"The hovercraft was doing its best to sink when I moored it and hauled it halfway onto shore... if we untie it and push it back in it will probably sink on its own," said Linus.

"Or we could give it a hand, I suppose."

Ken nodding as he remembered. "Good point Linus.  We could cut holes in the hull to help."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 26):

Walker quietly throws a monkeywrench in the plans to sink the hovercraft.

"Stanley, are you planning on living on this planet when we get a shot at going to safety?  I'm sure the thing was insured, but you're the one who's going to have your livelihood shot in the head if we bail on the contract."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 27):

Stanley explained, "trust me, it wasn't much of a livelihood, anyways! My interests are looked after, here. I sold my cart to a friend when we left as I knew we were going to be gone for months and so there was no need to let it rust without someone making use of it! If and when I return I have the right of first refusal to buy it back. We take care of each other here, no one else will."

The wreck was firmly on the bottom of the lake, but with a great deal of pushing, levering and the pulleys sunk into the lake mud (that is, poles were set further out and then lines run out to them and out to the hovercraft to pull the wreck out) the hulk was freed and then slowly moved off into the water. Floats (logs and plastic containers) were improvised and let the hulk float enough to move it further out in the lake, once it was free of the bottom.

Puncturing the final flotation chambers and releasing the exterior floats, the wreck sunk to the bottom in a rush of air. The water was murky enough that almost as soon as it was under the water it was out of sight.

Blake looked around at the grey clouds. It was definitely daylight, now. They were essentially trapped against the shore of the lake, swampy jungle in front and water behind.

"Well, I guess we should get to making a wall. We know the tribals know exactly where we are. So let's expect a rush by dozens, maybe hundreds of them. Or more. How much ammo we got?"

Ken glanced about at the scenery.  "I'd rather risk being spotted on the lake than doing a heroic but futile last stand here with our backs to the water.  Let's get the hell out of here then and at least move down where we can break contact with them before we start the real journey to the island."  He considered.  "If we humans stay under cover could just Stanley be visible and convince any fliers that it's just a native fisherman or such out on the lake?"

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 31):

There were 2 rafts, and 14 beings (Ken, Neva, Linus, Thomas, Blake, Lorain, Talia, Jothan, Stanley, Jaxxon, Fatima, Hal. Ross and Juan were both wounded.) Stanley rubbed his chin.

"I guess we could fake something, like covered cargo, maybe tied-up bundles of leaves and foliage, for people to hide under. They might wonder why 1 "gog" is poling such a load. But it's better than nothing."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Mon 20 May 2013.

In reply to Stanley (msg # 32):

While the others worked on the rafts, Lorain and Talia wrapped up Liisha's body in a 3 Mylar survival blankets, then sealed the burial shroud up with epoxy.

Neva found that Jaxxon appreciated the help, and was more than glad to show her the ropes (literally). On his homeworld of Fomor, a waterworld in the nearby Domain of Alntzar (which he left years ago to look for work) he'd been a maritime sailor. Even though he was a medic he'd picked up some ropecraft and basic sailing skill.

"Thanks, Neva. It looks like you're picking this up really well!"

Ken glanced again at the jungle.  "Let's work out the subterfuge with the rafts then and get the hell out of here.  I don't want to get swarmed by the hostiles."

Thanks Jaxxon.  I've done some knots before and stuff but nothing that would involve anything like this.  I'm glad to learn something new."

Neva smiled as she got the boost to her abilities.

Within the hour, they were ready to cast off. Deep in the jungle, drums began echoing back and forth. With a feeling of dread and it being not a moment too soon, they cast off into the lake, ready to take cover beneath concealing bundles of leafy branches tied off with vines.

They passed by the watery grave of the GEV. It lay in about 8m of dark lake water, just barely visible only when they were practically on top of it but otherwise lost in the murk.

Poling along for several hours, they travelled over a dozen kilometers along the swampy shoreline. With at least a few minutes warning, they could easily slip in amongst the giant vine-festooned trees that grew out of the water at the lake's edge and be out of sight in the undergrowth. There was no sound of patrolling aircraft, but some time in the afternoon Neva spotted something on the horizon. Possibly a canoe behind them, slowly gaining.

[Assuming Neva points out the canoe]

Ken looks back.  "Damn, who would be following us.  It's not going to be the government or the raiders.  It's a native or some explorer.  Let's keep going and maintain a watch on the canoe.  Keep your rifles ready guys."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 38):

<yes Neva would have pointed it out>

Jaxxon can you guys steer so that we can shoot? I can't see who it is but I doubt they will be friendly."

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 39):

"Relax, he's a long distance away.  Put more hands on the paddles, and one of us can check to see if they're catching up.  They get close enough and appear hostile, then we can see if they can outrun a bullet."

With that, he helped move the raft.

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 40):

In a short time the other vessel broke off, or maybe wasn't really headed in their direction in the first place. For whatever reason it disappeared from sight, leaving them to pole along the shallows of the lakeshore in the ever-present drizzle, warm though it was.

There was no pursuit for the rest of the day, and it seemed they had thrown off even the tribals by doing something unexpected. That night they tied off on a grove of massive trees that were isolated offshore, roots sunk deep into the water and bottom mud like wooden oil rig platforms. An entire ecosystem lived in the upper branches far above their heads, birds, insects, 6-limbed lizards and mammals.

Ken soldiered on as they made their way along the lakeshore.  As the rowed he turned to Jaxxon.  "So what can we expect at the landing site?  Is it built up and do they have a lot of security?"

He turned to the others in general.  "Can we operate a ship to get out of here and into Jump?  We might need to grab ship's crew as well."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Fri 24 May 2013.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 42):

"I'm a qualified pilot. As long as it's nothing larger than 400-600 tons, we should make it. I've done the other necessary jobs: navigation, engineering."

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 43):

"I was also given some engineering training, even if all I saw was the ocean on my World. Our maritime force ships sometimes used anti-grav and fusion power. I have training in starship drives but no experience."

Ken nods. "It sounds like we can manage then."  He turns to Jaxxon.  "What can you tell us about the landing area?  We need to know as much as possible to help set our ambush.  What forces can we expect to face?"

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 45):

He thought about it for a few seconds, trying to remember. "Ok. The island is forested. The LZ is a shore clearing on the south side, between the water and the high ground in the middle of the island. On the north side is about a dozen prefab huts. We cleared the LZ of stumps and boulders."

While the rafts were tied up, bobbing, among the trees, Stanley scaled up one of the massive trunks to keep watch.

He called out, "I have bad news. There are 2 canoes coming this way. From the direction of the hill of the tomb. It's hard to tell... look likes war canoes to me."

In reply to Stanley (msg # 47):

"How many warriors do they typically put in a war canoe?"

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 48):

"Ten. They put ten in, usually."