multipup mashup - Thanksgiving edition

[noble_6]

The engineers have started construction on the first prototype. It's not anywhere close to ready--more like the outline of an aircraft than anything else--but it's exciting all the same. She spent most of the day nosing around the manufacturing hanger until they shooed her out from underfoot. (Not that anyone really shoos a Spartan, but Natalie

Comments

[cupisempty]

"Nice sketches," Jake says. He's showered, he's wearing civies (including a worn leather jacket) and his hair isn't quite so regulation Marine.

Not that he creeps up on Natalie, he's not that stupid. His combat books make plenty enough noise to warn of his approach.

[cupisempty]

"...would the plane be based on your reactions, then?"

[noble_6]

She shrugs.

"Yes and no. They're not designing it exclusively for me, or even people in my program, but they want to make the most of our skill sets just in case. The last time they were building space-based fighters, my unit didn't exist."

[cupisempty]

"Still pretty cool."

[noble_6]

"Very cool.

Now let's hope I manage not to fly the damn thing into the side of the station once they let me take her out."

[cupisempty]

"Nah, you'd only have trouble flying back in."

[noble_6]

The corner of her mouth twitches.

"I'm pretty sure that was a vote of confidence..."

[cupisempty]

"Could be. But coming back seems to be harder. Have to aim for the entrance in the side of the ship."

About a moment later, he realizes he could have made that sound really dirty. Lost opportunity.

[noble_6]

Natalie's not about to let it get past both of them.

"Just have to keep your eye on the goal.

Of course, that's assuming you really want to come back inside."

[cupisempty]

"I find it generally helps things along. Although," he concedes, "not always."

[noble_6]

She nods, conceding the point.

"There's always room for alternate strategies, depending on what your real mission is."

[cupisempty]

"Not to mention that even within mission parameters, it helps to be flexible."

[noble_6]

"Is there ever really a bad time to be flexible?"

[cupisempty]

He grins. "Yeah, good point."

[noble_6]

"I thought so.

So how's life in the Bar Fights and Bar Maids Brigade?"

[cupisempty]

"Oddly boring. Very disappointed in it."

He misses active-duty, so much. He's forgotten how not suited to civilian life he is.