>>345566>Jeff waves off your apology and points up into the passenger car, he's leaning on."Don't worry about it, if anyone's gonna need one of those, it's you. I heard sandstorms can get bad out here. You'll need it if we're out driving around in this ocean of sand. We'll talk more and brief everyone on the train once we're on our way. We still have plenty of bodies to keep this mission going."
>>345578>The human looks down at you with genuine male-sympathy for your gonads while giving you a berth to trudge up into the car Jeff was resting on."There's plenty of ice in the dining car, and I brought the med pack into one of our rooms. By the way Citrine, Noah-"
>Jeff raps on the side of the car with his knuckles."We have three private cabins set aside for us: cabin two for our group, three for Royce's, and four for overflow. I brought over any personal effects anyone left in the Dagor. So c'mon hop on in, I'll wait for everyone else to show- oh here's more!"
>>346686"Of course! Size reduction of mechanisms without sacrificing strength and function is always the most challenging."
>You, Jan, and Palus stroll up to the train car finding Jeff, Noah, and Citrine already making his way into the windowed train.>The boss gives you a wave, and then an apologetic shrug pointing to the car ahead of you."Sorry about that Jim, train waits for no meal. The dining cart is up front, plenty of concession and drinks. Ah, Ms. Palus. A pleasure to finally meet you."
>The burro prances up to Jeff and gives him a curt bow, before opening her muzzle."Jeffery Meyer: current Administrator and one of several Commander rank humans of Razorback Fortress. Extensive military and special operations backround, advanced-conventional technology era level. The pleasure is all mine! May I look at your wrist computer?"
>The long over-drawn title and description took him off guard, scratching the back of his head awkwardly."Oh, yeah that's me. How about later, I'll let you look at it. We need to all load into the train in a bit. Cabin number three if for you guys, and two is for my group. Four is extra."
>Palus, completely unphazed by the subject change nods cheerfully and skips over tot he same approach Citrine took to enter the cabin car.>Leaving you and Jan outside with Jeff, the tall armored woman gives him a polite salute of a nod."Commander, good to see you again. Heard you got a new long gun. Would love to see it."
"Likewise Jan. I'm sure it has nothing on your mass effect bullshit, though."
>The last comment got a muffled chuckle from the unmasked woman."Oh, it's nice to examine antiques. Who're we waiting on."
>Jeff looks past you, squinting his eyes up to where everyone else had just came from."I think Lucius and Kenny. Oh wait I see 'em now."
>>345567>You give Kenny no moment to ready as you make a full break out of the market, yet despite your resolve your first obstacle was the carved steppes down to the train depot. And you could only sprint so fast down steps without losing your own step an taking a tumble.>This didn't dissuade you from descending a fast a possible, as you glance back to Kenny who just caught up with your intentions. You hear him chuckle heartily as he kicks his legs out as if to warm you up. By this point you've already made it down to the lower market.>Whether he joined in on the race or not, you continued bounding down the steps as the train comes into view. The others had already mad it there, so it was you and Kenny left.>Just as you clear the steps and about to navigate the crowded depot you hear the sound of rapidly pounding scuffing footsteps quickly coming up behind you, and before you can look and see a human-sized purple and white blur whips passed you and into the depot.>You keep your pace bobbing an weaving between ponies and local alike, but Kenny effortlessly dodged and hurdled over and obstacle in his path finally skidding to a dusty halt in front of Jan, Jim, Noah, and Jeff.>Jeff lets out a quick cough, fanning the front of him of the impromptu finish line."Well I see you both made it here promptly. How's it been Kenny."
>The samurai relishes in his victory, eyes dimming from the similar glow from earlier during his pineapple cut. He quickly gives Jeff a bow in greeting before shaking his hand."Very well, Jeff! Just having a friendly race with your teammate."
"Geez, did you at least give him a head start?"
"As well as one he gave himself!"
>Jeff looks at you sympathetically, and ushers everyone else onto through the cabin car."Don't let it get to you Lucius. Kenny's the only human that's survived an enchainment. Actually, he's the only one so far that's attempted. Anyway, let's all get settle into the train. Cabin two for my guys, three for them, four is shared."