"Of course, I peek, too many hot bodies on our company. I think if you ended up stripping instead of fighting you might make more money." Rabbit faux glared at Cowboy "And tis not as if you aren't peeking too....sir"

Rabbit turned to Cade "You know I think there's way too many officers and not enough enlisted here."

Devlin feigns indignanty

Hey, I resemble that remark.  Not much chance I'd be mistaken for an officer.  And I never peeked.  I always stood out in the open where i could see better.  And not you Cowboy, the ladies.

The captain, as always, is amazingly stoic whenever the group makes any comments--whether serious or not.  It was as if he couldn't care less what was being said.  The current situation is no different.  "Given the cultural sensitivities of which I have informed, we will properly assign quarters based on gender.  Lieutenant Sforza and Corporal Mallory will be assigned to bunker D-2.  The rest of you will be here with me.  Murphy and Nemerson, help them carry their gear to the other bunker.  Sergeant Masters, go supervise the move."  With those orders, it was clear that he wanted some alone time with Lt. Carlyle.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:18, Tue 17 July 2012.

Cade smirks at Rabbit.  "You know, I think we should put all of the officers in one dorm, and we enlisted folk take the other", he says with a wink.  "Its almost a 50/50 split, much better ratio than split by gender."

When  the Cap, barks out his orders though, the grin almost washes off of Cade's face.  "Oh well", he comments with disappointment.  He walks over to where the gear is and looks around. "So which bags are yours Rabbit?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Tue 17 July 2012.

The Stallions are alloted a half hour or so to settle in.  Captain Schmidt has his quiet time with Lt. Carlyle.

The results of that discussion is suggested to transpire in private messages

Lt. Evans returns around then.  Everyone has had time to settle in, grab a bunk bed and relax for a few minutes.  It's nice and quiet.  Too nice and quiet for soldiers maybe.  The woods are nice and peaceful and it's the sort that really only a civilian can take for granted and enjoy.

Soldiers are waiting for combat to start, or paranoid about the next fight that might pop up unexpectedly.  Lance commander Evans reports briefly to Captain Schmidt.

"Lance Commander Millicent Evans reporting, Captain Schmidt.  It's been decided, that in order to be an more effective liason... and sensitive to your needs, that i should dorm with your unit.", she's observant enough to notice that the dorms seem to be split down the lines of gender and voices the observation.

"I presume I'll be rooming in Dana-2 then?", more statement than question.

"The technicians are working on getting the equipment functional from cold storage.  I've discussed the matter of showering with the grounds keeper, and she's indicated that the male components of your unit may schedule use of the facilities between the hours of six in the afternoon to six in the morning.  Classes are not in session at this time, and as such the demands of the showers will be more flexible, and may be closed off from general use for fifteen minutes which should be adequete for the chore at hand."

"I require only a few minutes to drop off my possessions in the Dorm and then i will be available to escort you to the motor pool."

Cade was going over the user manual for the X-3 power loaders when Evans walks in.  He glances up, but returns to his reading after noting who entered.  He half chokes down a chuckle when she talks about dorming with the unit, and tries to hide the fact that it was him, although not very well.  They should have split the unit by officers / enlisted, at least the cat fight would have 2 people to enjoy it.

Millie glances over at Cade puzzled at what he finds so amusing.  She notices that he's reading the X-3 field manual... which was rather technical and bland.  It took a special brand of 'nerd' to find them amusing, then again, he was a guy.  Maybe big toys and giant hardware was his thing.

It was none of her business, so she returns her glance to Johan expectantly.

"Very well, Commander Evans.  Get settled.  We can talk more on the way.  You're dismissed."  For better or worse, Johan continues to ignore the shenanigans of his unit, letting the liaison officer go.  "One more thing, Commader.  If you have any issues with a member of my unit, you should come talk to me about it.  It would be...proper protocol."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:01, Tue 17 July 2012.

"Ive barely made their acquaintance.
 It's difficult to begrude a total stranger.", Lance Commander Evans looks to have her right arm across her stomach, and her hand over her hip when she inclines her head slightly, her body bowing just slightly with the gesture before departing.  It felt like a salute... you think.

It was starting to feel like a long day was going to get longer.  She enters Dana-2 and picks the nearest unoccupied bunk to the door.  She was use to the accomodations, they were pretty standard through out the compound, which she had become familiar with through her carrer with the academy.

She was quick and efficient at unpacking most of the clothes she had into the bottom of the footlocker, leaving only the ones she planned to change into later after her shower at the top drawer, along with her personal effects.  She contemplated putting her sidearm away, but regulations 'suggested' being armed at all times while on duty, and she was defintely still on duty.

Several books, and a data pad were put away at the new stand.  She nods politely to the other women in the dorm but has little to say at the moment, her thoughts preoccupied with a wide assortment of things that needed to be done before the day was over.  Unpacking took less than five minutes, she would be back in Johan's presence in ten, unless Caitlin and Camille detains her.

Caitlin lay back on the bunk enjoying life. For a start the barracks did not smell of stale sweat. A pleasant floral scent filled the room. She found it surprising that Camille and herself had the barracks all to themselves.

Rabbit had already unpacked. The few surplus items she had folded carefully in her footlocker. The civilian clothes she had...well, there was only one word to describe them. Loud. Very bright primary colours. Rabbits camoflage in civilian clothes was the intent to hide behind colour.

She was surprised to see the Lancx Commander sharing the dorm with them. she shared a "what's up look with the Lieutenant beofer standing up to move to meet the newcomer. "Uh...are you sure you're in the right dorm Ma'am? Are you staying on base?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Tue 17 July 2012.

Devlin picks a bunk and tosses his bag on it.  He lays down and leans on the bag, taking a puff on his cigar.

Well men.  Shall we see about a walk about town when the sun goes down?  See what trouble we can get in to?

Camille had unpacked her thigns effeciently as well, a handfull of uniforms similar to the one she currently wore, a formal dress, all slipped into the footlocker.

Camille raised an eyebrow as the lance commander entered the barracks, this would get... interesting.
She hoped the woman wouldn't start on another tirade about the unit.

Camille straightened with a sigh as she placed the picture of her parents on ehr ngihtstand, running her fingers over it for a moment before turning to face the Lance commander.

She was about to speak when caitlin did, so she zipped it, and waited.

Millie tilts her head slightly to regard Caitlin as she finishes her unpacking and nods.

"No mistake.
 I'm to be Liason officer, and as such Dorming with your unit was presumed the best way to familiarize myself with your needs, and be available to Liason as required.  Captain Schmidt indicated to post my station here.  Is there a problem?"

---

No closets Caitlin, you get a nice mid sized footlocker and thats it.  Actually Camille , Millie didnt start the fight with you.  Most of her observations were internal monologue.  You went and picked one with her starting on message #36.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:49, Tue 17 July 2012.

ooc: ah yeah, I did, didn't I ;)

wanted to post this earlier, but i figured i'd wait for caitlinns question to be answered.

Camille nodded at that, then spoke up, slowly at first, this wasn't exactly somethign she did often.

"I would like to apologise for my behavor earlier, I was tired and exhausted, not to mention hungry.
Still it does not excuse my rude behavior"

Cade tosses his manual down on his bunk with some disgust.  "I like your train of thought Sarge.  That thing is about as dry as leather that has been staked out in the desert for a month.  Ugh."

Getting the chance to do a once-over on the X-3a that he was going to be taking over was top priority so he knew he was going to be hitting the motorpool with Lt. Evans and Capt. Schmidt in the very near future.

Cowboy was thus leaning up against the back wall where the cot he had chosen was.  While he waited he tended to his bolt action rifle, cleaning it up and readying it for action again since there was little use for the thing on a dropship.

Millie shrugs, "Apology accepted.", she says simply.

"I'm about to escort Captain Schmidt to the motor pool.  If he does not specifically object, i do not see any reason to exclude you from the excursion.", she offers in return.

---

Cowboy's rifle, is functional, though probably under used.

---

Millie returns and overhears Cade's disucssion with Devlin.

"It is up to the unit commander to allot leave from the campus.  Though i would not advise it at this time.  I do not believe you have been issued any local credits.", she says simply as an explanation for her suggestion.

"much appreaciated, I need to get into my mech as soon as possible, months of space travel elaves you rusty"
with the air cleared she tried a grin at the other women.

Cade turns and looks at the Lance Commander, surprised that she is back already.  I hope she isn't that fast in bed. He thinks to himself.  "Thank you Ma'm.  That most likely would cut our R&R short."

Seeing most of the unit simply sitting around the barracks, Svend tries to get close to the center and asks the question that everybody has been dancing around. "So, what exactly are we here for? I know we got some fluff answer about insurgents, but with these new exosuits the field seems tipping in the locals favor. Why bring battle experienced mercs in?"

(players are encouraged to work out 'unit' discussions like the one between Adam and Johan.  In the interest of forward plot movement to get to the COMBAT MISSIONS that i think you are all waiting on, i'm going to move the plot forward, skipping around such discussions.  You may discuss it in the OOC thread, or roleplay it here at your option.)


Lance Commander Evans takes the Wild Stallions out for a walk.  With out money in their pocket, and shower options limited to after classes wrap up, they really dont have much else that's important enough to miss the excursion.

They're bought into a Hanger, that can rival the Dropships in floor space, if not height in a field behind the Academy.  Wide doors seem to be permanently left open, with a pair of guard post to either side of the door.

The Lance Commander has a few words with the sentry and presents her credentials and waves the unit to follow her in under in the sentries interested watchful eyes.

Inside the Hanger is a hive of activity.  It's late in the day so most of the vehicles are being bought in to be worked on.  Cadets are found hosing down dirt and mud off machines of war.  Technicians are holding classes on simple maintenance, and the simple chores of reloading weapons.

Theres a section for conventional Cavalry half a dozen each of light wheeled, tracked, and hover vehicles are being worked on.  Weapons seems to be swapping in and out of some by the technicians, making use of module bays similiar to the X-3s.  Opposite them lined up as if in formation were two dozen X-3s and variations of, along with the Units mechs, which seemed to tower over their smaller cousins.

Towards the rear of the hanger, was where the most activity seemed to be occuring behind a curtained off area that seemed to segment the hanger in half.

"The mechs unloaded this morning are still being worked on.  Lubricants havent been tended to for months.  Targeting alignments seem to have been jarred out of alignment and are being recalibrated along with other maintenance issues.", Millie gestures to the side where a platoon of tech girls seem to be working on them.  A half dozen or so of them assigned to each mech.

Lance Commander Evans moves to one side and gestures to one of the mechs that the Stallions got to review this morning unloading the dropship.  It was... 'small' as mechs went and looked rather under armed at the moment, since none of its options have been loaded yet.

Johan "toured" the new mech units, looking at X-3's from all different angles.  He himself had turned down one of the units when given the option, believing that it was better to preserve its availability for other mechwarriors under his charge who were using oversized, but underarmed mechs.  He comments to no one in particular, "So, these are the new units for us.  Doesn't look like much at the moment, but then again, looks don't really matter."

Apparently satisfied with the quick visual inspection, he turned back towards the liaison officer.  "I presume that we haven't been brought here to teach cadets in a classroom setting.  I think my men could do with a little practice with these new mechs as well.  Has any training exercises been scheduled yet?"  Johan too had just acquired a new mech, but he wasn't about to share his own lack of experience with it openly.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Tue 17 July 2012.

Cade follows along in silence.  He does his best to make sure his gaze does not linger on any woman in particular in the 'target rich environment'.  Any time he makes eye contact with any of the people in the room he smiles politely and nods.  Hearing that their mechs are needing further calibration and repair makes him a bit nervous.  He doesn't like not being able to rely on his mech to be ready at a moments notice.  After a while, he does start looking for where all the weapons are being stored for all the alternative load outs that the mechs are able to use.

"I am certain these are the most advance machines of war developed anywhere in known space.  Certainly the most advance in the Periphery."

Millie leads the small party of pilots towards the curtained off area.

"You'll be excepted to train and educate our cadets.  Part of your contract includes advisement and training of personnel.  After along jaunt of travel in space, you'll of course be alloted some time to reacquaint yourself to your profession.  The field has been cleared for the next two day for wargames.

It will be spent familiarizing your pilots with the X-3s and a chance for you to showcase your fighting prowess to the student body to gain their respect when you take to training them."

As the Stallions clear the curtain the hanger seems to be much busier.  Instead of a simple motor pool, it looks like 'Q' section from the James Bond novels.  The place has alot of technicians about running a host of test and tinkering with 'stuff'.  Most of it seems to be above the heads of the pilots, though it's obvious theyre conducting test on all sorts of equipment that made the Hoff R&D boys shops looking like Tinker toy factory.

Lance Commander Evans walks over to an area that's been squared off.  "Colonol Armstrong's final haggling was to see to it that some of the technology we have been developing find it's way into your units hands.

"The 'Hoff' Heat sinks has he calls them, have been refined.  The corrosion isolated, with out reducing it's effects.  More maintenance will be required though they will no long run the risk of corroding the engine shielding and instigating a erosion in the Engine shielding."

(pilots that bought Hoff heat sinks have them here)

Nearby Millie waves at rack of weapons on the floor or on shelves that are evidently ready to go.  Near them are technical stations working on modifying?  repairing or some such the equipemtn that's stored here.

"Tomorrows exercise will be a simulated game of 'capture the flag'.  The Wild Stallions mechs, will balance off against a platoon of X-3s.  While the X-3s have numbers, the Wild Stallions will have 'size' on their side."





Blackjack, Whitworth, and Fire Fly arent ready Cade, the X-3 all work fine.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Tue 17 July 2012.

The captain watches the operations without comment.  He wasn't piloting one of these new machines and wasn't entirely sure about them.  The modular nature seemed like a good approach to design, but sometimes more design means fragility and unreliability due to over-engineering.  The captain could only hope that the old mechs are defeated.  Otherwise, the new technology would prove to have been a poor bargain.  Only time will tell for certain.

Whatever the case, he was glad that the first engagements after multiple months are only going to be exercises in a controlled and safe environment.  He was keenly aware how the group's lack of coordination had resulted in the destruction of two of their mechs, and the near destruction of even more.  He could only hope it won't happen again....