In reply to Brother Edgar (msg #87):

"They're going to find out quick we didn't go east or west, and there's a huge minefield between here and Mexico. We can count on them to keep following us, then, all the way to St. Louis? Seems like it's a long ways. If they do, I don't think we'll be able to outrun motorcycles.

"I heard of Doomsayers throwing around some kind of "nuke" power but didn't know what to believe. What else can they throw at us if we fight them? I think Arthur asked about that as well."

Standing there, she removed and checked the magazine on her Kalashnikov, then replaced it. She was down quite a few rounds after the fight at Pantano Station.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Mon 12 July 2010.

Arthur moved to stand beside Edgar.  "I mean you no harm friend, not now or ever, but if we encounter these...Doomsayers that you say can do what you do, if you could tell us what we can expect from them, we may be able to better formulate a plan to defeat them."

"It was said of the great Saint Wyatt Earp by his friend Bat Masterson that no man could could have a more loyal friend, nor a more dangerous enemy.  I hope to live to that ideal, Edgar.  You need not fear disclosing to me this information, for I would never use it against you, but against these people who did this...they will rue the day such thoughts even entered their minds."

"This is all well and good ya'll... well actually no this sucks... but me bein' a dumbass an' all, how we supposed to do anythin' about it when we don't even know where they are at this particular moment in time?  An' is this everyone that lives here?  If'n not I think we ought to find those folks."

In reply to Dakota Jack Cardinal (msg #90):

Smoker thought for a bit.

"There were a lot more people than this. I see Medoza the Law Dog, and his wife, and some others... but no, there should be at least three times the people. And the Colonel says he found some tracks, probably made after the attack."

"As for those murderin' Doomsayers. Assuming they didn't go west, they probably would take the Number 70 east towards White Sands and Alamgordo."

Nervously, he lit a cigarette using one of his precious rolling papers and some of his carefully-hoarded cigarette tobacco.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Mon 12 July 2010.

"If there are some tracks then we should probably follow them and see if we can find the survivors. Maybe we can give them some help somehow.

"Smoker, you may want to wait here. The doomsayers said that they questioned the populace about you. The survivors might not take too kindly to seeing you. They've probably lost a lot of loved ones and there emotions will be raw and looking for someone to blame."

The Doomsayer turns to Arthur, answering quietly, "We can channel the Power of the Atom through our bodies.  We can hurl bolts of pure radiation, superheating and destroying whatever they hit.  We can summon the Fury of the Bomb to blast foes with a nuclear detonation.  Silas' Doomsayers revel in causing mutations as well, going against the natural selection the Glow designs."  He pauses a moment, before admitting, "The Power of the Atom can be shaped to a myriad of other forms as well, but I have no way of knowing their skill.  It can be devastating, but they are still as vulnerable as anyone else.  If we can catch them unaware, they can be swiftly cut down."

At the mention of the possibility of survivors, Brother Edgar turns ashen, "In my anger I forgot the tracks....  Yes, we need to help them first.  Then choose our road to catch these monsters before the catch us...or anyone else."  The Doomsayer quickly turns to follow whomever else is going to follow the tracks in search of survivors.

Shaeffer continued figuring out the tracks taking as much time as needed. He had not been part of the discussion among the others after he'd reported what he'd found. To him things were easy; the survivors, if there were any were the first priority.

In reply to COL Kurt L. Schaeffer (msg #94):

Brother Edgar caught up with Col Schaeffer, who was still absorbed in the art of tracking. It wasn't going well, whoever covered up the tracks had enough skill to frustrate his efforts so far.

Finally, he determined that a large group headed west down the road towards the river. There was at least 40 or so people, walking single file, and their tracks were covered by someone coming after.

This was a solid track, he knew he could follow it easily.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:13, Mon 12 July 2010.

Arthur nodded quietly at Edgar's words, but said nothing in response to them, looking very concerned about the abilities that might be brought to bear against them - not afraid, just concerned.  Nevertheless, he was resigned to do what he felt honor and duty bound to.

Shaeffer looked up from the tracks to acknowledge Brother Edgar's arrival.

"As far as i can tell about forty people moved west along the road and towards the river. They were taking great care to remove their tracks, so I#m sure it's survivors."

He looked the Doomsayer up and down, scratched his head and continued:"With all due respect, the way you're looking, I don't think you should be making contact with them. They might not be able to ah...unterscheiden...differentiate between the green variety and you, ja?"

The last thing they needed was a bunch of panicked survivors opening fire on the Brother because they couldn't tell him from the bad guys. Fear and anger made people color-blind, sometimes.

"Fo'ty of 'em in one big ol' herd?  Now I just had a thought that were worse then seein' yer grandma nekkid, which happened to me once it was like seeing a raisin covered in liver spots, couldn't get a hard on for three weeks an' even then it took a 20 foot ladder and a pair of 9 power binoculars... anyway folks usually don't move all at once like that when some bad shit's going down, they'd scatter, an' they don't cover their tracks neither.  I'm ah thinkin' 'bout what'n if them folks was marched somewhere at gunpoint, a' POW style?"

Jane waited to see what the convoy would do rather than following the group searching for survivors. She was silent while waiting for Roadkill and Pete to make a decision as to their next move.

Looking over to the Colonel, Brother Edgar appears resolute, "I appreciate the concern.  But, I must show that the Glow can be benevolent.  That not all Chosen are like these monsters.  If they decide to fire upon me, it is their right for all that they have suffered."  A stand is obviously being taken.  He really seems ready to die to make the point.  Faith does crazy things to people.

At Dakota's suggestion, he gives a nod, "A good point.  All the more reason for us to go.  Now."

In reply to Arthur Dayne (msg #78):

"While you figger out what's going on, I'll go put that fire out in the main building."

Inside, she looked first where it was smouldering and for something to put it out, like a bucket for water or sand or a thick blanket for beating on embers.

"That sounds like a splendid idea. I'll give you a hand!"

Seeing Michaela doing something immediate, Rowan decided to follow. She entered the building behind her, going to the kitchen and began filling pots and pans with water.

She also checked out the pantry, shooing out any wildlife there that decided to take advantage of the unguarded food.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:13, Tue 13 July 2010.

In reply to Brother Edgar (msg #100):

Brother Edgar was not the only one taking a stand.

"No, you won't go. You already endangered both of us once today. There won't be anotehr time. You want to do some atonement? Fine. Take the dead down and bury them."

The Colonel's voice got very cold and very level, both signs of him getting angry.

"If they would only be shooting at you, I'd say fine, be my guests. But if they start to shoot, they will shoot at you and anyone going with you. Which will include me. Which will mean I will shoot back....And I'm not going to kill any of these people or be killed by them, just because you think you have a duty to whatever. Did I make myself clear?"

"Well here's a crazy thought, why not just roll up that bathrobe yer a' wearin'... assumin' yer not jaybird nekkid under there, oh Gawd I hope yer not... an' mebbe you won't look so recognizable?"

"Peace, Colonel.  Edgar, he may have the right of it.  I will begin taking down the dead and seeing that they are laid to rest properly in the eyes of gods and men.  The dead deserve their rest, more so than any other."  He went over to where his horse and saddlebags were and removed his scabbard, slinging it over his back so that he could wear his sword.  It was not often that he wore the sword, preferring to cover it up rather than keep it open, but he didn't have time at the moment to continue holding it in his hands.  He also wanted to be able to draw it at the first sign of trouble.

He arrived back at the scene, sword slung onto his back in its scabbard so he would not have to worry about carrying it around.  "I don't have a shovel or a spade, but I will start taking these poor souls down.  If anyone has one, I would be willing to lend my strength to the digging effort, or they themselves could dig while I take these down."

Taking each body down, he said a silent prayer in his mind and closed his eyes for a moment in respect.  He did not pray to any specific god, or in the tradition of any particular religion, but he did not know which religion these people belonged to and he would not disrespect their traditions if they still had any.  He would only pray that wherever they were, that their souls rest and that their bodies continue to rest in peace.

Jane started helping the others put the fire out. She didn't care much about burying the dead. The were dead, what difference did it make whether they were dead above or bellow the ground? She checked the convoy but for now at least it appeared safe enough for her to busy herself with other matters.

Brother Edgar met the cold stare of the Colonel with quiet impassivity.  A gentle nod is offered to the notable points of attracting fire to friends.  Another to Arthur's support in the discussion.  For the Colonel, he replies, "You make a fine point.  I have no wish to endanger anyone else.  We are not all soldiers trained to this.  We do what we can with what we have."  A pause, before he adds, "Please remember though, that I am not a soldier under your command.  We are traveling companions and should be treated with the respect of peers.  If you wish to make a point with me, please do so.  If you wish to order me to do anything, you will quickly lose that respect I have for you.  For now, I will stay.  Perhaps Rowan could go with you to render medical aid to any survivors you find."

With that, the Doomsayer moves away to assist the Templar in caring for the dead.  For now, simply assisting in bringing them down from the crosses until a digging tool is found.  He leaves the prayers for the Templar, remaining quietly respectful.  Though if any of the townsfolk show the marks of the Chosen, he would step in to offer the Canticle.

"Wenn Du ein Soldat unter meinem Kommando wärst..." The Colonel muttered under his breath, shook his head and nodded after that. Brother Edgar was a man of strong beliefs which was not a bad thing, but if it led to impulsive behaviour that ignored the safety of other members of the team even if it was to ensure the safety of other people...he had to speak up. Though he was an agnostic himself, he respected other people's faith and convictions as long as they didn't endanger him or any others.

Shaeffer was quite willing to follow the track alone, as he was sure that he'd be able to deal with whatever he found by himself. He'd been trained for this kind of stuff and he knew he was good.

Thus, the Colonel checked his weapons and then followed the trail, moving from shado to shado and from cover to cover, always checking his surroundings every couple of steps.

Peter watched the conversation with mild interest. He didn't know that going after the people was a good idea, necessarily, but he also didn't think it wasn't as dangerous as the Colonel was trying to make it out to be. He walked over to Roadkill and kept his voice very low. "Since we are the two who are in control of where the vehicles ultimately go...are we going on to Saint Louis? Or going after these people first?"

Peter brought his truck around to the side where Col. Schaeffer had said the hidden tank was located in order to top off his tank.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Wed 14 July 2010.

Jane arrived out back, just in time to see a rat was sitting on it's haunches, stuffing it's face with dried kernals of corn that had been spread outside the kitchen door. There was also a crow sitting there, pecking at the scattered corn. As soon as they saw her, the rat scurried away into the yard. The crow looked at her and squawked, then flapped off to the south.

Rowan was in the kitchen, sweaty from pumping water to put out the embers.

Out in front, Col Schaeffer padded off, still looking like a very murderous bush. The group had headed in "Indian file" down the Shalam Colony Train road west towards the river. They were easy to track once he picked up the trail, even though they were on a fairly clear hard roadbed.

There was orchard off to his left at first to use as concealment, but eventually he had to pass some relatively open terrain to continue. He did so without incident, soon coming to some more cover by what looked like a smaller farm compound about 300m down the road.

These buildings looked recently-occupied and also recently abandoned. There was no sign of recent damage and like the other compound, was in overall good repair.


http://tinyurl.com/29owvfh

(Newly updated map, also posted to Reference Section.)

Arthur's horse was tethered in the back of the parked trailer. After retrieving his sword, he began to take down the corpses and start to dig. Above, the buzzards continued to circle.

At the side of the building, Peter was unable to find the hidden cache of Ghost Juice, even after some minutes of searching.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Wed 14 July 2010.

Seeing Jane come up, Rowan came out of the kitchen. She made shooing motions to the vanishing rat.

"Thanks for coming over to help. We're almost done, but we can keep looking. I think the other building, the one on fire, is completely gone."

"If we're looking for people here, I don't know how many there were but I have a feeling the survivors headed towards the river. I saw a 3DTV special on the Amazon War and refugees used to hide out in caves dug into the river bank. That's if they weren't taken elsewhere against their will."

With the fires seeming to be coming under control by Rowan and Jane, Michaela came out front to see Arthur start working on getting the corpses down.

Without speaking she pitched in, grabbing a pick and shovel to use for digging graves. Helping Arthur, she also said a silent prayer and crossed herself.

She stopped to shed her jacket, vest and overshirt (stripping down to a tank top). "I'm digging them shallow for now. If people come back, they're going to want to move them to the graveyard, wherever that is.

"I could also say something from the bible, there were some crucifixes in there, I think they were Catholics or at least Christians." She wiped sweat from her brow.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Wed 14 July 2010.