Using their mobility, the group exploited the hole in the mercenaries' perimeter created by the suppressive fire.

Landing, they quickly captured or killed the small number of mercs on that side. Quickly, under Ken's leadership they put pressure on the other mercs, who now risked their flanks being rolled up. The assault was so sudden that they took no casualties of their own.

The remaining dozen surviving mercs disengaged in relatively good order, leaving behind 8 dead and wounded. The mercs withdrew to a heavily-wooded area about 500m distant. That patch of woods was the base of the large ropy 2m-diameter columns that stretched for at least a kilometer or more into the dimly-lit sky. This one stretched toward one of the other "faces" of the ag chamber.

With the mercs surrounding them gone, at least temporarily, the group pinned down in the elevator building were able to make contact and verify they were free. This allowed them to start getting organised to travel to the entrance tunnel that led to the hidden docking bay.

Now the choice was to either assist the main expedition group or pursue the mercs. Once they reorganised in a few minutes, and were possibly reinforced, they could counter-attack. And this time to kill or overrun them, not just hold a blocking perimeter.

Ken congratulates the assault and covering fire groups. "Well done everyone! The Marines I commanded could not have done a better job." He considers the situation and turns to the entire group. "Let's leave the wounded here at least stabilized while the main party makes all haste to get out of here. The combat group will set up as though we are going to launch another assault. Let's get the firebase set up over there and make a lot of noise and movement off to the flank as though we are going to assault. We will keep their heads down with the machine gun until the last minute, fire smoke and then the last few people will flee using grav belts. Does that sound reasonable?"

"Sounds good, you think we can bluff them long enough to get out of here?"

Shukhunaar nods his head. He doesn't know what "Fire smoke" means, because the shotguns and other weapons make much less smoke than his old gun, but obviously there must be some technique to create smoke with all the guns available.

"Sounds good. I'll handle the diversion if you like," said Linus. He might not be the greatest fighter but he was good at pretending...

"That sounds good Linus. Make like you are preparing of flanking assault with whoever you need to help while I man a firebase with the machine gun to keep their heads down. We don't need to force them out but just think about their own safety instead of countering attack."
This message was last updated by the player at 21:15, Sat 23 Mar.

Now the way was clear, the main expedition group mounted up on their grav-sleds to take them to the ship. It was prepped and ready for lift-off, and fully fueled for a Jump when it was free of the asteroid.

They again formed two groups. This time to move up on the mercs' hiding place and provide flanking fire. This would hopefully pin down the enemy until the expedition main force get away. The mercs were hiding in a patch of dark forest. This forest also was the base for one of the massive 2m thick grey fibrous stalks/columns that stretched for kilometers up into the fake sky.

Suddenly, they heard shouts from inside the forest, then panicked wild-seeming gunfire that grew in volume. It was like the mercs were shooting at something in the woods with them! But Ken and those with him knew it wasn't them, so who could be in there with them?

Ken looked at Shukhunaar as the confusion broke out amongst the mercenaries. "You know of anything native that could be attacking the mercenaries over there?"

"We rarely transit this one. When we do, we avoid the forests and the... I think we call them beanstalks? We avoid them as they are haunted. Don't ask me what by, I'm too young to remember the last crossing." Shukhunaar explains what he can into the translating device.

 "I suggest we take this time to get out of here too since they're a bit busy. Ken?"

Ken nods to both Angus and Shukhunaar. "Well, as long as the ghosts keep our foes busy I agree with Angus. Let's get the hell out of here. I will stay for a bit with the machine gun and make sure no one follows us."

The sounds of shooting and confusion continued from the wooded area. There was a crack of a grenade going off, and a small cloud of dust and debris like leaves and branches puffed out above the trees. More horrifyingly, the grey fibrous stalk began to sway and pulse a little, as if something inside was moving down it. The shooting and yelling began to die down. It looked like a couple of the mercs made it out. Either they had dropped their weapons in order to flee faster or were in no mood for a fight, they did not stop to regroup or fire at the members of the fire group, but instead kept running in separate directions.

One merc did seem to be running in their direction.

If he is not carrying a weapon any more, "We're leaving, or would you prefer to stay here?" he asked as they kept going.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 833):

The man, dressed in cloth armour, stopped. He dropped the rifle he was carrying and raised his hands. "Hell, just get me out of here! It's... holy shit, I never seen anything like that before!"

"Let's go then, quick! We want off this rock asap!" Angus tells him as he begins to move again!

Without another word the man mounted up on one of the grav sleds. "Okay, let's hit it."

Both groups RV'd at the entrance to the tunnel leading to the docking bay. They still had Gildinkur prisoner, although he had regained consciousness. He remained bound and gagged. The other surviving merc's hands were bound behind his back, and he provided no resistance.

It was some kind of old abandoned palace complex, partially overrun with foliage. Ominously, one of the beanstalks seemed to be rooted in a patch of woods in a courtyard of the palace complex.

The choice was to either all go now to the docking bay, or leave an armed party behind to delay any pursuit until they have a chance to leave.

"I think we all need to go now. Back there, they are either fighting for their lives, or they have been routed by plants like that in front of the palace. My guess is we should avoid that area like the plague! Go around giving it plenty of clearance. We going to keep going on these? Be a hell of a lot faster."

"The plants are definitely too dangerous. I will follow you to your ships." Shukhunaar doesn't appear to know a huge amount about the plants, but is clearly wanting to avoid them.

Ken nodded to Angus. "I agree that the mercenaries seem to be broken up for now." He looked at their captive. "Speak the truth unless you want to feed the plant. Are there any more reinforcements on the way?"

They were now at the entrance to the complex where the tunnel to the hidden docking bay was located.

Using the grav sleds and grav belts they were able to land in the central courtyard. There a large open valve (powered hatch) led to a 50mm tunnel. At the far end was a docking area with silo-like berths. Inside one ready for departure was Angus' Seeker. In another was an ancient Sky Raider scout craft. The expedition members got reorganised at the entrance, which was wide enough to easily admit the grav sleds and members wearing grav

It looked like a separate "beanstalk" was anchored to a patch of forest on one side of the complex. From where they were in the middle courtyard at the tunnel entrance they could not see the base. But the stalk started swaying now, like the one anchored where the woods the mercs had been hiding in.

They could see the fibrous stalk start to ripple and vibrate. Vague shapes moved under the surface. What, it was impossible to tell!

Then, noises started coming from the side of the complex where the stalk was anchored. Skittering, chittering noises...

"Let's get through there quick before it attacks us! It's is getting ready." Angus tells the others.

In the central courtyard, the expedition quickly got organised to transit through the wide tunnel from the abandoned "palace" to the docking bay where the ship waited. With growing concern about the threatening noises surrounding them the grav sleds towing the platforms loaded with gear and samples started off down the ramp to the open portal. The ramp was about 40m long and 5m deep at the portal.

Scuttling and chittering noises filled the halls and rooms around them getting louder and louder. Suddenly, waves of black insect-like forms about 1m across with wicked knife-like mandibles and waving sharp pointed antennae burst out of all four courtyard entrances, heading straight for the ramp and the portal!

                 | x|
       __________|x |_________
      |oOO  x             o   |
      |oo              oo     |
  ____|       ---------       |__
  x x  x ramp down-> X 0       x
  ____x x     ---------      Oo__
      |   O                OO |
      |_o________    ___oooOOO|
                 |x  |
                 | xx|

0  = Portal (a giant open circular valve not unlike a Fallout Vault entrance)
Oo = Trees/Shrubbery
X  = Expedition going through the portal.
x  = Bugs, Mr. Rico!
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:13, Sat 20 Apr.

Ken snarled in anger as they were attacked. He immediately threw a high explosive grenade behind into the nearest group directly behind them. "Someone throw the other grenade behind as well to slow them down. Get the shotguns going and give me the powerpack from the laser carbine. We can set that as an explosive behind us." He will run over to get started on setting up the IED.

Angus starts filling the air with shot from his shotgun, shooting at the 'bugs'.




05:22, Today: Angus McStubbin rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,4,2.  to hit. – 12

05:22, Today: Angus McStubbin rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,1.  damage. – 4

05:22, Today: Angus McStubbin rolled 8 using 2d6-2 with rolls of 6,4.  to hit. – 8

05:22, Today: Angus McStubbin rolled 0 using 2d6-2 with rolls of 1,1.  to hit. – 0
This message was last edited by the player at 09:23, Sun 21 Apr.

Shukhunaar starts filling the sky with lead.

[OOC: 20:43, Today: Shukhunaar rolled 6 using 2d6+1 ((1,4))]