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]

"Shut up," Asuka retorted, "I didn't come here to get humiliated. I came here to practice."

She stalked toward him, all animated arms and cold fury, "Where the Hell do you get off, coming into my practice session and showing me up?!"

[shootingblancs]

He reached up to adjust his glasses. "Haven't you heard that 'failure is the greatest teacher'? At least you can live to learn about it if it's just practice."

The sniper quirked an eyebrow. "Right?"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"I don't need your help or your advice, idiot! So why don't you get out of here?" She swept a hand toward the exit, huffing indignantly. "You're not wanted."

[shootingblancs]

Michael just tilted his head to the side. "Sure, sure, I'll just let you get vaporized by the Ohm next time. And don't you think it's a bit of a bad move to be ordering someone who outranks you around?"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"Since when do you outrank me? Who the Hell are you, anyway?" Asuka eyed him over.

[shootingblancs]

He grinned at her. "Commander Michael Blanc, Skull Leader. Girls can call me Michel."

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"Well, sir, if you don't like my attitude, you can get the hell out of my simulation!" Asuka shot back. "And if you don't like that, you can file a report with my commanding officer! Now get out!"

[shootingblancs]

Okay, time to be the commander. Was this how Ozma felt all the time back home? "No, I don't think I will. Hey - look at me." He was getting the impression she was pretty worked ragged.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Asuka was pretty prickly on her good days, so stung out, worried, stressed and physically and mentally taxed from working herself so long, she wasn't exactly a paragon of reason. She glared at him for a few moments more, fuming silently and then turned on her heel, stalking away.

"Stacy, get me my simulation back!"

[shootingblancs]

Time to really be the commander, then. "Stacy, as her superior officer in Starfighter Command, ignore that order. In fact, don't run any more simulations for a few more hours, all right? Thanks."

It'd only been the few moments she'd been glaring at him, but he'd seen those dark circles under her eyes. "Somebody needs to go rest up before she's ready to get in a pilot's chair again."

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"Go to Hell! I'm fine! I know what I'm doing!" Asuka's voice was shrill - almost a shriek. She didn't need or want his interference.

[shootingblancs]

"Stacy, make that twelve hours. For this one here, anyway." He reached up and adjusted his glasses again. "A pilot that doesn't know her limits gets herself and her wingmen killed. Do you want to be that pilot?"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Asuka's face went pale and then turned to angry shade of red. She spun on her heel and started marching away from him, hurling her simulated helmet to the floor as she walked. She didn't have to put up with this shit.

[shootingblancs]

And Michel just sighed.

He'd have to have a talk with Trudy about that one.