik have been promoted."
Logan felt a flush and wasn't sure how to react. But she knew that Baris was right about their medical conditions and as much as she hated the thought of spending any time in Med Lab, she knew he was right. She'd think about the promotion later.
Persephone and Brik had both come back to Logan's side and heard all that Baris had said. No one seemed to know what to say, so Logan said it for them. "Alright, you heard the man. Med Lab."
Baris seemed almost disappointed that Logan had given up without more of a fight, so she couldn't resist leaning in and saying, "Listen, I'm kind of tired right now, so after my exam and some sleep, I'll give you all Hades about keeping me longer than necessary, ok?" She winked at him.
Baris rolled his eyes heavenward, turned on his heel and led the ragtag group out of the bay and towards Med Lab.
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Post by persephone on Mar 9, 2008 0:55:36 GMT -6
Shuffling along side her worn out team, Persephone followed in suite, Baris to the Med Lab. As she passed by Triton and her friends on the way she stepped slightly toward Triton saying, " I'm sorry Triton, I have to follow orders, you understand."
"Sure, sure, Pers. I'll wait for you back at Gold Squadron's barracks".
Of course he wanted to make sure Persephone got checked out properly after her Hades of a day. He'd be only too happy to know she was tended to by med techs before doing anything else.
"Okay, see you guys in a while", she replied hastily and continued up to the Med Lab.
But oh Lords of Kobol she wanted a turbo wash! But, she knew she had to be checked over. She glanced at Brik...he seemed just as disappointed not to be hitting a hot stream of water right now either.
And her wingman, she's a Captain now! She deserved it so much. Persehone felt happy for Logan.
She moved up to her now putting her hand upon the back of her shoulder. "Logan, congratulations are order! You truly derserve it!"
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Post by Logan on Mar 9, 2008 14:05:23 GMT -6
Logan acknowledged Persephone's congratulations with a nod and a brief smile. "Thanks."
What she thought but didn't say was "I'm not sure I did anything that special to deserve it."
Logan's bones were aching. She knew that seemed ridiculous but it was how she felt. And the walk to the Med Lab seemed interminably long.
Baris was walking purposefully just ahead, nodding smartly to crew as they passed. The company got more than a few strange looks. Logan knew that she, Persephone, Brik, Hush and Janey all looked like they'd gone a few rounds with an entire squadron of Cylons.
But something was wrong.
Logan could tell by the way Baris made a point of looking over his shoulder at her as crewmen passed by. And the crewmen themselves seemed not able to meet their gazes. Usually on a return like this there were shouts and smiles exchanged, acquaintances congratulating each other on a job well done.
But not this time. People were quiet. They looked away quickly, busying themselves with pads and tools or suddenly very interested in the lighting tubes overhead.
It was almost a micron before Baris realized Logan had stopped walking, Brik standing still right beside her. Persephone, Hush and Janey were about half the distance between their fellow Warriors and Baris, looking from one to the other, unsure what was going on.
"Is something wrong?" Baris said. He folded his arms, expecting some show of defiance from Logan at her abrupt change of attitude in going to Med Lab.
"Yes." Logan said, her brow furrowed.
Brik's expression was stoic, but he crossed his arms in a mimic of Baris' current postrue. The big man was much more intimidating, but Baris didn't back down.
"Well?" Baris moved back to stand near Hush, Persephone and Janey, shortening the distance between himself and the two other Warriors.
"What has happened? And don't bother telling me you don't know what I'm talking about because you do. I've been a Warrior long enough to know when something is wrong. And no one has been able to look us in the eye as we passed them in the corridor. They're hiding something. Or afraid of giving something away."
Brik spoke as if finishing Logan's train of thought. "They've been told not to tell us something until we get to Med Lab. We'll probably be met by Sheba... or Skyler... or Brie."
At the mention of Brie's name, Baris went rigid. It was only a millimicron, but Logan and Brik saw it. Apparently Hush did too as he shot Logan a look.
As Brik rolled off the names of their COs, Logan had held her breath. She knew he was doing it on purpose, to get a reaction from Baris. And now they knew something had happened with Brie.
Baris could tell that he had given himself away, so he sighed and tucked his pad under one arm. "We really should be discussing this in Med Lab."
"I'm not moving until you tell us what is going on."
Baris measured Logan's words and her bearing. Knowing it was pointless and only prolonging an awkward situation in the middle of a busy corridor, he said softly. "Major Brie is dead."
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Post by persephone on Mar 9, 2008 23:08:23 GMT -6
Persephone's mouth was slightly agape now with the sudden shock of hearing her first CO being dead. She couldn't believe it. It didn't sound right. Her eyes wide and worried, she glanced back at Logan and Brik. Her heart seem to stop for a micron as soon as Baris announced the news.
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