Aberrant: War Journal - War Journal

[Alex Green]

<<...It seems that it has the same taste for combat rations like Rex...>>

Mike thinks, *Lovely*.

<<"Mike, please come over here. ...">>

Mike nods, glances around again, and then approaches.

[Grizzly]

"Ok, Mike. As far as I remember, you have been an engineer in the past. I know a little about it but this is something for an expert of some kind. I want you to check the wreck for any kind of homing devices or a "Glory Device", a self-destruct charge or something like that. We should try to salvage it for the Eggheads back home."

Griffin looks around for Jen. "Jen?"

[tooho]

Sliding silently through the first's mind, Emma nearly smiles at the ease of routing the needed information. Well, Richard Frost, Bravo company, thank you for the intel. Password 'rattler'... confirmation 'diamondback'. Simple enough.

Shaking her head as the two become aware they aren't alone, she quickly works to alter the memory, whispering through their minds Its the wind... just the wind.

Watching them and waiting for them to follow their scouting paths away from the assemblage of Greens, she holds herself still and watchful till they have passed. Reaching out with her mind for silent communication, she updates the others in a rather abrupt manner.

The one on the left, Specialist Richard Frost, Bravo Company, 5-20 Infantry Regiment, 1st Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Acquisition squadron. He's armed with a quantum sensor on his rifle with a range of two meters. The other is Specialist Leonard Salinas, Bravo Company, 5-20 Infantry Regiment, nickname 'Lenny.' Their commander is Captain Everett McQueen. Doesn't seem well liked.

The KT mines are in three groups, Groups A, B and C. There is some overlap, but A is mostly northwest, B is mostly northeast, and C is southeast, mostly on the Goose Egg. Southwest approach is mine-free, but has nearly open visibility from Rimrock. The mine groups can be activated or deactivated by radio control from C3, the command post.

Password 'Rattler', confirmation 'Diamondback'. Suggestions?

[Alex Green]

"Ok, Mike. As far as I remember, you have been an engineer in the past. I know a little about it but this is something for an expert of some kind. I want you to check the wreck for any kind of homing devices or a "Glory Device", a self-destruct charge or something like that. We should try to salvage it for the Eggheads back home."

Mike answers, “Not just an engineer, I used to set demolitions. I’m on it.”

Mike wanders over to the suit and starts to check it out.

[Alex Green]

The KT mines are in three groups, Groups A, B and C. There is some overlap, but A is mostly northwest, B is mostly northeast, and C is southeast, mostly on the Goose Egg. Southwest approach is mine-free, but has nearly open visibility from Rimrock. The mine groups can be activated or deactivated by radio control from C3, the command post.

Password 'Rattler', confirmation 'Diamondback'. Suggestions?

Mike #2 responds (I assume mentally), *Before the attack we send one or two people openly up the Southwest approach, infiltrate command, and deactivate the minds. … But for right now I think we have what we need. Where the minds are and how they are activated. What the password is. Any reason we shouldn’t just go back?*

[ProfPotts]

Keeping a watchful eye out for any threats Rex just waits as the more technically skilled members of the team do their things... mind wandering back to thoughts of what Colby looks like in her underwear, & why he turned into a big ol' lizard guy instead of getting X-Ray vision like he always wanted as a teenager... ::wink

[Heritage]

Near Rimrock:

The two Joes seem to pause for a moment, then stand erect, shaking their heads; they continue along the path, passing the nearest member of the recon team and continuing their patrol around the back of the mountain.

Mike #2 responds (I assume mentally) *Before the attack we send one or two people openly up the Southwest approach, infiltrate command, and deactivate the minds. … But for right now I think we have what we need.  Where the minds are and how they are activated.  What the password is.  Any reason we shouldn’t just go back?*

←

Epstein waits until the patrol is out of sight, then sits up, and looks back at the others; she points back towards they way they came and shrugs.

The Badlands:

Jen Li trots over to Griff, leaving transient little 'sparkprints' in the cracked soil.

What's up, boss?

Mike carefully climbs inside the ruined tac-suit, getting no small amount of blood on his person ::ohmy - despite the mess, the cockpit is more or less intact, making this a bit of a find for the boys in Intel. After a thorough investigation (OOC: And an amazing six successes on his Demo roll ::wink ), Mike locates the self-destruct mechanism, which has been activated but obviously not set to blow - a bloody thumbprint on the safety cover suggests the pilot was 'interrupted' in his task...

There is no physical evidence of another tac-suit's presence in the surrounding ground, so apparently this fellow was alone at the time of the attack.

Edit: Mike also manages to find and deactivate the suit's homing beacon.

(OOC: There, you happy now, Grizz? ::tongue)

[Alex Green]

The Badlands:

Mike #1 looks around the suit and feels right at home. He studies the self-destruct switch, notes that it isn’t ‘ticking’ and ignores it for a moment to just get the feel of the suit. Old advice comes back to him The secret to successful disarmament is to put yourself in the place of the designer.

He thinks *This isn’t a terror device so let’s not over think this. The operator might be a clod so there should be an easy cancellation to the destruct switch, and the operator is assumed to be right handed, so it should be… right there.* Mike notes the location without touching it.

*Just arming self destruct isn’t enough to make it go off. The operator might be an idiot who arms it and then leaves to get lunch or something. On the other hand, if the suit is damaged and the occupant killed the suit really should self destruct because we don’t want it captured. So what happened? The suit is damaged, the operator died, did the sensor fail? Maybe the damage the suit checks for didn’t happen? The self destruct is armed… ah… it’s in “manual” mode. Hit the cancel button and it will go back to automatic, and maybe blow if it thinks it’s in the field. * ::ohmy

*These suits are expensive, so we don’t want them blowing up if they can be fixed. And we don’t want them accidentally killing the repair tech. There should be a simple way to switch it into “repair mode” which disables the self destruct. Hmm… you want it easily available to the tech crew, but not where the operator could hit it accidentally in combat. If I were making it I’d put it right… there. *

Mike reaches in and hits the switch…. There is a loud double beep and then nothing. ::cool

He then hits the cancel button for the self destruct… this time there is a single beep and then nothing.

*That’s right, we think we are broken, time to take out and ‘fix’ the self destruct and the beacon.*

Mike opens a section of the suit, and with minimal effort, pulls the destruct device out of the suit itself. He then repeats the process for the beacon. He puts the device out of the way behind a rock and puts the beacon on the seat.

Walking back to Griffin his eufiber pulses and pushes all the blood and misc other gunk onto the bottoms of his feet which leave a brief trail and then are clean again.

“Disarmed, beacon removed, and pretty much intact. A real find for the intel guys. I left it in repair mode. Do we take it with us or warp it back to base?”

[Grizzly]

Griffin observes Mikes doings very carefuly, giving Jen a sign to wait a moment.

“Disarmed, beacon removed, and pretty much intact. A real find for the intel guys. I left it in repair mode. Do we take it with us or warp it back to base?”

"Well done, Mike ::biggrin . We can´t take it with us, these Bastards are way too heavy to carry around. I had something different in mind.

Mike, are you absolutely sure about that there is nothing else in that suit that could compromise one of our Bases? If you are sure, I would like you, Jen, to drop it at the T-Port at Hades. They can relay it to the right people and Decon can easily clean it up. Additionally, because we have no Path connection to Hades, we can put a note to it, giving the boys back home some lifesigns. If you are not sure, it should be dropped somewhere in reach of one of our Bases and we drop the according coordinares with the note at Hades."

Griffin starts to search his "pockets" but then he gives himself a light slap to the forehead.

*Damn. I have the most sophisticated Communication system with me but I can´t use it. Have to drop back to pen and paper and then I have to admit that I have none. Wait, that brings me to another point.*

*Umberto, please tell me what you have found out about that jamming signal, so far.*

"I´ll be back in a few seconds"

Griffin goes over to Colby´s position. "Would you please lend me your pen and some paper?."

He leans over to her, whispering: "How are you feeling? Start getting tired?"

[Alex Green]

"…Mike, are you absolutely sure about that there is nothing else in that suit that could compromise one of our Bases?..."

Mike #1 smiles grimly and says, “I got the detonator and the beacon. As for being “sure”, then no I’m not. If whatever left the mess was poisonous or disease ridden then the suit might be contaminated. I assume it’s somewhat radioactive just like the rest of us. But I don’t see anything to indicate it’s a plant of some sorts. All the evidence says our team and their team ran into something they couldn’t handle and this is what’s left on their side.”

“I think it’s worth the risk.”

[ezekiel]

Ernold looks at Epstein, then Mike and back again. He shrugs and mouths the word: "What?"

[ProfPotts]

"... We can´t take it with us, these Bastards are way too heavy to carry around..."

There's a half-hearted fake cough from Rex, followed by a mumbled,

"Speak for yourself..." ::rolleyes

Glancing around again the lizard-dude then adds, in a tone of forced enthusiasm,

"Still nothing to report, boss."

Rex goes back to watching Colby's butt... um... keeping a sharp lookout, that is to say... ::blush

[tooho]

Near Rimrock:

The spook grins as she salutes Jennings. Shaking her head at Epstein, Lt. Emma Majors motions a negative as her breathy whisper reaches them. "Got the passwords and mine info. I suggest returning to the base for brainstorming." ::wink

[Heritage]

Badlands:

*Umberto, please tell me what you have found out about that jamming signal, so far.*

*I now believe that the 'jamming' comes from two sources - there is a powerful mental noise generator inside the suit, which is still opeational, but there is also a general impairment due to unknown effects in this location.*

"I´ll be back in a few seconds"

Griffin goes over to Colby´s position. "Would you please lend me your pen and some paper?."

He leans over to her, whispering: "How are you feeling? Start getting tired?"

←

Colby grins weakly through her facemask as she hands him the writing materials; there are drops of moisture condensing inside the mask.

Yeah, a little bit - good news is, I'm going to drop a few dress sizes, so Epstein and I can swap outfits ::biggrin

The first sergeant drops to a squat, hands on hips.

Hoo, boy - hey there, quantum genie, now would be a good time to erupt.

She stands and stretches as best she can.

I'm good for a little while longer, but not too much more - I refuse to give Rex the satisfaction of slinging me over his shoulder. ::rolleyes

Jen approaches Mike.

You're a clone or something, right? I can do the warp, if you want; you might want to conserve your life-sustaining juice.

Rimrock:

Jennings nods.

You're right, we should get moving - home please, Mr. Roe.

[Bahamut810]

Damiens Pad

Damien smiles slightly. Despite the...unplesantness of the day...the double standards, favortism, the group leaders who went off at a question and even the pity. This wasen't turning out to be too bad. It has been a while since he had such a large canvas to work with. He would need more charcoal before this was over, but all in all it was plesant.

The second figure came along nicley, but not *too* nicley. Thats what he enjoyed about this most. It was *difficult* for him. A challenge that didn't involve dealing with morons or fighting. One that was getting easier...

He frowned. He hoped he wasent adapting to the challenge of this. It was one of the last things he could do like a normal person. One of his last great challenges that didnt involve gutting things.

He pushed that thought from his head. He didnt want to screw up on the mural. Time to pay full attension. Who knew how long he had left to work on it?

[Alex Green]

Badlands:

Jen approaches Mike.  You're a clone or something, right? I can do the warp, if you want; you might want to conserve your life-sustaining juice.

Mike #1 answers, “I am, and I do. As you gathered I’m on a limited duration here, so please do so.”

Rimrock:

Jennings nods.

You're right, we should get moving - home please, Mr. Roe.

Mike #2 nods (and after they retreat a bit) makes a warp gate back home.

Back in the badlands the other Mike feels some of his life slip away as his life span shortens by six hours. ::blink

{A short time later…}

Mike #2 walks into Mike’s room to find him meditating. He looks up.

”How did it go?”

“Good, uneventful, with potential for later.”

The original Mike nods, they touch, and Mike #2 ceases to exist. ::pokemon

Mike closes his eyes and reviews his new memories, and says to no one in particular, ”Good, uneventful, with potential for later.”

He stands and walks over to report in.

[Heritage]

Badlands:

Mike #1 answers, “I am, and I do.  As you gathered I’m on a limited duration here, so please do so.”

←

The warper grins.

I'm on it - is that note ready yet, sir?

Home again, home again:

Back at X4 at last, the recon team finds the rest of the base staff eagerly awaiting their return'; for her part, Epstein looks rather disappointed.

All that sneaking around, and not one decent fight! Darn telepaths take the fun out of everything ::angry ::tongue

Capt. Delacroix seems very relieved to see his people back.

Have a nice walk in the night air, did we? Glad you all made it back in one piece; now if I only I could stop worrying about the kids out in the Badlands, I could get a good night's sleep.

He grins, then snaps his fingers.

I almost forgot - Jennings, got a little something for you.

He hands the master scout a small packet, which he takes dubiously.

New orders?

The captain can only shrug.

Maybe, not sure. So, what did you find down Rimrock way?

Chambers, Mortimer and Daniels are all hanging around the C&C, trying not to look interested.

edit:

(OOC: Feel free to describe or not describe the mission details IC with Delcaroix and the others - I didn't mean to squash anyone's creativity. ::smile)

[ProfPotts]

Rex glances about to see if the big ol' heavy combat-robot-suit-thing made any big ol' heavy footprints - & if so, where they seen to come from.

[Heritage]

Rex glances about to see if the big ol' heavy combat-robot-suit-thing made any big ol' heavy footprints - & if so, where they seen to come from.

←

As far as Rex can tell, there are several deep sets of prints, obviously from the suit, spread wildly over the area. Having some familiarity with DAD tactics from his time in the Bloody 7th, the Cobra determines that the suit pilot was probably using his maneuvering fans to sort of 'hop' around the combat area, since the suit's are extremely slow on the ground. This makes it very hard to determine the initial point of origin.

As he examines the area immediately around the suit, he sees what looks like an unusual print left in the charred soil beneath the heavily reinforced torso.

[ProfPotts]

... he sees what looks like an unusual print left in the charred soil beneath the heavily reinforced torso.

[Um... can you define 'unusual'? Or is it a Call of Cthulhu moment: Keeper - 'It's an indescribable horror!', Investigator - 'But what does it look like?', Keeper - 'Er... indescribable...' ::unsure ]

[Grizzly]

Colby grins weakly through her facemask as she hands him the writing materials; there are drops of moisture condensing inside the mask.

"Thanks. You´ll get it back in a few moments."Griffin starts to write his notes.

Yeah, a little bit - good news is, I'm going to drop a few dress sizes, so Epstein and I can swap outfits

"Yeah, there is nothing as good as a steam-bath to get in shape" ::wink

I'm good for a little while longer, but not too much more - I refuse to give Rex the satisfaction of slinging me over his shoulder.

"Make no fuzz, Rena. If you can´t go on, please tell me."

Continueing his notes, he takes a careful look around and a look at his maps to find his current position and a good drop-off point for the suit.

OOC. The first note is a complete report of the mission so far, about the conditions out here (jammed Path, Umberto´s findings, the bad radio links and so on), the found TacSuit and his thoughts about the Badland Ghost. He adds the Coordinates for the chosen drop-point. too. This one goes to Hades (including a request to Cpt. Ambroz to send a copy to Cpt Delacroix) . The second one is a detailed report about what had been found out about that suit (Self destruct device, homing signal and that mental noise generator). This one goes with the suit.

After finishing his notes he hands the rest of the paper and the pen back to Colby.

"Thanks. Next time I am out here, I´ll remember to take some with me, too"

After giving her a friendly "cheer-up" slap on her Helmet, he goes over to the group at the suit. A lid opens at the hip of his "suit", he takes some duct-tape out and the opening disapears again. He sticks the second note to a more or less clean part of the TacSuit.

Having heared the discussion between Mike and Jen ( I think he is able to do that) he adresses them.

"That was my plan anyway, otherwise I hadn´t called her. ::wink

Ok, Jen, please drop the suit here", showing her the meant coordinates at his map, "and this note (Giving her the other note) at Hades, at a point where they will see it imidiately. Umberto here, (pointing at his back), told me that this Suit has a kind of Mental Noise Generator that jams him. So I decided to play it safe and see it dropped in the open, because I am not sure if they could home in on that."

As he examines the area immediately around the suit, he sees what looks like an unusual print left in the charred soil beneath the heavily reinforced torso

" Hey, Rex. Found something?"

[Alex Green]

Back at X4:

Epstein looks rather disappointed… All that sneaking around, and not one decent fight! Darn telepaths take the fun out of everything ::angry ::tongue

Mike #2 responds before he leaves, “Suits me. Better a planned action like sneaking behind the lines and planting explosives than a random encounter.”

Have a nice walk in the night air, did we? Glad you all made it back in one piece; now if I only I could stop worrying about the kids out in the Badlands, I could get a good night's sleep.

Mike comments, ”They’re still all right. The other Mike isn’t using juice beyond life maintenance. I’d guess nothing much has happened.” There is just a trace of smugness in his tone, a “I had a better time than he did even if his mission was more promising” undertone.

Mike #2 then leaves briefly and Mike returns. The original lacks the wear, tear, and grime from the “walk” that clone had.

He nods to the ladies to go ahead.

[Heritage]

Badlands:

[Um... can you define 'unusual'? Or is it a Call of C'thulhu moment: Keeper - 'It's an indescribable horror!', Investigator - 'But what does it look like?', Keeper - 'Er... indescribable...' ::unsure ]

←

(OOC: Sorry to be unclear - I was suggesting that since the print was largely blocked by the suit, you would have to move the suit a bit to get a good look. Telepathy never works when you want it to. ::tongue)

With a grunt of effort, Rex can shift the bulky suit a few inches to the right, revealing the full print - it looks somewhat cat-like, but big, roughly the size of a dinner plate. There is also considerable spread between the toes, and the claws must have been out - there is a suggestion of movement, as though the paw was trying to dig in for better traction.

Jen opens the two warps and makes her deliveries - a few stray purple sparks chase each other over the cracked and pitted soil.

Colby grins at Griff's concern, and nods.

Don't worry, chief - another half-hour, then I'm done. I won't pass out on you.

X4:

Mike #2 responds before he leaves, “Suits me. Better a planned action like sneaking behind the lines and planting explosives than a random encounter.”

Epstein frowns as she picks at a stain on her jumpsuit leg.

I guess... ::sad

Mike comments, ”They’re still all right. The other Mike isn’t using juice beyond life maintenance. I’d guess nothing much has happened.” There is just a trace of smugness in his tone, a “I had a better time than he did even if his mission was more promising” undertone.

Delacroix takes some comfort in Mike's words.

That's good to here - I like things nice and boring.

The captain then turns to Epstein.

By the way, Walter dropped a package off at your bunk earlier - wouldn't say what it was. ::wink

The young Scout's eyes go wide, then she scampers off; a few moments later, there is a high-pitched squeal of delight, which brings a smile to the captain's face ::biggrin

[Bahamut810]

The young Scout's eyes go wide, then she scampers off; a few moments later, there is a high-pitched squeal of delight, which brings a smile to the captain's face

Damien looks around...wondering what animal is in so much pain. It would be best to put it out of its misery...

[Heritage]

As soon as he finishes reading the packet he received, a rather distracted Jennings briefs Capt. Delacroix on the mission, which everyone in the C&C follows avidly; when he's finished, the MS waves the packet.

Uh, it seems like I do indeed have new orders - they actually involve you, too, Ernold, oddly enough. It seems that a town up in Colville - Republic, one of ours - was hit by a raiding party of Blues; they, uh...they killed a lot of innocent people, did some truly...horrible things. The Scouts have a lot of friends up there - we look out for our people.

He pauses, stroking the papers with his hand.

They want me to help with the rebuilding - I guess they're pulling in Scouts from all over. Folks up in Colville trust us, look up to us, you might say.

Jennings looks up at Ernold and laughs.

The funny thing is, they want the toon, too; apparently word of his, ah, antics made it up to someone in command. They seem to think he might be useful up there; lots of children lost their parents, maybe could use a little cheering up. ::smile

The Scout turns to Ernold.

We leave tomorrow morning.

[Grizzly]

With a grunt of effort, Rex can shift the bulky suit a few inches to the right, revealing the full print - it looks somewhat cat-like, but big, roughly the size of a dinner plate. There is also considerable spread between the toes, and the claws must have been out - there is a suggestion of movement, as though the paw was trying to dig in for better traction

"Interesting."::ultracool

Griffin kneels beneath that print and examines ist very carefully. Then he stands up again and looks around to find some other prints that would show the creatures pace pattern. (OOC: With some more prints Griffin should perhaps be able to make a good guess about the movement of the Ghost (quarduped/biped), his size (distance between the corresponding prints) and his weight (depth of the prints) and other related things)

[ezekiel]

Jennings looks up at Ernold and laughs.

The funny thing is, they want the toon, too; apparently word of his, ah, antics made it up to someone in command. They seem to think he might be useful up there; lots of children lost their parents, maybe could use a little cheering up.

The Scout turns to Ernold.

We leave tomorrow morning.

Ernold frowns

"Aww man, they shot up kids? Of course I'll go..ah, I mean..if Plato can help, of course I'll go..."

Ernold shakes his head...

"I'll pack my stuff.."

[Heritage]

Epstein comes back into C&C, wearing a matte black bodystocking that hugs her trim little dancer's figure nicely; her expression is hard to read, but seems to include some apprehension mixed with excitement.

Ernold, can you come to my room for a second? There's something that I need to talk to you about.

[Heritage]

Badlands:

"Interesting."::ultracool

Griffin kneels beneath that print and examines it very carefully. Then he stands up again and looks around to find some other prints that would show the creatures pace pattern. (OOC: With some more prints Griffin should perhaps be able to make a good guess about the movement of the Ghost (quarduped/biped), his size (distance between the corresponding prints) and his weight (depth of the prints) and other related things)

←

After a thorough investigation of the area, Griff is surprised to find only seven more prints, and except for two pairs that are side by side (separated by about three feet), the prints are at least ten feet apart ::huh All of the prints are fairly deep, with claws extended and dug into the earth; one pair appears to show the attacker having been pushed backwards by the suit about three feet, leaving long rakes in the ground. All of the prints are always accompanied by several scorch marks and bullet sprays, and prints from the suit are erratic and stumbling.

Griff's assessment:

1. The small number of footprints is very curious, possibly suggesting an alternate form of movement, such as flying, teleportation, etc.

2. The attacker(s) are very large, at least man-sized but most likely bigger, probably weighing several hundred pounds.

3. The attacker(s) are very strong; the force exerted to resist the movement of the suit would have to be tremendous.

4. Based on the number of blast marks and bullet sprays, his gut tells him that there was more than one attacker, of near-identical strength and build.

[ezekiel]

Epstein comes back into C&C, wearing a matte black bodystocking that hugs her trim little dancer's figure nicely; her expression is hard to read, but seems to include some apprehension mixed with excitement.

As Epstein steps in wearing her rather fetching attire, Ernold hits the door frame of the corridor he was stepping through, does a doubletake à la Kramer and stares at the scout. ::wow

Ernold, can you come to my room for a second? There's something that I need to talk to you about.

Shaking the wonder from his eyes, Ernold wakes up to her words:

"Ah, sure...I'll be uh...right there."

He then follows her to her room...

[Heritage]

Standing in the doorway to her quarters, Epstein zaps him with a thousand-watt smile.

Please, come in. ::smile ::blink

Inside the ten by ten foot room, fitted out with the standard desk and bunk beds, Ernold can see that his sketch is taped to the wall near the upper bunk, next to several pictures apparently drawn by a child. The young Scout indicates Colby's made-up lower bunk with a nod of her head and a nervous laugh.

Roommate's out tonight. ::laugh

She starts pacing around the small room, emphatically gesturing with her hands as she speaks.

You see, I was just going to model sexy outfits for you…you know, try out the eufiber? ::wink But then I heard Jennings give you your new orders, and I got to thinking; I mean, anything could happen, right? We live in a war zone, we get shot at everyday, you might, you know, meet someone…

The beautiful nova stops in front of him, and her eufiber shifts into gym shoes, designer jeans and a sleeveless white lace blouse that shows about an inch of tummy; somehow she manages to look both absolutely stunning and adorable.

How's this? Is this nice? ::wow ::wub

Biting her lip, Epstein is suddenly coy as she slips her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.

Ernold, I…I want you to spend the night…with me. Together. ::unsure

She shrugs her shoulders, and turns deep crimson as she plops down on Colby's bunk.

I don't know what's going to happen to us. I have this feeling in my gut, like when we were out there in the field…I worry about you. I'm not going to say that it's love, because we just met and I honestly don't know, but…you're special. And not just because you’re a toon trapped in a cute boy's body. ::tongue

She smiles, takes a deep breath, and finally lets it out.

So here's the deal - I don't know if I'm going to meet someone like you again, and I want you-

Her voice cracks a bit, and then her moist eyes look up and hit him with an aching sincerity.

I want you to be my first. I want it to be like it was supposed to be - two nice little Jewish kids, discovering each other's bodies. I don't want it to be part of some seedy undercover mission, because God knows what I'll have to do once I finish my infiltrator training. I want it to be innocent, while I still can.

She looks at the floor, and is suddenly very bright red.

I have some, you know, condoms. ::blush ::blush

[ezekiel]

Inside the ten by ten foot room, fitted out with the standard desk and bunk beds, Ernold can see that his sketch is taped to the wall near the upper bunk, next to several pictures apparently drawn by a child. The young Scout indicates Colby's made-up lower bunk with a nod of her head and a nervous laugh.

Roommate's out tonight.

"Ahhh...nice..."

Ernold ruffled his hand through his curly brown hair as he looked around the girls' room...

She starts pacing around the small room, emphatically gesturing with her hands as she speaks.

You see, I was just going to model sexy outfits for you…you know, try out the eufiber?

*gulp!*

But then I heard Jennings give you your new orders, and I got to thinking; I mean, anything could happen, right? We live in a war zone, we get shot at everyday, you might, you know, meet someone…

The beautiful nova stops in front of him, and her eufiber shifts into gym shoes, designer jeans and a sleeveless white lace blouse that shows about an inch of tummy; somehow she manages to look both absolutely stunning and adorable.

How's this? Is this nice? 

::jaw

Biting her lip, Epstein is suddenly coy as she slips her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.

Ernold, I…I want you to spend the night…with me. Together. 

"..." ::blink

She shrugs her shoulders, and turns deep crimson as she plops down on Colby's bunk.

I don't know what's going to happen to us. I have this feeling in my gut, like when we were out there in the field…I worry about you. I'm not going to say that it's love, because we just met and I honestly don't know, but…you're special. And not just because you’re a toon trapped in a cute boy's body.

*bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*

She smiles, takes a deep breath, and finally lets it out.

So here's the deal - I don't know if I'm going to meet someone like you again, and I want you-

Ernold starts grinning and laughing nervously as he steps backwards and crosses his arms, hands in armpits.

"Ah...ehm...aheheh!" ::blush

Her voice cracks a bit, and then her moist eyes look up and hit him with an aching sincerity.

I want you to be my first. I want it to be like it was supposed to be - two nice little Jewish kids, discovering each other's bodies. I don't want it to be part of some seedy undercover mission, because God knows what I'll have to do once I finish my infiltrator training. I want it to be innocent, while I still can.

"..."

*...*

She looks at the floor, and is suddenly very bright red.

I have some, you know, condoms. 

::blink

...

::blink

"Ahm..."

Ernold suddenly frowns, seeming unsure of himself and takes a tentative step forward. Slowly he takes his right hand out of his left armpit and gently pokes the gorgeous scout in front of him on the shoulder, twice, with his fingers.

poke...poke..

...

"Ahh..."

His hand darts back to his chin as he rubs it nervously, looking thoroughly embarrassed... ::blush

"Uhm..you...and me..we're really here aren't we? I mean...yeah..."

...

"Ahhh..I mean, yeah...yeah...Of course you are! Ahh...aheheh!"

"Ah...yeah...You actually made me want to volunteer for the mission and..ah, y'know, like, y'know toons, and thats ahh..awesome! And...uh, I mean, ahhhh..you're gorgeous! and ah, you're Beautiful! and ahh..."

...

Ernold looks down at himself, dorkiness still managing to shine through his black recon suit.

"Ahhh...why do you want to be with me again? I mean, you, you're...and I'm like...not exactly mr. Perfect..."

Taking another couple of steps forward Ernold shakes his head and puts his finger on her lips.

"No, don't answer that...."

Ernold steps close and puts his arms around her.

"I've been dreaming of this moment since that first time you made my poor little heart nearly explode by just, like, being there! Darling...

Ernold pulls her tight against him and boldy states

Prepare to be Ficklesteined!"

and Ernold kisses her just like in those black and white movies...or so he hopes...

OOC: And Ernold scores for geeks everywhere...

[Heritage]

Epstein's quarters:

Ernold pulls her tight against him and boldly states

Prepare to be Ficklesteined!"

Epstein giggles maniacally at first ::laugh, but then...

and Ernold kisses her just like in those black and white movies...or so he hopes...

←

She wraps her slender arms around his neck, and they share a long, warm kiss - the smell of her is intoxicating. When at last she pulls away, she smiles and bumps foreheads with him.

That was nice. Now if you're a real good boy, I'll try on Jessica Rabbit later ::wink ::wow

Fade to black…

C&C:

Having finished his report, Jennings heads to his quarters to pack and hit the hay, wishing everyone else goodnight. Mortimer reaches into the pocket of his BDUs and pulls out a deck of cards.

Anyone up for a game? We still got leftovers, and plenty of beer.

Chambers starts to get up from his spot at the monitors, eyes lit up with glee, until the captain firmly but gently pushes him into his seat.

You are on monitor duty, Chambers, which means the rest of us get to play.

He turns to Mortimer.

Cut the deck, soldier, while I work on some sandwiches. ::biggrin

[ezekiel]

She wraps her slender arms around his neck, and they share a long, warm kiss - the smell of her is intoxicating. When at last she pulls away, she smiles and bumps foreheads with him.

That was nice. Now if you're a real good boy, I'll try on Jessica Rabbit later

::blink

Ernold looks skyward

"Oh..GAWD YES!"

ah deedee, ah deedee, ahdedat's aaaallll, folks!

[malkboy]

Cut the deck, soldier, while I work on some sandwiches.

Walter, having quietly been working at one of the Green Screens, stands up with a smile, "Hey, I'm in too. Better than sitting around here waiting for something to happen. What game are we playing exactly?"

[Grizzly]

Griffin walks around and studies the footprints very carefully. Then he adresses the whole Team.

"Well, I am not as good in reading tracks as my "Uncle" William had been, but I think I can tell you at least some things about our special friend.

It is bigger and heavier than a man and is at least as strong as an average Cobra. It has big claws at it´s feet and probably at his hands, too, remembering the marks at that suit. The prints are quite far away from each other and the firepattern of the suit indicates that it had been firing on more than one target or on a target that is able to move very quickly from one position to an other. Additionally, there aren´t enough tracks from it as I would expect in a fight, so there are some other abilities that it might have.

That brings me to a short list of additional ideas:

The ability to fly or teleport,

the ability to clone itself,

very good stealth abilities, including the suppression of footprints

and it´s claws are able to pierce heavy armor easily.

All together, a very good hand-to-hand fighter with the ability to ambush it´s opponents and/or to close in on them very quickly."

[Alex Green]

Mike #1 comments, "Not stealth... or at least this doesn't play out that way this time. If'n it snuck up on the guy, then he wouldn't have gotten a shot off. Since he was shooting then there'd be no reason for stealth. Of course he might have it but just not have used it this time."

"I'm too much a cynic to believe in a mutant race of dragons. If I were a betting man I'd bet on flight plus something, speed or clone maybe ... or maybe even all three."

"Or he might have been playing head games and had the tin can shooting at illusions."

[ezekiel]

The next morning in Epstein's room...

Ernold, leaning on his elbow, observed the beauty sleeping next to him. The night had been a bizarre, romantic, surreal affair and not soon to be forgotten. But time was short and he'd have to leave soon. Somewhere kids were leading lives more akin to nightmares than blissful dreams and maybe he could help...He stroked Epstein's face gently, waiting for her to shake the sleep out of her eyes and kissed her.

"I've got to go..."

...

"Promise me to be careful out there, I'll be back before you know it! I, ah...like you a lot, I don't want anything to happen to you, got that?"

Ernold struts about the room, picking up his clothes and putting it on. Looking at the time he swears

"Shit, Jenning's gonna kill me, I haven't even packed yet!"

Running up to her he grabs for one last kiss and runs off

::sweetlove

[Heritage]

(OOC: I'll post later for everyone else - this is sort of a good-bye for Zeke. Go in peace, bro! ::smile)

The next morning in Epstein's room...

Ernold, leaning on his elbow, observed the beauty sleeping next to him. The night had been a bizarre, romantic, surreal affair and not soon to be forgotten. But time was short and he'd have to leave soon. Somewhere kids were leading lives more akin to nightmares than blissful dreams and maybe he could help...He stroked Epstein's face gently, waiting for her to shake the sleep out of her eyes and kissed her.

"I've got to go..."

...

"Promise me to be careful out there, I'll be back before you know it! I, ah...like you a lot, I don't want anything to happen to you, got that?"

Ernold struts about the room, picking up his clothes and putting it on. Looking at the time he swears

"Shit, Jenning's gonna kill me, I haven't even packed yet!"

Running up to her he grabs for one last kiss and runs off

::sweetlove

←

Lynn gives Ernold a surprisingly stong hug, her eyes brimming with tears.

You be careful out there, too, you big weirdo. Maybe I can come vist? ::smile

She waves at him as he hurries off, then does on odd little hopping, spinning dance back into her quarters while singing:

I got a boyfriend, I got a boyfriend! ::wub

[Heritage]

OOC: Okay, rather than trying to recreate lost posts, I'm just going to sort of paraphrase a bit.

X4:

The lads (and lass, if Emma wants to join) were sitting down for a few hands of poker in the break room - this included Daniels, Mortimer and Capt. Delacroix, who was making sandwiches from leftovers. Walter had expressed interest in playing, and the cap'n sent a reluctant Daniels to see if Damien wanted to come join the fun. Damien did so, apparently ready to take everyone to the cleaners ::tongue

And we all know what Epstein and Ernold are doing down the hall.... ::blush

Badlands:

The team was on the move again, when Colby, who seemed to be feeling better, suddenly said 'oh shit' and fell to the ground. I think the responses to her collapse should maybe be reposted by the appropriate players.