009 - Approach the Ruins

[Tiglath]

Foix comments "Well, as a soldier I say we go in, extract the team, get out and leave this place to those trained and authorised to deal with it. We may be contending with whatever alien life Squee detected and/or militant Vargr with this place being a Vargr shrine".

Acting on Sara's discovery Foix will study the statue attempting to determine how it might move.

[Ramona]

Ana looks at the tracks going up to the other saddle and starts to follow them back, “Don’t need anyone coming in behind us.”

[Tiglath]

Foix responds to Ana with "Agreed. I'll give you cover to the ridgeline". He deploys the bipod on his autorifle and sets up an overwatch position covering Ana's advance. With practised dexterity he switches out the standard magazine from his weapon and attaches the box magazine which carries belted ammunition for sustained fire. As he settles behind his rifle he keys the comm and says "Lady Harper, if you would report any change in circumstances in the valley to our front I'm sure we'd all be grateful. Sara, will you please keep us advised as to your progress with finding an entrance?"

[lenusmars]

Foix comments "Well, as a soldier I say we go in, extract the team, get out and leave this place to those trained and authorised to deal with it. We may be contending with whatever alien life Squee detected and/or militant Vargr with this place being a Vargr shrine".

Sara shakes her head as she flips though stereo images of the markings on the statue. "Not sure it is Vargr, Dog-headed deity figure aside." She mutters.

Sara, will you please keep us advised as to your progress with finding an entrance?"

"Will do, General bossy pants, Sir." She says as she continues to study the statue and how it might move or open.

Is there an identifiable opening mechanism or latch or is it more of a 'shove it' kind of thing?'

[shaidar]

Foix responds to Ana with "Agreed. I'll give you cover to the ridgeline". He deploys the bipod on his autorifle and sets up an overwatch position covering Ana's advance. With practised dexterity he switches out the standard magazine from his weapon and attaches the box magazine which carries belted ammunition for sustained fire. As he settles behind his rifle he keys the comm and says "Lady Harper, if you would report any change in circumstances in the valley to our front I'm sure we'd all be grateful. Sara, will you please keep us advised as to your progress with finding an entrance?"

Harper will find a spot nearby where she can get a good view of the valley and keep watch.

[ffilz]

Ana looks at the tracks going up to the other saddle and starts to follow them back, “Don’t need anyone coming in behind us.”

The tracks lead down the valley, not over the saddle. If they are the scouts, perhaps they lead to whatever vehicle they used to get out here.

[ffilz]

Foix comments "Well, as a soldier I say we go in, extract the team, get out and leave this place to those trained and authorised to deal with it. We may be contending with whatever alien life Squee detected and/or militant Vargr with this place being a Vargr shrine".

Sara shakes her head as she flips though stereo images of the markings on the statue. "Not sure it is Vargr, Dog-headed deity figure aside." She mutters.

Sara, will you please keep us advised as to your progress with finding an entrance?"

"Will do, General bossy pants, Sir." She says as she continues to study the statue and how it might move or open.

Is there an identifiable opening mechanism or latch or is it more of a 'shove it' kind of thing?'

Sara finds a catch that when she releases it, the statue seems to be moveable.

[ffilz]

So we have Ana following tracks down the valley.

Harper keeping an eye out.

Foix covering (divided attention or following Ana?)

Sara up on the edifice examining the statue.

Squee is in her walker near Foix.

Vee?

Grimaud?

[Tiglath]

Harper notes that there is another saddle that perhaps has a trail leading over it.

(OOC: I think the above is what caused us all to interpret a saddle with a trail over it but "trail" and "tracks" may have become conflated later on. No doubt PC actions will be broadly the same just downhill instead of uphill! )

Foix maintains cover for Ana. If she looks to be moving out of his line of sight he will ask her to hold while he repositions to restore overwatch. He will move down from the complex into the valley or laterally along the hillside in order to do so depending on the terrain and his tactical view. (OOC: Tactics 2).

Grimaud is wherever Vee is. He follows her about rather obviously, keeping an eye on her at all times and is armed with his suppressed SMG.

[joertexas]

Grimaud is wherever Vee is. He follows her about rather obviously, keeping an eye on her at all times and is armed with his suppressed SMG.

Vee is still in the launch's pilot seat with the grav lifters on warm standby. "Gauvain, do you want me to hold position here," she asks over the comm.

[Tiglath]

Moving to a new vantage point to support Ana Foix keys his comm and replies “Yes, please, just until we have secured the exterior of the temple. Once we can focus inside please feel free to do some sightseeing”.

[joertexas]

Moving to a new vantage point to support Ana Foix keys his comm and replies “Yes, please, just until we have secured the exterior of the temple. Once we can focus inside please feel free to do some sightseeing”.

"The only sight I want to see is your hairy ass in my bed after we're done here," Vee replies.

[Tiglath]

Foix settles his autorifle on its bipod, slides back the cocking handle and scans the ground ahead of Ana through his sights. He keys his comm and says “Ana - move when ready”.

Then he smiles and replies to Vee “Alas, this ancient temple is only rated for mundane sight seeing. If you want truly magnificent sight seeing then you’re going to have to be patient”.

[ffilz]

After 100 meters or so, the tracks come to an end. There is evidence that an Air/Raft had landed but no sign of it now, and not a good place to hide it. The landing spot was shielded from the ruins.

[Tiglath]

Foix shares the discovery with the team and comments soberly “The missing vehicle adds a new dimension and suggests that something more than an accident occurred to the scout team. It seems we must push on into the temple and also keep a watch above”.

When Ana is ready he will return to the temple site.

[joertexas]

Foix shares the discovery with the team and comments soberly “The missing vehicle adds a new dimension and suggests that something more than an accident occurred to the scout team. It seems we must push on into the temple and also keep a watch above”.

When Ana is ready he will return to the temple site.

"Do you want me to lift off and orbit the area while you explore?" Vee asks.

[Tiglath]

"Do you want me to lift off and orbit the area while you explore?" Vee asks.

Foix replies “No, stay close. We might need to leave quickly with casualties but keep watch for airborne threats and make best use of your sensors while sheltered from the radiation. A skilled air raft pilot ..." he smiles "... if they were handsome enough, could get within rifle range using this terrain. Fortunately for us very few are so gifted”.

On his return he casually approaches Sara wearing an engaging smile that reaches his piercing blue eyes and says “Captain Kelley will you please show us your alien temple? I would like you up front, behind Ana and myself, so you can tell us what you see. Your insight will be helping to keep the two best soldiers in the Rift safe in a hostile environment. We will rely on your opinion but I would count it a personal favour if you would act on any tactical advice we give you immediately”.

Aware that they have clashed before Foix is clearly going out of his way to use his natural charisma, humour and persuasive skills (Leader 2) in a diplomatic effort to get Sara on board with a tactical entry to the temple.

[joertexas]

Foix replies “No, stay close. We might need to leave quickly with casualties but keep watch for airborne threats and make best use of your sensors while sheltered from the radiation. A skilled air raft pilot ..." he smiles "... if they were handsome enough, could get within rifle range using this terrain. Fortunately for us very few are so gifted”.

"Copy that," Vee replies. "We are indeed blessed by your presence."

[Ramona]

Ana comes trotting back after finding the end of the trail, “Air raft LZ down there, nothing exciting and hairy ass? Thanks for that image in my brain, not enough mental floss to get that out of there.”

[joertexas]

Ana comes trotting back after finding the end of the trail, “Air raft LZ down there, nothing exciting and hairy ass? Thanks for that image in my brain, not enough mental floss to get that out of there.”

"I'm sure you can find a distraction to soothe your wounded brain," Vee replies dryly. "Right after we get back from this little expedition, of course."