Session 2.0: Crash Course

Friday, 7/18/2014

<GMAmy> == Session Start ==

<GMAmy> Two days have passed. Each member of the team has been poked, prodded, and asked a myriad of questions, and after the results of the evaluations are in, each has been cleared both for contact with friends and relatives, and for the beginning of training. Still, most are weak from muscle disuse, despite the muscle stimulation methods used during the simualtion. Thus, the entire group is required to meet in the morning for physical training, beginning that Kyrday.

<GMAmy> It is early enough that the sun is just barely rising, though in the second level gym it is impossible to tell. The team is not to train outdoors until their health and stamina have improved.

* Niri yawns. She has been directed by the trainer to a stationary bike, which she operates while seemingly half asleep.

* Victor looks a bit groggy, but he's a least on time and in uniform.

* Trune rubs his eyes and pushes himself forward, already eying the hand weights.

* Victor heads for one the treadmills and works up to a brisk jog, hoping the exercise will help him focus.

* Ryllan seems alert, if quiet, working a rowing machine at a deliberate pace.

<GMAmy> Ryllan has been provided with a basic training schedule. It's fairly easy for the first few days - workouts in the mornings, then breakfast and a morning briefing, followed by Geode training. They are also supposed to go see their mechs and try them out enough that the techs can get started on customizing them.

* Trune picks up two hand weights and begins on a set of strength training exercises. He's quiet for now, but occasionally looks up to the rest of the group as he works.

<GMAmy> Afternoons will include strategy meetings and general briefings, as well as medical and psychological checkups every couple of days to monitor their progress.

* Victor falls back into old habits, and starts muttering a running cadence as he jogs.

* ZackStudy is now known as Mikel

* Mikel is now known as Guest60971

* Guest60971 is now known as Mikel

* ChanServ sets mode: +o Mikel

<Niri> There is a knock at the door to the gym, which opens to admit a middle-aged man with blond hair and wire-rim glasses. He looks somewhat familiar. He glances around, then makes his way over to Trune with long strides. He is carrying some rather unidentifiable technical equipment

* Trune stops, and adopts a grin, "Hey Dad. Whatcha got?"

* Ryllan stops his routine to raise a hand to the new arrival, "Morning, Dr. Albien."

<GMAmy> Dr. Cedric Albien nods to the others in the gym in lieu of greeting, then turns to his son. "Some modified instrumentation and sensors from the exoskeletal legs we were testing out. Remember that? You were fairly irritated with me when I stopped working on them actively."

* Mikel is working one of the pull down machines, murmuring something under his breath every now and then. His eyes flick over towards the good doctor as he walks in, but he's focusing too much on getting swole to say anything just yet.

* Victor slows a bit, noting the newcomer and the unidentified doo-dad.

* Trune stops and puts the weight down, his grin now turning into a full-blown smile, "Oh man, you're still working on that? I thought you stopped!"

<GMAmy> [Dr. Albien] Not exactly. I gave up on that particular project, because of my new position in the GDF and some new ideas I've been working on. But then you joined the program...and basically, we're looking at modifying the specs to try out some new tech. *He holds up a bit of wire attached to a sensor.* Neurological sensors. Ideally, they pick up your brain waves and translate those impulses into mechanical responses. Kind of like your brain does with your own limbs, but instead of moving your legs, you'll be moving the mech's.

<GMAmy> The man frowns. "We're having some trouble with it though. I'm afraid for now you're going to have to get started using hand controls."

* Victor represses the urge to start asking questions.

* Trune 's smile falls just slightly, but he nods, "Well...that's okay I guess. Something hopefully to look forward to?"

* Niri watches the others in silence as she cycles, her eyes straying to Mikel more often than not, but whenever his eyes meet hers, she quickly looks away. She says nothing, appearing lost in thought.

<Trune> Of course now i actually get to control something and drive it. I bet you're flipping out right about now, Dad.

<GMAmy> Dr. Albien shrugs. "Oh, we'll figure it out. It's just going to take some time. I have reason to want to make sure it's working absolutely correctly before we install it. Here, can you hold still while I try taking a few readings?"

<Trune> Sure.

<GMAmy> Cedric raises an eyebrow at this. "Piloting a Makhai is rather different from operating a typical vehicle with automated driving."

* Mikel does a few more reps, finally speaking. "I'm surprised Tanan hasn't had them reconsider the plans to put me in one, with all of the noise he made about churches..." He has been judiciously looking anywhere but Niri's direction. A few more reps.

<GMAmy> He proceeds to attach a couple of sensors to Trune's temples, then examines the readouts on a handheld monitor connected to them.

* Trune chuckles, "Well, YEAH. You know me, poor attempt a joke."

<GMAmy> [Dr. Albien] .........Churches?

<Trune> In the Simulation, Mikel rammed into a church! I wasn't there, but I heard it was awesome.

* Niri gives Mikel a rather strange look at that comment about churches.

<Mikel> "Rammed a church, we were in a rush, thought the Prof had radiation poisoning. Except he wasn't actually a human, instead some magical superweapon trump card for the apocalypse scenario." He pauses for a moment. "Then it turned out he wasn't even that."

* Trune frowns just a bit, "Yeah..."

* Niri shrugs and says quietly. "Mikel has a rather bad track record with churches." It may not even be particularly audible.

<GMAmy> Cedric Albien nods in satisfaction at the readings as Trune continues to lift the hand weights. "It's picking up the signals very well. Next step is to test it when combined with the mechanical equipment." He frowns. "...Later on we'll need to get to Geode integration."

* Victor resumes his normal pace, trying to refocus on his training now that Dr. Albien appears to be finished.

* Trune continues his exercises, "Let me know if there's any more testing that needs to be done before that, though."

<GMAmy> The man nods. "I will. You'll be seeing more of me later on anyway, at your regular briefings." He turns to look at the others. "Hope I haven't been rude for not introducing myself properly. I've heard a great deal about all of you though, so I feel as if we've already met."

* Ryllan grins, "You might be surprised how well we know the feeling."

* Trune bites his lip and declines to tell his dad they DID meet. Sort of. It's very complicated.

* Mikel is suddenly very intent on those reps, leaving it with just Ryllan's comment.

<GMAmy> Dr. Albien is oblivious to all this, seeming a little preoccupied. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work. Very busy with the latest." He sees himself out.

* Victor waves goodbye to the doctor as he leaves.

<Niri> Niri glances at Trune. "So. Your...past life...is your dad?" She squints and frowns. "....That makes my head hurt."

* Trune coughs, "Yeah. I don't even want to know what it means psychologically. Either that, or Tanan is one sick bastard."

<Victor> To be fair, Tana might only be managing scenarios that someone else created. Remember how Dr. Griffin reacted to her part of the simulation.

<Trune> Then remind me to smack whoever made this scenerio up, because that's just a little too messed up for my comfort.

* Mikel finishes up, letting out a sigh as he reaches for a towel to wipe off the sweat. "I'm starting to think a no questions policy when it comes to the simulation's similarities to real life is well advised."

<Niri> It might be a good idea at some point to learn more about how the scenario was designed and run.

* Niri shrugs, watching Mikel towel off. "Still might be useful to know. We could at least avoid being blind-sided by similar situations in the future."

<Ryllan> I spoke a little with the Doc about that the other day. It sounds like a prankster slipped the personnel database into the list of 'stock' identities that Tanan was to use for the simulation.

<Ryllan> Not entirely intentional, from what she told me.

* Niri stares for a minute. "...You've got to be kidding."

<Trune> Really, and this guy is not fired yet?

<Victor> Cute.

<Trune> I mean, fine and dandy for us, but this is the GDF. I don't think they'd take a guy getting his jollies lightly.

* Mikel snorts. "Some outfits are more accepting of pranks than others. You'd be surprised."

<Victor> Some datajocks get bored VERY easily. Wouldn't put something like this past one.

<Trune> Seriously?

<Victor> Army life can be dull. Tedious army life doubly so.

<Ryllan> "I've seen worse. And a project like this one, with heavy involvement from civilian scientists, experimental technology..." Ryllan shrugs, slightly, "Some things are more overlookable if you're the only one who can run the machines that everyone's relying on."

<Mikel> "Remind me to tell you some of the stuff we got up to back in Elysia sometime."

<Victor> If I may make a request, Captain. As the ginuea pigs in this particular experiment, can we please ask those running it to cut back on the shenanigans at our expense?

<GMAmy> The discussion of the NPC mixup continues as the group continues to work out. Before long, the hour is up, the trainer eyeing them carefully and reminding them not to over do it. He sends them off to get some breakfast in the canteen - something with protein, he tells them - and then head to their first official briefing.

<GMAmy> The breakfast options are not bad, for a military canteen. Unfortunately, they are on some dietary restrictions - doctors' orders - and have to choose from particularly nutritious options. Most seem to boil down to smoothies, yogurt, and granola. It could be worse, though.

<GMAmy> Showered and fed, the team meets up in the main briefing room shortly afterward.

* Victor picks a particularly stubborn piece of granola out of his teeth with a thumbnail.

* Mikel is still in his military garb for the briefing, though there is definitely some grousing about the lack of eggs or bacon in the breakfast offerings. Black and grey fatigues, a jacket with his old unit patch on the shoulder and black boots.

* Niri is reluctantly wearing a military jumpsuit, but with her purple surcoat and beads over the top.

* Trune is also wearing a standard military jumpsuit, but it's not adorned in any way.

* Ryllan wears his day uniform, jacket open, and missing a unit patch. He leans back in his chair, waiting for the briefing to begin.

<GMAmy> It doesn't take long before Colonel Eberhart arrives, neatly uniformed as usual. He flicks on the briefing room viewscreen and sets a small pile of folders on the desk. "At ease." He takes a seat. He is followed by two young men who might look somewhat familiar, especially to Ryllan - Sergeant Franz Jinsel and Corporal Burris Taylor. Each carries a viewscreen and stylus.

* Victor sits up as the Colonel enters the room.

* Mikel comes to attention as well, though he relaxes again at the 'at ease'. He glances at the other two for a moment before turning his attention back towards the Colonel.

<GMAmy> Franz grins and waves to Ryllan, but Burris contents himself with a more professional salute.

* Ryllan nods to the two NCOs, a smile on his face as he Salutes the Colonel.

* Trune actually recognizes Franz and does a doubletake, "Huh."

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] Captain Barak, I understand you are acquainted with the members of our new ESSRT program. *He nods to the two NCOs.* They'll be assisting and taking notes for this initial briefing. *He folds his hands in front of him and clears his throat.* Very well, let's begin. I understand you have all been given preliminary clearance by our medical team and our psychologist.

<GMAmy> Eberhart brings up a slide on the viewscreen, with bullet points and the heading "Security Clearance 1".

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] Upon joining the program, you received a level one security briefing. *He indicates the bullet points.* Knowledge of the Makhai Initiative's existence and basic parameters, and the general outline of the MAP simulation training.

<GMAmy> The slide switches to "Security Clearance 2." [Eberhart] This is your official level two security briefing. It will not be your last; you are expected to achieve much higher security clearance with time. Still, we will move slowly as you become acclimated and readjust to life outside the simulation.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] First, the Makhai Initiative details. This is the GDF's current focus and largest project, and there are several sub-projects within its purview. I am the Initiative's commander, and I report to General Tsukino, head of the GDF. The Makhai Initiative's goal is, simply put, to expand on the original Aithre Armor to create large exoskeletal machines called Makhai (or "mechs") that may be utilized to combat Erebos Spawn, using advanced Geode integration.

* Mikel leans back in his seat, frowning slightly but still paying attention. He seems more contemplative than anything else.

<GMAmy> The next slide shows the rough schematics of a basic Makhai design. "You'll see that the Makhai are roughly 15-20 feet tall on average. All have the same basic structure, but different design choices have been made to adapt to the pilots. As of now, these customizations are highly minimal. The tech team has been working on better design plans geared to your specific needs and talents, as reported by our AI, Tanan, based on your simulation performance."

<GMAmy> The image zooms in on a particular part of the schematics. "Here is the Geode integration unit. This enables the pilot to connect to the Geode's power through the Makhai systems, resulting in greater power output and control. Geodes may be swapped out as needed, giving the pilots greater versatility. Different Makhai will be more adept at different types of Geode use - not elementally, but as far as the purpose of the psychokinesis. For example, some may be better at defense, others at support, or reparative actions."

* Victor pays closer attention now.

<GMAmy> The slide changes again. "Here you see our transport and support vehicle, the Skyranger. This will serve as the Makhai for Corporal Dunbar, rather than the standard model."

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] Full details on Geode implementation and customized Makhai design will be available as the vehicles approach completion and battle-readiness. You will each be consulted and part of the process. When time permits, we intend to introduce you to our tech team, headed by Warrant Officer Emiria Ramirez, on loan from the Messembrian military and serving as a liaison with the GDF.

<Trune> (w) Emiria...?

* Mikel murmurs 'Emiria' under his breath, eyes flicking over towards Victor for a heartbeat. Then it's back to Eberhart.

* Victor doesn't seem to react to the name.

* Ryllan holds up a hand, raising an eyebrow at the Colonel.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] Yes, Captain?

<Ryllan> "How far out are they from battle-readiness? I know we're taking recovery a day at a time, but it's still helpful to know how many days we have available to take one at a time."

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] That's difficult to say, as further development requires working with the pilots and active testing in simulated battle conditions. This will proceed as soon as you are ready, which brings me to the MAP results.

* Victor looks a little uncomfortable at the mention of test results.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] In many respects, the simulation training appears to be a success. However, this is only from preliminary reports, and the simulation was not without its problems and unanticipated effects. We are still in the process of gathering and compiling the data from the scenario, so it can be analyzed and used to develop a more coherent strategy moving forward. Effects on you, the pilots, are noticeable but minimal. We anticipate the physical weakness to improve rapidly, and while initial events were worrisome following your awakening, our psychological team has cleared you all for duty and assured me that the cognitive dissonance and memory loss will soon fade.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] We will be examining your ability to use Geodes and how this has changed, if at all. This will be the true test of the MAP training's success, but we have reason to expect positive results. This testing and training will go slowly, and I do want to caution you - we are now in uncharted waters. Nothing of this sort has been tried before, and our projections only tell us so much about what to expect. We have Geode experts who can tell you all we know about the theory and principle behind using psychokinesis, but ultimately you will become the new experts. It will be up to you to teach yourselves, learn what you can do, and pass on what knowledge you can to others. We can only help you so far in this process.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] Moving on to our other primary point for this clearance level - we are implementing a new program to work side-by-side with you, the ESSRT - Erebos Spawn Surveillance and Response Team. It will be headed up by Sergeant Jinzel, and its primary purpose is to work with the Messembrian military in tracking Spawn sightings and providing consultation to units on the ground in the use of Geodes by talented but untrained individuals to combat the Spawn.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] The ESSRT will study the results of your missions, drawing what information they can about Geode use that may be useful to squads on the ground. Your cooperation and assistance will make this process go more smoothly, and we hope to send you on several joint missions.

<GMAmy> [Eberhart] That concludes the briefing. You will receive identification keys with your current clearance level within the next two days. Are there any questions before you begin Geode training?

* Mikel shakes his head. "No, sir."

* Ryllan glances to the rest of the team, questioning.

<Victor> No sir.

* Niri shakes her head.

<Trune> No, I'm good Sir.

* Ryllan spreads his hands to the Colonel, "Looks like we're all set, sir."

<GMAmy> Eberhart nods. "Very well; dismissed. Sergeant Jinzel and Corporal Taylor will show you to the room set aside for Geode training, where you will meet with your instructors." They all stand, and following the appropriate salutes and gathering up of papers and viewscreens, they exit the briefing room.

* Mikel rises up to salute as well, relaxing once the Colonel's made his exit and glancing at the rest of the group.

* Victor stands up to salute, then waits for Jinzel and Taylor to make with the directions.

<GMAmy> Franz lets out a breath and a grin. "Whew! I can't stand all that formality. So hey, good to meet all of you! Aside from the captain of course; we know all there is to know about him." He gives Ryllan a hearty clap on the back.

<Ryllan> "It's good to see you too, Franz." Ryllan chuckles, "Burris, did you manage to keep this lunatic from exploding anything while I was under?"

<GMAmy> Burris looks thoughtful. "............Mostly?"

* Mikel raises an eyebrow at Franz, crossing his arms. "Well, you're just like how you were in the sim."

<GMAmy> Franz cackles, leading the way out of the briefing room and down the hall. "This way, my dears!" He flourishes with his hand.

<GMAmy> [Franz] ...Wait, I was in the sim? How does THAT work?

<Mikel> "NPC. They put your face... and I guess your mannerisms as well, on a character in the thing."

<Trune> You actually helped me bust out of a jail! I think you made stuff explode, too.

<GMAmy> Franz grins. "You mean I'm FAMOUS?"

<Ryllan> I think they might rework it some for next time. But for the current batch, just about everyone knows you.

<Mikel> "Resistance fighter, explosives, bunny girls... yeah, sure, famous."

<Ryllan> Admittedly, that's about eight people maximum, but nevertheless.

<Trune> Ooh yeah, I forgot about the bunny girls.

<GMAmy> Franz's eyebrow threatens to climb to the ceiling. "BUNNY GIRLS? That's it, I am going to have to demand details from that AI."

<Mikel> "It was better in theory than in practice, unfortunately."

<GMAmy> Franz just laughs, while Burris rolls his eyes. It doesn't take long for them to arrive at the training area. "In you go. I think they're already waiting for you."

<Trune> What's their names?

<Trune> Considering I keep running into people I 'know', I'd rather not be blindsighted.

<GMAmy> Franz shrugs. "Head of the sim design, I guess? Something like that."

* Mikel shrugs, deciding to just head in. "How bad could it be?"

<Trune> I bet it's someone I totally know.

<Trune> Well, uh...someone I kind of know but not really?

* Victor decided to just head into the room.

<Ryllan> "No help for it, then. Just remember that second part, Trune, that it's not really whoever your brain is telling you it is."

* Ryllan heads in, staying just in front of Trune.

* Trune wheels forward, "Easier said than done, sometimes."

<Etir> - The room is a simple one. A few tables along the left wall, with a quintet of geodes on them. A number of targets, the kind used for target practice, on a reinforced wall to the right. Speakers and cameras at two opposite corners of the room. A familiar face is standing beside the tables, looking bored. A bit older looking than they're familiar with, maybe. Shorter hair, certainly. He

<Etir> wears a military uniform identifying him as a senior warrant officer, with the name "Hylan"

* Etir is now known as Johnathan

* Victor stops and salutes.

* Niri stops and blinks. "Headmaster...?"

* Johnathan reacts a bit slowly, but returns the salute- or maybe he's saluting Ryllan- as the group enters. "The colonel finally let you go?"

<Trune> Heam-...

<Victor> Yes sir.

* Trune shakes his head, "No, not him."

* Ryllan returns Johnathan's salute a little haphazardly, "Some've you might've met him already, but everyone, this is Chief Warrant Officer Johnathan Hylan."

* Mikel pauses for a moment. He doesn't salute, but instead peers for a bit. "... Y'know, this makes sense, in a way. Hey, Hea- er, Joh- er, Warrant Officer." It takes him a moment to process. Then he finally salutes.

* Niri silently mouths "Chief Warrant Officer" as if practicing it and committing it to memory.

* Johnathan shakes his head, sounding a little exasperated. "Headmaster? I wish. I take it our AI decided to use me in the simulation as well?"

<Trune> Oh yeah.

<Mikel> "Yeah, you could break space and time on a whim. Personal dimensions, time travel, all of that good stuff."

<Trune> You were admittedly pretty awesome and I wanted to be like you when I grew up.

<Mikel> "I beat you up a bit in the sim, too. So there's that."

<Ryllan> Honestly I'd wondered if you hadn't had some influence on that. *Ryllan shrugs* But you also ran an academy for willfor-er, psychokinesis - users.

<Trune> ...You did? I thought you beat up my dad? Er, my fake dad. My asshole dad.

<Niri> ...Your wife was my mentor and hero too.

* Mikel nods at Trune. "Yeah, he wanted to go up to the moon but if he did he would have probably died, so I challenged him to a fight to demonstrate. He punched me with time and space a few times."

<Trune> Oooh, and no one told me this?

* Johnathan looks lost. "Wife? Moon? Time travel?"

<Niri> ....You really ought to grill your AI for details.

<Mikel> "I think you were still laid up, it was after I beat up your fake dad and stuff. Anyways!"

* Victor waits for the situation to get back on track.

<Johnathan> Our AI has been refusing to tell us much of anything about the details of the sim so far. Something about it..

<Mikel> "Probably wants to stay out of trouble."

<Johnathan> - Tanan's voice comes from the speakers "Being confronted with details from the simulation from outside personelle has a thirty two percent chance of adversely-"

* Johnathan cuts it off quickly. "Yes, that."

* Mikel starts working an arm around, looking around the practice area. His eyes fall on the geodes in particular. "So, Chief, what do you have for us?"

* Ryllan holds up a hand, "We can get you some more details later, Chief, if it's important. Business first, though."

* Niri frowns. "Tanan, that is a TERRIBLE excuse."

<Johnathan> Tanan> Possibly a correct one. This is the important test, if the chief will get on with things.

<Johnathan> Yes... sorry.

* Johnathan turns to the table, gesturing at the geodes. "It's simple, really. We're going to give you each one of these, and you're going to see if you can use it to hit one of the targets over there. Doesn't have to be fancy, doesn't have to be showy, just has to work."

* Mikel heads over towards the table, looking over the geodes.

* Victor inhales once, then heads over to the table.

* Johnathan lifts one of them, a red colored stone. "We know for a fact that people can do this. People without your rather unique experience have repeatedly show the ability to harness geodes. The important thing is to remember that you can, really. To know it's possible. I don't know what kind of weird moon time experiences you went through, but if you remember that feeling."

* Trune wheels himself over to the table, eying the geodes in front of him, "If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Hylan, I still vividly recall that part."

* Mikel made be looking for a blue or yellow one in particular. "Yeah, it was pretty much a natural thing for me. No splitting this time, I suppose..."

* Ryllan walks toward the table, reaching for a random Geode, "Well, let's give it a try."

* Johnathan passes the stone to Mikel. "This one's yours, fire." He lifts another, a blue one, and passes it over to Trune. "Water."

* GMAmy shrugs, scanning the stones.

* Trune gently takes the water geode and turns it over in his hands.

<Johnathan> Tanan> Give Nirika the earth one. Ryllan taking lightning is fine. Which leaves wind for Victor. This is satisfactory.

* Mikel holds up the fire one with a raised eyebrow. "This definitely won't work unless a certain AI was screwing with me in the sim. Or is screwing with me now." He does at least go through the motions, gesturing towards one of the targets while focusing.

* Ryllan takes a sharp breath as his hands close on the lightning stone.

* Victor looks unethusiastic as he picks up the wind geode.

* Trune holds out the stone in one hand, and points to a target with the other. He squints and focuses.

* Johnathan looks at the cameras. "Any geode should work for anyone who can use them, to make a little effect of their type. Our AI insists that things you're less comfortable with is more useful. If you can do that, you can do anything, sort of thing."

* Niri takes the earth Geode doubtfully.

* Victor grips the geode in one hand, points his other hand at the nearest target, and squints in concentration.

* Johnathan shrugs. "Of course, the A and N in our AI's name stand for 'Asshole' and 'Neurotic', respectively."

* Trune snorts in laughter!

<Niri> I actually believe that.

<Niri> Clearly our friendship meant nothing to you, Tanan! *With a wry look, she holds the earth Geode in her hand and concentrates on one of the targets.*

<Johnathan> Tanan> Due to a programming oversight I am, of course, incapable of hating you all. The brainwave patterns you used in the simulation are good approximations for the ones exhibited by people manipulating geodes. Please focus on the stone the way you would have on willforce, and then project it to the target.

* Victor tries to imagine a gust of wind lashing out at the target, or a small dust devil, or a tiny tornado. Something. Anything.

* Trune imagines water. Moisture. Ice. Streams. Rivers.

* Ryllan tilts his head, as though listening to something, while the others try their hands at the Geodes.

* Niri concentrates hard. With some very real effort, she manages to produce a somewhat pathetic shower of dust and pebbles from the Geode. While unimpressive, it DOES manage to gently tap the target before falling to the ground.

* Trune seems to pool a small bubble of moisture from the air, which forms into a sphere. He then hurls it at the target with a gentle splash.

* Johnathan looks surprised. "That was much quicker than I expected. Well done."

* Victor manages to move more air by wiggling his fingers around than anything else.

<Trune> Heh! Would you look at that.

* Mikel gets a puff of smoke on the first go. There's a frown, a moment's more focus before a ball of fire goes zooming off to scorch a target. "Well, that's far more than I could in the sim with fire."

* Ryllan opens his eyes, "Okay. I think I've got..." The geode glows gently, and a small crackling sphere of lightning appears in his other hand. It hovers there, stable, "... Okay, not quite."

<Johnathan> Tanan> Excellent. Now if only you had been insistant on fixing sensors to their heads we could have gotten some good readings out of this. Incidentally, if any of you would be willing to do this again with sensors on your head it would be appreciated.

<Mikel> "Hey, Trune, let's switch."

<Trune> Sure!

* Ryllan lets out a grunt of exertion and perhaps half the gathered energy lashes out toward a target -- the rest dissipates harmlessly as the geode's glow fades.

* Mikel hands over his fire one.

* Trune passes his water geode over to Mikel.

* Johnathan watches Victor, curiously. "No luck?"

* Victor tries more extravigant gestures, but gets nothing.

* Mikel suddenly looks far more comfortable as he grasps this one, nodding to himself. "There we go, it's like meeting an old friend." He points, focusing. A set of small ice darts follow as he lets out a sigh of relief.

<Victor> No sir, no luck.

<Johnathan> Tanan> Vytor, pardon me, Victor, did not really use willforce in the simulation. He did, however, show excellent mental stability for most of the scenario

* Trune holds the stone in his hand, forming a small ball of fire in his palm. He then hurls it in a trail of fire and smoke. Well, it's more smoke than fire, but it's better than nothing, "Excellent."

<Victor> If I throw a geode at the target, does that count as a magic rock spell?

* Johnathan smiles. "I wouldn't recommend it, corporal. They're expensive. But you don't have to force it, either. It may come to you, it might not. Not everyone can do it." He looks more serious. "That stability may be working against you, as well."

* Ryllan tilts his head again as Mikel and Trune repeat their experiment, "Huh."

* Mikel glances over at Ryllan. "What's up?"

* Victor gives up trying to do magic, grips the rock with both hands and stares at it accusingly.

* Ryllan shakes his head, "Hadn't felt willforce in the air for a while. 's like someone turned on the lights."

<Niri> It DOES feel something like relief. Even if it's really awkward trying to use this thing. Hey Ryllan, mind if I compare with the lightning one?

<Niri> And Tanan, I guess we can try hooking up sensors if you really want us to.

* Mikel looks around for another lightning one, keeping hold of the water geode for the moment. "I wonder..."

<Johnathan> Tanan> That would be useful. You seem able to do this even when you aren't angry and frustrated now, which is good.

* Ryllan tosses the lightning geode at Niri, first come first serve, after all.

<Trune> ....Wait. Angry and fustrated?

* Victor sets the geode down, figure he'll try again once the sensors are hooked up.

* Niri gives Victor a reassuring pat on the back

<Johnathan> Angry and frustrated. ....what, they didn't tell you?

* Mikel finds a lightning one lying around as well, pondering as he holds both and looks back at the target. He narrows his eyes and starts focusing, though he's quick to realize this isn't going to be nearly as easy. "... man, I kind of miss sim me now."

<Trune> ....Er, no. Least, I don't think they did.

<Niri> You're not the only one, Mikel.

* Johnathan sighs. "Tanan."

<Niri> ...Huh?

<Johnathan> Tanan> Since success with psychokinesis is traditionally tied to feelings of anger, inadequacy, frustration, and the like, the scenario was designed to be, in the words of the lead scenario designer, 'aggravating as fuck'

<Johnathan> And you never told them.

<Johnathan> Tanan> That would have been less aggrevating.

<Trune> So you're saying all of the crap I went through...was to piss me off?

* Mikel finally sets the water one down with a sigh, instead focusing on the lightning one. A small bolt of lightning goes arcing out eventually, then Mikel's set that one down with a sigh. Then he pauses at Tanan's words before responding. "... well. Hey, Tanan, where's your server?"

<Victor> ...

<Trune> Actually, all the crap WE went through...

<Johnathan> * Tanan actually sounds a little nervous. "Clearly this has mostly worked."

<Mikel> "A stunning success." Deadpan.

* Trune 's look goes icy, "I'm...well, I think I'm gonna have a real easy time of it now. Hand me another geode."

* Mikel lobs the lightning one Trune's way as he picks up the water one again.

* Johnathan points at the targets. "It's right about one thing, you are mostly displaying excellent progress. And it's distributed across a number of systems anyway, you couldn't just accidentally break one machine. We've thought about it."

* Victor takes a step back as tempers flare a bit.

* Niri freezes for a moment, then shakes herself. "I knew Tanan was different outside the sim. I didn't realize HOW different." There is a strange undercurrent to her voice. She has seldom, if ever, sounded this coldly furious before.

* Trune gathers an arc of lighting into his hands. Nothing major, but slightly more oomph than his last two attmepts. He hurls it at another target, "Pity."

* Niri grabs an air Geode and concentrates. Nothing happens for a moment, and then a fierce whirlwind kicks up, spinning towards the targets. A high-pitched shrieking sound emanates from it, and a moment later, one of the targets is torn and sliced as if with knives.

<Mikel> "n the other hand, it means we could break a few and be okay." There's a shake of his head, then a moment's focus as the geode glows. Then he's sent a larger spike of ice that cuts right through the target and shatters against the reinforced wall. "Yeah, that works pretty nicely." He sets the geode back down with a sigh.

<Johnathan> Tanan> Point proven. Anger is useful. I am not programmed to prioritize your feelings over the safety of the people of this world. If it would help push back the spawn, I would cheerfully piss in your cereal. If you ate cereal. If I could piss. My metaphor seems to be breaking down.

<Victor> ...

* Johnathan pinches the bridge of his nose, everything about his manner saying "here we go again"

* Mikel glances upwards at the ceiling. "Reminds me of some of the conversations in the sim."

<Trune> ...Yeah.

* Victor shakes his head, then walks over the Johnathan. "Chief? I'd like to try again with the sensors this time."

* Ryllan glances up at the speaker, then closes his eyes and shakes his head, "Programming." He says softly, almost to himself.

* Niri mutters, "In a way, nothing has really changed."

<Johnathan> We don't actually have the rigs in here, unfortunately. We were worried that sensitive equipment, first time tests, that sort of thing. We'll have them prepared for later, if you won't mind coming back. We're intending to allow for a few geodes to be for the use of your team. Any practice you want to get in it encouraged, so long as you don't wear yourselves out.

<Victor> Yes sir.

<Niri> All right. It looks as if our schedule has some blocks of time open for personal training anyway. *Her voice still sounds somewhat flat.*

<Johnathan> My fault, corporal. The colonel gets aggravated when we break things down here, and I've been on his bad side enough times already. I'll see we let you know when they're ready.

<Mikel> "Mm. I'll have to check out the firing range first to see how much work I'll have to do, but thanks, Chief."

<Victor> Yes sir.

* Ryllan rests a hand lightly on Niri's shoulder for a moment, then glances over at Johnathan, to acknowledge the note, "Ideally I'd like to set up some paired or group sessions with you all as well. I'd like to figure out how many of my old tricks translate.

<Mikel> "Just let me know, sure. Seems like most of my things except for my best carry over." He runs a hand through his hair. "Though it's nice to not have to worry about not reforming back into one entity, I guess."

<Niri> Hmmmm. That does sound like a good idea. *She calms slightly.*

* Victor steps away from geodes, singaling his part of the training is over.

<Johnathan> Just let us know. I'm more or less at your team's disposal until you feel comfortable enough to use these things in a combat scenario and we start planning for the next group.

* Niri also gives Mikel a sidelong glance.

<Ryllan> "I'm sure we'll get it figured out. Thank you for your time today, Chief."

<Johnathan> Absolutely, sir.

* Niri nods. "Yes, thank you, sir."

* Trune nods in thanks.

* Mikel nods, tossing off a more casual salute. "Aye, thanks."

* Johnathan is now known as Etir

<GMAmy> == Session End ==

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