Worse Than the Disease 2 IC

[u-b]

Sean introduces his bunch as Radar Base Guys now busy mostly with a sort of war against the tattoed slavers (both as a personal as well as a general matter), but also with trying to help people hit with all sorts of recent attack, by slavers, mutants, mutated animals and whatever. Sean states we are here to trade in goods and maybe also in info and does not mind any reasonable security measures that might come with that.

[Shoot Da Moon]

The security guard writes down what Sean tells him, nodding all the while.
"That sounds...complicated. There's a big marketplace for visitors just down the road there, you can buy and sell stuff there. As for information...Well, Bread Basket folks don't get out much, really. You'll have to talk to other outsiders."

A van passes by, leaving the city outskirts. A security team stops it, asking the people inside to "sign out".

The security guard motions to his fellows as the van is processed.
"We'll need to check your cars for contraband. Anything to declare? Weapons, drugs, poisons?" He puts his notebook away and puts a cigarette in his mouth.

[u-b]

"Sure. Lots of stuff. I won't declare every weapon, unless you really insist, I mean, I've said we are at war, so we have quite a number. In fact planning to sell some of these if there is a demand. Not a contraband, mind you, all proper channels and whatever the procedures you use. Drugs and poisons... well, some medical nanomachine injectors, some morphine injectors and whatever else goes into them first aid kits, a heroin pill, trace amount of herbicide in a tank we haven't cleaned after use... I guess that's it. None of these are for sale."

Sean does not mind if the security guard has a look at the cargo.

[Volthawk]

Richard nods. "Most of what we've got is stuff we've taken from the raiders, although some of it is the equipment we use out there, or the tools we use to keep our gear maintained. Also, while we're here we'd like to speak to whoever it is here who handles security in general - or a representative, naturally. We have information taken from the raiders we'd like to share."

[Shoot Da Moon]

The security guard sighs deeply as Sean and Richard explain themselves.
"Well, that's just great. Sounds like we're going to be out here for over half a hour..." He sulks as he begins the inspection.
His fellow guards help him take note of the stuff the exiles have. They grumble a bit as they gingerly look at the weaponry.

Meanwhile, in the background, the guards talking to the van driver start yelling at the driver to get out of the van. It seems the paperwork was out of order...

"Hey, you said you guys want to talk to the head of security? To report something?" The security guard asks as he writes down after his fellows announce the make and model of the firearms the exiles are carrying.

"What exactly did you want to report? Do they plan to attack here? We've heard rumours about raiders planning to raid here."

[u-b]

"Not sure about attacking the city itself, but there has been a lot of attacks in the countryside, by mutants and by mutant animals. The former were instigated by the raiders and are, presumably, dealt with. The later we are not sure about and are continuing. So, wanted to check if your outer sites or routes were affected - we've had the information they were going against the sources of food. Whatever they do at the moment, we have learned the raiders have you on the list of priority targets, so checking if you are aware of this and want something done about the matter. I think we would be interested in acting upon your info about an impending attack, one way or another."

[Shoot Da Moon]

The security guard nods along.
"Okay. Sounds good. We'll get in touch with the scene commander, see if we can't move this up the chain, but for now you and your friends are going to have get comfortable. Do you have an idea of where you'll be staying the night? There are a few hotels--"

BANG BANG BANG

He is interrupted by gunfire coming from over where the van is. Someone has triple-fired a pistol.

(OC: everyone, make an Observation or Per roll, whichever is higher.)

[Shoot Da Moon]

Sean sees it first.
The van driver drew a pistol and fired it straight into a security guard's chest.
The rest of the security forces spring into action, shouting orders to drop it and getting out their own weapons.
Then the passengers in the van start shooting too, clipping at least one security guard in the shoulder before they start exiting the van.
Sean thinks they're all blasting pistols.

The security guard Sean was shooting the breeze with has already got his gun raised and he's moving in. He waves the exiles away, shouting them to get out of here and find cover in the visitors' center.

(OC: Join the fight, or get to safety?)

[u-b]

"Shout at me if you need any help. Men, take cover!" Sean then starts to withdraw to take cover behind the front of his car (which is not as instructed, but Sean suspects should be fine). He has the rifle nearby, but doesn't take it in hand and ready for action, mostly to avoid causing any additional misunderstandings with the guards. He does lower the visor.

[Volthawk]

Richard joins Sean behind the car - he's not exactly happy to just stay there and not help, particularly since shots are being fired, but in the circumstances he understands Sean's stance here.

[Shoot Da Moon]

The exiles' comrades join Sean and Richard behind cover.
The Bread Basket security forces quickly get embroiled in a full-blown firefight with the occupants of the van. It seems more people (5 to 9 combatants) on the side of the van pistoleers join in from the outside of city limits, firing upon the security forces with shotguns and hunting rifles.
In less than 20 seconds, the security guards have eliminated half the hostiles from the van (who number about 4 to 6) in a hail of hot lead. The driver was the first one to catch a lethal bullet in the neck and go down pouring out crimson life.

Eventually, the firefight hits a lull as everybody stops to reload behind whatever cover they can manage. A few bad guys are behind the van, at least 4 more are 6 to 10 yards away from the checkpoint and behind trees, the security guards are behind prepared barricades at the city limits.

[u-b]

Sean observes the whole process, noting each and every detail that is in fact visible. He does not come up with a good plan what to do after that, but an armed gang outside could not be just a coincidence, so Sean calls out loud: "Hey, you, security! Want us to resolve this one?"

Spoiler

Show

That is one failed tactics roll. As for the perception roll, can Sean come up with any idea about wealth and/or affiliation of the people fighting against the guards? Not necessarily neck tattoos or obvious mutations, but anything at all, including protective and other equipment. Also, if given a go, we'll need positioning of everyone and everything, including ourselves, our three vehicles, the van, the barricades and the fighting parties, complete with distances and directions.

[Shoot Da Moon]

The security forces do not notice Sean shouting his offer.

From what Sean can see, the men inside the van are attempting to escort something they have in out of the city.

Their backup from outside seems to be a plan B in case security caught onto them and a fight broke out.

The backup shooters were dressed in multiple styles of clothing, apparently in an attempt to disguise their shared affiliation.

Sean is pretty the enemies are equipped with concealable armour around their torsos.

One of the security guards is getting ready to sweep the scene with a SMG, the burst fire should take out at least three or four bad guys in a second.

The bad guys are 8 yards from the exiles at the nearest, the farthest enemies are 19 yards away.

[Volthawk]

Richard's seen enough at this point and raises his rifle, aiming at one of the further-away hunting rifle-equipped backup shooters.

[u-b]

Seeing these are not random cheapo guys and Richard set to be joining in, Sean decides not to sit idly on the sidelines and prepares to pop out with a long burst at the outside bunch the next time shots are fired.

[Shoot Da Moon]

Sean joins in when the security forces fire a burst from a SMG. The racket is painfully loud as Sean rapidly blasts 12 shots. Sean counts eight men shot in the chest by his hand, the SMG man racking up another 4 or 5 dead or KO'd.

And with that, the fight is pretty much over. Only a few stragglers at the city limits remain of the hostiles, and they quickly retreat into the wilderness at full speed when they see most of their fellows have been killed by the twin burst fires.

The security forces take a moment to let the ringing in their ears stop and make sure no-one else is attempting to kill them, before moving in to secure the dead around the van.

[u-b]

Having fired the burst, Sean holds his right hand up while holding the rifle if his left hand, well away from the trigger. Observing no particular interest in his herson from anyone involved, he says: "You three, cover me.", apparently directed at the new militia. Then goes to check the men he has shot. Of interest:
1. Any remaining forces in the area.
2. The number of people that have just left.
3. Any survivors.
4. Any tattoos or mutations.
5. Any loot.

If all goes without incident, he leaves the militia load all unclaimed loot into the cars (anything claimed by the guards is not contested), then goes back to the van to look inside and chat with the guards.

[Shoot Da Moon]

Sean looks over the recent dead and the severely wounded.
He sees no more hostiles in the area, or sticking around.
He figures three or four people just scattered away from the edge of the city.
About one third of those wounded by the SMG or Sean are still alive, not yet dead. But they're all bleeding heavily and probably won't make it unless given first aid immediately.
The injured and slain all have black neck tattoos, all in the design of a striped big cat posing near a spread of playing cards.
The enemies were all carrying guns, ammo, light kevlar vests under their shirts, small knives, bottles of water and rations wrapped in cloth. The security guards has Sean pile them up on a laid-out blanket.

Looking inside the van the pistoleers came from reveals a vat of unknown chemicals was being kept hidden under a blanket, along with a decent cache of travelling supplies and spare cans of fuel. The security forces quickly move to take it out and away, demanding the exiles stay clear of the scene while they work.

[u-b]

Sean complies with the request to stay clear of the scene with the exception that he drags everyone still alive someplace away from the van and applies just enough bandaging to keep most of them that same way until a further decision is made. When the guards are next able to give him some attention, he inquires whether they want any or all of the lot one way or another, whether they want the fleeing lot, and whether they have any other requests for the group.

[Shoot Da Moon]

The guards scratch their heads and huddle for a bit, arguing procedure before they tell Sean that they want the lot so they can launch a proper investigation into just exactly happened now and why. The bad guys fleeing might not be safe to follow right now (it's getting dark, and they've probably got a pre-determined rally point), so letting them go is for the best. The security forces have no further need to delay the exiles and their allies, they're free to go.

The security forces finish up the paperwork. Welcome to Bread Basket city. The sun goes down just as other visitors filter into the streets, ready to enjoy a night on the town. Judging by the lit up signs on the buildings, the usual vices and entertainment can be had past the checkpoint. A few security guards go off duty to drink at a nearby watering hole, walking alongside Sean and his comrades.

[u-b]

Sean takes a moment to talk to Richard when he expects nobody would be able to overhear them. "It's getting dark and we have night vision. Probably less dangerous than they think. I might be inclined to run our own investigation and eventually hit wherever they were trying to deliver the stuff. What's your opinion?"

[Volthawk]

Richard thinks it over for a moment before nodding. "We shouldn't antagonise the guards by appearing to ignore them or by getting in their way, though. I suppose that means we check out the scene again, and try to find any tracks - they're not wrong that they'll have probably reached a rally point by the time we find them, but we've taken on more organised and ready groups than them before."

[u-b]

Sean proceeds to rent the rooms for the night and park the cars somewhere guarded. He reloads the half-emptied magazine while he parks the cars. He then takes everyone willing to go for a walk. Richard and bart are specifically invited. He leads the way to the retreating tracks he has found earlier and lets Bart release the dogs. The men are to go well behind the bastards and look for them finding something or some fires or what not. Sean does not expect the attackers to plan a night's wort of hiking, so most likely we either find some camp or some car tracks running away.

[Shoot Da Moon]

(OC: The hostel charges every PC and NPC with $10's worth of barter equivalent (bullets preferred) for one night with meals and water included. Parking the cars in a safe lot is another $10's worth per vehicle per day. Opposing enemy skill is 13, any other PC and NPC can pitch in with complementary skills. Just to confirm who's in and who's out before I roll for the enemy.)

[Shoot Da Moon]

The escaping hostiles tried to cover their tracks, but Bart trained his dogs well. They quickly sniff out the trail left behind by the gunmen.

The enemies hiked through the woods for 30 minutes, judging by the way they follow. When the dogs finally signal to Bart that they've located the position the quarry is currently resting at, Sean and his friends spy a campsite in a clearing, a fire burning in the centre next to a cabin-sized structure and an elevated open platform where a man is sitting on top. There are three or four men around the campsite, either walking around or sitting.

From this distance (20 yards), the details are hard to make out, but the dogs are reluctant to go closer. They seem positive that these campers are the enemies Sean hoped to track down.

[u-b]

Sean takes a look at the site through the scope, intending to uncover anything that might otherwise surprise him later on. Then he quietly says: "Well, probably no need for complex tactics. We want as many of them alive as humanly possible, because we don't know who of them knows the stuff we are here for. They might have traps, so please no quick advances. Hm. I'll try to get the ground-level guys, Richard gets upper-level guy, Bart remains ready to handle anything threatening and the rest remain ready in case they shoot a flare or such. Good enough?"

If that's good enough and nothing very interesting is spotted, Sean gets ready to attack the ground-level lot.

Spoiler

Show

Sean and Richard have vision aides, though, so it is not a problem for now.

And Bart. He does not have a radio, but we got him some NVGs.

[Volthawk]

Richard nods. "Works for me. Man up top is probably their marksman, so taking him out and some automatic gunfire their way will hopefully convince the guys inside to hunker down so we can convince them to surrender." That said, he starts taking aim at his target.

[Shoot Da Moon]

Sean makes a critical error when he tries to spy upon the campsite.
He leans out too far from cover and a glint of light might have been caught off his scope.
The man on the elevated platform spots it and yells out. The other men are shocked and alerted by this warning, and the man himself raises his rifle...

(OC: combat time starts. If Sean and Richard still have Speed 6.00, everyone acts at the same time. Still going to shoot, Sean?)

[Volthawk]

While not quite fast enough to stop the man on the platform from calling out, Richard makes sure its the last thing he does with a burst of gunfire.

[u-b]

Sean shoots a long burst at the campsite, missing most of his targets. "Bart, yours is the one to the right!"

Spoiler

Show

Still going to shoot, Sean?

Yeah, that same shot, just without the acc bonus. Bart will aim.