It's a Victory, if not a party (Day 6, EN)

[Yuri Creed]

Yuri had told the crew of the Calico to get drinks ready, food ready. And then to clear the hell out of the mechbays and give his soldiers some space.

Once the mechs were back in their cubicles, the mechs were told repairs could wait until morning.

This was a sacred time.

Yuri took a place in the center of the bay, waiting for his soldiers to arrive, mechwarrior, infantry... no matter the role they had played. He had a drink in hand, and coolers with a variety of options.

He had pulled on his dress jacket over a light T-shirt, but didn't button it. This was clearly a primarily informal event. As each soldier arrived, he'd hand them a drink or snack of their choosing, whether hard, light, or not-alcoholic at all. No questions, a quick salute if they offered one, but otherwise, just providing something solid for the soldiers to hold in their own hands - something real to ground them after an experience that, especially for those not from the combine, had to have been shocking.

[Maja Eklund]

Maja is there early. The young pilot isn't displaying much emotion outside of a faint aura of quiet satisfaction. Accepting a cold drink from Yuri she offers the commander a respectful nod before looking for somewhere quiet to post up.

[Andrea DeTroyes]

Andrea arrived, in her trench coat and with her hussar sabre. She came to attention after approaching the Yuri as a show of respect but relaxed quickly and took a drink. "Major."

Unless Yuri had something specific for her, she would step back.

[Thomas Moreno]

Thomas was there, but it was fairly easy to tell he wasn't in tip-top shape. Still wearing his pants from his sldf armor and a tank the tank top he wire underneath, there was a rough bandage over his left bicep where he'd taken a graze from a piece of shrapnel and he was favoring his ribs of his right side where a bullet had struck but not penetrated his armor.

He relaxed on a crate away from most of the crowd nursing a drink.

[Gillian Chow]

Gillian Chow arrived, dressed in her usual shorts and tank top. She saluted the major and solemnly accepted a lemon soda.

[Marik Wa Mo Ishtal]

For once, Marik's midriff is covered. In fact, this may have been the first time that anyone this side of space had seen Marik in a suit at all.

Nevertheless, he saluted the major, took a shot of sand wine with bourbon (or "davion", as it was called), and stood by his lance leader, offering her a small but solemn smile as he joined her.

[Dorgan Bruun]

Bruun was one of the last to arrive, having been slow to leave the battlefield and then taken a time with Firehead before coming to join the others.

The veteran had pulled on the puffer vest that bore his rank insignia to go with the cargo shorts he'd worn in the cockpit, but he still looked pretty bedraggled. His salute to Creed looked pretty sharp these days, but he didn't say anything and figured Creed knew what he was thinking anyway. He have a thankful nod as the commander handed him something strong, and then wandered away. He reflexively accounted for Chow, Andrea and Chick, and then just stopped wherever he was at that point to await anything from the major.

[Yuri Creed]

(Anyone not here yet who wants to be here, assume you showed up before Yuri gives his spiel)

Standing up and walking forward, he indicated he was going to speak, and then he gave a short address.

"Fortunate Ones - I want to lead off with this - I'm damn proud of all of you. We've faced a better armed and more numerous foe and come out the far side without any casualties. We lost some mechs, but every pilot is here. For that, I think, we have cause to celebrate."

Raising his glass, he called out, "To all of you! My Fortunate Ones!" After the drink, he lowered his glass, adding, "I'm sure what you all saw at the end was shocking, unexpected and possibly jarring." Glancing around the room, he noted the more uneasy faces. "Some of you may look at them as madmen, fools, or monsters... but they were my countrymen. Just a decade ago I would have stood among them. I do not hate them... I only pity them, and encourage you to do the same - for some day you may face death yourself... and when you do, I hope you face it with the same composure they did."

A slow breath, and he went on. "Each nation has ancient customs - for the combine, that is one. I wished to grant them that small mercy at the end - and I thank you all for indulging me in this. Tomorrow the company is at low alert - take time to recover, and then we will get to the work of recovering and rebuilding as best we are able. I have sent an infantry team to watch the pass to the south, so we will have advance warning of any dangers."

Setting down his drink, he glanced around the hangar, and added, "The company is small, so perhaps it doesn't mean much... but everyone here has earned commendation. I'll work to have one made, but know that once it is ready, you all have earned it - and if we continue as we have, some day this will be a mighty company, and any of you who remain with us will have that esteem. After two fierce engagements I am convinced that there is a strong foundation in this company - I'm exceptionally proud to lead you, and in the coming days, if you have any issues, my door will be open."

Picking up his drink once more, he met the gaze of each soldier in turn, and stated, in conclusion, "It is always tempting to give in to nihilism or callousness numbness, violence is not pleasant to give or receive, but we saved a city of innocent people. We fulfilled our contract and protected a company of scientists, working to uncover ancient knowledge. We fought a fierce and capable foe and gave them the death they desired - and lost shockingly few of our own in the process."

Glancing to Thomas, he said, "Our infantry didn't escape unscathed, but their efforts denied the enemy a retreat route, so I say this all now to encourage you all - You live! You are victorious! Honor the dead by facing tomorrow with your head held high! To Karlotta Roth - a hero, and to you all, I say, I have no greater honor than standing here today. Victory is yours!"

Raising his glass a second time, he emptied it, and then ripped off a flawless salute to all present, "That's all."

Turning back to the case, he extracted a bottle of a dark beer from the town brewery, casually popping the cap off and pocketing it.

"Miss Fielding has requested you keep the caps - she re-uses them."

[James Hall]

James and Mata were off to the side. James took a drink of his coffee while a sleepy Mata held on to her Marauder plushie.

[Dorgan Bruun]

Bruun drains his drink to the major's toasts, his spirits lifted somewhat by the speech. When Creed finishes he approaches him for a bottle of the beer, and to say, "Well said, sir. I think you hit the right notes." Bruun doesn't look much consoled, but the positive feedback is clearly genuine.