raced_god: (Poutyface)
Captain Falcon ([personal profile] raced_god) wrote in [community profile] aperture_high2013-10-26 01:32 am

BOUNTY HUNTERS DO PACRIM THE MOVIE THE GAME THE ANIME THE AU

Falcon set foot on the helipad at the Anchorage Shatterdome and immediately wanted to turn around and leave.

He couldn't, of course, because it was either this or never pilot a Jaeger again, but the snow and the cold and the wet and the dark six months a year were definitely things he was going to complain about. The whole place was a far cry from Los Angeles, he decided, and he hadn't even seen the inside yet.

Cold and gloomy and terrible, he figured.

He should have been grateful, really. Most pilots who struck out never rode again--he'd just been lucky in the sense that what knocked him out of commission wasn't his fault. Still, reassignment always smarted, especially when he was out a partner because, in his absence, she'd started drifting better with someone else.

So that was where he stood, pulling his parka tight, waiting on the helipad in fucking Alaska, not wanting to go in because that meant paperwork, and simulations, and co-pilot candidates that he didn't want, and a marshal he didn't want to listen to, and a new Jaeger that wasn't his. As the landing crew led him inside where he'd be received, he wondered if he'd have been better off quitting the program after all.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-27 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Samus had a long history with cold, gloomy and terrible, and the weather outside accurately reflected her mood. She was supposed to come out here and greet the new recruit, play nice, try to get along. She didn't even leave the opening entrance's hanger, far away, arms crossed and leaning against the frame.

Why on earth Adam thought this would be a good idea she'd never understand, but for what it was worth she could recognize the unfortunate fact that no one else had worked yet. After the incident with Ian it'd become nearly impossible to find someone drift compatible with her. She'd be a difficult woman to contend with ordinarily, but his death left her especially angry and frustrated, and anyone that manged to make it as far as Drift Sync Testing would discover that.

The Golden Torizo still hadn't seen any action since then, and the Russian Federation was reeling with each passing day. Samus was too damn good of a pilot to give up on just yet, like Falcon was too good of a pilot to leave without a Jeager.

Besides--someone like Aran and Falcon together? The fans would eat that up. The thought of this being all for the publicity made her spit on the ground in disgust and she turned around to go inside without even so much as a "hello" to him. What a classy lady.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-27 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
"No." It looked like she was about to accept his hand, but hers continued past and found its true destination clicking the 'down' button of the elevator panel. "He's probably busy trying to come up with a line that'll convince me this is a good idea."

Samus was definitely going to have words with Adam about this, even more than she already has. She knew she wasn't personable (she could try, and could see he was making an effort at the very least), extremely difficult to pair up--she didn't smile often and she didn't laugh much. If she didn't like someone they'd know about it. She wasn't in this for fame or fortune or notoriety.

She just wanted to kill kaiju. And she was damn good at it too.

She knew Falcon was too. Or... was. He was just decommissioned, wasn't he? Good enough to not kick out of the game completely, that must have counted for something. She tended to roll her eyes at the news reports and TV programs--always had other business to focus on instead. Russian business. Falcon certainly seemed like the type to relish in the spotlight regardless.

"Did you have any other bags?" She asked, half-way down the elevator that made it clear there would be no going back up for them even if said yes. "Or did you leave those behind in your old Jeager?"

It was her possibly tactless way of inquiring further.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-28 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
"The Golden Torizo was designed with that in mind." It was easier to talk about things objectively instead of how these objective things would be affecting either of them personally.

"To be highly modular and adapt with outside tech as needed. Arms. Legs. Weapons. Engines. Anything that needs an upgrade instead of wasting the entire Jeager. We haven't had much opportunity to put that into action, but Oblivion Bay isn't exactly getting any smaller."

Wasted potential the engineers thought. The Kaiju were proving fairly adaptable, so should the Jeagers to combat them. As she walked with him down the lower hallway she wondered if everything she said wasn't going to mean anything as soon as he got inevitably got dismissed in Drift Testing.

"Maybe yours will see some action again some day."

As a leg or a fist or a butt of her machine.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-28 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
She shrugged and proceeded to oblige him with a very cut and dry explanation. Officer training and combat rooms on this level, science and development here, crew quarters over there, This is where we keep Metal Gear Rex, she pointed out., emergency exits, and so forth. Rangers were understandably kept in close proximity of one another should an alert go off, but she should be so thankful they weren't sharing quarters together. The Icebox was not unlike any other Shatterdome... except perhaps all that much more cold and dark by compare, especially to the likes of LA.

He was probably going to be miserable, she mused. Aloud, in fact. "If you need bunny boots I'm sure one of the techs can find a pair in your size." She was trying to be considerate.

"And you're probably well aware already that Adam Malkovich is Mission Control." She rounded up her tour with a finger point down the end of the hall. Samus let her stare linger on Falcon--not quite the cold judgmental one she greeted him with at the helipad but more of an analytical one. He and Adam shared some... visual similarities. Maybe even the same age.

She forced herself to stop thinking about anything else they might have in common right there.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-28 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
Adam instructed her to go greet the new guy, show him around. Spend a little time with him. She knew it was Adam's way of saying please just try, but she couldn't really say when the marshall himself would make an appearance.

"If he's late he has his reasons." That much she knew.

Indeed, she'd been trying to avoid the elephant in the room to no avail. She could on some level appreciate Falcon being forward and direct about it, but that didn't make the elephant any smaller. For a while she was silent, not sure what to say. Words were as hard as the cold, unforgiving ice caking the ground outside.

"Because this is supposed to be a good idea." Samus ventured. Drift two angry Jeager Superstars because they were both out a pilot and hope for the best. One plus one should equal two. It should be simple, right?

Samus wasn't exactly eager to let anyone inside her head, especially not with recent burdens of death lacing her thoughts, let alone warm up to the idea that someone could tolerate a drift with her. Even so, rejected ranger and rejected ranger started to wear down on Samus after a while. On some level she was scared there might be someone else out there, who wasn't Ian, that wouldn't find the inside of her head such an awful place.

"What are you going to do if this doesn't work out?"
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-29 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
Samus might not have been the most social butterfly but she knew a fake smile when she saw one. She attempted them quite a few times before nearly giving up on the idea entirely.

Unsurprisingly, Samus was being kept on a "need to know basis" regarding Falcon's recent happenings which absolutely contributed to her foul mood. She trusted Adam but could not stand being kept in the dark on things, especially when they were implied to revolve around single-pilot systems. She wanted that. That's what she wanted. She wanted that as badly as Falcon was apparently willing to risk for it. She wanted that more than she wanted condolences for Ian. Her stare didn't linger on his scar very long, sharply drawn to his eyes.

At least now she understood why his Jeager winded up where it did, and partly why he was reassigned to here.

"He was a good man." Was all she said in response; flat, neutral, devoid of emotion. Her brows furrowed however, betraying how uncomfortable of a subject it was for her. She had no choice but to keep moving forward with her life, and keep pretending Ian's absence didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Easier said than done, of course.

"I'm sorry for your... accident." She bit her lip, really trying hard to not sound condescending or uncaring. If anything she scuffed her heel against the ground as if she could kick herself for being awkward. "A single-pilot system would be solving both our problems right now."
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-10-29 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
Despite knowing exactly what he was pointing she turned to look at the big doors of mission control, then looked back at him with a little lopsided curl of her lips.

"Absolutely." She had words for Adam anyway. A LOT OF WORDS.
anyobjections: what are you... (uhhhhh)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-10-29 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
adam was asleep at the console

this is how ian died
anyobjections: But don't look back in anger (commander general lineface)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-11-03 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
NAY! Adam was not asleep at the console, but rather in a rather lengthy discussion/disagreement with what appeared to be some engineers and other members of mission control. He stood facing them with his arms calmly behind his back while the opposing man currently having it out with him was lurched forward, finger pointing at the commander.

"That's not the point, if this doesn't work--"

But as soon as the doors flung open they flinched and said nothing more. All heads turned to look at the duo that just entered.

"Samus." Adam finally broke the silence with a faint frown tugging at his lips and disapproval lacing his words. "Douglas Falcon." Equally so for the new recruit.

"Please excuse us." The group of men didn't contest it but passed Adam with a quick this isn't over yet dirty glare as they showed themselves the way out. Adam's stare meanwhile, hadn't left the two Jeager pilots at all.
kaijukilledmyparents: (pic#6937798)

[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-11-03 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
It was difficult to not raise eyebrows at Falcon's unabashedly direct and sassy approach to Adam. Pretty much the only person who pushed the Commander's buttons was her and mostly because she knew him well enough to know which ones she could push and get away with. She, on some level, even appreciated seeing someone else exhibit fearlessness in the face of commanding authority.

Falcon had balls, she'd give him that might. He might have been terribly foolish, but he had balls at the least.

She was however, not interested in the slightest about sassing him up about tours and showing the new guy around.

"Adam, what was that all about?"
anyobjections: super serious stare (stare)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-11-03 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Thanks to your unwarranted, unannounced introduction, I can tell you that," Adam said, expertly nailing how exasperated he was with what they both just did. And how he wasn't going tolerate much more of it.

"now, it's classified information."
Edited 2013-11-03 06:44 (UTC)
anyobjections: Don't you know you might find (I look down upon you. With my chin.)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-11-05 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Correct. I apologize for any inconvenience, but there were other priorities." Adam affirmed, with little remorse or pride. He didn't appreciate more sass but it was going to take a lot to elicit a reaction out of him, if that's what this new recruit was going for.

"I'm sure you understand given your career history, Captain."

Samus rolled her eyes.

"First you'll need to get cleared with medical. Standard procedure, as Samus should know."

Samus rolled her eyes AGAIN.

"Tomorrow is Kwoon. The following day, we will start Drift Sync Testing."
Edited (I think I have it now. Finally.) 2013-11-05 08:45 (UTC)
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-11-05 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
"What?! So soon? Adam."

She had objections. Many objections.
anyobjections: And you don't fire until I say so. (Commander lineface the first)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-11-10 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
This was fucking bullshit. She nearly screamed that out loud, especially with the stupid shit-eating grin Falcon was giving her. She then directed all her anger back at her commander.

Adam said nothing. He didn't smile, he didn't frown. He did tip his head in acceptance, knowing well what was about to transpire next. Hurricane Aran was coming and there was no sense in trying to fight it. He knew better. His eyes flickered over to Falcon's.

"You are dismissed." That was an order. "Medical is on the second floor. Take the elevator at the end of the hallway."

Samus didn't move. She could catch with her new partner later but for now, she wanted Falcon to leave first so she could give Adam a piece of her mind.

For all the good it would actually do.
kaijukilledmyparents: (pic#6996397)

[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-11-18 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
Way to make things awkward. Everything following this moment would be laid clear in the drift in a few days' time, and she knew that, but she didn't care.

Her parents had been taken from her. Ian had been taken from her. Her jeager was on the verge of being taken from her at this rate. She couldn't stand to loose just having a few moments of independence and privacy with the man who deserved more of her frustration at the moment also taken away from her.

Samus fixed Falcon with a cold glare and hissed, "What are you standing there for?"
kaijukilledmyparents: (pic#6937798)

[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-11-29 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Her glare intensified.

"I do. With Adam."

Just in case he needed it spelled out even more.

"In private."
anyobjections: Where nobody knows if it's night or day (uughnn)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-11-29 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Man, everyone is being babies Adam thought to himself.
anyobjections: default face (linefaceee)

[personal profile] anyobjections 2013-12-08 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Adam knew there would be little he could do to stop Samus from speaking her mind, nor did he really desire to. However, he saw an opportunity open up for strategical advantage and that he would take.

"I think you should escort him down to medical." Adam said, calmly folding his arms behind his back. "We can talk about this afterwards, in a few hours." After you calm down went unsaid.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-12-08 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
Samus was nearly irate. Not because she wasn't getting her way (that was a legitimate frustration, childish as it was) but because she felt like no one was listening to her. Had Adam not wisely said that last line she probably would have exploded on him. Instead she grit her teeth and huffed in his direction, knowing she could have her WORDS later.

"Fine." She was calm. She was totally calm she was fine she could go escort her stupid new partner down to the stupid med bay and maybe they'd stick something unpleasant up his butt and she could watch. Her eyes darted over to Falcon, begrudgingly.

"Come on." She started making her way out the room.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-12-15 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Shut up." She hissed. If Falcon wasn't to blame for this battle lost, he was certainly a contributing factor in her mind. Samus stuffed her hands in her pockets angrily, arms locked in furious petulance as she walked along.

What she wouldn't give to start Kwoon like right now. If nothing else she might be pleased seeing them stick probes up his ass in medical.

"Don't think this is going to earn you any brownie points with him." By how? Holding his ground? Not showing fear? Only Samus Aran could get away with that in the face of Commander Adam Malkovich. Who the fuck did Falcon think he was?

"Or me for that matter." The afterthought came out with a splintered tone, somewhere between venomous warning and begrudging admittance.
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2013-12-17 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
If there were few emotions Samus knew well it was anger, and she was more than happy to get under his skin with it.

"Don't like it?" She pursed her lips in a mock-pout. If he was thinking she wouldn't challenge and rebel against whatever adorable notions of authority or seniority he (or anyone else for that matter) thought he had, he could think again.

"Too bad. This isn't L.A. No one's going to spoil and pamper you here."
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2014-01-12 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
It of course didn't, not for Samus. Some passerbys down the end of the hallway cautiously paused to stare at the scene unfolding wondering what would happen next between this lumbering fuck-off tall guy and Samus who was rising to her tippy toes to meet him. Someone was rustling Aran's jimmies and this was bound to be good.

She planted her finger firmly in the middle of his chest and spoke slowly, very condescendingly. "I. don't. care."

"Get over yourself. Things have changed and are going to keep changing and if you can't deal with that then do everyone here a favor," Said finger redirected itself vaguely upwards in the direction from whence they came. "and walk yourself out those big steel doors right now."

Cold and unforgiving like this petulant Icebox in the middle of Alaska was.
Edited (forgiving icebox) 2014-01-12 08:03 (UTC)
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[personal profile] kaijukilledmyparents 2014-02-16 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
No. No she did not. She did not like being laughed at or belittled or taken any less seriously than believed she deserved. It may have been slightly childish but for what it was worth, she'd earned everyone's respect (or fear) around these parts.

Just not his. That was infuriating enough without him making that blatantly clear right in her face, but worst of all... he had a point.

Samus said nothing. No words, not even the satisfaction of a change in facial expression. She gave him nothing. Not for a few long, tense seconds.

Finally, she leveled down, took a step back, eyes narrowed. She turned on her heel and continued down the hallway.