Flux

Date/Timing: 31 December 2024 (Herc's just finished de-armouring after Mutavore)
Setting: Drivesuit suite, Sydney Shatterdome; Vaucluse, AUS
Note: Possible replacement for "So It Began" (see below)
.
Herc shuffles from the shower to the whirlpool tub—his back isn't aching, he just doesn't fancy slipping on wet concrete—eases himself into the water.
Max barks in the changing room.
""I'll do it myself!"" snaps Chuck.
Herc closes his eyes, lets his head roll back.
Time passes; the ache lets up a bit.
Chief D'arcy calls from the doorway, ""You're mobile's sounding off. Want it?""
"Sure." Extends a hand.
Footsteps approach, mobile's pressed against palm, footsteps retreat.
Herc thumbs the thing awake and checks his messages.
The_Stacks: Good job out there today.
H_Hansen: Glad we were in the right place
H_Hansen: Thing'd picked a different town ...
The_Stacks: You would've tracked it down and killed it anyway.
Shakes his head.
H_Hansen: How goes your hunt?
The_Stacks: Found Becket.
Sucks air through his teeth.
H_Hansen: How is he?
The_Stacks: Raw, but whole.
Exhales shakily.
H_Hansen: Can he do the job?
The_Stacks: I have contingencies.
Sighs fondly.
H_Hansen: Course you do
Taps his fingers against the mobile's sides.
H_Hansen: Should I expect Logan?
The_Stacks: He's not Plan B.
Drums his fingers a bit.
H_Hansen: Which plan is you and me in Striker?
The_Stacks: That would be Plan M.
Snorts.
AGNIS: That's Plan 'M' for 'Marshals'.
Face-palms.
H_Hansen: Only acting and only today
AGNIS: Such a lack of ambition is unbecoming.
H_Hansen: You on your way back?
The_Stacks: Not yet.
The_Stacks: Waiting for the weather to lift so the plane can take off.
The_Stacks: [PAname]'s off getting Becket fed.
The_Stacks: When do you leave?
H_Hansen: Within the hour.
H_Hansen: Striker's already on the relay to HK
The_Stacks: Good.
Deep breath.
H_Hansen: It'll be good to see you again
The_Stacks: Same.
Water swirls.
The_Stacks: You realize we're not the army any more.
Furrows his brow.
/Oh.
Swallows.
H_Hansen: We'll talk about logistics when I get there?
The_Stacks: Yes.
The_Stacks: You'll have your pick of quarters.
H_Hansen: That empty already?
The_Stacks: Too empty.
Rubs his neck.
The_Stacks: We've got a window.
The_Stacks: See you in Hong Kong.
H_Hansen: I'll be ready
The_Stacks: Good.
H_Hansen: Til then.
Herc smiles faintly, sets his mobile on the pool's motor housing, oozes deeper in the water, and closes his eyes.
.
=== So It Began ===
31 December 2024
just_herc: @ HKT 08:45: You find Gipsy's puppy yet? 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 08:55: Yes and she insists her pilot is a cat. She's gotten Coyote to side with her. 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 08:56: It's... been a long day. I miss Mako already. 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 08:57: Does that make me overprotective? Or do I just seem old? 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:00: No mate, just worried. I do it with Strike an' Chuck all the time. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:01: You're not old, mate. How's the cat then? 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:02: Feels like it. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:02: You're not even 50 yet. So? 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:03: sigh. He's fine if a bit hurt. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:04: Mate, he's been hurtin' long before that. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:04: Give him some space. Stuck in Icebox? 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:05: He won't even go near it. 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:06: We're in a hotel. It's late over here. 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:06: I miss your jokes. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:06: Miss your presence. Strike's chafing without it. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:07: Zher wants to cuddle with Chuck. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:07: I hate saying no but there's too many techs. 
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:08: Have to sleep.
shelf_pentecost: @ HKT 09:09: Birthday celebration when I get back? 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:10: Yeah sure. Night. 
just_herc: @ HKT 09:11: Hooroo.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Pasta
Category:Herc
Category:Herc's POV
Category:Stacker
Category:Stacker (ficlet)
Category:Chuck H (mention)
Category:Max (mention)
Category:Raleigh (mention)
Category:Team Hot Dads
Category:Logan (mention)
Category:Conversations via SMS
Category:D'Arcy
Category:D'arcy (ficlet)
Category:Sydney Shatterdome (setting)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:AGNIS
Category:AGNIS (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets in need of timeline help