IC- Chapter Three: Lone Wanderers

[Sander]

OOC: Glad to see you enjoyed that stuff...
I'm going to go on about what my character knws and what he doesn't know, and probably experiment a bit, if you don't like what I did, please say so. Also, I'll be giving him a name, if you don't like it(Because it may be a bit cheesy) I can change it.....

IC:

Gruug, Syphon and Talon put the metal box on the floor of a tent in the camp.
With the short man still locked inside the box, a scream was heard when the box hit the floor. After that, Grrug lifted the box, and looked inside.
Seeing as how a big black, and pretty ugly, mutant face can be pretty scary, the short guy shrieked, again.

"Damnit, would you stop that screaming!" was the first thing coming out of McReady's mouth after the box had been put on the floor.

"Right, Gruug, lift him out, and put him on that box there", ordered McReady, pointing at a wooden box, which had apparently been used as a couch of sort.

"Alright, short guy, we're going to stay here and ask you some questions, you can't run away, because if you'd try, you'd probably get capped by some guy. First off: What the HELL were you doing in that box??"

"Hiding", was the first intelligible word coming from the filthy guys lips.

"Hiding? From what?"

"Rats.", apparently, this guy wasn't one for many words.

"Yeah, we got that, but what were you doing out there in the first place?"

"Got out of cart, went round camp, got chased by rats, hid in box!"

"Got out of cart....round camp...wait, you're saying that you were hiding in this caravan?? Goddamnit, someone's gonna have to lecture the guards about that, that can't just happen. Why were you hiding there?"

"Life. Get from place to place. Need hide from people. Hurt if find out I take food."

"So, you're a little thief going from place to place stealing stuff from people. Gah, and you don't take bathes or cut your hair either. Alright, so what should we do with this one?"

OOC: This can be skipped if you don't agree with it.

IC:
At that moment, Jim comes walking in, holding in his hand some kind of technological device. Suddenly, the small guy stands up and starts to walk towards Jim.
"PIPboy! Give! I fix!", he says, pointing at the device in Jim's hands.

Gruug holds him back, preventing him from coming any closer to Jim or McReady.

"What? No way, this is mine, you keep your filthy little hands off of this!!"said Jim. Then turning to McReady: "Who is this guy anyway?"

"Some guy we found hiding in a box, he's a stow-away on this caravan. Hmm, I wonder what his name actually IS. Hey, you, what's your name?"

Ignoring McReady, he keeps pointing and staring at the PIPboy.

"I think he really wants your thing there, Jim." Talon says.

"Shut up, Slaver, he isn't getting it."

"Jim, why don't you give it to him, maybe he can fix it or something. Or maybe we can get his name if he fixes it." McReady says.

Grudgingly, Jim carefully hands the device to the filthy man.

"Alright, but he'd better not break it."

"What? It doesn't work anyway, what's he gonna do?"

With a happy look on his face, the little guy takes the PIPboy from Jim's hands, and then takes something of an old swiss army knife, a screwdriver, tweezers and some other things from all kinds of pockets in his black outfit. He then proceeds to utilize these tools to take the thing apart.

"Wha! Hey! Gimme my goddamn PIPboy back!" Jim shouts.

"Hold on," says Mcready, holding Jim back, "He may just be fixing it."

The man then proceeds to look at several parts of the PIPboy, shaking his head at some transitors and a fuse. He then takes out a couple of transistors and a fuse out of several of the pieces of cloth wrapped around what appears to be some kind of necklace.
Then he proceeds to reassemble the PIPboy. After he's done, he hands it back to Jim, and sits back on the wooden box, whistling happily.

Jim looks at the PIPboy, and suddenly, the PIPboy starts bleeping. He looks at the screen, and sees a picture of a funny guy being displayed on the screen, with the text "Congratulations with your newest acquisition: The PIPboy 3000. If you would like a tour of the options available on the PIPboy 3000, select the tutorial option. If you would like to get started right away, please select the start option."

"Wha? Th-that guy actually gut this thing to work! H-he got my PIPboy to work!!" exclamated Jim.

"Hah, wow, now, let's see if he's willin to tell us a bit more..", said McReady.

"Right, what's your name?"

"Name? Father call me boy!" the man smiles happily.

"Boy? That won't do, and I'd like to keep you around, with your knack for repairing things, you may be able to help us out."

"Well, he did just repair that PIPboy thing, so why don't we call him Pipboy??", Syphon said.

"Pipboy?? Wha...well, I guess it'd do...."

"Pipboy...." the boy said, as if he were trying out the name. "Like!"

OOC:
Alright, I'm hoping that wasn't too cheesy or anything....

 

[welsh]

continuing

McReady looked at the little, dirty, hairy fellow. Yes, another tech would be useful. But he was distracted by the sound of the caravan moving and the knowledge that there was a cart on its own up on the ledge and his tribals were scouting further ahead with no support or supervision.

Where one saw rats, chances were there were more.

Hook, who had seen the small group come down the hill went to investigate. Reed, who had also seen the movement from the campsite, had also come to see what was going on.

"What do we got here?" Demanded Reed.

"Stowaway, seems he was sticking with us for some grub, probably got off the caravan and circled around, figuring to pick us up again tonight. Seems a bit shook up. Probably the rats that did it." Said McReady. "Still I think we could use him. Good with tech stuff."

"Stowaway, hunh? Well we can't have that. Boys, take him out and shoot 'em."

Shooting thieves was a common enough practice on caravans, and Reed didn't believe on skimping on punishments.

"Actually this little fellow is pretty handy with tech stuff." Said Talon, reemphasizing the point.

"I can fix." Said the small fellow.

But Hook had already come up. "Talon, you are supposed to be up on the canyon ledge providing security. What the fuck you doing deserting your position. McReady, you should be scouting ahead. You're the eyes and ears of this caravan damn it."

"Well sir,..." Started Syphon.

"Who the hell is talking to you son? When I want you to speak I'll ask, other wise, just shut your fucking hole." Said Hook.

Hook was pissed off but trying to keep it inside. It had more to do with the bodies Grim had found and his inability to do something about, but now he had a chance to vent.

Syphon shut up and started to walk away.

"McReady, you have someplace to be." Said Hook.

McReady nodded and turned to leave. But before going he said,"I'd hold back on shooting this little tyke. Never know when a tech would help."

"We got techs enough. Now just do your damn job." Said Reed. Who seemed more pissed off that people weren't doing their job than anything else.

McReady spat on the floor to show his displeasure, but the caravan boss was right. His duty was as scout, not as manager. He left, catching up with Syphon.

"Gruug, Buffy, Blade. Get back up on the wall. We need you for security and Jim, you were supposed to be working with Gruug preparing a lift. " Said Reed. "Crooked Christ, when you people get an order you're paid to do it. Now get."

Gruug paused for a moment, perhaps considering to pound Reed into the floor, but he remembered what Nat had said the night before, and got going.

Blade looked over at Buffy, who shrugged. In the end it was none of their affair. They followed the big mutant. Besides, their duty was now to watch for more of the giant rats, and they had little doubt that there would be more of the nasty beasts.

Reed whisteled over to two of the other guards. "I want you to keep an eye on squirt here. He moves bad, you shoot 'em." Then he turned to Hook. "What do you think."

"I think he might know what happened to my two bordermen. I think it might be well if we talk a bit, privately." Hook took out a big bowie knife, and admired its sharp edge. Then said to the small man. "You think you can talk to me boy."

"Can talk, but know nothing. Swear" Said the small stowaway, who was now keenly aware of his danger.

"You goin' to cut him up?" Asked Reed.

"Do you care? He's a stowaway, and if he knows something, I think I have my right to find out what. They were my brothers that Grim found down the river." Said Hook.

"Don't know nothing.... don't do nothing... just food." Said the small man.

"Grim found both men?" Asked Reed.

"Dead and full of water. And maybe this one knows why." Said Hook. "And if this one knows, I aim to find out. If he don't I don't think it matters. After all, you wanted him shot."

"I reckon so. Alright, take him back to the house and you can work him there." Said Reed. "I need to inspect this road out. Don't be long. We got miles to go till the next stop and we already start'n late. Don't let him scream to much. It will worry the men and disrupt the brahmin. "

"Oh, this won't take long." Said Hook. "You boys, take him to the house. We going to talk."

During this time Grim had done a quick inspection of the two men. The condition of the bodies and the amount of water they carried indicated that both had been in the water for at least two weeks, perhaps as long as a month. Both had gone into rigor mortis shortly after dieing and before being placed into the water.

It was when he inspected the organs that Grim reached his conclusions. Both men's throats showed signs that they had tried to throw up, and there were traces of food and something else in the lungs.

Their last acts as living men had been trying to throw up. When he opened up their bowels, he discovered that both men had just recently eaten. Throwing up would be the natural response of poisoning.

The bullets to the head where just to make sure the job was done or perhaps to point to other causes of death. To be honest, Grim wasn't sure why they had shot both men in the head.

He decided to go back to camp and look into the stores at the site as well as any food that the camp might have.

But first he ran across Reed, who had gone down the river to find him.

"Grim heard you found the bodies. What do you think?" Demanded Reed.

"I figure they got poisoned, shot and then dropped in the river. Something in the food. Who ever killed them was familiar to these guards." Said Grim.

"Another borderman?" Said Reed, surprised.

"Maybe or a local for sure. Maybe someone they hired as a cook or housemaid. Better check those stores from the checkpoint. they might be poisoned."

"What about a short little fellow? Dirty and hairy?" Asked Reed.

"What are you talking about?" Asked Grim.

"We found a stowaway, and Hook is about to do some interrogating, old style."

Grim understood. Torture.

"Fuck, he doesn't have the right man." Said Grim, "Where is he."

"Taking him back at the house."

Grim didn't speak further but began ranning back to the check point. He could see Hook leading two guards, a small dirty and hairy man struggling between them.

He also saw Jim who had gone to find Grim. In short gasping breaths Jim said. "I think they aim to kill him.... But its a mistake. Besides, the fellow is worth is weight in food just for his tech knowledge."

Together they ran for the checkpoint to stop Hook from taking out his revenge.
__________

OOC- Ok sander- this puts most of the characters back to what they should be doing and creates a bit of tension for you.

Hook is pissed off about his two dead men and is willing to torture Pipboy for info. Reed can be convinced to let Pipboy stay. But its going to take a little more work. Use Jim and Grim as you need to, but don't turn this into a fight. Hook can be convinced that Pipboy isn't the killer.

For the rest, the caravan, once it clears the canyon, will be going through a small adobe and wood ghost town. Chances are there will be more rats to deal with. Have fun with it.
Good luck with it.

 

[Syphon]

McReady strutted to Syphon, who continued to walk angerily. Walking side by side, Syphon stomped his feet and gave McReady a wicked frown. Syphon's face was quite red and heated.

"Whats wrong with you?" McReady said sympathically as the two continued to walk, towards the route they were on earlier that day.

"Who's does that Guy think he is, torturing a small wimpering guy like 'pip?" Syphon said almost yelling at McReady. Syphon took out his rifle from his pack, and gripped it tightly. McReady could see that Syphon was angered severely and serious about Killing Hook, for Syphon's muscles were tense and flexed signaling his adrenaline.

"I dont shit from no one, I'm gonna kill 'em!" Syphon said, aiming his rifle at Hook's head.

"This is no way of handlin' it. It isn't worth it, man" McReady said calmly, trying to defuse Syphon's rage. McReady put his hand on the barrel of the rifle and slowly pushed it down, and as he did Syphon began to calm down. Syphon put back his Rifle back over his shoulder, held on by a old guitar strap.

"Lets just get this over 'wif!" Syphon said continually walking into the Desert, with McReady following by his side. walking down a small hill, the two stood were they killed that rat earlier that day.

"What do you think we should do about that town?" McReady asked while pointing the desolate ghost town.

"What about it? We should prolly want to kill all the rats, so if the decide to go through that area with the caravan, the rats wont delay our travelings. Think we should handle it ourselves" Syphon replied quickly.

"I'll get someone to take care of it. We're scouts, the army's eyes and without us, the caravan is blind. We'll get some grunts to handle it, but thats what I think" McReady said seriously, not giving off any form of expression except a quick grin.

 

[Sander]

THUMP

The sound of a body bening thrown around sounded through the house.

"You'd better tell me everything you know about those bordermen!!!!"

"I know nothing!!"

SLAP

Pipboy shrieked"I...know.....nothing!"

SLAP

"Nothing....."

SLAP

"Bordermen..........know nothing"

SLAP

"Look here boy," said Hook, pulling out his Bowie knife, "this is a very sharp knife, very sharp..." as if to demonstrate that he cut off a bit of the dirty fellows hair. "it can do a lot of damage. I'm not keen on using this on you, but I will if you don't start talking......", said Hook, neglecting the fact that he would probably cut the boy up anyway.

"I said, know nothing! I not know what you talk about!!"

Hook started to approach the hairy fellow with his bowie knife readied.
Screaming, pipboy looked desperately for a way to escape, but he was cornered.......

BAM

Suddenly, the door of the house flew open, revealing Grim and Jim standing in the doorway.

"What the hell do you think you're doin' here??" said Hook, about to start cutting up pipboy.

"We've come to stop you....from making..a mistake!" said Grim.

"Oh yeah, and what would that mistake be? I'm gonna find out whatever I can from this little prick, and you ain't stoppin me."

"It can't have been him who capped those bordermen."

"Oh yeah, why's that?"

"I just finsihed examining the corpses, they've been dead for a long time, longer than we've been here. ANd he is a stowaway."

"So, maybe he isn't a stowaway, maybe you just looked wrong". Hook seemed real anxious to start venting his anger.

"Look, even if I did, the guards died from poisoning, that can only be done by someone who knows em. KNows em real close. That fellow....well....look at him! He can't have been close...."

"Look at him! He couldn't harm a fly, he's innocent as hell!" said Jim.

"Well....."

"Look, the bordermen were also shot, I doubt this guy could even wield a gun, let alone shoot the two bordermen."

"'Sides, he managed to fix my PIPboy. I don't know how many techs we have in this caravan, but there sure as hell ain't one of 'em who could've fixed my PIPboy. His tech knowledge can come in handy." said Jim.

"Yes, I fix!" said Pipboy, trying his best to convince the intimidating man with the bowie knife of his innocence.

"Look, you may have a point there, but I don't care! Reed was gonna have him shot anyway. And he wouldn't be too pleased if he found out I left this guy alive after he stole food and supplies from us." said Hook.


"I'll talk to Reed, goddamnit, this guy probably knows so much, he'd be able to fix 'most anything that's gonna break down, even Reed has to see the worth of that. Hah, instead of throwing away every bit of pre-war junk we find, this guy may be able to FIX some of it."

"Alright, alright! I'll let him go....but if I catch him, doing anything, anything suspicious whatsoever.....you know what'll happen...."said Hook, not entirely happy with what just happened. Grudgingly, he left the house.....


OOC: Right, that should be good.......I hope
EDIT: I make mistake, I fix.....

 

[Syphon]

OOC: Welsh here- I am just making a few edits. One other things, we all make mistakes at time. Remember, this is just fucking around. If someone gives you a heads up that there was a character error, just do a quick fix. After all, we are all working on a cooperative project

"Look, you may have a point there, but I don't care! Reed was gonna have him shot anyway. And he wouldn't be too pleased if he found out I left this guy alive after he stole food and supplies from us." said McReady.

McReady withs Syphon, their scouting you must be talking about Hook.
/OCC:

-IC

"Hey? Whats that?" Syphon said looking through his scope, seeing a relative tall, lanky, dark figure. It seemed to be walking towards the caravan, for some reason, but it wasn't human. It looked almost like an exceptionally tall ghoul, at least from a distance.

Syphon got down in a prone position, and McReady did the same, both laying now on the desert floor, this way offering less of a target against the backdrop of the sky.

"Whats what?" McReady asked as he picked up some old binoculars and looked through. He looked around a bit but couldn't find anything.

"Where is it?" McReady said, Syphon pointed towards the creature. McReady stared at it blankly, but he knew what it was.

"Damn, looks like a ghoul, but a fucking big one.....Shit, it ain't no normal ghoul. About 1/2 mile away. Kill it, Syph..." McReady said highly. Still peering at the silent walking creature, Syphon could see it was equipped with a large rifle and looked quite dangerous.

Definitely not Gruug. Not even one of his buddies.

But knowing that ghouls were quite pretty good with rifles, Syphon himself felt threatened.

"Kill it, before it gets too close." Urged McReady, who was now reading his own lever actioned rifle.

Syphon put the creature in his sights, quietly aimed perfectly and pulled the trigger. It was an almost deafening sound to someone who hasn't been around firing guns, but Syphon was used to it.

The bullet hit the creature high, probably the shoulder, and knocked it aside and down, where it lay still for a long moment. Then using its good arm, it slowly got back to its feet. Then it turned the rifle in their direction.

"Wha?" Syphon said shookingly,"...The creature is still there?!". Syphon could see in his scope, that he had hit the creature critically and now blood was pouring out severely.

"That shot woulda kill anything?!" McReady said, following the creature with his binoculars.

"I'll get 'em this time!" Syphon mumbled as he went back to combat mode. The creature was running now, and getting close to their position. Syphon grabbed and pushed the bolt-action and set put the creature back into his cross hairs.

No, it wasn't no ghoul, least any kind of ghoul Syphon had ever seen. It's skin was covered with wounds and blood and puss leaked through its skins. But its eyes were something different,wild and alive, and when it smiled, Syphon could see the fangs hidden behind powerful jaws. It had long strands of tangled oily hair running across its face and down its body, and its clothes were only rudimentary and barely covered its ropes of muscles.

The shell from the bullet made a loud thud, and almost in Unison, the creature fell, apparently dead.

"I finally got 'em!" Syphon said he started to stand back up, putting his rifle back over his shoulder.

"Hold on, son, where there's one of them things, there's usually others. Probably huntin' them giant rats." Said McReady.

Behind the two tribals had come up to investigate, and further away, Ibis, Rogue, Buffy and Blade were moving forward to support or at least to investigate. Gruug was among them, and SYphon was pleased that the big mutant didn't look anything like the creature that he had just dropped.

The thing lay under the sun, its arms stretched wide. And yet it still seemed to breath.

'What the hell was it?" Asked Syphon.

OOC- ok, minor changes but nothing much different. Hopefully this will help move the story along.

 

[welsh]

OOC- this should help move the story along a bit-

ICC-
Grim looked at the Pipboy suspiciously, then at Jim. "What's his story?"

"Food?" Asked Pipboy.

Grim ignored him, waited for Jim to speak.

"We found him ahead of the caravan. Seems he got himself in a box and was being played with by some giant rats." Said Jim.

"Giant rats can be pretty nasty." Said Grim.

"Stinky Rats.. Want to eat.... Kiss my ass, rats." Said pipboy.

"Well," Continued Jim, "Reed found out he was a stowaway stealing food and wanted him shot. But Hook thought he might have something to do with the bordermen."

Grim nodded, figuring as much. Then turned his attention to the little man, "So, speak up, you're among friends here. But if you speak false, well, you'll have to try your luck with Hook again."

____________

On the edge of the canyon, the first of the carts were making their way up slowly. The steepness and narrowness of the road made the passage difficult but not impossible, although most of the men and beasts were near exhaustion when they got to the top.

Having reached the top, Ibis and Rogue moved further forward, led by Talon, towards the edge of town. They had heard the fire from Syphon and could see where McReady and Syphon were inspecting the body of a large humanoid creature.

Both Blade and Buffy were walking nearby, on either flanks, carefully advancing and fearful of sudden ambush. Also in their company was Gruug, carring his big Kalashnikov, but searching for building materials in the event that the caravan needed to built a rope lift for the cargo below.

Talon lifted his hand, calling the crew to stop. Both Blade and Buffy dropping to a kneeling position near what cover they could find.

"Rogue, keep that hog ready, short bursts and cover fire." Talon called back, trying to keep his voice low. "If the shit its the fan, this is our withdrawal point."

Cerebus, the big three headed dog, stayed close, and growled at something in the town.

From her position Rogue could pick out rat droppings in the street of the town, and she wondered how many more of the creatures might be present.

Then Talon waved his hands forward, and the small group advanced towards where McReady and Syphon kneeled by the still breathing body of a hideous giant.

OCC- Ok sander and Syphon- do you want to run with this.

 

[Sander]

OOC-Sure, thanks for advancing stuff.

IC-

"Tell? How much? What?", said Pipboy.

"How about starting with why and how you were in that box, and why you were around here in the first place."

"Hiding from rats. Rats bad!", said Pipboy, "I hide on caravan, for getting to other place, people not nice when stay long in town. People hurt me when I take food. Need food!!"

"So, you were just hiding out on this caravan all that time. All the time, and noone noticed a goddamn thing, you've got talent for hiding. You've got real talent. Or the guards were really slacking..."

"No, guards not slack! I good!"said Pipboy, with a broad smile, "When get to canyon, I jump off caravan. I not want be seen. I go to town, to go back to caravan, and find food, but then nasty rats come!"

"Hah, nasty rats indeed..."

"Nasty rats bad! I hide in box, rats play with box, not nice! Then big black guy come and open box, all rats gone, they close box and take me here! Now I here...."

"Hmm, well, now we need to figure out what to do with you."

"I say we keep him around. I still can't believe that he actually fixed my PIPboy. You know, I think I really like him. I wonder if he can fix any of my other stuff..." said Jim, already rumaging in his stuff to find something else that needs fixing.

"Yeah, but I still want to know whether he knows anything about those bordermen, I don't think he does, but still.... So, Pipboy, DO you know anything about those murders?"

"Murders? No! I know (small hesitation) nothing..."

"Why'd you hesitate there.", said Grim.

"I just remember! I found gun near box! I forgot before, very sorry!!", said Pipboy, taking a 10mm pistol from his backpack, and handing it to Grim.

"What! You found a gun! This could be exactly what was used to put the bullet-holes in the guards. Damn you little guy, why didn't you say anything before??"

"I sorry!!"

"I think he's tellin the truth, Grim, he may be a thief, but I don't think he'd willingly do anything bad to people.", said Jim.

"Hrmph. Maybe you're right, ah hell, you're probably right. If you want pip hear to live, you'd better go to Reed and tell him you're vouching for this guy. And be sure to tellhim what you told me, about him fixing your pipboy and stuff." said Grim.

"Sure thing Grim! Come on Pipboy."

"I go now?" said Pipboy.

"Yes, you can go now, have fun with Jim."said grim, carefuly examining the gun.

OOC: Right, that does it. Hope that's good and all, I don't know what the significance of the gun is(and neither does Pipboy), maybe you can do something with it, maybe not.

 

[welsh]

Talon surveyed the situation, wishing Hook was there. But Hook was still below in the Canyon and the carts were beginning to pile up at the edge. After the carts had been brought up, the brahma herd would follow. If they stampeded, then the crazy bulls would go over the cliff.

In any event this was a road block.

Thing two and Thing One kneeled besides McReady. "Trogs.Clan of Trogs somewhere ahead. Come hunting rats." Said one of the Things.

McReady nodded. "Yep, damn Trogs. Not the smartest but smart enough to cause trouble. And they take a lot of hitting before they go down."

Syphon looked over the wound. "Damn, look at the holes in this thing. " Two bullets had gone in and out of the big creature, tearing a giant hole as they exited.

Still it wheezed out a breath.

From behind Rogue watched as Talon moved forward, Buffy and Blade coming nearer, taking positions on either flanks.

Virgil, had come up with one of the first carts to help out with any lifts. But he doubted they would need any, though it was good of Talon to tell the carts to rest at the top of the Canyon. With Virgil came Gabriel.

"What's going on?" Gabriel asked Rogue.

"Not sure. Seems we have trouble ahead. Something big."

Virgil looked over at the big creature laid out, and whistled a long one between his rotten cheeks. "Better we rescure the top. I'll go back and get some more men up here, and prepare a defense."

"Where the hell is Hook?" Asked Rogue.

"Damn if I know. Last I saw he was about to interrogate that little fellow they found before. Reeds still down there too."

"Shit." management was behind, as usual.

The three old friends quieted as their colleagues moved, then Virgil went back to see if he could bring up more men. Rogue readied behind the old machinegun. Try as she could, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It didn't help that Cerebus kept growling at unseen figures.

"I'm going up to see if I can help. You ok back her?" Asked Gabriel.

"Yea, but hey watch yourself. Them things are damn powerful and don't fall easy." She said to her friend.

Gabriel nodded and smiled, then moved forward to where Talon was standing.

"We got carts coming up the road and they are going to back up soon." Said Gabriel.


Talon nodded, then moved up to where McReady and Syphon lay, prone next to the body. Talon inspected the wounded creature, then turned to McReady. "What's the situation?"

McReady spoke. "I figure there's more of them in that town. Usually Trogs move in groups of 4 to 8."

"What the hell is a Trog?" Asked Gabriel.

McReady gestured with a thumb at the fallen giant.

"Big motherfuckers that take a lot of damage and eat just about anything they can catch. Probably came here hunting rats." Said McReady.

"Looks like we ran into their hunting party?" Asked Blade.

"Yep. Looks like it. But I reckon they plan to hold the town till night fall then they might either try a grab at one of the brahman or skadaddle." Said McReady.

McReady than pointed in two different directions ahead, and said something in a strange langauge to both the tribals. They nodded and moved away, going in seperate directions around the town.

"Where the hell did you send them." Asked Gabriel.

"Got to see what's what. Reconoiter the town. Besides, all they got is knives, ain't much use against Trogs."

"Why's that?" Asked Buffy.

"I here they tend to regenerate after awhile."

As if on que, the big humanoid moved, its hands jerking reflexively out and swatting Buffy on one of her calves.

She let out a yelp, and jumped a step away, pointing her pancor at the creatures head, and squeezing the trigger even as the others moved out of the way.

At short range, the air suddenly came allowed with the thunderous hammering of the shotgun and the air smelled of gunpowder and blood.

The short range burst of the pancor pounded the creatures head, leaving it little more than a bloody pulp.

When the smoke cleared the others closed around the creature again.

"That ought to do it." Said Buffy, proudly.

A leg shook.

This time Blade emptied a a short burst from his automatic rifle into the creatured torso, then he stabbed it with the bayonet for good measure.

Gruug looked at the devestation. 'I think he's dead. But...." And he punched it hard with his spiked knuckles a few times just to make sure.

From the town something gave an angry roar, which echoed against the walls of the empty ghost town.

"Looks like some one knows we're here." Said McReady.

Ahead they could see a couple of the giant rats leaving the town and heading before them. One of them had been wounded, nearly a half dozen spears. It ran a few steps out, then fell over on its side.

The group had little to wait before another of the big humanoids came out.

It stabbed at the rat with what looked like a huge sword, then slung the dead rat over its shoulder.

Then it turned at the small group, and roared at them, brandishing its sword out.

Then before they could fire, it disappeared back into the town.

"I guess that means we ain't welcomed." Said McReady.

"Welcomed or not we got to go through and clear it out."

OOC-
Alright, there's a mission. Clean out the town so the caravan can proceed. These are big monsters that take a lot of damage and keep coming, so this should be a good fight.
Ok, lets see most of the group is lightly armored and has small arms. McReady has a lever action winchester, Blade has an M-16, Buffy has the two .223 pistols and a Pancor. Talon is wearing combat armor and is probably armed with an automatic rifle or a superior small arm. Thing two and Thing one only have knives. Gabriel has 9 mm pistols and knives, also kelvar armor. Gruug has his mutant armor and the Kalashnikov.

Opposing force- Giant rats abound, probably hiding. Probably 4-8 Trogs using rifles, improvised melee weapons and thrown weapons (probably big rocks). The Trogs are probably waiting in ambush.

 

[Syphon]

"Want me to lay outside of town and pick 'em off one by one?" Syphon said, pointing with his index to a local hill, a perfect vantage point for this perticular situation.

"Sure, but make sure you dont get killed..." McReady said seriously,"...We dont have much snipers, so we need you". With that Syphon quietly nodded and walked away from the group and the dead creature, holding his rifle with both hands.

 

[welsh]

Grim went back into the store room to look for the crates of food. Not surprisingly, it had all be taken, probably by Reed, desperate to save on supplies. Of course, maybe he wasn't thinking about poison.

Grim saw Jim going to speak to Reed about Pipboy.

Reed was going through his ledger, checking to see if supplies were what they should be. The last of the carts had not yet left, but most were already making their way out of the canyon. The campsite of last night was nothing more than the remnant of cooking fires smoldering over scorched logs.

Reed looked up at his ledger, then down at pipboy and scowled.

"I thought he'd be dead by now." Said Reed. "Haven't we already had this discussion."

"Well yes," Stammered Jim, "But I....."

"SInce we already had this discussion, then I suggest you proceed as instructed. " Said Reed, who returned to his ledger.

"He could help out. I mean he fixed my pip boy and I doubt anyone else could have done that."

"Yes, yes, still a thief is a thief and we can't have that kind of riff raff on the caravan. Wouldn't be right. Not polite at all. Kill him and be done."

"But what if we find something valuable and can't fix. Why I bet that we have all sorts of stuff he could fix. Then we could sell it."
Said Jim.

Which changed the conversation dramatically. For Reed there was one issue of importance, profit.

"Fix and sell?"

"Sure, like the pipboy. I bet few people could manage it." Said JIm.

"Would you fix things for us, you ugly little man." Said Reed, directly at Pipboy.

"I fix, yes, for food." Said Pipboy.

"For food. Yes, but that's it. Because we will certainly not be paying you. Is that understood?"

"I fix yes, and eat." Said Pipboy.

"And Jim," Said Reed, "I want to know everything he fixes, is that understood."

"Sure thing."

"Now get the fuck out of here. You were supposed to be with the forward element today." Said Reed.

Jim nodded off.

Nat's wagon was one of the last to leave, and quickly Jim ran for it and climbed on, reaching down to help Pipboy.

Nat, at the reigns smiled at Jim. "Morning Jim, and whose this."

"Nat, this is Pipboy. He's something with tech stuff. Pipboy this is Nat, she sure is pretty ain't she?"

Pipboy nodded. "Pretty lady. Nice tits."

Nat laughed. "Thank you. But Jim, I think your friend needs a bath. No offence pip. I'd make use of the river before we go further."

 

[welsh]

OOC- Syphon, like the edit but could you cut and past the second half of yours and post below this. Otherwise things seem out of sinc.


ICC-
Grim waited until Jim and Pipboy had left to approach Reed.

"What now, can't you see I'm busy." Said Reed, impatiently.

"We need to talk about the food stocks." Said Grim, "They might be poisoned."

"Ah fuck. Now poison, what next?" Said Reed.

"Where are they? Perhaps I can check to see if they have been tampered with."

"Cart 12 and some on 13, but we used a good portion this morning for breakfast." Said Reed.

"Has anyone gotten ill yet?" Asked Grim.

"Do I look dead yet?" Replied Reed, "Well, at least better than you." Then Reed returned to his paper work.

__________________

Up ahead, Talon waited as Syhon took position. A sniper out would help. He looked back at Rogue. Virgil had returned with a small squad of men who assumed positions around Ibis's cart. Rogue allowed one of the men to assume her position, as she took her rifle and went to move forward.

But Talon waved her off and pointed to Syphon. A good sniper position should use two people, a spotter and a shooter. Besides, with Rogue's bad leg, it was better if she took a fixed position.

Waiting for Rogue to take her position.

Then he looked at the others, taking charge. "We need to clean out the town before the caravan moves through, and we can't wait for more men. If it gets too hairy or if they come after us, we retreat back to the cart, and we take advantage of the fire power. Kill it if you can, if not, fall back to the better position. Don't get trapped and don't get tricked. Let them come to us. Be careful."

Talon chambered a round in his assault rifle and made sure the safety was off. Then he got up and moved towards the town. Buffy and Blade took positions to the left, Gruug and Gabriel to the right.

Before them, the town stretched open like a trap waiting to spring.

OOC- OK these are all major characters so no one should be killed, although they can be placed in jeopardy, things can go wrong and they can be wounded. Feel free to play each others characters and have fun. Sander, don't feel out of it because your character is not here. Post as you wish.

 

[Syphon]

(How about this?)

Walking to the hill silently, Syphon didn't want to bring any attention to himself. Coming to the large hill, right outside the desolate town, Syphon squatted down and dropped his equipment, usually kept on the back of his armor. This equipment is consisted of food rations, food utensils, a large towel and some other miscellanious items and pouchs.

Taking out his towel, Syphon spread it out and laid on it, still trying to be as quiet as possible. Laying his rifle on some sand ahead of him, he was now in perfect position for snipering.

Syphon took out his berreta, cocking it slowly, and set it beside him so if something came close it was there for close-combat. Syphon glanced over to the group, putting his thumb into the air to motion that they were in good hands.

Before got to work, Syphon took a photo from his back pocket and held it close to his face. It was a black-and-white photo of a family picture, in great condition for the wasteland. There was tall, handsome man and standing next to him was a beatutiful women holding a baby wrapped in white infront of a plain blue background.

"...I'll always love you Tina, you and Jonathan jr...always" Syphon mumbled as he kissed the photo and placed it back in his pocket. The sand was quite hot, sweat beaded his forehead as he wiped it off with his forearm.

Putting his arm around the rifle and laying his index onto the trigger, Syphon felt a bit at home. Everytime he killed a dirty mutant, he felt a bit relieved, almost freed from his promise to his family.

Taking a zippo lighter from his pocket, and a cigarette also, Syphon lite the home-made cigarette and placed the lighter back in. Taking a long, tough drag, Syphon spotted yet another Trog...

Except this one seemed to be quite smart, for this one was planning an ambush. The Trog was behind a building, where the group couldn't notice him, and it held a small rifle. Pointed at the others.

"...Shit!" Syphon said as tension grew for him, and quickly pulled the trigger. The trog did not fall, but only noticed where Syphon was at, but now blood fell from the Trog's abdomin. Giving a dead stare, The trog ran at full speed at Syphon. With blood flying in the wind, and a nasty stench following the Trog, he was now about 30 yards away from Syphon.

Reaching for his Berreta, Syphon panicked and quickly grabbed his pistol and aimed it at the Trog. Syphon manuevered his thumb to click the pistols safety off, and pulled the trigger. The Trog fell, while giving out a loud battlecry.

 

[Gruug]

Gruug saw that they had company. The sniper had shot one, which was now coming full pelt at him, luckily he had his pistol, and shot at the Trog. Gruug aimed his Kalashinikov, and shot a shot, right through the Trog's head, and another through the side of it's chest. That was all the time he had for that one, as he saw another Trog running for cover behing a destroyed car.

"Time to kill." Said Gruug.
He crouched as low as a super mutant can, and scrambled across, hiding behind a massive rock 20 meters away from the Trog. Gruug took out a small frag grenade, which should put the Trog off for a bit. And then Gruug threw the grenade over the back of the car.
He heard the yell of the trog as the fragmentations hit it. That was when Gruug rushed for him, taking out a bit steel club with spikes pouring out of it. As he went around the car, he saw the thing discard it's rifle, which was smart. The thing was a bit over 7 foot, would of seemed massive to the humans, but not to Gruug. Gruug took a hard swing at it, smashing it in the back, wherafter it lunged forward, pinning gruug to the ground. Grinning, Gruug surged his head forward and bit it's neck. The thing howled and flailed, cutting Gruug in the process. Gruug used the oppertunity to kick the Trogg over the car, where he hoped the others would start shooting at it.

 

[welsh]

Rogue had seen the Trog fall before Syphon and had initially thought the man's pistols had done the damage. Only when Syphon and discharged both clips and the creature had fallen to its knees did Rogue see, below, that Gruug was pointing his oversized weapon at the large humanoid, his bullets had torn through the creatures head and back.

"Reload and get that rifle up." Rogue said emotionlessly.

Syphon turned to stare blankly at her.

"Do it." She ordered quietly.

Rogue had come this way before, traveling to Tabis, and knew better.

"What?" Asked Syphon, still collecting himself.

The big Trog, bits of its head and back missing, a large hole in its chest, sat up and growled at the two snipers. Then it picked up its large spiked club and began to use it as a crutch to get up.

Syphon quickly began reloading his rifle.

Rogue, kneeling, calmly brought up her rifle as the creature got one leg under it. She gently squeezed, feeling the rifle comfortable at her shoulder, the creatures left eye at the end of the barrel.

The first shot tore through the left eye, which exploded in a purplish mass.

The creature knocked back onto its ass, howled its raw.

Rogue paid no attention, turning her sight on the second eye, then firing again.

This eye also exploded, and now the creature slowly fell backward, and breathed no more.

Rogue turned her attention to the battle down in the town and yelled over to the cart. "We need Flamers here. Quickly damn it. And to Talon as well."

Then she said, more quietly, calmly, to Syphon. "You ok?" Then she fired at the Trog that Gruug had thrown away.

Syphon, his mind back on the gun, was reloading, "Yea. That fucking thing scared the shit out of me."

"Me too. But being scared ain't as bad as being dead." Said Rogue, calmly firing on targets below. "Now, you going to shoot that thing or whistle 'Dixie""
_____

Gruug, his mouth bloody with freshly bitten Trog flesh, had thrown the creature about ten feet away. It was far enough for the others to let in.

Talon's 20 mm. automatic rifle tore the creature around, as McReady worked his lever actioned rifle as fast as he could, wishing he had something stronger. Gruug quickly reloaded his Kalashnikov, as Gabriel fired his twin Berrettas.

They fired until they could fire no more, and only then did the creature stop moving.

"Fuck. I think we need more ammo." Said Talon, quietly to McReady.

Neither Blade or Buffy had been able to fire, for fear of hitting one of their comrades, but the creature had distracted them. Buffy turned her attention forward as soon as the creature stopped moving.

She was on a sidewalk in front of an old boarded up building, the walkway covered with yellowed papers and giant rat droppings.

She stopped and tried to listen, hoping to hear movement.

Nothing. Then a door about 30 paces ahead, swung open with a long painful metallic squeak.

"Blade, you see this. Here we go." She whispered, bringing the pancor around.

"Got it." Said Blade, readying his automatic rifle. Across the street Gruug moved into a parallel position, Gabriel nearby, his pistols reloaded.

Talon, a fresh clip of 20 mm. also moving up for a better angle. "Where's that damn flamer." He whispered.

McReady, behind, reloading his old rifle as fast as possible. "It's coming up, but first they got to unpack it."

The door squeaked all the way open slowly, and then suddenly slammed back shut. Like a Venus Fly trap closing on fly.

Then, carried by the wind, it opened again.

"Its just the fucking wind." Buffy began to say.

But it wasn't.

Before she could fully finish the sentence, the boards on the building exploded before her. Had she time to react, she might have dodged the blow, but she didn't even see it coming.

Instead, a large club came through the thin wood boards and caught her in the mid-section, picking her up off her feet and knocking her back into Blade, knocking him off balance. Blade saw the woman moving towards him and moved the rifle out of the way, then he too was knocked backwards.

Gruug turned to fire his Kalashnikov on the club wielding Trog, but a movement caught his eye.

Through the door came another Trog, this one carrying what looked like a huge sword. In fact, it was nothing but a long piece of metal that had been sharpenedd along most of its edge, but the effect was enough. A good swipe and it would go through a super mutant's head.

Gruug turned to fire his Kalashnikov at the sword bearing Trog, but the creature was already atop of him. The burst was short and then the blade came down, knocking the big assault rifle out of Gruug's hands . Then the creature lifted the heavy blade high above its head.

McReady, still reloading could only watch, but Talon fired, risking a hit to Gruug. Blade had gotten to his knees, also bringing up his rifle at the Trog that was poised to drop a death's blow to Gruug's head.

Neither man saw the other Trog grab Buffy's hair in its bloody hands and drag the woman into the building, beyond their sight.

Buffy, barely conscious and out of breath, was unable to even cry out.

It was Gabriel that saw the move. Grabbing knives in both hands he raced across the street to save Buffy before she was beyond the group's reach.

 

[Gruug]

The shot gave Gruug just enough time to pull out a big cleaver from his belt, and he gave it a heart swing with his left hand, cutting off the Trogs right hand.

"DIDN'T LIKE THAT DID YOU ASSHOLE?" Gruug screamed in it's face.
While the creature was howling Gruug punched it off of him, and grabbed the blade from it's severed hand.
"Finish him off quick, girl in trouble." Said Gruug.
He had seen the girl being dragged off, because he had been frantically looking around for something to block the Trogs attack with. As he got up he stamped on it, and let a burst into it's two eyes loose.

Gabriel was coming up the side, watching Gruug do the same. He knew the mutant must of seen a back door. Both hit the doors at the same time, two on one.

And that was exactly what Gruug was thinking.
"On 2, kick down doors." Shouted Gruug.
"ONE.... TWOOOO!" And with that Gruug burst in the building crouched. He saw the thing with the girl, ready to slit her throat when he whirled around.
"Gaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" Said the Trog, and threw buffy to the floor and ran after Gruug, a medium sized knife in it's hand. Gruug ran too, with the big sword like piece of metal. The both ran into each other, CRUUUUUUNCH, Gruug could hear some of the things bones snapping. The Trog managed to stab Gruug in the shoulder with it's knife, whilst being propelled by Gruug to wall.

BANG, from outside, it looked like the whole house was going to fall apart, and then they saw Gruug and the Trog go through the wall.

Gruug fell down ontop of the Trog, which had taken out another knife and was repeatadly stabbing him. Gruug managed to lift the big sword, and brought it down horizontally, slicing the Trogs head off. But Gruug was no way near fine, the Trog had stabbed and slashed him atleast 30 times, and he now had two knives in him. One in his right shoulder, and one in his hip.
"GET GIRL OUT" Yelled Gruug at the top of his lungs, and then fell back on the Trog, unconcious.

 

[Gunslinger]

Caleb wavered on the hair-thin edge of consciousness and unconsciousness. Everything was black in his mind but he knew that he was awake and that he was dying.

Burning.

I’m burning up, thought Caleb. The searing knives of fire digging into his flesh were a stark reality. He could feel the damp sweat seeping into his clothes but the miniscule droplets manufactured by his body had no alleviation. The air filtering into his nostrils felt thick and unfulfilling.

Hell.

I’m in Hell, thought Caleb. It was inevitable. He had gunned down men, women, and children with Regulator and Vindicator and each death was another step into the bowels of Hell. No, the road to perdition was not paved in lies but in murders. And Caleb’s path stretched on to infinity.

Scraping.

Scrape. Scrape. A hiss of pain.

“What the hell?” muttered Caleb out loud. His voice sounded weak and thin yet echoed close to his head, as if it emanated from someone else. He opened his eyes and saw that he was still alive.

It was noon but a haze of radioactive smog hid the sun. He was still lying next to the fallen bridge, just a few feet away from the giant chasm. He was still propped against a boulder. The wound on his shoulder had scabbed over but it was now tinged with a sickly green and stank, as if it was rotting.

Caleb heard the scraping noise again and turned his head towards its source. He saw Jeeva stooped over. His boot pressed his right hand down and his left hand was running a knife across it. He was scraping flesh off his hand.

“The hell are you doing?” exclaimed Caleb. He shifted in spot and a tingling pins-and-needles sensation rolled up his leg.

The slaver dropped the knife, shivering in shock. He turned to Caleb, his face bathed in sweat. Without a word, he splayed his open-palmed right hand towards Caleb. The hand was covered in blood but the old Blade could still see parts of the death’s head tattoo.

“I’m not a slaver anymore,” explained Jeeva. “So there’s no reason for me to be sporting a slaver’s tattoo.” He turned back to his work, running the knife across his flesh. It made that eerie scraping noise.

Caleb shrugged, watching the slaver work in silence. His leg was asleep, tingling as blood tried to circulate through closed veins, and he massaged it with both hands. “Why the sudden change of heart?” asked Caleb as he worked his leg.

Jeeva didn’t turn around. He was literally concentrating on the task at hand. With his teeth clenched and the words coming out in deep breath, Jeeva replied, “No sudden change of heart. I just can’t stand to have this thing reminding me of a lifetime’s mistake every time I wipe my brow.”

“Self mutilation is a sin,” Caleb said conversationally. “But getting that tattoo was already self mutilation, in a sense.”

“I’m not religious, Caleb.”

“Neither am I.”

Jeeva threw down the knife and threw him a sharp look. “They why’d you bring it up?”

Caleb shrugged. “Just thought you might want to get right with God, even if you don’t believe in Him. Both of us stand a good chance of dying.” The Blade was silent and then added, “Some more than others.”

“I don’t plan on dying anytime soon,” the ex-slaver said stubbornly.

“No? Then start planning, Jeeva. Even if you don’t believe in God, or the gods, or whatever. Myself, I believe in Fate. And Fate doesn’t shine on man. If you want something hard enough, chances are Fate will crush that want. Fate is fickle and Fate only wants man to come to fortune by pure luck. So plan on dying, Jeeva, because than Fate might surprise you and let you live.”

Jeeva did not reply. He picked up his knife and continued scraping his flesh off in penance for a lifetime’s worth of evil.

Mercifully, Caleb was silent. He had fallen asleep again, and he wondered if he would be able to wake up again before drifting off.

 

[Gruug]

OOC: I won't be able to post for a while, because I am sick. Just about threw up coming to this computer. So don't kill off Gruug, thanks.

 

[welsh]

OCC- Ok this picks up from Smar's post- hope ya feel better.

ICC-
Purple spillage leaked from Gruug's mouth, a trickle of mutant vomit that dripped to the dirty sidewalk. They had applied what first aid they could, but Talon doubted it would do much good.

They waited behind the body, waiting for another attack. But it didn't come.

Talon, crouched next to Gruug, looking over the wounded mutant. "Here, we hold here! Damn it."

Somedays, life had been easier as a slaver.

Blade had come up with his assault rifle, both men now looking down the street for possible adversaries. Gabriel was in the house bringing out Buffy.

"We need to get the fuck out of Dodge." Said Blade.

Talon wasn't sure where Dodge was. "How do you expect to move him?" Meaning the mutant.

Blade looked over Gruug. "He's sure one big motherfucker. I don't think I could carry him out. But maybe he'll succumb to his wounds."

Talon shook his head, "Don't count on it."

McReady, having reloaded his rifle joined the three. Shortly there after, Gabriel came out of the building with a very dazed and slightly bandaged Buffy over his shoulders.

Both McReady and Gabriel slumped down behind the body of Gruug. Gabriel looked to where the snipers where, but they could offer little support down the street from their vantage point. Back towards the cart, it looked like a few men were moving up, but the mass of men had formed a skirmish line. Too far back to do much good.

"You see 'em" Said Blade.

"Nada." Said Talon. "But we can't stay here like this."

THe position was precarious. Gruug had collapsed in front of the darkened buildings into which the Trogs had snatched Buffy. They had rescued the girl, but any Trog could get close through the building.

"I'm going back in to watch the flank" Said Gabriel, and before anyone could speak, Gabriel had gone back inside the house.

McReady, had fetched stimpacks for his pack and had injected Gruug and Buffy. Buffy was coming too slowly. She would carry a heavy bruise on her mid-section and she might have suffered damage to her ribs, but she would live. She groaned with each movement. Gruug was still out.

The man who had come up was old Ibis, and with his the three headed dog Cerebus, as usual loyal to its master. Ibis got down near the group and looked over Gruug than Buffy. "Damn, he's fucked up." Said Ibis, as he opened up his doctor's kit and started to get to work.

"What are you doing?" Said Talon, "We can't stay here."

"He can't be moved either." Said Ibis. A statement of the obvious. They couldn’t move him and they couldn’t leave him. In other words, they were stuck.

Talon took in the situation. Jeeva had always said that leadership required action. Sometimes one acted badly, but that was better than not acting at all when you had to. And now he needed to act.

“McReady, I want you to go back. Look for Hook or Grim or someone with freaking brains and tell them what’s going on. Then come back with men and any flamers. You can find.”

“You stayin’ here?” Asked McReady.

“I ain’t leavin him behind.” Said Talon.

McReady nodded and went back.

In the nearby room, Gabriel crouched low, and waited. He could hear the conversation outside, but his attention was on the room, listening for creaks in the floor, for sounds of movement. Slowly, stealthily, he pulled out his long blades, then moved panther quiet across the floor. He might have lacked Gruug’s massive strength, but made up for it in skill and speed. There were deathclaw that had learned that lesson.

When the Trog tried to come through the building, Gabriel was ready.

_____


At the Canyon’s edge, the last of the carts had finally made it up the hill, and had begun to pile up. Behind Grim, he could see Hook and Reed coming up the hill. The brahmin herd would follow.

But the carts had failed to move further as the drivers waited for the road to clear before them. Most of the men had dismounted and had formed a line in front, weapons ready.

Nat had taken a pair of binoculars and was watching the battle in the village from her perch on a cart.

“What’s the situation?” Asked Grim. Jim had moved forward and Pipboy was still sitting next to Nat.

“Hard to say. Can’t see much. There were a couple big creatures up ahead, and one of them almost got to Rogue and Syphon, but Rogue dropped it. The others have gone into town but I can’t see them from here.”

“Might I take a look?”

Nat handed him, her binoculars and then went back in search of her sniper’s rifle, recently liberated from a League soldier who had come on bad times in an abandoned railway station.

Grim moved over to the side, for a better vantage point. From there he could see that Rogue and Syphon were shifting positions. Then he could see Ibis forward. But if Ibis had moved forward that meant there were wounded people, and wounded that couldn’t move.

The other men hadn't moved because there was no one to organize them.

Jim came up to Grim, “Looks like trouble ahead. You coming?” Jim had grabbed an ancient assault rifle and was checking to make sure he had full clips.

Then Pipboy pointed to a drainage pipe some 30 meters away, where one of the caravan guards was investigating.

At first Pipboy couldn’t mouth the words, but then it came out. “Rat.”

Grim yelled out, “Watch it.” But it was too late.

The man turned to see if Grim was talking to him, and the rats caught him from behind, dropping him to the floor at crawled atop him, sinking its teeth into his shoulder and neck. The man screamed, as Grim and Jim fired at the creature. Their bullets tore into the rat, which collapsed onto its side. But then another came out, grabbed at the body and dragged it into the tunnel.

Both Jim and Grim ran to the tunnel. “He’s had it.” Said Grim.

Jim nodded, and fished out a grenade, pulled the pin and threw it back into the tunnel.

Most of the men had not yet reacted yet, though few suddenly realized they were vulnerable from behind. But many also suddenly realized that the first of the 50 who had originally left Tabis had died.

“You three form teams of three men.,” Grim yelled, trying to get them to move. To think now would demoralize. Better to act. “Blow all the tunnels, collapse ‘em. We got giant rats around here. Be careful, they attack in force.”

Grim didn’t see Natalie come up from behind. “What about them?” pointing ahead.

“We’re going to go get ‘em.” Said Grim.

One of the men looked at Grim, “We ain’t going to wait for Hook or Reed?”

“Nope.” Then Grim set to organizing the men. He picked a small group of 12 men and divided them into three teams of four. The others would stay back to guard the caravan, although Grim picked another 4 men as a reserve.

While he was doing this McReady came back, his voice raspy with shortness of breath. “Need flamers.” The older man said.

Shortly after McReady got in, Thing two and Thing one came running in. They spoke quickly to McReady and then McReady turned to Grim.

“They spotted tracks from the Northeast of town, figure about 8 Trogs. Figure we killed 4 of them, that leaves us with probably another 4. Them and the Giant rats. Lots of them.” Then he mapped out the town on the dirt. The ghost town was centered around one road that meant in a cross section a few dozen yards from where the group was hunkering down. Rows of houses and buildings lined the street for about a mile and then back a bit. The Trogs could be hiding anywhere.

“First thing, we got to get to Talon’s group and figure out what their situation is. Then we flush out the Troggs, and if that don’t work, we burn em out.”

By that time Hook had come up. “What’s the situation here, Badge?”

“Talon’s men had gone in to clean out the town but they seem to have been ambushed. Gruug is down and Buffy got hit. That just leaves Talon, Blade and Gabriel. Ibis went in before I got here, I assume to work on Gruug.”

“So you figure on getting them out.” Said Hook.

“I do. Got 12 men in three squads of 4. We go in, concentrate around those pinned down and wounded, then we try to flush out the Trogs. We got two snipers to the south of town. We got another 9 men flushing out rats. Four man reserve. That leaves 9 men to guard the carts, the rest down below with the herd.”

Hook thought it over. “Pretty thin. What’s the opposition?”

“Trogs, but I think we got 4 of them, the rest are holding up and staying down. Maybe they won’t give us trouble and hope to slip out tonight. But we also got lots of giant rats.”

Hook removed his binoculars and looked out over the town. “Don’t see any rats.”

“They’re underground, got one man already.”

Hook swore. Then he looked at Grim. “Alright, go and get ‘em.”

Grim, leading the others, moved back to the skirmish line. One group would stay to the right, the other left, and they would converge on Talon's position.

With Grim were Jim, McReady and Virgil.

Natalie ran up, her sniper's rifle ready. "I'm coming too."

For a moment Grim was about to tell her to forget it, but then he changed his mind. "Alright, just stay close."

"Me too." Said Pipboy who had removed a long knife.

 

[Gunslinger]

Nice to hear from you, welsh. Good luck on the procrastinated deadline (ah, reminds me so much of highschool already) and the grand office move.

And glad to see you're up and about, Wasteland Blade. So now we've got Rogue Hex, Reaper, Stranger, Jacin, and Fallout gone. Rogue and Reaper are off to vacation, Jacin's coming back eventually. I don't know about Stranger (he hasn't posted since) and welsh seems to have the progress report on Fallout.

Okay onto posting:

If you've noticed (which you probably should have by now) the meat of the Lone Wanderers is made out of posts by welsh. Sometimes, at the wee hours of the night, he'll burn the midnight oil and manage to post some stuff. And all the better for him if he can write regularly and proficiently. Plus, he's got the clearest idea of where Lone Wanderers is going. I guess you can say that he's the leader of this RPG (now that Fang is gone) and all the more power for him.

In a few parts of some chapters, I sorta let welsh think out the major conflict and plans and just tagged along. I'd have Caleb gun down people but that's about it. And that adds very little to the story itself, people. So what I'm saying is: take initiative. The new people are currently just guards but they're also thinking and resourceful human beings filled with human ingenuity. Myself, I was afraid that if I took the story out of its preset course, I'd ruin it. Well, since Lone Wanderers is amateur writing course, you can't really ruin it. That's what edit is for. So take the lead once and a while, you know, offer some exciting tidbits and encounters.

Secondly, try posting as often as you can. Myself, I can't really follow my own advice (but, damn you, listen to what I say, not what I do!). I can maybe post once a day (and that would be good for me). But to make up for that, my posts are often long (read Chapter One and you'll know what I mean) and full of interesting stuff. I don't post just to say "Caleb took a shit and ate some jerky" because that would add very little to the story. I compare my writing style to taking a piss: if you try too hard and force it, chances are you can't. And if you're going and you try to stop it, chances are you can't.

And, I'll agree with A.J. Liebling when he said: "I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better."

So just post, post, and post. And remember: POST!

 

[welsh]

OOC- Thanks Gunslinger, that was very kind of you to say. And I would agree, that the vibrancy of this thread is in the quality of the posts and the enthusiasm of the posters. It's like Durkheim, the more you communicate, the richer the posts, the better the interactions, and that rocks. So new folks, please post.

Take the initiative.

Buffy, don't get bummed out if the posts crashes. Take your time, do it again. If you want, do it on Word. But don't stop.

Blade, you haven't posted in a while. Please post. Yersinia Pestis has bitten you on the ass. If you haven't checked that out on the web, heads up, it's the Black Plague. Your character will be coming down with symtoms by tomorrow (game time). If you don't get treated within a week, you're an ex-marine.

Most of us are on vacation somewhere. I just got a heads up from Reaper. A lot of folks will be coming back soon. This is a free chance to write and be creative with your own Fallout character. Have fun with it.

If you don't want to, drop out. But please tell us. At least this way we'll know who is in, and who is out (and who we can kill without any guilt!) In the end the best posters will keep posting and the rest will fall to the wayside. Either you want to be here, or you don't. It's a free world, but you gotta pay your dues.

ICC-

Gabriel moved quietly through the room, his shoes leaving little but a whisper, his trail not even raising dust. With glasses off his vision relaxed and was comfortable. There would be no surprises.

He moved through the room, past where the creature had taken Buffy. There were tracks, big, oversized humanoid tracks of a Trog.

The tracks went back into the house, through a kitchen, down an ancient stair well. Gabriel hesitated. If the stair could hold a Trog, it could carry him. This was foolish, hunting a Trog. What was he thinking he was doing.

A noise, a creak, a shuffle, from the basement.

Carefully weighing his balance, he went down the stairs, listening more than seeing. But it had stopped moving.

Waiting for him?

The smell, pungent and slightly rotten. He crouched, half way down the stair, and looked. Below, the body of a slaughtered giant rat. Its head had been bashed in as if by a giant club, and a jagged cut across its mid-section, organs removed forciably. By something very hungry.

He stepped forward.

Creaked the floarboard at his weight.

Fuck.

Not caring about sound, he propelled himself down the rest of the stairs, as a giant club slammed in the side, smashing the beam that held the stairs up. The stairs collapsed in a pile of wood and dust that mixed with the blood.