[hr][hr][center][h1][color=teal]AGATHA[/color] and [color=6ecff6]ELI[/color][/h1][b]HALLS, NEW ANCHORAGE[/b][/center] [hr][hr] It had been just over a week, and already Eli could feel a sense of improvement. Perhaps the scores would not reflect it as profoundly as she hoped --yet, anyway, she would assure herself— but she knew the feeling well. Minor, fleeting, but definite all the same as it overtook her fears. At the very least, she thought herself presentable, if not to the commander, than at least to the other pilots. Recalling what Lofgren had told her the first go, she decided to request company. Stein would have been an easy choice, but she knew the other girl’s combative style, at least at the basest level. Van Gent had been suggested as well, but she had mentally blacklisted the idea as soon as it had been offered. That left her with another respectable choice, the elder of the group, Agatha. A plus in more ways, since Eli figured she’d need to know the woman’s preference for fighting sooner than later anyway. And so it was she set about to find her. It was in Eli’s search for a partner that she came upon the eldest pilot, roaming the halls. Her hair, normally in a simple bun, was looser than normal, and she had bandages across one hand, but beyond that she seemed her normal self. Or as normal as Eli would assume, having not interacted much between the two of them. Agatha plastered on a cocksure grin and asked, [color=teal] “Hey, it’s Eli right? You need something?”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”Yes,”[/color] she said, and looked the woman top to bottom. She seemed to have been working, which was good. There was momentum to keep up in that case. [color=6ecff6]”I want you with me in the next VR combat simulation. Are you fit to attend?”[/color] [color=teal]”Fantastic. I’d been mulling over what to do today, and that sounds like a good workout.”[/color] Agatha answered, rolling her shoulder in preparation. [color=teal] “Hey, you think we can invite Stein in on this? I think I’m growing on her, but we haven’t done much since I got here. It’ll be a good group exercise.”[/color] Eli thought it over. In all honesty, she did have an urge to fight with Stein again, and survive the simulation. [color=6ecff6]”Yes, where is she?”[/color] The elder pilot cupped her chin thoughtfully. [color=teal]“Hmm, can’t say I have her exact location, but she’s bound to be at one of the training facilities. The woman is a work-a-holic after my own heart. Any luck and we’ll find her on the way to the VR room. If not you could always send her a message asking her to meet us there for a friendly bout.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”Hm.”[/color] Eli set about the task quickly, tapping out the message: [i]”VR simulation if available. Pilot Smith accompanying.”[/i] before setting the datatool away. [color=6ecff6]”Done. I don’t expect she’ll be absent.”[/color] [color=teal]”Sounds like a plan. Let’s not keep the Ace waiting.”[/color] The elder pilot fell into step beside Eli as they moved on. [color=6ecff6]”The Ace?”[/color] Eli asked, starting off for Lofgren’s. It wouldn’t take the two long to make it there. [color=teal] “Stein. You know, she’s always working herself to the bone, carries herself like she’s been bred for this work. Haven’t seen her behind the wheel of her NC, but I wouldn’t think it’s a stretch to say she’s the Ace around here.”[/color] Agatha turned a critical eye to younger pilot. [color=teal]”Unless you want that claim?”[/color] Eli craned her neck around to meet Agatha’s gaze. [color=6ecff6]”I want the people of New Anchorage safe. Titles aren’t enough.”[/color] Agatha raised her hands in faux defense. [color=teal]”No offense intended, just a moniker I’ve taken to using.” [/color] [color=6ecff6]”A well earned one, I won’t argue.”[/color] [color=teal]“I take it you’re a local then? Most recent hires wouldn’t be so invested.” [/color] Eli nodded. [color=6ecff6]”Concerning, but true.”[/color] [color=teal]”I’d try to convince you that I’m contrary to this trend, and I am, but I’ll save myself the breath and you your incredulity by saying I’ll prove myself when Graham decides to test us.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”Yes, you will.”[/color] Eli would have been content to leave it there, but no sooner did she shut her mouth was she hearing Vera’s voice, scolding her in the back of her mind. It was enough admitting that it was [i]Graham[/i] who would be testing their loyalty to New Anchorage, but still. With a sigh, she went on. [color=6ecff6]”I have the utmost respect for your previous service. I hope you understand my reservations.”[/color] [color=teal] “Completely understandable” [/color] ”Agatha paused, remembering something she had wished to discuss with Eli since she had her confrontation with Percy. [color=teal] “Eli, can I ask you about the kid that’s usually around you. She doesn’t look like your kid sister...”[/color] Eli felt a cold chill return to her neck, leaking down her shoulders. She shook her head, hesitant. [color=6ecff6]”Vera is a friend of the family. She’s here as my assistant.”[/color] [color=teal]”Her family in the picture?” [/color] [color=6ecff6]”No,”[/color] Eli said. It was hard to admit why, hard to say that the Voloshyna’s had been driven out by her home. So she didn’t. [color=6ecff6]”My mother and I look after her.”[/color] [color=teal]”She looks happy.”[/color] Agatha said, giving Eli an approving nod and grin. [color=teal]”A bit strict, but I can’t fault that. You're a good parent, Eli. Glad to see someone who is around here.”[/color] Eli’s pulse quickened at the words. It felt better to hear them than she’d have expected, a different sort of validation even if it was at the cost of someone else. For the second time since she’d begun working for New Anchorage, she was happy for the coverage her scarf provided, and the shadows her hood cast over her face. There was a definite strain to the first words she uttered, but as always, she got herself on leash. [color=6ecff6]”Good pilot or not, Moore loves his daughter. He’s not a bad parent.”[/color] Agatha scoffed at notion of Percy being good at anything. [color=teal]”Love is one thing, but he hasn’t shown commitment to defending his child. If he’s going to let Graham and…[i]others[/i] walk over him, his daughter, and his wife, then it doesn’t matter how much he loves that girl because he isn’t being her parent.”[/color] She thumped her bicep with a bandaged fist.[color=teal] “A parent has to stand up for their own, even if the whole damned world is against them.” [/color] [color=6ecff6]”Measuring someone by their capacity to hurt their superiors is a mistake,”[/color] Eli said flatly. [color=6ecff6]”Percy may not have restraint, but he’s not insubordinate. If anyone posed a true threat to Graham, they would be dead.”[/color] [color=teal]”Come on, you know there wasn’t any real threat of harm back there. Graham had that choreographed to a T.” [/color] The elder pilot sighed ruefully, eyes glossing with the haze of recalling days long since past. [color=teal]”Honestly, we lucked out with our commander. Would have been easy to find a despot, or a corporate shill without any backbone. Used to hear stories of commanders who’d use their authority to, eh, dominate the female members of staff. They used to be the Harem Kings of the East Indies. If we had one of those sorts, well Percy would be finding himself the father of a child bride because he wouldn’t raise a hand in her defense.” [/color] Eli nodded, thoughtful, but shrugged. [color=6ecff6]”Perhaps, but hypothetical situations are just that. I’ve seen Moore fight, I’m content. For now. He may not be the last one standing, but I’m confident he would not be the first to fall.”[/color] [color=teal]”Hmm, loyal I see.”[/color] She clapped Eli on the shoulder heartilly. [color=teal]”See? That’s a good trait in a parent! You and I are going to get along just fine.”[/color] They had arrived at the outside of the Simulator Labs before Eli could come up with a proper response. Instead, she checked her datatool to see if Stein had responded, or if she was already present. [i]”On My Way.”[/i] The message read. Agatha nodded her understanding and leaned against the wall. [color=teal]”So, anything you wanna ask me? Lately I seem to be an interrogator and i just know my girls are laughing at me somewhere for it.” [/color] [color=0076a3]“I imagine it is not a very funny joke.”[/color] The monotone voice crept up behind Agatha, the familiar sound of Stein’s words catching the two women off guard. Stein’s arrival seemed oddly timely considering Eli’s eyes had cut to her datatool. Nevertheless, she set it away and nodded her greeting to the other pilot. Agatha pushed herself off the wall and nodded in greeting to her fellow pilot. [color=teal] “Afternoon, Stein. How goes the day?”[/color] [color=0076a3]“You requested me, so there is that fact.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”I trust you’re both prepared. I don’t expect Lofgren to exercise restraint while there are three of us.”[/color] [color=0076a3]“I am always prepared.”[/color] [color=teal]”Wouldn’t be here if we weren’t.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”Good,”[/color] Eli said, and started into the room. Things had turned out favorably in the end, she’d get to observe Agatha in combat, as well as Stein. Though it would be out-of-NC, knowledge was knowledge, and knowing how to fight with the team was essential, even if she didn’t always want to admit it. With that, the three pilots continued in, ready for whatever challenge would be laid out before them. The days to their test were ticking down, and “satisfactory” would hardly be enough.