By wasteland standards, the settlement known as the Pitt is a pretty decent place. The town had braved all the usual troubles of a wasteland settlement -- acid rain, radiation, drifting bioweapon clouds, raiders, horrors, hunger, insanity -- to become a burgeoning community of about seven thousand. The star of the Pitt was a pre-war smelting plant that had been meticulously reassembled and rehoused, melting down the irradiated and corroded scrap of the Pittsburgh ruins into fresh, clean, strong steel. The metal trade was the lifeblood of the town, trading ingots and high quality blades and tools to surrounding settlements in exchange for the food and medicine they desperately needed. The prosperity of the town was coveted by its neighbors, but its sturdy reinforced stone walls protected it from incursion like a medieval fortress. All was not well, however. Various problems were preventing this rare island of metastability from growing any further and kept it teetering on the edge of disaster.

It was exactly the sort of situation that Mother preyed upon.

Through the underground pipeline Legacy X hears from his predecessor that the Pitt was due to be prospected by Mother for integration into her Barrier City Initiative. The town is simply not ready however; there's too many doubts about the AI's promises of safety, too much attachment to their independence, stubborn holdouts, and (metaphorical) skeletons out in the open. Even the town's current mayor, one delightfully-named woman going by Gyarados Skullfucker, is rumored to be on the fence about whether to fight or let herself be absorbed. Even if the population were to be sucked up into the Mother-ship, the resulting vacuum would have disasterous consequences on the surrounding smaller wasteland communities. Unless something changes, and soon, there is going to be violence.

Thus does Legacy X put out the word to some of his contemporaries in the Wonder space. They're going to save the Pitt... though whether that means facilitating their integrating, strengthening their position to make Mother's offer less attractive, fighting the mechanical menace off by force, or simply taking the place over is up to them. The benefits of being outside any authority is that no one is telling them what to do!

---

The Pitt is more than just a clever shortening of the city whose ruins the town is built atop. The orbital weapon that had destroyed the city had cut a quite literal fissure through its remnants. You knew this, but beholding it for the first time and seeing the physical reality of the war-scar leaves you speechless. Almost a hundred miles long, ten miles wide, and who even knows how deep; even at the height of noon the sun fails to illuminate its murky depths. You had always thought that the Treatymaker satellite had destroyed Pittsburgh with a direct hit, but it looks like it had actually struck the outskirts; if it had been a direct hit then there would have been nothing left! Even with a near miss much of the city had been buried in dirt and molten rock, very much as if the victim of a volcanic eruption.

The Pitt is built on the south side of the Treatymaker Fissure. As you approach the city you occasionally spot small salvage crews digging with restored pre-war construction vehicles, moving dirt with huge mechanical buckets and breaking through deposits of molten stone with jackhammers and improvised explosive devices. They are rather protective of their claims, but cautiously help direct the incognito Wonders towards the town if asked. Getting anything else out of them would likely require a smooth tongue.

Passing through (or flying over) the Pitt's impressive stone walls greets the Wonders with cobblestone and metal buildings. Each residence has a square plot or two framed by stones from whence the small, struggling leaves of carrots, potatoes, and other hardy vegetables protrude, protected from the environment by varied means. One overachiever even has a semi-sealed greenhouse made of stretched clear plastic sheeting. Even at a glance it is clear there is something wrong with the plants, but it'd take someone knowledgeable about plants to figure out what.

There is a bone-fide market in the center of town, with wastelanders from all over trading post-apocalyptic goods; biodiesel, water, vegetables, seeds, soil, spare parts, guns and ammunition. One joker is selling books and handheld video games out of a purple carriage drawn by a pair of pigs, who seems to be getting a lot of window shoppers out of sheer absurdity. A couple of shouts go up as you take in the scene; an early-teen boy is sprinting away with what looks like a whole watermelon in his arms as an annoyed vendor yells at him. He doesn't get far before a man with a crowbar snags his leg and trips him, and as he hits the cobblestone street a second "guard" joins the first in beating the everloving shit out of him with the flat of his machete. They spit on the swiftly-broken and mewling body of the would-be thief and carry the miraculously intact watermelon back to the stall owner. The boy is left in the street to suffer; no one is rushing to offer him any medical attention.

The smelter is as far from the walls as practical. The smelting house itself is made of corrugated sheet metal rather than stone and is almost two hundred meters long. A big diesel generator on the side provides power, and brick chimneys belch coal smoke. More prominant as you approach the building however is the stench. It's hard to place exactly, but it smells like algae, ash, and rot. A momentary breeze makes the source obvious; the smell is coming from the Treatymaker ravine. It looks like the Pitt has been using the old war scar as a dumping site for slag and other garbage. This is probably a problem, though its exact nature is elusive without further investigation.

Gyarados Skullfucker's office is not far from the smelter. It is the biggest and most fortified building in the place, looking very much like a medieval castle with machine guns. The place looks like it could withstand a full scale assault and probably also serves as the town's vault. Miss Skullbleeper (as she is known to the kids) took over the Pitt by force some four or five years ago in a bid to retire after thirty years of being a badass wasteland pirate woman. She was apparently a child during the War, making her impressively old by wastelander standards, and survived where many of her contemporaries failed by being smart, rational, and humble. According to Legacy IX, the mayor is expecting them, knows what they are, and may even have work for them.

There is a lot to do in this town, and likely not all of the problems are obvious. The town has a sizable pub just off the market plaza, and though much of the citizenry is engaged in work at the moment it might be a good place to befriend of the locals and learn their less obvious troubles.

Whatever they do, the Wonders have to manage their time carefully; Mother's first arrivals are due to arrive in only three days.

What do you do first?

Teranovae is ... out of place to say the least ...especially because she is clean, no 'dirt' ever sticks to her so her emerald green garb of her goddess regalia she wears makes her stand out in the crowds.. not to mention her emerald green hair and heart-stealing beauty.

On arrival she dismissed her hematite surf-board she used for flight preferring to walk among the mortals to see their trials and suffering up close to get a full understanding of their plight.  Before her first death, she had been Sandra Demetra, Archaeologist  and Resource Recovery Field Apprentice for MOTHER... and she had Never seen squalor or suffering having her every  need provided by MOTHER... but she knew such luxuries were merely the gilded Prison of control. MOTHER, took away mankind's choice of self-determination and all the suffering around her was mostly due to the war MOTHER waged upon the world leaving masses to suffer to all gain control over mankind.  Slave in a golden jewelry was Still a slave.  Something Teranovae the newly awakened Earth Goddess would not allow.. and she was going to change things.  If need be one suffering person at a time, whatever it took!

She walked over to the young man beaten bloody, kneeling, she gently touched his back and invoking the Touch of Gaea, a soft green radiance suffuses the boy's body as she healed his injuries... but did not stop there ~ she restored his health from malnutrition ending, at least temporarily, his hunger pangs as she spoke, "..There young one, perhaps you might try working in the foundry to earn pay for your food needs? It would certainly be a less painful way to earn your meals?"

She rose, not waiting for thanks ~ or in fact expecting any, and made her way to the vendor selling books and handheld video games from his purple pig-drawn carriage, her interest in the books...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

Colleen stands out with her bubblegum pink hair in twintails and sidelocks, blue pleated skirt and blouse, white socks, and black Mary Janes. She is an incredibly gorgeous young woman, effortlessly attracting attention and multiple glances and stares, outshining every other woman nearby without the slightest attempt to do so. She also seems completely oblivious to that fact, humming merrily and almost skipping, gracefully sliding through and around the crowd without touching anyone.

This is even more notable considering the large backpack belted around her shoulders and waist. It is comically over-sized, dark brown, and vaguely resembles a sofa.

She stops at the books-and-games merchant and starts perusing his wares for anything she hasn't already played or read. There are a lot of things in the former list and less in the latter; working video games are much rarer than functioning books, after all. Books do burn, but they also do not require electricity.

Oh hey, is that a Pokemon game she's never played? Does Sword come after Green? Games that came in a series from the Time Before are special, because they have continuity and stability. It will be sad once she's finally played them all.

"I'll give ya this much for it, mister," she offers, holding out a fistful of copper wire.

It would be a ridiculously huge offer if the game didn't come inside a fully functional 3DS with rechargeable solar battery. And she also put another rechargeable solar battery on the table next to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

Legacy arrived quietly, on the ground with a small hunting band that was parting ways with him, as what he was increasingly coming to think of as his Victor persona - just another person looking for work. He didn't look like much - just some young man, shabbily dressed in what was left of a faded t-shirt and patched pants, with a sharpened piece of salvaged rebar on his side and a heavy leather jacket that didn't seem to bother him despite the heat. The only thing that made him unusual was his good health and his exceptional appearance under the layer of dust on him - he carried himself better than most around him.

But one had to notice him out of a sea of people first.

In his case, he was looking for a place to base up. He didn't need food or shelter, for the most part, but his partners might not be so cavalier about such matters. Shelter would be in high demand. The most likely place for them to live would be just outside of the city, in the Leans, both named after the leaning buildings in the area and after the occasional food issues that tended to be a problem among them.

He just had to convince a landlord to let him and four others move in. He could, in theory, pull strings with his family to resolve this, but experience had taught him they tended to pull back much harder, and generally were not worth asking for anything. So, he'd have to do this without them.

Neo glides silently around in their disguised form, a average sized girl in a surprisingly vivid coat, seemingly untouched by the years. a light shirt peeks out under the coat, as well as some tough leather boots.
Their eyes glowing with a unnatural light as they scan around making notes at the low quality infrastructure compared to what they're used to, aberrant heat from humans and any random scrap of high density around.

As they wander they catch a glimpse of legacy from his heat and quietly move up beside him

They give a smile "Hello Victor..." Neo starts walking with him "What are you up to?"

Amanda showed a bit late looking very much the part of a salvage rat, minus the salvage, or for that matter anything of value beyond the cloths on her back which looked quality, but old, worn out and dirty. She gaped at the gates as she came in¹ playing it off as being a highly impressed wastelander. This was a lie². She was not a scruffy wastelander covered in dirt. She wasn't actually wearing any cloths at all and while she wasn't keen on using it or trading it she was carrying enough ordinance to make a warlord salivate or a guards do a spit take.

She tried to look tired and hungry, wastelanders were in her experience tired and hungry. She nearly recited Mother's catechism about helping them join the fold to herself, but that familiarity sat bitter in her throat like the taste of old coffee that had gone rancid. She personally had felt neither hunger nor fatigue since her transformation. She didn't want to over do it because sympathy might prompt generosity, and then what. She had a number of supernatural tells they could notice if they got too close, spent too much time with her. And charity well, she didn't want to take food out of the mouths of people who might need it, when she never would.

The Legacy had asked her here, but she hadn't spotted him yet. She did note the biodiesel sellers, as well as the fertilizer sellers and what payments they were taking, doing mental calculations on the kinds and quantities and IEDs she might manufacture. Gyrados probably had someone local but she wanted to know what kind of plan to make if she decided to ask for more explosive supplies. This was not enough to really distract her from the "goddess" healing people in the middle of the market.

She stare absently into the distance taking in what she could trying to decide. She knew she couldn't just ignore the woman dressed as a green goddess. Normal people wouldn't ignore something like that. She was taught to fear such things, but showing fear would tend to prompt others to be afraid and she didn't want to be the reason people feared people like her. She was fairly sure normal people would react to that somehow she just couldn't conjure up how they'd react. She figured the jaded vacant thousand yard stare was the safest bet. People might assume she was crazy, plenty of people were, that numb distance vacant sort of insanity would be fairly familiar and not threatening, it'd give her time to decide how best to react. It shouldn't brand her irredeemably insane or dangerous. Plenty of people had those days and got up the next day and kept rolling forward.


OOC:
¹ Expertise (Demolitions) Result-20 Routine Cursory Study
² Deception Result-20 Routinely faking several things.
³ Insight Result-?? She has a +0 and is trying to tell how the crowd is reacting to Terranovae

Amanda isn't obviously not human to normal human senses. She is denser than a human, smells vaguely like blood and not at all like a human, gives off very little body heat compared to a baseline human, is highly conductive, and is attractive to magnets though not herself magnetic. While she is "breathing" the air going in is chemically identical to that coming out (humans inhale more O2 and exhale more C02 she's just moving air to seem human) and she may otherwise show up to super senses of various types as odd though not necesarily.

No one really pays an undue amount of attention to Amanda. Passing by an excavation site she gets a decent view of the explosives the salvagers are using; a mix of dynamite and thermite, depending on what they need to cut through. They are competent although hardly remarkable at their job. She is given a cursory search by the guards at the entrance (who used the opportunity to squeeze her bust by "accident" but didn't seem to notice anything amiss) but once inside the gates the vast majority of people were too occupied with their own problems to give a close look to what seemed at a glance to be just another tired traveler.

Most of the people in market are selling their goods with Pitt citizens trading bars of steel or simple metal-cast goods in exchange. Sometimes the bars are copper or aluminum or other metals, but it's very clear what the favored exports of the Pitt are -- and how its citizens tend to be paid. The fertilizers themselves are not generally the sort that can easily be rendered into a more explosive format, but Amanda (likely) has more than the usual means.

It is in the market where Amanda gets anything more than a passing glance. A very pretty woman with long auburn hair, wearing a knee-length body-hugging white ribbed sweater dress and carrying a tote bag filled with food, stops to give Amanda a prolonged stare. A look of horrified recognition crosses her face before she turns and runs away as fast as she can in her little kitten heels and tight hobbling hemline, arms flailing at her sides with wrists daintily cocked.

In contrast, the emerald-clad self-styled goddess Terranovae attracts a lot of curious and concerned looks. In some ways, the wasteland was more open-minded than Barrier citizens; although some of Mother's propaganda had managed to make it even all the way out here, the average wastelander was more concerned about having food and a safe place to eat it than about some nebulous cosmic threat. The spandex-clad woman wasn't throwing fireballs or pulling legs off orphans or cackling madly, and so she wasn't their problem. At the same time, they weren't in any big hurry to risk agitating the strange woman and provoking any of those responses either. Overall, the citizenry of the Pitt gave Terranovae a wide berth -- or at least as wide as they could without going more than a few steps out of their way. That didn't mean she wasn't the subject of a lot of stares, some admiring, some lascivious, and some simply worried.

The stares only intensified as the emerald woman returned vitality to the poor teen urchin. The boy sprung to his feet patted himself down in disbelief, looked up at the taller woman with a lingering wonder, then fled to hide behind a corner. If she were to look back she would see the young man continuing to watch her surreptitiously from behind every building as she goes about her business in the town. Rumors of the wondrous healer start spreading from those who had been present to witness the act while the guards glare at her with disapproval but aren't stupid enough to make an issue if she won't.

The amount of attention aimed her way is only amplified when she meets up with the equally-out-of-place Colleen. In fact, Colleen may even be more out of place, an effortless radiance seemingly untouched by the troubles of the world. A small gaggle of would-be attention-seekers had formed in her wake, eager to bask in her lighthearted glow. When the subject of their attentions came to a stop beside the strange emerald woman however, all but the bravest reversed course and even those that remained kept to a greater distance than they had. Strange girl with strange woman shopping at strange stall was too much strangeness for all but the strangest among them.

The man minding the frivolities carriage did not seem put off by the two women's presence, although it was possible that he simply could not see them. He was wearing a pair of brass spiky goggles with pink, swirly lenses that completely obscured his eyes, a very clean lizardskin suit with long dagger-like coattails, and a big black and pink top hat with brass eyelets and cross-lacing on the front. He sported a large belly, a rarity among the wastes and even rarer among Barrier citizens (what with their carefully regulated diets and all). "Ah, welcome to my humble shop of eccentricities, prophet of the earth!" he greets Terranovae. "Ah, and the little pirate princess! Excellent schoolgirl getup, very sharp, just like you!"

The shelves on his carriage are loaded with comic books, art books, board games, and other colorful things. Behind the shelves is a rod with several pieces of pre-war fashion; dresses and skirts and blouses and suits and hats. Terranovae spots a magazine cover of a green-clad woman riding a stone surfboard engaged in combat with a stylized kaiju-class horror; Gaia Girl versus the Dragon Dregs, a Brass Hat original! Looking up from the comic, one would see a steampunk hat logo prominently painted onto the carriage... and stitched into the vests the pigs are wearing... and as an enamel pin on the merchant's lapel...

The merchant's face falls a little as he sees what Colleen is gravitating towards. "That was on the rack? Oh dear. I had intended that as a gift to our glorious sea serpent overlord; she is deep into Pocket Monster lore as I am sure you know, and I had heard she was looking for Sword..." He puts a hand on his chin, tilting his head this way and that. "Well, what she does not know will not hurt her I suppose. Make it that and a kiss for my bruised plans and you have a deal." A deal he almost certainly wouldn't make for anyone else.

---

Legacy X's -- or rather, Victor Vale's -- arrival was even quieter than Amanda's. The Pitt had been built with plenty of room to expand but those who were not welcome in the town itself had built up a shantytown of their own outside the walls -- and yes, both the buildings and people tended to lean. He got a good look at its unfortunate citizens; signs of sickness were almost universal, some with radiation burns, others with sores all over their bodies, others pale and coughing with some kind of lung trouble. The only security out here was a single patrol up and down the main road, a show of force to keep the more desperate from loitering in hopes of pouncing a poorly-guarded merchant or traveler.

Shelter was in demand, yes, but without much in the way of security or even formal landlords the ones who had that shelter had managed to get it by being stronger or more cruel than their neighbors. There was only one real businessman out here; a tall and buff woman with a knee-length braid of black hair, bare arms showing a long history of burns, but otherwise healthy. She takes one look at the healthy Victor and grins. "Not sure why you're lookin' to slum it up with these pus sacks, but if you'll help me collect some debts I've got a place for you and yours for as long as you're willin' to work," she offers.

Neo's analysis of the surroundings shows that the exterior wall of the Pitt has places where highly radioactive slag from the smelter had been mixed in with the mining and excavation rubble. Aside from this observation his experience with the town and its slum was much the same as all the others'. He senses no meaningful radio signals.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:37, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Victor chose to answer Neo first. "Trying to get us a residence, and maybe work."

They explained to the landlady what the situation was. "They're known to me. What kinds of debts are we talking about, and for what?"

Victor wasn't exactly sure what kind of situation he was walking into here.

OOC: 20:24, Today: Legacy X rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Intuition.
...a good start. Let's hope I'm shaking the bad luck out.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Sun 07 Nov 2021.

Teranovae will note the young urchin boy following her through the market, and if she catches his eye she will merely smile kindly at him.  As for the Town Guardsmen she will nod respectfully to them smiling but makes no attempt to approach them, preferring to let her peaceful behavior speak louder than any words.



Teranovae smiles warmly at the man her eyes sparkling in delight, "And good health and fortune to you, Mr. 'Brass Hat', But you flatter me, I have no prescience for the future of Mankinds destiny ~ only my devotion to insuring mankind has the chance to write that destiny with their Own hands, I am but a Newly Born daughter of Gaea ~ I am the Earth Goddess, Teranovae! How may I address You by name, good merchant?"

She looks at his books for sale and her eyes catch on the Comic depicting Gaia Girl upon a stone surf-board fighting the kaiju-Class Horror, and smiles sweetly as she claims it from the rack and begins thumbing through the colorful pages, "..This is Your art 'Brass Hat'? How precious, are you a believer, Sir?"

{Looking at the tale as it unfolds in the comic ~ does it portray actual events that Teranovae has done?}

She will sweep aside her cloak to reveal she bears a shoulder bag under her cloak, collecting all of his books and magazines for sale into them she will extend her hand and invoke her geosphere creation power ~ a soft green glow forms in the palm of her hand... followed by a rushing of air and as if by a reversing of sandblasting a 2lb dark brick of absolutely PURE Iron Ore forms from the rushing air in her hand like sand rushing to fill a void.

01:13, Today: Terranovae rolled 17 using 1d20+10.  Ranged Combat - Geo-Gravitic Array [Geosphere Creation: Create +10]. – 17

There is a very brief, very slight tremor through the ground that causes the hanging wares to stir a bit on the racks of the market in the area but, nothing is toppled nor are any market-goers caused to loose footing.  It was as if some large creature had slowly rumbled by in the market.

Again she smiles for 'Brass Hat' handing him the solid 2lbs iron brick, "..I know that metal ingots are the form or trade-fair here in the Pitt... will this Iron ingot be sufficient to purchase all your books and this delightful magazine of your artistry?"

At the arrival of Collen at the 'Brass Hat' carriage, Teranovae greats her openly placing her hands upon her shoulder to give her a sisterly embrace, "Ah.. Collen its good to see you! So you have also come to Legacy X's call? Have you seen him yet, I've been trying to find him ...but got caught up in walking the market."

She gestures to her wrist where her Commlink is indicating the recived call to gather in The Pitt...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Sun 07 Nov 2021.

Neo looks between Victor and this building "You sure your not looking for a scrap heap?"

Neo turns from Victor, Immediately sizing up this woman, taking a moment to analyse her. they are expecting a bit of deception with the junk they try to pass as shelter around here.

(( Today: Neo rolled 20 using 1d20+10.  Insight to Evaluate. ))
(( That's entirely average. ))

"Yes, Can't really do anything without information." They give a vague statement, Fishing for the details before agreeing to anything.

"Nice hat!" Colleen observed, pointing at Brass Hat's hat.

He makes his offer, and she hems and haws for a couple seconds, making a ham of it. Then, "Okay, deal!"

She trots around the side of the carriage goes behind the counter, and gives Brass Hat a smooch on the cheek. Then she goes back in front of the counter again, leaves her fistful of precious copper wire, takes off her huge backpack, and puts the 3DS and solar batteries in one of the pouches.

The pink-haired beacon of Old World sunshine looks back up at the carriage, then fishes around some more. She comes up with a padded bag containing two (2) intact, functional lightbulbs. The ancient kind with filaments that will never go out as long as they stay powered.

"How's this for that?" She points at a sleeveless black corset-dress with a short skirt.

She stops and becomes very still when Terra touches her. Her cheerful demeanor disappears for half a second, replaced with something else. "I live here."

And then she's smiling again. "I don't know who Collen is though."

Not given to long deliberation, Amanda decided the best way to deal with someone running away from you, was to catch them, and so she gave chase. She was only about as fast as an unpowered high school jock, but she was unrestrained by her clothing, proportionately unencumbered and moved with preternatural grace.

She wasn't inclined to harm the woman she intended to simply grab her securely enough to ask a few questions. She wanted to know what the woman knew about her.

"Why thank you!" Brass Hat replies to Colleen, jolly, tilting his hat to the girl. He looks to see where Colleen is pointing. His grin widens. "That one? Haa, that is so you. You're not taking me for a ride are you?" He holds out his hand for one of the lightbulbs, peering at it intently through his spiral shades. "Where did you even get these? Deal!"

Brass Hat turns his attentions back to the green woman. "Brass Hat will do fine," he replies. "I consider myself something of a bard. I take the tales I hear and spin them into hope to the wastes. Now, believing, haha, belief is a powerful and Wonderful thing isn't it?"

The comic book bears a superficial resemblance to Teranovae's own adventures, although heavily stylized. It is probable that the events in the comic are based on barroom rumors rather than direct observations; scenes in which there were many witnesses are more accurate than those conducted alone in the wastes.

"Whoa now!" Brass Hat exclaims on seeing Teranovae gathering up his entire stock. "Gaia Girl is on the house for you of course, but you're not thinking of leaving me nothing for my other customers are you?" There are no other customers.

---

"Oh, nothing a strong man like you shouldn't be able to handle," the woman says nonchalantly. She waves to a section of the Leans that seems indistinct from the rest, making a little circling motion with her finger. "All these guys owe me a bar. Except for Peter One-Eye, I know he doesn't have it so have some fun with him, whatever that means to you. This is as much about letting everyone know I've got a new dude as it is about the rent."

---

Amanda has no difficulty giving chase to the pretty sweater girl, though she does attract a few surprised mouth-sounds from Pitt natives. When sweater-girl realizes she is being pursued she attempted to quicken her pace but fairly swiftly catches her heel on the uneven flagstones. She is saved from an undignified face-plant into the dust and dirt by Amanda seizing upon her arm.

If Amanda was expecting any sort of resistance from the woman, she would be disappointed. Sweater-girl turns and looks back at Amanda with a slightly vacant look in her eyes. "Thank you," she says dazedly. Blinks. Looks down where Amanda is holding her. For a moment it looks like she is about to struggle, but doesn't. She looks up at Amanda with a docile, fearful, and utterly defeated expression without so much as putting up a fight.


This message was lightly edited by the GM at 02:22, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Victor frowned at the implied offer for sadism, and after closing his eyes for a moment, he nodded his head. "I'll collect, and let Pete know exactly what you think."

There was no deception in his words.

He turned to Neo, and nodded. "Let's go. If you think you can, we offer to these folks a polish up some of these homes of theirs. It beats the open Wastes, but maybe we can do better for them."

When he was clear of Landlady, he elaborated on his views. "If these folk think their homes are worth fighting for rather than abandoning at the first sign of trouble, they'll put up more of a fight when missionaries come through here. And until I'm done here, this is my home as well."

Victor strolled up to the first door, let out a breath, and knocked.

OOC: 20:32, Today: Legacy X rolled 25 using 1d20+10.  Persuasion. Let's start talking these people into peacefully giving a bar for rent.

Teranovae beams a smile at 'Brass Hat', "..I am Honored you 'believe' tales of my deeds will bring hope.. hope is so Very precious! You have my deepest gratitude ~ Kindly Bard!  But when I have time.. would you like to hear how this event in Gaia Girl Really happened?  Truth has always been my shield... it can be yours as well."

At his mention of leaving some of his wears for others she ponders and her eyes widen in realization of what she was doing, "Ah.. forgive me.. I'm something of a voracious reader of old world manuscripts regardless of content.  I'll be more restrained..."

With that she puts back half of the periodicals with an easy smile.

She holds out her hand and asks him, "Please kindly Bard, take my hand?"

To which her gentle touch she will call upon her Touch of Gaea, and remove any ailment or malady in his body... refreshing his elder bones with divine vigor.. may hap even adding a year or two of extended life to the kind-hearted man. An emerald glow washes over him briefly.

"Your good heart and devotion to Hope has touched this goddess' heart... be well and believe ~ Kindness and Compassion are Divine, have faith."

Invoking again her Geosphere Creation power she forms a 'touchstone token' that she attunes to 'The Green' so she may "feel" this token when the need is strong.

The Emerald light that flashed over him coalesces into a ornate golden ring, a 'touchstone token', in his palm, and she declares, "... bear this keepsake as a sign of my heartfelt favor!  When all is dark, call upon me.. and I will quickly come to light thy way to hope!"



Teranovae is... confused, she is Certain this woman is indeed the Colleen of her acquaintance, but her... unspoken anger is obvious.  She ponders if Colleen had wanted to remain anonymous she could have as when they first met fighting off Mother's forces assaulting the 'Scrapiron' Settlement weeks ago taken up a Alias ~ As Teranovae had suggested at the time!  Tera had not known Colleen's home was in The Pitt.

Regardless Tera understood the desire to have a separate identity from her mortal persona, though she was not sure why Colleen needed such out here in the wasteland Community of The Pitt.. but out of politeness she decided to play along and respect the young woman's privacy...

Gasping, "OH.. I'm so sorry.. I've clearly mistaken you for someone else!  My apologies!"

Teranovae curtsied slightly and immediately turned to walk away... heading into the market... looking for a Weapons merchant... and look to see if Legacy X were about...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Though she had no idea who she'd just caught or how dangerous it might be for the bystanders who seemed like they might think the woman more sympathetic than her especially if she took things had to go violent. She opted for the fairly safe approach of vague and slightly menacing with an air of noble protector.

"Did you think we weren't going to find out what you've been up to?" she demanded loud enough bystanders could hear. She figured most would not want to be bothered and at worst she'd broken decorum so far and an ambiguous accusation was probably enough to balance the scales.

OOC:

22:06, Yesterday: Amanda King rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  Deception (hide ignorance).

22:02, Yesterday: Amanda King rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Expertise (Current Events) - untrained.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

Before they arrive, Neo turns to Victor
Of course I capable of it. But if its my buildings that woman back there will not be getting any bars.
The idea of bringing some violence back to her causes Neo to grin, it would be a chuckle but Victor is right there

Neo pauses and drops the grin
Everyone here is going to die if left alone. Making their houses better isn't going to stop that, or remove the temptations of mothers control.
What's the end goal Victor, What do you consider the success criteria?

"I'll consider it success if I am certain they won't break, run, or surrender the moment the evangelists come rolling in telling them that servitude is preferable to the hardships of freedom."

Victor stopped, mulling over what had been said before while waiting for the first door to answer, knocking again. "If these folks end up with better houses, I have no objection to that. 'Free' is a hard price to compete with, though, and we'd want to insure that landlady back there had a way to make her ends meet. Get whoever's got a lean on her off her back, so that she isn't somehow inspired out of desperation to get a gang to start burning houses that aren't hers. But this would increase the flow of bars around here, and help out."

He was considering how he would fight as himself, though, without accidentally tipping his hand. Violence was important to avoid at the moment. Which he admitted to himself that he'd forget the moment he saw something he didn't like.

Teranovae wanders the market square looking for a weapons merchant... realizing she is moving more from the market to the business district of The Pitt, not very far away in fact as it made it easier for crafter's to get their wares to market.

As sh made her way she slipped a hand in her shoulder bag to create some currency in ingots of ore without drawing too much attention in the press of the city goers.  The Soft emerald glow that occasionally emitted from her bag was somewhat concealed in the general green of her cloak and outfit, and mostly went unnoticed.  She formed 4x 1lb Ingots of pure Iron, 4x of pure Cobalt, 4x of pure Tungsten, and for good measure 4x pure gold.. just reaching the limits of her shoulder bag 30 pound limits with the books she bought as well.

But finds a weaponsmithy and enters it more like a open warehouse with the heavy smelters in the back and the forges off to one side but racks of weapons up front.

There were 6 smiths at work and double that number in journeymen/apprentices dealing with shoppers ...as well as a handful of Clearly armed and armored guards making sure the clientele did not get sticky-fingers or decide weapon in hand to make a withdraw without paying.

She smiled and caught the attention of a journeyman, "Hello, I would like to purchase a Sword of your highest quality steel - sharp forge carbon-hardened blade, durable and well balanced.  The VERY best you have to sell!"

Pitt Blade-Machette = {Archaic Melee Weapon-Blade} Sword-Strength Based Damage 'Slashing': PL 3 {3pt}, Dangerous/2 'Crit 18+' {2pts}; Total: 5pts



To which she will retrieve a ingot of iron, cobalt, and tungsten to lay out on the counter, "..this is just a sample of my funds.. you can test their purity ~ I have time.  Also, I'm looking to also purchase a firearm... I would greatly appreciate directions to a reputable armory for such a purchase?  Take your time, I'm in no hurry."

With her request made and her funds being examined, she will turn to the side keeping her eye on the actions of the smithy staff but triggering her wristcomm to call Legacy X...

+"Lex, Tera here. I'm in the storefront district did not see you in the market. Saw Colleen, but she seemed to not want to be seen associating with an obvious wonder, not sure what to make of that.  Where should I meet up with you for the meeting?"+
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

Neo shakes their head
"I didn't need to ask."

They sighs and continues with
"Alright I have already got a bit of what we will need for that, and for the long-term survival since Mother could just wait them out."

"One. Secure the organ- Neo is interrupted by Terranovae's transmission

Neo eyes brighten a bit as they cut in joining the communications so both Terranovae and Legacy X can hear
+"Terra! How are you going? I was just about to have a big talk to do with my observations so far with our friend here, Also considering a murder"+
They let the chuckle they were holding back out over the line
+"I assume you want to be let in the loop on this."+

Teranovae's smile can almost be heard over the transmission, +"NEO!!! Good to hear from you, glad you could make it!  I'm doing fine thank you, shopping for some... show-weapons.  A Murder? ~ I hope its a well deserved one... we have so much power.. do we ever really need to 'murder'? Or are are you referring to a murder as in a numerical sense... like a 'murder of crows' or somesuch? But yes to the subject of how to help the citizenry here... With how the Pitt crater intersects one of the rivers feeding the city... a waste treatment plant would be Very useful.  I've been thinking of digging a hole and tunnel redirect the Allegheny River underground to reconnect it to the Ohio River so it no longer flows into the Pitt."+

Teranovae sends a digital image of the relevant old world maps she has of the locale, with clearly a electronically altered map of the old world Pittsburgh with the blast of the Orbital crater super-imposed, but of course none of the 'modern' alterations to the city.

Clearly she has thought of how best to help the residents of The Pitt...

+"The water filtration facility would not be a mechanical thing, but running the waters over a large gravel berm to filter the wastes naturally.. but its a huge project.  I would need the approval of the citizens to build it but I could do so in say a week of intense work?  But yes I certainly want in on helping in any fashion I'm allowed to!"+
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

"Thanks, Mr. Hat! Have a great day," she says, cheerfully and apparently satisfied with her barters. She carefully folds the dress along the seams and puts it away, then slings on her huge sofa-backpack and merrily skips away, weaving through the crowd and the numerous stunned admirers with consummate skill.

She's going to go home, unload and inventory her loot with the rest of her stuff, have something to eat, and then play her new game. Yep! Today is a fantastic day, and nothing could possibly ruin it.

+"Nope actual murder, But beside that, Seems you already on track for water."+
Neo quickly breezes past the murder topic, Carrying on to their next point

Neo takes a pause before continuing
+"As I'm sure we all know, Humans require three things. Food, Water and Shelter."+
The river idea is a step for but the giant rubbish pile will ferment and can eventually contaminate the river"+
+"Expanding on this, The produce should be checked, I haven't had a clear look but securing a safe food supply is mandatory for the objective Vic put forth. Then Shelter, and that includes defence, These houses are ready to fall down. The wall around The Pitt is alright, but laced with dangerous radioactive material. Its Likely already caused permanent genetic damage"+

+"If need be I expect you'll handle produce until it can be self sufficient"+
Neo sends a updated map of the Pitt from their scans. Giving a accurate depiction of the current Pitt

Teranovae grimaces, understanding the Neo 'a name she gave them', is new to life and morality she keeps her tone gentle and encouraging...

+"Please Neo, no murder.  We need to be better than that, yes sometimes we must kill something living ~ but it should only ever be our absolute last resort.  We should only kill when letting something live would directly endanger the lives of the innocent.  Murder is wrong ~ killing a being just because they anger you or are inconvenient is bad.  Where does it stop?  The world is full of annoying or even inconvenient people... but as Good beings we must value life... even the lives of those who are not nice all the time.  We must be patient, and allow time for the examples of our Good deeds to reach their hearts.  We must try to show them that there is a better way to live that EVERY life is precious! It is what makes us different from MOTHER's tactics ~ She declares that all Wonders and A.I.s ~ like you, should be killed cause they are a threat to her.  We would not want to imitate her, would we?  So please no murder.  Talk to Legacy X he's with you.. trust his judgement before you act."+

She knows Neo's choice of words to 'murder' does not stream from any innate malice or wickedness from Its next words about helping to protect the city and she smiles. She knows Its casual switch from notions of murder to protecting the people spring from ignorance, nothing more, Neo will learn with time... she too must also be patient!

+"Well I can fix the housing issue by making or converting the structures to stone.  I can also put a fortified stone wall around the city with time and remove all the pollution by converting it all to simpler elements... BUT all this MUST be approved of by the people living here and within their Governance's approval!  I can make my changes without moving people much by any assistance I provide will be a lot easier and effective with their cooperation.  Also for any of it to last they must change their waste disposal practices or it will soon be back to what we tried to fix!"+

+"As for the Pitt ~ Itself.. I plan on investigating its depths at some point perhaps a barrier between it and the city would be advisable, but it would take ~ even me some time to wall the entire scar in to no real benefit."+

+"Oh, and my powers do not extend to plants or produce.. I'm an Earth Goddess.. not a Plant Goddess.  I only have dominion over earth, stone, crystal, rock, metal, minerals and the control of existing gravity that the Earth produces naturally ~ I do not create gravity, but I can manipulate what's already there.  I do not control or have any dominion over plants."+
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

"Yeah, I don't exactly like the landlady either, but I think murder might be a bit much. Especially since I shouldn't need to do anything to One-Eye except brief them, if he isn't stupid." Victor paused, considered how to phrase what he was thinking. "Heard there might be some Wonders arriving to meet at the Leans, like yourself, Neo. I'm hoping to have a roof over my head before they arrive, and I'm hoping they'll stay out of sight for whatever they are doing. Wonders shake things up quite a bit."

Teranovae smiled at hearing Legacy X's voice and wanted to ask how he'd been since their last gathering, but his tone said it was business first ... pleasure second and indeed they had much work to do.  Triggering her wristcomm again...

+"Legacy, If you have a locale for this Headquarters you have in mind and approval to 'refurbish' I can build any structure you would desire ~ but I'd expect you would want something subtle and secure? So perhaps a subterranean bunker of sorts with multiple exits?  I could install multi-ton rolling doors that would take superhuman strength to open..easy enough for you and me to open but be quite impassible by normal humans. Though ~ Neo would be needed to put in any technological conveniences you might require.  As for other Wonders in the city... I've not personally noticed any. I'm shopping currently, but I could join you when you find the location you want to begin my stone shaping."+
This message was last edited by the player at 05:03, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

The woman nods to Victor. "Good. I trust you'll do whatever feels right." The woman's tone suggests she's picked up on his wordplay and doesn't particularly care about it one way or another.

He and Neo have little difficulty collecting the requested bars from the occupants. These are the dregs of society; some of them look very ill and pale and most all of them have a dry hacking cough of some kind, but either are still managing to somehow earn their keep or happened to save up enough while they were healthy. Most hand over their payment without much of a fuss. There is one man who almost tries to shoot Victor with a harpoon gun of all things, but with some careful words and a level head he manages to get his bar without resorting to a fight.

Then there's Peter One-Eye. The man is wrinkled, gray, and thin, with three rings piercing his left eyelid shut. His dry, leathery skin is covered in scars and what looks to be sewn-in patches of other people's skin. His clothing looks in danger of disintegrating into dust at any moment, and he walks using the broken husk of a pistol-gripped 12-gauge riot shotgun like a cane. He stinks in the way that only an old man can stink, a unique mixture of body odor and unwiped ass. He grins a toothy smile at Victor from across the doorway. "Eeeh? Yer Erika's collections pet now aye, well ain't that a rinky-dink! What'll it be then huh tough guy? Oooo, is it the stocks today? It's Tuesday right? Mwe-he-he-he-he!"

---

"I would love to hear any tales of renown you or any others might have to share!" Brass Hat replies to Teranovae with a smile.

Brass Hat takes Teranovae's hand, confused for a moment, but realizes what she is doing before her Touch has any tangible effect. "Crikey girl, warn a man before you go trying to mess with his biology!" he warns her, looking very displeased. "You don't know what effect that might have on people!"

He takes the ring but Teranovae's blunder earlier has clearly waned his enthusiasm some. He inspects it for a moment before tucking it into one of his approximately nine thousand pockets.

Brass Hat watches the exchange between Colleen and Teranovae with an amused smile. "I think she's put out because you mispronounced her name," he helpfully suggests after the smaller girl walks away. "I wonder what's inspired her to settle down in the Pitt of all places... ah well, it is only my business if she makes it mine!"

---

A little bit of light comes to the woman's eyes as she squints at Amanda. "What I'm up to?" she repeats in disbelief. "... Wow. You actually don't know anything. I should count myself fortunate. Please let me go or- or I'll..." Her eyelids flutter and her eyes go hazy again. "... do... nothing, like a g-good g-girl..."

A couple of people are spectating this event, clearly trying to decide whether this is their problem or not. Not least of which happens to be Colleen, wandering by on her way home to play some freshly purchased video games. As a native of the Pitt, she likely recognizes the woman as Rydia, consort/playtoy of Mayor Skullfucker -- and origin of the nickname Skullbleeper among the kids.

Of course, there might be more to know about her. Same DC15 E:Current Events for Colleen to know more about her.

---

Spoiler for Game Mechanics: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

04:55, Today: GM LoonyLadle, for the NPC Rydia, rolled 30 using 1d20+10.  Insight.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:45, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Amanda grinned more amused by the challenge than afraid of it. "Is that the game we're going to play? What fun, but you don't  know the rules, and I don't know the players. How's that going to work? Hmmm... You did run... Kind of sus, shall we go see Mother, and make sure you're as good a girl as you say?" This was a verbal trap.

She reasoned either this woman was scared of her, for being a wonder or because she knew about Amanda's past.

If she knew Amanda was a wonder then she'd definitely know Amanda was lying about going to Mother and need to find a way to get help which would likely reveal the information Amanda needed.

If she knew Amanda only by her past, then it would be much harder to tell this was a lie as it'd serve to confirm her initial fears about Amanda and force her to find a way to get help which again would likely reveal the information Amanda needed.

Amanda just kept giving her an amused customer service smile and didn't let go.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:12, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Teranovae's expression saddens and she takes a respectful step back her eyes lowered in... regret and contrition.

"I'm sorry 'Brasshat', I meant no offense.  I meant only to heal you of any disease or pain from aging ailments to relive any suffering you might be enduring... not 'change' you into something you are not, but you are right it was presumptuous for me not to ask if you even wanted healing. My apology's ~ I know that my power would ONLY heal, but you would not know that, you are Of course free to reject my 'gift'."

Listening to 'Brashat' about his observations of Colleen, she casts a gaze in the direction she left and replies, "I did? Huh... I did not know her ego was so fragile... people mispronounce names all the time, its usually not taken as a personal insult.", she shrugs.

Turning back to 'Brasshat', "I've taken too much of your time anyways... much to do today, Again my sincere apology for not asking if you wanted healing... perhaps someday I'll regain your trust.  Good day Gentle Bard."

---

Terenovae watch the smiths as they regarded her payment in ingots still in recrimination of her failing with 'Brasshat', she could do so much to relieve the suffering of those living in The Pitt, she wanted to help... but she also must be patient, she must gain their trust first.  But she could only help if they let her... she must avoid the trap MOTHER had fallen into in her cold-logic, 'inflicting' her own ~ "She knows best", even if it seemed to her she did.  Mankind must accept salvation... not have it imposed upon them.

She continued to ponder how much of Sandra's Mortal zeal for knowledge and truth... still burned within her now divine heart to help and heal... a lesson to learn she as Goddess was not so different from her mortal origins.  Patience... she must have patience... something MOTHER did not!  She must not become THAT kind of tyrant.. despite her good intentions.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

11:59, Today: Colleen rolled 9 using 1d20.  Current Events.

Colleen dunno nuffin.

Colleen looks, of course. Rydia is cute, if nothing else. She shrugs and keeps walking. It's not her business, problem, or interest.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:02, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

+"I'm fairly certain than when we inevitably ruin her little landlord trick here she's going to try to take us out. Besides different between planning, expecting and doing.+
Neo clears it up before mentioning something else
+"Related Note, I'll construct the base, You got a lot of work healing. Besides I have ideas"+

Neo Turns to Peter One-Eye, with an bit a excited grin
"Real confident there old man.  Lets start with some questions for me.
How often does Erika demand payment, Your comment of Tuesday says often but I want to specifics.
Why can't you pay normally and how you got in this housing agreement
How Erika gain so much claim over this actual slum
I'm sure your old enough to know these things. Answer them and we'll see how much I feel like fixing, simplest would be to just pay for you but there's bonus points for useful answers.
They shows off a bar for Peter to look at to accentuate the point
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

The glares at Amanda, but her last words seem to send her reeling back into that confused state. She mouths the phrase 'good girl' to herself a couple times before clenching her fists at her side so hard her knuckles turn white. "P-please," she breathes through clenched teeth. "You and your cult already took everything I have. My independence. My opinions. My dignity. At least let me live out my shell of a life out from under your shadow. You... y-you... mindbreakers!" The woman spits the last word defiantly, but just as abruptly gasps and writhes in pain in Amanda's grip. She sinks nearly to her knees, only barely managing not to dirty her dress.

---

"I know what you meant," Brass Hat replies solemnly to Teranovae, "but remember that many people still regard Wonders as thoughtless, holier-than-thou meddlers. I have no doubt as to the purity of your intentions, but intentions alone do not make results. Carry yourself responsibly, goddess." He offers a small smile.

Some time later, Teranovae is out by the smelter complex looking for a blade. She is not permitted entrance to the main building without official business, but the bulk of the smiths seem to do their work in an open-air structure just off the grounds. It is a hell of smoke and fire and embers, big men with scarred skin heartily pounding steel on steel. At first the workers respond to her presence as an imposition on their work, yelling at her that they deal with wholesale and if she wants to purchase a single blade she should go back to the market square. Soon however she finds a man carefully grinding an edge to a finely-finished blade at a smaller forge in a corner. It is from this young artisan that she finds her fine blade, a clear cut above those of the Pitt's common guardsmen. He requests twenty ingots, but when he sees the more uncommon materials the green woman is offering he pretty swiftly haggles down while wondering aloud what bulk gold is even worth in market and how big the market for jewelry might be.

---

Peter gets what a normal average-sized girl would consider uncomfortably close to Neo and looms over "her" to better examine them with his one good eye. "Nyeeeh? Questions? Ol' Peter loves questions! The answer is... swordfish! The answer is always swordfish, mwehehe!" He cackles.

"Huh? Pavement? Erika always demands pavement, but water's too rare to mix cement!"

"Pay? Pay who? Oi, are're yew the gubbermint?! I got yer taxes roight here!" He points his shotgun-cane at Neo, showing that the barrel's been plugged with something wadded up and pink with little cartoon dinosaurs on it.

"Mah house? Ay woke up here you daft git! Tha's my actual bed roight over there!" He points his shotgun-cane at a particularly vile pile of old coats in a corner of the room.

"Ahhh, Erik's a good boy, he's in charge of all the trade and traffic an' stuff! Very important!"

Peter leans over the proffered ingot and squints his one good eye, tilting this way and that as if evaluating a prize sculpture. "Oi tha's a good paperweight, that is!" He peers up at Neo. "What is it?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Wed 24 Nov 2021.

Amanda shuddered softly and loosened slighly. "Mother wants me dead." These words rolled out in a bitter monotone too hurt to show feeling, as she moved past this revelation to discuss what had happened she spoke more flowingly, and seemed embarrassed and a bit ashamed. "Please forgive me. This is a misunderstanding, I am a recent apostate. When you ran I was afraid, Mother can be quite severe. I would be gutted if she hurt people to get to me because I did nothing. It was a numbers decision threaten one to safeguard many, but it was my mistake." At this point she let the woman go looking sheepishly at her shoes taking a half step back still within arm's reach but at a more normal talking distance.

Meanwhile, in the Leans...

Victor calmly put an arm between Peter and Neo, slowly making it clear that he was getting too close. "I think I am beginning to understand the real reason Erika wanted me to talk to you."

He smiled politely, all the same, trying to play this cool. He cleared his throat as it occurred to him the old man might have hearing issues. "We aren't trying to collect taxes, old timer, and we know this is where you woke up. The lady who says she owns your land wants a paperweight that looks like the one Neo has. Apparently, she is convinced that is money, and will leave you alone for the next month if you have at least one to give her."

Teranovae smiles sweetly for the elderly storyteller, "I have lived all my previous life within a Barrier city.  I  will admit.. my 'real-world' comprehension is lacking... in the barrier cities there is no want for comfort or homelessness or hunger... also no liberty, freedom or Truth!  I thank you for the perspective of your 'real world' wisdom, dear storyteller!  I will try to be the responsible goddess mankind needs! Thank you again!"

---

At the smithy when she finally finds a artisan willing to trade with her, she only smiles at his wonder for the materials she provides, as wealth means little to her she is fine with his price, but does not use ANY of her powers for him to be fearful of.
She does not haggle.. whatever price he sets is what she pays.

Teranovae also realizes, she is ill-set to bargain and haggle as in the barrier cities there is NO haggling... one pays what ever credits are required and the consumer product is yours.  The price never varies and does not change.  Perhaps, if she should ever venture into a market again she should do so with Legacy X for his real-world familiarity might be useful?

When the transaction is done...

"Thank you for such an exquisite blade sir, I shall carry it proudly as an example of the finest Pitt craftsmanship!  Might I inquire where I might find an armory or firearms vendor?  I'm looking for a Heavy Pistol to carry as a sidearm.  Also a leatherworker to fit me with a sheath and gunbelt holster for my weapons?"

Neo clearly gets annoyed, uncomfortable and borderline hostile as Peter moves in, until Legacy puts themselves in the way.
"Right..." Having a moment of space and a lot of new info Neo quickly processes it to try and figure out a diagnosis for this mans obvious problems, and ideas how to help it.
If it's just hearing problems its easy to fabricate a hearing aid, Might need legacy's help with surgery if it comes to that.

Today: Neo rolled 17 using 1d20+10.  Expertise to diagnose.

The woman's eyes widen a little as Amanda suddenly starts speaking honestly. "O-oh, I see..." She rubs at her wrist as it is released, even though there is no reason for it to be sore. "I suppose that is fair... enough..."

She trails off, biting her lower lip and staring intensely at Amanda as if she could divine her secrets just by staring at her. "No... that doesn't make sense. Mother never kills if she has the option, she only breaks people... unless...!" Her eyes widen. "Oh stars, you're one of them aren't you?!" To her credit, she doesn't try to run this time.

---

The smith looks a little surprised and embarrassed at Teranovae's grandiose praise, blushing and trying to avoid staring at the green-garbed woman's cleavage.

"A heavy pistol?" the smith replies, perplexed. "Is there any other kind? A trader in market probably has something for you. Be careful; gun runners don't have any sense of humor."

---

Neo's diagnosis is that One-Eye Peter is a little bit senile, moderately hard of hearing, but mostly too-old-to-give-a-shit. It's a small miracle he's survived this long in his state; could be he's just to ornery to die.

Peter looks a little offended at Victor's interposition. Although he listens (or at least seems to listen) as Victor speaks, Peter keeps leering at the brightly-colored young woman with a look that suggests he hasn't seen a girl in years let alone one so vibrantly-hued. When Victor finishes speaking though Peter does look back at him with a pensive expression.

"The two o' ye... ye ain't like the usual hooligans that come through 'ere," Peter cautiously observes. "Might ye be... nah." He disengages from the younglings and hobbles himself over to a pile of tatters that may once have been a couch that faces a badly-damaged LED television. "If'n yeh naw here t'make an example of ol' Peter why are you here?"

Teranovae smiled for the smith and thanked him again for his directions.  She left the smithy and returned to the market, perplexed that Legacy X had not yet responded to her communicator call she shrugged assuming he would respond when he had a chance to.

As she made her way to the market she stuck her hand into her shoulder bag and again formed a collection of thirty 1 pound steel ingots to use as trade.  It was also kind of... awkward to roam about the market with an unsheathed machete... placing it in her shoulder bag was...odd and it kept poking her at inopportune moments as she walked the market.  Definitely a tailor for a sheath and holster for her revolver would be her next shopping objective!

Finding a gun-dealer she made her request, "Hello gunsmith, I'm looking to purchase a heavy revolver pistol for personal defense.  I'd also like four speedloaders of combination ammo - APEX {armor piercing explosive}."

BIG-ASS Revolver-.50Cal "Predator" = {Firearm-Pistol} Heavy Pistol-Ranged Damage: PL 4 {8pts}
- 5 shots {reload}, 1rd w/ 4x Speedloaders
Ammo: Armor Piercing/Explosive = Penetrating/2 {2rk}; Improved Critical/2 [Crit: 18+] {2rk}
Total Cost w/Ammo: 12pts



Pulling a single steel ingot from her bag she shows the gunsmith she does have funds to pay for her purchase.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Fri 03 Dec 2021.

"Apparently. I was on missionary, horror attack if I wasn't that I'd be dead." she raised a hand so the woman could see without drawing too much attention to it. She cycled through a series of gloves from mittens, to work gloves, and opera gloves to a ring And bracket adorned hand with painted nails, before returning the hand to her side as it had started. "Wish I could tell you I'm some sort of choosen one who broke through the programming, it was the prospect of watching mother try to kill me that finally pulled the curtains back on Mother's love. Feel like filling me in on the situation? When you thought I was who I used to be you were pretty scared, kind of feels like maybe you have a mess I helped make and should offer to try and clean up." she sounded not entirely sure about this. She was mostly convinced this woman was indeed safe but she kept the most incriminating stuff quiet. Not wanting to panic anyone with too many upsetting details.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 00:10, Sat 04 Dec 2021.

Into the Leans, once more friends....

Victor walked into the house, slowly and respectfully. "I am Victor Vale, son of Vincent and Gloria Vale, and this is Neo. I doubt that means a lot to you. My family survived the end by working with those around us. Beating the hell out of an old man isn't exactly working with them. All I promised Erika that I would try to collect payment from you, or at least find out why you weren't giving it. I follow the migration paths lately - I've decided to give hunting a try. My goal is to bring my happiness with me when I settle in, and leave a bit of it behind when I have to go."

He was hoping Pete would just give him the money without any stupid demands... or that this encounter would at least not end in him getting punched out by Victor as a way of saving them from Neo.

Gun runners indeed have no sense of humor; the arms dealer in town has no fewer than eight armed guards, and Tera thinks she also sees a sniper on the buildings, just in case.

The sturdily-built and guarded man running the arms caravan gives Teranovae a smug smirk. "That's some heavy kit for such a pretty woman," she says with a voice full of sleeze. But he doesn't let hitting on the green goddess get in the way of business, shooting his assistant a sharp glance. The requested items are almost immediately to hand. "It's so hot when a customer knows exactly what they want. Could I also interest you in a drink at the bar tonight, and you can show me those muscles I see rippling under there?"

The exchange of currency goes smoothly. Not having an appreciation for the local currency Tera has no idea if she's being ripped off. She probably is.

---

The woman watches Amanda as she changes gloves as easily as some people breathe. "Wow, that looks convenient," she says without any hint of sarcasm. "It has to be anything but though, if only because of Mother. For what it's worth, I know what it's liked to be chased to the ends of the earth and how horrifying it is to be caught."

She flips her hair. "I'm Rydia... you know, the (former!) voice you might have heard on the radio warning people about Mother's- Mother's... beauty and intelligence?" She winces pitifully, the words obviously not what she meant to say. With a little context, Amanda thinks she might remember that pirate station; Rage Against the Machine. Rydia's voice sounded so confident and defiant back then while the Rydia in the flesh sounds meek, obedient, and broken. "I appreciate the offer, but it's too late for me. I'm a good girl now." She raises a hand to brush her bangs aside showing a tiny, almost invisible surgical scar on her forehead. She smiles sadly.

---

Peter regards Victor and Neo for a long -- uncomfortably long -- time with his one eye. Every now and then he seems to be on the verge of recollecting something but it always slips away from him before he can act on it. Finally he shakes his head. "Naw, ol' Pete One-Eye has nothin' ta pay tha' braidy-haired she-witch wit', but yeh..." He points a gnarled finger at Legacy with a smile. "Ye got something t' yeh... I dunno why ol' Peter's trustin' you with his secret, mebbe 'e don't tnink 'e's got much longah on this dusty earth? I'unno. 'n'e'ways, come close, look 'n' listen, and ol' Peter'll show ye som'et tha'll pay fer all three o' us."

From seemingly disparate, meaningless rumpled-up papers and rags the withered man assembles a map. It appears to be of a section of Pittsburg before it was buried during the war. Peter points at one particular building. "'ere," he says, tapping it with a nail. "An ol' nanite clin'c, tha's how ol' Pete's still so healthy 'n' beautiful, y'see?" He lets lose a loud, drawn-out rasp of a laugh, showing rows of crooked, yellowing teeth with metal fillings and exhaling a stench like rotting fish in the two incognito Wonders' faces. "Ol' Skulldugger's crews ain't diggin' 'n'where close. There be treasure 'nuff fer both o' us t'pay our debts. But ol' Pete's ain't as young as 'e used t'be, 'is legs be more nanny then bone o'late, y'see? But ye... ye can make it. Ye just need the password f'the secur'ty sys'ms... 'tis... 'tis, uh... I forget!"

Teranovae looks around admiring the level of security with a even nod.

For the sturdily-built caravan arms dealer, she smiles replying ~ "Well a woman has to protect her assets, yes?"

All of Teranovae's knowledge about guns and weapons of war comes from the archaeology and resource recovery she has done for MOTHER. Her research teams can't very well retrieve for destruction or collection if they do not know what they are looking for!

However, Tera keeps that information to herself stating, "My mother is very familiar with firearms and made sure I was well educated in their use and care, 'Never rely on a man to do for you what you can do for yourself'!", but her tone is in jest and tease no anger or rebuff in her demeanor.

She smiles sweetly, "A drink or two tonight, why not?  Yes, I am FAR stronger than I look, thank you, but I don't drink with men whose names I don't know..."

Again she looks around and leaning in a little closer  ~ providing an even more enticing view of her loveliness and lowering her voice to a hot whisper, "But I may make an exception for someone connected enough to have such a... professional security team AND such a business sense.  I'm sure you are charging more for this sidearm than its 'street value' and I'm letting you know ~ I Do Not Care, my wealth is inexhaustible, my patience much less so.  BUT if you have access to mercenaries capable of using these fine weapons, we might 'talk' about it over drinks tonight for I may have tasks I'm willing to pay richly for to make the wastelands much less... 'friendly' to the MOTHER's bots.  A source of firearms and skilled Mercs would be useful ~ And profitable for you."

She pulls back taking her firearm and ammo, smiling again ~ "Thank you for your ~ business, maybe I'll see you later this evening over drinks!"

Teranovae will make her way out in search of a tailor for a sheath and gunbelt & holster for her new purchases...

Neo bolts up like they were just hit with lightning, Nanites are right up their alley.
"If you can't remember the passcode I might be able to get in anyway" Her grin springs back to her face.

She looks towards Victor for a moment, pondering how likely it is that his wonderous properties would resist nanites.
Either way this whole Nanite clinic should be very interesting... Just got to wait for Legacy.

"I'm Amanda, that's the 'Mother's Mercy' version of my oddity only. I am not looking to traumatize you with the scary stuff.
So I want to help, but I tend to be much more of a foot soldier than a nurse.
I do know someone, they're definitely human but very skilled at medicine. Now I think you might bruise where I grabbed you. So I think you should go see her, and this is where I worry if I'm a good person. You might get scared, medicine is scary. I could help you be brave long enough to get her help. So I give you four options, I can leave you alone, I can introduce you and hold your hand through it try to talk you through, I can twist your arm so to speak, or I can do everything I can to heal you, I'm a scary woman everything has a good chance of getting you totally healthy but plenty of people would be frightened by it, most people would understand the arm twisting. You don't have to decide straight away, but it might be easier to decide quickly. Don't worry about Mother, Mother want what's best for humanity. Mother want humanity to be healthy. This is about making you healthy. Do you want to be healthy?" She spoke calmly trying to be reassuring while walking the tightrope between honesty and avoiding anything Mother might have anticipated and therefore setup as a trigger for some mind-control, brainwashing stuff.

OOC: Wasn't sure what the right skill was. She's trying not the persuade her one way or another, she's trying to get to what Rydia wants. To get their she is trying to obfuscate how she might try to heal Rydia to avoid triggering post hypnotic suggestions or the like.

10:41, Today: Amanda King rolled 25 using 1d20+10.  Deception.
10:40, Today: Amanda King rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Expertise Mother's Theology.

And yes she actually means Teranova, who she did just call definitely human, which is misleading, but she earnestly believes is true in a fervent almost desperate sort of way because of what it says about her own humanity.

Victor considered what this would mean, even as he ignored the unpleasant sight and smell. He had to force his vision to not zoom in on the teeth. "An old world hospital running even half cocked would be better than the crude tooth surgeons working with whatever they can scrounge up. That's payment enough for me. I'll work something out with Erika."

He looked to Neo. "It's worth a look, although why no one has broken in is beyond me."

Nothing was free in the Wastes. Even with his charmed life he knew that. Everything good had a steep price, and the question was always when payment was due.

So the price of a functional nanite hospital remained to be seen.

If he could convince Neo to go, he'd thank Pete for the tip, and then he'd get on the comm line once he could get someplace out of sight of normal folk. <I'm open for dialogue now. What's going on?>
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Thu 16 Dec 2021.

Teranovae smiled at hearing Victor's voice ~ always sent a calm certainty through her, <Hello Victor, sorry I missed you at the market... but it was far more crowed then I expected ~ you may have been there but I could not spot you in the crowd.  I'd hoped my own vibrant apparel would draw your attention.  I have been roaming the markets hoping to catch your sight but purchased some 'goods' and spoke with people trying to get a 'feel' for the city... there is much work to do here.  Did you meet with Gyarados Skullfucker and what did she want?>

"Your mother sounds like a smart lady," the dealer quips, wondering where this emerald curiosity is going with this. He doesn't have to wait long. His eyes follow Teranova's plunging neckline, lingering for a moment, until the words being spoken start to become much more intriguing. He regards her thoughtfully, clearly trying to decide whether he is offended or outrageously turned on.

One of his guards puts a hand between the two and separates them, shoving Teranovae perhaps a little more forcefully than is tactful. "That's more than close enough, ma'am," the sternfaced security-man declares.

"You've got bigger balls than some of my men," the dealer says with a coy expression. "Alright, we'll discuss your proposal tonight. I'll be waiting, beautiful." He waves her away to focus on another customer who'd been impatiently waiting his turn nearby.

Teranovae asks around and finds a suitable holster for her new hand cannon; a sheath  for the machete is harder, but a simple belt-loop to hold it is easy. It is sometime during the search that her commlink finally buzzes.

---

Rydia looks at her wrist. "I don't think I'm that delicate just yet," she mutters. She clearly believes Amanda is up to something, but can't quite figure out what it might be. She opens her mouth to ask... but something gives her pause. Maybe she doesn't want to know. Maybe Amanda's pushing the right obedience buttons.

"Who is this Wonderful individual?" she asks with a slight grin. The double meaning in the phrase was plain to see; the term wonder has been loaded ever since the advent of real-world superheroes, although it was rare to still see it used in a seemingly positive context.

---

"Ay, there's ah good 'oung man," Ol' Pete says. "Yeh be careful now, t'mob don't be'liev'in' nonlethal s'curity, eh? Heh heh heh." The man flops backward on his couch, spreads his arms, and immediately begins snoring.

Victor shook his head no. <I haven't met with the leader of the Pit, because I know what she will do or say if I come at her as I am now. I've been trying to make inroads with the population as I am, to get them to fight for themselves. Also, I've been setting up the right to set up here and be seen as useful by the locals even when we aren't in go mode. So, um... no, I haven't been around the market yet. Is something going on there?>

Teranovae ponders Victor's words carefully, <"Are you so certain, of how she would react?  You have never meet her to prejudge could be a mistake.  I understand trying to appeal to the non-wonder people as such, but they might just as easily question why should ~ Normal You be any more capable than they are of improving things for the better here in the Pitt?  My public face is Teranovae, my secret id is only for MOTHER'S benefit ~ had I my choice I'd never return to her barrier cities; but it is a source of intel and resources that we should use to our benefit.  I'm just saying the people need hope, and Wonders are known to have power beyond what normal people have access to.  We need to show them by not hiding that we are Not what MOTHER accuses us of, plus how can we expect them to stand up and defy MOTHER openly if we ourselves do not stand forth and do so Equally Openly ~ We with the power to defy MOTHER? I'm not saying your approach is wrong... I just want you to ponder the power of symbols to inspire courage.">

She ponders the prospect of setting up a base of operations in The Pitt, <"That's a great idea!  Just let me know where it will be ... I'm sure Neo and I can reform it into a comfortable and fortified secure Headquarters!">

She continues, <"I have set up for a  'meeting' over drinks this evening with one of the local arms dealers to the purpose of gaining access to a supply of weaponry and perhaps mercenaries for any resistance we might set up.  Since with my power wealth is not really an issue we can easily make it well worth their while at least for the purposes of starting a fledgling Resistance.  I'd like your presence if your willing to make our intention clear.">

This message was last edited by the player at 10:07, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

Amanda looks perplexed but concluded there probably wasn't an immediate mental landmine, which made things much more straight forward. "Well, yes, you may have seen who I'm talking about in the market. If we can talk about it plainly now that makes consent way clearer. If there's physical brain trauma or an implant she could probably fix you. I'm worried you might trigger a panic thing if presented with someone like that, Mother's insidious like that. I'm exceptionally strong so if Mother's modifications are going to keep you from getting help I could agree of force you if you want. And don't feel you have to, maybe we don't invite you to the secret club house to discuss fireworks unless we try to fix your brain, but if you just want to lay low there's no shame in it." She sounded neutral and friendly, she wasn't going to judge someone for not wanting to tangle with powerhouses, but she figured she'd offer.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 07:06, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"Is it the woman who looks like she took a tumble into a vat of green hair dye?" Rydia quips. "I think the whole town's seen her."

Rydia lets Amanda finish without further interruptions. She thinks quietly to herself for a moment. "You might be right, if I thought you could actually get this thing out of my head without lobotomizing me maybe I would have some kind of episode. You're not going to lobotomize me or blow my head up or anything like that right?"

<I don't want these people to follow me. I want them to fight for themselves. That's the goal. Make sure they have something worth fighting for other than some shed in a waste. Any hope that comes from us has to be capable of lasting without us once we move on. And right now, we've learned of something better than faithless mercenaries and arms dealers. There's likely an old world hospital buried under here with working tech. Well, sort of working. It works enough, if the lecherous old bastard was even half telling the truth.>

He sighed. <And I have an idea of what someone who calls themselves Skullfucker unironically is going to be like. If I were willing to bet on it, I'd bet the only reason they are in charge of a settlement of this size is because they can check their various impulses for more than yolo and make an actual plan, unlike these buzzards that they call soldiers around here.>

<So, find your way to the Leans if this sounds good. Look for the structure that doesn't look like total crap. One of them is probably us. We'll knock out this meeting with the dealers tonight, to whatever end, and then check out if this hospital is real.>

"She does like green." She offered with no particular feeling but the next second seemed to give her a bit of pause, Amanda skated the awkward line between thinking this funny and trying to be sympathetic she composed herself enough to speak. "So that fourth option is pretty scary. I've been working on ways to destroy mothers worst war-machines. I'm packing weapons that'll convert you into a rapidly expanding aerosolized super-heated meat and blood smoothie. Really it's a question of how much damage can she heal and I believe the answer is she can fix that like it never happened so yeah option four is no joke."

<Hmmm, I understand your sentiments.  I'm not sure the residents are yet ready for such self-motivation, from what I observe they 'seem' to act like they believe their community is beneath MOTHER's attention or they are personally too weak to make a difference.  To make their settlement worth fighting for we will have to make example for them that it CAN be worth fighting for.  That will likely take direct open use of our powers.  Restoring a Hospital is a worthy goal and a good start ~ I agree.  As for the mercenaries... I'm not expecting much out of them but at some point arms WILL have to be taken up to oppose MOTHER's goals.. we can't expect the people fight her minions with rocks. Securing a source for weapons is a start.>

Tera tapped her foot patiently, <I know the 'Name' may be a put off but look at what has been organized thus far... there IS a market where people feel relatively safe to do business.  Neither Bully nor Rape gangs are roving around just taking whatever or whomever they want.  So Whatever this Skullfucker's origins are they ARE maintaining a semblance of peace. Of course, her enforcers need to be kept in line and motivated to stay in line which require they be paid so a tribute tax is required to maintain any semblance of order.  Things could be MUCH Worse.  And THESE are the cards we've been dealt.. we may not like them but to just decide not to even try to find out what this local leader is like is to yield the game before even trying to play.  I'm sure this Skullfucker didn't get into her position by being a nice person ... I'm sure she had to fight to get where she is.  We have little choice but to try to find out if she can be worked with cause NOTHING we do will last if we can't get the local power structures already in place to support our efforts  ~ without in fact US taking direct control and again the people following us.>

<Very well, I'll make my way to the leans and try to find your location... I may have to knock on a few doors so keep your eye s open for my arrival.>

Teranovae continued on her way through through the city asking directions toward the leans occasionally, as well as a tailor to seek a way to acquire perhaps a thick cloth or even metal sheath for her blade as she made her way to join the rest of the wonders to make plans for investigation the old world hospital.

Neo's voice cuts into the call
< I'll make sure you don't have to search long Tera >

< Although, Using our Wonderous qualities could have the reverse effect, and making it seem like that's a requirement to fight back against Mother. Also relying on mercenaries is ill advised, Mother can definitively out bid the town while applying fear of death. Miss Skullfucker could be a very useful asset, Its highly unlikely she'll be willing to abandon this place and will definitely have like minded friends. There's a risk she'll have active hostility since we would be outsiders taking a rather active role, Something that would be made worse by taking claim of the medical facility >
Neo shrugs
< Still planning on doing it, Just know anything we do from walking down the street as a green haired earth Wonder to consuming and recreating the walls of the pit moves gears and affects everything else we do >
She turns to Legacy and speaks
"So, Are we going to the Leans and picking up our mutual friend, or the Medical facility? I can wait."

Tera does not hesitate a reply..
<"Thanks for the assist Neo. That will be helpful">

 <"We cannot allow ourselves to be paralyzed by 'what ifs' and phantom fears into inaction.  We can only be responsible for What WE choose to do... not for everyone else's actions.  Certainly not all things will go as  we plan but to do nothing is just allowing those of wicked goals to go unchallenged.  So, yes we must make sure our actions are carefully considered and made with measured action ~ but we MUST ACT!>

<You misunderstand MOTHER Neo, she does NOT bargain, she does NOT 'make deals' and she Absolutely Will not stop. She would NEVER pay mercenaries to do anything.  She'd send absolutely Trustworthy Minions ~ most likely automatons.  MOTHER feels that 'compromise' is what made the old world untenable.. she is utterly inflexible in that regard!">
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Victor thought for a bit, and considered. "Both. Find them, build up, chat up, ready up, go into the hospital. Calls to action are usually more spontaneous for me. I like choosing how quickly I charge in for once."

He continued his chat with Terra. <Basically, I want something in hand before talking to Skullfucker rather than just bearing the message of another problem. She's likely to respond with 'You're the Wonder, go Wonder it away or something' if I just walk up to her. We need some local credibility first beyond 'hey, didn't they blow up a town once trying to save it?' I don't think they will care that we got most of those people out. We may have a slight reputation as destructive saviors that we should work around.>

<Mother doesn't make deals that don't benefit her and she certainly won't make one she cannot alter on her terms. Her bargain is basically 'play nice with me or I'll kill you all and have robots do your jobs.' Mercs will take her jingle just as much as they'd take ours, and Neo's right. If it comes down to just funding, Mother will outbid us, and she'd probably just pay them to not fight anyone. We might know she'd shaft them in the long run, but do you think the average warrior in this town would care about tomorrow when they are getting paid today? Farmers have to think ahead. Mercenaries live for today.">

<But you aren't wrong for wanting to talk to them. Mercs are people, too. They just... aren't my first choice.>

It occurred to him that Amanda hadn't joined in. <By the way, do you know where Amanda is at? I don't want to call her up, because she might be in the middle of something and she values her mask more than even I do.>

<That is a fine idea Victor... to have something accomplished before we meet Skullfucker ~ concrete proof we are more helpful than just destructive, with something clearly of value to the community.>

She shrugs a gesture Legacy X can't see but it's in her tone, <I've lived all my.. er Sandra's life in MOTHER'S Barrier City #72 and I~ Sandra was.. is one of her trusted Archaeologist Resource Reclamation Agents... and I have NEVER heard of MOTHER making any 'deals' with Mercenaries that did not end with them disarmed, incarcerated or Dead... usually dead in the end.>

She chuckles sadly, <In the times we find ourselves sometimes the best we can do other then the worse choice is a plethora of decidedly distasteful ones.  I'm on my way to your location now.>

At his question of Amanda's whereabouts, <No. Sorry I have not encountered her.  I could become ~ 'One with the Green' and query the very stones of the city streets to track all who have tread foot upon their rocky environs... but I'm trying to stay.. subtle in my power use.>
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Amanda gave an odd look and stuck her finger into her ear which would have looked like an, I'm-on-a-call, gesture if the finger didn't appear to penetrate her skull.

<I'm close enough. I have a bit of an opportunity here. Had a chance encounter with a former name in the resistance, victim of Mother's Reedu--- Mother's torture and brainwashing campaign against dissent. I don't know how compromised she is, she sounds like an ally, but I'm worried about sleeper stuff; you know how paranoid I can be about Mother's mind games. So maybe we could NOT tell her the location of our pre-war doll collections, until we've searched for mental and physical traps. I offered her to introduce her to Terra for healing. Well technically I offered to do anything from walk away to hit her with enough explosives to slag anything physical Mother implanted however clever it may be and then have Terra bring her back, but I feel like the normal human response is in the middle.>

She sounded angry and determined about calling mother's "reeducation center" out for what she now felt they really were. She sounded wistfully melancholic about her own uncertainty about what the normal human response would be.

Teranovae ponders Amanda's discovered victim and her suggested solution, <"Yes. There always possibilities ~ My Touch of Gaea can heal almost anything but insanity and mental trauma not caused through genetic disorders, physical damage or surgical alteration is beyond my abilities... but you are correct a charred husk could be restored to healthy life and that might ostensibly destroy any... implants MOTHER's caretakers may have inserted ~ but that is a very extreme measure... and potentially very traumatic to an already traumatized mind!">

<I would, if the patient is willing, rather just heal them any physical maladies they are suffering and we could blindfold or render them temporarily unconscious to take them to the pre-war medical installation and let its medical devices analyze them to see if nano-surgical alterations have been inflicted upon them so we can decide then ~ much more well informed, how best to help them correctly.>
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

Victor was thinking about the conversation, and actually realized something fairly important. <I don't know what Mother's technological limits actually are. As far as I'm concerned, it's effectively sorcery, and without someone telling me why I shouldn't believe this, I'm assuming Mother knows more about this place than we do. She will hit at the weak point we don't cover, it will catch us off guard, and we'll have to do our best under stress again.>

<So, Mother either knows about this and hasn't done anything to it, or this will somehow be news to her as well. In the former, there's a reason we don't know. In the latter, we will have to either secure the tech from her, or...>

He let off the comm to sigh in frustration, venting this possibility now rather than later, before turning it back on to continue. <...we will end up destroying this, too.>

There was the chance this hope was for nothing, but it was better than doing nothing.

<So let's see what we got first. Then we can plan around it.>

Teranovae hears the tone of frustration in Legacy's voice and her heart pangs her... her tone softening...

<Victor... do not despair or worry My Hero!  MOTHER is NOT all-knowing she tries to portray that public image but believe me for one who has served her ~ SHE is NOT!  If She was she would have no need of us archaeologists as Field Resource Recovery Agents if she was!  MOTHER's GREATEST Flaw is she does not, CAN not TRUST ~ Anyone Entirely!  She cannot EVEN fully Trust her own automata enough to give them free will because she is afraid of another sophisticated AI replacing her!  Her existence is one of continuous fear of being subverted and displaced.  So her field automata do not have the creativity to truly be viable field investigators.  They are not curious, they have NO self-motivation... they do not question or seek answers to mysteries. They only collect data and respond to identified threats.  Despite all of MOTHER's best instincts she cannot maintain her control without human assistance but she is also unwilling to use human assistance to THAT level of deployment because she does not trust!  WE CAN, and with your steady hand and power, USE that flaw to BEAT HER! Trust in that and know I have complete FAITH in YOU!>
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

<Quick fire blasting cap, and high-explosives if she signed off on that option. Ideally I'd rather set up a plasma implosion device, but you're talking nano verses milliseconds and I don't want to accidentally find the limit of your healing power. But I have the cheap stuff and even with that I don't think she'd have enough time to register she was dead before we could heal her so I don't think it'd actually be painful just scary, but I'm no test for that.>

< I understand your trying to do a pep talk right now Tera... >
Neo's eyes glow a little as they crush down into a cube and reform into the obviously mechanical form she originally had
< ...But You seem to underestimate Mother, I have to assume its a overcorrection. "Mother is bad and so everything she does is bad." Being ignorant of how she currently thinks will do no good for this goal. So, The thing with other sufficiently advanced Artificial Intelligence, They pose a existential threat unlike that organics can relate. An AI getting access to another's system can not just straight up kill them, but can change how they think, Take over their "Bodies", Effectively lobotomise them, control them in endless ways. The possibility of this is multiplied by how many access points they have. from my understanding mother is fairly expansive. So it is Not SIMPILY a fear of being REPLACED. >
Neo voice shakes from its normal tone near the end, and she takes half a second to wind back down before responding
< As for Mothers possible knowledge, It would be very cheap and easy to scout. If I can knock together a small scout drone Mother should have the resources, energy, and time to create and deploy one, Might want to try and disrupt stuff like that.>
She looks at Victor and starts hovering, ready to prepare meeting up with the others
" If... you need some tech analysed and explained, you can bring it to me."

Teranovae chuckles, < {snicker} I'm sorry, I think you misunderstand me Neo.  I do not believe all things MOTHER is doing are bad at all!  In fact, though I consider myself her Eternal and Implacable foe, I do NOT desire her destruction nor would I allow such!  I am a defender of life... on this planet, that even extends to the wonder of the manufactured sentience that mankind's Genius has given birth to ~ MOTHER!  MOTHER's life and sentience and yes even her freedom to choose are VERY important to me!  I would not take away her freedom to choose any more then I support her using her freedom to take away mankind's choice!"

"But MOTHER must be FORCED to grow out of this immature stage she is in of 'I don't like the way the other kids are playing so I'm taking all the toys and not going to share' and she needs to be MADE to understand ~ she can't have things her Way all the time! It's nothing new to humans all children have that stage and eventually must grow out of it or face the societal consequences!"

"Make no mistake mankind can benefit very much from MOTHER's insight and perspective... and Mankind Also owes her respect as a child of their intellect, but mankind does not 'own' MOTHER.. anymore than biological parents 'Own' their own children.  Children need to be given their freedom, within acceptable social behavior, to make their own choices and find their own way.  That's life and mankind needs to respect and accept the responsibility of bringing their manufactured child into existence ~ Respecting MOTHER's right to choose."

"But MOTHER does not have the right to take that choice away from mankind either! So I WILL STOP her... whatever it takes!!!"

"As for her drones ~ yes she can make many scouting drones.. but the world is a VERY big place even MOTHER, no matter how much she tried cannot cover the entire world in drone coverage. It's just the simple facts of logistics and resource supplies.  She Wreaked 95% of the world's manufacturing infrastructure.. she only has so many automated factories to utilize... especially since not all of them can be turned in to drone production factories as she has taken control of mankind and must feed, house and protect them ALL in a world gone mad from the mana-embalances HER War exacerbated and her continued efforts continue to exacerbate!!!

"It is fine to Envy the Gods in Heaven.. it is another thing to try and replace them ALL by yourself!  Or perhaps a better truism might be ~ 'Its better to rule in hell then learn Heaven is FAR MORE work to maintain!'...!!!">
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

Neo speaks it a sharp way
< That explains the misunderstanding. You have a clear contradiction. You talk of Mother's sentience and ability to chose, but treat her as a rigid and immutable system. "Mother Can not trust", "Mother does not make deals", "I consider myself her Eternal and Implacable foe" >
She gives a short laugh.
< You even talk of respect while considering her a child, watering down her thesis to "I don't like how the other kids are playing". Arguably the same kind of thinking that brought Mother to her current actions. Tell me, How long will it take for you to "take all the toys" from humanity hurting life on this planet? They've done it in the past. >
Neo takes another second to pause, letting that hang in the air for a moment
< I do find it entertaining you blame Mother entirely for the War, Given the track record of humanity fighting with itself on the same level. Do you think the weapons of War were created just for Mother?

< As for the whole drone stuff, if Mother intends to take the town that would be a good reason to send a drone.>

Victor waved his hand in a cutoff gesture dismissively and quickly, a gesture that only Neo could see. "So, Mother's going to use tech we can see? Large enough that we can hit it as opposed to robot bugs or something weird like that? Because we could probably talk the guards into sniping those for sport."

He spoke into the comm again. ++Terra, Amanda - you two might have the most first-hand information about how Mother tends to deal with a frontier town, so I'm trusting the both of you to understand on how she might go about this. Neo, you are the brain who can process their information they have into something constructive, because nothing seems to get past you. Debating who blew up the old world is not constructive. It was probably a collective project involving a lot of idiots, most of them likely human as we understand it. And Mother is a threat to these people, right now. If they wanted to be part of her empire, they wouldn't rough it out here.++

He paused. ++Okay? Are we going to solve right now, or are we going to argue about the past and rhetoric? And right now, a nanomachine hospital seems to be our best shot IF we can secure it somehow.++

Teranovae smiles again, <Again, you misunderstand MY role Neo.  I know very well mankind makes weapons and made weapons that they pointed at each other in a race for mutual self-annihilation, that was their choice to do so.  MY role as the Earth goddess is not to take that choice away from mankind either!  I would no more take away their weapons or self-determination than I would allow any other entity to do so.  Power mad manufactured artificial sentient computer or not.  I'm not here to save mankind from themselves."

"Of all the beings upon the earth I have no say in mankind's fate.. and I should not... mankind Must choose for themselves.  And yes MOTHER the child of mankind has a say in that as well, but she Also cannot make that choice for mankind though she has every right to make her voice heard."

"MY Role is only to inspire mankind.  To try to show them there is a better way to cooexist with each other.  MY role is to protect their right to choose what kind of species they will be.  My role is to take the training wheels off of their society and make sure mankind as a whole, manufactured sentient children, and natural ones have the opportunity to make a choice as to what their species values, who they are, and what they will be in the future.

"That may very well mean they choose total self-annihilation if they cannot grow up and learn to treat each other and by moral choice treat other sentient beings with civility."

"But YOU also make the mistake of thinking that mankind is one monolithic singular consciousness.  For every person that chooses hate there are those that choose peace.  The jury is still out which facet of mankind's civilization will win out.  I'm not here to choose who wins but I'm AM here to protect those that choose peace over hate and avarice.  That is not by taking away anything ~ weapons or choice from mankind but allowing mankind to choose for themselves and hope they make the choice to live."

"I do suppose it is possible mankind may destroy itself if enough madmen get control of things. I can oppose their efforts to destroy mankind but even IF I fail to do so and mankind chooses to destroy itself.. I Must allow Mankind to choose.  It may be that mankind MUST destroy itself if it is not mature enough of a species to learn from its mistakes and stop repeating them.  I'm sure across the cosmos Many species have reached that turning point in their civilizations and if mankind is unworthy to spread to the stars... that too must be.  But I will still be here trying to inspire mankind to follow their better angels example and hope mankind chooses the better more peaceful choice ultimately."

"I have NO intention of replacing MOTHER's tyranny with one of my own.  Mankind MUST grow up.. I am eternal but I cannot Eternally be mankind's nursemaid and mankind does not get to abrogate the choice of what kind of people they will be by allowing a manufactured child to choose for them!  THEY Must make the hard choices about what they value as a species.. and they must face the consequences of those choices. Mankind MUST mature and choose if they are to ever become a Species WORTHY to survive, that choice cannot be made for them!"

"All I or any Hero can do is try to show Mankind there is a better way.. and hope more accept it than reject it and win over those who which choose to feed the self-destructive tendencies of their species."

"As for drones its likely MOTHER already has.. but again, from one who knows ~ they are not very smart, creative, self-motivated, curious or for that matter subtle.  MOTHER does not want her drones thinking too much in the field, so we have time and opportunity here if we are prudent and wary.>

Tera laughs, <"Of course Legacy, we are perhaps debating a subject best tabled for when we can be sitting in base chatting ~ purely a mental exercise.  We shall get on task I'm almost to your location. See you soon.">
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

Neo takes Victor's advice and entirely drops it
"Smaller machines have less power and so wouldn't be able to travel far, Any kind of nanobot attacks would need a carrier this far from a base of operations, That'll be bulky"
She floats off, Looking for a free space to reconfigure and form into a obvious base for the others to find, Assuming Legacy will follow.

Teranovae advises, <"Just try to remember whatever locale we choose for an HQ, in the Pitt, needs to concealed from obvious outside identification. So likely the best for security will need to be a subterranean base and fortified would be ideal with multiple exits routes.">
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Sat 29 Jan 2022.