Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nothing discovered: nothing learned.

"Have a nice trip!"

The AI's last words echo in the air as the leader's communicator crackles, then dies. The airbus overhead turns and zips away with a faintly lasting whirr, disappearing quickly over the mass of trees now that its cargo is deposited. The group is left standing at the base of a tall metal beacon; it stretches upward into the air, reaching over the trees to transmit data back to the central Labs. All around, alien trees twist and stretch toward the sky, their curling branches and frond-like leaves soaking in the planet's pure sunlight.

It is a small clearing, big enough to hold the crew and the beacon, but the wildlife is already encroaching upon it eagerly. Vines can be seen trying to creep over the pole's base, and the rough-hacked path leading back to the Labs is already overgrown. It is easy for the explorers to see why airlifting to these outward spots was a better idea than trying to hack through the woods.

The communicator crackles to life again, and CaTDOS's voice splits the air, his words stringing together in a sing-song manner.

"Alright, adventurers~ It's time to begin~ Everyone, remember to keep your data transmitters active at all time~ It will constantly analyze and stream information back to us, so make sure you don't lose it, no matter what~" A face flickers onto the communicator's screen, a very distinct, pixelated '+ w+' expression. "Take a moment to introduce yourselves, but then please begin~ You are to enter the jungle away from the previously cut path~ Your goal is to find anything of interest that you can, particularly new species~ Please remember, be very careful~ Who knows what's lurking out there~? CaTDOS out~!"

Joni Tina Britt, no she much preferred Joni to those who didn't know her. Standing firm and tall with the commands Joni smiled as her teams leader explained the rules the guidelines and ever step they were to take. Oh and that he didn't care where they came from that was smooth, she was starting to like him already. A nasty smile spread over her face, she too wouldn't put up with any mess from the other people around her, even if she had to from her leader.

Stepping a few paces forward in line with the other people like her she picked up her red shirt with a twist of her lips and pulled it on over her head.

A reign of terror was hardly what Pete had signed up for, when he'd decided to take that immigration opportunity, but the Tekimi heading up the expedition was decidedly not a member of the customer satisfaction department.

Pete needed only one glimpse of that twitching left eye before he decided to edge toward the back of the human group, stealthily putting as much distance in between himself and the ferric. As their leader addressed the group, he hunched down lower, moving only to nod at the questions. Maybe the questions were rhetorical, but he thought it safest to signal his understanding and compliance, all the same. He flinched when he met Hawk's disgusted stare, and the acrid heat of the pseudo-cigarette made him flinch again.

When Hawk finished talking and headed into the jungle, Pete pondered saluting, but fought down the brief, obsequious upward twitch of his hand, deciding against drawing attention to himself. Something told him that whatever attention he got, it was all too likely to be negative.

Once some of the others had started moving, he hurried after Hawk. Pete was no adventurer, but he wasn't about to wait around for the leader to make use of his clearance. He kept a wary eye on the surroundings as he walked along, graceful strides settling him into a position closer to the apparent inventor than to Hawk and the purple-haired woman. Probably safer that way. As if there was anything safe about this whole expedition -- or its leader. He shivered.

It would take a brave man to trek into a jungle half naked. But Emory, it could be said, was not a brave man. No, he was much more, especially considering the fact that he was no less than ninety-nine-point-nine percent naked. He stared down at some of the other team members' outfits, wondering how the hell they would survive in the heat - and, if the jungles were anything like Earth's jungles, steamy heat - dressed so heavily. It was their loss, he knew, but he couldn't help but feel some vague pity as he kept his spine stone straight, hands behind his back and gripping the wrists lightly, looking like he'd just been dropped here from the military.

... Or some military fetish show, considering that Emory's point-one percent of clothing was some weird combination of a banana hammock (in a laughably fitting bright yellow) and a codpiece, displaying his rather, ah, generous features. And the tassels on the rump and nipples? Well, they were his favourite! In fact, he was completely and utterly sure that there was nothing wrong with his choice in attire amd anyone who said otherwise was simpy jealous. Jealousy was something, Emory had learned, that was horridly rampant; everyone gave him the odd stares that said they wished that they had something so utterly fashion forward and airy.
He had learned not to give any notice to the jealousy. After all, it was his job to educate them, teach them what they needed to know to free themselves from the boundaries of full body clothes and embrace their human (or... not so human) sexualities. He reached back and pushed at his hair gently, the different pieces standing out in their vibrantly red colour.

Well, if the leader of the expedition was so eager to go, Emory supposed he had better follow up with him, keep up with the team. With a wiggle of his fine, firm a**, he started his long strides towards the front. It could not be said that Emory was a brave man, as he was much more - it could not be said that Emory had ever even conceived of the words "modesty" or self-restraint.

Well, daaaaamn. This jungle was beautiful. Jere turned his eyes on it, grinning a little lecherously. He could work this, he thought. Maybe he'd have to hide the business from the officials here (it seemed this...ferric guy was one of them. Huh. He looked too angry to care much. There was an advantage here already!), but it was something he thought he could do. He blinked his eyes a little owlishly at Hawk - who, him? He was perfectly innocent.

He was dressed efficiently, and styled efficiently, too. He had luscious green curls, but he'd cropped them close to his head and combed them with mousse in an effort to look professional. He was wearing a three-piece suit in black, with a buttoned red shirt and a little black bow-tie. He was pretty damn snazzy-looking, if he asked himself. This jungle was infernally hot, though; he could stand for a change of wardrobe the next time he came out here.

He was one of the last humans to begin moving out, having been caught in a reverie. Luckily, though, that only allowed him to check out the fine, fine piece of a** that was now strutting in front of him. He whistled, a little lowly, and grinned smugly at Emory as he strode to catch up. It was a little difficult for him: Jere Sweet didn't look as though he'd ever been outdoors.

He gave the guy with a purple and red shirt a wide berth, though. That was so un-sexy.

♥~

Hawk stopped as he stared out at the gaping chasm, his scowl actually fading for a few moments as he stared in appreciation at the glittering scene. Of course, as always, that damn computer had to ruin everything; his ears shot downward again as he lifted - and glared at - his receiver. Get a sample? Really? He snorted at the thought, rolled his eyes, then began to scan over the area.

On the side, he noted that there seemed to be a bit of a ridge leading down towards one sparkling section. Big enough for someone to walk, maybe. A quick glance told him there was a similar ridge going the other way.

He turned, looking the group over; he opened his mouth to speak when he caught sight of that ... that ...

What the hell was wrong with humans? His lip curled in aggravation, revealing sharp teeth as he grimaced towards Emory. What the <******** a few moments, he shook it off and cleared his throat. He pointed towards the ledges.

"Much as I don't like listenin' to that ********' thing, if it's somethin' new, that's what we're here for. Group up. Each of ya oughta have ropes in yer packs. Get one, strap one person in, and the others hold the ******** onto it. Try to get a sample, or at least let yer scanners see what that sparkly s**t is. That's an order, got it?"

Skipping roll for now as leader is ordering others to act. Will roll for Hawk's success at forcing non-posters or any one resisting to comply as necessary!

~♥