You know if you're supposed to be here.

The majority of the day was quiet, which was perhaps unfavourable with the given circumstances. The kidnappers gave no further contact to Akodo Akihiko and any calls to Kuni Eriko's communicator would yield nothing, revealing that there the recipient of the contact was no longer on the world. That could have meant either her communicator was destroyed or she had been taken off-world. This possibility hanged in the air until sometime in the afternoon Akodo Akihiko would find his communicator spammed with message notices. Often, samurai communicators were default set to overlook messages from heimen, not even warning buzz or a beep.



Development I-13 could be found at the farmlands, a collection of acres of newly tilled land. Construction was ongoing before the miai, only put on hold by the governor to have the local worker focus on other matters. The development was meant to host a large corral for farmed otori and more specifically, would eventually serve as a slaughterhouse to provide the colony's potential growing demand for local protein in the future. Much of the structures had been erected already, made of metal frames and panels for walls. There were long stretches of tall fencing set up that lead to a large two-story barn house. Adjacent to the barn, there was also a tower house overlooking the courtyard which had a few stacks of construction materials as well as a heimen work van.

Large lights were shining on the compound which made it stick out like a sore thumb to anyone travelling this far into the rural countryside but also made it difficult for the occupants to be surprised, in theory. There was no sign of Kuni Eriko.

Characters begin 100 feet from the barn and tower. There is cover at 30 feet, which provides +5TN against ranged attacks.

The character may sneak closer, everyone rolling Stealth/Agility against the kidnappers (TN 12). If all of the characters succeed, the kidnappers count as having been surprised and adding 10 initiative to the characters. This allows the characters to start from 60 feet from the barn and tower.

Potentially, Akodo Akihiko may choose not to roll Stealth/Agility and get even closer at 30 feet but not gain the initiative bonus. This is only possible if others succeeded in their stealth roll.

Hide moved with purpose as she skulked along towards the corral. These fuckers took Eriko and she was going to make sure she put a radiant bolt into each of their heads. As they drew closer to the light, Hide drew her rifle and loaded in a clip.

No turning back. No regrets.
_____

ATN: 25 (3 Reduction)
Wounds: 0 (Healthy)
Void: 2/2 (remaining)

Rifle clip: 10/10

Has: Light armor, rifle, daisho, sidearm, lighter, communicator.

D10: Showdown at the corral stealth/agility unskilled -5 from armor: 3d10-5 15

D10: Showdown at the corral Initiative!: 4d10o10k3 21

Rifle in hand, loaded and ready to fire.

Hotaru Koseki stalked towards the corral. He was surprisingly stealthy as he approached the kidnappers' hideout. Rifle in hand he noted the lines of sight and distance to cover. Everything had been checked and triple checked.

Time to be a hero.

---

D10. EE. Courageous Caper. Stealth/Agility (TN12). Untrained. Armor penalty: 3d10-5 16

D10. EE. Courageous Caper. Initiative: 4d10o10k3 44

Rifle in hand, loaded and ready to fire.

ATN 25
Reduction 3
Wounds taken 0

Shion had to sweep some dust off her armour and double-check her rifle as she got ready to join the others after Koseki called her and informed her of the situation. That wasn't the type of work she was used to... but that doesn't mean she hadn't been trained to do it if the need arised.

Sometimes sparrows actually take part in the tales they tell, after all.

'Surprisingly stealthy' was the order of the day, it seemed, as she was also very quiet as she followed the others, rifle at the ready, waiting for the Akodo's actions and orders. Her actions weren't particularly fast, though... true to her clan's fame.

-----

D10 EE - Courageous Caper - Stealth/ Agi TN 12 + 5 Armour Penalty = TN 17. Unskilled.: 3d10k3 22 - Passed
D10 EE - Courageous Caper - Initiative: 4d10o10k3 17.

Can I wait to see others' Initiative and whether we surprise folks before I choose to activate Suzume Bushi 1? If I cannot, I'll just go ahead and activate it, dropping Init to 12... "all things in time', after all. Which means... slow.

Relevant equip here: Light armour, Daisho, Sidearm, Rifle.
Rifle is in her hands and ready to shoot.

Attack stance for Round 1
ATN 25 (20 + Light Armour)
Reduction 3
Wounds 0/10 for Healthy
Clip: 10/10
Void: 2/2


EDIT: Wording and adding some info

[GM GHOST]

Hida Akemi stuck out like a sore thumb when walking the flat terrain of the farmlands. It was likely that anyone could see her from several acres away.

The jig was up.



A ronin who was sitting at the watchtower with his rifle perked up when he saw the Hida in the distance. Something was peculiar and this supposed exchange immediately went south fast, "Boss!"



The leader stood around at the balcony of the barn combining his hair also perked up at the interloper. "COWARDFUCKER!" he cried out with gritted teeth.

Round 1 Initiative
Hotaru Koseki: 44
Gorou: 26
Akodo Akihiko: 24
Tower Ronin: 23
Matsu Hide: 21
???: 18
Suzume Shion: 17
Hida Akemi: 7

Suzume Shion may choose to drop initiative.
Tower Ronin is on high ground.
Gorou is on high ground with cover.

From Akodo Akihiko quick tactical survey of the grounds:
-There is a questionable decline on the land that should provide +5TN range cover if prone. It is 40' away.
-There is +5TN range cover in the middle of the field. It is 70' away.
-Going inside either buildings will block line of site for either combatant on high ground.

Dropping init at start of round definitely. Not like she was quick to begin with...

Stealthier than expected, or at least compared to Akemi, Koseki covered the ground quickly before anyone noticed him. It seemed more important to get closer to the kidnappers, and maybe find Eriko.

---
Round 1
Two Simple actions to move 40ft closer while still unseen.

Defense stance
ATN 29
Reduction 3
Wounds 0

The man was incensed. First, Akihiko didn't bother showing up. Second, there was a freaking Hida standing in the middle of the field!

"HEY, GET READY!" he called out as a command and quickly drew his sidearm. He steadied his aim and took a potshot at the Hida in the middle of the killing field. The sidearm shot hit Akemi right at the sternum with frightening accuracy.

Day 10, Early Evening, Round 1: Shooting at Hida Akemi w/ tech and height! 1/6 shot: 8d10ro1o10k3 39
Day 10, Early Evening, Round 1: Damage at Hida Akemi: 6d10o10k2 37

Hida Akemi voids to reduce damage by 10, a total of 16, takes 21 instead. Hida Akemi is at Nicked (+3TN).

Akihiko walks forward purposefully, taking aim at the tower guard with his rifle. It's an imperfect shot, but his Akodo training helps to pinpoint the best spot on the guard to target. He invokes his ancestors' guidance silently as he pulls the trigger...

----
Free action move toward barn.
Attack: rifle shot at tower guard.
To hit: 16, ignores ATN bonus for armor if the guard has any.
Damage: 17. Never mind.

Attack stance
ATN 20
Reduction 3
Wounds 0

Rifle energy pack 9/10
Void remaining 2/2

His attention was on the Hida and he almost didn't notice the radiant bolt that came rocketing at him to only strike the roof of the tower, sending sparks as it struck the sheet metal.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed, suddenly aware of the Akodo on the field. He took out his old hunting rifle from his back holster, pulling back the slide as it activated the energy power in the clip.

Hide wasn’t far behind Koseki, as taking advantage of their hidden nature and the chaos going on could lead them in an advantageous position.

___
Ditto Koseki actions.

Defense Stance
ATN: 27 (3 Reduction)
Wounds: 0 (Healthy)
Void: 2/2 (remaining)
Rifle clip: 10/10

There was some shuffling and movement from within the barn as those within it were stirred into action from Gorou's call for help. They were getting ready.

Shion walked forward slowly but surely, keeping between the Hida and the Akodo, and after taking aim at the tower guard for a while and trying to steady her stance, she follows Akihiko's action and shoots, hoping for a hit... but probably missing.

The sound of the shots is oddly different from the sound effects she's been used to working with... and she finds it funny that she should note something like that in such a situation. This was not the time for such reflections...

--------------

Free action move towards barn, or cover - 10 feet (-_-)
Complex action - Rifle shot at tower guard

((D10 EE - R1 Attack - Rifle shot at Tower Guard - Firearms/ Ref, +1k0 from Suzume 1. TN?: 5d10o10k3 20 - Rolled at wrong campaign name, sorry!))

D10 EE - R1 Attack - Rifle shot at Tower Guard - Firearms/ Ref, +1k0 from Suzume 1. TN? (Rerolling under Banner of Stars instead of Wonders of Asakaze - Sorry!): 5d10o10k3 18 - So actually hitting TN 18... probably not enough : p

((D10 EE - R1 Attack - Rifle shot at Tower Guard - Damage if hitting. +1k0 from Suzume 1: 6d10o10k3 21 - Also rolled at wrong campaign name, sorry!))

D10 EE - R1 Attack - Rifle shot at Tower Guard - Damage if hitting. +1k0 from Suzume 1 (Rerolling under Banner of Stars - sorry!): 6d10o10k3 19 -> Use this one

Attack Stance
TN 25
Reduction 3
Wounds 0
VP 2/2

Rifle shots: 9/10 from pack 1/3

As a shock troop Akemi was used to taking a hit while moving forward to protect the less armored troops behind her. But she generally did so with a good cover fire, a good battle plan to limit the losses and a good idea of what she was doing here.

Today she had none of that and could only count on the military instincts deeply rooted in her body through endless drills. So she instinctively rushed to the nearest cover and ducked behind it.

Once safe(r) she shouted to whoever might answer: "Can anyone explain me anything? What does any of this have to do with Kuni Eriko? Or even Akodo Akihiko?"

---

Free + Simple Move Actions: Move 40 feet to first line of cover
Free Action: Drop Prone
Simple Action: Speak
Free Action: Reconsider life choices

Defense Stance
ATN: 33 (28+5 from cover)
Reduction: 6
Void: 1/2
Wounds: 21/57 (Grazed; +3)

Unfortunately, Shion's short was a stray and went right into the sturdy structure of the tower. There was an impressive hole but nothing that would cause danger to its structural integrity.

At the moment, the ronin at the tower and the smug one at the balcony were unaware of Hotaru Koseki and Matsu Hide in the chaos of it all.

Round 2 Initiative
Hotaru Koseki: 44
Gorou: 26
Akodo Akihiko: 24
Tower Ronin: 23
Matsu Hide: 21
???: 18
Suzume Shion: 17
Hida Akemi: 7

So the guard in the tower got a bit of a surprise when the radiant energy bolt slammed into him. It would sting a bit, and perhaps take his attention off the Lion.

Koseki moved towards the cover, rifle trained on the tower.

---
Free move 10ft towards cover.
Complex action: Shoot!

D10. EE. Courageous Caper. Round 2. Rifle. Firearms/Reflexes vs Tower Guard. TN23? Prodigy.: 7d10o10k3 25 Hit!

D10. EE. Courageous Caper. Rifle damage vs tower guard.: 5d10o10k3 19 Better than nothing.

ATN 25
Reduction 3

The tower ronin counted his lucky stars when two shots went for him but didn't see the next shot going for him as it struck him right on the shoulder. What the? It seemed these intruders were populating like rats now!

Voided, takes only 8 damage.



"He's got friends. GET HIM!" Gorou seethed in anger and barked at his minions. He took a moment to glance at Akihiko and Koseki below, wondering who to go first. However, this bug was too close for comfort and he took a shot at Koseki. It seemed he was a hotshot and would still get Koseki under all those boxes and crates.

Day 10, Early Evening, Round 2: Shooting at Hotaru Koseki w/ tech and height! 2/6 shot: 8d10ro1o10k3 35
Day 10, Early Evening, Round 2: Damage at Hotaru Koseki: 6d10o10k2 17

(Note: Shion will be dropping to Init 12 on Round 2 as well!)

Akihiko fires at the tower guard again, somewhat wildly as it turned out, but he also strode forward as he called out, with the most commanding tone he could muster: "Hey limp dick! Get some!" And Gorou certainly did not miss the accompanying gesture.


----
Attack: whiff.
Free: Move 10' closer to barn.
Free: Five choice words for Gorou.

Attack stance
ATN 20
Reduction 3
Wounds 0

Rifle energy pack: 8/10 on pack 1/3
Void remaining 2/2