Dr. Franklin is, at the moment, stepping out of a tipi, hands stained with chemicals, squinting at the scene in confusion. It's possible he really can't see all that's going on at the moment...

But some of the braves have. They're hefting weapons and looking around with ill intent...

((OOC: Picking him up as you ride by would take an Agility roll, -2. You could stop and let him try to climb aboard, but that would subject you to a couple of attacks.))

"Doc!" August yells, riding straight for Dr. Franklin with no intention of slowing down.

He'd spent his fair share of time horsing around with his brothers back home - he had the scars to prove it - but doing tricks like this was a hell of a lot easier if you had a partner that was actually paying attention.  "Time to go!"

((OOC: Far be it from August to do it the sensible way.

06:59, Today: August Colby rolled 5,2 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4. Agility, doing things the hard way.))

"What the--AHHH!" Franklin just about leaps out of his fancy suit as August, still in his Indian shirt, comes riding hard at him. But he's hoisted into the air with hardly a problem.

The real trick now is getting away...Charging Bear is back, and he's running hard after them. The crazy bastard is actually trying to chase them down on foot! He shouldn't have a chance, and yet...he actually seems to be keeping pace with August and Dr. Franklin.

"Oh dear!" Dr. Franklin mutters. "The plate! I left the plate behind!" He doesn't seem to notice the psychotic Apache running hard to catch them, a rifle in his hands...

((OOC: Time for a chase scene!

Roll your Ride. For each Success and Raise, you get to draw a card. You can use whichever card you like. Higher ranks are better, but Clubs are Complications...the danger of the complication depends on the value of the card drawn.

If you draw a higher card than your opponent, you can make an attack against him (range depends on the card drawn, as this is an abstract system). If you draw lower than your opponent, you don't get an attack that round (but might need to perform other actions, such as drawing weapons or casting defensive spells).

If you successfully fend off Itza-chu for 5 rounds, you've gotten away clean. Because itza-chu isn't actually quite as fast as a horse, you get a +2 bonus on your Ride rolls. He rolls Agility because he's on foot.

First roll for Itza-chu: 00:52, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 4,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3. Agility.

Card to beat: 2S. Shouldn't be difficult. It's on!))

August's jaw drops as he catches sight of the crazy Apache keeping pace with them.  Maybe his horse ain't the fastest in the West, but that man is downright scary.

"Can you handle a gun, Doc?" he asks, half-yelling to be heard, although he has a pretty good idea of the answer already.

((OOC: 18:00, Today: August Colby rolled 3,9 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+1)7. Ride.
18:04, Today: August Colby drew the 2 cards: KS, BJ! using the Deadlands system.

So, er, what exactly would a Joker mean in this context?  Do I want to know?))
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Wed 14 Dec 2011.

"No!" Dr. Franklin cries, slightly hysterically. "I'm a scientist, not a soldier!"

But even he has noticed the crazy Apache running hard to catch them...

"That shouldn't be physically possible!" he shouts, stating the blindingly obvious. "How is that possible!? That shouldn't be possible!" Yup. He's gone hysterical.

((OOC: A Joker grants the usual +2 bonus on actions and damage, and allows you to make an attack at no range penalty...even melee attacks are possible. Since you have the advantage, Itza-chu won't be able to attack back this round.

Since you don't have Steady hands, there's still a -2 penalty for the unstable platform of the horse, but the +2 from the joker would cancel it out if you want to take a shot.))

"Then keep your head down and hold tight," August answers, with only a brief glance up to the heavens.

Keeping the reins in a loose grip, he readies his liberated Spencer and fires a snap shot back at Charging Bear.  There was a time for forbearance and turning the other cheek, but this surely wasn't it.

((OOC: Using the Black Joker.

18:47, Today: August Colby rolled 4,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4. Shooting (+2 Joker, -2 unsteady).
18:53, Today: August Colby rolled 7 using 2d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4. Possible damage.

Might hit, doesn't do much of anything.  I'm assuming Quick Draw will work for drawing the carbine.))
This message was last edited by the player at 19:02, Wed 14 Dec 2011.

The Apache stumbles a little as the shot hits him, but, amazingly, he takes it in stride. It's as if the bullet just bounced off his fancy shirt...the same kind of shirt August himself is wearing, come to think of it.

"HAhahahahahahaha!" he laughs. "Stupid fool! Charging Bear cannot be hurt by the white man's bullets!"

Dr. Franklin, holding on to the reigns for dear life, doesn't see this. But the sight is eerie enough to worry August...

((OOC: Itza-Chu's natural toughness is 7, but his Ghost Dance Shirt provides him with a +2 Toughness bonus vs. bullets. So it's a hit, but no effect. Incidentally, August also benefits from this. The shirt only provides the bonus vs. bullets, but hey, that's a good deal right there.

Still, the sight is unnerving, so make a Spirit (Guts) roll, -4 for the local Fear level, + your guts. This is only vs fear/nausea, not terror.

Itza-chu can't do much on his turn besides keep up, so it's on to the next round!

18:29, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3. Run, Itza-chu, run! One Card.

Card: 6H.

August, roll your fear check and then your ride check. Remember that if you fail the fear check, it's a -1 penalty for the rest of the encounter.))

August pushes aside his unease, muttering "Seen stranger than that," but it's still hard to focus on riding with an apparently inhuman psychopath on his heels.

((OOC: Awesome shirt!
06:24, Today: August Colby rolled 8,-1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,1. Spirit (-4 Fear, +2 Grit).
06:25, Today: August Colby rolled 3,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. Ride.  One card.
06:25, Today: August Colby drew the single card: 4D using the Deadlands system.
Uh oh.))

August's momentary hesitation brings the madman within range of a rilfeshot. It doesn't come anywhere near August, but it does remind him of the danger.

More worrying, Charging Bear seems to be gaining ground...

((OOC: there's a reason Indians in Deadlands have the ability to form their own nations...

Itza-chu can make an attack against you, but it's at long range because his card is only a 6.

23:59, Today: Itza-Chu rolled -1,-3 using d8-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. Shooting! nowhere near close.

If you have any non-combat actions you'd like to take on your card, go ahead. Otherwise, we'll move on.

Next round: 00:01, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 3,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. Run, Itza-chu, run!

Card: QS Ek. That'll put him at Medium Range unless August draws better.))

August urges his mare on, risking another glance back at Charging Bear, who's getting much closer than he'd like.  It's not how he'd pictured his daring escape.

((OOC: 07:25, Today: August Colby rolled 6,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. Ride. One card.
07:25, Today: August Colby drew the single card: QC using the Deadlands system.
A complication, grand.))

"Look out!" Dr. Franklin yells, and August turns and realizes that he's about to run into a tree with low-hanging branches...

Meanwhile, the nutbar is close enough to pop off a shot. It whizzes past August's ear, close enough for him to feel the wind of it.

((OOC: So...here's how it is.

Itza-Chu is in Medium range and can fire on you. You can fire on him back, because you both have Queens, but:

• He gets his attack first, which might make you Shaken (and subsequently Out Of Control)
• Before you do your action you need to make a Ride Check or run into the branches and suffer a level of Fatigue. This is a free action, though, so it won't stop you from attacking on your turn.
• You are at Medium range (-2) and on an unstable platform (-2).

With that out of the way, here's Itza-chu's attack!

00:45, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 3,1 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. Shooting! Miss. August's luck strikes again!

Your turn.))

August turns around a fraction too late.  "Oh shi-"

((OOC: 17:37, Today: August Colby rolled 3,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Ride.
17:39, Today: August Colby rolled 1,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1. White chip of impending regret.
I should listen to my brain when it says 'no, don't use a fate chip, idiot'.

So, fatigued.  I'm not going to try attacking with -5.  That's just a waste of ammunition.))

August eats a face full of leaves, but luckily swerved just enough so that he's not ripped off the horse.

((OOC: Roll for next round, then!

10:53, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 4,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4. Run, Itza-chu, run!

10:53, Today: Itza-Chu drew the single card: 9S using the Deadlands system. Not particularly great.

This is the 4th round. Only this round and one more to go before you pull far enough away that Itzta-chu can't follow.))

((OOC: Forgot the fatigue penalty... already... it's been a long day.

So 17:55, Today: August Colby rolled 3,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. Ride faster!

Becomes 2,3, which isn't even a pass.  What would the upshot of that be, before I decide whether to throw away my last fate chip?))

(((OOC: you wouldn't get a card this round, and Itza-chu would get a chance to shoot at you again.))

August spits out a mouthful of leaves as he struggles to maintain his balance.

((OOC: Okay, riding like a target dummy this round.  Fingers crossed for August's lucky streak.))

At least he's pulling away. Charging Bear takes another shot at him. Again, the bullet comes frighteningly close, but August can see the creek up ahead. If he can just make it...

((OOC: Long range this time.

11:28, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 3,-2 using d8-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2. Shooting!

Last round!

11:29, Today: Itza-Chu rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3. Run, Itza-chu, run! Hah! Turn around is fair play.

If you get a success, any success at all, you've won this race.))

"Jus'... hold on, Doc..." August manages to say through gritted teeth, urging his horse to even greater exertion.  He's going to owe her some really good feed once they get out of this mess.

((OOC: 18:53, Today: August Colby rolled 6,6 using d6+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. Ride.

I'll keep the unimpressive card I drew by mistake last round:
17:56, Today: August Colby drew the single card: 7D using the Deadlands system.

Not going to take a shot at -7, even for dramatic effect - it'd probably just come up snake-eyes...))

The horse makes a heart-stopping leap over the creek...and August is home free.

He's still a mile or so from town, but already Charging Bear is a shrinking dot, paused at the creekbed.

"It is over?" Dr. Franklin asks. "Are we safe?"

"Reckon so, for now.  Told you I'd get us out of there in one piece," August says, feeling himself relax a little.  The side of his face is starting to throb.  "That was some good show you put on, Doc."

"I didn't get t' hinder their mounts, or anything else, though - that son of a bitch spotted I was missin' and was after my head from the get-go.  As I see it, all we can do is get to town first and let folks know what's comin' their way."

"I'm relieved that it was convincing." the doctor replies. "I was what could charitably termed 'winging it' the whole time, and petrified that someone would see through the charade."

He looks back in the direction of the camp. "I do wish I hadn't been forced to abandon all my belongings, though. Those cameras were quite the investment, and my Aetheric Energy Emitter will be difficult to duplicate without the proper parts. And I'm still worried about the plate I left behind. There were some...oddities with the developing process. It's only to be expected, as I was not exactly following normal procedure, but still..."

"Well, I'm downright sorry you lost your stuff, Doc, but we didn't have a lot of room to maneuver back there.  Still, the Comanche seem t' think pretty highly of your contraptions, so maybe they'll leave 'em be," August suggests as they ride.

"Hell, maybe I could sneak back in later and fetch 'em - if we ain't needed t' help defend the town, I mean."

"I suppose that's the best I can hope for." Dr. Franklin say gloomily. "Still, I appreciate the offer of assistance. Let's hope that day shall come!"

((OOC: Well, I think this is all for this interlude. Where is August going to head when he gets back to town?))

((OOC: The Marshal's office seems like the obvious place to head for.))

Meanwhile, Back at the Comanche Camp

The camp is in chaos. Warriors run everywhere, trying to figure out just what had happened to them. Thankfully none of the fires had spread out of control, but the whole band was up in arms.

Itza-chu wandered toward the chief's tent. He flipped the flap open and looked in. Ghost Wolf was already there, giving the chief a description of events.

"<...and one of the horses was taken. The cook fires smell unclean...they dropped some form of foul medicine in them to burn them that way. We should find new longs for them immediately, so the taint of their treachery does not enter our food.>"

The chief looks up at Itza-chu. "<Did you find them?>" he asks. "<Are they dead for what they have done?>"

"<I did not, Chief Pale Moon.>" Itza-chu says. "<Their horse was too swift. They crossed the creek, which you have told us not to follow beyond.>"

"<Fool.>" Ghost Wolf says. "<You always say, 'I am faster than any horse.' You let them get away, so you are a liar.>"

Itza-chu pulls his bowie knife. "<Do you wish to test me, Cursed One? I have the Hawk's favor. You are only the claws of Brother Owl. No spirits will come near you. I may not outrun thier horse, but I can outrun you! Carve you up and listen to you scream! You wish to test yourself? Come on and test me, if you think you are hard enough.>"

"<Enough.>" The chief says. "<What is done, is done. Do we at least have the paleface's cam-ra? Do we have his fo-to-graf?"

Ghost Wolf nods, and pulls the items forth. "<Here is the painting the paleface painter made. It was still wet with his medicines, but you can see the image clearly.>"

Pale moon looks at the image on the plate. Fifty Comanches stared back at him. All of them were in vibrant color, though the rest of the surroundings were still grey.

The chieftain smiles. "<Then we have won already. Go, and plan our attack. They know we are coming, but it does not matter. We will crush them. We will slaughter them all in the name of the Mirror Serpent, and he will bestow upon us many blessings. Our People will rise again!>"

The two Indians nod, and withdraw form the tent.

Pale Moon looks at the image once more, then lights some incense, sets the plate down, and begins to pray.

((OOC: Dun Dun Dun!

Ok, I'm going to put you in the Battle of Blackthorn thread. This thread is now closed.))