RP: 21st Fighter Sq Crew Interviews

ON

YSS Heitan
Location: Classified

Akemi sat in one of the many conference rooms on board the Heitan. She had a number of datapads in front of her, and a pitcher of water and a glass. As the ranking person of the squadron Numa-Shosa had told her to conduct the interviews of the newest potential members.

She looked at the data for the one she was waiting for 'Nepleslian, according to his records he suffered a serious physical injury, and personal emotional losses. Then he packed up and moved to Yamatai. Well, at least Tin Man will have some more Nepleslian company.' She thought.

"Hiromi, please notify me when the interviewee arrives." she said to the ship's MEGAMI.

"Certainly Tamahagane-Juni."

So far his short stay aboard the Heitan hadn't been to adventurous. Marco found this disappointing but as such a new member to the wing, he realized that he could hardly expect to be flung into any sort of wild dogfights just yet. So time had been passed in his room, strumming on his guitar, and listening to music until the time when he had been scheduled to meet with his commander had been on the horizon as it were. So he had put his guitar away and using his slowly well memorized recollection of the ship's layout, had made his way to the office in question. He'd paused just outside the door and keyed the pad to open it.

The door paused for a second, then slid open. From the doorway it was plain to see that this was a generic conference room. A large table dominated the room with seating for probably up to twenty people. A lone occupant sat in the middle of the right hand side of the table. A black haired, grey eyed Nekovalkyrja wearing a Type 35 uniform, that showed her rank as Santô Juni. She looked towards the open door and waited for Marco to enter.

Marco quickly stepped inside and performed an appropriately low bow for the higher-ranked soldier, "Marco Weismuller Santo Hei, reporting as ordered, Tamahagane-Juni."

Akemi returned his bow with a lesser one befitting her rank. "Take a seat Santo Hei and we can begin." she said keeping her face neutral, so far she was impressed by his performance.

At his commander's order, Marco quickly moved to a seat opposite her along the table, but with a rather relaxed and at ease move he sat down. Though when he faced her he still sat at attention, lingering effects of training making it impossible for him to have the relaxed but respective posture of more veteran soldiers. He was silent.

"You may sit at ease Weismuller-San, this interview is for me to evaluate you, your personality to determine how best to fit you into the FIghting Diamonds. The Shosa wanted me to conduct the interview since I am the current leader after our Shoi was reassigned." she said, with a softer expression on her face.

Marco only just relaxed, hands raising to rest atop each other on the table, and he leaned slightly forward in his chair, "Yes, ma'am." Ws his clipped reply, though soon a smile formed on his face, "Just trying to make a good impression."

"You did fine, but even if I were an officer, one can not technically conduct an interview if the other person is at attention. Since a person at attention is not permitted to speak." She waved her hand and volumetric display appeared above the table at an angle, she glanced at it then back to Marco.

"So, from your files I can see that you left the DION to join Yamatai and the Star Army. I need to ask what is your opinion of Nekovalkyrja."

"My opinion on the neko, ma'am?" He raised a brow curiously, "Frankly, I don't see how it matters what I would think of them. I flew with them in flight school just fine, even managed to outperform the ones in my class without a SPINE interface to help me. They're people just like any other. It'd would be a bit - racist - to go giving opinions like the one you're asking for." He motioned vaguely with one hand towards the display, "If I may, ma'am: what's your opinion on Nepleslians, then?"

"It matters because it is well known what most Nepleslians think of Nekovalkyrja It was perfectly legal until recently for a Nepleslian to kill a Nekovalkyrja in their territory if it was not in the military. Given that the majority of the crew of this ship that we work with are Nekos, it is a valid concern. The Diamonds currently is a much more homogeneous. We have quite the mix of species. Nepleslian anti-Nekovalkyrja sentiments are a form of racism. I am just making sure that it won't be an issue.

As for my opinion of Nepleslians, while none of your concern, is simple. To me they are just people. I grew up in a multi-racial home. The community I grew up was a very diverse one. I see people as individuals, and I take them as such. I was born a Geshrin, upgraded to the NH-22C body when the rest of my family did. Then when I chose to serve in the military, I opted to upgrade to a Nekovalkyrja body to allow me to serve the best I can.

So if my asking you uncomfortable questions is necessary for me to do my job. Then I will do so. It is not personal. It is just my job." She made a couple of annotations in her datapad, then looked back up at Marco.

"Do you consider yourself to be adaptable? Being on the Empire's frontier we are often called upon to fulfill roles that other fighter units would not be." she said fixing her grey eyes on Marco, the smile no longer present.

There was a comment about double-standards and reversed racism on the tip of his tongue, but the Nepleslian bit it down before even a sound of it came out. His face remained neutral and impassive save for the slightly diminished smile on his lips, "Adaptable? Ma'am, it may not seem like much to a combat veteran who looks back on it, but in training they don't give away high ratings. And like I said before, I scored higher in my practical tests then other people who didn't even need to physically open their eyes to fly, or move to fire their weapons. Plus in Funky city, you damn near have to be mentally prepared for a shootout if you try to walk out your door in the morning."

He offered a shrug, "So even if I'm not the best at something that gets thrown my way, the only way that somebody gets good is by trying at it. I'd like to say that the first time I ever sat in a pilot's seat, I aced all my tests with flying colors, but that's not true. So I'll throw my best into every situation, and with a team backing me up we should all come out just fine no matter what it is we find out here."

"Thank you for your candor. But let me clarify what I was asking. I was not referring to adaptability in the cockpit. You would not be sitting there if you could not adapte to tactical situations in a fighter

I am talking about assignments that have nothing to do with a Kawarime. The Diamonds since their inception have besides flying numerous missions. Provided security for a group of scientists on a newly explored planet. When members of that science team were kidnapped by hostiles. The Diamonds had to launch a search and recover mission which involved attacking a base with out the benefit of power armor or fighters.

By adaptable I am wanting to know that if we get a situation like that again. Will you be ready, willing and able to undertake the task."

"Ma'am, if I receive a lawful order I'll follow it. I mean, I may not have signed up to be a ground-pounder. I'm a fighter pilot, knights of the sky and all that, but -" He paused, reflecting for a moment if the light in his eyes was any indication, "- well life doesn't have a habit of throwing things at you when you plan for them. So I'd be willing to roll with the punches."

"That is the answer I was hoping to hear. I am aware of your personal tragedy. And you have my condolences for your loss. The Tamahagane Clan values the importance of family,

As for rolling with the punches, well my Aunt has a saying, be careful what you tell the universe. Because it will very often given it to you.

I am after this is complete going to be interviewing a Freespacer that has chosen to join the Star Army. I definitely did not see that coming."

She made a few more entries into her datapad.

"Lastly, what would you say is your best facet that you are going to bring to the Squadron?" she said with a wry smile.

Marco smiled, a new confidence in his expression as he leaned back a little, "Give me a bird, maybe an EWO to help me out, and I'll make the Diamonds have a new ace inside three months if you give me time in the air. I may not be a mechanic or a flight surgeon like some of the folks you have listed on your flight roster. But the way I see it, that just gives me more focus on being one of the best pilots to ever take the yoke." His smile grew a little.

"Oh, and I can sing and play instruments in the pilot's lounge if somebody asks me to. Also, and proud fact here that I hope to get fire-tested. I've never lost a wingman in simulation. With real lives on the line, I'd like to think that I can keep the record up."

"The factors you just mentioned are life in the 2XF. We have people from a variety of careers in our squadron. The technician, Tin Man was the EWO for the Shoi. So he is going to need to be reassigned. Tin Man is a unique person that has to be experienced to appreciate.

And I am glad to hear that you have not lost a wingman in simulations. Unfortunately, real life is a lot more unpredictable than simulations. And with in a peace time mode. Becoming as ace may take a little longer."

She closed her datapad and dismissed the volumetric display. She looked at Marco for a moment weighing the answer, non-answers and body language she read.

"Well, you may have a chance to demonstrate your musical abilities sooner than you think." She said as she placed a small stack of 21st Patches in front of him. "The squadron is going to be joining me in the Safety Valve in an hour. As a member, I will expect you to be present. Casual dress code permitted." she said.

Marco retrieved a patch, smiling as he examined it for a moment, and then looking back to the CO, "Yes ma'am, I'll be there as ordered. I'd offer to buy the first round, but lowly little Santo Heis like myself don't make great pay." He laughed seemingly at his own joke, stood up, and gave a bow again before turning to leave.

"Squadron tradition. First round is on me. See you there fly boy." she said after returning his bow.

With that, Marko turned and left for the door setting out for his quarters.

OFF

ON

YSS Heitan
Location: Classified

Akemi sat in one of the many conference rooms on board the Heitan. She had a number of datapads in front of her, and a pitcher of water and a glass. As the ranking person of the squadron Numa-Shosa had told her to conduct the interviews of the newest potential members.

She looked at the data for the one she was waiting for 'This has to be some sort of test or better yet an initiation by the Commander. After all, the Freespacers do not like Yamatai. And by not like that means hate. But I verified the orders. They claim it is true. So my first interview is with a Type Two. I can not wait to write to my Aunt Mai about this day.' She thought.

"Hiromi, please notify me when the interviewee arrives." she said to the ship's MEGAMI.

"Certainly Tamahagane-Juni."

Akemi pulled up all the records she could find on Freespacers, especially those prior to the unfortunate incident She wanted to have a clue about cultural aspects of their race.

Gunbreaker carefully sailed his ship into one of the Heitan's bays, setting the gunboat down on one of the open pads in the far corner of the flight deck. The airlock opened at the phantasms side, lifting up and away from the bulkhead, and revealing a man, 5'8" with short black hair, and a determined expression. He was wearing the Star Army uniform, somewhat wrinkled and with a small black smudge near the beltline. He had a small, simple backpack slung over his shoulder, held by his hand, palm up and next to his neck.

At the bottom of the ramp, a pair of soldiers stood waiting. Armed of course. Looking him straight in the eye, judging him. Judging his uniform, his stance, his expression, the direction of his gaze...GunBreaker was under a microscope. He felt eyes from everywhere. eyes from behind screens, even. He shrugged the feelings off, and walked to the bottom of the ramp, stepping free. The Phantasm automatically closed, making the sound of deadbolts being thrown through its insides quite clear for all to hear in the now silent flight deck. What could be done? He looked one of the solders in the eye, "I'm here to see Akemi."

"I presume you are referring to Tamahagane Akemi-Santô Juni. You would do well to remember to address her as such when you meet her. She is waiting for you in conference room seven. We have been assigned to escort you to her location." the soldier said in response. "You can leave your bags here. They will be safe, depending on the outcome of your interview, you can retrieve them and secure them in your billet."

Gunbreaker turned, looking at the closed and bolted door, "Uh, I'll keep it, thanks. It has pills I need in it."
He repeated the name a few times over in his head, quickly committing her title to memory, as he followed the soldiers through narrow, winding halls. He had to question the use of such an exercise, however. Not only could he easily just store the name on his mindware, but he was entirely unlikely to use her title regardless. In the end, he chose to simply discard the information.

The soldiers lead him to the door way. "When you are ready to enter, ask the ships MEGAMI Hiromi to announce you. Good luck." the one who spoke to him earlier said. The two of them moved down the hall a short distance and waited.

"right, thanks."
Gunbreaker dropped his back to the ground as the soldiers backed up a few paces, still watching him. After a short session of rummaging through his stuff, he produced a pill bottle, and shoved it in his pocket. He had yet to take one today. His hopes were to sleep on his ship tonight, conserving his radioisotope pill for the day. Looking around, Gunbreaker said to no direction in particular, "I'd like to enter now."

Inside the conference room. "Tamahagane-Santo Juni, the interviewee is ready to enter."

Akemi dismissed the screens she had in front of her. "Please let him in." she said to the MEGAMI.

Out in the hallway Hiromi's voice came from the speakers. "Santo-Hei, you may present yourself for interview." and the door to the room opened. The room was large with a table that could hold approximately 20 people. Akemi was seated on the right hand side of the table from the door in the middle of the table. She looked at the open doorway and waited.


Gunbreaker left his bag where it was, and casually strolled in, hands stuffed firmly in his pockets. He moved to the seat directly opposite her, nudged the chair back with a foot, and plopped down in it before ever having opened his mouth. When he finally did, the best he managed was, "Morning. Mind if i grab some water?"

He indicated to the glass with an extended index finger, eying her with raised eyebrows.

"I have no problem with you getting some water. However, only after you properly report for interview in accordance with Star Army Regulations." Akemi said looking at Gunbreaker with an expression that clearly showed her displeasure with his conduct.

Gunbreaker lightly drummed his fingers on the table, demanding an answer from his mindware. after a moment of awkward silence that essentially became a staring contest, he finally admitted, "I don't know how."

Embarrassing, to say the least, though to be fair, he never expected an interview this late into joining the Star Army. It seemed inefficient to decide if you wanted someone after you already had them flown out.

Akemi could not believe that the individual in front of her did know the basic steps to report to a superior.

"Then allow me to enlighten you Gunbreaker-Santo Hei. The proper steps are as follows. Enter the room at attention and approach the person to whom you are reporting. Turn smartly so that you are facing them. In a clear voice say your name and rank followed by reporting as ordered. After that you can either bow which is a Yamataian custom or you may render an arm salute. And wait for the person to acknowledge and give you permission to sit.

Now that you have been advised of the proper method, kindly return to the door way and report like a member of the Star Army." she said.

He had one goal in mind when he touched down in the hanger, to make a good first impression. That ship seemed to have just sailed.
Gunbreaker sighed quietly as he rose to his feet. On his way to the door, he was quite conscious of the idea that the troops in the hall would witness his dilemma. Not a good first impression at all, but at least he could try to make amends. Once at the door, he recited the instructions in his head as he performed them; somehow awkwardly walk at attention with arms unmoving, stand in front of the desk facing them, say " Gunbreaker Two Four- Santo hei reporting as ordered", and bow. After this odd ritual was performed, he remained at attention, peering at the officer in front of him, waiting for approval.

Akemi watched Gunbreaker head to the door. She gave a silent command to Hiromi to close the door, there was no need for the guards to observe his remedial correction.

She noted that he was not familar with basic drill maneuvers. While not a common skill required to fly a fighter. It was expected of all soldiers in the service.

Akemi waited for a count of three and returned the bow. "Kindly take a seat Gunbreaker-Santo Hei. Help yourself to a glass of ice water." she said moving the tray with the pitcher and glasses to the middle of the table.

Gunbreaker carefully poured himself a cup of water, keeping a close eye on the process as if he wasn't sure how strong the gravity was aboard the ship, or maybe was unaccustomed to gravity altogether, though that seemed unlikely. He decided not to say anything for the time being,. At least until she asked him something. He was very much afraid of putting himself further into his hole than he already was. After returning the pitcher to the tray, he simply sat there, sipping at the filtered glass of cold water while staring at Akemi.

"The purpose of this interview is to determine whether or not you can serve. It is to help me determine how best you can be integrated into the collective that is the Fighting Diamonds. We have a variety of skills and species in the squadron, and I am responsible for it remaining a cohesive fighting force." Akemi said.

"So let's start with a simple and very direct question. Why did you decide to join the Star Army? What are you hoping to achieve?"

GunBreaker kept eye contact as he thoughtfully sipped on his glass of water. He pondered how to approach the question, but after a few more moment of silence, he decided the best way to answer, was the most direct.

"I joined because I wanted to prove that the Yamatai and freespacers can cooperate. I'm here in an effort to put the past where it belongs, behind us. I'm here as an agent of change, someone to build the foundations for our people to start coming to terms with what's happened, and to move on. It has to happen eventually, as the only other options are eventual perpetual war, or the eradication of one race or another. Given the three choices, I want to do my part in burying the past, end conflicts before they can get started, and help promote a sense of harmony."
He nodded, satisfied with his answer, and waited for a reply.

"And you felt that it was not possible to achieve this through a civilian organization. I must say I find your goal ambitious.

It is apparent though that some of your standard training has been overlooked. If I agree to let you into the Diamonds, we will have to address that.

Besides your noble goal to try and be a bridge between our people. What would you say is your greatest attribute you bring to the squadron?"

Gunbreaker gave a small smirk as his short term response. This was his chance to shine. An opportunity he wouldn't miss.

"I fix things mostly. I have schematics of all of your ships, stored up here" He tapped his skull, referring to the chip set embedded there. "Any gun, ship, or drone. Between me and my Junkers, I can fix nearly anything, in almost regardless of condition, in virtually all environments. Aside from that, I have my own ship that I can fly and fight from, or use as a mobile repair platform, and I can even fly the fighters you currently have sitting in the hanger. I'm about as versatile as they come."

Akemi listened to Gunbreaker and weighed the pros and cons. She realized this was quite an opportunity, but it was also fraught with just as much risk. But she could see the reason that he was sent to the 2XF. Out on the frontier the fleet was often challenged to be unconventional. Well, Gunbreaker was about as unconventional as one could get.

"One last question, how are your interpersonal skills?" she inquired.

His head tilted a notch to the side, "Aah, I'm afraid I don't understand the question."

"How are you at interacting with people, with other species on not just a working level, but a social level?" she replied.

"Oh. well I've done my best to study the social norms that I should expect. So far however, It's been quite a bit different from what I've been lead to believe. That, and people tend to instantly distrust me. It's been rough so far."

"Well, you are a bit of a surprise. Now that you are on a ship, I think you find people's curiosity will overrule their discomfort. As for the squadron, once you are part of it. You are that, a part. Someone get's mouthy with you. The squadron will be there to back you up. They may not 'like' you at first, but we take care of our own.

I have to tell you I can see many pros and cons, worst case scenarios etc.

However, someone at a much higher pay grade that I have, seems to think this is worth trying. So I am going to give you a chance. Your ship will stay in Gamma bay for now. You will fly what we fly on our next mission. You will also sleep in the same cabins that we do.

In your free time, I expect you to download and study the Star Army basic training instructions. Any questions?"

"I ah, will still have access to it though, right? my ship that is."

He squirmed a little at the thought of being away from it for a long period of time. The thing was a life giver, as far as he was concerned, housing all the components he needed to live comfortably. He'd even gone so far as to build a home inside of it.
Plus that was a lot of stuff to carry to a room, and he was just a tad on the lazy side.

"You will still have full access to it. Especially if you have physical requirements to make use of its systems.You will not launch without authorization naturally. " she responded.

"Ok, good. I'm glad you understand my need to have it around. I suppose I'm ready then. I'll collect my things, maybe make some drones carry the heavier stuff. Where will my room be?"

"Hiromi will direct you to your cabin. I will authorize you to have a room to yourself if you prefer otherwise I can arrange for you to share a room with one of the other new pilots.

Also, there will be a social gathering of the squadron in the Safety Valve bar on ship. It will be an opportunity to meet the others and break the ice so to speak. Ah, that is something else I will have Hiromi include in your training. Idioms and colloquial phrases."

"I'll assume the ice breaking thing was one of those. Right, I suppose I'll head back to my ship for now then. I have a few thing I'd like to accomplish before the social gathering. oh and uh, civilian cloths?"

"Civilian attire can be worn when off duty. You can acquire some items from the ship's store. It is a limited selection. Hopefully you will have some time when the Heitan returns to home port to visit the stores on Star Fortress Libra or on Amatsu-Daichi a civilian spaceport." she answered. She also slid a stack of four squadron patches over. "Make sure to put these on your uniforms."

GunBreaker quickly searched for any information he had on them. He received an image of all the proper locations for them in return.
"Right, I'll have these sewn on as soon as I can. As far as civilian clothes, I have a few things in my ship. Is ah...there any special rules to leaving?"

"Typically in this kind of occasion, thanking the person for their time, and a simple bow. But do not worry. I will see you later." Akemi answered.

Gunbreaker smiled, standing up and offering a polite bow anyway. "I'll be seeing you then."

With that, he turned for the door, taking a moment to remember how to work the door. A verbal command later, he was out and collecting his bag, shortly there after heading for his ship.

Not so bad, he thought.

OFF