Operation 1: Front Porch

[Ulzgoroth]

As soon as the group is alone, Alex speaks up. "I think we should talk about shielding. I haven't got enough power to spread around a lot of protection, but some of us have things we don't need in easy view, mystically speaking. A low-power screen can keep out prying adept eyes, and I can share some out. I think Jack and the Chaplain ought to have them, at least."

[Jack Grey]

As soon as the group is alone, Alex speaks up. "I think we should talk about shielding. I haven't got enough power to spread around a lot of protection, but some of us have things we don't need in easy view, mystically speaking. A low-power screen can keep out prying adept eyes, and I can share some out. I think Jack and the Chaplain ought to have them, at least."

Jack considers this, and nods. "I think that's a good idea."

Jack pauses a moment, and then asks, "If ya don't mind me askin', how do you do what you do? I mean, do you work fast, do you work slow, do you need blood, or animals, or drawings in the dirt... when you're doing yer stuff, do ya need quiet and concentration, or can ya do it in the middle of all heck breakin' loose? Long story short, how can I help ya when the going gets rough?"

[vidar]

As soon as the group is alone, Alex speaks up. "I think we should talk about shielding. I haven't got enough power to spread around a lot of protection, but some of us have things we don't need in easy view, mystically speaking. A low-power screen can keep out prying adept eyes, and I can share some out. I think Jack and the Chaplain ought to have them, at least."

Jack considers this, and nods. "I think that's a good idea."

Chandra looks from one to the other, then looks around at the others. "Is it just me or is everybody else totally confused about what they're talking about?""

[Ulzgoroth]

Jack pauses a moment, and then asks, "If ya don't mind me askin', how do you do what you do? I mean, do you work fast, do you work slow, do you need blood, or animals, or drawings in the dirt... when you're doing yer stuff, do ya need quiet and concentration, or can ya do it in the middle of all heck breakin' loose? Long story short, how can I help ya when the going gets rough?"

"I need a little time to raise power and concentration. A few seconds for most workings. Quiet and time to think helps, but I can work without it. Some symbols help raise power, if there's time to draw them, and a few other things I've packed. No blood, I don't think you can raise power with just blood...sacrifices maybe, but I don't use any of that."

Having exhausted his exposition, he takes notice of Chandra's confusion.

"Jack, Randy, and I are with the group to provide supernatural support. You know that, it was in that first briefing. The churchies have their own magical support, and one thing that they'd be able to do is take special notice of the three of us. Metaphysics show to those with the right senses. I can cast a shield that will block those senses, and with luck stop some metaphysics as well."

[Jack Grey]

"Jack, Randy, and I are with the group to provide supernatural support. You know that, it was in that first briefing. The churchies have their own magical support, and one thing that they'd be able to do is take special notice of the three of us. Metaphysics show to those with the right senses. I can cast a shield that will block those senses, and with luck stop some metaphysics as well."

Jack looks at Chandra.

"I'm a healer, although around normal folks I call myself a medic, and that's what it says on my army papers. But I can fix just about anything, and I'm here to make sure you come back in one piece.

Alex here is a wizard. He casts spells, and good things happen - he can protect us, maybe hurt them - I've seen wizard-types do lots of strange things.

The padre here *indicating the chaplain* uses the power of GOD to destroy evil."

Jack pauses for a moment, and then continues. "I know you don't believe in the western GOD, the GOD of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but I do, and the padre does, and we can do what we do because of it. I know he exists, and the world knows angels exist, and demons... for all I know KALI may exist as well... there are, after all, more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in any of our philosophies, Horatio..."

and trails off into silence.

[Fred]

"Put it on my tab," Sergio replies to Chandra about the bet.

Later, when the group is talking about magic...

"Wait, so if you need to shield us, does that mean we need to walk around really close to each other? How far does your shield extend? And what about when I'm on sniper duty? I'll probably be far away from you guys. Any way I can protect myself without you around?"

[Steve Trustrum]

[You guys may want to talk about deployment and how you're going to approach the site--recon, sniper cover, infiltration, etc.]

[Ulzgoroth]

"Wait, so if you need to shield us, does that mean we need to walk around really close to each other? How far does your shield extend? And what about when I'm on sniper duty? I'll probably be far away from you guys. Any way I can protect myself without you around?"

"The shields are individual. Distance isn't a problem once they're in place. Neither is time, which is why I bring it up now...we can set them up right now, and they'll be fine for the mission." Alex scans the mundane (more than) half of the squad. "There's not a lot you can do to protect yourself against magic directly without the Gift. If they can't see you, you're mostly safe, and some spells you can shake off or dodge, but that's it. A low powered shield won't do much either...it might stop some spells, but to be reliable would take more power. The thing is that shields are opaque, mystically, so they can't tell anything about who's inside. I can make stronger ones, but the more I put into shields the less I have for anything else."

[ktshelley]

looking at the group...."If I can interupt for a second.....people...people.....thats great about the shields and hocus pokus, magic stuff.....but I think we need to figure out how the hell we are going to pull this mission off"

pauses for a second, then goes on

"we need to come up with a plan of attack...I am thinking I will go in first and do some recon of the area with Sergio covering me from a distance, to find out whats going on there.....but hey I am open to suggestions"

pauses again...."ok....please finish about the sheilds"

[Jack Grey]

looking at the group...."If I can interupt for a second.....people...people.....thats great about the shields and hocus pokus, magic stuff.....but I think we need to figure out how the hell we are going to pull this mission off"

pauses for a second, then goes on

"we need to come up with a plan of attack...I am thinking I will go in first and do some recon of the area with Sergio covering me from a distance, to find out whats going on there.....but hey I am open to suggestions"

pauses again...."ok....please finish about the shields"

Jack shrugs. "Whatever you think is best. I'm not a tactician, so I'll give way to the folks that are..."

[vidar]

"Jack, Randy, and I are with the group to provide supernatural support. You know that, it was in that first briefing. The churchies have their own magical support, and one thing that they'd be able to do is take special notice of the three of us. Metaphysics show to those with the right senses. I can cast a shield that will block those senses, and with luck stop some metaphysics as well."

"I know that, but that doesn't mean I know everything you can do. Or even that I know much about it at all. Now I have a proposal to make. As you know I don't like confined spaces," looking around at the cramped quarters. "Now if I have something to occupy my mind while I'm here I'm less likely to try to do something stupid like try to get a breath of fresh air. So if we could spend the time discussing metaphysical, is it, type stuff that would be good."

[vidar]

Jack pauses for a moment, and then continues. "I know you don't believe in the western GOD, the GOD of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but I do, and the padre does, and we can do what we do because of it. I know he exists, and the world knows angels exist, and demons... for all I know KALI may exist as well... there are, after all, more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in any of our philosophies, Horatio..."

Chandra nods at everything you've said. "That's ok, whatever you wish to call Brahma is fine by him. And I KNOW Kali exists." He grins slightly then seems to realise something. "Wait does that mean that you are like the padre here?" He pauses then adds. "And my name is not Horatio!"

[vidar]

"we need to come up with a plan of attack...I am thinking I will go in first and do some recon of the area with Sergio covering me from a distance, to find out whats going on there.....but hey I am open to suggestions"

Chandra nods. "Yes we do need to get a plan of action going don't we. Now our esteemed leader will ofcourse be making the final decision but I do have some suggestions. Firstly, for reasons of safety, nobody goes anywhere on the ice alone. You go everywhere with him, everywhere. There are too many hazards on the ice to have anything else really. Yes we will need scouts to go ahead - our recon expert obviously and unless anybody else can sneak I would suggest the sniper as well. However, Sergio, I would suggest you accompany him as his buddy and a second scout rather than as a sniper. We will be needing a couple of tail end charlies as well. Our leader will need to be in the centre and since we'll be needing somebody who can shoot straight that'll be me. And since we'll also need to protect our metaphysical assets as well, that means the medic, padre and wizard are with our captain. Which means I get to travel with the demolitions expert." He mutters something not in english then says. "If that's ok with you, sir? Or if others have any other suggestions?"

[vidar]

[You guys may want to talk about deployment and how you're going to approach the site--recon, sniper cover, infiltration, etc.]

Did we get a map, or an idea of the layout for the research staion?

[Steve Trustrum]

Did we get a map, or an idea of the layout for the research staion?

[It belonged to another nation and satellites aren't up, so no image other than what the plane took. From that they can't tell if the heat blooms are in new, temporary shelters or the previous facilities. You're pretty much going in blind because there's never really been a need for the military to keep track of the stations.]

[Jack Grey]

there are, after all, more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in any of our philosophies, Horatio..."

Chandra nods at everything you've said. "That's ok, whatever you wish to call Brahma is fine by him. And I KNOW Kali exists." He grins slightly then seems to realise something. "Wait does that mean that you are like the padre here?" He pauses then adds. "And my name is not Horatio!"

Jack smiles, and shakes his head ruefully. "I know your name is not 'Horatio'... the line is from Hamlet. And yes, the padre and I draw strength from the same place. Although there are differences."

"Regarding our mission plan, it seems like, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but it seems like we don't know nearly enough to make any sort of decent plan. We have no map of the area; there's no map of the base; we have no idea as to the number of strength of the Cultists, nor their objective, nor their mission status. So aside from figuring out who walks where, and what to do when we run into the enemy, we're going to be flying blind."

[Fred]

"I can sneak and I kick ass with a regular rifle as well. So sniper or buddy is fine with me. Normally, I'd say you guys stay a klick or so behind us, but in that icy, snow-covered wasteland, I guess we'll need to 'cuddle' together," Sergio says.

"And since we'll also need to protect our metaphysical assets as well, that means the medic, padre and wizard are with our captain."

"Just like D&D, huh?" the sniper quips and grins.

"So aside from figuring out who walks where, and what to do when we run into the enemy, we're going to be flying blind."

"Word, doc. So, we scout, go back to you -- I suppose we should keep radio silence -- and strategize. If we run into churchies, we hold them back long enough to give you guys a good headstart. Is that good?"

[Jack Grey]

"Word, doc. So, we scout, go back to you -- I suppose we should keep radio silence -- and strategize. If we run into churchies, we hold them back long enough to give you guys a good headstart. Is that good?"

Jack shakes his head. "I'm the last one out; I can take more of a beating than any one of you, plus I can fix myself, and fix any of you... I will not leave any of you behind."

[vidar]

"I can sneak and I kick ass with a regular rifle as well. So sniper or buddy is fine with me. Normally, I'd say you guys stay a klick or so behind us, but in that icy, snow-covered wasteland, I guess we'll need to 'cuddle' together," Sergio says.

"Within sight of the main group sure. But if there's a blizzard or something then yes we'll need to 'cuddle together' as you called it."

"Just like D&D, huh?" the sniper quips and grins.

"No idea what you mean but probably."

"Word, doc. So, we scout, go back to you -- I suppose we should keep radio silence -- and strategize. If we run into churchies, we hold them back long enough to give you guys a good headstart. Is that good?"

Chandra nods. "Sounds good to me. Anything heavy you leave to me and my AT-4."

[vidar]

Jack shakes his head. "I'm the last one out; I can take more of a beating than any one of you, plus I can fix myself, and fix any of you... I will not leave any of you behind."

"It's a nice sentiment, it really is and I do like it. However, we are military, you are civilians and this is a military op. And the military is not a democracy; which means you go where we tell you, when we tell you. We clear on that?!"

[vidar]

Jack smiles, and shakes his head ruefully. "I know your name is not 'Horatio'... the line is from Hamlet."

Chandra chuckles. "Despite what you may have heard my education was not THAT lacking."

"Regarding our mission plan, it seems like, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but it seems like we don't know nearly enough to make any sort of decent plan. We have no map of the area; there's no map of the base; we have no idea as to the number of strength of the Cultists, nor their objective, nor their mission status. So aside from figuring out who walks where, and what to do when we run into the enemy, we're going to be flying blind."

Chandra smiles. "Welcome to the military son!"

[Ulzgoroth]

"It's a nice sentiment, it really is and I do like it. However, we are military, you are civilians and this is a military op. And the military is not a democracy; which means you go where we tell you, when we tell you. We clear on that?!"

"And we are specialists with capabilities you don't even have the executive summary on. Given that you just barely have the first idea of what Jack can do, you might want to hear him out."

"Ah, speaking of inadequate information...are these radios not going to be usable? I can use most of my spells to line of sight or better, but that won't be much use if I can't find out what's going on."

[Jack Grey]

"It's a nice sentiment, it really is and I do like it. However, we are military, you are civilians and this is a military op. And the military is not a democracy; which means you go where we tell you, when we tell you. We clear on that?!"

"And we are specialists with capabilities you don't even have the executive summary on. Given that you just barely have the first idea of what Jack can do, you might want to hear him out."

Jack frowns slightly, and says, "The Church of Revelation draws their power from a dark source. They are evil, and supernaturally tainted, and they have powers we are only now discovering. Do you remember when they took over Germany a few years ago the United States and their allies tried to use atomic weapons against them and they failed. The bombs did not go off, which is why we are now facing them in a ground war which is not going well for us. They have weapons we do not, they have powers we do not... I believe that only a double effort, using our military *nodding to Keane, Sparks, Studder, Croner and Chandra* and our magic *indicating himself, the padre, and Alex* can we prevail. We are in this together, gentlemen."

Jack then pauses for a long moment, and then continues, "Being last out is not a choice for me - I have to protect you... it is my calling, and my duty. I cannot harm innocents or allow them to be harmed. Which is why I will never have a command position - I cannot make those tough choices. You need to understand that."

"And don't leave anyone behind, dead or not. Because if you bring 'em back dead..." Jack pauses, and then says, "I can bring 'em back."

[Steve Trustrum]

are these radios not going to be usable?

[The radios will work. One of you is even equipped with a larger, portable "hub" that can act as a relay unit for the belt radios and headsets everyone wears. It's good for the distances you'll be spread out. Unless something goes wrong ]

[vidar]

"And we are specialists with capabilities you don't even have the executive summary on. Given that you just barely have the first idea of what Jack can do, you might want to hear him out."

"I'll certainly listen to what he has to say, never said I wouldn't after all. But in the end it isn't his decision as to what happens, hell it isn't even mine. It's his." He indicates the leader with a movement of his head. "We just like to know that everybody is where they are supposed to be, our plan, such as it is, may rely on it."

"Ah, speaking of inadequate information...are these radios not going to be usable? I can use most of my spells to line of sight or better, but that won't be much use if I can't find out what's going on."

"You will be enlightened when we are. And radios should be fine but this close to the pole compasses might not work right."

[vidar]

Jack then pauses for a long moment, and then continues, "Being last out is not a choice for me - I have to protect you... it is my calling, and my duty. I cannot harm innocents or allow them to be harmed. Which is why I will never have a command position - I cannot make those tough choices. You need to understand that."

"I would suggest you get over it; quickly. You WILL be moving out when you're told even if it's over my shoulder. Unconscious if you push it! You need to understand I am an officer and I do need to make precisely those tough choices. I don't like to but I have the safety of the entire team to contend with, I'm the 2IC it's my job. I'll make sure the largest number of people make it back to report. And I'll not let someone throw their life away if I can help it." He pauses then adds. "And I don't like sending somebody to their death. It's not easy but I won't risk the mission to save somebody either." His eyes get a faraway look to them for a moment then he closes them and shudders. When he opens them he looks right at Jack. "This discussion is over."

Correct me if I'm wrong about that Steve.

"And don't leave anyone behind, dead or not. Because if you bring 'em back dead..." Jack pauses, and then says, "I can bring 'em back."

"WHAT?!"

[Jack Grey]

Jack then pauses for a long moment, and then continues, "Being last out is not a choice for me - I have to protect you... it is my calling, and my duty. I cannot harm innocents or allow them to be harmed. Which is why I will never have a command position - I cannot make those tough choices. You need to understand that."

"I would suggest you get over it; quickly. You WILL be moving out when you're told even if it's over my shoulder. Unconscious if you push it! You need to understand I am an officer and I do need to make precisely those tough choices. I don't like to but I have the safety of the entire team to contend with, I'm the 2IC it's my job. I'll make sure the largest number of people make it back to report. And I'll not let someone throw their life away if I can help it." He pauses then adds. "And I don't like sending somebody to their death. It's not easy but I won't risk the mission to save somebody either." His eyes get a faraway look to them for a moment then he closes them and shudders. When he opens them he looks right at Jack. "This discussion is over."

Jack smiles at Chandra, and then without further comment, turns and steps to his bed, pulls a tattered romance novel from his pack, and settles in to enjoy the calm before the storm.

[Torquemada84]

Randy seems to hear something, perhaps the silence after the arguing between all this children of God.
After a moment he nod to some invisible character and smile to the other soldiers.
“Please, excuse me : I was taking my own private agenda from an unkown source.”
First, I must brief all of you against the real power of the ones you name the « churchie ».

They sold their very immortal soul to despair. Yes you can give this kind of power many names : Devil, Shaitan, Oni …etc. but it’s real name and power is despair.
We’re going to be on our own in an very hostile (and very cold) environnement and the loneliness could mad some crazy things to all of us… especially if some kind of invisible power whisper devilish things in you ear. »
The chaplain make a pause and look everyone eyes to eyes.
« So dont be shy and let me know if something disturb you in your dreams or in the very daylight. »

My first post here, so please be kind, i'm not a native english speaker.

[Fred]

"And don't leave anyone behind, dead or not. Because if you bring 'em back dead..." Jack pauses, and then says, "I can bring 'em back."

"WHOA! Back up a little there, doc. What do you mean 'I can bring 'em back'? Like zombies? Cause I don't want to come back with a hunkering for brains," Sergio says, simultaneously attracted to the idea of coming back from dead and horrified to become one of the living dead -- especially one not so glamorous.

[Jack Grey]

"WHOA! Back up a little there, doc. What do you mean 'I can bring 'em back'? Like zombies? Cause I don't want to come back with a hankering for brains," Sergio says, simultaneously attracted to the idea of coming back from dead and horrified to become one of the living dead -- especially one not so glamorous.

Jack smiles, looks up from his book, and says, "You'd have no more desire to eat brains afterwards than you do now. So, really, only you can answer that."

A pause, and then, "No, 'bring 'em back' means GOD has granted me the power to restore the dead fully to life. As I mentioned earlier, I am a healer."

And goes back to his reading.