Thanks to Annette for being the note-taker!
The session began with the group including John, JT, Babel, Jamie, Cypher, and James in the desert, having decided that they may well be walking into a trap.
They double-checked their equipment -- everything worked. JT had some detection devices, communications. He could detect a mine field, but was concerned he might not be able to detect a single mine.
They moved to the observation site, hiding their trails as they went, Cypher in front, JT keeping full alert. They set up base camp there as well as an observation deck, digging down to hide their camp.
The enemy camp was fairly large. No open heavy weaponry. Several large tents that might hold equipment. They determined a med tent, the barracks. There was no fence and it was quiet at night. They set up watches and settled in to see what they could see.
Back in the normal world, life went on.
Eric was immersed in his FBI training, making friends. Frank, a boisterous and friendly man, if crude. Toni, a tall farm girl type from the midwest. Shannon, Toni's roommate and bothered a bit by Frank's crudity. Chuck, Eric's roommate, a wiry redhead who stays up late geeking on the computer and sleeps on the weekends. Michael is Frank's roommate, too good to go out and thinking he knows it all -- just physical enough to pass.
None of his friends have noticed anything odd about Eric, although he does have a few special tests to deal with outside of his classes.
Khloe goes to classes in archeology, a bit bitter about the secret life. She has superficial friends and activities. Christy, Terry, Jim (Terry's boyfriend), Ed (hangs with the group). They share classes, similar majors. She joins the rifle and archery clubs -- Jim is also in archery.
Chris Knight has an interview in San Francisco with Jackson Merril, a toymaker. He has a message from Brian (the First Gentleman) when he returns and Rita (secretary) plans his trip to DC to discuss.
Day two dawns in the desert. John pays close attention in the direction of the tent, which makes his head hurt. There are around 30 people in the encampment, at least one of which is a P.S.A. So far, all of the people seen are Middle Eastern.
Babel listens to them -- nothing mission related. They learn more about the encampment. There is 1 large tent for mess and gathering. The other large tend is 1/2 containment -- both the terms "guest" and "hostage" are used. They are able to spot the commanders. There is a military bearing in the camp although there are no uniforms nor insignia, only comfortable desert garb. No women have been seen. They are able to identify where the leaders sleep. Trucks arrive at the encampment in the morning and leave at dusk. There is no road, merely a set of ruts. They plan for a place for John to scan the truck on the way by.
In the evening, John lay on top of a dune, scanning the drivers. Jamie checks to see if they are P.S.A.'s. James protects both with a big gun. Up close it is an old 4 wheel drive truck, old US military equipment. Little put-put truck, with one side mirror. Jamie determines they are not P.S.A.'s. There are two people in the front of the truck. They are nervous, paranoid, jumpy. Fingers on the trigger, ready to pull it, afraid something will happen but not truly expecting it.
Jamie wants to get closer to camp to tell exactly who is the P.S.A. there. They determine to send in Cypher, James, and Jamie.
JT has been monitoring the energy -- about 5 feet high off the ground around the periphery of the camp. He can not determine what is projecting it. They go down near the camp and Jamie concentrates -- gets a headache. They determine it is an effect of the fence. They radio back to tell not to bring John down. There are two P.S.A.'s in the prison tent, and one in the barracks (not an officer). The determination may be messed up by the fence, which diffuses mental energy.
John & James return to the camp.
Cypher goes under the fence, then back up. Can feel the fence overhead, buzzing in the ears. Okay once inside.
Cypher goes into the prison tent. There is a generator there, in good shape. 2 more jeeps. A new ultralight. In the other half of the tent are two people in the dark, sitting on the floor, one speaking in a soft voice. Cypher says hello, and there is a rattling sound of chains as one figure stands. Cypher asks if either of them speak English and the figure motions him over (Cypher looks middle eastern). The figure asks in fluid accented English "Who are you?" It is a woman speaking, and the second figure is a small male child. They are both chained to a post in the floor.
She says she was cursed and will not let them use her curse. Cypher asks if she wants out and she agrees. He says he will be back. He goes back to spread knowledge among the group. There is a long discussion and they decide that unless something changes, they will rescue her tomorrow. Cypher goes back to find out what they know.
The tent is guarded. The prisoners have bracelets on beneath the shackles (fine mesh bracelets) -- she says the buzzing begins there. Her brother is also cursed -- electrical, lightning, shock. She is physically invulnerable. Her son needs a hospital. She is not sure they can wait another day. She needs to be able to carry her son. She asks how to break the chains -- the guards will come in if they hear anything.
JT will handle the guards quietly. But it will be noticed. James brings the camera to relay information.
They call for extraction tonight, not waiting the extra day. JT sets up a sniper point. James jumped the fence, lands safely. Cypher gives the prisoners the heads up. James sneaks into the tent. Cypher pretends to be the guard and JT shoots the guard. James pulls the dead guard inside the tent, plants a bomb by the generator, all while being watched by the woman. He puts the camera near the generator then goes back to try to pick the locks on the shackles. Works on main lock first. She tells him to work on her son first, and James manages to get that done. He takes a break and goes back to shut off the fence.
Someone is seen coming out of the main barracks. THe plan is whispered to Cypher (still standing guard). The fence is down, the headaches are gone.
The person walking is not a P.S.A.. The guard walks into the officer's barracks. James finally manages to open the shackle -- one is left. They realize the P.S.A. is moving. They burn through the leg chains. The child is coughing. They tell Cypher to be ready to move.
It's distraction time. Cypher pops up far from the tent as a naked woman (definite distraction given where they are). James takes advantage of the distraction and gets moving with the woman. The man approaching the tent sees Cypher and starts yelling an alarm, running towards Cypher. People leaving the officer's tent grab for Cypher, go through her. The guy's hands glow as he makes a grab for Cypher, leaving a tingle as they go through.
JT tells everyone to get moving. James blows the generator. The camp is in total darkness. Carry both prisoners and make it to the extraction point. Seems almost easy, like they stop chasing.
Cypher trying to find out more information makes way back to camp. Memorizes the papers on the table. Something that looks like a schedule -- 5 days, 60 time slots. Outside, the barracks tent is on fire.
At the extraction point John scans the kid and woman. The kid is scared and in pain. The woman is afraid and is concerned for Fahad (her son). She is completely focussed on him, nervous about both his survival and her own. She asks where they are going. The copter shows up.
The medics try to take the boy from her. There is some misunderstanding before she lets go. The boy is covered with sores, shock marks, tortured.
They are debriefed on the ship. They tell everything except what Cypher read in the officer's tent. Works with Babel to translate it. Transfer orders for people to the facility. 60 appointments -- 12 people per each of 5 days -- medical orders. List of names.
The mesh bracelets on Yasmin and Fahad have grafted into their skin. The bracelets do not come off. They are cleaned up to go to the States. She was there before and recently returned home. The P.S.A. in camp was her brother.
They are all transfered to another ship to return home.
Back in the States, Chris meets with Brian. The First Gentleman has a request for a skinsuit designed as armored clothing. So when the clothing gets shot it'll harden to absorb and deflect the kinetic energy. When the technology is tested, Brian wants an inauguration gown for when Jayne is re-elected. The military will be submitting an RFP to Knight Industries for automated observation technology. Knight will partner with Fibrodyne to develop this technology, but Knight will be the lead on the contract. There was some discussion that if Jackson Merril is hired, his knowledge of micronized automation could aid in this development.