[center][h2]Corporal James Hunt|Outside the Coach House[/h2][/center]
[center][@Slypheed][@Raven_Operative][/center]

James waited through the first part of her rant to speak, taking advantage of her breath to counter her argument. "Command picked the most qualified among the squad at that period in time to put in the corporal's position. That was you." However, he'd barely gotten two words out of his mouth before her tirade resumed and drowned him out.

[b]"I was forced into this role. I had been studying like crazy just to fulfill Corporal role I was forced into. But now I'm probably going to be become the Sergeant!"[/b] Hunt could see it in her eyes, her act of strength beginning to come apart as tears formed in her eyes. [b]I didn't want this..I don't understand why they picked me...You should have been promoted...I should have stayed a Private..."[/b] As soon as Celeste started to fall, James caught her and slowed the decent, taking a knee and looking her in the face.

"No amount of studying will ever prepare you for being in charge of other people's lives, Sarge. You think I'm ready for Corporal? I barely managed to keep my fire team out of the line of fire during our capture of the coach house, took two bullets for my efforts. As for why they picked you, they thought you could handle it. No, they KNEW you could handle it. That said, maybe talking with the Captain when he gets here is better than talking to the guy who's never topped Lance Corporal until now. Just...maybe take a break for now, Sarge."

Standing up, James makes sure that no one will see her dealing with her issues and heads out to count the weapons and check on injuries and prisoners.

[hr]

It was several hours later when he heard the sound of tank engines and shouts. Standing from where he was keeping watch along the road for a counter attack by the Imps, James heads towards the column, intent on catching the captain at the same time Stichler was arriving. However, he found himself too slow as Stichler had already been dismissed and the Captain walking away. So he jogged to catch up to Meulemann and matched the Captain's pace. "Sir, Sergeant Stichler had something she wanted to talk to you about I think. And I think it should be figured out before we begin the operation."