PHASE 11 (Held Actions)
ROCK: As the invaders start to flank, Rock opens fire on the closest opponent, the one directly in front of him. He keeps note of the other two.
In his mind he sends thoughts toward Peter, {Sir, the three remaining invaders are beginning to flank my position. They are moving slowly and will be some time before they can flank me fully. I'm focusing fire on the center invader until the other two are closer in range.}
TECH: Using Held Action:
Firing 3 round burst with HAR on Invader #4, OCV 8, DCV 9 [rolled 8]
Rnd 1 - Damage 3.5d6K [rolled 2 2 6 (2) - Total: 12, Body: 4], Stun [rolled 4], KNB [rolled 8]
Rnd 2 - Damage 3.5d6K [rolled 2 1 4 (1) - Total: 8, Body: 2], Stun [rolled 1], KNB [rolled 9]
Rnd 3 - Damage 3.5d6K [rolled 1 5 2 (2) - Total: 10, Body: 2], Stun [rolled 5], KNB [rolled 5]
+4 PSL vs Range, +1 CSL with HAR, +4 DCV from full cover (modifiers already included)
Clip1: 24 of 32 round
Clip2-4: full
BODY: 15/15 STUN: 40/40 END: 46/46
GM: All three rounds hit and succeed in knocking him back, but do not take him out. He is still conscious.
SHOOTER: Moves another 3" towards the tunnel opening.
PHASE 12
Dex 20 - Rock, Shooter
Dex 18 - Marko, Erict, Invader
Dex 16 - Mack
Dex 15 - Zho Soldier
Dex 14 - Peter
Dex 10 - Zho Civilians
GM: Because of the natural cover of the tall grasses, everyone is at a minus to hit. If you are presenting a target then you are at -2 to be hit. Otherwise you are at -4. This turn, the invaders are all presenting targets so you are all at -2 to hit them. This applies only to ranged attacks over 8".
GM: If you are a mentalist acting on your EGO instead of DEX, let me know when you send your turn.
DEX 20
SHOOTER: Ducks down and takes a recovery while acknowledging the lieutenant's orders.
TECH: Holding half phase action
8 clips of 6 charges
Clip 1 - empty
Clip 2 - 2 used, 4 remaining
Clips 3-8 are all full
BODY 12/12, STUN 32/32, END 19/40 (after recovery)
ROCK: Rock waits to see if the invaders will continue their flanking maneuver.
TECH: Hold Full Action
Clip1: 24 of 32 round
Clip2-4: full
BODY: 15/15 STUN: 40/40 END: 46/46
GM: See below.
CAL: Cal was more then happy to let Marko help him into the tunel once
inside i stops and leans against the wall. "I just need a moment to catch
my breath." Cal says.
TECH: Start Recovery
BODY: 8/15, STUN: 1/32 END: 1/36 Before phase 12
BODY: 8/15, STUN: 8/32 END: 8/36 After phase 12 REC
BODY: 8/15, STUN: 15/32 END: 15/36 After Post 12 REC
DEX 18
ERICT: Erict stays low, but looks a lot more alert now, and takes stock of the situation and his surroundings. Once satisfied that all the civilians are in the tunnel, he looks over at Peter and says, "Did I hear right, I was a little out of it. Am I supposed to get down into the tunnel? I can provide some cover fire from here on the invaders to let Shooter get down into the tunnel if it will help..."
TECH: 0-phase look around with spatial awareness, 15- base PER, +2 range PSLs [rolled 6]
TECH: Hold action waiting for confirmation of orders while making sure my rifle is ready to fire if needed.
TECH: If orders are confirmed, he will move into the tunnel, staying low, but ending up standing in the tunnel after crawling backward into the hole feet first.
BODY: 14/14, STUN: 10/11, END: 10/46
GM: Erict makes it down into the tunnel after getting confirmation from Peter.
INVADER 1: Down and Out
INVADER 2: Full move towards Rock.
INVADER 3: Down and Out
Break out of Entangle (1 DEF, 1 BODY) [rolled 3 5 2 4 1 1 1 6 - Total: 23, Body: 6]. Stands, half move towards Rock.
INVADER 5: Down and Out
INVADER 6: Ran away
INVADER 7: Full move towards Rock.
INVADER 8: Down and Out
ROCK: Though Rock had connected on his last burst, it wasn't enough to put down the invader. Furthermore, the three standing invaders were closing in fast on Rock's position. It was clear that they intended to get to point blank range. Though Rock hadn't been hit by their weapons, he knew well enough that they were packing some punch. Rock knew he had time to fire off one last burst and then close the hole. With his earth sense he could tell the tunnel was still congested with the Zho. But as he was about to fire a burst on the centermost defender, he got an inspiration and changed course. Dropping into the hole he sealed off his foxhole and the entrance to the tunnel from above with a thick, flat stone. He then tunneled towards one of the downed invaders, on a parallel course with his original tunnel in this area.
TECH:
Free move to duck down,
0 phase shape earth (CE 2" radius centered on hex behind him) END: 3
3" Full move tunneling towards invader #8, END: 4
Clip1: 24 of 32 round
Clip2-4: full
BODY: 15/15 STUN: 40/40 END: 39/46
ROCK (OOC): At this point the only open hole should be the first one, where Shooter is currently at. The invaders shouldn't be able to see anything until they get really close. At the point, they will see a flagstone-like rock where the tunnel used to be. Rock's shape earth can create any sort of earthen effect so I'll go with tough stone (DEF 5) in case they decide to try to blast through it. The old tunnel and new tunnel will be connected and 1" below the surface. Rock is going to get to #8 and pull him under so we can have an invader to question. I should be able to reach him in 3 phases, so arriving on Segment 6. Also, he's thinking he can use this new position to get off 2-3 more shots on the invaders before they can close on him. If Shooter is able to continue sniping them only 1 or 2 may still be up.
DEX 16
MACK: Holding his action until DEX 10
DEX 15
ZHO SOLDIER: Holding his action until DEX 10
DEX 14
PETER: Turning to Erict he responds to the medic's suggestion. "Shooter and Rock are our toughest squad members, and some of our best shot. They'll cover our retreat. We need you down there in case any of the civilians are wounded. I'm right behind you." Then turning quickly to Shooter, he adds, "wait 'til Rock drops into the tunnel and follow shortly thereafter. Use your best judgment as to how to manange it. And remember, so long as I look like this, you're in charge of the squad. Though I hope you'll be receptive to my 'suggestions.'" He then waits for Erict to descend into the tunnel and follows behind him.
TECH: Drop Telepathic lock. Wait for Erict to go down in the tunnel and follow.
BODY: 10/10 STUN: 13/26 END: 3/26
GM: Peter and Erict both make it down into the tunnel.
DEX 10
MACK: [I 'm assuming, maybe incorrectly, that the injured zho is not gushing blood.] As the two civilians approach Mack with their injured friend, Mack motions them to slow down. In Zhdant he continues, "I'm Corporal Loddney of the Imperial Army. You guys OK?"
GM: The man in front is fairly young and looks very scared. He simply nods. The injured soldier says nothing as he is apparently out cold while the civilian in back says, "Yes". And no, the injured zho soldier is not gushing blood.
MACK: "We've got a medic topside. He'll be down here in a sec. Leave this feller here and we'll get him fixed up. We got some food back of me in the tunnel and the women and chillun are waiting there. I need you fellers to head back in a sec. But jus' wait here a sec. OK?"
GM: Again the man in front nods and sets the injured zho's feet down while the other man carefully set's the man's head down so that the injured zho soldier is now lying on the floor.
MACK: Looking at the unwounded soldier, he says, "Now soldier, I need you to work with me here and listen to what I say, so's we have no failure in communication. I need you to surrender your weapon to me." I assume the other soldier's weapon is either on him or is being carried by one of the civilians. "As a soldier in the Imperial Army, I must inform you that, fer now, you are a Prisoner of War and will be treated will all due care. I will give my life to defend ya, and ya gotta believe that. So, can I have yer weapon and avoid any nasty trouble?" Mack's own weapon is pointed at the ground, but the safety is off, since I haven't taken an action to click it on.
GM: As Mack speaks, the young man in front simply drops to the ground and covers his head. The other civilian who was setting the soldier down, stays ducked down while the uninjured soldier behind him keeps his gun pointed directly at Mack.
INSECKI: The second zho civilian (the one who had originally been carrying the young child before giving her to one of the woman, and the one who later risked his life to rescue the downed zho soldier), still ducked down so as not to interfere with the soldier behind him says in fluent imperial, "Hello Corporal Loddney, I am Reserve Captain Insecki. You will observe that we are not meeting under a flag of truce, nor was there any prearranged agreement to surrender by radio or other means. You have taken it upon yourself to demand our surrender without meeting these preconditions which runs counter to Section 431, Article D(3) of your own Articles of War. That said, I suggest that you recognize the extenuating circumstances of this situation and accept a truce between two combatant forces who are engaged against a common enemy, as is allowed for in Section 802, Article D(7) of the Imperial Articles of War, and Section 2, Subsection 32, Paragraph 43 of the Zhodani Articles of Engagement. Such as truce must be made between the ranking officers of either side. I am the ranking officer of the Zhodani forces present. Are you the ranking officer of the Imperial forces here present?"
GM: Peter is down in the tunnel in time to hear this conversation between Mack and Reserve Captain Insecki though the zho have not seen Peter yet.
MACK(OOC): Steve, if this happens then Mack goes to combat. He was counting on them acting sensibly.
MACK: Mack's gun comes up at the soldier, and he shouts, in Zhdant, "Put your gun down NOW!" If he moves otherwise, Mack will open fire. Let me know what he does. At this point, there is only one soldier in uniform. That's the one with the gun and the one I'm aiming at.
GM: Neither the zho officer, nor the zho soldier with his gun pointing at Mack flinch. If either one of them open fire, then the other will also automatically open fire. Basically you will shoot each other.
PETER: "Belay that, corporal," Peter says from the darkness. He speaks in Imperial, in his own accent, and as he steps into the light given off by one of the few flashlights in the tunnel, he is dressed in his Imperial Navy uniform. [TECH: drop Shapeshift while still in the dark of the tunnel.] "Lieutenant Sterling, Imperial Navy, and senior Imperial officer present. I accept your truce and can offer standard terms under the Articles of War. If that's acceptable, I recommend that we delay any official ceremony until we put some distance between us and the invaders. There are still several of them in action, and the longer we wait here, the greater the chance of them receiving reinforcements." He then looks to the Zho soldier and civilian and says in Imperial-accented Zdant, "we've accepted a temporary truce; no one's going to be anyone's prisoner. Please continue down the tunnel as quickly as possible. Soldier, Could you please move forward to calm the civilians? Get them moving to the right at the T-intersection. Our medic will see to your companion." He looks to Captain Insecki to provide confirmation.
GM: Since Marko is also there and was the one who relayed the orders from Peter, and since I think Sam is busy with other things, I am going to play Marko here.
MARKO: "Corporal Loddney, Lieutenant Sterling has just given you a direct order to lower your weapon. He is fully aware of the situation."
MACK: Mack does not immediately budge unless the assault rifle is lowered. Mack is completely blocking the narrow tunnel, just like the women and children did.
MACK: Mack does NOT lower his SMG, neither does he fire or look away from the zho soldier. In Imperial he says, "SIR! Are you ordering me to surrender my position and endanger the Lieutenant?"
PETER (Imperial): "Corporal Loddney, this is Lt. Peter Sterling, your commanding officer. By the commission granted to me in the name of Emperor Strephon, I order you to stand down. Truce has been offerred and accepted. I'm going to take the Zhodani Captain at his word. If they violate the truce and kill me, you have my permission to return fire."
PETER (Zdant): "Captain Insecki, under the truce I'd like you to order your soldiers to stand down at the same time. Then we can all concentrate on not getting outflanked by the invaders."
INSECKI: Sensing that the imperial lieutenant does indeed have control of the situation, he says quietly but with the confidence that his orders will be instantly obeyed, "Private Sentice, port arms, safety on."
The zhodani private immediately and without question, brings his weapon back and clicks the safety on. Assuming that Mack does not then open fire, the captain continues speaking.
MACK: WUHAHAHA! Ok. Mack lowers his weapon. I don't even know where I am right now in terms of actions, but Mack's going to need a breather anyway. Hold until post-12, if I have any actions left. Mack needs to move. Right now Insecki and Peter are shouting at about 8m and the "Man For Whom The Army Isn't Good Enough" is still standing behind me. This is way too crowded to be helpful.
MACK: NOT that Mack wants to be accused of being unfriendly. He's just eager to help in combat.
INSECKI: "As peers under a flag of truce we are free to share some tactical information that we could not share as prisoners of war. My first suggestion is that we retreat with all speed and under no circumstances do you attempt to take any of the Maginites prisoner or try to recover the bodies of any Maginites who have fallen. The price of this latter information came at very great cost to us and to ignore it is to put your unit in grave danger."
ERICT: As soon as Erict hears this, and senses Rocks movement, and puts 2 and 2 together, (which for some takes awhile, but he's actually pretty bright) he says, "LT, Rock just closed his entrance and started digging toward the
downed enemy, you might want to get him to abort. Shooter is almost down here."
PETER (Imperial): Cupping his hands to his mouth, Peter shouts down the tunnel, "ROCK, PULL BACK TO THE INTERSECTION! DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT ADVANCE ON THE ENEMY!" He turns back to Erict and adds in a normal tone, "let me know if he continues to advance." He doesn't say anything specifically to Mack, but the look on his face tells Mack to watch Rock too. "And if that soldier can be moved, he'd be safer farther down the tunnel."
PETER (Zdant): "Captain, may I suggest you two help move your wounded man down the tunnel?" he gestures at the captain and the unwounded zho soldier. "You'll shortly reach a T-intersection. We can set up a defensive position there for the rest of us to fall back to. I have two more guarding our retreat, and once they fall back we can start making a proper withdrawal."
PETER (Imperial): "Marko, go back with the captain and make sure Cal knows about the truce. Mack, you and I will stay here until Shooter and Rock pull back."
CAL: Just loud enough so the LT can hear him Cal says, "Yes Sir I can hear you fine"
ROCK (OOC): If you're yelling down the tunnel I can't image that Rock wouldn't hear you. Here's a PER roll just in case... 12- [rolled 8]. Assuming Rock hears you, he'll run back down the tunnel to your location.
ROCK (OOC): The tunnels we're in are not big. They would be just large enough for Rock to fit through. Luckily Rock is very large. I think I originally said he was 8 feet tall and 400 lbs. I don't believe I was accurate with that. I've been thinking of him as 7 feet tall and 350 lbs. That said, when he tunnels I envision him running at a slight angle with his hands extended. The special effect is the earth melts away as he touches it. It continues to melt away so that Rock's body can run behind the newly melted tunnel. I would say the tunnel's height would typically be six feet tall. The width would be around 40". Rock is built like a massive offensive lineman (only not fat) so everyone should be able to comfortably follow along. Getting past another person in the tunnel would require one of them to squeeze to the side. Additionally, Rock can hollow out his tunnels or the earth with ease. His shape earth ability (change environment) is 2" radius AoE, no range. So that means he could make a 8 meter diameter room in one action (centered on him). Typically he'll only hollow out resting areas for the need size of the group. |