Forim does not take Caddy's feverish ramblings seriously and says gently "Yes Ma'am."

"Good job everyone" he says to everyone else, ensuring that there is some positive words to counteract Caddy's admonishment at their heroic efforts "Eveyrone did an amazing job working togehter.  We had a bad situation and we pulled through without any casulties.  If anyone is suffering from their wounds and cannot make the treck, speak up and we can swap out the riders on the bike."

"I can walk, just a bit battered sir.
Dunno if it's any use but I got this from the shooter." Xyklo hands over the communications device.
"He also had about two thousand in creds, and these arms. We could all go out for dinner if we survive this. You know, somewhere nice, with candles, and live music." he smiles a tired smile.

OOC:
Are we all together?  Roger and I were back away from the group when Forim used the speeder to recover the others. 

ooc: yes, we are all together now.

In reply to Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu (msg # 385):

"No victories here, just monuments to your incompetence and stupidity." Anders went and collected his gear, getting ready to start their head long dash with imperials on their tail.

-

Kraken listened to the conversation, wincing a little.  He understood their comments, but ...

"If the Imperials are on their way, we should move quickly and try to cover our tracks.  Many are still injured from the ship fight and our last two gun fights." he offers feeling his own injuries from the ship fight and last fight.

"Are we going back to last nights spot or find a new camping spot to recovery?"

OOC:
It was rather ambiguous, I don't think we are at camp, still in the open?
Is it ok to roll for recovery - recover some strain?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Tue 05 Sept 2017.

Xyklo scowled at Anders but made no reply.
"I'm unsure as to our best hideout. Sure don't have a wish to put the Geik in danger. Wouldn't seem...   right...
Are We any closer to uncovering the objective to our mission?" he asked the group in general.

Forim says "Honestly, The Geik have given us the only lead we have on our mission thus far.  But we can just head south as we know it is there somewhere..."

"Rak of the Yellow Eye tribe, seemed the most interested in helping.  She said Aki-Varshi who live in the green lands to the south know and believe in the Legend of the Tree.  As outsiders, we could search the planet and never find the tree.  Imperials have been here longer than us with better technology and more people and if they haven't found it, the only way we will find it is we get local help." he offers.

"I think we should go south and look for these Aki-Varshi."

Forim nods and looks to the others in the groups "Any other objections" he says with a nod acknowledging Xyklo's objection about endangering them.

In reply to Forim Luk (msg # 395):

"No sounds like that is all we have."

Caddy had remained silent, listening to them debate.  "The plan to get the Geik to help us was always on the cards.   Except now that the 'monument to my incompetence and stupidity' is complete and you've chosen not to follow the plan and leave the imperials alive, we will be tracked - and if we ask the Geik for help, we will be tracked directly back to them, and they've already made it clear where their loyalties lie."  She purses her lips, "But you know this since you've spoken to them...."

She shakes her head, "We had our military plan and I put it in your," Plural, "hands to make it stick.  I played my part as a decoy - it's the part I could play and given my skills I was the most expendable - and I made sure the comms happened even if I took a shot.  You needed to deal with the imperials.  We clearly failed as we've left them alive to call reinforcements.   Now you have a choice.   If you want to go your own way and ditch me, speak up now.   I'll leave you to head for the tree and I'll make my own way.  If not, I'll have an apology from you, Anders."  And then to everyone in general, "If you have a problem with me, this is your chance to grief and be done with me."

In reply to Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu (msg # 397):

"There was no plan to use you as a decoy, I don't know where you got that from. Any ambush relies on surprise and that was blown as soon as you stepped in their line of fire and the comms thing was a safety net not the focus of the attack. If you are hardcore enough to kill wounded and unconscious men then go for it."

Anders though for a minute before adding "And I ain't apologizing so looks like you are on your own..."

-

Forim holds up his hands trying to forestall any more comments making sure He has everyone's attention

Ooc, before this goes too far, can you give me 3 hours to post?

Once he has everyone's attention he looks at Caddy and says "Ma'am.  I was hoping to wait until you had fully recovered before having this conversation, but I have to step in before this turns into a 'Dis the CO talk'.

It is obvious that you are a natural leader.  You have the poise and charisma to become one of the great leaders in this war.  However, you lack experience.  I think that you have watched more holo-dramas then actually been out in the field.  Even when all of your self appoint experts are advising you against a course of action you choose to ignore their advice.

The great news is, we are all still alive, and you can still learn how the world works outside a holo-drama.

It is this reason that I must with a heavy heart I must take full command of this mission going forward.  I cite Article 593, Section 3, Paragraph 2 which states that command can be assumed by a junior officer in such case where said officer is either giving unlawful orders.

Should you have been given secret orders that would frame the orders that you have given in a new light, I ask that you disclose them now so I can recant my position.

And once we return to base, I will submit to the traditional court marshal for my actions and provide my full cooperation, even if it leads to my incarceration.

I do this not because of any personal dislike, and against my very character, but because I feel an urge to protect the lives of the people on this mission."

Everyone can feel the turmoil and emotion in Forim's voice.  He is even in tears by the end of it.  This is really hurting him that he thinks he has to do this.

“If the fear is that the Imperials will take note of our ambush and retaliate and follow us, that is a certain conclusion no matter what actions we might take.  Whether a comm got out, gets out, or no comm is received, the Imperials here will know something has gone wrong, just as with the forward scouts by the river.  Two small forces have been destroyed on the planet surface - they ARE coming for us, and the local indigenous are in harms way as well.  We cannot change that reality.”  Roger looks over Forim, Caddy, and the others, “In any case, we need to move.  We have a mission to accomplish

In reply to B1-P3 'Roger' (msg # 401):

"Agreed, let go." As he hefts his back pack onto his back Anders gives the canyon and what sky he can see a quick scan.

Anders Flown rolled 2 successes, 2 threats using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1d 1c 1a 1p.  Perception.


-
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Thu 07 Sept 2017.

Anders happens to glance upwards, a habit trained into Mandalorian culture. He squints upward when he sees something moving beyond the clouds. He shades his eyes and looks closer.

There is a ship up there, large enough to be seen high up in the atmosphere. It must be a capital ship, in close orbit. Hard to tell what type from this distance without macro Binoculars or other vision enhancement.

Caddy doesn't interrupt as Forim makes his speech.   "Unlawful?"   Caddy struggles to get off the bike and eventually manages it.   "Nothing about what I have done has been unlawful.  If anything, my weakness was in trusting everyone to contribute equally.   It seems everyone had their own idea as to how things should play out.  And when they did, if I'm not mistaken, weapons weren't even fired before the fleeing began."  She shakes her head.   Clearly she believes that if the team had no dispersed and had instead stuck it out, things would have worked out far better.  "Fine.  We disagree again.  You've made it clear that you think I'm a liability.  Anders has similarly made his view known."  She looks to the others, "I have no intention of fighting over this.
 I was put in charge - I did not seek this.   But I will not put up with being constantly undermined.  If you don't want me to lead, you can leave me here."   She'll turn and start walking in the direction (she thinks) the Geik are situated - if folk want to leave with Forim, she's clearly not influencing that decision and clearly not stopping it either.

[08:42, Today: Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu rolled 2 successes, 1 threat using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 3a 1d 1c.  Perception.]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:03, Thu 07 Sept 2017.

Kraken, tight lipped watched and listend, not having much to offer in the conversation that would add more or take away from what has already been said.  Feeling the direction the group needed to go was South, in the direction Forim had stated, Kraken waits for the others to prepare to leave, silently wishing Caddy good luck.

Forim says "We can get into the details more once we are under cover, if you are willing to follow my lead.  If not, then I wont force you.  I only ask that you not betray our mission, and our cause to the empire."

As he watches her walk toward the south he says in confusion "You know you are heading toward the Geik Caddy?  It was my understanding that you would be avoiding them for their safety.  In your condition, I am surprised you are conscious.  I don't think you can make the long hike without help."

Turning to the group he says "We head to the Geik.  Everyone move out.  Let me know if anyone else wants a ride" as he settles down into a more comfortable seating position and leads the group keeping his eyes open for danger.

Caddy was her own woman, and Forim was not going to force her to follow orders OR ELSE.

"We have company on high." Anders uses the binoculars the sniper was carrying to scan the ship, before following Forim out of the canyon.

An hour or so later, the Rebels return to the Red Stripe village, situated along the Heng river. There is a mood of tension among the Geik. They seem to be aware of the recent battle between Rebels and Imperials, if not the actual implications. The Geik children are keeping well away from the Rebels as they enter the village grounds, though the speeder bike causes considerable excitement.

Many of the villagers, the adult females, are on their way out of the village in the opposite direction. They are clad in paint, decorative leathers, and feathers. They are heading towards the maze of pillars.

Forim nods to Anders and says "Good eyes.  Lucky we got out when we did." as he tries to increase the pace a bit to get more distance.

As they get into town, Forim hops off the bike and says "Kraken, your turn.  Everyone, translators in"

Moving toward one of the adults he asks "[Private to group Geik: What is going on?]"

In reply to Forim Luk (msg # 409):

Slipping forwrd, Kraken eases the throttle down so as not to scare the young Geik.  Turning on his transltor, he waited and listened.  Turning on the speeder's Electronic surveillance, he watched the radar for any incoming vehicles so as to be better prepared for a surprise attack.

OOC:
If the speeder doesn't have it, I'll monitor Imperial channels instead hoping to get a warning of any surprise attacks.