They Don't Pay Enough

[Mystic Mina]

"Yep, yeah, you're right." Endo mutters distractedly, obviously not listening to a single word Sal uttered. "Man, I can't believe no one else wants to see what's going on outside. I mean, what's the point of going out into space if you're ignoring awesome stuff like this? You might as well stay on Earth!"

[muffinstud]

"You might even say there's just as much to see on Earth." Sal's tone raises a bit. "But some of us had better things to do than just look at things. I still do, and so do you, marine."

[Just some lady]

Meanwhile, not far off, a third marine sits at a table in the galley, a laptop opened up in front of him. His hair is short, and about the same color as the outside of the ship's windows, and looks a little bit harried as he types away at the keyboard.
After a moment of this though, he seems to catch wind of the conversation, and the hail-like sound of his typing clatters to a halt as he glances over from his chair.
Clearing his throat, he speaks.

"...Hopefully we won't run into much that we actually have to engage with, nevertheless. I'm sure you both agree..."

[Shadell]

Yet another marine stares off at the celestial phenomenon, brought so close by the wonders of modern technology. His eyes stare at the dust. It amazes him; but, he also finds it humbling. This has most likely existed since before the dinosaurs became extinct, it's older than humanity, and just like every star in the sky, it may well be there long after he is a forgotten memory. This thought disturbs the marine; but paradoxically, it pleases him as well. It feels right to be reminded that he is ultimately insignificant, that no matter how badly he screws up, the losses will be insignificant. The more humane part of his being is horrified at this thought; even as the more confident parts, assert that he won't screw up, that he was picked to lead for a reason.

Finally, the man sighs and debates gathering his marines; his, because he has been given command, because he has been entrusted to use their lives as effectively as possible. Now his reason chimes in; this is all just nerves, he should know better than this. There's a fair chance he'll just be bored out of his mind for the duration of the trip. No, he's already decided that he doesn't need to follow this line of reasoning. Still, let them wait a bit more, enjoy a few more minutes of freedom before he gathers them together to work. This may be their, like his, first time in this kind of event, and it costs nothing to give them this time. Work will start soon enough, besides, he's already noted the other marine uniforms amidst the crowd in the galley.

[Rodney]

In the gallery, sitting at the same table as Jack Bluespire, Robert West is typing as well but in a much more furious manner. The old videogame he is playing on his computer leaves him little options beside punching repeatidly the fire button. Unlike Endo, the lofty space scenery while pleasant at the beginning of the mission, now quickly bores Robert. He would have rather been tinkering some electronics but that would neam using supplies from the workshop, a place he isn't welcomed in anymore.

[Mystic Mina]

"Er, um, yeah, I do.... I mean, I do to both you and you, you know?.... Wait, do you? I mean, you, not you- Agh, stop, forget I said anything!" Endo shakes his head while ruffling his hair with both his hands. He isn't exactly the best at conversation, you see. Even a simple talk with him can turn into something ugly real fast. "Why is everyone talking to me, anyway? Don't you guys have better things to do!?"

[muffinstud]

"Action is action. And if you didn't notice, there is a security detail here. Anything we take care of will either be unexpected or out of the ordinary. I just hope it happens, whatever it is. I can't stand sitting on my hands like this."

[Just some lady]

Jack frowns at this as he turns, looking at Endo and Sal. For a long moment, a silence hangs in the air, as his murky brown eyes staring past them at the cold emptiness that space really was, at its heart.

He knows of course, that they could get back to earth in a relatively short time if they really had to, technology being what it was nowadays...But a deeper part of him could feel just how far they were from the ancestral home of mankind--how far they were from a planet that had, for millions of years become accustomed to these things that called themselves humans...
The ship was bearable, of course, but the the isolation and the unfriendliness that space was all to eager to supply space leaves him cold.

Pulling his mind and his eyes away from the unpleasant window, Jack looks back to Sal, and shrugs.

"Ordinary or not, I personally hope that we don;t run into anything too dangerous this far out--for the sake of the crew."

[Shadell]

The marine finally turns toward the others and approaches Jack's table. He is of average height, and a bit on the slender side. If one looks closely they may note that his uniform masks a well muscled body that speaks wonders of his trainers. Despite this, his appearance is rather feminine. His hair is cut short, which does help to alleviate the effect. Still, he is rather unintimidating to look at. Sam finally reaches the table and proceeds to slip into the conversation.

" I think I speak for everyone when I say I'd much rather be bored then dead. In a violent situation, there's no guarantee nothing won't go wrong" Sam smiles cheerfully, "Best to be ready and not need it. Besides, there are plenty of things we can do to amuse ourselves when we're off duty."

The marine's leader pauses for a few moments. "I hate to ruin the party, but we do have a few things we should probably get out of the way shortly."

[muffinstud]

Sal keeps his thoughts to himself, despite obviously wanting to continue his side of the argument. "What do you have in mind, sir?"

[Just some lady]

Jack pauses from the no-doubt enthralling dialogue, and looks up to the man.

"I would be interested in knowing that as well, sir."

[Rodney]

Without saying a word, Robert pauses his video game and looks at the marine's leader.

Things we should probably get out of the way ? he thinks.

[Shadell]

"Introductions, and a few basic duties you'll be having in the absence of any real missions. Nothing major." The marine smiles briefly, "I guess I'll be starting off. I'm Second Lieutenant Sam Mentson, currently on my first tour of duty. I'll be serving as the squad leader for this group, and I'm looking forward to working with all of you. Just tell me your names, roles and anything else you want to share."

[Rodney]

" I guess someone had to start with introductions, the name's Robert West, Demolitions Expert.
it's my second tour of duty. I haven't been involved in real combat though. I'm looking forward to blow things up : drawbridge or fridge door. No preference. "

[Just some lady]

Jack considers Robert's introduction for a moment. the man sounded like some to...keep an eye on. He got the feeling that between the two of them they could be more problematic then 'unexpected' or 'out of the ordinary' assignments, if they were left to their own devices....which was a pity because he was, in his heart, really hoping for a pretty uneventful stay of duty here.

Clearing his throat, he speaks up.

"I'm Warrant Officer Jack Bluespire--I'm the resident techmarine...and I am also second in charge of our little group."

He puts on a pleasant, if unexciting smile.

"I hope that our being here ends up being mostly unnecessary though, of course."