Day 8

[Ward]

Weather in the high 60's
wind 12 miles from S.W.

Partly cloudy

In the morning a pack of Wolves start moving into the area because of the blood from the hunt .

[Flocculencio]

The expedition was rousing itself, ready to carry on towards Ahmicks village. In the dim light of dawn, GBW came up to Flocc.

"Sir," he said, "There are some deer grazing not far off. This might be a good time as any for that little demonstration we talked about."

Calling Ahmick and Dr. What over, the rangers set off through the copse of low trees where they had spent the night.

"Gun," said Dr. What pointing at the rifle GBW held and at Flocc's carbine.

"Gan?" replied Ahmick somewhat puzzled.

***

Ahmick:

Ah yes...my first experience of firearms. I had wondered about the long staffs that most of the men and many of the women in the strangers encampment carried. Something in the way they held them made me suspect that these were weapons- they carried them with the same respect that a warrior carries his javelins. I couldn't figure out how they were meant to be used- as clubs perhaps? Far too unweildy.

And now we were sneaking up towards some deer. As Flok and GBW raised their rifles, they inserted small objects which Doktorwat pointed at and called "bullets". Doktorwat showed me how the "bullets" were loaded into the hollow tube that formed most of the length of the gun.

Then he motioned for me to cover my ears and pointed at the deer. In unison, Flok and GBW pressed one of the projections on their guns and for a moment it felt as if they had brought thunder down on us. As I looked around mystified and half-ready to flee I noticed one of the deer down and kicking in it's death throes.

Doktorwat was trying to show me something and at first I didn't bother to listen to him, so shaken was I. But he shook it in front of my face and I recognised part of the "bullet" he had shown me. But that "bullet" had looked like a solid cylinder. This was hollow and with the top part missing.

Already, Flok and GBW were crouching beside the dead deer, cutting at it's side. As Doktorwat led me up in a daze, Flok raised a twisted lump of the shiny rock that the strangers seemed to make many things with, pointing at it and then at the broken bullet that Doktorwat held. Even though it was warped, I realised that it was the missing piece of the bullet. And it had obviously been cut from the hole in the side of the deer.

So...the "guns" hurled these small objects using thunder, or something of the sort. Not magic but another tool of these strangers...and possibly the most interesting one yet...

[Psychomeltdown]

Weather in the high 60's
wind 12 miles from S.W.

Partly cloufy

In the morning a large group of Wolfs start move into the area because of the blood from the hunt .

In the afternoon we will spot natives in the distance checking out are camp site .
OOC: anything being done about the attack upon the Homesteaders, or has that been retconned?

[NapoleonXIV]

Weather in the high 60's
wind 12 miles from S.W.

Partly cloufy

In the morning a large group of Wolfs start move into the area because of the blood from the hunt .

In the afternoon we will spot natives in the distance checking out are camp site .

Wolves. Please, I have a bugaboo about this, due to how my name is spelled.

[Glen]

OOC: anything being done about the attack upon the Homesteaders, or has that been retconned?

OOC: Not certain. I'd say retcon out, personally, but I think maybe one of the other mods should rule on that.

[pisces74]

The indians wandering into the killzone during the hunt is the only thing that was retconned out to this date to my knowledge.

[Doctor What]

Early Morning

As Flocc and GBW finished removing the bullet from the deer, Dr. What turned to face Ahmik. In a very halting voice, as he pointed to the deer and then to Ahmik, “Wapsu-ehsa. Nemena. Ahmik.” Skin-deer. Give. Ahmik.

Ahmik raised his eyebrows in surprise to that. He looked from Dr. What then back to the deer then back to Dr. What.

“Waabi-tay?” Yours-no?

Doc shook his head and smiled “Waabi”

With a grin, Ahmik expertly cut into the deer, skinning it rapidly and efficiently. Once he was done, he looked at Doc again.

“Kaap-waabi?” Meat-yours?

Doc shook his head “Kaap. Moti” Meat. Share

Quickly Ahmik sliced off huge chunks of the deer meat and placed it onto the deer skin. Tieing up the deerskin, he wrapped it up into a large ball, leaving half the meat still on the corpse. GBW and Flocc picked up the deer and walked with Doc back to the Ranger camp, Ahmik leading the way. He was singing a song—or perhaps a prayer-- in a low voice.

Flocc raised a quizzical eyebrow at the Doc. Doc shrugged his shoulders “His people need the meat and skin more than we do. Besides which—I get the impression that Ahmik will score lots of brownie points with the elder when he brings in that deer-meat—and, like it or not, we need to suck up to as many people in that group as we can.”

“You’re becoming quite the cynic when it comes to politics, Doc” said Flocc, with a wry smile.

“Becoming?” said Doc, in mock outrage, smiling as well.

**

Several hours later

“Everyone know what they have to do?”

“Sounds pretty straightforward, Doc—I give that little speech you taught me, we hang back and let you and Leo do your thing. We don’t move or do anything until you give us the signal. We’ve been over this before.”

“Sorry to be a jerk about this but I just want to make sure everyone’s clear about this, Flocc.”

“I know, Doc—trust me, we know how important this is.”

They had arrived at Ahmik’s village. The scouts stopped several hundred feet away from the village—close enough to be spotted by the natives but far enough away not be seen as an immediate danger. Several people recognized Ahmik and Flocc and were cautiously moving towards the group. Flocc, Doc and Leo all noticed, however, that many of the men in the village were holding their spears close to them—not in an overtly aggressive manner but still close enough to respond at a moment’s notice.

Still don’t completely trust us…hopefully that will change after today…

Ahmik moved ahead, carrying the bundle of deer-skin and meat close to him. A few yards behind him were Flocc, Dr. What and Leo.

The Elder Helaku walked forward, several young warriors surrounding him protectively. Ahmik—almost reverently –offered the bundle of deer meat to Helaku. There were a few murmurs of surprise and amazement from the assembled natives as one of the warriors quickly carried the bundle back to village. Several people were already slicing the meat into smaller pieces and bringing it to the campfires while one old woman was—with frightening efficiency – already ordering several young women to work on the deer-skin.

“There’s a Mrs. Ward clone everywhere” whispered Doc, causing both Leo and Flocc to smile.

Helaku stepped forward a few steps. Ahmik stood still behind him, along with the other warriors. Helaku stopped, noticing that Ahmik wasn’t moving forward. He waved him forward to stand next to him. There was a murmur among the warriors as they glanced in surprise at this. Ahmik was surprised as well but quickly recovered his composure, stepping forward and standing by the Elder.

Here we go…. thought Doc.

The three stepped forward. They bowed. Helaku bowed as well.

Flocc stepped forward a step. “Daktar Waat” he said, pointing to the Doc. “Lay-oh” he said pointing to Leo. “Tagasa. Flok.” he said. “Daktar Waat. Lay-oh. Tagasa. Flok” he repeated, using gestures with each word. He took a step back.

Doc looked like he was deep in thought for a few seconds. Finally, he spoke, haltingly and with great care on the words.

“Miwok-karon” he said, gesturing to himself, Flocc, Leo and the rest of the scouts that were sitting outside the camp.

“Tagasa” he continued, gesturing between himself and Helaku.

“Miwok”, using a sweeping arm gesture to include the village.

“Miwok-karon tagasa miwok” he repeated. People-new. Friend. People. He took a step back.

Leo stepped forward “Miwok-karon. Nemena. Maka”. He repeated the words again, more quickly. People-new. Give. Thanks. He stepped back.

Dr. What stepped forward again. “Waabi. Nemen. Miwok-karon” Your gifts from the people-new. He motioned at two rangers who had been standing by off in the distance. Quickly, they picked up a huge bear skin bundle and, with some difficulty, carried it forward. Gasps of shock and amazement rippled through the crowd of natives as the two rangers carried the bulging package and laid it at Helaku’s feet and then quickly moved back to their earlier positions.

Helaku stared at the package in amazement. So did Ahmik—he had not been told of this. Several of the warriors quickly opened up the bundle, pulling out blankets, stewing pots, glass beads, wooden bowls, bandanas and various other items. The items were quickly brought back to the village, along with the bear-skin. The ‘Mrs. Ward clone’ took one look at the bear-skin and shouted out an order that caused nearly every female in the village to jump and scurry towards her. The bear skin was quickly taken away and a huge crowd gathered around the rest of gifts that had been given.

Helaku bowed to the three ah.commers and shouted something out loud that caused many of the men in the village to look at him in surprise. The three ah.commers bowed in return. Helaku turned and walked back to the village, Ahmik close to him. The bodyguards that had been standing next to him stayed their ground and stared impassively at the three of them. The three ah.commers smiled, bowed and walked away. Only after it became clear that the three of them were truly walking away did the bodyguards turn and run quickly back to the village after Helaku.

**

“What do we do now?” said one of the Rangers
“We wait until they reach a decision about us” said Doc.
“How long do you reckon that will take?”

Doc shrugged. “Traditionally in cultures like this, every male has the right to speak and be heard. And they have a lot to talk about. It will be done when it’s done—and not a minute sooner.”

Flocc looked over at the crowd of men in the village. They had been sitting there and talking for quite some time. Ahmick was standing up again, apparently in some kind of argument with an angry looking middle-aged man.

“Man—I would really like to know what’s going on over there…”

[Ward]

Well Glen we realy need to start moving soon some of these trees we have will have to planted very soon or we will start losing them .
I would like to state that we realy should start the first group out in less then 5 Days .

[jolo]

Well Glen we realy need to start moving soon some of these trees we have will have to planted very soon or we will start losing them .
I would like to state that we realy should start the first group out in less then 5 Days .

We could give the trees to an advance command if any is leaving between now and the trek. No-one will steal them...

[Norbert]

We could give the trees to an advance command if any is leaving between now and the trek. No-one will steal them...

If you are talking of fruit saplings, keeping their roots wrapped in burlap, and kepping the burlap damp so the roots don't dry out, we won't have a problem.

[Psychomeltdown]

If you are talking of fruit saplings, keeping their roots wrapped in burlap, and kepping the burlap damp so the roots don't dry out, we won't have a problem.
i'll trust the Tree Guy. :D


We really need to get a move one anyway, soon our Draft Animals will all be preggers. Then no Draft Animals.

[Ward]

If you are talking of fruit saplings, keeping their roots wrapped in burlap, and kepping the burlap damp so the roots don't dry out, we won't have a problem.


I know but I was trying to get us moving a little faster if people thought we were going to lose are trees .

[SionEwig]

The problem with starting the move relatively soon is that the 2nd scouting expedition hasn't yet determined if Berkely is an adequate location yet. On of my big concerns is that it is not even 15 miles from where the 1st group was attacked, it might very well be within the area that the Hill Miwoks (sp?) consider their hunting territory. I really don't want us to be having to deal with a bunch of angry natives both while trying to move multiple groups of people and do all the work we will need to accomplish. So I think that waiting until the expedition returns. Also, the full route hasn't been mapped out yet. Day 19 or 20 at the earliest by my estimation. Though a lot of planning can be done, like dividing people up into groups for the trek, beginning to load wagons as they are made, stuff like that which could get the first group ready to leave the day after the scouts get back.

[pisces74]

Pisces picked up his musket and hat and went to check the smokehouse and herds. The Dogs, Hati & Skoll bagan their morning caper as their master roused for the morning. Checking his cartridge box and caps, he decided to take the dogs with him to the smoke house and see if there was any grizzle for them to gnaw on. As he proceded around the edge of the camp. he noticed that the animal herds had drawn close to the edge of their enclosures. Looking out across the plain he saw that a few of the animals had broken out of the enclosure and was making for the woods. "Well come on dogs, we've got some rustling to do." As he made his way across the fields to the tree line Skoll's hackles raised and he began growling. "calm down boy, That pig won't get you." Skoll, and Hati both charged into the treeline as if the devil himself sicced them on something. Thats when the Pisces heard the growling from behind him. Spinning around Pisces saw a pack of five large starving wolves staring almost clamly at him. "don't panic, kill one and the rest will flee." Thats when he heard the sound of a melee behind him." Plant, load, aim, fire, RELAX!, pisces thought as the wolves before him spread out. Taking a breath and a quick aim. Pisces fired a shot at the largest wolf before him turning his skull into a red mess. immeadiately after he planted the butt of his rifle into the ground and dropped a cartridge into the barrel. He didn't have time to ram the cartridge as the other four wolves attacked. They encircled him darting in and circling, Nipping and growling, their intent to wear him down. "Stay calm Pisces". He drew the rammer form his musket as he walked backwards to the tree line. The wolves followed suit, but as one tried to get between him and the forest Pisces lunged with the bayonett pierceing its side. It was an awkward hit, but a telling blow nonetheless, the triangular blade only seemed to go a few inches into the side of the beast, but it was enough to send it yelping into the forest before him. Pisces ran at a full run to the tree line to put something solid at his back. It was a mere fifteen feet, but when his back slammed into the oak it felt as if he ran a mile, and as he spun the remaining wolves were right there behind him as if they were there waiting for him. "Plant, Ram and fire!" he thought as drill took hold. The pack was unimpressed as the shot went high and to the right. a wolf took the opprotunity to dart in and Pisces felt its teeth rip into his leg. It got its brains dashed out by the butt of the musket for its troubles. The remaining two decided that enough was enough and ran into the woods. Pisces had enough time to reload and dispatch one, catching it in the hindquarters it made a yipping whelp and then lay silent. Pisces then reloaded and went into the woods to see what happend to his dogs. The wolves that had stayed behind weren't as big as the ones that had raided the field, but they were bigger then the dogs that had pursued them into the woods. Hati had looked as if she was sleeping, only the blood coming from her mouth and snout belied the broken neck she had. Skoll had put up more of a fight. apparently breaking the legs of two wolves before succuming to the third, which now was eating the stomach and intestines of the fallen animal. The wolf upon seeing the man come into the clearing pulled his ears back and growled a challenge before his head was too turned into a ruined mess. Pisces was ending the lives of the two wounded ones when a mounted rider came riding up. "you've got a bit of red on you " he said as Pisces vomited the meager contents of his stomach onto the morning grass. "collect the dead animals and get me to Doc Finneys tent please, he said as the adrenilin began to wear off and took a seat next to the tree where he had recently made his stand.

[NapoleonXIV]

The pretty girl awoke quickly when she felt something touch her breast. She looked directly into the face of a large timber rattlesnake, about 4 inches from her small, straight nose. The huge creature's eyes were fully as far apart as her own. To her credit, she didn't jump or twitch or scream, but remained absolutely still, though peeing in her pants copiously.

Something grasped the reptile behind its head and it was snatched away. The girl looked up. What appeared a glowing full-size replica of Michelangelo's David inspected the snake in a cursory manner, then flipped it out of the cave.

The girl had reentered the cave about an hour ago. She had been looking for the strange man she had left here some days ago but he was gone. She had sat down next to the remains of the fire to contemplate her next move and fell asleep. It had been a long day, but then all the days were long here.

The David reached a huge and glowing hand down to touch her chin and tilted her head up to face him, the gesture gentle, almost fatherly. He smiled in an avuncular fashion. "So the clone will be key now..", the voice was deep and rumbling, like one would expect from a god; or a 16 foot tall glowing statue of the perfect man

"I..." the girl found her own voice tiny and strange. She was startled she had said anything at all.

"He's about...," the creature started to say something, then it stopped and smiled, "..just walk, you'll find him." He turned and silently exited the cave.

The girl's gaze followed him as he left, and she continued to stare in his direction after he had gone. After a long moment, she started to breathe again, fainting dead away just a few more seconds later.

[jolo]

- The second dinghy was finished. Meanwhile, the people from the fishing camp had abandoned building a dhingy for performance reasons and began building an outrigger canoe instead. The bigger dinghy also turned out to leak quite some water so that one person was always occupied with getting it out. It was decided to let the shipbuilder from Ian's Fort move to the fishing camp to have better feedback with the fishermen.

- One person needed to be set aside to count all the game, fish, fruits, and so on being delivered to the market, and assigning the success to the individuals, so that stats could be made. Another person kept track of the amount of stored food and gave food to the rightful recipients or sold it.

- I and my wife spend a good time of the day looking at the exercises the rangers conducted. Quite a few militia and privates also took some time for this. The exercises we could take part in we did. Inbetween, we took our horse for a ride, did some gardening, and other chores.

- A few of the woman had begun caring for more than their own children while the parents of the additional children worked.

- Work was begun on irrigation channels for the fields and gardens around Ian's Fort.

- The fishermen also found some time for gardening and started building a small corral for the horses of the guards stationed there.

- Since most needed corrals were finished, some more wood workers were assigned to the fishing camp.

- It was made sure that of the people who wanted to stay, at least one able person was helping with the caretaking of each kind of animal, so that we would be able to do things on our own when the main settlers left.

- The fishing camp elected their own temporary leader in the evening.

[Flocculencio]

As the people of the Tribe rummaged through the gifts the Strangers had brought, Helaku looked over to Ahmick. He was approaching Bodaway.

That's strange thought the Elder. Although Bodaway had accepted the need to learn more about the Strangers, he would always be, at heart, a conservative. He tolerated Ahmick but still disapproved of him.

Now why would Ahmick seek out Bodaway?

Then he saw Chenoa, Bodaway's daughter casting an anxious glance towards the two men and figured it out.

Ah...he's trying to get Bodaway's permission to marry his daughter.

Helaku considered this- Ahmick's time spent with the Strangers had already brought dividends- this bounty of gifts. It was essential that he be rewarded for his service to the tribe.

Casually walking by the two men who were on the verge of openly arguing, he spoke loudly and pointedly

"Well done Ahmick...someday you may make a fine chief!"

Bodaway paused for a second. If Helaku was serious about supporting Ahmick as a chief, it would be wise not to antagonise him. Where before he had flatly refused, now he realistically started to consider the idea of giving up his daughter.

"Nicely done, old man," said Wenona his wife coming up from where she had been directing the girls in the preparation of the animal skins.

"That young one should be married off as soon as possible and Chenoa has a good head on her shoulders even if her father is a pompous ass."

Helaku grunted in agreement. His mind was now turned to the gifts the Strangers had given. All the men were already assembling to hear Ahmick's account and to reach a deicision on what should be done about the Strangers.

***

Their huts cover the plain...

Their fires are like the stars in the sky...

There are more of them than all the clans of the Miwok...

They bring great animals which they ride and use to pull things and keep for meat...

They have weapons which use thunder to hurl stones to kill...

These points were being repeated and whispered about all through the village council. Many had assumed that Ahmick was exaggerating when it came to the numbers of the Strangers but simply judging by the quality of the gifts they had brought it was clear that these Strangers were rich and had access to secrets far beyond those of the Miwok.

Ahmick had finished his statement with a stark conclusion

If we ally with them we will surely prosper...but if we do not, I fear that we will perish. They are too powerful to be withstood. Keep them at a distance, by all means- but if you value your lives, keep them as friends.

A long drawn out argument followed but in the end this was the view that was accepted. So long as the strangers were in the process of moving North- which seemed to be their intent- they would not be infringing on the lands of the Coastal Miwok and thus could be allies. Those who the tribe at Ahmick's reccomendation was willing to consider friends, namely Flok, Daktarwat and Lay-O, would even be allowed to stay with the tribe at times.

It was true that in moving North, the Strangers might infringe on the territory of the Hills Miwok but there was no love lost between the two tribes and the Coastal Miwok found the idea of the hillsmen being dispossessed quite amusing.

"So," said Helaku, "It is decided. We will send them on their way with gifts of fish and shellfish. They will be fine allies."

[Ward]

After hearing the Grand kids beging there Grandmother and parents to let them head to the river for some fishing and playing in the river .

Hay you old bat I'm going to get some other people to help guard and I'm then taking the kids to the river .

Heading over to Glens office I call out to a few members of the Board and tell them to grab ther kids and poles it time for a day of fishing .

Glen I'm takeing a group of the kids to the river for them to swim and fishing . We need to have some time down to spend with the kids . Lets go and have a day off.

Glen you;ve been putting in 14 hrs a day and when was the last time you sat down with your kids . Let one of your helpers handle it for 6 hrs ,
and come and have some time with the kids.

Glen: Okay, not the first time I've been on 'beeper' call...

WeaponM : Count me in Ward I'l grap some poles and the kids and meet you at your place in a few min's .


20 mint's later a group of almost 100 children and about 20 fathers are heading to the river for half a day of fishing and swimming with the kids .

OOC: I would have gone along with this...I believe in balance in work and recreation...just so long as we're close to camp and a couple people are in the med tent, to start first aid and another to get me, I'd be cool with it.

[Psychomeltdown]

Psychomeltdown’s Day 8 schedule

0530 Wake up, eat, head out.

0600 – getting the Water Brigade working, setting up the windmill, etc.

0800 – lend a hand in the continuing butchering and smoking of the animals captured in the Not So Great Hunt.

1200 – Lunch with the smokers/butchers

1230 Meet with Dave, Dominus, discuss what’s going on animal wise and problems we’re facing. Check up on the animals and how they’re being cared for.

1500 - Class time, sit in on a class discussing the care and maintenance of animals, horse, sheep, cattle, pigs, etc. Toss in his few two cents.

1800 – Head to Water Brigade and help them in closing down the Water Works, load up the last wagons and head back into camp.

1900 – Dinner with Nizhoni and a bit of rest and relaxation.

2000 - Go and check out status of animals and talk a bit with the Night Watch.

2100 – Go over a few paperwork, planning, etc.

2200 - Crash out.

[Matt]

Mid morning

"fuckitall..." Matt muttered.

Startled, Luakel snapped his head up. He had dozed off while Capt. Barry worked over plans to escort the convoys during the move. He was the Captain's orderly, but there wasn't too much to 'order' as it were. Today he mostly functioned as a runner. The Captain had a habit of waking early, and with no where to go, Luakel just drifted off.

Matt continued to stare at the proposals in front of him. Apparently he didn't mind him dozing off like that. Or he didn't notice. Either way it was safe. "Excuse me Barry?"

The Captain looked up. Blinking, he responded, "Sir. Or Captain. I'm sorry kid, I don't like being a dick, but we need to have this resembling some sort of military machine."

"Gotcha... um.. sir. Anyways, what's wrong?" Luakel said, trying to change the direction. He supposed the Captain was right. He knew what he was doing supposedly, unlike himself.

"Heh. Well I can tell you. After all what's the point of having an orderly?" Matt laughed. Luakel couldn't figure out why. Matt picked up on the curious look. "It's the officer/enlisted thing again."

"Oh, okay... sir."

"Anyways. Back in Iraqi, I was in a Motor T unit. All I did was convoys. It was my bread and butter there. And now we have to protect em. No probelm right?"

"But it's not that simple?"

"Never is. The easiet thing, From our point of view that is, to have one group to go at a time. The smaller it is, the easier it is to protect. Anyways, once we get to Berkeley, we'd unload the wagons and turn around and repeat as long as we need to."

"I see. So what's the probelm."

"Well some of these out at there. Like all of us leaving together. First off, all the horses would be needed to be draft animals. Then the coloum would be ungodly long."

"So?"

"Well what if something happens at the head of the coloum? Our react force would have to get there. But how? Run? What if it's 5 miles? By the time they get there, and lets face it we're not in the best shape, everyone well be beat."

"Thus Fuck it all?"

"You are correct Private." Matt smirked. "I'll work with whatever they give me. But it doesn't make it easy."

[TheLoneAmigo]

Why didn't you just spontaninously combust? That was an option before the trip.

Because I felt like throwing another spanner in the wheels. The in-game reason would be because I thought I could handle it but I couldn't, obviously. Ignore it if you want to.

If you ignore it, I might properly join in in a few days once I have more time.

(by the way, I'm not actually a suicidal person)

[Psychomeltdown]

0845

“Y’know you don’t have to be here.” The stout woman said, as she lifted another jug onto the back of the wagon.

Psycho stood up straight, feeling a little twinge in his back. Though he was in the best shape in his life, all the bending and lifting caused for sore back muscles.

“But.. but I have no where else to be.” Psycho replied in a dramatic tone. The woman snorted. “Plus I gotta show the people that the boss can shoulder his share.”

“Your’ the boss? The woman asked, eyebrow raised.

Psycho grinned. “It says so on my check.”

The woman snorted again. “Just get back to work.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Psycho went back to work.


1006

“Reporting for duty, ma’am.” Psycho said, entering the are where they were still butchering and smoking the catch from the day before. The are was strewn with hides, wood, and the thick smell of blood and wood filled the air.

A harried looking woman stood up, a knife in hand and her arms covered in blood up to her elbows. She eyed Psycho for a moment. “We need more people making with the slice and dice. A lot of the animals were just dragged back, not butchered. Lazy sods.” She muttered.

Psycho nodded and headed toward where she pointed. As he walked he saw two men carrying a third stretched between them, unconscious.

Psycho watched as they carried him by.

“Poor guy.” Another man said, standing beside Psycho.

“Huh?” Psycho asked.

“He got kicked by a deer, fucked up thing.” He said, shaking his head.

“Kicked by a deer?” Psycho asked.

“Yeah, there was this deer at the bottom of a pile that wasn’t dead, just unconscious. Chuck there went to slice and dice and the damn thing woke up. Kicked him in the head and tried running off. Damn thing then tripped over the other dead deer and the rest of the guys clubbed it.”

Psycho looked at the three men. “Poor deer.” He said.

“Poor deer?” The man asked.


Psycho nodded. “Yeah, imagine you waking up as a man’s trying to cut you. You fend him off and then try to flee only to trip over the dead bodies of other people, then get clubbed trying to escape.”

The man was silent for a moment. “That’s fucked up way of looking at things.” He said.

Psycho pulled out a knife from his belt. “So where do I start the skinning?”

[pisces74]

OOC:


“Poor deer.”

Man bleeding here, poor deer my ass ;)

[Psychomeltdown]

Man bleeding here, poor deer my ass ;)
Hey, you went traipsing off on your own, bucko.

Plus it was said with a dry delivery. :D

[Glen]

Mid morning

"fuckitall..." Matt muttered.

Startled, Luakel snapped his head up. He had dozed off while Capt. Barry worked over plans to escort the convoys during the move. He was the Captain's orderly, but there wasn't too much to 'order' as it were. Today he mostly functioned as a runner. The Captain had a habit of waking early, and with no where to go, Luakel just drifted off.

Matt continued to stare at the proposals in front of him. Apparently he didn't mind him dozing off like that. Or he didn't notice. Either way it was safe. "Excuse me Barry?"

The Captain looked up. Blinking, he responded, "Sir. Or Captain. I'm sorry kid, I don't like being a dick, but we need to have this resembling some sort of military machine."

"Gotcha... um.. sir. Anyways, what's wrong?" Luakel said, trying to change the direction. He supposed the Captain was right. He knew what he was doing supposedly, unlike himself.

"Heh. Well I can tell you. After all what's the point of having an orderly?" Matt laughed. Luakel couldn't figure out why. Matt picked up on the curious look. "It's the officer/enlisted thing again."

"Oh, okay... sir."

"Anyways. Back in Iraqi, I was in a Motor T unit. All I did was convoys. It was my bread and butter there. And now we have to protect em. No probelm right?"

"But it's not that simple?"

"Never is. The easiet thing, From our point of view that is, to have one group to go at a time. The smaller it is, the easier it is to protect. Anyways, once we get to Berkeley, we'd unload the wagons and turn around and repeat as long as we need to."

"I see. So what's the probelm."

"Well some of these out at there. Like all of us leaving together. First off, all the horses would be needed to be draft animals. Then the coloum would be ungodly long."

"So?"

"Well what if something happens at the head of the coloum? Our react force would have to get there. But how? Run? What if it's 5 miles? By the time they get there, and lets face it we're not in the best shape, everyone well be beat."

"Thus Fuck it all?"

"You are correct Private." Matt smirked. "I'll work with whatever they give me. But it doesn't make it easy."


OOC: On the other hand, almost all of us are armed with firearms, and any potential attack force is outclassed in terms of weapons, manpower, and experience with these sorts of weapons.

Use the Militia, Luke...use the Militia....;)

[Glen]

Because I felt like throwing another spanner in the wheels. The in-game reason would be because I thought I could handle it but I couldn't, obviously. Ignore it if you want to.

If you ignore it, I might properly join in in a few days once I have more time.

(by the way, I'm not actually a suicidal person)


OOC: Consider it ignored, since you said we could, might play later, and are not suicidal by your own admission.

Remember people, you can be kept on as 'NPC' until you have time to play. You can even go in and out of NPCdom and PCdom...

[Psychomeltdown]

OOC: Consider it ignored, since you said we could, might play later, and are not suicidal by your own admission.
.
OOC: but it does bring up a good point in that how many people are succumbing to depression?



1900


"Finally back." Nizhoni said.

Psycho walked into camp, feeling tired and hungry. "Yeah." He replied

"What did you do today?" Nizhoni asked.

"Same old, Same old." He said, pulling out a camp chair. He sighed as he sat down. Sore back, sore legs, sore arms. Everyday was new muscles screaming at being overused, but he knew there was no way to get over that.

"That sounds wonderful." Nizhoni said, her tone flat.

Psycho looked up. "What's the matter with you?" He asked.

"What's the matter with me?" Nizhoni asked suddenly angry. "I'm getting very tired of this place. I'm getting very tired of his life. All i do is cook, clean, help the other women out, teach them a bit of things, and then come back and cook again."

Psycho paused, realizing he hadn't really known what she'd been doing all day. He'd been busy with the other projects that he hadn't seen her much during the day and when he came back he was usually tired as hell. Barely conscious enough to eat and then sleep.

"You know you've got enough teachers, more experienced than I am in handling the animals, you've got the Water Brigade running smoothly, it seems, and you've got your duties as one of the people managing the animal herds."

"Things need doing." Psycho said, lamely.

"What have I done?" She asked. "What have I accomplished in the last eight days, beyond being a cook for you."

"You're my wife." Psycho said, again lamely.

"Is that is?" She demanded. "Is that all I'll ever be?"

Psycho stared at her, trying to think of something. Instead she just glared at him, quickly standing up and flinging a tortilla at him. He deftly caught it and she stormed off, toward their tent.

"Relationship troubles?" Dave asked, walking up to Psycho.

Psycho looked up and nodded.

"Come over to my tent, Michelle's made stew. Good stew." he said.

Psycho nodded, standing up and glancing back to the tent. He realized that he'd never thought to ask Nizhoni how she felt about this whole thing. She had been completely supportive since they arrived, but now he was beginning to realize that it was taking it toll.

As he walked back to Dave's tent he tried thinking of something to make things better.

[Dave Howery]

OOC: crap, I have to give relationship advice to Psycho?! Start drawing up those divorce papers....

but if I have to, oh well, try this: go back, and every time she says something, say "Yes, you're right, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I'm just a man." That might do the trick...

[Matt]

\
Use the Militia, Luke...use the Militia....;)



Oh I'm well aware of the armed militia. But how many of the board members have ever handled a gun, let alone fired one? My next IC post well go into a little more detail about this.

[Matt]

a little later in the mid morning

Matt continued to shuffle through the proposals in front of him. Most of them wanted to get the move done as fast as possible.

"Going to have to rely on the Militia more then, hmm." He said to no one in particular.

Once again Luakel sat wondering if he was talking to him, or just to himself. "What's wrong with the militia?"

"Well, eventually, nothing. But as of right now lots of things. Lee, bless his bearded heart, has his hands full. Look, I'm sure you brought a gun right" Luakel shook his head. "And one for everyone in your family. And so did everyone else too."

"So we're well armed."

"To of the teeth really. Some of these guys brought overly elaborate weapons too. But how many these guys fired a gun before? How of them even held a gun."

"Not many, I mean... I haven't fired one before."

Matt blinked. Of course. While the rest of the company was BZOing, he had Luakel here in order to get him orientated to his new job. "you haven't even zero'ed it?"

"No, what does that mean."

"Well. Every rifle is slightly different. And so is every shooter. So when you pick up a rifle and look at the sights, they'll be ever so slightly off. It's not a big deal at short ranges, but it could be anywhere from a few inches to feet depending on the range. When you zero the rifle, you set the sights for you."

"Oh I see. I had no clue."

"Percisely my point. You not knowing is my fault. I need to teach you these things in addition to teaching you to be my little gopher. But how many of those schmucks know that. And thats just one example. The bottom line is that I don't expect us to be attacked by a insurgent group. But we need to be prepared, just in case. It's just my job now to worry about it."

"Gotcha." Luakel said.

Matt went back to his paper work. After a few seconds he stopped. "You know what. Let's finish up for the day. I got something to show you.."

[Doctor What]

but if I have to, oh well, try this: go back, and every time she says something, say "Yes, you're right, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I'm just a man." That might do the trick...

OOC:
Four words that every man must memorize if they're married, Psycho.

"Oh", "Yeah", "Right", "Sorry".

Use them individually or in various combinations.

I'm getting very tired of this place.

Oh!

I'm getting very tired of this life

Yeah.

All i do is cook, clean, help the other women out, teach them a bit of things, and then come back and cook again

Right. Sorry.....

:rolleyes:

[Dave Howery]

OOC: Three even more important words:

"It's my fault"

[Ward]

OOC:
Four words that every man must memorize if they're married, Psycho.

"Oh", "Yeah", "Right", "Sorry".

Use them individually or in various combinations.

I'm getting very tired of this place.

Oh!

I'm getting very tired of this life

Yeah.

All i do is cook, clean, help the other women out, teach them a bit of things, and then come back and cook again

Right. Sorry.....

:rolleyes:



You need to take a day off with her .

Take her for a walk , read a book together , just take a day off .

Make love to her , learn were she is ticklish .

[Psychomeltdown]

You need to take a day off with her .

Take her for a walk , read a book together , just take a day off .

Make love to her , learn were she is ticklish .
Gah! but I'm going to have to start setting up the Fisheries in the morning!

Though maybe I can spare the afternoon off and see what happens...

[Ward]

Gah! but I'm going to have to start setting up the Fisheries in the morning!

Though maybe I can spare the afternoon off and see what happens...


Psych forget the fishing for day 9 . Take the day off .
I took 100 kids out with some other Dads and lets say we came back with 10 fish each and that would be over 1200 for the group .

[Matt]

Noon

Matt unzipped his tent, and Luakel entered with him. The mess of the previous week was now cleaned up. Evedently Robyn had been busy.

"Nice place," Luakel said in a patronizing tone of voice.

"It's not much," Matt shot back, "But it's my little corner of heaven."

Robyn was out, as was Roxie. Robyn had training in Anthropolgy, but until Bruno got back she was trying other things. So both were helping out Dave Howery with the animals.

What walked over to a plastic tote and openned it up. He knelt done and begain diggin through it. Finally he found what he was looking for and handed it to Luakel.

"Guidebook for Marines," Luakel read the cover out loud. "Whats this for?"

Matt stood up and dusted off his knees. "It's your new bible. Well mostly. Some of the stuff you don't need to know, like the weapons in the back that we don't have. But there's alot of good stuff in here."

"I see."

"Look, read it. It's really comprehensive. I wish I had a copy for everyone, but all I have is this. My copy from boot camp, so you better not fuck with it."

Luakel openned up the front and looked in. History, Drilling, First Aid, Marksmanship, Hand signals, and Formation movement were all in there. "Uh neat, I guess."

[Norbert]

Matt, you can use my 1980 copy of Guidebook for Marines, if you like.

[Matt]

My actual copy is right here

*sniffs*


Ah memories. Hey, it still has sand in it from the pit!

[Norbert]

Mine is pretty beat up, but still decent condition. At least they were using good materials for them. Also have a copy of 1944 Bluejacket Manual, but that is something I will not loan out (it was my fathers). It does have the info for signaling and so on though, and if someone promised to be very careful with it, those pages could be copied.

[Matt]

Slighly after noon

Matt continued to lead Luakel on a little trek. Their next stop was the spot where Lt. Ed Broncoto established the Company's supply point. Ed, a graduate of Norwich Academy, was a friend of Matt's back to high school. This long experence together earned Matt's trust for a very important resource; the Company's weapons.

Matt walked up to the apparent frontend of the shop. Ed was apparently out; one of the Quartermaster Sergents were there instead.

"Afternoon sir, what can I do ya for?" said the NPC.

"Well Sergent, I'm here to draw a rifle and a pistol for Pvt. Luakel here."

"Very good sir, I'll be right back." After a few minutes the Sgt. came back, rifle in hand. He pull the back to the rear, and inspected the chamber. "Clear, sir."

Matt grabbed it and looked in for himself. "Clear." He closed the bolt. The NPC went to go get the pistol.

"Luakel, this is for you." He held it out for him.

"Um... okay." He made to try to grab it from Matt's hand. Suddenly Matt pulled it away.

"Wrong. Always assume a weapon is loaded." He once again pulled the bolt back. "You see what I just did with the Sergent?"

"Yeah." Matt held it out, Luakel grab it. Not sure to look, he glance over every thing. Matt pointed out where to look. "Clear."

"Good, good... you're learning Soldier."

[SionEwig]

While Doctor What and Company were making nice in the village, at the scouting camp the start of a 1,000,000 point hearts grand travelling tournament began for those not otherwise occupied with watch or other duties.:D

[Dave Howery]

lessee, day 8 for me... not a whole lot going on...

6:00 AM... up with the birds.... literally, because they are in the thousands here and they start singing and squawking when the sun comes up. Roll out of the sleeping bag, rouse Michelle awake, make breakfast...
7:00 AM... wander outside the tent, get together with the other herders, confirm the schedules of the day, take a look around and see if everything is ok...
10:00 AM... take part in the daily herding process, keep the guards on their toes.
12:30 PM... meet up with Psycho and Dominus, review everything going on with the herds. No problems today. Somebody thought they saw wolves near the camp earlier, turned out to be mistaken.
7:00 PM... get to Psycho's tent just in time to see him fleeing from the wrath of his wife. Offer him dinner at my tent. Offer him poor to fair advice on relationships, while thinking to myself to spend some quality time with Michelle. The idea comes up for a day of rest tomorrow; have a dance, some fun.
9:00 PM... make one last round of the herds, making sure everything is settled.
10:00 PM... spend a quiet hour with Michelle by the campfire, then hit the hay after another hard day....

[GBW]

Waiting...

GBW had helped skin the deer with his knife, and had helped gather firewood later on with his hatchet. Between times, he'd helped Flocc pick the two Rangers that would carry the offering forward to the Miwok.

"Traditionally in cultures like this, every male has the right to speak and be heard. And they have a lot to talk about. It will be done when it’s done—and not a minute sooner," Doc was saying in response to a Ranger. Some time passed, and Flocc looked over towards the village. "Man—I would really like to know what’s going on over there…" GBW merely nodded in agreement, then, after a glance at the Rangers, let his mind wander. He thought about things left behind in the 21st Century, like electricity and indoor plumbing, and would come back to himself sitting against a tree and noticing the failing sunlight. He thought about the camp and wondered how the Great Hunt went and especially how his wife was doing. Eventually he got up to walk around a bit to stretch his legs and helped get the fires going. After he ate, he helped Flocc assign the night watches and got ready to go to sleep.

Just waiting...

[Norbert]

While Doctor What and Company were making nice in the village, at the scouting camp the start of a 1,000,000 point hearts grand travelling tournament began for those not otherwise occupied with watch or other duties.:D

'So!' Norbert says, cracking his knuckles in preperation to shuffle the cards,'which rules are we using?'

[Othniel]

And I only brought Pinochle Cards...:rolleyes:

[Norbert]

And I only brought Pinochle Cards...:rolleyes:

Pinochle works for me!

[Othniel]

Pinochle works for me!
Three or four handed (partners)? I need work on my two handed...:p

[Norbert]

Three or four handed (partners)? I need work on my two handed...:p

Or, we could try five or six handed double deck Euchere, played a game of five handed call for your partner that put in about 80 hours of game over a week long choir tour.

(BTW, Don't yell at us!! We need a break in routine, too!:p )
(Just trying to keep some purist off our backs)

[Othniel]

(BTW, Don't yell at us!! We need a break in routine, too!:p )
:confused:

[SionEwig]

Or, we could try five or six handed double deck Euchere, played a game of five handed call for your partner that put in about 80 hours of game over a week long choir tour.

(BTW, Don't yell at us!! We need a break in routine, too!:p )
(Just trying to keep some purist off our backs)

Anyone who want's to complain can get their asses out here with us :D.

However, and this is to Dr.W, Flocc, and Leo. We need to be pulling out today (Day 8) and heading north. So make up your minds on what you want to do.

[perdedor99]

07:38hrs

After taking a quick bath right after PT, I got into my set of cammies. I know having a set of the new disruption pattern cammies on will give an aura of being something special and I knew that would impress some of the recruits. In reality I was trying to impress the new range officer, one of Ward’s sons. He was an ex-combat arms NCO and I felt I was being out of place occupying the position of First Sergeant while a more qualified person in my opinion was still available.

After arriving to the range I presented myself and it turned out to be a very likable fellow. Very professional but still in my opinion more qualified than me to occupy the slot I was occupying in the Rangers’ TO&E.

He put my mind at ease by agreeing that while he had more experience in combat arms my service in Marine Barracks gave me some combat arms experience and my current assignment in the real world gave me the credentials to run the day-to-day operation of a military unit. I thanked him for his support and left the range in his capable hands and when to the stables to check out a horse. I needed the practice riding a horse and better to get it away from the eyes of the recruits.


13:07hrs

My butt hurt like a bastard after riding for a couple of hours but I needed the training if I was going to be the Top of a mounted rifle unit. I decided to break the company for chow at 11:00 hours so we have time to perform the rest of the day evolutions.

After formation I divided the company in the three platoons for individual training. While one of them began cleaning the company’s .22 caliber rifles, the other two checked out 30-06s, a rifle being assigned to each recruit permanently. While one platoon practiced dry firing in different shooting positions under the guidance of their platoon sergeant, Frank was running the remaining platoon thru a patrolling class.

I was planning to rotate the platoons around 13:30 and them again at 15:00 so everyone performed the same evolutions today. While one of the evolutions main purpose was to clean the rifles used for training the other two were to familiarize the recruits with the weight and the feeling of their service rifles plus to give the very basics of small unit movement to the soldiers.