RP: NSS Acadia [Mission 2]: Brotherhood and Sisterly Love

Harrison quickly settled into a routine of pushing the hostages that could walk across the airlock to the Acadia, and then going back and grabbing by the scruff of the neck those who could not. He was glad to be getting out of the hellhole he was in at that moment, glad for his own survival. However, he quickly realized that the entire Alder had bought it so that they could get out. He sighed a bit, and shrugged. Their captain knew what was going to happen taking the Mishhu on, and he went ahead and did his job anyways. That was all anyone could ask for.

"Alright. Some of the prisoners are in the brig now," Harrison said over his COMM.

Hearing the Master Chief's orders, Trey groaned a little bit, rolling his eyes inside of his armor. "Guess I've gotta open the damn doors again" he muttered, getting to work with his Hostile Powered armor, and making sure the door controls would activate the Magcon field when he opened the damaged doors, and then beginning to do so, starting up the one working motor to allow the bay to slowly open halfway; just wide enough for shuttles to get in and move people out. Trey hadn't seen the scene that had just happened, but had noticed the Lurch of the CDD starting and suddenly stopping from the interdiction field.

But hey, they were alive right? and getting out of this silly damaged Hray, too. Plus they had succeeded at recovering their lost ship, which was the mission objective, right? all things considered, Trey figured the mission a success. Unfortunately, all things by Trey's reckoning was not all things as they had actually occurred.

[Delete this post, please.]

Seeing the shuttles come into the bay, Kingston locked up his suit. Then he hopped down to lend his aid in moving the injured and the subdued. It was the only service he could supply for the time being, and just a couple minutes' rest had built up the desire to get moving again.

With a few more keystrokes the Master Chief Fian Vel Steyr handed over whats left of the ship's system to the IPG.DroogNET as he was instructed. The lights on the bridge dimmed to nothingness as a remote crew took over, though the processors continued to hum as the IPG operators quickly got to consolidating and protecting the ship's databank for further study.

The Nepleslian let the blackness fall around him as he paused in a peaceful, silent self-reflection. Compared to the noise and bright flashing lights of combat, the darkness seemed to add a finality to the mission. Perhaps it was like the darkness of death adding a finality to life, which a good number of people on all sides today experienced... The marines, the Alder, the hostages, the pirates and the Mishhu. These deaths, while tragic, were unavoidable even on his watch, but the Vel Steyr had managed to keep these from nibbling at his sanity not with an empathetic outlook, but with the effort of keeping casualties as realistically low as possible and the knowledge that he too might buy the farm one day. As for the latter, he is grateful to the Maker for his continued survival.

There were a glowing pair of red dots that didn't belong amongst the console lights. Fian could see them filtered through the mesh of a grate, suspended on the wall on the far side of the room. With a quick spoken command the MC locked up his AIR-R and hurried outside the room, he had enough surprises for one mission.

Later...

While the MC wasn't paying attention, a connecting airlock-bridge has been established between the NSS Acadia and NSS Emden. In this the marines including their wounded were making their way back to their mothership, with some of the captive pirates and the remaining hostages in tow. Through the semi-transparent and flimsy looking bridge Fian could see a medical shuttle finally landing on the Acadia's deck after some great difficulty, fighter and shuttle capability were only added as an afterthought to the S1 design, and the Acadia lacked the add-ons that the late NSS Alder had that made it easier. Fian waved the mob through the tunnel for a while, and then grabbed the nearest enlisted he could find to do the waving, he still had matters to settle.

In the Emden's hangar bay, a few marines and pirates that were picking themselves up quickly redoubled their efforts and got out of the way as a black-painted shuttle flew in through the gap that Trey Penton made. The expert pilot executed a well rehearsed landing, hitting the reverse thrusters and the right moment and then plodding down firmly in the middle of the bay.

There was not a soul in sight as the shuttle's ramp came down, revealing a squad of NAX-A-1b Britva light Power Armor equipped IPG operatives led by a NIGHT2. The Britvas fanned out, taking up positions on all the doors and all the hatches in the bay. One had a weapon pointed at Trey while two stood at the sides of the Master Chief, waiting for the NIGHT2 to complete the triangle by looming over the front of the MC.

A trickle of sweat ran down Fian's temple, was he about to be arrested again? But after an antagonizing silence it seemed like they were waiting for him to say something. In the end, Fian piped up. "The level under us is not secure, we've still have knocked out POWs in the bunk rooms, my men are moving back to the Acadia with the hostages we have rescued so far and I think there is something you might be interested in the vents of the bridge."

At this the NIGHT2 signalled his men to move out and produce a number of wicked looking electrified sticks, and then he turned around to slap the MC on the shoulder. It wasn't at the level of force that said 'Move out of the way!' so Fian assumed that it was a congratulatory slap, but a Power-Assisted slap is still very painful. When the IPG had left the hangar the MC examined the palm-shaped imprint to find a small Data-Chip containing their next assignment and the schematics of a lot of new gear.

"Penton! Lets go!" The Vel Steyr called out while making his way back to the bridge.

"Just a second Chief" Trey muttered as he clambered out of his Hostile and locked it down, clunking to the floor before following after the Vel Steyr. he hadn't been too comfortable with a gun pointed at his face, but felt fine since he had been in his Hostile at the time. Still, he wondered what the Master Chief was up to, and followed him down the hallway. "Where are we going, Sir?" the confused Yamataian-bodied-Nepleslian asked.

Henry wasn't unconscious, he was far from it. The euphoria from misson completion kept him going. He let Talbain carry him along.
"Thanks, remind me to buy you some brandy," Henry said as he affectionately patted the shoulder of the armour (not the person in it), "And fix your armour, too."

Anyone within an earshot of Henry who knew him well would've been surprised. He was speaking much more fluidly compared to his usual 'forgotten-how-to-speak' drawl and notepad he resorted to.

His right leg had a few pieces of shrapnel in it, but they could be removed easily. There was no need to amputate and put a metal limb there, and some synthetic muscles put into the least damaged areas.

That aside, he was killing for a shave, some brandy and a good book right about now...

Her eyes focused on the exposed air vent, Lilly popped her armor, determined to eliminate her target. What she'd forgotten was the fact that she'd been beaten to shit in the boarding action, and as she tried to pull herself out of the armor her arms gave way, sending her slipping over the side to land roughly on her knees and elbows. She fumbled around for a moment before collapsing back down. Reluctant to give up her pursuit of the escaped pirate, and her own self-sufficiency, for that matter, Lilly growled in frustration. "Somebody get over here," she weakly shouted through gritted teeth.

Anselm looked startled as Lilly came tumbling out of the Lancer, he jumped down from the machine's hip and quickly helped the slightly taller girl up to her feet.

"Come on, I know you plrobably want to find that guy, but we're being evacuated," he looked her up and down for any apparent wounds "and you're not in much shape to go after him either, let's go."

Phaedra returned to the hangar and located Amelia. She helped the injured marine to her feet; pulling Amelia's arm over her shoulders. Phaedra supported Ameila as she limped toward the Acadia.

"Come on, lets get you to the Med-bay," she said.

Harrison came stomping back across the umbilical to the Emden, going after the wounded Greens. He spotted Phaedra and Amelia coming into the room and smiled a bit. Crouching down in front of the two, he offered a power-armored hand to carry Amelia, smiling at Phaedra through the implacable metal mask.

"Glad to see you still standing, Volkov." The ex-merc said with some small measure of pride in his voice. "You're relieved. Go ahead and let me carry Amelia."

The Master Chief Fian Vel Steyr brought Trey Penton over with him back to the Acadia, he didn't feel like crossing over alone. He acknowledged the outstretched hands some of the wounded gave him, holding them briefly but tightly in support and congratulations. Though, he only gave those that stared at him coldly a weak smile. The pair managed to reach the control terminals in the Acadia's hangar bay unscathed, which then the MC proceeded to immerse himself in.

"I'm going to do a quick headcount with the Acadia's security cameras." Fian explained between keystrokes. "Look out for Chief Ran, tell me when you see him."

With the Acadia's medical bay already full, the medics have set up transparent and airtight tents in the hangar bay. An extremely battered N/F-A, a survivor of the NSS Alder was being taken below decks to make way for seven of such tents. Numerous tubes and hoses emerging from the medical shuttle pumped in life-preserving sterilized air, while orderlies continued to unload much needed medical supplies. Both the wounded and the unwounded milled about, the former seeking comfort and the latter giving comfort to their brothers in arms.

Most of the med-tents were already occupied, but one with three free medical tables were still waiting for their next patients to be extracted out of their broken Power Armors, the slots have been reserved for members of the boarding crew.

Talbain continued down the corridor to the hanger bay with Henry. He stayed silent for a moment after the Tech had made his offer for alcohol. Time spent wondering if his teammate had taken a concussion or something and to enjoy the irony of a normal speech being suspicious from Henry. He almost would have laughed if not for the fact that it was an inappropriate situation for it.
"Don't worry too much about the drink. Anselm still owes me if I remember right."
Coming into the hanger bay Talbain spotted a marine with medical supplies going into a tent and followed them in to see what could be done about Henry's injuries.

Harrison moved off down the tunnel, just in front of Phaedra and Amelia, still in his armor. He stubbornly refused to remove the shell, no matter how unmanly it was. Better to stay alive than stay manly.

An orderly came up to his armor and tapped him on the chest. The ex-merc inclined his head downward, looking at the white-banded grunt, giving a gruff "What?" as a response. The orderly looked at his armor, then scratched his head. A louder "WHAT?" reverberated through the hangar, and the orderly patted his left calf.

"Looks like you got a bit riddled. Nothing serious. You should see someone to get it fixed up, though," the orderly said, giving Harrison the thumbs up before moving off to tend to more inbound wounded. Harrison only then looked down and noticed his calf. The plate had been shredded by what appeared to be a chainsword attack he hadn't noticed; sawing through the armor and sensitive underlayer and just barely brushing against his leg, leaving a nasty gash on his leg. It bled openly, although not severely, and added yet another scar to the same leg that had been previously wounded. The ex-merc shrugged and headed off to a quiet corner of the hangar, where he stepped out of his armor, retrieved his uniform, cleaned out the wound with antisceptic, dressed it crudely and set off to the rapidly forming tent city.

"Ahem!" The MC coughed into the microphone.

"Those who do not require professional medical treatment, please clear the hangar bay so the medics have the space to do their jobs. Details are still coming in but I have an announcement to make in the Cafeteria at 2200, which is an hour from now."

Fian checked his watch, he had to be in the bridge in five minutes or Captain Peters would haul him up there himself.

"To those who might not know it yet, we have lost the NSS Alder, but have recaptured the NSS Emden and alerted the 1st Defence Fleet of the full Mishhuvatar invasion. Full mobilization is underway back in Nepleslia. Your country needs you now more than ever so keep your spirits up and DON'T BITE IT on the operating table, that is all."

"Back so soon, mate?" One of the medics asked Henry as he was laid down on the operating table. He was laying out his instruments and tools next to him, "What is it this time?"

Henry pointed to his leg and nodded knowingly, "Some light shrapnel, right leg, might need cybernetic muscles, no real need to amputate."
"Smartarse, eh?" The medic joked as he made a few surgical cuts to Henry's pants, and inspected the wound with his advice in mind, "I suppose you're right, smartarse..."
"I told you."

As the medic was picking up his tools and about to get to work, he realised something, "Whatever happened to that funny voice of yours? Last time you were with me you used a notepad and pen."
Henry shrugged as a anaesthetic piece was put over his face, "I don't know," He said as the anaesthetic begun to take effect, "I just... changed ... my ..." And he was out like a light.

A few moments earlier...

The hulking form of Harrsion's armor stomped in front of them as Phaedra helped Amelia towards the Acadia.

"Glad to see you still standing, Volkov," said Harrsion over the comm. "You're relieved. Go ahead and let me carry Amelia."

"Thanks Will, but I can manage," she said calmly. With that, Harrison turned his armor around and moved down the tunnel.

Currently...

Phaedra escorted Amelia to the temporary medical area in the Acadia's hangar and approached one of the medical personnel.

"She has a leg wound. I stopped the bleeding for now," she said to the medic. She then handed off Amelia for the medic to support.

"You're wounded as well, Private," said the medic, refering to the large amount of blood on her face. Phaedra shook her head.

"Just some knicks; far from serious," she said, grabbing a towel from a nearby gurney. She headed towards the cot Amelia had been placed on, wiping the blood from her face as she did so.

Having gone without injury and being alone at the time of the Master Chief's announcement, Viktor Kingston thought it best if he headed straight to the cafeteria for that announcement. After all, he'd have a little under an hour, so he could grab something to eat and wait for the others to arrive.

Amelia's eyes suddenly focused as she was brought out of whatever state of mind she had been stuck in for the past half hour. She sat up with a somewhat listless grunt. Her leg still was wounded, but she was about to let that stop her from the things she had to do now. She slid her legs over the side of the cot and slowly stood up, making sure to put her weight on the non-shot leg. Still hurt, but it would be for a while.

She paused and looked at Phaedra, "I guess you brought me here, hm? Thanks... Though promise me you won't get yourself killed out there. Pull something like that again and you likely will be reporting to the morgue instead of the medbay." She... smiled, faintly. With that unusual expression (for her), she slowly walked on out, ignoring the medic's protests as she carried herself towards her quarters.

Phaedra watched Amelia limp out of the hangar, much to the chagrin of the medical personnel.

"Maybe she needs some time to herself," thought Phaedra, concerned for her friend's well being.

"I'll check in with her before the announcement," she decided. Phaedra switched her GSAR to "safe" and then headed for the cafeteria. She detached the magazine and then ensured that the action was clear. Her immediate impulse was to return the GSAR to the armory, but without knowing the next combat situation she would find herself in, she might as well hang onto it for the time being. Phaedra pulled the sling across her chest to let the assault rifle hang from her right side. She walked down the corridors of the Acadia until she arrived at the cafeteria, the aroma of fresh food whetting her appetite. Phaedra grabbed a tray and headed for the food line, but she stopped short and then grabbed a second tray.

"I doubt Amelia has eaten yet. Some chow will raise her spirits a bit, as well as give us a chance to chat..." thought Phaedra. Trays in hand, Phaedra headed towards the other marines moving through the food line.