Through Time, Darkly

[Vogel]

Gotta introduce every doctor. God knows what the Hell half of these disciplines mean. Mecha-what?

He nodded at them each in turn, trying to be as nonchalant as possible; poker face with newcomers. Of course, when it got to Ms. Hart, he couldn't help but let out a little smirk.

And if it's not in jest I'll break your neck, but not right now...

The whole crowd was staring at him, intently or not, yet Denise and that other one, Angela, were looking a bit more concerned.

The queasy feeling in his gut coincided with Angela's statement.

He looked square at her, not giving her the chance to slink away. Figured out the basics, have you?

"Of course, gotta check on a few things," he said to the group, "Might as well make my own introductions, like for my ship."

He gestured across the bay and started walking around the scientists and towards his fighter. Brushing past Angela, he looked at her briefly and smirked slightly. Attentive one. And suspicious. Not a good combination, but I'll deal with it.

"So," Doyle said behind him, "This would be my fighter. FS-190 Minuteman. Light fighter, nothing fancy. Single-engined light interceptor, twin tachyon Gatling guns and missile launchers.."

Reaching the ship, he turned around and leaned back on its nose. There was the slightest feeling of weightlessness before the turmoil in his stomach died down, and all of his senses seemed to come back to clarity.

"Registry AF 99-0127. Was assigned her back in Aug..."

He stopped. Did they even use the same damn calendar? AS?

"... Back in August," he continued, "Flew her out of Barnegat right up until the, uh..."

He stopped again. The Hell did they call it? The Defeat? The Retreat? The Exodus?

"The, uh... Exodus, I think." He patted the fighter's nose, gently, almost lovingly. "Fifth ship, after a lot of bad days... Hasn't failed me yet."

He looked at the scientists again, matching stare for stare, trying to keep face. He folded his arms.

"So, what can I do for you fellas?"