Last Time on Section M: Slumber party! Jess hosted the party of the century of the week. Fallone was sick and couldn't make it. It was soon learned that something about her power was causing it and the only real solution was that she needed to keep her collar on all the time to suppress what was happening to her. Unfortunately for her that means she couldn't be on the team anymore either. Otherwise, it's been a week of training already and Archer has been pushing everyone rather hard, trying to find out exactly what your limits are. Last night he informed everyone to pack up enough stuff to last through the weekend. And bring only what you need to survive. [Friday, January 20th, 2063] [Outside on the landing area, bright and early] [Collar status: Off!] [Session start] * Archer waits out on the tarmac for everyone else to arrive, chatting with Simmons. * Tanya waits for the others, a wire-frame backsack slung over her shoulder. A rolled-up sleeping bag rests on the bottom of the backpack. She basically looks like she's going camping. * Crow shows up munching on a Twinkie. He's in his by-now 'uniform' cupid garb, though the suction-cup arrows are missing from the quiver. If there was any doubt his collar was not turned on, the fact that he's hovering a foot or so off the ground should dispel it. "'morning!" * Cara arrives with a big pack stuffed with odds and ends slung over her shoulders. She seems kinda tired, as if she didn't get much sleep the previous night. Her normally brown hair also has quite a black tint to it this morning. Maybe she stayed up dying it? I hope you packed enough food, Crow. Something tells me we're hoofing it. * Crow grins and points to his quiver. "This should hold me for the trip out there, at least." * Jess shows up very chipper in a bubble gum pink miniskirt and a new faded pink tank top. Her hair is done up in pink ribbons and it looks like a new hair do. New shoes, new socks, you SWEAR she found the time to get a facial in the way her skin is just BEAMING this morning. "HIIIIIII!" Good morning, Jess! *waves, polishing off his Twinkie at the same moment* Hi, Jess. * Cara yawns and then waves towards the entirely too energetic Jess. * Jess giggles and skips up. "Good morning! " She sets down her backpack. It's bright shiny pleather pink and looks only packed, not packed to burst the seams. Good morning everyone. Hi guys! Packing for this trip was rather difficult because I didn't know what kind of environment we were going into. My packing could have been done sooner if I knew some details in advance. * Scratch walks up to the group at his usual clip wearing olive drab army fatigues, a belt with a canteen and small pouch is around his waist but he's not carrying anything else. * Scratch nods to his teammates and salutes the two officers. "Sir!" Goooooooood Moooooooooooooooooooooorning! o/~ The idea is to be ready for any type of situation and if I told you it'd ruin the unpredictability, now wouldn't it? * Archer eyes Scratch. "No duffle cadet?" * Scratch 's gaze remains fixed on the usual imaginary spot directly in front of his face. "Sir! the cadet was instructed to bring only what was necessary to the cadet's survival, sir!" * Crow has already started in on a candy bar. Probably best not to ask what he did with the wrapper, but the observant might have noticed him pulling it out of his quiver. I'm sure the ladies would appreciate though if you didn't wear the same set of clothes the entire weekend though. But whatever makes you happy. Well, at least we know he'll either forage for food or starve, and he probably sleeps in dragon-form. * Scratch does not respond. * Archer turns to Simmons who has been leaning casually against the XB-19's bay door. "Is the transport ready to depart?" * Jess moves up against Scratch pouting. "I'll make sure he stays nice and clean. We are not going to look like slobs." *stands up straight at being addressed* Yes sir! I'll go inform the pilot we're ready for lift off. He heads inside the transport, heading up towards the cockpit. So when do we leave? And are you coming, too, Jesse? Are you coming, too, Jesse? He'll be copiloting for us. They're just dropping us off. Oh. Pity. The more the merrier. ^^ *finishes off his candy bar, and flicks his fingers clean of the melty chocolate* Everyone please secure your stuff in the cargo section and then find a seat so we can take off. * Scratch does as instructed. Where are we going, or is that a secret? * Cara says "Can do," as she climbs into the plane. * Archer steps inside the transport himself, storing his duffle and taking a seat in the passenger section. You'll find out when we get there. * Tanya climbs in, and does as instructed while keeping an ear open for the reply. * Crow floats on in and takes a seat, laying his quiver across his lap and folding his wings over it. He looks like he's huddled under a black feather blanket. As soon as everyone is aboard, the blades start spinning and the transport lifts off. * Jess skips over to sit next to Scratch. She digs out a compact full of pinkish makeup as she sit s down. * Scratch stays seated, unmoving but ready to react at a moment's notice. * Cara begins to lean forward drowsily. Luckily the seat belts catch her. * Archer pulls out the collar controller and hits a couple buttons. Your collars beep and unlock. "I don't think we'll be needing these at least until we get back." * Crow blinks surprisedly. "...um, are you sure?" * Scratch cracks all of the knuckles in his hands in short sequence and removes his collar, placing it in the pouch at his side. * Tanya leaves hers on for now. We can say it's another test. You're not planning on escaping, now are you? * Cara removes her collar and places it on her lap. She jokingly responds to Archer "Not as long as the helicopter is in firing range." Pff. Why? Domesticated creatures don't survive the wilds very well. *grins* But if you like, I'm happy to oblige, sir. * Crow removes his collar and sticks it under his wings. When his hand comes back out, it's carrying a cookie to his mouth. * Jess slowly takes off her collar and starts to touch up her make up. She starts humming the newest boy band chorus, not even the whole song. It's just over an hour of transport time before you land again. As the bay door opens you can see you're in a jungle of some sort, but you can still smell the ocean very nearby. And we're here. Get your stuff. We don't want to hold our pilots up any longer than we have to. Well, this looks interesting. * Jess skips out looking like she's going to school. She's STILL humming that chorus, loudly. * Cara seems a little more awake compared to when she got on the copter. "I smell salt." Jess, please stop. * Tanya disembarks, finally taking off her collar and putting it in one of her backpack's side pockets. * Jess actually manages to sing her response to the tune. "Stooooop what?" And the humming picks right back up. We're on an island. The former location of a military base until the UoN was forced to close it. * Crow levitates off of the bench, and floats out the door. With a practiced and complicated motion, he swings his quiver on his back, over his wings. He's managed to consume enough snack foods to sicken a classroom of children in that hour. He floats out a bit, and stretches, his wingspan revealing its impressive fourteen feet as joints pop loudly. Cool. * Archer unloads his bag and then starts hauling off a couple stacks of crates. There's 8 in all. * Crow flies back over. "Can I help?" I assume the base has since been scrounged of anything useful? Please. Everything except the walls and the barbed wire. * Scratch does as instructed and exits the craft. He takes in the surroundings briefly before assuming an at ease position and awaiting further instruction. The humming. You're off-key, for one, and that song just gives me the wiggins. * Cara walks off the copter with her bag in tow. "At least we don't have to worry about building shelter, right?" Alright. .oO(Boy bands. *yech*) * Jess still singing along, apparently oblivious. "What...oh what are we going to... " The singing completely stops. "I'm off key? How? I shouldn't be off key..." * Crow starts dragging crate piles, too. No, he doesn't land to do this, but he does actually flap his wings sharply to get each pile started. No, he's not making this look easy. In fact, his muscles are straining a bit. He's definitely enjoying it, though. The boxes are offloaded shortly and the transport takes off, leaving the team alone. I suppose the first act should be to set up shelter for all of us. Crow, care to take flight and tell us which direction is the base? * Archer pulls out a map of the island and a compass. "Should be half a klick north. Everyone grab a box, Scratch and I will take two." * Tanya raises an eyebrow. "Can you tell us what's in the boxes, or do I have to peek? Okay! o/~ * Crow grunts as he lifts one of the crates. "Sure!" he exclaims, and jets upwards, looking north over the tree line. * Tanya takes one of the boxes. * Jess skips over to get a box, smiling as she gets in line. Tents, sleeping bags, food, guns. Just the basics. * Scratch takes hold of two crates and prepares to depart. The boxes are 2 feet by 4 feet by 2 feet. They have latches on one side and look like they're made to take a beating. * Cara shifts to her earth form and lifts the crate up with ease. She then begins trudging in the direction of the base, leaving an obvious trail behind her. Any additional medkits sir? Yes, medical supplies in case we need them. * Crow drops back down. "Yep, it's that away," he says, and starts hovering off in that direction. Which is pretty much the direction Cara's going. * Archer lifts up two of the boxes with a grunt and leads the way through the jungle. * Jess follows skipping along even with that crate in her new outfit. Anyone... help... need? The team makes it to what used to be a building of some sort. Most of the roof is gone now and several of the walls have collapsed. * Crow is practically hugging his box. "Please!" he says, with a smile. He tries to hold out his box in an offering gesture, and almost drops it. So, instead, he floats up over Cara and holds it up to let her take it from him that way. * Scratch continues on without any signs of fatigue. * Tanya stops for a second, and reaches into a side pocket of the backpack. All of a sudden, the sounds of heavy guitars, powerful drums, and the captivating lyrics of Good Music[tm] start up. "Ah, that's much better." * Cara heaves her own box over her left shoulder before taking Crow's box and doing likewise with the other shoulder. Hm. Bit of a fixer-upper. At least, I -think- that's what Tim Vila calls places like these on his show. --thanks for the help, by the way, Cara. * Jess starts to sing along to Tanya's music, only in an overly bubblegum way. Jess, stop. Please. You're ruining the music. Well we're not sleeping here, but we are going to play some games. I want you to divide into two teams. Figure that out however you like. Names in a hat! * Archer opens up one of the boxes revealing a set of identical guns. He checks them all over carefully while you guys decide. Drawn straws works as well. I get Tanya, Scratch, Cara, and Jess! Equal teams, Crow. ...isn't Archer equal to the rest of us? Silly... talk... * Scratch places his crates on the ground and awaits instruction. No. We're better than he is in many ways. Oh, -fine-. I suppose he can have Scratch and Jess. They're probably the strongest ones of us. * Cara drops her crates next to the others before switching back to her base form. "Doesn't matter to me whose team I'm on." * Crow is being overly dramatic, and probably kidding. ...probably. * Tanya grabs six sticks off the ground, and breaks them into two lengths. She shuffles them around a bit in her hands, and holds them out. "Well, step right up. Short sticks are one team, long sticks are the other." That one is cute! * Jess just grabs one. Oh no, I'm just here to observe. * Cara grabs a stick and holds it out for all to see. "Looks like I got the short end of the stick." * Scratch takes one stick from Tanya's hands when given the opportunity to do so. * Crow snags a short stick. * Jess sniffles. "I'm not with Cara or Crow...." * Tanya draws hers, letting the last stick fall to the ground. "Looks like you're with Scratch, Jess." * Scratch nods. "Understood." So, what is this challenge anyway? * Crow plucks a feather from his hair, and mumbles under his breath as he focuses absently on it. * Archer pulls out one of the guns and fires it at a nearby wall. There's a bright green splatter. War games. Ooh I like games. Nice touch. I got up early for this? Look at it this way, Cara. Bonus points for painting the referee. * Crow , after a bit, holds out the feather to Tanya. "Here, have a present. Hold on to it for a bit, would you?" Sure. ... Tracking feather? * Tanya puts it in her pocket. You've been getting up early this whole week. Today you got to leave the island. Would you rather still be in classes? * Crow plucks another feather, this time from his left wing, and focuses on it now. I suppose the weather is nicer here. Not so artificial. * Crow offers this one to Cara. "One for you, teammate!" He grins at the dark-haired girl. Indeed. I find it much more enjoyable outside of the Weather Normalizers. * Jess looks over at scratch and then moves to whisper in his ear. * Cara takes it and tucks it behind her right ear. "Let's get this over with then." So now that you have your teams the objective of this mission is to eliminate the other team. Since there's a numbers advantage, we'll say it takes three hits to eliminate Jess and Scratch and two hits to elimination Cara, Crow or Tanya. For the first round all powers are available, just try not to uh, kill each other or anything. Must we hit them with the paintball? * Tanya grabs one of the guns, and looks it over. "Sounds easy enough." What else do you want to hit them with? * Jess holds up a random card from her game. Hmm... I don't mind. * Archer he digs into one of the boxes and pulls out a small can of paint. "Here dip them in this before you throw them. That'll count as a hit." * Scratch examines the weaponry available for this exercise. * Crow holds up a handful of paintballs and shows them to Cara and Tanya. * Jess looks at the paint and hands it back to Archer. "That's okay..." * Tanya loads her gun, then seems to shimmer slightly before fading into nothingness. * Scratch retrieves a few canisters of paintballs and affixes them to his belt in appropriate positions. He does not, however, equip a weapon. Go ahead and pick sides and we'll get started. * Cara takes a pistol but does not holster it. * Crow acquires a paintball gun. And holds it on Archer, slinging it like a gangster with a Tommy gun. "Alright, schee, thisch here's a schtickup, schee?" They've got fewer people. Let them have their choice of sides. * Archer he steps over to Jess then, looking down to her. "How do you want to do it then? Would regular playing cards work for you?" No. I'm fine. Thank you, Sir. If you insist. Good luck. May we have two minutes with our teams to prepare? Of course. Thank you, Sir. Let's go, team! *drifts off to find their base of operations* * Cara walks down to the south base to make preparations. * When people step outside, a pall of crows - nearly a hundred - has fallen over the base. They're eerily silent. * Tanya heads to the south, going through walls when necessary. * Jess trudges off to her base and sets down her bag. She digs out a chocolate brown poncho and a matching hat, her bows are put into the bag. A piece of paper and a pencil come out next and a nice note is written and pinned to the bag. "Please don't touch." * Tanya stops, then turns around. * Scratch removes his belt and fatigues once he and Jess reach their designated starting area. "Pardon me..." Immediately after placing them on the ground his body explodes into its full length emerald dragon form. * Archer sets up a chair outside of the boundaries and watches. * Scratch with all due care plucks Jess from her spot on the ground next to him and deposits her on his back just above his shoulder blades. Then together, they take flight high above the ruined building. * Crow s flock into the air, swarming about and around. They're not cawing, so the only noise is the flapping of their wings...and of Scratch's. They ring about the dragon, but do not block any view of the ground. Crow himself is behind the dragon, and takes a potshot. Hi, guys! Scratch gets a splatter of green across his midsection. * Cara already in water form, flings a ball of water at the dragon. The water ball expands and gets a shiny look on its surface. Upon striking the dragon, the water ball creates strands of ice that envelop the dragon, preventing him from moving. * Crow laughs. "Wow, getting the cold shoulder from Cara!" Scratch is able to keep his wings from getting frozen, but his arms and legs are encased in ice. * Jess puts a card face down on top of Scratch. "Come on! Those were lucky shots! You can't hit my teammate!" Can, too! Crows are -unlucky- omens, Jess! * Cara does not seem amused with the exchanges. * Tanya takes aim with her gun, and fires a round at Scratch. * Crow does seem amused with the exchanges. * Tanya frowns as the shot goes wild, then changes position to keep them from targeting her. * Scratch spins around in mid-air and glides towards Crow behind them. He swings with a huge clawed arm but the threads of ice in place send his attack wide and it misses completely. * Jess laughs and holds that card upright a large flash of light appears and the paintball is just...gone. * Crow laughs. "Thanks for presenting yourself for ease of shooting, my dear Scratch," he says... and then blinks. "Aw, nuts. Nicely played, Jess! I forgot you had that one!" * Cara has her arm extend downward and grab the pistol off the ground. She lifts it in one fluid motion and fires off the round. The paintball round, however, flies wide of the mark and hits a tree nearby. * Jess puts a card down and a blizzard frigid land springs up blowing around her and scratch and then disappears. Jess seems to glow like a frozen ice princess. * Crow applauds. * Tanya positions herself on a wall, and fires another shot at Scratch. Scratch gets another green splatter on him. * Scratch banks into a dive down into the ruins out of sight of the enemy's base and simultaneously breaks the ice encasing his limbs on whatever debris is available. [Pausing]