Day 1: 363-1107

The first leg of the trip was down the coast, heading for the wide swampy delta where the Nahahnir emptied into the sea. First went the 3-person scout hovercraft, followed by the passenger hovercraft and finally the cargo craft. The dark green coastal waters passed quickly and smoothly, the GEVs throwing up spray as they forged through the waves.

After five hours travel, the expedition had left the open ocean and was in the delta, passing through a wide channel and into one of many inland lakes. They passed by abundant wild life, not easy to see at their speeds. Flying grazers, amphibians, and some hoofed grazers that took off immediately.

Near the end of the first day, they passed by a cluster of fishing boats on the wide, long lake. The expedition detoured around them to avoid swamping the small boats. It took a little time to realise the natives where throwing spears at them!

However, the spears weren't even coming close.

OOC: The Map has been updated a little. I found a quicker route! You can make about 50 km/h on the river and in the delta (so, 1 hex/hr). You can make about 10-15 hours of "progress" a day depending on circumstances, or 9+1D6 hours.

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

Walker sat in the cargo GEV and watched the natives through his binoculars.

"Wog's aren't hitting us, this time."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 2):

Walker spoke too soon. The first spears missed the scout GEV in the lead and the passenger hovercraft behind it as they were moving too fast. However they came down right in the path of the cargo craft!

OOC: Is Walker inside or on top?

In reply to GM (msg # 3):

Walker put down the glasses and contemplated a response to the spears.  He pulled out his rifle, loaded it, and started tracking targets through the scope.

OOC 1:  Not planning on firing unless they really start getting close.
OOC 2:  Inside the GEV, too much spray from the fans of the other vehicles.

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 4):

Neva looked over at Thomas and arched an eyebrow.  "You were saying?  It looks like they are getting better.  Does anybody know if those spears have poison or tipped in something or just regular spears?"

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 5):

"You'd have to ask our guides.  I've been wrong before, and I'll be wrong again." he said, his eye to the scope on the rifle.

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 6):

Neva did something she seldom did...she chuckled.  "We are all wrong at some time or another.  It's just a matter of hoping that you're right more than you're wrong.  Yeah, I'll try to remember to ask them...after a bit. Think I"ll wait until after they get tired of throwing spears at us unless, of course, you get hit by one."

Neva grinned at Thomas when she said the last part.

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 7):

"I'll try not to get hit.  They're barbed."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 8):

Neva nodded and tried not to smile.  "Probably a wise thing.  I think I will try not to get hit also.  As long as we keep moving we should be ok.  Although if you can manage to get one without getting injured yourself, I'd like to examine it.  Of course I want the barbed tipped too."

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 9):

"We'll have to depend on the Wog's accuracy to hit the GEV.  I doubt our university sponsor is interested in stopping to collect an item of current material culture."  He watched as another wog prepared to launch another spear at the craft.

"Perhaps someday they'll be interested in talking to us.  Or they've learned from other times Solo Mani has been through that either we're likely to take their stuff, or that we've got stuff worth taking."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 10):

Neva nodded.  His answer didn't surprise her for she had already come to that conclusion. She was talking more to keep to her promise that she needed to talk.  There were days in her not so distant past that she hadn't talked for days.  One of her fears was that she would forget how.  Her brain would be screaming for her mouth to open up and let the words out but she wouldn't remember how.

"I wasn't there for all of your introduction.  What did you say you did before this gig?"

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 11):

I'm a hunter.  A shooter.  Unlike Ken, I'm a specialist.  I hunt the big predators.  All the big predators.

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 12):

Four or two legged Neva asked.  There wasn't any judgment in her tone, she just wanted to know for she had down people who hunted both.

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 13):

"Both.  Worked for the police off and on when a perp spooked and hit the bush.  I was a contractor, not a hitman."  His tone was flat and quiet.

Ken watched the natives carefully, his own weapon ready if needed although given the ride he kept the safety on.  "We can use your skills here Thomas.  I have a feeling that there is more going on in the Outback than meets the eye.  Given how Old Lin was whacked I'd not be surprised if there aren't rivals who may be tracking or chasing us." He glanced over at Neva and smiled at her increased openness on the trip.  "We'll need all of our skills to get through this I am thinking."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 15):

Neva gave a Ken a small return smile.

"There's always somebody tracking or chasing.  It's just a matter of time before they slip up bad enough for us to see them.  I mean...there's always a rival some place that wants to take the short cuts to fame and glory. But you're right.  We will need all our skills.  Glad both of you are with us and decided to ride with me."

Ken nods and his smile widens for a moment before his eyes turn back to watching the natives.  "I appreciate the company also Neva."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 15):

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that.  Depending on how they are tracking us, either this boat trip will slow them down, or won't make a difference.  I know there's electronic tracking devices, but I have no way to identify one or tell if we're being tracked."

He inhales, exhales part way, holds rock steady, and then exhales.

"Once we're on dry ground, I can backtrail and perhaps see what's following us, if anything.  If I was by myself, I can pretty much move through the bush without leaving much of a trail, but I have to think about it, and be very careful.  With a party like this, there's not much chance of not leaving a trail, especially if we're moving through swamp.  I'll do what I can to clean up after, but...." he trails off, leaving the obvious unstated.

A couple spears clanked off the hull of the cargo craft, but everyone inside was quite safe.

They quickly left the fishing boats behind. A few hours later, they made camp on the far end of the lake. They were past the river delta and out of the lower swamp, and the lake was considered the actual start of the main channel of the Nahahnir river.

Camp was prefab sleeping, mess and work tents, surrounded by a motion detector alarm system. At this TL, guards (human and Gog) were also necessary and the staff provided sentries for the night.

Dinner was canned food, barely palatable but nourishing and a half step above military style "C Rations".