Last time on Section M: There was class then a note from the office then a ride on a maglift then you passed through security and entered the central tower and met a Rose and a Hall. [Thursday, January 12, 2063] [Inside the maglift heading towards the Tech Lab] [Session start] * MajorRose hums quietly to herself as the lift moves. * Tanya leans against the wall of the lift. * Cara is making herself comfortable against the wall of the lift near the doors. * Jess looks around excitedly, bouncing on her feet a bit. * Fallone surreptitiously tries to examine various people's facial expressions. * Crow is also leaning against the wall. It's what all the cool kids are doing. * Scratch stands to one side in an effort to maintain some space about him. * Crow 's expression is absently amused, and tinged with unconcealed but understated excitement. * Cara yawns and stretches her arms a bit. So... * Scratch , perhaps thinking it was too quiet, wiggles his arms just slightly, flexing and stretching his joints until they audibly pop and crack in several locations. * Scratch sighs quietly, relieved. * Tanya is a pretty, young woman with blue eyes and shoulder-length raven black hair. She is wearing a white V-neck sweater, black jeans, and sneakers. After a minute or so, the elevator beeps and opens out into a dark room. There's a path of lights shining down from the ceiling leading to a small group of about 10 chairs facing a screen. Oooh! A movie for us? Welcome to the machine. * MajorRose looks around the room and giggles. She steps out and gestures for everyone else to follow. * Cara hurries off and takes a seat in the front row, making sure that she doesn't have to look around anyone's head. * Scratch surveys the room for alternate exits or other items of note as he enters. * Crow strides forward purposefully and takes a seat near the middle. He leans back, propping it up with his wings. * Tanya sits near the back. * Fallone shrugs and saunters out last. Doesn't seem to be as much interesting to look at. Being short, she sits near the front as well. .oO(Did the Major just... giggle? That's a bad start.) Scratch can't really see much into the shadows, but there are some shiny bits of glass that look like they'd belong in a lab type setting. * Jess of course grabs a front row seat, right next to Cara. "This is gonna be fun, is there popcorn?" * Fallone winces and moves her seat down the row, further away. Pulls out her ubiquitous notebook and pen. Aww I'll share with you Fallone! I doubt there will be popcorn. There probably won't even be previews, Jess. Uh... that’s okay. I need... elbow room. As you walk down the path of lights the shut down one by one behind you leaving you in the dark once everyone has taken their seats. Oooh! FANCY! and they are going to start? Without Previews? We're VIP's at a premiere then? COOL! * Crow chuckles. * Scratch finds a seat that seems to offer the best angle of vision for both the screen and what he's postulating are windows off to the side. * Fallone is terribly regretting getting Jess all excited about a movie. The screen shimmers and comes to life, of course there's no projector as screen technology has improved to the point where the screen itself displays the images. Still the picture is in black and white and has an old timey projector feel with digitally added dirt on the film. Looks like it's not a premier after all. Shh! We'll miss it! *is that sarcasm in his voice? Nah...* Oh please, it's an art film! I love decade pieces! * Fallone shushes. She missed the sarcasm. Well, the projector, at least, is carbon-dated. The first image you see is that of CG cavemen banging on rocks with sticks. A narration pipes in with "In the beginning man fought with rocks and sticks..." One of the CG cavemen throws a rock at the other with then causes the other to leap at him with his stick. More history class? * Scratch coughs just loud enough to let it be known he doesn't appreciate the side-commentary. * Fallone sneaks a look at Scratch, and jots a little note. Those of you paying attention notice two more people joining the group in the seats. They both have popcorn and sodas they're eating and drinking. "After a time man learned to use his sticks to fire the rocks at each other with deadly accuracy. And the sticks were made out of metal." * Scratch scans quickly for wherever those two may have entered from if not the maglift. The image fades to a set of CG cowboys shooting each other dead. One of the two men that have joined the group laugh and throw popcorn at the screen. The other one turns around and shushes him. * Crow turns to wave at them before turning back to the movie. He doesn't look particularly interested in it, but hey, it's the most interesting thing on. As far as scratch can tell they came from the shadows. *murmured* I guess some people don't appreciate art films. Does this have a point? * Tanya puts her feet up on the chair in front of her. Indeed. It's an evolutionary piece. Hush. *said with a wink, head tilted backwards and upside down to look at Tanya through her feet, which are resting on the back of his chair. He quirks a smile at her before looking at the screen again* * Scratch turns his head looking now for Major Rose. Where's she in all of this? How is this sort of behavior tolerated? "And as rock chucking technology improved so then must the rock proofing technology." Two world war era soldiers are shown shooting at each other. While one is distracted another soldier in a tank rides up causing the first one to laugh at him. * Cara looks rather unenthused about watching. That swaying means that she's either listening to a portable music player or she's about to fall asleep. Either way, she's not paying much attention. * Jess seems enthralled. The man who threw the popcorn leans over to Tanya and murmurs "No, not really." * Fallone looks pretty disinterested in the movie, and is actually watching everyone else more than it * MajorRose is trying really hard not to break out in giggles as she watches this. * Tanya leans forward. "Did you spike the Major's coffee this morning?" "But rocks still made it through in spite of man's best efforts. So then the need for rock hole patching technology." A nurse in a cute little outfit runs out after the tank fires at the soldier leaving them comically smoking. She wraps the CG soldier up in bandages. Not that anyone could prove, no. The man again speaks up "BORING!" * Fallone gets up, and moves down to sit next to the Major, looking at her direct. The other man turns around. "Oh come on, this is quality stuff!" Do you suppose a cartoon rabbit will get shot at next? * Jess looks in the back. "I really want to watch the nice film..." * Scratch turns his head towards what he thinks are windows, trying to see if anything at all is visible on the other side, "... We can't have been brought here just to watch this." * Cara continues swaying gently. * Fallone leans over, after scratching down something else, and says sotto voice to the Major, "Ha. Ha." The movie continues, "And knowing where people where and which holes should be patched first was another big step in man's progression. Magic boxes for talking to each other were developed so people could say all sorts of things to each other." The nurse pulls out an old box cell phone and dials a number and a split screen is shown where a man in a general's uniform sits at a desk. A ringing sound is heard in the room. * MajorRose jumps at this. * Cara startles out of whatever trance she was in at the sound of the ringing phone. The image of the general picks up the phone yet somehow the ringing continues. He begins talking to the nurse on the screen. Ah, the magic of technology. *smiles mysteriously* * Scratch isn't surprised, although he was hoping for something a bit more spectacular. Err... *she fumbles around inside a pocket and pulls out a small phone* * MajorRose stands up and rushes back towards the elevator so as not to disturb everyone else as she answers the phone. Mmm. * Tanya chuckles slightly The loud man stops flicking popcorn at the screen long enough to say "Hey, no cellphones in the theater!" I think they boot you for loudness as quickly as cell phones. And I don't see any ushers. Leave her alone and enjoy the cartoon. * Fallone sighs and taps her pen on her notebook, then speaks up a bit more loudly, "So, are we done here? We all get the joke by now, I think..." * Jess gets up and goes "excuse me pardon me" the whole way back into the back. Not quite what I expected. Is this a documentary, or a comedy? * MajorRose ignores the others as she talks to the person on the other end. She's whispering quietly, but what she's talking about sounds fairly technical. Yes, Tanya, it is. * Scratch hasn't taken his gaze away from the windows at all. * Cara stretches, blocking the view for anyone behind her for a moment. After settling back down, she says, "I hope they aren't going to test us on this afterwards." The loud man calls out "It's a CRAPumentary!" Kinda insulting, to think they need to make the point to us. We're not -that- dull. * Jess calmly goes to snatch the popcorn bucket from the man. The other man turns around again and says "Okay now you're just being mean!" Exactly. (In answer to crow) - This cannot be the reason for which we've been brought here. * Scratch still hasn't moved his eyes away from the might-be-windows. I agree with that. If it's to analyze our attention spans, we're going back to remedial. The movie continues to play and starts to talk about needs for transportation and various attempts by CG men to create a flying machine. The loud man calls back, "Your FACE is mean!" At this point, it's insulting to the whole human race. * Fallone taps her pen irately against her collar The other man stands, "I'll show you mean!" * Cara turns to watch the real show. Oh good. It's part of it, Scratch. They probably either really think we need the pep talk about our evolution from normalcy, or have some neat twist we're expected to watch for. I'll bet our noisy late-comers are part of the show, too. * Scratch , still without moving his head, "I also refuse to believe that these two individuals are here purely for their own enjoyment." A practical demonstration. Agreed * Jess calmly goes back up to the front sits down munching on popcorn watching the movie, offering to share with both Cara and Fallone. * Fallone starts to decline the popcorn, then changes her mind and has some. * Cara gratefully takes some of the popcorn. The loud man stands too, "Oh yeah?" He pulls out what looks like a semi-automatic hand held weapon and the other quickly does the same. The proceed to fire on each other spraying red around the room. From a box no one really noticed when they came in a dozen doves fly out as they both fall dramatically to the ground. * MajorRose screams and drops her phone. "Ned! Norman!" * Crow performs a slow-clap, a sardonic smirk on his face. * Tanya leaps forward, moving to at least check on the two men * Jess springs up and runs for the two men shoving the popcorn into Cara's arms. As if they had somehow planned all this, the lights of the lab fade on at this point and the movie shuts down, the projector sliding back into the ceiling. * Fallone falls out of her seat, as she was trying to hit the deck when the guns came out. * Cara takes the popcorn and enjoys another handful. * Crow kicks his feet in the air as his chair falls over backwards, disturbed by the sudden removal of Tanya's feet from its back. He clumsily untangles his legs and wings to stand up and right it after it noisily clatters to the ground with him in it, then walks calmly over to see if they're really as hurt as the Major's scream indicates. * Tanya looks over the men. Any bullet holes, blood, etc? * MajorRose runs over to the nearest blood covered man, checking his wounds. Hey! Careful when you stand up, Tanya. *shakes finger mock-scoldingly* * Scratch reacts to the commotion but stops himself mid-pounce when it becomes apparent that this had been dramaticized. * Cara places the popcorn on a chair and glides over to the commotion. * MajorRose stops after a moment. "You assholes! How many times have I told you to stop doing this to me!" They are fine I think. No bullet holes... The man she was attending to breaks out in laughter. * Fallone picks herself up and looks about, regaining her composure, but still gripping her notebook in white-knuckled hands. I swear this better not show up on your expense report... The least you two could have done was let the Major in on it. She's clearly worried about you two. *grabs a handful of popcorn from the groans and tosses it in the nearer of the two men's face* The other man soon joins in on the laughter and sits up, patting Jess on the head. "Don't worry I'm fine." ... Or perhaps they were here for their own enjoyment. * Jess jumps the man that first sat up and gives him a big hug. "YAY! You're ok!" * Fallone gradually unclenches her hands. Did... Yes. Yeah but she always has the best reactions when we do this. It's no fun if we let her in on it. Did you have to make us sit through that? * Norman is the loud man that was throwing the popcorn. What, you didn't like my movie? * Crow yawns. "Indeed. Next time you want to stage something like that, I'll be happy to help you make it more convincing. That was very transparent." It needs work. The fight at the end was more entertaining. Both men are in their early twenties and are wearing what were once white labcoats, but now they're kinda red and sticky. Uh oh, Norm, sounds like someone is a critic. Bah, those were the best squibs money can buy. * Scratch straightens his clothes. It seems that perhaps now we'll be getting somewhere. If you'll turn off my collar, I can help you get cleaned up. * Cara sits back in her chair, the commotion having lost its appeal. * Ned stands slightly shorter than Norman as the two move together and now that the lights are on you can tell that Ned appears to be wearing a collar. Nah, don't worry about it. We have people for that. * Scratch takes care not to incur the messy wrath of any doves that may still be in the area. * Crow nods. "Just offering." * Jess smiles and hugs the other one tightly then goes to slap them both hard. "Don't ever do that again or I WILL practice splints on you." * MajorRose just shakes her head as her breathing has mostly returned to normal. She moves over to pick her cellphone up and wipes at her legs. Almost as if on cue couple other men in coats come to start sweeping up the popcorn and mop up the blood. They're all trying to suppress their own laughter. * Fallone is doing her best to conceal her irritation at having been taken in by the act. Must have taken some effort to set the doves up in here without the Major noticing. * Ned blushes at Jess's hugging but can't help but smile after the slap. "Nah, we wouldn't do that again. It just doesn't work as good a second time." I think the Major was in on the doves. So, Ned, Norm, what's your deal? A couple of the scientists are running around trying to catch the doves. * MajorRose notices a sport of blood on her uniform skirt and shouts "This better wash out!" She quickly turns her attention back to the phone call. We run the weapons research and development here on the island. And as such we get to show you all of our new toys. * Scratch approaches to stand aside Tanya as she talks to the two but says nothing. * Crow pivots on his right heel to pay attention to Ned, tilting his head to the side as he listens. * Fallone flickers a smile at the mention of getting to see the new toys. * Jess looks confused. "Why?" You guys should be proud. Soon you'll be decked out better than the guards. Because of your assignment of course. Awesome. Sounds interesting. Thank you. I look forward to working with you. * Jess just nods and smiles a bit. It beats history class. * Fallone tilts her head a little at Cara, "But we still get stuck with that, too. Remember?" * Scratch grimaces slightly, he likes history class. Anyways, could you warmies follow me into the next room. We promise you there'll be even more gunfire and violence. Warmies? Well, as those two are walking corpses... * Tanya grins He makes his way over to a set of double doors that swing open revealing a reinforced concrete back wall. * Jess follows skipping along. Oh... Cute. * Crow follows. * Scratch is deeply disappointed with his inability to discern said doors earlier. * Cara walks along. "I can dream, Fallone, I can dream." * Fallone takes a better look around the lab, trailing the group [lab->room] * MajorRose calls after the group as they head into the other room. "I uh, I'll be back for you guys when you finish the presentation. Something came up in Ops that requires my attention. Sorry." She smiles apologetically as she hits the call button for the elevator. * Fallone furrows her brows and writes a messy note while walking Bye, Major. *waves* * Scratch salutes her shortly as she exits, "Thank you, ma'am." The new room has a set of mannequins lined up along what looks like a gun range. They're wearing black full form fitting suits. On a table on the opposite end where the scientists stand are a handful of guns and other various equipment. * Cara doesn't seem particularly sad to see the Major go. "So, how dangerous is the stuff here?" Oh it's killer. * Norman groans. * Fallone immediately heads over to the table with the guns * Scratch is obviously more interested in the armor that the dummies are wearing than the firearms on display. Yeah, but can it get through Jess's little friends when they're all out together? *pats Jess on the shoulder, grinning* * Fallone mutters to Cara as she does so, "Dangerous enough to be guarded by that movie" That movie couldn't guard a flea. So you see that black gear those dummies are wearing? You'll each have a suit designed especially for you. *he eyes Crow's wings for a moment* And your uh... special needs. * Cara whispers back to Fallone, "Oh my. They must be potent indeed." Well sure, fleas have no taste and could sit through it. Ah, thank you, Norman. That's quite thoughtful of you. But it's hardly fitting for the season. *gestures down at his pink, red, and white garb* * Ned picks up one of the pistols, checks the clip, cocks it and levels it at one of the dummies. * Scratch pauses, confused. "I failed to see any noticeable automated anti-personnel equipment in the video room." * Fallone is looking at all the guns, including the one Ned has. She's not interest in firearms per se, just the mechanics. They're made of a light-weight steal/plastic hybrid that's both flexible and capable of stopping most small arms fire, as Ned will demonstrate. * Jess looks at the clothes and back at the designers she's almost unreadable as she speaks. "Is it comfortable and umm a bit loose?" * Crow watches, leaning on a table carelessly. His wing is dangerously close to knocking some small things off of said table. How powerful a weapon do you classify as "small arms"? Are we talking pistols only, or also including most rifle rounds? * Ned fires off three quick shots. The impacts are noticeable on the back wall. The shots themselves are quieter than you'd expect. * Cara takes a closer look at said armor. "If we have to go up against more people like us, this may still not be enough." Well if the bullets don't even hit the armor, then it doesn't really matter what they are. *smacks Ned* * Scratch focuses his attention on the demonstration at hand. Would you like me to try? Sorry... * Fallone nods at the guns, in response to Cara. "Neither may those" * Norman takes the pistol from Ned and looks at Crow. "You think you can hit them?" * Ned looks at Tanya, "Yeah small arms refers to pistols. We figured rifle armor would be too cumbersome for you guys. Though if you want..." Probably. They're not moving. * Crow holds out his hand for the gun, smiling amiably. Well, if we're in the field, I may not need 'em. But Jess might need all the protection she can get. Well knock yourself out. * Norman he hands the pistol to Crow. * Cara pokes and prods at the armor to test its flexibility and stretchyness. "I hope it's comfortable. I'd hate to be wearing this for hours to have it be uncomfortable." * Jess smiles nicely at Tanya. "Thank you! I need all the help protecting myself I can! I can't fend every boy with a big sword off..." Some how that doesn't quite sound like an innuendo. I'd rather hit the dummies than knock myself out. *winks jokingly as he takes up a stance appropriate for a firing range and squeezes off three shots at the dummy -not- near where Cara is poking one* Crow puts two shots on either side of the center dummy while the middle shot connects cleanly with the chest. The bullet is stopped by the armor and only leaves a slight mark in the armor. Oops. * Fallone tentatively lifts the butt of one of the guns, to get a better look at it. Well at least you hit it. * Norman holds out his hand to take the gun back. Lucky shot. * Tanya heads over to look at the armor. * Crow tosses the gun to Ned again. Crow, what caliber pistol was that? * Ned fumbles trying to catch it and drops it. * Ned picks it back up again, embarrassed. Err... hand things to Ned, please. Only 9 mil, Tanya, why? Just a scratch. Wonder what a forty-five would do. Pff. He needs to practice his reflexes. or a five-five rifle round. * Ned checks the gun. "At least he put the safety back on." * Scratch perks up at the mention of his name. "Yes?" If I had reflexes I wouldn't spend most of my time in a lab... * Jess looks at the outfits and settles down. "They are very...lovely." * Fallone murmurs, "reflexes help in a lab too..." A .45, well, *he picks up another gun off the table and puts a quick round into the center of a dummies chest* It makes a bigger mark, but still doesn't successfully penetrate the armor. Anything bigger however, I'd recommend not getting shot by it. As a rule of thumb, I try not to get shot in general. * Scratch nods, now with his attention back on the demonstration. * Fallone moves her attention from the gun to the dummy when its shot with the .45. For Jess, do you have any rifle-proof armor? * Tanya moves to inspect the .45 blow Which one is Jess again? * Crow points at Jess, helpfully. * Norman smacks Ned again. "Jess is the card one." * Jess forces a smile. "I am! But I think Tanya needs more protection." * Jess mutters under her breath. "MUCH more protection." "As long as my collar's turned off, bullets won't bother me." * Ned eyes Jess. "Would she even be able to move while wearing heavy armor?" Right, you're the ghosty one that goes through things. I'll stick with the light armor. I'm all about the speed and maneuverability. * Crow raises his hand. "I'm not so bothered by bullets, either. But it'll help keep my clothes in one piece." Umm... I'm not much of a front line fighter. * Scratch looks around a bit before standing erect and stating, "If there is anyone who is likely to attract fire, I believe it will be me." Yeah, probably be just as well to keep you in light armor. Which is why you stay back with your cards and make with the hurting. Just like in training. *said matter-of-factly, as if confused that he needs to reiterate it* Let's see, the dragon guy, *he scans the group, finding Scratch and addresses him* Is armor going to hurt you when you try to go all big? I know you have a tendency to destroy your clothes. * Scratch stares straight ahead and states directly, "Yes, sir." But because you are stationary, Jess, people might take shots at you. You're our support, and some people tend to shoot the support first. * Jess giggles and gives Scratch's arm a hug then looks at Tanya. "I..er...don't like heavy armor but if you're that worried." I'm not worried, just cautious. So, are we going to have to be fitted for these suits of armor, or are they one-size-fits-all? Hmm... We'll see if we can come up with something better for you then. For now I'd recommend not using it as you destroying it would make it rather expensive to replace. * Fallone has a look at the clothes, since everyone seems to be done playing with guns now You'll be fitted of course. * Ned can't help but stare a bit at Cara as he says this. He also blushes a good amount. * Scratch still stands straight, eyes level ahead, chin up, shoulders back. "Yes, sir. If I may make one request though, sir." What's that? Extra starch. * Crow walks over to Fallone and whispers, "Can I have a square of paper and borrow a pencil?" Mmm? Um... sure... That at least the arms be removable in my case sir, so that I may make use of at least some of my abilities. * Tanya looks over the armor. "Will these be painted, or is it one uniform color scheme for us?" * Fallone rips a page out of her notebook and, after going through her backpack, comes up with another pen. All I got... * Jess laughs again and whispers into scratch's ear. "Grumpy puss." before moving to look at the clothes again. * Norman nods. "Yeah, we can do that. We'll have some time to play around with it before deciding anything anyway." Black is fine with me. You guys want custom colors like some superhero team? * Scratch flinches slightly under the breath on his ear but quickly regains his composure. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir!" Thanks. ^_^ *tears a small square corner off of the page, and writes something on it before putting it in his pocket and offering the rest of the paper and the pen back to Fallone* Well, I prefer white. And I think Scratch there might like a good Marine green. * Norman eyes Ned. "We'd rather not have you standing out and giving your position away if you can help it. The uniforms fit well enough that we can cover them with camos as need be." But... it's entirely optional. Norm likes black... Black's such a boring color, though. *stretches his black wing in emphasis* It's functional! * Fallone nods at Norm Black is a perfectly acceptable color. Better than being striped like a candy cane, at least. * Fallone ... whoops, didn't notice, takes back pen and paper etc. Don't give them any ideas. Anyway, besides armor, we have a whole assortment of other toys to show you. Other toys? Such as? Right, you'll get pistols like the ones you just saw. * Scratch coughs softly into his fist before returning to an at-ease stands and stating, "Being that the majority of our assignments may be set in an urban environment, Black is unquestionably the most efficient choice of coloring." * Crow pulls his hand from his pocket and walks over near Cara, standing just behind her. "Though I suppose just about any color goes with Jess's hair, here. Right, Ned?" He lifts a small lock of Cara's hair and lets it run through his fingers as he winks at the scientist. You guys did an amazing job designing them fashionably. I can't believe Scientists can make close looking this good! And...I don't look good in yellow. Maybe yellow will match my hair today, but that's no guarantee for tomorrow. * Ned takes out the clips and cocks backs the slides to show that the chamber is empty before passing one out for the group to pass around amongst themselves. * Crow chuckles and moves to lean against a wall away from the others, getting a better view. He fiddles with one of his suction-cup arrows in the process. * Tanya looks over the gun when it is passed to her. * Cara looks at the gun, not really sure what to look for. * Jess glances over the gun but passes it on quickly. * Fallone turns the gun over for awhile. She's trying to figure out how to take it apart. * Scratch watches Fallone's attempts to disassemble the weapon with a keen interest. The clip holds 15 rounds, they're specially designed to be more silent than the standard service pistols. Also, they're electronically reloading for a more precise reload time and less chance of them locking up. Nice. Can this take flashlight and laser attachments? * Cara messes with her hair a bit, notices that she got it all tangled up, and then pulls out a brush to brush out all the tangles. They have that option, yes. Cool. I'll let Ned tell you all about the communications gear. After all, he designed most of it. Oh man now they're all gonna look at me... Communications? We get to TALK to each other? * Tanya looks at Ned, and smiles. * Fallone looks at Ned, finished doing whatever it is she ended up doing with the gun * Jess looks at Ned face alight. "Tell me of my new phone!" * Crow turns his attention to Norman. He's probably listening to Ned, though, given that he actually is staring about three feet in front of Norman's nose. * Cara stops pestering the combat gear to listen to Ned talk. * Scratch remains at ease. Fallone figures she could pull the slide back far enough to break the spring, letting her take the top part off. There's a set of pins holding the frame onto the handle she also notices... * Fallone is satisfied and now much less interested in the gun, since she knows how to break it. Okay uhh... How many of you guys watch Star Trek? That old show? I know the new new series isn't that great but the older ones had lots of neat stuff... Sorry, can't say I do. Isn't that on TV Land? * Fallone doesn't say anything, just looks unamused. Oddly, Ned, I hear that's what they said when Next Generation came out. Ned, no one watches that except you. You watch it too! I only watch it to make fun of it. * Jess looks embarrassed and down. * Scratch 's reaction is very similar to Fallone’s, though probably less comfortable with his military posturing. Ugh. Sci-fi. * Ned grumbles. "Uh anyway, then I guess you wouldn't know what a tricorder is." He picks up an small flat square object off the table. Don't they have a half-alien demi on the new one? Hm? That's the whistling doohicky that lets them call the ship, isn't it? Oh good. We get a spaceship? Tricorder... no, that's the scanner. Ain't it? * Fallone is pokerfaced This isn't really all that like one. -- Yeah Gradala. She's hot. *glances at the other girls* I err, I mean. This is a comdeck. *he holds up the object in his hand showing it off* * Cara sneezes. Hot? Come on, that green kid on Space Trek 3000 was cuter. * Scratch considers briefly the implications of allowing a heat-manipulating demi on a television set. This is what we call a micro-tactical computer. It connects to a network broadcast by your base deployment unit. It has access to maps and satellite photos. * Crow smiles appreciatively. That's cool. Also it can display files and information such as objective profiles for easy reference. How secure's the broadcast? I assume that we're going to get a sheet documenting it's abilities before we field test them, right? * Scratch notes the device's control-scheme and portability. Also they fold up. *he folds it across the screen collapsing it down to about the size of a cigar* Yeah, most of the time you can just request information from your com operator and they'll display it on the screen. * Jess grins a bit. "Can I see the manual?" Can I see the electronic blueprints? * Ned folds it back out and pulls up a display of the floor plan of the particular room you're in and shows it to the group. * Crow chuckles. "No, I meant of the comdeck. How it's made." * Fallone just wants to see the device itself, but doesn't say anything. It also has limited scanning features for fingerprints or papers you may need studied. There's probably no magiology in it, but still, it's a hobby. Um... I guess we could get you that stuff... Are we all getting one? * Ned looks to Norman. Sure, as long as you don't pass it around. I'd like to see the schematics, too. * Fallone tries to keep her fingers from twitching. Again, a hobby. Yes, you'll each be assigned one. I'd like them as well. I'll keep it under my hat. ...er *realizes he's not wearing a hat* I just want to play with it without breaking it. But I'm sure smart guys like you could fix anything little ol' me could do to it. * Jess smiles at both Ned and Norman looking oh so innocent. We'd uh... rather you didn't purposefully break them. They're not the cheapest things to replace, you know. * Jess does a cute little pout. "I don't want to break it. But I don't know how to use it..." * Fallone absently, "Uh huh." And as part of the communications link up, you'll each have two way radios that'll clip onto your ear. They also have video so your movement can be better tracked and coordinated. * Ned picks up another thing that looks like a little metal loop for your ear that has an ear bud and a small glass lens. Nice. Excellent. That will be -most- handy. Can we get view of what the others' cameras are showing? Wow... That's... really small. Yeah, gimme a sec... Smaller is better. Let me guess, solid-state electronics. * Jess looks at them blinking. "Could you get the glass tinted?" * Cara gets lost in all the techno mumbo-jumbo talk. What are they made of, anyway? * Ned presses a couple buttons on the comdeck and the screen displays whatever he points the earpiece at. * Scratch breaks his silence for the first time in a while. "Sir, pardon me, but I may become unable to use an ear clipping comm-unit." * Crow waves cheerfully when he's on the screen. Nice. Do we get glasses on the armor helmets to see what others are looking at? * Fallone tries to avoid the camera Yeah, the dragon thing. We'll have to see you transformed later to see what we can workably attach to your head. Probably have those retina-painting lasers. No need for glasses. Indeed, we have the full set up. I hate those. Hack into them, up the power, and you can burn someone's eye out. But the handheld screens are workable for most situations we find. In all honesty sir, a device similar to a standard insertable transceiver may be best. However I am sure you will determine what is best. I like 'em, personally. Burn someone's... How secure was the transmission again? Yeah, video may not be workable with you. Cyborg him up! Awww, I want to see Scratch. The software is self adapting. It's very unlikely anyone will be able to hack it. Get it in his braaaaain. *drapes a wing and arm over Scratch's shoulder and jumps up to give him a noogie with his free hand* * Tanya holds a hand over her mouth, suppressing a laugh * Crow dances away quickly after the initial surprise wears off. And as an added bonus, we have translators that can translate languages almost instantaneously connected to the network. Impressive. You're sure there's no magic in that? *to Jess* Being that the camera would normally be mounted to display my own field of vision, it is unlikely that I would ever show up in my own video feed, Jess. Interesting. But...I want to see the team. The only magic one is Ned here. He has horrible hand-eye coordination, but is a wiz when it comes to designing these things. * Ned blushes a bit, embarrassed at that. "Nah..." * Ned fingers his collar a bit uncomfortably at the attention. * Scratch resists the noogie ineffectively. Afterwards he shoots an unamused glare to Crow as he straightens his hair and clothes. Very impressive work. Jess, won't you be able to see us with that little play-mat of yours? Yes, but it's not the same. With all this gear, it's like we're heading into a warzone. That is entirely possible. It's always good to be prepared. * Tanya nods. * Crow nods. And no matter how prepared you are, something will always come along you didn't prepare for. Best to make them work harder for it, though. You should know that. *points to Fallone's notebook* Just wondering what it is we won't be prepared for. As for medical needs in the field, ... Don't get shot. What, no stimpacks? No seriously, we have medkits for everyone. I think we covered that already. * Ned opens a little box with a red cross on it pulling out what looks like an oversized bandaid. These have cultured regenerative cells in them. The should help seal wounds and help they heal faster. It's still recommended that you clean the area as best you can before hand to prevent infection. Oooh. I want to look through it! Do they do anything for internal injury? * Jess starts to ramble asking questions about the med packs. * Cara appears to be getting bored. "Sounds useful." * Crow seems less than interested. Which probably means he's paying close attention. Unless he's not, for once. * Tanya nods. "Naturally. And what she said." She nods in Fallone's direction. * Ned hands the bandage over to Jess for her to look at. Anything more serious such as internal injuries should still be treated at a medical facility. * Jess starts to look them over her face brightening up to it's fullest. You can use the comms to call in for a medevac. Good to hear in case things take a turn for the worse. Don't worry Cara I can patch you up and make it look like a McQueen purse hanging on your side! Got anything to stop hemorrhaging from bullet wounds in the field? And that's pretty much what you'll have to work with. We've prepared little going away packages for everyone that have instructions for all your gear you'll be expected to memorize. You'll be tested on it later. * Fallone looks a bit queasy. Didn't I almost eat your last McQueen purse, Jess? It looked like an eyeball. ^^; Another test? Tested? *sigh* Ah well. I suppose it's only fair. Will this count towards our semester grades? Or for extra credit? * Ned looks at Tanya. "These should seal around the wound after you applies pressure for a minute or so." * Jess shakes her head. "That was the pumpkin pie one..." * Cara pulls a planner out of her bag and scribbles in it. * Jess grins. "NO problem! I'll study hard for the test!" * Norman keeps a straight face for as long as he can. "Oh man you guys'll just believe anything." He laughs. No we're not gonna test you. * Scratch sighs, slightly disappointed The real test will come when you come back not dead from your first mission! Yes, sir! * Cara finishes her scribbling. "Yay?" * Fallone looks irate again. * Tanya actually giggles. This is the first time she's done so. Oh well, I'm sure we'll all pass that one. * Jess looks into every one's eyes and her words are commanding and ice queenish. "-no one- will die." after that her voice is back to it's normal self. "GO TEAM!" * Ned opens a cabinet on the side wall, pulling out a stack of identical boxes with bows on them. He moves about passing one out to everyone. * Jess can't wait and just yanks hers open. * Tanya slowly opens hers. Inside are the afore mentioned instruction manuals! * Fallone puts hers in her bag and looks to see what others get Cute. We thought so. * Scratch recovers from the shock of seeing Jess' momentary change in demeanor just in time to receive his parcel. Thank you. So, armor, pistols, scanners, comms, medkits... What about thermite for locks I can't pick? * Crow is the last person Ned gets to. As he takes his box, he pokes Ned in the chest with a suction-cup arrow, and pushes it into Ned's hand as the scientist parts from him. "Right in the heart," he says, grinning mischievously. * Norman sticks his head out the door to look around. "Doesn't look like Sarah is quite done yet so uh... are there any questions? Does anyone want to get shot?" * Cara looks the box, takes the books out, places them in her bag, and hands the box back. "You can keep the box. It will just take up room in my bag." Norm, we're not gonna shoot them. Lock picks? You can pick locks? * Crow doesn't look in his box just yet. * Tanya just smiles. * Ned checks around in another cabinet, pulling a small kit out of the back. "We have all sorts of fun things for that, if you know how to use them." * Scratch steps forward and takes a breath to opt for the testing but catches himself after Ned's comment. Yeah. Usually by walking through the door and unlocking it. Like that time with the shower. *eyes Tanya mockingly* * Tanya heads over and looks through the kit. * Ned folds it open. Some of the things Tanya recognizes easily, some of them she doesn't recognize at all. * Jess starts to read the manual ignoring everything else in the kit right now. Oh come now. You mean to tell me you didn't enjoy the free show? If I remember correctly, it was me who was doing the showing. Though you did reciprocate later. You should know better than to let birds in the bathroom. *winks* * Fallone works the manual out of the book and flips through it, murmuring, "doesn't mean you didn't enjoy showing..." * Tanya just smiles, and picks up one of the unfamiliar items. "What's this do?" * Cara has conveniently taken up examining random stuff while Crow and Tanya talk of their trysts. * Ned looks down at Crow's arrow stuck to him and what all is attached to it. He immediate flushes and hides the paper in a pocket. * Scratch , unable to follow Tanya and Crow's conversation, decides to peruse the literature available in his box. * Fallone flips through the manual, looking for schematics, and heads back to the guns. * Ned isn't hardly paying attention Tanya and looks up. "Oh that's a feldman-bixby scratcher, it's for 23 pin locks that-- *other various technobabble*" * MajorRose rushes back into the room, exiting the maglift. "Sorry sorry sorry, am I late?" A lady is never late. Others are merely early. Late as always. *he smiles down at the Major who stands about a foot shorter* Major! they gave us presents like christmas! Hey, Major. Oh god, did you open them? * Fallone sets down the manual and starts working on actually taking apart one of the pistols. * Jess looks very confused. "Why wouldn't we? " * MajorRose checks to make sure everyone still has all their fingers intact. * Crow laughs. Because well-- * Crow holds up one hand with his middle finger bent down, so it looks like it's missing. "I'm intact, at least." What? You told me to surprise you for Christmas. * MajorRose just blushes at that. A--anyway, um. If you guys are done here I can show you to your new quarters. * Cara adjusts the bag on her back. "I'm good to go." * Tanya closes the kit. "Can I?" Yeah, we're finished. I suppose we should do some actual work sometime today. We spent the whole morning setting up for that movie... Err... You'll have plenty of time to mess with it later. We should probably hold onto it until you're in training. * Scratch perks up to his full height, "New Quarters, ma'am?" * Fallone shrugs and dumps whatever's left of the gun back on the table. Right. * Ned takes the kit back from Tanya and slides it back onto the shelf. Yeah. Didn't the Colonel tell you? She was supposed to tell you. She didn't use the script I gave her at all I imagine... No one said we were moving. * Crow laughs. "She doesn't seem like a script person. Do you often write them for her?" * Jess looks confused. "But...but... Tiff and I are roommates!" Well I gave her a bulleted list so she didn't forget anything. * MajorRose sighs. Yes you get new quarters. They're in the central tower for quicker deployment. * Jess gives a teary eye look at Cara. "I don't want to leave Tiff..." Understood... If they're bigger, that's cool. Though getting to school'll take a bit longer in the morning, I suppose. Ah well, excuse to be late to homeroom. *grins* * Cara drapes an arm over Jess's shoulders. "It won't be that bad. It's not like you won't see her in class." Do we get our own rooms now? Anyway, we should get out of these guys' hair. * Scratch casts his eyes to the floor in thought. Moving wasn't something he'd planned on doing. Yeah, you'll see how they're all laid out when we get there. * Fallone smiles, satisfied. Oh, I don't know, Fallie. The roommate arrangement seems to work for *some* of us. *winks at Crow* * MajorRose ushers the group back towards the maglift, keying it up for the next destination. * Fallone fiddles with her backpack and flushes. * Jess gives Cara a small hug. "You're right but we have so much fun together." * Jess slowly packs up her stuff and is ushered away. * Tanya follows. "Is all our personal stuff being transferred, or do we have to go get it?" * Crow leers back at Tanya. * Scratch enters the lift and with his belongings in his arms stretches his neck quickly from side to side, creating more audible clicks and pops. * Cara hops onto the elevator. "I hope these will be nicer rooms. My current room leaves something to be desired, like carpet." * Fallone keeps the manual for the com device out and looks through it while they're walking into the lift. Arrangements will be made. You'll have time to inform your roommates after this. Mmm. Sure mine'll be devastated... Bye ladies! And not ladies! Will we have new roommates? * Ned waves at the group as the lift doors close. Bye Norman and Ned. Well, you'll share the main living space with another member of your team, but you'll each get separate rooms and bathrooms. And there's a common room for all of you to gather in. More like a small house then? * Scratch 's head is still downcast slightly. "...understood..." * Fallone flips a page. Sounds good to me. The lift moves down several more floors, when it opens there's a hallway that curves around the tower lined with numbered doors. You all can decide who you want to share you apartment with. We have three units set up for you. * Jess hugs the closest person to her, Scratch, and sniffles a bit, mumbling into him. "But..I liked rooming with Tiff." Same-sex, or co-ed? * MajorRose moves down the hall past a couple doors. She pulls out a set of keys and opens one of the doors. Um... *blushes a bit* Whatever you guys prefer. * Fallone looks around at the group, flicking eyes between Scratch and Cara and stops on Cara. * Scratch doesn't react uncomfortably at all and just nods slightly. "yeah..." Dibs on the room with an eastern exposure. * Jess just moves with Scratch keeping her arms around him. * Cara looks about and notices Fallone's gaze and dashes over to one of the rooms. "I claim this one. Come on Fallone!" * Fallone looks a bit relieved and sort of half-skips after Cara. The apartment is slightly triangular as it lets out into the outer section of the tower. The main living area has couches and a large screen vid-unit, a dining area with chairs and table. There's a separate kitchen area and two doors along the side that open into the rooms. * Scratch doesn't appear to be paying attention and simply follows the group. All your rooms look pretty much like this one. How formal. Nice and clean. The decorations are sparse, like what you've seen in hotels in movies. It's all light earthy tones that give it a feeling of openness. There're a couple plants here and there, you're not entirely sure whether or not they're real. I like it. Same deal as before, we can remove our collars in our rooms? What about in the common room? Hard to break rules I don't know about, after all. *probably joking* Are the couches bolted down? *glances at Scratch* * Jess still mumbles into Scratch as she talks. "It's really nice. Are we allowed personal items?" As the other staff also shares this floor, I think it was assumed that you'd leave your collars on. At least when you were outside the apartment. I suppose the locks could be wired like the residential units if you'd be more comfortable that way... * Scratch 's eyes are still on the floor, so he fails to notice Tanya's question. * MajorRose sounds rather awkward as she talks about this subject. Are...are you saying we could have our collars off and the door not locked? They're your apartments. I suppose you can decorate them as you like. I tried to keep the quiet and functional... * Crow shrugs. "Won't bother me either way. Might make it hard for our roommates to get in if we have our collars off if they are, though." Well, nice of them to let us sleep with the collars off. * Tanya looks around. "Depends on your roommate." You are expected to set an example. I trust no one will... get hurt if we let you have your collars off? Didn't the Colonel talk about any of this? I'm really not good at speeches... *she shakes her head* Not hurt. * Fallone just folds her arms at the hurt remark. * Cara puts her hand over her heart. "I promise I won't burninate anyone who doesn't come into my room in the middle of the night." No...no she didn't. * Jess sniffles and just buries her head into Scratch. "Tiff's gonna be upset." Of course not, Major. We'll definitely live up to the trust you place in us. It's our duty to show that demis, properly trained, can be trustworthy members of normal society. *beams* I don't have a problem with you guys really. But you know, people talk. We want your help. Really. Um. *looks down for a moment* I'll put in a request for you. She can come visit, Jess. Visitors...? I guess we could get you access passes... They'll be restricted to this floor. * Tanya looks. "Okay, Cara and Fallone have one room. Jess, would you rather room with me, Crow, or Scratch?" She seems attached to Scratch there. And I didn't even have to shoot them with my arrows. Welded, more like. That she does. The common room is just down the hall, on the far side of the lift. There's a bigger vid in there as well as a couple game tables. ... *looks up thoughtfully, still oblivious to the situation* * Jess looks up. "huh? I...what ever." She still has a hold on scratch looking so sad. "So..Tiff might not be able to visit?" Well we'll have to see. We need to make sure you'll work for what we need you for. * Cara , as an effort to mark her territory, goes into her room and tosses her bag onto her bed. * Fallone looks in the other room... Nothing special there. Your apartments are all next to each other. After you decide your arrangements you can slot your IDs and I'll set them up to open the locks. Sound proofed? To a degree... Why? * Fallone shrugs. * MajorRose pulls out a card reader. * Crow walks over to one of the unclaimed rooms and stands next to it. "I'll take this one." It is, coincidentally, on the eastern side of the hall. * Cara reaches into a pocket and pulls out her card. Ma'am? Yes? W..when do we leave? * Tanya moves over to where Crow is. "Well, as Jess and Scratch seem to have bonded, looks like we're stuck with each other." * Scratch looks up to ascertain his surroundings and absently notices the last apartment's door. Leave? Well you'll have to go through the training program first... It will be a...pleasure...to share accommodations with you again, Tanya. She means, when will we move into our new rooms? I'm sure it will be. *grin* * Jess takes a small breath. "Oh. After normal classes?" Oh. Well you'll all be moved in here by the end of the day hopefully. Training begins bright and early-- *her phone beeps again* -- Gah, busy today, sorry. Not a problem. Hello? *she steps out into he hall to talk* * Jess just starts crying into Scratch. "I won't see her in classes." Oh boy... o/~ Someone isn't ready. o/~ * Fallone moves over to the door to eves drop on Rose's conversation. * Scratch walks slowly toward that last apartment door heedless of the weight around his torso, opening it and stepping inside. So, can we go ahead and move in now? * Jess finally let's go of scratch. "I'm gonna say good bye." With that she heads for the maglift. * MajorRose is being quiet so it's hard to make out. "... But I just fixed the-- You don't mean? -- How bad could it be? -- *sighs* Can we really ... so soon?" * Scratch snaps back to life a bit as he feels somethin' pull off him. Turning around, "...?" * Fallone stays, listening, until she hears something that sounds like "good bye". * Jess walks for it and swipes her card still looking sad. * Crow watches Jess, concerned. Wait Jess... *she puts her phone down for a second* Umm... I need you guys to come with me. * Scratch notices Jess's form heading down the hallway. Then, taking in his own surroundings he survey's the state of what will probably be his bedroom. * Jess turns her head. "Yes Ma'am." What's the problem? * steps back into the room* The Colonel has something to she needs to talk to you all about. * Fallone digs out her notebook and begins trying to write in it while they're walking. It'd... be better if she explained... Apparently something happened with our team on the field... We'd best hurry, then. Agreed. Lead the way, Major. Maybe something can still be done for them. Lead the way, please, Major. * MajorRose eyes are almost watering and she's trying to hold it back. Sounds like a pressing matter. [End session.]