Chapter 6.2: Daring Rescue

Hank has Peter set up the marching order, since he's the one with the tactics. Again, Hank and Mercer are the civvies here, and he knows it. He is actively leaning on the military knowledge of those actually from the military.

But at first he's going to take a moment to talk to Hank. "Hey. I don't want to be someonw you think just questions orders, but..." he pauses clearly pushing away the past. I've seen people die acting like we did. I'll tell you about it sometime if you want, but.... I just don't want us to make that same mistake. You seem like someone that would weigh on.

"I know there was risk involved, but there was just the one creature and I was pretty confident there was only one creature. I also knew we had the firepower to take out that one creature and the distance to get two shots on it. It wasn't just a blind guess. It was a risk, but it really was a calculated risk that got us farther along than we would have gotten by avoiding it.

"Look, I know this is asking a lot, but please know that I am not going to rely on blind luck. I had a reason to believe we were in a good position."

All the while when talking, Hank is still trying to pay attention around them. Even if it is unskilled use of Notice.

Mercer will nod and move into position.

Peter takes the lead when they emerge into the chamber, he will be at F3 and starts making his way towards F5, while keeping his gun aimed at M6 direction and without exposing himself to D7/8.

As for "marching orders" i think everyone is falling in place by themselfs, but he will make sure to keep hank closer to the middle of the pack, and also to not let Mercer get to far behind or away from the rest since he's more skilled for melee he should be close to someone with a long weapon.

He will make sure he can't see anything towards M6, everything bellow will only happen if he doesn't

On the radio he makes a call in a low voice:

"Guys i think it's great you are patching things up but let's focus a bit? I want to clear those houses (D3 and L3) before we cross that intersection, let's start with this one (D3), Douklan i can take point and you come with me, i need Corbin to keep aiming here where i'm at (F5 aimed at M6) and Mercer and Hank keep an eye for that door (k3) make sure nothing comes out of it"

At the same time Peter is glad he is back to making tactical plans like in his old days, he can't say he is as confident in this new group as he was in his old squad, they all seemed to handle the last encounter very well but nothing like the years of experience working side by side in life or death situations can bring to the table.

Peter will stand in front of the door, wait for everyone to be in position and for Hank to show he's ready and then he will try to open the door.

Corbin will move up to the corner of building (F5) and cover the streets while the others clear the buildings.

Hank does as instructed.

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 11:58:06 UTC

Abandoned farming village, Underworld, Zyronis
ETA to the Salvage Team’s current position: 40-50 minutes

---

Peter gets ready to check some of the nearby houses. Normally, he wouldn't storm every block and every building between here and there but he had a hunch that something was wrong with those buildings. As the crew fell into place, Peter glanced around, his eyes flicking between his teammates as he assessed their positions. As Peter cautiously pushed the door open, the musty smell of decay wafted out, mingling with the faint scent of flowers, leaves and dirt from the outside. He stepped into the dimly lit interior of the abandoned house, his senses on high alert as he scanned the surroundings.

The interior was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by slivers of artificial sunlight filtering in through the cracks in the walls. Overgrowth had claimed much of the space, tangled vines snaking their way across the floor and up the walls, while thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling like gossamer curtains.

Near the door, a weathered table stood, its surface littered with debris and detritus from years of neglect. On the opposite side of the room, a primitive oven stood silent and still, its rusted metal frame a testament to a bygone era.

But as Peter's eyes adjusted to the dim light, he caught sight of movement in the shadows. Two figures emerged from the darkness, their cybernetic implants glinting ominously in the faint light.
Giant rats, their once-natural forms twisted and augmented by crude cybernetic enhancements, advanced towards Peter with menacing intent. Their red eyes glowed with malice as they bared their sharp teeth, sensing him as a threat in their territory.

Peter tightened his grip on his weapon, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he prepared to defend himself against the unexpected threat.

With a swift motion, he raised his gun.

Perder aims his laser rifle at the rat in the middle of the room R2 and pulls the trigger.

When he notices the two modified rats also have cybernetic parts the thought of what else is mutating in this place begins to grow.

"Contact"

Mercer is going to swing on the nearest giant rat.

Since I have to choose before the rolls, I am committed to use the Effort. However, since I get the Effort back at the end of the scene, it should be no harm. There really isn't anything Hank can do from his vantage point, so he will maintain his position to make sure nothing else is approaching us.

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 11:58:06 UTC

Abandoned house, farming village, Underworld, Zyronis
Reacting quickly, Peter raised his weapon and fired, but his shot went wide, missing its mark as the nimble rats dodged out of the way with surprising agility.

Before Peter could adjust his aim, Mercer charged into the fray, his blade gleaming in the dim light as he moved to intercept the rats. With a fierce battle cry, Mercer leaped into action, but his first attack missed its mark as well, the rats proving to be more agile opponents than anticipated.

Corbin adjusts his position to see into the house, picking out one of the Rats he lets out a short burst from the laser rifle.

With a swift and decisive motion, Corbin shattered the glass of the outside window using the buttstock of his laser rifle. The shards tinkled to the ground, scattering across the floor like fractured stars.

Then, taking aim, Corbin fired a small burst from his weapon, the bright energy beams slicing through the air. One of the cybernetically-enhanced rats let out a shrill squeal as the blast struck true, its form burning before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 11:58:12 UTC

Abandoned farming village, Underworld, Zyronis
Douklan followed Peter inside the abandoned house and fired his gun at the remaining rat, but missed.

In the meantime, as the first rat fell to the ground, its cybernetic implants flickering with the last vestiges of life, a faint broadcast signal emanated from its remains. It was a distress call, a plea for help that reverberated through the abandoned farming village.

Moments later, the air was filled with the sound of skittering feet and shrill squeals as rats from all corners of the village converged on the scene. Their cybernetic implants glinted in the artificial light, their eyes alight with anger as they responded to the call of their fallen comrade.

Hank says, "Oh, no! There are now at least eight more of these things I can see! We probably need to make a fighting withdrawal to keep from getting surrounded!"

He is waiting to see what Peter says, so hasn't fired yet this turn. I gotta go look up how movement and fire works again, but wanted to get his warning out first, as no one but maybe Corbin can see the new problem.

I'll keep to the back of the group if we're using our blaster fire to cover us.

Douklan cursed at missing his first shot and fires again at the immediate threat he can see: R2. "Do we try to outrun them, or do we come in here and shoot them as they try to come in after us?"

Can I tell how fast the CyberRats seem to move?