IC: Evolution, In Character - Epoch, Survival, Revolution Campaigns Options

[SneakyJoeKDB]

13:33:12 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,200 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 28^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 18 inches of snow, Wind 20-25 mph NNE, Wind Chill 12^o Fahrenheit


Bubba returns the smile and says with a whisper "Well I suppose theys can fires through da gloves if we needs em toos. Dont thinks I wants to swings an axe whiles I bes hanging on da mountain sides."

Bubba continues to climb...

[Kliko]

13:33:13 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,200 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 28^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 18 inches of snow, Wind 20-25 mph NNE, Wind Chill 12^o Fahrenheit

"Works for me chummer, but don't complain to me about cold hands when you work whatever you're packing..." for all it was worth the big troll's answer cheered his mood somewhat. 'The others are much worse of anyway...'

[Bastard]

13:43:55 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,200 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 28^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 18 inches of snow, Wind 20-25 mph NNE, Wind Chill 12^o Fahrenheit

The climb goes a little slower, as the two of you seem to keep looking up, looking back, looking around as you work. You don't see any other sign of anybody, or anything, around. What ever that movement was, it doesn't seem to be coming back... but you can't shake that feeling of being watched.


14:06:20 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Kliko and Bubba hit the fork, and head east, toward Camp Whitney and the Shasta Summit. Persistent winds whip snow around the two climbers, greatly limiting visibility. The constant rush of cold air is definitely noticed by the two, but they are only a mile from their destination. Unfortunately, that destination is at the top of a steep incline of another 2000 feet.


"Please leave."

[Kliko]

14:06:23 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Kliko and Bubba look at eachother as if dumb-struck. "you heard that?" 'my mind ain't playing tricks on me, how the frag did this thing find us?'

"Hello! anybody out there!" Kliko yells out. Whatever it was they were dealing with, he'd rather see it face-to-face. 'unlikely to be a critter or it would have attacked us straight out. Perhaps one of Lodge's shamans patrolling this parallel dimension those mojo-slingers keep talking about?'

"Hello! Anybody out there! We are making our way to camp Whitney! Tomorrow we plan to ski down Clear Creek! ... Hello!? ... We're not even coming close to the summit! Could you give us a pass?"... "I'm going to radio-in to that park ranger back at Horse Camp. I want to know what the status on that storm is. Besides, whatever this is... its bound to respect that ranger"... 'what do you have to hide Kliko, apart from being a badd-ass motherfucker about to sneak into a great dragon's lair?'

[SneakyJoeKDB]

14:06:29 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

'Bubba thinks to himself, hmmmm it, or whatever it is asked us nicely, maybe it will talk to us. Maybe... like us, it doesnt want trouble."Umm please leaves?? you asks so nicelys care to let us sees who is askings us? Wes just yous friendly hikers and happy campers..."Bubba looks back at Kliko in anticipation of response from the "whatever."

[Bastard]

14:06:35 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

The voice is loud, but calm, smooth and passive. It surrounds you from the encompassing winter clouds and repeats itself, "Please leave."

[SneakyJoeKDB]

14:06:41 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit


"Oks... since you askeds us nicelys we be leavings in dat directions." Bubba points towards the direction of Camp Whitney and increases his pace. "If you likes, you can joins us for a warm cups of soykafs, mys buddie heres knows how to warms da soul withs a nice cups of soykafs."

Bubba is actually enjoying the conversation as little as it is, but it makes him feel like he is talking to himself out loud, which under normal circumstance would seem weird if anyone one else were to notice. And besides the "thing" or his "concsience" as he would prefer is using the word please, much better than the sprawl he is used to.

[Bastard]

14:06:50 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

"You are not welcome here. Leave now."

[SneakyJoeKDB]

14:06:50 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

"Why Nots? Are yous prejudices against big hunky trolls and cute whittle orcs"

Of course anything is little to Bubba, including other trolls. Bubba doesnt seem to feel threatened and smirks at his last comment. Bubba is about to say more when he hears Kliko...

[Kliko]

14:06:50 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Channel 9: "Chuck Finley, Chuck Finley, Chuck Finley reporting in for Horse Camp Ranger Station over... I repeat Chuck Finley, Chuck Finley, Chuck Finley reporting in for Horse Camp Ranger Station over..."

"I'm very sorry about this situation, sir. We will have this cleared out in a manner of minutes"

[Bastard]

14:06:56 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Channel 9: "We read you Chuck Finley. What is your emergency?"

[Kliko]

14:06:59 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Visibly relieved with the ranger's quick response:
Channel 9: "Sir, Chuck Finley reporting at position November four one two four four zero Whiskey one two two one three zero zero, I repeat November four one two four four zero Whiskey one two two one three zero zero. A voice here demands we vacate the area please advise best course of action over..."

The words appeared to come from his lips as if some kind of mumbojumbo, yet for Kliko this really was a second nature. "What?" looking up Bubba oblivious of the abacadabra he just spoke...

[SneakyJoeKDB]

14:07:05 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Bubba, looking at Kliko, turns his head slightly slanted and with a dumbfounded look on his face questionably utters the sound, "Uhhhoooo?"

[Bastard]

14:06:56 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Channel 9: "Please switch over to Channel 4, Mr. Finley. Keep Channel 9 open for emergencies. Ranger 7 out."

[Kliko]

14:06:59 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

'Damn, hope I did not piss him off to much...'

Channel 4: "Finley for Ranger seven, Finley for Ranger seven, Finley for Ranger seven. Sorry about that sir, its just not that I am used to the fog calling out to me. I guess I overreacted somewhat. Please advise over..."

[Bastard]

14:07:10 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Channel 4: "Mr. Finley, this is Ranger Seven. Nothing to be worried about. There is a lot of magical activity up there near the summit. From what the gifted tell me, a lot of spirits roam the area. Just keep moving, most of the wild just want to be left alone, and I don't think the dragon's are too aggressive." Break.

"Unless provoked of course."

[SneakyJoeKDB]

14:07:16 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

Upon overhearing the radio communication Bubba blurts out, "Silly Spirits, go aways, dont bother us... or I'll creates my owns toxics spirits and it wonts smells very goods." Bubba is thoroughly amused... seems to be the most fun he has had all day.

[Kliko]

14:07:17 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 20-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 8-11^o Fahrenheit

"Knock it off, will ya. You wanna take a dump, best do it in a plastic trash bag and take that shit along with you. Keeps you nice and warm while we're at it. We ain't gonna do anything that provokes the mountain. For all we know, it puts an avalanche upon our sweet asses"

Channel 4: "Copy that Ranger seven. Damn elves discovered that the hard way back in '53."

<<break>>

Channel 4: "Ranger seven, could you provide us with an update on the storm that was bout to hit Shasta tonight? over..."

[Bastard]

14:07:29 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 5 mph NNE, Wind Chill 20^o Fahrenheit

"Why won't you leave?"

Channel 4: "Wait one."

There is a short delay of maybe 20 seconds. The wind seems to have died down suddenly and all is quiet.

Channel 4: "Mr. Finley. Ranger Seven. Weather report says storm is still rolling in. Should just be some snow, well lots of it. Be safe out there, and please keep moving and don't do anything to provoke the wildlife."

There is a short beak in the transmission, then Ranger Seven keys the mic again, "And that includes spirits."

[Kliko]

14:07:29 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,500 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 5 mph NNE, Wind Chill 20^o Fahrenheit

Channel 4: "Copy that Ranger seven. I will use my bear whistle when I have some breath to spare, Finley out"

"Let's go chummer. Ranger says we best keep moving. So we keep moving. There's a storm rolling in bringing lots of snowfall with it... Best not get stuck out here, right?"

Without awaiting Bubba's reply, Kliko heads out along the trail projected through his digital overlay. Elevation started to get to him, but was there ever such a thing as easy money?

[Bastard]

14:20:21 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Gulch Trail to Shasta Summit, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 10,700 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 26^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 20 inches of snow, Wind 25-30 mph NNE, Wind Chill 9-11^o Fahrenheit

After vacating the "spirit's area," the wind quickly picks back up. Kliko and Bubba actually welcome it back, as the dead air seemed to have an eerie effect. Or that may have been from the voices of the clouds. Either way, they welcome back the winds and it lifts their tired spirits.

17:04:56 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Camp Whitney, Whitney Glacier, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 13,100 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 22^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 24 inches of snow, Wind 32-35 mph NNE, Wind Chill 2-6^o Fahrenheit

Camp Whitney!

Finally!

Dinner, rest and shelter are all long over due and there is not much daylight left. On top of that, they are nearly completely exhausted. It has been a long, hard day, and they could use some rest. Hopefully with Bubba smashing down a good path and Kliko hammering in the cams, the rest of the team should have had an easier climb.

[Kliko]

17:29:01 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Camp Whitney, Whitney Glacier, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 13,100 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 22^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 24 inches of snow, Wind 32-35 mph NNE, Wind Chill 2-6^o Fahrenheit

The heart rate monitor had been flashing alarmlingly in his image link for the past 50 minutes or so. 'You are sweating chummer, go go go! time is of the essence now...' He was exhausting himself to much and he knew it, while he and Bubba were digging for a small shelter to put their tents between some rocky outcroppings. "This will do chummer" with approx 5 feet in height, it should provide the team's camp site with the necessary protection from prevailing winds at this elevation. "Let's get in the tent and take some rest. We'll radio the others shortly to see where they at. I want them here before nightfall" Kliko explains "besides, these clothes are soaked, I need to change and change quickly..." Kliko was already looking forward to the hot drinks he could prepare in another 5-10 minutes from now.

17:38:06 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Camp Whitney, Whitney Glacier, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 13,100 ft

With the snow slowly changing melting into water and water boiling in their sterno lit canteens Bubba and Kliko started to settle down and get comfortable in their tent. Kliko had removed the upper three layers he had been wearing while hiking up here resulting in some breaches of Bubba's personal comfort zone while undressing, guess outdoor life requires some adjustment opposed to the sprawl. "Let's see what the others are up to, they should have been here by now..."

Team Channel <<encrypted, low flux>>: "Kliko for Duster and Relentless report your position and advise status over..." <<break>> "Kliko for Duster and Relentless report your position and advise status over..." << break>> "Kliko for Duster and Relentless report your position and advise status over..."

All they really could do is wait and make sure there were some hot drinks and food to spare. They must have had a tough time getting up here and the sun was already setting... 'fraggers better hurry up. No way, I'm going out there to save their sorry asses in these conditions'

[Bastard]

17:40:44 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Camp Whitney, Whitney Glacier, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 13,100 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 22^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 24 inches of snow, Wind 32-35 mph NNE, Wind Chill 2-6^o Fahrenheit

Team Channel <<encrypted, low flux>>: Roger, roger, copy that, wilco...
Give it back! - You sound like an idiot - Give it - Let me talk - I had it first - I'll stunball you ... <break>
Breaker breaker one niner delta zulu, this is D to the U to the Ster, I am walking right to you, over.

Kliko and Bubba have the two three-man tents set up that they were carrying. Knuckle Duster and V are making their final approach to the campsite, carrying the third tent.

[Kliko]

17:40:44 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Camp Whitney, Whitney Glacier, Mount Shasta, Approx. Elevation: 13,100 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 22^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 24 inches of snow, Wind 32-35 mph NNE, Wind Chill 2-6^o Fahrenheit

'Fragging amateurs'

Team channel << encrypted, low flux>>: "Copy that Duster, you are welcome to approach camp Whitney. We should have some hot tea in a few more minutes." <break> "Kliko for Duster, any sign from the Gnome and Relentless? Pls advise when you had your last visual over..."

[Bastard]

17:40:59 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Camp Whitney, Whitney Glacier, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 13,100 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 22^o Fahrenheit, Overcast, 24 inches of snow, Wind 32-35 mph NNE, Wind Chill 2-6^o Fahrenheit

"Hey, Kliko. I am right behind you."

Duster jumps down into the depression to join the team, and is shortly followed by V.

"They aren't too far back. We waited for them at the saddle, where they took a break while we made the last climb. Oh! Did you see all the spirits down there? Astral space here is amazing! It's like the aurora borealis on novacrack!"