Marduk

[The Bindoner]

Hróarr is slowing considerably now and hobbling more than running. Fortunately Erlingr takes up the driving of his captives as they hurry after his toward the hold.

Stáli, noticing the pained way Steinn is moving, drags his captive over to help. Steinn has dissolved the foam from the legs of the two people and as Stáli arrives he releases their feet and showing them his weapon uses it to direct them on their way to the ship. Turning to Stáli he tells him: Glad to see you, friend. Let's get them on the ship so I can see what the damage is.

Bjartr chases his gaggle into Leon's grasp then turns to run back, looking for more to do. As Hróarr's group pass he encourages them on their way and keeps moving north.

Áshildr keeps close behind the woman carrying her drugged friend, letting the dog and her presence keep her moving while her attention is on the youngsters and their captives following her.

The man Kar intimidated into submission trudges to the ramp where Roberta throws the woman she brought down into his arms and indicates he should carry her with him.

I think that's everyone...

Next actions?

[Tiglath]

(OOC: Because there is always one...

Is there any update from / sighting of Rúna???

Of course, we may not be able to gather such information... )

[The Bindoner]

She got the headline vignette, nothing has changed since then. The awful gap between posts has made that seem like weeks ago...

She isn't broadcasting, but Raven ( as Raid Leader ) can listen in on her comdot anyway - which is why you know what's going on. From her muttered and profane external monologue and the ambient noise it seems that having thrown her sword through the window she's about to blow the door open and get it back. From her attitude to the pain of her wound it seems unlikely the swords current custodian will survive its recovery

[Tiglath]

(OOC: Cool! All's well as long as Raven can hear that she's having fun and playing nicely with others... In fairness it's unlikely the occupant's going to hand her sword back no matter how nicely she asks! )

[The Bindoner]

Addendum:

Manfred scans for threats and, seeing none, waits in support at the temple door while his suit medcomp stabilises his wound. 'kin backwater worlds. Barbarians is trouble, every time. Better be somethin' interesting in this place, make it worthwhile.

The first few Skeaping residents have arrived in the hold. A place they hoped never to see, it is dreadful and confounding to them as they huddle uncertainly together and listen to the raiders harry their friends and neighbours on their way to join them.

[Tiglath]

Raven

Raven casts her eyes about the town and doesn't realise she's smiling. She addresses her warriors on her comm as she makes them out through the drifting gas and smoke.

“Hróarr, Erlingr, Stáli, Steinn you've done well. Get yourselves on board, secure your sheep and have your wounds looked at - report to Áshildr”.

"Áshildr, I'm sending you warriors and our wounded. Protect the ship, secure the sheep - you know what to do".

“Sigmundr, from this distance it looks like you know your job! Get your sheep aboard, check your wounded and have them report to Áshildr. Meet me at the warehouse with the rest”.

“Ingunn hold those sheep there - I'm coming. Bjartr, Þórir follow me”.

With the two warriors in tow she jogs down the street to beneath the walkway guarded by the APC and, removing her helmet, slings her rifle and grins at her warriors as she commands “Boost me up onto that walkway and no ogling your raid leader's arse while you do it. Þórir follow me up”.

Once on the walkway she covers the captives until Þórir arrives to secure them and then commands the APC to act as a “lift” to lower them down to street level where they can sit covered by Bjartr until more help arrives.

Raven attempts to make use of her experience as a veteran raider and grabbing a civilian (non militia) captive pulls them to one side and says, using Imperial speech if necessary, “I am Raven Sorrow, Raid Leader*. I'll give you your freedom now if you tell me what I want to know. Which are the bonded warehouses for export goods?”

(OOC: * Raven hasn't got intimidation skills per se but from the quality of her "harness and array" she is clearly a raider of repute and from the silver arm rings (worn over her armour) a successful one. Without her helmet her (only mildly disturbing) "skull motif" make up is clearly visible as is the fact that she really enjoys her job! )

[hardrocks]

Kar busies himself helping load the cargo, before heading to the mess hall aid post, to start triage and treatment of raiders injured in the fighting.

[The Bindoner]

Bjartr and Þórir dash up to where Raven waits. Obedient to her command Þórir stands back, covering the crowded bridge, while Bjartr moves to the assistance of his Raid Leader.

It might be that he is tired from running, intimidated by the responsibility of the task, taking the injunction not to ogle too seriously to look what he's doing or it might just be the will of the Gods, but Bjartr is little more than a stepping stone for Raven, and an unstable one at that. Instead of boosting her up he is in danger of hindering her.

As Raven reaches for the walkway the civilian at the back ( east ) end of the group sees the moment where the raiders cannot fire at her without risk to themselves and takes her chance, leaping back through the door she had come through.

[Tiglath]

With a growl Raven hauls herself up onto the walkway and, letting the woman flee, carries out her intended actions of covering the main group and speaking with a town's person.

Although frustrated by the escape Raven is convinced things could yet be much worse and tries to keep the trainee raiders on mission.

Scrambling up:

[2d6] = 11

+1 for Str or Dex

[The Bindoner]

Round 9


Ingunn keeps the Doomsayer hovering just in cover of the rooftops, slantways on to the walkway with its weapons covering the exits.

Raven, feeling Bjartr become unsteady, leaps for the walkway, catches the railing and swings herself over, landing at the eastern end blocking the doorway. Below Þórir keeps his Launcher trained on the crowd as she vaults into position, slings the weapon, asks Bjartr Ready? and follows. Bjartr is a little better prepared but again no help. Fortunately Þórir was not expecting more assistance than Raven got and uses him as a vaulting block to jump up and swing over the rail to stand behind Raven.

The defeated Skeaping citizens huddle in the middle. There are three unwounded men and one walking-wounded with a head injury. Three unconscious figures, two men and a woman, lie among them, all with head and upper body injuries. None wear any uniform or badge, but the older of the three unwounded has a chainmail shirt and one of the injured has a heavy leather jacket.

Raven has raided Marduk for long enough to know that despite each island having its own language there are some common words and phrases among them. She easily makes herself understood to the prisoners. One of the unwounded men eagerly steps forward and, in a mix of common Marduk and “Imperial” Galanglic, garbles his eagerness to be helpful: I will help you, Great Lady, if you let me go. Zinat Darzi sells to the star-people's ships. Her store is there. he points north. Turning to one of the unwounded: Urtur works for her. The indicated young man, dressed in seaman's clothes, steps forward, looking hopeful. He has no Galanglic, but enough common Marduk to say I can help, to be free.

The older unwounded man is clearly upset and barks something at them, directing harsh words at the first speaker.


Sigmundr, obviously pleased by Raven's commendation, replies Yes Raid Leader, On my way.

Gulbrandr, herd them in and report yourself wounded. He notes Ragnheiðr dragging a prisoner and the others unencumbered and orders Yngvildr, Dagný, with me.

He sets off at a run toward Raven with Yngvildr and Dagný in company

Ragnheiðr swears, looks around and thrusts her captive onto the man Yngvildr tussled with. She comments to Guldrandr ( with a note of contempt in her voice ): I'm not being left out of the fight to babysit here, you can take care of this on your own, can't you? and sprints off to catch up with the others without waiting for a reply. Guldrandr mutters Gloryhound and grudgingly carries on toward the rear of the Serpent, expressing his feelings by driving on the prisoners with blows and curses.


As Sigmundr's group run through the gas clouds Yngvildr spots two figures dashing across the walkway from W to E. She snaps off a burst with her ACC but misses by some distance and they disappear into the house.

Erlingr sees the gaggle of prisoners he was chasing into the control of Leon and Roberta, turns, and runs off to rejoin Raven. On his way he passes Stáli and Steinn taking their captives toward the hold.


Away to the north Rúna braces her ACC and triggers the underslung launcher, the RAM grenade flying straight and true to explode against the lock, shattering it and shredding the frame. Where the wood has been blasted away the buckled metal of the armour plate behind is revealed. The door remains closed, held in place by some other device, probably simple bolts. Rúna curses and moves to aim at the hinge with her next shot, casting a glance over her shoulder to check on the fallen rifleman in the street. She is satisfied to see he shows no sign of recovering his senses.

Kar passes the first group of captives in the hold on his way to the Mead Hall and they cower away into the cover of the packing cases against the walls.

As the prisoners reach the ramp the woman from the attempt to escape up the rocks earlier thinks she sees another chance. The raiders are few in number now and looking at other people, so she lowers her drugged companion to the ground and scoots off in a crouched run beneath the Serpent. Áshildr catches the sudden movement and releases Sniffer with the command Fetch!. He gives a happy bark and dashes away, easily catching up with the fugitive. With a leap he pounces on her back, growling fiercely. She is not brought down by the blow, but she is sensible or scared enough not to move anymore.

Edited to mark NPC dialogue and merge posts into one.

[Tiglath]

Raven replies to the two young men “Take me there and show me!” Deciding now to speculate rather than accumulate she opens the door from the walkway to the eastern warehouse (which she assumes should be clear of defenders) and, drawing her sawn off, cautiously leads the guides within. To Þórir she says “Time to move! Throw their weapons in the street and bring the unwounded prisoner”.

She reasons that with all the able bodied townsfolk from the walkway group in tow there should be little chance of a reignition of resistance from the disarmed and wounded walkway band. She equally assumes wounded slaves aren't of much value. To Ingunn she says “Pick up Bjartr and then follow along close behind the warband – a town is no place for an unescorted APC”. Via her comm she gives directions to Sigmundr and his group to meet her at Zinat Darzi's warehouse and then relays the plan to Bjartr in the street below.

[Legion Lee]

once the prisoners are loaded Leon will make his way back up to the gunnery staion.

[The Bindoner]

once the prisoners are loaded Leon will make his way back up to the gunnery staion.

Ah, if only it were so simple...

Glad you looked in, I was about to PM you to ask for a dice roll or two. Cat herding time. ( They don't want to go in the carry-cage )

[Legion Lee]

OOC - I have had trouble signing in, but all sorted with a password re-set.

Two dice roll as requested.

Round up dice 1 = 2xD6 = 11

Round up dice 2 = 2 x D6 = 3

and

[hardrocks]

OoC: Just take the 1st one...

[The Bindoner]

Round 10 part 1

Raven passes into the gloom of the warehouse and finds herself on a small platform. A walkway runs around the building to similar platform opposite, with closed doors behind it. From each platform two ramps descend to the floor on the right and left. As she scans the interior she sees the woman who fled before sprinting to the open ground-floor door beneath the far platform. The building is nowhere near full, the baskets, crates and sacks being arranged along the north and south walls and reaching to the height of the walkway in only a few places. There is a clear working and access space down the centre of the space.

The two “guides” follow Raven closely as Þórir past them along the walkway kicking weapons down to the street below. When he reaches the unwounded man he gestures with his Launcher to indicate he should follow Raven and orders him to Move! Now. The man reluctantly complies and Þórir follows him.

Ingunn keeps the APC hovering below the ridgeline of the roofs, its weapons covering the western exit. When Þórir follows the last fit man into the warehouse she drops to street level. Bjartr picks up one of the rifles and jogs to the rear of the vehicle where Hrafn opens the door to let him aboard.

Sigmundr leads Dagný and Yngvildr along the alley at the run, reaching the Doomsayer on their way to meet Raven. As they approach Ingunn lifts off, spins the vehicle through 180 degrees to face north and drops back to follow them at street level.

Ragnheiðr, following Sigmundr's group on her own initiative, turns off to hunt the two figures Yngvildr missed. She runs up the road under the bridges hoping to spot the fugitives as they emerge from the house.



To the north Rúna racks the launcher and sends her second RAM grenade into the upper hinge of the door destroying it and shattering the frame. Fragments of wood and metal are sent flying and the metal plate of the door buckles as the door twists inward. Rúna dashes forward and kicks the door by the lower hinge, breaking it loose and sending the door flying open. She darts through and disappears into the house.

Thought it best to put up what I have. I'll write up events at the ship tomorrow.

There is space for Raven to decide on action. Let the woman go, shoot at her or chase her?

[The Bindoner]

Round 10 Part 2

The captives trudge into the hold under the watch of Leon and Roberta with Gulbrandr and Hróarr following them, chivvying them along.

Beneath the ship Sniffer stands over the woman who fled growling. She remains frozen in terror as Áshildr orders her to return.

One of the men who had been with her, the one Yngvildr subdued and Ragnheiðr encumbered with a prisoner, sees what is happening and, with a despairing groan, lowers his burden, leaps off the boarding ramp and hurtles under the ship. Yelling Braa an frar kenad Ninki! he flings himself at the huge dog, who, startled turns and fastens his jaws on the man's neck. As he desperately and ineffectually tries to free himself from the dog the woman scuttles off as fast as she can.

Áshildr levels her snub pistol and fires. The needle strikes the woman's left arm and she whimpers but keeps moving, the dart falling out as she scoots around the landing gear.

Sniffer stands growling with the man held firmly in his teeth, waiting to be told what to do.

Taking advantage of the commotion under the ship the young woman gassed in the market jumps down on the other side of the ramp and tries to flee south.

Leon lashes out as she passes, hitting her between the shoulder blades, and she cries out but runs on crying out Awh Khdayan, kemkem ken!. Roberta sprints after her and tries to bring her down with a flying leap, but although she crashes into her side the woman keeps her feet and twists free to keep running.

[The Bindoner]

Round 10 part 3


Steinn and Stáli pass Manfred as they hurry toward the rear of the Serpent with their captives,
Stáli dragging the unconscious body while Steinn drives on two walking figures. Their legs are free but their arms and upper body are still encased in hardened chemical foam.

Manfred is sitting in the temple doorway with his injured leg straight out as the suit medicomp works on it. He is scanning the town with the sights of his Gauss Rifle but gives them a thumbs up as they go.

Erlingr runs north, trying to catch up to Sigmundr's group. As he dashes through the gas he sees, through the drifting clouds, a figure on the walkway above and behind the APC stagger painfully along into the warehouse at W.

[The Bindoner]

Round 10 part 4

Aboard the Serpent Kar passes through the iris valve from the upper hold into the crew quarters, the sounds of the raid being shut off as it seals behind him replaced by the familiar background hum of the ship.

Eno stands waiting in the Mead Hall, dressed in a ship's jumpsuit with medical gloves, mask and apron with her hair pinned and covered by a scarf. She has covered the benches and floor in plastic sheets and laid out the components of a field medical kit. The table has been covered too, and surgical tools and a Trauma Pack stand ready on it. Beside her is a packed Medikit.

She bows and tells him: All is ready Lord. Indicating the case on the floor she adds If the new slaves have injuries I am prepared to attend to them. If the warriors do not need my help of course. The sooner they are treated the better they will heal. It will help to calm them.

I would be happier if Handson were here, he has more skill than me. I hope they are not trapped in the engine room much longer.

[The Bindoner]

All is ready Lord. ..... If the new slaves have injuries I am prepared to attend to them. If the warriors do not need my help of course. The sooner they are treated the better they will heal. It will help to calm them.

I would be happier if Handson were here, he has more skill than me. I hope they are not trapped in the engine room much longer.

Eno's voice, apparently talking to the Captain, is carried on the crew comm channel.

Handson comments She's a good sort, Eno. Right enough, I know more than her, but that's not why she wants me up there. Well, not just why. If I'm there to look after the raiders she can see to the new hires, be a friendly face.