{{
`${userDetail.user.displayName}${userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode ? `#${standardizeBungieGlobalCode(userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode)}` : ""}`}}
{{getUserClans()}}
11/9/2012 1:19:36 AM
64
The Man Who Sang to the Stars
[May 2ND, 2554, Earth, Norfolk UNSC Naval Academy]
Major Eric "Smooth" O'Kife just finished teaching these young naval cadets on photographic intelligence. They were eager young minds who had been taking his Introduction to Electronic Surveillance 101.
This course educates the student on devices from a lapel cam to Drones. Useful applications in collecting intelligence and how to gather useful nuggets of intelligence.
Students filed out of the class room as the class was concluded for today.
Clearing up his notes on his holo display at his desk. He looked up to see Samantha Bright one of his top students." Sir that was quite informative today. I learned a great deal about how even with the best equipment it still comes down to the human factor."
Eric smiled at the young woman who was a lovely young brunette. " I related it back to World War Two when they did not have computers yet were able to get air recon over targets. In those days a pilot had to fly a mission to take the pictures. Later it developed into spy planes that were useful in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Even During the Vietnam Conflict. If you look it up you can find out how we got to drones and satellites but yes there is still a human factor in this."
Samantha shook her head yes at him. Excitement in her voice." I shall look that up sir. Thank you." She curtly left his classroom as he returned to clearing up his notes.
Stepping out of the class room he ran into the Commandant of the Academy. Who was making his rounds. He stopped to chat with Eric for a moment." Major i am glad i ran into you. I hope you have been treated well. Navy is not used to seeing Air Force personnel but you come highly recommended. The Covenant War has left us short handed."
Eric simply nodded at the true statement having lost too many good friends to the Alien Menace that was thankfully over." I am glad to be here sir. I accepted due to the fact my experience might rub off on these young minds. I accepted this position due to shortages all over and it i am proud to help out." This Made the Commandant smile.
" Good..good" Patting Eric on the shoulder." We should have a drink in the next staff meeting. I need to take care of a few things but we desperately need ten more of you but i will take what i can get so we can get these cadets graduated. Tell you more later keep up the good work." Patting Eric once again on the shoulder the Commandant walked on down the hall.
Exiting the building Eric did seem a bit out of place but his record shows he was willing to work with any one who worked with him. He headed back to his officer billet. It was a single house on a simple street. Military housing still was on the base yet he knew he would have to do "Paperwork" from his terminal inside.
He got into his car driveing off looking at the main building and its parade ground. Not to mention it's wet navy docks. Seamen have trained here for many years. He left the parking lot heading home.
After parking his car Eric entering his house. His loyal companion was a six month old Golden Retriever named George. Who bounded over to give him puppy kisses when he bent down to pet the dog. Passing his small Living room that lead to his kitchen he sat down opening his computer interface then petting George who was so happy to see him.
Giving George his favorite bone the dog happily chewed on it. Eric turned to do a few hours of work. He created a lesson plan for next week. George waged his tail before whimpering he was hungry.
Eric stood up feeding his loyal companion in his small kitchen. Giving George a pat on the head Eric looked outside to see that night had fallen.
Walking over to a worn guitar case. He took out his guitar from a case that was sitting on a couch. It had a blue finish yet was a familiar brand. Grabbing a few beers he headed out back. Carrying the instrument into his back yard,Plugging in his guitar to his set up.
It was a clear night with the stars shining bright. He left the sliding glass door open for George to come out if he wanted. Sitting down on a pre placed chair Eric began to play the blues.
It seemed as if time melted everything away. Even the crisp night air did not bother him. Twenty years of war faded from mind as he sang to the stars.
[Edited on 11.08.2012 5:29 PM PST]
-
[2525 October 19Th 0313 hrs, [i]Devils Advocate[/i]] Staff Sergeant Eric "Smooth" O'Kife had gotten up early. He was excited to be aboard the ship. He opened the tiny window to see they had left dry dock. He had wanted to get up early to go over his equipment. Figuring he could play while taking a break as well. He needed to check over the units helmet cams anyways. He placed his tools inside the guitar fingering he could carry both at once. He got dressed then headed out down the silent hall. Coming to the armory door he undid the hatch closing it as he stepped through. A cup of coffee would be nice but getting this done before the briefing seemed appropriate. Opening his locker door he took out his armor gently holding it aloft while detaching the two folded drones on the pack. Getting his tools out of the guitar case he unfolded them letting the wings fold into place. This model he liked allot. It was portable, Light to carry on his person. Other drones were bigger but they were too heavy to carry unless he could get a 'Hog to transport it. Selecting the right tool he did a diagnostic checking the systems. The Dragonfly was a small drone that had a geometric tube like fuselage. Its wings had VTOL like fans that helped it stay aloft in the air. On the nose was a sensor package. It was modular so you could replace parts on it. Sensor package could be swapped out depending on what the mission was. Over all it was a mere 5ft when being transported. When it was unfolded it added another 2 ft with a 3ft wing span and a tail section that slid in place. He did not get the chance to do a check before he left [i]Orion[/i]Station. Glad he did finding one of the sensor packages needed to be replaced. Working he did not see Liz step over to her Armor locker. She got dressed till he looked up from the sensor module trying to figure out if he could salvage it. " Good Morning." Liz finished putting on her Mark IV armored suit before replying." Sergeant O'Kife" she said to him in a sleepy tone. Eric did notice but said nothing looking up. " What are you doing ?" Taking an interest now. Elizabeth looked over at the drones wondering what Eric was doing. " Maintenance on these drones. Eyes in the sky that i use while on the ground. I am Forward Air Controller Ma'am. My drones can give real time Intel to the Squad Leader." Liz stepped closer kneeling down. " Interesting" Liz said as he was focused on the sensor package." Oh before i forget i am going to Link every ones helmet cams as well if i can have you leave yours behind i would appreciate it." Liz said nothing for a long moment looking over the drones with a keen interest. " I can do that. I will grab the others helmets as well." She took each helmet out of the lockers setting them down. " Actually i can do it. What do you need it linked to ?" Pausing a moment he took out a PAD lighting it up then handing it over." To this. I have a Laptop in my room i can transfer the commands to." " Also call me Eric or Smooth when the officers are not around or any brass." Liz gave a nod working on each helmet. She took a seat in a separate area but close to speak with out yelling. " Eric ..i have questions if you do not mind ?" Still working on the sensor package he found the problem then began to look for the parts in his kit to get the electronics working again. " Sure i can anwer a few. i am not suited to answer questions like who built the piramids in Egypt. Go ahead ask away." She worked on the first helmet while linking it to the PAD. " I read about the blues on the Terminal you suggested. It looks interesting but why do you like it so much ?" Not phazed by the joke in the slightist. " Fair question. Music gives man a outlet i suppose. Many are inspired in other ways such as art or sculpting. The blues just let me get out whats bothering me. It lets me connect with others who feel the same." Finding the parts he began to discard the faulty ones. " I was trained for war. My recon skills are quite good but there is more to being a soldier than just fighting ?" Setting aside the helmet she was working on putting another in place. " A question that is difficult to answer. Every one has a different path. Even blues players or jazz. I spent two years in the Air Force band. I never expected to be a Intel Specialist." " Yet here i am. Dropping in with special forces units to help them do difficult work. I have met some of the most dedicated and professional soldiers. They are able to find pleasure in even the small things." " If you have a passion for something you will find others who like what you enjoy or practice it with the time you have. Even in war you have to find some kind of joy." Concentrating now Eric fell silent working on the part. He did not see Liz face who thought about this silently. Few hours later they were both done as they stowed the helmets in the lockers. He placed the Drones on the racks that extended on either side of his pack making sure they were in place. It was almost time for the briefing so he got cleaned up. Liz met him outside his Stateroom. " Thank you for answering my questions earlier. Also you mentioned being a FAO and Intel Specialist." Eric closed his door ready now. Nodding to her as they came face to face " Sure anytime Liz. Both in fact... Some days its a pain in the butt. That's just about every day." They both flashed smiles at each other then headed off to the briefing in silence. Eric felt she would find her purpose. He knew what it was like to feel lost before finding ones self in solid ground. It took allot of work to get there as a person. He felt bad he never got a chance to play a few notes. Allways later on he hoped. [Edited on 11.21.2012 12:44 PM PST]
