Vakari
Leader Campbell shook his head. "Just means they decided to stick me with it." He sighed and heaved himself up a bit straighter in his chair. "You've been assigned to lead Team 1. You'll be under my direct command, and I've relinquished all other duties. You and your support staff are all I have to worry about. While the rest of our teams are ordered by convenience, Team 1 is our strongest, and that comes with all the pressure it sounds like. I'll be reporting directly to Captain Dai and First Elite Alettor, who are overseeing this project, and they'll be expecting results."
"Team 1 will be our first expedition beyond the defense of our borders since Operation Phoenix Thrust nineteen years ago. It will consist of yourself, Warrior Maur, Rank 2 Smith, Rank 2 Trout, and Rank 1 Dioren, as well as around thirty soldiers assigned to support you." He shifted a bit in his chair, a slight frown briefly creasing his lips. "However... The Council has strongly encouraged that we avoid taking such a huge risk with our best team, and that you instead be posted as the city's elite guard. Now I don't put much stock in civilian opinions, but when it comes to lives, I prefer not to risk them without confidence. So, my boy, I'm giving you an opportunity: Meet with your team and assess their capabilities. Determine whether or not you believe they can successfully execute your mission. If you aren't confident in their abilities, then I'll vouch for your decision, and you'll be posted as elite guards. It's all up to you, son."
...no point in denying it. This was
pressure. A lot of it.
Vakari took a deep breath to steady himself, and released it slowly. What did he know about the team...
Warrior Meredith Maur had been at the cadet academy with him. Her power already had utility for getting a soldier into position without being intercepted, scouting forward, and other such things; potency wasn't in question. In terms of personality... she was certainly
productive, and helpful, but she was rather
forceful about that help. He still remembered the logistics management project; when he tried to explain some of the formulas and shortcuts to more easily calculate the equipment distribution for maximized combat effectiveness, she insisted that
she was helping
him with his teaching skills.
An effective soldier, but her mental state may need management.
He hadn't had as much interaction with the other three, at least not recently; it had been a few years since he'd been pulled out of the standard program.
Rank 2 Smith... ah, yes. 'Melissa'. Certainly a character, definitely loud. He didn't remember her being a bully, at least. In terms of power... high mobility, capable of striking opponents hard with the right setup. The main issue he could see would be ensuring accuracy and safety during attacks, and maybe maintaining discipline.
Rank 2 Trout had been occasional trouble in tutoring. He was not especially... no, just
not cooperative or patient. The power to create potent adhesives... potentially useful as a utility power. Glue grenades and related dispersal methods could be used as effective traps, and the material itself might be workable as a field bandage. Cooperation and discipline would be the main issues.
And Rank 1 Dioren was... also loud and forceful, and very willing to challenge anybody who disagreed with her. Thankfully, she'd actually been interested in learning things, so he'd actually seen her at tutoring without somebody forcing her to go in. Her earth-tunneling abilities should be effective for accessing difficult-to-reach areas, and should make her an effective sapper if she could use it right.
Overall... well, Meredith would be happy to help, at least.
"...I'll need the most difficult wargame materials available. We'll need to be prepared for anything and everything if a new expedition is to take place."
The tone belies the words, and the steely glint is clear in Vakari's eyes. Team 1 not only
needs to be prepared for anything, they
will be prepared for anything.