Operation: Pacifica, Untitled #1
by Lieutenant Commander Ford, TRES Corps (aka Sabine)



Tossing and turning during a troubling dream, consciousness crept in as the 
loud, shrill tones of the comm unit by the bed sounded.  Still half 
dreaming, half awake, I barely made out the annoyed conversation Jim was 
having with the hapless person on the other end.  As he left the bed to 
dress, I roused enough to ask a soft, sleepy "What is it?"  Trying to focus 
on him in the darkened room, he replied "Nothing, sombody somewhere just 
can't solve their own problems" Walking over to kiss my cheek he added 
soothingly "This shouldn't take too long."  With that, he grabbed a few 
items and left as I returned his loving parting glance.

Trying to absorb the bad dream, the sudden awakening, and a haunting feeling 
of dread I sat up on the bed.  "Might as well get this party started", I 
mused, pondering the long night ahead.  With a resigned look over to the 
clock, I was up, showered, dressed and out in record time.

Having time to kill before the briefing, I visited my Chantry to consult 
with my Regent.  Being in the comforting surroundings of my Tremere home did 
wonders for my dispostion, as I prayed and meditated, knowing I'd need all 
my strength for whatever I was to face.  After drinking copious amounts of 
Bloodwyne for energy and fortification, I located the ancient amulet 
bestowed apoun me by my Regent... reflecting on the power only she and I 
knew it contained.  After swiftly pocketing it, and taking a long moment to 
focus, I headed off to TRES HQ.

Entering the room slowly, I looked around at the faces familiar to me.  
Nodding in somber greeting to all assembled, I took my seat next to 
DarkSide, giving him a friendly kick under the table. Smirking at his 
muffled "Ow. Don't", I glanced up to see Jim smiling warmly at me during our 
brief adoring eye contact, returing his smile with equal warmth, my eyes 
settled on CyberPyro.  The epaulets of the Grand Admiral on his shoulders 
gave me pause, as did noting the presence of some of the finest members in 
the Jihad.  Scanning the faces of CP, JFoxGlov, Samhain, Shardik, Windigo, 
Mal, Jim, Perazim, Aphrodite, Geier, Richter, DarkSide, and Korth, a highly 
serious mood settled over me fighting the disquiet in my mind.  Drumming my 
fingers on the table absently during the breifing, I tried to quell the 
churning dread and listen, wondering what the hell I did to deserve the 
honor of being here.  As the briefing came to a swift end, I rose from my 
chair and was pulled aside by Shardik to receive a duffle bag, and the 
information that I was to rendez-vous with the warriors under my command in 
the Chosen. Nodding soberly, I headed outside to the parking lot.

Greeting Jim with a soft kiss, I reached to take the keys to my TARAV from 
him.  Yanking them out of my reach, he quipped "You get lost too easy.  I 
remember that little trip you took from Delaware to Syracuse by way of 
Pittsburgh. No way you're taking us to California!  Hop in, love."  
Simmering and narrowing my eyes, I retorted hotly "Who's the one with a 
driver's license, here?? Hand 'em over."  Chuckling softly, Jim kissed my 
forehead as we playfully bickered like an old married couple over who was to 
drive, and more importantly, who was going to control the stereo.

Lt. Comm. Ford, TRES Corps, Iota Squad