[b][center][h2][color=magenta]Reya Wyatt[/color][/h2][/center][/b] The return of the Knights had completely changed the atmosphere in the cave. The somberness and defeatism were gone completely and there was sudden, palpable [i]energy[/i] among the staff and techs that had stayed behind. The raid had been a morale victory as much as it was a strategic and logistical one. There were a lot of smiles and pats on the back as Reya walked with Sunny, many from people that would have normally been too afraid to engage with some of her moods, but things were different now and she was not accustomed to such direct and genuine praise. She had put her life on the line the same as the Mechwarriors and the ‘Boys at a time when it mattered more than ever. It made her think if that was partly what the Colonel had wanted in sending her out there. A tired smile formed on her face and she couldn’t deny that the connection she felt with everyone had also changed dramatically. “[color=aqua]Children study tactics, men study logistics...[/color]” Lieutenant Lyons said with a sharp smirk as they looked over the footage from Reya’s drone. First controlled by Sergeant Dalton and then by Reya, ending with the only access route to Supply Depot F-10 being completely demolished. “[color=aqua]...But today it was a woman.[/color]” Lyons continued. “[color=aqua]Nicely done.[/color]” She said. “[color=aqua]There’s a lot to unpack here, but it should help us figure out who we’re really dealing with; the Colonel will be pleased.[/color].” “[color=magenta]Also, check the manifest for the ammunition truck that survived.[/color]” Reya replied. She eyed Sunny about to push one of the many flashing buttons inside the command section of the Mobile HQ and snapped her finger and pointed. The young girl stuck her tongue out back at her, but relented. “[color=magenta]They were storing Bryant 120mm rounds for an AC20, which is the same as the [i]Merry-Go-Round[/i]...[/color]” Reya rubbed a hand over her forehead and brushed away loose strands of hair that had become a proper mess after a day of running, sweating and being trapped inside a piece of military equipment. She suddenly remembered how tired she was and that they still had to get to the formal briefing. “[color=magenta]We got really lucky with that, but it doesn’t make much sense.[/color]” “[color=aqua]Understood, we’ll check it out. Get some rest and something to eat, you’ve certainly earned it.[/color]” - Making her way to the debriefing, Reya carefully looked over the rest of the Green Knights battlemechs as she walked. [i]Archie[/i] and [i]Black Phoenix[/i] looked okay for the most part, same for Raven’s Shadow Hawk, just smashed and scorched armor, but [i]Susser Todd[/i] looked considerably worse for wear and [i]Merry-Go-Round[/i] had broken suspension. Bizarrely, looking at the varying levels of damage, reminded her of one of her lecture classes back at the Imperial Institute. The concept of [i]Combat Loss Grouping[/i] or [url=https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Combat_Loss_Groupings][i]CLG[/i][/url]- that damage would be spread among the entire lance until one unit fell at which point, they would all fall in quick succession. CLG was evident among the Knights and likewise had affected the Crimson Fists, it had only bitten them harder and bitten them first thanks to Ingrid’s order to focus fire. That lecture felt like it was a million years ago, another life entirely. She walked on, but a voice called causing her to stop and turn. “Miss Reya!” Magnus Licht, one of Ziska’s junior astechs ran up and presented a thermos along with a freshly liberated pack of wafers from the haul. “Brought you some tea, ma’am. Thought you’d probably be exhausted.” He was young, arrogant and interested in moving up the tech ranks as fast as possible. Reya represented a direct path of knowledge for him to ascend; that and the fact that she was considerably easier on the eyes than Ziska’s chief technician, Benidito Davids. “[color=magenta]Thanks…[/color]” Reya replied, not really in the mood for the younger man’s ass-kissing after just being nearly blown up, but accepted the items nonetheless. It would save her another stop. “[color=magenta]Where’s Ziska? Is she okay?[/color]” “Already at the debrief,” Licht replied. “Doc Yuri had to threaten her with a sedative to get her to sit still. She-” “Holy shit! It’s a [b]whole pallet[/b] of [i]Fiesta Pail[/i]!” An excited voice declared among the din of movement around the convoy’s unloading crew. A raucous clamor of voices arose in response and Licht appeared torn on what to do next. Reya looked past him momentarily at the feverish work already underway at Ziska’s Raven.“[color=magenta]If you don’t get back on that mech, Davids will have your ass.[/color]” She said flatly. “Uhh… Right!” Licht stammered. He backed away before turning into a half sprint. “I’ll catch up with you later!” - There was an open spot right between Ziska and Tarak and Reya ungracefully plopped down between them, far too tired to care about etiquette. She winced a bit as she examined Ziska’s bandages. “[color=magenta]Are you okay?[/color]” She was pretty sure she already knew the answer. The newly opened bottle of Tikinov Vodka pretty much indicated Ziska was where she wanted to be, but it felt cold not to ask. The Raven pilot was her last remaining best friend and they had nearly lost her in the same way as Lena. [@Th3King0fChaos] [@Abstract Proxy]