Adion Volf's Story

Adion looked over to John saying, "Can't wait to see the look on the faces of the green marines when they get their first taste of action." Then Adion added, "Where I'll sitting back fixing their tanks." with a snicker. It was one of the cruel things about Adion, as he was a learn by practical application type person. This often meant that those under his command would learn soon why everyone else prepared so much, from first hand experience.

"How long do you bet it will be before the captin sends us in?" Adion asked John. The one thing that Adion had never been good at is time estimations. He'll tell you it will be fixed in a day, it takes a week. Fixed in a month, and he's done in an hour.

“One piece my ass.” Octavia sneered at Shepard's words as she removed her helmet and began disassembling her gear. “I need a beer.”

“It's the morning Sinclaire.” Remirez looked at her crookedly.

“Technically, it's morning somewhere on the Eastern Coast of the United States. Here, in the middle of nowhere space, it's night all the time.”

“Your logical flaws me.” Remirez laughed.

“But you can't deny it.” O winked. “So you coming or what Remirez?”

Remirez peered at the copper haired vixen with an askew regard, wondering whether she was really considering having a drink while on duty. He decided nothing could be put passed Sinclaire. He liked that about her and would have joined her in her mutiny except now that he had a little free time he had some things to do.

“Can't. Got a few things I have to take care of.” He winked at her with a grin as they walked out the armoury doors.

“Your loss.”

“No doubt. I'll catch you later Sinclaire.”

With a nod and shared grins like those between old friends the two Soldiers parted ways.

Digging into her pockets as she slowly strolled down the corridors of Bay 5E, O pulled out a few dollar bills she had stuffed in there early. She had all sorts of crap in there that she had no idea how it got there. A card for a night club back somewhere in New York. A piece of candy. A rock?

“Ah shit.”

She'd lost her key card. Again.

Whipping around Octavia headed back to the Armoury Bay. She was always losing important shit. And she'd lost her key card on numerous occasions. They told her that if she lost it one more time, not only would she have to pay to replace it herself but they would also take disciplinary action against her because apparently 'by losing her key card she was jeopardizing the entire safety of the ship and all personnel on board. '

What a load of crap, thought Octavia. Anyway to extort more money out of us.

---

“ . . . Maybe you need to punish me.” Issac suggested.

“Don't tempt me.” Ophelia replied with the slightest curve to her lips as she concentrated on running a full diagnostic on Issac.

It took quite a bit of time because of the complexity of Issac, how he ran and everything he was hooked up to. Technically it wasn't in Ophelia's job description however it was almost the best part of her day. A little peace and quite and some very interesting conversations with Issac. No one but her was allowed in here. No one could come here and demand she do this or that. They'd have to wait and Ophelia made sure to take her time with running all the routine tests. For Issac was not only the single most important part of running this Ship; he was the heart of the Valhalla. Something that required the most delicate care.

"Really, what does it take for a bio-computer to get a break around here? That Captain just loves to make his orders..."

Ophelia simply smiled as Issac complained. His favourite pet peeve was the Captain's orders thrust upon him. She had a feeling that if he could take over the Captain's role he would gladly do so.

“The Captain's the Captain. And his orders are to be followed by all that includes you my disobedient friend.”

"Hmm, it also seems like your sister shall be shipping out soon . . . though you needn't worry about her. She can certainly take care of herself." Issac tried to reassure her and the feeling of dread that wore on Ophelia felt as if it had solidified into a heavy piece of mass in her stomach.

The Doctor could not put a finger on her anxious feelings regarding her younger twin. She worried about Octavia constantly. Maybe, she tried to reason sensibly with herself, it was because the fight had never been so close to her.

Octavia was away on one mission or another always. But this was different. Here Ophelia had seen her almost everyday and she would be waiting like the rest of the Ship for the results and outcomes of the Soldiers deployment. She wasn't a fool to believe that everyone would come back in one piece. She just hoped to God that her sister was one to come back fully intact.

“I'm not so sure about that.” Ophelia said finally with a deep sigh and a frown digging into her brow.

When there was no immediate reply from Issac, she knew he was dealing with other things; the Captain's orders no doubt.

Thus, no longer being able to stop herself, she called her sister. If Octavia was dispatched she wouldn't get through but if she hadn't been at least that would put Ophelia's mind at ease for the time being.

---

Stepping into the Armoury Bay, Octavia headed straight to her locker. She did not let her eyes wonder to the front of the room in case Shepard was still there. She just had to find that damn card and then get the hell out of there.

Opening her locker, she took a quick glance inside. It looked nothing like it had an hour ago. She was a messy and untidy sort and had just stuffed the suit and armour in any which way it would go. Sighing, she rubbed a hand across her forehead knowing she would have to take everything out.

Starting her impossible looking task, she tried not to groan and cuss too much as she systematically pulled everything out. She found $20 dollars under her helmet that she stuffed back into her pocket and her dog tags hung off one of her arm pads.

But no key card!

Crouching, Octavia swore something vicious. She was not paying for another damn card! It was then the WC (Wearable Computer) on her wrist began to ring. A photograph and a name flashed on the screen.

Ophelia.

She accepted the call.

“What's up?”

“So you haven't been dispatched yet?” Ophelia questioned, an uncertain wait weighing her voice.

“Nope.” Octavia replied shortly. “Doesn't look like it's going to be any time today either.”

Ophelia's sigh of relief could be heard down the line clearly; Octavia frowned.

“So how are you?”

O rolled her eyes. Ophelia could be such a shrink at times. How are you? How does that make you feel? What do you think that means to you? Jeez!

“I'm fine, Mom.” Octavia replied with slight irritation as her hand searched blindly the bottom of her locker.

“That bad huh?”

“Worse, actually.” Octavia answered as she strained to pull something from the back of her locker.

The metal frame shook as she pulled out . . . She didn't even know what that was! But it sure wasn't her key card.

“And I can give you two good reasons why that is Doctor.”

Yeah, two good reasons named Shepard and Barton. Octavia mused coldly.

“But I won't bore you with the details of that now. Are you in your Office?”

“No. I'm working out of Office right now.” Ophelia replied.

“Sweet.” Octavia smiled.

Ophelia didn't need to see that smile to know what her sister had in mind.

“Don't order crap for my fridge!” Ophelia demanded down the line.

“What? Order for your fridge? I can't-” Octavia said; making sounds of the line breaking up. “Hear you.”

“Octavia! I'm going to kill you!”

“I love you too! Bye!” Octavia cut the line as she snickered to herself; still crouched at the foot of her locker, one hand searching while the other held the locker edge helping her keep balance.

What good was it being on board a Ship like the Valhalla with your sister if you couldn't take advantage of her privileges?

O decided to ditch the beer and planned on going straight over to Ophelia's Lab and Office. When her older twin was working away from her office, it often kept her away for long periods of time. Enough time for Octavia to enjoy herself at Ophelia's leisure.

She just had to find this damn key card first!

Adion walked behind Octavia with a small piece of metal and plastic in his hand. He then tapped her on the shoulder, saying, "Is this what you are looking for?" His voice was that of someone who had no emotion, his stance showed that he was slightly relaxed. He was still in his armor. Of course, with how quickly he could end up at the end of a exploding engine, he always needed his armor.

Adion heard the John over his mike as soon as he handed the card over to Octavia. The metal suit went straight for the armory, pulling out a 'mount anywhere' turret instead of a rifle. "By the way, we are being hailed." Adion said to Octavia upon exiting the door.

"John, give me the where and when. I'm bringing a boarding pass." Said Adion to John over the channel.

Octavia peered over a rather dainty shoulder for a Marine, even for a female Marine. But looks could be deceptive, just like her seemingly innocent countenance which was shot to smithereens as soon as she opened her mouth.

“That,” She said looking up at the armoured man from her position on the floor. “is exactly what I was looking for. My thanks Sergeant.” Octavia flashed him a smile that disappeared as quickly as it appeared as she slipped her Key Card out of his grasp.

Least that saved her a pretty penny. She was a USC Soldier and they sure as hell didn't pay her enough that she had money to spare for things besides necessities. That's why she economised; O mused with a smirk . . . And speaking of food . . . She was starving.

“All USC Spartans, report for dispatch. Repeat, report for dispatch. This is not a drill.”

Cracked the sharp voice over her wrist that Octavia recognised now immediately. She cursed John Shepard to the seventh hell of Hades. Wasn't enough for him to think he could order her about but now he was stopping her from eating.

Yet, O knew full well it was completely her own fault. She wasn't able to resist the opportunity this morning to make a little money off Watson – which he still hadn't paid her – instead of getting something to eat.

And she didn't work particularly well on an empty stomach. Octavia cursed herself into the same pit she had only moments ago been cursing Commander Shepard.

“By the way, we are being hailed.” Sergeant Volf broke her frowning thoughts as he exited the armoury bay.

“Yes, thank you Sergeant. I'm not deaf.” O replied cuttingly but unfortunately Volf had already exited the room to have heard her.

Sighing she got back to her feet and stuffed the Key Card without care into her locker as she began suiting up again. By the time she had booted the TIOS back up; the rest of the Marines were pouring back through the doors. All looking eager for the fight ahead.

Catching Barton's icy gaze, Octavia didn't pull her eyes away as she stared him down. There was no way on Earth she was going to let this asshole believe that he had won or that he had her scared.

As Barton turned and broke eye contact with her, a much friendlier face came and stood at her side.

“Already ready to go Sinclaire?” Remirez questioned with a raised brow and his ever present smile. “Thought you were getting a beer?”

Octavia laughed.

“My heart is unreliable. I tell it one thing it does another, unfortunately.” She replied casually as she replaced the ear piece back in her ear after the AI completed the system checks; foregoing her helmet till it was necessary putting it on.

O wasn't particularly fond of the HUD; she much preferred the use of her own eyes. However it was an integral part of standard USC Armour and she'd have to wear it before going out.

“I'll have to keep that in mind.” Remirez winked as he began gear up.

“You do that.” Octavia replied with a slight smile.

Her thoughts seeming to meander their way back to their Commander; feeling something Corporal Octavia Sinclaire didn't want to.

Excitement.

Her and John had never before actually been deployed on a real mission together. She wanted to see what the Legendary John Shepard was made of and again to her annoyance Octavia was in no doubt that Commander Shepard would not disappoint.

She had to just try not to shoot him . . . No matter how tempting . . .

"Captain, the shielded ship has positioned itself so that we are between the boarding ships and it." Heather said. Gunther nodded. The bridge was silent after that, even after the enemy got within range. Nothing was heard. The missiles, as predicted, did severe damage, but they took up a formation so that they would not be able to hit two. The boarding ships themselves looked grotesque. They looked like a mosquito's head, except that it has an 'eye' on every corner. They produced a beam that damaged the missiles, but failed to prevent them from hitting the ship. The pulse cannons and IELfire Missiles decimated five of them, but then they collide with the ship. Gunther told Issac beforehand to position the regiments to the locations that would be boarded, to prevent them from getting a foothold.

Spartan Regiment was quiet as they sat in the corridor. Its been a few minutes, but they've been briefed on the situation from the captain himself. They were ready. A massive tube burst from the wall in the next room over, and the air lock sealed immediately. The tube was composed of dark metal, with metal that looked almost green spider-webbed across its surface. There was silence for a few seconds, then a cover popped into place between the alien tube and the ship's hull, and the room filled with air again. The airlock opened, and Spartan Regiment rushed in. They took up positions behind cover, pointing every gun at the tube. There was a quiet rumbling at first, then suddenly there was a loud bang, and a tall creature fell from the hole and landed on its massive feet. It stood 8 feet tall, had arms and legs the width of logs, and wore little armor. Only a mask covered its face, only blurring its glowing yellow eyes. It didn't seem to have hands, simply having five clawed fingers and a gaping hole in place of this. It looked around the room, showing no emotion, then grabbed what appeared to be a small canister at its hip and banged it on the tube, sending a loud ringing across the room. It grabbed a second on its belt and pointed it at the largest group as two more started dropping from the tube.

(Bromander Shepard, I noticed that you failed to abandon your character. If you would be so kind as to do that so that we may continue the RP?)

Adion stood still, looking at the massive beast. He had the 'mount anywhere' turret mounted on the cover that he was crouching behind, aimed at the beasts coming out of the tubes. "Don't shoot till they do." Adion ordered to his men.