(no subject)

[gamemakers]

Who| Everyone
What| A chance for the teams to meet, mingle, and, lets be honest, for goodbyes to be said.
Where| The common area.
When| Evening before the attack, about a day after Creuntus' network announcement.
Warnings/Notes| Time is going to be a little more wonky then normal, if you haven't noticed. They will be going out to attack "tomorrow" but that thread will not, likely, be posted tomorrow, to give people time to play in this one, etc.

There is food and drink, plenty of it, but no decoration, and it is clear this "party" is no sort of celebration. There is the small spattering of Peacekeepers still in the Capitol, those not on duty at the edge of the boundary.

A long table at the front has a set up for each team. Everyone has a folder with who is in their team, who is watching their team, a list of the various weapons they will have. On the list is a flame thrower, a handful of small explosives, and an automatic weapon for each team member. There are no weapons laid out for the Tributes to handle, however - those were waiting for them elsewhere, for when the mission truly started. Nor does the folder mention that the weapons all switch off outside of the combat area, but it's also not a secret, or a surprise.

Each folder also includes the rather useless stats and images they have of the creatures-the photos are blurry, the stats mainly stack up to "they are very deadly" and a collection of the various bits of information put forth by other tributes who seem to know more then the Capitol. Last, a detailed map of both the neighborhood, and the tunnels for them to study.

Another table has folders for the intel, with much of the same information. Last, a third table is set up for those that are staying at home. Those folders contain some basic first aid information, and a list with what sort of basic medical supplies and food stuff is in the training center.

Each table set up has an Avox or two to hand out the folders. Creuntus is no where to be seen, and you would be lucky to catch any of her team. She knows where she doesn't want to be. The furniture has been dragged to facilitate the conversation of small to medium sized groups. Say, about the size of a team and their Intel.

Comments

[gluteus]

"I've fought with men I had fought against before," Maximus pointed out, carefully, as he watched her. He knew little to nothing about her, of course, and the Capitol brought in all kinds. But she seemed to have some sort of spirit, at least.

"They've no idea how to govern an army, but I have more faith in the tributes ability to work together than I do in their management."

[formersurgeon]

"You'd know more about it that I do," she admits. "Honestly, the last arena was the first time I've been in a situation like that, and I wound up making more friends than enemies." Like Wyatt. "Hopefully we'll manage to survive their management."

[gluteus]

"One can hope." He offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile, but was probably a stern grimace.

"So tell me exactly what 'intel' entails."

[formersurgeon]

She didn't really expect anything reassuring from him. He was a rough man already used to killing before he got here, which would have been enough to put him on her "to be avoided" list were it not for Wyatt.

"I'm sure you're aware by now that the Capitol has cameras everywhere. Ways to watch us at all times." She hoped he understood that. "From what I understand, Intel uses those cameras to watch out for their teams. Let them know where it's safe to go, and when danger is coming."

[gluteus]

"I know that they can see everything, but I do not understand the method behind it. I've seen the screens, however, I imagine they are like those?"

He let out a breath.

"So you are a scout, who does not need to face danger to bring information." He'd had scouts come back without their heads, before. This seemed much less bloody.

[formersurgeon]

"We'll use screens like those, yes."

It must be hard for him, the technology so much more advanced than he's used to. It's beyond Joan's time, too, but she still has a basic understanding.

"That's a good way of putting it. Out feels wrong, not being in danger while you're risking your lives. But if I was physically out there, I wouldn't be very helpful, because I wouldn't last long."

[gluteus]

"That doesn't seem to have been a consideration when they built the teams," Maximus said, his voice stern. He was obviously displeased, though not with her.

"There is a child on my team, as their is on Wyatt's. If they had given any thought to relative outcomes, this entire thing would be set up differently." He blew out a hard breath, through his nose. "... Never the less. I am sure I will appreciate your eyes, when the time comes."

[formersurgeon]

A child. Joan rolled her eyes, shook her head in disgust. Of course they would put children in harm's way.

"You know the Tributes were originally children, right? And they wouldn't be brought back, either. The Capitol has no problem sending children to their deaths."

there, not their, sob

[gluteus]

He nodded gravely.

"I had heard. At least in the arena now, a child killed is brought back to the city unharmed. But whatever magic works there does not work here. We will see fatalities. I am sure of it."

No worries!

[formersurgeon]

"So am I," she answered somberly. "Clearly we're expendable to them. I hope that I'll be able to help lessen the carnage."

Regardless, it was likely to be bloody.

[gluteus]

He let out a low sound - a displeased rumble under his breath - as he turned back to look over his shoulder across the room, before turning back to her.

"Your first priority should be the children," He said, firmly. "I can take care of myself, if needs require. Even if this is a hunt, their safety should be our primary goal even if it is not our captor's."

[formersurgeon]

There. There she could see the person Wyatt cared for. The person he died for.

"I agree," she said. "I'll watch out for them, do my best to make sure they get out of this alive and unharmed." She shifted in her seat, moving a little closer. "Can you tell me about how you plan to organize your team? Your plan of attack?"

Because clearly Maximus would be the leader. He wold be even were he not a celebrated Victor.

[gluteus]

He let out a long breath and raised his fingertips to rub his temple, leaning on the table. He did not like admitting that he was frustrated about this aspect, but he was, and he would not lie.

"I will tell you when I know, but the truth of the matter is I've yet to even meet any of them. Our weapons..." He waved vaguely at the paper they had given him. "All of them are far from my time. I would feel more comfortable with a sword, than throwing fire." He looked at her sharply. "They will not even allow a day's worth of training, and for weapons like these - whose power I've witnessed - they are a greater danger to us than they are an asset. My plan thus far extends to keeping the team to together, and their weapons pointed outwards rather than in. I can give you a better idea once I have the measure of them."

Which, unfortunately, probably would be after a disastrous alien hunt.

[formersurgeon]

"That makes sense. I can understand them feeling the threat is too immediate to allow for training time, but it's short-sighted. Like most of the things the Capitol does. That said, you're probably going to be a much more effective leader than most of the other people here."

Team together, weapons pointed out. Okay. Joan made a mental note to keep an eye on who was where in Maximus' group, so that she could alert them of the direction of oncoming danger by naming the person facing it.

[gluteus]

"Shepard is better qualified," Maximus said, able to admit it easily. "She knows the weapons, knows the tactics. If I even had more than a day to train with her--" He let out a hard breath. No point complaining.

"No matter. We make due with what we have."