>>5186190Luckily, your eavesdropping reveals the vox caster works best when used outdoors from a high point. A team of three is apparently operating the device from the top of a large ziggurat while the others explore the ruins. It shouldn’t be too hard to sneak up, capture the device and maybe capture an operator as well, before finding somewhere else to hid. And as an added bonus, it will disrupt the enemy’s ability to coordinate with the reinforcements they are trying to bring in.
Namara agrees with this plan, and Audrey voices no opinion either way, so you head out in search of the largest ziggurat you can find. This is harder than it sounds. The ruins seem to stretch on forever, and the trees and buildings block lines of sight.
Periodically you hear gunfire, and reports on your vox-bead that the Thorakara have taken a few loses to skirmishes with wildlife and tribals.
After about an hour or so, you spot some figures on top of a large ziggurat, and use the trees growing on the south side to reach the summit undetected.
Perhaps thinking they are protected by their high elevation, the three Thorakara aren’t particularly aware of their surroundings, with two fiddling around with the vox caster while a third heads in your direction while preparing to relieve himself. Seizing the initiative, you rush forward and catch him in the groin with a wicked swing of your tire iron before more gently hitting him on the head (you aren’t sure how strongly you can hit someone in the head without killing them). As he falls, you level your pistol at the other two and demand they surrender as you advance. Namara also approaches while triggering her shock baton menacingly.
Suddenly you stop in your tracks.
You recognize the two by the vox caster.
It is your former servants Vance and Delores from your brief stint as a senior cultist.
Then you hear a gasp from behind you.
You turn and see the Thorakara you initially disabled has somehow righted himself and is aiming a pistol at Audrey.
Then you hear a soft curse to your right.
You turn again and see a pair of women (perhaps twins) wearing loincloths of spotted fur and carrying low end civilian hunting rifles are approaching from the west, having apparently scaled the ziggurat from that direction undetected.
They are pointing their guns at Namara.
>Fire on the two women targeting Namara.>Fire at the man aiming at Audrey.>Command Vance and Delores to grab their guns and help you. 