WWc RP

joannaardway · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:05 pm

I hadn't realised just how much RP story I had on my PC. Linking the random segments together with some stuff for continuity, it comes to 20 seperate chunks.

So, I'm going to start posting them fairly regularly for now:

"Yes, the cameras are down… So, aside from ambushing me, what have YOU managed?"
A tone of indeniable power and command cut into Jo's voice: "David, I don't appreciate that tone."
"Sorry… So, how are you getting on?"
"We're getting on great - removed several potential battle plans, alongside a few other things. But, the next bit's the hard part. We now need to place several surveillance bugs in the main room."
"Ah. You're stuffed on that count. There's a dozen guys in there, or maybe more."
"Crap… Wait, could you manage it? You've got the Sword uniform."

David thought for a second:
"No. I'd need proper ID to get in, and I don't have it."
"Could we fake ID if we could 'borrow' an original?"

Chris cut in:
"No. Their security checks are way too tight for any quick mock-up to fool them - we don't have the time."

Jo fought back the urge to utter profanity. This was bad - it was essentially their main objective, and they couldn't get to it.

Richard cut in:
"Then we loosen their security for a few moments."
"How?", David enquired.
"I imagine, if they came under attack…"
"I don't like how this sounds."
"Bear with me… if they did get attacked, then their security checks would very briefly go the way of the dodo, as long as you were in a Sword uniform."
"No. It's stupid. Rather than having 12 swords to fight through, we'd have the whole goddamned warehouse on our trails."
"But…"

Jo took command of the discussion:
"It's a no. We might have to just ignore the main room, but we cannot risk our sorry arses in any stunt like that."
Rich raised his voice: "Wait a minute! It's the only way it will work!"
"Look. It might have been fine for your crazy stunts in the Tempest wars, but here, we are not expendable lackeys."
"My team were not 'expendable lackeys'."
"Oh yeah? Then please explain why what was supposed to be a crack team of assault troops got their butts kicked when they attacked us?"
"You're exaggerating, and blowing it out proportion."
"Sure I am. If I recall correctly, the militia casualties came to exactly 3. Your platoon took over 50% casualties, which is unacceptable for this situation."
"How dare you!"
"50% Rich - which two of us get shot this time? I'll let you choose. So which two?"

Wraith broke this up:
"Hey! Guys! We're on the same side here."

David followed up on this comment, sheer rage in his voice:
"You two, this disagreement will cease immediately, or you will both be rendered unconscious, and your limp forms might if you are lucky, be recovered after the mission is complete, but if I'm still pissed off I'll let the Swords find you instead. I am immediately taking command here, and if anyone that has a problem with that, you will be forcibly defenestrated. Need I remind you that it is a 3 storey fall on to concrete?"

David had as much subtlety as a depleted uranium anti-armour round, but much like the projectile, it had got the job done. Even Jo immediately accepted this, with not a word of disapproval - her brother's pure wrath was radiating with the fury of a small sun, and his reason was untouchable, at least for now.

He calmed a fraction:
"Right. This is what you will be doing."

Lewis · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:13 pm

"Sir, we have identified two of the enemy squads."

The officer pointed to the enemy locations on the Sword battle table.

"This group in the woods to the right appears to be Waterbridge, in full. Split across the road is the Ridgewood Militia. The majority of the center and left is held by teams we cannot identify. The infantry there are hearty and highly experienced, but their insignia is totally unknown. The armor at the center is commanded by XM, other than that we don't know anything about their potential numbers. More armored units might be in reserve."

"Do you know how much infantry the enemy has in total?"

"Well sir, it appears that the enemy is rotating their troops - if they really had the numbers that are coming up the road, we'd see a huge increase at the front line eventually. Unless a hundred men are hiding too deep in the forest to see, I would say that the enemy is at full strength."

The Sword commander replied hastily, "We cannot make that assumption. I will not be satisfied with the current amount of defense until every enemy soldier can be accounted for, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh yes, I almost forgot to ask, who the hell is in charge of this unknown enemy?"

"We have identified the sleeper as the enemy commander. We don't know anything about him, other than that his name is Lewis and he has a team of 3 from Maine. Don't know how he came to command this army. Perhaps it is experience, our agents reported that he is far from stupid and knows more than a bit about water warfare. Since the RM is in the picture, Duxburian should be there as well."

"If Duxburian is there, I want to know why in the world he would serve under this Lewis. If a Tempest War commander is serving under someone else with a larger force, I NEED to know the reason. I also have received reports from intercepted radio communications. Lewis doesn't give important orders in English. He and his officers communicate in some kind of code or homegrown language. I want a key to that, along with the previously mentioned information."

"I will see what we can do. Normally, we would try to get this information from a prisoner, but this enemy doesn't appear to believe in surrender."

"Now for tonight, do you think the enemy will attempt to blitz us?"

"Sir, we have very good patrols and the bridge is blocked with debris. I highly doubt that the enemy would risk being shot up and destroyed piecemeal."

"Well, I fear that this Lewis wants us to think that crossing is unthinkable. He has an unusual command style and I don't like it. Most commanders do not rotate their troops or stage naps in front of their line. He is the type who would move his whole force through that chokepoint when we least expect it.

When the sun sets, I want all our troops to fall back and form ambush formations. We will rush them just when they thought they got across so smartly."

*****

Lewis addressed his officers, who were gathered at the allied center.

"Recon units have reported the presence of 10 big guns on the enemy ridge. Our attack tonight cannot succeed without creating a diversion. I doubt that our own guns will drive them off the ridge. If Lee couldn't clear a small portion of Cemetery Ridge with real massed artillery, then we won't be able to here with a handful of pneumatics.

I have a plan that will get us across with minimal risk from those cannons. The cannons have impressive range, but are too large to aim at negative angles. They will not be able to aim directly at the base of the highway, nor at the base of the ridge they are deployed on. The initial distraction will prevent them from firing on us when we are most vulnerable, the open land between the highway and ridge.

See that rush hour traffic down there? That won't be there when we make our move."

Lewis pointed to a pile of "Road Closed Due to Construction" signs he had gathered.

"Those will allow us to cross the highway directly. The distraction will be made at the bridge. Now, you may be worried about the enemy infantry. They won't challenge us, and you know why? I am willing to bet that the Sword Commander will anticipate a night attack and pull his troops back into a wide ambush position behind the ridge. Once the armor takes out the big cannons, we can simply bypass the enemy to the south.

There is great risk from the cannons, so we need to figure out how far the distraction force can advance past the bridge. We'll clear a path on the bridge for the armor, but not before letting the enemy demonstrate their coverage and aim. I shall do this right now."

With that, Lewis left the meeting and walked up to the bridge with nothing. He began picking his way through the debris. A roaring sound came from the enemy ridge - cannons opening up. He took shelter behind the ruins of a jeep as the shots splashed around. Lewis then sprinted away from the bridge into the open, where he dodged a shell, jumped away from another, and rolled into the high grass. Realizing that the grass did not make good cover, he moved right as a shell slammed into that spot.

A bunch of oncoming enemies caught his attention. "Hey there! I hope none of you are track runners!" With that, Lewis turned and sprinted back to the bridge. He jumped over the half-sunken hood of a jeep and lay prone as shells and small arms fire sailed over his head. Douchenator fire forced the Swords to fall back, allowing Lewis to get up and continue back to the center.

He ran up to his officers, totally out of breath. "There. Any questions?"

Silence · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:55 am

Silence and Crayola sauntered up, slurping milkshakes and innocently ignoring the stares from the officers. Crayola kicked a few of the signs, saying, "Mmm...pretty creative, eh?"

Lewis replied, "Right. Now tell me what happened at the warehouse."

"Not much," Silence responded. "Lessee...we broke in and cut the power. Then the two of us ditched the place - Jo's crew seemed to be handling things just fine."

Lewis raised his eyebrows.

Silence shifted uneasily. "No really, I'm sure they're fine."

"Good. What was in the warehouse? Anything we could have used? Logistics is a bit of an issue at the moment, it looks like the Swords might not be buying our ploy."

"Yep, they had some neat stuff. An impressive array of cannons, small 3" or 4" ones, but made of brass. I'm guessing they were meant for higher pressures. Think we should pick up a few?"

"Sure, go ahead." Lewis turned around, heading back to the meeting. Over his shoulder, he replied, "Manpower is more of an issue now, though."

"What are the odds?" Silence called.

"Who cares! We just need overwhelming force when we engage." Right, that made sense.

*****

Silence's new EV buzzed down the two-lane road. He'd have preferred his old Civic with the convenient homemade sunroof, but he had to check out some pickup for now. A bit of cargo for the return trip...

Crayola chimed into Silences thoughts. "What do you think of the plan? Think we can break through the Sword line?"

"Not through the bridge. Not close to it even. Somewhere else maybe...the Swords can't guard the highway for too long a stretch. They'll have focused their strength on and around the bridge."

"Obviously."

"That's not my point. We have to keep them rooted to the bridge - it's much too late to create a diversion and force a rearrangement of their troops." Silence sighed. "They've got it planned out so well, though. What with the road signs and all."

Crayola retaliated, "But why not use the signs to keep the Swords at the bridge? To make them wait for the attack that never happens - not at the bridge, any rate."

"Yeah, but there's no way to move our formation to a different location."

"Why not?" Crayola glanced over from the steering wheel. "The troops are already rotating, right? Make them stop somewhere down the highway. If the rotation loop is sufficiently long enough, the Swords won't know it'll have stopped until a full cycle has passed. We can attack somewhere down the road while the people near the end of the rotation are still pulling the bluff.

"And it'll work even if they call the bluff...not bad. We'll be flèching through the rear of their operation by the time the troop rotation ends."

"Exactly," Crayola beamed. "The end of our rotation could even pretend to attack, a while after traffic stops coming on both sides of the road. They wouldn't dare move their artillery if they see us preparing to attack."

"Right. If their commander had more sense, he'd have attacked right now. He's playing it safe, too safe." Silence glanced up from the map. "Here we are."

*****

Crayola parked the car on the shoulder of the road, swerving a little to avoid the people screaming by in their convertibles. Beautiful weather.

Silence whistled [only learned how to a week ago in real life too

], jauntily flipping out the keys from his pocket. The two walked around the corner of the warehouse, then dived to the door - they didn't want to be exposed for too long.

Crayola questioned, "Wait, do you think Jo's got everything wrapped? Might want to check with her to see, right?"

Silence glanced at his friend, exasperated. "Look, if there were a problem, she wouldn't be able to answer her phone, right? Let's go." He turned the key and shoved the door open, stepping into the darkness. The sunlight silhouetted his shadow on the ground, framed by the doorway.

A medium-sized water cannon burst across the doorway, white with turbulence as the stream hissed through the air. Crayola jumped into the foliage as Silence was knocked out of view.

Lewis · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:27 am

"I don't like the looks of this."

Avery stared up at the ridge sheltering the Sword artillery. "Not everyone can move like Lewis...I think we should modify the plan a bit."

Mike asked, "Is that allowed?"

"Sure. One thing you should know about the Maritime Militia is that nearly every one of these New Englanders holds command power. We are allowed to modify anything as long as Lewis knows about it. I think we should take one of the signs a mile down the highway, where we can cross without interference from the cannons. Under the cover of darkness, the Swords won't be able to tell if we move in the forest, and infantry won't be able to respond in time anyway. The entire main force can complete the maneuver in less than 20 minutes. Lewis can easily keep a distraction going for that long."

"Ok, though I doubt that we can pull off a shift this big."

Oh, it's rather simple, the plan should look like it will go as expected: diversion, stopped traffic, a rush across the highway. Except that the rush doesn't happen. As for the armored units, they can still take out the cannons, but it wouldn't be a failure if they have to withdraw."

"I'll tell the others of the change then."

"Make sure that no one acts like anything is different."

*****

Mike approached Lewis, who was making preparations.

"Avery wishes to make changes in the plan."

Lewis looked slightly surprised, but not angry. "There's something that won't work, isn't there? Well let's hear it, I don't want to screw up the crossing. Probably something like shifting the main move farther north or south? Some of the MM is still on the road, so if he wants a full shift, that could be done."

OOC: Oh screw time. I had an extremely long segment planned.

Silence · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:37 pm

Right, sorry...what about a Swords squad that crosses the highway and that would detect where the new location of attack is? I'll add that into my post later today, you can go on with the original plan.

Lewis · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:45 pm

It's not that, my dad was nagging me to go to bed because it was kinda late...

The attack can go whatever way it goes, don't particularly care, the long segment I wanted to get to last night was actually of the enemy...

mutuhaha · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:05 pm

Ooh, big offensive coming up, better get to work. I`m in Switerland right now, but I`ve just found a good hotel with free wireless.

I`ll confirm my attack plan within this post.

XM exited the allied command centre along with JX, Pkslayer and a few other members. After stopping awhile to look at the sunset, the party filed back into The Punisher.

After tacking a roughly sketched map on the left wall of the vehicle, they discussed the next move.

XM spoke up first,"Right, we heard the plan: diversion by allied infantry, then cutting off of traffic. Good thing they found those signs, our vehicles don`t have the mass of real tanks to do any bulldozing work across the bridge. Once the traffic clears, we still hold, until the allied infantry attack comes. By then, they`ll think that the infantry attack is the one, which more or less they`ll be right as with those numbers and sound command they`ll be doing a lot of damage. We will come in right after the cannons are distracted by the infantry assault. Triple combo. Frost, carry on with the objectives."

"Once the allied attack commences, our main objective would be to nullify the Sword gun positions, this will take out their artillery capabilities and hopefully cripple their bombardments against the allied infantry, and for obvious reasons disable AT capabilities on the approach to their city. Which we would very much enjoy. After that is done, our next objective would be to assist the allied assault if needed and then form a perimeter around their city or at least check the main roads."

Frost took a long sip from his root beer.

The operator took off his headset.

"Epsilon and Zeta squadrons while be putting down at the airport in half an hour."

"Hmm, good, that means that they'll be here by about tomorrow. The gun platforms will be useful in urban operations, though not as wieldy on this plain. Though we could use some help from the tank destroyers, we can afford to forgo that."

"Alright. Simple plan, can be modified on the go. Better get ready then, some overt positioning should also divert their attention from the allied attack. As usual, immediate tactical orders will be issued on the go, in which language we'll choose later, so stay tuned."

****

"47th Rapiers in the area and awaiting orders Major."

"Good, get your units positioned in ambush on the far left side, next to the Flamberges. You will be in charge of executing the wide sweep when they charge across, however they do, I don't care if they use the bridge or launch their people over the highway with trebuchets. Get them in a pocket, understood Captain?"

"Yes sir."

With that the Captain left the field command tent and stepped out into the fading light. He scaled a small boulder on the ridge and had a better look at the battlefield.

Armoured units moving around up near the forest road at the centre. A few infantry, some lounging around on the wings. That couldn't be good.

Then again, it was good not to assume any situation was good. Also, the battlefield isn't just the patch of grass sitting in front of you, he recalled. He looked around.

The enemy might not just walk into the noose laid in front of them, he thought. This chess board was more than 8 by 8. The Captain slid down from his perch.

He gathered round his troops.

"Alright, command says to lie in ambush and prepare to encircle a charging enemy. It's dark out soon so brass expects them to move soon. Since it's an order from higher up, we'll have to follow it.

However, I want 3rd and 4th platoons to ignore this and go do some surveillance or better still, active recon on the far edges. Stay within mutual coverage and look out for one another. We'll have a line open to the Flamberges next door so the moment contact is made or people start disappearing, ring me up. These enemies, or at least a fraction of them from Tempest, are experienced, but so are you. Be extremely careful anyway. 1st and 2nd platoons carry on, but be prepared to respond to my orders. Everyone good?"

They nodded.

Lewis · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:10 am

"Clear the bridge!"

Julie interjected, "Up to the southbound ramp only!"

Noticing puzzled looks from the others, she began: "I'm changing the plan again...

Very short, yes. Very late it is. Very tired am I.

joannaardway · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:27 pm

"You're mad. That's… it can't possibly work."
"I agree with Jo - that's nuttier than Rich's plan."

Richard flung a scathing look at Wraith, but kept quiet. David answered their doubts:
"I assure you, it'll work perfectly. And you three have no reason to doubt it. It will work - just tell yourselves that."

No-one challenged this, fearing his anger would flare again. David then disappeared into the dark alone. The others looked at each other for a second, then broke up - Chris and Richard together, Jo on her own.
Jo skulked among the shadows of a corridor that seemed like every other, thinking to herself:
So, I go along here, then take the left - no, second left - and from there, I have a free run at the armoury… Surely the armoury must be guarded? Wait… the armoury is on the ground floor. Two floors below me.
The armoury isn't here, and it has to be guarded. David knows that… Where's my radio?
*****
David's radio squawked. He pulled it out, looked at it for a second, then clicked it off. He had his own agenda now, and no-one would stop him. While he still had a soaker and he could keep moving… he would reign in hell.
*****
Jo cursed, for the umpteenth time that day. She tried radioing the rest of her team:
"Guys?"
Railgun answered: "Jo? What's up?"
"David's disappeared, and his radio's off... If you see him, try and talk some reason into him."
"I'll do my best."

She switched channels to talk to the others:
"Chris, Richard? David's gone - he set us bogus missions to distract us."
"What? You've got to be kidding! Why?"
"No idea - but backtrack. We'll re-plan something."

Moving back, Jo saw the other two appear, and she moved towards them in a crouched walk. Wraith started off: "So… any bright ideas?"

At that moment, Hellfire's voice came over the radio:
"Guys, get out of there - now. There's God knows how many Swords appearing out here."
"What? Why?", enquired Jo.
"No idea, but they're all piling in. If you don't get out fast, you won't be coming out at all."
"Right - you lot get out, or you'll be rumbled too. Take the Land Rover with you. There's a set of keys blu-tacked to the top of the glove compartment."
"Got them. Where do we meet you?"
"We'll be on foot for 6N. You'll have to find each of us by radio."

She turned to Richard and Chris:
"We're going to have to run. There's a fire escape that way. We stick loosely together until the woods, then we break up. The others will find us there."
"How far are the woods?"
"About 20 to 30 minutes by foot - depends if you run."
"Right then - on the count of three then?"
"Works for me."
*****
Jo flew out of the fire escape door, and rather than bothering with the ladder, just hurdled over the railings. Falling two stories, she rolled on the landing to absorb the energy of the fall, then went into a run. The other two weren't quite as confident, and went with the conventional method of descent.
Fortunately, it took a moment for the Swords to spot her disappearing, and give chase.

Jo wasn't much of a sprinter, but she wasn't too bad at distance running. The added incentive of having several screaming enemies chasing her definitely also benefited her speed.

24 minutes later, she had made it into the forest, and managed to lose her pursuers half by hiding, half by shooting them.
Moving through the undergrowth, she pulled out her radio, then cursed as she discovered the flaw in her plan - the trees blocked the radio signal. It was going to take a while to get recovered from the woods.

mutuhaha · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:09 pm

The current strategic situation as I imagine it. Its not too accurate scale-wise, but the main thing is the rough positions of the different forces at the bridge.

<a href="http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/6617/wwc1gh1.jpg" target="_blank">http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/6617/wwc1gh1.jpg</a>

Might as well do a consolidation of my stats now, just before major events.

Alpha Squadron: MBT (12/12)
A1: The Punisher (operational) Crew: 4/4 [Primary Command]
A2: The Bastion (operational) Crew: 4/4
A3: Vengeance (operational) Crew: 4/4

Beta Squadron: MBT (12/12)
B1: Divine Intervention (operational) Crew: 4/4 [Secondary Command]
B2: Scorpion (operational) Crew: 4/4
B3: Neptune (operational) Crew 4/4

Delta Squadron: MBT (10/12)
D1: Honjo Masamune (light damage to armour plating) Crew: 3/4, 1 recovering
D2: Meibatsu (moderate damage to armour plating) Crew: 3/4, 1 incapacitated
D3: Shimanagashi (damage to pintle-mounted APH) Crew: 4/4

Theta Squadron: IFV (16/16)
T1: Paladin (operational) Crew: 3/3
T2: Templar (operational) Crew: 3/3
T3: Bishop (operational) Crew: 3/3
Theta UAU: 5/5
Theta Recon: 2/2 [Recon Command]

Iota Squadron: IFV (16/16)
I1: Vindicator (operational) Crew: 3/3
I2: Vanquisher (operational) Crew: 3/3
I3: Vigilante (operational) Crew: 3/3
Iota UAU: 5/5
Iota Recon: 2/2

Lambda Squadron: IFV (14/16)
L1: Ephesus (operational) Crew: 3/3
L2: Galatia (operational) Crew: 3/3
L3: Thyatira (operational) Crew: 3/3
Lambda UAU: 3/5, 2 incapacitated
Lambda Recon: 2/2

Sigma Squadron: Mobile Artillery (6/6)
S1: Asmodeus (operational) Crew: 3/3
S2: Mephisto (operational) Crew 3/3

Omega Squadron: Mobile Artillery (6/6)
O1: Armaggeddon (operational) Crew: 3/3
O2: Apocalypse (operational) Crew 3/3

Total: 92/96

Reserve to arrive:
Gamma Squadron: Tank Destroyer (9/9)
G1: Argus
G2: Hades
G3: Ares

Zeta Squadron: Gun Platform (12/12)
Z1: Zephyr
Z2: Flechette
Z3: Jur

IFV: 1 hull mounted APH, 1 pintle-mounted APH
MBT: 1 hull APH, 2 turret water cannons
Artillery: 5 WBLs
Tank Destroyer: 1 hull APH, 1 open topped turret WBL
Gun platform: 1 hull APH, 1 pintle mounted APH, 2 side mounted APHs

Silence · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:59 pm

Wow...I really need to be doing my homework, but since I've put it off quite a bit today anyway...

Crayola backed away from the warehouse, staying low in the shrubbery. The Swords had sent reinforcements; there was no doubt about that. The WWc troops had broken into the warehouse easily earlier, but now Jo's team had fled and Silence was out.

Crayola made his way to the road, watching as a few more Swords cars pulled up. Crayola ducked out of the way and got into the EV. Seemed like a bit of an extraction operation was called for.

He mumbled to himself, "Hmm..." before engaging the parking brake and duct taping the accelerator down. Ignoring the dangerous whirring of the motors and wearing of the gears, Crayola jumped into the passenger seat. He threw off the parking brake and brought up the Mistthrower.

As the car roared around the corner of the warehouse, Crayola unleashed a wall of mist. He then realized he didn't have a chance of turning the sedan around at that speed - and he couldn't change the speed. "Whoops."

Crayola pulled on the parking brake again, reeled the steering wheel towards the right, and went back for another pass. This time there were Swords outside, most of them gagging and leaning against the wall. Crayola turned the key, shutting off the motor and jumped out, all the while spraying into the open door.

Crayola quietly closed the door, then promptly kicked it down. No point doing all these stunts otherwise. Ignoring the bodies leaning against the wall, he passed from room to room until he found Silence.

Silence reminded him, "I could tell it was you...who else would drive with the parking break on? I closed my eyes as the mist entered, quite fortunately."

As the two left the building, Silence grabbed a set of keys off a Sword and unchained a few of the cannons. After tossing them into the back seat, Silence hopped into the driver's seat. He glanced down at the duct tape and stared disparagingly at Crayola. "You did it again, didn't you?"

"Heh...yeah."

"Why can't you just drive in the driver's seat?"

"Hey, that's sacrilege. Can't do a drive-by unless you're in shotgun," Crayola grinned. "Parking brake. That's how it's done."

*****

Silence grimaced as he lurched into the fast lane after the merge. "Well, we have no third gear."

"Don't worry about it, electric motors have enough torque at most RPMs."

"If only." Silence gritted his teeth as the car moved along, the RPM barely inching up in fourth. "Anyway...wait a minute, that looks like David, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it sure does," responded Crayola, craning his neck out the window. "What's he doing?"

joannaardway · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:50 pm

I do skip a couple of days here, and I knew I said to be sparing with that, but it now seems that time hasn't really advanced in my segment much over the course of the RP.
The story also works better that way.
I'm not compelling you lot to skip time though.

David looked around at the road - that was Silence...
His mind briefly went over everything - was this such a wise move?
But then the other logic asserted itself, and he disappeared into the falling night.

*****

Jo had spent the night sleeping in a rather unpleasant ditch, but she was well hidden there, so there was no risk of patrols finding her.

Getting up, she checked her water levels. Not great, but they'd have to do.

Throughout the day, Jo encountered three patrols looking for her. Fortunately, these were all only 4 man groups, so they were manageable if Jo got the ambush on them.
Each time, she took the liberty of refilling her soakers from the ammo the teams had.

At about 4 in the afternoon, her radio calls were met by Richard, which meant he was close, but Jo couldn't tell quite where.
"Jo? I can't get radio signal here half the time."
"I know. My mistake - just keep moving, and hope that the team finds us here soon."
"Ok. Where are you?"
"I'd rather not say. The channel might be monitored."
"Oh, right… fair point. See you then."

It was to be the only sensible communication she would have for some time. She later cursed not talking for longer, as the dark woods could make you feel very lonely.

However, the long hours gave Jo time to figure out facts behind the photo of Duxburian she had recovered at the hotel. Grinding hard at the ciphered text, using all the cryptanalysis techniques she knew, hoping that it didn't require mechanised decryption.
It wasn't a basic monoalphabetic substitution - Jo had hardly expected that the Swords would be so lax with information as that, but it was worth a try.
It wasn't a Caesar shift, or a Vigenère cipher. It didn't seem to use digraphs or syllabic symbols. The structure suggested against use of a key-text, which was fortunate - it would have been essentially impregnable if this were the case. It was also unlikely that a one-time pad had been used.

"What is wrong with you?!" Jo exclaimed, probably too loudly, as yet another technique failed.

Yet again, night was coming in, and Jo found a dry spot under a large stone bridge, with a river running alongside her. It was a rather obvious place, but Jo had little choice - she needed somewhere dry to sleep, and this area was otherwise devoid of them.

Nearly crippled by tiredness, she shook it off, and kept wrestling with the text. But after half an hour, the light levels had dropped to make it unreadable. Packing away the photo, her eyes went out of focus and she collapsed sideways, welcoming the rapid advance of sleep.

*****

Waking, her radio lit up with chatter. Wraith was talking:
"Jo? Are you there?"
"Yes."
"Phew. Thought we'd lost you. Us two have been picked up, so now we just need to find you. Where are you?"
"Small stone road bridge. Near river."

The rustling of a map could be heard, then Hellfire came back on:
"Got you. Assuming you're fairly close to us, then I think we know where you are."
"You're not the only ones."

A group of Swords was advancing up the river bank, and had spotted her. She grabbed her soakers and ran up on to the road, looking around. She needed somewhere to hide, and fast…

Lewis · **Posted:** Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:25 am

I'm going on a weekend trip - if you'd like, someone can RP my forces in order to keep this going. Julie wants to change the plan and after a while, it is accepted by Lewis and Avery. She wants to simply move everyone down the highway in their vehicles and enter the Sword-held city from the direction of 11 before the Swords can shift all of their forces. The New Englanders and Ridgewoodians are badly outnumbered but can move and deploy in full much faster than the enemy. My next segment actually covered all the way to their entry into the city, but I do not have time to post that. See you on Sunday unless I can pick up a signal in Shelter Island.

Oh, and I see you lurking over this topic, FF7. Would you like to participate in an RP? They are great fun when activity is good...

joannaardway · **Posted:** Sat Jun 30, 2007 3:48 pm

I'm sorry - I haven't posted for a while. I lost my flash drive that I keep my RP segments on, and I have no idea where it is.

Unfortunately, I can't continue without it, otherwise I'll end up creating some horrific continuity problem within my own RP timeline (horrible RP paradoxes, of the order where I end up killing myself by mistake.)
As soon as the drive is found, I'll get straight back into things.

WWc RP

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