Welcome to Gaia! ::

Jordan shot a look at Jerry; he'd been busy enough with the files that he'd only peripherally noted when Candace came in, but the nervous babbling got his attention. Mental note, track Jerry down later. Pretending he didn't know what was going on when Jerry was so obviously hurting made his stomach twist.

"Hey Bix," he said, and took a moment to hand over the rest of the files he'd already read. "Creature data," he explained succinctly. "Looks like we're going to the North Pole."

"Probably," he said to Jerry. "But keep in mind why we're here - we're the ranking trainees for this mission, so I assume we'll be supervising instead of just charging in. Fun as that might be," he added, a trace of wistful humor in his voice. "We're getting the details so we have a more complete idea of the situation. That'll let us coordinate between ourselves and with whatever other Suns are going along. At least, that would be my guess," he said, looking up at Aria as he remembered the last mission he'd been on under her supervision. Don't assume; ask for instruction or help when you can.

He can learn! It's a miracle!

Shut up, Ferros.

"Ofelia?" Jordan asked Jerry, handing Bix the last of the files to take a look at. "Or is it someone else? We'll have a better idea of what we have to work with once we see who's with us, yeah."

With the arrival of Bix, Before, and Ariane, Aria's shoulders eased. "Excellent, we're all here," She began smoothly, standing up. The division leader turned and pulled down a map hanging from the wall. It was a larger version of the map the Mists received. "As you may be aware, our duty as hunters is to safeguard the human race from creatures that seek to harm and destroy it. To this end, we have our island called Deus Ex. However, if there was to, say, be a large scale attack in South America..." She shrugged, the sleeve of the hunter coat she was wearing sliding off of her shoulder. "We most assuredly wouldn't make it in time, or we would be late. Therefore, we have bases scattered around the world. During your training, you may or may not be stationed at one of these such bases."

Aria tugged the coat back into place. It seemed to be too large for her, and there seemed to be something... off about it. Those who met her before would realize that Aria wasn't wearing her usual hunter coat. "This is Station 771, located in the North Pole. A squad of hunters were stationed there to monitor Christmas activity to see if there is a correlation of activity with the holiday season in that area. Our last communication with them was at oh-400 hours three days ago."

She pulled another map down, this time it appeared to be similar to the map in the file Marcus received. "This is a map of the base. It is heavily warded, however in the last transmission it can be assumed that it has been damaged here," she pointed, "Here, here, and here. It is presumed that whatever attacked the base was able to get in. According to the last report we received, it does not appear that creatures from Christmas are the ones to blame for this attack."

Aria's gaze swept across the assembled hunters. "It will be your mission to lead a squad of untrained and untested Hunters here to examine the area. We have lost all communication with the base, however we are still receiving a transmission. The area, to our knowledge, is clear. Since the base has been compromised, you will be sent in to retrieve data and to figure out exactly what happened."

"There will be five squads, each lead by a leader and assistant. Each squad will have a different priority.

• Death squad, you will focus on recovering data.
  
• Life squad, you will focus on recovering our machines. You will also seek out and determined whether the hunters who were stationed there still live and provide assistance if they do.
  
• Moon squad, you will repair the base as best as you can to create a defense. We do not know if the creatures are still there, and it would be best to create a perimeter to ensure the survival of all parties.
  
• Sun squad, you will assist the Moon squad with defense. If you see a threat, it is your duty to ensure that it is reduced to a minor inconvenience. Your duty is to destroy any threat.
  
• Mist squad, you will provide assistance for the other squads in addition to figuring out what exactly went wrong.
  

As the Moon and Sun Life squads lack numbers, I am going to request that someone step up and assist them in their duties." A meaningful glance was thrown towards the three Mist members, hint hint. This glance was also given to the Suns and Deaths, the other two squads that currently boasted three members. "It will be up to each of you to determine who is the leader and who will assist."

"Depending on the sizes of the squads, there may be one group with two assistants. The size of the squads you lead will depend on how many hunters have been assigned to what division, and whether or not those hunters have found their weapon."

Aria gestured to them. "Figure out who's going to lead and who will assist. If you have any questions, ask them now. The trainees will also receive a debriefing, and you will be able to meet and organize your squad at that point."

[edit]
(( Derp, fixed a typo. Moon and Life need an assist, not Sun. |D ))

Jerry shifted in his seat, about to answer his friends before Aria began speaking. As much as he would have liked to take the lead, he had already proven himself to be... rather foolish in a position of power like that.

The guitar was broken anyway.

He cleared his throat, glancing from Jordan to Bix respectively. Both were competent, although as much as he liked Bix, he trusted Jordan's leadership the most. It would be up to them, though, he would just... make the decision a little easier. "I... I'm fine assisting either of you," He offered quietly. "Just tell me where to shoot, ahahaha."

Stationed far away from Deus for however long the mission would last sounded great... except that a certain woman was in that room being sent off as well. He sank in his chair. He'd be a lot more enthused about the whole thing if it meant he was leaving her behind.

No matter, no matter. He'd make the best of it, like he always did.

Jerry didn't want the leadership position, but neither had he expressed a preference; Jordan looked to Bix. Tact would be key here. Though Bix didn't seem to be the type to take offense over things, it still wouldn't be good to offend him. "I wouldn't mind taking the lead," he said neutrally. "Do you have a strong preference?"

"I probably shouldn't help Moon..." Cass admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck and giving Marcus another look. "I...can't exactly compartmentalize...." meaning she'd try to jump Marcus the second he did something she found the remotest bit attractive and then the mission would be completely ********. At least she had the head to say 'Probably not the best'.

"I mean, if Marcus wants me, I'll help, but......"

Gale listened attentively to Aria, but his eyes were simultaneously still scanning the papers in the file, his lips pressed together in concentration. Glancing up at the Mist Hunter leader, he frowned a bit, and put the file back onto the table, casting a look at both Ariane and Maddie.

"What do you guys think?" he asked. "Any of you want to help out the Moon Division, or have a preference on who should lead?"

Oh. Oh, man... Madison turned her head just a little to peer at the Life group, at the familiar tree-branch sigil and Robert's reassuring bulk. Well, reassuring in some ways, at least. But... "I kinda would rather help one of you guys doing Death stuff. I'm new to the division and all, so... gotta learn the ropes before you can help others with them, right?"