IC- Chapter Three: Lone Wanderers
- Thread starter Gunslinger
- Start date
- Status
welsh
Junkmaster
In the morning, used the panga and the knife to remove the best portions of the Trog, then he tossed it on the fire. To this he mixed in a bit of chili pepper and paprika, and then, as an after thought added a generous cup of Mezcali to the pot. The alcohol would probably burn off but the mezcal residue would add a nice effect to the days hike.
After he had prepared his breakfast and while it simmered, he inspected the two dead bodies. As expected there was little but junk to be retreaved from the bodies. More startling was that, even headless, the wounds of the Trogs were already in the process of healing.
Grim suspected that if he came back in a few days, the heads might have grown back as well.
Dragging each of the bodies he brought them to the fire, and let them burn. The heat of the fire was enjoyable, and both Grim and Cerberus ate watching the Trog bodies light up.
The sun was barely over the horizon when he was finishing up his breakfast which he ashed down with a piece of fruit and a cup of coffee, a rare treat that could only be found in old Hispaniole.
Then packing his bags and loading up the Burro. Then, with Cerberus leading the way, they got back on the track and followed the caravan tracks.
The hike was a long but quick one, and Grim was unfatigued by the end of the days. More, he was concerned. Along the way he had passed a number of rather freshly dug graves. Some of the graves had been marked with names familiar from the caravan. Others had been dug up by dogs.
The last bodies he passed was that of dead Trogs. Like the others, they had been dispatched but were regenerating quickly. Here is paused to light them afire.
It was near night fall when he saw the tower of the University. Another mile and then, from a rise, he saw the camp site of the caravan laid out.
He had expected to feel a sudden anxiety at returning to his friends. Surely he was no longer the same man they remembered. Instead, he felt a warm comfort, as if he were coming home.
And what if they discovered his true face?
Grim had barely time to think of this when he heard a loud buzzing sound from over his shoulders. Like a giant insect flying out of the dieing day, something winged swept past him and moved towards the university.
OCC- JACIN- I need you to get that turret fixed soon!
After he had prepared his breakfast and while it simmered, he inspected the two dead bodies. As expected there was little but junk to be retreaved from the bodies. More startling was that, even headless, the wounds of the Trogs were already in the process of healing.
Grim suspected that if he came back in a few days, the heads might have grown back as well.
Dragging each of the bodies he brought them to the fire, and let them burn. The heat of the fire was enjoyable, and both Grim and Cerberus ate watching the Trog bodies light up.
The sun was barely over the horizon when he was finishing up his breakfast which he ashed down with a piece of fruit and a cup of coffee, a rare treat that could only be found in old Hispaniole.
Then packing his bags and loading up the Burro. Then, with Cerberus leading the way, they got back on the track and followed the caravan tracks.
The hike was a long but quick one, and Grim was unfatigued by the end of the days. More, he was concerned. Along the way he had passed a number of rather freshly dug graves. Some of the graves had been marked with names familiar from the caravan. Others had been dug up by dogs.
The last bodies he passed was that of dead Trogs. Like the others, they had been dispatched but were regenerating quickly. Here is paused to light them afire.
It was near night fall when he saw the tower of the University. Another mile and then, from a rise, he saw the camp site of the caravan laid out.
He had expected to feel a sudden anxiety at returning to his friends. Surely he was no longer the same man they remembered. Instead, he felt a warm comfort, as if he were coming home.
And what if they discovered his true face?
Grim had barely time to think of this when he heard a loud buzzing sound from over his shoulders. Like a giant insect flying out of the dieing day, something winged swept past him and moved towards the university.
OCC- JACIN- I need you to get that turret fixed soon!
welsh
Junkmaster
In the University Tower-
"The President needs to see this." Said the Com officer.
The Dean of Security looked at the message, read it. "Crooked Christ. I knew that damn caravan was trouble."
The Com officer spoke. "Sir we are not sure if the communications came from the caravan or from within the University. However, we do know that it was sent from within a range of 5 miles from this location."
"If we had a spy within out campus walls, why did it take so long to send such a message?" Demanded the Dean of Security.
"It's only the first message we have been able to descramble, sir. We are not even sure if this is a spy." Said the Com officer.
"Yes, but regardless, someone else knows of our location now." Said the Dean of Security. "Get those other messages descrambled. We need to know who is behind this."
_______________
On top of the University Tower the President looked down at the caravan. They would be going soon and that at least was a relief.
The treatment had involved a genetic virus. It would destroy their memories of the last week or so, and then the virus itself would die out. It was enough. Given a choice it might have been more efficient just to kill them, but Tabis had given other instructions. Risky. But that was the way of the world these days.
Most importantly, the outside world did not know of the project. Not yet.
The President heard the sound of the buzzing and looked to the East. In that moment of distraction, he didn't hear the man come up behind him. Nor did he realize his danger.
A sudden push from behind. He tried to stop himself, get his balance, but then he was pushed again, harder. His footing was lost near the edge, and he topped over the railing.
Then he was falling, falling. And barely had time to scream out before the end came.
The communications room was buzzing with activity.
"The President needs to see this." Said the Com officer.
The Dean of Security looked at the message, read it. "Crooked Christ. I knew that damn caravan was trouble."
The Com officer spoke. "Sir we are not sure if the communications came from the caravan or from within the University. However, we do know that it was sent from within a range of 5 miles from this location."
"If we had a spy within out campus walls, why did it take so long to send such a message?" Demanded the Dean of Security.
"It's only the first message we have been able to descramble, sir. We are not even sure if this is a spy." Said the Com officer.
"Yes, but regardless, someone else knows of our location now." Said the Dean of Security. "Get those other messages descrambled. We need to know who is behind this."
_______________
On top of the University Tower the President looked down at the caravan. They would be going soon and that at least was a relief.
The treatment had involved a genetic virus. It would destroy their memories of the last week or so, and then the virus itself would die out. It was enough. Given a choice it might have been more efficient just to kill them, but Tabis had given other instructions. Risky. But that was the way of the world these days.
Most importantly, the outside world did not know of the project. Not yet.
The President heard the sound of the buzzing and looked to the East. In that moment of distraction, he didn't hear the man come up behind him. Nor did he realize his danger.
A sudden push from behind. He tried to stop himself, get his balance, but then he was pushed again, harder. His footing was lost near the edge, and he topped over the railing.
Then he was falling, falling. And barely had time to scream out before the end came.
The communications room was buzzing with activity.
Lost Cause
First time out of the vault
OOC: Sorry guys, no ones posting so I have a quicky to post, hopefully somone can use it fer something (welsh?)
IC:
As Dominic slowly awoke from his dreamless sleep, light began to dance through the slowly flapping door to the somewhat unfamiliar tent-like abode he was laying in. As his thoughts came to focus, he began to realize he was on some sort of cart, which helped remind him of his few moments with the strangers that found him before he passed out.
"Where the hell am I?" he stated out loud to no one.
"You're in my wagon." Which came from an unknown voice to what seemed to be the front, which startled Dominic.
"Who are you?" stated Dominic.
"The names Ibis, and it's nice to see my treatment helped. But the real question is who are you?"
"Names Twitch. And thanks fer the help, guess i owe ya, seeing as in tradition you all saved my life, so I owe you my life in return...."
IC:
As Dominic slowly awoke from his dreamless sleep, light began to dance through the slowly flapping door to the somewhat unfamiliar tent-like abode he was laying in. As his thoughts came to focus, he began to realize he was on some sort of cart, which helped remind him of his few moments with the strangers that found him before he passed out.
"Where the hell am I?" he stated out loud to no one.
"You're in my wagon." Which came from an unknown voice to what seemed to be the front, which startled Dominic.
"Who are you?" stated Dominic.
"The names Ibis, and it's nice to see my treatment helped. But the real question is who are you?"
"Names Twitch. And thanks fer the help, guess i owe ya, seeing as in tradition you all saved my life, so I owe you my life in return...."
welsh
Junkmaster
OCC- Not a problem Lost Cause. Something is about to happen but I won't post till after Jim does the turret (tonight Jacin?) . Develop your character and the relationships with him.
ICC-
Twitch lay back in the cart. His head felt heavy and his bones sore and stiff.
Ibis looked down on the man, and smiled. "Don't worry, you're in good hands. You'll feel better soon don't worry."
"It's a good thing that Gabriel, Talon and the others found you." Said another, female voice. Twitch glanced to the side to see an attractive brown skinned woman smiling over him. "Don't you worry, soon you'll be right as rain. I'm Nat."
Twitch smiled at the beautiful woman. "Nice to meet ya. Twitch. Yes I was lucky."
Ibis laughed. "Luck had nothing to do with it. It's just the way the plan works, son."
Before Twitch could say anything more, another attractive woman appeared. "Did ya hear? It seems as if someone just feel off that University Tower."
___________
Further away, Grim looked up at the darkening sky for the source of the droning sound. It would get louder than fade away. Like a giant insect looking for something.
Above, the sky seemed to darken and the clouds seemed to begin form a wicked storm.
Grim increased his pace to the camp sight.
__________
Back at the camp sight, it was Gruug that first saw Grim.
"I see him.... A couple miles away, he's got that big dog and some other creature with him. Doesn't look like he's in trouble though."
Rogue turned her attention to that direction, trying to sight through the scope. Indeed it was getting dark but to Rogue's eye it seemed as if Grim had been born again. Last time she had seen him he were have dead from exhaustion, exposure, and could barely stand. Now he seemed to be at peak health, perhaps even younger, and running across the fields towards them.
Somebody screamed and everyone's attention turned. A finger pointed to the tower. The dark shape falling against the white of the tower was clearly visible to all.
______________
Unaware of the murder, the Security Dean was still walking up to the roof top where the President could usually be found when he heard the news.
There was a sound of gunfire coming from above.
Quickly the Security Dean ran up the remaining of stairs.
When he got there he found his guards. "What the hell is going on?"
The guard turned to the Dean, the shock on his face palpable. "The President has been assassinated."
ICC-
Twitch lay back in the cart. His head felt heavy and his bones sore and stiff.
Ibis looked down on the man, and smiled. "Don't worry, you're in good hands. You'll feel better soon don't worry."
"It's a good thing that Gabriel, Talon and the others found you." Said another, female voice. Twitch glanced to the side to see an attractive brown skinned woman smiling over him. "Don't you worry, soon you'll be right as rain. I'm Nat."
Twitch smiled at the beautiful woman. "Nice to meet ya. Twitch. Yes I was lucky."
Ibis laughed. "Luck had nothing to do with it. It's just the way the plan works, son."
Before Twitch could say anything more, another attractive woman appeared. "Did ya hear? It seems as if someone just feel off that University Tower."
___________
Further away, Grim looked up at the darkening sky for the source of the droning sound. It would get louder than fade away. Like a giant insect looking for something.
Above, the sky seemed to darken and the clouds seemed to begin form a wicked storm.
Grim increased his pace to the camp sight.
__________
Back at the camp sight, it was Gruug that first saw Grim.
"I see him.... A couple miles away, he's got that big dog and some other creature with him. Doesn't look like he's in trouble though."
Rogue turned her attention to that direction, trying to sight through the scope. Indeed it was getting dark but to Rogue's eye it seemed as if Grim had been born again. Last time she had seen him he were have dead from exhaustion, exposure, and could barely stand. Now he seemed to be at peak health, perhaps even younger, and running across the fields towards them.
Somebody screamed and everyone's attention turned. A finger pointed to the tower. The dark shape falling against the white of the tower was clearly visible to all.
______________
Unaware of the murder, the Security Dean was still walking up to the roof top where the President could usually be found when he heard the news.
There was a sound of gunfire coming from above.
Quickly the Security Dean ran up the remaining of stairs.
When he got there he found his guards. "What the hell is going on?"
The guard turned to the Dean, the shock on his face palpable. "The President has been assassinated."
Earlier that day-
After being directed from the one person to the next Jim still hadn't found a person who could give him permission to fix the turret. Jim was getting really frustrated by this, and made a vow to himself that he was going to kick the crap out off the next person telling him to go talk to somebody else. He rounded the corner and slammed into someone running down the street.
“Hey, who the hell are you?” Jim said, “ Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
He had bumped into the Dean of Security who was on his way to the counsel meeting.
“I’m the Dean of Security”, he said, “but I haven’t got any time for you right now.”
“Just the man, errm… ghoul I was looking for,” Jim replied nonetheless, “I need you’re permission to fix the turret at the gate.”
The Dean looked at him with suspicion, What are his intentions? Is he the spy? Will it be programmed to kill us all or will it help us? How is it that he thinks he can fix it when we couldn’t? He must have worked on one off those things before if he can fix this one…
These were the questions passing through his mind while looking at Jim.
“That turret? I would have thrown that away as scrap if I could have lifted it.” The Dean responded, not showing his suspicion, “But if you can fix it go right ahead.”
No matter the possible consequences, if the turret were functional, our defensive position would be improved considerably. The Dean thought.
“There is the matter off compensation though,” Jim said.
“But off course,” the Dean said, “There always is, what is it you desire?”
“I’m in need of a pair of clipps for my gauss pistols” Jim said.
“Done.” was the Deans short reply, time was off the essence. “Now excuse me, I’m in a hurry”
“I’ll need excess to some off your supplies to fix it” Jim yelled.
“Talk to Bill” he heard the Dean yell back, and he was gone.
_____________
It didn’t take Jim long to find Bill and get the parts he needed to fix the turret. He went over to the gate and got to work. After about ten minutes of rewiring, and cleaning the turret suddenly came to life.
Somewhere in the distance Jim could hear a strange buzzing sound.
“Ha, I knew I could do it.”
The computer rebooted and the targeting screen came online. Odd, there seemed to be some sort off flying device on the radar, it was circling about the campus area?
“Computer, specify target” Jim typed using the nearby consol.
The computer made a few whirring sounds, and then the screen suddenly went blank.
Jim kicked against the side and the screen came back on.
“Intruder- Intruder- unidentified flying object closing onto this location. ” was the reply on the screen.
"Identify target" Jim typed in to the small remote key board.
"Probability- unmanned drone- reconasaince type." Returned the computer.
A recon drone, out here whose would that be, who still has that technology nowadays? Jim thought, this can’t be good.
Something from his corner of his eye distracted Jim, and when he instinctively turned to look, he saw the shape of a man falling from a tower. The robes were similar to the Dean of Security, but of a different color.
This was too much coincidence.
“Computer, get target lock, then immobilize target.” Jim typed and the turret immediately made a sharp turn and gave a short burst of laser fire.
Blue bolts fired from the turret's guns, leaving behind an after smell of ozone and electicity.
Jim looked up in the direction the turred faced and saw a small burst of fire, and then, a smoking tail as a small object fall out of the sky…
OCC- ok Jacin minor edits so it didn't all get given away.
Edit: No prob Welsh, If you don't mind me taking out the spelling errors
After being directed from the one person to the next Jim still hadn't found a person who could give him permission to fix the turret. Jim was getting really frustrated by this, and made a vow to himself that he was going to kick the crap out off the next person telling him to go talk to somebody else. He rounded the corner and slammed into someone running down the street.
“Hey, who the hell are you?” Jim said, “ Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
He had bumped into the Dean of Security who was on his way to the counsel meeting.
“I’m the Dean of Security”, he said, “but I haven’t got any time for you right now.”
“Just the man, errm… ghoul I was looking for,” Jim replied nonetheless, “I need you’re permission to fix the turret at the gate.”
The Dean looked at him with suspicion, What are his intentions? Is he the spy? Will it be programmed to kill us all or will it help us? How is it that he thinks he can fix it when we couldn’t? He must have worked on one off those things before if he can fix this one…
These were the questions passing through his mind while looking at Jim.
“That turret? I would have thrown that away as scrap if I could have lifted it.” The Dean responded, not showing his suspicion, “But if you can fix it go right ahead.”
No matter the possible consequences, if the turret were functional, our defensive position would be improved considerably. The Dean thought.
“There is the matter off compensation though,” Jim said.
“But off course,” the Dean said, “There always is, what is it you desire?”
“I’m in need of a pair of clipps for my gauss pistols” Jim said.
“Done.” was the Deans short reply, time was off the essence. “Now excuse me, I’m in a hurry”
“I’ll need excess to some off your supplies to fix it” Jim yelled.
“Talk to Bill” he heard the Dean yell back, and he was gone.
_____________
It didn’t take Jim long to find Bill and get the parts he needed to fix the turret. He went over to the gate and got to work. After about ten minutes of rewiring, and cleaning the turret suddenly came to life.
Somewhere in the distance Jim could hear a strange buzzing sound.
“Ha, I knew I could do it.”
The computer rebooted and the targeting screen came online. Odd, there seemed to be some sort off flying device on the radar, it was circling about the campus area?
“Computer, specify target” Jim typed using the nearby consol.
The computer made a few whirring sounds, and then the screen suddenly went blank.
Jim kicked against the side and the screen came back on.
“Intruder- Intruder- unidentified flying object closing onto this location. ” was the reply on the screen.
"Identify target" Jim typed in to the small remote key board.
"Probability- unmanned drone- reconasaince type." Returned the computer.
A recon drone, out here whose would that be, who still has that technology nowadays? Jim thought, this can’t be good.
Something from his corner of his eye distracted Jim, and when he instinctively turned to look, he saw the shape of a man falling from a tower. The robes were similar to the Dean of Security, but of a different color.
This was too much coincidence.
“Computer, get target lock, then immobilize target.” Jim typed and the turret immediately made a sharp turn and gave a short burst of laser fire.
Blue bolts fired from the turret's guns, leaving behind an after smell of ozone and electicity.
Jim looked up in the direction the turred faced and saw a small burst of fire, and then, a smoking tail as a small object fall out of the sky…
OCC- ok Jacin minor edits so it didn't all get given away.
Edit: No prob Welsh, If you don't mind me taking out the spelling errors
welsh
Junkmaster
OCC- hope you don't mind the edits.
On the top roof of the university tower-
The Dean of Security huddled with his few men. THere were at least two men down, and the best they could figure out was that there were three assassins on the roof. They were using automatic weapons to keep the security detail behind the door, but it wouldn't last.
"Give me those grenades." Said the Dean.
Flicking off the pins of two grenades he looked at his other men. "As soon as these go off, rush in. Try to take them alive. But don't risk yourselves needlessly."
The Dean tossed in the stun grenades then went off with a resounding boom, then his men dashed through the door, weapons drawn.
One of the assassins had jumped upon the grenade, and had been obliterated in the explosion.
Another was standing near the wall, looking down at where the President had fallen. THe blast of the grenade picked him up and carried him over the wall. His scream stopped suddently as his body hit the concrete not far from where the President had landed.
THe last of the assassins, had turned away from the blast and had been otherwise unaffected. He drew his pistol to his head.
"Wait, don't do it. " Called the Dean. "You don't have to do this."
"You'll just kill us all if you take me. We know you would never have let us leave. Well you won't have me to help you."
The Dean of Security had suspected as much. A dissident cell within the University, mostly humans, had been asking to leave. Of course it was impossible. Knowledge of this place would make it vulnerable. But no one had expected such violence.
"Why did you do it?" Asked the Dean.
"You ghouls, you would kill all us humies. We know, we know...."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well this is better than your kind of death."
And the assassin pulled the trigger. The crack of the bullet, then he fell to the floor.
The Security Dean shook his head, and as he did so, he saw that smokey trail follow the drone down from the sky.
He suddently thought of a book he had read, long ago. Dumas, the Three Muskateers, and how assassins could be manipulated by others. THe spy, the transmission, an assassination and now something flying in the sky.
It was too much.
Behind him the emissary from Tabis had come up.
"You know about this?" Asked the Dean of Security.
"Yes, it means the project's secrecy has been compromised."
On the top roof of the university tower-
The Dean of Security huddled with his few men. THere were at least two men down, and the best they could figure out was that there were three assassins on the roof. They were using automatic weapons to keep the security detail behind the door, but it wouldn't last.
"Give me those grenades." Said the Dean.
Flicking off the pins of two grenades he looked at his other men. "As soon as these go off, rush in. Try to take them alive. But don't risk yourselves needlessly."
The Dean tossed in the stun grenades then went off with a resounding boom, then his men dashed through the door, weapons drawn.
One of the assassins had jumped upon the grenade, and had been obliterated in the explosion.
Another was standing near the wall, looking down at where the President had fallen. THe blast of the grenade picked him up and carried him over the wall. His scream stopped suddently as his body hit the concrete not far from where the President had landed.
THe last of the assassins, had turned away from the blast and had been otherwise unaffected. He drew his pistol to his head.
"Wait, don't do it. " Called the Dean. "You don't have to do this."
"You'll just kill us all if you take me. We know you would never have let us leave. Well you won't have me to help you."
The Dean of Security had suspected as much. A dissident cell within the University, mostly humans, had been asking to leave. Of course it was impossible. Knowledge of this place would make it vulnerable. But no one had expected such violence.
"Why did you do it?" Asked the Dean.
"You ghouls, you would kill all us humies. We know, we know...."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well this is better than your kind of death."
And the assassin pulled the trigger. The crack of the bullet, then he fell to the floor.
The Security Dean shook his head, and as he did so, he saw that smokey trail follow the drone down from the sky.
He suddently thought of a book he had read, long ago. Dumas, the Three Muskateers, and how assassins could be manipulated by others. THe spy, the transmission, an assassination and now something flying in the sky.
It was too much.
Behind him the emissary from Tabis had come up.
"You know about this?" Asked the Dean of Security.
"Yes, it means the project's secrecy has been compromised."
This was too much for gruug and his little band of mutants, first, the president of the university fell, pushed by an assassin who also fell, the ghouls killing the other assassins, the fixed machine turret firing at what looked like an aeroplane, something the master had been working on but never finished. And with that the Mutants got angry, there was more to this place than what meets the eyes, most definatly. Gruug motioned for the other mutants to come with him, and the went up the stairs, to the place where the ghouls were, with weapons drawn.
"Now you tell me what the FUCK is happening here!" Demanded Sarge.
"The university is going to be bombed to the ground untill all that is left is the vault beneath it." Replied Someone in the shadows, who sprang forth and punched the dean of medecine, leaving only the shoulders, but no head. Burt allready had his massive sledge hammer ready, and brought it down ontop of the persons head, smearing him on the floor.
"Now, if you do not tell me what's happening here, we" And Gruug swept his mutant arm to his mutants" Are going to kill everyone of you." Said Gruug.
"Now you tell me what the FUCK is happening here!" Demanded Sarge.
"The university is going to be bombed to the ground untill all that is left is the vault beneath it." Replied Someone in the shadows, who sprang forth and punched the dean of medecine, leaving only the shoulders, but no head. Burt allready had his massive sledge hammer ready, and brought it down ontop of the persons head, smearing him on the floor.
"Now, if you do not tell me what's happening here, we" And Gruug swept his mutant arm to his mutants" Are going to kill everyone of you." Said Gruug.
welsh
Junkmaster
Ibis put a calming hand on Gruug.
"Gruug, this is not the time for violence. Calm yourself and your friends. We must think and examine this strange item. PErhaps it will give us the clues we need."
"Gruug, this is not the time for violence. Calm yourself and your friends. We must think and examine this strange item. PErhaps it will give us the clues we need."
"Why don't you fuck off old man?" Asked Torth, guesturing one of his spears in Ibis's face.
"I don't think this little ghouls are the smily truth and such type, fucking dirty rotting filth that they are, and they don't really deserve to live, considering most of the ghouls in this room locked themselves away in a vault while the students got mutated. You think that's fair, Old man?" Asked Torth angrily.
"I don't think this little ghouls are the smily truth and such type, fucking dirty rotting filth that they are, and they don't really deserve to live, considering most of the ghouls in this room locked themselves away in a vault while the students got mutated. You think that's fair, Old man?" Asked Torth angrily.
Lost Cause
First time out of the vault
"Wow, guess that fate decided it likes me..." Twitch thought to himself earlier. Haveing been saved from iminent death, to be woken up by three beautiful women. What more could a lonely man ask for? Well, actually a hell of a lot, but Twitch wasn't complaining.
After finding some food and water, with the help of Nat, he walked through the caravan convercing with random guards. The information he found was kind of desturbing. The raiders in Tabis, the plague, giant mutants, prarie dogs, trogs, and now a bunch of ghouls at a school, with people being pushed out of windows. Damn, atleast he knew this would be an interesting trip.
With all that on his mind, it finally dawned on him that he didn't have really any ammo for his guns left. He shot off almost all 9 clips at those damn trogs. "Ah well,"he thought,"theres gotta be someone i can do a favor for fer a few Jacket hallow-points..."
As he questioned a few of the caravan guards, he found out that his best bet in getting some equipment was to go talk to someone name "Hook." He was told he was a big guy that ran the caravan in really nice armor, from something called the border patrol. So, with his new found information, Twitch went off in search of this "Hook" character.
After finding some food and water, with the help of Nat, he walked through the caravan convercing with random guards. The information he found was kind of desturbing. The raiders in Tabis, the plague, giant mutants, prarie dogs, trogs, and now a bunch of ghouls at a school, with people being pushed out of windows. Damn, atleast he knew this would be an interesting trip.
With all that on his mind, it finally dawned on him that he didn't have really any ammo for his guns left. He shot off almost all 9 clips at those damn trogs. "Ah well,"he thought,"theres gotta be someone i can do a favor for fer a few Jacket hallow-points..."
As he questioned a few of the caravan guards, he found out that his best bet in getting some equipment was to go talk to someone name "Hook." He was told he was a big guy that ran the caravan in really nice armor, from something called the border patrol. So, with his new found information, Twitch went off in search of this "Hook" character.
welsh
Junkmaster
OCC- OK, we need to do a bit of editing here.
Remember to play your characters, not the writers. What the writer knows is not what the character knows. This is not roleplay like Dungeons and Dragons, but more like a cooperative novel. For example, there is no way that Torth would know that Ibis often eats people. That the drone is a Predator Recon Drone, that the University is in trouble, or that there is a spy inside. These characters should be surprised about what's going on and somewhat confused. If you are given hints about what is coming, please keep them to yourself for now, and let the story unveil itself. Give your characters more believability by making them more curious, more capable of mistakes, not knowing as much as you do, more real. It makes for a more interesting story. Ok?
I will be doing a bit of editing so please hold on posting for a little bit.
_______________
Ibis stepped back from Torth, painfully aware that he was unarmed and without Cerberus. It was little wonder why the Mutants had been hunted to practical extinction.
But Gruug had been listening, and learning.
"Torth?" He said.
Torth turned his attention to Gruug. And didn't have time to react as Gruug's giant fist smacked the big mutant under the chin, lifting Troth of his feet and into the air. The mutant fell heavy, with humans and ghouls eager to get out of the way.
Dizzy, Torth looked up at Gruug. "What did you do that for?"
Gruug pointed a big finger at Ibis then at Torth. "You shouldn't pick on people who are smaller than you, Mutie. No honor in it. Ibis is alright. He's a friend. If you threaten him again with a spear, I'll ram it up your ass so damn far you'll be farting splinters for weeks."
Then he turned back to the other Mutants. "You stupid dumb impotent fucks. It's no wonder people want to kill us. Hell, they won't even invite us to dinner. Haven't you learned anything? The Master's plan almost killed us all and still you can't get along with people. You are my men now, and you will do what I tell you. That means only I will tell you when its time for ass kicking."
Then he turned to Sarge. "Sarge."
"Gruug?"
And Gruug punched him so fast no one saw it. The uppercut threw the big mutant up and then down into the dust. "You obey me. YOu don't give the orders, I do."
Then Gruug grabbed each man by the hand and picked them up. "Now, we need to go help the others and you have to stop making me look foolish."
___________________
Further away, Grim had seen the aircraft come crashing down. It was nearer to him so turned in that direction. But first he spoke to Cerberus, who had been whining his frustration. "Go to Ibis boy. He's up ahead."
With that the big three headed dog took off back to camp.
As Grim got closer to the crash site, he removed his geiger counter. As he had expected. Radiation, probably dangerous levels of it at the crash site. He gave the Burro a Rad-X pill and then some Radaway just to be sure, and then proceeded. As he neared the crash site, he found himself warming internally and a feeling of euphoria seep through his body.
As he neared he saw that the object had belly landed and had come to a stop in the trunk of an old dead tree. one of the wings had sheared off and the tail was mostly mangled. But the nose cone was still entact.
He looked out towards the camp. He could he the dust rising from where Cerberus ran back towards the camp. McReady and Things two and Thing one were heading out from the camp. Virgil, Jim and Pipboy were also among the people coming out, as were a number of ghouls.
Calling a warning about the radiation, Grim stepped back to allow the others to work. Most took what radition medication they had before coming forward. Those he recognized smiled and greeted him with a nod.
Jim came over and gave him a handshake. "Good to see ya back Grim."
"Good to see you too Jim. What do you think?"
"Ain't never seen the like." Said Jim.
Virgil looked up. "Good you're back Grim. We lost a lot of folks the past week. What we got here is pre-war. I haven't seen this since I was in the military. Didn't think they made them anymore."
"So what the hell is it?" Asked Jim.
"A unmanned drone- reconnasaince type."
Pipboy suddenly exclaimed happily. "Fusion Cells!"
Grim ignored him. "What's it doing here?"
But Virgil shook his head. "Can't tell ya until I take it apart."
Jim watched then said quickly to Grim. "I got to help. Better you speak to McReady and the others about what you've missed. Caravan's hard hit. Hook's dieing. Damn Plague. But he'll give you the low down."
________________
At the University, the Security Dean inspected the body. Too much coincidence. He was sure that somehow the a spy had manipulated this group to undertake the assassination. Sure there had been difficulties in ideas among the students. But never had it come to violence. In the end the President would have let them leave, given the right treatments however.
Now the airplane? Transmissions?
Quickly the Vice President had called a meeting at the Security Dean's urging. As form, the Vice President, now president, spoke first, "My God. What has happene?" He asked. He had been an old man before the war and had never anticipated the possibility of taking charge.
"We've been discovered. And we need to evacuate immediately."
Said the Security Dean.
"How?" Asked the Dean of Humanities.
"We know there is a spy. Perhaps it came in with the caravan, perhaps the spy had been here for long." Said the Dean of Security. "Certainly they had contacts among the dissidents before arriving or the assassination could not have taken place."
"The project is not yet complete." Said the Dean of Physical Sciences. "And now the Dean of Medicine has been killed. This will delay completion."
"We are gathering up the remaining dissidents now. However, the secrecy of the project has been comprimised. We need to leave. I suspect the University will be under attack before daybreak."
"But the project is unstable." Said the Dean of Engineering.
"If we don't move it, it may be lost to us. As you know, this project is the only hope we have against those from the South or the East." Said the Dean of Administration. "We can use the tunnels to move the project but we will need as many staff as possible."
The Dean of Sciences spoke. "We are already downloading all necessary files."
The Dean of Engineering. "The materials here can be moved to the secondary site."
The Vice President, still uncomfortable taking the helm of office, spoke. His voice was strong. Leadership had come unexpectedly and with invitation, and however reluctant he might be, he was responsible to his duty. "Then make it so. The lives of all ghouls, all humies in this area depends on our work, people. Begin the evacuation. I expect that the University will be vacant by morning. Perhaps one day we will return here. But for now, let us remember our mission.
The short meeting disbanded. Already the evacuation had begun. _______________
Remember to play your characters, not the writers. What the writer knows is not what the character knows. This is not roleplay like Dungeons and Dragons, but more like a cooperative novel. For example, there is no way that Torth would know that Ibis often eats people. That the drone is a Predator Recon Drone, that the University is in trouble, or that there is a spy inside. These characters should be surprised about what's going on and somewhat confused. If you are given hints about what is coming, please keep them to yourself for now, and let the story unveil itself. Give your characters more believability by making them more curious, more capable of mistakes, not knowing as much as you do, more real. It makes for a more interesting story. Ok?
I will be doing a bit of editing so please hold on posting for a little bit.
_______________
Ibis stepped back from Torth, painfully aware that he was unarmed and without Cerberus. It was little wonder why the Mutants had been hunted to practical extinction.
But Gruug had been listening, and learning.
"Torth?" He said.
Torth turned his attention to Gruug. And didn't have time to react as Gruug's giant fist smacked the big mutant under the chin, lifting Troth of his feet and into the air. The mutant fell heavy, with humans and ghouls eager to get out of the way.
Dizzy, Torth looked up at Gruug. "What did you do that for?"
Gruug pointed a big finger at Ibis then at Torth. "You shouldn't pick on people who are smaller than you, Mutie. No honor in it. Ibis is alright. He's a friend. If you threaten him again with a spear, I'll ram it up your ass so damn far you'll be farting splinters for weeks."
Then he turned back to the other Mutants. "You stupid dumb impotent fucks. It's no wonder people want to kill us. Hell, they won't even invite us to dinner. Haven't you learned anything? The Master's plan almost killed us all and still you can't get along with people. You are my men now, and you will do what I tell you. That means only I will tell you when its time for ass kicking."
Then he turned to Sarge. "Sarge."
"Gruug?"
And Gruug punched him so fast no one saw it. The uppercut threw the big mutant up and then down into the dust. "You obey me. YOu don't give the orders, I do."
Then Gruug grabbed each man by the hand and picked them up. "Now, we need to go help the others and you have to stop making me look foolish."
___________________
Further away, Grim had seen the aircraft come crashing down. It was nearer to him so turned in that direction. But first he spoke to Cerberus, who had been whining his frustration. "Go to Ibis boy. He's up ahead."
With that the big three headed dog took off back to camp.
As Grim got closer to the crash site, he removed his geiger counter. As he had expected. Radiation, probably dangerous levels of it at the crash site. He gave the Burro a Rad-X pill and then some Radaway just to be sure, and then proceeded. As he neared the crash site, he found himself warming internally and a feeling of euphoria seep through his body.
As he neared he saw that the object had belly landed and had come to a stop in the trunk of an old dead tree. one of the wings had sheared off and the tail was mostly mangled. But the nose cone was still entact.
He looked out towards the camp. He could he the dust rising from where Cerberus ran back towards the camp. McReady and Things two and Thing one were heading out from the camp. Virgil, Jim and Pipboy were also among the people coming out, as were a number of ghouls.
Calling a warning about the radiation, Grim stepped back to allow the others to work. Most took what radition medication they had before coming forward. Those he recognized smiled and greeted him with a nod.
Jim came over and gave him a handshake. "Good to see ya back Grim."
"Good to see you too Jim. What do you think?"
"Ain't never seen the like." Said Jim.
Virgil looked up. "Good you're back Grim. We lost a lot of folks the past week. What we got here is pre-war. I haven't seen this since I was in the military. Didn't think they made them anymore."
"So what the hell is it?" Asked Jim.
"A unmanned drone- reconnasaince type."
Pipboy suddenly exclaimed happily. "Fusion Cells!"
Grim ignored him. "What's it doing here?"
But Virgil shook his head. "Can't tell ya until I take it apart."
Jim watched then said quickly to Grim. "I got to help. Better you speak to McReady and the others about what you've missed. Caravan's hard hit. Hook's dieing. Damn Plague. But he'll give you the low down."
________________
At the University, the Security Dean inspected the body. Too much coincidence. He was sure that somehow the a spy had manipulated this group to undertake the assassination. Sure there had been difficulties in ideas among the students. But never had it come to violence. In the end the President would have let them leave, given the right treatments however.
Now the airplane? Transmissions?
Quickly the Vice President had called a meeting at the Security Dean's urging. As form, the Vice President, now president, spoke first, "My God. What has happene?" He asked. He had been an old man before the war and had never anticipated the possibility of taking charge.
"We've been discovered. And we need to evacuate immediately."
Said the Security Dean.
"How?" Asked the Dean of Humanities.
"We know there is a spy. Perhaps it came in with the caravan, perhaps the spy had been here for long." Said the Dean of Security. "Certainly they had contacts among the dissidents before arriving or the assassination could not have taken place."
"The project is not yet complete." Said the Dean of Physical Sciences. "And now the Dean of Medicine has been killed. This will delay completion."
"We are gathering up the remaining dissidents now. However, the secrecy of the project has been comprimised. We need to leave. I suspect the University will be under attack before daybreak."
"But the project is unstable." Said the Dean of Engineering.
"If we don't move it, it may be lost to us. As you know, this project is the only hope we have against those from the South or the East." Said the Dean of Administration. "We can use the tunnels to move the project but we will need as many staff as possible."
The Dean of Sciences spoke. "We are already downloading all necessary files."
The Dean of Engineering. "The materials here can be moved to the secondary site."
The Vice President, still uncomfortable taking the helm of office, spoke. His voice was strong. Leadership had come unexpectedly and with invitation, and however reluctant he might be, he was responsible to his duty. "Then make it so. The lives of all ghouls, all humies in this area depends on our work, people. Begin the evacuation. I expect that the University will be vacant by morning. Perhaps one day we will return here. But for now, let us remember our mission.
The short meeting disbanded. Already the evacuation had begun. _______________
welsh
Junkmaster
OCC- Smar, hope you don't mind me hijacking your character for a bit.
Lost Cause, I am developing Twitch a bit here because I need to tell both the Hook-Talon story and the Nat story a bit.
Hope it works for you.
ICC-
Twitch eventually found the tent where Hook was supposedly sleeping. He wasn't looking forward to this meeting. When he had mentioned Hook's name, many of the others had looked away, spoken in hushed towns or had other wise changed their tone to something more sober. As if he had been talking about a man not quite dead yet.
He reached his hand to knock on the door, when he heard the voices inside. Looking inside he could see a man dressed in combat arrmor sitting next to a bed. On the bed was a man horribly disfigured with black oozing wounds.
Twitch listened.
Inside-
"I'm not the right man for this.." Said Talon
"This isn't an election boy and you ain't being nominated. It falls on your shoulders like gravity pulls a dead man down." Said Hook.
Since arriving Talon had heard about the virus, and had noted how few men remained. The Caravan had lost half its number in less than 24 hours due to the mutant virus. He had been spared but only because as a Slaver, Talon had been exposed to the virus before and had survived. That he had survived the second time was perhaps due to some aquired immunity.
But Hook had not responded to the treatment. Instead, the virus had taken another, slower, form of death. The virus had erupted upon his skin, leaving the black puss filled boobos to fill until bursting. Inside the virus was destroying what remained of Hooks internal organs. Talon had suspected the air itself to be deadly around Hook, but Nat had told him that the virus instantly died when in contact with air. Even so, Talon wore his helmet and mouth guard on.
So much had changed. Reed had died trying to escape the plague's deadly effects by using what little antidote the caravan had. But his body had rebelled, and the allergy had killed him. So the weight fell to Hook, the Borderman as second in command.
Now Hook was finally dieing. The mantle fell to Talon as the only other Borderman on the trip. After that, perhaps McReady, and then there were no other's in the chain.
"They don't respect me." Said Talon.
"YOu fought through that damn Trog infested town better than most. You'll do."
"I'm a slaver."
"You were a slaver." Said Hook, "Now you're a Borderman. Uphold the honor of that."
Talon knew that was painful to Hook. There had been little love lost between the two men. When Hook had been given the order to take Talon along back in Tabis, Hook had balked. Only his discipline and loyalty to the Patrol had given in. IN his heart, Hook had always treated Talon as a lesser man.
The weight of the slaver tattoo was unknown to the men who didn't wear it.
"To Grey Cliffs then." Said Talon.
"Yes. Look, Talon. I don't like you. I never have. But you have to get that cargo to Tabis, see. It's that important. I can't explain it to you. But Ibis, well he told me something. He showed it to me, sort of. Damn it. I...... " The dieing man struggled to find the words, but couldn't. "You've got to do this thing. It all comes down this, right now."
Talon looked at the dieing man, but didn't understand. In the end it didn't matter.
"I don't particularly like you either Hook, but I'll do this thing you ask." Said Talon. "If for no other reason but to show your ghost I am worth more than the spit you've given me."
Twitch listening to the conversation outside didn't hear Nat come up until she put her hands over his eyes and whispered, warm and hot, in his ears.
"You're not supposed to eavesdrop, it's impolite." Said Nat.
Twitch felt a sudden warm flush from the hot breath in his hear. He also felt a stirring in his pants like he hadn't felt in a long time.
"There are other things I do that aren't quite polite." Said Twitch, smiling as he turned.
"Ya got money?" Said Nat, still plying her trade.
"Money?" Asked Twitch surprised.
"Yes, money, or don't you think I'm worth it."
"Well, yes, but, well no.... I mean." Twitch flushed red. "Well come on, I just came in out of the damn wastes. I didn't have even fluids enough to drink."
"Oooh so you don't have fluids to give me either. Well then, perhaps I asked the wrong fella?" Said Nat.
"I think I can spare for a lovely young thing like yourself."
"Well its money that matters, young Twitcher. Still, times are tough around here, and I guess I can work a bit of credit." Said Nat teasingly.
At that point the door opened out, and Twitch turned to face the tall form or the combat armor clad Talon. And he didn't know what to say.
Still looking for words, Talon grew impatient."What do you want?"
"Well, I just joined the company and need to get some weapons."
Said Twitch.
"You won't find them here. Try talking to McReady, the scout might have some or can tell you were to find them."
____________________
Grim spoke with McReady, and as usual the tracker and scout had few words. McReady was as visibly pleased to see Grim back as he was capable of showing, and that wasn't much.
The two men spoke as Grim, returned to the burro and led the creature away from where Virgil, Jim and Pipboy were working on the downed aircraft. McReady filled him in on the death of Reed and the illness of Hook, how they had found the University and what was going on.
When he was far enough away, Grim spread a blanket on the ground and began cleaning his new weapons. First the six shooter. Then the modified 10 mm with the attachments. The sniper rifle he returned to McReady and then began to clean and inspect the sniper rifle he had acquired, as well as the three AK-47 carbines. Then the pistols. Finally he began to work on the RPG launcher. He would keep the AK-47, the rifle and the RPG, but the other weapons he would either give back to the others and lend to whoever needed them.
____________
At the crash site, Virgil had successfully removed the nosecone to reveal a series of camera lenses. But as he worked through the wiring back to the hard-drive he found other wires that led back to something even more troubling. Based on the circuitry and the recoverable electronics, it seemed that the drone transmitted it's finding back to a source. The system seemed to indicate a form of satellite relay which was both directing and receiving information from the drone. That system relied on a satellite which picked up transmissions from another ground source and bounced it back to earth.
But all of this was technology that had only existed before the war.
__________
After Talon left Hook he went to speak to Ibis. Ibis was scratching Cerberus behind the ears, in a place the dog was especially keen about.
"About Hook..." Started Talon.
"Won't live past tonight." Said Ibis. "Don't concern yourself with it. THe man lived a good life and he did what he had to. Like you have to do what you have to."
"YOu know too much old man." Said Talon.
"It's more a curse than a blessing youngster. But take advantage of it. My time is short now too. Enough, you need to get this caravan going and pronto. No time to waste." Said Ibis, who had gotten up and started packing his few belongings.
"We can leave in the morning." Said Talon.
"If you do, there won't be anyone left to move." Said Ibis.
"You know something."
"I know a lot of things, but somethings I won't share or do you want to torture me, damn it. Now stop fucking around and get moving. YOu have a job."
"ANd if I don't?"
"We all die."
Talon stopped for a long moment. Then he gave a smile as if he doubted Ibis's words. "You're kidding me."
"If only I were. Look, you saw what happened. Someone killed off the President and it wasn't those lunatics the Ghouls think it was. And you saw that thing get shot out of the sky. Thank God JIm got it fixed when he did. Probably spared us a couple of hours. Make the folks who own it figure it out for themselves. " Said Ibis. "Look I don't have time or patience to explain this to you. But either we go or we die. Now make a choice and live with it."
"But wait...." Stammered Talon.
"No time son. No time left. Move it or lose it. Your call. Now stop pestering me." ANd Ibis walked away, to hitch his bulls and get packed up.
Talon watched him. Then, thinking it over walked over to the middle of the camp site. Gruug and his colleagues were watching the ghouls, and sure enough the ghouls had the same idea as Ibis. They were packing up to go.
Time to get going, indeed.
Talon brought his fingers to his lips and gave a long shrill whistle, grabbing everyone's attention.
Then he called out. "Alright, now pack it up. We're going to Grey Cliffs and sooner the better. This camp is going to be history in an hour, lets shake some dust."
One of the caravan men opened his mouth. "But what..."
Talon cut him off. "But nothing, we move. Gruug can you're people help out with getting this carts going. We could use the extra man power." Not waiting for an answer Talon called out to another. "Lets get the brahma herded and pitched. Lets go, let's go!"
OCC- Ok Sander or Jacin- do you want to pick up on this?
Lost Cause, I am developing Twitch a bit here because I need to tell both the Hook-Talon story and the Nat story a bit.
Hope it works for you.
ICC-
Twitch eventually found the tent where Hook was supposedly sleeping. He wasn't looking forward to this meeting. When he had mentioned Hook's name, many of the others had looked away, spoken in hushed towns or had other wise changed their tone to something more sober. As if he had been talking about a man not quite dead yet.
He reached his hand to knock on the door, when he heard the voices inside. Looking inside he could see a man dressed in combat arrmor sitting next to a bed. On the bed was a man horribly disfigured with black oozing wounds.
Twitch listened.
Inside-
"I'm not the right man for this.." Said Talon
"This isn't an election boy and you ain't being nominated. It falls on your shoulders like gravity pulls a dead man down." Said Hook.
Since arriving Talon had heard about the virus, and had noted how few men remained. The Caravan had lost half its number in less than 24 hours due to the mutant virus. He had been spared but only because as a Slaver, Talon had been exposed to the virus before and had survived. That he had survived the second time was perhaps due to some aquired immunity.
But Hook had not responded to the treatment. Instead, the virus had taken another, slower, form of death. The virus had erupted upon his skin, leaving the black puss filled boobos to fill until bursting. Inside the virus was destroying what remained of Hooks internal organs. Talon had suspected the air itself to be deadly around Hook, but Nat had told him that the virus instantly died when in contact with air. Even so, Talon wore his helmet and mouth guard on.
So much had changed. Reed had died trying to escape the plague's deadly effects by using what little antidote the caravan had. But his body had rebelled, and the allergy had killed him. So the weight fell to Hook, the Borderman as second in command.
Now Hook was finally dieing. The mantle fell to Talon as the only other Borderman on the trip. After that, perhaps McReady, and then there were no other's in the chain.
"They don't respect me." Said Talon.
"YOu fought through that damn Trog infested town better than most. You'll do."
"I'm a slaver."
"You were a slaver." Said Hook, "Now you're a Borderman. Uphold the honor of that."
Talon knew that was painful to Hook. There had been little love lost between the two men. When Hook had been given the order to take Talon along back in Tabis, Hook had balked. Only his discipline and loyalty to the Patrol had given in. IN his heart, Hook had always treated Talon as a lesser man.
The weight of the slaver tattoo was unknown to the men who didn't wear it.
"To Grey Cliffs then." Said Talon.
"Yes. Look, Talon. I don't like you. I never have. But you have to get that cargo to Tabis, see. It's that important. I can't explain it to you. But Ibis, well he told me something. He showed it to me, sort of. Damn it. I...... " The dieing man struggled to find the words, but couldn't. "You've got to do this thing. It all comes down this, right now."
Talon looked at the dieing man, but didn't understand. In the end it didn't matter.
"I don't particularly like you either Hook, but I'll do this thing you ask." Said Talon. "If for no other reason but to show your ghost I am worth more than the spit you've given me."
Twitch listening to the conversation outside didn't hear Nat come up until she put her hands over his eyes and whispered, warm and hot, in his ears.
"You're not supposed to eavesdrop, it's impolite." Said Nat.
Twitch felt a sudden warm flush from the hot breath in his hear. He also felt a stirring in his pants like he hadn't felt in a long time.
"There are other things I do that aren't quite polite." Said Twitch, smiling as he turned.
"Ya got money?" Said Nat, still plying her trade.
"Money?" Asked Twitch surprised.
"Yes, money, or don't you think I'm worth it."
"Well, yes, but, well no.... I mean." Twitch flushed red. "Well come on, I just came in out of the damn wastes. I didn't have even fluids enough to drink."
"Oooh so you don't have fluids to give me either. Well then, perhaps I asked the wrong fella?" Said Nat.
"I think I can spare for a lovely young thing like yourself."
"Well its money that matters, young Twitcher. Still, times are tough around here, and I guess I can work a bit of credit." Said Nat teasingly.
At that point the door opened out, and Twitch turned to face the tall form or the combat armor clad Talon. And he didn't know what to say.
Still looking for words, Talon grew impatient."What do you want?"
"Well, I just joined the company and need to get some weapons."
Said Twitch.
"You won't find them here. Try talking to McReady, the scout might have some or can tell you were to find them."
____________________
Grim spoke with McReady, and as usual the tracker and scout had few words. McReady was as visibly pleased to see Grim back as he was capable of showing, and that wasn't much.
The two men spoke as Grim, returned to the burro and led the creature away from where Virgil, Jim and Pipboy were working on the downed aircraft. McReady filled him in on the death of Reed and the illness of Hook, how they had found the University and what was going on.
When he was far enough away, Grim spread a blanket on the ground and began cleaning his new weapons. First the six shooter. Then the modified 10 mm with the attachments. The sniper rifle he returned to McReady and then began to clean and inspect the sniper rifle he had acquired, as well as the three AK-47 carbines. Then the pistols. Finally he began to work on the RPG launcher. He would keep the AK-47, the rifle and the RPG, but the other weapons he would either give back to the others and lend to whoever needed them.
____________
At the crash site, Virgil had successfully removed the nosecone to reveal a series of camera lenses. But as he worked through the wiring back to the hard-drive he found other wires that led back to something even more troubling. Based on the circuitry and the recoverable electronics, it seemed that the drone transmitted it's finding back to a source. The system seemed to indicate a form of satellite relay which was both directing and receiving information from the drone. That system relied on a satellite which picked up transmissions from another ground source and bounced it back to earth.
But all of this was technology that had only existed before the war.
__________
After Talon left Hook he went to speak to Ibis. Ibis was scratching Cerberus behind the ears, in a place the dog was especially keen about.
"About Hook..." Started Talon.
"Won't live past tonight." Said Ibis. "Don't concern yourself with it. THe man lived a good life and he did what he had to. Like you have to do what you have to."
"YOu know too much old man." Said Talon.
"It's more a curse than a blessing youngster. But take advantage of it. My time is short now too. Enough, you need to get this caravan going and pronto. No time to waste." Said Ibis, who had gotten up and started packing his few belongings.
"We can leave in the morning." Said Talon.
"If you do, there won't be anyone left to move." Said Ibis.
"You know something."
"I know a lot of things, but somethings I won't share or do you want to torture me, damn it. Now stop fucking around and get moving. YOu have a job."
"ANd if I don't?"
"We all die."
Talon stopped for a long moment. Then he gave a smile as if he doubted Ibis's words. "You're kidding me."
"If only I were. Look, you saw what happened. Someone killed off the President and it wasn't those lunatics the Ghouls think it was. And you saw that thing get shot out of the sky. Thank God JIm got it fixed when he did. Probably spared us a couple of hours. Make the folks who own it figure it out for themselves. " Said Ibis. "Look I don't have time or patience to explain this to you. But either we go or we die. Now make a choice and live with it."
"But wait...." Stammered Talon.
"No time son. No time left. Move it or lose it. Your call. Now stop pestering me." ANd Ibis walked away, to hitch his bulls and get packed up.
Talon watched him. Then, thinking it over walked over to the middle of the camp site. Gruug and his colleagues were watching the ghouls, and sure enough the ghouls had the same idea as Ibis. They were packing up to go.
Time to get going, indeed.
Talon brought his fingers to his lips and gave a long shrill whistle, grabbing everyone's attention.
Then he called out. "Alright, now pack it up. We're going to Grey Cliffs and sooner the better. This camp is going to be history in an hour, lets shake some dust."
One of the caravan men opened his mouth. "But what..."
Talon cut him off. "But nothing, we move. Gruug can you're people help out with getting this carts going. We could use the extra man power." Not waiting for an answer Talon called out to another. "Lets get the brahma herded and pitched. Lets go, let's go!"
OCC- Ok Sander or Jacin- do you want to pick up on this?
welsh
Junkmaster
Far away-
"What the hell happened?" Demanded the officer.
"Hard to tell sir. We had readings and then the board went red. All signal from the drone was lost. But then, we got this beacon signal." Said the non-com, quickly. The presence of the officer made him nervice.
"Sergeant, that drone was a one-of-a-kind item." Relied the officer. That the system was lost on his watch was especially disturbing.
"Yes, sir. I am aware of that. But it was an old system and when we did request the maintenance diagnostic...." Said the non-com, not realizing that where he was going with this could lead to subordination.
"No time. So the damn thing broke down." Said the officer, impatient.
"Or was shot down sir. It's possible that some kind of weapon brought the drone down, damaged the systems before a record could be sent."
"And that beacon?" Asked the officer.
"Yes, sir, the beacon lit up a few moments later. We suspect, based on the manuals, that this is an automatic response on crashing." Came the hopeful reply.
"Where?"
The noncom turned to face a screen. He pressed a button and the screen lite up. Bringing it into focus he quickly zeroed in on the beacon.
The officer nodded. "How far from where our field operatives signaled?"
Tne non-com pressed another button. Very close.
"Can you work a live feed?" Asked the officer.
"Working on it."
"Good, I also want what photo imagery we were able to collect. ASAP. Whether it was shot down or not, we have to anticipate they know that secrecy has been compromised."
Another one of the communication techs, called over."We got the feed up."
"Let see it." Said the Officer.
The picture was distorted at first, the picture wiggled and then faded out. Then suddenly it faded in and they could something dark, but little else.
"What the fuck?" asked the Officer.
"Well it's dark. Could be night." offered one of the techs.
The non-com zoomed the picture back, and back, and slowly revealed the big smiling, if dirty face of what looked like some kind of small man. The man was looking at them gleefully, as if he had won some prize. Than he spat right into the screen and with his thumb smudged the lense, his mouth making a big O of curiousity. THen using a big dirty finger he poked into the lense, and the screen went blank.
No one in the com room spoke for a long moment.
The the officer said. "I want photo recon right away. We need to make a positive ID and initiate the strike."
_______________
Away from the University, Pipboy had removed a shiny disk for the drone, and unsure of what it did, pocketed it. He had already retreived fusion cells and other electronics.
From back at the camp came a voice. "Hey lets go, we are moving out!"
Virgil looked at the others. "ALright lets get going. We can pick at the pieces we collect later."
__________________
At the University the evacuation was in full gear as the caravan began to get underway again.
The caravan was now down to half the carts. Many of the good had been sold for medication, but the ghouls had been reluctant to touch the boxes meant for the Blades. But even so, the caravan lacked the men it once had. There were hardly enough drivers left to work the wagons that remained. There had been over 60 men in all, now they were down to less than 30.
Grim had tied his burro up to Ibis's cart and had gone forward to walk with McReady as scout. He had been careful to avoid Rogue and Gabriel, and merely acknowledged Talon in passing. For reasons unclear his friends seemed distant now.
Driving her own cart now (Jim being needed elsewhere), Nat spoke to Twitch about where he had been and what he were doing. Rogue watched Gabriel as he moved to the flank and disappeared in the dark.
They were less than a mile from the camp when they felt and heard large shapes flying above them, coming from the East. The sky was dark and cloudly and there was little light, and the shapes flew fast as phantoms.
Only when the first explosion happened, a red flowery burst on the tower, did the caravan realize that the university was under attack.
A first explosion tore through the building, then another and a third. This was followed by another three explosions following the passage of another three of the phantoms.
Then, through the dark cloud filled sky, a burst of blue light came down from the heavens and touched down on the university. The tower crumbled and fell in a cloud of dust and smoke.
And then there was no more but darkness.
"What the hell happened?" Demanded the officer.
"Hard to tell sir. We had readings and then the board went red. All signal from the drone was lost. But then, we got this beacon signal." Said the non-com, quickly. The presence of the officer made him nervice.
"Sergeant, that drone was a one-of-a-kind item." Relied the officer. That the system was lost on his watch was especially disturbing.
"Yes, sir. I am aware of that. But it was an old system and when we did request the maintenance diagnostic...." Said the non-com, not realizing that where he was going with this could lead to subordination.
"No time. So the damn thing broke down." Said the officer, impatient.
"Or was shot down sir. It's possible that some kind of weapon brought the drone down, damaged the systems before a record could be sent."
"And that beacon?" Asked the officer.
"Yes, sir, the beacon lit up a few moments later. We suspect, based on the manuals, that this is an automatic response on crashing." Came the hopeful reply.
"Where?"
The noncom turned to face a screen. He pressed a button and the screen lite up. Bringing it into focus he quickly zeroed in on the beacon.
The officer nodded. "How far from where our field operatives signaled?"
Tne non-com pressed another button. Very close.
"Can you work a live feed?" Asked the officer.
"Working on it."
"Good, I also want what photo imagery we were able to collect. ASAP. Whether it was shot down or not, we have to anticipate they know that secrecy has been compromised."
Another one of the communication techs, called over."We got the feed up."
"Let see it." Said the Officer.
The picture was distorted at first, the picture wiggled and then faded out. Then suddenly it faded in and they could something dark, but little else.
"What the fuck?" asked the Officer.
"Well it's dark. Could be night." offered one of the techs.
The non-com zoomed the picture back, and back, and slowly revealed the big smiling, if dirty face of what looked like some kind of small man. The man was looking at them gleefully, as if he had won some prize. Than he spat right into the screen and with his thumb smudged the lense, his mouth making a big O of curiousity. THen using a big dirty finger he poked into the lense, and the screen went blank.
No one in the com room spoke for a long moment.
The the officer said. "I want photo recon right away. We need to make a positive ID and initiate the strike."
_______________
Away from the University, Pipboy had removed a shiny disk for the drone, and unsure of what it did, pocketed it. He had already retreived fusion cells and other electronics.
From back at the camp came a voice. "Hey lets go, we are moving out!"
Virgil looked at the others. "ALright lets get going. We can pick at the pieces we collect later."
__________________
At the University the evacuation was in full gear as the caravan began to get underway again.
The caravan was now down to half the carts. Many of the good had been sold for medication, but the ghouls had been reluctant to touch the boxes meant for the Blades. But even so, the caravan lacked the men it once had. There were hardly enough drivers left to work the wagons that remained. There had been over 60 men in all, now they were down to less than 30.
Grim had tied his burro up to Ibis's cart and had gone forward to walk with McReady as scout. He had been careful to avoid Rogue and Gabriel, and merely acknowledged Talon in passing. For reasons unclear his friends seemed distant now.
Driving her own cart now (Jim being needed elsewhere), Nat spoke to Twitch about where he had been and what he were doing. Rogue watched Gabriel as he moved to the flank and disappeared in the dark.
They were less than a mile from the camp when they felt and heard large shapes flying above them, coming from the East. The sky was dark and cloudly and there was little light, and the shapes flew fast as phantoms.
Only when the first explosion happened, a red flowery burst on the tower, did the caravan realize that the university was under attack.
A first explosion tore through the building, then another and a third. This was followed by another three explosions following the passage of another three of the phantoms.
Then, through the dark cloud filled sky, a burst of blue light came down from the heavens and touched down on the university. The tower crumbled and fell in a cloud of dust and smoke.
And then there was no more but darkness.
OOC: Okay, I made the assumption the disk was the homing signal, but it may very well not be, so if it isn't, tell me.
IC:
Pipboy was very happy, fusion cells in abundance! This was pretty neat, this would be enough to sustain him for a LONG time. Those fusion cels, he could stop worrying about the stealth boy, and the ripper, and energy. He coul just use them whenever he needed to. Energy was no longer a rare accomidation for Pipboy-or at least, for now it wasn't.
Ofcourse, that large shiny disk still puzzled him. What was it? What was it doing? It seemed to be....well...doing SOMETHING. As evident by the faint noise it made. Very faint noise....like periodic bleeps. But, Pipboy wasn't worried, he'd take it apart some time soon, if he could find a spot on the disk TO take it apart,. If it didn't have any cracks or screws...that could make it a little harder. And it didn't appear to have any cracks or screws. Ah well.
And what about that drone, that was very interesting, a satellite signal, Pip never expected anyone to actually use those nowadays. Everything that could use such a thing, had been bombed to tiny little bits for as far as he knew. He had even heard that the NORAD building-specifically designed to withstand nuclear blasts- had been completely blasted off of the face of the earth....or what was left of that face.....
IC:
Pipboy was very happy, fusion cells in abundance! This was pretty neat, this would be enough to sustain him for a LONG time. Those fusion cels, he could stop worrying about the stealth boy, and the ripper, and energy. He coul just use them whenever he needed to. Energy was no longer a rare accomidation for Pipboy-or at least, for now it wasn't.
Ofcourse, that large shiny disk still puzzled him. What was it? What was it doing? It seemed to be....well...doing SOMETHING. As evident by the faint noise it made. Very faint noise....like periodic bleeps. But, Pipboy wasn't worried, he'd take it apart some time soon, if he could find a spot on the disk TO take it apart,. If it didn't have any cracks or screws...that could make it a little harder. And it didn't appear to have any cracks or screws. Ah well.
And what about that drone, that was very interesting, a satellite signal, Pip never expected anyone to actually use those nowadays. Everything that could use such a thing, had been bombed to tiny little bits for as far as he knew. He had even heard that the NORAD building-specifically designed to withstand nuclear blasts- had been completely blasted off of the face of the earth....or what was left of that face.....
welsh
Junkmaster
Far ahead of the caravan, Grim and McReady looked back at University, and watched it die.
"Nice place?" Asked Grim
"Everyone was just wasting away." Said McReady.
Further behind, Talon pulled the caravan to a stop. Buffy, who seemed to be spending more time near him, came up and asked, "What ya thinkin'?"
"Iif we shouldn't send some folks back to help."
"Everyone is on their own." She said.
"Maybe that's were the problems began."
Gruug and his small company of Mutants were patrolling near by. Talon called out.
"Gruug. I want to keep this caravan going, but maybe we could help those folks out. Do you want to go back and see if you can lend a hand? You could catch up in the morning."
"Nice place?" Asked Grim
"Everyone was just wasting away." Said McReady.
Further behind, Talon pulled the caravan to a stop. Buffy, who seemed to be spending more time near him, came up and asked, "What ya thinkin'?"
"Iif we shouldn't send some folks back to help."
"Everyone is on their own." She said.
"Maybe that's were the problems began."
Gruug and his small company of Mutants were patrolling near by. Talon called out.
"Gruug. I want to keep this caravan going, but maybe we could help those folks out. Do you want to go back and see if you can lend a hand? You could catch up in the morning."
The mutants burst out laughing.
"You hahahaha, fucking expect me to go try and help those ghouls with planes bombing the university, well, you could try and force the other mutants, but I most certainly WILL NOT GO BACK, it's fucking suicide." Gruug was angry now, they expected him and his friends to go and kill themselves for a bunch of fucked up, falling apart ghouls. It was insane. completely insane.
"They can fend for themselves, they should of evacuated sooner. Not my fault. And, uh, who died and made you Master?" Gruug asked angrily. Bloody humies. Maybe joining this caravan was not such a good idea, but then he would more than likely never of found the other mutants, so a bit of a give and take situation. But there was no way he was going back.
"You hahahaha, fucking expect me to go try and help those ghouls with planes bombing the university, well, you could try and force the other mutants, but I most certainly WILL NOT GO BACK, it's fucking suicide." Gruug was angry now, they expected him and his friends to go and kill themselves for a bunch of fucked up, falling apart ghouls. It was insane. completely insane.
"They can fend for themselves, they should of evacuated sooner. Not my fault. And, uh, who died and made you Master?" Gruug asked angrily. Bloody humies. Maybe joining this caravan was not such a good idea, but then he would more than likely never of found the other mutants, so a bit of a give and take situation. But there was no way he was going back.
welsh
Junkmaster
Talon watched Gruug, and suddently felt the violent thrill of action coming. He had known violence since his youth, and welcomed it, even enjoyed it. And he found himself looking forward to what was about to come.
Talon stopped himself even as he felt his hands tense around the assault shotgun.
Gruug had been a pain in the ass. Now there were more of them. The mutants could be an asset to the caravan. But the could be nothing more than trouble, and as such, perhaps it was time to do away with them.
Talon checked himself. He was in charge now. Killing Gruug would be the easy way, but not the best way to deal with this.
Still, Talon was in charge and could not be seen to back down.
What had Jeeva once said. If diplomacy fails, try ruthlessness.
Talon's voice was flat and even. "If you have a problem with me being in charge, than perhaps we need to sort this issue now."
Nearby the others had stopped and were waiting. Most had weapons ready. Something had happened to the caravan in the space of little more than a week. THey had gone from a disassembled group of drifters and wanderers to a team. THey had lost half their number but those who had survived now saw themselves as one body, a family, a band of brothers.
If Gruug didn't see himself as part of that group, well, then perhaps he didn't belong.
Talon could feel the air going electric. Nearby Rogue had brought her rifle to bear. Gabriel had come in quick, weapons ready. Jim's assault rifle was up as was Virgil's. Cerberus even looked ready to pounce. Talon could not see it, but ahead, Grim and McReady had taken notice and their weapons were now trained on the Mutants.
Gruug still had his Kalashnikov, but the other mutants were using merely melee weapons. They had been wounded.
If things got violent it would not be a long fight, the mutants would probably not make a few steps.
The mutants behind Gruug were even begin to hesitate, suddenly feeling outnumbered and vulnerable.
Gruug could hear it in the way they were breathing, and in their mumblings. He was also no fool. The end would be fast.
"Before Hook died he told me to take over, to make sure this lot gets to Grey Cliffs. I didn't want this job, but it falls on me."
Gruug was about to speak, but Talon shut him up.
"Now you got a choice, mutant. You can stay with it or you can walk. You're call. But if you walk with us, then you mind my word and don't try my patience. I am the boss here."
Gruug looked at Talon. "I could kill you."
Sarge whispered to Gruug. "We'd be dead before you took two steps."
Gruug whispered back. "Shut up."
Talon smiled. "You can try. Either way, bring it on or back it off. You are either with us or against. But you choose now."
Talon stopped himself even as he felt his hands tense around the assault shotgun.
Gruug had been a pain in the ass. Now there were more of them. The mutants could be an asset to the caravan. But the could be nothing more than trouble, and as such, perhaps it was time to do away with them.
Talon checked himself. He was in charge now. Killing Gruug would be the easy way, but not the best way to deal with this.
Still, Talon was in charge and could not be seen to back down.
What had Jeeva once said. If diplomacy fails, try ruthlessness.
Talon's voice was flat and even. "If you have a problem with me being in charge, than perhaps we need to sort this issue now."
Nearby the others had stopped and were waiting. Most had weapons ready. Something had happened to the caravan in the space of little more than a week. THey had gone from a disassembled group of drifters and wanderers to a team. THey had lost half their number but those who had survived now saw themselves as one body, a family, a band of brothers.
If Gruug didn't see himself as part of that group, well, then perhaps he didn't belong.
Talon could feel the air going electric. Nearby Rogue had brought her rifle to bear. Gabriel had come in quick, weapons ready. Jim's assault rifle was up as was Virgil's. Cerberus even looked ready to pounce. Talon could not see it, but ahead, Grim and McReady had taken notice and their weapons were now trained on the Mutants.
Gruug still had his Kalashnikov, but the other mutants were using merely melee weapons. They had been wounded.
If things got violent it would not be a long fight, the mutants would probably not make a few steps.
The mutants behind Gruug were even begin to hesitate, suddenly feeling outnumbered and vulnerable.
Gruug could hear it in the way they were breathing, and in their mumblings. He was also no fool. The end would be fast.
"Before Hook died he told me to take over, to make sure this lot gets to Grey Cliffs. I didn't want this job, but it falls on me."
Gruug was about to speak, but Talon shut him up.
"Now you got a choice, mutant. You can stay with it or you can walk. You're call. But if you walk with us, then you mind my word and don't try my patience. I am the boss here."
Gruug looked at Talon. "I could kill you."
Sarge whispered to Gruug. "We'd be dead before you took two steps."
Gruug whispered back. "Shut up."
Talon smiled. "You can try. Either way, bring it on or back it off. You are either with us or against. But you choose now."
welsh
Junkmaster
The survivors had ridden as if the devil was at their heels, as if through the darkness and the distance, el diablo was reaching its talons to snatch them into its fold.
Julio spared a glance to the Don Pablo who bounced about in the back of the cart they had commadeered. The other riders, those few that remained, were exhausted.
A week had gone by since the doctor had amutated the leg. The doctor had insisted that Don Pablo had rested. He would otherwise die because of the loss of blood.
Julio had acquiesed. He was the servant of the Don and of tradition. Tradition dictated that a man's life was to be gladly given in service to his Don. It was a matter of honor. A man should die rather than have his honor stained.
That such thoughts occuppied the troubled mind of a 17 year old was not even considered.
SO they had waited. Knowing the Oprezki would eventually them.
They had come in the night. Half the men had stayed behind to hold the black riders off while the other half escaped.
They had ridden until their precious horses had collapsed underneath them. The horses, lathered white with sweat and incapable of breathing as their hearts and lungs collapsed. The survivors and no time for the mercy of a shot. They had taken to their remounts and ridden onwards.
These horses were near their limit when Julio crossed a rise and looked down on the caravan of Isabella de Silva, wife of the Don, heading North.
Julio spared a glance to the Don Pablo who bounced about in the back of the cart they had commadeered. The other riders, those few that remained, were exhausted.
A week had gone by since the doctor had amutated the leg. The doctor had insisted that Don Pablo had rested. He would otherwise die because of the loss of blood.
Julio had acquiesed. He was the servant of the Don and of tradition. Tradition dictated that a man's life was to be gladly given in service to his Don. It was a matter of honor. A man should die rather than have his honor stained.
That such thoughts occuppied the troubled mind of a 17 year old was not even considered.
SO they had waited. Knowing the Oprezki would eventually them.
They had come in the night. Half the men had stayed behind to hold the black riders off while the other half escaped.
They had ridden until their precious horses had collapsed underneath them. The horses, lathered white with sweat and incapable of breathing as their hearts and lungs collapsed. The survivors and no time for the mercy of a shot. They had taken to their remounts and ridden onwards.
These horses were near their limit when Julio crossed a rise and looked down on the caravan of Isabella de Silva, wife of the Don, heading North.
Lost Cause
First time out of the vault
He hadn't had this much human interaction in months. It almost felt awkward. After so much time being a lonely drifter, you detach yourself so far from others, that when you actually are brought back into a "society" it is almost a sensation of feeling out of place. These feeling may have fished around in Twitch's head for a little while, but the constant company Nat had been keeping him had pushed these awkward emotions far into the depths of his mind. All he could really think about now was her...
His dreaming was quickly snuffed away when he heard some yelling to the east, coming from what appeared to be a large gathering surrounding the mutants.
"what the hell have those damn muties gone and done now." he thought to himself. "Hope they didn't throw that ghoul out the window, we might have a bit of a problem, well, nevermind the whole caravan's got their weapons trained on em. Maybe i should go take a peek..." And he took off to go check out the commotion.
Finding it to be little more than some ill spoken words from the mutant, Twitch was a bit disappointed. He had read a bit about super mutants in his time back in training. It wasn't anything extensive, but he had thought that they were a devastating force in battle. He had heard that they had decimated a few brotherhood paladins when they sent out a few squad to recon the military base to the west. He was disappointed because he really wanted to see one, or the whole lot of em, in action. "Well i spose ill get the chance later..." He thought to himself as he walked away, still searchin for this McReady character, hoping SOMEONE would give him some damn ammo fer his pistols so he could be of some use on this cursed caravan.... he figured he'd need it with all the shit thats been hitting the fan recently....
His dreaming was quickly snuffed away when he heard some yelling to the east, coming from what appeared to be a large gathering surrounding the mutants.
"what the hell have those damn muties gone and done now." he thought to himself. "Hope they didn't throw that ghoul out the window, we might have a bit of a problem, well, nevermind the whole caravan's got their weapons trained on em. Maybe i should go take a peek..." And he took off to go check out the commotion.
Finding it to be little more than some ill spoken words from the mutant, Twitch was a bit disappointed. He had read a bit about super mutants in his time back in training. It wasn't anything extensive, but he had thought that they were a devastating force in battle. He had heard that they had decimated a few brotherhood paladins when they sent out a few squad to recon the military base to the west. He was disappointed because he really wanted to see one, or the whole lot of em, in action. "Well i spose ill get the chance later..." He thought to himself as he walked away, still searchin for this McReady character, hoping SOMEONE would give him some damn ammo fer his pistols so he could be of some use on this cursed caravan.... he figured he'd need it with all the shit thats been hitting the fan recently....
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