Chance meeting aboard the FIV Ravager

[Kier Grey]

Staff Sergeant Kyli DT-6767
Varonat System, FIV Ravager (Supremacy-Class Star Destroyer)
Level #S2B, Mess Hall.

Kyli stands with a ceramic plate clutched loosely in right-hand; the First Order's roundel stenciled in some brass coloured material on the dish's edge. Wearing a lightly pressed and well kept Polycotton void black uniform with the sleeves rolled up conspicuously against regulation exposing the onyx-colored form-fitting bodysuit worn underneath. It didn't take a genius or those necessarily familiar with the insignia of ALPHA team worn on her right shoulder to conclude the Staff Sergeant was Special Forces of some description, a fair few Stormtroopers in the line quietly whispered with a mixture of fear and awe to be so close to one of the fable wrapped Death Troopers.

They were presented as infallible weapons of the First Order; gods of old who couldn't be killed with skills and abilities that appeared to those who witnessed them to be supernatural. Atleast that's how the First Order Military presented them and it wasn't far from the the truth of the matter. One or two Storm Commandos stand in the line behind Kyli and leer in silent contempt towards the Death Trooper; this was usually derived from a perception that the Death Troopers were "Show Offs" however this animosity wasn't mutual Kyli herself has great respect for these same Storm Commandos and their efficiency, but they are only Human. Kyli's steps are short and careful as she moves down past the metallic trays containing a variety of nutritious high-protein high-carb foodstuffs tailored for consumption by the Human exclusive Stormtrooper Corps and almost entirely Human exclusive special forces troops.

Kyli starts dumping all sorts of succulent red meat and pasta atop her plate under the condemning gaze of the white-uniformed Navy Chef standing on the other side of the electric heated trays whom Kyli raises Hazel spheres to catch a glimpse of with a pursed lip albeit slightly mischevious grin as she pilfers more than two rashers of bacon, with a fair few Stormtroopers chuckling at the comedic Human display of subtle defiance leveled. The Stormtroopers themselves could not risk such a daring maneuver to secure more food without finding themselves refused or openly scolded though the status of Special Forces nevermind title of Death Trooper gave even the hawkish cooks pause in prosecution. "Little Victories" Kyli mutters to herself before concluding her raid upon the mess' rich bounty of food, scanning for a vacant table within the busy 'morning' Mess or perhaps one of her Death Trooper compatriots shamelessly exploiting her now considerable height of nearly six and a half feet to rapidly and effortlessly evaluate even distant faces for familiar features with her pair of incredibly keen eyes.

[member="Rexus Wenck"] [member="Luther Ando"] [member="FN-2826"]

 

[Huxy]

The steel eyes of Tempest stared blankly at the bronze ceramic plate in hand. He was bored, and he didn't much care to listen to another of Eight's rants about whatever he was ranting about this time. The words of Eight's pounded against his ears, though Tempest had heard none of it. He had in a sense, tuned all of the nearby commotion and activity around him out as he tried to think of...something. Anything, though it just seemed to be a slow day. For some reason, nothing would come to mind ever since the Invasion of Dagobah. Not like anything major happened that is, just for some reason ever since then he hadn't felt quite the same as he had before the invasion, oddly enough.

Tempest was pulled from his thoughts and drawn back into reality from the touch of somebody's hand on his shoulder. He turned slightly, seeing that it was Eight's, who he gave a perplexed and confused look too. "Temp, look ahead...see that woman, she's a Deathtrooper," the voice of Eight's came out quickly and slightly in awe as he spoke. Tempest turned in the direction that Eight's had pointed before his grey eyes finally fell upon [member="[/FONT][/SIZE][FONT='times new roman'][SIZE=14px]Kyli[/FONT][/SIZE][SIZE=14px][FONT='times new roman'] DT-6767"]. The symbol on her shoulder was enough of a giveaway which was only heightened by her height and her posture. She was...a Deathtrooper, there was no doubt about that. So that's what a Deathtrooper looked like under all of that armor. Either way, Tempest was still intimidated by the sight. He bet that she could knock him to the ground with a single punch to the jaw, though he didn't really want to test the woman's patience. Though, he couldn't help but stare out her. There was something about how intimidating she was that was...intoxicating and kind of, hot. Luckily Deathtroopers couldn't read minds or Tempest...well he would be kinda screwed right now. Tempest jumped when Eight's spoke up again, which prompted a chuckle from Eight's as well. "Oh, seem's someone is enjoying that there is a Deathtrooper around..." Eight's said with an amused smile etched on his face. "What...me, no no. I was just..." Tempest began. "You were just staring into her eyes weren't you." "N-no...I mean she's intimidating a-and..." "Hey, your secret is safe with me." Tempest sighed with an annoyed tone before getting his food followed by Eight's. Then there was the problem of where to sit. Sure they could sit anywhere...but Tempest was itching to talk to the Deathtrooper so that he could learn more about her. Only problem...where to start?

[member="Kyli DT-6767"]

 

[Luther Lewis]

"Look Mai, I can't explain unless you open the door" Luther spoke into the durasteel door. Things had been...strained with his former crew after the surgery. A few of them, like Thomas, had understood when Luther took the offer to join ALPHA. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, not to mention he felt like he had little choice. When the FOSB asked you to do something, you followed their advice, unless you wanted your military career to come to an end. It had been a while, but he still felt like a stranger in another person's body. He realised disjointedly that he must be stronger, because his knocks rattled the frame of the door.

Eventually Mai opens the door, coming out looking bedraggled. Her eyes are full of venom and Luther winces. Unlike Thomas, Mai couldn't understand Luther reason to transfer and had felt betrayed that he had left the 11th Armoured Division. She was also a purist and thought that all the surgery/augments that had remade Luther were unnatural. 'It is hard to convince myself otherwise' he thought. He once stood eye-to-eye with Mai. Now he looked down at her.

"Mai...I..." he started but she cut him off. "If you keep banging on my door, I'll call the MPs" she said, her calm tone was possibly worse than if she spoke with emotion. "Dirt-trooper or not, I will call them in a heartbeat" with that she closed the door in his face. Luther let out a deep sigh and left for the mess hall.

- - - - -​

​

Luther had never found the food in the mess particularly interesting, and he wasn't particularly hungry, but he had strict instructions on his diet. His plate was full of a lot of meat and green vegetables, and absent of any carbohydrates. He lamented that last part, the staff always cooked baked potatoes in the same style as his Ma did. He left the line, ignoring the furtive glances from other troopers. He approached Kyli, who seemed to be on the hunt for a free table.

"Food's not as good as that spot on New Advora, but at least it's nice and calm here" he pointed to a group of engineers leaving a nearby table. "Bingo, let’s sit there". He walked quickly to secure the table, but most of competition steered themselves away when they saw Luther and Kyli. Settled down, Luther stared at his food but felt no compulsion to eat just yet. His eyes drifted around, looking for former crew members, when he spotted an old acquaintance. "Oi, Tempest. Over here, have a seat". There was plenty of room, so hopefully wouldn't be crowded if Rexus and Twigg arrived. Luther hadn't seen Temp in a while, not since Kilaado.

He realised, with dismay, that Tempest might not actually recognise him. Luther had been wearing tank-crew armour on Kilaado and was at least half a foot shorter. His brain gave the mental equivalent of a shrug and he had to concede that if Temp had forgotten, Luther would just have to reintroduce himself.

| [member="Kyli DT-6767"] | [member="FN-2826"] |​

 

[Rexus Wenck]

Rexus Wenck glowered as he walked through the halls of the Ravager. His eyes now slits, as naval personnel and officers alike starred at the trooper. Or more accurately, at what was behind him. Dergan Twigg had that effect on people. He stood at about five and a half feet before surgical augmentation, and was now a behemouth made of muscle, chemicals, and testosterone. The trooper had grown so large in fact, he needed to slouch, to get through bloody doors, and walk through the often crowded corridors of the FIV Ravager. A fact, which irritated Rexus to no end, given he'd taken the mantle as the Death Troopers wrangler.

"Keep it bloody goin'!" Wenck barked back to him in his baritone voice, "I don't want to be bloody kept from lunch because of you." He snarled. Wenck's irritation with Twigg was an unfair projection of his current mood upon the trooper. For Rexus, the last weeks since surgery were hellish. No booze. No smokes. No company. Well, there was company, just not of the kind he usually liked to purchase an hour or two off. The lack of alcohol, and cigars had grated on him. Of course, he'd kept some. But with these surgeries, those toxins he had relied upon to enjoy himself, and relieve stress, were negligible to say the least. To even get an inkling of the feeling of a buzz, he had to drink a weeks wages, and smoke four packs. An impossibility given he was now special forces.

The duo now sauntered into the cafeteria. But not before Twigg, bumped his head again. The dull thuds of Dergans feet on durasteel plating, caused the whole mess hall to glue their eyes upon Project Afterlife's participants. Rexus gave his usual scowl, and turned to approach Kyli. The trooper who he'd seen skewered on Dagobah. Wenck lead the way, "Oi, 'ardie." He barked, sitting down opposite her, "How's it hanging?"

Twigg sat down on the same bench as Rexus, and physically lifted it on one end, causing Rexus to slide a little. "Sit somewhere else, Twigg." He growled. Twigg whimpered, but followed the order dutifully, pulling over a stool. "Any good grub?" Wenck inquired.

[member="Luther Ando"] | [member="FN-2826"] | [member="Kyli DT-6767"]

 

[Kier Grey]

Staff Sergeant Kyli DT-6767
Varonat System, FIV Ravager (Supremacy-Class Star Destroyer)
Level #S2B, Mess Hall.

Retrieving cutlery with a pair of precise movements Kyli starts searching with her Hazel spheres for a table narrowing her eyes struggling to focus with the influx of sounds into her ears fighting in vein to filter them out. A familiar voice belonging to a man startles Kyli and she pivots in her well polished boots violently in his direction. "Hmm, what?" Finding herself faced with Luther what was a somewhat hardened expression quickly softens into a subtle smirk; Kyli felt part of something close in ALPHA they were few in number and widely known it fostered an almost family-like atmosphere for the young albeit not inexperienced Stormtrooper. "Nothing like an exploding volcano to get the blood pumping on an otherwise uneventful morning." Kyli's voice is calm not betraying any sign of emotion though her body language betrayed a certain irritation, she'd not had a chance to mediate this morning an exercise she'd slowly become known for within ALPHA it was a practice Kyli had adopted from her Sniper Course's instructor who like Kyli had previous issues with controlling her temper and aggression. Rexus' voice now reflects through her ear canal with a greeting which forces DT-6767 to offer him a glance. "Morning Rex, come sit with us." Kyli takes a step forward and boldly leads the others to the bench-flanked table Luther had nominated; the other unaugmented soldiers quickly made room for the tall sinewy Death Troopers of ALPHA. Perching her ceramic plate atop the plastoid table Kyli settles down on the Durasteel bench before abruptly raising her long legs and crossing them, hands sit upon knees with index finger and thumb coming together.

Kyli bows her deep brown hair covered head and gently purses eyes shut and begins deeply breathing through her nostrils attempting to center herself and the blood-curdling murderous compulsion that now festered at the back of mind, the mess' assault on her senses was highly irritating and the other members of Kyli's team might be able to read this underlying anger through her distinct body language; Kyli took short and carefully measured steps not from a place of insecurity but from a desire for disciplined control over her own impulses and movement. It was the first time Kyli had performed his somewhat private ritual openly she'd certainly mentioned it earlier and might have once recommended Rexus try it to calm his own frigidity behavior; where once she found comfort in Cigars and Tabac this same comfort she could find only now within deep thought, self-reflection and mediation. Kyli's position as a Sniper is more than a title or training to the woman now it was a way of life and in her views the best Snipers are those who can carefully cultivate their anger and emotion, blood-thirstiness was punished; take a shot inappropriately and you may not only miss but endanger your life and the lives of your team and the team was among the Chief reasons why she was still alive after Dagobah. Kyli's mind contemplates her indebtedness to Luther particularly for treating those wounds which might have killed her, recalling the respect earned from Rexus and Dergan in the tank brings a barely noticeable smirk across tightly pursed lips while she meditates quietly. Kyli's face scrunches with an uncharacteristic daintiness wincing from the sound of Rexus' bench rising and then slamming against the floor as Twigg attempts to sit on it followed by an obnixious scraping of a stool across the the slate quadanium floor Kyli finally returns to a place of peace for the moment.

[member="Rexus Wenck"] [member="Luther Ando"] [member="FN-2826"]

 

[Huxy]

The eyes of Tempest found the source of noise directed at him, coming from the direction of the female Deathtrooper. The man's voice was coming from that general location, must've been another Deathtrooper. Though, that wasn't right. Couldn't be. Temp didn't know any Deathtroopers, or at least he didn't think so. As his grey eyes pierced those of the male Deathtrooper, he couldn't help but feel as if he knew the man. The voice was certainly familiar, though the physical appearance wasn't. "Temp, you know that guy?" Eight's whispered into the ear of Tempest as he gave a slight side-eye to the Deathtrooper who had called out Tempest, watching the man carefully. Tempest stood in silence for a few beats, before finally responding with uncertainty in his voice. "I might...follow my lead, or don't...this might not go well," Tempest whispered back to Eight's. "Just 'member, I got your back, so I'm staying." Tempest practically rolled his eyes at Eight's. They had been and still were the best of friends, ever since their first few days in the Academy. Though, Tempest was annoyed at times by how loyal Eight's was to him, kinda like a dog in a way. Which...well it was weird, to say the least.

Tempest inhaled a breath slowly, waiting a few seconds, before exhaling it and beginning a slightly nervous walk though he still tried to walk with confidence. At the very least, if he made himself for a fool, he didn't want to make himself a coward in front of all of the other troopers. A few of which, well the ones Tempest knew at least, casually watched him as he made his way tentatively over to the Deathtrooper table. As he got closer, he got more and more nervous at the second. It was easy to be wooed by an attractive Deathtrooper one second, before being absolutely frightened of them the next. Though, it didn't help much that as he made his way over, two other Deathtroopers joined the two currently on the bench, making a total of four Deathtroopers to Tempest and Eight's. He finally stopped at the table, his mouth refusing to open for a few moments. Tempest had to fight back the urge to just run away, which was foreign to him on the battlefield yet here in the now, with the Deathtroopers right in front of him, it seemed like a constant in life. "Luther? Is that...you? Uh...if not, well sorry for disturbing you," Temp said in as casual of a tone that he could make at the moment. And that...was a poor way to introduce himself, in front of all of the Deathtroopers along with the female trooper. Though Temp knew better than to say anything about her being attractive...she might punch him, which to Tempest was a very real fear at the moment. "Wow, smooth...great job Tempest. You may outrank me, but next time you should leave the talking to me," Eight's said with a smirk etched on his face. All Tempest said in response was a subtle nod of his head to his compatriot.

[member="Kyli DT-6767"] [member="Rexus Wenck"] [member="Luther Ando"]

 

[Luther Lewis]

Rexus and Twigg had arrived, completing the group. He was glad to see them, despite Rexus' foul mood. "The food is the same, but it tastes better now. Sharper" that was most likely a result of their heightened senses, perhaps the only one he didn't have reservations about. His improved sight made it painful to look into even dim lights, and the quiet chatter of the mess became a grating on his ears. Kyli seemed to be having trouble as well, her posture was slightly tense, her face calm but her eyes hostile.

Tempest had followed the group, accompanied by another trooper. Luther raised his eyebrows, surprised that the man had actually identified him. 'Guess I am still somewhat recognizable' he thought. It was a pleasant feeling. He had recurrent nightmares where he had died on Dagobah, only to be resurrected as a Frankenstein monster on the FO surgery table. "Aye, it's me" Luther said, a rare smile across his face. "Don't let the extra height and padding fool you. There is still a tank trooper in here somewhere". He motioned to the empty spots at the table. "Have a seat, both of you" the fact that it came across as more of a command than a suggestion was lost on Luther.

"Let me introduce everyone. The grumpy one" Luther pointed to Rexus. "Is Sergeant Rexus Wenck. He's damn near been all over, and you're not likely to find a more hardened SOB than him. Ran with the Gundark Gunners and if you've heard anything about them, you'll know that wasn't an easy assignment". Luther paused for a drink of water before pointing at Twigg. "That gigantic monster is Corporal Dergan Twigg, he served with Rexus. The guy's a big softie, until you meet him on the battlefield, so let's be glad he's on our side. Oi, Twigg! How tall are you now? 6'7?" Twigg shrugged, causing his stool to groan under his weight.

Luther gestured to the last member at the table "You might remember Staff-Sergeant Kyli, or better known as Scars from when, well, she had them. You won't find a more persistent and deadly soldier than her. She was pretty much all machine and scar tissue before surgery, and if she could take on the enemy at a disadvantage like that, well best fear her now". His food was getting cold, so he pushed the tray away. "Plus she is a wiz at driving vehicles. She's much better than me, and I had to pilot walkers in the Yalaran desert."

"Kyli, Rexus, Twigg, This is Tempest" Luther finally said, gesturing to the new arrival. "He was part of the same garrison with me on Kilaado when the Mandos attacked. He's a good soldier" Luther turned to Tempest. "Hey how's your friend, Horizon was it? I would be remiss as a medic if I didn't check in". He had largely forgotten about Kilaado, what a mess that was.

| [member="Kyli DT-6767"] | [member="FN-2826"] | [member="FN-2826"] |​

 

[Rexus Wenck]

Rexus rolled his eyes, and scowled when referred to as the grumpy one. Although references to him as a badass did somewhat help to allay the mood he was in. Wenck kicked up his boots, and rested them on the table, leaning back a little. The Death Trooper then listened as the rest of his unit was introduced. It seemed to Rexus that bloody Luther seemed to have the name and identifying information of nearly every damned stormtrooper on this vessel. He wondered how the hell someone like him was that social. When Rexus had been a platoon CO, he struggled with the names of his own men, let alone trying to mix with others. But still, he wouldn't particularly begrudge Luther's time in the sun,

"Doc's said I was 7'5." Twigg replied, his voice a low drawl as he yawned. He extended, a gargantuan, meaty hand to Tempest, "A pleasure."The larger man informed the stormtrooper. The weight of Twigg leaning forward to shake hands, unsettled Rexus' position, whom had to move to not be knocked off by Twiggs sudden change in position. Wenck's eyes flicked up, and met the ginger stormtroopers, he allowed a curt, polite nod of his head.

"Any friend of Luther's can be considered a friend of mine." The Death Trooper informed him, "Just don't go knocking about expecting special forces to be saving your arse all the time." He added, with a reserved, yet cheeky smile, pursing his lips, and showing off the Death Troopers crooked teeth. Wenck leaned back some more and stretched. "So you bastards, we going to get some bloody lunch, or are we gonna sit around like we're in some Bespin costume drama?"

[member="Kyli DT-6767"] | [member="Luther Ando"] | [member="FN-2826"]

 

[Kier Grey]

Staff Sergeant Kyli DT-6767
Varonat System, FIV Ravager (Supremacy-Class Star Destroyer)
Level #S2B, Mess Hall.

Kyli steadily unfolds her legs and eyes peel open carefully picking up her knife and fork and working over one her the Bacon rashers she had boldly pilfered under the direct gaze of an NCO cook. Kyli listens silently to Luther introducing each of ALPHA's members to tempest both out of respect and a pressing occupation with the hot pleasant smelling food laid out on the white ceramic plates beneath her nose. Kyli's hands pause for a moment and she examines her hands tremoring for a moment; every little sensation seemed to set them off a result of her body adjusting to the augmentations she'd been re-assured by the Doctors after asking the question afterall what use was a Sniper who couldn't control their fine motor skills? Taking a series of bites of the Bacon she makes a satisfied grunt nodding her head approvingly and taps the table in front of Twigg and offers him a pursed lip smile not wanting to rudely expose her teeth to the man. "Big guy you've got to go and load up on Bacon, it's amazing slightly crispy just the way I like it." Kyli preemptively skewers her last piece of Bacon out of fear Twigg might try to seize it and proudly declares with an uncharacteristic glee "Mine!" Kyli procedes to begin chomping down her pasta with as much decorum and grace as a visibly hungry person could manage, Kyli exercised with a religious intensity now that she wasn't cleaning and repairing her tanks constantly, quietly taking a little bit of smug satisfaction out of seeing grunts react to her deadlift upwards of two-hundred kilograms with little in the way of difficulty her physical size greatly belied the true ceiling of strength thanks to her physiological enhancements. Listening to Rexus scold the two obviously intimidated and shy Stormtroopers she subtly comes to her former brothers-in-arms defence giving Rexus a sharp retort. "Speak for yourself Rex your head is always up in the clouds looking for the next bottle of ale or a fat cigar." Kyli chuckles at her own retort, raising an index finger into the air pointed towards the ceiling pausing for a moment before continuing. "On that note I have something for you from my old stash which I no longer make use of." Kyli releases her cutlery and digs one hand into her right breastpocket and produces a thick dark and neatly pressed cigar and drags it under her nose and takes a deep wiff with pursed eyes before offering it upto Rexus across the table. "I quit since our augmentations, but I thought you might enjoy the taste consider it an early nameday gift?"

Turning her head Kyli briefly studies the newcomers one of them had distinguishing red hair while the other had otherwise fairly unremarkable traits, Luther's capacity to remember faces never ceased to impress the young woman and she gestures to a place beside her and across the table beside Rexus where the two men could choose to sit as they please. Giving a lazy wave with left hand she offers a curt greeting. "Hello." Kyli's tone is warm and cordial and she quickly returns attention and gaze back to pasta and she continues to go ahead and eat it making sure to observe proper dining etiquette; keeping her elbows off the table and holding the cutlery correctly skills she'd learned in dining classes as a child after being inducted into the Stormtrooper Corps where careful discipline was instilled into Kyli though prior to meeting the likes of Luther and Rexus she had held little respect for adult Volunteers but Dagobah drastically changed those attitudes.

[member="Rexus Wenck"] [member="Luther Ando"] [member="FN-2826"]