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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:34:26 GMT
08-11-2010, 01:38 AM
ARIANNA
Now here she was, nearly a full moon turn after running away, standing in the doorway to the New Republic recruiting office and praying they didn't see just another 'girl' and turn her away. Stepping thru the doorway and into the office, Arianna smiled. The surroundings were inviting yet demanded respect. She knew there was no nonsense here when it came to duty. As her head turned, her auburn hair brushed lightly on her back. She had plaited it to keep it out of her face, habit from working with it bound up out of the way all the time, but the length of it still brushed her hips as she shifted. Silvery sea blue eyes took in her surroundings as she slowly turned around in a complete circle. Everything was neat, orderly and in its place. Yet there was a sense of calm as well.
The papers on the desk a bit away from her were not so neatly stacked as to look pristine. They looked shuffled thru, but organized. Even the wall hangings, while neat, held a small layer of dust that told that other things were more important. She set her sack down by the door out of the way of any incoming traffic, and moved to sit on a chair that kept her back to the wall, and her vision clear to both doors. She wouldn't be surprised. Her brothers had taught her two things of more importance than anything else in life... Don't let anyone sneak up on your six, and always know where every tool was, every part, every piece... every moment you were working. She mused as she waited, remembering those lessons being taught.
Tools were slid out of sight, slaps on the back given when she wasn't expecting it, even a small screw, a spare one, not vital, had gone missing to show her every piece counted. It had been years now, but she still remembered arguing with the hanger chief that the sled wasn't ready for use because she couldn't find one small screw she KNEW she had had the moment before. Her brother had rushed to her side before things had gotten TOO heated and explained the reason for taking the small insignificant metal object. The chief hadn't been angry long, he knew the value of the lesson taught. But he had docked Audin's pay for the half hour the sled hadn't been able to be rented.
She was partially lost in that thought when someone else entered.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:34:55 GMT
08-11-2010, 01:41 AM
ROMON DARKSANDS
Romon had found a quite place in one of the offices just out side the recruitment office in order to work on some planing he was doing for future training missions for the Rogues. He knew that this military that had known relative piece for a long while now was going to be be going to war with the Empire sooner rather than later. He wanted to get his pilots up to speed and make sure they could live up to the Rogue squadron reputation of being able to take on those missions that just couldn't be done, and completing the job in fine military fashion. After he was satisfied with his plans for now, he rose from his chair, gathered up his data pad, and turned off the lights in the office.
Romon was wearing his black and red flight suit since he had been at a squadron meeting earlier in the day. He stood 5'9, had short cut brown hair, and ice blue eyes, that had a way of looking into people and seeing what was on the inside. Stepping into the hall he let his eyes roam around the room, taking in the sea of new recruits flooding the recruitment office. It was a very powerful sight to see. All different spices, mostly younger but some of all ages. Individuals willing to offer themselves to help the New Republic. Seeing a young girl with the look of a mechanic, Romon smiled. He did all his own work on his bird, so he could relate to someone who liked to get their hands dirty. Walking over to the woman he sat, casually, placing one ankle on the knee of the other leg and folding his hands in his lap.
"Looking to join up?"
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:35:59 GMT
08-11-2010, 01:45 AM
Arianna
She startled slightly as Romon spoke. "Yes, Sir." She said without missing a beat. Her shoulders straightened slightly and her hair settled down the center of her spine. Her blood red cotton shirt and black pants were, oddly enough, the squadron colors and complimented her features and light tan skin tone perfectly.
"I am Arianna Talien. I have no training as a pilot, but I can fix almost anything with nuts, bolts and a current. I want to be part of something that matters." Her lip curled up in a slight teasing manner as she cocked her head a bit, making her look almost like a curious bird. "And I heard this was the best place to do it." She smiled broader and met his gaze with her own steady stare. If he wished to size her up, she would let him.
Bigger men than him had stared till they backed down, not her. His eyes were different though. They didn't judge, merely measured. Perhaps he wasn't going to be one of 'those' kind after all... the kind who saw a female and thought cantinas and pleasure domes were the only places they fit. This one may actually be different. It would be pleasant to have the change.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:36:17 GMT
08-11-2010, 01:49 AM
Romon
Romon looked at the woman, she seemed to be a bit defensive, as if she was used to not being respected. That was not the way things were done here. In the NR people volunteered in the fields they were best at and it made everyone stronger. It was the Empire that looked down on non humans and others. In the New Republic all were welcome. He contained to look her over. Not checking her out, but apprising her. She was very beautiful, but his attention was had by another, so this was going to be a strictly professional meeting. The woman seemed sincere. She had a "OK, here it is, take it or leave it attitude". That would server he well, and make it easier for others to respect and welcome her, and she them.
Romon leaned leaned forward. His flight suit was of the same fashion as the standard issue NR pilot, but his was black in color with red accents sowed in. His old colors from when he flew with the mercenary crew. There were Rogue squadron patches sown on each arm, his name tag read Cadet Romon "Ghost" Darksands. "Oh yes, we are the best. You are in Rogue country now where the impossible is our stock in trade. I am Cadet Romon Darksands, my call sign is Ghost. I fly with the Rogues. We could use a good tech, but before we get there, why don't you tell me what brought you here."
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:37:21 GMT
08-11-2010, 01:52 AM
Arianna
He hadn't spoken down to her so she gave in and chose to raise an eyebrow in deference before looking around. "So I guess it's true then, huh? That you won't turn me away cause I am female?" She looked back at him as her final word fell, and smiled.
"I guess The Force did, brought me here, I mean. To be honest, I can't say. I knew I couldn't stay home and pick up a spano again, much less be allowed to work on anything. So I figured I would come where I could not only do something useful, but be part of the best team doing it. My brothers taught me since I was a kid, but when the hanger crew figured out I was a girl and not another of the Talien boys," the acid began to seep into her voice, "Well... needless to say I am here now."
She looked away swiftly this time and glanced down at her hands. They had done so much, but had never been appreciated. He wanted to know why she was here? Because she couldn't cook, hated shopping and setting up house, and the only thing she DID love, was sitting on a hanger floor after morning crew had taken off and feeling the warmth of the fuel baked plascrete waft up around her. Nothing beat the smells, sights, sounds, and feeling of watching one of the fighters, or haulers, or even the slave ships take off and knowing those inside were safe because of her.
A slight grin began to replace the acid sneer she had had a moment ago. Realizing she was drifting, she glanced back at Romon. “Why do you do what you do here?” She asked as any child would ask a parent a question. She wasn't being smart, merely asking for the sake of the knowledge. He was her XO, if she was accepted. She would work better knowing what motivated him.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:38:53 GMT
08-11-2010, 02:03 AM
Romon
As he voice turned bitter, Romon sieged to himself. He was not here to be a moral officer, but to find new recruits. Although he could sympathize with her. It was anger after all that had brought him here not that long ago. As she started talking about hanger life, Romon knew he was seeing the real her come out. She was telling him about something she truly loved and just thinking about it made her smile. This is what he wanted to hear. He enjoyed working on his bird, but flying was his true passion.
Looking the young woman in the eyes he answered her question. "There isn't just one reason. I fly because that is my true love. Feeling the speed of my bird as I firewall the throttle and point her nose into space. Knowing I can go anywhere I want to. I fight because I have lost much and want to make it so others don't have to. I fight with the Rogues because they are my family. I trust them and them trust me, we are a team. In the air and on the deck." Pausing as he leaned back in his chair he contained. "Well, I have heard that you like to work on things and seem to have a natural gift for it, but now I want to know where you came from and a little more about what specifically you want to do here."
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:40:18 GMT
08-11-2010, 02:17 AM
Arainna
She smiled as his own passion filled her ears. He loved his job, his life. She knew he was perfect where he was. She only hoped the Command was aware of how good they had it because of pilots like him. "I can imagine." She leaned back almost as casually, but maintained respect as she did so.
"I come from Cloud City on Bespin. My father and mother raised my brothers and I to do whatever we wanted. My oldest brother is a fighter pilot with the City Forces. My other brothers and I turned wrenches till they kicked me out. Audin and Brandin are still there. Other than that, there isn't much to me. I had never left the city before getting on board the transport and coming here a cycle ago." She laughed then and relaxed a bit more. "I think those in the hanger who found out were of two sides... 'good riddence' and 'how in Hoth did she manage to do that?'" She laughed again. "I won't pretend I know it all. I doubt anyone truly does. I want to start at the beginning. I want to learn how to work on those birds I saw in the hanger when I came in."
At this point she sat up, leaned forward and clasped her hands as her elbows rested on her knees. Her eyes, silver sky blue a bit ago now seemed more sstorm blue as seriousness crept into her voice and she looked her XO in the eyes. "I want to be the best this squadron has by way of mechs. I want to learn from the best then teach others to be the best. That is the only way I know how to be. Will you give me that chance, Sir?" She looked at him with no more awe, shock or even curiosity. The serious mechanic in her had spoken and she only hoped she wouldn't be shown the door.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:41:13 GMT
08-11-2010, 08:32 PM
Romon
Romon smiled as the woman told her tail. She had a passion for doing something, and she was making sacrifices to be able to do it. He had a lot or respect for that, and so did the New Republic. Once she was in she was part of a family. Sure, they might not all get along together ALL of the time, but here she would be respected and welcomed, and she would be doing what she loved. Basing the NR off this philosophy had been what had glued a band of Rebels together and allowed them to fight the Empire. His smile broadened when she mentioned the birds. The squadron was very attached to its fighters. After all, with out them they would just be setting around ready rooms all day. Many of the pilots had customized their fighters to add a personal touch.
He leaned forward and his face turned serious as her did, he wanted her to know that he was listening to her, and giving her a place to fit in, not dismissing her in the least. "Well, as it is right now, Laina and I do most of the maintains on the birds. We both work on our own fighters and some of the other pilots have bought our services with a couple of pints to keep their birds up and running. We have had alot of down time and the birds have been sitting. As of right now most major repairs are done, although there are a couple of striped down Y-wings in the back of the hanger that we have been stealing parts off of to keep the others flying. Those damn things are so problem prone. Anyway, we are gearing up for combat, so Cadet Reynolds and I will be spending more time in the cockpit then turning wrenches. The birds will also have accelerated wear and possible battle damage when we get back from missions. We will pitch in where we can and enlist some of the other pilots to turn wrenches when we need to, but our number one priority is to keep the birds combat ready ar all times. You will deploy with us when we go space side. Most of the hanger bays on the Capital ships are nicely stocked with tools, and techs, but I want someone who knows our birds inside and out."
He paused for a minuet, letting that sink in. Coming from a back ground of working on fighters, even if they were nothing more than hoped air speeders, she knew that each fighter had its own personality. Some had wiring gremlins, some had specifies mechanical "issues" that kept occurring for no apparent reason. Case in point. The upper starboard engine on his X-wing always ran a few degrees hotter than the other three. It purred like a kitten and Romon had rebuilt it himself 3 times before, but it still ran just a few degrees warmer. That was just the nature of the beast. "I am not going to bantha fodder you. Once we see some action you will be in for a lot of work. I think you have what it take and will be glad to have you around, but the choice is yours. It will get crazy. Not to mention the antics that go on around here on a regular basis. Did you know there is a rumored loose Ewok on the base. It is an old wives tale, but people claim to see it every once in a while." Romon smiled, hoping that she could see he was trying to make her feel comfortable, not intimidated or looked down upon. He was just being honest with her.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:43:25 GMT
08-11-2010, 09:05 PM
Romon
Looking back at here, keeping his face straight although he was bursting with laughter on the inside, he answered. "Well, legend has it that he was once a pilot for the New republic. He was genetically altered by an Imp scientist to have the brain power of a human and be about to understand and speak basic. The docs even made him a set of prosthetics so he could fly a star fighter. He defected and came to fight with us. He was called Lieutenant Ketchet. So be careful you don't leave any fighters powered on or they might not be there in the morning." Romon finished still keeping a serious expression on his face.
OOC: The story of the Ewok pilot was one i borrowed from the Star Wars X-wing series and is not my own work. I thought it would add some comedy here and used it.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:43:54 GMT
08-12-2010, 12:01 AM
Arianna
"Wow... I will remember that." She nodded solemely only to burst into laughter. "And here I thought 'I' was gullible? You actually believed what I said." She smiled and winked. "But hey, I won't tell anyone if you don't." With that she lost her control and laughed. It wasn't high pitched like the women in the cantina trying to wriggle money from the soldiers, or low and dark like one may hear in the bedroom. It was pleasant and soft, pleasing to the ears and may even make those who didn't know her, believe she was much younger. As she caught her breath she shook her head. "You know, Sir... I think I am gonna like it here."
She shook her head and tilted it again looking at him murmuring, "An Ewok who steals fighters... I gotta remember that if i start hearing of tools laying around. Maybe 'he' is the one who will snatch them up when the techs aren't paying attention. More believable than widgets back home anyway." Her mind began reeling as she spoke. If she was hanger chief, she would remember her brother's lessons on mislaid tools and forgotten items. Snatching up a spano after someone says they already have their tools was not something you wanted to get caught at. After all, no one wants to hear 'Really, mech? Then this spano belongs to someone else?'. She smiled and took in Romon once more from top to bottom. "Yes, Sir... I hope I will fit in just fine...." She smiled once more. "I am not niave and know it will be hard work. No one here knows me from a Hutt." She laughed softly. "But I promise I will always do my best, ask when I don't know something and never let you down, Sir." Her gaze, a moment ago full of mirth and mischief, was solemn once more. She knew this wasn't an easy life, and wasn't going to say she knew it all... but she did make it clear this was what she wanted.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:45:48 GMT
08-13-2010, 01:28 AM
Romon
Romon looked her over again. She had a since of humor, that was good. When they were stationed aboard a capital for months at a time practical jokes tended to happen at an accelerated rate. Who knows, that stuffed Ewok in pilots gear that they always smuggled along might make an appearance. She seemed already capable but ready to learn more and take the time to do the job right. The gods knew the Rouges could use a good hand keeping the birds ready to roll.
Thinking again, mentally checking off things that were part of the "standard check out" . She seemed promising, but Romon liked to get to know his people and get a feel for how they will fit in. Smiling in a kind way, as if thinking back of his fond memories thus far in the squadron he asked, "What do you think military life is going to be like."
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:46:17 GMT
08-13-2010, 01:53 AM
Arianna
As Romon asked the question, Ari tilted her head and looked at him as if trying to judge his seriousness. "I know it won't be easy. This isn't a job that lets you sleep in till lunch and still go home by dinner. I know the hours are long, the jobs aren't always easy, or safe, and sometimes there isn't a break for hours." That smile she had earlier began to return as she continued. "But I know when you all fly off, you will be safe, ready to respond to action and able to defend the Republic because of what the groundcrew does. I will be sore, hungry, and probably hate you many days for the way you return your fighter to me for repairs... but I will be safe and able to sleep knowing that it was all worth it. The hydraulic fluid, fuel, busted knuckles, bruised forheads and ocassional sore butt from being kicked there for moments of stupidity, are all medals of honor to a mechanic. I don't expect a ribbon when we keep an enemy from gaining a foothold, I don't want a ceremony when we win a fight... I want a smile, a nod or even a raised hand once in a while to let me know, and the rest of us who will work hard for you every day we are here, that you are well, satisfied and accepting of what we have done for you." She was still still and straight now. The look in her now sea blue eyes was steady as she watched him. "Tell me when I do wrong, and don't wait for a quarterly eval... tell me when I do right so I can teach others... and let me learn from my mistakes instead of padding them to 'protect me' is all I ask of you. In return you will have honor, loyalty and commitment worthy of being part of the Republic's military." She waited for his response while her mind half wandered to what kind of people applied here and how their expectations were met.
((modified cause I forgot to post body of post))
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:46:50 GMT
08-13-2010, 02:15 AM
Romon
He response confirmed what Romon had been thinking, she was what they had been looking for. He took out his data pad and typed up a message to the High General. It read "Hey Wraith, it is Ghost. Listen bud, I think I found the answer to our maintenance problems. I am interview a new recruit that seems to be up for the job. Just wondering if you could swing by and seal the deal. We are in the main recruitment office lobby."
After sending the message and putting the data pad back into the shoulder pocket on his fight suit, he turned his attention back to her. "I think you will make a fine addition to the Rogues. I just sent a message to the boss man, asking if he would stop by. He is a peoples General. As long as you work hard he has nothing be respect for his people. He makes sure we are well taken care of. But what ever you do, don't call him Sir, he will boot you right on outta here. He hates that!"
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:47:42 GMT
08-13-2010, 02:23 AM
Arianna
"So what you are telling me is I should tell him 'you' told me to call him MA'AM when he asks me why I did it?" She laughs and shakes her head. "I promise not to upset him if I am able. So do I call you Sir?" She relaxed a bit knowing that she was one step closer, perhaps all but one step indeed, to being part of what she dreamed of.
"I was also curious as to the hanger boss. Is there a chief there I need to know about? Things to do and not do that you can think of? I don't want to show up on day one, if I am accepted, and begin by stepping on toes and wrenches." She smiled again and began to set down to the nitty gritty. The hard part was over... she was here. Now the grueling part began... staying here.
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Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2015 0:48:23 GMT
08-13-2010, 02:49 AM
Romon
Well, as of right now you would be the hanger boss, it would be the three of us working on the birds for the most part. If you feel comfortable with it, well will turn it all over to you. You don't have to worry about stepping on anyones toes here."
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