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10:42, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Posse Forms.

Posted by The MarshallFor group 0
Smoker Nix
player, 35 posts
Scavenger & Tech
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 00:58
  • msg #114

Re: The Posse Forms

For the time being, Smoker was content to stay up in his lookout position.

Someone had to keep an eye on the road from up high. Besides, it was bad luck to mess around with horribly mutilated corpses like that.
Jane Guin
NPC, 20 posts
Renegade Black Hat
Former USAF
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 00:59
  • msg #115

Re: The Posse Forms

Jane nodded as Rowan spoke to her. "No problem."

At the mention of the surviving townsfolk, Jane was silent a moment suddenly worrying that they may indeed have been captured. If that were the case, the monsters who had attacked this town may be doing far worse to their prisoners at this very moment. "You may be right, as soon as the fire is out we should try to find them."

She wasn't being heartless but living in post-war America had taught Jane that without supplies, it was very hard to survive and much of the towns wealth had already been burned to the ground or stolen by the doomsayers.
Ian Roadkill Colby
player, 47 posts
Road Warrior
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 03:01
  • msg #116

Re: The Posse Forms

"Aww hell," Roadkill says with a sour look on his face. "I guess we ought to spend at least a bit of time checking to see if these survivors are okay."

"There are a lot of shell casings on the ground here. I at least want to make sure that they haven't been marched off to be enslaved by a bunch of dirty three legged mutie freaks-no offense Edgar."

"I guess I'm going to go see what the Colonel's trail leads to. Hopefully they're just hiding out a short distance away. After that, this rig has a date in St Loo-ey!"

ooc: Roadkill will follow the colonel if he hasn't lost him or the trail entirely by now. If he has, then he's going to see about getting topped off with spook juice while he waits for the colonel to report back on the radio.
Dakota Jack Cardinal
player, 72 posts
Gunslinger
aka Don
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 04:01
  • msg #117

Re: The Posse Forms

Despite calling not it, Jack looks for something useful to do, even if it's hauling corpses.
Arthur Dayne
player, 75 posts
Veteran Templar
Sword of the Morning
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 04:44
  • msg #118

Re: The Posse Forms

In reply to Michaela Fukushima (msg #113):

Arthur replied to Michaela's statement with a simple nod, giving her permission to go ahead and do what she felt necessary.  He had a hard time knowing what exactly he believed in these days, though his order was initially a Catholic one hundreds of years ago.  He had been raised in the Catholic tradition, so he could not disrespect it, but he preferred his simple belief in the inherent goodness of man and that they could draw upon the will of themselves and the forces of the universe to rise above what they had been previously capable of.
The Marshall
GM, 183 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 07:01
  • msg #119

Re: The Posse Forms

In reply to Arthur Dayne (msg #118):

With Brother Edgar, Dakota Jack, and Michaela's help, taking down the bodies and digging shallow graves went a lot quicker. It would still be a couple hours (at least) to complete the job but that was still quicker than burying them 6 feet deep. They were averaging ten minutes a body in a shallow grave, and there were twenty bodies. (With breaks it would take more on average.)

The bodies were still fresh, and rigor mortis hadn't really set in although some stiffening was starting to occur. Blood had settled into the legs and lower extremities because of their upright position, giving their legs (where exposed through their torn clothing) a mottled bruised look.

As always, the flied buzzed around them and the birds circled.

Looking west towards the river, Roadkill caught a glimpse of a strangely mobile bush (Schaeffer) crossing the next intersection on Shalam Colony Trail to reach some buildings in order to keep in cover of the trees. Peter waited in his truck, while Smoker kept a watch in the direction of the interstate. Finally, Peter found the hidden Ghost juice tank and started pumping out some of the precious fuel to top off his truck's tanks (main and reserve).

Inside the main building, Rowan and Jane very efficiently snuffed out all the flames and embers. At one point they actually ripped up part of the roof to get at some embers that had been blown under the eaves and were otherwise hidden from view.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:33, Wed 14 July 2010.
COL Kurt L. Schaeffer
player, 58 posts
Fernspaher
Ranger
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 08:59
  • msg #120

Re: The Posse Forms

Shaeffer nodded to himself under his Ghillie's hood. Though he was still pretty sure that the residents had evacuated the buildings and left for prepared shelters at the first sign of trouble, he didn't discount other possibilities. For a moment he considered checking out the newly found buildings as well, then decided against it.

"Roadkill, there's a second compound about 300 meters down the road. No visible damage and it looks abandoned as well. I'm continuing to follow the trail, but I suggest someone should check these buildings. Ende.

After sending, the Colonel continued following the trail as before using any piece of available cover and again stooping every couple of meters to check his surroundings. A grin crept across his heavily scarred face; he was having fun.
Michaela Fukushima
NPC, 14 posts
Squire
Wed 14 Jul 2010
at 10:34
  • msg #121

Re: The Posse Forms

In reply to Arthur Dayne (msg #118):

"I'll just say a prayer when we're done. If there's time."

She got back to digging, putting her back into swinging the pick.
The Marshall
GM, 185 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Thu 15 Jul 2010
at 00:26
  • msg #122

Re: The Posse Forms

As the others dug graves, engaged in the grisly work of getting corpses down from crosses, or fought burning embers and smouldering fires in the main building, Roadkill took off down the road after Schaeffer. He heard the Colonel's transmission as he was getting out of the truck, now he would be incommunicado.

Moving up, Roadkill felt exposed on the road as there was no cover except the ditch for a couple hundred metres. He lost sight of Schaeffer as he moved. The ghillie suit could more easily blend in with the orchards on the far side of the buildings.


http://tinyurl.com/2c8mt7z

Updated Map

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:43, Thu 15 July 2010.
Dakota Jack Cardinal
player, 74 posts
Gunslinger
aka Don
Thu 15 Jul 2010
at 01:46
  • msg #123

Re: The Posse Forms

Dakota Jack usually wasn't terribly serious, and the work of scooting corpses around didn't particularly suit him.  He sang somberly to himself but loud enough to be heard.

"I hurt myself today to see if I still feel, I focus on the pain, the only thing that's real.
The needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting, try to kill it all away, but I remember everything.

What have I become my sweetest friend? Everyone I know goes away in the end.
And you could have it all, my empire of dirt, I will hunt you down, I will make you hurt.
"

It was hard to be completely depressed when you heard some Johnny Cash lyrics after all.  Who's this Trent Reznor dumbass anyway?  Jack thought to himself sarcastically.
Peter Firecrow
player, 38 posts
Not that kind of Indian
Wanna buy a gun?
Thu 15 Jul 2010
at 04:39
  • msg #124

Re: The Posse Forms

Peter filled up the gas tank of his pickup, and kept quiet. He didn't necessarily disagree with honoring the dead and giving them a proper burial. It was tradition after all but he didn't like sitting in this place for that long. One never knew when the people who committed the murders would come back for something or be watching all along.

He pulled his truck away from the fuel and parked it. No sense in being too close to something that could easily be ignited and explode. He kept an eye out, standing in the truck bed, leaning against the cab. He kept the machinegun near him in case things went bad and waited for the others to be ready to move on.
Brother Edgar
player, 67 posts
Doomsayer
Thu 15 Jul 2010
at 10:37
  • msg #125

Re: The Posse Forms

Brother Edgar continues to assist with the grim work of the burial details.  Knowing that respect for the dead is necessary and good.  But he couldn't stop himself from continuing to look off in the direction of the Colonel, Colby, and the potential survivors.  The dead were beyond all but this simple help, but the living...  Sighing heavily with frustration, he returns to the task.
The Marshall
GM, 190 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 09:18
  • msg #126

Re: The Posse Forms

1230 PM

Onward towards the river led the tracks. Schaeffer followed them.

Roadkill soon lost sight of Schaeffer, so he doubled back to the compound. Unhooking from the trailer, he backed the tractor beside the main building where the fuel tank was located. He commenced pumping Spook Juice into his almost-dry tanks.

Firecrow helped direct Roadkill in, and pointed out where the tanks were. The fire in the adjacent building was still going strong, whitish smoke rising in a pillar into the heavens.

Above the main compound, the birds continued to circle. It had been about a half hour now, and only two corpses had been lowered and buried. Getting them down was tough, it required a ladder and some rope. Brother Edgar, Arthur, Dakota Jack and Michaela were all sweating and grimy from the hot work.

Around the back, a large raven landed outside the kitchen and pecked at the glass. Rowan and Jane were inside and heard this, wondering what was up.

http://tinyurl.com/344we54

(Map Update)
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:07, Fri 16 July 2010.
Rowan Dawson
player, 19 posts
Medic
Story-Teller
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 11:02
  • msg #127

Re: The Posse Forms

Hearing the raven announcing it's presence, Rowan exited the kitchen and walked over, pulling some more corn out of her pocket to feed it. She held it cupped in her hand.

"My, you're a big one! Come here, I won't hurt you. It's all right, you're safe."

She waited to see if the raven would accept her offer or not.
The Marshall
GM, 193 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 11:03
  • msg #128

Re: The Posse Forms

Perching on a post near the door, the raven squawked, gobbled down some of the offered food then squawked some more. It flew onto the eaves, still crying shrilly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:08, Fri 16 July 2010.
Rowan Dawson
player, 20 posts
Medic
Story-Teller
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 11:12
  • msg #129

Re: The Posse Forms

Humming to herself, Rowan took a clay pitcher and filled it with cool pump water. "Jane, I'm going to go give the people taking care of the bodies something to drink. It's important to keep hydrated in this heat, especially when exerting oneself."

Walking around the front, the offered a dipper of water from the pitcher to the hot, thirsty workers (Brother Edgar, Arthur, Michaela and Dakota Jack).

"Don't over-do it now! Either the work or the water."

Rowan looked like there was something she wanted to say.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Fri 16 July 2010.
Arthur Dayne
player, 77 posts
Veteran Templar
Sword of the Morning
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 15:13
  • msg #130

Re: The Posse Forms

He accepted the water gratefully from Rowan, giving her a smile and a word of thanks.  After drinking a bit, he returned to see the work completed.
Dakota Jack Cardinal
player, 76 posts
Gunslinger
aka Don
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 15:22
  • msg #131

Re: The Posse Forms

Dakota Jack treated the slight good naturedly as he was wont to do.  He'd removed his threadbare hole filled jacket (which in all honesty probably served better as a rag than a garment now), but he kept on the gunbelt, even though it was in the way.  As it seemed all the corpses were down, he'd turned to help as best as he could with the onerous task of the grave digging.

"I know thar's a majority of women who'd jus' as soon forget I exist, but damn this is a new record..."
Jane Guin
NPC, 21 posts
Renegade Black Hat
Former USAF
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 15:58
  • msg #132

Re: The Posse Forms

The fire appeared to be nearly extinguished so Jane nodded a simple "OK" as Rowan said she was going to give water to the others.

The soldier then silently continued her own task in silence. She wondered whether she should have followed the others to find the townsfolk but she knew that she would be needed here if the group were to come under attack.
Brother Edgar
player, 68 posts
Doomsayer
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 19:29
  • msg #133

Re: The Posse Forms


Brother Edgar takes the offered opportunity of a break and hydration.  At some point, the heat did force him to pull back his purple hood.  His sweat seems to flicker with a greenish glow, though its hard to see in this sun.  Having quenched his parched throat, he offers a smile to Rowan, "Thank you for watching out for me."

With that, he too returns to the work.
COL Kurt L. Schaeffer
player, 59 posts
Fernspaher
Ranger
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 19:57
  • msg #134

Re: The Posse Forms

The Colonel stopped under cover to take a quick drink from his suits hydration bladder. He took the time to wipe some sweat or his brow and to look around. He didn't question his decision to follow the trail as the reason to do so was still valid.

Still, it was annoying that he was slowly getting out of range for his helmet's radio. It couldn't be helped of course.

Shaffer got to his feet again and continued to cautiously follow the trail.
Rowan Dawson
player, 21 posts
Medic
Story-Teller
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 21:23
  • msg #135

Re: The Posse Forms

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg #131):

There was obviously no intentional slight at all to Dakota, as Rowan walked over and made sure Dakota drank as well.

"Darling, who could ignore a "man" like you, Dakota? With those big guns and all! Makes a woman feel weak at the knees just looking at them!"

"And Brother Edgar, it's been my pleasure. There's still the danger of flying embers, I should get back to help Jane."


Still, it looked like something was troubling her as she started to walk back to the building, then stopped and turned and spoke to him, although others could hear (if they cared).

"Brother Edgar, maybe you'll understand. I have this... ability I guess, to talk with animals." Rowan had joined up with and traveled alongside the Chosen pilgrims outside Tucson. There was an open question whether she was actually a mutie or not as she didn't seem to have any visible mutations.

"The, uh, rats, they told me that there was a big fight here this morning. Most of the people here got away, going towards the river. And a raven told me that someone shot at him around, well, it's hard to determine but I think about a half-hour's flight north of here (on what I think is the Interstate as the, well, raven flies.) There's a group of men there and it sounds to me like they're hiding in wait. For someone coming along the road. That's the way we were thinking of going, right? And it wasn't a gun, it was a ball of green energy straight from his hand. I hope this helps."
The Marshall
GM, 194 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 22:07
  • msg #136

Re: The Posse Forms

Detouring south around an open area in the orchards where some abandoned buildings stood, Schaeffer continued down the road after satisfying himself that he was following the correct trail. He knew he would soon be out of radio range, but there was no helping that if he wanted to press forward.

http://tinyurl.com/34urtod

Back at the main building, the job of burying the corpses was just getting started, and just lowering the mutilated bodies off the crosses with some kind of dignity was a major chore.
Brother Edgar
player, 69 posts
Doomsayer
Fri 16 Jul 2010
at 22:32
  • msg #137

Re: The Posse Forms

He /was/ intending to go back to the work...

Brother Edgar does move over attentively as Rowan speaks her confidence.  He doesn't seem surprised by the revelation itself, but perhaps just pleased to have it revealed.  He attempts to place a fatherly hand on her shoulder, "Thank you for this, it will help greatly.  And never be ashamed of the gifts you have been given."  Its obvious that he assumes that hers is a Gift of the Atom, finally allowing her mutation to come to light.  Though he doesn't outwardly say so.  Turning to the others, he lifts his voice to be heard, "We have received information that the survivors did indeed go west towards the river.  Hopefully the Colonel and Mr. Roadkill will find them safe.  We have also received information that my fallen brethren of Silas' Cult may be laying an ambush along the road to the north.  How shall we proceed?  There is still work to do here, but we may be able to speed aid to the survivors to the West.  We may also be able to catch these twisted men and end their depredations."
The Marshall
GM, 195 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Sat 17 Jul 2010
at 07:33
  • msg #138

Re: The Posse Forms

In reply to Brother Edgar (msg #137):

Having lost sight of the Colonel, Roadkill returned and unhitched the tractor in order to fill the tanks. At the moment he was around the side of the main building, using a hand-cranked pump to transfer Spook Juice from the hidden reservoir to his truck fuel tanks.
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