Orders From the Top

S1: E3

(January 7th, 2548) [Aoric POV]

Aoric: *nearly shooting up as he wakes, only stopping when he feels the shooting pain in his chest.* F-

Medic: *looking at him as she rushes over towards him.* What are you doing!?

Aoric: *quiet as he sees her, before trying to get off the bed slowly.* Hi....

Medic: *cursing as she tries to strap him down, but not doing well at this task.* You're not fully healed!

Aoric: *calmly as he forces himself up and slowly heads for the exit.* I'll live. *glancing around as he notices the bay mostly empty.* North leave already?

Medic: *nodding as she tries to get him back in bed.* His injuries were minor, unlike yours!

Aoric: *coldly as he leaves.* I. Will. Live. Another. Day. *stopping once he's at the door.* My armor in the lockers?

Medic: *nodding quietly, seemingly having given up on changing his mind.*

Aoric: *nodding as he hands for his locker.* That mistake nearly cost the mission. Going to need to be careful about my next moves. *quietly moving through the halls, several stares coming his way as he just moves through the halls in a bloodied casual outfit. Noticing a few grunts and freelancers spreading murmurs about him as he forces his locker open with a growl.* Need to get that intel. *starting to get his gear back on as he watches the others just staring at him.* What?

South: *smirking at him as she walks past, stiffening her shoulder to walk into him.* Director heard you were finally up, so he wants us. *pushing him out of the way as she heads for the door with her brother.* Better keep up this time, small fry.

Aoric: *gritting his teeth as he finishes getting his gear on, before following after administering a few painkillers he purchased on a past operation.* That bitch is going to drive me insane.

(Short timeskip - Control Room) [Aoric POV]

Director: *watching the four members as they all stand at attention, with Aoric clearly struggling to keep still, not to mention having not showered in two days.* The data you recovered has pinpointed the location of a very important target for Project Freelancer. Excellent work.

South Dakota, North Dakota, and Carolina: Thank you, sir!

Aoric: *quietly nodding, as is usual for him.*

Director: Counselor, please update the board.

**The Counselor uses his handheld pad to move North up to #4 on the board and South down to #5. Carolina still at #1, with Aoric not even on the board.*

Director: That is all. Dismissed.

**South, in shock, rips off her helmet, while Aoric just stands there as Carolina and North relax a bit.**

South Dakota: I thought you said the mission was a success, Sir?

Director: One of the mission objectives was stealth. Your carelessness revealed our intention and made our next mission more difficult. They'll be ready for us. Dismissed.

South angrily walks to the door

Carolina: *to North* Think I should talk to her?

**South punches the door control panel, causing it to break and fall off the wall after walking out of the room.**

North: Maybe we give her a minute.

**Aoric is still standing at attention as North and Carolina leave, making the Director rather annoyed.**

Director: Is there something you wish to say, Nevada?

Aoric: *quiet for a bit, before speaking just above a whisper.* Permission to speak freely, sir?

Director: *annoyed, but choosing to humor him.* Granted, soldier.

Aoric: *annoyed by the remark.* Marine. *letting out a quick breath.* Permission to work on a live fire exercise, sir?

Director: *eyebrow raised as he looks at him.* In your condition? You will be lucky to go on another mission after the mess you're in.

Aoric: *calmly.* I'll live sir.

Director: *sighing in annoyance.* Permission granted, as long as you use your own resources for this little project of yours.

Aoric: *nodding.* Permission to leave, sir?

Director: *clearly having had enough of this conversion.* Permission granted, now get going.

Aoric: *nodding as he leaves and heads for the training grounds, before starting on his work to pass the time.*