Peter was listening only barely to Simon and Jane's conversation. His mind, however, was filing away the information for future reference. He fervently hoped to never run into another again, but he couldn't take the chance. Especially when the Combine was after the person he was escorting.

He blinked a few times and turned to look at Simon when he heard his name. "What?" Then his mind caught up to the conversation. "Oh. No problem. I am being paid to keep you safe. I will be a pushy and stubborn asshole of a man if needs be to make that happen." He gave a small shrug. "The others figured out she was a fake, I just pushed the issue. Next time, hopefully you will not be right next to the danger. Well, hopefully there will not be a next time."

He perked up a bit when the Humvees showed up. He looked the looks, especially mounting weapons, but they were gas guzzling machines. He prefered things a bit more fuel-efficient himself.

"So who and where are we meeting here again?"

Rowan sighs this has been a costly run in more ways than one, and their group needed to acquire new vehicles.
And a new paying job.

Kira seems quiet after the discussion about the harrowed, and a little downcast at the loss of a knight that had been a friend, but her spirits rise as the road gets better. She even smiles a few times as she sees road crews.

"That's what we fight for," She says to no one in particular, or perhaps everyone, "So that those that can make, make. We're down, but we're not out yet. Not by a long shot."

Giving a satisfied little sigh, she rests her chin on her forearms and looks out at the crews working as they pass by.

"I was foolish to not believe you. But that is the past, I won't make the same mistake again.

"There is going to be a summit here. Representatives of every group that opposes the Combine, and some neutrals that we believe have common interests, have been summoned by Ike Tuner, Mayor of Junkyard.

"I shall hear what he has to say. His past alliances with the road gangs were very troubling. I'm glad to see that he abandoned that foolish course when it became obvious they were not worthy of trust and were taking advantage of the truce to cripple trade and communications. Now, Junkyard has absorbed them into their militia, but I wonder how much more reliable they are, really? Still, they aren't raiding merchant caravans and plundering towns anymore, so that's progress of a sort.

"Once the summit is over, your job will be done. Three days, five at most. Of course, you're free to leave at any time and you'll still be rewarded for your work."

Rowan bows slightly, "Sir we need to get you healed before the talks start, I have done all I can for you."
"Some one with greater knowledge and skill is needed. And I will be most happy to learn from them"

Simon snorted, amused. "It's no coincidence that Junkyard is one of the few places in the Wastes you can still schedule an MRI. The surgeons here have developed a lot of skill in implanting cyberwear and making some kinds of cyborgs but they still know a lot about neuropathology and brain surgery.

"One thing I still need is a security team. I'd be honoured if you and your friends would help. Kira's the only Templar in Junkyard, she's good but she can't protect me alone. Trejo's dead, Jason's missing. I don't feel comfortable trusting Mayor Turner's security, you're the ones I trust to watch my back.

"What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:23, Fri 28 Mar 2014.

Rowan bows, "I am honoured Guild Master Simon".
"And yes for all that the Templars stand for in the wastes, I protect you, if I can".
"But and there is a but, you should consider building at home more than just the hall."
"And you need some one ready to take over from you"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 214):

"The order does have Jo, my second-in-command. Jo is capable of leading the Order if I fall. But we're so few in numbers she's been needed elsewhere. At any rate, I get the feeling many of the Templars prefer to think I'm immortal so they don't have to deal with the reality of what to do when I'm gone.

So much talking prompted a coughing fit. He drank some water and, thankfully, there seemed to be no blood. Simon continued,

"Regarding Boise, I guess we haven't had a lot of time and resources to devote to construction projects. There's the Great Hall, the Barracks (where you stayed) and the Hostel. Not to mention the Chapel. Until now, we've not needed more and our focus has been outwards, in the wastes, not inward, at home. If we needed to, we could simply move.

"But I see that might be something of a folly and Sgt. Crichton has been a great help in fortifying Boise and making it into a true base. We will need to not just feed, train and house Templars but an a lot more Companions, such as yourselves. To face the Combine, we won't just need individual heroes but many people, working together."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:52, Sat 29 Mar 2014.

They approached the north gate to Junktown's outer wall. Having a VIP escort, they bypassed the line of makeshift vehicles and foot traffic waiting at the security checkpoint.

One thing worth note was that the militia at the checkpoint were using some kind of hand-scanners to check everyone entering.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 216):

Jane noticed the checkpoint scans and arched an eyebrow.  "Is that normal for them to scan people?"

Peter grunted and shrugged. "I lost my truck protecting you, I might as well see it through at this point. Besides, who knows what I might be able to find in Junkyard. I usually prefer to get good quality material but you never know."

Simon looked contrite. "I know this was never discussed. And normally, possessions are the furthest thing from my mind. But insofar as I am able, I will make up your losses, Peter. Junkyard is a city of paupers by prewar standards, but they are quite rich by the standards of the day, I think."

In reply to Jane Guin (msg # 217):

It came to Jane that these detectors were picking up EM (electromagnetic) signals, like those given off by computers and digital hardware. Most people lacked the computers and smartphones that were ubiquitous before the war. But cyborgs, especially Combine infiltrators, would be giving off enough of these signals to be picked up. In other words, all people passing in (and out) through the main checkpoint were being scanned to see if they were infiltrator cyborgs.

They made it to the gate, and the Junkyard Defence patrol in body armour and carrying NA M22 assault rifles approached the cab. One of them had a handheld detector attached to a backpack computer and power source. The readout was in a HUD monocle attached to his helmet. The team leader stepped up to Roadkill's window. "Pardon me, sir. We need to check everyone to see if you're all who you say you are."

Smoker sat tight up top remaining on overwatch.

Jane perked up and nudged whomever was close enough to her to nudge.  "See those scanners.  Think we could get some or make our own?  That would help prevent what we just went through I think."

Kira hopped down to allow herself to be 'checked', and overheard Jane's thought.

"Fine idea. I understand almost everything is barter-able here. I bet you could get either some units, or someone willing to make them for you, if you had something they'd want in trade."

Rowan is interested in how they work wondering if you could create a spell that would detect life

Roadkill let a militia into the somewhat-cramped cab.

"Be my guest." He muttered "asshole" under his breath and opened the driver's door to let the patrol leader in. Roadkill climbed down to allow access.

In reply to Roadkill (msg # 225):

The militia member climbed in and proceeded to check everyone with the EM detector. Up close, Rowan could see it had the home-made and jury-rigged look of a Junker device, a kind of weird-science-shaman technology descended from the Mad Science of the prewar years. This meant the device was a 1-off unique creation, if there were many of them they would all be different even if they worked in basically the same way, even no two made by the same "Junker" would be identical.

He stopped by Jane and frowned at the display. "You're chipped. Combine?" The other militia outside stiffened, hands going to weapons but not bringing them up. Yet.

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 224):

As other militia checked out the trailer and the guards riding there (Smoker, Schaeffer, Rowan, etc.) Schaeffer explained the limits of home-made Junker tech. "Each device would be expensive to buy. Cost about as much as this rig, I would wager."

Smoker asked for a closer look at the scanner.

"Fascinating..."

Rowan turns her hand drops toher AK
She may well be but she ran from them years ago and has been a good friend for many years since then." "Yish we both have had to kill enough of the combine to get here with Simon." "So put you toys some where else and let her and me do our jobs"

Peter got a dangerous look in his eyes as he glared at the man not-quite-going for their weapons. "EX-Combine, thank you very much."

Cautiously, Kira said, "I didn't know they had ... 'exes'..."

The militia ignored what she said. Instead, Rowan was painted by four green Lasers from sniper rifles. The minigun at the checkpoint swung around to cover her, spinning up with an evil whine. There was a clattering of bolts as an order was given and at least twenty militia chambered their weapons and brought them to bear.

People waiting to enter the gates started to scatter. What had seemed to be a routine question seemed to be going sideways for no particular reason.