[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Y9sJ6mj.png[/img][/center]

Callie laughed.  She couldn’t help it.  The strategic situation was dire, their force had been decapitated, gutted and half-replaced, and [i]this[/i] was where the briefing ended up?

[color=f7941d][i]Just like the Cadets…  God.[/i][/color]

It was exactly what was needed.

(Well, perhaps for everyone but Nil.  Again – she [i]really[/i] ought to follow up with her.)

[color=f7941d]“We can do better on insertion than helis and chutes – I’ll go over it with you and the team later,”[/color] she told Charles, a gleam in her eye, before addressing the room as a whole.  [color=f7941d]“With Command’s permission, I’ll be joining the anti-naval operation in a reconnaissance and tactical mobility capacity.  I’ve performed the role before under those circumstances and the open sea accentuates just about all of my capabilities, where tunnel fighting would minimise their impact.”[/color]

[color=f7941d][i]Oh, and nothing else, Caroline?[/i][/color]

The gleam faded; that whisper had sounded alarmingly like [i]him[/i].  She did her best to push it out of her mind…  Even as her vision ran over the Director, even as his offer wormed its way through her thoughts.

[color=f7941d][i]Don’t pretend.  First the portal and the sword, then the minister…  What if you mess up again and someone [/i]actually[i] dies?  No, better a nice, safe delaying action…  You’re terrified, girl.[/i][/color]

A shiver down the back of her neck.

[color=f7941d][i]Wouldn’t be so terrified with a bit more power.[/i][/color]

[color=f7941d][i]Not yours, of course.  Can’t go wrong that way.[/i][/color]

Callie screwed her eyes shut, just for a moment, smile still plastered to her face.  [color=f7941d][i]It [/i]is[i] more tactically sound.  Besides – grow by stretching yourself, not grafting things on,[/i][/color] she assured herself…  The words sounding hollow in her mind.

[color=f7941d][i]Not yet.[/i][/color]

[color=f7941d][i]Not yet.[/i][/color]