Skeleton Key scraps

Scraps tied to "Skeleton Key" and Pietr as opposed to, say, "Sydney Shatterdome scraps" which may take place in the same intervals but aren't related. 
>Note to ALC: add links to completed/expanded ficlets<
==Wakeup Call cut==
Puuu-rrrringggg puu-rrrringggg puu-rrrringggg 
"Oi! Old man!"
Silence.
Right. Patrol.
Chuck explodes out of bed, sending Max scrabbling to the floor, and dives for the vid-con.
Connecting. 
Tap tap tap 
Connecting ... 
Tap tap tap 
Connected! 
"Mako!"
"Good mor—"
"I found 'im!"
"Found whom?"
"My copilot! For Striker!"
Silence.
"Say somethin', Mako. Don't leave me hangin' here."
"That's ... wonderful for you, Chuck."
"Yeah! I'm over the fuckin' moon! Took long enough!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! 
He glances over his shoulder—"'Bye!"—and hangs up. 
==Go, Team DriftSci!==
Please see "Go, Team DriftSci! scraps" 
==Skeleton Key II==
===Merge of "Bet", et c===
[Pietr drags Chuck from the fight, Chuck can't talk, Pietr worries, Chuck dismisses. Pietr asks if they should tell someone, Chuck's like, if it doesn't get better on its own]
Pietr soaks a clean cotton ball with antiseptic and aims for a scraped fight elbow.
Chuck, perches on the toilet, leans away.
Gets a hold of the arm, swipes again.
Chuck hisses, winces.
Dabs another cut.
Chuck grumbles, ::Is weird. Not hearing.::
Shrugs, fans out a box of bandages and offers them.
::Don't care.::
Frowns thoughtfully, sets them aside, smooths down an /Echo Saber, then sits back on his heels.
::Thanks.::
Shakes head. ::Need a team nurse.::
Chuck says—frowns. ::Mobile?::
Bats his eyelashes.
Chuck rolls his eyes. ::Please?::
Hands it over.
- Cant help half teh base hasit in for me! -
::Ever wonder why?::
- Jealous -
Pietr looks skeptical, points to the hand-shaped bruise above Chuck's patched elbow.
- He's an asshole -
Rolls his eyes, 'takes one to know one'.
Chuck snarls—grinds his teeth.
::You wanted Kirra to cry.::
Chuck scowls.
- Her fault -
Pietr frowns. ::No, it wasn't.::
Chuck glares.
::They're only clothes.::
- Their more! -
- OUR team colours! -
Raises an eyebrow, 'so?'
"/So, only—" Heeeey, voice is back. Sets mobile on the counter, clears his throat. "/So, only our team can wear 'em."
Pietr rolls his eyes. ::We're all on the same team.::
"You don't get it! When you're a Ranger, your team is /everything!"
::If your dad gave them to her, doesn't that mean something?::
Chuck crosses his arms, looks away.
Pietr stifles a sigh—brigtens! Taps Chuck's knee.
Chuck drags his attention back.
::When'd you get the tattoo?:: Touches Chuck's forearm.
Chuck's ears flame.
::Is that why you always wear sleeves?:: Tilts his head. ::You're embarrassed?::
Chuck grumps.
Pietr smirks. ::Or are you always cold like Older Jones?::
Chuck glowers.
Smirks harder. ::Thought so.::
"No, you ass—" Dodges a poke. "—jerk. Just don't like it anymore."
::Why not?::
"Just don't."
Tilts his head, ponders.
Chuck huffs. "What?"
::Old Jaeger logo?::
Chuck turns a funny colour.
Raises an eyebrow.
::It's a little cute?::
"It's /not cute, it's /fierce!"
Snickers.
::About as fierce as Max.::
Chuck grits his teeth, lunges—
Pietr spins away—snagging his mobile—
- Bet u cant go week w/o a fight -
Chuck's eyes take on a calculating light. "What d'ye bet?"
Pietr tucks his mobile away. ::Dinner at your favourite place.::
Chuck rolls his eyes. "Do you think of /anything besides food?"
Beams. ::Wife and kids.::
Chuck beams.
Pietr snickers and pokes his forehead.
Chuck blinks, shakes his head to clear it. "Oh. Right."
::What do I get?::
"Uh ... fancy coffee with breakfast for a week."
::You're confident.::
"Yea. That a problem?"
Pietr waves, 'not at all,' grins. ::It's on then: seven days, no fights, starting now.:: Offers his hand.
Chuck shakes. 
Pietr chews his lip.
"Having second thoughts?"
Scoffs. 
::Are you???::
Chuck puffs. "Of course not. Why would you even think that?" 
::Ooooh, I don't know, you're young, not all that strong yet ....:: Pietr shrugs helpless. 
"Oh, it's /on."
Pietr flies from the washroom.
Chuck's hot on his heels, yelling and not caring Pietr can't hear him, it's /great to hear his voice bouncing off the walls.
Someone jumps out of Pietr's way, flattens themselves against the [wall, presses even flatter as Chuck passes--
"Watch it, ye kooks!" Ata yells after them. 
>scene(s), transistion<
[Logan hauls his] frustrated ass to the suite. Shtumps inside, drops himself on the sofa, lets his head fall back.
There's gotta be /something that'll piss Vos off—
Snickers.
—not that /another shot at Shortstack isn't always welcome, 'course—
Suite door opens.
Lifts his head.
Nate, in a housecoat, smiles warmly, closes the door, strolls over.
Slouches into the cushions.
"Good evening, Ranger," she says, settling on the arm of the couch. 
Grunts.
"Having a pleasant—"
"Jack's in his room."
Nate pouts. "You are a /most frustrating individual."
"Good."
She glides to her feet, inclines her head. "Sweet dreams tonight, Ranger."
Logan waves his fingers, grabs the remote.
Nate heads for Jack's room.
Logan grumps.
""Evening, stranger.""
An impression of fingers and /tongues.
Logan scrubs a hand down his face, tosses the remote off somewhere.
His Andrea brain coughs up rainbows and—
He shudders, heaves himself to his feet, hollers, ""I'm going out!""
Nate returns Jones' smile, strolling into his room. "Sounds like we have the place to ourselves tonight.
He checks he's decent. 
Really, Spock?
Nate sits on his bed, tucks herself against him. "Anything good?" Nuzzles his neck. 
"Trying to read—"
Nate nips at his throat.
—throws his book off somewhere. "I like your idea better," he says, twisting about and wrapping an arm around her waist. 
"Thought you would—"
Jones settles her underneath him. 
Her robe falls open, exposing finely spun ivory lace.
Jones swallows, eyes gone huge and dark.
You are /such an easy man to please.
Nate smugs, drapes her arms around his neck and shifts her hips, kissing him and there're teeth and tongues and her fingers scratching his nape. 
He whimpers, arms quivering, putty under her hand, and before long, she's carding his hair, chemise bunched up around her waist, with him nestled against her side, rolling the hem between his fingers. "'s new?"
"Mmhmm. An acquisition for GIRLs' night." 
Spock nods absently—"Why did you need a negligee for GIRLs' night?" 
"The fashion show, silly." Rolls them over, murmurs, "You're not the only one who appreciates lace."
==Skeleton Key IV==
===Practice===
>ALC plumped up the last line with what she thinks is the rest of the related meta from the email "Pair and a Spare"<
The sweet serenade of only two (or four) people arguing. 
If we're talking about Team Vulcan and Team Striker (minus Squires) arguing, that would be the sound of three people arguing. Unless Pietr rolls his eyes especially loud. XD
Actually, three people arguing and Pietr occasionally glancing over the top of his 'Fatherhood for Dummies' book to see if they're done yet or if he needs to step in to prevent serious injury.
Whoops, you're right. For some reason, the Hansen family (and Chuck) Argument February 2018 sprang to mind. I guess Team Vulcan, Team Striker, and Team Lucky (maybe) would be 5 people yelling and one person enjoying coffee (and reading 'Fatherhood for Dummies'). 
And where would Derek be while all the arguing is going on?
I get the feeling Derek, being the smaller, younger brother of two jocks, probably makes like a tree when the yelling starts. 
Now I'm picturing him reading something technical, sipping something fizzy and stereotypically Australian, sitting next to Pietr waiting for the storm to blow over.
This is a rather entertaining image. Now to find out what that drink is.
In the background, Derek’s there balancing his tablet on his knees practicing sign. At one point it slips, there’s flailing and panic.
===Insurance===
“Umm … Pietr? Need yer signature on this.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“’s yer new life insurance.”
Eyebrow climbs higher.
“Rangers—and, uh, Cadets—’re insured fer more- there’s a bigger payout if ye- if somethin’ goes wrong. ‘n there’s a lifetime benefit fer any kids.”
Flicks his eyes to Hansen. -Any others?-
“I dunno … Cadet Hansen’s th’ only—”
“Marshal Pentecost adopted one.”
Repeat fer Pietr.
He nods. Picks up th’ tablet ‘n starts readin’ th’ policy.
“Git his attention,” orders Hansen.
Tap Pietr’s arm.
Point t’ Hansen when he looks up.
“Ye want kids?”
Signs.
Huffs. “Haven’t thought ‘bout it yet.” Remembers yer in th’ room. “What ‘bout ye, Jones? Ye want kids someday?”
“I wo—if I meet th’ right partner—maybe?”
Pietr smiles encouragingly. Signs. Thumbs up.
“He says ye’ll make a great dad.”
Go scarlet.
“Why’d ye think that?”
Shrugs ‘jest do.’ Smiles. Goes back t’ readin’ th’ policy.
===Fair===
"Hey! Watchit!" Chuck pulls the towel from his face. "Where'd you learn t'fight anyway?" 
Pietr drops to the mat. -School-
"Wrestling team?"
-Bullies-
"Because yer deaf."
Pietr nods. -Easy target-
Chuck snorts. "'Til you learned t'fight back."
Pietr smirks. -Growing tall helps-
"I'm still growin'!"
Pietr rolls his eyes 'I know.' -Maarten & I = tallest-
"Yer not /that tall."
-Short town-
Chuck snorts again, fluffs his hair. "They really came after ye because yer ..."
-Deaf & stupid-
Chuck blinks. "What? Yer not--"
-Failing grades-
"You were at a special school, yea?"
Pietr shakes his head. -Town school. No tuition-
"So who taught you sign?"
-Mum-
"None a'yer teachers."
Another head shake.
"You only had what was in th'book. And what teachers said when they looked at you."
Pietr nods.
"Same at the Academy?"
Pietr nods again.
"No /wonder your grades were crap."
Pietr shrugs.
"They shoulda helped you."
Pietr quirks an eyebrow.
"Because ... because yer not stupid. Because it wasn't fair t'ask you to learn like th'other kids."
-Fair to others?-
"But ..."
-No breaks @ work. Why school?-
"But if yer grades had been better, I wouldn't've had t' wait t' find ye."
-Unfair to you-
"Ye— And you! Y'might already be a pilot!"
-Didn't join to pilot-
"But doesn't—"
-Mechanic or tech- He smiles. -Lucky? I fight well- He grins. -Lucky? you noticed me-
===Shared Quarters===
"Ranger, it's PPDC policy for co-pilots to share quarters, but ... youngest Ranger Hansen's age ... complicates things a bit," Nguyen sighs.
Pietr nods 'obviously.'
"The best solution we can come up with is to give you and all three Rangers Hansen a four-man shared suite; you and Chuck on one side, Scott and Herc on the other, sharing a kitchenette and 'entertaining' space."
.
Flip the lights.
Scan the space.
See another private Shatterdome bedroom.
Bed, wardrobe, desk, door. Whee.
Pictures first: Griet on the wall next to the bed, family and friends scattered about.
Clothes (all standard issue) into the wardrobe.
Coffee stash into a drawer with the rest of the pictures and the Pokemon cards.
Tablet on the desk, along with the Ranger training manuals.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, razor, shampoo, soap in the bathroom.
Percolator in the shared kitchenette.
Dust off hands.
Home sweet new home.
===Trouble===
"Ever tell ye 'bout th' first time we met th' Jones brothers?"
Shake head.
"Logan threw out a stupid insult 'n shoved Scott. In front'a th' press." Herc shakes his head. "All'a us wound up in Medical."
-Then Marshal's office?-
Herc snorts, nods. "Jackson 'n I barely kept Scott 'n Logan from stranglin' each other. Think th' Marshal wanted t' strangle 'em both."
===Brother Work===
As he leaves for home, Pietr corners Jackson and asks him to keep an eye on Chuckles (calling him by that name) while he's gone. Jackson's all 'why me' and Pietr's all, ::'cuz you're another older brother, you know what to do'::. Jackson agrees on the condition Pietr teaches him how to break arm locks. Pietr makes a show of considering the offer before shaking on it.
==Home Leave==
===Round Trip===
Chuck clings all the way to the security checkpoint.
::It’s only two weeks, little brother. I’ll be back before you notice.::
Chuck huffs, steps back.
Pietr chuckles, hugs him, heads for the checkpoint, waving.
Herc smiles faintly.
Chuck scowls.
His dog tags come off before the metal detectors, zipped into a pocket of his duffel.
Just another guy now, for the first time in much too long.
Unusually, Pietr manages to stay awake for the first hour of the flight, intermittantly working on the working on the crossword puzzles he’s caught from Chuck. Then the engine vibration works its magic on him and he dozes.
===Home Leave===
(Travel, leave Sydney 09:50 AEDT; arrive Bloemfontein 19:35 SAST; about 2.25 driving to Koffiefontein)
Pietr flies down the jetway and squeezes the breath out of the first person he sees at the gate.
Griet embraces him with all the strength in her arms. She hums against his chest.
He feels her breath through his shirt and buries his face in her hair.
Something strikes the heel of Pietr's boot.
He releases Griet and whirls.
Maarten grins at him with opened arms.
Pietr rolls his eyes and hugs his brother.
::You're late,:: Griet signs below her almost manic grin.
::Fought wind the whole way.::
::We shouldn't keep family waiting,:: Maarten interjects.
Griet nods and Pietr sighs.
They cram into Maarten's truck.
Before they clear the limits of Bloemfontein, Pietr sleeps, head pillowed on Griet's shoulder, hand clasping hers.
“‘Bout time we got him back.”
Griet smiles. She kisses the top of Pietr’s head.
He snuggles closer.
Pietr staggers to the bedroom and flops onto the mattress.
Griet sighs, thankful she had thought to turn down the blankets before leaving for Bloemfontein. She eases herself next to Pietr and guides his head into her lap. She runs her fingers through his close-cropped hair, gently massaging his scalp as she moves.
Pietr hums and she feels the last tension drain from his muscles.
"It's wonderful to have you back, liefie."
Griet has managed to get all of the days off. They visit the river for swimming and lounging. Visit family. Home repairs. Pietr helps his father around the house and with a couple of mechanic jobs. Plays hometown hero for the extended clan. Lots of casual contact, just soaking in each other's presence. And, of course, a fair amount of sex.
::I miss your curls.::
::They'll grow back. They kept getting caught in the headgear.::
===Reunited===
The plane taxis to a halt and Pietr has duffel in hand, ready to sprint as best he can, bouncing in place, attracting annoyed looks.
Doesn’t notice, doesn’t care.
He /so close.
Doors open, file out politely, hits the jetway, and shuffles as fast he can.
There!
He’s got his arms around her and swings her about, feels her laugh.
His heart flutters in answer.
“Let’s get y’ lovebirds home,” he grins
Pietr and Griet nod enthusiastically, perfectly synced.
Maarten laughs and leads the way to his truck.
“How long before they come out for food and water, y’ think?”
“A while. A good long while.”
===Holiday===
::Shouldn't you be in school?::
"It's a holiday!"
::What holiday?::
"Cousin Pietr's Home Day!"
Pietr rolls his eyes.
"So which of the pilots have you met?"
::The Russians, the Finns, the Koreans, all of the Australians .... ::
"Have you seen the Jaegers up close?"
::Not /too close. They haven't let me in the hangars yet.::
"Is it true you're gonna be a pilot?"
::I've started training.::
Awed whispers and looks.
"Which Jaeger? Which Jaeger?"
::The new one they're building in Australia.::
"What's your co-pilot like?"
::He's not much older than you.::
"/Really?"
::Yep.::
"So I could be a pilot someday?"
::Hopefully we won't need Jaegers by the time you're ready.::
Grumbles.
Pietr digs in his pocket and turns off his phone's alarm. ::I have to get going.::
"Awww ... "
::I'll be around for another week to tell more stories.:: He grins and waves.
::They should send you on a goodwill tour. Or at least a recruiting drive. You're magic with kids.::
::I don't want kids joining up. Seeing what it's done to Chuck is enough. This war is no place for kids.::
::Is any war?::
Pietr shrugs. ::Maybe sometimes there's no choice.::
===Family Meeting===
"What do you make of this Jaeger pilot thing Piet's gotten himself into?"
"I'm worried it could get him hurt."
"We all are."
"It's crazy to walk up to monsters and fight them."
"Piet's a tough guy, though. No one else in town can take the punishment he can and keep going."
"That's what worries me. He doesn't know when to back down. I could pass a nurse's exam after all time the times I've had to patch him up."
"Probably exactly what the army needs in a monster fighter."
"Yea."
"Don't think those things understand surrender."
"I wish it could be someone else. I don't want to lose him."
"The Kaiju haven't killed any pilots yet."
"And this new Jaeger they're building? The one they're supposed to give him? It's gonna be something."
"Yea, fastest Jaeger in the world. So fast they don't think the monsters will be able to touch it."
"Piet strikes like a viper when he has room. Should be a perfect match."
"Missiles, too. They shouldn't even have to get close."
"I looked up this co-pilot of his. He's a kid, but top marks for everything."
"These are monsters, Maarten. Not school bullies."
"Griet, he held his own against those giant Russians we see on the news all the time."
"He apparently kicked the ass of every pilot in Sydney, too. That's what got him the job."
"Do you think he'll be able to make it work? The way he is?"
"They gave him the job knowing, so it won't make a good excuse for firing him."
"Maybe it'll be too hard to make the robot adapt to him. Maybe send him back to the Academy to teach like they said they would."
"It sounds like you want him to get fired."
"I hope they find someone to replace him, is all."
"Honestly? So do I. I'd rather he was home and helping me with the miners."
"You know he'd be useless. He can't stop making faces."
"Yep. Too bad, that. Still, he's a great mechanic."
"If he wants to stay around the Jaegers, maybe he can work on this new one."
"Yea, he'd be safe and he can keep his Australian friends."
"Still want him home."
"Two more years on his contract. We have to wait it out and hope for the best."
"Has anyone else looked into this 'Drifting' thing pilots do?"
"No."
"It went straight over my head."
"It sounds kinda like science fiction to me."
"Carsten, we live in a world with sea monsters and giant robots."
"Still sounds like science fiction."
"Well, the basic idea seems to be the pilots make themselves psychic."
"Psychic?"
"They share memories, Val."
"What does that mean?"
"A machine makes a temporary connection between their minds so they can move together. Part of it gives them some of their partners' memories. It's supposed to make them fight better."
"Piet will lose part of his memory?"
"No, he'll just gain some of his co-pilot's memories and the kid will have some of his."
===To Bed===
Pietr trails kisses from Griet's ear to her collarbone.
She tilts her head back and presses closer. She wraps a hand around the back of Pietr's neck and guides him toward the bedroom.
Pietr wakes, tangled in soft sheets and Griet's hair.
He grins.
Home.
He inhales deeply, smelling summer air and gentle laundry soap and Griet. He buries his nose in her hair.
She shifts more deeply into her pillow.
He snuggles closer.
Breakfast can wait.
Griet wraps a leg around Pietr's hip as he presses against her. She nips at his earlobe and 
pants into the crook of his neck. She buries her fingers in his hair and bares her throat for his lips and teeth. 
Groceries
Wave to clerks.
They smile and wave back.
Produce - ask if the fam still has the garden on the spot where some old house burned down
Bakery - flour starting to get expensive
Canned goods
Coffee - complaining that the local stuff is not as good as the Panamanian he used to ship home
Tea - good stuff coming from friends in Nagasaki
Cereal - cornered by townsfolk
Household supplies - they use the laundromat for that.
Snacks/Candy/Soda - tackled by kids
Frozen
Dairy
Meat
Alcohol
Ice
Water
Checkout
Drafting the herd of cousins/neighborhood kids to carry the supplies home
===Gainfully Employed===
::I have to work today.::
::I know. It's a crime.::
::There's barely enough of us to do the work and Nkosi is sick today. First time in three years.::
Pietr pouts. ::Haven't seen you in a year.::
::It's just for the morning, liefie, and--::
::And we need the job. I understand. I'll walk you there.::
Hand in hand.
He materializes in Maarten's carport.
::Hey, little brother! That wife of yours leave you on your own?::
Pietr nods. ::Work.::
::You'd think the old man would be nicer. He was in the army once.::
Pietr shrugs. ::Army kept me away a year.::
Maarten snorts. ::We should go to the cafe. The town will want to worship the returning hero.::
Pietr rolls his eyes.
::Most of us have rarely been to Cape Town or seen the ocean. You've been all over /and you've been hanging out with some of the biggest heroes in the world. They'll want stories.::
::And to pick fights.::
::Which you'll win.::
Pietr sighs. ::You up for translating?::
Maarten cracks his knuckles and gestures 'lead the way.'
===Grandbabies===
::We’re proud of you, son. You’re going to be a hero.::
::If things work out. I may not pass all the tests.::
::You’ll do fine.::
::I only meant to be a mechanic.::
::But you’ve got a gift.::
Pietr grimaces. ::Fighting’s not a gift. It’s practice.::
::You’ll have to bring him for a visit.::
::I’ll try and convince him to take leave. He’s obsessed with this job.::
::Needs to relax sometime.::
Pietr nods.
::Do your best. I want to meet him. I always wanted another baby. Couldn’t afford it. When--" Pietr rolls his eyes "--are you and Griet going to give your mother and I grandbabies?::
::Not for a while, Pappa. It’s not right for me to be away and leave a baby and Griet alone.::
::Two more years on your contract.::
::Yep.::
::Then grandbabies.::
::Probably.:: Pietr shrugs. ::If we can afford it.::
::We’ll help you. Everyone will.::
::I know. But I still want to support my family on my own. That’s why I left. That’s the only reason I left.::
::I know, Piet. I know.::
::The brain doctor thinks I have a gift beside fighting.::
Val quirks an eyebrow.
::Most pilots only match with one or two others. She thinks I match with everyone.::
::What happens if pilots don’t match?::
::They lose control. Their brains get damaged sometimes, too.:: Pietr shudders. ::I met a girl who had a stroke because of a bad match.::
::You still want to do this?::
::Little brother and I match just fine. We’ve connected dozens of times with no trouble.::
::Have a moment to help your father with a job?::
Pietr nods and hops down from the ladder.
They set off, Pietr walking backwards.
::Coetzee says his truck stopped halfway to Ditlhake. Again.::
::Ping-pong ball.::
::Probably.::
::Ex-wife’s revenge.::
::Probably.::
::At least she didn’t use sugar like the last one.::
::What a mess. Couldn’t look at cookies for a week.::
::/There’s the truck. I’ll crawl under and get started. You talk to Coetzee.::
Valentijn nods and strolls on.
===Boarding===
::I love you.::
::I love you. I won't be away so long this time.:: A lingering kiss.
Griet shoves him. ::Get moving or you'll miss your plane.::
Pietr nods and walks backward up the jetway, waving.
==Skeleton Key V==
(Make sure this is synced with the Complete Reading List)
===Drivesuit===
====Custom====
Pietr definitely has a /Striker Drivesuit that's custom-built for him. But I'm thinking it probably went into storage when he was replaced as a pilot. Unless Lightcap insists that he needs it as part of his guinea pig duties. Definitely gets shipped with him to first piloting gig, although he has to do the first patrol without it. (His luggage gets misplaced on the flight.)
====Fitting====
Campbell taps his chin. “This’s gonna be fun. You're—” he points to Pietr “—too tall fer the /Triton team’s stuff ‘n too short for the Hansens’. And /you're—” points to Chuck “—too short fer /ev’rybody’s ‘cept Davies’ ‘n then yer too tall.” He shakes his head. “We’re gonna have t’ cust’mize /ev’rythin’. Gonna hafta call th’ armorer fer yer Drivesuits. ‘Least we kin do th’ formal wear here.”
===Abandoned===
Chuck examines the pictures of Pietr, Griet, and the little white house. His eyes widen.
That's their house. Pietr's house. Pietr's home. He has a /home.
And he /left it. How could he /do that?
"How could you leave your home? Your family? You /abandoned them!"
-/DID NOT-
"Yes, you did! They're still in Africa!"
-/DID NOT. No work = no money = hungry, no medicine- Pietr taps his ear. -Deaf = no work- His eyes well. -Had to leave. Miss them. Want to go back.-
Chuck glares, then slams his hands against the table and stomps out.
Pietr watches him go, then drops his head onto his arms.
===What Baby===
::What was that about?:: asks Chuck, poking his upper half through the door to Pietr's room.
::Baby.::
::What baby?::
::My baby.:: Flaily gesture. ::My wife and my baby.::
::Your wife's having a baby?::
Pietr beams.
::A /baby? You?::
Beams brighter.
::How did that happen?::
Pietr blinks. ::Your dad hasn't explained?::
Chuck rolls his eyes. ::Of course he has, but I thought you were waiting until you went home for good.::
Shrugs. ::Change of plans.::
"Uh ..." Chuck makes a face. "Congratulations?"
Frowns. ::Not sure about that?::
::Don't know how to sign it.::
::Oh. Congratulations.::
::Congratulations.::
::Thanks!:: Jumps up and hugs Chuck. ::You'll be an uncle!::
===Snarking===
"Did I say something amusing, Rangers?"
Pietr shakes his head after applying puppy-dog eyes.
"No, sir."
"Good. Now, as I was saying …"
===Perfect===
(Chuck makes mistakes and gets them killed in the sims a couple of times, beats the crap out of himself mentally, afterward)
::Chuck, we made a mistake. We learned from it. We won't make it again. It's what sims are for.::
"I fucked up! I got us killed! I can't do that! I have to be better than that!"
===Helen Keller===
"How're you and Helen Keller gettin' along?"
"His name's 'Vos,' asshole."
"And mine's 'Jones,' Short Stack."
"You wanna go, Logan?"
"Bring it."
~
"Hey, Helen! Aren't ya gonna help your little pet?"
::Just did.::
"Wha—"
Logan's on his back with a grinning Chuck kneeling on his shoulders, arm drawn back to punch the older Ranger in the jaw.
===Own Game===
(aka "TagTeam": A sim team drop with the Jones brothers.)
“Right. Time to switch.”
“Think they’ll be better Kaiju than Rangers?” asks Jackson.
“Hard t’ be worse,” shrugs Logan.
Chuck charges.
“Save yer energy, Junior,” says the tech as Pietr pulls Chuck toward the sim.
::I’ve gotta plan,:: signs Chuck.
::Which do one you want?::
Chuck taps the screen.
::What’s the plan?::
::Play their game.::
Pietr raises an eyebrow. ::You sure about that? They don’t get tired.::</nowiki>
=TWO MINUTES
::Neither do you.:: Chuck grins. ::I’ll try to keep up.:: He cracks his oversized, armored knuckles.
::You really want to do that?:: Pietr flexes clawed midlegs.
::It’ll be worth it for the look on their faces.::
Pietr grins, nods.
.
“That was quick.”
“Figures,” Logan snorts.
“Wanted to get started before you died of old age!”
“Name?” asks the tech.
[i sorta want it to be a pokemon name; just so the Joneses can mock it and Chuck can mumble it in embarrassment. suggestions?]
/Simulation loading …
“How d'you think they’ll play this?”
“Probably try to beat us like we got them. Chuckles’ll wanna show off how smart he is.” Jackson flexes his hands in the gauntlets.
Logan nods, braces for the drop.
“LOCCENT, /Vulcan Specter on the ground. Tracking's on.”
“Copy. Happy hunting, boys.”
Logan snorts.
/Proximity alarm
“Yer side!”
Impact has /Vulcan sliding along the pavement until she gets her heels dug in.
She punches first, catching [kaiju] in the temple.
It shakes it head, roars, swings with powerful forelimbs—
/Vulcan blocks, throws her own uppercut, staggers the monster—
Whose next blow catches Jackson’s side of the Conn-pod, denting its armor.
.
“Is it me or are they throwing more and more leftie punches?”
“It's not you answers Logan. “Which’ve them's the southpaw?"
“One guess.”
.
"Don't /believe this. How're they still standin'?!"
"Even the old men at their best couldn't do this!"
.
The Kaiju finally slumps, lies still.
"You got it, boys. C'mon back."
.
Logan bursts into the control room. “The fuck, Vos?! I /know that was ye! No /way Shortstack lasts that long!”
“Oi!” gasps Chuck.
Jackson rolls his eyes.
Pietr pats Chuck’s head.
Chuck swats at him, misses.
“Seriously, mate. How’d you do that? No one since the Curtains’ve taken us that far,” asks Jackson.
“He was a Fightmaster, ay? Thass twelve hours of sparrin’ a day, every day for two years.”
Pietr nods, grins.
Jackson facepalms. “How’d I forget /that?”
“How come more of you aren't Rangers?”
“Shou’ be happy, Logan. More like ‘im and you migh’ not have a Jaeger,” Chuck snarks.
Logan growls.
“Want another go?” asks the tech.
Two voices, one head: “Fuck yea!”
One voice: “Fuck no!”
.
::Was it worth it?::
::Hell yea. But ‘m /never doing it again.::
Pietr grins, passes him a glass of water and an aspirin.
===Advice===
"Vos?" Jackson waves.
Pietr glances up from his DS, smiles.
Jackson rubs the back of his neck, looks around nervously. "Kin I ask a favor?"
Nods 'go ahead.'
"How y' broke that hold this mornin'. Kin y' show me?"
Pietr hops up and gestures for Jackson to lead the way.
===Underfoot===
>ALC doesn't know where this goes<
Someone knocks on the shell of /Striker’s incomplete foot.
Derek jumps, drops his tablet.
Pietr peeks through the door-sized gap in her heel, waves.
Derek waves back, retrieves his tablet.
::Can I join you?::
::Yes.::
==Baby!==
Please see "Welcome to the World, Anniek". 
==Anchorage Stint 1.0==
Please see "SK: Anchorage Stint 1.0"
==2019 April ==
===Metaphor===
Two minutes ago: OMG PIETR IS A YARN NEEDLE!!!!!
Thirty seconds ago: wait the software's the needles shit. 
.
Maybe Lightcap's attempt at explaining will suck so badly she comes up with the Knitting metaphor to replace it. 
Cue Kirra: Yea... it's a pretty crappy explanation. 
"You are a terrible lab monkey."
"I thought I got upgraded to intern!"
"Well I've just demoted you back to monkey." 
=== Backup Brats ===
[Tang Min and Chuck are talking about IDs]
"Did you ever get yours?" asks Chuck. 
"949.24-C," replies Tang Min. 
Chuck chokes on her tea. 
"My best friend hates it." 
"How the hell're you not in a Jaeger?"
"Never said I wasn't." 
"Right. You're Typhoon's Spare." 
"If you wanted the job you should've taken it." 
"Yea, 'cause I worked my ass off to play back up for a bunch of brats."
==2020==
===Tokyo===
January 2, 2020
Tokyo Shatterdome, Tokyo, Japan
"Welcome to Tokyo, Mister Vos. Stow your things and I'll escort you to the Kwoon. The Marshal wants you to oversee a training session beginning at fourteen-hundred."
Pietr nods. He drops his duffel on the mattress and gestures 'done.'
Marshal Souma stands in the observer's position.
Pietr bows politely.
Souma returns the gesture. "I am aware of your disability, Mister Vos, but I trust it will not affect the performance of your duties. I want to see your capabilities for myself since you came so highly recommended. We’re not testing your vaunted Compatibility today. Fight to win."
Pietr nods and steps to his corner, keeping one eye on the Marshal and the other on the collection of soldiers at the other end of the space, including all six Rangers on station. He sheds his boots, then tests the weight of the hanbo.
"A lefty, huh? Haven't fought one of your kind in a while." Vic Tunari strides onto the mat.
Pietr steps forward and bows. ::My kind?::
"Can't talk, either, huh?"
Pietr shrugs.
"Prob'ly why you got along so well with that little Aussie loudmouth."
Pietr's jaw tightens for the instant before he takes the offensive.
"Four points to two. Mister Vos."
.
"Four points to three. Ranger Kita." (Echo R)
"Sorry, Vos. Orders."
Pietr quirks an eyebrow.
Yukimura Keiko shakes her head and circles closer.
"Four points to one. Mister Vos."
Gunnar Tunari lazily twirls his hanbo. "You'll need to look somewhere else for a Jaeger. Ours are spoken for."
::Why would I want one of yours?::
"Four points to two. Mister Vos."
"Tired yet?" Kaori Jessop grins and swings immediately for Pietr's knees.
He grits his teeth as her hanbo connects.
"Four points to one. Mister Vos."
"Four points to two. Ranger Jessop." (Duc, Tacit R)
Pietr bows to the Marshal. He pulls on and ties his boots. Straight back to his quarters. He sheds his clothes on the walk across the small space and into the shower. He turns it up as hot as it will go and hisses as it runs over his sore muscles.
He checks his reflection in the mirror over the sink.
Bruises up and down his legs, across his shoulders, on his back.
He sighs.
He keys in his vid-con authorization code and a familiar number.
"Pietr. How's Tokyo?"
::Interesting.::
Herc raises an eyebrow.
::Why would the marshal order his Rangers to bruise me?::
"He /what?"
::I think he ordered the Rangers to beat me up. One of them implied it and I've got too many bruises to explain otherwise.::
Herc taps a finger against the desktop. Glances over his shoulder. "Souma, right?"
Pietr nods.
"Prob'ly wanted t'make sure ye knew yer place. He's big on folks not gettin' above 'emselves."
::He wanted to make sure I know I'm not a Ranger anymore.::
"More'n likely."
Pietr rolls his eyes. ::Calling me 'mister' every chance got the point across fine.::
Herc snorts. "He prob'ly expected someone more like Chuck."
::A beating wouldn't convince Chuck of anything.::
"Souma doesn't know that."
===Like Scott===
“What’s wrong with you that you lost your Jaeger, Vos? What’d you screw up? They kept Scott Hansen longer than they kept you.”
“This is an army, not a charity, so I have no idea what you were doing in a Conn-pod in the first place.”
Pietr stands perfectly still, jaw and fists clenched. If Chuck were here, these men would be bleeding on the deck.
He’s not Chuck.
===Knifehead===
::What do you think of what happened in Alaska?::
Pietr shrugs.
::What went wrong, Pietr?::
::They made a decision which turned out to be wrong.::
::Were they as bad as the press says?::</nowiki>
Pietr bristles. ::They were great pilots. Don’t deserve the mud.::
::That sounds like the company line.::
Pietr sneers. ::Command calls them ‘great’?::
::Sorry, sorry. You’re right.::
Pietr snorts.
::What went wrong, really?::
Pietr sighs. ::They made a couple mistakes and paid. They turned their back and didn’t wait for word the thing died before dropping their guard. It surprised them. They couldn’t recover fast enough.::
::That’s two Jaegers destroyed in three months.::
::So?::
::You’re still going out there?::
::If I’m ordered to.::
::Even with those odds?::
::Better than facing one in a jet. Or a tank.:: Pietr shrugs. ::No guarantee they’ll ever send me out, anyway.::
===Cursed===
"D'ya think Sydney's cursed?"
Pietr raises an eyebrow.
"The first two lost Jaegers came from there."
Pietr shakes his head. ::Think /I'm cursed. I leave Sydney for home; /Lucky wrecks. I leave Sydney for Anchorage; /Triton drowns. I leave Anchorage for Tokyo; /Gipsy falls. Any bets on who's next?::
"It had better not be you, Piet."
::I know. I still owe you for the house.::
"And yer my brother, idiot. I'd miss ya."
==2020 March==
Please see "To Russia with Haste". 
==2021==
Please see "SK: 2021". 
==2022==
Please see the "Glorious arc". 
===Medical Leave===
Left arm pinned to his side by a sling, Pietr picks his way down the jetway after landing in Bloemfontein. He carries no bag.
Maarten waits outside the gate and hugs him gently. “Welcome home, Pietr.”
Pietr nods and smiles, a little weakly.
“Long flight, huh?”
Pietr nods again.
“Let’s get you home, then. I know a couple of lovely ladies eager to see you again.”
They drive two hours in silence, Pietr napping with his head against the window as the truck rattles down the highway.
===HOMETOWN HERO===
Ashwin hears the distinctive rumble of Maarten Vos’ truck racing toward town on the highway from Bloemfontein.
“Little Vos is back!”
A tide of children pour from houses and yards and gather in front of #402.
“Welcome home, hero!” someone yells as Pietr slides out of the truck, gripping the door to maintain his balance.
He grins and waves with his free hand. ::Wow! Everyone’s out here to see me.:: He notices Maarten translating his clumsy one-handed signing.
“Alright, everybody. You’ll have plenty of time to talk to Uncle Pietr later. He’s tired from his trip and needs to rest.”
Pietr knocks his special knock and Griet flings open the door, Anniek on her hip.
The toddler sneezes.
“She has a bad cold or we would’ve joined the parade.”
.
“A Kaiju tore off your arm, Uncle Pietr?”
::It nearly tore off my Jaeger’s arm. My shoulder’s only dislocated, but I can’t pilot until it heals.::
“So they let you come home to see us!”
::For a few weeks, at least.::
.
Pietr rests his feet in the river’s cool water.
A stone skips across the water.
Pietr turns and watches Maarten sit on the strand next to him.
“Can’t sleep?”
Pietr nods.
“The arm? Or something else?”
::Something else. Used to a little ache.::
“You hurt often?”
::Couple of concussions, a few burns, a cracked vertebra in my neck, and this.::
“Good lord.”
::I get hit by monsters for a living. Of course I get hurt.::
“You’re completely crazy. This isn’t what you thought you’d be when you were a boy.”
::Thought I’d be a mechanic.::
“Instead you’re a hero off to save the world.”
::I’d rather be a mechanic. This is hard on the mind. I have memories like the old veterans at the cafe, but I’ve got other people in my head, too.::
Maarten stares. “Are you going crazy?”
Pietr waves a dismissive negation. ::It’s how the Jaegers work. You absorb some of your co-pilot’s memories to make your control of the machine better. I have memories from eight other people now. When I go back there will probably be a ninth and a tenth. Maybe more.::
“How are you /not going crazy?”
::It might be like the brain doctor says: my brain is unique. It can handle this.::
===Remote Viewing===
['Afternoon, Pietr!] Striker chirps.
---'Night, Striker.
[Whatcha’ doin’?]
---Relaxin’. Waitin’ for Griet and Anniek to get back from her mother’s. He passes a picture of a broad river with gold grass along the banks and the feeling of cold water rushing over his feet.
Striker purrs. [Ooo! It’s pretty! Is this near your home?]
---Just down the road. Always liked this spot. Pleasant memories bubble just below the link.
[It’s a happy place.]
---Yep.
Striker feels Pietr’s smile. [Wish I could visit you,] Striker pouts.
---What’re you doin’ right now?
Pietr opens the connection wide.
Striker smells green plants and muddy water, feels a warm breeze and the cool water. [Wow,] zher whispers.
---You like it?
[YES!]
---Me, too. Pietr sighs.
[Why do you sound sad?]
---I have to leave soon.
[Why?]
---My shoulder’s better and I’ve got a job to do.
[Fight Kaiju.]
---Yep.
[So, if there are no Kaiju, you can stay by the river.]
---Yep. I can be with my family.
[Family’s important.]
---The most important.
Striker pulls away from him a little.
Pietr wraps Striker in warmth and tugs zher closer. ---Family’s where you find it. We’re family, too.
[‘N Chuck ‘n Herc?]
Pietr laughs. *And Other Chuck.*
[Chuck doesn’t like Other Chuck. And she makes Herc nervous.]
Pietr laughs harder. ---It’s a long story, Striker.
[Aww … ]
--- … good thing I have plenty of time t’tell it.
[YAY!]
==2023==
===Melting===
The one Pietr melts, I see Chuck just going at him with a hose and/or fire extinguisher with a few buckets on stand by.
If you meant Kirra!Chuck, she doesn't get there until the melting's over, too, but fights off panic by screaming at a medic.
Either/Or XD After he's released, Wash (and Chuckles) passive-aggressively makes Pietr sure of their displeasure by leaving random buckets of water around.
Wake up.
Swing legs over edge of bunk.
Sploosh.
Kiddie pool.
So /that's where this came from. 
===Jealous===
Pietr would ask Chuckles why the HUD's being so weird, but Chuckles'd have no clue. Then they’d both go after Wash (Chuckles wondering if she’s jealous and trying to get Pietr killed) who'd have a minimal clue. Then she’d ask Lightcap, who’d turn a funny color and send a quick email to ‘sweetie’. 
Chuckles, being Chuckles, actually accuses her out loud of being jealous and trying to get Pietr killed. Wash throws herself at Chuckles, Chuckles thinks 'heh, I'm finally taller (even if he's been that way for a while) and I out weigh you I WILL WIN AND PROTECT PIETR' and it's like, 'no, you turd, she fights like a girl. You've just made it easier for her to win'. Lightcap uses the distraction to compose herself and the email XD 
Yeah, Chuckles would, wouldn't he? Caitlin types away, Pietr drinks coffee and mentally critiques the fight strategies, and the fight ends with an embarrassed Chuckles kissing the cold, metal deck plating. 
That is exactly how it goes down. And Chuckles is down for a good long while. 
Wash uses Chuckles as a cushion while she works on something. If she has to go somewhere, Pietr takes over for her. 
"Can I at least have a book or something?" 
"Pietr," Wash asks pointedly, "is the floor talking?" 
Pietr shrugs 'don't ask me!'. 
"Yea, thought so."
===Psychic friends doubleteam Chuckles===
So Pietr's having trouble communicating. It's frustrating. He recalls the Kaidanovskys, the Weis, the Beckets- how all of them manipulate the Ghost Drift to communicate. So he asks Wash. And she agrees. And they work and work and work and Pietr's getting more into her head and she's getting more into her head and it's like it's supposed to be, meant to be. Except it's not! That person's Griet! And at some point when they're tempering the Drift Chuckles wakes up in the middle of the night from a niggle that turns into an entire conversation he can /almost hear so Wash and Pietr get a call from a very grumpy Chuckles telling them to SHUT THE FUCK UP I'M TRYING TO SLEEP. 
.
 
p_a_vos: but ducky, im always quiet
c_hansen: GET OFF THE PHONE CHUCKOLD YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
p_a_vos: im missing so much of my brain how could i?
===Dossier: Pietr===
Document Type: Pan Pacific Defense Corps Personnel Dossier Summary
Date: 1 July 2023
Subject: R-PVOS_991.440-A
Name: Pietr Adriaan Vos
Assigned Team: Rangers, ID R-PVOS_991.440-A
Date of Active Service: 8 January 2019 (as Ranger); 1 January 2017 (as Officer)
Current Service Status: Active, based Panama City Shatterdome (temporary assignment)
Biography:
Born 23 April 1996, Kimberley, South Africa. South African citizen. Parents Valentijn and Rianne. Older brothers Nikolaas and Maarten. Married wife Griet 24 December 2015. Daughter Anniek born 1 November 2019. 
Graduated Jaeger Academy in December 2016. Piloted Jaegers Striker Eureka, Eden Assassin, Shaolin Rogue, Chrome Brutus, Horizon 1 Brave, Echo Saber, and Hydra Corinthian. Only Ranger to pilot a Jaeger from every series. Responsible for three Kaiju kills: Hammerjaw (2020; Eden Assassin; Mimmi Seppanen, co-pilot); Meathead (2021; Horizon 1 Brave; Xichi Po, co-pilot); and Spinejackal (2022; Echo Saber, Kita Momoko, co-pilot).
Command Assessment:
Deaf and mute, Vos requires specialized equipment to maximize his combat performance. Travels with customized gear maintained by his Handler (q.v., Charlotte Darling).
Suffered extensive damage to left shoulder in the Spinejackal engagement requiring five months of medical leave in 2022 and continued occasional use of prescription medication for pain control. The nagging aftereffects of this and other injuries and his increasingly apparent homesickness are beginning to affect Vos' willingness to play his role.
Consideration should be given to permanently assigning Vos to the Drift Science laboratory as a test subject. Should his Universal Compatibility prove reproducible, the gain to the Corps would far outweigh anything Vos could accomplish as a combat Ranger.
Comments:
Ranger Vos' removal as copilot of Striker Eureka came over my strenuous and sustained objections, and is unrelated to his performance and worth as a Ranger. - TN, 26/09/19
===Jealousy===
"Not so hot without your hearing-eye dog are you? Stop squirming!" He shifts his weight.
Vos is gone.
The next instant something slams into his back with the force of a meteor. He tastes blood and dust.
He hears a hiss from very close to his left ear.
"He doesn't need me to fuck you up, jarhead."
"Why are you hanging around then?"
"Making sure he doesn't hurt himself humiliating you."
The marine wriggles.
The iron grip on his neck tightens.
"I'll have you two written up."
"Yeah, and we'll explain you jumped a deaf guy from behind in the dark. I'm sure the brass will be sympathetic."
===Travel Lightly===
July 14, 2023; Barracks, Tokyo Shatterdome
Bang.
"Oh look. Another Shatterdome dorm room."
Beside her, Pietr shrugs. He passes her his duffel.
::Unpack it yerself.::
Pietr shakes his head. ::Marshal wants to see me--:: he glances at his watch ::--ten minutes ago.::
She drops the bags and shoves Pietr back toward the corridor. ::Get going! Ye want another beating?::
Pietr grins and jogs off.
Chuck sighs.
Side-by-side beds. Thank god.
Already made. Thank god again.
Chuck opens her duffel.
Two closets. Wonderful.
In go the shirts, trousers, coveralls, and jacket.
The drawer gets [underwear] and socks.
Bathroom next.
On the counter: Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Hairbrush.
In the shower: Shampoo. Soap.
Behind the mirror: Deodorant. Floss. Tampons. Razor.
Gear onto the worktable and shelves: Spool of gold wire. Small tools.
Personal stuff into the footlocker: Yarn. Books. Tablet. Groot. The Bear.
Stuff the duffel under the bed.
Chuck opens Pietr's duffel.
Closet: Shirts, trousers, bomber.
Drawer: Underwear, socks.
Counter: Toothbrush, hairbrush.
Mirror: Deodorant, razor, pain meds.
Footlocker: Copilots' dog tags, sweaters, Pokemon cards, box of photos, crossword puzzles.
Worktable: Portfolio, tablet.
Pietr'll put up the photos when he gets back.
Last thing: Coffee.
Percolator on the hot plate.
Beans ... beans?
Oh crap.
We're out.
Pietr's gonna kill her.
Hopefully this place has a coffee bar willing to sell extra dark roast in bulk.
Or they're going to be seeing a lot of a certain very grumpy Fightmaster.
Chuck stuffs the duffel under the other bed.
Heads out in search of coffee.
Hopefully she'll beat Pietr back to the room.
He'll need caffeine after his meeting.
Chuck probably will, too.
===Will===
"What's my Hypothetical doing?"
Chuck glances off screen. "Updating his will."
"Wha--?"
"Does it before every deployment." She shrugs. "Dots i's, crosses t's. Makes sure everything's covered."
Caitlin's gone funny-colored.
"Didn't ye 'n Sergio do that?"
Quiet.
"We never thought we'd die."
"He's just being careful, I think. Wants to protect wife 'n Junior. Just in case, ay?"
==Gear 2.0==
He's definitely on a different circuitry suit by 2024. He melts at least one in a fight. I would guess those have to be changed out fairly regularly because all the flexing and bending must be hell on all the embedded wires. How many pieces of the armor need to be replaced probably depends on how badly he's been bashed around and damaged panels. If the folks in R&D have come up with stronger, lighter panels more would be replaced to take advantage of that, I'm sure. So, my guess is if there are original pieces yet, there aren't that many of them.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Skeleton Key
Category:Scraps
Category:Heavy Metal Kids make mischief
Category:Dearling are Drift soulmates
Category:Lightcap is a DriftScientist
Category:Star Trek (reference)
Category:Pietr's HUD's questionable accuracy