Calling Lorain's name loudly, Linus blundered through the undergrowth after the retreating natives... he's thinking they might have gone off with her, and That Will Not Do!

Ken hears Linus calling for Loraine as he heads off into the brush.  He calls out.  "They're retreating and have Loraine and Liisha.  Talia get out and help Linus; he took a spear in the leg!"  Ken fishes for a flashlight and blade.  "Thomas, Neva, we need to pursue as best we can in the dark."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 160):

Neva swore at Linus as he took off.  "Frak.  Doesn't he idiot know that more than just sentients will be after him if they smell that blood he's leaking from the spear?"

Neva would have to admit that Linus moved pretty good for a man with a spear in his leg if anybody asked and she hoped they wouldn't.  She picked up her weapon and a spare and made sure she was reloaded and extra clips and nodded to Ken as she picked up a light to use.  "I'm ready."

She thought to herself that she hoped it wouldn't become a habit to always turn this into a rescue mission.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Wed 27 Mar 2013.

Ken nodded to Neva.  "I thought the marines were the crazy ones.  The navy are better known for hanging out in bars." Holding his flashlight to the side to make him less of a target but keeping it off for now, he advances forward after Linus and Loraine.

It became obvious that Lorain and Liisha were missing. Rifle in hand, Thomas investigated where they'd been and decided they'd been interrupted during a latrine break, so to speak.

"There are two dead Mirayns here. Just bad luck, even with Liisha for protection there must have been too many."

Noticing that Linus was injured, Thomas performed first aid on him as Blake covered them.

Ken cursed in frustration.  "We need to rescue them damn it.  What do you recommend we do Thomas?  I can plan an assault but you've got the hunting experience.  I'm not excited about tracing them in the dark but I hate to leave them to the mercies of the locals."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 164):

Pointing his flashlight at the jungle floor, Thomas looked around carefully.

"I can track them, no sweat. The rain won't help, but I can track by flashlight if they have prisoners."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 165):

The Mirayn came up behind them, brandishing a revolver in one hand, a machete in the other, and a flashlight in the third. "Most of attackers are still alive, but will bleed out. Will end their misery, yes?"

Ken glanced at Thomas.  "If you can track by flashlight then we should pursue right away." As Stanley approached Ken shook his head.  "Can you interrogate them Stanley and find out why they raided us and where they may be taking our comrades?  Otherwise we have no capability to handle prisoners."

"Yes," said Linus, struggling to his feet. "We must be after them at once. Poor Lorain!"

Thomas finished up with Linus. At this point, he was treating some minor facial lacerations and contusions gained while charging through the jungle. "Huh. Ol' "Hawkeye" here seemed to be able to follow them easy enough, I believe he would have caught up to them if I hadn't hauled him back!"

He picked up his rifle and started checking for the natives' trail. "I think I got it."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 169):

Looking down at the bodies of the felled natives, Stanley looked back to Ken.

"They are all unconscious. Some will bleed to death, maybe one or two will revive. As a warning, I have little medical knowledge.

"They attacked because the tribes this deep in the Outback are primitive, violent. I heard stories these feral tribes practice sacrifice. To whom, I cannot say."

He tried for a few minutes to revive the dying natives. Two of them groaned, and they needed to be held down as they struggled. "Is no bloody use. I am sure they understand, but will not talk to me." Stanley readied his machete but still, they refused to answer.

Ken shook his head at the necessity of it.  "Finish them off then Stanley, they will only try to kill us if we survive." As the native ally explains the situation in the outback Ken frowned.  "Sacrifice huh?  Most likely that is why they took prisoners.  Damn!  We need to catch them before they do something crazy."  He looks about.  "Pack food, supplies and ammo.  We may end up a ways from the hovercraft."

While Linus is tended to, Ken grabs a rifle, pistol and ammo as well as a pack with food, water and survival gear.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 171):

Walker shrugs.  He says nothing and picks up a survival pack and all the ammo for his rifle.

When he's ready, he stands ready to leave.

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 172):

Not wanting to waste time and distasteful of slaughtering the tribals with a machete, Stanley drew his revolver.

There were six loud cracks as he shot the wounded Mirays where they lay.  He ejected the spent shells and reloaded it with fresh cartridges.

"It's done. Yes, let's go."

When the group is ready, Ken heads out with Thomas to track the kidnappers.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 174):

Neva had been waiting for the guys to finish and get started and she too followed Thomas, her weapons at the ready.

As she was caring for Juan and Ross, it took Talia a few minutes to show up. She looked at the bodies of the dead natives without comment.

"Excuse me for saying, we have wounded that can't move on their own right now. Do you want us to wait here at the hovercraft? Or try and carry them along with us? Build some rafts and meet you further up the lakeshore towards the island? And who's going?"

In reply to Dr. Talia McKenzie (msg # 176):

"Speaking for myself, I would just slow down the rescue party. I'll stay here and help build rafts. Our new friend, Jaxxon, seems to have some skill with that."

In reply to Professor Jothan Messandi (msg # 177):

Jaxxon nodded. "Yeah, I'll be happy to do that. Or else come with you to help rescue Liisha and Lorain."

Ken considers; "Talia, stay with the wounded and let's get rafts built.  Jaxxon, can you stay and help with the rafts and guarding against attack?"

"Come on, come on... they're getting away!" said Linus, impatient to be off after Lorain.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 180):

Walker nodded, and took the lead, following the trail left by the others.

Ken shrugged and followed Thomas as he let the hunter lead the party along the trail.  Using his skill in small unit tactics he remained alert as best he could in the dark and rain.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 182):

Neva allowed herself a small smile as the two guys started out.  They were different and yet the same and it was interesting to watch them.  She took up her position as followed, keeping an eye out for any attackers.