The Long Journey Home

[Universal_narration]

Mess hall

Tami places a hand over her face. "What a failsafe for radio waves? Like what lead sheets? Encryption? Doesn't stop the fact that radio waves are being sent out and that's easily traceable by our own technology let alone space robots. Urg, I swear soldiers are so dense sometimes." Tami looks at both the soldiers. "Why are you asking me about your captain candidacy? I wouldn't know the first thing about that, ask your CO or something?" Tami asks Alexandra "Is he always this bad? Oh whatever, found out what's wrong with your VI?"

Plane

The Plane seems to be undamaged though it is giving off an odd hum from it.

Sarah pipes up to Alexander

Spoiler

"Oh no large man, we just hooked up an unknown alien life form into the ship and it stopped the engines with bleeping noises and we kinda vsshhhhh to a stop. Er, it was kinda going bong and emitting something too. Not sure that was though"

 

[Mikhail Zhukov]

@Mt.Muscle

Spoiler

Mikhail let out a sigh filled with pain and sadness of a man who gave up on life.

Yes plugging an unknown and potentially extremely dangerous life form into the ship could have been the reason for system failure I have mentioned. I was hoping to avoid any information leaks until I reported this to comandore but it would seem that chief engineer wouldn't know what subtle is even if it was to take physical form and accelerate towards her face at high velocity.

He stopped for a second.

Captain if you wouldn't mind to accompany us to the bridge for debriefing and help me keep Sarah from starting a panic among civis I would be grateful. We will depart right away. I hope your squad is old enough to find their own way back. And remember: not a word to anyone.

 

['Ghost']

Looking towards Tami

Seems you misunderstood my phrasing, I was not asking for your opinion on my captaincy, merely making a rhetorical question. Though that seems to have escaped your notice. I don't quite understand the hostility, all I did was make a statement, but everyone to there own I suppose.

 

[Arthur Campbell]

Arthur opened his comms, Everything seems fine out here captain, the only thing I can't explain is an unusual humming sound. I guess someone inside should be able to explain it. but it doesn't seem dangerous from out here.

 

[Aleksandra Zhukov]

Aleksandra responded to Tami musingly "I wouldn't be able to make a judgement on his 'normality'. I've only known him as my squad leader for a cycle and a half and I believe his normal face isn't something he shows to people, especially those with whom he is supposed to have a professional relationship."

She paused thoughtfully for a moment and turned to Ghost. "Though I must say sir you do put across a very stern demeanour and I feel that is your normal state of appearance. I'm also sure that the commodore finds you most capable to lead this squad though I feel it will be quite the task for you sir."

She looked back down to her VI and re-engaged it. "Tami?" she quizzed "Is there a network or systems operator on the ship? I think I've found the problem but I'd probably need to talk to them as it seems to be an external error."

She then spoke to Ghost once more watching his VI dance along the trails "I understand that you care for your Sarah quite considerably sir. When was the last time she had a software check-up?"

 

['Ghost']

Finishing off his drink that he's had since he sat down

Every squad I've been in has been lead by stern people, seeing as this is my first command I've got little experience, and I'm yet to determine my own leading style. So far the best I've come up with is emulating others...

The sentence trails off into a brief pause, Ghost staring blankly ahead for a few moments before snapping back to reality

Though that is a matter for me to concern myself with. You are correct in your assumption private Zhukova, Sarah is important to me, the last time I had a check up on her was when she suggested it, about a month before we shipped out. I don't generally take her to be diagnosed, Sarah is more then capable of telling me that herself. Do you think you need a check-up Sarah?

She stops dancing around and sits herself atop Ghost's shoulder, crossing her legs whilst placing on finger on her chin as she considers the question.

I don't feel like I need one, all my systems are working at optimum efficiency. Once I get used to the alien software of the MDA then I'll be as good as new, but I guess it couldn't hurt. If something has happened to Ula and Olga then it seems possible that it will happen to me. Which reminds me we should run some exercises so I can adjust to the MDA Ghost, after all what good's a sniper without their spotter?

She grins before taking off and continuing to play around.

I am a little concerned for her safety, after all I don't know what caused the error with Olga but if it is external then that means Sarah is also at risk.
Is that some sort of emotion I detect from you ghostie, that's unlike you.

She states slyly as she continues to dance around ghost, after which she descends and hugs the side of his face before taking off again. Again the small grunt of annoyance at the use of his nickname.

 

[Universal_narration]

Echo squad + Mikhail

The ship eventually turns on and goes to dock back in the hanger bay. All seems to be alright for now.

Mess hall

Tami nods at Aleksandra "Yes there is, you can either speak to Ezra on the bridge or Alyssa in the science wing. They are both fairly good."

Tami just looks at 'Ghost' unimpressed with her head in her hand. "Yes, though I feel that you present yourself as a robot, what with no emotions on your face. If that rhetorical question was meant to be a joke or a jab at someone maybe you should inject some emotion into how you speak. Your VI seems to have some programmed into her and she isn't really capable of real emotion."

 

[Mikhail Zhukov]

@ Plane

Spoiler

Mikhail seemed lost in thought for a moment.

Sarah change of plans. We will disable all ship communication devices, anything that can send a signal. Once we land I need you to flush the system. Format any and every storage device on board. If it left a trojan in the system we cant allow it to get into the wanderer. Which reminds me you were telling me the name of the VI expert aboard when we were interrupted.

 

[Alexander Bauhdric]

Alexander steps out of the ship, radioing out to his squad-mates as he did

"Okay, Echo squad stand down. Seems that it was something of a communications blip. Still, we need to get down to the bridge for debriefing. You should all accompany me"

He turns to Mikail, nodding to him, before courteously letting Sarah out.

 

[Arthur Campbell]

With a loud clang the ships gravity removed Arthur from the top of the ship leaving him laid out dizzily regarding the ceiling.
Slapping the side of his hand to his head in an effort to salute I'll be along shortly sir I just need to gather my wits and kaboom.

This was shortly followed by kaboom copying the methods of his owner, landing squarely on Arthurs' face.*sigh* just my wits then...I'll be along shortly.

He decided to lay there ,the old mining droid obliviously perched on his face, to briefly contemplate how his his life had reached this point.

Eventually finished with his own pitiable attempt at introspection he extracted himself from the floor and prepared for the briefing before heading there.