ABS FIESTA REDUX

[Gojira]

Markus gulps and does as he's told, given he doesn't really have a choice.

[Ad Bot]

[Badger]

Walter approaches a nearby tech to see if he can offer any help with any questions on the skepna, given any of them speak Aesthian.

[Qwepir]

Markus gulps and does as he's told, given he doesn't really have a choice.

You are escorted out onto the flight deck to your plane, where it looks like there's a handful of personnel already assembled around it. One is carrying a camera, another, a microphone boom. You are approached by a woman wearing the typical Imperial BDU.
: [Lieutenant Hermann? Gisila Berger, I'm with the press. We need a photo of you for the news coverage of the Aesthian attack, maybe a soundbite too. If you'll just step over here by your plane...]

Walter approaches a nearby tech to see if he can offer any help with any questions on the skepna, given any of them speak Aesthian.

They don't. Most of the engineers flat out ignore you, and the ones you approach frustratedly wave you away.

[Gojira]

"[Sure thing.]" Markus says, more confused than nervous at this point. He takes a position in front of his aircraft, and stands at parade rest, looking at the camera.

[Badger]

Walter just nods and decides it's best to lay low, hoping if he needs to use the skepna again that its operating properly. Walter heads to an empty portion of catwalk to look at the bleak scenery and have some time alone to think about his future options.

[Mr. Hurricane]

Jaakko glances at Virvel as she walks past. He reaches up and grabs his pocket to see if his own lighter is still there. Not that he ever used it.

"I didn't know the full extent of their capabilities,"

He looks back over to where the Andromeda was, and at the black plumes rising in to the atmosphere.

"How long would you guess until we have to deal the Aesthian fleet?"

It feels alien to think of Aesthia and Aesthians as them and not us.

[Qwepir]

"[Sure thing.]" Markus says, more confused than nervous at this point. He takes a position in front of his aircraft, and stands at parade rest, looking at the camera.

: [No, not like that, you look like a robot. Here- come over here. By the ladder. Okay, put your helmet under your arm. Yeah, there you go. Now rest your hand against the rung- next one down. Relax a little, don't stand so stiff. Perfect. Alright I need you to look down towards the aft of the ship and smile. No, no, too sympathetic- give me prideful, smug even- there you go, that's good! Hold it!]

The photographer snaps a couple shots, then reviews the footage with the interviewer.
: [Looking good, looking good- is that really the time? Aw, crud, we gotta get this down to the station now. Thank you for your time, Lieutenant, sorry to bother you!]

The news team departs for areas of the ship you are not authorized to follow.

Walter just nods and decides it's best to lay low, hoping if he needs to use the skepna again that its operating properly. Walter heads to an empty portion of catwalk to look at the bleak scenery and have some time alone to think about his future options.

Passing by Arkhip and Paladius, you can't help but overhear part of their conversation.
: ...They used to just be useful idiots, filling out the rank and file, but Lucera province just elected a communist proconsul.
: So?
: It's an unhealthy precedent. If one of them ever somehow ends up within a knife's reach of the throne we may lose the entire empire to those morons...

Virvel is standing farther down the walkway, about as far from those two as they are standing from the Kintharians and Jaakko.

Jaakko glances at Virvel as she walks past. He reaches up and grabs his pocket to see if his own lighter is still there. Not that he ever used it.

"I didn't know the full extent of their capabilities,"

He looks back over to where the Andromeda was, and at the black plumes rising in to the atmosphere.

"How long would you guess until we have to deal the Aesthian fleet?"

It feels alien to think of Aesthia and Aesthians as them and not us.

: Could be in the next few minutes, could be we never have to face them at all. Too many unknown variables to make an informed decision.

[Gojira]

"[No problem!]"
That was an awkward affair. And also not at all what I had expected.
Markus heads back to the mess to finish his meal if it hasn't been thrown out already.

[Tayasaurus]

Tippy looks at Nagato after staring at her coffee for a while.

"Wanna like, go do something? A walk? Anything. I still have too much energy."

[Mr. Hurricane]

"Hmm,"

Jaakko looks out over the landscape, and for a moment tries to appreciate being alive and not in combat. He thinks of his senses, the hum of the carrier, the breeze, the setting sun. It is all marred by combat and the anxiety is still burning a hole in his chest, but, for a moment, he tries to appreciate still being standing. How long could he make not being in combat last? He wonders.

"For our sake I hope it's later. Since we're the defenders, I think time would be in our side,"

[Qwepir]

"[No problem!]"
That was an awkward affair. And also not at all what I had expected.
Markus heads back to the mess to finish his meal if it hasn't been thrown out already.

It's still waiting where you left it.

Tippy looks at Nagato after staring at her coffee for a while.

"Wanna like, go do something? A walk? Anything. I still have too much energy."

: Sure. I don't know where you're expecting to be able to go, though.

"Hmm,"

Jaakko looks out over the landscape, and for a moment tries to appreciate being alive and not in combat. He thinks of his senses, the hum of the carrier, the breeze, the setting sun. It is all marred by combat and the anxiety is still burning a hole in his chest, but, for a moment, he tries to appreciate still being standing. How long could he make not being in combat last? He wonders.

"For our sake I hope it's later. Since we're the defenders, I think time would be in our side,"

: One would hope so.

[Tayasaurus]

: Sure. I don't know where you're expecting to be able to go, though.

"I suppose we'll figure that out. Not everything needs a purpose I suppose. How about we go find Kirves?"

Tippy and Nagato both leave the messhall

[Qwepir]

"I suppose we'll figure that out. Not everything needs a purpose I suppose. How about we go find Kirves?"

Tippy and Nagato both leave the messhall

: So... where is he?

Lorens looks at his commander forlornly. Unsure of what to say, he slowly starts digging into his meal.

"We fought against the other half of Mjolnir that last sortie, didn't we?"

Yeah, we did.

The colonel takes another bite from her food.

I did have a couple of ideas about engaging them next time, but I don't think we're going to get the necessary equipment with the whole 'traitor unit' dialogue that's been circulating around.

A familiar face slides a chair up to the table.
: Hey-hey, how're we all doing over here?

[Tayasaurus]

: So... where is he?

Tippy looks around

"loving beats me, I'm standing on a ship that certainly isn't mine and certainly not blown up."

Tippy scans the various faces looking for someone at least familiar.

"I mean, even if I don't find him I'm probably gonna look into getting my rifle back."

[NoZoner]

:Hey-hey, how're we all doing over here?

Lorens pushes his tray forward as he crosses his arms on the table. "Hey. We're doing good. Good as it gets, anyway," He ends with a huff and looks down at his food.

"How are you? You guys doing alright?"