[hr][hr][center][color=olive][h1]GRAHAM[/h1][/color][b]BARRACKS, NEW ANCHORAGE
[sub]AFTERNOON[/sub][/b][/center]
[hr][hr]

Michael Graham sighed as he pushed his back against the wall of the corridor he was standing in as the pilot quarters were only a few footsteps in front of him. As far as days went Graham felt today was pretty [i]shit[/i] for what he was expecting— he knew it was going to be challenging coordinating, training, and conditioning both of the newer pilots and the original ones but to the extent of what he had experienced was [i]ridiculous[/i]. Insubordination, unprofessionalism, inane flirtation, unruly antics; there was no end to the problems. Though, despite his frustrations he was sticking to his schedule and plans. He looked back to the two soldiers that were accompanying him to the next particular item that was on his list of things he needed to take care of. It was barely after 1300 hours and he could feel a tension growing in his gut. 

The next item on the list was something he had told Tahlia Styles when he was getting the pilots sorted— two children had a doctor’s appointment and he intended to make them understand the clarity of what it entailed because he knew full well that they were probably quite rattled after the incident in the Mess Hall. An incident that frustrated him to no end— had Percy had the gall to [i]attempt[/i] to strike him he would’ve had some measure of respect for the man, but what he did was cower in the shadow of his threats even as he used Percy’s deceased wife as an incentive. If anyone ever spoke ill of the woman he cared about he would’ve nearly ended them without a second thought. There was no question about that. How could a man be so weak and spineless? He had the gall to tell him “no” to the matter of his daughter— but that was only for a second.

[color=olive][i]Damned independents.[/i][/color]

The dark-haired man walked forward to Moore’s quarters— he would go to Jackspar’s next. He pressed his palm against the datatool on his wrist and the doors slid open and his expression turned from stone to pleasant surprise as he noticed both of the children he needed to talk to. He held his spare hand to the guards as if telling them to stay back.
 
[color=olive]“Ana Moore. Vera Voloshyna. I need to talk to both of you.”[/color]

Ana nearly [i]shrieked[/i]. She had [i]definitely[/i] locked the door, but there the commander was, standing in what she percieved as an ominous posture; the shock on her face showed just how horror-stricken she was. She just looked up at Graham with fearful tears in her eyes. She had a thought to throw the lamp on the bedside table as hard as she could at his face and just [i]run[/i], but she noticed the two guards behind him. That idea wouldn't work. She'd get shot. She just sat there, clinging to Vera like her life depended on it, trying to think of [i]anything[/i] she should do to get him out of the room.

Graham sighed— they were tense and Ana was obviously [i]frightened[/i]. He didn’t blame her in the slightest considering what had happened in the Mess Hall; he had goaded her father, used her mother’s name inappropriately, and created a tone that probably made her uncomfortable. He remembered the feeling when the guns came from Denver-Vegas to take him when he was the same age. He was sympathetic towards the feeling but he was not here to tell her what she was going to do, but he needed to give her as well as Vera some clarity of the particular situation all three of them found themselves in. As he entered the room more fully he took a seat on the bench adjacent to the door, his expression the opposite of what he had showed in the Mess Hall only an hour prior. 

[color=olive]“There’s no need to be afraid. This is a conversation.”[/color]

Ana stayed there, still clinging to the older girl, trying not to show just how scared she was by looking at threatening as an eight year old can look. 

[color=violet]"You're not allowed in here."[/color] She managed to say, her voice wavering slightly. She honestly surprised herself with how [i]forceful[/i] her voice was; she expected to sound like a little baby.

Vera gently pulled herself away from Ana, enough to at least move her arms around, but kept a hand on her shoulder. To his credit, Graham didn't seem or sound as sharp as he had before, but that didn't change the fact that he was, despite all offical facts, unwelcomed in the room. With a quick smile to Ana, Vera met Graham's eyes as best she could. It wasn't too hard, he was big, and strong, but Ms. Jackspar had eyes like frostbite. Just looking into them hurt. She could manage here like she managed then. [color=662d91]"Let's hear it, [i]sir[/i]."[/color] 

Even if she wasn't too fond of him, Lizzy had taught her again and again that superiors were just that, and deserved respect. Officially, anyway. 

[color=olive]“I’ve scheduled a neurological exam for both of you— and I know it is a concept either of you might be nervous about considering the altercation earlier. But this exam does not include any surgeries or health risks that you might think. It is harmless. Believe me that I have been in your shoes and when I learned about it when I was nine years old I was equally as frightened as I was excited.”[/color]

Ana looked like she was actually thinking about putting that earlier, stupid plan into action. She didn't have the patience in that moment to even think about what Graham was saying - her dad said not to let anyone in, and she already felt a little bad about letting Vera in, but then Graham just.. letting himself in? She was on edge. She glanced at the lamp for a moment before speaking again, [color=violet]"I'm trying to be nice, and my dad is gonna be [i]really[/i] mad if you're not gone when he gets back. Please leave the room."[/color]

[color=olive]“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. This is more important than your father's... [i]feelings[/i].”[/color]

[color=violet]"Well, I'm sorry, but Dad matters more to me than you do."[/color] Ana shrugged slightly, but was also staring daggers into Graham; she didn't even realize she was, but she did know she was getting angry and overwhelmed. 

[color=olive]“That is understandable. I can relate to that. But this isn't about your father, me commanding him, or anything like that. This is about [i]you[/i].”[/color] The military commander turned his glance slightly. [color=olive]“Vera? You like you have something to say.”[/color]

Vera frowned, at this rate they'd both be dragged out of the room, then Percy might hear, [i]Lizzy[/i] might hear, and she knew nothing good could possibly come from that. Graham was right, this wasn't about Percy, this wasn't about anyone else, but it could very easily turn otherwise. Giving Ana's shoulder a soft squeeze, she tried to convey as much confidence in her eyes as she had to give, then nodded to Graham. [color=662d91]"This is just the test? We might fail it anyway?"[/color] 

Her tone suggested she already knew the answer, but she wasn't asking for herself. Graham’s reply was a light nod as he leaned back in the bench with his arms behind his neck— his eyes moving to the ceiling for a moment. [color=olive]“Less than 50% of the world’s total population has the ability to synchronize with neural plug technology. That’s, of course still a lot of individuals but really it is a hopeful gamble that we play; so it’s a chance, not a guarantee.”[/color]

[color=662d91]"And if we pass."[/color] more said than asked.

Ana was still not enthused by Graham's prescense. She already broke the rule of "don't open the door" once with Vera, and she didn't want to get in trouble for it with Graham. She took a smaller pillow and actually [i]threw it[/i] at the commander, aiming for his face - she knew it wouldn't hurt, but she was hoping maybe he'd get her damn memo at that point. There was still that perfectly good - and actually rather heavy - lamp aching to be launched at his stupid face. 

Graham weaved his head to the right, dodging the pillow with a smirk before he returned his glance from the ceiling to Vera. [color=olive]“If you pass, you decide if you [i]want[/i] to sign a contract as a pilot of New Anchorage. Assuming either of you want to go through the painful surgical procedures and accept the responsibility of that role. If you agree to those terms then I would see about acquiring NC parts for you. Ultimately following the evaluation, it is your choice and your choice alone. Not mine, not Percy's, not Eli's. [i]Yours.[/i]”[/color]

Graham stood up from his seat and made for the door.

[color=olive]“I think that is all I wanted to tell you girls, so I am going to go to my office. But I want both of you to report to Dr. Lofgren for an exam whenever you can. I’ll let you discuss it on your own. I’m sure you have much to talk about. If you need me, you know my office is always open for questions or concerns. Thank you for your time.”[/color]