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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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[1109 hrs October 26Th 2525,Indie Base,Eden] Lieutenant Angela Cortez stepped off the lowered cargo ramp. Marines stepped off as well creating a barrier against those who would approach. She was armed with a SMG due to being in a war zone. Allot of desperate faces. Offering a kind smile to them all. "Ma'am we are secure."A sergeant said to her as she looked up. Hovering above was another Pelican. Looking about seeing that this base had chain link fencing. Barbed wire at the top. Automated Stolen UNSC gun turrets were powered down. Four in all surrounding the base. Watch towers over looked the perimeter with barricades also stolen from UNSC. Her black shoes stepped off onto muddy dark earth. Survivors parted cheering at them. Waiting for them was a UNSC corporal. His armor had seen better days. " I am Corporal O'Malley" His thick Irish accent surprising to Lt. Cortez who returned his salute." This way ma'am" Fallowing him they talked as they walked. Eight marines trailed behind keeping wepons pointed in a non-threatening fashion. " Are we glad to see you. Our last orders were to take these people to safety. We had no contact with any one for quite a bit." She nodded to the corporal who showed them into a command center. It was more like a cement building with radios. Few chairs, with computers and even a coffee machine stuffed in a corner. Another UNSC Trooper was standing aside Colonel David Colt. He was more impressive in person than his file indicated. Radio operators listened with a few armed guards. Entering with two marines she gave a pleasant smile even though she did not feel like it." We got your call." Looking at both of them. Corporal O'Malley walked over nodding to the new arrivals." Sarge they just arrived." The NCO looked up at the officer." Sergeant Ohara" Gave a crisp salute." UNSC Army, Second Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. I do logistics. Up until four days ago." He rubed his face glumly with a hand across his some what unshaven face. " Corporal with a few medical personnel who are mostly Army or Marines were ordered to get Civillians to safety." Col. Colt shouted." Clear the Room. Lets have some privacy. Lieutenant we need to talk in private. Back here in my office." He waved his people out the door. Reluctantly every one left including Marines all except Sgt.Ohara and Corporal O'Malley. A old paper map of Eden was behind the desk. It was a global map with shaded areas. His office was cluttered with old disks to a few paper back books. Col. Colt sat down at his desk. His eyes looking each person over. " Normally i would not have this conversation with a UNSC officer. Yet the circumstances compel me to do so. Let me start at the beginning. Little over four days ago it was UNSC against Indies." " I served as an officer in the UNSC. You probably already know this." His comments directed at Lt. Cortez who sat prim and proper." I left as a Lieutenant then for some years became a mercenary for hire. Seeing what the UNSC did especially ONI whom i have despised for years now." "Despite all of that. I got a call from my wife as the Aliens invaded." He nearly choked those words out." She..She told..me that.." He winced" She loved me. That i must promise to help all those i can. To fight for what is right. I lost signal." " I went to see if she some how survived. Our house was a flaming wreck. Only thing that keeps me going is that promise. Nothing you can do to lock me up or hurt me will go past that pain." Col. Colt wiped a tear from his eye. " Despite all of that i have done. I am willing to help you. Help humanity. Ten Thousand souls are burning in that ring of fire. I will use every means i can to defeat them." " If i some how survive this and avoid a trial i will rejoin to take the fight to this enemy." Sitting back his face in pain. " Despite what has happened in the past we must focus on what is going on now. We have Pelicans ready to ferry survivors to our ship. That being said we need people to remain calm." Her eyes locked on Colts face. " This has been trying for every one. Captain Night is a good man. He will see to it every survivor is taken care of. What i need are those who are in medical need to get lifted out first." Sgt. Ohara handed her a clipboard. " A list of every one. People at the top need a Medevac. Women and Children next." Thanking Sgt. Ohara she took the clipboard. " I will speak with our Captain then see what else can be done. Rest assured we will not abandon any here who want to leave peacefully." Exiting Lt. Cortez sighed. Brave words for some one who is in charge of all of this. It felt as if her chest was going to explode. [Edited on 12.28.2012 4:42 PM PST]
