Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 20

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

Holding a bow ready with an arrow nocked to the string, Talus scans the undergrowth intently looking for signs of life.

The floating bandana moves quickly to Talus and Billy and Holland says quietly, "Talus, please move north along the river bed, keeping within seeing and hearing range, and take cover. Billy, the same but south. We will wait six hours."

Talus nods in agreement, shouldering his bow, he lightly jumps to the ground. With only a faint rustle of the undergrowth, he vanishes to the north, looking for signs of the elves.

Billy waits a few seconds, watching Talus as he heads north before turning and heading in the opposite direction.

Dressed for battle, wearing his leather armor, and cradling his crossbow in the crook of his arm, Kain watches Talus as he first leaves the ship, until the half-elf can no longer be seen. Bowing his head for a moment, Kain then looks up and continues his silent watch.

Holland, as marked by his bandana then moves over to Deigatt, "Deigatt, please pass the word for silence. No talking above a whisper and only when needed. Please keep an eye on the other side of the river, and ask Kain to do the same. We will wait six hours and then if there is no contact, then we will lift off. I will be located mid-deck on the starboard side." The bandana unties itself and floats down to roughly waist height of an average human before disappearing.

Ferric takes a position amidships lounging with his bow in hand and arrow nocked as he scans the skies and watches the ground alternately.

Nilaroo spins the catapult so that it faces away from the river, then locks it into place. Quickly and quietly, the catapult is loaded. Nilaroo then settles on the deck, sword scabbarded across his broad back, bow near at hand. Jungle-spawned senses focused on the terrain around, the grom sits motionless.

As a complete contradiction to Nilaroo's motionless watch, Seguld is a flood of energy. He continuously moves from ballista to his rifle rack. After repeated examinations he confirms that all rifles and ballista are fully loaded and ready. Without hesitation he moves to examining the turret and assures that the turret shows no signs of wear and tear.

Italapate checks his pistols, making sure they are loaded according to Seguld's instructions. Then, adjusting his now displaced tomahawk in his belt, he slips his short bow over his shoulder and slips off the ship. He locates the nearest tallest tree, and makes his way quietly for it. He slips on his clawed gloves, and climbs up the tree to its highest safe branches.

As the scouts leave the ship to keep watch on the countryside, Grigree goes down to get his weapons. He quickly comes back on deck wearing only one of his swords and the ever present dagger on his forearm. He takes a deep breath as he gets to the top of the stairs, looks around, and starts pacing along the ship's railing, his eyes watching the land, air, and river.

As the scouts heads out from the Star, Raken relaxes somewhat in the helm. "No need to tire out by being too tense," he says to the golem standing next to him in a low voice.

For a solid hour the Company of the Silent Star waits, watching the undergrowth of the dark forests around them. As the sun begins to rise, bullfrogs and birds can be heard chirping away.

Finally, Talus hears a faint rustling about him. a few moments later perhaps 2 dozen elves in leather armor slip quietly into the clearing next to the STAR. Each carries a nocked longbow, and rustling in the brush indicates perhaps as many again are hiding among the bushes. A tall individual, with gleaming red hair steps out from group. His bow is across his back, and a sword, the only one visible, hangs at his side.

"You are the SILENT STAR?" he asks.

"We har," Deigatt replies, trying to keep his deep voice as low as possible. "Come haboard."

"Excellent. I am Firavel, leader of this band. We are ready to receive the cargo you have brought." the elf turns and pumps his fist several times.

In response half a dozen canoes suddenly appear, separating from the banks of the river and appear as if by magic out from under the hanging willow branches. The elves swarm aboard the STAR, aiding in the laborious job of carrying each barrel of oil or cask of powder up from the hold, and over the side to the canoes waiting on the river's placid surface.

The work proceeds quietly, the elves not speaking among themselves and responding with quiet murmurs to questions from the STAR's crew. After twenty minutes of work, the cargo has all been transferred and the canoe ghost off downstream.

Firavel returns to the gangplank as his followers begin disappearing into the woods. "Here is the token needed to retrieve your payment." He hands over a small wren carved from pine with exquisite detail. "Good luck upon your return, and our thanks."

Deigatt accepts the token and bows his head toward the elf.

Firavel too slips into the woods and disappears, as the morning sun finally lights the Tatharsir's banks.

"Let's get out of here," Kain says once Firavel leaves the eelship. Hurriedly pulling up the final few ropes to the STAR, he adds "I'm so nervous that I'm surprised my hair isn't standing on end."

Holland reties his bandana and then says, "Deigatt, signal our scouts to come back."

Deigatt looks out into the surrounding environs and beckons the scouts back to the ship.

Talus easily climbs up the rope to the deck. Handing Kain his ring back, "Thanks for the ring my friend. I am _very_ glad that I did not need it."

Helping Talus up over the railing of the STAR, Kain smiles as he accepts the ring. "Me too," he grins. "I'm glad you didn't need it also."

After Talus and Billy are back on board, the minotaur looks out again into the tree where Italapate is perched and waves for him to come back to the ship. Taking his time, the shaman descends and boards the STAR, grinning at Deigatt's glare.

Once the scouts are aboard Holland quietly calls down through the voice tube, "Raken, get us off planet!" With a low voice that still carries across the STAR's deck, "Battle positions everyone. We are not out of the thicket just yet."

Tucking his crossbow away, Kain starts to man the lines with practiced ease. The relative lack of atmospheric turbulence makes running the lines easier than usual, but Kain maintains his position nevertheless.

As Raken lifts the ship into the air, Deigatt watches the sky. "We're no longer protected by darkness," he calls out to the crew, "so be doubly halert! Look below has well has habove!"

Seeing Holland's bandana on the main deck, the minotaur says, "Sorry, Holland. You should be giving the horders, not me." Deigatt heads aft to the catapult.

The STAR shoots up and begins climbing into the sunny Spiral sky. Beautiful, fluffy white cumulus clouds can be seen in the distance, and the sky itself is a deep blue which fades to black as Raken brings the ship out of the atmosphere.

Just as the STAR breaks the atmosphere, Robert shouts a warning and points to port, where two lean, snake-like vessels appear to be closing on the STAR. They are approximately 8,000 yards or so away, just barely more then blips to the naked eye.

"Noy'jetat!" Grigree says to no one in particular as he sees the ships. He tightens his grip on the ropes in anticipation of what he hopes won't come.

Talus sighs and looks at the others, "I think running away would be a good tactic right now." Shaking his head the half-elf head to the catapult to help load and ready the weapon for combat.

"As quickly as possible," Kain breathes as he looks over at the incoming ships.

Holland sighs and says, "It is never easy.." and then call outs, "Raken, full speed ahead. We need to get distance between us and the planet so they can not call in further reinforcements," a touch of hopefulness creeps into Holland's voice, "We may be able to outrun them."

From the helm, Raken's face scrawls in concentration, pushing the ship as fast as his ability allows. Unfortunately, there is no noticeable increase in the ship's speed. "Son of an Euroz's bastard, why in the inferno of the Nine Hells do we have to fight our way off every speck in this sphere?" Raken rants out loud, adding a bit of a growl to his voice. "Lets hope we can outrun them; two on one are long odds under any conditions."

Directing his attention to the weapon crews Holland says, "Crew-weapons, hold your fire but stand ready."

Billy heads towards the catapult and loads his crossbow, setting it close at hand. He looks over at the approaching vessels and sighs in resignation.

Holland's disembodied voice continues, "Leera, if you have any illusions that can disguise us, or aid in our escape, now is the time. Everyone else, keep an eye out for other ships."

As she heads toward the catapult, Leera replies "Maybe.... I've got one idea that might keep them from boarding us, though they'll probably just pound us with rocks and spears, anyway...." She then turns and runs lightly to the speaking tube, where she passes a hurried message to Raken. "Raken! If it looks like they're going to ram us or get close enough to think about boarding, I'm going to cast an illusion that'll make it look like we've suffered an accident. When I do, come to a halt. We might be able to keep them from boarding us." As an afterthought, she adds, "If I cast, it'll be before our air envelopes merge."

From the tube, Raken's voice responds "Are you... sure that's... wise?" His voice is distant, his concentration on the ship. "Boarding may be... our best... shot at this... do what you... feel is wisest... I'll try... to keep our course true... Celestian be with us..."

Deigatt stands on the main deck near the catapult turret. "Har those scorpion ships?" he asks, squinting into the distance.

Holland's voice is heard with a tight chuckle, "Hopefully we don't find out." Holland concludes, "Good work Robert," and then falls silent.

"Thanks Capt'n." Robert answers from where he's working with Seguld at repositioning the ballistae for a better angle at the other ships.

The crew of the SILENT STAR watches as the two vessels come closer and closer. It's soon apparent that they are moving twice as fast as the STAR. They manage to close the distance to 3,000 yards.

"Can anyone make out what they are yet?" Robert asks, as the ballistae is finally positioned for firing.

Nilaroo calls, "Those are viperships! One of the more advanced ship designs, they're fast and heavily armed. Either alone has more weapons then us."

Watching the ships, and glancing at the planet below, Robert calls out to Holland, "Should we try for the dark side of Spiral? Try to lose them that aways?"

Round 1:

Holland directs, "Gunners, target the closest viper and Fire at will." Holland continues, "Ferric, keep us parallel. Head towards Bral, keep one viper between us and the other viper. Keep them off our rear so we can fire our crew-served weapons."

"Cast 'Enhance Rating' now, or we will surely perish!" the squat simian yells, feverishly aiming the catapult.

Talus tensely stands by the catapult, helping aim the cumbersome weapon at the approaching vessels.

Kain holds his position on the sailfin, waiting to help the STAR maintain her heading. He fingers the pommel of his shortsword as he watches the Viperships gain on the STAR.

Raken remains on the helm, pushing the ship forward. Unconsciously, he fumbles with the hilt of his sword.

Seguld hesitates at his post. as he hears the command from Holland. Shaking his head he lifts the enchanted arquebus to his shoulder. "TooFarForABallistaShot, MightAsWellTakeAShotWithThisBaby!" Slowly Seguld aims at the closer viper vessel, and pulls the trigger. There's a loud bang as he fires, and the air begins to smell slightly of smoke powder. It's too far to see if his shot has any effect.

As Billy helps to load the catapult he asks to all within hearing, "How do we know these are hostiles?"

Leera listens to Nilaroo's instructions and works to crew the catapult.

Italapate waves a white towel on a stick at the oncoming viper ships

Having left his crossbow on his bunk, Grigree mans the ropes.

As the STAR continues to forward, the two viperships split, one heading towards the STAR while the other continues on an intercept course. They continue to close the range.

Round 2:

Holland calls "Ready individual missile attacks"

Talus strains to lift the weight of shot into the basket of the catapult, then follows Nilaroo's directions in targeting the scro vessel. As Nilaroo pulls to rope to trigger the siege weapon, Talus flinches, watching the strain in the arms transfer their power to the shot in the basket sending it soaring outward and missing the scro vessel. The half-elf immediately sets to wincing it back for another shot.

Seguld quickly pulls out another shot and powder and begins reloading his arquebus.

Italapate continues to wave his "flag".

The vipership's continue to close the range, with one ahead of the STAR, and the other behind.

Round 3:

The closest scro vessel is roughly five hundred yards away now. More then a dozen scro can be seen there, some are crewing the vipership's impressive armament, while others can be seen loading arquebuses.

On both vipership's the forward catapult and ballista fire. One of the catapult shots, and one of the ballista bolts go wide, flying into deep space. The second catapult shot slams into the ship's hull, leaving splintered timbers but doing no critical damage.

The second ballista bolt slams into the tailfin of the STAR, shattering one of the "spines" and reducing the movement of the fin.

Holland calls "Archers, fire!"

"Load, load!" Nilaroo directs his crew as his muscled arms crank back the catapult.

Talus works at loading the catapult ready for another shot.

Raken keeps the ship's course steady, "Can't outrun 'em, can't outshoot 'em; Celestian be with us, let's hope we can outfight 'em," he mutters.

"That seems unlikely." Vais says from the port "eye" where he is observing the approaching vessels. "They seem quite well armed."

Seguld sets the now partially loaded arquebus back over his shoulder, and aims the ballista in on the target. "'EreGoesNothin'PrepareTaReload'Er." He pulls the trigger gently letting the bolt fly. Seguld curses as his bolt flies wide.

Italapate waves his flag.

Leera steps away from the catapult and casts a spell. A bright orange flash of flame, followed by a cloud of green smoke, emerges from the stairwell leading belowdecks.

Date/time: 6:09 am 12th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC