In reply to Victor Taske (msg # 2):

Brent turns from making small talk with the other when Victor and Kirana come over. If he wasn't expecting so formal, he snapped the empire's salute off like he was born to it.  He takes your code cylnder waves off Kirana's.  "As ease, Lt. Taske.  Lt. Kaus, I know you're just taxiing the TIE over.  I'll have Lt. Rourke shuttle you back.  You're qualified on that craft too, aren't you?  Well, watch Rourke, and maybe he can teach you something.  And if you want a transfer into Fleet Flight, 1313th'd be happy to have you. Get outta your desk job!"  he cracks a smile.  Did you see him wink at her?

"Now, LtJG. Taske, we're a small crew, and less formal, at leastaways for now.  Rourke, is there, but of course, he's taking the Lt. back.  You'll see him again.  This here is Kenth who nabbed a fighter the other day, and this here is Zinda, his Wingman.  Yahn is out Yahning somewhere & Arry is around, you'll meet them later, no doubt.  You'll be Shadea Osk's wingman, on Flight III; 1600-0000.  So you're on in a bit, actually.  Enough time to get your stuff stowed, have Shadea show you around and with The big Diesel plus the Izumi on station, it'll probably be pretty quiet.  I'll send you all the relevant details on your datapad, which everyone should check, because I'm moving people around.  Kenth - would you show him where to bunk?  While we were on Merisee, Zam's gear got shipped back to Derlyn Station.  Might be a while, and he'll need some time, apparently, poor guy.  But hey, glad you're here, and I hope you're ready to fly.  Clearly, the Empire is needed around here!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Wed 22 Mar 2023.

"Hiya!" Zinda said. "Welcome to the squadron Lieutenant Task. I'm sure you'll fit in just fine. Don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do"

"He's expected to make a full recovery eventually, right sir?" she asked about Zam. He was never the most friendly sort but he was still a teammate and Zinda worried about him.

Viktor and Kirana lowered their salute at Sallin's dismissal. For now they ignored the other pilots as they were being inspected by an officer.

"Sir, yes I am certified to fly shuttlecraft." answered Lt Kaus, if she saw the wink then she didn't acknowledge though her face did soften a bit at the smile. "Yes sir, it shall be my pleasure to learn." she managed cautiously but her shoulders did relax at Sarrin's attempts to lighten the mood.

When it was his turn, Vaske's brow furrowed for a split second as he contemplated if this was some sort of test of their discipline, from the corner of his eye finally noticing some of the pilots here to welcome them were even smiling at him.
If this was all an elaborate act then it was a good one.

Concluding that perhaps there was a world of difference between what he was taught at the academy and the actual realities of frontline active service, he slightly relaxed too though maintained a formal demeanor as he wasn't quite willing to lower his guard entirely just yet.

"Sir, very well, I look forward to accomodating myself into the crew and will bring myself up to speed as efficiently as possible."
Sallin's last comment got a slight nod of approval.

As he was presented to the other pilots Viktor offered a nod of acknowledgement to each of them in turn. They all looked like fine upstanding imperials, he saw nothing wrong with them.
Zinda's openly friendly attitude aught him off guard though, once again being a bit puzzled at this open display of warmth which would have been punished most severely at the academy he was from.
"Thank you for the offer of assistance, I will." he managed a bit clumsily after a brief pause, the corners of his mouth curling upwards into a smile for a heartbeat before vanishing.

Whilst it wasn't unpleasant to be treated like an actual person again after years of dehumanisation, it took some getting used to so he was relieved Zinda changed topic to that of Zam, the pilot he presumed he was replacing.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Wed 22 Mar 2023.

"Yeah...scuttlebutt is that the first intercept of the rescue for Zam missed.  I'm sure they'll get the next one right.  Still, tumbling through space at 100 MGLT for a week?  That's a problem for sure.  I hope he'll be ok."

All right, settle in, Taske, and when you're on duty, you're down here in the hangar and suited up ready to go at a moment's notice.  If the XO wants you flying patrol, you will.  If anything happens, I'll be on in an instant, either on the bridge coordinating, headed down here.  Otherwise, just like the sims at the academy - even if we all had different academies, the flight instruction is all pretty much the same.  Follow your flight leader, pay attention to bridge instructions, keep your instruments lively, watch your six and trust your gut."

He gives him a clap on the shoulder.  "Get your bunk,and get the lay of the land.  I'l check back as your watch starts."

OCC: New watch schedule posted.

Kenth nodded as Sallin told him to show the new guy where to bunk, "Will do Sir."

He waited for a moment as the two spoke before interceding, "Welcome aboard. When ever your ready I'll show you where we bunk. The Myrmidon isn't big enough to get lost on so there is that."

The click of heels on the deck preceded the arrival of another officer. Her uniform was immaculate: nothing out of place, boots polished, lines straight, posture rigid as if on the parade ground.

She wasn't human. She wasn't anything the new arrivals had ever seen before: blue skin, black hair, and red, glowing eyes that took in everything even as they remained fixed in front of her as she came to a stop.

"Sir," she said to their CO. "Apologies for my tardiness in welcoming our new arrivals. I had my final appointment with medical."

"Understood, Arry.  Glad you're back.  Taske, don't let Arry's appearance spook yas; she's got good piloting instincts, and that's all that matters, mostly."  He looks a mite sheepish for a moment "Well, ya ain't gonna be the poster girl for the Imperial Fleet, but they were certainly impressed in control when your TIE hit that missile.  Ooo Ooo.  Don't want to see that every day, but it was something.  I'd have loved to have the techs to bring in the onboards, but ..." he shrugs.  "Anyway, it was good.  Alright crew.  You're dismissed.  Let's finish out a rotation and then have a Squadron Meeting tomorrow at 1100. I'll send out the note for that in a sec. Nothing major."

Zinda was heartened to see the slight smile on Victor's face. He seemed to be a bit formal, which was fine, but at least she didn't seem to be annoying him.
"Not big enough for you to get lost, I wandered into the cargo bay by accident early on" Zinda joked. She stayed respectfully silent when Sallin was speaking. She nodded in agreement when he said that Arry's maneuver to save the boarding party was impressive. She added "Thank you sir" when he dismissed them.
"Hiya Arry." she said warmly once they were dismissed. "Docs say everything's okay?"

Waiting until they were dismissed, Osk approached the two to welcome them personally. "Victor, Kirana, welcome to the unit. Let me know when you are ready to tour the ship." Shadea was still wrapping her head around not being the wingman herself, hopefully things would go better for her than it did for Zam.

Viktor alternated his gaze between Zinda and Kenth. Such casual talk and easy going manners was starting to remind him what it was like to be normal again, why he had already heard his own name more times in just the last few minutes then he had the entirety of the past year and a half.

His small talk was rusty but he felt inspired enough to try to break the ice a bit: "Can't be worst then my training ship: it was one of those old acclamator classes, layout there was quite confusing. I'm sure the Myrmidon will feel downright cozy in comparison." he said in a deadpan manner.

Another of their fellow pilots approached them, another dark haired human woman.
"I am afraid I am not staying, I was only here to deliver a craft. But I shall see you and the others in space I'm sure." answered Kirani with a slight shake of her head.
"Thank you, the welcome has been ah...a lot warmer then expected to tell you the truth, seems I am adequately supplied when it comes to tour guides." said Viktor with an attempt at a soft smile.

Only for that smile to freeze then melt as he recognised the aura of authority emanating from the blue skinned new arrival and it triggered something instinctive in Taske so he straightened to attention and regained his strict compusure just as he was finally starting to relax a bit.
He avoided staring or averting his gaze but the red eyes were certainly awe inspiring, it seemed like he would have some questions to ask Zina sooner then expected, especially when the latter greeted the alien officer with such familiarity.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Fri 24 Mar 2023.

"Quite, Zinda. I've been given a clean bill of health and released to unrestricted duty. I look forward to returning to the flight deck and getting back out there."

She turned and nodded to the two new arrivals. One new arrival as it seemed the other was leaving. He had seemed to be standing at his ease until she arrived. Something about her made him snap back to attention-perhaps the fact she had walked in and gone to attention in front of the CO?

"Welcome, Lieutenant, I'm Lieutenant Mitth'Arr'yleoni. You may call me Arry as that is my core name."

Victor tried his best not to look straight into 'Arry's eyes even as they bore right into him.

"My pleasure to be here.'"Arry?" It will take some time to get used to such formality but very well, at least it is easy to remember." he said diplomatically.

Viktor really wasn't sure what to make of this one, "'Arry" walked and conducted herself with the poise and dignity of a true imperial officer yet was equal in rank to him and also very clearly an alien. Not that there was anything wrong with that of course, it was just his first time seeing one in an imperial uniform and out of the many scenarios the academy had prepared him for, this wasn't one of them.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Mon 27 Mar 2023.

"Acclamator? My father served on one of those during the war!" Zinda responded to Taske. "Funny to think I could end up serving on the same one at some point."

"Glad to hear it Arry. I feel safer already" she said with a smile. "It'll be good to see you out there again."

"I'm sure you'll acclimate in no time, Lt.," Arry said, giving him a small smile before turning back to Zinda.

"Thank you. It will be good to be back out there. I have no doubt the time will soon come when we're called into service once again. Between the pirates and the Rebellion, the pilots of the Empire are often needed."

"If you care to share them, I'd very much like to hear your father's war stories when we have the time." said Taske, his curiosity piqued by Zinda's dad's service in the clone wars.


"Thank you..."'Arry'". Sorry, I'll get used to saying it eventually."
He said as he tried to look at 'Arry straight in the eyes but averted his gaze after a few seconds. Perhaps the others were acclimatised to it but maintaining eye contact with someone whose eyes were litteral turbolasers would take some getting used to for him.
Still despite his initial reaction, it was clear the other pilots were not on edge around 'Arry so perhaps he shouldn't be either.

"So I believe I've now met everyone except..Yahn wasn't it? Very well, would you show me the way to my bunk Kenth? After that Shadea I'll be ready to start the tour. Also I'd welcome a few hours in the sims since as your new wingman it's on me to adjust to how you fly."

Referring to other pilots by their names and nicknames felt like a thrilling transgression. Perhaps this was one of the hidden benefits to serving on a smaller ship as opposed to the star destroyers most servicemen dreamed of being stationed on: less rigidity and formality and pilots treated like individuals.

"Oh, I'd love to tell them!" Zindra said enthusiastically when Vitor offered to listen to her father's war stories. "Yahn-er, Lieutenant Kahrnon- is a nice guy, a little quiet. I'm sure you'll get along. Enjoy the tour!"

"Probably" she said to Arry. "But maybe they'll be so scared of us they'll be afraid to come out and fight" she joked."

Kenth waited for Zinda to finish, "There this way." As he motioned toward the hall. He headed over to the door.

When out of ear shot of the others he continued. "Hope you realize you have opened a whole avenue for Zinda to regal you of old war stories. But at least they may be better than her jokes."

Shadea nodded Taske and left him in the capable hands of Felaeon. "Right, inform me when you are ready." With introductions out of the way, Osk went back to her quarters. A tour of the ship... It wouldn't take that long in theirs and with their clearance, small mercies.

Zinda waited for Kenth and Victor to be out of earshot before she turned to Arry. "The new pilot is rather handsome, isn't he?"

"I look forward to it." nodded Victor to Zinda.

"One moment if you please." he said to Kenth, wanting to say goodbye to someone first.
Walking up to Kirana, Victor's arm moved to do an imperial salute before hesitating and offering a handshake. "Stay safe out there Liu-Kirana."
After glancing around as if she was some child wary of getting caught doing something she shouldn't do, Kirana returned the handshake "You too Victor."
Although the words exchanged were short, refering to each other by names meant a lot.

With that emotional goodbye out of the way Victor returned to settling in.
"Right then, let's see the state of the bunks." he motioned to Kenth to lead on and as they walked raised an eyebrow: "Her stories can't be THAT bad can they?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:39, Wed 05 Apr 2023.

Kenth headed off down the hall, it wasn't much of a walk to their bunks. As they walked, "Well I have avoided those stories for now. But if they are anything like her jokes it could be bad."

Once at the room he stepped inside, "Well this is it, not much to look at and a bit cramped but other than sleeping we don't see it much."

Arry looked at the departing Taske from another angle and nodded slightly. "I suppose he is. He certainly looks the part of a proud Imperial pilot. Almost cut from the mold of the recruiting vids. He seems to have issues maintaining eye contact, however. That is something he needs to work on. Shall we?"

"Probably just shy, he is meeting us for the first time. Or maybe he's interested in you?" Zinda said, partially teasing.

"It's just refreshing to be able to hear jokes at all. Don't know which academy the rest of you went to, but on Carida our instructors were...strict, and most severe." said Victor with a shake of his head.

He inspected the state of his bunk and as expected it was a bit tight for him so he would have to sleep hunched up, it's times like this he regretted not having signed up for the stormtrooper corps.

"That will be quite adequate enough thank you. So what's this about a kill you recently tagged? Seems the Myrmidon gets it fair share of action." he asked Kenth, although he intended to fully catch up on the ship's activities it would be more interesting to hear it from a first hand account.

Kenth nodded, "I know what you mean. The academy on Montross was the same. I guess Lt. Commander Sallin and the XO don't care as long as we get the job done."

Kenth couldn't help but grin as Victor inspected his new bunk. He was a big guy to be a pilot and these bunks were not the most comfortable to start with.

When he asked about Kenth's recent kill he shrugged, "Just an old Z-95 running escort for a rogue freighter. I can't comment on the amount of action it was our first action on this tour."