RP: NSS Nerkat [After-Mission 1] Picking up the Pieces

Harrison turned towards Penton and sighed. "One word. Clusterfuck." Then he turned back towards the front of the room.

"Jeez, you can practically cut this tense, bitter atmosphere with a knife..." Gyles entered the briefing room in a fresh uniform, his grayish blond hair glistening with a small amount of moisture from his recent shower and a towel still around his neck. He was about to be late, and just didn't have the time to drop it off, but didn't want to be an asshole by leaving it around to ferment on the shower room instead. "And yeah Harrisson, it was probably because they deployed two squads to take on an entire fortress. Can't say that bitching about it is going to undo the damages."

The tech sentry glanced over at Trey and smiled a little. "Yo, family man. Good to see you're back and alive. I though we lost you on the hot drop."

----

"Is everyone here?" Esther coughed, standing in front of the large mess of folding chairs that had been hastily set up in the lounge. "We'll begin mission debriefing in six minutes. No exceptions."

(Damn it not again. Someone needs to give me a nudge every now and again.)

So Henry was taken through the normal medical procedures. A quick blood test showed that he was in good condition, and a bodyscan indicated that parts of his right arm were showing bruising, but should patch itself up in a few days time.

Shortly after Henry was given the OK, he wandered off back to his bunk, took off his uniform then clambered his pale, scrawny arse and everything else into the showers. After drying up, putting his uniform back on and sitting on the bed with one of his dusty old books. Then he realised that he had to head for a debriefing, which was why he was here in the first place.

He bookmarked the page he was on, slammed the book shut and put it in his duffelbag. He moved on over to the Lounge room and sat down on one of the chairs next to Gyles, giving him and Harrison a nod of acknowledgement.

Autumn grinned at the medic before she waved to the now in focus Kagura. "Hey dear heart, let's get to that debriefing." She started quickly walking to the debriefing room without really waiting for Kagura to acknowledge that she was following.

She paused in the hallway as she thought she heard someone whispering beside her. She looked around her to discover a mostly empty corridor. "That's wierd," she muttered before she continued onward into the debriefing area and settled down into a chair towards the middle, rear of the room.

Kagura would adjust her sling as she sat down in a chair in the debriefing room and sighed. "That mission was hellish and stupid, I think we have a leak somewhere." She muttered as she waited for it to start.

"Hello, Henry." Harrison acknowledged his friend's presence as the bespectacled soldier took his seat nearby.

"ah, the usual, then?" Trey quipped to Harrison, and, noticing the remarks, apparently everyone else too (Though not directly). He shifted about in his chair and prepared to watch the briefing, whenever it managed to start.

Amelia sighed slightly as she waited for everyone to stop dragging their asses and arrive, resting her head on her organic hand and tapping the two metal fingers of her outdated mechanical one on the table. "As long as every mission isn't like this, I won't whine about it. Unless the brass is specifically out to get us, they can't keep under-preparing for every operation." Was she being optimistic or pessimistic? Hard to tell with Weynolt. Always was.

"Alright, let's get this finished before someone starts complaining." Esther said to the marines, gently sliding her silver flask into her back pocket. It had been hard enough to watch the marines under Tamara's command to nearly get massacred by Red forces. That the Mendelev had shown up when they did was a miracle in itself, and was glad. Still, she didn't feel leaving them in the command of such an aloof and uncaring officer. Maybe I should tell them about my new commission now, and give them a chance to transfer with me?

"As of 1700 hours, your engagement official ended and will be allowed shoreleave immediately. Because SMODIN doesn't want to cause dissent among the ranks or populace, you're not to mention the poor planning that went into the operation unless questioned by the appropriate military personnel. Brag as you please, just don't get yourselves into trouble." Esther said sternly with a slightly irritated expression, setting a small pile of papers on the stand in front of her. Her expression softened a little as she resumed. "You all did much better than what could have been expected, even with all the injuries and the casualty Private Wilde experienced. Those of you that rose to the occasion and kicked ass are starting to build up good resumes, and command isn't going to go too long without noticing. I have an announcement to make after your questions."

"Oh, and the ones that planned the offensive? I hear that they're cleaning latrines in some backwater facility, so don't make any plans for your leave."

Ran was about to raise his hand to ask a question, but he was interrupted by what sounded like a very heated argument outside. Looking out the door, he was met with the sight of a rather tall member of the Nerkat, dressed only in a towel and just out of the shower, brandishing a pile of uniforms.

==========

"Which one of you pissy little fuckers left their uniform on my clothes in a fucking pile?! It smells like SWEATY BALLS" Was all the person said, before being interrupted by a chorus of laughter. "Oh you fucking cunts are gonna EAT THESE." The man disappeared from the view of the Chief, but could be heard screaming "There's fucking skid marks on these skivvies, you disgusting fucks!"

==========

"..." Ran took a drag of his cigarette and raised his hand. "Ma'am, any idea on where our shore leave is gonna be?"

"The Nerkat is going to stop in the Fortuna system for three days. You can either pass time at any of the system's three starbases, or pay a visit to the newly built cities on the two colonies being established there." Esther explained, before sighing a little. The only thing she seemed to know about the system was its epicenter of vice and smuggling.

"I haven't really taken the time to read up on the entire system, but there's a big gambling town on Fortuna. If you're looking to blow some of your hard-earned combat pay on frivolities, they have the works."

"Hmm." Henry said, taking note of the Colonies that were being established on his notepad, and having the opportunity to visit them, "Int...eresting..."

He looked over to Harrison with this note passed over to him: "The Colonies. I've heard the places are expanding quite rapidly. Maybe that's where I need to go to clear my head."

He took off his beret, fished out a tin foil packet of cigars and lit one up, letting some of the thick smoke blow out of his nostrils before putting the cigars back and beret on.

Harrison sighed. "You're probably right, and after today I'd be more than happy to just relax for once."

Still and silent, Trey listened to Esther's speech. Hrm... too far to go home for that period of time. The Penton thought to himself, shrugging slightly and wondering about just what he should do while we was there. Perhaps he would buy gifts for Rosey and the girls....

"I'm not too much into gambling..." Ran sighed, letting twin streams of smoke snake out of his nostrils. "But being drunk as hell amongst flashing, bright lights is fucking fun." Ran rolled his head from side to side to look at the people in the room, as well as trying to measure about how buzzed he was, at the moment.

"Fortuna system, hm? Close enough to go pay my sister a visit then." Amelia leaned back in her chair. "Don't know about gambling though. Most of my money goes to her." She stretched a little and looked around at the others, wondering where they'd all end up.

Gyles sweatdropped, as he had vague recollections of what had happened the last few time he'd tried playing the odds. It wasn't his business, not anymore, and he wasn't in the mood to get back into it. Maybe he should try being the one being bet on again? Fortuna might be a bit more forgiving to his track record than Nepleslia... and he could always use the extra coin.

The relative unease he had before melted away, revealing his usual cocky expression. "Well alright. There aren't any regulation against being bet on, are there, Captain?"

----

"I wouldn't think so, but don't get anyone killed. I want you all alive in time for your next assignment, which brings me to my offer..." Esther explained, glancing at her watch. Their ship would be making a Hyperspace Fold in a few minutes, and from there it would take less than an hour to Fortuna. This is it...

"I've been given a commission to a new ship, and I need a crew. After discussing it after the mission, the Captain said that she doesn't particularly care if any of you leave with me. I can't promise you anything, except that I'll never abandon my duties to you as your commanding officer because of convenience or mood. If you are interested, you've all received brand new orders." She explained, while sending information on the NSS Acadia to all the marines in the room. "That said, you should all get some rest before we reach Fortuna. Dismissed."

The Commander glanced over at Rose. "Private Dream, if you have a minute." She said calmly, tracing her fingers over the document the medic had painstakingly composed hours earlier.

Autumn leaned back in her chair as they were dismissed. She looked over her orders in her newly issued Awesome Corp data pad with an amused expression on her face. Just a roll of the dice... "I have just as much chance dying again in military service on a new ship as this one, so the least of my worries is old scenery," she muttered to herself as she sent back her confirmation of the orders.

She sat the data pad on her lap and looked at her hands curiously, unsure of what to make of them for the moment. I guess if I miss the 'netics too much, I can just lop the fleshy parts and buy new ones again...

Hmm. To Fortuna, it seems. I must get the hang of gambling some time... Henry pondered as he fished out his cigars and offered one to Harrison, and one to Trey, "Ci-gars, Gentlemen?"

He leant back and pondered for a moment. He was sure that there'd be all sorts of things to encounter on a system - A colony, notorious for its gambling. To Henry, gambling was one of those things which strayed on the edge of a knife most of the time. If it stays up for longer and doesn't wobble, you should be grateful.

"No, thanks," Harrison said. "I think my throat is still a bit fucked up from the last one." He was quick to add, "Although, I will get you guys a few rounds when we get planetside."