[h3][color=tomato]Krista Reynolds[/color][/h3]
[hr]
    Krista was too caught up trying to attach names to faces to remember to salute. By the time she'd had stopped spacing out it was already too late, and she focused on paying attention to what the girl had to say. There was one line that caught her attention though.
    
[quote]
"But I'll let you know before we get any misunderstandings; I may be young, but I've fought on the front-lines for four years, and have earned these badges fair and square. So I won't be hearing anyone call me disrespectful stuff like child or brat!"
[/quote]    
    
    Krista gasped when it sunk in. [color=tomato][i]"Just how young was she started fighting? People called me young when I was recruited...[/i][/color] Her thoughts were interrupted by trio's sibling-like antics. [color=tomato][i] "Well, they don't look too bad. Pretty chill, it seems."[/i][/color] she thought. A small smile crept onto her face as she watched them.
    
[quote]
"Sheesh," she finally sighed while wiping her forehead in relief once Dari left and she was once again in control of the briefing. "Anyone I catch giggling or even smirking will get twenty!" She put her hands to her hips once again. "Anyway, looks like nobody else has questions, so you're dismissed...except for Cadets Twilight, Armstrong, Reynolds and Sorus-no, 'Paladin'. You will stay."

Once the others left, Elise gave the remaining pilots a harsh scolding. "When a superior greets you with a salute, you show respect by saluting back! And since you jokers didn't, it means you don't care if I'm your commanding officer. So as punishment, give me forty!"
[/quote]

   Krista recoiled at the announcement of the punishment. She covered up her mouth to try and hide her smirk but she feared it was too late. Less than a day and she'd already messed up badly. 
   
   Elise's eyes darted in Krista's direction like arrows, stinging deeply as she briskly walked over to her. "Did I say something funny, Cadet Reynolds? You think I'm just joking around, huh? Look me in the eye, pilot!" She then ordered, her cheeks puffed up.
   
   Krista forced herself to stand still as she turned head downwards to meet Elise's eyes. [color=tomato][i] "Oh goodness she looks like my cousins when they want candy."[/i][/color] She kicked herself even as she let out a small snorting giggle. [color=tomato] "No M'am, I'm really sorry M'am,"[/color] she said with a twang, [color=tomato] "you guys just really reminded me of my family there for a moment." [/color]She shook as she tried to control herself, taking a deep breath. [color=tomato]"That's gonna be sixty pushups, ain't it?"[/color] Without further ado, she took a step back and started doing her push-ups.
    
   Elise continued staring angrily, but her puffiness went away, followed by something resembling an annoyed smirk. "I'm glad we have an understanding, Cadet." After the pushups were done, Elise then nodded. "Alright, now remember to keep sharp and keep to protocol so we don't have to do this again. Dismissed."  
   
   Krista was the last of the cadets to finish. She stood up as sweat dripped down her face. She struggled to maintain her posture as she gave a shaky-armed salute. [color=tomato]"Yes Ma'am. Won't happen again." [/color] 
   
[hr]
   
   The next few days with Squad Sigma was a change of pace for Krista. Each one of the exercises was not just for the sake of testing a new weapon, but to prepare herself for using the weapon in combat. It was clear that she was the newest member of the group, and while her fellow cadets didn't treat her poorly there was a certain distance that couldn't be helped. She still wasn't quite sure what to think of the Sergeant. It was clear from the simulations that Elise was much more experienced than Krista was. She also did a [i]very[/i] good job of reminding her of proper military procedure. On the other hand, there were moments where she [i]almost[/i] acted as old as she looked. 
   
   Krista felt like the mission came all too soon. Even as she walked into the briefing room she was unsure of how well she could fight. Still, she tried to hide her nervousness as she saluted both Captain Ritsu and the Colonel. She paid attention as the briefing was given, and made sure to salute the Colonel back at the end. 
   
   She raised her hand an waited patiently to be called on. [color=tomato]"Captain, do we have an idea where in the base the prisoners are being held? And ah know Zim already sorta asked this, but are we going to have to go in and free them ourselves, or will there be backup?"[/color]