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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]
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[ 0137 hrs October 26th,[i]Devils Advocate[/i], Eden System.] Captain Armando Night stood on the bridge looking out the main view port. Looking over to the helm he spoke to Ensign Redwolf. " Have we any contact with Eden yet ?." Shaking her head Ensign Redwolf kept focused on her instruments." Not yet Captain." Engsin Redwolf turned around in her seat."Seamen Juarez Captain needs to know if you have anything ?." Seamen Juarez shook his head no." No ma'am. I am picking up strange faint energy signatures from the planet. Also i want you to see this. I have been scanning this for few minites. I think i know what happened. Magnifying by 20." Captain could see Eden yet the settled region of the planet. Magnifying it looked as if it glowed red. From afar it looked like some kind of Alien glyph was carved into that region. Captain Night showed no emotion "Take us in close to Edens second moon so we can see if there is a hostile presence. I want our ONI officer and the team leaders for Operation Raven in my ready room with all data from our department heads in a hour." " I will be in my ready room. If i am needed." Ensign Redwolf replied as the bridge crew scrambled into action." Aye Captain." Captain Night turned away knowing more than he let on. What ever was down there Fleet Com ordered him to retrieve it at all costs. It seems this new enemy had visited the planet. He could only hope to complete this mission then depart before he lost his ship or had to scrub this mission. His orders came from Vice-Admiral Cole him self. Entering the Ready Room he sat down at his desk taking out a bottle of aged whiskey pouring a glass. Slamming the shot he turned on the terminal tucking away the bottle in a drawer. Looking over information they had gotten he prepared for the others. Burdens of command felt like stone anchors on his shoulders but he had to carry on. -------------------------------------------------------------- [0243 hrs] S.Sgt O'Kife fallowed Lieutenant Commander Hernandez into the Captains ready room. Unsure what he was suppose to be doing here he stood silently to the mans right. Eight Others stood in the room as well. Captain Night sat behind his desk speaking to them all. " We have arrived in system. This new enemy has hit Eden. They have destroyed most of the settlement. Only the Waycrest Academy seems to be intact." L.T. Angela Cortez spoke out to him her voice trembled." Sir there were ten thousand people on that planet!." Captain Night stood up." Yes there were. Our orders were to grab the two objectives. While you are doing that i will have marines conduct S&R. Some one must still be alive down there." " It is time i tell you that this does not leave this room. I have orders from the top that we are to complete our mission at all cost." " On planet this enemy has left behind a contingent of forces. I belive they are looking for something. It might be the objectives. There for." " I am authorizing full use of all units to complete this objective. Once you make a stealthy drop i will make sure you have Gunships and Air Cover. We hit fast and hard. Then we pull out before any reinforcements show up." Every one saluted. Captain Saluted back." You are to drop in the hour. Dismissed." Every one filed out. Lieutenant Commander Hernandez spoke to Eric." Lt. Cortez will have instructions and additional info for you. Talk to her in her office." Eric understood as he fallowed the ONI officer who turned to see who was behind her. " Ah yes Staff Sergeant. Sorry my thoughts were for those poor people. I wanted to speak to you. Lets make this quick you drop soon." He fallowed her to the small ONI office. Both of them sat down in the some what decorated office. A small plastic plant of flowers. Wicker basket of small drives. All sat on her desk. " Well here are the protocols you need for both of the objectives. Also i need you to be on the look out for Dr. Karen Bryce. Shes a Archaeologist working on the first project. Second is Dr. Witherspoon who is project lead on the second project. I think they might have gone to safe rooms ONI built in case of attack." She handed him two flash drives. One was red/black the other was blue/black. Eric took them both understanding." Yes i will do that." She simply nodded having worry on her face." I will try to explain later if i can. Even i am not fully aware of whats down there. Also take care of the Lieutenant Commander." " I might disagree with him on a few things but i do care about him. He is a good man. No matter what he thinks of ONI he can rely on me." Eric saluted her as he came to attention leaving with the drives in his pocket. Eric was a bit confused haveing opted to stay quiet when the Leutenit spoke about the Lt. Commander. Heading back aft to get geared up for the drop. There was allot going on he would have to sort it out later. He needed to concentrate on the mission at hand. He did not have time to ask questions sure they might reveal themselves. Every thing had a time and a place. Even music. He did know it will be one hell of a party when they got back. This made Eric smile knowing the stars will accompany him when he dropped. It made him feel good knowing that one day he will sing to the stars with comrades who have seen hell then put out the flames. [Edited on 11.27.2012 9:35 AM PST]
