Battletech: Planet's Fall

(Up to 3 PCs may join)

Eric had left his door open, signalling his availability. There had been a lot of information to review for the past couple of days, which had kept him busy. He'd had to pawn his daughter onto Tessa to look after so he could process everything along with a few other Angels staff. Information had now been shared with officers, much of it from the informant he'd spoken extensively with, and the first attack had been very successful. He was therefore taking a breather and giving folks a chance to see him. The recent promotions and fighting could all have caused issues or concerns so he wanted to be around to address any that his people might want to flag to him. As such he was sitting behind his desk, just giving a few paper documents a cursory read, and enjoying some strong coffee. He kept looking up to see if anyone might appear. The day before he'd been out with his lance for some hours. He missed that already. However, he also missed his daughter. He made a mental note to spend more time with her later in the day.

GM Yuusha wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:24 am

(Up to 3 PCs may join)

Eric had left his door open, signalling his availability. There had been a lot of information to review for the past couple of days, which had kept him busy. He'd had to pawn his daughter onto Tessa to look after so he could process everything along with a few other Angels staff. Information had now been shared with officers, much of it from the informant he'd spoken extensively with, and the first attack had been very successful. He was therefore taking a breather and giving folks a chance to see him. The recent promotions and fighting could all have caused issues or concerns so he wanted to be around to address any that his people might want to flag to him. As such he was sitting behind his desk, just giving a few paper documents a cursory read, and enjoying some strong coffee. He kept looking up to see if anyone might appear. The day before he'd been out with his lance for some hours. He missed that already. However, he also missed his daughter. He made a mental note to spend more time with her later in the day.

The open door means Eric can, if he looks up, enjoy the full experience of Yori making unblinking eye-contact as she marches down the hallway to his office, continuing to stare as she snapped positively quivering to attention in front of his desk and offered a crisp salute.

He takes a sip of coffee at first. Then he sits up and salutes. With Yori, this could be about anything.

"Good morning First Lieutenant Hakamada. At ease. Take a seat if you like. What brings you here today?"

Eric gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Eric Voelker wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 19, 2022 2:08 am

He takes a sip of coffee at first. Then he sits up and salutes. With Yori, this could be about anything.

"Good morning First Lieutenant Hakamada. At ease. Take a seat if you like. What brings you here today?"

Eric gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Yori responds in order, first she returns her greetings.

"Good morning Major Voelker."
Then she stands at ease, which means still ramrod straight but now with her arms behind her back. Finally she takes a seat opposite him.
"I wished to discuss my recent promotion, if such a topic is appropriate."

"By all means. You were recommended for it by..." He opens a desk draw and reaches in to flick through a few pages. "Captain Kaala. That's right." He slides it shut again. He sits comfortably and nods for Yori to begin.

Eric Voelker wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 19, 2022 2:12 pm

"By all means. You were recommended for it by..." He opens a desk draw and reaches in to flick through a few pages. "Captain Kaala. That's right." He slides it shut again. He sits comfortably and nods for Yori to begin.

neutrally "Captain Kaala?"
Yori's gaze travels to the desk, as if trying to follow the pages through the wood, then back to Eric.

"That is unexpected, I know she finds me offputting. Is it some kind of prank?"

Eric laughed for a moment. He stops himself and shakes his head. "No, we don't do pranks with promotions Lieutenant. She said you contributed valuable ideas to securing our perimeter and that you then helped directly put those into place. Combined with your excellent performance to date and how professional your team are, well, it was about time."

Eric looked up and then back to Yori. "Laks - Captain Kaala. She finds you a little difficult to speak with. You come across as a very intense person Lieutenant. Dedicated, but eccentric. She's a more carefree soul. You're also from the Mustered Soldiery. She's originally from Draconis Combine space. So, there are some walls there I expect. Even so, she acknowledges contributions to the unit, as do I."

He makes a sweeping gesture to encompass her. "Anyway, what specifically did you wish to discuss about your promotion?"

Eric Voelker wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 19, 2022 9:18 pm

Eric laughed for a moment. He stops himself and shakes his head. "No, we don't do pranks with promotions Lieutenant. She said you contributed valuable ideas to securing our perimeter and that you then helped directly put those into place. Combined with your excellent performance to date and how professional your team are, well, it was about time."

Eric looked up and then back to Yori. "Laks - Captain Kaala. She finds you a little difficult to speak with. You come across as a very intense person Lieutenant. Dedicated, but eccentric. She's a more carefree soul. You're also from the Mustered Soldiery. She's originally from Draconis Combine space. So, there are some walls there I expect. Even so, she acknowledges contributions to the unit, as do I."

He makes a sweeping gesture to encompass her. "Anyway, what specifically did you wish to discuss about your promotion?"

Yori blinks twice, clearly surprised.
"I see sir, thank you for your perspective. I respect the Captain, although I find her approach to command unusual."
There's a long silence as she just stares at her Major before finally.

"It's regarding you sir. I am aware you have read my file, you understand I have had past problems with my commanding officers. Being promoted reminds me of the last time I was moving up in a unit when I served the Combine."

"I see. Lieutenant, you're aware I'd go out of business or be hunted down or both if I betrayed members of the unit, aren't you? Command in a mercenary group is a very different beast to command in a House military. I maintain this position because of trust. Not military hierarchy, political connections or nepotism."

He gestured to Yori with an open palm.

"So what is on your mind?"

Eric Voelker wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:44 am

"I see. Lieutenant, you're aware I'd go out of business or be hunted down or both if I betrayed members of the unit, aren't you? Command in a mercenary group is a very different beast to command in a House military. I maintain this position because of trust. Not military hierarchy, political connections or nepotism."

He gestured to Yori with an open palm.

"So what is on your mind?"

"I am having difficulties with trust sir. And I understand how that might seem like a personal slight given what you have stated, but it is more of a personal failing."
Staring at his hand
"Have you ever wanted to trust someone who by most metrics was on the line between 'trustworthy' and 'very trustworthy' but inherited trauma prevents the creation of that connection?"

"Yes, but more in the way of romantic relationships than business or life and death. I have my own experiences of bad commanders, but I left before it became a personal problem for me."

He runs that hand through his hair. It then moved to scratch his beard idly.

"What can I do to assist with this trust issue?"

Gravely "I see, I'm sorry your romantic life has been full of betrayal."

Continuing on, and continuing to stare.
"If you are able to continue to be patient with me, and my lance that is enough. I conducted a small poll and after accounting for inconsistencies and taking our ranking system into account we agreed that you were an acceptable commander of the Angels. I know we do not always make our views known."

Yori reaches into her pocket and unfolds the paper containing the results of her poll as well as several graphs before sliding it across the table. From the look of it she'd even had the lance rate Eric's beard from 'neckbeard' to 'luscious lumberjack'

"Yeah, me too." Eric responds, frowning.

He nods at her suggestion of patience and then he leans forward to check the papers.

"I'm glad you find me acceptable, but what's all this? Beard polls?"

"It is not only beard polls, this is merely page 3."
She taps the poll, lance consensus had been that Eric had a 'solid beard with room for improvement'
"Tsuge thought I should ask everyone."
Point to several off the other pages with graphs
"It has feedback on a range of areas for you."
Pause
"I emphasize it is mostly positive. In fact, you beat our previous commander on every metric....well except shoulder broadness, ruthlessness and skull structure."

"Some of those don't strike me as necessary qualities for a leader." Eric replies bluntly. "But I appreciate the show of support on... most of all this." He was only skim reading each page.

"That is probably correct. Although I would note that wearing socks with sandals-"
She points to the poll
"-is not only a fashion crime, but a sign of mental instability."

It was probably for the best Eric didn't read through the voluminous passages examining his style of dress or speech.

"And thank you for receiving our feedback and vocalizing your approval, I know many commanders would not do so."
Yori makes a mental note to put 'poll reception' as a poll question for the next one.

"How do I say this... there are better things you could be doing in your downtime, either to relax or to stay busy. What are you currently doing regularly to unwind Lieutenant?"

"Regularly?"
Yori's eyes unfocus slightly as she accesses her mental list.
"I am continuing to read inventory lists and manuals as well as eating, bathing and sleeping. All of which help to lower my blood pressure and stress levels."
The slightest frown as she reads the addendum
"I am also reading some of Lieutenant Winter's manga collection and then discussing it with him after the fact. I understand that may not be productive and can of course cancel it if needed."

Eric pinches the bridge of his nose. He clears his head and rationalises his thoughts. Lowering his hand, he commits them to words. "Eating, bathing and sleeping are necessities. I can't speak for manga, but I doubt that's a problem. Lieutenant Winter has sound judgment. Now, reading inventory lists and manuals is not a necessity for a lance lead. I'm glad the act is helping you, but you're not part of our Logistics staff."

He shifts his chair back to stand up. "Might I suggest a more productive use of your time if the main purpose is lowering blood pressure and stress levels?" He moved behind him to a set of shelves. One had a few books. "Have you tried looking through the library for some reading on military leadership? There are authors aside from those recommended in Draconis Combine space. You'll find any learning more applicable to your current role... unless you would like to move to a support position?" As he said this he scanned his own limited selection of books and picked out two.

Taking his seat again, he sets the books down. 'SLDF Battlemech Divisions - Organisation, Logistics and Strategies, Vol 1.' and 'How to win friends and influence people.' Both were in English. "Are you familiar with either of these Lieutenant Hakamada?"

Peering down at the books

"SLDF Battlemech Divisions is a classic, my parents bought me this for my twelfth birthday."
For a moment Yori looks...if not happy, then slightly content at the memory.
"I have not seen a copy for some time."

Turning her gaze to the other book
"This I am less familiar with. I did not realise such complicated concepts could be condensed into book form. Did you read it to become our commander?"