Gadget Gun nods,  "Thanks for sharing what little you had a least Borea.  If it's really the Rikti after better shield Tech, they probably want to stop what happened the last time Bamzor helped a Mothership assault from occurring again."

 :siren  Flashback! :ducksiren:

  It had been one of the longer trips to ruin the repairs on the Mothership already, the strike team had lost track of how many bombs they had planted, and U'kon Gr'ai had been punched off the side long ago.  The shields were back, and with it the ensuing forced teleport away from the center of the... wait.

  "...The shields are up, but we're still here.  Now what?"
  "Keep smashing!"

  It was probably the worst five minutes the Mothership had ever seen.  Vanguard was still sorting the Merit totals for DAYS after the fact.  Something about 'what you beat up more rikti than there are on the planet that's unpossible'.  Maybe the Rikti had hospital teleporters on their ship.

:siren  End Flashback! :ducksiren:

  Gadget nodded to Raymond, "At least I'm no stranger to programming drones."  Target drone, Gun Drone, Offense Drone,  phantom drone echos from the Well Of Furies (Such poor production standards from that Well.  Why label it LASER drone when it had PLASMA weapons?).

The Redemption SG symbol spins toward the screen and then away from it.

When the trio arrive at the Supergroup's blindingly white tech lab, Eli is seen at one of the tables, working on something. He has his goggles on and is too concentrated to notice the three enter the room. Speaking of goggles, Mocha is sitting like a plush doll on the other table, leaned against the support pillar asleep with a smile.

Raichel looks from one table to the other. Then looks at GG. "So you wanna interrupt Eli? Or Mocha? Eli could help you, but then there's no telling what he's in the middle of. Mocha is eager to help, but is currently sleeping..."

"Why trouble either?" Raymond answers, "I'm sure Gadget Gun knows what he's doing."

He turns to face the speedy marksman.  "Let us know if we're needed for anything."

He then turns back to Rai.  "We should check on everyone's progress and see where we're needed most."

  "Because it's a character select screen, Raymond."  Wait, that may be a bit blunt.  "Because help is still nice Raymond.  I'll let you know as soon as I set up, progress checks would be appreciated."

  Gadget goes to gently wake Mocha, because she's not working with something that may or may not comically explode if there is a distraction.

Mocha stirs and peeks an eye at Gadget. "Ku..po..?" She sits up, rubs her eyes with her fists and blinks several times before smiling up at the wielder of gadgets and guns. "Hello, GG. How may I help you today, kupo?"

Meanwhile, Raichel goes with Raymond.

Emerald is still doing research with Alloy. Alloy had tracked down and found some of Hammidon's original lab equipment. "I dunno, Alloy... I just... maybe it's Hammidon's influence still inside me from when I ventured into Eden, but I feel like Hammidon is more than just some mad scientist. Like he merged with a long-forgotten essence. At the *very* least, he has merged with the Earth's memory and is able to produce ancient life that nobody knew once existed." The little fox then notices Raymond and Raichel. "Oh! Hi there. What's up?"

Raymond checks up on the others.  Mittens and Kitau have of course been busy bashing baddies, focusing on Devouring Earth missions and missions involving the other groups mentioned by Alexis.

  "Well, a retcon wouldn't surprise me.  But until proven otherwise I am going off the basis that Hammidon's resources are no older than the incident that transformed him.  Just because he named his tailor made strain of Bacteria 'The Will Of The Earth', does not mean it is.  Besides, even if it were true that wouldn't change much."  Wait, guys!  The thing that wants to kill us all is all natural!... Why are you looking at me like that?  "It would make him no more special than the several dozen Moon goddesses you see roaming Atlas park.  Lord Recluse is linked with Tartarus, you get the picture."

---

  "Hello Mocha. I'm going to be configuring some Rikti drones for remote exploration, and it would go faster if I had some help.  If you can handle Lego instructions you'll be able to work with what I'll set up."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Tue 20 Nov 2012.

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Emerald notices Raymond walk off without a word and says, "Heh... this whole situation certainly has our Supergroup pre-occupied."

Raichel shrugs with a smile. "Keep up the good work, you two." and hurries after Raymond. "I'll check the salvage rooms. You go ahead and check the others." Raichel informs Raymond before flying off.

Emerald looks back at Alloy and says, "It's not his specialness I'm worried about.. it's finding any clue on different weaknesses he may have."
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---

Meanwhile, Mocha hops, bounces, then spirals into the air a couple feet, fist thrust skyward, "Ku-po-po-po! Leave it to me! I'll be as kuporificly helpful as helpful can be! ....what's lego?" she asks with a finger to her mouth.

---

Raymond finds Alexis in the Medical/Nature room. She's laying flat on her back among the trees, staring at the ceiling. She looks like she's been crying, but notices Raymond and tries to hide the fact a little too late.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:01, Thu 06 Dec 2012.

OOC: Sadface!  In the past, when I missed that my char was addressed, I was asked, "Did you miss that your char was addressed?"  I would then kick myself and fix the post.  This was much appreciated and far less sadface than a superhero char of mine being treated even more fail than the fail player who wouldn't miss being addressed in a room with only 3 other people in it.  In the future, being asked if I missed something will be much appreciated.  So!  Taking the bit about Alexis, folding it up and putting it into my pocket for future RP, and jumping back to msg #25....

"Hi, Emerald," Raymond answers, "We just got back from RWZ.  I think Gadget is working with Mocha reprogramming a captured drone so we can use it to look into the Rikti connection.  We're not exactly experts in that sort of thing, so Raichel and I are looking for other ways to make ourselves useful..."

He glances at all the arcane stuff and skews his lips, not expecting to be of much help here.

  "You are terribly sheltered Mocha.  I'll bring a Lego Mech Man box later."  House Mogs, what's an outdoors?

  "I've got some simple instructions with pictures for helping to set up the drones.  The both of us doing it ourselves would be faster than setting up an automated assembly."

---

  Alloy carefully retrieves Emerald's responses to him out of the fail gator.  "So far, hubris seems the popular opinion."   He looks over to Raymond and Raichel...  Raymond the Magical Origin person  "I'm sure you can pick up as we go, or perhaps notice something more innate to our problem we may be distracted by trying to find detailed reasons."

Emerald says, "If you could check up on the various members of our supergroup, starting with those who are involved in the Hammidon problem, that'd be helpful. See if more members can spare some time to get involved, and check that everybody is doing OK. I'd do that, but I'm a bit focused on this right now and, well, I'm sure one or two members might appreciate actual face time from you and/or Raichel."

Raichel looks at Raymond. "You check on the ones currently involved. I'll check on the others." She opens the HahaChat channel and starts telling various SG members who aren't involved yet to turn that channel on.

---

"Yippipippy!" Mocha comments of being brought lego stuff. She seems quite capable of following instructions! Her ability to understand them or why what part goes where seems decent too, though it's clear she mostly just putting two and two together. If this wire connects here, then the message being sent through the wire is coming from here and to there. Simple stuff like that. Like most mere mortals who haven't been taught electronics, or advanced alien sciences, Mocha can't simply look at a circuit board or alien crystal power source and simple figure out what it does. "Gosh, you're so smarterific!" she comments of GG.

Raymond nods to the others.  "Sounds good."

While checking on the well-being of everyone involved, Raymond finds Alexis in the Medical/Nature room. She's laying flat on her back among the trees, staring at the ceiling. She looks like she's been crying, but notices Raymond and tries to hide the fact a little too late.

He's not normally very forceful with people he respects, but this is one of those exceptions.  He kneels down beside her and reaches down to pull her in for a comforting hug.  "Too late.  I saw the tears.  There's no hiding it from me.  So you may as well let me be the shoulder you cry on."

  Of course Mocha can't figure them out by just looking at them, she has to check the Clues tab for the flavor text, duuuuh... Wait, that's not actually how science works.

  "I try to makes sure I stay aware of the difference of the fact I've learned more things, and being smarter than other people.  The second one doesn't actually happen all that often."  Gadget Gun tries to keep any insufferable genius tendencies restricted to ridiculing evil scientists.  Doctor Aeon has style though.

  "Good work either way Mocha, if it doesn't work out in the end it will just be because someone else had a bad idea."

Speaking of Doctor Aeon... Just then, Eli cheers, "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!" bites his lower lip and starts waving his fasts in the air while hopping (You know the dance emote). He excitedly picks up what looks like a large two-handed laser gun and hurries over to GG and Mocha. "Lookit!" he says excitedly. "I've replicated Doctor Aeon's Dance Gun! You point, shoot, and those you shoot dance!"

Mocha says, "Oooo... neat!"

---

Alexis looks away, cheeks puffed. "....." then looks back at Raymond. Her expression softens slightly as her eyes water again. "It's not fair... this... this... PERVERT is forcing people to hate nature while he's supposedly fighting *for* it! He's making people want to destroy nature! And I know nature is a neutral entity and all, but couldn't it at least defend itself from Hammidon? Why is Hammidon the loudest voice of nature? Why can't Mother Earth kick his butt and tell him he's wrong? Is it because Hammidon is right? Is it because nature HAS had enough of the people here who like to mess it up?"

"Nature is kicking his butt, Alexis," Raymond answers, doing his best to take the edge off his usual serious tone, "Through you, through the rest of us.  Have you heard of the recent sudden proliferation of nature related powers?  Even Mittens is trying her hand at some of them.  And to me, that speaks volumes of Nature's popularity increasing.  Don't let Hamidon's thin disguise get you down.  Seems to me almost everyone sees through it.  And even if they didn't, Nature can handle a little bad rep.  It's been around long before any of us were born, and it'll be around long after we're gone."

If she looks encouraged, he'll let go of the hug, but only if she looks like she doesn't need his shoulder for crying on any more.

  Gadget considers the party time weapon "Well, that is definitely interesting.  Can it be set to popdance, or is that taking Science TOO FAR?"

Alexis is staring up into Raymond's eyes with hopeful, watery eyes. "Thanks, Ray. You're right. And you're also right about Hammidon's lies getting me down. I've been hanging around his turf too long and need a break from being there. I've been having self doubts and been afraid if I charge in, he'll win me over and I'll hurt my friends. If I don't charge in, everyone will think I'm a coward or worse."

---

Eli asks, "Wanna find out? I mean, even as excited as I am, the gun might not work at all, for all I know, because of some small oversight or something."

Mocha says, "We should TOTALLY inform the Supergroup, Kupo, and let them know where you're gonna test it out!"

Eli says, "Was thinking King's Row. The Gish always needs some cheering up."

Raymond's eyes lock on hers and he nods.

"Understandable.  But I have too much respect for you to ever consider you a coward.  Think about what happened to Angel and what she must be feeling, for example.  Yet I have more respect for her now than ever before.  Like her, you're a true hero, Alexis.  If ever you need to take a break, or if ever you need to take drastic measures to defend Nature, I will support you.  All of us will.  We need Nature.  We need you!"

Alexis sniffles. Then nods. "Thanks, Raymond. There IS one other thing bothering me, since you've offered your ear... the more I think about it, the more I think just setting Eden on fire and salting it would be for the best. But that's as horrible a thought for me as you deciding it would be best for everyone if you cut off the tip of Raichel's left ear. She doesn't *need* it to function, per say. And if there was a cancer growing there before that would have spread to the rest of her, it was worth it... but you'll always stare at it and cry inside knowing you disfigured your sister."

Raymond's brow furrows and he frowns at the thought, nodding gravely to Alexis.  "You're welcome.  Here's hoping that doesn't become necessary.  For what it's worth, I'm guessing that Statesman and the others have carefully considered that idea but haven't acted on it for good reason.  Maybe they're working on a better solution.  Either way, I'm sure they'd welcome any new insights you might have to offer on the subject.  Here's hoping we all make it through this un-scarred."

  "As tempting as it would be to witness a field test, I've still got to make sure these drones actually do their job.  Mocha has saved me a lot of time though, so if I had to wait around until putting them to use I could probably come along."

  Gadget lists the prepared state of the drones for those who pay attention to that sort of thing.

Alexis nods. "Well... thanks for everything. Say, speaking of Angel... do you think maybe she still needs a talking to?"

---

Eli nods to GG and heads off to do a field test. He doesn't bother inviting anyone else, figuring people are currently too busy. And, well, he can always show off later after the gun is already tested and proven functional.

The drones prove to be relatively easy to set up.

"I think she'll be alright," Raymond answers, "But if you were to ask her to listen to what's troubling you, I think it would do her a world of good and boost her self-confidence.  I'll bet being able to empathize with you will make her feel like it was that much more worth it to have suffered through what she did."

  "Right, I'll just be sending in these drones then.  He said to himself imitating Mittens."  Gadget Gun starts sending off the six pack of Rikti Drones, two at a time for less offs of a sudden TPK of drones.

Alexis nods at Raymond with a smile and heads off, waving over her shoulder at him. "Thanks!"

Fast forwarding a bit, Emerald asks the group for another meeting towards the end of the day. "Alright everyone! We've gotten a lot accomplished! Gadget Gun has some operational Rikti drones ready for us. Liberty has some info on the Longbow side of things, which she'll share with us all here shortly. Eli built a special gun that will slow the enemy down a lot, which he has tested and says it works. Angel and Shelly have secured us some special permissions and backup from our city's government. Mittens found out the involvement of the villain factions was only known to certain groups in said factions. For example, the freakshow in Brickstown don't seem to know a thing about this plan, while the freakshow in Crey's Folly practically brag about it. Alloy and I found a ritual that's gonna take some time setting up, but all magic-oriented members of the supergroup can help. I'll be performing the ritual tonight and will need all magic members to meet with me in my magic sanctum at 11pm. Alright... Liberty?"

Liberty stands in Emmy's place and says, "Longbow is no stranger to having renegades in its ranks at this point. Sad as that is, it also means Longbow was prepared for more renegade activity. They assured me that when the time comes and the renegade Longbow start attacking us, their weapons and super powers will simply stop working."

She makes room for Shelly, who squeaks at the mic briefly, then says, "The government has given the Redemption supergroup complete cooperation from the PDP, the Legacy Chain, and several super groups such as the Freedom Phalanx, W.I.S.D.O.M., the Civic Squad, and the Shining Stars. We have lots of help from lots of good people. The government has also given our supergroup complete authority for all things concerning the location of Hammidon's final stand. So when we get there, we don't have to worry about any of our actions leading to us getting in trouble."

Emmy re-takes the mic. "So the plan right now is; those of you who are magical, help with the ritual tonight, then go to bed. Those of you who aren't magical, just go straight to bed so you can get an early start. We are going to have assault teams each dedicated to the various factions Hammidon has at his disposal. Bamzor will lead the assault against Crey. Raymond will lead the assault against the Freakshow. I will lead the assault against the Circle of Thorns. And Liberty will lead the assault against the Longbow renegades. Once we've dealt with them all, we can all meet up and converge against Hammidon. Questions?"