Chapter 116 - Improvement (2/2)

"As you wish sir!" Caleb said to Gray while saluting, then he left the room to go pass on the orders to everyone else.

"You guys have a good team, if I hadn't known the girls I'm with since the academy then we wouldn't be nearly as close as you guys are."

"Well, it helps that we're all gamers for the most part so we're easy going and trust people like us easily."

"True, but remember this isn't a game, and the fact that all of them stuck with you after revealing the truth shows that you are capable in their eyes."

"Eh, I'm not really, but let's let them keep thinking that."

Kelly laughed and said "Your secret is safe with me! Shall we finally get this started? I kinda want to join everyone in the objective games, we never get to do those in the military so let's not take too long!"

"Yeah, me too, I enjoy casual objective games like those more than just straight up killing!"

Gray and Kelly finally started nitpicking their own teams and each other's teams based upon the previous game footage and what they knew of their own teams from other matches. While it is good to pick out the strengths of everyone, they also made sure to point out glaring weaknesses.

Gray focused the camera on Paul and Jono when they were closing in for the attack as Kelly's team was moving towards the quicksand.

"See Paul get in front of Jono like that? He is naturally inclined to protect others, but he is also blocking Jono's shot as well." Gray said analytically.

"Yeah, but if he has a shield and that can be shot over it would prove advantageous in some cases."

"Yes, that's why he normally has one, I had him drop it for our match because the terrain and weather combined made it more disadvantageous to have one."

"Good idea" Kelly rewinded the match playback and focused on Caitlyn when she was shooting at Xyra and Caleb. "Caitlyn is emotional, but a good shot. She also doesn't use every system available to her, had she paid attention to the drones sensor feed she would've seen that one of your mechs was still able to fire at them instead of assuming she got both of them."

"Drones?" Gray asked.

"Yes, spider drones, that's why we didn't have a scout. We can deploy drones that are about the size of a cat that are basically just walking sensors but are too small to be picked up usually. Had the terrain been different they would've easily been detected."

"Any other weaknesses of these drones?"

Kelly thought about it for a moment, "Only an hour of charge, not as fast as a mech at full speed. The airborne drones are a little better, but they are easy to spot."

"Makes sense, so what other toys can we expect from the military?"

"I am not sure, I only have clearance to use up to current generation technology, some have access to prototypes and I suspect that this tournament would be a good spot to debut them if they want to win people over."

"True, but remember, just because it is a prototype doesn't mean it is better. Just cause it looks good on paper doesn't mean it is good."

Kelly nodded her head "Agreed, but still, they could have some nasty surprises. They'll probably give them to our flagship teams, Kyam is the vice captain of one of those teams."

"That a-hole? I thought he would've been relegated to cleaning toilets or something!"

Kelly rolled her eyes, "He isn't an a-hole, he just... is terrible at expressing himself clearly. As often as he used to talk about you we thought he might've been gay!"

A chill ran down Gray's spine thinking about that, "N-nothing wrong if he is that way, but he should know I'm straight!"

"He is straight! He just really... let's stop talking about it, no need to get off topic again! Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"You know what Gray! Why do you always change the subject!"

"I don't do it intentionally, my mind just kinda wanders a lot... but now you're doing it!"

"Oh my god you're rubbing off on me already!" Kelly looked genuinely horrified.

"You make that sound like a bad thing!"

"It is! I was trying to be your counterpart and make up for your lack of focus, your ability to overthink everything, and your fear of failure!"

"Oh? So does that mean I make up for your overconfidence, inability to see the big picture, and unwillingness to share the burden?"

"I see you still remember how I was like... I hope it has improved somewhat!"

"It has! Have I improved?"

"Not in the least..." Kelly said with a smile.