The First Mission - (Chapter 1)

[Marcus Brand]

Marcus sat down with a stew and a cola, though he was more interested in the corn bread.  

When the Lieutenant asked about Chi-Towns night life, he smirked, "From what I've seen of it, its pretty cool.  There is a new club called Power Play.  It was pretty awesome, but honestly I don't get out much.  That's the first and only club or bar I've been too. The nightlife is more of my two brother's scene." He nodded to Aaron and Viego before turning his full attention to the stew and cornbread.

[Nolan Randall]

Nolan nods, but waits for the Captain to sit first before seating himself.

"Thank you, sir."

Then he simply waits, he will speak when it his turn, not yet. He was not about to start interupting a general.

[DM Spiral]

---Nolan---

The Captain took a seat, followed by Nolan. The general wasted no time in turning on a vid screen and pivoting it toward the two officers so they could see it clearly.  

The screen showed a man smiling awkwardly at a Com screen. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like he hadn't slept in a month. "We haven't seen your platoon recently sir. But They came through about a week ago heading west along the border." The mans voice sounded monotone, almost like he wasn't the one speaking.

The Coalition Communications officer asked, "Why haven't you been answering our earlier communications?"

The man kept smiling and waving. "Everything's fine.  Thanks for checking on us."  Then the video abruptly ended.  The odd thing was that almost twenty people could be seen in the background … but none of them were moving.  They were standing still, spread out in various distances from the man speaking … all wearing the exact same tired smile and then when he waved they all waved in unison.



The general turned the screen back around, "That was the last and only communication we have received from Appleseed since the platoon vanished."  He shook his head, "They haven't responded to further calls. We suspected Magic before as no communications or scouts have returned from Appleseed.  But then we got this communication from them an hour ago.  Obviously magic or something demonic in nature is involved at this point."

[Viego]

Viego nods at the Lieutenant, he had a good portion of food, and he was torn between stuffing his face and answering her question. Shrugging he says "Lots of interesting stuff there, kind of depends on your interest. Power Play is hip, but its has some competition, the local DJ scene has gotten kind of intense with a few of the clubs trying to be the 'best'. There is a new dance club that is pretty tight, called Overkill." Viego tears into his stew waiting to see what the Lieutenants interests were.

[Aaron Brand]

Beef stew was a pleasant surprise and Aaron helped himself to a heaping bowlful of the stuff, topped with ripped cornbread pieces. Viego's more of a club-hopper than I am; if you need a name, he's your guy. I'm just there to babysit. Aaron grinned at V before continuing. If you want to meet some interesting people, go look for bars in the seedier parts of town. There was this one woman I met at some dive bar. Former circus performer, had to be pushing 60, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her. Pretty sure her biceps were bigger than mine. Cracked a melon clean in half with her tits. No cybernetics, just good old-fashioned pec-power.

[DM Spiral]

---Khayman, Marcus, Viego and Aaron---



She tapped on her wrist computer making a note. Still chuckling, she added, "So, Power Play and Overkill. Thanks Corporal." She smiled at Viego, "I'll check those out when I visit the capital next time. I do love dancing." 

Lieutenant Carson almost spit her drink into her bowl of stew was Aaron finished his story. "Oh my god." Luckily she was laughing. "I think I'll avoid ex-circus performers though. Anyone who can smash fruit with their tits might be a little too intense for me."

[MSgt Khayman Tamaroa]

Lifting a brow at Aaron's comment, he sighed and shook his head, You met ole' Gertrude huh Brand? he asked, setting his empty coffee cup down, I didn't think Charlie's Pit was your kind of hang out. 

[Aaron Brand]

You know how it is Sarge; I go where the alcohol is cheap and plentiful. I was the one who fixed their A/C unit you know, that's actually how I found the place.

[Nolan Randall]

Nolan nods. 

"So it looks like we're going in blind. But definitely some sort of mental control going on. Whether it is demonic, magic, or psionic is almost a moot point. It needs to be stopped."

"What's the population of Appleseed, and what defenses does the town normally have? In case whomever is controlling them turns them on us."

He pauses for only a moment.

"When do you want us to head out? We are ready now."

[DM Spiral]

---Nolan---



"Your team can head out now or in the morning.  It's up to you. I suspect whatever is going on in that town isn't going to change any time soon.  Chris if you could give him the defensive assessment of the town."



The Captain nodded and turned to Nolan, "As far as Appleseed, there are about five thousand citizens there. They have a wall of course.  There was a single squad posted there.  It went missing which was what prompted the platoon.  The walls have maybe four or five spotter cannons, but the real power will come from the weapons from the first squad and the platoon." 



General Chalk scoffed, "If they were smart enough to put them into use. These monsters usually don't understand technology."