Project: Sentinel

[majoj]

  Raoul Duke's cabin was dark save for the dim light shining through the big window with a spectacular view of the barren planet Braga, and the thin stream of light coming from underneath the closed door to his bathroom. A muffled sound of running water was the only audible background.

Inside, surrounded by falling water and steam, Duke was standing, his hands propped against the wall. His body savoring every soothing drop, his mind wandering. Eventually, he turned the faucet and stepped outside. Looking at the foggy mirror, he made a single sweep with his hand. The face looking back at him bore a still fresh scar. It wasn't long since he was released from the medical bay. Although out of order for almost three weeks, he could consider himself luckier than the majority of survivors of the battle. Not that it meant something special, but at least he was standing on his own legs. He averted his gaze and stepped outside.

The dim yellow ambience of the room seemed to be disturbed by a greeinsh glow. The screen of his terminal was suddenly bright, with a new message notice flashing in the middle, followed by a big exclamation mark. His brow furrowed, he sat in front of the lit screen.

With a prod of his finger the message opened. After reading the name of the sender, his eyes narrowed a bit. His hand reached out for a pack of cigarettes. With smoke rising from the glowing tip, he read the rest of the message. Leaning back in his chair, Duke was pondering on the contains of the message. There were no details about the assignment itself, but if Damodred asked for him personally, it shouldn't be taken lightly.

He added the cigarette butt onto the top of an overfilled ashtray next to an empty glass and a bottle of whisky. After pouring himself some, and drained it in one shot. After rolling the liquid on his tongue and enjoying the refined taste, he gulped and stood up. Tomorrow's bound to be exciting.
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  The next morning, Duke woke up, feeling anything but rested. A splash of cold water on his face helped him to keep his eyelids apart. After he put on his flight suit, he grabbed his helmet and made his way to the Lisbon hangar. His Bastet, scarred in countless battles, was re-fuelled and ready for launch. It felt good being back in the familiar cockpit. He made his way to Mu, dodging the mines around the jumphole and setting course through the Wall of Seth.

After gliding into the docking bay of the Immortal, he landed his craft into one of the fast-launch docking clamps. He always enjoyed the g-force pressing him into the seat when being launched from a carrier. When the cockpit opened with a hiss, he slid down the starboard wing, landing on the deck of the hangar. After taking down his helmet, he noticed Jeremy's sister sitting on the wing of an Onuris. He waved at her ad started walking her way.

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