Preparations

In the morning, they considered their options.  The pilot told them that Kallor’s beloved Rillia was not in the mine, but Craven would not allow the slavery to continue.  Niven suggested taking over the large ship to gain superiority, and then force the slavers to surrender.

Using the their flyer under the guise of an ore carrier, they docked with the mothership disguised in the blue turbans of the slavers and prepared to board.  Approaching the ship, which the pilot called The Wayfarer, they noticed another small ship approaching from the opposite direction.  They prepared to board.

Craven activated his deflection shield device and retrieving the gold rod.  Kallor swapped it the battery on his rifle.  Ruhkgar kept out of sight and sharpened his swords while looking menacingly at the pilot.  Niven prepared his radium rifle and loaded the last clip in his Enfield.  then Craven expertly aligned the ship to the rear cargo doors of The Wayfinder.

Boarding Action

Ruhkgar knocked on the door.  When it opened, he stabbed the crewman.  Two other crewmen drew weapons, so Niven shot one.  The other charged Ruhkgar, who split him in two.  Another was surprised and the last ran away.  Craven tried to activate the rod to no effect.  Kallor advanced and crouched behind a fallen crewman.

The remaining crewman recognized Ruhkgar.  His name was Orono and he asked why Ruhkgar killed his friends.  They were just crewmen on the ship, not slavers.  Niven advanced to cover the two hallways.  Kallor advanced to the bulkhead. Ruhkgar and Orano went toward his quarters.  

Secure Storage

Niven covered the other door out of the chamber.  Craven advanced to the bulkhead.  Orano and Ruhkgar went to his sparse quarters.  It was barely large enough for the two bunks and a chest for each occupant.  Kallor advanced beyond the first bulkhead and heared voices in a room inside the cargo bay.

Kallor steeped aside.  Niven joined him.  He looked through the keyhole and saw two guards inside, as well as various weapons.  He picked the lock.  The two guards asked them their business and Niven them to surrender and join Zak Arras.  The guards became hostile at the mention of that name.  Ruhkgar joined them.  Two crewmen emerged from the opposite door.  Craven shot one who pushed the other back through their door, whcih closed behind them. 

Niven stabbed at one, but missed.  Ruhkgar closed and stabbed the one in the doorway.  Kallor covered them.  Craven opened the door and shot the nearest crewman behind it.  More guards appeared and one shot Kallor.  The remaining guard in the room shot at Ruhkgar.  He missed.  

The guards near Craven could not get through the door.  The others shot at Kallor and he was hit again.   The remaining guard in the room shot at Ruhkgar. He missed, but Ruhkgar reposted and ran him through.  Niven ran around the bulkhead and shot one of the ones attacking Kallor.  Kallor removed and killed another of his opponents.  Ruhkgar attacked the last one, but he parried.  Craven held the door shut.

Ruhkgar killed that last one on that side and advanced down the hall.  Craven held the door.   Kallor informed Craven of Ruhkgar’s sneak attack.  Niven followed Ruhkgar.  

The remaining guard burst through the door and stabbed Craven.  Niven followed Ruhkgar.  Kallor stabbed Craven’s attacked and killed him.  Craven closed the door.  Ruhkgar ran down the hallway and attacked the flanking guards.  Niven shot the next one.  The last one stepped up to shoot Ruhkgar but missed.

Niven shot the last one and killed him.  Craven took the radium weapons from the armory (two pistols and a rifle).  Ruhkgar shouted to Kallor that the hallway was clear and climbed the steps.

Kallor performed first aid on Craven.  Ruhkgar was greeted by three guards with their pistols ready, but all three missed due to cover.  Niven waited on Ruhkgar to clear the stairway.  

The Battery

Ruhkgar swept two of the shooters and stunned one.  Niven stabbed the fallen one and killed him.  Craven opened the door to the battery and was greeted by rifle fire.  Niven shot one in of the men in the battery.  Ruhkgar stabbed and killed the other man next to him.  Kallor advanced and shot.  The guard officer stabbed Ruhkgar.  Then Ruhkgar stabbed him.

Ruhkgar missed the officer.  Niven disabled the wounded turret officer.  The guard officer missed Ruhkgar and then was subdued.  Kallor charged the battery and shot the other officer.  Craven shot him again and disabled him.

Kallor murdered the fallen turret officers.  Craven figured out how to overload the battery.  He rigged it to and they fled toward the boat.  But when they got to the cargo bay, it was blocked by a grey Martian, Von Klugge, two bodyguards, and the Turkish lieutenant.

The Final Encounter

Ruhkgar attacked the grey man.

The Team

  • Sir Lyton Niven, Gentleman Thief and Spy
  • Capt. Philip Harrison Craven, WWI Flying Ace
  • Kallor Muldane – Red Man Explorer
  • Ruhkgar – Red Man Swordsmen