Billy's emotional state could justifiably be blamed on his adrenaline-addled mind still clawing its way out of the brief shock of combat, but even Billy would say that such an appraisal would be too apologetic. His flash of irritation bordering on anger at the scolding he had received, and his subsequent irate response was heartfelt and quick coming.

"The Chief Staff disagree, Mr.Blackwell. I hope you understand the consequences of such a position.". Billy wondered how long such prosaic rules of engagement would last: taking hostiles alive was a terrible, difficult and above all deadly proposition for those abiding by it, and though Billy had no authority to change the rules of engagement he felt obligated to save the lives of those under his protection, as is the officer's first and foremost duty. He absentmindedly hoped that the extra second of the cruciatus curse did not inflict any further harm on Lisa, knowing full well the physiological effects of the 'Unforgivable' spell. He wanted to help, but knew he didn't have the skill that would be needed to try to lessen the effects of such a dangerous incantation. Waving down a medic, he strode towards the debriefing man, settling frustratedly down by his rebuker, his frustration only exacerbated by his assurance that his actions were correct. At the very least, Brass would agree that his attempt to quickly dispose of aggressive hostile elements posing extreme threat to himself and his allies was justified, and what command thinks is never something a soldier should ignore.

As the man spoke, he began the litany of combat charms. Kinetic energy redirectors. Sensory displacement charms. Transfiguration counterspells and magical energy sinks. Breath filtration and flash protection, along with numerous different pain dampeners. Automatic apparition would be useless, but at least that stopped him having to remember to cast apparition-blockers. By the time Billy was done with his routine preparation he was down nearly a third of his magical reserves, and smarting at the lack of a proper TOE, not only transfiguration-resistant bullets but now energy-restoration potions. It was only as a result of a hundred hurried nights in the field that he managed to multitask the casting of this litany with receiving the debriefing of the wounded man in front of him.