Target Pointers (Pregame 2, EE, Practice Range)

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Time to get some practice shooting in. While she is very athletic, with her small stature Catherine has very few options in the way of posing a physical threat, so a sidearm is a must. Years ago, her father had gifted her a laser pistol for just that purpose.

Time at the practice range is tight, so Hellcat doesn't mind getting one of the less desirable timeslots. Now, sitting cross-legged on a side bench, the small redhead fiddles with her weapon in order to set it to practice mode. It'll be her turn in just a bit.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek grumbled a little as he came down to the range, he wasn't a good shot and he knew it but going into a deployment he needed his skills sharp incase he found himself outside his Mech in enemy territory.

He walked up and looked down at the small girl a smile coming over his features "Ahhh little Kisa (Cat) how are you tonight? Not wanting to see the fleet arrive?" His voice was jovial and deep with a touch of the Russian accent from his home.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

The small redhead looks up with surprise. "Oh! Hi Dhorn!" She greets him with a big smile, using the irish version of his callsign. "Kinda wanted too, but this is the timeslot I got for my shooting practice. One battalion. Two measly lanes." She gives a small shrug.

"Way too short for my laser pistol too, but better than nothing. My life may depend on my aim, so no excuse for slacking off." That sounds way more responsible than the young Sergeant usually acts. A small sign that Catherine may be more nervous about the whole invasion then she is showing. "I'm doing well, thanks. Just feeling a little jittery. This new job is a lot bigger than Kelenfold was." She admits.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek smiled down at Cat "Ah don't worry you're a much better shot than me and a skilled enough pilot I doubt it'll come down to it."

"But you're right, never a bad idea to keep your skills sharp." He said clapping a massive hand on her slight shoulder.

"In that spirit we also need to get you back in the gym to brush up on your hand to hand training eh?" He said giving her a slightly teasing grin

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Looking up at him, Catherine returns a little smile. "It's the only thing I can rely on in a scrap after all." She gives a small shrug, followed by a soft grunt when her shoulder is clapped.

Her eyes go a bit wide at the prospect of being thrown into the gym with him. "Uwah! You need a hacky sack Hellcat to pound into the floor again, Dhorn?" She quickly teases him back with a grin. "Still not giving up on teaching flimsy me the secrets of CQC?"

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek laughed, a full sound that came from his gut "you are small like kitten, but even kitten has Claws. I don't expect you to become a boxer but want you to know how to throw a punch whether it be on the battlefield or in a bar when men bother you."

The hand on her shoulder gave smaller, reassuring pats "and don't worry about the mission, you're ready. You're a damn good pilot, much better than me at your age."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Boxing is way out of my league, but scratching and biting I can do." Catherine gives Aleksandr a toothy grin. "In bar brawls I usually have to settle kicking shins and quickly ducking away. Fortunately I can swiftly go underneath tables."

The young Sergeant's expression softens a little, when her piloting talents are praised, even if her small body is easy rattled by his gentle pats. "Thanks, Dhorn. You've been showing me the ropes since the start, so I've had a real good head start on the path to piloting."