Assistant

Date/Timing: 14 January 2019
Setting: The Shed; Vaucluse, NSW, Australia
.
=== 0830 — Collect & sort post; Quartermaster's ===
Find the cubbies for Pietr and Hansen's post.
Thank god there's not much.
The public doesn't know they're Rangers yet.
Well, technically, they're /not Rangers yet.
When ....
Shudder.
The letters and packages Jack and Logan got after the announcement ....
Deep breath.
Hansen first.
Junk.
Junk.
Junk.
Nothing worth his time.
Now Pietr's.
Package from the Panama City 'Dome.
Scanned clean.
Junk.
Junk.
Junk.
Junk.
Thick envelope from across town.
Hopefully not harmful.
Scanned clean.
Exhale.
Wonder what that's about.
Tuck the packages into your satchel.
""Hey there, /Squire Jones!""
Startle.
"Uh ... hi, Officer Nguyen."
Chantell rolls her eyes. "You can still call me 'Chantell'."
"Umm ... okay."
"You still 'Derek' or should I start being all official around you?"
"Still 'Derek'." Smile.
"Win!" She smiles encouragingly. "How goes it, workin' boy? New job going okay?"
What's Chantell's definition of 'okay' and how does it align with mine?
Chantell shifts a little. "Pietr hug you yet?"
Laugh nervously. "Twice."
"Only twice? He's slackin' off." Giggles. "Been here two weeks and he's already got three records."
Raise eyebrow.
Giggles again. Ticks them off on her fingers. "Most Rangers flattened by a non-Ranger, most coffee drunk in a day, and most hugs given to strangers by an adult."
Snort.
"So, yea. Not just you." Looks thoughtful. "I guess you could even argue four; First Ranger-type, uh, older—yeah, let's go with that—first Ranger-type older Chuck didn't try to destroy in the first twenty-four hours of their acquaintance."
Who? Should I know them?
"Guess you two never crossed paths. Thought maybe ...." She shakes her head. "Anyway." Smiles. "Gotten your tablet loaded with Squire stuff?"
"Uh, Cam—Quartermaster's office, they, uh—"
"Lemme see."
Find tablet.
"You've already gotten their mail? Go you!" Chantell makes a face. "May have forgotten to do that for a couple days when I started. Lessee ... MaintainMe, WholeMaster, MasterPlanner. Fan/tastic ways to waste time waiting for the doctor to finish scolding your charge about their heart ...." She gives it back. "Looks like you're on track. Derek, new job is going well! High five!
Awe/some. High five.
"So, yea, you can tell anyone who thinks otherwise that Officer Chantell Nguyen in the Marshal's office says that you are doing /great and if they have a problem with that they can come yell at me and I can go '/Ha! I outrank you!' Pretty sure I cleaned this jacket yesterday, though ...."
Almost contain a laugh.
Chantell doesn't, says, "Listen, if there's anything I can do for you, let me know."
"Well, could I—if it's not a problem—have a list of Hansen 'n Vos's immediate families and their birthdays 'n anniversaries?"
Chantell cocks her head. "Why d'you need that?"
Oh god I fucked up. Again.
"Umm, I thought I'd put reminders in WholeMaster, but if that's not—"
Goes starry-eyed, coos, "That's so sweet of you! You're gonna be the greatest /ever at this!"
Blush. "Don't you—uh—do that for the Marshal?"
"Well, yea, but his family is my family, too."
Go redder. "Oh. Right."
Study shoes.
"I'll get you that info soon as I'm back in my office. Good luck on the rest of your day!"
Waves.
Wave back.
Head for the canteen for coffee.
=== 0945 — COLLECT CADETS; conference room 018B ===
Hold out the steaming mugs, one for each.
Hansen makes a face, jerks his head toward Pietr. "They're for him."
Blink.
Still holding the mugs.
Pietr snags both of them, grins, nods 'thanks', downs a third of one in a gulp, sighs happily.
Blink.
"He drinks that stuff constantly. Think he has it instead of blood," mutters Hansen.
Pietr ruffles his hair, dodges a return strike without spilling a drop.
No wonder this guy's going to be a Ranger.
=== 1000 — Self-Defense Class; gym B ===
Whhyyyy. Why's self-defense required?
Can't there be an opt-out for 'I had two older brothers please excuse me?'
On the subject, why's he following you?
Hansen took off for quarters, but Pietr ... just won't go away.
He opens the gym door, motions you through to the changing rooms.
Stow your bag in your locker.
Pull off your shoes and socks, switch into gym gear.
Pietr's changed, too, and his coffee's balanced on top the lockers.
Oh ... he's /teaching your class.
You—This—He's gonna file a personnel change.
Pietr puts his mobile on the corner table, steps to the center, claps his hands.
All eyes swivel.
He grins and pulls a little Maori—the mud magnet—out of the crowd.
Stands there, completely open, and beckons them to attack him.
Ata—/that's her name—walks behind him—
Pietr doesn't turn.
And he can't hear her.
Is he cra—
Wait.
Hansen and the coffee.
He can do this.
—and wraps an arm around his neck, trying for a chokehold.
Blink once.
She's standing /in /front of him in some kinda arm lock, blinking in surprise.
Pietr lets her go, pats her shoulder, grabs another person from the class. Walks them both through the attack and his counter very slowly.
Three times through, Ata's countering perfectly.
Pietr thumbs up, grins, sweeps his arms together.
Everyone partners up—
Except you.
It's elementary school all over again.
You try not to cry and head for the bench—
There's Pietr, fluttering.
Kinda wave at the bench.
Pietr shakes his head, leads you to a free patch of mat. 
Steps behind you.
Wraps his arm around your neck.
Muscles lock.
Stop breathing.
Pietr removes his arm, steps in front of you.
Signals you to take a deep breath.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Pietr studies your face for a beat.
I'm breathing wrong. It's futile to try and teach me. He's gonna tell me not to bother. I'll never learn.
Steps behind you again.
Deep breath.
Close eyes.
Do the steps you remember.
Pietr trips over your ankle, hits the mat.
Vision greys out.
He sits up.
Is he laughing?
He's /laughing.
I think I'm gonna die, but it's the anxiety talking.
Probably be fine.
Pietr hops up, gets his mobile from the table.
Probably.
Taps away, offers the screen.
-1st non-Ranger 2 drop me -
He grins, pats your shoulder.
Flinch.
He cringes.
- Sorry -
"'s'okay. 's a reflex."
Nods, gestures 'try again'.
You do.
Six times.
/Then Pietr's in an armlock.
Just in time for class to end.
Exhale.
Pietr attends something across the room, motions 'stay here' with a smile—waves towards the changing rooms. 
"Get my stuff?" 
He nods, springs away. 
You plod to your cubby, pull out a fresh shirt. 
Ata says right behind you—
Stifle a jump. 
—""So the Matrix really /isn't broken.""
Dig for your deodorant. 
A tap on your back. 
Turn. 
"There really /are two of you," says the little Maori twin who's not Ata. 
Heart skips and falls flat. 
"He's your brother?"
"Heh." Ata crosses her arms. "He's a loser." 
Things go kinda grey. 
"Just because he's a Ranger doesn't mean we haven't beaten him, like twice."
Are you relieved or are you talking to a crazy person? 
Not-Ata asks, "Do you two not get along?"
Offer what you hope is a smile and shrug helplessly, then focus on getting ready. 
Ata and Not-Ata huff, then start bickering as they wander off. 
Pietr appears, gets changed in two seconds flat, shows you his mobile.
- Lunch? -
=== 1145 — Ad hoc task: COLLECT CADET HANSEN; Vos quarters ===
Door's open a bit, so he's probably inside.
Pietr gestures, 'after you'.
Smile, hover just inside.
Hansen's on the couch with a bulldog—Max, right?—and a tablet; he shuts it off, sits up, and lets Max waddle to Pietr. "Finished fabricating another muscle strand," he reports.
Pietr hops on the spot, grinning, then stoops to pet Max.
"The engines're supposed to come tomorrow, but so was this guy, so we'll see."
Pietr signs.
"You bet it's awesome either way."
More signing.
"I'll just grab something here."
Pietr seems to be making a good argument because Hansen's glowering.
"Fine," he huffs. "Let's go."
Pietr shoots you a grin and skips by.
Hansen slouches over, rolling his eyes.
Pietr flings open the door, swings it half-shut before you've taken a step.
What's ....
He turns, holds a finger to his lips, then shoves you farther back into room.
Stumble into Hansen.
Get your legs tangled in his—
Pietr blocks the entire opening with himself.
—hit the floor.
Take Hansen down, too. "Th' fuck's wrong with ye?"
Squeak.
What the hell?
""Hey there, 'Boss'! Been looking for you.""
Blood freezes solid.
Pietr waves.
""Heard someone new took you down fighting today.""
Nods.
""If you bump into them again, send 'em my way. Love to face off with someone who can drop /you.""
Shrugs, 'sure'.
""Later!""
Footsteps stroll away.
Pietr turns, grins, thumbs up.
Squeak, "Why'd you do that?"
Fumbles out the mobile.
- 2 big bros 2 -
Understanding smile.
"And you didn't want to deal with his shit just now, ay?" snarks Hansen.
Pietr sighs and nods.
=== 1200 — Lunch; cafeteria ===
Perch across the table from Pietr, next to Hansen.
He glowers.
Swallow, scoot over a bit.
"I, um, got your post. I-I hope, uh, that's okay?" Fumble in the satchel for the mail. "There wasn't anything for you, Cadet Hansen—"
He scoffs.
"—but these're for you, Pietr." Offer the packages.
Grins, snaps 'em up.
Tears into the Panama packet first.
Lights up like a Christmas tree.
Hansen perks up. "Whad'ya get?" he asks, leaning over to see.
Pietr flashes a sealed plastic envelope of ... coffee beans?
Hansen rolls his eyes. "/Seriously? Someone sent you coffee from across the ocean."
"Th-the shipping cost must be huge!"
Pietr grins, says something. >It's the best coffee in the world and the twins can afford it.<
Hansen snorts. "It better be! At that price it's like drinking gold!"
Pietr puts on an affronted look. More signs. >Even /you'll be able to taste the difference.<
Hansen sniffs. "Like I'd even wanna drink that tar you do."
Pietr sticks out his tongue, turns his attention to the other package.
Lights up again when a stack of photographs fall out.
"Those from home?"
Pietr keeps flipping through the pictures.
Hansen grabs a handful of 'em.
Pietr hisses—
Startle, but of course he can make sounds, dummy, he's got lungs.
—snatches 'em back.
"Oi! I just wanna see!"
.::Wait!::
Blink.
I understood that!
I think.
More signing. >Let me finish or at least ask first. You have manners.<
Hansen crosses his arms, frowns.
Pietr finishes, and then, very slowly, turns the first picture over and writes something on the back with a stubby pencil he finds in one of his pockets.
He glares at Hansen, slides it over to you.
Hansen scowls.
It's a pair of cute little blond kids chasing each other, laughing. On the back:
- Wil & Marieke (26/12/18, Koffiefontein) -
You catch Pietr's eye.
He smiles.
"Um ... Pietr? If it's okay, who're they?" Hold up the picture.
He takes the photo, adds something to the caption, passes it back.
- Nephew & niece -
Signs. >Nephew and niece.<
Repeats the signs.
Do your best to mimic.
Pietr beams.
Lunges across the table to hug you.
Hansen huffs.
=== 1400 — COMBAT TRAINING; Ranger gym ===
Legs stop working.
That's the back of Jack's head.
And /that's the back of Logan's.
They're here to watch your Cadets' afternoon workout.
Swallow.
Backpedal.
"Is—um, anything I—you want while you're b-busy?"
Pietr shakes his head, wades into the crowd toward the mats.
Hansen mumbles something.
"P-par-pardon, s-sir, Cadet Hansen? I—sorry, I c-couldn't—"
"I /said you can walk Max for me," he growls. "He didn't get his usual this morning 'cause I had to meet you before class."
Flinch. "Oh—uh—'m sorry, sir. I-I'll do that."
Hansen sniffs, spins on his heel.
Turn and /run for the Hansen quarters.
=== 1420 — Ad hoc task: Walk Cadet Hansen's dog ===
Ring the bell.
Nothing.
Ring again.
Ranger (Hercules) Hansen opens the door.
Blinks a couple of times.
"Yea?"
"I'm, uh, Cadet Hansen's Squire. He asked me to walk Max—uh, his dog—while he's working out, sir."
"Did he now."
Go tiny. Squeak, "Yes, sir."
Ranger Hansen sighs, steps aside. "'spose that's alright. C'min."
Step through, try not to check the place out.
"We keep the leash next to the door." Pulls it down, hands it to you. "C'mon, Max! Walk!"
There's a 'woof' from a distant room and then clicking claws.
The bulldog moseys over and sniffs your shoes.
Bend down, snap on the leash, rub his ears.
Max woffles.
"He likes you."
Flush.
Straighten. "How far—how long do you usually take him?"
"'bout twenty minutes. Pick a random path outside and he's happy."
Nod. "Thank you, sir. I'll be back with him soon."
He rubs the back of his neck. "Forgot to ask your name, Officer."
"Oh, I'm, uh, Derek Jones, sir."
"Good to meet you, Jones."
"Same, sir."
Head for the 'Dome exit, Max whuffing along at your heels.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Skeleton Key
Category:Derek
Category:Derek's POV
Category:Derek (ficlet)
Category:Jackson (mention)
Category:Sydney Shatterdome (setting)
Category:Chantell
Category:Chantell (ficlet)
Category:Chuck D (mention)
Category:Campbell (mention)
Category:Nguyen (mention)
Category:Pietr
Category:Pietr (ficlet)
Category:Pietr and coffee have a relationship
Category:Chuck H
Category:Chuck H (ficlet)
Category:Derek has an anxiety disorder
Category:Ata
Category:Ata (ficlet)
Category:Ata and mud are buddies
Category:Max
Category:Max (ficlet)
Category:Logan
Category:Logan (ficlet)
Category:Wil (mention)
Category:Marieke (mention)
Category:Herc
Category:Herc (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Derek's First Day arc
Category:Rama
Category:Rama (ficlet)