Snippet #2562431

"The encounter with the Pirates seems to have subsided. My team and I need repairs for the mecha's, I do not know of the military force, but we are returning to the Stella Caeletor," Syrin's voice was finishing up her short report over the intercom. All the while, Arina sat with her fingers knitted tightly together, her lips resting against the fingers as she stared at the display screen ahead of her. The images that were displayed were not pleasant. Though she couldn't see all of what had been described to her, the fighting had left signs of the skirmish, buildings toppled over, mini explosions in certain places. Arina's chest was tight. The fight could have been avoided if she'd just been allowed to get into contact with the group they'd encountered. However, she'd been unable to establish any sort of contact with the group down on the planet and she had tried several times. None had answered her though, and she had a feeling the Commodore had ignored her hails on purpose.

"Thank you," Arina offered simply and the communication link was cut. Arina was fairly sure the soldier didn't want to talk all that much to her anyway, after all the cold tone wasn't hard to miss. She figured she would get more details from the group as a whole later. The problem of the Pirates occupying Ko'val was definitely a hurdle that Arina had been expecting, but it didn't make it any easier at all. How was she to go about getting the Pirates to leave the place when they'd made a home out of it? She supposed she was just going to have to figure out something to say and offer to them in return for giving up the planet.

Leaning back, she started drumming her fingers on the edge of her chair's arm, the other hand holding her head propped up as she stared at the black expanse outside the main windows of the bridge. She was going to have to request another briefing. That had been difficult the first round, but maybe it would be easier this time. Maybe she would just suffice with them being on screen instead of making them board her vessel. Arina sighed heavily as her mind went around and around with ideas and plans, most of them being thrown out because she knew they wouldn't work out. At the same time she planned to call both ships in the next hour or so, allowing the two teams to reconvene with their vessels and give briefings of their own, aside from the one she'd recieved from Syrin.

Alten had watched Cavalier Eulina give her report of what had occured in the spaceport of Ko'val, and he himself looked over all the images that had been sent to them. These pirates were well equipped, and upon mention of the name Grimfist, Alten had immediately begun doing searches using his tablet. As he thumbed through it, he glanced back up at the images, pausing for a moment as he watched it. It brought him back to his days within the Corps, and the similar kind of battles he had seen. Pirates were not a fun bunch to fight, mostly because they had no desire to control the damage they caused; also because they didn't give a rats ass when it came to war crimes. As such, they would go to any length to insure their victory.

Fear especially, was one of their greatest tools and they knew it. Sometimes they'd attack people and soldiers in certain ways simply with the intention of killing as many as they could in as brutal a fashion as they could, to force their enemies to surrender. It wasn't uncommon for them to even forsake killing someone if they could leave an impression instead, doing things like locking the door to a room some sniper was hiding in and throwing a white phosphorus grenade into the room, rather than shooting the poor bastard.

Alten's movements on the pad stopped as his thoughts got the best of him, standing there staring blankly down at the tablet in front of him, hardly reading the information that sat there. His grip tightened a little on it before he closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. After a moment to calm himself, he cleared his throat and reopened his eyes, going back to scrolling through the tablet. "Admiral Xsan, what is your next plan of action? One thing I may offer is that we keep the Stella Caelator in orbit until the pirates have been removed." He then looked up to her, "I'm currently looking over information regarding the pirate Captain they mentioned and..." he looked back down to the tablet. "There is quite a bit on this particular one."

"Yes, I know and agree with you. We'll be keeping Stella Caelator in orbit. I don't plan to land on a hostile planet, not until I know we'll be safe. What I want is to speak with this... Pirate Captain Grimfist. Though that's going to be a feat in and of itself, getting Commodore Nash and Knight-Sentinel Major to agree with me. But I will definitely try. If only I can convince the man of what and why we're here, I'm sure I can make him leave without us having to fire off another shot," Arina answered as Alten gave her his opinions.

Shifting around in the seat that she was occupying, Arina turned just enough to see him clearly, "What I would like to do is get the two of them either on board for another meeting, or at least on screen with one another. We'll do that in a few hours, but I will hail them here in a moment. Their men need to brief with their own commanders after all, and I want as much information as I can get in one shot," she said, her gaze locked on Alten's without a flicker of hesitation, "There's no need for pointless fighting. Pirates are only pirates because they want something. Maybe I can find what he wants. Once I do... Then I've won," she said with a slight smile.

"In any case, tell me about this man, this Grimfist before I hail the other ships."

Alten watched her, eyes widening a bit in surprise at her thought process. Honestly, she was the first person he had had to deal with that wanted to talk down a pirate rather than just blast them into oblivion. Alten was one of those people who wanted to do nothing but wipe them from the face of galaxy. Giving them what they wanted was just...with everything they did to people for the simple sake of looting, they didn't deserve an easy way out. "A-Admiral Xsan...you can't be serious? You want to...to appease those monsters?"

He looked away for a moment, hesitant to continue. He cleared his throat though, looking back at her with a bit more vigor in his eyes. "They don't deserve anything but a bullet to the head. The things they do to people means they deserve nothing but the same in return! You just...if you just give them what they want they'll return for more eventually!" He watched her, his stance having become more tense; not because of his usual demeanor either. It was a rare feeling of anger he was feeling, though it wasn't really directed at the admiral.

Arina sighed heavily and stood up from her chair to turn and face Alten. With hands on her hip, a slightly irritated look on her face, she spoke in even tones, "Alten. People do things for a reason. I want to know what his reason is. I want to know what it is he wants. I said nothing about giving it to him. I just want to know. The art of persuasion lies in the art of lying. I know he's not deserving of what he wants. Many people are not. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to keep sending the Naval and Knights down there to be killed! I will avoid another scuffle like this one that we just encountered. Also, a scuffle that could have been avoided in my opinion, but it seems that things were kept from me for a little while."

Taking a step forward, Arina put a hand on Alten's arm, "I'm not giving in to who's obviously in the wrong. I'm just keeping those of us who are good, alive. What he deserves is not a bullet to his head, but a cell in one of the high security facilities. Where he can stay and die without hurting anyone else in the process."

Alten stood there, looking to the Admiral for only a moment before looking to the side, now a bit embaresed about his outburst. She was right, she had never said she was going to give him anything, now he just felt like an asshole. his voice was soft once again as he spoke, "Yes, your right Admiral Xsan. I'm sorry for my outburst..." He moved his arm from her hand, turning away slightly while pushing his glasses back up onto his nose before poking at the pad some.

"So then, as for Captain Grimfist. His actual name isn't known, nor is there anything regarding his background. He always commands a ship he refers to as the Hammerhead, however the type of ship it is has changed several times. Most of the things in here are reports and sighting of him, where he's attacked and such and he's got a pretty big list. He's wanted in many sectors, and is on the Federation's most wanted list; in fact, he's got a couple million on his head as a bounty. He's notorious for both his ability to evade capture, or even avoid death. Countless times he's been captured or supposedly killed, only to show up somewhere else, commanding a new vessel with a crew at his beck-and-call."

He turned to her, though avoided her eyes as he held out the tablet which had a full-body mugshot of Grimfist. The picture showed a man, with the information regarding his height of six feet six inches, weight and other details. His hair was cut very short and was black, matching his black eyes. He had plenty of scarring covering his face and whatever skin was exposed to be seen, and in the picture he was missing his entire right arm with the visible jack in which a bionic limb could be connected to at his shoulder. Another picture showed him in his actual combat gear, of the reddish power armor, the same black tricorne hat, and his massive ramshackle looking bionic arm. "These photos are of the last time he was seen and captured, about five years ago just after Ko'val was abandoned. He probably moved into the colony not long afterwards and after he escaped." he finished, glancing towards the bay window of the bridge.

Arina took the tablet from him and looked over the information. He was one hell of an opponent. Biting her lower lip gently, Arina scanned over his details before she glanced up at Alten and then back over her shoulder to the planet that was hanging in the dark expanse just outside her bay windows, "Five years after Ko'vol was abandoned and he was taken into custody. I wonder if he had anything to do with Ko'val's abandonment and being pushed into Terrocus territory. I suppose asking him is out of the question isn't it?" she said with a bit of a smile, a teasing tone to her words there at the end. She was trying to lighten the mood, especially after Alten had gotten quite upset with her.

"It is a possibility, Admiral. He would have the capability to drive off a colony not as secured as Ko'val was, especially if he caught them by surprise. However, nothing definite can be given, only inferred. Asking that...man may be the only way to get an answer." Alten said. "If you intend to contact him, then asking wouldn't hurt; just don't expect a worm like him to just give any information away..." he crossed his arms, frowning some as he kept his eyes out the port window. The Admiral's word had made sense, but that did not mean Alten was going to like them. These people didn't deserve even being talked with, nor did they deserve being locked in a cell. They deserved only to be burned, eaten, flayed alive, they deserved all the tortures that they themselves put other people through.

"The only other information I can really provide you with would be information that is not as useful to you as it would be to the Sentinel-Major and Commodore, as it is information regarding Grimfist's combat style. I'm sure though they've obtained that information as soon as they heard the name." He said.

He is angry with me, Arina thought to herself as she turned back to watch Alten as he answered her. He'd avoided all eye contact thus far and his tone said he wasn't very happy. Perhaps he did not agree with her decision to talk the man out of occupying Ko'val. But if she couldn't do that, then what good was she to anyone? She'd just be another body on a ship with no purpose at all. Maybe she should have said that, but she didn't and instead she sighed inwardly and crossed her arms over her chest, "Well then I guess I'll just have to ask the Commodore and Sentinel-Major to join me on board again. After all, your information should be shared with the ones who have to go deal with Grimfist anyway. But lets keep in mind that I would like to keep the plan B of an all out brawl as far away as possible. I know you don't like it, but... That's sort of what I'm here for, now isn't it?"

Turning slightly, she faced her group of workers who were monitoring the ships details and keeping the vessel out of the gravitational pull that surrounded the planet below, "Hail Commodore Nash and the Sentinel-Major please," she ordered. With the rapid response, the communications were opened. She would give them a few hours to let their personel rest and give reports before she expected them on board.

~~~

Kasabian stepped off of the transport vessel that had docked itself within the engineering/docking bay of the Gallahorn. He was walking in the direction Syrin had landed her mecha, since he'd need to report to Sentinel-Major Aigidios alongside her. Or rather, it'd just make things easier that way. Walking through the bay, his helmet tucked under his arm with his shotgun slung on his back. He nodded his head to other knights as he passed, ones who were getting ready to head down and secure the spaceport entierly. As he walked towards Cavalier Eulina's mecha, he glanced up at it, whistlnig some as he did so.

"Well, that was a bit of a mess down there, huh?" He asked out loud, though he mostly spoke to himself. He chuckled some, "Good luck with the red-head." he said while shaking his head.

Syrin docked the jet mecha and the hatch split open, the loud hiss of air depressurizing hitting her ears before any other noise filtered through as the cockpit was opened to the hanger bay. Pulling herself out of the seat, she hopped up onto the top of the hatch and scanned over the entire mecha from her place a top it. A grimace took her lips as she eyed the bullet holes through a large amount of plating on either side of the mech. The black plates were all dented and scratched, ripped apart by the bullets in either clean looking holes or jagged streaks. The dents and dings were no doubt from the building nearly collapsing on her machine, and the rips and tears were most likely from the second mecha that she'd taken on towards the end of the fight.

It reminded her that the outer hull of her machine wasn't the only thing damaged and she made her way over to the catwalk to get down to inspect the area that her computer had told her had been severely damaged. Hopefully it wasn't too bad to keep her grounded on the Gallahorn, but she knew that if it came down to it, her mecha would survive no matter what. Not that Arlan would allow me to take it out like this, she thought to herself. That man was almost as bad a perfectionist as she was when it came to mechanics anyway. As Syrin climbed down to get under her machine and started inspecting it, Kasabian's voice cut through the noisy bay and she glanced over to him.

"Nothing I couldn't handle," she replied to his question of it being a mess down on the planet. She figured it hadn't really needed a response, but she did like Kasabian and thus answered him. A grin may have pulled at her lips, but it might have been hard to tell as she leaned over and peered up under the hull near the engine of her machine, eyeing the jagged wreck of metal that had come rather close to spliting the engine's coil, "Thanks, but I think I can handle Arlan just fine," she offered, still only looking up at the damage and nothing else.

Kasabian leaned over as well to take a look at the damage, pursing his lips as he looked at it. "If you say so, Syrin. If you say so." He had no idea just what kinda fight Syrin had gotten herself into down there, but clearly it had been a hefty scuffle. Though considering it'd been two mechas, and one wielding a rail-rifle of all things, it being a tough fight wasn't much of a shock. "So, were you thinking it'd be pirates we'd find down there?" He asked while standing up completely. "Kinda hope that's all it was really, might get the military off of our backs sooner than later if all we have to pick a fight with is a bunch of looters and thieves."

"I am partial to something a bit more significant than just some pirates. It'd make having to deal with the Commodore and his crew more worthwhile." A voice spoke behind Syrin and Kasabian. The Order Sergeant spun around, and immediately went to attention and saluted the Sentinel-Major as he stood there, a hand resting on the sword at his waist while his other hand rested on the handle of his pistol. "So, how about you start telling me what happened down there?" Aigidios said as he looked between the two of them.

As Syrin was about to answer Kasabian as the two of them were inspecting the damage to her mecha, the voice of the Sentinel-Major sent a chill down her spine. How he'd gotten up behind them was a mystery to her, but it was also a testament to how good he was too. Flipping around just as quickly as Kasabian, she too followed her superiors reaction and saluted their Major, "Major..." Syrin -having been caught off guard for a moment- was only able to speak the one word before her mind slowly fell into place and the events of what had happened down on the planet easily became words on her tongue.

"We were attacked. It felt as if they were trying to ambush us, which failed," Syrin started, "But as to what Kasabian has asked. I believe it is pirates we're dealing with, Sir. The rebels have certain markings on the machines they steal from the Federation. I did not see those markings. All three mechas that I engaged with the Knights came down rather easily, though the one with the rail-rifle was difficult... And the result to my machines damage," she added, glancing up at the under carriage of the mecha, the once sleek black look, now nothing more than jagged edges in more than a few places.

"I was unable to see the foot soldiers uniforms though, so my perspective alone is not enough to truly discern who we're fighting against," Syrin concluded and glanced over to Kasabian. Hopefully his encounter with the group was a little more fruitful than her's. After all, she'd only dealt with three mechas.

Kasabian watched Syrin as she gave her part of the report before looking to the Major when she finished. "I had a better view of there foot soldiers, sir, and they lacked any real uniformity in their uniforms and armor. That alone I feel hinted to them being a pirate band. They were fairly well equipped, as Syrin's report regarding the mechas. I'll admit that their organization and ability to respond to us quickly and even shoot down Sentinel Two, alongside one of Paladin's mechas showed that they were something more."

Aigidios had switched over from watching Syrin to Kasabian as he spoke, listening intently to the two of them. "However, during one engagement within the Northern storehouse, I heard them mention the name Captain Grimfist. With a name like that and how they talked about him, I feel that was enough to tell me we were contending with a pirate band."

Aigidios nodded his head, looking between the two of them. " Pirate Captain Grimfist of the Hammerhead. It is a name and face I recognize, I've dealt with him and his crew a few years back, so I'm not surprised with that name as to why they were as organized as they were. Anything else that I need to know?"

Kasabian spoke up, "We were able to secure the storehouses, and the enemy retreated back towards the city of Ko'val after Cavalier Eulina and Paladin wiped out the three mechas."

Aigidios spoke up again, "So we did actually catch them mostly unaware. Grimfist isn't dumb, nor is he one to miss a fight. He's most likely just reorganizing his troops for the full engagement." he looked between them again. "If there is anything else that needs to be said, then you are dismissed. Enjoy your rest," he then looked at the mecha, then to Syrin. "Get Arlan down here quickly, we need you up and ready to be deployed as soon as possible." He then saluted them, Kasabian returning it before Aigidios waited for Syrin's, then turned to leave.

Saluting her superior, Syrin let out a breath, "Grimfist, hu? Well he sounds great," she offered sarcastically, or rather, as sarcastically as she could manage. Turning around, she once again eyed her machine with a bit of dread in the pit of her stomach, "Arlan's going to be so pissed," she muttered. With a quick look over to Kasabian, she gave him a small nod of her head, "You should rest too, the Major will probably send us both back down. We should be expecting one hell of a fight when we do return to the surface."

Syrin’s thoughts were filled on who Grimfist was aside from being a leader to the Pirate forces down on Ko’val. It seemed that the Sentinel-Major knew all about him, which made Syrin wonder even more. Not a lot of people got away from the Major, in fact, none that she could recall and especially if the war stories were true about him.

“I’ll go get Arlan. See you in a few hours, Kasabian,” she said and then made her way across the hangar bay in search of the red-haired mechanic.

Kasabian nodded his head to Syrin, grinning at the mention of Arlan. "Good luck with him, Syrin." He said before turning and walking off towards the bay's exit. As he walked, he nodded to Arlan who was quickly making his way towards Syrin.

Arlan stopped in front of Syrin, looking her up and down, patting her arms and shoulders as he did so as well. "We all in one piece? Nothing out of place or too badly banged up?" he said with a grin. It was pretty clear that she wasn't hurt, or if she was it wasn't anything serious. However Arlan always found it fun to mess with her in this fashion. However, he had yet to notice the mecha and its condition, as it happened to be on his blindside and he hadn't noticed it landing when Syrin had first made it back. "I hope things didn't get too terrible down there, though even if it did you seem to be all good and fine!" He patted her shoulders and pulled his hands back to put them into his pockets. "So where's the mecha?" He asked, glancing around before his eye settled on the mecha in question.

Slowly his smile faded as he stared at it, shock taking over his features. Its beautiful black surface was marred and dinged up, much of its armor was riddled and torn, and worse yet was the engine which looked like it'd possibly have to be totally replaced. Slowly he walked up to it, just staring up at it still. Sure he knew that it was a combat mecha and that meant it would be seeing combat, but that didn't make this sting any less. Not to mention it was not a model meant to storm a hail of bullets and keep going, so clearly Syrin hadn't been all that careful with the beauty. He just stood there, jaw dropped in a look of horror.

Syrin nodded to Kasabian as he offered her a wish of luck when dealing with Arlan. It wasn't that the red haired mechanic was a difficult man to deal with, just that she knew how he was with the mecha's and anything mechanical. He liked them pristine. She did too, which meant that if she'd nearly had a heart attack after looking at her mecha, Arlan was going to be shocked and possibly angry... Definitely upset. Syrin didn't need to go far to find Arlan as he had been making his way over to her. Patting her down his usual grin was plastered on his face and that made her feel even worse.

"Yes, all in one peice, Arlan," Syrin answered him, "It was... Not a difficult fight. Just a surprise more than anything else," she answered slowly. When he asked for the mecha, Syrin sighed and moved aside as he looked around for it. It didn't take him long to find the beat up craft and when he did, she winced inwardly at his facial expression. Reaching back, she ran her hand through the loose strands of hair as she too looked back over to her jet that was marred and... for lack of a better word, destroyed really.

"Sorry, Arlan. One of the mechs had a rail-rifle. The other damage is due to a building collapsing over me, but other than that it's alright. It's not that bad," she said, trying to lighten the mood, as well as the worst-case-scenario that was most likely running through Arlan's mind as he gazed at the mecha speechlessly.

Arlan just stood there quietly before slowly looking at her, "A building?! The hell were you doing that resulted in a building collapsing on you?!? This mecha is built for speed and agility!" He flailed his arms about before walking towards it, looking it over, still a horrified look on his face. "You don't slug it out with the enemy or....smash through buildings with it! You especially don't let a mecha wieldinng a rail-rifle hit you, Syrin!!" he looked at her before back to the mecha, his arms just flopping limply at his sides as he sighed.

"This is going to take a lot of work..." He shuffled over to the engine, looking at it again. "This thing might need to be totally replaced...augh, Syrin!" He looked back to her with an exasperated look. " 'It's not that bad' my ass, woman!! I was hoping to sleep tonight but it looks like I'm gonna be up all night fixing her up." He said looking back at the mecha. "Well...you are going to go brew me up a whole pot of coffee while I get the equipment around to fix this mess!"

He turned and looked at her again, "Hell you might want to make enough for two people to pull an all nighter cause you are going to help me fix this, Syrin! That'll teach you to dodge rail-shots and buildings rather than take hits with a mecha not designed for it!" he said while pointing at her.

"I was taken by surprise, Arlan," Syrin responded when he asked her what she was doing when the building collapsed on her, but it seemed that he wasn't really listening as he continued on raging at her about the ruined mecha. With an inward sigh, she resigned herself for the verbal railing and put one hand on her hip as she watched him and occasionally glanced to the mecha as he pointed out different parts of it that were ruined.

As he looked at the engine coil, Syrin moved to keep within sight and earshot of him, though she really didn't think she needed to with his angry voice lifted louder than usual. Rolling her eyes slightly she eyed the damage with a frown on her lips, "Like to have seen you try to avoid a building and rail shots," she muttered to herself, half pouting half irritated with him. She was pretty sure Arlan had heard her too, after all she wasn't exactly whispering that part to herself, "Fine. Coffee and we'll get this repaired. I wasn't going to leave you by yourself anyway, you should know that," she said, slightly miffed by the idea and crossed her arms as she gave the mecha one last look over, plans on how to go about reparing it quickly starting to formulate in her mind.

"Goodie!!" Arlan said while walking past her, though he stopped for a moment and turned to face her. "And Syrin!" he said, pointing at her again. "Glad you're ok!" he said before turning again and marching on towards the area they stored tools. He did grumble though as he walked along, also muttering to himself what things he'd handle first and how. It was going to certainly be a long night of work, given the amount of damage on the poor mecha.

"Totally would have dodged a building...I mean it is a building! Not like they are known for running into people and things...bah, you are a pain in my butt sometimes, Syrin." he continued to mutter as he collected some tools and began walking back. The first of them was a plasma cutter, which was going to be essential for removing damaged plates as well as the engine coil, as well as two welding masks to protect their eyes, or eye in his case.. "You're lucky your actually fun to talk to and are cute or else this would be a whole 'nother kinda mess!" He then grabbed a simple wrench, as well as a pry bar then began walking back towards the mecha.

As he made it back, he dumped the stuff down on the nearby work table and began hooking up the plasma cutter. "Alrighty then, first we cut away these plates." he pointed to the pry bar for a moment before finishing up with the plasma torch. "Take that bar, and see what plates you can pry loose. Makes things quicker for both of us." He then paused, then looked at her. "After you get the coffee ready first!"

~~~

Holt winced as she felt the medic slowly apply a second dose of salve into the wound on her face. It would be the disinfecting salve first, followed by the more powerful and helpful healing salve. The second one would actually begin the healing process, and it was astounding how well and quickly it worked. It'd probably only be a day or two before the wound would be healed up, and Aiyanna would be ready to head out into the field again. Currently she was sitting on one of the tables within the medical bay, only dressed in the rather form-fitting undersuit that one wore beneath power armor. It was designed to be comfortable, but also to assit with maintaining a constant body temperature and also to help whisk away sweat. It also served to eliminate chafing that may result from the more stiff material of the Power Armor.

She sighed as she felt the medic begin applying the second salve, which was much less painful than the first. In fact it actually felt rather nice and soothing to the wound. She and the team had returned about a half-hour ago, and had been told to report to the Commodore afterwards, something she was not looking forwards too. She didn't want to tell Nash how the recon mission went to shit so fast and how they lost Derith in the fighting, but also because Holt felt bad that she'd more than likely have to throw Ryker under the bus. Sure he kinda deserved it, and she did feel like it was his fault that it went as bad as it did, but she also wasn't a fan of singling out her fellow Sailors.

"Alright, now we just gotta bandage this up. Then you sohuld be good to go, ma'am." the medic said to Aiyanna as he waked over to a drawer to grab said bandages.

"Thank you, doc." Holt said in return while looking around. The other commandos were being patched up as well, and were stripped down to the undersuits as well. They had dropped off their equipment to the repair bay to hopefully be fixed up quickly for another possible deployment. Hopefully the whizz kid could work his magic and have them all up and running, along with a new helmet for the Petty Officer.

Ryker ground his teeth as the medic who was working to bandage up his chest pulled a little too hard to secure the wrapping. Bruised ribs, a few cracked from the heavy punch he'd recieved were probably the worst of the wounds thankfully. Scratches here and there, but otherwise he was fine. "Think you could pull any harder," he snapped at the guy who only sighed in return and kept quiet. As soon as the wrappings were tied off, Ryker pushed off the bed he'd been seated up on and waved off the young medic who'd tried to keep him seated still, "Leave it, damn it. The less of your horrid medical skills, the better I'll be."

Snatching up his military uniform from the side of the bed, he pulled on the heavy coat gingerly, unable to really lift his arms up too high. Annoyed still at his own injuries, the fight that had went to hell, and Aiyanna's snapping at him in return -not to mention taking him from the fight that he had himself convinced he could have finished- Ryker stalked toward the door. He had already heard they'd be debriefing with the Commodore and he wanted it over with as soon as possible. The only thing that kept him from leaving entirely was Aiyanna, whom he waited for, though impatiently. Ryker occupied himself with putting the uniform together, buttoning up the heavy shirt and trying to make it as pristine as possible with the limited movement while he waited for Holt.

Holt winced as the medic tightened the bandages around her head, the bandages pressing tightly on the wound before he stepped back. "Alright, there you go, Holt. You are set to go." Holt hopped down off the table, rubbing the bandaged area slightly and fidgetting a bit with one of the bandages that wrapped around her chin to help hold it in place. Another one was wrapped around her forehead, also slightly irritating and itchy.

"Thanks. Off I go to hell." She muttered the last bit to herself and began walking towards the door. As she made her way there, she looked up to see Ryker waiting there. She frowned some, mostly because she had no idea how this was going to go. It could just be akward silence, another bitch-fit from him, or anything in between. Regardless, as she figured she'd at least try to start some kind of conversation as she walked up to him. "Feeling swell, I take it?"

"Fucking great," he replied in a grumble as he eased the last button into place. Looking over to her once it was done, his frown deepened, "You look like hell," he comment shortly. With a slight shake of his head, Ryker pushed the door open and held it for her to follow after him out into the hall, "Let's go say hi to Commodore Nash, shall we?" he said as he started down the hall. He fell silent after a while, going over the details that he'd be presenting to the Commodore. After a while, as they neared where they would be meeting with the bionic equipped man, he figured it was a good idea to let Holt know what he was going to tell the Commodore.

"Don't leave anything out when you speak to him. I can cover my own ass. Besides, I'll tell it as I saw it. We were supposed to secure the area. Which is exactly what I was trying to do," he said, the tone a slight bit on the edgy side though he was doing what he could to keep it from sounding too pissed off about the situation, "Not that I expected you to try to butter it up or anything," he gave her a quick glance, a sly grin making it's way on his lips for just a moment.

"I feel like hell. I think the only reason I don't have my own broken ribs is because of my armor. But fuck that arm of his packed one hell of a punch." Holt said while rubbing her tender side as they walked. It was silent as they made their way to where Nash was waiting, Holt mulling around in her head what she was going to tell the Commodore. She still had a frown on her lips, glancing to Ryker for a moment before looking back ahead.

When they made it there, she was about to say something when Ryker beat her to the punch. She watched him, noting that he clearly was trying to keep his anger surpressed. She shook her head some, before looking at the door. "Well, least you relieved me of the guilt of throwing you into the engine of a mecha." She said before taking a deep breath and letting it on in a long sigh, "Here we go..." she said before walking forwards. The doors opened up for them as she moved forwards, walking into a rather large room that was filled with a number of technicians at work on computers. The room contained one large view screen at the back, and had a small ledge that over looked the whole room. This was the central command room, where the COs could observe and coordinate the boots on the ground. A control panel also sat on the ledge for use by the commander, in this case Nash who was standing in front of it. He was leaning forwards, his hands resting on the panel and supporting the rest of his body. He said nothing nor did he turn to look at them as Holt walked forwards.

She stopped and saluted the Commodore. "Petty Officers Holt and Vondalir here to report, sir." she remained there as Nash turned to face them. He returned the salute, Holt relaxing as he did so before he looked between the two of them.

"So, who wants to go first?" Nash asked, Holt glancing to Ryker for a moment before back to the Commodore. "How about you, Vondalir?" Nash said as he looked at the silver-haired man.

"Commodore," Ryker responded also giving the man a salute. With both hands clasped behind his back, Ryker nodded slightly as he was addressed to speak first, "We scouted the outer edge of the city, worked our way in when we found a group of people. The Drakes were disturbed by our presence so we didn't get much information aside from learning that they're Pirates with a leader by the name of Grimfist. We were attacked by the small band. After I interviened in their attack, I followed the remaining group into the city. They're heavily armed, missile launchers were probably the worst of it. Inside the city we engaged with their leader, Grimfist," Ryker frowned again, that edge creeping into his tone once more, "Unfortunately... He escaped me before I could finish the fight," a quick glance to Holt and he returned his gaze to the Commodore, "One of our soldiers was killed, Commodore, during the the scuffle."

Nash watched Ryker, quietly and unblinking before turning his eyes to Holt. "Holt?"

Aiyanna straightened up, clearing her throat. "That about covers it sir, I and my fire team had moved in to support Petty Officer Vondalir when he went into the city to engage the enemy. We held our own for a bit, but eventually they were able to force us back. Derith perished whne he was struck by missle fire from what I believe to have been the pirate leader. Vondalir and I fought with Grimfist, but when our evacuation arrived I grabbed Vondalir and retreated to the vessel to make out escape, sir." Holt finished while keeping her eyes forwards.

Nash looked at her, then back to Vondalir. "I remember telling you two, to only engage the enemy if absolutely necessary. Correct?"

"Yes, sir." Holt responded immediately.

"And now we are down a mech," he then turned his gaze to Holt, "and we lost a soldier alongside his power armor. All in an engagement that was not required of either of you. An engagement you both ran into that could have been avoided entirely, no?"

Aiyanna sounded much less confident in her response. "Yes, sir..."

Ryker's gaze shifted over to Aiyanna briefly. Her tone was unusual and honestly he didn't like it. She was a confident woman, a powerful woman. He despised the sound that she'd made. Keeping it to himself for the most part, he shifted a little to get Commodore Nash's attention off of her and back onto him for the moment, "Commodore, I'm the one who made the decision to go into the city after the rabble that attacked us. And if I may, with all due respect, we were the ones who were attacked first. I think that's reason enough for having retaliated as we did. They were fleeing to their Pirate leader in the first place, I deemed it necessary to try to snuff out any attempts at another attack in that moment. Surely that is reason enough for a necessary engagement."

Nash looked back to Vondalir, a scowl slowly growing on his face. "I'm aware it was you who made the decision, Petty Officer. However, Holt being in charge still puts some responsibility onto her. Certainly not as much as you though. And no, Ryker," Nash's voice dripped with annoyance as he said the pilot's name, "Being attacked first is not enough reason to march into the enemy's fortifications. You had ample area to retreat into, having a vast desert behind you. You had no purpose or reason to enter that city other than the fact your apparently still a child and need to get better control of your ego!" Nash was clearly angry by this point, as he wasn't even trying to keep his tone under control. " 'He hit me first' is an excuse young boys say when they don't want to get in trouble on the playground, so perhaps I should begin treating you like one until you can prove that your are capable of acting like a member of the Armed Forces."

Nash gave Ryker a hard stare, "You will be marked for insubordination, Ryker. You may have had the plan to try and snuff out the enemy right then and there, but initiative is meaningless if you do not truly consider the possible ramifications of your plans. Now until further notice, you both are to remain on The Far Reaching Wind. You are dismissed." Nash's tone had lowered as he continued on, yet it still shuddered with anger. Once he was finished he turned around and went back to leaning on the control panel in front of him.

Holt saluted the Commodore again, replying with a simple "Yes, sir." before turning and heading towards the doors to head on out.

Ryker's gaze darkened. Though he played the perfect soldier, he still utterly despised the military. Even so, it was the one thing that allowed him to vent out his anger on others without getting into too much trouble with the Federation and possibly being put behind bars. After all, if he'd gone any other path in life, he'd probably have committed murder more than a few times. He forced a salute to the Commodore, but he didn't say anything. Turning on his heel he followed after Aiyanna into the hallway. Silence followed after him, anger boiling just under the skin. Ryker was pretty sure that if he'd been armed he might have reached for the weapon. As it was, he was keeping from destroying anything within reach, but just barely. The utter desire to break someone neck was rather appealing at that moment.

After a while, Ryker couldn't contain it any longer and his fist connected with the wall along with a deep growl of anger, "Bastard," he hissed, "What are we here for then? Damned Federation. Should have just left those idiot Knight Sentinel's to go down there if all we were to do was sit back and watch. What was the point of going anyway!?" his fist pulled back and hit the same place a second time, sending a deep vibration all through his arm and into his ribs. Though it hurt, he was far too pissed off to even care

As the two of them walked down the hallway, Aiyanna kept glancing at Ryker. She could almost feel the anger emanating off of him, and she couldn't blame him; at least to a certain degree she couldn't. The Commodore had torn Ryker a new one with that scolding, honestly Ryker was lucky that Nash had kept it only to Aiyanna herself and any technitian in the command room that had decided to eavesdrop. Finally though, she watched as he couldn't ocntain it any longer and punched the wall.

She stopped, watching him as he began to vent off. She didn't say anything as he said his part, though when he punched the wall a second time, she simply sighed and walked over to him. Taking a firm hold of his hand in her own hands, she then lowered it away from the wall. "Enough, Ryker. Breaking your hand isn't a solution to the problem. We'll get our chance to get back at that Pirate, trust me."

She kept hold of his hand, moving to look him in the eyes. "We are not simply here to watch, we were just setting up for the big fight itself." She smiled a little, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, with the impression you left on Grimfist, when we go down there I bet he'll hunt for you specifically, then we'll both be able to royally kick his ass and tear him apart. We will get our chance again, just gotta give it some time. Alright?"

With Aiyanna taking his hand to keep him from hitting the wall a third time, Ryker glared down at her as she spoke, "From what it sounds like to me, Commodore Nash doesn't want to engage in anything on the planet. Which is why I question him. If he's so damned adamant about being here, then he should let us do what we're meant to do!" Ryker's voice was lowered so that only she could hear him.

Rolling his eyes on her insistance that they were going to fight the Pirate Captain again, he took a deep breath to calm down a little. She'd spoken truthfully that was for sure, and he was very hopeful that they would indeed have another shot at the asshole down on the planet because Ryker seriously wanted to tear that man apart limb by limb. After a while of looking at her and getting his anger to subside, his grin returned to his lips as he straightened a little. Still with his hand in her grip, he gave a slight chuckle, "You know, it's times like these that I really wonder if you hate me, or you like me," he teased.

She rolled her eyes at his first comment, looking back to him. "We just got to this colony, Ryker. And we've had one mission so far, cool your shorts and give it time and the Commodore will have us running down their to kill us some pirates. " She watched him for a good moment, waiting for him to relax and simmer down. Once he had, she slowly let go of his hand and looked at him, crossing her arms and grinning slightly. "You know Ryker, it is times like this that I wonder the same damned thing. Your personality is about as comforting as sandpaper most of the time, but...that ass of yours certaintly is a hard thing to ignore." she teased back.

With a larger grin, she then turned and began walking down the hallway. "Now I'd like to get changed out of this suit. It might be flattering to the form, but after a while it starts to get a little uncomfortable. Much rather get back into my fatigues, and gotta check on my armor and see how bad or long repairs are going to take for it."

Ryker's gaze followed after her, his eyes dancing with the wild light of amusement, "Funny, I could say the same thing about you," he shot back as he watched her go. After letting her get a bit of a head start, he followed after her, purposefully keeping her ahead of him, his grinning never ceasing, "Perhaps I could help you out of that... Flattering suit of yours. It looks difficult to get on and off," he said from behind her as he followed.

She slowed her pace, spinning on her heel to face him as she walked backwards, watching him. "I can feel you staring, Ryker." she said, raising an eyebrow. "And you think you are just going to get under my suit that easily?" She then stopped, crossing her arms and looking at him with a smile.

"Seems like you need to work out some frustrations, hm?" she cocked her head to the side, now just enjoying teasing him.

Ryker halted in his steps as well as she turned to face him and stopped walking backwards. Taking the last few feet to get closer to her, he leaned down a little, "I wouldn't chase after you if it was going to be easy, Aiyanna. You should know that. I like a little bite to my women and you've got plenty of that," he replied. He allowed his gaze to drop for a moment before looking back up at her.

"Maybe. But I can find other ways to release my frustrations. Unless you're inviting me, then by all means," he gave a little chuckle at that pretty sure he knew the answer to that one already. After all, it wasn't the first time he'd hit on her before.

"No you would not, Ryker. And I am very aware of it, considering how I seem to have you by the strings every now and then" She raised an eyebrow when he looked down at her before back up to her face.

"Inviting you?" she chuckled softly, lifting her hand up above him and wiggled her fingers aorund as if playing with a marionette. "Like a puppet sometimes, dear Ryker." She let her hand drop and turned her back to him, tapping her chin with her finger. "Hm...I should go check on Trinity...make sure he's getting my armor fixed up." she hummed, shifting her weight on her legs some as she looked away, grinning the whole time.

Ryker laughed again, his grin growing wider by the second. His earlier anger was completely washed away at their banter. He truly enjoyed conversing with this woman, "Maybe I'm letting you pull me around, Aiyanna," he said, leaning over her shoulder to speak the words a little softer than earlier.

Straightening, he eyed her for a moment longer as she shifted her weight from one side to the other, most likely doing that on purpose for him. After he'd watched her for a little while longer, enjoying the view considerably, he stepped around her and headed down the hall, "Well then, what are you waiting for. You still have to strip down, which I'm going to enjoy imagining while I go light a fire under our mechanics ass. How about that?"

It was her turn to stand there and watch him go, smiling before she began following after him. "Well, I guess since I'm already going to be so exposed in your imagination..." She then walked up next to him, looking ahead for a moment before she again spun on her heel, walking backwards as she looked up at him. "Then I might as well find some enjoyment in it as well."

"Besides..."she purred, again taking the lead as she sauntered past him. "The imagination is never as good as the real deal, Ryker." she finished as she began heading down the hallway towards the sleeping section where her room was.

For a moment, Ryker was a little taken off guard, but then his mind recovered and he followed after her, "Well then, if you insist. After all, you're the one in charge. It wouldn't do to ignore any... orders of yours now would it?"

Heading toward her sleeping quarters as well, Ryker lengthened his stride to keep up with her as he'd allowed her to get ahead of him once again, "I'll be taking this as your invitation, Aiyanna."

She giggled, something that she didn't often do as she continued to walk forwards, keeping her eyes ahead. "I am the one in charge, my puppet. You woudn't want to get another insubordination charge, now would you?"

Once they made it to the doorway, she then turned and looked at him. "And no dear Ryker, not an invitation. As you said, it's an order." she winked as him as she slipped into the room, humming to herself.

"Well then," Ryker cooed softly as he entered the room as well. As soon as the door slid shut, he crossed the small room and snatched up her arm, "Allow me to assist you," he offered as he turned her around with her arm in hand, "Got a few days to pass on board, I suppose a little side tracking wouldn't hurt," he said with a bit of a laugh to the tone and leaned down to get a kiss if she'd let him, that or he'd get quite the punch which he didn't mind either.

"No, I think some side tracking would not be a problem at all, my dear Ryker." As he leaned into her, she grinned at him and all softness was gone as she suddenly pulled him down into a forceful kiss, grabbing the collar of his shirt to pull him into her. As she did so, she pushed him back up against the wall before pulling back ever so slightly, giving him a smile that seemed both seductive and sadistic at the same time.

"Or it might, hard to say." She pulled him back into the kiss, keeping him pressed up against the wall as she did so. Her hands remained on his collar, just to make sure he couldn't escape her so easily.

The sudden kiss was unexpected but definitely not unwanted. Hitting the wall, he groaned a bit in pain, wincing for a moment as she pulled away. Even so, his wild grin never left his lips even as he growled to her, "That hurt."

A second later and she was kissing him again. Dropping his arms around her waist he held her in place just as she held him there and deepened the intimate touch. It was most likely going to be a while before they left to go see to the repairs on their equipment. Ryker didn't care at all either way.