Ranna Krannok<br/><br/>Bastion/Harlech Starport<br/><br/>0600 hrs March 6th<br/><br/>(http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j77/wulfjaeger/279b6e5f-ef0f-4fa9-9a7d-d288709a4aea_zps14cbe92e.jpg)<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>"Yes captain, I have a question.  Do you have the information on any customizations we've done?"</em><br/><br/>"No, unfortunately I don't.  But if you feel the need, each mech has a removable memory core you can use to configure the simulators.  We don't have time right now for everyone to figure out where it is and to collect the information.  But in the future that may be an option later."<br/><br/><em>"StarCom Chzorda reporting in to Captain Krannok for assisting in the training simulation.  Commander Veijer thought it would be a good idea for us to participate as OpFor, given our strength as warriors and our superior loadout as compared to your Inner Sphere tech."</em><br/><br/>Ranna regarded the Clan freeloaders with the same contempt she had for them when the unit beat them and took them hostage.  Although they had always made it a point to rub their superiority in the units face, Walt, Ranna and Erich made it a point to keep reminding them that the degraded tech of the inner sphere beat their collective butts time and time again.  "Well that's funny since you're going to be running stock IS mechs.  Maybe you'll get beat by a bunch of rookies this time."  She turned back to the group just in time for Erich to appear from behind his mech.<br/><br/><em>"You'll be working under me as the OpFor, Chzorda, which means Inner Sphere standard 'mechs in the sim."</em>Erich reinforcing her comment caused a mischievous curl to form on the edges of her grin as she watched him approach from the corner of her eye.<em>"As captain Krannok has already explained, this is a combination of aptitude test, and how well you lot will be able to work together. With that in mind, several of the veteran members will be riding herd on you lot in the simulators, in part to observe, and in part so you don't get too traumatized by facing a minimum of six PPCs.  Now, I fully expect Ranna to put you lot through the wringer by herself for the first few matches, which will mostly test how able you are. After that? Well, then the real fun begins."</em><br/><br/>Ranna nodded back to Erich in acknowledgement of her control of the training revolution and his support in the matter.<br/><br/><em>"Sir, I have a question. What if we bag a veteran? As new recruits who have never really worked together, we face the disadvantage of not knowing each other's aptitudes and degree of skill, as well as lack any experience working as a unit.  On the other hand, the veterans will have all of that.  As such, the most likely outcome is that we'll lose, it's just a matter of how long it takes before that happens."<br/><br/>"So what if we take down a veteran?"<br/>He quickly glanced over to Chzorda, before wrenching his gaze back onto the Captain.  Brief as it had been, the action was quite obvious, given how attentively he had been looking forward and standing at attention.  Will there be any particular incentive or reward for doing so?  It may help with increasing motivation and give something for the recruit team to focus on as a whole.  Also, will we have time to familiarize ourselves with our mechs and team first?"</em><br/><br/>"I'll answer your question at Artos.  Ok, everyone on the transport. Pointing to the large troops transport that had arrived at the foot of the hanger ramp.<br/><br/>(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yPIr9eI53n0/TLQu0_F8ihI/AAAAAAAAAEE/_A-TZ-SAOrE/s1600/TheAirlock12.jpg)<br/><br/>Artos Training had started out as a small local business that sold simulator software to House military academies and arcades.  When the MRB was created on Outreach making it the hub for all Merc training and contracting, they set up a training facility in Harlech to provide Merc units training venues that didn't involve the use of precious resources like equipment and weapons.  Artos developed small effective mech cockpits that could be networked that included miniature hydraulics and integrated neurosystems.<br/><br/>Ranna stood in the middle of the large bay of pods.  "Ok, the pods are small, but they are programmed with your mech type and as close to your preferred loadout as I could get out of the techs.  Your name is on the plate on the side of the pod.  I'll be running the op from the dropship C2 center.  First part of the op, I want you all to get comfortable with your mechs, standard recon pattern.  Follow the waypoints."<br/>She walked over to Brooklyn and Cass. "I expect those of you who have combat experience to help those who are new to form up correctly.  As Erich said earlier, we crawl before we walk, but don't think I won't throw a planet at you if you fuck up or I think you can handle it.  Smiling, she checked over her training plan then looked back at the group.  "Ok, get to your mechs, get set up and I'll talk to you in five..