Junkyard Hilton Conference Rooms, 6th (top) floor.

The summit meeting started off well enough. There were introductions of the various factions by Mayor Turner of Junkyard. There were Junkers from the Chamber and the local Junker community, the Convoy sent Corndog (Goose's slightly weaselly 2nd-in-command), Brother Edgar of the Doomsayers, Colonel Meadows and the Oil Town delegation from Texas. Other soldiers were there, leftovers from the War: a British soldier, a Russians, a German and Mexican from the former LatAm Alliance. There was a hippie woman from the Earthers gang and an Old Ways shaman from the Sioux nations. Of course, Simon was there as well as a handful of representatives from local towns across the Wasted West.

They knew Corndog, of course, as he'd been their main contact with the Convoy. Brother Edgar looked like he wanted to have a word with Peter and the others. Surprisingly, Col. Schaeffer want't talking to the German soldier (who looked a little familiar to the Posse).

The conference room was something out of the pre-war days. Plush carpeting, a large table, audio-visual equipment, a terminal connected to the Junknet, Junkyard's intranet service. At one end were tables set with snack food, coffee and tea, cold drinks. A wet bar held wine and alcohol. Armed Junkyard militia guarded the exterior door, there were no windows.


This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Tue 02 Sept 2014.

Smoker lurked in a corner, feeling remarkably out of place but fascinated by the tech on display.

<quote The Marshall>


They knew Corndog, of course, as he'd been their main contact with the Convoy. Brother Edgar looked like he wanted to have a word with Peter and the others. Surprisingly, Col. Schaeffer want't talking to the German soldier (who looked a little familiar to the Posse).

Rowan is fascinated by the varying factions represented here.
She stops to have a word with Brother Edgar " Well met brother I am glad that that which watches over us all has kept you well."

He smiled. "Indeed, things have gone well for the Church of the Atom, Reformed.

"It's great to see all of you again. I heard you've lost some comrades since we last parted... Michaela and Trejo. Arthur was killed in the ruins of Wichita. The Wasted West seems pretty hard on Templars! And others I haven't met, I hear."

Jane stayed in the back a little bit so that Brother Edgar could talk to those whom he wanted to.  She kept her eyes and ears open and let the other do the talking.

Peter looked over the outside of the room and then entered the conference room itself. He was supposed to be a bodyguard and/or part of entourage, so he was trying to at least look the part a little. He gave a nod of greeting to Corndog and Brother Edgar - which was a pleasant surprise. Rowan went to Brother Edgar so Peter followed and held out his hand to the other man even.

"It is very good to see you again as well, Brother. I am glad you are well."

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 6):

Brother Edgar smiled. "I'm glad you're well, too. I see you're Simon's bodyguard. Smart man!

"Speaking of smart men, I have someone here I'd like you to meet. An old friend of mine, local Junker. His name's Samuel Gibson."

He waved one of the Junkers over.

Samuel stepped forward, cowboy hat in hand but black hoodie pulled up to partially conceal his head. Still looking young though the lines around his eyes and his stubbled jaul meant he was at least in his early 30s.
He grinned and raised his free hand in greeting.
"Hi. Brother Edgar mentioned that I might be of use to ya'll. Didn't say how but oh well..."

In reply to Samuel Gibson (msg # 8):

Brother Edgar laughed.

"Oh, don't be modest! Samuel here is a Junker, and a resident of Junkyard. I'm sure he's got skills and equipment Simon can use. The Junkers are well-represented between the Chamber and the locals under Doc Schwartz. Samuel's an independent. No one owns him.

"And don't worry, he's not one of the Gonzers you might have heard of. Or maybe not."

 Rowan nods
" Welcome If brother Edgar speaks for you then that is enough for now."
"The rest is for another time".

Rowan turns her attention back to Simon and what is happening

Peter looked the new Junker over that Brother Edgar was gently pushing their way. He then gave a small shrug. "I trust Brother Edgar, so like Rowan said..." He held out his hand to Samuel. "I am Peter Firecrow."

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 11):

Jane still kept an eye out for anything that might be going down, but did manage to nod in the newcomer's direction.  She would greet him a bit more later but if the others accepted him then that was good enough for her...for now.

"Nice meet you Peter. " Samuel said with a grin and a quick handshake.
"Let's get the meet and greet over with after this... I am sure ya'll have some interesting tales to tell."

In reply to Samuel Gibson (msg # 13):

The meet and greet in the ballroom went well. There were no fights, but the Old Ways shaman didn't seem to like the Junkers, there was a road ganger or two that was getting dirty looks from some of the community reps.

After an hour or so of talking and meeting, they moved to a conference room.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 14):

Ike Turner, the mayor of Junkyard, got up an made a quick speech.

"People, you know who I am, what I want. We all stand for different things, some of our visions of the future are compatible, some might take some... compromise. But one thing is for sure, if we don't cooperate, then Throckmorton and the Combine will be in charge. Lucky he don't seem interested in dividing and conquering, allying with one faction, group or community to pit us against one another. But we all know any alliance with the Combine will end with them in charge. That's why we gotta work with one another, make common cause."

Peter made sure he stayed far away from the Old Wayers. He didn't want to cause any...complications. He listened to Ike speak and gave a small nod. He wasn't sure he trusted the man, but what he said was true enough thus far.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 16):

Simon got up to speak. "I don't have much to say. The Templars will be there for this fight. For a long time I didn't like the way Junkyard cooperated and sheltered scum like the bike and road gangs. I thought it was a mistake for Ike to try and cultivate scumbags as allies. Because they couldn't be trusted when push came to shove. They'd just as like to cut a deal with Throckmorton and join the Combine. In the mean time, Ike keepin' Junkyard neutral meant a lot of good people got raped, robbed and killed by his "friends" out on the roads."

In reply to Simon (msg # 17):

Not expecting to have his past policies attacked, Ike's eyes narrowed.

In reply to Simon (msg # 17):

The Doomsayer smiled at Simon's words, as he'd thought the "hands off" policy of Junkyard was foolish and misguided!

Dakota, the pistol artist, watched the doors instead of the speaker.

Peter's eyes widened. He thought they were here to talk about joining forces against the Combine, but Simon seemed to be taking the opportunity to rake Junkyard's policies over the proverbial coals as it were. Peter kept a slow scan of the room and then the exits going during the conversation.

Smoker struggled to stay awake. All talk and no sensible discussion as to what they ought to do next.

Jane moved a little bit around to get a better advantage if anything went down.  Junkyard was essential for many survival but her assignment this time was for Simon and he was right.  Many people perished outside of Junkyard.  She just hoped he wouldn't totally alienate the people in here and they couldn't come back for support or resupply if needed.

Rowan softly from the rear, but loud enough for the room to hear
"In the past is death just as the present".
"To change the circle we must, forget the pasts mistakes".
"Step on to spiral of hope and aim for the future."
"Joined as one we can became far stronger than our individual parts"

"...But, I am glad to see you have, ah, cleaned house. Before, gangs were welcome in Junkyard's neutral zone. Outside they could do what they wanted. Then that changed.

"You took over the gangs, Ike, very efficiently too, I might add. Keep your enemies close! I don't see how it could have been any other way. They were unreliable as allies and even as neutrals they'd be as likely to ally with the Combine to save their own skins."

Simon finally smiled.

"Yes. I think you have what it takes, Mr. Mayor, to forge an alliance and keep it focused on the Combine and defeating Throckmorton. You have my support. Let's get to work."

Smoker might have been bored at the interplay, but everyone else was paying attention. After all, they were deciding their future! If nothing else, the lack of quality TV and internet porn had caused people to be starved for entertainment, wherever it could be found!

Most of the independent delegates, those from the small towns and non-marauding gangs, clapped and some whooped. The delegates from the other major factions, like the Junkers of the Chamber and Junkyard, the Sky Pirates, Oil Towners, etc., seemed impressed.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 26):

Sighing with relief, Brother Edgar looked a little more hopeful this meeting would end on a productive note. He clapped. "Hear, hear!"

Smoker jerked awake at all the cheering.

Peter gave a little smirk and nod when Simon was done talking and things broke into clapping and more. For a man with not much to say, he sure said a lot. But he seems to have brought everyone around a bit it looks like.

He stayed seated, clapping a little, but focusing on keeping his eyes open.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 29):

Jane didn't clap but kept her eyes open.  It wasn't that she disagreed with Simon but she felt that it was up to them and if she clapped or didn't clap it didn't make a difference in that outcome.  So she just kept her eyes open for any disturbances caused by people who might object more strongly.

Samuel sat back and tried to pay attention to the meeting, but his focus kept drifting off to the blueprints and schematics in his all binder.
He wondered if he should build a recorder... maybe make it smart enough to get what the blue helps everyone is going on about.
And at that he began to sketch out a design.

The few minutes of speechifying were over.

All the delegates got down to the necessary (but boring) part of figuring how they could work together. There were details of who would be in command, what resources could be contributed, how many fighters could be mustered, air and ground vehicles available. The Junkers were put in charge of the logistical aspects.

Once the meeting wore on and details were negotiated, Simon wandered over to talk to the local Junker contingent. He came back, leading one of the Junkers.

"I hope you all aren't too bored. I thought I'd introduce you to a friend of mine. His name's "Vundra". He helped set up some of the sewage in Boise a while back. I wasn't interested in some of the other Junker technology he was offering at the time, and while I now see the benefit I still won't have any truck with Spook Juice or Ghost-Rock power if I can help it.

"Vundra agreed to help you out with our security as part of the Templar contingent. The local Junkers and the Junkers from the Chamber are well-represented and he's more of an independent contractor."

There may have been several dozen or more Junkers in Junkyard (their de facto capital) but there weren't that many that Vundra and Samuel weren't at least familiar by sight and rep. Both knew each other as part of the local Junker scene in Junkyard but not involved socially with others of their kind. Vundra was more mobile and tended to freelance outside Junkyard, working with survivor communities and colonies, plus the Convoy, while Samuel had a local repair shop.

"Vundra, this is Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker. Kira, as you can see, is a Templar. There are a couple more in the posse, Colonel Schaeffer and Dakota Jack, but they're elsewhere, I see.

"I'm not familiar with this gentleman," he indicated Samuel.

Peter, Rowan, Jane and Smoker were dressed as Wasters but wore the Templar's cross as a badge of sort (armbands or a patch) marking them as Companions of the order.

Kira, a sinewy-looking woman armed with an axe, was a full Templar and wore her Tabard. Samuel and Vundra knew of each other vaguely but probably haven't needed to form an opinion other than both performed solid work (no small thing for Junkers).

OOC: I made a small mistake. Dakota is with Schaeffer on overwatch, Kira is in the room.

Peter's eyebrows rose as Simon expressed his zero tolerance policy on using ghost rock and spook juice. Interesting. Peter had no compunctions really, but he wasn't a Junker or anything. He knew most vehicles were made to use fuel and spook juice both since gas was harder to come by these days.

He gave a nod of greeting to Vundra. "Junkers, Junkers everywhere. I'm Peter Firecrow." To Simon, he added, "Samuel Gibson here is a local Junker that Brother Edgar pointed our way."

"Power is power," muttered Smoker. "Like fire, good servant but poor master."

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 35):

Simon nodded a greeting.

"Samuel, good to meet you. I could use the help of another Junker. Interested in joining this little posse?"

Vundra is taping his fingers together lightly and seem to be smiling. His scalp is pulsating softly.... " Ahh nice to meet you, You can just call me V. You should be expecting junkers to join you as you are in the junkyard after all. As Simon have said, I am here to offer help, I hope you find my skills useful" He says in a fast and raspy voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:35, Thu 25 Sept 2014.

Samuel stands and offers Simon his hand.
"Nice to meet ya. I'm sure eager to see what I can do to help. "

"So Samuel, what is your "specaility" so to say?"  Vundra rubs his hands together.

Samuel grins at the question, "Locomotion, comm, armor, both schools of power supply,  and both simple firearms and energy projectiles. "
He pats the pistol on his side, "This is my disruptor pistol and my jeep, Manuel, is outside.

Vundra starts grinning too."Ahh like minded fellow, my powers are armor , energy weapons,  shield , spirit weapons and VTOL" vundra also pats his pistols, "These are my Flash gun and Plasma pistol, my VTOL, Wywern, is also outside" Vundra starts to feel that he and Samuel is going to go well together.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:40, Thu 25 Sept 2014.

8pm local time.

The meeting broke up several hours later. There were no threats and no breaches of the ground perimeter. Schaeffer and Dakota reported nothing untowards happening in the garage.

The Posse had an evening to kill, as the summit would continue at 10am the next morning.

Rowan is worried, and goes to find her love, finding him she gives him a kiss that promises more later.
"Schaeffer the opposition must make their move soon or the alliance against the will be firmed up". I just do not see where it is going to get through. The only area we have not protected well against is underground"

Vundra goes to check out samuel's jeep. It is very important for junker to appreciate other junker's creation as it help the junker create a new creation of his own.

Samuel leads Vundra down to see Manuel.
Manuel is an old jeep Cherokee modded with roll cage. The engine block had long ago been replaced with a ghost rock reactor. The console modified to click in spirit batteries.
As he approached the stereo system clicks on eagerly. "Cisco kid" by War begins playing.

Vundra is grinning widely "How fast can she go? Did you build her? How long have you got her?" A thousand questions pop into his head as he admire the creation.

"He. Manuel is 5 years old. It took me a lot of time to get the chassis rebuilt.  But it was totally worth it. Once I figure out the appliance power I plan to add a microwave and a fridge.

"Oh am sorry I always call Wywern she so I call your ride she.Should we go check out my ride next?"

Peter let out a little chuckle as the two Junkers started talking shop and left to check out each other's rides. In any other group, that might be innuendo, but he was pretty sure they were going to look over the two vehicles and talk more shop. So he let them do that. He was a truck guy, for sure, but he was no junker and his truck was only modified with normal mechanics stuff and armor. And a machinegun in the bed.

He glanced at Jane and shrugged. "Was there anything you wanted to do tonight since we have the night off, Jane?"

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 50):

Jane grinned at Peter.  "I think they want to be alone with their girls.  I hadn't thought about it yet.  I'm actually open to just relaxing when we can but if you want to do something we can.  A good shower or tub and food and you. What more could a girl want?"

Peter smiled back at Jane and nodded. "Alone time." He gave a mock shudder at vague mental images of Junker Love.

"Relaxing suits me just fine. Too often we have to be wary all the time. And we never have such accommodations." He lead the way back to the room. "What more could a man ask for either? Nothing, if he's smart, especially within earshot of the girl." He let out a soft chuckle.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 52):

Jane smiled at Peter and nodded.  "And I know you are a smart man.  I'm not saying that I want to have so much comfort ALL the time but it is good.  It's like a mini vacation or as much of as one we ever get."

It seemed that the evening was going to be a peaceful one.

Vundra and Gibson were introduced to the other 2 members of the Posse: some kind of sniper called "The Colonel" and a gunslinger by the name of Dakota Jack.

Col. Schaeffer was a cammied-up soldier in a battlesuit, carrying a mammoth sniper rifle and an M4 carbine on his back. More like a small cannon! He seemed pleasant enough, if business-like (or Teutonic).

"I am so pleased to be meeting you, Vundra and Gibson. If Brother Edgar and Simon are friends of yours, you are friends of mine!

"That being said, I am proposing a watch schedule between now (1800) and 0600. Kira the Templar will be staying with Simon and Fred, his librarian assistant, all night. Peter and Jane take the 1800-2200 shift, Smoker and Vundra 2200-0200, Gibson and Rowan 0200-0600. Attack will come, if it does, some time before dawn so Dakota and I will reinforce Gibson and Rowan at 0400.

"Everyone stands-to at 0600. If nothing is happening by 0800 then you will be free to get breakfast, nap, and so on. Conference starts again at 1000 hours."

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 55):

The pistol-fighter, Jack, was wearing a gunbelt with two replica Colt Peacemakers in low-slung quick-draw holsters on his hips. He also carried a lever-action Winchester repeater rifle.

"Sounds good to me, Colonel. Anyone got a better idea?"

"Sound good, i will drop by the watch at 2200 , anyone care to join me for some afterburner tonight?" Vundra sound excited about going to drink some signature spook juice of the junkyard.

Peter will have fun and relax with Jane, take his shift and then get some sleep - though he knew he wouldn't get much. He had a tiny hope that no one would be dumb enough to try anything, but he was so often proven wrong. Or was he just a cynic?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Wed 08 Oct 2014.

Everyone settled in for the night. After hours of negotiation, Simon has to be helped to his room where he not so much falls asleep as collapses in exhaustion.

Watches came and went. Finally, it was Vundra and Smoker's watch at 0100.

Smoker paced up and down, thinking that if he sat still for too long he might just fall asleep. He'd not had a drink during the evening, but a good meal inside was enough to make him ready for bed.

Jane enjoyed Peter's company.  Sleep was always fleeting for him and she was glad when he could relax a bit more.  She, of course, never thought she needed to relax  even though many others might think so.  Perhaps that is one of the ways that she and Peter complimented each other.  They didn't usually state the obvious but they also looked out for the other whenever they could.

Soon, she knew, would be back to the usual routine of constant vigilance and bumpy rides while things got blown up.

At 2200, Peter and Jane went off-shift and Vundra and Smoker came on.

For their shift, Vundra and Smoker spent their time trading off between the corridor and the room. There was actually TV to watch, so it wasn't as boring as it could be.

Around 0113, Vundra was taking his shift in the corridor when he heard a "thump" coming from a corner down the corridor to the left. They were the only delegates housed in this wing of the Junkyard Sheraton, and an armed militia MP floor patrol had come through about five minutes earlier, going the other way. (Outside, MPs with dog teams patrolled the perimeter, and a guard post in the parkade guarded the entrance to the Underground.)

"Did you hear that? I thought I heard something." Vundra gets up and pull out his laser pistol and walk over to investigate the noise.

Smoker took post by the door.

"You check, I'll stay here."

" Hehe , If there is something I will scream then." Vundra slowly moves toward the end of the hall and peek around the corner to the left.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Sun 12 Oct 2014.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 65):

Laser in hand, Vundra quickly rounded the lefthand corner.

Before him stretched an empty corridor. All the doors on both sides were closed. But the noise he'd heard wasn't that of a closing door but more of a hollow "clunk".

To his right was the closed door to a supply or cleaning closet. Some kind of liquid was leaking through the bottom of the door, soaking the plush carpeting as it spread. The patch of wetness covered about a square foot or two. Whatever it was, it didn't look like blood.

"You might wanna come see this" Vundra shouts and then keeping his gun aimed at the door he opens it.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 67):

The closet was locked. It was a key lock in the knob, not an electronic lock like the guest rooms.

"Hey! What is going on in there?" Vundra pounds on the door, knowing that he has nowhere near enough strength to force the door, he waits for Smoker to come over.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 69):

There was no answer from within. The dark stain at his feet continued to spread from under the door. It looked to most likely be water. Probably not blood or some other thicker fluid.

"What's going on?" asked Smoker, sticking his head around the corner.

"Something is not right here. Can you help me get this door open?" Vundra points at the door and the pool of liquid

Smoker came over, bent down and took a sniff.

Then he took a step back and kicked the door just beside the lock in an attempt to 'bounce' it open.

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 73):

Smoker's kick did not force the door.

However, what was jarred loose was the memory that Smoker knew how to pick locks and actually had a lockpick set on him.

This is what happens when I don't have enough sleep! thinks Smoker, getting his lockpicks out and setting to work.

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 75):

The lock wasn't too complicated, mainly meant to secure cleaning supplies and not gues rooms. There was a click and the door was unlocked.

But still closed! Someone would need to open it...

Vundra opens the door with his other hand as he keep the pistol pointed at the door.

And Smoker peered in...

A balding man, probably a janitor, lay in the cleaning supply closet. His jumpsuit was pulled open in front. There was a wheeled mop bucket that was on its side in the small space, the source of the water that had leaked under the door. There were shelves with cleaning supplies, garbage bags, brushes, etc. A push broom was propped in the corner and a mop lay across the small space.

The man had a horrific expression on his face, eyes bulging. His face, neck and exposed chest bore bloody marks from claws or fingernails. The wounds were many but did not appear very deep. Almost superficial.

"What in the bloody hell! Do not move or i will shoot! Explain why you are here! Now!" Vundra keep his pistol aimed at the man as he shouts at him.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 80):

The man remained sprawled, motionless. He might be faking but it looked like he was dead or unconscious. While he had a lot of exposed wounds none seemed serious enough to be fatal and there was not enough blood pooled below to indicate he had bled out. Internal bleeding could be involved. There was a noticeable odor of feces and urine over that of the cleaning products and it looked like he had wet his pants.

"I don't think he's going to move in a hurry... Cover me," said Smoker, moving in cautiously and putting a finger to the man's caroitid pulse.

"I, I dont see how he got in here,why and what did this t-too himm." Vundra plugs his gun into his armor in case he need to start blasting alot.....
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Thu 16 Oct 2014.

Kneeling in the soapy water spilled from the yellow mop bucket, Smoker felt for a pulse. His head lolled. Not having any medical training might have been a hindrance, save this man was clearly dead. But the body was still very warm. Smoker saw through the open front of the janitor's coveralls there was a long and bloody gash in the man's stomach.

Aside from the body, shelves, bucket and floor sink, there was a small ventilation panel high in one wall.

"Y-You got anything on tha-that man? Should I shoot him to ma-make sure he is da-dead?" Vundra is shaking a little bit. It must be from fear? or maybe excitement.....

"He's dead," said Smoker, swallowing hard. He stood up and peered into the ventilation panel.

"As we didn't see anything vicious leave, locking the door behind it, I guess it got out through here."

Smoker assessed the size of the ventilation shaft, wondering how big a critter could crawl or slither through it.

"Th-the panel look ra-rather intact, I dont think that i heard him enter either so he might have been he-here a while. I th-think i should go get the ot-other."

"He's still warm," said Smoker, gulping again. He hoped he wouldn't hurl, not here, not now.

"I'll try the panel, see if it will move. Something killed him, and I don't want it visiting anyone else!"

"I wi-will go warn the other." Vundra start heading to the other to inform them of the mysterious event.

The ventilation grille came off easily enough with a tug. The vent itself was maybe 15cm high and 30cm wide. Far too small for a person to pass through. Smoker noticed the janitor had a ring of keys clipped to his belt that probably fit the door.

Back at Simon's rooms, Vundra met Schaeffer at the door. The man was only partially dressed in fatigue pants, T-shirt and boots. But he was also carrying a suppressed M4 carbine on a front sling. He looked a little eumpled but was obviously someone used to going from a dead sleep to mostly functional.

"Ya, what is zee problem?"

"We found a dead man with really weird wound, ya all might want to check it out. I need to also warn other incase the killer might go after them too." Vundra still have his gun drawn.

Smoker replaced the grill and climbed down to relieve the deceased janitor of his keys. He'd return them to the hotel staff... eventually.

He came back out of the cubby-hole and went back to his post. The danger always was in getting distracted from what you ought to be watching.

Behind him stands Rowan her clothing compete about from her armoured vest.
Across her back her sword hilt sticks up but in her hands is her trusty AK
" Has any one checked on the Simon yet" she asks

"Well lets try not to split our forces up too much, I'll see what kind o' trouble Simie has gotten himself into." Dakota says while sitting up from his bedding with no fuss or agitation. Dakota makes sure his gun-belt are secured around his waist, with his police shoulder holster being strapped on while he speaks.

"I can hold my own if we get into some trouble but maybe 'ole wisewoman here," Dakota indicates Rowan with a nod of his chin "Can see if there's any disturbances o' tha force about?" Dakota then quietly heads towards Simons sleeping quarters while setting the hammer back on each readied peacemaker. "Finally ole Meat an' Taters here can get some blood-lust, have'nt shot anyone dead since New Mexico." Dakota mutters obviously referring to his revolvers.

Vundra heads back to his post and find smoker there. "I told them about the dead guy, did you find anything interesting?"

"Not really. If anything got in through the ventilation shaft it was small and rather tidy, replaced the grill neatly behind itself."

Vundra walks over to the closet and drag the body out of the room and look for any sign of whoever  or whatever did this do him.

Checking Simon's room, Kira (the Templar) verified to Dakota that he was all right. Simon's Librarian assistant, Fred, verified he hadn't left the room and no one had entered.

Vundra was unable to find any evidence of someone in the supply closet. It was as big as a walk-in closet, but not that big!

There wasn't exactly a hue and cry but four armed Junkyard Militia MPs quickly arrived to seal off the corridor. The hotel was already locked-down, but a room-to-room search was initiated.

The MPs were not happy about Vundra moving the body. One of the MPs cautioned, "there are police detectives on the way now. Don't touch the body, and stay out of this part of the corridor. It's a crime scene."

Vundra shrugs and leave, at least he is off duty now as they wont need a look out when the palce is filled with police. He return to his room and start working on some battery pack for a new project he is working on.

Dakota smiled at Kira, which may be impressive because he still has all his teeth despite being a wastelander for years. "Well I'm not meaning any offense to yur obvious capabilities as a warrior Kira, but lets just check tha' room."
Dakota pauses while he scans the corridor for threats. "In this weird west, who knows what in the hells crawled in here and killed that janitor. Its obvious 'ole Simi has a target 'em, and its my sweet pleasure to gun down whoever put it there." Dakota flashes another quick smile and adds "Mi Lady."

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 101):

Standing in the door to Simon's room, Kira hefted her maul thoughtfully. "I already checked. I am not going to wake him up for no reason. I was sleeping in a chair pushed against the door, no one came in and he never left."

She wasn't threatening Dakota, of course, just really reluctant to bother Simon on the word of Dakota, a virtual stranger to her.

In reply to Kira 'Valkyrie' Herja (msg # 102):

Wiping sleep from his eyes, Simon's assistant Fred the Librarian came up behind Kira. He had been sleeping in the suite as well.

"I think he's already awake. Dakota, please come in."

At his signal, Kira moved aside.

From behind Jack Rowan steps out, "Honours Kira, there has been an incident and I think your problem from home may be here Librarian"
At her side trickster checks the room at her request

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 104):

Fred let Dakota, Rowan and Trickster inside Simon's suite. He looked thoughtful.

"Indeed. I had feared as much. But what could be the possible point of these killings? Other than to discredit Simon? Unless that's the point.

"Dakota, you haven't been to Boise, the headquarters of our Order, so you haven't heard of the "Horror". Over the years, a serial killer was striking on the nights of the new moon, taking several victims. A "bloodwolf", a hybrid vampire-werewolf, was tracked down and killed a year ago in the ruins, that seemed to halt the killings.

"But last week someone was killed in Boise just before we left there to travel here. Last night a local person was killed and a Templar's cross traced in blood on the wall. The Horror never struck outside Boise and it's not the new moon.

"The last victims (the one in Boise and the one last night) seem to have been killed through self-inflicted wounds. Back in Boise a Doomsayer named Barb tried to speak to the spirit of the dead but something was preventing her from doing so like usual.

"How did this person die?"

Nothing seemed amiss in the room that Simon shared with Kira and Fred. It was a large suite but without a balcony (security risk). There were 2 King-sized beds with sheets of Egyptian cotton, plush carpeting, jacuzzi-bathtub, wet bar and coffee maker off the small entry corridor.

At this point, Simon was sitting up.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 106):

Simon yawned, looking completely exhausted.

"Discrediting me would be enough. Not another attack?"

Rowan crosses to help the guild master and check him over "it would seem so Simon .
"Best I stay in the same room as you I think between my self and trickster we will see what tries to enter"

Dakota holsters his revolvers and nods "Hmm seems whatever got tha' ole janitor did'nt do much to 'em damage wise, so it maybe a poisoned lil sucker. Maybe its a baby bloodwolf," Dakota kinda laughs at that thought before he continues.
"I don't know much about such freaks myself. You hear stories out on tha' trail, but they don't really bother me much as long as Meat n' Potatoes are by my side." Dakota states while he pats his dual Colt Peacemakers holstered at his sides.
Dakota then scratches his chin, and then his face seems to brighten. "Maybe I and another worthy sort should make a look about. See if tha other important political types have had any incidents, could be your just a target because of the alliance." Dakota looks to the others for an indication of a plan.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 109):

The corridor was now sealed off with a pair of MPs at either end. A team of detectives and forensics techs were starting to process the crime scene.

Back at the rooms, a pair of detectives knocked at the door. They were the ones who handled the murder of the skullchucker player the night before.

Showing their ID, the older woman intoruduced herself. "I'm Detective Sergeant Morrisey, that's Detective Chin.

"Sorry to bother you folks. I'm going to need statements from all of you, especially those who found the deceased. As well, once we're done I'm going to have to ask everyone to return to your rooms and remain there. The entire hotel is on lockdown and we're imposing a complete curfew until 0700."

Chin made himself busy by videoing everyone with his slug-corder.

"We heard a noise. I opened the door. The body was lying there, already dead but warm to the touch. No sign of an assailant. Good night."

Smoker yawned tremenously and went off to his bed.

"Smoker, my friend, please show a little more cooperation." He smiled tiredly at the detectives.

In reply to Simon (msg # 112):

"Follow me, please."

This time, the Asian detective led Smoker down the hall to where he was out of earshot. Det. Chin carefully went over his statement, making sure he got the timing straight and the exact details of what happened.

Smoker looked a bit confused.

"I just said what happened. I thought that was what was wanted..."

But he goes dutifully down the hall with Detective Chin and repeats everything until he is satisfied.

"Well I was sitting on my post watching TV ....  when I heard a noise like something fell down so I walk over to see if anything happen .... and saw some water leaking out under the closet door. I call my friend over ...  and he get the door open and ... we found that guy half naked and .... dead with the bucket spilled on the floor, I when over to wake up other after that. After I come back I move the body out of the pool of water ... to look for whatever that might tell what happen but it seem the killer mysteriously disappear."
Vundra sounds a bit shaky as he talks.

The detectives make sure they take Vundra and Smokers' statements where no one could overhear them.

They also both used portable devices to scan their clothing and any bladed weapons. Vundra recognised these units as handheld DNA scanners made before the War.

 If Rowan is told what they are using she will ask to see the results if any thing is dicovered

Dakota shrugs and follows one of the detective to make his statement. "Well you see I was having this great ole dream 'bout Miss April 2080, great body you know?" Dakota says as he makes a lovely shape of a woman with his hands. "I think she was a red head, can't remember been 13 years since I seen one of those fabled mags man." Dakota shoots one of his classic smiles before he continues on.

"Anyway having this great dream when that razed Junker shakes me awake and says 'Hey man quit touching yerself and check out this dead guy,' so I did well you know after zipping up and such. Well and there he was laying in a puddle of soapy water, chest all ripped up. I bet its one of those lil bastard midgets or something, those things are fuckn' creepy."

"Anyway if you need any help shooting that lil slayer, I'm game. Think I'm getting rusty, have'nt had to gun down anyone in weeks."

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 118):

Det. Chin cut Dakota off at the start of his description of his dream.

"Please try to stick with what happened in the real world, sir, and not your dreams. Try to focus on the deceased, what you saw, what you heard. And the time."

The detective merely nodded in a neutral manner when Dakota was done. He asked a few details about who was there when Dakota arrive and scanned him for DNA. When it became obvious Dakota had arrived after, he ended the interview.

"Thanks, we'll be in touch. You're free to go back to your room."

Dakota shrugged and, instead of heading towards his room, sauntered off to Simon's room. He gave two taps on the door and waited for an answer. "Just wanted to git a plan of action from ya, I don't think this'll be the last surprise. But maybe I just have an itchy trigger finger. Think we should look around, or just get on back to our sentry duty routine?"

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 120):

The female Detective stood behind Jack. Her partner moved to flank him. Neither had weapons drawn, not that they would be faster on the draw than Dakota. But they had considerable backup on quick notice.

"Sir. You need to return to your room. As much as it doesn't seem likely, you are a suspect. The lock-down applies to you, too."

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 121):

"Dakota, I admire your spirit. Let's let these people do their jobs and not wander around. Don't want to upset our hosts." He smiled tiredly at the detectives, who seemed to relax a little.

Marshall's Note: OK, posted as the correct character!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Tue 21 Oct 2014.

"Whatever you want, but I'm gonna be a snarl'n demon if I missed a chance to blast tha critter responsible for ole Georges demise." Dakota shrugs and heads off to his sleeping quarter's to take a solid power nap until his shift.

OCC: Sorry forgot to put my colors up! So it is fixed now.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Tue 21 Oct 2014.

Rowan slides to a corner  of Simons room with trickster and stands silently with an almost we are not here, we are not the people you are looking for.
Pass by us we are not your problem.

The MPs and police conducted a room-by-room search for suspects or evidence, gathering statements from the posse and the other delegates. Soon, the hotel quieted down but armed MPs were stationed on every floor to enforce the lockdown.

Reckoning that his shift was probably over even without the MPs hanging around, Smoker went off to his bed and fell asleep.

Seeing that his partner has gone to sleep, Vundra finish his little project before taking a nap too.

Rowan and Gibson took their shift. Unable to get back to sleep, Schaeffer accompanied them to see how the other sentries were doing.

They saw with surprise the people on duty had gone to sleep! True, there was a lot of heat on at the moment, but the point was that they have some of their own people awake in addition to hotel and Junkyard security so they wouldn't be completely flat-footed in case of an attack.

Schaeffer decided not to blow a gasket. Smoker and Vundra were civilians and sure, not much was likely to happen now. Either way, he got everyone up at 6am for the general stand-to. This was the most likeliest time for a surprise attack. Even if it didn't come, they were at least up for an early breakfast.

Luckily, the forces of the Combine decided not to attack at that time. It was good they were up early as the breakfast buffet was quickly mobbed by the delegates from across the Wasted West.

They were first in line for breakfast.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:36, Sun 26 Oct 2014.

Dakota had already been up cleaning his guns by the time Schaeffer had knocked on his door to wake him up. Dakota strapped on his trusty Meat and Potatoes gunbelt and his shoulder rig holding the police pistol, he stopped for a second as if to ponder something and also grabbed his lever action before heading towards breakfast.

He quickly dived into the morning meal, as if it was going to be his last bit of food on earth. After finishing his meal with the flair of a waster, basically having cleaned his plate dry, Dakota wandered over to Schaeffer. "So those flatfoots fig're who don it yet? All this stand'n 'round is giving me a strong case o' itchy trigger finger. What'vr got that guy must'a crawled through the air vents, but I got stonewalled by those jerks in uniform." Dakota sighs, and scans the crowd of wasters with a keen eye.

Dakota began to roll up a nice joint from his stash as he began talking again"I don't think it was one 'em that did it, I'm ah' thinking it was an outside force. we might be need'n some o' that witchery to get a clear view of things." Dakota finished by lighting up his joint, taking a good hit and went to pass it to Schaeffer "Wak'n bake?"

Vundra stays quiet during most of the stand-to and the breakfast, he seems to be deep in thought. After breakfast, Vundra peels himself from the group and go to his bike and being his usually cleaning and shining. He also fetch a few pieces of this and that to finish his project later.

Smoker surfaces in the morning and wanders down in search of breakfast.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 129):

A freshly-shaved and showered Schaeffer waved off the spliff, then gave in and took a puff. "Try to be sober for the meeting, ya? Put that out. I understand the need to relax, but please, is not correct time!"

With a smile, he stubbed the joint out while winking at Dakota.

"If anything came through that vent, it was perhaps something robotic. Or supernatural? Whichever, something is going on here. Of course."
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:39, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

The detective sergeant (Morrissey) from last night entered the cafeteria, looking around. An intent look on her face, she sauntered over to the Posse.

"Morning. Interesting news. I think your crew is off the hook. There was no foreign DNA in the victim's wounds, or any place not explained by when you found him. There's no defensive wounds either: they appear to be self-inflicted by cleaning tools or the victim's own fingernails. And these were not immediately fatal. The poor guy actually died of congestive heart failure. Before the war there would have been medicine for that. No such luck now, even here."

She seemed to be studying the Posse's reaction to the news.

"Hey man I'm, jus try'n to stay on the same level as everyone else. I'm way too fast, its unfair." Dakota replies to Schaeffer as the detective walks into the room and adresses the posse. Dakota gives a big smile to the detective sergeant as he turns to her "Well morn' ma'am, you sure now how to bright'n up a room. Ya look'n a lil stressed maybe ya need a nice relax'n tumble when this is all ov'r."

Dakota scratches his chin realizing he hasn't shaved in weeks and he just gives a coy smile like someone just told the best joke he's heard since the bombs fell. "I didn't know tha cleaning slave, but most people don't just rip em selves open and drink down some 'ole bleach to start a day. I've seen some weird shit out 'ere since those bombs hit this lil planet of ours. What ya got fer the mystical evidence? Any thin in 'is ears, nose, mouth? Jus ask'n cause I just shoot 'em, I'm no gumshoe." Then an idea hits 'em and he scans the room for Vundra or that other junker fellow, "Where'd our mad scientists go anyway?"

"Hardly news," said Smoker, who's not a morning person. "We know we had nothing to do with the janitor's demise."

He decided that a mug of coffee might improve matters, or at least keep him from saying anything (more) that he might regret later, and limped off towards the coffee pot.

Peter was tired. That was normal for him, but there it was nonetheless. Having horrifically-vivid nightmares every night took it's toll on a person. About once a week or so, Peter would get one blessedly dreamless night of sleep, as his body and mind just couldn't take it anymore and shutdown for 8 hours basically - kind of like resetting the clock. Once he was reset, however, the nightmares would start up again the next night like normal, like clockwork once more.

He looked around as he drank coffee. Wonderful caffeine. He glanced at the detective and raised one eyebrow. He'd been told about the dead man, of course, but that hadn't been on his watch so he didn't know anything but second-hand information. "Interesting. Sad that we do not have proper medicine anymore. And healers are hard to come by these days too." He paused a moment. "So...is the official investigation stating that he died of a heart attack after clawing at himself, ie: he was scared to death?"

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 136):

She sighed, helping herself to a coffee from the carafe. Junktown's Mayor was really pulling out the stops hosting the delegates for the anti-Combine alliance.

"Sounds about right, a heart attack. It's not unlike the Flowers death I was investigating. I went back over the evidence in that case. No foreign DNA. Wounds appeared to be self-inflicted. No toxicology other than some alcohol and marijuana in his system. But Flowers was strong and managed to last long enough to bleed out from his wounds, unlike the janitor, Mr. Cadiz.

"I'm not one to believe in the supernatural. But after the War there's a lot of strange things out there that are very dangerous. Robots. Mutants. Cyborg assassins. Military sykers. Weaponised psychotropic drugs, chemical warfare agents.

"Say, you haven't heard of anything like this in Boise, have you? Unexplained murders? Similar M.O.?"

She watched the posse's reaction carefully, particularly those who'd been with Simon since he left the Templars' HQ.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

"Nah, not really, but to be fair ma'am I was quite plastered at tha time. I do recall not having to shoot noth'n in ole Boise." Dakota explains to Detective Sergeant Morrissey, "But I bet one o' posse could recollect for ya."

"Fred Biletnikoff might know. He's a Librarian, and I think he was tracking unusual deaths as one of his projects," said Smoker from behind a stack of pancakes.

Schaeffer was called over to discuss something with a group of Junkyard city government reps. and militia officers. What followed was a heated discussion. He came back, looking nonplussed.

"It seems that after the murder last night, the local authorities believe the security of this building is compromised. They will be holding today's meetings at city hall, down the block. I do not like the logistics of moving such a large and diverse group, and of course who is to say city hall will be an improvement, security-wise, but that is the situation.

"Eat up, we start shuttling delegates by foot tunnel in fifteen minutes. It's just a block, but much can happen. They assure me this conduit is secure."

He looked unconvinced.

Vundra returns to the posses just before the time for the meeting, He is carrying a small sack that seems to be filled if some parts.

"Sooo, Is there any new update on last night incident? I have a bad feeling about it, both how he got kill and how his body got there. I dont think we heard him as he got into that janitor closet either."

Peter was slow to answer, and thankfully others chimed in first and he looked at them as they spoke. "I do not believe there were murders that were exactly like this in Boise."

He left it at that as he gave a nod to Schaeffer and finished up his coffee and little bit of breakfast. Time to get moving.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Thu 30 Oct 2014.

At the Colonel's statement Dakota laughs, "These city folk sure make stupid mistakes it seems. This whole meeting is a joke, the world has changed and so must our tactics." Dakota says as heads to his squat and prepares to travel into possible death and destruction, and the posse hasn't seen him happier. "Might actuatly get some shootn' done, maybe we should send some scouts 'head?"

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 143):

"OK, let's go. It's a pedestrian tunnel. About a block long. We shall gain access."

Shifting his carbine to low-ready, Schaeffer snorted at Dakota's earlier dismissal of an attempt at alliance. "The world may have changed, but people have not. To defeat an evil like the Combine people need to work together, to organise effectively you need to talk. Before the war we had telecommunications and the Internet, now we have to get them in the same room. In that sense the world has changed, yes.

"Otherwise, the Combine will take out these communities and groups, one at a time. No matter how brave they are. Divide-and-conquer by offering to spare some while targeting others.

"I would guess that your "plan" would be to strap on your pistols and go challenge Throckmorton to a duel on the main street of Denver at high noon. Pistols versus an army of automatons, artillery, machine guns and air support. Very heroic."

"No I just think people to wake up to the world around them," Dakota replies as he checks his six-guns and holsters them, "If this was tha safest place to hold a meeting, and its now compromised, how is traveln' wit a group of defenseless yahoos to anoth'r highly unsecured place safer? Best to stay here and finish this shit, before it finishes us."

He smiles at the thought of dueling Throckmorton in Denver, "If only it was that easy to end the Beast, I'd be there in Denver plugging that S.O.B., no I think someone in that group is sabtagoing this whole process. I still think we should send a scout ahead of the main group, who made the decision to move us anyway they's probally who is behind it all." Dakota ponders as he takes up his rifle and also checks to see if its loaded, "We shoulda asked Vundra to make a drone for scoutn'."

Rowan looks up. "Schaeffer is correct in his statements."
 "Rowan shakes her head but they are wrong in their desire to shift to another location, best they continue it here"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 146):

Schaeffer looked like he agreed.

"I agree, for what it's worth, about staying put. Something's wrong, or at least there's perhaps something we're missing. It is not our decision. Unless you want to be asking Simon, ya?

"Challenging Throckmorton to a duel wouldn't work, anyways. He is an AI in a mainframe, I hear. But people are waking up, seeing they can't ignore the threat any longer, that the Combine won't leave them alone even if they want to stay out of this fight. Perhaps the war never finished, not really."

"I will scout if you like," offered Smoker, having decided that a third stack of pancakes just wouldn't fit inside him.

rowan nods and goes to speak to Simon.
Politely she puts her case to him
1/ This is the most defendable place they have.
2/ it is likely that the body has been dealt with to drive us out of here.
3/ The chances of the representatives being attacked on the move is high
4/ There is no guaranty that the next place will be any better and more likely it will be worse.
Both Shaffer and myself think it would be better if we all stay here

"I can make drone but If you want to scout, you better ask Samuel to make some cam feed for you. Also my "specailty" isnt utiliy construction, I rather prefer making destruction equipments. I can give you something that you might like." Vundra unclip an object that look like a soft drink can with a ring of metal stick out on top and hand it to Dakota. " I think you will like this. Just pull the ring and dont be near it when it goes off."

Looking tired, Simon looked indecisive for a moment. "Oh, all right. I'll see if they will change their minds."

He wandered over to meet with the Junkyard officials and militia officers. After several minutes of talking, he returned.

"They say City Hall is actually more defensible, because it's the old Hellstromme Industries HQ and built like a fortress. Ike and the other HI personnel held out there for weeks during the first days of the war. There are external turrets and steel shutters for all doors and windows. They are moving people through a tunnel. Unless the Combine can dig their way through the ground and breach concrete, it should be impossible to ambush the delegates."

He shrugged. "I know it seems less than safe. But I don't think it's worth me walking out."

Gibson finished his ersatz coffee.

"Uh, I'll try, but I have only, what, 15 minutes?"

Dakotas face brightens like that of a young boy on christmas day when Vundra hands him the grenade, he feels its weight in his hand and attempts to become familiar with its workings - which is'nt hard, even for him, pull the pin and throw. "Thanks man, I don't think anyone's ever given me the gift of explosives before."

He turns to Simon and shrugs "Be it we die here, or in a tomb don't much matter but this sticks of the Combine, they've grown because of Throckmorton's cunning and foresight. This is what I'd do, if only to sow the seeds of mistrust an' fear, we are too strong together and are capable of being a thorn in his side. But I'll go along with it." Dakota says with a sly grin, he turns towards Smoker "I'll scout ahead with you, and don't worry Schaffer I'll keep this baby around," Dakota says indicating the Vundra Explosive Can, "Till I see the demon born cyborg rat that killed the janitor, then I'm gonna stuff it down its rusty throat just to make sure we killt it right."

The Detective talked to Fred for a few minutes, then left the cafeteria.

Coming over, the Librarian waited for a chance to speak.

"Peter, everyone, do you have a moment? Look, I understand people don't like to believe in the supernatural. I know parapsychology was fairly well understood during the war. There were "Sykers" send to the colonly on Faraway, plus all manner of commandos and special operations types, even assassins. Most people assume that the things they see people like the Doomsayers or Templars do is like that, or perhaps some form of genetic manipulation or mutation.

"I believe those poor people were possessed to kill themselves. And no Syker could do that. Some mind control psychoactive agents could drive people crazy, but none I know of could reliably make them kill themselves, and not leave a trace after.

"That bloodwolf might have been responsible for some victims. But I don't think it took all the victims in Boise. And something is hunting people here, now."

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 153):

After a few moments talking to the security personnel, German commando handed over a security badge to Dakota.

"Here. This will get us into the transfer tunnel, that we may inspect it. Is anyone else coming?"

In reply to Fred Biletnikoff (msg # 154):

"Supernatural is weird.  I can deal with weird but don't like it and not sure I believe it...yet.  Hunting on the other hand is something that I fight back against."

Dakota takes the offered security badge, "I think its me, you and Smoker. While I wouldn't mind Jane and Peter watching ma back up there, we need a strong fall back position. Assume the worst, so tha best is easier to swallow." Dakota then ponders for a moment, "If its a ghost kill'n them, maybe we need Rowan to watch our backs if she can. Or is there a way to plug a ghost Rowan?"

Vundra pulls out his flasher pistol"I can make weapons that kill ghost, it was a nifty trick i picked up when working with IGR. This little darling will put a hole in living and spirit.  Also Dakota, that can, it is not good for stuffing down throat but i guess you can do it..."

Smoker limped forwards to join Dakota.

"Do I need a fancy badge as well?"

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 159):

Schaeffer made sure Smoker was wearing his badge.

"It's the same one from before. Vundra and Gibson were not given them before now."

Peter watched the detective until she left, then slowly turned to Fred. "SOMETHING is going on, that is for sure. I believe in the supernatural. Something or someone is killing people around here, and it seems to be getting closer and closer to Simon. It's not the Bloodwolf as far as I can tell. A different pattern and methodology. I fear it's someone that traveled with us from Boise. I don't like it, but I don't know how to stop it. I don't have any special powers." He forced a small smile. "Maybe I should see if Simon would take me in as a Templar." It was difficult to tell if he was joking or not.

"This is big 'ole mess, we need to scout this tunnel but I don't wanna do it wit out some way to track and kill this fuck'n thing. Vundra, Thomas you think you can whip up some sort of aide so we can see this thing? Unless its some jerk drone, then we're wasting our time. Whatya guys think?" Dakota frowns and looks to the others for guidance, "I just shoot things I can see, I aint no Harry Potter."

"I dont know what can I about that, Unless you want me to just make a really big bomb that kill ghost? That wont be healthy for people around you though.... Or amybe...." Vundra start mumbling to himself, lost in thought about making things.

Rowan smiles as she answers her man
"I am going to be staying close to Simon Col, for many reasons".
"Jane carry on using the MG of mine if you wish till you don't need it"

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 162):

"It would indeed be perfect to have some way to track a supernatural target. But that just might not be possible to arrange in the short time we have.

"There is a saying: do not let perfect be the enemy of the good enough. Let us go down, scout the passage. If there is something there, we can flush it out. Even if we can't track it, at least we will have spoiled the enemy's ambush, if that's what their plan is. Once the Junkers here are convinced there is a real problem and that it is not conventional in nature, they may be able to fashion something.

"I have a weapon that might work against the supernatural. It is in my room. I will meet you in the lobby in five minutes.

"They say they will be moving everyone in ten minutes or so, but if I don't miss my guess it will actually be more like a half hour to get everyone organised to move."

Without waiting for an answer, he left the cafeteria at a jog.

A weapon? Peter frowned in thought. They didn't need a weapon against the supernatural. Well, they might at some point. But first they need a way to find it. Or a way to protect against this...mind control or whatever, if Biletnikoff was to be believed. But he kept his mouth shut. He didn't have anything constructive to contribute for the moment, so he nodded to them all and went to guard Simon.

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 165):

"I'll see if Brother Edgar can be of some help."

He didn't have a lot of faith in the supernatural, but Doomsayers seemed to be able to tap into the same power source as Junkers, that of Ghost Rock and radiation, if in a non-technological way. So maybe there was something there? He moved off.

"Well if we see some crazy shit in that ole tunnel, I have this neat can o' soda Vundra gave me. Hey Vundra make sure, in case there is a next time, we have protocols fer ghost huntin'. Also might as well throw in Werewolves, Sea Hags, Chinese Hopping Vampires, Regular Moody Vampires and Mummies. Just in case." Dakota says chuckling as he makes his way towards the tunnels and waits for the Colonel by the entrance.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:43, Sat 01 Nov 2014.

Smoker joined Dakota by the tunnel entrance.

Two unimpressed Militia are guarding the tunnel entrance, which is in kind of a lower elevator lobby level of the hotel. The tunnel entrance was simply a pair of fire doors marked "PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL to CITY HALL" off to the side of the foyer. A few dusty planters guarded the lobby area, apparently there used to be a nightclub down here as well as the hotel service areas. On the other side was the underground parkade entrance, guarded by two more Militia.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 170):

Brother Edgar, a Doomsayer (and former Posse member) came down the stairs. He was dressed in purlple Doomsayer robles, a mark of the Reformed Church of Atom in contrast to the green robes worn by the Cult o' Doom. He was carrying a shiny black metal rod of some kind, sort of like a crude sword with a grip fashioned from Duck tape wrapped around one end.

"Hell, Gibson said you might need help. I can't see or track anything supernatural, but miracles like Nuke and this Control Rod should work against anything bullets won't otherwise touch."

OOC: If you make a killer Occult Engineering (Vundra) or Knowledge roll (Smoker) to determine more information.

On the dot, Schaeffer arrived with a Militia dog team in tow (2 MPs and canine). He had his battlesuit on with his carbine, but at his side was a cavalry dress sabre. It was of an old style, with tassled pommel and curved hand guard. He pulled it out to check the blade, which was of fine steel with the initials "SMS" engraved on it.

"I needed to get my sword. It belonged to my father, the Colonel... I mean, me. I'm the Colonel. Therefore it's mine. Yah... is good Sollingen steel, been in our family for generations, since the time of Bismark. We were a proud Prussian family then. Of course, not any more..."

He seemed to be babbling as he stared at the sword, and stopped talking with an effort of will. Steadying himself, he sheathed the sword back in its scabbard and put his carbine at low-ready.

"Good to see you again, Brother Edgar. OK, are we ready? Dog team on point checking floor and the front. I will follow checking the ceiling. Then Dakota and Smoker, check left and right. Brother Edgar, you are last, guard the rear."

A memory jolted Dakota from when they parted ways, weeks past, in Amarillo. The Colonel had met some men from his old unit and he wanted to accompany them for a while. But as respectful and fond as they were to him, they kept on calling him "Lieutenant" for some reason and not "Colonel". However, this was a while ago and he wasn't reminded of it until now, if it meant anything.

OOC: Technically, the Colonel's Sabre is a +1 Longsword.

Vundra holds his bag of parts in one hand and follow the group quietly, He seem to still be deep in thought.

OOC: Vundra rolled 10 using 5d12, keeping the highest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3,3,10,5. Occult Engineering(Control Rod). Nope I know nothing :P

"That's a nice pig-sticker there Schaeffer, I need to get me some magic bullets or something. I feel left out hahaha." Dakota laughs a little out of nervousness as he readies his Winchester and moves towards the left of the Colonel "Well me and Melon Splitter will just have to make due. Hey i just remebered, why'd those old cohorts of yours way back then call you Lieutenant?"

" AHH, Yes magic bullets, If there anywhere you can find those it will be here in the Junkyard!" Vundra suddenly shout out as he realise somthing. " I might be able to make some of those too but I would need to go get some more parts though .... yeah i would need this and that ...." Vundra returns to mumbling again.

Dakota smiles, he really loves having a Junker around "Well I might hav ah Police Sidearm I can loan ta such ah beneficial enterprise hah!"

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 174):

Schaeffer seemed briefly confused by Jack's comments. Not just what he was talking about but something further.

"Pig sticker? Sword? Yah, is good." Again, he seemed a little rocked, but recovered. "Look, let's go. Everyone pay attention, yah? That includes you, Vundra."

When he heard his name, Vundra snaps out of his mumbling" Ahh yes, pay attention, might be something around, yes,yes"

The flanking Militia opened the double-doors to the tunnel, standing aside to let them pass.

Away from them the tunnel stretch into the distance. It was sparsely-lit (not a high priority for scarce replacement lights) with a few side doors here and there near the entrance. There was worn carpet lining the floor and a few patches of paint peeling on the walls. Some of the ceiling acoustic tiles were missing.

The canine team entered, then Schaeffer.

Dakota followed Schaeffer inside the tunnel on Schaeffer's left side cautiously, checking low and then high with his Winchester lever action cocked and ready to rock. Dakota kept an eye out for any sort of air-vents or places to plant explosives.

 rowan and Trickster remain with Simon.
Some how she is worried about all the team being away

Vundra stays near the back of the group, he looking around erratically. He is holding the small sack with one hand and the other hand rests on his pistol.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 182):

Realising that he'd forgotten to place Vundra somewhere in the group, Schaeffer let him stay where he was.

Smoker went into the tunnel, taking the right seeing as Dakota had already veered left.

Jane nodded to Rowan.  "Thanks Rowan.  One can't have enough weapons at times can one.  Well some of us can't anyway."

After a moment to think on it, Jane smiled and handed back Rowan's gun to her.  "On second thought, part me likes the idea of taking my own on this.  I would take both but then would barely move.  There might come a time when I might need it again and I do thank you for the loan."

Jane was quiet as she was assigned to whatever position they felt she could be best served at but her mind was busy wondering why The Colonel was rambling a bit.  He seemed out of sorts as well as some other things weren't quite adding up right.  Perhaps she was just tired.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:59, Thu 06 Nov 2014.

The small "patrol" entered the pedestrian corridor connecting the Hilton with City Hall. At one point Hellstromme VIPs and employees would use this conduit to travel between the buildings without going on the ground level, which had narrow sidewalks.

The foyer by the door was carpeted, but the rest of the block-lock tunnel had marbled tile floors and tiled walls. Their footsteps echoed off into the distance, along with the panting of the police dog in the lead. Many lights were out, causing more and more shadow. Emergency lights were switched on to provide additional illumination.

There was something or someone up ahead.

Up in the lead, the Militia with the dog signalled a stop. The dog (Attila) barked once. "Up ahead. Looks like a crew, replacing lights. I heard they were doing that."

Sure enough, about 200 feet away were five people in work coveralls, with ladders and boxes, repairing the emergency lighting. They were moving quickly and efficiently, doing what they could in a limited time. Not replacing every light but just the ones in the greatest darkness.

Upstairs, the delegates were starting to get organised to begin moving to City Hall. It would actually take more like a half-hour to get everyone moving, not the desired 15 minutes.

Peter and Jane were sticking close to Simon while the others 'scouted'. He didn't like dividing the forces up, but he didn't see much of a good choice either way. He didn't have a weapon out, but he was definitely very armed with a machine pistol in a shoulder holster, a pistol tucked into his belt and an auto-shotgun slung over his back. He realized he needed to get more holsters...or stop carrying so many guns.

He stayed close to Simon and spoke quietly when there were only Simon's group around. "I hope you are well today, Simon. Were you able to get word to Jo so she does not show up?"

Dakota eyes the workers suspiciously after he checks to see if his side is clear. Though its not that unusual Dakota it would make sense they'd fix the lights before traveling down this tunnel the wary gunslinger ponders, "You'd think after tha world blew all ta hell, there'd be less menial labor.".

Smoker limped forwards a few steps, checking on what the repair crew were doing.

Simon nodded.

"I don't know if she got it, but a runner took the message to the RV point. She's not here. I assume she's staying away. Good thinking, either way."

Schaeffer kept moving forward, weapon at low-ready (pointed at the floor an angle in such a way that the M4 could be easily brought to bear). "With industrial society gone, most labour is menial, now. Scavenging, digging and removing rubble, building town walls, planting crops. But I would be guessing that there is overall less janitorial work happening."

The two militia moved up to check IDs. The foreman had a paper work order he pulled out of a pocket.

As they did, Smoker saw that aside from the ladders there was a hand-truck they were using to carry replacement bulbs and the burned out ones they replaced. It seemed they were on the up-and-up, although the cart had a lower storage compartment that could be used to hide weapons. The three men and two women (one of these a mutie with keliods covering the left side of her face) were dressed in maintenance coveralls and tool belts (small tools like screwdrivers, pliers, crimpers for electrical cables, etc.). None were armed. The dog sniffed them and the cart but seemed uninterested.

Peter gave Simon one of his rare small smiles. "I try to help with what little I can when I can. The smile disappeared and Peter's face started to slip into uneasy before quickly going stone-faced. "I just...feel that something isn't quite right. I don't know what yet."

He glanced over at Jane for a long moment. "Here's to hoping I am wrong and just being a paranoid old man."

As Smoker approached the workers Dakota moved in closer, so as to cover Smoker if anything went to hell, but far enough away from the workers to not scare them to badly. The whole time he kept Melon Splitter at a low ready. "Hey, are those bulbs up ta code? Wouldn't want ta get tha power bill too high."

Simon looked at Peter, then around at the milling delegates. He nodded, then shrugged. "I can't say what it is, either. Maybe just PTSD. Been fightin' monsters too long."

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 194):

The woman smiled. "Yeah. These lights aren't supposed to be used for routine lighting. But every building before the war needed to have 'em and they are rugged enough to still be working. So we use 'em."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:57, Fri 07 Nov 2014.

Dakota fixes his dead gaze on one of the whispering workers, still keeping his rifle low, he says in a deathly calm and imposing voice "So what are you two hiding," gone is all the humor Dakota typically displays towards others and he seems to take on the visage of death itself.

Jane gave Peter a small nod when he muttered low under his breath about hoping to being wrong.  Of course soon or later he would be right.  Call it occupational hazard if you will but sooner or later there would be fighting.

Smoker took a look at one of the lamps, his usual curiousity about anything technological coming to the fore.

 Rowan smiles "to quote a film".
"I feel a disturbance in the force"

She adds in "truth Simon the way has much to teach"


“Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.”

Taken from another Wisdom

"I am a knight."
 "We walk in the dark places no others will enter."
 "We stand on the bridge, and no one may pass."
 "We live for the code, we die for the code"


Rowan Smiles
"And if that was not written for your people Simon I have never heard a passage that was."


Rowan carries on guarding Simon in all the ways she can using both her senses and Tricksters
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:34, Fri 07 Nov 2014.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 197):
Checking the carts, Smoker determined there was nothing suspicious. Emergency lights, florescent tubes, brackets, ballasts, screws and fasteners.

The workers all stopped and stared at Dakota in various stages of shock and fear. Light bulbs scattered and dropped onto the tile floor, some breaking. "Holy shit! He's going to kill us! Fucking RUN!" One man jumped off the ladder, stumbled, then took off down the tunnel at a dead run. The ladder clattered over and fell. Another man was right behind him, as was one of the women. All three were ripping off their tool belts to run faster. Tools flew everywhere. The foreman cowered against the wall, uncertain what was going on.

"But... they wanted us to change the lights! They told us to change the lights! DON'T KILL US! JESUS, PLEASE Don't kill me! I've got a wife and kid, mister! I don't know what we did wrong! Tell me what we did wrong!" He was almost sobbing now.

The only person standing up to Dakota was the mutie woman. She shook her head in disgust. "Good going, dickbag. There goes the crew. Now we'll never get this done. If I see you coming, you better step aside, mister."

Surprised, the Militia acted confused. The canine handler fought to control his dog, which was barking wildly. "Attila! Down!" The other brought his M22 rifle to cover the running workers, then Dakota, then back, wondering who he should shoot and thinking he might just let God sort them out. "What's going on? Somebody say something quick or I'll shoot someone!"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 200):

Simon raised an eyebrow. "Sounds familiar. Some sort of ancient writing, Rowan?

"Oh, looks like some kind of commotion in the tunnel."

Dakota still stern faced cracks a smile at the mutie woman "Well I'll be damned, most jerks just crap themselves and run off, like those guys!" Dakota laughs and props Melon Splitter on his shoulder. "Sorry 'bout that guys I was just test'n ya. But when'vr yer ready to wrassle I'm game lady." Dakota gives the mutie lady a wink.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 203):

The woman sighed angrily and rolled her eyes. Righting the ladder, she said to the foreman, "c'mon, Bob. Let's finish up what we can. Those delegates are coming through any minute."

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 204):

Schaeffer hadn't intervened in the situation. After all, he didn't know if they were legit or not any more than Dakota did. He said, "everyone, please put your weapons down. I'm sure this is a misunderstanding. Let's continue, ya?"

This seemed to calm the MPs.

Smoker looks bemused by all this. Then he smiles at the one lady who stayed, and limps over to Dakota, looking up at the taller man.

"What was that all about? They were just doing their jobs, making the place a little nicer for everybody else... and you threaten them? It's just not on!"

"Well I did'nt like tha cut of their jib, and it was pretty funny when they all started runn'n 'round. 'Sides if they are gonna make some trouble, half of 'em won't go through wit it." Dakota says with a smile, "Lets see what trouble I can git in at the end o' this tunnel, Smoker." He says continuing down the tunnel with Melon Splitter at a low ready.

Smoker rolled his eyes. Clearly he and Dakota had radically different ideas of what made for fun. He sighed and began to limp down the other side of the tunnel, keeping his eyes peeled for anything untoward.

The remaining 2 maintenance personnel tried to clean up the dropped lightbulbs (they were rugged emergency lights so only a couple had broken) and put a few last lights up while there was time. The dog team, Dakota, Smoker, Schaeffer, Vundra and then Brother Edgar reached the end of the tunnel. A sign announced that this was Hellstromme Corporate Offices, now Junkyard's City Hall.

There didn't appear to be anything amiss, no one waited in ambush. The dog team made sure there was no one under the floor or in the walls.

Back at the hotel, they waited for the all-clear.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 209):

Making one last visual inspection of the tunnel corridor, Schaeffer sighed with relief.

"Is good. I am thinking the route is clear. Let's give signal and have them start moving delegates.|

Dakota is almost disapointed when they reach the end of the tunnel but he smiles anyway. "Agreed, when they start movin' down here do ya wanna do tha typical sandwhich formation. One team in tha front an' back?"

Peter watched carefully after Simon's comment about a commotion in the tunnel. He wasn't sure what happened but it was over quickly it looked like. He held his position, trusting that his allies would be able to handle it...or let him and the others know if they couldn't.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 212):

The Junkyard Militia MPs deployed in force. Pairs were stationed down the tunnel every 20 feet. The delegates were let through accompanied in groups.

After about 10 minutes, Simon's group was asked to go.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 213):

"Thank you. Shall we?" With that, Simon started down the tunnel.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 211):

The Colonel looked at the Militia as it deployed in the tunnel.

"No. I think there are a hundred troops in there. Let us look around here in this buildinhg? If there's an attack, this is where it will come."

Peter gave a nod to Simon, "Yep. Let's go. Jane, bring up the rear please?" He proceeded Simon into the tunnel. He was a bit on edge so he unslung the autoshotgun as he walked.

Vundra wanders toward the nearest window and begin to stare outside, not looking at anything in particular.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 217):

As they were underground, Vundra needed to climb up to the ground level. The windows were high up and narrow. This was not a glass-walled and chrome steel modernist building but solid, Stalin-esque with plenty of marble and concrete. A style called "brutalist".

Outside, he could see there were more Militia stationed in the streets surrounding City Hall.

City Hall, the old Hellstromme Industries HQ, was fortified. Robot gun turrets festooned the roof, Militia patrolled the perimeter.

"Roger, Kurt." Dakota says with a smirk as he checks to see if Melon Splitter is fully loaded, he then eyes the approaching militia with one eye. "Should we wait for tha others, or just me an' you sundance?"

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 213):

Rowan walks beside Simon ready to place her body between Simon and what ever danger may threaten them

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 219):

Schaeffer smiled. "I would say you, me, Smoker, Vundra, Brother Edgar."

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 221):

"Oh, I'm still here," replied the purple-robed Doomsayer. "I wouldn't miss when we freak the heck out of the cafeteria ladies next." He seemed more amused than anything.

Dakota turns to Brother Edgar and laughs "Hah, now thats the spirit. How else we gonna git tha ole tommyknock'r ta show! A'ight Colonel lets clear 'em out." Dakota says ready to finish this crazy job.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Fri 14 Nov 2014.

As his mind wanders and then he heard someone mentioning spirit which seem to jolt something in Vundra head "Argh, Spirit?!? What spirit? Where?!"

Smoker looks round.

"Is Dakota seeing things again?"

City Hall was a massive, fortified structure. No wonder back when it was the regional Hellstromme HQ, staff and security held out for weeks after the bombs fell (but did not destroy the domed Junkyard). The whole building was crawling with security, both Militia and armed City Hall security personnel.

Dakota, Smoker, Vundra and the others were allowed to wander the lower areas and ground floors. The basements held not just the usual utility and storage but hardened bunkers and fallout shelters. Ground and lower floors held offices and cafeterias. Upper floors were for executive offices, board rooms and conference rooms and an executive dining room. The upper floors were also where the meetings would take place, so access was restricted.

Downstairs, Simon and company made it down the corridor without incident. Security and Militia guided the delegates into elevators which took them to the upper floors. From there they were directed into designated areas, old conference rooms and cafeterias. There was a heavy security presence.

"Maybe I am, but what have ya been doing ta solve tha case, 'sides limpin' 'round and naysaying?" Dakota says to Smoker s shoulder's his rifle, disapointed that they found nothing, "But I got nothin' either, might as well git these talks ov'r with, so I can git back to bein' useful."

Peter kept himself moving forward, but stayed close to Simon as they moved. But by 'close', he was about 10ft away at most. He didn't want to crowd the Templar but he wanted to be close enough in case something ambushed them. He didn't think there was going to be an ambush in the tunnel but he stayed alert anyway.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 228):

Simon looked around as they emerged from the connecting tunnel.

"Well, that went surprisingly smoothly. I guess we should head upstairs. Elevators are that way."

He followed the other delegates. There were plenty of signs pointing out the elevators, plus armed security to guide them.

Rowan looks worried, one more step closer to achieving a union of sorts, where was the opposition.

They would have to move soon or it would be to late for them to do so.
But she felt no threat in the areas she was capable of acting against
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:39, Tue 18 Nov 2014.

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 230):

The coyote was very skittish to be around so many people. He refused to enter the elevator (and in fact would not enter any elevator).

Rowan Holds up her hand to stop the group and turns to trickster

To trickster "is there a threat or are you just scared of the box trickster"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 232):

The coyote whined.

It seemed like this was more a general dislike, not sensing a threat.

 Rowan nods in understanding
"Understood friend we will walk the stairs".
Turns to the group, "sorry I misunderstood trickster he says no threat, only he does not like boxes"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 234):

Jane could understand Trickster's dislike of elevators.  The "box" was easy to ambush people in.  The stairs were also but at least it gave a little more room to try and escape and survive.  Even running the gauntlet on stairs was easier than running around in circles in a box.

"Stairs it is then."

Peter shook his head. "Let Rowan and Trickster take the stairs." He gave Jane and Rowan a meaningful look, and then glanced at Simon with a tilted head...hopefully conveying that with Simon's health being up and down so much it was likely better for him to take the elevator. Peter guided Simon towards the elevators.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 236):

Jane nodded at Peter.  "That sounds good.  Split it up so if anybody is caught in a trap it's not everybody.  Plus they can do security detail for an exit route if needed.  So Simon, you and me in the box?"

Simon chuckled. "Don't forget Peter! That Gibson fellow seems to have wandered off. Yes, let's go."

Part of the posse took the elevators from the basement.

Rowan, Trickster and Jane took the stairs. The fire stairs from the basement led up into the five-story complex. They passed a pair of security guarding the ground floor fire exits. After their ID was examined they were allowed to continue up.

Everyone eventually met up on the fifth floor. The meeting was in the City Hall's chamber of deputies. It was formerly a conference room, lavishly appointed, and large enough to hold all fifty delegates.

Refreshments were served. Soon, Ike, Mayor of Junktown, gaveled the meeting to order.

More rounds of speechifying commenced.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:26, Sat 22 Nov 2014.

Bored, Samuel sought out his friend, Brother Edgar.

"Yo, Bro. Let's hit the bar and catch up."

In reply to Samuel Gibson (msg # 240):

Brother Edgar leaned over to Simon.

"Yes. I don't think there's a bar. But there's a cafeteria and a buffet table downstairs. Simon, Gibson has a radio. Contact us if needed."

With Simon's nod, he and Samuel left the conference room.

Dakota watches the delegates stream into the confrence room from his position just outside the doorway, he takes his mass of hair and begins to tie into a pony tail so that if trouble starts its out of his face. "I should git ma'self ah sweet mohawk when this mess is all done." He says to no one in particular as he pulls out his guitar and begins to strum a tune quietly singing a strange tune "Something is coming....into the edge of our awareness...can you feel it?...."

Vundra stands a few feet behind Dakota while he begins singing. Vundra is still not focused and his eyes are pointed to the ceiling and his fingers tapping the the nearby wall. As the song start he look down and decide that he dont want to be stuck in the room with the delegates, he can ask for the conclusion of the meeting from someone later. So he headed to the cafferteria to finish his little project he started last night.

 Rowan with trickster fades to the corner, watching quietly

Smoker also finds a wall to prop up as the talking begins.

Peter gave Simon a small smile, and then it was gone. Riding in an elevator was still a bit of a treat. Then the gathering and the meeting and the speeches once more. Peter stayed silent but did take some of the refreshments as he listened and watched over Simon.

The meeting progressed past speeches, and the delegates broke up into smaller groups to talk and share concerns. This was the first time in over a decade that communities came together on any but a local level. If cooperation was going to happen it was going to start like this, simply meeting and talking.

Of the posse, Smoker, Peter, Jane, Rowan (and Trickster) were in the conference hall on the fifth floor. Dakota was outside in the corridor, while Vundra, Gibson and Brother Edgar secured the cafeteria.

Where Dakota was sitting outside the main door, he could see four heavily-armed MPs with him in the corridor. Two were stationed on either side of the doors, the other pair were patrolling up and down the hall, they paused, then entered the stairwell at the end of the hall.

Dakota put his guitar down disappointed at his lack of practice, "Well shit th't was some crap ole sing'ng!" He says with a laugh as he picks up his rifle, Melon Splitter, and tries to act like a professional security guard. "Ya guys heard any good jokes lately, or ya'll business?" Dakota asks one of the MPs.

The meeting progressed past speeches, and the delegates broke up into smaller groups to talk and share concerns. This was the first time in over a decade that communities came together on any but a local level. If cooperation was going to happen it was going to start like this, simply meeting and talking.

 Of the posse, Smoker, Peter, Jane, Rowan (and Trickster) were in the conference hall on the fifth floor

Rowan watches committing to memory the people talking and those hanging back.
to see who will not talk and those who avoid certain groups

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 248):

One of the MPs, a woman, cracked a smile. "You are terrible with that thing! Not all business, no. But no jokes... wait, what was that?"

Sensing something was amiss she unslung her assault rifle and started aiming it at the stairwell where the two other MPs disappeared a moment earlier. The 2 MPs had reappeared, but both were carrying HI Blazer SMGs, equipped with suppressors. These type weapons were only issued to Combine forces, definitely not Junkyard militia.

"Halt! Identify yourselves!"

Inside the conference room, Jane heard thumping and noise from overhead. It sounded like something was happening on the floor above them. Trickster also looked at the ceiling, whining.

Downstairs in the cafeteria, Vundra was engrossed in his project and didn't notice anything was amiss.

Smoker, still propping the wall up, looked up incuriously. Someone being careless moving the furniture?

Dakota smiles like a fat kid in a candy store as the two out of place guards, "YER ALL GONNA FUCK'N DIE!" he yells as he smoothly drops into a crouching position and opens fire on the closest rouge guardsmen with Melon Splitter. He is going to guard this door until his dying breath, this is what Dakota has been waiting for since New Mexico.

OCC: If I can, I will also make an Overawe against both of those guards in addition to blasting one. I'll try to give covering fire so that the real MPs can get their shit together so to speak.

Actions: Hip Shooting my Winchester twice at each fake MP (if I can)
Win. M1894 LA Rifle    13/15 shots (after shooting), 2 Speed, 1 RoF, 4d8 DMG & 20 Range
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Sat 29 Nov 2014.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 252):

Downstairs in the cafeteria, a worried-looking Schaeffer strode up to Vundra. He was dressed in his battlesuit, carrying his M4 but had an enormous rifle slung on his shoulder. He addressed Vundra, Gibson and Brother Edgar.

"Something is happening, I see some of the perimeter guards are missing. Come with me now, if there is an attack on the conference rooms we can't do anything about it here!"

Hurrying towards the stairwell entrance, he motioned for the others to follow.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 01:11, Wed 03 Dec 2014.

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 253):

"He's right, let's get moving!"

Robes billowing, Brother Edgar followed.

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 253):

"Hell yeah, let's get it on!"

Drawing his plasma pistol, he readied it for action. When powering up it gave off a noticeable hum that rose in pitch. The clear plastic weapon glowed green from within. "Ready to rock!"

The corridor was 60 feet long, with the double doors to the conference room at the halfway. The ends of the corridor, from Dakota's perspective, ended at two stairwells (1 at either end) left and right at T-junctions. (That is, if you face down the corridor towards either end you would see the stairwell exit in the middle of the T-junction.)

There were planters, chairs and benches on both sides, providing some minimal cover. There was also an empty executive boardroom across from the occupied one at his back (where the meeting was taking place).

The 2 Combine infiltrators quickly went down under the fire of Dakota and the two MPs near the conference entrance. As they slumped down, the fire doors were slammed open off their hinges, clanging off the corridor walls. In through the gaping hole stomped a metal monstrosity. It was a Combine automaton, a gleaming steel skeletal figure carrying a 20mm chain gun! The chain-gun spat fire, blowing away the 2 MPs. Their body armour didn't even slow the 20mm light armour-piercing rounds down. It then turned to face Dakota, infernal red eyes glowing as it locked on to target!

Inside the conference room, Jane gave a warning and indicated something was on the third floor above them. At that point they could hear the firing right outside the door, and then the ceiling blew downwards, filling the room with smoke and dust. Down dropped another automaton, this one bigger than the usual Combine terror unit, and more figured dropped down as well.

The conference room filled with billowing tear gas. There was mass confusion (and coughing) as the delegates scrambled for cover (mainly the solid board room tables), those that were allowed weapons drew them and prepared to resist.

OOC: Everyone's previous Quickness rolls stand, except for Dakota. He may roll again.

Vundra quickly puts all the parts back into the bag before grabbing his Flasher and connect the gun to his armor."Let hurry over the.the.then." he seems to be a little shaky.

Peter put on his helmet quickly, then held up his arms to try and shield his eyes and face when the ceiling came down, also trying to cover Simon. He coughed several times after. "Simon! C'mon, cover, now!" He tried to get to and under one of the tables.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Wed 03 Dec 2014.

Rowan Drops to cover and drags her gass mask on

Smoker scampers towards Simon in an attempt to protect him, stumbling slightly as his bad leg complains at sudden activity.

"Well fuck," is all Dakota manages to get out of his mouth as the giant tin soldier crashes down from the ceiling. Suddenly he's not feeling so hot, staring at the abomination before him, did it just laugh when he started mowing those MPs down? Dakota then pushes the bile coming up from his  stomach and aims down the sights of his Winchester level-action, "Say hello ta hitler fer me asshole."

Win. M1894 LA Rifle    11/15 shots (after shooting), 2 Speed, 1 RoF, 4d8 DMG & 20 Range

Move: I'm going to try and get to the next closest cover, to close the distance with this thing.
Action 1: Making some guts rolls, failed that one
Action 2: Made my guts roll woot!
Action 3: Reserving this one for Dodge, if I still can. Otherwise it gets used up for shooting.
Action 4: Taking a Called shot for his chainguns Ammo belt. If either of these is not an option then I'm aiming for its Eyeballs.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Thu 04 Dec 2014.

Schaeffer led Vundra, Gibson and Brother Edgar up the stairs.

"Scheisse! Someone is jamming the radios. I am betting telecommunications are down as well."

They would reach the 2nd floor soon.

Col Schaeffer (4S)
M4 Carbine (30/30)
Mauser Sniper Rifle (5/5)
Actions: 2

Action 1: Pick up pace
Action 2: Sleeving

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1                           |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                       |    |
            |     |      |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)          ]    |
            |     |      |  |                                       ]    |
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                                                 |    |
            |     |_______________________====______________________|    |
         ___|        *    ##  #   *       3*   ##* ##  *                 |__
        | 2 H                                                    A          |
        |___H                                                             __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    ____##___##_*__*__              |
            |     |                  ====                  |  Elevators  |
            |     |            Empty Boardroom             |  =========  |

[--] = 2 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1 = Posse (Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker)/Simon
2 = Schaeffer, Vundra, Brother Edgar, Gibson
3 = Dakota

A = 1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Sun 07 Dec 2014.

Vundra left his parts in the caferteria and follow right behind Kurt.

OOC :
Armor 90/90GR
Flasher 40/40GR
Plasma Pistol 15/15GR
2 Actions
Action 1: Pick up pace
Action 2: Sleeving

Turn 2

As the tear gas grenades go off, there is pandemonium. Rowan gets her mask on in time, and Peter was also able to pull down the gas filter face shield for his battlesuit helmet.

Jane, Smoker and Trickster are overcome with a coughing fit. They are not out of the fight but severely negatively impacted. Marshall's Note: -4 to all Actions during the combat. Simon and Fred the Librarian do not seem significantly affected. The other VIPs, including the Mayor and his guards, the Junkers and the Doomsayer seemed genuinely surprised at the turn events as they readied themselves for combat, coughing and blinded.

Coughing, Jane readied her Hellfire SAW as she crawled under the table. Fred joined her, but Simon drew his sword and stood his ground. He didn't look like he particularly wanted or needed protection, although he was getting it, anyways. Rowan cast Ghost Shield and moved to interpose herself between Simon the the hole in the ceiling where the attack was no doubt going to come.

There is a measure of pandemonium but not necessarily panic; all the Brainers in the room are veterans of countless skirmishes in the Wasted West since the war. Some fought in the war. Some drew their weapons, mostly pistols, while others began trying to smash the windows to let in air and/or escape. This did not work well as the armoured glass was double-pane. The militia that were in the room readied their rifles, opened both doors to the corridor and charged out. They were met with gunfire.

Outside in the corridor, Dakota saw the automaton scanning for targets and locking onto him. The 12mm chain-gun swung in his direction. A shaken Dakota's shots went wild, missing the ammo belt for the automaton's weapon. Even steadying his rifle on the planter in front of him as he crouched didn't help. He was aware of a commotion behind him as two milita exited the door to the conference room into the corridor. Calculating that new targets had appeared in its threat envelope the automaton paused and did not open fire with the chaingun.

Behind the automaton, more Black Hats in stolen militia armour and gas masks poured out of the stairwell, armed with HI Damnation assault rifles. Four darted right and began shooting on the move. The other four hung back behind the automaton and blazed away at the militia behind Dakota using their Damnations.

In the stairwell, Brother Edgar bolted ahead of Schaeffer as they climbed, drawing that odd-looking glowing green rod he'd used earlier. It began to flicker and glow with a strange hum. Schaeffer also drew his weapon and surged ahead of Edgar. Gibson and Vundra followed behind.

The automaton facing Dakota saw a nice group of targets and opted to fire its grenade launcher. It launched a 20mm grenade out of the box on its shoulder in a lazy arc. Dakota could see the black projectile approaching almost as if it was in slow motion!

Marshall's Note: Jane, Schaeffer and Edgar are all sleeving a card, as are Vundra, Dakota and probably Smoker. I assume Smoker is readying his FAL and Peter probably readied his autoshotgun.

At this point, Dakota can use his "hole" (sleeve) card to do a special kind of Dodge: "Hit the Dirt". This will allow him to dive through the now-open conference room door beside him. This will allow him to escape the grenade blasts. He still needs to make a Dodge roll, TN5! And then make a Vigor check to resist the effects of the Tear Gas inside the room.

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1       VIP                 |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                      \|    |
            |     |      |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)               |
            |     |      |  |                                         2M |
            |     |      |  ------------------------               /|    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                              VIP                |    |
            |     |______________________\    /_____________________| 4B |
         ___|        *    ##  #   *           3*   ##* ##  *             |__
        | 2 H                               2M           A                  |
        |___H                                                    4B       __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    ____##___##_*__*__              |
            |     |                  ====                  |  Elevators  |
            |     |            Empty Boardroom             |  =========  |

[--] = 2 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1  =  Posse (Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker)/Simon
2  =  Schaeffer, Vundra, Brother Edgar, Gibson
3  =  Dakota

A  =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL.
2M =  2 Junkyard Militia
4B =  4 Black Hat infiltrators
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:59, Sun 07 Dec 2014.

Smoker is indeed readying his FAL and positioning himself between Simon and the hole in the ceiling. If something comes down he'll open fire.

Beginning Turn 3

Out in the corridor there was a massive explosion as Dakota dove into the room. paintings fell off the wall, light fixtures were knocked down from the room. Dust and tear gas filled the large room.

Inside the conference room, efforts to break the armour glass windows were having no success. A few Wasters had readied their weapons and pointed them at the hole in the ceiling. Some had gone for the exit doors but were met with gunfire.

The posse huddled by Simon. He had drawn his sword and was also waiting. There was a flickering green shield around Rowan. Already she could feel a little of her energy being sapped to maintain the spell. Smoker coughed, Trickster tried to disappear.

Dakota landed inside the conference room badly, stunned by the explosion behind him.

Those coming up the stairs became aware that the corridor outside the metal fire doors was an unhealthy place to be as those doors blew open. Smoke and dust blew in their faces. They could just see the Automaton and some black hats down the corridor.

Marshall's Note: Vundra must make a Fear check, TN9

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1       VIP 1               |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                      \|    |
            |     |      |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)               |
            |     |      |  |                                         2M |
            |     |      |  ------------------------               /|    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                         3    VIP 2              |    |
            |     |______________________\    /_____________________| 4B |
         ___|        *    ##  #   *            *   ##* ##  *             |__
        | 2                                              A                  |
        |___                                    4B                        __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    ____##___##_*__*__              |
            |     |                  ====                  |  Elevators  |
            |     |            Empty Boardroom             |  =========  |

[--] = 2 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1  =  Posse (Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker)/Simon
2  =  Schaeffer, Vundra, Brother Edgar, Gibson
3  =  Dakota

A  =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL.
2M =  2 Junkyard Militia
4B =  4 Black Hat infiltrators
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:32, Thu 11 Dec 2014.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 267):

Glimpsing the Automaton, Gibson went white. "Shit!" Turning, he fled back down the stairs.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 267):

Stopping below the top stair, Schaeffer peered through the dented metal reinforced doors. He made sure to keep as much out of sight as possible.

"Ach! Automaton. This is no good! I will switch to my Mauser."

Slinging the M4, he pulled a massive bolt-action sniper rifle out of its carry-bag.

"Take care of the foot soldiers, I may be able to crack it with this! Wait until my signal."

2 Actions: Ace Heart

1: Sling and ready weapon
2: Complicated talking

Still has a hole card.

Dakota flies through the door and lands rough on the floor of the conference room, he tries to roll to his feet as he is landing but plows into a chair as a result right next to one of the VIPs. The gunslinger smiles dumbly at the VIP, "Might...wanna" he coughs a little from the tear gas "....stay....down." he says weakly still dazed from the grenade blast.

Actions: None!

Readied to rush into action, Vundra ran up stair with confident but as he turn the corner and caught the sight of the automaton, "Heeeeeebie jeeeebeeies! Amazing it a freaking automaton! I can wait till I get to savage all the nice pa.pa.parts on the.the.that thing." Vundra stop in his track as he admire the automaton and think about all the cool thin he can make with it.
Ooc:no action
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Fri 12 Dec 2014.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 271):

Turn 3:

While Vundra was struck by the deadly beauty of the Automaton and Gibson fled in terror, Schaeffer and Brother Edgar prepared to attack. "Fire at the infiltrators when I target the Automaton!" Aiming his massive sniper rifle using open sights, Schaeffer fired as Brother Edgar raised his arms and green energy gathered between his hands.

The high-powered .338 Lapua Magnum bullet from Schaeffer's Mauser struck the Automaton in the side of the head, staggering it for a second but it recovered. No more than a dented scar was left on the skull casing. A green glowing ball of energy shot from between Brother Edgar's hands, detonating among the scattering Combine infiltrators in flash followed by a roiling green mushroom cloud!

Vundra couldn't see much in the corridor as the lights were blown out and it was now filled with smoke but he got a glimpse of the Automaton striding forward. The chrome steel endoskeleton seemingly largely unmarred but trailing a few wisps of smoke. However, it didn't blow them to Kingdom Come but instead ignored them, turned and entered the conference room.

Inside the conference room the door to the main corridor banged open. Inside strode a Combine automaton, standing over a prone Dakota. The delegates began to realise how deeply screwed they were! But the party was just getting started. A second Automaton armed with a 12mm chain-gun dropped down through the hole in the roof, landing on the debris-strewn carpet. It was followed by another, squatter construct, either another automaton or a cyborg, that landed beside it.

The "Drone" accompanying the Automatons had massive clamps instead of hands; one clutching a chain-sword and the other a power ram (used to punch through the floor). There was a 20mm autocannon in a swivel mount on its right armoured shoulder. On the left shoulder plate was a faint hammer-and-sickle symbol and unlike the chrome steel automatons, the drone was in bulky camouflage-pattern armour plating.

All three began concentrating their fire on the delegates belonging to the Junkers (both local and the Junker council, led by Doc Mitchell) and the Doomsayers (VIP 2, led by Larry Rexing). Mayor Turner, Raptor (the Sky Pirates leader) and their bodyguards flipped over a solid mahogany table and began firing at the Combine units using various small arms, with little noticeable effect. The racket in the room was deafening!

Marshall's Note: the rest of the Posse may act. Smoker and Jane are still under the effects of Tear Gas. Trickster has vanished.

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1       VIP 1               |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                      \|    |
            |     | VIP3 |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)               |
            |     |      |  |                         D  A2              |
            |     |      |  ------------------------               /|    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                         3    VIP 2              |    |
            |     |______________________\ A1 /_____________________|4B  |
         ___|        *    ##  #   *            *   ##* ##  *             |__
        | 2                                                                 |
        |___                                                              __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    ____##___##_*__*__              |
            |     |                  ====                  |  Elevators  |
            |     |            Empty Boardroom             |  =========  |

[--] = 2 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1  =  Posse (Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker)/Simon, Fred
2  =  Schaeffer, Vundra, Brother Edgar, Gibson
3  =  Dakota

VIP 1 = Mayor Ike, Raptor (Sky Pirate delegation)
VIP 2 = Junkers, Doomsayer delegation
VIP 3 = Oil Town, other communities

A1 =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL. x2
A2 =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL. x2
D  =  Combine Drone
4B =  4 Black Hat infiltrators

Marshall's Note: There is a lot more to come, I will add to this when I get time!
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Sun 28 Dec 2014.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 272):

Rowan gulps and keeps her shielded self between Simon and the Automaton then looses the first of her skulls at it.

Keeping her cool Rowan uses her arcane blast and hurls the first skull against the Automaton nearest her.

Jack Clubs, 3 Actions

1: Cast Eldritch Blast
2: Aim
3: Throw
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:19, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

Peter flinched and crouched down as the ceiling came down a bit...and several enemies dropped in from above!! "Damnit, this is getting out of hand! We need to get out of here!"

He pulled the shotgun up and aimed at the automaton, then fired off 2 shots of slugs a little bit apart.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 274):

NPC

Eyes burning, tears streaming down her face, Jane let her SAW hang from its chest harness for a moment. Instead of firing, she grabbed the edge of the mahogany table and tried to heave it up and on its side to provide some cover.

She strained, having difficulty moving the table. It was more solid than it looked! With a cry and a mighty heave she managed to flip the conference table onto its side!

6 Hearts: 2 Actions, 1 Saved Action

Action 1: try to lift table
Action 2: Actually flip table!

Taking a deep breath, Smoker wiped his eyes with the tail end of his shemagh, aimed his FAL and let loose at the automation.

OOC: 1 action to aim and 1 to fire.

Turn 3 Pt. 2

The slugs from Peter's autoshotgun slammed across the rear of the Automaton in a line: left arm, torso, right arm. Despite the burning in his eyes and coughing, Smoker's aim was true and the 7.62mm full metal jacket round slammed into the metal horror's lower back. These hits didn't seem to faze it. The machine kept hosing down the Doomsayers in front of it with its 12mm caseless chaingun.

The racket from its fire was deafening, as well as that from the 2nd Automaton (in the door standing over a prone Dakota). The massive combat drone's shoulder-mounted 20mm autocannon also pounded away, chopping down the Junker contingent. This was not a caseless weapon and its ejected spent brass clanged off the floor and walls.

Pulling something from her paramedic's bag Rowan drew back to throw a large round object. It burst into green flame and levitated above her hand, revealing it to be a flaming skull! With an expert flick of her arm it shot forward and detonated against the Automaton's head. This seemed to have a more profound effect and it staggered a few steps, then recovered. The chrome steel endo-skeleton was marred in a few places now, included the armoured skull casing. It began to turn around to engage the threat from behind!

Meanwhile, The Mayor's bodyguards and the Sky Pirates managed to overturn a couple tables and began returning fire with pistols and SMGs. This fire was largely ineffective against the heavily armoured targets. All by herself, Jane managed to flip a mahogany table to give the posse some cover. Simon still looked dazed. Fred was nowhere to be seen, likewise for Trickster. Seeing no way out that wasn't blocked by Automatons, the community and Convoy delegates decided to hunker down at the far end of the room under the tables. A couple were still trying to batter their way through the windows but were having no luck with the armoured glass.

Post Turn 4 Quickness Rolls, then Actions. Vundra and Dakota are recovered enough to take actions this turn. Vundra can't see a lot due to the smoke in the corridor, as well, there is lingering gas and now some smoke in the conference room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:20, Tue 23 Dec 2014.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 277):

Rowan with her remaining move grabs Simon and dives for cover not waiting to see what her thrown scull has

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 278):

The automaton standing above Dakota still gleamed but the chromed steel armoured finish of its endoskeleton was marred and scuffed. Schaeffer's bullet had left a scar on its armoured skull, while Brother Edgar's Nuke had added a few scorch marks. Nonetheless, it seemed to be fully operational.

With an alien machine intelligence, it contemplated the man at its feet for a split second. The barrel of the 12mm chaingun pointed at him for a split second. Then it swiveled away and began firing over him at the Junker Delegates from the Chamber (VIP2) that were in front of it. Obviously a primary target of some kind!


Automaton 1: Red Joker, 2 Actions

Action 1: Fire at VIP 2
Action 2: Sleeve a Card

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1       VIP 1               |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                      \|    |
            |     | VIP3 |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)               |
            |     |      |  |                         D  A2              |
            |     |      |  ------------------------               /|    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                         3    VIP 2              |    |
            |     |______________________\ A1 /_____________________|4B  |
         ___|        *    ##  #   *            *   ##* ##  *             |__
        | 2                                                                 |
        |___                                                              __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    ____##___##_*__*__              |
            |     |                  ====                  |  Elevators  |
            |     |            Empty Boardroom             |  =========  |

|----| = 5 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1  =  Posse (Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker)/Simon, Fred
2  =  Schaeffer, Vundra, Brother Edgar, Gibson
3  =  Dakota

VIP 1 = Mayor Ike, Raptor (Sky Pirate delegation)
VIP 2 = Junkers (Chamber and Junkyard), Doomsayer delegation
VIP 3 = Oil Town, other community delegates

A1 =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL
A2 =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL
D  =  Combine Drone, 20mm Autocannon
4B =  4 Black Hat infiltrators (Assault Rifles)

This message was last edited by the GM at 11:48, Sun 28 Dec 2014.

Dakota glares at the metal monster laying rounds of 12mm fire towards the junkers, he then back crawls away from the beast and tries to stand. Thankfully he was still holding his trusty rifle in his hands, he had been gripping them in fear this whole time the abomination of science stomped over him. His knuckles were white from the strength of his grip. "Hey fucker, ya missed me or what?" he says glaring at the Automaton, as he tries to stand.

Queen, 1 Action, 1 sleeve card

Action 1: Stand Up and trying a Sneak to the rear of A1, taking cover behind the heavy oak door.
Action 2: I will sleeve this one, for later.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Mon 05 Jan 2015.

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 280):

Rowan in her position preps another skull and aims and throws it at the same Automation that she did before.

Ace Spade: 2 Actions

Action 1: Preps Skull
Action 2: Casts Eldritch Blast, Throws (at head)

Still holding an Action

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg # 280):

The Automaton paused for a second, head swiveling to fix Dakota in the glare of its demonically bright red LED eyes.



"FUCK YOU ASSHOLE"

Ignoring Dakota, it turned away and went back to laying down fire.

Smoker takes a deep breath and aims his FAL at the automaton in the conference room's head.

As the Automatron move out of his sight, Vundra recover from his little daze and dash up to take cover behind the planter on the right side of the corridoor.

Action 1: Sleeve
Action 2: Move to plant pot on the right and crouch.

Peter let out a growl, being pained at 'shooting money' like this, but unloaded two more bursts from his autotshotgun at the same Automaton, trying to bring it down.

Action 1: Fire autoshotgun burst at Automaton A2.
Action 2: Fire autoshotgun burst at Automaton A2.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:41, Tue 30 Dec 2014.

In reply to Vundra (msg # 284):

Seeing Vundra take off, Schaeffer decided to follow. He slung his sniper rifle and drew his carbine. Moving up to the corridor across from where Vundra was located he said, "if you say something we can cover you when you move! That was very brave, there's more to you than meets the eye. Just remember, we're here for you."

6 Hearts: 2 Actions (1 Held Action)

Running full move
Action 1: Sling sniper rifle and draw M4 Carbine
Action 2: Leadership check (Success w/no raises, +1 to Vundra shaking off previous Fear effect of -2)

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 286):

Following behind, Brother Edgar came up to where Vundra was. "Yes! Very brave, Vundra. I am afraid I don't have enough in me for another Nuke. Charging this sword is taking a lot of my power."

Come to think of it, the glowing green rod he held kind of did look (and sound) like a light-sabre. It crackled a little and hummed as he moved it back and forth. The handle was little more than black foam rubber wrapped around an end, secure by duct tape. He peered into the smoke ahead of them to try and see where the Black Hats were at the end of the corridor.

"Damn... can't see anyone or anything down there. Too much smoke and the water coming down!"

6 Hearts (2 Actions, 1 Held Card)

Running Full Move
Action 1: Cognition Check
This message was last edited by the player at 00:32, Sat 03 Jan 2015.

Tear gas!  Jane hated the shit but there wasn't anything she could do about it right now.  She brought her SAW up and braced it on the overturned table, deciding to aim for the head of the closest Automaton hoping that the hail of ammo would take it down.  Take the head off of any snake and they usually went down.  At least they went down long enough to finish the job.  Of course she would duck back down after she shot.  No since in giving them large targets.

Taking a deep breath she put her plan into action.





Jane actions:

Brace the SAW on overturned table that she's using for cover.
Aim to shoot the head and hoping her blazing trail of ammo will take out the automoton (using blue chips)
duck back down afterwards

In the corridor, the smoke began to clear. Vundra could see Black Hats at the end of the corridor, two on each side. Two were starting to advance (one on either side of the corridor) while two were holding their positions at the far end (again, one on either side). Creeping ahead, he could see the Automaton through the open door. It had its back to him but he realised that if it turned around, he would be exposed with no cover as he was on the far side of the corridor.

Inside the room, Dakota carefully made his way past the right side of the Automaton nearest him, slipping behind the opened heavy oak door. It did not react.

The other Automaton turned to focus its deadly attention on the posse, as they'd started to seriously damage it. They responded the only way they could think of, to fill it with lead and blow it to smithereens! There was a fiery splash of green as Rowan's skull slammed into its armoured brain case. Jane's SAW's red tracers slammed into its chest while the slugs from Peter's autoshotgun peppered its arms and legs. Squinting through the tears caused by the gas, Smoker centred the monstrosity's head in his sights and pulled the trigger of his FN FAL. The single 7.62x51mm full metal jacked round pierced into and through the metal casing.

The thing froze in its tracks, smoke pouring from the twin holes (front and back) in its head. It just stood there as a whine built up from inside it. As Jane ducked down after her own burst, she recognised the sound and realised there was something important to mention.

"There's a self-destruct! GET DOWN!"

Marshall's Note: The self-destruct is something Jane would know to mention! Blow your Hole cards (sleeved actions) to Dive for Cover behind the table. Jane is already in cover and doesn't need to use her held Action. Dakota as well, as I assume he's behind the door? I will post the other Automaton's and Drone's Actions after people post hitting the dirt.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:00, Tue 06 Jan 2015.

Smoker wasted no time in diving for cover.

He'd been too close to something self-destructing before and his leg still reminded him of it. Not again, thank you...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:01, Tue 06 Jan 2015.

Peter gave a small smile of victory, hollow though it might turn out to be, as the automaton stopped moving. They might actually survive this, though he had his doubts. Jane's shout started him, but he made sure he dove for cover and took her with him if she didn't move herself.

 Rowan dives for cover dragging Simon down with her if he has not already taken cover. " Goddess shield us" she prays

There was a pause, then an incredible explosion. Shrapnel shredded the walls and ceiling tiles, debris rained down on the carpets and tables. Water from the fire system began spraying everywhere as the lights blew out!

The door Dakota was hiding behind was carved oak and massive, but it was riddled in the blast. He felt an unbelievable pain and his vision exploded with an excruciating light that instantly collapsed into darkness.

Behind the table, Rowan's Ghost Shield enchantment protected her and Simon from damage. In front of her she saw, as if in slow motion, she saw deadly shrapnel zipping through the heavy oak table as if it were little more than paper! Beside her, Smoker felt something pluck at his trousers and armoured duster but felt no pain. Shrapnel rattled off Peter's IBA suit but didn't seem to penetrate, and using his body he shielded Jane from the blast and deadly fragments.

Out in the hallway, Vundra and the others were startled by a tremendous explosion from inside the conference room. There was a flash, smoke and debris exploded out the conference room door. Not just smoke and debris, he saw the Automaton that had just entered the room propelled back out the door by the force of the explosion inside! The Automaton rolled to a stop in the middle of the corridor beside Vundra. It looked to be in some distress, but he couldn't tell if it was knocked out or just momentarily non-functioning. Although the corridor was largely clear now, Vundra was unable to see into the conference room due to the heavy smoke and the automatic fire sprinklers going off.

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1       VIP 1               |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                      \|    |
            |     | VIP3 |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)*              |
            |     |      |  |                       S D  *A2*            |
            |     |      |  ------------------------      *        /|    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                              VIP 2              |    |
            |     |______________________\    /3____________________|1B  |
         ___|        *    ##  #  2*            *   ##*1B## *             |__
        |                                 A1                                |
        |___                                                              __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    _4__##___##_*1B*__              |
            |     |                  ====                    |1B           |
            |     |                                        |  =========  |
            |     |                                        |  |X|X|X|X|  |

|----| = 5 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1  =  Posse (Peter, Jane, Rowan, Smoker)/Fred
2  =  Schaeffer, Brother Edgar
3  =  Dakota
4  =  Vundra
S  =  Simon

VIP 1 = Mayor Ike, Raptor (Sky Pirate delegation)
VIP 2 = Junkers (Chamber and Junkyard), Doomsayer delegation
VIP 3 = Oil Town, other community delegates

A1 =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL
A2 =  Destroyed!
D  =  Combine Drone, 20mm Autocannon
1B =  Black Hat infiltrators (Assault Rifles)

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:35, Fri 09 Jan 2015.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 293):

There was a pause, then Rowan heard a yell beside her. A weak but defiant Simon, until now a passive participant in the battle, summoned his strength and machete in hand surged up from the floor!

"Stay down ya'all! I got this! Come on you motherfuckers! You're goin' down!"

With the last of his waning strength he vaulted over the table, out of everyone's view. There were tremendous clanging and clashing sounds, and the crackle of some fearsome energy weapon.

Simon (3 Actions)

Action 1: Get up, move to Drone
Action 2: Attack Drone
Action 2: Attack Drone
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Fri 09 Jan 2015.

Smoker jumped up, raising his face momentarily to let the sprinkler water wash the last of the tear gas out of his eyes, then brought the FN FAL up looking around for the next threat. He followed Simon, and joined him in attacking the drone.

Rowan Cursed and joined Simon as he went over the top of the table her given blades in either hand

One Automaton had been taken out. Its self-destruct mechanism had triggered, and the explosion had taken out many of the defenders and blown the other surviving Automaton out the room back into the corridor.

The drone remained in the room. Unscathed by the explosion. Simon ordered the posse to stay put while he leaped over the table and commenced hacking at the combat drone with his machete. The combat drone seem unfazed by Simon's attack. Drawing the chain sword attached to its back it commenced parrying Simon's blows. One of Simon's attacks got through the Drone's defences but it didn't do more than scar the drone's heavy plate Dreadnaught armour. It was a stalemate in that the drone's counterattack didn't penetrate Simon's parries or his own suit of reinforced Infantry Body Armour.

Sparks flew with each blow that was traded.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 297):

Seeming to throw off his weakness further, Simon became a blur, a kind of human Cusinart! His machete flashed again and again, some blows were blocked and others striking the combat drone. more sparks and clanging... none of his mighty blows penetrated!

He glanced at the Posse, "I said to get down! You can't hurt him!"


Simon: Queen Spade (4 Actions, +1 for Celerity)

Action 1: Machete attack
Action 2: Machete attack
Action 3: Machete attack
Action 4: Machete attack
Action 5: Machete attack

I do not think Rowan is listening as she clears the top of the table alongside Simon.
Her oaths bind her and she can not let him face this on his own.
Rowan gets a couple of base balls out and energises them, ready for the next round
This message was last edited by the player at 10:55, Sun 11 Jan 2015.

Smoker does listen to Simon and takes cover again, peering out to watch for an opportunity to shoot... anyway, his eyes are streaming too much to do anything useful!

2 actions: taking cover & and wiping face, 'sleeving' t'other card.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Sat 10 Jan 2015.

Peter definitely heard the automaton destruction and he smiled a bit at that. He saw Simon leap out of hiding and charge the drone, but clearly heard the Templar's 'command' to stay down. He didn't like it, but he assumed Simon had a plan. He hoped so. They were supposed to be protecting Simon.

Peter: 1 action (King of Clubs).
Action 1: Sleeving card and staying in cover.

Vundra see the automatron get up close, shake off his awe and began his retreat but not before dropping a grenade. He then sprint back behind the corner and shouts " Black hats appraoching!". Then he draw his pistol?

OOC: 4 actions
1 Prime and throw the grenade.
run back to behind the corner and use sleeve card to dodge stuff?
2 holster the flash gun
3 draw the plasma pistol
4 sleeve?

This message was last edited by the player at 11:24, Sun 11 Jan 2015.

Col Schaeffer was more than a little surprised at Vundra's maneuver. Seeing the Junker drop a grenade and then beat feet up the hall, he had a different idea.

He fired a long burst down the hall to cover Vundra's retreat, then yelled at Brother Edgar, "go through those doors right there!" After Brother Edgar opened the door and scrambled inside, he crossed the hall himself and dove into the board room.

1 Action:

Suppressing Fire, move through the door to the boardroom

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg # 303):

Hearing Schaeffer's command, Brother Edgar dove across the hall, past the downed Automaton, and through the boardroom doors. As he moved, he aimed his free hand palm-first down the hall and a green bolt of energy leaped from it.

1 Action:

Firing Atomic Blast
Moving across the hall

Jane cursed that she didn't have more effect on the blasted machine and stayed hunkered down until a more reasonable enemy appeared.  She wouldn't want to blast into the area that Simon was running since that wasn't her idea of protecting him.  Her luck today she'd hit him instead of her true target.

If any other targets showed up though, she knew she'd be ready.  She also knew that she needed to move to be closer to Ike and the Sky Pirates because sure as shootin nobody was just going to stay in the same position long.  Jane looked over at Peter and nodded in the direction that she was headed.  "Come on Peter.  Time to move to better location."

move down the table towards Ike and Sky Pirates , using table as cover.
Sleeve card

                                    Windows
   ____________________________________________________________________________
                  |                     1       VIP 1               |
   _________      |       --------------------------                |     _____
            |     |      |  ------------------------                |    |
            |     |      |  |                                      \|    |
            |     | VIP3 |  | Conference Room      (]  (O)*              |
            |     |      |  |                       S D  *A2*            |
            |     |      |  ------------------------ A1   *        /|    |
            |     |       --------------------------                |    |
            |     |                              VIP 2              |    |
            |     |______________________\    /3____________________|1B  |
         ___|        *    ##  #   *            *   ##*1B## *             |__
        |                                 *                                 |
        |___                                                              __|
            |      __##__*_____##_#__    ____##___##_*1B*__              |
            |    4|                  ====                    |1B           |
            |     |                    2                   |  =========  |
            |     |                                        |  |X|X|X|X|  |

|----| = 5 Yards

## = Chairs, Benches
* = Planter

(O) = Hole in ceiling of meeting room

1  =  Posse (Peter, Jane, Smoker) plus Fred
2  =  Schaeffer, Brother Edgar
3  =  Dakota (Unconscious)
4  =  Vundra
S  =  Simon, Rowan

VIP 1 = Mayor Ike, Raptor (Sky Pirate delegation)
VIP 2 = Junkers (Chamber and Junkyard), Doomsayer delegation
VIP 3 = Oil Town, other community delegates

A1 =  1 Automaton w/12mm CG, 20mm GL
A2 =  Destroyed!
D  =  Combine Drone, 20mm Autocannon
1B =  Black Hat infiltrators (Assault Rifles)

This message was last edited by the GM at 11:38, Wed 14 Jan 2015.