In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 16):

The forest floor was almost completely small and large boulders, with many fallen trees. Cover was easy to find.

While they waited, the rest of the team took a bit of a break while keeping watch.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 17):

Capt'n Kim looks about... any high ground ?

((ooc: uncertain what we are supposed to do at this point))

Jimmy pulls out his map and compass, as well as his binoculars and starts the process of orienting himself.  He knows about where they should be... so this may take a little time.

"Take ten, everyone, while I look around.  Anyone else with optics that can spot something, please do so."


He looks for a while, looks at his map.

"OK, let's head back towards the beach on the high ground, and I want eyes on below.  We want to come back down wherever about this picnic area was with the parking.  I would much rather move exposed on that sand spur if it still exists, on foot or boat, then ford a big river and move across former reservation land and the town.. especially if there might still be people."

He points back west to the mouth of the river on his map, then will start moving that way, trying to get a view from up high on their target area now and then.. through the foliage.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 20):

Trees towered above them as they made their way through the moss-covered boulders. There was almost a complete lack of underbrush save for a few ferns and other shade-dwelling plants.

The team made it safely across the half-click to the side of the bluffs facing the ocean. From inside the tree line they could see James Island. The Mouth of the Quillayute river had widened considerably, halfway obliterating the artificial sand bar on the north side that had been placed there by US Army Corps of Engineers back in the 1960's.

PD Note: Everyone may make Observation checks, as well as Stealth. Please make an action post if you want to include your rolls or post them in the dice rolls thread.

Lina fell back in line with the group.  She followed along trying to be as alert and quiet as possible.

Tim continued to watch for anything out of the ordinary as he followed the others through the trees.

Tim Charles White rolled 92 using 1d100 with rolls of 92.  Stealth.
Tim Charles White rolled 80 using 1d100 with rolls of 80.  Observe.


-

Elliot is in a kneel, weapon at the ready.


14:51, Today: Elliot Charles Pendergrass rolled 71 using 1d100 with rolls of 71.  stealth.

14:51, Today: Elliot Charles Pendergrass rolled 84 using 1d100 with rolls of 84.  observe.

10:52, Today: James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire rolled 1 using 1d100 with rolls of 1.  Observation.

10:51, Today: James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire rolled 50 using 1d100 with rolls of 50.  Stealth.


And the "Sneaky Squirrel" (MI), fails it.  But as I said... only the scouts should be at woodline.

Filip and Elliot crept closer to the edge of the bluff. They could see the ocean and sky through the trees.

Looking out, they could see they were at the Southwest corner of the bluff, looking out over the mouth of the Quillayute river below, and James Island. The source of the smoke was clear, and it did not look good. There was an ancient rusted tramp freighter anchored to the south of James Island. Black smoke from coal or oil drifted up from its smokestack. At this range details were difficult to make out but it looked like there were at least a dozen crew on board. There were boarding nets lowered over the side and some of the derricks were empty, indicating that small craft had been launched.

Elliot keys his personal communicator.

"Boss, we have a situation here. Seemingly hostile forces are present. Recommend message to our boat to watch out for attack. One ship with perhaps a dozen crew, small boats look to have been dispatched. Recommend watching out for hostile foot patrols in the area. Recommend you come and see this for yourself. Over."

RADIO"Acknowledged."  He says into his 66 and looks to Lina.

"Lina, contact the boat with your big radio, tell them the situation.  We may need to re-think this."

He then will high crawl to the scout's position, to maintain a low profile, leaving his pack with Lina.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 29):

The situation was as described. There was a small, very rusty ship, possibly a pre-war tramp freighter, sitting at anchor to the south of their destination, James Island. There were boarding nets on the sides, indicating that ship's boats had been launched. Black smoke drifted from its stack. It was too far away to easily make out crew.

Jimmy watches, laying on his belly.

"Well.. shit.  Someone beat us to it.  Leaf, do you know who these folks are?  I know we can ruin their day by punching holes in their boats with a machine gun, but that's not too neighborly."

Lina grabbed the radio handset and sent the message to Kim on the boat.

[radio] "Alpha. Bravo.  Warning.  There is a small freighter on the other side of the island.  Estimated crew is at least twelve.  They have launched small boats. Take defensive measures as required. Over."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:12, Wed 10 Apr 2019.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 31):

The young woman looked confused and dismayed.

"No, absolutely not! I have no idea who they are. They aren't from around here or from the Lower Mainland. My guess is they're from Portland."

In reply to Leaf Water Wind (msg # 33):

Capt'n Kim "Chinese?"

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 34):

"Yeah, could also be Red Chinese from up in Old Vancouver as well. What flag are they flying?" The ship was several kilometres away and so all she could do was squint.

In reply to Leaf Water Wind (msg # 35):

Capt'n Kim "Just want to be sure. We know these Krell were coming, but we know the Chinese have freighters. The condition of their ship's is an unknown. I say we base it  as a Krell ship and prepare for an encounter as such. Finding this cave is EVEN MORE paramount now"

Jimmy offers Leaf his binoculars.

"Try these out, Leaf.  Know how to use them?  You are my best hope of knowing how to proceed from here.  Don't want to make unnecessary enemies, and they got us outnumbered bad.  We will need to report in to HQ what we are seeing, too."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 37):

The boat was a good 3km away. Leaf nodded as she carefully took the binoculars, put the strap around her neck and then braced them on a rock. "Yes, I think so." After a few minutes of looking through them she sighed. "Shoot. I can't make out a flag."
This message was last updated by the player at 09:49, Wed 17 Apr 2019.

"Thank you for your effort Leaf.  We need to find a way to get closer unobserved.  We also need to set up our long range antenna and report back to base.  Let them know that an unidentified group is on the target."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 39):

"Do you mean closer to the ship or the island? Because I think we can walk almost to the island using the breakwater that's at the mouth of the Quillayute River.

"If you mean get closer to the ship, there is a high point on the ocean, to the south of the river mouth." She pointed to a wooded bluff about a half-kilometer south of the river. But to get there they would need to cross the Quillayute first. About 2km through forest, all told.

"I am thinking the island, Leaf... but I want to hear what everyone else thinks here too.  This is a group of experts and I need to hear everyone's thoughts on this situation.  We have lots of options, but we need to pick the right one."

"For instance, we could even lay low and watch... but this sort of presence is not likely to be happenstance."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 41):

"To the cave as fast and as hidden as possible" says Capt'n Kim.

"We'll know soon enough if it's hostiles if they show up there"