Commander Hayes listened, noting the skills and name of each person, though two stood out in particular. First was the Northerner of the group, Nataly Andrade, who made a point of making sure everyone knew how to pronounce her name. Different to see a northerner down here, but it was an interesting thing to note all the same. 

The second was the stone mage Horatio Dunst, the stone mage. Joey for short, and wanted man in some towns. He would have to make sure that one was aware of his...troublemaking had not gone completely unnoticed. Otherwise, it seemed most were grateful to go on the trip, which he doubted would remain the case. Either way, they could not linger out for long, and he grew tired of being gawked at all day. 

"A pleasure to meet you all. High time for you all to see the Academy and world in another view. Hope none of you are afraid of heights. Course, I'd just have one of my men take you to your rooms right away." With a wave, Commander Hayes led the mages up the ramp onto the ship. Almost immediately, inside the ship was a part of another kind of world. A dull rumble seemed to constantly be echoing through the ship, along with the collection of metal pipes and rails all along the walls. 

As the mages made their quick few steps up to the stairs to the main deck, they passed by a pair of mechanical soldiers, armored from head to toe, bristling with parts, and most notably the red eyes which stood out from their otherwise dark armor. They did no movement to even acknowledge the arrival of their Commander and his guests, just continued to stand their guard arms at their sides. 

As they ascended, a few other soldiers and workers passed them by, either seeming to need to go about a task down below or bringing something up with themselves. These generally seemed more normal...except for the odd exceptional metal arm, or strange gadget which did who-knows-what. 

"Welcome to the main deck. Feel free to take a look over the railings or wherever you want. Just don't get too close to the propellers. Hate to lose someone this early in the journey." Commander Hayes glanced over a few parts of the ship in particular, taking a quick look around. "I'll share more details on our particular mission once we are airborne...until then, any particular questions as we prep for final takeoff?" He paused, looking over a particular engine leading to one of the propellers. Almost as if on cue, a woman with blue hair ran over and opened a panel on the side and began to work on things inside. 

"I also realize that not everyone who we had chosen was on time, Master Smith. Time is, unfortunately, not a luxury that I can simply give. If they are not here by the time we are taking off and if the ladder does not reach, they shall be left behind." Commander Hayes informed the Master, turning away from the work and making his way back over to the mages. The thrumming of the ship seemed to pick up as the propellers all seemed to begin to pick up speed, causing the large ship to groan slightly as it finally began to leave the ground.

"Shouldn't do that Commander, you know how the Prime Minister is better than anyone." The woman who had been working on the engine stated, still not looking away from her work. Without even looking, she sighed as Commander Hayes shrugged. "Someday its going to bite you, you know." 

"Not today, Alice." Commander Hayes replied wryly, keeping his attention to the mages for any questions or complaints they had.