Track 10: Sympathy for the Devil

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The investigators find two men standing on shore, both holding peculiar firearms that resemble M1 carbines, modified with large infrared projectors. There is a boat, similar to the Astrid, at anchor. The sound of Astrid's engine indicates that there must be at least one other person aboard her, getting ready to launch her. Seeing the others approach, the two guards don't waste any words, but immediately open fire. The weapons make a peculiar, bird-like chirping noise when first activated, and the infrared projectors glow with an eerie pale red light.

Spoiler:

dex 9 each 0targets: Jan, Tony, Liz, Zara1damage2

Both prove to be excellent and deadly shots. Jan is struck in the shoulder, which slows him down, but doesn't stop him from running at the men, screaming in Danish. Zara suffers a more serious wound in the torso, forcing her to her knees. It is obvious that the men are not reluctant to eliminate all witnesses in cold blood.

Tony,teleporting aboard [i]Astrid[/i], unnoticed in all the chaos, you find man at the controls, facing away from you, concentrating on getting the boat out to sea.

[jp1885]

Tony brings his stick down smartly on the chap’s head, hoping to knock him unconscious.

[Mr. Handy]

Liz takes out her EMP device, points it at the obviously electrically-assisted weapons, and activates it.

[SunlessNick]

Zara presses a hand against her wound, not really up to doing much else. She pulls out the gun she acquired on the island and shakily aims it, but with Jan (and prsumably Liz) between her and the men she's reluctant to take a shot.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Tony brings his stick down smartly on the chap’s head, hoping to knock him unconscious.

Spoiler:

With the danger bonus and the special stick skill, I make the DEX 180Technically a failure, but borderline, so . . .

The rolling of the boat causes Tony to just barely tap the fellow on the noggin, drawing his attention rather than truly inflicting any harm. Startled, he pulls away from the controls and fumbles with the deep pocket of his jumpsuit (dull green in color, with an image of a black bird on the shoulder patch), obviously trying to find something.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Liz takes out her EMP device, points it at the obviously electrically-assisted weapons, and activates it.

This causes the red glass infrared projectors to shatter on the weapons. The two men curse, but do not drop the carbines. It seems the weapons are still usable, at least to some extent. Meanwhile, an enraged Jan strikes.

Spoiler:

dex 90

His passion is greater than his skill, as he does little but delay one of the two men from acting immediately. The other aims his weapon.

Spoiler:

dex 6 now1

The shot goes wild, flying way over the heads of everyone, scaring some seabirds but doing nothing else. It is obvious that the infrared projectors allowed for better aiming of the carbines in misty weather.

[jp1885]

“Oh no you don’t!” cries Tony, attacking again.

[SunlessNick]

Zara fires at the man who just took the shot, unless Liz is in the way.

Vicki,Just to be clear, the 2D6 damage you rolled, 2 and 5 - is that Jan taking 2 and Zara taking 5, or Zara taking 7?

[Mr. Handy]

Liz scrambles behind any available cover and draws her own pistol. If she can get a clear shot at the man who shot Zara, she'll take it. Otherwise, she'll try to shoot at the other one.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

“Oh no you don’t!” cries Tony, attacking again.

Spoiler:

0damage1i keep forgetting the bonus . . .

Having a better shot at the fellow this time, Tony gives him a hard blow on the head. The man sways on his feet in an unsteady manner, but remains standing. The object he pulls out of his jumpsuit pocket doesn't seem to be a weapon of any normal kind. Rather, it's a small black box with a red button on it that he pushes firmly. This done, he raises his hands in the air in the universal sign of surrender.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Zara fires at the man who just took the shot, unless Liz is in the way.

Vicki,Just to be clear, the 2D6 damage you rolled, 2 and 5 - is that Jan taking 2 and Zara taking 5, or Zara taking 7?

Zara,That's both of you taking damage.

Spoiler:

dex 130

Probably still not quite used to the idea of shooting someone, Zara's shot misses its target, ricocheting off a boulder with a high-pitched ping!

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Liz scrambles behind any available cover and draws her own pistol. If she can get a clear shot at the man who shot Zara, she'll take it. Otherwise, she'll try to shoot at the other one.

Spoiler:

finding shelter (other than running around the other side of the station, which would block your shot as well) is a matter of luck, so wis = 110

As bad luck would have it, Liz happens to be standing on an open piece of land, so there's no good shelter within reach.

Spoiler:

dex 121

Her shot whizzes by the man, just barely missing him.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Meanwhile, Jan still engages in close combat with the other man.

Spoiler:

dex 90

Without much effect, it seems. Given the fact that Jan is so close that it's nearly impossible to fire the carbine at him, the fellow uses it as a club instead.

Spoiler:

dex back to 9 when not used as a firearm1extreme failure, so let's give him a penalty

Probably because his heavy gloves make him a little clumsy while swinging the weapon, he loses his grip on it and it goes flying into the sea. Unarmed, he runs back to his boat (not the Astrid) and starts the engine. His companion fires his weapon.

Spoiler:

dex 62

Again, the loss of the infrared projector spoils his aim. You might expect him to surrender or join the other man on the boat, but instead he stands his ground, ready to keep fighting.

[jp1885]

“What did you just do old chap?” asks Tony, nodding at the box. “And while we’re at it, would you care to ask your chums to stop shooting my friends?”

[SunlessNick]

Zara tries another shot, at the man still holding a weapon.

[Mr. Handy]

Liz tries to correct her aim and take another shot at the one still shooting at them, but this one is even wider thanks to the mist.

OOC,Dexterity roll (12) shooting at the armed goon again: 0

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

“What did you just do old chap?” asks Tony, nodding at the box. “And while we’re at it, would you care to ask your chums to stop shooting my friends?”

"I have no control over their actions," he replies, with a vaguely Middle European accent. "As for this little device, you shall soon see for yourself."

The distant sound of a loud engine somewhere above suggests a possible explanation.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Zara tries another shot, at the man still holding a weapon.

Spoiler:

dex 130damage1

Gaining much more confidence in her ability to handle firearms, Zara strikes the gunman in the throat, sending a jet of blood streaming out as he falls to the ground. His companion raises the anchor and heads out to sea, as the roaring sound of an engine fills the foggy air. As the boat heads for open water, a large helicopter appears out of the mist and hovers overhead. From a loudspeaker, hardly audible over the noise of the engine, comes a warning.

"Leave the boat and step away from the shore. It will be destroyed in thirty seconds."

As a means of demonstration, a rocket flies out of the helicopter and hits one of the many rocky outcroppings on the island, blasting it into bits.

[SunlessNick]

Zara was trying to hit the gunman, sure, but the sight of apparently killing him still dismays her. With the chopper overhead, she tries to get to her feet and back away.

[Mr. Handy]

Liz also withdraws quickly away from the shore and takes out her EMP device again. "I'm not sure whose side they're on," she says, "but they haven't attacked us yet. If Tony and Jan aren't clear of the boat shortly before the countdown is over, I'll shut down that chopper. Although maybe I should do that anyway. That boat is our only way off this island."