Commander Stern had started the day late and determined to not be frustrated by the those that had preoccupied him before, including Foster. He met with the doughy Air Force representative first thing. The heart-to-heart about protocol and maintaining a cool head was painful, at best. Foster's obvious injuries seemed to have helped their agreement along. How they got to a resolution didn't matter to Stern -- he was getting too old for ego-driven bullshit.
Agreeing upon a course of action, Stern and Foster parted ways to fulfill their roles. Stern went to collect Calavicci and Foster went to meet the expert.
Upon his arrival back at the cell, the commander found his patience growing ever thinner. He whispered harshly as he unlocked the door. "Bingo, up and out!"
There was no hiding from that. Al awoke immediately, pausing only long enough to register he was still pressed against Thrace. She had, at some point, turned herself to sleep against his chest and barely registered his movement. He didn't think it would last, but tried to carefully extricate himself from the cot without disturbing her too much. It was practically acrobatics.
"You could at least pretend like you're not best buddies," Stern hissed, though the fact that he was making an effort not to disturb Kara was telling enough to Bingo.
"I could." Al shrugged and strutted through the open cell door.
It had taken a while, but eventually Stern came to realize Calavicci had little more to offer than stories already common knowledge. Everyone had heard the tale told brazenly from the lieutenant's own mouth. The only thing their conversation gained Stern were finer details that only made the story seem more plausible.
He played the old switcheroo, using the now-free Foster to ferret Thrace while an MP escorted the fairly cooperative Calavicci off to breakfast for the time being.
The best chance at coming to any sort of resolution was to meet with Captain Thrace alone. Foster had proven himself inept and Calavicci had become the perfect distraction. No, he felt he was going to have to level with her, face-to-face.
The place he chose was the most serene he could find: a wide field of green off the side of some hangers. It overlooked empty runways and a sky filled with large billowing white clouds and vast blue areas. Not a lot of humidity, and the breeze was refreshing. He hoped it would all work in his favor.
When Foster finally arrived with Kara, he already looked harassed. Stern nodded to the man. "I'll see you in a little while." Without protest, Foster left and just like that, it was one-on-one in a wide open expanse.
He smiled, telling himself that was the best way to make a second impression. "Captain, I hope you slept well." He didn't wait for her to answer, just segued right into his next thought. "Are you hungry? Would you like to join me for breakfast?"
no subject
Agreeing upon a course of action, Stern and Foster parted ways to fulfill their roles. Stern went to collect Calavicci and Foster went to meet the expert.It had taken a while, but eventually Stern came to realize Calavicci had little more to offer than stories already common knowledge. Everyone had heard the tale told brazenly from the lieutenant's own mouth. The only thing their conversation gained Stern were finer details that only made the story seem more plausible.
He played the old switcheroo, using the now-free Foster to ferret Thrace while an MP escorted the fairly cooperative Calavicci off to breakfast for the time being.
The best chance at coming to any sort of resolution was to meet with Captain Thrace alone. Foster had proven himself inept and Calavicci had become the perfect distraction. No, he felt he was going to have to level with her, face-to-face.
The place he chose was the most serene he could find: a wide field of green off the side of some hangers. It overlooked empty runways and a sky filled with large billowing white clouds and vast blue areas. Not a lot of humidity, and the breeze was refreshing. He hoped it would all work in his favor.
When Foster finally arrived with Kara, he already looked harassed. Stern nodded to the man. "I'll see you in a little while." Without protest, Foster left and just like that, it was one-on-one in a wide open expanse.
He smiled, telling himself that was the best way to make a second impression. "Captain, I hope you slept well." He didn't wait for her to answer, just segued right into his next thought. "Are you hungry? Would you like to join me for breakfast?"