[color=SteelBlue]"Short-sighted.  Yes.  The few of us who intend to leave after we get off this god-forsaken planet are few - we need to plan on the future."[/color]

Her nose turned upward.  [color=SteelBlue]"But they have their reasons for doing so; if they wanted to be petty and spiteful, they would be taking flamethrowers to barracks right now.  I understand the whole of the Colonel's plan in a most utilitarian and spartan sense.  They wish to maximize our gains from this operation..."[/color]

[color=SteelBlue]"The [i]cost,[/i] Rivers, is to our honor as noble Mechwarriors.  Our integrity as greater men and women to have ever ridden on the battlefield."[/color]  You could swear that you've heard this line before.  [color=SteelBlue]"But...I figure your dilemma is more emotional than chivalric.  It is wrong 'as a person', not wrong 'as a Mechwarrior'."[/color]

She stepped away, saying [color=SteelBlue]"You are in the right, but for the wrong reasons.  I give you permission as Lance Leader to act in combat as you see fit.  That will be all."[/color]