The Cat Returns (D6 EA, Hangars, Open)

[Alex Kovac]

"Seems I will be busy this week with helping the Techs... I guess. I wanted to celebrate this days victory but looking at this wreck... my enthusiasm plummets." Alex sighed. "Stupid turret."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catherine gives Alex a gentle pat on the shoulder. "At least it is repairable, so it isn't a complete wash. But Rico will need a temporary replacement so your lance remains operational. Lets hope we can manage that with some of the mechs we salvaged today. Still, you won and everyone lived. That is what really counts in the end."

[John Slaktare]

"Yeah, the people coming back safe and ready is far more important. The mechtechs and salvage will keep us running, but only if we still got pilots."

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

"That is impressive. Given your age you are likely to become an extremely skilled mechwarrior, provided you survive. Ostritch is perhaps less likely to develop such skills."
She cocks her head slightly
"You are correct though, it is too much alcohol. But sometimes when you are remembering a victory you need to forget defeats."
Tilting her head back the other direction
"I do not forget otherwise."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Okay. This is just kinda weird. And also a little rude. Poor Ostrich.

"Yeah, but I've had a real good head start into mech piloting." Catherine explains. "Since I practically grew up in a cockpit."

She gives a little shrug. "I don't have any defeats I want to forget. And I was told to never forget them anyway, but learn from them. Haven't had that either yet, unless you count sims." The small tomboy tries to give the slightly taller woman a smile. "I hope you're not trying to forget your victory today though."

[Alex Kovac]

"Maybe we can put Rico in one of the tanks." Alex joked then shook the head sighing. "I think this Vindicator could be better put to go use as spare parts for some of the other mechs." The Penguin looked at the Assassin and smiled. "That was one of the MVPs of my fight. Mickey did great." The mechwarrior looked at Butcher. "That patrol came in handy."

[John Slaktare]

"Good, I'm glad it did. We can do it again sometime if you like," John offers.

[Yori Hakamada]

Okay. This is just kinda weird. And also a little rude. Poor Ostrich.

"Yeah, but I've had a real good head start into mech piloting." Catherine explains. "Since I practically grew up in a cockpit."

She gives a little shrug. "I don't have any defeats I want to forget. And I was told to never forget them anyway, but learn from them. Haven't had that either yet, unless you count sims." The small tomboy tries to give the slightly taller woman a smile. "I hope you're not trying to forget your victory today though."

Yori nods gravely
"Yes, that would be an advantage, but remember..."
She looks like she wants to continue, but there's a slight pause at Cat's smile.
"...you are correct, it would be nice to remember today's victory. I hope you have more to recall in the future."
an awkward pause
"How do you like commanding your lance?"

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Thanks, 1st Lieutenant Hakamada. I hope you have victories to recall in the future too."

The awkward pause makes Catherine somewhat restlessly shuffle her feet and stretch her limbs a little.

"How I ...? Hm. It's a big responsibility, but it is lots of fun too, now that I am getting the hang of it. My lancies are good people. We've bonded enough to start ribbing each other. I think that is pretty great. We can rely on each other. Today has shown that."

[Alex Kovac]

Alex sighed. "I guess I will be burning the midnight oil...I am going to be helping the Techs since well the lance will be out of commision." The Penguin said looking at the torso that is left. Not much to look at because of all the damage." Alex sighed.

[John Slaktare]

John looks up at the damage and nods. Then looks in the direction of his lance's Blackjack, wondering how it's going with that mech.

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

"Lancies?"
Yori seems to pause and spend a few seconds translating this.
"Oh I see, an affectionate nickname. You are young to be in command, that they already like and respect you is impressive. Does it come naturally or do you have to work at it?"
Mildly
"I have to work at it."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Alex sighed. "I guess I will be burning the midnight oil...I am going to be helping the Techs since well the lance will be out of commision." The Penguin said looking at the torso that is left. Not much to look at because of all the damage." Alex sighed.

Catherine suppresses the urge to her fellow Mechwarrior's shoulder and offers a consoling. "Good Luck, Alex."

"Lancies?"
Yori seems to pause and spend a few seconds translating this.
"Oh I see, an affectionate nickname. You are young to be in command, that they already like and respect you is impressive. Does it come naturally or do you have to work at it?"
Mildly
"I have to work at it."

"Yepp. Lancies is easy to say and sounds cute." Catherine explains with a smile.

She has to think a moment about the follow up question. "I'd say it is both. Having it come to me naturally helps, but if I do not work at it, nothing will happen. I'm also not alone, so I can easily get help when I'm stuck and I have good examples to follow too."

[Alex Kovac]

"I think I am going to take a shower and go out." The pilot said a bit crestfallen. "Thanks Cat..." The pilot waved good bye and

// exit unless stopped

[John Slaktare]

"I think I am going to take a shower and go out." The pilot said a bit crestfallen. "Thanks Cat..." The pilot waved good bye and

// exit unless stopped

"Alex, I'll walk with you," Butcher says and follows after.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"I'm sure our mechtechs can fix the Vindicator, so please cheer up Alex." Catherine calls after her leaving friend.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Yepp. Lancies is easy to say and sounds cute." Catherine explains with a smile.

She has to think a moment about the follow up question. "I'd say it is both. Having it come to me naturally helps, but if I do not work at it, nothing will happen. I'm also not alone, so I can easily get help when I'm stuck and I have good examples to follow too."

Yori nods, having never even considered the word before.

"I see, so you are following the example of others? Who do you turn to? My assumption is the major."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Captain Kaala is my mentor, first and all." The woman who had dragged Catherine out the swamp of depression and misery her life had turned into after losing her father.

"I turn to the major too, but he is busy and not always so easy to approach. He gave me a task though, to learn more about strategy. I need that to become eligible for further promotions. He gave me this difficult book to read, which is why I am currently turning to people who can help me with that."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Captain Kaala is my mentor, first and all." The woman who had dragged Catherine out the swamp of depression and misery her life had turned into after losing her father.

"I turn to the major too, but he is busy and not always so easy to approach. He gave me a task though, to learn more about strategy. I need that to become eligible for further promotions. He gave me this difficult book to read, which is why I am currently turning to people who can help me with that."

"That is nice the captain is a...."
There's a pause as Yori seems to just stare at Catherine as she runs through positive adjectives
"...very competent pilot."
Success

"I was actually my battalion's strategist before I deserted. If you have any questions on the subject I might be able to answer."
Neutrally
"Strategy is one of my great passions."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Laks is an amazing pilot." Catherine laughs. "That is what I am really working hard for. To be as good as her."

She then blinks at Yori. "You do strategy?" An excited smile blossoms on the young Lieutenant's face. "That's great! Then I can ask you too, if I end up stumped by something in the book. I learn better from direct experience."