"Uh... yeah" says Wilbur, clearly abashed. "When you put it that way it does sound pretty low. I guess you deserve an explanation so let me hit you with some home truths. First of all, rest assured you are hearing from the boss right now. I'm floating in a total immersion rig in a bunker somewhere you'll never find, and I'm chinged into a Terminator series ComBot hunkered down and watching you. Same as yesterday, only this time I chinged into something a little more deadly. Anyway, I'm sorry I tried to screw you over, I just made a judgement call OK. The multibot was too good an opportunity to pass up, and we could always negotiate with the badders for access later, assuming they found the entrance. Look, by way of apology, how about I sweeten the deal? Forget the bot, we can scrape it up later. Just tell me the way into your escape tunnel and I'll triple your payment"

Bedlam listens attentively as Wilbur explains both his obvious and hidden actions.

The giant sends his thoughts to the crew: ~Anyone have any thoughts? This offer seems sincere, and I am inclined to accept it. But I would like to keep you hidden, just in case.~

"Your offer is of interest," Bedlam replies. "And I am inclined to accept. However, given your previous judgment call I hope you will not be offended if I ask for some assurance that your judgment in this matter is no longer deleterious to my continued good health."

Arcus thinks back to Bedlam, { 'Ask him to uncloak his security drone as a sign of good faith...' }

 She only knew what Bedlam was thinking and that somewhere there was a invisible sentry watching. It was hard for her to not use her voice when she wanted to speak to Bedlam, Ummm, can we take them without getting hurt to much?. If we dont give them the location of the tunnel entrance, could we hold out if they really want it bad enough?. Ummm, as i remember i was the one who wanted to go straight back to compton first then come out here..but i wont say that.

"<<I have no faith in it whatsoever. What's to keep it from scrapping another one of the team with a grenade and lie about it like "Wilbur" did to ZE, or for that matter, all of us>> Thunderbird thought back to Bedlam. <<We are tools to be used, and nothing else to them!>>"

You have some time to discuss it folks :)

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Crinkles thinks if Wilbur-man doesn't know we are here, you entertain offer and if he tries to betray you, we catch him by surprise. Crinkles says, holding his position.

~Good idea, Arcus, but just as I do not want him to know about you, neither do I want him to know that we have detected his drone. As long as he thinks he has a big secret, he is more likely to reveal other information which we do not yet have.~


~I do not know.~ Bedlam's thoughts lose some of their negotiating edge in response to Rose.


~We can probably escape. And they will eventually find the entrance.~


~Do not worry, little sis, I will get you home.~


~Hmmm...~ Bedlam considers Thunderbird's reaction. ~For the most part, I agree, and I intend to exercise due caution. But it is my intention to make them realize how valuable and unique these tools are.~


~Yes, Crinkles, and hopefully he will not provoke that surprise.~

Bedlam continues his discussion with Wilbur "Why don't you start by stepping out so I can get a look at your new Terminator series ComBot skin..."

OOC: Actually, I was hoping Wilbur would respond first to Bedlam's request for assurances.

Wilbur steps out into the light. The combot is clearly not designed to pass as human, as it appears as a seven foot tall brass skeleton bristling with built-in weapons topped by a skull-like head with glowing red eyes.

"I'd love to be able to reassure you big guy, but look: I don't really need you to find the entrance. I could take you out just like that, so letting you live is all the reassurance you need, right?"

Bedlam looks the warbot up and down and nods appreciatively; while not as tall as the giant it is easily as broad.

"That's quite a rig," he says, peering closer. "And you say you are not actually in it, but controlling it from somewhere else?"

The giant shakes his head. "You guys have the best toys."

"Anyway," Bedlam gets back to the task at hand. "To get to the bolt hole, you'll want to go to the building south of the one you just came out of. Looks like you'll need to be on the other side of the barricade. In the lowest level there is a pile of debris in the middle of the floor. Under the debris is a manhole. That's the exit from the bolt hole."

"The stairs held up for Crinkles and me, so they should support your weight."

"Do you want me to wait here while you go check it?"

"Yeah big guy, you do that" says Wilbur, and fades back into the warehouse.

Perhaps thirty seconds later a low, directionless voice sounds in Bedlam's ear.

I know you still have the multibot. I know your crew is inside that warehouse watching your back. But I didn't tell Wilbur. Not all of us support his methods. Remember that.

OOC: Assuming Bedlam would recognize telepathy and this is not it...

Bedlam looks around slowly, trying to determine the source of the voice.

Bedlam replies quietly to the voice. "Most organizations have a degree of internal politics. I appreciate your discretion, and will exercise my own on your behalf. Do you have a name in case our paths cross again?"

After a few seconds the disembodied voice answers.

You can call me... Persephone. But no more talking, Wilbur will be back soon.

Shortly after Wilbur steps out of the warehouse again.

"Looks like you came through Big Guy" says Wilbur happily. "You can pick up your reward at our outpost. Plus we may have some more work for you if you can scare up another crew. But know this: we are claiming this whole area for the Restorationists, so don't come back without an invitation. And keep the location of the tunnel entrance to yourself"

"This whole area?" Bedlam raises an eyebrow.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't want to inadvertently wander in. Put up plenty of signs, ok?"

"I'll be vacating now," the giant nods once to the ComBot. "See you 'round."

With that, he returns to the warehouse where the crew is waiting, his thoughts preceding him.

~Let's clear out before he changes his mind or goes looking for Zee. Quick and quiet.~

Arcus is...uncertain if he likes the deal cut.. but he cannot really come up with any better idea of how to resolve the situation that would not entail killing Wilbur...

Being an honest-hearted sort his displeasure at the entire situation is clear in his expression, but he offers no criticism.  Though he does nervously look out at the plaza... uncomfortably.

"Mistah Bedlam Sah?  Do yah get the impression from speaking with Wilbur, if he had any association with tha Badder-Slavers?  Ah got no betah idea of how ya could have handled it differently.. or betah, at least no one got kilt, but if'n Wilbur is using the Badder-Slavers...this ain't over; Not by a long-shot!  Not sure if'n we're in a betah situation than before?  But, I'll trust yur judgement on tha' matah... fur now!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Thu 27 Aug 2015.

 She frowns at leaving before gaining anything but she will go along with it, still she wants to talk about exploring the ruins without gain.

 "On my way."

Crinkles is ready to go as soon as Bedlam physically arrives back. He is happy to not have to fight but very wary of the robot.

As Bedlam catches up to the others he holds a finger up to his lips.

~Use the telepathy. Wilbur is not the only Restorationist here. And the other one - the invisible drone? - knows about all of you.~

The giant stops, frowning above the rickety ladder leading back down to the badder sally tunnel. The thought of crawling back through that hole is not appealing, but the big man does not pause for long.

~We have most of Zee. Maybe we can get him repaired. We have established some cred with the Restorationists. That will lead to future gigs,~ Down in the trash room Bedlam waves the others into the tunnel. ~Access to more tech, and reduced chances of getting blasted on sight when our exploring takes us into their territory. Oh, and we have more tech waiting for us at the Restorationist Outpost than was part of the original deal.~

Bedlam takes a final look at the badder offal before crawling into the hole. ~And we have more ammo for our weapons.~

~With regard to the badders~ there is a palpable sense of underlying anger in his thoughts ~I think the Restorationists will use them as they would any tool. But I do not think they will be upset if we dull the edge of that tool.~

~I would much rather sharpen the tools and stab Wilbur where the sun don't shine.~ Thunderbird thought back.

~So far this place has not been worth our time and effort. Fight for the Soup Kitchen against Porkers, and badders only to then gladly hand it to the Restorationists to take it over? The original deal was free credits for "one" piece of technology. They could give us a wind up toy, call it "technology" and that's it. ~

~Well, the only reason we came back was to lead the Restorationists here. The parts which appealed to us went boom with the self-destruct.~

Bedlam crawls out of the badder hole and tries to dust himself off. Looking toward the shaft of light coming from the overhead trapdoor he nods toward the ladder.

~Ok. Grab your kit then up to the carts.~

You emerge blinking in the sunlight and soon have the carts ready. But where are you heading?

Arcus settles his gear and weapons for travel ...and shyly moves toward Ophelia as they travel...

He asks tentatively, "... what do you make of all this Miss Ophelia..?  You've been silent for tha' mos' part... do you think what we're doing is ...smart?  Ah mean... if the Restorationist..er.. ok ..maybe jus' this Wilbur fellah, is working with the Badder-Slavers... shouldn't we not be trusting him at all and doin' somethin' about him.. invisible battle drone or not?  I don' get that part about how Wilbur can still be alive aftah we 'punched his ticket' ...so ta speak...?"

 She tosses her heavy xbow onto the wagon and helps to push it back towards compton.

As the group starts getting the cart moving, Thunderbird take off to scout ahead.

OOC:13:09, Today: Thunderbird rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Scouting.

As the crew moves away from the region of the Soup Kitchen Bedlam continues to use telepathy to poll their thoughts for the next destination.

~Back to Compton to rest up?~