| PHD #343: Dizzying Revelations |
| Summary: | Khloe calls Wade in to hand off the foundry mines project, but is sneaky and has Cidra arrive with heavier wings. |
| Date: | 04 Feb 2042 AE |
| Related Logs: | Synchronization |
| Players: |
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| Flight Simulation - Deck 11 - Battlestar Cerberus |
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| A training room specifically dedicated to honing aerial skills, this area is equipped with several flight simulator pods that allow the pilots to practice maneuvers and tactics without being in a real live plane. The Viper-pods are installed on one side of the room with a little space between them, an attempt to provide a realistic feel for close-range wing training, while a smaller number of Raptor sim-pods are installed on the opposite side of the room from the Vipers. A central computer terminal and overhead display screen sits at the head of the room, where one can input exercises and data to be run in the sims, scroll through score records, and control the training modules. |
| Post-Holocaust Day: #343 |
When Poppy calls pilots to the simulation room, it usually means she's displeased with some recent flight footage. However, when the short note was left for Wade to come, there was a short addendum: 'FLIGHT SUIT OPTIONAL'. Usually that translates in Poppy's mind as, there's something that needs talking-over. Still, she's never called Wade down before, so there's a first for everything.
Khloe is standing by the master console, apparently cueing up some 'simulated' footage that has her own ID, amongst other data, stamped in the corner. It's of a Viper zooming through what appears to be a debris field, with recorded explosions happening behind in her jet wake. As Wade comes in, she doesn't look up from what she's doing. "Come in, Drips. Have a seat."
Cidra presumably was not summoned here by Khloe. And yet in she comes. In her officer blues, rather more pressed than she normally bothers to be during her regular duty hourse. "Captain," she greets Khloe simply. A "Drips" to acknowledge Wade. She does not sit, but stands near the pair of them. Watching, as she does. She seems to be waiting for something, though precisely what is unclear. She's an inscrutable creature when she likes to be.
Wade received the note a little after shower time at the Head, so he went ahead and took his flight suit. After adjusting everything, the only thing he leaves behind is his helmet. The man arrives the Sims at the designated hour and finds Khloe working some magic with the main console. Also, she sees that Cidra arrives and in his mind he goes 'Oh crap' but of course, he doesn't voice it. "Captain" offers the man with a firm nod, same for Cidra "Major" He looks around for a little moment and then takes the offered seat, leaning back against it "You wanted to see me, sir?"
*Click!* Khloe pauses the simulation playback. As she steps out from behind the master console, she takes up a yellow folder that seems to be full of a variety of paperwork and photographs. "Lieutenant, very shortly there's going to be a special assignment of Cerberus and Areion Vipers that are going to be trolling for mines around that Cylon foundry. Boots originally assigned the work to me, and I was going to be Viper lead on this project. Unfortunately, the ship's galley has conspired against me." Khloe is actually bracing herself against the console with one hand, as it's clear she's kind of wobbly this afternoon. "I've spent the morning in the head. I'll spare you the gory details, but suffice it to say, I don't know which way is up, and my callsign isn't 'Dizzy', normally. So, I'm passing the lead to you." And that's when she offers the folder in his direction. "I've done all the verification of Boots' data. It's all sound. The path to fly is no more complicated than the obstacle course at the academy. But, there's a problem." Khloe eyes Cidra, briefly, then her attention turns back to Wade. "I've a feeling the Evocati won't respect a mere Lieutenant Junior Grade."
"The mission is fairly straightforward, Drips, and shall be simple if all goes according to plan," Cidra says. "For us, at last. The nastier work shall be done by the Marines and technical personnel as we work our way through the minefield. I shall be on hand to lead it, and I do not actually consider it necessary to make unusual alterations for this mission. However, this seems as good a time as any to make some needed alterations to your rank." On that note, she reaches into her pocket and plucks out a pair of LT pins. "Stand, Duncan. You are hereby promoted to the rank of full Lieutenant. Consider it effectivei immediately. I have already dealt with the paperwork on this."
Wade places his attention on Poppy as she speaks and when she mentions the 'Galley' problem, he nods in acceptance "Ah, yes, I am familiar with the side effects of some of the delicious food served there." There is a brief smile from his side but he really isn't mocking or anything. After this, he goes silent again and listens, both eyebrows going up a little as she passes the lead to him "Oh? Well, I'll make sure to not disappoint, Captain" Now, he extends his hand to take the folder and flips it open, starting to look at the pictures and taking in all the readouts and calculations pieced there. While he reads, he looks up a little and nods, looking down at the pictures again "Well, the Evocati has the widest range of ranks I've seen in one Squadron of course." 5…4…3…2…1 Now, he looks up and says "What?" And now, his attention drifts to Cidra and he blinks a couple times "Oh, yes…" After this, the new LT stands up. He looks at the LT pins and looks from Cidra to Khloe now. He adopts a more serious expression now and salutes both the SL and CAG "Thank Major, Captain. I will not disappoint."
Cidra leans forward to affix the pins to Wade's collar. And kiss him. Briskly, once on each cheek. There's no particular romance in the gesture, but there is a familial sort of ceremony to it. "Honors to your service, Drips. You have served us very well, and provided a fine model for the jocks under you. This is only the affirmation of the respect you are already held in." And with that, it is done. "Now, if you both shall excuse me, I have some final preparations to make among our Raptors for Silent Mastiff." And off she goes.
Khloe returns the salute, but she gives priority to Cidra's ceremony. Privledges of rank, and all. "There's something about you, Lieutenant, that I've come to admire. You're the first pilot in the Knights that I've wanted to promote… as in, recommending to Toast to give you the recognition you deserve and the responsibility you've already taken upon yourself. This is hard for me to admit, but I've come to depend on your service. I felt it was time. Toast agreed."
Wade smiles softly when Toast kisses his cheeks and then nods politely to her "Thank you, Major" He nods again and offers "Yes, of course" His attention moves to Khloe and he listens in silence as she speaks to him. A small smile forms on his lips and then, instead of saluting, he extends his hand towards Khloe "Your words mean a lot, Captain. I shall continue to serve and not disappoint of course." He smiles a little more, nodding and says "Thank you, Captain. Really"
Khloe takes the offered hand, giving it a firm pilot's shake suitable for any officer. But wobbly Khloe is wobbly, and she goes back to gripping the side of the console for balance. "All right, no need to get misty-eyed. You've some data to review. Skids up in about four hours, so you better get cracking." And, true to form, Khloe does everything she can do not to smile, but a small bit of a grin does emerge. Probably weak from the food poisoning.
"Of course not sir, I forgot my tissues after all" says the new LT, with a bit of humor. Now, he leans his hand down to the chair and takes the folder with the files "I'll see if I can find some spot in the Ready Room, I know some Raptor Nuggets are bound to appear here at any moment now." He returns that smile to her and then salutes again "Clear eyes and steady hands, Captain" With that, he nods and starts moving towards the exit, considering that 'get cracking' is some sort of dismissed.
Khloe watches Wade depart; once he's clear of the bulkhead she murmurs to herself, "Gods help you, Duncan." And that's when she begins her own unsteady departure.