[i]"Michelete will be the 2IC, as she's the only person other than me here who's got any operational experience ta call on."[/i]
Myrina's ears shuddered as they caught her name on the Colonel's lips. Her, 2IC? The weight of responsibility started to press down on her shoulders and her fingers tapped together behind her back. It was true, she had led others in the militia, however now she was under the scrutiny of a new commander. If she was to prove her use in a true LDF scenario, she would have to call on years of experience and ensure she didn't mess up. Then again, this was only a simulation, she reminded herself. A first-evaluation of the Colonel's new team. Surely a few, if not more of them would slip up here and there. Myrina let out a deep breath and calmed her fidgeting. 

As the rest of the pilots filed out of the room to get to the hangar, Myrina followed suit, clutching her helmet in the crook of her arm. The GEAR bay was vast, teeming with technicians running back and forth between the machines that silently awaited their activation. Her Warlock was plugged into the wall to her left, standing tall like a sleepy golem over the crew that attended it. Myrina approached, holding up a hand in greeting. At her approach, the lead tech momentarily paused, throwing up a salute until it was returned.
"Warrant Officer Michelete? She's all ready for you, Ma'am," the feline said, nodding to the GEAR. "Standard loadout, all systems show green. Climb on in when you're ready."
"Thanks- Patterson," Myrina replied, referencing the name patch on the tech's coveralls. Hearing her name caused the cat to smile and her face reddened. 

Inside the GEAR, Myrina punched the keypad in front of her, and the screens around her blinked to life. Diagnostics scuttled around before the cameras brought up the hangar on the outside to Myrina's sight. With her helmet on, her HUD was superimposed against the camera's images. A quick runthrough affirmed Patterson's checklist was in order, and tinkering with the control yokes told her her controls and weapons were functioning properly. 

"Warrant Officer Myrina Michelete, Warlock. Ready for launch." Her tone belied the small pang of nervousness he felt in her gut, but she waved it aside, reminding herself that she wouldn't let the Colonel down in choosing her.