As the summary stated, 'Too Damn Stubborn' was really just testing to see if this sort of thing would get good reception, whereas this is the story that explains everything, and will have better characterisation than my first attempt :P
And, on with the writing! Please enjoy, and leave a review :)
Commander Michael 'Mac' McNeil of the Global Defence Initiative was in the middle of an excellent dream. He was back home, with his parents, his siblings, and his nieces and nephew. The entire family was there. It was summer, and they were out in the meadow with the dogs.
Everything seemed to be totally perfect.
But even while he was having the dream, he couldn't treat it as reality. His father was dead. Jake was dead. And he couldn't forget about those two deaths, even during a dream where everything was alright.
Even so, he was still disappointed when Chandra's voice interrupted his dream and jolted him back into reality.
'Sir, General Solomon wants to speak to us all. It would be wise to get to the bridge as soon as possible.'
McNeil sat up in bed and blinked a couple of times. Chandra's voice was coming through the speaker to his right.
'Goddamn it, Chandra. It's three in the morning, does Solomon not sleep?'
He heard Chandra chuckle. 'I do not know, sir, but I think he is losing patience. Try to hurry up?'
'Will do.'
McNeil pushed the covers to one side and eased his legs over the edge of the bed. He was already practically dressed, so he just took his jacket off the back of a chair and tugged it on. His boots were the final addition to his uniform, and then he left his room and made his way to the bridge.
The fact that he was both the highest authority aboard the Kodiak, and the last person to arrive on the bridge, probably wasn't a very pleasing combination to General Solomon, but McNeil just strode in anyway, and took his seat in the centre of the small room. Brink and Chandra were already in their respective seats, and Umagon was leaning against the wall to McNeil's left, glaring inconspicuously at Solomon. While he was a respected General of GDI, it was no secret among his troops that Solomon possessed a strong dislike for mutants.
'Ah, McNeil, nice of you to join us,' Solomon said dryly. McNeil said nothing, but shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. Solomon gave him a stern glare, and then continued. 'Since you seem so… eager to spend time with the Shiners, McNeil, I have a mission for you.' If possible, Umagon's eyes hardened even further, but she said nothing.
McNeil nodded. 'What do I have to do?'
'The Brotherhood have step up a base near to a mutant camp that we've allied with. They don't have the weapons or soldiers to take out the entire base, so we've agreed to send a squad of infantry to help them. I'd like you to go too, to make sure everything runs smoothly.'
'Sure.'
'Thank you, Mac.'
The transmission cut out with a beep, and McNeil turned to look at Umagon. 'You wanna come?'
Umagon looked at him, and let herself smile at his offer. McNeil knew it had been a while since she had been with her people, and hoped she would jump at the chance to visit.
'Sure,' she answered, and followed him from the bridge.
I hope this was a satisfying opening :) About the Solomon thing, just from watching the cutscenes I get the impression that he's no big fan.
'First rescue Hamburg. The Shiners can wait, and that is an order!'
Review please :) Anonymous reviews accepted :)