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Post by dj1678 on Feb 23, 2010 19:29:39 GMT -5
Aurem pushed his way out of the command tent into a bright, clear day in Europe. As usual, Arieta stood waiting near the door for him. Whether she had nothing better to do, really liked following him, or just wanted to hear the new orders a little sooner, Aurem never knew. It seemed strange to him that she would wait outside for no reason but to walk to and from the tent with him, even if she was his girlfriend, but he was grateful for her company all the same. Arieta fell in beside him as they began heading back toward their mobile suits.
"Looks like we've been reassigned to the 42nd Brigade again. Special Operations or something. I didn't really read it very carefully yet. Here." Aurem said casually, handing the papers to Arieta.
Arieta considered reprimanding him; telling him that his newly returned laid-back attitude that she remembered from before was going to get him hurt again if he wasn't careful. Her eyes momentarily glanced at the scar over his left eye. She shuddered, recalling the feeling of almost losing him. She hoped that he at least took it as a reminder to be careful. Arieta decided to keep her concerns to herself for a while to see if 'yet' ever came. She was sure it would.
As Arieta began reading through their orders, another soldier, who appeared to be looking for someone, noticed the pair and approached.
"Been looking for you. Lieutenant Ferdinand wants to see you." The soldier said.
Arieta didn't even bother to look up, but continued reading.
"Did he say what he wanted?" Aurem asked.
The soldier shook his head. "Only that he wanted to see you before the next operation started."
Aurem looked confused. "Alright, we'll go see him right away."
Satisfied, the soldier hurried off. Obviously he had other duties that needed doing as well.
I wonder what the Lieutenant wants? It can't be introductions, we've already worked together before...
Aurem recalled both an operation over the Pacific that involved shooting Gaws from the back of a Medea, and another operation that lead to the recapture of Malta. It was always something out of the ordinary with Lieutenant Ferdinand.
Aurem glanced at the orders that Arieta was still focusing on intently, barely aware of where she was walking.
...and I have a hard time believing he wants to elaborate on the mission, those orders lay the whole plan out there...
Aurem gave up trying to guess when they arrived at the Medea Lieutenant Ferdinand captained. Arieta was still focused on the orders. She looked like she was trying to memorize them, just in case they might help her.
I just hope she pays attention to whats around her when she's in her GM and doesn't try to recall the orders word for word instead... Aurem thought to himself.
"We're here." Aurem said, poking Arieta in the shoulder. "Probably ought to look up, unless you want to have your nose buried in those orders the whole time..."
Arieta looked a little stunned that she'd lost track of where she was. She began placing the orders back in their folder.
"Oops..." She said, blushing a little.
When she was finished, the pair entered his command tent, found Lieutenant Ferdinand, and saluted together.
"Privates Senaiha and Marius report as ordered, sir!"
I wonder what he wants... Aurem couldn't help but wonder.
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Post by flippmoke on Feb 23, 2010 19:48:37 GMT -5
"Ah yes, Arieta just the person I was looking for I see you were already glancing over the orders," said Nigel as he noticed the pair that just entered the command tent.
"We need your suit ready by 1430 today if you are up to the operation," said Nigel as he motioned towards the paper himself carrying a large supply of papers.
"Oh and Aurem, you haven't sent in your damage report from the actions yesterday, and I want a full inventory of all of your supplies on hand," continued Nigel as he turned to face Aurem for a moment before looking back at Arieta.
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Post by dj1678 on Feb 23, 2010 20:08:44 GMT -5
Aurem knew that Arieta had been more than just glancing at the orders. Her white knuckled grip tightened on the folder containing the orders. She'd said the other day that she'd show Corporal Slater, and anyone else who underestimated her, that she wasn't just Aurem's support. But now that the chance was here, she could feel her confidence slipping.
Aurem noticed Arieta tensing up, and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "Damage was about average for yesterday's fighting, sir. It'll take a few days to fully repair it. I'll submit a formal report later."
Some of the tension drained from Arieta. Encouraged by both his words and his hand on her shoulder, she asked the question that had been bugging her.
"Sir, for a target so... large as this thing is describing, wouldn't Aurem's unit be more suited?" Arieta paused for a moment, thinking. The orders hadn't specified exactly what their target was, just in case they fell into the wrong hands. Arieta glanced at Aurem's scar and guessed, voice filled with hope, nervousness and fear.
"We're aren't going after that giant mobile armor from New Amsterdam, are we, sir?"
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Post by flippmoke on Feb 23, 2010 20:11:54 GMT -5
"Aurem, I don't want the report later, I wanted it yesterday. If I don't get an accurate count on the number of casualties the enemy took it means that someone out there might stumble into a large group of zeeks they thought were dead." commanded Nigel in a harsher tone that he adapted more recently. Something he didn't even always expect from himself as he was much more laid back in the past.
"Arieta, I know you are quite capable of doing this operation so don't bother with the details we will have plenty of other people there helping you in the operation," continued Nigel as he glanced at Arieta for a slight moment before nodding and taking a piece of paper from an orderly that was scrambling about the tent.
"Thanks, tell them I want two more of them as soon as they can," said Nigel quickly to the orderly after glancing over the piece of paper before setting it on a table while turning his head to face Arieta waiting for some sort of response.
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Post by dj1678 on Feb 23, 2010 21:13:46 GMT -5
Aurem had apparently touched a nerve with his 'later' comment. When he had said later, he meant, the very second he walked out of Lt. Ferdinand's tent. But he wasn't about to try to explain that to Lt. Ferdinand. Back-talking didn't get anyone anywhere fast except to more trouble. Instead he did what he did best lately, and just stayed silent. Arieta looked like she had something to say on his behalf anyway. Aurem liked that part about her.
"Don't talk to Aurem like that! We were just on our way back to write them when you called us here." She began, sounding more than slightly irritated that Lt. Ferdinand didn't seem to understand where she was coming from. "And I know I'm capable, I'd just like to know if that thing that nearly killed us in New Amsterdam is going to be there. Since you weren't there, I wouldn't expect you to know what it's like to have your own base lift up under your feet, toss you around like pebbles, and have to watch helplessly as the person you care about most suffers intense pain, nearly dieing."
She was fighting tears again, probably trying her best to avoid recalling the images she'd just described. Aurem squeezed her shoulder to remind her that he was in fact, not dead yet. His injuries seemed to have hurt her more than they did him.
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Post by flippmoke on Feb 24, 2010 9:58:10 GMT -5
Nigel was shocked from Arieta's little outburst, though quickly recovered as he responded to the assault.
"Arieta, this operation is on a need to know basis and if you need to know more, I will tell you more. Also I am tired of this sexual tension you two bring together, if Aurem has issues with my orders he can bring it up with me. Finally, I hand picked you for this operation so I KNOW you are quite capable of doing it, but if I hear one more outburst like this again you will be spending some time in the brig rather then in your mobile suit," commanded Nigel as he stared down Arieta.
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Post by dj1678 on Feb 24, 2010 11:20:21 GMT -5
Aurem had a feeling that was how this conversation was going to go. Stubborn, prideful, and emotional as she was, she couldn't win so easily against rank. A fact Aurem was all too well aware of. Arieta herself seemed to realize this, though she didn't seem to have complete mastery over her emotions again yet.
Arieta took a step backward, out from under Aurem's hand and saluted.
"Will that be all, sir?" Arieta asked, her tone making it perfectly clear that if it wasn't, it had better be good, or Lieutenant Ferdinand might be forced to put her in the brig.
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Post by flippmoke on Feb 24, 2010 14:00:02 GMT -5
"Yes, that will be all I need from you right now," said Nigel to Arieta with a sigh of frustration, before then turning his gaze to Aurem.
"Aurem, on second thought, I need to speak with you about something," said Nigel as he tried to politely suggest that he wanted to say something in private with the soldier.
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Post by dj1678 on Feb 24, 2010 17:55:07 GMT -5
Arieta gratefully took the hint. She saluted again, and quickly marched out of the tent before she could give herself a chance to say anything else she would regret. As soon as the tent flaps closed behind her, Aurem could hear her footsteps quicken as she likely ran from the tent to find solitude. Aurem made a mental note to find her later and make sure she was alright. 'Later' was going to be rather busy he decided.
Great, Arieta speaks when she shouldn't, and I don't speak when I should. I guess I should try to learn something from this...
"I'm sorry, sir. I think she took the events of New Amsterdam harder than most. She means well, but she's been pretty emotional lately, and I'm not sure she's been sleeping properly. I don't think she hates you." Aurem said as he turned back toward Lieutenant Ferdinand, trying his best to control some of the damage.
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Post by flippmoke on Feb 24, 2010 18:12:01 GMT -5
Nigel broke into a slight smile at Aurem's comment knowing quite well how interesting women could be with their moods at times.
"Don't worry about it, I know you guys have an 'interesting' relationship and if I wanted to be a stickler to the rules we would split you to up into two different units. Frankly though, you guys fight well together as a unit and I don't want to lose that. I just don't want to see this interesting relationship cause problems with other people or hinder you out there on the battlefield, understood?" preached Nigel as he continued to smile at the whole situation.
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Post by dj1678 on Feb 24, 2010 18:25:18 GMT -5
Aurem felt relieved that Lieutenant Ferdinand seemed to understand at least part of the problem. As for Arieta's complaint about the mobile armor... Well, maybe it was better he didn't understand the full terror involved with that. Aurem knew he and Arieta certainly wished they didn't.
"Yes, sir. I'll make sure Arieta understands as well." Aurem responded.
Aurem thought that that seemed like something Arieta might have wanted to hear as well. He wondered if maybe Lieutenant Ferdinand just didn't want to talk about an emotional topic with someone so obviously emotional, and Aurem had just beaten him to the start of the conversation, or if there was something else he had to say. Aurem decided it would be easier just to ask.
"Is that what you wanted to speak with me about, sir, or was there something else?"
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Post by flippmoke on Feb 24, 2010 23:18:40 GMT -5
"Nothing much besides that, I am always concerned with the well being of the people under me, because if you have an issue that causes you not to do your job, its my issue because other people might die because of it. Not really what I like to always deal with, but..." said Nigel as he tried to continue to fill the roll of leadership where he had not always done in the past. It was almost odd to him at moments its as if he suddenly understood why officers must be the way they are when dealing with other people in these situations.
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Post by dj1678 on Feb 26, 2010 20:55:47 GMT -5
Aurem noticed Lieutenant Ferdinand trailing off after seeming like he might start to ramble. He looked tired. The Lieutenant likely wanted to have this conversation as little as Aurem wanted to hear it. Aurem decided to try to put his superior officer's fears to rest in hopes that their next conversation might be more pleasant.
"Not to worry, sir. We may have had some issues, made some mistakes, or fought with each other, but it's never caused us to fail at doing our jobs..."
Aurem paused to glance in the direction Arieta had likely run off toward.
"...It just takes the more emotional of us a little extra time to heal from the aftereffects."
Aurem took a step backwards, as Arieta had, and saluted, making his intent to leave clear.
"If you'll excuse me, sir, I think Arieta could probably use some help healing right about now. And I also seem to recall some paperwork I owe you in rather short order."
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Post by flippmoke on Mar 3, 2010 16:21:50 GMT -5
Nigel nodded at Aurem's salute watching him as he left the tent, before turning his back on the young soldier to return to a pile of paper work as he muttered, "Kids."
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thomas
EFF 
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Posts: 327
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Post by thomas on Mar 3, 2010 17:25:01 GMT -5
Before Nigel could get very far with the paperwork, Thorvald stumbled in. He was clad only in a kilt, as had been his attire for several months now. It was however, a new kilt, bearing a gold and blue tartan. It was, in fact, the Earth Federation's official tartan and the kilt was being issued to a handful of units raised in Scotland. Thorvald saluted with one hand, his other hand clutching what appeared to be a jockstrap. Before Nigel could give him the order to stand at ease, he began:
"Sir, I've had issues in the past wi' official dress policies and I 'ppreciate the concessions the Federation has made for me Preference for Indigenous Attire, as noted in second C12 o' the handbook, whose name I ferget but I believe she's blue and orange, the handbook. Anyway, sir, I'm actually rather pleased wi' the new kilt I received in the mail yesterday--she fits like a dream, sir, so if ye' could communicate that to your higher ups, I'd 'ppreciate it. But, sir, I've got a problem."
Now, Thorvald thrust the jock strap forward.
"Sir, the manual says I'm to wear...this...but sir, the problem is--" And now Thorvald's voice dropped to a whisper. "It does na' fit. It's in me size and all but for the life of me, I can nae fit into 'er."
Thorvald cleared his throat awkwardly and withdrew the jock strap.
"And so, sir, I'd like to formally request permission not to wear the general issue clothing item RT8-09 during the coming operation at New York, as I fear it will compromise my effectiveness in battle."
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