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.