Sam listened then replied," Oh do we know his last location, also when do we leave and when we come back is there a place to go and relax get changed, do we have clothes here? Ummm lets see I think that covers it for now." Some people talk with their hands Sam talks with her hair. Her hair made motions and expressions fitting what she was saying.

In reply to Star Hair (msg # 8):

"Clothes can be supplied, but as usual we must be cautious in eveything we use here. The survival of the human race, and thus the Freebooters, must take priority. You will have sleeping quarters, and food and drink will be provided. As for transportation, that will be also be provided. Once you are on the surface 13's powers will be unrestricted." Thinkmaster replies.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Thu 15 June 2023.

 " Yes thank you and I completely understand. Yes that will be great, I dont need much. Ok great now do we know where he is at this time or a location to start looking for him?" Sam replied and smiled.

"If possible I would like to ask for something probably a bit more functional then what I am wearing.  I mean I do not mind if that is the case but also as a bonus I do not eat food.  Like I don't even get hungry ever."  13 adds.

"We have lost contact with Blue Crossfire while he was on mission. We believe he is somewhere within Detroit, and may be wounded or without communications gear. By morning, you will all awaken within the City limits with the coordinates of his last broadcast. New clothing will be authorized for you to get within the HQ's market place, three levels down from the Mole Hole." Thinkmaster replied.

"Nice to meet you Sam, we tend to stick to caped identities in the field but you can call me Matthias in here."  Schism offered with a grin and a nod, trying not to stare too long at the luminescent coils of her hair as it flowed into the room.  "I'm a psychic primarily, telepathic awareness, contact mind reading, and...disintegration blasts I guess?  Still adjusting to that last bit."  He offered, an odd sort of bemusement still present at the idea that he couldn't just call himself a telepath anymore.  Thirteen's response to his idle little joke earned a concerned look though.  "Extra clothes should be available.  They try to keep us ready."  Matthias promised, settling into his seat a little more as the first spark of life showed in the projector built into the table.

The description of the mission that Thinkmaster gave them didn't sound promising from the start and mention of Crossfire sealed that even moreso.  "I should have known he'd get involved..."  Schism murmured, glancing away from the projection as their instructions grew ever more gruesome.  The idea of having to put his ex-teammate down, let alone decapitating and incinerating parts of him was not what he'd signed up for, but that was life post-Haze.  The horrors just kept on coming.  "What if he's...if uh...."  Matthias managed, thoughts a disordered mess as he tried to put words to a dying hope.  "If Blue Crossfire is still alive is there a way to bring him back with us?"

The others questions were decidedly more practical, though they didn't do much to alter the sense of the surreal that had settled over him at mention of his old life.  "Ever?"  Schism questioned, studying his cat-eared companion with curiosity buoyed by a desperate need for a distraction.

In reply to Schism (msg # 13):

Thinkmaster's digital face went still, as in it seemed to freeze in place instead of her just not talking. Then it starting moving normally like a human face would. She seemed to focused on Schism's statement.

"Blue Crossfire never fully joined the Freebooters. He refused the security measures we insist on in order to enter the HQ. We have offered many times for him to become a full member...and he has always offered up very...colorful...responses." Oddly enough, one could almost feel the irritation in Thinkmaster's voice. Which was very odd, as she never showed any outward emotion.

Puddle was back in his green-haired scrawny human form for the briefing as usual "Call me Puddle. But one more thing. Hey, Thinkmaster in case Blue Crossfire is infected, what do you know about his powers? Would be nice to know what we are getting into nd I have been workshopping a few more weapons, hoping something will work on the infected."

13 for the most part was appeased with hearing that there is clothing for them to which she even does a small dance.  Then once done she turns to answer Schism's question.  "I once tried to eat but my stomach could not take it.  I can intake liquids though but alcohol is very dangerous and makes me really tipsy.  I found that out when I was offered some."  13 answers obviously with no filter on her weaknesses.

When the new person enters the room 13 turns to them, "Hi Puddle.  Like I am Thirteen."

In reply to Puddle (msg # 15):

"Team Starmind, this is Puddle. He is an being of metamorphic plant matter. He will come in useful against the infected of Detroit." She says as a way of introduction. Then she turned to Puddle himself.

"As for Blue Crossfire, he is just human with some impressive skills and high tech arrows. I have no idea how he managed to survive out there after refusing the Freebooters help. However, after multiple defeats by the Night Watchman before the infected attacked, I have learned not to underestimate humanity."

 Sam smiled at Puddle and then replied," Hi welcome Puddle I am Star Hair." Her hair reaches out forms a hand to shake his hand.

 Sam listens to everyone and then adds," Ok sounds great when do we leave, lets get changed and head out I am ready."

Almost as still as the projection as he waited for Thinkmaster's answer, Matthias offered only the slightest nod as she affirmed his fears.  "That moron..."  The psychic murmurred after a beat, one side of his mouth twisting up in a humorless sort of smirk before he turned away.  Crossfire had always been headstrong, and a bit of a hothead at times, so he really shouldn't have expected anything less.  It wouldn't stop him from trying to bring his old teammate into the fold if the opportunity arose, but he knew better than to let that become more than a fleeting fancy.

"That sounds unpleasant, but I'm sure our quartermasters will appreciate the reduced upkeep."  Schism offered in the wake of Thirteen's rather unusual explanation of what she could and couldn't eat.  Between her exuberance, youthful appearance, and rather unique sounding biology he couldn't help but wonder exactly what had been done to create her, but he'd long since learned to just roll with such things.  In a group as eclectic as the one gathered around their table, his unremarkable 'normality' actually put him in the minority after all.   "Two other questions Thinkmaster then I'm ready as well.  Do we know what sort of goods Crossfire was collecting and do we have access to any transport systems we can use to bring materials back if there are large quantities?"

In reply to Schism (msg # 19):

Thinkmaster nods. "You will be released several dozen miles from Detroit itself. When you awaken, you will be given a location to go once you complete your mission.

Fortunately, other transport will not be needed. 13's impressive gateway powers will easily allow you to move around Detroit very quickly and with relative safety. Her portals will allow you to move any materials you manage to find. You will also be given a signal device if you run into trouble and need EVAC.

The materials Blue Crossfire was moving was a variety of food, drinks, electronics, and various other parts. All boxed and ready to go. Many of which is meant to be transported past the shield and into Canada."

What is funny is that 13 had not even tried her powers down here to see what was going on with them.  She never even thought of it and figured she would answer after especially since she would have been given leave to use them out of here after.  "Cool beans.  I think I am ready otherwise as well.  Like once I maybe change.  But that is all good either way."

 Sam listened then responded with a smile, as her hair danced around like it had a mind of it's own," Oh very good, if they are boxed I can easily carry a large amount of it with my hair at once. That will work, so I guess we are ready to get started then." Sam was ready to go, this was all new to her, she was just a scientist exposed to Cosmic energy and now she had amazing abilities. Then the world got infected and if her new abilities could help people and get supplies she was all for it.

"Very good. You have till tonorrow morning. When you next wake up, you will be on Detroit with a set of more explicit intrustctions. Good luck, team Starmind. Those supplies will aid both those who live here in the HQ, and those still living in Canada."

With that, Thinkmaster's face vanishes. Instead, a holomap showing where each person's sleeping quarters can be found. Its clear the underground bunker was indeed huge and capable of holding 100s if not 1000s.

"I am like so good with that.  But that makes me want to ask the group if anyone else sleeps or not.  It is totes ok if no one does.  Means I can do some reading and stuff."  13 says smiling and looking around.  She does not seem bothered at all by not using her powers or even the entire situation.

 Sam smiled got up her hair dancing around her," Great looks like my room is there on the map, and I do require sleep Thirteen, but it looks like your room is next to mine that is good." Sam looks around too see if it is ok to leave.

"I'm not ALWAYS a plant construct or whatever she said. I sleep and stuff. Can't imagine what I would do if I didn't need to. That's a lot of time to deal with." He shook his head and then jerked his head to get his green hair out of his eyes. "But anyway I have to get my new weapons prepped before I get any sleep... Exhausting, to be honest."

Nodding his acquiescence in turn as Thinkmaster explained, Schism was silent as their orchestrator put the finishing touches on the plan and faded out.  He really wasn't looking forward to yet another round of memory modification and the attendant side effects, but the necessity was hard to argue with.  Were someone like Thirteen to become infected while in possession of knowledge of the Freebooters haven it would be the end of this particular sanctuary.

"I'm afraid I also need to sleep."  Schism admitted, aiming a rueful little grin toward their cat-eared companion.  Between the lack of a need to eat and this new little tidbit he had to wonder exactly what kept the girl going, but it was largely an idle sort of curiosity.  If they could consider sentient fish in andro-mech aquariums viable members then this was hardly going to earn a second look.

"Hopefully your...preparations won't be too onerous."  The psychic added, hesitating over the word as he glanced back at his once-again-teammate.  Puddle's current form was a little less distracting than the one he'd worn to their last briefing, but welcome in it's familiarity.  "After the mess of that last mission I've been working on something with a little more oomph as well."  He offered, lifting one hand toward the door as he waited for the others to precede him.  "At least we'll be on solid ground this time."  Schism added as he left, the image of the holomap floating in his mind's eye as he waved his farewells.

"Is it a lot of time.  I would not know as I have a lot of stuff to catch up on so I usually read a lot.  Or like I try to when I don't get bored.  My guardians mostly had me play thing called like um a Nintendo thingee.  It was fun but had to be solar charged daily.  Apparently I played it more than my guardians."  13 says not sure what all came with them.

Turning to Sam, "Your room is next door.  That is super cool!"

Eventually team Starmind finds its way to their rooms. After getting something to eat at one of the many food carts that patrol the entire complex...expect for 13 of course. The food seems to be mostly plants and fungus, although there are plant based fo-meat products that resemble meat. Until you taste it that is.

The Freebooter's also have a black market of some kind, which is where the inventor types get a lot of their needed parts. Also new clothing can be traded for, although there is a laundry service which stops by the rooms-free of charge. Most of the 'sales' are for entertainments of a variety of kinds...or food from above. Mostly Twinkies and the like.

The rooms are fairly standard. They are made of earth, and have holes to store things rather than cabinets and dressers. The light seem to be provided by bio-luminescent mushrooms, which have to covered to make the room dark. There is a cistern in one corner with fresh water flowing, along with a bathroom which seems to be more like a outhouse. However, it somehow manages to smell just fine.

The bed is just some sort of very durable air mattresses. It has a pillow built into the 'head' of the bed. There is also a device built into the ceiling which can project holographic films, music, shows, and if needed Thinkmaster's presence.

Eventually, things get dull enough to put anyone to sleep. This is very odd for 13, who does not sleep...until she does. For her its a bit like being knocked unconscious but without pain.

13 for the most part just hands and chats and chats and chats.  It is finally ended when it is time for all to go to bed at which time she just hangs in her room actually bored out of her tree once the excitement finally is done she falls down.  Not because she is tired...not because she wants to sleep.  But because well it happens.  Actually she does not mind as is before it likely is a new experience for her.

 Sam got some food then went to her room, to settle in and check it out. Sam then said good night to Thirteen then made sure all her stuff was ready and she was dressed for the field and went to bed.

OOC-Thread closed.