After every member of Pluto Company has re-supplied, they are summoned to meet Lt. Colonel Maddox.

Maddox was one of the few survivors of Hillcrest - and knows Major Zor Karno well.

The briefing comences once everyone has seated. The officers and non-coms of Pluto Company sit up front, with the soldiers and mercenaries behind them - Maddox stands facing the company next to a pointy-eared d-bee of some sort, two savage-looking simvan and a massive reptilian humanoid.

"Pluto Company, how are we this morning? Your recent sacrifice has been brought to the attention of Tolkeen command, and I have good news. You are all being pulled off the front lines."

Some of Pluto Company clap, and cheer - Maddox pauses before continuing.

"You have been tasked with defending a village of the Kingdom of Tolkeen from possible Coalition invasion in the near future. You will be in charge of setting up defenses and preparing a small militia of volunteers from the town. This village will be your home for next few weeks - an emptied hotel has been made available as your base of operations. You will still be in contact with us at all times - so consider this a huge break. I have provided Major Karno with written instructions as well as maps and such of the area. That's it for me, I am going to allow your new Major to say a few words - before you all head out again to make Tolkeen proud. Oh - I've almost forgot. I am standing with four new additions to Pluto Company."

He motions with his hand the two simvan, the reptilian, and the winged woman.

"Major Karno?"

Karnon's eyes narrow to slits at the news. Free... but away from the front lines? Some might consider that good news, but Karnon would have relished the opportunity for revenge against the indignities he had suffered at the ignorant hands of the Coalition.

His nails bit into his palms at the frustration.

His tongue lolled slightly as he considered his options. Training volunteers? Hardly. He'd be useless in that department. His skills weren't such that they could be learned in a few short months. This time might instead be more usefully used for creating more magical resources, in the form of talismans, amulets and scrolls. And a summoning circle...

Karnon waited for Major Karno to make his own speech. He had some things to gather.

Inside the shell of the golem Obidiah wanted to scream. He had always been a patient man but now he is no longer a man. He is a construct of war and he certainly did not sacrifice his humanity to training volunteers.

"Oh well the Coaltion might have a thing or two to say about whether we are just sitting around putting farmers through drills. Even if that be the case there is likely some combat to be found."

   Ramenhotep grins devilishly at the prospect of the coming mission.  To lay down defenses in the hopes of obliterating the next wave of Coalition fodder, there could be no more appropriate a task.  Already plans for traps and strategies are flowing into the sphinx's mind.  This would allow him to get his first taste of revenge without wasting his talents on the chaotic front lines.

   Oksana is tall, at least 6'6", and her body glistens with a silvery-chrome skin.  Every feather on her wings is like its own little mirror, reflecting an image of her surroundings a thousand times.  The wings are each partially retracted and appear to be capable of telescoping out to a span of thirty feet or so.  The shiny and smooth surfaces of her toned physique is covered only by a black pair of spandex capris pants, a black sports bra, and a pair of black rubber climbing shoes.  A small headset is worn, covering her right eye with a multi-optics visor.  She's also got a small satchel slung over one shoulder.  No weapons are visible.

   After the speech delivered by Maddox, Oksana moves off to stroll among the other soldiers and mercenaries.  She doesn't introduce herself to anyone, preferring to just get a feel for her new comrades.

Looking more like one of the civilians they're currently bound to protect, Jeran had his hands thrust in the pockets of his jeans and was rocking back and forth on his heels as he listened to the briefing.  Very little of what he knew could be taught to civvies in such a short time, but perhaps this would be an opportunity to pick up a few new things from the other magi that might be useful for this.

As Oksana strolles by, he smiles and openly looks her up and down -- with emphasis on the 'up'.

"Hey there, beautiful," he says with a grin, seemingly unconcerned of the fact that she could likely break him in two without breaking a sweat.

PM

PM

   Oksana stops walking and turns to Jeran, returning his up-and-down glare.  She takes a few steps closer, seemingly inspecting the man.  "Can I help you with something?"  Her voice sounds deepened to an unnaturally low tone, but is not artificial.

Looking up to meet her gaze, the young man shrugs.  "I'm sure I'll think of something at some point," he replies lightly.  "At the moment, I'm just trying to foster friendly relations between the units."  Quite friendly, knowing most men....

   Not having been born yesterday, the metallic elven woman with wings sighs slightly at Jeran's unsubtle communication.  "Thanks for the special treatment, but I'd bet serious credits that there're other units in more need of friendly relations than me.  But I'm new here.  How long you been with Pluto Company?  I've heard stories of some of their missions - pretty impressive."

He shrugs, becoming a bit more serious now.

"Couldn't tell you," he replies.  "I'm new to this as well -- you could say I'm new to the region at that," he adds.  "Besides, everyone's in need of friendly relations, especially during a time of war," he adds soberly.

Offering his hand, he seems to expect it to be shaken.  "Jeran Magnus," he introduces himself.  "Second Platoon."

   "Oksana Minoshin."  she places her hand gently in Jeran's.  "I haven't been assigned a platoon yet.  I hate this waitin' around though.  I spent my childhood runnin' from the CS.  I'm ready to fight back now.  Gettin' paid for it don't hurt though."

Jeran nods, a thoughtful look upon his face.

"Certainly a valid reason," he agrees.  "So, what is it that you do, precisely, besides looking decidedly imposing," he enquires with good-natured curiosity.

   "What do I do?  You mean like a job?  Back home I used to make these little sculptures and sell them.  That was before my 'mutation' happened.  I don't always look this imposing ya know.  Though now, I suppose you could call me a merc.  I plan on becoming a soldier though.  You?"

Jeran wiggles his fingers suggestively.  "Oh, a little hocus-pocus, a little strongarm tactics," he says, his second claim more than a little ludicrous from the look of him.

"Little sculptures, mmmm?" he says, faintly amused.  "Sounds interesting.  I did more mean, though, what do you bring to the war effort," he enquires, a smile on his face.

   "You know, the recruiter asked me that too, when I came to sign up.  I've seen them hand out rifles to nothing more than warm bodies and call them warriors of Tolkeen.  I've got two hands and two feet.  What more do I need?"

Jeran shrugs.  "Arms, legs, torso, a head, other...accessories," he comments blandly.  "Gotta keep the whole infrastructure in mind," he adds with a wink.

"So, that would be what then; great strength, inexhaustible stamina, vast durability?" he enquires.  "A brawler, a holy terror unleashed among the ranks of the enemy?  Difficult to close with the enemy at times, but that's one reason we're all working together, isn't it?"

Giving her another smile, he waves a hand to catch the attention of Lt. Portia.  "Lieutenant?  May I have a word for a moment?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Thu 10 May 2007.

   Oksana's facial expression indicated that she didn't approve of the terms "brawler", "holy terror", or even "unleashed".  It would appear that she doesn't think of herself in such ways - no matter how accurate they might be.
   "Why're you so curious about me?"

   Ramenhotep paused to watch a flock of griffins flying overhead.  Each of the group of six appeared to be mounted by a humanoid rider.  Their silent grace as they glided through the air was enough to bring a measure of peace to this sphinx's soul and he realized how tense he has been of late.  The anxiety of preparing for war had snaked its way into his mind and it was poisoning his appreciation for beauty.  Griffins were like cousins to the sphinx, lower on the evolutionary scale, but related nonetheless.  Ramenhotep turned his gaze back to the earth after the creatures passed by and he lay down on the floor under a window.
   Ramenhotep pulled out a small notebook and pen and began writing lines of text into the leather-bound journal.  He would periodically pause, look around the area and then return to scribing whatever words he needed to record.  The sphinx remained alone.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Fri 11 May 2007.

Andy sat crosslegged, indian style, a cloud of foul smoke puffing up around his head, his cheroot jauntily chewed on in one corner of his long mouth.

_{"Huh. Gonna be needin some barricades then..."} he mumbled to himself upon the reveal of the platoons' next location.

Tyirrak prefers to remain standing, to the far left of where the officers were given space. His helmet is off and his face is grimly set as always, probably more due to his alien physiology than any particular emotion. Controlling ones face was much easier than having conscious control over ones heartbeat.

One can merely speculate as to whether his recent promotion means anything to the Lanotaur.

Lt. Lynn sits at a table near the front with some other officers. Her face is hidden deep within the hood of her robe as she looks down at the table going over a small pile of papers. She has a journal out and is jotting down notes in it with her left hand. Without looking up or stopping her writing she replies to Jeran. "You just did. If you have something important to say then out with it." Of course it is not Jerans fault she is even bitchier today than she normally is. Like everyone else she had heard the exploits of Pluto Company and what they had accomplished on the field of battle in such a short period of time. With her desire to rise through the ranks quickly she was excited that her request for a transfer had been put through. Hearing that she was going to be babysitting a village of farmers as her first assignment did not exactly fit the visions of glory she had concocted in her mind.

Matte black Samurai armor would seem out of place anywhere else, but in Tolkeen it seemed like nothing was a surprise. Demons, Monsters, all manner of Mercenaries and Mages... it was a veritable melting pot of the strange and even the stark silver embroidery upon his exposed areas didn't draw even a second glance from anyone in Tolkeen.

Standing among the center of the crowd, Photios had arrived to the Pluto Company to recieve orders and a Platoon assignment only to be present for a mission debriefing before he was even settled. It didn't really matter to him, as long as their was the chance of encountering Coalition forces he would be fully committed. He needed to make those short-sighted, close-minded humans pay and this war was the best place for it. Better still, constructing defenses was something he was quite skilled at especially if they were to be given much time to prepare.