Schaeffer nodded.

"Ya. I think that is worthwhile. I think I could help the Templars as well in helping form a real army, or at least an organised volunteer force to back them up. We'll talk to Simon, see what he thinks."

The twin SKy Pirate ultralights on CAP banked east, heading out over the Wasatch mountains. Junkyard was in the foothills, and several mineheads for Ghost Rock mines were actually close enough to be located within the outer perimeter. These mines had once attracted the legendary Darius Hellstromme (before the Mormon Elders of Deseret banned him) and this was why he'd located the factories and refineries of Junkyard there. Now he (and the Mormons) were gone, but the Ghost Rock mines and Junkyard remained.

They passed by a large conglomeration of warehouses and sheds which Peter and Roadkill recognised as being the Junkyard Market. Traffic became heavier and Militia police cars blocked traffic. Past the Market, they turned left onto an access road leading to another gate in the inner wall. Once they were waved through by militia armed with locally-produced D20 assault rifles, the small convoy was in the narrow streets of Inner Junkyard.

Inner Junkyard had once been the industrial district of Salt Lake City, protected by the bombs from the dome known as the Steel Sky. After the war, the Steel Sky had been dismantled, leaving a 20 foot inner wall. Unlike every other town or in the Wasted West, the crowded buildings were not in ruins or rebuilt but still completely intact. Walls did not have bullet holes and patches, glass remained in windows. Due to the now-absent Steel Sky, buildings in the centre were only around 20 stories tall, declining to 4-6 stories at the periphery. Many structures were factories for heavy and light industry, along with refineries. Smoke belched out tall stacks. There were office buildings and industrial supply centres as well as a hospital, hotels and even a stadium. About 15-20,000 people lived in Inner and Outer Junkyard.

Finally, they and their escort reached the middle of the downtown core of the dense-packed (and semi-circular) city. Dead centre was a massive 22-story glass-and-concrete brutalist edifice. The former HQ of Hellstromme Industries (before it moved to Denver) and now the Town Hall. They turned onto a side street that led to a long 2-lane ramp that sloped under the building. It was built to accommodate semi-trucks and seemed to lead to an underground loading area and parking garage. With space up and to the sides at a premium, it made sense they would also dig down.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 259):

Roadkill had been expecting some kind of ambush or trouble, and appeared relieved it wasn't coming, at least not yet. "Whoa... actually working traffic lights? What do they mean?" He'd been here before with his road crew, so he was joking a little. Carefully, Roadkill negotiated the ramp entrance, checking the height markers.

"Yep... guess we can make it. Down we go!"

Rowan cuddles up with Trickster, how can people live like this no green only machines

Smoker remains in his usual perch on overwatch. He's a bit spooked by an underground garage, and feels the need to duck despite there being adequate clearance.

Peter started to sit up a bit straighter. His face started to take on a more interesting look rather than the sharp-eyed lookout for an ambush. His eyes got wider as he viewed all the pre-apocalypse buildings and material intact. As a Ravenite, the best in gear was always the best to have, and this stuff was the best he'd seen in a long time. Not that he could really carry a building with him...and he wasn't sure he was ready to settle down but if he had to choose he could do worse than Junkyard.

The rig rolled down the ramp, down into the vast underground parking level under the City Hall. It suddenly became a little cooler and dimmer as sunlight was replaced by cool white-painted concrete walls and ceiling, lit by flourescent lighting.

They passed between a couple of armoured technicals mounting 20mm autocannons and manned by militia in full helmets and body armour, guarding the entrance. Once inside, uniformed Junkyard police used flashlights with orange cones to direct the rig towards the middle of the immense parking level. There were vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) parked here and there, but mainly this level seemed to be used for storage. The underground garage was nearly a square city block, all told, but lines of sight were broken up by loading docks, stairwell and elevators entrances, support columns.

Arriving at the central core under the building, they saw it was a mammoth loading dock. Three more semis were parked there, all armoured up and garishly painted in typical Waster style. More armed technicals awaited, some with Junkyard crews but many being Convoy personnel. Peter's and Jane's heart leapt... Peter's truck was there! It was being manned by a crew wearing Sky Pirate tiger-stripe cammies under vests, with blue berets on their heads.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 264):

Jane couldn't believe her eyes.  The truck had been home to her for a long time but it was here?  how?</blue>"

Jane finally spoke low.  "It can't be.  It was lost.  Our truck Peter?"

Smoker called down "Hey, Pete, isn't that your technical?"

Peter was looking around and his eyes passed by the trucks there. He rarely looked long at trucks much anymore since he had lost his own. But something caught his eyes and he looked back. Then what the others were saying sank in as well.

"It...certainly...looks like it. But how could that be? It was on the airship..."

Then he started to get a sinking feeling. "It would not have survived a fall from the ship. However, if the ship did not explode and crashed I suppose it is possible that it survived. Unless these people were part of the group attacking us, which...does not seem...likely."

Rowan, "Then I suggest you find out."
She turns to Simon, "where to next Sir?"
She looks at Simon a little concerned, alarmed at how much the journey has clearly taken out of him.

It is plain that Rowan just shifted to some one responsible for another's life.
"Trickster tell me if any beings similar to the one we last killed approach please"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 268):

Bravely, the shy coyote hesitantly stole his way over to the crowd, after everyone dismounted. He sniffed around, and then want over to Peter's truck and peed on the tire. Returning, he said, "no, not think anyone metal inside them."

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 268):

"Where to? Everyone out, I guess."

Struggling a little, Simon made his way out of the cab and to the ground. Once outside, he seemed to gather his strength, seeming to look merely tired and not weak and ill.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 267):

One of the Sky Pirates came over as everyone dismounted the rig. It was Captain Phelps, commander of the Sky Raider 1 airship. He shook hands with everyone, and gestured to Peter's truck.

"You like? We kept it in good shape for you. Even gave it a tune up and changed the oil. Great to see you all again! Once the Combine believed Simon had abandoned the ship, they withdrew most of their automatons to search on the ground. We were able to hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive, and that turned the trick. Lots of good people lost their lives, but we made it safely. I sent the airship away a couple days ago, too vulnerable moored in one spot and maybe we could use it to decoy the Combine further, but we got a chance to drop off your truck!"
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:57, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

Smoker climbed down from his perch and stretched.

He watched Captain Phelps come over to Peter, pleased that it transpired that there would be no argument over possession of the technical.

Peter looked surprised, visibly surprised which was a rare thing. He shook the Captain's hand again vigorously. "Thank you! Thank you very much!" He then immediately hurried over to the truck and began giving it a thorough once-over. Discreetly, he hugged it as well.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 273):

Jane was more sedate as she walked over to the truck, looking for baby.  Did they save baby as well?  Either way she was glad that the truck was back.  Perhaps it was a good sign.

The technical was in good shape, and had undergone extensive repair work. The perforated armour panels on the side that had taken the brunt of the Automaton fire had been replaced. The motor had an extensive overhaul with every bullet-riddled . Even Baby seemed to be in good shape, fully loaded with a spare ammo box in a bracket at the base of the post mount. Jane's Hellfire SAW was in the bed as well.

Pehlps smiled and walked back to be with his men. It looked like Ike, the Mayor of Junkyard, was about to begin speaking.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 275):

Jane smiled when she saw baby and wasn't ashamed to give her a hug.  She did grin at Peter and nodded her head at baby and the saw.  "We're back."  That was it but her smile said a lot more.

In reply to Jane Guin (msg # 276):

"At least some of you got a nice reunion."

Simon smiled, looking a little less tired as he did so. It looked like the Junkyard bigwig was about to speak, so he made a point of getting the posse's attention.

"I don't have a lot of time right now, so I'll make this quick. I'd like for you all to remain as my bodyguard. I know you said you would earlier, but you have a chance to back out now. If that's acceptable, then I'd like for Kira to join your posse as well. I know she's a stranger, but she's one of the better Templars we have. Well, the only Templar here aside from me, I suppose!

"Kira, I have made all these folks Companions of the Order. They are trusted allies and friends." "Companions" were still not Templars. Unlike the Squires, Companions could not or did not want to become actual Templars. In fact, many were little better than mercenaries, but everyone needed to make a living and this was not held against them, as long as they were not greedy. More importantly, Companions were considered trusted and respected by the Order and in turn would cooperate and work with them, even risk their lives.

He turned to Rowan and brought Winnie's Katana from beneath his robes. "Rowan, I'd like to entrust you, as a Companion, with Winnie's sword. It is still Templar property, so to speak, but I'd like you to safeguard it for now. Until we can arrange to send it back to Boise. I've seen you practicing with your Wakizashi and I think you can make good use of it until we present it to a Squire unpon Knighthood."

"Rowan bows "the honour is mine to serve Simon, by my ladies will and my oath."
I will carry the blade for you willingly, until we can present it to some one you deem worthy to carry it in my place"
"And yes I will stand as close protection for you until I can do so no longer"

Kira nodded to Simon's request, and then to Rowan, "You carry a great and honorable burden."

She then looked to the others, "Companions it is, then. I welcome the lot of you. May you bring honor and glory to both yourselves and the order."

To Simon, she muttered, "I assume the 'going incognito' thing isn't necessary while we're here?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:47, Fri 18 Apr 2014.

Peter gave a small snort. "Better stop giving me chances to walk away, Simon, especially now that I can drive away." He let out a small chuckle.

He winced slightly and then rolled his eyes when Kira wasn't looking. Templars. He would be glad when this job was over and done with.

"You may as well wear your Tabard. Anyone paying attention at the meeting will guess the woman with the great big maul is probably a Templar. The rest of you, you may wear your Companion badges so that the people here know you are with me."

Although the Posse should still have the badges they were given when they were made Companions in Boise about a week ago, Fred passed around some to those who still needed one. They were large white shield patches with a red Templar's cross in the middle, designed to be sewn on a sleeve or breast.


This message was last edited by the player at 06:43, Tue 22 Apr 2014.