[Mei]
"Doctor Gaumata, I'll be happy to assist with the calibrations if you require." Otherwise, I want to take a look down the crevasse, get some video for Sung to analyze. How deep is it?
"Private Sanchez, please help secure and stow our gear on…
[Mei]
An easy decision. "Very well, Doctor. We'll set up around 600 meters and see what that gets us. Hmm, depends on the terrain, too." I'll up the magnification on my optics, not really expecting to see anything earth-shattering. Ulp, maybe I sho…
[Mei]
A girl could get used to all this yes mam. "So noted, Ms. Cribbage." Stay professional, Mei. A faint smile as I remember how she failed to leave my ass hanging last time... Is that when it started? I don't want to stare at her, we're on missi…
[Mei]
I nod at Sanchez and Gaumata. I trust their numbers. "How far is optimal, Doctor?"
"If the planet hadn't blown up, I'd suggest a footrace." I quip. I give her a glance out the corner of my eye with a bit of a challenging smirk. We both think…
[Mei]
"Understood." No need to rush until we need to rush. I should've thought to have her do that sooner. No, Mei, we didn't know it has no atmo.
"Eyes open, Sanchez. We don't know how stable this chunk of planet is." If things look solid, we can…
[Mei]
"Very well, Gaumata." I bite my tongue. "No guesses, only hypotheses." My eyes are eager to see what's over the next hill. "Ms. Cribbage, you're with Gaumata. Please." I remind myself that I don't command either of them. I give a brief nod of…
[Mei]
I step out on Cribbage's heels. I don't have my sidearm (I called it my 'phaser' and nobody laughed) drawn, but I'm alert and looking around, checking the HUD for anything new. The trees make me a little sad; I want to get a clipping or a few…
[Mei]
"Aye aye, Captain Dai." I almost sing-song the rhyme. "Us too. Don't worry."
I pause, my hand on the lever. My heart is racing. I love this part. I turn whole body to my team, a broad and confident smile on my face, excitement evident. Even …
[Mei]
I've checked and rechecked the gear manifest, helping Sung and Sanchez to load the sledge instead of just watching. I let them do the lion's share; but I do not shirk the labor. We feel like a good team at the moment, and I don't want to lose…
[Mei]
I defer to Dai with the new landing parameters. The Jane is her baby. I am absolutely on deck to assist with the plotting and the trajectory remappings; it's not unlike docking with a station out of geosync or an emergency rescue with a damag…
[Mei]
I'm let down in myself. Clearly, I can't say the right thing and I drive her away. I know I'm plenty capable and a kick-ass Spacer, but I don't know what to say to Ksenia. Is this how it is now? Or worse yet, what if she's only into one gende…
[Mei]
Ksenia rests her hand on my hip, and I hope, ready to see what happens. I look up at her, she is still taller than me. I move my hand to cover hers, but I've waited too long and her hand moves away... nothing.
She's just looking at me and I …
[Mei]
I'm worried about Ksenia. Clearly, I've said the wrong thing. There's a lot going on and I see some of it in her face. Very well, Mei. She's your friend. Don't fuck it up just because you want... you don't even know what you want. I breathe e…
[Mei]
Is she mad at me? What did I say? Did I not thank her enough? I'm sure I look confused. I roll onto my side and prop my head up on one arm, sort of hook my feet together. I'm not trying for a cheesecake pose. That would be tacky. I'm just get…
[Mei]
"I told you I snored!" Wait, she thinks my snore is adorable? She keeps touching my leg. Does she notice I'm not complaining? I feel like I'm hunting a wild bird and I don't want to scare her off.
And she thinks I'm great? I'm not blinking, …
[Thirds]
I get dressed. Yeah, I watch her, too. "I don't blame 'em. I'd go looking for you, too." She is pretty. "If. Um. You want to um. You know, not go back. Maybe I could help?" Don't know how. I scratch the back of my neck. Feel like a damn te…
[Mei]
I chuckle too, glad to move on. "Not the first time you've hauled my ass around. Sorry. And thanks." I look a little nervous. "I didn't, um, do anything? Or say anything? I really should not drink that much."
"I don't outrank you, Ksenia. Yo…
[Mei]
I shake my head rapidly, a little too. "No, never mind." I try to dismiss it. I didn't really expect she'd out and say, "Why yes, Mei, I am writing you secret admirer notes and you have solved the mystery and shall have your reward!" Oh, my. …
[Mei]
Crap, I think I did offend her. It's just easy to forget- she's just Cribbage. She pulls back from me, too. Nice going, Mei. She doesn't even want to touch your leg. What's the chances she'll offer you another shoulder massage?
I see her inj…
[Mei]
I'm tapping my charcoal, thinking out loud, almost musing, I say, "Hmm.. I forgot about your cybernetics. I wonder if my psi would..." Oh! Stupid, Mei. My eyes are wide, I feel a little embarrassed. "I didn't mean... I'm sorry, I hope I didn'…
[Mei]
"You're telling me." I grin at her understatement. "I had no idea that it would hit me so hard. I had to do something, or it might've... " I look a little uncertain. "Overwhelmed me. And not in a good way. What was it like for you?"
I look a…
[Mei]
I've taken to sketching at the end of the day to relax and keep my mind fluid. I've set down the pad, gazing at my little terrarium, wondering who's writing me notes, wondering about the emitter, worried about Cora, thinking about orbital mec…
[Mei]
"Oh, Cora..." I say, aloud, not realizing. I'm on the edge of a good cry as I realize that her... existence? no, her life is so entwined with this wall. I have my head in my hands, looking at the floor, perched on Gaumata's bunk, contemplatin…
[Mei]
Nine bricks for a whole ship isn't enough. It's not even enough for nine people. But it's a foundation. It's to be built upon. I focus, concentrate, and start my weaving.
Duty - I'm the officer. This is my mission. Everyone's depending on me…
[Mei]
White and silver and motion, spirals. Push on, Mei.
// ksenia's strong hands, pulling me and carrying me to safety, to atmo, to life //
// looking at all the faces and skins and body types in space academy, everyone is so different and so …
[Mei]
I feel a flutter of my eyelid, just one.
// spicy pho and noodles from the boat, an actual floating noodle boat in the muddy waters in the old saigon river at ho chi minh city, fishmongers and people all around //
// working on a self-portr…
[Mei]
The memory palace. A useful tool, a fine perspective.
// the first time i transitioned to the grey and was so horny i jumped the cadet in the berth with me and i spent twenty-two minutes being reduced to a puddle //
// the first time i didn…