Hello everyone, after years and years I've finally started to write again. This is a simple little idea that helps get my creative juices flowing again.
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24 year old Jaxson Wright stood at ridged attention in front of his new commanding officer's desk. Keeping to proper disciple he stared at a blank spot in the bulkhead over the man's head. He ears heard the man, Commander Patrick Mathison, making soft noises to himself as he read through Jaxson's personnel file.
"How old are you Lieutenant," asked the man. Jaxson wasn't sure if his had looked up at him so he keep staring straight ahead.
"Twenty-four, sir," he replied crisply. Mathison hummed but made no other response. The other man scrolled through the rest of his file before tossing the data pad on his desk.
"So," he said "top of your class at the academy, joined right out of high school. Aptitude scores all high enough to qualify you for pilot training after your first year. Impressive stuff."
"Thank you sir," replied Jaxson not moving from his position of attention. He could feel Mathison's eyes on him, studying him.
"Take a seat Lieutenant," the man said. Jaxson pulled the single chair away from the desk and sat down. Keep his stiff posture of attention. "Do you know why you're here?"
"I was told I'd been assigned to the Graves as part of a special project," answered Jaxson still staring straight ahead.
"That is partly true," Mathison confirmed. "There is of course more to it." Jaxson finally broke his discipline, his eyes darting to Mathison's before snapping back to the bulkhead. Mathison surely noticed but said nothing.
"Contrary to what the media in the colonies would have you believe after our victories at Demeter. We are losing this war," said Mathison. "The IMC is pushing us back on almost all fronts. Milita high command has decided to creat a new task force dubbed The Special Recon Squadron." Jaxson started again, he'd heard rumors and whispers but never anything concrete.
"I see you have at least some idea of where this is going," observed Mathison. "We've finally been able to develop our own classification on Titan. It's called a Vanguard Class. The SRS will be the first group to pilot them. We've already picked most of the force and linked them with their titans. Their veterans of a dozen conflicts most were trained at the best IMC academies in the sector before they joined the milita. That being said you've been on my radar for quite a while son and this is my unit to fill I've decided to take a chance. You're here to fill the last spot of Ravager Corp." Jaxson finally broke, he gaped at his CO, his mouth hanging open slightly. Mathison was smiling at him.
"I wondered if you'd maintain that discipline when I broke the news," he mused "Good to see you're human." Jaxson hesitated.
"Um, yes sir," he said. He was numb all over. He couldn't believe this. He knew he'd done well in training. He'd worked his ass off everyday hope he'd be recognized for said efforts and picked up for a titan company. But never in his wildest dreams had he ever expected this. He was being asked to join a group that had the potential to become the elite fighting force of the Militia, and he wasn't being paired with a hand me down titan force the IMC but a brand new Vanguard Class. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
"Not exactly what you were expecting, is it?" asked Mathison.
"No sir," replied Jaxson. Mathison stood and Jaxson followed and took the man's outstretched hand.
"Welcome to Ravager Corp Lieutenant," he said. Jaxson shook the man's hand and, after a quick word of thanks, was dismissed. He left the office and found an man out said waiting for him.
"Afternoon Lieutenant," the man said "I'm specialist Hoffman, I'm here to show you to the armory and help you get settled in." Jaxson shook the man's hand and picked up his duffel bag to follow. They made their way through the ship and after the fifth turn Jaxson was well and truly lost. Hoffman seemed to recognize the look of confusion.
"Don't worry sir," he said "after a few days you'll get your bearings." Jaxson nodded and continued to follow the man. Eventually the reached a door with a placard on it. Two names were on the placard, Wright, his own name, and Riggs.
"Each pilot shares a two man stateroom sir," explained Hoffman "you're Bunking with Captain Riggs."
"I see," replied Wright as he moved to the door and eyed the opening switch. The room was mostly empty, it held two beds with a set of drawers under each, two standing lockers, and a desk. On the back wall was another door that Jaxson assumed led to the bathroom and shower. He walked inside and dropped his duffle on the unmade bed on the right. He opened it and drew out a data pad before turning back to Hoffman.
"You can get linens and the like from the quartermaster later sir," said Hoffman "for more I need to take you below to get you kitted out." Jaxson followed the man back the way they'd come and to an elevator. Mathison hit the button for the level they needed, deck 5, he noticed. Once they reached their floor the elevator dinged and they stepped out. A few more twists and turns and they were walking into a larger open bay with weapons and armor stung on neat racks. Hoffman led his to one man standing close to one rack with a data pad in his had.
"Lieutenant Wright, this is Master Sargent Rory Jamison," introduced Hoffman.
"Pleasure to meet you sir," boomed Jamison in a thick brogue accent offering his hand. The man was a beast of a man, easily six and a half feet tall with jet black hair and an equally dark beard. "Welcome to my humble armory, what can I do you for?"
"I need to kit out," said Jaxson handing Jamison the data pad. The man took it and scrolled through it for a few seconds.
"Ah, a pilot," he said smiling "and one joining the new SRS group. We'll get you taken care of sir." He handed the data pad back and hollered at one of the other men. Once the man jogged over Jamison started issuing orders.
The whole experience went by in a blur. Jaxson was issued his weapons, tested them and had them modified to his own preferences. Then he worked through his jump kit, fine tuning the jump boosts and the heads up displays in his helmet. After almost three hours he was finally wrapping up.
"We'll keep your weapon stowed here," explained Jamison "only ship's security is permitted to have them about the ship. As for your gear, many pilots like to personalize their stuff with different stickers and graffiti. It's not a problem but I'd hold off a few months, might give the wrong impression." Jaxson nodded in affirmation. "If you have any other needs just let's us know sir." With that he shook Jaxson's hand one last time and walked away to help a rifleman who was loitering about.
"Right sir," said Hoffman as he walked back over. "Just one more stop and then you'll be all done with your check in process."
"And wheres that?" asked Jaxson as he moved to follow already having a idea of where they were headed.
"The Titan Bay," confirmed Hoffman.
They made it in quick time. The Titan bay was on deck seven at the very bottom of the ship and it took up the entire area. Jaxson walked into the large bay and took in his surroundings. To his right toward the bow of the ship was the ready area. This is where the titans and pilots would muster to be briefed and then lock in for combat drops. To his right and taking up a good two thirds of the deck was the maintenance area. People swarmed all over standing on platforms and ladders as they worked on Titans. Pilot consulted with engineers as they each discussed their Titan. A Man noticed Jaxson and Hoffman enter the area and jogged over to him.
"How can I help you?" He asked. He was rude but it was very clear he wasn't sure they should be there, Deck Seven was strictly for Pilots and Titans.
"This is Lieutenant Wright," explained Hoffman "he's here to be assigned a Titan." The man said nothing as he pulled a data pad out of his pocket and started to skim it.
"Ah here you are sir," he confirmed before pausing "SRS." He murmured and glanced up at Jaxson. He didn't stare but it was clear he was a bit taken aback.
"Right sir, if you'll just follow me," he sayed and motions for Jaxson to follow. "Major Forrester is the one in charge of the SRS Titans." Jaxson followed the man and was led deeper into the bay.
Major Forrester was older thin reedy man of average height with blonde hair pulled back in a low ponytail and rimless glasses.
"Major this is Lieutenant Wright," said the tech indicating Jaxson. The major looked at him.
"Ah yes," he said "they told me you were coming." Jaxson had no idea who 'they' were but nodded anyway.
"Yes sir," he said "Lieutenant Jaxson Wright reporting as ordered." He snapped a crisp solute. The Major waved his hand.
"Oh put your hand down boy," he said eyes twinkling "I'm not actually a Major, it's just something the Milita slapped on me after I created the Vanguard titans to make me sound important." Jaxson blinked at that a slowly lowered his hand.
"You created the Vanguard class?" He asked in awe.
"Well yes," replied the Major "I created the initial concept anyway. Was about half way through when I got my team." Jaxson a just stared blankly.
"Well you gonna stand there gawking all day or do you want to meet your Titan," asked the old man. Jaxson subtlety shook himself and stepped forward.
"Yessir," he said. A thrill of excitement shooting through him.
"Very good," said Forrester and waved him over to a Titan he'd been doing a systems check on. "Meet Delta-Zulu-two-nine-five-seven." He said. Jaxson looked Up at the Titan. It's hatch was open and a few cables were ran into the cockpit. Jaxson wasn't even sure the Titan was powered up.
"Um, hello," said Jaxson dumbly.
"It's shut down," dead panned Forrester. Jaxson cringed causing the old Major to laugh.
"Alight climb up into the cockpit," he said and directed Jaxson toward the boarding ladder. Jaxson did so and after Forrester showed him how to power the Titan up the old man stepped back down and ordered the ladder removed. Jaxson punched in the start up sequence and the Titan rumbled to life under him.
"Hello," it said "I am DZ-2957." The voice was a distinct male voice with the slightest touch of a accent Jaxson couldn't place.
"Good to meet you DZ," replied Jaxson "I'm Lieutenant Jaxson Wright."
"Well met Lieutenant Jaxson Wright," replied DZ. Jaxson made a face.
"You can just call me Jax," he said "we're going to be partners after all."
"Affirmative," replied DZ "I shall call you Jax." Jaxson smiled.
"DZ, eh," he mused. "Kinda like Dizzy, mind if I call you that?"
"This is acceptable," replied the newly christened Dizzy.
"So, what happens now?" Asked Jax
"Protocol 1: Link to pilot"
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Let me know what you all think.
"Even of the morrow is barren of promises; nothing shall forestall my return."