[quote=@Mr Rage]
When the discussion about Ritsu's deployment ended Zim raised his hand to speak. "Ma'am," He started once called on, "I have been going over what reports have been made available at this time. I know that most of the weapons platforms were already destroyed. Do we have any information on the ground to space defensive cannons? Have the Cruxi taken control of them, any data on how many are still available? Additionally, what other support can we expect in this mission?"
[/quote]
"Unfortunately, due to the very recent invasion of Fortress, we haven't had confirmed intelligence on the enemy's defensive formations on the planet's surface," Ritsu answered, and zoomed in on the holo-projector. "We can assume that while most of the Fortress' original defenses were destroyed by the Cruxi-created meteor shower, there should likely be some anti-air cannons left. Based on how the Cruxi have operated on previous battles, their modus operandi seems to integrate whatever weapons technology they find to suit their own designs. But that has only happened with planets that have been taken for an extended period of time." Then Ritsu sighed. "But, Fortress also has a high level of automation in their defenses, so the cannons might have been reprogrammed to target human intruders."

[quote=@Evil Snowman]
When Ritsu asked for Katya’s opinion. Again she was surprised not expecting for her opinion on the matter to be asked.
[color=Fuchsia]“Well without knowing more about the enemy's strength and deployment I personally could not agree with such a request and even then no. Battles are won through teamwork. Not lone wolves trying to prove they better than their squad. Irina must learn to work with us or I apologise for any disrespect she can stay back at base.”[/color] She spoke giving looking at Ritsu. Making sure not to look at Irina even if she respected the pilot's skills she found Irina to be a little intimidating.
[/quote]
Ritsu first looked stern upon hearing Katya's response. "Romanovna, that answer was..." 
She smiled. "Correct. No matter how skilled or experienced a particular pilot may be, they will always be a member of a military unit, and will thus follow military doctrine accordingly. Understood, Irina?"
She gave an aside glance at the silver-haired woman, and she bit her lip in frustration. "None, Ma'm. I will operate under Romanovna's jurisdiction." Ritsu nodded, and smiled. "Very good."

[quote=@DarkRecon]
"If I may ma'am. We could always use my recon drones. I had spoke to Elise about this before but if you want, I can have Elise control the drones from the bridge of the ship and have them simply scout the capital out to see what were at least going to be dealing with initially. I know this ship has it's own sensors but the drones will be more accurate with visuals and data analyzing...I know it's weird to request Elise but I still acknowledge her as my superior despite her "demotion" so if you don't mind, I would like to put my trust in her to be this teams extra eyes and ears. Course, we'd have to be cautious. Despite their small size, the last battle has shown that they can be destoryed with precision fire."
[/quote]
Elise seemed to perk up from the mention of the drones, and looked at Ritsu with anticipation. The captain put her hands to her hips. "That is a good suggestion, Pilot Armstrong. You are correct; field data will be more valuable than our on-board scanners could give us. And with a dedicated pilot to control them means they have a higher chance of surviving Fortress' defenses. Pilot Steinhart, are you willing to take on this mission?"
Elise immediately lifted his hand and nodded. "Affirmative, Captain! I will do my best to help out the squad."
[quote=@Dragoknighte]
	"If I may, too." Roger said, raising his hand after Jake's own interjection. "I'd also like to motion to have Pilot Hero moved to a reserve unit as well. He's too close to the matter at hand, and I believe his ability to act rationally and follow orders has been compromised." The last thing the Squad needed were butting egos in what could be their most difficult mission yet. He wanted the Cruxi dead as much, if not more than the next guy, but there was a limit, and past that point, things got self destructive real fast. Even if Irina deployed with the rest of the team, he had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that she'd shoot off first chance she got. And even on his calmest days, his Black Star's fighting style was rather reckless. Having one desperado on board was enough.
[/quote]
Ritsu crossed her arms. "Pilot Rooney, you are correct in the fact that one morep ilot has to be withdrawn from the mission. However, it won't be pilot Hero." She looked at Jason. "Executive Officer Lorenzo has specifically ordered for you to stay here, and to report to his laboratory, pilot Diavolus. That means you won't participate in this mission."She sighed heavily. "It seems that is all. Pilots, get ready to deploy. T-10 minutes! Dismissed!"

And with that, the pilots prepared themselves for their new mission. It would be the very first mission where they would have to perform a Deep Strike, a difficult maneuver only capable by experienced Framewerk pilots. And even then, survival was not guaranteed, as they would have to enter a planet's atmosphere from orbit.
After the Framewerks were boarded and they flew inside NOAH, they would find that there were strange items placed there; vagualey egg-shaped constructs that fitted a medium-sized and smaller Framewerk. As they were taught, they were to be used by lighter Framewerks to accelerate their dive using rocket thrusters attached to them, and protect them a little bit in the impact. And soon enough, Fortress was in sight; from space, it looked serene, but they all knew that the surface was the very scene of hell itself. NOAH's doors opened, and Ritsu could be heard in the commms: "There will be a fleet of ships that provide covering fire. In five minutes, they will drop a payload of explosives to distract planet's primary defenses. When it goes off, you need to dive in before the cannons target you. Good luck, and may your hearts be of metal itself."