"I don't want to replace you Katt, unless you didn't want to go in the first place?" Curious look to the woman.

She shook her head. "It isn't that I want out.." She glanced over to the bag and just shrugged.

Leather encased fingers push the main door of the Inn open where the Mogul made his entrance. Gray leather gloves, a loose sleeved shirt of charcoal, dark gray pants of a strange material that seemed heavy, yet breathable, and supple black leather boots that come up to mid-calf. For all purposes he looked like any desert dweller, the colors ones that wouldn't absorb too much heat but could retain it readily. Upon his head is yet more gray in the form of a broad-brimmed hat out of a the musketeers.

"Not sure it would be a bad idea to have two people watchin' from outside." Cigarette tapped over his ashtray as he sips from his bottle.

"Is Race the one setting this up?" Another curious look to Katt. "If too many is too many, I can live with that."

She wasn't going to answer the question. It simply wasn't her place. A glance to Race was made when he entered. Tugging the bag close to herself she slid it over shoulder and shrugged to Karadesh.

"Just figured we could ask the guy in charge what he thinks." Said across to Katt, then he stands up and pulls two of the trays over with his kinesis, "I said I made you dinner. Fried rice and teriyaki chicken." He pulls the covers off the trays in front of Grem and Katt.

"'preciate it, but I've eaten." Regarding the food.

"You did what to a chicken?" She blinked at Karadesh as she tugged on the heavy headphones. Pulling them forward she ended up fluffing up her bangs which she'd go instantly into fixing.

Karadesh frowns, slightly disappointed. After a moment he shrugs and turns to Katt, "Chicken meat, diced and fried up in teriyaki sauce. It's a dish from Earth. Try a little." He nudges the tray gently towards Katt.

"It's good." Adding his opinion of it, before taking another drag and crushing out his cigarette.

Pulling back the elastic band on the sleeve showed a tin bracelette at his wrist. With a light squeeze part of the item opens to display rolled cigarettes. Taking one out, he put it too his lip and rolled the filter around to wet it.

"There's some for you too." Kar calls over to Race from the bar, pushing another covered tray towards the man.

"Can you save it?" She glanced over to Karadesh.

"As long as you try a bite." He grins back at Katt, daring her.

Eating before doing who knows what during the little 'scouting' wasn't probably the best of ideas but she'd indulge Karadesh by taking a bite.

A hand is put to the door as it is pushed open by none other than the Playboy himself, dressed today in a neutral grey polo and black slacks. Blue eyes scan the room as he makes his way over to the bar, giving a nod to those present with his usual easy smile.

The blue-furred one smiles as she does so, then he puts the cover back on Katt and Grem's trays. "I'll put it away in the kitchen in a bit."

"It's good." She murmured thoughtfully and watched when the plate was covered. Hm.."Can I take it with me later then?" Her expression lit up when she saw Edward. Lucky for him she remained in spot..for now.

Kar nods to Katt, "If you like I can pack it in a vacuum bag."

"Uhm..sure?" The end of the headphones were shifted to hang against her neck.

Hums a soft tune as he nods to Katt and Grem, his steps moving towards Edward.

"Be right back then. Don't go anywhere." He grins playfully at Katt, picking up the trays with both hands and kinesis.

He finds his way through the break in the bar, slipping behind it to his private stash and reaching into it for his usual bottle of single malt scotch. He rarely drinks anything else, unless he has a want for something different...which is rare. A glass gets pulled from the rack and set on the counter as he cracks the seal on the bottle of St. Magdalene, spying Race headed his way, and offering the Lantern a smile. "Evenin', mon ami."

"Eventide." Returns the smile. "Not sure what your plans on...but do you feel like a field trip?" Comes up and leans over the bar.

She nodded a bit and watched after Karadesh, waiting till he was out of sight before she'd turn attention to Race and head his way. Uhoh..stalking kitty..not a good thing.

He pours himself a few fingers worth of scotch, eyeing Race the whole while. "Ah guess dat d'pends. Where we headin'?"

He looks between the others as he sips his water.

"An arabian adventure. Could use you along for the ride, and I apologize for short notice. Got taken up with the party last night." He's honest about it, but then they've all been a little ragged the last few weeks. Watches Katt in the mirror above the bar while looking at Ed.

It wasn't long before Kar returns from the kitchen, nodding to Batten and Race before moving back to the bar. Kar sets a vacuum-sealed pouch in front of Grem, "In case you're hungry later."

"(vsw) Race.." She leaned into the bar, waggling half over it best to her ability just to get that much closer to Race. Waggling finger gestured him over for his ear when he had a moment.

A nod to Icer, then another to Karadesh. "Thanks." And another sip.

Shifts a look to Katt and leans in for the whisper. Alas poor Mogul, how we barely knew ye.

With whatever said passed on she slid off the bar, wiggling all the way. Really..shortness was not fun! Damn them all for being tall.

"You know..." Kar leans over slightly towards Grem, "...I understand security, but why does everyone on this planet try to play cloak and dagger?"

He grins widely at that, though there's a nonchalant shrug given to Race. "Ah s'pose Ah could work dat into de schedule. Got a specific role fer me t'play, or did ya jus' need a heavy 'long fer de ride?"

He shrugs faintly. "Trust issues and concern about the walls havin' ears." And a second shrug. "Though that might just be me."

Race is only 5'9! He ain't tall at all. Blinks at Katt. "But you're cuter than I am...." Is all he'd say to whatever she whispered before turning back to Edward. "Actually I was thinking field hq to watch our arses and track movements at a distance."

She blinked at Race. Yes whatever he meant went right over her head.

"That's actually part of my point pal. If someone's listening, it's going to be pretty easy to just guess what's going on. Why bother trying to hide it?"

"Why it's usually a good idea to toss around a few lies." Fingers moving to his shirt pocket, and his cigarettes.

A hand went out and she pointed a finger at Race while looking at Edward with a wide doe eyed expression. "Edwardddd! Race is hitting on me!"

"Fair enough. Guess I'm just too used to the direct approach." Kar sighs softly, then looks over to Katt and smirks.

Turns to Karadesh and waves him over. He'd actually anticipated on something like this. Another blink at Katt. "I haven't even laid a hand on ya..."

Spotting that wave, Kar stands up and moves towards the mogul, handing a vacuum-packed pouch to Katt on the way. When he gets there, there's a grin on the Khyrolii's muzzle, "Take it Katt let you know my request?"

While yes he knows what she meant, pulling a Katt seemed a good idea.

He chuckles, eyeing Katt with an arched eyebrow. "Ah...okay...was dere somet'in' Ah was s'posed ta do 'bout dat?"

Food. Conversation puller. She took up the pouch and peered at it curiously. "Thank you!" Into her bag it would go. Her eyes shot to Edward and he was stared at. Some big brother he was! "Pfffff." Race was sooo lucky she swallowed down what she was going to say.

And then he turns his attention to Race with a grin, nodding. "Ya need a lookout. Ah'm perty sure Ah can fill dat role fer ya."

"She did...and you want to help?" Reaches into the frong of his shirt, the way its folded revealing another beneath of it and he takes out a folded manilla envelope. "Give this to Wolvinator. In case things go grossly off-road." His face serious with this statement.

"Well, I suppose it's better than sitting on the bench." Karadesh takes the envelope and nods seriously, "Watch your sixes."

"I look at the whole clock." With a smile.

Cigarette out and lit, he shifts in his lean.

...half an hour later...

He pressed a lean against the wall near South gate, a faint smile at the eyes of a nearby watchman standing vigil on the wall.

There's a sound of thrusters, a howling roar from above, an instant before the black-and-silver armored figure drops out of the sky, landing on the ground nearby with a heavy sound in a slight crouch. Getting to his feet nearly immediately, he remains silent, waiting for the others to arrive.

Stepping into the city through the gate, gray mask still in place, he casts a look one way along the wall, then the other.

She was there crouching in the shadows that lingered along the upper wall of the gate. While she hadn't shifted into reevi skin she didn't exactly feel the need. She just like perching on high places.

"All right...Ranger.." Using their other names now. "You're look out and ranged mortar."

Eyes lift upwards to where he figured Katt might be. "Kitty...if it's a building we have to go into...I want you to stay back about forty feet from Red and Me in case of ambush you can bushwack the bushleague."

Waits for that to sink in as he turns to Grem. "You're, naturally, the fastest of us all..once we're at the drop I want you riding point. I'll keep twenty feet back from you so we're nice and staggered. Not clumped together. Sound good to everyone?" Looks around.

The armored figure nods once, as he listens, standing in his place. "Sounds good to me."

One hand moves to touch his mask just outside one lens. "This just a look-see, or are we hittin' anything?"

"(s) Kitty..." Was better then what Renna had been calling her she supposed. Shadow..A shudder itched her nerves. A shift had her sliding off of the wall and landing silently on the ground. Once touching down she slid partly out of the shadows so Race would know he wasn't talking to air. Peeking at Grem she couldn't help but feel a tiny bit..amused by the question.

"Look-see. But if scat goes side-ways priority is to get out, don't spend more than a few seconds in combat unless otherwise prevented, so at that point, only hit targets that matter." Nods to Grem and actually gives Katt a smile.

A nod to that. "Around obstacles, not through them. Got it."

"Any other questions?" Seems appropriate while they're having this little Q&A.

From the armored figure there is naught but a single shake of his helmed head. "Let's do this."

She wasn't quite sure what the smile was for. She was expecting some sarcastic comment on her behalf. "Nope." She was all good which..lets face it. Katt with no questions? Odd!

"That's all I needed to know."

"Ranger, you all ready have the coordinates from the closed door meeting. We'll touch down a mile from there and go on foot." Pushing from the wall he stepped out of the open gate where he held up a hand and formed a translucent green bubble. "Whoever is riding with me, step inside the sphere.." spoken simly as he began to rise into the air, his body outlined in green.

One brow rises, tugging up a bit of his mask, as he steps into the bubble.

There was a moment of pace as she stared at the bubble. A quiet breath escaped her and she stepped in after Grem. Slowly her eyes turned to look at Ranger.

The inside of the bubble felt no different than the outside, only sensation of walking into the enclosed space was similar to touching a dryer sheet. Once inside the bubble would lift, but with it came no jarring or sense of motion, like they were perfectly suspended.

He nods again, a single up and down motion to Race, as he looks the others over for a moment. "I will be overhead, monitoring the situation." The computer filtered voice is eerily monotone as he speaks, before he looks to Katt a moment. "I will not be more than a moment away." Whether he says this to her, or to them all as a group, can't be determined.

"Be careful.." She mumbled quietly. Even if it wasn't to her..that was to him. Sand and all..you know..dangerous stuff!

"Wild Blue Yonder time" he mutters to himself before letting the ball drop "That ball will protect you, but I can't say the ride isn't going to be bumpy, guys.." His last words to them before pulling back and away to circle around and come in low.

"Cripes." That muttered as he braced himself for impact.

She grunted, wishing she was on ground. Bumpy ride didn't sound like fun and she didn't want to just leap over and grab Grem for stability! "Nhh..T..The group increased movement leaving one behind. That must be who is firing on us." Either that or whatever it was could move fast and fire far. She didn't want to think about that. Really she didn't.

Eyes turned now to the falling object. Her gauntlet retracted, and she continued to sprint on north along with the horde, but she did hold back the greeting. The last thing she needed was either of them following her. Renna's black wings erupted from her back, and with a skip, she spun into the air inches above the ground, spinning still, as with each revolution, a plasma strike was sent up to the one not falling. Ranger.

His sensor readings are tracking the group, the individual, and now several more incoming plasma bolts. Whoever it is on the ground, their aim is frighteningly accurate - with every incoming fire he's forced to dodge again and again, and he realizes that he's being distracted...unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much he can do for it at the moment.

Bounced and jarred, it didn't take the ball long to hit the ground, surprisingly with a light touchdown before it vanished though they'd have to catch up with the horde. Much further behind, Race is skimming along the ground now moving quickly but not fast enough to kick anything up with his movements, fists clenched ahead of him.

"I'm walkin' back." Under his breath as he straightened, gaze moving north before he glanced to Katt. "You alright?"

She grunted quietly and tilted her head to Grem. "Walking or running?" She glanced over her shoulder then to Grem. Fingers flexed and relaxed at her sides. "Let them deal with the one making the distraction. We should go after the group.."

Her head snapped to the side, and then towards to the South as she felt something approach. As she came to a final spin, she extended her wings to stop her spiral, and landed onto her heeled feet, skidding along the sand as the horde moved along. She stood straight, and lowered her gauntlet. Her hood shifting over a wicked smile. She lifted her gauntlet to the side, then, to the right, then she slashed the bladed fingers down, and tore open a portal, and leapt through, the very moment a portal
Renna The Betrayer snapped behind Katt. And she came through, a bladed gauntlet bared, slashing to make red marks down her back.

Her back arched in and she stared at Grem wide eyed a moment before spinning around, claws flexed and poised to shred into any flesh she came into contact with. If it was friend they better have a damn good excuse for what they did. If foe..well..incoming. When she saw who it was her eyes narrowed sharply and she hissed out. "You.."

He nodded. "How do you feel about bein'--" Question cut off when Renna appeared, he dropped into a crouch as he moved around Katt to snap a blurry fist at the side of Renna's knee.

As the incoming fire stops, he is able to focus a bit more on the multiple readings - Race headed towards whoever it was firing at him, Grem and Katt on the ground now, the horde moving north at inhuman speed. As he's about to turn for the horde to try to catch up, he sees another anomalous energy surge as the figure below creates a rip in space-time, and though he suspected who it was firing, that gives him all the proof he needs. Cursing behind the mask, he turns towards where his sensors register the portal's opening and he dives. The thrusters have more power poured into them, and as he streaks for the others his airspeed indicator passes Mach 6...

Blood dripped from her claws, as she took a step back. "... A bit out of your comfort zone, eh, pussie cat?" She took another step back, and lifted her bloodied claws up, to allow a tongue lick up the vitae from the dangerous tips. She was cut off as a fist staggered her, striking her knee. She almost hit the ground... But her claw snapped open a portal above them, and she came flying out, knees first towards Grem's head.

She sneered after Renna and jumped forward, attempting to tackle her as she went into the portal. Arms attempted for the waist and claws into sides. Her back was stinging like a motherfo. "Shuddup, Renna!"

He lifted, aiming to barrel into Renna when she came out of the floating portal. Fully intent on taking her for a ride...at mach 4.

He started moving the moment she ceased being there in front of him, just enough to catch her knees on his shoulder instead of his head. He grunted, using the momentum driving down that side to start the motion of twisting. His other arm came up to drive her off of him.

Katt met nothing but air. But she was caught on Grem's shoulders, and was for a moment, enjoying the ride as something smacked her torso at Mach 4. Her body was snapped from Grem's shoulders, as she was indeed, taken for a sudden ride. Her yelp was enough to signal her surprise. Even as her wings struggled to flap against the speed. "BASTARD!"

"That's Gentleman Bastard to you!" He spoke as the shielding dropped, and his hands reached to clamp onto her wings. His plan then and there to ground her, if even temporarily.

She murmured quietly and shifted her stance to watch after the fleeing blurs. She couldn't match those speeds unless she jumped and..while there was sand there wasn't any shadows to jump through.

The sensors only just register Race as another streak getting there ahead of him, catching Renna off her guard. There's a moment he's tempted to go back to an overhead orbit to wait and see if he needs backup until he notes that the horde is moving away at high speed, and rather than orbit he laters his trajectory to set off in pursuit of the group, hoping that the other three have this pinned down for the moment.

"... Fool." She might be at his mercy, but coming this closer was indeed a big mistake. Shadowy tentacles snapped out of her cloak, moving to clench the limbs of the man, while her bladed gauntlet moved to snap deadly, infected fingers towards his gut. "Come closer, so I can introduce you to the family!"

He glanced back to watch as Renna was torn away, then looked to Katt. "I'm headin' for the big group." He rolled the shoulder that had taken the brunt of the impact.

The Horde dashed on, but they did not come without their self awareness. They turned the hoods just so, as Ranger approached. But they pooled around the carrier.

"Would you be able to take me with you or ..nevermind. Go." She'd have to run but ah well.

"If you don't mind bein' carried."

"Like I have a choice. But I'd just slow you down. Go..and be careful!"

He nodded slightly, then set off not north, but west. At first it was just fast enough to kick up a plume of sand behind him. The sonic boom sounded once he was a decent distance away, and he turned north and continued to build speed after that, aiming to pass straight by the horde before cutting east in front of them.

Banking upward, he did pull her tighter, gritting through the pain but didn't slow his speed one bit. His form began to glow green, a long unused suit forming over his clothes made of living willpower, black and green with white gloves. The Lantern symbol glowing brightly over his chest as it powered up.

Fortunately he's not here on a seek-and-destroy mission - his purpose is recon, or so the mission parameters stated. Climbing higher, up to near six hundred feet overhead, he takes up an orbital position, keeping up with them as he does so, noting their configuration. Sensors conduct a scan of them as he follows along, noting some anomalous energy readings that seem familiar...and yet different.

Man...she was so screwed when it came to speed. If there was no shadows she couldn't step through the planes so she took to hoofing it along the sands, following Grem's path even after the dust and sand had long since settled. One thing about a good memory..don't get lost too much!

The black tendrils ripped from him, as did her gauntlet. She turned her head upwards, then downwards. A sudden gasp, and she pulled herself forward against his grip. She howled, screaming until her wings snapped from her back, and she slapped past his grip, leaving her black feathered wings in his hands. She fell to the ground, and she aligned herself just so, to aim directly down towards the earth. As she made her terminal velocity, did she swipe her gauntlet, and open a portal before the moving horde, blood covering her cloak, as it soaked into the fabric, as she landed knees bent, the sand creating a shockwave to cease the movements of her own army. But they soon moved towards her, as she slowly stood. With a single swipe of her fleshed hand, she hissed. "... Enough, is enough."