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04:40, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Night Moves.

Posted by The MarshallFor group 0
The Marshall
GM, 2621 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Fri 29 Sep 2017
at 20:49
  • msg #26

Re: Night Moves

The Roadhouse was about a mile off the Interstate, so He pulled over about halfway so he and Crichton could mount up Peter's technical.

Twilight was slowly fading as dawn broke over the forest that got thicker the further they got from the Interstate. The air was filled with the scent of flowers and the forest, thick with the buzzing of insects. The overgrown road wove around ponds and lakes covered with mats of algae, overgrown with lilies and rushes.

Along the road they passed by the remains of quite a few mobile homes in lots along the road, slowly decaying, covered by Kudzu and moss. Here and there they could see the rusted skeletons of oil pumps and storage tanks deeper in the thick woods, attesting to the petrochemical deposits that were Hosston's main source of income before the war.
Tech. Sgt. Airen Crichton
player, 134 posts
U.S.M.C. 1st Battlion
Staff wieldin Techno-Mage
Fri 29 Sep 2017
at 22:09
  • msg #27

Re: Night Moves

  "Do any of you have the feeling that something weird is going on with the plant life here? Maybe it is just me and paranoia talking, but this seems like a lot of vegetation."
Roadkill
NPC, 698 posts
Road Warrior
former Road Ganger
Mon 2 Oct 2017
at 08:44
  • msg #28

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Tech. Sgt. Airen Crichton (msg # 27):

Climbing up into the back of the technical, Roadkill stopped and looked around. "I dunno. It's kinda like this all over Louisiana. In the year I was here last, yeah, does seem a little thicker than it used to. Be easier to tell once the sun gets higher."

Once he was settled in he lit a hand-rolled cigarette.

"All right Peter, let's get this show on the road!"
The Marshall
GM, 2622 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Wed 4 Oct 2017
at 08:37
  • msg #29

Re: Night Moves

As if on cue, a thick morning fog started to roll through the forest all around them, creeping off Black Bayou to the west.
Increase Trask
player, 192 posts
Robo Hunter
Wed 4 Oct 2017
at 19:48
  • msg #30

Re: Night Moves


Trask was down off the truck still suited up. He thought that if they were going in and all hell broke loose, like it was going to they might need a little extra oomph.

He had his weapon ready and the heads up seemed to be behaving so he was ready to rumble.

-
Peter Firecrow
player, 849 posts
Not that kind of Indian
Wanna buy a gun?
Fri 6 Oct 2017
at 22:27
  • msg #31

Re: Night Moves

Peter nodded agreement to the plan. He gave a nod to Smoker and Trask before they all parted ways. "Do not worry, Smoker. We will do our best to locate our quarry...and your gun." His lips twitched slightly as he turned away.

He waited until everyone was in the back of the technical, and then he pulled smoothly and slowly away heading towards the town proper once more. He called back, "Yes, I thought it might be a supernatural thing, the overgrowth, but I do not know. Though I am somewhat well-traveled, I am not from here. It might or might not hurt to ask once we are in town."
Smoker Nix
player, 957 posts
Scavenger & Tech
Truck Crew
Sat 7 Oct 2017
at 11:30
  • msg #32

Re: Night Moves

"Have fun," said Smoker.

He might not like being left behind much, but he had not enjoyed his last encounter with Kargo so was quite happy to not be going anywhere near him. He found a spot to curl up and doze.
Gilles the Driver Bot
NPC, 14 posts
AI Autopilot
Junker Built
Thu 12 Oct 2017
at 09:26
  • msg #33

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 32):

Gilles' French-Canadian accented voice came from the cab speakers, as that is the most likely place for Smoker to take a nap. "Smoker, mon ami, 'ow about you keep watch with Brother Edgar on top? S'ere might be... unpleasant t'ings in s'e woods and I can only see to s'e front!"
Brother Edgar
NPC, 196 posts
Doomsayer
Church of the Holy Atom
Thu 12 Oct 2017
at 09:28
  • msg #34

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 32):

Brother Edgar had already climbed up top. He moved to the rear trailer fighting position and strained to see in the foggy twilight.

He had his glow rod out and ready to fire up if he saw anything.
Roadkill
NPC, 699 posts
Road Warrior
former Road Ganger
Thu 12 Oct 2017
at 09:45
  • msg #35

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Brother Edgar (msg # 34):

"You know what? We're overloaded with this tin can, no offence," said Roadkill as he motioned in Trask's direction. "I'll stay with the rig as well." He hopped off and loped back towards the rig.
The Marshall
GM, 2623 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Thu 12 Oct 2017
at 09:45
  • msg #36

Re: Night Moves

With Trask's suit loaded onboard the SUV's springs creaked but it held the weight. Barely! They slowly moved out into the darkness as they left the parked rig behind.

The gathering fog made the surrounding forest even more darker, alien, despite the sun almost being up. The east glowed while the stars above faded from view, but still all around was the forest and the fog creeping off Black Bayou Lake. Kudzu-wreathed trailers and slumping homes became more frequent as they entered what was the town, pre-war. But Hosston had been little more than a ville and had little or nothing in the way of civic buildings. It was mainly a collection of small houses, trailers, a former garage or two and oil pumps scattered throughout a large semi-cleared spot in the forest.

At the nominal centre of the dispersed rural community was the former HQ of a local oil company. The fog was lit by searchlights pointing into the sky, accompanied by light posts spaced regularly along a perimeter fence that ran around the building through the extensive prewar lawns. There were more lights on four corner watch towers.

It was the largest of the town's pre-war structures: a medium-sized 3-story concrete building with accompanying garage. The garage was very large and looked almost like an aircraft hangar, with a semi-domed roof and 2-story doors. This was the HQ of the local oil company. It had been shut down for decades before the war when the oil ran out, then reactivated as the need for scarce petroleum became so great even marginal operations were restarted. Now it was "Porky's Roadhouse" as a neon sign on the front gate proclaimed.

Nothing moved at the roadhouse, not surprising this close to dawn. The gate was open. A few pickup trucks caked with red mud were parked inside the fenceline.

Beyond the building they could see the taillights of a hoverbike, disappearing into the gloom that still shrouded the west.
Smoker Nix
player, 958 posts
Scavenger & Tech
Truck Crew
Thu 12 Oct 2017
at 10:09
  • msg #37

Re: Night Moves

Gilles the Driver Bot:
"Smoker, mon ami, 'ow about you keep watch with Brother Edgar on top? S'ere might be... unpleasant t'ings in s'e woods and I can only see to s'e front!"


"OK, Gilles," said Smoker. He uncurled and climbed up on top of the cab to look around.
Increase Trask
player, 193 posts
Robo Hunter
Thu 12 Oct 2017
at 20:15
  • msg #38

Re: Night Moves


Trask has changed to night vision and added a thermal layer over the top as he gave the compound a scan with his sensors. He followed the other in, stealth not really being a part of any plan including him in its execution.
The Marshall
GM, 2624 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Tue 17 Oct 2017
at 09:53
  • msg #39

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Increase Trask (msg # 38):

The hoverbike's birotary turbo engine and exhaust plume was the brightest and hottest thing around. The thermal signature of the fleeing hoverbike was partially swallowed by the forest but was easily tracked through the foliage as it screamed westwards towards town.

OOC: Make a Search check +4 to determine more details from the compound.
Peter Firecrow
player, 850 posts
Not that kind of Indian
Wanna buy a gun?
Thu 19 Oct 2017
at 02:36
  • msg #40

Re: Night Moves

Peter looked around as they drove slowly in. It was a bit strange to see a town so quiet and so...overgrown. He was a little nervous. His eyes tracked around as he drove, looking for any sign of movement or strangeness, but he didn't see anything and he didn't have his nightvision running.

"Was that the hoverbike we are after? I could not tell."

He slowed and then parked by the Roadhouse. He glanced at his companions and gave a shrug as he turned the vehicle off. "I guess we should go see if they are open."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Thu 19 Oct 2017.
The Marshall
GM, 2625 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Thu 26 Oct 2017
at 21:07
  • msg #41

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 40):

They drove in through the open gate and parked in the dirt lot in front of the former office building and garage. Once, the oil company offices had extensive lawns and landscaping. Now it had been cleared to provide parking. There were sandbagged emplacements and a guard post at the gate. Everything appeared deserted, there were no guards in sight. Despite there being a couple rusty cars and a pickup truck parked in the lot, there were no staff or patrons in sight, either.

Still, the lights were still on in the compound including the office block, which seemed to be the hotel part of the operation. Loud music boomed from within the huge domed garage (big enough to store large oil company vehicles).

The posse piled out of the technical. The dirt lot was pocked with potholes and puddles, full of water from the recent rains. Trash also littered the ground. The fog around them was definitely getting brighter but actual sunup was still several minutes away.

Marshall's Note: Everyone can make Cognition checks, as well as an additional Search check (if you have the skill) to gain more information.
Peter Firecrow
player, 852 posts
Not that kind of Indian
Wanna buy a gun?
Fri 27 Oct 2017
at 04:19
  • msg #42

Re: Night Moves

Peter looked around with a bit of suspicion. "So." He looked at the empty guard post. "Hmm. This does not feel suspicious at all." He looked around slowly. "Where is everyone at?"

He was right about then feeling very naked without his weaponry with him. If the town was empty then the weapon laws wouldn't apply and he might get killed for nothing. On the other hand, maybe it was just...a time of prayer or something? That was mandatory for everyone to attend? He shook his head.

He began walking towards the compound where the lights were on and the music was heard, keeping an eye and ear open.
Increase Trask
player, 194 posts
Robo Hunter
Fri 27 Oct 2017
at 04:53
  • msg #43

Re: Night Moves


Trask follows the team in, rifle at the ready. "Bit late maybe they are asleep." He wasn't that convinced of his own statement, but you never
know.

He used his suits sensors as well as his own eyes to look over the compound as they entered.


Increase Trask rolled 33 using 4d8, keeping the highest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of (8+8+8+8+1)33,1,2,(8+6)14.  Search check.
Tech. Sgt. Airen Crichton
player, 135 posts
U.S.M.C. 1st Battlion
Staff wieldin Techno-Mage
Sat 28 Oct 2017
at 15:24
  • msg #44

Re: Night Moves

 Airen simply leans on his staff after climbing down out of the technical. "I told you something feels screwy here. No clue what. Maybe I'm just paranoid." He follows after Peter. Remembering to many horror trids from before the War he isn't to keen on entering a bar in a creepy place.
The Marshall
GM, 2628 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Mon 30 Oct 2017
at 07:42
  • msg #45

Re: Night Moves

No one challenged them as they walked past the outer guard post to the compound.

It was clear from tracks in the mud there had been several vehicles parked there that were gone now. There were also foot and boot prints. It was clear there had been a brief rain shower not too long prior, and although they hadn't been rained on themselves during their trip over the forests of northern Louisiana was prone to micro-cloud-bursts.

Everyone [Marshall's Note: who made a TN5 roll] noted the lack of sentries or personnel in the watch towers. Very unusual! As well, the music seemed canned, although hard to tell if it was a prewar recording or not.

There were 2 buildings. Their choice was to go into the hotel to the left, or the garage/dance hall to the right.
Increase Trask
player, 196 posts
Robo Hunter
Mon 30 Oct 2017
at 07:53
  • msg #46

Re: Night Moves

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 45):

"Hold up there, I've got several thermals including a big rig and various bikes heading towards Vivian, that hover bike we saw must have been the last of them. Also there is one casualty on the dance floor through the door." Trask motions with his arm towards the building on the right.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:02, Mon 30 Oct 2017.
The Marshall
GM, 2629 posts
aka "helbent4"
aka Tony
Mon 6 Nov 2017
at 08:55
  • msg #47

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Increase Trask (msg # 46):

Meanwhile back at the rig, there was an uneasy quiet. Giles, the driver-bot AI, had shut down the engine as even at idle the Peterbilt tractor would throb with sound.

Fog had crept up on them as well, of the surrounding forest. There were buzzing of insects and birdcalls surrounded them as the sky lightened towards dawn.
Smoker Nix
player, 959 posts
Scavenger & Tech
Truck Crew
Mon 6 Nov 2017
at 10:43
  • msg #48

Re: Night Moves

Smoker sat in his perch up top, quite enjoying the peace and quiet.
Roadkill
NPC, 700 posts
Road Warrior
former Road Ganger
Mon 13 Nov 2017
at 07:40
  • msg #49

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 48):

Roadkill was also back at the rig. He answered the CB.

"Well shit. It's too quiet there and you can see a stiff on the dance floor. Want us to move up?"
Increase Trask
player, 197 posts
Robo Hunter
Tue 14 Nov 2017
at 21:34
  • msg #50

Re: Night Moves

In reply to Roadkill (msg # 49):

"Yes lets move up and get this over with. I think we are a bit late to this rodeo, but lets see if there is anyone breathing who can tell us what is going on."

-
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