"Resonance"

Posted on Wed Mar 29th, 2023 @ 5:25pm by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Consul Andrinn Orin

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: PLANETSIDE
Timeline: ** backpost ** MD05 - 1900
1593 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:MD05]


A SHUTTLE – JUST ARRIVING TO PLANET ‘POPSICLE ONE’


As soon as Sam was off duty, as tired as he was, as hungry as he was, he called Andrinn first. Sam let him know that he had a few hours of down time. He wanted to see if Andrinn could also have a few minutes even, maybe as long as an hour so that they could have a meal together. And Sam didn’t care if that ‘meal’ was a bag of chips, a granola bar or a two-year old MRE.

Sam stood outside, well just inside the cave near the roaring fire, as watched the skies for Andrinn’s medical shuttle making the last run for the night. The shuttle got larger, and Sam watched it land. Kicking up freshly fallen snow as it touched down. Sam watched as people and medics began to disembark. Eagerly, he looked for Andy.

One of the last people to exit the shuttle, his arms full of medical supplies and blankets, Andrinn Orin stepped off the shuttle. Sam saw him and ran to him.

Andrinn saw that Sam was running over to him, even with his arms full of various medical supplies that the Doctors and Nurses needed to treat the various people from the ship that were critically or otherwise wounded. As Sam was running over, Andrinn yelled over to him and said, "Here. Take some of these medical supplies and help me carry them over to the medical pod. I think our dear doctor said that he needed them asap."

Sam took what he was given and said, "Sure. Of course!"

Handing some of the supplies over, Andrinn and Sam began walking to the medical pod, which was a few meters away from where the shuttle actually landed. Thankfully, most of the crew had been transported down via the shuttles and runabouts. The most critical were some of the first ones taken down, so that emergency surgery and other medical services could be provided.

They entered the warmth of the cave system and went to the medical area tents.

Andrinn looked back at Sam and for a moment, he thought that Sam was snickering. "What's so freaking funny over there?" Andrinn said as he stopped dead in his tracks and made Sam stop for a moment to answer Andrinn's question. Andrinn put the supplies on one of the totes to get closer to Sam, gently kissing him before waiting for a response.

"Hmm? Nothing. You look...good...you know? I don't know...you just make me happy. I'm glad you're here. I guess I'm just selfish? Maybe? I was tired before; but I ain't tired now. Now that you're here." Sam kissed him back and then set down the supplies as the medics instructed.

As he watched Sam put down the medical supplies, Andrinn watched Sam do his thing and didn't speak for a few moments. "You know something? Humans are such beautiful creatures, but you know who is the most beautiful. You are, Sammy," Andrinn said as he picked up and carried another container over for the medical supplies and placed them near where Sam had placed his own.

Sam grinned and let out a single, happy, laugh. Almost like a whelp. "Yeah? Well....I'm very attracted to you too Andy." When Andrinn's arms were full Sam pulled up behind him and whispered in his ear something naughty. Then kissed him on his cheek and got the rest of the supplies moved.

As he heard Sam whisper the naughty things into his ear, Andrinn turned back and replied, "SAMUEL WOOLHEATER! You're such a naughty gentleman, aren't you? The things that run through that beautiful mind!"

Andrinn couldn't help but lean over his shoulder before Sam could get away and leaned in for a kiss on the lips, kissing Sam softly and gently. As he pulled away, Andrinn began looking around and saying, "Have you heard anything about where or when we are? I haven't heard much from the various teams about what information that they've gathered."

"I heard something like thirteen million light years from our last position? Navigation was online long enough to tell them that. It went off-line again. So, wherever 'this' is it will be our home. At least for a while. Where's your tent?" Sam asked as he reached for Andrinn's hand to walk him to his tent.

Andrinn's hand instinctively found their way into Sam's as they began walking together. He hadn't had the time to set anything up, such as the tent that would become their home while everything was figured out and their way home secured. He looked over at Sam as they walked and Andrinn replied, "I haven't set anything up. Have you set yours up yet?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I'm with the detachment. I have to stay with...near the platoon. And, I know that you're senior staff. So...y'know...I don't know how that works? I mean...staying over. I don't have any personal space...to share. And I wouldn't expect you to make room for me. Y'know...in your tent. Actually, I don't know how this works at all." He scratched his head and made a crinkle nose as he mused over a problem that he had never had to deal with before. When Emily came to visit, he was always on leave. And they stayed elsewhere. Never on base. And until Emily, the other person, the date or otherwise never wanted to stay very long anyway.

Andrinn used his free hand to raise it up to Sam's nose, tracing the outline of all the crinkles on his nose. Humans were such funny creatures and whenever Andrinn was around them, he sometimes got lost in their unique natures and their ticks that they might not have known they even did. As he traced the outline on Sam's nose, Andrinn whispered, "Humans are such worrisome creatures. As long as I get to spend time with you, no matter where...or when that might be, I'll be happy. I've lived a thousand lives and if it's one thing, I think I've slowly learned that life is way too short to overthink things. I'm still working on that part myself, but I think this whole catastrophe has taught me a little bit about that. You've taught me a little bit about that too, Mister Woolheater."

Andrinn stopped them in their tracks and gently kissed Sam before allowing them to continue walking.

Sam smiled from ear to ear. He felt 'giddy' at all of this attention. And his brain went all fuzzy. He knew he should say something but all he could do was just smile so delightfully. He looked into Andrinn's eyes and looked away again. Sheepishly. He laughed. He felt dumb because he didn't know what to say or do. But, there was no judgement, no irritation, no expectation on Andrinn's face. There was only love and acceptance there. He looked again as emotions befuddled his military mind and he waxed goofy. He knew that he must look goofy to with that grin on his face. It was clear that the wheels were turning but they were rusty. "Awww....man. Shoot. I'm no good at this. I know it. I'm sorry." Sam stepped closer and touched Andrinn's face. He kissed Andrinn back. His fingers interlaced with Andrinn's free hand and after the kiss he said, "May I stay with you, in your tent, when I'm not on duty?"

Andrinn just smiled equally as large as he thought up his own reply because his mind went to mush at that exact moment. He loved how Sam wasn't perfect at this because Andrinn wasn't either. It made any sort of expectation go away and that's what was needed, especially in a moment like this where everyone was on a barren frozen planet. Andrinn just shook his head in the affirmative before replying, "Yeah, that would be amazing. Plus, that means that a tent can be spared for someone else who might need an extra tent, like people with families or something. Just promise to keep me warm at night cause I don't like this whole cold weather!"

Sam nodded back, "I promise. Marine's honor. Oh yeah...doin' it for the children. And others. So others can have a tent." He was teasing Andrinn and all the while touching his face. Then he kissed him and said, "I think its adorable that you think of the kids."

Andrinn pulled Sam into a tight embrace and laid his head on Sam's shoulder, just listening to the steady thump of Sam's heartbeat as they just stood there in silence for a moment. Andrinn finally replied back, "Yeah, totally for the kids, you know? Someone has to help look out for them cause their families are out there helping to bring back food for the entire camp and such."

"Yeah...I know. I saw some things myself as the ship was breaking apart. Things I hope to never see again. Thing no kid should have to go through." He was thinking of Japha, the little girl whose parents had been killed. The little girl Sam held in his arms but could not save her parents as a deck literally ripped itself apart.

"Hey" Sam said as he looked at Andrinn. "I have my last scouting mission tomorrow, early. Have you ever had an MRE? (meals ready to eat)" he asked Andy.


[OFF:]

Consul Andrinn Orin
(signed off by Woolheater)

and

Captain Samuel Woolheater
(pre-frozen stage)

 

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