[quote=@Smike]
[color=6ecff6]"What can I say? It seems like anytime I go somewhere related to Shattered Steel, it's because someone is trying to kill me."[/color]
[/quote]

Scott grinned at that shaking his head. "I know, right? It's almost like we keep ending up in war zones or something. I'll have to see if I can find a more relaxing location for our next trip"

[quote=@Smike]
[color=6ecff6]"But I'm not one to turn down a compliment. Hopefully all that suppressing fire made your job inside a little easier, and I look forward to showing how I'm even better in the air!"[/color]
[/quote]

"And it's a well-earned compliment. It definitely did help; I don't think those guys expected quite the volume of firepower, and just as well for us. And I've no doubt you'll be just as great in the air, too". He nodded to the maps, charts and other paraphernalia arrayed on the table before them. "And that you'll have a chance to show it soon, too". 

Scott availed himself of the opportunity to refill his coffee while Yuna and Ximena spoke, turning round just in time for Ximena to focus on him once more. He took a sip of his coffee, and listened

[quote=@Smike]
She leveled a finger at Scott accusingly, her Cheshire grin only growing wider.

[color=6ecff6]"I heard the most vile rumor while digging through files, and I'm hoping you can set the record straight. Is it true that you scored a kill on an F-22, God's favorite killing machine, with a big, slow, dumb Intruder?[/color]

[/quote]

He paused with the mug to his mouth, mismatched eyes looking over the rim of it at her, then away despondently, before he reluctantly lowered the mug. 
"Man, that story is going to keep following me into the grave, I swear. Unless it drives me to an early one first. And then academy graduates are going to contact me with a ouija board or through a seance to ask me about it..." 
He sighed and grudgingly shrugged. "Yes, Jefe; it's true. Although, you're the first one to ask with such a... [i]florid[/i] choice of words, that's for sure. And don't you call my beloved Harrier ugly".
A glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes as he bantered back with the other pilot, playing the knowing game of affectionate ribbing and superiority that pilots always played. The corner of his mouth was set in that characteristic half-smile he near always carried as he continued, gesturing with one hand and with the coffee cup held in his other.
"And I assume you'll want to know how I pulled this feat off? That's usually what comes next?"

He raised an eyebrow quizzically as he took another sip of his coffee, settling himself into one of the office chairs around the table. "Well, maybe I'll indulge you - at least, until Chevy turns up and I get started on the actual mission planning".

[@Smike], [@Damo021], [@Kensai]