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Post by Holms Net on Jun 24, 2005 17:41:12 GMT -5
As we exited the breifing room, I tried to find my fellow lancemates. Two Legionnaires who had never been on an op with us, and Lt. Commander Garland, our lance leader. The two new-comers were already out of the room heading towards the Cafeteria and their rooms. The Commander stayed back and talked with Captain Maxwell.
I had went straight to the cafeteria with another new-comer, but a friend of mine from previous years, Alex. The food here smelled and tasted better than I had been used to from Tau Ceti, or at least it seemed to be. It could of possibly been the fact we had very little to eat besides the food on the Jumpship coming back from our Op. I glanced over at Alex, who took a bite into the food. He gave a slight wince as if he was tasting something sour. I let out a quick chuckle.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
He let out a quick smirk and nodded as he gulped down the water trying to rinse the taste out.
By the time we were done, a half hour had already past. I decided to head over to my quarters to get suited up for the Op. I had set up my equipment prior to the briefing in case I was a bit late getting back from the cafeteria, but I had actually gotten done early, with even enough time to take a quick shower. After washing off, I got on my gear and went down to the Hanger to check out my old Raven. With ten minutes left, I would have time to run through an advanced systems check, getting her ready for anything that we might encounter during the Op. Like the Captain had said, it would always be good to be prepared in any case.
As I started to climb up into my Raven, I noticed the newly installed jump jets. They would come in handy if the weak legs got hit to the point where my 'mech was limping. It didn't take long to finish with the systems check, but I had nothing else to do prior to the mission op. I still had a good 5 minutes left, so I decided to meet up with the rest of my lance and get get prepared for our newest op.
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Jun 24, 2005 17:46:01 GMT -5
With the meeting finished I could now go and prepare myself for the task ahead. Even though I knew deep down this was just going to be a simple mission with low risk. Perhaps I WAS under thinking all the possible angles of this task, however I knew deep down our instinct would pull us together. The lights re-illuminated the briefing area just as myself and others began to leave the room. I pushed the double doors open that led into a hallway that was having the finishing touches done to it, most notably a large oak emblem that contained a list of all the members of the Legionnaires, past and present. I took the time to read the pristine piece of work, taking note of Schuster’s and Mamba’s names being hand painted onto the wooden shield. I watched the old man, who looked roughly 60 years old, carefully inscribe my new comrades name’s onto the wooden surface for all eternity. Such skill and patients needed for such a task… much like that of learning to wield a katana. This scene reminded me of something that had happened to me as a child. Back in a time of peace and prosperity for the Kitnaru village.
My mind cast back many years ago, to the Kintaru village where I first picked up my “Ryu” katana. I remember the sense of pride I felt; this was the first step to becoming an adult in the Kintaru family circle. I had been envious of my two older brothers, Saburo and Kinichi, as they had owned their katana for over 3 years. Finally, months of training had paid off. Although heavy at first feel, “Ryu” was certainly no push over. The blade had been sharpened to such an extent not much could stop its destructive path. However, with this sense of destruction came high responsibilities, and through that, peace would ultimately be achieved through vigorous training. After receiving my katana my name was also inscribed on a marble wall, registering that I WAS a true Kintaru.
My flashback was abruptly ended by a tap on the shoulder.
“I noticed you had avoided sitting next to us.” Mamba said quietly so that the calligrapher was not disturbed.
“… I was late.” I said, still admiring the old man’s work, as was Mamba.
“If I had guessed, it would of seemed as if you was avoiding us…” she said, with no unpleasantness or angry in her voice.
“I wouldn’t think about it too much Mamba. I’m apart of this family now and I would never turn my back on you guys.” I said as the calligrapher finished writing. His old frail body slowly stood up, his fragile bones snapping into place, as he made his way down the hallway for his complimentary 15 break.
“Looks like its official then.” Mamba said, still admiring the fine label work. I nodded in agreement.
“Lunch is coming up. Me and Nick are fetching something to eat. Care to join us?” she said, half turning towards the mess hall. My mind faded back to the marble wall back at the village…
“I’d love to.” I replied smiling. For some reason I felt like I could put the past behind me… I had a new family to protect and I felt right at home.
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on Jun 24, 2005 18:09:58 GMT -5
We walked into the mess hall, a huge, jet-black, marble-walled-and -chrome accented cafeteria with lots of soothing mood lighting, potted plants, holoscreens, and an abundance of round tables scattered across its floor space. Quite a few crew were already present, milling around buffet tables, waiting for their turn at a serving window, and generally enjoying themselves before the Op started.
Lieutenant Mamba and Corporal Kintaru queued up in line to pay for a buffet meal, while I opted for a ready-made dinner from the AutoVendor, a tall, shiny, black-and-chrome cylinder, covered in neon blue touchscreens, that sat near the entrance to the cafeteria. I walked up to it, and stuck my credit tube in its payment slot. The touchscreen lit up with a variety of meal choices, including steak and potatoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and Kung Pow chicken. I wasn't a very big eater, but I knew that the DropShip food was going to be unpalatable, so I figured I should live it up while I still could.
I mashed the button for the steak and potato dinner, and the machine started to rumble. A tray crashed down into the dispenser slot, followed moments later by a styrafom bowl. White, pasty goo, that looked more like grits than it did mashed potatoes sprayed out of a nozzle and into the bowl. A plate dropped onto the tray next, with a wet, bloody cut of meat splattering onto it a short while afterwards.
The sound of a blower turning on deep within the machine heralded the arrival of a pile of half-frozen mixed vegatables that landed with a 'thunk' next to the cut of meat. As a set of shrink-wrapped silverware and a paper napkin landed on top of the foody mess, a happy-sounding bell chimed, and a dancing smiley face appeared on the touchscreen to let me know that my meal was ready.
I wanted to cry.
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MechWarrior Alex Thorn
Regular
LEGIONNAIRES
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." - Winston Churchill
Posts: 176
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Post by MechWarrior Alex Thorn on Jun 24, 2005 18:41:30 GMT -5
I walked with Holms to the cafeteria to eat lunch. We talked some and caught up on each other since we had last seen each other. I tried the food and found that it had a sour taste to it. I gave a short chuckle as Holms explained that I would get used to it as I drank water to get rid of the taste.
After saying goodbye and good luck with the mission I headed to the 'Mech bay to check on my Belial.
The 'Mech was in top condition and after going through my checklist I was satisfied that it was ready for this OP. I then started towards the Liberty, hoping to catch Captain Maxwell to talk to him about being in his lance for this mission.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jun 24, 2005 18:55:43 GMT -5
Kintaru agreed to join Nick and I in the mess hall. We all went over to get a meal before starting our new Op. We all knew it would be awhile before we would get any decent food once we left on the Op. Nick wanted to try the new Auto Vendor. Kintaru and I went to the buffet tables. The food looked really good. The line was kind of slow moving so I watched Nick getting his meal as I waited my turn at the buffet.
Watching Nick standing there waiting for his food, I wondered how he had gotten mixed up with Ren and Wayne. Although I couldn't say much. I had been with Murlance. Suddenly Nicks face made a twisted kind of horrified look on it. Then he slid out his plate from the Auto Vendor. I couldn't really see at that distance what was wrong, but I could guess that the food he got didn't come out exactly as he had wanted.
It was my turn now, Kintaru had let me go first. The buffet table was enormous. Many choices to make. Everything from sliced beef to tuna was there, 3 kinds of potatoes, 3 kinds of pasta dishes, tons of things to make a salad a meal in itself. Then the desserts were pretty amazing considering this was more or less a military compound. Ben had spared no expense for the cooks apparently, which I said a silent blessing for him. I decided to pile two plates with as much as I could. I got some really funny looks. I kept remembering the look on Nicks face and I didn't want his last meal before the Op to be a bad one.
I was done making mountains of food on my two plates. I looked back at Kintaru, whom gave me a really odd look, I smiled real big.
Hungry??
Yep, see you at the table. I heard him laugh softly, then turn his attention on his food. Balancing the two huge plates of food, I walked over to where Nick was sitting. Putting the plates down on the tables, looking at Nicks plate I realized I was right about the food he had purchased from the Auto Vendor and was instantly glad I had gotten some extra food. That stuff from the machine didn't even look good enough for animal consumption. I smiled at him.
Look what I got for us Nick. The Buffet table is amazing, I couldn't resist. You must help me eat all of this. I don't know what got into me.
I laughed. He looked up at me, seeing the plates of food, his face suddenly relaxed, a smile spreading across his face. He shoved the disgusting food to the side and dug in. I sat down and began enjoying my food as well. Kintaru joined us. We all sat in silence eating our food. Not having time for talk. Our Op would start in less then an hour.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 24, 2005 22:38:10 GMT -5
As I made my way to the Liberty, gear bag over my shoulder, crew and cargo manifest in my hand, and a new recruit at my side, MechWarrior Alex approached me. I nodded a greeting, and gestured for him to walk with us.
"Captain Maxwell, sir - do you have a moment?"
"Certainly, if you don't mind going for a walk. How may I help you?"
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Post by Wedge Lourde on Jun 26, 2005 3:53:49 GMT -5
After eating a quick meal, we headed towards the Mech Bay to gear up. My gaze switched to MechWarrior Alex, this being his first Op as a Legionnaires, who seemed ready. I could see why he was placed in Maxwell's squad. I wasn't trying to be rankist, but since this was his very first Op, Maxwell wanted to keep an eye on his fighting. I could see why. What I did know, though, was that after Maxwell and Alex's first simulant brawl, that Alex wasnt bad with the Guass cannon. My gaze returned to the Bay doors.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 26, 2005 9:33:06 GMT -5
Having finished my conversation with MechWarrior Alex, I boarded the Liberty, en route to the bridge. The Union-class DropShip was much larger than the Thorin, and far more modern, and I chuckled at the ironic situation Murlance had created by equipping the very mercenaries who took him down with the tools needed to ensure their future, which had been far less certain before his involvement.
I stepped into a waiting lift, and pressed the touch-button for the command deck. The lift gave a surge of power, and began its ascent.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jun 26, 2005 13:54:49 GMT -5
After leaving the mess hall, Kintaru, Nick, and myself went to our separate quarters. After a much needed shower, I got dressed into my new Legionnaires uniform, inspected myself in the full length mirror on the inside of my closet door. I smiled at my reflection. I had wanted this for a long time and I was now finally part of the Legionnaires, a group I had highly respected for many years, things were definitely looking up for me. I gathered what I felt I needed for the Op, and headed for the door.
Leaving my quarters I walked along the halls quickly. Making my way to the Liberty, taking the lift to the ships crew quarters. Finally finding my assigned quarters, I settled in and awaited take off. As I waited my thoughts went to the other members. Just wondering how they were all feeling about now. I just knew that I was very happy to be here and would try to prove in every way I could to Captain Maxwell, and Captain Gunman that I was worth them signing me on to there unit. This was definitely a good day for me.
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Jun 26, 2005 14:00:33 GMT -5
I packed up the few belongings that were necessary for the up coming operation. Although I knew this would be an easy operation, I didn’t want to look the fool if we encountered enemy forces. With the last of my rations and weapons placed in my back pack, I made my way to our new ship the Liberty. The Liberty was truly a ship worthy of the Legionnaires. It was far more impressive than the Thorin, its capacity was at least double that of our previous ship and it had been fitted with technology that surpassed the aging Thorin. Yes, Murlance had indeed fitted us with not only an excellent base of operations, but a superb ship to go with it.
As I entered the magnificent carrier, a gentle chime greeted me, as did a couple crew members that were making their final approvals of the ship.
“Good afternoon Corporal. You’re a little early? Would you like me to escort you to your quarters?” said a friendly tech, while he was entering information onto his data pad, most likely to record that I had entered the Liberty.
“Don’t worry about it Johnston, I’ll show the Corporal to his quarters seeming as I going there anyways.” Schuster said behind me before I could answer the tech as he walked down the steel stairwell.
“Certainly Corporal Schuster, and thank you. I’m probably better off staying here to greet the rest of the team so that I can register them on the ships databases. This way I can guarantee the ships DNA recognising systems will be able to recognise everyone.”
replied Johnston, smiling away after just demonstrating his technical knowledge. Having only met this gentleman a couple times in Site 187, he always appeared cheerful and ready to show off his intelligence in this field. Johnston was certainly going to prove valuably to the team. However, as far as I could tell he would not be present on the ship during the mission. The irony was, although Johnston would constantly work on The Liberty, he was afraid of flying.
“Nick, glad to see you onboard.” I said as Nick finished walking do the stairs. Nick smiled and pointed in the direction in front of him, indicating where we were heading. We made our way down the hallway, exclaiming how excellent the ship was and how accommodating it seemed. The Liberty had an excellent lay out, everything was easy to navigate around with highly detailed holo-maps dotted around that area. Nick showed me to my cabin and entered his own using thumb print recogniser to unlock his door. The cabin rooms, though small, were on par with the excellent quality that followed the rest of the ship. I laid my belongings on the bed opposite the door and sat along side them.
If we’re going to go into a battle, might as well go in style I thought to myself, chuckling.
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Post by Commander Garrett Garland on Jun 26, 2005 16:07:37 GMT -5
The Liberty loomed before me, it’s mammoth silhouette blocking out the sun above. Yeoman Hobson must truly be a talented pilot indeed, for landing in a vertical aero-bay was not child’s play. As I began my walk up the ramp, along side that of an automated cargo loader, I noticed someone else had entered the bay.
“Forester? What are you doing here? I didn’t see your name on this OP’s roster,” I asked perplexedly.
As Forester approached he responded in his usual jovial manner, “Well, sir, ummm—I’m aerospace certified.” He finished with a grin.
I found that hard to believe, considering how nervous he was the last time I saw him. Regardless, his skills could come in useful for it seemed that the Legionnaires’ AeroTech well was running a little dry. For now, I considered Forester ‘able to fly aerospace fighters’ but not an ‘aerospace pilot’—he just lacked the mentality. I doubted that he’d ever even engaged an enemy before, but hopefully we’d only need the fighters for reconnaissance purposes; having three ships out there would make the search go that much quicker, even with the fighters less sophisticated sensors.
“Well, good luck Forester. You are a man of many talents.”
After finished speaking with Forester we entered the ship together, our paths diverging down the corridors. I dropped my bag off in my room and headed to the ship’s bridge, I didn’t want to miss the launch. I proceeded to a lift, pressing a request button adding my floor to the lift’s queue. To my surprise, the lift doors opened revealing Captain Maxwell on his way to the bridge.
I stepped into the lift, nodding my head, “Captain.”
“Lieutenant Commander.” He returned the informal formality. I always felt these long turbo-lift rides to be slightly awkward so I decided to break the silence.
“How has your new ‘mech been treating you, sir?”
“Very well—the LBX-10 packs quite a punch. Have you named your ‘mech yet?
“No sir, I’m going to let it name itself…” The Captain chuckled.“Ha, not like that. I mean, I want it to earn its name—we’ll see if it does after this mission.”
The lift’s doors opened, revealing the bridge. Yeoman Hobson was already at the con, prepping the ship for launch. His fingers flew across the console, running several diagnostic checks simultaneously, checking weather patterns to ensure the safest exit trajectory, and constantly updating the time estimates to docking with the jumpship.
“Well Garland, we’ve got quite a day ahead of us don’t we?”
“Indeed we do sir, indeed.”
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 26, 2005 19:22:49 GMT -5
The bridge was, as always, a flurry of pre-launch activity. As I stepped from the lift, becoming enveloped in the near-tangible energy that radiated from the stations around me, I marveled at the incredible sophistication and cutting-edge appointments of the Liberty's nerve center. Twice the size of the Thorin's command center, and far more modern, I was awestruck by the notion that this was now ours.
"Captain on the bridge!" Yeoman Hobson announced, noticing me and leaping from his chair to stand at attention. I returned his salute.
"At ease, Yeoman. It's good to see you back in action." I nodded to Machia. "And you as well."
Hobson and Machia smiled, and, along with the rest of the bridge crew, returned to their stations. I stepped down to the captain's chair, and stood beside it.
"Hobson - what's our status?"
"Ready as we'll ever be, Captain. 'Mech bay reports ready - vehicle assets are aboard, and all crew have reported in. Our fusion drives are hot - we can dust off at your command."
I looked to Lieutenant Commander Garland.
"Commander Garland - care to give the word?"
Garland moved from the rear of the bridge to stand beside me. Glancing at the main screen, which displayed a brief overview of the DropShip's status and its projected course, as well as an external, forward-looking view of a spectacular, crystal-blue sky as seen from the below-ground landing bay, Garland seemed to pause for a moment, as though taking in all the information being shown. Then, taking a breath, he spoke.
"Yeoman Hobson, advise all stations to rig for departure. Once everyone's reported in - take us up."
"Aye, Commander. All stations show green. Launching in five...four...three...two...one."
A deafening roar engulfed the Liberty's landing bay, as four massive plumes of ultra-blue fire erupted from the DropShip's drives. Billows of smoke rolled outward from the center of the vessel's landing pad as the leviathan vessel slowly lifted from its cradle, retracting its quad landing gear as it picked up speed, sliding into the afternoon sun that played across Sheratan's jungles. As the ship arced higher, the sun glinting off its metallic hull, a trio of AeroTech fighters flying the flag of the planetary militia intercepted it, assuming a sphere formation around the Liberty to escort it to the jump point.
Its maiden voyage had begun![/i]
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on Jun 26, 2005 19:40:48 GMT -5
The dropship shuddered as a roar reverberated throughout its decks. With a huge lurch, the ship lifted off, and the base disappeared into the clouds below us, the sky turning deep shades of indigo, royal blue, and finally, fading to black, as our velocity carried us beyond Sheratan's atmosphere. I gazed out the viewport of the crew lounge, mesmerized, as Lieutenant Mamba peering over my shoulder.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" she mused.
I had seen many planets from orbit before, and had gone through countless take-offs, but somehow...this was different. This was one of the few planets that actually felt like home.
"Yes...it is."
I hoped I would get to come back home to this world after the mission was over.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jun 26, 2005 22:12:11 GMT -5
I had drifted over to the crews lounge. Nick was there. He was sitting by a port view looking out over the vast beauty of our new home below us as we flew away en route to our next Op. Putting my hand gently a top his shoulder I peeked over his shoulder out the window.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes...it is." He said wistfully. Almost if he might be seeing it for the last time.
I sat in the chair next to Nick. I became lost in my own thoughts. It seemed a little strange to be on this ship without Murlance and me somewhere other then the Commanders chair. It didn't matter to me though. I was just very happy to be here and be part of the Legionnaires finally. I would have started at any level they gave me, the important thing was I was a LEGIONNAIRE. A smile spread across my face, happiness filled my thoughts. So deep in my thoughts I almost didn't see Kintaru walk into the lounge. After the initial launch we could walk about normally. I smiled over at him, he smiled back. He walked over, sitting in front of Nick and I.
Hi Kintaru, how are things going with you? Did you get settled in your quarters here ok?
Hi Mamba, things are good, and yes I did. What's Schuster looking at?
Oh, he was looking at the planet as we flew away, Probably wondering like we all do sometimes if we will return.
We both looked in Schusters direction, our gazes looking out the port view. Staring out into the vast blackness of the universe, dotted with spectacular blinking lights. It was very beautiful, but could be very dangerous, and lonely.
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Post by Lance Commander Marcus Taylor on Jun 27, 2005 0:24:18 GMT -5
I sat in my quarters as the JumpShip made it's way across the vastness of space. I pounded out pushups and bicycle crunches with a fierceness and discipline that few achieve.
46...47...48...49...50
I did a couple of cooldown stretches and walked back to my mech. I climbed into the cockpit and decided to take a catnap.
Before I did so, I put on a small media file that played classical music as I drifted off to sleep.
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