[center]
[h1][color=c4df9b]Ramses Q. Reinholdt[/color][/h1]

[color=c4df9b]“I fold.”[/color]

A slight frown formed on the large man’s face as he tossed his cards to the dealer. Waiting. It was always the worst part of a mission. Especially a mission that one was not involved in. In this case, Ramses was one of the unlucky few. Or lucky, judging by the sighs of relief that escaped a few of the team when they realized they weren’t heading out on tonight’s mission. With the main team having left, all that remained was the non-combat team, one of the representatives from the employer, the field adjutant, and of course, the B-team.

“Fold.” called the SeeD to his left.

Ramses wasn’t resentful for being place on base duty. Disappointed, but not resentful. He fully understood the ramifications should the mission not go as planned. So it only made sense for Lerwick to prioritize those with whom he had experience fighting alongside. Better squad chemistry lead to better results. Quicker operation time, less casualties. It just made sense.

“Ahh...dammit.” called the SeeD opposite him, as the fourth squealed in delight and claimed her pot.

So why did something seem off? Something in the pit of his stomach rotted, gnawing at him. Of course, the frequent, jarring radio traffic didn’t help matters. He had never been much of a pessimist, but something was going to go wrong.

He could just feel it.

As if the universe chose to confirm his fears, the field adjutant, Ms. Yoko Ono, had entered the room. Ramses could feel her unease before evening looking at her. And when he finally did, it didn’t surprise him to see her looking so grim.

[b]'You can probably hear the radio from here... things aren't going well.'[/b]

Ramses closed his eyes and leaned back against his chair. He placed his hands behind his head and grimaced. He hated being right.

[b]‘I’d like to send a few more to support the assault team. Two volunteers please, ideally people with the restraint to [i]not[/i] kill the HVT.’[/b]

The look she shot the the SeeD beside him...shoot, if looks could kill, they’d have been a man down. 

Ramses climbed to his feet and snapped to attention.

[color=c4df9b]“Permission to speak, ma’am.”[/color]

For a moment, Ramses could have swore that Ms. Oko looked surprised. Wasn’t she expecting formality? Or had she already become accustomed to Squad A’s more aloof nature that this seemed foreign to her? In any case, the look lasted but merely a moment before she nodded. 

[b]‘Speak freely.’[/b]

Ramses sighed silently. How could he say it without seeming cold, heartless, or downright cowardly? He decided not to think about it. Whatever came out would be pure, unfiltered truth.

[color=c4df9b]“Ma’am, with all due respect, I don’t think that’s a good idea. That group consisted of highly trained SeeDs, more than capable of a simple snatch and grab. If the situation has turned dire, I don’t think we could arrive in time to make a difference. In addition, should the group have already fallen by the time the volunteers get there, then they’ll surely be lost as well. Then what does that leave us? A non-combat team and a gutted support team? For the sake of the mission, I suggest we entrench here. Prepare in case our location is revealed or worse yet, attacked, and plot our next move. If they fail, we still need to be able to operate. The best thing we can do is hope against hope tha-”[/color]

SMACK! A sharp stinging sensation danced across Ramses’ left cheek and his head snapped to the right. It was about the response he was expecting, although he didn’t count on Ms. Ono putting that much force behind her punch. Still, it had to be said. He didn’t like the idea any more than she did, but rushing in recklessly would put everything in jeopardy. She was trained well enough to know that as well. 

Kein. 

Shit. 

Kein was apart of the group. He hadn't just poked a raw nerve, he had stomped on it, grinding it into the dust with his heel.

Silence hung in the air. Ramses turned his gaze to each of the SeeDs in the room. The tension was tight here. Of course it was. He had single-handedly destroyed the morale of everyone in the room. That was the worst thing he could have said. He had to fix it.

[color=c4df9b]“My apologies, ma’am. I spoke out of line. Allow me to volunteer for the support team. I’ll make sure they come back safe. They'd do the same for us.”[/color]

He still didn’t think it was a good idea, but if it WAS going to happen, he damn sure wanted to make sure it was done right. [/center]