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Post by Marika Petrenko on Mar 21, 2015 9:29:11 GMT
Marika mumbled a quiet sound as she nodded in agreement with Ben and quickly looked up when 'Chuck' arrived on scene with a shiny new rank pin. This new little addition was more surprising to Marika then the man's return. Fred's own comment rang true with the thoughts in Marika's mind as well and she nodded in agreement with the other man as she stared at Anderson with some apprehension still. "Something is going to get mixed up now..." With so many higher ranks there was always going to be some 'meshing' and no doubt it'd ruffle some feathers here.
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Paradigm: Backstabber
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Post by Hilda Steiner on Mar 25, 2015 18:51:49 GMT
Hilda watched as the bastard entered in company with Langstrom. Well, looks like Lars didn't just shoot him. Pity. At least tell me the bastard isn't staying under my... command... she thought, eyes flaring wide before narrowing as she spotted the two stripes and single rank pip on his collar devices. "Scheitze" she muttered aloud. She then stepped forward, looking at Anderson with a look of pure loathing. "Captain Langstrom, why is the prisoner out of uniform? He's an Ensign if we're being very generous. If we're being rational, he's a traitor and a mass murderer" she asked harshly.
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Paradigm: Lone Wolf
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Post by Edward LeNoire on Mar 27, 2015 5:28:29 GMT
As he gently pushed himself down towards where the others were gathering, Eddy remained silent, seeming to ignore Hilda’s comments toward him. But while he didn’t speak, he did listen. He listened to everyone’s comments and opinions on the matter of Anderson and whether or not he should stay with them. So far, most of the comments seemed to be in the positive, save for Hilda’s – and his own, though he kept his opinions on that to himself for now.
But it seemed there was something everyone was focusing on right now as Anderson walked into the hangar deck with Langstrom, with Hilda's reaction in particular drawing Eddy's interest. Lowering his sunglasses to let his eyes see through, Eddy’s eyes focused on Anderson’s collar and found a queasy sight. Lieutenant Commander’s bars... The situation was now clear to him - Anderson was being given the reins of the Zodiac Wing. He decided on the spot there was no point in beating around the bush as he readjusted his sunglasses.
“I don’t suppose it’s possible to transfer out of this unit, Captain? Because I will not fly under the command of that...man, sir.” He spoke ‘man’ with a palatable amount of distaste.
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Post by Lars Langstrom on Mar 28, 2015 5:07:41 GMT
"Captain Langstrom, why is the prisoner out of uniform? He's an Ensign if we're being very generous. If we're being rational, he's a traitor and a mass murderer." “I don’t suppose it’s possible to transfer out of this unit, Captain? Because I will not fly under the command of that...man, sir.” "That's exactly what you would do, if I said yes?"Lars stared down his subordinate without blinking. A long moment silence passed before he spoke. This is why I wanted someone with a little more spine. The officer paced back and forth in front of his men, daring for the next one to raise a hand against him. "You would walk away, full of regrets? Surely, none of you actually believed something like this would never happen- not within the AEUG. Kowen and Forer told me a different story. That is why he was promoted. You all have the obligation now to follow his orders. Including you, Lieutenant."
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Paradigm: Guardian
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Post by Jim Anderson on Mar 29, 2015 21:53:10 GMT
Jim let Langstrom fire the opening salvos of this new interunit conflict as most of the pilots just looked around half stunned. Two of them, though, certainly didn't. Figures Steiner would be a little... violent. And Eddy is just thrilled too... but I need both of'em. Damn he thought as Lars chastised the pair. Jim nodded at Langstrom before he stepped forward. "You ever stop to think they're giving me this slot because, I don't know, I am damn good at this?" he asked, his tone challenging the assertions of both Steiner and LeNoire. "Unless either of you two helped write the damned book integrating mobile suits into a shot cannon armed battle group, sit down, shut up, and listen up" he said, looking back at Lars, then back at the.. his pilots. "We're going to kill the bastards, people. Steiner, LeNoire, with me in the Ready Room once you're done sulking" he said, looking out at the group. "Anyone has a problem with this, the simulator's right there, we can hash this out now" he offered, cocking his head at the offer.
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Post by Edward LeNoire on Mar 30, 2015 2:35:57 GMT
Lars would be surprised to find that Eddy didn’t flinch or look away from his gaze, but instead met it with a fierce, cold stare of his own. He wasn’t backing down from his position this time. None of Lars’ words served to temper or dull Eddy’s position, but instead reinforced it. Anderson’s boasts of his experience, how they justified his promotion and appointment to CAG and then echoing Lars’ order to accept the change regardless of their concerns or assertions further stoked Eddy’s ire.
When Anderson told him to accompany him and Hilda to the ready room, Eddy recognized he didn’t have a way out this time. A transfer wouldn’t be granted and he wouldn’t endure any more of the man’s verbal jabs and put-downs and he certainly wouldn’t allow Anderson to beat him up again.
“I’ll pass.” Eddy didn’t afford a false apology as he began speaking, his voice full of quiet fury. “I have no doubt of your experience or capability, even though you did a good job of hiding it and speaking with the tongue of a hypocrite until you showed your true colors. No, my doubts are more personal. There comes a point where pride overcomes sense of duty and you have pushed me to that point with your constant and unrestrained belittlement of what abilities I have, questioning my capabilities at every turn, and of course assaulting me for trying to confiscate that puny flask of yours filled with that monkey’s piss you call good booze. I’ve dealt with your theatrics for almost three months. I could tolerate you as an Ensign. I will not follow you as my CAG. With you, I’d feel misplaced, lacking in purpose and possessing nothing to offer – something Jim Ennis and Jamitov Hynem never put in my head like you have. Since it’s clear I won’t gain a transfer to somewhere where my talents can actually be useful and make a difference, I’m choosing to bow out with what little grace I can. As soon as we dock at Von Braun, I’m going home. Now if you’ll excuse me, Anderson, I’m returning to my quarters and packing my things. I won't be a party to this farce.”
Looking briefly over at Langstrom, Eddy maintained the same stoic expression as he had throughout his speech. “Sorry Lars, you’re not getting what you want this time.” Kicking off of the deck, he floated out of the hangar and back into the corridor. He grabbed hold of a lift-grab and returned to the turbolift. Getting in, he punched in his deck and watched as the doors closed and the car began to zoom. With no one there to see, Eddy slammed his fist against the walls of the car, not leaving a dent but enough of a scuff for someone with a close eye to notice. Remember, no regrets. No regrets...yeah, right.
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Post by Benjamin Regard on Mar 30, 2015 7:28:12 GMT
Ben rolled his eyes at the trouble brewing up, the whole thing becoming routine at this point. Between Eddy’s fairly justified tirade and Hilda foaming at the mouth at the new development, it was like watching a bunch of children get ready to have it out. And though he’d been more than happy to just hang back, this constant murder talk was grating on him. “And what, you and your Zabi pals gassing Sides and dropping em on Earth was just for kicks? Check yourself before you wreck yourself and get off your soapbox, Hilda. Jimbo here is practically a saint,” he said, not entirely caring that Eddy stormed off. It was his call to up and leave. Ben looked to their new lead, catching his offer, “No objections but how about a couple rounds anyway, maybe I’ll learn something since you’re such a superstar.”
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Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Post by Fred Castle on Mar 30, 2015 16:20:52 GMT
Neither Steiner nor LeNoire wanted to have Anderson under them, but it was obvious that Langstrom made that a non-issue by promoting the man above both of them and giving him command. He'd even chastised them both right in front of them all after they'd made their comments, so obviously things were off to a good start. From there it only got better, with LeNoire throwing a fit, apparently quitting, and storming off, and Regard fanning Steiner's flames, he wasn't wrong but it was probably a bad call. This was just turning into a great showing from the higher ranking pilots, compared to the other three, Anderson seemed able to keep his cool better, but he wasn't going to take any shit from them and seemed agitated as well.
He couldn't say that he was thrilled about this himself, even if he wasn't a spy, Anderson had still been lying to them all, and he'd need to earn their trust again even if he had the ability to lead them. But unlike LeNoire it seemed, after working for a pair of Zeeks, this wasn't a huge issue, Anderson had the ability and that was what mattered more than anything else once the shooting started. LeNoire just didn't like him, while Steiner was screaming that he was guilty of everything the Titans had done. Anderson had said for LeNoire and Steiner to join him in the ready room when they were done sulking, but it seemed LeNoire had no intention of getting over it at the moment. Anderson lacked their complete trust, but LeNoire had just destroyed any respect Fred had for him.
Though the fact that they were all called here, even if he had already been there, was bugging him now since apparently only Steiner and LeNoire were needed, sure they all needed to know who their commander was, but besides "Anderson's the boss", they didn't seem to be planning to say much to anyone besides Steiner and LeNoire. This was just to make sure that they all understood Anderson was in charge and nothing they said would change that, not even Steiner could change Langstrom's mind on this, so the rest of them may as well not waste their breath.
"No problem, but I wouldn't mind a bit of time in the sims either. We never got that fight in before heading to Earth." Fred said to Anderson. He had concerns about this sure, but it was obvious that this was happening no matter what, and he wasn't going to get himself grounded over this. Being out there under Anderson was better than being tossed in the brig, you don't always get the boss you like or want, but if they can and will do the job, even more so im combat situations, you sucked it up.
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Paradigm: Guardian
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Post by Jim Anderson on Apr 4, 2015 2:18:09 GMT
Jim listened to Eddy's speech, a look of pure distaste on his face. Steiner had mercifully remained silent with nothing more than her usual, unhappy scowl on her face as several of the other pilots happily accepted his offer of slugging it out in the sims. Jim flexed his hands, smiling. I haven't been this sober in... frak me, almost two years. Let's see how good you people are when my reflexes are mostly back... he thought. "I'd love to, boys, but it seems that I need to have a word with my XO" he said, being sure that his voice was loud enough for Eddy to hear it - with particular attention to the last bit. "Trust me, we'll be in the sims an awful lot over the next couple days. Assuming of course the good Captain doesn't authorize the fuel for a lot of training sorties" he continued before kicking off after Eddy.
Once they were out of sight of the rest of the group, Jim caught up to Eddy and snapped at him. "Running away again, LeNoire? Funny, I thought that someone like you would actually give a damn about putting a stop to the butchery of the Titans. Especially since you seem to have actually fought alongside the Headhunter. In case you missed it, he's still with the Black Legs, and we could damn well use a Sweeper on this team"
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Post by Edward LeNoire on Apr 4, 2015 2:33:30 GMT
As Eddy reached his destination, there was a look of frustration on his face. He stood by what he said, his distaste toward Anderson remaining ironclad, but he did regret making such a spectacle of himself. Clutching onto a lift-grab, he was softly carried along the corridor until he reached his quarters and prepared to pack his things. Unfortunately, it seemed Anderson wasn’t satisfied with letting him leave, but Eddy wasn’t having any of it, having a wry chuckle at the man’s expense before turning to face him with that same look of frustration.
“Those words would have power if you hadn’t spent so much time hiding beneath a cloak of jackassery and drunkenness. And I didn’t run away, Anderson. I left because there was no more war to fight, no more aces to clash swords with. You want a Sweeper? There’s two others currently flying with the AEUG. Good hunting, pal.” He walked into his quarters, hoping that Anderson would call it a day and let him be.
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Post by Jim Anderson on Apr 4, 2015 2:53:45 GMT
Jim managed not to roll his eyes as Eddy vented indignantly at him. Right, I know I ain't perfect, boy. Doesn't mean I ain't right he thought, seething at the other pilot. "You don't like me, Lieutenant, and I get that. But I also know that my team trusts you. They don't trust me yet - not without cause, I'll grant you" he said, admitting that he'd done fucked it up. Of course, I never planned on getting back into a CAG slot; I just wanted to fight. Why'd they have to figure me out? he wondered, wishing he could have just been a pilot a little longer. "You really think that you walking away will do anything other than make you look like a whining child? Shit, son, I need you here if I'm gonna do my job of killing Black Legs and keeping my people alive" Jim ceded, willing to appeal to whatever patriot lived in Eddy. "The kids out there - Petrenko, L'Ciel, Rey - they look up to you. They don't look up to me" he said, clearly not happy about it, but mentally adding a yet to his statement. "You want to see them get dead because you just walked away? I'll copy you on their death notifications if you like"
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Post by Edward LeNoire on Apr 4, 2015 3:09:05 GMT
Even as he entered his quarters, Eddy found Anderson dogging him. But this time, the man hit a button that clicked. As he reached underneath his bunk and pulled out a particularly heavy case, he lugged it onto the bed and paused, looking deeply at the case as Anderson’s words stung deep, particularly when he stated that the younger pilots in the group looked up to him. As if they could, even before my little spectacle...
“You’re giving me far too much credit, Anderson.” The defiance that had been in Eddy’s voice was gone, replaced by a sizable amount of confusion and exhaustion. “No one’s ever looked up to me. Not when I was in the Sweepers, not when I roamed the spaceways after the war and certainly not here. If those kids did look up to me, they won’t after my little speech in the hangar.” He turned to look at Anderson, his voice breaking a bit as he continued.
“You know the greatest thing about being a trainer? You always know your place. You’re there to teach rookies how to fly and get veterans back up to snuff. No matter how many unruly recruits you deal with, how much drama you have to dispel, how many you have to stamp "dismiss" or "reject", you know you’re making a difference. Here...I can’t make a difference, Anderson.”
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Post by Jim Anderson on Apr 4, 2015 3:41:52 GMT
As Eddy went through his bit, Jim snorted audibly. Right. Because once they finish your training course, that's all. Shit, Eddy, Rick would've called what you put us through a decent chance to bust some rust at best. I know that there's more to you than this he thought unhappily. He let the other man finish before he spoke up again. "You really thing training just stops because you certified this team for combat ops, LeNoire? How much more did you learn on your first combat sortie than you did in however much formal training you had ?" he said, eyes boring into the other pilot. "You want to make a difference? Don't quit, give yourself some credit, and help me get these kids into a cohesive fighting unit. Because fuck knows what'll happen when they ignore me and we get contact again. I just know that I'll be writing more death notifications. And I hate that" he said, clearly not willing to put up with any shit or self-pity from Eddy.
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Post by Edward LeNoire on Apr 4, 2015 4:00:38 GMT
Damn, he’s got me backed into a corner. It was clear to Eddy that Anderson wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer and there was no other way to come out of this situation looking less like an adult and more like a spoiled child. Yes, he still didn’t like Anderson and yes, he’d still very much like to slug him, but that quip the man had made about how the younger pilots apparently looked up to him and wanting to avoid as many death notifications as he could had struck a chord with Eddy. And he’s right about Ennis still flying for the Titans...
After letting out a sign of resignation to his situation, Eddy managed to flash a half-smile and asked the most important question on his mind. “Can I at least keep the Rick Dias?”
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Post by Hilda Steiner on Apr 4, 2015 18:08:53 GMT
Hilda nodded in agreement as Eddy made his opinion of Anderson clear. Whatever tactical ability he has, they can't think that this team will follow him into combat. He lied to all of us, and he's the enemy. What are Kowen and Forer smoking... she thought. Of course, when Lars made his final word clear, and the rest of the (Former Feddy) pilots seemed to agree with the call and seemed eager to get into the sims against him, her scowl deepened. Eddy tore off, thankfully, saying everything she wanted. Anderson evidently gave a crap about him and not the rest of the group, though. Right. Because you're the next Steiner Hardy or something. Nice to see you running off after Eddy she thought, holding her tongue until the dirtbag was out of earshot. Of course, about then Regard opened his mouth, pretty much declaring her the Devil incarnate. She turned to him, blue eyes frozen with icy hatred and scowl fixed on her face. "Ratchet down, Regard, or we'll be settling this matter in a fashion you'll not enjoy" she seethed. That was another War. If he's that sore about it, let's just redo the One Year War again Hilda mused as she turned back to Lars.
"Captain, you can't tell me you support this insanity. The shitbag lied to us, deliberately deceived us, and withheld information that, if he'd told us he was a former Feddy, could have helped a hell of a lot more than he did. And you're bloody rewarding him with a squadron full of shiny new mobile suits for that?" she asked with barely-restrained fury.
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