[center][color=f9ad81][h3][b][u] T A H L I A    S T Y L E S [/u][/b][/h3][b]Hangar #08 - New Anchorage[/b][/color][/center]
[hr]Tahlia listened to Graham's last words, noting that there would be a physical evaluation and that they had only one month to train before they needed to participate in this test. She smiled to herself, knowing that for the most part she would be able to pass many of the required tasks. All she had to do was brush up on the skills that she learnt from back home and make sure that her time away from the Land Down Under hadn't had any overall impact. There was however one issue that she was not pleased about. A seven meter tall issue that stood right in front of where Tahlia had ended her tour.

The last time Tahlia had stepped into a true bipedal NC was when she was in her teenage years. While the physical appearance may have been similar to what the AFW Mk.8 in Bipedal mode, the internals was where everything changed with the thought process being very different. It was different in the same way that a car and a motorbike were different. Everyone knows how to use the indicator and when to check the mirrors, but the added difference was understanding how to balance the vehicle, that the gear changes are on foot pedals, and the accelerator is in the wrist controls.

[color=f9ad81][b]"So this is why they are issuing me a loan NC,"[/b][/color] Tahlia spoke out, as she watched Stein bound up the monster like an ape climbing a tree. It wasn't the only reason as Tahlia knew that her NC would need a fair amount of work in order to bring it back up to spec, but this new piece of knowledge was a major hurdle indeed. She turned away, pushing her bag back up onto her shoulder, and slowly walked down the open hangar until she eventually ended up at her bay. Hangar Bay #08.

Tahlia's feet came to a standstill, landing on a channel grate at the hangar entrance with a echoing chime as she looked up and saw the toy that she had learnt to play with for several, long years. The brown and gunmetal grey NC loomed over two men who were at it's base, sitting at a table, on milk crates, with a deck of cards between them. They paused for a moment, looking up at the unusual woman that was standing at the open entrance.

[color=82ca9d]"Is this your beat-up pile of crap?"[/color] One of the men called out, checking to see if Tahlia was the pilot.

Tahlia walked towards the table with a smile on her face, [color=f9ad81][b]"Yep. Won't deny it. She's cactus alright."[/b][/color] She picked up a third crate and dropped it on the ground next to the table, taking a seat with the two others and tapped the surface with her fingers, indicating that she wanted a set of cards dealt to her. They looked at her with a curious gaze, noting the jacket that she was wearing and her obvious Asian appearance.

[color=82ca9d]"So then you're Tahlia Styles, I assume,"[/color] the individual with the deck in his hand spoke out, giving a reverse introduction and dealing out a pair of cards to each of them.

Tahlia nodded as she noted the 5 face down cards that were placed in the centre of the table, making it now obvious that she had entered into a Texas Hold'em match. She asked back, [color=f9ad81][b]"And you two are?"[/b][/color]

[color=82ca9d]"Philip,"[/color] Philip flipped the first card over, showing it's face value.

[color=c4df9b]"Thomas,"[/color] Thomas pushed a pile of nuts and bolts over to Tahlia, giving her some chips to play with. [color=c4df9b]"We got allocated Hangar #08 so it looks like we'll be working under you, Miss Styles."[/color]

[color=f9ad81][b]"Since you already know my name, then I assume you've read up about what needs to be done to my NC?"[/b][/color] Tahlia picked up the cards, holding them hidden and checking out the face values.

[color=c4df9b]"Naturally, but it doesn't look good. Going to need a LOT of parts to get this puppy back to life. Dead Fuel Cell, every weapon has some form of damage, and your Trakdar System is filled with software bugs. We also heard that you'll be practising your sync in the old Mad-e unit over there."[/color] Thomas pointed his finger to a hangar further down from which the Mad-e could just be seen sticking out of, [color=c4df9b]"Shame really, cause young Madison is still in a coma, meaning that the NC hasn't been used since her incident. When you're ready, just give us a shout and we'll set it up for you."[/color]

[color=f9ad81][b]"Alrighty then. So tell us a bit more about this place and the pilots. We'll look at starting work on my NC tomorrow, but for now... I need a break from the clowns I've been stuck with all day."[/b][/color]

The two men chucked lightly as they each started to place their bids.