RP: Bahram Wing [Bahram Wing Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Zalus stood up after the commander stepped down from the podium. "So lets get going! We got a job to do and people to protect! Maybe some extra benefits along the way!" Zalus smacked Shioki on the back and smiled.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

'Ismat stood and gave a quick salute, before she headed out to go change into the link-suit. The briefing had been quite boring, since it seemed to largely speculation. It was a simple mission anyway. Protect the... Freespacers was it? Nothing more than that they could do.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Shokhi winced slightly at Zalus' friendly gesture, and looked very put off, if only for a moment. What could he really do but wait? The whole thing sounded like six liters of pure, liquid fail just waiting to go up in flames. Shokhi didn't like it, didn't like it at all, but there just wasn't a damned thing he could do about that.

"Err. What do you mean by extra benefits?"

He had some idea, based on what he knew of Zalus, but Shokhi didn't like to jump to conclusions.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Zus got up and stretched, meandering over to Reovan. "So, you looking forward to this?" she asked, pretending to be bored (it wasn't too much of a stretch) "I just hope nothing happens so we can watch the concert or something" the blonde added.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Malik stood up, saluting to Serhan. "Understood, Sir!." He dropped his hand, and turned to leave the room, before stopping and looking at the other pilots in the wing, to notice them all pairing off. Just a scant two weeks ago, this would've put the hotheaded runner into an emotional depression. But, during those two weeks, between the constant simulation training, having to put up with Anata's bullshit, and the day he spent with Khiyai at Fal Muzraim; he had changed. He was still the orange haired runner with a spirit to match his hair, but it was tempered now by the forge of humility. He stepped on, out of the briefing room, sidestepping to wait for his friends.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Savitar just tolled his eyes, completely uninterested in this mission and stood up and thrust his hands in his pockets and continued out. Wearing the actual uniform today since his stuff had arrived while they were in the training simulations. "Yay, I think I'm gonna bring a book to read or something and turn off the sound feed to my cockpit." he said. "I'd rather not listen to that trash they call music." he sighed and continued down the hallway past Malik. "How about you?"

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Mu'Tasim sighed as he stood from his chair straightening his robes out. It seemed like it was going to be another one of those long days that would end with a pen in his back. As he began to reflect on the briefing, he could feel his Book of Dreams slipping from it's strap, he secured it tightly. Though, a bit of Salcra Weed seemed to be caught in the book, somehow still there after two weeks. It reminded him of the fateful night when he encountered Habeem and handled the man semi-successfully.

His memory brought an idea to mind, and he strode over to the Marranr.

"Excuse me, Marranr, I was thinking of something. Out of most the people assigned to the Freespacer's defense, I may be the most qualified as an Infantryman. Much more so with my extensive training as a Temple Guard. I believe that once the MiSHARA group arrives to it's destination, I could be a valuable asset to their personal defense." explained Mu'Tasim, who lacked any trouble what so ever pronouncing the music artist's name.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

"You want to watch the concert?" the dark-skinned girl asked in surprise. If Zus likes it, perhaps it won't be so bad, Reovan thought as she stood up to join her friend. "Personally, I hope they don't attack, if only so the concert goers or the elevator won't be at risk." Threading her fingers together, the Sund Wakir stretched her arms out in front of her chest and cracked her knuckles. "Saints willing, it'll be smooth flying."

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

"Not that I'm being payed to care about how much you like or dislike an artist that you've probably never met..." The bespectacled figure coughed into a balled fist, before tipping his glasses down to show a hint of his luminescent green eyes. His expression was not any more emotive than usual... but rather soured by comparison. "... I'm not asking you to listen to the concert or like our charge for any reason. But if you'll have that childish attitude, you'll also offer Bahram and her objective the courtesy of your silence."

"The statement is doubled for Vayshirin Rashidan and Ananta."

Serhan nodded to Mu'Tasim, a thin smile on his face. Oh, to hear good ideas once in a while was refreshing. There was a reason the man was Wing Second. "Hrm. I will allow this. Since our mobile operations personnel will be remaining in her entourage for the duration of the concert, I will simply say that you left your unit to assist them once our main objective was complete."

I wonder if these people have the capacity to change their opinions. The orange glasses were pushed back up, concealing the strip of green glow, and there was another disinterested cough. "You're all dismissed from briefing. In the ready room in fifteen minutes, as usual."

----

Frame Runner Ready Room
Malakai 1, 935
02:29, Commonwealth Standard Time

'To be young again. The youth of this country live on the cusp of a brilliant new era, and I am to play the part of the guide who will not step on that lovely soil of our interstellar genesis.'

Now if I could only recite poetry in a place like this without fear of reprisal or shattering my icy image. The short-haired lightly tanned Ivuori pondered to himself, resting a warm towel over his eyes as he reclined in his seat, his back touching the damp coolness of composite tile walls. Clad in his mesh shirt and his linksuit pulled up only to his waist, Serhan rested for the scant nine or so minutes he had left until everyone would arrive in the room.

The Ready Room was a rather large locker room used by all of the Frame Runners on the base, and one of the few outside of the offices and personnel quarters that were properly insulated from the cold. Smooth composite tiles lined the floor, and polished tiles the walls, with rows of high-grade industrial plastic lockers jutting out from the ground. A light mist of aromatic always hing in the air from the communal bathrooms used by the runners before and after missions, and the steam and smoke from the bathes and hookah could be felt and smelt as one approached.

The lights were oddly ambient, likely deliberately kept to a minimal so that the runners would be used to the darkened womb of a VANDR's cockpit.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

'Ismat entered the ready room, in her link suit. She did a quick salute to her CO, though she doubted that it mattered since he had a towel over his eyes, before putting away her regular uniform into a randomly picked, available, locker. With that taken care of, she plopped down on a seat. All the while she did this quite quietly, her VIA training surely helping, for she didn't wish to disturb the seemingly relaxed officer.

"Marranr," she spoke quietly, in greeting. It was more of a whisper, and in all likely hood probably couldn't even be heard be the man. She adjusted the glasses upon her face, as she waited.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

After being brought along on this mission, as well as being told what it was all about, Amari was rather intrigued. She'd heard a few samplings of Freespacer music, having found it...much to her liking. She thought of this as she went about acquiring a Laiz Rifle making sure it was functional, as well as taking additional capacitors as needed for both the rifle, and her side arm, a Laiz pistol.

Personally, she liked neither weapon, nor using them in general. She was a doctor after all, and had her morals, and own opinions on the matter. Asking a doctor to kill someone was like a Sund Wakir having their own private harem, and seven wives to add to the melting pot. All of these thoughts rattled around in her already slightly rattled mind as she put them aside, and began pulling on her uniform over the linksuit.

She let out a small tsk of irritation, one of the rare instances she showed a temper, well, that was until she heard a familiar voice, and bunny hopped around the corner, finding Ismat, and both Serhan there, she was about to say hello as she let out a small squeak of surprise, forgetting she was still pulling on her uniform in the process as she very nearly fell over.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

'Ismat jumped up and hurried to Amari's side. The VIA operative placed a hands on either of the doctor's shoulders to steady her. "Are you okay?" she asked, still whispering. 'Ismat was smiling at the rather cute and funny display.

"Oh, and hi Amari!"

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Serhan removed the towel from over his eyes and set it on the bench next to him, standing up to respond to the commotion. Though most of the world was a blur at the moment, 'Ismat and Amari were far enough away that he could make out a few features. He walked towards them and made a quiet nod. "Sitari. Good that you're early."

"Am- Al-Sumed, you should be more careful." He said in a slightly distressed tone, as if she had surprised him and put him off his game just enough to provoke a mildly emotional response.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Malik smiled as he exited the showers, a towel wrapped around his waist, orange hair wet and almost shining. He began to move towards where his uniform, and his linksuit were stashed, but was stopped. Stopped dead in his tracks to see the almost nude Amari-Al Sumed almost fall, and get caught by the busty Ismat Sitari. The runner did the first thing that came to mind, and saluted the Lanbalri. Then he froze up, thinking about what to do next, his innate arousal caught in a life and death struggle with both his feelings for Khiyai and his desire to not be seen as an idiot. Of course, the Marranr had handled that for him, and it seemed that no-one had really noticed him yet, so he just sidestepped his way around the pair, and saluted them again before continuing on to his locker.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

All Amari did in greeting, and thanks to Ismat was stroke her cheek much as she had before, before righting herself, and hearing the Marranr, and a young man gawking slightly, making a hasty salute, and another before he went off to finish whatever it was he had to do, quite unabashed at her present state of dress.

"Thank You Marranr," Amari said in response to Serhan's slight chiding, and what she assumed could have been worry. "It's sweet of you to be concerned for me." The Doctor finished, her tone sweet as she finished pulling on her suit and uniform.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

ON, Ready Room

Meanwhile, in further from the entrance and the showers, a group consisting of the two mechanists attached to Bahram Wing's mobile operations and two runners had slipped into the room without garnering the Marranr's notice and seemed to be lazily passing the time until they would have to leave. The mechanist with the black half-gear patterns on her cheeks and a red honeycomb on her horns tossed what appeared to be a playing card onto the bench between herself and the older, more experienced woman of her trade and let out a quiet sigh.

"Aaah! I guess you beat me, Alia. " Khiyai said in a defeated tone, as she began to reshuffle the deck and slammed it unhappily onto the bench again. "Savitar, Zus. Either of you want to try taking on this monster?"

Alia chuckled egotistically at the younger mechanic. "It'll be lightyears before you can beat me at this!" She said with a shady smirk. Funny enough, she was wearing her engineer goggles during the game, which meant Khiyai could see her hand and the younger player STILL lost.

Savitar blinked from where he was half asleep and shook himself awake, fully dressed and ready to go except for a couple buttons at the top of the shirt and yawned a bit. "I'll pass on that Khiyai, you got yourself into this." He said. "I'm just disappointed at the fact we're stuck guarding some... singer when we could be doing so much more." He sighed, still leaning against the wall.

"I've never learned that game, so I'd say no. Perhaps next time. What game IS it, anyway?" she asked, looking over the cards from a distance, her linksuit already completely on; it had been before she'd gotten out of the shower, Chaste as the woman was.

Malik walked around the corner, heading to his locker to put on his linksuit after exiting the shower wearing only a towel around his waist, only to find Khiyai, Alia, and Savitar. "Hey, Khiyai, I might take you up on that offer. Someone here should be able to beat Alia." The orange-haired runner smiled, and looked around for a seat, apparently totally oblivious to his state of dress.

Savitar sighed and slunk off to grab a shower now that most of the people had filed OUT of there and disappeared for a moment to grab a quick one. "Yeah you'll lose Mal, she's good" he called as he vanished.

"More? You mean more patrol?" Alia asked, while adjusting her goggles, which is to say, sliding them up onto her fore head. "And you, beat me? HA!" Alia barked at Malik.

"One more thing." She muttered, noticing his state of non-dress. "Put on some pants."

"Idiot! You'll catch a cold running around a place like this dressed like that!" Khiyai chided Malik, tossing another dry towel at his face for him to cover himself up a little better. She glanced at Savitar and made a quiet sigh. "She's right. Not that a wrecked VANDR is good news for your Mechanists, but patrols without any combat mean we don't have any creative maintenance to do."

"Boring as all hell, it is." Alia muttered, while dealing out a hand again between her and her underling.

Savitar would simply keep going away from them and gave them a bit of a dismissive wave. "I agree with ya, I'd SO much rather do patrol than this mission." He said, pausing for a moment.

Malik smiled, catching the towel so kindly tossed to him by Khiyai, heading over to his locker and pulling out his linksuit. "You all might wanna look away for a bit." He turned away and stepped out of the towel before shacking out the suit, and began to slip into it, getting it above his waist before he turned back around, pulling the rest of the suit up and around him.

"Geez..." Savitar quipped and continued on his way toward the showers on the other side of the room.

"Aren't there courtesy stall around here?" Alia muttered after she slid her goggles up again after covering her eyes from Malik.

Reovan emerged from her shower and walked up beside Zus. Similar to her roommate, the Sund Wakir had taken her pre-mission shower in her linksuit. She had a warming towel wrapped around her massive head of hair. "Still excited about the concert?" the orange-eyed girl asked her Eyr Ranr friend.

"OK Khiy, this is the last hand, all in or bust." Alia said.

"The concert looks fun" Zus said, smiling to her friend. "I still hope nothing bad happens, I really don't need another bad day" The girl continued.

"As long as we're out there, we'll keep everyone safe," the dark-skinned girl said confidently, placing her hand on the Eyr Ranr's arm. "If anything happens," Reovan added with a small grin, "You just might get to enjoy the concert after all."

Zalus walked out from the shower with no towel on and drying his arms. "Well I hope the Freespacers are good on the eyes. not like big mechanical squids or something! That would be not to pleasant..." Zalus put his arm around revoan shoulder. "Unless you like robo-sea-beasts that happen to sing my dear!."

"I fold. I don't think we have enough time to play another, Senshirin." Khiyai replied, making an uneasy chuckle. "Geez. Did I tell you about my date with Malik?"

Malil leaned up against the lockers, smiling inwardly to himself as he listened in to everyone's conversation. Until Sav got out of the shower, there was almost nothing he could do while he waited.

"I think I'll be concentrating on patrolling while you can have the robo-squids all to yourself, Zal," Reovan replied with a laugh. "Besides, aren't the Freespacers supposed to look a lot like us? Maybe they're just an ancient offshoot of Iroma?"

"Well, that's a forfeit, so the bet's mine." Alia said with a smile. "Oh, I have the cutest little outfit in mind for you to wear all week Khi." Alia muttered, with a playful, if sinister smile on her lips.

Malik perked up, looking at Reovan. "Well, Reo, that does seem unlikely. If they were, there would be some records of them somewhere. More likely, they are either descendants from another group of Saal, or a whole other race entirely."

"You would know this how, Malik?" Alia muttered as she looked over her shoulder to him while cleaning up the cards.

Malik smiled stupidly at Alia. "I like to read the nice pictures on OGNEIR.NET."

"Like that's a reliable source." She snorted in reply.

The other mechanist blushed furiously, her expression forming into a frown as lightly tanned cheeks puffed out. It was unfair that she had to accept the loss because of time constraints! "If I catch a cold, I'll make you both take care of me!" She did a quick doubletake, and patted herself on the head nervously. "Erm... I meant you'll have to work my shifts until I get better. Malik can do as he pleases."

After a few minutes, Savitar would come back out; having changed into the linksuit in the shower after just washing down some and stretched. He'd come out with the suit pulled up around his waist; his body more chiseled and muscled than Malik was. "Hmm that felt good, I miss much?" he asked as he approached them.

Alia reaches over the table and pinches one of Khiyai's cheeks. "Oh, you're adorable when you're flustered and angry." Alia said playfully. "I could just eat you up, just like last time." she added, making sure Khiyai knew Alia remembered their fun.

"Don't worry Khi. If you got sick, i'd atleast try to look out for you." Mal smiled at Khi, giving Alia a glare. "And what cute outfit would that b- What do you mean last time?"

"That's a lady's secret Malik. Don't pry. It's rude."

"You can do whatever you want as long as you're clothed, Zal "Zus said, looking away blushing a little. At least most of the other men had the sense to cover themselves. Hell, even Savitar did.

Ignoring the know-it-all, Reovan's eyes were drawn to Savitar's bare chest. She elbowed Zus gently and grinned at her roommate.

"Seriously Rashidan, nobody wants to see that." Savitar taunted his wingmate without noticing Reovan's eyes for the moment as he grinned mischievously.

Zus glanced at her Grinning friend and asked "What? I've seen that grin before this cannot be good"

Zus glanced at her grinning friend and asked "What?" before realizing the expression and finishing "I've seen that grin before, this cannot be good."

"Isn't he just the sexiest?" Reovan whispered to Zus. "I mean, Mu's more manly and rugged, but Savi just has that sexy aura about him." She grinned at Zalus, "You should take notes."

"You're pathetic" Zus muttered, punching Reo in the arm "What makes a man attractive is his mind, not his body, and Savitar over there is a Min/max of the worst type" The Eyr Ranr explained, rolling her eyes and finding a portion of the room that DIDN'T annoy her.

Zalus tilted his head and rubbed his chin. "Eh, I'd do him. Once." Zalus patted Reovan's butt then walked wide around Zus' striking range towards Alia. "So we are playing games are we?" He said as he started to put on his link suit.

"Yes. Since it's deathly boring." Alia muttered as she organized the card deck. "What, you want in?"

Savitar glanced over to Zus, as if he'd heard the entire conversation and perked a brow up as his wicked grin grew a bit more. "I heard that Zus. And you don't have too much room to speak, I've heard rumors about how you fawn over Mu'Tasim." he said and glanced to Reovan and winked at her. But his irises tensed noticeably as Zalus swatted her but let it go...for now.

The Sund Wakir rubbed her arm and chased after Zus, removing the warming towel from her head. Reovan's wavy dark brown hair was frizzy from the heat as she tied it back into a ponytail. "Hey, his mind's sexy too," she protested. "He knows how to fly, how to ride, and he--" she closed up as Savitar approached. "Divine presence," she greeted, looking anywhere but at him.

"I will admit he is much more attractive than you are, the only things in your skull are spiders and hormones" Zus retorted, Glaring at Savitar as if she could burn a hole through him. the man really was annoying to her. most of the men were, with the exception of Mu'Tasim and possibly Shokhi, but she didn't know enough about the purple Ivuori to really form an opinion.

Malik sccoted away from his wingmates, smiling. "You guys, You put too much value on physical relationships. Back on the colonies, we take time to learn about our lovers."

"Hmm but I have something he doesn't Zus..." Savitar said, his amethyst eyes luminescing for a moment as he walked toward Reovan and looked her in the eyes, gently caressing his fingers over her jawline and pulled her gently into a rather sweet kiss. Just a moment of affection that would be nice and warm, the mere thought of her brightened his outlook immensely. "Oh Malik. I know precisely what she likes." He grinned.

The dark-skinned girl swooned at the kiss, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. The public display of affection was a bit embaressing for Reovan, but Savitar's bold action was just another thing that attracted her to the swarthy Curdatl.

Malik smiled at Savitar, giving him a thumbs up in support.

Alia watched Malik's actions. "Don't you hate him?" She asked after watching Malik give Savitar a thumbs up.

Malik smiled at Savitar, giving his Curdatl friend a thumbs up

Zalus paused with his leg half in the link suit and smiled. "I sure would my dear! Just give me two seconds to... you know... get dressed!" Zalus finished getting dress quickly and sat down and held out his hand for his cards. "Maybe latter we can play with clothes instead of currency?"

Zalus whispered so Savitar couldn't hear him. "I can't stand him. Coming from a man who thinks with his groin more often than not... that man does some weird shit...."

"Aaah! I see, he has that kind of charm." Khiyai exclaimed, having a small epiphany as she observed Savitar make such an aggressive movement. She almost wished to have that kind of casual, but romantically aggressive relationship, but realized that that in and of itself would likely be an impossibility because of her character. And that of the kind of person she was involved with. "It's a shame he shaves his horns down, though. I keep on thinking he still has a child's parts whenever I see him."

Savitar would glance at Khiyai for a moment and chuckled a bit and straightened again and waited or a moment. "I actually do that because my horns increase my air drag while I'm racing." he explained calmly. "And I wouldn't want to wreck and break them off, it'd hurt like hell." he said, rubbing the horn on his right as if remembering it happening.

"Is my voice that quiet?" Mal shrugged, and poked Khiyai on her shoulder, trying to get her attention. "Err, Khiyai, what does she mean by cute outfit?"

Letting out a small huff, Khiyai veered around to glance at Malik and sighed. "Just a bet. I have to wear some fetish outfit of her choosing for the rest of the Commonwealth week."

Alia just smiled at Khiyai's explanation. "Now now, don't be so judgmental, it's not that BAD an outfit."

Malik smiled at Khiyai. "If you tell me about what she means by 'last time', I'll try to play her so you don't have to wear it?"

"I said you'd look cute in it after all, so it's nothing obscene." Alia assured her, "that's for later." she said with a tight grin and wink.

"I can also hear you Malik."
"Then that means I don't have to ask you again."

"So Reovan." Savitar said, directing his attention to her again. "Have you ever thought of getting bound up nice and warm and going riding over Mazerinii? The snow really is just like the sand in a way, just slicker." He pointed out.

"It's a no regardless. Khiyai lost the bet fair and square, even if it wasn't by her own hand. Your input isn't going to change anything."

"No way am I going out there in anything less than a pranja-filled cockpit," Reovan asserted, a touch of humor in her voice. "I'm enough of a popsicle as it is inside the fort."

"Then why don't we make a separate bet?" Malik grinned at Alia and moved his hands to the cards.

"That being?" Alia asked as she crossed her arms and gave Malik a stern look.

"Mmm so that little heat lamp you got isn't helping much?" Savitar chuckled in response. "And I've been thinking about doing it, at least once but you're probably right. I'd more than likely freeze my horns off if I tried that." he agreed, nodding sagely. "Maybe you and I can race again when we get back to the homeworld." he grinned at her challengingly.

Mal sighed and steped back, scracthing at his head. "You know, nevermind."

"No, I didn't get it," Reovan admitted, the disapointment clear in her voice. "Apparently they count as a 'religious item.' Can you believe that?"

"Coward." Alia muttered as she turned her gaze away.

"Are you serious? Man that sucks, I still have a spare fur-lined coat if you want it." Savitar said and eyed her up and down for a moment. "you do look rather good in them."

Khiyai reached out and awkwardly grabbed a hold of both Alia and Malik's shoulders, sighing in frustration. "Both of you, stop that!" She made a small pinch before letting go, just enough to catch their attention without reddening the skin or leaving bruises. "This is counter-intuitive to any kind of rivalry over m- We're comrades, and this is no way to act right before a career-shaping mission!"

Alia gave Khiyai a semi-adorable look. "You're SO CUTE when your flustered. I need to remember to embarrass you more often Khi."

"You should'nt tease Khiyai, I don't think she likes it." Mal leaned back against the locker, knowing that Alia won't listen to him.

Alia shoots Malik a smile with a winked eye. "I know, I just like how adorable she looks while flustered."

"She looks adorable all the time."

"She's more so when she's flustered, the slight rosey tint of her skin when she blushes, the dower look in her eyes, matched by the sudden sparkle that covers it, and the soft, yet stern tone." Alia sighs dreamily. "It's beautiful."

"I would have to concur with that!" Zalus smiled. "Maybe we can all have a little celebration when we get back if it was a good mission. What do you say madam 'I can hold down a crap load of booze?'"

Malik sighed again, scooting away from Khiyai, obviously not in high spirits. "I guess I'm not really wanted here."

"I wouldn't mind. I know there'll be a lot of stress in this one." Alia said, becoming a little more serious. "I hate that kind of music, so I know I'll have a headache."

Savitar glanced over at Alia, having been passively listening to the conversion but stayed out of it. "I agree with you Alia. Best thing you can do is filter it out from inside your Prajna." He said with a sigh.

"Aaah! What are you two doing?!?" Khiyai said, swatting Alia's hands away gently before grabbing Malik's wrist. Her expression seemed to have become much more serious now, and she stared at him angrily. "Listen to what I have to say."

Alia propped her head in both hands and stared at Khiyai from her side of the table with a dreamy look.

Malik didn't resist when Khiyai grabbed his wrist, his expression still gloomy, his violet eyes seemingly less vibrant. "I am listening. I just think Alia is listening a lot more."

Savitar looked at Malik. "Hey dude, cheer up some." he said, walking over and put a hand on his shoulder in a friendly fashion. "Don't let yourself get so down before a mission."

"Malik Ibn Rashidan. Either you become a man and define your character as something stronger and more reliable, or remain that moody boy and watch the Senshirin tease me for all eternity." The girl said angrily, her eyes welling with small tears. After the date and all that she had seen of him, this angry, moody and sulking personality Malik had was something intolerable. Something that would make her kill the feelings she had for the young man, as seeing those things had already become unbearable. "So consider what kind of person you want to be. Don't follow me." She let go and walked away to the bathrooms, hoping to go soak her head in some cold water and take a few sip to wash some of the bitterness in her mouth away and out of her thoughts.

Mal stood there, frozen over with despair. The way that Alia had treated Khiyai had pissed him off, straight and simple. But he had tempered it, and all it managed to do was to make him depressed and ineffectual. And now Khiyai was angry at him, visibly upset at him for being such a coward. A small spark lit itself in Mal's heart, quickly using the fuel of his emotions to become a roaring flame.

While Mal was still not the smartest guy on Mazerin, he had enough damn sense to chase after Khi, and to hell with the consequences of this action, there is nothing worse then being responsible for making a cute girl cry. Malik Ibn Rashidan, Frame Runner of Shamshir began to walk swiftly with purpose, following Khiyai.

"Hmhmhm." Savitar chuckled and looked at Alia. "You know by that gesture you probably just pushed the two of them together more." he chuckled. "nice going."

Alia leaned back. "Eh, if they hook, it's OK. If not, I can catch her on the rebound." She said, her hands extended like a scale. "If they do patch it, I hope they allow wiggle room, I like having more then one person."

Savitar laughed a bi tat that. "Party girl." he said and shook his head. "At least you know how to have fun."

"We all do." She said with a knowing smile and nod, looking over at Zalus out of the corner of her eye.

"Oh ho?" Savitar chuckled. "Way to go Zalus." he said, giving his comrade a thumbs up, having caught the eye motion.

Khiyai passed a stream of cold water over head, taking gulps whenever enough of it was passing near her lips, her chest puffing in and out as she panted desperately. The wash of cold helped stifle the heat of her cheeks, and keep her from thinking that she was crying as tears mingled with tap water. Even if she knew she had to say it, it felt like a horrid thing to say to Malik!

The aforementioned Malik stood in the doorway, ashamed at what he had lead Khiyai to do. Every word she had said was true, each one a stiletto to his heart. The made a testing stop towards her, still cautious because of her emotional state. "I'm a horrible person for this, Khiyai. I made such a beautiful girl cry. It's even more horrible in my mind, because I know that my own childish behavior made you cry."

"I'm an idiot Khiyai, a straight up selfish idiot, who hurt you with his callousness. I, I want to say that I was inwardly screaming, wanting the Senshirin to stop, but what I wanted to do and what I did do are two different things. Seeing Alia treat you like that, and keep on teasing you, it made me so angry. But I though, what could I do? So I sulked, and tried to run away, tried to run away from something I could."

The Runner took a deep breath, and stepped closer to the mechanist. "I was wrong, so wrong. All I did was let Jyotsna tease you. Even when I had the opportunity to stop it, I didn't do anything." Malik gently rested his hand on Khiyai's shoulder. "It seems archaic and sexist, but I want to protect you Khiyai. I want to hug you close, and protect you, tell you that nothing will hurt you because I'm here to protect yo

"When I see you happy, I am unable to feel the cold of Mazerin, I'm so happy. When you're sad, like this, it's as if I've been dumped into the cold vacuum of space, without anything to protect me. Khiyai, I don't have a word to describe it, but I want to at least try to act on it."

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

ON, Ready Room

"This is your first time in the Ready Room, if I recall, and the floor here is troublesome. I wouldn't want to see you be hurt because of a misfortunate architecture." The man with green eyes replied quietly, retrieving the glasses from his pocket but hesitating before he put them back on. "Or for any other reason." Serhan added, as he sheathed his vision with his orange glasses and made an acceptant nod. "It seems you've been made in charge of mobile operations for my wing."

Amari was zipping the uniform up before seating herself. "I wouldn't blame it solely on the architecture, the people who built this room did a fine job. I just never got used to link suits, even after being in Runner training." The Doctor said as she nodded to his assessment of her new position. "It would appear the powers that be ordained it as such."

'Ismat smiled and plopped back down in her former seat, paying no mind to the gawking Malik. She could hear the commotions of the other runners, but paid them no mind. She was in much better company, though for now she just listened, having no idea what to say.

Serhan nodded, taking a small pause as he seemed to have difficulty explaining himself. "I... requested it." He pulled a small bottle of what looked like water from a locker next to his seat and took a small sip, letting out a refreshed sigh. "You've consistently shown yourself to be competent, and my alternatives for a field-trained technical warrant officers on the base did not match up to my expectations. With a single exception." He seemed to be in a rather good mood, as his tone was satisfied and rather unlike the clinical and flat assessment he had used during their first briefing session.

"As well, Sitari. I'm rather glad to have a runner such as yourself on my wing." He almost made a smile as he spoke and shook the bottle, offering it to either of the two women. "Your performance is excellent at every sortie, but something attainable for the junior members of our wing. With some experience, you may yet make a fine Frame Officer."

Amari arched an elegant eyebrow at his admitting he requested her services. Bless him. "Well, I'm happy you wish to have me around, as well as think I am competent." She said with a small smile as she scooted over, and now sat beside Ismat. "And how are you feeling now?" The urge to use one of the pet names she had before was more or less tugging at her mind, but she squashed that.

'Ismat gave a wide grin. "Hee hee. Thank you Marranr, but I'm just doing my job." 'If only they knew,' she thought to herself. She guessed that that meant she was just doing her job and not looking too good. "Ah, I'm feeling nice. How about you Amari?" she asked back, smiling at the woman next to her.

"Well, I'm glad our little session helped relieve stress for you, granted...I am no where near as practiced as a Dream Consort." Amari said, coughing into her hand slightly.

Serhan glanced over at the two, setting the bottle down on the ground when neither made a grab for it. "Oh, you as well?" He seemed to say, half-stifling a smile, as he noisily ruffled his hair to remain calm. "I also picked you because I know you have a good relationship with my wing, Amari. I am glad that you are able to surprise me with the extent of it."

'Ismat looked at Serhan and back at Amari, slightly embarassed that that... session... was brought up. But now she was just confused. What did Serhan mean by 'you as well?' Did that mean...? "Marranr... er, what did you mean by... 'you as well'?" she asked, her curiousity getting the better of her. "If you don't mind answering... of course."

Amari gave Serhan a little wink. "Well, I've also helped your Wing Second...but not in the same capacity. You could say a doctor of the sciences and spiritual aspects of our people met, and well...talked of our views, and insights. He is such a well behaved, pleasant man. I can see why you have him as your second. But... who was the one who was saluting me a little while ago? I dare say I've not seen him in the medical ward yet, so, I don't know him."

"Him? Oh, that was Malik... something-or-other. He can be... hotheaded at times," 'Ismat replied, rather interested in what Amari had done with Serhan and, seemingly, Mu'Tasim.

"That would be Vayshirin Malik Ibn Rashidan. He is a young man of some potential, insight and terrible judgment." Serhan replied, adjusting his glasses, with a slightly bothered face. "He will also make me an old man before I am fifty. During the Wing first sortie he made a mistake typical of a young runner, but was fortunate enough to survive it without any injuries. Unfortunately, the only thing he learned from it was how to think very little of himself as a runner." The frame officer let out a stiffed chuckle. "If the behavior continues, I may resort to collecting funds from my wing to send him to a Consort to relieve him of his ill-thinking."

He then looked back at 'Ismat and steepled his fingers beneath his jaw line, with a thin smile on his face. "Some things should only be discussed after dinner, Vaybalri. You should consider inviting yourself along with Amari the next time I host a dinner party." He nodded, his face rather proud and self-satisfied as he continued. "I fancy myself something of a good host and chef."

"Oh my yes. A good host indeed." Amari said as she casually stroked the underside of Ismat's chin. "But, if you wish to send him to a consort...I could call in a favor possibly, and skip the fee. But, give him some time, Marranr, no doubt you're read my record in regards to training. No motivation, skill was there, but no motivation and that is worse then what he could have done assuredly...besides. I think you'd be rather dashing as an older man." She said playfully, arching that eyebrow again, a small coy smile on her lips before she silenced herself.

"But of course Marranr's description of Malik is better. And I'll be sure to, Marranr. Thank you!" 'Ismat said. Good food and getting to learn some potentially dirty secrets? She had to go! She giggled as her chin was stroked.

Good. It'll be nice to show off my abilities at home to a few more guests. Serhan gave a calm, satisfied grin and removed his glasses for a moment to reveal the authenticity of it. "I'd rather be a young man a little while longer, however. Having a daughter has cut my life too short as is." He placed the orange-lensed spectacles back on his face and regained his composure. "Though, at least now I may look forward to being an older man. You have assuaged my doubts, Lanbalri."

'Ismat leaned forward, trying to get a better look at Serhan. "Hmmm. You don't look too bad at the moment, Marranr. And I can't imagine you looking that bad when you're older," 'Ismat noted, trying to age the man's face in her head. "Though, I would think trying to keep up with a young one's child would give one a reason to try and get their youthful spring back in their step."

Amari rubbed her own chin a moment."Honestly, I've always wanted children, I just don't know if I could handle them." She gave a small shrug of her shoulders. "Me punishing someone? I'd rather be giving hugs, kisses, and having fun."

"I worry that I've raised her in a strange way, sometimes." Serhan said in an uncertain tone, drilling his temples with the middle fingers of his left and right hands. "I dote on her regularly, but then I spend time training her like a soldier. My half-siblings think I demand too much discipline, and give too much freedom."

Amari nodded slightly. "I was given the full Cohronl rearing, my parents are siblings, as such, things used to get sketchy since well...siblings can be siblings. But overall, what I was told that matters most is, letting the child know you care, love, protect, and have their best interests at heart is all that matters. Maybe you should take her to an amusement park on Hlarai sometime?"

"Besides, she's such a sweet child, and so huggable." Amari added.

'Ismat blinked. "I haven't met your daughter," she noted, outloud. "Anyway, I don't think I want a child. I'd imagine they'd be quite a trouble child!" Since she wasn't the best child in the world, she doubted her own would be.

"I became a father before I thought I would be ready, but it has been one of the redeeming phases of my life." Serhan said with a wistful look, as he pulled his sleeves up and threaded his arms through them. His only regret had been not offering his daughter Arzu a mother, but somehow, that felt like the wrong thing to do when one considered the manner by which she had become his child to care for. "Yet, that might be something to consider. I have quite a bit of vacation time banked from before the first time I asked for early retirement, as well as two months or so from this year."

Amari got to her feet, and then walked over to Serhan, kissing the tips of her fingers, she placed them against one of his cheeks, and smiled, letting him feel a thin trickle of the warmth she associated with him. "You've the potential to be a great father, you'll adapt to it admirably." She said before turning about, and even placed a quick, companionable kiss on Ismat's lips out of nowhere, as quick as it had began, it ended. "As for you my sweet, give it a try, you're sweet tempered enough for it." The words were out of her mouth as she rounded the lockers again, retrieving her weaponry before reappearing, rifle casually slung at her side by its strap.

Serhan gave a Amari an motionless stare, and turned to 'Ismat wordlessly. You too? Seemed to be the only thing that his shocked sort of expression could feasibly convey.

"What? Never seen me hold a Laiz rifle before?" Amari asked, threading a finger through the trigger guard, and holding it aloft, in a prone position, the barrel aimed at the ceiling. "Don't worry, I'm not a trainee with it." She said with a touch of humor.

'Ismat just sat stunned from the sudden kiss. Her cheeks flared when she realized that Serhan had watched that. "Ah... er.... Uh... you... look good with that rifle," 'Ismat said stupidly, trying to get her mind off of her embarrassment.

"Agreed." Serhan said curtly, zipping up his linksuit and standing himself up. "If you do shoot me by accident, it'll be your responsibility to nurse me back to health. So really, I wouldn't be worried even if you were a trainee."

Amari placed a hand over her chest, as if struck. "Touche'." She said, still with humor in her voice. "But, was that a covert attempt at a joke? Hmmm?"

PAUSE

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Mu'Tasim seemed to keep to himself as the rest of the crew talked amongst themselves. The Shrinekeeper seemed to gain a reputation of being a bit of a isolationist since his acceptance of the position two weeks prior. Of course, this didn't bother him, other peoples opinions were moot to him, what bothered him was the fact that he only had gotten a few visitors since he took over the shrine.

These thoughts occupied him as he stepped out of the shower wordlessly. He was hunched over because his thick hair dripped and drooped considerably, looking almost like a wet goat, his shoulders seemed moist, but it seemed he only washed and cleaned his hair. He was half dressed in his linksuit, like the Marranr was. With a fresh towel he grabbed from one of the racks, Mu'Tasim began to dry his hair, his hairless chest appearing a tad rough, and lightly scarred in some places.

When he finished drying his hair, he threw the towel aside and his semi dry hair became an afro that blasted backwards. The hair on his face had exploded to the front. He took a seat on a bench and began to spend his time flattening the wild hair out with his hands. He looked over at the group of them for a moment, not exactly in tune to the conversation at hand. His eyes rested on Zus for a moment as he scanned the room, but just returned his gaze back to the wall as he flattened his white mop.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

Shokhi had found himself less then impressed by the ready room chatter, and had completely excised himself from it. Though he was gradually developing some attachment to the rest of the wing, he still found the most of them to be... difficult... most of the time. Zalus was alright, but the organ he thought with was not his brain. Savitar defined everything Shokhi thought was wrong with the wing. Malik had an inferiority complex to put Shokhi's to shame. Mu'Tasim was fiercely religious, and Shokhi was not. Reovan was... well, he just couldn't really talk to Reovan. And Zus seemed reasonably intelligent, but that didn't really matter when she was around all the other people he had trouble talking with.

Really, Shokhi just wasn't well-adjusted to a communal environment. He would have done just fine with one or even two people about him. Like this, though, he made every effort to ignore everything but the warmth and the water. He kept one ear half-open for orders from Serhan, and that was everything.

Eventually, Shokhi figured he had spent enough time in the shower, and stepped out. He wrinkled his nose slightly, then tilted his head back and wrung his hair out as well as he could. Towels... they didn't ever do it right.

Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity

ON>
Frame Runner Ready Room
Malakai 1, 935
02:50, Commonwealth Standard Time

"Hey I Do the best I can when and to whomever I can!" Zalus smiled and shruged. "But I'm not one to boast."

Malik smiled at Khiyai, not making a move to return the slap, instead hugging her close so he could get somewhat of a feel of her emotions. The orange haired runner smiled, seemingly more mature. "I understand perfectly Khiyai. It breaks your heart to see me depressed, treating myself like i'm worthless." His smile lost some of its maturity, but grew wider. "You're the only one who can call me an idiot anyway."

"Besides, it doesnt work out all that well to play the fool."

"...Idiot." Khiyai sighed and accepted the hug silently, her face quite red and her face still furled into a frown of mixed feelings. "That wasn't supposed to be a gentle kiss."

"No, It wasn't. But-" Malik broke off, blushing, and ever so gently pressed his lips to Khiyai's, then pulled back. "That one was."

"...Idiot." Was all that was said by the Mechanist, as she stormed off back to the others, her hair still damp and her face lit up a burning crimson. He had succeeded in completely confusing her falling opinion of him, at the very least.

"Khiyai, Wait." Malik reached out, lightly grabbing Khiyai's shoulder, as if he was afraid to touch her. "Khiyai, I was wondering if I could ask you something."

"Wh- what is it?" Khiyai replied, shaking her reddened face to regain her composure as she was grabbed, and only stopping when she turned to face the man again. "What is it, Malik?"

The runner smiled, not sure of what bodily gesture to do now. "I was wondering, if you would like to see my home colony some time?" Mal blushed, trying to hide it. "I mean, next time we have shore leave."

“One minute warning, Bahram. Get yourselves to the Hangar soon.” Serhan called out to the people in the ready room, as the man adjusted his glasses. His tone was, as usual, composed and conservative, but having to speak more loudly betrayed a small amount of excitement in his tone. He zipped his linksuit all the way to the top, as the organic material sealed over the rows of interlocking clasps and became airtight up to his neck. “Now then, Al-Sumed, I suppose this is where we part for a short time. Touch divine, till next we meet.”

Mu'Tasim stood, securing the rest of his suit and finally flattening out the rest fo his hair. He breathed deeply and took his way out of the Ready Room, to the hangar.

Ah, good, finally something to do Zus thought, making sure her linksuit was ready to go. The tall, thin woman turned to her friend and clapped the Sund Wakir girl on the back. "Ready for some action?" she asked.

Amari nodded to Serhan, smiling faintly as she spoke the farewell to him as well. "Touch divine, till next we meet, Marranr." The Lanbalri said with a small nod of her head before she spotted Mu'Tasim, and gave him a warm smile and small wave as she slung the Laiz Rifle in to a shouldered position.

Mu'Tasim caught Amari's gaze from the corner of his eye. He smiled in return for a moment, giving her a short nod, but continued on out with out a word.

Khiyai was about to nod, but paused as she heard Serhan's voice. "S- sorry. I'll give you an answer after this mission, okay?" She said meekly, running off to join Alia and Amari.

Checking out her own suit one last time, Reovan nodded to her friend, "Yeah, let's put these dunes behind us." She smiled and stretched her arms up above her head, "Let's fly."

The doctor saw the meek stride of Khiyai and put a comforting hand on her shoulder as she looked to the Frame Runners, nodding. "Jarin's Fortune to you all." She said before looking to her comrades at her side.

Malik followed Khiyai out of the bathroom, heading over to his squad, zipping up his linksuit. He smiled to all of them, then looked around. "Where's Vaytulri Farouk?"

Mu'Tasim turned his head for a moment as he walked, looking behind himself. "Up here, Rashidan." called Mu'Tasim from the front.

"Flying is definitely a good thing" Zus responded to her roommate. "Let's hope something makes tonight exciting. I'm betting on the concert. where do your chips lie, Mehta?"

Zalus finished fastening his suit and stood up. "So lets go sit in space for some length of time and hopefully get some benifits along the way!"

Reovan laughed, "Would it be too much bad luck to bet against you?" she asked her roommate. "I'd hate to be the one to bring bad fortune to this mission."

Khiyai made a relieved smile at Amari's reassuring touch, and nodded. "I look forward to working under you, Lanbalri."

"Mis or No, I want some form of fortune to come over us. Perhaps it will weed out the weak links in our chain of runners, no?" Zus responded, somewhat cryptically. She smirked, tossing her head a little into a laugh, before heading out of the ready room towards the Hangar. She did, however, grab her jacket before leaving the room.

"Same, Vayshirin. Anik and Alia've told me a lot about you, I'm sure you'll be fine." Amari said with a soft pat on the girl's shoulder returning the smile. "Well, are you all set?"

Malik smiled, walking over to Mu'Tasim and saluting him. "Vayltulri Farouk. Do you know where the Marranr is?"

"I have my Laiz Rifle and my linksuit, but I'm not looking forward to using either." The mechanist said sheepishly, tapping the rifle slung across her back. "But working as a technical specialist in the field is something I'll be able to stand. Especially if it is for Bahram Wing."

"I've not been keeping up with him." Mu'Tasim said apologetically, I believe he is actually trailing the group. "You would do better to see if he left the Ready Room yet."

The Sund Wakir girl followed her tall bunkmate out, shaking her head as she pulled up her hair into a ponytail and tied it firmly with a hair tie. "I'd say it's ill fortune to say that about out wingmates, Zus."

"Ah, what's a bit of fun? Besides, they only give us easy assignments. We have nothing to worry about" Zus chided Reovan. "I just hope they assign us somewhere warmer soon" she added, shivering slightly. while the jacket warmed her torso and arms well, it left her legs covered by only the linksuit, which, being skin tight, did not afford too much protection.

"Well, hopefully we won't have to." Amari said as she trotted over to the leaving Serhan, and caught him by the arm, leaning over to whisper in his ear, a simple request. 'Please don't get hurt out there.' She whispered to him before sliding back over to Khiyai and smiling at the girl again. "Well then, we should be getting ourselves together, and get moving as well."

"Forgive me for being pessimistic," Revoan said with a heavy sigh, "But from your mouth to Muna's ears, I hope so. It seems like Mu'Klamal has us set for staying here on this snow ball."

Serhan shivered as Amari spoke to him so closely, but maintained his composure in an almost force manner from that point on, only allowing himself a light grin as time went on.

After a few minutes of walking, Bahram Wing came upon the Hangar Bay that had been their point of launch for the past twenty days, the bright lights sufficient to cause squinting save for those with shielded eyes or the reason to deploy their second eyelids. Each VANDR had been properly equipped and repaired for the mission, and a modified Quodr Liftracer sat in the center of the hangar,covered in Astral Vanguard color schemes and insignias. This would be the vehicle for the three temporary additions to the wing.

The Marranr turned around the face his runners, waiting long enough for all of them to be in earshot. His expression was relaxed, but rather plain, and his voiced lacked any special commanding intonation as he spoke, perhaps only intimidating by its lack of passion. "To your VANDR. We launch soon."

Amari leaned down, and whispered in Khiyai's ear. "I hope you know how to fly that thing, I'm rusty... for all I know, we'd be headed towards one of the moons sticking our thumbs out, looking for a ride by the end of it."

Malik saluted to Serhan, a slight smile on his face.. "Understood, sir." The young runner could spare a slight smile to Khiyai, before he ran to Shamshir, ready to get inside.

Mu'tasim nodded firmly to Serhan and made his way over to Famasir.

Khiyai giggled, and half-punched Amari in the shoulder softly for her joke. "And if you crashed us, it would still be only half as expensive as the repairs on Shamshir this one time..."

END>
Frame Runner Ready Room
Malakai 1, 935
02:58, Commonwealth Standard Time