Tesladyne: Every Formation's a Rectangular Thingy

[tesla_bot]

The bunker has a pair of generators and a pile of gear in one of the corners. The whole arrangement is fenced off with yellow caution tape and blast shields. One of the downsides of making your own way to Milliways is that you have to keep making your own way. The rest of the space is full of other support gear: paramedics, radio operators, stocks of food and water and plenty of video feeds. Most of those cameras seem attached to be on balloons or something else flying given the way they look down at the woods, but a few others target larger clearings and trails.

"Sorry about the lack of space," says Robo, "This was the best place in the area to get through. You mind waiting while I give the trainees one last talk before I bring you out?"

Comments

[basic_powers]

Tyler says something very unrepeatable under his breath, looking up to where those two voices came from. Too close, time to run!

[tesla_bot]

Too close by half. The whistle that comes from behind Tyler sounds like someone is trying to call a cab in a movie.

Sounds like the cavalry is being called in.

[basic_powers]

Yup! Running now!

And it is very hard to think about how not to be seen and not activate his little cheat mode amulet. And gall darn it the deer path ends not that far up ahead!

[tesla_bot]

Don't make them start sweeping the area with long sticks Tyler. That's just mean.

A quick scan of the surroundings shows parts of the bush moving in. Probably stuck to trainees in an effort to break up their lines, but catching branches and such now.

Looks like you might be surrounded Tyler.

[basic_powers]

Oh there's help in the fact that he's still got his...

....pumpgun which got busted in the fall from the tree.

"Boogers!"

[tesla_bot]

'Netted' is not an example of onomatopoeia in English so the sound is more of a flip-swish-thud than anything directly descriptive.

Someone packed better than standard issue toys for you Tyler. If that doesn't warm you deep inside, well, you can always try and splash a few with you tube of paint when they get closer.

[basic_powers]

Well, him giving a surprised yelp probably warms them that much more as the net goes over him.


"...phffew...Alright. I think you guys have won."

"That's just to throw us off our game."

[tesla_bot]

"He might be telling the truth."

"Well... we could drag him back at the end of a rope..."

"I'm not cool with that. I'll go in and check and if he kills me I expect to be avenged."

Barring any last minute attacks they'll lead Tyler back to the clearing with the bunker and the paint splattered 'kills' beginning what looks like a barbecue. Clarkson is missing his eyebrows, likely from starting the grill.

[basic_powers]

"...who let Captain Clipboard play with the fire?" Tyler grins, shaking his head as he's trotted back into camp.

[tesla_bot]

"Hey! I have a degree in setting things on fire!" announces Clarkson.

"You have a degree in plasma physics," counters Robo, "So. I was watching but how was it from ground level?"

[basic_powers]

"I got to use my size to every single advantage. There were a couple of other spots that might be good to work with, but I think the next time I do this, I'm going to need a sturdier gun. Kind of fell on mine."

[tesla_bot]

Robo nods. "Really? Hell. It's going to be a trick to do that and keep the weight down," says Robo, "Anybody else want to add anything?"

"Yes. I want a hot shower and the number of whoever said we could bring gear that wasn't issued."

[basic_powers]

"No one said you couldn't bring non-issue gear onto the field. Just what you could comfortably carry onto the field." The net bringer grins. "Ebay is your FRIEND."

"...does this mean, next time, I get to use my non-issue gear in this exercise?" Tyler asks, smiling. "I'll keep to my promise about the stuff I use on the obstacle course."

Mostly about how it's not allowed out here.

[tesla_bot]

Glances are exchanged quickly. It might be a good time to gear up.

"Does anyone remember where the plans for the walker tanks ended up?"

"No restoring Nazi projects on company time!"

"Walker tanks? Really? I mean he doesn't even come up to my belt buckle," announces one of the freshest newbies, "Here let me show you what happens if you actually get your hands on 'em."

Some of the other people around are moving in to help Tyler. The rest? They're giving him room to work.

[basic_powers]

"Watch this."

Tyler did not hear that last part, he was helping himself to an already cooked hot dog and a bag of chips when the freshest newbie tries grabbing him up off of his feet by his outer shirt.

!!!

"See he's not so tough!" The freshman newb declares giving the kid a little shake to prove his point.

What follows is this. Tyler raises his arms up, dropping out of his outer shirt and to a crouch on the ground, springing up again with an gauntletted punch to the left knee, and a sweep kick to the right one. And as Freshman Newb falls down to closer to Tyler's level, he's going to find himself given a one-two punch to land him on his back.

This happens in about 3 seconds, and at the end of it Tyler is actually growling very very quietly.

The people who were coming forward to help Tyler respectably back off at that, with a few glances of 'did that just happen' at the crew from the obstacle course.

[tesla_bot]

The man on the ground trying to get up and not quite managing it yet is convincing evidence that it has, so yes it did.

"Somebody go make sure he didn't damage something valuable like his thumbs," says Robo, "You going to be alright Tyler?"

This is kind of embarrassing actually. Robo tries to hire people brighter than that for one thing. Politer too.

[basic_powers]

"'m fine." He replies tersely, tugging his long shirt away from the rude freshman and tying it around his waist before going to get a hotdog that isn't covered in dirt for himself.

"He'll be fine with a little ice and some rest, I didn't hit him that hard."

[tesla_bot]

There are tough guys and there are people who act like tough guys and cry when they get a scrape. Someone is playing it up like he think he can get a red card called on Tyler.

"Thanks Tyler. The deposit they charge for new hires... Robo shrugs as he trails off.

[basic_powers]

One of the guys just looks at the freshman.

"Dude, are you seriously trying to make the kid you tried to threaten look like the bad guy?"


Tyler shrugs as well and begins digging into his plate of food and his soda. "So what's up for the next exercise?"

[tesla_bot]

Yeah freshman isn't getting much that isn't scorn and probably for a few weeks at least.

"I'm still thinking it through,"says Robo, "But it occurs to me that nobody's done any real work on the water yet."

"But before fishing, burgers."