Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 24

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

Kain groans as he pulls himself up into a sitting position. Spitting out a tooth, he thumbs away the blood from a small cut over his right eye and looks over the destruction. With a pained expression on his face, Kain stands and holds his hand on the hilt of his shortsword.

Raken climbs onto the hull section, and gets into a seated position if possible. He sighs at the wreckage and wipes his forehead. "So, Holland, do you think the scro will buy us saying we're tourists out sightseeing the sphere? Or is slow, agonising torture in our future?"

Holland lets out a laugh that borders on hysterics before cutting off. Slowly he raises his hands and removes the bandanna around his head letting it float off into the air envelope. Holland then runs his hands over his person to acknowledge that he still has all of his gear and equipment.

Billy groans in pain and gets up from his fragment of the deck. He shakes his head to clear his blurred vision and takes in the destruction. "By my big, hairy toes! Is everyone alright?"

Italapate clutches a large chunk of the Catapult bed, struggling to climb to a more comfortable position. He rubs a badly bruised, and bleeding left biceps. As he rubs the blood away, the bleeding leisurely replaces what has been removed. Clearly superficial, but that doesn't make the pain any less. "So," he asks Deigatt and Seguld. "Any chance we can still fire this thing?" He grins broadly, though not as sincerely as usual. "Hey, Seguld, what's the rule for two guns? One for the bad guys, one for yourself?"

Seguld looks with cold eyes out at the viper ships. "IfIGotTwoGuns, ThenThere'll BeTwoDeadScro. I'llNotBeGivingUp, TilEitherThemOrUsIsDead!" Seguld moves back to the rifle rack, and grabs hold of the remaining 3 loaded rifles.

Holland looks around to assess the situation and notes the incoming vipers. Softly the invisible Holland says, "Now we get a new ship," in a louder voice that carries to the other shipwreck survivors, "We need to take a Viper or we are all dead. I am out of spells. Any suggestions?"

Pulling his hair back from his face, Kain fixes his leather headband and pauses to consider all the possibilities. "I could carry the bomb, I believe," he says slowly. "Or possibly any amongst our company, with the exception of ahh... Deigatt, Nilaroo, and maybe Ferric."

"When it comes to battle, I can try to keep our foes occupied. I am.. well.. quite manoeuvrable when I fly, so perhaps I could try something after delivering Seguld's bomb if we still have it." Kain adds quietly, "And we should fight, I do not plan on finishing my life living as those slaves we rescued were."

Seguld calls out, "TheBarrelsOverThere." as he points to the barrel sitting near the railing on his section of the ship.

"Thanks Seguld," Kain nods. Moving slowly and cautiously, Kain makes his way across the forward section of the STAR and recovers the barrel bomb. "Short fuse, guess I'll have to fly like a bunch of Scro are after me, huh," Kain grins, his missing tooth apparent.

"Uh, this is going to sound dumb, but how do I light this thing? Anyone have flint and steel in a pouch somewhere? All my things were belowdecks," Kain grumbles.

Holland says, "I have a tinderbox and flint," removing a few items, Holland hands the invisible pouch over to Kain.

From where Robert is clinging to the wreckage, and moving around slightly to find a comfortable position, "I can still cloud one of the ships. But once that happens, the other will most likely shoot us full of holes while keeping out of our range."

Holland replies, "Or cloud one while we try to board the other. Deigatt, Talus, what spells do you have available? Kain, with wings, you can make it aboard; can you carry another? Like maybe Billy or Seguld? Billy, you turned into a stump once, can you grow wings? Leera do you have an Alter Self? You can effect wings or something of the like for transport," Building up speed as he talks, "Grigree, can you somehow glide-board? Seguld, where is your 'bomb'? Italapate, with your climbing claws, could Deigatt somehow propel you to a viper's hull? They have cargo doors on the side." Holland ends, "We are in an awful position. Any suggestions, no matter how far-fetched, at this point might serve to save us."

"Now THAT sounds like fun," Pate says as he straps on his claws. "Hey, Deig, promise you won't miss, okay?" Pate limbers up as best he can, stretching his legs and arms. He pulls his tomahawk and shakes it, closes his eyes and chants. "Coyo et Talap mijo c'en ital ital," repeating the phrase in a sing song pattern. He pulls some makeup from his pouch, and, continuing to chant, begins to apply the bright colours to his face.

Robert takes a good hard look at the closing ships and adds, "I've also got another cloud, this one will give them breathing problems, but it's close range, and a lot smaller." he concludes with a wry smile. "I think I can also knock the wind out of a few of them, if they are grouped close together. It won't stop them for long though."

Talus still clings to a piece of railing, looking pale and bruised. He answers Holland, "I still have my spells - colour spray, sleep and web. If it comes to melee I doubt I will be of much help, I still can't use my arm much despite the healing."

"If you would like, I'd like to see what I can do about your arm?" Robert offers. Talus nods, and Robert quickly casts a curing spell. Talus perks up, and moves his arm back and forth, demonstrating full mobility.

Holland replies, "Those are some powerful boarding spells."

Raken listens to the paltry list of spells and powers, and leans on his side, getting comfortable. "Surrender?" he says, his voice grim. "Hate to break up the optimism, but lets face reality. We're outnumbered three to one, we're scattered about the wreckage of our ship, and we're pretty beat up. Unless you've got one nine hells of a rabbit to pull out of your hat, we're screwed." He sighs again. "But if you're determined to try, so am I."

"I've got a web spell memorised has well," Deigatt calls out. "Those hand some fire could provide some protection. Does hanyone know hof these scro? Har we likely to be taken alive, has prisoners?"

Holland replies, "From what I understand, we would receive the same result if we surrender as we would if we tried to fight and died in the process.." Holland pauses and then says, "Though if the group believes we should surrender, I will concede."

As the conversation turns to the magic still available to the party, Leera answers Holland. "No... I don't have an Alter Self memorised. I can cast Colour Spray, Spook, Charm Person, Hypnotic Pattern, Improved Phantasmal Force, and Invisibility. Several of those might be of use as boarding spells, but I don't know that we have much of a chance. We're outnumbered at least 4 or five to 1." With a sigh, Leera slumps back over, her hand covering the ugly oozing gash in her side.

Holland replies, "The phantasmal force could hide us, preventing the Scro from knowing our location, which would be crucial to get them close enough for a boarding operation without being filled with arrows and shots. The charm could get us an ally as well." Holland tries to smile, "Maybe this isn't as hopeless after all. If possible, we should target the starboard viper, what do you think Deigatt?"

"With the trickster?" Deigatt asks. "I'm thinking the bow hof the hother ship has been damaged, hand a good shot could hurl Hitalapate through the broken planking hand hinto the belly hof the ship. If they're wise, though," the minotaur continues, "they'll only happroach with one ship, the less damaged one. Hif we conceal hourselves hamong hour wreckage huntil we har hin the ship's gravity plane, we might be able to hattack with some surprise."

Holland, "That is the spirit. Either way, how do you propose hurling him?"

"Uhmmmm, guys? I am still here! Just because I am going to pretend to be cannon shot, doesn't mean I should be treated as such," 'Pate grins.

"I suspect Nilaroo hand I can use parts hof the catapult to make a small sling to help hus throw Hitalapate hat the ship," Deigatt replies. "Once we're hin the ship's gravity, we'll fall to hits plane line hand should be able to get a good shot from there."

'Pate says, "If we wait until they get that close, you big guys could probably just give me a hefty boost...."

Deigatt looks among the wreckage and sees Galan's body floating near the shattered remains of the ballista mounting. "Hif Leera were to create some hillusionary bodies to join hour lost comrade, then hit might convince the scro that we've hall been killed hor hinjured. Kain could fly to the ship hinvisibly hand hattack from habove. He could drop Seguld's explosive device onto their deck; then Talus could cast his web spell to cover has much hof the deck has possible. The resulting fire should provide hus enough distraction that we can hall board the viper."

Nilaroo shakes his head. "Won't work. Fire the catapult, all you'll do is send that fragment it's attached to spinning in circles. And if we surrender, we set ourselves up for the soul-burner. Myself, I'll die fighting first. By the way, what happened to the helm?"

Holland replies, "Good point Nilaroo, we also don't have the time to build something, the Scro will be here in minutes. Deigatt, with Italapate getting as much of a running start as possible, could you give him an extra boost when reaching the edge of your platform?"

"I wasn't suggesting we use the catapult," Deigatt says sternly. "I was suggesting we could use parts hof hit to create a sling. Hif we cannot do such a thing, then we cannot do hit."

"I was thinking much the same thing... about the catapult that is...." 'Pate muses, rubbing his chin.

Grigree asks, "Can we fight ship full of 'jetatin scro? Maybe we hide and ships leave. Planet not far, so Kain and me glide down and talk to elves. Get ship to rescue everyone."

Kain nods just slightly. "If we could convince the Scro that we were dead or gone, and if our air envelope held long enough, I think it could work. Unfortunately," he sighs, "I do not believe we'll be able to meet either of those conditions."

"Don't worry 'bout air." Robert says while checking the number of quarrels he has left on him, "That's something I think, I can handle."

"Alright, that's good," Kain says a little more easily. "If it does happen that we can evade the Scro's notice, there will be air at the... ah... least. About how long can you keep the envelope refreshed Robert?" Kain asks.

Looking at Kain, Robert cracks his knuckles and says, "That all depends upon the Lady of the Winds. As we might not be among the living for much longer, what's the point in keeping secrets." Giving a slight nod of his head, "I am Breeze of Light Robert Twofeather, Airwalker of Akadi at your service. May we survive long enough to become know each other better." Robert continues but with a harder edge to his voice, "But I will die first before loosing my freedom. I have two minor healing prayers for those that need them." Robert offers.

"Tatric Aekhas, an fortune smile upon us I shall be of enough use to help us survive," Kain replies, matching Robert's nod. "Deigatt, do you... er... still have that token the elves gave you?" Kain asks. "If we are able to return planet side, it would give us some, well, identification at the least."

Deigatt feels for the wooden wren in his belt pouch. "Yes, I have hit," he says after a moment. "I think hif we take a ship we should head haway from Spiral rather than back to hit, hif the ship has a usable helm."

"Oh, I was thinking about if I had to return planet side without a ship actually," Kain laughs nervously. "It's a long flight, and I'm not even sure if.. ah.. I could fly that far. But if I did, I'd like some way to show I'm no spy or something."

Holland says, "What if Kain holds the bomb as Leera casts invisibility upon him, we then give him a piece of cloth. He flies the bomb over to the damaged viper. Leera casts an illusion to hide us as well as to make more bodies floating dead. Grigree makes his way over to Deigatt. Kain waits until the other viper is close enough to us and then arms it and shoves deep into the hole in the viper's hull. Kain then pulls out a piece of cloth and signals us. The rest of us are under what cover we can to support the illusion. Once we see Kain's signal we get ready to act. Kain flies back over to grab Talus. The moment of the explosion, Robert casts a cloud on the near viper."

Holland continues, "Deigatt propels Grigree with some rope, and then propels Italapate with his claws. Kain drops Talus on the deck and comes back to get... Robert? to drop on the deck and act as transport for the others. Grigree glides to the viper and sets the rope for Deigatt to climb up, and we go from there.."

Holland asks, "How does that sound? Refinements? Better ideas? With being able to put the bomb within the actual hull of the other viper, we stand a better chance of actually destroying it, removing 50% of the Scro forces."

Talus shakes his head at Holland's plan, "I don't like the idea of my being first on the deck. I will need some time to cast my spells, and I would undoubtedly be attacked on sight. How about Kain flies a rope to the ship for us to pull ourselves along with. If I am close enough, I should be able cast a sleep and web spell to improve our odds before coming across for the melee."

Holland replies, "We could give Kain the rope before we cast the spell on him. He could plant the bomb on other viper, then tie off the rope on the close viper, attach a visible cloth to the end and then toss the end to us. People could start on the rope. Italapate and Grigree could still get propelled to the viper, while you still get ferried by Kain, you will just have at least two-three other people on the viper, as well as a cloud of fog obscuring vision when you get there." Holland asks, "Does that sound good?

"It sounds like Kain will be extremely busy." Vais says, dryly. "Should he bring back dinner while he's at it?"

Holland replies, "Kain, the priority would be shoving the bomb into the viper. I do not think that you should try to get to its Bridge. That would involve moving through the inner workings of the viper and put you at too much risk with your load. The best bet, I believe, would be to stuff it through the hole in the hull, I think we will get the desired effect."

Seguld announces, "PutMeAtTalus'SideAn'I'll ProvideCoverFerHimWhile HeCastsTheSpells." He says as he pats the rifles nestled in the crook of his left arm.

Raken thinks about it for a second. "I...believe I've seen a crude sketch of the innards of a viper once, in a book about the Unhuman War; actually, it was a book about the many ships used by various races involved in said war," he notices himself rambling stops. "Anyway, if memory serves, the ship is very simple in design. Three decks, helm, living quarters, and a kitchen on middle deck with helm forward and kitchen aft. The bottom deck is a cargo hold. The aft hatch, I think, allows access to it. That's where they'll keep their powder, if they have any. I suggest trying to get the bomb into that hold; if Kain is invisible, then he'll have a fair chance of accomplishing this. If the bomb manages to take their powder when it goes, it'll have a better chance of blowing the ship straight to the nine hells where it belongs. As for the other, let's hit them hard and fast. Web part of the ship with the most crew, preferably over one or both of the hatches to prevent marines from flooding the deck, hit the rest with prismatic sprays and anything else we've got. Follow that up with our best fighters hitting hard and fast while others slay the unconscious. If we can wipe out those on deck quickly, we'll have a better chance of taking the rest of the ship, allowing them to get on deck only one or two at a time."

"Their only smoke powder weapons seem to be personnel weapons." Vais notes, "It's unlikely they have a large store of smoke powder in one place."

"The cloud of mist that I'll target at the closer viper once the word is given, is extremely wet. It might effect the smoke powder weapons of the scro." Robert offers, "Seguld, your the 'xpert on them? Will it?"

"Maybe. IfTheCargoHatchIsOpenGreat. ElseJustPutItNear TheHelmAndLet'sDisable ThatShip. WeDon'tNeedTaDestroyIt, JustPutItOuttaCommission." comments Seguld. "AnIfYouWebTheShip, Don'tBeHittin'TheB'llistas. TheyWon'tBeMuchGoodAgainstUs, An'IfWeCanWebTheHatches WeUse'mTaShootAtTheOtherShip."

Looking at Kain Seguld adds, "IfYouC'nGiveMeALiftOverAft'rLeavingYerGift, YouC'nDropMeRightIntaTheBallistaArea. ITakeOutAScroOrTwoWit'MeMace, ThenIGitTa WorkShootin'On TheOth'rShip. Ya'KnowThemScroAlwaysHaveTheirB'llistasLoaded."

"Kain's service are becoming popular." Vais notes, "It will be interesting to see him in three places at once."

"Hit would be useful hif we were closer together," Deigatt says. "We can toss some rope across to the port section hand pull hus together. We may need to rely hon Kain's flying hability to bring a rope across from the front section. Hif we're going to hattack, we need to hall be havailable to do so. Hand we need to hurry, has the ships har approaching rapidly."

Italapate rummages through the wreckage, looking for a substantial length of rope and a particularly nasty, spiky piece of flotsam. He winks at Deigatt, "...not that I don't trust your aim or anything."

Deigatt opens his vest to reveal a length of rope wrapped around his waist. He unrolls it quickly and hands it to Italapate.

He ties the end to a sharp chunk of manageable wreckage forming a makeshift grapple.

"So, 'Roo," he says, "I get into the cargo hold, I'm thinking I make a bee-line for the helm.... learned some things from the last time. Where is the helm room?"

"Hey, Captain Holland, sir, If I can take the helm that would give us an advantage, awya?" he calls. "What do you want me to do with it?" Listening, he coils the rope and hooks it around his belt.

Holland replies, "If you can make it to the helm, bring it close and lower it a bit so everyone can jump onto the main deck."

Pulling out a lightly wrapped quarrel, "Ah-ha! I knew I had stored a couple of these." Quickly unwrapping the gauze surrounded the head of the quarrel, Robert says, "I have 2 of these. The heads are designed to hold a Fire Trap spell. I usually save these for the Flow, but considering this is probably the time to use them." With a grin, Robert pulls a second quarrel out, and says "If someone would like one to use, please take it. Billy? Anyone?" Looking around at the wreckage with a sad smile, "I do have a couple more, but I kept them in my chest down below."

Billy takes the quarrel proffered by Robert and keeps it handy. "Is it ensorcelled or does it still need the spell to work?"

"It's already to go. All you have to do is hit your target, and as Seguld would say, Boom!" Robert replies.

Rubbing his temple, Robert says, "Let me get this right. Kain flies the bomb to the far viper. Sets it and flies back towards the closer viper. When the bomb goes off, I cast my cloud of mist at the near viper, Grigree flies the rope over to the near viper, and we attempt to board and capture her? How do we see once the cloud is covering the ship?" Robert asks, And it will cover the ship, as the cloud is about 50' cubed."

Holland replies, "That about sums it up. The spellcasters need to be among the first over to take advantage of their mass spells, like sleep, colour spray and web. The Cloud cover is to allow us to board the viper without being under direct fire. Once we have the boarding party, which should just about everyone, on the viper, you can dismiss the cloud. Those who have missile weapons, while waiting to board, could try their luck at shooting into the cloud, couldn't hurt.. Try to position the cloud so a small area, nearest us where we will be boarding, is not covered. That is where everyone will go to. Hopefully the Scro panic and shoot themselves as we are boarding them. Maybe a few select cantrips of various noises on the other side of the ship from us, to further distract the Scro, would be wise as well." Holland adds, "Speed is of importance.."

Squinting at the closing vipers, Robert says, "Not sure if I can give us a boarding area that's not clouded. Depends upon the way the viper comes in. I'll try though." Holding his crossbow towards the approaching ships, "I'd suggest aiming at a scro, and then shooting as the cloud forms. That way, at least we've got some known targets that we might hit. For those with heat sight, don't rely on that within the cloud."

Leera notes, "We should decide now who is going to cast the web spells and where. We really need to make sure we get the hatches covered. Also, there can't be nearly as many scro on deck as there are belowdecks. If we manage to seal the hatches, it would be foolish to waste all of our spells on the scro on deck and have none left for those belowdecks."

"Just make sure that whoever has the Web gets over first." Ferric says from where his large body lies motionless on the piece of wreckage. "Get that web spell to block off all but the landing area. If we get some scro in it we can douse it with fire oil and light it up like last time. If Kain leaves us an end and ties his invisible rope before he sets the bomb we would have that much more time. Dieg or myself could haul our piece over while we act as an anchor for those climbing it."

"Talus," Deigatt says, "let me cast my web spell first, so you can hold yours hin reserve."

Holland says, "Leera, please turn Kain invisible and then get an illusion running, the Scro are going to be here any minute." Holland remarks, "Once the attack starts, I am going to make my way to the STAR's helm and try to use it to transport people onto the viper."

Leera nods. With a few practised motions, she casts the spell and Kain (as well as the bomb he's concealing) fade from sight. She holds out a torn piece of cloth to him.

The cloth floats before Leera. "My first priority is getting that bomb into the damaged Vipership," Kain's voice begins. "I'll try to time the lighting of the fuse so that the bomb will explode as the undamaged vessel gets within boarding distance of all of you.

"After that," Kain continues, "I don't know. If I'm still invisible, I'll try to gain the upper hand on any obvious spellcasting Scro on our target ship. That or I'll try to provide transport for anyone that needs it."

Leera then glances around and mutters the words to another incantation. A dozen or so bodies appear, floating among the wreckage of the ship. Torn and mangled wood drifts in to obscure the line of sight between the oncoming vipers and the survivors on the largest chunk-o'STAR.

Leera informs the company, "I'll drop the illusion shortly after the explosion. I've got several spells that'll be good for the boarding operation. I'm also good enough with my dagger to slay those incapacitated by my own and your spells. Someone else-- maybe you, Talus-- who's not likely to be able to do well in a pitched battle should help me slay those we incapacitate."

Leera continues, "I've got those magical darts, too. One causes lots of fire damage, and the other two make people laugh for quite a while. I can throw them okay, but maybe someone else could do better? They do have to hit in order to work, after all."

Holland adds, "Grigree, to take a load off of Kain, why don't you carry the rope. You can run and then glide to the Viper and attach the rope. Deigatt can hold the other end of it. That sound okay? We need that rope to get everyone up on deck as soon as the bomb goes off."

Absently rubbing the patch of grey skin at his neck Robert offers, "I can call a minor wind spirit to give Grigree a bit of a push after I've cast the cloud."

Grigree grunts and nods. Catching the rope from Deigatt, he ties a piece of scrap -- grappling-hook-like -- several feet from the end. Grigree drops the coil loosely behind him and says to everyone, "Grab on when I tie it in case the scro pull away."

Holland concludes, "If you have a missile weapon, it would be advisable to put it to good use when the attack begins. The important thing is to get to the helm. Are we ready?"

Grigree grunts an affirmative and gets into position.

"I confess I was looking forward to slamming Hitalapate hagainst the side hof the vipership," Deigatt mutters to those near him. He tries to hide his bulk among the trappings of the catapult and holds his spear ready.

"Could still help him along," Grigree adds. Crouching behind a chunk of stair, Grigree rechecks his remaining weapons -- one longsword and dagger -- and waits for the boom.

Raken slips behind the wreckage, trying to use it as cover while looking as dead as possible.

Nilaroo quickly loops a knot around a piece of flotsam while the wizards are planning their assault. Make-shift grapple done, he flops down on his remaining bit of deck in a position that allows him to keep an eye on the approaching viper.

"So, 'Roo," Italapate asks. "Is there a way to open the cargo hold from the outside? Or will I have to chip my way in?"

Once the planning is complete, Kain's voice says, "I'm away. I hope we can all speak fondly of surviving this later. And Talus, I'm sorry I dragged you into space like this."

Talus grins, "Don't worry about it. We have lived a few more months than if we had stayed. But you never know, we may still survive this."

"Heveryone!" the minotaur calls out. "Minimise movement; the ships happroach. When one comes close, be habsolutely still huntil we strike. Remember that the helmsman sees with the eyes hof the ship, so hits more than just the deck crew that we have to hide from."

"Leera," Deigatt says, "can you halter your hillusion so that hit hincludes some weapons hor items hof value that will lure the scro ship closer to hus? We can halso toss hout coins hand small weapons that we possess."

Leera nods, and slowly the glint of gold bars and the steely barrels of several varieties of firearms drift toward the edge of the wreckage facing the scro.

The two scro viperships approach carefully, splitting apart as they come within a couple hundred yards of the STAR's wreckage. One heads up, spinning on its keel so that the crew on deck can easily examine the wreckage. the other turns to port and follows the same pattern. Both vessels circle the wreckage in a path that's at right angles to each other, moving very slowly.

Once they've finished their inspection, the vessel whose bow took the catapult hit comes to a stop, sitting about 500 yards from the wreckage. The vessel is broadside, so that two of its ballistae and its catapult can all fire if needed.

The other comes in slowly, nose first. The catapult station above the nose ram is filled with arquebusiers, scanning the wreckage and keeping their weapons at the ready. The air envelopes merge, and suddenly the sounds of various scro voices can be heard, calling out commands and orders. All the weapons save the catapult are loaded, and the scro glance about them warily. When they've come within twenty feet of the wreckage, equidistant from the stern and forward hunks, the vessel comes to a halt.

Date/time: 6:25 am 12th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC