ON: The Danny-Boy
Without much warning, with everyone on, other then the one minute warning, the until transport would suddenly shake gentle. Similar to a low strength Earth quake, really, and it only happened for a few seconds before it all went still again. They were off.
Over the ship wide intercomm, the female voice spoke again as the speakers crackled to life, "ETA: About twelve sec- ... Make that twenty, we missed out approach."
Rose returned from the washroom just in time, returning to hug her bag against her chest. Pensively waiting for the ship to set down. "Thought we'd never get off this tub for a little bit there." She said sourly, closing her eyes. Letting the vibrations pass over her. "I don't think I need leave again for..fuck another year."
Fay smirked as Rose said this. He replied promptly, "Well, hopefully, your next shore leave with us will be a bit... brighter." He smiled, hoping that his words would come true. His datapad beeped from within his medical bag at his waist. Searching through the bag with his left hand, he retrieved said datapad, quickly read the message, and then put the pad back into his bag. A look of amusement showed on his face, but he didn't say anything.
Kagura relaxed where she was and yawned some, leaning back against the chair she was sitting in. "hmm I hope it isn't as chaotic as the Alliance was.."
Meanwhile aboard the Nerkat, Tamara stood boredly in the Mess Hall, waiting for the marines to arrive. She glanced over to her XO, who she took with her from the bridge the moment the woman arrived, and then looked over to the ship's avatar, "Kat... Go meet the marines at the Airlock and lead them over here." She spoke crisply.
Who's the bitch-ass grabbing my shoulder? Is Chief Rui gonna have to choke a bitch? Such fratricidal thoughts ran through the chief's head at feeling some unknown person's hand grabbing his shoulder. Whirling around to meet Adrian, he simply gave him a nod and quickly stashed the schnapps into his bag. "Thanks, Staff Sergeant." Ran, disregarding his earlier attempts to hide his booze, immediately pulled the bottle out and had a few quick swigs, before loading up several pieces of gum in his mouth. Hearing Autumn address him and Adrian, Ran somewhat grimly leaned against the wall. "No, we were a bit buisy for the whole fucking shore leave." He then gave Adrian a look that sort of said You didn't fucking tell ANYONE?
"I'd rather take leave with spacers." Rose said derisively, fishing in her bag for her personal datapad. "First thing's first." She remembered what had happened, and it would stay with her for a while. "What was it like before?" She asked Kagura, fidgeting with the pad idly. How long could it take to dock one transport?
Adrian simply stared back blanky at the Chief for several seconds, wondering what was up with the look he was getting. "... What?"
"...What? Nothing." Ran coughed akwardly, looking away from the medic.
"Bunch of stupid marines puttering around doing nothing til Kennewes." Kagura said, leaning forward, the tattoo still a little tender. She smirked at Rose to show she was picking fun on the others.
"... Something wrong with the Schnapps?" Asked Adrian.
Fay frowned at Kagura. He had not been aboard the Alliance for Kennewes, but he had been aboard before then. The medic decided to not say anything about it and just let her rant jokingly.
The Nerkat's avatar nodded. "Yes Captain." The physical representation left the Mess Hall, wandered through the halls of the ship, before coming to a halt at the airlock where the ship would dock and the marines would come aboard. She waited calmly for the incoming marines.
"No, no, nothing. Thanks for getting them for me." Ran sighed, feeling the warmth of the liquor settle into his stomach for a while. "What'd you get?"
Gran yawned and stretched in his seat. he had been dozing on and off, and the rocking of the ship awoke him. It didn't worry him, he was used to it by now. He was a little sad to see the shore leave come to an end, but no matter: he was finally getting back to his job, protecting his fellow people's from whatever threat they might face.
"Drugs, of course," Replied Adrian, pulling a mid-sized black plastic baggie from his pocket before stuffing it back in. "Great stuff. Thanks, by the way."
"You're welcome. Please do not fucking take that stuff after a fight." Ran figured that the very, absolute-fucking-ly last thing he needed in the world was a Medic hopped up on stimulants trying to sew his testicles back on.
Kagura heard Adrian's voice and shot him a poisonous glare for a moment and hissed a bit and leaned a bit on Rose.
"Same thing we're worth." Rose replied sardonically, tapping her foot anxiously on the deck. "What's took'em?" She got up and went towards the airlock, watching the door. Willing it to open faster. Openopenopenopenopenopenopen.
Once again the speakers crackled to life, "Alright, we are now docking. Air lock is on the right. Good luck, Gentlemen and ladies." Came the female voice, speaking softly in the end. The ship once again shook a little and the sudden hiss of a airlock openning (Two) would be heard.
"'Kay." Adrian didn't notice Kagura, and instead proceeded to a random seat before producing several rolling papers and the black baggie once more.
"Nnn..." Gyles roused himself from his slumber, having quite peacefully slept through the entire trip. He pulled his head up, and glacing at the nearest marines, in this case Fay, Kagura and Rose, and groaned a little sleepily. "Jezz... so what'd I miss?"
Kagura ran a hand through her tri-highlighted black ahir and stretched some, hearing the airlocks opening. "I suppose that'd be our "get the fuck off" sign." she chuckled.
Fay nodded silently. Hopefully, his services will not be necessary anytime soon... but they always are... He walked after Rose, wondering what could be going through her mind as she watched the door intently.
"Yes, it fucking is." Ran responded to Kagura, not essentially caring if he'd get a reaction out of her. He sat on his duffel bag, somewhat unconcerned wether or not they'd have to haul ass off of the ship. The rather irritating tapping of a foot against a door assaulted his poor ears, and Ran looked towards Rose, wondering "What the fuck is her problem?"
"The Nerkat. So it's another ship, and another shot at getting shot up. Fun." Gyles answered, a little bewildered, standing up and grabbing his duffel bag. He tagged along behind Rose and Fay, figuring he'd luck out and get a top bunk this time if he was up front.
"Ran, for once, can't you please be nice." Kagura asked as she walked over and got right in his face, staring wt him with one red and one blue eye. "She's always been like that." she said after backing off for a bit and went to join Rose and took her arm gently. "relax."
Adrian had finished only two joints by the time the said 'GTFO' sign had come up, prompting a curse, and his arm sweeping the various materials off into his bag, which he closed up and slung before standing.
Ran sorta stared blanky at Kagura once she got in his face, and when she backed off, he simply shrugged and took another swig of schnapps. Not a few seconds later did the silly 'GTFO' sign come up, causing Ran to also join Adrian in a cursing match, putting his alcohol away and heading through the door.
Rose's foot stopped and she blinked twice, exhaling hard. "What? Yeah no. No..I'm okay." The medic replied, her other hand gripped tighter around the bag. She waited to be ordered through, or called and deferred to the touch on her arm. There was still a lot for her to do.
Gran stood up and yawned again. He walked slowly towards the airlock. He was a little out of it, having slept quite a bit. He gave a sleepy wave to a few of the people he noticed: Kagura, Gyles, and a few others. He walked to the airlock and waited to board his new home.
Kat shuffled through the data files of the marines about to board as she curiously watched the door. There were some interesting characters coming. The door open now, she greeted the marines. "Welcome aboard the Nerkat."
Adrian stepped out the airlock with a yawn, looking around the new ship, and then to the AI. "Oi, hello, and other such things. Staff Sergeant Adrian Decane and such, medical officer. Where's the medbay?"
Esther took another sip of coffee, adjusted her uniform and sighed. So they were here. Marines. Not quite as bad as mercenaries, but probably a helluva lot hornier, since release was ever so infrequent with these types, while already being peeped on by the current crew did little to ease those notions. She fussed with her datapad, watching in on Kat's encounter with the crewmen and glanced over at Tamara. "Well... they're already on the ship."
"I have been asked to escort you all to the Mess Hall first by the captain. There will be time for that later. Please, come this way," Kat said, turning and heading back toward where she had come from.
"Meh." Adrian replied before following the avatar down the hall.
Fay slipped past Adrian, also wondering where the medbay was, but he chose to not badger the poor AI about such trivial things. He had downloaded the Nerkat's data onto his datapad. However, when he heard the AI's explanation. He silently followed her, not wanting to keep the captain waiting.
Rose walked straight to what she recognized as the AI, bringing her report into her free hand. "I need to see the CO." The sooner it was in their hands the better. She followed her as she waited for an answer, a grim and serious expression on her face.
Tamara nodded a little, the albino woman streching her arms up into the air for a brief moment before dropping them, "Best make sure you're presentable, then." She kicked her feet a little at the ground, watching the door to the hall and where the marines would enter.
The AI has a nice ass... Ran thought to himself watching that particular region of the AI while following her down the halls.
"Hmm... Drei OS... in a Yorna body, NAM make, of course." Gyles mumbled to himself, as his visor made quick, passive scans of the AI. Nothing detectable, like mono eyes, but his leering might be noticed. Though, Ran's more obvious stares would likely draw attention away from the tech sentry.
Kagura walked in quietly, just looking around idly as she held her bag over her shoulder with her artificial arm. "Ran stop staring, pig." she scowled darkly at him. "It's why you get no serious play."
"We will be meeting the Captain in the Mess Hall," the AI replied to Rose.
Ran shot a quick, rather annoyed glance at Kagura. "Did I ask you why I don't have sex with anyone but hookers? I don't think I did, Private."
"Private first class." Kagura snarled at him.
"Play nice, kids." Adrian called out over his shoulder to the two bickering marines. "I don't want to have to glue you back together."
"Stay out of it druggie." Kagura retorted.
Fay mentally sighed as he remembered why he had taken a long break from all of this.
"Can it, Private," Adrian replied, cherishing his superior rank.
"Least I'll find medbay if they take each other out before we get to briefing.." Rose narrowed her eyes at Adrian. How much longer would he be able to lord that stripe over everyone after command was aware of his gross negligence? That, among other things.
"I don't like you, nor do I trust you Adrian. I blame you for what happened in Los Apagos." Kagura said and crossed her arms.
"Okay, my mistake. Private First Class. I didn't know that the upper rungs of enlisted ranks were entitled to show insubordination to a WO." Ran half hated the fact that he was treating the enlisted ranks that he once cherished in the same matter an officer would. But as a warrant officer, it wasn't a huge priority anymore of his to be anyone's buddy.
"Hmm..." Gyles sighed, and raised his music to block out the bickering. The faint thump of fast-paced trance music could be heard emenating from the marine's headset.
Gran followed the savtech led crowd. He didn't have anything on his mind, nothing important to think about. He adjusted his bag on his shoulder and continued walking. The sooner he got to the meeting, the sooner he could get situated. The brewing argument between a few of the marines was getting on his nerves a little, but he ignored.
The avatar arrived at the Mess Hall, marines in tow. "Reporting Captain Novikov."
"You don't need to like or trust me. And, my fault or not, you were given an order. According to that whole chain of command thing, that means you need to follow it. Now play nice, we're at the mess hall. If you really want to get into some shit with me, save it for later." Adrian stepped into the mess hall and stood at attention, flashing a salute to the CO and XO.
Kagura sighed, sinking back into the back of the crowd, not wanting to be apart of this right now.
Tamara made a face for a moment as the marines made there way in, although quickly switched it to a stone neutral expression and placing her hands behind her back.
After a glance at the captain and XO, Fay turned to Kagura and whispered, "Are you going to be okay?" He was a little worried about her, so he had to ask.
Rose stepped inside, and promptly went for the captain, saluting crisply and holding out the report. "Private Second Class Dream, Rose. This couldn't wait." The report had utilized all of her skills through medical school for formal writing, and detailed every single failing that Adrian had been a part of that evening, including a judgment on his character, ability to lead, and gross negligence that had not only traumatized someone under his irresponsible command, let alone absolutely repugnant disregard or applied knowledge towards medical concerns. She held her salute, and waited at attention.
Kagura nodded to him. "I just wannabe left alone..." she said in an unhappy expression. "All those meatheads are jerks.'
Ran chewed a bit on his nicotine gum, as a conditioned response to whenever shit was starting to go down. Not wasting any time to salute the CO and XO of the ship, his eyes were drawn to Rose, and to the pieces of paper that she had in her hands. "...Wonder what the fuck that is. Any idea, Adrian? You see a whole lot of paperwork as a medic, right?"
Tamara looked at the report briefly before setting it on the table, standing up even straighter than she already was and barked out, "Line up, Shoulder to shoulder NOW!" She gave them a cold expression.
"I'm sorry..." he replied. What else could he say? What could he do that'd help her smile again? A little disheartened, he heard the captain's orders. He formed up, kind of unsure where the line exactly was.
Being barked at by the CO, Ran immediately tucked the chewing gum under his tongue. "Yes, ma'am..." He said in a half groan, Another fucking officer he bitterly thought, as he lined up.
"Here we go..." Esther sighed, first glancing at the report, before turning her attention to the Captain.
"No idea, mate. Maybe she's with the IPG or has some weird illness or somethin- shit." Adrian dropped his salute and stood straight, next to Ran. "Looks like something bad, though," he murmered.
Dream exhaled and hurried over into her place, that would do she hoped. In ranks she thought about what she would do if nothing happened. She gave her undivided attention to their commanding officer, showing she knew discipline for all her failings.
Kagura formed up with them, still looking like a punk with her black hair streaked and highlighted with electric blue, neon green and red bangs. If you were to look her right in the eye one would see veiled pain, shame, and depression in them.
Gyles silently fell in line with Ran and Rose, as dajusted his visor for a moment. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it, save for the music that was probably just a little too loud. He wasn't in the mood to get yelled at for amusing himself by a haughty albino officer.
Kat moved away from the formed up men and women to stand beside the CO. She had about as much idea what was happening as the marines. But, with the reaction to the paper, and the records of some marines, it definitly wasn't anything good.
Tamara eyed the marines before giving a quick smirk. Killing machines at her power... It was a lovely feeling. The smirk was dropped as she spoke cooly, not yelling but still audible, motioning Kat to stand by her as she spoke, "I am this ship's Captain, Tamara Novikov." She motioned over to the XO for her to speak her own part.
Esther's expression was somewhat more welcoming, but hinted at a level of premature world-weariness. She wasn't particularly fond of the CO's little power trip, as the former merchant had too much business sense to play games with the people she was working with. "And I'm the Executive Officer, Esther Belmonte." Having reviewed the personnel files for this crew, she knew that a few of them might even know her sister, Mireille. But that would be for another time.
Adrian leaned slightly to Ran, whispering something into his ear. And it went a little something like "AH! THE MOTHERLAND!" Of course, he kept it quiet, not wanting to draw attention.
Ran's eyes widened a bit, and when he looked to the side at Adrian, he would get a very What the fuck, man? type expression thrown at him. Other than that, there was little to say. The CO and XO were here, introducing themselves. It wasn't like they cared about any of them.
Belmonte? Like that Intel Officer back on the Alliance? I guess... if you ignore the eyes and hair... you can sorta see it. Gyles thought to himself quietly, studying the officer extensively from behind the shaded lens of his visor.
Adrian shot Ran a sideways glance, and gave him another whisper. "Face front, damn it."
"...Jackass." He whispered, facing front at the medic's discretion.
Kagura stayed at attention, listening to what was going on but her eyes were downcast as she thought about it al.
Rose did little save for glance to the officers as they introduced herself, keeping still which she was normally not known for. She didn't care if they sent her to kill, just if they would carry out discipline sooner, rather than the presence in their unit that threatened more than cohesion if things went unpunished.
Fay looked at either officer, not really sure what to expect. The medic stifled a yawn as he waited for them to get down to business so he could get to work.
Tamara eyed the marines again for a moment, already off her short term little power trip. More like a shepard of a flock of goats. Angry goats with spikes, but goats none the less. "We are ordered to, in a half hour, to go to the Kennewes system. We are to prepare for combat. You may set yourself into squads or however to wish to settle yourselves on your own, you have your chief ranker. Briefing will be shortly after we enter the Kennewes system. Until then, I don't know your personal mission. Or the Nerkat's, for that matter." She spoke calmly still.
"Ma'am. Do we have a platoon leader to go planet side with us, then?" Ran didn't see many scars on this woman. And he wished to test her knowledge of the basic formations, that two or more squads generally meant that they would have to be coordinated by a platoon leader. "Last time I checked on the roster, Chief McCain and I are ranked the same."
"Kennewes. Again?" Kagura blinked up at the CO. "Are we gonna have to go swimming in PA's again?"
"Yeah, the new setup stiffed me," Ian piped up from down the line, the large Chief standing a good head over the two Nepleslians next to him.
Gamerofthegame: "I don't know. Play rock paper scissors over who gets to overall lead, I don't care." The albino woman gave a bit of a shrug before looking over to Kagura, "I doubt it. Orders were very specific on the word system instead of the word planet."
What kind of fucking CO doesn't know or care about who leads their marines? Ran thought to himself, then, looking down the line at McCain, pointed a finger at him.
Ian shrugged. "Alright. I can do it."
"Depending on the objectives, we may have to split you into two separate groups. So having you two may facilitate things." Esther added, glacing at the two highest ranking marines. Ran seemed alright, when he wasn't blasting killing intent at the CO, while the taller one, Ian was... tall.
"Well there you go then." Tamara spoke quickly, looking over to her XO, "Do you have anything else to add?" She also gave the woman a face of 'Is there anything else to add?'. Not like either group had much to say, they were in completely different domains.
Adrian leaned to Ran again. "Well, that was weird, and still doesn't answer that folder thing..." The medic looked a little confused.
"I've taken the liberty of uploading a map of the Nerkat to your datapads. Be sure to visit the bunks and drop off your bags before you suit up." Esther said, giving a quick nod to the marines. "As well... the Nerkat's armory and armor bays have been updated with some newer pieces of equipment. You should browse the catalogues and see how the newer gear might suit your needs. Hang around if you need anything but otherwise..." The XO took a sip of her coffee and set the green mug on the table behind her. "... Dismissed."
END'd