Trial by fire [flashback RP; 2141]

desolas-arterius

“No need to be so polite, private. Not while we’re talking as friends.” A light chuckle escaped him as he listened to the younger turian talk, turning to face him with his mandibles flexed into a friendly smile. “Well, you can at least drop the sir while we’re alone, Victus. I haven’t been promoted yet.”

He’d known the boy for a year now, ever since he’d met him as a fresh recruit. They’d been on a few missions together now, but those had been as equals. Sure, Desolas was a few ranks above him, but they’d fought side by side. This was the first time he’d be leading on official command. His friend starting to call him ‘sir’ wasn’t helping his anxiety.

It seemed like only yesterday that he’d been crawling through the mud in basic training. That his first time using a widow had blown him off his feet. It must be even worse for Victus, he mused, pulling up a browplate in thought. Quite the adventure indeed, for both of them. 

“There’s a reason I took the last shift before touchdown. I’m far too nervous to sleep.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest, raising one hand in front of his mouth as he yawned discreetly. He’d gotten enough sleep but somehow the fatigue just refused to leave his bones. “We’ve got half an hour before the pilot gets up and we exit hyperspace, so… all we can do is grab some breakfast and slap on our armour. Maybe check the guns one last time as if we haven’t done that a million times already.” A chuckle followed the last suggestion, mandible fluttering lightly. They really were quite paranoid about their weapons, even if this was just an issue with local wildlife on a fresh colony.

            Adrien eased back against the bulkhead, crossing his arms casually across his chest.  He was, in short, relieved.  He’d fretted he’d lose his friend to the demands of rank; the inevitable schism between commander and soldier that would lead them to drift apart.  For now, at least, it seemed that their friendship was to remain solid as ever.  For that, Victus was grateful.

           “What do you have to be nervous about?” The younger turian teased, even though the possibility of failure loomed over them both.   “I hear you’ll make corporal after this.  Try not to advance too quickly, Des.  You’re making the rest of us look bad."  He lapsed back into the easy familiarity, even if the joke only masked their shared anxieties concerning the mission ahead.

          His mandibles twitched.  More seriously, he added: "Can you believe this is really happening?  You’ve got a whole ship of the Hierarchy under your command.” But Victus was not interested in spending too much time reflecting out loud.  He paused.  “Perhaps we should check our armaments a million and one times, but I’m eager to see this thing through.  …Even if it’s a relief knowing you’re not the one responsible for breaking atmo and landing us on the surface, Arterius.  Then we’d all surely crash and die.”

August  8   ( 12 )   via   +
HW