h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

you're right, they are. my understanding was that the advance group was just a bit ahead, like 50 yards or so... *shrug*

*a shot rings out ...... about 50 yards up the road*

from who? the first or second group? *sigh* i agree, we need to get back together and make things less confusing.

*takes off on the dragonFLYbot from the back of Baccy* hears another gunshot*

That doesn't sound good. I'll try to persuade the advance group to make a tactical retreat.

*flies to Garius Lupus who, with Munchkin, sea, YK, Carmel and the Pugs, is already working his way backwards using long grass as cover*

Hi Garius, I'll get to one side of the Apes and cause a distraction. Get back to the stagecoach as fast as you can - Caer's just put the kettle on.

*flits between the grass heads and works her way round to the west of the Apes* fires her gun a few times and waits for the apes to start moving in her direction* works her way slowly, carefully and unseen back towards the Posse*

Folk in the Advance Group will remain listed as such on page A763607 until they post here to say they're back with the stagecoach group.

*Rides up to the second group after thanking Amy.*

I heard there was some brewing here.

*Dismounts and ties his horse to the stagecoach.*

Bit of a skirmish with some Apes up ahead. We'll need to make some arrangements before dark, but at the very least, I suggest everyone sleep with their boots on.

*looks sadly down at extremely uncomfortable boots*

[Yar isn't here. Mega Man X is. But, anyway, X arrives just in time to hear GL speak.]

[X] Might as well, since I never take 'em /off/.

Sorry Yar, I realised my mistake just after I posted .

*sneaks back through the grass to the stagecoach*

i'm just in time for again .

[X] Anyway, I'll have some , too.

I drew the apes off to the west. That should buy us some time.

*behind amy in the tall grass a large simian strikes a match and places it carefully to the tall dry grasses*

Ook ook ook ook ook [heh heh heh heh heh]

*wisps of smoke start to come up from the tallgrass and small flickering flames can be seem amidst the stalks quickly growing and spreading*

*as the flames take hold more and more of the tallgrass starts to crinkle and burn with the heat. The flames spread slowly at first then with terrifying rapidity as the prairie starts to burn in an arc between the Posse and the town cutting off their line of retreat*

*the smoke and noise of the growing fire also alerts the fauna of the prairie and rabbits, coyotes, Bison and the odd Gnu start to move away from the flames. Many of them head towards the Posse's camp a few short paces ahead of the on rushing edge of the fire*

Uh oh. I spoke too soon.

*throws what remains of her tea on the fire*

Styx, get down here - you're no good to anyone up there on the stagecoach. Those without horses get on the coach. Titania, drive the stagecoach as hard as you can. Keep a lookout for Carmel and her wagon and the pugs. Get Amos and everyone else to a place of safety and wait for us.

Those with horses, take them to the East, let's see if we can get behind the fire and sort out these apes.

*takes off on the DFB, rising rapidly on the grass fire thermals, screened from view by the smoke. In any other circumstances she would be in her element.*

*Gets on his horse and rides off to the east, trying to outflank the fire. Reaches a small stream which forms a natural fire break, and splashes through. Heads around the end of the fire and rides back towards the west, where, presumably, the Apes are busy gloating.*

*behind the fire watching it move towards the Posse with the prevailing wind*

Ook [gloat]

*after hastily gathering up the tea things and putting out the camp fire, jumps into coach and holds on tight when T takes the reins*

Carmel Oh, dear me, my Underwriter's Laboratory flame resistance rating is merely "fair." *she faints*

*The pug and wagon go tearing off after some of the fleeing wildlife. It is unclear if they are attempting to follow them to safetly or merely trying to catch one of the rabbits. Their absurd good luck holds out and they head east and soon come to the stream (where the rabbit escapes). They stand on the bank, grumbling and dithering, as they dislike getting wet.*

*Jumps into the coach and leans out the window so that she can see.*

This does not look good at all.

*still on her horse, sea finally gets back to the rest of the posse and turns her horse around*

should i go try to find carmel and the pugs?