too long to build a raft, also an obvious target.  Float across on logs, they will take us downstream, giving us some distance.  Still daylight, we can easy reassemble. Let the logs continue downstream afterwards.

Ken nodded in agreement with Blake.  "Exactly, we each lash ourselves loosely to a log and paddle across.  If we keep low with just our heads sticking up we'll look just like floating debris."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 393):

Walker looked doubtful. "I think with this water, you're gonna have real problems with hypothermia. To paddle the logs you gotta be above water, not under it. Plus we are only about a couple kilometers upriver from the bridge connecting the main HQ with the city and the rest of the camps. We take too long we're going to be in trouble. Plus, if we are not going together on one raft then we're going to get split up."

"Can we pass for hikers?" wondered Linus.

"Then we could just stroll across the bridge chattering about the wonderful walk we've had, the wildlife we've seen and what we're going to have for dinner."

"If we are going to swim across, we would be better off with a bag of air, but could we swim all that way without dying from the cold?" said Ollie looking dubiously at the water.

Lorrain shook her head.

"This planet isn't colonised. There are no tourists allowed here. And the Hegemony seems to be shooting people and researchers from the Free Suns on sight.

"We might pass as Hegemony soldiers or personnel if we had uniforms. Or we stole a truck somewhere!"

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 396):

"A bag of air? As a float? Yes, that would help if we were swimming.

"The cold will be a problem, both in the water and then afterwards. We will be suffering from hypothermia by the time we get out, most likely.

"There is a question of gear. We won't be able to swim across with extra weight. Even with logs or whatnot, it's still going to be too heavy. We'll need to leave most of it. Sink it or cache it."

He looked at their packs, and Lorrain's computer gear.

"Is that going to survive getting wet?"

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 398):

A realisation dawned on her. "What? My portable field analysis system? No, I don't think it will. We could try and seal it. But It's heavy, how would we float it across? At that point we may as well get a raft.

"To be clear, guys, if we don't save this gear and the recovered Sky Raider computer hard drive, this whole exercise was pointless. Without the information I've collected to analyse back at the Institute, we will have no idea about the origins of the Sky Raiders. This will all be for naught!"

In reply to Prof. Lorain Messandi (msg # 399):

Just then, they could hear the thumping of a helicopter in the distance. Somewhere behind them, to the southeast.

Ken shoulders his gear and starts heading upstream.  "The water is too cold and the river too wide to make it across.  Let's head upstream, away from the enemy encampments to find a ford unless there are any better ideas."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 401):

"Water and computers don't mix well either.  We had best move forward to see if there is something we can do.  Hear that?  That helicopter is coming in for somebody or searching for somebody and somehow I doubt they want to give us a safe ride out of here."

Ken glanced back toward the noise.  "They must figure we've made a break for us.  Let's hope they took the bait on the false message."

Blake has JoT and that dirt-sider's navigational wonder - an inertial locator ...

Hmmm, maybe I can set this to vibrate when we're 2 klicks from the old bridge ...

Ken nods;  "We can use all the help we can get."  He continues to head up river.

The started through the brush and grasses that lined the river.

The sound of the helicopter continued getting louder. It sounded like it was to the south, maybe flying along the river.

Any l;arge boulders we can hide behind ??  Probably just a quick visual sweep.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 407):

The group was walking through a sward of tall grass about 20m wide. Forest on one side, muddy river bank on the other.

OOC: Everyone trying to make a run for the treeline throw 8+ to succeed. Add each +1 for DEX and END 9+, -1 for DEX or END 5-. There is no player die roll thread, so make a player post detailing your action and what you do now.

Blake turns to run and trips/falls ...

19:50, Today: Blake Renfield rolled 4 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 2,1.  Blake - run for cover.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 409):

Neva started to run around the same time as Blake did but she didn't notice he had fallen.  She had her eyes on her target so she had run straight to it.


20:52, Today: Neva Alexovna Morozova rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,6.  Neva run to safety - will she make it?

Ken starts to run for the trees and then stops when he sees Blake fall.  He swerves and goes over to help him up.


20:57, Today: Ken Jenkins rolled 9 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,5.  Flee.

Thanks captain, lets move it.

Ken grunted in the affirmative and sprinted toward the tree line.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 413):

It looked like everyone was going to make it. Then Blake stumbled on a driftwood branch hidden in the grass and fell hard. Ken slowed to help him as the sound of the approaching helo got louder and louder. It still wasn't in sight but it was a matter of moments.

Linus, Neva, Thomas, Lorrain all made the safety of the treeline. Ollie was still out in the open but looked like he was going to make it.

Blake had a choice: get up and keep running, or try and find a place to hide like a dip in the grass or one of the many sun-bleached fallen tree trunks deposited on the riverbank during spring flooding. Ken could try and make the treeline, or help Blake up.

OOC: If Ken stops to help Blake up he must throw 8+, no bonus due to STR 6. If successful, He and Blake may re-roll their running check but at +2 (throw 6+) If Ken leaves Blake he still must make another roll but at +3 (throw 5+). If hiding I'll think of something!

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:25, Sun 27 Mar 2016.

Linus will go to help Blake.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 415):

Seeing Linus make cover, buyt turn to go back, Thomas made a grab for him. He caught Linus' coat, forcing him to stop, at least temporarily.

"What are you doing? They're coming, you'll only get seen yourself!"