<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ef/Damian_Harper.jpg)</div><br/><br/>Damian remained quiet as the two women in his company discussed back and forth. He was very skeptical, obviously, and was considering advising to pack up and give up. They were going to be in for a massive struggle from now on, trying to reorganize into anything even remotely resembling a potent, efficient fighting force. That uphill battle could end up with more bloodshed which would make cutting their losses and relocating entirely impossible. As always, he was being the doomsayer, but also the realist. Best case scenario, and they got some reparations and Jirani stayed on board, they'd still be hardpressed to find tickets they could handle that would pay for the upkeep of the ship alone. He could work his magic, as he had done in the past, and get them good deals wherever they went. But there was only so much he could do, because at the end of the day, he was still only human, and didn't have any political pull to truly go overboard with favors. But still, he didn't want to speak up negatively, at least not yet, not while both women seemed in surprisingly high spirits. Who knows? Maybe they'd come up with something functional?<br/><br/>As their conversation died down, Damian lowered the digits that were covering his lips and chin in thought, and finally voiced his opinion. <strong>"From my point of view, we would only be delaying the inevitable. Companies that were better of than us have gone under even when in better situations,"</strong> he spoke strictly, as always, but then folded his hands behind his back and released a very slight sigh. <strong>"But. If you two want to try. I will stay and help. I will see what I can do. I know a few people that might put some extra pressure on the Lyrans to provide reparations, but I am skeptical they would be willing to do so, no matter how much weight we put on them,"</strong> his attention turned to Allia, while approaching his desk and taking a seat. Elbows planted themselves firmly on the desk, while his hands clasped together halfway. <strong>"Lieutenant Rowe, speak to lieutenant Jirani. I do not know her full motivations, but I trust she wants to return to her family. If you can convince her to stay, we will have enough active personnel for a lance of four. That is the barest of minima; but it is something."</strong><br/><br/>His attention then turned back to his report. <strong>"Now, as far as equipment is concerned, we are not in much better shape. Most 'Mechs were lost out on the field of battle. Of the seven that returned with its pilots, only five can be refitted fairly quickly, including ours, Jirani's and another. A sixth will be torn apart for spare parts, some of which can be used to restore the active 'Mechs. The seventh is completely trashed and will be sold for recycling and raw materials. Whether we bother to restore the fifth 'Mech is up to whether we are going to hold out hope that the recovering pilot will wake up, with an inclination to stay with the company. The 'Mech was his, and still is. So, if he departs, he takes it with him,"</strong> he explained, as he finished the report and put the papers down in front of him.<br/><br/>The clanner leaned back and rested his temple against his thumb and index finger. <strong>"Before we do anything, we need to solve the most pressing issue. The chain of command has been severed completely. commander Moreno died in the line of duty, as did the second-in-command. We have no clear succession right now,"</strong> his steely gaze moved from one of the present individuals to the other. <strong>"I refuse the position preemptively. I am ill-suited for a command post of that nature. That just leaves the two of you. We need a commander. Now. And that commander needs to address the entire ship and assuage their concerns. Everyone is in mourning, confused and frightened. Morale and discipline needs to be restored, and they need to hear at least the basics of a plan,"</strong> the former Sea Fox clanner shifted in his seat a little, one leg rising to cross the other.<br/><br/><strong>"Once that is done, we can decide on what to do with the 'Mechs and how to approach recruitment and job offers,"</strong> he concluded, wondering what decision the two were going to reach. Personally, Damian had no preference. He would back whatever they went with. Kari had the name and experience, Allia had the bravado that was always good for morale. As for being put in a leadership position, neither had done something of this magnitude yet, so he considered them both unproven.</div>