Fic: Jenna's War II: Big Girl (4/12)
Title: Jenna's War II: Big Girl (4/12)
Fandom: Star Wars
Rating: K+
Genres: Drama
Summary: There's good news and bad news for Private Jenna Melara... no, there are only bad news. And she wants to share them with all of us!
A/N: Yes. Um. Well. Another update! And, thanks to sgteam14283, I'm starting to fall in love with Jenna's War all over again (she read it on ff.net and left me some really awesome reviews... also, she planted a little bunny about Jenna meeting a canon character and being her usual boldfaced charming self in my head :D) and maybe I will finish those stories I started, after all :)
Again, not betaed, though. Sorry :S
( Big Girl 1/12 )
( Big Girl 2/12 )
( Big Girl 3/12 )
Four
“You will what?” Interesting. Tarkker can turn even redder than he did yesterday, when he was trying to make Xanas and me regret our decision to bring Buff back to camp, once he and the rest of the platoon had returned.
“Private Farrayn and I will be leaving in thirty on a supply shuttle for a two week furlough. It’s all signed off and approved by the Captain. You want to see the papers again?” It almost looks like he’s going to explode. Time to look around for shelter. Having Tarkker all over my nearly spotless civilian clothes? Not desirable.
“I don’t want to see the damn papers! I want to know what this is all about. And what’s that transfer to 'Officers Candidate School' I saw in there?” He shoves my leave papers under my nose. Ever so slowly I'm beginning to lose my temper.
“Just what it says... or do you need me to read it back to you? Being able to read is an asset, you know. The Alliance likes their officers to be literate.” Yep, definitely going to be all over the tent in a sec. In pieces.
“You are in shit so deep you don’t even know how far above your head it ends. When Dankin’s back…” Oh, come on.
“Dankin is most likely never coming back. Cap's words, not mine.” Xanas chimes in, obviously sensing my fading patience. By now I feel like I'm radiating off enough heat to power up a starship.
Tarkker is speechless for a moment, and I use it to snatch the end of Xan’s sleeve and draw him with me to the entrance of the tent. Tarkker's cronies, however, have different ideas for us. They’re blocking the entrance, standing there side by side with their arms crossed in front of their chests. It's all so cliché` that it makes me want to gag.
“Come on guys, you saw the papers and the signature and everything… and you know, in a few weeks, you’ll all be calling me 'ma’am'. If I were you, I’d step aside right now.” Another holodrama cliché. Well, apart from starting a brawl in righteous anger, I mean. And somebody already tried that, didn’t they Xan?
“I’ll be calling you nothing but 'whore'.”
Xanas explodes. And I’m surprised that I’m fast enough to step in front of him and stop him from doing anything stupid. I guess we really have to talk about this whole 'defending my honor' thing.
“What’s the fuck's going on in here? Is there a problem?” Thank the Gods. It’s Korwin. Sometimes I wonder if the guy's got a sixth sense for trouble or something. Two of the guys turn around, revealing a frowning Korwin and Danna standing just behind Tarkker's goons. Suddenly, they don't look so tough. I smile internally as they cringe away from him. They must be recalling the beating they took at the hands of the recon troops in that bar in Mos Espa.
“We… uh…”
“None of your business, Magic.” Tarkker comes up from behind me, and his cronies move aside now. And there’s the exit, the gates of heaven… okay, I’ll quit the creative writing student routine already.
“Looks to me like a couple of your boys were trying to prevent my good friends here from leaving.” He stresses the word boys, placing special emphasis on it. Korwin cocks his head to the side, staring hard at Tarkker. “Looks to me like you folks were trying to start some shit. That makes it my business.” Xan is positively glowing at being called Korwin's 'good friend'. Korwin, for his part, is standing with his hands curled into loose fists at his side, his coal-dark eyes unblinking as he keeps his gaze locked on Tarkker's.
“They were just helping me clear up some very confusing orders from Captain Borlin. Now leave us alone.” Wow... Tarkker’s really high on making mistakes these days, huh? If he wasn’t such a disgusting little schutta, I’d even feel compassion for him.
“Banthashit. Captain Borlin’s orders are never confusing. And if he gave them leave papers, then they're damn well going to make their fuckin' ship. Now let em' pass.” Dear Gods, they are already sizing each other up. Not good for Tarkker. If I don’t do anything to stop this, this will end like that thing in the cantina, and then I’ll not get any leave for the next hundred years. And well, the promotion will definitely not be mine, either.
“You know Tarkker, that was a generous offer. Seeing as he how almost smashed your nose flat the last time you two met and everything. And just think of the possibilities… the two banes of your existence gone for at least two weeks…” Ah, sometimes you just have to hit the right chord to get what you want. For at least half a minute, everything is silent. But I can see it already working in his head. He's looking for a way to escape from his now apparently hopeless situation without losing face in front of his friends. Well, he won’t. He's been called on by Korwin, and he knows that he's as good as beaten. After another moment, there’s his answer.
“Fine. But you won’t be coming back for quite a while, and your little friend here,” he gestures towards Xanas, “won’t have you to watch his back when he’s back. Two weeks, and his ass is mine.” I swear, if I wasn’t secretively squeezing his hand as hard as I could, Xan would have jumped at Tarkker’s throat the moment he was done with his little speech. He's been increasingly short-tempered since his brawl in the bar. And bolder too.
“Just don’t forget you’re not the only one here who isn't afraid to fight.” is all I say and then take my bag and walk out of the tent, past the “guards” Tarkker posted there. I hold my head up high, and even manage to completely ignore the “whore” comment one of them hisses at me as I pass. And for once Xan ignores it as well. I guess I’ll also have to thank him for that.
When we are a considerable distance away from the platoon tent, we are all letting out a collective sigh of relief. Except for Korwin. He still looks like he's spoiling for a fight. Danna’s the first to say something. “Holy shit, what did you get yourself into, Jen?”
I shrug, trying to sound casual, “Nothing more than anyone would expect from a Melara.”
She quirks an eyebrow, and Korwin asks, “Expect from a Melara? What's that mean?”
I run a hand through my hair. I don't want to go into details, because somehow everything is reminding me of my father and memories are threatening to spill over. “Ask Captain Borlin. If he’s in a good mood, maybe he'll tell you. Or just be patient and wait six weeks and then ask me again.” Gods, I just hope my grin can plaster up the cracks that are about to appear in my facade.
Korwin shoots Xanas a glance, but he’s just shrugging and rolling his eyes as if to say, “Women. What do you expect?” I saw that guys.
We arrive at the shuttle landing zone just as it’s about to touch down. The hatch is opening, and someone appears in the entryway, waving and calling for us to board as soon as the quartermaster’s crew appears to unload the shuttle. And here I thought they’d take their time with everything.
I turn to Danna, all of a sudden feeling reluctant to leave. She grins, obviously feeling the same, because the grin isn't quite reaching her eyes. “May the Force be with you. And don’t do anything foolish.” With that she smirks and shortly jerks her head in Xanas’ direction. As if he and I ever would do anything like that.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. And you keep your boys out of trouble. The Gods know they can't do it themselves,” I tell her as we embrace. I hope she didn’t hear the hitch in my voice at the end.
She grins again. “Sure.” I’m almost sure I heard the same slightly choked hitch in her own voice.
Behind me, I hear Xanas huff, and he turns to Korwin, saying, “Women. You’d think she'd be just dying of happiness to get away from this hell hole, but suddenly she’s getting all teary about leaving it.” Isn't he cute when he tries to impress other guys?
“If it’s any consolation Melara, you’ll be back in six weeks. And we might even still be here,” Korwin says and smirks. Then he smiles, and says, “Enjoy your time away from the war. Even if it isn't a happy occasion you’re leaving it for.” He kicks at the sand and looks down at his feet. Glancing back up at me, I see that all trace of humor has completely left his face. “Sorry about your pops and all. You take care, you hear me?”
The guy from the shuttle calls again. “Come on, let's get moving!” Xanas nudges me, and I sling my bag over shoulder and run toward the shuttle behind me. Before I enter, I take a short look back and wave again to Danna and Korwin.
Fandom: Star Wars
Rating: K+
Genres: Drama
Summary: There's good news and bad news for Private Jenna Melara... no, there are only bad news. And she wants to share them with all of us!
A/N: Yes. Um. Well. Another update! And, thanks to sgteam14283, I'm starting to fall in love with Jenna's War all over again (she read it on ff.net and left me some really awesome reviews... also, she planted a little bunny about Jenna meeting a canon character and being her usual boldfaced charming self in my head :D) and maybe I will finish those stories I started, after all :)
Again, not betaed, though. Sorry :S
( Big Girl 1/12 )
( Big Girl 2/12 )
( Big Girl 3/12 )
Four
“You will what?” Interesting. Tarkker can turn even redder than he did yesterday, when he was trying to make Xanas and me regret our decision to bring Buff back to camp, once he and the rest of the platoon had returned.
“Private Farrayn and I will be leaving in thirty on a supply shuttle for a two week furlough. It’s all signed off and approved by the Captain. You want to see the papers again?” It almost looks like he’s going to explode. Time to look around for shelter. Having Tarkker all over my nearly spotless civilian clothes? Not desirable.
“I don’t want to see the damn papers! I want to know what this is all about. And what’s that transfer to 'Officers Candidate School' I saw in there?” He shoves my leave papers under my nose. Ever so slowly I'm beginning to lose my temper.
“Just what it says... or do you need me to read it back to you? Being able to read is an asset, you know. The Alliance likes their officers to be literate.” Yep, definitely going to be all over the tent in a sec. In pieces.
“You are in shit so deep you don’t even know how far above your head it ends. When Dankin’s back…” Oh, come on.
“Dankin is most likely never coming back. Cap's words, not mine.” Xanas chimes in, obviously sensing my fading patience. By now I feel like I'm radiating off enough heat to power up a starship.
Tarkker is speechless for a moment, and I use it to snatch the end of Xan’s sleeve and draw him with me to the entrance of the tent. Tarkker's cronies, however, have different ideas for us. They’re blocking the entrance, standing there side by side with their arms crossed in front of their chests. It's all so cliché` that it makes me want to gag.
“Come on guys, you saw the papers and the signature and everything… and you know, in a few weeks, you’ll all be calling me 'ma’am'. If I were you, I’d step aside right now.” Another holodrama cliché. Well, apart from starting a brawl in righteous anger, I mean. And somebody already tried that, didn’t they Xan?
“I’ll be calling you nothing but 'whore'.”
Xanas explodes. And I’m surprised that I’m fast enough to step in front of him and stop him from doing anything stupid. I guess we really have to talk about this whole 'defending my honor' thing.
“What’s the fuck's going on in here? Is there a problem?” Thank the Gods. It’s Korwin. Sometimes I wonder if the guy's got a sixth sense for trouble or something. Two of the guys turn around, revealing a frowning Korwin and Danna standing just behind Tarkker's goons. Suddenly, they don't look so tough. I smile internally as they cringe away from him. They must be recalling the beating they took at the hands of the recon troops in that bar in Mos Espa.
“We… uh…”
“None of your business, Magic.” Tarkker comes up from behind me, and his cronies move aside now. And there’s the exit, the gates of heaven… okay, I’ll quit the creative writing student routine already.
“Looks to me like a couple of your boys were trying to prevent my good friends here from leaving.” He stresses the word boys, placing special emphasis on it. Korwin cocks his head to the side, staring hard at Tarkker. “Looks to me like you folks were trying to start some shit. That makes it my business.” Xan is positively glowing at being called Korwin's 'good friend'. Korwin, for his part, is standing with his hands curled into loose fists at his side, his coal-dark eyes unblinking as he keeps his gaze locked on Tarkker's.
“They were just helping me clear up some very confusing orders from Captain Borlin. Now leave us alone.” Wow... Tarkker’s really high on making mistakes these days, huh? If he wasn’t such a disgusting little schutta, I’d even feel compassion for him.
“Banthashit. Captain Borlin’s orders are never confusing. And if he gave them leave papers, then they're damn well going to make their fuckin' ship. Now let em' pass.” Dear Gods, they are already sizing each other up. Not good for Tarkker. If I don’t do anything to stop this, this will end like that thing in the cantina, and then I’ll not get any leave for the next hundred years. And well, the promotion will definitely not be mine, either.
“You know Tarkker, that was a generous offer. Seeing as he how almost smashed your nose flat the last time you two met and everything. And just think of the possibilities… the two banes of your existence gone for at least two weeks…” Ah, sometimes you just have to hit the right chord to get what you want. For at least half a minute, everything is silent. But I can see it already working in his head. He's looking for a way to escape from his now apparently hopeless situation without losing face in front of his friends. Well, he won’t. He's been called on by Korwin, and he knows that he's as good as beaten. After another moment, there’s his answer.
“Fine. But you won’t be coming back for quite a while, and your little friend here,” he gestures towards Xanas, “won’t have you to watch his back when he’s back. Two weeks, and his ass is mine.” I swear, if I wasn’t secretively squeezing his hand as hard as I could, Xan would have jumped at Tarkker’s throat the moment he was done with his little speech. He's been increasingly short-tempered since his brawl in the bar. And bolder too.
“Just don’t forget you’re not the only one here who isn't afraid to fight.” is all I say and then take my bag and walk out of the tent, past the “guards” Tarkker posted there. I hold my head up high, and even manage to completely ignore the “whore” comment one of them hisses at me as I pass. And for once Xan ignores it as well. I guess I’ll also have to thank him for that.
When we are a considerable distance away from the platoon tent, we are all letting out a collective sigh of relief. Except for Korwin. He still looks like he's spoiling for a fight. Danna’s the first to say something. “Holy shit, what did you get yourself into, Jen?”
I shrug, trying to sound casual, “Nothing more than anyone would expect from a Melara.”
She quirks an eyebrow, and Korwin asks, “Expect from a Melara? What's that mean?”
I run a hand through my hair. I don't want to go into details, because somehow everything is reminding me of my father and memories are threatening to spill over. “Ask Captain Borlin. If he’s in a good mood, maybe he'll tell you. Or just be patient and wait six weeks and then ask me again.” Gods, I just hope my grin can plaster up the cracks that are about to appear in my facade.
Korwin shoots Xanas a glance, but he’s just shrugging and rolling his eyes as if to say, “Women. What do you expect?” I saw that guys.
We arrive at the shuttle landing zone just as it’s about to touch down. The hatch is opening, and someone appears in the entryway, waving and calling for us to board as soon as the quartermaster’s crew appears to unload the shuttle. And here I thought they’d take their time with everything.
I turn to Danna, all of a sudden feeling reluctant to leave. She grins, obviously feeling the same, because the grin isn't quite reaching her eyes. “May the Force be with you. And don’t do anything foolish.” With that she smirks and shortly jerks her head in Xanas’ direction. As if he and I ever would do anything like that.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. And you keep your boys out of trouble. The Gods know they can't do it themselves,” I tell her as we embrace. I hope she didn’t hear the hitch in my voice at the end.
She grins again. “Sure.” I’m almost sure I heard the same slightly choked hitch in her own voice.
Behind me, I hear Xanas huff, and he turns to Korwin, saying, “Women. You’d think she'd be just dying of happiness to get away from this hell hole, but suddenly she’s getting all teary about leaving it.” Isn't he cute when he tries to impress other guys?
“If it’s any consolation Melara, you’ll be back in six weeks. And we might even still be here,” Korwin says and smirks. Then he smiles, and says, “Enjoy your time away from the war. Even if it isn't a happy occasion you’re leaving it for.” He kicks at the sand and looks down at his feet. Glancing back up at me, I see that all trace of humor has completely left his face. “Sorry about your pops and all. You take care, you hear me?”
The guy from the shuttle calls again. “Come on, let's get moving!” Xanas nudges me, and I sling my bag over shoulder and run toward the shuttle behind me. Before I enter, I take a short look back and wave again to Danna and Korwin.