Goggles rubbed his wrist with his alternating hands as he -looked- around, at least moving his face to some of the people around him. They had all as expected gone silent. They were all looking at him in own way or another, something that made him incredibly uncomfortable. He settles on looking up and off as if listening to something unheard. After allowing the silence to fall into an uncomfortable level he leaned in to that his voice can only be heard by the man addressing him,  He leaned back up to straight and turned again to look at whatever it was he was interested in. "Can somebody point out where I can get my stuff? This jumpsuit ain't very comfortable."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Mon 14 Aug 2023.

     Shawn and Dom, you get your requested gear. Dom, regarding the flashbangs; they’ll be conventional, by the way; how many do you want? Also, 25 XPs for the reference to The Dirty Dozen. I liked it.

Dom wondered if their new squad member had just not heard the squad leader's question or if he was deliberately ignoring him. Either way, it wasn't his place to get involved in that so he continued his PCIs (Pre Combat Inspections) on his gear and adjusting the fit of his newly issued web gear.

He was a big fan of single point harnesses for his primary weapon. He learned that early on in his career when he took a tumble down a steep hill during a nigh op. He'd have lost his rifle for sure if not for the harness and the single strap allowed for easy, hindrance free movement for tracking targets.


OOC
10 flash bangs is what he would ask for.


Not ignoring you Elias per se. Just giving the squad leader a chance to respond.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:32, Fri 18 Aug 2023.

     I guess the guy is still sensitive to not making it to one fifty eight. I say to Meina, “I’ll talk to the supply guys. Maybe one of them knows where they shipped his stuff.”
     I look for a Supply person that looks like they know their shit and approach them.
     “Excuse me, sir/ma’am/D-Bee of indeterminate gender, I have a situation you might be able to help me with. See that guy there in the orange jumpsuit? He’s in my squad now and the guys that dropped him off didn’t tell us where his gear went. Any chance you could help us here?”

     You find a blue skinned, female looking, humanoid D-Bee with the rank of staff sergeant that looks to fit your bill. However, when you address them as ma’am they tell you, “I’m actually a male member of my species.” He then continues to listen to your situation and request for assistance. Once you’re done he tells you to wait right there and he’ll see what he can do. He’s gone for several minutes but does have news about Elias’ gear.
     “So the private’s gear was shipped to the wrong base. It’s on it’s way here now… and will arrive next Tuesday.”
     ((The 10 flashbangs are okay.))

Elias spoke through gritted teeth, "How am I suppose to defend myself without my gear?"

     I sigh and thank the staff sergeant and go to break the bad news to the squad. I reply to Elias, “We could try using harsh language against the Xitixic. No? I guess we’ll have to see what the armory can loan you… Until next Tuesday.”

     ((Well, I think it’s time to fess up. Elias isn’t a convict sent to the frontlines of the Xitixic War in lieu of prison. That was a joke I came up with and Elias’ player was a good enough sport to go along with it. However, the joke never really got any traction and it’s time to drop the charade and get on with the actual story.))
     So, once again, Squad 125 and the others involved in the upcoming mission are at the armory, getting their gear. You get your additional PPE-Clips and the other gear I previously approved. That didn’t change. What does change is that while you guys are getting your new gear a Lazlo sergeant comes into the armory with a handful of other militia members in tow. You’re rather busy so you probably wouldn’t notice him until he’s right on you. He says to Meina, “Chief Meina? Sergeant Shives of Personnel. We had a convoy report in last night and one of these guys now belongs to you. PFC Stroud, front and center.” At that a man, not wearing an orange prison jumpsuit steps forward. “He’s with you now. By the way, have you seen LT Hoffman? Two of these guys belong to him.” Sergeant Shives soon departs your company to find the remaining newcomers’ their new squads.

Elias snapped to attention at the introduction. He waited for orders. He is dressed in Juicer assassin armor and is carrying three energy weapons a pair of vibro swords and a pair of vibro daggers. He also had a large backpack, and an empty duck bag.

Dom finishes setting up his new web gear and tests the fit. He practices reaching for flash bangs and spare mags, from a standing and kneeling position. As he practices, he watches the newest squad member report in to the Chief. "A Juicer? Hope supply remembers to issue extra snacks and MREs," he thinks to himself.

     “At ease, Private. We’re a little informal here. Let me give you the brief, brief mission brief. We’re about to depart to take out a Xitixic outpost. We’re going with three other squads on this mission. As soon as we take out that outpost we’re going to meet up with other units and take out one of the Xitixic bases that ring the hive territory. Once that’s done pretty much the entire base is going to engage the hive itself and take out the queens and other targets.
     “What kind of vehicle do you have?”
     ((I have a couple of questions. First, so Elias doesn’t have 157 unpaid parking tickets? Second, and more seriously, what’s our expected ETA to the outpost? Assuming of course we don’t run into Tectonic Entities, zombie CS soldiers, a crazy Necromancer, Xitixic patrols, demon deer, giant wasps, giant gun toting ants, a guy that can turn himself into water, Minotaur mercenaries, vampires, an undead not-Elf, a pocket reality, an undead little girl or an Old One. For the new guys, yes, not only did all of that happen, I’m sure I’ve left some things out.))

Elias assumed Parade Rest, he obviously has a thing for military etiquette. "Call sign Goggles, Sir. I have a robotic horse, capable of fast silent movement. I am a Lazlo Ranger."

Listening to the brief, Goggles nodded, "I've no questions, Sir. I have heavier armor for such an operation."

He stripped off the assassin armor, keeping his underclothing. He has no juicer rig, no collar, no nothing related to juicers other than the armor. In place of that armor he dons a suite of Man-Killer EBA, including helmet. He does not remove his goggles. He retrieved his weapons and put them back in their places. He is armed mostly for up close combat.

Dom walked over, standing a few paces away from the platoon Sergeant while he gave the newest member of this adhoc squad the mission brief. When Elias chanfes into his heavier armor, two thoughts immediately come to Dom. "Huh, so not a Juicer. Well whatever, I'm sure he can handle himself since he is a Ranger. If a Ranger is wearing heavier armor though, maybe I should get some too."

Dom walks back to supply to inquire about getting a suit of heavier armor than his ride armor. He'd still prefer wearing it for the trip out but going inside, having something with a little more protection would probably be a good thing.

Meina has no trouble picking up her supply of more ammunition - the Bug Zapper weapon is probably going to get a lot of usage in this mission, after all. And she already returned all the vampire-hunting gear from before, instead just making sure she brings along one decent stake that isn't a magical, expensive TW weapon and is instead a sharp, hard stick. Just in case a vampire (or other undead) does try to appear. Or hells, maybe there are undead Xiticix.

"Glad to have all the help we can get, I admire the bravery of anyone joining our team. After all, you have to be brave to put up with our morning faces and bad manners... ah that was a joke, really we see a lot of danger so I appreciate anyone willing to step into that with us."

Apparently Meina has read about "self-deprecating humour" in her latest studies of "what normal people who didn't grow up in an arena might be like".

     Dom can get a suit of armor, but his choices are limited. He can pick either one from either the generic/Black Market category or Triax armor. It’s not going to be fancy. No TW modifications, no additional installed options like a Naruni force field, no Psi-Tech mods. Exactly how it’s described in the book. Also, your choices are limited to EBA or non-EBA armor. No exo or power armor.
     As for Shawn’s question, the expected travel time will be two days, rest for a handful of hours and then attack the Xitixic outpost.

Dom looks over the choices for EBA given by supply and selects a suit of Bushman Trooper. Sure it was about as stylish as a cheap bathroom trashcan but it did offer far more protection than his ride armor. The lack of special features didn't bother him a bit since his ride armor also didn't have anything non stock.

He signs for it and thanks the supply clerks. He learned a long time ago that of the different sections, supply was one you always wanted to keep happy and definitely not piss off.

He stows the armor on his hovercycle, electing to stay in his ride armor for the trip out. Once his gear is stowed and he double checks his hovercycle is FMC (Fully Mission Capable), he reports that fact to the platoon Sergeant.

     Okay, last call, last call for alcohol- I mean gear requests. If anyone has anything thing else they’d like to request before leaving the base now is the time. You’re going to leave the base soon and once you do you won’t be back for a long while.
     Also, I forgot to answer one of Shawn’s questions. Elias does have 157 unpaid parking tickets. They’re just not in Lazlo. Let’s just say there’s a reason why Elias decided it would be safer to head east and fight on the frontlines of the Xitixic War than deal with a certain parking authority.

It just occurred to me that James might want to see about a hover car.  Either Triax or something like a Skull Car.

OOC
Does the squad APC have resupply for mini-missiles? If not I'd like to request some for stowing in the APC as Dom's hovercycle uses them. Really hoping to avoid needing them but have to allow for the possibility.

I recall reading that it has e-clip recharger stations so that's covered.

After the mission briefing, Ariella flits up to the two new soldiers, zipping in for a close look for a moment, then zipping out to hide behind James.  She can be seen to be hiding just behind his ear, where she leans in to speak.
No like, Master.  No like.  Men seem... devious.  Not good type to have around, she says to him, likely louder than she intended.

     To James: not going to happen. Not this last second. However I am not completely heartless. The motor pool does have something available. You can pick either the ATV Speedster Hover Cycle (electric engine, laser weapon installed) or the Wastelander Motorcycle (also with an electric engine and laser weapon installed.) You do not have to worry about keeping it charged. The APC has a power adapter for charging electric vehicles.
     To Dom: it does, but I see no reason not to let you request more for your vehicle. Your vehicle can hold up to 16 mini-missiles so you can request that many in total of any type.

     I knew it!
     Seriously, though, one last request. My hoverbike can load up to 12 mini-missiles. I’ll take 12 plasma mini-missiles.
     I acknowledge Dom’s news that he’s ready to go and let Meina that I am too. For the trip I’m not as loaded for bear as I plan to be once we actually attack the outpost. I have my Zapper loaded and slung, wearing my ammo belt at my waist with 4 PPE-Clips and I also have my TW Flaming Sword clipped to my side. The rest of my gear has been loaded into my backpack. Anyone paying attention will notice that I’m loading way more items into my backpack than should be able to fit, but it doesn’t look bulky in the least. In fact, it looks empty.
     “Ready to depart. As usual, I volunteer to take point as we travel.”

Goggles huffed, "No offense, Sergant, but I am an expert at being unnoticed and silent. I should take point, unless you think it better to do that yourself."

     I reply, “If you really want the position you may have it, but we’re not going to have to worry about stealth for the first day or two of travel. We’re driving APCs through the forest. Not exactly a quiet mode of travel. Also, I have Sixth Sense. If someone or something tries to ambush us I’ll have forewarning and I can warn the rest of the squad. It’s worked before.”

Goggles nodded, "Well how about you take point while we moving and I'll watch out for us while we are stopped. That means I'll sleep in the bus here ((the ATV)) while moving and be awake while you guys sleep. Does that seem good to you?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:55, Wed 06 Sept 2023.