It looked like the official welcome was about to begin.

Ike Turner was a thickset middle-aged man with a full head of grey hair and peircing green eyes. He was wearing a dark business suit with no tie, but something about him suggested he wasn't just some management type. Maybe an engineer of some kind?

First, he made a point of shaking hands with all the Posse members, not just Simon and Fred. "I am damn glad you all could make it. Captain Phelps told me that some of your people sacrificed themselves to get Simon here. Don't hear a lot about people doin' that for others, most Wasters wouldn't. I think it's worth it, and I can't say how thankful I am for what you've done."

Ike then addressed Simon directly. "When Sky Raider One arrives without you aboard, I didn't know what to think. If the Combine grabbed you, well, they don't give up their captives without sticking a chip in their brains.

"After a day without word of you, I sent a courier out to find the Templar's Second-in-Command, Jo. She's on her way. Anyways, when you made contact via radio and arranged for pickup, I was so Goddamned relieved. Because, you see, you, Simon, are a symbol for people throughout the wastes. More than I could ever be! That's why it's important to have your support for this Pact.

Welcome to Junktown. You cut it really close, Jo will be here tonight and the meeting will begin tomorrow morning. We'll set you and your party up in the Junkyard Hilton hotel and convention center, you can relax tonight, because the real work starts tomorrow afternoon."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:26, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 1):

Simon listened to the speech with a neutral expression.

The Posse had picked up on a few of his opinions as they traveled. For one, Simon was not a particular fan of Ike or Junkyard. For over a decade after the war, Junkyard had freely traded with the various gangs who prowled the wastes, enforcing a 50 mile radius neutral zone around the city where gangs couldn't attack communities, travellers or each other. Anything outside this zone was fair game, and more than once Templars found themselves at odds with this hands-off policy. But the gangs eventually took too high a toll on Junkyard's trading partners outside the zone and the bolder ones started to raid inside the zone. Ike struck without warning. A couple years ago during a meeting of gang leaders much like the current summit, several dozen club Presidents were arrested or killed without warning, their gangs eliminated or absorbed into the Militia. Over the next couple years, Ike consolidated his hold over much of the wastes surrounding Junkyard and huntrs down many remaining gangs. Junkyard and its trading partners thrived.

The chance of another double-crossed was slim, considering that all the various non-Combine factions had a potentially vested interest in banding together. Junkyard included. But if he wanted to gather any and all potential rivals for power in the Wasted West, perhaps to take them over or even hand them over as part of a deal with the Combine, this would be a great time.

Anyone who wants to can make a Scrutinize check.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:47, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Peter was glad to have his truck back. It appeared like they were giving him his truck back at least. And for that, he was thankful. He had written it off and closed it off from his mind so he could keep going. But now he didn't have to. He had to try hard to keep his face impassive, twitches of a smile kept breaking through periodically.

He stood behind Simon as Ike spoke. He occasionally stole glances at his truck and at Jane, deliberately giving the appearance of not really paying attention to the proceedings.

After Ike spoke, however, he leaned over behind Simon and spoke very quietly in his ear, but appeared to be brushing his pant legs clean.

"Do you have a way to wave Jo off? It might be better if both the first and second in charge of Templars were not both here."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 3):

Simon caught Peter's eye and, without changing his expression, nodded slightly in agreement.

Kira arced an eyebrow, "You have a 'Hilton'? And, out of curiosity, if we want to wander a bit, are we allowed to?"

[OOC: 3d6 unskilled? Not gonna bother.]

He nodded.

"Yep. Before Hellstromme moved his corporate HQ to Denver, it's where VIPs would stay and they would hold business conferences. Hellstromme Industries bought up the Hilton chain after Blackstone sold it off in 2020. so it's not figurative. It's literally a Hilton Hotel. Takes a lot to keep it up, but we're talking five-star."

The speechifying over, Ike departed up through the elevator to city hall.

Junkyard city police directed the Posse towards the far end of the underground parkade. It was so huge that the concrete cavern spanned the entire city block from City Hall to the Hilton. This way they wouldn't need to come up onto the surface level.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 7):

Roadkill moved to mount up his rig, then turned.

"Well, folks, sorry to say I can't stay further than tonight. Got things to do for the Convoy, Simon knows what that is. Dakota and Jack will be comin' with me. The Colonel, well, that's your choice, I guess?"