Paradigm: Lone Wolf
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Post by Katharyn Holcroft on Sept 21, 2014 21:10:19 GMT
"New York born and raised." Katharyn replied in response to the Lieutenant's question, though she could not keep an edge from her voice, as she thought about her father, and the terrible year 0079, after the Zekes landed. A moment later, it was gone. To have met one of the men responsible for kicking the Zekes out of her hometown, and out of North America in general...she felt honored.
She paid little attention to Ennis and Neston's departure, although from the Commander's pissed-off expression and Neston's demeanor, she guessed he had said something stupid and been chastised accordingly. But a question that was on her mind was why was Miller here? After being forced to retreat twice by numerically superior enemy forces - a situation which irritated and angered Katharyn quite a bit - she guessed that the brass could not be entirely too happy with the 15th either. 'Well, it's their goddamn fault in the first place...' she thought, though this was strictly to herself and she neglected to voice her opinion. Still...she wondered what this grave Lieutenant was doing here; reinforcements? Or was it something else?
He looked like he wanted to get away. But she figured she might as well ask. "And it's no intrusion." she continued, the hardness gone from her voice. "I guess you're joining us?"
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Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Paradigm: Guardian
Specialty: Gunslinger
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Post by James Ennis on Sept 22, 2014 20:53:53 GMT
"Not try so hard to get yourself killed, for starters," Ennis muttered as he came to a door and slapped the button for entry with the back of his hand. The door hissed open and he stepped through, leaving it open for Jaime to follow; what lay beyond it was a temporary office/quarters, one that could be used while ships were in dock to get people off of the ships in question.
"First thing, I know I run something of an informal unit. Spit and polish doesn't shoot down enemy mobile suits. But it would behoove you to remember that you wear a uniform, swore an oath, and are expected to maintain a certain level of decorum. Especially with superior officers, and doubly so for ones that are not in the 15th. Calling an officer two ranks above you a Fucking New Guy? In front of him and witnesses? Great way to get yourself drummed out of the service. So, when your machine is fixed, I'm sure you'll enjoy making sure the new paint job shines. You'll do that by cleaning it by hand, of course. I'm sure we can find some rags so that you don't have to use a toothbrush," Ennis said, tossing the duffel bag onto the desk before turning to face Jaime, leaning back on the desk himself.
"Do I even need to get into you disobeying orders to pull back and nearly getting yourself blown to smithereens? Or has that one sunk in already?"
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Paradigm: Bushwhacker
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Post by Yazan Gable on Sept 23, 2014 23:54:11 GMT
"I..." Jaime began, realizing that the "oh, please, try to fuck with me" face was still very evident. Jaime stepped into the room and got a reaming that was, entirely admittedly deserved. To respond, Jaime went back into attention, knowing that no matter what he did, at this point, he was going to be paying a price for some pretty substantial fuckups.
"Sir, you are exactly right about my personal conduct after this mission. I...enjoy the brotherhood of the 15th, and the enthusiastic spirit of comradery that binds us. But I was entirely out of line in even assuming that I could extend that informality to someone outside our...family." Perhaps it wasn't the right words, but the 15th felt like a goddamn family, if a dysfunctional one. "Whatever punishment you deem appropriate I accept."
Jaime shuffled a little as he went to (in his mind) a grayer area.
"As to the orders you mentioned..." Jaime paused, trying to measure the calculated risk he was about to take. "I do believe that I did fall back before the missile strike...though sadly, it wasn't of my own choosing. With our stated mission objective to eliminate the enemy carrier from the previous mission, I had the serendipitous chance to make one last assault after the barrage the Captain Lynch launched. I believe the orders were to "get clear" before the next wave, and I found myself in position to posibly reengage. As far as I am aware, there was never the order to retreat until you issued it, and afterwards I immediately complied. Perhaps it was a foolhardy attempt but..."
Until then, Jaime had been avoiding his CO's gaze, but at that moment, he looked Ennis straight in the eye. "With all due respect sir, what does the life one one shitty fucking grunt like myself measure up to the dozens, the hundreds of lives that the crew of that ship is going to ruin, to slaughter? I don't have a death wish, but if I could trade my life for all of those..." Jaime dropped his eyes again.
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Paradigm: CO
Specialty: Ship Tactics
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Post by Henry Lynch on Sept 27, 2014 4:14:08 GMT
In his office on the Cairo, Henry looked down at his new orders, and couldn't help but want to approve and cringe at the same time. On the one hand, new rides for Ennis's team, and an order that represents good sense on someone's point. On the other hand, why are we just going to wait in orbit instead of taking the fight to them in force instead of a mere 'patrol?' Something to the tune of best defenses and good offenses comes to mind... he thought, biting his lip. As a senior officer of the Titans, he was expected to exercise his own initiative on orders, and he desperately wanted to throw his entire battle group against the force that had driven him off the rebel carrier now that he'd concentrated and they had. But Jamitov knows what he's doing... and that's why he wants to talk to me in front of the air group he figured. Henry had already arranged for the Cairo's department heads to be there too - if its important enough for the nuggets in Ennis's flight to know, then its important enough for my senior officers to know too, and if anyone objects, then to hell with them he thought.
With that, he moved to act on the other set of instructions the Admiral had left him. Can't think what's so important that it bears mentioning to the entire squadron he figured as he dialed the Bridge. After a brief conversation with them, he was already walking for the Ready Room when the PA system boomed. "Assemble all pilots in the Ready Room with the Commanding Officer"
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Paradigm: Steamroller
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Post by Julian Miller on Sept 27, 2014 5:55:39 GMT
"I guess you're joining us?" The question caught Julian slightly off guard. It wasn't that it was a particularly difficult question, on the contrary it was rather benign. The fact was, however, that he hadn't even devoted any thought to the possibility. He had arrived aboard the Cairo along with the newest machines but he had simply assumed that his duties didn't go far beyond that and that he'd simply disembark once the ship reached Luna II. Katharyn's words, however, opened up a new possibility. Was he going to be reassigned to the 15th? The so-called Horus team? On any other situation he would've believed 'no' but then again the situation was somewhat unprecedented. Was the leadership upset with the lack of progress and repeated defeats and thus trying to bring an influx of new blood/muscle into the fight against the AEUG? Julian didn't think so highly of himself that he'd consider his efforts alone would able to turn the tide and correct the Battle Group's losing streak but then again stranger stuff had happened. And god knew he was itching for the opportunity to fight. That being said, Julian wasn't sure he relished the idea of being on a new team. It had been a few years since he'd been permanently assigned to a unit, the fate of his last one being partially to blame, at least in his own mind. Having bounced from unit to unit as necessary, he had never allowed himself nor been given the opportunity to grow especially close to any of his fellow Titans. Was the gravity of this conflict going to cause his life to chance in such a manner? For now, however, he simply replied, "I wouldn't know anything about that," before attempting to continue on his way. He was stopped once more in his tracks as the PA system announced that all pilots on board should report to the Briefing Room.What could be the meaning behind this? For some reason Julian couldn't help but shake a chill travelling up his spine. He doubted that the reason behind this sudden meeting could be anything good. His initial thought would be that they were going to be deployed in another attempt to recover the stolen nukes but the timing seemed far too soon. Were the higher-ups so foolish as to think that 'third time's the charm'? Putting such thoughts aside for now, Julian made his way towards the meeting point. He left without a word, not waiting for the other Titans to follow him or even continue the conversation. Such things were unnecessary anyway and Julian had been on enough ships like the Cairo to know its layout by heart. All that was left was to hear what the Captain had to say to them. Julian just knew that things were about to get interesting.
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Rank: Lieutenant Commander
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Post by James Ennis on Sept 27, 2014 18:41:43 GMT
"A noble sentiment, Jaime. And not one you should completely forget. But let me be clear: dead pilots are no good to me. To hell with the bravado and the arrogance, this is shaping up to be a war. A real one. And losing you at the start would be a sorry waste of talent," Ennis said after a moment of considering the younger pilot's words. The part of it that was a lie didn't even change his tone or tempo. "I don't let 'shitty grunts' into my outfits anyway. You want to die protecting people? Too bad. You're one of my investments. You'll live protecting them and you'll like it."
Ennis looked up at the PA speaker in his room when it barked out an order to assemble.
"More work I bet. Come on, let's get to it," Ennis said, uncrossing his arms and heading out the door.
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Paradigm: Lone Wolf
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Post by Katharyn Holcroft on Sept 27, 2014 21:15:56 GMT
Miller's vague reply didn't particularly bother Katharyn all that much. If he was joining them, good. If not, fine - that was up to him and the brass. Still, if even half the rumors she'd heard about him at the Academy were true, having a pilot of his caliber onboard could only help their chances. Commander Ennis and Jaime had left already, and anyway she hadn't paid too much attention to them. But at that moment, the ship's P.A. system blared. "Assemble all pilots in the Ready Room with the Commanding Officer" 'That's Captain Lynch...' she thought. Miller turned and headed toward the Briefing Room without a backward glance. Not that she was following him per se, but they were all headed in that direction anyway, so Katharyn headed to the Briefing Room in turn. She did not address Miller again. She had a feeling she was about to learn exactly what was up for herself...
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Paradigm: Plugger
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Post by Victoria Sinclair on Sept 28, 2014 1:53:16 GMT
Victoria watched as Julian answered Katharyn's question rather politically, a rather odd way to push things she supposed but her thoughts on the matter were pushed aside when the PA system dolled out their new orders. "Well it seems we're back at it." She took Katharyn's lead and follow her towards the ready room, she doubted they'd need to hunt down the commander, no doubt he was on his way already.
Hopefully they'd get some closure and finally track down the AEUG force that had gotten away. The unit could use a morale boost after the trashing and then the enemy slipping through their fingers.
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Post by Daniel Gage on Sept 28, 2014 3:09:49 GMT
The Lieutenant found some amusement watching Ennis chide Jaime on the ethics of not getting yourself killed in combat. He could scarcely remember a time when he went after multi-story death robots with a tank. Despite the COs own assurances, he probably did the same. Bad decisions could only be eliminated by experience. "Assemble all pilots in the Ready Room with the Commanding Officer" "Let's go meet Captain Ahab."[/quote] Lynch was the only man more stark and serious than Gage was on this ship. The dry, humorless skipper was the last one they wanted to see for a pep talk. No; He was sure they were getting a briefing instead. Daniel at least had the sense to button his uniform up before heading over.
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Post by Jamitov Hymem on Sept 28, 2014 3:21:54 GMT
The Ready Room with a pitiful place. A small, cramped quarters of archaic chairs bolted to the floor. They were all centered around a large screen with a face on it next to a podium. The man on the other end of the video eyed the pilots carefully as they walked in, like a hawk perched on a roost. His chin rested on his steepled fingers. He had a harsh gaze that seemed to penetrate metal.There was no mistaking him for a figure of authority. Even from hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, this hawk commanded a presence.
His tranquility made the tension in the room unnerving. Was he going to say anything at all? As if anticipating a reaction, his eyes slowly scanned from one face to another. The astute noticed a list on his desk. Occasionally, the man in question would glance down at it before looking up again. He was identifying them- each by their name and face. Even more alarming was the fact that he never blinked during this entire strange encounter.
After what seemed to be an eternity, he finally broke the peace.
"Have a seat, gentlemen."
No orders to stand at attention were given. Nobody was told to present arms. No formalities were presence in this zone of absolute discomfort. This admiral needed none of these things to command respect.
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Post by Julian Miller on Sept 28, 2014 3:48:42 GMT
Stepping into the conference room, Julian had expected to see the ship's captain and perhaps the Lieutenant Commander he had run into earlier in the hallway. He had expected a simple briefing about what the ship would be doing upon reaching Luna II and what their destination would be after resupply. He had even expected that he would perhaps be given the news of being assigned to the Horus Team as a temporary member so that they could finish off the AEUG troops that had consistently given them the slip.
He had not expected to come face to face with none other that Admiral Jamitov Hymen.
The sight of the Titan's supreme commander easily caught Julian off-guard. He was slightly stunned for a moment, unsure of how to act. Realizing that he'd be blocking the doorway for everyone else, however, he was quick to recover as the Admiral's words brought him back to reality. It had been a long time since he'd been star-struck in such a manner. There weren't many men alive who could do that.
Taking a seat as quickly as he could, he snapped the Admiral a quick salute though he doubted Jamitov cared for such things. Personally Julian was far more concerned about what could be so important that he would give their team a private conference such as this. His Excellency wasn't exactly known for being personable with his troops, instead usually acting through men like Captain Bask Om. Yet here he was, giving a personal briefing to the pilots aboard the Cairo.
It was just then that could shiver up his spine returned combined with a somewhat sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. For some reason Julian couldn't shake the fact that whatever was about to be said would have a profound effect on not only his future or that of the team but the entire course of this 'war'.
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Rank: Lieutenant Commander
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Post by James Ennis on Sept 28, 2014 14:07:19 GMT
Ennis paused for a moment when he entered the conference room, frowning slightly when he spotted the Admiral on the screen. He nodded a greeting to Jamitov before walking to take a seat of his own, arms crossed and leaning back with legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle, projecting an image of one who was perfectly at ease. It was actually mostly true; he and Hymem had enough history that neither was particularly cowed by the other's presence. Still, his mind started whirring.
"Well, that tears it. If things weren't going to shit there's no way 'tov would take the time to deal with us personally. Kiss peace goodbye, kids. War's on."
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Post by Yazan Gable on Sept 29, 2014 10:40:42 GMT
"Yes sir!" Jaime took the Commander's final admonition and the instruction to leave as a sign that the man was done with him for the moment. That punishment was almost certain in coming, but it seemed as if there was something far more important on the horizon.
It wasn't until Jaime got to the briefing room that he figured out something was wrong. His blood ran ice cold as he noticed the sheer amount of brass hanging, and exactly who is was that was on the big screen.
Jaime wordlessly complied with the instruction to sit, making an effort to keep his trap shut for a change.
"You know, the timing on getting reamed out for being too informal miiiiiiiiight have come at just the right time." He thought to himself, taking a look at 'Sir Iron Rod Stuck up His Ass' and wincing before turning his attention back to the screen.
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Post by Katharyn Holcroft on Sept 30, 2014 0:00:21 GMT
Katharyn entered the Briefing room, and immediately her eyes were drawn to the face that surveyed the room and its occupants, scanning and identifying each one as they entered, including herself, from the screen at the front of the room. Grey-haired, with a high forehead and dark eyes peering at them from beneath thick eyebrows, a large, aquiline nose, and a thin, stern mouth, with a small goatee. There wasn't anyone in the Titans - or probably in the Federation - who would not have recognized Admiral Jamitov Hymem.
'A briefing from Jamitov himself? What the hell...' She thought apprehensively. She stood immobile, until Jamitov intimated to them to sit down, which she did without a word, her keen blue eyes fixed on the man who led the élite force to which she now belonged.
And she wondered again what was happening, though she guessed that she would find out soon enough.
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Post by Victoria Sinclair on Oct 1, 2014 6:42:31 GMT
Victoria's expression quickly hardened as she saw who was on the screen and quickly wondered what they were getting into now, this was going beyond pirate skirmishes, this was bad for everyone. Although if they were stepping up, they would be getting machines to up their game at this stage. Glancing around slowly she eventually settled next to Ennis. Worry was growing but so was her interest, there was no telling what would be in store for them, but she knew the subject would likely have to deal with the AEUG.
Attentive, but deathly quiet she stared intently at the screen, waiting for answers, waiting for orders. She just was building with worry but at the same time anticipation.
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