This is Not a Test Skirmish: Deathclaw Vale [Snipe Hunt]

Mayat lifted a hand and the entire party slowed their movements, eyes darting left and right as the Sun lifted to its zenith. There were no bird calls, no chatter of small irradiated animals- there was only silence. Silence... and the thick reptilian stench of their prey. These beasts were thankfully rare, but utterly deadly. Usually they traveled and nested alone.

"We are not the only Hunter's this day." Walks-in-Mist spoke slowly and gravely, experienced eyes gazing across the ruined buildings to something... more. Something only the Shaman's could see. "Men in grey, with faces of dead men walk these streets. They do not know the ways of the hunt- they will alert our prey."

As if vindicating the Shaman's words, a low reverberating howl shook through the overgrown buildings.... which was answered by another in return. It seemed that there was not ONE beast, but two. The one now known as Radstag Joe shivered and checked his kit, blond mustache quivering with worry. He didn't know what was worse- the discovery of a second Deathclaw... or the arrival of the rangers.

At least MONSTERS were predictable.

Major Armstrong and his squad representing the Keystone
Ranger Corp [Peacekeepers]

Walks-in-Mist leads and his braves from the
Tunkhannock Valley Tribe [Tribals]

The board set up for a snipe hunt mission.... with a twist.

You see, as the Tribal scout Mayat found to his chagrin... there
were Deathclaws aprowlin' in these here ruins. 

The Tribal braves (motivated bravely by Radstag Joe) rushes forwards
to claim as many 'ruin' areas as they can claim. 

Splitting off from the rest of the pack, the cybernetically
enhanced Wendigo split off to search ruins alone. 

After searching the house, Mayat decided that the big blue Deathclaw
really was more of a 'Ranger' problem and doubled back to rejoin the pack.

Big Blue rushes forwards into combat with Warden Mustang, who
surprises everyone by surviving against the odds. 

Things aren't all peachy on the Tribal's side either as the brown
Deathclaw springs from between two houses- while the ranger
outrider Riza watches from behind the building. 

Some good luck allows the Ranger's to blow the Deathclaw away
slowing them down but taking out a serious security threat. 

It's brother has slightly more success, taking a wound before jumping into combat
with Aywamet. The tribe focused on the beast while Yao Guai rushed past to claim
the tie-breaking snipe.

Aywamat is overpowered, but Radstag Joe, with his compound bow,
manages to put two shafts into the beasts eyes- winning the game for the Tribals!

Armstrong watched as his outrider spoke with one of the savage tribesman with a cool eye. He didn't trust these uncultured hillfolk, and despite the apparent relaxation in his posture, his fingers never left the grip of his assault rifle. Apparently the two came to SOME sort of agreeable conclusion and parted ways- with a handshake? Amazingly the bare-chested warriors turned to disappear into the derelict suburbs beyond even as Riza turned to rejoin the squad.

"Report."

"Major, we have been politely" she emphasized the word in an attempt to convey an unspoken FORCE behind the demand "requested to turn back and leave their Tribal territory. We are not welcome in the area."

Armstrong snorted in disdain, obviously not much caring for what the hillfolk did or did not want. "Well luckily our assignment today to just deal with a pair of dangerous beasts, and keep an eye out for any sort of tech. No need to go any further today... but if the Colonel needs us back in the area I'm sure as hell not letting some neo-natives dictate where I can and cannot lead my patrol."

"Be that as it may sir" Riza's voice cooled sharply, causing the masked Major to turn to her in surprise "These braves were from the strongest single tribe in the area... and they had Cromwell with them."

"Joey Cromwell huh? The Radstag Joe in the flesh. I'm surprised that you would be willing to shake hands with a defector Riza."

"Better to try and solve things amicably when possible, isn't that our MO?"

"Maybe, but the Corp doesn't take well to traitors." the tone behind the bone ceramic gas mask made very clear the darkly amused expression hidden within "I'm fairly certain that we'll meet Mr. Cromwell again very soon. Just you wait."