|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:41:50 GMT
Pull the trigger (Accepted)09-03-2016, 04:32 AM Kaylar Luspark Kayla stood outside the door to the recruitment office. She regarded the building as butterflies rolled through her stomach. Nervousness and anxiety were clear in her body language as she tapped a data disc against her left hand with her right. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. Would it be fight or flight? Finally, she pulled the door open and made her way inside. She'd submitted her application weeks ago along with the aptitude battery test. The interior was quiet save for the sound of office equipment in the back ground. Stale tapcaf filled the air along with the smell of worn carpeting and stacks of flimsiplasts. Snippets of quiet conversation floated through from the back offices. A woman, maybe in her mid twenties wearing a set of New Republic Navy blues stood up. "Can I help you, ma'am," she asked Kaylar politely. Swallowing the lump in her throat the girl made her way to the desk. "My name is Luspark, Kaylar. I believe you should have my application and scores on record. I'm pulling the trigger on joining up," she informed... Lieutenant Nevtra by the name tag on the uniform. "Alright. If you can fill this out. I know.. it's just a formality," Nevtra said, passing a datapad with another set of paperwork in it. She could see the nervousness and made it almost a joke to break some of the tension. "Cop a squat. Somebody will be with you most ricky-tick." "Aye, Leiutenant," Kaylar said with a crack of a smile before turning and heading over to one of the nearby seats. She began to quickly fill in the info she could. That was all in the database anyway. The rest was quickly added after a few brief moments of consideration. You know, for all the New Republic's talk about rugged individualism and personal freedom, there's an awful lot of red tape and paperwork. From what I hear, it didn't used to be this way. Finally after roughly half an hour, Kaylar was on her feet again and passing the pad back to the Lieutenant manning the front desk for the recruiting office. Last edited by Kaylar Luspark; 09-03-2016 at 06:19 PM.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:43:14 GMT
09-05-2016, 08:02 PM
Arianna Talien
Arianna was the mechanic for Rogue Squadron. Her skill set included spano wrenches and R2 bucket connections. But here she was, on recruit rotation. It seemed she made a big enough impression while here last time, that her duties here had become a cyclical thing. When things were slow, she would do interviews and help prep new recruits for what was to come.
As she settled into her temp desk in an office all sorts of people shared, she keyed on the comm and looked for an applicant that was requesting Navy and hadn't been marked as for a specific interviewer yet.
"Kaylar... Luspark..." Arianna said the name a couple times to herself to get the feeling, then rose and headed for the candidate room. Nodding to the Lt behind the desk, and absently tugging on her own dress uniform, something she rarely wore, the Cadet looked at her data pad and then at the gathering of eager hopefuls.
"Kaylar Luspark..." She spoke the name out and waited to see who would respond. The brunette had hair plaited into a tight bun on the back of her head and was in dress skirt and jacket. There were a couple ribbons on her breast, but nothing like the officers who wandered the same halls. She smiled as she prepared herself to welcome someone she hoped she could recommend to Rogue Squadron. After all, if she was gonna take part in this selection, why not help out the squadron that needed it most? Right?
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:43:46 GMT
09-05-2016, 09:04 PM
Kaylar
Kay had put herself back in the bucket to wait. A quick message was tapped out on her own personal datalink and uploaded to the various datanets. It was probably not the best idea, having something like this on social media. Especially if the Imperials were looking. What were the odds they were looking at her anyway? She was a nobody from nowhere.
It was then she noted another officer slip in from the back, standing to regard the room. Most of the others ad been passing back and forth, occasionally giving a nod or an occasional smile to other hopefuls that happened to catch their attention. This was different. It was searching behavior. A flutter flitted through her insides which only intensified for a split moment as her name was called. The girl smoothed her palms against her thighs. She wore a pair of pants that clung to her form to herknees before loosening some. They were a few shades above navy blue. Over them was a medium firebrick shirt with only a pair of thin straps holding it in place. Over that was a nerf-hide jacket, black with a thin high collar... a racer's jacket. Her hair was also up, twisted into a pair of sticks, sharp ones that looked metal. Weapons? The hairstyle had a slightly messy look to it, the way it spilled around. It clearly wasn't military. That would have to change.
Kayla had done herself a favor though in opting to not have a shoulder bag, instead her datapad wasn't much bigger than a comlink which was slipped into a pocket. She straightened her shoulders, squaring her posture. Her head was held high and her eyes seemed to shine for a moment as she turned toward the crew chief. That gaze narrowed on the woman once more, locking on target, but without any hostility only focus.
Her strides carried her across the room smoothly, stopping a little over half a meter away. "I'm Luspark," she said, adopting the last name as she set herself.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:44:20 GMT
09-06-2016, 01:10 AM
Arianna
Ari smiled and nodded down the hall for the woman to follow her. "I am Arianna Talien." Her voice was professional as she led the way to the small, impersonal office and offered the woman a seat. She then shut the door, removed her dress uniform jacket and straightened her shirt before sitting at the desk.
Her features relaxed and she tapped on the comm so it would record the session for anyone wanting to monitor or review it now or later. "There, much better. I am Cadet Talien, the Chief Mechanic for Rogue Squadron. I will be conducting your interview which will be recorded. An officer will review it and possibly come in at some point to give their final decision. Is that acceptable to you?"
She wanted the woman to be relaxed, but also know that just because a Cadet was interviewing her, it wasn't going to be just a couple girls chatting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:44:57 GMT
09-06-2016, 06:30 AM
Kaylar
Eyebrows shot up at that and her head inclined just a little, but only for a split second. Surprise. As she studied the cadet and crew chief she tilted her head a slight bit while flashing a quick smile. "Sure," she replied while slipping one thigh over the other after settling in her seat. The hands were folded in her lap though her hands still moved a little, her right thumb rubbing at the webbing between thumb and forefinger on her left. The foot bounced a bit as well. Kayla took a moment to focus on her breathing as nervousness or anxiety was continuing to roll through her.
At the same time, she felt the urge to break the ice. Questions floated through her mind, some of them she knew she couldn't ask until she had clearance or was inducted. Things like the specific model of X-wings the Rogues were flying. Did they have the Mark II's or were they flying Mark III's or was it mixed? Did she work on A-wings much? Some of them couldn't be answered just because of Operational Security or OpSec. Tell the wrong someone the wrong tidbit of information andit could lead to people Arianna worked with dying.
"You guys must be pretty low on personnel to having cadets as Chief Mechanics, and have them stuck in the office," she said, straightening up a little bit. She cleared her throat a little bit even as the left corner of her lips twitched, pulling back in the briefest of smiles. "That's nothing against you. It's just surprising. I'm sure you'd rather be with your unit than flying a desk here. And that's okay." As she spoke her Corellian accent came out more strongly. It was a slightly loose or sloppy way of speaking, and with a bit of charm and a shine in the eye. "At the same time though I bet it's a welcome change of pace."
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:45:29 GMT
09-06-2016, 04:18 PM
Arianna
It took everything Ari had not to laugh at the flash of surprise on the woman's face. The poor girl had looked about ready to choke at the idea of a Cadet giving an intake interview. She shook her head, though at the woman's suggestion she would rather be someplace else. "Actually, I like this duty. If you think about it, it's not that crazy. Let's assume, for a moment, you are accepted, become a pilot and a year down the road more recruits show up. Wouldn't you want someone from your unit, or at least your job description, doing some of the interviewing? Someone who has a unique insight to what the squadrons and personnel need on our level? I am not saying that officers and people of higher rank don't sometimes have much better honed skills for judging people. After all, it's their experience and longevity doing this job that helps the most. But occasionally having someone from inside the trench ask questions is a bit more telling."
She glanced down at her notes and smiled. "Besides, it is a nice change of scenery." She winked and laughed at the dark haired woman as they both relaxed a bit more. "So tell me a bit about what made you decide to apply to be a pilot with us? I mean, I can see from your app that you're a bit far from home, aren't you?" It was interesting to discover why they all happened to end up here. Some came cause they had no where else to go to serve, some came from Imperial worlds and didn't like where the Empire was going in respect to galactic domination desires, and others had grown up in military families and were simply following tradition, and familial expectations.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:46:14 GMT
09-15-2016, 01:21 PM
Kaylar
Kayla smiled at the comment about the scenery tilting her head a little. Was the mechanic flirting just a little bit with that comment? She couldn't be sure, but instead filed it away for later. A moment later she inclined her chin just a little. "Yeah, it's a little far from Corellia to be out here," she admitted. "My family has been against the Empire for... as long as I can remember. Back when it was still just the Alliance to Restore the Republic, or the Rebel Alliance as the Empire would call it, we were supporters, sympathizers, collaborators, I suppose you could say." She pursed her lips as she waited for the reaction to that tidbit to float over Ari's features.
"Occasionally we would pass bits of information when we could. Relatives in CorSec would talk around the water cooler. Sometimes we would donate to 'relief' groups that were funneling supplies to the Alliance. But the real contribution... We used to make A-wings. Back when they first came out, and weren't being completely mass produced. You know you could get project kits to make them. D.I.Y. style. They're still out there too. That's why you'd get some that had wood panel interiors and the like. Anyway, we used to make and donate them. There's a good bet that more than one interceptor that's been in a major vape fight was made by my family." She gave a smile, almost a smirk at that then shrugged.
"Of course, if you're going to make them, you have to test them, and transport them. I was flying an A-wing from about the age of twelve. I love speed. But, I'm nothing if not practical. Back home I took one of the kits and turned it into my own custom racer. Stronger power plant, boosted Event Horizon engines," Kayla said, her eyes seeming to shine as she talked about her baby, flying, and more. "Truth be told, I'm only lining my pockets if I'm racing. Not really helping out. I still want to do my part. The Empire is not gone. And you need folks that are hot on the stick."
Idly she chewed her lower lip. "While I like speed, the X-wing might be slower, but it has a higher survivability than an A-wing. Sometimes the A-wing's speed in combat is a detriment. The X-wing has more teeth too, and if I'm going to be taking a bite out of the Empire, I'd rather have nastier teeth." She paused for a moment. "Most TIE pilots are really really good. But that doesn't stop them from getting really really dead. You brush them with a turbolaser or a quad laser and.." as she trailed off she mouthed a silent 'BOOM!' while blossoming her hands to mimic an explosion.
"More than that though. It's personal. I lost family at Endor. I was little then. But then later on, I lost more family when the Empire intercepted a shipment and ... " She let herself trail off then, swallowing a lump in her throat. That had cost her the life of her older brother. "It was .. a few years ago but it isn't exactly easier. You know?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:46:59 GMT
09-15-2016, 05:15 PM
Arianna
Ari listened as the woman's passion came through her words. The mechanic knew she had found a kindred spirit in regards to the majestic monstrosities that the pilots flew. Buckets of nuts and bolts, to some... a think of grace and beauty, to her.
"You are right. The X-wing is a bit slower, but the maneuverability is a bit better than you th'ink. And the addition to having a better lifespan as far as survivability, is a huge pro for flying it. But there are still ways to customize your personal craft when you earn one. Maybe not with wood paneling, because it's not practical." Ari laughed slightly imagining the wood paneled cockpit and what Romon would have thought about that in the past. "But certainly with upgrades, downgrades and combinations that enhance your flying abilities and compliment your skills are definitely something I can help you do."
Ari typed a couple things into the computer and turned back to the recruit. "So now we know where you come from, tell me where you want to go. Why are you here? Just to fly and make a difference? Or do you have a loftier goal?" Everyone came here wanting to help. The question was, did this young woman aspire to more. They needed people willing to excel, and not just do what was needed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:47:38 GMT
01-18-2017, 10:55 PM
Kaylar
Kayla considered for long moments the question. "I love to fly. Military gives me the opportunity to do that. I could do it as a civilian, sure. But military forces train the best pilots and I'm already good. I want to be a tachyon topgun. I want to keep up with people like Rogue Squadron and Wraith Squadron. I grew up hearing about them. The Liberation of Coruscant... The Bacta Wars. Making a difference sure. Though I know it's probably going to wind up being a lot of CAP, and long hours in the seat. But it looks good on a resume, if I do decide to leave. Right now though I think ... I'd probably want to be a lifer. Go through Officer Candidate School, become a lieutenant... Maybe even a captain some day leading my own squadron. It's a lot of responsibility though. But, I mean... the only trajectory I really see is up. Yeah I can fly, yeah I could probably get hired on some tramp freighter or something, or even just pilot a garbage truck around Corellia. Not what I want though. I want combat. not that I want to die but.... I dunno, I'm a little bit of an adrenaline junky. But I know how to be a team player. Least I think I do."
She wasn't sure if the answer as sufficient enough, or would make sense to the officer in front of her. It was difficult, not to fidget nervously. Kayla knew she was about to jump off a cliff with no real parachute. Sink or swim. But in a way, no matter what happened it would make her tougher, and a better person. She knew that, and wanted that too, even if she was partly terrified. The young woman hoped it didn't show on her face too much, as she tried to project an aire of confidence, and usually did so decently.
((CAP = Combat Air/Aerospace Patrol for those reading but not knowing what it is. ))
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:48:41 GMT
01-19-2017, 05:17 AM
Arianna
Ari listened as the before and after 'now' questions were answered. The woman had come from a place that may have turned on her drive to excel, but it was hey own motivation that kept going.
"Well, it's good to know you aren't seeking 'honor and glory' every time you get in the cockpit. Because you're right... There is a lot of training and patrolling that goes on. Sometimes we are teasing ourselves and sometimes we fly as 'the enemy' for others to train against." The mechanic thought she'd like this new pilot. Some came in chips their shoulders, looking down at her cause she was a wrench turner, and figured every time they buckled up they would be shooting the enemy like targets on a range.
The fact this one was a realist and down to earth made her more likable. Ari could see her as squadron leader material some day. "I think it's great you are aware just realistic and mundane this job can be. Sometimes there is a lot of down time. Do you have anything you like to do when not sitting behind a control stick?" Arianna want one to pry, but learning about those she'd work with was definitely something she did. Occasionally the extracurricular activities hey just as much about someone as did their active time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2018 10:49:00 GMT
<<Cadet accepted, thread ended>>
|
|
