Katy glances over at Samuel, overhearing his words and can't figure wether it's a good thing or not, considering that 'warning' the enemy could prove to make them underestimate you more... or the bad scenerio: overestimate you. So she decides to yell over at Samuel, "Don't be *too* offended! The weaker the enemy thinks we are, the better!" She can only hope word has been spread quickly enough as she can see the woods up ahead.

Valin nods to Emerald as he puts down the tools he's been working with in a safe spot where no one will trip over them before the gorilla says, "Then I better get down to ground level and help out."

Valin takes a step back when Joe arrives without warning and after the surprised look on Valin's face fades, Valin listens to Joe's message and then quickly says, "I hope there is enough time to do whatever Michael has planned, as it sounds like there isn't much time. I'll see you both on ground level," as Valin then rushes over to one of the larger nearby trees being used to support the village and uses its trunk to climb down to ground level as the gorilla knows that will be faster than using the elevator.

Michael is already explaining what needs to be done for those that Emerald sent down prior to her arriving on the ground level, which includes Valin. Additionally, the chimpanzee is handing out tools as needed to make sure everything can be done swiftly once the group gets moving.

Samuel keeps on using his Gauss Gun to cover everyone's 'tactical retreat' to the woods while running backwards as he seems to rant and yell back to Katy, "Like I care, I just want to get revenge on Robotnik no matter the cost. If I could get my hands on a spacecraft that could reach escape velocity... and you tree hugging pansies didn't kill me first... I'd show him how a ticked off space miner deals with their enemies... I'd throw a rock at him... a BIG rock, one a couple miles in diameter to be exact... I'd love to see the look on Fat Man Do's face when he'd see that a HUGE asteroid is coming down aiming at his headquarters with HIS name on it!... Seriously, I'd etch it into the face of the rock so he could see it! I don't care if such an impact would be classifiable as an Extinction Level Event, if it kills Robotnik and gets me closer to saving my crewmembers, then it's worth it..." As Samuel frequently has to pause during his rant to dodge a blast from a SWATBot or shoot a robot he gets a clean shot at.

By this point it should be quite clear to anyone listening to Samuel that he's ranting about what he'd like to do but that it's obvious that right now it's nothing more than 'wishful thinking' that is about as likely to occur as someone wishing Robotnik would die of a heart attack in the very near future. Although it does reveal two things: First that Samuel doesn't seem to place the same values on the environment that a Freedom Fighter would. And second that Samuel would do anything he thought might get him closer to saving his crewmembers, which could be viewed in a number of ways.

  Joe made use of more direct time saving methods of just dropping down from the edge of the current level to ground height.  Granted with grapple gun line reducing the fall to minimum safe distance first.  The next obvious step was proceeding over to Mike and filling him in with a bit more detail, and a bit less vague of the situation as last seen.  How nice for everyone that Joe's estimate on hostiles count was now an overstatement.

  "Anyways, shall I be assisting in pointy ditch digging or did you have something else in mind that can be accomplished in a hurry?" How nice that Joe saved his lazy time for when something didn't have to be taken care of.

Emerald arrives at ground level with a few more helpers and awaits Michael's instructions. "I stuck Benji at the lookout tower." she says to Mike just so he knows she's not abandoning the post completely.

Michael replies to Joe, "Actually I need you working on the 'pointy ditch digging' as you called it, since I believe your rather skilled at setting up pointy objects." Michael then adds, "Emerald can you go and help guide those leaving Middletown to the ambush point, where Valin will pelt the  SWATBots with rocks and other large debris found in the forest to herd them into the pit traps everyone else will be helping to build. We have to hurry, so let's get a move on it," as Michael starts to lead the others to what will be the rendezvous and ambush point.

It feels like he's been running forever, but by the time that point crosses his mind, Hart has managed to lead the front half of the prisoners far enough to be able to see the ground level of Channelwood. He's relieved to see some commotion on the ground.  "Looks like they're expecting us." He calls back to the prisoners within immeadiate earshot. "Once we get everyone there, we'll figure out our next play.  It'll be cool from here on out."  Though he says this with confidence, he doesn't allow himself to fully relax.  They weren't out of the woods yet.

Speaking of things within the woods, Hart fails to notice that Blipvert or the SWATbots have followed the back end of the escapees into the woods.  He's far too focused on leading the prisoners and being concerned about the welfare of his comrades to notice any unwanted pursuers.

(EDIT: Fixed the post to make more sense :) The pursuers are still quite a ways from Channelwood.  Thanks all!)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Fri 08 June 2007.

"Speak of the Devil..." Emerald says with a smile. She then rushes on over towards Hart. "Hey you! Follow me! A plan to ambush the persuers is in the making!" She then leads the way towards the opposite side of where Valin is going to be headed as she prepares to help set traps from all sides.

  Pointy objects! Joe is so there!

  Manual labor!... Joe is meh there.  Just because he always takes care of it when needed doesn't mean he considers it super happy fun time.

  "If all else fails we can sharpen his head accessories." Joe comments passing by Hart on his way to do something a little more elaborate than sand castles.  Though he could make a nifty driftwood and seaweed catapult.  The other unarmed sand castles never had a chance.

  But yeah.  Dirt leaves ground, pointy bits go where dirt used to be, etc etc why do people and bots always fall for these?

"Real cute," Hart says to Joe in passing. "But I get the feeling that you'd be more comfortable running skull-first into a metal enemy than I would.  Maybe we can make you a pair..."

Hart continues to follow Emerald towards the other side, not totally sure of what they're planning, but guessing from the atmosphere that it has something to do with them not being alone in the forest.  Hart sighs, a bit upset that their group was probably tailed, but relieved things seem to be under control.

Katy turns her attention back to Samuel. "You better care, if you want to ever accomplish your goals. You have to fight smart, not just with anger. But now's not the time to discuss long-term strategy." If it weren't for the fact she herself has to constantly keep her anger in check, she's be tempted to think Samuel's as much a noob as Mittens. But she doesn't. Instead she leads the bots right for the ambush she is expecting to have been set by now.

Having heard Katy's request of Mittens, Shelly goes to lean on the energetic cat, coughing and looking in bad shape.

Samuel doesn't take his eyes off the robots still pursuing the group, but the look on his face changes slightly as some of Katy's words do hit home, as he replies, "It doesn't matter if we don't survive this situation, then discussing long-term anything becomes moot. If I want to vent, then let me vent. Or would you rather me keep my anger all bottled up till it explodes and I do something 'rash'?" As Samuel continues to try to slow down the forces pursing the group and if possible taking out of a few of the robots in the process.

With Samuel's wife coming from a family with a long history of having jobs in both the Space Forces and in Law Enforcement, Samuel is rather used to hearing comments similar to 'fight smarter, not harder' as well as other sayings. Not that Samuel has ever paid much attention to those sayings as they aren't credos he lives by. 'She's right, I'm letting my hatred get the better of me. While I know anger can be used as a focus, if it becomes blind hatred, it only becomes a tool for one's opponent. I'm lucky that these SWATBots are too stupid to take advantage of that tool or I'd probably already be dead. I don't even want to think about what Alexis' father would say if he saw me fighting and ranting like this... Or if he hears about it later... He scares me more than anything Robotnik could ever do. I guess Katy's right that I'm going to have to do things differently... but how...bah, I'll think about that later, right now I better focus on the fight before something goes wrong.'

After reaching the ambush point Michael works with the others to get everything ready in time. Fortunately for Michael and those working on preparing for the ambush, this isn't rocket science, after all it's not hard to dig a ditch put pre-made pointy objects at the bottom and then cover it up while others gather suitable throwing rocks.

Michael hasn't overlooked that those being chased by the robots don't know exactly where the pit trap will be so Michael also explains to those with him about helping to guide people around and past the trap while not making it overt that a trap is being avoided once the others reach the site where the ambush is to take place.

Valin has been busy gathering rocks and other things he can use to throw at a SWATBot to take it out of action and getting them moved to be within arm's reach so he'll have a good supply of objects to throw once the ambush occurs.

Valin just hopes that he's managed to gather enough rocks and large branches for the ambush as he'd hate to run out since although the trees will provide him with some cover, without a real way to defend himself the SWATBots could flank and pick him off at range in time.

  Considering they were going to be killing robots with pointy sticks, and Joe was already capable of taking out Swat's vampire hunter style, he probably would find the headbut of pointy death method to work out just fine.  And on the pointy death to robots note, ditch preparations were conveniently finished.

  If things went well, all that effort would be wasted from robots being dealt with before even reaching that point.  No reason to wait for the scenery to do your job if you can still effectively carve out a chunk of the odds numbers against you all personal like.

  A bruised tailbone and fatigue is no excuse for not fulfilling your sworn duty to protect the princess, but her AND the armor will be too much to carry.  Mittens salutes Katy with a smile, drops all her armor, lifts Shelly onto her shoulders, and hustles toward town.  "My God is my rock," she prays aloud as if chanting a military cadence, "in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me."  -.-

  "So this is why you made my gear so heavy," she prays silently as the burn in her legs becomes increasingly painful.  Mittens moves fast enough to keep up with the others, but falls flat on her face from exhaustion once inside Channelwood.  @.@

  Having something new to focus on - namely the backsides of three very attractive teenage girls - Lucky forgets about his impending doom and follows their lead.  For a pubescent boy, he does a good job keeping up, but it helps that every last blast from the pursuing robot army miss him entirely and the escape route is completely free of obstacles.

Katy doesn't have the time to argue. "Regardless, we agree that arguing is a waste of time." She looks around and spots Joe. "Joe! Gimme some news!" she calls out to him.

Shelly manages to keep from passing out. "w... waaater...." she manages to let out with a relatively scratchy voice as though from a dry throat. Her hold on Mittens is loose at best, though thankfully, Shelly weighs only slightly more than Mittens' armor.

Around then, the SWATbots are closing in on the ambush spot thanks to Samuel and Katy luring them quite sufficiently. Completely unaware they are now surrounded and about to be pelted with giant rocks or fall into pits, the bots continue as ordered, chasing Sam and Katy.

Blipvert, however, is starting to reconsider. Why are these freedom fighters running? Where could they possibley hope to hide? Do they think they can outrun the SWATbots? He lags behind some to watch the proceedings, figuring this could very well be a counter-trap. After all... Ra isn't the only one who can set traps.


(OOC: This is your part, everyone, to feel free to pose any SWATbots falling into traps or otherwise getting wrecked. One way or another. They are in position.)

Michael focuses on helping those fleeing from Middletown avoid the pit traps since the alternative isn't good for their health. However Michael is having to be semi-covert about it to not tip off the SWATBots about the trap that has been set for them.

At the appropriate moment, Michael signals Valin to start tossing rocks at the SWATBots.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Wed 20 June 2007.

Samuel has kept up his covering fire on the SWATBots and once again is forced to swapt out the clip in his gauss gun for a fresh clip by the time Michael gives what Samuel guesses is a signal for an ambush, as Samuel is well aware that the chimpanzee is making sure people avoid areas which Samuel figures are booby trapped. But due to several of the SWATBots still taking potshots at Samuel, he's more preoccupied with using the foliage for cover than he is asking about what sort of ambush has been planned, after all Samuel knows he'll find out soon enough.

As soon as Samuel reloads his gauss gun he resumes taking potshots of his own at the dwindling number of SWATBots as a thrown rock suddenly decapitates a SWATBot. Samuel thinks to himself, 'They have a catapult or some sort of launcher?' as the sensors in Samuel's cybernetic implants inform him that the 'launcher' is infact Valin as Samuel then makes a mental note, 'Do not piss off the gorilla, if he can throw a rock that hard, I don't want to know what he can do to me. I'd rather not end up as a human pretzel, or worse.'

Upon seeing Michael's signal to start tossing rocks, Valin starts tossing rocks around the size of a mobian's head at SWATBots with enough force to decapitate the  robots. After the first SWATBot has fallen due to now having rocks where its 'brains' were, Valin continues to pelt SWATBots with rocks to try and herd them away from the escaping prisoners and into the pit traps.

With Valin using the trees as cover, the SWATBots don't have much chance to retaliate as those that aren't taken out with a thrown rock are either being fired upon by Samuel after his gauss gun is reloaded, pelted by a rock, or ending up falling for the pit traps, quite literally.