Each of you has been summoned to Fort Gravender, just outside of Tolkeen City - on the Eastern front.
Tolkeen is in a state of confusion. They are gathering whoever is "ready" to head out into the conflict zones, and forming them into squads. They assign an Officer and send them on their way.

Tolkeen is swarmed in people. There are hundreds of soldiers entering or leaving the City. There are mercenary posts, recruiting hundreds of "guns for hire". Another division of Cyber Knights has just arrived. Still, the Federation of Magic has not come...

Borderline went down yesterday. Apparently the entire population dug in and defended their home. The Coalition had too many. Nobody made it out of Borderline alive.

It is a sunny September day. You would all be approaching the fort you have been told to look for. You are also to seek out an officer named Sorkhan Shira. All any of you know about where you will be going is closer to the Coalition advancements...

Standing outside of Fort Gravender is a small group of people. There is a tall man, native american in decent, with long black hair. There is a bald man smirking mischieviously while talking to the gorgeous woman in the group, a red head.

Another figure is approaching the group, a large Grackle-Tooth covered in guns and ammo clips, topped with a human cowboy hat. He"yells down to the 4 people "Any of you Shira?" as he hops down a steep grass hill.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Wed 10 Aug 2005.

   Lotus walked across a wide field filled with long yellow grass.  She approached from the south and walked up onto a gravel road only a few hundred feet away from Fort Gravender and made the rest of the trek from there.  She marched at a brisk pace, not wishing to waste any time and eyed the fort from behind the skull-faced visor of her helmet.  Lotus spotted a small gathering of people by the main entrance to the fort and decided they would be the best place to start looking for this Sorkhan Shira.  When Lotus heard the oversized lizard shout the name aloud, Lotus knew she was in the right place.  She approached the group at about the same time as the grackletooth, and remained silent for the moment, waiting for a response to his inquiry.  Lotus stopped when she got to within ten feet or so from the group, close enough to hear, but far enough away to avoid having to introduce herself just yet.

Xion had been in Tolkeen for a few years now, and while happy to be traveling, hated the notion that he may never see his city again. Xion wandered closer to the fort just in time to hear the large creature shout the name he was hoping to hear. The sound of the name sped him along his course, almost jogging to get there faster. Once near enough to the gathering outside the gate he speaks up, "I am Xion from Tolkeen, it is good to meet you all." He pauses briefly, "I am a battle mage from an elite group that has been facing off with the CS for sometime now, mostly hit and run tactics as the groups we met with were small in number...not like what happened in Borderline." Xion will then nod to each person present, and shake hands with those that will allow. He will make eye contact with the ladies present and give thema sly wink. "Do we know how many are to join us?"

I been fightin' the CS for a while too

I don't know how many are coming. They told me a dozen or so.
I'm Glad to have you aboard Xion. Might need your help, we might be surrounded by philosophical mercenaries like this one soon. (motioning towards the grackle tooth)

"I am Shira, and I will be in charge"

 -Any of you who could recognize Tolkeen ranking insignias would realize that Shira appears to be the same rank as Xion. Of course Xion would realize this first. Not that this is a mistake or anything, this happens often.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Wed 10 Aug 2005.

"You are the one I was told to find," Xion smiles, "at your service maam." Turning to the Grackletooth, "From the looks of you I would say you had handled your fair share of CS troops too," he laughs a little at his joke.

A Big Boss ATV came down the road towards the large front doors of Fort Gravender. Both D-bee and human alike, on either side of the road, turned toward the odd looking and sounding vehicle. The sound was some-what high pitched like from an electric engine. The other thing that made the vehicle different was that on both of the doors, hood, rear and top of the ATV was a big white painted square with a bright red cross in its center. After giving the driver a few odd looks, they looked away and continued with their own business.

A few yards from the gate, the ATV turned off the road and parked. Soon afterwards, the door to the vehicle opened and out stepped a woman with long blond hair wearing a white Bushman Full Composite Environmental Body Armor without the helmet. The woman closed the door and turned her head as if looking for something. It did not take her long to find the small group in front of the fort’s door and started walking towards them.

As she drew closer, the people would notice that she had the same Red Cross on both shoulders and left chest of the armor. She was tall and looked looked attractive (PB: 20) with her long blond hair, lovely dark blue eyes and red full lips. When she got to the group, she put her hands on her hips and looked each person in the eye before speaking.

“Excuse me; I am looking for a Mr. Shira. Does anyone know where I can find him?”

Van approaches Fort Gravender on his hover-board, skimming across the top of the tall grass like a wakeboarder across the water. He passes the droves of refugees, volunteers, militia men, and soldiers on the left hand side. While he has the look of a cocky young good for nothing, wearing khaki-green cargo pants and an undershirt with a few tattoos, the look on his face is not one of arrogance. He is pensive. He seems lost in thought watching the grass go by. It is only at the last minute that he looks over and notices he's at the fort.

He stops short and begins flying around slowly, looking for groups of people. He asks around abit and finally comes to the group.

"Is this to be the squad of Sorkhan Shira?"

For Reference:
Age: 17
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 150lbs
MA - 16
PB - 18

Has a thin yet fairly muscular build.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:48, Wed 10 Aug 2005.

Mephisto turns around from his concersation with Saila, to look at the source of this voice.

He looks the hover boardist up and down, "Van?"

"Mephisto? Strange meeting you here again, like this. I did not know you had any ties with Tolkeen, or are you just doing contract work?"

   Lotus waits patiently in silence at the sidelines of the group.  She keeps her face and emotions concealed behind the deathly visage of her face plate while glancing at each of those present.  She doesn't appear shy, but rather uninterested in small talk.  For now, she just watches...

Piloting a hovercycle at a cruising speed just above the tall grass as to not disturb it, I slow down to a stop as I approach the ever growing group, get off the vehicle, introduce myself to anyone willing to return the favour. I however do not refer to myself using the prefix "Sir" - it is just Tecumseh.

A juicer with partial bionic reconstruction steps out of the crowd.  In his hands is a rather large hamburger which is dripping greese.  He steps into a position off to the side of the group equidistant from Lotus and the gathering.

Seemingly more interested in his meal he says nothing.

Mephisto turns to face Van

"I suppose everybody is here for a reason...were you hired or do you live here?"

 - directed at Van.

Saila, who was talking with Mephisto, looks around at the group assembled thus far. She smiles at Van, but is then distracted by the notice of the grim-looking woman staring at them. She makes no effort to hide the fact that she is staring right back.

She leans her head to the side to speak to Sorkhan.
"Who is that? and why is she here?"

Alongside Tecumseh rides another slightly older Knight. Atop his horse, he approaches slowly then waves to the group. As they pass Lotus, Jelme looks down at her with disgust, but quickly looks back towards the group.

As they get closer, it is more visible that Jelme is riding a robot Horse. There are bits of skin missing and burn marks revealing a chrome under-layer.

When he eventually arrives at the group, slightly behind Tecumseh, he dismounts and walks up to the "gathering".

I am Jelme, I am a Cyber Knight.

Mithas rides towards the town on the back of a horsedrawn-wagon with his feet dangling off the tailgate.  He is a tall Minotaur, with dark redish brown fur.  Clearly wearing homemade body armour, and a red, green, and black checkered kilt.  He hops off the back of the wagon as it approaches the gates of town and makes his way towards this group of interesting looking people.

Xion eyes the group carefully, upon hearing the outburst at the presence of the quiet young lady, "My guess is trying to stop the CS isn't that why we are all here afterall?"

Van kindly returns Saila's smile. Returning his attention to Mephisto he continues.

"Not a native per se. I've been living in the capital a while, learning what I can about the art. They've got some great Techno-Wizards up there. Anyway, once the war began I joined up with the volunteer militia, probably the first altruistic thing I've done with my life so far. But it's all about the oppertunity you know. I'm hoping I'll be able to meet enough mages and learn myself some spells. Anyway, I was in Borderline until now. I'll tell you right now, the CS bombed that place to the ground. I'm lucky to have escaped, most of them went down with the ship. I mean I understand their dedication, it's their home, and without a home what have you got? Me though, I wasn't prepared to go down like that. I still plan to fight another day."

Realizing he's been talking a while.

"But what about you? What've you been doing with yourself?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Fri 12 Aug 2005.

   Lotus shows no expression in response to either the foul look from Jelme or the comments of Saila, except perhaps a concealed smile under her mask.  For the moment, Lotus does not allow herself to be provoked by the blatant disrespect and instead waits to be spoken to directly.  She listens with interest however to Saila's conversation.

"I have been travelling my young friend. Tolkeen was next on my tour. I am just partaking in the attractions..."

He smirks, then looks up at the mysterious knight that Saila just pointed out.

Sorkhan glares at the dark knight. It is obvious where her attention lies...

Come on over here m'lady, don't be shy. Are you looking for Fort Gravender? I am Sorkhan Shira, I am assembling Pluto Company. Are you here to join us?"

   The female mystic knight adjusts the large compound bow slung over her shoulder and steps forward.  She gives Shira a long look up and down through her mask while standing at ease.  She glances at Saila, before answering Shira.  "Yes." Is the only response she gives.

The sound of a well-maintained motorcycle is heard rumbling off to the east. Atop it's seat sits a member of the Orcish race. He slows his bike down to get a better look at the group.

He is very stylish in his appearance, especially for an Orc. He is wearing perfectly clean clothes, and his bike is spotless.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:42, Sun 02 Dec 2007.

Sarah frowns and folds her arms over the chest of her armor. She was being pointedly ignored. But she was not surprised for when the blood starts flowing, everyone starts looking for the medic.

"Ah, so you are Shira.  I thought I heard the name mentioned but I wasn't sure."

The man strides closer, and begins to offer his greese covered hand but then thinks better of it.

"The name's Angelo and I'll be your sniper."

Van puts the question out to anyone listening:

"So where's this squad going anyway? Are we defense or offense? Frankly I'm a little tired of defense. We just keep falling back. The Coalition blitz is too much. If we wait for the full force of their military to fall on top of us before doing anything it'll just be a matter of time before the whole kingdom is leveled. Not that I'm a military annalyst or anything, I'm just saying I hope we're attacking this time around."

Van chooses to forgo a lot of the pleasantries for now, knowing that the road ahead will provide plenty of time to get better acquainted, and even more time to mourn for their loss; the intensity of one dependant on the other. This is always the decision that one must make: to detach oneself or not?

A man with long black hair Medium body armour that is painted black but looks pretty beat up. On his side is a nural mace, he is also caring a beat up rife over his shoulder.
“I am looking for Shira. I was told to report hear”

After listening to the group for a few minutes, and realizing who Shira is...

To Shira:
I've been told you could uoooooose as much muscle as you can for this operation.
Will we be leaving for battle from here?  Or will we be discussing our battle plans inside of town?

Anyone watching may notice a puff of smoke escape from his snout.

Xion almost takes a step back as the minotaur approaches, almost. He hadn't seen one in quite a while and had nearly forgotten how intimidating they can be, but then he remembered his place. "Certainly an interesting group we have here, isn't it now."

A small cloud of dust can be spotted on the road as a large dinosaur like creature lopes along at considerable speed. As it tops the hill and makes its way towards the group it is obvious that a giant humanoid wearing a serrape and a sombrero is on the huge reptillian creatures back. Skidding to a halt a short distance away the dutsy rider hops off the back of the Ostrosaurus and saunters over towards the group. Tipping his sombrero to everyone he starts to speak when suddenly the ostrosaurus tries to bite the side of his face. Another arm directly under the one he was just greeting evryone with shoots out from beneath his poncho and catches the beast under the throat preventing it from biting. Goddamit Petey we had a talk about that!

Turning back to the group all the man removes his goggles and then withdraws his arms aback under his concealing garment. Looking down at everyone from his thirteen foot height he introduces himself. Howdy folks im looking for  Shira, or Shiva or something like that. I was told he might need my help. The names Arven, some people call me the Annihilator, I suppose ya'll heard of me.

Seeing that Sarah is being ignored, I will approach, "Good day," extending his hand, "I am Tecumseh, and who do I have the honour of meeting?"

 There's a distinct parting of the crowd off to one side, various would-be mercenaries and hardcases suddenly blinking and looking up to see what precisely has made it go so very, very dark all of a sudden. The answer, as it turns out in due course is the hulking figure of a thoroughly inhuman gentleman currently trying to light his cigar from the charging cycle of his plasma ejector with a couple of hands. The one or two tougher soldiers that don't scuttle aside are treated with the rough and ready respect of someone who knows /precisely/ how intimidating he looks and plainly loves to see folk with cojones on his side.

 Unfortunately he breaks out of the group and starts to head towards your gathering, raising a third arm pointedly to wave a bottle of something translucent with a tendril at the bottom vigorously at you all before booming out at what (to judge by the reactions of nearby militiamen) has to be ear-aching volume "Hey, Hornboy, John Wayne - have either of you been seeing someone called She-ra?"

 At that, he manages to get his cigar going and jams it between his powerful jaws with obvious delight, advancing yet further into what technically counts as 'conversational distance'.

Well i'll be dipped in dogshit.. Do cows, lizards and tigers get along? Arven asks kind of offhandedly. Thinking that for once he might not be the most outrageous person around given all the folks in this group he looks Silvermasque in the eye and says, Son I don't know what the hell your sayin or who your sayin it to but I like you already. Names Arven I am the resident hairdresser.

 A grin that under normal circumstances would be replied to with the brandishing of a chair and a bullwhip is flashed approvingly at Arven, the approaching mercenary moderating his volume down to merely headache-inducing levels, shot through with a bassline that sets loose objects to jumping.

 "Lizards and Tigers and Bulls, oh my, da?" the newcomer asks, chuckling as though this were in some way funny... "If they are having horns, they are bulls - do not make that mistake too often my friend, or I shall be forced to find others with whom to, as you say, paint the town red!"

 It's a little difficult to look Silvermasque in the eye /as such/ but it's certainly possible to stare him in the visor, and with that accomplishment the staree gets a return inspection and (following the returning of his NG-E12 to his shoulder) the extension of a hand... then another, the two on the left side busying themselves with the cigar and the bottle - whose inhabitant it can now be revealed appears to be a tiny piece of tentacle, rather than the more traditional worm.

 "I am Silvermasque, it is good to meet you tosvarich... maybe I will come see you later, have shave and haircut, two bits, da?"

 Well... /someone's/ plainly been making use of the Black Markets underground trade in pre-Rifts entertainment media.

   As one of the few who does not flinch at the sight of Silvermasque or the other giants all running around the area, Lotus remains were she was standing.  She'll only step aside if it looks like she is going to get stepped on.  She keeps an ear on anything Shira might say, hoping to be getting started with some sort of briefing soon.  At the same time, Lotus continues checking all of her potential comrades over, attempting to guage their strengths and weaknesses and get a feel for what type of soldier they might be.

Sorkhan Shira raises his right hand in an attempt to grab everybody's attention.
"Ok, everyone pay attention please" - he says in a commanding voice compelling everyone to look at him. He continues "It seems Pluto Company is assembled. I am Sorkhan Shira, and I will be in charge of this company. I am sure you are all anxious to crack some skulls so I will be brief. The Coalition has begun to tighten its perimeter. They have reduced Borderline to ash. They are now moving in towards Hillcrest and Solomon." (for reference, Hillcrest is a town full of farmers and peaceful people, also the home of the Famous Purple Mage. Solomon is a small town with no apparent military value to the Coalition. Rumor has it, that Tolkeen is keeping its secret weapon there, perhaps the Coalition has discovered it) "Our mission is to travel to Hillcrest to provide support and RECON. We expect the Coalition to invade Hillcrest within the week. You can expect some  guerilla tactics, and hit and run maneuvres on this one. So stand up, suit up and arm up we leave now." With that he grabs his staff, which was lying against the "Fort Gravender" sign post and begins walking to the animal pen beside the Fort. He opens the gate, and mounts a saddled and packed Silonar. There is no indication it is his, as he casts a spell upon the creature before hopping on top. He then begins traveling South East. "Keep it tight, I don't want anybody falling behind."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Tue 16 Aug 2005.

Whats an Injun doing way up here leading Tolkeen troops? Looking over the giant does a double take when he notices Tecumseh for the first time too. I'll be damned two of you redskins huh? I got ambushed by a war party a year back and took down sixteen braves before they knocked me out. I figured id be skinned alive but when I woke up we had one hell of a party and they gave me this bunch a bones to wear around my neck before sending me on my way. Arven reveals a small necklace that anyone with Indian Lore would recognize as a genuine fetish. Hopping up on his Ostorsaurus the Rahu-Man prepares to head out.

Van rides up beside Sorkhan while everyone is en route. He talks to him one on one.
"Sorkhan, I appologize in advance for all the questions, but I like to know as much about the situation as I can before hand. Upon arrival in Hillcrest, should we expect to already be in the middle of a fray? If not, any estimation on how close Coalition troops are? Are we to be working with the town's militia, and if so, how strong is it? Overall, what kind of defence will Hillcrest have when the Coalition attacks? I'm just trying to get an idea of how much we have going for us in terms of preperation and numbers."

 "What, like it is that I have not come ready for battle?" asks the Tiger, as the order to arm up rings out, though he does at least nod in the direction of preparedness by putting a cork into the bottle and locating a home for it in the capacious backback he briefly unslings, carefully packing it around with a few blocks of something plastic-wrapped and puttylike with NG & Danger! logos printed on the wrapping.

 He then ambles over to stand not too far from the various riders, stretching in a nimble, athletic fashion that suggests he currently lacks transport, but doesn't expect to be slowing the team down in the least.

Sorkhan stops walking for the moment. "Simply because I am "indian" does not mean I hail from a tribe. I grew up in Tolkeen. But call me an "Injun" again and I will turn you into one of Tolkeen's foot soldiers. You did know among mages you are considered a lesser supernatural being didn't you?"
He continues walking, with a slightly annoyed face, which turns into a smirk.

To Van, he answers while still facing forwards."I do not know all the answers to your questions. We will not arrive in the middle of a fray if we get there as fast as we can. But we may encounter Coalition scouting parties along the way, and if we do  arrive in a fray, I need you to be ready. Do not ask when to be ready my young friend, this is war, you will be ready from this point on, or I will kill you myself. As for the numbers of both sides and exactly where the Coalition are at this moment..."He looks as though he was going to say something else. "We will see"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Wed 17 Aug 2005.

Fearless will boost his hovercycle's jets, to blast himself to the front of the group, where he will slow down. He has quite obviously called dibs on "point".

Xion looks around quietly for a moment, "Can I bum a ride with someone? I lost my hovercycle in an ambush a few weeks ago."

Looking down towards Xion from his saddle Arven says quietly, Them injuns may not all be in a tribe but they are all pretty squirrely if ya know what I mean. You can hop up here on Petey's back if you want but we are both a bit rank after along ride and too much tequila.  If I was your size I think I would be riding shotgun with the good doctor over there. Woo-Wee she makes me wish I could morph down a bit smaller!

Van chuckles to himself slightly.

“You had better be careful of what you say around mages you might end up in as a newt or worst.” Say as he walks past Arven and heads to a beat up old hover bike

 "Pah! - a mage is someone who could not shoot well enough to become soldier, da?" the Tiger states with a broad grin plainly meant for the magically-inclined members of the team, apparently meaning it for a joke - though you can never really tell with his sort.

 "Oh, and maybe we should say what is we do, da? - for purpose ot working together better in field?"

   "I would tend to agree."  Lotus begins speaking as if her silence up until this point had never happened.  "I would not like to imagine the prospect of doing battle with the Coalition dogs before knowing the strengths and weaknesses of those I am fighting beside.  Please, great white tiger, you must begin our session of sharing."
   Lotus walks along with the rest of the rather large group, near to one side - certainly not in the middle.  Although still close to Tolkeen itself, she tries to keep an eye out for potential enemies behind every bush and shadow.

The Group of... "Tolkeenites" they are called now, begin their journey to Hillcrest. Led by Fearless, an alleged wilderness scout, on their way to their inevitable encounter with the Coalition Army. It sends a chill down any man's spine whenever they take a few seconds to take in their surroundings; for these men and women, they know they will be in battle soon. They know it wont be the same as anything they have ever seen before, they know they wont all survive, and they know that no nation has ever stood up against the Coalition States and survived. The Circle of Twelve at Tolkeen, and King Robert Creed claim to have an arsenal of new secret weapons that will send the Coalition running. And with the war in Quebec, they are only at half strength... right?

Unfortunately the trek to Hillcrest is a long one. The great City of Tolkeen and Fort Gravender fade off into the distance as Pluto Company begins their journey. The squad is made up of people from all over the country; they spend much of their travel time talking to one another, getting to know each other.

(please continue with some good old meaningless banter. The more of this kind of character interaction is exactly what my game's atmosphere is all about. (Band of Brothers kinda thing) PS, sorry Silvermasque, for not specifying this before you typed what you would talk about over the next few days...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:46, Thu 18 Aug 2005.

 Along the way, Silvermasque fails to surprise anyone who was paying attention to his arrival. He's demonstrated to suffer from a deplorable excess of personality, have only the most casual relationship with 'proper' manners and be willing to drink, fight or tell wildly improbable stories at the drop of a dead boy - most of which have punchlines that are either hair-raisingly blue or just completely outrageous.

 He's also deeply contemptuous of the stupidity of the 'Facists' as he refers to them in starting a two-front war when there's a potential third front looming over them in the form of the encroaching 'Xitisis... Zitsisis... bug-creature' hives in the north.

 His opinions regarding a wide range of issues continue to be cheerfully controversial and, anyone with a modicum of perception may realise - not necessarily stated for any other reason than the enjoyment of a good friendly argument. On the bright side he treats the In-charge Injun with a measure of deference - On the down side everyone else gets the unvarnished Tiger...

 At least he never asks 'Are we there yet.'

When stopping to rest the Rahu-Man stretches out all four arms at once revealing for sure what anyone with d-bee or monster lore might have already guessed. When the sleeves of his lightweight cotton shirt slide down his forearms a set of customized "holdout" holsters is revealed on each one. Attached to them is an ultra high-tech looking pistol that is big enough to be a small assault rifle for a normal human. Putting his sombrero back on he reaches into his pack and pulls out a supersized bottle of mezcal with a huge Emperor Scorpion dead at the bottom of it. Tossing it to Silvermasque he says, Here pass this around it's a real thirst quencher. Course I think plasma is good for roasting weiners.

When the conversation turns towards skills and abilities Arven says, Actually  im not really a hairdresser thats just what I want to be when I grow up. I've found most folks are a might more comfortable when I say that instead of "Hi im Arven and im a mass murderer." Hairdresser rolls off the tongue much better. I was raised as a monk but became a gunslinger later and found out I was pretty damned good at it. I only got outdrew once in a fair fight. I got tired of killing every damned sucker that wanted to make a name for themself so I came out here to kill some deadboys cuz I figure me and them don't really see eye to eye. Besides im not really good at anything but killin anyway.

Xion will speak when a pause permits, "I am a battle mage, trained to lead a covert ops team in surgical strikes against the CS. We were effective, if not nearly perfect til one of our own betrayed us." Xion pounds his right fist into th palm of his head, "That traitor will pay dearly the next time I see him. He cost the lives of alot of decent people. But I digress, I am well versed in armed, unarmed, and magical combat. I can handle myself in most any situation we will face. I only hope to be able to do what is necessary to save Tolkeen."

While jogging beside the group, you may notice that I don't have many guns.  That's because besides my brute strength or the ability to skewer foes on my horns, I have no problem setting my enimies on fire.  I am an exceptional gladiator and excel at close combat.

*NOTE* Skewering enemies is not a recomended way of killing foes from experiences as they tend to bleed on you when you stand up right.  Also, since we're sharing.  My left foot is ticklish.

Jelme is riding behind Mithas at a slow pace, a very slow pace for a robot horse. He raise an eyebrow and curls his lip at the Minotaur's comment.

He turns his head to his side, down to Tecumseh on his hovercycle and says "I thought those were called hooves"

He smirks, then returns to his pose atop his horse.

The Grackle Tooth begins talking, in a booming voice loud and powerful enough for everyone to hear.

"Name's Mac. Came down here from Canada. The jobs are all dried up everywhere else. Unless you wanna work for trade, or livestock. This is the only place with any action, the real money. My talents lie in guns, heavy ones. I am effectively a really low-maintenance tank."

Mac walks with a large sway. His tail wags from side to side with every step. He carries in his hands an NG-202 Heavy Rail Gun, and he carries it with pride.

Mephisto is also riding a Silonar. It is completely docile while he rides the beast.

He rides slightly in front of Silvermasque.

Mephisto turns his head to the side, to better project his voice to Silvermasque. In response to his question Mephisto says "I have the the mystic ability to control the very fabric of reality, I just haven't practiced enough yet."

He smirks and continues his pace, just ahead of the "cat".

 Silvermasque gives the other huge, four-armed killing machine a hurt look - or so may be determined by the set of his jaw, running one hand through the short mane of hair running down the back of his head... "I am dissapointed, da - can find mad-dog killer, ten for ruble but a good hairdresser, now this is special!"

 Of course, one the other hand... He reaches out to take the bottle with a truly alarming flash of bright white fangs, "But you are formally forgiven of all your deceptions!" - it seems there's nothing worth doing but it's worth overdoing in this cats lexicon - As for being ridden ahead of... well now, that will require quite a bit of maneuvering that a Silonar's not likely to be up to, as he darts in and out of the party, distributing the blindness-inducing goodness as the gunslinger directs...

 "I can tell I am going to like you" he states to Mac with a bright-visored nod, slapping him too lightly on the back, "Northern Gun - make very big holes in things, da?"

 Wheras to Mephisto? - "Paaaah, mystic this, control that... magic is for giving things extra legs, /technology/ is for blowing it to teeny-tiny pieces afterwards... all is good, but this is better."

“Hu if your perish tech dose not have power it cant blow holes in things. You rely on energy and I have the ability to control” He smiles as he rides next to the other magical inclined

 "Pahhhh" states the tiger, making a mildly obscene, but nonetheless good-natured gesture in the direction of the spellcaster, "If no power, pop in another E-cell - is 'easy, and requires no mystic secrets or dressing like your mother buys your clothes..."

 Silvermasque takes a deep swig of whatever is currently in his left upper hand, then a long draw on the cigar in his right - despite the hopes of the masses, spontaneous combustion fails to take place (unless the burster gets involved).

 "Besides - not all tech relies on energy... you will see, when time comes for me to make things go boom!"

Van shakes his head at the comments of the Tiger.

"While this debate of magic versus technology is enthrawling, and quite relevent considering the mission we are about to embark on, I see the logic in both sides, and it is for that reason that I practice the virgining arts of Techno-Wizardry. In talking about strengths and weakness..." nodding to Lotus, getting back to the original point "I am not a powerful mage, nor am I a walking tank like some of our other comrades. But my art has powerful potential. To be able to fuse ordinary weapons with the potent arts of magic and give one the advantage of both in combat, I think you'll all agree, is a deadly ability. However, as I said, I am not a powerful mage. My spell base is limited. Travelling in the company of such powerful mages though, I hope that can be remedied."

As the group travels Van will continue riding his hoverboard at a slow pace with everyone else, carving back and forth a little, listening to the conversation.

In the distance, one can see a caravan of animal-drawn wagons. There are dozens upon dozens. Civilians appear to be leaving one of the outer towns.... by the hundreds!

You will each feel a different emotion at this point, some will feel great anger.

Fearless looks over his shoulder back at the rest of the party, he looks confused. Sorkhan, from atop his silonar can see for a great distance, he glares in the direction of the wagons. Saila, looks around at the group, to see if anybody knows what is going on. She says "where are these people from? what town are they from?" she appears more distressed now. Mac looks, up, he is apparently the last one to notice the caravan.

As the group gets closer, Jelme grunts "The Coalition will pay for this. There will come a day, when their own people will be uprooted, and sent away from their homes."
Mephisto states "Perhaps we were too late. Maybe Hillcrest has fallen..."

The group is yet approaching the caravan...

If these people can walk they can fight. Arven thinks to himself as they approach the caravan. Not being a Tolkeenite himself he keeps his mouth shut and slows his ostrosaurus mount to a slow trot.

easily keeping stride with the rest of the group Angelo pipes up.

"I doubt hillcrest is gone already.  These will be the people who have finally come to grips with the fact that they are about to be attacked.  If the CS had overrun hillcrest, the refugees would be fewer in number, and moving faster."

“More pepal forced to leave there homes behind there lively hood all for some war that they have no say in” He say it rather sadly and quilted

 "Voina gavno..." states the titanic Tiger with a non-commital shrug of both sets of mighty shoulders, glancing with an incurious visor over the trail of refugees. It's not the first time in history, nor even the first time in his life such things have happened, and it shall no doubt be far from the last. In his time he's been the refugee, the defender and the hunting soldier chasing them from their homes and burning to the ground all who could not move swiftly enough - But those are memories for another time and place - For now, there is a contract and a battle to be fought.

 "Hey, Tosvarich." he calls over to the commander of the rag-tag little group of wanderers. "Out of curiosity, what is arrangement for salvage and battle-loot for those of us who are mercenary, not Tolkeen regular?"

   Although Lotus was relatively quiet along the trek so far, she did speak on a couple of subjects.  First was in response to Van's explanation of the strengths of magic vs. technology.  She began by reminding him that magic and technology are not the only schools of survival in this world and that she enjoyed a blance of magic and psionics.  She explained that as a mystic, her abilities were innate and born to her without study.  This also meant that she would not be able to participate in Van's planned sharing of knowledge.  Lotus mentioned that she still knew the strength of technology and that she still made use of it in her equipment.  She also showed Van her compound bow which is a technowizard weapon of a rather unique design.
   Aside from speaking on the subject of her strengths and weaknesses, Lotus also mentioned that although she was indeed a Mystic Knight, she was a member of the order of the White Rose.  She explained that the White Rose was an offshoot of the main branch of knights but that they held a set of values and beliefs more aligned with those of the cyberknights.  When saying this, she watched closely for the reactions of everyone, but most especially Jelme and Tecumseh.  Otherwise, Lotus remained rather quiet and mostly just listened to the stories of everyone else.

   Upon the appearance of the caravan of refugees, Lotus chimes in with her own opinions.  "I agree with Angelo, these are likely the people smart enough to flee their homes before the fighting starts.  I would do the same in their shoes if I did not have the will and means to fight back.  However, we must stop them and question them.  It would be wise to ensure that their number has not been infiltrated by Coalition spies and assassins.  Shira, do we have authority over these citizens?"

Raising an eyebrow to Lotus' claim, "I never thought that I would be working with a Mystic Knight, let alone thinking on the same plane as one."
Giving a quick glance to gage Jelme's reastion to Lotus, Tecumseh will concur with Lotus' plan.
"How horrible it is to be forced out of your home," he says and begins a short philosophical tangent, "and for what reason? But in any case we should investigate the reason for their early departure."

At the mention of Coalition spies possibly being with the refugees, Mithas deshoulders his rifle and loads the first rounds

"Just in case.... I'd rather be ready and not need my gun, than need my gun but not be ready."

Xion pops his neck, "Well, boss, you want to do the questioning?"

"If there are Coalition Spies aboard, I don't think they would try anything, not against us, unless we figure them out. But if there are, we will show the Coalition that no dead boy will ever reach the City of Tolkeen"

Sorkhan looks back to the group "Okay you guys volunteered, Lotus, Mithas and Xion will approach the group now along with Angelo and Raghnall, take only what you will need in case a battle starts at the wagons, everybody else prepare for possible confrontation."

He pauses, Although I do agree with Saila I do not believe they will try anything should there be any dead boys aboard."

Sorkhan does not appear to be worried in the least, perhaps this is because he is reckless or fearless, or because he believes paranoia is just another symptom of war.

Sorkhan is not the type that barks out orders, he is calm, he appears to really have one emotion, and he seems to take in all of his surroundings. Somehow you get the impression, just by his gaze that he can see through you, and he hears everything. It is also quite apparent by now, that Sorkhan hates the Coalition with a passion. He is one of the people you all have met who have lost everything to the Coalition; one of the people that the Coalition has touched in such a way, that has brought every once of anger and hatred that one man can summon, and focus it entirely at one person, or in this case an entire Empire. An Empire that he feels is hindering the progress of mankind.

   "We need a means to identify all of the people here."  Speaking to Shira, she continues.  "Will these citizens have identification papers?  Without anything like this, it will be quite pointless to stop them - unless we want to wast our time interrogating each and every one.  At very least, we can search them and make sure they are not innapropriately armed..."

What none of you nimblenoodles are psychic enough to sniff out a rat? Arven swings his leg over the side of his ostrosaurus and walks over to Lotus, Mithas and Xion. Hell i'll go with ya long as Chief Shira don't mind. All ya gotta do is ask em' something that would put a little fear into em' if they are a deadboy then pick up on that fear. Provided Shira does not order him to stay the Rahu-Man will swagger over with the others walking slowly and with a noticeable limp.

"I wouldn't mind having you along big guy, besides, if they have never seen a Rahu-man before, that will likely put some fear in them on its own." Xion waits to see what Shira says, "No offense intended of course."

Offense? Hell thats a compliment. How do you think ive been making a living these last 10 years. Arven says as he walks along towards the caravan. Not selling vacuum cleaners thats for sure.

Xion chuckles, "I thought you said you were a hair dresser." Xion quips with giant. "So let's go scare some CS spies if there are any." Xion cracks his knuckles.

 "Then he said was mad-dog killer, remember? - just as Hornboy is raging bull and I am hellcat, da?" the towering inhuman states cheerfully as he unslings his NG Plasma ejector and flicks the charging cycle on with a subdued 'thwommmm' of energising capacitors, then surveys the terrain for a moment.

 "I will take high ground - better to watch for facists." he states, waiting for a moments confirmation before starting out, calling over his shoulder "Best if someone move to cover me, always harder to take out two than one, for sure."

 Though it would take someone with a rocket rammed up them to develop ground speed like the distance-eating lope the mercenary employs.

"Xion don't go in pushing people around, find out where they are coming from, and where they are going. Then politely ask if they have picked up any strangers along their travels. Monitor their reactions, don't start accusing the suspicious, don't forget, innocents may get hurt if we start fighting"

He makes no comment about Arven joining the scouting party, it appears he does not mind.

He nods at Silver masque

Sorkhan rides closer to Sarah's ATV and speaks -
"Stay around here Sarah, we have a mission at hand, even if there are wounded among them we cannot stop to help them."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:30, Wed 24 Aug 2005.

Xion nods, "Understood," he pauses briefly, "but if there are CS spies among them, we can crack their skulls right?"

   Lotus draws her bow and a single arrow and notches it onto the thin metal string.  She allows the bow to aim down at the ground for the moment until something threatening happens while she keeps a close watch on all the people of the caravan.  She tries to pick out the ones who could be a problem if a riot were to somehow occur.  Lotus remains with the main portion of the group, deciding not to approach with the others.

edit: corrected some spelling
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Wed 24 Aug 2005.

Raghnall unsholder his weponde and takes survey of the area looking for small stnes and twiges just in case he need to use his poweres.

Mithas follows after Arven and Xion about 15' behind, gun still ready.

Angelo will follow the others towards the group of refugees but makes no obvious sign of readying himself for combat.

As they near closer to the long straggling line of refugees Arven says to the group, We don't even need to bother with any obvious family groups with kids and stuff. When they are about fifty feet away from refugees the Rahu-Man bellows out in his deep booming voice. Is this the line to the bathroom!... No seriously folks we are just here to sniff out the rat bastard coalition spies that have infiltrated your ranks so if you will kindly point them out we can all get back to what we were doing!

 Up on the hillside, Silvermasque drops into cover and shakes his head at the semi-randomised deployment - particularly at the lack of anyone following up on his request to 'cover him' - but hey, the Coalition will soon weed out those who aren't team players and sharp with it.

 At which point the Rahu-man hollers out his command and the two lower arms of the Tiger, not currently cradling a cannon lift up to cover his face with a heartfelt sigh "I swear, when I get over this contract, I go look down south for work with Reids Rangers, or maybe Demonbusters..."

The scouting party approaches the oncoming wagons, except for a stubborn Lotus. As they get closer they realize the drivers of the wagons are not civilians at all, you were all wrong. Instead they are soldiers of Tolkeen like yourselves; and they are stained with blood.

The look on their faces is that of complete destruction. An emotion none of you have ever fealt before, but will soon grow acustomed to seeing everywhere. It is the feeling of defeat. A group of men who fight valiantly for their cause, but fail in their task, and live to talk about it, are scarred for life. These men have obviously been through something bad.

Just as Arven finishes his sentence, he sees behind the sullen drivers, into the backs of the wagons. They are full of bodies.

The scouting party stops in their tracks and one by one lays sight upon this caravan of the dead. There must be five or six hundred bodies in total, they are not civilians, they are soldiers like yourselves. All weapons and equipment have been stripped, and reused on the front lines no doubt.

None of the drivers react to the scouting party or the platoon at all. The drivers are all human, half with signals of a magical profession. The bodies ALL seem to have been killed by blaster fire, and grenades. Angelo spots a dead man who looks much like himself that day he awoke in the chop shop after he thought he died in The Juicer Uprising.

Silvermasque quickly notices the scouting party stop and stare, so he scans ahead to look more closely at the wagons. He spots the corpses from his vantage point as well.

There is a moment of silence as the scouting party, and Silvermasque absorbs what they are looking at; until Sorkhan calls from behind "What is it? Xion What do you see?"

Xion blinks a few times, staring wide eyed in disbelief at the caravan of dead. He simply cant speak for a moment, the sight of so many dead taking all words from him. Choking back a few tears he reports in, "Dead sir, I see alot of dead Tolkeen soldiers. Very few left alive, only the drivers it would appear." Silence follows for a moment, "Sir this is bad." Xions voice trails off as his thoughts go racing back the the setup. That is what he calls the worst day of his life to date, the day his second in command had betrayed his entire group and gotten them all killed, except Xion. It was a miracle he had made it out, but he did, and this was bringing all the emotions of that day back to him.

   Lotus relaxed her grip on the bow and arrow in her hands and replaced the wooden missile into its quiver on her back.  She slung the bow back over her shoulder and strolled over to Silvermasque.   "What are you so disappointed with?" Lotus asks in reference to the white tiger shaking his head.
   The Mystic Knight watches the grim line of body-filled wagons with relative indifference in her face.  From all outward appearances, she neither pities the survivng soldiers' failure nor sees them as heroes.

Though also disheartened himself somewhat Van tries to be the one to say something encouraging at this point.
"Hey, we shouldn't let it phase us. We all knew there'd be casualties, we all knew in signing on that there were dangers. But for Christ sake, where isn't there danger in this world? We just have to meet the danger head on to give ourselves a fighting chance. Let's have a moment of silence for the fallen and then be on our way. On with the mission."
Van crosses himself and then makes ready to continue on, trying to ignore what he knows to be truth, that the Coalition is a force to be reckonned with. Still though, it does no good to worry about that now. Van tries to be very rational most of the time, reducing everything to common logic.

 Silvermasque rises from his covering position to one knee, his weapon held tilted forwards towards the ground, needing only a fractional shift in arc to bring it up and aligned upon any target in his frontal arc. In doing so, he swings his visored gaze towards Lotus.

 "We are too new to one another." he states, his accent as thick as ever. "Is hard to see how we will stand when true soldiers come against us, when each splits own way to do own thing..." He thoughtfully examines the condition of a pack of cigars in the top pocket of his BDU's, seemingly deciding he's not got enough left to enjoy another one just yet.

 "But we have strength too I think - more than the facists will realise at first, if only we can live to make use of it..." - there's a gruff chuckle, despite the carnage upon the wagons and the possibility of death in the near future. "Nichevo." he states at last in a resigned manner, shrugging his shoulders (all four of them) expressively.

Before getting too close angelo mutters to those nearby.

"Son's a bitches... They must have given as good as they got though or we wouldn't see a wagon.  We should find out where they are from however."

Nevermind what I just said im just a dumbfuck giant you boys go rest up! Arven shouts even louder. Turning around he walks off a little bit ashamed and mounts up on his ostrosaurus. How bout we quit fucking wasting time. He sneers angrily at no one in particular and rides off in the direction the group had been travelling.

Mithas waits patiently for our group to gather some order."Shira.  Do you suppose that one of these drivers could tell us at least how far it is to the front lines?  Perhaps even what condition the front lines are in?

It could help us prepare a strategy of attack, Sir."

Sorkhan speaks commandingly to the entire platoon, he raises his right hand in the air, as a gesture to get everybody's attention.
"Arven is right, we should get moving. This is war. These men are soldiers. Every soldier uses his life as a weapon, the fact that these men and women died, means that many others have survived, or the Coalition has lost more."

"There is nothing we can do for these people, they are nearly at Tolkeen now. We will continue towards Hillcrest."

Sorkhan slowly trots in the original direction, as the group starts to round up again and shake off what they just saw.

In response to Mithas, he stares at him for a few seconds, in the eye. Mithas, you get the distinct impression of Sorkhan sizing you down. He is belittling you with his stare; in a way that reminds you of the way you would talk to an animal pet... Or perhaps the way a Shifter talks to the creatures of the Rifts.


"Mithas we are going to Hillcrest, to do RECON on the nearby Coalition threat. If you want to go join the front lines, I can put in for your transfer. If it is the distance to  Hillcrest that you seek, we can check our map, before troubling these men with such questions. And before you ask are we there yet again, the Green D-Bee who calls himself a wilderness scout has the map.

He takes a breath, and then lays into him again, this time he sounds annoyed, as if he is pointlessly questioning a childs' logic...
"Prepare a strategy to attack what exactly? The front lines?"
Sorkhan abrubptly turns away and continues his Silonar walking in the original path to Hillcrest.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Fri 26 Aug 2005.

Mac looks like he was going to say something to Sorkhan after he insulted Mithas.

He stopped himself, and then looked at Mithas with an expression of "what the hell?"

He then shrugs it off, as he did the dead bodies and continues along behind the officer.

Xion nods, "As ordered sir."  Xion will begin to walk along next to whomever else is walking unless someone offers him a ide.

Mephisto rides casually, as he has been doing the entire time; the bodies not phasing him in the least.

The Silonar creeps up beside Mithas just after Sorkhan rides away. Mephisto leans forward on his arms, in a relaxed position, and speaks to Mithas in a calm, relaxed manner "He doesn't mean anything by it, its just to him, you are nothing but a mutant cow. He summons creatures like you guys (motioning with his head towards Arven) out of portals and magically controls them to do his bidding. He is called a Shifter, and that is what us Shifters do."

Mephisto sits up and rides past Mithas. Mac is still beside Mithas, but he did not seem to hear the conersation.

Mithas snorts a puff of smoke from his snout.  He looks to the ground and marches on, visibly bothered by what Shira had said.

After a moment, and another puff of smoke from his snout, he seems to have resolved what he was thinking, straightens up and keeps pace with the rest of the group.

 The tiger shifts his head to the side slightly, as though trying to listen in on the altercation down by the wagons, despite the hundred feet or so between them Whether successful or not he shrugs when it seems the team is about to move out, and with a 'click, thwommmmm' sound he powers down the Ejector once more before returning it to its sling, between his swords.

 He looks back to Lotus then, and with a brightly white-and-pointy grin, bows forwards, gesturing grandly for her to go first (and, incidentally reply if that's her desire.)

Van uses his hoverboard to fly up beside Sarah in the Big Boss.

"You're pretty quiet up here. I don't suppose you have a bit of room in there for me to ride with you. It's just I'm working on a machine and if I could sit down in there I could probably get some more work done on it so it's ready by the time we get to Hillcrest."

   Still standing beside Silvermasque, Lotus begins walking alongside him as the group gets back underway.  In response to the white tiger, she speaks in a confident tone.  "I agree that we are a new group.  Despite the fact that we are all likely experienced, a team needs cohesion.  We need a wee bit more leadership, I think.  Shira or Xion need to be assigning roles to everyone based on their strengths.  Lets say we were to be ambushed right now by a Squad of Coalition troopers.  You know what would happen?  We would be either killed or scattered.  This is not a fate I fancy and until I am told what my duties will be - whether that includes covering you, scouting ahead, or outrunning a juicer - I'll be watching out for yours truly and not much else.  I would advise you to do the same lest you find yourself alone when you most need assistance."
   Lotus will walk at a brisk pace, but not necessarily fast enough to keep up with the long stride of Silvermasque.  If he doesn't remain slow enough to walk with her, she'll make no extra effort to keep up.

 The Tiger strikes a convenient middle-ground between the need to stretch his legs and the ambling stride of the human woman by occasionally pausing to wait for her as the two converse upon their way down the slope.

 "Da, is my point - take me, am experienced solider... have fought in many wars - some big, some small... would be willing to bet I have more field time than Geronimo there, but am happy enough to follow, if he is happy to lead..."

 The tiger makes free with another of those happy grins "Why, you ask would I be willing to do this thing? - because is terrible burden to be officer... much responsability, little reward."

 "Besides, is like you say - until I hear otherwise, will look to own pretty white hide first and others second."

"Xion, you're going to slow us down walking like that.  I can probably carry you but you might be more comfortable in there."

Angelo points to Sarah's ATV.

"And if you're too shy to ask a girl for a ride I can ask for you."

Angelo winks his human eye and mimes getting ready to dash towards the ATV.

"Sure, I got room for two people in here, hop in."
Spoken to Van while he rides alongside the ATV

"Nice..."

Van climbs on board and makes himself comfortable, unshouldering his large backpack and rummaging through to find his tool-kit and a bunch of mechanical parts. From the look of the nearly completed device it appears to be a sort of sentry-gun. He realizes that he's forgotten his manners (a habit of his).

"Oh right, I'm sorry, my name is Van. And I don't believe I caught yours..."

Pluto Company head out in their original direction to Hillcrest. It had been a three hour journey when the group came across the caravan. After questioning by the group, the wagon-drivers mentioned these men were the fallen fighters, who died ambushing a Coalition squadron of APCs full of Tolkeen prisoners and magic weapons. They mentioned they had been told by some of the survivors that we got a Coalition Field General on this one. They tell the group it was a costly battle, but they gave more than they took... this is a victory.

Fearless leads the group at point. Followed by Sarah's ATV, with Van, and Xion riding passenger. A few feet beside Sarah's seat in the ATV, rides Raghnall on his hovercycle. The cyber knights Jelme and Tecumseh ride fast to the right of the middle of the platoon. Sorkhan and Mephisto ride to the far left. Behind the ATV rides Arven atop his Ostrasaurus, surrounded by the sprinters at the beast's feet. Angelo darts through the creatures legs testing his luck as the beast starts to get annoyed. Arven is visibly trying harder to control his mount, to stay on course and not stop to eat. Silvermasque keeps pace with he beast and his rider, not nearly out of breath yet.

Shortly behind, struggling to keep up is Mithas, utilizing the animal half of his powerful body.

Taking up the rear of the platoon are Lotus, Saila, and Mac. There is no indication that Mac is slow, he may just enjoy the view where he is.

Eventually the sun sets, and the dark of night takes over. Sounds of war can be heard faintly off in the distance. Explosions can be heard in all directions towards the south. The sound of Dragons and other winged creatures flying over head, towards the front lines, along with the soothing hum of Techno-Wizard wing-boards can be heard. Answered with the obvious sound of Coalition Jets passing over the state of Minnesota, attacking and bombing key targets within the territory.

Although difficult to sleep, Fearless fell asleep as soon he laid down. The rest of the platoon remains awake however, sitting on the ground around a campfire. A good meal of "Rats" as they are called (rations), has just been had. Mac drinks a bottle of Absynth as if it were water. Sorkhan and Mephisto have loaded a pipe and have started smoking a strange smelling herb some might recognize as marijuana. Saila and Sarah are in the middle of a conversation, some people they have discovered that they both know. The rest of the platoon is engaged in small conversations until most of the group has fallen asleep. A ley line glows off in the distance, not even a mile away.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Sun 28 Aug 2005.

Sorkhan inhales deeply from the pipe, and coughs. Mephisto chuckles and takes his turn. After Sorkhan has regained himself, he speaks aloud to Angelo "I understand juicers don't sleep very often. It would make sense then to put you on night watch. By early morning when you finally start to calm down, wake up Silvermasque, and he will watch until the sun rises, which is when we set out. We should arrive at Hillcrest tomorrow evening according to Fearless overthere." Mephisto holds his breath after smoking the pipe and passes it back to Sorkhan.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Sun 28 Aug 2005.

Xion listens intently to all the conversations going on around him, trying to calm himself enough to sleep. The sounds of war are all to familiar to him, and he doesnt want to hurry to them. Xion however knows that this is necessary and he knows when the time comes he will do what his training and natural abilities allow him to do.

He will then go to sleep unless someone specifically talks to him.

<blue>"Sounds like a plan sir."<blue>

Angelo begins a check of his weapons and begins his watch in ernest when most of the group has settled in for the night.

 With the pleasant scent of recreational narcotics perfuming the air, the apparently unfatiguable Silvermasque sets about putting those improbable muscles of his to work on the camp. This close to the enemy line of battle (even with the sort of security magery can provide) the inhuman but apparently thoroughly experienced soldier sets about a few simple field 'improvements' in  the form of a couple of criss-crossed slit trenches (no more than a couple of feet deep) as well as the strategic repositionment of any convenient 'soft cover' in the area (which in an MD enviroment includes anything up to a moderately sized rock) to provide enough shade from the ley-line glow to provide a sentry shelter.

 The fellow really should have been a legionary.

   Lotus sits with everyone but forgoes eating anything when everyone else does.  Despite the fact that she could likely ask Silvermasque for assistance, Lotus pulls out a collapsible shovel and digs herself a foxhole to sleep in.  It is large enough for her to lay down and have cover from an attacker more than thirty feet away.  She removes most of her armour for the night trusting her mental abilities to warn her of danger with enough time to get it back on.  Once she is complete all of this, she'll move to sit by the fire with everyone else.
   "Shira, I'm curious..." Lotus begins, looking over at the group's commander.  "Are we the only team on reconaissance in this area?  Also, will we have a chance to see any of the iron juggernauts? I've heard much about them..."

Van will spend the evening working on his sentry-gun, welding and giving it small test runs, controlling it via remote. Upon taking a break he will approach Xion.

"Xion, correct? You are a battle mage are you not? I too am an avid student of the arts; techno-wizardry specifically, the harmonious blend of magic and machine. I offer you my services in exchange for your spell knowledge if you are interested. Offensive spells are of great use to me, and in exchange I can empower some of your equipment or armor if you like."

He will proceed to attempt to strike a deal with Xion if he is interested. One way or another, Van will be up decently late that night, trying to keep his mind on something, be it the exchange of spells, or tinkering with his sentry-gun, likely after a number of people have gone to sleep, at which point he will catch up on his rest with psionic meditation.

Xion looks at the young human, "That is correct. Tell me young man, what spells you know. Then perhaps we can go from there with this exchange. I have met a few of your kind before, most interesting lot they are. As far as offensive spells, I have quite a few of those. Even a defensive spell here and there.."

"It's Van by the way. 'Young man' is fine and all, but my given name is Van. So, spells, of what you might be interested in, it is a modest selection, but if anything grabs your interest let me know. We've got Telekenesis, Simple Invisibility, Magic Net, Riccochet Strike, Watchguard, Energy Disruption, Escape, Call Lightning, Impervious to Energy...I think that's about all as far as interesting spells. If none of those strike your interest, then perhaps bestowing them onto your equipment might."

Van seems to be enjoying talking shop.

"So how about yourself? Offensive or support spells would be good. Anything I can encorperate into my inventions, as I'm not much for spell casting on its own. Stuff like Fists of Fury, and if you had Power Weapon or weapon enchantment spells that would be fantastic! Oh, or Sub-Particle Acceleration...As you might be able to tell there is still much I must add to my repetoir before I can be a first-rate Techno-Wizard."

Once again, Van realizes that he talks too much.

 "I can accelerate big damn' particles..." mutters the Tiger good-naturedly as he places the last of a half-dozen respectably sized boulders into place around the perimeter of the camp and hefts his folding shovel thoughtfully.

 So he's got fairly good hearing then... "Does anyone think would be good idea to set snares and the like? - I dislike having one guard only awake at time, is too easy to fall asleep or be made to fall asleep..." - he draws a thumb across his throat by way of explanation. "When is only one."

The sounds of war in the distance and Silvermasque's paranoia coupled with some of the others apparent lack of make the Rahu-Man visibly nervous. Damn they are really goin at it over there ain't they? Arven asks rhetorically. Ive been in alot of scraps I promise ya that but I ain't never been in no full scale war no sir. Sitting down his sombrero and taking off his serrape the rahu-man fully reveals his four armed musculature and the e-clip laden bandoliers that cross his chest. Pitching in with the huge tiger he stacks boulders and digs where needed. Not really having any skills in making such preparations he just follows Silvermasque's lead.

"Would anyone mind waking me if I'm needed?"

Mithas will begin unrolling his homemade sleeping bag and see if anyone replies.

Xion nods, "That is most impressive for one as young as you Van. It would appear you take the arts seriously. I am very interested in this techno-wizardy you study. Here is a list of the spells I know right away." Xion leans over and speaks in a hushed tone to Van. Any near by can easily hear the conversation the two are having, "I would gladly teach an aspiring mage such as yourself any of them, it seems to me that the more of us that have as much knowledge as we can muster the better equipped we will all be to face the enemy."




lantern light
globe of daylight
armor of Ithan
escape
breathe without air
death trance
magic shield
defelct
riccochet strike
light target
energy bolt
fire bolt
fire blast
circle of flame
electric arc
throwing stones
orb of cold
fist of fury
power weapon

lvl 2 spells chameleon, blinding flash, befuddle and fear
lvl 3 spells ignite fire, imp cold, imp fire, invisibility simple
lvl 4 magic net, carpet of adhesion, shadow meld, swim as fish
lvl 5 aura of death, life blast, mental blast, superhuman endurance

Mephisto grins, and says aloud "I foresee you becoming a very powerful mage one day Van. Your devotion and interest are as powerful as your magic. After this war, you and me are gonna go places, I'll show you things you have never imagined. But until then, let me know when you want to learn more of the Shifter's power."

Jelme will speak to the group "You are all being too paranoid. This is war, but it is no more than a large duel. And in this grand war, we are but a platoon of cannon fodder. The Coalition Intelligence, what little of it there is, would not allow there strategically positioned guerilla units to uncover themselves in order to ambush the likes of us. When we get close to Hillcrest, then you can expect an ambush."

Mac looks around to see if the gods might be humerous enough to have Jelme get shot....

After finishing his bottle of absynth, he looks at the group, then asks "wait, what are we doing?" He then lies down casually, and is snoring within seconds.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Mon 29 Aug 2005.

Saila, seems a little uncomfortable with long silences and attempts to try to make conversation. She smiles and says So where is everybody from?"

Angelo looks up from his preparations and fixes his cybernetic eye on Jelme.

"We would rank as much less than a platoon to the CS but don't underestimate them.  What I saw in newtown is notihng compared to what they will unleash here.  And anyone who underestimates their intelligence resources is a fool.  Don't forget, beoyond their technological resources, they also have a large group of psychics in the army.

I'm not sure that defeating the CS will be possible.  The battle should last a while though...  God willing it lasts long enough to allow me to avoid the detox question."

Xion looks around, "I am from a village a little north of Tolkeen, it was destroyed and only a few of us survived. I have lived in Tolkeen for about 20 years now, and I took up practicing the Battle Magus arts when it became apparent the CS could do just what they are doing now. I agree with Angelo however, their army is one of many people. Differing specialties, and abilities, they do indeed have numerous psychics in their ranks." Xion looks around thoughtfully, "It should be intereting indeed." Xion pats Van on the shoulder, "We should know what each others specialties are, I am fairly stealthy and a damn good shot with my rifle. Not to mention the spells I can sling."

The rahu-man pretty much ignores the cyberknight and finishes up helping Silvermasque with the fortifications. Arven sits down close to the fire but out of the inner circle to avoid crowding anyone. He removes each of his large high-tech guns one at a time and meticulously cleans them and the holdout holsters that secure them on his forearms. The entire process takes a little less than an hour and since he could do it blindfolded and drunk he joins in the conversation.

"I was born on another world so I was told but I was raised in a monastery in the Andes mountains here on earth. About fiteen years ago I was screwing around and got mixed up in a fight with some shifters or summoners or other squirrley ass bunch of mages. I damn near got killed but I was able to flee through a rift that opened up on the ley-line nexus we was by and I wound up in North America. I met a man named Huck Finster who was a retired gunslinger and he taught me everything I know that I care to claim. I can guaran-goddamn-tee im the fastest sonofabitch on the draw any of ya have ever seen. Ive been slingin for close to eleven years and that might be a record. Ive sent 191 souls on to meet their maker and I only got outdrew twice. One was some kind of creature that warped time so I figure that dount count and the other was a fat bastard named Doc who had some kinda special juicer conversion. Looking over towards Angelo the giant winks and says, "I did make sure 32 other juicers though never had to worry bout no detox process."

 Silvermasque is less fortifying the area, and more preparing a few places to duck and cover in the event of anything from ambush to airstrike, but the thought's certainly there. It's fairly apparent he's done this sort of thing upon more than one occasion...

 "Where people come from is good to know... but is often better to know where they are going, when you ride into battle with them." the creature comments, amiably performing a swift and exceedingly professional field-strip on his NG Plasma Ejector - in the process demonstrating notable skills as a general-purpose field armourer, rather than just a single-weapon specialist.

 "I mean for example, we have mages and gunmen and swordsmen, oh my - da? - but how shall they be used in battle, if it is forced upon us? - we should at least partner up, twos and threes to form teams in battle, either to strengthen our advantage or counter our weaknesses as individuals."

Mithas lies down to sleep.  Although anyone watching him may notice one of his eyes open now and again, look around, and close again.  (This may happen every 10-15 min.)

   "Making basic preparations for an ambush is far from being paranoid, Jelme.  Aside from helping one to keep fit and focused at the task at hand, I would much rather waste the effort than be caught unprepared.  You would do well to dig yourself a foxhole also."  Lotus unrolls a military grade mat which seems to filled with a self-inflating foam.  She lays down on top, resting her head on one arm.  She listens to the others speaking for a few minutes before joining in casually.  "Originally, I was born in a small farming community far to the south of Tolkeen.  I eventually left home because I wanted to do something about the inevitable war.  That's when I joined the order and learned to focus my abilities as a mystic into the mold of a mystic knight.  I have returned now to do my part and see the coalition meet their match.  I'm not going to brag about how many people I've murdered though.  Advertising such things, aside from being disrespectful, is usually a sign of overconfidence."

Van chuckles at Mephisto's comment. "If I hope to be the world's most renowned Techno-Wizard I have quite a bit of work ahead of me, with a comparitively short life span in which to do it. Unlike Xion who's got hundreds of years to make his mark."

Van turns toward Saila. "I come from the distant land of Mexico, though I am far from pure bred. On my mother's side, Spanish and Native American, on my father's side, I don't even know except from stories, though I presume Caucasian. I was raised for the most part in Juarez, poor as dirt, and one day I joined a circus. I was travelled with them as an acrobat for a while and learned many things, including the art of Techno-Wizardry. I started travelling north about 2 years ago, and for the past 4 months I've found myself studying in Tolkeen. Other than that, my birthday is some time in November; I'm told that makes me a Scorpio."

"I am from Tolkeen, born and raised. (she smiles, and although toned down due to fatigue, Saila is very proud to say this) My parents are both  mystics who own a small little shoppe about ten minutes from the zoo in East-Quad. The Coalition declared that everyobody who stays in Tolkeen when they come will be killed, my parents wouldn't leave their home. So we stayed , and I didn't want to wait around for them to come. I joined up in the militia when  Prosek declared war. They trained most of us up pretty good, and sent us out, so here I am. I don't really know what I want to do after the war, maybe I will become a mercenary and do this for money, or maybe we'll move the shoppe to Lazlo, I suppose only time will tell huh?" She glances at Van numerous times during the conversation, and grins when making eye contact. All of the males are suddenly erminded of how some girls look much like women, after talking to Saila like this and watching her flirt with Van, it becomes apparent that she is probably barely older than him, 20, 21 at the most.

Sarah parks the ATV far enough away from Arven's pet to avoid any unwanted crushings, or perhaps a cleaning in the morning.

She joins the group around the fire and begins eating a hearty meal of "rats".

She doesn't say anything however, she eats slowly and chuckles at everybody's jokes. Many of you may now accuse her of being "quiet".

Raghnall parks his bike next to Tecumseh's and sits by the fire. In his hand he holds a hand-sized branch, severed from a tree. He twirls it between his fingers for a while, then starts shocking it, seemingly with his fingers. The recently alive leaves twitch with each shock he creates. He seems to maintain a prolonged arc from one finger to the base of the branch, until one of the leaves falls off. He looks up after realizing people were staring at him and put the stick back on the ground. He brushes his hands off on his pants and appears as though he is going to speak. But says nothing.

"For now, Xion is second in command, by rank. In the event you are put under his command, should we split into smaller groups. Lotus, Mephisto, and Silvermasque will also be "squad leaders" should the need arrise. The rest of you will split up amongst them, but you big guys should spread out the muscle."

"In the event we come under fire by any guerrilla units, our orders are to repel them. We take cover and fight. I need everybody able to be ready in an instant, and engage yourSELF into combat"

Sorkhan, is in a much calmer mood now. He and Mephisto seem to get along, and Tecumseh has been the only person to laugh at any of his jokes since everybody left Gravender.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Tue 30 Aug 2005.

 "Squad leader?" asks the oversized feline with a snort that nonetheless fails to distract him from running a small brush around the inside of a focussing chamber, then snapping it back into place and running a quick self-test on the NG cannon. "Damn' and here I thought I was just going to have to shoot at things..."

 He shrugs once more, a complex flowing motion of four shoulders and a certain amount of acceptance "So long as we do not do anything stupid, is good by me... of course, what is stupid varies from person to person - would be foolish for Eastwood over there..." - he indicates Arven with a long, three-clawed hand "To charge battlesuit instead of shoot, but might be good idea for me - different again for hornboy or the energiser bunny over there..." - in turn he indicates the minotaur & Raghnall.

 With the plasma ejector checked, he slips the two long-barrelled particle beam pistols out of their holsters and starts to go over them in turn, whistling some quiet tune that apparently requires him to mutter 'if I were a wealthy man' from time to time and shake his feline booty a little.

 It's not too late to ditch him y'know... you could always 'forget' to wake him up in the morning...

At Shira's comments, Mithas begins to sit up.  Feeling groggy, he begins to fumble with his rifle.  Double checking that it's loaded.  He begins to look around; beyond the campfire and into the darkness.  After a while he lays back down and curls up to sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Fri 02 Sept 2005.

   "Hey Shira, I might have been born in this region, but I'm not part of your military.  This is a job for me and I'm being paid.  With more responsibility comes more work.  Usually, when there is more work to be done, there is more pay... I know my credits aren't coming from your pocket, so what's the procedure for this?"  Lotus might sound a little annoyed at the new assignment, but she is obviously reserving judgement until she finds out about compensation.  She doesn't move from her spot laying down on her bedroll.

Sitting in a meditative position near the fire, and sensing that there may be a small quarrell over pay and responsability about to erupt, Tecumseh will turn to the rest of the group and say, "I come from a small nomadic clan, in the central part of Old Ontario, between Ironheart and Lazlo," he now opens his eyes to continue his story,  "I am not here to prove anything to anyone, only to help those in need. The Coalition is one of the epitomes of evil and must be contained, which is why I am here." Realizing he is beginning to rant on philosophically again he pauses.
"I am a psychic and a skilled warrior with good knowledge of the wilderness."
After a pause, he takes out a small leather bundle from his pack. Those of you with knowledge of Native American traditions will recognize the bundle as a Heritage and Self fetish. He opens it and begins to meditate on the various objects in the bundle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:36, Thu 01 Sept 2005.

While Van will politely return the flirtations of Saila, he will occasionally look over at Sarah, seeming somewhat curious about her vow of silence. In her direction he will offer "Have we said something to offend you, or are you just naturally quiet?"

While it was not his intention to sound rude by the comment, he supposes that it could, perhaps, be taken as being less than tactful.

 And finally, with his weapons stowed once more and the campsite as 'safe' as an hour or so of over-muscled veteran can make it without breaking into his reinforced case of explosives, Silvermasque turns at last to domestic matters, selecting a spot with reasonable shelter in which to swiftly (with the wonders of Golden Age camping technology) assemble a low camoflagued shelter that the knowledgable might recognise as a collapsable four-man military shelter... which, let's face it is going to be about right for one big ol' Cat and his gear...

 He sure knows how to travel well.

 "I am thinking is time for goodnight and for good little boys who have morning watch to be sleeping, yes... be waking me when is time, and think upon my words - two to guard is safer than one..."

Arven to falls asleep by the campfire laying on his back his pack as a pillow and covering his face wih his large sombrero.

Xion will stay and chat with Van if he wishes to try and learn spells now, if not he too will turn in for the night.

Van will stay up with Xion till fairly late learning Power Weapon, until he has to call it a night (though kids these days seem to be able to stay up pretty late).

While looking at Lotus, but speaking to the entire platoon. "The terms of your contract are to serve the military defense effort against the Coalition States. At any point if you feel the heat is too much you can return to  Fort Gravender and collect your earnings and be on your way, no questions asked. In the meantime, it is my duty to analyze my team, and discover their strengths and weaknesses. I asked you Lotus, and  you Silvermasque, because you both seem to have a grip on reality, and I believe the others will listen to your direction should the need arise. This was meant as a compliment, but if the duty is beyond you, or your dedication it can be passed on to Tecumseh." He speaks in a casual tone, not insulting in any way, nor trying to soothe Lotus's emotions, if they needed soothing in the first place.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Sun 04 Sept 2005.

Soon the entire platoon is asleep, except for Angelo on first watch, and Xion and Van sharing their expertice on the mystic arts.

 The night is uneventful. In the distance the sounds of war never ceased, in fact, they sound a little closer. Fearless wakes up as the sun is but a ray upon the campsite. Within moments he begins packing and nods to Silvermasque.

The platoon is awoken by the booming voice of Silvermasque.

The platoon groggily assembles into somewhat of a small military unit, and heads out in much the same formation as yesterday.

At high noon, the sounds of screeching engines can be heard in the sky. Fearless motions for the group to stop, as he slouches slightly and looks up. Within a few seconds the screeching gets louder, and a squadron of Coalition jets stream passed overhead towards the City of Tolkeen, and off into the distance. Fearless waits for Sorkhan's signal, before moving on again.

   "Congratulations Tecumseh, you've just been promoted for free."   Lotus' only response to Sorkhan.  She decides it is probably best to get some sleep at this point.  It doesn't take very long before she is fast asleep, laying on her bedroll and clutching her dragonfire pistol in one hand.

   When the squadron of skycycles moves past the group, Lotus tenses up initially, uncertain if they are about to become targets.  But it quickly becomes obvious that the scouts have no intention of engaging their group.  The only risk is that their presence will be reported to another group of Coalition soldiers further ahead.  Lotus does not like the idea of risking walking into an ambush, but as was established last evening, she is not being paid to think.  She remains quiet and begins walking with her bow in one hand and in arrow in the other.

 The vast and wonderful spectrum of sentient life can be loosely split into two different and opposed types. Those that wake up well in the mornings, and those who do not. Silvermasque, much to the exasperation of those in the latter catagory, is one of the former.

 From an almost static part of the landscape, barely even seeming to breath he bounds to his feet once the sun rises over the horizon, having apparently been able to spend his appointed time at watch without succumbing to the usual semi-conscious hypnotic state of a guard on watch. With the energy of the demented (or possibly the lunatic, though there's no sign of the tell-tale head implants of a crazy) he swings into action, putting on hot cups of midnight blackness (that he apparently believes are coffee), with (for some reason) the cracking of raw eggs and the crumbling of eggshells involved in the procedure.

 Cups of /crunchy/ midnight black.

 He even cleans up the camp in the same whirlwind of excessive energy that seems to spring from some inexhaustable atomic well, going so far as to gather some extra wood and stick it out of the elements for the next travellers coming this way.

 On the road however, he's all business once more, becoming increasingly... not /grim/ as such but definately professional as the miles roll by under his tireless paws, until the flyby sees him calling out a quick warning of 'Incoming Flyboys!' and ducking with blinding speed for the nearest cover of any sort with enormous, fifteen-and-twenty foot strides... Of course, that would likely have been the first clue anyone had of their approach, since it seems it's not only his size that's inhuman - he quite literally must have ears like a bat to have picked out and identified the sound of engines at the distance he did, several full seconds before they came into sight.

 Talented fellow... Your own portable early-warning system.

Xion is up early as well, likely trying to help the giant "Tiger" in his preparations of the campsite. Then moving out with the group.  Xion instinctively ducks when he hears the warning for the fly boys. Even though he is in the APC with Van and the others (forgive me, I can't remember whos APC it is).

Having spent the night as silent as possible so as to avoid waking the rest of the group, Angelo is a whirlwhind of energy in the morning.  Zipping back and forth between checking and packing his gear and frlying up a couple of rations and eggs in a generous helping of butter.

"I hope we get a chance to go back into town occasionally, I'm limited as to how many calories I can carry."

The flyby of CS jets doesn't appear to unsettle the juicer as he continues to run along with the rest of the group.

After the warning of the fly boys, Mithas would casualy head for cover or at the very least crouch close to the ground.  He would not seem visibly worried at all.

(Back at the camp when he was promoted he would have been shocked and a little wide-eyed at the statement and he would have helped with the cleanup of the campsite)

Responding to everyones warning I will slow the hovercycle down being ready for any defense measures if needed while keeping an eye on the air patrol.

The jets have passed into the distance, and Sorkhan has given the signal to Fearless, who has resumed leading the team.

It has been a 3 hour trek, since the jets passed overhead. The group was more in ahurry today. For no real reason, but nobody was really chatting, the soldiers of Tolkeen spent their attention on the road and the route to Hillcrest, and possibly their first glimpse at the war.


In the distance ahead, a few miles away is a group of humanoids, walking along your path, coming towards you.

Fearless motions to stop again, he pulls out a pair of binoculars. Sorkhan looks to Jelme - "Check it out"

He looks to Arven atop his ride "What can you see from up there?"

The group continues at a slower pace than before.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Wed 07 Sept 2005.

Jelme will look to Tecumseh, then look ahead as he slowly hovers ahead of the group, so as to not spray them all with loose dirt and twigs. Once by Fearless, he gets ready to speed away. Fearless stops him and tells him something in Orcish. Jelme speeds off towards the group.

   Lotus places the arrow in her right hand back into a quivver and then presses a small disguised button on the side of her demon-ram helmet, activating the multi-optics functions and switching to a telescopic view of the approaching group.  She gets down onto one knee, stablizing her stance with the bow in order to get a steady view.  Hopefully she can make out at least a few pertinent details and discern why everyone seems so concerned.

 And, as is his wont Silvermasque takes a good half-dozen lengthy strides to the side, crouching low as he moves, seemingly awaiting some sort of report from the long-sighted amongst the team...
As he moves, he once more produces his longarm, against the possibility of trouble.. "We have hostiles?" he asks softly - quite deliberately not using his radio to address those nearby.

   "I can make out twelve d-bees, ten feet tall each, grey skin, all armed."  Lotus delivers her report of what she can see briefly and without emotion.

Xion looks, staring down the road through his rifle scope, trying to pick up more details, "Perhaps Ogres?"

Cranking a small dial along the side of his goggles Arven switches his view to telescopic and focuses in on the grey d-bees trying to get as many details as he can.

Considering they ain't deadboys they are probably on our side more or less wouldn't ya think?

 Silvermasque continues to remain hull-down in his BDU's, pointing his NG cannon in the general direction of the others without (of course) going so far as to actually start shooting or anything similarly stupid...

 "The enemy of my enemy is my friend is maxim that has gotten lot of people very dead..." he states cynically, rolling onto one side slightly to turn his 'gaze' towards the rest of the team.

 "Maybe we should advance in skirmish line with someone tough ahead, to do talking da?"

   "I think Jelme beat you to the punch there, silver."  Lotus says sarcastically in response to the large white tiger.  "Let's just sit tight 'til we know what the hell is going on.  Aimless speculation never got anyone anywhere."

 The Tiger grins brightly as Jelme darts off, following orders cheerfully bereft of teamwork or good sense. Though mainly, it must be said because the towering Tiger has a pretty fair grasp of the accurate shooting range on most of the teams weapons... and just how far that bunch of grayskins is outside of it.

 "Excellent... is always best to have target up in front where he can be seen, da?"

 That's the attitude to take, always a bright side! (Because let's face it, the one thing you can pretty much guarantee is that whatever he had in mind, /him/ being the ambulatory target wasn't on the list.)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:00, Thu 08 Sept 2005.

Mithas crouches down while walking near center of the group, gun ready but not aimed.  He watches as Jelme heads towards this new group, wondering if he'll have his head blown off or if these are friends of Tolkeen.

"I hope they're not planning to attack him.  I'd hate to kill people who aren't Coalition"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Thu 08 Sept 2005.

Jelme slows down as he gets within a mile, eventually to a stop. He turns around, and after one last look over his shoulder he starts coming back.

The other group makes no reaction to Jelme, other than 2 of them pull out binoculars to scan Jelme and the group.

They are all on foot and are conyinuing coming closer.

Silvermasque, you can see one of the lead ones grin and wave. They then spread out so they are mostly walking side by side.

Sorkhan looks confused. He looks to Mephisto, who doesn't return his glance... Mephisto is trying to make out the figures in the distance.

WHen Jelme returns he looks up to Sorkhan and simply says
"Brodkil"

He returns to his "place" in the formation.


Your surroundings include a forest to the right, approximately 60 feet.

Approximately 130 feet to the left of the platoon is an ancient farm of some sort, long since abandoned.

And there is a large boulder up ahead no more than 20 feet from Fearless. It stands over 4 feet high, and 6 feet wide.

It is high noon, and it is overcast.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Thu 08 Sept 2005.

Sorkahn sits up straight on his Silonar and quickly looks over the group, to remind himself of what he has to work with.

He speaks commandingly over the radio, "Anyone who considers themselves to be marksmen, make your marks and keep them in sight. Any of you who might have the ability to become invisible do so now and make your way to the trees, move alongside us at our speed, and remain hidden until necessary. These Brodkil are demons. They are evil and will attack with little provocation. Sarah and Saila, I recommend you cover up as best you can and try not to speak if possible, they take great desire in playing with their food. We will approach them, and pass by if possible. If they stop to talk get ready for a fight, but keep moving and let Xion do the talking."

With that he slouches down on his silonar and begins chanting. After a few seconds he stops, and dissapears, just after leaning to the right of the animal and began to slip off. The silonar slows down and begins to veer off to the left, towards the barn.

Mac's jaw drops open as he watches his leader dissappear and seemingly take off for the trees. His cigar tumbles to the ground and he tramples it while moving ahead.

He shakes his head with disappointment, perhaps for his leader, perhaps for his cigar.

He is already carrying his rail gun and does not need to prepare any further for a possible battle.

Xion nods as the boss speaks, then he places his rifle back over his shoulder and begins moving forward. "If it comes to it guys, they are big and tough, but relatively dumb, at least in the dealings I have had with them."

 Silvermasque once more flicks through the power-up sequence on his NG-E12, various tiny LED's dancing in electronic ecstasy as they report their readiness to burn things from the face of the planet...

 "Why does always have to be Brodkil?" he asks somewhat rhetorically, moving in once more to stand perhaps four or five yards from Mac, with the cannon slung gently across the crook of one arm, scoping out the ground ahead with a careful eye... ahhh, visor ...looking for any indication of cover or other advantage in the terrain ahead.

 "If comes to trouble..." he states to the nearby gunmen - once more declining the radio in favour of a communication that definately can't be eavesdropped on at this range. "We all shoot for same target and work outwards, one at time yes? - am understanding Brodkil to be very tough, like Borg maybe... start with one in charge, or carrying biggest gun yes?"

"That is a big 10-4 on that Masque."

Mac grins and picks up his pace.

"I'll take the ugly one fellas"

Mephisto begins speaking in a foreign language, only discernable by masters of magic.

   Upon the warnings of Sorkhan, Lotus has her bow drawn back with an arrow notched on the string.  Anyone who can sense such things would notice that her technowizard bow has begun to radiate the magic energy of an active spell.
   Lotus strafes to the edge of the forest, remaining in plain view but close enough to duck into the trees if necessary.  She moves with the rest of the group, keeping her bow aimed at the ground.  She won't aim it at the brodkil until they are within range.
   Flashes of bright blue light are also visible in the eye sockets of her helmet as magic energy flares up inside her.

Placing himself on the periphery of the group, Angelo takes aim at the brodkil on the far left.

"Look at all the ducks standing in a row..."

Slowing the hovercycle to the group's walking speed, Tecumseh will telekinetically hold his Big Bore rifle to his side as to conceal the weapon from the eyes of the Brodkil, ready for a fight, if one were to happen.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Thu 08 Sept 2005.

Arven whistles low...Brodkil huh... we'll i'll be damned I ain't never killed one of them yet this ought to be a hoot. After cracking four sets of knuckles Arven reaches down and flips a switch on the side of the high tech harness/bandolier he wears underneath his serrape. Something powers up with an audible hum and displaces some of his clothing slightly. His ostrosaurus mount skitters to the side a little bit nervously before he gets it back under control. Slowing it down to stay relatively close to the others he still pulls forward just a little bit. Reaching up and switching his goggles to targeting mode he looks back to Silvermasque. No shit their tough as borgs? Hell I guess I will only be able to take down two at a time instead of four. Since you guys are starting in the center I'll meet ya about midline.

When the majority of the group get within about a thosuand feet of the Brodkil if they have not yet acted in hostility Arven will wave to them and yell out a greeting. "Howdy you ugly sonsabitches! Ya seen any coalition around that needs killin?"

Raghnall moves 20 feet closer to the forest, to help breach the gap between the group and Lotus.

Sarah asks if any of her passengers want to hop out now, or stay inside. SHe looks a little nervous, and she slows the ATV down just a bit.

 The over-sized Tiger sighs softly and attempts perhaps repeating himself, in an effort to get some sort of fire-control agreed upon... Because one never knows, it might actually help matters.

 "If trouble begins - and that means if - they may try to provoke us short of it, da... then big guns start on one in middle left, little guns and magic on middle right and work out - if we try for individual kills, all pumped up with ego, fight could take all day, and for Matushka's sake do not forget to take cover - what do you say, boss?"

 Ahhh, there we go - passing the buck up the totem pole... always good to get things nailed down.

As soon as Shira disappeared, Mithas would try to keep up to his silonar while running for cover of the barn, but not before hearing Silvermask's idea of who to aim.  Once there, you would be able to see him crouching at the door way, still in view with his rifle fully aimed on, what is probably the middle broadkil.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Fri 09 Sept 2005.

The platoon, and the Brodkil come closer and closer to each other. You can see them making little strategies. You all realize that you are all being targeted in much the same way.

Mithas moves ahead from the barn (as it is stil over a mile away), he moves to some indiscernable pre-rifts ruins, then through them and over some giant alien tree, that has long since been knocked over. This tree is 800 feet from the brodkil, and both parties are still moving towards each other.

The entire group moves at approximately the same speed towards the Brodkil.
At about 1000 feet from the other group, Arven yells "Howdy you ugly sonsabitches! Ya seen any coalition around that needs killin?"

One of the Brodkil answer back "Yes plenty". Another adds "They are all behind us, though".

The group continues, until they are pretty much face to face. Lotus and Mithas are both being watched very carefully. The brodkil are aremed with large heavy weapons. Plasma ejectors, rail guns, rocket launchers, particle beam cannons and the like. Some even have bionic arms, and/or legs. A bunch of modern-day consumer whores.

The lead Brodkil is designated by his elaborate hat. It is made from two human skulls stacked on top of each other. He motions for his men to stop, and he speaks to the group. "You boys look fresh. You are going closer to the killing. We are on our way to become part of it."

One of the outer-most Brodkil, kneels and takes aim at Lotus. He speaks aloud, to nobody in particular "Mys-Tic Knight"

Mac stands with his rail gun ready. He glares at the brodkil, who are the same height as he. Saila, and Fearless look to Xion to do the talking.




The light green patch is a sort of natural dip in the terrain, a natural fox-hole.... should it need to be used as cover...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:26, Fri 09 Sept 2005.

Well we defintely ain't here for the atmosphere. You boys look ready to dance but our card is all full up with deadboys so we'll be moving along. Good luck with whatever it is you aim to become part of. Arven tips his sombrero to the head Brodkil and then takes a chance by continuing on and exposing his back to them. He will use the reflection in one of his highly polished chrome holdout holsters to watch behind him for any overtly hostile moves.

 It's a quiet sort of meeting, with the whistling of the wind curling through the low grass and occasional patches of abandoned crops, and perhaps the occasional slapping of the abandoned farmhouse door in the wind... Very scenic.

 At about a hundred yards, Silvermasque rather casually lowers his NG cannon to 'port arms' as it were, casually held so that he could, if necessary shoot from the hip, whilst with his slender secondary hands slide his long-barrelled NG sidearms into the light, holding one up as though considering it casually...

 In the process of lowering it of course, the slightly fuming barrel just 'happens' to squarely lock onto the elaborately-hatted Brodkil... Not really threatening as such... just /there/ in a decidedly matter-of fact, you-could-stick-your-fist-in-that-barrel kind of way.

 The tiger meanwhile pretends to be gamely ignoring things, studying the glint of light from his sidearm.

Xion shakes his head a bit at Arven's brash behavior, "Please sir excuse my friend. He is from the Pecos Empire, and has had a hard time learning manners. We are indeed on our way to fight the Coalition. Unless we can help you all with something, we must, I regret make haste, as our destination awaits sure slaughter unless we can help them." Xion will give a slight nod and wait for a response from the lead Brodkil.

The lead Brodkil looks down at Xion "I don't know what the FUCK you just said little man, but I wouldn't go that way if I were you. We are being followed."

"Followed by the Coalition?" A grin that might make the demon proud slides across Xions mouth, "If thats the case, then we are headed in exactly the right direction."

One of the Brodkil in the rear, takes out from a pouch what looks like.... yup, it is a human arm,  and begins .... eating ....
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Sat 10 Sept 2005.

After passing the fallen alien tree, Mithas has second thoughts and crouches while making his way to the ruins to take a better position.  From there he takes aim, trying to hide as much of his bulky body behind a wall or large amount of rubble.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Fri 09 Sept 2005.

   Lotus whispers softly the words to three spells under the cover of her helmet as she slowly puts away the arrow she had notched on her bow.  She then slings her bow over her shoulder once more as she finishes the words to the incantations.  Lotus takes a fighting stance as two thin bolts of energy are fired straight from her eyes and into the face of the lead brodkil.  Lotus now stands weaponless in the open.

* * * * * *

 { My apologies for the language... ]

 Things are tense... there's the distinct feeling that the first side to move will be the one that offers the other the adva... zzZZzzap - flashing energy darts from somewhere behind the Tiger into the teeth of a dozen or so exceedingly nervous & heavily armed Giants.

 "Bojmoi!"

 Simple, expressive and to the point... as the rest of things are about to get.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:00, Wed 14 Sept 2005.

Four green beams of energy emanate from Arvens guns that seemingly just appeared in his hands. The four lasers streak across the field striking the Brodkils to the immediate left and immediate right of the Rahu-Man as he slides backwards out of the saddle of the Ostrosaurus. They hit almost simultaneously as the beam from Lotus blasts it's target.

Xion, not nearly as quick on the draw, and also not aware that anything was up, is a little slow getting his guns out. He aims, racing, for some type of cover he fires a few carefully aimed shots at the lead brodkils face.

After seeing the energy blasts from acroos the field hit a brodkill, Mithas looks around a the rest of the group.  It now appears to him that everyone was just itchin' to pick a fight.  He fires a plasma grenade to the feet of the group of broadkill on the left hand side of the field.  Next he takes aim on the broadkill with the "chieftan hat" and aims for his shoulder.  Thinking to himself  "If he can take out the Broadkill's shoulder, I may be able to disable him from firing."

Angelo had been holding his rifle low accross his midsection but the moment he noticed Lotus and Arven attack it was back up in position and he was firing lasers at the brodkil on the right.

Ducking and weeving, Angelo travels around the dip in the terrain to open up his line of fire.

Once the shots are fired, Van reacts quickly. He activates a few TW devices (his body begins to glow dimly, as per Armor of Ithan; a small buckler spreads like a fan around his left arm) He puts on a demonic-looking glove and draws a short sword. He hops out of the ATV, speeds his hoverboard ahead, weaving around Arven in front of him and off in the direction of the west-most (assuming up is north) Brodkill, weaving back and forth. Just before he gets to him, he will drop down on his board and as he makes his pass he will make a swift cut with his sword to the demon's achilles tendon, and continue on his pass, circling back to the west.

He moves with the prowess of an acrobat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:44, Sun 11 Sept 2005.

After a quick glance towards Lotus' direction as a natural reaction to her attack Tecumseh will activate a psi-shield, turn to Jelme and say, "No good will come of us clustering. We will cover the right flank." and speed off to the right of the group to avoid remaining in the cluster of the group.

He will stop at the edge of the forest and disembark the hoverycle, all the while keeping the shield as a barrier between him and the Brodkil.

He will kneel at the front of the hovercycle behind his shield and take aim at the closest Brodkil and get a better look at where everyone of his teamates is in the outbreak of battle.

From over near the ruins, Mithas seems to burst into flames.  He fires his rifle at the "Chieftan's" shoulder hoping to disable him.  Immediately afterwards, Mithas reaims for a second shot to the "Chieftan's" shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:24, Tue 13 Sept 2005.

After a few words are exchanged between the two groups; Lotus senses that her life is in danger, and she notices that one of the brodkil has taken aim towards her.

From the far right of the group, soars two identical beams of light, straight into the leader's face. He stumbles back a step, and rubs his face where they hit. He grunts, then his facial expression slowly changes from cunning and mischievious to murderous. The entire platoon looks to the source of the shooting to see it was one of their own, and they are about to engage in something they didn't expect, at least not yet, and not against demons.

Before they can react to the battle, another of their own, from atop his Ostrosaurus blasts a few shots into the two brodkil directly in front of him. Arven hits them each in the torso, creating two small oozing craters in each of their chests, although the creatures do not seem overly distracted by the wounds. Arven slides off of the Ostrosaurus and onto the ground behind it.

Silvermasque leaps straight upwards out of everybody's sight, except whoever is willing to take their eyes off of the brodkil just to look at Silvermasque win a gold medal. From the air above the chieftain, Silvermasque strikes the leader in the shoulder, with *one of his firearms*. He lands some 50 feet behind the brodkil and opens fire again on the leader, striking him twice more in the back.

Angelo brings up his rifle and opens fire at the right-most brodkil; landing every shot into their midsections.

Xion draws his pistols and fires off 2 shots into the face of the lead-Brodkil. Xion moves to behind the ATV for cover.

Tecumseh and Jelme ride off towards the forest, and closer to Lotus. Tecumseh kneels at the front of his hovercycle and takes aim at the Brodkil closest to them.

Mac aims his rail gun at the leader and blasts him 4 times square in the chest. Raghnall begins to surge with electric arcs, that pass over his entire body. Arcs come out of his mouth and into his eyes, and back out again. He turns his bike to the side, then hops off to use it as cover. He fires what seem to be electricity based streams of energy from his hands to the right-most Brodkil. Who in turn surges with electricity for a brief second. Mephisto rides his silonar back about 20 feet, then turns around to face the entire group.

Saila turns and runs for cover in the foxhole. She dives into it, then aims her pistols at the closest Brodkil. Fearless, sets his hoverbike in a slow reverse, while blasting the leader in the gut with his rifle.

As Van is prepared for battle, he opens the door to step out and lay down his board. As he opens it, it is hit with numerous rail gun rounds, and other energy blasts spewing forth from the demonic platoon. Van is pushed back into the ATV, as the door closes and crumbles away, while he still grips the handle.

Sarah, stays inside the ATV. After it has been hit several times, and the door has been blown off, she drives it closer to the Brodkil and turns it to the side to provide cover for her team. She then ducks for cover.

From 800 feet behind the rest of the group; a grenade lands at the feet between  the two left-most brodkil, exploding into a burst of plasma that forces the Brodkil to duck and cover their faces. They let out screams of pain as their skin begins to melt. They both regain themselves, and open fire. Another energy blast intended for the lead-brodkil, streams forth from Mithas' rifle, unfortunately it streams directly over his right shoulder.

The lead brodkil is blasted and hit from all sides. He stumbles back and forth with each shot. He opens his mouth to yell an order to his men perhaps, but catches another shot in the back of his throat from Xion. He chokes and shakes his head. It is a blast from behind, one from Silvermasque that pierces through his flesh. His chest explodes from behind, spraying Fearless with his entrails. The leaders body slumps to the ground.

The other Brodkil are burned and cut from the blasts, but no other took as many blasts as Montross their leader.

After the Montross crumples to the dirt, one of the other Brodkil screams "BLOODY MURDER!" with this order, the demons lite up the battle field.

Not to say the Brodkil had not been shooting, but only a few have fired their weapons so far. The Brodkil closest to Lotus, the one who had already aimed at her, fires off 4 shots from his giant sized plasma ejector. Almost simultaneously, as Lotus seems to parry the shots with her hands, the plasma blasts are deflected back at the shooter! Only Tecumseh, and Jelme, and of course Lotus realize that Lotus was hit by one blast.

The ATV is hit, numerous times as the right-side rear door is blown off revealing a wide-eyed Van sitting in the seat. Mac has been hit at least twice. Fearless' left shoulder explodes with a spray of blood and a moan from his mouth. Fearless falls to his right side, on the ground beside his bike. Another Brodkil has moved to the foxhole where Saila is taking cover. He has shot her once in the back. It seems to be absorbed by a force field of some sort, however she has screamed and doesn't seem to be firing back.

Another Brodkil takes a few long strides, towards the trio of Knights by the trees. He is armed with a rail gun in one hand, and a short vibro sword in the other.

Out in front as they move for cover Xion, Raghnall, Mephisto are all hit with rail guns/ plasma ejectors and other giant sized weaopns. They all 3, seem to be ok, and still in the battle.

Other shots are fired at Angelo, and 2 Brodkil have turned their attention towards Silvermasque but have not landed a hit yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Wed 14 Sept 2005.

Arven is now kneeling on the ground behind his ostrosaurus having just slid backward off of it. All four of his guns are still trained on the two brodkill but now he is aiming thorough the dinosaurs legs. Seeing that both targets are still standing after direct hits he once more begins firing sending blast after blast of intense energy streaking towrds the demonic soldiers. I'll be damned they are as tough as borgs...

 At the moment the battle starts, there's a fraction of a second in which Silvermasque comes up to speed - one step, then another forwards and with a tremendous leap he bounds through the air, his NG cannon flaring with pinpoint strikes on the enemy commander - well, they're the enemies /now/ at any rate.

 Hitting the ground with a roll, another shot is poured into the back of the leader, followed a moment later by a third as the overmuscled feline darts clear of any reasonable crossfire with his colleagues...

 And then the fun starts.

 With three rounds out of thirteen expended from his E-clip, and only one foe on the ground... things might just be serious. "Bojmoi" he mutters to himself again, before calling through on his communicator, "Heavy weapons, switch target to second, hunt their big guns, Tallboy, told you they were tough, concentrate fire for Matishkas sake!"

 And with that he turns his own weapons and attention on the secondary target they agreed upon - someone carrying something /really/ dangerous (such as, for example a Coalition rocket rifle perhaps, or one of those vicious NG particle cannons).
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Wed 14 Sept 2005.

Xion quickly holsters his pistols, and gets his rifle back out. Leaning out from behind the ATV he will take carefully aimed shots at the Brodkils faces. Figuring that to be the weakest point on them.

   Lotus makes no move to find any cover and instead stands her ground, waiting for the first attack that comes her way.  She will fire another blast from her eyes at the brodkil who first took aim at her and verbally identified her as a mystic knight.  When the first attack does come at her, she will move with a mystic grace to parry and deflect the shot back to its source, using nothing more than her hands and forearms.  As the psychic continues to predict exactly where each blast will hit her, she returns fire with her own energy attacks from her eyes.  She will focus her attacks on the same brodkil until he is dead or incapacitated.

After hearing Silvermasques suggestion.  Mithas takes a second to locate the broadkill with the rocket launher (or biggest of the guns).  He then aims and fires his C-14 laser at the broadkill.  With all the excitment going on, he figures it'll probably be easier to hit the broadkill square in the chest.  He fires another two aimed shots to the broadkills chest then checks out the situation.

Keeping himself off to the flank of the brodkil, Angelo continues picking targets.  Whenever possible he attempts a headshot, knowing that these creatures must be taken down as quickly as possible.

Van, face to face with the demon platoon, feels his heart jump slightly.

"Sweet Marry and Joseph!"

Quickly he rolls down out of the vehicle and lands in the tall grass. While down he will get on his board, staying low on it as it rides toward the foxhole. As he enters the hole he will get on his feet, still staying low, knees bent, until he comes up (behind?) the Brodkill therein, demonic glove on his left hand, sword in his right. If from behind he will ride up quickly (and whisper quiet) and attempt to gouge out the demons eyes with the claws of the glove. If from in front, he will charge in full force and attempt to level the demon with a full-force (supernatural) uppercut.

Over the radio: "If anyone else can get behind them we'll be able to draw their fire in different directions."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sat 17 Sept 2005.

Hearing Van over the radio, Mithas takes a second to see if there's any cover to the left side (opposite the forest) of the broadkill.  Thinking to himself, "If there is cover, then I'll make a run for it and shoot whicherver of those ugly bi-atches are closest to me.  I'll use short controlled bursts, maybe draw their attention away from him.  Depending on how much cover there seems to be, and what it is, I may have to stay put, but I'll cover Van by shooting the broadkill he's fighting with whenever they're not tangled together."

Over the radio: "Van, you might need to pull Saila to a safe distance if she's hurt."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:21, Sat 17 Sept 2005.

The Brodkil, seem to completely change emotion instantly when their leader slumped into a pile. The remaining eleven appear to be in a frenzy. They open fire like a firing squad upon Pluto Company (3rd platoon by the way... of 9).

The two closest to the trees (12 and 11) slowly creep forward in a concealed stance, aiming their massive energy rifles at Lotus. She gracefully deflects each one back into the Brodkil, that fired them destroying their weapons. She simultaneously fires streams of pure, flowing magical energy from her eyes, into the closest of the two, scarring his chest. Tecumseh opens fire on the one Lotus does not. He strikes him twice in the chest, making no noticeable wound. The 2 demons come closer...

The ugly one (number 10) fires a burst of 3 grenades from an attachment on the bottom of his rifle-barrel. The three explode under Raghnall's hovercycle, blasting it straight up in the air, and Raghnall flying backwards with obvious flesh wounds. Angelo blasts him twice in the face with his rifle, and flips to the side, like a hand-less kartwheel, when the grenades detonate. Angelo manages to fire again while his head skims the grass. He lands on his feet while still on the move in an attempt to flank them near the trees.

The demon armed with a Multi-firing Rocket launcher, fires a rocket into the foxhole just after Van entered. After being struck in the back he turns to aim at Silvermasque. Silvermasque darts towards the demon, then leaps sharply to the left, as the rocket skims his fur and blasts into the dirt behind him. Silvermasque continues on all fours, as he blasts the rocket rifle into 2 pieces with his smaller-arms.

The tallest of the bunch, is the one standing above Saila (number 9, he uh... moved... the map is wrong...). He stands a menacing 12 feet tall. He fires a few more cheap shots into Saila's back as she screams in terror. Van arrives in shock, of what is happening and leaps from his hover board at the demon. He lands a solid punch to the monsters face, as Van extends his fingers and claws his face. Van uses his face as a pole, and slides around to behind the beast, as he lands back on his hover board, realizing he is now in a very bad place, considering the number of annoyed hellions around him now... The mini-missile fired from the other brodkil lands in the dirt and fizzles...

Brodkil 8, the one who screamed bloody murder, quite literally, charges at Mac. Mac blasts him in the chest once, then changes stance and holds his rail gun by the barrel like a baseball bat. The Brodkil his batted on his ass, a good six feet from Mac. Although, the hit bent his gun all to shit... and the demon is getting back up...

Brodkils 5 and 6 kneel and fire at Van on his route to the foxhole from the ATV. ()

Arven fires bursts from all four rifles in rapid succession. On the other side of his ostrasoraus, the same two Brodkil become targets again by the well-established quadropus. They are also the two trying to kill the young techno-wizard. The one on the left, grasps his chest an groans. He looks to Arven with dead-eyes and his jaw drops open. He slowly begins decending to the ground. He will land on his left side. The other is missed once, then struck in his belly. He turns his aim to Arven.

The remaining 3, on the far left, run to the side of the ATV. Now within range of Mithas. Brodkil 3 tears the drivers door from the ATV and pulls a screaming Sarah out by her legs/ He holds her upside down, and takes out a blade. It looks like he is going to try to cut her in half. The other two circle around to Xion. The first one is shot in the face twice by the Magus, as he comes around the corner. The second grabs Xion by the face (knocking his hat off) and slams him head first into the dirt.
He stands on Xion's chest and begins to pull on his head.

Jelme looks to the right, and circles back around the group of trees to the other side presumably. Fearless lays on the ground unconcious or dead. Blood poors from his shoulder-wound soaking into the earth.

From a distance Mithas creeps closer to the fray. He spots a dead animal up ahead. He quickly moves forward as fast as he can, while staying low. He moves up 100 feet, to the dead animal. When he gets closer, Mithas notices hundreds of fist-sized, insects eating the carcass. Their screeches are actually loud enough for a humanoid to hear. One of them looks at the Minotaur, he doesn't know what that look meant, but he has a battle to worry about. He remains a couple feet behind the carcass not touching it, and aims at the 2 demons attacking Xion and Sarah.

Over the radio Sorkhan says "Maintain yourselves, there are more of them in these trees."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Tue 20 Sept 2005.

Xion, realizing things are going bad fast decides its time to try some of his magics out. Quietly he begins to chant.

Offering a few choice expletives' Angelo sholders his rifle, and draws his vibro sword as he dashes at full speed  towards the ATV.

Leaping over Arven he attempts to land and stab the brodkil currently molesting the good doctor.  After the initial lunge he works on trying to dismember or decapitate the monster.

 Things turn very rapidly into what the oversized feline would describe as one hell of a party, had he been asked - jinking and rolling he dives through a storm of fire as he pours plasma into the back, and then moments later the front of the most heavily-armed of the Brodkil, resorting to his sidearm with a quick one-two particle beam punch only when the cannon is swung out of position by a particularly desperate dodge, missile trails singing around him.

 "Nancy-boy in trouble, I am on it... hold on! - Keep pouring in fire, co-ordinate targets, da!"

 He calls out, as things descend into serious trouble for the home side over by the APC... the Plasma cannon drops lightly to the ground with a violent hiss of steam as it gives up heat to the marshy ground, and with leaping strides he accelerates, then hurls himself skywards once more, aiming to Make a Difference as his vibro-blades clear their scabbards.

   Lotus mutters the words to an incantation while standing her ground at the edge of the forest.  She can see the entire battle field in her peripheral vision, and concentrates on deflecting any more incoming blasts back to their sources.  When the spell is finished, she will begin marching forward into the open, hoping to attract some attention away from those over by the ATV.

Van's Armor of Ithan goes down after the hits he took, but quickly comes back up again. Assuming his attempt to blind the demon was successful, he wastes no time in picking up Saila.  He carries her infront of him as he will attempt to speed back to safety.

Van's plan will be to hasten his pace to the main base (by which I mean back behind our front lines). There he plans to hide Saila in the tall grass and erect a small Energy Field around her via his Wrist Buckler.

Mithas chokes for a second on the stench of the animal in front of him.  He crouches to one knee and aims his rifle at the head of the broadkill who is attacking Xion.  With a nice clear shot he fires one, two, three shots from his rifle right at the broadkill hoping to buy Xion some time to get free.

Keeping the guns in his left hand trained on the Brodkil that is still standing Arven brings his other two to bear on the monstrous creature as well. The Rahu-Man squeezes off two rapid fire bursts from all four guns sending a total of eight beams of deadly energy sizzling towards the "demon" in less than two seconds. Assuming that things are well in hand over at the besieged ATV the giant will stay hunkered down where he is. Turning his guns on the Brodkill that Mac just introduced to the game of baseball Arven begins blasting away with all four guns until the creature stays down or it is time to change e-clips.

Arven continues firing upon the Brodkil left standing. He now fires all four weapons into him. The Brodkil managed to squeeze off two shots prior to his chest caving in. The sound of crackling is heard, as the Brodkils organs begin to literally cook. The demon collapses on his back.

Lotus moves further out into the open. The two Brodkil closest to her, have recently lost their weapons. They both charge towards Lotus at top speed. One pulls out a magical ax of some sort, the other a magical short sword. They will both be at her within the second...

From Behind, Tecumseh comes running from cover, to stand beside Lotus. A psionic blade glowing at his right hand, he glances once towards her, then back towards the charging creatures.

Silvermasque leaps through the air over the Brodkil in front of him, drawing his swords in mid air, and comes crashing down with both swords on top of the ATV. He can now see Xion,
 The brodkil looks up at the giant tiger with a quiet growl in his breath. An energy blast comes streaking through the air from behind him and blasts him square in the back of his head. He turns to growl at Mithas, when Xion reaches his arms up and releases several small electrical arcs flowing from his fingers into the bodies of the Brodkil on top of him, and the one he knocked over. They both scream in pain. Silvermasque chops his swords into either side of the demons neck. Blood sprays out, and oozes down his shoulders. His head drops forwards, as blood pours out of his mouth. Silvermasque pulls out his swords then steps on the beast, to lower himself to the ground, and help avoid it from landing on Xion, who is shaking his head and looking around to see if he is still alive.

Van is distracted for a moment by a blur streaming past his face. AS is Arven as the same humanoid sized blur darts in between the blasts being exchanged by he, and the Brodkil across from him. Angelo leaps 30 feet through the air and lands, running on top of the ATV. He clips the Brodkil holding Sarah in the ear with his sword, then flips off of the vehicle onto the dirt on the other side of the beast. The brodkil had already chopped into Sarah's armour once leaving an enourmous hole in her armour. The Brodkil slams her into the ATVby her legs. She was already unconcious and falls limp to the ground beside her ATV. The Brodkil turns to face Angelo, who has ducked around beside him, and stabbed him in the armpit of his right arm. Angelo's confidence swells under his chest , as he thinks to himself : he will be fine, so long as he doent get hit...

Van ignores the blur, and circles around to pick up Saila. The 12 foot demon beside him grabs the young techno wizard by the head and tosses him into the side of Arven's Ostrosaurus. He picks Saila up by the neck and screams in her face. THen throws her into the flames beside them left by the wreckage of Raghnall's hovercycle. He turns his attention to Mac.

Mac prepares to take the Brodkil in front of him hand to hand. The monster charges forwards screaming and yelling again. Mac grabs him, neck and groin, lifts his squirming body above his head, and throws him behind the group. Mac literally says "whoops!" as he realizes he threw the Brodkil closer to Mephisto.

The sounds of combat can be heard over the radio. It sounds as though Sorkhan is being beaten severly by several combatants. Jelme comes charging behind Tecumseh, he lets out a war cry as his giant sized Psionic blade forms in his hands. He has death in his eyes, as he glares right for the two Brodkil ahead...

The fight would normally, continue along with both sides losing lives, however, something happens that drastically changes the course of the battle. From the trees behind Jelme,  this -
lands on Jelmes' back. The fear in Jelme's eyes will be something to think back on and laugh about one day, but for now it is a look of utter terror. The juicer stands almost instantly and slams his giant bionic claws into Jelme's face. The cyber Knight falls to the ground in a spray of blood.

After a moment of shock, and a "my bad" shrug by Lotus, the Platoon rethinks their battle plan.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Sat 24 Sept 2005.

"SHIT!"

 The arrival of unmistakable enemies into the middle of the battle causes an immediate hold-and-reconsider, at least on the part of the blood-soaked Tiger, whose nearly total arc of vision brings him the bad news within moments of the startled shouting over the comnet.

 "Bojmoi! - I think maybe little Lotus did very bad thing" he asks quietly, flicking his swords apart and down, to clear the DB blood from them as he takes a moment to assist Xion to his feet and into the cover of the armoured vehicle.

 "I think maybe is time to consider truce, da?" he shouts around the corner of the vehicle at the nearest Brodkil, rapidly checking the clips on his P-beam pistols...
This message was last edited by the player at 08:34, Mon 26 Sept 2005.

Pointing to the newly arrived CS juicer Angelo summersaults under the brodkill and comes up running.

This should be interesting.. he thinks to himself as he closes the distance between himself and  the other juicer.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 17:18, Sun 25 Sept 2005.

   Lotus' shrug indicating her possibly-mistaken choice to attack the brodkil was not intended as a communication to her team.  She could really care less whether she is killing demons or Coalition.  There is not a huge difference in her mind.  And the brodkil will die soon anyway.

   Lotus spots the over-medicated opponent pop out of the trees and meets the gaze of Jelme as he is dispatched with quick efficiency.  She sends another blast of mystic energy from her eyes, this time aimed at the juicer.  At the same time she screams "COALITION!!!" Hoping to gain the attention of the two brodkil already charging towards her.  Hopefully the demonic creatures will be willing to work together to kill any CS in the area.  Lotus doesn't believe this juicer is the only skull-head here for a second...

Xion quickly gets to his feet, just in time to see the juicer kill Jelme. With a curse on his tongue, Xion begins to chant, and a quick blue shimmer covers his body in mystic armor. He then draws his pistols again, putting some distance between himself and the Brodkil. Xion will quickly scan the area for any more CS troops. "Watch your asses people. Form up, and watch the perimiter."

Van, who is growing increasingly frustrated at his plans constant failures, takes notice once the word "Coalition" hits the airwaves. He turns to look toward Lotus and notices the augmented soldier. He knows that things will get worse from here.

On radio: "Christ! They won't be alone! Get your shit together and head for cover! Let the Brodkil deal with them..."

He says this while making a last attempt to save Saila, hoping it's not yet too late. He'll fetch her from the debris of Raghnall's hovercycle, and make for his board, avoiding the Brodkil, most of which he assumes will be taking notice of the CS Platoon that is no doubt en route.

Deciding that the juicer, for the moment, is still very far away.  Mithas will move (north) closer to Xion's location keeping his rifle aimed at the broadkill that was nearest to Xion.  Closing in about half the distance to Xion, Mithas will stop, crouch down and continue to aim at the same broadkill.

Mithas begins to realize what is happening on the battle field, and thinks to himself, "Our next few actions may save or kill this team."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Tue 27 Sept 2005.

This party is satrting to suck! Arven yells while holstering his bottom two weapons. Running and shooting at any hostile targets he uses his lower arms to assist a vault back up onto his ostrosaurus. Lets skin out! He yells again and then spurs his mount away from the Brodkil, the juicer and anything else that might be lurking in those trees.

   Lotus will make her next actions to break off the battle with either the brodkil or the lone juicer.  She will dart into the forest in search of Sorkhan, who may actually be facing even more of the skull-heads.  She will cast time-slip while running and use it to get closer to her team's commander.

Mac looks to Arven after he yells to retreat. In response he yells "No, don't listen to him, he is a coward. STAY! and fight 'em off. The Dead-Boys gotta die, that's what were fucking here for!."

The Juicer pulls out two shiny new CS psitols, and breaks out into a series of ducks, turns, spins, flips, kartwheels, and the like all while shooting at Tecumseh, and Lotus.

Tecumseh turns to receive the juicer's efforts. He stands ready with his sword raised close to his chest. He closes his eyes, and stands motionless. Untill he himself begins ducking, side to side almost in anticipation of where the blasts were going to hit. Tecumseh slowly progresses closer to the Juicer...

From close behind Angelo enters into close range with the Coalition juicer, they will be at each other's necks within the second...

Van grabs a histerical Saila from the flames and smoking wreckage of Raghnalls bike. The 12 foot tall Brodkil beside them growls and is obviously distressed at the decision he is forced to make.... which target to go for... the juicer... or the little ones...

Mac pulls out an ancient American Military Tactical Shotgun. Several colourful and mystical gems create a grip in the handle. He confidently marches towards the large Brodkil, putting himself in between Van and Saila, and the Brodkil. He doesn't speak to the creature at first, he just aims his shotgun towards his face, with one hand and continues walking towards it. He eventually says in the most intimidating way "Back the FUCK off you ugly bastard. Turn 'round, and fight the enemy... or I'll make you my puppet". The Grackle Tooth continues walking towards him...

Over the radio, Silvermasque belts out in an orderly, yet commanding way, in an attempt to stop everyone from panicking. He orders for everyone to cease fire on the Brodkil, at least for now. The Coalition is the real enemy. He also commands that nobody venture out alone, and suggests that Lotus not go too far into the trees.

Mithas... is on his way...

Sarah sits herself up and checks her wounds. She appears to be fine... but just sits there, staring.

The rest of the Brodkil, hesitate before continuing to fire on Pluto Company.

They for the most part, (all except the big one, who is still decideing) turn their attention towards the Juicer.

Angelo is the first to arrive at the Coalition Super Soldier, and gives him hell. Nobody can describe what they are seeing, just two bodies ina blur, and limbs flying about. Followed by the most brutal sounds of human grunting and pounding. Tecumseh is second into the fray, and stays at his sword's distance. He seems to be able to see them fine, and plunges in every few seconds to stab the Juicer with his Psi-Sword.

The Brodkil are attempting to close in as well, to secure a clear shot, however, they cannot.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Thu 29 Sept 2005.

 [ Just a quick OOC that'll be edited into a real post when I get a reply for something from the GM from last round... Hopefully he'll include me in before too many folks act in /this/ round - though if you'd have completely ignored a ten-foot tiger shouting down the commlink at you, feel free to go ahead ^_^ ]

Private:

With Saila moved to behind the fray which seems to be forming along the treeline, Van secures her inside a small blue energy field and, keeping low, moves in toward the shot-up ATV. As he arrives there he will grab his large backpack. Putting it on he will say to Xion, Sarah and the others around the ATV:

"This place is going to be swarming with Coalition any second now. If we want to stand any chance of taking them out we can't risk this open-field shit. We've got to hit and run, get 'em from every angle."

He's scanning the treeline with his Multi-Optics band. He readies a hammer in his gloved hand with his short sword in his other hand. He is preparing himself for a real fight.

Trusting to his speed Angelo continues dancing with the CS juicer hoping to find an opening in the man's defences while keeping himself relativly unharmed.

Arven silently agrees with Van but he does slow his retreat when he notices that he is the only one retreating. After hearing Silvermasque call out on the radio the Rahu-Man wheels his mount around towards the wreckage of the ATV and tries to find a little cover. He gives his own opinion over the radio if for no other reason then so later he might be able to say "I told you so." The kids right this ground ain't worth a shit for scrappin. Let the damn Brodkils and deadboys kill each other off and lets get on with our mission! Drawing all for guans again Arven sits hunkered down on his mount and waits to see what transpires next.

 "The enemy of my enemy could be useful later Eastwood!" shouts out the thickly accented Tiger, his optic visor seemingly taking in every detail of the battlefield as he calls out to one team-mate or another warnings and advice, trying to co-ordinate a unified falling back from the treeline to where folks can support one another for the possible retreat.

 "We have no radar, so someone must keep eye on sky for accursed SAMAS and their kin... any takers?"

 With the confusion starting to stabilise, the Tiger finally seems to be able to devote his time to striking back, using the APC as solid cover whilst he starts to one-two-one with his long-barrelled pistols into the treeline...
This message was last edited by the player at 07:44, Fri 30 Sept 2005.

Between the Coalition Juicer, the braodkill, and his own team, Mithas is begining to lose track of who is foe and who is ally.  Recognizing the ATV, he makes his way towards the vehical, keeping low.  He hears Silvermasque's orders over the radio and continues on his way towards the ATV, ALWAYS keeping his rifle in firing position, and locked on the broadkill that were in that area.  If they have moved towards the juicer, than he will be aiming at their (backs?) as he makes his way to the ATV.  Not firing, but just waiting for them to make the wrong move.

Mithas finally arrives at the ATV... or whats left of it.

Sarah soon regains herself, nodding to Silvermasque. She reaches inside her ATV and grabs a pistol, and a med-kit. She runs to Fearless, and begins "her work" right away.

The entire battlefield of soldiers, demons, and mutant cows flood towards the single juicer. Many line up facing the trees, waiting to blast whatever comes out.

Angelo kicks the military hardened super-soldier juicer in right leg, it knocks him to one knee. Tecumseh's psi-sword shears half of the juicer's faceplate, and one of his horns, revealing the top right quarter of his human face. The Coalition juicer plunges towards Angelo. He in turn, ducks to the side, grabbing the CS juicer's arm and spinning him around. Angelo manages to move behind him, slashing him several times in the legs. The super soldier manages to jump, and flip behind Tecumseh. An extremely well placed shot by Silvermasque hits the Juicer in mid air, knocking him off balance. When he lands he takes a moment to steady himself. A fatal moment, as Angelo plunges towards Tecumseh, who ducks. Angelo's blade drives straight through the soldier's forehead. For the first time he stops moving. He just stands there staring at Angelo. Tecumseh moves out to the side, to confirm for himself the juicer was dead.

After a few moments, Angelo quickly pulls his sword back. The man's head flips forward, and he crumples into the dirt. He is quite lifeless.

There are many moments of silence, as the battle field realizes the enemies are defeated... or are they... The brodkil begin looking at some of you in very odd ways.... creepy ways. Mac responds with threats, the grackle tooth is like an angry wolf, with a taste for blood.

Someone emerges from the trees... and all turn to aim. One of the Brodkil trips forward onto his face in anticipation of more killing. It is another juicer! No wait it is just Lotus... it was the horns... A rail gun round streams over Lotus's head and blasts a tree in half. He says "woops", then smiles sadistically. The large Brodkil, the one twice the size of a man, at 12 feet tall... is currently looking back at Saila and Sarah.

Raghnall is still lying where he landed after the grenades. Fearless is still unconcious. Saila has rolled onto her side. and Jelme has raised to his hands and knees, his face dripping blood.

There is no sign of Sorkhan Shira anywhere...

 "Alright, we have finished doing silly, silly thing to one another, both sides are hurt and some are missing, nichevo - worst thing to do now is start shooting, da?"

 Calls out the Tiger, with quite surprising volume even allowing for the fact that he stands tooth-to-tooth with most of the DB's... He spins each handgun once and carefully swaps out their clips with smooth, economical motions as he steps out from behind the APC, looking to the field.

 "Listen up, we have to assume stupid Skull-boy used radio, means will be nemtsi flyboys coming in hard, soon - work in pairs, maybe threes - clear up field, collect guns, check wounded to see if can be helped. Doesn't matter if Brodkil or Patrol, everyone burn real good when skycycles bomb us into bedrock."

 And with that, Silvermasque suits motions to words by sheathing his swords, clipping his pistols back to their place and stooping to check for a pulse on the nearest downed Brodkil, looking up as he does so.

 "Worry about who in charge and who need to kill who in five minutes, when we are mile or two away in cover, Khorosho?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Sat 01 Oct 2005.

Arven quickly goes through his e-clip swap routine as well which is relatively impressive if only because he is doing it with four guns at once. Holding tightly to the reins of the ostrosaurus with his bottom arms he keeps two of his assault pistols aimed in the general direction of the Brodkil and waits for the group to move out or for the killing to begin anew.

I don't care what you mommas say aboutcha you ugly inbred motherfuckers are tough! Arven yells out to one of the Brodkil in what is more or less intended as a compliment.

Mac turns to look at Arven and snarls. "We know you thought they were tough. You were the one who tried to run away and leave us behind  you dirty fuckin coward"



The brodkil snicker

Tecumseh runs to Jelme. Jelme appears to have a metal plate in his head, perhaps an entirely metal skull.

Unfortunateley the skin is rather torn.

After confirming for himself Jelme was okay, they both run towards Raghnall to checkon his status.

Upon seeing Lotus emerge from the forest, Mithas radios:" Lotus, did you see the "others" that Sorkan said were in there?... Where is he anyway?"  Mithas begins looking around... Maybe he missed him re-appear.  At the same time that he looks around, he makes note of how many broadkill are still standing.

Van, now fully equipped, will fly his hoverboard back over to Saila. "Are you alright? The Coalition will be here soon, we need to get into a better position."

With Saila he will head back to the group. "Behind us there's only flat land. We need to head into the trees. We'll stand a better chance in the forest. Agreed?"

Van does not draw attention to the absence of our squad leader, as he knows that mages often disappear, and having no obvious leader could affect morale.

She looks up at Van, and sits up. "I... I'm fine."

Van offers his hand to help her to her feet. She takes at and they begin heading for the trees.

Xion will make for the trees with the others, pistols still drawn

   Lotus comes jogging out of the treeline drawing what looks like a shot gun from a holster on one leg.  She touches a button on the side of her helmet to transmit a radio broadcast to the group.  "The juicer was a diversion.  The Coalition forces are on the run away from us.  There were more juicers, full-borgs, stalkers and a dog pack, and troopers.  They're just a scouting party.  But they must have reinforcements nearby.  We need to leave the area.  With their stalker and dog pack, we have zero chance of losing them.  We can only outrun them."
   Once she is about fifty feet away from the trees, Lotus will skid to a halt, turn around and aim her shotgun at the forest. After checking to make sure no one is in her line of fire, she pulls the trigger.  Lotus aims the weapon to the north and sweeps it in an arc to the south as a massive gout of flame streams forth and into the trees.  Trees and shrubs are incinerated, leaving a smoking swath of barren ground.  Fires are ignited along the edges of the weapon's range, which should help to slow down any pursuit in the next little while.  Hopefully the smoke and flame will help to mask their scent.
   "Someone get in the ATV and power it up.  Move the wounded inside and get ready to move."
   Lotus herself will move towards the ATV helping to move all the wounded.  Unless the brodkil choose to resume the battle, she will ignore them for the time being.

The wounded appear to be Raghnall and Fearless. And Sorkhan is missing. Other than that the group appears to be okay.

There is also the matter of who will take care of Raghnall's hovercycle? if anyone?

Also as far as looting goes, the brodkil are looting alot of their own equipment. One hops on Fearless's bike.

The brodkil all leave in their original direction, towards Tolkeen.

Sarah drives the ATV. Fearless sits in the passenger seat, slipping in and out of conciousness. Raghnall lies in the back, still unconcious. Sarah is ready to go when the group is.

Mithas will walk over to Raghnall's bike and try to sit on it.  If it doesn't feel like it'll break, then Mithas will say, "I think Raghnall would want me to take care of this for him"

Seeing the Brodkill leaving Arven shrugs his shoulders returns his guns to their holsters and slides off the back off his Ostrosaurus. Giving Lotus an incredulous look he sarcastically says, Hell no we can't run anywhere! That would make us cowards just ask lizard boy? Arven turns to face Mac across the short distance. Nevermind that I was just following the advice of that damn injun who runs this band and trying to get to the all important mission. Taking his sombrero off he throws it onto the ground in front of him and says calmly to Mac,  Well big fella you called me out but since we are supposed to be on the same team or whatever i'll give ya one chance to take it back.  If your not so inclined then draw down. The Rahu-Man stands impassively and waits for the Grackletooth to make his decision.

 And at that point, the oversized tiger quite firmly steps into the line of fire between the Rahu-man and Mac, his recovered Plasma cannon dangling comfortably from its shoulder-strap.

 "First of all..." he states, turning his back on the Gunslinger to round upon the Minotaur... "Eastwood here is killer, not soldier - takes serious balls to stand and face a man with risk of death - But is different kind of balls as needed to be on battlefield - more brittle sometimes. Not everyone has courage to do both - and when mattered he turned around and stood - that is good enough for me."

 Then he rounds upon the gunman, hands firmly placed upon his hips...

 "As for you - understand, we are allies, da - you ran, you came back - is good, is forgotten. But first man or woman on our side to shoot up allies instead of enemy, then I will have to try very hard to take weapon away and insert sideways in very uncomfortable place, da? - Please note, I can try /very/ hard, so threat includes pretty Lotuses trick eyeballs and those badly disguised tank cannons you have up sleeves, as well as Hornboys firestarting..."

 He then makes two quite specific points...

 "This is not personal challenge to any hard-ass, but simple good sense - you want to shoot holes in each other, you do it on own time, when we have leave - not our Employers... is not professional... And in any case, timing could be better - so saddle up, look to our rears and for Matushka's sake, /move/"

 Well... say what you like about his attitude, his personal habits and his timing... you have to give the guy credit for having a serious streak of authority running right through him... and the look of someone who could make good on that threat about guns, even the thick-bodied Naruni cannon...

 What's particularly worrying is the way he then turns around some more, looking for Xion (assuming he comes out of the trees) before very pointedly offering him a sharp salute and a silver-clawed-heel-click (for as some folks may recall, he's the designated second-in-command, Masque himself just being a 'Squad Leader'...) "Any further orders, Gospodin?"

 But with threats like Masque's hanging around, it's a good thing no-one here's a Glitterboy...
This message was last edited by the player at 10:28, Tue 04 Oct 2005.

Ignoring the group conflilct, Angelo heads with the more prudent team members into the trees and away from the area.

Mithas checks and reloads his gun.  He has stopped burning by now and is looking to the skies.  He takes a final look at the broadkill as they leave the area, and, satisfied that they're not going to resume fighting, he slides his rifle over his shoulder so that it hangs on his back.

Saila hops in the back of the ATV, and Sarah waits to see if one other wants in. She then speeds ahead and drives just along the trees.

Mithas has difficulty on the bike as it is not designed for men his size. He finds a semi-comfortable position, forced to sit behind the actual seat. Mithas slowly tries to follow Sarah, but wait to make sure the others are following.

Mephisto calls over Sorkhan's Silonar. He calls to Xion and says it's his now.

Mac responds to Arven, paying no attention to Silvermasque

"Just stay out of my way Arven. I'll break your skull when we get to town, but right here, right now - you're my ally. But I warn you, if you start shit on the way to Hillcrest, I'll put you down." Mac then runs for the trees, and follows along with the others.

Tecumseh and and Jelme remount their vehicles and prepare to move out. Tecumseh motions for Lotus to hop on the back of his bike (not in a "how you doin' way). They then catch up with the ATV.

Mephisto rides into the trees, with his silonar, becoming a blur along the way.

Arven winks at Silvermasque and then picks up his hat. Climbing up into his saddle he tips the sombrero to Mac. Well then I will keep you on my dance card big fella. I do look forward to being put down. With the immediate situation resolved Arven tears ass towards the cover of the forest hoping that their isn't a CS airstrike in his immediate future.

   Lotus will accept the offer of a ride and join Tecumseh on the bike.  She holds on to him with one arm and keeps the other free to wield her flame-throwing shotgun.  Before leaving the area, she'll make an attempt to contact Sorkhan by radio, broadcasting to everyone.  "Sorkhan, come in.  This is Lotus, can you read me?"

No reply...

Again Van will ignore the loss, and try and stay focussed on the road ahead of them. He will take to his hoverboard, also riding along the treeline, weaving back and forth, keeping his eyes and ears peeled for anything deeper into the trees.

Over the radio: "I guess our best bet now would be to try and get all the way to Hillcrest without stop. We can't afford so much as a washroom break. Once we get within range of the city though we'll be safe. They won't attack us there until they're prepared to follow through all the way."

 With one great feline paw, Masque does his best to slap Arven lightly upon the shoulder... 'course this may not be entirely successful in the event of there being any sort of MD shielding up, but at least it's a friendly gesture... He then turns to Mac, and gives a grave nod.

 "Is good enough, for now we need to be gone - we are missing friends, maybe taken, maybe dead..."

 He then turns to look once more for Xion, who should, after all be doing what the Tiger is now, and taking /charge/ of this situation...

 "Would be dangerous for to stop and look for our missing, but I do not like leaving ally behind... you move at pace of slowest traveller, I think I can catch you chop-chop if have to - Permission to look for Commander sir?"

 - And of course, that last question was directed at the elf-warrior who's now the senior commander of the team.

Xion hears Masque speaking, "I would like to stay and look for them too. But we will be overwhelmed if we do. I am going to have to decline giving you permission to do that. Sorkhan can take care, trust me. Probably already on a transport watching us to see how we handle it. I froze up, nearly having your head ripped off will do that to you. Masque, let's go." Xion has a look in his eyes that go against everything he has just said, any looking can tell he wants to look for their missing, but knows that for Hillcrests sake they cannot.

Mithas is simply riding along on the hovercycle that belonged to Raghnall.  He is looking into the forest.  Then at the path ahead.  Then back into the forest again.  Clearly something is on his mind.  He radios: "How are the injured doing?"

 The expressions of the Tiger take a hell of a lot more reading, but it's not too difficult to make the leap and assign his current one to 'resigned and unhappy' - but he nonetheless salutes and unslings his Plasma cannon once more, checking the load and switching out the l-clip with a careful motion and tucking it into a BDU pocket... thoughtfully in the process studying one or two singed patches where he didn't quite put enough zig into his zag... But fortunately, his ever-so-precious hide remains pretty much unscarred.

 Taking up a position at the rear of the group, he keeps his jaws firm-shut against the inevitable trail dust and spends his time keeping an eye upon the skies, trying to ensure the team gets at least some warning of anything incoming and hostile.

Sarah replies over the radio "Fearless will be fine, he lost alot of blood, but he will be okay. I don't know about Raghnall, he is badly burned, there is little I can do for him.".

A outside transmission comes in just after Sarah. "We are listening"

Private:

The rahu-man picks up his little radio which looks like a toy in his giant sized hands. Pressing the button he replies to the mysterious voice. Well listen to this butternuts it's the sound your grandma makes when im fisting her ass! Arven proceeds to moan lewdly into the radio for a few seconds.

Despite all the fighting and the sour mood Mithas feels, everyone can hear a very deep, right-from-the-chest laugh from Mithas.  It actually sounds like a mixture of a huge man laughing and a tinge of a cow-moo on the inhale.  Arven's comment is clearly one of the funniest things Mithas has heard from the group and it lightens his mood considerably.  None the less, Mithas repositions his rifle so that it is sitting on his lap while he rides the hovercycle.  He looks deeply into the forest, and in fact slows down the bike to get a better look.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Wed 05 Oct 2005.

While the others make light of the situation, Van's heart sinks a little when he hears the voice. God, that was a little too quick, he thinks to himself.

Trying to sound cool and smug though, he radioes: "And who, might I ask, do we have tuning in tonight?"

private

There is no further reply over the radio.

Xion does one last survey of the area, to make sure everyone is accounted for, and Sorkhan doesnt suddenly appear...

He hops into the back of the ATV as Sarah pulls up beside him. He looks back yet again for a few seconds before sitting comfortably and catching his breath.
The whole platoon is rather quiet thinking back to how fast it all went bad. They consider if it was or wasn't Lotus's fault. They remember the ferocity of the demons, the look of murder in their eyes. The images of the sprays of blood and organs dropping about, courses through their minds.

They think back the the explosions, and gunshots.... and the screams of Saila.

Two of their own nearly got in a fight. It is obvious tensions are running high... and they haven't even got to their first mission yet.

Poor Raghnall, and Fearless...

You wonder what happened to Sorkhan, was he killed? Was he captured? Is he being interrogated now?

The voice on the radio sounded like a human male. If they were listening, they would have surely heard Van mention the group was on route to Hillcrest...

These are the thoughts while traveling to the City.

Soon enough, at the mid-point of dusk The City of Hillcrest can be seen on the horizon... and there are no signs of Coalition troops in the area...

you made it...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Thu 06 Oct 2005.