Evacuation Part 2 - ATZ, Batrep, AAR

Two weeks since round one: But you all know the probs; work; family and now Christmas! Anyway I got there even if a bit rushed.

 

Prologue

 

The zeds are loose and rampaging through Purgatory. A team of police and army have been tasked with clearing the shanty, saving all well persons, evacuate them and raze the area. Zed hordes have broken from the source locus and are loose. Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Highway and Big Joe Savalas have a platoon each to clear the shanty. MCPD have been allocated to arrest the gangster element and facilitate the evacuation.

 

The volume of zeds has led to the military advance grinding to a halt. Big Joe has lost the majority of his platoon and Highway is down to his SAW and himself. Zed hordes abound and there are more on the way. (Doubles, house rules apply)

 

Turn 13

Highway checked his six and identified that the cops were doing their thing, “OK Murph, a couple of bursts and then we’ll fall back.”

Corporal Murphy required no further encouragement and squeezed off a short burst. Three zeds fell. Highway loosed off a round ripping an arm off of one of the creatures. It wasn’t enough; the horde ahead of them fell upon their position. Hampered by his BAR Murphy collapsed as sharp nails ripped at his uniform, shredding it to ribbons. Blackened teeth tore at his bare flesh. Highway stabbed and thrust at anything in range. He downed one and pierced a second before his bayonet jammed in the beast’s eye socket. The being collapsed, tearing the Springfield from his hands. As if in retribution a one armed zed grabbed Highway by the throat and lifted him from the ground. Highway passed out as his brain was starved of blood.

Cowboy Morris snapped off a round and one of the sick exploded. He didn’t see the second monster lurch at him, but he did feel his throat being torn out. Big Joe propelled twelve inches of US steel into the creature’s skull but not in enough time to safe his subordinate. Cowboy Morris had gone to the last round up. Joe started to edge away from the carnage.

Grafton Street collapsed his camera, “Jimmy, it’s time to skedaddle,” he said moving back up the road. His reporting brother turned and followed.

The zeds won the activation rolls and despite good ‘being charged’ rolls the sheer volume of zeds proved too much and the military succumbed. Thomas Highway may get ltl’d in place of ‘Big Joe’ for the final scenario.

Turn 14 (doubles x2)

Even the Lord seemed desirous of hiding what was happening in Purgatory and a heavy dark cloud rolled over town.

Big Joe glanced skyward and swallowed hard. Police Sergeant Al Lynch blessed himself.

James Street’s attention was attracted to a tall well-dressed man in a black suit, who seemed to be guarded by a rufus ‘red-neck’. He moved over to him.

“What the blazes are going on here! I’m a reporter from Old Glory. You can’t silence the press. I’m a citizen of the United States and I demand an answer.”

“Stick with the cops sonny and get the hell out of here.”

Jimmy recognised a distinct British accent, “what in dog gone damnation is a Brit doing here? Get me an American.”

 “Fall back lads. Orderly now. Let’s get ourselves back to the Forward Evacuation Point.” Al commanded and his men back stepped.

The doubles create: ‘ deterioration in the weather’ as well as ‘unruly citizens’. Two more hordes were released from the holding area

Turn 15

It was the biggest pistol Jimmy had ever seen and it was pointed straight at his head.

“Go with the cops. Mr. American Citizen,” hissed Hamilton Square.

Even in his state James Street, reporter, saw the benefit of the sage advice. The MCPD began to file past and Jimmy followed them.

Jimmy Street lost the argument with Hamilton Square (who had been engaged in the game but I chose to leave his experience out of the narrative as it was getting a bit confusing.) There was no zed move this turn.

Turn 16

Jack saw beyond the zeds as another group shambled into view. There were more now then he could count. He whistled up George and jerked his head to the rear and they both began to shuffle backwards in unison.

Turn 17 (doubles)

A peel of thunder crashed from above and a brilliant flash ripped open the sky. Huge drops of rain began to fall from above.

As if woken by the heavenly roar the zeds rose as one and began to tumble towards what remained of the police lines.

The doubles created the deluge. With no engagement JR and GC backed away.

Turn 18

“Jack?”

“George?”

“We gonna be OK?”

Jack Regan put his arm about his cousin’s shoulders and guided him from Donkey Drive to the safety of Arch Wright’s store and the Forward Evacuation Point.

Only the police moved this turn and the two remaining cops made it to safety.

Epilogue

Moor City’s finest have fallen back to the area where all this started Arch. Wright’s store. There they have created a ‘safe zone’. The final game of the year will be the ‘Safe Zone’ one. There were thirty-nine zeds on the table when JR & GC left. They will start the next game on the table, hence why I played it out to the bitter end.

Thoughts: Once again I am amazed as to how this game could well reflect real life; the failure of an evacuation plan and an advance on a fixed position. It also goes to show that even heroes die. I was not expecting the zeds to be as successful against the two army platoons, but failing the ‘see the feast’ test proved catastrophic. What a great game!

 My intention is to play this scenario before the year is out and turn to FFO in the New Year (if Santa brings me a copy.)  

Thanks for reading and commenting folks. Keep warm out there.

Lorcan.