When the vid started, something was quite clearly wrong: the world on the screen seemed odd and the muffled voices in the background offered no explanation. It wasn't until a highly polished military boot entered the picture that it revealed the camera was on the floor and on its side. A large hand covered the lense for a moment before being replaced with a rather shaky picture of the pilot's face.
"Sorry about that, you came in and I didn't want you to know what I was doing so I kinda, sorta....flung you across the floor." A sheepish grin stretched across his face as he shrugged. "I'm easily embarrassed." Taking a few steps forward, eyes fluttering between the camera and something out of view, Owen returned to his seat. "Lemme put you down real quick; I'm giving myself motion sickness just watching this back so I don't know how you're handling it."
Setting the camera back to its original position, Owen relaxed in the chair and sighed a little; when his attention fully returned to the camera, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm an officer." Running a hand through his slightly too long hair, he fell further back into his seat and looked up at the deckhead. "Someone made a right cock up when they decided that, ey?" Silence fell for a moment, only the gentle thrum of Normandy's engines could be heard, until Owen sighed and returned - smile on face - to address the camera again.
"Suppose I should actually start talking and explain what I'm doing, though you're a smart lass so you've probably already guessed what this is." The pilot's warm smile faded slightly as he took a deep breath in through his nose.
"I just...wanted to thank you. For everything. I know I haven't been the easiest person to serve with, Ash; I know I've pissed you off more than a few times and I know you've had to tolerate a lot because of me, but through it all, through all these years, you have been one of the most steadfast and reliable people I have ever known. Serving alongside you has been a huge honour, Williams, and you are more of a credit to the uniform, to your friends and to your family than I think you truly realise."
"I've watched you grow over the past few years, Ash, and I'm damn proud of you: you are an incredible officer and a fantastic marine and I know that, if all goes well in the next few hours, you will have an amazing future ahead of you. There is more yet to come for you, Williams, and wherever I am, I look forward to seeing just how far you'll go."
"I see your doubts, Chief, I see how conflicted you are at times, but know that you still have incredible potential. Keep pushing yourself, keep believing in yourself, keep being the force of nature that you are and hopefully you'll finally see the same Ashley that we all do; the badass, poetry loving, one woman army that it is an honour to serve alongside."
The familiar drone of action stations began to whirl behind Owen as he exhaled and allowed his shoulders to fall for a moment. "Can't believe we're actually here; actually doing this." His trademark lopsided SR-1 smirk spread across his face as he reached for the disconnect button.
"What a bonkers deployment this was, ey?"
"Good luck, Ashley. Drinks are on me after this."
