<div class="floatright">(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/jillvader/mw-nmfkmpdamianharper_zpsbd84705d.jpg)</div><strong>Damian Harper (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=207352.msg10168756#msg10168756)</strong><br/><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><br/><strong>Tagged: Kari Moreno, Everett Yoshikawa</strong><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Dropship Black Sun, outbound<br/>Deneb Algedi, Benjamin District<br/>Draconis Combine<br/>1 January 3145</strong><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">Damian had been gazing at the center of the table in the meeting room, in deep thought, when his captain spoke up. It was evident that he had been miles away, as he briefly turned his gaze up to her with the typical, glazed-over hue that accompanied a man wondering who was addressing him. It was but a split second, however, and his sole lowered itself from the table's edge to plant itself firmly on the metal floor. His palms clasped together and the very stern clanner leaned forward, elbows finding their way onto his knees. His brow was furrowed, giving way to familiar wrinkles and a natural, intense narrowing of his eyes. The shifting in his stance caused the sleeves of his black, leather jacket to ride up slightly, revealing a relic strapped to his wrist. An old watch, that he continually managed to keep functional. With the pervasive nature of mobile devices, it was silly for him to want to tell the time using that old technology, but he never seemed to let it go.<br/><strong>"Cruel, ma'am?"</strong> he pondered that assessment briefly, before nodding slightly. <strong>"Perhaps, but he needs a harsh wake-up slap. He's good... Just needs to pace himself. If he doesn't, he's going to get himself, and probably some teammates, killed,"</strong> he explained, before straightening his back and pushing at the chair next to him with a single booted foot. The seat was shoved away from the table enough for it to fit a human body. He followed it up with a polite and respectful motion for her to sit and join him. He knew he could wave some of the protocol when he was alone, or more or less alone, with her. Under other circumstances, he tended to be all military-style strict with himself.<br/><br/><strong>"You know I have faith in your judgement, and that of lieutenant Rowe. But I think you know me well enough to know I'm a skeptic,"</strong> he added, before listening as she went on to the next subject.<br/>He leaned back in his seat, his arms crossing over his chest as his intense hues stared deeply into Kari's eyes. <strong>"They did good. Stuck to the plan. Like clockwork,"</strong> he was singing another tune than he had before. He was, in fact, genuinely pleased, but no one but Kari would ever find that out. He would always be the one to nitpick in front of the mercenaries, allowing Kari to be both the strict, but still complimentary commander when necessary. She had the charisma to lead and should be allowed to. He'd gladly be the villain, for his people skills were lacking to begin with. Pointing out a waste of ammo was a very lousy nitpick, even for Damian, which would clue others in that he was reaching for something negative to say beyond the matter of Moshe.<br/><br/><strong>"I've run the numbers as much as I can. The minimum estimates cover at least the basic repairs and fuel costs. But I don't even have to see the revenue from the salvage to know we'll be more than breaking even. It was a good run,"</strong> he admitted, his deep voice as stern as ever. <strong>"Once I hear back from the engineers, I'll have the final report for you, and I'll get the paychecks done. I think some of them deserve a minor bonus too... Don't tell them it comes from me,"</strong> he added, with a slight grumble interjecting the discourse.<br/><br/><strong>"I've sent out feelers already, on possible replacements for Angeline's Longbow. As much as I think the girl was out of her league, that machine was a missile boat we badly needed. I'm trying to find something similar, with a pilot with some experience, but not too much. We don't have the money to take on overpriced veterans,"</strong> he explained, but he made a mental note to focus his efforts on Galatea.<br/><br/><strong>"There is one thing... This R&amp;R trip, are you sure it's a good idea, given our financial situation?"</strong> the books were a matter shared almost entirely between them and some of the bureaucrats in the organization, as such, his voice lowered to a tone that Everett would not be able to hear. He quickly corrected his own train of thought, however. <strong>"I suppose we need to wait for reinforcements before taking on lucrative jobs, anyway... I've heard there is more work to be had out here; high pay, medium risk. While we're on Galatea, I'll set up meetings with some contacts and see if I can shake free a few interesting jobs,"</strong> he stated, the gears in his head never stopping to turn for even a moment. It was all too obvious he had no intention of stopping his work when over there, he'd simply do it all long-distance.<br/><br/>His eyes did settle upon a waiting Everett, wondering what the man wanted to discuss that wasn't for his ears. He wanted to address the younger man, but refrained from doing so, leaving it to Kari.</div>