Post by Nomad on Dec 7, 2009 1:13:50 GMT -5
Part 1: Tin Can Cuisine
0079.09.19
Deep in the caverns of Ahaggar mountain range, Jane Sheppard and her new accomplice, Ela made camp. The weather was a lot better, well a lot better than the week previous. It was still hot as hell in the Saharan desert, but the sandstorms came to a halt and as the night relieved the day of its duties, temperatures dropped to a bearable level.
Jane wrapped herself in camouflage blanket and scanned the surroundings with a pair of binoculars. As Ela knew the lay of the land, she went out to try to get some fire wood and refill the water cantinas. There was an oasis the two passed on the way to their temporary fortress, and that would be where Ela would get what she needed. As the Sahara was not known for its forestry, palm trees would have to suffice.
The coast was clear, as no one ventured in these parts aside from the occasional Bedouin just passing through. Tourists were lacking in number ever since the war started. The only thing they had to watch out for was the Zeon Airforce.
Ela made her way back, dumping a few chunks of wood by Jane’s feet.
“Date?” asked Ela.
“Sorry but, you’re too young.” she replied, not noticing the fruit in Ela’s hands. “Oh, never had the stuff before.” she added, after turning her head in surprise.
Ela took it as a joke, and tossed Jane her cantina. After taking a large sip from the cantina, Jane picked up the wood and began working on the camp fire. After a few tries with her fire starter kit, the wood went ablaze.
“You ready for supper?” asked Jane.
“Yes, mother.” replied Ela, jokingly.
Jane laughed and took out a couple cans from her backpack. She popped them open with the KABAR she kept around her belt and placed the cans by the fire.
“So what’s cooking?” asked Ela, peering over at the cans.
“Baked Beans.” replied Jane. “Can’t have them cold. Don’t taste as good.”
“Baked Beans? Never had them before. What happened to rations?” inquired Ela
Jane laughed. “You’ve never had beans? What kind of person never had baked beans? There delicious, the bbq and brown sugar sauce. You can’t beat it. It seems that’s a new experience for the both of us today.” she paused and began stirring the beans so they did not stick to the bottom of the cans. “As for rations, you should ask Des. I handed him everything I had., but no worries. There will be more coming in tomorrow when the new squad member is dropped off with her shiny new GM.”
Jane pauses to check on the beans, while beginning to stir. She then decided to change the topic and ask something that’s been on her mind for a while.
“So Ela, what’s your story?” asked Jane. She noticed a lack of response and added to the question. “Everyone has a story, so what’s yours? We’ve been camping out for a couple days and I still know very little about you.”
“For starters, my name is not Ela, but Ela is the name I chose for myself once I joined the African Union. My real name is Visane, Sian Visane, but call me Ela, I‘ve gotten used to it, and I wouldn‘t want others knowing who I am.” replied Ela.
“Well that’s a good start, continue. Des mentioned that you had interest in the Earth Federation? Why didn’t you join?” asked Jane.
“I tried. Due to my medical condition, I would just be a liability.” replied Ela
“Liability?” asked Jane.
“I was born with a heart murmur. The Federation figured that I wouldn’t even survive training, and if I were to get an attack on the battlefield, I would jeopardize the mission and maybe even surrender a mobile suit to the enemy. With my family connections, I would be able to get a desk job, but that’s not me. Sometime later I joined the African Union.”
“All this seems pretty sensitive. Hope I didn’t force it out of you.” commented Jane
“Sheppard, within the last couple days I’ve somewhat got to know you. I at least know you seem like a good person, and trustworthy at that.” pointed out Ela.
“Thanks, call me Jane. No need to be formal.” Jane replied, once again checking on the beans as she did so. “They’re about ready.”
The two consumed their meal as the sun fell into the horizon. It was a cold night, and chills could be felt as a cold breeze traveled throughout the canyons of the of Ahaggar mountains. After both pilots finished their meal, they put out their fire to prevent them from giving away their position. They called it a night and went to bed, sharing a single tent.
0079.09.19
Deep in the caverns of Ahaggar mountain range, Jane Sheppard and her new accomplice, Ela made camp. The weather was a lot better, well a lot better than the week previous. It was still hot as hell in the Saharan desert, but the sandstorms came to a halt and as the night relieved the day of its duties, temperatures dropped to a bearable level.
Jane wrapped herself in camouflage blanket and scanned the surroundings with a pair of binoculars. As Ela knew the lay of the land, she went out to try to get some fire wood and refill the water cantinas. There was an oasis the two passed on the way to their temporary fortress, and that would be where Ela would get what she needed. As the Sahara was not known for its forestry, palm trees would have to suffice.
The coast was clear, as no one ventured in these parts aside from the occasional Bedouin just passing through. Tourists were lacking in number ever since the war started. The only thing they had to watch out for was the Zeon Airforce.
Ela made her way back, dumping a few chunks of wood by Jane’s feet.
“Date?” asked Ela.
“Sorry but, you’re too young.” she replied, not noticing the fruit in Ela’s hands. “Oh, never had the stuff before.” she added, after turning her head in surprise.
Ela took it as a joke, and tossed Jane her cantina. After taking a large sip from the cantina, Jane picked up the wood and began working on the camp fire. After a few tries with her fire starter kit, the wood went ablaze.
“You ready for supper?” asked Jane.
“Yes, mother.” replied Ela, jokingly.
Jane laughed and took out a couple cans from her backpack. She popped them open with the KABAR she kept around her belt and placed the cans by the fire.
“So what’s cooking?” asked Ela, peering over at the cans.
“Baked Beans.” replied Jane. “Can’t have them cold. Don’t taste as good.”
“Baked Beans? Never had them before. What happened to rations?” inquired Ela
Jane laughed. “You’ve never had beans? What kind of person never had baked beans? There delicious, the bbq and brown sugar sauce. You can’t beat it. It seems that’s a new experience for the both of us today.” she paused and began stirring the beans so they did not stick to the bottom of the cans. “As for rations, you should ask Des. I handed him everything I had., but no worries. There will be more coming in tomorrow when the new squad member is dropped off with her shiny new GM.”
Jane pauses to check on the beans, while beginning to stir. She then decided to change the topic and ask something that’s been on her mind for a while.
“So Ela, what’s your story?” asked Jane. She noticed a lack of response and added to the question. “Everyone has a story, so what’s yours? We’ve been camping out for a couple days and I still know very little about you.”
“For starters, my name is not Ela, but Ela is the name I chose for myself once I joined the African Union. My real name is Visane, Sian Visane, but call me Ela, I‘ve gotten used to it, and I wouldn‘t want others knowing who I am.” replied Ela.
“Well that’s a good start, continue. Des mentioned that you had interest in the Earth Federation? Why didn’t you join?” asked Jane.
“I tried. Due to my medical condition, I would just be a liability.” replied Ela
“Liability?” asked Jane.
“I was born with a heart murmur. The Federation figured that I wouldn’t even survive training, and if I were to get an attack on the battlefield, I would jeopardize the mission and maybe even surrender a mobile suit to the enemy. With my family connections, I would be able to get a desk job, but that’s not me. Sometime later I joined the African Union.”
“All this seems pretty sensitive. Hope I didn’t force it out of you.” commented Jane
“Sheppard, within the last couple days I’ve somewhat got to know you. I at least know you seem like a good person, and trustworthy at that.” pointed out Ela.
“Thanks, call me Jane. No need to be formal.” Jane replied, once again checking on the beans as she did so. “They’re about ready.”
The two consumed their meal as the sun fell into the horizon. It was a cold night, and chills could be felt as a cold breeze traveled throughout the canyons of the of Ahaggar mountains. After both pilots finished their meal, they put out their fire to prevent them from giving away their position. They called it a night and went to bed, sharing a single tent.
