Chapter 1634 Moving Day!?
--- Kat ---
Kat held Lily tight against her chest as she fought down the energy bubbling in the air. It was time to leave. Sloane, Ben, Fonze, Grelk, Trumbor and Slate had all decided to stay behind. Some individual's choice to stay behind was more of a surprise then others but that was the final count. Six people were staying behind… well that and all the adults. They'd finally been informed earlier in the morning. There was a bit of an argument but Meg was having none of it. She simply cowed them into silence with a good look. Didn't even need to use any fear aura.
Kat was… somewhat saddened by how it all played out. The 'kids' really didn't care for their parents. Not anymore. None of the people leaving felt even the slightest bit guilty for not bringing up that fact before now. It was clear that Kat that while the adult group contained quite a few biological parents… it didn't contain many real ones. Kat wondered if things would've been different if they'd been given the chance to leave too… but they weren't.
Honestly the group of sixteen they were escorting out was already on the larger side. Though Corela, Grepnar and Craunch could probably hold their own. Ok maybe not Grepnar but the man had guts at the very least. Craunch and Corela could definitely hold their own and act as additional defenders should the worst happen.
Everyone had their storage devices loaded up. There were a few rings, a bunch of bags, a purse that was apparently the best of the lot and Sephy managed to snag one with the second largest amount of space but ALSO kept plants alive and in acceptable condition. It was a bulky backpack and looked like it weighed enough to pull her over when she stepped, but Sephy insisted that it only looked that way, not that it was actually heavy. Lily backed her up on that, so Kat was willing to believe.
Meg clapped her hands together, bringing everyone, Kat included back to the present. They were all situated in the lobby above the living area, the one for the floor with all the smaller dorm like apartments, near the elevator you could climb out of to exit the complex entirely. "I'm glad I have everyone's attention," Meg stated while glaring at Craunch who was pointedly not looking at her. "We're going to go over the exit plan once more, just for clarities sake and then I'll be expecting everyone to execute it. If someone fucks up? We might not be able to save you.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Remember, the exit is a small hatch at the end of a ladder. Despite the fact the forest contains more danger, your first steps out into the new world will likely be the ones where you are most at risk. Setting of the treants could spell your end, or the end of one of your friends. Then there's the chance to get lost. Don't.
"So, with those warnings added in, let me explain from the beginning. Hunter will be going up first to confirm the location of the treants, and if necessary, move them further away from the group. Once that's done she will return to call Kat forward. Kat will then exit from the bunker, and project a calming aura towards the treants.
"Once Kat is in position next to the treants, Lily will signal the rest of the group to start moving. Follow the shadow arrows she makes for you, but DO NOT RUSH. It is of the utmost important that you avoid breaking any foliage. Us demons are stronger then the treants but any fighting risks someone getting injured in the backlash from those attacks, or the demonic fire destabilising the relatively fragile space the area. The big dome is one 'section' right now and we want to keep it that way.
"At the front of the collum will be Corela, at the back will be Craunch, with Bower, myself, and Kamiko spread throughout to protect you should anything attack us. We're not expecting anything other than the treants but we're being careful here.
"Kat and Hunter will meet up with the larger group once everyone is clear of the indoor forest. They both have ways to follow that you do not and will integrate properly with the group. Kat will likely be flying above you, and Lily will probably join her. Hunter may or may not be visible so don't worry about looking for her. Just stay calm, and try not to gawk too much at the surroundings once you're 'outside' of the forest.
"Now, once we've left the main dome we'll be entering an area of… let's call it unstable space. Once you hit that point sticking CLOSE together will be the most important thing. I am serious. One or two steps in the wrong direction could see you on the other side of the mist dome that traps you here. If you get lost, it is very possible we may never find you. I for one do not care enough to try.
"So, if that means you've got to have people up on shoulders? If it means that you've gotta hug a bit and get up in someone's personal space? Too fucking bad. I'll be putting up with it and so will you. I'll be up in front because I've got a compass that should lead us out of there with minimal fuss. My group will be on the edges because we have special arm guards that lead us back to each other. We do NOT have enough for everyone and don't necessarily work properly in here so even we will be trying to avoid using them,"
Meg took a pause at that point, surveying the people around her, making sure they were all paying attention. Most were. Craunch… still was pretending not to but Meg could tell the older looking gentleman was no fool… and that Corela would likely go through with her threats of gelding him should he cause real trouble during their departure.
"From there it should be a simple matter of reaching the mist wall. We do not believe there are other monsters, BUT we may encounter an unstable reactor. Depending on the specifics of the route, and the condition of the reactor Corela will take charge. Follow her instructions. Don't do something stupid and cause your own death and it will all be fine… at least until the mist wall.
Stay connected through empire
"Now, once we manage to get you to the mist walls we'll be bringing out the ropes. We can't do it earlier because the space here, while distorted, is distorted in the wrong way to make use of them. If you take a wrong turn inside the mist dome, the rope might just snap or it could pull someone off course and end up with a bunch of you injured. Once we're outside? That at least is no longer a worry…
"But getting lost forever in the mists IS. Now, to avoid anyone getting left without a protector and to avoid people getting too tied up we'll be splitting you off into groups. You'll likely be split up into groups of four or five. Each group will consist of one guide, as in myself, Hunter, Kat and Kamiko, as well as four or five followers. Each of you will be tied to the guide with a long rope. Corela will be joining Kamiko's group, and Lily will be sticking with Kat if you're wondering.
"Other then that? I expect you all to organise yourselves appropriately. This grouping is to ensure that if you end up in a 'space bubble' you won't find yourself outmatched. I have some recommendations for group composition if you want them, but truthfully it can be discussed when we reach the mist wall.
"Now the mist wall itself. For all that it has been a formidable thing that has kept you trapped here? It is very simple to remove. I will take point and slice may way through, the other groups will walk through the gap, and then my group will go last. Bower will not be confined to just one group. I expect him to be roaming around and doing his best to prevent us getting caught up in more bubbles then necessary. He'll usually be out front, but not always so don't go following him when you don't need to. Follow the group leader you're assigned to.
"The goal is to get you all to the town Bower lives in. It is safe enough and due to the presence of a nature mage will have sufficient food and housing, even if it ends up being temporary. I understand Corela has more detailed plans once you arrive but at that point you won't be my problem. My own group, Kat and Lily, Kamiko, Hunter, and myself will be leaving the next morning. Bower will be sticking around. So make sure that any questions are addressed before that point.
"Of course… with that being said… does anyone have any questions they need answered right now? Please speak up because I'll be expecting COMPLETE SILENCE once we start moving to avoid triggering the robots or the treants. It's not expected to be a problem but I will be most mad if it becomes one anyway,"