Astolfo kept struggling to steady himself at first, while he listened. The body eventually calmed and settled down, as he looked at the whole debriefing. More like a systematic butchering of the pilots, just like the horror child of a drill sergeant and a mad scientist, Lorenz kept tossing cynical remarks and some praise, just enough to make people to think hard about what they had done, but not enough to doubt themselves.

For the most part, really.

He had smiled at him. His ruthlessness. He had been right about the first impression of that man, even as tainted as it was for Astolfo's choice of literature. Lorenzo was too, captain Ahab. And the Cruxi were his white whale. He had the face of a man who would strike a sun if it offended him.

[i]"Ten points and a parrot sticker".[/i] The odd phrase stood out. A surprising evaluation from Lorenzo towards the cheeky boy who had decided to try and play sides to get the best out of the situation by riling someone. He guessed that matched his preference for disruption.

His words had a prompt reaction on the clanker, though, given how she stood up, rummaged around her equipment, and produced...out of all things, a *vividly colored parrot sticker* which she then attached to Lucius' suit, before giving him a complementary headpat. Her attention quickly turned to Lorenzo's coughing in concern, but she seemed to stop within a single glance of Lise. Knowing how Lilim work, Lise probably gave the older Lilim a full reassuring conversation.

He kept listening to the comments, and complaints. Obviously not everyone was going to be happy with the choices, or the drive the old man would impart. His counterweight, the lovely lieutenant Ritsu did sigh a few times. Mostly when referring to him. Well, he could live with his superior's scorn for a while, as long it did not interfer with operations.

Some of them raised valid questions. The rabbit girl for example, voiced a thought Bug had about the whole sim. What was the point? To see that everyone sucked? Esprit de corps? It was a good as a guess as he could get. He was less so impressed about Griff and Mema's outbursts. Griff was pure stupid meathead rant, and that was something worth to be ignored. Mema however, struck a deep chord on how [i]particularly wrong[/i] it sounded. Not choosing a comrade shield to shield instead of going solo against him, and then doubling down that he had been right, spoke of a great threat lurking beneath the surface. Mema-ka was possibly a narcissist who didn't even see anyone but that slobbery thing of his brother at their same level, merely puppets to be used. That didn't seem good.

Oddly familiar and revolting in any case.

He weighed the taser in his hand as he fitted his armband. "I am honored." He said, before saluting the hesitating Ava and his superior officers, offering a small smirk. "Well, looks like I'll be allowed and enforced to do this, senior." He replied playfully to Ava Lane. Deep inside, a melancholic chord struck. The last time he had been handed a batton of command, he had bled his own country in a civil war he had lost, and become crippled...and he had been chosen as sub leader. His hand gripped the taser as he put it back into its holster.

That was when someone he had not expected to break, broke. Minerva. And someone who had expected to reply a bit and even chastise his teammates, stood silent. Aurora.

Oh, and was there someone else yet to speak? Jerry or something? Like a helmet guy? Probably not important.

The hard wall she was putting was starting to crack. Some of it had it been his fault. He saw her approach and wondered if the husky puppy would be the first target of discipline from him. He had hoped not, as the situation between the two was iron hot. He looked at Ava, who was still a bit shocked she had been elected as squad leader. He'd have to talk to her about this later. Hopefully with a meal paired with good wine.

But for now, it was time to quench the tempers, and steer them in another direction. And he could do that. He put a hand in her shoulder. "Cadet Minerva. Your evaluation is fine. Whatever..personal issues are there, there is a time and place for it, okay?". He tried to said reassuringly. "The Executive Officer is a busy man, and he might not...be able to spare more time for such counselling. If you got any further concerns, me and senior Ava will be there to hear them. I'll reiterate you did a terrific job, and so most of the ones here would say so." Bug tried to reassure Minerva.

[i]I know how is it to feel to be ignored and treated like an accessory, but don't confront that man directly. He is far beyond you can handle right now. I can just feel it.[/i] Bug thought, as he tried to pry Minerva's attention from Lorenzo.

His sight rested on Aurora for a moment. He had to talk with that one, at some point. Maybe over the dinner. In case he would not be able to bring Ava in the fold, Aurora could step in. A little convincing would be needed for her to act as plan B, but potato, potato.

Speaking of headhunting. Elora was in the list. Being the outrageous tactics guy meant reading and processing a lot of info. If she could get in the fold, and if her information analyst vocation was truly what she wanted, this could help speed things up.

He looked at Ritsu and Lorenzo one last time, a sly smirk on his face.[i]Well, let me abuse your confidence in absurd tactics, professor.[/i]

"Steaks, Arrish?" He finally said to the redheaded knight. "Didn't you hear our executive officer? We don't deserve [i]steaks[/i]. We are a bunch of single celled organisms. [i]Primeval ooze[/i]. Parasites on the taxpayers federation coffers. You don't need steaks for those. You need something that can disinfect." Bug would cackle so slightly.

"DRINKS ARE ON ME YOU FELLOW FOOLS!" He raised his tone as he smirked. "And bring the engineering crew! They also need a drink after seeing our pathetic performance, don't you think? Unless you don't think you can handle treating the engineering crew...and our superior officers to steaks too Arrish!"

The clanker moved once again, before making eye contact with Bug. "This one promised strawberry cake to Liu'un. Elora. This unit will scale up the operation so that all her friends get cake."

"Well, I guess we'll have to forage more ingredients them. Send me a list and coordinate with Steak Knight over there." Bug would then say.
[@Digmata][@Crusader Lord][@Randomguy][@Ravion the Red]