66 Chapter 66 Stick the Landing

[Ten minutes to departure.] Comes the faintly robotic programed announcement from the lander and everyone gets strapped in for the descent. 

"Oi, who is the second Mecha pilot? Do they not come out at all?" One of the convicts piloting a Line Mecha asks. 

[Tarith's Rage needs no Mortal Pilot] Nico jokes over the intercom, using the Mecha's computer to make her voice a deep growl. 

A good portion of the infantry makes the symbol to ward off bad luck, while those who served beside her before try not to laugh. They all saw the pilot of Tarith's Rage only an hour ago, but the chances of anyone associating Nico with her Mecha are pretty low. 

"You know how it is, you bring the learning systems to combat one too many times and they start liking it. You just need to offer it a virgin sacrifice now and then. By the way, how IS your luck with the ladies?" Captain Catan teases the soldier.