Smoker looked round from the controls.

"Think I've figured it out, but it takes a few moments to warm up... just enough for someone else to shoot the target!" he grinned.

Jane grinned and blew Peter a kiss when he praised her.  She was pleased with how things worked out but knew they couldn't rest quite yet.

The PA overhead announced that 2 of the Raptors had managed to drop off five automatons each onto the top of the lift envelope. Panicked radio calls on the Sky Raider circuit confirmed the security team was putting up a good fight but couldn't use heavy weapons for fear of damaging ship systems.

It was obvious that the automatons weren't there to destroy the airship because their 30mm grenade launchers were equipped with tear gas cannisters, not explosives.

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 148):

"Ain't that always the way!" Walker shook his head and laughed. "Well... it's the thought that counts."

The PA announcement they had boarders on top caused Walked to look at the roof hatch.

"OK, I'm going up to see if they need a hand. You check on Simon, maybe?"

"All right," said Smoker, shutting the crane down and then heading back down the corridor to the accommodation.

Rowan collects up the MG and heads back with her new partner to her guard point again

Rowan and Shay grabbed the SAW and humped it back upstairs.

They met Smoker in the hall outside the VIP quarters.

Sounds of heavy fighting came from overhead. There was a burst of gunfire and several rounds of 12mm caseless, fired from a Combine Automaton, ripped through the ceiling and into the floor down he hall! The firing above them grew to a crescendo. Wisps of tear gas started to drift down from the roof plating, causing some coughing.

Denis, Winnie, Fred and Simon pushed through the door, also coughing and wiping their eyes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:07, Wed 06 Nov 2013.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 154):

Coughing from the (at this point low) dose of tear gas seeping down from the ceiling, Simon croaked, "we need to get off the airship! It's just a matter of time before those automatons overrun it!"

Peter looked over his shoulder at Jane. "I guess we are needed elsewhere."

He then headed up to where Simon was at a jog.

Smoker took off his shemagh and wrapped it around his face as an improvised mask.

Rowan makes sure trickster is close to. Then says to the Templars, "I think it is time to leave and now rather than later"

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 156):

Jane nodded to Peter.  "Looks like my work is temporarily done here.  Hopefully they won't try that trick again while we're gone."

Jane grabs up her weapons and follows Peter.

Peter and Jane mount the stairs up to the 2nd floor of the gondola. Jason urged Trejo to follow.

In the passage in front of the VIP cabins the Posse was gathered, along with Simon, Fred and the 2 Templars, Plus Shay. Walker was missing.

The consensus seemed to be that it was maybe time to leave the airship.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:32, Thu 07 Nov 2013.

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 158):

Burdened as she was by the 2 spare ammo cans, Shay stood there and tried to think of something.

"We need to get to the ground somehow. If we were low enough we just just hop off or jump down. Too high and we don't have parachutes! Maybe lower the skycrane? There's about 200 feet of line, there. We could slide down?"

"Do you want me to go and get it running?" asked Smoker, "Now that I've figured out the controls..."

He was none to sure about trying to slide down the cable. But it might become necessary. Grrr. Solid ground underfoot. That's what he'd be aiming for in future. No matter how enticing the technology was.

Peter blinked several times. "What? Why are we leaving? Why would we not fight them off? We stopped one of the raptors." He glared at Shay and then Smoker. "Are you planning on being bullet-proof as you descend the skycrane and get shot at by the raptors flying around? And are we lowering my truck down with that crane?"

Smoker threw his hands up.

"Look, I know bugger all about combat. I expect you lot to tell me what to do."

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 163):

Shay held up three fingers.

"Three, Peter! There were three more Raptors! And they dropped off Combine Automatons!

"They can't hold 'em off for long."

Fred nodded.

"That is very brave of you to volunteer to stay, Peter. Hold them off as long as you can. We're going downstairs, see if there's some way out of here."

 Rowan moves with the Templar group protecting Simon

Smoker stood looking confused and a bit panicked. He didn't like situations where he wasn't in control.

Peter looked a little surprised and then glared at the retreating Librarian's back. He let out a quiet growl as he stood there with all of his guns.

Rowan "Peter smoker move with me please we must protect our charge and get off this death trap of a craft"

"Uh, OK..." said Smoker, still looking uncomfortable.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 169):

Denis stepped forward.

"Fred... I don't think Peter really wants to stay and cover your escape, if it comes down to it. He just doesn't like running, which is understandable. As a Templar we know it's sometimes best to cut our losses but it's something we have to do. But someone still does need to stay to help.

"Peter, go with Rowan and Smoker and the rest. Find a way out. I will stay, help delay them, but you must go now! All of you!"