Petty Officer 2nd Class Demetrius "Hades" Aita looked on with what could be seen as disdain. After all they'd been through and only just getting some off-duty time, they were reassigned to some pathetic, groveling simulator duty? Furthermore, simulator duty saving an automated pilot to prove that they would do things for their wing mate. Hades growled to himself - this newfound SCO wasn't making himself any friends with this mission. But orders were orders and whether or not Tuk'ata resented having a new Squadron Commander thrust upon them - one who had not been present for the latest mission - they would follow orders. They weren't exactly a stereo-typical squadron, but they were efficient and arrogant, just like any other fighter squadron of the VEN.

Unlike the others, though, Hades liked to think that Tuk'ata had flare as well. Many members were old Nightshrikes or Regents and still brought their individual squadrons' unique take on things into the reactivated Tuk'ata. Hades wasn't sure if there was anyone left who had started out as a Tuk'ata. Ryn stood next to him and was evidently thinking the same thing as he was, a disdainful yet covert snort told him all he needed to know. Ryn was a good friend of his, and they'd graduated from flight school together. "Can you believe it?" Ryn murmured quietly "Out of the friggin' frying pan and into the fire. Straight out of a mission and we've got a new SCO plonked smack-bang in the middle of things, and he decides we need to go for a sim run to save an imaginary buddy?"

"Well if you didn't have someone telling you what to do you'd probably die of boredom," Hades jibed with a grin, "Besides, it should be simple. Get in, save the stupid di'kut who got his rear end singed and get out. You'll come second," He said with a sense of certainty - or was it arrogance? Ryn would know he was playing around, thought.

"Second? Who will be first?" She asked with a roll of her eyes. Hades grinned wider.

"Who else?" He jabbed his thumb at his own chest. "Me, of course!" The Petty officer began to imitate what he thought was a superior's voice "Petty Officer Second Class Demetrius Aita, you have shown outstanding skill and bravery in and out of the cockpit, not to mention undeniable attractiveness and charm that is second to none in-"

"Cut it out." Ryn punched his arm - hard. Hades was still grinning, but his grin faded as he overhead the new SCO adding to his statement;

"..this will not be a competition." Hades swore to himself, and it was Ryn's turn to grin.

"Damn it. And I was looking forward to smoking some newbies." He growled in frustration as the squadron began to gather and head for the next room. What Tuk'ata needed was some fun, some excitement. Not a mission where they were fighting for their lives against a hugely powerful enemy force, but a mission they could have the thrills and the enjoyment without the responsibilities. This sim would not be one of those.. Hades glared at the SCO's back dully, resenting the boring mission they had been so unceremoniously dumped into.

Again, orders were orders and orders had to be followed by lowly Petty Officers like him. "Grunt." Ryn muttered playfully as she passed him. Hades frowned at her as she turned back - it was like she could read his mind, because he definitely felt like a grunt, cannon-fodder, at the present moment. With an exaggerated roll of his eyes, Hades entered his simulation pod. He sat down in the standard TIE/In seat, feeling the contours of the chair press against his padded flight-suit. He sealed his helmet - although they were only in the sim - and strapped himself in.

He heard the systems of the sim hum to life, and the voices of numerous squad-mates talking to each other. A sudden voice cut through the chatter with an authoritative tone - it was the SCO, but Hades largely tuned the man out. He didn't need to be told what to do again, he already had been told once and he would do it excellently. Hades was confident to the point of arrogance, but not so much that it fooled him into believing he could do something beyond his capabilities.

OOC:

Wordcount: 732

AAR: Hades shows that he is not too happy about a new SCO and the current sim mission, feeling almost wounded by the very thought. Ryn shares the sentiment and Hades' characteristic bravado shows through with a bit of humour.

Due to a timeline issue created by Wager's departure from the VEN midway through a story set earlier than this one in the timeline, by my order this story is now considered non-canon. Posts still count toward career totals, but no official record will be made in Tuk'ata or VEN histories.

-Captain Dracule "Drac" Mihawk
Chief of Naval Warfare