Timewaster's Guide Archive

"Alright, I guess we should all go, seeing as so many of us are required to go anyway. Rashial, no need for ink and paper, since we will all be there to see. You and Orfeo both already know your jobs. Keating, if you need to get into the mansion to do your work, I suppose you should go ahead and do that. Just be careful about who you impersonate."

"Olan," Solon turned around, looking for the dwarf. "You, Dink, and I will watch the perimeter, to monitor the traffic around the mansion. We're watching for any regular patrols, any strange comings and goings, or anyone who might pose a threat to our escape. We want our exits clear. And even though we aren't going to be on the mansion grounds, I still want us to be as subtle as possible.  You never know who might happen to pass by."

With that, Solon turned back to the rest of the group. "Alright everyone. Let's get to it."

Solon stood for a moment, looking pensive. He glanced around at each of the team members, as if he were sizing them all up. Finally, he looked to Rashial.

"Rashial, Orfeo, could you both come here for a moment? I need you both to go to Lord Col's mansion and find out as much as you can about it. Remember, we need information, but we don't want to tip our hand, so make sure you don't arouse suspicion. Orfeo, I want you to fly over the mansion, and get a general layout. Rashial, I want you to do what you can from the ground, to get as much in the way of specifics as you can."

"Alright everyone, as it stands, we are not in a desirable situation. We are trying to break into someplace that we know next to nothing about. So, I see two options. We can either go look at the building right now, and come back when we have a better idea of what we are dealing with. If we choose to do that, then we could make an informed plan, and we would know what kind of equipment we would need. The possible drawbacks I can see would be that we might arouse suspicion in the guards before we even start, and, depending on how far it is, we might have time constraints. The other option is to just get a few general supplies that we think we might need, and then try to make our plan once we get a look at the place. The only problem with that plan is that we might find we are lacking some important equipment.

I want to know what you all think, before I make a decision. Thoughts?"

Solon looked at Keating with disdain.

"Master Bendorial did say that we had to break in tonight, but he also said that we had the day to prepare. If we need to, we can get a closer look at it beforehand, and then start to plan our mission."

With that, Solon turned back to the quartermaster. As he did that though, he continued the "conversation" with Keating.

"Listen to me very carefully. I don't care why you are here. I already told you that I was willing to "deal," for the sake of the team. It would not be fair for me to punish the rest of the team over a personal grievance, especially as the team leader. Someday, when we are in more...private surroundings, we can settle this. Until then, we are a team, and should act as such. If you act as part of the team, then there won't be a problem. Acting as part of the team also means that you WILL NOT challenge my authority, or disrespect our employers. That includes the quartermaster. "

Solon looked at the others. "I agree, it seems pointless to talk more when we know so little. Dink, Safire, Keating, if you would?"

With that, Solon turned back to Orfeo, as he walked down the hall.

"I don't think I can answer either of your questions. I have never met the quartermaster, and I have only read the contract once. However, if you come with us, we will see about the quartermaster soon enough."

Solon looked at Orfeo a moment before deciding that he was asking in earnest. As he walked toward the quartermaster, Solon replied.

"My name is Solon. Perhaps I can answer your questions. They seemed very adamant about each one of us signing the contract. I don't think that you get to pick your missions, either. And the quartermaster is not necessarily skilled with a quarterstaff. The quartermaster is in charge of providing us with whatever supplies they are willing to give us, and hopefully, he will also be able to give us more specific information as to the nature of our mission. That's why we are going to see him. Do you understand now?"

Solon read all of the pieces of the contract carefully, making sure there were no surprises. After signing them, he stood up, and looked around the room, at everyone else.

"Alright, everyone. As Master Bendorial has already said, my name is Solon. To my great honor, I have been selected to be your leader. I want you all to know that this is not a responsibility that I take lightly, nor one that I will flaunt. I am sure that there are some of you that I will like more than others."

Solon shot a mean look at Keating.

"Be that as it may though, I will not abuse my power to get back at those that I do not like. I want everyone to be able to play to their strengths, in order to do their best for the team. All of you know what you are good at, and what you might need help with. In addition, you might see or hear something that I do not. That means that we have to communicate, so that we can use all of our talents when they are most needed, and we can cover up our weaknesses as much as possible. In most circumstances, this means that I want you to come to me, if you have a problem, a suggestion, or if there is something you think I need to know. However, since we are trying to infiltrate, there may be times when it is essential to be quick and silent in our communication. As an Illuman, I am psychic, and I have the power to read your minds and to talk to you without speaking. However, like the power of leadership, the power to read minds is one that I am careful not to abuse. Since we will be working together, it would be rude of me to read your mind without your permission. So, if you have any objection to this arrangement, you can speak with me now, or privately, before the mission starts. So, unless anyone has something more to say, I think we should speak to the quartermaster, and then talk again, when we know more."

"My apologies."