Chp. 11: The Centrifuge
October 24, 2049
370 Miles South of the Comona Islands
"Griffon 1-01 this is Invictus ATC, you are cleared to enter the landing pattern. Contact the LSO for further instructions."
"Copy Invictus."
Commander Jarno Kuvaja lifted his thumb from the radio's transmit button and banked his F-03A Basilisk to the left. He eased the kite-shaped fighter downwards as he moved far behind the aircraft carrier. A few kilometers out, he turned once more and entered the domain of Invictus's Landing Signal Officer.
"Griffon 1-01 I have a visual on you. Confirm fuel state once you've lowered your gear and adjusted your flaps." One of the LSOs radioed.
Kuvaja reached out and adjusted his flaps with the push of a few buttons on his central touchscreen. He reached further left and deployed his landing gear and arrestor hook. He made sure the two AP-13s he carried on his outer wings were disarmed as well.
"Griffon 1-01, state 1.5 Kilos." He radioed.
"Roger Griffon, begin approach."
The LSO had little to instruct the man on, other than keeping him in a near-perfect position to get aboard the carrier. The F-03 was a touchy aircraft on approach due to its shape, and even a skilled pilot like the Commander had to be delicate. Each time he felt like he'd adjusted it just right, the LSO would radio with a correction. Keeping his nose up made it twice as hard and meant he was pushing the throttles up as often as he was pulling them down. Hearing "You're clear!" from the LSO was what cumulated the satisfaction. It also meant that his thoughts could shift back to debriefing with the men of Naval Fighter Squadron 203.
Kuvaja hit the gas as his aircraft planted its wheels on the deck. The two turbofans roared in protest as the tailhook snagged the second wire of three and held the Basilisk down. Satisfied he was safely aboard, Kuvaja eased back on the throttles and followed the instructions of a deckhand in blue coveralls and protective gear to get him clear of the landing zone. He taxied forward and claimed a spot between the island and forward ski ramp, where more crew hurried to the charcoal-grey fighter to tend to it. He raised the canopy and removed his helmet while the ground crew secured the jet to the deck. As he descended down the boarding steps, a man hurried up to him and motioned for the pilot to follow.
"The Commodore wishes to speak to you!" He explained. Kuvaja nodded and waved a hand towards the island.
"I'll be along once I'm certain I've handed over things to my ground crew properly!" He replied as his wingman's jet approached.
The man nodded reluctantly while the Commander turned around and walked up to his Crew Chief. They exchanged a few words while another F-03 slammed onto the deck, but after a few seconds the aide to the Commodore approached again. Kuvaja noted his appearance and grimaced; probably not even enough time to get out of his flight gear.
"Okay Misha, the Commodore wishes to speak with me urgently. You can take things from here, yes?" He said.
"Yes sir, we can handle it!" The sailor replied.
Kuvaja asked that he also inform NAS 203 that he would be late in joining them before he hurried off behind the junior man. They entered the island and hurried up to the Captain's dining room. Commodore Ratko Labovic, the man in charge of the armada, was seated alongside Captain Iivari and his surface warfare and intelligence officers. The Commodore also had a few of his own staff present.
"Good afternoon, Commander Kuvaja; glad to see you safely aboard." Iivari said as he rose.
"Thank you, sir. I sense something important is happening?" Kuvaja replied as he saluted the man. Labovic stood up and nodded.
"Yes Commander. If you would please join us? Time is of the utmost importance right now; we've been ordered to head for the waters off Sotoa."...
Annie spun around a little experimentally, examining how Saira's dress fit her. The closet doors, both covered by mirrors, communicated every move right back to her. It was a very provocative choice for her; the skirt just barely reached her knees and it hugged her very closely. Still, with some makeup and earrings she definitely had a look she could work with. She stopped and stared at herself for a moment, then decided to be smug. All that caring for yourself has made you utterly divine, Annie, be confident. Tonight the world's your damn oyster, and you're gonna find what you're looking to get your wingman hooked up with She thought. It occurred to her that she might consider flirting with him. Despite the outwards taboo of that kind of thing, it was fairly common for that kind of thing to happen. Almost as soon as the thought entered her mind, it fled in embarrassment. No need to get too hasty, Anjali…
"Just me, Annie!" Saira declared as she knocked on the door.
"Come in!" She replied over her shoulder. The woman strode in and crossed her arms to appraise the look her friend had going on. She nodded with approval.
"Very nice, very nice indeed...how's it fit?" She asked.
"Erhm...it's a little tight around the bust." Annie sheepishly admitted.
"But not so tight you can see anything...right?"
"Oh no no...just a wee bit tighter than I'm used to."
"Gonna do anything with your hair?"
"No, I think I like it as is. I don't have the versatility that you do, Saira."
"Is that just to make up for the bust comment?"
"Saira Dear, you know I would never doubt you in that way."
The two exchanged smiles and Saira finished up her looks while Annie sat back on the guest bedroom bed to put on her heels. She glanced back at the clock, then the window. Jed was due to arrive any minute now. She could only imagine what he thought was proper attire, and Sanjay was shorter than him. She'd make sure to give him hell for it. The electronic ringing outside the room told her it was showtime.
"So what kind of girls is your friend into?" Saira asked, keen to Annie's intentions for the Osean.
"Older women, primarily." Annie replied as she grabbed her purse. Saira offered no comment.
Outside, Jed cautiously pushed open the door to the apartment complex and caught an elevator to the fifth floor. He kept going back and forth on whether this should be interpreted as her trying to be more friendly or what. If she'd asked any other way he'd almost mistake this for a date. As his fight or flight instincts started to rev higher and higher, the door opened to reveal a man with short, curly hair.
"Jed Walker?" He asked in a Lenish accent.
"Yeah, that's me...uh, Tsun-Tsun-er, Annie's brother Ah presume?" He asked, awkwardly extending a hand. Sanjay accepted it and gave a firm shake.
"Right you are, mate. Come on in, we're about to get a move on but what kinda host just leaves his guest waitin' outside?"
"Thank y'all."
Jed managed to keep a smile on his face as he walked in while Sanjay chatted him up. Annie came strolling into the living room expecting him to look how he did earlier that morning. Instead, she was greeted by the sight of him in khaki slacks and a black polo. It was nothing terribly fancy but considering this was Jed, it suited him very well.
"Ahh, there's the ladies. Jed, this is my girlfriend Saira, an' you already know my sis." Sanjay announced.
Jed turned to extend a hand to Saira and was greeted by Annie in her ensemble for the night. He almost didn't recognize her again. Annie saw the look of surprise written all over his face. She cocked a brow at him and smiled.
"Oh come now, Bronco; still haven't come to terms with seeing me out of uniform?" She asked.
"Yup." He replied with a blank stare.
"Well at least he's honest?" Saira suggested, offering a hand. Jed took it and shook it slowly.
"So where are we going anyways?" He asked, looking away from Annie without trying to be too obvious.
"Place called the Centrifuge. Just about three blocks into the city from here. You one for Lenish pub faire, Jed? Or do you prefer Bronco?" Sanjay outlined.
"Jed; the Bronco and Tsun-Tsun thing is typically just between pilots. Unless Tsun-Tsun would rather Ah use Annie and she uses Jed tonight."
"I'll stick to callsigns for now, thank you." She said with a soft smile.
Jed nodded in understanding and the two followed Sanjay and Saira out of the apartment. Jed didn't have a whole lot to say on the way down to the street, but damn was he really being hit full force with just how beautiful Annie was. His chest started feeling weird again. It was driving him up a wall.
"Ah assume we're walkin? If y'all even have a car." He finally spoke up, looking for conversation.
"I do, in fact; Aston Martin DB11." Sanjay replied pridefully. Jed let out a soft whistle.
"DB11...very nice, very nice. Volante? V8?"
"V8; I like this guy already. sis."
It was something he could talk about, now. His Camero and Sanjay's Aston might've been very different cars, but there was common ground now. The quad of individuals walked down the evening streets until they reached a cylindrical building on the corner of a massive shopping center. The entire place was bathed in blue light, highlighted by fuscia. Sanjay led them to a table overlooking the central dance floor. A waitress dressed in a form-fitting cocktail dress sauntered up to the lot.
"Good evening, may I help you?" She asked coolly.
"Ahhh, just the sampler to start us off. I'll have a Guiness, my lady'll have a Screwdriver...right?" Sanjay said. Leaning back towards Saira.
"You know me so well." She replied with a kiss. The waitress looked at the two others.
"Ah'll do a Cinnigrad Crocodile." Jed requested.
"Cosmopolitan." Annie chimed in.
"Lotta vodka flowin tonight, I see." Sanjay observed.
"In my blood Ah guess; Ah'm half Yuktobanian." Jed offered.
After a stumble like he had, something strong to mellow him out sounded like something he needed most. His only fear was whether or not it'd also affect his fight against thinking about Annie. A fight he was already losing despite all the car talk with Sanjay…
After something to eat and a single drink, Jed was starting to feel just a bit less awkward. It also got easier to open up to three others he was with as the night went onwards. His gaze turned to the dance floor and maybe a girl he could eventually talk to. Any time he even glanced in Annie's general direction, he quickly looked away before he lost that battle any further. She did the same as she carried on with Saira, to his surprise. He felt Sanjay poke his arm and looked to the guy.
"See that girl over by the stairs? One with the pixie cut that's half-shaved? She's been looking at you a lot, Jed. Playing with her hair and biting her lip."
Jed looked to the girl for a long minute. He then took a long pull of his drink and cleared his throat.
"Ah uh, Ah don't think she's my type. Ah think she's a Love Girl." He replied. Annie's interest piqued upon hearing that.
"Love Girl? You mean those gynoids that you can make look like your dream girl? How can you tell?" She asked. In her head, the personification of her consciousness pumped a fist; one less girl to distract him from her.
"Y'all can tell she's a Love Girl cause she hasn't blinked in the two minutes she's been staring at me. Ah think our waitress is one, too."
"...That's it?"
"It's always little things that give away a synth. It usually has something to do with them being...too perfect. Too ideal in looks and behavior."
"You seem to know a lot about this…"
Jed was quick to explain.
"Ah considered it, ONCE. One of my favorite fictional female characters was Headmistress from this one anime, Mecha Academy, and...well, Ah was feeling alone enough to consider it. Talked myself outta it cause Ah didn't wanna be THAT desperate."
This poor boy needs a hug or something Annie thought.
"I never pegged you as an anime fan."
"Eh, to a degree...that ain't weird, is it?"
"No no, I do have some interest in anime." She assured, glancing away as she admitted another one of her hobbies.
"Really?" Jed asked with a few blinks.
"Oh, I may or may not have been a fan of Free."
Annie very nervously laughed off the matter, partly covering her mouth as she gave off a very...noblewoman-esque cackle. Jed stared at her like he'd just witnessed her grow a second head. He leaned towards her brother with concern.
"Dude, Sanjay...she did the laugh thing." He whispered.
"The laugh thing?" Sanjay replied.
"Yeah like the...the thing that rich girls do in fiction. Hell it even sounds like it."
"I'm not following, Jed."
"I can hear the two of you, you know!" Annie spoke up.
Then she felt Saira's toe poke her shin. Annie looked at the woman, whose eyes darted towards Jed a few times. She raised her eyebrows to indicate that SHE should draw his attention. When the boys weren't looking, she mouthed out "I know you're checking him out". Before Annie could protest, Saira grabbed Sanjay's arm and tugged him towards the dance floor. The two pilots watched them leave in awkward silence. Annie searched for another girl that she might direct Jed's attention too, but with his suspicions about Love Girls floating about, she couldn't be sure any of the girls who were looking his way were actually interested in more than appearances. Jed noticed them all, and something was keeping him very turned off to the idea of seeking a real girl. It was very possible that Annie had something to do with that. He'd allowed his inner thoughts the satisfaction of acknowledging that she looked exceptionally beautiful right now. In fact she had all these other girls, synthetic or not, beat by a mile. If they'd been strangers…Jed caught himself there and decided it was time to hit the brakes.
"Ah should probably quit while Ah'm ahead." Jed decided.
"Now that's no way to go about it, Bronco."
"It's less a matter of that and more a matter of not lowering my standards...not that they've ever felt very high."
"Maybe it'll look up tonight! Change for the better!"
Jed shrugged.
"It's never been good; girls always leave. At this rate Ah've just been riding on being that guy some older gal who looks like she's my age takes home so she can feel young and wild again."
He drained his copper mug, and then ordered another Crocodile. Now he could feel the buzz. He faced Annie and smiled a little in gratitude. He didn't doubt that she meant well, and for that he was truly grateful to her for stepping outside their usual boundaries.
"If y'all haven't noticed, being a pilot is the one thing Ah'm good at." He commented glumly. Annie's expression became worried.
"That can't be true, there must be something." She insisted.
"Ah'm the local idiot."
"Bronco, at least try to think of something."
"Y'all sound...very concerned about this."
She blushed and looked away, realizing she was getting ahead of herself.
"I just don't like that you insist on this little bout of self-degradation." She insisted hurriedly before busying herself with her drink.
Jed looked at her, and then her drink. He started to get the feeling he should say something. She downed it fast, had a slight shiver, then ordered another one.
"Tsun-Tsun...no offense but y'all don't seem to be enjoying that drink. Might be too strong." Jed frowned. Annie glared at him as she helped herself to the finger foods on the table.
"Are you suggesting I can't hold my alcohol, Leftenant Walker?" She asked. Her valued pride was now on the line; that changed everything. He put up his hands in mock surrender.
"Hey Ah'm just sayin. Y'all ain't gonna have much fun if yah drink something y'all can't handle."
"I assure you I'm enjoying this Cosmopolitan very much, thank you." She said with a "hmph!" Before taking a long drink from it to prove her point.
"Now stop moping about your luck with women. I'm sure there's a girl out there who would very much like you to notice her and maybe date her. Make her feel appreciated and let her vulnerable side have someone to embrace…"
By the end Annie was mumbling her words and rubbing a finger against the tabletop.
"My Sapinish teacher declared the same thing. Said Ah needed a girl my age who'd always stay with me." Jed replied, more interested in his drink than Annie's shyness.
"Maybe she's out there?" Annie tried. Always together? That sounds nice...
Annie requested another Cosmo to make herself feel less embarrassed she'd projected a little. The blockhead hadn't even noticed though. Either way Annie was starting to feel a little...light? Jed stopped saying anything, and then looked over at her. She glanced his way, and he averted his eyes, looking down at his drink again. After a few seconds he experimentally shifted his gaze back towards her and disguised it as grabbing some food. Unbeknownst to him, Annie had noticed his looks. She looked away, feeling her heart flutter a little. His eyes were dancing over her and her body. She could tell there was at least a little desire in them. She looked towards him again and caught him just as he looked away. Annie had to giggle; that got him to stare at her. She could understand his reaction; he'd never heard her giggle.
"Is something about me interesting you, Bronco?" She asked.
She couldn't tell if it was her or the Cosmo talking, but Jed blushed and tried to drum up an answer. Okay she wasn't mad, he thought, in fact she seemed flattered he was checking her out. Maybe, maybe there was something at work here between them.
"Do you mind if I start using your real name, Bronco?" She asked.
"If y'all want to, Ah guess…" He decided.
"Yes, I have to confess I like the way it sounds. "Jed"...romantic, in a way. You can call me "Annie" if you so desire." The Royal Navy pilot added with a flirtatious smile.
"Annie…" He repeated slowly.
Now that they were talking like this, that glum outlook was evaporating. Here was the girl, ya moron! And she was sending a clear signal now! Turn on the charm and make her smile!
"Y'all look great tonight. Ah mean Ah can't think of any other words than that to describe y'all. Ah don't wanna pay attention to them. The other girls; Ah wanna pay attention to y'all." He confessed.
"Well well, have I caught your eye, Jed?" She asked. He blushed and gave a quick nod before straightening up.
"May I confess something in return?" She asked.
"Erhm, okay." He replied. She got out of her seat and coaxed him to lower an ear to her lips.
"That morning when you answered the door in just your shorts was a very pleasant view. Whomever that woman was you were with? I was rather...jealous."
It was a low, seductive purr as smooth as melted chocolate. Jed's hands tightened into fists as she drew closer. She rested her hand over his and softly rubbed a finger against the top of it. Her perfume was overwhelming, SHE was overwhelming.
"Would you like to go dance?" She suggested.
"Yes." He replied instantly.
She gleefully tugged him from his seat and led him down to the floro. He felt another tug of desire for her as she turned around and moved a little closer to him. They began to dance with the next song; Jed didn't recognize it but it didn't matter. He did his best, which only made Annie smile and laugh. She was a far better dancer than he'd ever imagined. The way her hips swayed and gyrated and how her body was able to change and react to the music. Jed couldn't keep up with her no matter how hard he tried. She just kept giggling and laughing. Annie found it cute how hard he was trying and still failing. She just couldn't stop watching him like he couldn't stop watching her. They were getting closer again, too. Jed didn't resist it; everything about Annie Chopra was entrancing him more and more. They brushed against each other and she kept close to him. Every time he looked down she smiled. Then something came over him
"Can Ah kiss y'all?" He asked.
Even he could tell he'd surprised her. Annie stopped dancing and stared up at him as something inside her broke free. She clasped her hands over her chest, which felt like it was trying to punch its way out of her chest. He waited patiently for an answer from her as thoughts swirled in his head. It even took a minute for him to realize what he'd asked. She leaned closer to him and reached down to take his hands. They felt right clasping his, and he couldn't fight what he was feeling any longer.
"Yes, yes please...let's find somewhere where we have some privacy." She replied.
Annie pulled him back through the crowd, through the entrance, and down the street. She pulled him into an alley, just out of sigh, and rested herself against him. Annie blushed lightly and looked away a minute; she looked (and felt) more like a schoolgirl getting her first kiss than who she really was. When she felt confident enough to look back, she raised her head and closed her eyes in anticipation. Jed leaned down, closing his own eyes, and brought their lips together.