Trial by fire [flashback RP; 2141]

desolas-arterius:

imperatorvictus

A finger tapped against his thigh as he made another round through the ship, engines humming in the distance. The crew was asleep, snoring on their cots. Everyone but Desolas. One of them always had to be awake, even in hyperspace, just in case something happened. The ship’s engines could always give up in the wrong moment. And right now, it was his duty to keep an eye on everything.

They should be arriving soon. Just about an hour more before they reached their goal. His first time leading a mission. A test, they said. To see if he was fit to be promoted to corporal after showing signs of exceptional skills as a leader during his last missions. It made him anxious, but also excited. His third year now and finally things were starting to move. General Dahga had mentioned that if this mission went well, things might start to move a lot quicker. That he might have the potential for a general, or even an admiral one day. It made his heart leap, but it was also a terrifying thought. To one day lead their entire army….

Father would be proud. A slight smile hushed over his face at the thought as he looked over the screens in the cockpit. Mandibles fluttering lightly as he heard steps behind him, tired feet dragging over the metal floor. Desolas kept his voice low as he spoke, not wanting to wake anyone else, eyes still fixed on the monitors. “Too riled to sleep?”

                  Adrien’s instincts snapped him to attention at the sound of his CO, even as his reasoning told him that this encounter was informal in nature.  Other officers might have offered a reprimand for having left the crew’s quarters at such an hour, but Arterius was not that type.  Only a few years his senior and already commanding an away mission.  Indeed, Desolas was a rising star in the meritocracy, and an individual that Adrien could not help but admire.  

              Adrien Victus.  Private, first class.  Like every honest turian, he joined the military at fifteen, and labored hard to better himself and the Hierarchy.  If all went well this mission, he was primed to see himself become a lieutenant within the year – and perhaps a specialist, or even a corporal, not terribly long after.  He aimed to do his family proud, even if lofty appointments like those that were certainly assured in Desolas’ future seemed far away for himself.

               Although not explicitly given leave to speak freely, he responded in kind.  “No, sir.  I have too many thoughts about tomorrow.  Since I was already awake, I felt perhaps there was something I could do.  Something to improve on.  To keep my mind…busy."  A bit more of the formality melted away, turning into a confession: "Like in basic, for example.  I couldn’t abide standing still.  You remember? Feeling like something could be done if I only wasn’t forced to sit on my ass.  Sir.” He quickly amended his statement, but could not help the easy companionship he felt with Desolas. 

              His elder had looked out for him, in a way, and had provided good conversations and an easy respect, even despite his superior rank.  For that, Victus would always be grateful.  Still, this was the first time Adrien had ever served under Arterius in any capacity beyond simple training exercises, and he was cautious not to overstep himself.

August  8   ( 12 )   via   +
HW