[h3]Daniel Wilton[/h3]
[hr]
Technique. Daniel’s philosophy for physical training revolved around it. His extracurricular physical exercise was focused on distance running and free-weight lifts, specifically cleans and presses. He was careful never to progress until his form was as close to perfect as he could manage. Power would grow on its own as he worked out, but the only way to maximize his personal potential would involve making sure that technique never was the reason for failure.

It seemed an odd training concept, when paired with the lightning speed of Star Fist, but he held to it- much to the exasperation of Sergeant Ken. Daniel could often be observed slowly, precisely practicing the movements, straining his muscles and feeling through the motion, repeating faster and faster, so long as he could keep the precision. In practice, he never reached the same speeds as the others, but the power behind his strikes was powerful, and their form unforgiving. Besides the odd philosophy, he didn’t mind accepting criticism or advice from the other cadets, and often watched those who performed better than himself for clues. This however, was only a means to an end. Piloting and classes were his true focus.

Daniel’s approach to piloting over the days they had was markedly different from that of martial arts. Though in planned simulations he focused and attempted to coordinate to the best of his ability, during free periods in simulation he was liable to be almost reckless, attempting maneuvers that would tear a real mecha apart. Here, he wasn’t afraid to experiment. In VR, the damage wasn’t permanent nor costly to repair- so he took full advantage in seeking the limitations of a mecha, looking for familiarity. The result was often finding himself in awkward positions and situations that any half-decent pilot would have avoided with ease, but he satisfied himself with checking [i]those[/i] particular maneuvers off on the list of ‘do not attempt’. It was a joy to pilot, but the research and classes with Lorenzo were far better than the physical or pilot training, where he was concerned.

The lectures were better than mealtimes. Daniel had become notorious for asking strange and often seemingly unrelated questions on subjects. His desk had an organized clutter of manuals, notepads, and copies of lectures stacked neatly atop it, a white board covered in sketches of different bits of mecha machinery on the wall. Of course, his pursuits often cut time away from socializing with the other pilots though he didn’t notice it. It wasn’t a case of avoidance as much as absentmindedness; he would greet and chat with the others when crossing paths, he just didn’t seek out acquaintance.

It was a matter of irritation when the Klaxons began wailing and interrupted a lesson he had been waiting on for the last two days. As soon as Lorenzo dismissed them, Daniel stood and shoved his notebook into his back pocket and jogged down the hall towards the briefing room. He fell in as he entered, lining up to wait for Harold. The holo caught his interest the instant it flicked on, his eyes locked on the indicators while Lorenzo spoke.

[i]Two colonies, one huge, one small. A knight’s fork in chess. The logical place for the Cruxi to deploy mist was the area of highest population, due to the damage its main armament could inflict… but they could very well predict that we would prioritize the larger colony to defend it against Mist, as a larger population and the most logical target. Therefore in their position, it would be wisest to first set deploy Mist on the smaller colony to wipe out the resistance there, while the larger grouping of defenders fights in Troas. After wiping out the unsuspecting force in Joppa Mist could rendezvous with the Cruxi forces in Troas to finish the siege. Assuming the Cruxi don’t counter predict that prediction and send Mist to Troas first anyway.[/i]

He slowly raised his hand after the others had a chance to have their questions answered already having scribbled out the answers to theirs on his ever present notepad. “Sir, did Squad Beta test Energy Barriers, Gravitational, or Electrical Fields against Mist? And is it confirmed that Mist is piloted by a living Cruxi?”