[center][color=0076a3][b][h2]Jason "Phoenix" Diabolus | Squad Sigma Pilot[/h2][/b][/color]
[i]Note: Because I took so long, this post will start with what he was doing mid-way through the week, as I was working on that post.[/i][/center]
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It always happened this way, no matter what happened. The boy kicked at the front of the simulator, even as it opened up to release him back into the world. No matter how many times he ran the simulation, based off the combat recordings at Nazareth; Doom always died. No matter what he did, his friends would perish. He would order Xane to hold back, and the Cruxi would get a shot off, killing Celeste or Marshall. Sometimes he survived, sometimes he died alongside his friends. He was always unable to save them, but in the end all burned in that horrid green light. Wiped out in a single moment as if by an act of God. But not any God he knew of, this one was violent and genocidal. This one burned his home and his friends. He couldn't do anything to save them, and every time he could almost hear the screams as they spent their final moments burning in the hellfire. 

After a brief moment, Jason leaned back into the pod and punched in some commands. The simulator closed back up, and as he closed his eyes the same simulation began to start back over. When he opened his eyes, Jason greeted by the familiar fields where he had lined up Doom to keep the Cruxi from entering the city. [color=0076a3][b]"Xane. Stay out of their range, but keep an eye for any kinks in their armor. Give me a weak spot. Do not attack, do I make myself clear?"[/b][/color] Jason ordered as he began to spin up Ribasu's mighty Railgun. [color=0076a3][b]"Celeste, keep the Cruxi on thier toes and at range. Marshall, if any get close then take care of them."[/b][/color] The boy ordered as the twin enemy mechs landed, followed by that terrible beast. This time, instead of engaging the beast, Jason took the time to aim then fire a charged shot at one of the two enemy units. With a thunderous roar, and a shudder throughout the frame; a sudden strike of lightning tore across the open space and punched clean through the War Machine's chest. Then, just as had happened before, Celeste took a shot and completely obliterated her War Machine. The shot rang out as it blew the War Machine's arm clean off, then set off an explosion that destroyed the machine completely. 

A small smile grew on his lips as he heard Xane take-off, hoping that perhaps he would be able to survive this encounter would end in his favor at last. However; that was where things immediately went wrong, as Marshall's massive frame lurched towards the Cruxi Warbeast as it charged towards the frames. However, the pilot seemed to misjudge his calculations and wasn't able to plant himself in time to stop the forward momentum of the charging beast. With a high-pitched, painful, screech; the beast tackled the frame to the ground. The tentacles from the beast tearing into the monstrosity of metal. Through the comms, Jason could hear the panicked screams of his ally, moments before static followed by silence. The beast taking a chance to tear the cockpit open and kill his friend once again. Jason's hands flew across the controls as he tried to aim his weapon for revenge, but Ribasu's main weapon was not finished cooling down, and he couldn't in time as the beast suddenly set its gaze onto him and lunged forward. [color=0076a3][b]"Celeste, I need help!"[/b][/color] He barked into the comms, but help didn't come in time. The beast leaped onto his mech and the two tumbled to the ground. As they hit the ground, his silos opened and soon enough a flurry of missiles tore the beast the shreds. 

Jason's screen went black, simulating that he went unconscious as the mech was blown backward from the blast. Pain tore through his body, just as if he had been burned by the explosions. The damage reports flowed in, covering his screen with details on various armor breaches, and the failing of some systems from the wave of explosions that had flowed over Ribasu. As the smoke settled, Jason forced the mech to slowly get to its feet, various creeks and groans of metal could be heard clearly through the cockpit. Various fluids were seen leaking onto the ground, sparks and small flames were seen as coming from the open wounds along the mech's body. This was the point that Jason always worried about, where the JONAH appaeared, soon followed by the plasma fire that destroyed his friends everytime. As the ship came in, Jason immdiately ordered a disengage. The trio began heading towards the ship, but the War Machine that had been hit by Jason wasn't finished. The mech set off in a wild attack and openly fired on the trio. Jason watched as Celeste, the girl he had grown to care about quite a bit recently, took a heavy plasma shot to her thrusters. The reaction causing her mech to immdiately explode, killing her before she could react. Jason screamed, the pain of her death as fresh as it had been that day. But within seconds, he was docking onboard the JONAH. Having witnessed the death of everybody he cared about once again, Jason felt defeated. Preparing for the sim to come to an end, but there was one second as the sim closed down, something he heard coming through the comms. 

[center][color=FF8C00]"Shit. Celeste and Marshall? What are we gonna do now, man?"[/color][/center]

The voice of Xane, the boy Jason had forgot about being in the simulation spoke in his ear. His friend had survived, and they'd be able to take on anything. The Cruxi couldn't stop them, their bond was forged in the fires of war. 

Then the sim faded to black and the simulator opened. Jason was confronted once more with reality, Xane was dead. No matter what he did, Jason could not change that. But still, the sim had showed him that he could have saved some of them. He had to get better, had to prevent others from passing. As he climbed out of the sim, he looked back towards the pod. [color=0076a3][b]"I'll make all of you proud. I promise."[/b][/color] he said softly before heading back to his quarters, deciding to get some rest after the training.

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Looking up from the small counter, Jason studied the digital clock nearby and swore under his breath. He had spent so long working on ideas for upgrades, he was pretty sure that he would be running late for the briefing. Setting down the drafting materials, he looked at the upgrade before saving it to the tablet he had been working on. Sliding the pad into his pack, he got up and cast a look up towards Ribasu, then at little workshop he had set up. [color=0076a3][b]"Soon, we can get an upgrade for ya. Become an even more of a badass."[/b][/color] He said to the silent mech before slinging the bag on his shoulder and heading straight for the briefing at a rather quick pace. Fortunately, Jason was able to make it to the briefing before things really got kicked off. He found a place about midway back in the room, and briefly looked around to see if he knew others. But, before he could do anything, he heard voices and saw the two women enter the room. His eyes immediately caught on the mature one, and he briefly debated trying to say something. But figured that out of place, though he would gladly have asked her on a date anytime.

Then he noticed the little girl getting the piggy-back ride. He started to wonder why there was a little girl, but soon enough she spoke up and stated that she was the sergeant. He immediately wanted to point out that he doubted one so young would even have the slightest idea about good strategy or be fit in any way to lead a unit. However, that was also not his duties. Once the floor was opened for questions, Jason looked over towards Zim as he asked his question. That... was not terribly smart of him to do. Questioning the superiors, that is. Jason certainly wished to know the armaments of their frames, but doubted know was the time. Seeing the first man's response, Jason was a bit surprised that is was so... positive. Giving a professional salute, Jason opted to remain silent. Later he could ask about their frame's specs.