Come right in (D4 EM Eric's Office)

[Eric Voelker]

He slides the unfamiliar book forward and the familiar one off to the side of his desk. "It's not that reading it qualified me for the job, but I often find myself putting the learning to use."

Eric points to the SLDF book. "Volume two and three are in the library. Scans of volume five are in there too, but we're missing volume four."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"~hm-hm-hmmm hmm hm hm-hm, hm hm-hm, hmmm hmm hm-hm-hm, hm-hm-hm, hm-hm hmmm~"

Humming softly, a certain redhead passes by outside. To both the people in the office it would be a familiar melody, although it hasn't been heard in a year now. The original, as concocted by a preteen tomboy about six years ago, is properly performed while wearing sturdy footwear and hopping along in tune. It did quickly mellow out into just the humming though, so only Eric would know that particular version from personal experience. Where the melody itself came from, not even Hellcat knows.

"Hm?"

The humming stops, a few soft steps follow and Catherine's bright face appears in the doorway, as she leans backwards into sight.

"Oh, hey. An open door morning?" She takes the opportunity to ask.

[Eric Voelker]

"Yeah, be with you in a moment Cat. Wait outside please." Eric responds, lifting a hand in greeting.

He returns his focus to Yori. "Is there anything else you need Lieutenant? I can get the door if it's private."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Sure!" Is her reply and the little spot of red vanishes again, followed by the soft rustle of cloth against the wall outside.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Uhh no sir, that will be all. I will see if volume 4 is present somewhere on the planet. And thank you for your time."
Yori stands, salutes respectfully and then exits.

((Thanks for the RP ))

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Waiting right outside, leaning against the wall outside the door is Catherine.

"Good Morning, Apprentice." She gives the passing Yori a quick salute, peeks briefly into the room and resumes her 'vigil' outside.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Second Lieutenant Hayes."
Yori snaps a salute of her own but continues on, her mind now settling on the book hunt to come.

[Eric Voelker]

Eric salutes from his seat.

"Good hunting."

He watches the Lieutenant leave. There was another just outside his door.

(Likewise)

"Come in Cat."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catherine hops into the doorway and wanders up to his desk to give the man a simple salute. "Good Morning, Major."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you two, but the door was open."

[Eric Voelker]

"Good morning Second Lieutenant." He returns the salute and motions to the seat. Eric was smiling very slightly.

"It's fine. What brings you here?"

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catherine looks and plops herself down on said seat.

"Just a random idea I had. The practice range on the ship is too short for anything but pistols and such. How about putting up a range where longer ranged weapons can be trained? Like rifles."

"Us Mechwarriors have our Simulators and they do the job quite well, but what do our soldiers have?"

[Eric Voelker]

"Not enough." Eric admits. He runs a hand through his hair as he leans back into his chair. "Laks said you had an idea. I usually need a proposal, but this would be good. I'll organise it when we've better secured the area."

Eric smiles again as he regards Cat. "Setting that aside, how are you?"

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

She takes a deep calming breath and answers his question with a meek smile. "I'm better. Things are going well for me. That sorta helps a bit. I'm finally starting to believe that maybe dad can be proud about me now. Do you reckon he would?"

[Eric Voelker]

"He was always proud of you." Eric comments in a gentler voice. "Don't doubt that. You're doing great."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

The small redhead looks down for a while, before looking up again. Her voice is quieter again, the way it had been during the months following Toland.

"I know he is, but I want daddy to be really proud of me. Not just his gentle smile pride, but the really big laugh one, when he is boasting. Not just the shoulder patting, but the pick-me-up hug. With the spin."

[Eric Voelker]

"Hagan thought the world of you. He'd have wanted you to enjoy life rather than live it trying to please him."

Eric places his hands on the table. He pauses a moment. Just long enough to look Cat over. See how much she's grown. She was still small, but she was a grown woman. "You're doing well here Cat. You'll always have a home with us. Keep doing what you're doing as long as you want. Just be safe out there. I can't show favouritism, but come speak to me if you ever have a problem. You have what it takes to be a great officer, but you're going to need to learn. Study some strategy and logistics. War is more than just winning a few battles. When you understand that you'll be ready for the same rank as your father was. I think only Laks will be spinning you around though. You're an adult now. That's something you ought to be a bit more aware of."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catherine musters up a little smile and directs it at the floor.

"I know I still have to grow and a lot to learn." She agrees quietly. "I can't just change who I am and I don't think daddy would want that. When my world stopped it was Laks who dragged me back into it. All I can do is keep moving forward now. For Laks. For daddy. And for myself. And for you too. For the Angels." The small redhead looks up him with a resolute nod. "I am after all a founding member, so I can't disappoint. It is also what I want too."

"I guess now that I am a Lieutenant I will have to take lessons and start reading books?"

[Eric Voelker]

"I'm sure you won't. One step at a time Cat."

He grins and nods at her query. "Yes, you will. If you want to be a better lance leader and to make First Lieutenant. We'll see about lessons when this contract is over. For now, have you read this?" Eric moves his hand over to the book Yori had already read. SLDF Battlemech Divisions volume 1. He taps it. "The chapters on organisation and logistics are a helpful starting point for switching from tactical to strategic thinking."

Pausing for an answer, he follows up with a question. "I'd like to hear your thoughts on the following question. Does victory over the enemy mean the war is won?"

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"One step at a time." Catherine agrees. "But don't mind me, if I manage to skip a few here and there."

Her eyes focus on the book, when Eric taps it. She has to consider it for a moment. "I think I have looked at it and even read some of it, but only the parts about Battlemechs. I didn't read the chapters about organisation and logistics." She gives a little shrug. It has only become important to her just now.

Pausing for an answer, he follows up with a question. "I'd like to hear your thoughts on the following question. Does victory over the enemy mean the war is won?"

Again, the little lieutenant has to think about it for a moment. "Isn't war way more complicated than that? Just looking at our contract alone, we have already had multiple victories, but the war is still going on."

[Eric Voelker]

"Then you'll be familiar with the writing style. Good. It's somewhat dry."

He listens attentively to her answer. It has him nodding. "That's true. Okay then, a follow up question. Say we defeated the vast bulk of the enemy's forces in one glorious victory. Does that mean the war is won?"