================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 14/4 Posted Author

Ladies and Gentlemen... Fri Oct 04 News Report

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Boys and girls. It's an announcement from the Crash Man! ....and he's wearing a suit? Freaky.

"Greetings, citizens of Africa and all the lesser places. It so happens that the mighty Mr. Apple Pie has bestowed upon our mighty nation a sizable sum of the mad phat cash. To that end, I have chosen to employ that mad phat cash in the best way possible. The party which I am creating....shall be the opening of the Crash Man Casino, soon to be housed in beautiful, scenic, Wily-blest Casablanca. Pretty damn cool, eh?" He pauses to ash his cigar.

"Anyhow. What I want is the best party animals, the hottest hoochies, and the best booze, games, and food money can buy. To that end, I am constructing this great Casino, and once it is complete, I expect ya'll to come down and fill it. You have 2 weeks to prepare yourselves. And if you aren't ready by then, I expect you to sit in your house and weep. Or, maybe just commit suicide in my honor or something. Anyhow. This is where I check out."

*Bwooooop.*

OOC: What does this mean? It means that if you want to provide entertainment, get ahold of me. Otherwise, it means you better be there, and you better be in the mood to kick it out.

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Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hey Bowie? Are you there?"

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Sure am. Whut's up?"

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Erm...not much. Whenever you get a chance, though, come meet me on the beach near the base...you know, where the moping rock is. I would like to talk to you."

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Be thare shortly."

(And so he goes.)

Deserted Beach

Soft white sand runs like a satin ribbon along the coast here, the pristine waters of the ocean lapping lightly at the shore. Seemingly untouched by civilization for what must be hundreds of years, there is a stillness here that seems to encompass those that trod along the beach. The occasional hermit crab scuttles past, on a route of its own, shell a dark blot against the otherwise perfect sand. When the tide is low, a good deal of sea-litter can be seen here: kelp stretches in lazy strings, starfish slowly turning over to return to the water, and clamshells buried in the sand to cut unsuspecting toes. Nearly half a mile back, the beginning of a lush tropical forest can be seen as a deep green band across the horizon, and the faint calls of native birds echo weakly across the beach.

Kalinka [Evening]

Pathway <P> leads to Asuncion Island.

Kalinka is seated on the moping rock...although today, she seems to be using the moping rock for thinking, if her pensive expression is any indication.

Bowie makes his way down from the staging area, the soft sand crunching under his boots. He's let his hair down, to the delight of the ocean breeze, which sees fit to tug the strands this way and that.

Kalinka waves cheerfully when she spots Bowie on his way over. Nothing seems to be obviously amiss...she's in a very cheerful mood. "Hi!"

Bowie picks up on his friend good mood, greeting her with a wave. "Howdy." Still, there's modest curiousity in his expression - they call it the mope rock for a reason, after all. He makes his way over to the outcropping. "So, whut's on yer mind?"

Kalinka begins looking a little bit nervous. "Well, I did want to...talk to you about some...um, things I had been thinking about lately." She looks down at her hands, picking on one side of a fingernail. "We have not really gotten much of a chance to, um...talk alone, you know, without an interruption."

Bowie nods, saying with a sigh, "Ah know. If it's not one thang, it's a bunch a thangs..." With no further invitation, he climbs up on the rock next to her. "Byte's words still botherin ya?"

Kalinka shakes her head. "Oh no, he is...you know, he just wanted to talk that one time. No, there is no problem. I just wanted to talk to you about...something I have had on my mind a lot, lately."

Bowie nods slowly. He rests his elbows on his knees, folding his hands one atop another. His eyes, of course, are on her. "All right. Then ya talk, and Ah'll listen."

Kalinka nods, moving closer, and finally speaking in a very soft, deliberate tone. "I feel like...our friendship has maybe become something more. Now before you think, crazy Kali, she does fall in love with everything in sight...let me just explain. Until this year, I did not even notice guys. It was like they did not exist. Then, all of a sudden, they are ALL interesting. There have been times when...yes, I felt like I was in love with every boy who came by. But I did not know what I was feeling. I feel like...we have something more special than just that one feeling. It is like...friendship, but something more, it..." She blinks, blushing and looking awkward. "I guess what I am wondering, is...if you feel the same way."

Bowie is silent for a long moment. It's not his usual thoughtful silence - if anything, it seems to be a surprised silence. He doesn't blush, though he seems to be caught in the same awkward expression she is. These are words he's been both hoping and dreading to hear. "Ah..." he begins, trails off for a moment, then finds his voice again. "Ah do. Ah care about ya, Kalinka. More than as a friend."

Kalinka smiles with genuine delight. "Oh, you /do/..! That is wonderful, I...of course, I wish you had told me sooner, but all the same, I think I know why you have not. And...if you never want to...you know, be any more serious than we are now, I will understand. But life has unexpected turns. We never know what will happen from day to day. And...I did want you to know."

Bowie quirks a smile of his own, though some of the surprise lingers. At least this time it's genuinely good surprise. "Ah didn't know how t'tell ya," he admits. "Wus afraid that meybe ya didn't feel the same way." He reaches out to squeeze her hands. "Last thang Ah wanted t'do wus upset ya."

Kalinka giggles, clasping the offered hands firmly. "Oh no, that would not have upset me at all!" For a long moment, she says nothing, just sits there smiling with delight. It isn't the giddy, superficial delight she usually has when she's blabbing on ad nauseum about Derek Vasquez, or whatever her Dish of the Day is. She's found something REAL, and now that she's experiencing it for the first time, she just wants to savor the moment as if it were a deliciously rich dessert.

Bowie breaks into a grin. Once again, her mood is infectuous. He sits there, simply holding her hands and looking into her eyes. It's funny, he's never really noticed just how pretty they are until now. Almost afraid to ruin the moment, he falls into silence again, letting the waves breaking on shore fill the space between them.

Kalinka reluctantly breaks the romantic silence. "...I would very much like to continue this, and to...see where it goes," she says. "Because I do care about you too much to keep it quiet all the time. There...will not be much I can do about Daddy, though. He is fiercely protective of me. Every single time I have dated someone, he has chased them away somehow. Even though Silo and I were not too involved in that regard, he was quite nasty with Silo. I wish it would not happen, but it probably will."

Bowie nods slowly, some of the euphoria wearing off with the onset of reality. "Ah don't want t'come between you an yer father, Kali." . o (I just hope he realizes that.) "But Ah don't want to go sneakin around, either. That wouldn't be fair t'ya." His smile strengthens. "We'll see how this journey a ours together goes."

Kalinka nods, and smiles. "I had no idea, that we would become such...partners," she admits sheepishly. "But I had some idea. There was a feeling planted inside, on the day you came to the hostel to visit me...and since that day, the feeling has grown."

Bowie chuckles softly. "Neither did Ah. Course, the only thought on mah mind then wus gettin ya out a harm's way." A pause. He hasn't stopped smiling. "You were really brave that day."

"Maybe so, but...you were bravest of all. Without you I would have been in a lot of trouble," Kalinka recalls fondly. "You have taught me a lot about what it means to be a Hunter. You are very mature, and you have good outlook on life. I think this has helped me to...you know, not scream and yell to solve problems."

Bowie says "Glad t'have such a willin student. Besides, you've been so patient with me puttin mah memories back together. Ah can't tell ya how much that's helped."

Kalinka remarks..."I do hope that someday your memories return...I know that it must be confusing to try to remember things, and..." She looks down at the clasped hands, smiling fondly. "And in the meantime, do try to live in the present, and enjoy what you do have."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rock transmits, "Attention all Hunters - the training exercise is going to start in a few minutes. Please report to the harbor district of Neo-Tokyo, and leave the live weaponry at home, all right? I've got what we'll be using here."

Bowie smiles. He hasn't stopped, really. "Ah plan to, Kali."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Reiji says dryly, "I -am- my live weaponry. So I'll just stay and guard the pantry from hostile alien attack, shall I?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Training exercise? Leave the live weaponry at home? Aww... Now wheres the fun in that?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Is it meant to be fun, Feedback?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Everything should be meant ta be fun. That's what makes life entertaining."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rock transmits, "No, Reiji, you're welcome to come. It's just that Repliforce is willing to give us a hand in this little exercise, and rather than trying to destroy our own allies, I've got us some paintball guns to use."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Is this meant to be entertaining?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Yes."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "We're shooting Repliforcers. Of course this is meant ta be entertaining."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "*BAWHOOMSHHH (or however a sonic blaster would sound if it was trying to fire only there were paintballs jammed inside and now there's paint everywhere* "... We're having different guns?""

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Reiji sounds mildly bemused. "Apparently we're painting the town red."

Kalinka just loves that neverending smile. She scoots closer, snuggling in and leaning her head against Bowie's shoulder. "Now you see, this is what I wanted to do in the worst way the last time we were out here," she admits with a chuckle. "Now you know."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "I already did. I think I'm going to need a change of armors first..."

Bowie is leaned against, and does not mind. He drops one of her hands, tenatively reaching an arm around her in a gentle embrace. This, hopefully, is answer enough.

Rock makes a general call over the radio, and Bowie sighs softly. It's training, sure, but he's uncertain whether it can be safely ignored. He looks over at her, eyes questioning.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Oh. I see. Okay."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Reiji transmits, "Now, ladies, gentlemen, before we get our hands dirty, may I suggest we take this opportunity of less-than-life-threatening combat to actually exercise some measure of tactical coordination..."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Reiji transmits, "I know, I know, it's a concept that's foreign to our little addled outlaw vigilante brains, but surely, there's more to life than engaging in pointlessly archaic one-on-one duels..."

Kalinka sighs a little bit. "You can go, if you want," she says. "I think he would like a good turnout." She isn't upset or anything...perhaps just a little bit disappointed in Rock's timing. "I will be out here. I do not feel like working on my thesis tonight. My heart is very much not into it. So if you would like to go, and then meet up later...it is your choice."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Jazz transmits, "Umm... don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Reiji transmits, "Brilliant. Let's load up the guns with white paint, and shoot 'em smack in the optics."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rock cuts across, patiently as always. "And may I also note that tonight's objective is not to 'paint the town red'? We aren't in the deconstruction business, so I'd like to see more paint on the 'invaders' than on immobile objects. Remember - we often experience combat in the heart of civilian areas. The objective is not to splatter your own allies - it's to splatter the bad guys. Got it?"

Bowie nods, and reluctantly drops the embrace. "Ah unnerstand," he says softly. "Ah'll come see ya once we're done."

(And off he runs.)

Harbor District - Neo Tokyo

Trade is still very much a part of Japan's vitality, and this becomes apparent in this area. Sea-faring hydroplanes of enormous size bob at the carefully controlled docks at the port, while immense cargo-carrying hoverships continually lift into the air and descend on suspension fields to landing pads below. Workers, robotic and human both, dart everywhere as they move to and from their ships while at the same time port authority inspections teams sniff out most of the illegal goods smuggled in.

Despite all the hustle and bustle, traffic here is still well monitored and organized. Among the gargantuan warehouses and high-tech automated sushi bars are scattered a few much smaller and older buildings left over from before the earthquake which destroyed most of this city, which now house everything from quite legal bars to not-so-legal establishments.

Jet Stingray [RF] Feedback [Casual] [MH]

Alpha [Wing] [MH] Dawn [Schoolgirl] [MH]

Reiji [Warrior] [MH] Ring Redwing [Normal] [RF]

Jazz [Armored] [MH] Iris [Uniform] [RF]

Sai [Casual] [RF] Bloom Seraph [Vessel] [RF]

General [General] [RF] Red Tide [RF]

Fusion Phoenix [Armored] [RF] Rock [Casual2] [MH]

Ayla Ericson [C] Honda Hovercycle [Nighthawk] [C]

Abandoned Warehouse Hovership <Black Rose> [C]

Ocean <O> leads to Honshu.

North <N> leads to Donachi Business District - Neo Tokyo.

South-East <SE> leads to Industrial District - Neo Tokyo.

West <W> leads to Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.

Bowie makes his way from Light Labs at a brisk jog, tying up his hair back into its usual ponytail. He's late, a very unusual occurance for him.

General snaps hands out, raised in perfect speaking form. "Repliforce, as you know, we are engaging in a training mission with the Hunters." He gestures towards the pistols and rifles, "We are to use non-lethal methods this time around. Although not as useful as some of the other methods we use, it still works." An optic ridge is arched towards Reiji, but General continues. "Three hits to your form, and you are out of the exercise. The objective of this exercise is to capture a living flag of sorts. A Hunter affiliated unit, situated on one of the scows to the north, will serve as the objective for capture. She is not to be treated as a hostage. I am certain that security will be tight, as the Hunters will be anticipating our arrival. Keep an optic out for booby traps, since, well, they are made to trap boobies." Don't ask him to elaborate on that any more, please. "We will first need to determine where this unit is, and then proceed to properly capture and return to this pier the unit. Follow the heirarchy we have already established in ranks when it comes to orders; our unity and sense of teamwork is one advantage we have over them. Are there *any* questions?"

Alpha attempts to grab Feedback's arm, "You said it was for FUN, Feedback, so why're you asking?", if she managed to grab FEedback's arm, she swings it a little, smiling widely. "I even dressed up to help get me in the mood."

Reiji takes his place among the Hunter rank-and-file, walking casually through General's whole spiel. He eyeballs the other Hunters as he strolls in, skimming through his mental filecards of their capabilities in his head. Not a bad turnout - this promises to be interesting. As he begins a close visual scrutiny of the paintgun racks beyond Rock, hands folded across his chest. Raising his voice, just enough to be audible, he quips, "Actually, what our fearless General doesn't know is...this isn't a mere training exercise. These guns are actually loaded with corrosive reploid-killing payloads. We're going to paint our allies to death, and supplant them as the UN's premiere defense team."

Rock nods a quiet greeting to Dawn as she lands beside him, and then to the other Hunters as they approach. "Probably is, Jazz," he answers with a small grin, but it doesn't lighten the otherwise serious expression on his face, under the helmet. "You've probably got a surplus of sleep, Feedback," is the gentle retort. "Besides, when was the last time you smelled fresh air?" Shaking his head, he clears his throat and waits a moment before speaking again. "Glad to see you made it on time, folks." The Hunter Commander quirks a faint grin as Bowie jogs his way in - late. "Or at least something close to on time. Remember, if this was a real exercise, time is always of the essence." He falls quiet to let General speak - after all, he's got the *power* to speak to a crowd without the assistance of a microphone.

Red Tide shakes her head, saying nothing. No questions, and she can sort of manage the pistols and rifles by now, so she doesn't need to ask about alternative weaponry.

Bowie gives the appropriately sheepish expression, like a kid caught sneaking into class late. Even so, his smile doesn't completely fade. The Texan quickly joins the rest of the Hunter side, picking up a paint-gun from wherever they've been left.

Fusion Phoenix also shakes his head, knowing what is going on.

Dawn likewise listens to General for a while, then once he's finished, apparently has questions. She looks over to Rock and asks them, too. "Three hits...then we're using paintball guns, like infantry training? Or did I miss something?"

Iris shakes her head. She's never understood these wargames. War, to her, is not a game. She's not too up on the whole concept of 'training'. Or 'military readiness', for that matter. "Uh, I guess I'm ready." That's her way of saying, she's probably going to follow everyone else's lead.

Feedback looks at the Alpha that just grabbed his arm. Sighing Feed just shakes his head and then grins, "Yeah, guess your right kiddo. This will be fun. I'm gonna make sure of it." Feed looks back towards the Repliforce as he answers Rock's comment, "Few days ago. Went out ta a bar, lost fifty zenny in a pool game. You?"

Sai seems middlingly concerned. The exercise itself seems to be a fairly simple affair, but Sai's ALL about melee. He should be able to use the weapons -- it's not exactly COMPLICATED, after all -- but he probably won't be half as accurate as he could be with a weapon he is more familiar with. Like himself.

General sends a radio transmission to Rock.

Rock receives a radio transmission from General.

Rock nods quietly to Dawn. "Right. Three shots with any of the paintball weaponry, you're considered 'tagged out'," he answers. Then to Feedback, he notes, "Been out here the past few days, getting things... 'ready'." He quirks a rather cool smile at that, and droops a wink at the cynical computer expert.

Bloom Seraph blinks once at General as he speaks, giving the slightest shake of her head as he completes his instructions. It was, after all, relatively straightforward. "No questions, sir," she clarifies, returning to passive watching.

Alpha tilts her head at Rock. He's up to something! He's going to destroy us all and drown us in paint! Alpha gives Rock a look to let him know she's on to him, and then continues holding onto Feedback's arm. She almost, actually, forgets it is there. "You didn't put on an eyepatch, though.", Alpha says with a sigh, going back to the Yoho pirate song. She's full of energy today. Oh dear.

Jazz's attention is caught by the Hunter armaments, which she is eyeing over curiously. "Oh, I've never fired one of these before. I do hope I can fire one straight!" Flailing her buster arm, she adds, "And you! What good are you if you can fire paintballs! I should have Father see about fixing that!"

Alpha changes into her Wing armor.

Idly, Reiji picks up one of the paintgun pistols from the rack, examining the goo-slinging weapon's trigger mechanism and action, eventually ratcheting it open and staring at the gun's innards. Shaking his head slightly, he mutters something vague about it being nothing more than a child's toy. Of course, that might be sour grapes, considering Reiji's speciality isn't exactly the wielding of firearms. A sniper he is not. A scowl on his face, he...

...Blinks...

...And stops scowling, because he's busy staring at Jazz. "Well," he murmurs, "you could always fire regular blasts, and -tell- the Repliforce it's really -very fancy- paint."

Feedback turns his attention to Rock and then grins, "Really? So that must mean that you've got the area all mapped out and you've got the perfect strategy that'll lead us ta victory. Booby traps, alarms, the whole works right boss?" Feed tries to tug his arm free of Alpha's grip as he continues, "So, if we don't get ta use our own gear in this lil' wargame. What did you guys cook up as replacement weapons?"

The black 'bot chirrups at its owner and she nods in agreement. "Yeah, heading towards Mega Man is a possibility. Maybe you should stay on the dock while I go wander around the ships. You falling into the water wouldn't be a good thing, y'know?" Ayla replies.

Dawn, after Rock has responded, walks off to get a paintball gun readied. Just whatever's been made available, since she doesn't own one personally. Then returning to formation, she asks him one more. "So we're simply a defense force, right? Trying to repel them?"

Ring Redwing has really fancy paint too, as a few Mavericks and Masters can attest to having been 'glitter rushed' by her before. But will she be using her custom colors today? Only one way to find out!

Mac arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.

Mac has arrived.

Rock sends a radio transmission.

General receives a radio transmission from Rock.

Fusion Phoenix picks up a paintball gun matched for his size, which works out to a paint bazooka for a human. He looks around, trying to idintify where the 'flag' will be.

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Good luck! And do have fun."

Bowie simply checks over his paint-gun as he catches up on the briefing. Not his usual weapons, but he's definitely in his element.

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Thankee. Ah will."

General gives the signal to proceed. "Both the Hunter leader and myself will be evaluating this exercise. We will not be involved with any exchanges of fire. Any stray pellets will earn a week of repainting the white-washed portions of the Cow." That aside, General bellows out, "Advance, ye scurvy dogs!"

Alpha lets go of Feedback's arm as he's about to shake it free and picks up a paintball gun. She looks to Angie and Necro, "Sorry, but I wanna try this one.", she winks, and then shoots at General. Well, no, she actually just shoots at Feedb...well, no, but she considers both.

Jazz has a paintball gun just her size! "Oooh, it's soooo biiiiiig." Glancing around at the milling Hunters, she asks aloud, "So, um... now what do we do?"

Mac cocks his paintball gun like the... uh... warrior!... yes, warrior... he is.

Red Tide seems to go a bit overkill on weapons; she grabs a rifle and two pistols. The pistols get tucked into her satchel, but the rifle stays in her hands. That done, she simply steps off into the water - *splash* and goes deep. Literally.

Rock blinks at General, and curls his lips inwards to keep from grinning. Instead, he holds up his hand to the Hunters, in a 'get ready' sort of invitation. "I'll give you the signal to charge - remember, this is to simulate your arrival time. Make sure your weapons are ready!" he calls out. In other words, he's going to let the Hunters go charging once all of RF poses. <nudgenudge, winkwink>

Silly Mac, you're a Hero not a Warrior!

Alpha heads over to Mac because that's the safest place to be.

Alpha heads over to Mac because that's the safest place to be. (rp for Feedback)

Iris ventures forth, carrying her paintball gun in the 'absolutely not ready to fire' dangling-position. "Hmm...first we have to find the capturee...now, if I was a capturee, where would I be hiding? Maybe I can find her with radio signals..."

As the General's voice carries over the harbour, Reiji glances towards Rock, head askew. "So, the old man isn't coming with us, is he? Pity. This is all going to end in tears, I just know it." Slamming the slide back on his paintgun pistol, Reiji listens to the weapon -click- to his satisfaction, before sliding it into his waistband. Unlike his colleagues on both the Hunter and Repliforce sides, he feels no need to compensate for personal inadequacies by toting around paintguns the size of Manhattan. Besides, weaponry designed for the express purpose of slinging coloured splatters is hardly much of an effective ego boost.

Feedback goes to grab a gun himself as Alpha lets go of his arm. Looking it over, and then hearing the General's lil' rules. Feedback pionts the gun at the General and starts thinking, "Hmm... Only a weeks worth of painting that cow? Eh... I'd say that's a fair trade. Heh, gonna hafta make sure I get a picture of that." Speaking of which, Feed checks to make sure he's still got his camera on him. Happy that it's still there, Feed grabs another gun and then waits for the Repliforce to advance.

Fusion Phoenix slides between two buildings, doing his best, but probably failing, at being stealthy.

Jazz fires a shot into the air, where it lands I know not where.... "My gun works! Ready!"

Ayla Ericson manages to somehow get on one of the target scows. Continuing to poke around, she spots a small sheet of white paper and heads towards it.

Sai grabs a paintgun pistol. It's the smallest thing available, and just about the only thing he actually has a chance in hell of firing decently. That done, he leaps up and onto the nearby Tall Thing, in the hopes of getting a better vantage point on the scows General specified. The point of this, of course, is to try and spot the target from here. Not actually very likely, y'know, but it's worth a shot.

General then folds his hands behind his back, keeping a sharp watch on how the soldiers break apart and how and where they move. Pacing away from the sortie point, he glances upwards, spotting a service platform on one of the cargo cranes that service the area. With a hum of anti-gravity units, and a small burst of his maneuvering rockets, he moves to set himself at the aerial vantage spot. A splat and splinf rings out as a round hits him, and he glowers down at the Hunter area. However, he settles without a word, keen watch on the proceedings.

Mac gets behind a building, keeping an optic out for the oncoming Repliforce troops. He nods towards Alpha as she arrives. "Greetings, Alpha... are you prepared for the oncoming onslaught?" he inquires. Good ol' Mac. Multiplication of syllabic requirements to express a simple sentance is... uh... nice.

Bloom Seraph perks slightly at General's order to charge, scooping her own rifle and pistol off the rack. The former is slung casual across her back, the latter examined critically before the Seraph seems quite happy with it. Catching a snippet of Iris' musing aloud, Bloom slides in that direction, her own gun held somewhat at the ready. "Captain? Might I be of some assistance to you in locating the target? I would...rather not join the fray, until a fight is a forgone conclusion."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Reiji transmits, "The designated target for the exercise appears to be...an innocent garbage scow of some kind or another. How do we play this, boys and girls? Defense? Offense?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Reiji transmits, "The Lindy Hop? The Tango? The Waltz? Come on, you know."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "First let's get off a semi-secure channel."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Ah vote defense."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "Play it as you see fit, folks. I'm here to watch." Something ominous rings in that statement.. why is he watching? WHY?! Fear, peons. Fear. "A neutral observer, as it were."

Ring Redwing needs not a perch, she can fly. And so she does, up high! Into the sky! To shoot paint in Hunter's eyes! Bad rhymes. Can't think of anything else to write. That rhymes... so bye!

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Oh, no!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Stayin out of the line of fire where it's nice and dry? So, you are gonna help us shoot a few Repli's in the back, right boss."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Reiji mutters, "Alright, any volunteers for watching the shop? We know their objective, we know what direction they'll be heading in. That's one mark in our favour. Some of us, I presume, will be outflanking them. Unless our fearless leader's trapped boobies see fit to inflict mortifying pain upon us."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Mac transmits, "I would propose that we divide our forces into two, one devoted to offense and the other devoted to defensive tasks should the first group fail."

As he watches the Repliforce leap forward from their start position, Rock swings his arm down in a grand swoop. "Hunters, GO!" he cries, leaping backwards to get out of the way of anyone that might run him over - or into the path of someone who WILL run him over. Either way, he's trying to move himself towards General... a meeting of the minds, perhaps?

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock whoops with a laugh. "Go get 'em, everyone! Show them what a Hunter's made of!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Eh, you guys can do what you want. Me, I want a nice picture of the a certain Repliforcer covered in paint... *Feed adds quieter* And maybe a certain Hunter as well..."

Dawn's backpack thrusters unfurl again as the Hunter go-signal is given, and she's already readied her plain, typical paintball gun. Watching as the RFers deploy and spread out, she launches into the sky to head towards the same cluster of buildings Fusion Phoenix is hovering between. She heads in through the door of one such building, and begins working her way upstairs.

Alpha slinks next to Mac, saluting, "Yes captain Mac!", she says, "Lets get those scurvy dogs!", aww, fun, so fun, "I am prepared...", she points her gun towards Mac and says, "Lets stick together, okay?", she peeks out from behind her cover to see somebody to shootzor.

Jazz goes nowhere, very much obviously confused and lost. "Oh, no! We have no plan! Where do I go? What do I do? Oh, dear! I wish Sonata was here, she'd have a plan!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Who can get t'our flag first? Ah know Ah'm too slow, so Ah'll take front-line defense."

Mac blinks, and steps off to another side. "Uh. Alpha. It is considered extremely unsafe to point one's weapon at another unless one is intending to fire said weapon." Unfortunately he doesn't have much of a chance to move or shoot as he gives Alpha this little lesson on gun etiquite.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Reiji transmits, "I've got the speed to run for the target. I suggest...Dawn, myself, Mac, you've got the mobility to make this work. Maybe Alpha. Bowie, Feedback, you guys take on any Repliforcers confident enough to head for their target. Enjoy the groundpounding."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "I have to stick with Captain Mac."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Mac transmits, "Do you require assistance, Alpha? I am likely to be blinking from point to point in this exercise."

Feedback watches as people charge forward and then goes to take some cover. Checking the skies for fliers, Feed decides to hang back for now and let everyone else draw the Repliforce's fire. Besides, it's not like Feed is here for the exercise itself. He's here to have some fun, winning would just be a nice added bonus. Shifting into his armor as he waits for the first few volleys to be fired, Feed waits for the fun to begin.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "I can blink too, don't worry bout that."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Just be sure ta have some fun guys. I know I will."

Gun in hand, Bowie decides to head for higher ground. While he can't fly, he can climb, and climb he does. With the assistance of a fire-escape ladder, he begins making his way up to the rooftop of one of the buildings.

The very second, the very instant, that Rock gives the signal to move - Reiji's already in motion, an indistinct blur of colour that blasts forward with enough raw velocity to send a whooshing breeze crashing through the vacuum occupied by the Hunter a scant instant ago. The Hunter arcs across the pier, along the edge of the harbour and occasionally skimming the water's surface, as he begins scanning the moored and offshore vessels for any one that most looks target-like. Yoo-hoo. GARBAGE SCOW! Where-AAARREE you?

Ayla Ericson crouches down to pick up the odd, folded note. Standing back up to her full height, she scans the note and makes a simple reply to no one in particular. "Oh." Shrugging a shoulder to drop her backpack at her feet, the teen leans back against a nearby crate to watch the show.

Oh, there are scows there all right - but there are TWO that are at least easily accessible to the two teams of combatants. Either or look perfectly acceptable to hide the objective on, at least... so it's a matter of choosing the right one.

(And then the scene ends due to sheer massive lag.)