Reassignment Briefing

Post by **High Command** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 11:25 pm

Reassignment Briefing

Date: Thursday, January 4, 110 PA
Time: 0620
Temp: 5°, Bitterly Cold outside. Light dusting of snow from last night.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Only a light dusting of snow and plenty of ice
Ley Line info: SOG Complex, Fort Resilience

A few days after the events of the demon invasion of the ruins of Old Chicago that the 17th SOG thwarted, a motley collection of individuals, some from Bear-2, others from other squads in the 17th SOG, and a few others from either different squads in the SOG (so you might know some folks, you all decide). Briefing starts in five minutes. Who are you, who are these people? Let us know.

GM Instructions: This is an open roleplaying session and will cover about 10 minutes (total) of conversation. If a character is not in the current group, they are being reassigned. Literally every other soldier in the 17th SOG is being reassigned. You don't know why. They are being rolled into some other companies of commandos. You were told to pack your bags, or leave them packed if you were transferred in from another command. No one else is packing, which means just your squad is going.

Game starts in earnest on April 4. No joke. Once I have approved your character and archived your old one (if needed), you may post in here for some light roleplay until then.

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:42 am

A tall, lanky, Lieutenant with an easy grin and rumpled uniform saunters into the briefing room and gives a friendly nod to anyone who looks his way. If anyone salutes he returns the gesture half heartedly.

Aside from his Lieutenant bars his uniform carries a number of qualifications including Field Experience, indicating he is not a fresh Academy grad or nepotism commission.

Still smiling he looks around the room, "What, no bar? I really need to get back in the field."

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:06 pm

Maeve raises an eyebrow at @John Freeman. ”They often have open bars on your deployments, L.T.? Is this gonna be more fun than usual?”

She unconsciously rubs her left finger along the forearm of her mechanical right arm during the briefing, drumming on the metal.

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:23 pm

"That's classified I'm afraid," Freeman replies while flashing Maeve a quick smile. "However, I can confirm the more fun part."

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:41 pm

John Freeman wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:23 pm "That's classified I'm afraid," Freeman replies while flashing Maeve a quick smile. "However, I can confirm the more fun part."

Maeve laughs. ”Ease off the stick there, cowboy. Fraternizing and all that. Though you keep me apprised of that open bar, Sir, and I’ll keep us well supplied on everything else.”

Requisitions

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:05 pm

Freeman chuckles heartily at Maeve's chastisement, "Roger that, I'll secure the drinks you secure the food. I like this operation already and I don't know anything about it." Turning to the room he calls out to everyone, "We're taking food and drink orders, anyone allergic to anything?"

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 3:54 am

Old Chicago Base
Afternoon
Round 0

The attractive young brunette with a rank indicating she was just out of her field training entered the briefing room where the others waited. The PSI BAT patch on her left breast prominently pointed her out to the others. Some ignored her and even moved a bit away, eying her with concern, as they did all psis and muties.

Keeping to herself, Cassandra tried to keep out the whispering thoughts of the others in the room and found a place out of the way to wait for the briefing to start.

***

Character Tracking

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 6:31 am

Cassandra Maverick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 3:54 am
Keeping to herself, Cassandra tried to keep out the whispering thoughts of the others in the room and found a place out of the way to wait for the briefing to start.

Maeve eyes the newcomer and goes and plops down next to her. "So, what's your deal, turner?" Pointing at Cassandra's patch, "Fire? Mind games? Healer? Whatcha packing, there?"

Maeve appears entirely unconcerned with the Psi patch.

Hunter · Post by **Hunter** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 9:25 am

John Freeman wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:05 pm Turning to the room he calls out to everyone, "We're taking food and drink orders, anyone allergic to anything?"

"Cats." Quips the overly rough sounding voice of a dogboy arriving and sporting a visibly badly scarred neck. It wasn't hard to tell by simply looking at him that he'd 'been around the block a few times' as it were. Thought he'd meant it as a joke, the way he speaks almost makes it sound like he was being serious. Despite that however, he seemed... chipper, even wagging. So... joking? Maybe? None the less he just shuffles his way on over towards the back. His own patches didn't really denote anything overly fancy, except for the fact that he was clearly patched as a Marksman.The other odds and ends was him carting around some less than common equipment for dogboys. This one liked his guns, clearly. He'd also been provided some of the more rare (For dogboys) EBA and was carrying a very much non standard issue particle beam rifle of some sort that seemed awfully expensive and well made (if clearly well used) for a mere dogboy to have.

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 12:03 pm

LoJack had picked up the DogBoy's sent as he had entered the building where the briefing was being held.

He looked down at the official papers in his right paw, the words across the top said Reassigned. What? Was he not doing his part and doing it well? Were they actually taking him out of the field? At those thoughts, he unconsciously flexed his left paw and the vembraces shot out over his paw without a sound. The sight of the metal claws scarred some new private who scurried out of LoJack's way.

Still following the Dog Boy's scent, LoJack headed inside the building. Is the pooch part of the reassignment?

Lots of other smells and scents made their way past his lowered faceplate. Most of the hummies did not take to kindly to mutants so on CS bases and such, LoJack kept covered. His CS issued armor was a washed out black color. The usual white skull was covered in grey splashes. But none of the armor modifications could be seen underneath the heavy floor length armored cloak.

The Dog Boy's scent had gone from lingering to pervasive and as LoJack neared the door, he was certain that pooch was part of the reassignment. LoJack overed the following parts of the conversation inside.

Hunter wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 9:25 am
John Freeman wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:05 pm Turning to the room he calls out to everyone, "We're taking food and drink orders, anyone allergic to anything?"
"Cats."

Yes. That confirmed his suspicions. Dog Boy was certainly part of the reassignment.

Opening the door, LoJack steps in acknowledges all those in the room. Feeling he needs to say something, he goes for an introduction. "I am Lo ... um, Private CA78-A851."

He finds an open spot on the floor and curls up for a cat nap.

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 2:53 pm

Watching the two mutant animals interact brings back memories. Caesar and Mane, a dog and a cat. Caesar stocky, tough, and loyal. Mane a cybernetic and sociopathic cat. Suddenly it dawns on Freeman that having one of each again was some sort of subconscious thing.

"Welcome, Hunter and LoJack. Save your serial numbers for interrogations, your monikers are easier to remember anyway."

Hunter · Post by **Hunter** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 6:55 pm

Hunter peers curiously at LoJack when the battlecat enters. It's clear the canine was 'interested' by the feline despite his claims of being 'allergic'. Turning to face Freeman he'd snap a smart salute "Yes sir!" like some over eager to please puppy that had smoked 50,000 boxes of cigars in a single sitting. Yep, clearly still damage to the vocal cords left after surgery to that damage around his neck. Some of it was probably scar tissue, but it was 'good enough' for the military so it was damn well good enough for the dogboy. Speaking of, once he was left to his own devices again, however briefly he'd turn back to the now curled up LoJack and then just promptly sits on him.

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 11:46 pm

Hunter wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 6:55 pm Hunter peers curiously at LoJack when the battlecat enters. It's clear the canine was 'interested' by the feline despite his claims of being 'allergic'. Turning to face Freeman he'd snap a smart salute "Yes sir!" like some over eager to please puppy that had smoked 50,000 boxes of cigars in a single sitting. Yep, clearly still damage to the vocal cords left after surgery to that damage around his neck. Some of it was probably scar tissue, but it was 'good enough' for the military so it was damn well good enough for the dogboy. Speaking of, once he was left to his own devices again, however briefly he'd turn back to the now curled up LoJack and then just promptly sits on him.

As hunter goes to sit down he promptly gets his tail yanked then vaulted in the seated position as LoJack had rolled over onto his back and used his back legs to launch the Dog Boy.

He promptly rolls back over and curls up under his great cloak, as if nothing had happened.

Hunter · Post by **Hunter** » Sun Mar 08, 2020 6:03 am

Hunter landed on his feet, paused a moment, earperked, then ran back over to LoJack and tried to sit on him once more "Again! Again!"

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Sun Mar 08, 2020 9:08 am

Hunter wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2020 6:03 am Hunter landed on his feet, paused a moment, earperked, then ran back over to LoJack and tried to sit on him once more "Again! Again!"

Maeve laughs aloud at the two mutant animals. ”Oh, this is going to be a fun assignment.”

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Tue Mar 10, 2020 5:15 pm

Private William Rawlins stops to salute @John Freeman after entering the room, "Sir."

As quickly as is appropriate without being rude, William continues past Freeman into the room.

'Oh, great, Freeman. This is getting off to a good start. Wonder if he'll lord that rescue op over me for long,' he thinks as he approaches the first psychic he sees and sits down across from her (@Cassandra Maverick). While opening up his ratty field computer, William says, "At least I'm not the only freak this time. I'm Private Rawlins. If you need comms, intelligence or anything burnt to a crisp, I'm your guy. I can jam signals and run countermeasures well enough, but I'm no hacker."

Jacob Somerset · Post by **Jacob Somerset** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:32 am

The Warrant steps into the doorway noisily sipping his coffee from a battered ceramic mug and picking an invisible piece of lint from an immaculate and freshly pressed uniform. His bloodshot brown eyes survey the room and it’s occupants from a haggard face, squinting a bit as he runs a free hand across the half day's worth of stubble covering his jawline. When he takes stock of the new patients... err.. squadmates there is an almost imperceptible flash of relief in his eyes as he spots two other officers in the room. He makes a mental notes as his eyes cross the room: Two LoneStar projects. Review veterinary manuals. Stock up on allergy meds. Two Psi’s. Stock up on aspirin and NSAIDs. One partial reconstruct. Bring the spare servos, check implant serial numbers for recalls.

He steps briskly over to the Captain and, with a nod towards the LT, offers his hand in greeting as he groggily says, “Captain, Good morning. I’m Jacob Somerset, your Doc. Interesting squad brewing here. Any idea what the sudden transfers are all about?”

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 5:47 pm

Freeman looks around to see who Somerset is talking about, then suddenly realizes it's him.

Going to take some getting used to being Captain Freeman.

Smiling at the Warrant Office he does his best to answer, "Not sure what the hurry is. Brass want everything done yesterday you know. Told me to assemble a team, so I did. I guess while we're waiting everyone should get to know each other." He quickly goes around the room and gives spot introductions, letting people fill in for themselves afterward.

"The dog and cat are Hunter and LoJack. I know Hunter's pedigree well from previous ops and he can shoot from a long ways off. LoJack is a retreival specialist, good for tracking down escapees and the like." Moving up the order of humanity he does the psychics next, "You got Rawlings over there. Intel Analyst and pyrotechnic specialist. And Maverick, cause you never know when you need an instant interrogation."

"Warrant Somerset is the medic. I figure anyone who can keep himself alive to such a ripe old age will be pretty good at keeping us alive too. And Lieutenant Carano, she can make you dead in twenty different ways. She's probably figured out a few for each of us by now. We also have a tech specialist en route but transfers don't always go as smooth as we'd like."

"I'm Captain Freeman, it was my job to pull you all together and get you here. We're forming a new special unit with wide operational parameters. Exactly how wide we'll find out in our briefing. Needless to say, I had to pack a lot of skill into a small crew. So, everyone is here because I picked you not by accident or paperwork error. You got something the Coalition needs, and she needs it now."

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:25 am

LoJack repositions himself and comes to a halt, as he and @Hunter had been playing cat and mouse with reversing roles.

He looks the DogBoy square in the face, "as long as you don't accidently shoot me from behind, I can relay long range field intel to you for your shooting pleasure."

Turning to face the rest of the group, "Agility, Stealth, and Climbing. I can get in and out of places, gathering pertinent pre-op intel." He pauses for a bit, "Although my experience has been that the Psi-Bat folks can get that information more quickly. So I guess the Captain's @John Freeman first introduction is the best."

Anyone doing a comparison would see that LoJack his of very big and muscular build is vastly different from the DogBoy's lanky and lean build.

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 4:14 pm

Lieutenant Carano, @John Freeman had called her. It still hasn’t sunk all the way in; she’s a grunt down to her bones, but combat is combat and commissions happen sometimes. Maybe this means her family will get to move up a couple of levels, so it can’t be all bad.

She smiles at @LoJack, aware that bearing her teeth can have more than one connotation, and seemingly very comfortable with that.

“Glad to hear it, big guy. You can keep me company out in front while @Hunter keeps the flies off. Weird isn’t always a substitute for having eyes on.”

Hunter · Post by **Hunter** » Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:14 pm

Hunter looks almost insulted by the suggestion from @LoJack that he'd accidentally shoot the cat. "Hey now, I'm a proficient marksman. Only way you'd get shot by accident is if I was trying to shoot a fly sitting on your ear. Then maybe I'd miss!" He boasts. The further mention that he'd gotten hand picked for this job also drew his attention, though his sole response to that was simply to start wagging. He was always happy to help to say the least! "You call the shots and I'll pick em off as usual sir!"

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:43 am

Flashback

Freeman watched the Colonel leave, he wasn't the kind of guy you turned your back on.

When Lyboc cleared the doors the Lieutenant, now Captain, breathed out a heavy sigh. 'How did I get mixed up with that guy?' Staring down at the shiny new Captain's bars in his hands he knows exactly how. He likes this kind of stuff.

The mission was a strange one, it sounded like Lyboc was undertaking his own intelligence gathering operation in the Xiticix Hivelands. He said he wanted accurate troops assessments he could trust, given to him unfiltered. Was there a lack of confidence in the intelligence establishment? Did Lyboc have a reason to suspect their numbers? Well, Lyboc suspects everybody of something. Unravelling the the lingering question of "why?" will be as challenging as the mission itelf.

Take a whole platoon in Xiticix territory and conduct recon in force. It sounded like the support, intelligence, and logistics elements were in place already. To put his stamp on the new unit Freeman would have to build the first platoon from scratch. That meant keeping some existing elements and bringing in a few "x-factors".

Bouchard was out, someone higher up already attached strings to her.

Colton, definitely in. He was just the right kind of crazy genius for a long term field mission. Kinda reminded Freeman of Ford, technical expert who bailed them out of more than one jam. Colton was also smart enough to figure out stuff about the bugs that would give scientific validity to any reports.

Maverick, also in. Dominators were scary as hell but Xiticix were psionic and some freak assets would be necessary.

The rest were basically combat engineers, and this was a wilderness reconnaissance assignment. He needed some new blood. That meant the extremely inglorious activity of scrolling through personnel files. To narrow things down he built a search filter based on his needs - exceptional soldiers with an edge. Most officers hated exceptions, in the 17th exceptions needed to be the rule. Psychics, mutants, oddballs, or people who were so talented they made insecure officers nervous.

Lt. Carano fell into the talented department and brought combat experience to the group. Definitely in.

The psychic component would need to be higher than Freeman liked but he plugged his nose and did the right thing: Psi-Stalker and two mutant animals. The all had reputations for being somewhat outside the norm - kind of goes without saying with mutants - but hey. The Psi-Stalker could also drive or pilot just about anything, a handy skill once their initial equipment got blown to hell. Reading Rawlings background made Freeman laugh, the intel analyst turned eruptor added smarts, firepower, and self-loathing to the group. Check.

How does one fight multi-armed aliens? With combat cyborgs. Corporal Jackson was purpose built to get up-close and personal with Xiticix Warriors. He was definitely in.

Keeping this crew in tact away from medical units would take some work. Scanning the files Freeman looked for his favourite type of non-com, Warrant Officers. Finding a medic with good skill and experience at patching up people and cybernetics was a key. People who punched officers in the face. Even better. Somerset, a resounding yes.

Sending in his requests, Freeman wasn't surprised most of their commanders were happy to get rid of them - or scared of Lyboc's unit designation. Either way. It was time for a briefing...

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:54 pm

The door swings open. One of the beefier psi-stalkers you've seen walks through, all 6'6 and 230 of him. His uniform is clean, but not perfectly pressed. The badges and medals on his uniform speak louder than his rank designation: Private First Class. Loudest of all is the Prosek Medal for Valor. He salutes the captain. "Cap Freeman, sir. PFC Wolfheart. Reporting as ordered. Sorry for the delay. Was a long drive, and the slow junk they...Sorry, sir!" He straightens up and shakes the complaint out of his mouth. He looks around and announces to the captain loudly enough that the rest hear, so there's no confusion. "I'm your driver. Current assignment is outrider on an 023. Hoping for an upgrade someday, sir. But anything with wheels or hover...I'm your guy. Black Belts in several fighting arts. And..." He sniffs the air. "Not much in the way of magic or psi gets by me." His eyes pause briefly on Maverick, then land on Rawlins. The look is somewhat unsettling, but he doesn't linger very long. "Don't worry. Psi-bat has its place. Just stay out of my head, and keep your damn fire to yourself." The scarring from healed-over skin grafts is visible on the back of his head.

Post by **High Command** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 3:24 pm

A Sergeant from medical peeks in. "Captain, I need Hunter to come with me." He hands a datapad over to the officer. Temporary medical suspension due to inconclusive scans. Once the officer gives his okay, he motions for the dogboy to follow him. And so Freeman brings up his own pad and sends the word to have his first alternate brought up.

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:44 am

Old Chicago Base
Afternoon
Round 0

OOC: Sorry I missed this. It didn’t subscribe me, so I didn’t get any notices.

Cassandra was a bit surprised when the other female on the team took a seat next to her and asked her about her psionic specialty. Most saw the PSI-BAT patch and avoided her.

“Support,” Cassandra said. “I make my team better, protect them. I can do some mind game stuff,” she had to admit, but that was the part of her that she didn’t like to talk about, the part that most in the Coalition was scared of.

And then they were interrupted as a dogboy and battle cat started to get feisty.

Then a bald man sat across from her, the team’s intel specialist, apparently. And by the patch on his uniform, not quite human, just like her.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Cassandra said, offering her hand. As a fellow mutant, she figured he wouldn’t have a problem touching her.

When Freeman introduced them, Cassandra noted one of his expectations of her, instant interrogations. She was going to have to get Corporal Syn to teach her mind reading then. It was one of those abilities she had avoided, because it made people frightened of her, but if it was going to be expected, she wanted to be able to do it.

“Cassandra Maverick,” she introduced herself. To those who knew much about the Coalition military, the Maverick name was pretty well-known, a General Maverick heading the Logistics office, and there was a naval officer by that name, as well, on the Great Lakes. There was a SAMAS ace in the Chicago 6th Mobile, as well, and another Maverick had just been part of a mercenary team that saved the life of Emperor Prosek and most of the Coalition high brass at an event wedding in Iron Heart. “Support specialist. If you need to be better, let me know.”

Then the psi-swalker walked in, and Cassandra tensed. Would she have to feed the freak? Freeman could order it, but she wouldn’t like it.

***

Character Tracking

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 9:13 am

The stalker holds up his hands, showing distance between him and the dominator. "Easy, Brainburn. Don't have to be a mindcrack to read you. I'm not hungry right now, and I don't feed on tribemates. You are one, unless you turncoat." He moves to a seat across the room, ensuring Maverick has enough space to feel comfortable. He clicks his tongue as the dog boy is led out of the room. "Damn. He reminded me of one of my pups in Tolkeen. It's fine though. Cats have their place too." He nods towards @LoJack and smiles. "Good to have you, lion brother."
He turns towards @John Freeman. "We're one light now. Do you have a replacement in mind, sir?"

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 10:54 am

Wow @Hunter was nothing if obedient.

Sitting up, LoJack assesses the unit. It has been a long while since he has worked with more than one or two individuals in the field.

Lots of variety in this unit.

Ivan Wolfheart wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 9:13 am The stalker holds up his hands, showing distance between him and the dominator. "Easy, Brainburn. Don't have to be a mindcrack to read you. I'm not hungry right now, and I don't feed on tribemates. You are one, unless you turncoat." He moves to a seat across the room, ensuring Maverick has enough space to feel comfortable. He clicks his tongue as the dog boy is led out of the room. "Damn. He reminded me of one of my pups in Tolkeen. It's fine though. Cats have their place too." He nods towards @LoJack and smiles. "Good to have you, lion brother."
He turns towards @John Freeman. "We're one light now. Do you have a replacement in mind, sir?"

LoJack lifts his right paw in acknowledgment.

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 11:09 am

Mave suppresses a frown as Hunter is led off. There goes my sniper. Well, my other sniper, at least.

She nods as @Cassandra Maverick talks. "Good. Dominator will be useful in the field. Keep the bad things out of our heads."

To @Ivan Wolfheart, she says, "Oh, I'll bet the captain already has something up his sleeve. So, you fly? That is an interesting specialty for a Psi-Stalker. You got a pack, too, or no?" she asks, referring to the dog boy packs that often accompany Psi-Stalkers.

She gives genuine smiles where she sees they might be needed or useful to ease tensions. After all, what did she care what these people were? As long as they could kill, and kill well, they would work just fine. And she wasn't lying; she didn't like having things poking around insider her skull.

Other than things she had put there herself, of course.

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:59 pm

Cassandra Maverick wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:44 am Then a bald man sat across from her, the team’s intel specialist, apparently. And by the patch on his uniform, not quite human, just like her.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Cassandra said, offering her hand. As a fellow mutant, she figured he wouldn’t have a problem touching her.

“Cassandra Maverick,” she introduced herself. To those who knew much about the Coalition military, the Maverick name was pretty well-known, a General Maverick heading the Logistics office, and there was a naval officer by that name, as well, on the Great Lakes. There was a SAMAS ace in the Chicago 6th Mobile, as well, and another Maverick had just been part of a mercenary team that saved the life of Emperor Prosek and most of the Coalition high brass at an event wedding in Iron Heart. “Support specialist. If you need to be better, let me know.”

Rawlins takes @Cassandra Maverick's offered hand and shakes it, "Private Rawlins. Maverick?"

The bald mutie blinks twice as he sorts through what he knows about the Mavericks, "Good for you. Bet you get less of the freak stick with that pedigree. As far as making me better, I'm already pretty good. I'll find them, or at least crunch the numbers and figure out where they should be. After that I just need you and the others to keep them at bay. I have two settings: crispy and molten. Most things don't get back up from that."

Rawlins pointedly ignores the new psistalker @Ivan Wolfheart. He can play the better-than-you card for now, but it isn't worth William's time to confront him about it. The burster turns back to his decade old field computer begins clacking away taking notes on who has been assigned and reassigned to the mission as well as any other tidbits of information that drop.

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 9:33 pm

Ivan grins at @Maeve. "Yeah, I guess maybe it is odd. Our tribe always did like feeling the wind in their...well." He gestures absently at his complete lack of hair and smirks. "I just liked feeling more wind and faster, I think."
He clicks his tongue at the question about the pack. "I never did get an assigned pack. Just the way my hitches worked and where we were. They saw I had a gift for the bike and thought having me outriding deep in the lines was worth more than having me lead a pack. Can't figure why other than that. Clean disciplinary record. I'm damn good at what I do. Maybe I don't kiss enough ass?"

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:43 am

Old Chicago Base
Afternoon
Round 0

Cassandra nodded back to Ivan in acknowledgement of the truce, feeling a little bad about her reaction. She had worked with Steelcreek. He had never fed off her. She would miss him and Solene. Even though Solene had never really warmed up to her, they were both from Iron Heart.

“I will keep things out of your head, sir,” Cass acknowledged to Maeve.

“Bet you get less of the freak stick with that pedigree,” Rawlins commented.

“It just means I have a greater debt to the Coalition than most,” Cassandra said. “It doesn’t change the fact that I am a freak.”

***

Character Tracking

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Fri Apr 03, 2020 12:47 pm

LoJack sits back with his back against the wall, rather alert since his play toy was called away.

@John Freeman "Sir, no intention of overstepping the paygrade for intel, but what exactly is this team be assigned to do?"

"For teams operations, I will most certainly need to change my gear loadout."

"Don't suppose we need to bring back anything alive?"

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:40 pm

Walking into the room Jaxson scans the room and then freezes for a second. A bead of sweat trickles down his forehead and a small twitch runs down his arm. Hesitating only a few seconds Jaxson regains his compose and snaps a salute @John Freeman "Sir, Corporeal Jaxson reporting as ordered."

Post by **High Command** » Sat Apr 04, 2020 3:03 am

Reassignment Briefing

Date: Thursday, January 4, 110 PA
Time: 0628
Temp: 5°, Bitterly Cold outside. Light dusting of snow from last night.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Only a light dusting of snow and plenty of ice
Ley Line info: SOG Complex, Fort Resilience

It's about two minutes until the start of the meeting as Jaxson steps in. Behind him he hears another borg and steps in and to the side. This borg, already in CA-6C Armor styled like CA-7 Special Forces Armor is armed and acting as a bodyguard to a man in the corridor. The borg, a Staff Sergeant, walks over to Freeman. "Captain, Major Gregor would like a word in the hall before the briefing." Once Freeman responds, he glances around and sees Maeve. "Get them in order Lieutenant. Major's almost ready for them." Maeve, as well as anyone with cybernetic vision who can therefore see the IFF, sees a tag floating over the borg's head as it does with IFF. The text is 'JAMES E-6 CSSD-E' indicates his last name, his rank, that he is a part of the Special Division normally containing the cyborg and juicer troops of the Coalition, as well as teams of troubleshooters. The fact he is armed (to the teeth) inside a secure facility means he has security clearance for them. One does not wear more than a sidearm and maybe a knife in the corridors of Fort Resilience. With armories in strategic places across the base, even if there was an emergency, getting to armor and weapons is a relatively easy.

In the hallway, the Major speaks lowly, handing a tablet to Freeman. His voice has a gravel and gravitas to it that immediately speaks to a life spent in the field. His face is like a road map of scars. "Look it over. It has all the details I'm about to share with your team. You've been assigned to 3rd SOG Battalion, under my command ostensibly. I answer to Lyboc and therefore so do you, ultimately. Your grid coordinates are set up. The 16th, 18th, and 19th are deployed in roughly the same area, doing a similar assignment in their own grid. We'll have MLRS and Abolishers in the region, but we need a light touch. Vehicle assets are in the file, as are available additional options. If you get overrun while you're out there, disengage and use the Holmes Protocol. It's all in there. It's pretty extensive honestly. Bring your LT with you to my office at 0800 and I'll go over the more sensitive things. I'd like you ready to roll out by nightfall. We'll get you and the other Companies near the AO by Skylifter with Dagger and Talon escorts. Another will bring the support company that will be your fallback and where to send any casualties. They'll have a D-H-T on station to start a mass evacuation if needed. Any questions?"

GM Instructions: If anyone wants to try to see if they know anything about the Major or Staff Sergeant, they should roll Common Knowledge. You get +1 to the roll if you are an officer or warrant officer.

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:41 am

Jaxson twitches slightly as he overhears the mention of Lyboc. He racks his brain trying to remember where he has heard this voice before.
PTSD Check 6

OOC Comments

Common Knowledge for the Major 5

OOC Comments

Common Knowledge for the SSGT 3

OOC Comments

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:53 am

Common Knowledge 7, success

Freeman gives the Major a respectful nod rather than a salute and follows him out into the hall and taking a second to size him up. He mostly listens to what the Major is saying, saving the reading on the tablet for later. Lyboc's involvement and the private briefing later suggests there is more at play than meets the eye. The big bad Borg bodyguard makes things even more intriguing.

This is going to be fun.

"Affirmative Major, we'll be in your office at 0800 as requested. I'm curious to hear what the real story is, seems an awfully convoluted way to recon bug country. Regular Army units have been doing it for years now."

Assuming nothing is forthcoming in the open air of a hallway Freeman steps as side and defers to the Major to enter the room.

Inside he gives the Staff Sergeant another look to see if they crossed paths during his DSD days.

Common Knowledge 6, succcess

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:50 am

Common Knowledge 2, Research 6

'Major Gregor...Gregor?' Rawlins thinks to himself. The major's name sounds familiar for some reason, but he just can't place it. William adds one last note 'Major Gregor,' then saves his file and starts searching for more information on the major. He stops short of accessing anything risky but is as thorough as he can be through approved channels.

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:09 am

Major Greggor. Staff Sergeant James.

Common Knowledge Check 4

His time, though brief, in Chi-Town has provided LoJack some information in regards to the two individuals.

But it was not his time in Chi-Town that had given him the information he needed. Major Greggor was brass, that he new. SSG James had been a Sergeant when he had seen him last, though his rank was not evident on the man's broken body.

What had been labeled as a raider raid near El Dorado had been a Juicer skirmish tied to the Juicer Uprising through out North America. LoJack had been tasked with body retrieval. Bring Our Boys Back Home had been the Major's exact words.

LoJack had found James in the midst of expiring Juicers. One particular Juicer had a vibro-knife rammed through its skull. LoJack could tell that James was injured and called in the medevac on his location. James' parting words were, "Did I get'em?" Assuming he meant the Juicer with the vibro-knife in his skull, LoJack nodded as the medevac team took him for treatment.

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Sun Apr 05, 2020 9:34 pm

I know you

Ivan's ears perk up when he hears the names of the Major and the SSgt. I know those names. I know I know those names.

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Tue Apr 07, 2020 12:47 am

Common Knowledge about the newcomers 5

Old Chicago Base
Afternoon
Round 0

When the officers entered, Cassandra snapped immediately to perfect attention and saluted, holding it until the major acknowledged her. She tried to remember where she had heard of them from.

***

Character Tracking

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Tue Apr 07, 2020 9:22 pm

Common Knowledge 11

Maeve does her best not to stiffen when she sees the cyborg staff sergeant’s IFF. She knows this joker, and she knows who he’s attached to. @John Freeman, what have you gotten us into?

When the captain leaves the room, she tells everyone, “Alright, settle down and get to your spots. Listen carefully, because we’re only likely to hear this once, and no questions unless he asks for them, hooah?”

Assuming the squad responds appropriately, she takes her place and waits for the inevitable storm to hit.

Raleigh Ray Colton · Post by **Raleigh Ray Colton** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:44 am

Glancing down at his stylish but highly functional computer watch, Raleigh Ray noted that while he wasn't as early as he should have been, technically he wasn't late. Still have two minutes. New boss will be miffed, but not pissed. I'll be okay. he thought to himself. Just the same, the simple hillbilly boy picked up the pace.

As he neared the confrence room, he spotted Major Gregor and Captain Freeman in the hall taking. It looked to be serious, but then again he never knew any Major who had anything to say that they didn't consider serious. It was as if the hgher in rank one got as a commissioned officer, the higher the stick up their ass went too, with Major being when that stick started intruding into their sense of humor and general personality.

As cassually and stealthily as he could, Raleigh Ray slipped past the two officers, careful not to make eye contact, and entered the room. He had every conficence in the world that his sunglasses would conceal the windows to his soul, and thus the concern and fear in his eyes that might draw their attentions.

Upon entry, Raleigh Ray slicked the sides of his perfectly styled high-rise coif, and then spit in a nearby waste basket that was six feet away; the brown tobacco laden loogie making a perfect arc through the air and landing with sufficient force and velocity to make an audible *ping*.

He lowered his shades as he instantly recognized a face in the room, that of @Cassandra Maverick . "Cassy? Wha' brings ya out ta dis neck o' da woods at dis ungodly time in da morin'?"

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:01 pm

Rawlins sighs as @Raleigh Ray Colton strikes up a conversation with @Cassandra Maverick and mutters, “You know this hick? I’m sad to say I’m fluent in El Dorado. Tell me his skills are more impressive than his speech pattens? Freaks, muties and now hicks. It’s a shame, this guy was socially superior to me before I became a freak just because I don’t have hair and he does. Magnificent hair, I will admit.”

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 6:59 pm

Ivan raises an eyebrow @William Rawlins. "Correct me if I'm hungry, but aren't you a mutie? Careful with those stones you're throwing, hotfoot. You might melt that glass house of yours." He sniggers at the burster.

Raleigh Ray Colton · Post by **Raleigh Ray Colton** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:16 pm

William Rawlins wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:01 pm "...It’s a shame, this guy was socially superior to me before I became a freak just because I don’t have hair and he does. Magnificent hair, I will admit.”

The first words Raleigh Ray recognized and registered was the complement about his perfectly groomed mane of hair. He smiled and simultaeously snapped his fingers and pointed to @William Rawlins Elvis-style. "Game recognizes game, teddy bear."

But then the first part of Rawlins' statement caught up and the Ozark boy's eyes narrowed in warning. "As fo' me bein' socially superi'ah to you, dat would be due to me not talkin' about people in da third person right in fron' o' their face. Dat, an' da extra stripe on my sleve... private."

Ivan Wolfheart wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 6:59 pm Ivan raises an eyebrow William Rawlins. "Correct me if I'm hungry, but aren't you a mutie? Careful with those stones you're throwing, hotfoot. You might melt that glass house of yours." He sniggers at the burster.

With his glare softening, he turned his gaze to @Ivan Wolfheart "Words ta live and prosp'ah by, bubba-boo."

Common Knowledge 7

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:52 pm

@Ivan Wolfheart
@Raleigh Ray Colton
@William Rawlins
Maeve raises an eyebrow and says, in a command whisper, ”Hey, stow that crap for when there isn’t a Major outside our door. Find a seat. Glad you could join us, Colton.”

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:38 pm

Ivan Wolfheart wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 6:59 pm Ivan raises an eyebrow William Rawlins. "Correct me if I'm hungry, but aren't you a mutie? Careful with those stones you're throwing, hotfoot. You might melt that glass house of yours." He sniggers at the burster.

"Freak trumps mutie and I check both boxes," Rawlins fires back at @Ivan Wolfheart with a wink, "Baldy."

Raleigh Ray Colton wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:16 pm But then the first part of Rawlins' statement caught up and the Ozark boy's eyes narrowed in warning. "As fo' me bein' socially superi'ah to you, dat would be due to me not talkin' about people in da third person right in fron' o' their face. Dat, an' da extra stripe on my sleve... private."

William makes a point to look at the stripe on @Raleigh Ray Colton shoulder for a second too long and then smirks at the irony of a human from the sticks proving his point by pulling rank on a psionic mutie before responding, "Yes Sir!"

Maeve wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:52 pm Maeve raises an eyebrow and says, in a command whisper, ”Hey, stow that crap for when there isn’t a Major outside our door. Find a seat. Glad you could join us, Colton.”

"Yes Ma'am!" Rawlins answers @Maeve at once then pulls out a chair and offers it to Raleigh, "Let's not both piss off the brass together, Sir. Pleasuh t'meet a feller from back home."

Jacob Somerset · Post by **Jacob Somerset** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:11 am

Common Knowledge: 8 (Success w/ Raise)

At the sound of the borg's approach, Somerset turns from the conversation in the room and allows himself a brief smile and nod of recognition at the pair. As he leaves the doorway to take his seat with the other officers, he pauses and whispers low enough that only enhanced hearing would catch it, "Good to see you again Sergeant. Sounds like you took my recommendation and switched out those 29X servos for 32A's. Good choice, they'll give you fewer headaches from feedback."

Not expecting a response, the Warrant moves over to stand next to the LT while waiting for the Major and the Captain to get this briefing started.

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:28 am

William Rawlins wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:38 pm William makes a point to look at the stripe on @Raleigh Ray Colton shoulder for a second too long and then smirks at the irony of a human from the sticks proving his point by pulling rank on a psionic mutie before responding, "Yes Sir!"

@William Rawlins "Does Corporeal look like a no good lazy officer to you? When you respond to an NCO, its yes CPL or yes SGT. Don't you ever sir us we work for a living. SIrs are the rear echelon assholes that order us to our deaths while sitting in their pretty offices."

Jaxson turns to @Mauve and reading the ribbons on her uniforms says "no offense mam."

Turning back the room Jaxson drops his voice an octive and says "you heard the LT stow you shit."

Glancing at @Raleigh Ray Colton Jaxson gives him a nod. "CPL Jaxson, good to meet you."

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 11:16 am

JAXSON, Antone wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:28 am
Jaxson turns to @Mauve and reading the ribbons on her uniforms says "no offense mam."

Turning back the room Jaxson drops his voice an octive and says "you heard the LT stow you shit."

Maeve smirks. ”Who gets offended by the truth? It’s all margaritas and lazy afternoons for me these days. It’s good to see you again, Corporal.”

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:40 pm

He grins @Raleigh Ray Colton. "I like this guy." Before he can begin a real discussion with the good ol' boy, @Maeve cuts off the pleasantries. He salutes, "Lieutenant." then drops into a chair as ordered. He rubs a hand over his hairless scalp and winks @William Rawlins.

Raleigh Ray Colton · Post by **Raleigh Ray Colton** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:49 pm

JAXSON, Antone wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:28 am
William Rawlins wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:38 pm William makes a point to look at the stripe on Raleigh Ray Colton shoulder for a second too long and then smirks at the irony of a human from the sticks proving his point by pulling rank on a psionic mutie before responding, "Yes Sir!"
"Does Corporeal look like a no good lazy officer to you? When you respond to an NCO, its yes CPL or yes SGT. Don't you ever sir us we work for a living. Sirs are the rear echelon assholes that order us to our deaths while sitting in their pretty offices."

"... Sir?!? ..." Raleigh Ray gawked, looking genuinely hurt by the slur. "Why I haven't been so insuted since my D.I. called me an inbred, goat fuckin', murkin head, son of a crusty jiz stain. ... I won't even tell ya what she said about m'ah dear departed mama. ... The Corporal here is correct. You address me by my prop'ah rank!" the hillbilly nearly bellowed, verbally ripping into the private, rabid spittle flying his mouth like a barking vicous dog. But then he paused and took a monemt to compose himself before continuing in a much calmer voice. "... Or jus' Colton. I really don't give a fuck."

Maeve wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:52 pm Maeve raises an eyebrow and says, in a command whisper, ”Hey, stow that crap for when there isn’t a Major outside our door. Find a seat. Glad you could join us, Colton.”

"Thank ya kindly, lieutenant." he replied, his eyes finally catching notice of the blond bombshell in the room. As he went to find a seat he whispered to himself, "Oof! Sprechen sie sexy?" Raleigh Ray then had to remind himself of his jelous girlfriend on base, Barbra... all 300 pounds of her!

Ultimately the Ozark boy chose a seat that would place him by his fellow Corporal; Jaxson.

JAXSON wrote:Turning back the room Jaxson drops his voice an octive and says "You heard the LT. Stow you shit."

Glancing at Raleigh Ray Colton Jaxson gives him a nod. "CPL Jaxson, good to meet you."

Raleigh Ray extended his hand and gave a respectful nod to the cyborg. "CLP Colton, Corporal. Pleasure to make ya acquaintence."

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:50 pm

Raleigh Ray Colton wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:49 pm Raleigh Ray extended his hand and gave a respectful nod to the cyborg. "CLP Colton, Corporal. Pleasure to make ya acquaintence."

Eyeing the pretty boy up and down, Jaxson did notice the reek of tech geek under all that hair spray. "Pleasure is all mine Corporal. You keep me combat effective and we will get along just fine."

Waiting for the Cpt and Major to return, Jaxson returns to analyzing the squad and sizing up potential weaknesses and possible threats.

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:12 am

Old Chicago Base
Morning
Round 0

Cassandra moved into her position at the rear of the squad when Lieutenant Maeve barked her orders.

Then Ray arrived. "Cassy? Wha' brings ya out ta dis neck o' da woods at dis ungodly time in da morin'?"

Cass smiled at her squadmate. “Orders,” she said. “Someone apparently thinks I’m useful,” she said.

Rawlins muttered to Cass, “You know this hick? I’m sad to say I’m fluent in El Dorado. Tell me his skills are more impressive than his speech pattens? Freaks, muties and now hicks. It’s a shame, this guy was socially superior to me before I became a freak just because I don’t have hair and he does. Magnificent hair, I will admit.”

“He can fix just about anything with some bubble gum and baling wire, maybe a bit of duct tape,” Cassandra replied. “He controlled our skelebot contingents in my old unit.”

”Hey, stow that crap for when there isn’t a Major outside our door,” Maeve whispered harshly at them.

Cassandra quickly shut up.

"Oof! Sprechen sie sexy?" Colton muttered as he passed Cassandra, staring at Maeve.

“Isn’t she, though?” Cassandra had to agree, blushing a little, but then quickly putting eyes forward.

***

Character Tracking

Mitch McDonald · Post by **Mitch McDonald** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:12 pm

Mitch walks into the room, prepared to snap off a crisp salute but, that didn't seem to be necessary here. He clears his voice, and speaks in a loud voice. "Hello. I'm Mitch. Nice to meet you all." He nods, then has a seat.

Common Knowledge 6

Post by **High Command** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:50 am

As realization dawns on the gathered soldiers as to precisely who is walking in the room, they all find their seats and quiet down.

GM Note: Check your PMs

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:37 am

Realizing where he had heard that voice before Jaxson goes rigid.

flashback

Inner thoughts

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:55 am

This ain't light duty with these two running the show. Damn. What did I get myself into? Major Gregor? Might as well be Major Lyboc. Dirty deeds done dirt cheap, and damn often. He shifts in his seat a little as he racks his brain about the SSgt. James...James... wasn't there a borg that was supposed to have nuked Tolkeen? This can't be that James...can it? At least it was good work for the right cause. He faces eyes forward to pay appropriate attention. Don't want to get on their bad side.

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:48 pm

I wonder if the rumor about SSG James saving the life of some general from an Auto-G is true, Carano wonders. Cut the thing's legs right off.

She keeps her eyes off of what's going on in the hallway. She knows about Gregor. As one of Lyboc's primary dirty deeds men, Gregor has killed or ruined more people in and out of the Coalition than anyone but maybe Lyboc himself, she figures.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Major Gregor is the Imperial Medal of Honor that he refuses to wear, but that everyone knows he has. Carano has heard that he lets it hang in a case in his office, but barely anybody ever goes there. She heard at officer training that if his medal collection was melted down, it could create a life sized statue of the man.

@John Freeman puts me in a squad and we get a visit from the closest thing to the grim reaper the Coalition has.

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:06 pm

Gregor, the DSD must really want someone dead, Freeman thinks as he muses on the man's record - most of it mythical since so few people are actually cleared to read it. I'm in the right place.

The trip to the office for a detailed briefing takes on a little extra life as rumor has it Gregor keeps his Imperial Medal of Honor on display there. It was either a blessing or a curse to be invited there. Freeman isn't sure which yet.

The Captain lets Carano bark at the troops and instead just leans in the doorway waiting for the Major to begin.

This is going to be interesting

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:27 am

Old Chicago Base
Morning
Round 0

Cassandra sat up a bit straighter. She was going to be meeting some real war heroes! She made sure her uniform was proper and her hair in place.

***

Character Tracking

Raleigh Ray Colton · Post by **Raleigh Ray Colton** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:54 pm

Cassandra Maverick wrote:
Raleigh Ray Colton wrote: "Oof! Sprechen sie sexy?" Colton muttered as he passed Cassandra, staring at Maeve.
“Isn’t she, though?” Cassandra had to agree, blushing a little, but then quickly putting eyes forward.

Releigh Ray gave @Cassandra Maverick a coy sideways look. "Oooooh wee, girl! Girl aft'tah ma own heart. Next leave, you's and I's got to go out and get our selves into some mischiff."

JAXSON, Antone wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:50 pm
Raleigh Ray Colton wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:49 pm Raleigh Ray extended his hand and gave a respectful nod to the cyborg. "CLP Colton, Corporal. Pleasure to make ya acquaintence."
Eyeing the pretty boy up and down, Jaxson did notice the reek of tech geek under all that hair spray. "Pleasure is all mine Corporal. You keep me combat effective and we will get along just fine."

"No promises on keepin' ya all prettyfied and gussied up, but you'd be amazed what I can do with three rubber-bands, a smudge o' pine pitch, an' an Iron Heart white-fish." the Ozark boy smiled in reply to @JAXSON, Antone with a wink and a brag.

He then fished around in a pocket and withdrew three different cans of dip packets. One in Minty Frost flavor, one in Wintergreen, and one in Original Mellow. He mused for a moment, trying to pick the right one for the occasion, but then he looked to Jaxson. "Oh, I'm sorry. I fo'get my maners! Care for one? Sho' nuf ta take da edge off."

It was then that Staff Sergeant James entered the room and garnered Raleigh Ray's attention. For pure stabalization he grabed Jaxson's arm and spoke in a harsh, excited whisper to his new found buddy. "Hooo'leeee shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. You's seein' what I's seein'? That there's Sergeant James. Fought with the Fighting Joes. Served with Godmother herself back when! They says he lit off a tactical nuke in da heart o' Tolkeen in da las' wee bit o' da war."

Raleigh Ray's hand gravitated to one of his small tins of pre-packaged dip-packs. "Goin' to need a Frosty just to cool off my ragin' wood fo' dis man. ... No homo."

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 11:03 am

Certain that he knows the Borg, LoJack carefully approaches the Staff Sergeant.

In a very low whisper, "Sergeant I don't know if you know or even remember me. But I have something of yours."

LoJack detaches a sheathed bladed weapon. A silvered bladed vibro knife is secured in the sheath. The weapon is eteched with a pentagon of five bodies laid with their feet facing out and their heads facing in. In the middle is a knife blade through a sixth figure.

"You took out an entire squad that day."

LoJack makes his way to a chair and removes the back so it is more like a stool. He could careless about the rest of the briefing, he had just met one of his heroes.

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 11:59 am

'Lyboc? Great...' Rawlins thinks as he looks up from his computer and whispers to @Cassandra Maverick, "Major Gregor doesn't take failure well. And he doesn't care that we're freaks, muties, hicks or tin cans. He only cares about three things. What his superior tells him to do, that we do what he tells us to do and specifically that we do it right. We better keep on our toes with this mission..."

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:01 pm

Raleigh Ray Colton wrote: ↑Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:54 pm He then fished around in a pocket and withdrew three different cans of dip packets. One in Minty Frost flavor, one in Wintergreen, and one in Original Mellow. He mused for a moment, trying to pick the right one for the occasion, but then he looked to Jaxson. "Oh, I'm sorry. I fo'get my maners! Care for one? Sho' nuf ta take da edge off."

Jaxson responded to @Raleigh Ray Colton "Non merci frère" as he reached inside his breast compartment and pull out a fine cuban cigar and placed it in the corner of his mouth. "The only civilized way to enjoy bon tabac."

Post by **High Command** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:57 pm

GM Mini-Reply:
SSG James looks confused and annoyed as the battle cat approaches him, but he does recognize and examine the knife. Both emotions drain from his face to be replaced by surprise and respect and then hands it back to the cat. His voice is also low. "Seems it found a good home. Good on you, Private. Use in the same manner I did and you'll be fine. Never give up. Now, get back to your seat, Major's about to speak." His voice is the same tone as ever, but it's clear he wants Lo-Jack to keep the blade.

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:26 pm

As he is sitting down LoJack looks into his paw and realizes that he was not dreaming, the knife is in his paw.

High Command wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:57 pm GM Mini-Reply:
SSG James looks confused and annoyed as the battle cat approaches him, but he does recognize and examine the knife. Both emotions drain from his face to be replaced by surprise and respect and then hands it back to the cat. His voice is also low. "Seems it found a good home. Good on you, Private. Use in the same manner I did and you'll be fine. Never give up. Now, get back to your seat, Major's about to speak." His voice is the same tone as ever, but it's clear he wants Lo-Jack to keep the blade.

Man he is fast.

Still reeling at meeting 'The Sergeant James' LoJack stows the knife away and does his best to listen during the briefing.

Jacob Somerset · Post by **Jacob Somerset** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:50 pm

Somerset raises an eyebrow a hair at the interaction between the Battle Cat and the SSG.

A nod of respect from the SSG? Not easy to come by, guess I'll keep an eye on the Cat then.

Post by **High Command** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:00 am

Reassignment Briefing

Date: Thursday, January 4, 110 PA
Time: 0640 by end of post
Temp: 5°, Bitterly Cold outside. Light dusting of snow from last night, a brisk 60° in the hallways and 65° in most rooms.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Only a light dusting of snow and plenty of ice
Ley Line info: None nearby the SOG Complex, Fort Resilience

Major Gregor strides into the room, motioning Freeman to follow him. "Good morning. Just a brief word and then I'll leave you to your Captain to finish the briefing and planning session. First, a bit of Introduction. I am Major Anton Gregor. Yes, that Major Gregor. I am the commanding officer of the Third Battalion, Special Operations Brigade, Department of Special Divisions. We are one of the few battalions not directly participating in Operation Hellbender. That's okay, because we're going to keep the States safe while the rest of the DSD, Regular Army, Psi-Battalion, and Navy contain and eliminate the demon threat." He pauses and looks at each of them in turn. After a long moment, he resumes speaking. "In so far as you are concerned, I am the right arm of High Command itself. You are my Fist, be ready to strike at any moment. Sometimes it will be recon in force, as your current orders go. Other missions might be more or less overt. Whatever is needed, that is what you will do. I have no room for ego, yours or my own. I need success and you will hand it to me." Each person there invariably feels a shiver of anticipation at the force of his words, his orders. The emphasis on 'will' left no doubt in their minds about how they would fare.

"The current mission is a recon in force. We will be checking the state of the hives and our readiness in the region. Your officers will know what should be there. If necessary, you will eliminate errant or vulnerable threats, but the goal is information. You are now dismissed to your officers." He steps away from the podium and over to the side. He motions both officers in the squad to him.

He looks to Freeman and Maeve. "Get me your plan and equipment requests by end of day, with some hard ideas by our meeting at 0800 in my office. I want your platoon wheels up in 72 hours. A Death's Head will drop you in the AO (Area of Operation) at the FOB (Forward Operating Base) and you'll set out from there. I can't spare any Mark Fives, so you'll have to make due with Mark Nines for transport. Or you can pull hover bikes and cars for all I care, but at least one Mark Nine and a supply trailer is what I would suggest per squad. Second Squad will deploy with you, while third and fourth squads will remain at base to support you. Make sure they are supplied for the duration of the operation. You can store extra supplies at the FOB in trailers. The Fourth and Third can handle the occasional supply drop for you. Third Squad will have the support assets I mentioned. Use them wisely, but the FOB will retask them on occasion to suport other platoons, same as they'll retask other units to help yours. Just remember the Holmes Doctrine is in effect. Don't be a problem to the bugs unless the situation calls for it. The full details are in the packet. I'll see you both in my office at 0800." With a salute and a handshake to each of them, he exits the room, SSG James in tow.

What you know about Operation Hellbender

Task: Organizational Montage!

Task: Organizational Montage!
Write an interlude that goes over what happens in the next three days. There will be a new GM post for the morning of the 7th as you all gather up to board the Death's Head Transport. You may earn up to two bennies with this post.

Name the Members of Second Squad. Between old members of the 17th and new soldiers (like many of you), fill out the members of the Second Squad! Mostly I want some basic ideas of who they are, what they can do. You can certainly assign them a MARS Package, but I'm more concerned with stuff like - where are they from, what are their goals, etc.
Perhaps more importantly, include some interaction with them in your interlude. This requires the cooperation of both squads. Freeman is the Platoon Commander. Technically Carano is first Squad's Commander, but realistically Freeman is. Both Somerset and Carano are part of the team that helps Freeman run the entire platoon.
Do one person, get one Benny, do more than one, get two Bennies!

Commanding Officer: Human Soldier
Squad XO: Staff Sergeant (normally this would be a Sergeant, why is a Staff Sergeant got this post and not squad command?)
Fire Team 1
Fire Team leader: Human Soldier, armed with a C-14 and modified CA-1 Heavy Armor; Rank: Corporal
Rifleman: Human Soldier, Armed with CP-40 (with a bayonet) and CA-4 Armor; Rank: Private
Rifleman: Human Soldier, Armed with CP-40 and CA-4 Armor; EOD Specialist, Rank: PFC
Heavy Gunner: Human Soldier, partial cyborg, using CA-6EX and a C-200; Rank PFC
Fireteam 2
Fire Team leader: Human Soldier, Armed with CP-50 and Camouflaged CA-4 Armor; Forward Observer, Rank: Sergeant
Rifleman: Dogboy Soldier, Armed with CV-212 (with Bayonet) and Camouflaged CA-4 Armor; Recon Specialist, Rank: Private
Rifleman: Dogboy Soldier, Armed with CP-40 (with Bayonet) and Camouflaged CA-4 Armor; Recon Specialist, Rank: Private
Designated Marksman: Psi-Stalker Soldier, Armed with CV-212 and Camouflaged CA-4 Armor; Designated Marksman, Rank: Corporal

Additionally, in later posts I will be doing this for Third and Fourth Squads. More on them as it comes.

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:11 am

Common Knowledge [dice:v6hqg5ok]65986:0[/dice:v6hqg5ok]
Wild Die [dice:v6hqg5ok]65986:1[/dice:v6hqg5ok]

I keep forgetting to roll my wild die.

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:18 am

CK (1d8) [dice:1ypmipw5]65988:0[/dice:1ypmipw5]
Wild (1d6) [dice:1ypmipw5]65988:1[/dice:1ypmipw5]

William Rawlins · Post by **William Rawlins** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:04 pm

Common Knowledge 5

'Operation Hellbender, huh? That explains all the freaks, muties and tin cans. Where are the juicers though?' Rawlins thinks as he listens to the Major. He sets his computer to record audio then scans the assembled group once more while taking notes on the who's and what's of the group in his field comp. He slowly gets an idea of who is who and what they can do. Rawlins scrolls the list looking for his 'guy.' Someone with sharp eyes that is likely to be the first to discover anything suspicious or dangerous.

'Sergeant Cassius Ellison. Human, of course, as a sergeant. Leads a team of dog boys and a psi-slayer. Should have good instincts if he's lived long enough to make sergeant.' Rawlins notes the sergeant and then saves his file and tunes back into the meeting. He leaves the audio recording until the major finishes speaking so that he can review any details he might have missed while sifting through the faces and names in the room.

Once the major dismisses the troops, Rawlins waits for him to leave and for the mood to lighten a bit before slipping out. Before he can, captain Freeman gives Rawlins orders to do some digging and to liaison with the nerd squad. So the mutie spends the day making sure his gear is ready to leave at a moments notice while gathering his thoughts. When that's done, Rawlins approaches captain Freeman later that night to ask about meeting up with the scouting elements. 'No sense in approaching the sergeant on my own. He'll probably be more likely to cooperate with someone like me if the captain has sent me.'

The scouts don't necessarily know the need-to-know, but it's possible the sergeant's rank gave him access to more information. Even that's not the case, it's just one more stop on the way to the analyst team. Rawlins approaches the sergeant with his team and gives him a crisp salute, "Sergeant Ellison? Private Rawlins. I'm directly under captain Freeman's command. I specialize in field intel and threat identification."

The dog boys and psi-stalker give Rawlins a lazy salute, more friendly comradeship between mutants more than formality. They continue working on their given tasks while sergeant Ellison eyes Rawlins up and down and gives the mutie a surprisingly professional salute, "Well, howdy, thar boy. I reckon ya ain't come tah shoot the shit. What ken Ah do ya fer, private?"

'Uh.' Rawlins sighs inwardly then responds, "Captain freeman has tasked me with gathering info on this operation the major is putting together. He wants to know exactly what we're getting ourselves into before our feet hit the grounds in hopes that those same feet will be running and not stumbling upon contact. Officially, I'm hoping you might know more about this operation that you might share with me and by extension the captain."

"Unofficially," Rawlins continues, "I was hoping to meet you and make a good impression. In the field, I'll be operating alongside captain Freeman in my capacity as a Burster more so than my communications or analytics experience. I wanted to meet you personally to ask you to keep me patched into your comms feed while your team is scouting ahead. I have a good head on my shoulders, sergeant, and I would like to use it to help keep your team safe."

The sergeant stares at Rawlins for a long minute. Rawlins might mistake another man for being slow but not Ellison. With the sergeant, it's more like a mill steadily grinding away at the grains of information Rawlins had fed to him. Finally, sergeant Ellison cracks a huge smile at Rawlins and gives him a rough clap on the shoulder, "Shoot, is that all, boy? Here Ah was thinkin' maybe Ah was gunna have tah put my waders on 'n slog my way through whatever shit yer captain was sendin' my way. Hell, if ya think ya ken keep my boy's safe, yer a'right with me, kid. I'll do what I ken tah keep ya in the loop, boy. Now, on the other hand, scouts like me 'n tha boys have sharp ears, but loose lips sink ships. Tell ya what, boy, Ah'll make my own way over to the cap'n, an' the two of us will have a word about the goin's on that're goin' on."

The sergeant dismisses Rawlins and starts hollering at this team. Ellison doesn't actually seem mad, and the dog boys and psi-stalker barely pick the pace up, so the mutie can only assume it's business as usual for the team. 'I'll have to apologize to Colton. Man is practically a socialite compared to the sergeant.'

Rawlins leaves the scouts to their duties and heads off in search of the analyst team. If anyone has some juicy information, it probably is them. Rawlins spent the remainder of their preparatory time running between captain Freeman, the analysts, and others like Sergeant Ellison who might very well have a piece of the big picture.

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:19 pm

Common Knowledge

Recon in force is easy enough, planning logistics for a platoon is not. Fortunately for Freeman an officers best friend is named delegation. He quickly passes tasks to Lt. Carano, WO Somerset, and Corporal Colton. He then dreams up some work for the others too.

"Carano, take the lead on gearing us up for operations in bug country. Reach out to the other squads and get their table of equipment optimized for forward operations then take the mutants to supply for requistions, I don't need them under equipped cause they looked at somebody the wrong way." He writes a quick note, by hand, and gives it to the Lieutenant, "Give this chit to the Sergeant. I promised you an open bar on this op, he'll slide a bottle of New Chilicothe Whiskey into our CS-2 kits. Somerset, I'll leave the medical arrangements to you. You know already that we have more than one cybernetic implant rolling in this crew, make sure we got enough spare parts. I don't want Jaxson coming back with a missing nut...or bolt. Colton, you heard the major in terms of equipment. Sort that out with the motorpool. Make sure everything is in top working order. Jaxson will go with you."

He smiles, "Rawlings. You're with me. I'm going to have a chat with the battalion intel officer, while he's blowing smoke up my ass I want you chatting it up with the other analysts. Find out as much as you can about this op, why its so important, and anything else you can figure out from the pencil necks. Get geared up with Carano then we'll go get up in their grill."

With some assignments given, Freeman starts working out plans for the major. The mission is perplexing given the Holmes Doctrine is already established and the resources of the Coalition are fully committed to Hellbender. This almost seems like a sideshow, but then why break off 3rd DSD? There's a bigger game being played here and Freeman is leery about being a pawn.

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:27 pm

Hellbender

Hellbender? Man...that's as ballsy an op as I've ever heard of. Not as much glory in rear guard, but somebody's gotta do it. Wonder how much the cap likes me... He approaches @John Freeman. "Captain, I don't know a thing about Hellbender, sir. I do know we're gonna need some punch. What are the odds we could requisition a Wind Jammer, sir? Short of that, nobody messes with a Warbird." He crosses his fingers, hoping the Captain has some pull to get top end gear.
His requests made, he moves off to prepare for the assignment ahead of him. Starting with chow.
The mess hall is crowded. His plate is full. He grabs a table and glances to his right. "Hoffy? Haufman, is that you?!" He jumps up and slaps an almost violent handshake at the part-borg private sitting at the same table. "You look like shit! I can't believe they keep plugging new hardware into your sorry ass!"
Justin Haufman, Second Squad, FT 1's heavy gunner grins at the psi-stalker. "Wolfheart, shit. Those 'roids ain't killed you yet? Lookee here, corporal! It's Ivan Wolfheart! He's wrecked more tonnage of skycycles in one deployment than they did testing 'em."
Corporal Nick Erna snorts. "Flyboy, eh? Just make sure it's pointed downrange, would ya? Don't need 'death from above' raining on my head 'cause you can't see where you're going."
Ivan scoffs. "I never drive faster'n I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes. Ask Hoffy. Pulled him out of a jam on a Tolkeen witch hunt. I think he'd run them out of tech if I hadn't."
Haufman nods. "Ain't wrong. I was dead to rights. Ivan wrecked a whole pack of deeb mages that were pounding us with fireballs. He flew by so fast they almost didn't know what happened. Took the heads clean off like three of them devils in one swipe, didn't you?" Wolfheart nods. "Left a grenade behind too. Finished them off. Some demon wrecked my bike out from under me though. High speed dirt ain't fun."
The three exchange war stories over mess. Talk eventually turns to the current assignment. Ivan laughs. "I'll be. You're on support for the 17th? In that case, Hoffy, I like my coffee like I like my women; morally flexible and filled with alcohol." The corporal loses his composure. "HA! That don't even make sense. Oh, I like this guy!"
Haufman served with Ivan in Tolkeen. Part of Wolfheart's Prosek medal commendation includes saving several members of his squad with danger-close flybys to draw attention, and on-target fire against squads of d-bee mages. Haufman, for his part, manages to lose another body part in just about every major combat action he's seen. He's hoping to wind up a full conversion before too long. His service keeps his dad out of the Chi-town slums. Corporal Erna is just a violent hard-ass. He loves to dish out severe violence, and the target doesn't matter much, as long as they're the enemy. The next few days, the three spend time in the gym hitting the weights and hitting each other. Even augmented, the partial borg finds Ivan is no pushover in a fistfight. Erna fights dirty, even sparring. It was all they could do to keep the corporal from sneaking a knife onto the mats.
During one of their rolls, Ivan spies @Cassandra Maverick in her fight with Parker. A hint of the hunger comes over him, but he quickly squelches the call. Still, his sight lingered just long enough for Haufman to get in a sneak shot to the ribs. Ivan growls, and returns a nasty flurry, forcing the borg back onto his heels. Erna catcalls the psi-stalker. "See something you like, stalker? Which one?" Ivan retorts. "I thought it was your mother, Nick."

Jacob Somerset · Post by **Jacob Somerset** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:37 pm

Common Knowledge:10

Cassandra Maverick · Post by **Cassandra Maverick** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:09 am

Common Knowledge Hellbender 17

Old Chicago Base
Morning
Round 0

"Oooooh wee, girl! Girl aft'tah ma own heart. Next leave, you's and I's got to go out and get our selves into some mischiff," Colton said.

Cassandra blushed. “I’ve never… I mean, you sure you want to spend your R&R around me?” she asked. As a psi, some places would even forbid her entrance.

"Major Gregor doesn't take failure well. And he doesn't care that we're freaks, muties, hicks or tin cans. He only cares about three things. What his superior tells him to do, that we do what he tells us to do and specifically that we do it right. We better keep on our toes with this mission..." Rawlins whispered to Cassandra.

Cass frowned. “Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?” she whispered back. “Sounds like our job.”

Cassandra turned to listen to the Major when the briefing began.

Hellbender. Cassandra had heard that before. She remembered her uncle, General Maverick, head of Logistics, discussing it in his office late one night when she was on leave in Chi-Town and staying with her aunt and uncle, a plan to deal with the demons and devils that had attacked them over Christmas and New Years. It came all the way from the top, from General Holmes and the Emperor himself, including Generals Prosek and Underhill, with Thaddeus Lyboc selling the idea to the rest of the government. Her uncle thought it had a real chance of driving back the unholy hordes.

Cassandra wasn’t assigned any special duties in the logistics period before the mission, so she spent her days as she normally would. She spent the morning doing PT at the gym, working out with Molly Parker, a rifleman in Fireteam 1 from Second Squad. Red-haired and freckled, Private Parker was about Cassandra’s size and build, so made a good sparring partner. She was from Colton Country, meaning the same thick Arkansas accent as Cassandra’s corporal.

The two women circled each other on the mat. The temperature in the gym was turned way up to encourage sweating away water weight, and both were stripped down to a pair of shorts and athletic bras.

“No cheatin’ now,” Molly said with a grin, tapping her temple.

Cassandra smiled. “That’s assuming I’d find anything up there,” she teased.

They closed together, clenching, holds slipping because of sweat. Cassandra liked Molly because she was better, a better soldier, a better close quarters combatant, and she challenged Cass, who had to split her time due to her Psi-Battalion training. Molly had a million or so brothers, so she’d always had to hold her own as the only girl, never taking any guff from them.

The pair of women hit the mat hard, grunting, grappling, rolling, exchanging places. Someone whistled. “All we need is some mud right here,” a male voice chuckled. Several males were gathering around to watch. Typical. Cassandra ignored them, focusing on the near pin she had Molly in. But then the redhead suddenly reversed the situation, and soon Cassandra had to tap out.

“Lunch?” Molly panted.

“Sure,” Cass said, grabbing some towels, tossing one to Molly. “Let’s hit the showers.”

There were more catcalls on their way out, suggestions about what to do in the shower. Cassandra blushed furiously. Molly just tossed up a couple rude gestures and comments about their mothers.

“So, about t’night…” Molly asked Cassandra over the mess hall’s excuse for what they generously called meatloaf.

“You really think he’d want to go out with me?” Cass asked skeptically. “I mean…” She tapped her temple.

“No,” Molly had to admit. “But it’s couples bowlin’. Grayson’s BFFs with McSweeny, but McSweeny cain’t get a date. Ya know how it is. He’s EOD. They’re all a little crazy.”

“You’d have to be,” Cass said with a chuckle. “Tell me about him,” she said with a resigned sigh.

“Well, we won’t tell him yer...ya know,” Molly said. “Just conveniently forget.”

“Okay. Sketchy… Continue.”

“He can find out himself and decide what he wants,” Molly said. “McSweeny’s from yer neck a the woods, Iron Heart. Worked demo in the mines an’ all.”

“Well, that’s a different part of Iron Heart than me, but sure,” Cassandra agreed, coming more from the coastal fishing areas than the mining interior.

“Same diff. Ya’ll talk funny.”

Cassandra gave Molly a level look.

“McSweeny’s sweet, just a little...well, let’s just say he likes ta blow things up a bit too much. Tends ta over charge. Reckless. Likes the excitement.”

“Dangerous.”

“Only ta the rest of Second Squad,” Molly laughed. “We just tack on an extra few meters of safe zone,” she said with a grin. “Just keep him interested an’ occupied, ‘specially when Ah’m tryin’ ta sneak off with Grayson. Ya’ll can do with ‘im what ya want after,” she said with a grin.

Cassandra blushed again. “Okay, fine. For you.”

After lunch was psi training with Sergeant Syn. As usual, it was just as intense as her physical workout. Sometimes it would be another physical workout, this time allowing the use of her psionic abilities, pushing herself to be better. The best she was, the more she could help her team.

Following psi training was a little nap to deal with the residual migraine that pushing herself like that often led to, until dinner, when Cass showered and dressed for her double date.

OOC Comments

***

Character Tracking

Post by **Pursuit** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:43 pm

Common Knowledge 12

WIP

John Freeman · Post by **John Freeman** » Sat May 02, 2020 11:44 am

After setting the team loose on their tasks Freeman heads back to his tiny office to make some calls. Carano would have no problem getting most of the kit squared away, but some of the more exotic items were going to require a little extra effort. Given how tangled up this operation was getting, the Captain knew it was time to call in some favours.

Common 8, +2 Suport

As a special operations unit outside the regular chain of command the 17th SOG carried a little mystique. Usually enough to make your average supply unit a little accommodating. A quick call down to the desk with a little flattery would help grease the wheels for Carano. Activing the coms unit he called to general Supply.

"Taggert," came the business-like reply.

"Yeah Taggert, Captain Freeman of the 17th here. Got myself thrown in with a mixed bag and gotta take them far away from your beautiful logistics train. They're heading your way to gear up. I'd be very grateful if you could see it to make sure they get what they need. Not sure the next time we'll see the friendly confines of a Coalition base."

There was a short pause on the other end as Taggert scrolled through his orders, "Black book eh Captain?"

Freeman smiles, "You've been around long enough to know what those look like," Freeman said knowingly without actually answering the question.

"Roger that Captain. I'll make sure your squad is handled."

"Thanks, Taggert. you guys really are the unsung heroes of the nation."

After a few more pleasantries Freeman disconnects the line and makes a secure connection to Chi-Town.

Uncommon 16, +2 Support

"Colonel Lyboc's office," a pleasant voice answers quickly. Freeman knew the woman who took Lyboc's calls, she looked innocent enough but was far from it. An engaging and disarming assassin. Freeman managed a few dates with her last time he was in the fortress city.

"Natahsa, it's John Freeman," of course she knew that from the caller identification but old habits die hard.

"What can I do for you Captain," she answered emphasizing his new promotion.

"Oh you heard about that, oh hell you probably did the paperwork. Not sure if I should thank you or not."

The assassin/secretary let out a soft laugh, "Dinner will do."

"Fair enough," Freeman replied happily. "Although I gotta live long enough to get back. Lyboc's probably got the op compartmentalized but a few requistion orders from his office will really grease the wheels down here. I know our mission is some kind of sideline of his, and if he wants the info we're going to need all the help we can get."

A long paused followed, and for a minute Freeman thought she was going to hang him out to dry, but she came back on the line, "I tagged the mission priority alpha with a DSD designation. That should cut through a lot of red tape...but is going to cost you dinner and dancing."

Smiling despite himself Freeman agrees to the price, "It'll be my pleasure."

"It sure will be," was her sultry reply as she quickly disconnected the line.

That went well. the Captain thought to himself. Still smiling without realizing it.

Rare 5, +1 Support

Still Flush Freeman makes one more call to the base motorpool. He really wants that Hellraiser. It's variable weapons system will be a huge plus against the Xiticix. The officer-in-charge of the motorpool was from Missouri. A Captain Hanks. While Freeman thought Missouri was the most boring of all CS States, Hanks was a state-first-coalition-second kind of a guy. But it was a good way to get him talking. Freeman even had a passable Missouri accent.

"Captain Hanks, Captain Freeman from the 17th. Just wanted to give my congratulations on Missouri's big win against Arkansas in the Empire League the other day. Nothing like teaching the upstart states how the heart of the Coalition does it."

Hanks made a pleased grunt on the other end, "Yeah felt damned good. Those red necks and mutants in Arkansas have been getting a little too big for their britches trying to be more zealous than the Emperor himself."

"Nothing like a new convert eh?"

"Loyalty over time is what really sets a state apart."

"And Missouri has been there since the beginning sir. No one can compete with that."

"Damn straight!"

Putting on a disappointed tone Freeman reels in the fish, "I'm going to miss the league final. Heading way outside the borders on a hush-hush thing. Sure would be nice if I had a few more Missouri boys with me instead of mutants and psychics. They know how to have a man's back."

"They sure do Freeman, I'll make sure to have your back too. I'll look into your stuff personally."

"Thanks captain I appreciate that. You're a good man, steady as your state."

"I'll record the final for you too," Hanks adds.

"Sounds good, we can watch it with some famous Missouri lager."

"Deal."

Not quite dinner with Natasha, but never hurts to make friends.

Very Rare (will wait on further rolls to see hoe many we need)

From the GM: +1 Benny

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Sun May 03, 2020 7:45 pm

Rolls: Raises on all Types of Gear, W/Support

Carano finds all kinds of lovely things:

For @JAXSON, Antone, a Mag-5 stealth jetpack, MDC handcuffs and a C-12 Heavy Assault Laser Rifle with two spare e-clips (because rail guns are great until they're not)
For @Ivan Wolfheart, a Windjammer hovercycle, an IRMSS, and a C-14 with a loadout of frag grenades and two spare e-clips.
For @Mitch McDonald, a Hellraiser RA, a neural mace, and a field repair kit
For @LoJack, an extra set of climbing gear, silver vibro-vambraces, MDC manacles, and 2 each of plasma and AP grenades
For @William Rawlins, a Grade II Field Computer, an IRMSS, and a neural mace
For @Cassandra Maverick, a Falcon Jet Pack and an CA-115 10mm Automatic Pistol with two spare mags of silver jacketed ammo
For @Raleigh Ray Colton, a Speed Mod on our Mark IXs, a falcon jet pack, and a digital camera
For @Jacob Somerset, a trip to the doc for a Cybernetic Medical Suite (if he wants it) or 5x extra trauma kits if he doesn't (far be it from me to spend someone else's Strain), plus an IRMSS and 2 HE grenades and 2 plasma grenades
For @Carano, a CR-1 with a hip pack (6/6 plasma warhead loadout), a language translator, and a vibro-axe
And, for our fearless leader @John Freeman, a lock-pick release gun, a CP-50 with a plasma grenade loadout, and a silvered impact hammer

Narrative a WIP.

Ivan Wolfheart · Post by **Ivan Wolfheart** » Mon May 04, 2020 3:24 pm

Requisition support +1

THUNK! The punch landed square in the kidneys. Haufman doubles over, the blow finding some of the few meaty parts of his body that aren't cybered up. "Damn, Ivan! You hit like a rhino-buffalo!"
Erna snickers. "Better figure out how to block, Hoffy. I don't think you get new parts if Ivan tears 'em off sparring."
Ivan grins. "I didn't think you'd even feel that one. Wasn't but a little rabbit punch." Haufman responds with 20% of a high five. Erna leans in as the round is over. "So this is a Lyboc op, ain't it? That's what I heard." Ivan just shrugs. "Nobody tells me a thing. I just fly where they point me. Tip of the spear. I don't point. Just drive."
Erna scoffs. "Tip of the spear gotta be sharp. Listen. I did a thing for Taggart awhile back. Maybe I can put in a word, make sure you guys are topped off right. Worth it to see someone whip Hoffy's ass." Haufman extends the other hand towards Erna, mirroring his gesture towards Ivan. Ivan smiles. "Good look out, Corporal. You know...I've been eyeing a Wind Jammer. And if it's bug country, something hopped up for when I'm off the bike." The corporal winks back at Ivan. "I'll see what I can do. Now...show me that thing you did that made Hoffy eat dirt."
The part-borg spits out some words that are colorful even when heard in a sparring ring.

Raleigh Ray Colton · Post by **Raleigh Ray Colton** » Tue May 05, 2020 2:24 pm

As the briefing began in earnest, Colton turned on his game face and was all business. He soaked in every iota that came out of the Major's mouth, only briefly reflecting inwardly. Ah, Opertion: Hellbender!...

Common Knowledge 8

...Lyboc, that crafty son of a bitch.

In the wake of the briefing, after all appropriate oohs and ahs were done, Raleigh Ray came over for the command circle pow wow. There was a lot to get done, and he knew with his new stripes came responsibilities. He listened as Freeman delegate out the list of things that needed to be done, payin extra close attention when his name was invoked.

John Freeman wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:19 pm ...Colton, you heard the major in terms of equipment. Sort that out with the motorpool. Make sure everything is in top working order. Jaxson will go with you."

"Roger dodger, cap'in. I know a guy. Shit will get done." he replied in the affirmative.

As he left too get to it, he breathed in the vapors of the frosty mint coming off his cheeked dip pack and enjoyed its cooling effect, but inhaling and exhaling. Gettin' off to ah good start! he thought to himself regarding the entierity of the gathering.

Connections Roll 8

"Jo Joooooooo!" Raleigh Ray cooed with a crocodile smile at the sight of his buddy in the motor pool, SGT Joseph James Johansen. "How did ya like thems shell fish I got for ya last month?"

"Gave me this shits somethin' fierce!" the large black man said with his distinct Chi-Town accent as he started to walk towards Raleigh Ray in a brisk manner, his speed and grace belying his tremendous size. The large cressent wrench in his gloved hand smacked its business-end in the palm of his other hand over and over in a threatening manner. At the end of his stride, Jo Jo towered over the comparitively diminutve Raleigh Ray like a giant ready to crush a bug.

Raleigh Ray's coy smile didn't break once. Maintianing a cool, calm atmosphere was his only defense. Upon reflection, he did thing the shell fish sort of did smell funny. "Really now? I didn't think any thing could crack dat cast iron gullet of yours."

He suppresed the nervous urge to gup, despite the swelling of dred-inducing saliva in his mouth. Instead he did just the opposite and spit on the floor off the the side.

Jo Jo looked at Raleigh Ray, then at the gob of tobacco-brown spit, then looked over his shoulder to one his underlings. "Private, clean that up. ... So what can I do for you, Ozark?" With the tone change to the more friendly, Raleigh Ray mentally made a sigh of relief... Relief that his tank of a girl friend Barbra was going to come down here an break Jo Jo's spine!

"Well Jo Jo, me an' da 17th are off on a dilly o' a mission in a short few, and I need to make sure we don't get stuck wit' the lemons down here. Now big boss man already said we aint's gettin's no sweet rides like a Mark Five or thems big 'o Slayers. No sir-ree. We's straddled with Expedition Nines. But that don't mean we have to get stuck with the worst ones. Plus big boss said we can have some hover bikes and good picks on power armor."

Jo Jo considered Raleigh Ray for a moment with a sideways look and a blank face. Finally after a few seconds of letting him dangle on the line, the hulk of a man spoke again. "Tell you what, Ozark. I can give you the sweetest cream puffs in the barn here... but... I need a favor in return."

"More o' dat shell fish you like?"

Jo Jo's answer to that was another smack of his hefty cressent wrench in this palm of his titan-like hand. "Not funny, Ozark. ... No, me and some of the crew are having a poker night tomorrow down here in the back, but we need three more bodies to round out the table. High stakes. And we know you and your squad are fat on combat pay. Sooooo...

Raleigh Ray nodded knowingly and put out his hand for a solid shake. "I'll shake the tree and see who I can find. I'll even put together a dip if you supply the chips."

Poker rolls

With a tortilla chip suspending the strange looking dip in his hand, Jo Jo sniffed at Raleigh Ray's contribution to the poker party with suspition. "I swear, Ozark, if you blow up my ass one more time...

Sitting opposite at the table was Raleigh Ray, flanked by the two people he could scrounge up on short notice from the new and imporved 17th, from Fireteam 2; the psi-stalker sniper "Bullseye" Becka Lapua and her faithful recon spotter dog boy Trager. Initially Raleigh Ray approached only Becka, but the two proved to be inseperable, and the packge deal worked out well enough for his needs.

As Jo Jo hazarded a bite of the chip with happy results, the skelebot at middle of the rectangular table began to deal the cards. The skelebot was given a special program for this function, and was inspected by both Jo Jo and Raleigh Ray before hand to ensure no one was cheating. As best as either could tell, everything was on the up & up.

The cards flew across the tables like daggers at a magic show, each landing exactly where the mechanical dealer intended. In no time at all all six players had their cards in hand and were scutinizing them with stony faces... All except Trager that is, who couldn't help telegraphing his tells like a billboard on Main street. Becka was like a rock, and for all intents and purposes didn't even have a pulse. Raleigh Ray on the other hand wore an objoxious perma-grin that didn't waver no matter what card he held in his hand, intentinally there to ware on the nerves of his oppoents.

On the opposite side of the table was Jo Jo, who seemed more interested in the chips and dip than the cards. In fact after a single glance, he placed them face down on the table and played from memory. His two fellow mechanics flanked the large black man's sides; Vicky and Victor, the Miller twins (Jo Jo's prized top two monkey-wrenches and the pride of he motor pool). The two seemed to be psychically linked, as they only needed to glances at each other to know what the other was thinking. And with a flash of eye contact the two freckle-faced, curly-haired gingers not only knew what each othre had, but agreed on their joint strategy.

After looking at their cards, and given an opportunity to fold, all parties put 10 credits into the pot; the minimum blind for the night per hand.

"So, baldy-cakes... Jo Jo began, giving Becka Lapua an unnerving sexy stare. ... so why do they call you Bullseye? Did you sass your boyfriend and he teach you some manners?" The idle conversation was deliberatley rude and mesogonistic. His strategy was to destract her from her cards and game.

Before she could respond, Trager bore the big man a little teeth and a low growl for disrespecting his master. Despite being a small, bushy furred terrrier, he didn't seem to fear Jo Jo's superior size, strength, and years of experience.

"No." the bald, starkly-white faced woman replied without a hint of emption in her voice, her eyes never leaving her cards. "It's because my last C.O. prefered it to my last nick name... Nutcutter. I used to take trophies from every male I sniped in the field. Thought it made me look cool. But turns out men don't dig that sort of thing."

That broke Raleigh Ray's practiced perma-grin as his head slowly rotated to Becka. "Bull's eyes... bull's balls... guess they's both big and round."

"And both delicious!" Trager added, licking his lips at the thought of cooking either one up for dinner. His forte for gormet BBQ cooking was renowned throughout his company, though his superiors weren't always happy with his lack of pickyness about just what he tossed on the grill. Even so, it went well with his dream in life; to eat at least a sampling of one of every living thing befor he dies.

The Miller Twins exchanged another glace and their eyes briefly went to Colton's dip for the night with a flash of concern. In freaky unison they said together. "Should we order a pizza?"

[color=FF4000]"This ain't Chi-Town. Ain't no deep dish pizza delivery here."[/color] Jo Jo said with an almost nostalgic tone, missing the specialit of his home town.

Alsmost if on cue to break the tension and direction of conversation, the skelebot dealer said in its mechanical tones. "Player 1. First bid goes to you." Its black metalic finger pointed to Becka.

By the night's end, The Miller Twins walked out of the back room with a bag full of credits and a belly full of Coton's delicious dip. They were the clear winners of the night with their cooperative play strategy. Jo Jo came a little ahead and seemed happy with what quantity of win he got. He also carried off the remaining leftovers of the dip, bowl and all.

Meanwhile, Raleigh Ray, Becka, and Trager walked out together, all with significantly lighter pockets.

Raleigh Ray took a moment to shake Jo Jo's hand and bid him and the twins a good night. After, he walked his teammates to a nearby elevator and proceeded to go up with them.

Once the elevator doors closed, he pulled out his main credit card, as did they theirs. "Okay, a deal's a deal. Let me refund you your losses, guys. Thanks for taking a dive tonight. If we play them again, feel free to play to win as best you can."

"Doesn't it bug you that you basically just had to kind of bribe those guys?"

Raleigh Ray just gave a tired but coy smile before saying a word. "I'd rather be poor an' styling wit' good gear than rich an' out there with crap. 'Sides, winnin' money feels a whole lot better than jus' gettin' yo palm greased. This way is better fo' everyone."

Note to GM

JAXSON, Antone · Post by **JAXSON, Antone** » Tue May 05, 2020 5:21 pm

Not really knowing anyone else Jaxson walked over to @Carano. "Bonjour, mon ami. If it is not to much bother. I could really use the new jet pack the dead commandos are using. I heard it is real silent. Just what we need to a recon mission." Not knowing what else to say Jaxson began to walk away. As he got to the door he turned "thanks. Not sure I would be here if not for you."

Jaxson left the room and figured he would help the LT out as best he could. Making his way to the motor pool, Jaxson worked his way through the vast hanger until he found his prey. Approaching a squat balding middle aged man with a beer belly, Jaxson called out "Sgt Rizzo, mon ami."

Spinning fast on his heel Rizzo almost dropped his cheap cigar. Groaning "oh no not again, ya almost got me sent to old Chi'ago last time." Then Rizzo did drop his cigar. "what the hell? When did ya go full borg? Nah wait never mind just leave. I do not need wha'ver your selling"

"Rizzo, do you what the X program is?"

"No." He said a little too fast

"Good then I do not have to explain it to you. I need some stuff and I do not want to have to call him. Do you want to to bother him for this?"

Blushing Rizzo said "No. But ya got to use afficial channuls and aull."

Jaxson pulled out a fine Chilicothe cigar and let Rizzo eye it for a second. "Three of the nice ones just like this and a bottle of quebequoi whiskey."

"Fine." Rizzo said "What do yo want?"

Jaxson smiled "There is going to be a nice blonde LT coming by here looking for a that new jet pack and you are going to have one ready for her."

Rizzo blanched "Not like you asked for a damn hellraiser but close enough."

Jaxson smiled even deeper "oh yeah she might need one of those too." Jaxson turned and walked away as Rizzo stood there with his jaw drooping. No need to give him time to think.

Wealth 7, Persuasion 11

Mitch McDonald · Post by **Mitch McDonald** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:22 pm

Common Knowledge 9

Hellbender? Mitch let out a low whistle at the name. Hellbender. If he had to breathe his last breath to kill even one demon, it would all be worth it. He smirked, a crazy glint to his eyes. "Sir?" he pipes up. "If it's no trouble, can you requisition a Hellraiser for me? I have a feeling we're going to need it."

LoJack · Post by **LoJack** » Thu May 07, 2020 10:02 am

LoJack stood queitly nearby. The Battle Cat was pretty self sufficient, partly because he teneded to operate alone and the other due to the nature of his work.

He did pull the LT aside for a brief moment. @Carano "Lieutenant, the folks in supply don't like my kind much. The reasons, I really don't know."

He hands her a short list of items for requisitions and supply

Silver-Plated Vibro Vembraces
Handcuffs, M.D.C. (2)
Grenades, Plasma (2)
Grenades, AP (2)

"Also Lieutenant, if you could find me a climbing rig. Harness, ropes, pitons, anchors. In the event that we need to ascend or descend long verticle distances, I want to make sure we can get our squad in and out. Climbing is kind of my thing, if you know what I mean."

Carano · Post by **Carano** » Fri May 08, 2020 9:11 pm

Carano makes surprisingly quick work of requisitions, but that’s mostly because her team has already done most of the work for her.

Her first stop is to supply to see Taggert, a gruff looking rope of a man who always looks like he just had a bad cup of coffee, and she enters the room beaming. Taggert loves her, and he barely even likes anyone.

"How is my favorite Sergeant this morning?" she says.

Taggert grunts in response, but Carano can see the slightest crinkle around his eye. Smile lines. Even Taggert has them.

"I have orders," Maeve continues, "but I'm sure you already knew that. You always do."

Another grunt. This time with an eyebrow twitch.

He wants to know what I brought him.

Carano smiles and sets an envelope on the counter.

"One night only, Tag. Honestly, I don't know how you can listen to that stuff; they just make it up as they go."

Now, he smiles. Everyone has a hobby, and for Taggert, that hobby is, well, jazz. The man loves it.

Finally, he responds, "I don't know how you do it, Lieutenant. This show's been sold out since an hour after it was announced." He shakes his head. "Come on, let me show you what we've been putting together for your new unit."

A couple of hours later, she heads down to see about vehicles, and is surprised to find, again, that her captain and her team's new resident gearhead have already done the heavy lifting.

Through his thick Missourian drawl, the soldier tells her, "These are the best Mark IX's I've got; they're designed to get you into trouble and out of trouble real fast."

Maeve cracks a smile. "That'll do, for sure. Okay, show me what else you've got."

Today is a good day.