A piece of writing from Thrasybulus
[hider=Iker meets with the Admiral]The admiral briefly nodded to Noel before casting off and coursing through the departing, conversing Arms Masters towards his present quarry. In anticipation, Iker arose from his seat. No military would accept Iker's posture for standing at attention or at-ease casual, but he nonetheless displayed no visible disrespect, merely a quiet patience.
Abasolo acknowledged this recruit with a curt nod. [color=aba000]"You wanted to embark with the patrol boats?"[/color]
[color=fff200]"Not that I want it; I figure it'd be convenient to station myself there, in case Myron has critical path issues and whatnot. I just arrived, so I'm not currently fatigued. Assign me wherever you desire me."[/color]
Willingness and obedience: two valuable commodities. [color=aba000]"What's your name, soldier?"[/color]
[color=fff200]"Iker Orozco, a volunteer from..."[/color] Brazil? Mexico? [color=fff200]"Latin America, sir. I have no rank yet."[/color]
[color=aba000]"Do you bear reservations with Myron, Iker?"[/color]
Iker watched Myron and Noel depart for more private settings. [color=fff200]"Not particularly. Everyone's committed heinous acts of some nature in their lifetimes. I don't hold grudges; they depress me rather quickly."[/color]
[color=aba000]"So if I commanded you to employ Myron to board the ships, you'd do it?"[/color]
[color=fff200]"Without hesitation, sir."[/color]
A subordinate who followed unquestioningly could be trusted with a gentler hand. [color=aba000]"It doesn't matter one way or other; you add no stress to Agent Makaraig's load. I believe Noel has an introductory meeting with Lieutenant Larsdottir. You ought to fraternize with your colleagues. I'll send you up to accompany them, and let Noel know. Does that suffice?"[/color]
[color=fff200]"It does, sir,"[/color] Iker responded. [color=fff200]"And please, enjoy your morning."[/color]
[color=aba000]"I plan to."[/color] The admiral's workload precluded any enjoyment, but well-wishes should be repaid in kind.
Of course, Iker's reassignment was not only a way to immerse him into the group. It was also a chance for Noel to redeem his composure, and a subtle reassurance of the admiral's endorsement. Hopefully Noel would recognize the opportunity and capitalize appropriately.[/hider]
And a collab
[hider=”Sison Auditorium – Newbies Getting Caught Up”]
Ft. Letter Bee, Thrasybulus, Sniblet as Noel, Myron, [color=fff200]Iker,[/color] [color=e9afc8]Indra[/color]
Noel had asked Indra and Iker to meet him in his office, which he had made sure was swept clean of bugs and checked for convenient holes in the walls. He was in his chair as he said, "I must apologize for my unprofessional behavior earlier. Now, Second Lieutenant Larsdottir, Volunteer Orozco, Myron will be with us in a moment; we need him for this discussion."

And just a second later, the man in question, Myron Makarig himself, went inside the room, saying, "First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Volunteer; I presume you three need the latest situation reports from the front? Or perhaps a recap of the past mission?"
 
Indra tenses as the clearly labelled serial traitor pops in behind her with little warning. She steps well aside to give him the floor, looks around to see if anyone else wants to respond...
[color=e9afc8]"Well - I'm looking to the future, mainly. This is naval, right? What do we know about the bad guy boats right now? What's their NA situation? And who's on [i]our[/i] team? The only faces I knew from the brief were you - Alonso, sir - and the Snake, and I'm not really clear on either of your - well, on [i]anyone's[/i] abilities. I can work with printed dossiers, anything's better than where I'm at."[/color]
She dips her head a bit and clears her throat. She'd spoken more than she meant to, but it's all out at least.

[color=fff200]"Well, I'm on your team, I suppose. Perhaps you can take comfort in that."[/color] Iker smiled. [color=fff200]"Iker Orozco. I can control certain materials from a distance. These powers seem to be somewhat unique, from what I've read, so I guess getting everyone's powers will require an hour to itself."[/color] He bowed briefly. [color=fff200]"I live in the present. Past missions, future predictions: so long as it doesn't affect my duties, I'm satisfied without it. Though I am surprised you have access to this sort of stuff."[/color]
[color=fff200]"Ah, and one more thing. Feel free to call me Iker. Or Mr. Orozco, as the professionalism demands. 'Volunteer' sounds funny on occasion."[/color]
 
"Mr. Orozco, then," Noel said before turning to Indra, "I'll hand you the dossiers, including the ones about my powers," Noel then took out the relevant documents and handed them over to the Swedish lady. "As for the enemy forces' strength, they have at least one Aircraft Carrier, several Missile Cruisers, and at least dozens of Destroyers, Corvettes, and Minesweepers. I've also heard that they have their own group of Non-Zodiac Arms Masters; the 'Foriegn Volunteers Battalion', who in turn..."
He faced Myron, who explained:
 
"They're former Disablers and Hammer of Masters members who were let out of Chinese Prison - They're led by a mercenary, also a former Disabler, Mei Yuanyuan, one of my mentors, and she has a [i]flying[/i] ship that if it flies slow enough, can circcumvent Ren Zhao's Noble Arm and just drop napalm on Mischief Reef," he then continued, "They also have other members, such as Dr. Denial, yet another former Disabler who denies that he had grown a Noble Arm at all, and... Sorhab, who fought for the Hammers' 'Malikate' in Syria."
 
[color=fff200]"A large force, then. Much appreciated!"[/color] Iker stated, hands finding their respective pants pockets. He hadn't the impetus to comment on how the strength assessment was both overloading and vague, but his attitude indicated that he wasn't responsive to the information. He smiled again. [color=fff200]"How's the morning treating you?"[/color] The question was directed at anyone and everyone.
 
She raises her hand briefly, in a very casual or off-handed wave. [color=e9afc8]"Indra,"[/color] she tells Iker. She takes the documents with a smile that communicates none of the dread associated with cram-reading.
[color=e9afc8]"So - fleet tactics aren't my thing. What I'm hearing is jets, artillery, and an NA flyer that'll be moving at a very vulnerable speed at some point? And at least two mystery abilities, wielded by hostiles with questionable loyalties. Is that all we have?"[/color]
She looks sidelong at Iker, with an expression that reads concern. [color=e9afc8]"Uh. Busy, so far."[/color]
 
"I know what Sorhab's ability is," said the young man. "It's the power to turn invisible and intagible as long as he does not try and interact with any person or object. This can be guarded against with certain specialized NA Powers or... Occult Tech."
Myron was trying not to reveal any more state secrets; he had learned his lesson from last time.
 
Iker nodded. [color=fff200]"Please inform me if I can make your busy day less stressful, then, Indra. I've read a little bit on WWII, for passing entertainment, so hopefully that can help."[/color] He threw up a finger, a signal for a small teaching moment. [color=fff200]"Did you know that over half of Japanese naval tonnage losses came from American submarines?"[/color] He turned to Myron. [color=fff200]"Speaking of, what is our situation with those submarines? How many should we expect from the Chinese?"[/color]
 
Indra briefly entertains the question of whether she can fly underwater. She wishes that she'd tried before.
[color=e9afc8]"Right. Submarines are bad. An enemy ghost is also really bad, that'll be worth... accounting for."[/color] She glances down at her reading and flips through some pages, skimming names, then noticing a pattern in ages and wincing softly.
[color=e9afc8]"If... you have the time, I don't know if we have any plan going into this, and anyone with any military interest looks like an improvement over, uh..."[/color] [b]19... 15... 14... [i]13[/i] years old.[/b]
[color=e9afc8]"...what we have?"[/color]
 
Noel was the one who answered, "The Chinese have at least 24 Attack Submarines and 4 [I]Nuclear[/i] Submarines in the theatre in general; ASEAN's own Submarine Fleet is much less, but Australia and its own Nuclear Subs are with us too."
 
Iker performed a few calculations in his head. [color=fff200]"That's quite a lot of submarines."[/color] Whether that was the full summation of his calculations or whether he kept some computations hidden was indeterminate.
He scratched the back of his head. [color=fff200]"Still, technology must have progressed forward leaps and bounds since WWII. Perhaps I'm just as useless as the rest. Then again, who could ever be fully prepared for World War III?"[/color]
He furrowed his brow. [color=fff200]"But yes, the crowd this morning did seem more like a daycare than a proper platoon."[/color] He smiled. [color=fff200]"I guess the admiral really is desperate! Fair enough; tenets of war and all that."[/color]
 
She sighs out her nose. Look over the papers. Scan the room.
[color=e9afc8]"My schedule's packing fast. All I've heard so far is numbers, and what the op is for. If there's a plan, I need to find out who has it and get in on it. Does anyone have a full picture of what... we're going to be expected to do? How we're gonna move? Alonso, uh- Makaraig? Or do I go to the admiral?"[/color]
She's talking faster now, and the smile's gone.
 
Noel sighed and said, "Noble Arms have made concepts such as 'The Rights of the Child' hazy; I've been a Child Soldier ever since my Noble Arm manifested four years ago when I was twelve."
There was a bitter edge to his voice as he said, "I honestly despise this; rank and cash and position isn't enough compensation."
Then he finally addressed Indra and said, "The plan is basically be flown through a transport plane or be emailed by Myron onto the BRP Jose Rizal, which will sail with the flotilla to relieve Mischief Reef. That relief has two phases, one where we engage the Chinese Fleet, relying on Callie and Myron to transport teams of Arms Masters into the Chinese Capital Ships to disable them, and another where we buy time for the cargo ships to sail to our allies in Mischief Reef. Both phases are in danger from submarine attack, but the Qing Restoration Society's leader, Jin Li, has the power to control large amounts of water, allowing them to foil submarine attacks and giving us our main advantage - Maybe our only one."
 
Indra is quiet for a while, processing slowly. She flips around, looking for Callie's page.
[color=e9afc8]"Okay. This is workable, thank you. This, uh... these are two-way portals? With Miss Caroline?"[/color] She looks up. [color=e9afc8]"Are we just evaccing personnel? How many are we moving? Have we looked at our ways to cheat this?"[/color]
 
Noel corrected Indra, saying, "Supplying; Mischief Reef and the QRS are too valuable to just abandon as it and Ren Zhao's NA help cover the Philippines from China's Ballistic Missiles and Jin Li has been hurling Tsunamis at Chinese Positions from the location. If they aren't there, it's as good as a near-total loss in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.
 
[color=e9afc8]"Oh. Oh, shit. So we're... supposed to be [i]repelling[/i] the..."[/color] As much of the People's Navy as China's willing to commit, to protect, literally, a reef...
19, 15, 14, 13... It's not her job to question whether the reef is worth whatever disaster comes of the PN and ASEAN fleets slugging for even a minute. Surely the Arms Masters are, but, shit...
[color=e9afc8]"Okay. Okay, so we need top-form for this. Rrright."[/color]
 
[color=fff200]"Ah, sixteen. Makes sense,"[/color] Iker commented, his body language and vocal cords refusing to elaborate further. [color=fff200]"Should suffice for a nice resting spot when we're done; the folks around me seemed exhausted."[/color] His ears perked up. [color=fff200]"Is 'top-form' strictly metaphorical, or do you have a 'top-form' with regards to your powers? Mine is pretty much even all-around."[/color]
 
Indra blinks. [color=e9afc8]"Uh- oh. No, I just mean, all in order, no slips. Seeing as... you know. I'm pretty much just what I am once I've grown the wings."[/color]
 
The boy said, "I don't like this any more than you do, Second Lieutenant Indra, if I'm permitted to use that name. But yes, the [i]political[/i] objectives of the mission are one, demonstrate ASEAN defiance of Chna, two, deepen Indonesian-Filipino cooperation, and three, aid the QRS in destabilizing the Chinese position in the Spratlys. None of those require that we survive -"
 
Myron interupted, "Actually, the Arms Masters are required to survive and will probably do so; ordinary folk are expendable - That's what got people into my previous group in the first place, if I may be so bold."
 
Noel ignored Myron to answer Iker, "My own 'veiling' powers are almost completely nullified at 11:00 to 13:00, when the Sun is highest in the sky, my ability to duplicate other B-rank NAs' powers work only when the Moon is out in the sky, both night and daytime, and my most powerful ability, a [i]war crime[/i], works only in the New Moon. My supernatural evasion works all the time, though, Mr. Orozco."
 
[color=fff200]"Fair enough,"[/color] Iker replied. [color=fff200]"If you don't mind, Indra, I'd appreciate it if you... breathed. Relaxed a tad. You'll make it through this, I'm certain. I'm sure you've practiced enough. I can even look out for you specifically, if it'll ease your mind."[/color] He smiled. [color=fff200]"Besides, things tend to slip up under too much stress!"[/color]
He then turned to Myron. [color=fff200]"I'm expendable. You're expendable. Everyone's expendable in some manner or other. All that matters is what those around us get in exchange for our lives. One dead soldier is a hefty price for a square meter of land. One dead Arms Master is a cheap price for an aircraft carrier. That's why missiles are so popular nowadays. Personally, I'd like to die for a bargain."[/color]
He then glanced at Noel, who had just finished describing his [s]war-crimes[/s] powers. [color=fff200]"Good for you, sport!"[/color]
 
Indra puffs her cheeks a bit and lets out another sigh. [color=e9afc8]"Votes of confidence regarding the worth of my life aside... I know. I'm not worrying about losing, I'm thinking about how hard it's going to be to win. It's how I was taught. I've got a lot of work in the next..."[/color]
She glances around for a clock. [color=e9afc8]"Eleven hours and forty minutes, or so. Most of that work is sleep. There's reading. There's making sure everybody's on the same page about what the op is. At some point I've got to brush up aerial evasion..."[/color]
She straightens her paper stack and nods. [color=e9afc8]"So, no further questions for me."[/color]

[color=fff200]"Far be it from me to interrupt someone's practices,"[/color] Iker commented. [color=fff200]"Enjoy the study! As for myself, I got plenty of sleep on the plane ride over. I'd be concerned about jetlag, but-"[/color] He looked up at the same clock. [color=fff200]"I don't think sleeping midday is going to help much anyways. I'm going to double check with Admiral Whats-His-Name. If he doesn't need me, I suppose I'll check out a few things. You folks know of any historical landmarks I can check out while I'm in the area?"[/color]

"Plenty," Noel said. "Try Urudja House."

[color=fff200]"Much appreciated!"[/color] Iker replied, feigning the doffing of a cap he currently didn't wear before heading for the door. [color=fff200]"Best of fortunes in tonight's endeavor! God bless us all!"[/color] The door didn't make a sound as it closed behind him.

Indra is close behind him, without a word.

[b][i]END[/I][/B]
[/hider]