In reply to Stanley (msg # 49):

Checks the number of bullets he has.

"How far out do you want them to get the message to go away?"

Ken swivels to look at the canoes. "Damn, do you think they saw us?  We are hidden in the bushes.  Best to snipe them Thomas once we are sure they are on to us."  He readies his guns as they watch the approaching canoes.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 51):

Neva looked over at Thomas.  "Had to jinx it didn't you with your comment about they are a long way away."  She smiled when she said it and shook her head.  It was par for the course.

"Instead of sniping, how much damage can you do to their canoes?  Sniping gets one or two, canoes will get more.M"

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 52):

"Depends on what they're made of.  I'd probably have to hit the keel, and that's small.  If there's not enough material, I can't have cavitation help me blow bloody great holes in the hull."

"If we had a grenade launcher we could really finish them off.  As it is the rifle should let us pick them off from a distance.  The shooting on a moving platform will be tricky though."

The rafts were relatively stable platforms and should not affect anyone's aim in a fight. But this also meant they were about twice as slow as canoes when it came to travelling on the water.

Their lines of fire were relatively good as well, at least if they moved the rafts around the tree trunks first. This was because they were moored to a huge tree in a grove of about a dozen standing offshore, with their roots reaching down through the water to the lake bottom. There was no ground to speak of, and therefore no underbrush. In order to get a better view, Stanley had managed to climb up 10m or so to where a couple branches sprouted from the trunk.

"Thomas, could you climb the tree and snipe with better effect?"  As eh spoke, Ken prepared his shotgun as well as arranged the screens they had rigged as camouflage into cover from spears.

In reply to Stanley (msg # 55):

"Let me take a look.  At the very least, I can pick out targets easier."

He looks to see how Stanley got up the tree, and where he could pick out a stable place to shoot from.

Neva settled into place and got her weapon ready to fire if need be.  SHe had learned her lesson before about climbing.  Let Thomas do it.  She was sure she'd just fall again.

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 57):

"I have a line, it should be easy to help you up."

Stanley tied off his nylon rope to the branch, then let it down for Thomas to climb. He hauled on the line with two arms while using the other two to keep himself steady.

"Up we go!"

With some effort, Thomas was helped up to the massive lateral branch. From there, he could get set up in a braced shooting position. It was cramped but could hold both of them easily enough.

Across the dark lake water he could see the two canoes approaching. It seemed clear they had spotted their prey, as a priest in the bow of the forward one gestured and urged both craft onwards. They picked up the pace.

Down below, it was clear the bundles would provide concealment but simply were too loose to deflect or catch thrown spears. Jaxxon readied his SMG, Blake his carbine.

As it was, both rafts were in partial view of the approaching war canoes.

Ken takes cover either behind a tree trunk if possible or at least concealed behind the screens if he must.  He readies his shotgun.  "They've seen us Thomas, open fire on them when you have the range and the shot." Ken waits until he is in range to fire.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 61):

Thomas takes careful aim at the priest.

Aiming a revolver in a shaking hand, Jothan suddenly, groaned and collapsed to his knees.

"Blast! I can't focus anymore... it's been too long since my last treatment."

In reply to Professor Jothan Messandi (msg # 63):

"Let's get you over here, shall we?"

Talia dragged him over to where Ross and Juan were resting. (They were conscious and responsive but unable to physically exert themselves due to their wounds.) She began treatment, trying to determine how serious the brain worm infestation had become.

They waited nervously as the canoes drew closer.

Up in the tree, Thomas took careful aim. Beside him, Stanley followed suit with this shotgun. Below, on the raft, Ken readied his shotgun, while Jaxxon aimed his SMG and Neva rested the bipod of her auto-rifle on the rough-hewn log surface of the raft. Blake aimed his carbine, while Fatima took the other carbine. Hal took Jothan's dropped revolver (having some skill) and along with Lorain joined the "firing line".

OOC: I don't know what Linus is armed with, I assume the last shotgun?

Up in the tree, Thomas braced himself and fired at the lead canoe. It was almost impossible to pick out his target at such long range but he figured that the priest would at least be in the front of the lead war canoe.

It was a long shot, 500m, at the far end of effective range for the weapon. Down on the rafts, Jaxxon fired a burst from his SMG, walking the rounds onto the lead canoe as well. It looked like they maybe got a hit as the lead canoe lost steam and the paddlers' rhythm collapsed in momentary confusion.

Neva waited until the canoes came in a little closer and figured she'd be backup.  Usually the firing really started after the first shots were fired.  She kept her eyes on her target and waited for them to get a little closer.

Ken glanced over at Neva and Lorain and gave them a thumbs up.  He waited for the range to close before firing his shotgun.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 68):

Using his keen eyesight, Stanley was able to see a little better what was going on and act as spotter for Thomas.

"Hit! I think you got the priest!"

Thomas kept taking long-range potshots, as did Blake. At a half-klick, it was hard for those on the rafts to make out the effect of the firing. Stanley confirmed they were having some effect. A couple of the tribals in the lead canoe were already down, including the priest.

Ken regarded the scene with professional interest.  "Good shooting guys, keep it up and we'll at least whittle them down."  He turned to Neva.  "You're in range down Neva, cut loose carefully."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 71):

"I need to count ammo a second."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 72):

Checking his magazine, Thomas saw he was down 4 rounds.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 71):

Neva gave a small smile at Ken's words of cutting lose carefully.  It sounded like a contradiction and perhaps it was.  She was ready to fire since she had been aiming now for a bit.  Now she took that breath to calm her nerves and did what she used to know how to do very well.  She took her shot.