Blue Three. That was CC9. Dohr didn’t see what happened as he was concentrating on the enemy snipers, but it seemed a bit strange that the opposition was able to take down another one of his teammates while under continuous suppressive fire. But that was in the spirit of the game. Win or lose. Right now they were even at least in numbers and in the Major’s mind they still had a good chance of winning. He had full trust in what was left of their ATs to be able to take the target as long as he could help them all get inside. Idaya and Forim still had a long way to go though.

But then he heard Janine’s call: “I have three enemies on my floor.” What? How? Were the doc’s initial thoughts, but he quickly noticed another mistake he had made. It had taken the Red team four minutes to get to the ground floor. Four full minutes without eyes on the strip between the buildings. If the opposing team had played the same scenario before and knew the area beforehand… If they had had no need to spend time in dividing the teams and weapons… They would have easily been able to run down 10 floors then across the the open and to the wall of the Red building in half the time. The wall… They must have climbed up the wall to the first floor. Dohr hadn’t even thought of checking the wall of their own building as he was searching enemies through the scope. Damn fool.

And now Janine was being attacked by three people. Dohr knew there were plenty of cover for her to stay behind. She should be able to take shots at the enemies while keeping herself safe until Dohr and Kimy would reach her. The Blue would not be able to get upstairs before the took her out though and the Kel Dorian was worried they knew the layout of the building better than he or Janine did. One of the attackers might be able to circle behind her and take her by surprise.

Dohr was making quick calculations in his mind as Idaya’s call came through. He was a bit surprised that AT2 was staying put instead of charging. But it was not his call and as he wasn't down there at the receiving end of the repeater, so he trusted Idaya's decision was the right one. Dohr didn't bother commenting on her instructions though. He was a veteran of many battles and this was not the first time he was defending a building even if it was the first time in decades it was not for real. And he really didn’t have the time right now anyway. ”Three-Zero. Ten, the enemy is on the South-Eastern corner of the building.”

Already on the move, Dohr thought of swapping weapons, but decided against it. He was hoping to catch the enemy from behind in the long hallway on the South side of the building. The limp did not seem to slow down his run one bit. ”Three, try to keep them pinned, but stay in cover.”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Sat 12 July 2014.

Devon stares at Kyvarr for a moment in shared surprise, then shakes his head
"Right behind you."
Swapping the clips in rifle and pistol - so that his rifle had a full charge - Devon nodded to the Cathar to lead the way.

Inside the enemy base, Kyvarr and Devon sprinted up the stairs as quickly as they could.  They reached the second floor stairwell and peeked out.  As they had come up the stairs they could hear the repeater firing but now it had gone silent.

Outside Idaya and Flash were suffering a constant barrage of suppression fire.  With only one team in range, the repeater and two rifleman laid down a scathing fire on the pair behind their meagre cover.  Somehow the two had avoided being 'killed' but nor had they scored on the enemy, the fire so heavy they could barely lift their heads above cover.  Suddenly though, the fire of the repeater slackened and stopped though the riflemen kept shooting.

Sheila decided to hold her ground and await reinforcements.  She hoped to suppress the enemy long enough for the others to arrive.  Sadly the mercs did not play to her plan.  Leapfrogging from cover to cover they advanced, laying down a scathing fire as two covered one advancing.  Her defence was quickly overwhelmed.

Dohr had run down the southern corridor just as Mika reached the doorway to the 1st floor.  However as they did so, the dreaded voice on the speakers intoned.

"Player Blue Eight has been terminated."

Sadly they'd arrived too late.  The sheer volume of fire saw Sheila taking several hits just as Dohr got into position.



**GAME CLOCK - 10 minutes 36 seconds remaining**

---

OOC: Afraid the three mercs were too much for Sheila.  Another Talon lost.

Dohr you are in position at the south east corner of the corridor.  Looking up the corridor to the north you can see the three mercs with their backs to you.  Mika, you are in the stairwell, right behind the door.

Kyvarr, Devon, you are peeking out the left stairway door on level two and the corridor is empty.


Things aren't looking promising.  Assault Team 2 is being whittled away by the scathing fire, Defense Team is down to Two and Assault Team 1 can not survive much more.  Time to dig deep guys!


Blue Team
Assault Team 1 (AT1) - Enemy base, stairwell second floor
Kyvarr (Two one) - 12/48VP - Repeater (22/30), Pistol (100), 2 spare packs
Devon (Seven)- 7/52VP - Rifle (50/50), Pistol (92/100)



Assault Team 2 (AT2) - Behind Rubble 80m from enemy base (120m from home base) - extreme right
Idaya (Three Zero) - 5/30VP - Rifle (42), Pistol (100)
Flash (Two) - 2/48VP - Rifle (47), Pistol (50/100), Sniper (6)


Defense Team (DT)
Dohr (Two Zero)- Uninjured - Rifle (50), Sniper (1/6) South east corridor corner- 1st Floor
Mika (Ten) - Uninjured - Rifle (0), Pistol (100) Right stairwell 1st floor


Enemy Team
Red 1 (Rifle) - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 2 (Rifle) - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 3 (Pistol) - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 4 (Repeater) - unknown, last seen 2nd floor
Red 5 (Sniper) - Enemy building, 10th floor window
Red 6 (Sniper) - Unknown, ?enemy building roof
Red 8 (Rifle) - Enemy building, 3rd floor window
Red 9 (Rifle) - Enemy building, 5th floor window


Casualties
Blue 3 (B2-CC9) - A few metres before the enemy front door
Blue 6 (Fiarr) - Middle of open ground
Blue 8 (Sheila) 1st Floor near right stairwell
Blue 10 (Heigren) - Home Base Roof
Red 7 - Enemy base 3rd floor
Red 10 -Enemy Base 5th floor
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:23, Mon 14 July 2014.

Crouched behind Kyvarr, Devon tapped the Cathar silently on the shoulder then leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"Either he's redeploying or he's aimed at the door and waiting - we just bust in and he'll mow us down."

Whilst he waited for Kyvarr to choose a course of action; Devon constantly turned to glance in different directions: back the way the had come, down the stairs, up the stairs - any direction an enemy might approach them from.

OOC:  Since Devon knows he and Kyvarr are the only friendlies in the building... he'll hose anyone he sees that isnt a grouchy Cathar with a repeater.

(lets hope Red team havent got one of those too!)
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:50, Sun 13 July 2014.

Kyvarr nodded to Devon and pushed on.  "Eyes and ears open." was all she said.  The enemy could be hiding in a room, even circling around behind them.  It seemed likely he was retreating to a defensive position but they wouldn't know until they found trouble.

She kept her repeater at her shoulder, finger on the trigger.  She moved quickly and purposefully.  She gave each room she passed a quick look then moved on, trusting the human to guard their rear from attack.

Once she reached the repeater's position, if not there, she'd push on towards the far stairwell and head up.

Mika scowls as she hears the announcement that Sheila's down.  If she'd hurried just a bit more...

Well, they'd have a lively "lesson's learned" after action meeting, but that'd have to wait.  Mika decides to move back up to the second floor landing and looks for a place of concealment that still covers the stairwell.  With luck, she could bottleneck them there, buy some time.  She gives a quick call to Dohr to tell him her intentions.

"Two, scan the building for movement", Idaya said. "Let's keep the others appraised of the enemy situation."

The situation was dire, but they still had the chance if Sohr and Mika could keep the enemy from reaching their base. With Kyvarr and Devon inside the enemy building, she and Flash had now a choice between going back or advancing over to the enemy side of the field and joining the assault. But before that could be done, they'd need to give some intel to the other assault team, so they'd know what to expect. But whatever it was, she and Flash would have to get mobile soon enough. "Prepare to charge over to the enemy building upon my mark."

Janine was out. Damned the enemy was good. Dohr had thought she would last a little bit longer, long enough for him and Kimy to come to her rescue and stop the the opposing AT before they shot her. But they’d managed to hit one of her sensors just a few seconds too early. It is just a game. At least she was alive and well…

But he was now in place, exactly where he wanted to be, less than ten meters behind the trio’s backs. But without Janine or Kimy he could only delay the inevitable… Fortunately the last he’d heard, the younger woman almost on the first floor as well. Or not… Swapping his weapon from the single shot sniper version to the regular multifire E-11, Dohr heard her report in his helmet. There was no way he could respond without compromising his position, so the Kel Dorian kept quiet.

Would he have had the chance, Dohr would’ve ordered Kimy return to the first floor and ready herself for his next move. Together they could have attacked the Red Team assault group from two directions very much reducing their chances of “surviving” the situation. But now that the girl had moved back upstairs, Dohr was on his own. It was not a bad place to be, but he was still just a single rifle. Yet who knew, perhaps Kimy would be able to surprise the remaining attackers and take them out before they reached the 10th floor.

Silently the Doc switched his rifle into multifire mode. He would probably be able to hit two of the enemies before they had a chance to fight back, but with very little time to aim, he might miss their sensors and only end up getting deleted from the game himself. No. He would play it safe and make sure at least one of the Reds would be dropped.

Dohr exhaled slowly and quietly. The sights of the E-11 were on the sensor of the opponent’s vest. Holding his breath, the Kel Dorian squeezed his trigger twice before moving his aim to the next member of the Red team.

Dohr prepared himself mentally.  He visualised the lead mercenary in his mind.  He chose him as he was the one exposed and moving forward.  He took a careful intake of breath, held it and spun around the corner, took aim and fired twice calmly as he exhaled.  His shots were true and both struck his target's sensors dead centre.  Dohr spun back into cover as the other two mercs spun in surprise and the gamer announcer spoke the words Devon already knew.

"Player Red One has been terminated."

Mika was halfway up the stairs to the second floor when the announcemnt came over.  Finally an enemy kill!

Idaya and Flash also heard the positive news as they kept behind cover.  They were no longer being peppered by repeater fire but now the sniper who had been harassing Dohr was trying to find a gap in their cover.  The riflemen on the third and fifth floor also kept up their fire.

Inside, Kyvarr and Devon had moved about a third of a way through the southern corridor when a merc stepped out of a side room.  He was sliding a powerpack back into his repeater when he spotted Kyvarr and Devon moments after they spotted him.


**GAME CLOCK - 10 minutes 30 seconds remaining**

---

OOC: Only posted one round as there has been a quick change in fortune.  Dohr got a critical hit EXACTLY when he needed it and Kyvarr and Devon are about to have a good old fashioned fast draw with a merc.  Problem for the merc is Kyvarr and Devon are ready to shoot, the merc isn't!

Dohr, the mercs know you are there and can shoot next round!
Mika you'll make the top of the 2nd floor stairs next round though I suspect Dohr might have a different plan!
Flash and Idaya, you're not under repeater fire so there's a lot less shots coming your way, but with a sniper now targetting you they'll be more accurate!
Devon and Kyvarr.  You don't get a surprise round but you do get an initiative bonus as you have the drop on the merc.  Use it wisely!


Blue Team
Assault Team 1 (AT1) - South corridor, second floor
Kyvarr (Two one) - 12/48VP - Repeater (22/30), Pistol (100), 2 spare packs
Devon (Seven)- 7/52VP - Rifle (50/50), Pistol (92/100)



Assault Team 2 (AT2) - Behind Rubble 80m from enemy base (120m from home base) - extreme right
Idaya (Three Zero) - 5/30VP - Rifle (42), Pistol (100)
Flash (Two) - 2/48VP - Rifle (47), Pistol (50/100), Sniper (6)


Defense Team (DT)
Dohr (Two Zero)- Uninjured - Rifle (50), Sniper (1/6) South east corridor corner- 1st Floor
Mika (Ten) - Uninjured - Rifle (0), Pistol (100) Right stairwell 2nd floor


Enemy Team
Red 2 (Rifle) - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 3 (Pistol) - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 4 (Repeater) - Enemy building, 2nd floor halfway along
Red 5 (Sniper) - Enemy building, 10th floor window
Red 6 (Sniper) - Unknown, ?enemy building roof
Red 8 (Rifle) - Enemy building, 3rd floor window
Red 9 (Rifle) - Enemy building, 5th floor window


Casualties
Blue 3 (B2-CC9) - A few metres before the enemy front door
Blue 6 (Fiarr) - Middle of open ground
Blue 8 (Sheila) 1st Floor near right stairwell
Blue 10 (Heigren) - Home Base Roof
Red 1 - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 7 - Enemy base 3rd floor
Red 10 -Enemy Base 5th floor

Kyvarr made no move to duck into cover, dodge or even slow down.  It was kill or be killed time.  Her repeater was already at her shoulder, she merely adjusted her aim and pulled the trigger as she shouted "Contact front!"

OOC:  Multifire burst at the target.  If he survives she'll continue firing at the target, hopefully suppressing him and giving Devon a clear shot.

Sheila gives an "oof" and sits down against the wall that the enemy's fire had shoved her against.  At least Dohr got one of them.

Flash kept his head down.  Just because the repeater had stopped shooting he didn't doubt the other mercs would happily finish him off.

"So what's the plan?" he grunted.

"Running in to the fire isn't exactly the option right now. We'll need to get the enemy to cease firing or keep them occupied enough for the other team to get up in to their base and take it out. For now, we seem to be the bait." As much as Idaya loathed being still while there was a fight going on, there was no chance to go forward or back just now and the only possibility was to try and keep from being shot. She looked around for a solution, but there was likely none such.

Flash growled and kept his head down.  "Next time you want spelschmeck bait to hide out with, pick someone else."

Devon was checking back the way they had come when Kyvarr yelled, and twisted round with his rifle already levelled.
Stepping sideways into a doorway gained Devon some cover and gave him a clear shot past his teammate.
"Got it." he yelled back as lined his weapon up with the centre of the enemy's chest and held the trigger down.

OOC:  Multifire for the win!

"They have not gotten you as of yet, and if you prefer, you can always make a run for it in the open", Idaya replied.

Flash's eyes light up.  "I can?  Sweet!"  He jumps up and sprints full speed for the door.

"Team 1, this is Two.  Where are you guys?  Three Zero says I can come with you."

Idaya let out a short litany of curses in her own native tongue, then jumped up and followed Flash towards the enemy building at the best speed she could muster.

There was no time to take pleasure in seeing one of the Reds go down and in hearing the game supervisor’s call come through. There were still two more attackers left and Dohr knew he would not be able to take them both out before one got a shot through to his sensors. A prolonged gunfight was not the way to go. Not without Kimy at least.

Dohr’s thoughts raced fast. Kimy would be able to take the first one heading through the door to the staircase by surprise. That might force the enemies to retreat into one of the rooms or on Eastern end the first floor. But what then? Kimy might not not be able to come through the door herself without being shot.

Behind the cover of the corner, Dohr called his human teammate with a hushed voice: ”Ten, Two-Zero. Got one. Take cover at the second floor door, Tangos are heading for the stairs. Take a shot and retreat to the second floor. Let them pass. I repeat, let them pass.”

One of the Red AT members was already by the door and the second nearby. Dohr could not afford to fire multiple shots at them, but decided they needed a bit of goading for his plan any chance of working. Peeking around the corner, the Kel Dor took a quick shot at the enemy closer to him and quickly moved behind the corner again. ”One down. Two to go. You have already lost!” The doctor called out to the opponents, with a promise in his voice.

Having said that, Dohr retreated himself and started running towards the Western stairwell. He didn’t need to see if the one he shot at fell or not. The announcer would let him know. He didn’t even need to if they headed for the stairs or not. Kimy would let him know.

As he reached the stairs (unless he heard from Kimy before that),  Dohr contacted the young woman again. ”Head to the other stairs and to floor ten. Let them think they have won. When they reach the console and see your little surprise, we can take them out.”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Sat 19 July 2014.

Kyvarr and Devon fired in quick succession, the Cathar's repeater firing just as Devon's rifle spits fire.  The enemy merc was hit by so many shots it was impossible to tell who's shot had scored the killing blow.  The mercenary grunted and sat down before the speakers engaged.

"Player Red Four has been terminated."

Flash and Idaya barely hear the report as they dash across the open ground.  Initially the majority of fire focussed on the Duros who had run first but then some fire shift to Idaya.  However through sheer luck or will of the force, neither of the Assault Team was hit.  Both are equally amazed when they find themselves alive.

Back in the Talon building, Dohr fires a quick shot at one of the mercs before running away.  Behind him he can hear blaster bolts aimed at him.  He reaches the stairwell and to his suprise hears the mercs pursuing him.



**GAME CLOCK - 10 minutes 18 seconds remaining**

---

OOC: Between Kyvarr and Devon, the merc with the repeater is VERY dead.  Also through the will of the force (also known as crappy rolls on dice roller) Idaya and Flash have made it into the lobby.

Dohr you have made it to the left stairwell but the mercs are in close pursuit and are firing.  They haven't done what you thought they would.


Blue Team
Assault Team 1 (AT1) - South corridor, second floor
Kyvarr (Two one) - 12/48VP - Repeater (18/30), Pistol (100), 2 spare packs
Devon (Seven)- 7/52VP - Rifle (48/50), Pistol (92/100)



Assault Team 2 (AT2) - Enemy Base, Lobby
Idaya (Three Zero) - 5/30VP - Rifle (42), Pistol (100)
Flash (Two) - 2/48VP - Rifle (47), Pistol (50/100), Sniper (6)


Defense Team (DT)
Dohr (Two Zero)- Uninjured - Rifle (47/50), Sniper (1/6) Outside left stairwell door - 1st Floor
Mika (Ten) - Uninjured - Rifle (0), Pistol (100) Right stairwell 2nd floor


Enemy Team
Red 2 (Rifle) - Talon building, 1st floor south corridor, heading for L) stairwell
Red 3 (Pistol) - Talon building, 1st floor south corridor, heading for L) stairwell
Red 5 (Sniper) - Enemy building, 10th floor window
Red 6 (Sniper) - Unknown, ?enemy building roof
Red 8 (Rifle) - Enemy building, 3rd floor window
Red 9 (Rifle) - Enemy building, 5th floor window


Casualties
Blue 3 (B2-CC9) - A few metres before the enemy front door
Blue 6 (Fiarr) - Middle of open ground
Blue 8 (Sheila) 1st Floor near right stairwell
Blue 10 (Heigren) - Home Base Roof
Red 1 - Talon building, 1st floor near right stairwell
Red 4 - Enemy building, 2nd floor halfway along
Red 7 - Enemy base 3rd floor
Red 10 -Enemy Base 5th floor

"Two-One, Three-Zero. Team two has penetrated the target building. Move back to your side of the building and head on up. We will take our side. Keep your six covered and report contacts. Over." It was a simple, achievable and direct command that would put the enemy in between them and force the enemy to split their attention in to two directions.

"Up the stairs, Two. We've got a war to win, but we're not in a rush as of yet."

Hurrying to their downed foe, Devon pulled the mercs repeater from his hands.
"Thanks, buddy." he told the prone figure.

Grinning at Kyvarr, he let his rifle swing from its shoulder strap whilst he checked the larger weapon over - the enemy had seemed to be reloading in the moment before they had shot him, so Devon made sure the repeater was ready to fire.
He rolled his eyes theatrically at the chatter over the radio, then took up position covering their rear again.
"OK, ready."  he told the Cathar.

OOC:  if the repeater is loaded, Devon will use it till its empty, then discard it.  If its not loaded, Devon will take the clip from his pistol and put that in the repeater.

Mika wasn't sure what was what, but Dohr seemed to have better intel than she did.  "Acknowledged."  She heads to the left stairs with the intent of climbing back up to the 10th floor once there.  If this was going to continue all that long, she was going to get powerfully tired of running up and down the stairs though.

It didn’t go as he’d planned. His attempt to push the two attackers to the staircase had failed utterly. Perhaps his words had annoyed them too much. Or perhaps they were simply well aware Dohr was alone on the first floor. It didn’t really matter which it was, as they were now right behind him. And that was fine too. It worked either way as long as the ones chasing him kept on missing him.

”Ten, Two-Zero... Cancel floor ten. West stairwell... still stands. Take cover at.. the door, East-side. I will meet you there. Got two hostiles on my tail.” Everyone could hear from Doc's voice he was running. It was a long shot, but maybe the enemy attackers were so pissed off that they would follow him to the second floor. If they did, Dohr hoped to catch them in a cross-fire. If not then Dohr and Kimy could return to the previous plan and head up to the tenth floor behind the Reds.

The Kel Dor dashed through the door and up the stairs to the second floor. Once there, he headed to the room on his right, took cover by the door and aimed his E-11 at the staircase door. The limp didn't slow him down, but he was starting to feel the exertion of all the running...  Dohr hoped the ATs were doing better. At least another Red team member had been dropped. Well done, troops.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Sat 19 July 2014.

After Devon picked up the repeater, Kyvarr knelt down beside the mercenary and took any power packs he had in his pockets and in any other weapon.  She distributed them evenly between herself and Devon so they both had the same number.

She smiled at the merc.  "You sure ripped our team a new one.  I'd like to buy you a lomin ale later."

She then stood and headed for the stairs.  Her only reply to Idaya's order was a quick "Two One acknowledges."  She gave Devon a knowing wink.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:39, Sat 19 July 2014.