Saul and the other supervisors stood in front of the assembled group of Dolls and Ferals after everybody had finished their breakfasts. Not that rehydrated protein rations could really be considered a 'breakfast' by most standards.

Aero had declared the supplementary bowl of potato starch 'inedible', and well, if Aero felt that way then it was probably highly poisonous.

"I've updated your data tablets with some additional information and maps of the local terrain so you'll be able to navigate your scouting missions more easily," Saul informed them, glancing round at the group. "You're doing an overnight mission tonight," he added.

Sienna frowned before speaking, "I thought the trip today was only mean to be a quick scout out of the stone forest borders?" the blonde Doll asked. "The mission briefing we received from central command..."

"Was changed," Saul interrupted, although he smiled serenely at Sienna as she faltered. "As your supervisors, we get sent the modified versions and then make decisions based on the information we receive."

"So we're not expected to return to the shack?" Hannah questioned. She looked slightly annoyed. Sienna still had a somewhat put-out expression as she grimaced across at Cody, they both knew the other Doll’s dislike of last minute plan changes.

"We don't know if there's anywhere suitable to camp at the stone forest," Thomas said from beside Cody,

"I can assure you there is," Saul drawled before gesturing lazily to Eliza who stepped forwards with a disturbingly enthusiastic expression on her face.

"We have marked an appropriate campsite on your maps," Eliza told them. "We'll actually be travelling in a different direction to you, so the shack will be empty tonight."

Aero frowned and caught some of the others doing the same. It seemed a little strange that the supervisors would divide themselves into a separate group.

"The course we'll be following is somewhat more intensive," Saul informed them. "We have done it before so it seemed only logical." His strange muted eyes skimmed over Aero, lingering for a single moment as if he had sensed his question.

"As you will have learned by now from the mission dossier, you are trying to pin point possible locations of oil plugs on the planet's surface," Saul continued.

Aero nodded, he had read the updated objectives through with Cody, Sienna and Tyron this morning. It was as they had guessed, they were scouting for potential resources that the Human Empire could harvest and utilise for fuel.

Namma oil was a rare strain that lasted a lot longer than normal fuels and the planet had given off positive readings in some surveys a few years back, indicating it harboured the necessary environment to produce the highly valued substance.

If they managed to locate a viable and stable oil plug then it would mean the planet would be immediately claimed and re-designated as a fuel provider until the Empire had milked it for all it was worth.

"The temperature is going to drop considerably tonight," Sienna noted in a slightly concerned tone, reading off of her data tablet as they exited the shack's kitchen and headed back to their rooms to pack overnight kits.

"It's fine," Cody replied, looking at Thomas and Felicity out of the corner of his eye.

Aero guessed his friend didn’t want the Dolls to appear weak or compromised in front of the Ferals.

"Hey Aero - " Cody started, hurrying forwards, "don't forget your extra layers," he whispered in a low voice.

Aero beamed back at him, "that was one time Cody!"

"Just take your time packing," Cody smiled at him, "not your usual shove it all in the bag then take a nap."

"Spoilsport," Aero snorted before his face turned sour as Jago and Hannah pushed past him in the corridor.

"Tell me we're bringing kennels for them?" Aero muttered. "Tents should just be for Dolls."

"Aero..." Cody murmured.

"I know, I know," Aero snapped, rolling his eyes. "Play nice with the puppies - I get it."

*

Aero decided to wear his thermal layers out so as to ensure that he didn’t leave them behind. It was meant to be pretty chilly out there already and his muscles still felt somewhat tense and stiff from the night before.

He was actually glad that the supervisors weren’t coming with them to be honest. Saul especially gave Aero the creeps and the Ferals, Aisha and Blaine looked even more brutal than the ones his team had been saddled with.

Aero had tried to avoid eye contact with the other Ferals that morning but it seemed that either Jago had been lying and they hadn't actually been able to hear him, or they were all a hell of lot more socially tactful than Jago was.

Jago himself had looked tired and drawn, as if he hadn't gotten a good night's sleep. The thought had pleased Aero as he chewed spitefully on his protein bar.

"Nice package,"

"Jesus Christ Tyron!" Aero flinched violently as the other Doll approached him suddenly from behind, appearing at the foot of bed and grinning at Aero's rucksack.

Aero grumbled as he went to aggressively zip it up, Tyron always had been good at sneaking up on people.

"You all ready to go?" Tyron asked in an amused voice. "The others are waiting by the main doors."

"Yeah, all ready and set," Aero nodded, giving a final scan around his room and regretting that he wouldn't be able to enjoy the slightly upgraded-comfort shack that night.

The tents they had with them were called 'Mushrooms', mainly because they expanded with hot air and became somewhat mushroom shaped. They were also able to attach to the strangest of places such as a steep rock face or hanging from the underside of a precipice, a bit like the relentless fungi that still grew on Earth when all other life had understandably given up.

Mushrooms typically fitted two people and Aero could only pray that they wouldn't be designating space by official 'partnerships'.

He followed Tyron out of his room and down towards where the others were all assembled, ready to go.

Sienna was still scrolling through the mission information but she glanced up when Aero arrived and gave him a tight smile.

Aero frowned, wondering if Cody had told the others to go easy on him at the moment. The thought made him feel embarrassed.

"Hey buddy," Felicity grinned as Aero ambled over. Aero gave the friendly Feral a grin and a nod. Okay, if it had to be a Feral then perhaps he wouldn't mind sharing with Felicity.