RP: 21st Fighter Sq [Mission 8.1] A call for help

Alec scrunched his brow as he thought over the answer to Atsui's second question. What did they gain? Alec wasn't as sure about the answers his mind was coming up with. Was it so they could get the salvage from the other ships without much effort? No that was too base they could have just finished it and gotten their salvage. He pondered over the possibilities a little more before trying to take a stab at it.

"Hmm well I would say perhaps they let us save face so that we would be in their debt. If balance is the key, then perhaps there is something they need of us."

He thought about it a little bit more. He wasn't sure if he was on the right track but he figured he would wait and see what Atsui said.

Atsui had to give Alec some credit, but this was a poker move she'd seen to often. Sweeten the pot before you win.

"What they got was the opportunity to watch us fight, to see what kind of tactics we would use. Also let them observe how effective our fighters are. The Blood Moon was at one position and their fighters at another. I'll bet you they had every sensor they could track on us.

Our people have not had any significant combat engagements either against each other, or against a common foe. The treaty does allow for joint operations. The Blood Moon and its Ruoka would benefit from tactical knowledge of our craft, and could use that to gain a better position within their people in such a joint operation. Very clever."

Alec mentally face palmed as he missed the obvious. When he thought it over more the more the idea made sense. When Atsui and he where dealing with the first vampire the Blood Moon could have easily taken care of the other. Yet instead the second was only mildly contained until Atsui and he were able to come back to it. He wondered at first why they would want to do that. Then the obvious occurred to him. The two armies had a treaty, they weren't part of the Empire. No matter how friendly they are now things could change.

The ones with the most knowledge tend to come out on top. So says history.

Alec then cued back in to Atsui.

"So I suppose there isn't much we can do at this juncture..... But perhaps since we know they are so interested that will serve us better for next time. It is a little embarrassing though...

Alec let a half grin cross his face as he finished.

"...if I had known we were going to have an audience I would have put on a better show."

Atsui replied "No need for embarrassment. We just did not see all of the board. When you get beaten at chess, if you are smart you go back and figure out the moves your opponent made. That's what we are doing.

The clan are not new to space combat or travel. Something we have to remember. They may have only recently made contact with us, but they have been in our region of space for centuries. If we had not shown up, they probably would have dispatched the last vampires and then escorted the freighter to a safe harbor or sit with her until help arrived. Instead we showed up, a pair of unexpected chess pieces on the board. So they followed their instincts."

Alec nodded even though Atsui couldn't see it. He thought he was prepared for everything out here on the frontier when he chose his orders. This incident was a humbling reminder that he still had a lot to learn and consider. Perhaps if he had taken a closer look at the area before engaging in combat he might have spotted the remains of the four vampires that the Blood Moon had already dispatched. He was caught by surprise this time, he wouldn't let it happen to him a second.

He took another look around the area, this was his first battle. There was surprisingly enough a lot more context to it then he had expected. He looked at the wrecks that used to be vampires before letting his gaze fall upon the Blood Moon. He stared at it and started to memorize as many details of it as he could.

Not bad Waoka Kamgiq, I wont forget this. Until next time....

He then turned back to his controls and radioed back to Atsui.

"So what now Solitaire?"

Atsui looked at her sensors and then to her communications. She had to read one of the messages twice before believing it.

"Well, the Naoshi is arriving. Time for us to return to the Heitan. I just received a communication from the ship regarding two new additions to the Diamonds. So it is best that we get back ASAP."

Atsui rotated her craft and locked onto the course she had calculated and accelerated back to the Heitan.

Alec blinked in response, taking in the abrupt change of things. This was something he would evidently have to get used to. Keying in the controls on his Kawarime he started to follow Atsui. While keeping up a good pace he radioed in to Atsui.

"Ma'am you are killing me with this sudden switches."

His response came in with a good trace of humor in his voice. Pondering this mission over he continued talking.

"So Solitaire, do I need to report to your office for a debrief or would you rather I waited till you have finished interviewing the new people?"

Atsui keyed her comm system, "Wild Card, I believe that you have had sufficient 'debriefing' of your performance for this mission. It would be redundant for me to extoll the events of our flight again in nauseating detail. Unless your really want me to." she said her voice emphasizing the last part.

"I can say that your flight performance corresponds to what your instructors wrote. Further, all fighter pilots work with their wingman. Senior Wingman calls the shots. Junior wingman stays with them. This mission was an exception because I wanted to see you fly. But in the future, remember you stay with your wingman like glue or you will be cooling your heels and helping the Chief perform maintenance on the Squadron's fighters." She added.

"Roger that ma'am... "

Alec pondered what Atsui told him. It all made sense of course. He felt he really needed to apologies to her for the mess he almost caused but it just felt like now wasn't the time. It was point of fact pretty much taken care of. The wingman info was basic stuff he had heard repeated over and over again in the academy. He hoped to be able to prove soon that he could live by it. The Chief seemed nice and all but that wasn't what he signed up to do. There was only one thing left on his mind. It was a rather small thing actually considering everything else but to a young pilot like Alec it was still certainly important.

"Solitaire I was wondering.... You said that I shouldn't get attached to my call sign that it could change. Do you feel that....?"

Geez this was starting to sound stupid to him and he knew he was going to say. The only thing keeping him going at this point is that he already started. Go figure a wonder in the cockpit, a zero at normal interactions.

"...Is my call sign 'fitting' enough or can you think of a different one.."

There was allot left unsaid there. He would have liked to have added how much it would mean to him to have this pilot he had been chasing since the academy either affirm the one he had or personally give him one. Yet these sorts of things he just couldn't say no matter how much he wanted to. Mostly because there didn't seem a right way to say it. There wasn't a single way he could think to convey what he was thinking with out it becoming awkward. So Alec opted instead to hope that some how his feeling could get across with out him having to get them across.

A more rambunctious pilot would have made home in the hangar when first arriving and finding themselves with free time. Of course Marco had definitely thought about it. But after finding an empty and unclaimed rack in the 21st's quarters, he had actually made his way to the bridge. A Santo Hei in fighter pilot's colors couldn't be judged for heading that way after a glance at the flight roster had shown that three members of his newly assigned unit were "surfing the Black" as his instructor in the 901st had called it. Admittedly being a comparatively tall, pale-skinned, and plainly foreign man made him suspect that at some point he'd likely have a SAINT agent tailing him.

Arriving at the bridge after a bit of new-post-confusion had meant he had no problem finding the Bridge Bunny who was monitoring circuits for the flights leaving the ship. After a few formal bows and introductions he'd found the specific Bridge Bunny in charge of monitoring the 21st's flight. Equal rank and lack of judgement based on that factor and the lack of security classification at the Bridge Bunny's station meant he was able easily enough to get his hand on a second set of headphones to listen in on the flight's radio traffic.

On the understanding, of course, that he wouldn't interject in radio traffic. It was easy enough for him. The fighter pilot much rather preferred to be in the cockpit rather than talking to somebody else in that coveted seat. Besides, he'd get to have presence as an unknown ear on listening to his new CO. See how she operated.

With one hand on the back of the "Tower" Bunny's chair, Marco had watched the icons as they moved across the screen. He could see the path projectors and how they matched up with the projected flight plan from their flight's Honcho, his new CO apparently. They were moving in a bee-line. Nothing out of SOP for a search-and-rescue mission. It wasn't until they officially made contact with the enemy that he find himself closing his eyes and - focusing. One ear uncovered in case he was needed or addressed, the other covered. Meanwhile he envisioned himself there in the pilot's seat, picturing what he would do crossed with what it was that the pilots out surfing the Black were actually doing. It was something his instructors seemed to notice he had a talent for right after flying.

After the fight had ended, he'd returned his spare headset to the Bridge Bunny, and had finally made his way to the hangar. He did quick estimations and knew that he'd be there before the honcho and her wings would be touching down. If only with just enough time to maybe meet the flight crew and look reasonably presentable and relaxed by the time his new commander arrived. When his nose was assailed with the scent of oil and leaked fuel, he felt more at home than he ever could among the Bridge Bunnies. Part of him pitied his higher superiors who were stuck piloting desks. As much as it would mean better pay and his having proved himself to his superiors, part of the Nepleslian pilot didn't look forward to promotions to come in the future.

Gunbreaker linked up with his ship as soon as he was in range, and ordered the door to open. Once inside, lights faded in while various Machines started up. He felt a soft, comforting wave of localized radiation wash over him as the equally pleasing voice of his semi-aware AI greeted him.
It was cramped, chaotic, and sometimes got very hot, but it was his home for years, and he loved it.
Having already completed his interview and receiving a room, the only things left to do was to get his things there, and find the bar she mentioned. With the carriers AI, however, he didn't anticipate it being a big issue.

After gathering a few bags of what he considered necessities, giving them to a pair of Junkers, and shoving a few more items into his pockets, Gunbreaker set out to find his room. A moment of playing around with the wireless links available to the crew yielded him a connection to the ships AI, allowing him to be guided to his room fairly easily. Once actually in it, however, he was much less than impressed.
The area, while much less cluttered than on his ship, was small. Smaller even than the room he built out of the little cargo hold in his Phantasm. The little micro-Junkers quickly set to work all the same, placing his bags at the foot of his new bed, then finding a corner to ball up in. After that, there was really little left to do, so he left to find the bar, letting the ships AI guide him.

Atsui thought for a moment before responding to Alec.

"Technically the assignment of Call Signs is the prerogative of the commander of the squadron. That would be Tamahagane Akemi-Juni. But I think I will recommend to her to keep it the same. A Wild Card is unpredictable. After watching your performance on this mission, I would say that you are aptly named. "

The two Kawarime flew silently through the dark on their way back to the Heitan. As they approached it was apparent that flight operations were wrapping up in this area. Once they were on board they would fold back to the pick up coordinates for the rest of the Diamonds.

Once back in the hangar. Atsui cracked the canopy open and powered her fighter down to maintenance mode. She watched the activity of recovery going on. It felt strange to no long be actively involved in this frenetic activity. "Wild Card, it was interesting having you out there. I hope to see good reports in the future." she sent.

Once her fighter was back in its spot she climbed out and made her way out of the hangar.

Folks in this thread once back on the Heitan should go to
[Mission 8.2] Of bluffs and calls

Alec felt a rush of pride and excitement wash over him. It felt like for the first time that day he was on the right track. He followed Atsui in silence as they zipped through space towards the Heitan. For the second time that day he was able to get a good view of the ship. His feelings for it actually stronger as he really started to let the feelings of 'this is my home' settle in.

Flying in from different directions, Alec saw that the Diamonds wasn't the only squadron coming back from completed missions as multiple Kawarime squadrons began their landing cycles. Following Atsui, they waited their turn till they were given landing clearance. Once cleared to go they entered into Alpha Deck, the bright lights of the hangar a stark contrast to the darkness of space. Alec's vision cleared quickly enough allowing him to see the deck crews immediately setting about attending to their crafts. As he looked around it didn't take him long to spot Hibiyashi-Heisho barking out orders and directing the different crews. Alec smiled to himself thinking that she seemed nice enough but was distinctly glad he wasn't out there working.

While waiting for the his Kawarime's maintenance cycle to be done he noticed he received a message from Atsui. Reading the message he suddenly felt panicked, he was hoping to talk to her more. Looking around he spotted her already leaving the hanger deck. With a slight twinge of disappointment he thought about how to respond. Deciding just to go with it like he had with everything else that day he replied back.

"Thank you Solitaire, it was an experience flying with you as well. Hopefully I can come by sometime and 'save' you from that paper work. After all as you know Kawarimes need lots of inspections and tests. It's probably best if the CO looks over the craft and makes sure everything is on working order for the squadrons."

He hoped he dropped the hint of wanting to fly with her again soon heavily enough. He looked up in time to see Sekai coming over and inspecting his V8. Smiling he popped the canopy and leaned over the side looking at her.

"So what do you think Chief? I brought her back in one piece."

Sekai looked at Alec, and then back to the Kawarime noting the battle damage along the surface and the systems. "Really flyboy, you call that one piece your fighter has at least a dozen hull piercings, and other damage. That is not what I call one piece, but you came back alive and she will be easily repaired. Looking at your tail section I would say that someone tried to take out your engines. I've seen worse though. Seeing as Solitare did not come over here to chew you out. I guess she is satisfied. Go clean up and grab some food."

Alec let a mocking frown cross his face as he replied to Sekai.

"Geez Chief I come back from my first mission ever and you can't even act more happy to see me."

Alec unstrapped his cockpit harness and climbed down the boarding ladder. He continued to talk as he came down, making a verbal impression of Sekai for the appropriate lines of his dialogue.

"Wyrick-Hei how did your mission go? Oh it went fine thanks for asking. Are you okay Wyrick-Hei? I know it was your first time out there. Yeah I'm fine Chief, thanks for your concern though."

Alec finished descending and came to stand next to Sekai, looking at her and then his ship. While standing next to her, Alec put his arm around Sekai as he looked back at his Kawarime.

"I know what you are thinking. You are wondering how you can make it up to me. Well you did say go grab some food, so how about you join me? Every meal is better with company. And secondly you can fix my baby."

Alec's tone became more excited as he continued talking.

"Oh that got me thinking by the way. My Kawarime is different then other Kawarimes. The same way one person is different from all other people. So I don't want to refer to her as 'V8' or 'Kawarime' any more. That's like going up to me and referring to me as 'Nepleslian' or to you as 'Neko'. So I have given it a lot of thought. I figured she should have a Yamataian name since she is a Yamataian craft. I'm thinking....Keiko. Doesn't that sound fitting? Keiko.... It's perfect, that will be her name. So if you could fix up Keiko that would great. And speaking of names....."

A;ec turned to look at Sekai with a wry smile.

"Mine is Wild Card."

He nodded his head in the direction that Atsui went as he continued.

"I noticed you refer to Numa-Shosa by her call sign. Mine is Wild Card."

Sekai watched the strumpet little popinjay go through his his monologue. Once he was finished, she walked up to him.

"Stand At Attention, Wyrick-Santo-Hei." she said in a voice loud enough to be heard over the activity in the hangar.

Then in a lower voice. "First when you address me, you better end every sentence with either Chief, Jôtô Heisho, or Heisho. Second no rookie pilot tells me what to do, ever.

You want to call 35-0193 Keiko, that is your business. But to me and my technicians its just just a V8-2b 35-0193.

I'm not here to nurse maid you. Given that the Shosa did not call for a medical team; meant you were not injured. Bringing your Kawarime shot up, means that while your day is ending. My team and I have hours of work to do, that is my priority. So you will just have to find yourself someone else for dinner company.

Your name is Alec Wyrick, your call sign is Wild Card. I refer to the Shosa by her callsign out of respect, and because she told me she preferred for me to call her by it. As for the rest of the pilots, I only use their call sign when they've earned my respect.

I tell you what Santo-Hei; you bring 35-0193 back in one piece, I will not only have a dinner with you. I will pay for it.

For now, take yourself out of my sight before I have a long chat with Numa-Shosa about how you talk to superiors."

Alec snapped to attention like a new cadet as soon as Sekai called him to it. He began to take her berating and just stood there, giving the thousand yard stare and not saying a word. He knew he had misread the situation and made a mistake as soon as she started talking. When she was done Alec replied with a "Yes Chief!" smartly and took his dismissal in stride. The last thing he wanted was to get into any more trouble on his first day. Pivoting, Alec made an exit from the area and only let himself slightly relax again when he was out of the hanger bay. Thinking to himself that that situation didn't go at all how he had planned he deduced he still had a lot to learn about life in the fleet.