19:35] <~RogetGMs> A messenger has been sent out to bring you five to this briefing room. Instead of Quincy, or anyone else you recognize, there is a black man in a leather Belgian military uniform, with a large scar running across his face and through a blinded eye. He sits on a chair behind a table, with a few papers in front of him.
[19:35] <DSJ> Amadeo waits for him to speak, respectfully.
[19:36] <Fae> Muirenn waits. She's got her big bag with her.
01[19:36] <&Nemi> Amelie, to contrast, looks downright.. Simple. Just a slim Slavic girl in a white dress, standing dutifully in the corner with hands clasped. She waits!
[19:36] <@DiePotato> Artyom reports haggardly. He was taking a nap and is now peeved. Today was supposed to be his day off. Harumph. Nonetheless he leans on the wall by the door to the room with his arms crossed.
[19:36] <~RogetGMs> He looks over all of you, taking you in with his one good eye. You all feel chills as his eye sweeps across you, analyzing you.
[19:37] <@DiePotato> Arty looks back blankly and with a mild sneer.
[19:37] <madness_> Jo's a little late, but he reports nonetheless!
01[19:38] <&Nemi> Amelie looks more curious than anything. She seems out of place amongst all the grizzled badasses and musclegirls of the team.
[19:38] <~RogetGMs> "Good evening. This is a mission of great importance, so I will try to keep this as brief as possible." He eyes Jo as he walks in, then opens a folder on the table, revealing a picture of a balding man in a green American military uniform. "This is Commander Connor Brickley, an agent of the Insurgency."
[19:39] <DSJ> Amadeo nods. ~Good, we'll be getting rid of a traitor."
[19:39] <~RogetGMs> "My government has located him in the Congo, along the Congo River. We… related this information to your superiors. Your mission is to terminate him. There are further details in this dossier." He slides it across the table. "Any questions?"
[19:40] <DSJ> *~
[19:40] <DSJ> "What security will there be?"
[19:40] <@DiePotato> "… Where is the Congo."
[19:40] <~RogetGMs> "Africa."
[19:40] <~RogetGMs> He ignores you, Amadeo. Rude.
[19:41] <madness_> "Are we going in covertly?"
[19:42] <@DiePotato> "… Fuck." Arty grumbles
[19:42] <DSJ> Amadeo says nothing, because it's not his place to argue with a superior.
01[19:42] <&Nemi> Amelie hugs her elbows. She frowns, momentarily, but doesn't voice any complaints.
[19:43] <~RogetGMs> "You will be inserted by steamboat, under cover of darkness."
[19:43] <@DiePotato> "Any additonal gear or are we stuck with shit we bring?"
[19:44] <madness_> "Understood." Jo picks up the dossier and flips through it!
[19:44] <Fae> "A'ight."
[19:45] <~RogetGMs> You see lots of very dark pictures of water, jungle, and dense forest. The man you all are after looks like a general, fat, chubby cheeks and rows of medals on his chest. He has intelligence in his eyes, though.
[19:45] <~RogetGMs> "Pack lightly. You'll have heatstroke if you're loaded down with too much equipment."
[19:46] <@DiePotato> "And exfil?"
[19:46] <~RogetGMs> "Same way you came in."
[19:46] <~RogetGMs> "So try not to sink the boat."
01[19:47] <&Nemi> Amelie nods and snaps off a very practiced salute. "Understood."
[19:47] <DSJ> ~No no, we'll just let ourselves die instead.~
[19:47] <@DiePotato> "Great. Will go back sunscreen." Arty pushes himself off the wall, gets the dossier he didn't get yet and walks out of the room.
[19:48] <@DiePotato> *pack
[19:48] <DSJ> Amadeo leaves after Artyom does.
01[19:48] <&Nemi> Amelie follows Artyom closely out!
[19:49] <madness_> Jo heads off after everyone!
[19:49] <Fae> Muirenn follows, getting her riffle and extra skins and such.
[19:49] <DSJ> Amadeo gets his guns and gear.
[19:50] <~RogetGMs> Once everyone is packed and ready, they're escorted out to the train, which takes them to a boat, which takes them to the African coast. Despite being a journey of several weeks, it doesn't take long for you to see the coast of Congo in the distance. Everyone feels mildly nauseous on the journey, but not terribly offput.
[19:50] <Fae> Nah, Muirenn grew up on boats.
[19:50] <~RogetGMs> You're all let off on a dock, with several wooden buildings. You have directions to your steamboat, your target, his location, and your equipment.
[19:51] <~RogetGMs> It's not a seasickness kind of nausea
[19:51] <@DiePotato> Artyom's mildly peeved the entire way there. He packed a duffel with a variety of things, but he'll probably leave most of it back in the boat.
[19:51] <DSJ> Amadeo packed light, and takes all of his gear off the boat with him.
[19:52] <@DiePotato> Arty's got his normal base gear and for a main rifle he's got that rather bulky Wincester Model 40 that has a rather weighty suppressor fixed around the barrel.
[19:53] <Fae> Muirenn Pulls her stuff onto the boat. Skins, rifle, radio, the works.
[19:53] <@DiePotato> He managed to introduce himself to everyone else in the meantime.
[19:53] <madness_> Jo brought his FN FAL, but will mainly use his pistol or melee. He might just end up leaving the rifle on the boat, anyways.
[19:54] <@DiePotato> Arty follows direction to steambutt.
[19:54] <@DiePotato> "Already hate it here."
01[19:54] <&Nemi> Amelie, likewise, is pretty peeved the entire way there. She too has packed a duffel with a variety of things. She has her own normal base gear, the Novavida produced uniform with the colour shell swapped to a dull green. She's strapped on the rest of her belongings, and carries a Winchester Model 70, as well as her usual SMG, knife, and sidearm. Ami stays near Artyom, of course, and follows along. Aah, comfortably breathable material!
[19:54] <DSJ> As does Amadeo.
[19:54] <~RogetGMs> The dock you find yourselves on is very decrepit, with many holes in the floor making small pools of dark water visible underneath. A few natives and Europeans shuffle from building to building, nobody looking up to the newcomers or each other. In the distance, you see the beginnings of forests and jungle, steeped in water and fog.
01[19:54] <&Nemi> "I feel vaguely ill. This place is too damp."
[19:54] <~RogetGMs> You have directions to the steamboat, which awaits its travelers.
[19:54] <@DiePotato> "This place is shit."
[19:55] <DSJ> "Scenery's nice at least."
[19:55] <Fae> "Meh."
[19:55] <Fae> "But yeah, the scenery's nice."
[19:55] <@DiePotato> Artyom shakes his head and adjusts the duffel over his shoulder. He's sweating a bunch already.
[19:56] <~RogetGMs> The air is oppressively humid, and it only gets worse as you move closer to the jungles.
[19:57] <Fae> "Alright, yeah, it's pretty humid."
01[19:57] <&Nemi> Amelie shrugs and heads to the steamboat, adjusting her own duffel some. She's strong for someone so small and slight looking. "Must appreciate Novavida's consideration for materials. I am almost comfortable." She mumbles, mostly to Artyom.
03[19:57] * AidenEldritch (~PI.0E46EBED.7F72E921.89953682|criigc#PI.0E46EBED.7F72E921.89953682|criigc) has joined #homeimprovement
[19:57] <DSJ> "At least it's not raining."
[19:57] <@DiePotato> Arty continues the trudge nevertheless. No turning back now. He steps around the various puddles and also keeps close to Amelie, slicking his hair back.
[19:57] <madness_> "Christ, it's like a sauna." Jo airs out his shirt, deciding it was a bad idea to bring along the FN FAL.
03[19:58] * GnaMobile (moc.duolccri.gnilae.6438FE69-CRInys|199651diu#moc.duolccri.gnilae.6438FE69-CRInys|199651diu) has joined #homeimprovement
01[19:58] <&Nemi> "Sauna is probably best thing Finns ever invented," Ami notes, with a wry smirk toward Jo as she steps across the rickety boards onto the boat.
[19:58] <Fae> Muirenn follows along. "Are all missions like this?"
[19:58] <~RogetGMs> You make your way to the steamboat. It's a white, creaky looking boat that looks like something made during the last century. The crew look to be mostly disaffected europeans, who pay them no heed as they approach their vessel.
[19:59] <@DiePotato> "No, sometimes they are oppresively cold." Arty sounds like he misses it.
[19:59] <~RogetGMs> The only African crew member is sitting on the bow, and is noticeably missing his hand.
[19:59] <Fae> Muirenn crinkles her nose at the boat.
[19:59] <DSJ> Amadeo isn't let down by the boat's condition.
[19:59] <@DiePotato> If there's a gangplank/easy entrance Arty climbs aboard.
[20:00] <@DiePotato> "Hey! We are passengers you are waiting for."
[20:00] <~RogetGMs> As you look at it, part of the railing along the deck falls off into the water. There is a gangplank perched precariously on the dock.
[20:00] <~RogetGMs> They look at you, Arty, and don't say anything or move.
01[20:00] <&Nemi> Amelie gives the assorted crewmen veiled analytical looks, just reading their affect, their capacity. She, at least, seems comfortable enough in the environment. Synthetic materials and all that. And she'll step nimbly up the gangplank.
[20:00] <Fae> Muirenn's eye twitches.
[20:00] <DSJ> Amadeo calmly gets on the boat.
[20:01] <madness_> Jo returns the smirk with a smile and shakes his head. He'll also climb aboard! The fallen rail doesn't really look all too attractive, but he steps on.
[20:01] <~RogetGMs> They look like sailors, Amelie. Most of them just look like they couldn't give a rats ass about what they're doing.
[20:01] <@DiePotato> "… Great." Arty climbs aboard and tosses his duffel on the deck. "Let's get going then."
[20:02] <Fae> Muirenn climbs aboard, and cracks her knuckles.
[20:03] <Fae> She marches to wherever the captain is.
01[20:03] <&Nemi> In other words, sailors. Ami half-smiles and settles down on a relatively dry piece of deck to quickly do a once-over of her Winchester. This sort of environment isn't ideal, with all the wet, so it's best to keep on top of things.
[20:04] <~RogetGMs> As soon as everyone is aboard, the crew becomes animate and get up , climbing on after them with several crates presumably containing supplies, and pull the gangplank up. At that moment, the door to the interior of the boat swings open and a man dressed in an almost theatrical sailors outfit steps out, taking a deep breath. "Greetings! I am Captain Hotzendorf
[20:04] <~RogetGMs> !"
[20:04] <~RogetGMs> He looks like this http://www.edp24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/1.4329233!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/image.jpg
[20:04] <DSJ> "Hello, Captain."
[20:04] <Fae> "Mmm. No' too impressed wi' the state o' yer ship."
01[20:05] <&Nemi> Amelie holds a hand up! And neatly sliding back into her habitual French, moderated slightly by learning English from an Englishman, she greets him with a, "Hello, captain!"
[20:05] <@DiePotato> Arty makes a really weird face when all that happens. That was really weirdly timed.
[20:05] <@DiePotato> He picks his duffel up out of the way of some people and watches the captain.
[20:06] <~RogetGMs> "Well, she's an old girl, but she'll to. We're taking ya upstream to the Brickley compound, ja?" He's got a German accent and seems out of place in this dour place. How can someone so cheerful exist here?
[20:06] <Fae> "…Anythin' I can do ta keep 'er afloat?"
[20:06] <@DiePotato> "Ano." The taller, pale, Slav nods.
[20:07] <madness_> Jo gives a mock salute to the Cap'n before mimicking Amelie's example and running checks over his weapons. "That's where we're headed."
01[20:07] <&Nemi> Amelie nods. "Yes, captain. On to Brickley."
01[20:07] <&Nemi> She is such a mirror to Artyom. Almost identical at a base level, but with the details tweaked just enough to leave her distinct. Strange to look at.
[20:08] <~RogetGMs> "Ah, she'll be fine. Railing is old, zere is not much that can be done. Don't lean on the important stuff and we should be fine." He looks upstream. "There's not much else out here, since the company left. Colonol Brickley has kept up business, though."
01[20:08] <&Nemi> "Has he?"
[20:08] <@DiePotato> "What exactly does he do?"
[20:09] <~RogetGMs> "Oh ja, very much." The boat pulls out of the dock. "He's in charge of some kind'a military compoind upstream a ways."
[20:09] <@DiePotato> "Official?"
[20:10] <DSJ> Amadeo just listens.
[20:11] <~RogetGMs> "I'm not really un ze business of askin' my customers too many questions. I just ship things." The boat quickly makes its way from the port and into the Congo river. Dense jungle is all around the riverbanks, forming a dark canopy over their heads. The only sounds are that of the boat, and the calls of the wild things out in the darkness.
[20:13] <Fae> Muirenn checks on the engine.
01[20:13] <&Nemi> Amelie, from the rear of the vessel, watches the surroundings in apprehension and fascination in equal measure. This is easily the most exotic locale she's been in, though the darkness and misery that seemed a constant weighed on her terribly.
[20:14] <~RogetGMs> The engine, while old and looking creaky in many spots, seems perfectly functional. Engineering to examine it further.
[20:14] <~RogetGMs> Amelie, perception
[20:15] <Fae> 4df+0 (+4 if fishing spec applies from growing up on a fishing boat)
[20:15] <Glacon> Fae: (+4 if fishing spec applies from growing up on a fishing boat): 2 (4df+0=3+, 0, 3+, 0)
01[20:15] <&Nemi> 4df+4 lookin' around
[20:15] <Glacon> Nemi: lookin' around: 6 (4df+4=3+, 3+, 0, 0)
[20:16] <~RogetGMs> The engine looks fine on further inspection. You do note a few sections that might need parts replaced, though. Frankly it's amazing something this antiquated is working so well.
[20:16] <~RogetGMs> Amelie, you see shapes flitting around the boat in the dark jungle, although it could be your imagination or tricks of the light.
[20:17] <~RogetGMs> Everyone, it's almost unbearably humid now. All of the crew excepting the captain has stripped down to bare undershirt and shorts, with bare feet slapping against the deck as they work.
[20:17] <Fae> "I swear, 'is crew…"
[20:17] <Fae> "No recpec' for tha ship."
01[20:18] <&Nemi> Amelie seems comfortable enough, though the near-naked men get interested looks from the Czech in the Novavida-made fatigues. They're a distraction from all the like fascinating things to be seen all about- she finds her hand straying to her SMG, though it's not yet raised to fire. Ever wary.
[20:19] <DSJ> ~There's probably something more to this humidity."
[20:19] <DSJ> *~
[20:19] <Fae> Muirenn patrols the edge of the boat with a shotgun. No knowin' what might jump out.
[20:19] <~RogetGMs> Muirenn, perception
[20:20] <@DiePotato> Artyom /wipes/ his face from all the sweat. He's not going to strip-down but man is he hot anyways. He digs out a canteen from his duffel and chugs from it heavily. Dehydration kills here.
[20:20] <Fae> 4df+4 (+4 if circle of life)
[20:20] <Glacon> Fae: (+4 if circle of life): 5 (4df+4=3+, 4-, 3+, 0)
01[20:20] <&Nemi> Amelie follows Artyom's example, wiping at her forehead and gulping from her canteen.
[20:21] <~RogetGMs> You see something in the water alongside the boat, keeping pace with it. The water is too murky to see it closely, though.
[20:22] <Fae> She narrows her eyes and aims, but doesn't fire yet.
[20:23] <~RogetGMs> As the boat pulls itself along in the water, a fog rolls in.
[20:23] <Fae> Oh good, something familiar.
[20:23] <~RogetGMs> All noises, the boat, the other people on the boat, and the area around the boat are quickly muffled by a thick sheet of fog wafting along the surface of the water.
[20:23] <DSJ> Amadeo just wants to arrive already.
03[20:24] * GnaMobile (moc.duolccri.gnilae.6438FE69-CRInys|199651diu#moc.duolccri.gnilae.6438FE69-CRInys|199651diu) has left #homeimprovement
[20:24] <~RogetGMs> Perception, all
[20:25] <Fae> 4df+4 (+4 is CoL)
[20:25] <Glacon> Fae: (+4 is CoL): 2 (4df+4=4-, 3+, 4-, 4-)
[20:25] <madness_> 4df+4 Jo squints at the fog, but doesn't lean over the rail. Both are equally suspicious looking. He fans his shirt a little more.
[20:25] <Glacon> madness_: Jo squints at the fog, but doesn't lean over the rail. Both are equally suspicious looking. He fans his shirt a little more.: 4 (4df+4=3+, 4-, 4-, 3+)
[20:25] <@DiePotato> 4df+4
[20:25] <Glacon> DiePotato: 3 (4df+4=4-, 0, 4-, 3+)
[20:26] <Fae> if*
[20:26] <DSJ> 4df+3
[20:26] <Glacon> DSJ: 3 (4df+3=0, 0, 4-, 3+)
01[20:27] <&Nemi> 4df+4 Perc
[20:27] <Glacon> Nemi: Perc: 3 (4df+4=4-, 0, 4-, 3+)
[20:28] <~RogetGMs> None of you hear anything… until an ear-splitting volley of gunfire erupts from the fog around the boat. Bullets fly indiscriminately all around you, striking down several crewmen. POWPOWPOWPWPWPOWPOW
[20:28] <@DiePotato> Artyom's busy trying to figure through his arms problems. THAT IS UNTIL GUNFIRE ENSUES
[20:28] <Fae> Muirenn ducks for cover and returns fire.
[20:28] <@DiePotato> "GET THE FUCK DOWN!"
[20:28] <Fae> 4df+4 Bangbangbang
[20:28] <Glacon> Fae: Bangbangbang: 4 (4df+4=3+, 3+, 4-, 4-)
[20:28] <DSJ> Amadeo hits the deck and draws his pistol
[20:29] <DSJ> 4df+5 RNG
[20:29] <Glacon> DSJ: RNG: 3 (4df+5=0, 4-, 4-, 0)
[20:29] <~RogetGMs> You fire blindly into the darkness and are met with more gunfire in return. Chunks of wood fly all around you, and the smell of burnt wood and gunfire fills the air.
[20:29] <@DiePotato> Arty takes a moment, considering his trusty duffel is beside him and fishes out the assault rifle he brought with him. How convenient. He also decides to crawl towards the bridge/below deck/wherever this thing is piloted from
[20:30] <Fae> Muirenn makes sure to hold onto her skins.
[20:30] <~RogetGMs> It's piloted from an above-deck bridge. The captain is taking shelter there now.
[20:30] <Fae> Muirenn heads for the piloting room.
[20:30] <@DiePotato> Then Arty happily crawls there, being sure to stay low enough to hide behind the railings.
[20:31] <madness_> Jo hits the deck and crawls over to the bridge!
[20:31] <~RogetGMs> Pdef, Arty Jo and Muirenn!
[20:31] <@DiePotato> 4df+4 aw dam
[20:31] <Glacon> DiePotato: aw dam: 4 (4df+4=3+, 4-, 4-, 3+)
[20:31] <Fae> 4df+4 ow
[20:31] <Glacon> Fae: ow: 6 (4df+4=0, 0, 3+, 3+)
[20:32] <~RogetGMs> 4df+6 ker pow
[20:32] <Glacon> RogetGMs: ker pow: 6 (4df+6=0, 0, 3+, 4-)
[20:32] <Fae> (madness_)
[20:32] <madness_> 4df+5 Ow
[20:32] <Glacon> madness_: Ow: 7 (4df+5=3+, 0, 3+, 0)
[20:32] <~RogetGMs> Arty, you take one damage as splinters fly into your arms as gunfire rips apart the deck all around you.
[20:33] <@DiePotato> Artyom would make a vocalization of pain but that would just get lost in the large amounts of gunfire.
[20:33] <@DiePotato> Plus, ow, he has splinters.
01[20:33] <&Nemi> Amelie ducks down as low as she can, scurrying on behind Artyom. She- ack!
01[20:33] <&Nemi> 4df+4
[20:33] <Glacon> Nemi: 4 (4df+4=4-, 3+, 3+, 4-)
01[20:33] <&Nemi> PDEF.
01[20:33] <&Nemi> ( er wait )
01[20:33] <&Nemi> ( ready artyom, saw amelie, i'm dumb )
[20:33] <~RogetGMs> (is cool)
[20:34] <~RogetGMs> You all make your way up to the bridge. The captain is there, pistol drawn and occasionally firing potshots into the fog around the boat.
[20:34] <~RogetGMs> Amadeo, perc
01[20:34] <&Nemi> Either way, she ducks at the further gunfire raking the position she's advancing on. Ambushes, of course. So, instead, she remains low as she hooks her duffel with a foot and tugs it back to herself. She'll fish out her FAL and return fire toward any muzzle flashes she can identify!
[20:34] <DSJ> 4df+3 PERC
[20:34] <Glacon> DSJ: PERC: 5 (4df+3=3+, 4-, 3+, 3+)
[20:34] <Fae> Is he steering?
[20:35] <~RogetGMs> You see through the fog, humanoid figures running alongside the boat. The captain has one hand on the wheel but he doesn't seem to be focusing on navigation right now
[20:35] <Fae> SHe takes over the steering and navigation.
[20:35] <@DiePotato> Artyom drags his bleeding ass into the bridge and he stays ducked down out of the way of windows while he slaps a magazine into his AK. Jeez louize he's hating this more and more. "Captain if you could please make ship go fucking /faster/ that would be great."
[20:35] <Fae> Wait, running alongside the boat?
[20:35] <@DiePotato> "Not hitting shit in the fucking TREES
[20:35] <@DiePotato> *."
[20:36] <~RogetGMs> Amadeo sees humanoids alongside the boat, nobody else
[20:36] <DSJ> 4df+5 RNG Amadeo takes aim at the shadow dudes and fires
[20:36] <Glacon> DSJ: RNG Amadeo takes aim at the shadow dudes and fires: 5 (4df+5=0, 4-, 0, 3+)
[20:37] <~RogetGMs> The Captain look at Artyom, and curses. "Use ze whistle! It will scare zem off!"
[20:37] <~RogetGMs> 4df+3
[20:37] <Glacon> RogetGMs: 5 (4df+3=4-, 3+, 3+, 3+)
[20:37] <~RogetGMs> You fire into the darkness but aren't sure if you hit anything.
[20:37] <Fae> Whistling ensues.
[20:37] <@DiePotato> "Fucking /fuck/!" Arty tugs the now tattered sleeves of his fatigue top and looks at the Captain weirdly. "The fuck are you talking about whistling scares them the fuck off? DID WE NOT GET FUCKING TOLD SOMETHING AGAIN!?"
[20:38] <Fae> "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!" yUP, THAT'S THE WISTLE.
[20:38] <@DiePotato> He huffs loudly and also tugs down on the whistle rope/button with Muirenn. Gotta go whistle.
[20:38] <~RogetGMs> The whistle blows and drowns out most of Artyom's rant. A powerful foghorn erupts from the boat, and the gunfire suddenly stops, leaving an eerie silence behind.
[20:39] <~RogetGMs> The captain stands and brushes himself off. "Whew. Zat was a bad one, hm? Almost lost all of my crew!" He peers down at the bleeding groaning men on his deck. "I think we need make stop for repairs, ja?"
[20:39] <@DiePotato> Artyom flops down to sit and he tugs back the other sleeve of his shirt with his teeth while he draws his combat knife.
[20:39] <Fae> Muirenn draws her knife and Faces the captain. "So 'oo was 'at 'en?"
[20:39] <madness_> Jo slowly pops his head up from the bridge, looking around. "Seems like it."
[20:39] <@DiePotato> "Almost curious if you think you can just brush that off like you bumped into someone at grocery store."
[20:40] <@DiePotato> "And put knife the fuck away we kill him we get entire crew on our ass."
[20:40] <@DiePotato> "Plus doubt he would be scared of us."
[20:40] <@DiePotato> "Amelie, help me get this fucking wood out of my arm."
[20:40] <@DiePotato> *arms
[20:40] <DSJ> Amadeo walks over to the captain as well.
[20:40] <~RogetGMs> "Some native raiders, most likely. Zey challenge boats going down the river sometimes." He shrugs. "It just happens here. Part of life."
[20:40] <Fae> Muirenn raises an eyebrow. "'S for if any of 'em got on the boat."
[20:41] <Fae> Eyebrow at artyom*
[20:41] <Fae> "Not gonna kill /'im/."
[20:41] <madness_> ".. Why'd they leave because of the whistle?"
[20:41] <@DiePotato> "The fuck'd you draw a knife for then? To give him haircut?"
[20:41] <@DiePotato> "And if any got on boat there would be more screaming."
01[20:41] <&Nemi> Amelie nods! She'll see if she can't do some quick triage, then attend to those most injured before Artyom. "One moment, please!"
01[20:42] <&Nemi> Amelie is HELPFUL.
[20:42] <~RogetGMs> "Scared 'em off. Zat is why I splurge for large horn."
[20:42] <~RogetGMs> Amelie, medical
[20:42] <DSJ> "Is the ship still sound enough to see us to the compound?"
[20:42] <~RogetGMs> He begins piloting the boat off towards a small side juncture to the river. "Zere will need to be repairs made. Boat cannot make journey if full of holes, ja?"
01[20:43] <&Nemi> 4df+5 (+3 if Private Practice applies, which it should given triage / first aid )
[20:43] <Glacon> Nemi: (+3 if Private Practice applies, which it should given triage / first aid ): 6 (4df+5=0, 4-, 3+, 3+)
[20:43] <Fae> She sheathes her knife, then gets to work on the ship.
[20:43] <@DiePotato> "You generally care this little about crew?"
[20:43] <@DiePotato> "Talk about them like they are horses that went lame."
[20:43] <DSJ> "I suppose so, yes." Amadeo sighs. He was looking forward to killing a Insurgency traitor.
[20:43] <~RogetGMs> "It takes…. probably only a few weeks. But if you are in hurry, you could take land route." Captain Hotzendorff shrugs again. "As they say, 'so it goes.' "
[20:44] <madness_> "Land route any more dangerous than ship?"
[20:44] <~RogetGMs> "Maybe! I have never taken it."
[20:44] <@DiePotato> "…Right." Arty tugs out some of the larger splinters with the blade of his knife.
[20:45] <@DiePotato> "Have map of route?"
[20:45] <~RogetGMs> You can all see black heads on pikes as you approach the dock. There's a small compound here, with a few boats being repaired on land. "Oh ja, there are maps I can give you to your destination."
01[20:46] <&Nemi> Amelie is helpful medic, having presumably sufficiently patched people up to get them stable for proper treatment later?
[20:46] <@DiePotato> "Will happily take." Arty pushes himself to his feet and tugs out a few more splinters, and stands up. Upon peering out the windows he frowns immediately and blinks a few times. ~What the fuck is even happening here…~
[20:47] <~RogetGMs> Yes! Sorry I forgot. Amelie heals the wounded up to the best of her ability!
[20:47] <madness_> Jo scans the trees to see if there are any more visitors awaiting them. ".. That's a real nice welcoming party, isn't it?" He'll step back out onto the deck and keep up his vigilant guard.
[20:48] <Fae> Muirenn also guards. "I 'aven't been through a jungle before. 'Is'll be interestin'."
01[20:48] <&Nemi> "There- ah, that is.. Rather- gruesome." Amelie eyes the heads before moving over to neatly extract the remaining splinters from Artyom's wound. That done- how IS she so calm about all this, the gunfire and everything?- she quickly checks her weapons, reloads the partly spent FAL magazine, and generally just readies herself. "Alright, land route then, that'd be ideal!"
[20:49] <~RogetGMs> "Zat is what happens to raiders." The boat is listing heavily by the time it pulls up to port. The captain hands Artyom a folded piece of parchment. "Hop off before we sink! Good luck on your travels, ja?"
[20:49] <Fae> Muirenn's… not calm, but not freaking out either.
02[20:49] * LilySleep (merah.rewolf.saim.fo.flah|rehto#merah.rewolf.saim.fo.flah|rehto) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[20:49] <@DiePotato> Artyom rubs at his bandaged arms and rugs his tattered sleeves .
[20:49] <@DiePotato> "…Ano."
[20:49] <@DiePotato> He takes the parchment from the Captain and gets his duffel. He doesn't feel like leaving his stuff with these guys.
[20:49] <DSJ> Amadeo salutes the man and gets onto shore.
[20:49] <@DiePotato> He doubt he would get it back,.
[20:51] <madness_> "Thanks." Jo looks to the Captain, giving him a final mock salute as he hops off onto the shore. ".. So what are we going to do about ex-fil?"
[20:51] <@DiePotato> Arty heads ashore as well, feeling a smidge amped. The fairly one-sided firefight really gets the blood pumping. He holds his Kalash in his arms as he steps off between the piked heads and shrugs to Jo.
[20:51] <@DiePotato> "Hopefully they have landline at compound."
01[20:51] <&Nemi> Amelie takes her things and hops off as well! "Of course. Merci, capitan!" She looks to Jo, voice going lower as she shrugs her bag over her shoulder. "We'll have to make do with what we can recover at th- that."
01[20:51] <&Nemi> Ami gives Arty a look, a sort of 'would you stop thinking the same way I am' look.
[20:52] <@DiePotato> Arty looks down at Amelie and shrugs before unfolding the paper with one hand and reading through the direction.
[20:52] <~RogetGMs> As you all step onto shore, you see a group of Africans gathered under a nearby tree. They are gaunt, with the skin on their faces pulled back all around their skulls. They are motionless, apart from heavy breathing. There are few other buildings scattered around the tall grasses.
[20:52] <Fae> "I'll keep lookout. Sure somethin's gonna attackus."
[20:53] <~RogetGMs> The map shows you making your way along the river for a few miles, until you take a side route to a location labeled as 'KVH'
[20:53] <Fae> Muirenn glances with sympathy over the group.
[20:53] <@DiePotato> "…" Artyom makes sure his safety is off. And goes back to looking over the map.
01[20:53] <&Nemi> Amelie grimaces, but tries not to show it too much. She knows little about the men and their plight, and further knows she can't do much for them. So ever the dutiful little soldier girl, she peers over Artyom's shoulder at the map.
[20:53] <@DiePotato> "According to this we are hiking for few miles along waterfront."
[20:53] <~RogetGMs> It's not very detailed and gives you almost no information on terrain or specific details of your route. Pretty much the barebones you'd need to find your way.
01[20:54] <&Nemi> "Let's go, then. Stay close, stay quiet, eyes open."
[20:54] <@DiePotato> "And that is about it, for all we know there is nuclear tripmine along way."
[20:54] <@DiePotato> "Ano." Arty folds it back and tucks it into a breast pocket.
[20:54] <@DiePotato> "Can probably stash shit along the way if we get tired of carrying it."
[20:54] <~RogetGMs> Do they make their way into the jungle?
[20:54] <Fae> Muirenn's still got her bag, and her shotgun out, swiveling, scanning for animals.
[20:54] <@DiePotato> Arty leads it!
[20:55] <DSJ> Amadeo follows.
[20:55] <madness_> Jo eyes the Africans curiously and keeps both hands on the FN FAL. "Probably." He follows whoever is leading!
01[20:55] <&Nemi> Amelie remains close to Artyom, bag on her back and SMG in her hands.
[20:55] <Fae> Muirenn follows, doing aforementioned things.
[20:56] <~RogetGMs> If you thought it was close to unbearable heat before, this is the real deal. The intense greenhouse effect caused by the thick jungle canopy of foliage creates a heat so thick you could almost cut a slice of it. The fog is back now, heavier than before. You can barely see a few feet in front of you.
[20:57] <@DiePotato> Arty chugs more from his canteen along the way but soldiers on. He's been through… marginally worse. But this is sure working its way up there in shittiness levels.
01[20:57] <&Nemi> Amelie is extra extra grateful for Novavida's thoughtfulness in fatigues design. Not only stylish, but she's- sweating buckets aside- not outright dying of heatstroke!
[20:58] <DSJ> "Is there a chance this fog is being caused by something unnatural?"
[20:58] <@DiePotato> "You ever been in jungle?"
[20:58] <DSJ> "Not really, but this seems excessive."
[20:58] <@DiePotato> "Then maybe."
01[20:58] <&Nemi> "First I have been here also- do not know, but heat and moisture seems making sense."
[20:59] <Fae> Muirenn sniffs. "Not an expert, but it seems normal enough."
01[20:59] <&Nemi> Amelie has maximum chill.
[20:59] <@DiePotato> "We will know soon enough when we get disemboweled." Arty shrugs and steps over a tree root.
[21:00] <DSJ> Amadeo walks, looking around warily.
[21:01] <~RogetGMs> As you walk through the jungle, it's noticeable how devoid of life it seems to be. Although you heard many sounds of wild insects and animals from the boat, now that you're on land they seem to be gone. You occasionally see animal droppings, or tracks on the ground, but nothing ever in the flesh or carapice.
[21:01] <@DiePotato> Not too surprising. These animals probably hear the party from a mile away
01[21:01] <&Nemi> Ami was.. Thinking the same.
[21:02] <Fae> "Huh…"
[21:02] <@DiePotato> Arty looks at Amelie for a moment for some reason and then goes back to swivel mode.
[21:02] <madness_> Jo fans himself while keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. "Think we're alone out here?"
[21:02] <@DiePotato> "Nope."
[21:02] <DSJ> "Never assume that."
[21:03] <Fae> "Nah, there's life everywhere."
[21:03] <Fae> "The only question is, were are we on ta food chain?"
[21:03] <@DiePotato> "Think he means in more malicious sense."
01[21:03] <&Nemi> "Think he means in m-" Amelie quiets, shakes her head, and keeps on keepin' on.
[21:04] <@DiePotato> Arty looks back to Amelie with a quirked lip and he lightly punches her shoulder with his left hand.
03[21:05] * LadyKatie (moc.duolccri.dnomhcir.4AD3CFED-CRInys|707131diu#moc.duolccri.dnomhcir.4AD3CFED-CRInys|707131diu) has joined #homeimprovement
[21:05] <Fae> "…Are you tow siblin's?"
[21:06] <madness_> Jo looks to the Twins, raising an eyebrow before going back to 'enjoying' the quiet forest.
[21:06] <@DiePotato> "Something like that."
[21:06] <~RogetGMs> Arty, according to the map you've reached the point where you turn into the jungle towards the compound. In front of you is a dark stretch of jungle with animal calls yawning over the distance. A few flies begin buzzing around your heads.
[21:07] <madness_> Jo swats at said flies!
[21:07] <Fae> Muirenn tries to spot an ANIMAL!
[21:07] <@DiePotato> Arty rechecks the map and looks to the side before looking back down. This repeats a few times. "We get to tread in trees proper now. Should probably stash extra shit around here so we do not make ruckus."
[21:07] <@DiePotato> "Or die of exhaustion."
[21:08] <~RogetGMs> Perception, Muirenn
[21:08] <Fae> 4df+8
[21:08] <Glacon> Fae: 8 (4df+8=3+, 4-, 0, 0)
01[21:08] <&Nemi> Amelie laughs softly, gently punches Artyom back. She adjusts her hat to try to fend off flies asthey keep on going. She nods. "Am fine so far, do not know what equipment will be needed."
01[21:08] <&Nemi> ".. ano, are, could not tell from how similar we look?"
[21:09] <@DiePotato> He shrugs at that and goes about turning right round into the JUNGLE TREES
[21:09] <~RogetGMs> Muirenn, you see a tiger prowling about a hundred yards away. The shadows from the trees slide over it and shroud it from sight, but you catch a few glimpses of it.
[21:10] <Fae> "Shh." She raises a hand for them to pause.
[21:10] <DSJ> Amadeo does so.
[21:10] <@DiePotato> Artyom stops and looks at Muirenn. "See something?"
[21:10] <Fae> 4df+8 Ready… aim… one clean shot.
[21:10] <Glacon> Fae: Ready… aim… one clean shot.: 8 (4df+8=0, 3+, 4-, 0)
[21:11] <~RogetGMs> 4df+5 oh fudge
[21:11] <Glacon> RogetGMs: oh fudge: 5 (4df+5=0, 0, 0, 0)
02[21:11] * Wix (koorc.a.ton.si|74798diu#koorc.a.ton.si|74798diu) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[21:11] <madness_> "What's goin—" Jo nearly jumps at the gunshot.
[21:11] <~RogetGMs> The tiger catches a round to the face and falls. It then gets back up and begins tearing through the jungle towards them, snarling loudly.
[21:12] <@DiePotato> "…"
01[21:12] <&Nemi> Ami DOES jump at the gunshot, whirling to check their surroundings. "!"
[21:12] <@DiePotato> Artyom's staring at Muirenn as he hears the tiger bounding towards them.
[21:12] <~RogetGMs> 1d5
[21:12] <Glacon> RogetGMs: 1 (1d5=1)
[21:12] <Fae> "Yeah, I saw something." She lines up another shot.
[21:12] <~RogetGMs> Amadeo! The tiger didn't take long to close the distance, and it pounces at you! Agility!
[21:13] <DSJ> 4df+4 AGI
[21:13] <Glacon> DSJ: AGI: 1 (4df+4=0, 4-, 4-, 4-)
[21:13] <Fae> (rip)
[21:13] <~RogetGMs> 4df+6
[21:13] <Glacon> RogetGMs: 7 (4df+6=4-, 3+, 3+, 0)
[21:14] <~RogetGMs> pdef!
03[21:14] * AidenEldritch is now known as AFKEldritch
[21:14] <madness_> Can Jo shove Amadeo out of the way?
[21:14] <~RogetGMs> Nope the tiger is too fast.
[21:14] <DSJ> 4df+3 PDEF
[21:14] <Glacon> DSJ: PDEF: 3 (4df+3=3+, 3+, 4-, 4-)
[21:14] <~RogetGMs> You take two damage as tiger claws sink into your chest and it begins trying to maul you.
01[21:15] <&Nemi> Ami's generally like 'wtf why'. She'll spray a burst from her suppressed SMG into the tiger's flank!
[21:15] <@DiePotato> 4df+5 (RNG) Artyom cleanly drops the rifle he was holding, turns, draws his Python and fires at the tiger.
[21:15] <Glacon> DiePotato: (RNG) Artyom cleanly drops the rifle he was holding, turns, draws his Python and fires at the tiger.: 6 (4df+5=0, 4-, 3+, 3+)
[21:15] <Fae> 4df+8 Shoot the tiger.
01[21:15] <&Nemi> 4df+5 (+3 if Surgical Strike? Since she has clear advantage) RNG
[21:15] <Glacon> Fae: Shoot the tiger.: 8 (4df+8=0, 4-, 0, 3+)
[21:15] <Glacon> Nemi: (+3 if Surgical Strike? Since she has clear advantage) RNG: 5 (4df+5=4-, 0, 0, 3+)
[21:15] <madness_> Jo'll do the same with his Browning!
[21:15] <DSJ> Not having enough room to take a shot, Amadeo tries to punch the tiger
[21:15] <madness_> 4df+4 RNG!
[21:15] <Glacon> madness_: RNG!: 3 (4df+4=4-, 4-, 3+, 0)
[21:15] <DSJ> 4df+7 MEL+TPTB
[21:15] <Glacon> DSJ: MEL+TPTB: 9 (4df+7=0, 0, 3+, 3+)
[21:15] <~RogetGMs> melee!
[21:16] <~RogetGMs> 4df+4 oh no
[21:16] <Glacon> RogetGMs: oh no: 6 (4df+4=4-, 3+, 3+, 3+)
[21:16] <Fae> Bye bye kitty.
[21:16] <~RogetGMs> You riddle the tiger with bullets and it rolls off of Amadeo and lays on the ground, breathing heavily.
[21:16] <Fae> 4df+9 Muirenn moves in and begins skinning it.
[21:16] <Glacon> Fae: Muirenn moves in and begins skinning it.: 9 (4df+9=4-, 4-, 3+, 3+)
[21:17] <@DiePotato> Artyom proceeds to grab Muirenn by the collar
[21:17] <@DiePotato> And shove her
[21:17] <~RogetGMs> The tiger groans as she sinks her knife into it.
[21:17] <@DiePotato> "What in the living fuck was that."
[21:17] <DSJ> "WHAT THE FUCK?" Amadeo yells at her.
[21:17] <Fae> "It was already movin' in. Was gonna get us anyway if I didn't take the shot."
[21:18] <@DiePotato> "Predator is not fucking stupid enough to take /four/ people."
[21:18] <DSJ> "Or, MAYBE IT ATTACKED BECAUSE YOU SHOT IT, YOU IDIOT."
[21:18] <@DiePotato> "You could have also warned us before you shot you fucking idiot."
[21:18] <DSJ> Amadeo is understandably upset by this turn of events.
[21:19] <Fae> "I know what it looks like when somethin's gettin' ready to attack prey. It. Was. Coming."
[21:19] <DSJ> "Why the hell are you skinning it?"
01[21:19] <&Nemi> Amelie looks incredulous. "What is tiger doing in Western Africa?"
[21:19] <@DiePotato> "So you decide to fucking shoot it instead of say something?"
[21:19] <@DiePotato> "Could have made wall of fucking bullets."
[21:20] <DSJ> "And I wouldn't be mauled."
[21:20] <@DiePotato> "And… do not know where the fuck tigers live."
[21:20] <Fae> "Because I can use it." She finishes of skinning it. "And yeah, I did. I moved as quickly as I could, and I tried to cripple it before if got closer."
[21:21] <@DiePotato> "Nice fucking job."
[21:21] <Fae> What would she roll to figure out if tigers live in the area. Science.
[21:21] <madness_> Jo decides that keeping a watch for something that /would/ rush four people with guns might be a little more productive than bickering.
01[21:21] <&Nemi> Amelie shakes her head, disdainful, and moves to try to treat Amadeo's injury.
01[21:21] <&Nemi> 4df+5 (+3 for first aid)
[21:21] <Glacon> Nemi: (+3 for first aid): 5 (4df+5=3+, 0, 4-, 0)
[21:21] <DSJ> "Fuck you." Amadeo says to her,. He then examines his wounds.
[21:22] <@DiePotato> Arty kicks the cylinder out of his revolver and replaces the spent brass.
[21:22] <DSJ> Amadeo says to Murrien, for clarification
[21:22] <Fae> "Look… I was trin' to not get you guys killed. I'm sorry you got 'urt." She doesn't sound angry, and actually does sound like she feels bad.
[21:22] <~RogetGMs> Survival to figure out why tiger
[21:22] <Fae> 4df+10 Tiger, why?
[21:22] <Glacon> Fae: Tiger, why?: 10 (4df+10=4-, 3+, 3+, 4-)
[21:23] <DSJ> "Just.. tell us to all shoot at it next time."
[21:23] <Fae> "…Okay."
[21:23] <Fae> Wow, you'd think this was her first mission or something.
[21:23] <@DiePotato> "Ano." Arty sounds like he didn't care either way the whole time. He was more peeved that they made all that noise.
[21:23] <~RogetGMs> The tiger fur looks groomed.
01[21:23] <&Nemi> "Hold still, please, Amadeo- there. It'll- at least not bleed much longer." Ami stows her medsatchel and rises, retrieving her SMG. And she nods to Artyom, now, before moving on up.
[21:24] <~RogetGMs> It isn't native to this region , might be a pet or something
[21:24] <Fae> "Wait a second… not native, looks like someone's been keeping it."
[21:24] <@DiePotato> "Come on. If they did not know we were here before they know we are here now."
[21:24] <DSJ> "Thank you, Amelie."
[21:24] <@DiePotato> "…People keep large predatory animals for pet?"
[21:25] <@DiePotato> "That is like using firearm to wash yourself that does not sound safe in slightest."
[21:25] <Fae> She folds the tiger skin into her bag. "Not a good idea, but maybe. Or as a guard."
[21:25] <@DiePotato> "Sounds even stupider, damn thing is a wild animal not domesticated dog."
[21:25] <DSJ> "People with too much money do stupid things.
[21:26] <Fae> "Exactly."
[21:26] <Fae> "…'M sorry, guys."
01[21:26] <&Nemi> "Must not be too far from compound then.. Come on."
[21:26] <@DiePotato> "…Ano." Arty moves on forwards.
[21:26] <@DiePotato> "Do not do it again and we will not have problem."
[21:26] <@DiePotato> "Do it again I will punch you in the fucking face."
[21:27] <@DiePotato> He wipes more sweat off his brow and picks his rifle up off the ground as he goes.
[21:27] <Fae> "…'right."
[21:27] <DSJ> Amadeo continues on.
[21:27] <madness_> Jo follows, replacing the mag in his pistol with fresh one.
[21:28] <~RogetGMs> As you make your way towards the compound, the air becomes less muggy, and there's more light coming down from the foliage. Soon it comes into view. A well-maintained compound, there are several concrete blockhouses around the perimeter and three large buildings inside, along with some wooden barracks and a well. There are African guards patrolling it.
[21:28] <~RogetGMs> There's a main gate with two guards standing by it.
[21:28] <DSJ> "…. I've got an idea."
[21:29] <@DiePotato> Artyom stops about one-hundred feet out from the compound and unloads his stuff behind a tree.
[21:29] <@DiePotato> "Shoot."
[21:29] <@DiePotato> "Place looks well-built, will take any idea."
03[21:30] * AFKEldritch is now known as AidenEldritch
[21:30] <DSJ> "If we can convince the guards at the gate we're reinforcements or something along those lines, some of us might be able to walk right in."
01[21:30] <&Nemi> Amelie remains near Artyom. "How? They are all African."
[21:30] <@DiePotato> "I am pale as sheet, he is Asian, you look like you have been mauled by tiger, and they are women."
[21:31] <Fae> "…I could pretend to be the tiger. If they were the ones using it, it might work."
[21:31] <@DiePotato> Arty looks at him oddly and he sticks his AK back into the duffel, tugging his Winchester out in it's steed.
[21:31] <DSJ> "They're not going to question it if we scare the shit out of them."
[21:31] <@DiePotato> "Or they will just shoot-Come again?"
[21:31] <@DiePotato> Arty looks at Muirenn
[21:31] <Fae> "Or scaring them works too."
[21:32] <Fae> Come to think of i Arty, she was the swan that scared Kit.
[21:32] <@DiePotato> "…Right, you can… Hm…"
[21:32] <@DiePotato> "That works."
[21:32] <madness_> "Tiger? That could be really good.." Jo looks around for patrols, before trying to see if there are any other entrances than the main.
[21:32] <@DiePotato> "You can prowl around perimeter for something and look like part of scenery."
[21:33] <~RogetGMs> There's only one entrance, everything else is guarded by the blockhouses.
[21:33] <DSJ> "In that case, would a tiger ever drag their prey in?"
[21:34] <Fae> "Wait… would reinforcements bring the tiger in if it was injured?"
01[21:34] <&Nemi> Any trees or like to climb that could get a better look at things?
[21:34] <@DiePotato> "Reinforcements idea does not really work when they are all African."
[21:34] <@DiePotato> "And none of us are."
[21:35] <Fae> "Hmm…"
[21:35] <~RogetGMs> There are plenty of trees to get a vantage point from.
[21:35] <DSJ> "So we're shooting our way in, then."
[21:36] <@DiePotato> Arty shrugs "Did not say that."
01[21:36] <&Nemi> Amelie shall shimmy her way up a tree to try to get a better look at things!
[21:36] <~RogetGMs> Agi to climb!
[21:37] <madness_> "Not necessarily.." Any trees in jumping distance to the top of the storehouses?
[21:37] <~RogetGMs> Perception!
[21:38] <madness_> 4df+4 hop?
[21:38] <Glacon> madness_: hop?: 4 (4df+4=3+, 0, 4-, 0)
[21:38] <@DiePotato> Arty also glances about for trees to gain elevation with! Considering thry ain't gonna be digging their way in.
[21:38] <@DiePotato> 4df+4 look 4 trees
[21:38] <Glacon> DiePotato: look 4 trees: 3 (4df+4=3+, 4-, 0, 4-)
01[21:39] <&Nemi> 4df+5 (+3 agile!)
[21:39] <Glacon> Nemi: (+3 agile!): 6 (4df+5=3+, 0, 4-, 3+)
[21:40] <DSJ> Amadeo just makes sure no one's sneaking up on them.
[21:40] <~RogetGMs> As you two look around you can't help but notice that despite a small gunfight happening with earshot of them, none of the guards seem alerted or even terribly concerned about things.
[21:40] <~RogetGMs> Amelie scampers up a tree with no problem.
01[21:40] <&Nemi> Does she see anything of note from her new vantage point?
[21:40] <Fae> "…Would i' work for me to sneak once around the site?"
[21:40] <@DiePotato> "… How far are we from that tiger corpse?"
[21:40] <~RogetGMs> Perc with +2 vantage bonus
[21:41] <@DiePotato> "You can go ahead and try, but how far?"
01[21:41] <&Nemi> 4df+6 PERC 4 +2
[21:41] <Glacon> Nemi: PERC 4 +2: 5 (4df+6=4-, 3+, 0, 4-)
[21:42] <Fae> How far, GM?
[21:42] <~RogetGMs> Amelie, you can see what looks to be some civilians around one of the buildings and near the barracks, looking markedly healthier than the ones you've seen previously.
[21:42] <~RogetGMs> Less than a hundred yards
[21:43] <~RogetGMs> along with the un-alerted guards the others saw
01[21:43] <&Nemi> Thaaat's interesting. Amelie hisses down to the others, "I see civilians! They don't look injured or anything!"
[21:43] <Fae> "What?" she hisses back. "So now we have to watch out for 'em too?"
[21:43] <DSJ> "Are you sure they're just civilians?"
02[21:44] * AidenEldritch (~PI.0E46EBED.7F72E921.89953682|criigc#PI.0E46EBED.7F72E921.89953682|criigc) Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (Ping timeout))
[21:44] <@DiePotato> "Civilians…" Arty peeks out towards the compound frowns, and looks back towards everyone else. "This is all off…"
[21:45] <madness_> "Have any ideas why civvies are in the compound?"
01[21:45] <&Nemi> "Labor?"
01[21:46] <&Nemi> AMelie looks CLOSER at the 'civilians'. Anything she can make out about them?
[21:46] <@DiePotato> "Labor or subjects."
[21:46] <DSJ> "Possibly."
[21:46] <~RogetGMs> They don't appear to be distressed, and have very relaxed body language.
[21:46] <~RogetGMs> A few of them are wearing western clothing
[21:47] <@DiePotato> "But… What the fuck is this. Eugh. Whatever. We have job to do and we are putting bullet in that man's skull."
[21:48] <@DiePotato> "We take down guards at the front and edge around perimeter."
[21:49] <DSJ> "Understood."
[21:49] <@DiePotato> "Wasting time, and unless anyone else has better idea we should just get this done."
[21:49] <Fae> "Go' it."
[21:50] <@DiePotato> Arty checks the chamber for his bolt-action. "If someone does, however see alternate way in that would be incredible."
01[21:50] <&Nemi> ".. hm- some are western, very strange.. I have rifle, can snipe from tree, have good angle."
[21:50] <@DiePotato> "Go ahead. Will need mine for this bullshit. If things go to shit cover, you know drill."
[21:50] <madness_> Jo nods, hefting his rifle… In retrospect, he might just have to use something a little different. Can he see what the guards are armed with?
[21:51] <Fae> Muirenn pulls out her rifle and readies it.
[21:51] <~RogetGMs> Most of them appear to have Soviet-styled weapons, or at least chinese/korean copycats of them.
[21:51] <Fae> She also pulls out the tiger skin, and checks her pocket for something.
[21:52] <@DiePotato> "Ey, put those the fuck away. We do not shoot until we are getting shot at. Who knows how to quietly stab a man in the throat besides me and Amelie?"
[21:52] <DSJ> Amadeo shakes his head.
[21:52] <madness_> Jo raises a hand.
01[21:52] <&Nemi> Amelie, what with having a nice view of the camp, gets herself into a comfortable perch and readies herself. A thumbs-up to the team below.
[21:53] <Fae> "Nop'"
[21:53] <@DiePotato> "You get to quietly stab man on this side of gate in the throat while I shoot the other one in the head." Arty gives a thumbsup to Jo.
[21:54] <Fae> "And I doubt a tiger bite would be subtle."
[21:55] <madness_> "Got it." Jo nods. Whenever Arty gives the signal (unless that thumbs up /was/ the signal), he'll head over to the guard as quietly as he can to do as he was told.
[21:55] <Fae> Muirenn hangs back.
[21:56] <DSJ> As does Amadeo
[21:56] <@DiePotato> Artyom hangs back a ways away, gets into a shady bit of cover where the guards can't see him , but he can see them, and he lets Jo get in position.
[21:56] <@DiePotato> 4df+9 (SNK+TS) Sneak roll i gotta make for other thiiiing
[21:56] <Glacon> DiePotato: (SNK+TS) Sneak roll i gotta make for other thiiiing: 10 (4df+9=3+, 3+, 4-, 0)
[21:57] <@DiePotato> And assuming that paaaseees
[21:57] <~RogetGMs> it doeees
[21:57] <madness_> Jo heads to the guard, then! Tiptoeing through whatever cover there might be.
[21:58] <madness_> 4df+4 SNK
[21:58] <Glacon> madness_: SNK: 2 (4df+4=0, 4-, 4-, 0)
[21:58] <DSJ> (rip)
[21:58] <Fae> (rip)
[21:59] <~RogetGMs> That doesn't! Both guards turn to Jo, but, rather than opening fire, they call to him to come over in heavily accented english. "Hey! We're expectin' you!"
01[21:59] <&Nemi> Well, that wasn't expected.
[21:59] <@DiePotato> Arty sets up the heavily suppressed rifle and aims for the guard Jo ain't aiming to stab. So Rog, this equipment thing I've got basically lets me take -2 to a roll and the shot is undetectable. So, yeah. And the signal for Jo is probably going to be the other guard dropping dead.
[22:00] <@DiePotato> Ohp
[22:00] <@DiePotato> Wuh
[22:00] <madness_> Jo pauses, before getting up from his crouched position. "You're.. expecting us?"
[22:00] <@DiePotato> Arty nearly pulls the trigger when he notices that Jo got noticed and he… Stares through the magnified scope at the scene.
[22:01] <~RogetGMs> "Ya. We hear you coming." He smirks at you. "Yo were not very subtle."
[22:01] <Fae> Muirenn lines up a shot from a distance. Just in case.
01[22:01] <&Nemi> Well, obviously not.
[22:01] <DSJ> Amadeo does as well.
[22:02] <madness_> "Oh. That's a shame." Jo nods. He'll hold off on doing anything too rash for now. ".. What can we do to be more subtle?"
[22:03] <~RogetGMs> "Well, you could not shoot in the jungle. But if you want to see the Commander, he is waitin' for you." The guard moves to open up the gate.
[22:03] <@DiePotato> Arty /stares/
[22:03] <@DiePotato> /stares/
[22:03] <Fae> She raises an eyebrow before tucking her weapons away in the bag.
[22:04] <@DiePotato> He lowers his rifle and slowly draws to his feet. ~Whaaaaat…~
[22:04] <madness_> ".. Uh. Okaaaay." Jo straightens before dusting himself off. "Well, uh.. How long was he expecting us for?"
[22:04] <Fae> Muirenn sticks with the herd.
01[22:05] <&Nemi> Ami rolls her eyes. New girl tipped them off, right. Well, she can stay in the tree. She's nervous around people anyway.
[22:05] <DSJ> Amadeo holsters his gun and approaches the gate
[22:05] <~RogetGMs> The guy shrugs.
[22:05] <Fae> She follows AMadeo.
[22:05] <~RogetGMs> The gate swings open, allowing them entrance.
[22:05] <@DiePotato> Arty slowly slings his rifle and also follows suit. With one hand resting on his 9mm.
[22:07] <@DiePotato> "…" Arty raises a hand in the air and makes a 'no go' signal so Amelie can see. And then he waves at her to come down.
[22:07] <~RogetGMs> They're escorted into the compound. Inside, they can see that there's very little here in the way of military preparations you'd expect from the Insurgency. No heavy weapons or big cannons, the guards mostly have small arms. The civilians also seem to outnumber the military personnel.
01[22:08] <&Nemi> Amelie quirks her lip, stows her rifle, scurries down and follows!
[22:08] <madness_> Jo's honestly surprised, judging by the slew of things he wants to say but doesn't. He'll enter the complex if everyone follows, keeping a cautious perspective. ".. What is this place?"
[22:08] <@DiePotato> "… Why are you not trying to kill us?"
[22:08] <@DiePotato> "What he said first."
[22:09] <Fae> (did it ever occur to Arty that they might have been mistaken for someone else?)
[22:09] <DSJ> Amadeo keeps quiet
[22:09] <~RogetGMs> "This is a compound set up by the Commander. It used to be closed off, but a few months ago he let people in. And I am not killing you because I was ordered not to."
01[22:10] <&Nemi> Mildly heat-exhausted Slav girl appreciates the lack of killing!
[22:10] <@DiePotato> (I mean who else is setting armed guards who are obviously not affiliated with their compund to them)
[22:10] <@DiePotato> *sending
[22:10] <@DiePotato> "Why did he let people in?"
[22:11] <~RogetGMs> "They were dying."
[22:11] <madness_> "And, why did he originally set it up?" Jo tilts his head as he walks through this bizarre compound.
[22:12] <~RogetGMs> "I do not know. He is a man of few words."
01[22:12] <&Nemi> "I am very perplexed by much of this!"
[22:12] <@DiePotato> "Well… Huh." Artyom's really confused. He expected more malevolence. More reasons why they should kill this man. Not the opposite.
[22:13] <~RogetGMs> They're escorted to the largest building. "He's in here. Don't get too close, he is a sick man right now."
02[22:14] * DSJ (~PI.CB0980C3.9D6AD50C.7D23EECE|71tahCdnA#PI.CB0980C3.9D6AD50C.7D23EECE|71tahCdnA) Quit (Ping timeout)
[22:14] <madness_> "What's he come down with?"
[22:14] <Fae> Muirenn is escorted.
[22:15] <@DiePotato> Artyom follows, still quite visibly armed.
[22:15] <~RogetGMs> He shrugs
[22:15] <~RogetGMs> And opens the door
[22:15] <@DiePotato> "Do you not have a doctor?"
01[22:15] <&Nemi> Amelie follows, right beside Artyom!
03[22:15] * DSJ (~PI.CB0980C3.9D6AD50C.7D23EECE|71tahCdnA#PI.CB0980C3.9D6AD50C.7D23EECE|71tahCdnA) has joined #homeimprovement
[22:15] <~RogetGMs> "Doctors can only do so much without medicine."
[22:16] <@DiePotato> Artyom… Understands that sentiment. And he steps into the room that wss just opened.
[22:16] <DSJ> As does Amadeo!
[22:17] <madness_> Jo steps in right after everyone.
01[22:17] <&Nemi> Ami remains at ARtyom's side!
[22:17] <~RogetGMs> The room is a grand foyer, which seems to have once been very plush but has been stripped bare. There are remnants of trophies and fanciness on the walls, and a threadbare carpet. There is a man sitting in a cot by one of the walls, drinking water and looking at them. "So, I suppose you're here to kill me then."
[22:18] <~RogetGMs> He coughs loudly.
[22:18] <@DiePotato> "… Looks like that is being accomplished without us being here."
[22:18] <DSJ> "Yeah."
[22:18] <@DiePotato> Arty frowns severely and approaches.
[22:18] <Fae> "Aye."
[22:19] <~RogetGMs> He chuckles. "You're more right than you know. I've had-" *COUGH* -spells of sickness before, but this one might do me in. Do come in, have a seat." He gestures to a few wooden chairs by one of the walls.
01[22:19] <&Nemi> Amelie studies him. Is it the Colonel? "Colonel Brink- ah. Ah, ano." Amelie does so, shifting her duffel bag off her back and onto her lap, along with her rifle. SHe seems bemused.
[22:19] <Fae> Muirenn doesn't sit.
[22:19] <@DiePotato> Artyom… Hesitantly picks one of the seats and sets it near the man.
01[22:19] <&Nemi> Ami sits beside Artyom, of course.
[22:19] <@DiePotato> He sets his rifle to lean against his chair and for once he sits up straight.
03[22:20] * WorkerBee (moc.duolccri.llewkcorb.991D5E21-CRInys|525721diu#moc.duolccri.llewkcorb.991D5E21-CRInys|525721diu) has joined #homeimprovement
[22:20] <@DiePotato> "Why have you let us come here?"
[22:20] <@DiePotato> "With no resistance I might add."
[22:20] <~RogetGMs> It is indeed Connor Brickley, looking much less well-fed and uniformed than the picture you saw of him back at base. "You can't do anything to me that the Congo hasn't already started. I'm not afraid of you. You're from the Foundation, right?"
03[22:20] * WorkerBee is now known as SpookyBee
[22:21] <madness_> Jo grabs a seat somewhere, still extremely confused by all this. He maintains an eye on the guard, however.
01[22:21] <&Nemi> Amelie hugs her bag to herself, watching the colonel. ".. It is everything you saw here. Isn't it? The death and brutality."
[22:22] <DSJ> "Yes, we are."
[22:22] <Fae> Muirenn… hesitantly takes a seat.
[22:22] <@DiePotato> Arty shrugs at the question from the Colonel.
[22:22] <@DiePotato> He glances at Amadeo but figures there's no harm. He pretty much knows anyways.
[22:23] <~RogetGMs> Brickley shrugs, weakly. "Are you from the Foundation?"
01[22:23] <&Nemi> Amelie nods.
[22:23] <@DiePotato> Amadeo said yes!
[22:23] <@DiePotato> Arty shrugnods
[22:23] <Fae> "…Aye."
[22:24] <~RogetGMs> "How is the Administrator? Is he still there?"
01[22:24] <&Nemi> ".. dead."
[22:24] <@DiePotato> "…He is somewhere."
[22:24] <@DiePotato> "Not dead."
[22:24] <@DiePotato> "But somewhere."
01[22:24] <&Nemi> "It sounded very .. I see."
[22:24] <@DiePotato> "I was one of the ones who killed him."
[22:25] <@DiePotato> Artyom nods and rests his hands in his lap.
[22:25] <~RogetGMs> "Oh… I see." Brickley looks up at the ceiling. "He was the one man I always respected there. I'm sure you had a good reason to put him down, though."
[22:25] <@DiePotato> "He was not the same man when we killed him."
[22:25] <@DiePotato> "Corrupted by the Library.
[22:26] <~RogetGMs> "I met him once… after the war. He was so… he sold me on everything, on this whole world we live in now. The last thirty years, everything I did was because of him and that meeting."
01[22:26] <&Nemi> ".. he was.. very different, I think. I do not know details." Ami watches Brickley, unsure of what to make of him. ".. really?"
[22:26] <@DiePotato> "It sounds like you venerated him."
[22:27] <@DiePotato> "I never had the pleasure of meeting him before he died."
[22:27] <~RogetGMs> "Yes… I didn't like a lot of the rest of the soft people running that place, but he was different. He understood what made it all so important. Only regret I have about the schism was how Bowe treated him."
[22:28] <Fae> Muirenn keeps quiet. All this is kind of lost on her.
[22:28] <@DiePotato> "Did not have pleasure of meeting /that/ man either." Arty frowns
01[22:28] <&Nemi> ".. he sounded like someone who.." Amelie trails off. She's a minion at best. She doesn't deserve to talk. And so she doesn't.
[22:28] <madness_> Jo doesn't know enough about either man to make conclusions. He's heard the name Bowe a few times, but.. Only in passing. "What did make it all important?"
[22:28] <madness_> "To you, I mean."
[22:29] <DSJ> Amadeo just stands and listens.
[22:29] <~RogetGMs> "We were making a difference. It was more than war. It was the same feeling crusaders might've had. The same zeal. Something to make the world better that didn't involve constant slaughter." He coughs violently, wracking himself in his cot. "… but that was a long time ago."
[22:30] <@DiePotato> "You realize we cannot leave without you being dead, correct?"
01[22:30] <&Nemi> ".. what changed?" Amelie whispers the question.
[22:30] <@DiePotato> This genuinely shows the difference in thinking between the two.
01[22:31] <&Nemi> It really does.
02[22:31] * DSJ (~PI.CB0980C3.9D6AD50C.7D23EECE|71tahCdnA#PI.CB0980C3.9D6AD50C.7D23EECE|71tahCdnA) Quit (Client exited)
[22:32] <~RogetGMs> He shrugs. "The world. The Foundation being more worldly. I don't know. It wasn't the same. I thought the Insurgency would be better. It hasn't been… just different." He coughs.
01[22:33] <&Nemi> "All I have seen of Insurgency was cyborgs and bizarre superweapons like Nazis. Was not impressed."
[22:33] <@DiePotato> Arty points to Amelie in agreement.
[22:33] <Fae> "I just go' locked up."
[22:34] <~RogetGMs> "Yeah… a lot of that was Bowe and his clique. Things got a little better when Iris took over."
01[22:34] <&Nemi> "But?"
[22:35] <~RogetGMs> "It wasn't what I signed up for. I wanted to make the world safer, not claw my way to power. I've climbed that moutain before." He coughs. "It's not worth it."
01[22:36] <&Nemi> Amelie slowly nods. ".. it is why I am here. I want to do better for the world. Keep it safe.. So you came here? Took in refugees?" She gestures to the door, where those massed unarmed people waited.
[22:37] <~RogetGMs> He nods. "I expelled my men, sent them home… recruited locals. This is a minor post, strategic control of the Congo river basin. Nobody in command asked too many questions."
01[22:37] <&Nemi> Amelie slowly nods.
[22:37] <@DiePotato> Artyom remains quiet so Amelie can ask what she wants. He aaaalready kinda knows how this is gonna have to go down.
01[22:38] <&Nemi> ".. and here we are. You are still identified as target, but you are- dying. And you know it."
[22:38] <~RogetGMs> "I am very sick."
01[22:40] <&Nemi> Amelie tilts her head. Can she potentially figure out what's afflicting him?
[22:41] <~RogetGMs> Medicine!
01[22:42] <&Nemi> 4df+5 (+3 if triage applies for diagnostic or whatever)
[22:42] <Glacon> Nemi: (+3 if triage applies for diagnostic or whatever): 4 (4df+5=3+, 4-, 0, 4-)
[22:42] <~RogetGMs> You can't tell what ails him without equipment, but it's very advanced. His life could be measured in days or hours.
[22:43] <madness_> ".. How long do you think he has, Amelie?"
[22:44] <~RogetGMs> "I can tell you that. Not long."
[22:44] <~RogetGMs> He looks to Amelie for confirmation. "Is that right, Miss Amelie?"
01[22:44] <&Nemi> Amelie blinks in surprise. "Oh- ah, um- not long. Hours or days."
[22:45] <~RogetGMs> "So, kill me if you must. Save me the trouble of dying on my own."
01[22:46] <&Nemi> Amelie looks nervously away from him, and then to Jo, then to Artyom.
[22:46] <madness_> ".. Alright, uh.. I think we still need a way back to the Site first." Jo frowns.
[22:46] <@DiePotato> "Your guards going to kill us afterwards?"
[22:48] <~RogetGMs> "I've ordered them not to fire unless fired upon, no matter what. They don't have enough ammunition for a sustained firefight, anyways."
01[22:48] <&Nemi> Amelie nods, slowly. ".. then- do you have a successor? Someone who can protect these people?"
[22:49] <@DiePotato> "… Well that sttles that then." Artyom stands up and dusts his pants.
[22:49] <~RogetGMs> He shakes his head. "Whoever the Insurgency sends to succeed my command will not be so inclined to help the populace here. This place dies with me."
01[22:49] <&Nemi> Amelie looks at her feet a moment. ".. Someone amongst your local recruits whom could?"
[22:49] <~RogetGMs> He turns to Jo. "There is a chopper, in the barracks. My transport. You can take it to the coast."
[22:49] <~RogetGMs> He shakes his head again, Amelie.
[22:50] <madness_> ".. So, all these people will die?"
01[22:50] <&Nemi> Amelie takes a sharp breath.
[22:50] <@DiePotato> Arty draws his Hi-Power from his holster and checks the chamber.
[22:50] <~RogetGMs> "Everyone dies eventually."
01[22:50] <&Nemi> Amelie shakes her head at Artyom, and passes the suppressed Sterling from her bag to him instead.
[22:50] <~RogetGMs> "At least for a moment, their lives were not suffering."
01[22:51] <&Nemi> ".. it's like what I did in Berlin. A moment without suffering for people, who I could."
[22:51] <@DiePotato> He shrugs and takes the SMG instead checking the chamber on that.
01[22:51] <&Nemi> Empty chamber, but mostly full magazine. Safety first!
[22:52] <~RogetGMs> Connor Brickley closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
[22:52] <madness_> Jo looks away.
01[22:52] <&Nemi> "Goodbye, colonel. I can only hope that we will all, in the end, be known for what we do for the world and all humanity."
[22:52] <@DiePotato> Well, he racks the bolt and clicks the safety, walking around to the foot of the bed.
[22:52] <Fae> "…Bye."
01[22:52] <&Nemi> Amelie awkwardly rises, hefting her bag.
01[22:53] <&Nemi> ".. think I am going to fall over from heat exhaustion soon.."
[22:53] <@DiePotato> "Not to sound stereotypical, but, any lasy words?"
[22:53] <~RogetGMs> Brickley opens one eye and winks at Artyom. "Deus vult."
01[22:53] <&Nemi> ".. ano. Deus vult."
[22:53] <@DiePotato> Arty frowns a smidge.
[22:53] <@DiePotato> And he nods.
[22:55] <~RogetGMs> Does he shoot him?
[22:55] <@DiePotato> "If we had met under better circumstancea I would consider you a great man." Arty raises the gun against his shoulder, aims, and fires.
[22:55] <~RogetGMs> Connor jerks and then slumps in his cot. He is dead.
[22:55] <@DiePotato> Artyom slips his grip back to the stock and offers the SMG back to Amelie.
[22:56] <@DiePotato> "Let's go find that helicopter."
[22:56] <madness_> Jo slings his rifle back over his shoulder, wincing a little bit as the shot's fired. He seemed like a nice enough man, at least. His voice is considerably lower than before. ".. Who can fly?"
[22:56] <Fae> "…Aye."
[22:56] <Fae> To Arty, not to Jo.
01[22:56] <&Nemi> ".. can fly, though not sure I should. Am feeling dizzy from heat."
[22:57] <@DiePotato> He shrugs and picks up his things. "Have water left if you need it."
[22:57] <Fae> "I can, but no 'elicopter experience."
01[22:57] <&Nemi> ".. ano, let me then."
01[22:57] <&Nemi> ".. water please, then let's go." Amelie stows the SMG in her bag and stumbles on out and into the brutal heat outside again.
[22:58] <@DiePotato> Artyom passes her a half-full canteen as they go and he walks along. Stumbling as well. The heat is getting to him too it seems.
[22:58] <Fae> Muirenn's just kind of quiet.
06[22:59] * &Nemi remains cool by watching a man be executed without blinking.
01[22:59] <&Nemi> Amelie does that.
[22:59] <~RogetGMs> The guards don't say anything to them as they leave. The chopper was hidden from their view behind one of the wooden barracks, but its prepped and ready to go at a moment's notice. Do they board it?
[23:00] <@DiePotato> Artyom tosses his stuff on-board and he climbs in.
01[23:01] <&Nemi> Amelie boards! She'll toss her bags to Artyom and climb into the pilot's seat before more-or-less collapsing and gulping down what water remains.
[23:01] <Fae> They do.
[23:01] <madness_> Jo boards, not looking any of the guards or civilians at eye level as he passes.
[23:02] <~RogetGMs> After they board, Amelie pilots the machine, which takes off like helicopters do. You fly over miles of identical jungle, whooshing over the dark passages you came in through. Abandoning the helicopter a little ways outside the port you came in on, you make your way to the boat and return to Site-77, leaving the oppression of Congo behind.
[23:02] <@DiePotato> Artyom catches and stows the bags, strapping them in. He climbs into the co-pilot seat and rubs his face. And lights a damo cigarette.
[23:02] <~RogetGMs> ~fin~
In God's Name