After waking up and discussing the night's watches, a few of you reported some rat-like creatures and some damage they may have done. You begin looking closely as you pack up to see what the damage was.

RAT CREATURE DAMAGE:
They destroyed 30 survival ration packages.
They did 14 points of damage to the first bivouac unit, apparently chewing it up like it was food. (After 10 points of damage, it will deflate. It is unlikely you will be able to sleep another night in the bivouac tent or get it to inflate properly. You may need to repair or someone may need to sleep in your breathing masks outside the tent.)


9:00 a.m. (25 hours remaining) (0 hours with no rest)
Rations remaining: 65 (each survival ration is for one person for one day)
Bivouac Units: 2 (one is 16/30 SP (structural points) and may not work again, and one is 30/30); 10 kg each




NOTES: Traveling along the streambed increases your speed to 1 hex per hour (as opposed to 2 hours in the forest).

Here's the big map again for reference:

This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

Hammer studies the map for bit and says, "I think if we go along the stream bed and then go on a raft at the river, we may just be able to get to the point where the river goes between the two forests by nightfall. We can then set up camp and get up early to finish the ride in. What do you say?"

Bartja looks over the damaged Bivouac units and remaining equipment, considering Hammer's analysis of their progress and potential progress.  The technician in him is currently mired down in pondering the repairs needed and the loss of time it would take.

"Each of these Bivouacs sleeps four, so I think we leave this damaged one behind for the rats.

I'm also concerned about the battery life of this survey robot.  It's already given us trouble.  It's a tough machine though and I'd hate to not have it at hand if those bald-wolves come back around but I think it has the range to fly ahead and locate the Eleanor Moraes' position.  Maybe tonight, after we make camp?  Then we can decide if we follow the rivers or cut across the plains.  Maybe you've already considered that?  The rivers are sure to be faster if we can keep the rafts in good shape.

On second thought, let's salvage the damaged bivouac unit and use the materials for repairs in the future - the rafts in particular.  This planet is hostile enough that I'm sure we'll need to fix a raft or two before we make it out of here."

His mind settled, Bartja finishes loading Shemp and the survey robot for the days journey.  "This guy needs a name.  How about Traverse?"

Hammer says, "For now, let's follow the streambed and make sure we keep moving. I don't think we will have much of a choice except to follow the river. It's the only way to get us there fast enough. We just have to avoid delays."

He agrees to leave the bivouac unit behind. "I think we only need 6 hours sleep each, so technically we only need about 7 hours of inactivity at night, plus camp set up and take down. If we push it, we just might make it, but delays will kill us right now." He pauses a moment before adding, without a hint of iron that his robot conscience finds hard to muster, "Literally."

"Make the call Bartja!  Unless you think we can use it properly or it's going to be a disadvantage with us getting there, cut it loose.  I'm asking you to make a expert decision on equipment.  Can you make it work?

Orvo can help you with the salvage.  Sarge, security while we break camp please!"
==========================================


"If we can make up some time and get us there that much quicker, I'd rather have some extra time to plan a way to get the Moraes back than a rushed attempt.

If no one has anything else?  Best speed Hammer!"

You break up camp, get everything gathered and follow Bartja's and Hammer's recommendations. The one bivouac unit will be left behind, which means one person will need to use a breather during resting periods rather than a bivouac tent. (Lest you forget, the air here is slightly toxic over time.)

You travel the first hour and here a strange noise of branches breaking to your right. You fear the wolf creatures may  have found you again...or maybe worse. You all spin around, ready for a fight. Birds fly off from the trees above the stream valley floor. Then...nothing. After a few minutes of waiting and watching, you head back down the trail again, with Hammer and Desi still scouting up front.

The second hour, as you are traveling, movement to the side of the stream catches your attention. Those during the watch who saw them recognize the little rat-like creatures. They scurry away into the brush as you approach, leaving their tiny footprints. The stream valley appears to be filled with these creatures, and now you have seen them and their footprints in daylight. You will not forget them if they show up again for your rations or supplies.

After three hours of travel, you feel you have almost conquered this world. Well, not really. About 50 meters ahead of you, 30 creatures are watering at the stream. They appear to be herd creatures, with about twenty of them females or young, and about ten males on the bank watching for predators.

The party catches up to Desi and Hammer scouting ahead, and Hammer performs an analyze ecosystems check. (OOC: I am having him regularly perform these when called for. Anyone else who has the skill can also elect to perform them. I am just automatically doing them for Hammer as the environmentalist to save time.) Hammer watches them and says that they appear to be like deer and will not be aggressive. They should run off into the woods if you just approach straight through or scare them off.

...or you can take a 30 minute detour around them by going up into the woods and around.

12:00 p.m. (22 hours remaining) (3 hours with no rest)
Rations remaining: 65 (each survival ration is for one person for one day)
Bivouac Units: 1 (one is 30/30 SP (structural points); 10 kg each

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:22, Tue 21 Apr 2020.

Hammer says, "Maybe the best thing to do is just make loud noises and scare them away. If they think we are the predator, they should run for the hills. On any other day, I might say you could hunt some venison." He hopes that humor finds a home. He is still experimenting with human humor.

S'Krllk proves he's not much of a hunter as he asks, "do venison have teeth and claws, as well?"

Bartja apraises the herd with the others and chimes in to answer S'Krllk's question;  "Not much to speak of, but they sure taste good!

How are we doing on rations?"

Desiraye smiles at the comments of her companions, "I like fresh meat!  I'm not sick enough on our 'Rats' yet but, it's going to take time to kill and dress for portability.  When it gets that bad, first fresh meat is on me!"

You move to about 30 meters of the herd to follow Hammer's advice to push through. The bulls perk up as you approach. When they see you, you suddenly realize that Hammer was very, very off about this one.

The bulls lower their heads and charge at you...

OOC: Hammer's analyze ecosystems check was almost a crit failure on that one. He can't always be right!

S'Krllk heads for the nearest tree while shooting at the herd with his needler, he seems to be shouting something. "BAD UNIVERSE! BAD UNIVERSE! NO MORE TEETH!"

Hammer sees the error of his ways and is humbled--or maybe humiliated a little--"So sorry, everyone. Take cover and let's see if we can still scare them off!"

Hammer will look for cover such as a boulder by the stream and will fire his laser pistol at the nearest charging bull.

"Scat happens Hammer!  Spread your shots out and try to scatter them best as possible.  If we drop one or two OK, let's not get run the frak over!"

Desiraye finds cover behind a solid rock and fires [3] single shots at the charging animals.

In reply to Hammer (msg # 13):
Orvo waddles over to the nearest cover, adjusts the SEU output lower (3 SEU/Shot) and then fires [2] times at the creatures.

You take cover and begin firing at the charging bulls.



Your shots are mostly terrible, despite the size of the creature. Desi hits the closest bull once, but all the other shots go wild.

But this is enough for the females and young to perk up and begin running for the forest.

The bulls are very aggressive and protective, however. They charge into and around the trees and cover, pounding with their horns to attack.

Bartja successfully takes cover. (He can choose to use the survey robot or attack next round.) Porter dodges an attack, just avoiding the horns.

Desi, Orvo, Hammer and S'krllk are all hit by charging bulls. They are very fast and very strong.  Desi takes 22 damage, Orvo takes 18, Hammer takes 10 and S'krllk takes 18.

One good thing is that the bulls pause a moment after finishing an attack to gauge their enemy, giving you a chance to fire or flee before their next attack. There are 10 of them. Two are attacking each of Desi, Orvo, Hammer and S'krllk, and one each is going after Bartja and Porter.


Herbivore Bulls:
STAMINA:
Desi:
B1: 136/150
B2: 150/150
Orvo
B3: 150/150
B4: 150/150
Hammer
B5: 150/150
B6: 150/150
S'krllk
B7: 150/150
B8: 150/150
Bartja
B9: 150/150
Porter
B10: 150/150

Hammer's analyze ecosystems check continues. He sees that these majestic creatures are large and powerful, and then he looks at his silent laser pistol and realizes something. "We need noise. A frag grenade or something. Anyone have anything like that? We can scare them off."

Having nothing like that himself, Hammer does have a tangler grenade, which he lobs at the two creatures nearest him, hoping to get them both trapped.

"Or we could run out of their territory and they will probably break off and rejoin the herd, but that will cost us precious time!"

Bartja sets the Survey Robot on Attack/Defense Mode and designates one of the bulls as the Target as he dives for cover, pulling around his Gyrojet rifle in preparation for the offensive.

Waiting on Desi, Orvo, and S'krllk...and maybe Porter?

Bartja is setting the survey robot...critical failure...11:21, Today: DM Heath rolled 100 using 1d100.

The survey robot begins to dip and dive and fall. Something has gone horribly wrong...It disappears into the trees above the ravine.

Hammer is pulling out a tangler grenade...

S'Krllk decides to take a chance and shoot the creature before attempting to dodge behind the tree and out of its way. "C'mon, fauna, just take a nap."
"Stupid universe, killing us with walking food."

It must be the stress Bartja thinks as he takes cover from the charging creatures while the Survey Robot spirals out of control.  Returning the robot to automatic control in hopes that the drone will self-recover from his error, Bartja swings the rifle into position on the nearest bull once the initial charge is dodged and fires three gyrojets at it, hoping to dissuade any further aggression from the beast.

Danged if I don't need some training using this thing he considers as he feels the uncomfortable pulsing of the gyrojets leaving the rifle and throwing off his supposed aim.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:04, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 16):
Desiraye reaches down to her vest where she 'Normally' keeps her grenades but, realizes she (i.e. her dummy player running her) doesn't have any!  "FRAK," she yells out in frustration as she shoulders her Gyrojet rifle and fires a burst at the closest cluster hoping to scare them off  with the noise or, wound them enough to move them along.

PUNCHING DAMAGE: 7
CURRENT STA: 51/62

SKILLS:
Beam Weapons: 6 [DEX:30 + 60 = 90%]
Martial Arts: 3 [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Melee Weapons: 2 [STR:32 + 20 = 52%]
Demolitions: 2
Gyrojet Weapons: 4  [DEX:30 + 40 = 70%]
Projectile Weapons: 3  [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Thrown Weapons: 2  [DEX:30 + 20 = 50%]
Technician: 2

[1] Civilian Skeinsuit [26/50]
[1] Albedo Screen [95/100]

[1] Power Backpack  [50/50]
[1] Power Beltpack  [95/100]

[1] War-Tech GAR-10
- [11] 20 round GAR-10 mags  [10/20]
- [1] Bandoleer Sling (holds x10 mags)
- [1] Muzzle Extender
- [1] x3 Magnification scope w. Infrared optics
- [1] Rifle Holster
- [1] Power light  [1.5 kg]

WarTech GAR-10 Gyrojet Assault Rifle (#12 p.49)
Wgt: 5.5kg, Damage: 3d10/8d10,
Ammo: 20 rounds, Rate: 3(1), Defense: Inertia,
Range: -/5/75/150/300
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 16):
Orvo is a little concerned at the strength of the creatures and tries to optimize the best cover he can and continues to fire at them (3 SEU/Shot) and then fires [2] times at the creatures.

CURRENT STAMINA: 51/60
PS/IM: +3/+5
Ranged: 25%
Melee: 30%

Lie Detection 10%
Elasticity

SKILLS:
Skills: PSA: Bio-Social
Psychosocial Lvl 2
Medic: 2
Beam Weapons: 1
- 1/2 Dex (25%) + Lvl= 35
Thrown Weapons: 1
- 1/2 DEX (25%) + Lvl= 35
Martial Arts: 2
- 1/2 STR (30%) + Lvl= 50

DEFENSES:
Albedo Screen: power beltpack 50/50 seu
Military Skeinsuit: 41/50

WEAPONS:
Martial Arts: DMG: 3| ROF: 2|
Laser Pistol x1: DMG: 5d10/seu| RoF: 2| (1 @ crash sight)
Laser Rifle: DMG: 4d10/seu| RoF: 2| power backpack 94/100 seu
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

ROUND 2
Hammer throws a tangler...it is surprisingly effective! Both of the creatures are entangled. They bleat in distress, a discomfiting sound between a crying lamb and screaming woman.

After momentarily forgetting the survey robot, Bartja fires his gyrojet at the approaching creature...two miss but one hits solidly. (46 STA damage)

S'krllk fires and dodges behind a tree...he makes a solid hit. (25 STA damage)

Desi changes her gun to burst and fires, hitting the nearest creature squarely. (56 STA damage)

Orvo fires, but despite the size of the creature and how near it is, he still misses.

Porter fires twice and hits once. (17 dmg)

The beasts, enraged and somewhat hurt, respond:

The one injured by Desi is enraged and slams into her hard. (15 STA dmg) The other one tries to hit her with its horns but misses.

One of them attacking Orvo hits him in his gelatinous shoulder with its horns. (14 STA dmg)

The two attacking S'krllk miss.

The one attacking Bartja slams into him, but not too hard. (8 STA dmg). The one attacking Porter misses.

They are rearing for another attack. The two in tangler threads are bleating in panic but cannot free themselves.

Herbivore Bulls:
STAMINA:
Desi:
B1: 80/150
B2: 150/150
Orvo
B3: 150/150
B4: 150/150
Hammer
B5: 150/150(incapacitated)
B6: 150/150(incapacitated)
S'krllk
B7: 125/150
B8: 150/150
Bartja
B9: 104/150
Porter
B10: 133/150