Teddy following behind Varca, gets hit very hard from behind! He flies forward, spinning, he sees the vole, and fires his gauss rifle at the critter!

13:28, Today: Theodore McFarlane rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  to hit.
13:28, Today: Theodore McFarlane rolled 13 using 4d6 +4.  AP5  damage.
"Medic!"
I have no idea Rob. This part is not my strongpoint.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:41, Tue 23 May 2023.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 37):

     As he's blasting away at what he hopes is the beast that just attacked him, in his helmet Varca is issuing orders,

     "Medical Emergency!" Varca calls out to his Suit, "Activate Medkit.  Treat my injuries.  Do not, I repeat, do not put me under!  Keep me conscious and alert for as long as possible."

     "Acknowledged." his suit responds in his own voice, "Scanning...injuries detected. Implementing injections.  Warning.  Treatments may take several minutes to become effective."

I seem to be math-challenged these days, because no matter how many times I go over the AP rules, I get confused--can't remember what to add or subtract and from what. So I've come up with a work-around--I just add the AP to the damage done to get an 'adjusted' damage and just subtract the armor protection from that.  I'm sure there's a reason that doesn't always work, but it'll do for now.


In the midst of the storm full of driven dust, debris and even the occasional mini-squall of rain, Rejji never saw, never heard the creature as he probably walked right by it. And that helped make the surprise attack so devastating... that, and the fact that it came from an elephant-sized beast.

The slamming claw attack from the rear drove him forward and off to the right; it was all he could do to keep from getting knocked down. He also barely managed to keep from getting impaled on a jagged girder thrusting up from the ground.

All the while his suit was screaming about a breach which wasn't needed as the pain already told him that. As the purple self-sealing fibers-and-foam worked their magic to seal the suit back up, he took care of himself.

"Activate Suit-Doc," he managed to say through gritted teeth.

DAMAGE DELIVERED: 19 + 5 = 24
ARMOR PROTECTION: 24 - 16 = 8
DAMAGE TAKEN: -8 END; END = 6

0:45, Today: Rejji Harrasyn rolled 13 using 2d6+3 ((4,6)). Suit NediKit check.

Oooh, Good Suit-Doc! Effect of 5; END back up to 11.

NOW he turned his attention to the beast, which he sensed had moved past him, confirmed by the comm chat.

Bringing his ACR up to a firing position, he used the weapon's systems to try and locate the beast, managed to do so only when a flash of lightning reveals the beast, and then shot it!

BASE ATTACK #: 8
DEX: +1
GUN COMBAT: +2
SHORT RANGE (less than 225): +1
TARGET SIZE: +4

02:08, Today: Rejji Harrasyn rolled 15 using 2d6+8 ((6,1)). Attack roll.

Should be a hit even with the storm. Effect of 7!

02:15, Today: Rejji Harrasyn rolled 20 using 3d6+10 ((2,5,3)). Damage roll.

BASE DAMAGE 3D: 10
AUTO 3 BURST: +3
EFFECT BONUS: +7
TOTAL DAMAGE: 20!

Teddy activates his medkit too, "Activate medkit! Keep me awake!" His suit sealed itself as well and the medkit began it's work,

09:10, Today: Theodore McFarlane rolled 14 using 2d6+3.  medic. medkit
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Sun 21 May 2023.

For no particular reason he could afterward think of, when a bundle of twisted girders blocked the direct path, he moved around them to the right. That seemed to have moved him out of the visible perception of the Velantian Vole and probably saved his life.

He only became aware of the creature when comm chatter told him what happened.

It seemed like Teddy was once again the leading target. It wouldn't be helpful if he moved to tend to Teddy and got himself killed first.

Not the greatest shooter, more by choice, he brought his laser carbine up to bear and used the x-ray laser sight to try and locate the beast. Thinking he got it in his sights, he fired. The +4 bonus to hit it because of its size is being offset by the storm's effects, including visibility.

05:33, Today: Aaron Lancaster rolled 15,12 using 2d6+4,4d6+3 ((5,6,2,2,1,4)). Hit and damage.

Effect of 7; total damage of 19?

Now he moved forward to assist the others.

To the surprise of probably no one, Zhouth wheeled about but didn't rush forward to join in the gunfire crossplay. To perhaps the slight surprise of some, he opted to frantically pitch an object in the direction of said gunfire crossplay, one that he'd pulled from amidst the bundle of medical gear.

To the probable astonishment of most, it actually landed squarely under the beast and burst.

Not into fragments - not damaging ones, anyway - but into a heavy cloud of... something.



Athletics/Dexterity to throw a grenade:
13:23, Today: Zhouth rolled 10 using 2d6+1.

This grenade creates a cloud of Vargas that, if inhaled, will likely render an enemy unconscious. Any living target within the cloud that does not have a respirator or sealed suit will be attacked as if by a poison with a Difficult (10+) END check, Damage unconscious and Interval of one round. Gas clouds dissipate after 1Dx3 rounds, although heavy winds and rain can drastically reduce this time.

It's the only thing here NOT wearing a respirator, so no need to worry about the Burst 9.

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:12, Sun 21 May 2023.

The vole didn't just keep going--it's a carnivore pouncer that stops and turns to come back and finish off its prey. That's what keeps it within everyone's short range. Its large size (+4 to be hit) is being offset by the poor visibility and EMS distortions from the storm.

Still, everyone manages to hit it.

Varca = 13
Teddy = 17
Rejji = 19
Aaron = 20
TOTAL = 69

It only had 66 Hits, but whether it was Aaron's shot (really? The Medic? "And that, Doctor, is why you carry a gun!") or Zhouth's Vargas tranq grenade that brought it down is hard to say as both acted at pretty much the same time.

It becomes a moot point as weapons fire from off to left rear target the beast. Only one of three shooters manages to hit the creature.

15:16, Today: StarMaster rolled 9,12,9 using 2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2 ((3,4,6,4,3,4)).

Another three shooters target your group.

Rejji, Aaron, and Teddy are the targets. Without compensating sensors, the storm's -4 penalty only lets one of them hit... Teddy!

15:16, Today: StarMaster rolled 10,5,13 using 2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2 ((2,6,2,1,6,5)).

15:31, Today: StarMaster rolled 12 using 2d6+5 ((2,5)).

Teddy gets hit for 12 points of damage, but the round isn't AP, so none of it gets through Teddy's armor.

Varca and Rejji readily identify the weapons as an assault rifle, an HACR, and a regular rifle. They place the shooters at Medium range.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 43):

OOC: "HACR"?  Highly Advanced Combat Rifle...? Huh? ^_^

Heavy ACR
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:44, Sun 21 May 2023.

Teddy checks his sensors to see who the hell is firing at them."We took down the vole Ingrid, but we're taking fire from someone else, can you identify the source? You see them Varca?"

This time, to the surprise of no one whatsoever, Zhouth dove for cover, his accompanying "GAAH!" thankfully somewhat muted by the comms.

That didn't stop him from speaking very quickly - and with notes of both exasperation and fright laced in - a moment later. "Never mind the source! Broadcast to them on an open channel that you have a plasma cannon pointed their way and will use it if they don't cut that out! Do a warning shot if you have to! Oh, and tell them that they can have the bug corpse if they want it. We don't!"

"What the hell is wrong with you Zhouth? Your mouth is open already! You hear Zhouth Ingrid? Give them a warning shot when I tell you."

Opens comms

"Unknown shooters, hold your fire! We have a plasma cannon we'll use on you if you don't hold your fire! Fire in their direction Ingrid, but don't hit them, this time! If you want the bug meat, come and get it, we killed it because it attacked us. We're here for another reason and will be gone soon. Over."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 47):

     At the sound of gunfire not coming from the people around him, Varca had actually ducked for cover behind the Vole's carcass.

     Over the established group channel, Varca sarcastically quips,

     "Oh! And you were doing so well, there, Theo!  Right up until you told them we were here looking for something else!"

     "They're not unknown!  They're the Vespexers we knew were in the area--how many times I gotta tell alla you?  Don't volunteer info to Vespexers!  We'll use it against you, every time!"

     "While they might be hunting the Vole now, they were likely already in the area salvaging--and they'd assume we were, also--so, those were just warning shots!  Now they know for certain there's something around here to salvage!"

     "And that trace of an Imperial Accent in your voice don't help much, either...when you gonna learn ta speak Normal?"

     "Now we gotta establish we the Baddest Asses in the bunker!  Don't wait, Theo--order Vultan to fire a shot over our location, on a thirty-degree inclination.  With all the energetic crap in the air, the particle beam probably will look like a plasma shot!"

     "Once they know we got the biggest Di--uh--biggest Gun--then they be callin us to talk!  Everybody take cover 'til Vultan fires!"

     "Cap'n Theo...if you'd be so kind as ta give the order...?"

Using his newly acquired basic Sensor skill, Donio tries to use the ship's advanced military-grade sensors to get a target lock on the new threat.

22:27, Today: Donio Scarte rolled 6 using 2d6+3 ((1,2)).

I'm sure I've got this wrong, but that should be a negative Effect of -6. Really messed up the sensors, didn't I?

"Way to go, Donio!" Kira snaps out at Scarte. "We were having enough trouble getting our sensors to work through this storm!"

The first thing she had to do was fix whatever FUBAR Donio had done.

23:07, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Kira Cerise O'Neill, rolled 14 using 2d6+4 ((5,5)).

Well, that was unexpected. Donio's Effect turned the standard 8 success into a 14... and Kira nailed it!

"Now to find those moronic Vespexers. Wouldn't want Ingrid to fry them by accident, now would we?"

23:13, Today: StarMaster, on behalf of Kira Cerise O'Neill, rolled 10 using 2d6+4 ((5,1)).

Oops. Maybe she didn't fix it so well after all. But then she realized the storm was fighting their efforts. That's when she received targeting data from Zhouth at his 'forward observer' position. That was just enough to zero in on the Vespexers... all 15 of them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:50, Mon 22 May 2023.

Having lived and worked among Vespexers for awhile, Aaron understood the error Teddy made. He simply wasn't familiar with the Vespexian mindset.

"Attention, Vespexers! This is Doktor Aaron Lancaster," he broadcast over the comms. "We're here on a rescue mission. If you wish to parley afterwards, that can be arranged. The kill is yours. Undisputed."

After Ingrid fires the warning shot (she doesn't need to have the Gunnery skill, she can just tell the computer to fire a warning shot), you get a comm.

"This be Drak Bran Gorn, leader of the Merry Men," the voice on the comm says. "Heard 'bout you, Dok. You do good."

"Lost five men to the beastie. Our kill. We take beast. You do rescue. Good deal."

"Storm getting worse."

The exchange between Aaron and Drak had to be repeated five or six times to make it all clear because the storm was continuously wreaking havoc with comms and sensors.

"That'll teach you all for questioning my plan!" Teddy says smugly.

"Are you sure that they won't start to shoot?" There was a certain hesitancy in Zhouth's voice that turned to urgency but a breath later as he risked a peek over the edge of the debris that he'd chosen as a shelter. "Then let's get going! We aren't the only ones out here for whom dying is a present danger!"

"Zhouth is right, lead on Varca, time to save our friends." It was a 'closed' channel, but one could never be too careful!

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 55):

     "Wasn't questioning your Plan, Theo..." Varca replies, getting up from the cover of the carcass, "Just pointing out that the amount of information you let slip could have been dangerous."

     Varca looks down at the dead critter, seeing it fully for the first time.

     "Jesu Kristi, just look at the size of that thing!  It could provide enough protein to feed my home bunker for a week!"

     Varca opens a general broadcast channel and calls out to the Vespexers, dropping the Palacer affectation to his speech he usually maintains,

     "Drak Bran Gorn!  Varca Lexand, Rumah Keras Bunker, calls. Congratulations on hunt.  You bring much meat to your Bunker.  Respect to you and your warriors.  You find clean water and fresh air in your travels."

By now, you estimate you've gotten about halfway to where Zhouth's sensor data indicates the cave with Oleb lies. The route is still circuitous, perhaps a bit more so as you approach the center of the ruins where the upright girders are denser, having to have supported a million tons of city above it.

You manage to get another dozen meters before the storm wall hits with unexpected fury!

The wind picks up, gusting to over 240 kph. Lightning seems to strike every other girder as well as people. Ionization increases nearly tenfold, making sensors and comms totally useless now.

18:23, Today: StarMaster rolled 14,7,10,9,10,8 using 4d6,2d6,2d6,2d6,2d6,2d6 ((3,2,3,6,6,1,4,6,4,5,5,5,4,4)).

A bolt strikes Rejji for 21 points of damage!
A bolt strikes Zhouth for 24 points of damage!
A bolt strikes Aaron for 23 points of damage!
A bolt strikes Teddy for 24 points of damage!
A bolt strikes Varca for 22 points of damage!

In this case, any damage that gets through your armor can also be taken from your INT and EDU as the shock rattles your brain! Any damage taken that way can be recovered more quickly than normal healing.

24 - 16 = 8. Zhouth's END drops to 1. Regains 1 due to FA. End 2.

Zhouth didn't have time to yelp and dive out of the way this time; he was simply left to stagger and vaguely lurch toward one of the still-standing girders. It helpfully countered his askew tilt, albeit at the price of dropping his bundle.

"I... uhh... are we... move?" His voice had dropped to a pained wheeze punctuated by gasps for air; he seemed to have lost about a half-note in pitch, too.

That was followed by a few moments of unfocused wobbling. A couple of clumsy fumbles followed in turn as he then reached down and attempted to retrieve his bundle. He finally managed it on the third, still undextrous, attempt.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Tue 23 May 2023.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 58):
OOC:
Vole does 20 points AP5
AP5 reduces Suit Prot (16 - 5) to 11
20 - 11 = 9
Varca suffers 9 points damage
STR 6 - 2 = 4
DEX 8 - 3 = 5
END 9 - 4 = 5
Medikit First Aid rolls 10 = success, 2 Effect
Temp STR [6] 4 + 0 = 4
Temp DEX [8] 5 + 1 = 6
Temp END [9] 5 + 1 = 6

---

     Varca gestures with the "staff" he'd inherited from his cousin, so many years ago, and says, "We gotta go that--"

     With sudden fury, the wind from the storm whips up even more.  A blast of sand-laden wind knocks Varca a couple meters sideways, to his right.  As Varca starts to regain his balance and fight the wind, a purple-tinged bolt of lightning strikes him.

     Varca Varca is violently shaken by the lightning strike for just a few seconds, then falls forward, landing on his face in the dirt, as blue electrical sparks dance over his suit.

     Inside the suit, Varca is barely conscious.  He's aware of his suit speaking to him, but he can't make sense of the words.  Though he doesn't know why, this comforts him, somewhat.  After about 30 seconds, he manages to slowly roll over onto his back.  He's able to see out of his helmet faceplate--but he's not sure if that means the suits computer is still projecting a view, or if the HUD display has shut down.

     Unaware that his comm is still open, Varca moans painfully in the Sindalian that his old Nenek taught him, when he was a child...

     "Saya...rambut...sakit...dan...saya...gigi...adalah...bergetar..."

---

OOC:
Lightning does 22 points
Suit Protection 16
22 - 16 = 6
Varca suffers 6 points damage
STR [6] 4 - 1 = 3
DEX [8] 6 - 0 = 6
END [9] 6 - 1 = 5
--------------------
INT 7 - 1 = 6
EDU 9 - 3 = 6
Medikit First Aid rolls 8 = success, 0 Effect
Varca Stabilizes at:
Temp STR [6] 3(-1)
Temp DEX [8] 6(+0)
Temp END [9] 5(-1)
--------------------
Temp INT [7] 6(+0)
Temp EDU [9] 6(+0)

697AAA - UPP

Teddy began moving, following Varca. An instant later the wind hit him and the lightning! He stiffened from the discharge and the wind sent him into a girder! When the wind let go, down he went! Twitching.

OC:
Vole does 22 points AP5
AP5 reduces Suit Prot (16 - 5) to 11
24 - 11 = 11
Teddy suffers 11 points damage
STR 6 - 3 = 3
DEX 9 - 4 = 5
END 7 - 4 = 3
Medikit First Aid rolls 14 = success, 6 Effect
Temp STR [6] 3 + 1 = 4
Temp DEX [9] 5 + 3 = 8
Temp END [7] 3 + 2 = 5

09:10, Today: Theodore McFarlane rolled 14 using 2d6+3.  medic. medkit

OOC: HELP, I'M LOST ON THIS
Lightning does 24 points
Suit Protection 16
24 - 16 = 8
Teddy suffers 8 points damage
STR [6] 4 - 1 = 3
DEX [9] 8 - 1 = 7
END [7] 5 - 1 = 4
--------------------
INT A - 2 = 8
EDU A - 3 = 7
Medikit First Aid rolls 8 = success, 0 Effect
Teddy Stabilizes at:
Temp STR [6] 3(+0)
Temp DEX [9] 7(+0)
Temp END [7] 4(+0)
--------------------
Temp INT [A] 8(+0)
Temp EDU [A] 7(+0)

I tried to figure it out using Vince's table, I think I'm close.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:12, Tue 23 May 2023.

     Yup, you got all the math correct.