After Pluto Company is completely and safely out of the town of Desire, the troops set up to rest while the officers meet with Major Karno. The meeting lasts no less than 30 minutes, and the outcome is rather severe, taking effect instantly.

It seems the events that took place, were made public to Tolkeen command and they were less than impressed.

Pluto Company is to be dissolved. Most of Pluto Company will be returning to Tolkeen for reassignment, while a small team will be reformed into a special task force, and remain in the field with new orders.

The Dragons will rendezvous with Neptune Company and continue on their mission to the town with the magic weapons.

Major Zor Karno has been held responsible for the blunders of this last mission resulting in several 'preventable' civilian casualties. He has been reassigned elsewhere in the Tolkeen military.

Drano Pierce has been reprimanded for drinking while on duty and reckless behaviour unbecoming of an officer (they seemed to have overlooked the potential murder charges). As a result he has lost his command and has been busted down to the rank of Sergeant.

The new task force will be comprised of 2 squads designed to work together, taking their orders from the new Major who will remain in Tolkeen. Tolkeen will also be providing an ambassador of sorts to remain with the task force at all times to ensure Tolkeen's best interests are being considered with every decision on the field.

Lieutenant Portia Lynn has been promoted to Captain and given command of the unit, with Lieutenant Dyvalis and Silvermasque as next in command who will report directly to her.

Furthermore, the rest of the team will consist of :

Amy Weyland Yutani and her transport ship
Comartin
Drano
McCloud
Daemonis
Van Fanel
Na-Wa
Severin
Mephisto
Hopper
Thasha
Burd
Photios

EVERYONE else has been reassigned and is to return to Tolkeen immediately.

The task force is to hold up on the outskirts of 'Desire' and await the arrival of this new ambassador and new orders. They are to keep an eye out for any new leads on the Tolkeen traitors.

 The confused rambling struggle in the small town whose point of origin is still somewhat unclear to 'Masque but whose results are all to obvious leave the big 'borg irritable as all hell, and after he turns in his 'catch' to the authorities (Where hopefully the 'borg will either be released as a PR gesture or offered a job, either way ending up a cigar and several dents richer for the experience) he heads down to the bivouac area for what was Pluto Company, automatically and without orders or instructions breaking out his shovel to dig half a dozen foxholes and one tiger pit around the perimeter in case of aerial assault before he considers actually settling down to rest.

 But when he does so it's to seat himself a little back from whatever camp or cook-fire has been arranged and go through his pockets looking for a smoke, which he ignites from said fire before turning to whomever else is seated there and rumbling, "So... is having been one hell of day, huh?" in a 'let the healing begin' sort of tone.

Thasha says his good-byes as the bulk of Tolkeen's forces in the area leave back the way they came. He quickly stomps over to Silvermasque to assisst in the digging. Thasha keeps looking up to the skies at the mention of possible air strikes, it had not occured to him until now...

After the foxholes have been prepared for the 15 or so remaining soldiers he sits next to Masque and cleans his hands with his tongue. "Yes, today was different. "Not sure if our officers are as good as the Coalition's officers... I think maybe we are on the wrong side... not morally, but maybe for hope of victory..."

 "If all you are fighting for is to win, is maybe you are right." 'Masque shrugs amiably enough, giving the weird little lizard-creature a bright silvery grin before going on to gesture vaguely Eastwards "For my part I am not liking facists very much, and pay is good - but I do not think this was matter of policy, just fuck-up by numbers. I have been seeing before in other armies, youbet."

 That done, he takes a nip from a flask taken out of an armoured pouch on his kit and then extends the high-proof vodka across to Thasha with a comradely air, "Here is thing - what most soldiers are fighting for is not man in big hat sitting in tower, is man on left, man on right. Has been something Pluto Company was never getting head around - too many prima-donnas, too many want-to-be heroes. Is never good."

Na-Wa did not really understand what was going on. What he did know is that many people were sent away and only a few remained. But still that number was more fingers then Na-Wa had.

After being told he was being reduced to the rank of sergeant, Drano merely shrugged his shoulders. There was not much he could have done about it anyways, besides it wasn’t his fault the town’s people weren’t cooperative. The fact the town’s people were uncooperative was a clear sign the war was not going in the favor of Tolkeen.

Amy spends most of the time the others dig on maintenance for her beloved dropship, first making sure its functioning at absolute peak efficiency, and then in carefully sweeping, dusting, and cleaning of the inside before finally she moves to join masque and the others outside just in time to hear their conversation.  "Well, many of us are not used to working together for years, like the coalition are.  They might not have as much diversity but well... that is its own kind of strength you know."

 "Is true." 'Masque replies, shifting a little over to one side to give Amy room to settle in and sit down alongside the big 'borg and the D-Bee lizard, while the Russian casually uses a vibro boot-knife to trim some supportive pieces of conveniently fallen tree into rough and ready planking to reinforce the foxholes some, as well as provide a little overhead cover "But is being something we should be trying to learn and do. Too many of us have been more interested in being special snowflake than member of team, da."

Amy grins and looks back.  "Well, when we are compared to the coalition we are all special snowflakes.  They can all wear the same clothes, use the same weapons, fit in the same vehicles, everything is the same.  But us, well, look around it would be hard to find two of us alike.  I know I couldn't share much more than food with either of you, nothing would fit!."

Severin meanders about those gathered, mumbling something about rending flesh from bone the next time he's set loose on CS troops, he seems to be in a foul mood for some reason.

Thasha listens to the others then adds "I don't know all about all that stuff, I just know that they destroyed my town and killed my father. We have to win this... Tolkeen can't lose... we just can't."

 "Is also true... but is not quite what I was meaning." 'Masque replies to Amy, before lightly tapping the side of his head, "Is up here is being important to be on same page. We are having too many people who are thinking own thoughts all that matter, not enough who think as part of group." the big 'borg explains amiably, before giving Thasha a rueful sort of glance (insofarasmuch as a featureless cybernetic visor can be rueful) and reaches out to slap the weird D-Bee lightly on one shoulder, "Virtue is not being guarantee of victory - and there are being some real bastards on our side too. I am sorry for your father, for your people - but you listen to 'Masque, da? Man who goes looking for revenge is best digging two graves. Be shame to lose you before you have a chance to be good soldier."

Thasha considers Silvermasque's words for a moment... "If that is the case... then I think most of Tolkeen's army should be digging twin-graves..." Thasha does not seem to be joking, it appears to be a legitimate statement about the state of mind for most of Tolkeen's soldiers.

Mephisto makes his way over to the group after dealing with Captain Viktor regarding his rate of pay. Knowing the shifter, this is one topic he just can't resist hijacking

"Revenge is just as good of a reason to fight as any other. In fact it may be the best reason. It could be debated that most soldiers in any war are fighting for revenge. Revenge for the last war, revenge for who attacked first, or revenge for your squad-mate who blew up all over your gear. The Coalition wants revenge for what the rifts brought to this world, and Tolkeen wants revenge because the Coalition attacked first, and young Thasha here wants revenge for his home and family. These feel like better reasons than fighting for money such as ourselves... unless you don't receive a paycheck Silvermasque...? Some of us may just like the thrill of it all..."

Burd has been getting increasingly bored since the fox holes were completed. He managed to find a small rodent of some sort and stomp it to a gooey puddle, but has grown bored again. He looks to Severin and calls out "Severin! brace yourself!"

The thornhead demon instantly charges at the Tauton, laughing with excitement.

Still bearing at near peak power, as he'd avoided the whole situation in town and stayed holed up in an APC, Photios didn't take the new reassignment as a shock. There'd been alot of crazy action made for no apparent reason, but he was as much to blame for just observing without putting a stop to things.

Either way, they were in a new boat now and the least he could do was report. Finding Silvermasque once again, as the merc had been his commander for a time he was the only one of the few in charge now that he'd actually spoken with. The mage who appeared to be a samurai stepped before the giant tiger man with a salute, "Sir. Are we to be doing anything, or should we just be waiting?"

 "Pretty much." agrees the big Russian with a rather somber air about him, a certain amount of natural Russian cynicism entering his tones as he considers his companions and comrades of the last month or two, "And that is dangerous for soldiers and Tolkeen alike - you must have good reason to fight, da. But if is more important to you to hurt enemy than to win battle then you are going to get self - and allies - killed doing it."

 Mephisto on the other hand gets a wry chuckle and a sidelong look as the Shifter - who 'Masque has spent more time arguing with than talking to - turns up with his own brand oh philosophy, asking "You still not dead yet?" in an amiable fashion before addressing his comments, "Sure, put it like that and you can argue most anything is done for revenge, but point stands. When good soldier fights, he does so for the men and women on either side of him - in good unit, they are closer than kin, you know what they will think and do. Here..." - he takes in the remnants of the mingled company with one hand, "Not so much."

 And that leaves Photios to head on up and offer a salute, which is smoothly returned by the oversized Cyborg who then offers a gleaming hydraulic grin, "I am thinking is time to hurry up and wait - feel free to smoke if you have them. When they are telling me where they are wanting us to be shot next, I will let you know."

Severin's teeth flash brightly as he charges the thornhead demon, "Best you be braced fool!" Severin laughs as well, slamming his full mass into the demon, swinging his tail around behind Burd's legs trying to trip him.

McCloud is simply despondent and confused over the FUBAR the mission became and the shakeup in the ranks.  But he accepts the reorganization and change in leadership with the good nature of an experienced merc.

"At least you still outrank me," he quips to Drano as they set up camp on the outskirts of town and waited.

"Yeah and even if they busted me to private you would probably still listen to me. Anyhow, the rank is not all that important; it's how well you do your job." Drano didn’t add in that fact that with things going downhill soon no one would have an official rank or pay check from Tolkeen.

Hopper helps with the defensive preperations, then finds a nice patch of grass to sit on and pull out a book. He appears to be half-way through a fictional demon hunting book entitled "A Cold Wind From The East".

He has another book laid out as well, something about shamanistic herbalism. Although for now, he is more interested in the adventure book.

He remains quiet while the others chat amongst themselves, looking up from time to time to see if the ambassador had arrived on some techno-wizard contraption or perhaps teleported right into the middle of everyone. He is eager to move on. Hopper does not enjoy waiting around here in the open... it just doesn't feel safe...

Amy sits quietly listening to the older and more experienced men for a time.  "Well, I started fighting for survival, I think I stayed not for revenge but because I don't want others to lose their new homes like I did, and of course that if we lose the best I can hope for personally is to become part of their psi-hunter cat people breeding program, and that life does not appeal to me."

After a moments thought she goes on, "Oh and no smoking for me, It might be okay for those of you who are mostly metal or bare, but trust me, I don't like being that close to any source of fire."  She pats one arm with a grin as if to showcase her flammable fur.

"Well I am happy you are with us Amy. It looks like striking our Madtown gained the Coalition a few enemies. Did you lose family back home Amy?"

Van says a private goodbye to Callie as she is sent back to Tolkeen. Damn shame too, she was about the only piece of ass he was likely to see for a while. Still though, this was a better parting than with his last girlfriend whose face was blown off by sniper fire right in front of him. At least this time they'd maybe keep in touch.

Joining the group he steps up to Drano with a big smirk on his face, "Welcome to my paygrade, Sarge!" He pats his GB on the shoulder, making a clanging with his own exoskeleton. Van gives in to 18-year-old chuckles, and actually holds his stomach laughing. The whole thing was too absurd not to. They just shot up a whole town of people they were supposed to be protecting. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh shit, this is fucked up..."

"Y'all can fight for whatever fuckin' reasons you want," he says regaining himself, "Me, I just can't wait to see what happens next."

"What's next is dig a fucking foxhole, Sergeant!" Dyvalis seems pissed. Getting shit from the Major did not sit well with him. He did not like being criticized, not by anyone.

Dyvalis paces about, mumbling. His inner monologue was bitter and all-consuming. He seems only half aware that there are other people around.

Burd is easily tripped by Severin, but he brings the lizard-demon down on top of him as he slams onto his back. Burd tries to bite Severin's throat, while keeping his hands free to block any incoming strikes.

Photios takes the response from Silvermasque with a frown, saluting nonetheless as he was supposed to given their rankings. It seemed such a waste, doing nothing like this... he'd been trained in multiple technical fields, combat, and was a highly skilled mage. Sitting around wasting his talents was always the part he hated worst about his time as a mercenary. Worse he rarely needed to do anything, given the previous size of their unit he'd had little to do with so many bodies out doing the grunt work.

At the very least his status as a mercenary meant they rarely put him to work doing the 'busy work'... though perhaps with their new unit size things might change. A shame, but at least it'd be something to do.

"Does anyone know much about this Ambassador we're supposed to be meeting?"

Portia, who had been occupied meditating up until now answers Photios' curiousity without opening her eyes. "His name is Warrick. I have never met him personally, but I have been told being in his presence is not unlike suffering from a throbbing sist in your urinary tract."

Drano acknowledged Van, and comment. “Damm right this is fucked up. At least I don’t have to carry around a magic ball of mass destruction anymore.” The man then focuses his attention on the fight between Burd, and Severin. Hopefully it was just a playful fight.

Na-Wa looked around for someone in charge; he was hungry and wanted to catch some food. The mean magic lady (Portia Lynn) was the last one in charge of him before everyone else went bye bye. So this is who Na-Wa walked up to, and without realizing it intrupted the conversation between Portia and Photios. “Can Na-Wa go hunt some food?”

Portia opens one eye, and simply replies "yes" without moving the rest of her body. "Keep your radio with you and turned on, we will leave you behind if you are not here when this advisor arrives." She quickly closes her eye and returns to meditating.

Na-Wa makes his way over to Silonar (which, although is named Silonar is in fact a very young T-Rex) climbs up the back of the animal and rides off in search of food.

OOC: I hope the radio basic skill is not needed to simply turn a radio on. If this is the case, let's hope Na-Wa gets back before the ambassador arrives.

"Oh no," she sighs, actually looking a bit sad at that, "I don't have any family, I ah, I'm the only one of the Me's running around.  Kind of like my baby."  She gestures towards her dropship with obvious protective tendencies.

Severin continues laughing, as Burd's bite finds home on his neck, "Didn't know you were trying to seduce me you fucking idiot." Severin rams his head into Burds before administering a bite of his own to Burd's neck. As the blood flows from them both, Severin's glee is obvious.

Mephisto smiles, pleased with Silvermasque's reply before turning and walking to his hovercycle. He leans against it, and casts a few spells, nothing too flashy.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:23, Mon 12 Apr 2010.

 "Be telling me about it - first time I was fitted with synthetic fur was not being fire retardant... One little lubricant leak and 'poof!', was all black and charred." replies 'Masque to Amy's comment on smoking, perhaps wisely choosing to sidestep the whole question of what might happen to people if the war goes the wrong way, before making a little 'easy' gesture to Photios and good-naturedly stating, "Is best to assume we are in field here - so no saluting anyone you do not mind being shot all full of holes, da?"

 Portia's arrival into the conversation gets a sharp and snappy salute of course, but it's quite plainly meant in jest rather than in earnest, before the big cyborg notices Na-wa heading out of the camp and thoughtfully observes, "I am hoping boy is not getting lost." before going back to talking with Thasha and Amy, turning aside now and then to continue the ongoing foxhole-upgrading program "One of kind is always hard - how is it you are being... being then, if you do not mind asking?"

   Lotus has been silent for a while, spending some time walking around the edges of the encampment.  She didn't stray out of sight from her team, but certainly out of earshot and out of the range of any telepath that might have gotten curious.  She knows how to guard against intrusions, both psionic and social, but sometimes plain old distance was the best method.
   After a while, Lotus finds a small white flower, places it in behind her ear and returns to the group, walking casually.  Her demonic horned helmet bobs on her hip as it is clipped to her belt but the rest of her gear is still tightly bound by their various leather straps and sheathes.  She might appear shaken, but her demeanor is returning.  She nods silently to the group as she enters the circle and waits a moment before speaking, not interrupting anyone else.
   "Ah, Amy? I was wondering if you might take a look at my hovercycle and make sure everything is running smoothly.  The engine light came on a while ago... It still sounds ok to me though.".

Amy was about to respond when Lotus approached with her question.  "Sure, I don't mind, just, could you bring it over here, I don't want far to go if I have to duck."  Her feline grin is wide at that and she shoots Masque a wink before settling back a bit.

"Hmm, well I guess, you know how the Coalition has their dog-boys?" she hardly waits for a response before she goes on.  "I guess you could say that I'm mostly the same thing, only with a different starting point, and I think they wanted a bit more intelligence out of the program.  My home planet well, really nation was just starting into serious genetic manipulation.  I don't know how many may have gone before they got to me, but I lived most of my life in a carefully controlled laboratory.  I didn't realize it of course, everyone was kind to me, and supportive, and made sure I learned what I was supposed to... It was only after the rift accident that I learned that not everyone went through the same indoctrination I did."  She shrugs her shoulders stretching a bit her tail waving lazily.  "I wasn't  even upset about it when I found out how I had been used.  They must have done a really good job right?" Throughout her tone is more wistful than angry, aside from a brief moment when she mentions the accident, hurt audible in her tone and its clear from her posture it was a painful experience, one she quickly glossed over.

There is a loud screeching sound that tears through the makeshift waiting room prepared by the new task force. There is a brief gust of wind, followed by a blinding white light, and then no more than 100 feet from where most of the group is gathered, three people suddenly appear. Two are human-sized, the third is barely half a man, at least in size. The two humans are wearing quality body armour, and are both heavily armed. The small person is wearing traditional Tolkeen-styled robes.

There is another loud screech, followed by wind and a bright light, this time just behind the new arrivals. A rolling thunder ATV and a combat-road chopper are teleported into the open field behind them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:50, Thu 15 Apr 2010.

The short man waddles over to the group mumbling to himself all the way while the two soldiers move to their vehicles to drive them over to the group.

As he comes closer his mumblings are heard... "Stupid damn teleporters can't even teleport me to the right damn place. Just wait until this mission is over and I get back to Tolkeen... I will make sure those nitwits are removed from active duty so fast their heads will spin off from their bodies! Speaking of which, I am lucky my own damn head isn't on backwards or some such thing... Oh look, it's my new team... I only hope they aren't ALL useless...."

He stops twenty or so feet away from the group and seems to wait for a proper salute from someone before speaking.

"As I am sure you are all aware, I am Warrick. I will be overseeing this little party for the next little while to make sure Tolkeen isn't wasting it's time giving you all orders. So now you are just wasting my time, not theirs.

I have spent a great deal of time looking over your mission records for the past month, and I must say I am dumbfounded you have all survived this long. Unless I am mistaken... and correct me if I am... you are all former members of Pluto Company. The same Pluto Company that has a record for losing the most lieutenants on the field. You have been in action for less than 30 days and Lieutenants Xion and Zephram have both been killed? It seems they are the lucky ones, as they don't have to live with the shame of this last operation.

Which, if I understand correctly from the reports that I read from Desire as well as your old Major and Captain... Pluto Company entered the town of Desire to casually investigate a renegade Tolkeen force. And within minutes, one of your officers had fatally assaulted an innocent bystander. There were dozens of reports from Desire detailing town-wide assaults and even murder. At this point, Desire decided to defend themselves without killing anyone. And as Major Karno explained, your company then responded with further violence, resulting in the deaths of over 40 citizens of the kingdom of Tolkeen. One report even details a dragon among your group eating a citizen right off the street.

Every one of these deaths could have been avoided if your company had competent leadership. They also could have been avoided if you weren't a bunch of chest-beating savages. This sort of practice is over. I don't care what rank you are, any sort of this behaviour will result in a full report from myself to Tolkeen command and I will recommend the absolute worst in punishment. It is time to act like soldiers. Now where is Lieutenant Lynn? I want to speak to the leader of this broken outfit in private.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Thu 15 Apr 2010.

McCloud bristles as the arrogant little gnome gives the group a thorough dressing down.  But protocol and the realization that the little bastard wasn't even remotely wrong about how and why the previous mission had gotten all FUBAR'ed helps him keep his mouth shut.

Keth goes to his combat-road chopper and drives to where the group is and parks it. He then hops out after turning it off and heads to Warrick and stands at ease but keeps opening and closing his hands like hes bored or more likely a juicer

Keth waits till Warrick is done talking and asks him in American "Sir do you need me or can I unload my gear?"

Severin just remains silent, stifling his laughter at the sight of the gnome, 3' tall and ordering him around... this wasn't going to be fun.

 The big 'borg listens thoughtfully to Amy's explanation of how she came into existence and at the end, simply nods in something not terribly far from understanding as she comes to the end of it, "Maybe - on other hand they were making you - is no small thing, youbet. Is like from home, where I am owing everything to Kolodenko and his warband. His warriors were protecting my village, were teaching me to be warrior. Without him I would not be - even when I was learning that Kolodenko was not always honourable like in stories it was okay, because debt I was owing did not have bottom, da?" he goes on to muse, before the tearing sound and light sees the big 'borg in his foxhole and bringing his weapons up and to bear almost without thought - better to be prepared and foolish than cool and perforated seeming to be something of a watchword of his.

 The arrival of the gnome more or less repeating everything he's thought and said for the last who-knows how long however, that's as good a cue as any for him to heave himself back out of the pit and return to casual improvement of the groups field fortifications (such as they are) and chewing the fat.

Drano listens to the new arrivals speech, and shook his head at the mention of a so called bystander being murdered. Well if the bartended cooperated he’d still be alive. Instead of voicing this conceren Drano kept his mouth shut. The little shit had probably, until now hadn’t left Tolkeen proper since the war started, and seemed the type to think that no matter what you did it wouldn’t have been the right thing to do.

Photios half drew his sword as the teleportation commenced, resheathing the sword as the arrival turns out not to be a demon. Still keeping his hand upon the hilt as the man began to talk and explain his situation.

Knowing Portia would not take well to this bossy little fellow, Photios smiled inwardly at the thought of Portia ripping the man a new ass for his haughty behavior.

Warrick scans across his new group looking for the officer, when Keth asks his question. Without looking up at the juicer, the gnome responds "Hmmm? Why would I need you? Report in to the officer here, and I don't recommend unloading anything we should be on the move very soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Fri 16 Apr 2010.

Portia watches as the newcomers telport in and approach the group. She remains seated until the advisor has finished speaking and lets him wait a few moments before standing and walking towards them. "I am Lieutenant Lynn, I am in command here. How may I be of assistance mister Warrick?"

She emphasizes the 'mister' to make sure everyone knows she is still in command... at least as far as military decisions are concerned.

She looks at Keth, "I can use you in Squad One. Just hang tight until we set out... to wherever it is we are setting out to..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:25, Fri 16 Apr 2010.

"We are setting out to continue the hunt for the traitors to the Kingdom, that's where we are going. It seems your actions in Desire have given them fair warning that we are close. Fortunately for us, they are scared and are starting to make mistakes. There is a former politician among their ranks. He made the mistake of contacting his daughter in Freehold, and she turned over the recording of their conversation to Tolkeen authorities. According to Renszath, they are meeting with the Coalition on the East side of the northern most point of the Barrens. Furthermore, the small town of Taloon, which is on the west side, has reported sightings of a massive golem, accompanied by several dozen questionable-looking Tolkeen soldiers. We believe these are the dead boy-wanabees we are looking for, and that is where we are headed. So pack up, and let's head further East."


(A reminder of the current mission) :

The renegade Tolkeen group has approximately 50 members. They are lead by Captain Theodore Kitt, and his second in command Lieutenant Dragana Kovacevic. They are both shifter-mages and none of them have any trouble killing Tolkeen soldiers. They firmly believe we are the enemy, and will stop at nothing to ensure the Coalition victory.

Their troops consist of :

7-8 other mages (line walkers, warlocks, necromancer etc)
3-4 full conversion cyborgs
Drake - a seasoned mind melter
2 Dragon Fly Juggernauts
6-7 Battle Mages
Renszath - A former politician - Raksasha Demon
10 various rifle men
5 master psychics (bursters, zappers etc)
6 summoned gargoyles
2 Mystic Knights
1 High Magus, and his Colossus Automaton from Dweomer (this giant war machine will help give us their position).
This message was last edited by the player at 06:14, Fri 16 Apr 2010.

"I had nearly forgotten, I come bearing gifts for the mercenaries present. Not you Keth, just the others. On behalf of Tolkeen we thank you for your loyal service thus far and would like to ensure our partnerships are extended until the end of the war. Tolkeen has seen fit to raise all of your daily pay rates in good faith, starting with a cred-stick worth 10 000 each."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Fri 16 Apr 2010.

The second mercenary had remained Silent till now. Not seeming to need to speak unless spoken too was her method of keeping from forcing a fight. Wild raven black hair picked up on even the lightest wind she looked like the art of combat wasn't something she was built for, Skinny but toned she was short and young looking probably no older than 20. Her green eyes scanning the group as the gnome spoke, less than a day and already she saw him as a kick-able. Something to punt if irritated

It was her armament that made question to what she really was slung to a shoulder strap handing with the barrel just over her shoulder the 6 foot long rifle rested it looked new in her right hand a TW starfire rifle, on her hip a sword in an emerald covered sheath and on her other hip a satchel closed.

She looked back to her APV and as soon as the little chewing out for the older members was over; she walked back and began checking the back seat of the little three seater.

Keth has an array of weapons on him like a Ja-12 laser rifle slung on his shoulder, a Ng-45 lp(belt holster), vibro knife(belt), vibro-sword(sheath hip), a slivered longsword(sheathed hip) and a .45 cal autopistol(shoulder holster)

Keth salutes Portia "Ma'am if you excuse I'm going to get my vehicle and my other weapons ready for possible combat" If she doesn't object he heads to his vehicle and drives to them then makes sure his gear is stowed securely and ready for use

McCloud can't help muttering to Drano, "Another mission like this last one and the war'll be over sooner than we'd like..."

 Just how much eavesdropping the oversized, four-armed tiger-like being wearing the heavy plates of cyborg body armour that's been sprayed in a disruptive pattern colour scheme to match the local foliage has been doing while sitting there trimming tree trunks with a vibro-knife is open to question, but with the word to get read to move out he grumbles almost audibly as he hefts a pair of bullpupped, drum-fed grenade launchers and clips them onto locking plates over his shoulders, then offers Thasha and Amy a rumbled "Better be ready to move out - I will go see about cherries."

 That said he straightens - and keeps straightening to a height that would be imposing in an army that didn't have demons and war golems in it - before heading smoothly over to Keth and Tam to start the welcome wagon rolling; "Welcome to pointy end of war, I am being Silvermasque, mercenary lieutenant and mobile artillery support - mind if I am asking names and specialities?"

Tam Looked back over her shoulder "Tam Dragon Juicer and heavy weapons." she said quickly and with little change of attention "Keth's a Hyperion Juicer, We're from the same merc. co." She commented, pulling on the strap to her big gun and spinning it around like the weapon was made of plastic.

   Lotus was happy to be done with the wait after the appearance of Warrick and two more soldiers to the cause.  She was already considering the best method to test the limits of this purported advisor who felt he would demonstrate his brilliant leadership skills with a solid impersonation of a small yappy dog.  She made her way alongside Silvermasque, keeping away from his tree-trimming vibroblade.  "I know we've not always seen eye-to-eye, but if you would take it upon yourself to request me into your squad when they divide us all up, I would be very appreciative."

   Regardless of his response, she'll at least be civil and join him in introductions as he tries to make the newcomers feel welcome.  "I am Lotus." She states her name, but not her profession knowing that the Dragon Juicer at least should recognize the demon helm clipped at her waist.

Amy trails after Silvermasque, almost entirely lost in his shadow, darting quickly after each of his longer steps.  She offers Tam a small wave.  "Nice to meet you, I'm Amy, extraction and scouting."  she waves towards her dropship across the way.  "I better go make sure she's ready.  It was nice speaking with you Silvermasque, and to know that someone understands.  Many people I meet don't."

 Tam's introduction gets a smooth nod and a glance at the cannon she's toting (he prefers Northern Gun hardware himself, simply for its greater durability and the ease of maintainance, but he has a hearty respect for the raw firepower of the weird alien weapons from Naruni), which prompts a rumbled "Is never bad thing to have juicers on team if you are having some experience under belt - hopefully we will be having time to work together some before we are meeting with enemy." before he breaks off to look back and down at Lotus for a few moments thoughtfully.

 "I have never had problem with your ability, as far as anyone in unit is being, you have been pretty good soldier - I was only having issue with your temper. If you can be keeping lid on it, I would be glad to put gun in your hand and have you at my back, youbet." he states to the far smaller mystic knight, not being the sort of soldier to hold grudges after things have been resolved and perfectly aware that there are far worse people to be partnered with than Lotus in the squad...

 ...at which point he gives a gleaming silvery grin to Amy, since having three pretty young ladies hanging around him (even if he's no longer biological enough to do very much about it outside of a cyberjacked virtual environment) is never a bad thing and rumbles, "I am thinking maybe lot of people are not understanding that family is not always mom and pop and white picket fence, da? Sometimes is those you grew up with, and who made you what you are. Is nothing shameful in choosing to honour that."

 Not only a multitasker but a deep thinker too... Which just helps to make 'Masque ideal company to be stuck in a foxhole under fire with (though his main virtue remains that he's perfect overhead cover).

Thasha walks to the dropship with Amy, after casually introducing himself to the newcomers. "Hi, I am Thasha... I heard one of the others say I was a grunt, so I guess that's what I am.".

Portia nods in response to Keth, and watches the meet'n'greet for a few moments before hopping on her hovercycle. She blasts off 60 feet straight up tries to get a good look of their eastern path.

Drano nods his head in affirmation. “One way or another it will be over for us.” Motioning to both Mcloud, and Comartin Drano points to Amy’s dropship “Come on let’s suit up and see if we can load our mechs in the dropship.”

---

After bringing his Glitter Boy over to Amy’s dropship the former Lieutenant dismounts and begins talking to the mutant cat. “Amy I’d like load up my fire team in the dropship, then once we make contact with the enemy drop us off on either their left or right flank.” He may have been demoted, but that didn’t mean Drano had to be a mindless peon.

   "Thanks." Lotus responds to Silvermasque simply, not commenting on his mention of her temper.  She has perhaps been quieter than normal, having missed at least a few opportunities to criticize or judge her peers in the last while.

   Lotus turns her head up in the air when Portia launches upwards.  The mystic knight is ready to go, save for the engine light on her hovercycle.  "Amy, I know we'll be leaving in a few minutes.  You think you can just check out my hoverbike and tell me if its going to blow up under me?"

Giving Silvermasque a wave Amy turns to look at the three impressive suits of armor and back to her dropship thoughtfully at Drano's request.  "I think we could fit all three, but it would be a bit akward and tight for anyone else, it wasn't really made for anything that tall.."

Then she turns to Lotus and nods, "I'm sorry, I keep getting distracted, here I'll take a look", and she hurries over to her dropship to grab a toolbox and back doing her best to run a quick check of the cycle.

OOC:
23:13, Today: Amy Weyland-Yutani rolled 14 using 1d100. mechanical engineer 85%.

"Who needs anyone else when you've got three 'Boys dropping down like the wrath of heaven?" McCloud jokes.  But he looks into the dropship's hold skeptically, wondering if it might be too tight a fit after all.

Photios joins the Glitter Boy pilot and then looks over the Dropship, "It will probably take a special mechanism to keep them secured and to perhaps allow them to exit quickly. I'd be happy to assist with developing something."

Not to mention, he had to ride in someone else's transportation anyways, he wasn't even sure if the previous APC he'd been in still existed.

Tam finishes checking her gear loading her back pack generator to the massive 6 foot long cannon she sets it into a small mounting bracket. (just to stow, not suitable for firing from) Loading the rest of her gear back in. She starts up the electric engine and joins the rest of the crew looking to Keth "And here I thought I would get a round in before we headed out." stopping beside him she stood up from her seat "I got room for a gunner any takers?" She called out

Drano knew Amy was just being safe with her piece of property. He would do the same if it was his drop ship. “Well it won’t hurt to see if they’ll fit.”



Dron nodded thankful for the assistance. "We had two of them in there a while back, and we used some sort of magic device to secure them to the deck.”

OOC: We did in fact have at least two (if not all three) GB's in the Dropship a while back. Magic pad like things were used to secure them.

Also I looked up some stuff online and if Amy’s dropship is in fact a replica of the one from the ‘Aliens’ movie then it can hold 12 Glitter Boys in two rows of six. Although the GB’s will have to crouch down, and stow their guns in the forward firing position.

Keth finishes checking his gear then drives to the group and smiles at Tam "Depends on what round you mean, a round of drinks or a round in the fighting ring. Either can calm us down after we wipe out those pests we are after"

"Do we have plan how to recon for them?" he asks LT. Portia

Once Amy is finished with the hovercycle she goes to her dropship and checks on her possessions and the state of the internal bay.  There still are some of the grab bars she had installed the last time she had to transport some glitterboys, and the magic pads, though she has no idea if they're still good, just not something she had thrown away.

"Well it all looks good, I think we'll be fine if we don't have any real vehicles to try and squeeze in with you though a hovercycle or two would fit easily enough."  She looks around for Hopper, and if she spots him will call out "Hey you still sitting in my second seat?"

"I most certainly am, my dear." He says cheerfully, as he strolls towards the ship. He would smile if he could...

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:21, Tue 20 Apr 2010.

Portia answers Keth over the group's radio (from 60 feet in the air). "We will better coordinate recon and assaults when we are closer to our destination. At this point we are unsure if this group is indeed the ones we are looking for. It will likley be a series of hit and run tactics, but I am open for ideas from anyone."

 "Damned with faint praise eh?" 'Masque replies cheerfully when Lotus gives him a one-word answer before rumbling "You must be doing something right to have been living this long, so don't be taking too much of my rambling to heart, is just second nature, nichevo." and returning Amy's little wave with a nod of his head before looking up towards Portia and rubbing his chin in a thoughtful fashion, "Is probably going to be bad idea to let them see us before we are seeing them - we are needing good recon, youbet. Maybe couple of jetbikes or something good mile or two out in front just buzzing back and forth and generally making like they are playing games instead of being part of unit?" he suggests, turning his head cheerfully towards the Juicers.

"Good thinking mercenary!" (in response to Silvermasque) "We still have a fair ways ahead of us. It is just after 1800 hrs now, I am estimating an arrival time of... oh... maybe 0900 hrs tomorrow or so... So first thing tomorrow morning, Tam and Keth should head out ahead of the pack. Just in case they have done any recon of their own here in this Desire kerfuffle..."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:56, Tue 20 Apr 2010.

Portia hesitates before responding. Why, is anyone's guess, though when she does respond it is short and cryptic. "Make it so" is all she offers in response. Her irritation, for those who have come to know her is starting to become apparent.

Na-Wa returns, riding ‘Silonar’, which unbeknownst to the dimwitted Psi-stalker is not a Silonar but is in fact an adolescent T-Rex. Within the mouth of the young T-rex is the body of some sort of ten foot long neon green worm with purple colored hair.

Na-Wa has Silonar unceremoniously drop the worm off in front of the largest group of people he can find and exclaims. “Na-Wa bring food for dinner!”

Amy grins back at her insectoid co-pilot, understanding even if he doesnt manage to match her own smile before she waves over to Lotus.  "Your bike needs a tune up, it will take an hour or so when I have time, but you should be alright till then, its nothing critical, when we stop I'll take care of it."

   Lotus nods and even manages a smile of gratitude for Amy.  Lotus was about to take her hovercycle back when the giant worm was dropped in front of everyone by the tyrannosaurus ridden by the team's idiot.
   "What the fuck?! Na-wa, have you ever seen us eat anything resembling this?  Not everyone is willing to test each new piece of mystery meat that come squirming through a rift.  It looks radioactive!"

"Even I would question eating that and I'm a juicer" Keth smiles

Na-Wa scratches his head before answering. “No, but Na-Wa eat before, and not die. Is very good worm taste like pig.”

   "I'm also not too keen on eating anything that has seen the inside of your dinosaur's mouth.  Thanks for the gesture, but you can have my share." Lotus steps past the fetid glow worm with a look of disgust still clinging to her face.  She quickly finds a drink of water from a canteen on her hoverbike and keeps her distance from whoever decides to eat the worm.

   In the mean time, Lotus has little else to do, so she sets up her compound bow, checks some of the settings, makes some adjustments, and tries a few test arrows for target practice on a nearby tree.

The new task force packs up and heads out on their new mission, and their first mission since Pluto Company has been disbanded. With no predicted encounters, they move out East towards the barrens. Three hours of traveling, and thirty minutes since the sun has set, Advisor Warrick suggests the group stop for the night and set up camp. This suggestion is thwarted swiftly by Portia, who decides they should stay on the road a while longer, noting that they are in pursuit of someone, and it would be wise to continue.

After another hour (approximately 2215 hrs), a series of three camp fires can be seen a few kilometers ahead.

"Everyone halt. Silvermasque, take a squad up to investigate. Drano, take your squad up to within range of the camp. Everyone else set up whatever defensive positions you can until we know if we have to go through or over this campsite..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:24, Sun 25 Apr 2010.

 "Da." the oversized cyborg replies simply before looking around the group and making two rapid selections based on projecting the maximum amount of sensory ability and someone else with legs baby and rumbling "Na-wa, Keth - you are with me. On foot, we are going in quietly." before the massive Russian cyborg soldier motions for them to accompany him off the road and on a wide sweep around the encampment, taking maximum advantage of any terrain features that will help occlude him from sight and moving mostly on four of his six limbs.

 Needless to say, he leads his small scout party no-where near the target sight and keeps his onboard sensors operating at peak paranoia while he softly explains things to the psi-stalker and Juicer, "You are going to cover us." he advises to the latter, "From well back - Na-wa and I will move in little closer as quiet as we can be, da - only enough for me to get good look and Na-wa to tell if there is any magic, any demons with them. Then we make assessment. Until then, radio silence and keep heads down, khorosho?"

Keth stops his chopper then nods towards Silvermasque and gets off his his chopper. He then follows Silvermasque on his long sweep

Keth nods to Silvermasque and unslings his rifle "How will you signal if your in trouble?" Keth takes cover and go prone
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Sun 25 Apr 2010.

Photios is sure to stay away from Na-Wa's attempted dinner contribution, mounting up in the dropship he waited there once they stopped at Portia's command. Figuring it would be more beneficial to stay in the ship for rapid deployment, rather than hop out and hide behind something only to have to waste time rushing back again later.

Tam kept her APV low to the Ground and on electric mode though slower it was near silent then if she turned on the Gas. She kept her stereo off it was more for during the fight then before.As the squad stopped she reached over the edge caressing the barrel of her cannon. while ripping open a packet of Twinkie and shoving one of the spongy cakes into her mouth whole.

After moving and setting up camp, Na-Wa is put off by the fact no one wants to eat the food he had hunted. Still he cut about a third of it off from the body and left it where the others could cook it and eat it of they want. The dimwitted Psi-Stalker then took a 20 foot length of rope, connected it his Silonar’s harness then nailed the other end of the rope into the ground. Then to make sure no one got accidentally eaten he made a circle in the dirt so everyone would no where Silonar could go and could not.

Leaving the rest of the worm carcass for Silonar, Na-Wa cuts several strips of meat off and ate them (raw) as the White Tiger gave him instructions. Nodding that he understood the mission: quite and not get seen, then tell everyone how many things they had to kill.

 "Smart question, I like you." 'Masque replies to Keth cheerfully, and then reaches up to tap his jaw lightly with one gleaming claw, "I am having built-in radio communicator - if you are hearing click-click-click it means we are coming out and for you to keep eyes open... If you are hearing much anything else, I am thinking balloon is having been gone up and time to be laying down fire." he advises, before moving on with Na-wa, his head no more than four feet or so off the ground as he advances with a heavy grenade launcher held lightly across the two arms he's not using for support.

 Strangely, he doesn't seem to feel the need to give further instructions to Na-wa. Psi-stalkers are good hunters as a rule and don't need confusing by an over-clever metalhead, even if they do come across as a little... limited.

 It should probably be noted for this that the oversized cyborg has acquired an equally oversized ghillie cloak for the purposes of concealing his outline and colour, for all the good it's likely to do, though as more pertinent factors he has no real thermal signature to speak of and for a creature that weighs the better part of two tonnes he's awfully damn' quiet, but he's still staying some way behind Na-wa and using his enhanced hearing, wide range of visual options and other, more exotic passive sensors to pick up what he can.

Drano takes some liberties with the orders given to him by Portia. Instead of taking his team within firing range of the enemy encampment he has his team stay about a mile behind Silvermasque’s scout team. With thier TW invisibility upgrade activated the three shouldn't be seen. Should the scout team be discovered and have to retreat, they would have more then adequate firepower. If the scout team had no problems then Drano and his team would be more then able to get within firing rang of the enemy encampment.

Amy takes a look about their camp before slipping off to her pelican, she moves it away from the main camp before activating the cloak so that there will be a secondary position if they are attacked.

Severin squats down and waits to see what happens.

"Sergeant? Interested in a little close range protection?" Mephisto doesn;t really wait for an answer before jogging over to join Drano and the other Glitter Boys.

"Sure." Drano wasn't going to turn down help, especially when that help would be very useful if/when the shit hit the fan.

   Lotus spent the evening riding her hovercycle in formation along with everyone else.  Her preference seems to be taking the left flank.  She didn't talk much except to coordinate their travel as they hugged the terrain and moved around the odd tree or hillside.  When the sun finally set and they continued travelling, Lotus flipped on the headlights and continued as before, but quickly shut them off when the order to halt was made.
   She brings her hoverbike to a stop, facing to one side slightly away from the camp while keeping her gaze bouncing between the campfires and her team mates moving in for closer reconaissance.

Keth keeps a lookout for anything wrong and listens for the signal if it comes

10:22, Today: Keth rolled 19 using 1d20. perception

As 'Masque and Na-Wa get closer to the camp site, to the limit of Na-Wa's sensory range - they manage to make out a humanoid in heavy body armour walking among what look like dead bodies lying about on the ground around the fires. The person does not appear to have noticed his watchers and continues going about his business - which is unclear at the moment.

Na-Wa looks at what is before him. After picking a booger from his nose and admiring it for a second or two he eats it. Then in a whispering voice he tells the Big White Metal Cat what he senses.

“All dead except one walking...all dead and full of magics." He then asks what to do about the one walking around. "We go tell big boom boom guns to go blow him up?” Na-Wa liked to watch the big boom boom guns blow things up, but sometimes if you had your helmet off it hurt his ears.

 'All dead and full of magic' to 'Masque pretty much screams 'necromancer!' which to the mind of the big cyborg is another word for 'target', but at the same time he's aware that the command level staff of Tolkeen don't necessarily see it that way, and so he moderates his instinctive dislike by murmuring, "Can you sense any other magic in area?" and zooming in with his optics to try and get a close image of the downed bodies before making a final judgement call.

Na-Wa tries to explain what he sense but find that his is lacking the big word smart people use. "All place is full of magic, dead people, ground person walking around, all full of magic."

Getting rather bored Amy streaches and leans back in her seat, kicking up her feet and shifting around until her tail isn't too uncomfortable.  "So, Hopper, what do you think of Silvermasque?  I hadn't had much chance to talk to him till recently, its more interesting than I would have thought."

PM

"What do I think of him? Not much I supppose... I haven't really thought about him at all. But if it were an assignment of sorts, I would say he seems like a nice fellow. Perhaps a bit too absorbed in warfare... but that is really just a spectators view into a very small moment of his life. I don't think he will get us all killed... which is a very good thing if you ask me."

 Whatever it is the big tiger sees when he zooms in with his optic systems it all but sets him to trembling, two tonnes of massively armoured cybernetic chassis subtly vibrating with the sudden and all but overwhelming combination of dread, loathing and instinctive hatred that is his natural response to the violation of the dead by a Necromancer as almost unbidden, the images of just how he came to be wearing that cyborg body return to his minds eye.

 But he's far enough away this time that the immediacy of the emotion is dulled, and it lets him drop back down and take a few deep, psychosomatic breaths before motioning Na-wa back and retreating until the two have rejoined their Juicer companion just behind a 'click-click-click' transmission to warn him of their approach.

 And then it's time to report back to Portia by as directional a signal as his on-board communications system can produce, "We are having fresh-killed bodies in armour and out of it scattered all over road, plus one moving figure. All bodies and figure are magically active and is evidence of necromancy, permission to engage or are you wanting someone who can be understanding magical things on-site to observe first?"

Amy laughs at that comment, "Yes, I think thats a very good thing, and few would argue with you on it either.  Maybe its just because of all the changes he's undergone... I wonder."

Portia responds immediately on the radio "Photios, move up to Silvermasque's position. Silvermasque, find out who he works for, if anyone. He could know something about the traitors. If he does not work for Tolkeen, get rid of him and secure the site for us to move in. Make it quick, I don't want this loser to hold us up all day."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:05, Wed 05 May 2010.

Advisor Warrick wastes no time in blasting in on the radio with the first of likely many more pieces of "advice" to come. "Lieutenant! What is this get rid of him business? We are not pirates! Silvermasque, find out if the bodies are Tolkeen soldiers or civilians for that matter. If they are, he has comitted a horrible atrocity and will face justice in the courts of Tolkeen! Otherwise leave him be."

An annoyed Portia responds "With all due respect advisor, you do not ever give my men orders. If you are here as an advisor, then advise me, and me alone. We will meet later and discuss your ideas in private. Until then, get off the fucking radio when I have people in the field."

Hesitant at first, Warrick eventually offers more advice "Lieutenant Lynn, that isn't quite how it is going to work here. Perhaps I didn't make myseklf clear. I am here to ENSURE that Tolkeen's best interests are at the forefront of every decision. Executing people for no good reason is definitely not in Tolkeen's best interests."

Portia's tone turns downright condescending and laced with restrained rage "ADVISOR! I said stay off the radio when I have men in the field! Silvermasque, proceed with your orders."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:20, Wed 05 May 2010.

Keth doesn't say anything over the radio, just keeps doing whats he suppose to(listening to see if they need help or anything hidden or dangerous)

15:23, Today: Keth rolled 9 using 1d20. perception.

For those in the dropship, Warrick folds his arms and shakes his head in disgust and disappointment. He asks out loud to the others on board "How do you all feel about your Lieutenant?"

Roughly 4 to 5 thousand feet behind Silvermasque and his group of scouts is Drano, and his own squad of Glitter Boys augmented by Mephisto. Hearing the bullshit on the radio between Portia and that 'King of the Gnomes' Advisor Wimpdick, Drano frowns, then switches to a separate frequency that the Tiger Borg should be listing in to.

 It's an open invitation... an opportunity to do the very thing he desires to do more than just about anything else right now, and slaughter the monstrous creature masquerading as a man and defiling the bodies and souls of the dead... But there's just enough of honesty and integrity left after the disgust and the fear for 'Masque to draw several deep, unnecessary but calming breaths and reply on the radio, "Orders received, but... If I am approaching necromancer is certain there will be conflict Lieutenant Lynn, no matter who they are or what side they have worked their filthy corruption upon. I am suggesting some other individual make contact."

 Pointedly 'Masque isn't refusing the order of course, just providing Portia with additional information with which to make her decision, since she might have missed just how the oversized Russian has reacted to the living dead in the past.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Thu 06 May 2010.

Na-Wa pondered the idea of him approaching the being walking around. "Does Big White Tiger want Na-Wa to go talk to big man?"

tam pipes in finding it boreing to just sit here and wait "If he is with the traitors then they propbably know all the old members of the team. I can go in and handle thing if they get out of hand. Come in guns blazing Just have my baby ready for me to shove up his back end if he tries anything Keth. Just like that bar back in kingsdale, remember?" She said jumping out of the APV and taking out only her Sword and three deadball grenades.

Getting the orders, Photios casts a few quick spells and then hops out of the dropship. On second though, floats would be a better word, as he moves quite unnaturally through the air. Speeding at a good 50 mph, he'd approach Silvermasque's position and move up to where he can examine the corpses for signs of necromancy or other magics.

Dyvalis's hovercycle with Daemonis on the back pulls up beside Portia's. "Accidents happen," is all the elf says in Demogogian, the suggestion of which is implicit in his tone.

In reply to Advisor Warrick (msg #112):

Amy looks first to Hopper with a slight shrug before looking back to the adviser.  "Well sir, I think she is good enough as a commander, but I don't really know her well, or enough of war to question her orders.  She was the one put in charge."

Severin smiled down at the little advisor, "She is my master, if she wills it I do it. For example, little one, if she said to me, 'Eat the advisors hands right off his arms'...then I am afraid you'd be without hands. Sir."

"Carry out the orders Silvermasque. I don't care which of you does the talking."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:01, Wed 12 May 2010.

 "Order understood Lieutenant... Photios, be getting up here - you are knowing more about magic than I am. Please to be hooking up with Na-wa here and heading on in to have words - if there is being trouble, glitterboys and I will rain down all kinds of fire to get you out." 'Masque orders after a few moments of thought, before carefully disengaging the fragmentation clip on his heavy grenade rifle and replacing it with one marked with armour-piercing stripes, since the accidental flensing of one of your own side when trying to give him fire support is something that the big Tiger-borg is kind of down upon.

While Photios contemplates his reply, Tam notices something moving under her boot... like a lump that grows and then sinks back into the dirt. The sound of grinding can be heard coming from under the rolling thunder as well...

OOC: Oh sorry, I was waiting to get some confirmation that the bodies were indeed zombies... and not some strange other thing.

Flying at just a few inches over the ground, Photios doesn't stop at Silvermasque and instead makes a line towards where Na-Wa was situated. Unsure of how this was going to go, at the very least he was well protected for the moment. Descending to the ground and walking towards the 'bodies', Photios takes the moment to extend the protection of some magical armor to Na-Wa as well.

"Let's go and see who's in charge of this little party."

A few seconds of casting, but perhaps it would be enough to turn the tide should this become an ambush and not a negotiation.

OOC: Invincible Armor for Na-Wa as well, 125 MDC

Na-Wa sniffed the air a bit as h was surrounded by good magic. He then unsheathed his rune sword and crouching down as low as he could, and tries to blend in with the uneven ground as he approaches the being walking around.

22:38, Today: Na - Wa rolled 81 using 1d100. blend 56%.
FAIL

Keth keep keeps cover till he's ordered otherwise

Photios and Na-Wa make their way closer to the dark wizard and the reanimated corpses. He takes notice of the approach, but continues in his demonic chanting until they are closer.

Some of the corpses on the ground turn their heads to watch the mercenaries approach, moaning with hunger. The calm and collected necromancer fakes a polite smile to greet his visitors, but like many necromancers, these small actions of a civilized person have somehow faded into sad attempts to mimic a courteous greeting.

He stops his chanting and asks "Hello there... why are you here?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:40, Tue 13 Mar 2012.

Photios allows Na-Wa to stay on guard against the surrounding Zombies and is glad his facemask prevents the Necromancer from seeing the look of disgust on his face at the sight of the Tolkeen soldiers being reanimated.

"My name is Photios Erasmus, and I'm with the Tolkeen Military. I'm going to need your name, and who you're working for."

He didn't say that if there was a wrong answer the Necromancer would be having to pull some swords out of his throat, best to give the man the benefit of the doubt at least. Having heard about some isolated cases of animating Tolkeen soldiers, it seemed possible the necromancer was on their side, but at the moment he almost wanted him not to be.

Amy sits quietly waiting on Warric's response.

Na-Wa said nothing. Instead he looks around at the dead bodies.

Keron awaits a singal or sign of attack

PM

Warrick nods and ponders for a moment on Amy's and Severin's statement about Portia. He stares at Severin for a moment unsure if he was joking or not...

"Excuse me Mr. Tauton, but you seem like her enforcer or henchman... is this true? Are you compensated for your service? DOes she pay you more than Tolkeen does?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Sat 05 June 2010.

The dark mage hesitates before answering for several seconds. He studies Photios and Na-Wa, then looks past them, in Silvermasque's general direction.

"You have no markings sir, therefore you must be a mercenary, or lying completely. I am aware that you do not travel alone with wild psi-stalkers this close to the Coalition approach...

We are on the same side I assure you, and there is nothing you or your companions have brought with them to harm me. I am indestructible, and if this body is destroyed, I promise I will drag you all to hell with me.

I am collecting an army of the mortal shells and will soon be advancing towards the human fascists. I ask now that you cease in delaying my attack. Thank you for your trust good men of Tolkeen."

He does not take his eyes off of the 2 visitors. He maintains a glare into Photios' face, paying little attention to Na-Wa...

Doing his part to intimidate the Necromancer, Photios activates his radio and talks loud enough so that he is heard by both parties.

"The Necromancer claims to be with Tolkeen, he said he's building a force to assault the Coalition. Also claiming to be immune to conventional weaponry, most likely an easily dispelled incantation. Shall I bring him in for scrutiny of his credentials?"

Photios wished the Necromancer could see his smile, but the traditional Samurai helmet mounted with a face mace and goggles in a very steampunk fashion kept his facial features near fully concealed.

Of course he wasn't making any threatening movements or gestures, simply waiting on guard for the Necromancer to attack or to get confirmation from Silvermasque or Portia on a course of action. Perhaps ask for information pertaining the ones they were hunting?

 With a necromancer looking in his general direction or not, 'Masque remains low to the ground and with weapons at the ready, his formidable sensory systems turned more to monitoring everything in the vicinity that isn't the Necromancer than anything else, in case someone or something should be attempting to use the fellow as a stalking horse for some inventive misbehaviour.

"I hear you Photios. Find out if he knows anything about who we are looking for. Otherwsie we need to keep moving, without looking over our shoulder."

Photios seems to have gotten the answer he desired as he bows his head slightly to the Necromancer, "I ask only for a little more of your time, we are hunting traitors to Tolkeen. A group of around 50 strong, their leaders are known as Captain Theodore Kitt, and his second in command Lieutenant Dragana Kovacevic. They also have a Colossus Automaton so they should be hard to miss... we've had word they were heading this direction in order to join forces with the Coalition. Have you seen them?"

Photios quite specifically points towards the zombie who's rank show's Captain, a matching rank with the one they hunt.

Keth keeps proned and looking down the sight of his rifle

Severn waits quietly, hoping he gets to kill something soon. Maybe that rude little man who showed up recently.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:45, Wed 09 June 2010.

"They came this way, I can provide that much information without caution. It is not far off now..." He faces Photios again, and begins whispering to himself...

Mephisto stares at Warrick until he gets his attention. "Mr. Warrick? May I ask the real reason you are here? I mean coming along with the soldiers? Surely Tolkeen cannot spare many of its sorcerers on babysitting missions... If this unit was that dysfunctional it would simply be disbanded... Some explanation would be beneficial, as we are all left to imagine what the real reason is on our own. Perhaps we are on a suicide mission of sorts, as in, we are not meant to return... Or perhaps you have some other secret agenda..."

"Another possibility is you were bothering the chiefs back in Tolkeen and they ditched you out here with us... and it is you who is on the suicide mission. Maybe... one of us has been secretly hired to... take care of you..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Sat 12 June 2010.

Instinctively and out of reflex Na-Wa begins firing the Plasma Blaster attached to the left forearm of his armor at the chanting man. The Psi-stalker fires three shots and begins to run away towards the big white cat.

The first blast hits the dark mage square in the chest, burning away some of his robes, revealing a metal plate of body armour beneath them. The second blast seemingly hit nothing... while the third caught the necromancer in the neck, melting a large portion of flesh.

He gurgles, and almost hisses back at Na-Wa and Photios before collspasing, lifelessly to the ground.

The corpses around him slowly push themselves to their feet. Of which... there are at least a dozen.

Drano notices some weapons fire occurring between those who were talking to the so called necromancer mentioned on the radio.

"McCloud, Comartin, weapons free but be sure of your targets." Drano himself holds his fire until he has a better idea of what is going on roughly a mile away.

Whon-Ecke does what he can to help Na-Wa. Something had scared his dimwitted master into firing, plus there were corpses walking around.

"Roger that," McCloud responds and makes sure his weapons are ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Keth aims for the head of one of the rising corpses then fires his Ja-12 then keeps firing aimed head shots at the same ort other corpses

Action 1-3
take a aimed called to a corpse's head
Action 4-5
take a aimed called to a corpse's head
Action 6-7
take a aimed shot a corpse

 Leaving his heavy rifle to sling down to his chest on its webbing strap, 'Masque turns back towards the developing fight and brings up all four arms, the soft 'chunk' of servomotors bringing them into alignment as power starts to be re-routed from the tiny sliver of sunfire nutured in his secondary onboard reactor, the birth of one element powering the destruction of another as the four long, reinforced particle accelerators buried in each of his arms shred atomic particles for their neutrons and send them flashing downrange at an appreciable fraction of lightspeed, the sound of artificial thunder snapping through the air with each four-part discharge as the 'borg moves laterally in a smooth evasive pattern that doesn't seem in any way to impede his accuracy.

 ---

 Keth is a marksman. I like that. But 'Masque is more about banging on things with increasingly large sticks until they stop twitching. So those blasts will go centre-of-mass as 'Masque splits his seven shots into three dodges and four attacks. We're not under fire at the moment, but I don't see any reason to be an easy target and there's not really much cover out here. ^_^

Seeing the weapons fire it is obvious that things are going south however Portia must temper everything she says or does with the knowledge that the troublesome Gnomish advisor is among them. "Since the necromancer has taken the role of the aggressor destroy all the animated dead with impunity. Capture him alive if possible but if not ensure he is fully dead and his corspe is incinerated. Boys... make it quick we have a mission to proceed with."

Photios didn't catch anything before Na-Wa acts, but given that he'd like to stay out of the line of their supporting fire... he lifts into the air, using his earlier cast flight spell to ascend straight up and away from what would now be a battlefield at 60 mph.

Considering that their enemies seemed to be mostly zombies, he didn't feel the need to waste energy on them instead looking off into the distance to ensure this wasn't the start of an ambush. He might also see the group they were actually chasing.

The corpses (proven to be more than simple animated dead by Na-Wa's sword) are completely obliterated before they can pose a threat. It is only a question of who cut down more zombies that the others. Between the Glitter Boys, Silvermasque and Keth the dozen or so zombies are decimated in a few short seconds, leaving Na-Wa splattered in dry-brown blood and unrecognizable chunks of flesh.

Amy and Hopper both notice an alarm signal apear on the dash board computer screen of the dropship. "Power Supply failed to landing gear"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Sat 19 June 2010.

Flying up over the battlefield, Photios looks down to see the zombies and others ripped to shreds. It was then he picked up something and his eyes narrowed beneath the visor, activating the radio channel, "Silver weapons everyone, there's a vampire in the area."

Looking down towards Na-Wa and wondering if he was sensing the same thing, looking for culprit. Hand on a sword, the magical silver would certainly be useful.

Na-Wa looked around...he smelled vampires too. "Na-Wa smells bloodsucking night walkers too"

 Now a vampire represents a potentially serious threat, and for a brief moment the massive 'borg regrets selling the brilliantly lethal little Wellington Arms machine-pistols that he briefly carried as auxilliary weapons for a time, knowing full well that his particle beams and grenades will be functionally ineffective against a bloodsucking menace.

 Smoothly, 'Masque gives the 'move in' signal to Keth and starts to advance on Na-Wa's position, coming up alongside the corpse of the plasma-blasted Necromancer and stooping to one knee in order to perform a rapid 'bastard check' on the body, looking for identification, unusual possessions or signs of (un)life before taking final steps to dispose of the thing.

Amy curses quietly to herself and sets things to autopilot.  "Hopper Keep an eye out, I need to check on that."  Though quietly so as not to disturb those in the back.  Though when she climbs out of her chair and slips into the back to open an access panel leaning down to check to see what it could be not bothering to inform the others what the issue is hoping they don't get alarmed.

Keth raises to a kneel and scans the area with his rifle scope

21:22, Today: Keth rolled 11 using 1d20. perception.

Captain Lynn replies over the radio, "Everyone capable of dealing with a vampire move up to support Photios and Na-Wa. If this parasite is not smart enough to flee then we will destroy it but we will not give pursuit. It is not our primary concern. Lynn engages the trhottle of her hovercycle and glides silently forward towards the area where the necromancer was just killed.

Severin casts Fly as Eagle and leaps from the transport, following Portia's path as best he can. Once close to the 'parasite' he will first cast globe of daylight directly in front of it.

Silvermasque is the first to arrive at Na-Wa's position, who is dripping with gore, and surrounded by a field of corpses. It only takes Silvermasque a few seconds to realize there is something amiss about the necromancer's body... The body is lying face down with a huge hole in his neck. His hands look like those of a body several days decomposed... not like those of a man freshly killed...

Keth sees nothing else moving anywhere in site, other than Severin flying down to meet up with 'Masque and Na-Wa. (and Photios still in teh air above the camp of course).

Amy notices a power cable has come loose, seemingly on its own (no signs of sabotage). Re-fastening it in place should solve the issue. A few seconds after she does this, Hopper calls over teh radio that the alarm has cleared from the screen.

Amy grins, patting the decking affectionately and closing the hatch cowling before she stands.  Looking at the officious busybody and arguing squadmates she does her best to slip back towards the cockpit unnoticed, or at least uninvolved.

Warrick watches Amy at work, and is obviously growing restless. He makes every attempt to make sure everyone on board is aware. He soon pulls out his radio "Captain? I hope we are making progress with our mission...?"

 Dropping down beside the body, 'Masque reaches out with gleaming claws to do something distressingly permenant to it and then recoils, leaping back his own body-length without even using his legs, uttering a soft "Bojmoi!" as he does so, then rising in order to glance for a moment towards Portia's command position, "Negative on necromancer - is being already dead, maybe two-three days." he reports over both radio and audio,

Portia continues flying towards Masque, Na-Wa and Photios. The air shimmers around her and her body emits a soft reddish glow which is quickly concealed by the ultra-bright glare of the Globe of Daylight that appears above her. Ignoring the Gnome she addresses the new information provided by Silvermasque over comms. "Everyone move forward spread out and prepare for attack. Someone or something is fucking with us...lets find it and fuck it back."

OOC: Active Powers: Invulnerability, Armor Amulet (100 MDC), Sense Evil, Sense Magic, Detect Psionics, Presence Sense, See Aura, See the Invisible & Globe of Daylight.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Thu 24 June 2010.

Hopper looks nervous when Amy returns. "Ah, Amy my dear. I am glad you are back... it would seem the Captain believes we are about to be attacked..."

Mephisto calls in over the radio "Captain? Are we to stay in the dropship and just let you land-lovers take care of all this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Thu 24 June 2010.

"10-4 Mephisto... for now at least. Amy I want you to go ahead and do a quick aerial recon. I need an eye in the sky and Drano bring your team on up into close and dirty range. It will soon be too crowded up here for you to be reaching out at long distance. Na-Wa you goddamned retard find me that vampire!"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Thu 24 June 2010.

Na-Wa looks in every direction....trying to find the exact location of the bloodsucking night walkers before the mean magic lady decided to cut off his balls.

Even as she slipped back into her control seat Amy was responding to Portia, "10-4 Captain, beginning recon."  Then everyone in the Pelican felt a shift as she increased power to climb up and over the forward deployment, arcing gently in a curve, all the while maintaining invisibility as she sought any signs of enemy or unknown movement.

 With Portia firing up enough raw magic to glow in the dark, the dropship roaring overhead (albeit cloaked well enough that only its massive downdraft is detectable, something that precious few individuals could perceive at any distance) and Na-Wa on duty keeping his senses alert to their surroundings, 'Masque briefly takes a moment to cross himself in Orthodox fashion, right to left before drawing an unpowered knife from his equipment and grimly using it to pry open the armour of the 'Necromancer', trying to determine whether there's any intelligence to be developed from examining his possessions, doing his best as he does so to avoid a wild attack of the screaming meemies.

PM

 With another audible "Bojmoi!" 'Masque recoils from the body and a low, audible-only roll of "Надо съебаться, пока не поздно." falls from his voder before he shakes his head as though to clear it and painstakingly wipes his knife clean on the ground and sliding it away, then reporting in, by radio alone "Also necromancer is wearing other persons face. Maybe day, two days dead." as he steps the hell back and starts looking around to assure himself that everyone in the team is where they should be.

Keth starts to move closer to the ring but slings his rifle and pulls his slivered longsword

"What about us, Lieu--err, Sergeant?" McCloud asks Drano.  "Should we leave the vamp hunting to them or at least get in there and help set up a perimeter?"

"Got silver/ If not were about useless." Drano wondered what the hell vampires were doing this far north...

"Who needs silver?" McCloud says cockily, mobilizing his suit and moving in the direction of the shredded camp.  "What's a vamp gonna do, bite my GB's neck and break his pointy little teeth?  We can at least beat the bushes and drive the asshole out from whatever rock he's hiding under."

A few minutes of silent waiting, where the only sound each soldier can hear is the beat of their own agitated hearts soon passes. Na-Wa and Photios receive enough curious looks for them to announce they no longer sense vampires in the area...

Captain Lynns hovercycle glides silently over the area where the corpse lays. Stopping just over the putrid body her Splugorthian vehicle hangs effortlessly twenty feet above the ground. She turns her head from side to side scanning the area, her eyes are quite possibly the least among the senses she is employing. A small black Egyptian Asp pokes its head out from the hood of her cowl near the neckline testing the air with its forked tongue and then disappears back into the shadowy recesses of the garment. Portia fixes Na-Wah with a glare that has withered far greater men. "Am I missing something here or is this area clear?" Assuming the Psi-Stalker gives her the report she anticipates she orders the company forward.

"Unless you can see something from up there that we cannot Amy then we are moving out. Lets get going we have wasted enough time here."

The Captain negates the Globe of Daylight floating above her and zips forward. The red eldritch glow of her Invulnerabilty spell will mark her for the next few minutes as she races across the night sky.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Tue 29 June 2010.

Na-Wa saw the look on the mean magic lady's face, and wondered if she had ever if had a mate who survived her. "Na-wa no more sense blood suckers."

Photios confirms Na-Wa's report, "I'm not sensing any vampires anymore either, we must have scared them off with our show of force."

With that he heads back towards the dropship, hoping they slow up enough for him to meet up and re-enter. Fly as the Eagle wasn't a very fast spell after all, and he'd rather not have to keep casting it.

"This is Keth heading to my ride" Keth says over4 the radio then switches back to his rifle and moves back to his vehicle

Severin frowns, as much as one such as he can, and heads back to the transport.

 One quick errand remains to be performed before he falls back into position, his radio coming on-line so that the big tiger can address both Na-wa and Keth individually with a soft voiced "Good work gentlemen, you were both doing well." that sounds very much like an actual compliment for their natural talents on the one hand and good sense enough to settle in and watch on the other, giving it rarity value in this unit if nothing else.

 With that he takes another of those great, loping strides to put him back into convoy position, putting a little instinctive jinking in his progress without even thinking about it just as he always does, in case of unexpected fire.

The group moves on once again, hoping to still arrive by 0900 hrs as the good advisor suggested a few hours earlier. The nightly travel is quiet and uneventful, other than a few dozen armed gargoyles flying overhead towards the Eastern-front.

The sun starts to rise just after 0600 hrs...

(it was mentioned a while back that someone would be sent off ahead as recon. Keth and Tam were mentioned...)

While most of the group is battling fatigue, Keth and Tam are as able as ever as they speed off to scout ahead.

---PM---

Photios, back aboard the Dropship, finds a quiet corner to meditate in... not that doing so is such an easy task with Na-Wa's monstrous pet as well as a few demons and usually unpleasant gang of glitterboy pilots to contend with.

Keth radios on a seruce freq to group "We *static*to be an aid station with wounded *static* side.Advise do you *static* in and check it out"

12:26, Today: Keth rolled 85 using 1d100. Radio, basic: 80%.

Dyvalis is getting noticeably irritable. Sustain allows him to function on just a couple hours meditation, but trying to get that in this drop-ship of freaks is driving him nuts. He keeps having to move whenever the T-Rex drifts near him, barking at Na-Wa to "...Keep that fucking thing on the other side of Power Armors! Understand me? The shiny -- men, there? You see? I want them between us, got it?"

He gives Drano a look, motioning for him to 'stand there'.

Then the radio static; a guy can't catch a break. RADIO: "Mercenary Keth, I sincerely hope your deficiency with comms equipment is compensated for by some other fucking proficiency."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Mon 26 July 2010.

"Mercenary scout Keth kindly un-fuck yourself before you next pollute my comms!" If anyone has any idea what the hell he said then please translate for me. Let's get this show moving... We can move it in the elf scouts direction just in case he is trying to tell us something worthwhile." Portia zips off on her hovercycle in the general direction the group has been travelling.

 "Is seeming to be aid station, I am advancing on foot to support Keth." replies 'Masque, who's fortunate enough to be both able to receive a fairly broad range of frequencies with the onboard processing power to keep taps on the ones around them too and outside the heavy transport vehicles and thus able to receive the transmissions more clearly.

 It also doesn't hurt that he's comfortably able to keep up with the A.P.C. 'on foot' either, as he now realigns his line of march and bounds off in a series of distance-eating, jet-assisted leaps that cover twenty or thirty feet to the pace and never quite proceed in a straight enough line to make him an easy target for a marksman.

13:06, Today: Keth rolled 87 using 1d100. Radio, basic: 80%.

"Static" followed by a smack

13:07, Today: Keth rolled 76 using 1d100. Radio, basic: 80%.

"This is Keth had radio problems. Last transmission was have sighted an aid station who have been treating both Tolkeen and Coalition forces. I see what looks to be 5 female teens treating the troops. Do you want to check it out or by pass?"

Amy overhearing those comments wonders out loud a bit.  "All female, doesn't that sound sort of like a set up for male troops?"

"I'd say it sounds like a good time... though it's probably a trap."

Photios doesn't respond over the radio as that would be a breach of protocol, instead just throwing the comment from just outside the cockpit area as that put him as far from the T-Rex as he could get.

Drano put himself between the T-rex and everyone else as ordered. "I agree, sounds like a trap."

Na-Wa tries to calm his Silonar down, but it is of no use. Luckily the dimwitted psi-stalker had used the animal’s reins to muzzle it. As everyone is discussing the possibility of a trap the dinosaur releases a trap of it’s own as feces exits out of its rear end and onto the deck of the drop ship. The greenish brown excretion is diarrhea like and spreads in all direction and around everyone’s feet.

Na-Wa, this is a bad thing tries to make things better. “Na-Wa is sorry Silonar went poo-poo.”

Amy screetches, her yell turning into an angery hissing yowl that lasts long quite possibly agonizing seconds for those who have sensitive ears before coherency returns to her voice.  "Out out out out out!" she yells at Na-Wa and his... thingy.  "ohh...you, absolute, barbarian!  You had better clean this up and pray the stench goes away!"

"Sheee-it!" McCloud gags, even though he's in his armor, the filters can't cut out the reek.  "Na-Wa, what the hell do you feed that damn dinosaur of yours?"

He shakes his head in resignation as the excrement washes over his glitterboy's feet.  "Man, I just had this thing detailed, too..."

"Keth how do you know they have been treating both sides? What is the current makeup of their patient population. Over. Alright people lets continue traveling in the general direction of this aid station since it is on our way. If they so much as flip us the bird go weapons free on their ass."

Listening in, Van's ears perk up at the mention of 'teen females'. RADIO: "Yo, we should probably take at least one of 'em for a prisoner."

He stays a little ways ahead of the dropship, using optics to get a good look before somebody loses their cool and starts shooting the bitches full of holes.

Mephisto shares the same thought as his old mercenary buddy, Van. "I give this hospital about 17 minutes before they are all dead and Tolkeen yells at us again."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Sun 08 Aug 2010.

Drano just ignored the shit pooling around the feet of his Chromium Guardsman. "I told you detailing would be a waste of your time."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Sun 08 Aug 2010.

"I just see forces from both sides madam." Keth says over the radio then adds "I could move closer for a more detailed look"

Over the radio -- "How about some more numbers. How many wounded? How many able-bodied grunts ready to bear arms? Any fortifications? Vehicles? Basic intel, like that."

"Yes Keth by all means have a closer look. Be sure to ask them how much for head while your at it. Oh and if you feel the need to relay any other useful information that would be fucking wonderful!"

Keth holds back a retort and drives closer(close enough where he can pick out details) to the aid station keeping an eye for concealed enemies and dangers

13:38, Today: Keth rolled 10 using 1d20+3. perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Mon 09 Aug 2010.

 "Coming up on Keth's position now." 'Masque reports over the squad channel, maneuvering to remain a good hundred yards behind the forward observer and making use of whatever cover is available, what were massive jet-assisted strides turning by degrees into long leaps and then short, jogging steps until he's moving with positively uncanny stealth for someone used to cumbersome full-conversion combat borgs or powersuits, and merely 'a bit quietly' by human standards, then sending "I have your back." to the elven juicer.

 ---

 Following a brief query with The Boss, we're looking at:

 There's a 700 acre farm 400 feet south of the path/road/track we're following and Keth's current position. It seems to specialise in livestock, mainly dairy and poultry but there's evidence visible of riding animals of all sorts. The main house is a huge 3 story structure with a near-by barn, animal pens and several open ranges for animals.

 There's a makeshift hospital set up in the front yard of the farmhouse proper, for a few dozen wounded soldiers (perhaps thirty or so), seemingly drawn from both Tolkeen and Coalition forces. There are 5 human females visible that appear to be caring for the wounded, all of whom seem to be in their teens or early twenties. There are no visible weapon placements, able soldiers or overt defenses of any kind.

Once Portia gets the basic intel she clicks on her radio and issues orders. "Keth fly to the farm and pick the oldest Coalition wounded personnel you find that is in good enough shape to undergo interrogation and take him prisioner. If any of the other CS wounded give you any trouble execute them. Follow standard R.O.E. for all others using only necessary force. Remember were the good guys." The initiation of her slight chuckle can be heard just before Captain Lynn's radio transmission ceases.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Thu 12 Aug 2010.

(keth would have relayed the info)

Keth sighs then replies "Orders heard and understood" Keth drives up to the farm and walks up to one of the women "Ma'am who is in command of the CS troops here"

Van surveys from his position above. RADIO: "Right above you, Keth." he announces to reassure the scout.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Sat 28 Aug 2010.

Keth makes his way up to the farm, under the watchful eyes of Silvermasque a few hundred yards behind him, and Van a few hundred yards above him. All of the wounded have taken notice of the approach and (if able) have lifted their heads, or propped themselves up to get a good look.

The 'nurses' stop what they were doing and watch as well. One of them walks casually inside the farm house, while another (the oldest one) walks to meet Keth.

She is maybe 26 or 27. She is attractive with long brown hair tied back and is wearing an apron stained with blood. She sternly asks "Can I help you soldier?"

Even though he was still int he drop ship and not likely to see the med station at all Drano asked a rhetorical question to Portia over the radio. "Captain why don't we just execute the CS wounded? They'd do it to our people if the situation was reversed." Of course with the advisor here he knew the answer would most likely be no due to the pussy observer they had with them, but the thought to just kill off the CS wounded was certainly not just in his mind.

 Moving up to a hundred yards or so back from the aid station, 'Masque is visible to the group as a whole, but the carbine-like (against his mass) length of his grenade launcher is held across his body rather than pointed at anyone and the massive, DBee-looking figure in matt, camouflage-patterned armour holds his position at a safe distance.

 He uses one hand not engaged in steadying the weapon to tip an imaginary hat towards the group and invests the majority of his attention on listening for radio signals and scanning the vicinity in great depth across a wide range of sensory spectra waiting for the ambush to kick off.

 Okay, so there might not necessarily be an ambush coming up, but it rarely hurts to assume that there is and playing the 'where would I be and where would I put my heavy weapons?' keeps the mind ticking over.

McCloud frowns and grunts something unintelligible, but refrains from commenting.  But it's clear to anyone watching the posture of his armor or who knows him at all that the talk of interrogation and killing wounded men doesn't sit well with him.

"I asked who is in command of the cs force here, ma'am" Keth asks as he gets of the vechile(leaves it running) he bows slightly"I'm just following my orders to find the commander of the cs forces here"

Holding position and waiting on Lynns orders Amy continues to grumble to herself about the mess Na-Wa made and ponders ways to get back at the vicious evil mess making machine he brought onto her spotless shining glory of a shit, er ship, bastard!

(Whoops sorry Keth, missed that question you asked)

"In charge? We aren't military if that's what you're asking. Nobody is in charge. We live here and offered to help those who need it. Are you here to pick up your wounded?"

"No miss I'm here to pick the higest ranked officer of the cs forces that you are treating and take them back to answer some questions" Keth says then looks the cs troops over

She stands firm, and confrontational. "Ain't no officers here. And we wouldn't let you have them if there were. None of the wounded here can walk, or live without constant help, or better help. If they could, they would fuckin' leave.

If you took any of these men into interrogation, and believe me I have seen what comes out of a Tolkeen interrogation out here... well, if you took one of them in, they could die. And we won't allow that. If you tough guys want to come in here and hurt ANY of the wounded, well you may as well get ready to gun all of us down too..."

 - she moves in closely, pointing her finger at Keth's nose

"Choose your answer wisely, my father doesn't appreciate threats to his daughters".


A figure can be seen in one of the facing windows, but just a silhouette and only for an instant.

Meanwhile in the dropship...


"This is bullshit. I know a million other soldiers have said it... but what the fuck are we waiting for... seems like all we do is wait in different places until one of us freaks out and shoots somebody. Speaking of which can anyone actually see what's happening... someone has to have been shot by now..."

Dron smiles as Portia gives out her last set of orders. "McCloud, Comartin lets get ready to move. Once the dropship lands we go invisible and get into covering positions. Mephisto you wanna join us again?"

"Yessir," McCloud replies, checking to make sure his suit's ready to move at a moment's notice.

Keth sighs "I didnt they couldnt be moved, miss" Keth taps his chin for a few seconds "Would it be possible to talk to a nco here about the peopel we are looking while you or your father oversees it"

The girl appears calmed, thanks to Keth's manners.

"That's fine. You are free to talk to anyone, just don't harm the Coalition soldiers. We know we can't really interfere as far as orders and such goes with your own troops. Our interests are in our patients health, and that alone. I don't know what an NCO is... but if you find one... good luck..."

"Also, don't be alarmed if a few people arrive shortly. We have some mobile security in the area... and they are on their way..."

She actually lets out a small smirk before adding

"My name is Elise..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Thu 02 Sept 2010.

Mephisto shrugs his shoulders and replies "Yeah... sure. Why not." to Drano. Mephisto doesn't move from his seat just yet, as there is no indication the dropship is even going to land...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:17, Thu 02 Sept 2010.

Captain Lynn keys her radio. "Keth what in the hell are you doing down there courting some farmers daughters? Take a fucking prisoner if you think it is worth our time if not then get the hell out. Either way we are Oscar Mike. Lets move people im tired of pissing in the wind. Somebody mark this place so we can report them to Command as CS sympathizers. Oh and Sergeant Pierce the primary reason we are not going to execute the CS wounded is that pesky article 11 of the Kingdom of Tolkeens Laws of Warfare. And im just paraphrasing here but it says... Don't fucking do it!"" After issuing her orders Portia continues on towards the farm her mystic hovercycle silently gliding in from on high so she can get a look at what is going on with her own eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Fri 03 Sept 2010.

 Unhurriedly and without particular emphasis, 'Masque remains in whatever is available in the way of visual cover while continuing to hold his weapon low, prepared to support Keth as necessary while the group moves on up, most of his attention remaining on the sensors of every shape and description mounted across his heavily armoured frame, continuing to sweep back and forth across the area for lack of anything more urgent to be doing.

Drano didn't bother to reply to Portia....the more this shit went the more he thought it was bullshit. Nobody was really 'following the rules' in this war. There were plenty of atrocities committed by sides...

"This is keth CS wounded are too bad to move but we can ask our questions here and maybe we can ask the father about the surroding lands?" Keth radios then waits for futher orders

"Of course... maybe you can give him a reach around and ask for his daughters hand in marriage while your at it. This is bullshit and something does not smell right here. Silvermasque hold your position. Amy deploy the troops on the outskirts of this farm and then take her back up and give me a proper ariel recon. Keep the honorable advisor Warrick with you for company. Drano I want you and your boys to set up a perimeter on each compass point other than the one Masque is already occupying. Severin and Burd to me! The rest of you fan out and shake this place down. Oh and Na-Wa if your dinosaur eats anyone without permission im going to surgically attach your mouth to its asshole."

Portia flies down into the middle of the farm near where the wounded are being kept. Exiting her hovercycle she chants to herself activating some magic spells and psychic powers. She checks her Agony whip at her left hip and makes sure her NE-4 pulse pistol is clear in its holster on her right. Reaching over to a small black box attached to the hovercycle she quickly types the code on the number pad causing the lid to pop open. She pulls out a wicked looking splugorthian Psi-Interrogator. Tentacles wriggle around and carapace covered spike like appendages move of their own accord as she quickly inspects the nightmarish Bio-Wizard device.

OOC: Active Powers: Armor Amulet (100 MDC), Sense Evil, Sense Magic, Detect Psionics, Presence Sense, See Aura, See the Invisible & Globe of Daylight but only if it is too dark to see.

 "Am holding position." 'Masque replies simply, without taking his attention from his surroundings, though also without actually being so excitable as to start pointing weapons at anyone without justification.

 Given his druthers he's inclined to the more softly-softly approach when dealing with this sort of situation himself, not least because all the hairs on the back of his neck are psychosomatically standing to attention just now... Mentally, however, he's running something of a book on whether whatever's eally going on here involves iron-toothed witches and their demon master or a counterintelligence operation.

Elise watches Portia land near the wounded, then takes another look up to see what Van is doing.

"What is she doing?"

She does not wait for Keth's answer, before making her way towards Portia.

Dyvalis makes his way up to the cockpit of the Dropship. He intends to look over Amy's shoulder as she conducts aerial surveillance. "The bottom of this thing is reinforced right? I don't want ground-to-air missiles poking up under my feet. Something about a farm full of young, sexually attractive women; I don't trust them. Demon's wear these guises. Even if they're not demons. I don't trust demons and I don't trust women. Especially attractive women. Fucking cunts!"

He seems to be yelling at the nurses through the viewscreen. Obviously he has strong feelings on the matter. Funny that he has no issues with them as CS sympathizers, only as attractive women.

RADIO: "Ya no rush Cat-girl. I got your 'proper aerial recon' till you get here."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Sun 12 Sept 2010.

Hopper looked up at Dyvalis from the seat next to Amy. He may have been about to say something, before remembering the elf's rank. It is hard to read the mutant grass-hopper man, especially his body language... but it seems like he is bothered by Dyvalis' comments.

He looks at Amy with huge faceted eyes, then back to the view screen...
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Fri 10 Sept 2010.

"Ma'am, I was trying to bring a prisoner without any trouble and if this is a trap isn't better for me to set it off with you guys at a distance and in a prime attack and flanking position" Keth asks Portia over the radio

“By your command.” Drano hoped that Portia knew full that at the first sign of trouble he and his men would most likely open fire. Well she probably did.

“Silvermasque what point of the compass are you covering?” While waiting for a response he issued orders to the rest of the squad “Comartin, McCloud when the dropship begins to land activate your invisibility.” Then some instruction to the dropship’s pilot. “Amy land behind Silvermasque, and let’s have a few other people other then us hop out like that psi-stalker and his dinosaur.” Hopefully everyone would get the hint that if the drops ship landed and nothing came out then it meant something invisible did come out.

“Comartin, once we land move left of Silvermasque’s postion. McCloud you go right. I’ll follow and move opposite of Silvermasque.”

"If you guys see any shit going down against our people you are free to fire at will. Use your thermals so as to not shoot through an enemy and a few non-combatants with a single round."

"Yessir," McCLoud replies, "Switching to thermals, boomer's hot and ready."

 Unfortunately there's no compass point given so far, but I'll arbitrarily assign myself to the North and if not, adjust accordingly.

 ---

 "I am over on the North flank. Seems secure, but I am having weird feeling about this. Is room for all to go to shit if we are being jackasses, youbet." the experienced mercenary replies, which of course could well open him up to all kinds of accusations of being a big pussy, but since just as the old saw 'there are no atheists in a foxhole' predicts, soldiers tend to hold all kinds of superstitions, he'll probably live with it.

"I'm with you chief". Mephisto says to Drano befor emaking his way to his hovercycle and activating the invisibility on the bike. He casts a few spells himself and speaks in some strange language to no one in particular.

When the dropship lands, Mephisto follows Drano to his designated point.


OOC - If I remember correctly the group in on an esterly path, wnd the farm was south of the path. So 'Masque is right to be on the north side, as that would be the direction from which Keth approached.

Amy is also bothered by Dyvalis' attitude, and wonders if he's even thinking about the insult it implies about her, thankfully wearing a power armored flight suit means her own upset is rather less obvious.

Checking to make sure that the cloaking is still active she glances over towards the elf.  "Yes sir, she can take it, but I would rather that it not be necessary." Then she proceeds with an overflight of the area, to give her passengers and him a good look at the situation as she circles towards Silvermasques location.

Landing there cargo bay pointed away from the farm and its hot-chix-sympathizers she lowers the ramp to allow some of her passengers to depart, wondering as they do if she can somehow get away with 'forgetting' to pick up that dinosaur again.

Portia leans down and feels the shallow breath of one of the unconscious CS soldiers against her cheek. She lightly brushes her soft lips across the mans chin relishing the feeling of the prickly stubble and grit of dirt. Then she roughly slaps the Splugorthian TK interrogator onto his face the writhing tentacles go about their wicked work. Holding a hand out toward the approaching female she yells out. "On your knees whore!"

OOC: Domination spell targeting the young lady.

Severin watches, a smile on his face, as his master goes about her work, he stays near the CS soldier with the interrogator on his face.

The approaching farmer's daughter falls to her knees against her will, and Portia's scepter begins to work. Severin makes his way over to Portia as fast as he can after the dropship lands.

The sound of a rail gun blast fills the air, as a shot narrowly wisks past Portia's head. A man in his 50's can be seen at the open window on the main floor of the house. He lowers his rifle after the shot to convey either a warning shot or to cover his poor marksmanship... he then awaits Portia's repsonse...

A near-by elven Tolkeen soldier missing his legs, calls out to Portia "They have friends... the farmers have friends... they are soldiers or mercenaries. If they get here before you are done, they will attack without warning. I've seen 'em do it..."

 The hypersonic crack of railgun fire from the farmhouse puts the heavily camoflagued form of 'Masque down on one knee once more, his weapon coming up to a 'ready' position as though searching for a target as he makes a rapid assessment of the situation, the lack of follow-up fire or visible casualties causing him to call "Check fire, seems to have been warning shot." down the radio before anyone gets trigger-happy, before thoughtfully adding "But it would be good idea to have skirmish line facing out as well as in. Someone might have heard shot or been signalled, youbet."

"Can we just flatten that fuckin' place and get it over with?" McCLoud grumbles.  "It's what we're gonna end up doing anyway.  Seems to be all we're good for these days..."

Portia flinches but avoids throwing herself to the ground when the shot zips by her head. She does not break contact with the CS soldier allowing the Psi-Interrogator to do its work. She motions to the dominated woman on her knees in the dirt. "Alright you filthy little cunt get up and march your ass to the house! Tell whoever is shooting up there that if they or anyone else shoots again I will obliterate your home and kill everyone of you fuckers. I will do as I will with these CS prisoners and if you try to interfere in anyway you will perish. Begone!"

She pauses to issue orders over the radio, "If any more fire comes from that house then level it. One of the Tolkeen friendlies here says we can anticipate multiple tangos to converge on our position. They have been aggressive in the past to Tolkeen forces. Amy broadcast a warning on all channels to turn away from this location. If anyone ignores this warning then I am ordering all of you to go weapons free and neutralize them."

Turning her attention to the other CS prisoners she gives them a sneer. "You will tell me what I want to know and if you are good forthcoming young men and tell me without a hassle then you may live. If not..." She turns back to Severin who is just arriving. Pointing to one of the CS soldiers who has a defiant look about him she says, "Severin eat that mans hands and feet off."

Severin nods, snatching the man up by his throat, licking his face with his forked tongue, he snaps down on one hand first, crunching it easily. Severin then licks the wound, and snaps off the other hand, just before elevating the man so his feet are at eye level and slowly biting through them. He drops the CS troop unceremoniously to the ground, "It has been done, master."

 "Lieutenant..." 'Masque begins to reply, before the screams answer the order to the demon to torture a random, wounded human soldier, and cut off the big 'borgs radio chatter as surely as though someone had taken his batteries out, leaving him watching coldly from the distance as he fingers his grenade launcher.

Unless they could see the invisible no one in the town knew there were not one, but three Glitter Boys waiting to level any building that showed resistance.

"Understood, I didn't see the shot, so can identify the building by size and color?"

"My team if you saw the shot, prepare to level that building. If you didn't  the shot, target any building where some idiot is poking his head out with a gun." Drano searched for any dumbasses just waiting to get his head blown off by a boom gun round.

Portia watches coldly as Severin complies with her horrendous orders. She assesses the reactions of the conscious CS personnel calculating which ones will be most susceptible to interrogation. Still observing she answers the radio. "They are providing aid to the enemy. If we are fired upon from anywhere on this shithole farm destroy the entire place."

McCloud's stomach lurches at the sound of the tortured man's screams over the radio.  "I didn't sign on for this shit," he mutters to himself, although his squadmates can hear him over the freq shared by the GBs.

As if on cue, there is a distant crack of thunder and the early droplets of rain begin to fall. The wounded soldier screams in pain and begs for mercy the entire time... for someone, anyone to help him... his whaling could be heard a mile away, but his half-conscious sobbing is only heard by those up close.

One of the wounded Coalition soldiers pushes himself to his feet and charges Portia with a stick of some sort, only to be back-handed away by Severin.

Another calls out "Are you fucking mad?! Are you crazy?! Fuck you bitch... and fuck Tolkeen... you're all gonna burn... you're all gonna fuckin' burn..."

Another screams "Nooo!!... Stop!!! Ben? Ben! hang in there man... hang in there..."

And finally another belts out in a commanding voice "Stop this madness! I am Captain David Cervini... ask me what you want to know... just leave my boys alone..."


The mystically controlled girl obeys Portia's command and walks to the farm house, crying and shaking with fear. She looks at Keth with defeated desperation before she is forced to turn around and head for the house.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:14, Thu 07 Oct 2010.

"Damnit Pierce, why did you have to choose back here for your strategic position... we can't see the show."

Thasha stops walking after leaving the dropship to listen to the chatter over the radio. He pulls out a set of distancing binoculars to get a closer look on the farmhouse. The two-week old greot stares expressionless at Severin's display... He only breaks his stare for a moment to see if the others are seeing what he is seeing.

Burd pushes Thasha aside and runs faster than he has ever run before towards Portia and Severin. He starts to let out an anxious growl, that grows into a starving howl... "Flesh!!!!"

Warrick remains on the dropship, making his way to the cockpit to see if he can see what is happening from Amy and Hopper's viewpoint.

"Stay in your seat Yutani, we may need to take off at any time."



"Captain Lynn! Have you lost your hat down there? I am hearing you have ordered the demons to eat wounded soldiers?!?!?! You are going to lose your command Captain, I will personally see to that! Now stop what you are doing at once before this gets completely bonkers!"

"Thank you Silvermasque for that information. Keep me informed, and if... whoops this isn't the private <bzzzt> ... ... ..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Thu 07 Oct 2010.

 "Is part of job Advisor. This is not soldiers work." 'Masque replies quietly, still holding his position on the perimeter in order to keep the team secure, while his augmented hearing relays every scream and exclamation of fear and loathing from the scene ahead... and heavy, armoured fingers flex repeatedly on the grip of his rifle-stocked grenade launcher.

Dyvalis' eyes widen. Though not the most ambitious man in terms of his military career, even he spots the opportunity here to grab a quick and dirty promotion. "Yes, Yutani. Let us prepare for a hasty departure. Eyes on those sensors. First sign of reinforcements we move."

He makes a call on the radio.


He walks over to Warrick and salutes him. His mind is racing and it shows on unconsciously on his face. "Sir, a word..." as he finds a corner of the ship in which to speak in hushed tones.

Van shakes his head and mutters to himself, "Jesus, we couldn'ta just asked them nice. I was kinda hoping I took a bullet up here."

With sights on the old man in the window, he lowers his rifle after a moment and then moves out from his close surveillance of the farm to a b-line out from the farm in the opposite direction the group came from (east, yes? so then west). Then he disappears.

PM

PM
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Fri 08 Oct 2010.

Hopper's antennas twitch as he stares at Amy. "Something strange is going on with the officers... do you know what is going on?"

Captain Lynn smiles when the man identifies himself and agrees to talk. "See that wasn't so hard We can all be civil." She unholsters her NE-4 pistol and discharges it nearly point blank disentegrating the head of the soldier that Severin had been torturing ending his suffering and more importantly his moaning. Holding up a finger to indicate that everyone present should hold on for a moment she depresses the button on her radio once again.

"Advisor Warrick your concerns have been expressed now kindly shut the fuck up and stay off of my comms. I am running an Op and conducting an interrogation here and have no time for your political bullshit at the moment. You have no authority here you can merely observe and put it all in your report. Amy I need you to issue the warning I asked for on all channels and then I need an arial recon. Prepare to engage hostiles. Everyone else I want you to tighten the perimeter up. I am less concerned about an attack from the farmhouse than I am an attack from outside of it. That includes you too Silvermasque so quit your whining and do some of that real soldier work you are always talking about. In other words shut up and follow orders. You and the gnome can have a love affair on your time. We will be done here shortly as it seems the enemy personnel are now willing to answer questions and then we can leave these wounded to the care of the medics and continue on our way." 

Turning back to the CS officer she nods and holsters her pistol the other hand still holds the Psi-Interrogator she mumbles to herself activating her Aura of Power spell before pulling abck her hood and smiling confidently.  "Captain Cervini I am Captain Lynn, pleased to meet you. For the sake of your men please answer me truthfully or you will all die gruesome deaths. Tell me where the large force of Tolkeen defectors are currently and where they are supposed to meet with your people."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Sat 09 Oct 2010.

Tam stands on top of her Rolling Thunder looking down the scope of her JA-12 Rifle at the interrogations. Listening to the radio, she asks "What direction are they coming from?"

"Dyvalis... You know what you must do!"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Sat 09 Oct 2010.

This message was last edited by the GM at 07:22, Sat 09 Oct 2010.

Na-Wa didn't know or understand what was going on with the people in charge. When the little ugly boss man stated doing magic thing Na-wa kept his distance.

Per orders Comartin moves in a little closer to the farmhouse remaining invisible he uses the full sensor suite at his disposal to try and determine where these supposed "hostiles" are. He momentarily caught himself watching the spectacle of the interrogation not that it moved him very much. The horrors of this war have left him callous in the extreme. After seeing first hand what the Coalition did at Hillcrest and seeing the rotting bloated bodies of men, women and children refugees littering the sides of the road out of Madtown he has trouble feeling anything for the CS prisoners currently under the heel of the sadistic Captain. Honestly it is all he can do to not feel that they are getting what they deserve. If he lets himself go down that line of thinking then he fears he will be lost. With that in mind he turns back to the task at hand.

After Pierce issues his order, McCloud starts to say something, "Sir, I--" but stops himself and activates his suit's invisibility cloak instead, moving off to patrol for lurking hostiles as ordered.

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:18, Mon 11 Oct 2010.

Keth shakes his head and starts heading back to his vehicle then starts it up

When Burd finally arrives to Portia and Severing he instantly aks "Master? Let me kill on of the weak humans..."

 Now, the thing about the soldiers of The Warlords is that, for the most part they're a rough and ready bunch. You get your murderers and your sadists of course, but the level to which they rise is very much determined by the sort of banner under which they serve. Warlord Kolodenko is by way of being one of the more astute ones, and has gone to great efforts to ensure that those men and women chosen to be living battle standards act in a fashion that only enhances the reputation he's chosen to portray.

 Which of course means that cannibalistic torture parties are pretty much out as far as he's concerned and with Warrick being a fumble-fingered incompetent with the natural authority of navel lint, the decision is a simple one. Smoothly, he slings his heavy launcher down from the harness that it's suspended from and with a murmured "McCloud, please to cover my sector." on a private channel he breaks cover and starts in towards the farmhouse.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Mon 11 Oct 2010.

"On it," McCloud replies, adjusting his sweep to bring him into line with 'Masque's movements.

Amy shakes her head in response to Hopper speaking softly so her words don't rise to the adviser's attention.  "No, I don't everyone seems to be losing their minds, I don't like the coalition, but this seems a bit too much."




Then she transmits the warning she was instructed to give as she powers up the dropship and lifts off.

"For anyone in range of this transmission, you are to avoid this location or you will be fired upon without further warning.  I repeat, do not approach or you will be fired upon without warning."

Dyvalis nods at Warrick as he lets a sadistic grin escape his tight elven lips. He chants the words to an incantation that covers him in armor. He steps up to Amy, "Private, take us 800ft above Cpt. Lynn's position and hold steady."

Once in position he begins casting a spell.

[OOC -- Is there a door other than the cargo door in the back that can be opened? Wherever that is, Dyvalis goes over and opens it before starting the spell.]

PM

Lotus slowly rides her hovercycle up next to Tam and the rolling thunder ATV. She remains quiet, and observes the situation unfold. Make no mistake however, she is always ready for anything...

Photios wants nothing to do with the situation that's unfolding and as a mercenary who wasn't specifically ordered to do anything... he stays back in the dropship, listening and observing the events that transpire.

Warrick seems to be trying to put some sort of authority into use, while the second in command Dyvalis seems to be up to something. At the moment, Photios was unsure whether he meant to usurp command or if he had some entertaining method of squad support in mind. That all said, the merc liked Portia... even if she was a domineering bitch, it was all part of her charm.

Amy nods to Dyvalis, at least until he starts to reach for the only other door in the dropship, that being the cockpit emergency exit, at which point the entire dropship shifts as she reaches out to stop him.  "What do you think your doing!?" alarm and concern in her tone."

Dyvalis gets a twitch as he represses his aggravation at what he takes to be condescension from a subordinate. "Private, keep this thing steady. That is your primary concern. I need access to the exterior, and I don't want fucking bells and whistles going off when I do it either. Will this door suit that purpose?"

PM

"You're on your own Sergeant!" Mephisto says to Drano before muttering a few words and completely vanishing.

Portias attention is riveted on the Coalition Captain as she anticipates his answer. She blinks twice in rapid succession and her unwavering gaze breaks as she takes a quick look around herself. The effect is not unlike that of a snake flicking its forked tongue as it suddenly senses something is amiss. The air around her ripples like heat waves on a desert horizon as magic flares to life leaving her encased in a translucent suit of medieval armor.  She holsters her pistol and beckons Burd and Severin to come near. Her other hand unconsciously wanders towards her scroll case as her head “on a swivel” continues to look around. As Burd and Severin draw near they are instantly surrounded by a translucent suit of mystic plate armor as well. Then Portia moves in the direction of her hovercycle and disappears.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Mon 18 Oct 2010.

Severin cracks his massive knuckles and smiles, he begins to concentrate on his mystic energies.

Burd puts 15 feet between himself and Severin, watching Silvermasque as he approaches. "The fuck you want?"

 'Masque rolls his shoulders smoothly, his heavy weapon on its sling rather than in his hand just in case that at this late point it should still be possible to inject some sense into the situation.

 "What do you think? - Am here to make it so this stops. Is up to you whether this is being done easy way or hard way." he rumbles softly, visor locking with the thornhead demons eyes and wondering quietly whether it's possible to face one down the way he earlier did a certain recalcitrant gargoyle, "Seems pretty obvious we have exceeded orders. So now is time to back down before anything stupid happens, da?"

Severin looks at Masque, "I didn't exceed shit, I followed my orders to the letter."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:59, Tue 19 Oct 2010.

 "Am not saying you did not... only thing is, orders you were getting were way outside box, da?" the big cyborg replies, tilting his body slightly so that the other demonic creature is included in his 'line of sight' for conversational purposes, no weapon immediately in his hand, though more than enough of vibro-blade and energy cannon about him to render just about any calming effect this might have thoroughly moot, "Now am telling you nicely. Step away from medical centre and join defensive perimeter."

With Mephisto disappearing, and who knows what going down at the farm had Drano a little bit worried that some serious shit was about to go down. Luckily he was still cloaked, as was Comartin and McCloud. Switching to the private radio channel used by the three of them Drano sought some answers.

"Whose box? Yours? I do what I am told. If I do what you say, I am disobeying Portia, and that, simply will not happen."

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:26, Tue 19 Oct 2010.

"heh... yeah... will not happen." Burd stares intently back at Silvermasque, awaiting his next move... drooling with anticipation.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Tue 19 Oct 2010.

PM
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Tue 19 Oct 2010.

PM

PM

PM

 Assessing Severin as the more dangerous - and likely the more intelligent - of the two demons, 'Masque approaches him unhurriedly, drawing up to the point where he can gaze down into its eyes, head slightly tilted to one side.

 "How do you think this is going to go?" he inquires almost curiously as he comes to a stop, flexing the fingers on one hand in a speculative manner while letting the conversational initiative pass to the others, who as long as they're fixated upon him aren't doing anything more destructive or pointless.

Lotus mutters something out loud to herself, that only Tam and Thasha would likley hear "Damn it...".

She turns on her hovercycle and cruises casually over to the farmhouse where the committee seems to be meeting and deciding the fate of this aid station, and possibly much more. She stops about 50 feet behind Silvermasque, and parks her bike next to Keth.

"Keth is it? Name is Lotus. This platoon has a history of debating with the demonic on morals and the correct way of handling oneself out here. The rest are dead... so you might want to get ready for a fight..."

Dyvalis doesn't get the chance to cast his spell before Portia disappears. "Gods be damned! Very timely work, Private! Very fucking timely!" he seems to need to blame someone while he formulates a backup plan. He looks over at Warrick, and recomposes himself. "I think this situation may sort itself out. Or else she should likely take her demons and leave us. Either way, I think she got the message."

Dyvalis nods; he seems to have reassured himself. Now, the situation with the reinforcements... "Amy, how about a scan of the south forest. What are we dealing with here?" His tone is calm now, and the casual use of her first name is no doubt the closest to an apology that Pvt. Yutani (or anyone) will ever get out of him.

PM:

Severin pulls his reptilian lips back in what can only be considered a smile, "Just like you want it to, Burd, let's get the pussycat his space. Come on now, we can still eat people, we just have to be quieter about it." Severin will pull Burd away, trying to avoid confrontation with Masque.

 "Too damn' much pussy for you to handle, youbet." 'Masque rumbles in something not entirely far away from his usual banter, determined to ignore the human blood stains for the moment in favour of just defusing this situation as thoroughly as possible, stepping back and to one side a full stride from Severin, clearing the demons route to the defensive perimeter forming up in the woodline. Smoothly, he jerks a silvery thumb over his shoulder, "Go. Could be fighting enough for both of you soon enough."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Wed 20 Oct 2010.

   Lotus holds her ground and pays most of her attention to the perimeter, watching and listening for an attack from the enemy.  The platoon is not in the most ideal defensive position and the current insanity might draw someone into taking advantage of the situation.  She won't listen to the words of the stand-off but if violence breaks out between her comrades then she may be forced to participate.

   Lotus has her compound bow drawn and an arrow notched and ready to fly.

Mentally, Severin chuckled. "Yes sir," he said with enough venom to make it believable. He headed towards the woodline, away from Masque, moving in long, quick paced strides, he double checked to make sure Burd was doing the same, if this was how Masque wanted to behave, then Severin could play too.

Burd spits a wad of black goop on Silvermasque's chest before turning to follow Severin to the treeline... "Heh... yeah... yes sir..."

 At Silvermasque's chest, certainly... but not necessarily on as it seems to intersect the frictionless surface of a charged energy field subtly distinct from those provided by Naruni technology and runs down to ground level.

 Normally of course, this would demand some sort of response on the part of the big tiger, but instead he's got his head very slightly tilted to one side as though listening to some elusive, subtle sound and when he recognises what it is he's hearing he forces himself to relax visibly, whilst counting off the seconds in his head and preparing to move with the sort of speed usually associated with cyborgs under fire the moment his mental count-down reaches the appropriate point.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Fri 22 Oct 2010.

The rising tensions cease to rise any further. Like the eye of a storm, those who were involved in the murderous thoughts and actions take a moment to re-evaluate the situation, and everyone else stands either in confusion or in bewilderment over the violence they have witnessed and the strange actions of the officers in the Platoon.

Silvermasque rather abruptly leaps away from the point of debate with the demon henchmen - who have similarily left the area as per Silvermasque's orders/suggestions.

The farm/aid station family is still inside the farmhouse. All of the conscious CS soldiers are either crawling for safety or preparing to meet their end. The previously identified Captain has pushed himself to a sitting position despite some blood-soaked bandages on his chest, arms and head.

The rain picks up into a full downpour, reducing visibilty for most. The winds pick up as well, slamming the farm houses' shutters open and closed. The riding animals at the farm begin to get excited and make noise as they call to their care-takers for help and comfort, which of course does not arrive for them. The sky grows darker, very dark for just after 0700 hrs and events take a turn for the strange...

The CS Captain manages the strength to stand to his feet, deciding to take advantage of the current situation he calls out to Keth and Lotus "This... this place isn't what it seems... you need to leave now... we are bait... and you just bit..."

The man is legitimately scared, or at least appears to be. He doesn't appear threatening in any way other than his words.



(OOC - The majority of the team has not slept in quite some time, the night was spent traveling.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:15, Fri 22 Oct 2010.

Unknowing of the events occurring below, Photios hops to his feet in the Dropship, heading up to the pilot compartment, "Vampires!"

Standing near Dyvalis and the pilots he looks out the front screen, wanting to be sure there isn't any rapidly approaching fog clouds or steam. Then reaching down to the radio controls at his waist, "Vampires in the area, be on guard."

Portia, still invisible, stashes the scroll she was preparing to read in favor of another. She gives orders over the radio first. "Prepare to bug out this place is fucked. Open fire on the farmhouse now I want nothing left but a smoking crater!" After turning off the radio she yells out to Severin and Burd who were leaving the area. "Get your asses back here and kill all these prisoners and then we are moving out!" Having heard Photios Portia casts a Globe of Daylight spell and then begins reading the words of her scroll as the rain and wind whips all around.

Over the private radio frequency used by his fellow Chromium Guardsmen he says glibly, "That order took her about two minutes longer than I thought it would. Switching to thermals... concentrating on anything with a heat sig before switching to the structure itself." Clicking his radio off with his chin Comartins laser targeting system is already pinpointing a humanoid near one of the windows. "God forgive me." The pylons drive deep into the dirt as the massive Boom Gun fires. Comrtin squeezes off nine well placed shots in just under fifteen seconds.

OOC: 6 crits and 1 miss. I can roll dam if ya need me too.

Hopper jumps in his seat at the mention of vampires. "Vampires?! Again? I'm glad I stayed in the shuttle!" He leans forward to watch below as Portia orders the destruction of the house and the execution of the wounded soldiers.

"Umm... pardon me Lieutenant... are you watching this...?"

Severin nods at his masters command. He leaps back towards the prisoners, hoping to begin squashing heads, and stomp on them with glee.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:17, Mon 25 Oct 2010.

 "Belay that last order!" 'Masque snaps, turning smoothly on his heel as Severn starts forwards and raising his lower right-side hand to plant a flat palm mid-way up the inhuman demons chest, snapping "We can kill bloodsuckers without having to butcher unarmed men and women." even as he prepares to do something more permenant about the enthusiastic demon if it looks like there's going to be a need.

Severin tilts his head, "Good soldier, aren't ya, forgot ranks did you? I think she supercedes your sense of dignity. Don't make this some quest for honor tin man. If you were so noble, you'd not be companied up with us. That's for sure. Now move along, and follow your orders as they were issued." Severin steps once to the left and continues around Masque.

"FUCK!" McCloud snaps, head ringing from his 6th Sense going nuts.  "Sarge, Comartin," he broadcasts on the open channel, "I'm coming to your position.  I don't really feel like having my GB ripped off me by vamps.  And I'm going on record as refusing the direct order by Lieutenant Portia to fire on the injured and civilian targets.  Repeat: I will not fire on them."

He moves off, jogging back to where the other two GB units are standing.

"Count me in on that one to. I will not open fire until I see an actual target. You can go fuck yourself Portia - you got a problem with that, come see me after the show and I'll show you how a little cunt like you is supposed to behave."