driftfleet | (no subject)

I'm a sir, not a ma'am. [That's how General Ravani ran her outfit, and it's still habit. But she doesn't sound annoyed, just putting it out as a point of fact. She notes the scar, but it's rude to get pushy about that stuff. She's lucky that she doesn't really have scars, just the contact rings on her left arm and right leg that show where the artificial limbs attach.]

That's sounding dangerously like hurfdurf. We're not in a live fire situation, so there's no reason for long shifts or short rations. If you run yourself hard, your judgment goes to shit and you do eventually run down to the point where you can't function. That's not going to do anyone any good and would be a hazard to the ship.

[There's a definite shift in her tone, from the normal bounce to the lieutenant. She's the first officer. This is also part of her job.]

So who do you think is going to be catching you off guard on a ship with a competent crew?

Sorry sir. [It's a quick change and he notes it for future usage. No need to make the same mistake twice over such a simple thing.]

Hurfdurf? [There's a brow raise at that because what?] But I know. I'm not cutting myself on food I assure you. The long shifts though are a completely and voluntary story. I've managed to get some breaks thrown in once a while so I'm not completely restless but I will admit that I could do better. But...

[How was he supposed to explain this? He focuses on getting the rest of his gear off and under the warm spray. That made sorting his thoughts out easier.]

He calls himself the Stalker. He's from the Origin system like me. On more than one occasion he's attempted to kill me and last time we met he almost did. Somehow he got passed Ordis and onto my ship before nearly making sure that was my last day. [He rubs his chest briefly.] This is from that. As much as the mark on my arm. He brands those he deems unworthy of living because they didn't follow his skewed code.

Edited 2016-04-21 02:40 (UTC)

[The exploration of hurfdurf can wait for later. If anything, she goes more into command posture, voice dropping lower.] The fact that it's voluntary that you're shorting yourself on sleep and putting the rest of your crew at risk just makes it dumber, soldier.

[...what the fuck, Tenno.

A tiny, naked woman with pink hair shouldn't be capable of looking like an eight foot tall, annoyed valkyrie. Yet somehow, she projects the idea of it at least.]

And you didn't think it was worth telling either of your officers about this until now. [And it wasn't as if he'd come to her about it. This was dumb luck.] I get that you're used to running solo with just Ordis, and that's the only reason I haven't punched you in the balls yet.

But I want you to take a second in that nice, hot water, and think about the fact that you are on a crew with ten people besides you and Ordis, many of whom are extremely competent at just this kind of thing.

[He never expected Wrath to be this scary. Granted he knew that she was a capable soldier from what she told him but the switch was kind of terrifying and he bows his head apologetically. It was worse than being chided by the Lotus.] I thought I could handle it. I'm supposed to built for such things but I ugh...sorry sir.

I didn't think it would be an issue. How was I supposed to know that he'd be dragged here as well? It's stupid yes but I thought for once I wouldn't have to worry about him. [He'll admit he's stupid. That's a start. He clenches his jaw at the remark because she wasn't wrong.]

[Still he shuts up for a moment and follows her orders, thinking over everything. He was terrified and over anxious still. His hands tightening into fists in order to stop them from shaking.]

He wants me. Maybe Ordis but only to get back at me. I didn't mean to bring you any more trouble especially a problem such as this one. I'm used to being on my own except for Ordis. Ever since I first woke up. So it's hard and I'm sorry...sir.

[The fact that he just admitted it was stupid and he's sorry means:

1) He's not a victim of terminal hurfdurf, shockingly.

2) Her estimation of him goes back up approximately a zillion percent.

There's some definite thawing to her posture at that. And she continues in a much more gentle tone.]

It's a big change, and a lot for you to get used to. The most important part is trying, because trying leads to succeeding, and I have faith in your ability to find your place in this team. And I know you don't mean to cause trouble. You're a good soldier.

So this is what we're going to do. You're going to finish your shower. After that, you'll tell me everything you know about this person and his capabilities. Then you're gonna have a good meal and wind down. Then you'll get some sack time while I brief the Captain.

The best part about being part of a team, whether it's a platoon or a ship crew, is that you're never alone in anything. You've got a good crew. That means we've got your back, one hundred percent. And we've got Ordis's back too. No bullshit.

[So he was right in admitting his faults. That's reassuring. Usually those in his life before being dragged into the fleet had been built around people that would more so gladly flaunt his faults in his own face before allowing him room to discuss them. Ordis usually never allowed him to find problems with himself.

Strange but certainly a welcome change. This he could use for sure.]

I'll try to be useful beyond what I've been like for the past couple of days. I want to be a part of this crew even if it's not what I'm used to and find better ways to be helpful especially for protection. [That's all he was trained to be anyway.]

I can do that. I'll catch you after this then and key you on everything that I know. There's certainly no access to my codex here since that was on my own ship but I remember most things when it comes to him. [How could he forget things when it came to the man that very well could've killed him?] Hopefully him and I are both in the same predicament.

[Being alone wasn't the issue. He hadn't really ever been truly alone. No it was the fact that the Stalker was keen on his prey and tenacious as any Tenno when it came to the hunt. Ship crews meant nothing. Still it was reassuring that someone wanted to help.]

[She thinks about this.]

Being useful is important. Our first duty is to serve. But I also want you to take care of yourself. Get to know your crewmates. Make sure you get in enough sack time.

Whatever intelligence you've got will be helpful. We're gonna work up a defense strategy. And it's gonna be okay, Tenno.

I'll keep that in mind from now on. After all of this, there'll be an actual attempt at sleep. I give you my word on that.

I...um thank you. Usually I'm the one assuring but ugh glad to hear it for once.

[Then it's onto putting effort into getting clean and realizing how worked up he had gotten himself. His whole being ached from all of the stress he had forced on himself because of the Stalker's arrival let alone the new circumstances he was still trying to wrap his head around. He takes his time to follow Wrath's words before calling it quits and getting ready to talk again.

There was going to be a lot to dredge up. The mark on his arm felt as though it seethed at the very thought of discussing the Stalker. It was only the heat of the shower and the way he had tried to claw it off of himself unsuccessfully though.]

[She smiles.] I'm your CO. It's my job to look after you. One more good thing to get used to.

Meet me in the kitchen when you're done.

[She leaves him to his shower and heads to the kitchen after a brief pause to get dressed, where she manages to make them both something sufficiently hot-chocolate-like enough. She has strict written instructions so it tastes pretty okay.]

Thank you. [She was definitely more personable compared to the Lotus. Minus the brief strict bit.] I'll see you there.

[The shower is uneventful after that aside from wondering if he could remove the mark somehow. He gets sufficiently clean and dressed before venturing over to the kitchen. She's there as expected but he's drawn to look around. There's two drinks and the coloration reminds him of mud.]

What exactly is that?

It's like hot chocolate but not quite. Since I don't think we have real chocolate anywhere. [But its one of the few things she can make that's actually pretty good, so lucky you? She nudges the second mug toward him.]

Feeling a little better after the shower?

I've never had chocolate so I wouldn't be capable of judging it's closeness. [He studies the drink before finally relenting and pulling it towards him. The warmth was nice for sure. He'll wait to taste it for now.] Thank you.

It was nice. I ugh will probably be better after sleep as you said but working on the better part.

Well, hopefully you like how it tastes, then. [Probably best if you can't compare it with the real thing.]

Sleep cures a lot of ills. I'd send you off to your bunk now, but I think in the end, you'd probably sleep better if you've told me what you can so you know me and the captain are working on things with all available intel.

[Thats enough encouragement. Besides he doubts that Wrath would hand him something that wouldn't be alright. So he takes a small sip, failing at hiding his surprise.] It's probably the best thing I've tasted. Thank you. Very sweet and like nothing I've had before.

There's a lot to talk about when it comes to him. [He settles down to sit, looking down at the drink.] He is like me. Utilizing a warframe in order to channel his powers effectively while also having access to more abilities in one frame than I do. He's similarly skilled in combat.

I...he never ceases to hunt. The only way to stop him is to beat him when he comes and hope he doesn't prove to be the victor. He almost did so on the ship after the moon.

Yay! I'm just glad you like sweet things. Some people don't.

[She listens intently to the first pieces of information. One point immediately leaps to the fore as the most salient, however.]

You said he uses a warframe like you. But you don't have one of those here. So does he? [Because from what little Tenno said about it before, that would be Really Bad.]

[It's nice but he isn't here to discuss the drink. Let alone any sort of consumable in general.]

It's a heavily modified version. An excalibur class but with a conglomerate of abilities. I didn't really see if he had access to it. However he looks stripped as much as I had been so maybe luck favors us.

However neither of us require a frame to do what we're trained to do. It helps but not a necessity.

[She nods thoughtfully.]

But it's also a big difference, say, between me going after you with my muscles fully tuned and my back fixed as opposed to like right now when I'm slow and civvie weak and have a fucked up back. So that's helpful.

Other than combat expertise--cause we're gonna save the dick waving about that for later--what can he do without his warframe?

[He blinks. That wasn't wrong per se but...well yea definitely not wrong.] Essentially yes.

He's rather capable when it comes to secruity systems, being able to create an effective lockdown in an area. Communications systems as well because he always finds a way to worm into them. Anything to cut off support to his target.

Well, that's better than the alternative.

Hm. So number one is figuring out effective security. Because it's better if he can't get onto the ship unannounced at all. I don't want anyone coming onto my ship without being authorized, really.

We've got a comms officer now, Kurt. I'm not sure what the augment does, but it's something to investigate.

Could he get over here without using a shuttle, you think? [Like, is he immune to vacuum without the warframe? That's a scary thought.]

He's gonna have a hell of a time cutting off your support, with a whole crew around you. I don't want you going anywhere by yourself, though, in that case. Or without some kind of failsafe commlink so you can call for help if it comes to that.

I would think that we could figure something out in order to stop him in his tracks or at least from meddling too hard with our systems. It doesn't last long but every second counts. So maybe monitoring shuttles?

That would be certainly useful. But no he needs a shuttle. Frames requiring a way to move in space. I don't see any archwings so shuttle is the only way.

[That certainly earns a frown down at his mug.] I don't require a babysitter.

Okay, monitoring is do-able. Vision can probably come up with some methods to discourage unannounced visitors. It's not like someone can just like... throw a rock through the window and then let themselves in. The choke point is the airlocks, in that case. Makes it a lot easier to deal with.

[Squint.] I know you're a strong, independent guy who don't need nobody, but don't be dumb. Your greatest tactical advantage right now is that you are part of a crew unlike... Mr. Obsessive McAssClown. You have other people to care about you and watch your back, and we have plenty of reasons to do that other than your cute smile.

Now, I know that you are smart enough to not think ego is more important than strategy.

So at least the ship would easily managed for unwanted guests. I ugh...that close call I had back home with him, Ordis got jammed or worse so he was able to slink in without me noticing. [To be fair he was busy at the time making sure Sentients didn't murder him.] The only issue would be elsewhere.

I'm trying not to be and I apologies if I am. However I don't need to be guarded. The commlink would do just fine without having to bother anyone else.

[One of his main worries now was making sure the rest of the crew remained unharmed in this conflict. It was his problem. Unnecessary injuries would only make things worse.

Also cute smile? What?]

Ordis tends to be at my side if not fulfilling his duty so that's someone if anyone to watch me. He's not as combat skilled but he's had my back before. [And his full trust.]

Yeah, I think we can control the ship okay. That's the biggest one, since I want you to be able to sleep.

[She sighs. Tenno, stop being such a boy.]

You're really looking at this the wrong way. This isn't about babysitting you or guarding you or restricting your movements or treating you as a less competent soldier than you are. Because we both know you are competent... to a point. Everyone has that point, and it just takes one bad second, one little bit of shit luck, and you're fucked, and your unit's fucked. I got thrown out of a window. You ran afoul of this asshole.

So you can go with just the commlink. You don't have to appease me by dragging Ordis around. But I need you to get it through your head that your health and safety are not an inconvenience or a bother to anyone. Just like the health and safety of any member of this crew is valuable, so is yours.

Sleep, at least some form of it regularly, would be greatly appreciated.

[How is he supposed to explain that he doesn't trust these people despite so far? Probably should try to not say that blatantly since he was already in enough trouble.]

Wrath, I'm trying to understand what you want to do for me. However I've clashed against this monster more than once in my woken state and he doesn't have Hunhow in order to exploit a weakness. I simply don't want to drag others into harm that is meant for me.

[He sighs.] Alright. I'll keep that in mind. You have my word.

I don't know what a Hunhow is.

[She considers how to try to put this.] You said he's after you because he doesn't think you're worthy of living by his standards. That's on him, not on you.

As far as I'm concerned then, this is not a 'harm that's meant for you.' Because that would mean your commanders acknowledged that this assclown had some kind of claim on you, which we don't. [She feels confident speaking for Vision on this one.]

So I'm addressing this like I would for any member of my crew if some psycho developed a raging hateboner for them.

I think I wasn't specific enough before. I don't want the non-combatants on the crew like Castle or Ordis playing meat shield. But you have combat capable people around you, and we all have an interest in the integrity of our ship, and in keeping you in one piece because you are part of this ship.

Does that make sense?

Tenno gets the frysquint FOREVER

Lbr he kind of deserves it right now

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UH OH THE FRYSQUINT IS RETURNING

Wrath pls

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