The Doomsayer doesn't look up as he continues, "I don't intend to wave at them.  I intend to show them the power of true faith in the Glow.  That and a glimpse of my robes will be enough to enrage them."  Edgar attempts to remain stoic about his decision, but his thoughts and feelings are roiling through his mind.  Fear, certainly, volunteering to stand before monsters will do that.  Fear, but do it anyway.  Strength of purpose, the act of bringing the justice of the Glow to these madmen is an empowering thought.  He even feels a little bad for taking the heroic role from the young squire.  He would have done the same against anyone volunteering.  The Doomsayer feels that this is his fight.  His "brothers" caused this devastation.  If any should take the most risk, it should be him.

Nix grinned as Brother Edgar and Michaela debated who was the bravest, or the most expendable or whatever it was that made them choose to put themselves in the line of fire.  All that Nix cared about was that it wasn't him!  There was no way that he was going to make himself the focal point of the approaching riders!  He was much happier behind a rock taking pot-shots at them!

And as far as the approaching riders were concerned Nix's logic was fairly simple.  Green robes equalled bad and scary, purple robes equalled unsure and scary!  Shooting the green robes until they were dead seemed like the best idea!

Jack tries another tactic to win Micheala over.  "Look it don't have to believable, it jus' has to get their attention an' throw 'em off their game.  Now if'n it were me ya'll were gonna whoop up on, you'd be the best bait.  But these fellers are a little diff'rent an' I think Glowy's right.  'Sides, if'n we rush their flank, ain't you better there darlin'?"

Time was running out.

A kill zone and positions needed to be taken! The original idea was to form an "L", but that seemed to be going by the wayside as people naturally gravitated towards the natural cover of the buildings by the offramp. This made sense, as there wasn't any chance to dig in.

There was still the issue of dismounting and setting up the Ma-Deuce, and hiding the vehicles.

Anyone approaching down the offramp would get a great view of the rear and both sides, and if/when they turned onto East Thorpe they would see the front, too. The southern gas station could probably hide the rig and pickup along the southern side.

At this point, they had enough time to decide on positions and some kind of signal, and then disperse. A black speck circled the interstate to the north. Another crow landed by Rowan and squawked at her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:08, Tue 27 July 2010.

Rowan listened to the crow, thanked it. Matters were coming to a head, very very soon!

"He says that the bikers are coming. I think maybe five minutes at most. We have just enough time to prepare."

He bag clinked, indicating she had some Spook Juice cocktails, courtesy of the dregs from the hidden tank back at Shalam Colony.

"I have five bottles, who wants one? You better hit them, it's not like the movies where they drive through the flames and catch on fire!"

As Rowan offered the explosives, Jane shook her head. "The others will need them more than me." The soldier wasn't expecting to fight at close combat and if things came to that, she had a spare grenade.

Jane dismounted the Ma-Deuce and helped peter set it up in his chosen spot. There was little time and she knew they would set things up faster together. She then searched for an elevated yet hidden position for herself. Crouching behind a half destroyed building, Jane took out her weapon and aimed it in the bikers general direction. She was doing her best to focus on the terrain ahead and prepare to shoot as their enemies got into range.
This message was last edited by unknown at 00:17, Wed 28 July 2010.

"Michaela, I agree with Dakota Jack and Brother Edgar that Brother Edgar himself would make a better target.  For the others, but we must stand ready to protect him and the others.  I say this not to protect you, but because I believe it is the wisest course of action and one that would enhance our abilities to fight them."

He continued to speak to his Squire.  "Do you wish to fight beside me?  I had a thought that perhaps we should split up so that one of us will be able to help the gunners in case trouble should find them.  My plan is to wait until they have directed their attentions towards us, and then to engage the enemy directly, perhaps taking them by surprise.  I will then ride into their midst and carve them down.  Your choice is yours, though, as it has always been."

In reply to Arthur Dayne (msg #47):

"Thank you, Arthur, I appreciate that. I have a rifle, I'm needed with the other ambushers. I don't think my place is in a 1-horse cavalry charge!"

She looked concerned as Rowan said time was running out. "Where the heck are we going to be?"

Nix helped Jane and Peter dismount the Browning .50 Cal and set it up by lugging the ammo from the vehicle to their chosen position.  When Jane went off to find an elevated position Nix went off to find his own rock to hide behind.  He made sure that he was nowhere near the Peter and the Browning as they were bound to be a target for the bikers.  In fact he made sure that he was nowhere near Jane or Kurt either as they were also likely to make themselves targets.

He tried to find himself a rock or bit of wall to crouch behind which would provide him with some cover when he engaged.  He checked his mags, ensuring he remembered which ones actually had bullets in them by taking them out of his improvised webbing belt, holding them upside down and then tapping any sprites out of them.  Happy that the sprites now wouldn't jam his rifle he pulled his goggles down and peered over the edge of his cover, keeping his rifle ready but out of sight.

The Colonel had taken some time to check out the lay of the land and to think.

He realised two things:
First, he was working with civillians, not a team of soldiers. When he'd been the leader of his own team it had been enough to say what he wanted done as everyone knew their place. This was no longer the case and somebody needed to take control of the situation.
Second, the off-ramp was the better place for an ambush as it would channel the opposition and force them into a place that provided a good field of fire for the good guys and gave the greenied only two good ways to move, forward or back.

"Allright, listen up. Here's what we'll do. Peter and the .50 will set up in the gas station's ruins to the south. Jane, there's some tumbleweeds on the corner of the underpass that should do pretty good as camouflage for you and the SAW.
Brother Edgar, though I compliment your bravery and your willingness to serve as bait, you won't. You'll take position on the Circle-K's roof and will wait for the signal to attack. Either they will ride into the killing zone or they will pass us by, im which case we'll come up with another plan.
Michaela, you'll be in the pick-up and you'll honk the horn as soon as I radio you, That will be the signal to attack.
The rest of us will form an ambush line form north to south with me on the northernmost position followed by Rowan, Smoker, Dakota, Roadkill.
Arthur, as the cavalry you'll hide behind the Circle-K and you'll charge in to mop up.
Any questions? If not, then lets hustle!"

Shaeffer took the time to point out everyone's position and to check their cover which barely left him enough time to get into position himself. Under the protection of his ghillie, he readied his M-4 and his Mauser pistol. The fight would be pretty close-range, so there was no need to use any of his precious .338 ammo.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Sat 31 July 2010.

Peter thanked both Jane and Nix, giving them a small smile. His eyes watched Jane leave, not staring at her butt or anything pervy, just offering a small wish or possibly prayer that she wouldn't get hurt in the upcoming battle. Then he turned to the machinegun and gave a small laugh, offering the same wish or prayer up for himself as well.

He listened to the Colonel impassively and then went to his position.

Roadkill nods in agreement and moves into the brush to find a good spot to laydown and conceal himself at the south end of their line as close to the off ramp as possible. With the loose brush pulled up around him, Roadkill lays low with his shotgun in his hands to wait for the rumble of the approaching motorcycles.

"Sounds good to me," said the Templar.  Reaching a hand over his back, he carefully unsheathed his sword, the sunlight glinting brightly on the surface of the well polished and sharp metal.  "Today is a good day to die, but let us hope it is their deaths and not ours that come to pass."  Turning his horse, he moved into the position that the Colonel had indicated, showing only so much of himself as he needed to see, and none of the horse.

"Don't worry, if they pass us by then my friends will keep an eye on them!"

With that, she dashed off to where Schaeffer indicated, concealing herself as best she could under a bush and behind a rock.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:18, Thu 29 July 2010.

Quickly and efficiently, Schaeffer counted off where he wanted people, keeping an 8-10m spacing. Fortunately, there was something of a ditch running along the side of the offramp that offered minimal cover, and the bushes that dotted the area sufficient concealment. He had one last piece of advice.

"This is very important... When the signal is given, raise up and kill any survivors. But do not raise your head before then or you will lose it, understand? If we get scattered or overrun, head back to where we left Roadkill's truck. If I die then Roadkill is in command. Good luck and may God protect you all."

Once everyone was hidden, he surveyed their positions and was satisfied that unless they dismounted and walked the route, or were traveling very slow, the riders would not spot them. Jane was a little exposed, although the overpass embankment would give her some cover. He picked his own ground, and dropped down.

Smoker thought he smelled burning Ghost Rock, although the scent was soon gone. A fly buzzed around Roadkill's face. Jack made sure he was loaded and locked. Looking up at the sky, Rowan spotted the crow that was shadowing the pack of Doomsayers, judging where they were. She got ready as well, making sure her medical bag was well-hidden behind her.

It was silent save for the insects. Then everyone heard the far-off purring of motorcycle engines. From where he lay on the Circle-K's roof, Brother Edgar could see something shiny approaching from the north. "I see them! From the North!" He could make out the chrome of the bikes, and a flash of green from their flapping robes.

In the burned-out ruins of the southern station Peter tightened, then loosened his grip in the spade-grips of the Ma-Deuce, keeping his thumbs off the butterfly triggers. He couldn't even see them yet, no need to get spooked and let rip with a burst. Peter was somewhat comforted by the fact he could easily see Jane from his position. She was lying under some drifted tumbleweed at the entrance to the underpass. Her nose tickled from the dust in the air, and she fought the urge to sneeze.

From their positions, both Brother Edgar and Col Schaeffer tracked the incoming marauders as they rode south along the Interstate. Finally, as if on schedule, the bikers slowed imperceptively, taking the exit and falling into the trap.

They were traveling in a kind of loose diamond: two abreast in front, then one in the middle on a hoverbike, then two abreast in the rear. Preparing to engage them, Brother Edgar's blood went cold. The one in the middle looked different, somehow. It was not just wearing robes but a hood. That possibly they were facing one of Silas' most feared minions... a Doombringer.

1st Round Marshall's Notes:

1) Post any last-minute adjustments.
2) Roll Quickness and post the results in the Dice Rolls/Cards thread. I will then draw cards and PM you the results in your own post on that thread, so check back to that thread.
3) Everyone that's holding a card state it via PM in the thread after the cards have been drawn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:17, Sat 31 July 2010.

In the truck, Michaela listened to the CB for the signal to honk the horn. Nearby in the ruined gas station, Peter pulled back the Ma-Deuce's charging handle and it slammed forward with a metallic "ka-KLACK!". The heavy MG was secured as much as possible: to prevent sliding along the linoleum floor. Sandbags from the truck and debris had been piled on the rear legs of the tripod. Peter's own legs were over the 2 rear legs, locking them in place. He hoped. At the underpass, Jane turned the cocking knob on her Hellfire, loading the first 12mm caseless shell into the breach. Shiny machines and green riders drifted into the iron sights of both weapons.

On the ambush line to the north, people tried not to shift nervously, checking to make sure weapons were chambered and safeties were off. The bikers were entering the kill zone and any second the order would be given.

Behind the ruins of the Circle-K, Arthur slowly moved his horse forward to be as close to possible when it came time to charge. Brother Egar had gotten onto the roof by simply jumping over from the top of Roadkill's rig. (The rig had been moved to its current laager after.) Once he was there, he began to regret the decision; the roof of the station was weak and full of holes. Gaps yawned everywhere, lined with charred timbres like blackened teeth. He crouched behind an AC unit for cover.

The world filled with the rumble of the bikes as they began to slow down on the offramp. Those closest could not only hear but feel the rumble of unmuffled engines, including the whine of ducted fans from the hoverbike in the middle of the formation.

Suddenly, Brother Edgar realised that the rumbling he heard and felt wasn't all from the bikes. The battered roof of the Circle-K was starting to cave in under him!

Out on the ambush line, Schaeffer got ready to make the call.



This message was last edited by the GM at 11:15, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

Brother Edgar managed to contain his panic as the roof began to crumble out from under him.   Even keeping the presence of mind enough to no jump up from cover.  Instead, he remained laid out on the roof and simply rolled to a new spot.  Keeping his weight spread out to hopefully mitigate any further collapse for a while.

But his distraction prevents him from being able to note the signal call...

The Colonel had been tracking the approaching Doomsayers for some time from below his Ghillie suit. Now, as they were nearing the ambush line he took aim at the one riding on the left end of the diamond. At his head to be precise.
Then, it was time.

"Go!"

Just a single word to give the signal. A second later, he pulled the trigger.



The Colonel
7.62x39 M4 (19/20)
On norhtern end of ambush line
Using Jack of Spades as hole card
Simple Action: Giving the command to attack on 5.
Action: Called head-shot (singel shot) on Biker #5
10:58, Today: COL Kurt L. Schaeffer rolled 12 using 7d12-4, keeping the highest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(12+3)15,(12+4)16,9,8,8,8. head-shot at biker #5.
10:59, Today: COL Kurt L. Schaeffer rolled 39 using 6d8, rerolling max with rolls of 4,6,(8+2)10,(8+7)15,2,2. damage if hit.

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg #58):

In the cab of Roadkill's truck, the CB radio crackled with Schaeffer's command.

Even before Schaeffer's finger tightened on the trigger, everyone heard the truck horn blast as Michaela jammed her thumbs down on the steering wheel.


Michaela
Lever-Action Winchester .30-30 (15/15)
In Firecrow's technical behind southern gas station.
Keeping Jack up her sleeve.
Using held Red Joker for Simple Action.

Schaeffer's command and the sound of the truck horn were almost simultaneous.

"YAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

With a yell, Rowan pulled the trigger on her Kalashnikov, firing full-auto at the last two bikers. She assumed that Schaeffer was firing at the one nearest him but decided to spray them both anyways. Hot brass spewed into her brass-catcher.

With the aid of the laser sight she walked both bursts neatly up and down the targets, striking both of them several times with bullets in their right legs and chests.


Rowan
AK-47 (24/30)
Ambush line, 2nd from left.
Holding Nine, using hole card.

Modifiers: Target Moving Fast (-4), Drawing a Bead (+2), Laser Sight (+2). Second target -1 due to recoil.
Firing 1st burst at Biker #4: Rolled 15: 3 hits (Upper Guts: 12, Upper Guts: 21, Right Leg: 16 damage.)
Firing 2nd burst at Biker #5: Rolled 15: 3 hits (Right Leg: 20, Upper Guts: 26, Upper Guts: 10 damage.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Sat 31 July 2010.

Peter waits until he sees the signal and then all hell starts to break loose and he can't hear anything anymore. He lines up on the lead biker and squeezes the trigger gently, but it's hard to see how well the burst did at first.

OOC:
Sleeving the Ten, discarding the Six. Going on Five with held card.

Also, that is crazy to me that an AK-47 has more bursts capability than a Machinegun but oh well. I don't even need a recoil brace since I can only fire 1 burst of 3 in a single action.

M2HB
In position with the Ma-Duece looks like square on almost with the bikers
Modifiers: Target Moving Fast (-4), Drawing a Bead (+2).
Burst: Rolled a 7, so no raise.
Location: 16 (Upper Guts).
Damage: 23 if it hits.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:57, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

Upon hearing the commencement of the action, Arthur looked out ahead, cursing himself for being so far silently.  He rode out at a steady but fast pace, but he suspected he would only be able to make it so far.

OOC:  That's 40 yards (entire pace of the horse for these three actions) on the Ace of Spades and I'm sleeving the second Ace depending on how far I get, and the resolution of the other combat rolls.

As Peter started firing, Jane squeezed the trigger releasing even more bullets in the bikers' direction. With any luck, they would all be down under the accumulated pressure from the cumulative attacks launched at them. She was on the side of the ambush and decided to fire at the second, third and fourth bikers as they came in range. She quickly released a 3 round burst at each one.


Jane Guin
12mm HI Hellfire (51/60)
At the underpass on East
Firing 3 bursts (9 rounds) centred at Bikers #2, #3, #4.
Modifiers: -4 Range, +2 Drawing a Bead = -2 for first burst, -4 for second and third bursts (integral bipod negates all recoil).

Burst #1: rolled 18 (3 hits), Damage 25 to #1 (R. Arm), 26 to #2 (R. Leg), 33 to #3 (L. Arm).
Burst #2: rolled 16 (3 hits), Damage 20 to #2 (L. Arm), 28 to #3 (U. Guts), 29 to #4 (L. Leg).
Burst #3: rolled 04 (0 hits).
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:25, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

Jack kept his steely eyes focused on the blade of his front sight, and led the target.  He'd picked his shot as soon as he could see the target, even if he'd waited to take it.  Normally he'd shoot at the center of mass, but these bikers were going so fast it was better to center on their leading edge.  A hit with a .22 beats a miss with a .50, he reminded himself.  His target was the center rider in the middle of the diamond.



Dakota Jack
Police Pistol (8/9)
Ambush line, right in the center it appears
Sleeved Ten, Aiming on Eight, using hole card (Ten) to fire on Five.

Modifiers: Target Moving Fast (-4), Drawing a Bead (+4, due to using sleeved Eight to aim and firing on Five using hole card).

Firing One shot at center rider: Shootin' roll is 11 after modifiers.
Location: 20 - Noggin, Damage if it hits - 13 from the pistol, 5 from two bonus dice for a noggin shot, 18 total if it hits
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:01, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

Roadkill doesn't actually fire IMMEDIATELY upon hearing the honk of the horn. His sawed off shotgun was nice up close, but it's range was less than impressive. Instead Roadkill continues to aim in on his target and wait for the bikers to move further along the line to where he can be more effective.



Roadkill
Shotgun (2/2)
South End of Ambush Line
Drawing a further bead with my held card then sleeving my 5. Roadkill will wait until they get perpindicular to him before firing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:04, Tue 03 Aug 2010.