“Huh, that’s just like him to go and divide the work like that,” Reese-Cato chuckles. “You need a hand, Kizashi?”

“I’m fine thank you,” I reply, quickly grabbing some wipes and rushing over to the pods to get cleaning.

“Nonsense,” Reese-Cato chuckles, “I’ll give you a hand in a second. After all, I need to talk with your team, and that requires you to be there.”

“...Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. As I said, this is completely for my sake.”

With that, silence falls between us as I focus on cleaning the pods, carefully wiping them down and ensuring they are cleaned for the next users. Finishing up with mine, I move over to Auclair-Stolz’s, and after a few minutes, Reese-Cato appears.

“Looks like you have had plenty of practice with this huh?”

“I’ve just done this a lot.”

“Soooo, do they usually make you do this?”

“Yes,”

“And you just go along with it?”

“Yes.”

“Huh. Interesting,” she replies before silence rushes in to fill the space between us, only to be cut off by her once again. “So how was using the Cleaver? Kinda want the opinion of someone who actually used it. Specially since your experience will be key to this plan of mine.”

“It was fine enough. I mean, it did the job of dealing with the tanks well enough.”

“I mean, yeah, but do you think it’s feasible to use them as a main weapon? I mean, at least to deal with tanks.”

“I mean, maybe? I only used it because I was out of options.”

“Hmmm, alright then. In that case, I want you to keep it in mind for the next battle. You don’t need to go out of your way to use it, but just keep it in mind when you are dealing with the tanks. Especially since if the raid goes like today, or more likely worse, you will be dealing with plenty of them.”

“So your plan has me dealing with the tanks?”

“More, that’s what I think Wally will have you do when he hears my plan. Don’t worry too much about it though. While I think I have a pretty good plan cooking right now, I don’t want all my eggs in the same basket. So I got a couple of backup plans. But I will admit, most of them are based on how the Cleaver performed in the tests I’ve done. But if you think you have a better idea of the battlefield go ahead, especially since you aren’t confident in using the weapon.”

“What do you mean go ahead?” I ask, turning away from the sim.

“I mean, if you think my plan won’t work or you can’t execute it exactly to orders, don’t stick to it,” She replies, matching my gaze with a stare of her own. She holds eye contact for a few seconds before giving a little shrug, “If a plan’s bad, only a fool sticks to it. And I don’t like being seen as one or spending my time with one. Though if you don’t think you can do it, please tell me now so I can move over to my backup plans.”

“I should be fine,” I say, turning back over to the pod.

“I hoped as much,” she chuckles. “Anyway, I think we are about done here. I mean, how much cleaner can this thing actually get? Let’s head over to the cafe. I can tell you more about my plan there anyway.”

“I’ll follow shortly. There are still a few spots that need some focus.”

“I guess I’ll leave it to your expertise then,” she replies, rising to her feet. “Come on guys, I think we’ve done enough.”

“God, finally, I can only scrub the same spot so many times,” Philip-Arnold sighs as he and Lanzenträger rise from the sim they were working on.

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The trio head over to the trash and toss their wipes before heading out of the room. After a few final touches, catching some of the spots that Reese-Cato and her squadmates missed, I take my leave as well. My legs swiftly carry me to the mess hall, and after a short wait in line for a plate of meatloaf, I make my way over to a round table where the rest of the group is already sitting.

“Well, now that we are all together, I guess I can begin talking about my plan in earnest,” Reese-Cato says with a smile. “Simply put, we do our best to replicate what we just did.”

“Elaborate,” Auclair-Stolz says, fixing a sharp stare on Reese-Cato.

“Well, simply put, I think it would be best for us to split our forces, like we just did with our little training mission, and assault the base from two directions simultaneously. We are going to be outnumbered, so I think it would be best for us to move as fast as we can to take out the base.”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be more efficient to strike from one side in force?”

“Not quite. My biggest concern is that if we all attack from one side, we will get caught by air reinforcements from the elevators. As it stands, while we are able to outgun and outarmor their forces, we are currently behind in speed. If it comes down to a chase, we’ll get caught. From what I’ve heard listening in on the mechbay, the Serpent Corps is going to be testing out a tool to help with that issue during their part of this operation. However, we won’t have access to it. So we’ll need a workaround, hence my suggestion.

“Of course, it won’t be perfect, but I figure, if we split up, we can take out both of the elevators, keeping them from being able to muster up the brunt of their air forces. Leaving us to deal with the artillery, which can’t move, the tanks, which can be outmaneuvered, and any air elements already present. Not easy by any means, but still easier than getting snared in their rhythm. So, you willing to go for it?”

“I take it we will each be commanding our own squads?”

“Of course.”

“Fine then.”

“Excellent. Now, on our end, I will be approaching with my usual preference. I will try to take out whatever air elements I can with my rifle. Once there are no longer any threatening air elements, I will switch my attention over to either the base or any artillery pieces causing trouble. While I handle that, Lanzenträger and Philip-Arnold will charge in. Their aim will be the elevator before clearing an area for us to assault our target.”

“We should be able to take care of it pretty quickly. We have been practicing for a bit,” Philip-Arnold says with a smile as Lanzenträger merely nods her head.

“Alright. In that case, Kizashi, you will follow Di’Lotta and deal with the elevator. Once that is eliminated, I want you to deal with any ground forces. Di’Lotta, once you are done, you are to deal with any remaining air elements before assisting me in clearing out any artillery.”

““Understood”” I reply in unison with Di’Lotta, who shoots a glare at me.

“I can handle the elevator myself, but I will allow Kizashi to tag along as fire support,” Di’Lotta replies, a smirk on his face as he glances my way.

“Alright. Sounds like we have a plan,” Reese-Cato cheers with a clap. “Let’s just hope it survives contact.”