Standing in the middle of the command center in front of giant screens and the most powerful people in the CETM certainly makes one feel antsy and anxious, if not outright queasy. Phoebe isn't sure whether to feel relived or disappointed when her name isn't called by Secretary Oleander. It's not like she envies the stress and overwhelming expectations placed on Anvi, but at the same time, energy is bubbling underneath her skin, and with it, a craving for a fight. For blood. For war.

It's a feeling so familiar, yet disconcerting every time she experiences it. Maybe Dr. Park will let her spar before they are sent to their quarters for the day; more likely, they'll all watch the attack and dissect it, pick apart the Colossus' flaws and take note of the alien's weaknesses. [i]Then [/i]maybe they'll spar. 

She hopes so. Beside her, Calypso and Atlas seem unbothered by the Secretary's decision; Daphnis, however, gives a little sniff. Probably thinking that she'd be better suited to the job. Her mood brightens when she's picked as backup. [i]Oh boy,[/i] Phoebe thinks. [i]She's probably going to lord that over us for weeks.[/i]

She glances to her left, trying not to be obvious as she checks out the pilot chosen for today's mission. She's spared with Anvi briefly before; the girl is wily, and carries a violent streak much like herself, but Phoebe can't imagine how it feels to use a machine instead of your own monstrous flesh and blood to beat back an enemy. 

As they're shuffled away, Phoebe steals a glance at Shinobu, who looks as gentle and unreachable as ever. Her heart gives a squeeze despite herself. It's been a few days since they sparred. These days, he seems wearier than ever. The launch couldn't have come at a better time. It's not as if she [i]likes [/i]him -- she barely even knows him. But she admires his spirit in the face of so many trials, and his patience despite her many mess-ups during training reminds her of her favorite medic. 

Speaking of which, maybe Cal will be in to do checkups today. She wonders if he likes the mechs or hates them. 

--

Anvi breathes out slowly as her name -- well, the name of her mech -- is called. Dr. McCulloch is no doubt over the moon about that, even if Anvi is too outspoken (aka, too human) for the Project Colossus team head. But the same thing that makes Anvi a bad soldier makes her a fantastic pilot. She's watched enough alien attacks to know that they don't play by the rules; so then, why should she? Chthonia is just too predictable. 

Snide thoughts aside, Anvi does understand the importance of this moment. That's why she suppresses the urge to roll her eyes at Dr. McCulloch and gives her the response she's looking for:

[color=4E25FF]"Yes, ma'am."[/color] However, she can't resist flipping her hair over her shoulder on the way out. There's no way she's going to be caught slacking in front of Daphnis, of all people; Anvi hates that snake, and having to work together during a kaiju attack would not be easy nor fun. Now, if it were Ruth-Ann... Looking down at her fellow pilot, currently engaged in twisting her hands over each other over and over again, Anvi pats her head. 

[color=4E25FF]"I'll be back soon, okay?"[/color] She promises. Ruth-Ann looks up at her blankly, but Anvi knows she's listening. She can sorta feel it, the way she can feel Nils' mind vibrating or the radio-static hum of Chthonia's brain. 

Leaving the command room for the loading dock, Anvi smooths down her skintight flight suit. It's a fine suit - moisture-wicking, high-tech, polymer blend, all black - but it makes her feel naked without Talos's protective shell around her. She throws her hair into a quick bun so it doesn't get in her face and steps onto the loading elevator, watching the lights flash and the bay doors open, throwing light on the mech stationed in the garage - her very own.

She's not nervous, not really. Maybe it will sink in later, the weight of it all; but right now, she's just anxious to get into the mech and get this over with. 

Talos's purple coating is lovely and burnished, and she runs a hand along the surface before entering the cockpit. The space inside the mech is small, but Anvi squeezes herself into the pilot's seat without issue. Her comms activate automatically, and she takes a moment to get comfortable, wiggling around in the seat until she feels secure. The door behind her closes with a hiss, locking her into the mech and her mission. She reaches for the controls, reveling in the feel of it all: the handles, perfectly shaped to her grip; the gentle hum of the core, its roar blocked by her earpieces; and most of all, the rumbling, rattling, [i]swelling[/i] feeling of so many pieces of machinery working in perfect harmony. It's no wonder why Ruth-Ann loves it in here. The technology on display is magical. 

Anvi pushes her thrusters forward, and Talos comes alive. 

[color=4E25FF]"Let's get this show on the road,"[/color] she says, letting the eagerness bleed into her voice. [color=4E25FF]"Where am I going, Doc?"[/color]