[center][sub][color=#B9BABC]O A K R I D G E  A C A D E M Y[/color]
Friday, June 5
[color=EEE8AA]Jack Chambers[/color][/sub][/center][hr]

Operation Downfall loomed over Oakridge for months like the Mordrem they were to face. Distant, unreal, but too quickly becoming a reality for many of the students that take part in the fighting to come. Despite the attempts of the student council and the administration, the atmosphere became more somber and more tense as the end of the school year drew closer and closer each day. Those who didn't throw themselves into their studies lost themselves in any form of escape they could find.

Luckily for the latter, Jack was very much an enabler of escapism and for months he and a small crew of others had planned a massive send off party to be held the day before many of the students would be shipped out. Fundraising came from everywhere, all to provide for the bass pounding music, the venue itself, and of course, top quality alcohol for the masses. Of course, there were cautions taken. No illegal narcotics, no sex, and there were bouncers to keep the peace, either volunteers or hired, all to provide good and relatively clean fun. After all, it would be no good for the military if the Academy's best and brightest were to be locked up the day before they were to be sent out on their missions. 

All in all, it was to be a night of unrelenting hedonism. It was a night not to be necessarily remembered, but a night where everyone could forget the worries of the world and [i]live[/i]. For many, it might have been the night of their lives.

For Jack, it was just another successful party.

[hr][center][sub]Saturday, June 6
[color=EEE8AA]Jack Chambers[/color][/sub][/center][hr]

It was by about three when the last stragglers of the party were sent back to their dorms, partyers who would no doubt regret their decision to stay so long in the coming hours. Much of the initial party crew had already retired for the night, but there were a few who had no urgent matters and stayed to help for the cleanup. Jack himself stayed up all night, mingling with some and caring for others, making sure everyone had a good and safe time. There were a few issues of some of the Guardians peacocking their powers, but others quickly put a stop to them. Afterwards he helped with the cleanup, thanked the crew that stayed, and hit the showers, ready to wash the night off. 

By the time Jack had finished drying off and gotten dressed, the world still lay dark. Despite his spirits nagging for him to sleep and rest his body, he took the time to walk the silent grounds, perhaps for the last time. Oakridge Academy, despite its faults, had still been home to him for many years, as it had been for a number of the other staff and students. A safe haven in a world where such were becoming few, it was scary to think that he may never set foot on these familiar grounds again. It was even worse to imagine how many of his friends would never set a living foot in this world again.

Jack's mind was gently shaken from such thoughts as the sun began to crest over the horizon, though whether that was through his doing or the spirits it was uncertain. Truth be told, it was hard to discern what he still had control of over himself sometimes. Some Guardians struggle and curse themselves at their lack of communion with their spirits, being able to easily communicate with the beings that inhabit your every pore and crevice, beings that can influence your thoughts and change your mind was not something completely enviable either. While Jack did appreciate his deep connection with spirits in general, valuing their wisdom and guidance and certainly wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, there were times when Jack had to wonder who exactly Jack was. 

His trance was quietly broken as an early morning runner breathed out a greeting as she passed by him. Celeste, he think her name was. Not wanting to seem like a Mopey Mary, Jack responded with a smile and a wave. As she ran out of sight, he let go of breath he didn't know he was holding.

Deciding he had spent enough time skulking about with his sullen thoughts, Jack went to get himself suited up and ready at the airfield where he would be taken to the Mt. Kinabalu staging area. While most people who knew him expected the spiritualist to go on the Eidolon mission given his prenatural ability to commune with spirits, Jack actually had much more interest in retaking the Nexus Reactor since he deemed that having the reactor fall would be much more detrimental to Downfall and much more beneficial in the long run to the military than what a single rogue Eidolon could accomplish. When the Aesthetics Squad began conversing about their chosen mission and hearing that Subira had the intent to hunt down the Eidolon, however, Jack knew he couldn't let that happen. Knowing Subira, she would have been more likely to kill it first, or worse absorb it, both in his eyes a graver danger than trying to reclaim the reactor.

Within the hour Jack had kitted himself out in a [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/56/7e/67/567e67998966978bea97814c771f40fb.jpg]light armored suit[/url], standard survival garb, and his usual complement of weaponry consisting of an adaptable rifle and all of its attachments. His other gear, long since packed, was picked up from his room before he quickly headed toward the airfield with the morning personnel. Attendants politely guided him toward a waiting aircraft carrier, which was to be the transport for those headed toward Kinabalu. Amongst the myriad of supplies still littered about the ship, he saw several crates that were clearly listed for a MOV. Jack briefly wondered about his dad and attempted to call him one last time, but like all the other times Jack has tried recently, there was no answer. Jack pushed the obvious answer away and briefly wondered whether he would see his dad when they made the carrier would make the supply drop.

Just as the crowd began to grow larger and larger on the airfield as more students and personnel got ready for the Operation, he spotted Selene coming toward him, evidently one of the other Guardians who would come on the mission with him. He didn't know much about Selene aside from the more commonly known facts and from what little he's seen of her whenever Jack talked with Olivia. All the more reason for Jack to be on this mission, he supposed. Nevertheless, she was to be a teammate, and Jack offered a friendly smile and wave as she made her way over to the carrier. 

Subira came by in short order in all her spunky glory. He took her smirking glance and playful question in stride as he put on an air of indifference. Through helmeted eyes, he examined his nails through gloved hands as one arm was crossed over his chest supporting the other. "[color=EEE8AA]Oh, you know[/color]," he breathlessly sighed, "[color=EEE8AA]it was just the best night Oakridge has seen since forever, you know. Nothing big. How about you, do anything interesting last night?[/color]"

[hr]

[center][hider=Summary]Jack and co threw a killer rager. He stayed up all night having fun, taking care of people, and cleaning up afterwards. After the party, he had depressing thoughts and a reoccurring identity crisis before suiting up and getting ready for Eidolon fun times. Said hi to Selene and is being a playful snob to Subira even though she can and has kicked his butt. Many times. [@Prisk] [@Redrum][/hider][/center]