[center][H3]Ziska[/H3][/center]

"We could perhaps get a copy of our ROMs off world, send it to the right people. Some C-Bills in the right hands would go a long way right now," Ziska said with a shrug. She offered Marit a sly grin and subtle wink, the fresh MechWarrior had measured well. She didn't flinch. She didn't panic. All traits Ziska valued. All traits they would in greater measure soon enough. The games were over, but the fun was just starting in her morally questionable view.

Draping herself over a chair in a catlike fashion, Ziska mused loudly, "We could lean into it perhaps, brutality has won some wars, but fighting an entire planet is hard work."

She laughed,"Motherfuckers. I have to give it to those heartless bastards, I didn't think they'd go this far. We miscalculated. We underestimated them. We are dealing with some fanatics here. Some true believers. They'll kill thousands just to put us off balance, just to leave us on our back foot."

"Who are they? Who are the Crimson Fists really? Fresh BattleMechs. Fresh AeroSpace fighters. Wiping out a village to get to some mercs hiding under a mountain of scrap. Lady Death would be proud of the Crimson Fists and that's saying something. We may have picked the wrong fight, Colonel," Ziska said to look around the room.

"Now, before someone goes and thinks I've gone soft. I'm not afraid. I don't mind fighting. I don't mind killing. I'd prefer not to die, but if that's the hand that I'm dealt, then I am prepared for it. That's what we are paid to do. That's what a MechWarrior is for. But this is not a war that ends happily for any of us. And it will only get worse from here."

Ziska seemed almost apologetic as she continued and a frown briefly passed over her features.

"Respectfully, Colonel, this isn't your type of war. Perhaps it's time to consider our options? We have a Davey Crockett. We have C-Bills for bribes. We could spring our people. A nuclear weapon set to blow is a strong statement in any negotiation. We could plant additional conventional devices. What is...the safety of an entire city for our people? We could fade off the map. We could vanish into the galaxy. They are spending a fortune to hunt us down. How hard will they really try to stop us? They will not openly parley with murderers, of course, but it is not unheard of for a planetary militia to let a belligerent force escape rather than drive them to fight to bitter end."

Studying the Colonel carefully, Ziska shifted, crossing her legs and sitting up in the battered folding chair she had claimed,"I would prefer to fight, I would prefer to kill the Firewitch, but it's your call, Colonel."