FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 9 Chapter 1 pt 2

The Past Adventures of my Jammers PBEM game.

For me, one of the joys of PBEM gaming is the ability to revisit the
old adventures by reading the turn summaries. I think they make great
fan fiction.

This game has been going on since September, 1997. I thought folks
might enjoy reading the old turns in order, as fluff fiction. I know
I post the current turns as fluff as well, but the past turns were,
well, six years ago and new list members, as well as some old, may
still enjoy getting the old reads in their mailbox once per week. If
not, let me know and I'll stop sending them.

To give folks an idea of how much is still to come, the game is now
in Turn 28 of Chapter 7. Chapter 1 has 30 turns...

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

IC:
Continued from part 1

Radick steps forward, "Yes Leera, I agree with your thoughts on what
questions need to be addressed,  certainly sleeping accomodations are a
concern, and I believe since there should not be any favoritism to anyone,
the three rooms should be converted to sleeping chambers for the 10 of us.
Deigatt has requested to sleep in the hold."

"As for your concerns regarding shifts, leave, and battle command, I
believe we need to select a single Captain and a single Chief Helmsman.
There should also be a backup for each of these individuals.  It will be
crucial that the Captain and Chief Helmsman be able to work together
without any problems.  I have had a conversation with Holland and it seems
that he and I agree that the Chief Helmsman should be responsible for the
scheduling of the helm shifts as well as the coordinating of spell use
during battle.  The Captain should be responsible for directing the team in
battle, for setting work shifts, and for representing the ship in contact
with outsiders."

"Of course, the Captain has no more authority then the rest of the crew
when it comes to the decisions which affect us all. Everyone gets an equal
vote."

"Now, who would be ideal for each position, the Chief Helmsman would
ideally be Holland in my opinion. He has the navigator, engineer, and
helmsman experience that none other have, at least as far as I have been
told. Leera, you would be my selection for Assistant Chief Helmsman, should
anything befall Holland."

Radick then nods to himself and adds, "As for Captain, I believe Raken
would be a fine choice and I would willingly accept him, however I do feel
that if someone is to be the Captain there are some areas where I feel I
may be able to add to the position.  Of course, I think that if I am chosen
to be Captain - he would be the ideal first mate. However, I feel I am more
vocal, and though a Captain need not be vocal, it certainly helps if they
are willing to give direction, and listen to feedback.  The second thing
that now concerns me, although I had no concern about it previously, is
Leera's comment that he is too valuable to risk injury in battle. I know
that Raken did not make the comment, but I would certainly question any
captain who was to direct the combat from behind the lines. No one of us
should follow any one who is not willing to lead."

He moves to the side and adds as a final statement (for now) "I want you to
know, that I request the title of captain only because I feel I can do the
job. If any of you have your doubts to my abilities to lead, then speak up,
for I will not be offended. This decision is too important for anyone to
emotionally upset by such a statement."

A great deal of arguing occurs over if a captain is needed, and if so
who should be captain... Radick storms off in the middle after his
role as captain is challenged.

After a long while...

Deigatt looks out the "eye" in satisfaction now that the watch schedule has
been decided.. He recoils in shock.  Appearing suddenly,  not a hundred
yards from the WHIRLWIND is the second eelship. Most of the vines and
vegetation have
been cleared away. It's catapult and ballista are ready to fire. A black robed
figure on the deck of the eelship begins making arcane gestures, and bolts
of electricity begin to crackle from his outstretched arm.

"I strongly suggest that heveryone forget this momentary confusion habout
where you har hand prepare for battle! We har being hattacked!" Deigatt calls.

Italapate leans on the railing watching the stars.  Suddenly,
another Eelship appears.  "Oh, please," he says lowering his head.
"There are not that many Eelships in all of Wildspace."
         He bows his head, whispering a few words to himself.  Then he looks
straight at the Eelship... and refuses to move.

      Sitting with his chin in his hands, watching the argument, Kain
leaps up when Deigatt gives a call. Rushing from the bridge with the
rest, he stops, quickly grabs his swordbelt from under his bunk, and
buckles it as he climbs the stairs.

         As it has been Raken's turn to man the helm comes, he recoils in
shock at the sight of the approaching eelship.  "CRAP!  WE'RE UNDER
ASSAULT!  BATTLESTATIONS!!!" he cries out in an unnatural, disembodied
voice.  He swiftly considers the options open to him.  The ship control is
sluggish and poor, leaving him with rapidly diminishing options.
"Celestrian's Staff, we're in for it now!"  He desprately searches for the
FLOWFISH, hoping aid will be coming shortly.

Holland says, "Raken, close with her and bring us to boarding distance.
That should help negate their crew weapons.  Everyone get up top and
prepare to board.  Those with missile weapons feel free to fire.  Let's
take the battle to them."

Holland lets the burly fighter types head up on the deck first as he
follows behind them, mentally reviewing what spells he can use against
the eelship.  Once on the main deck, he positions himself near the
catapult.

         Grigree smiles, his fangs showing, and slaps Holland on the back
as he passes by.  "Just what I was thinking," he says.  "Maybe you should
be the captian."

Holland visibly winces, whether it was from the slap on the back or the
suggestion, no one knows.

         Once out of the bridge, Grigree grabs his crossbow and crouches
behind the ship's railing, taking aim at the mage.  "Where's that stupid
tradesman of ours," he mumbles to himself while checking out the situation.

Deigatt moves quickly to the ballista. "Holland! Leera! There's a
spellcaster hon yon ship! Stand ready to take him hif you can! Those with
missile weapons prepare to defend haz Holland has suggested! Grigree!
Two-Thumbs! Help me bring this ballista to bear hon the devils! Heveryone!
Move! Now!"

As the crew comes topside if they choose to look around they see Radick at
the catapult preparing to fire.  When he sees Deigatt call Billy to the
ballista, he calls out, "Hold your shot Deigatt, wait until we get closer,
no reason to waste ammunition." He then speaks softly to Holland.

Holland says something back to Radick and then with slow precise strides
walks over to the ladder well and heads below deck.

  The WHIRLWIND suddenly drops out of spelljamming speed as the FLOWFISH,
formerly 10000 yards ahead (the min distance for a convoy to maintain
spelljamming speed and stay out of each others tactical zone) turns sharply
to help engage the suddenly appearing eelfish 100 yards away from the
WHIRLWIND.

As Holland returns below deck, Radick calls out to Leera, "Enough! End it
now before we waste ammunition, spells, or someone ends up getting hurt."

Radick walks to the deck, and simply says, "If we can reconvene below deck
in the helm, explanations will be provided and hopefully we can conclude
the discussion that was begun earlier."

Radick the follows after Holland with his head bent over, in what might be
classified as humbled regret.  He certainly is not flashing any of his
sparkling smiles at this time.

The black-robed mage onboard the eelship lowers his arm to point at
Deigatt. Suddenly, his face grows fearful.  If you are close enough, you
hear a crackle of electricity as the spell he has been holding goes awry.
First his arm, and then his whole body is outlined with glowing pulses of
energy. The effect soon spreads to the rest of the ship. Within moments,
nothing remains where the ship once was.

As the crew stares in amazement, Leera can be heard giggling.

         Grigree slowely takes his eye away from the bolt he was sighting
along.  His black eyes turn to Leera.

She speaks: "Friends, if that had been a real ship, we would be in dire
straits indeed.  Come, it doesn't matter whether we have a captain, or
not. It doesn't matter if we have a chief helmsman, or not.  As it
happens, I think that it would be good for us to fill these positions,
and the choices we made were good ones.  Radick, Raken, Holland, and I
will serve well."

She ceases looking amused and continues: "What is important, however, is
that we are able to act as a unit when needed, not as a bunch of
sniveling children."

She's really starting to look angry (her eyes even glow red and begin to
spark): "I will NOT sacrifice my life because you were all too concerned
with protesting bunk assignments to lay out a basic battle plan. Bunk
assignments are irelevant.  Holland's plan will work beautifully. There!
That's settled! Now, as far as battle plans, we don't need anything
fancy, all that is necessary is that we each know our station.  We have
proved that we can fight and improvise in a fight. All that is needed
now is to develop a plan that will put each of us into a starting
position that allows us to use our skills.  I want that plan, and I want
it NOW, before that eelship comes back for real!"

As Leera's tirade goes on Captain Wilhelmina moves to the railing and pulls
two flags,  one red,  one white, out and starts to wave them in a
systematic fashion.  By the time Leera is finished speaking the FLOWFISH
has returned to its original course.Replacing her flags inside her coat the
Captain simply walks down to the hold,  ignoring everyone.

"I think you just vitnessed our battle plans firsthand," Grigree
says, having a hard time staying mad at the illusionist's odd -- yet
amusing -- tactics.

She calms a little: "Actually, I'm surprised and gratified that you all
worked so well together.  You know, we may yet live through a few
adventures. To tell you the truth, I think this is the finest group I've
ever worked with."

She softens a bit more: "I'm sorry if my demonstration upset you, but I
think I've proved my point. This is a fine crew that can work well
together in a crisis.  All we need worry about now is how we work
together when there isn't a crisis."

After the illusion disappears, Billy shakes his head in disbelief
and throws his hands up in resignation. "That's it! Whatever the
majority decides, I will follow... Just make up your minds quickly
before we start leaving each other scorpions in our chamber pots!"

Talus looks unimpressed by Leera's hysterical outbreak and replies quietly,
but loud enough that all can hear, "That was a pretty trick, but otherwise
a very stupid thing to do.  You should take more care with your illusions,
if you are not careful you may end up with a dagger in your back rather
than just a fist in your side."

Watching Captain Wilhelmina signal the Flowfish, "I wonder what our chances
of sponsorship are now," the half-elf asks idly.

Deigatt remains still through Leera's explanation, then his brown eyes
glower at her back as she descends below decks. He snorts with fury,
searching for words to express his outrage.

Finally, he manages, "What kind hof crew his this where we resort to
deceit to bend others' wills?! Hif we cannot deal with each hother with
honesty, then how can we deal with each hother hat hall?!"

He looks up to the stars and takes a long, deep breath. Having calmed
himself he asks in a very civil tone, "Post-Captain Wilhemina, his there a
substantial penalty for the killing hof human women hin this
jurisdiction?"

Talus grins at the minotaur, "Only if it is proved my friend, if she was to
simple vanish over the side with no one the wiser, who would know." From
Talus's expression he is entertaining a few thoughts in that direction
himself.

Nilaroo simply flashes a dark look at the spellcaster, mutters something in
his native tongue and spits off to the side.  He then returns topside to
continue repairing what damage he can to the spines and rigging, carrying
the longbow he had grabbed in all the excitement with him.

Leera and Radick enter the helmroom,  where Raken sits with Italapate.
Italapate, still unmoved from his perch along the railing that protects the
intact portal eye of the Eelfish.  He is clapping slowly.
         "Very nice, Sweetness.  Course I saw right through it.  One doesn't
fool the Trickster the same way twice.  Poor Raken had no idea why I was
laughing my ass off as everyone ran around like the Giants that Guarded
fire when Coyote took it.  (and no, you haven't heard that story yet).
Didn't anyone notice we were at SJ speeds 100 yards away from an
attacking ship?  sheesh!!"

"At least you could have told me," Raken comments from the helm.  "You
people give me a headache.  I'm going to need a vacation," he mutters.  He
then brings the ship back on course with all possible speed.

As the crew, less Holland and Nilaroo begin to re-enter the helm Radick
steps forward, "It appears that Leera's idea of a test did not sit well
with you. I must admit that I did not feel it was right either, but if that
was her choice to do, I could not say no to her, as long as no one was in
danger."

Grigree smiles at this...

Radick goes on "Billy and Deigatt, you both took charge and that is
commendable, but it does show that a leader is needed. Maybe you don't need
someone to make
your workshifts and you don't need someone to assign bunks. What you do
need is someone to help coordinate our efforts so that we maximize our use
of manpower.  What we do not need is threats of violence from one member of
our team to another, and we also do not need people standing around during
what appears to be a crisis. As you have indicated Italapate, there were
some definite clues that it was not a real battle situation, why did you
not point those details out rather than let the crew race about? If that
had been an enemies spell we may have wasted a lot of effort."

"Friends, and I hope I can call you that despite my earlier outburst, we
need to form a team. We need to work together. We need a leader to keep us
from duplicating effort, and from wasting resources.  I do not care if it
is me or not, but please select someone."
Radick looks extremely serious and unusually humble as he says these words.
It is certainly a sincere plea.

"For now I suggest that since Raken is on the helm, and Nilaroo is on deck.
Billy and Deigatt should join on the deck, and the rest of us either sleep,
eat or work on repairing the ship. I will be getting a little sleep so that
I can relieve Billy later."

As he begins to walk to the cabin which was originally the crew cabin he
adds softly, "That was not a direction, just a suggestion."

Grigree smiles, looks at Radick, and nods.  "I'll be up topside helping
Nilaroo with the rigging," he says to the people still in the helm room as
he continues towards the door.  Catching up to Radick, he pats him on the
back, saying, "Good plan."

Everyone disperses.

After the _Whirlwind_ resumes jammer speed, Holland emerges from the
ladder well and raises his voice to say, "There is food prepared for
whenever you get hungry."  He then lowers his voice and conversationally
says to Nilaroo, "Could you use an extra hand with the repairs?"

"Perfect timing! Let me finish this jury-rig and I'll be right down! Yum,"
says Billy, licking his lips and rubbing his tummy.

And so the journey continues...

Date/Time: First half of the 4th Month, 5049 OC
I had not yet started keeping careful count of time.
--
"...How shall a man judge what to do in such times?!"
"As he has ever judged," said Aragorn "Good and evil have not changed
since yesteryear..."
J.R.R. Tolkien, _The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers_

Paul Westermeyer,  pwestermeyer@????????.??.com