Come right in (D4 EM Eric's Office)

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Yeeah..." Catherine is none too enthused about the dry writing style.

The question is quite a difficult one. "Isn't that a kind of trick question? There are so many saying about war, you can just pick and choose any one for whatever interpretation. Like 'War never ends, there are only ceasefires of differing length', or something like that." She fidgets uneasily in her seat.

"Isn't that sort of thing kind of the reason why people like us can even exist in the first place? And even if you defeat most of the enemy, if there are enough left to wage a guerrilla war, you haven't really won anything but a drawn out headache of a mess. I would say though that defeating the vast bulk of the enemy's forces is better than not defeating the vast bulk of the enemy forces. Unless some really weird crap is going on."

[Eric Voelker]

"I agree. I just wanted to get you thinking. You're definitely past the naïve or idealistic soldier phase. We all start there. So, that's good." Eric smiled wide. "It all depends about a victory. Really, what I want to say is that a victory is wonderful, but how you use a victory is what determines whether you win a war. As you pointed out, war doesn't end if there is a ceasefire. However, the right kind of victory can force a permanent, favourable end to a war. So, I want you to learn that. I know you can achieve victory as I've seen the reports on the battles you've been in Cat. If you're set on command then you need to start thinking to what end a victory is contributing."

He clears his throat, thinking he was perhaps waffling. "Anyway, I want you to study some strategy. It's dry. Very dry sometimes. Abstract. Yet, it's necessary. You can always come ask me questions as you go." Eric says as he tries to keep eye contact with Catherine. "When I'm satisfied with your progress you'll make First Lieutenant."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catherine's expression darkens briefly. "I lost most of my naivety a year ago, Major." Her tone is more restrained now and she takes slower deeper breaths to try and remain calm, breaking eye contact as she does.

"I learned that in the end, it is important that we live on and how we do so. And that it is important to do so. And that I can not do it alone. And that I can not hold on to something that is no longer there."

Regathering herself, the small Mechwarrior looks up again, meeting his eyes. "Just winning a fight is not a real victory, if that victory has no reason behind it. It is important to understand what you are trying to win in the first place. I guess you want me to learn how to find that. And how to prioritize the better ones."

"I will find a way to learn more about strategy then. From this book, but also from other people. That works better for me anyway." She gives him a faint smile. "It's the technical readouts of Battlemechs, that I can pour over all day and night long."

[Eric Voelker]

Eric had apologised as Cat's mood darkened and she brought up her loss a year before. "That's not... what I meant, but... I'm sorry." That really wasn't what he meant, but he acknowledges that's how Cat might construe it. It's good the conversation moves past it.

"Spot on. Ja, viel Glück. You've got a plan for your learning. That happens to be the same thing you need for a successful strategy. A plan. Never start a battle without one." He gets up and moves to the side of his desk. "And if we find any more readouts I'll make sure you get a copy. Here. Congratulations again Second Lieutenant." The Major offers his right hand for a shake. "I'll ensure there is a proper ceremony for all this when there's a good time. I hope the announcement suffices for the moment."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catherine also gets up to shake hands with Eric. She is starting to smile again. The future is looking hopeful after all.

"Thanks, Major. Ich werde einen Weg vorwärts finden." She manages a little grin. "Go in with a good plan, but be ready to throw it away five seconds into the engagement."

The little lieutenant changes back into a more relaxed stance. "Thanks again. That's good enough for me, but I'm looking forward to our big after action party, once our contract here is complete. Let's hope we get some good loot. I mean salvage."

[Eric Voelker]

"Now you sound like Laks. Still, she thinks fast and so do you."

He chuckles as she mentions loot. "Yes, salvage. I caught one mechtech assistant calling it booty yesterday. I had to give him an earful. We'll start getting called pirates." He shakes his head, smiling. "Anyway, good hunting out there and stay safe."

The book ends up in her hands. "You can find other volumes in the library. Come see me when you're ready for a pop quiz."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"I'll take that as super big praise." Catherine shoots him a quick grin in response, her spirits lifted up.

She giggles at the thinly veiled admonishment that follow. "That is a good point. I'll have to keep that sort of thing in mind too now. I'd rather be an angel than a pirate."

The tomboy pins the book underneath one arm and nods. "Definitely not ready for a pop quiz yet. Hey, who can I ask for help to explain stuff the book doesn't?"

[Eric Voelker]

"Hopefully, your superiors." Eric answers, his brow furrowing ever so slightly. If they and he couldn't then he'd done something very wrong.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Will do!" Catherine salutes him, deftly catching the now no longer pinned book with her left hand.

[Eric Voelker]

The salute is promptly returned. He walks with her to the doorway so he could check to make sure nobody else was waiting. Now he could get on with some paperwork.

"See you around Cat."

/ Scene?

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

/ Scene