Shelly looks at Mittens and grins. "A mission is when you have a group of people sent to do a task or service. A raid is like a surprise attack. And weapons are tools of destruction, usual meant for harming an opponent." she sticks her tongue out. "Sorry.. you just opened yourself up for that one. Yes, we're going on a mission. Yes, you can join. Yes, I've noticed how much you've been practicing under water with your suit and no, you are not leading the team this time... I am."

She then looks at Nautilus and says, "And I guess that answers your question too. I do have a few in mind for this mission. I'm glad you approve of the kind of mission I've got in mind, though it's a no-brainer if you ask me. Five, no.. six new members to our group and we don't have weapons for any of them. Lessee... that's Harrison, Mittens, Orion, Thomas, Timothius and Walden. Orion mentioned something about managing to keep his dagger. Mittens came with a make-shift sword. Harrison wants a hammer. Thomas said anything is better than being empty-handed. Timothius and Walden, though..."

Shelly skews her mouth a little in thought. "Timothius doesn't like weapons and thinks he'll hurt himself and the people around him if he has one. Walden... well... understandably, Walden doesn't want to see action at all. But maybe a weapon in hand would make him more confident?"

Shelly then ohs and says, "As for who, I already mentioned Mittens. I wanna bring Thomas, Samuel, Milloni, Crucible, myself and any others who really want to come. So that makes a team of no less than six. Hopefully no more than eight. That will make for a good team: 1 leader, 2 fighters one of whom has leadership skill, 2 techies, 1 zealot who doubles as a detective and room for two extra of whatever skill set. Though I guess Samuel could be counted as a heavy hitter due to his size. I just think he has a better head on his shoulders than he has fighting skill. But mostly, I want him on this mission so he can familiarize himself with Urser and hopefully find a few of the things he needs."

Shelly looks back at Mittens. "I want you because of your enthusiasm. You'll be a good group instigator / encourager. The key thing I noticed in the reports on your activities was that you never put anyone down and didn't let anything discourage you. Which is what I had expected would be the case."

Shelly returns her eyes to Nautilus. "Find out discretely who else is aching to see some action and then let me know who they are. Don't let on about the mission." she glances back to Mittens. "You... don't say a word about anything yet. No offense, but you don't have 'discrete' down that well." she says that last part with an impish grin and semi-teasingly.

She then looks from one to the other and says, "But all thoughts greatly appreciated from both of you."

Upon hearing Benji's voice, Valin starts to get up, despite not having finished eating yet when Emerald speaks. "Thank you Emerald." Valin then sits back down and resumes eating, although Valin hurries as he eats as he suspects he'll be needed elsewhere soon enough.

Michael stops working on his chores when Katy approaches him, "Didn't Timothius say you need to take things easy till you recovered? I've already delegated what I can, although I do suppose I can put things on hold for a short while to see what it is that has you up and about." as Michael puts away his tools in his tool belt for the time being.

Michael then hears Benji's voice on the intercom but as Amy volunteers to handle the situation by going to Valin, with Katy's approval, Michael doesn't see the need to speak up regarding the matter.

As Michael watches Amy head off towards the mess hall, where Michael suspects Valin is, Michael turns to Katy and asks, "I've not gotten around to asking you yet, why would Robotnik allow one of his robots to use a portable deroboticizer on someone? It doesn't make any sense as the knowledge of a derotobizer would make people fear the roboticizer less, and Robotnik thrives on fear. Also it reduces his workforce, again something Robotnik woudn't just give up so freely," as Michael suspects that Katy is probably wanting to plan a mission. Possibly a mission to claim the portable deroboticizer that Lucky claims was used to turn Candy back into flesh and blood. However Michael thinks that right now she should focus on recovering, but it still doesn't change the fact that something about the situation with Candy being wrong, as Michael still can't figure out why Robotnik would let a device that could free his slave workforce be demonstrated in front of those that would wish to use it to free the Robians. Also Michael can't figure out why such a device would be in Middletown and not in some personal vault of Robotnik's in Robotropolis.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Tue 23 Dec 2008.

Samuel stops working on the suit when Orion shows up. Samuel glances at a panel on the Diagnostics bracer on his left forearm to check on the current time. Samuel then notices that his stomach is silently rumbling and as he realizes that if not for Orion he would have worked through yet another meal. This reminds Samuel of all the times prior to coming to Mobius when another crewmember of the Elsydeon, typically his wife Alexis, would have had to remind him to stop working and get something to eat. Thinking of those he is now separated from saddens him for a moment.

Nodding his head slightly to distract himself from his memories he turns to Orion and says, "Thanks, I was so caught up in working that I forgot to head over to the mess hall to get something to eat." Samuel then accepts the tray from Orion before clearing a spot in the work area where he can set it down so he can eat without having to hold the tray.

Mika finishes her meal just as Maverick slides his clay figurine towards her.  It takes just a glance to realize it was made for her.  "Ohh, thank you!"  She picks up the clay heart, and places it in her shirt pocket.  She gives Maverick a hug, and rubs her cheek on his.  "That was very nice of you, Dolce." she says.  If Maverick is like the average overlander, she half wonders how they ever got into conflict all those years ago...

As Emerald heads off leaving the kitchen to her she stands, taking her plate.  "I could use your help in la cocina, if you aren't busy." she says to Maverick.  After all when cooking for a large group the time to start planning for lunch, is right after breakfast.

Lucky blushes deeply and squirms in his seat.  Bad enough the teens and adults of Channelwood think of him as a mere child, but Candy's balloon caricature of him confirms his fears that even his peers would baby him.  He still doesn't understand "cute" is a good thing in a girl's eyes.  Still... on the bright side...  no one's run him out of town with pitchforks yet.  Even after admitting his secret "bad luck curse."  Granted, they don't seem to believe him, but that hasn't stopped disaster before.  It's been a whole week and there haven't been any hurricanes!  No werewolves, earthquakes, invasions, diseases.... nothing...  yet.  Must be building up to something worse than he can imagine.

"Greatful," he answers at last, figuring it best not to sound like a crybaby focused on his fears, "Katy hobbling along on her crutch is a constant reminder that she risked her life to rescue me."

She coulda been killed!  All of them could have been killed!  It's my fault they were in such danger.  I shoulda left town the same night they found me to spare them my curse.  And now after a whole week of tempting fate, I stick around thanks to my stupid crush!  How selfish.

"The others too.  Words can't express how much I appreciate what they did for both of us."

He looks down at his plate and stabs at his unfinished breakfast.

"And thinking about you."

His face turns red and steam shoots out his ears.  He looks for a way to make it sound less like he's admitting his crush.

"I mean...  Are you ok?  You sure act like you're fine, but the whole Rip Van Winkle thing where everyone you know is suddenly a decade older must be... unsettling."

Benji's announcement sets Lucky on edge even more than he was already.  He decides not to say anything lest he put his foot in his mouth or sound like a scaredy-cat.

Mittens grins mischievously at Nautalus, stifling a chuckle at his request that she remain calm.  :D  She knows full well that that "remain calm" is code for "TIME TO GO BERZERK!"  I mean really... when's the last time you heard someone say "please remain calm" unless there was something to NOT remain calm about?

She smiles with the tip of her tongue sticking out at Shelly's teases.  :p  But when Shelly starts revealing that adventure IS just around the bend, Mittens can hardly contain herself!  She stands at attention and pounds her fist on her chest then bows to Shelly.  ^.^

"You're leading!?" she answers Shelly excitedly, "And I can come!?" 8D

She dances a jig.  <(^.^<) (>^.^)>

"I can hardly wait!  Suggestions?  Hart iz teh pwnzorz!  Hear he's got some omg swimmin' skillz.  He'd rock on any team!  Timo too with his flying medical... well...  don't suppose that works as well underwater.  I guess Crucible knows aquatic first aid?  Orion is teh awesomez too.  Defines the perfect soldier.  Eager to help and certain of victory.  Huah!" :]

"...who's Thomas?"  o.o;
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Tue 23 Dec 2008.

Lorena wanders into the mess hall in Aquarius, belly rumbling.  She was wearing her bright pink outfit today, again trying to keep everyone's spirits up by wearing bright colors.  Being happy inspires happiness she always told herself.

After getting her tray, she walks over to Shelly.

"Lady Shelly, is it time for me to join a mission yet?  I really want to be useful.  Please give me an important task.  I know I can handle it.  I've even been practicing my underwater spear fighting like you told me to.  I'm also itching to try some new things out that I figured out from my book.  Pwease!" (Yuff!)

She begs of the Urser Princess, trying her best to be cute as usual, grinding the ball of one foot against the floor, while pulling one shoulder to her cheek, hands clasped together under her chin, batting her eyes repeatedly.

She's been itching to try her spear and new strategies out in actual combat.  All the tests she's been running proved to be of some success on the chess board, but that doesn't stack up to real people fighting real battles.

She had no clue that Shelly was planning a raid on Urser, but IF there was something going on, she wanted in.

  Joe's grasp of narrative casualty filled him in on the situation the moment Candy mentioned 'Mrs. Coloflower'.  Of course, this helps him how?  Lucky didn't need the extra help because he used that sensible thing known as 'talk to the person involved'.

  'Considering the recent trends of new allies turning up, I wonder how many more explosions will be involved this time compared to last?'  Of course even if it was enemies turning up, the gradual increase in explosions per day was just as likely.

Awaking from what seemed like a life action film of death and destruction with blurred occurrences of the battle with what ever that tin-cans name was Daemons stomach began to growl, not eating for what seemed like a year he could really go for breakfast. "I wonder if there's any chili dogs in this place" he thinks to himself. Daemon visits a mirror and glances at himself in the mirror.

"Oh god the horror, I look like crapzola" the young hedgehogs begins to groom himself trying to make himself presentable to meet the legendary Katy from what he's heard she seemed to be like a God from in these parts. After he was done making as himself look pretty he grabs his belongings and searches for the mess hall where he can grab some grub for his stomach. As he moves through the corridors he takes in all of the new surroundings trying not to get lost, he finally found the mess hall were everyone has gathered. He walks in giving everyone in the room a big grin a thumbs up.

Nautilus nods at Shelly's words and her choices for her team. When Mittens speaks up and asks about Thomas, the old seabear searches his memory before responding, "I believe that Thomas is one the Mobians that was rescued... A mink, if memory serves. It would be a good opportunity to observe how he works with the rest of us on a mission."

Carefully, he looks at Shelly, "As for thoughts, I suppose I don't have to tell you about the risks involved in you, the princess, leading a mission into dangerous occupied territory, especially in light of what happened on your last mission. We know very little about what has physically developed inside of Urser since our absence. I must admit that I don't feel entirely comfortable with you putting yourself in such unnecessary danger."

When Lorena comes up to them and literally begs to be put on a mission, Nautilus raises a brow. Lorena had the proper training... but what about actual experience? He wondered if it would be worth the risk, but everything was a risk when it came to this war. As it was Shelly's choice, he waited for her response on the matter.

Hart gives a bit of a shrug to Timothius, "If you say so... Heh, but I wonder if Katy will support you if you say that. After seeing her taking on a metal dragon with nothin' but her claws, I'm thinking she isn't the type to wanna stay out of the fray for long. But, yeah, like I said, I'm in. When were you planning on headin' out?"

His ears perk as he thinks he hears his name, but he doesn't see anyone looking towards him or hear his name being said again, so he doesn't pay it much mind.

Katy grumbles when Mike asks his questions. "I've asked myself the same thing. But Lucky described the girl was getting de-roboticised so that she could be made aware, bleed and feel pain. I dunno... it sounds like something he'd do, but it doesn't." she looks down and away with her face tensing up in anger. "Robotnik... so rotten he has us second-guessing what kinds of low he'd sink to. It's literally spoiling my appetite on a daily basis." She isn't kidding either. Her diet has taken a minor drop in quantity.

"I want to plan a mission. Idle Freedom Fighters means stronger Robotnik forces. I don't care if I'm well or not. I don't have to BE on a mission for one to happen. And this village's chores are important... but none of those chores will ever take priority over making sure Robotnik doesn't get an edge." Katy is holding her tone, trying not to sound like she's cross with Mike since, well, she isn't. She's just plain upset.

With fury still written on her face and her eyes still downcast, a tear rolls down Katy's cheek. "Please, Michael... it's TORTURE knowing I have to be idle. I don't have a choice. But the others do. And I know I've been asking a LOT of you since you have been taking this load off my shoulders. But Robotnik won't stand aside just because you're losing sleep caring for your loved ones. Robotnik loses sleep looking for ways to make life horrible for everyone. I can't just sit around doing nothing. So I've written up a number of plans to use. But you are the only other one in Channelwood good for leading a team. Emerald's afraid of missions. Valin's... big. And everyone else here is a soldier at best. This is why I'm asking you have someone else take the burden for now."

Candy skews her face a little in thought as Lucky asks about her Rip Van Winkle experience. She turns an ear towards the comm as Benji speaks, but figures the right people will respond and she looks back to Lucky. "Katy being older is... disorienting. She's very different too. Just as fearless now as she was then, but... a lot less cheerful. Katy used to make me look like a grump. Now she takes grumpy to a whole new level. But one thing I can see for sure about her is that she still has just as big a heart as before. Maybe bigger. All that anger is directed at Robotnik and herself. I think she's upset because as long as Robotnik is around, she feels like she is failing at protecting you all. That's the kind of Katy I know anyway..."

Candy sighs and says, "But you're right. It's still not easy to jump forward so many years. Katy will always be my friend, but... she's a grown up now, ya know? She and I just can't share the same things we used to. And what's really disorienting is knowing you and anyone else who's my age were just babies when I was still like this." she then smiles. "But you're all still here. Fighting against Robotnik. And that is reassuring. Thanks for caring, Lucky."

It's around then that Amy arrives in the Mess Hall and notices Valin before going up to him. "Mr Vaschel? Katy was busy with Mr Maynard, so I offered to go ask you to take care of the intercom message. Did you hear it?" After all, just because she noticed Emerald on her way to see Benji doesn't mean Valin is deaf. She's already figured out what must have happened, not that it took her insight for that. But still, she has to do as she said she would by checking in with Valin.

Maverick eyes the hedgehog Daemon with minor suspicion. Not to mention Candy the rabbit. So many new faces... so much higher chance of betrayal. If only he heard Michael's questions to Katy, Maverick would be going down a list of worst-case scenarios. Not that he needed to hear that in order to go down such a list in his head.

His attention is turned back to Mika as she requests his help and he nods, standing up and following her to the kitchen. He's more than willing to help, especially when it's asked of him from someone he cares about. But before he reaches the kitchen, he looks at Mika and says, "Excuse me a moment, please..." and heads over to Lucky. "Lucky. Wanna help in the kitchen with Miss Mika and I?"

Amy notices Daemon and waves back, beckoning. She figures the guy is probably looking for Katy now that he's likely heard Katy is up and about. Poor guy has waited a week to talk to her.

Angel glances at Joe. "A penny for your thoughts?" she holds up a penny. Seems the craziness is starting already and Angel can feel it like Joe. But she is smiling, rather than worried.

Orion nods understandingly with a small smile. "You're welcome. You really are a diligent one, Sam. But... I thought for sure you and Milloni were already done with the project...?"

Shelly thinks about Mittens' statements. She suspects already that Mittens has a crush on Timothius. "To answer your question, Mittens, Crucible is the best under-water combat specialist we have. Orion is a nice choice for any situation, but I wanted to be sure there weren't others who wanted a chance to be on the mission..."

At the sudden interruption of Lorena, Shelly grins and says, "Sure... since you are so anxious..."

She then glances to Nautilus and says, "Welllll... I understand your concern, Nautilus. But this is a mission to Urser. Who else would lead? Crucible doesn't like leading and Mittens and Orion are not familiar with Urser. That would leave you, Nautilus... if you think you wanna lead an Urser raid."

She looks back at Mittens. "And yeah... what Nautilus said. Thomas is the mink we rescued not too long ago."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Mon 05 Jan 2009.

Timothius says, "Soon as Angel gets here. She said she'd come today, so..." he notices the small crowd forming near Shelly already and ponders. "What's up with those girls? Judging from the fact Mittens is there, I doubt it has to do with normal girl-talk..."

Emerald has made her way to the ground level after hearing from Benji what's going on and runs from tree to tree towards where the yelling came from. She eventually spots a couple of tigers ahead. She calls out to them, "Hello there! My name is Emerald. What're yours?" Soon enough, she is stepping out from behind a tree to let the tigers see her. She is within view of Benji, so she isn't breaking any kind of rules about being alone.

  Joe sees that the value of his thought process has gone up.  "Just considering how much more popular this place had become of late.  The original owner of Deamon's hairstyle is somewhere else, after all."

  Points for originality for wanting to be like Sonic, without pulling the creepy stalker bit though go to the guy however.

"Thomas the mink," Mittens repeats thoughtfully.

Made a big stink? she thinks to herself, Made the cat think?  Was dipped in ink?  Skating rink?

"Out of the brink.  Badnicks will shrink."  :)

Mittens turns to Lorena.  More than her bright clothes, Lorena's eagerness to put spear techniques to good use on a mission has Mittens in a great mood.  ^.^

"Good to see I'm not the only eager kitty!" she chimes with a big smile and a tail wag, "My name is Mittens.  Nice to meet ya!"

Mittens gives a polite curtsy to Lorena.

"So what's your name, m'lady?"

"You're welcome, Candy," Lucky answers with a forced smile.

He tries to look casual when the overlander boy asks him a question, but Lucky's ears fold back when addressed by Maverick.  Can't help but be intimidated by the only overlander he's ever seen after all the terrible things he's heard about the race.

"Always happy to help any way I can," he answers softly, "Least I can do for the heroes that rescued me.  Wunna join us, Candy?"

((OOC: I don't expect everyone to read or remember Phil's char sheet.  The Angel Fish and Devil Fish represent his good and bad conscious and cannot be seen or heard by anyone but Phil.))

---

"Hi," Phil answers calmly.

"Aw man!" Angel Fish interrupts in his mind, "Already lusting after someone you just met!?"

"I can't blame him," Devil Fish answers, "She IS a fox.  Literally.  And she's about his age."

"Oh I get it.  You're right!  Phil's usually lusting after younger girls.  This IS an improvement!  I'm proud of ya, Phil!  At least when you cheat on your wife with this fox it'll only be 1 sin instead of 3."

"Three?  Oh riiiight!  Aw MAN!  Almost forgot what a PERVERT Phil is!"

They both laugh at him.  Phil's eyes narrow in anger and he clenches his fists.  Ever want to punch your conscious in the face?

"My name's Phillip," he continues, "And this is my daughter, Raichel.  We're here looking for a safe place to stay for a little while."

"What's the matter, Phillip?" retorts Angel Fish, "I thought you were ALL about honesty.  Afraid to come out and tell the truth?  'I'm here to take your powerful hero away and use her for my own ends.'"

"Oh! Oh! '...leaving you to fend for yourself without her.'" Devil Fish continues, "'So you'll probably all be robots before long.'"

"'...So you may as well enjoy yourself in bed with me tonight.'"

"Aw MAN!  '...And I don't mind if you invite a few friends along.  I know there's someone I'D like to invite!'"

Both roll over laughing at him.  Every muscle in his body tenses up.

Mika gathers the dirty dishes, avoiding the ones people are still eating off of and brings them into the kitchen.  Staking the dishes withthe others she begins to pump some water into the sink to get things ready for her volunteers so they can get right to work.

After filling the sink she heads into the pantry taking out the meat and vegtables to be prepped for quick cooking come lunchtime.  "Oi, cooking for so many...  How do I keep track of what everybody eats?" she asks herself as she looks throughthe kitchen for utensils, cookbooks, and hopefully a menu left by Emerald.  If there's no menu then luch will be empanadas, quesadillas, and fajitas.  don't forget 3 flavors of salsa: mild, hot, and anaphylactic shock.

Valin finishes eating around the time Amy enters the mess hall. When she tells Valin her message from Katy and Michael, Valin nods and says, "I heard the intercom message, and Emerald already volunteered to deal with it. Although I do plan on heading off to assist Benji and her, now that I have finished eating."

Valin then stands up and waves to Daemon upon noticing the hedgehog before taking his plate over to the kitchen since he was still eating when Mika had come by. The large gorilla carefully manages to not get in the way of those helping in the kitchen, in part by using his height and reach to place his plate down without having to worry about someone being in the way. After all, when you can reach over or around someone with over a foot of clearance, they aren't in your way and your not likely to be in their way either.

Valin then heads off leaving the mess hall to head over to where Benji is to find out if Emerald and Benji need his assistance.

When Katy speaks her opinion about how and why Robotnik would allow the deroboticization of Candy, Michael silently agrees that while Robotnik would stoop to anything to make people suffer, something about relinquishing control over someone he has enslaved seems at odds with Robotnik's personality...and that bothers Michael.

Michael also considers Katy's comments about a mission and reads the expression on her face as he carefully chooses his words, "It sounds like you have already planned out several possible missions. The only two things that remain are to decide which one to implement, and who goes on the mission. And the latter one would in part be determined out of necessity by the former one. So do you wish to discuss these plans here or somewhere else?" As Michael then waits to find out Katy's answer.