Jammers Summary: Chapter 2, Turn 22

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

Round 13:

Holland yells, "Someone help Billy out on the Catapult! Fire at will!" Seeing everyone on the lines and otherwise occupied, Holland frowns and lets out a low curse; the wand disappears from his hands as he runs over to Billy and helps him load the Catapult.

"Comrade Kain," Deigatt calls loudly, "Help with the catapult. The rest hof hus can handle the lines." Deigatt and Grigree maintain the lines following Ferric's commands.

"Right!" Kain agrees readily, "Can we spare someone to help Raken get the wounded belowdecks! They're all awfully exposed up here!"

Leera moves to help Billy with the catapult. She works with him to crank it down into position and load a stone in place.

Actually over-crewed now, with Billy, Kain, Holland, and Leera all working on the catapult Billy's lone struggle against the turn crank ends and the catapult's arm begins to bend backwards.

Looking over the big ape, Raken checks his condition. "He'll make it, barely. Think I wake the big guy up," he says as he reaches into his bag. He produces a small vial, which he uncorks. A foul odor, barely noticeable in the winds of Shipwrecker, drafts up from the vial. He runs the open end of the vial under the big ape's nose, forcing him to wake up. "Careful, friend. You're weak. Take it easy. Take a couple of minutes to regain your balance and strength before trying anything."

Ferric shouts "Leave off the lines guys we're fine the way we are for the moment." Then Ferric bellows to 'Pate "Helm take us straight up as fast as she can go till we break atmosphere. Holland get anyone who can't hold on below decks and secured. This could get tricky." Recovering his bow Ferric says, "Raken could you look at my burns? I'd like to save some of this blood for the pirates to spill if we don't get away." as he looks over the side to watch the progress of the enemy vessels.

The Silent Star continues to rise into the sky like a balloon, moving straight up with a level deck. Directly beneath her, the pirate galleon rises as well, but much quicker.

Holland yells after Ferric, "We need to tilt upward and stay that way so we can fire the catapult. We can hit them, they can't hit us!!"

Seguld sits hunched forward over the rear part of the ballista with his chin practically resting against the line. With one eye closed he waits patiently for a clean shot.

"Ajami Holland." Jamila calls to him, "Could you and Leera, make it appear that the Star has vanished?"

Round 14:

Holland, Kain, and Leera help Billy load the Catapult. They finish cranking back the arm and lock the firing lever in place, Billy drops one of the round, 20 lb. stone balls into the cup and smiles as he sets himself by the sight.

Once Raken has woken Nilaroo, he turns his attention to Periander. Again, he checks over his condition. "Damn. He's in bad shape. We could loose him at any time." He shakes his head and shouts out "Holland! If you don't think you'll need my blade, I'm going to try praying for another blessing from Celestrian. Periander is in a dangerous condition; I don't think he'll survive the night!" Raken's face is crossed with concern for the fallen comrade.

Holland replies to Raken, "All stations are manned, pray away Raken."

"Ready Catapult. 'Pate take it full forward! Catapult fire at will!" Ferric yells.

The Flow Ghost rises even with the Silent Star as 'Pate pushes the Star forward suddenly. Billy grumbles something about wishing he knew what he was doing wear catapults were concerned, and throws the trigger lever. The catapult arm shoots forward and the shot plows into the oncoming bow of the Ghost, shattering several planks.

Deigatt and Grigree maintain the lines following Ferric's commands.

Glancing down, Deigatt suddenly hollers, "Another Vessel below!" Glancing down, the crew sees a bright yellow Dragonfly-class vessel rising towards the battle, several hundred yards behind and below the Flow Ghost.

Seguld and Jamila continue to man the ballista.

Round 15:

Holland immediately begins the reloading process of the catapult.

Kain, cursing under his breath, continues to help Billy and Holland with the catapult.

Leera sees she is no longer required, so she moves to the railing and watches the position of the Ghost. She makes sure she has a good grip of the railing and that her center of mass is WELL below the top of the railing.

Raken drops to one knee in prayer. In a low voice, he begins reciting the prayers that he has known for most of his life. In his hands dangles the jewel-studded holy symbol of Celestrian. As he chants, his voice grows calmer and a look of peace crosses his face.

"'Pate take us up!" Ferric bellows to the linesmen as he works the sails, "Hard to port boys."

The Star rises up again life a balloon, while Grigree and Deigatt work the lines to bring the bow to port.

Seguld whistles softly to himself to drown out the various yells from the other crew members. His eyes ever focused on the horizon as he waits for someone to cross his ballista sights.

Jamila braces herself against the ballistae and keeps an eye on Seguld and the others on the Star.

Date/time: 11:15 pm 2nd day of the 5th Month, 5049 OC