[center][h2][color=a187be]Zahra Mazghuuri[/color][/h2]
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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e_sRLWPKSo[/youtube][/center]
Zahra sat solemnly through the briefing, listening intently to Commander Narra's words. Though there were native Havenites in First International Volunteers' Battalion, this was the battalion for 'foreign guests' like Zahra. Perhaps because of this, or perhaps because of the way she dressed, Zahra had been getting queer looks from some members of the other battalions. Perhaps they found her mode of dress terribly outdated, or perhaps they suspected her, an ambassador of Al-Amir, of being a spy or otherwise here for some ulterior motive. While it was true that she acted on Al-Amir's behalf and in Al-Amir's best interests, it was a common ethical fallacy that one's own best interests were always at odds with the best interests of others. But now wasn't the time to be pondering such moral conundrums. Zahra noticed a younger woman sitting next to her tense up at the mention of 'breeding slaves', and placed a reassuring, gloved hand over the younger woman's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. Rape was an unfortunate truth of war. One could say that this was a result of the modern world; after the bombs fell, and apocalypse came, many relinquished their moral convictions and religions, seeing this world as a world that God had abandoned. What did you do if the supposed 'End of the World' had come and gone, and yet humanity remained? Yet for Zahra, assuming that this world was more mad than it had ever been was also a fallacy. Evil existed in every era. Every stage of Man's history had its fair share of saints, sinners, and martyrs: heroes, villains, and the innocent dead.

As the briefing continued, Zahra's eyes narrowed at the mention of an enemy pilot who could hijack control of NC's. This would be problematic, as Zahra worried about having either her NC, or her drones wrested from her control. She held no delusions that she could fend off such an attack easily, and worried about the prospect of having their defensive formations compromised in such a way. In a way, Zahra pitied the children who were forced to fight and be modified in this unnatural way. Then she imperceptibly raised an eyebrow at Commander Narra's suggestion that they capture the enemy pilots alive, if possible. In a desperate defense, mercy was the last thing Zahra expected. WHile Zahra commended the sentiment and increased her regard for Haven's founding principles, which no doubt had a hand in guiding such a decision, despite being a 'secularly-founded' government, the majority of which tended to focus on consolidation of power, expediency, and survival whatever the moral cost, she herself could make no such promises on the battlefield. The fortunes of battle lay in the hands of God, as did all things.

Commander Narra's closing remark, however, seemed to stir the battalion more than the descriptions of the impending threat. Some wanted coffee, some wanted tea, some wanted booze. Zahra stood up slowly. In a soft-spoken voice, she added to the conversation, [color=a187be]"Coffee sounds like a wonderful idea,"[/color] she winked at the young woman next to her, the one who seemed to be nervous, then turned to the other young woman, [color=a187be]"And do not worry, I have been to both Ethiopia and Yemen, their coffeehouses are well-equipped with tea, though you'll probably have to call it 'chai'. And though we are socializing, we are still in the process of planning a defense, so we should keep our wits about us. This is an opportunity for us to understand each other at our best, and at our highest level of performance. There will be time enough to celebrate, in whatever manner we may individually prefer, after the battle is won."[/color] She looked to the tall, older gentleman, hoping he'd acquiesce. She stared intently at the flask that he had just taken a swig out of, [color=a187be]"Besides, I'm sure the coffeehouse will not object if you 'bring your own'."[/color]