Aberrant: War Journal - War Journal

[Haze]

(to refresh everyones memory...)

"Rex ezz quite right." He looks over at Epstein. "Zo...is there anything zat I can do to help in zee mission?"

Jamie looks up from the orders at the other scouts, then back at Frenchie.

How about staying out of our way until we say otherwise? No offence, but you're the kind of guy who can seriously blow a man's cover.

[Bahamut810]

Frenchie smiles and nods. "Ok, you know where to find me if you do. Have fun on zees one!"

He waves, winks at Epstein and makes his way to his room/office area to write his report, not wanting to lie to anyone about doing that.

[Heritage]

Most of the gawkers disappear, seeing as the quantum-fueled inferno doesn't seem to be happening at this second. Kelso continues to whisper into the monitor station, shooting glances to all sides.

Esptein shifts back to her normal dimensions (OOC: Oh, what a waste of nine successes! Nine successes!) and looks worriedly after Havoc and Julia - she shakes it off after a moment and looks to Jamie.

I'll get suited up, sir.

Then she pads off to get changed.

Rex says nothing about the 'formal complaint' concept... He does (finally) glance at the mission briefing on the screen, then shrugs,

"Looks like a Scout job t' me. Call me when ya' need something killed." 

With that he heads off to (much to everyone's relief) put some trousers on, smoke a stogie, then head on outside to await Havoc... 

Colby hurries to catch up with Rex before he enters the tunnel.

Rex, a moment of your time?

She stops to catch her breath, then draws herself up to her full five feet.

Look, I can see you want Havoc dead, or at least crippled and drinking out of a straw - I don't see this as the sort of thing that a formal inquiry's gonna clean up, so I don't have any illusions there. Bad blood is bad blood, and the only sure cure is spilling some, as dumb as that sometimes seems.

She gives him a pleading, heart-felt look.

I've seen what a fight like this can do, and all I'm asking is that if you can't solve this peacefully, please remember that there's a lot more at stake than who's dick is bigger or who's a sicker bastard. A fight like this draws attention, possible even from orbit, if you get my drift. The noise alone could bring Daddy down on our heads before you can say 'massive killer robot squad'. If you have to fight, fight far away. Please? For the rest of us?

[ProfPotts]

I've seen what a fight like this can do, and all I'm asking is that if you can't solve this peacefully, please remember that there's a lot more at stake than who's dick is bigger or who's a sicker bastard. A fight like this draws attention, possible even from orbit, if you get my drift. The noise alone could bring Daddy down on our heads before you can say 'massive killer robot squad'. If you have to fight, fight far away. Please? For the rest of us?

Rex looks Colby up & down,

"What's it worth?.." ::sly

He can't keep up the pretense for long, & soon laughs out loud,

"Nah - don't worry, it won't last long. But if ya' want we can take it further-a-field. Depends on th' gimp, really."

The Cobra shrugs,

"I kill guys like that, & worse, for a livin' - he seems t' specialise in killin' baselines. You do th' math."

The reptilian man starts to head off, then pauses & glances back,

"And I'm pretty sure I've got th' bigger dick. You've seen it - what do you think?.." ::devil

[Prince of Boredom]

Seeming a little upset that the action has dissipated, Lobe turns to Jamie, “Before you guys just start running off into action, don’t forget that I’m your medical support. I assume we’ll maintain radio contact with you while you’re in the field, so I just need a comlink so I can ‘port in when you need me. If you’d rather me come along, I’m all up for that, I’m just not quite as stealthy as the rest of you.”

[Alex Green]

Mike says, "If we aren't going to look around forcefully... then what are we going to do?"

[Heritage]

Rex looks Colby up & down,

"What's it worth?.." ::sly

He can't keep up the pretense for long, & soon laughs out loud,

"Nah - don't worry, it won't last long. But if ya' want we can take it further-a-field. Depends on th' gimp, really."

The Cobra shrugs,

"I kill guys like that, & worse, for a livin' - he seems t' specialise in killin' baselines. You do th' math."

Colby smiles grimly and shakes her head.

Never underestimate another nova, you know that - look what itty-bitty Epstein's capable of if she puts her mind to it. I just don't like to see good men killed for being cocky, and I hate to say it, but that counts for both you and Havoc.

The reptilian man starts to head off, then pauses & glances back,

"And I'm pretty sure I've got th' bigger dick. You've seen it - what do you think?.." ::devil

She punches him firmly on the arm.

Leave enough of him so I get to find out.

[ezekiel]

Havoc is back in the hallway and steps up to Rex and Colby, still speaking softy presumably as to not wake up or disturb his daughter.

"That was mighty good of you, soldier. Thank you, you seem like a decent fellow. I hate to kill you..." ::wink

Havoc stands there with a crooked smile

"Still wanna die?"

[Heritage]

Colby holds up her hands and walks back to C&C.

I'd hate to lose either one of you - there's enough people killing us without us helping out.

Seeming a little upset that the action has dissipated, Lobe turns to Jamie, “Before you guys just start running off into action, don’t forget that I’m your medical support. I assume we’ll maintain radio contact with you while you’re in the field, so I just need a comlink so I can ‘port in when you need me. If you’d rather me come along, I’m all up for that, I’m just not quite as stealthy as the rest of you.”

Daniels, who's still too wired to turn in just yet, clears his throat.

Sirs, it might be a good idea if one of you took a Path with you, since our radio's are so short range.

He reaches under a monitor station and pulls out an object that looks like an olive drab hermit crab about a foot and a half across.

This here's Umberto 7 - he's a pretty good unit, and he's been fed recently, so he should be ready to go.

OOC: See the OOC thread for more info on Path radios ::blink

Epstein comes out of the crew quarters, suited up in her Scout blacks with her fletcher slung over one shoulder, and crisply salutes the two Master Scouts.

I'm ready whenever you are, sirs.

Colby enters the C&C, shaking her head in mild disgust; seeing Epstein ready for action, she stops short.

Wow, someone's ready to recon the hell out of Rimrock - you guys need any of my boys as backup?

[ProfPotts]

"Still wanna die?"

Rex takes a long drag on his lit cigar, then replies,

"That's not gonna' be an issue."

& stubs his cigar out on the centre of Havoc's gimp-masked forehead... ::smokin

... before proceeding to exit the base at a casual pace.

[malkboy]

Colby enters the C&C, shaking her head in mild disgust; seeing Epstein ready for action, she stops short.

Wow, someone's ready to recon the hell out of Rimrock - you guys need any of my boys as backup?

Upon hearing Colby as he nears C&C, Walter adjusts his cap to be a bit straighter and his uniform to look a bit nicer. Then sauntering back into C&C and flipping over some pages that are all attached to a clipboard he's carrying, Walter approaches Kelso.

"As I was checking in the supplies that some of the other gentlemen brought back in. I noticed that the base seems to have a definate lack of the proper forms to fill out for certain things. Like, this place didn't even have the proper form to send for a reorder of the forms we need. Fortunately, I thought ahead and brought one of those forms along with me, but we may not be so fortunate for other things. So with adding in the inventory of supplies that I brought with me, where exactly might the base supply manifest list be so that we can properly inventory the supplies?"

[ezekiel]

Rex takes a long drag on his lit cigar, then replies,

"That's not gonna' be an issue."

& stubs his cigar out on the centre of Havoc's gimp-masked forehead...

... before proceeding to exit the base at a casual pace.

Havoc simply stares at Rex, disregarding the cigar completely.

"Famous last words..."

Havoc walks with Rex along the exit corridor. As they get to the exit he speaks to Rex.

"We can't compromise the mission nor the base, meet me [10 clicks west of here?]."

Havoc squats down then takes to the air in a [westerly] direction.

P.S. I dunno the exact layout of the area so the duel place could be elsewhere..

[Bahamut810]

Frenchie leans back after he clicks "Send" so that his report goes off to the correct people. He yawns, stands and walks back to the cafe area. He claps walter on the back as he passes. "Hello, Missour." and while he does make sure not to do it hard, Walter feels that like no tommorrow.

He makes his way to the food area and pours himself some coffee then makes his way back to the main HQ. "So...what iz zee plan of action as far?"

[Alex Green]

Another Mike appears next to him. The orginal(?) goes back to his bunk, the new(?) Mike says, "I guess the plan is we warp away from here so there is no back trail, then we try to sneak in and look around."

[ProfPotts]

"Famous last words..."

"Hardly - that'd be th' poetic shite you like so much..." ::sly

"We can't compromise the mission nor the base, meet me [10 clicks west of here?]."

"Fine - you choose th' place. You'll need all th' advantages ya' can grab." ::rolleyes

Rex watches Havoc take off, shaking his head & again wondering just how he missed such a blatant target when he first showed up. When the gimp-masked one is out of sight, the reptilian one starts to walk in that direction at a relaxed pace, blending into the available cover as he goes.

[Heritage]

Upon hearing Colby as he nears C&C, Walter adjusts his cap to be a bit straighter and his uniform to look a bit nicer. Then sauntering back into C&C and flipping over some pages that are all attached to a clipboard he's carrying, Walter approaches Kelso.

"As I was checking in the supplies that some of the other gentlemen brought back in. I noticed that the base seems to have a definate lack of the proper forms to fill out for certain things. Like, this place didn't even have the proper form to send for a reorder of the forms we need. Fortunately, I thought ahead and brought one of those forms along with me, but we may not be so fortunate for other things. So with adding in the inventory of supplies that I brought with me, where exactly might the base supply manifest list be so that we can properly inventory the supplies?"

Kelso looks up from the monitors - he looks about to say something, then catches himself and frowns.

Ah, what? I mean, yes, sergeant major, let me get my datapad. Daniels, would you please take the wheel?

Daniels takes the monitor chair and continues fussing with Umberto 7, both checking its status and apparently cooing to it in an affectionate manner ::blink Kelso heads off to his bunk, and shortly afterwards returns with the 8" by 10" mini-computer, tapping a few commands onto the touch-sensitive screen.

Here you go, sergeant major.

OOC: The datapad is similar to a PDA - most of its surface is the screen, which looks a lot like your basic Windows-type layout. Along one edge of the long side is a standard 'Qwerty' keypad area, and you can touch-and-drag file icons. There's an audio jack, three USB ports and two datachip slots on one side, and little snap-down feet that, combined with a separate keyboard, make it work like a desktop computer. Memory is small by 2050s standards, something appalling like 500 terabytes ::wink

[Bahamut810]

Frenchie sips his coffee and listens to the planning. He dosent offer any suggestions as he dosent know what he is doing in that area.

[Heritage]

10 kilometers to the west of X4 is the Bumping River valley, a region of subalpine forest between the bare summit of Crag Mountain (elevation 1892m) and the thick brow of Miners Ridge. Sunrise is just before seven, so the sky to the east is just starting to light up. The banks of the river are covered in a soft layer of pine needles, damp with dew, and the furtive scurying of small furry mammals can be heard from all sides.

[ezekiel]

Kneeling by the river is Havoc, looking contemplatively at the water running between the rocks. With a sigh he gets up and turns around, waiting for the lizard...

[ProfPotts]

[Presuming he gets there unmolested... ::unsure ]

Rex heads into the picturesque valley scene & over to Havoc. Knowing full-well that the gimp seems able to spot him at his most sneaky, the Cobra doesn't bother trying to be sneaky. Instead his croc-like hide appears rougher & more ridged than usual, &, although not exactly camouflaged, still sports a mix of dull greens & browns that blend quite well into the forest setting.

Cracking the knuckles on his two-fingered, clawed, hands, he walks staright up to Havoc. Then he grows to around fifty feet tall, & steps on the gimp, grinding his heel slightly - just to make sure. ::sly

[phoenix]

Raphael stands.

"Well, Scouts, enjoy your battle planning session. Let me know if you'll be wanting my help with whatever you come up with."

He leaves and goes back to his room.

[Heritage]

OOC: Here we go - remember, the EON Forum's are love ::wub

Rex comes tromping through the forest, his massive tail loudly whaking seemingly everything in sight. He spies Havoc by the river, tossing peebles into the water and looking thoughtful. At Rex's approach, he looks up and executes a sudden graceful backflip into the trees.

However, mere moments after he dissappears, Havoc is inexplicably on Rex's back! He loops a micro-thin garotte over the reptilian nova's neck and snaps it tight, but the effect on the Cobra is minimal (Rex is at Bruised 1 Lethal). The Infantryman attempts to squeeze Rex into a clinch as several sharp spines jab out of his eufiber, but the Cobra swells up to nearly ten times his normal size, and Havoc can't even get his arms around him anymore!

OOC: Back to you guys!

[Alex Green]

Mike says, "OK, if no one disagrees, the plan is we Scouts sneak around, double-check the map of the place, gather information on any new capabilities the place might have, and come back. I'll open a warp gate a long way away, we go through and then I'll open another behind a hill outside what we think the scanning range is."

"So we'll meet back were we started, what, in 12 hours? Is everyone ready?"

If no one has any problems, Mike opens the gate and away we go.

[Heritage]

X4 C&C:

Sgt Colby watches her superior officers discuss strategy, occasionally casting a nervous glance over at the monitors; after a moment's thought, she turns to Daniels.

You know what, I'm getting a very bad vibe from this whole situation, especially with the 'Clash of the Titans' going on out there somewhere.

She drums her fingers on the monitor station.

Put the base on Yellow Alert until further notice, and make sure everyone's up and got their gear ready in case things start to get hairy. And if thing's do get bad and Havoc's not back, make sure that Julia gets put in the t-port back to Battalion HQ - no, Dub-S Bravo. They have better facilities to take care of her.

Daniels nods, then hits the base intercom and starts talking like a late-night DJ.

Your attention please - Base X4 is now on Yellow Alert until further notice. Please dress for evac and have your gear at the ready.

He hits a button, and small yellow lights along the walls start blinking.

Colby turns back to the officers.

Just so you know, I still think the recon should go as planned, such as it is. This is just a precaution; hopefully in an hour or so, we'll be back to Condition: Green and everythying will be hunky-dory. And remember, Joey lost 4 men tonight, so I doubt they're napping, either.

The Field of Combat:

OOC: This is still the first turn of combat - I just decided to do a new post for Rex's response, rather than edit the old one.

Rex's thick tail snaps up to 'flick' Havoc from his shoulders - the smaller nova is sent hurling through the air, his broken body landing somewhere in the trees. (Havoc's at Lethal Incapacitated, and that's before he lands... ::blink)

[Prince of Boredom]

Mike says, "OK, if no one disagrees, the plan is we Scouts sneak around, double-check the map of the place, gather information on any new capabilities the place might have, and come back. I'll open a warp gate a long way away, we go through and then I'll open another behind a hill outside what we think the scanning range is."

"So we'll meet back were we started, what, in 12 hours? Is everyone ready?"

If no one has any problems, Mike opens the gate and away we go.

Lobe looks up, "Before you go, I think at least one of you guys should take a path radio with ya, just in case you might need my help. I'll stay tuned in here, and 'port in if ya need in medical support. Other than that have fun... " He turns over to Sgt Colby, "So what movie's showin' tonight?"

[Bahamut810]

Frenchie looks around as the lights flare up, and takes a sip of his coffee.

"Zo...I weel get dressed. Good luck to ju all, and come back in one piece, capiche? I would hate to have to go take out that entire installation because of one of ju getting hurt."

With that, he finishes his coffee, makes his way to his room and gets ready. He comes out in his fatigues (minus jacket), a large decorated (with a detailed, delicate flower design) bulldog strapped over his shoulder and a loaded belt. Then he takes a seat to the back of hte command enter (so he knows whats going on) and eats some more bullets...

[Heritage]

Lobe looks up, "Before you go, I think at least one of you guys should take a path radio with ya, just in case you might need my help. I'll stay tuned in here, and 'port in if ya need in medical support. Other than that have fun... " He turns over to Sgt Colby, "So what movie's showin' tonight?"

Colby gives him an evil grin.

"They Died With Their Boots On." ::devil

That, or "Son of Flubber." ::tongue

[Alex Green]

X4 C&C:

Daniels nods, then hits the base intercom and starts talking like a late-night DJ.

Your attention please - Base X4 is now on Yellow Alert until further notice. Please dress for evac and have your gear at the ready.

He hits a button, and small yellow lights along the walls start blinking.

A few minutes after this the other Mike shows up with his bag to watch the departure.

Mike(Clone) comments, "It's not a good idea for me to carry the path radio. I might stop existing and then the radio will get caught."

Mike(Original?) hands Mike(Clone) a small pad of paper and a pen. One of them says, "With bullets, knives, and the such it doesn't matter, it copies over and then they stop existing later. But this paper and ink is real. It can be used later if we need to."

"There is a trick we sometimes play by picking up a bomb, and then making clones. The clone of a bomb won't last all that long, but if it goes off first it doesn't matter if the pieces vanish latter. Sometimes that's even the point."

[Heritage]

X4:

Epstein ambles over to Daniels and his 'leetle friend'.

If no one else want him, I'll take Umberto - he already knows me, and we get along pretty well.

She gently picks up the Path and puts it over her shoulders - the long crab-like arms slowly curl over to provide a snug fit. She then checks all her gear and makes sure everything's in its proper place; apparently satisfied, she turns to Mike and gives him a thumbs up.

Ready to hit the road, sir. ::thumbsup

Bumping River:

There is no sign of movement from the trees where Havoc's body would have come to rest - there is a gentle breeze, and the first tentative fingers of dawn are just starting to light up the sky. Sunrise is maybe an hour away.

OOC: It just occured to me - is this the best time to be doing a recon? I guess they wouldn't see it coming, at least... ::confused

[Alex Green]

Mike(clone) opens the gate and steps through.

[Heritage]

The Recon Begins

The portal opens into the woods northeast of Rimrock, near the source of Soup Creek; there's just a hint of light in the eastern sky, which actually reduces visibility a little. Epstein hops through, her flectcher cradled in her arms - after a moment of sniffing and peering carefully about, she motions for the others to follow.

OOC: I assume that Mike is porting them ouside the four kilometer range of the Fox's ADE.

[malkboy]

Walter scans the inventory for the base and nods as it seems like it's mostly appropriate. He carefully reviews particular sections and smiles at Kelso, "Looks pretty much like it's right on. Not many can run a real tight ship in a war and you've done a good job of it, Sargent Kelso. I'll skip on the inventory taking that's supposed to be done and go off these figures, unless you really want to count up everything. Thanks for all your help, Kelso."

Looking around he notices the Frenchman actually all dressed up and eating... bullets?!? Casually Walter strolls over towards the officer, "Are you sure it's wise to be chewing on your ammunition, sir? After all with those two out there fighting you may well be needing it soon enough. And might I say, what an intresting design you've put onto your weapon... "

[Bahamut810]

"Are you sure it's wise to be chewing on your ammunition, sir? After all with those two out there fighting you may well be needing it soon enough. And might I say, what an intresting design you've put onto your weapon... "

Frenshie looks at walter, then at the bullets, then back at walter. "Ehhh... I have a supplier that I go through for my personal stock of zem. I figure zat if nosing else I will be able to use my food on anyone coming after us in here.. And zank you, I had zees custustomised from an old french design...I liked it. I do need anozer zou...Jou see, I have practiced vis two more zen a few times and do quite well viss zem...but I havent had the time to get anozer one requested..."

[malkboy]

Walter grins, "Oh... Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally? I guess if you want to nibble on them then I can't say anything. And I imagine you'll have to find someone with the right forms to get another bulldog. Of course, most guys are issued assault rifles and all I have is a pistol. Uh.. C'la vie.. I think is how it's said."

[Bahamut810]

"Jes...it is. AndI...uhhh...need to get the forms...I have never been gud wiss forms..."

[malkboy]

Nodding, "That's probably more my department... Which is why when I find them, I'll fill some out for you. You just wanted the bulldog? Is there anything else you need to do whatever it is you do exactly?"

[Bahamut810]

"Hmmm...no, not really. Anozer bulldog will let me go much more freely. Pozzibly zome more 'offical use' ammo. Is zere anysing you need in return for helping me get zat? Perhaps some...uhhh...lessions in ze french language?"

[malkboy]

"Hmmm...no, not really.  Anozer bulldog will let me go much more freely.  Pozzibly zome more 'offical use' ammo.  Is zere anysing you need in return for helping me get zat?  Perhaps some...uhhh...lessions in ze french language?"

Walter scratches his chin a bit, "Need something for it... hmm.. I think that wouldn't be needed at the moment. Yes, I'm sure of it... Just making sure my own butt is covered will be good enough for me. Only one real question left for me, before I should move along, who are you again? I missed introductions."

[Bahamut810]

"Oh, please forgive me. Mai name iz Jean-Claud Renee. Please...call me Frenchie."

[malkboy]

"Gotcha Frenchie. I'm Walter, your local Supply guy... I'll get your request in ASAP and poke along the proper channels to get it moving here," Walter says with a smile. He hands Kelso back the datapad, after having remembered he still had it in his hand and then heads for his quarters.