OOC: Just to clear any confusion, in msg #1 in this chapter, the Judge has advanced to a time after everyone has gathered AND after everyone has shared findings with each other (therefore, all public posts at the end of the previous chapter are common knowledge among the group).

There is no problem with Travis and ENS posting retroactive messages, but there was also no need to do so, as the Judge had already advanced the plot to a time after everyone had rejoined at the apartment.  Please pick up from that point, and Jake's attempt to get things moving, at roughly 11 p.m. that Saturday night.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:57, Fri 15 July 2016.

Ok, boys. We got some more guns. Now we need a plan. Ideas?

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 6):

Jake chuckled at Cole's words. "More guns is a damned good start."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 7):

So the men you've gathered will meet with us early tomorrow? I would suggest that we gather our supplies in the morning, meet with them, then all go to Travis's rented room at the Albion. If Mr. Conway believes the Tong won't have sentries early, we can take a quick look at the shore area in the early light and then make our final plans and set up our vigil for the day.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 8):

OOC:  JEB's message 986 in the previous chapter instructed the posse to assemble two hours before sundown.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 8):

I reckon an armed posse, walking through town, might attract more attention than we would like. Maybe it would be a good idea for all of us to arrive in smaller groups and different times? Just a thought...

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 10):

I'll gather the posse in the morning and lead them to the strike point. Y'all can convene  earlier. Regarding battle plans, we basically have two options as I see it. Strike at the tunnel or the debarkation site. I advocate for the latter. Hit 'em hard and fast, as General Jackson would say.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 11):

"I'd prefer to do as much of the fightin' at range as we can," Jake replied in response to J.E.B.'s observation.

"Seems like gettin' into them tunnels'd be playin' into their hands, 'less  we ain't got no choice in the matter."

For his own part, Charles Conway had listened to the other men as they began their discussion of plans for the following day. Earlier, he had given his report on the meeting with Mr. Xu, but since then the neatly dressed gentleman had remained content to add notes in his small journal as the men talked. Until now, when he interjected.

"Tomorrow is the Lord's day. I suggest we bear that in mind as we devise our plans."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:58, Wed 20 July 2016.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 13):

ENS looks towards Conway quickly, with a slight look of confusion.

Other than the chance that the brewery is likely to be minimally manned, what should be considered Mr. Conway? Surely the Tongs don't adhere to Christian traditions?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 14):

"You had mentioned supplies." Conway seemed unperturbed by Professor Ringgenberg's question. "Many stores will be closed on the Lord's day. Merely a reminder, in case you had thoughts of securing supplies not already on hand."

Glancing toward Sheriff Beauregard, Charles Conway added, "Or gathering cowboys who, in some meaningful number, are inclined to be church-goers. In my experience."

The businessman scanned the men in the room.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 15):

I'll maintain the original agreed upon time to gather the posse at two hours before sundown then.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 12):

I'll elaborate on Jake's recommendation of developing a strategy that effectively utilizes our strengths. I'm fairly decent at long range as well. Jake, myself and any others so inclined can occupy the high ground to provide cover, while Travis leads a squad to assault at close range. Thoughts?

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 11):

Once we know which tunnel the tongs will use we can plan from there.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Thu 21 July 2016.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 18):

What about the females? Shouldn't we do something to get them out of the line of fire, as soon as possible?

Charles Conway tapped his pencil against the open page in his small notebook.

"Mr. Sunday has expressed a question I had written here on this very page. 'Which tunnel?'"

Conway scribbled again in the journal, "And as Mr. Trayne states, the liberty and safety of the young women must be foremost in any plan."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 20):

ENS had been consulting his own notebook as he rubbed his chin in thought.

Mr. Sunday and I's walk revealed a spring cistern and one entrance in the slope above the beach... Travis, your man with the dog was very specific about the spring... perhaps there are multiple tunnels under the brewery, but only one entrance? That would probably make our setup easier, right? Set up rifle shooters to cover the beach and a group hidden in the entrance to block their obvious retreat? I suspect the girls would have sense enough to drop to the ground once the shooting starts.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 21):

Flipping back a page or two in his notebook, Charles Conway, presented a puzzled visage.

"Professor Ringgenberg, do you know that the smugglers will be using a tunnel beneath the Albion? That is not how I understood Mr. Sunday's report from earlier this evening."

Turning to Mr. Sunday, Conway asked, "Have I misunderstood, Mr. Sunday?"

A questioning look appears on Cole's face.

I'm not so sure about that professor. No tellin' what young'uns might do when shootin' starts. Some might hit the ground. Other's might freeze up. Other's might just start runnin'. Boys are one thing. Some like to think they are tough. That might help them keep a cool head, when things go sideways. But, girls? All bets are off...And I reckon that the men holding them girls wouldn't be above using them as cover, if they thought their lives were on the line. Slavers are not known as being men of high character, after all...

The wrangler pauses a moment, clearly considering options. Subsequently, he continues...

I don't think anyone of us would like to accidently shoot a little girl. I think we should try and find some way to separate the girls from the men holding them. Then, that would give us free hand to unload on the bad guys.

Even the most casual observer would notice a slight vehemence in the wrangler's voice when he concludes his final sentence.

----------------

OOC: The Judge edited Cole's post to cite ENS, more accurately.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:55, Sun 24 July 2016.

Travis, Professor, is there any way horses can make it to the beach, and get close, sight unseen?

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 22):

No you didn't misunderstand.  We don't know which tunnel system will be used. This is why I wish I were still at the Albion surveilling the bay. Also the delivery of the women may take multiple trips. So I have thought first and foremost we would need to see where they would go. Then after the offloading is complete we could attempt to follow them and subsequently liberate them.  This likely means following the tunnel to its destination.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 25):

Jake had been listening to his pards discuss their various options. "I unnerstand how we don't know which tunnel them Celestials'll be usin', an' also that it maey taeke sev'ral trips with small boats to off-load the wimmin from the ship."

"But it also seems to me that thaey'll be more likely to move the wimmin into the tunnel in a group, rather than in dribs an' drabs -- though I admit that's just a guess on my part."

"But I'm thinkin' that if'n it truly taekes 'em a little while to git all the wimmin off-loaded an' organized, they'll hold the first ah-rivals on the beach 'til thaey're ready to move into the tunnels. If so, that'll give us some time to git into poe-zishunn an' hit 'em whilst thaey're still on the beach, still out in the open."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 26):

If they congregate on the beach we may have a chance to do as you suggest, Jake. I suspect they would row them into the tunnels.

Cole, I think we could hide the horses close to the Albion.

Charles Conway continued to jot down notes in his book.

"The primary point here being . . . we lack enough information to devise a battle plan at this time. I suggest we devise a plan to learn more about the tunnels in the area, before sundown on the morrow. Scouting the area more thoroughly seems paramount."

The businessman turned to Mr. Sunday.

"I suspect there is not much more to be learned at the Albion tonight. Unless our information about the delivery time is incorrect. If you were not here now, Mr. Sunday, we would have missed the full opportunity to assess our situation and hear your valuable ruminations. I submit that we are in a better place now, at this meeting, than we were a mere five hours ago. Undoubtedly, your return to the Albion is important, as was your return here to complete this confabulation."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 28):

So what's next?