The bearded men sauntered forwards, weapons held at the ready. Their leather combat boots crunching on the shale at the high water mark of the sandy beach. All was quiet save for seagull cries and the roar of waves breaking on the sandbar and islets. They stopped about 20 metres from the treeline, studying it. It was clear this was no local militia, intelligence having confirmed there were only a few scattered Quillayute families, Amerind fishermen, in the area. One rolled and lit a cigarette while the other drank from his canteen, then they turned around and started walking back down the sandbar to either Little James Is. or James Island.

Elliot keeps his eye on the men as they walk away, trusting that others have their eyes on the surrounding. He makes no move or sound.

In reply to Elliot Charles Pendergrass (msg # 94):

The men finally disappeared out of sight down the spit, heading towards James Is. (their destination) or Little James Is. (midway along the spit). From their position hiding in the woods it was difficult to track them further without breaking cover.

"That puts a fair tangle in things.  We need to contact the boat and have them relay back that we are likely facing a well organized Krell team at this site.  Folks, it is worse than we thought.  Let's wait on darkness for a final approach."

Keeping his eyes on the spit of land, Elliot says, "That was a patrol, boss. They'll be back, and the next set of guys might have sharper eyes than these two had. If we want to not get shot we execute an ambush or we evac the area to a safe surveillance distance." He looks at the ample cover and opportunity it presents. "I'd love to set up a claymore mine right here and trigger it remotely. Take out two of the Krell and keep their attention on land instead of focused on the boat. I don't think we have that resource with us, though."

"Of course you are right.  I don't suppose we have a claymore with us?"

"Not in my kit," Elliot replies. "I think all the boom boom is on the boat."

Lina quietly let out a breath when the sentries turned and walked away.  Se watched them disappear back down the narrow spit of land.

She turned to Jimmy, "Those guys have to be the Krell that we were warned about.  We should report this back to the boat and headquarters. "

"Agreed, Lina.  We need to retreat back.  Caution was a good call here."

He organizes a covered retreat as far as they can go, slowly.

Elliot nods and does what is needed to facilitate the tactical withdraw.

In reply to Elliot Charles Pendergrass (msg # 102):

There were three ways to withdraw. North along the coast (minimal cover), East along the north bank of the Quillayute (good cover) and back up the cliff (good cover).

Jimmy shakes his head and looks to where they came down.  "OK, let's head East and get out of this hot mess.  I don't want to try to get back up that damn cliff."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Tue 15 Oct 2019.

Lina collects her pack, radio, and rifle.  Then she gets ready to make the move to the east.  She keeps an eye on the spit to make sure the Krell are not returning.

"Caution going forward," Elliot advises. "Krell may have more people or observation posts scattered about." He holsters his grenade launcher and opts instead for the M-10.

Carefully the team made their way east along the wooded foot of the bluff, between the cliff on their left and the Quillayute river on the right.

They got to where a tributary went north. They could either follow it north, climb up the bluff on the left (west) or try and cross the river to continue east. To RV with the boat they were going to need to climb the high ground, although here it seemed a lot easier to negotiate than back by the ocean.

"Let's take it nice and easy up this slope, folks."

((ooc: can we be seen from the Krell position while climbing up this slope?))

In reply to Elliot Charles Pendergrass (msg # 109):

Capt'n Kim "Hey is heading towards our mission?"

In reply to Elliot Charles Pendergrass (msg # 109):

The high ground was in between them and where they assumed the Krell came from so they couldn't be directly observed. Quickly they climbed westward up the wooded slope. To the northwest was the RV point where the boat waited. They could travel west and then north along the low forested cliffs, or more directly northwest through the broken and forested terrain.

Lina looked at her compass and their rudimentary map.   She oriented herself to the map like she was taught and took a bearing.


"It looks like it should be that way. What do you think?", Lina said pointing into the trees.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Wed 06 Nov 2019.

"Works for me." Elliot prepares to bring up the rear as the team awaits Jimmy's go-ahead.

Tim takes a knee as the map is consulted and bearing made. He watches the shoreline and out to sea while keeping an ear out for threats. The last is unlikely to happen unless they drive a tank along the cliff line.


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In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 114):

After more hours of travel through the forest along the rugged cliff above the ocean, they reached the RV point.

Offshore they could see the "Salty Lass". Filat was getting ready to cast off in the Zodiac to retrieve the shore party. Andy and Filat were still on the boat, everyone else was on shore.

"Let's get in contact with base and let them know what is going on.  If we need to put up the biog antenna, then that is what we need to do.  The interest in that boomer is probably to secure a nuclear warhead... I think we might need to consider how to stop the movement of it, rather than attempt to attack a well armed war party, that will likely only end in tragedy.  Thoughts people?"

"Well assuming they intend to move anything they obtain by boat then that is the obvious target. Sink it and its a long walk home."


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This message was last edited by the player at 01:13, Mon 27 Jan 2020.