Ken listens for a moment trying to use his experience in combat to determine anything about the attacking forces that might come to mind.

"Let's hope its the government or some official group rather than another bunch of archeological pirates.  The former will give us a hard time but won't kill us while the latter may just kill us outright."

He heads to the door and examines the lock.  "Maybe we can break down the door under the cover of the attack."

"I wouldn't be too sure of the government, not when out here. More likely to shoot first and ask questions of your ghost later, from what I've heard," said Linus. "I reckon making a break for it in the confusion is our best bet."

He went over to check the more seriously wounded again, assessing how easy it would be to get them moving...

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 10):

Walker gets up and assists Linus.

"Ow.  This getting old and shot up is worse than just getting old."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:57, Sun 30 Dec 2012.

Ken nods in agreement.  "I'd agree that the government is likely only marginally better than a group of out and out pirates.  Regardless, let's get everyone ready to move.  Talia, can you get the wounded prepared to move if possible?"

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 12):

Neva looked over at Ken.  "So we get out of this building.  Then what?  We need a plan to meet at or something in case we have to split up.  It doesn't work if we all scatter and then get caught again.  So charge them when they open the door?  THen what?"

"Good points Neva.  We need to get to the air rafts.  Otherwise you are right, we'll get nabbed back by one side or another."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 14):

Liisha listened to the incoming mortar rounds, outgoing machinegun fire and rockets going both ways.

"Things are really heating up out there!

"We won't be going anywhere if we eat a mortar round. Can't do anything about a direct hit, but these walls won't do much to stop shrapnel. Let's get everything we can, the beds, the mattresses, shelves, heck even the toilet, kind of make a redoubt, some shelter to hide behind.

"Where do you think should we make it? By the door so we can take the opportunity to get outta here? Closest to the centre of camp, or the edge of the jungle?"

In reply to Liisha Laagir (msg # 15):

Outside the hut, a booming amplified voice could be heard over the roar of helicopter rotors.

"THIS IS THE POLICE! THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS IN THE NAME OF THE RULING COUNCIL AND BE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY! ANY FURTHER RESISTANCE OR ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE WILL BE TREATED WITH THE UTMOST PREJUDICE!" Many of those present recognised the voice, as did Linus and the others.

Kelso looked up where he and the others had taken shelter in their makeshift redoubt and voiced what they all knew. "Damn it. That's our dear friend, Sergeant Boniface. That tears it, anyone captured is going away for a long time, us or Kalamanru's men, both. Boniface and the government don't like competition, especially if this is a rich site."

A few minutes later the firing resumes. As they cowered under the mattresses, there was a tremendous "BANG!". When they came to their senses, a rocket had slammed into the roof and exited the wall near the door without exploding. In the process, the door was left ajar, slightly buckled in its frame.

"Just so... leaving might be the best course of action. Help me see if we can get this door open..."

Linus got up and started tugging at the door.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 17):

Walker followed to assist Linus.

"Best defense?  No be here."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 18):

"Let me see if I can pick this lock", Blake searches for some items that can help in this en devour.

< 13:29, Today: Blake Renfield rolled 6 using 2d6. lock-pick (Jack of all Trades-1). >

Ken nodded to Liisha as the firefight intensified. "Best near the door I think so we can get away quickly." He frowned at the announcement that the government was present. "I've no desire to rot in prison here. Let's get the hell out of here and to hell with both sides of this battle."

As the missile rushes through he glances at the door. "It's ajar Blake.  Let's just bust it the rest of the way down.  Help me with bed frames and we can make a battering ram."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 20):

Neva shook her head.  "Blake you keep watch and help guard.  I'll help Ken.  I say that I've probably tied bed frame together more than he has."

She didn't stop to realize how that might have sounded but, of course, she was referring to when she was on the streets.  Bed frames were a standard and you used them both defensively and offensively.  She went over to Ken and started to help Ken work on the frames.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 19):

Ken and Neva's work probably saved a few lives, or at least serious injury when the rocket slammed through the thin structure.

After, Blake tried but was unable to pick the door, the blast might have jammed the mechanism. Instead, he and Ken simply broke the Goddamn thing down.

"We're ready!" Lorain and Talia had gotten everyone ready to move, including the wounded on makeshift stretchers.

It was night and of course raining when they made it outside. The overcast sky was lit from beneath by the glow of red parachute flares slowly drifting down, while helicopters droned overhead.

The "jail" was on one side of the compound. The air/rafts were parked in the middle, close to the main offices and armoury of the illegal operation. There seemed to be a fair degree of incoming fire to that area, both indirect from mortars and close air support from helicopter gunships. From around the perimeter heavy machineguns hammered away, firing into the jungle or sending streams of green tracers up into the night.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:29, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

What if any activity is there between the shed we were in and the jungle outside the camp? That might be a good way to go... while it would be nice to pinch an air/raft there's a darn sight too much activity around there! No point nicking one just to get shot down.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 23):

The perimeter of the square camp was a double ring of chain-link fencing topped with coils of razor wire. This would be standard for a secured installation, a road wound between the fencing where patrols would move down the line, checking for breaches or intrusions. The four MG positions were on 1-story towers at each corner of the camp, giving them a good line of fire over the fence and into the 100m cleared space separating the fence line from the jungle. It was unclear if the fence was electrified or the cleared area was mined.

To the military personnel (Liisha and Ken, and to a degree Linus, Blake and even Neva( this arrangement seemed more typical of a prison camp or secure installation than a military combat base. A military base wouldn't have fencing or MG towers. The MGs would be in bunkers close to the ground and there would be rolls of barbed/razor wire surrounding them instead. This arrangement struck them as more protection against jungle wildlife (ground or air) or thieves sneaking in.

They were relatively near the rear gate (there was also a front gate). There was a guard shack and bunker there, and several personnel were returning fire to the jungle in that sector. The fences close to the MG towers and guard bunkers at the gates had holes blown in them from incoming rocket and mortar fire.


[]  = Building
H   = A/R pad/hangar
[s] = Shed
^   = MG tower
*   = Guard shack/bunker
=   = Double gate
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:52, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

Ken laughed at Neva as the two of them worked to build a shelter.  It paid off as the rocket hurled through the shed and they were all tumbled together.  He climbed up and helped batter the door in, fanning out once outside to evaluate the situation.

"This is quite an operation by the government.  This is planetary army stuff not just police."  He looked about, evaluating the situation.  "The government is out in those woods.  On foot they'd catch us and even if we got away we'd not last a day or two on without vehicles or supplies.  We need to brave the fire and make the air rafts.  the armory is nearby and we might be able to pinch a few weapons."

Ken checks to see that Lorain and Tali are ready with the wounded.  "Good show Lorain, Talia.  Keep the wounded in the center while we move quickly.  I hope the confusion and the lack of obvious weapons makes us look non threatening."

"This place is more of a prison than a military post.  The fences and towers are built to keep varmits and such out but not to repel a serious military force.  These people are free lances for sure." He starts to head toward the air rafts, keeping in the cover of buildings and shadows.  "Follow me.  We'll approach quietly and stay in the shadows."

Linus wasn't certain but decided that Ken probably knew more about small group actions than he did, so followed along.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 26):

Walker stuck with the group.

"We need our packs.  Guns are good, but the packs are more important.  I've eaten raw monkey before, I'd prefer not to, and we need to be able to eat, as much as we need to shoot things.  I have some survival gear in my pack."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:34, Sun 13 Jan 2013.

Ken nodded to Thomas.  "Perhaps our vehicles are staged around or in the hangar as well as the air rafts.  Our gear might still be in the hover craft."

From where they were, it sounded like the centre of the camp was getting pounded pretty good. There was someone there that was returning fire using a heavy machinetun. A circling helo was hit by its green tracers and started to spin around, trailing fire and smoke as it spun into the jungle.

To get to the A/R pad and inner buildings, they'd have to traverse a cleared belt around a manned "inner perimeter" consisting of bunkers connected by a trench line (but no wire).

Looking at the situation, Lorain commented, "we have wounded. So the plan is to fight our way in there, grab our packs and an air/raft, then be away?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 05:31, Wed 16 Jan 2013.

Ken regarded the inner perimeter.  "Damn, bunkers and a trench line all manned it seems.  Even if we had weapons we'd not stand a chance in hell of making an assault across a cleared zone likely covered by machine guns." He considered their options.  "The easiest way would be to bluff our way through without fighting and then grab our gear and the air rafts.  We don't look like government types so we might be able to rush the inner perimeter with our wounded as though we are looking for refuge."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 30):

Liisha also regarded the inner area of the compound, more dubiously.

"You want me to have a look by myself? Might be an idea for 1 person to sneak in and get an Air/Raft, then pick folks up here. Otherwise, we gotta dodge all that incoming mail addressed to whom it may concern!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:25, Wed 16 Jan 2013.

Ken shook his head. "The inner defenses are far more intricate than I would have ever expected.  I don't think we have much chance of getting out into the jungle past the two sides fighting nor do we have much chance of staying alive in the jungle even if we manage it.  Unless someone has a better idea I think our best bet is to grab an air raft and get the hell out of here."  He looked to Liisha; "I have some skill in sneaking as well.  We can try our luck with what are in the buildings near us or just have one of us sneak in and try for an air raft.   Actually with the wounded we'll probably need two air rafts."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 32):

Peeking her head around the side of the shed, Lorain didn't like what she saw of the inner perimeter. "Oh man, I really don't like that! It looks like suicide to go in there."