Bleed It Out (part 1)

Dawn and Jack moved through the ruined housing development, towards the camp they had left barely an hour earlier.  They had left the white Buick sitting in a driveway, next to a burned out minivan.  Jack had suggested they make a haphazard attempt to cover the car, to make it less obvious they had another car nearby.

Combining with the humidity, the ash and dust made the walk through the ruins unpleasant.  Remains of the burned homes and cars created an ugly gray film on everything.  Sweat from the midday heat made the film run in black streaks down Dawn’s face.  She imagined both her and Jack looked like strange tribal warriors from another time.

“Let’s be careful and quiet.  If we can sneak up on the camp, maybe we can see what’s going on.”  Dawn suggested as the pair slowly moved through the ruins.

Jack nodded, tying a bandanna over his mouth to keep the dust out.  “Good idea.  What do we do if we get the drop on the gang?”  He asked, checking his assault rifle.

Dawn didn’t pause.  “If it looks bad, we attack them first.  If things seem calm, maybe we try and talk it out.”  She didn’t sound too hopeful.  “Either way, we should deal with these guys right now.”

Dawn and Jack return to town

Dawn and Jack have returned to the town, near the camp they met earlier in the day.  They are making a stealthy approach, and are expecting a fight.  The gang that has taken control of the town has sent a force to see what happened earlier.  It looks like all the elements are in place for a fight!

Some special rules will apply for this scenario, beyond the normal really tight ammo rules.  First, there will be no zombies on the table to start.  After shooting starts, then zombies can appear on a 5+.  Next, there are 3 PEFs, one each in the buildings along the street.  These will not activate or move until shooting starts.  They also will only be gang members or zombies if they reveal as Contact.  They have the normal chances to be a Contact.

There are no rules for stealth in ATZ.  I am going to make it simple – as Dawn and Jack move into what would be ‘in sight’ they will roll their Rep, looking for successes.  I will roll Rep for any groups of models that would be involved in the ‘in sight’ test, looking for successes.  Very similar to the ‘Meet and Greet’ mechanic.  I will take the highest Rep from the group, if they are closer than 12”, they get a free success, and from 12”- 24”, they roll one less die, losing a die for every 12” further away, if applicable.  I will only check this when the sneaking people move.  Once in a position and hidden, they do not need to check again.

Once Dawn or Jack decide to attack, they will go to immediate ‘in sight’ checks, and then to active attacks.

This gang is well organized, well equipped and dangerous.  They are waiting on a final reinforcement to show up - which is a simple check each turn, looking for 2 successes.  The reinforcement will be determined by a D6 roll:

1-2: “Gun Truck”- a Pickup truck with a 30mm cannon mounted in the back, with 2 crew and driver.  The 30mm cannon is Impact 5, Target 2, counts as 6 for zombie spawn.

3-4: “Riders” Bikers – 4 gangers on motorcycles, each Rep 4, armed with SMGs.

5-6: “Party Bus” – An SUV that has been modified with armor and an LMG on the roof.  2 crew plus driver, carries 3 more gangers Rep 4 armed with SMGs.

Once reinforcements arrive, the gang reaction will be decided.  The gang reaction will be determined by the leader, who will have an ‘attitude’ die next to him.  It starts at a 3, each turn Mary (the camp leader) will roll her People skill (which is 3).  If she scores 2 successes, the attitude lowers by 1.  If she scores zero successes, it increases by 1. 

The turn after the reinforcements arrive, I will roll 2D vs the attitude number.  This results in the gang reacting - 2 successes will mean an attack on the camp.  One success means the gang leaves half their number at the camp and the rest move off in search of Dawn and Jack.  Two failures indicate all the gangers leave to search for Dawn and Jack.  Each turn, Mary in the camp will make a People roll to try and reduce the attitude number.

It is still morning of Day 81.  The ER is 5 and there are three PEFs deployed one in each building along the road opposite the camp.  These will react per the special rules detailed above.  The day part may change to afternoon on a double 6 roll for initiative.  Once the day part changes, it will not change again.

The Gang sets up

There are two SUVs (military hummers that have been ‘appropriated’) and 7 gangers plus their leader, Shades, deployed along the road outside of the camp.  Each hummer has a ganger driver still in the driver’s seat, ready to startup and drive if needed.  The gangers are all Rep 4.  They carry various armaments; each group has at least one model with an assault rifle, and another with a shotgun.  The remaining weapons are machine pistols, SMGs and one BAMP.  Shades, the leader of this group is a Rep 5 star, with Hard as Nails and Rage for attributes.  He is protected, armed with a shotgun, BAP and a Machete.  Shades will be a dangerous opponent for certain.

Shades Talks to the camp

“Now, I know we have had problems, but damn, Mary, I thought we had an understanding.”  Shades said while leaning on the hood of the Hummer he had rode in.  Gangers moved slowly around the area, keeping cover from the camp.  “You know this is not allowed.”

“Stuff your ‘allowed’ crap!”  Mary yelled back, her bow in hand, but not ready.  “You’re supposed to be protecting us, that didn’t work so well two weeks ago!”

Shades shook his head.  “I’m real sorry about that mess.”  He looked at the rest of the gang and saw some glancing at each other.  “But you didn’t want to stay at the fort, so you’re out here.  That’s on you all.”

Dawn and Jack get into position

Dawn and Jack creep up the stairs, but stay out of sight for the first turn.  The attitude of the gang doesn’t change, and Shades and Mary keep arguing over the situation.  The next turn Dawn and Jack move into position.  Dawn gets 4 successes on her stealth check, and Jack manages the same – they are both tough to see.  Shades gets 3 successes, luckily he is outside of 12”, I suspect he might have seen Dawn if he was closer…  The remaining gangers don’t score any better, most being even further away.

Negotiations are going no where

“If you’re not protecting us, why do we need you around?”  Mary offered. “We can be attacked without your help, just fine.”

Shades stood up from his casual position at the truck.  “Now, just calm down.  That is how this all got started, remember?  The town was covered in the dead, you were barely hanging on in those apartments downtown.  Where would you be without us?”  Shades finished with a wide arm gesture at the gang.

“Not hostages in our own town.”  A man yelled from the camp.

“Ho!”  Shades yelled back, laughing.  “Is that you Ned?  How is that relic of a rifle working for you?”  Shades chuckled.  “I was wondering if you were going to keep hiding behind Mary’s skirt!”  Shades and several gangers laughed at the comment.

Just about time...

I go a couple of turns, and Mary doesn’t have any luck lowering the gang attitude.  Dawn and Jack stay hidden, waiting to see what is going to happen.  Finally the rest of their reinforcements show up – it only takes about four turns.  It’s the gun truck that shows up.

The gang have themselves an RV!

“What do we do?”  Jack whispered, braced against the ruined roof.  “I don’t know how much longer I can stay still up here.”

Dawn gave a slight nod and whispered back “I know, I’m getting hot and they keep talking.  Maybe that’s a good sign.  We can try-“ Dawn was cut off suddenly by the rumble a heavy truck engine.

The gangers all reacted to the truck driving along the street by leaning more into their positions, more alert that before.  Shades even paused in his discussion and waved at the truck.  He paused, glancing once back at Mary, and waved at the truck with a fist pump, pointing towards the nearby intersection.

Turning back towards the barricades, he yelled back at Mary “Time’s about up.  I need a volunteer to go talk to the boss about what happened.”

The gun truck gets into position

I roll the reaction, it’s a Pass 2, so the gang is going to attack the camp.  I figure they aren’t going to do anything until they have their truck in position, so there is a final turn before the attack as the truck drives into its attack position.

Dawn and Jack see the gun truck

“Crap, look at the gun on that truck!”  Jack said, looking at the gangers getting ready.  “That’ll turn those people into hamburger!”

“I see it.”  Dawn said, watching the scene on the street.  The gun truck drove along the street to the corner, turning towards the camp.  She could see the gang leader heft his shotgun, getting ready to attack.  At the same time, she saw Mary ready an arrow in her bow.

“You’re going to just butcher us!”  Mary yelled as she readied her arrow.  “You’re no better than any of the animals out there!”  Knowing it was futile, she still drew her bow and took aim.  “We’ll still fight for our camp!”

Shades smiled, turning to the gun truck.  “It’s not going to come to that.”

“Go for the gang.  I’ll take the truck.”  Dawn said, clearing the safety on the SAW.

Well, this is it.  I see the gun truck roll up, it’s got a cannon that will level that camp and make short work of everyone.

This kicks off one of the most confusing turns of ATZ I have ever had.  I shouldn’t have, but I give Dawn and Jack their active fire before going to In sight checks.  I figure this is going to be a mess anyway, and it’s an ambush – going first makes sense.

Dawn rakes the gun truck crew with the SAW

Dawn rolls four hits, hitting both gunners twice.  They are killed in the hail of bullets.  At least that gun is out of the fight for the moment.  Jack shoots at the exposed gangers further away, killing two of them.

Jack kills two gangers

Gunfire thundered into the late morning air, bullets zinging and pinging off of the pavement and trucks.  The bullets tore into the gangers on the back of the gun truck, killing them before they even knew what hit them.  Mary watched from the barricade, hearing the bullets cutting through the air.  She looked at Shades, seeing him shake his head and raise his shotgun.  She made a choice..

Mary shoots Shades with an arrow

Mary takes the shot she has on Shades, her bow has a better range than the shotgun Shades has.  She gets a hit and rolls a kill.  His Hard as Nails kicks in and he is knocked down, he passes 2d and carries on.   Her attack will trigger In Sight checks with the camp and the gang as well.  It's a crazy turn!

Dawn fires first and clips two more gangers

Now come the in sight checks.  Dawn and Shades get 4 successes, Jack gets 3 with one of the closest gangers, the rest get ones or two succeses.  The survivors in the camp have no ranged weapons, so they are out of the in sight contest.  Luckily, most of the gang is out of range of the house Dawn and Jack are in, and Dawn fires another burst into the nearest group of gangers, taking out two of them.

Two gangers down, Shades gets to act

Shades is out of range to Mary, but takes a shot at Ned, rolling 3 sixes!  He kills Ned, even with him behind cover.  Heck of a shot!

Jack kills the driver

Jack fires on the driver of the gun truck, its the closest target in cover.  He kills the driver, the truck rolls to a stop.  One ganger returns fire on Dawn and Jack, but misses.The rest of the gangers are out of range, so they fire on the camp.  The cover from the barricades keeps them from hitting anyone.

Now for reaction rolls.  Shades as a star passes 2D for his received fire roll.  The last ganger nearest Dawn and Jack has had enough and is running away.  One of the gangers near the second Hummer ducks back, using the SUV as cover.

One ganger makes a break for it

Dawn and Jack pass 2D for Received Fire, and get to fire.  They shoot at the nearest Hummer, but fail to do any damage.  They do make the driver Duck Back in reaction, and we finally get to the end of the turn.  Whew.  No zombies appear from the shooting, but will now appear on a 5+ from each shot.  Good thing they didn't - it would have been around 35 rolls for zombie spawn!

On the next turn, we get a random event...

Good News?

Well, there won't be many zombies in this game I guess.  we do get some PEF movement, one comes out of the liquor store, revealing two zombies.

The PEF comes out of the store

Two zombies decide to try and eat Shades!

 Across the street a trio of zombies wandered out of the liquor store, attracted to the sounds of battle.  Sporadic gunfire continued from the gang, answered by burst from the SAW or a high powered rifle.  Shades knew this was out of control.  Leveling his shotgun on the undead, Shades blasted at the zombies shambling towards him...

Shades makes short work of the zombies

Shades kills the two zombies, but runs out of ammo.  He gets in the hummer and 'encourages' the driver to recover from duck back.  They will try and drive away next turn.

Shades heard his shotgun click over to empty.  “Damn it!” He yelled, his shoulder aching from the arrow that had miraculously just grazed him.  He could hear the bark of the SAW firing from his left, but couldn’t see where it was.  Bullets pinged off his Hummer, letting him know whoever was shooting had an idea he was there.  He realized the gang was on the wrong side of this ambush.

“Get us out of here!”  Shades yelled at his driver as he dove into the back, dropping his shotgun in favor of a pistol.

"They'll cut us to ribbons if I start this thing up!"  Ted, the driver said from his hunched over position in the front seat.  

Shades pulled back the slide on his pistol, chambering a round.  "What do you think will happen if you don't get this started?"

With a roar, the Hummer fired up and even though hunched down, the driver started backing up towards the cover of an alley.

Shades in in the Hummer

Dawn and Jack shoot at the hummer, but don't manage to damage it at all!  It seems these trucks are made to last.

It seems my ambush plan is off to a good start.  The SAW sure evens out the odds.  I keep pumping rounds into the Hummers, but don’t get a damage result.  Looks like Shades is going to get to cover and escape, but I hope I can eliminate the remaining gangers, regroup with the camp and get out of Dodge!

To be continued...