The Mystery Problem (D5 EA, Aerospace Hanger)

[James Hall]

"Wow. Your ancestor was really amazing. That must be where you get it from."

As for the name, Mata shook her head. "I'm not a warrior yet. I can't give name yet. Only proper warriors can do that."

[Alexei Herald]

"Ok, well... maybe you can just help this warrior pick one, eh?"

He smirked. "Otherwise I might call it something silly like Tulip."

[James Hall]

Mata thinks hard. "Well, what did it do in battle to earn a name?"

[Alexei Herald]

"It did what any Attack Aircraft should do - diving into a volley of enemy fire to terrorize the foe below. I suppose the unusual thing was that it scored kills on the things intended to defeat it - it slew an Anti-Air mech and an enemy interceptor."

Alexei stroke his chin, thoughtfully. "So in some ways, it did the reverse of what was expected."

[James Hall]

"Oh. You could do an animal that surprises people. Like a flytrap, or an owl, or a bear."

James quirked his eyebrow. Only one of those flew. And the flytrap wasn't even an animal. Clearly, they need to spend more time on biology.

[Alexei Herald]

Alexei hid a smile behind his hand, and thought about it.

"Maybe an owlbear."

[James Hall]

Mata nods. "Nobody would expect an owlbear."

[Alexei Herald]

"Then that it shall be."

Alexei rose back to his full height. "Tell me, Technician James - do you think you can paint an Owlbear onto the tailfin for this craft?" His tone was serious, though there was a certain mirth in his eyes.

[James Hall]

"Yes. Is there an owlbear from a certain planet?" There were owlbears on Circe. Like most creatures in the Kerensky cluster, they were vicious and terrifying. Though James figured it would be best to see if owlbears were a thing in the IS before 'making up' creature.

[Alexei Herald]

"I... I don't know which particular strain of owlbear would be best."

He glanced at Mata, not wanting to say they weren't real.

"You decide. I'm sure you know the fiercest strains of owlbear."