She smiled but looked at Balkir with an unsure glance. He looked like anything but a chef, but if she said he was a good cook, she guessed she'd have to believe her until she got a chance to sample some of his cooking anyway.
 "Oh, I like lots of stuff for breakfast. I like ham, bacon, cold leftover pizza, cold fried chicken, oatmeal, cream of wheat with crumbled up bacon in it with butter and sugar, oatmeal, french toast, crepes with fresh strawberries, raisin brand, coco puffies, oat and rice and wheat and bran grain cereals. Sometimes I even like eggs over easy, and scrambled, and omelets with ham and corn and cheese in it, or western omelets. And all the time I love cream cheese danishes, or cherry danishes, or pineapple, or barvarian cream, or croissants stuffed with whipped cream and fresh sliced strawberries or fresh peaches or nectarines. My Mom... my mon used to make them for my birthday."
 At the thought of how happy she used to be when her mom made her special birthday treats, she got a lump in her throat and blinked tears back, but then she smiled around at everyone and pretended she wasn't sad thinking about it. After all, she still had wonderful memories mostly, though she did wish with all her heart that her parents were here with her now.
 "And I like hot sweet tea for breakfast. Do you have tea? Mom said tea was ok, but coffee was for grownups, because it is bitter. I never liked coffee anyway, the time or two I got to taste it."

  " I'll be having a nice fresh bowl of cream, and a side of tuna if you please. Star announced as she made her entry strolling tail high, and looking ready to be adored. " fuzzy butt will be having anything you can dig out of the garbage extra stinky. she teased Sun Runner on her way in.
  She stopped rubbing against Maran's leg for a moment then hopped up and plopped in T'risa's lap assuming the pet me position. A soft soothing purr rumbling from her s she found her place

"Mm that does sound yummy. I love Crepes Maran and strawberries would be a wonderful bonus. I like whip cream though I never thought of having it inside a Croissant that sounds like a dessert." She smiles at Maran a comforting hug and allows her the time to get past the painful memory. Though she doesn't press her about it. Obviously if she wanted she would discuss things at her own pace if ever. "Well coffer doesn't have to be black. I like french vanilla coffee and they have other types as well. You can also make it half milk and add plenty of sugar. If you do that it isn't bad. I am sure we do have tea."

M'kira laughs and smiles at Trey's Enthusiasm enjoying the thought of seeing everyone dancing at a party. "Anything you like Trey. I think the main course includes eggs, bacon and more. I am sure special requests might be possible."

Seeing Brightstar climb or hop into T'risa's lap M'kira grins. "Looks like we have company T'risa. Hello Brightstar." Gently she runs her hand down the length of Brightstar's back only to happy to get in on the petting. She also lightly rubs behind her ears smiling while she does so.

 She made a slight face because, really, she preferred eggs at other times of the day, but beggars couldn't be choosy and besides, it sure beat ration bars and frozen dinners. She wondered if they had their own chickens somewhere, since, well, they had rabbits, right?
"Say, do you even make fried rabbit or rabbit stew? I mean you got rabbits right?"
 She looked around bright eyes with curiosity to see if anyone acted grossed out, or if they actually had rabbit on the menu. She liked fried rabbit now and then herself.
 "I like fried rabbit, though it can be dry if not cooked right. But for now I guess I'd like some...eggs over easy, whites not snotty but the yoke still runny but cooked, and some bacon, and toast with grape jelly. Three eggs, three slices of toast, a gazillion slices of bacon and a large strong cup of tea with sugar please. And maybe is you got some fruit to go with it, that'd be great! Cause I sure am hungry!"
 "Maybe a nice ham bone with some meat on it for Sunny, and some kibble or something. I'm sure he can convert just about anything into energy. So can little miss Queenie over there." She waved toward Bright Star with a teasing gaze.

" Balkiir peered over at Maran with an exaggerated squint," she's pnk but she has a blue appetite."</blue> Balkiir stood up and hobbled back to the grill, " I think the rabbits are off the menu till they stock up a little. That big kitty back that way is the game warden. so you might want to get a permit first...poachers may be eaten."

  "back home rabbit is pretty much day to day food. We bag four or five while we're out. cook 'em up for dinner,maybe a little sage, stuff them with carrots and potatoes and roast them slow over the fire."
   "Of course if the moms, and the girls, are home you might need a few more."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:38, Sat 05 Mar 2011.

He looked up as others began to talk to him. HE gave Elsbeth a short nod that he would help her out with the inventory and training of the town. One of the few things it seemed he could do around here, pass on the knowledge of how to kill another quickly, cleanly, efficiently. He gave Poppy a slight smile as well.

As M'kira began to talk about dancing he thought back to the times his wife had loved to dance. Had made him learn how to dance. "I can dance, it's been a long time since I had a reason to though."

  " reasons to dance are hard to come by." Rhic nodded with an odd look. a mix of understanding and something far deeper." But sometimes you have to find them."

  "I got a reason for ya Grymm." Poppy shot Grymm a bright smile." Actually a few hundred of them. Some big reasons some short reasons a few reasons that run on batteries. and one really happy reason that was laying in a junk heap till some folks came along and put it back together."

    "You got dragged down a bug hole and came out, you helped wipe the smirk of of some psycho battle witches plans, you put guns in the hands of the good guys. and some day all those happy smiling still breathing people in hope are going to make little happy smiling people and all of them owe it to a bunch of slightly odd, kinda scary.... some kind of cute and adorable, some kinda sexy cool, folks rode in like one of those old westerns and started slinging lead. Sooo..... you are officially entitled to one dance, of the 'happy happy" and I ain't dead yet variety, which i will happily join since I ain't dead yet either.....well was there for a little bt but someone kindly flipped he switch and turned my sorry but back on. Hey another reason to dance for me...and You guys 'cause you got to meet some as cool as moi."

 Poppy bounced around happily as she spoke looking as if she had had way to much coffee. putting a hand on Grym's arm for  second the pulling it away looking embarrassed. Before going back to her "happy happy" mode.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:03, Sun 20 Mar 2011.

"Huh? Your thinking about eating rabbits for breakfast?" She thought the request was rather unusual on the other hand so was Maran. Look at her companions and she seems to be just as exotic in her own way. She was impressed with Marans appetite though she didn't' think it to unusual. Even her species could get very hungry. Some were actually prodigous eaters though they usually paid for it by putting on weight. Not that she thought this was such a case. Three eggs was nothing on the other hand all that bacon was bad news. She was lucky modern medicine could deal with the damage that would do to her cardiovascular system over the years. The egg yolks also contributed to that sort of problem not that she would ever turn eggs down. She was simply more aware because she was very demanding of her body in order to survive.

She pauses in her eating when Balkir answer Maran with a amused expression and a twinkle in her eyes. "Mmm I would  love to see Aziza. She's going to need to eat and preferrably one hell of a big breakfast. I want to see her put a bit of meat back on her bones. Actually as much as I want her to answer that I think I can field that one. If your talking about the little furries you see running around the ship in the grass. It's my understanding from what Aziza said a while back that they are fast breeders. It's probable due to her eating habbits that she's got a surplus of them. If we don't go overboard we probably would actually be helping with overpopulation issues on their part."

She smiles at Victor pleased to know that he actually knew how to dance. "Well I hope when the time comes that you do join us. It will be fun Grym!"

Blinking for a moment M'kira stares at poppy then giggles shaking her head. "Dare I ask? No I think I shouldn't. Though I will say we are all happy to have you here with us Poppy. You do have a way with words! I think they will throw a party two when it's all over!"

Given that both Poppy and Grym have agreed to work with her, Elsbeth nods in acknowledgment to both of them.  However, when the talk turns to dancing, Elsbeth purses her lips and moves off to the side doing her best impression of a wall flower.  She may have some natural dexterity, but never has she been trained to dance, nor has she ever really been on a dance floor.

It is only in the last two or so years - part of her tenure with the Colonial Marines that she has had that thing called 'free time'.  And while she has tried to learn to play an instrument, that is the only aesthetic or artistic endeavor that Elsbeth has engaged in her two and half decades of life.  So, she keeps quiet and looks a might be uncomfortable standing off to the side.  The ceiling and floor appear to be mighty interesting to the tall colonial marine for the time being...

" It's easier than a drop form 10,000 meters. Balkiir assured Elspeth."besides anyone dancing near me looks ten times better than they are. trust me two left feet, and one of them has a bullet in it now. he joked without any hint of self doubt or awkwardness.
   " The trick when going dancing is to have fun, don't worry about how ya look, what anyone else thinks, just feel the music and let loose. Balkiir broke into a above the waist dance that looked too jerky, too, uncoordinated to be believed. waving his arms about as if he had contracted some form of epilepsy in the past day or two.

Elsbeth watched the large Valkiir male gyrate and flail about with his arms, with a look of growing consternation.  Her expression was equal parts confusion and surprise, as well - just like her surface thought.  She stammered, "F-friend Balkiir."  Elsbeth paused to compose herself and choose her words carefully, "Please stop.  I fear for your health and my sanity..."  The look of worry gives her words weight, but the edges of her mouth curl up ever so slightly.  Making it highly uncertain if she is being serious or playful.  Or both.

Once again her surface thoughts are no different, quite jumbled.  A really strange mix, one that offers no additional clarity on her mental state.

M'kira turns to watch Balkiir beginning what looks like some sort of convulsions. She tried not to but she couldn't help it starting to giggle she covers her mouth with one hand. Her honey hued eyes twinkle merrily as he dances in a way she had never seen before. "Balkir! Your very entertaining! I think you can dance better then that. The point Elsbeth is to have fun and just be yourself. Your welcome here and amongst friends that care about you. Trust me there is nothing to worry about. If you like we could give you private dancing lessons. Though if you don't want to dance I will understand."

She was content to try to make Elsbeth feel welcome. She just wanted her friends to have fun and they could do that any way they liked. It wasn't important to her if Elsbeth danced or not so long as she has a good time.

T'risa sipped at her morning coffee, eating only a little from the plate in front of her. "Dancing might be fun.....but best left until after we reinforce the village." T'risa winked towards Elsbeth. "Ok, does anyone have any suggestions towards reinforcing the village? I know we have a distinct shortage of any infantry borne heavy weaponry."


OOC:Sorry everyone, I've been ill with a heavy cold for the last week and had so much overtime the week before.

  " the camp os a pretty good firebase.Rhic spoke up after a few moments of thought." we need to get someone on building real observation towers."
   "after they are up, I'd suggest mister Grym and the rest of the shooters spend some time training locals in the fine art of ballistic diplomacy.  few men with precision weapons on those towers and they can break up any unit that comes within range."

  "Maybe...She paused a moment sounding unsure then swiveled her drone body's head toward Conrad"" Maybe if you could give some of the cyberoids here their own combat bodies they could help protect the base. Me and Poppy are the only real combat bodies here. There really isn't much they can do in light duty bodies. I bet if you made it to where they could pilot something like my drone machines they would be more than happy to wear them."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Thu 17 Mar 2011.

  " I'd love some heavier hardware myself, These popguns aren't much in a brawl. And I know the best the security guys have is a few old service rifles with hunting scopes. With Trey, Aziza and The Good Doctor on it I'm pretty sure the could whip up some new drone shells, and some decent rifles for the Meat Boys.'
   And that wreck doc got flying would make one hell of a gun platform. it's got some heavy guns on it but it needs a couple coats of paint and the squishy goo scrubbed of the bulk heads after Aziza put a boot up it's thrusters...boot, paw, manipulative fore paw, ...do Cesti wear boots... mean it's look sill as hell wearing three pair of boot..not to mention they'd get n the way so maybe a pair of boots and gloves on the other set feet hands, paws...an two sets of lims bkind of simplifies things. I mena do you Have to wear the same kind of shoes on both sets of feet, that could really get extensive unless you go to one of those by one pair get one free sales...but they only sale stuff people don't ant there and you wear bargain bin shoes to a club and you might as well put a big L on your forehead....uh I'm doing it again..i can tell by the blank looks and the Poppy shut up and sa something important stares...

"Tiny's got a point T'risa. If we arm the Cyberoids it's going to greatly increase the defense capabilities of the civilians here. I have to appreciate poppy's suggestion as well. The better they can defend themselves the less we have to worry about them. I bet they will appreciate it to boot. Rhictor as well of course."

She smiles at all three of them quite happy to see them active and helping. Particularly tiny and Poppy as she wanted to encourage them both for that sort of thing. Tiny a bit more as poppy was outgoing where tiny might be a bit hesitant on things. She gently pats poppy's arm in a comforting gesture although she couldn't hide her amusment at the situation. Poppy would always be Poppy! "It's ok Poppy we all love you."

 She laughed at the amazed and amused expressions all around as they talk about rabbits, then about falls out of her chair as the cook started doing some weird kind of dancing in an exaggerated gyration like some kind of fit. She decided she liked that guy a lot. He wasn't afraid to laugh at himself! Too many grownups took life so seriously, as if spending time laughing was a waste of time. But honestly, what better use of time than laughing and having some fun?
"Ok Mr. Cook Sir, please hurry up with that breakfast if your done shaking the dough. I'm starving to death here! Can't you see me wasting away right before your eyes?"

"I don't know about the Cyberoids. Tiny, Poppy how possible would it be for Marduk to take over a retasked cyberoid? Rhic, I like the idea with the observation posts. Get working with Trey on it. We need to train up the local militia with the assault weaponry we found, in addition to preparing for surgical strike weaponry. I also want to have a heavy weapons team trained formed from the nucleus of the soldiers we took with us. The cyberoids should we go down that route, might pose a formidable threat against foot soldiers, but against assault mecha they will be tinfoil." T'risa placed a plan of camp hope on the table in front of her. "I was trying to figure it out last night. No matter what. We need to hold this place. Without it we have nowhere to recover and recuperate. The gunship is a good idea for local control. It might have a lot of firepower....but can any of the militia operate it? If not we're better off stripping it of weapons and using the weapons in reinforced defensive emplacements. We already have a lot of barricades and basic defences in place. but we need to change this place from Hope....to Fort Hope. Literally everything we recover has to help us win this fight."

T'risa looked at the map. pointing to a few locations.

"Let's try the watchtowers here, here, here and here." she said pointing at various locations on the map. "We also need a central command place, with redundant communications structures. We're safe from anything short of a capital ship approaching.....and now we could probably take down a frigate if they try it too, but I want to keep that capability secret for now. I think we can get one more...mission over them before they really take notice. If we hit another supply run they have, they'd have to attack us. As it is, a lot of Q'sa are going to go on short rations. Any comments?"

The Marduk might be able to hack one of us. Poppy frowned thoughtfully for a second, and actually stopped to consider the answer." but then again She hacked how many humans? It's not as hard as we'd like to think but it's not something one of them could do without special training and the right equipment. It's about like a human against a telepath,"
  "the hardest partof fitting a cyberoid with a new frame is getting used to changing your body, it's not easy for some of us, some of us cant do it at all. the body they are installed in at inception IS their body...Me,I'm me not the machine I'm wearing. I don't think about how many times It's een wrecked and put back together. or how many times I've been left a smoking pile of scrap, waiting for someone to come along and put me back together... i don't think about it use it makes me want to shoot something....it's just insulting to have someone come along and decide hey she isn't human i can trash her and no one gets hurt. Lets shoot the robo-bimbo."
   "oh sorry got all thinky there for a second....I hate when that happens ruins my reputation and people start expecting me to do it more, some people thinky and deep works. Me...nah I do better with flighty talky..shooty...blow em uppy.."

"Ma'am" Elsbeth approachds the table with the Master Sergeant, the Marshal and the maps, "we should also consider reinforcing Mr. Victor Grym's favorite sniping spot."  She pointed to the building top where she thought the man had been shooting from when he destroyed the practice dummies that she and Balkiir where using the day before.  Elsbeth knew it was only a guess, but also that Victor would correct her.  "Or perhaps we should set up multiple spots for decoys, additional snipers or just alternate locations for Mr. Grym."

Elsbeth nodded slowly as she memorized the locations that T'risa has designated for defensive emplacements.  While the marine has some basic tactical sense, she knew that the Marshal has much more strategic smarts - so, she knew better than to attempt to second guess her.  Elsbeth did a quick set of mental calculations, "From what I can gauge, it should take us a couple of man weeks at each location you've designated to reinforce properly.  That mean a couple of teams of a dozen or so at each location should take just less than a day each.  Assuming we can get all the able bodied colonists to help."

"Also," the tall marine ventured, "If we are to cannibalize the freighter for use of its bulkheads in the emplacements.  We'll need to start that immediately."  She nodded in M'kira's, "As I noted to the Sergeant, I am rated on heavy loaders and lifters."

"Marshal," Elsbeth pursed her lips before broaching the topic, "we should also designate fall back and rallying positions within the compound.  With the limited amount of training that we be able to impart.  Their use will likely be inevitable at some point."  Elsbeth was pretty sure that the Marshal had mandated previously that loss of life was far more egregious than loss of equipment - which meant to her that given them a place to retreat to was going to be necessary to be able to fight again.

"We need the freighter to recover salvage. We also designated fall back positions before you arrived. It's just our fortifications amount to nothing more than sandbags. We need to take it more seriously. Victor and Elsbeth, when you get to training the militia in our firearms, pick the ten best shots to form the sniping team. Tiny and Poppy, we'll adopt your measures and get the cyberoids into more combat ready bodies. Once we've done that I'll ask Aziza, Conrad or Trey to firm up the interfaces to make them less likely to be hacked. Put out a call to see if we can get any gunship crew." T'risa smirked "I'll ask Chief Jons for volunteers, but to be honest, I think manpower will not be something we need to worry about for this series of upgrades. Everyone around knows how fragile our hold here actually is. Creating defensive perimeters, should increase morale."

"I will be happy to help. Please let me know if you need me T'risa." M'kira grins knowing the place was going to be one of fast paced hard work for a while. Some people might be out on patrol, others would guard, and some would do a lot of construction from the sound of things.

She smiles at poppy speaking softly. "Maybe we can find something for Poppy to blow up sometime soon."

Elsbeth nodded to the Marshal noting the positions of the rallying points that had been previously designated.  "Thank you, Ma'am."  Then when her orders and duties are made more explicit, Elsbeth nodded again and saluted T'risa and Rhic.  "Inventory, Training, Sniper Team, and Emplacement improvement.  Contact Chief Jons for personnel." she rattles off the quick list, "Yes, Ma'am.  I am on it."

Elsbeth moved out of the way and off towards the hold where the first batch of weapons for review was situation.  While she was not strongest Marine (though she was relatively strong), nor the fastest (though she was pretty fast), nor the biggest (though she was tall), Elsbeth always prided herself on being able to continue doing her job no matter waht.  Her endurance was quite formidable.  Coupled with a focused single-mindedness that Praetorians were bred for, Elsbeth did have the ability to work for more than a continuous twelve-hour shift.  Honestly, she relied on others to let her know when a break was appropriate.  And while, the weapons review would take far less than twelve hours, Elsbeth knew that everything else on the list would take far more.  She was ready to work straight through, but her experience was that others may not be as ready.  But she would get as much done as she could.

Elsbeth figured that the Marshal would let her know if her orders were changed, revised or reorganized.