Looking down at the teenage red head he has really yet to meet since he was in the medical facility for so long Arven says, "Yeah darlin i'll climb up on the back of that thing and let you haul me around." The Rahu-Man adjusts the armored chestplate underneath his poncho. It is apparent the gunsligner is not accustomed to wearing such heavy armor for protection.

Despite his grimace, Harmon seems to enjoy the banter. When Callie jokes with him he shrugs back, I don't know Red, you've heard the old saying, "Something about a Borg in hand....." I wouldn't mess with it.

His eyes narrow, however, when Arven calls for a piggyback. Still, he holds his tongue. So, aren't we in a rush? What are we waiting for?

He climbs laboriously into the APC next to Xion. You driving? I'm not much for handling an APC like this, so I'll grab one of the hovers if there's no chaufeur, he grumbles.

On another note, Lieutenant, I was thinking about how to make better time. Depending on the locations involved, I may be able to transport us all via a Ley Line. It'd depend on where exactly we need to go, but I can manage the whole squad if it comes to that. Just tuck it away in case you need it. He taps his own head with a plump middle finger to show the information being stored away.

Xion nods, "I will keep that in mind, because we would have to move the entire unit at once...especially for this mission. This is a big one guys, very important that we don't screw this one up. I have faith in your abilities." Turning back to Harmon, "No, I am not driving, not my area. I was from a special forces unit, we were very...very quiet."

 "Ohhhh, that kind of 'special', da?" cracks the big 'Borg cheerfully, walking over with the team to the rest of the vehicles as he carefully locks his cannon over his shoulder onto a magnetic strap-point... He rather pointedly doesn't pay too much attention to the commotion erupting in the other briefing tent, rather checking each of his colleagues out visually - particularly Arven... "Excuse me, please." he murmurs, reaching out with a free hand to tug here and there on the Rahu-man's armour straps, checking the fit. "Is good stuff, will keep you alive - now we are being all ready to go, khorosh?"

As Callie approaches "Bernadette" the sleek robot kneels, seemingly of its own volition, and the pilots hatch opens.  "Atta girl" she says as she pats the vehicle when she arrives.

Callie gives a final check, making sure that everything is ready to go before pulling herself into the cockpit.  Once she's seated and ready, the robot stands once more, then turns and gives a thumbs-up to Xion.

The Major walks to the group and nods to Xion, giving the others a look over.

"Xion, Your two platoons will make up the strike force. The other platoons will lay fire on the enemy positions. They will crack their defenses, and your men will jump in, grab the VIP and jump out.

This is no joke, these soldiers will be fighting to the death to protect this officer. My advice to you is to not stop shooting until your target hits the ground. Your men will hang back one mile from the rest of us. We will engage them first, allow them to set in, before we send you in. But prepare for incoming fire as you make your approach. It's gonna be a bloody day.

We move out from here. We will be there in just under two hours. We already have air support circling the area, trying to keep the Coalition air force out of our skies.  But it is all a matter of time..."

She waits for any questions then prepares to move on...

The rotund ley line walker throws a look Arven's way that says "See, what did I tell ya?"

He shakes his head and mutters, I knew this would kill me....

 At Zephrams open radio transmission to all nearby forces, the oversized Russian combat 'Borg jerks up, swinging his head over to look at the meeting area for Second Platoon, one hand smoothly moving to lift his helmet and snap it in place, small cybernetic locking mechanisms firmly ensuring its attachment.

 "Orders, sir?" he asks of Xion, moving to position himself for a clear shot on the developing scuffle, one hand snaking over his back for the heavy plasma ejector slung there.

Xion smiles as Masque poses the question, "Why the same thing we do to any demon running rampant, we put it down with extremem prejudice." Xion draws his pistols and begins to run towards Zephrams platoon.

Oh great, let's get DEVOURED first... THEN we can set out on the most important mission we could possibly have been given.

Harmon sighs, shaking his head, Just another way to die, I guess. Still shaking his head, Harmon disappears from sight.

Checking her readouts after the demon's "containment" Callie is happy about having the walls of "Bernie" between herself and the rest of the squad.  It gives her the freedom to indulge in a very teenage pout that none of her ordinance was able to hit anything other than the ground.

Thumbing the radio back on, the young psi-tech turns her vehicle back towards the path out of Hillcrest.  "Everyone all right on our side?"

From his postion behind the big russian borg, Harmon has barely advanced before the magical and technical barrage is unleashed on the demon.

Out of the thin air - at least to those who are not looking in alternate visual spectra - those in squad one here Harmon's voice, in rapture evidently with the display of power before them, Now THAT's beautiful.

A moment later he adds thoughtfully, Hard to imagine, really, that we can't beat off the CS with that kind of power.... Makes you wonder....

Xion faces Harmon suddenly, "Wonder what exactly?" he asks sharply, "Squad form up, find your ride and let's move." With that Xion will board the APC and settle in for the brief ride.

Arven walks over to take a look at the mangled body of Ajax and kneel down to have a private word with Lotus. When the squad heads out Arven rides piggy back on the big ass robot. He uses some rope he squandered from some poor bastards tent and loops it around a few times so he can better hold on.

Harmon is snapped back from his musing by the lieutenant's hard responce.

Eh, well actually....

But Xion has moved on and Harmon figures it is better to let it drop. He is trying to decide whether to remind Xion that there is no driver of the APC, when he sees Arven climbing the back of Calli's robot. You've got to be kidding me.... This squad is downright crazy....

He charges up the hovercraft systems, checks double-checks his coordinates, and revs the jets to life. He begins to move, staying near the rear of the squad.

 Returned once more, and perhap a little cheered by the example of Tolkeen Military Justice as much as he is saddened at the stupidity of it all, 'Masque prepares to join the convoy pulling out - for whatever reason, he seems to be willing to do so on foot rather than on-board a vehicle, but as he said, he can probably keep up.

 "I have point?" he asks, calling over to Xion once more.

   Lotus stands beside the giant Arven while looking down at Ajax's battered armour.  She kicks the construct in the rib section with a clang from her armoured boot, an angered expression crossing her face.  "Yeah, bigger fish!"  she snorts, before storming off...
   Lotus goes to her hovercycle and mounts up.  She rockets herself off when the rest of the squad gets underway.

"Bernadette" makes a surprisingly convincing show of feeling the giant gunslinger's weight when he crawls onto "her" back.  "Jeez, lay off the cookies next time." Callie's voice complains over the external speakers, though tinged with a hint of humor.  It seems she's willing to play along with the joke as long as it's not hindering the squad.

"Just be careful of the missile pod up there, man.  You probably won't hurt it without meaning to, but if I have to fire off a volley it vents where your shoulder...er...top shoulder is."

"It looks like Pluto Company is heading out. How far behind do we follow? and Does the airforce of Tolkeen have an image or map or anything of the crash-site area to give us? So we know what we are charging at?"

"Yes Masque, you take the point. Keep an eye out, report anything...you know the drill," Xion responds flatly.

 With that command, the big Cyber-Tiger moves on out, the massive weight of cerametal armour on his frame not even seeming to slow him a whit, though he leaves inch-deep footprints in the hard-packed dirt of the marshelling yard - at first his loping pace seems no more than that of a human of equivalent size, but it soon lengthens into impossible, bounding stides that devour distance with seeming ease.

 When he moves out of sight, though not out of communications range he's comfortably doing forty or more miles an hour without the least sign of strain, all senses alert...

Having a bad feeling in general about this particular mission Arven decided to leave Petunia, his precious Ostrosaurus, in the care of the animal handlers at the stables on the outskirts of the military encampment. Settling into the most comfortable position he can on the back of the giant robot he double loops the rope he is holding onto around his upper wrists. Thank goodness for supernatural strength. Arven noted earlier how the "fat-mage" seemed protective of the young woman he is bumming a ride from so he decides to take a jab loud enough for him to notice. Slapping the robot on it's rear with an audible thump the irascible gunslinger yells, "Giddiup Red and if your sensors pick up an overabundance of lubricating fluid on your chassis it's just me daydreaming about your sweet young ass." By all accounts he is completely out of line and grossly insensitive but at least he is consistent.

Callie starts off after Silvermasque, Bernadette accelerating into a smooth lope in spite of the load on its back.

"Hey!  Bernie doesn't leak...oh...eww!" comes over the robot's external speakers.  Before the group has quite left Hillcrest, the robot's head turns to face Xion "Bernie's got the standard sensor suite.  Do you want us to come in quiet, sir, or do you want her radar up and running?"

   Even Lotus balks at Arven's comments.  She revs the engines on her hovercycle to drown him out and she moves along with the group as a whole.  Everyone seems a little tense and the mystic knight doesn't fully understand why.  This is what we're here for.  Much better to be dashing in to capture a VIP then sitting on the front lines under the barrage of artillery.

Xion
Null
Arven
Fearless
SilverMasque
Calliandra
Harmon
Lotus
Anniyan
Jelme