Sam smiled at Izzy and responded," Oh yes I would love to go, but what is a hen party?" Sam gave Izzy the nod it was connected.

 Sam sent up the pink smoke so the runners could find them. Sam replied on runners comms," Smoke is up runners good luck." Sam them took her seat and began to track the runners through Bura.

 Lizzy waited at her drop off point, she was ready, she scanned the area around her to get a lay of the land. Then she saw the pink smoke and Captain Si said go. Lizzy went out at a good pace not mind blowing but a good solid pace she knew she could keep for 8 miles thanks to the tunnel runs.

At Morgan's words there was the brief flash of a pine covered ridgeline scattered with bodies within her minds eye prompting her to take a deep calming breath and forcing herself to make a decision ok I can do this, this is not like last time. Switching to a group channel she would address the squad of armoured troopers under her command moments after Meari had spoken to her, with Tarja feeling grateful for the woman's presence "Ok, Sergeant Meari is right, we need to get moving, Squad form skirmish line and move at the bounce, keeping pace with Mechs, lets move!" she said before running several steps and leaping into the air with the jump jets extending her leap to a far greater distance than it would otherwise with her then running a few more steps before leaping again. Travelling in such a manner would allow the squad to cover more ground than a standard infantry squad could "Keep them peeled, we are heading into hostile area...keep watch for heavy weapons" she warned as they rapidly moved towards the enemy position alongside the mechs, watching for any sign of trouble as she did so.

NA-CE waited, her MP40 in her hands she listened and then she saw the pink smoke, then the Mark was given. NA-CE took off at a good pace, but she was in heavy brush and used her Angel Steel trench knife to cut through it. She would watch for animals and signs of enemies as she went going as fast and safe as she could.

In reply to pilots. (msg # 26):

Waiting for the start order Justin  guestimated the distance he'd be travelling. Hearing MARK Justin started off at a steady trot moving towards the distant smoke.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:36, Wed 07 Sept 2022.

Through the brush and scrub forest Nikki seemed to breeze through.  For her this was like being back home and hunting deer.  Other than a few small not dangerous creatures she came across no threats.  She did pass one newbie pilot who was also running she had to turn about as he was running the wrong direction.  She calmed him a bit and told him think and run at the same time, not run or think.  she let him go across his own path to the plateau.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately Madison would wait to see if she was still alive in a few hours before she could enjoy it. She and the other pilots were going to race across this amazing land to a plateau off in the distance. The pink smoke made it so she wouldn't need her compass, but she would still have find the best way through the wild lands of Bura.

On the Mark, Madison took her bearing and headed for the smoke. Going fast was essential, but going smart was just as important. The path could have Hungry predators and/or enemy soldiers, so going in a blind rush could be disastrous. Being attacked was a possibility, but so were simple and more likely hazards. The way was wild. If she was racing across the wilderness back home in Wyoming, she would have to be more worried about slipping down a hill side or stepping into a prairie dog burrow. Not to mention the risk of simple exhaustion. It was long run, and she was carrying an extra 20lbs of gear. If she didn't pace herself she would burn out or could be too tired to fight if she was attacked. Fast but smart, that was how she went.

Jug, Jerboa, and Gula made their way quickly through the woods as they started their run.  they were fast and quiet as they moved.  weapons ready, and eyes peeled for any danger.

 Lizzy ran really well through the first part and was making extremely good time, the terrain was beautiful but right now also easy to traverse. She went fast but no so fast she stumbled blindly into something, but she was moving at a very good clip, if only she could keep this pace and still stay alive.

Considering the terrain and obstacles Justin covered ground relatively quickly. Moving from way point to way point, identifiable terrain feature (ITF) to ITF

"I trust Larry to operate the pack with his normal efficiency," said Henry.

"However, in this situation oversight is required for the safety and well-being of our largs. To be frank, I do not trust the 'General Larg Master' not to attempt to interfere with them."

In reply to Mechs (msg # 24):

Kira was silent for the most part as she listened to the instructions of the particular wargame while it wasn't what she initially expected it was nothing she hasn't done hundreds of times already with Morgan and the others, "Understood General we will cleanse the filth from this area"

As they marched out coming in from the right flank Kira noticed her Corporal was starting to have cold feet and was less then pleased that Morgan had to 'talk' with her, "Keep a eye out for heavy weapons and snipers now lets get in there and wipe this filth out!" she then ordered the team to move as her group covered the power armor units as they drew closer to the enemy forces.

As soon as the signal was given he hit the ground running, his eyes alert to all manner of danger as he moved fairly quickly all the tunnel runs and conditioning really paying off for helping him keep a good pace.

   From the  air, one  could barely tell there  were runners in the forested  area.  now  and a gain, one might  see a  figure  hit a clearing  before they continued to run.

  Shadow  was angry as he  came to a   steeps   hillock  and  slide  down, , but then had to   climb up the other   side,  digging his boots into the loam, and   Grabbing roots  or  Brush   to help him climb up.

  distance weapons  fire   could  be  heard well to the north, some one   was  finding something to shoot  at... then he snorted, or, someone  was found by someone, who shoot at them!

all around the Plateau,  Pilots    when through their  paces, some   in  good form, others  struggled, the forest was damp, humidity  was rising  with the  sun and the calls of angry creatures  could be heard.

Troopers  made a batter  work of it, though some   stumbled. Jax    struggled  and grew  angry with himself...knowing you way through Tunnels and streets , was the same  as  making your way through the undergrowth.

The track Madison found was surprisingly easy. Even avoiding the natural trails and obvious clearings where predators or enemies might ambush, she hit few obstacles. There were a few creeks to jump and the humidity was a little stifling, but no major hurdles so far. She did hear weapons fire from somewhere off in the distance. That would draw attention from any Empire forces camped nearby, but probably scare predators towards anywhere but the firing. Still, it was a reminder that the dangers here were real, and her thumb found the safety of her rifle just for assurance.

Moving at the bounce the squad would quickly cover the open ground with any ravines so long as they weren't too wide proving no obstacle to the armoured suits. Upon reaching the treeline Tarja would momentarily bring her suit to a stop at it's edge before proceeding at a steady run "ok we go on foot from here, trees and swampy terrain will just cause injury if we try and bounce" she explained, not to mention the fact that the sound of them crashing through branches would alert the enemy to their presence. With any luck they would catch the enemy unprepared and be able to mop them up before they were able to mount any real resistance.

Looking up from the bundle of cables she had been sorting, she would frown a bit at Sam's question before replying "it's like a bachelorette party, though Lizzy and I are having one together rather than one each...ooh I'll have to show you the wedding dresses I'm looking at later, Ok smoke is up and we are a go" Izzy said, suddenly switching gear as the pink smoke was deployed with her moving round to sit beside Sam and help her man the vidscreens.

Henry called Larry and the rest of the Hermes largs together and took a knee. Mila pronptly licked his nose, which got larg tails thumping.

"Settle down, folks. This is what we have to do. We have the right flank... the local largs will be to our left in the centre, and worts and gava right over there on the far left. We are heading for that grey smoke. Anything we encounter is fair game, no known friendlies in area. Larry, take a couple of largs and scout ahead, if you find anything call up reinforcements. Mila and I will follow up with the rest of the pack, Disna and Puskie too."

As he spoke he laid out a model/map showing the zones and directions.

"Everyone got that? We play this straight, but be wary to your left. I don't trust the larg master general."

Larry got up and burbled. Freddie and Tess arose and joined him and the three set off. Everyone else followed at a discreet distance.

After a few minutes of scrambling, there was a larg call from up ahead. A heavy pulse weapon fired. Henry split the remaining largs into two groups sending one with Puskie to the right and the rest with Disna to the left. Mila and he moved up behind Larry's position, finding the alpha larg indicating ahead. Mila trotted forwards and images filled Henry's mind... a nest, a hole in the ground with some breastworks, partly roofed, with maybe 4 largrans. He called Mila back, and loosed the largs.

The fight was short, fierce and one-sided. The largs sustained no injuries. The same could not be said for the Largrans.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:50, Mon 05 Sept 2022.

   The  largs were thumping  tails  as they feasted on bits of  Lizard man...

 That was  one  clear... Puskie  sent up   smoke to claim it.. it was the first one of the day.

  Gregor 's head popped up..blod on the  metal jaws  of his head  hear as he  looked towards the  west..


  Disna  was  closer to  Roy as they made thier  way in.

 Roll was running  around  with Thor on his leash, the happy little  pup still confused  what   grass was.. and he  would  duck down into 'hiding stance' when the wind  blew too hard.

  Admiral hack watched the   Larg Master General, he shook his head. The only thing that stopped Nivar from getting cracked open like an eggshell , after what happened to Si...well... resources were  important...at least until the war was over..

 Hennigns  COMed...so far  so good..... mechs and armo  are flanking in...

 Si here... The LC and his people vanished into the trees.. we can her  some weapons  fire....

Largs  went in.. I see smoke.. looks like our  Largs got the first kill....

Nikki continued her run.  She only stopped when she came to a creek ditch.  It was a bit deep and decently wide.  Look as if a few people tried to climb down...one looked to have fallen in actually.  All were gone now, leaving only tracks and impressions.  She looked about to see if there was a better way to cross.  She found it in the form of a strong but limber tall tree.  climbing up, her weight would bend it to the other side.  She adjusted her gear and climbed.  The 20 ft tall sapling only a few inches around flexed back and forth until bending over the ditch.  using her harness, she slipped around and landed a few inches from the edge on the other side.  Feet safely on the ground she made sure to release the tree without getting herself hit or losing balance.  'Not bad' she thought to herself as she continued on.  In the distance she could hear, but not see other runners.

Roy grunted at the question.  "I say we show them how we do it, Hermes-style.  We've got our sector...have Larry and Freddie scout it and if they finds anything more than single individuals, we let the whole pack rush the target and clean it up.  The Doc and I can follow along so the Nivarians don't have a panic attack about largs running wild."

He walked over to where Roll was finishing up getting the largs' headgear on.  He double-checked a couple of them, a very cursory inspection because he knew Roll knew how to do the job, and gave the boy an approving nod.  "Nice work, Roll.  They look great..."

He turned back to the largs.  "Okay...we've got a specific sector to sweep and clear.  The plan is this...Larry, Freddie, you scout it out.  If you find individual threats, take them down, but if it's anything more than one enemy, you come back and lead us to the area they're in, and we'll work out the best way to send in the whole pack and take down the target fast and dirty.  The rest of you hang back with us, so the Nivarians don't piss themselves about largs running around without handlers."  He grinned at Tess and Gla, adding, "Don't worry, you'll get plenty of chances to run into action, I'm sure."

And with that, he gestured in the general direction.  "Out there...from that cluster of trees..." and he pointed out the landmark that delineated their operational sector, "to that low hill, right there.  Larry, you take the left side, Freddie, you take the right.  Stay low in the grass...show those size queens that bigger isn't always better."

He chuckled, then made a curt wave of his hand in the direction of the target zone.  "Go find out what the enemy left behind for us..."

Both largs zipped into the grass and underbrush and were instantly out of sight.  Roy turned to Henry, as he swung his assault rifle into position and made sure there was a full magazine in it and a round was chambered and ready to fire.  "Shall we, Doc?" he asked, a playful grin on his face.  He was obviously expecting to show up the Nivarians...and quite enthused at the prospect.</blue>"

The pace of their advance would slow due to necessity as the forest they were in became more densely packed with undergrowth and interspersed with marshland that they had to carefully pick their way through. With her squad spread out in a rough line on either side of her Tarja would catch glimpses of them in the dense terrain with her having to rely on her suits HUD to keep track of them as they advanced.

With Hipper pointing out the smoke rising above the canopy in direction of where the Larg units were operating Tarja would turn to briefly examine it before continuing on ”Well that confirms enemy presence in the area, let’s pick up pace trees open up a little here” she stated picking up the pace a little as they continued to press onwards ”is everyone ok with what they’re doing, any questions you need to ask?” she asked wanting to make sure they all knew how to operate the suite of weaponry carried by the suits, though she was probably needlessly worrying ”Kira? How are mechs doing? Have you seen anything? All is clear up here” she then said, switching comms channel to check in with Kira and make sure they weren’t outpacing them in the dense terrain, with her wondering where exactly the enemy were hiding.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Tue 06 Sept 2022.

"Absolutely..."

Henry returned Spencer's grin and loped along beside him. Mila ran with the rest of the largs, a flash of white fur amongst the scales.

 When   The largs  were   told to Move  on, Gregor   was up on his  hind legs looked to the  west.

 Gla  Nudged  Roy and Looked to wards   gregor  who looked  like a  3 foot tall Prairie dog.

 ...

Roll was  happy that  Roy  checked his  work and said he did  good, Then Continued to run about  in  a  50 yard  area.

.....

.Adkiral  Hack  COMed,  ALL COMs Congrates to The hermes  Larg Unit, they have the first offcial Cleanse of the day!

 Beth Giggled,Wikiss  , is trying to block our  ALL-COMs

 we he be able to?

 beth  put  a Hand on her Chest plate,Admiral!... You  wound  me to the core...

Hack chuckled,Just  Checking...