Prestar

Oh, and Silver has readied answers about her sunglasses. It basically is "They're medical in nature due to conditions gained during the Androsk Wars. And any further questions can f*ck off.".

And Silver goes for the "truthful non-answer". With a side of "Hooah!".

Serena, in the time before they go onstage, makes sure that all of her silver hair is hidden underneath her perfectly-positioned and firmly-emplaced headscarf, neatly folded though it may be. She makes sure her mirrorshades are clean and shine brightly with a glasses cleaning cloth she pulls out of and returns to one of her pants' pockets. She turns down the attention of the make-up artists, and obsessively checks her NERV Dress Uniform multiple times in the mirrors. It is not apparent, although you all know from how she is checking herself in the provided mirrors and patting herself, that she is armed in some fashion but carrying concealed. Silver sits down, preparations complete at 1045 and appears to meditate until the monitor in the green room with Silver and her Pilots relays Paul starting the press conference, at which time Silver sits, relaxed but ready (apparently for just about anything from how she is holding herself), in her seat. When Oliver gets everyone into the staging point, Silver does some mild last-minute stretches, then pops to Attention. When she is called, she marches onstage in a fashion best called "a precise relaxed military march", as if Silver was so used to marching, so ingrained, she could not only take most of the stiffness out of it, but make it look smooth and flowing. But there was still precision in her movements; it was clear Silver was career military. Silver sat in her designated chair with those same, precise, flowing movements, and then waited, radiating a calm readiness. Silver nodded along at each of her Pilots' answers, then gave a moment, before appearing to look (as best as you can tell on the wrong side of mirrorshades) at Jennifer from the Metro Newspaper. Silver spoke in a calm, cool voice; whether she was just that controlled or just didn't want to be here was up to the observer's interpretation. "Jennifer, I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but I was part of the NERV training cadre for critical skills for NERV Personnel. Due to the various experiences and trainings I've had over my military career, both with the US Army and NERV, I also happen to qualify to perform the job of Operations Director. Until I was appointed the Operations Director of NERV-London, my only interactions with the position were training Operations Directors in skills I could share. Upon being dispatched to NERV-London on a priority transport and finding out, upon my arrival, that I was the new Operations Director...I was very surprised. After a couple minutes to review what I was told about why I was put into the position and what my duties would be, I was then determined. Determined that the Area of Operations that NERV-London serves would have the best protection I could make happen. Determined that my Pilots would have the best training and support I could make happen. Determined that the reason for my Pilots and myself being at NERV-London would have the best chance of success I could make happen. Nothing in the intervening time has made me any less Determined. Although the paperwork certainly does try to suck out your soul." And with that, Silver nodded to Paul. Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 3/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

LOL, that's a fun spread of answers alright. But tell them Silver is from the DIA, if you have to give an "alphabet soup" agency. She, like me, hates the CIA; hell, being Delta, she actually probably hates them more.

If he hasn't posted by Friday, I'll post before 0000 Eastern Time Friday.

I'll post after von_das, as Silver is intentionally waiting until all four of her Pilots have answered.

Kick the tires and light the fires! Yeah, I'm good. Let's get to the PR Fiasco.

Silver probably isn't going to discuss Rebecca Jordan (partly because it will quickly devolve into frequent usage of swear words by Silver) without bonding much more closely with The Team OR radical circumstances taking place, so I'm not going to ruin it OOC, but I will say that the situation between Jordan and Silver predates the Androsk Impact.

So the Ops Director has decided the person who most wants to run around freely gets access to paperwork and the ability to schedule her and the team's security escorts (GM Veto Pending). Serena also just stroked Zelda's ego pretty hard while trying to convince Zelda that "they all hang together, or kick ass together".

Serena nods to Paul. "Paul, Zelda was appointed because of her actions during the last engagement. Her actions in trying to coordinate her untested team in a muddled situation, sharp head for tactics, and willingness to engage while putting a plan together show a balance of qualities I feel are needed and are beneficial to our Class C Pilot Team. I may not always agree with her, but she always looks out for her fellow Pilots professionally and tactically, and that I can respect. I also happen to think it is best for Zelda's growth to be given the responsibility of helping interface between her fellow Pilots and the greater NERV organization. I don't plan to delegate anything seriously out of her league, like the hordes of paperwork that stalk my desk, but working with me through the tactical pre-planning, After-Action Reports, and being the focus for any requests her fellow Pilots have--although they are always welcome to exercise my Open Door Policy--to pass to me I think will help her grow, and also allow me more time to learn my new job as well as tackle all the damned paperwork. I also, although this is not for public consumption, intend to put her into contact with Greg Wheatley, the Lead of Pilot Protection, and so long as any off-base excursions are filed thirty-six hours out with both me and him, let her handle filing requests for the Pilots to go places...so long as the paperwork is done to standard." Even through mirrorshades, it's pretty obvious Serena is giving Zelda a flat stare. "Abuse the trust, lose the privilege of scheduling your own movement once I teach you the paperwork for you and your teammates. And I'll make you start helping with my horribly boring-ass paperwork. I think I have an LCL Usage Audit Inventory somewhere for the last month that needs a manual check..." Serena smiles nastily, then grins a little more naturally. "This, however, doesn't mean Zelda is the end-all be-all authority over you four--that's my job-" Serena chuckles, clearing not taking the part about 'her job' seriously. "-but while she is your Lead, I want all of you to work as a team. Your successes are your collective successes from here on out, your failures are your collective failures. Zelda is simply the person I think can best translate between all parties and motivate all of you, and has the necessary social and personality matrix to succeed in the job, not to mention sharp tactical skills...and also a drive to succeed, a fire that is necessary in this sort of high-risk, high-reward leadership. So, Paul, in short, I appointed Zelda because she was the best fit for the job, stepped up and did it in the last fight even before being appointed, and showed sharp tactical skills. She also has a fire and drive I feel is critical to her success in the role. That she is a native is just a bonus. As for Miss Jordan, I get it's better to let the enemy play their hand so you know what cards they hold, I just get tired of being accused of every more spurious and outlandish things. What was it last time? 'War Crimes during the Androsk Wars'? Again? She insults all of my honored dead and everyone I serve or have served with, and she doesn't consider anyone I work with safe, so I'm little worried about any shots she's going to take on my Pilots because they're my Pilots. Pilots, beware of CNN Producer/Anchor/Reporter Rebecca Jordan. Other than that, Paul can explain as much or as little as he feels appropriate on that situation. Questions, other than about Miss Jordan?" Serena looks around, clearly calmish, although partially perturbed from the subject of Rebecca Jordan. Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 3/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

"Oh, yeah, I just happened to promote a Pilot, sorry you missed the memo." Mind you, Serena is counting on Zelda's drive to excellence to require her to eventually engage with her teammates at least professionally if she is required to lead them in combat. We'll see how well that works, LOL.

Serena, the day of her team's first press conference, is up and out running at 0600 in PT gear and her weapons, something she, the locals, and the local police have gotten used to. It helps that she doesn't make trouble. After a nice, long, calming run, Serena is back by 0700 and taking a long shower; one thing she doesn't miss about being in active national military service is the often short showers. Out of the shower at 0730, her clothing choice is simple: She is currently a NERV Operations Director and NERV Captain, so NERV Dress Uniform it is. It should give her some peace from Rebecca Jordan, seeing as Serena is not the main point of this press conference and she is backed by the full weight of NERV. Captain Serena Silver has her Dress Uniform adjusted just right, with her matching headscarf folded just so over her notable hair and her mirrorshades in place, by 0745, to include her various weapons concealed about herself (all ready for instant violence). She gets herself breakfast and checks over last-minute paperwork at her desk in her bedroom, her door open, until all of her team is up. Surprised at Zelda's question, Serena gives her input, which boils down to "show them something personal". She did, however, veto both Final Fantasy and Gundam on the basis of copyright law, as they may try to monetize Zelda appearing in them, something she figures Zelda probably does not want to deal with. Once the four Pilots and herself head out to Media Room A, Serena takes the necessary time to check in with the Agent heading up Security and familiarize herself with the plans from the Person In Charge of them. After satisfying herself that the security is well-handled, Serena heads inside. Serena looks at Paul. "Paul, I've decided that Zelda Hooper is my Team Leader. Handle that how you will, but I figure you do need to know. Oh, and are there any questions I'm expected to field, or am I just here for morale support from the sidelines?" Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 3/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

Serena nods to Emiko's responses, and cocks an eyebrow at Zelda's responses. "Not exactly what I was expecting, but let's chase this. First off, by definition, a Berserking Evangelion is out of control, just as likely to fight friendlies as fight enemies. There are things that can mitigate that, true, but I don't think any of you have trained in the Path of the Berserker, as if I remember right, you're two Skirmishers, an AT Tactician, and a Pointman, correct? And knocking out the Pilot doesn't guarantee the Evangelion going Berserk, it's a chance thing with a whole host of variables. As for what happens once the Evangelion is Berserk, it depends on certain things within the make-up of the Evangelion, as they are not all similar. Some may relentlessly attack the enemy, while some may attack friend and foe. How they behave while Berserk varies. That all being said, Zelda, if you can work up a plan that includes measures to counteract the known risks of a Berserk Evangelion loose in the middle of the English Channel, I'll look over it and pass it along to Vice Commander Broome for consideration along with all the other plans." Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 2/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

Serena watches the fight with the NERV-Denver team and talks at the screen. "Damnit, Denver-Ops, you damn well should have trained them better than that. I damn well KNOW I trained you better than that, and the Training Team was rather thorough. Even with two weeks as a team, there are protocols. Mind you, I'm about to ignore over half of them, but my team is a separate issue...Clearly they need to mix up their simulation opponents." Serena proceeds to watch in clearly mounting disgruntlement as the three Pilots manage to pull a win out of their asses. She takes off her mirrorshades, sets them close by, and double facepalms for several moments as her Pilots comment, before putting her mirrorshades back on with a sigh. "We are training hard to avoid that." Serena points to Zelda. "Ladies and Gentleman, meet your Team Lead. Team Lead, meet your Team. Their successes are your successes, your failures are their failures. So, Zelda, if you were the Operations Director for NERV-Denver, what would you have done to fight Jehoel using the Team we just saw? And how would you fight Jehoel using our team, including yourself? Keep in mind, Jehoel mission-kills all Non-AT Field-generating units with a sizeable radius of itself, thus only Units that generate an AT Field or Remote Operable Equipment may be used, so the Turret Array is fair game, as is pre-positioning Field Artillery at a distance to act like a Turret Array. The rest of you, same two questions. And Anya, yes, NERV-London has an Absolute Territory Bait System like all NERV Bases. Part of why living and working here earns Danger Pay and Combat Pay on top of a good wage. Questions?" Serena looks at each of her Pilots, and cocks an eyebrow, clearly interested in what their answers are going to be. Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 2/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0