Exhaustion [Open]

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

The first thing that Asuka had done was open a comm post to see how long it had been. Then she'd learned she'd been gone for months. Precious, valuable months spent running mazes (she couldn't exactly remember it all - it was a blur, like a dream). She was probably left behind by now! So, the third thing she'd done was gone straight to the Sensoriums and started flying. She'd done combat scenarios, cold starts, everything that she'd learned before, she'd done over and over again, trying to improve her reaction times, trying to master the controls.

There was no way in Hell she was going to be the worst pilot in the squadron. She was going to be the best. Which was why she'd just gone for a day or so without sleep and was more then a little bit exhausted.

And still flying a simulated X-Wing.

You couldn't fault her dedication.

Comments

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Asuka stiffened. General Antilles. "I'm not going to let myself be the worst pilot in the squadron."

She reached out a hand and thumbed one of her controls and then paused the simulation, slumping in her seat.

[yubyubcommander.livejournal.com]

"Stacy, end the simulation." The simulation flickers out and Wedge takes a few steps forwards, looking rather sharp in his new bottle-green uniform, the insignia for a commander, not a general on sleeves and shoulder.

"You aren't, I can assure you. I've been gone just as long as you have, Asuka, but you don't see me in here working myself to exhaustion, do you? Why do you suppose that is?"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"Because you're already the best, sir." She draws the word out, although she looks like she shouldn't still be on her feet. Really, she just looks tired. She reaches up and adjusts her hair - she's wearing one of the real flight suits. She either doesn't notice the rank insignia or she's just ignoring it for now.

[yubyubcommander.livejournal.com]

"No, because it doesn't help me or the squadron and because it doesn't prove anything. You're a competent pilot, Asuka, and you have a lot of potential. But you can't keep focusing simply on being the 'best' all the time. Competition is healthy, but too much of it is bad for and bad for your squadronmates." He sighs and folds his arms across his chest.

"Now, I want you to get some rest. It's not an order, and I don't want to have to make it one."

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Asuka stared up at Wedge bitterly. He had never understood and he was never going to. She opened her mouth to shoot back a pithy retort, snapped it shut and lowered her head. She managed to grind out, "Yes, sir," in between clenched teeth and turned toward the door.

This sucked.