Tim continued to watch for trouble from the turret, scanning the tree line and looking back every now and again. Moving the patient would have to wait until the dismounts returned.

He tried not to eyeball Alice as she did he job focusing instead on the surroundings while trying not to imagine they have gone back in time as apposed to forward.

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 372):

Tim kept watch on top of the Ranger, Alice worked below him, patching up the wounded warrior. It didn't look to Kim that repairs could be effected to get the Scout running 100% without a garage.

Jimmy, Daniel, Tina and Bobby continued down the trail. Jimmy realised the ATV at some point veered off the trail to the left, into the trees. The main group of horsemen continued down the trail.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 373):

Jenna paused, listening for any sound that would indicate a third person nearby or that either downed man was still alive. She held the shotgun at low ready in case she needed to fire.

Action: hold
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Wed 21 Dec 2016.

Jimmy looks down the trail, then down the path the ATV took.

He keys his mic.  "Carson to Tallfeather.  Found your tracks to left.  Following with friends."

He then motions to the others to follow, and tries to navigate that track at best speed.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 375):

Jenna clicked her Mike in Morse Code.

OK Tall.

She then repeats once.

Jimmy grins at the Morse Code, he'd known that long before joining the project.

"Roger that Tallfeather, I copy Oscar Kilo Tango Alpha Lima Lima.  OK Tall.  Support coming down your back trail."

Jimmy keeps up his best speed down the trail blazed by the ATV.  Probably not a full jog.  Weapon at port, safety off, finger off trigger.  One round HE loaded.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 377):

Bobby had a tough time following Morse code. Although Jimmy, as a backup signaller/RTO, was more familiar Malina was probably the most practiced. He suggested a more practical and simpler code.

"Back in 'Nam sometimes Marines who were surrounded or cut off would need to transmit without speaking. We usually just had them click their handset once for "yes", twice for "no". Then we'd just ask them questions to zero in on them. Along the lines of "hotter/colder".

"The one time I seen it done, personally, an RTO was surrounded. He still got captured by the VC. He never made it home and is still MIA. Was MIA. But the theory is valid!"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Fri 23 Dec 2016.

Using a blend of Morse Code and PTT button clicks Jenna guided Jimmy onto her position.

She was hidden near her ATV, which was parked behind a huge moss-covered tree. Not at it exactly, but off to the side, so she could ambush anyone trying to rush around the trunk.

Indeed there were two men lying nearby. Both wearing metal cap helmets, leather jerkins under mottled green cloaks and boots. They were armed with swords (dropped) and crossbows (slung on their backs under the cloaks). One seemed still, having bled out. The other had taken a shotgun wound to the right leg. He was attempting to crawl away leaving a trail of bright blood on the forest floor, and was therefore crawling towards Jimmy, Tina, Bobby and Daniel.

Upon seeing Jimmy he rolled over, drew a dagger, and gasped painfully, "backeth, thee! Demon varlet, thou shall not stealeth mine own soul today!"

"Let me send that soul to god then, buddy.  No stealth at all."

Jimmy pauses out of knife range and flips his m-16 to semi auto to perform a coup de grace, so to speak, with it.  Obviously he has decided that time is of the essence at this point.  He does motion to his companions to provide a circle of security.


A quick few discharges from his rifle should take care of that.  Semi auto.

"Hey tallfeather, how about we join everyone else."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 380):

Jenna stepped out. She didn't attempt to dissuade Jimmy from finishing her would be attacker. "Fine by me, Carson. The rest of the band moved up that way," she pointed up the trail. "Not to sound paranoid, but let's be cautious the rest of the way out, just in case they try to have another go.  Though they may have had enough for one day."

As Jimmy loomed over the man to make sure of his aim, the man cried out and stabbed himself in the throat!

Maybe the thrust would have killed him or maybe not but Jimmy wasn't complaining. Three bullets to the chest made the point completely irrelevant. The man sighed, the dagger he had been using to try and saw his own windpipe dropping from nerveless fingers. His last breath rattled out of his mouth, unseeing eyes rolling up. This patch of wood now smelled like death: a mixture of gunsmoke, blood and the contents of bowels released in a final spasm.

Either way, the woods grew quiet, with no sounds other than their breathing and water dripping. No sound of horses. Daniel looked maybe a little disturbed at Jimmy's shooting the man considering his earlier sentiments. But as Daniel himself had urged not wasting time on aiding the other man it wasn't like he could say anything and not be a hypocrite!
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:40, Wed 28 Dec 2016.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 382):

Captain Kim looks around for the possible second wave attack. Several times in fact.... and taps on the turret of the Scout.


"Dylan??? this front tire doesn't look good at all. Looks like we need a tow back to base"

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 383):

Dylan popped his head out and looked down at Captain Kim.

"Yep. Coincidentally, we have a tow truck along. Once we get moving we'll rig up a tow."

Tim was tempted to drop down from the ranger and continue with moving the log. He knew that he was a pretty good equalizing force should the armored knights return and though he could not see the others he was still technically providing over-watch.

From the gun ring he asks "Alice are we going to be able to move the patient to the rear of the Ranger soon ?"

-

Jimmy looks around real quick.

"Ok, let's get back as fast as possible.  You go first Tallfeather, and we will run after you."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 386):

Jenna looked at the dismounts on foot.  "Aren't we missing a few things? Like some of our people and the trucks?"

"The trucks are clearing the trees.  We came to get you, bail you out if need."

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 385):

Back at the vehicles, Alice replied that she already moved the warrior into the Ranger, unseen by Tim. "But he's not going to last an hour." There was a soft chime from the vehicle medkit that was set up beside her as she worked. She checked the med-unit's LCD display screen.

"Good, blood type B Pos. Tim, you want me to rig a blood transfusion? He's a universal recipient. It might save his life."

Over at Wendigo, Lina finished pulling the tree aside. Alice could move the Ranger past it when they got going again. "Tim, do you want me to take Dylan and Kim, go check to see if the road is blocked ahead?"

"If he regains consciousness we need to have him restrained or he will attempt suicide.  I have seen it."

In reply to Project Director (msg # 389):

"At this point yes, but if things get hairy he is out the back." He went back to scanning the surroundings when asked about moving forward he replied that they would wait and move in force with the Ranger providing cover. He then got on the radio "All call signs, Limey. We are clear to move forward and will in 10. Eta on your return over ?"

-

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 388):

Jenna nodded. "Thanks, I appreciate that.  I was lucky, only two of them stopped, the rest kept going."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 390):

Hearing Jimmy's warning over the radio, Alice secured the injured using restraints at the wrists, ankles and waist. "Ok. If he gives trouble, then he's out the back as well."

In reply to Jenna 'Tallfeather' Bartram (msg # 392):

Daniel stepped forward and nodded to Jenna as Bobby and Tina covered the trail.

"Glad to see you're alive and unhurt. Let's not waste more time, we gotta move."

The team RVed at the vehicles.

In the back of the Ranger, the injured attacker is barely hanging on. He is currently undergoing a blood transfusion from Alice.

Windigo is brought up to the main barricade. Three medium-sized trees were expertly chopped down partway, then pulled down (probably by horses judging from the tracks) to form an interlocking barrier to vehicle traffic called "abatis". There were also several iron spikes like caltrops spread around to puncture rubber tires, although they might not puncture the steel-belted run-flats on the Morrow Project Vehicles.

"We still have cleanup to do, or we need another route."

He motions.

"Pull logs out of the way, police up the caltrops... or get some vehicles out."