Getting Together

Posted on Tue May 10th, 2016 @ 10:08pm by Lieutenant Lynsi Mason & Lieutenant Colonel Edward Maxwell

Mission: Brave New World
Location: Claymore Hangar

It was a full three or four hours after the battle was over before the fighters finally started into some sort of patrol rotation. Everyone was exhausted and could use a break, but caution demanded a patrol be on duty. Ed was just glad he didn't have to sort it out this time around. Ed wasn't the CAG and technically wasn't even assigned to the station, so he could do as he pleased as far as where to help out with things. Now he was standing in the safe area of the Claymore's hangar. They were due in for a few hours rest and Ed damn well planned to meet Lynsi as soon as she hit the deck from her fighter.

As usual, Blaze had insisted being one of the last patrols in, even if her team deserved to be in sooner. She had been on the front lines when the Sojourners arrived, and even in the aftermath of the fight, she wanted to make sure they could hold things together. But she was nearly on her last legs. The adrenaline had worn off, and for once, she wasn't going to argue when flight control insisted on bringing her in with tractor beams. It would have just been her luck to have gone through hell and back, just to crash into something on the way home.

After post flight checks were in the books, she was finally clear to exit her craft. She carefully emerged from her bird, nearly every muscle aching from exhaustion. She took one look at the fighter, the hull charred in several places from indirect hits. Any number of them could have been the end of her. Even with her feet back on solid deck plates, she was a bit unsteady as she got her bearings.

Ed was right there when she was a bit unsteady. Once the forcefields had dropped, he'd made his way over to her bird and waited for her to climb out. He wa expecting anything from a hug and kiss to a slap or punch. He deserved either option honestly. "Easy Lyns, I've got you." He said as he held onto her to keep her from falling in case her legs gave out from exhaustion.

Lynsi pulled away and steadied her self. Without saying a word, she reared back and slapped Ed across the face. "That's for getting reassigned and leaving." Following that, she fell back into his arms. "But I'm glad you're here."

The blow rocked Ed's head on his shoulders, even though he was half expecting it. "Okay, I deserve that." He agreed as he put his arms around her. "On the other hand, it's not like I requested a new assignment and you know that Lynsi. You know how the game is played honey, the orders come down and we follow the orders." He kissed the top of her head, not diving a damn who saw, afterall half the squadron just saw her slap the former CAG. "The Admiral told me about what was coming and I couldnt stay on Earth. Not with you out here and all the nuggets you've got in the Wing."

Blaze sighed. She knew he was right, but she still didn't like it. "I know. Still." She embraced him tighter for a moment before letting go. "A lot of young pilots didn't come home today. I haven't seen the casualty list yet, but I'm scared to."

"You don't want to." Ed agreed quietly. "Report's still preliminary, but so far we're looking at fifty-three minimum. That's not including who might not recover from injuries." He reported somberly. "I knew them all longer than your new CAG, so I'm gonna see if he wants a hand with the letters."

"You can ask, but I have a feeling that he'd politely decline," Lynsi replied, shaking her head. "He's a lot like you in that he takes it personally when he has to write those letters. But he may appreciate the insight towards some of the pilots he didn't have the pleasure of getting to know."

"They were my pilots longer than they've been his." Ed nodded and put his arms around her. "What say we get cleaned up and see what else we can do around here? Damn I could use a drink."

"You and me both," she replied, leaning into Maxwell. "I need to file my flight log first, and I have a feeling it's going to be a long one."

"Well then I guess we'll go to your office first. I'm not going anywhere right away."

Blaze took his hand, a subtle display amid everything else that was happening. "I'm going to hold you to that."

"That's not all you can hold me to babe." Ed promised. "Come on, lets get your paperwork over and done with."

Lynsi let a small smile appear on her face, though she wasn't ready to commit to anything more. It had been too tough of a day. "Sounds good. I could use a change of pace after today." She gave his hand a squeeze before slipping away and starting for her office.

Lt. Colonel Edward Maxwell
Tactical Adviser

Lieutenant Lynsi Mason
Squadron Leader, V/F-37 "Claymores"