Sunday, July 23rd, 1876

Sunday morning dawns bright and clear.  The posse join with the detachment from the army.  There are 50 mounted cavalry and an additional 40 Flying buffalo.  The troops from the flying buffalo are a new kind of unit.  They have some sort of huge steel backpack strapped to their backs.  From the backpack emerge a variety of tubes and nozzles.  The troops line up and work a control with their hands.  The backpacks belch steam and fire and the Flying Buffalo troopers leap into the air!  They seem to be equipped with flamethrowers and riffles.  The cavalry line up ahead of the supply wagons and support staff.

Kansas turns to Captain Virgil Peters.

"Captain, you do remember that I said there were women and children in the camp?" asked Kansas.

"Yes Marshal, don't worry.  I've instructed the troops to use all the caution appropriate to this kind of an operation.  Did you see the two attack dirigibles that we packed?  That will give your gang a good thrill!"

The army marched through the day and set camp up a few miles away from the gang's camp.  It was late afternoon.  Cook fires were being set up and the army was in a festive mood.  Everywhere solders were sharing lies and tales about past glories and the fun to be had tomorrow."

Kansas and Shima talk quietly as dark settles on the camp.  They decide that the army will slaughter everyone in the camp with no regard for the civilians trapped in the camp.  They decide that the best thing to do is create a distraction and lure the gang out of their camp.  They can then rescue the trapped civilians and let the army go wild.  Kansas and Shima sneak north out of the camp and head towards the camp.

Liz decides the best way to help is to distract the army.  She follows Reg and starts flirting with the onlookers that arrive for Reg's poker game.

Kansas and Shima wander around near the border of the bandit camp.  After a few minutes gang members start taking pot shots at the two.  Shima and Kansas high tail it south, leaving a trail that anyone could follow.  They double back from time to time to check that the bandits are following.  The pot shots that the bandits take, confirm that they are following Reg and Kansas.  The two return to camp and start gathering up the posse they brought with them and explain the plan.  Shima and Kansas rescue Reg from a high stakes poker game with the Captain and several of this officers.  Reg walks away a couple hundred dollars richer.  Liz picks one of the better looking players from the game and lures him to her tent for the rest of the evening.  The posse start sneaking out of camp to the west, with the intent of circling around to the west side of the gang camp.  Shima sets off to find Liz and return her to the posse, before it's too late. 

The gang start a silent cavalry charge into the north end of the camp.  They start killing sentries and soldiers.  They start ripping up tents and overturning stewpots.  Liz climbs out of the remains of her tent with her sawed off shotgun.  She takes a couple shots, grabs some clothing and starts heading towards the posse.

Shima intercepts three of the bandit cavalry as they charge into the camp.  Calling on spiritual help Shima attacks all three bandits at the same time with his sword.  Two pass on by and the third turns for another attack.  Moving fast and protected by arcane energy, Shima makes quick work of his opponent.  He turns and starts towards Liz's tent.  The two meet up and start for the posse.

The army has rallied by this time.  Warning flares are fired off in the camp.  The floating battle platforms are readied and lift off.  Buffalo soldiers start strafing the attacking cavalry in groups of 3 and 5.  The army slowly starts to grind northward.

Shima, notices that the flying buffalo soldiers are making strafing runs on the bandit camp then returning to the floating gunships for fuel and armament.  At this pace, there will be no bandit camp left when the posse arrive.  Shima decides to do what he can to slow down the bandits.  He asks the rest of the posse to go on while he drops to the ground.  Shima calls to a wind spirit and begs the spirit to give the buffalo soldiers a headwind.  The spirit agrees and starts blowing a fierce wind out of the north.  The soldier's advance is halted.

Shima, realizing that he is caught between two armies decides to head west and circle back in with his posse.  Half way back to the group, the wind dies down, and then starts again as a tail wind for the soldiers.  "I hope they have enough time." thinks Shima.  Then, he hears a blood curdling howl from nearby.  Shima turns and discovers that he is surrounded by eight slavering wolves.  The creatures stink of carrion and have evil glowing red eyes.  Their mouths are constantly drooling and their fur is matted with blood and gore.  An exhausted Shima draws his sword as the pack closes in.

The posse ride into the bandit camp with minimal resistance.  They find most of the captured people have huddled together for safety.  The posse makes quick work of the guards as the army starts to firebomb the south end of the bandit camp.  Everyone heads west out of the camp.  Many in the posse shedding tears of joy for their rescued family and friends.  Kansas looks around and wonders where Shima is.  He starts to head back along the route the posse took to find his friend.  The light from a ball of fire illuminates the darkness.  Kansas catches a glimpse of Shima fighting for his life amongst a pack of animals.  Kansas puts is heals to his horse's side and bolts into the darkness.

Kansas arrives and is horrified to discover he is too late.  One of the animals is dragging away Shima's severed head.  The horse, knowing when it's outmatched, kicks at some of the dread wolves and turns to run.  Kansas fires his six shooter into the darkness until the chambers are empty and he can no longer see the animals that killed his friend.

[Saturday, July 22nd, 1876] [Monday, July 24th, 1876]

Northern Colorado Posse

Note to players:  These summaries are the product of my notes that are taken during the game and what I can remember.  They are fare from perfect.  If you note any discrepancies or if I have missed something, please send me a telegram and I will correct the error.  Thanks!