<quote StarMaster>
Travis has been aiming at the Varana he took to be the leader, but his short burst misses.

05:21, Sat 19 July 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Travis Fox, rolled 10 using 1d20+2 ((8)) to hit.

Fox corrects his aim and fires again

Ru'tan leaps out from his cover and runs a few short steps towards the enemy before taking a stand and firing his staff weapon again.

Once Travis opened fire on the Varana, Jason started shooting at his own targets. Although it would be rather obvious where the fire was coming from, these Varana may not have ever encountered Tau'ri weapons... or even an equivalent, so a bit of confusion might ensue.

He saw that Travis was targeting the leader, and then Ru'tan charged out into plain sight. Jason understood why he did that, but it meant he was going to be the target of all the Varana.

In order to draw off some of that fire, Jason moved off to the right while he fired, attempting to circle around to the Varana's flank.

Travis's second effort hit the leader. It staggered him for a moment, but he did not go down.


Jason's effort at least partially worked, as those Varana on the right flank turned their attention to him. However, it also brought the attention of the Varana further back--the ones carrying the cages. They were somewhat distracted by the fire coming from multiple directions. Clearly, none of them yet understand what was happening.


If these Varana-Jaffa ran true to form, none of them would be particularly capable of thinking for themselves. That was what the Prime was for. Because these were some sort of lizard-man, rather than human, it was hard to say what their reaction would be. Jaffa were condition to keep attacking until victory was achieved. The reality, though, was that unless they were an elite unit, they'd probably panic and retreat when enough of them went down.

That was Ru'tan's thinking. He was pretty sure this was not an elite unit... mainly because they were carrying cages. However, there were still too many unknowns to say that for certain.

He might not consider himself an elite warrior--yet, but he still tended to resort to standard Jaffa practice... just stand up and shoot!

He was able to hit two of them, and was satisfied to see them fall to the ground. These lizard warriors might have tougher skin, but it still didn't stand up to a staff weapon.


By the confusion among the Varana, it was soon clear that they did not know how to deal with unexpected resistance, probably in a form that they'd never encountered before, and certainly not what they'd been told would be the opposition--otter-folk with sticks and stones.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 61):

Split left Put Single shots into heads aimed using the Weapon sights.
It might not kill them but it sure as hell will make them wonder what is going on. Leader types are first points of take down

When Ru'tan was confident that they had displayed sufficient strength to intimidate these lizard-beings, he planted the butt of his staff weapon on the ground and bellowed out, "Yield!"

Doing so was a huge gamble. Being unfamiliar with these creatures, he didn't know exactly how they'd react, but he hoped that they had at least some sense of self-preservation telling them that they were beaten.

Ru'tan's bold move is still accompanied by Travis and Jason firing at the Varana. For the most part, the Varana aren't sure where the attacks are coming from, though they can usually figure out a directionality. But, as Travis and Jason are hidden, no obvious source of the attacks is visible.

The Varana closest to Ru'tan point their staff weapons at him... but when one of them falls down, the rest suddenly turn and run! It is only the slight sound behind him that causes Ru'tan to turn... and see around a hundred of the otter-folk poised on the edge of the pond, weapons threatening.

The fleeing Varana abandon the cages that some of them were carrying.

A big splash from the pond draws everyone's attention, and Varana are falling out of the upper cave mouth... assisted by more otter-folk. It is uncertain whether these Varana are dead or not, but the otter-folk on the shore quickly dive into the water and dispatch any that are still alive, and then they drag the bodies out of the pond.

T'tirik'ti points at a dead Varana, then points to his mouth, and shakes his head vigorously, then makes a kind of choking sound and gesture.

He and several others now go over and examine the cages.

 Fox to team.
"Commander wants one of the attackers alive and prisoner."
Ru'tan can we make this happen do you think?"

Ru'tan nods and turns to examine the field, looking for any of the lizards on the ground who might be still alive. "I'm sure that can be arranged."

He drops his staff weapon, taking position to start running after the fleeing lizards in case the ones on the ground are past the point of useful.

'
Travis moves to cover Ru'tan and the area aiming also to recover any dropped staff weapons and other weapons as he does so

Ru'tan attempts to catch one of the live lizard-men. "We have some questions for you. Come without struggle and you may leave in better condition that I found you."

None of the Varana on the ground are still alive. The amount of damage it takes to bring one of them down is almost always sufficient to kill them.

While endurance for them is high, mobility isn't, so Ru'tan can chase one of them down. However, it will not surrender--it will fight to the death. However, Ru'tan can eventually knock one of them out.

Once they have ben chased off tidy and police the battle area, I want weapons of any sort, and other equipment carried

Other than the chest harness with the symbol on it, the only equipment they had were their staff weapons and the cages. While it might not have occurred to Travis to stuff the cages, presumably the Varana weren't concerned with over-crowding, so each of the 8 cages could have held 10-12 otter-folk.

Travis is able to recover 6 staff weapons.

Travis uses radio.
"Commander top of area is secure."
"One prisoner obtained by Ru'tan. Instructions?

"Copy, Throw it in one of the cages." Dillon replied over the radio.  "And dial home and report in, we've got an enemy mother ship here, we're gonna need more firepower.  Ideally I'd like a laser designator and a cruise missile strike through the gate."

Acknowledged, Fox collects up 5 of the staff weapons, keeping hold of one for him self for now and places the rest on the search Vehicle, then dials home.
Using the gate and his call home beacon.
Once he has contact he makes his report as instructed adding that a peaceful race is under attack

Hearing his instructions over the radio, Ru'tan muscles his prisoner into one of the cages. He clicks the latch shut and lock it as best he can. After that, he returns to pick up his staff weapon, looking up to the sky to see if there is any sign of attacking gliders.

"If there is a Ha'tak in orbit, we are clearly outmatched. Perhaps we should call in reinforcements as well as a missile." Ru'tan clearly does not trust this single Tau'ri weapon to suffice in dealing with the ship.

 Fox, "already done Ru'tan report sent extra men asked for"

Moving over to Fox, Ru'tan asks, "Can a missile really destroy such a vessel? "

Fox considers
"Depends on what they load it with Ru'tan."
"Also depends on if we catch it with its shields down"
"Simple answer I do not know"

Ru'tan looks over the area around them, casually searching for anymore threats, though he's sure there are none. "Shall we regroup with the others, then?"

In reply to Ru'tan (msg # 79):

Fox "Wait while we get an answer from earth I think".


OOC GM any answer to Fox's message through the gate

"Actually," Jason chimes in, "a nuclear missile won't take out a Ha'tak ship... unless we somehow get it inside. I got the impression the Ha'tak was on the ground, not in space."

"I don't think we have enough data for Hammond to call in that much firepower. It could start an all-out war."

"Thank you, SG-X2, for your report. We'll take it under advisement," General Hammond replies to Travis's report. "However, there is no way we can send enough firepower through the gate to take out a Ha'tak mothership. If one of them is involved, it's time to withdraw."

"I understand that the otter-folk are in danger. If it is possible, take them to an alternate site. Bringing them back here is not advisable."