Aquila Flight - Return and Recover (Interlude 0.5)

[Grey Library]

"Ah, I just did the first thing that came to mind, nothing special." Miranda giggled as she sheepishly rubbed her hair, caught off guard by the quiet Yamataian's compliments. Jiyuuian, she mentally corrected herself. I've heard some of them have a complex about stuff like this. Looking over the appearance and mannerism of her new conversational partner, Miranda was struck by the mental image of an ancient Yamataian samurai. Suppressing a chuckle, she offered the older woman a smile in hope of breaking the ice. "In fact, I've to thank the efforts of yourself and the others for my continued health, especially after a stunt like that. With so many veterans in our little flock, we greenhorns are in good hands." she finished, offering LGJ Mochizuki a polite nod of thanks.

As she waited for the green-haired lady's reply, Miranda quietly assessed her jaded smile and concealing attire. Seems like she's speaking from experience, she noted, feeling a twinge of sympathy at the war-torn aura the Jiyuuian appeared to exude. Landmine, better not ask about it.

 

[Whitehart]

Edward raised his mug to the many toasts and said, "Something something heroism something patriotism." With a flourish he swigged a quick mouthful of coffee and coughed at the burning sensation in his throat.

"Sorry, hotter than I expected. You guys are quite the serious lot you know that? I'm thinking we may need more relaxation the rest on this particular down time. People died, it sucks and i hate it but we did all we could. If we had beat them all we would be celebrating even though those who passed on had died."

 

[Archander]

"I tend to be a pretty serious person Edward, just comes with the territory." Jayden said matter of factly. "Nothing wrong with having a little pride in one's self to turn into drive and determination. Tools for success no doubt, yes?" "He's got a bit of a point Jayden, when was the last time you actually relaxed and just went with the flow of things? Oh... wait... Dreams of grandeur. You've never been the type." He thought to himself.

"The reason we are here currently, is because we've never really had a casual chance to interact with each other. That and Winters is slacking on getting our rooms." Jayden stated before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling as he looked to Captain Winters.

"I thought that was already taken care of?" Xander said, then pulled out his DataJockey and looked over a few notes. "Huh. Well, temporarily, the Aquilas will reside in these marked quarters... here." He said as he sent the file showing their assigned rooms. "You'll have to share rooms with another of your flight for the time being, but it's better than not having anywhere to sleep. Nero, you're the exception."

"He's kidding right? Please tell me he's kidding..." The look on Jayden's face slowly began to show his ire at the accommodations, almost allowing for his inner thoughts to be read like a book.


=============
OOC Note: Each person has to chose someone to room with, not that they were assigned a roommate.

 

[paladinrpg]

(sorry for this being a bit late, happens before Jayden's post about rooms)

Sayoko took a slow sip after the toast and returned Miranda's looks, picking up on her somewhat Yamataian features. "Dou itashi mashite," she slipped into Yamataigo briefly, "Good wingmen always look out for each other. No matter my experience, though, I still was overwhelmed and shot down in combat by the Phantoms after I downed one of their number. They are a formidable foe, but not invincible. At least by losing the Uno X, I was able to rescue our XO. It was... a fair trade."

The Jiyuuian then cast a glance Edward's way, considering his earlier comments and showing she could have a little less serious side. "You know, real Mishhu are nothing like the ones in that holodisc show..." The fact she was saying this implied perhaps she had even watched a bit of it -- but Sayoko also had lived the reality of that fictional character's life a bit more than she would have liked.

 

[Guard Dog]

Finished yet another glass after the toast before looking over after a moment at the elaboration the officer provided, seemingly a little troubled at the idea, he wasn't very familiar with any of the squadron. And even less familiar with the show they had been referencing before hand, but in the end the partly drunk Leo...

Finding something to talk about perhaps if only for avoiding the pending question regarding who he would reside with while on the vessel.

"Am I the only one who had a boner taking the Uno up for the first time?

 

[Lamb]

"Ah, I was in the Quattro." Virgil replied to his fellow pilot, lifting his pink-filled glass in salute, "But I also felt kind of aroused by the experience. Every time I take off, it's like I'm laying a body across a bed, or like I'm fumbling with a new lover for the first time."

There was a gentle smile and Virgil paused to take a sip from his glass before adding, "There's nothing quite like flying, no matter what you pilot."

 

[Grey Library]

"I see, I see." Miranda murmured as the elder pilot turned to converse with Edward, branching off into a discussion about the Mishhu. Having never seen one in person, she had to admit that her curiousity was piqued. Tread carefully, she reminded herself before opening her mouth, recalling LGJ Mochizuki's withdrawn attitude. "Um, if I may, Mochizuki-san?" she began, watching carefully for any signs of discomfort from the mysterious Jiyuuian. "The Mishhu, what were they like?"

Sneaking a glance at the drunken Leo, Miranda sighed in exasperation. Despite her advice, he had gotten himself drunk within minutes and now was discussing something weird with Virgil. "Ah, Mr Knight? You might want to ease up on the drinking a little." The little bombardier's voice was slightly strained as she carefully kept her tone civil. "Here, let me hold that for you for a bit, alright?" she gave him a pleasant smile as she slowly reached out to take the half-empty vodka bottle from the drunken pilot.

 

[paladinrpg]

Sayoko didn't exactly expect someone to actually call her out on her offhand remark to Edward about the monsters. It was even more surprising that such curiosity came from the diminutive Miranda. There was obviously more courage in her little frame than first met the eye. She would have to keep watch on this one, indeed...

The veteran gave a long pause, considering her next words carefully. Her emerald eyes seemed to gain some intensity as she spoke, opening the floodgates just an inch to part of her private pain. "Imagine someone took your worst nightmares and gave it flesh in front of you. That's the essence of facing a Mishhuvurthyar. Their boney heads and slimey, tentacled bodies writhing in joy at the suffering of others... hunting down their prey mercilessly. Some they rend apart... those are the lucky ones, the fallen for whom death is swift. The others are doomed to worse fates, their minds and souls corrupted to the enemy... who then violate what is left of their bodies to spawn more terrors. Then the Parasites..."

Sayoko seemed to shiver for a moment as it interrupted her train of thought suddenly, her body remembering something best left unsaid as she moved her free hand unconsciously to cradle her shoulder. The green haired pilot tried to play it off and keep composed, but she did promptly down what was left of her now growing cooler sake in one fell swoop in the process. "Let's count ourselves lucky it's only the Reds we face today," was the final utterance, her now noticeably paler face ending that line of questioning.

 

[Guard Dog]

Leo wrestled with the warmth in his belly, having been drinking since well before arriving in the officers lounge only to tip himself over the edge with the added few beverages drunken so quickly, having already had about two thirds of the bottle; he relented when Miranda decided to take it from him, pulling it away from her slowly at first to force the woman to lean closer to get it before the toothy smirk over his lips broadens and he joked playfully while still feeling good.

"Don't you at least offer a man giving you a drink some courtesy flirt?"

Realizing he was becoming a bit of an asshole the man released the bottle, along with the memories that once plagued him. In this state he could forget much of who he was and what was happening around him; in this state he could let everything truly go.

..Knight did count himself lucky that it was the reds they did battle with, if it wasn't for them he would have never had the chance to join the squadron, there would have been no purpose to rise up and meet.

 

[SmokeEmpress]

Jo could hear the others as they spoke. She couldn't bring herself to turn towards them, though some things did perk her interest. No, right now, she was more worried about letting her parents know that she was safe, and knew she needed to do it soon...or they'd be frantic with worry about her. She really had no preference with whom she was bunking, so long as she was left alone. Looking around at the others, she places the empty glass on the table and says softly, "I've got to make a call. Let me know where I'm sleeping." She heads out towards the communications area, hoping she'll be able to get a call in to her parents.

 

[Grey Library]

If Miranda could visualize the amount of warning signs the Jiyuuian veteran was giving off, Sayoko would have been lit up brighter than a fusion-powered station beacon. Subtly tensing up in case things went horribly wrong, it was no small relief that the scarred woman kept her composure despite all the horrors that apparently swimming through her mind. "You still fought them, despite how horrible they seem," Miranda murmured in a soft tone. "thank you, Mochizuki-san." Deciding to give her some space, she sat back and gave the green-haired woman a nod of respect, signalling the end of the conversation.

And now, to my looser-mannered companion. Miranda was torn between laughing and facepalming as she gazed upon the utterly plastered Leo. "Thank you, you're a gentleman." she muttered dismissively to the grinning fool as she moved the bottle of vodka far out of his reach, voice tinged with sarcasm. Looking upon the Guard Dog flopping around in a drunken stupor, the tiny bombardier couldn't help but snicker at his antics. Just look at this, why was I even scared of this guy in the first place? she thought with a sigh, shaking her head in exasperation. He's like some sort of demented, drug-addled puppy.

Now that Leo was under control (denied any more alcohol, at the very least), the parting words of Smokey as she left the Lounge reminded Miranda of the Aquila Flight's current predicament. Clapping her hands to draw attention, the littlest pilot turned to address the table as a whole. "Right, we've all had our fun. Now, sleeping arrangements are two to a room, as stated by the good Marine Captain here, let's work things out first so that we all have a place to sleep tonight." Pausing in her speech, Miranda gave the assembled pilots a small smile. "Any preferences?"

 

[Guard Dog]

Nearly slipped off his seat moments before she called him a gentleman, finding the previous drunken composure after this brisk countering motion of his arm to restore balance, eventually simply folding his arms over one another upon the table and resting his head upon them. Leo gazed up at Miranda who was seemingly amused with quizzical blue eyes, he could observe a hint of warmth there and for an instant he thought to ask if he could share a room with her; struggling with himself. Leo appeared sad almost all at once after dismissing the idea even in his drunken state.

"Depends, are you going to keep giving me bottles only to take them away..."

It strangely didn't escape his lips like a true inquiry and it hadn't sounded as though he meant it entirely for Miranda.

 

[paladinrpg]

Sayoko exhaled a moment as the alcohol rushed through her system and dulled the pain she was feeling at the memories welling up. When she went to take another sip, she realized after the fact that there was no more remaining in the glass. She wondered silently how long she would be stuck in this vicious cycle, always having to reach for something to numb herself. It was just another form of running away, after all, and it did nothing to fix the problems those terrible monsters caused. They took Sayoko's home away from her, and a piece of herself she knew not how to get back. One day, there would be a reckoning... she swore it... but for now, it was another night of borrowed time found at the bottom of a glass or a sedative bottle.

The experienced woman gave a slow nod to Miranda and spoke what seemed like a proverb or a lesson for the bombardier, picking up on her nervousness and also adding an honorific to her speech in return. "Bannings-san, we don't always get to choose our battles or our enemies in war. The only thing we do have control over is how and why that we fight them."

The Jiyuuian's thoughts then turned to that of the dilemma involving choice before her. A simple choice for most... yet for her it was like being asked who to cast a curse upon first. Sayoko knew that whomever shared the night with her would also have to share it with the terrible dreams that would surely follow in her wake. They would know why she was nicknamed 'The Banshee' when night fell. They would despise her for it, as they awoke bleary eyed the next day. It was not something just anyone could take, and she wouldn't want to set this burden upon Bannings.

Her emerald gaze turned to Virgil, callsign Ermine. In the air, he had been a smooth operator... and even in the lounge here he seemed to exude that same confidence. He seemed so boyish, yet so in control of himself and easygoing. Not like the others which all seemed to be trying too hard to put on airs or drown their sorrows. His comments about his jet just seemed to add to the package. Perhaps he really did have a romantic affection for his starfighter more than a real flesh and blood lover? This could be a form of protection. Her IPG training told her that he was the most psychologically stable, at least, so the choice seemed obvious.

Sayoko thought another long moment, before finally speaking up. "On the matter of sleeping arrangements... Lt. Canton, I would like to bunk with you. If you have no objections." The way it rolled off her tongue with a degree of certainty it almost seemed like a command, rather than a request, and the young ace probably got a very mixed message from it.

 

[Archander]

"Just remember Jayden, it's only for a night or two. Bannings seems like a reasonable choice, you shouldn't have to worry about anything with her, right? Right?" Jayden thought to himself as he noted a few of the others coming forward with their choices. "Nero, you lucky son-of-a-bitch..." cussing his commanding officer mentally.

"Bannings, any reservations about my presence in the same room as you for the time being?" he asked, trying to be as proper as possible while not throwing out any misconstrued notions or alluding to anything. "Unless of course you had someone else in mind?" he added, though it probably wasn't even needed to be said.

"Could you sound any more desperate, I mean really? At least you threw out there that you had no intentions. What sleep do you think you're going to get anyway with Nero's stubborn ass not staying put?" As he thought to himself, he downed a shot of vodka and then set the shot glass on the table flipped over. "What's the worst thing that could happen anyway? She says no, you room with someone else, or you end up lucky enough to room by yourself."

"Lt. Commander Solaris, didn't you make a pass at my daughter earlier today, and now you're doing it again with one of your flight members?" Winters conveniently chimed in, to which Jayden looked confused at first then glared at the ship captain.

"Excuse me? I made a pass at who, and when?" Jayden shot back.

"You remember my daughter Lexi don't you?" Winters said before walking over to Jayden and taking the bottle of no longer icy cold vodka, pouring himself a shot. The glass raised to his lips and he threw it back in a single expressionless gulp and set the shot glass down on the table with a bit of force. "Alexandria Winters, the nurse that helped clear you, is my daughter."

"First off, I did no such thing... and secondly, you helped create that? She must have gotten all her looks from her mother..." Jayden said without wavering in the face of the large gruff former marine.

"Son, you've got some nerve bringing up her dead mother. I oughta knock your fucking teeth in right here right now." growled Winters as he inched closer into Jayden's space.

"Daddy... I mean Captain... I never said anything about Commander Solaris hitting on me. Why are you embarrassing me in front of all these other officers? Have you been drinking again?" called Lexi as she walked over between the two men at odds, having seen the exchange.

"Uh... no, I was just leaving." Winters offered to his daughter then glared at Jayden. "Solaris, I'm going to keep my eye on you. Don't even breathe in my daughter's direction." He said sharply then started away from the table toward the exit. "I'll snap that little shit's neck, who the fuck does he think he is..." Winters muttered under his breath as he walked off.

"Well... this is awkward..." Lexi thought aloud, blushing at her father's behavior. "Commander, at some point tomorrow I need to speak with you." She said, then hurried off before he could respond.

"Seriously did that just happen?" Jayden thought as he sighed and shook his head. "Whatever did I do to deserve this. God help me if Lilith finds out, I'll NEVER hear the end of any of this..."

 

[Gunhand4171]

Nero snickered at how Winters reacted to Jayden. He then walked off and the room went quiet. Wanting to break the silence he looked around and sighed.

"Don't get all quiet on that old farts account. He can't party with the youngsters." He smiled as he stroked his beard. He looked over to Leo. As Nero took another sip he looked to the young man. "Son, do you know how to hold your liquer?"

 

[Lamb]

If Virgil had any objections to Sayoko's offer, he didn't indicate any of them. Instead, the youthful ace lifted his pink-filled glass with a smile in salute to her like he had before, a silent acceptance for something quite noisesome had broken out. For Virgil, this was nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed that whenever he was in a group where berthings could be chosen a woman would materialize and ask him to share quarters with her. Though this was primarily due to his handsomeness, the oafishly naive Virgil had always attributed it to something in his submissive personality or his softspoken nature. Now, standing, as if to distance himself from the exchange between Jayden and the surviving members of Clan Winters, Virgil moved closer to Sayoko and smiled at her in a good-natured way.

"If we're gonna bunk together," He suggested, "Around what time do you usually turn in? So I'll know to keep any noise down to a minimum, of course. And do you prefer the upper-berth or the lower-berth? I want you to be comfortable-- looks like you've had a rough time of it, Miss Mochizuki."

 

[Whitehart]

Edward sat back as he looked back and forth between Jayden and Winters talk/argue. His expression of movie watching amusement evident for any to see. "These guys are pretty funny to watch," he thought to himself.

As for the rest of the group he found it hard to relate. It seems that most everyone was dealing with their demons. He was incredibly happy to be out from behind a desk though flying certainly put a dent in his entertainment. Looking over the assembled pilots he knew he had to choose one as a bunk mate for a bit.

"Leo and I will bunk up. The man needs a bit of fun in his life. I'm sure we will have a blast, he will be up and running with fun bursting from his ears in no time," Edward said as if Leo didnt have a choice. He sipped more on his coffee as he went back to observing the interactions.

 

[Guard Dog]

The drunken Leo sat there thinking to himself a short while as he spaced off, it was only when the exchange between Solaris and the green collared marine heated up that he found focus once more, turning to abruptly glance back at the two as he felt himself becoming instantaneously volatile, the sight of a fight ready to break out. Knight became aware of his entire body all at once as he tenses and even rises from his seat with hands balled into fists; unconsciously puffing up his chest as he breathed faster in the anticipation. It was clear had an exchange occurred he would have leaped forward like a beast. But when Lexi walked over to stop the exchange and things cooled off Leo found himself standing with a widened posture to keep himself from falling over.

Speaking abruptly over towards the Captain in a retort as if to ward away the fact that he seemed to pointlessly stand to his feet.
"Depends on who you ask Sir, the technicians would probably be proud of me right about now"

Once the brief rush of adrenaline faded he found that he had to think to balance once again, hearing the remark from Edward nearby Leo abruptly laughed and retorted with a smile dancing across his lips, the mans voice notably slurred.

"Running with ANYTHING bursting from ears doesn't sound like a good time, it doesn't matter if that's fucking confetti being shot from my face. I don't need your merry eruptions I need more vodka, brother"

 

[FrostJaeger]

Medical Center

Flustered and frustrated, Lexi entered the Medical Center blushing and visibly annoyed at her father's antics back in the bar with the Aquila, and more importantly, with Jayden. "Seriously, why does he have to be such an ass! UGH!" She fumed, and stomped as she vented aloud her frustrations. One of the other nurses looked to her and shook her head. "S-sorry..." Lexi muttered and went to retrieve her DataJockey.

**NEW ORDERS AWAITING**

"Huh? What does he want now?" She huffed and clicked on the notice.

Lieutenant JG Milo Frost to report to Medical Center for pre-flight screening and new assignment - Aquila Flight.

As she stood there looking over the orders, she failed to hear someone enter in behind her.

With a bottle of Jägermeister in his left hand, the aforementioned individual, one Milo Frost, strode into the medical center, where he was greeted by the sight of a very fine example of female beauty. Hot damn. This transfer might actually be interesting after all. With a swig of his favorite beverage to bolster his charm, Milo placed his hands on the nurse's station's desk and said, "If I were an enzyme, I'd be the DNA Helicase so that I could unzip your genes." Fighters launched....

Lexi looked up from her DataJockey, then turned around and looked at the flyboy that though he was hot stuff and was going to get her in bed, or on one of the tables, against the wall or even the slightest chance... the floor. For a second, her mind wandered at Milo's attempt, and then she came back to reality and remembered her initial thought of disgust and annoyance further spurred about by her father's actions. He clearly outranked her, but she wasn't going to end up his piece of ass for the night.

"Ah, science is your thing huh? Lets try an experiment then shall we? I'll take this alcohol you're drinking, which you shouldn't have here, and I'll add a few medicines and compounds to it and we'll see just how fast you disintegrate from the inside out?" She said as she reached for his bottle. "Seriously, did you think I'd just throw myself at you with a line like that?"

As the beauty turned her lovely self around, Milo struggled to keep his features calm as he noticed her ID - Winters. Fuckberries. And she's got a fiery spirit to boot... As he endured the counter-barrage - raising his one visible eyebrow at the mention of "disintegrate" and once again cursing the fact that her father just [i[had[/i] to be the ship's CO - Milo, noticing the junior Winter's attempts at capturing one of his most prized possessions (OH HELL NO!), withdrew the bottle out of harm's way and finished it off. "Anyhoo, *hic*, I'm Milo Frost. Apparently I'm suppos' t' come here for an examin-*hic*-ation or somethin'?"

Where the hell does the Navy find these guys, I swear they all would DIE if there wasn't any alcohol. "Why's all the rum gone?" "Uh... because all you fuckers drank it all before noon!" The internal thoughts of one Lexi Winters could easily be read from her facial features as she looked from Milo to the empty bottle and then huffed as she pulled up his medical dossier. "We'll be going into room number 2 for your physical, and I swear to you I will make sure you never fly again if you try anything Lt. Frost. Are we clear on that?" She warned as she went to gather a number of items to round out his examination.

Focus, damn it! thought the Lieutenant as the room swayed slightly. "Suu-*hic*-ree thin' princess." replied Milo as he walked/stumbled/something'd over to the nearest trash can and proceeded to vomit several times.

And he thought he was going to get me like that? Someone needs to teach him what "game" is supposed to be, cause he's doing it all wrong. Lexi shook her head and walked off toward Room 2 to wait for Milo to collect himself or pass out and have to be dragged into the room.

After shaking his head a few times, Milo strode over towards the Room known as 2, sat down on the examination table, and turned to face Winters. "Sorry about my behavior earlier - that wasn't the first bottle I'd drunken tonight, and you could say I went a bit...overboard with things." He smiled. "I gotta admit, though, you do give me frequent cardiac arrhythmias."

"Overboard? A bit of an understatement don't you think?" She looked to him with a little confusion at his quick recovery, then it dawned on her why it was possible after looking more closely to his medical records. "Arrhythmias from a lack of blood flow from an erection? Or do we need to replace your heart now too?"

With a growing look of horror on his face, Milo was about to provide several reasons why his genitals were most definitely not in need of replacement - then, as the last of the nurse's words registered, he laughed. "Nice," he chuckled, "you had me going there for a bit - which isn't something many can say. As for my heart, well, that's already been replaced - though I suppose I am gonna have to get it replaced sooner then later, with the ways I abuse it and such........"

"Oh don't worry, I've just scheduled your next replacement procedure for next week. I made sure to put extra emphasis on needing a replacement for your genitals as well as your heart." Lexi joked as she started his exam. "On a serious note, I need to you get down to your skivvies so I can get this done."

Time to show that I can, on occasion, take things seriously. With that in mind, Milo stripped down to his undies - revealing the plethora of scars adorning his body - while neatly folding his clothes and stacking then on the table. Old habits die hard....

Lexi looked him over and checked various things, especially his scarring, to make sure everything was in order and he didn't have anything blatantly wrong. There after she stepped away and came back with a rather large looking needle and prepped it. "Well, this inoculation is going to bring you current and you'll be cleared for flight. I'd also like to point out..." She spoke as she walked over to him, then jammed the needle in his left arm, right in the bicep. "...this is going to hurt you a lot more than it's going to hurt me..."

Milo was scrambling to think of something - anything - to avoid that freakishly oversized needle when holy gor-frakking-ram son of a motherfucking bitch that hurt - though it was nothing compared to....to..... Milo was barely able to pull himself off of that particular line of thought and was grateful that Winters had been concentrating on the syringe - for the Lieutenant's expression had momentarily shown something very, very different. With a voice weak from more then just the pain of that damned injection, Milo replied "Thanks for the warning...."

"Oh you're quite welcome. You see, I've learned that if you, like most people I have to give the shot to, know its coming... there's this huge battle that ensues over getting said shot. Trust me when I say its better for both of us to do it like that." She said as she removed the needle from his arm. Her thoughts wandered again, this time at her own words, and she was thankful enough that his back was turned and that he couldn't see her face flush from her mini daydream. Damn you Milo for triggering these thoughts, and damn you Jayden... Ugh, get out of my head! She thought as she fought to compose herself once more.


Rubbing his still-sore arm, Milo began getting dressed, and once finished, seated himself back down on the (overmentioned) examination table. Glad that's over - though I really, really hope she was joking about setting up that appointment... Pushing that....uncomfortable thought aside, he asked, "So, now that you're finished checking me out, what shall we do next? Though my memory is, oddly enough, a bit hazy, aren't I supposed to be assigned to a unit or something along those lines?"

"Actually yes, I have these orders for you. Wait... did you say I was checking you out?" Lexi tilted her head and stopped dead in her tracks, her face reddening slightly. "Here, this folder contains your transfer papers and orders to join up with Aquila Flight. Someone must see something good in you, or something... We're done here." Lexi handed Milo his folder and then quickly moved away from and out of Milo's medical room.

The fighter pilot smiled as he departed the medical center. You goddamn troll, Milo. Should the elder Winters ever find out, Milo's life expectancy would of course be measured in minutes if not seconds - but Lexi was well worth the risk, for she was the first person to truly warm Frost's heart. The first, come to think of it, since...NO, damn it. Milo was glad that the corridor was deserted at the moment - for there was no one to witness a single tear track its way down the Lieutenant's face. Pausing to wipe away the tear's remnants, Milo opened the envelope - only to find a single paper inside with annoying bureaucratic legalese written all over it. Oh, you have got to be fucking me. How the frell am I supposed to understand this piece of shit? The only things he could determine in fact, were his name (which Command had somehow misspelled again), his assigned squadron (Aquila Flight, whatever that was), and his new CO, someone named Vega. With this plethora of information, Milo set off, really, really wishing he had another bottle of Jägermeister......

 

[Grey Library]

"....." Originally opening her mouth to agree to LTC Solaris's request, Miranda was caught completely off guard by the older Marine's sudden verbal assault. As Captain Winters inched closer to her superior with a growl, the young bombardier's hand found itself creeping upwards to cover her mouth, still hanging open from horror. Blithely, her mind flashed back to her previous recollection upon seeing the Captain enter, and she had to suppress to rising urge to facepalm. Oh god, why am I reliving that brawl back in Pilot School again? Even her own thoughts sounded deadpan to her, such was the depths of her exasperation.

It was no small relief to her when Captain Winters disengaged and left the Lounge, his daughter tailing him. "...thank goodness," Miranda muttered as she began to rub her aching temples with a sigh, still casting the entryway a wary glance now and then. "we just left the Med Center barely an hour ago. Probably not a good idea to get sent straight back just after the medical staff gave us the all-clear." Taking a moment to re-center herself, Miranda's face settled back into a serene expression as she turned to face the errant Commander.

"As I was saying, I'd be pleased to share a room with you." Miranda spoke in a calm, soothing voice, a perfect picture of serenity and understanding. "but Leftenant Commander Solaris, you've only been discharged from the Medical Center for a barely an hour, as I recall." Flashing LTC Solaris a bright smile, Leftenant Miranda Bannings was definitely not emanating a chilling aura of darkness, no siree.

"Picking fights isn't very conducive to your health, won't you agree?" the diminutive ashen-haired young lady's words were spoken with a cheerful lilt that were not laced with a barbed edge, nothing to see here. "Please sir, take care of your health."