Oct 06 06:12:55 107 PA - Coalition War Crimes

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Fri Oct 06 06:12:55 107 PA.

A young man is showing people, as they arrive, into the drawing room of the elegent house. While the house looks like is was well furnished at one point, most of the furnishings have been taken away. "Mr. Black will be with you shortly." The young man says as he shows you into the drawing room where there is a large screen as well as some refreshments.

The early redhead catches the grunt. Or something like that. Tirzah descends to the riverwalk atop her hover cycle. Her standard work gear complimented by her flamberge and vambraces. Quickly she dismounts, sprinting across the street and yard to get out of the rain.

While rather short for a man, the fellow coming in off of the main street seems to have no trouble moving. Gabriel is still dressed in his common clothing, but has a large pack on his back, a green so dark as to almost be black. He's holding a piece of paper in his left hand, his right securing the bag over his other shoulder. Feet stop, and he apparently compares the paper against an address. There's a nod, and a stated, "Nice, but it's not Underwood," then walks up to the door, knocking off dirt and mud that are usually gathered everyday on his walk to the city. While polite, he also manages to invite himself in, asking the doorman, "Where's the big cheese? I'm not that early, am I?" His free hand is silently waved in greeting at the redhead.

The rain poses little discomfort to Daeni, who walks to the structure with no urgent haste. Unlike the prior meeting, she bears blades and bow on her person and maintains such with her entrance. Tirzah and Gabriel both receive a nod of recognition that nearly overcomes the distaste at awaiting the red Mr. Black.

Having some last minute adjustments to make, Sage is delayed in her arrival compared to her partner. She is sufficiently prepared for the weather that she doesn't really need to show much haste beyond getting to the place on time. She considers the assembling group as she approaches.

The young man bows to each arrival as they show up. Once the four people have been shown into the room he leaves shortly Mr. Black walks into the room. Mr. Black is tall and is wearing long blue robes. His reddish skin looks even more red in the brightly lit room. "Thank you again for coming and working to accomplish this task. I wish you dearly the best of luck." He says before taking out some sheets of paper from a folder. He passes out a sheet to each person. "This is a map of the route that the prisoners are being taken on. The rough circle shows the area where they will be out of personal radio range. Please be aware that they might have a long range radio. I trust you all to make sure they do not use that."

Tirzah returns the wave to Gabriel and nod to Daeni with welcome. When Sage catches up she cofortably waist for the host at her partener's side. The map is eyed with some specualtion. "Not a problem. How many soldiers? Do we know?" She asks getting right to the point.

With a nod toward Tirzah, Gabriel seconds the motion. "You have a source, Mr. Black. Does this source know numbers and composition? It makes a very large strategic difference depending on who and how many." His tone is slightly suspicious, at least to someone who might know the nuances of a Kentucky drawl. "How many of these hostages are there? Roughly speaking, of course."

Daeni's gaze lowers to the map in for study. For the moment, she appears to hold no questions, or those she does were already posed. While her eyes review the paper, her ears remain upon what conversation occurs.

Sage will nod in acknowledge of those that notice her. As for her partner, she holds off on signs of affection and simply stands comfortable with Tirzah. Her gaze shifts to the 'Mr. Black' when he arrives. Figuring there wont be any terribly useful impressions to be gained at this point, she simply listens and keeps a watchful eye on the information offered and the man himself. "And, what time table are we working with... in case there are occasional patrols or other shipments."

Jeremy Black looks over toward Tirzah and offers the woman a brief smile. "The usual escort for these prisoners is between ten and fifteen infantry men. Most often it is twelve of them. They should be all equiped in the older style Coalition gear. Does everyone have transportation? I can provide trucks that should help you getting there and getting the captives back here." Mr. Black turns his piercing blue eyes to Gabriel. "They usually travel with five to ten times the infantrymen in prisoners. From my intelligence I expect about sixty to seventy captives, but there could be more. Most of the captives will be women and some children." After answering Gabriel he turns to Sage. "There shouldn't be any other patrols in that area. It should take them two days to cross the area. You should arrive in that area about a day in advance of them entering that area."

Tirzah smiles warmly at Jeremy. "Excellent. Thats really more then enough time and info sov we should get to it." She suggests before turning to consider the others. "So, anyone here know how to make traps?"

After scratching vaguely at his chin for a short while, Gabriel does a few things. First, there is another question. "Mr. Black, has your source told you why the Coalition would take its chances running through a black-out zone? Overconfidence? Straight line?" Which seamlessly slides into the statement, "I can drive anything with tracks, but these hover trucks are too new to me. I'm going to need someone else. But I'm good at riding shotgun. Speaking of shotgun, " and his gaze turns to Tirzah with a pleasant, inquisitive smile, "Again, the new tech is a little foreign to me. Still working on actually setting snares a human-scales. But if you can set one, or I can get close enough, I damn sure know how to blow things up." Then his palms rise at waist level, "However, this seems academic, as I have nothing that explodes."

"Have legs," Daeni answers the question with the simple and obvious. "Is only half day run. When think enemies, prisoners arrive?" She lifts her attention to the horned devil with what is a rather important query before panning to Tirzah. "Can hunt, trap. Do both to Coalition."

"Mr. Black shakes his head ever so slightly. "Like I said it is only a black out zone for personal radios. Any long range radios they have well still be able to call for help. That is why you most plan to take out said radio as quickly as possible. As for explosives that seems like it would kill the unarmored prisoners. It would be conterproductive to kill the prisoners while rescuing them."

Sage purses her lips at the information as she begins to mull over the numbers. Her gaze drifts to Tirzah then Daeni as she considers the odds against them. Then, she looks for the possible truck sizes they may be dealing with. "How many vehicles, would we need to get everyone back?" She asks simply, figuring at least two of their team would likely be unable drive vehicles.

Jeremy Black looks over toward Tirzah and offers the woman a brief smile. "The usual escort for these prisoners is between ten and fifteen infantry men. Most often it is twelve of them. They should be all equiped in the older style Coalition gear. Does everyone have transportation? I can provide trucks that should help you getting there and getting the captives back here." He looks towards Sage and offers Sage a quick smile. "I can provide you with an additional driver to help transport the prisoners. He would be unable to help in the fighting, but he can drive one of the tracked trucks."

Tirzah nods to Daeni with a bright smile. "Excellant, no explosives from the Colonel, or anyone else for that matter. You have your smoke grenades hun?" Tirzah asks with a turn to Sage but quickly turns back to look at Daeni again. "What about camoflage? Can you hide the trucks in the bush for us to set the ambush?"

Gabriel is clearly in deep thought for a long while, almost too extensive a while. Then turns to Tirzah and states, "I can't set a physical trap for you. No tripwires or anything like that. But an ambush, that I can set up." He then asks a question that may seem silly to others, but apparently not to him. "I realize that we can't do much about timing, but has anyone heard the weather report for the area? Personally, I'm a big fan of rain."

Daeni considers that request. "Is hard hide large machine, will try. If not keep close, is easier. Hide behind hill. Kill enemies, all can walk to where hide after."

Sage nods faintly to Mr. Black at the answer, "That would be handy." She replies, knowing she'd probably do more harm than good behind the wheel of a vehicle. When her partner asks, She simply makes a quick hand gestures to where the grenades are secured with a nod. Then she glances towards Gabriel, "I may be able to predict the weather... but I would need some time."

Mr. Black looks at each in turn. "I will stay here. I must prepare in order to be able to settle in so many people. I wish you luck. The young man that showed you in will be driving for you. If you wish to take another tracked truck he can provide the keys. If there is nothing else. I wish you all luck. Please bring those poor souls here as soon as you can."

Tirzah nods to Daeni and takes a moment to consider. "Well if its easier to make a blind for us to lurk in that works too." She suggests in compromies before nodding to Jeremy. "Right Jer, we'll head out immediately if there is noting else."

Tirzah nods to Daeni and takes a moment to consider. "Well if its easier to make a blind for us to lurk in that works too." She suggests in compromies before looking to Gabriel. "Pretty much what its doing now, why?" She asks then nods to Jeremy. "Right Jer, we'll head out immediately if there is noting else."

"Am prepared to go now. Is good have machines to carry prisoners. Will be weak." Daeni makes fact and opinion known prior to a pivot to step towards the exit. The map is folded and secured on her person as she moves.

Gabriel finishes strapping on the various parts of his body armor, all of which have been dug out of the large bag that he was carrying... a bag which when opened had incidentally flashed a good view of at least two rifles and various other sundry combat items. He smiles at Tirzah and simply states, "Rain, sunlight, wind, snow... everything requires a different touch, good and a bad. Just trying to plan." His eyes scan the others, and in a pleasant tone is added, "Ladies. I won't promise anything, but I think that if I can see the long-range transmitter, I can take it out. Other than that," his head swivels enough as to stare directly at the devilman. "Next time we see you, I hope you have guest rooms. Goodbye, Mr. Black."

Sage considers the conversation and the impending conclusion. "Well, I imagine I have the medic angle covered." She comments, figuring it is likely the one spot she excels in compared to the others. She takes a breath, "Alright, let's do this." She comments, getting ready to climb on whatever vehicle she'll be riding and double checks to make sure she has everything secured properly.

Mr. Black shakes his head. "I have nothing else. Please excuse me." He says while exiting out of the drawing room. The young man that showed you inside comes back into the room. "My name is Brian. I will be doing some driving. If you need anything please just ask." He says as he leads the way to a back ally where two tracked trucks are parked.

Tirzah goes to retrieve her cycle before regrouping with the others in the alley. "Well as I showed you the other day Gabriel, weather is relative." She reminds him before taking a moment to consider the size and capabilities of the trucks. "Yeah those big things definitely need to be out of sight."

With a light chuckle, Gabriel waves a friendly hand at the redhead and says, "Indeed." Yeah, that's it. Apparently he's paying by the word today. Oh, no, wait a moment... "If you can manage some rain, that would be great. Lightning and thunder would really make it beautiful," he finishes with a pleasant-yet-feral smile. His voice is then raised in volume and he scans the room. "Not to insult anyone, but remember - if your attack is going better than planned, you have walked into an ambush. So I'll say what need not be said anyway. In this instance, patience to an extent, is a virtue when confronting superior numbers." His eyes turn suspiciously to Brian, but nothing is said other than, "I hope that nothing is forgotten regarding other possible matters with the women." Does anyone have any idea what he's talking about? Who knows.

Daeni does not appear to have any ideas as to what Gabriel refers to, but this is not uncommon for her. She will await and accompany the others to the vehicles, despite the fact that she might prefer to walk. "Rain slow, maybe distract enemy." With little else to do prior to arrival, she likewise has little to add until that time.

In case she decides to spend some time meditating, Sage will move to one of the trucks. The trucks may also need to some protection from within. She takes stock of the charges for her clips and chooses which to equip to which weapon she has. "Rain can reduce visibility... dark clouds reduce it further..." She comments before shrugging.

Brian gets up in a truck and starts it up. "Alright. Do you all want to head out?" He asks as he revs the engine slightly to make sure the truck is running alright. "It is quite a ways to the area."

Tirzah smirks. "Rain really istn the way to go actually. Thunder works, howling devastating winds work, rain is just wet." She notes iwth a slight nod, highlighting some of her repertoire. "I can have them quite distracted for you guys, and i can make their long range radio worthless for about two minutes Gabriel. That should be enough time for you to do something more permanent to it." She notes before nodding to Brian. "Lets go."

Gabriel nods to Tirzah's advice, but still comments, "For the inexperienced, rain will always slow the infantry." He then clamors up into the truck, his bag of gear hefted over his back. With a last pleasant smile to his comrades, his gauntleted hand slaps the metal side of the vehicle. "Oscar Mike." With that, the softness of a civilian countenance fades away, and is replaced with something else, a rather undefinable expression.

The 200 mile drive is fairly uneventful as the trucks push through the rain and mud. The scattered rain eases up a little bit as you arrive at the area on the map. Brian parks the tracked truck and opens up the door to stretch his legs during a moment of sunlight. The hilly forested area is tightly packed with various healthy trees. "Where would you like me to hide the truck?" Brian asks as he stretches a bit."

"A mile or so back, in the trees." Tirzah suggests, looking to the others to see if thats agreeable. "We have a day yes?" She asks Brian, considering the forest with healthy confidence.

Gabriel inspects the forest floor before jumping down from the truck, pulling weapons out of his bag and slinging them into easily reachable positions on his body. The bag, now partially emptied of its contents, is still slung over his shoulders using the hand-straps as backpack fittings. Looking to Tirzah, he agrees, "Yes, a mile back would be good." Then, after looking at the canopy, he asks to the open air and anyone who may wish to consider it as well, "Are they actually going to march slaves through the forest? That makes things easier for us." His head twitches, and is added, "And harder."

Daeni is quick to dismount once the vehicle slows. "Need cover tracks after." To hide the vehicle will do little good if there are large ruts leading others directly to it. A long survey of their surroundings is made. "Trees best for us. Many prey not look up." Her opinions of the forest are biased, of course, yet it is the setting she knows best.

Once they've arrived, Sage will exit the vehicle herself. Slight stretches given as she glances around the forest. Were they only here for a different reason, she might find ways of appreciating and nurturing nature. "Initially, anyway..." She comments as she glances over towards Daeni. "Alright that sounds good." Brian says as he looks back the way the truck came. "Yes about a day. I think there is a camp they sometimes use about five miles or so to the north west. Might want to check that out." He suggests while enjoying the sun and some time out of the truck. After a little bit he gets back in the truck and turns around.

The sun warms up the wet ground as the virgin forest dwellers use the respite from the rain to venture out for food.

Tirzah shakes her head at the mention of the camp. "Nah, our priority is the prisoners, the camp can wait." She motions before gesturing to Daeni. "She's right, Those tracks need to be cleared. Then I think we should find positions in the trees to lie in wait. Sage and Daeni to the south west, Gabriel and I to the north east." She suggests before moving closer to Daeni. "What do you think if we could dig deep trench to block their path just short of you and Sage. I'll set a distraction and Sage will give you cover with her rifle and smoke grenades. You'll be their focus of any who dont take to my spells until Gabriel and I take them out."

Gabriel shakes his head as well. "No, we have daylight, we need to make the most of it. You can sleep when you're dead." As per Tirzah's thought, he speaks, "A trench would probably be obvious. I see where you're going blocking their path and all, but no matter how little or how important these hostages may be, no unit worth its salt would move without at a forward screen. Or at least one poor bastard walking point." He seems to consider things for a while, then suggests, "We should double-time to the ambush area, see what we actually have to deal with and what we can use before really setting strategy."

Gabriel shakes his head as to the suggestion of camp, pointing up to the dappled canopy. "We have daylight, we should use it. Sleep when we're dead. Besides, we won't be here long. Camp shouldn't be necessary anyway," is at least his personal opinion. He turns to Tirzah a bit, and suggests, "I see where you're going with the trench, and it's good strategy. Box them on one end, hit 'em in the ass. Classic L-shape." His hand taps a nearby tree. "But there's a loot of root down here. Lots of brush. Moving it around would probably be obvious, even to the one poor bastard they'll put on point. Moving through the trees here? Strange." He seems to suddenly have a moment of insight. "If we can get up to the column as it is now, see how they're distributed... we may in theory be able to rig the trees to fall on cue. Won't stop them, but it might confuse them." As he falls silent, his armored hands are raised to the other warriors, palms up, inviting critique.

"If need tree fall, can make fall." Daeni studies one as she notes this, and places a hand upon it. "Will frighten enemy, pin or hurt if fall on. Attack from many sides, not know where best guard." She responds to both suggestions, as efficient in conversation as ever.

"Perhaps we can prepare some simple snares... enough to temporarily immobilize but not enough to kill on their own as some of the captives may stumble into them depending on how things pan out." Sage suggests, "Might be able to use things from the forest to make them less obvious at first glance." Then she glances towards Gabriel. "But, if we cause the prisoners to panic as well... we might have some of our advantage work against our objective... something to keep in mind, at least."

"I wouldn't want to accidentally drop a tree on one of the prisoners." Tirzah counters, finding the soldiers giving them that much spacing unlikely. "And if the trench is built right they wont see it until the first sucker falls into it and then it will be too late." She adds looking at the very large trees. "We only have a day after all, not a week."

Gabriel shrugs, conceding the point. "If you think that you can dig a hidden trench like that, then by all means, do so. As long as we know where it is, the more confusion, the better." He continues to take in the trees, and rough path that will apparently be followed. "If you - we - could put another trench over there -" he points to the opposite side of the trail "- we could completely box them in. Trench in front, trench to the side, two of us here, and two of us up there. Wait until the column has passed, then fall in behind them. Classic enfilade." He stops rather suddenly in his speech, slings his bag off of his back, rummages around, and retrieves four large signal flares. "It's not exactly white phosphorus, but it's still smoke."

Daeni rotates from the tree to regard the others. "How deep make hole? Not deep, enemy escape easy, use hide in fight. Too deep, too slow to dig." She follows the conversation well enough, despite a lack of tactical training. To trap or ambush humans is not so different from many other prey, however. "Need start, be quick, be ready. Think not come for day, may come in hour."

"If we box in everyone, there's no place for the captives to go either... depending on what they're going to be used for... they could become shields to fend off our ability to attack... and two large holes will make it a little harder to effectively hide all the dirt we would need to move out of the way." She comments, "We have vines and likely other things we can use... why not just set vine snares that can pull some of the people into the air. If they're a soldier, they are out of the way for a little bit... if they are a captive, we can just free them later." She comments, before she holds up a smoke grenade, "And, these will probably work better if you want smoke."

"Too deep to get out of. I'll summon two phaontoms to help in the digging. Just tell us what to do." She requests of Daeni before looking between Sage and Gabriel. "I think two sides would be too much for 15 soldiers, and as Sage said would block the prisoners too." She smiles and nods to Sage. "But snares and tripwires along each side would be practical. Can you and Gabriel set those up?" She asks before taking a moment to focus and draw to phantoms into this plane

The colonel from times long since past nods in the direction of the always-imposing elf woman, and apparently agrees with a sped-up timetable. "A good plan executed today is better than a perfect plan executed tomorrow." Still, he offer what he apparently considers advice or at least good opinion. "I'll see what I can do with traps. But honestly, I think I'd best be put to use double-timing it in the direction that the column's coming from. See what we actually have, pass along the information... tailor our little ambush to best suit needs and abilities." Gabriel's head hangs down slightly for a while, then he looks up at the three women who are now his fellow soldiers. "No matter what we do, these guys are probably going to take human shields. No matter what we do, we will possibly occasionally miss. In my time, that meant a bullet lodged somewhere that could later be pulled out. Today?" he slaps the L-20 on his back - "it means blowing a large hole in innocents. I'm not going to tell you how to feel. Just what we should expect." Then, as a finality, "So, agreed? One trench, many snares, enfilade fire? Would you prefer my hands to dig, or my eyes to see what we're up against?"

"Need branches, leaves for cover hole. Trap both side, one with trench, other with vine." Daeni moves to one side of presumed path to begin demarcating the boundaries of the trench with one of her blades. It also serves as a deep cut to begin the excavation process. "Think is best ambush at camp. If stop, rest, enemy easy. Some sleep, some rest. Prisoners maybe not in middle. Dark best time to hunt."

Sage's gaze drifts between the others as they offer their opinion. "Well, we can prepare this place as either an ambush point or having a pre-prepared route to retreat through if necessary." She comments, "I'll start seeing about collecting some vines since we'll probably be needing snares anyway." She begins to look around for the best vines and where she would need to go to harvest them.

Tirzah shakes her head at Daeni. "Its also probably a fortified posistion we'll have to fight our way into. If things go well its easy yes, but if they dont we're screwed. This way, if things dont go well we are not screwed." She counters before looking to Gabriel. "Well I wlecome current intel if you can get it unseen. But if the see and shoot you full of holes that is not so welcome. I'll leave it up to you Gabriel." She remarks as the phantoms bring forrth white blades of light to cut up the earth for removal.

Gabriel scratches at his exposed chin, clearly in thought. Then to all, "All that I have to dig with are my hands and a six-inch blade. I'm not used to the vines in this ah... part of the world, yet, so my snares would be clumsy at best. I'll head up the road, see if I can listen into any radio chatter if they're being lax about things." He offers Tirzah and acknowledging nod, and adds, "But I'll keep to the trees. Don't expect to get even within any useful binocular distance with all of these things in the way." He shrugs and flicks his hairline with thumb and index finger. "Don't take prisoners without me. Getting people to talk is always good. Stay safe." With that, his helmet is taken from its waste-clasp and plunked onto his head, and he moves deeper into the trees, following the trail in the direction from which the enemy will come.

Daeni has only her blades and bare hands with which to dig, so those must suffice. The latter are reasonably effective, as she is able to scoop armfulls of dirt which she then carries aside to desposit out of sight. It will take some time, yet that is in relative abundance at the moment.

Sage makes a small noise when the man claims not to be familiar with the vines, but isn't able to make any further commentary on it. "I'll probably need some weigh to make the vine traps work... trip wires will be easy enough." She comments, considering which the vines would be best for making. Then, she'll likely have some climbing to do to be able to cut off a good length of vine for her purposes. She'll likely be collecting a number of them. She will also likely look for roots that could be made more prominent for tripping purposes when she is setting up her snares.

The trench digging goes quickly with the phantoms helping. Various snares have been set up along the path. The ambush has been set up along the path. Gabriel moves up along the path and hides to await the approach of the prisoner group. Late in the afternoon the group arrives moving along the path.

The huddled group of women are being marched to exhaustion by their Coalition guards. Twelve infantry men one of them being an officer. The women are covered in bruises and do their best to keep each other upright as they take each step. Two grunts provide a foward screen and two provide a rear guard. The officer walks along with a grunt carrying a large backpack with an attenna coming out of it. The rest of the infantry men 'help' to move the women along the rough path. Sixty prisoners do their best to not get kicked or hit with a rifle butt for being too slow, but they are obviously exhausted.

Just waiting for the near-inaudible click to verify a secure link, Gabriel scans the column once more. "Well folks, the bad guys are headed your direction. Managed to forget to put anyone on any point far enough ahead to make any real difference, but there are two screeners, so watch for that. Ten more assholes bringing up the hostages, and one guy wearing an officer's helmet. On long-range radio, as promised. Maintaining this position until there's some decent separation, then I'll move toward you. Questions?"

This makeshift campsite is little more then a clearing with a firepit and a crude leanto. While it is primitive it does appear to get used fairly regularly. About fifty feet away from the main camp is several stumps with large wood screws put into them. Some old rope has been left at the stumps.

The path is about 20 feet wide in between some small hills on each side a little ways away from the path. Trees grow along the side of the path. The group of Coalition soldiers along with their prisoners are being marched down the path, heading right for your ambush. The forward screen is about 30 feet in front followed by the huddled mass of frightened, and abused women and children. Six of the Coalition grunts are trailing behind the prisoners talking loudly amongst themselves, telling rude jokes and veiled threats to the prisoners. Behind them by about ten feet is the officer and the radio man. Finally thirty feet behind them is the rear screen.

In her tree Tirzah sits invisibly thanks to the help of her phantom. The plan is to let the march go past her and Gabriel to the Trench where Sage and Dareni wait. get as many soldiers as possible in the space between the four of them and Tirzah will bring a disorienting spell upon the group.

Gabriel remains crouched in the underbrush, L-20 at the ready, his own personalized camouflage pattern that he'd slapped onto his armor weeks ago apparently doing its job. Just waiting for things to pass, the rear-guard to also fall into the zone so as not to escape. But most importantly - taking out that radio.

Daeni awaits the nearing soldiers from her perch amongst the branches, a choice that is hardly surprising to those familiar with her. Once the Coalition forces are visible, her wait becomes far less sedentary or calm, with her weight shifting and body tensing. This is a likewise common trait. To help alleviate some of the energy, and further prepare, he blades a carefully drawn. Perhaps she may even delay until the others spring the trap.

Being unlikely to wade into the fray of combat, Sage has perched herself within an obscuring part of a three as well on the other side of the pit from Daeni. She keeps a smoke grenade ready to toss for added confusion with her rifle close by once the fighting has begun. She seems to have calm steady nerves for the time being as she doesn't make a sound.

The soldiers seem to absorbed in talking amongst themselves and taunting their prisoners to notice the ambush they are walking into. The forward screen are chatting about weapons and fail to even notice the trench that has been dug. The column of soldiers move into position for the ambush.

Tirzah nods to her phantoms and the set out, nulling her invisibility. Less than a second later the sky fills with wondrous captivating light above the rear of the guard (northern lights) and a gas fills the area compelling the prisoners to sleep (cloud of slumber). The second phantoms tracks to the front of the column to spell them.

At Tirzah's spell four of the guards escorting the prisoners star up at the display. The prisoners fall down asleep, already deeply exhausted, Two of the grunts escorting the prisoners look around in confusion while the officer and radio man try to figure out what is going on. "What is with the colors?" The officer calls out.

As his rifle has been almost at the perfect ready position since the column came in to view, it takes essentially no time for Gabriel to bring it to grace his chin. Peering through the scope, he hugs the barrel for a moment, says a prayer to someone dear to him, sights the radio, and nudges the trigger.

Gabriel's shot fires right through the heavy field radio and it starts sparking dangerously as the circuitry has been comprimised

The head of the column is nearly beneath Daeni by the time the trap is sprung. With the need for stealth now replaced by the need for direct action, she is all too willing to oblige. Daeni drops from her perch with a leap to bring her into the midst of the forward screen. Blades are brought to bear in a flurry of movement and rotation, and systematically so.

Daeni jumps down from the tree and impales one of the grunts on her sword while her second sword cuts off his head in but a blink of an eye.

As the soldiers don't seem to notice the ambush, Sage carefully sets aside the smoke grenade for the moment. Then, she takes up the rifle she's kept ready beside her. She keeps an eye on the radio to ensure there isn't a misfire or an extra shot needed. Her partner's spells seem to have the intended effect making the smoke grenade less of a necessity. Knowing that Daeni is quite effect with her blades, she decides to take on the one that calls out the question which happily happens to be the officer. She unleashes a pulse of lasers at the target.

Beneath the helmet upon his head, the warrior from long past has no expression, not even of mild happiness that the radio appears to be out of commission. Only his eyes twitch a little. The bolts from Sage's weapon have their effect on the officer, but the rule is, cut off the head, and the body will die. Or at least fuck it up a whole bunch. That's how they teach it anyway. His L-20 is once again leveled, this time at the officer, and a three-round burst is fired.

With the plan in place, Sage focuses on the task she began as she keeps aim on the officer and unleashes another pulse.

The officer is the first to react as his armor takes a hit and is well scored by Sage's attack. He draws his C-12 energy rifle and fires off a shot at Sage's position. The rear guard here the cries and start rushing forward to help out their companions. The front guard swears and draws a vibro knife and swings at Daeni. The radio man swings his radio down on the ground and swears as well as he sees the serious damage it has taken. Two of the guards that were escorting the prisoners raise their rifles up. One fires at Tirzah and one fires at Gabriel.

Daeni deflects the incoming vibro-blade and snorts. "Too slow." She now uses her own blades in a conjoined effort to disarm the soldier. The arm bearing the weapon is her foremost target, yet, if able, she will attempt to remove the other, afterwards, as well.

Daeni slices off one arm with one sword and then the other arm joins the first on the ground. The grunt looks down at where his arms lie and then collapses in a heap.

Tirzah summons three balls of lightening, throwing them out above the column. Together they form a deadly electrical field at the moment out of reach. Of course that is not the case for the officer and radioman who find themselfs being lifted into that field by levitation from the phantoms.

This time, Gabriel's fixed, professional facade is broken as he complains within his helmet, "Future technology my ass! Plastic weapons. Shit." The muzzle of the L-20 scans around for a while, taking in the scene. The elf is clearly doing well for herself, as is the magic woman. While the officer would normally be the target, it seems that the other person left with only energy weapons for combat is taking him on. Hence, he lines up on one of the rearguard and lets loose a pulse.

Gabriel now turns his attention back to the officer. Fine, the rear guard is doing well for themselves, but if the officer were to escape, he presumably has more brains, hence... worse for the colonel's team. Three blue laser shots crackled toward the officer.

When the officer focuses on her, Sage has to use nimble movements to avoid the blast before she can settle into a different position within the tree. Discounting the officer and radiomen as they likely aren't going to be doing much now. She keeps an eye open for an alert soldier. She focuses on one of the rear guard that comes running up to help his fellows and unleashes a couple pulses at him.

The rearguard hurry into position to help their fellows. They manage to dodge the incoming fire and move to fire at the whirlwind of blades that is the elf. While the officer and radio man are levitated in the air they scream and swear. The radio man draws a pistol and fires off a shot at Tirzah, joined by the officer with his rifle. The remaining two Coalition infantry men seem to notice little else besides their fellow losing his arms and turn their rifles to fire at Daeni.

With the inital two out of the fight, Daeni presses on, only to be met by several more... and a hail of incoming fire. Ducks, dodges, and weaves prove ineffective, or not as effective as the flesh below scorched, blasted, and burnt clothing. Whatever pain registers, it does not stay nor slow her assault upon the soldiers. She begins with the first in reach and will travel on from there.

Everything is set now, the shots taken at her eat at her armor's magic, one hitting her right in the face. Tirzah's expression steals with grim resolve, needing only a look at the unconscious prisoners to know what must bet done. She floats two more active soldiers into the field as do her phantoms for a total of six.

The armored shoulders, those seemingly-randomly swathed blacks, browns, greens, and blues of Gabriel's armor shift slightly and he leans against "his" tree for support, aiming at one of the poor bastards who are still running free. Ironic, because it might have been better for them if they'd been levitated out of the fight. In any case, finger caresses trigger, and three more bolts fire at the closest grunt. Gabriel mutters something inside his helmet which may or may not be amusing. If anyone could hear it. Pull.

There is nothing interesting done by Gabriel. He just pulls the trigger again at the same poor bastard. Gotta make sure he's dead.

Knowing what is like to be caught in an electric field, Sage doesn't envy those caught within. She simply decides to help those who are still at the beginning of their suffering towards the end as the some look to be soon to pass away.

The five remaining soldiers are levitating in the air. Now that they are out of reach of the elf it looks like the biggest threat is the woman levitating them into the electrical field. The radio man looks at the ruins of his pistol and swears loudly as he is unable to do anything. The rear guard swear now that they are trapped in the electrical field and each of them fire a shot at Tirzah. The remaining two grunts are confused. One fires one shot at Gabriel and then takes a grenade off of his belt and tosses it at the sleeping group of prisoners, fortunatly the grenade was too damaged by the elctrical field and doesn't detonate. While the other takes the lead of the rear guard and fires a shot at Tirzah then one at Daeni.

Daeni only succeeded in destroying the weapon of one, and so she now attempts to complete the task. She is outnumbered, so perhaps the odds will now be somewhat more equitable. Perhaps.

Daeni only succeeded in destroying the weapon of the one, and prepares to complete the task only to find the reinforcements lifted from the ground. "Have no chance," is noted with a growing smirk as she leaves the floating in favor of those staring at the sparkling lights. To slaughter the helpless or to not slaughter the helpless. She is aware of the Coaltion's policy in such matters, and so returns the favor. Her swords are sheathed in the process, however, so that she can grab for one of the men.

Tirzah hates the part where they get to shoot back. Especially since she can not take nearly as much as she can give. Still she lucks out this time, her charge to her armor holding out against the shots before the inevitable doom of the fate of the floating soldiers. Given that she decides to make her way down from her tree with the aid of one of the phantoms. "Hold it Daeni!" She calls out, seeing the intent in her eyes. "Take his gear off first."

Only two of the active infantry men are still alive as they struggle uselessly while being levitated in the air. Four more grunts stare at the pretty lights while one of them is being stripped of equipment by Daeni. The prisoners continue to sleep peacefully.

Gabriel chances to rise into a combat crouch, his weapon loose, but still at the ready, apparently untrusting that someone else won't also pull out a Flash Gordon laser-pistol like the officer did. As his external speakers switch on, his voice calls out - with no twang at the moment, as his voice seems wont to do in these situations - "Don't kill the radio operator. He didn't have the good sense to just die, so I'd like to talk to him. Soldier to soldier. Captor to captive." Things do seem to lighten up a bit, and he rises to a full standing posture. In a very nonchalant way, addressing no enemy soldier in particular, he then states, "Anyone who gives us trouble, I will kill you and the man next to you."

Gabriel chances to rise into a combat crouch, his weapon loose, but still at the ready, apparently untrusting that someone else won't also pull out a Flash Gordon laser-pistol like the officer did. As his external speakers switch on, his voice calls out - with no twang at the moment, as his voice seems wont to do in these situations - "It's going to be a lot easier on the first man to volunteer information. Talk amongst yourselves for a moment and choose who the lucky winner is."

Daeni is not foolish, and can spare one hand while holding the man off his feet with the other: by his throat. Weapons are first, followed by armor, and she is not gentle about it. Latches, underlying clothing, and/or skin may come off along with. She lowers the male to her eye level in order to ask, "Enjoy fight woman, child? Enjoy take what want?" It is a growled query, and quite rhetorical. If the man remains incoherent, a light (extremely light for her, all things considered) slap is made to assist in clearing his thoughts.

With the situation quickly coming to a close for all intensive purposes, Sage takes the time to climb down from her tree or fall if fortune isn't with her. The rest seem in a better position to engage the remaining people.

With the two soldiers suspended no unarmed Turzah see's no reason to coldly kill them. So the electrical field comes down before it finishes their armor and lives. They follw shortly after, the phantoms flanking Tirzah with luightblades to discourage being uncoperative. "Strip." She tells them as the cloud keeping the prisoners asleep dissipates.

Waking up to an elf slapping you and stripping you of your weapons is not a pleasent way to wake up. His head darts back and forth as he tries to figure out what is happening. He struggles uselessly in Daeni's grip as he start babbling in a paniced manner. The the grunts that are lowered to the ground quickly strip off their remaining armor, and try not to move as they look back and forth trying to look for some way to escape. As the cloud dissipates the prisoners slowly start awakening.

Gabriel walks toward the stripped prisoners. The two who were apparently alert enough to have stripped it themselves, and also alert enough to at least appear to contemplate flight. He points a very solid finger at those two poor fellows. "Sit on your asses, right now. Give me any trouble, I'll hurt you. Try to run, and I swear I'll blow off one of your legs." He then stops and scans the area. Seeing no immediate trouble, his helmet is removed, and he breathes in fresh air. "The first one of you to start talking gets to go home."

Once down from the tree, Sage comes out from the tree where she was hidden away. She gives a short whistle as the prisoners begin to rouse. "All the ladies come over here with me... I'll give you food, water, any medical attention you might require, and there's some nice shade over here to rest in." She makes a gesture to come over towards her.

"If not talk," Daeni turns her face, which bears a very wide and uncharacteristic smile, "still use for fun." The smile remains in a stark contrast to her prior growl and scowl, as her attention returns to the man she holds. "Like woman no weapons? Give you what like." A shrug of her shoulder and a tug at her belt drop bow and blades to the ground prior to her carrying the man into the woodline. Daeni overheard the soldiers' comments concerning their use of the prisoners, so perhaps she is returning the favor. If so, the screams that soon emerge from the foliage are not of the sort which the man would prefer to make.

"Sage, could use a hand here." Tirzah calls as she waits for her pair to remove their armor. She frowns as Gabriel step right in to play bad cop on her, shaking her head. "Gabriel, we have a much more effective means of getting info with us." She explains, gesturing to Sage. "Sage is a psychic, you lie, she knows, you get your chances with my more eager companion." She gestures to Daeni and her work on the other prisoners.

The prisoners look around and finally hope breaks on their features. They get up slowly and start heading where sage gestured too. They look back at the soldiers with loathing and a little fear. The screams that come from the woods make them smile as they look like they want to take some vengence of their own on the Coalition soldiers. Many of the prisoners upon closer examination have had their hands removed and replaced with badly made synthetics.

The Coalition soldiers hear what Daeni is doing to one of there own and they pale in fear. "Wh... what do you want to know?" One of them asks as he sees his lifespan shortening in front of his eyes.

Gabriel drops his head and sighs before raising it again and speaking out into the open air. "I would never in my wildest dreams have longed for the days of drugs, sleep deprivation, and field interrogation." His head then shakes side to side, but ends up focusing on Tirzah. He isn't exasperated or angry, just slightly lost again. "If a psychic can tell if you're telling the truth or not, does that still mean that he or she has to ask the right question first? I have done this before." The last is stated with humility, not arrogance or anger. Really, possibly more humor even than humility. However, clearly still out of his element - after all, it's only been a few months - he asks the stupid question, "Well, Sage... ah, listen in?" Then refers back to the soldier who at least had the balls to raise his voice. "We all want to know what you all know. And we want to know all of it. Apparently, don't lie. Lies will not be rewarded."

Any pity that might have begun to surface for the tortured soldier disappears when Sage notices the oddity inflicted on the prisoners. She takes out packages of rations and a large water skin. "You'll have to share." She comments, as she leaves the items for the women to sort out between themselves. "I'll be back to see about any injuries." She says softly before she hardens her resolve as she moves over towards where her partner has beckoned her. She forces on the man that seems to be the first person to be interrogated.

Daeni is not normally one to loiter, delay, or otherwise waste time. In this instance, however, she is in no rush, thus takes the time to enjoy herself. An intermittent feminine laugh or crunch of bone punctuates and adds to the rise and fall of warbling wails. . Tirzah nods slightly to Gabriel, looking quite willing to let someone else do that. "Alright, we want to know all about the camp they were headed to for a start." She says to guide the right questions. "I'll call Brian and prep the other free for thier little chat." She says, making her way to the three dazed prisoners to get them stripped before the lights fade out.

The guards thoughts are easy to read. (Oh shit! I'm going to die! Fuck! What does he want to know.?) "Uh where do you want me to start? I haven't been on the front lines. I don't know anything about troop movements. All I do is move war criminals, and other scum." He says to Gabriel. "Uh it is a camp that General Drogue set up. We capture lots of prisoners apparently. So it was his idea to put them to work to help resupply the forces. Sometimes men get rewarded downtime at the camp. Magic using women and the wives of those we kill get sent there."

Gabriel smiles warmly at Sage, hooking his helmet over his waist belt. "Thanks, Sage. Still getting used to things. Didn't even know that you could do what you can do." The last is stated with a smile, his head gives an offhanded nod to the regressing redhead, and he begins to question his prisoners. But they talk before he can even speak, and his face hardens even more. A deadly anger. "'Comfort Women' maybe? Like the fucking Japanese?" He looks seriously pissed. But a breath calms him slightly. "Does General Drogue know when you're expected at camp? Does anyone know where you left from or when, or is this whole little cluster-fuck of yours just that?" Apparently military matters are more at hand for the moment than humanitarian matters.

With the lack of clear empathic impressions from the man, Sage gets the feeling that the man is trying to keep her out. That his mind is an open book allows her to remain neutral as she simply watches the man. She makes no motion to acknowledge Gabriel's thanks aside from a glance before looking back to the guard.

Regretably, the amusing distraction is ended far too soon, and the screams abruptly halt. No matter the world, it appears that stamina remains an issue, insofar as comparison between genders is concerned. Daeni emerges into the clearing, lacking her scorched clothing as well as any relevent modesty. In their place is a substantial coating of blood that is not likely her own which varies from spatters on her upper arms and forehead to a near-solid swatch that runs from cheeks and chin to her calves. "Any not talk, done talk?" A handful of bloody flesh is tosses to land between captives and captors who now have such rolls reversed. Inspection of the discarded meat would identify it as a former source of pride for the soldier and equally former source of fear for their now freed prisoners.

Tirzah will remove the gear from the three dazed soldiers, radioing Brian to come pick them up as she does. Once stripped she gives them a good slap to knock them from their stupor before offering them to choose between Gabriel and Daeni. Once thats done she'll see to the women and children while she waits for Gabriel to finish or Brian to arrive.

The remaing Coalition grunts wake up and quickly assess the situation. One pisses himself in fear while looking at what Daeni tosses over. The others start babbling their surrender and don't appear to want to die in such a horrible manner. The captive being interrogated while impressed by Gabriel keeps looking at Daeni in horror. "The General doesn't know schedules he is too busy fighting the war. The camp does know we are on our way, but we are not expected for about a week. Please don't let her near me. Yah I guess they are comfort women."

Gabriel glances over to Sage. Seems very truthful to him, but as per the ways of the psychic? Well, he seems to be settling in to taking a passive stance at the chance of needing to be corrected. It's better to be recriminated in the future for having done too much, than it is to find out that you have done too little to begin with. Assuming that voice will be raised by her if necessary, he continues on, in a more reasonable tone than before. Not slamming wildly from angry to best-friend, just more reasonable. "Thank you, whatever your name is. How many other prisoners are there at the camp? If you'd really like to get into my good graces, tell me how many infantry are guarding them." He turns away, then asks, "By the way, why have their hands been removed?"

Hoping that the former prisoners are behaving themselves well enough, Sage briefly glances over to them but they are likely too tired to squabble too much over food, water or spots to rest. She doesn't seem to have anything to add, likely deciding its best to make the soldier wonder if she's getting anything at all. Her expression is also sufficiently masked by her helmet as her gaze returns to the man being questioned.

Daeni is satisfied in some manner by the reactions and returns to the treeline once more after retrieving her weapons. She does so not for ...companionship, but for clothing, returning with little delay once dressed. Whatever suggestions or intentions she might harbor remain unvoiced, although her presence and attention lingers near and upon the stripped soldiers.

Tirzah moves bakc to rejoin Gabrield and Sage with a clam expression. From the older man's tone she assumes her could use a moment to assess what he's heard. "I have some questions Gabriel, if you dont mind giving us a minute to help the women into the truck." She says, interposing between them. Once thats given she'll drill them for the specifics on the forces at the camp and the forces set to come to aid of the camp. Then briefly they are queried about some 'Dig site m' but that goes no further unless they know of it.

Brian pulls up with the large tracked truck and he gets out to help the women get into the back. He has a large supply of blankets and water for the former prisoners. The interrogated infantry men keeps answering the questions as best he can, being truthful. "There are about 300 prisoners are so at the camp. Their hands are removed so that they can't cast any magic ever again." He then starts going into details about the forces guarding the camp.