Time to shine. Myrina threw on her suit and harness, checking in with the quartermaster before hoofing it to the hangar bay. This was the Roughrider's first non-training deployment; this was what they had prepared to do. The situation wasn't unlike occurrences she'd dealt with in the past - raids on settlements, convoys, you name it. It was all a part of serving along the border territories, strangled like a vice in the grip of warlords and irregular OPFOR units. Myrina would want to warm the others of a potential ambush at the location; there were multiple occasions of bandits waiting out curious search parties at their raid sites. 

When she'd reached her GEAR, she almost didn't recognize it. SPC. Patterson had given her the list of modifications that were to be fitted to the GEAR, but the digital images didn't do the real thing justice. 
"How do you like her, Ma'am?" Patterson appeared behind the GEAR's right shoulder, unbuckling the umbilicals at the rear of the machine. 
"Friggin' incredible," was Myrina's answer. "It looks like a whole new machine."
"It almost feels like one. You've been reading the manuals, so you should know how everything works. She handles like a dream now."
"I'll see about that," Myrina taunted, already up the ladder and sliding into the cockpit. The cockpit's layout generally was the same, although some of the equipment necessitated new panels and switches. On activation, the serial number that flared across Myrina's HUD read "MCU-18CV: Subcommander Variant." 
"Don't bang her up and make me refit this stuff," Patts called outside. "Try to keep it clean for just a while longer."
Myrina took the GEAR through the familiar start-up routine, flipping switches and testing each system before clearing 'green.' The hangar came to life on the panoramic screen, Patts running her through the checkup at the GEAR's feet. Myrina felt the machine shudder as the last of its umbilicals were yanked, and it stood without assistance on the hangar floor. 
"All clear, take her out!"

Myrina eased her hand forwards on the throttle, rolling the GEAR on its sole wheels from the docking area and flashing a salute to the Specialist with the GEAR's free arm. She came to a stop besides Col. Blade and the other ready GEARs, giving them a nod from the Warlock. 
"Ready to roll," she announced.