By moving toward the fallen aircar, you are able to scout out the rough radius of the pinging EMP signal and quickly mark it on the map to later explore what is making the signal.

You reach the site of the fallen aircar.

It is abandoned, and Bartja and S'krllk are nowhere in sight. The utility robot, obviously affected by the EMP pulse, starts to boot up, and then is shut down when the 30 second EMP cycle returns.

All of your electrical equipment is the same. It will start to boot or start up and then immediately shut down 30 seconds later when the EMP makes its complete circle.

We will search for tracks.

I have a feeling we are going to have to go take care of that EMP.

Porter ensures he has a few grenades with him.  He wishes he had some T19, but what he has will have to suffice.

Looking around, you find a number of footprints, both those that could be from a Vrusk (S'krllk) and a Yazirian (Bartja). You also find other footprints that seem like large birds that must be at least human height.

Then you find something strange. Someone has scratched something in the dirt. The first is very well done, obviously a ship with four humanoids next to it. The second is much cruder and appears to be a ship landing in a fireball.

The footprints lead off to the northwest. As you try to count them, it appears there are three bird like creatures, plus Bartja and S'krllk.

Lock and load folks, we are tracking big chickens.

Desiraye press checks the bolt on her gyrojet rifle making sure that there is a round chambered and that the magazine is seated properly and, safety is 'On'.  "I'll take our six for now Sarge.  Let me know ifyou need me to rotate position.  We still going with comms on, correct?"

We will leave them on, but I am not sure how much use we will get from them.  Let's move.  Keep your head on a swivel.

You find that the comms and electric items do not work well. They start to boot up and then are instantly shut down as the 30 second interval EMP sweeps around.

However, you can fairly easily follow the trail to the northwest since there are five individuals going through together.

About a half hour passes of pushing through the brush, and then you see a flattened area with some blood on the ground. You also find an ejected gyrojet shell and a number of scattered prints indicating that something happened here. You also see a familiar set of large footprints that belong to the dinosaur creatures you encountered previously.

Then you find that the trail picks up again, and it again leads to the northwest. This time, it has the dinosaur tracks also following them, but it appears that one of the bird-like set of tracks has disappeared.

The enemy of my enemy isn't always my friend.  Seems like we have a couple entities interested in our men.  Let's get a move on and ensure their safety.

You pick up the trail heading roughly northwest.

After about a half hour of pushing through the brush and trees, picking up the trail and losing it again, only to find it again, you finally reach a 20 meter wide creek. Swimming or wading across would be difficult because it is between two hills that form 20 foot wide high walls on either side.

But you see about 80 meters upstream to the west that there appears to be a crude suspension bridge--lashed together vines and creepers--that spans the creek. Sure enough, the trail of feet leads you there.

You make your way to the crude bridge and see that it is constructed out of vines and brush. It would be easy if you had talons on your feet to cross, but since you don't, it will be a bit of a challenge. (DEX check required; failure most likely means you stumble and might catch the side of the bridge or fall into the river, except for an extreme miss (roll 90-100), which would be more consequential.)

Or you can climb down the 20 feet to the river. If you cross the creek itself, a STR avoidance check is needed to avoid falling and being swept away.

Porter crosses the bridge with no issues, at least as far as keeping his balance.


11:12, Today: Sgt. Porter Min rolled 31 using 1d100.  Dex check.

Orvo will follow after Porter. He extends an extra limb so that he has three arms to help him across as a dralasite with only moderately good dexterity, hoping that will give him a bonus. 50 DX.

Desiraye will also cross with no issues.  She will help Orvo if he requires some assistance.

21:40, Today: Desiraye Lipost rolled 21 using 1d100.  DEX Check.

Porter crosses with no problems.

Orvo adds an appendage which gives him some aid (+15), but he ends up not needing it since he makes it easily across. 11:40, Today: GM Heath rolled 15 using 1d100.

Desi also makes it across without incident.

You pick up the trail again and continue northwest.

After about a half hour of travel, you lose the tracks and stumble forward looking for them. That's when you see something glinting slightly ahead of you. Then Desi sees their trail again. It had veered off to the right as if circling far clear of whatever was glinting.

You can investigate or keep following the trail. From where you stand about 25 meters away, you can't see anything except dull metal about the size of a person, but it is mostly covered in fallen brush and dirt. You will need to approach it to see it better.

To many things can divert our attention, but we need to finish this rescue.  It is too important, and we will probably need their help in searching for whatever that shiny object is. 

"Let me take a quick look, and watch my back in case something happens." Orvo has an insatiable curiosity and feels he must check out the glint. He approaches and looks at it before joining the group again.

Desi moves and sets up a position of cover while Orvo moves.

Orvo moves in and sees what appears to be a downed small vehicle like a two person hovercycle or something. It is unlike anything he has seen before and is broken in pieces. It has been there for awhile and looks as though someone has tried to bury it. In fact, it almost looks fitted toward a large worm-like torso. And then he sees writing in the Sathar tongue. There is nothing but scraps here, nothing salvageable.

Okay, you had your looksee, can we get back on task?

Porter gives a slight chuckle.

You keep following the path northwest. After about 30 minutes, you stop in your tracks. There is movement up ahead. There appear to be two creatures huddled over the tracks inspecting them and pointing to the northwest. They are about 50 meters ahead of you.

It takes only a moment for you to see that these are two Sathar. They each hold a weapon, but they have not seen you yet.

Porter points left and right to his companions.  He hits the ground where he is, hoping the others understand.  He tries to determine if there are any other Sathar in the area before acting.

You all hit the deck and remain silent. You are not noticed. There only appear to be the two Sathar, and they are inspecting the tracks and pointing while they speak in the Sathar tongue.

I ready my automatic rifle, set to burst, and I use any cover I find to close the distance.

Orvo sets his laser rifle to SEU 5 and covers Porter. He will not fire unless Porter or the Sathar start firing.

As Desiraye slpwly drops into a prone position, she fixes her scope on the one Sathar on the right and then uses her comm device.  "We have you covered back here Sarge.  First sign of trouble, you prone out and we'll cover.  Orvo, cover the left worm."