Necromunda: Rustholm, IC

[Adlan]

Hive Primus, Necromunda
A Glittering Tower, who's spire rises up above the polluted atmosphere, scraping against the stars that the teeming billions below only half believe in. Freighters come and go, bringing in food to support the huge population, and raw materials and leaving with weapons, equipment, the products of the vast factories.

The Underhive
Below the Nobel houses at the top pf the hive, where lives are spent in long luxurious diversions, below the Maunfactorums, the chem plants and the vast Hab blocks of workers, is the Underhive, where Arbites of the law seldom tred. Every year, as waste from above trickles down, as more pollutants, effluence and the refuse from above trickles down, it grows. Only rarely is a place reclaimed from the Underhive, for once out of the houses control, the Gangs splinter and compete, violently clashing for the rights to levy 'taxes' from the unfortunate population. The local civilian population's only hope is that the Guilders, members of such a powerful organisation that even in the lawless underhive, their courts, their bounties, and their rules hold sway, hires the biggest, most powerful gang in the area as Watchmen.

Unfortunately, for the settlement of greater Rustholm, their Gang of Watchmen have recently had problems.....

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/175/newspaper.jpg (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/newspaper.jpg/)

With the Collapse of the Stainless Steel Ratz, the Gangs of Rustholm are no longer confined by their power, no longer limited to their traditional little territories. There are Choice Rackets to be claimed from other gangs, deals, trades and all sorts of opportunities... Some parts of Rustholm have lain unexplored for longer than anyone can remember... Who knows what secret treasure might lie there?

There is a large Slag deposit in Rustholm, laid down by countless drips of iron rich waste from above, some say that's where Rustholm gets it's Name. Gang wars to control it were common before the Stainless Steel Ratz took power, and allowed only limited mining except by themselves. However, the Orlock Gang, Solntsevskaya, now control most of the heap along with a settlement at the bottom. The Poker Games held their are legendary, not for the high stakes, but for the time a passing Goliath ripped someone's arm off over a trifling matter of an extra ace in the deck. With the Demise of the Stainless Steel Ratz, it looks like a vicious turf war is about the flare up between the Solntsevkaya, the Hawks and the Hemlocks. Whoever controlled the whole slag heap would have a powerful amount of leverage with the guilder caravans, Refined Slag being a profitable export.

The Hawks, who's turf borders the Slag heap, are an oddity, a Minor Orlock Gang, they were taken over by an Escher Rebel, and now find themselves at odds with both houses. The Solntsevkaya despise the Gang for accepting leadership from another house, while the Pack, the Local Escher group, look in disgust at the men Yvra leads. They have been forced into less desirable turf, Abandoned Hab Domes and retaining only a small mine on the slag heap. However, they do have a small area of residents willing to aid them, and in one old hab block, they discovered an access hatch to the ruined old tunnel system that runs under the floor of all Rustholm.

On the the far scrap of the slag, the Hemlocks still mine ore, in addition, they hold the high ground, allowing them not only good access to the Iron Deposits, but to harvest the moisture laden wind that comes there, trapping and selling one of the best sources of clean water in all Rustholm. When other sources run dry, this is the root of the Hemlocks wealth, and the Bar they run in the central settlement reputed to serve any drink you can name. The Wind that brings their watery wealth, also causes spore caves to flourish in the Hemlocks turf, giving them access to deadly posions, and much of the narcotics in Rustholm originates in their territory.

A Major Rival to the Delaques strangle hold on water supply is The Pack, a powerful Escher gang with holdings on the other side of the central settlement, they clash frequently over the rights of their respective drinking hole, ranging from barfights to gang war, especially now the Stainless Steel Ratz aren't enforcing peace in the streets. They also compete with the Solntsevskaya over mineral buyers, as they mine certain precious substances.. The Drinking Hole and Gambling Den they protect in the central settlement is known for as a place where a man fears to tread, but any woman can go safely. It's even rumored beneath the bar, access to the sewers can be had, allowing the Escher to bring revenge on any man, anywhere they wish to, though most sensible minds dismiss this as paranoia.

Incomers to the settlement are Lilandra and her Steelhawks, They took over one of the outlying small settlements, and the rumors fly with what they are, or were, before they came below, into the underhive. Some say they are a Spire Lords Illegitimate Daughters, some say they are Bounty Hunters on a long term hit, But whatever the truth, it is known that this gang of VanSarr have solid connections with the guilders. In addition, they are reported to sell the bodies of their enemies to one of the local docs, a chilling threat from the out of towners.

In between the Steelhawks and the turfs of various other gangs is the Settlement of Balheim, When Rustholm had been part of the main Hive, it had been a bustling place, now it is a faded, but well lived in area, and the Cawdor residents, tired of being pushed around, have ceased the opportunity afforded by the collapse of the Stainless Steel Ratz to form their own gang. Their workshop produces weapons for them, and even the chemical waste that pollutes their home can be a source of income that they must defend from attacking gangs. Even the Gambling hall, beloved by many sinners, is protected by masked followers of House Cawdor.

The Last Rival in the Water supply wars, are the Lokrans, a Van Sarr gang famous for their purification still, and for the shadowy reputation they have with regards to some of the guilders, it is said they work for a certain individual, who can be found relaxing in the settlement, if the right palms are crossed with enough creds. Meanwhile, the Lokrans do his bidding, using the tunnels that crisscross the settlements and armed with their high tech gear fresh from their workshop.


The gangs have a lot to lose, but the rewards available, and the gains they could make, are certainly worth the risk. Life is Cheap, and Death only costs a half cred for a new lasgun cell. Welcome, to the Underhive.

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle One. Guilders Fight.
Lokrans
Something has disturbed Master J'ki, something he hasn't chosen to share you, but it must be connected with the new Van Sarr gang in the area, the Steelhawks. Master J'ki demands that these upstarts be shown who is the top gang in this settlement. But he seems more concerned than just about the risks of a new gang, maybe the rumours that the Steelhawks have guilder connections are true.

The Steelhawks
The Lokrans were sighted, advancing on the hab blocks the Steelhawks had claimed. Quickly, Lilandra and her Gang must arm and fight them off, showing all Rustholm that the Steelhawks are not easy pickings.

The Turf
The Lokrans are advancing from the south, up the rubble strewn trail. This once clean road runs straight to the steel hawks territory, but either side, ruined hab blocks, connected by rusty gangways. The Steel Hawks will arrive from the north. In between where the two gangs will meet, an abandoned industrial works of some kind, has many connections to the old tunnel network.

[Kurrel]

Lilandra stepped into the ruined entryway of one of the hab blocks as her gang began to split up and move ahead of her. Flicking open her holster, she drew her plasma pistol and armed it and watched the power indicator begin to charge.

Looking to her side, where Denerra stood leaning against the interior wall with her arms crossed, she allowed a brief smile. "Strange that it'd be the other Van Saars to move first. I was hoping we'd get the chance to talk first."

Denerra shrugged and pushed herself from the wall, walking over to a metal table bolted to one wall. With a huff of effort, she lifted her stubber from the metal and looped the supporting straps over her shoulders. "Doesn't matter much now, does it?" she asks, voice deadly calm and quiet and so at odds with her intimidating presence.

"Not any more." answered the gang leader. Her fingers caressed the elaborate engravings of her weapon, housework at it's very best, and squinted into the half lit wastelands. "The kids up ahead already?"

Denerra made a sound of confirmation, no words spoken as she stepped up besides Lilandra. The pair were joined by the other two who had come down from the heights with them and the four shared a quiet moment before walking into the darkness.

-

The SteelHawks keep to the buildings and cover as much as possible. Denerra is going to get up a floor or two and provide overwatch while Lilandra and her gangers keep together. The juves are all within shouting distance of each other, except for the two brothers who are infiltrated about halfway into the board and keeping dead quiet.

[Cadian 9th]

Lokrans

SunSou grits his teeth against the foul weather of the underhive, motioning to his team where to go. The Master's orders were clear. The Van Saar gang needs to be broken and, preferably, captured or eliminated. " I'll take the left side. Orion, come with me. " He nods.

Jakiro, Tink'Lam and Hiro made their way down to the tunnels - followed by Dorn'li.


Umm, so where can I deploy?
Preferably, I'll put the Heavy and another ganger on the highest point, then put two combat fighters in a building ready to charge. SunSou and Orien will deploy in my zone...


This is it...

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle One. Guilders Fight.
An old Abandoned balcony provided a perch for the Steelhawks heavy, perching her heavy stubber on the ruined metal sheeting. She had good line of sight down onto the rubble strewen central path, and could see the approach of The Lokrans Leader, and another, advancing down the dust road, going from cover to cover.

With a mettalic clang, an access hatch was kicked open, and Dorn'Li, followed by Tink'Lam clambered out into the concealed ground floor factory, though through the North side windows, and blow out door way, movement was visible.

Mean while, Martin and Morgan, lay in hiding in the same factory floor. The Lokran gangers hadn't spotted them, but if they came any nearer the windows, they would soon be found.

Jakiro, lugging his heavy stubber, came out of a similar access hatch to his fellows, but on the other side of the street, east of the path, And prepared to climb what was probably an old cooling tower to get a better shot, once he could see anything outside of all the dam smoke and dust that his companion, lugging the spare ammo had churned up, glad of his respirator.

At the other end of the street to the Lokrans, the rest of the steel hawk gang advanced, also flitting from cover to cover, soon they would be in range of each others guns.

[Kurrel]

Sliding up against the corner of one of the hab blocks, leaving a smear of dust on the back of her longcoat, Lilandra risked a glance round the corner and then nodded to her companions. The three raced across the empty space, weapons held ready as they hurried through the doorway of another block. The places were crypt quiet, where once thousands of people might have lived, and Warrick's voice sounded overly loud as he tripped on a piece of buckled floor and cursed.

The brothers hunkered down, avoiding the windows as they leopard crawled towards a doorway. Martin used the sleeve of his coat to buff the grime off his blade and poked the tip through the doorway to get a view of the street. The two waited, hoping to pounce on an unwary passerby in close combat.

Denerra shook her head with a wry smile, watching everyone move through the area. She could see the rest of the gang moving up, trying to close with the intruders and not leave themselves open to fire. Her eyes narrowed as she spied movement and, unsure whether it was enemy or simple imagination, she shifted to present the muzzle of her weapon in it's direction.

For now, silence broken by the tramp of feat seemed the only action.

[Cadian 9th]

Lokrans

The Forces are ready - SunSou points his pistol in the air, then nods, squeezing off two sharp shots that ring out through the compound. Dorn Li and Tink'lam moved to further cover then get ready to charge anyone who crosses the open ground.

Dust kicks up as Jakiro clips himself to the gantry, with heavy stubber revving, ready to pour the heavy calibre rounds into any enemy targets from above.

[Kurrel]

The echoes of the shot resounded through the enclosed space of the underhive, almost like the signal to start. The Steelhawk juves, followed closely by Lilandra and her gangers, were closing on the factory. There were no catcalls or hollers yet, time enough for such when battle is joined, and instead quick words between the gang such as "Go to the doorway." and "Over there." were traded back and forth.

Denerra shifted her heavy stubber as her smile widened to a feral delight. "Now come the storm, a rain of bullets and the scarlet stream." she whispers before opening fire with her weapon across the central path. Even if the bullets do not reach the Lokran Leader, they'll certainly make people keep their heads down... and if she can hit him or his companion, all the better!

The two brothers, wide eyed and trembling with both fear and excitement, knowing their way ahead of their friends and gang, stay as still as they hunch besides the largest doorway and hope that the Lokrans do not yet know of their presence. Their orders are to ambush any coming into the factory, but they know there are more than enough Lokrans to overwhelm them if they all come as a group... and so they hope for a great measure of luck. Martin, chewing his lip, leans forwards and pats his brother on the shoulder. The two nod to each other, and wait.

[Cadian 9th]

Lokrans

Jakiro grins with the satisfaction of the Hunter; SunSou's lure has gotten their heavy exposed, so comes the storm of bullets. Trusting SunSou to take care of himself, he hefts the stubber and takes sights on their Heavy, the woman blasting away at SunSou and Orion.

Dorn'li and Tink'Lam come out, spying some of those Steelhawks. They ready themselves to shoot and charge. Tink'Lam nods " I'll suppress, you move in... " He says, breathing through his respirator.

The gangers seem confident in their trap being sprung...

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle One. Guilders Fight.
The Chatter of the Steelhawks heavy stubber is the first weapon fired with intent this encounter, and it chews up the ground in front of the Lokrans leader, who dives for cover, along with Orion. They are pinned down, but worse, Orion has taken a round and has been brought down.

However, this is the only fire reaching the Lokrans line, and their answering heavy stubber chatter raws defiance at the new coming Vansarr. Forcing the Steelhawks heavy to seek better cover.

As the lines of the gangs close, they get in range of each others weapons, just a little closer, and they would be in range of a swift charge and a good kicking, except, of course, for those inside the factory, as the Lokrans shift position to blast the approaching steel hawks, two juves, Mike and Martin, turn with a look of horror, not knowling how anyone could have gotten past them, but seeing the proof, two enemy gangers in the factory, who fortunately, have not noticed them yet.

Sun-Sou and Orion are Pinned, Orion is down (see page 17), and must roll to recover next turn, however, if he dosn't die or recover, he will go to pinned automatically. Fleshwound means he can act in the same post/turn. This is a wounding hit for the Steelhawks Heavy.

Who is in turn, pinned herself. Being pinned means you spend your next post diving for cover, working your way round to a new spot, and generally avoiding being hit.

See the OCC thread for a description of the battlefield

[Kurrel]

As the bolts of the stubgun punched holes in the street and walls, kicking up sprays of plascrete and dust, Jimmy (Juve) saw one of the two figures of the opposing gang drop. Ambitious and hungry, he grabbed Nirsaea (another Juve in the main group) by the shoulder and pointed down the street with his sword. "C'mon," he hissed at her, "I saw one of them drop over there, let's get him!" Nirsaea, excited and full of adrenaline, nodded eagerly and the two began to race down the street, hugging the side of the street that protected them from the other heavy they could hear exchanging gunfire with Denerra.

Lilandra [Leader] allowed the two to race off, watching with a cold thoughtfulness. 'That one is dangerous. Best to watch him.' she thought to herself, before looking back towards the factory again. "Let's go!" she yelled to those around her, and broke into a direct run towards the factory itself. The remaining juves let out a whoop and raced ahead, screaming and waving their weapons. Though moving fast, Lilandra, Warrick and Gareth (The two gangers) all hung back a little behind the eager juves, their plasma pistols set to heavy and ready to take a shot at anything.

Martin glanced over his shoulder and stared in horror when he realized the shapes he could just make out in the darkness were the backs of the enemy gang members. He grabbed his brother and tugged him round, pointing them out. Morgan cursed under his breath and risked a quick look out the factory at the street. "There's NOONE out there!" he whispered into his brother's ear. "C'mon, we need to help out!" He exclaimed when he heard the yells of excitement and the weapon fire of the two stubbers. The two broke from the door way and started moving towards the two Lokrans inside the factory with them, opening fire with their bolter pistols.


The remaining two juves in the main group, Meliyan and Caspian, are going to try and charge, unless it's obvious that it is out of reach. In that case, they're simply going to move their full speed across the street and towards the pair in the factory.

If the gangers and leader can take a shot at anyone, including the heavy in the scaffolding above, they'll fire with plasma pistols on heavy. They will only fire, though, if the target is comfortably within range of their weapons, no sense wasting the shot.

The two juves inside the factory move to cover themselves from Dorn'li and Tink'Lam before opening fire themselves.

[Kurrel]

And, taking cover behind a walkway balcony that seemed all to thin against the rounds pounding against it, Denerra calmly checked her stubber gun, though a sheen of sweat on her brow betrayed her surprise and alarm at the fire that had opened up at her from unexpected quarters.

[Cadian 9th]

Lokrans

Sunsou grits his teeth and takes cover, running to cover Orion. He never leaves a man behind, except when it suits him. " Alright, let's bring the pain. " He says.

Jakiro redirects his fire on those who break from cover. He knows his job, it's not to waste shots on those taking cover, its to make everyone else pay for breaking cover. His stubber roars at the Steelhawks leader and her attendants, heavy rounds digging huge holes in anything they hit...

Dorn'Li and Tink'lam open up on the juves with their shotguns, using their superior experience to pinpoint the young Steelhawks.

Hidden until now, Chow'Yan and Jar'ki finally grin and open fire, Chow'yan with his lasgun and Jark'li taking some aimin' and getting Ready (overwatch) to fire.

Hiro moves to beside Jakiro, ready to fire his lasgun at anyone who tries to stand up and shoot.

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle Two. Scrap over Slag.

Solntsevskaya
Everyone knows that House Orlock is the House of Iron. So it is only right that it is Orlocks who rule the Heap when it comes to the rusty ore that gives Rustholm it's name. Except, they don't, for too long, the Delaque have occupied a small share, and it's time the Solntsevskayas showed them not to mess in our business.

They have a Small out post in the slag heap, guarded by a few of their gangers. Showing them how easily we can move over their turf will help drive them off.

Hemlocks
Guarding turf is one of the boring chores, while the rest of the gang is off having a good time with maybe a game of cards and a bottle of wildsnake. However, the ore mining is a steady earner, and someone needs to keep an eye out, to hold off anyone and hope the sound of combat brings reinforcements.

The Turf
The Shack, a corrugated steel and scrap building, dominates the centre of the turf, the rest is the rolling, corroded red iron slag and lumps of anomalous ore. There are also a few scant stands of spore mushrooms, this variety brick red, and not very toxic.

[Etcetera]

Figuratively dripping with machismo, the scouting party made their way out of the settlement. Space was at a premium in Dev'yata zhyttya and slag was slag. A bunch of no-hopers like the Hemlocks couldn't be trusted to use it properly. They'd probably just spend it on drugs. Much better that it was distributed for the good of the community.

Something to shake them up a bit would be good. Put them on their toes. Make 'em scared.

Lydumilla checked the ammo on her bolt pistol for the umpteenth time. Sure, she'd been in many little conflicts over the year, but still, this one could go downhill very quickly.

Across from her, Timur cocked his pistol. Again. And again. And again. He was trying to get that intimidating sound just right. Suddenly he realised he was being signalled. It was time to move.

The party made their way stealthily towards the slag heap. Each juve was paired off with a more experienced ganger. They started to make their way up, one partner covering the other as they made their way from cover to cover.

The pairs were fairly dispersed, making sure that each group could see each other.

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle One. Guilders Fight.

Sunsou looks up from the whimppering body of his wounded comrade, and see's figures dashing towards him. The Juves, two steelhawks, are approaching, soon they will be within 20 yards. Very well armed for juves though.

Two other well armed juves opened up on the Lokrans inside the factory, Martin landing a carefully placed shot, but then wasting the rest of his ammo in an uncontrolled burst that rose up and smashed the plasteel of the broken ceiling. Tink'lam goes down collapsing behind some cover, a bloody wound bringing him down, while Morgan's fire misses Dorn'Li, who's return fire pins the juve behind a scrap of cover, giving the Lokran the chance to charge in with sword flashing.

Just as the rest of the Steelhawks Gang enters from the other side of the factory, leaving the street to the Lokrans, who's departing fire keeps them inside, pinned if they venture out into the street, or take a shot out of the window.

Denerra, the Steelhawks heavy, has recovered her position, and has a view of the street, from her slightly exposed viewpoint


Okay, the Factory has the conflict between gangers and juves at one end, and at the far end (out of charge range) the rest of the steel hawks. The Lokrans have the entire factory under overwatch. However, the Lokrans leader has two juves comming to confront him, the Steelhawks heavy is back in action, and it's only a few more casualties, and peoples nerve will start to fail. 1 wounding hit, to the Juve Martin, who then failed his ammo roll.

[Kurrel]

Jimmy raced down the street, his footsteps kicking up dust as he went. He clutched a weapon in each hand, palms sweating as he heard the gunfire all around. He glanced over his shoulder, reassured to see Nirsaea as still with him and that there weren't any bodies lying in the street. He knew enough about the Lokrans to recognize their leader, and when he realized that was the man he was charging, he felt dread wash over him. Hanging back a little, he let the young woman get ahead of him and hoped to finish off the leader if there was an opportunity.


If they can charge, they will. Otherwise they'll move and shoot.


"HA!" yelled Martin when he saw his target drop, before the gun in his hand locked up. He continued to fire until the weapon in his hand clattered emptily and only then ducked behind cover. Fumbling in his pockets, his eyes widened when he realized he was out. Cursing under his breath, he stowed the weapon away and peeked out from behind cover in time to see a blast shatter the corner of the cover his brother was hiding behind. The impact peppered his brother's shoulder with shards of plascrete and caused him to duck back, itching his shoulder furiously.


One pinned and one without a ranged weapon, the two juves will wait for charges behind cover.


Lilandra hastened through the doorway when the heavy fire shifted down to the streets. Pausing in the open frame, she looked up into the darkness and whispered a small prayer that Denerra was still safe. "Stay safe." She said softly, before turning and raising her weapon. Plasma belched forth into the darkness and she yelled aloud, "Get them all!"


Since they can't charge, all 5 will move and shoot at the Lokrans inside the factory


Denerra felt the shuddering impact against her cover stop, but she could still here the weapon roaring. She drew a sigh of relief and then glanced to her side, paling a little when she saw the fist sized hole blown through her cover not a foot from her head. Taking the gift as offered, she leaned over to look through it and across the street. It seemed almost everyone was in buildings and so she sat back. She could smell the oil cooking in her heavy stubber and let it's weight lower to the floor as she closed her eyes.


Denerra will hide for the moment.

[Ecalsneerg]

Week One, Battle Two. Scrap over Slag

"One day, boss'll see I'm a frakking good lieutenant, all these jobs I do," said Tybalt, feeding man-stopper shells into his rusted old shotgun.

A few feet off, Cobweb was coughing as he tried a smoke the older ganger had handed him. "Mmm-hmm," he forced out, hiding the fact he didn't believe the outrageous claim.

They were spread out slightly among some piles of scrap to the south of the shack, among some red-rusted ore. Hadn't been out long enough for the chill to seep through their dusty longcoats.

To the north of the shack, tramping five-six feet apart from each other, was the second ganger-rookie pairing of Demetrius and Romeo. Unlike his arrogant comrade, Demetrius was actually patrolling back and forth, if only to shut the frakking juve up.

"Shut up about your stupid girl, or I'll go to her myself, make you look like the idiot child you are, then suffocate her with your damn oversized coat," he snarled at Romeo. "And hold your frakkin' autopistol like you can fire it, you miserable heap of Gnox leavings."

[Adlan]

CRUSADE
Cutting from the Arbite Bulletin:
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/386/newspaper2.jpg

The Crusade of the Burning hand is coming to bring the Emperor's Justice To Rustholm
-Written by LCP

The rusty watchtower stank of mildew and rot, its decaying flak-boards nailed into place God-Emperor knew how many decades ago in the dripping damp of the Underhive. Leaning against the parapet, Boris would have been watching the clock if there had been one to watch – standing guard was always the most tedious of duties.

Slowly, he became aware of a distant sound: welcoming anything to break the monotony, he looked around, trying to locate its source. It was a dull, throaty rumble, coming closer – the sound of engines. And over that, the sound of voices – faint plainsong, echoing through the cavernous wastes over the rattling cough of machinery.

Somewhere up ahead, there was a sudden, rumbling crash – the walls of one of the mouldering hab-blocks that had been abandoned to the decay of the sump collapsed in a wave of rubble, a crimson juggernaut ploughing through them. Masonry dust drizzled from the arrowhead dozer-blade on the vehicle’s front, dulling the bright reds and yellows in which it had been painted – black exhaust belched from the truck’s smokestacks, its massive wheels crushing hive detritus to dust under its path. Improvised armour plating had been bolted to every spare inch of the great vehicle’s chassis, scrawled over with religious symbols and festooned with fluttering streamers of parchment, each one closely packed with devotional text. The stink of brimstone and sulphur wafted from the gas-fed brazier that burned fiercely over the driver’s cabin, streaking the machine’s ironclad muzzle with soot.

Clinging to its back, walking in its wake, figures in red robes were swarming: their voices clearly audible now, raised in a hymnal tune that sang over the roar of the mechanised beast.

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

They covered their faces, and carried weapons – one with a flamer strapped to his back was leading the singing, the beak of a grotesque mask protruding from beneath his deep cowl. From a metal-plated pulpit on the back of the mobile chapel, a figure in priestly robes – dyed crimson – looked down on his congregation. The man gripped a flaming staff in one hand, his flame-red mask lending a terrible inhumanity to his appearance as he lifted his head to gaze calmly back at Boris.

Below, Boris’ partners had stirred from their slumbers – gathering in front of the red-robed procession, they barred the fanatics’ path, looking up with indecisive eyes at the demagogue’s perch.

“Goin’ to Rustholm?” said Big Jan as the Redemptionists gathered round, not one to be intimidated by any show of force. “There’s a toll. Sixty creds a head.” He smirked. “Discount.”

The priest descended from his perch, walking slowly round to the front of the truck. He was a gaunt, looming giant of a man, a fact that only dawned on Boris as he saw him standing face-to-face with the burly Jan. He spoke in a voice of brass and fire.
“We have not travelled the Ash Wastes to be extorted by a deviant tax-collector. You will let us pass.”
“This is our gig. You wanna go down to the Sector, you pay the toll.”
“I see.”

The priest turned away, walking back to the truck. As he reached its side, he stopped.
“Deacon Josiah?”

The cowled figure who had led the singing turned to attend.
“Cleanse this nest of heretics.”

From his perch in the watchtower, Boris saw the blinding backwash of flamers and smelt the pungent reek of promethium, screams rising through the stale air as a brief rattle of weapons fire died away into agonised shrieking. Roaring like a dragon, the Redemptionists’ transport revved its engine, its armoured prow smashing through the toll-gate in an avalanche of debris.

Slowly, Boris sank down out of sight. Maybe it was time to find a new job. As he cowered out of sight, he heard the Redemptionists move on, their voices fading away down the Rustholm tunnel...

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia...

[Cadian 9th]

Lokrans

SunSou, realizing that his comrade is down for a while now, calmy opens up with his pistol at the incoming juves, reving his chainsword in eagerness to counter charge.

Jakiro Continues to scan for available targets, Hiro looks also. Seeing the Juves attacking SunSou, Hiro nods to Jakiro and fires his lasgun at the juves, giving SunSou a hand.

Chow'Yan and Jark'li take up positions behind cover, ready for the Steelhawks to emerge from the factory. Their determined expressions are masked by their respirators, but the iron steady aim on the exits of the factory suggest a dedicated, determined warrior.

With Tink'Lam down, Dorn'li roars his challenge and charges the cowering juve, loosing off las blasts as he closes, sword flashing. The mans tatoo reveals him as a "Striking Dragon" and he intends to live up to that name...

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle One. Guilders Fight.

SunSou and the two steel hawk Juves meet in a clash of combat, the charge of youth countered by the wisdom of age, fighting behind the rubble of the street, directing the flow of combat to his wishes. With a Flurry of Las shots driving Nirsaea into a jump and a brutal slash of the chainsword blow cutting her out of the air.

Dorn'li charged the nearest Steelhawk, his sword flashing out, and catching Morgan not once, but twice, likewise bringing him down. The Lokran then moves into a tussel with Martin, and the rest of the SteelHawks do not yet fire into the combat. Instead, they see the ganger Tink'lam rise to his feet, despite the massive bolt shell wound. And they open up.

Lilandra's Plasma fire pins him to the spot, while Warrick hits, and burns him with the blinding white of a star sliver. The rest of the gang pours in fire, riddling the poor Lokrans bleeding form with more Plasma and Bolter Fire.


Meanwhile, the Lokrans take up prime fire positions and remain on overwatch. They are unaware of the goings on inside the factory, but can hear the sounds of combat and violence. With the lull in their own combat, they are able to assist their comrades, and Orion stands upright, if shakily to his feet.


SunSou Wins the multiple combat with both Juves, and wins, bringing Nirsaea Down. Wounding Hit caused by SunSou. Dornli also wins his combat (just), and causes another wounding hit. Both Tink'lam and Orion recover and stand up (-1 WS&BS from the flesh wound for the rest of the round). Tink'lam is then brought down by plasma fire, wounding hit from Warrick. Then two more wounding hits, from Gareth Mallantyne and Caspian.

[Cadian 9th]

Continuing their combats, the Lokrans call out to the Steelhawks. Jakiro bellows: " How bout we call it a day, kin? We'll withdraw, if you do too. You've proved yourselves to J'ki. "

[Kurrel]

After the plasma lanced through the darkness before scorching a glowing hole in one of the girders, Warrick spotted a figure haul himself up in the shadows. "There!" he yelled and, opened fire. The rest of the gang opened up as well, plasma and bolts whizzing through the air. The unfortunate figure dropped again.

As they hurried deeper into the factory, they saw Morgan clutching at his wounds as he lay slumped against a pillar. "I'm okay! He's going after Martin!" he cried out, pointing to where a pair of figures tussled. The pair parted and then met again, steel striking steel.

Hearing the yell from outside, Lilandra took a moment to stand near a window and yell back, "Buy us a round of whitesnake and you've got yourself a deal, since you came for a visit!" Much more quietly to her own gang, she murmurs, "Warrick, Gareth, with me! The rest of you, eyes open!" before charging in to rescue Martin.


The leader and both gangers will charge into combat along with the lone Juve.
Hopefully Morgan recovers his ass, he's got the working gun out of the two!


Nirsaea was far too eager and she paid the price for it. Knowing that the leader would have his attention diverted, Jimmy charged in a step behind her, but such was the ferocity of this opponent that even the advantage of the other juve's actions did not help him. Sweat ran cold down Jimmy's neck and he began to rue grabbing the opportunity as he had.


He's stuck in combat, and really hoping that the other juve gets up. Especially with Orien staggering to his feet nearby!


Denerra drew a breath and then shifted to look through the holes blown through her cover. She chewed her lower lip for a moment, weighing the risks.


If the two hanging around down in the street can't get a shot at Denerra, she'll open up on the opposing heavy and his partner with her heavy stubber.

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle Two. Scrap over Slag
The Orlocks snuck their way towards the central shack, making their way from cover to cover. The Delaque's notice the movement when the enemy gangers are just 40 yards away, and trigger the alarm, calling their reinforcements, if they were lucky enough to still have some sober gang mates. Each pair of Orlocks was fanned out, approaching the pair of Delaques each side of the shack.

[Adlan]

Round One, Battle Three, Central Carnage

The Hawks
The Hawks are in a Precarious Position, trapped between the Pack, and between the Solntsevskaya, they are finding easier pickings to the south, and near the centre of Rustholm, there is a rich find.

Balheim Volunteer Militia
The BVM have found a source of funds for the gang, to help buy equipment and supplies. But disaster, another gang has found the area you are picking over, they must be after the same loot you are.

The Turf
The Turf is an Old Abandoned Hab Block, filled with old signage and now used as a major point of gang sign. The Three Central Stair towers, with their non functioning grav lifts, are all that remain full upright of the main hab block, the rest has fallen to rubble, and in a few places, fallen through into sublevels. The Loot is rumoured to be somewhere in the Towers, though whether it's the north, south or west tower, this isn't known. There is sure to be bitter fighting, especially on the gantry's that connect the towers.

(OCC: there are 4 loot counters)

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle One. Guilders Fight.
As some of the gang make peace, Combat Continues, and The Lokrans Leader Engages the Juve, but thanks to lucky sword play, neither side gets a touch. Inside the Building, the SteelHawk's Leader and two of her plasma armed henchmen dash into the fight. Quickly Lilandra takes out Dorn'li, with a harsh blow.

And with him down, a deal could be made, body for body and the gangs depareted, as friendly as you can get as you hurry to a Docs with your wounded buddies.

okay, so thats a wounding hit, caused by Lilandra onto Dorn'li, and now we're on to after game stuff. Lets Go!

Winner: SteelHawks
The gang leader of the winning side earns an extra 10 Experience points.

Injuries:
Lokrans: Dorn'Li, Tink'lam (Out of Action)
SteelHawks: Morgan, Nirsaea (Out of Action)
Roll Injuries for the Out of Action Gangers in the OC thread.
All other Gangers get +1d6 exp, please post a list of gangers and the rolls in th OC thread.

Territory/Income:
No Territory Exchanged or Won. Income can be collected as normal. Post Rolls in the OC thread. Use the Chart on page 93 to convert gross income to what you have left after food and wildsnake.

Trading post/Rustholm:
No special events this week, use the trading post as described in the main rule book page 96. You can also hire new gangers and such like (if you have settlement, roll for your free juve). No Hired Guns Availible yet this week, the Stainless Steel Ratz Ban has not gone from their memory.

[Icedaemon]

A woman is eagerly pointing towards three towers. Looming over the rubble of the dome as tall structures tend to, they were visible a good while ago, when this party set off from the huge rectangular structure they call home.

"There, you see? We are almost there now!"

Alixander sighs. He fails to see what all the fuss is about. Yes, the rumour comes from a respected source. Yes, finding a treasure trove is always useful. But dragging all the members of the militia here?

"Yes, I can see that. Look, Lizbit, it's great that you found out about this, but I doubt there's enough valuables here for all of us t'need t'lug it out."

A slightly older man, dressed similarly to the one who spoke before, but wearing a white hood as opposed to a blue one, speaks up at this.

"Y'right on that bro, but what if we get attacked? Most of us are still damn green. Emperor have mercy, we are all still green if y'get down to it. 'Sides, you were all for heading here with our full lot 'arf 'n hour ago."

"Oh, calm down brother. Who'd attack us? T'Sump Road is practically part of Balheim and these towers are right by that. Whatever's in there is rightfully ours. And she made it sound bigger than it is..."

Another figure walking behind the brothers, with a rather feminine figure and, as is found out momentarily, voice, speaks up.

"No, Ruprat's right. Them Steel Rats were just content to grab some creds off us every once in a while. Sometimes they spent more in the Glowing Rat than they took with. It'll get vicious before it calms down again."

The young man in the blue hood nods. He does suppose that his companions are right in this matter. Before he can formulate a reply, however, the woman, always among the most keen-eyed of the lot, speaks again.

"Whoa! Look over there! There's some movement far off, I'm sure of it."

Ducking, Alixander curses under his breath.

"By the fires of Retribution, who'd head out here, scavvies?"

Moving to the front beside Ruprat, Xan, Gemma and Lizbit, a third man, the most religious of the group, speaks up.

"If that's so, then our sacred duty is to cleanse this place. Lizbit's intent and Your instinct were correct, my friend. Head for the towers, whatever treasure is within must not fall to mutant scum."

To this, Alixander replies with a simple nod. He pats the holster where the flamer pistol is held and unslings his lasgun from his back. Dan, who was already holding his shotgun, removes the scatter shells from the gun and replaces them with his beloved hotshot pellets. The other members of the militia too grab their weapons and prepare for battle.

Dork and Bork likewise rush to the front, the younger brother slightly ahead, both eager for combat. Homer, Hector and Hellen are also at the forefront of the group. Sammy and Jove, a bit more cautious, take the right flank, with Bruno and Moe on the left. Moving in such a rough formation, the protectors of Balheim surge towards the tower. They are trying to hug the terrain wherever possible and, other than the juves trying to get to the front, are not running. However, they will not stop to hide too fervently - that is not the way of the people of Cawdor.

The group is moving forwards in such a rough formation:
___ XX_XX
X_XX_XXX_X_X
____X
Front row: From left to right: Dork, Bork, Homer, Hectar
Second row: Moe, Bruno, Lizbit, Ruprat, Xan, Dan Sammy, Jove
Third row: Gemma
If there is a waist-height pile or rubble or other obstacle, they will keep to it to an extent. For the now, they aren't running all that much, still a slight bit cautious. The formation is hardly set in stone, that's only a vague outline.

[Etcetera]

The advantage of surprise gone, the combatants threw caution to the wind.

The gang edged in to firing range and opened up on the closest enemies on each side, trying to silence their enemies before they had a chance to react. While an awful lot of shell cases were appearing on the ground, it was another matter entirely as to whether anything had actually been hit.

(Yes, I know I should write more, but I'm a little un-coordinated at the moment.)

[Adlan]

Week One, Battle Two. Scrap over Slag
The Pairs opened up, each group of juves and a ganger firing at the nearest target, Lyudmilla and Timur, Viktor and Roman, Vasyl and Shevchenko, despite the fact that the juves were so far out of range there were missing the shack that the Dealques were guarding.

Lyudmilla and Timur loosed their fire at Demetrius and Romeo, Ludmilla scoring a hit, but draining a powercell in the process. Fortunately, she had a spare, and slammed it in to see she had pinned the young juve to his scrap of cover as she burned neat holes in the Slag Huts wall.

Viktor and Roman also blast away at Demetrius and Romeo, only to find their shots had just rattled the shacks roof.

Vasyl and Shevchenko targeted the other pair, Tybalt and Cobweb, letting lose with lasgun and stub pistol. Pinning the Older ganger behind a barrel or iron dust.

Hopefully this would allow them to make good their raid, and escape, now they'd show they could shoot the place up, the Delaques had reinforcements on their way.

[Etcetera]

Lyudmilla lowered her lasgun for a moment to survey her work. There were a lot of holes in the metal, and one in a person, but no screams of agony or dying breaths. This was not good. Looking up to the clearly overenthusiastic Timur she frowned. "The only reason you're so excited is 'cos no-one's started shooting at us yet. You just wait".

Timur looked like a kicked puppy.

The gang advanced further towards the shack, laying down a steady stream of fire at the same targets. Ideally the juves would stop wasting ammunition this time.

Note: Since I'll probably be away for the next turn, unless my gang have downed all four existing enemies they'll make their way to the other side of the board.

[Gauntlet]

Tomel and Urim had come back to the main group, wiping dust from their eyes. Urim pulled the cloth froom over his mouth and grinned at Yvra. "Looks all clear. Three towers, seem empty. We didn't look inside, but no sound. The gantries don't look that rusted, either." He turned to fall in step with the rest of the group, adjusting the cloth he used to keep his chainsword's hilt free of the dust.

Blackjack looked warily up at the towers and shook his head. This isn't right. We're too close to Balheim for a find like this to have come to us first. Chances are someone's already cleared the place, just there's been a storm or something to cover their tracks." The heavyset man checked his weapons again. Tomel. Head back out there, keep an eye out. I don't want any surprises.
Yvra shrugged at Jack. "Can't do any harm. Go. don't so anything to get yourselves killed, it's a long walk back, and I don't want to do it carrying you." Glancing around, the leader grinned at Pir. "Pir, tag along. Five creds if you manage to find anything useful."

Tomel jerked his head at the youngster and passed Urim's flask back to him. "Can do. I'll take a look inside if I don't see anyone coming. C'mon, Pir."
The ganger and juve made off back towards the ruin, keeping their wyes open for any movement. As they moved towards the towers, Blackjack's wariness paid off.
"There. To the south, just between those two towers. Something moving. No point in taking chances."

Yvra drew her own weapons and nodded at Jack. Looks like Pir's gonna get a look at some action. Let's go- if we can see them, they can see us." Calling the rest of the Hawks with her, the Hawks' leader headed up to cover the two gangers present.

The four gangers will all head to the western tower (arriving from the northwest or so). Tomel and Pir will be arriving on turn 2 (using the Tunnels, effectively). Yvra is in the lead, followed by Urim and Caff, then Jorlin. Blackjack is bringing up the rear.

[Adlan]

Round One, Battle Three, Central Carnage
The Hawks spot the Balheim Volunteer Militia first, advancing in a mass towards the Towers. Well beyond even Jorlin's range though.

To the Cawdor's, they can see a small group of gangers advancing the other side of the towers. They don't look to have anything that could fire out to this distance, and perhaps the Cawdor could camp out at a distance from the towers, sniping without having to close.

Soon though, on their paths they would collide head on.

As the gangs advance, Pir and Tomel from the Hawks emerge from their tunnel, at the bottom of the tower closest to their gang. The darkness is around them, but it is in these towers they must search for the loot.

[Adlan]

Round One, Battle Four, Crusade and the Ladies
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3744/newspaper3c.jpg
The Pack
The Redemptionist crusade seems to be headed right for your territory. There has been long standing conflict with redemptionist's and escher, they consider your exposure of flesh heretical. The Crusade is entering your turf, you must do your best to stop them causing havoc.

The Crusade of the Burning Hands
The smell of incense precedes you, and the pleasing odour of burnt heretic and promethium follows after, as you advance into the settlement of Rustholm, ripe for a clensing. The First opposition you encounter you shall put to fire and the sword, to start bringing the emperor's light to these heathens.

The Turf
Just east of Red Pinnicle, the russet dust stains the area, drifting where the wind piles it up against the rubble and low abandoned buildings. The few remaining 2nd stories are isolated, and as the stair cases are usually burned out, only crude ramps or climbing the broken walls allows entry. The Pack advance from the south, stealthily, while the crusade does so from the north, with much chanting.

[LCP]

Stepping up to the pulpit of the Auto-Chantry, Mordecai Kant surveyed the red wasteland ahead, the vehicle's engines growling beneath him. Up ahead, there was a glimmer of movement - the preacher signalled to the driver, and the great truck ground steadily to a halt.

Pulling the receiver towards him, Kant flicked a switch inside the pulpit - the laudhailers attached to the side of the Chantry squealed into electronic life. Surveying the field ahead, he spoke into the receiver, the great horns blasting his powerful voice across the sea of rubble and ruin.

"Deviants of Rustholm!" he boomed, feedback making the preacher's voice crackle and distort. "A man's concealing himself from the light of redemption is sufficient cause for the presumption of his guilt." He paused. "A woman's, doubly so. By shortening your lives, I am saving you from committing more sins and thus receiving even greater punishment. If there is still one spark of the Emperor's faith left in you, you will accept your fate with resignation - and thank me for rewarding you with a martyr's crown."

Disengaging the speakers, he turned to Deacon Josiah behind him.

"Here is where we light the fire of the true faith in this accursed parish, Deacon. Tell the others to prepare their weapons, and dismount."

The masked Deacon grinned dementedly beneath his mask. As Mordecai passed him, he placed a gloved hand on the man's shoulder. "We give no quarter to the enemies of the Emperor."

[hr]

OOC: This is quite tricky without a combat map or anything, but essentially, the Crusade will form two 'teams' - a melee spearhead comprising of Jonah, Rebekah, Nehemiah, Hosanna and Mordecai, and a supporting contingent of the two Deacons, Samuel, Saul and Simon.

The combat team will choose the most direct route to the largest body of the Escher that offers any cover at all, and head down that as fast as they can, keeping close enough together to use Mordecai's leadership for Pinning/Frenzy: Mordecai will be in the rear of this group with the others in a 'horseshoe' around him, as he's trying to get close enough to use his meltagun rather than to get into melee.

Meanwhile, the second team will advance a little more cautiously along any parallel route that looks good, hugging cover where possible and aiming for any large concentrations of Escher that are not being directly engaged by the melee team. The Deacons will go to the fore, trying to get close enough to burn the enemy out of any cover they might be occupying - the Crusaders will hang a little further back, offering covering fire to both the Deacons and the combat team, and advancing closer if a really big melee erupts to use their shotguns at close range.

[Icedaemon]

While she is now in the back, Gemma did spot the enemy's rough position first and is again able to point at the small number of people to the north.

"See, right over there. Only a couple of them."

By now, Alixander and, indeed, most of the group also sees the indicated enemies. The leader of this sad lot curses slightly and thinks for a bit. With the idea that they are facing scavies and mutants, the most common enemies Balheim saw during the Steel Rats' reign still lodged in his head, he gives some orders.

"All right. You, me and Ruprat have t'rifles. We'll try to shoot them down from here. Dan, Bork, Jump you have combat experience, so you take the rest of the lot to t'towers. Take 'em over, prepare an ambush for 'em vile mutant freaks."

The group is about to begin moving, when again, Xan's older brother pipes in.

"We're right in t'open, If t'muties have zombies or other such chaos-tainted filth with them, lasguns won't always stop them. Some greenies oughta stay with us."

At this, the 'Captin' nods. There is no time for argument and this is an important point.

"You may be right. Sammy, Jove, y'stay with us."

The girl addressed slouches for a moment.

"Aw, unc..."

"No buts, you've the bolter an' t'shotties are goin' up. An it's Captin, we're in a fight ya daft girl."

Meanwhile, the plan is already put into action.

The three proud and experienced members of the militia who are with shotguns, along with the majority of the untested recruits, run towards the towers. They try to put the massive structures between themselves and the enemy, but the juves' lack of skill could well place one or two in an enemy line of fire. Dan desperately fights his urge to shout battlecries to invigorate his charges, but for the moment keeps his mouth shut. Stealth, a concept that Cawdor never quite understood, is something they should at least attempt today.

The five remaining guards of Balheim also rush forwards, but with more care. They are heading for the nearest piece of cover moreso than going to the towers, at least for the now. Gemma and Xan, who are the first to move of this team, also try to fire at the unknown enemy if there is even a hope that they are close enough to score a hit. Ruprat, who was busy admonishing his niece and only reaches the barrier when they have both fired, is quite content to simply duck behind a barricade in case there is enemy return fire coming, not that Gemma or Xan would be stupid enough to gawk longer than necessary to confirm if a hit is scored. After all, scavy bosses do have a nasty tendency to pack actual firepower.

So, in summary: Gemma and Xan go towards the nearest piece of cover, assuming that it is within 10 metres, between them and the enemy and fire if possible. Ruprat, Jove and Sammy join them, but do not open fire yet.
The rest of Balheim's defenders run towards the towers, but try to move in a manner that puts the towers between them and the majority of the Hawks.

[Gauntlet]

As the Hawks approached the western tower, Yvra muttered directions to her crew. Tomel and Pir will have the inside of the tower- we'll take the railings. Jorlin, you're with me. Caff, Urim, go with Jack. As the group splits, the leader Grabs a ladder leading to the gantries. Pulling herself up with Jorlin after her, she heads straight for the top of the tower.
Blackjack follows Caff and Urim up to the first level, and heads inside while they set up on the gantry.
Pir and Tomel are inside the building, checking through the trash for any interesting loot. noticing Jack, they draw their weapons and move back to check other entrances on this floor.

Jorlin and Yvra will head for the second gantry level, lie flat and look for any targets. Blackjack is on the inside of the tower, second floor. Pir and Tomel are on the ground floor, where they will have cover against anyone entering. Urim and Caff are on the first level gantry, lying flat and keeping eyes open for any movement, using any cover available.

Any loot counters in the west tower?

[Adlan]

Round One, Battle Four, Crusade and the Ladies

The Escher Advance into different groups, A Plasma Gunner and an experienced ganger, with a juve scampering infront, each group just close enough to support each other. They were hunting for the Redemptionist's, hugging the walls and cover, moving as quickly and sneakily as they could.

Anastasia lead the rest of the Juves, and gangers, straight into the main body of redemptionist's, going to go toe to toe with the cloaked faith-heads.

OCC: The Escher are forming a mutually supporting pincer around the first group of redemptionist's, in the hope of crushing them before the second group can reinforce them.

[Adlan]

Round One, Battle Three, Central Carnage
Two of the Balheim advanced into cover, and open a messy volly of fire at the western tower, the rest run into the rubble, surrounding the edge of a clearing in front of the towers, a former lift site.

One of the Lasgun Rounds cracked above Caff's head, in addition to all the ones smattering the side of the tower. Alerting the pair of Hawks to the presence of the Cawdor gang.

Tomel located a box of emergency batteries, part of the standard supply unit kit that comes with every prefab tower, for some reason not looted, for they are a valuble power source.

[LCP]

"The enemy come to us," breathed Deacon Josiah. "Brothers! With me!"

Hefting his flamer, the clergyman of the Redemption led the way. Behind him, Timaeus and the others followed, lifting their voices in praise.

Onward, righteous soldiers,
Marching unto war.
With the light of Terra
Burning on before...

Hearing the hymns drifting across the blasted battlefield, Father Kant smiled beneath his mask.

"Now, my children," he said, priming his meltagun. "In the Emperor's name!"

[hr]

OOC: Shotgun/flamer group heads for the nearest arm of the pincer: the Crusaders will open fire if they can find a good position within range, whereas the Deacons will move up as close as they can while hugging cover/not getting too separated from the Crusaders.

The combat group heads for the other arm of the pincer at full pelt, ending their moves in cover if they can.

[Icedaemon]

The sight of shots fired leads to the Cawdor citizens, the younger half still seeing this as a game and most of the older too focused on being fervent, or at least appearing so, to consider setting them straight.

Should the Balheimers spot the gangers, Dan and Bork, along with the majority of the juves, will head to whichever insofar at least seemingly unoccupied tower is nearer to the one already teeming with their fellow underhivers. Still certain that they are facing a small number of enemies as inexperienced as themselves, they are confident that they can win a firefight from one tower to the other. Jump, however, has a different plan.

"Lizbit, Bruno. Come wi' me. We check the third one."

Followed by the rather middle-aged juve couple, the experienced militiaman goes towards the third remaining tower.

Should they rush blindly, each hastily appointed officer will take a roughly equal number of green troops into one of the towers. Either way, they will climb no more than two floors, by virtue of the vast majority of them having a lot of eagerness when it comes to a potential fight.

In general, the people of Balheim try to keep their heads down, but other than the group who hold onto las rifles, they are not keen on sniping. They will fire upon opponents who they chance upon if they think they happen to be close enough that even wild automatic fire would score hits.

"Get closer. They may need our support."

Having said that, Alixander moves out, towards the next wall or waist-high barrier between him and the allegedly bountiful towers. He will move slightly and fire. Gemma and Ruprat follow his lead, followed by the juves simply scrambling to follow hem.

[Adlan]

Round One, Battle Three, Central Carnage

Jump, and the couple he dragged with him, clambered up through the tower, finding a valuble relay interchange box in the stairwell of the second floor.

Glancing out across the walkway, they saw in the far connecting tower, the movement of what could only be experianced gangers, with their flashy weapons.

Flashy weapons shooting down on the Balheims, as the cawdor dash across the rubble strewn ground to the 2nd closer tower, Gemma catching a hit and hitting the dirt, along with two of the juves. Gemma going down with a flesh wound of lasgun fire from Jorlin, Dork and moe hitting the dirt to avoid the plasma fire from above.

The Cawdor's focus on getting into the towers, and so their return fire is ineffective. But, as they climb the to acess the gantry's of the second tower, Homer finds a box of long life rations, the sweet bready food has no known sell by date, and is worth a lot, particularly if the flavour sachet's to sprinkle onto are also found.