Mission # 1 - Third Party Observation

[lucetimods]

Who: Luke Skywalker, Mizuno Ami, Sheena, Gambit, Chien, and Leonardo
What: MISSION # 1 - Third Party Observation
When: February 5th - 10th
Where: The Jungle [Cultist Village]
Summary: A six man team has been formed by the Malnosso to monitor a cultist village to determine their strategies, plans, and any potential weaknesses.

Six Luceti volunteers arrive in the jungle at approximately nine in the morning, surrounded by the various equipment they would need for the coming mission. Although warped directly into the heart of the forest, it would be several miles until they entered cultist territory and further still until they reached the edge of the cultist village. The trip would be arduous, as there was no clear path to reach there, due largely to the fact the cultists could fly and made no trails of their own. Fortunately a crude map and compass had been provided to the field leader to guide them. For now, their primary dangers would be the animals native to the forest. And perhaps a lone Shift Hunter here and there.

The cultist village is located around a massive tree that towers like a skyscraper over the rest. Thick with vines and other plantlife, the branches of the tree is also where the cultists have built their homes. Although some of the crude dwellings are located on the smaller trees in the area, most of them are hidden in the branches high above the canopy of the forest. Flying from branch to branch are the cultists, many frequently patrolling the area. They are thorough and tireless in their efforts to guard the area. Shifters are often among them, projecting a power canceling field around them. For as exposed as the area seems, the security is tight and dangerous.

The volunteers have been given surveillance and recording equipment that they can either carry on their person or attempt to plant. If their equipment is discovered, the security will only get tighter and they may end up hunted. Their goal is to record any conversations between cultists and photograph any documents or other writings they can come across. They are not to interrogate or engage any of the cultists. Additional supplies for food, shelter, and medicine has also been provided. In five days, they are to return to where they started. If they should be discovered, they can return to that location early and be returned home.

((ooc: Okay, so thread among yourself. You can assume as much as you like, so pick any scenario that you want to tag. You don't have to be in six-way threads, so break off into groups of two or three or whatever. Feel free to use the mod post to ask questions.))

Comments

[Action] (Preparing base camp. Apologies for being late on this, it was posted while I was working!

[thefinaljedi]

(ooc: I'm just going to post in paragraph form for this, feel free to use brackets or whatever you want.)

Immediately upon leaving the teleporter, Luke Skywalker began feeling outward with the Force, subtly probing the environment for hostile creatures. Finding none, he immediately turns to the equipment and starts inspecting it. It all seems to be top quality, and thankfully has been painted in some sort of forest camouflage. Gunmetal grey tended to stick out like a sore thumb in the woods, something the Empire had learned firsthand on Endor. The Jedi grabs up a pack and looks to the others, making sure they're alright

"Alright, we need to pack this stuff up and get moving to some sort of base camp. It wouldn't bode well for us if we were discovered. I can't sense any hostiles in the area, but with those creatures out there one never knows."

[Action]

[geniustheveil]

She's come as Mercury on the mission; the better to fight and the better to be at her peak, though she knows she'll have to be careful about magic and stick to her sword - which is included among her belongings, to avoid having to summon it later. If she was warned about using mundane medical techniques, it may be best to avoid using her powers as much as possible, for now.

This is easy at first, of course, when the biggest question is dividing the weight of the equipment. She steps forward to help Luke do so equitably.

"After all," she says softly, "We each need to do our share, in every part of this mission, for it to succeed." And with a glance at Luke directly, "Will you send scouts ahead to find a location for our camp?"

[Action]

[thefinaljedi]

Luke nods, agreeing with the wisdom in her words. The Malnosso hadn't saw fit to provide them with a repulsor-sled so everything would have to be shared equally. He spent a few moments dividing the packs into piles, taking on the heaviest pack for himself, as his own possessions were all attached to his belt. He believed in travelling light, particularly for a mission of this sort.

"Of course. Any volunteers to check the road ahead?"

[Action] (Preparing base camp. It's okay)

[fearless_leader]

Going from freezing cold and snowing, to the heat of the jungle is a shock. Though certainly a nice change. Leo for a couple of minutes are just standing, letting his body adjust to the change in temperature. It helps to perk him up for sure and eventually he'll move to his own pack to check the supplies given. He's brought his katana with him, and has other smaller ninja implements in the pouches of his belt.

"I can help scout." He glances up at Luke and Ami. "I can also help with clearing us a path through this brush."

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

Gambit's been hanging back a bit, quietly taking in details about his teammates and the jungle around them. The environment isn't much of a stretch for him - if anything, it's refreshingly close to the bayous, compared to Luceti itself. His personal supplies are light: a few decks of cards squirreled into pockets, collapseable bo, and the ever-handy pack of gum. It's not much, but it's all he needs in the field.

"I can scout ahead too, if you're needin' more'n one of us." A wry grin twitches onto his lips. "Might not be the best for clearin' a path if we're tryin' to keep real quiet, though."

It would be a really clear path, but making a ton of noise wouldn't be the best idea.

[Action] Medical Thread. Any time/relevant scenario desired.

[geniustheveil]

[She's ready with a medical kit for emergencies, in a kit she prepared by her own hands, carefully chosen to anticipate likely needs while remaining lightweight. From bandages to a few choice medicines, Mercury carries it all among the rest of her share of the group's equipment. For the sake of the mission, she has to do it quickly; but she's skilled and practiced.]

[Action] Some point during the first few hours

[thefinaljedi]

Luke had been giving Mercury some odd looks for the last hour or so. Something about the blue-haired warrior was bothering him. His Force senses were pinging her like mad, like she was masking herself with some sort of illusion. He wasn't sure until he had the sense to attempt to read her energy in the Force. As they walk, he gently tugs at her arm, indicating that he'd like to speak with her away from the others.

[Action] Got it!

[geniustheveil]

Her first thought is that it's related to the mission, and Mercury lets Luke take her aside; she's agreed to treat him as the group's leader for this time, after all. She can't help feeling a bit of nervousness - she puts it down to the unfamiliar place.

She keeps her voice down; they were in a sensitive location and he'd obviously meant for privacy.

"What is it?" she asks politely once they're settled.

[Action] (I meant that as in a time frame for when its taking place!))

[thefinaljedi]

Luke gives her an appreciative look. She could have fussed more, and while this was something that COULD wait, it was something that was bothering him, and it was never good to be distracted in any way, shape, or form on a sensitive mission like this.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to unsettle you. Its just something's been bugging me since I first saw you. I can feel that you have some illusionary spell around you, or something similar. Are you Ami Mizuno from the other day, or am I mistaken?"

[Action]

[geniustheveil]

She hadn't expected to ever be asked that so boldly and bluntly. Something cold runs through her.

She lies. "I'm Sailor Mercury," she says, to keep to the truth at least nominally. "I'm not sure what you mean." The lie is a bad one with her obviously flustered face, but she makes a valiant effort to keep her secret - and her friends'.

[Action] (Blunt is Luke's way)

[thefinaljedi]

Luke sighs, he can tell she's lying. He doesn't need the Force to see it, but he's not one judge another on their secrets. He'd kept Callista secret from Obi-Wan, after all. But for some reason, Luke feels that Ami is lying to protect someone.

"Its alright, Sailor Mercury. I can sense it, I can feel your energy and your aura. The Force, my power, grants me the ability to see through illusion and sorcery. I won't reveal your secret, I just needed to ask."

[Action] First Night

[thefinaljedi]

(ooc: figured it'd be worth nosing around with this)

After the camp has been established, it starts to get dark. It's only the first night, so Luke vetoes night scouting until they've had time to get the lay of the land in daylight. Best not to risk it. As far as the camp itself goes, its a fairly simple affair, utilizing natural cover and camouflage to mask their presence. And, its just about dinner time. Maybe time for a lampside chat?

"So, you know...I don't think I've met anyone here before today," Luke starts as he takes a sip from a canteen, "but...I suppose I should properly introduce myself. I'm Luke Skywalker. Its nice to meet you all."

[Action]

[geniustheveil]

Mercury, standing nearby, makes a small, correct bow.

"I'm Sailor Mercury," she introduces herself. "I was assigned to this mission as a doctor; however, I'm also familiar with combat, and infiltration missions, from before now in my world."

"Please allow me to help in any way needed."

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

The lack of scouting is leaving Remy restless, especially with his night vision being as good as it is. But he's accepting the rule put in place by the leader, shuffling his cards quietly, listening to the introductions. His eyes, glowing a dull red in the fading light, sweep over his teammates before he speaks up.

"Name's Gambit. Let's jus' say I'm pretty familiar with infiltration missions from back home, too." Because that sounds way better than 'master thief.' He grins and nods in their direction.

"Enchanté."

[Action]

[corrinesbell]

"I'm Sheena."

This mission doesn't entirely sit well with her as it is; for several seconds, that introduction was going to be enough. But she doesn't want them thinking she doesn't know what she's doing.

"I dunno if...you guys know what a ninja is. Well, except you." A nod, to Leo. "I've been training for stuff like this my whole life, in a forest kinda like this one. ...So it's really not that weird, except for all the people with wings out there ready to kill me."

...Though if they knew anything about Sheena's world recently, that part wasn't too weird either.

[Action] Next morning

[thefinaljedi]

[ooc: If I'm spamming these too much, sorry. I just want to make sure this goes alright and everyone has fun, since we don't have a lot to go on, really. Going to leave this open. Maybe since the 6-way threads aren't so good, you guys could split up?]

Luke wakes up early the next morning, just before sunrise. He sets about making preparations for the day, letting the others wake up on their own. This would be difficult for everyone if they let themselves overextend and get exhausted. He does, however, begin thinking of what to do next. Perhaps splitting up into teams of 3 to cover more ground would be wise. While thinking, and waiting, he sets about making a very simple breakfast for himself and anyone who wakes up.

[corrinesbell]

Sheena doesn't sleep well in the jungle. Too many memories, too much hinting at danger just beyond the point where she can see. She's up as the light starts to filter in, looking ready to go within minutes of waking.

Listening to this guy is supposed to be part of the mission, right? Whose bright idea was it to pick a guy who hadn't even been in Luceti for long enough to get drafted? ...She decided last night to try to leave thoughts like that out of it, as much as she could. Approaching him, but stopping a few feet away, she watches him make breakfast for a while silently.

"So how open are you to taking suggestions?"

[thefinaljedi]

Luke looks up as Sheena approaches, smiling at her question while offering her some food.

"Plenty. I figured you guys would be more vocal already. Whats up Sheena?"

[corrinesbell]

Oh. Food's probably not a bad idea. It might be awhile before there's a real meal again, especially if they find something.

"We've only got one map, and there's a goal we're heading for. I think we should divide up the sections of the map - and make copies, I can do that if you want - and split into three groups, maybe. Too many of us together is gonna be noticed."

She pauses to take a bite, surprised a little. It's good. No appetite, but it's good.

"The problem's really gonna be what we do if one set of us finds something. It might be hard to find a safe way to get us all together again."

[Action] Scouting

[thefinaljedi]

Later in the morning, Luke and the others split up, the Jedi and his partner moving around to the west side of the enemy encampment. Picking through the thick undergrowth isn't easy, and makes for quite slow going, but so far things seem to be going smoothly. No enemy patrols, no sentries, and no jungle beasts. Periodically, he checks in with the others on the walkie-talkie, his voice barely above a whisper.

*snap* A sudden sound causes him to freeze, that of a twig breaking underfoot. Whirling to Ami, he asks in a hushed tone "Did you hear that?"

[Action] Scouting

[geniustheveil]

To stay silent, she only nods, tense and alert. She signals for Luke not to use the walkie-talkie yet and freezes, to avoid making sound herself, and moves only her head to seek out the source of the noise.

An animal? Maybe. But she won't assume that.

[Action] Scouting

[thefinaljedi]

Luke peers through brush, staying low to the ground and trying to locate the source of the snapped twig without using the Force. It could be anything, but he can't seem to find it.

He turns to Ami again, his head inclining to the left, away from the sound, indicating that perhaps they should move. At least, he hopes thats the message he's sending.

[Action] Scouting

[geniustheveil]

She nods again, slowly, and creeps away from her position in the direction of Luke's gesture, careful not to make noise of her own. But they need a vantage point...

Even the trees could be monitored. What else can they do?

[Scouting - Sheena and Chien]

[corrinesbell]

[There are a few tricks she learned last time through the jungle that will make this whole thing easier, at least on her.

One was to never assume there weren't traps, even in the trees. But sticking to the trees would at least reduce the number of traps - and enemies - they might find. Sheena's not sure if her scouting partner would be able to follow her on that route, though. So, that's the first thing to find out.]

[[ooc: I am a bracket-lover, but if you'd rather do paragraphs/prose I will switch!]]

[Scouting - Sheena and Chien]

[dogboy]

[He's perfectly capable of climbing trees, thank you! There were often pitfalls and the like back home on the ground, so while Chien scouted them out from above he could direct his brothers around them on the paths they usually traveled below.

... He was, however, more of a ground guy than a sky guy - looking at these trees. Couldn't he just, you know, scout the ground while she did the trees..?]

I can climb, but wouldn't it be harder to get away if we were at risk of being found? Trees make a lot of noise.

[ooc: oh no no no i am a bracket lover myself! this is fine!]