8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa

Adrian's dog-like form nods its head and his voice drifts from it's open mouth. "Several sky-trains have been shipping troops, ATVs and an APC to a location 50-60 clicks to the Northwest of our location. Exact numbers are unknown, as is their alignment in this conflict. I believe it would be a prime target for announcing our desire to enter this conflict."

"Perhaps a closer look is in order," replies Dust as he walks up to the group. "If the forces are within our abilities to eliminate, then we can assault their position. If they are beyond our current power, we can take the information to the other side and offer our aid in eliminating the base. Granted, if we do decide to strike, we should probably wait to strike for a time when all of their vehicles are in base unless we can track them at all times. Wouldn't do to have one escape and take the knowledge of our power back to their command. After all, it's best for us to maintain our surprise, since they are not aware of our existence yet. So what do you think, gentlemen?"

8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa

"Fate delivers." DangerClose replies. "Let us make ready."

8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa

Tam adds "How many scouts? It seems at least aerial and astral. Dust, do you want to take a look from the ground? If so, I'm probably best used covering your back and seeing what I can see?"

Overkill adds, "They're going to have aerial and astral recon, too. If we're going to bother going out there, we should either send one or two Covert Ops specialists, or send the whole damn team, ready to bring the pain." He gestures in the direction of the attack helicopter. "If their radar picks up one of our vehicles, or their spirits notice one of us on the astral plane, it is 'on', whether our intel says we can take them, or not."

"Either we go in blind, and hit them full-force, when they're not expecting an attack, and are just as blind - or we do some recon to prepare, and risk giving them the opportunity to prepare, too. I say we take the advantage we know we have, and don't risk giving it up - but I'm a terrible strategist."

"I agree it seams like a good plan. Abbadon is well suited to aerial recon and Adirian to astral by the very nature. As to physical I'm the stealthiest you and Ze could back me up in the ATV with the other on alert if the it frags up. Adrien can speed me up so transport wont be needed and with the link we shear info can be quickly acted on. I think the aim of this mission will be to find out their strength and alligence they could for all we know be another merc team." says Dust "First thing we need to get a quick over look of there basic defenses something our more unique mages can handle."

Aerial Recon is no problem, I would prefer if Adrien rode along with me as an Astral Wingman. I await orders.

Adrian's form shifts into a whirlwind of skulls, and the sound of a thousand voices screaming in harmony calls out from within it. "I may be able to be a thousand things, mortals, but I cannot be in a thousand places and doing a thousand things at once."

It does not sound to me as if you need to be in more than one place at a time. Insert Dust and Abaddon, then, travel with Abaddon to do your recon. Depending on what you locate, Overkill and AD move the rest of us into position and we strike surely and swiftly. I do not see a problem with this.

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"How are we proposing to determine their allegiance?" Ze asks Dust and the room at large. "Forces can be determined visually, but who they're working for may be hard to determine without eavesdropping on their communications or capturing one of their group."

I could always compel one to reveal his allegiance and mission over an open channel.

I could try to eavesdrop with my comm link plus corp troops might wear uniforms. There could be many way to tell who these troops follow. Second best would be to ice the camp then find out but we could try to find out before we strike surely one of us can stop or find something to pin down how these men are. If me or Adrian are in the camp we could look for plans or notes. I hope to run recon ASAP so if your all prepped to night would be a good time.

I suggest we take one alive - before we strike if possible, but after will work. It will not be difficult for any number of us to extract information.

As for the attack itself, depending on how compressed their camp is, I can likely take them all out in a single hit, with an hour or two of preparation before hand. The rest of the team can take out any who manage to escape, or those outside of my range. Just a reminder - I can strike a 150m radius.

"I really don't think mass destruction would be a good idea we lose the chance of calming gear ammo and intel if we raze the place. I really would like to leave that as a last chance option. So the plan so far is me, Adrian and Abbadon scout out the camp Ze and Tam are ready to back us up quick if needed in the ATV the rest are ready to scramble when needed. Tactic wise I suggest we use the dunes to hide form long range radar only overkill will have to stay back at camp till needed. Once the scout team are near the camp first we'll check for any open signs off alligence and get a better idea of troop numbers, loadout and the camps layout. After we have this intel we'll have to make a quick call to strike then and wait for you guys to come help ASAP or wait fot you to get close before striking. The best idea hear would be to draw the troops out and way frm where the heavy hitters will come from. As well as disabling any automated defenses SAMs and radar. Alowing for some troops to be airdropped as well. IF played well we could hit them out of their armor and sell it on and clame some or selves as well as reporting the paydata we find to the opposing side hopefully earning us a contract with them. If we fail well we'll just have some fun" Dust winks when he says fun seaming to reveal in the idea of slaughter. But quickly adopts his more normal serious expression and mouths a quick prayer reminding you of his deep catholic faith. Something odd for some one with his skills. "Abbadon I'll need you to make me invisible for this plan to fully work I hope you can sustain it with out to much trouble and also your drone could come in hand with the advance party even if it hid behind a dune till needed. I'll happy carry any gear you'll need in human form with me as well."

Mass destruction is always a good idea, although perhaps not always the best one.
Muspelheim grins wickedly.

Concealment is not a problem, I'll send the Gargoyle with you. Like I said I can use a compulsion or possession to capture one or force him to reveal information about his affiliation.

"It sounds like you have a plan already. I have munitions checks to do, so I will leave you to your reconnaissance. How far behind do you want Overkill, AD, and the rest of us to be."

Night of 8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa
"Right then lets gear up." come Dust's voice in the encroaching darkness. "Kiara I want you with overkill in the chopper. Abbandon you ready? Adrian you'll have to map out a few roots going dune to dune to let our armor get the drop on the base; that ok with you? Just send me your findings and I'll send them to AD-80 as soon as they cant eavesdrop on our comms till then no radio chatter ok! Commlinks off or hidden if you still need to use them!" Dust is even more serious than normally any wit has go from his voice as he runs over the plan. "Overkill your to stay at base till AD-80 says hes close to the base your the easiest to spot and louder weapon plus if played right they wont be planing on air surport. Tam and Ze you are to come come when sent for AD-80 will give you your route stay hidden your maintask will be to draw out their troops ready for the heavy stuff and allow me to take out any high threat targets. Again we know they have armor there so your secondary goal is to stop them using it if. We all clear?" Dust waits for a reasponce and the continues "Adrien and Abbadon I'll brief you on route but its our job to take out comms and sevalence AD-80 will back us up via the matrix if he can."

Kiara already battle ready is cheaking her HMG and making sure she as extra ammo as she walks to wards the chopper.

AD-80 comms in, "I will do what I can to remain undetected, and do my best to break into their comm channels."

Night of 8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa
"I hear you Dust. Commlink switched to hidden. Tam to stay with AD-80 until called for. When placed, will to take cover within sight of the outpost, and start picking infantry off on your say so. And serve as backup eyes for physical threats."

Tam makes sure the military armor is sealed, the stealth is reported working, and the Alpha is ready.
Carrying ammo (AP), and micro-grenades.
Commlink hidden and skinlinked via the armor.

"Good to hear" Dust says grining. "We'll move up to just out of their radar range hopefully you'll be able to hack from there try to knock out comms and sevelence then try and track down who they work for and any other paydata until the order to strike comes in."

Night of 8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa

The helicopter leans slightly to one side as a metric ton of Danger Close, weapons, and armor steps aboard. The arm mounted grenade launcher tucks itself behind him as he ducks to avoid smashing his horned head into the ceiling. The helmet rests on the seat next to him, and the multitube missile launcher sits at his feet.

"Call, and we will destroy. Prioritize your targets in advance unless you want me shooting at whatever I think will make the largest explosion."

Night of 8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa

Abbadon's eyes flickered open inside the shell of the armoured drone. He'd spent the day at his home in Dubai over a thousand miles away summoning and binding.

Behind him the concrete gargoyle unfolded it's wings and opened it's eyes to reveal the satanic coals that burned within it's skull.

What is your command master?

That is Dust, follow his instructions.

He pointed a cera-metal cloaked arm at his commanding officer where he stood on the other side of the compound.

AD-80, can you transport this drone for me? I may need it if I have to get my hands dirty.

The drone's armoured chest-plate cracked open and the black-clad blue eyed human was briefly visible before his form blurred and morphed into a majestic Eagle. It beat it's powerful wings twice and alighted on the sensor dotted dome that forms the drones head.

OK Dust, I'm ready for action.

Overkill was already nestled deep in his Rigger Cocoon, listening in over the team's matrix channel, and keeping an eye on the area with his sensors. He knew he could fly, unobserved, past most sensors, but did not doubt the ability of a trained security rigger to pick out his vehicle's signature despite his clever approach-vectors. It meant sitting back, while other people would probably draw first blood, but he accepted it. He knew, when he arrived, only the targets worth his attention would still be standing.

As the others, assigned to his care, climbed aboard, his voice came over the intercom, "Welcome aboard." The seating area was cramped and uncomfortable despite the small number of people assigned to an area designed to seat 12. "Please strap yourselves in. I won't be wasting a second, once we get the order to take off. There are some parachutes, under some of the seats. Good luck."

A moment later, he added, "I advise those with long-range weapons to take seats near the side-doors, where they can get in on the action."

I can provide magical speed enhancement to half a dozen team members or vehicles at your command.

DC shifts to peek under his seat, knowing full well that any parachute he might find there will be totally unsuited for him, and then clips into a safety strap by the port door.

"If something happens, I think I would need all of these parachutes. Convenient that I brought my own."

Night of 8th January The Wild Cards temporary base, Northern Africa

AD-80 opens his cargo hatch for Abbbadon. "Just place it in there. Strap it down if you don't want it banging around."