Med Bay
"Well thanks anyway. You know, hypothetically speaking, of course," Rick said with a wink.
"Guess that's enough time to feel sorry for myself, better see how things are going. All probably going to hell without my soothing presence," he added as he sat up in the bed. He paused for a moment, reached for the bed sheet around his waist, and briefly pulled it up a little bit to peek under.
"Hey so..." he groaned. "While we're hypothesizing, don't suppose you have a change of clothes too."
Sanity not included
"Not one that would fit you," she gave a small chuckle. "I'll fetch the faculty. They'll get the clothing situation sorted out." She curtseyed and headed for the door. "Oh, and Rick? Try not to do anything reckless. You're still recovering, so perhaps you could skip bench pressing a spitfire."
edited 27th Nov '14 9:40:09 AM by Dragon573
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Actually, it's Euphinatrix.
Elaine had since quietly excused herself, curtsied to her superiors, and left the conversation. She had little reason to be there, and decided that her time would be better spent getting to better know her comrades. Last mission had shown her just how fragile lives were, and how unpredictable their ends could be, so she wanted to grow closer to her fellow Knights before it was too late.
Remembering her visits to wounded veterans as a child, she had decided that the infirmary would be the best place to start meeting people, as she would certainly find those with the least time there. She raised a hand to knock on the door, realized that would probably be seen as odd on the part of a knight, and quietly slipped in. There were many wounded men and women from the last battle, strangely considered lucky compared to what statistics they could have become, and she didn't know where to start. As it would be rather awkward to approach a stranger and begin a conversation, she looked around and spotted Rick, whom she vaguely recognized, and decided he would be the perfect candidate.
Nervously adjusting her clothing, she cautiously approached the higher-ranked wounded Knight, politely waiting for him to finish his conversation with Dame Coltello.
I am become Death, Destroyer of Miniputts.
Med Bay
"Alright, I'll keep it low for a couple days before, just for you," Rick said. "Then it's back to Albatrosses."
"Oh hey..." he added when he noticed Elaine. He pointed both of his hands at her in the shapes of finger-guns, and then brought down his thumbs as he fired them off at her. "...you. So... thanks for stopping by."
Actually, it's Euphinatrix.
Elaine stared at Rick's hands, before forcing a smile. "Of course," she said with a nod, "I just wanted to know if you were doing better Sir, uh," she paused for a moment, "Gundersen, right? I don't believe we've really met, although I'm sure I've spoken with you before. I, uh, well, after the last mission, I realize how important it is for me to grow acquainted with my comrades, and I figured that-" this would be the best place to start, for obvious reasons. "...you would be open to the idea," she said quickly.
I am become Death, Destroyer of Miniputts.
Med Bay
Rick shrugged, casting a glance at Mira and then back at Elaine. "Yeah, sure, okay. What's up?"
Valentine was answering the questions Riley should have been answering because not but a minute after after Fergus left the assembly of knights she had risen up to follow him. Shadowing was a better word, Riley had not yet made an attempt to get his attention, instead keeping pace several meters behind.
The halls of the ship were quiet. Not for the first time Riley had lost track of what hour the ship was supposed to be at. Was it evening? Could the stillness of the halls be explained as nothing more that the natural result of most of the crew sleeping? Or was it that there just was not enough crew members on the ship to create the usual hustle and bustle?
Riley thought Fergus said he was heading to his office, so it came as a surprise when he turned in the direction of the cafeteria. She halted, realizing that she was uncertain as to why she was following him in the first place. What was it she wanted to say to him? Was there a question in the back of her mind she had not quite dragged out yet? Did she just want the guidance of a veteran wiser than herself?
By the time she resumed her following, Rozaliya was coming from the other direction at the same time Riley was. She let the other woman go first. No doubt she knew what she was going to say to Fergus. Waiting outside the door, she listened in on the conversation. Fergus quiet yet dramatic manner of elevating Rozaliya reminded her of a less bombastic version of her uncle, and she smiled at such a horrible comparison. When they were done, she made her presence known by walking to the Knights' table.
"Lord Fergus, Lady Rozaliya." She greeted them both with a bow.
"Dame Lee," Fergus nodded, "How are you?"
"I would say fine, but my mother did not raise me to be a liar." Riley replied with a thin, humorless smile. She pointed at an empty seat. "May I?"
Fergus frowned, loosing himself in his thoughts for a moment.
It past after a second, and he cracked an ironic, if very slight, smile as he offered Riley a seat, "Ah well, at least you have your health."
Anti-Gnosis Weapon
"Hmm. An excellent choice, Cascade." Valentine nodded in satisfaction. "Though, do you have any experience with that model? I've heard that using an Aegis's Reconstructors to their fullest effect is a rather difficult thing to pull off."
GM of AGOG S4: Frontiers RP; Sub-GM of TABA, SOTR, & UUA RPs
-Grin-
"I have no more experience with those than I did with the Dyrnwyn's specialities," Victoria admitted. "However, the frame itself should feel more familiar to me, as well as the weapons it can use." She glanced around the room, only now realizing how empty it had become, including Lady Lee's unannounced departure. It was at least a chance to speak frankly without potentially impacting the morale of the other pilots. Taking a seat next to Valentine, she nonetheless lowered her voice. "While we're on the subject of pragmatism over honour, are you really alright not acting as the second in command? For that matter, why aren't you in command of your own regiment? You have the rank and... prestige."
edited 4th Dec '14 8:37:21 PM by Satinel
Riley took the offered spot, and sat down with her posture as straight and proper as any lord in the royal court. At least, she thought that was how they sat in the royal court.
"We have been put into a most difficult position, my lord." Riley stated, trying to be tactful. "I think you and I both know that no one here or back home expect the kind of ferocity we faced in the last battle, nor the technology our foes suddenly have possession of. So my question is, is home aware of the changes in the situation?"
And her unspoken question: were they going to do anything about it?
Fergus paused and frowned, "I've anwsers, to be sure, but I'm speaking now with rumours themselves alone; but word has it that we're to be mobilizing throughout the whole bloody system. We've naught more to do as instructors and so, we'll be fighting as soldiers, Ignis and Gladstone alike have their approvals."
He spoke in hushed, conspiratorial, tones in his native accent to emphasize that the matter was not to be taken as official. As well as, perhaps, from tiredness and drink as well.
After a short pause, he continued, "The Feds are thinking the same, no doubt, and neither will be as wise as to cut their losses. Now, we'll have an escalation soon with this blasted thing. Mark me well, there."
He leaned out, his speech slowed to a more comprehensible pace and volume; "None of this is certain, mind. Only what I've been hearing."
edited 4th Dec '14 11:17:14 PM by Fauxlosophe
Actually, it's Euphinatrix.
"So, then, where are you from?" she asked, sitting on a nearby thing for sitting. "Why did you join the military, things like that. Anything to help us get to know each other, especially after... recent events."
I am become Death, Destroyer of Miniputts.
Med Bay
"Eden," Rick replied. "I liked shooting stuff. Chocolate?"
He took another of Mira's chocolate's out and chomped down on it, while holding out the package and offering it to Elaine.
Actually, it's Euphinatrix.
"Oh, um, sure," Elaine said, taking the chocolate out of politeness, and setting it down on a nearby table. *Should he be eating chocolate? Should I report this?*
"You joined because you like shooting things," she began, looking slightly confused. "That seems like a strange reason to join. You didn't do it for the Emperor or... Anything like that?"
edited 19th Dec '14 9:44:24 PM by RenaTheArchmage
I am become Death, Destroyer of Miniputts.
Anti-Gnosis Weapon
The bluenette's question gave Valentine pause. After a few beats, he cast his eyes about the room for phantom eavesdroppers, and then leaned in to answer in a similarly hushed tone.
"There are... certain people higher in the food chain who do not find me fit for command, and would rather I never get anywhere near such a position," he explained, "Further, as a public figure, I have a number of influential adversaries, public and private, who could make things more troublesome for our Company if they so chose. The way things are now, this is 'that Company that has to put up with Goldschmidt' instead of 'Goldschmidt's personal Company'. I'd rather it stay that way. Besides, I've pretty much plateaued as far as personal achievement, and you and Dame Lee can use this as a stepping stone to better things! Not to mention that you have actual leadership potential as well. I think you'll make a fine second-in-command."
He beamed a smile at her, projecting the very image of confidence.
edited 7th Dec '14 5:42:17 PM by darksidevoid
GM of AGOG S4: Frontiers RP; Sub-GM of TABA, SOTR, & UUA RPs
-Grin-
"I'll do my best to live up to that expectation," Victoria forced a smile onto her own lips, it certainly wouldn't do to disagree. The duke was quite different from what she'd expected, given his public history and the dark mystery concerning his lost family. She tried to think of a way to say so and couldn't come up with something which didn't sound, at best, like a backhanded compliment. "I suppose I'd better see to getting that new frame," she said instead. "It won't do to discuss tactics until we know what we'll be deploying with."
Med Bay
"Oh yeah, the Emperor. Hell of a guy. Lets me drive a giant robot. Everyone loves him," Rick said, saving himself from the inquisition. "I didn't mention him because it's so obvious that's why everyone joins, I thought you were asking about the, you know... the other reasons."
Bridge
Fergus wheeled himself into the empty Bridge. It was strange how vacant it was, even if the hour was late and they weren't bound anywhere at the moment.
Still, the Captain was exactly where he was expecting her; Gemma sat alone there on her chair over looking this bleak scene.
He grunted a little as he gripped the wheels to stop. It was hard moving still. Every movement now relied on his arms which weren't used to dragging his weight. He'd get used to it, but by then he prayed he'd be mostly healed.
Still, he knew the rumours; they were rolling out. Not as aides but Knights. The war wasn't official and hadn't spread but in this small corner of the galaxy, hundred year old wounds; deep scars, the likes of which Fergus had spent the last decade watching slowly heal with great difficulty, were to be torn open and left bleed for the sake of some back water system which was hardly worth colonizing.
Worse yet, it was the youths seemed all too eager for it; they didn't know the wounds they were poking at. Few even gave much thought to him. Even Dame Maria seemed scarce after her appointment. It would be a long road to recovery for him, but he feared he was watching another, far more valuable rehabilition suddenly torn to shreds.
Still, he knew his duty.
"The Company is waiting on your orders Gemma," He said looking forward, "There's no rest for the wicked."
Med Bay
A Nurse walked in with sandwiches, about the quality one would expect from the Enlisted Mess. Which was a step over usually hospital food, at least.
"Good," He said with a slight smile, "I see Gundersen has been getting his rest. You should be released in a couple of days; you'll be fit to pilot, though we don't recommend it. You were very fortunate; you had more shock and needed rest but the wounds should heal up pretty well. The stitches will heal in and in a few months, the scars should hardly be visible."
He pauses for a moment though before anyone could interupt, he clarified, "Knights have a tendancy not to wait for their recovery and rehabilition time to play out completely. I heard Mac Morna is performing active duty while wandering around the ship in a wheelchair. If you'd prefer though, you are welcome to stay here for a few weeks with the television and relax until you are ruled fully recovered. Or, when a couple of days have passed, return to your quarters and wait it out there while we give the occaisonal check up."
He set the sandwiches on the table, "I think I'll leave you to your friends now, unless you have any questions"
edited 18th Dec '14 1:02:22 PM by Fauxlosophe
Sanity not included
Mira returned as the nurse left. "I managed to pull one of the orderlies away from their lunch-break. He should have some suitable garments for you soon," she told Rick.
She noted Elaine's continued presence with an inward twinge of suspicion, but quickly stifled it. Whatever the other girls interest in Rick, Mira was a Coltello and a knight of the Centauri commonwealth, and she would conduct herself maturely and gracefully. Elaine was her comrade-in-arms, and feelings of rivalry were counterproductive. And if it came to it...
If it comes to that, it isn't my decision to make, anyway.
Accepting all of this and letting it pass from her thoughts, she leaned against the door frame.
"Do you intend to stay with your same Frame style, Rick? Or perhaps switch to a different kind in light of recent events?"
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Actually, it's Euphinatrix.
"Of course," Elaine nodded, "I should have been more clearer, I suppose." She seemed somewhat appeased by his response, her look of disapproval fading. "Although I would say that he merits more praise than that, but-" She remembered her conversation with Fergus, and caught herself. "Anyway, um. Yes."
As Mira broke in, she backed up slightly, waiting for Rick's answer.
I am become Death, Destroyer of Miniputts.
Reid nervously waded into Med Bay. He'd heard that some of his fellow knights had congregated there in some number or other.
He'd spent the last several hours whiling away his time in his quarters, lying in bed mostly. He can't remember the last time he felt so... bored, for one thing, but more than that, empty. His life feels hollow, as if it were both a sham and missing something essential. God help him, he thought he'd appreciate some company.
Neither Mira nor Rick noticed him until he managed to rasp "Uh, hello there, Sir Gunderson, I don't believe I've been in to see you since you were interred here."
"It's not that sort of sentiment," Victoria smiled, while unconsciously pressing her right hand against her side, just below her ribs. "The head was removed as a message, from the man who saw me knighted. The original frame I used was a clarent, far too damaged to see more service. Arcon Corp wanted to show off their new product to the higher-ups assembled at Nirvana; after what happened there, as well as this last mission, we can't afford to put an AMF manufacturer's business interests ahead of the regiment's well-being."
She paused, considering the duke's question. "In truth the clarent is the frame I'm most familiar with, but we're lacking in support. The Hounds were able to retreat with fewer losses thanks to the combined efforts of Mac Morna's Hive and Mikhailova's Aegis... given the similarities between the Aegis and Clarent, that's the obvious choice, assuming there's one available."
edited 26th Nov '14 11:38:34 PM by Satinel