Every push-up requested had been delivered, without complaint.  Not even so much as an acknowledgement of the punishment beyond a flat 'Yes, sir'.  Really, the shame was enough of a punishment on its own.  She could rationalize it as being in defense of her House's honor, but she was this close to striking a fellow Mechwarrior...over just a petty, schoolyard tease!  Ingrid was nothing short of ashamed that she had let herself slip that much.

Of course, not all of it was directed at herself.  Though she wouldn't dare look directly at Ziska for the rest of the day unless spoken to, she seemed to squint every time she came into her field of vision.

Which she was, unfortunately, at the time of the briefing.  Directly across from her in the circle of equals.

Ingrid could only wonder why this happened in the first place...

Her arms were sore but she remained standing at attention as the Colonel spoke, not letting the fatigue show.  Back when she was younger, the thought of committing what was effectively banditry written off as asset acquisition would've been unthinkable.  Far below her status, or pretty much anyone's.  Now she had grown a little more sensible, perhaps.  Beyond wishing to be in better times, she would do nothing.  This sort of thing is a fact of war.

[color=SteelBlue]"They're hardly a hospitable group,"[/color] she said in agreement with the tankers - the [i]mere[/i] tankers.  [color=SteelBlue]"If they seek to cooperate with us, I've seen no such hail from them yet - and we've a web of diplomatic ties to navigate.  However, we should not leave them in the cold--"[/color]

Ingrid shivered a little as she remembered how cold she is.

[color=SteelBlue]"--[i]because[/i] they could have some sort of use down the line.  Establishing a means of communication will be of use, but I don't see the trouble being worth the reward yet."[/color]

On the mission itself, and its current topic...she immediately showed some hesitation.  [color=SteelBlue]"Sir, while I understand the outcome behind your suggested action,"[/color] she said to the Colonel, looking him straight in the eyes after glancing away, [color=SteelBlue]"do you believe that firing on unarmed transports will end up being in our favor?  The enemy certainly holds the public's attention at this time, and handing them a ready-made propaganda piece about firing on non-combatants - even if they are military personnel - would not be advantageous for receiving aid from anyone on this planet."[/color]

...She thought for a moment, and added something more.

[color=SteelBlue]"In the worst case scenario...future employers, as well."[/color]