Despite the fact that he owned a rifle and a pistol and was a decent shot, with the rifle at least, Nix didn't really like shooting people.  His natural inclination was to avoid combat wherever possible but now seemed like one of those times where he was going to have to get involved.

"Shit!" he muttered to himself quietly before addressing the others more loudly.  "If we're going hunting then I guess that I'm in as well.  I'm much better shooting stuff from distance though."

He flashed a grin a Arthur and Michaela and patted the worn machete on his left hip.  "I'll leave all the Conan the Barbarian close in stuff to you if that's alright!"

Peter walked over to Jane and stood next to her and said something very quietly to her.  He stepped away from her after a moment.

He looked at the others and crossed his arms slightly, but looking very non-threatening. "So. We scout first, from a distance and then formulate a plan, hopefully one that involves as little as possible of us getting very close to the green robes? Is that about right?"

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg #17):

A few birds still circled overhead, but one spiraled down. There was a loud squawking as huge crow landed on the dusty ground near Rowan. She fed it some corn and it accepted the offering, cawing at her.

She looked taken aback, obviously dismayed by the news. "Oh no, she says that the Green ones are on the move now, coming this way. On "shiny things". About six miles out in our terms, on what sounds like the main road, the Interstat. She counted five of them. Like the ones from this morning!"

http://tinyurl.com/33zbttl

Unfortunately, it seemed the Greenies weren't going to let them develop a plan or even carry out a reconnaissance. They were making their move first!
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:02, Wed 21 July 2010.

Leaving Roadkill to continue weighing out his pros and cons, Brother Edgar turned to regard Rowan as she offered this newest bit of bad news.  Raising a hand, to try and stem any rise in confusion, he says quickly, "Most likely they have no way of knowing who is here.  So, they are returning to finish what they started or heading back towards the Chance City settlement because they realized their mistake."  Turning towards the Colonel, he says, "Can you tell us how best to tactically engage them from the highway approaches?  We need to keep them from following the survivors here and be ready to follow them should they head on towards Chance City."  Not a military strategist, but a person who knows the value of keeping a group organized even in an emergency.

"I like the way you think Glowy... sumtimes."  Jack also looks at the Colonel and everyone else.  "Crazy thought here, say we set us up a nasty little surprise for these vatos real quick like.  Can you folks with the right proper shootin' irons pick off the one or two or three  bringing up the rear of the pack just in time for th' rest of 'em not to be able to jus' run away?  An mebbe Glowy here can give 'em a right nasty surprise right after that.  It'd be real nice to sandwich 'em between precision firin' at their rear position, 'n this here Ma Deuce at thar front, an th' rest of us who are practically gonna have to be within kissin' range at th' sides."

After clearing a patch of ground with a boot, Shaeffer pulled his bayonet and quickly sketched out a L-shaped ambush.

"Only on one side, other wise the cross-fire will endanger us.. We should do this in a classic L-shaped ambush. Use the pick-up with the .50cal as the short arm across the road. With some support...probably Rowan and Smoker and Jack. The rest take covered position on one side only. Five meters from one person to the next. If they run, we want them to run across open fields where we can see them...and hit them.

The Colonel shrugged. If wishes were horses...

"None of you have any claymores or other mines, do you? We'll set up a kill-zone. As soon as they've entered it in full, the pick-up drives on the road to block it and opens fire. I'll take the last position on the long arm of the L. Best place for me to provide cover fire."

He got to his feet and looked at the others.

"All we need now is a good place to set up quickly. Especially one where we can hide the pick-up and get enough cover for us."

Surveying the area, the Colonel quickly looked for a good place to pull of his plan.

While the Templar preferred hand to hand combat rather than shooting from a hidden spot, he had to acknowledge that the Colonel's suggestion was strategically sound.  Ultimately what mattered was whether or not they were able take down the villains responsible for these heinous acts.  There was no one waiting to hand out prizes for bravery.

"I think the Colonel speaks sense, and we would be wise to follow such a plan."   He drew out his broadsword, enjoying the feeling of its weight in his hand, moving his second hand to also grip it to give it extra power with a swing.  He slowly brought the blade down towards the ground so that no one nearby him would feel threatened or in danger.

"I believe if we are taking cover, Michaela and I should take cover with the gunners, so that if...they...come in close, we will be ready to fight them hand to hand."

Nix listened to the Colonel's plan and looked at the drawing he'd sketched in the dirt.

"Colonel, do I go in the pick-up or just near it behind a rock?" he asked, slight confusion apparent in his voice.  "Either's fine by me but I'd appreciate knowing."

Nix will happily follow the Colonel's instructions, positioning himself where he is told to go.  He will ensure that wherever he's placed he has worked out where to run to if things go wrong!

"Claymores?  Shoot fellah, most of us don't even got socks.  I wouldn't even have these peashooters if Smokey hadn't popped the evidence locker open.  Anyway it works for me.  I'm used to killing people one at a time, this ain't my game..."  Jack doesn't hesitate or waste any more time and gets in the suggested position, as it seems good as any.  He looks for a way to improvise a rest to take the most accurate initial shot possible.

"Do you know how to use the .50? If yes, then into the truck you go as backup if something should happen to Jane.  If not, a rock or ditch will fine. Does anyone apart from Jane know how to use a machine-gun?"

The Doomsayer seems perfectly in agreement with the plans progression and layout.  Following as each companion offers their adjustments and inquiries.  As an opportunity presents itself, Edgar will offer to the Colonel, "I have no mines.  But, the Glow has provided me with a measure of the Power of the Bomb.  If you will direct the placement and timing, I will release that power to what effect you wish."  To the others, he adds, hoping to help bolster their courage, "The Glow has also gifted me with some ability to hinder the powers of these misguided Chosen.  It should offer some measure of protection to you all."  Other than this, Brother Edgar will go where he is directed and prepare as he is directed.

"Na, I ain't never anything like that big cannon Colonel," replied Nix in reference to the Browning .50 Cal.  "I'll find meself a rock or something and shoot from there."

Peter raised an eyebrow. He stopped himself from shaking his head or sighing. Rash plans. Ambushes. This was moving quickly and that was often dangerous. Proper ambushes took careful planning and time to prepare.

At the question about the machinegun, Peter nodded. "Of course. I would not have it in my truck if I was unable to use it. Though I freely admit that Jane is better skilled with it than I am."

Roadkill was pretty pleased with the way things were turning out. Blindly blundering around looking for doomsayers on the road had sounded like suicide to him. Now that they had an eye in the sky bringing them information it seemed that the roles were reversed and a hasty ambush was just what the situation called for.

"Great, so we get Jane on her SAW, Peter on the 50 and I'll drive the pickup. Let's rock n roll."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Thu 22 July 2010.

"Hey guys, we've got a fuckin' army!" Nix added with a grin.

"When we get where we're going, I can do something to protect people as well."

She held out her arm, and the crow flapped over.

"Yes, you're going to help us, right? There's a good girl."

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg #31):

"We got an army indeed! So, where we gonna take 'em? on the Interstate or if they get off? Maybe have some kind of decoy, like let them see the technical, and when they chase it then go into a kill zone?"

She looked nervous, unsure but putting on a brave face.

Jane nodded as Peter stepped away.

As the group was planning, Jane remained silent letting the others come up with the plan. Due to her military training, she knew about the importance of tactical planning and even knew a few methods the others probably wouldn't think off. However, they were pressed for time and an extra person in the conversation would only delay things.

Instead, the woman headed to her post behind the car ready to fire the Ma-Deuce when their enemy was in range.

1412 Hours
Shalam Colony, Las Cruces NM

Time was ticking; every two minutes brought the marauding Doomsayers another mile closer on the Interstate.

The Interestate was one choice: the riders would be traveling quickly and less likely to notice an ambush, and they would be slowing down to take the off-ramp. The problem was there was little cover to hide other than buildings alongside the roadway, and they were set back.

Somewhere on an approaching surface road was another. There would be more cover, and at least some places where the MGs could be set up to take advantage of grazing and defilade fire. However, the Doomsayers couldn't be counted on to exit the freeway at all, although if they did their route probably would be along West Thorpe Road.

As they were deciding on the details of the rough plan even as it was being put into motion, Michaela put in her 2-cents worth.

"We need a decoy but can't sacrifice firepower. How about I ride Arthur's horse where they can see me, maybe coming down the on-ramp wrong way from the south (to the west of the Interstate). When the bikers come into sight I'll "panic and make a run for it", leading them west past the Circle-K. The MGs open up from behind them to the east from under the Interstate, as they're passing the Circle-K. Kind of a reverse L."

She also checked her lever-action rifle to make sure it was fully loaded.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:28, Sat 24 July 2010.

"I reckon we need get them to slow their bikes," contributed Nix.  "If we get them to slow at a good point and can shoot them at that point then we should be able to take them easy!"  Do ya reckon the Circle-K will make them slow down?

A crow landed and reported to Rowan that the bikers were closing fast, would be there in a minute or two.

They would barely have time to get set up.

Peter looked around. "I like the plan but am not...fond of putting Michaela in danger. And being rushed but.." He gave a shrug, however. "Do we have any thin rope or wire we can stretch across the highway?" He smirked at the thought. "Nevermind, I don't think we have enough time. Shall we just set up and hope that...bait..." and his mouth seemed to twist around that word as if he didn't like it, "is enough to get their attention and slow them?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Mon 26 July 2010.

Brother Edgar has, much like Jane, has been staying quiet to keep things moving.  Too many cooks, spoiling pots.  Etcetera.  He rode along with the others to the destination, quietly giving prayer to the Glow for the success of their mission.

But Michaela volunteering as bait is just too much.  He has to speak up.

"There would be no greater bait for these Doomsayers than myself.  If a lure is required...  I'll do it."  Considering for a moment, he adds, "I can attract their attention from the roof of the gas station.  Draw them down the ramp."

In reply to Brother Edgar (msg #39):

For her part, Michaela looked skeptical at the desire to protect her. She wasn't a child, and at least Arthur knew while she wasn't anywhere as good as he was in a fight she didn't expect to be treated differently.

"C'mon, guys, I am in training to become a Templar for crying out loud! I don't expect any different treatment. Now, I like the idea of using Brother Edgar as bait, but it's got to be more believable than him just waving at them from the Circle-K below and to the right as they pass, right?"

She was feeling nervous and apprehensive, but trying to keep a brave front.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:37, Mon 26 July 2010.