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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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[1006 hrs October 26Th, Waycrest Campus,Eden] Petty Officer first class Jasmine"Silent"Casanova was worried for the first time in many years about Lieutenant Commander Hernandez. Usually she was his problem child. Out getting drunk. Then some scumbag would touch what he was not suppose to then it ended up with her beating them. A few even came back not able to bear the shame of being beat by a woman. Her childhood had been troublesome. It was expected there would be excellence in all things. Her father was a UNSC Navy career man. Who drank yet being a mechanic made him bitter at the world. During testing he would let his anger loose at any near in the house hold. Her brother got most of it but she did as well. Most of all he was a sore looser. He had to win. It taught her that life would never be fair. Never knew her mother who died in a car accident. She took up archery then that lead to learning about firearms. It was about the only activity she shared with her father who qualified as a marksmen every chance he got. They would go to the range. Eventually he even took her hunting. Leaving for the marines she told her father off then never looked back. It was the first time she ever seen her father look sad or cry. He did love her yet it was hard for him to show it. Her mother drew art so she took that up as well. Her father never bothered her about that it was strange. Her time in the marines lead to ODST then being asked to join a SEAL team. Now one of her most trusted friends lost a limb. Who lay pale in his seat. Now feeling guilty that she would not be able to say she was sorry for being such a pain in his ass. Hearing the sound of enemy fighters she turned the gun as Sgt. Valentine zig zagged to avoid enemy fire. A huge ball of energy blew a crater in front of them. "Hang ON!"Valentine swerved hitting only a part of this crater. They were airborne for a few seconds, when Jasmine took her first shot nailing the craft. One spun out of control crash landing as the second looped firing rapid blue energy bolts. It was good her Gauss cannon had a shield it deflected most of those shots one hit her left shoulder feeling a small sting of pain she let loose more rounds as the nimble craft dodged them. Jasmine would not let them be taken out before they got help. That enemy fighter broke off as they neared Charlie Four seeing a Scorpion with a few Warthogs all covering a Pelican. " This is Wolf Pack One-One hold your fire. I assume that Pelican is for us ?" As they drove up a Lieutenant stepped out with Doc Winters who waved to them. " Silent over here." The Hog slid fifteen meters before stopping leaving tire tracks in the grass. Valentine had put them right near the loading ramp. " Damn sight for sore eyes Doc." Jasmine said very pleased." When i herd that he was hurt i rushed here feeling bad about leaving the team with Dupree and Delta." Doc Winters went over checking Hernandez eyes with a pen flashlight. " Lets get him inside. Notify sickbay we need a doctor on standby." Speaking to a Medical Corpsmen who radioed [i]The Advocate[/i] then helped Doc Winters with L.C. Hernandez who was put on a stretcher. Jasmine hopped down taking her helmet off. Worry was plain on her face as Sergeant Valentine put her hand on Jasmines other shoulder to comfort her silently. Other marines stood about keeping alert. Some even had heavy wepons. A few snipers were on the look out as well. Looking about she turned her eyes back to those who were working on saving one mans life. Cargo ramp closes then the Pelicans engines went from idle lifting off circling once then was lost in that blue sky. Jasmine turned to Charlie Four who smiled at her. " Hes a strong one. Don't you worry. If they can't kill him nothing short of a tank will. First Lieutenant Benjamin Strousemen. First UNSC Marine Divishion,Second Battalion, Second Recon." He shook her hand they both shared a moment. " I think i worked with you in passing a few times. One of Ivanovich people right ?" L.t. Stroussmen shook his head yes." That's right normally we go in first scout the area. But for this operation you needed more than ODSTs. No offence." Nodding to Sgt.Valentine. " I am Petty Officer First Class Jasmine this is ?" Looking at Sgt. Valentine. "Sergeant Valentine." Whom introduced her self taking off her helmet as well. They both needed a shower but for now sweat caked hair was order of this day. " Captain wanted us to wait for you then secure the Science Ward area then we all get a ride home. These aliens are pretty strange. I am hoping to not loose any more marines." He looked off now with that guilty thousand meter look. " Our Vulture went down but no life signs. We had a bird do a flyby that yielded nothing. So relax for a bit. Get some ammo we are moving in fifteen. I need to check with my men be right back." Off went L.t. Stroussmen who checked his DMR striding to a group of NCOs. Jasmine would do just that. She wondered what the rest of Wolf Pack was doing. Yet she felt guilty over allot of things. Valentine shared her Canteen with Jasmine who noticed she carried two. It was a pleasant surprise to taste real rum. Taking a swig they both silently shared a few swigs. Enjoying just a few moments of peace. [Edited on 12.19.2012 7:36 AM PST]
