08-19-2011, 05:30 PM
STARBASE THRINACIA
Deck 22, conference Room Theta
2130 Hours
Will sat quietly, concentrating on keeping the barrage of emotion from disturbing his equilibrium. Stanley had given up trying to make conversation and had instead turned to his nearest neighbour and was chatting away with a young woman in the blue of either science or medical division. Will was uninterested. His defences were up, but the sudden spike of anger caught him off guard. He looked towards the podium and saw an officer approaching it, bearing Lieutenant Commander's pips.
"SILENCE!"
The volume of the officer's command surprised him. Her anger, which Will perceived to be in response to the somewhat childish behaviour of some of his peers, washed out in a wave across the auditorium.
I don't want to get on the wrong side of her, he decided, as she began her debriefing. She detailed the losses suffered in the recent engagement, and Will caught the bubbles of grief coming from pockets of cadets who had lost friends. He felt a twinge of guilt that he had seen little of the action himself. He quickly squashed the memories that threatened to surface from years ago. Now was not the time.
Will's attention was drawn by the ping of surprise emanating from the officer. Although she gave no outward sign, something had taken her aback. He followed her brief glance as she stepped back and clasped her hands behind her back. An admiral had stepped into the room.
"Cadets, I will now pass the remainder of this de-brief over to none other than our Fleet Commanding Officer, Admiral Steve Malloway."
Will concentrated on Malloway. He radiated practiced calm, but Will could sense fire burning below the surface. This was not a man to be underestimated.
He leaned forward, concentrating on every word Malloway uttered.
TAG: All
Deck 22, conference Room Theta
2130 Hours
Will sat quietly, concentrating on keeping the barrage of emotion from disturbing his equilibrium. Stanley had given up trying to make conversation and had instead turned to his nearest neighbour and was chatting away with a young woman in the blue of either science or medical division. Will was uninterested. His defences were up, but the sudden spike of anger caught him off guard. He looked towards the podium and saw an officer approaching it, bearing Lieutenant Commander's pips.
"SILENCE!"
The volume of the officer's command surprised him. Her anger, which Will perceived to be in response to the somewhat childish behaviour of some of his peers, washed out in a wave across the auditorium.
I don't want to get on the wrong side of her, he decided, as she began her debriefing. She detailed the losses suffered in the recent engagement, and Will caught the bubbles of grief coming from pockets of cadets who had lost friends. He felt a twinge of guilt that he had seen little of the action himself. He quickly squashed the memories that threatened to surface from years ago. Now was not the time.
Will's attention was drawn by the ping of surprise emanating from the officer. Although she gave no outward sign, something had taken her aback. He followed her brief glance as she stepped back and clasped her hands behind her back. An admiral had stepped into the room.
"Cadets, I will now pass the remainder of this de-brief over to none other than our Fleet Commanding Officer, Admiral Steve Malloway."
Will concentrated on Malloway. He radiated practiced calm, but Will could sense fire burning below the surface. This was not a man to be underestimated.
He leaned forward, concentrating on every word Malloway uttered.
TAG: All