GM: Slinger
Players: Slinger, Ghostfist, Stumpy, Daniel, Hatchet
Synopsis: Slinger was hurt — badly — earlier in the day. So when he gets an emergency message from an old ally of his, desperate for some sort of assistance, he relays it on to the people in the UCAS government. They promise to cover reasonable expenses, and Slinger both arranges for a smuggling team to provide transport in and out, and then recruits a Shadowrunning team to go in, since he cannot go in himself.
Reiche has been captured at an Aztechnology facility, attempting to infiltrate the place. He has information on research into banned activities taking place here, but desperately needs to get out with the information in his headware memory.
The team lands, the chopper stealthy enough to arrange pickup. They take care of one guard — and Stumpy encounters the first layer of magical defenses — a newly-developed mold that clings to the walls and reacts to both magic and to the presence of Awakened.
At that point, the Head of Security and Head Researcher are walkingout this way to argue privately and loudly — and encounter the team. The Head of Security takes multiple rounds, covering for the magically Awakened researcher. The mage turns around and lobs off a stunball spell, which both took out on of the team, seriously injured another, and also activated the mold on the walls, which started growing at an alarming rate.
Just as the team decides to retreat, a figure runs out, stabs the mage. Reiche had escaped custody, but was exhausted and injured enough that there was no chance he could make it out on his own. They successfully extract him after taking more fire, with the help of air support from the chopper.
Date: 28 Nov 2069
Part 1: Initial Meeting
The group gets contacted through fixers of various kinds — to some degree through your affiliations. The meeting needs to occur in a hurry — this is short notice. 15 minutes in the Warrens, from the time you get the message. Bring gear, but don't be too conspicious. Can you be there?
Stumpy gives his fixer the affirmative, and opens his duffle bag. Discarding various bricka-bracka, he makes sure all of his running gear is in place. Dashing out of his appartment at the Crank, and guns it to the meet as quick as he can.
Hatchet gets the call to a meeting while sitting at the Bar in the Big House with Stumpy. His pocsec feeps softly and he grins when he sees there is a prospect for a job. He responds in the affirmative and gets his gear together. He's out the door and on his way.
'Depends on how deep into the warrens,' is Daniel's prompt reply to the fixer, but he hurries and is out the door with his usual equipment sagging down the weight of his duster. "Flying spells… have got to learn the flying spells…" he mutters as he hails a cab. "Flying means no traffic…"
Frankie looks at his cell and then at the owner of Woodland. He'll have to fill out lease paperwork later, when he can, y'know, afford it because he got paid. The troll hustles back out to the garage, hopping onto a (stereotypical) Harley Scorpion while he gets the low down from his fixer. Road hog roaring and basic info gathered, Frankie roars off toward the meet, his long coat flapping in the chill fall breeze.
The meeting place is clearly hasty, arranged at a simple safehouse in Saint's territory. There are several Saints present when you arrive, in fact, and once everyone is there, a tridcall is placed. It flickers to life, and there's… Slinger. This might be startling to anyone who knew him, because he looks, actually, in reasonably good shape. Not a thing wrong with him.
"Thanks for coming. I called you guys because I got an emergency call, and I can't take care of it. I'm feelin' lots better, but I'm still not a hundred percent, and this needs taken care of /fast/. I got a message from a contact, and he needs extrication. I've arranged transport for you to get there, but I can't come along. And I owe this guy, big time. Saved my ass in the past. You know how it is.
"The guy was investigating some stuff that Aztlan's been up to. Secret research project, very black ops. And he got his ass captured. He needs to get out with the datachip he has. We've got two hours from the time you guys arrive to make it happen. Anything past that, and there's a good chance the guy will be toasted. You'll have to take care of your own recon and everything. All I have is the location, and that he's dealing with Aztlan soldiers. However, I made some calls, and the government's willing to pay for his extraction. We're lookin' at 25K a head."
"Any questions? I'm not going to be able to provide too much intel. We're on a time crunch."
Stumpy looks at the others, taking a half step back and taking in the situation.
Hatchet tries to hide his shock at seeing Slinger not be almost dead, "Well, I guess you just have a good immune system or something. Good to see you're out of the woods." He shakes his head, "Are we going to have to go through a checkpoint?"
Slinger grins. "Thanks, mano. Had a damned good doc. And got fraggin' lucky, apparently. As for checkpoints, no. I've arranged for some smugglers to fly you in, drop you a bit of distance away. Terrain is desert, somewhat rugged and hilly, decent cover. You'll be around a large hill, where their sensors are weak. The smugglers'll get you in and out, no problem. Your worry is what to do while on the ground."
Stumpy nods to the trid set, "Den' I guess we gotta get in fer da recon. Nothin ta figure out till we get dere. We got arial pics on da place at all? Anyting ta know what sort o' obvious defenses dey got?"
Daniel blinks at the information. Uncharacteristically, he blurts out, "So… you want a last minute, little planning involved extraction… from /Aztlan/?" he asks.
Frankie Ghostfist, not being informed on such matters as these, does not seem terribly shocked that Slinger - aka Mr. Johnson to Ghostfist - seems to be in relatively good health on the telecomm. Not that telecomm appearances mean jack, they can be doctored pretty easily, as he's heard. "For 25 large a pop," he adds to Daniel's blurting.
Slinger shakes his head. "Place appears to be mostly underground," the youth admits. "They've got some patrols outside, but nothing huge. They're trying to keep this under wraps, so they can't have anything obvious. There's a cave opening about two klicks from the drop zone, and that's where things are gonna be. They're doing some nasty stuff down there, stuff that any sane person would want stopped. That's all I know."
Slinger nods. "I think that's what I said. This isn't exactly pulling it out from the military. I think it might be doable. Hell, I might be able to do it myself if I were in peak form. But I'm not. So I guess the question is, you up to the task?" the youth asks with a grin.
Hatchet considers a bit, "So I guess we out to be able to get there, but how are we getting back out if we find this guy in the underground facility?"
Stumpy looks up to Hatchet, "He was sayin' dat da smugglas was gonna do it," Stumpy turns to the trid, "So any astral recon yet, or we going in totally blind?"
Daniel rummages through his pockets and pulls out a few beaded bracelets, and looks them over. After a few seconds, he nods. "Yes. At least… I think so. I hope so."
Always encouraging news, Frankie reflects upon Slinger's mention of Azzies being Azzies in an underground facility, that one's going to feel the background count two klicks out. The troll eyes Slinger then the others in the room. "Blind is a relative term," he remarks to Stumpy.
"You guys are responsible for recon. The last time I went astral I got my ass handed to me, signed, stamped, and dated. I'm staying away from that for now," the kid comments with a grin.
"Look. The meter's running. Are you in or out, or do I need to grab another bunch guys?"
Stumpy nods to the trid, "I'm in."
Hatchet nods too, "I'll do it."
Frankie smirks tuskily, running a hand through his hair idly. "I'm in."
"Yeah, I guess so," Daniel says with a slight nod.
"Cool. Transport is waiting down the block. Get your gear, get in, and let's do this thing," Slinger says firmly. He lights up a cigarette, and then disconnects the circuit. And you're on your own, from this point forward. The Saints do give you a topographical map, with a suggested route outlined on it already.
Part II: Travel
Stumpy nods to the saints and moves quickly to the transport.
The transport is where it is promised to be. And once you board it, you are whisked swiftly toward your destination, under cover of night. The people doing the smuggling are no-nonsense types, who aren't the best conversationalists and are poor sources of information.
The trip actually takes only about thirty minutes, leaving you two hours to accomplish your task.
«Plot» Slinger says, "Anybody doing anything on the trip?"
Daniel grabs a map from the gang members and moves off to the transportation. Always nice to get a ride there.
Hatchet heads toward the transport, looking over the map and getting mentally ready.
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "Once we're within 2 kilometers of the drop point, I'd like to use Sensing."
«Plot» Slinger says, "All right. Roll your Intelligence+Initiate Grade, TN is 4 base +2 bgcount."
«Plot» Slinger says, "Since this is a magical test, I'll allow you to use Centering if you have it."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + InitiateGrade vs TN 6 for "Sensing":
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
Frankie exits the building and detours for a moment or two to recover a cello case quite literally strapped across the back of his Harley. The troll promptly hustles to the transport, where he spends much of the trip checking the enormous sniper rifle contained within the cello case. As they draw nearer the site, he sets everything aside and breathes slowly, reaching out to the astral with his senses. Several moments later he lets out a snarl as, apparently, the astral rejects him like a jilted lover.
«Plot» Hatchet says, "I'd like to run my scanner to see if we can intercept anything interesting when we get fairly close."
«Plot» Slinger says, "Roll the rating of your scanner, Hatchet, TN is 8 at this distance."
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls 6:
1 4 4 4 5 15
«Plot-Page» (To: Hatchet) Slinger says, "You're picking up some transmissions. Encrypted. You have any decryption on that thing? Sounds like stuff being transferred — if you had to guess, sounds like a video feed."
«Plot-Page» (To: Slinger) Hatchet says, "No decryption sadly…"
«Plot-Page» (To: Hatchet) Slinger says, "That's what you're getting so far. Oh, and something else. "Commcheck, twenty-two, perimeter clear.""
«OOC» Slinger says, "BG count here is 2."
«OOC» Daniel says, "Which domains apply?"
«OOC» Slinger says, "Mountain domain, and sky domain as well probably."
Hatchet runs his scanner for a while just to see if he can get anything interesting going over in the clear. He checks out the results and says, "I just caught a scrambled version of a vid feed probably, but who knows what it was. And 'Commcheck, twenty-two, perimeter clear.' in the clear with no encryption. So we know that they're not airtight military."
«OOC» Daniel says, "Ok. Mountain Spirit!"
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Centering vs TN 5 for "Grade 1, BG count 2, reduce! (F4 mountain Spirit)":
2 2 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Conjuring - 1 (drain Help) vs TN 7 for "F5 mountain spirit!":
2 3 3 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Charisma + 1 (drain help) vs TN 5 for "5M drain":
1 2 3 4 5 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Willpower vs TN 3 for "How quick does this drain go away?":
1 2 2 2 4 5 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Daniel says, "Oy… 30 minutes tile the drain goes away, and no spirit."
Daniel begins a call out to the spirits of the land, hoping that one would hear his call. After a time, a bit of sweat, and a headache later, the shaman just shakes his head. "Sonofa… I can't call on any spirits to assist us…" he mutters. "This is not my best day ever…"
Part III: Approach
And the chopper lands. No squawking over the radio — these guys are good. It doesn't hurt that the chopper is stealthed all to hell and back. You're deposited on the ground in the dead of darkness, and then your lifeline to escape flies away. And you're alone, with the map, and two kilometers to travel to get to the entrance.
«Plot» Slinger says, "Time effectively starts now. Drain is healed."
«Plot» Slinger says, "BG count is still 2 here."
Commlink-Gepeto> Stumpy says, "Comm Check."
Commlink-Axx> Hatchet says, "Check."
Commlink-Stone> Daniel says, "Stone here…"
Commlink-Ghostfist> Ghostfist says, "Ghostfist ready."
… Daniel says over the comm. "And now that we know they work, let's keep the chatter down. Who knows if they've got a scanner up and running or not."
Once he's off of the helo, Frankie pulls out his taccomm and sets the ear piece over his ear. The troll shoulders his sniper rifle, hanging it from a sling while he gets the microphone properly into place. He gestures for the guy with the map to take the lead, scanning the desert with his eyes.
Stumpy slips out of the copter, securing his ear peice, and slipping on his gecko gloves, while getting his sword drawn and ready, while crouching low to the ground.
Hatchet pulls on his ruth cloak heads out. He quickly gets out the chopper, ducking as he passes under the rotors.
The drop area itself is deserted. Everything interesting is over yonder, two kilometers away.
Note to self: Find a way to keep the ruth cloak in the cello case.
Frankie sighs slightly as he notes Hatchet doing the smart thing. Damn shame the trog didn't have time to get his own 'smart thing' from its hidey hole. Ghostfist starts tromping in the proper direction since no one else seems interested in leading the excursion.
Stumpy looks to the others, "Okay. What recon options we got at dis point? Or we just goin.." He notices Ghostfist heading off, and moves hurridly behind him.
Daniel moves out as quietly as a shaman used to the noises of the city covering his sound can be… which is to say, not very. But he's trying. He moves a bit behind Ghostfist, and to the… left. Yeah.
"Dunno 'bout you chummers, but I need to be closer if I'm gonna be able to get good recon on the place," rumbles Frankie in as quiet a bass as he can manage.
Stumpy nods, "Yeah… jus' askin'…" He checks his watch, "Everybody up ta take dis at a jog? Betta time dat way."
Hatchet nods, heading out as sleathy as he can be, out in front a ways so as to may get the jump on someone out here. He has his goggles with therm. His ruth is off, he'll save his batteries.
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Centering vs TN 5 for "Same as before?":
1 3 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Conjuring - 2 vs TN 6 for "F4 Mountain Spirit!":
3 5 9 16 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Charisma + 2 (Drain help) vs TN 5 for "5 drain?":
1 1 2 2 2 4 9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Charisma + 2 (Drain help) - 1 vs TN 5 for "5 drain? kp 1 (sigh)":
1 3 4 4 4 7 = 1 Success
«Plot» Daniel says, "Stand at L"
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Willpower vs TN 3 for "Drain healing, hour, divided by successes…":
1 3 4 5 10 14 = 5 Successes
«Plot» Daniel says, "Service 1: Conceal the 4 of us. That's +4 TN to spot us, on top of out stealth checks (even to astral! Whoot!)"
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Intelligence (to Slinger):
1 3 4 4
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Stealth (to Slinger):
2 2 2 4 4 7
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 3 4 5 5 5 10
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Stealth (to Slinger):
4 4 5 5 5 5 14
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Intelligence (to Slinger) for "-1 from top number from L Stun":
1 2 2 2 3 5
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Stealth (to Slinger) for "+4 conceal, -1 Stun":
1 1
«Plot-Page» (To: Slinger) Daniel is going to KP that, before alerting everyone alive…
The travel along the winding mountain path is tricky at best, forcing you to keep your speed low. Even so, the trip is uneventful. The only thing you encounter moving are a couple of lizards, scurrying away from the quiet sounds of people moving, as sneakily as possible.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 2 (Enhanced Perception) (to Slinger) for "Natural Thermo, Improved Hearing, Improved Scent, Motion Sense, Magic Sense, Electromagnetic Sense":
1 2 3 5 5 7 13
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Stealth (to Slinger) for "+4 Concealment":
3 3 4 14
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist and Hatchet) Slinger says, "Daniel is making a good bit of noise as he moves, but the rest of the team is silent. But more to the point, you hear the sounds of movement up ahead, and the quiet squawking of a radio. Perhaps fifty meters off, but sound carries, echoes, reverberates."
Abruptly the troll stops short, dropping to one knee on the sandy mountain ground. In the same motion one hand comes up in the universal STOP hand sign while the other hand moves to bring his sniper rifle around. "Someone ahead, 'bout fifty meters." Frankie promptly sets to peering down his scope at the scene ahead of them.
Stumpy stops at the troll's warning, and carefully and slowly lowers himself further to the ground, trying to make out the target in the distance.
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist) Slinger says, "It's hard to make out — but there. Movement. And then a brief glow, enough to make the low-light features of your scope turn off for a second. A guard, and he just lit a cigarette, illuminating his face in the night with a flickering orange glow…"//
Daniel is moving along, really not that quiet at all. Hopefully, the spirit he's conjured… a little pile of rocks with a pair of eyes and a sheepish grin… is helping to keep them from alerting everyone alive on the mountain to the runner's presence. It's kind of terrible, actually, how bad he is at this. He stops moving when the sign to stop… or the sign he presumes means stop… goes up.
Hatchet gets still and squats low, he turns on his wired reflexes and looks back to the rest of the team. "Let me see if I can get a count and see what's up there right quick." he whispers.
Frankie scans slowly and purposefully with his enormous rifle. After several seconds he stops, eyes narrowing as sights in on someone or something. "Scout it. Got one in eye," is the troll's quiet rumble-hiss. Carefully Frankie lowers himself down to a proper sniping position on the ground, bipod swung down to help provide leverage and aim.
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Intelligence (to Slinger):
1 2 2 2 5 10 13 17
«Plot-Page» (To: Hatchet) Slinger says, "You can see it, too. A bit of motion — and a flare of light, as one of the guards lights a cigarette, illuminating his face with an orange glow."
«Plot» Slinger says, "That's 2 aim actions if you want 'em, Frankie. You're at minimal light conditions — it's dark out here. Range is 50 meters, and the guard has +4 partial cover where he is."
«OOC» Ghostfist says, "I'll take the 2 aim actions. I'm going to wait until I get a report from Hatch."
«OOC» Slinger says, "Total of 4… what's your skill? I think you can have up to skill/2."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Active Skill Rifles with the value '3'.
"I'm just seeing the one guard." hatchet says, "Can we keep from alerting everyone around?"
Stumpy checks for a silencer on the end of the very big gun.
Frankie nods to Hatchet. "Silenced," he remarks quietly as he can. The troll lines up his shot, flicking on the high powered laser sight on at the last possible moment to help stabilize the shot. Ghostfist draws in one slow breath before releasing it, pulling the trigger once when all the air is out of his lungs.
«OOC» Slinger says, "So 4 base, +4 partial cover, -2 smartlink, -4 aim, TN 2, by my count."
«OOC» Daniel says, "Aim is limited to half the skill, so -1 aim, -1 (target standing still)"
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 2 for "14S base damage":
2 4 4 5 7 9 = 6 Successes
«OOC» Daniel says, "+2 Natural Thermo in minimal light."
«OOC» Slinger says, "+2 partial light, -3 only from aim. So TN 5 by my count."
«OOC» Slinger says, "3 successes. Wanna karma?"
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 - 3 (Successes) vs TN 5 for "14S base damage KP: 1/17":
3 5 11 = 2 Successes
«OOC» Ghostfist says, "It's 14S base."
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 4 (guard body) + Combat Pool: 7 vs TN 8 for "6 points ballistic armor, 5 successes…":
1 1 1 3 3 3 4 5 5 7 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 4 (guard body) + Combat Pool: 7 - 1 (succs) vs TN 8 for "6 points ballistic armor, 5 successes… KP 1":
1 2 2 2 4 4 5 7 7 15 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 4 (guard body) + Combat Pool: 7 - 2 (succs) vs TN 8 for "6 points ballistic armor, 5 successes… KP 3":
1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 = 0 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "3 net successes stages it to D. He goes down. Pose it."
Part IV: The Cave
Once the guard is down, the cave entrance is just ahead, around that rock outcropping. You will need to be sneaky, yes, but there are no other guards nearby. Those with a sense for the magical may feel a bit of a tingle as they approach the cave mouth itself… and then it is gone. The background count is zero.
Stumpy looks to the others, "Okay, every body ready? Hatchet taking point?"
«Plot» Daniel checks to see if the mountain spirit followed me into the bg 0 zone, of it there is some kind of ward/barrier keeping it out.
Hatchet nods, giving a thumbs up to Ghost on the nice shot before working his way toward the mouth of the cave carefully under stealth. He toggles his thermal vision occasionally to see if anything shows up.
Daniel feels the little pop of mana… it feels like a statick shock of some kind, except not quite. He turns and looks over his should quickly, to make sure that the spirit is still following them… or at least find out if there's something keeping it away.
Ghostfist is a name with many possible interpretations, in this particular case it seems to mean that he will take you out like a ghost in the night. The trigger is pulled and, within a few fractions of an instant the bullet erupts into the guard's chest. Near him, the others can hear the gases venting from the rifle's barrel while the guard collapses backward onto the desert floor almost in the same motion as the bullet impacting him. Blood wells up from the neat hole punched in his chest, darkening his armored clothing while Frankie stands up again, policing his spent casing before he slings his rifle over his shoulder once more.
The cave itself is very dark. Minimal light, and further on, complete darkness — except, there is a glimmer of light from down the left passage, fairly muted. Hardly even visible from here.
Stumpy moves low to the ground, following the not yet ruthed Hatchet at a significant distance… allowing the scout to do his work. He resists the urge to activate his weapon focus, remembering what his magic book told him about wards.
Daniel knows he will probably regret the decision… but decides to chance a look on the astral down the hallway. Not keep it up… just enough to see what's up there.
Hatchet slowly works his way toward the light to see if it gets brighter, in which case he'll hit his ruth. He can see fine in here, so he's watching his step and keeping an eye out for wires or whatever else my be awry on his way down the hall.
Frankie follows the others into the cave. Physically he shudders as the background count shifts abruptly, his gaze shifting every which way as he gets that 'oh crap' feeling in the base of his skull. The troll keeps moving along, senses primed.
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "This is weird. Just outside that cave mouth, the background count is /intense/. Perhaps three, or even more. And then, like a curtain, it seems to stop at the mouth of the cave, as if this area has been meticulously cleansed. There is also a faint glow coming from the rocks, here… perhaps lichens, perhaps something else. Might be best to avoid touching them, especially if Awakened."
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Intelligence vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "What can I find out about these lichen's auras? (Astral Perception, away!)":
1 1 1 3 5 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Aura Reading vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Comp?":
1 3 5 9 = 2 Successes
«Plot-Page» (To: Slinger) Daniel says, "Also… do they touch the ground, or just the walls?"
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "Just the walls. The ground is relatively clear."
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "Whatever they are, they are dual-natured, existing both on the astral and physical realms. That's generally not good."
Stumpy creeps slowly, slidin along the left side of the cave, hoping to use it for cover if nessicary as they aproach the left passage.
«Plot-Page» (To: Stumpy) Slinger says, "Are you awakened at all?"
«Plot-Page» (To: Slinger) Stumpy says, ">An adept, no astral awareness at all."
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "Stumpy brushes against the wall… and the whatever-it-is is clinging to him, brighter than it was. Clinging to his outer layer of clothing, and seems to be… getting larger…"
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Magical Threats (to Slinger) for "What is it?":
2 3
Daniel mimics Ghostfist's signal from earlier… and fails, because two of the others are in front of him. Instead, he clicks over the comm to signal getting their attention. When he's got it, he whispers "Stay away from the walls. There's some magic mold or something growing on them. The Floor's clear, though… drek… Stumpy (or whatever name he gave us), back out now." The beginning was quiet, but the second bit is more hectic.
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "Nope. But you should be able to infer it."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Security Systems (Magic) (to Slinger) for "Magic Mold Security Measure?":
1 4 5 5
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist) Slinger says, "Well, it doesn't sound good. You ain't heard of this particular thing before, but you can guess whatever it is might not be good. Might be harmless, though."
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "It's still clinging to him."
Hatchet freezes at Daniel's warning, then quietly backs up a bit, staying in the middle of the floor until he gets back to where the group is gathered.
Stumpy jumps at the com call, and leaps away from the wall in a hurry. He opens his mouth to shout, and camps his hands over it, as his wide eyes covey a sense of urgency and fear to Daniel, on who now his entire attention is focused.
«Plot-Page» (To: Slinger) Daniel says, "Nothing's reaching out for him, is it?"
Magic mold? Frankie steps back from where he estimates Stumpy ought to land if he jumps back, the troll clearly trying to figure out what the hell is going on by description alone. Silently the troll gathers his power again, extending his senses outward into the astral proper this time, his eyes seeming to glaze over while his gaze seems to sharpen severalfold. "Magic mold," he incredulously hisses between his teeth.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 2 (Enhanced Perception) vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Assensing This 'Magic Mold'":
1 1 1 2 2 2 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 2 (Enhanced Perception) - 1 (Success) vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Assensing This 'Magic Mold' KP: 2/17":
4 4 5 7 7 7 = 6 Successes
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel) Slinger says, "After he brushed against the wall, when he came away, his outer layer of clothing had some of the glowing stuff on it. And the stuff is glowing more brightly, and now it is seems to be growing, even though he is no longer touching the wall. As in, the stuff on his clothing is growing."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Aura Reading vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Comp. Skill":
1 2 3 4 5 7 = 3 Successes
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist) Slinger says, "This stuff is interesting. It reminds you of FAB, but this is something even nastier. It's a fungus rather than bacterium… and whatever it is, it does feed on magic, and grows, and reproduces. And it's clinging to Stumpy's clothing right now, to the outer layer of whatever he is wearing, and getting larger…"
Daniel nods a bit. "Yeah. Or something. I don't know. But I'm looking right at him, and it's glowing, and growing around him."
Hatchet's keen mind tells him that the combination of magic and mold cannot be a beneficial one (except maybe magic penicillin, but that's a story for another time). He is waiting for a go/no go from one of the awakened crew, keeping his eyes peeled.
Stumpy still looked paniced, standing evenly away from the walls… "whatwhatwhatwhatwhatwhat" Stumpy start hyperventilating, and goes to a knee.
Frankie's eyes widen, his penetrating gaze falling on Stumpy in a most disconcerting way. The troll takes two careful steps back from Stumpy, very carefully avoiding the walls. "Oh drek. Outer layer off," he growls at Stumpy (poor, poor Stumpy), "Your outer clothing is contaminated."
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel and Ghostfist) Slinger says, "It's getting biiiiiger. Right now about halfway up his sleeve. It'll hit flesh soon if it's not stopped."
Stumpy disrobes faster than a school girl back stage with a boy band, tossing his clothing, and gloves far against the wall of the cave.
«Plot-Page» (To: Slinger and Ghostfist) Daniel says, "That stop the progression?"
«Plot-Page» (To: Daniel and Ghostfist) Slinger says, "It did in fact kick up some spores where it hit the wall. But those settle down. The bad news is, the clothing is covered with the mold, now… though it dims down and does not seem to be glowing. Nothing Awakened nearby to feed on."
There's still a light at the end of one of those tunnels, a dim glow… it looks almost like fluorescent lighting. And from that direction, there is the sound of voices, and footsteps. Sounds like two people…
Stumpy is standing in his ratty boxers and faded Troll Thrash band T-Shirt, holding his arms out wide. He looks over to Ghostfist, "Good?" he whispers in a fearful voice.
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist and Daniel) Slinger says, "He's clean."
Part V: Argument
Footsteps and voices are getting closer…
"Eeep," Daniel lets out as he hears the voices up the tunnel, and backs out of sight from the opening. He glances at Stumpy, and shakes his head. "No, nothing there… but I didn't need to see that.."
"Okay. New rule, when the parahunter tells you to do something, you do it with as little movement as possible."
Frankie takes another step backward as Stumpy throws his clothing away, offering his sage advice in a quiet, calm voice. The troll shifts his attention toward the dim lighting and the sounds of life. He swings his rifle around and reslings it so it is in a ready-to-use position at his front. "Yeah. You're good. Stay off the walls. We got company." Ghostfist promptly lifts his gun to a ready position, pointing it toward the approaching sounds.
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) has the Language Spanish with the value '2'.
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) has the Language Spanish with the value '4'.
As they get closer, it's clear they're talking in Spanish, fairly excitedly. One of them seems somewhat angry, and the other seems emphatic, and right now, they are oblivious to anything else…
«Plot-Page» (To: Stumpy and Hatchet) Slinger says, "We have to call this in!" "First, we have to find out what we know. It's all of our hides if this guy got in this far, and learned anything major." "This isn't your call to make. I'll go over your head if I have to. The prisoner " "Is secure for now, unless there's something wrong in the security department?" "Of course he's secure! He's on level 3, and I have four men guarding him, as you ordered. That weakens the perimeter"
«OOC» Daniel will stunball the jumpsuit when the guards get close enough to it. As an experiment. "I think. That might be funny."
Stumpy calms down quickly, getting low to the ground. He lays out his shotgun on the ground, and keeps his sword in hand. He motions pointing towards the noise. Then slowly draws his finger across his neck.
Hatchet hits his ruth and gets very still, listening to the conversation and gun at the ready.
«OOC» Slinger says, "All right. They're now in view with a +4 partial cover mod, partial light (silhouetted against the faint light). Who's doing what? Inits?"
«OOC» Ghostfist will assense them, while he has the chance.
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist) Slinger says, "The one who is angry is cybered, but no magic. The other one is Awakened."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 2 (Enhanced Perception) vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Assensing Goob #1":
1 2 2 4 5 5 8 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Aura Reading vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Comp. Test #1":
1 2 2 4 5 7 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 2 (Enhanced Perception) vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Assensing Goob #2":
1 2 3 4 9 10 11 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Aura Reading vs TN 4 (to Slinger) for "Comp. Test #2":
1 1 1 2 3 5 = 1 Success
«Plot-Page» (To: Ghostfist) Slinger says, "Looks like a hermetic mage. His magic rating is a 7."
And they step out into the cave proper. The one who is less angry is careful to avoid the walls, but the other one doesn't seem at all concerned. They stop, staring at each other… and then the non-angry one's eyes flick toward the corner… and widen…
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Initiative with a result of 14.
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Initiative with a result of 18.
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Initiative with a result of 11.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Initiative with a result of 11.
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) has the Attribute Reaction with the value '5'.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Attribute Reaction with the value '5'.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Attribute Quickness with the value '5'.
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) has the Attribute Quickness with the value '4'.
Hatchet says "Stop right there and shut up or you're dead." hatchet says in Spanish."
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 5 vs TN 4:
1 1 2 2 4 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Reaction:
1 1 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 7
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 2 vs TN 4:
2 4 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 12 vs TN 2:
1 1 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 8 11 16 = 10 Successes
As you speak, suddenly the conversation halts. The guy in the military fatigues — you can see them now — suddenly whirls around — stepping in front of the other one. And he's reaching for a weapon.
«OOC» Stumpy says, "Shooting angry mc angry face. Shot gun, Smart Link 2. Thermo vision."
«OOC» Slinger says, "Aims up to your max. Partial light still, no partial cover for this guy. He does get a dodge, though, since he's aware. Range is ten meters."
«OOC» Stumpy says, "Okay, should be medium for a shot gun. +2 TN partial light. Skill of 5, so -2 aim, -2 SL. TN3, sound right?"
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Shotguns + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 3 for "Shooting Guard, SA, shot one.":
1 1 1 1 3 4 5 5 = 4 Successes
«OOC» Stumpy says, "Base Damage of 10S."
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Combat Pool: 7 vs TN 4 for "Dodging, TN is 4.":
1 2 3 3 4 4 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Combat Pool: 7 - 3 (succs) vs TN 4 for "Dodging, TN is 4.":
2 2 4 5 = 2 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "Dodged."
«OOC» Stumpy says, "Taking second shot with SA."
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Shotguns + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 5 for "Shooting Guard, SA, shot one.":
2 2 2 2 4 4 4 7 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Shotguns + Combat Pool: 3 - 1 vs TN 5 for "Shooting Guard, SA, shot one. 1/3KP":
1 4 5 5 8 8 17 = 5 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 8 (body) + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 2 for "Resisting 10S damage, 6 succs.":
1 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 16 = 9 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 1 vs TN 2 for "KP 2":
10 = 1 Success
«OOC» Slinger says, "That stages it down to L."
With that, the guy pulls out his pistol and readies it without even having to touch the slide. "Run!" he yells, stepping forward to make sure he is the target, and he lifts the gun back in the direction from which he was fired upon.
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 6 (pistols) + Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 5 for "Medium range (5), -2 SL, +2 visibility…":
1 1 1 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 6 (pistols) + Combat Pool: 6 - 3 (succs) vs TN 5 for "Medium range (5), -2 SL, +2 visibility… KP 3":
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Combat Pool: 1 vs TN 4:
1 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Combat Pool: 1 vs TN 4 for "2/3KP":
3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) has the Armor Rating Ballistic with the value '4'.
«OOC» Slinger says, "11M base, 4 successes."
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Body vs TN 7 for "11M vs 4 successes, with 4 ballistic… I know we haven't talked much God…":
1 3 4 4 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Body - 1 vs TN 7 for "11M vs 4 successes, with 4 ballistic… I know we haven't talked much God… 3/3KP":
3 3 4 10 = 1 Success
«OOC» Stumpy says, "Standing at a serious wound."
«OOC» Hatchet says, "I'm going to shoot a burst at the guy. What's my TN? I have RC 3 short range"
«OOC» Daniel says, "What vision mods do you have, Hatchet?"
«OOC» Hatchet says, "low light light systems in my cyber eyes"
«OOC» Daniel says, "TN 4, -2 SL… +0 with both lowlight and eyelights. Unless there's some other mods from cover that I'm not seeing, it's 2."
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Assault Rifles (Ares Alpha) + Combat Pool: 8 vs TN 2 for "burst":
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 7 8 8 = 15 Successes
«OOC» Hatchet says, "11M"
«OOC» Daniel says, "They resist/dodge first."
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 8 (body) vs TN 3 for "Trying not to die…":
1 1 2 2 2 3 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 8 (body) - 3 (succs) vs TN 3 for "Trying not to die… KP 4":
1 1 2 4 15 = 2 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "That's still ten successes. The guy doesn't go down, though."
«OOC» Slinger says, "You have 3 points of recoil comp, right? That means this shot will be +1 for recoil, +2 more for called shot."
«OOC» Slinger says, "TN 5."
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Assault Rifles (Ares Alpha) + Combat Pool: 1 vs TN 5:
1 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 9 9 15 = 5 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 8 (body) vs TN 3 for "Trying not to die again…":
2 2 2 3 3 4 5 8 = 5 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "He takes S. Goes down, bleeding…"
«OOC» Ghostfist is dropping astral perception and taking a shot on the mage.
«OOC» Slinger says, "All right. Same TNs as others — except target running +2, and he's got a little partial cover still +2."
«OOC» Daniel says, "That's another +1 on natural thermo"
«OOC» Ghostfist says, "Short Range (4), -2 for Smartlink, +1 Partial Light (natural thermo), +2 running, +2 partial cover. Final TN: 7."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 7 for "14S base damage":
1 2 3 3 3 3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 7 for "14S base damage KP: 3/17":
2 2 5 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 7 for "14S base damage KP: 5/17":
1 1 3 9 10 11 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 4 for "Run away!":
1 3 3 4 4 4 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Combat Pool: 6 - 3 (succs) vs TN 4 for "Run away! KP 1":
1 2 3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Combat Pool: 6 - 3 (succs) vs TN 4 for "Run away! KP 3":
3 5 8 = 2 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "Dodged. Second shot?"
Everything explodes into a flurry of action just as Frankie finishes assensing the targets. The troll's eyes widen for a moment and he takes precious instants to mentally sever his link to the astral plane, letting out a soft sigh as he blinks to clear his vision. Somewhere in the course of this he finds his target running away; Frankie tries to compensate, but his lone shot sails just past the back of his victim's neck. Ghostfist mages to growl out a warning, "Initiated mage."
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 4 for "F5 S Stunbolt at the guy!":
1 1 2 4 4 4 5 5 10 11
«OOC» Slinger says, "2 successes. KP?"
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 4 - 2 for "F5 S Stunbolt at the guy! kp 3":
1 1 2 3 4 4 5 10
«OOC» Slinger says, "1 more. KP?"
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 4 - 2 - 1 for "F5 S Stunbolt at the guy! kp 5":
3 3 3 4 5 8 14
«OOC» Slinger says, "2 more, 5 total. KP?"
«OOC» Daniel says, "Force 5, Serious Stun base."
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Sorcery Pool: 6 vs TN 5 for "Spell defense.":
1 1 3 3 5 7 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls Sorcery Pool: 6 - 2 (succs) vs TN 5 for "Spell defense. KP 1":
2 3 4 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Willpower vs TN 2 for "Resist 2S drain! Centering vs. drain to follow.":
2 3 4 5 9 14 = 6 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 7 (willpower) vs TN 5 for "Resisting…":
3 3 3 4 5 5 13 = 3 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "Negated."
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Sorcery Pool: 2 vs TN 6 for "Defense!":
1 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Sorcery Pool: 2 vs TN 6 for "Defense! kp 6":
1 3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 7 (sorcery) + Sorcery Pool: 2 for "Open test, against varying TN's. Penalties: attacker running +4. That's about it.":
1 1 2 3 3 4 5 9 10
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Sorcery Pool: 2 vs TN 6 for "Defense! kp 8! Jeez":
4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Attribute Willpower with the value '6'.
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) has the Attribute Willpower with the value '3'.
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) has the Attribute Willpower with the value '4'.
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 8 for "KP for those on whom he got 1 success…":
1 1 1 1 2 4 5 9
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 7 for "KP for those on whom he got 2 successes…":
1 1 2 4 8 9 16
«OOC» Slinger says, "All right. That's good enough. Ghostfist and Daniel: you have 1 succs coming at you. Stumpy and Hatchet, 6 successes."
«OOC» Slinger says, "Resisting Stunball, F6. Willpower vs TN 6 unless you have some kind of spell defense."
«Auto-Judge» Stumpy (#1369) rolls Willpower vs TN 6 for "Stun is fun.":
2 5 5 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls Willpower vs TN 6 for "Resist!":
1 3 4 4 5 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 7 (willpower) vs TN 2 for "Resisting 2S drain (targeted at M).":
3 3 4 4 5 10 16 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) has the Attribute Willpower with the value '6'.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Willpower vs TN 6 for "Stunball? I deedn't feel no steenkeeng stunball.":
2 5 8 11 11 14 = 4 Successes
Daniel stands next to Ghostfist as he shoots down the tunnel, and concentrates a small little green dot into his hand… and then that little dot lances out down the tunnel at the fleeing mage. It hits some kind of bubble in the air and just ripples. The glowing white eyes of the shaman don't appear to be ammused at the occurance.
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Willpower + 1 vs TN 6 for "KP 1/2":
2 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Hatchet (#3165) rolls Willpower + 1 vs TN 6 for "KP 2/2":
1 4 4 11 = 1 Success
The mage whirls around, running backwards for a moment, and lobs off a spell in a panic. The spell, despite the hasty nature of it and the penalties the guy takes from running, arcs into the room, striking everyone equally. One team member drops, the other is hit hard, and the other two are unaffected.
But something else happens. The burst of magickal energy makes the stuff on the wall glow brilliantly, the room lighting up with an eerie phosphorescent glow. And it starts to /grow/ out from the walls. Rapidly…
«OOC» Daniel says, "4, +3 wounds, +2 partial cover, +2 running, -2 sl… then vision mods."
«OOC» Daniel says, "So… TN is 9."
«OOC» Hatchet says, "I'm leaving no matter what right now carrying and/or dragging stumpy right in the middle and moving out"
Hatchet begins retreating, with stumpy in tow moving at his best speed without breaking into a frantic run.
«Plot» Slinger says, "Okay. You can't get out of the cave this turn yet, Hatchet. Not quite yet."
«OOC» Daniel would like to utilize his spirit's movement power when we start to run away. That should either quadruple, or quintuple our speed while we flee.
«OOC» Slinger says, "It can affect 1 person per complex action. What order should it affect people?"
Part VI: Expeditious Retreat
Suddenly, Hatchet is moving faster — and rockets out of the cave exit.
Those who are watching the mage, though, will see something that might surprise them. As the mage is staring backward, admiring his handiwork, there is the sound of footsteps approaching from behind the mage, at a full run. Reinforcements — coming to back up the fearless leader. A figure at a dead run approaches the mage, who turns back in time to look — and his eyes widen in surprise as he is suddenly stabbed, fiercely, by a knife the newcomer is holding…
Daniel calls out to the spirit, asking it for one last favor… to help hasten the group's escape, while he roots around in one of his duster's pockets. He withdraws a spherical grenade… and then blinks at the appearance down the way. "… the hell?" he mutters, before turning to run after Hatchet, the grenade in his hand not forgotten, but the plan to log it down the slope no longer at the front of his throughts.
Frankie Ghostfist knows the better part of valor, even when mages are slinging Stunballs that make his Magic Sense tingle and his nose tickle. The troll shifts his rifle out of the way, using its sling to keep it hanging on his body. As Hatchet takes off with Stumpy in tow, Ghostfist stoops to snag Stumpy's shotgun and sword, as well as the single shell casing he expended inside of the cave. Quite fortuitously, this also puts Frankie into a position like a professional sprinter and he sets off toward the cave entrance at a reasonable clip while he tries to stow the dwarven shotgun and sword out of his way because, let's be honest here, there ain't no way Frankie's going to be able to use either to cover the rea-
Did that guy just knife the mage?
Yes. Yes, that guy did just knife the mage, who falls to the ground. The guy releases him and is running up the slope at an impressive clip, toward the cave entrance where you are. He eyes the stuff on the wall carefully — it's still growing. "Are you my extraction team?" he wants to know, in English. "Took you fraggers long enough!" He looks Hispanic, that much is true, but his accent is pure UCAS… sounds like the Detroit area.
Daniel glances back over his shoulder as he speeds up to some crazy fastness. "Talk outside," he shouts loudly over his shoulder, but his voice almost comically grows quieter as he speeds away.
Hatchet continues to pull stumpy along, and is totally amazed when the man knifes the mage and starts talking to them. "Yeah, that's us, and we're getting outta here as fast as we can right now.
«OOC» Slinger says, "Lemme have a Force check from your spirit, Daniel. TN is 5 base."
«Auto-Judge» Daniel (#7693) rolls 4 vs TN 5 for "Spirit!":
5 5 9 10 = 4 Successes
"Just be glad they didn't send UCAS postal service, omae," replies Frankie. He is, after all, the one closest to the guy at the moment. The troll is suitably impressed with the guy's chutzpah for dropping that pesky mage for them, but he's more impressed by the guy's running speed. Oh and Frankie is still retreating.
«OOC» Slinger says, "Spirit puts Movement power on Ghostfist, then on the new guy, having figured things out."
The guy is moving damned fast, and you get a good look at him finally. Hispanic, yes, with a bit of stubble from not having shaved. Dressed in black, the clothing tattered and hanging from his body. He's got bruises and a few burns on his body, and one that might be a knife wound. And he's the last one out of the cave, still carrying that knife.
And now — now is when a noisy klaxon begins to sound — and there is the sound of movement from out in the desert. Apparently, there are more guards out there, and heading this way.
Daniel looks around to the rest of the team as they run… not as winded as you might expect from the crazy speed, but… he's getting there. "So… now what?" he asks between gradually deepening breaths, as the exertion begins to take it's toll.
Frankie sprints along, suddenly accelerating to ridiculous speeds due to the influence of The Spirit. Thank shamanism for nature spirits with movement. By and large Frankie seems not too winded, in spite of everything, possibly because he is only trying to jog along while he is mystically accelerated to redonkulous speed. Also his player may be getting punchy.
"We better make sure that chopper's waitin for us or we're dead, might be anyway." He says as he hears the alarm sound. He looks for a place to take advantage of some kind of cover without slowing down.
"What's your evac plan?" the guy running with you asks, with a glance over his shoulder. Then, he winces and points, ducking down lower. "Guards! With guns!" And right on cue, the guns fire, though they miss wide, hitting the rock above where the team is running.
With nary a trace of irony, Frankie replies to the guy, "Get to the chopper." As a troll, gettin' low is kind of hard to do, but Frankie does his damnedest to get down and avoid being killed by bullets or loosened rocks.
Commlink-Ghostfist> Ghostfist says, "Ghostfist to Ghost Ship, we could use that ride about now."
Commlink-Slinger> Slinger says, "Roger, returning to drop zone."
Daniel clicks on his comm, and practically shouts into it… "Where the bloody hell are you guys? We need you here, 5 minutes ago." That's right. Bloody. In his midwestern-american twangy accent. Doesn't fit quite right, but… whatever. "Five Minutes ago… Now… maybe in time for tea tommorrow."
Commlink-Slinger> Slinger says, "Ghostfist… we're detecting gunfire. Do you need air support?"
Commlink-Axx> Hatchet says, "Affirmative."
Commlink-Slinger> Slinger says, "Roger that. Moving in. ETA is thirty seconds to range."
Commlink-Ghostfist> Ghostfist says, "Understood."
Hatchet does his best dodgy run, taking advantage of as much cover as he can. He doesn't think about anything but getting away alive at this point.
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 5 (rifles) + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 11:
1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 5 (rifles) + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 11:
1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 8 10 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 5 (rifles) + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 11:
2 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 10 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Slinger (#69) rolls 5 (rifles) + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 11:
1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 8 15 = 1 Success
«Plot» Slinger says, "That's one shot each to… lessee… Ghostfist, you're a big target. So both of those were at you."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 4 for "Dodge #1":
1 3 5 = 1 Success
Commlink-Axx> Hatchet says, "Hey, we're gonna need some medical attentions immediately. The dwarf has some serious damage."
Commlink-Slinger> Slinger says, "Medkit on board, but nobody trained in its use today. You have someone?"
Commlink-Axx> Hatchet says, "No, not me."
Commlink-Stone> Daniel says, "Got spells, if that's the kind of hurt he is."
Commlink-Ghostfist> Ghostfist says, "I'll see what I can do."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 3 - 1 (Success) vs TN 4 for "Dodge #1 KP: 6/17":
2 9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 4 for "Dodge #2":
3 4 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 2 - 1 (Success) vs TN 4 for "Dodge #2 KP: 7/17":
3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 2 - 1 (Success) vs TN 4 for "Dodge #2 KP: 9/17":
2 = 0 Successes
«OOC» Slinger says, "Base damage is 9S on each of those."
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Armor Rating Ballistic with the value '5'.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Body vs TN 4 for "Soaking Shot #2":
1 1 2 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 = 7 Successes
There are more shots, but as you round an outcropping of rock they are falling behind you. Even so, the guards are pursuing you — until through the night there is a nearly silent dark shape swooping overhead. Silent, that is, until suddenly machine gun fire rolls from the thing, sending the guards for cover. It's impossible to tell in the rain of bullets if they are dead or simply hiding, but either way, you are no longer being pursued, and make it to the landing zone with no difficulties.
«Plot» Slinger says, "Chopper is there. Can pose getting on board, and any cleanup stuff you want to do, etc."
Daniel slows down a little bit as he gets closer to the chopper… enough so that he doesn't plot into it at full speed, at least. Probably more.
To be perfectly honest, no matter what Frankie Ghostfist says, he is very agile troll. Frankie bobs and weaves as bullets whiz and *fipfipfip* all around him until a bullet doesn't quite miss him. Instead the bullet ricochets off of one pumping forearm, then off of his chest, and deflects upward where it impacts a small patch of that infamous trog dermal armor on his chin before it finally crashes into the rocks.
Although it doesn't physically slow him down, it does give Frankie pause to consider more carefully consider his surroundings. The troll makes for the chopper as swift as he can though, thundering up into the copter before he even considers slowing down enough to stop. What can he say? Frankie don't like getting shot at, even when it doesn't do much more than give him some bruises and knick some of his dermal bone.
Hatchet drags Stumpy up the ramp into the chopper and gets him as ready as he knows how to receive some first aid. He's starting to drag ass a little now that the adrenaline has worn off.
Commlink-Axx> Hatchet says, "Ghost, you can do do first aid?"
Commlink-Ghostfist> Ghostfist says, "A little bit. I ain't a doc, but I can try to patch him up a little."
As soon as people are loaded, the chopper takes off. A few more shots *zing* off the vehicle's tough armor, but those have no effect. And it is not long before you are airborne, heading back toward Denver.
Could use some of that mojo-healing," your guest comments. "After you've taken care of the other guys." He leans against the seat, closing his eyes, finally permitting himself to relax, shaking a little. "Thanks. If you hadn't been there, I wouldn't have made it," he admits. "I'm Reiche Dicenzo. Hope you guys are gettin' paid good for this."
«Plot» Slinger says, "After a few minutes, the chopper is away from the area, and y'all can be in BG count 0."
Daniel slows down a little bit as he gets closer to the chopper… enough so that he doesn't plot into it at full speed, at least. Probably moreso, so that he doesn't run into it at all. He helps heave the dwarf into the chopper, and tries to strap him into one of the seats before inspecting his wounds. "A lot of this is bruise, but he's got a nasty wound… I'll let you get to cleaning it before I cast anything on it. I hear that doing it the other way doesn't really help out."
Hatchet doesn't have anything to do now. He stares out the window, filled with remorse.
"Don't really help at all. The magic sets the body to advanced stages of healing, frags everything right 'round," replies Frankie to Daniel. The troll gestures for the medkit, shrugging out of his long coat and the sling of his sniper rifle. Ultimately this leaves him totally hands free now, sniper rifle and Stumpy's sword crossed over his long coat and the assortment of guns held within, including Stumpy's own shotgun.
"Nice to meet you, Reiche," remarks the troll as he sets to inspecting and trying to de-bullet the poor dorf.
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Biotech vs TN 7 for "Base TN 8, -1 Target has Body 5, +1 Bad Conditions, -1 Savior Medkit":
1 2 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Biotech vs TN 7 for "Base TN 8, -1 Target has Body 5, +1 Bad Conditions, -1 Savior Medkit KP: 10/17":
3 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Biotech vs TN 7 for "Base TN 8, -1 Target has Body 5, +1 Bad Conditions, -1 Savior Medkit KP: 12/17":
2 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Biotech vs TN 7 for "Base TN 8, -1 Target has Body 5, +1 Bad Conditions, -1 Savior Medkit KP: 15/17":
2 3 = 0 Successes
Frankie steps back from Stumpy after a whole lot of apparently fruitless work. The troll snorts and frowns, gesturing for Daniel to proceed. "I gotta brush up on this drek. Wish I coulda helped a little bit."
«Plot» Slinger says, "We can assume that Daniel successfully heals Stumpy magically."
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