Bogotá - IC, Low Intensity Operations, Bogotá Options

[phlapjack77]

time: 21:43:30

"I got some rest earlier and I'm used to staying up for extended periods, so it is no problem for me. If anything happens, I will give you a kick to wake you up!"

This was welcome news. There was only so much Robot Death Chicken from Mars that he could take, playing against such a woefully inferior opponent. Truthfully, he wondered if he should find a different game, one that the others might be able to have a chance at winning. Well, he could check into that later. Crispy checked in with Hammerson to let him know the resting schedule, checked over the tacnet whether everyone was doing ok, and then settled down gratefully to take a short nap.

time: 01:11:51

Crispy is bleary eyed and still slightly groggy when the tanker appears at the outer gate. He wasn't sure if Nova actually followed through on the kicking, or whether he was having the recurring dream again about being in prison. Either way, he's rubbing his fists against his eyes in an attempt to clear them when the delivery arrives. A quick rush of adrenaline at the possibility of action clears the tiredness up just fine, his hands slightly sweaty on the grip of the MMG as he sights in on the truck. Yet nothing happens, and the adrenaline quickly wears off, leaving the soldier tired as before, if not moreso.

[Thanee]

time: 01:11:55

Tatjana takes a look over her shoulder, noticing that Crispy begins to move again, after a few hours.

Looks like he managed to get awake all on his own, no kicking required.

"You didn't miss much. Nothing happened. The tanker just arrived, a little late, but other than that, everything looks good so far."

[Mach_Ten]

time: 01:14:47

Hammer leans back against the rough plas-crete building and stretches the muscles in his neck, the soft *crack* of the tendons popping barely audible in the quiet night air.
Looking up into the night sky he tries to place some constellations but it's still foreign,
<is that the huntsman ? the great Dragon ? > he wonders, as he puts the syntharette to his lips and pulls the built in striker.

The acrid sweet smoke hits his natural lungs and he wheezes as the internal cannister registers a toxin and attempts to take control, but he forces the reflex back and savours the taste. then *coughs* involuntarily,
<MIERDA! .. these local tobbak jobs are rough!> He thinks and looks at the small white cylinder between his fingers
Brian snickers quietly at the "Sarge" near choking on a smoke. "Those things'll kill you boss! .. possibly before the Columbians " they both laugh quietly, thinking that's it's probably not gonna be quite that simple

Even from that quietly spoken statement, Khote snorts from inside the bunker, disturbed momentarily as he tries to get comfortable again, while the metal spring bunk squeeks.

Hammer exhales slowly trying not to show the early signs of fatigue, he can feel his Elven eyes drooping slightly and he draws a long breath of fresh night air to try and stave off the tiredness.
"Might go and wake Tonto , i'll grab an hour before dawn Amigo, you good here ? or ya want me to get Crispy down from the penthouse ?"
He uses the syntharette to indicate up at the guard tower where the barrel of Nova's rifle can just be seen protruding from the edge pointing at the opposite exterior gate

It's quieter over there now, the initial excitement of the card game has waned, though a couple of guys quietly play under a flickering lamp and sip some of the local brew.
That's the stuff they try and push into the hands of newcomers, and then laugh hysterically as the poor saps cough and splutter and try and gag the stuff out of their system.
It's about 90% proof and is more commonly used for cleaning engine parts of all the grease and Bogotá'n dirt and dust. <fucking foul stuff> Hammer recollects, the taste suddenly seems back in his mouth and he spits into the dirt reflexively.

As he stretches himself back upright, pushing against the wall and turning to the open doorway, another burst of gunfire goes off in the distance, his hands already at rest on the weapon click the safety and grasp the pistol grip, but he relaxes after a quick check over his shoulder and steps into the darkness within,

"Khote .. .... TONTO !" he half whispers half shouts, as the Amerind stirrs with his booted heels over the end of the bed frame "You're up Ese, this Drek is nearly over man, wake me when that last delivery truck arrives!"

With that he slings the rifle over the end of the bed nearest his head, throws himself onto the bottom bunk and closes his eyes, <Frag the syntharettes.. and the Columbians ... Drekkin' Mosquitos are gonna get me first !>

[Dak]

time: 02:38:09

Headlights turn down the access road leading to Jaguar. From where the team is, they look like a car or SUV and a large or medium truck.

The guys on the external gate wrapped up their card game an hour or so ago, and have been more or less out of sight on the other side of the outer gate. They checked in though at 02 with an all normal.

The two vehicles proceed down the road and then stop at the outer gate. The external wall and guard house obscure the view somewhat, but it looks like a couple of the external security folks are checking out the vehicles.

time: 02:38:41

[phlapjack77]

time: 02:38:09

Heads up Nova and a slight nudge just in case she was sleeping. She had told Crispy something about "astral" something or other, but he wasn't so sure. Sure looked like sleeping to him, including the slight line of drool seeping out onto the bedroll. Maybe it was a good thing he hadn't asked to borrow that old thing.

<<@Team {Crispy} : We got what looks like the last delivery of the night inbound. Attempting to verify now. After this, me I'm headin' straight for bed.>>

Crispy once again pulls down his AR windows that indicate his drones, and he sends them commands to visually inspect the new arrivals. Meanwhile he attempts to find some kind of broadcast identification from the vehicles, as well as any hidden nodes. Even after only one night, the routine was starting to set in. He had learned a lot about routine while he was incarcerated. It could kill you with boredom, routine. Or it could save your life.

[Thanee]

time: 02:38:41

Tatjana slowly turns to Crispy.

"Yeah, I've seen it. Too bad, this tower isn't in a position from which we can actually see what's going on in front of the gate. But we got other means for that, of course."

[Dak]

time: 02:38:41


After a couple of minutes, a call comes over the com. "Looks good, all clear, amigo."

The outer gate cranks into action and rumbles open.

Once it is clear, the SUV drives in, and the large truck follows.


time: 02:39:09

[phlapjack77]

time: 02:38:41

<<@Team {Crispy} : So what's everybody gonna do when the shift ends? I was tired before, but now I've got my shit-kickers on and I'm ready to go! You drink at all Tonto? Dunno if it gets in the way of any of your religious beliefs or whatever mumbo-jumbo it is. I know TP drinks. Remember that time during training where you said you could out-drink that troll from Gamma company? Don't remember? Yeah, if I had drank as much as you did, I wouldn't remember it either.>>

time: 02:39:09

<<@Team {Crispy} : Somebody wake up Sarge. Last rig of the night, he should be awake, all official-like>>

Crispy's hands tighten down yet again in a familiar way on the MMG, the iron sights lining up with the SUV as he contacts the drone high overhead, it's sensors beaming down constant surveillance data from above. Meanwhile the small iBall drone autonomously rolls towards the inner gate, ready to inspect the undercarriages. Thing's learning on it's own. Cool.

[Thanee]

time: 02:39:10

Leaning over towards Crispy, Tatjana says: "Gonna do a quick astral recon, be back in a few."

Tatjana shifts herself in a relaxed position within full cover before leaving her body to enter the astral space.

With the speed of thought, she zips over towards the outer gate, where the vehicles are entering the compound at the moment.

[Dak]

time: 02:39:11

@Nova:

[ Spoiler ]

It takes less than a second for Nova to project into astral space and move out into the lot. Even as she does so, she can make out a form in the astral plane, hovering close to the truck. A watcher spirit.

A quick glance though shows her that the SUV has four individuals inside it, the truck has two in the cab, and there are a number of people in the rear cargo area- four or five it looks like.

--

In front is the SUV. It's a dark blue color, tinted windows. Not new, but in good condition. The truck follows behind the SUV. Its a large military style truck, not uncommon to see in all kinds of use across Bogotá. Cab for two in the front, large shielded bed in the back. They still call them 'deuce and a half'. The truck has just cleared the gate, and has not yet begun to close.

Crispy's drone overhead shows nothing particularly out of the ordinary, while the drone on the ground rolls toward the vehicles.

[Thanee]

time: 02:39:15

It is only a few seconds later, when Tatjana suddenly moves again, speaking to Crispy.

"What did this truck carry again? There are quite a few people there, almost a dozen in total, between the two vehicles. A spirit is also near it, a watcher spirit, nothing serious, but still noteworthy. Going back to take a closer look."

With that her body falls silent once more.

She begins a more thorough sweep this time, assensing as she goes, starting with the Watcher, and then the people in the back of the truck.

[Dak]

time: 02:39:16

The SUV continues across the lot, following the marked lane toward the inner gate. The truck behind it moves more slowly.

--

@Nova

[ Spoiler ]

As Nova moves back into astral space, and toward the vehicles, she sees the watcher spirit wink out, and a moment later, a shadowy form that seems to resemble a humanoid made of rock - like a golem from stories - is suddenly visible to her at the outer gate. An earth spirit.

ooc: let me know if she wants to continue to the truck or do something else

[Thanee]

time: 02:39:17

Oh well... looks like the night won't be as calm as it has begun.

Weighing her options, Tatjana heads back to the tower immediately. Better to warn the others, and the guards at the front gate.

<< @Team, Front Gate Team [Nova] Guys, an earth spirit has just appeared near the front gate. Be ready, trouble incoming! 4 guys in the SUV, 6 or 7 in the truck. Mage not identified, yet. >>

"Crispy, be ready, we got trouble here."

Tatjana hits the switch, that activates her chameleon coating, making her body look like it merges with the background. Her gaze is trained on the front gate, where she noticed the earth spirit before.

[Dak]

time: 02:39:17

<< @Camp Jaguar [Security Agent] ALERT: INCOMING MORTAR ROUNDS DETECTED >>



The SUV accelerates around the marked curve and toward the guard house. The truck comes to stop just a few meters into the lot.

[Mach_Ten]

time: 02:39:17

<< @Front Gate [Hammer] : Morales ! ....... MORALES ?! .... SITREP Amigo, Rápido >>

The dreams of trees and summer breezes in the hills of Tir don't so much as fade, as they blur into a weird mish mash of the imaginary and the real as Hammer is rudely awoken from a far too brief slumber.

Bits of earth and bark merge into the plas-crete bunker like some ancient and long forgotten structure left to the ravages of time and nature, Then that image is gone and the stark reality hits home and his reflexes kick in

<The Drekk has hit the fan, knew it was too good to be true ...Mierda> the thought flashes ironically as he collects his rifle and peers into the gloom of the bunk room and out into the better lit guard room proper.

The Comm is flashing all sorts of colours and sounds in a variety of channels and languages, mostly stuff you would not repeat to your dearest family interspersed with tactical info, the TacNet blooms in his AR view and he grasps his throbbing forehead to try and aid his brain in taking it all in.

One thing is very and abundantly clear <I guess it's not more rice and beans in this truck!>

<< @Camp Jaguar [Hammer] : ZERO This is Three Zero Niner - Echo, Requesting TacNet overlay... do we have Trajectory on inbound No-LOSS-Mike? >>

[ Spoiler ]

No-LOSS-Mike? = NLOS-M or Non-Line Of Sight-Mortar

"Crispy ?... Crispy Muchacho... coffee... Por Favor"

[phlapjack77]

time: 02:39:17

"Crispy, be ready, we got trouble here."

"Hell yeah!"

With the upcoming action Crispy's autonomic systems kick in, shifting him into an advanced state of awareness of his surroundings. Neurons flicker frantically as signals shoot up and down his spinal column with increasing speed. After the briefest of nanoseconds, a small red readout burns in his imagelink AR the words <<Wired Reflexes Activated>> before fading slowly away. His fingers curl around the trigger guard while his other hand takes a firm grip on the top of the gun to steady it. So many targets, so little time!

"Crispy ?... Crispy Muchacho... coffee... Por Favor"

Pondering Hammerson's last request, Crispy mentally scratches his head for a millisecond...

[Thanee]

time: 02:39:18

There is still time ... Tatjana thinks, since no battle has started, yet, even though she is expecting it to happen any moment. They are probably waiting for the mortar shells to hit home first. ... and we don't know for sure, whether the guys at the front gate can handle that spirit. They might need my help there.

"Going astral again, be right back."

Then she leaves her body once more, in order to check on that spirit and take another look into the truck.

Her own spirit, that is still hovering at her side, gets the order to stay with her and protect her and her allies. Tatjana feels a slight tingle as the magical guard of the spirit extends to herself.

[phlapjack77]

time: 02:39:18

"Going astral again, be right back."

Crispy nods at Nova's comment, keeping his eyes firmly on the scene unfolding in front of him. He doesn't know much about magic but he knows that being alone out there could be very dangerous if an enemy spirit were involved.

<<@Team {Crispy} : Nova's on the astral checking things out. Tonto you able to support her if she needs backup?>>

Meanwhile he traverses the various threads in the web that make up the camp's Matrix and finds just the right node, a small yet significant one located in the front office of the inner gatehouse. With a small mental nudge he switches on the device.

<<@Hammer {Crispy} : Coffee's just started boss. Set it for quickbrew, but I think the action in the yard is gonna get you awake faster than that Mr. Coffee will. What's the play?>>

[Mach_Ten]

time: 02:39:20

<<@Hammer {Crispy} : Coffee's just started boss. Set it for quickbrew, but I think the action in the yard is gonna get you awake faster than that Mr. Coffee will. What's the play?>>

<<@Team {Hammer} : I want data on inbound munitions, Crispy you are a legend Amigo, I need the Kaf ... keep us dancing out of range ok, Nova, Khote Threat assessment Rapido! is the Earth Spirit manifest ? and for the sake of Santa Maria, FIND ME THAT MAGE !>>

Assured that his team have the furthest threats under control Hammer steps to his usual position near the gatehouse door in the path of the oncoming vehicle but out of sight from the external gate
<Why am I always standing in front of speeding vehicles today?> he asks himself and gestures for the SUV to halt in front of him.
Finger on trigger, safety disengaged he waits for them to react, his contacts dimming the glare of the full beam headlights as they swing onto the last stretch

<<@Team {Hammer} : HOLD your fire! .. let's give them the friendly treatment but if you get a sniff of something ... Clearance for weapons Hot .. comprender? >>

[Dakka Fiend]

Rocking his chair in the guard booth, Brian is thinking about how to continue the message to his family.

Sit in a plane. Sit in a car. Stand around in front of admin building. Stand around in a parking lot. Sit in a booth. Gee whiz, I know what I'm gonna write what I'm doing: die bored and atrophied. 'cept for that short jog before, I have barely moved in what? 30 hours?

The new arrivals shake him awake, he jumps up, almost toppling over his chair.

As Khote bolts out to cover the SUV and truck, Brian grabs his AR to do the same when the warning reaches their comms.

... and do really stupid things like leave a sturdy building to run around outside while it's raining mortars.

Dashing past Hammer, he exits the guard booth, turns a tight right and heads for a car. A spirit? I don't like the sound of this.

<<@Team {TP} Taking up position <here>. >>

[Slacker]

<<@Team {Crispy} : Nova's on the astral checking things out. Tonto you able to support her if she needs backup?>>

Khote is worried for his companion Nova but sadly cannot see into the astral space. He quickly replies back.
<<@Team {Khote} : Hanhon [translation]No[/translation]. Wakatanka does not show me the spirit world yet. I can only protect in the natural world.>>

Meanwhile, he dashes across the 'road' to position himself against the inner wall of the camp searching for any cover there, but mostly relying on his armor's chameleon coating and his internal combat sense to keep him safe. Briefly looking to the skies for signs of mortars he sends a silent prayer to the Great Spirit before turn his concentration on the oncoming SUV.

[Dak]

time: 02:39:17

In the span of three seconds:

Khote runs west near the base of the inner wall, activating his chameleon suit.
Hammer stands near the guard house and motions for the SUV to stop.
Brian runs north toward a car parked in the lot.
Crispy keeps an eye on things.
Nova turns on her chameleon suit and goes into astral space one more.

The SUV goes into the turn marked in the lot.

The truck has stopped, and people get out of the back, and the passenger seat. They're armed with rifles and at least one shoulder fired rocket launcher.

@Nova

[ Spoiler ]

She can see, as soon as she goes astral that the earth spirit has moved - still not manifested - all the way to the guard house, near Hammer. The spirit glances at her. The outer security team seem to be moving into the lot.

<< @Camp Jaguar [Security Agent] : RESPONSE: Hammer, CALCULATING. >>

time: 02:39:20

[Thanee]

time: 02:39:20

"Hello, Rocky, let me send you a little welcome ..." Tatjana says in the astral, not hesitating a moment before she weaves together a spell and hurls it towards the spirit.

Her own spirit patiently waits at her side, ready to protect her when the need arises.

[phlapjack77]

time: 02:39:20

This situation was getting more and more crazy by the second. First the word about a spirit being inside the compound. Then seeing all these guys getting out of the truck with their weapons. This wasn't so strange in and of itself, soldiers with weapons inside the compound was a fairly common occurrence. No, it was seeing strangers with such heavy ordinance at their doors that sent that little electric thrill up Crispy's spine, causing a slight shortness of breath and a tightening of the balls.

A quick message relayed to the iBall drone had it send it's radar waves crashing through the interior of the SUV. Time to see what this net would catch.

[phlapjack77]

time: 02:39:20

Despite the relative coolness of the night, Crispy was bathed in sweat. The trickling in his eyes was nothing compared to the river running down his back. He was tense, tense, too tense. Seeing all those guys get out of the truck with that heavy ordinance made him jumpy jumpy jumpy. Not to mention the impending threat of incoming mortar fire. There was no control over his situation. He needed to exert some control or he'd lose it. His finger caressed the trigger, slipping inside the trigger guard and exerting just the slightest pull. Oh it would be so sweet.

Tonto's quick message about his strange feeling concerning the SUV was the last straw. His autonomous systems acted without him even thinking. There! Danger! Fire! A quick squeeze of the trigger threw forth a stream of explosive rounds straight into the path of the SUV.