Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Lament of the Stars!. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Locked Topic
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
Small Beginnings
Topic Started: Jun 18 2014, 03:32 AM (1,184 Views)
Narrator
Member Avatar
Reaper of Player Characters
[ *  * ]
Time accumulates and consumes human civilization like the sands of a vast and terrible desert. Even the proudest of our achievement are hidden- invisible and indistinguishable to the wayward traveler. Perhaps the stars above, in their apparent perpetuity, will remember us. But even they are fated to vanish one day. In a universe bound by causality, nothing lasts forever- not even the hard earned peace every desired.

March 2nd of 87th year of the Universal Century calendar. For historians, this date marked the beginning of a turbulent period known as the Gryps Conflict. It was an attritional war between two belligerents: The Anti-Earth Union Group and the Titans.

The Anti-Earth Union Group, an anti-terrestrial organization formed in late 0085, began organizing a formal military in wake of the 30 Bunch Incident. Its founders capitalized on the discontent within the Earth Federation and the subjugation of the colonies. In the name of justice and sovereignty, they became the opposition.

For the AEUG's Sixth Replenishment Squadron stationed on the Geronimo, it was another day. The ship's deck crew were busy prepping their GM Rechts for a subsequent round of hard training sorties. The snipes were down below tending to the Minovsky reactor, and the bridge crew was keeping them off the rocks - something a little more tricky than usual in the Shoal Zone- with all the debris.

However, the pilots of the group were charged. There had been rumors for almost a week now that they were approaching 'ready' status, and it seemed the rumors were true: today was the day that they'd be getting a formal evaluation by a combat pilot in one of the other units. While their trainer, Eddy LeNoire, and most of the pilots had seen action before in the One Year War, there were several who hadn't - Petrenko and Finley. All of them were charged, ready for action, ready to show this 'Lieutenant Steiner' that she should pick them for the slot on the cruiser she was recruiting for.
Edited by Sovereign, Jun 18 2014, 06:07 AM.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Replies:
ZGMF-X28A Nu-Liberty
Nugget
[ *  *  * ]
"Yeah, it took me a bit to adapt to the new panoramic monitors too. Once I did, though, piloting became a hell of a lot easier than it used to be." Eddy pretended to shudder as he recalled how the old cockpits were configured with their limited field of vision. But that was him, making a joke out of the mundane or the ridiculous or even the offensive at times. Like how Castle couldn’t crack a smile around Zekes to save his life or how Finley ate booze as much as he drank it. Not that I wouldn’t mind him cutting down on the booze or his jackassery...

As Petrenko walked into the mess hall for breakfast, Eddy chuckled a bit at Roy’s limited knowledge of what was considered by all to be one of the most hazardous eyesores of the greater Earth Sphere, especially considering they were going to fly through it today. "Close, but not quite, Roy. Think a smaller scale Shoal Zone, but with the added bonus of near-constant electrical discharges between most of the debris strewn about the zone. It goes without saying but Thunderbolt’s been a runner-up for Most Hazardous Landmark for seven years now. It’s also got a rather interesting place in Zeon’s history during the war, believe it or not."

But before he could go into what little info he knew about the Living Dead Division, Chuck finally spoke up and asked a valid question without acting like a jerk. Deciding it would benefit the squadron more by speaking up rather than staying silent, Eddy decided to throw everyone a bone. "Well since you’re so eager today, Finley, you’ll be happy to know she’s scheduled to be here in an hour, maybe earlier. From what I was told, she’ll be arriving in one of the new machines Anaheim’s produced for us. With any luck, you’ll all be boosted to full active by the end of the day." That goes especially for you, Finley...

Eating another two scoopfuls of scrambled eggs, Eddy decided to wait and see the reactions from his charges with a smirk.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Kagezuchi
Member Avatar
Nugget
[ *  *  * ]
"Old man." Marika returned Chuck's greeting with her own, fair was fair after all. Being called kid was something she had grown far too used too in her own mind and she was trying to get out of just rolling over every time someone used it on her. It's not like she was offended but she was twenty now she wanted some form of respect.

With just a tiny bit of salt Marika added some flavor to her eggs before fixing them up and taking a few bites as the talking began. Although she was polite enough to return Fred's nod, still the man wasn't exactly the friendliest to anything that was associated with Zeon. He was a Feddie so it made sense in her book, but as long as he didn't start something or was rude she didn't think there'd be a problem.

Oddly enough the conversation turned to her and she looked at both men briely before shaking her head. "I haven't heard anything ether." Taking the small pause as a moment to change her food, Marika began nibbling on some bacon when LeNoire spoke up and gave them some info. While it was interesting to hear about a machine it was something else that caught her ear and Marika quickly perked up. "She?" That word alone was a rarity to Marika, especially in this kind of setting understandable from her background but even after her time at Anaheim the prospect of working with another girl, or woman more likely was exciting and prompted a smile.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Redshirt
Member Avatar
Ensign Expendable
[ *  *  * ]
Chuck halfheartedly listened to Fred's comment on their alleged Big Deal Evaluator. Unlike this chump, she might know what she's about. Those who can, do. Those who can't - teach he thought, glancing over at Eddy. Petrenko then called him an 'old man' - Which I suppose I've earned... fair sure I'm one of the two oldest here he thought quietly.

"Respect your elders, whipersnapper" he said, halfheartedly guffawing at Petrenko and mussing her hair before Eddy chimed in. "An hour, Eddy?" he asked very quietly. Yeah... gonna need that clarity sooner than later then. Wouldn't do to still be stumbling when she gets here. Gonna need that if I'm gonna get to kill the damned Black Legs he figured.

Petrenko then chimed in, commenting that it was a girl. "Her?" he echoed, frowning a bit. His face screwed up in concentration for a few moments before a shrug escaped the man. "Guess I'll just have to hand her her ass then" he said as if he was stating the time of day.

==Tag Eddy, Fred, Marika==
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
ZGMF-X28A Nu-Liberty
Nugget
[ *  *  * ]
Eddy couldn't help but let out a loud laugh at Chuck's boast, quickly looking over at him with a mild, yet harsh glare. "Don't sell yourself too high, Finley. If you didn't have your head in the bottom of the bottle all the time, then I could buy your boast."

Out of all the people he'd trained thus far, Finley was the most frustrating. He'd come with a note attached to his file indicating that in spite of his issues, he had immense potential. The problem was, his issues had so far outweighed his so-called potential. And of course, that little fight we had after I tried to take away his flask...

In spite of whatever negativity was between them - and there was plenty to go around - Eddy wanted Chuck to pass and get boosted to full active with everyone else.

"But who knows? I've seen miracles before. You might just pull one out." Eddy sipped from the can of Baja Blast and finished off the plate of scrambled eggs with one last scoopful. "The last miracle I saw was at Solomon, though." He said rather grimly.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
VTyphoon
Member Avatar
Cadet
[ *  * ]
'Well, then I just made the biggest understatement of the century...' Roy chuckled, mentally slapping himself for his lack of knowledge.

Going to have to make it the last time that happens, if I'm going to survive out here again.
He mused, idly stroking his beard. The notion of being a "veteran" still made him cringe. It implied a level of knowledge and experience he just plain didn't have... Well, not yet anyway, so he hoped.

His eyebrows raised ever so slightly as he listened to the ensuing conversation between Eddy and his fellow trainees. A new machine, huh? Pity, he quite liked the Rechts, as disturbing as it was the first few times he sat in a suit directly descended from the very one that had been shooting at him during the "good old days." Ah well, all things must become obsolete in time, he just hoped it would be a while before he could say the same of himself.

He smiled lightly as Chuck so casually proclaimed that he'd show up the machine's deliverer. Roy admired the man's bravado, something he so rarely displayed himself. Reminded him a little of his brother, as horrifying it was to remember him fondly.

Everyone has their good traits, I suppose. I trust in your ability to prove them, Finley. Certainly a lot more than Eddy did, evidently...
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Redshirt
Member Avatar
Ensign Expendable
[ *  *  * ]
At the mention of 'Solomon', a faraway look crossed Chuck's face. He stayed there for a few moments, appearing to genuinely ponder something for the first time in recent memory of the assembled masses. "Yeah... Solomon..." he said quietly, staring down at his coffee for a second.

Without skipping a beat, he then looked back up, full of bravado. "You kids who were there in the War keep going on about it like it was a Thing. Of course, I keep hearing about that from so many of you people, it can't have been that bad" he chuckled, hoisting his coffee cup towards Eddy. "And what did I say about anything that got in between me and killing Titans, Eddy?" he said, eyes narrowing at the last statement.

==Tag Eddy==
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
ZGMF-X28A Nu-Liberty
Nugget
[ *  *  * ]
Is it just me or do I see a look of nostalgia on his face? Eddy was a keen observer. It was a talent that had helped him greatly during the war, paying attention to the way his opponents moved and maneuvered and fought, being able to keep a steady eye on moving targets. The same thing with people, noticing when they acted out of the ordinary for good or for bad. Right now, Eddy wasn't sure whether it was good or bad to see a look of nostalgia on Finley's face.

Of course, the nostalgia didn't last long and as it disappeared in the blink of an eye, Chuck boasted of how easy Solomon must have been with that annoying bravado Eddy had come to expect. A statement like that struck a nerve, but the veteran kept his cool. Instead, he took a big bite out of the apple he'd grabbed and looked Chuck right in the eye as he replied. "Just because one can talk about such things doesn't mean that they were easy to endure."

"And I already told you, the only thing keeping you from killing Titans is yourself and that flask of yours, Finley. They told me you had the potential to be a great pilot. All I've seen is a surly drunk that can't be depended on most of the time to fly in a straight line. If you want to prove me wrong, then today's the day." Mentally, he added, I hope you do, Chuck. For all our sakes.

Taking another bite out of his apple, Eddy calmly waited for whatever inevitable retort Chuck had for him.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Redshirt
Member Avatar
Ensign Expendable
[ *  *  * ]
"Yeah, yeah..." Chuck said, waving a dismissive hand at Eddy as he commented about Solomon being all that and then some. "Every last War vet I've met is all 'Solomon this' and 'A Baoa Qu' that. Must've heard it a thousand times. If it was that bad, there'd be less of you left to talk about it" he grumbled, settling back into his breakfast.

Eddy's comment about his drinking habits drew a cold stare straight back from Jim's jade-colored eyes. "I've been fit to fly every time, Eddy, and you know it. Off the clock, I'm off the clock, but I have never gotten into a cockpit hammered" he said empathically. There was no booze left in my system at any rate... what was there is rated as 'maybe don't' instead of 'oh hell no'... he knew, unconsciously patting the pocket that held this morning's vial. Sighing, he turned back to Eddy, his brash grin blossoming again. "Good enough to vape your ass more often than not, anyways. Cheers" he said, hoisting his coffee mug towards Eddy before taking a healthy swig.

==Tag Eddy==
Edited by Redshirt, Jun 20 2014, 05:08 AM.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Kagezuchi
Member Avatar
Nugget
[ *  *  * ]
Marika closed her eyes as Chuck made a mess of her hair, but she took it in good humor and worked on straightening it out as his attention was stolen by Eddy. She only gave a half a mind to focus on what they were talking about, no for the girl she was focusing on fixing the mess, starting with the bulk of the hair on her head by smoothing it out. Once it was suitable she adjusted her ponytail a few times before finally working on her bangs as the conversation bounce between Chuck and Eddy. Very typical pissing contest, yes very typical.

With a self assured nod Marika resumed her eating as the two seemed intent on using their words, but with Chuck's back turned Marika took it upon herself to rescue his neglected food, more specifically his meats and snatched up a sasuage or slice of bacon one piece at a time waiting for the man to start to turn around before chowing down on her pilfered goods.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Blaze
Member Avatar
Nugget
[ *  *  * ]
Apparently LeNoire had been paying listening in since he'd decided to but in, but he did have some answers if nothing else, Fred couldn't help wondering why he didn't just tell them before if he was fine with it now. But what caught his ear was that their evaluater was female, new information, plus a reason to behave himself.

Before he could comment on it, due to eating the rest of the first sandwich, he'd been unable to comment before talk shifted to fighting at Solomon. He was inclined to agree with Chuck, these space vets never shut up about their two big battles. It was as if they felt like they had nothing else, he had experience fighting in space and he felt it was easier compared to ground combat, you had better mobility, better range, and better sensors, the only downside was more attack vectors to watch.

But on Earth you had to take weather, wind, terrain, gravity, buildings, civilians, and most important, your footing all into account. But he wasn't gonna make a big deal about it, he didn't feel self conscience about his own part in the war. What he did feel like bringing up was Chuck's last comment to LeNoire. "What do you say we see how you're doing today than Chuck? If we have an hour, that's plenty of time for a sim run don't you think?" he asked the other man. Plus a little last minute run wouldn't hurt, you did your best work in the last minute.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
ZetaBoards gives you all the tools to create a successful discussion community.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Thunderbolt Sector · Next Topic »
Locked Topic
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6