Episode 2.01: Brushfire!

[Nolmir]

Yep, I'm good to move on.

[Renny]

"OK, people," Cole states breezily, "Let's take a stroll. We're making for that peak to the right of the settlement, so we can take a last look before revealing ourselves. Let's keep in a line, and keep weapons and gear out of sight. I'll call it in. Ally, you're on point."

Once on the move, Cole flips open his communicator.

"Landing party to Drake. We are on the move. Expect visual confirmation of survivors in 2 hours. Landing party out."

He slips the communicator back in his pocket and picks up his pace to keep up with the group.

OOC: Can't remember if comms silence was ordered but can edit the post if that wasn't appropriate

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Just for clarification, there are no Tyreen settlements near the identified plateau (reply 74 on p.5). The human life signs are colocated with the batteries.

The landing party moves onto the trail and follows it down the side of the hill. It appears to be a common path for man and beast alike, worn into the hillside by decades, if not centuries of use. Today, however, the security personnel appear to be the only ones taking it as it winds around small groups of low trees and bushes.

Progressing as expected over the rough terrain, the landing party is about a half-our into their journey when an ungulate is startled by their proximity and leaps ahead of their path. Phasers are reflexively whipped out, and a few embarrassed looks are spared as they realize their folly. The group travels along for another hour before they are arrive at the long ridge, leaving only a flat span and the slow, steady climb to their destination.

As the path skirts another large copse of tall bushes, the landing party thinks it hears movement around the bend, just out of sight.

OOC: The path curves slowly to the right as it skirts the bushes, which are high enough to obscure everyone's vision. The bushes are thick, but not impassable.

[Doug Burke]

Ally, the previous hour's embarrassment strong in her memory, slowed her pace incrementally, not stopping but enough to be noticed by her team mates, and casually rested her hand on the phaser in her carried satchel a her eyes and ears scanned for more information on the noises she heard from ahead.

[Renny]

OOC: Thanks for the clarification, Davy. I meant the grouping of survivors and can see that settlement wasn't the right phrase to use. Apologies for any confusion.

Noting Ally's change of posture, and the faint sounds of movement from ahead, Cole raises his fist in a clenched gesture to indicate for the group to stop without issuing an order which might be overheard.

[Renny]

Remembering Treyva's order to minimise contact with the natives, he turns to the rest of the team and gestures for them to take cover off the track. He turns to Ally, tapping her on the shoulder as her attention is focused on the approaching sounds. He nods towards the bushes and indicates that they should try and get out of sight quickly.

[Patrick Goodman]

Tann-Tyra quietly steps off the trail towards the shrubs, her hand reaching into her pocket and gripping her phaser. Just in case.

[Davy, aka GM]

The landing party slips into the dense brush just enough to hide their presence. The sounds of movement grow louder, accompanied by voices.

"Did you hear something ahead?"

"Not above your noise, Adeem."

"Like you're a quiet one, Farron."

"Both of you, shut it. Adeem, scout ahead."

A figure comes into view, looking around carefully as he steps quietly along the path. He appears to be Tyreen, and is holding a bow.

OOC: Tyreen scout Insight + Security  (8/2) vs. Difficulty 2

Rolled 2d20 : 15, 13, total 28

[Davy, aka GM]

Adeem passes by the landing party's position, then returns a few moments later.

"Nothing here, Lenis."

"Maybe it's an andran hiding in the bushes?" offers the voice called Farron.

"No, it would've bolted by now. Let's keep going."

The Tyreens continue along the trail (the way the landing party came), and the crew notice there are six in their group. You see them cut off the trail to the summit and move overland along a lower slope, away from the copse.

The landing party returns to its course, and soon finds itself below the hillside where the batteries were detected. It's a rather steep climb on this face.

[Nolmir]

Lear stands with his hands on his hips and sizes up the incline. "I bet we could climb that, but I'd guess the survivors probably found an easier way up to the summit if they were carrying equipment with them. Not to mention if they have injured."

[Doug Burke]

Ally nodded in reply to Lear, "Good point, sir." She reached once more for her tricorder to see if its records included any topographical information that might help them find an easier and/or more concealed pathway.

[Patrick Goodman]

Tann looked up the hill, then back down the path they'd come down. "Someone definitely paid attention in class," she said again. "As redoubts go, you couldn't do a lot better in this area. Not the easiest place to get to, and the view of the surroundings is probably spectacular."

Turning to Cole, she added, "There's almost no way they didn't see us coming, sir."

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Doug, please attempt an Insight + Security task for Ally, Difficulty 1.

[Doug Burke]

Ally Scan Task:

Insight (10) + Security (4), Total TN 14, Difficulty 1

Rolled 2d20 : 9, 1, total 10

*phalanges entwined*

[Doug Burke]

Nice!