Wake me when you need me

Posted on Mon Oct 13th, 2014 @ 10:37pm by Lieutenant Colonel Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan

2,807 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: Replimat - Starbase 400

"Wake me when you need me"

Major Jillian 'Phoenix' Sullivan
Lieutenant Siaxx 'Echo' Dvald
Rachael Yamaguchi

Music soundtrack: Wake me when you need me - Halo 3

***** Replimat - Starbase 400 *****

"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.

"You're tempting me to dust off my sniper rifle," Phoenix half-joked.

Rachael raised an eyebrow as Siaxx commented. "Phoenix, I don't think Rachael is joking..."

"I'd like to point it at him, really pout the fear of death back in these people..." clearly this was a different side of Rachael's personality that few got to see.

Just hearing about it was difficult enough.... to know my mom is going to be poked and prodded because of a fluke of genetics really... make my blood boil." Rachael got angrier and angrier as she said the last two sentences before the glass before her seemed to pop with a soft crinkle as the glass spider webbed, riddled with cracks.

Siaxx looked at Rachael. "Rachael... take a deep breathe, look at us... we're here, this ghost that haunts your mother isn't here... but when he gets here, we'll be ready for him..."

Rachael breathed in and then out.

"Nothin' is gonna happen to your mom on our watch," Phoenix promised.

Rachael closed her eyes. "I just..... feel so angry about it.."

"I know.." Siaxx said quietly as she glanced at Phoenix. "I've felt that sort of helpless anger recently... but I had someone who didn't quit on me, even when I quit on her..."

"You got the crap beat outta ya, Siaxx," Phoenix admitted none-too-happily. "You had your reasons to back off... An' I don't resent you fer doin' that."

Rachael looked at the Major. "How do you cope with what you deal with... I couldn't imagine how you do it."

Timidly, Phoenix sat beside of Rachael and wrapped her arms around the girl.

"I don' sometimes, Kid... I'm always angry. But talkin' 'bout it, I've learned, has lessoned the damage. That, an' learnin' ta let folks in," Phoenix admitted with a knot in her throat.

Rachael turned as she hugged the Major back. "I wish I had your strength..."

Siaxx smiled gently, she knew that Rachael had her issues with Phoenix but it seemed that she was getting past them, asking for help often took a great deal of courage.

"I wish I had your control," Phoenix admitted. "I've always been too impatient for martial arts. It's why I'm only good at street fightin' an' parkour."

Rachael sighed softly. "At times... I wonder if I'm doing the right thing..." he sighed. "letting my mom face this foe alone.... I have no idea of how to help her."

"Just be there for her..." Siaxx commented quietly. "She's been commin to me for medical care.." she looked at Rachael. "Her blood pressure is a little higher then I'd like."

"I've always done things alone," Phoenix admitted none-too-proudly. "It's hard to ask for help... Let alone recognize when ya can' go at it alone."

Rachael paused. "I'm scared... to be told that strange people will want information on me because of who and what I am.... well its just..."

"Rachael. That information is not getting off this base... I don't care who asks for it." Siaxx said quietly. "Your mom has people who will care, we will protect her..." she then caught Phoenix's eye out of the corner of her own as a smile graced her lips.

"My version of protection is murder. Just to be clear," Phoenix reminded Siaxx.

"Its not murder if its self defense" Rachael replied quietly. "Preemptive self defense that is..." Siaxx commented.

"Guys... it doesn't matter.." Rachael commented quietly. "he'll be here and he will want to see my mom.."

"...And she can refuse, and then between the three of us, we can keep her in our sights until the creep leaves," Phoenix stated matter-of-factly.

Rachael smile despite her bleak mood. "Alright...we can do that, plus I'll have Dad and Aunt Celeste around as well." she paused. "I should introduce my two cousins to you. They aren't what you might expect."

Siaxx raised an eyebrow. "Human children Rachael are exactly what I expect."

"...When was I inducted into the kid's wacky family?" Phoenix asked with true bafflement.

Just then an Andorian Shen came over as she smiled at Rachael who nodded and smiled back. "Oh Siaxx... I don't think I bothered to tell you, now did I."

"Tell me what?" Siaxx inquired as the Andorian Shen came over. "Hi, mind if I join you.?"

"Why is it I seem to attract the blue persuasion?" Phoenix asked as she scooted over to make room for the newcomer.

Rachael raised an eyebrow as Siaxx chuckled. "Wait a second..."

"Phoenix, Siaxx... meet Pava Sh'Yamaguchi." Rachael did the introductions as the Andorian who stood about 5'5 smiled as she bowed to Phoenix and then to Siaxx. "A privilege to meet you both."

"This is one of Aunt Celeste's kids... Pasha should be around here somewhere." Rachael commented with a smile, the first time she had smiled in several hours.

The pilot nodded respectfully, and then sipped on her tea.

"I have heard many things about you Major, I felt I had to meet you, to separate fact from the fiction... as the rumors say you're seven foot tall and that you breathe fire."

Rachael smiled. "Even on the Shadow, they speak of the Major?"

"Oh yes... "

"I burst into fire.... Never breath the stuff. Bad for the lungs," Phoenix dryly corrected.

"Yes... I've heard." Pava commented, a grin on her face.

Rachael chuckled softly. "Pava. where is Pasha and your mom?"

"They are having lunch together. Mom wanted to go hunting in one of the holosuites and Pasha is going with her. Me.. I wanted some peace and quiet so I went wandering and found you." she explained.

Siaxx nodded her head. "So... what have you heard about Phoenix?" she gave Phoenix a zesty look.

"I may indulge its imagination if you don' quit," Phoenix teased Siaxx.

"That she's a legend, takes no crap from anyone and can breathe fire.... apparently you roast poor ensigns into little piles of ashes."

"Well." Rachael commented. "That's different.."

Pava nodded. "Yes, I'm finding out there is far more to you Major then the rumors suggest." the Andorian commented. "Though, some of the crew on the Shadow seem to think very highly of you. My mom for example."

"You just met me, Doll Face." Phoenix finished her tea and then sat it down. "An' you got me on a good day, which is rare."

The Andorian Shen nodded her head. "Fair enough.. It sucks standing as tall as I do, I tend to be taller and larger then most my age bracket." she sighed softly. "Pasha is larger then me, he's larger then mom."

Siaxx raised an eyebrow. "Why do you call a human your mother?"

"Because she was there for us when nobody else wanting us, we had no kin left and our parents had all just died... " she sighed. "blasted pirates.. and so Celeste Yamaguchi took us both in."

Siaxx nodded. "I'm sorry.."

"Don't be, I believe that one never gets anywhere in life if they don't ask the right questions and then back that up with conviction, strength and wisdom."

Rachael regarded the older and more massive Andorian Shen. "Thats a matter of opinion Pava."

"Indeed sir. My hypocrisy goes only so far.."

"You get places by surviving one step at a time," Phoenix corrected.

Rachael listened as she considered how best to help her mother but in her heart she knew how her mother was going to deal with it, she would be sent to the USS Courageous to stay with her father for awhile.

Siaxx noticed Rachael's silence but she let it go as the Andorian Shen chuckled at Phoenix's comment. "Alright pushing forward."

"You wanna go blow crap up, Kid?" Phoenix asked to get the girl's mind off her problem.

"Sounds delightful." Rachael admitted as a soft smile appeared on her face. "With this inquisition business going on... I wonder if there will be anything left of my mothers people's credibility?" she sighed. "I mean its nobody's busness how many kids mom has... or if I'm pregnant or how many kids my brother and sister have... its all so... stupid!"

"Why don't we go load up a program now?" Phoenix suggested gently.

Rachael nodded as she rose to her feet. "Pava, good to see you again. Siaxx... thanks for listening."

"You know where I am Rachael." Siaxx commented.

Rachael nodded as she looked at Phoenix. "After you sir."

"Call me Jill," Phoenix told the girl. "It's just us." She put her arm around Rachael's shoulders and smiled easily to the girl.

"This aint a gradin' performance either... So you gotta have fun," Phoenix suggested gently.

Rachael smiled. "Sounds good." she admitted.

"Thing's 'ill workout. They always don in the end," Phoenix spoke with a hopeful grin, for she truly meant it.

"I hope so sir." Rachael commented quietly, clearly she didn't share the Major's faith, also the fact that the major had any faith was alarming in itself.

***** Here's where the fun begins - Anakin Skywalker *****

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