[center][h1][color=9e0b0f]Ava Lane[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/DzjHvu3.png[/img]
[/center]

[hr]

"That...would be the protocol, usually, yes. In the first place, due to the unorthodox structure of this project, that might not be necessary, but if you deem it proper, it doesn't hurt either, sir," Ava replied to the Professor's remarks regarding a promotion to corporal.

Corporal was still far beneath her previous rank of 2nd Lieutenant, but it was not as if Ava cared that much. Well, she could see some of the other pilots who also held previous higher ranks might worry about pay and whatnot, but money was never really an issue with her.

The more interesting thing was the fact that the Professor could bestow ranks wholly separate from their previous ranks within the Federation military, which cemented her suspicion that this project was entirely out of the normal Federation's chain of command.

She then continued, "In any case, thank you for acquiescing to my request for a talk. As the subject matter is concerning the appointment of this squad's leader, I believe it would also be good for Astolfo to be included."

If her request went through and she was allowed to be replaced as squad leader, then it would be only proper for the one replacing her, that was to say, Astolfo, to be included in the talks. At the very least, he would be able to have some say on who would be his second in command.

"...That is, if it is all right with you," Ava added, turning to Astolfo. [@AtomicNut]

Ava then waited for the Professor to finish addressing other matters from the rest of the squad. Which was resolved...well enough, except for the tense atmosphere between the Professor and Minerva after her outburst.

There was clearly something more going on between Professor Lorenzo and Minerva. Or rather, between the Professor and the circumstances behind Minerva's previous assignment. Which was another mystery that needed to be added to the ever-growing pile of 'oddities surrounding Framewerk Project XJ9'

After the Professor left and things had settled a bit, Ava approached Minerva [@Digmata], "I understand where you are coming from. It is unbecoming for the Executive Officer to have biases toward pilots in the project. But antagonising him unnecessarily will only make things more difficult for you. I'll try to bring up the matter with the Professor and resolve the issue, so please try to keep your cool for the time being."

She might intend to reject the position of squad leader, but for the time being, she was still one, and it was only right for matters such as this to fall under her purview. So she might as well bring that up in her upcoming talk with the Professor.