Gunships and ground forces being the height of what they expected put the Dranfel pair a bit more at ease.  While there were things in the Totality that the two had been menaced by in the past, gunships were something more of a harrassment.  Difficult to deal with if you were ill-equipped, but as they would be using suits, Kerris was looking forward to shooting them down.  Veep was still apparently going to check on the MAS Suits, despite the elf's disagreement.  How did the human phrase go?  'Measure twice, cut once'?  Something like that.  In any case, Silver seemed receptive to her thoughts on camouflaging the mirror on the other planet and experditing their arrival at the site in Egypt, as Maxon suggested.  He'd no doubt communicate that ahead of them when he had a moment to spare after the meeting.  Kerris had to snort about the Horned Bastard's comment regarding Egypt's lack of membership to the Coalition.

[color=a187be]"It was unwise of them, of all people, to not join in.  I would wager they are reconsidering their position [i]now[/i]."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"I'll second that notion."[/color]

After all, it's not as though the thought of [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f3G6VaVLgA]Egypt getting invaded through a gateway[/url] hadn't crossed their minds...  In any case, the most pertinent matters to question seemed to be covered, so the lot of them were dismissed, leaving them to their own devices.

[color=f7941d]"If you're going to eat, pack more water, just in case we become waylaid in the desert."[/color]

[color=a187be]"I just [i]came[/i] from a desert.  I don't plan to spend more time in one just standing around.  What will [i]you[/i] do, then?"[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Prepare my launcher, then some exercises.  Join me?"[/color]

[color=a187be]"Later, perhaps."[/color]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

So, the lady Dranfel would enter the kitchen area, hearing Veep and the Keeper converse.  The latter of the two was jocular, as per usual, while feline was probably still not in the best of moods.  She listened in as they went at it, preparing herself some choice bits of meat to feast upon, and something to dry into extra jerky for her and her brother later.  When the conversation had reached a completion point, Kerris called over.

[color=a187be]"You know, Veep, you and I should go on an elimination run, once we are there, to thin the Totality numbers before they can reach our position."[/color]

She took her plate of food and sat nearby, her tail making certain to tuck under her seat, lest it be trod upon by those with careless feet.

[color=a187be]"The planet is lush and full of cover.  We could take down many in our wake, even set traps."[/color]

Kerris let that thought process for a moment as she dug into her meal some.  However, as she did, a thought crossed her mind, and she raised one of her fingers for a moment before swallowing.

[color=a187be]"A point of order, though, regarding your skills...  About how good a mechanic are you?  Perhaps more skillful than I?  There could be a use for that off-mission, if you're interested."[/color]

Oh, what fresh new hell did the dragon lady have in mind for him?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Maxon didn't have any trouble finding his own weapons already stowed.  He just had to make sure the rocket launcher was ready and able for combat ahead of time, since he could realistically only take it OR the Micro-Missle Launcher OR some other heavy weapon that was provided.  Once done, he looked over at the walls of the cargo plane.  It is a matter of fact that such craft had sections along the inside that reinforce the stability of the fuselage, and that they had gaps in them that could serve as handholds.  The reason this was important would become apparent, but he noticed Silverwind nearby as he went for one.  The fox/canine couldn't help but notice him.  The big Dranfel's footfalls weren't exactly quite.

[color=f7941d]"Ah, Silver.  I do have a question of you, if you have the moment."[/color]

Gripping the 'handholds' now, Maxon was using them as sort of a ladder, taking care to hook the talons of his feet in as well, traversing his way up.  He would step when he was in the prime position to do some pull-ups overhead, and proceeded to do so.

[color=f7941d]"I was wondering if you knew this...  The Totality, of course, occupies our planets and uses our resources, but has command ever located a world [i]they[/i] might care about, like a homeworld, a [i]Totallus Unus[/i], if you will?"[/color]