== NRC Gary, Alpha Shift Leader (plus NRC's Radley, Bandit & Stripe)
Gary stood leaning against his desk, ignoring the stream of data scrolling rapidly upwards across the screen, fresh information constantly forcing older data out of view.
Looking over the top of his monitor, he sighed with resignation as he watched as his chosen team step towards him.
Clearly overhearing his previous words, Radley took one extra step in front of his comrades with all the subtlety of ‘look at me, I'm in charge.’
“We can be ready within five minutes, sir. Where do you need us? And - is the Chief okay?”
Radley asked with genuine concern, he too, with the likes of Gary and his figurative brothers, had worked under Artemis for a fair while.
With a voice full of authority, as he was now dealing with his own version of overgrown children, although still laced with a subtle undertone of worry, he spoke.
“Radley, Bandit, Stripe... you three are up. Head to the aeroshuttle bay and assist Alden in securing the area and helping contain the remaining fire. We’ll need all hands on deck to ensure nothing flares up again.”
Stripe, without hesitation, broke off and strode to a locker on the far wall. Hearing the words ‘remaining fire’ and likely recalling Alden’s earlier words too, He pulled out two canisters fit for the task. One, a standard slim cylinder with a bare metal-grey finish, a standard extinguisher, and the other whilst very similar in every way, but baring wide, dark green bands wrapped around the top and bottom.
Stripe passed the group again as he headed for the exit.
Bandit and Radley began to follow, but Gary held up a hand to stop Radley, nodding for a word in private.
Remaining cool under pressure, Gary leaned in keeping his voice low but firm.
“Radley, I need you to check in with Alden. Get a clear picture of the situation in there, what’s been done, and find out what happened to Art and see how he's holding up. I’m... not just asking about the fire. Make sure he’s not about to break down.”
The edge in his voice softened, slightly, into the tone of someone who'd seen what post-traumatic stress could do to good officers.
“Don’t make it obvious, just get him talking. If he’s holding it together, great. But if he needs support, I need to know now.”
Straightening again, Gary looked to the door, watching Stripe and Bandit disappear into the corridor. Trying his hardest to hold a neutral expression, an attempt to keep his frustrations and concerns buried beneath the mask of leadership, he gave Radley a small nod. Both a thankyou and now go.
Radley returned the subtle gesture and headed off after his brethren, the three man team regrouping on their way to the shuttle bays.
== Open Tag ==
Gary stood leaning against his desk, ignoring the stream of data scrolling rapidly upwards across the screen, fresh information constantly forcing older data out of view.
Looking over the top of his monitor, he sighed with resignation as he watched as his chosen team step towards him.
Clearly overhearing his previous words, Radley took one extra step in front of his comrades with all the subtlety of ‘look at me, I'm in charge.’
“We can be ready within five minutes, sir. Where do you need us? And - is the Chief okay?”
Radley asked with genuine concern, he too, with the likes of Gary and his figurative brothers, had worked under Artemis for a fair while.
With a voice full of authority, as he was now dealing with his own version of overgrown children, although still laced with a subtle undertone of worry, he spoke.
“Radley, Bandit, Stripe... you three are up. Head to the aeroshuttle bay and assist Alden in securing the area and helping contain the remaining fire. We’ll need all hands on deck to ensure nothing flares up again.”
Stripe, without hesitation, broke off and strode to a locker on the far wall. Hearing the words ‘remaining fire’ and likely recalling Alden’s earlier words too, He pulled out two canisters fit for the task. One, a standard slim cylinder with a bare metal-grey finish, a standard extinguisher, and the other whilst very similar in every way, but baring wide, dark green bands wrapped around the top and bottom.
Stripe passed the group again as he headed for the exit.
Bandit and Radley began to follow, but Gary held up a hand to stop Radley, nodding for a word in private.
Remaining cool under pressure, Gary leaned in keeping his voice low but firm.
“Radley, I need you to check in with Alden. Get a clear picture of the situation in there, what’s been done, and find out what happened to Art and see how he's holding up. I’m... not just asking about the fire. Make sure he’s not about to break down.”
The edge in his voice softened, slightly, into the tone of someone who'd seen what post-traumatic stress could do to good officers.
“Don’t make it obvious, just get him talking. If he’s holding it together, great. But if he needs support, I need to know now.”
Straightening again, Gary looked to the door, watching Stripe and Bandit disappear into the corridor. Trying his hardest to hold a neutral expression, an attempt to keep his frustrations and concerns buried beneath the mask of leadership, he gave Radley a small nod. Both a thankyou and now go.
Radley returned the subtle gesture and headed off after his brethren, the three man team regrouping on their way to the shuttle bays.
== Open Tag ==