Wake Me When You Need Me - Part One

Posted on Mon Feb 24th, 2020 @ 3:15am by Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen & Commodore Siaxx "Bluemoon" Dvald-Vaxx MD & Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan

Mission: Mission 11: Red VS Blue
Location: Various Locations - Starbase 400
Timeline: 1200Hrs - February 9th, 2390

"I don't know what to do Siaxx.... I feel.... trapped." the young woman explained to her dining companion but as one drew closer they could see that these two very much desired to be left alone to chat, Rachael Yamaguchi was the shorter, dark skinned Nubian of the two while the larger was older and much taller, she was also a Bolian who looked endlessly cheerful. Both women wore their uniforms, Rachael wore the pants while Siaxx preferred the skirt which highlighted her muscular legs.

"Are you sure you want to be doing this I mean.... I know what flying means to you." Siaxx commented with a smile. "Maybe the Major has her reasons."

"Maybe.... but I don't want to talk about the Major while she's not here... its not right." Rachael commented. "but that's the story of my life isn't it.?" she sighed. "Its not my flying thats driving me crazy..."

The Bolian raised an eyebrow. "Because of your abilities?"

"Yes... Siaxx... I'm on a Starbase where I hear a hundred thousand voices every moment of every day.... it wasn't like this on the Courageous... with only a thousand... at most..." the teenager sighed softly.

"Its getting to you.." Siaxx commented. "I could pres-"

"No... no medication... I'm tired Siaxx... Tired of always being responsible." the teenager commented as she sighed softly. "Yet Phoenix sees such promise in me, she's even told me as much...." she sipped her drink. "If this is a reward.... I need to stop earning them."

"Rachael, you are a hot hand in a Starfighter. You do have a gift..."

"Not you too.... Siaxx... I have no gift that nobody else has... my abilities gives me really sharp reflexes.... and I feel like such a fake..."

"You're not a fake," Phoenix spoke gently as she approached the table. She gave a worried expression to Siaxx, for she only heard the very last part of Rachael's rant.

Rachael raised an eyebrow. "Were it so easy.... " the teenager responded before turning to the Major. "Phoenix... and we were just mentioning your name.... please do join us."

Siaxx in turn was not surprised in the least that Phoenix was going to show up. "Phoenix.... you're just in time..." she indicated a chair across from her which she then pushed out with her booted foot.

Phoenix sat down, a cup of hot tea in her hand. Then she looked worriedly at Rachael. Something clearly was up, given the sudden quiet.

Rachael raised an eyebrow as she plucked the combadge off of her chest as she began to idly play with it with her right hand.

"I haven't picked a program yet to test from," Phoenix spoke, after having just got back from their trip, the pilot felt better. A new perspective now told her that the cadet in front of her was going through a rough time. "Come to think of it, we could probably take a break from all the readin' material, if you like."

"Major... I'll be honest with you." Rachael decided to come right out and say it. "I need time to process everything you're trying to teach me.... my home life is falling apart and mom is being pregnant.. its distracting to say the least." she explained. "you're trying to teach me a lot of new things and... I'm having issues processing everything."

Siaxx listened in silence but she too seemed happier recently. "Rachael... go on.." she encouraged.

The teenager paused, as if expecting the Major to say something to her. "I need somewhere where I can feel at ease, everyone else seems to have expectations of me and I've been force fed responsibility since the day I was born." she explained. "unless I control my abilities, yadda yadda yadda...." she explained.

Phoenix, very gently, and cautiously, placed her hands on Rachael's shoulder. "I push you because you want it so badly. An' I can change things up some an' make it more fun, if you just wanna shoot crap... But I truly don' expect anythin' other than what you want out of it."

Rachael paused. "I did.... I have no idea what I want anymore." she admitted. "everyone seems to want my time.... I have none left for me."

"I was like you, at your age," Phoenix noted a bit sadly. "I became a killer to help my folks fight Spoonheads... Wasn' much time to consider what I wanted, cause my folks needed me ta help 'em with this raid, or that snipe. As a result, I am what I am today. Cause that's all I know... So I understand what you're feelin'."

Rachael opened her mouth to say something but she stopped as she listened to what Phoenix had to say. "Fair enough...." she paused. "what age do I have to be before I start getting certifications for say... sniping or for first aid.?"

"You can' be a sniper until you're at least eighteen, on the books. But I can train you, in a more relaxin' manner this time... If you wanna do it," Phoenix offered. "I know you an' I have a jaded history, but if you just wanna shoot crap, rather than fly, you can decide that an' I'll do my best to make it fun."

Rachael nodded. "I know I'm going to need the outlet.... with mom dealing with her pregnancy and the issues with her people wanting to poke her and prod her." she raised an eyebrow.

Siaxx too raised an eyebrow as this was clearly news to her. "Wait.. what?"

"Yes... didn't mom tell you?"

"No.." the Bolian looked disgruntled. "Rachael... what exactly do you mean by poke and prod?"

"I mean it quite literally Siaxx. The Halanan government wants to know why Mom has so many kids... she's not happy about it.." the teenager sighed. "I'm told it gets ugly from here with life... they may not be just satisfied with just her information, they may want mine too... and that of my siblings.." she turned to the Major. "We have history yes... but not bad Phoenix... in fact a year from now, I might consider you the best thing that's ever happened to me..."

"Sounds like I may need to dust off my rifle," Phoenix noted darkly, then sipped on her tea. "I'd encourage where my train of thought goes, but I don' think your folks would like it much."

"I know what you mean Phoenix..." she smiled. "I don't appreciate people prying into my family's lives... its... offensive."

"So look... If crap just hits the fan an' you wanna get away from everythin' you can come to our place an' chill on tha sofa an' hang out with Siaxx an' I." Phoenix paused as she rethought that. "Should probably offer tha same for Aryssa too."

Rachael smiled. "Sounds like a good idea." she responded. "I'll let mom handle the crap when it comes apart..."

"You think it'll be bad?" Siaxx inquired gently.

"From what I've read and heard.... I expect it to be just stupid." the teenager commented.

"Well ya got us ta chill with when ya need ta," Phoenix reminded, then drank more on her tea.

Siaxx smiled, it was a happy and carefree smile, something one didn't often see on the Bolian's face all that often. "If some government asshole thinks he's getting medical information from my patients. Oh boy do I have a shock for him."

Rachael raised an eyebrow. "He could strangle you from across the room Siaxx...." she said quietly. "You'd be no match for him."

Siaxx slowly grinned. "Rachael, dear... you worry too much... I have my ways of protecting myself." she then looked at Phoenix.