Prestar

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

I have no objections to this plan of attack. You will all have Markerlight buff to everyone thanks to Power 3 Firefly VTOLs (and if it helps us at all, we will also have a live "MAGI"/Taravangian Uplink thanks to Power 2 Firefly VTOLs). Just remember to try and communicate in combat.

All good. It happens to all GM with actual lives going. Certainly happened to me more than once.

Well, that is a summary of what I got from the GM as framed from how Silver understands it.

Serena looks at Mikhail as she answers his questions. "I'm not read on the finer details, but the basics are that fifteen Security Branch were escorting Tsukiko in a ground convoy from the airport. New Age attacks in large numbers, very much outnumbering Tsukiko and the Security Branch personnel, however Security Branch was holding their own due to the fact that New Age, while decently-armed apparently, are mostly amateurs, inflicting minimal losses on Security Branch. During this firefight, Security--trained to be rather observant in all situations--notices what I believe was generally termed as 'weird f*cking shit' in secure radio traffic going on with Kodiak Malk, at which point Security pulls Tsukiko back from the firefight as much as possible and screams harder for serious backup over their encrypted radios. Malk eventually retreats, most of his fanatical followers being dead either due to lethal Security's shots or having committed suicide when disabled by Security's fire. Apparently, Malk didn't think magic bushido hands would work versus pissed off NERV Security. They're currently looking for him hard, and Kirsty is most probably following every lead, even the smallest. This is not the time to be doing anything suspicious. Wait a few days, if possible, to let NERV settle down. Questions? I'm liking that you all are critically thinking." Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 2/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

Serena smiles tightly at Anya's questions. "I said I might have trained him, and on comparing the face and name to my mental files, I have not trained him, so I have nothing to add, other than that Estonian Special Operations were professional, competent, and in the second tier of professional SpecOps like most of Eastern Europe, although the winner there was the Polish GROM. The first tier are US Delta, SEAL Team Six, other Tier One operators, the UK's SAS and SBS, the French GIGN, Germany's GSG-Nine, Australia's ASAS and associated Australian SpecOps units...well, you get the idea. Third tier being the Russian Spetznaz, who for all their hype, frequently had mixed quality and often couldn't deliver, along with most of Africa, India, Iran, and Pakistan. The Koreas varied by unit, as did most of the southeast pacific. If you see this guy, scream for Security, me, and run for hard cover." Serena turns to Mikhail. "That's being looked into, which is intel-speak for 'not a frakking clue at the moment but we're looking real hard'. Other questions?" Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 2/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

Once Mikhail gets back to the apartment, Serena greets him with her mirrorshades off, sweeps him for surveillance devices, then sits him next to Anya and Emiko and hands him a copy of Report 22092023AB Serena then looks Mikhail in the eyes as the two girls process. "Okay, bottom line, bad guys that tried to abduct the original fourth team member are called the The New Age, they have a guy by the name of Kodiak Malk, who has a background in Estonian Special Operations and can use a low-powered personal-scale Absolute Territory Field to stop or deflect bullets. They were responsible for the attack on Tsukiko, and appear to worship the Entities. Cultists suck bollocks, especially stupid ones. At least smart ones you can use PsyOps on. Anyway, read the report and ask me your questions. Independent thinking will likely reveal avenues of investigation better then me feeding you all my biases." Serena, her mirrorshades still off, although her headscarf is still on, revealing her silver eyes, as she resumes patiently waiting. Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 2/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

Okay, so am I buying 2 more sets of Type C Equipment? (Or borrowing them when we run out of Surplus.)

Serena simply raises an eyebrow as she quickly reads the report as she listens to Kirsty. "That's going to be a bugger and a half. At least his AT Field is permeable with enough firepower. I'll have to think back and see if I ever trained this Kodiak Malk, my Delta Team did at least one rotation pre-Androsk in Estonia training up the ESO, I cannot remember at the moment if I ever trained this guy, though. I'll think on it, Kirsty, and get back to you one way or another on whether I have anything at all on this guy in my head. That was a long time and a different life ago. Thanks for the heads-up, I'll alert the Pilots of this threat." Serena finishes, politely, with the briefing, thanks Kirsty for her time, and goes on her way, carrying a copy of the report in a manilla folder on a clipboard behind some other paperwork of Serena's. Once Serena gets back to the apartment, she again sweeps it for surveillance devices, then makes four copies of Report 22092023AB using her office scanner/printer, sits down Anya and Emiko, and hands them two of the copies of Report 22092023AB. Before she speaks to the two Pilots still in the Apartments, Serena secure-texts (bless NERV Phones) Zelda. *Zelda, when you get back into the apartment, come find me immediately, we need to talk about things very important in reference to security and our original fourth.* Serena then secure-texts Mikhail. *Mikhail, when you get back into the apartment, immediately come find me, we need to talk about some high priority security issues relating to why you are on our team.* Serena then looks up as she puts away her phone. "Okay, bottom line, bad guys that tried to abduct your original fourth teammate are called the The New Age, they have a guy by the name of Kodiak Malk--who I may or may not have trained at one point as Estonian Special Operations when I was with US Army Delta--who can use a low-powered personal-scale Absolute Territory Field to stop or deflect bullets. They were responsible for the attack on Tsukiko, and appear to worship the Entities. I hate cultists, especially stupid ones. At least smart ones you can use PsyOps on. Anyway, read the report and ask me your questions. Independent thinking will likely reveal avenues of investigation better then me feeding you all my biases." Serena takes off her mirrorshades, although she leaves her headscarf on, revealing her silver eyes, as she patiently waits. Captain Serena Silver Wounds: 13/13 Ego Barrier: 35/35 Fate Points: 2/3 Fatigue: 0 Insanity Points: 0

No confusion, . Silver's Requisition for this Battle is Power 3 Firefly VTOLs. I edited her thread and character sheet appropriately.