Right, where does that leave us?
First of all, as for timing... a round is ROUGHLY five seconds, though it can be ten, fifteen, even thirty. This game system follows film logic where time is kinda hazy. When Ariadne says thirty seconds, try ntot o attach a specific round value to that but treat it as 'very soon'. If time is a factor, remember I always give you the amount of time you have left, in rounds or turns.
Khali rolls +3 on Barb, whuch is an 18... a hit! Three damage to Barb. Khali uses Fox's Retreat on his riposte, which he rolls -1 for- a miss.
However, now Loomis and Khali attack Barb again- another four bursts from each of Loomis' guns, and Khali uses a Sting of the Butterfly to reclaim the lost exertion from her dodge.
Burn, yes, but rules-wise you can play no further part in this fight so you cannot aid the players in any way.
Sinister declines to attack you again, San- instead, he continues moving back with his colleagues, leaving you behind and somewhat more out the fight.
The Agent rolls -3... a miss! Mors, you do your flip, and rolls evens... gah! A miss! The Agent grabs your leg as you try and flip away and pulls you back...
The Agent then aims another jab at Ares.
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As for a strategic retreat... that is what I wish to talk to you about. I think you should bear in mind that the laptop is a BONUS. If you get it, you 'win' the combat path. If you do not get it, you only lose the Combat Path and do not get your bonus- you do NOT lose the game.
You have probably noted that Jericho's team is extremely good. Only two of them are better by simply being better fighters, but they all have perfect team co-ordination (i.e. I control all of them so I can always co-ordinate them great!) and experience (I know this system very well). Balanced against that, of course, was your surprise factor- which kinda didn't have the impact it could have done- and that you only had to drop the one of them, Tyr.
If you think you might get killed trying to do this- and Jericho might be chatty, but can you see Khali sparing anyone- then it is seriously not worth it! No amount of extra experience points are worth dying for.
Two other things to think about when you make thise choice:
1. There will, of course, be a final confrontation to this story. Any of Jericho's team you do not kill now will be present then. if they are ALL alive... well, let me just say that the Philosophy guys are going to be saying 'What, you didn't kill ANY of them? What are you being paid to do, exactly?"
2. There is a small compensation prize for choosing to retreat. Just to keep you in good spirits.
The most immediate problem right now... is that Agent/Ares interface looks dodgy. You can save Ares by running back to help him... but then Tyr gets away. Even if only half of you run back, would those who go on ahead feel happy fighting Tyr. Loomis, Khali and Sinister?
I would hate to lose the subway train fight but a player dying is harsh and I would hate to see that happen even more.
So... think about that. And remember if people cannot agree then it is the ranking officer's choice (i.e. Mors).
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CURRENT SITUATION AT: Fourth Round, Third Turn
Side of street
Burn: Down
Jericho: ?/0/0
Medea: ?/0/0
Inside Subway
San: 11/19/0
Subway Stairs
Khali: ?/0/0
Tyr: ?/10/-1
Sinister: ?/0/1
Loomis: ?/13/0
Barb: 2/14/-1
Cloud: 8/26/0
Subway Entrance
Mors: 10/29/0
Ares: 9/20/2
Agent 2: ?/0/1
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Ok, there are three attacks that have been made that still need resolving- the Agent punching Ares, Loomis shooting Barb, and Khali stabbing at Barb.