Episode 2: Space Race from Space

The snowmobiles were now 300 yards away. Those in the snowcloud could only sense the approach by hearing, for the whirling flakes even obscured Kespa's infravision. But Amadea could clearly see that

Spoiler:

"Dane, give me the charge, just put it in my backpack. I'll take the safe route and fly there. Here, take Yang with you."



Xiaoming goes Prone and concentrates on his Hawk Flight spell, which will take 3 seconds to cast. If succeeds, he will be flying at 80 mph modified by encumbrance, making it 48 mph (sorry about previous miscalculation). Will make the skill check at turn 3

Still assuming that the newcomer could not communicate with the others except telepathically, Amadea repeated the message to Dane. "I'm leaving now," she finished.

"Very well," Dane said solemnly. He lowered his weapon passed the explosives to Xiaoming. "I will stay and cover your retreat. These Russians will not advance past this storm."

If he was going to die in Siberia, he was going to do it fighting.

Still invisible, Amadea ran (well, as much as wearing heavy snow clothes in Siberia can be called running) toward the Russians, kicking snow as she went to get their attention. Her goal: distract them long enough to let the others destroy the ship without getting herself wounded.

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Move toward Russians

Amadea cannot interact with the physical world (kicking up snow) while insubstantial. However, she can briefly substantiate and disappear again ... that would be pretty distracting.

OOC: well, that's good. It sounds less exhausting than trying to throw snow.

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Amadea disappears and reappears in front of the Russians. Each switch takes one second, she remains substantial for three seconds at a time.

"Are we attacking them yet?" Kespa asked Dane excitedly.

After a few seconds of concentration, Wang zipped into the air, leaving nothing but a spray of snow to mark his departure. The snow stung his eyes as he moved; he put one arm in front of his face and tightly gripped the C4 pack with the other.

Amadea briefly appeared in the path of the snowmobiles, and the Russians saw her.

Spoiler:

They shouted, pulling pistols from their holsters. When she faded from view, they kept coming, muttering to themselves.

--

Wang's Hawk Flight skill is 13, roll is 6. With a margin of success that high, his encumbrance does not impact his speed. He flies at 80 MPH for the next minute; that's 38 yards per second. He will arrive at the crash site in 4:47 minutes. Wang, specify at what altitude you would like to fly. Play will proceed without you until you arrive at the crash site, but you're free to jump in if you change your mind - and of course, it will slow to accommodate you if something happens to you (like you see something interesting).

The snowmobiles are now 200 yards away, and appear to be moving 22 yards/second. The penalty for trying to hit them is now -12: -12 for distance, -1 for speed, +1 for the size of the vehicle.

"That weapon you wield," Dane asked the newcomer as he readied his rifle again, "how fairs it in ranged combat?"

--

Ready maneuver

"Not well. It likes to be...what's the phrase...up close and personable, no, personal! Yeah, that's it."

Flying at the rather safe height of 30 feet, Xiaoming realized that the wind hurts his eyes pretty bad. He made a mental note to prepare a pair of goggles when on missions just in case he needs to fly again.

Amadea remained careful to run far enough ahead of where the Russians were aiming before substantiating again each time she reappeared. She waited to hear the explosion from the space wreck before making her escape.

Amadea moved directly away from the snowmobiles toward the crash site, flickering in and out of substantiality. The snowmobiles rapidly closed the gap. A pistol shot rang out from the lead snowmobile; Amadea couldn't even sense it pass nearby. She faded back into ghostliness anyway.

The snowmobile engines abruptly cut as the drivers began coasting and braking into a stop.

--

The snowmobiles are now 50 yards away, or 75 yards for Amadea. The shot missing is no surprise, considering they have -9 from distance and -2 from firing while moving (the standard Bulk penalty on most pistols).

Getting a sudden inspiration, Dane pulled a concussion grenade from his pack and readied it. Directing his voice to Kespa, he said, "On my mark, drop to the ground and cover your ears. Tightly."

--

Ready maneuver to prepare a concussion grenade.

Kespa looked excitedly at the grenade and nodded affirmative to Dane.

The Russians dismounted from their vehicles and advanced cautiously. One of them held a large pair of binoculars to his eyes and said:

Spoiler:

They spread out to three yards apart and advanced, with two of them moving into the snow cloud. Kespa's heat-sensitivity helped her sense their warm bodies slowly approaching, pistols at the ready. The Russian in the center was carrying a light machine gun.

--

The Russians are now 20 yards away from Dane and Kespa, and 45 yards from Amadea. Kespa now has the option of aiming or firing at the Russians; 20 yards gives -6 to hit. Dane could lob the grenade that distance with a 5 FP investment of extra effort.

Placing his rifle on the ground, Dane said, "When this goes off, charge them. I will provide covering fire for you as you approach." His body was tense for the coming combat, or the cold. He couldn't really tell which. "In the meantime stay low and COVER YOUR EARS."

He spread his wings wide, the holographic disguise flickering substantially as he drove them into the ground, propelling him upward. Ascending to a height of about 6 yards, he drew back his arm and, with an extensive force of will, threw the primed grenade at the approaching Russians, aiming for the one wielding the LMG. Immediately, he dropped back to the ground, falling flat on his stomach and covering his ears.

--

Move and Attack maneuver, rising 6 yards before throwing the grenade at the center policeman (with the LMG) and dropping immediately (next turn if necessary). Throwing skill is 12, roll is 9. Fatigue Point expenditure: 3.

Kespa moves (5 squares) towards the enemy and covers her ears.

Realizing the failure of her plan to distract the Russians, Amadea ran toward them again, disappearing and appearing as before.

Dane hurled the grenade with all his might, barely stifling a gutteral roar as his muscles surged with energy. His toss was only approximate, a guess based on the sounds of footsteps crunching in the snow.

Amadea's sudden appearance could no longer be explained by the shifting snow. The police stammered in fear and opened fire. Bullets whizzed all around the space ghost, but they did not hit.

The machine gunner emerged from the snow cloud, his weapon ready. Kespa noticed that the grenade was perfectly placed to blow him to smithereens - and in the rattling of gunfire, he surely hadn't noticed it.

--

Dane's Throwing skill is 12, -4 because the target is beyond his visibility range (see Basic Set 394). He fails the toss by 1, and the grenade lands 2 yards to the left of the target. It has a 4 second fuse; there are 3 seconds left.

Warning: Dane's grenade is likely to vaporize anyone foolish enough to be standing close, but it doesn't do fragmentation damage. If you're more than (dice of damage x 2) 10 yards away from the blast, you're safe. See Basic Set 414 for more on explosions.

Amadea's sudden appearance forces the 4 cops who can see her to make a fright check (Basic Set 360). They get +3 to their rolls because they're ready for battle. They all succeed.

The police are 45 yards from Amadea, giving them -7 to hit. All of their shots miss.

Kespa tensed as she covered her ears and braced for the explosion.

GM Note: In free roleplaying, you don't have to post if you're just following along. But in combat, you MUST post every turn - even if your turn is "I wait to see what happens." In technical terms that's the Wait meneuver. Combat doesn't proceed until all players have taken their turns.

I wait to see what happens.

After landing, Dane picked up his rifle and aimed it at the lead trooper.

--

Ready maneuver