Still smiling from ear to ear, Willy greets everyone with a practiced, friendly manner.  He reads through the data & radio logs quickly, but studies the maps, photographs, & references carefully.  You can practically see the gears in his head working as he plans various routes, muttering to himself as he does.  Later, when he hears that the group will be airlifted into the area, he quietly comments "that'll change everything", & almost immediately looks at the map again.
 .
(in response to Jen)
  Grinning broadly, "I'm glad someone on the team can understand machines.  I can barely make heads nor tails of most of the inner workings of my own guns!"
.
(in response to Nutball)
  Giving a shrug, "There always seems to be folks with more time and money than they know what to do with.  Invariably, it seems they transform into tourists.  I don't know how it happens, nor where they all come from, but there always seems ta be a supply of 'em."
.
(in response to Killian)
  While looking over the map, "Say!  That's a great idea!  I'm useta having ta just look and memorize stuff.  Thanks fella." as he gives Killian a smile, folding & pocketing copies of the maps, photos, & references.  "I like peanut butter too."  he says, as he gives him a friendly wink.
.
  When the music starts up, his foot starts to tap with the rhythm, & he begins to whistle quietly along.  He stops completely when he hears the announcement over the speakers, seeming almost disappointed.  "Well shucks!  That little tune was gettin' a might enjoyable, too.  At least there will be some grub."
  He gladly partakes of the beer and food when offered, saying "Thankya kindly!  Always did appreciate cool beer and warm food."  He makes sure Princess gets plenty as well.
.
(after Doctor Langford's briefing)
  "Forty minutes?  Shucks, that's almost casual."  He immediately triples the speed at which he was eating, finishing 2 more full plates of food & 6 beers in less than 10 minutes.
  At hearing Sunyi's & Killian's requests, he pauses to pipe in, asking "Do you have anything that can take pictures through a scope, or at night?  Maybe somethin' I can strap ta my skull bucket?  I ain't got nothin' to take pictures or vids yet, but if'n I can get something, I'll do my best with it."  He politely waits for a response before finishing his food.
  Before Hawkins heads in a different direction, Willy asks the cyborg a question, "Say big fella.  I was wondering if you was planning on brining anything heavy, so's I can compliment it.  Heavy wise, I can bring a grenade or rocket launcher.  I see the fella with the mask has what looks ta be a plasma rifle already."  He nods to Nutball as he mentions it.
  Afterwards he heads for his car & gear, grabbing some extra ammo on the way (1 drum for the grenade launcher he'll bring, 1 Eclip for the JA-11, & a handful of extra hand grenades).  He'll get geared up in his armor & weapons.  (loadout in character description, but with the JA-11 & grenade launcher)  He'll report back to Doctor Langford, armed to the teeth, helmet at his hip, Princess at his side.  "Ready to go, Doc!  Need help with anything?"  He visibly pondered something a moment, then asked "If it comes up, who's in charge out in the field?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:17, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

"German particle beam rifle and a few odds and ends...little fella."

Hawkins proceeded to collect some extra ammo as well.

 He's still pretty obviously waiting for a reply from Doctor Langford, but even so Killian looks back when a small mobile tectonic event yells his name and slams his ears right back down against his scalp. He grimaces a little, but since he's working with a very different group of people just now, he simply nods back and offers a small wave before offering another reserved nod to Book - no sense being rude after all - "Testimony's all well and good. Pictures are better."

Sunyi is pretty much ready to go. He doesn't need much. He is still a little worried about access to scientific equipment though. He had some basic supplies, and his own brain, but anything more complex than that and he'd need machines.

In reply to Killian (msg # 43):

are you asking nutball, the player, or the gm? you'd probably get three answers to the question of weather or not there are supernatural entities hanging around nutball.

"NICE KITTY.", Whoam replied after Jenifer, in a declarative rather than nominative voice. He watched her leave quite pleased with himself.

Whoam squinted at Nutball "NO" he spoke with a strange mixture of confusion and certainty. "I WOULD SEE GHOSTS. I DON'T SEE YOUR FRIENDS. MAYBE YOU SHOULD FIND MEDICINE MAN, THEY KNOW THESE THINGS."

Whoam didn't really have much to pack. He had a club. He had food. If something needed to be destroyed the club worked better than a gun, and if range were a concern he could sling rocks like a catapult. So he was still at a leisurely pace and willing to give the crazy advice on finding pastoral counseling.

In reply to Whoam Mountain (msg # 46):

Of course you can't see them, silly, Nutball chuckles.  They only show themselves to me.  They're very shy.
He finishes the plates quickly, then grabs his C14 Firebreather laser assault rifle and grenade launcher and starts to head back for additional e-clips.  We're off to get more ammo, so we'll see you guys on the plane.  Good to meet you, big guy.
As soon as he grabs some additional e-clips for both his sidearm and his rifle, he heads for the plane.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Mon 26 Apr 2021.

[Japanese]"That would be ... Helpful," Mei answered, her Japanese more casual and spoken. Inflected in ways that the Borg might not immediately recognize. [Japanese]"This place is strange. What are these people even doing here? Is this just some sort of military camp? Why are people just wandering around?" she spoke rapidly, finding it trouble to slow down once she got started.

[Japanese]"Will this airship bring us closer to the Rift? Do you play the guitar?"

Hawkins smiled at the last question and nodded. When he spoke it was again in academically perfect Japanese.

[Japanese]"This operation belong to a business, a corporation, not a military. Most of these people are not soldiers. Even those that are are perhaps less disciplined than you may be accustomed to."

[Japanese]"Yes, the aircraft will drop us within a mile of the Medicine Wheel nexus."

[Japanese]"No, sadly I do not actually play the guitar. I love music and I have a lot of my favorites stored in my onboard computer."

He tapped himself on the chest.

The cyborg produced a tiny earpiece from a pouch before he continued.

[Japanese]"Speaking of machines. If you wear this it will help me to translate."

He offered the earbud to Mei as they walked.

Dr. Langford used the p.a. system to address them saying, "Expedition team, the aircraft is ready for boarding. Take what gear you need. There is a box containing an improvised portable sensor array for the scientist and the doctor. I apologize for not having your names memorized, this is all happening so fast. Please be careful, understanding this anomaly is important to us. But, it is not worth your lives."

With that the p.a. went silent. The camp personnel moved out of the way so everyone could make their way to the food in passing should anyone have wanted a last minute bite to eat. The man at the kegs set out a crate of bottled waters as well as a large bottle of pain relievers for anyone interested.

(OOC: So please make a note of the gear, weapons, armor, etc. that you will be taking with you. the aircraft that is providing the insertion is small so everyone will be on foot at the site. You will be picked up once you have had time to observe the anomaly.

the sensor units provided are purely scientifical supre-dooper sciencey stuff. they take measurements of various energies. such as UV, EM, para-magnetic, para-electro, and some other made shit like that. They work by using a hand-held directional unit and pointing it at what you want to scam, i mean scan. There is also a head lamp/camera/microphone combo too.)

While passing through the cafeteria equipment line with Whoam Theresa splits their cargo more efficiently, giving Whoam two crates of water and keeping two bottles of pills for herself.  She does not seem interested in the science gear, and makes the reasonable assessment it is best for the big lug to not even touch the stuff so she steers away from that area entirely.

Already on their way to the airfield when the PA goes off she doesn't even bother picking up the pace from her leisurely stroll to get to the plane first, clearly content to just not be last.  Unlike the first time the safety harness causes her no difficulty even though the model on this craft is likely to be a bit different than the previous one.

Having taken the pack off the back of her hovercycle which contained survival kit, the NG-02 kit was good quality and very common, and tool kit, Jen was ready to go.  The JA-11 rifle was holstered for the moment on the pack for this trip until they set down.  With the loading given a go ahead she moved up into the transport quickly and found a place to perch securely and out of the way, watching other arrive eagerly a hand caressed lightly on the interior frame of the craft, as if welcoming or comforting a pet, speaking softly under her breath.

Hello new friend.  It might only be a short time but I hope it will be good, I want you to be happy and take care of us.

 With The Doc having no interest at all in answering his request, Killian settles back to just salute with a simple "Sir." and head over to equip himself, pausing along the way to skewer a few slices of elk (which he more or less bolts down on the way rather than take time from his duties) and to snag both a headset and a handheld gizmo-pack, the former of which he spends a few minutes figuring out how to mate up to the standard equipment couplings on his light-duty CS helmet and the latter of which he clips to his webbing before moving over to the light aircraft and joining the queue by way of snagging two bottles of water.

Mei took the earbud. She looked down at it, seated in the palm of her hand. Back up to the mechanical man. She normally managed to keep a neutral expression, but it was clear she was skeptical. A slight sigh followed, and the young woman tucked the device against her ear. There seemed to be little choice about the matter- she didn't want to be going any further with only half an idea of what they were doing.

It was just in time to catch the announcement over the speaker. [Japanese]"Perhaps next time they would consider a runner..." Mei grumbled in something that sounded like criticism.

She appeared at the meeting point several minutes later. Wearing her wooden armor- tied on with silk cords, the only bit of metal a face mask stylized as a snarling tiger. Bow strung over one shoulder, feathered arrows over the other. Her swords at her hip. Along with a small collection of supplies, food, in case they were in the wilds any length of time.

Having gathered his additional e-clips (all both of them), Nutball heads for the plane.  He is carrying his full ruck, with saddle bags flipped over it and tied in place.  He also collects the radio and he sensor unit, though he stows them away in his pack.
Once aboard he plane, he find seats for himself and his ghostly siblings, making sure everyone is buckled in.  This is when he takes out the new file and begins poring over it.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

Hawkins arrived back as well and now, since wearing the heavy armored helmet was more convenient than carrying it, his war robot disguise was complete.

He had added a few things after stowing his bike. He wore a pack large enough for some members of the team to fit in it with a Wilke's plasma flamer attached to one side and a hammer that would have done Mighty Thor proud attached to the other.

The previously mentioned German Particle Beam rifle, a TX-249 model, was carried in his hands and was, as advertised an enormous weapon.

"With this earbud in place I can speak directly to you as well. The range is limited to about 5 miles."]

Seeing Jennifer on the plane he asked, "What do you think of her? Will she get us there?"

In reply to Killian (msg # 53):

(OOC: you don't get a sense of the good Dr. Langford being to concerned with answering everyone's questions. she has that air or authority common to project leaders, funded professors, and department chair persons - the old 'that's below my paygrade' mentality. she hasn't really addressed anyone's concerns in way that would make anyone think she was concerned with their opinion.)

Responding to being addressed by Hawkins Jen offers a shape toothed smile.

Yes she will.  She's well looked after.  Hmmm good to see you have some heavy stuff, always hope to never need it, but would really miss it if it is needed.

Spotting the stylings of Mei's helmet she offered a grin to the warrior woman, lifting her own helmet from it's hip clip to show of the leopard head paint work on it.

That's really great artwork you have there.

  Willy grabs a headlamp combo & 3 bottles of water, giving a chuckle to the pain relievers.  After putting 2 bottles in a pocket on his rucksack, he downs the 3rd while jogging to the transport.  Despite the leisurely appearance of his gate, he is moving as fast as most men can sprint, & doesn't spill a single drop of water.
  While waiting for the others to board the aircraft, he takes off his helmet long enough to attach the combo device, does his best to make sure it is working but without the lamp shining, then straps his helmet back on.
  (edited for new information)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

"If I'm honest it's just too expensive to risk leavin' it behind."

Whoam waves off the suggestion that he needs more water, he taps his waterskin, a paleolithic looking thing seemingly crafted from the bladder of a moose rather than the traditional sheep. The thing looked to weigh as much as a ten year old, but seemed entirely suitable as a canteen for the giant. He could have emptied an entire flat case of half liter bottle into that and still had room left.

He looked less sure about the pills. "WE NEED CARRY SOMETHING? I DON'T MIND CARRYING MORE. I AM GOOD AT LIFTING THINGS, AND I RUN FAST."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

The aircraft turned out to be a highly modified bush plane. It looked like what would have happened if a short bus had been bred to a small, propeller engine aircraft and coaxed into adulthood by a magician. It screamed three things at the assembled group; techno-wizardry, cramped seating, and lack of protection from ground fire.

A man walked up to the group. There was tall, very attractive woman with him. There wasn't a logo on the plane or on their sort-of uniforms. But, there was a distinct aura of magic coming off of the pair. The woman had the facial tattoos typically found on Federation of Magic Battle Magi. Images of the sleek battle mage seen on patrol earlier came to many minds.

"I am you pilot." The man said simply. "My name Nemo Letouche. And yes, I am a techno-wizard and this is my plane. It is will get us to our destination quickly, quietly, and safely. This is my co-pilot and wife, Bridgette. You can call her by her call-sign; Brake. And believe me, no can put the brakes on stupid behavior faster."

When everyone just stood and stared at is attempt at humor the woman stepped forward. The scars and tattoos denoting rank, both military and social, made it plain to see that the woman was more one them than anyone would care to admit. When she spoke her voice was a bit husky, almost raspy. Most likely that had something to do with the scar across her throat.

"My husband is jovial, don't hold that against him." She said in a matter of fact tone. It was like she was talking to teammates and not strangers. "He is good pilot and a better techno-wizard. The flight will take this aircraft about twenty-six to thirty-one minutes. We will be flying low and using noise and EM dampening tech. You will be given one orbit at five hundred feet. I will select the landing spot. You will get out there. Any questions?"

Whoam smiled nervously, "HELLO NEMO, BRAKE." He wasn't a fan of this idea, but less than an hour seemed a manageable amount of time for being cramped in a flying coffin.
Whoam looked at Hawkins hopefully he suggested. "WE BOARD LAST, SO HIT GROUND FIRST?" It wasn't clear if he meant in case they needed to jump off so they wouldn't risk landing on someone, or taking point in case they landed in somewhere dangerous, but the main thing seemed to be the giant wanted to spend as little time as possible cramped into a plane.

Offering his hand to shake the borg agreed, "Sure thing Buddy. I'll be right beside ya."

Hawkins answered Brake, "Sounds clear enough."

He increased his volume slightly so as to be heard be everyone.

"I'll be recording and taking readings from the time we exit the plane. Any of you analyst types who want access to it let me know and I'll real time share it with you directly."

"Otherwise I'll dump it when we get back and you can look over it there."

We gotcha loud and clear, Nobody and Stop.  He has the C14 leaning against his inner thigh, and his arms out like they are resting on the shoulders of people slightly taller than himself on either side of his seat.