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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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[0942hrs October 26Th, 2525, [i]Devils Advocate[/i] Drop Bay] Major Kelana Ivanavitch had many years in the Marines. Every one figured she was married to them as well. They would be wrong. They were not wrong about her being a -blam!-. It was about duty honor and the Core. Everything else was secondary. Walking past several marines who were preparing to land. " Jones i am going to ride with first platoon." Kelana jumped onto the back of a Rocket 'Hog. She was in a private channel with Sgt. Major Jones her Company NCO. She had some of the best bad assed marines. They rarely got to fully deploy but when they did it was hell on wheels. Charlie company was usually there support but they were tasked with supporting Wolf Pack. " Major we will be landing shortly. I want to wish you all good luck down there." Captain Night said as the ship shuttered from sustained fire. Sounds as if the Captain was getting things off on the right foot. Clicking over to the main push." Thank you sir. We are ready to make these boogy men just a bad dream." Saying confidently. " Task Force Ivan is ready when you are sir." Night answered back" Hold them as long as you can. fall back to LZ for pick up."Checking over her gear by touch in the low lit bay." Aye Aye Captain." They felt the ship descend. It was silent in Drop Bay as marines silently prayed. Suddenly the lift was lowered. It looked like hell. Ring of fire was burning around them. It was off in the distance. Marines hustled off the ramp. Technically she was a captain. Since there cannot be two on a ship. Bumped to Major temporarily while on the ship. Private Kolowski was driving her Rocket Warthog. A good kid who seemed like a decent guy. Corporal Sanchez was her office clerk while on ship. Off the ship he acted as her body guard. Murdering alien scumbags are gonna get hurt bad. Kelana had a force of one lance of Scorpions. Tanks that get the job done. Two Cobras and Two Wolverines. Twelve Warthogs mostly Vulcan gun models. Two pair of Hornets. Two platoons of infantry. Her force was very mobile. With Reinforcements that get air lifted by Pelicans. Dropping in Warthogs, Putting in fresh troops to medevac. [i]The Advocate[/i] finished deploying her Company. It was going to be different from other engagements. These aliens might shoot flames from there butt cheeks for all she knew. " Clear the Zone. Lets set up defensive positions. Devils Advocate you are clear." Allers a familiar voice said calmly." Copy Ivan Six. Captain is notified." Taking out a tablet. Queing up the screen showing a map while hanging on as her 'Hog moved. " Ma'am we are three klicks of the Academy. I can see the spaceport burning also." Confirming his coordinates." Copy that. Focus on the task at hand Will. Payback is coming soon." They stopped as she looked around. Stepping off the back of the 'Hog she looked around to the slack jaws. Every one was milling about. Queuing in the main channel." Let go marines. This is not a field trip. Enemy Contacts are due to arrive soon." " I want turrets set up on the right and left. Scorpions i want in the center. We hit them hard and fast. Infantry covers our backs. We fall back to LZ marked on your apes helmets." Pointing in the directions she wanted the turrets. " Warthogs screen the attack. Hornets give us air cover." Men hurried getting ready for combat. They were situated on a grassy forest medow. It was sparse tree cover. Mostly tall grass. With a few hills. Kelana noticed Sanchez standing next to her. He was very protective of his Major. Second platoon was moving fast thanks to Sgt. Major Jones who was hollering at the troops. " Sanchez get me air support. See if the Captain can send us a few Longswords." Her troops were busy digging in as Sanchez was on the line with Com Tech Allers. Ivanavitch did not like playing second fiddle to Wolf Pack or there ODST boot lickers. It was marines like her in the ranks that kept things going. Like now when it was about to drop in the pot. It was going to be a interesting day none the less. At least she did not have to deal with ONI all the time. They even tried to make her a ODST few years back. Hell no. She wanted to stay with her boys. Wipe there noses. Teach them to be marines. Climbing in the back of her Rocket Warthog Kelana clicked safety off ready for action. What ever comes over those hills is going to have to get past her first. [Edited on 12.12.2012 9:48 PM PST]
