Chapter Eight: Drake's Dream!

[Sherwood]

Mario locks his face into a stone mask as he hears this, and nods. "Message received, ma'am. You won't hear any more about that from me."

 

[Purr]

But knowing the basics might mean knowing how to fight them better. We've not been at war with them for who-knows-how-long."

Once it is safe to start up a regular conversation again, Cera replies to Ylva. "This is a fact I am reminded of constantly."

Mack, her arms folded, fuming like a sated dragon now that she has had her say, glances first to Hercules, then to Cera. Hercules has been silent all along. Her expression seems to state that she wished she had his opinion on which mission he prefers. But he hasn't given one on so Mack believes he basically abstains.

"Toph wants the Ice-9. Mario, Elinor, and Ylva? The Grand Cannon." Mack gently chews her lower lip in thought.

"Cera? Grand Cannon or Ice-9?"

"Ice-9."

This gets Mack's attention. "Why?"

"Simple, Leader Mack. Commander Zyorna is Meltrandi. The Grand Cannon is a powerful tool, albeit a limited one." Cera grins that confident, almost cocky, grin of hers. "Wars are won by decisions. No one on this vessel is superior to Commander Zyorna. Even Captain Drake deferred to her in matters of combat and death."

Then Trouble cries out and frantically waves his paws in the air. "Haaaay! I'm a Wild Card! I get a vote too, don't I? Don't I?"

"Of course!" Mack replies.

"I think... I think..." Trouble exclaims. "I think we should do what Drake would do! It's his dream, isn't it?"

Mack gapes at Trouble and then the rest of you. "Uhh! I hadn't thought of it that way! What would Drake do?"

* * *

Besides, Scary Jerry knows best how his team would want to approach a problem, and it ain't a real plan if it only accounts for half of the teams. Ylva's eyes move over to the special ops team - how's their discussion going, at this point?

Ylva's curiosity yields results. The squad called Adamantium is still in a loose huddle, standing around, cracking jokes, and chatting away as if they'd come to their decision very quickly.

A few of them notice Ylva looking their way and make no move to hide the fact they've been watching your entire exchange. Mack looks calmer than before and special ops team seems to be chatting a little about that too.

Any of the Wild Cards listening hear one say, "Shit! Can we swap leaders? I want her! She's nice!"

"Yeah," Cal grins. "Ol' Jerry would be screwing us right now. You know how he is. One or two minutes of talking and followed up with several hours of pain, humiliation, and a decision to change our 'diabolical' ways!" They chuckle.

Mack overhears this too. "What do you think, Wild Cards? Should I ask them what they've decided?"

What do the Wild Cards do?

 

[Psychie]

Toph gives Cera a smile for giving her mission to get the Ice-9 a thumbs up. She then pauses, and asks, "Since I don't have any experience in using this Isotope-9 before, how much is needed to help accelerate the healing process of the Meltrandi it is given to? Is there any way to know before we start out to know if there will even be enough of the Ice-9 to work? If there isn't, it would just be a huge waste of time to make the effort for little to no return."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario looks at Mack and says, "Ma'am? As our squad leader, it is your call as to what mission we take on. This is not a democracy. You can order us to any path you wish, and by God I will do my very best to make that a successful mission, be it a cake walk to get you some milk and cookies, or storming the very gates of Hell. I know from my time with the Admantium team in training that they will do the same. What is is that you want to do?"

 

[Purr]

Cera replies as best she can. "No idea, Toph Kirin! I, too, have no experience with Ice-9.

Cera grins as she looks at Toph and takes a relaxed breath. "Do you remember when I told Mario that we Ura do not desire the technology of the Zeki? And I am certain you recall my previous life as an artificial intelligence aboard our deadly war-queen's flagship prior to my construction as the only surviving second-generation clone of my kind?

"You can believe without doubt when I tell you that UEEF Commander Zyorna Kirin will be the first Meltrandi in recorded history to use this Zeki-Zentraedi isotope."

Cera allows herself a small excited chuckle as she raises her eyebrows at Toph. "I am looking forward to seeing the results!"

Just then, one of the Adamantium crew bristling with muscles and armament waltzes over to Toph and Cera. His cocky swagger, full of manly testosterone, says it all as he looks over his shoulder and calls back to his comrades and winks. "Hey, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!"

With that, he reaches one hand towards Cera's curvy waist. Cera seems to sense this. She turns to face him.

For about 3 entire seconds, the once-meek auxiliary specialist transforms into a red-eyed demon as she slowly grins and growls, "Touch me and diiie, useless maaale!" Cera produces the kind of effect that is so sudden and frightening as to make a lifelong alcoholic forever swear off booze.

The look on the guy's shocked and dismayed face as he raises his hands up to his shoulders and immediately marches backwards to the safety of his team is priceless. His buddies laugh and cajole him mercilessly as the other people like Professor Stein who are not in either of your teams takes notice and grins at the spectacle.

Cera returns to the woman you know and smiles to all of you with real appreciation in her eyes.

"Thank you once again for completing me."

* * *

Mario looks at Mack and says, "Ma'am? As our squad leader, it is your call as to what mission we take on. This is not a democracy. You can order us to any path you wish, and by God I will do my very best to make that a successful mission, be it a cake walk to get you some milk and cookies, or storming the very gates of Hell. I know from my time with the Admantium team in training that they will do the same. What is is that you want to do?"

Mack looks at Mario with what he could swear is a sense of relief on her pretty features. Then she gets down to business.

She places for thumb under her chin and ponders. "I want... to know as much as possible before making a decision! There are so many unknowns here.

"Once I do, I'll make a decision. But... thanks for the vote of confidence!" The smile that follows on Shirley's face is the kind of image you could just photograph and hang on your wall.

"So, what do you guys think Drake would do? And do you think I should talk to Scary Jerry? I mean, the dude has a unique and valuable perspective, but he, like, really weirds me out!"

 

[Psychie]

"You can believe without doubt when I tell you that UEEF Commander Zyorna Kirin will be the first Meltrandi in recorded history to use this Zeki-Zentraedi isotope."

This fact makes Toph raise an eyebrow as she feels a chill go down her back. Not knowing the needed dosage, if we get the Ice-9, could it be possible that I could harm mom instead of help her? This is uncharted territory for all of us!

For about 3 entire seconds, the once-meek auxiliary specialist transforms into a red-eyed demon as she slowly grins and growls, "Touch me and diiie, useless maaale!"

Toph does her best to hide the smile that comes unbidden to her face. The poor man had no idea that he was about to reach into a wood chipper and pull out a bloody stump. Hell, even Mario and Herc would be in danger if they tried to put the moves on Cera, and she knows and somewhat respects them. Perhaps someday her disdain for the male gender will fade.

"So, what do you guys think Drake would do? And do you think I should talk to Scary Jerry? I mean, the dude has a unique and valuable perspective, but he, like, really weirds me out!"

"Jerry may be scary weird, but he is one that has a lot of experience in the field. Lets bring in his team and get their input, too."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario nods. "If you are looking for more info, Jerry and his team might have some insight for you that we don't. I say go for it, ma'am."

 

[Kaerri]

Toph looks resigned, and with a sigh, she says, "Well, don't worry; I'm not going to be mad at any of you if you choose to take the squad a different path in the short term. I do hope to be able to get the Ice-9 soon, though."

Toph's potential anger hadn't been a factor in Elinor's vote before, nor was it now. As far as Elinor is concerned, this is something that has to be decided for professional reasons -- given the extremely high stakes, i.e. all of Earth and its people. Which is not to say that if Toph had been angry or upset at Elinor, it would mean nothing to Elinor emotionally. It would mean a lot, actually. Elinor considers Toph a friend as well as a squadmate and sometime sparring partner, and it would hurt a lot to be at odds with her. But just as Elinor had to set aside emotions when on a test flight, so she sets them aside when considering the mission options.

Then the ass-chewing begins - as firmly and professionally given as Mack can give it.

Mack doesn't single anyone out specifically, but all the same, Elinor doesn't really feel she has done anything to deserve it. Which is not to say she won't in the future, if she doesn't pay attention. So she does. Besides which, it's embarrassing to have any of the team deserve this, and if nothing else, she could've said something when the others started asking things they'd already been told they wouldn't be told.

Mack gapes at Trouble and then the rest of you. "Uhh! I hadn't thought of it that way! What would Drake do?"

Elinor stares right at Trouble. "I'm thinkin' you'd know the answer to that better'n any of the rest of us Wild Cards. You actually knew him, Fuzz-Face." She glances up at Mack. "Unless we want to ask Jerry and his crew. They'd have a fair idea too, I'd think."

Mack overhears this too. "What do you think, Wild Cards? Should I ask them what they've decided?"

Elinor nods, "I'd sure like to hear their thoughts, ma'am. Might be as their different perspective can help us decide."

Is there any way to know before we start out to know if there will even be enough of the Ice-9 to work?

"If it helps," Elinor offers, "I don't think Captain Sharp would suggest it as a possibility unless he thought there would be. Might fall under things we can't ask yet, but we can trust him not to delib'rately tease about somethin' like this."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules remained impassive through the uncalled-for basting he received alongside the rest of his team. His mind was working behind the immobile features though.
”So on the one side, we have an abandoned ship with this isotope Commander Kirin needs to get back in the big chair. And on the other we have the Grand Cannon plans and components, all with Malcontents climbing over it. If we go for the isotope then, yes, we’ll have the Commander back with her experience and morale boost to the crew. But we’ll also have a situation where the Malcontents will have fully entrenched around the Grand Cannon, potentially with reinforcements and with an eye to getting the cannon working for their own purposes.”, he said finally, “If we go for the cannon, chances are that the ship with the isotope might be discovered by the Zeki. But why haven’t they gone for it earlier? Surely they’d know the location of it? If the isotope is so important, why didn’t they prioritize its recovery? And even if we do secure the parts and schematics for the cannon, it’ll still be a fair while before it’s operational. What benefits would Commander Kirin bring to a mission to infiltrate a well-prepared and manned position to secure intel and materiel?
”Personally, I don’t know the commander. I don’t know her capabilities beyond her reputation. But I do know the capabilities of the Grand Cannon and I know that if the Malcontents are reinforced by the Zeki, we’re not going to be likely to crack their defenses with our very tiny force, not without risking them doing something drastic with the Grand Cannon nor without showing our hand to the ASC and the UEEF. My vote, if I had one, would be going to Brazil.”

 

[Silanon]

Shirley Mackenzie offers Ylva a lopsided grin that tells of heartbreaking sadness and lessons learned. "You wouldn't know this, Ylva, but I have been in her position - I'm an orphan. I owe everything I am to my foster family.

Shirley's blue eyes turn to Toph. "I'd give almost anything for you to get your mom back because I miss mine... terribly.

"But... I can't help but remind myself that we're fighting for every mom, dad, and kid on Earth."

There's only so much one could say in response; a quiet nod is a decent start, she figures. The Swede's father living on the other side of the globe, for the most part - it doesn't compare in the slightest to others' fates. Fates like Mack's or, that of too many others. Such is the nature of war, especially one as drawn-out as this one. This was too much to bear for mankind without the Invid threat on the horizon; it won't get better when the invasion begins. How much worse - seems to be in the hands of those assembled here, at least to some extent. No pressure...

"That we do. Fighting for them. And we'll see it through." There's a point to be made that she meant something different; that this wasn't about Mack's understanding, but about the purpose of this whole debate when the Captain could have just rejected the question without making a point.

We are getting on Captain Sharp's bad side.

Or is she the only one who thinks that the problem is not the question, but the fact that a few questions like these are enough to bother the Captain? Discipline wins wars, of course; but so does being reasonable, especially in the higher ranks. If you ask people's opinion without giving much to work with, there'll be questions. especially when some of those people are personally involved. Is it really such a problem to say 'not yet, Toph Kirin, you'll understand later' instead of calling her out instead? Maybe it is. Maybe Ylva's still too much of a civilian to understand. Maybe her focus is too much on getting the job done, and too little on doing things by the book. Who knows. Something to think about, though, certainly, while Mack delivers her speech.

During which Ylva looks utterly lost, standing there. Like she'd prefer to be shouted at, instead of quietly listening to all this without being part of it. Just pointlessly standing there, listening, wondering how much of this makes sense, and what's actually as pointless as it seems - she really could've done without that. But maybe that's the point. There's a reason for all of this, after all, if only because it matters enough for the Captain to be bothered by it. Thus, Ylva does her best to learn her own lesson from it, and is glad once the discussion moves to the actual questions at hand.

"Wars are won by decisions. No one on this vessel is superior to Commander Zyorna. Even Captain Drake deferred to her in matters of combat and death."

This, for example. Wars are won by decisions like theirs, right now. Rarely by the decisions of a single person, though, even though historians like to give individuals too much credit. Put another reasonably qualified person in the same spot, and the results won't differ as much as some like to think. Maybe the details will look a little different; but the result in the end will mostly be the same. Thus the cannon, not the officer - even if it's hard; the infrastructure can't be replaced, but it rarely has a face, or a voice.

"So, what do you guys think Drake would do? And do you think I should talk to Scary Jerry? I mean, the dude has a unique and valuable perspective, but he, like, really weirds me out!"

"Weird or not, but Jerry probably knows war better than all of us together. I'd say it'd be shortsighted to not ask him for his insight, even when it seems like we're leaning towards the cannon."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

Shirley seems both relieved and happy that Hercules has finally spoken up. The last time there was a vote, she felt Herc had played the "I'm just a soldier. Give me something to shoot at" card and abstained. The surfer-gal didn't fault him for it, but she felt he wasn't focusing completely on what they were doing because he was instead mired in his own problems. Heavy problems of spirit he seemed to want to handle on his own. While everybody had their down days (Shirley included), she was hoping he'd be okay. She also hoped he'd be in a better frame of spirit to be able to speak up the next time. This was that next time and he had spoken up with an opinion that showed he was fully committed. She couldn't help but grin at this change of spirit.

But she couldn't grin at the discipline situation. When Captain Sharp had stared at her like that, something in her had panicked. She knew she didn't have a better solution in her limited experience as a squadron leader, so she went with what was safest - warn every Wild Card who was at the Assembly. They would remember the Assembly. She hadn't wanted to nail Hercules and Elinor when it had been Toph and Mario who hadn't listened to Sharp, but she felt with both of her captains standing within earshot, how could she afford to be anything less than thorough? Shirley dearly wished she'd known some better option. She had given all of the Wild Cards - her squadron - all of the leniency, trust, and openness she could give - and for the sake of unit trust and cohesion, not because she needed someone to like her.

Times like these, Shirley really wishes she had some of her father's experience and know-how. For the good of the squadron. So she could do best by them without having incidents like this.

In the end, Shirley wasn't sure how to proceed when it came to leading the team. Despite their reassurances of loyalty, which she in no way doubted, she never knew when one of their less-careful members would land her into hot water like this again. It wasn't that they didn't care, so her heart told her, it was because they lacked the discipline to listen. Elinor and Cera always showed discipline and Hercules had learned since the Assembly. Ylva had her ears and tongue under control and Trouble was doing fine. It was Toph and now Mario she was worried for.

It was General Steele that had put her in charge of the Wild Cards, her battle family, but it was Captain Sharp - the man who believed in her and was a close friend of her beloved father - she was most afraid of losing trust with now. The Wild Cards were close enough to understand and forgive her, but Captain Sharp? She didn't know him well enough. What would he do to the Wild Cards if this kept up? What would she have to do?

If there was one thing her daddy had taught her, it was not to dwell too long on the negative. In combat as well as out, when in doubt, ask yourself, "what can I do now?"

* * *​

"Weird or not, but Jerry probably knows war better than all of us together. I'd say it'd be shortsighted to not ask him for his insight, even when it seems like we're leaning towards the cannon."

"Yeah. Thanks, you guys! I'll ask Scary Jerry then," she finally says to you. "But not his whole team. I don't think I'm ready for that." Looking over at the soldier, she realizes there are a great many mysteries about the leader of Adamantium. Why is it so hard to tell how old he is? Why do the Broo, Chieftain Faydra and Shaman Bong included, seem to worship him? What is going on beyond those dark, soulless eyes of his? As constantly-animated as he was, as unpredictable as he was, Scary Jerry looked like a handful. Or was he? With the support of her Wild Cards, Shirley sighs and supposes it is time to find out. This probably wasn't going to be so bad. Besides, how odd could a dude really be?

"Hey, Howard?" Shirley calls him by his last name as yelling "Hey, Scary Jerry?" just sounds weird. "Could I get a word with you?" Shirley casually walks toward his team, willing to meet him halfway. But then she pauses as she notices his reaction.

"Oh! Oh my!" Scary Jerry begins hopping around in excitement like a contestant on a television game show being called onto the stage. "Everybody! Did you hear that? She's calling me! Me! " Jerry frantically rubs his hands over his bald head and takes on a wild expression of anxiousness. "Quick! How's my hair?!"

"It's fiiine," Cal reassures him while rolling his eyes. "Just go... sir!"

"Wish me luck!"

"Yeah. Good luck, sir!"

The fully-geared Scary Jerry does not walk to meet Mack - he runs. His taped rig and many armaments hardly rustle as he stops just an arm's reach away from her. There is a look that some dogs often give their owners when they have missed them dearly or are otherwise just filled with so much happiness to see them; this look of ecstatic joy incarnate. For reasons known only to him (or maybe not), Scary Jerry is giving this very look to Mack right now. Fast as a striking viper, he salutes her.

"Reporting for duty, ma'am! What duties can I perform for you?!"

Mack slowly, cautiously, returns the salute. "I... just... wanted to know which mission you dudes were most coasting for?"

"Which mission?!"

"Uh, yeah! You know. Brazil or Zeki starship?"

"Yeah!" He points a thumb over his shoulder. "Ma'am, I'm so glad you called! See, we're split right down the middle! Six for Brazil, six for the ship!" Hearing this, you see the other 11 people in his squad suddenly take on completely confused expressions. More than one mutters, "What the fuck?" as they look to each other. Even the Broo exchange looks of wonder. Finding no answers, they keep watching.

"You know, Lieutenant Mackenzie... you could really help us out by being the deciding factor here!" Swiftly, he spins around to his people and begins eagerly nodding nonstop. "Right guys? Right?!"

After one brief moment of hesitation, all of Adamantium cheers and smiles though something seems off about their display. "Right, right!" "Sure, man!" "Help us out here, LT!"

Scary Jerry spins back to Mack. "See?"

By this time, all eyes - human, Broo, automaton, and Ura-Meltrandi - are on Lieutenant Shirley Mackenzie. Captain Sharp looks as confused as everyone else, Professor Stein and Hitomi can't take their eyes off of what's going on, and even Captain Piper looks to be at a complete loss as to what is going on. But going on it is.

"Would you do that for us, lieutenant?"

Shirley takes a deep breath. You see her shoulders go from tense and tight to low and relaxed. Her thumb moves up to her chin as she stares at the floor for a moment. "Yeah," she says as she looks back up to Scary Jerry.

"So?! Which mission do you think we all oughtta go on?!"

Mack clears her throat and replies firmly. "Let's get that Ice-9!"

A thunderous roar of approval goes up from the "nigh-unbreakable" squad!

"Wait-wait-wait! Hooold it!" Scary Jerry shouts and the cries die down as quickly as they went up. He leans toward Mack, his dark whisper carrying through the room as he seriously demands, "Whyyy? Why the Ice-9 and not the biggest cannon on the planet, ma'am?"

Mack's answer is immediate. "Because the crew comes first. And Zyorna's part of the crew."

Scary Jerry and Adamantium cheer again, this time louder than before! They clap, they holler, and cheer at Mack. It was one thing when they were training with you, but as they said then, "Wait 'til it's the real deal." And right now is the real deal.

"We knew we could count on you!"

"The Wild Cards are all right!"

"Fuck yeah!"

Captains Sharp and Piper look to each other and nod their approval while Professor Stein and Hitomi share relief-filled glances.

As one, Adamantium moves up behind Scary Jerry who hasn't stopped staring at Mack. He seems happiest of all as he gazes at Mack with big soulless puppy-dog eyes. He loudly declares, "Oh! Oh! I'm so excited, I got a woody! Anybody else got a woody?!" Scary Jerry looks at each of you before gazing into Gabi's eyes. "How about you?!"

Gabi blanches and slugs Scary Jerry right in the shoulder. "Pendejo loco! Have you no shame?" But Scary Jerry just continues to smile widely in that extreme way of his.

Mack gives a little grin and turns to you with uncertainty on her face. "Dudes, I think we've been duped. Do you what's going on here?"

How do the Wild Cards respond?

 

[Psychie]

Toph takes a deep breath, feeling that a huge weight has been lifted off of her chest. She was not even aware that she was holding her breath, waiting for the call, but now she can breathe. Mom, we're going to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. That I can promise to you.

"Well. I have not had much experience in dealing with any Marines unless they were on my operating table, but from what I've heard, this is fairly typical behavior. If we didn't see any of this, then that would be a real signal that we were on the outs of the group. And on another note, it sounds like you have a paramour there, LT. Blow Scary Jerry a few kisses and I think he'd take on the world for you." She gives the other woman a grin, letting her know that she's being silly. Mostly.

 

[Sherwood]

Decision made, orders given. Mario is now one step closer to knowing the details on this mission, and in his mind, that is a good thing. "You know me, boss lady. Have gun, will travel. We'll get Commander Kirin up and running marathons in no time with that Ice-9."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules blinked a few times as he processed the events he just witnessed. Then, as Mack made her decision, he forced his face into a neutral expression to prevent his thoughts on the matter from being displayed there.
“Wild Cards got your six, Lieutenant.”, he replied with a salute.
He could help but give a momentary sidelong glance at the pink-haired Lieutenant. I sure hope your mom wakes up with a great plan on how to sneak upwards of twenty soldiers inside a besieged, entrenched and reinforced enemy stronghold under the noses of the Malcontents, the Zeki, the UEEF and the ASC, he thought to himself.

 

[Silanon]

If the crew comes first - then why ask for input at all? That, and not Jerry's and his Adamantium's behaviour, is the question in Ylva's mind as Mackenzie turns around. A decision had to be made, and that's fine. Even if it's not the one she would've made. That's what leadership's there for, after all. The particular way of deciding, though - seems awkward. Like none of the words before ever mattered. Feels unwise to leave parts of the squad with the feeling that their words have simply been ignored - or is it just her? Not that it matters. 'I'll give it all I got' is what she told Toph, just moments ago. And that's how it'll be. Doesn't mean that she shows as much enthusiasm as some of the others right now. None at all, actually. Just a short nod in quiet agreement with Hercules' words, that's it.

 

[Kaerri]

Mack's decision just gets a professional nod out of Elinor. It wasn't the call she'd have made, but then it wasn't her call to make. Mack had asked for input, and the Wild Cards had provided. And agreed to get others' input as well. As far as Elinor was concerned, if Jerry and his people liked Mack's decision, then that was probably a sign that the Broadsword's former captain would've, too. And that, in a sense, made this part of their overall mission. This whole thing was about Captain Drake's vision of a changed future, after all. Though Elinor herself preferred making decisions with her brain, she knew full well that humanity's heart and soul had at least as much to do with its success so far. Maybe that's what they ought to stick with.

Adamantium's antics, however, get a bemused shake of the head.

Mack gives a little grin and turns to you with uncertainty on her face. "Dudes, I think we've been duped. Do you what's going on here?"

Elinor shrugs at Mack. "The important thing is, the choice is made," she said. "Now we can get to the planning."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

With talk turning towards the planning of the raid on the ship, Hercules turned and saluted to Captain Sharpe.
”Sir, permission to be dismissed? With all the decisions made, I think I’ll leave the cerebral stuff to the people with the pay grades for the job. I’d like to go familiarize myself with what equipment and mecha we’ll likely be deploying for this raid.”

 

[Kaerri]

Elinor looks at Hercules with one eyebrow raised. "You think maybe you can stick around long enough to find out what that 'likely equipment' is, Petty Officer? Maybe even find out what you'll be doing? I'm not sayin' you have to give input if you don't want to, but I'd think you'd want to know as much of the whats and whys as we can get before you run off."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

“Yes, Lieutenant.”, he replied, not meeting her gaze, “Understood, ma’am.”
He already had a pretty good idea what ‘the most likely equipment’ would be, considering they were going on a salvage mission, but since he wasn’t allowed to go make sure things like cutting tools and breaching explosives existed, he stood himself at parade rest and awaiting further instructions.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Taaaag!) =)

Cera the Wild Card glances back and forth, watching and listening to every other Wild Card (Trouble included). She appears thrown off somehow, but clearly unwilling to open her mouth about it (at least here and now). So instead, she continues to stand at ease (at least, the Ura-Meltrandi version of at ease which always possesses good posture and some state of combat readiness). Inside, Cera wonders at how human warships manage to travel in a straight line.

On Ura-Meltrandi vessels, discipline is unbroken. There is no "at ease." Recreation is not a concept most of them understand. Created for war, Cera's people hardly ever argue but instead obey their superiors out of their very nature. Such displays of emotion as she beholds here are intriguing and worth learning from. Above all, Cera is glad she is not in any position of leadership - she feels she would have definitely stepped on toes if she were. For the first time in her less-than-three-week existence as a clone, the auxiliary specialist finds that she feels grateful for her being the lowest of all military ranks among the Ura-Meltrandi.

And on another note, it sounds like you have a paramour there, LT. Blow Scary Jerry a few kisses and I think he'd take on the world for you." She gives the other woman a grin, letting her know that she's being silly. Mostly.

Immediately, Shirley both cringes and freezes at the idea. Blow Scary Jerry kisses? She'd rather kiss one of the inhuman Broo! "What?! Blow him kisses? No way! Are you nuts, Toph?" Shirley holds up one hand. "Wait. Don't answer that. There's enough nuts in the room as it is." Shirley's blue eyes look at several people she thinks fits that particular bill. Everything in Shirley's body language and tone suggest she hasn't taken offense, but also she hopes Scary Jerry hasn't overheard Toph's comment lest he get... ideas.

"You know me, boss lady. Have gun, will travel. We'll get Commander Kirin up and running marathons in no time with that Ice-9."

“Wild Cards got your six, Lieutenant.”, he replied with a salute.

Doesn't mean that she shows as much enthusiasm as some of the others right now. None at all, actually. Just a short nod in quiet agreement with Hercules' words, that's it.

Elinor shrugs at Mack. "The important thing is, the choice is made," she said. "Now we can get to the planning."

Cera speaks up with no traces of doubt in her voice. "Your will, Leader Mack. If anyone can restore Commander Kirin to functionality, it is the crew of the Broadsword."

"Rweeewr!" Trouble marches over to Mack's foot and puts one paw on her toes. "We'll be nommin' feeesh wif Commander Kirin before you knows it!"

Your remarks bring out a shy grin as Shirley returns Hercules' salute as though it were second-nature. "Thanks, everyone. It's just... something my foster-dad raised me with. If we were all up in the air together and one of us went down in hostile territory, well... there's no way I can leave you behind. I've got to do everything in my power to bring you home safe. As far as I'm concerned, Zyorna Kirin isn't safe. If we get into some kind of combat in the Broadsword and we lose her in her fragile state when we could have restored her, well, I'm not sure I could forgive myself for that. If it were my choice. But really," Mack turns to Captains Sharp and Piper, "it's just an opinion. It's still up to our commanding officers."

Scary Jerry nods a little too eagerly. "Oh yeah! Commander Kirin's fighting for her life! We've only half our crew left..." for one long moment, Scary Jerry's face looks as soulfully sad as a man can be, but just as quickly, another emotion enters him and he returns to his wild-eyed self. "...and if Zyorna were here, she'd do it for us. No question!"

Captains Sharp and Piper share a glance and a nod.

”Sir, permission to be dismissed? With all the decisions made, I think I’ll leave the cerebral stuff to the people with the pay grades for the job. I’d like to go familiarize myself with what equipment and mecha we’ll likely be deploying for this raid.”

Elinor looks at Hercules with one eyebrow raised. "You think maybe you can stick around long enough to find out what that 'likely equipment' is, Petty Officer? Maybe even find out what you'll be doing? I'm not sayin' you have to give input if you don't want to, but I'd think you'd want to know as much of the whats and whys as we can get before you run off."

“Yes, Lieutenant.”, he replied, not meeting her gaze, “Understood, ma’am.”

Captain Sharp notes this exchange and a silent nod from the veteran-tanker-become-ship-captain goes to Elinor.

Captain Sharp addresses all of you. If he sounds a little less warm and a little more firm than in previous addresses, there could be a number of things to cause it. "Troops, the way we see it, Commander Zyorna's life is in danger. As the only remaining crew member still in stasis, she remains gravely injured. Perhaps in the year 2045, her situation might not be so dire, but here in 2025, this seems to be the only way we have to help her at all." Sharp lets out a sigh. "There is also the matter of the dormant Zeki-Zentraedi vessel out there. All we know comes second-hand from War-queen Taniya whom I've never dealt with. People, we're not really going to know what we're up against until we get there. Sam?"

"Yessir?" replies the nearest Sam unit, a "red-haired" Samantha.

"Estimated time to the Zeki ship?"

"25 hours, sir."

Captain Sharp points to Samantha. "Take us there."

"Yessiree, Captain!"

Sharp turns to Stein and gives a quick grin. "That's going to take a little getting used to."

Mack raises an eyebrow. "Captain?

"Yes, lieutenant?"

"Where are we going, sir? Ah, that is, if you're allowed to say."

Captain Sharp studies Mack for a moment before replying to all of you. "I suggest all of you get some rest and study up on your cold-weather procedures. We're going to Antarctica. More later." Sharp turns back to Captain Piper, and Professor Stein. Adamantium takes the news with a low murmur of surprise as they begin making their way together out of the Briefing Room. Hitomi also goes, her silent expression is that of a woman whose mental gears are turning. Chieftain Faydra and Bong the Shaman also begin to leave. The two of them are quietly staring at Toph as go, their feral expressions unreadable.

Mack tells you, "That's our cue to exit. Cera? Keep me posted on the Brazil situation?"

"If I happen to catch more radio traffic, I will advise you, Leader Mack."

Mack picks up Trouble and, with Cera, they proceed to exit.

What would the Wild Cards like to do with their 24 hours?

 

[Sherwood]

Mario sits for a moment, the gears in his mind turning. Antarctica. Hmmm. That's a new one for me. The closest I've gotten to 'Artic' training was driving my Spartas around the training fields of Monument City in the winter, and that hardly counts. If memory serves, since the CVR-3 armor is space rated, it will serve to protect us in those conditions for a while before the armor's power supply dies. At that point, if there is no rescue, we'll be human popsicles. Pleasant thought. So, lets all make sure that we don't have to bail out of our mecha.

He then looks over at the others and says, "Well, twenty four hours is not long enough to get a good drunk going on and recover from it enough to deploy, that is assuming we have a good enough supply of hooch onboard, so that's out. I guess we could settle and watch a movie. I don't suppose we have a copy of John Carpenter's The Thing on hand? That would be perfect for us right about now."

"But before we do that, anyone have any real experience in dealing with extreme cold and possible blizzard conditions of the Antarctic? I'd rather learn a few tips and tricks on how to survive before the bullets are flying around us."

 

[Silanon]

Your remarks bring out a shy grin as Shirley returns Hercules' salute as though it were second-nature. "Thanks, everyone. It's just... something my foster-dad raised me with. If we were all up in the air together and one of us went down in hostile territory, well... there's no way I can leave you behind. I've got to do everything in my power to bring you home safe. As far as I'm concerned, Zyorna Kirin isn't safe. If we get into some kind of combat in the Broadsword and we lose her in her fragile state when we could have restored her, well, I'm not sure I could forgive myself for that. If it were my choice. But really," Mack turns to Captains Sharp and Piper, "it's just an opinion. It's still up to our commanding officers."

"Team spirit and all, fine - but you'd rather risk the deaths of millions if the cannons aren't ready in time? The deaths of people who didn't sign up to risk their lives? " That's what Ylva would like to ask, right then and there. "You just told me you've got their fates in mind," is what she'd like to add as well. But this isn't the moment. There've been enough discussions about discipline and authority. Ylva's made her points; they weren't heard, in the end. That's how things work, sometimes. What remains is doubt. Mackenzie's 'arguments' - just feel short-sighted. And that's one of the least desirable traits of a leader, right? Toph argued the same case much better, it feels like... not that it matters. The decision was made. Simple as that. She doesn't need to understand the reasoning, right? She only needs to do her job. But it'd feel certainly much easier following a logic she can get behind, herself. Maybe in the future. Hopefully. For a moment, Ylva's face betrays her discontent with the explanation, but no word about it leaves her mouth. And soon enough, she tries her hardest to keep her expression in check as well.

Antarctica - in any other moment, it would've been a dream. No matter the mission, it's a special kind of place. Scott and Amundsen. Shackleton, who never lost a man. Names she grew up with. Men who inspire any mind that's inclined to explore the vastness of the unknown... right now, though, Ylva barely takes in the sparse news.

"But before we do that, anyone have any real experience in dealing with extreme cold and possible blizzard conditions of the Antarctic? I'd rather learn a few tips and tricks on how to survive before the bullets are flying around us."

"Never been there. I know Swedish winters; but the polar night's a different beast." Perhaps a bit too brusque, that response; but really, there's only so much she could add. Snow, and the cold. She certainly knows those. But Stockholm and it's surrounding is hardly the harshest place in Sweden, and she's mostly been at home near the sea, and in the skies. The movie night? She let's that pass without comment, for now. It's not like much better things to do come to mind, but it feels like some thinking should be done first. Or some time in the gym, just to get the last moments out of her system. Maybe that's best. There's a reason why the place exists on the Broadsword.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules turned to face Elinor, raising an eyebrow in parody. He wanted to make a snarky comment, but he reasoned against it. It does no good to tweak the noses of a senior officer, he reasoned before saluting the room in general and leaving. While he had a desire to throw something heavy around the sparring ring for a while, he had greater concerns. He took himself down to the mecha bay and adjoining armoury and collared the Sams and Samanthas working there.
“Mission has been decided.”, he said tersely, “We’re en route to Antarctica to recover the Ice-9 for Commander Zyorna’s recovery. We’ll be on site in 24 hours, and in the meantime I want to go over our armor, weapons and mecha to get them proofed against the extreme weather conditions we’re likely to face. I need one of you to find out what you can about the Antarctic weather conditions for the next 48 hours and I want to see the operating limitations for the available weapons and mecha. We don’t have a long time to get organised so let’s get to it.”

 

[Psychie]

Toph raises up an eyebrow when she hears that their destination is Antarctica, but otherwise she is very pleased to hear that the mission to get the Ice-9 is on. She knows that this may not be the most popular decision made by the team, but the Wild Cards are all professionals and will follow orders like the soldiers that they are.

When Mario asks about if anyone has had any experience with the extreme cold conditions of the place, she shakes her head. "No. The closest I ever came to that was when I was much younger and my family was stationed in Brazil fighting the Malcontents. Ask me about the tropics and I can help you out, but the snow? Not so much."

"On a lighter note, I've never heard of this movie you're talking about, but do you really feel that now is the time to take off when we should be prepping for the mission? We have to go over our mecha, check our ordnance, and read up on the challenges of the harsh weather, and in the middle of all that, we have to get some sleep or else we'll be useless in the field."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario gives the pink haired Lieutenant a look, then says, "Well, I would love to do some vehicle prep work, but I don't even know what rig I'm taking into this fight. At least you know you have your Cookie Monster; I'm just swinging in the breeze until someone gives me more info. I'm betting that once we get closer to Antarctica, we'll have time to go over our checklists before deployment. In the meantime, I think that some relaxing is in order, so I ask again, who wants to watch a movie?"