A YOU choose adventure: Raj, Graves, and Kelly on Altair XIII ->CHAPTER 6

[Mr.Cross]

-Stuff I entirely agree with-

As quoted, I agree with everything he said. However you should/could make a bottle neck here and here (Marked in red) to get more cover/defense. Black being walls, and Blue being cover. Almost making this sort of like a compound/ later on making it a position to fall back to.

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[Realjuan]

I am always going for efficiency, so I think.
1) c) focus on expansion and productivity objectives and then building constructions
2) I would say increase the amount of food produce, and start saving hay to later get some animals.

[Vaporisor]

1)  I'd say we focus on making the location more comfortable for a morale boosts... Focus on cleaning the area up, moving out chunks of rubble, maybe place down some wooden floorboards or two, and THEN we can get down to business.

2)  We should clearly set down a stockpile, and count our materials. If we're ever going to progress we need to increase material production.

You should/could make a bottle neck here and here (Marked in red) to get more cover/defense. Black being walls, and Blue being cover. Almost making this sort of like a compound/ later on making it a position to fall back to.

1) c) focus on expansion and productivity objectives and then building constructions
2) I would say increase the amount of food produce, and start saving hay to later get some animals.

CHAPTER 4:  FIRST BLOOD



The sun rose on the morning of what the colonists estimated was the 7th day of Summer; the colonists were gathered around the table outside to have their first true talk as a community.  Kelly opened discussions.

"Welcome everybody to what we have lovingly dubbed Gaiety Glen.  First off, I would like to address Capn' that we three do not have any hard feelings or ill will from last week."

"And I am sorry that I smashed your nose..." Shonja added, "Was in defense, but I do not hold it against you.  We can still work together."

"No, it is perfectly understandable.  I was locked in a room like a prisoner.  Just some filthy cave.  I had to get out.  It wasn't your fault either.  It doesn't matter whether you are an armed guard or an old lady.  I do what I must.  Glad to see that you do the same."

"We are sorry that we had you all crammed into that tight room.  But we hadn't known what we know now and just couldn't risk losing even one medpack.  At the time, we had only just crashed here ourselves.  We had no other secure rooms.  Once we had some more space excavated, we were able to give you proper accommodations.  But to business."

"When we landed, there was just us three and the basic supplies we were able to drop down in the emergency supplies.  At the time we had the basic necessities to set up survival for three people.  Now there are six of us.  If we want to survive, we will need to work smart and efficient.  As such, I will divide us into teams and allocate tasks accordingly."

Capn' raises his hand and begins to speak before being acknowledged, "Before you say any more, I want you to tell me why you are in charge already.  It isn't just you three anymore, there is the six of us so I want to know the best person to lead us in in charge.  Shouldn't we deal with that first?"

"I am glad you brought that up.  Why am I in charge?  Because we are all specialists.  Capn', you are experienced in warfare; a master of weaponry.  Nelson, you are an engineer, and from talking with you, skilled well beyond the rest of us.  Shonja is a trained medical expert and animal handler."

"Out of us three, Raj is also a trained military commissar, but has acted as my bodyguard and assistant.  Graves here is an expert on survival having lived by himself for many years on his own in the wilds."

"I however do not have any special skills to apply in the field."  Kelly says raising her hands in the air, "And that is why I am fit to lead.  Your skills make you biased in that direction.  Capn', you and Raj hold security above all else, that is your nature.  Control of your situations.  Nelson, you and Graves are experts are builders.  You take nothing to make something, but need stability first to do what you need to do.  Shonja.  You like order.  Things in their place.  Clean and sanitary."

"Right now we need all your skills equally, and that is why I will lead.  My skill lies in allocating resources and analyzing situations with a calm mind regardless of the situation.  This makes sure that we can maximize what little resources we have.  However the situation might change.  At any time if the community has a consensus that we need somebody more specialized to lead then absolutely, you follow who you feel you need to survive.  Is that good with everybody?"

Capn' stands tall and walks over to Kelly.  Standing tall over her, face still a bruised mess from his destroyed nose.

"Spoken like a true leader, I will gladly work with you."  He holds out his hand to shake hers.  The others standing in turn, each approaching and giving their consent for the first elected leader of Gaiety Glen.

"Now down to business.  We have the three S'es to deal with.  Supplies, Shelter and Security.  As such, we will split into teams of two.  First off is supply management which will led by Nelson and Graves.  Most immediate is food and medical.  What is the situation there Graves?"

"As it stands, we still have the entire stockpile of medpacks we landed on the planet with plus a good portion of those Xerigum pods that crashed down.  I made use of a good patch of soil east of here to plant more the day we landed.  It has been growing well and I would estimate be ready to harvest in a few days.  Now if absolutely necessary.  Food is coming along well.  The corn is growing well in the fine soil around the hills.  The potatoes seem to be growing well in the more rocky soil."

"Nelson, what does it look like for building materials?"

"From what I have seen during my inventory yesterday, it could be difficult if we are careless with supplies.  There is limited usable metal I found in the area.  What is here is probably mostly long buried under the sand where we cannot get at it.  There is a fair bit of large rock debris around which we can continue to make into building materials but that supply is finite.  I recommend focusing on keeping to the minimums until the fast grow trees Graves planted are ready for harvest.  If we can hold out until that first harvest, we should be okay."

"Excellent.  Next is myself with Shonja.  We will be working mostly around here.  The rush to be able to support six people has more than taxed what our little shelter can maintain.  I would like to continue to excavate this hill so we have the space to breathe and produce vital goods such as clothing.  Shonja, anything to add?"

"I agree with what you said.  In addition, we need to make sure we have a room and beds set aside for medical emergencies.  Nelson's infection got pretty bad for a bit there while he healed up.  I saw earlier that we had a planting of cotton to make clothing.  While an earnest effort, it would be better if we hunted the local animals for more durable and versatile materials.  I am not sure that we would get enough for proper clothing though."

"We are meeting food demands now, but we do not have a surplus stockpiled.  We should increase food productions and I recommend some more food in that soil to the west of here or we need to use some land that is currently lumber production.  But with what Nelson said, that is not an option.  It would be nice to build better walls and maybe put in some nice stone flooring.  If we keep living in this dank environment, we will all get sick."

"Very well, lets plan how to make this place livable after the meeting, but of course this leaves how to secure this place.  With three warring gangs of pirates, we must not overlook protecting ourselves.  Raj and Capn' you were discussing this last evening, correct?"

Raj stands to speak, "Yes and Capn' has had some excellent ideas to maximize security with minimum materials.  What we have is a precursory plan using the existing structures are part of a defensive wall.  We would have liked to done more, but with what Nelson says, this is what we believe is minimum."  Raj puts a sketch onto the table.

"By making use of the terrain and ruins, we can get this wall and some cover done in very little time and materials.  We will need stone cut in a hurry however.  We don't want to use the steel wastefully.  The idea is we can extend the existing ruins to join them up and then build walls out from the mountain.  We can place accesses on the east and west side with cover locations along the wall.  If we get attacked, it will force any raiders into a bottleneck."

"I like it!  Alright everybody, time to work!"

Over the next few days, the group was able to accomplish much.  It was the topic of evening dinner on the tenth day of summer.  Conversations during mealtime had become a ritual they all were beginning to enjoy. 



Tonight's topic was the completion of the wall.  Nelson opened the conversation.

"Cheers to Capn for an efficient design and to Raj whose hard work ensured we had enough materials to build the wall.  I would like to toast them both, if you would raise your plate of tasteless green paste with me!"

They all raise their trays have a hearty laugh.  Shonja speaks next, "Do not exclude yourself.  I think it is a great idea using some of that rubble from the excavation for cover.  Is nice that we not only get it out of the way, but also have a use for it.  Place is much better now that we have it cleaned out."

Kelly picks up the conversation again, "Yes, most definitely cheers to everybody.  It is a good thing we expanded the crops.  We are using more than I originally thought we would go through with food.  But leaving that machine in while we expanded elsewhere has really increased it's efficiency.  Though if not for Capn's hunting skills, we would probably be running out of all food now."

Graves takes this moment as a queue to speak up, "Soon that will not be of any worry.  Everything is growing strong and hearty with the potatoes able to be harvested soon.  We already had one harvest of both cotton and Xerigum root as well.  To the north, I think I spotted a boomalope herd.  While usually I would refrain from recommending hunting it, the lack of forestation in the area would make for good hunting and secure a large supply of food and leather for us."

Shonja speaks back up again. "On topic of animals, I do have a suggestion.  We should look at getting a silo built so we can stockpile some feedgrass.   The dromedaries and these reptiles seem easily trainable.  We can probably get eggs to bring variety to our food, or train the larger animals as pack animals."

"We will have to see how our supplies are doing.  I do not want to waste our stone, if we have enough of a surplus, we can look at building a silo and planting haygrass in place of the cotton.  Lets get some spare clothing made.  You and Nelson are already going around topless cause your shirts were falling apart."

"And that is something none of us need to see.  Shonja, hurry up and make Nelson a new shirt." Raj jokes with a smirk.

"Oh, and can we do some more to brighten this place up, I really dislike my room being so ugly.  I really would like some nicer ammendities.  I mean after all-"  Shonja is cut off by the deafening sonic boom as a jet of fire streaks across the sky

Capn grabs his rifle and jumps to his feet, "That looked like a pod, but came in way to hot for cargo or an escape pod.  I will check it out.

Just mainutes later, Capn returns.  His the light hearted expression of the meal faded back to the cold ruthlessness of when they first met him.  "Looks like it is a drop pod.  Pretty violent looking guy.  My guess is some sort of scout planning to sneak in on us during the night.  Seems to be alone and wielding some sort of knife."



"I wonder how they found us?  This is a combat situation, you two are in charge here."

"Overall, this shouldn't be too difficult to deal with.  In fact, I doubt she even knows we are here.  She landed right where the debris from Nelson's pod is.  My guess is that is what they detected and why they are here.  We don't want to go out looking for a fight, but at same time if they come looking for one.  We will not hold our punches.  Raj, you and Nelson come with me to guard the compound.  Graves, you take Kelly and Shonja and hold up in the dispensery."

"Nobody leave the designated home area until we know her intentions.  If this is one of those pirates, we will show her what happens if she brings a knife to a gunfight."

"Just as I figured she would.  Followed our tracks in the sand.  Come to shank us in middle of the night.  Is what I would do,"  Capn mumbles to himself as he watches the raider start a fire in the cornfield.

A shot rings out of the survival rifle and strikes the ground beside the raider.  The raider looks up and sees Capn standing in the desert and charges at him with knife held out.  Capn fires another shot, winging the raider in the shoulder before he retreats back to the walls.  The raider foolishly charges after the lone gunman right into fire from Raj's bow and Nelson's pistol.  Capn' dives behind the rubble fire and proceeds to fire on the raider as well. 

In just seconds, she is down on the ground.

"Nelson, she lit the new cornfield on fire, can you extinquish it?  I will make sure she is dead."

Raj runs up to the fallen raider who is lying wounded on the ground. Capn' walks up and aims his gun at her head.

"Stop, don't kill her!" Raj orders.

"Why not?  She is a liability?"

The three in the dispensery came out after hearing the gunfire end and approach.  Kelly answers, "Same reason we did not leave you all to die in the sands.  We draw a line in the sand.  We approach the line, but do not cross.  Raj, take her to my room and patch this one up.  We will interrogate her and figure out what to do with her in the morning.  Tonight, I will just sleep on your floor."

"Very well.  It doesn't matter to me whether she lives or dies.  You guys are the ones who will be looking after her.  But next time there will be more.  We are going to need weapons.  You two ladies better be ready to fight as well next time.  No more hiding.  You said you drew a line, then you better hold it!" 

MILESTONE

Longer chapter, less milestone info but I enjoyed it.  Because I wrote this one later than usual, I will wait a bit longer for the next one to ensure those interested can give feedback.  One reason I quite liked this is that we had a few similar, but different opinions.  It actually gave me inspiration on how to develop the story by combining them into a unique alternative.


Decision 1:
The colonists will not just watch as somebody dies bleeding out on the ground.  What level of treatment do they provide? 
a)  No medicine
b)  Herbal medicine
c)  Medpack medicine

Remember that all they know is that the person is bleeding on the ground.  They know nothing about their skills or personalities at that time!


Decision 2.  The colonists like to make informed decisions so will wait until survivors of raids are able to be interrogated before deciding to keep a prisoner.  What are the guiding criteria to try and recruit prisoners or not?  (Open ended question)

Edit:  Note that the traits of a person are something that really can only be figured out through long term interactions with a person.  As such, they cannot factor into this decision.  After all,  how can you tell if somebody is lazy vs hardworking if they just are sitting in a cell all day ;-)


Decision 3.  What do they do with prisoners that do not fit the criteria?
a)  Execution
b)  Keep them locked up in a cell
c)  Sell them to slavers
d)  Release them


Decision 4.  How should these folks arm themselves? 

Nelson Raj and Capn' are skilled in range, but Graves is a brawler.  The other two are of limited skill in both.  What kind of weapons should they be looking into requisitioning first for them?  Currently Capn' is the best shooter.  Careful and accurate with the rifle.  Nelson's a better shot by a bit so has the pistol, and Raj has a shoddy bow.  Graves has a plasteel knife.  They looted a poor quality and half worn out steel shiv from the raider.

[jonas3333]

@Vaporisor: You, sir. Have this storytelling thing DOWN!  Nice work!

[Mr.Cross]

Choice 1: If the injuries don't look to bad, No meds. If they look serious enough go herbal. No med packs, keep them for surgeries later on.

Choice 2: If they have a interest/decent skill level in a particular field and you are in need of them take them. No abrasives. If they are good for nothing other than hauling / cleaning / or shooting/melee take them. They should pay for themselves as what you take them for or as meat shields.
Choice 3: If there is a trader at the ready, sell them. if not and they can walk, let them walk. if you can't have either of those, I'm sure there is a Psycopath that would like a human leather chair/clothes.

Choice 4: I'd say the decent shot gets long range capabilities the next up gets the pistol an so on.

[Realjuan]

Decision 1:
a)  No medicine

Decision 2:
No idea how to describe it

Decision 3
c)  Sell them to slavers

Decision 4
I have not played enough to answer this.

[Vaporisor]

My bad, Decision 4 from last chapter I really didn't state correctly.  I will rephrase this milestone and fortunately it didn't come into a factor this time.

Choice 1: If the injuries don't look to bad, No meds. If they look serious enough go herbal. No med packs

Choice 2: If they have a interest/decent skill level in a particular field and you are in need of them take them.

No abrasives

-->This one is a trait, so unfortunately cannot factor it in.  I mean locked up in a cave?  Anybody can be abrasive...

If they are good for nothing other than hauling / cleaning / or shooting/melee take them.

Choice 3: If there is a trader at the ready, sell them. if not and they can walk, let them walk.  I'm sure there is a Psycopath that would like a human leather chair/clothes.

--> Kelly, the current leader of the colony would never allow that as it violate polices we already set down.  Now if a new leader gets elected..... >.>

Decision 1:
a)  No medicine

Decision 3
c)  Sell them to slavers

CHAPTER 5:  TALL TAILS

"Kelly, I know we agreed we should be careful with supplies, but those wounds were bad.  She is a tough one and took more than a couple of arrows and pistol rounds.  If I didn't use some, it would have taken all night and no guarantee she would have bled out."

"I trust your judgement.  What do you think about her?"

"Tough to say without asking her.  We got her treatment well enough so she should be up by tomorrow afternoon sometime.  Should we bring anybody else in to interview her or just us?"

"Just us.  Shonja and Capn' aren't exactly the most social type.  Graves and Nelson aren't too bad to chat with, but I think lack the finer points of socializing to help."

It is early next morning when Kelly and Raj are awakened by the sounds of shouting and banging coming through the walls.

"Looks like we might be able to have that interview a little early," Kelly says turning to Raj "I think our guest recovered before we did.  Damn, sleeping on this rock isn't exactly comfortable.  Why didn't I take your bed?"

"Because you volunteered yours.  Lets grab some breakfast than go bring her some."

They head out into the hall and find the others also awake.  The sounds of muffled shouts and banging on the door, echoing through the chamber.

"Glad we eat out in the sun, much quieter here.  If I was half as old, I would head in there and quiet her up, just a bit."

"Morning Shonja, wake up on the wrong side of the bed?  Could be worse.  I am glad we didn't kill her... Where is Graves?"

"Guy's probably still asleep Nelson.  He has that comfy cottage over in the corner there.  Bet is nice and quiet...  She isn't alive yet.  Still a chance of infection.  Though, that is what a pirate deserves.  Much better than a quick death."

"Now now Capn'.  I doubt that will happen.  Raj got those wounds cleaned up and even though is carved in stone, we got this place cleaned up fairly quick.  I don't think she will die.  On that note, what do we do with her?"

Capn' is quick to reply, "If she has skills and is willing to work for us, then let her join, else sell to slavers.  From what you guys described before we landed, that sounds like something that goes on here."

"We can't do that!"  Nelson stammers in refute, "I mean that is barbaric.  I thought we were above barbarism!  Isn't that what you said last night Kelly?"

"You are right.  We are not barbarians.  But we also need to look at the facts.  She came in to kill us.  That there is no question.  Burning our food supply?  That alone can be equal to mass murder.  We cannot just let her go.  But we are in a desert.  Our only water is too salt laden to drink or even desalinate.  How many prisoners until we all die of starvation and thirst?  No.  We may not have executed in cold blood, but we still cannot become babysitters.  I want that clear."

Kelly turns to Raj, "On that note, shall we welcome our new guest?"

Kelly knocks on the door, "You wish to speak with us?  Do you understand us?"

"Of course I understand you.  You are speaking the common tongue.  Everybody speaks it!"

"Very well.  We are coming in then.  Any resistance, and we will protect ourselves to our full might."

Kelly opens the door and walks in.  Behind her follows Raj with short bow in hand and arrow nocked.  In the corner of the room stands the would be assassin.  She is standing proud and surprisingly beautiful despite the wounds from the night before.

"Thanks for the new outfit,"  The prisoner says while looking away from the two that entered, "Stitched rags look so much better.  I feel like I am really part of this cave dweller existence."

"Glad you liked it.  I did have to strip your clothes to treat you, but am glad you approve of the change of wardrobe we left.  I am Raj, in charge of security here, and this is Kelly.  She is leading this place and would like a word with you."

"I am going to put it bluntly, "Kelly starts speaking and walks over to the bed to sit down, "You tried to kill us.  Honestly, we have no reason not to kill you."

Kelly pauses, puts the nutrient paste down on the bed beside her and continues, "But that would be a waste, and I believe in justice.  I want to know the truth.  This is a harsh place and if you give us a reason to let you stay, we will.  If not?  Well... We are not murderers, but we are not a prison either.  So if you are able to convince us to let you stay and can pull your weight, we will let you.  If not, the first person willing to pay us to take you off our hands, can."

"I'll think about it..."

"Don't think too long.  Never know when or who might stop by.  Worst case we will render you not a threat and you can hike out of the desert."

Kelly stands and leaves.  Raj follows and locks the door back up.  "Kelly, what was that last bit?"

"Oh nothing really.  A worst case scenario.  If we have to ship her out, we will, but a little fear never hurts.  If she has the potential to be a real threat, I would rather she join us instead."

The rest of the day and following go by rather uneventfully.  Kelly is able to quickly befriend the new prisoner and shared her information during evening dinner.

"Well, it was an interesting day.  Turns out we have a celebrity in our midst.  "Turns out 'Kit' as she asked to be called, is actually Holly Kettu.

Shonja stammers with paste still in her mouth, "You don't mean Holly Kettu of the Tixxin system do you?"

"One in the same.  The mad scientist and young prodigy researcher of the Tixxin Transcendence Laboratories.  During her escape from authorities trying to investigate her questionable ethics, some slight mistakes in her piloting were made.  Good researcher, bad navigator.  Got lost on a ship without any cryo.  Kept alive by her own hydroponics lab til it eventually ended up here.  Struck a deal with the pirates and her trying to take us out was an attempt at promotion."

"So is she going to join us then?"

"Not yet.  She still thinks that being here is no different than being a slave.  In fact she thinks being sold off as a slave is a good thing.  Anybody who can pay for her apparently must be in a better position."  Given time, I think I can convince her otherwise.  Her scientific prowess would definitely improve life here as well."

"Hrmph, what's next.  TVs and antimatter?"

"No Graves, but simple things like hydroponics and harnessing that geothermal.  Help us make this colony self sustainable more."

The chatter and banter continues for the next hour.  Capn' decides to head out for a walk.  As midnight approaches, Capn' comes over the radio.

"Hey, if anybody is awake.  I think I see some light travelling east of us in a north to south direction.  I am going to check it out."

After several minutes, the radio comes back on and they hear Capn' whispering over the comms, "Well gees.  Looks like we have another ship survivor.  I recognize Gen anywhere."

"Who's Gen?" Kelly asks?

"A bit of a fling of mine back in the camps..." Capn goes silent then continues, "She's a pretty good cook and liked her garden, though too paranoid for my tastes.  Dang, those clothes are looking a bit tattered and she seems she is being escorted by two guards wearing body armor-  WHAT THE?"

A strange howling sound starts being heard on the radio.  Raj cuts in, "Capn' report!  Do you need assistance?"

"What?  No.  There are cats just came over the hill.  Like a dozen cats.  Came up to me all friendly.  They must have picked up the smell of the butcher table or something cause they are all making a straight line right towards the camp!  But more to the point.  I think Gen is captive, I can probably grab her and get back to camp if you guys can give me cover if I need it."

MILESTONE

Fewer events this time.  Going to open with my misphrased decision 4 from last time.

Decision 1.  What is the combat formation if they get attacked again?
a)  Everybody armed and ready
b)  Just combat specialized personnel
c)  Some alternative tactic/formation

Also feel free to add recommended tactics.  This will combine with how I have their defensive stature from previous milestone planned.

Decision 2.  Wow, that is a lot of cats...
a)  One cat is enough >.>
b)  Perhaps there is a market for cuddly fuzzies?
c)  Wants cats!  All the cats!

Decision 3.  What to do about Gen?
a)  She needs rescue
b)  She will have to make do on her own

It would have been nice to have more dramatic, but the cats and Gen at same time means milestone.

[Realjuan]

Decision 1.  What is the combat formation if they get attacked again?
b)  Just combat specialized personnel

Decision 2.  Wow, that is a lot of cats...
Why not both? Keep the cats that get bonded, and sell the others. Do keep at least one female and one male.

Decision 3.  What to do about Gen?
a)  She needs rescue

[Bastobasto]

Decision 2.  Wow, that is a lot of cats... : Answer : B,I want them all.

[Vaporisor]

Decision 1.  b)  Just combat specialized personnel

Decision 2. Why not both? Keep the cats that get bonded, and sell the others. Do keep at least one female and one male.

Decision 3.  a)  She needs rescue

Decision 2.  Answer : b) I want them all.

CHAPTER 6:  HOW NOT TO WIN FRIENDS

"Cats?  Wait, never mind them.  If you know her and can vouch for her, see if you can get her.  We won't leave people to slavers if we can help it."  Slightly muffled over the radio, Kelly can be heard addressing others in the room, "Raj and Nelson, you guys head for the tree line for cover if he needs it.  Shonja, can you go wake up Graves?"

Capn' carefully sneaks up on the trio as they walk down the pass.  Fortunately, they are not watching their captor who trails behind as the two men chat.  Slowly and silently, he catches up on the ragged woman.  Suddenly and firmly, he covers her mouth, grabs her by the waist and lifts her in the air to start running.

"Wha-mmmphh!!!"

"Did you say some- Oh crap!  Somebody's grabbed Gen!  Flash, see if you can stop them!  I will keep a lookout for reinforcements."

"On it,"  The man with the shotgun is heard replying and takes off in chase, "He is running for some trees... That doesn't look right... too many and too dense... should I pursue?"

"No, come back.  We are exposed and is dark.  Leave her.  Isn't worth it."  The man with the pistol waits for his ally to return and they both leave to the east.



Raj, watching all this relays the information, "Looks like they are not pursuing.  Where are you going to take her?"

"Will put her in my room.  She is panicking something fierce so might as well set her someplace comfortable so can explain whats up."

Capn' is able to bring Gen to his room almost immediately-

"What?  Capn'?  What the hell are you doing here!  And more importantly, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"Welcome to Gaiety Glen, am here livin'.  Though to be honest, I was kinda expecting a different reaction.  You know, leaping into my arms or perhaps one of your good kissins?"

"Wait.... you rescued me?  From what?  I had a nice room back in the town, and now I get a cozy cave in some shanty it looked like?"

"Uh... what?  Weren't those guys them slavers or something?"

"NO!  Those two guys took me in when they found me half dead in the desert.  They shared with me their food and rations in exchange for helping them hunt and scavenge!"

"Well... uh, dang.  Sorry about that.  Umm... so what now.  You gonna stay here or want to head back in the morning?"

"Head back?  Head back where?  I get abducted in the middle of the night, then suddenly show back up in the morning?  They will think I am compromised.  A saboteur or a spy.  It was hard enough to convince them I wasn't a threat the first time."

"Well, let us go and talk to em.  Am sure they will understand."

"Like hell they will.  They were suspicious of you guys as it is.  So strange people who built a fort out in the desert start abducting people in the night.  They will be coming to kill you before they speak with you."

"Uh.... damn..."

"Listen, just get out of here you ass!  Those were good people, and you dragged me to this hellhole."

Capn' closes and locks the door behind him.  He heads down the hall to another room and knocks on the door, "Uh... hey Nelson.  Mind if I bunk with you tonight... and probably for the next few nights?  I think I went and messed up a bit..."

The next morning

"You guys!  You're all alive!" Shonja cheers with delight, waking rest of the colonists up.

"Whats going on?  Shonja, you know these cats?"  Kelly asks with a yawn.

"Yes!  I know all of em!  We have Loyal, Ginseng, Gray, Frosty, Nairobi, Nietzshe, Dakota, Challenger, Gorda, and Ricky!  These were the cats I was tasked with to transport from some vacation planets back to the core worlds for their owners!  Transporting animals in space is a unique experience.  Most do not take well to zero gravity so my business is animal ferrying.  Who'se the cute kitties...."

"Sigh.... so what do we do with them...."

"Well, they look healthy, we probably can get some meat from em," Capn' says as he comes out into the morning sun.

"By the stars, no!  They are all friendly cats and well trained.  They are almost like kids to me after months in space with them.  I will look after them, don't you worry.  They do not eat much so it will be fine!  At least let me find homes for them!"

Nelson walks up to one of the felines and scratches it's head as two more walk up and nuzzle him, "Well, you said it yourself Kelly, we are not monsters.  How can we cut up these guys.  Probably be good for morale to keep them around.  They seem well trained and staying to the walls.  I am willing to bet locals wouldn't mind them for pets either if we find the right people."

"Uh... yeah... about that..." Capn' and scratches the back of his head, "I think we made a mistake last night.  Don't think anybody is going to be coming by for coffee any time soon." He proceeds to tell the others what happened."

"Well, we gave the go ahead, and given the situation, we probably would do it again.  Nobody got hurt, so if they don't wish to be diplomatic, then nothing we can do about it other than keep holding to our morals.  It is unfortunate that they will want to kill without dialogue, but if that is the case, we need to be prepared."

Kelly straightens her back and a stern look crosses her face, "Raj, see to it our defenses are improved.  We got a good stockpile of bricks so use your judgement.  If we get attacked, Shonja you and I will hold up back in the cave.  If we are attacked, we need to be ready for injuries.  You and I will be responsible for rescue.  Graves, you stop anybody who gets in.  We must hold them at the wall, don't let anybody in.  We won't go looking for a fight, but sure as hell we will fight back."

The next few days are ones of high spirits.  A light rainstorm brings down the dust and helps clean the grounds, though the muck does annoy people.  Shonja goes into a panic when she realized that the two male cats have been getting frisky and promptly relocates them to the storeroom to prevent, what she calls, a catsplosion.

The joy is short lived.  For a week later, the concerns sprang true.  On the second of fall, folks from the township came to clear what they deemed to be more pirate scum.

Capn' shouts to Kelly and Shonja, "They are coming up the east side of the hill!  You two, take cover in the dispensery.  If anybody goes down, you gotta get out there and rescue them!  Graves, you and I will take cover in your hut.  Raj, guard the ladies!  Nelson, use the cooler as cover to pot shots.  If anybody comes after you, or you're in trouble, take cover.  Shoot to Kill because they are going to do the same!"

On queue, the colonists all move in position and wait.  Capn's scouting proves true as people from the township rush into the compound.  They immediately spot Nelson and Raj.  Knife wielding townsfolk rush the two.  Once in the open, Capn' jumps out the doorway and opens fire.

Nelson panics as one rushes at him, "They aren't going down, this guy's got a shield," he shouts and ducks into the cooler.

As Raj keeps firing arrows, the shield wearer continues on and charges at Raj.  Meanwhile one of the knife wielders rush towards Capn' and the other heads to support the shield wearer.  In defense, Graves rushes out and engages in melee with Capn' offering support.  The first knife wielder goes down and the two move to take out a rifle wielder but are incapacitated by gunfire.

"Graves and Capn' are down!"  Nelson shouts, "Kelly, try to getthem out of there, we will cover you!  Raj, focus on the guy with the shield!  We don't have the weapons to engage hand to hand."  The shield user reaches the doorway to the dispensery where shanja and Raj move to engage hand to hand.



"Wait, It looks like they are falling back, I think we wounded them enough." Raj replies, tension clear on her voice, "Nelson!  Move up, looks like they are trying to flee with Graves, stop them!"

Nelson and Raj run up and cover the east gate as one of the township attackers tries to run with Graves.  The carrier is killed as she is about to round the corner of the wall.  In the meantime, Kelly is able to get Capn' and nelson is able to rescue Graves.  The rest of the attackers flee, leaving just one wounded behind.



Kelly once again takes charge as she carries Capn' to Nelson's bed, "Nelson, get Shanja patched up so she can help you with the others, Raj, Graves looked pretty bad, go tend to him.  I will come back and grab their survivor."

It is early into the next morning when everybody is finally bandaged up and relaxed.  The wounded are still in bed, but Kelly talks to the uninjured members during a very tired morning meal.

Nelson starts the conversation, "Man, am I glad you decided to set up that stove.  I don't know if I could make it through the day if I had to have nutrient paste.  Hash browns is definitely the way to go."

Kelly speaks next, "Well, we need to have the place comfortable.  This could be our home for the rest of our lives, so might as well be relaxed.  But isn't good if we lose it all.  That fight yesterday was pretty close and by all rights, we could have lost everything if they didn't turn to leave.  In the end, we came out the victors somehow.  One of theirs died, and we will heal up okay.  I am thinking we might need to review our strategy.  What we have could work, but I want your opinion Raj if we can do more."

MILESTONE

Well, that was fun, the first real raid.  Alas, it was from the one ally they had on this world.  They are lucky, it could have gotten much worse!

So this time, the milestone is something a bit different.  Raj laid out a basic plan for more fortifications.  Some walls and a bit of doors.  Is there a better plan?  Perhaps some more can be added.  How about automated turrets and traps?  This is now a top priority so all other constructions are on hold until defenses are done.  As such, the more the security, the longer to invest labour elsewhere.

Decision 1.  What level of defenses?
a)Walls and barricades.
b)+Turrets
c)+Traps
d)All of the above

Decision 2.  Is the attached wall layout good enough or should they revise their plan?
a)Yup, looks nice
b)Nope, MS Paint says this would be better

Looking forward to seeing what people come up with!

((Note, one thing I am not a fan of is the meta killboxes.  The piles of rocks with a simple bypass door that any actual attacking force would use.  So shortcuts are okay if they make sense, but if it is sorta meta or wouldn't actually work if the AI was more complex, I might tweak just a bit to make it more roleplay and story fitting))

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[Dragonoftherim]

first of all great story so far cant wait to see where it goes

as for the decisions
1. barricades and traps no turrets their over rated
2. MS paint is a kind and wise oracle and is currently asking how the heck they got into your base past your defenses is there like a hole in your wall for some unknown reason? you should probably fix that and add better cover to the entrance
once again keep up the great work

[Vaporisor]

2. MS paint is a kind and wise oracle and is currently asking how the heck they got into your base past your defenses is there like a hole in your wall for some unknown reason? you should probably fix that and add better cover to the entrance
once again keep up the great work

The wall is the recommended from previous decisions and developed accordingly.  They fought inside courtyard purposefully for cover as part of the steadfast combat style.  The attached picture shows the planned wall upgrades and there if you have other recommendations.  Edit pic as you choose

[Dragonoftherim]

i simply figure that it is usually best to have one entrance that you can get a cross fire going and i know combat style was not one of the decisions but blocking off the second entrance, reinforcing your walls with a second layer and hooking up some IEDs or even spike traps with adequate cover for a firing line can make all the difference when the particularly nasty raids come around. you dont even need the cross fire just make it so that threirs one way in so that your line can be effectively held and two colonists arent put in near death states. im sorry if this is particularly rambly but these are simply my suggestions

[Vaporisor]

No worries!  I love roleplay and trying different ideas to make something interesting happen.  That is plenty of info.  The idea of combining choice with freedom of concept is what this is all about :-)

Have ideas for the next chapter, but want to give until tomorrow afternoon hoping to get a couple more in, else your suggestions will definitely rule chapter 7!

[Realjuan]

Totally against deadzones, and if you going to use turrets then max 1 or 2, because they too good. Make them hard to get, like exchanging a prisoner for a turret.

Lately I have played without "entrances" but with bigger open spaces full of debris to slow people down. If the attackers pass this slow zone, then I fall back to sandbags and start a close quarter fight.