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Post by dj1678 on Dec 3, 2009 17:47:14 GMT -5
Aurem and Arieta were seated in a corner of the Gwydion's mess hall. The small boat that stored their mobile suits, if it could even be called a boat, didn't have much of a dining facility, so the two chose to eat with the crew on one of the battleships. The food wasn't great, but at least it was a cooked dinner.
It was kind of an odd sight. Arieta cheerfully chatting away, barely noticing her food, trying to get her silent partner to say something. Aurem contentedly ate his food, occasionally nodding or giving a one word answer, obviously amused at Arieta's efforts to get him to talk.
Arieta seemed to notice that no one else was sitting down at their table.
"Didn't you used to be a part of this fleet?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Don't you know any of the people here? What happened that you had to leave the fleet?"
Aurem quickly shoved a large roll in his mouth to avoid answering immediately and tried hard to come up with a way out of a lengthy explanation. Thinking was hard...
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Post by aleksei on Dec 3, 2009 18:20:20 GMT -5
Hirsch did not mind the mobile suit transport that had become his home for the past few days. However, he grew unnerved by Phuong's insistence to have his entire life on camera. After joining the newly formed 87th Integrated Fleet, Hirsch opted to spend time aboard the Gwydion - the same battleship that kept him up for days during the last siege.
There were many faces aboard the ship that Hirsch recognized, mainly personnel that reported to the former Himalaya flagship that was lost in Manila Bay. While they appeared responsive and battle ready, the crew of the Gwydion spoke very little as if traumatized by the fact that they were returning to the site where many of their comrades died.
"Tough crowd," whispered Hirsch under his breath as he walked down the seating aisles with his tray. He gave a few nods to some folks he recognized, but no response. Deciding where to sit was even more difficult.
Suddenly, he saw Aurem, a soldier Hirsch fought alongside the last time he was in Manila, "I know you! Yeah, I know you! Wait, what was your name again?"
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Post by dj1678 on Dec 3, 2009 18:36:22 GMT -5
Aurem heard a voice behind him just as he finished the roll. He turned in his seat and saw Hirsch apparently trying hard to remember his name. A tough feat considering Aurem had never actually mentioned his. Aurem did however remember Hirsch's name.
The benches were a little small, but could pretty easily accommodate two people on either side. Aurem had heard the rumors about Hirsch. He liked the guy alright, but decided he'd rather be sitting next to Arieta. Arieta blushed a little as Aurem moved over to sit next to her, but seemed pleased about it and said nothing.
"Aurem. Have a seat if you want Hirsch." Aurem said, politely motioning to his old seat. "And this is Arieta." He added quickly to avoid getting dirty looks from her.
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Post by aleksei on Dec 3, 2009 18:57:06 GMT -5
"You know my name? Great."
Approaching the next part of the conversation proved slightly more tricky - how do you talk to someone who would prefer not to to remember the past?
"What brings you back to the 87th?"
Hirsch looked over at Arieta with lustful eyes, "The tail?"
Social tact was certainly not part of Hirsch's vocabulary.
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Post by dj1678 on Dec 3, 2009 19:06:02 GMT -5
Arieta reached over the table and delivered a powerful slap to Hirsch's cheek with her right hand. She then sat back down in her seat with her arms crossed and proceeded to burn a hole in Hirsch's forehead with her glare. She wasn't speaking, which was extremely odd behavior for her.
"Same reason as you," Aurem responded, pushing a copy of his orders across the table for Hirsch to read. "...probably." He hoped it would distract Hirsch from Arieta and give them a chance to cool off.
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Advocate
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Post by Advocate on Dec 3, 2009 20:09:22 GMT -5
The Gwydion why do I have to come all the way here to pick up my orders?! What nerve the brass had, they couldn't just send him his orders on the Golden Platy... Actually this isn't so bad, at least you can swim away from a sinking ship. I just hope my orders don't involve my dropping out of a hanger bay at ten thousand meters...
--
I handed a copy of our orders to Ion, who for once was presentable. Well... She was in her usual disheveled state but at least she didn't smell like gym socks and motor oil.
"Here you go."
"Thank you, Sir."
I skimmed over the document, Thank God It didn't look like I would be doing any skydiving from one of those flying coffins today!
"You sure look relived Sir, but I don't think this will be a walk in the park."
"Who cares? It could be hell on Earth as long as I have my feet on the ground, I'm happy!"
Hearing that Ion just gave me a knowing smirk.
"HEY! Don't give me that! I know your just as happy to actually be able drive for once."
"Yeah I guess that will be nice."
With that off my mind I just realized what time of day it actually was...
"Say while were here we may as well partake of our host's hospitality. That is to say which way was the mess hall again?"
--
There seemed to be a solemn mood in the mess hall as Ion and I got our food.
"I heard this ship and Gilfaethwy were part of the last siege." I whispered to Ion.
"Yeah I guess everyone is remembering what happened last time, they must be itching for revenge."
"When I think about what happened to us at Dover and with the 42nd... I can understand."
I looked around for a place to sit when I noticed a pretty brunette girl slap a tall brown haired man.
"Ha those guys seem lively!" I exclaimed.
"To say the least."
I made my way towards their table in the corner and noticed there was another man there. He looked like a serious one. Putting my tray and report down on the table I introduced myself with a smile:
"Sergeant Cray Vermillion." then pointing my thumb over my shoulder at Ion: "And this cutie here is Private First Class Ion Bossa-Nova, quite the mouth full eh?"
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Post by dj1678 on Dec 3, 2009 20:54:07 GMT -5
Aurem stood hastily as the senior NCO introduced himself. Arieta was still trying to burn a hole through Hirsch, but quickly joined Aurem standing when she noticed a moment later.
"Private Aurem Senaiha," Aurem said pointing to himself. "And--"
"I'm Private Arieta Marius, nice to meet you sir and ma'am." Arieta said returning to her usual cheerfulness. She'd evidently figured out that Aurem didn't like talking much and had decided to take over for him. Or she just wanted a monopoly on talking to Aurem for herself. Aurem didn't know which.
Realizing that there were now five people trying to sit at a table designed to comfortably seat four large adults, Aurem began looking for a chair to stick at the end of the table. Or something anyway. He looked around and couldn't even find so much as sturdy looking box. Ordinarily he'd have just pulled two tables together, but the table next to them was occupied, and intimidation wasn't Aurem's specialty. Not really wanting to turn away a potential new set of friends, Aurem sat back down and pushed closer to Arieta trying to make room for a third person on their side. She blushed harder this time but evidently got the message and made as much room as she could.
"Would you like to join us?" Arieta offered politely, gesturing to the small open space on the other side of Aurem, and apparently sparing Aurem from talking again.
While still decidedly happy about being smashed next to a pretty girl, Aurem hoped that if anyone else decided to join them for dinner, they'd at least be intimidating enough to chase away enough people for a second table.
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Advocate
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Post by Advocate on Dec 3, 2009 21:51:36 GMT -5
Seeing the young lady blush as her friend scooted in close to her put a grin on my face.
Ah to be green again, I wasn't quite the cynic as Jim Irwin yet it seemed.
Grabbing her arm I gently moved Ion in the direction where our little love birds made room.
"Oh you won't have to sit so close little Ion here doesn't take up much room."
She gave me a flat look as she seated herself and thanked the two for making room. I just returned the look and took my place next to the tall guy who just got slapped. Looking him the eye, I said: "Sure is tense around here eh?" I made sure to add a wink for good measure.
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Post by aleksei on Dec 3, 2009 23:51:09 GMT -5
Everyone knew why they were there: the higher powers of the EFGF called for them to enact retribution on the Zeon for capturing their Mediterranean pearl. The five at the table had a very important role to play in the coming day. and still none dared talk about the future. Tomorrow could easily be their last.
Hirsch greeted everyone, then took a bite of his glorified spam and looked over Aurem's orders.
"Interesting. So you're the one who was in the GM Sniper last time. Now they got you on anti-airship duty. Don't sweat it, you got it easy. I have to make sure none of these battleships sinks because of those Zeek crabs. I'm expecting to do everything myself piloting the Federation's naval test unit and all. If only the Divers could actually do something useful..."
Hirsch took another bite, then remarked solemnly, "But Divers and I are kinda lucky - at least when you are underwater, no one can hear you scream when you die."
Not a word was said for at least a minute before Hirsch put one hand over the other and rotated his thumbs, "Hey, i'ts the awkward turtle!"
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Advocate
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Post by Advocate on Dec 4, 2009 0:31:01 GMT -5
Staring at Hirsch's hands as he rotated his thumbs breaking the tension of the awkward moment, I couldn't suppress a devilish grin.
"Can't hear you scream eh? I wouldn't say THAT'S the luckiest part. Tank combat? In an urban area? HA I expect the moment we get stuck in a pot hole, an enemy soldier with an RPG to appear and blow us to bits! If we're lucky..."
Yeah I could be morbid too, I suppose it was the inevitable fate of all of those unlucky men and women who danced with death (violent death more often the not) on a consistent basis to become so desensitized. It was sad really, I'd seen it happen time and again Ion changed right before my eyes as we limped home after the battle of Dover Strait. Even I left part of myself there I think...
Snap, snap, snap the sound of metal breaking under the giant feet of mobile suits... Wait no that's Ion snapping her fingers.
"Huh?"
"Geez Sir you daydream even in front of people we just meet..."
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Post by goufcustom on Dec 4, 2009 1:04:10 GMT -5
Jarvis walked through the corridors of Gwydion, current flagship of the fleet. The entire ship was a reminder of his failure. Arianrhod was sunk on his watch, his command. And then to make things OH so much better, he got an entire squad of marines sentenced to death, and then couldn't rescue a one of them. Bloody fantastic, it is.
Christina trailed behind him, holding a clipboard. She was obviously frustrated, she'd been hounding him with detailed paperwork about the fleet for one hour and thirty-eight minutes now. Not that she'd do any better now than when she began. He'd go out there for the assault, and kick ass. He would. Everyone would. But things would inevitably work out against him. So the paperwork was a triviality that wouldn't matter.
Which part of the ship was he in now, anyways? He hadn't been paying attention really. He heard the hum of idle chatter from the door forward and to the right. Might as well see what it's about. Looked to be the mess, and as he entered he saw some familiar faces. Aurem, the sniper from the previous siege, Cray Vermillion, the tanker who tried to help rescue Tael... and Hirsch. The naked (or nearly so) guy from the Arianrhod. Plus a couple chicks. Aside from Hirsch, each man seemed to have grown a female. Curious. He stumbled over, eliciting a frustrated look from Christine.
"Gentlemen! How good to see you all here! I hope you're all ready to sink tomorrow. Doomed to failure, I'm sure. Should've asked command to change us to the 13th, what."
He stood at the foot of the table and looked out over his subordinates, a grin contrasting strangely with his downer statment.
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Post by dj1678 on Dec 4, 2009 1:31:10 GMT -5
You could practically hear Aurem snap to attention this time. Arieta also happened to be paying attention instead of glaring and stood up in unison. The chipperness of Jarvis's statement was about the only thing that had sunk into Aurem at this point. Perhaps Arieta's constant cheerfulness had conditioned him to assume that everything said pleasantly was. But that didn't matter. There was only one thing on Aurem's mind right now.
Chairs.
There were now 7 people to fit in a table designed for 4. Moreover, one of them was the commanding officer of this fleet. Aurem scanned for chairs, boxes, thrones, pillows, large upside down bowls. Anything! But he came up with nothing again, just like last time. For a brief moment Aurem entertained the possibility of putting the girls on the guys laps.
No, that just seems like a bad idea, he thought.
Evidently the guys at the other table had figured out who that was next to them, and Jarvis's statement had actually sunk into them. They quietly left before they could receive the full blast of Jarvis's alarmingly cheerful negativity. Arieta apparently noticed this and nudged Aurem as if to say, "Don't make a fool of yourself."
"Shall we push the tables together so you can join us, sir?" Aurem said making a remarkable recovery from near-panic and simultaneously stringing together more words in one sentence than he had all night.
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Post by aleksei on Dec 4, 2009 11:31:20 GMT -5
Hirsch acknowledged his commanding officer, but continued to chow on his meal - still too embarrassed about his last encounter with Sir Ackart. Not a moment after rearranging the tables were the six sitting around Hirsch discussing the nature of the upcoming battle. It was obvious to Hirsch that everyone believed the 87th was cursed and it would only get worse should they not accomplish the task of destroying Manila. The souls of the dead would come back and haunt them until these seven joined their ranks. It was hard for any of this to sit well considering Ackart was also scared to the bone, or so it seemed. Hirsch was not too good at reading sarcasm.
Hirsch decided to change the mood a bit, "If you ask me, I say we might just have a bit of luck. There are seven of us sitting now, right? Well, there were seven days of creation. God rested on and sanctified the seventh day, the Sabbath. There were seven great wonders in the ancient world as there are now at this table. By the grace of Sir Ackart, we sail the seven seas. Seven is a very lucky number, so I'm not worried. Remember, ladies and gentlemen, the walls of Jericho fell on the seventh day."
Galvanized by his own speech, he stood up on his chair and did a fist pump in the air, "Manila will fall today!"
The mess hall sat in utter silence not knowing whether they should rally too in front of their British officer or laugh at the strange Jew boy with funny glasses.
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Advocate
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Post by Advocate on Dec 4, 2009 14:34:21 GMT -5
The conversation at the table was quite grim, as we mused over our prospects in the upcoming battle. Not that I listened much, I was just a driver after all. I didn't usually sweat the details, though Sergeant Vermillion always tried to include me, dragging me around to boring briefings, making me read reports and orders. I'd really rather just concentrate on keeping our tank in working order or maybe even just tinker with our guns... I didn't have much to work with since we've been deployed.
I sighed heavily, everyone looked over at me. I suppose they all took it for a sign of despair, which it was but not over our impending fate. I just tried not to think about that... Suddenly Private Munchek changed the subject, he'd caught my attention. He talked about how we we're blessed to have seven people here tonight and end by jumping up on his seat and pumping his fist in the air with a cry for victory.
I was stunned. That such simple words could move me so. Perhaps it was the oppressive atmosphere, or Commander Ackart's almost comical negativity, maybe Private Senaiha constant silence, I don't know. I put my hands together and looked up at Private Munchek with tears in my eyes, "Your right Private Munchek, your absolutely right! The lord is with us, it was he who gave you the strength to say those words. Sing his praises that he might give us the strength to move forward."
I don't know what made me think this was the right time for a song but I began to sing,
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
I think I've finally snapped.
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Post by goufcustom on Dec 5, 2009 20:50:05 GMT -5
The entire mess was silence in the wake of the cheer and the... song. No one was sure how to react. Even Aurem was somehow quieter than usual.
Well, Jarvis thought. I'm a dead man.
Without actually saying a word, Jarvis turns around, and walks back out into the hallway. Christine mumbles apologies to the pilots, and runs after him
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