[Junk XIII] In the Wound (K 2-7, S 2-7)

Rich

Next morning, you all wake up well rested (Kiddo has a bit of a hangover, not too bad; Rinso brings her lots of water). Kodak moves most everything, enough to buy fuel for home with no stops, and the leftovers he thinks he can trade at Salt.

You head out in the late afternoon, Starburst riding escort. You pass through the North Candies' roadblock, no troubles, and Star follows on. She makes camp with you at night, explains she's heading back to Salt, figured it would be smart to keep together, and Spree liked the idea.

Junk Radio keeps playing the hits, shutting down at night. The trucks are loaded down with new trade, heavier stock, mechanical things, parts, solar batteries, lots of goods. Kodak's as concerned about getting this stuff home as he was getting the trade up north. You don't stop at Trench, nobody complains about that, I imagine.

It's late evening when you finall pull in to Salt. No sick folks this time around, which is good. No troubles with the Wendys, either. Everyone's feeling pretty casual by now.

Stitch, what did you hear on the radio that has you a bit worried when you guys roll in to Salt?

Kiddo, how are things going with you, VB and Rinso? Any troubles? Who are you finding that you spend more time with? Who, of the three of you, isn't handling this super well?

What do you do?

Adam

Getting through to Salt, and finally out of "marked" Wendy territory is nice. Like finally being able to breathe when you dive down too deep in water? I'm always real nervous when we pass near the Valley — part of me wouldn't be too upset if I never stepped foot in there again, but I know that isn't gunna happen... With Simon in there, there'll always be a part of the family that needs to be tended to.

All of this and more is running through my brain as we pull into Salt. Truth be told I've been stretched kinda thin these past few days. Finding time to deal with Rinny between day watch, night watch, Vee, and myself is kinda starting to take its toll... Vee and Rinny seems to be handling it pretty well, though, all things considered. I've been spending plenty of time with Vee, cause she can jump between trucks when she wants, where as Rinny and I need to be on separate trucks while we're driving — and we're always driving.

When we pull into Salt, my focus is basically shot. I'm looking forward to seeing Hump.

Genevieve

I worry because Metro's messages for me stopped. The first day it was disappointing, but the next made me worry. I've managed to chew one of my nails down to the quick. Did he find someone else? Did he forget about me? What if something happened to him while working on the second tower? Maybe he had a part break and didn't have a replacement?

I have to close my eyes and take a breath a few times on the road. My stomach is doing all sorts of acrobatics- excited to be getting back to Salt, but terrified at the same time. It's not like we're in a relationship or anything- we had one night together. One fantastic night, sure, but he's a robot- maybe sex is just another weird human thing. I try not to think of him with someone else and fail utterly- the image of him and Svenja is burned into my mind. What? What is that about- I've been with her this whole time. Why would I picture that? I'm embarrassed to be so worked up about a guy I slept with one time- I'm not some teenage girl in high school.

I barely hear what people say. I'm sure I'm terrible company in the car. I wish this fucking planet had a fucking pharmacy so I could get some fucking Xanax or something just to calm the fuck down. Breath, Stitch, breath. I force myself to take a few calming breaths.

Rich

The trucks pull in, around near the mobile homes, the place where Union died. Of course, the sweep took you past the Radio Tower. Hump sees the trucks, and he waves and waves. Topps is with him, holding his hand and waving, too. In the dim light, you think you see KellyTires, but you certainly hear him, broadcasting over the radio a big hello. Hump takes off running after the trucks, and a laughing Topps tries to keep up.

You pull around, park, and don't even have the door open when Hump yanks yours open, Kiddo, and launches himself up to hug you fiercely, "Kiddo! Thank the gods you're back! Everybody okay? See anything great? Get any cool trade? Kill any Wendys?"

Stitch, there's no greeting for you. In fact, you checked where Metro had his van parked before, and it isn't there.

Of course, Hump runs over to hug VB and punch Rinso on the shoulder. The crew all works together to prep the trucks for the night. Kodak has a small amount for trade, but he handles the unloading. Svenja calls out, "Hey y'all, let's hit that cantina. First round's on me!" Something about little Salt, with its tower and decent beds and cantina, that everyone feels a bit safer, a bit closer to home.

What do you do?

Genevieve

My stomach does one final flop when the van I'm hoping to see most definitely isn't there. I feel like all the air has been let out of me. I swallow, the lump in my throat not going anywhere.

I nod to Svenja. I most certainly could use a drink. It's be nice to hear that musician again- he was really good.

My mind keeps running circles, even though I know it's useless. Maybe it's better this way- at least I don't have to see him hanging out with someone else. It's just... it wasn't just fucking. We talked about home. We shared each other's secrets. I don't understand how he could just drive away from that.... My treacherous brain reminds me though- after all, he's a robot. Could he even care about me? Could he love? I spent so long pushing people away that when I finally let one in... I feel dumb. It was just one night. I sigh and head to the cantina. At least I can look forward to the Margo Ritas.

Adam

I giggle loudly, and hug Hump back tightly. "Frak Hump, you'd think I hadn't seen you in a while or something!" Gods it's good to see him though... I give him a kiss on the cheek and a li'l wink before letting him run off to greet Vee and Rinny. Then I pull him under my arm when Svenja tells us to meet her at the cantina for drinks.

"All kinds of stuff. We saw the North "Candies", and Trench, and Sapphire, and some other stuff we should talk about," I lean in close to his ear, and whisper, "about Ma' and Dad being up North." I rub his shoulder warmly, and announce, "but first! Drinks!"

I lean forward, and crane my neck to find Topps, "How's my dink of a li'l brother been treating you sweetie? You good?"

Rich

You all head into Ollie's. There's a healthy group of folks here. Some of the workers from the tower, plus some travelers. Seems that a radio tower helps business. Bicycle is behind the bar. He greets your arrival with a hearty, "Margo! Ritas!"

Svenja swoops in to buy the round with some jingle she picked up along the way, gambling with Bank, Kodak, and Motel, or something. Starburst sits with your group, but she's pretty quiet right now, seems to be looking for someone, maybe? Hard to say exactly.

Kiddo, Topps answers with a grin, "He's good. You've got a good brother. He wouldn't shut up about you, kept saying you'd come back with your parents."

Adam

Well that's gotta be disappointing... I quirk a frown and ruffle Hump's hair, "soon enough, li'l Humperdink — soon enough. We've gotta prep a few things, and get some jingle together — but now I know where to look, and nothing's gunna keep me from the trail now!"

I grab one of the Margo Ritas and follow the group over to some tables. I tap Starburst on the arm, "Who you looking for sweetie?"

Genevieve

"Hey, Bicycle." I say, sitting down at the bar. I chew on my thumb nail, wondering if I should ask the tower workers about Metro. I don't have the guts, though- I sit at the bar and drink, trying not to think about him.

Rich

Kiddo, Hump tries to look pleased, but there's a worry, like he senses the hesitation, or something in your voice. Topps doesn't catch it though, she grins happily, give you a side-hug and slides under Hump's arm. Hump just says, "C'mon sis... Humperdink? Really?"

Inside Ollie's, people scoot together a few tables. Mattel is in the middle of a set, and its interesting how much closer the group is now. Svenja brings over the drinks, probably so she gets all the compliments and thank you's. She comes back after everyone starts drinking to get you, Stitch. She says, "What're you doin here, Stitch? We too good for ya?"

Kiddo, you head over to Starburst and ask what she's looking for. She looks sheepish, like you caught her. "Oh, I just hoped Ford had made it up this far. Fat chance he'd travel this far north, you know?" Does Star know that you and Ford used to party? What is it about him that didn't sit well with you?

Adam

I grin widely when Hump squirms uncomfortably at his nickname — trying to act all grown up. I give him another kiss on the cheek and let him loose with his girl so I can go bug Starburst.

Ford and I used to party — that's a big-ol' past tense on that one. The man was really high strung – glitter, and glass, and all this other shit – and he kinda jumped off the deep end with a clique of folks I don't party with. Just a bunch of frakked up and diseased assholes that don't give a frak about this place, 'cause they think it's the afterlife. I don't party with rotten meat. They're led by this weird ex-pilgrim frakker... Oh gods... What was her name again? The one that listened way too much to that Borlicks fella...

Frak. I can't remember.

Anyway, I pat her on the shoulder and pull her over to the table with the rest of the group, "Margo Ritas on us, hot stuff, c'mon! If you're lookin' to hook up with a bunch of ravers, I can tell ya where Ford is... You got rubbers? You'd probly need 'em with him."

Rich

Kiddo, Starburst glances around, nods, "Yeah, I got protection." She says it like Reese is still around, watching over her shoulder. Even with all those Candies around, she always, always wanted to make Reesie proud. Was Reese proud of her? You know Starburst always thought Altoids was Reese's favorite.

Rinso scoots out a chair for you, Kiddo. VB's on his other side. Star grabs a seat on the other side of that, which puts her beside Kodak. She smirks at him, and he ends up pulling her into some chatter about her bike. They're being friendly. You see Svenja up there trying to pull Stitch over to the table.

Motel6 starts telling a story about a time when Upper9 ran Station, and how he and his son started a bunch of building projects, and Motel was a roofer. Evidently, Motel needed the jingle, but he was scared of heights, so he spent a whole Junkfall coming up with excuses to stay off the roofs, bringing water, running errands, anything they needed. Then one day somebody discovered it, and well, that's how Motel ended up leaving Sector.

Genevieve

"What? Oh, no." I reply to Svenja, shaking myself out of my thoughts. I'll walk back to the table with her, sitting down next to Motel6.

I listen to him talk- I could listen to him talk all night. I try to imagine what he looked like when he was younger. I smile as he talks, laughing at the appropriate times. I want to ask about Sector- I've heard a little bit about it- but I don't want to bring down the mood and I'm pretty sure some heavy shit went down there. I'll try to remember to ask later.

Adam

Reese spent a lot of time with a girl named Twix — they were kinda the artisans my Dad relied on in the early days when the Commune was just getting going, so they had a lot in common. Twix and I had a long talk about stuff after Reese — well, y'know — specifically about what Reese had in mind about her neice and nephews...

Y'know how sometimes mothers can be a little overbearing? "Why can't you be more like your brother blank" or some shit like that. Reese had a more hands off approach — and by hands off I mean praise when it's worthy, but rarely scorn. Altoids was the guy who dreamed big and failed often, and Reese knew that. Starburst was much more down to earth — if a bit hot tempered — so she rarely ever did something that made Reese go "Wow." Twix told me Reese was always proud of her for that — thinking things through, and surviving — but I know Twix didn't get a chance to tell Starburst that before Starburst ran off...

I quirk a frown, and add, "Atta girl. Still making your Ma' proud I see!" I take the seat next to Rinny, and brush against the inside of his thigh under the table. "So Stitch! You look like someone ran over your dog. What's up with that?"

Rich

Kiddo,

Starburst grins, a little bashful when you mention her ma. She lightly slaps your arm, as if to say "oh stop", then buries her grin in a drink of beer, she got her own.

When you brush Rinnie's thigh, your fingertips run across another hand. VB has hers on Rinnie's other thigh. She's looking across Rindo at you and smiling a wicked little smile.

Mattel takes the music up a beat, kicking in a more lively tune. What song is he playing that your dad didn't teach him?

Adam

It takes me a few seconds to recognize what Mattel's playing, but there's no doubt he's playing Glasgow Mega-Snake by Mogwai. Dad never liked that harder electric stuff — he was always more into blues and jazz — but I love stuff like this. This is pretty bad ass!

I smirk back at Vee when I feel her hand, and take a drink. I turn back to Starburst and ask, "You heard from your brothers recently?"

Rich

Starburst looks up from her beer. "Altoids... lost track of him a while back. He went off on another hunt for buried treasure or what-not. You know him, big ideas, no planning, luck of the gods. I'm sure he'll come back, richer than frakkin Marlboro until he gives it all away." She huffs a little laugh, raises a glass to him.

"Ro is on the circuit to green valley. You know, the old home of the First Men? He travels with a small caravan, harvests what they can, brings it back. It's dangerous work, but good pay. He thinks if he has enough jingle, that air-headed girl Krug, you remember the temple runner with the big ears? Anyways, he thinks she'll... I dunno. Frak him? Marry him? Give him the time of day? Somethin." She takes another swig.

"Your gramma is still here, right? Surprised you haven't gone to see her."

Genevieve

"I'm ok." I reply to Kiddo. "Just tired." I try and fake a smile for a while, and catch the next round for our table.

Adam

I toast Altoids with her, giggling at how lucky the bastard can be. "Junkfalls be a motherfrakker, yeah?" I take another drink. Ro's after Krug? Woof... Talk about setting the bar low. I guess there's no accounting for tastes. "I'm sure she'll give him something if he throws enough jingle at her... Gramma's still here. I'm gunna go knock at the door later, once I've got a buzz going, heh heh."

I frown at Stitch's fake smile, "You sure sweetie?" I'm trying to get through that thick outer skin of hers... Something's obviously bothering her...

Adam

OOC: Reading Stitch. Roll+Sharp. +1XP Rolling highlighted.
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 6, 3. Total: 10)

Adam

OOC: Q from the hit: What is Stitch really feeling?

Holding 2 unless Stitch interferes.

Genevieve

I brush Kiddo's concern off. "Oh yeah, I'm good."

OOC: Interfere incoming

Genevieve

OOC: Interfere with Kiddo. Roll+hx.
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 3, 3. Total: 7)

Genevieve

I feel lonely. Svenja is from my time, but I just can't connect with her. I thought I'd connected with Metro but he's gone and I don't know why. Nobody at this table really gives a shit about me and the trio of VB, Rinso and Kiddo are all over each other- which is not helping.

Adam

I squint dubiously at Stitch for a second, but it suddenly clicks that she's pining over her mystery boy over the radio... That dude... What was his name? Metro! I'm confused about why she's not asking around for the dude if she's so sweet on him... But it looks like she's not moving, so I pat Rinny's thigh, and give him a kiss. "Just a second sweetie, I'll be right back."

I walk over to Bicycle, and pat the bar, "Hey Bicycle — you seen that creepy older dude, Metro, around lately?"

Rich

Stitch,

The conversation hits a lull, and after Kiddo takes off, Rinso scoots forward in his chair, leans towards Bank and Motel and says, "You know, it occurs to me that I didn't tell you all about how Stitch saved one of those Candy girl's lives out on the road." That gets their attention, even Svenja's, who was eyes-closed-grooving-to-the-music.

Rinso holds out his hands, "So you remember how those Candies were trying to make us pay a toll, right? Well, Kiddo chats up their leader, that girl Spree. And finds out that one o their girls is real sick. So we ask our own Stitch here to go see what can be done."

With a shrug of his shoulders, back and forth to mimic walking, Rinso continues, "Cool as can be, Stitch here walks up, checks out their girl, what was her name?"

"It's Payday." VB answers without thinking about it.

"Yeah, Payday," Rinso agrees, "So Payday's laying there, all sweaty and dyin and drek. And Stitch walks up, looks her over, and says, "Oh, its her pendix." Then in a minute, she's got her little knife out, cuttin the girl open and WHICK WHICK, she pulls out this little pendix. Puts it in a baggie, pretty as you please. Then sews her right the frak up. Gives Spree some meds for infection and BAM! The girl's fixed. She's a damn good doctor."

Motel nods enthusiastically, Svenja and Bank do, too. Kodak agrees, "Yeah, she is. And cheap, too.... just kidding, darlin."

Rich

Kiddo,

Bicycle was busy chatting with a couple guys at the bar, but he's got time for you, Kiddo. He says, "He took off not long after y'all left, went off to work on another tower. KellyTires would know where. You want another drink?"

Adam

I purse my lips to one side, and roll my eyes up while I consider drinking a bit more... "Nah," I finally answer, waving him off, "I'm good. Thanks for the info." I pat the bar a few more times, and walk back over to the table, standing next to Stitch. I lean over her shoulder, and whisper, "your boytoy is working on another tower — Imma go ask KellyTires where he's at. You feel like tagging along?"

Then to Topps, "Hey sweetie, where would your Dad be now? Still up on the tower? Back at home?"

Rich

Topps was sitting near Hump, but closer to the stage. She had her feet up on another chair. She looks up, and answers, "Dad's probably done by now. I'd check over at Jemma's."

Genevieve

I nod my head in thanks. "It was simple enough. I'm just glad we got there when we did- another hour or two and she might have died." It's always nice to chalk one up in the win column- especially a surgery on the hood of a car with no complications.

I chuckle a bit at Kodak's comment, but I don't really appreciate the joke. Any other night and I might flirt a bit- tell him he couldn't be more wrong- but my hearts just not in it.

"Sure." I tell Kiddo. I wouldn't go ask on my own, but I know she's gonna start asking questions whether or not I'm there, so I might as well here the answers.

Adam

I pat her shoulder, "Let's go then!" I blow a kiss over to Rinny and Vee, announcing, "We'll be back in a bit sweeties. Don't party too hard without us!"

Rich

Alright, then.

The pair of you head out of the cantina and walk the short distance down "main street" towards Jemma's. On the way, you both notice a dozen headlights off in the distance to the west. Kiddo, you'd guess they're half an hour away.

Over at Jemma's, the door is closed. There's a light on in there, you smell something meaty, maybe soup, hear some soft conversation. Kiddo, do you normally knock or just walk right in?

Adam

At Gramma Jemma's? Knock. Always.

"Gramma?" I give the door a few pounds, "It's Kiddo." What direction were those headlights coming from, by the way?

Rich

"It's open, darlin!" Jemma answers quick.

I assume you head in. She's ambling over to the door and meets you, pulling you into a hug. Kiddo, why don't you describe Jemma, I think she hasn't met her before.

KellyTires is sitting at the table, eating soup. He's wiping at his mouth, and coming up to greet you, too. "Stitch. Kiddo, welcome back!"

The headlights are to the west.

Adam

On yeah! Well Stitch, you see a short, thin brown haired woman in her late 40's, early 50's. Gramma always joked that she's got good jeans – whatever that means.

This is her:


I return Gramma's hug, smiling wide, and wave back to KellyTires. "Hey guys! Glad to see everyone's OK. Stitch here was looking for her boy Metro. Bicycle mentioned he was on another tower. Do you know which one?"

Genevieve

I nod to KellyTires. "Hi." I say to Jemma- she looks too young to be somebody's grandmother- she's not that much older than me.

I blush when Kiddo calls Metro my boy. I stammer about him not being mine and that I'm just curious, but it's barely intelligible.

Rich

KellyTires quirks a brow at the mention of Metro being anyone's boy, but it isn't a cruel questioning, just surprise. "He's at Bubble Borough, off to the east by Burn Lake. Been there before?"

Jemma offers you a hand, Stitch, "You're part of Kiddo's crew, Humphrey told me you're a doctor, right?" Her tone sounds a little reserved. The woman's lean muscle and grit.

Adam

Shit. Way the frak out there? Well so much for that. I nod, "Yeah, I've been — just once though. My Ma' and I rode out hunting for junkships once. It was a few days solid on bike..." He's probably already there...

Gramma's always real skeptical about new recruits; but Stitch is a top notch doc, so I jump in. "Yup! You shoulda seen her Gramma! We were on the road, and she ripped out this chick's 'pendix like it was no big deal — saved her life and everything!" I walk over to KellyTires and put my hand on his shoulder, "is Salt expecting a 12-car caravan from out in the East? Or should we be worried?"

Genevieve

"Yes, ma'am." I reply to Jemma as I shake her hand. I look her in the eye, too.

Well that solves that. I'd told Metro when we were supposed to be back in Salt. Either he had to go out to work on the tower, or he left to avoid me. Doesn't much matter which, there's nothing I can do about it. I don't have a bike or truck and I'm certainly not going to try and get out there on my own.

I catch Kiddo's tone. Twelve cars? That seems odd.

Rich

Jemma purses her lips, impressed with you, Stitch, "A clinic doc is a whole different thing than a field medic. That's good work, Kiddo. Someone to patch your skinny ass up."

KellyTires shakes his head, "I saw 'em. Couldn't tell if they're Wendys, Pilgrims or what. Half bikes, half cars, moving faster than a caravan. Seems like they're hoping to get here at night..."

Jemma interrupts, "I got Snapper and Belcher cleaned up, ready to go. If they want to come in and play, they will end up giving to Jemma's War Chest, heh. Bring it the frak on, I haven't been in a good fight in too long." Snapper is her name for her assault rifle, belcher is her own boomstick.

KellyTires shakes his head at that, sort of amazed. He looks to you, Stitch, "Metro should be back tomorrow, Stitch. He got caught up with a malfunction, needed to babysit something. He left me a two-way, asked me to let you use it, if you wanted. Wrote down some instructions, I'm pretty sure I can work it. He seemed confident you'd know how it works, though. I've got it up at the tower."

Adam

I grin wide at Gramma's compliment, "Hear that Stitch? She thinks I'm skinny!"
but the news about the posibility of an incoming raider party has me irked... I really hope folks are relatively sober over at the cantina. "They're about a half hour out now... I guess I should probably get my crew and keep an eye on that truck."

I look over to Gramma, "You mind if I stick Hump in here with you, Gramma? He's a piss-poor shot..."

Genevieve

"Oh." I say to KellyTires. "Yeah, I can work it." I'm not sure that going to the tower to talk to Metro right now is a great idea if we have raiders or Wendys incoming, but a part of me doesn't really care.

I'm impressed by Jemma. She's a sharp old bird- not even that old- I can see where Kiddo gets her bravery from. Her grandma's a badass!

Rich

Jemma quirks a brow, "He can stay in here if he'll hold a gun. If you expect him to hide in the corner, better put him somewheres else. Cause my grandson will learn to shoot right quick in here!" She looks over at Kelly, "Finish up your damn soup, old man. You oughta get Stitch over to the tower quick to chat with her boy." She winks at you, Stitch, "Never know if you'll be patchin folks up." KellyTires shakes his head, smiles and slurps away.

"Skinny girl, you got anyone on your crew who can snipe from that tower?"

Adam

I nod, "Rinny and Svenja are both wicked shots — One of them up there'll work magic." Probably best I grab the dune buggy and put the trucks near the tower then. An extra line of defense, and all that. "I dunno if Hump'll hold a gun... We'll find a spot for him." I turn back to Stitch, "I'm gunna run and get the crew. We'll meet you out by the tower, yeah?"

If she agrees, I'm heading out.

Genevieve

"Yeah." I agree with Kiddo.

"It's not usually 'if'..." I joke with Jemma.

Rich

Jemma agrees, "I guess Hump is out chasin your daughter, Kelly. I'll round them up. You get Stitch here up to chat with her boy, then let up whoever Kiddo sends. I'll hole up here with the kids, and Kelly, you can come here, too, if you do what I say." Kelly chuckles, and heads out with the two of you.

Kiddo, I assume you head into the cantina. Folks are completely unaware of the threat, drinking and having fun. Svenja is mimicing holding a gun and telling some wild tale about a firefight.

What do you do?


Stitch, you follow KellyTires to the radio tower. He apologizes, "There's only a ladder right now, sorry." He climbs up the three story tower and gets into the little office. It creaks a bit, has a control panel, a couple tables, a cooler, some chairs. Not much, really.

KellyTires reaches down into a canvas bag and fishes out a military-grade two-way radio. It has a range of ten clicks. He says, "Metro said he put up a repeater. As long as it's working, you should be able to reach him."

Those headlights are getting closer, maybe fifteen minutes away. You can hear the motorcycle engines in the night.

What do you do?

Adam

I run right up to the table where my folks are at and announce, "We've got 12 incoming headlights from the West, less than a half-hour out. Rinny, I want you up on the radio tower with your rifle, everyone else help me get the trucks to the base of the radio tower."

I look to Hump and Topps, "You two are with Gramma Jemma. Where's the buggy?"

Genevieve

"Oh, that's fine." I'm actually really excited about getting to see the view from the tower. I used to live in an apartment on the 42nd floor- not the highest level, but not far off. It even distracts me from worrying about the potential raiders for a bit.

It takes me a moment to figure out the radio, but I get it. "Metro. Stitch here, over."

"Who do you think they are?" I ask KellyTires about the motorcycles, while waiting for Metro's reply.

OOC: Read a sitch incoming.

Genevieve

OOC: Read a sitch. Roll+sharp.
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 1, 3. Total: 6)

Rich

Kiddo,

The truckers blink and stare, but Svenja lets out an excited whoop and takes off for the place where she stowed her gear. Rinso scoots back and stands up, which he does before he realizes that he's now making it completely obvious he's hard as a rock. Evidently VB kept up her under-the-table work. She giggles and gets up with him.

Over by the bar, Bicycle reaches under the bar and pulls out a big frakkin hammer. A few of the workers and travelers are armed, but most of them are the kind that run and hide. Bicycle barks, "All y'all who can't fight, I've got a basement. Follow me. The rest of you, hang out here and take cover. A beer for anyone who fights to protect Ollie's!"

Mattel starts playing a rousing tune, sort of a fife and drum corps thing.

Adam

No sense in wasting time — we've got shit to do if we're gunna be ready.

Rich

Stitch,

You get a good view of the headlights. Three vehicles, six bikes. The vehicles appear to be a jeep, a larger truck and maybe a pick-up. KellyTires answers, "They aren't scrub raiders, or they'd turn their headlights off. If they're Wendys, we'll hear them yelling and honking their horns soon. They like to scare the drek out of folks before they hit. They want you to know they're coming." He pulls out a flask, takes a drink.

Down at Ollie's, you see some folks coming outside, moving quick. KellyTires adds, "I'm hoping for Pilgrims. They're moving at a good clip, so it's prob'ly not them. Ah well."

The radio gives off some static. No response right away. No idea how long the repeater takes to work. Off in the distance, you hear the sound of car horns, like someone's laying on them. KellyTires sighs, shakes his head, "Wendys. I hate Wendys."

The radio is still giving off static when Rinso starts coming up the ladder. He comes up, gives you both a nod, then pulls out his pulse rifle, starts setting up, "You two should get down off here. Once I start sniping, they'll try to shoot me down. Best that you all hide."

What do you do?

Genevieve

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding and the bottom falls out of my stomach. I hit the button on the two-way- "It's Wendys." I whisper. I'm not sure why I feel the need, not like he can do anything.

I nod at Rinso- eyes wide- and practically slide down the ladder. I hate that I'm such a coward, but when people like Rinso and Kiddo get nervous about a thing, I think it's appropriate for me to be terrified.

I haul my ass over to Ollie's.

Rich

Kiddo,

Hump answers, "The buggy is over by the mobile homes, under some blankets to keep the dust out of the engines."

Everyone's moving quick, are you headed to the buggy, Kiddo?

Rich

Both,

There are loud car horns sounding now, the motorcycles revving their engines. The Wendys are coming. Folks are hiding or taking cover.

Kiddo, how are you organizing the defense here?

Adam

Frakkin' right I'm heading to the buggy! "Svenja! You're driving! Once we've got the trucks corralled up by the radio tower, we're gunna go "talk" some "sense" into anyone stupid enough to drive up on us!"

The general plan, like I said, is to get the trucks out by the radio tower, in the open, where Svenja and I can keep a close eye on them with the buggy. The hope is it'll draw some attention away from the town, and we can go join the fight there later.

First thing's first though: We gotta try and get their attention. I'll get Rinny to fire some shots off in their direction once we're ready, and tempt them over towards us with the buggy.

Rich

Stitch,

You scamper down the ladder, head for Ollie's. You see Hump and Topps are going to Jemma's. KellyTires heads to Jemma's, too, saying, "Stay safe, doc!"

When you come into Ollie's front door, you see five men with pistols and Bicycle behind the bar with a two-handed hammer. He says, "Margo! Get back here with me, girl. I got ship plating in the damn bar, aint nobody gonna hit my booze!" I assume you head over there and hunker down?

VB's there behind the bar, too. Sitting on her butt with a pistol in her hand. She looks up at you, whispers, "Hey doc."

Rich

Kiddo,

Let's see how your team Acts Under Fire here, drawing off the attack.

Adam

OOC: Acting Under Fire to draw the attack! roll+cool.
(Rolled: 2d6+3. Rolls: 2, 2. Total: 7)

Rich

Kiddo,

Rinso lays down covering fire while Kodak, Bank and Motel move the trucks around. You are on the gun while Svenja drives, right?

You can see them coming closer, and that jeep has a frakkin fifty cal on it! Who did they lay down hell on?

Good news, they're coming for the trucks, ignoring the cantina. You hear smatterings of gunfire from the cantina, mostly to keep them away.

Stitch,

Inside the cantina, some guy named Pespi, a chubby hauler, he's by a window giving a play-by-play of what's happening outside.

Genevieve

I haul ass behind that bar, feeling a little better behind it. I want to grab for my stun gun, but I know it wouldn't do much good- if they get that close there's not much I can do. I try to take slow breaths and keep as calm as I can- someone might need me to save their ass, they don't need a hyperventilating doctor.

Adam

They laid that 50 cal down on the buggy — have you seen that crossbow? It's frakking scary! No more messing around though — time to send those frakkin' Wendys a message: Stay the frak away from Salt!

I'm unloading on these bastards any way I can — hitting 'em with the crossbow when we're at distance, coming up along side 'em and taking 'em out with shotguns, any and everything that'll make it count.

Rich

Stitch,

Between the loud motorcycles and the smatterings of pistols echoing in here, you hear the unmistakable hell of a military-grade machine gun. It doesn't rip through the cantina, yet, but you can sure bet somebody is gonna need you, and quick.

Are you going to hang out here and wait for someone to call you for help?

Rich

Kiddo,

The fifty cal tears into your buggy. The damn thing gets torn to pieces. Svenja keeps it moving enough for you to fire off a shot, taking down a rider wearing cake-white makeup and huge hoop earrings with doll heads hanging off each hoop.

The battery takes a couple shots, though, and the thing skitters to a stop. You take a couple shots yourself, since you're the gunner, so take 3-Harm. Svenja is hit in the hand, and once the buggy stops, she rolls out, pulling up her pulse rifle and unloading. Are you staying up on the buggy or taking cover?

Once you've answered that, I want to see you Seize by Force this situation, rolling for the whole group, trying to drive them off.

Genevieve

The sound of that gun flips a switch in my brain- I stuff the scared Stitch deep down and start moving- somebody's bound to have some holes they need stitching up, and soon.

If there's a way to get out of the building in back, so I can come around, I'll do that. I don't want to be opening up the front door to this place.

Adam

One down, but holy shit dude! Good thing I've got that armor, and my Ma's ring... Frakking hell that stings! I don't waste any time. I'm heading for that truck with the 50-cal. I want that frakking gun!

Rich

Stitch,

Let's see you Act Under Fire to get out of the building and over to Kiddo without attracting attention.

Kiddo,
With your armor, you take 1-Harm. I'll roll it in the next post.

Rich

Kiddo,

1 Harm
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 3, 5. Total: 9)

Genevieve

OOC: Act Under Fire. Roll+sharp (Good in the clinch).
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 1, 3. Total: 6)

Adam

OOC: Seizing the the upper hand by force. Roll+hard.
(Rolled: 2d6. Rolls: 6, 1. Total: 7)

Adam

OOC: We take definite hold of it, and suffer little harm.

I bolt for cover, zig-zagging my way over to the 50-cal in hopes that I can dish out some pain to these assholes. I'm shooting any Wendy frakker that comes near me, and can taste that gun's sweet recoil.

Oh yes my pretty — soon you'll be mine!

Rich

Stitch,

You head out the back way, and VB comes up behind you. The two of you walk low, VB's hand on your back until you get to a screen door. When you reach up to open the back door, someone else on the other side yanks it. It's a tall, lanky clown-faced girl with a pink rooster mohawk and a Louisville Slugger with rusty nails driven halfway through it. She reaches back and wails on you a couple times before VB jumps back, screams bloody murder, and unloads her entire clip into mostly the wall and door, but a couple shots hit the Wendy. She falls. But there's a guy behind her, just now hopping off his bike. He's got a cleaver and he's wearing a bright yellow hockey mask with the "Have a Nice Day" face on it.

What do you do?

Genevieve

I pick up the girl's bat and wait for cleaver guy to come to me.

"Got another clip?" I ask VB, assuming she doesn't. "We've got incoming!" I yell back to Bicycle.

OOC: Read a sitch incoming.

Rich

Kiddo,

You head for the jeep with the fifty cal, but end up getting mixed up with a couple Wendys who try to tackle and take you down. How did you take them out and grab their bike?

Rinso sniped four riders, and Svenja dropped a grenade on the truck. But they firebombed one of your trucks. Which trucker is burning right now - Bank or Motel?

Unfortunately, your group took some heavy fire before the Wendys took off. The fifty cal jeep eluded you. I mean, unless you want to ride off alone after it...

Rich

Stitch,

VB shrieks, "I only stole the one gun!" She is standing behind you, a hand on your back, calling, "Bicycle! Help! Wendy coming! Wendy coming!"

Genevieve

OOC: Read a sitch. Roll+sharp
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 1, 4. Total: 7)

Genevieve

OOC: What should I be on the lookout for?

Rich

This guy, he's here to kill and drag off either you or VB. You better put him down. He may have a cleaver, but he's also got a knife behind his back, too. In a holster in the back of his pants, not held behind his back.

Adam

Dude, did you see that?!?! Those frakkers came up on either side of me, and I took out my Ma's pistol, and shot up that guy's chest. He careened into the other rider, and they went tumbling like plaguedogs fighting over a chunk of meat! So I run up to finish him off with a bullet to the face, and his bike's, like, no worse for the wear!

Three down!

Ok, focus Kiddo! That 50-cal's still... Wait... Are they riding off? "Hey you stupid fraks! Get back here so I can kick your asses!" Of course they're long gone before I can get up on the bike and ready... Frakkers! I turn the bike about and spot Motel's truck on fire... "Shit!"

I high tail it back for the tower, and without getting off the idling bike I call up to Rinny, "Sweetie! You alright up there?" I look around for Svenja. This shit was frakking intense!

Genevieve

I push VB back towards the bar and flatten myself against the wall next to the open door, waiting to clothesline him with the bat. Well, that's the plan, anyway.

OOC: Go Aggro incoming

Genevieve

OOC: Go aggro on Cleaver. Roll+hard (+1 for read a sitch).
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 1, 1. Total: 4)

Rich

Kiddo,

Rinso calls down, "Kiddo! I saw a Wendy head in the back of Ollie's!" Svenja is over by the buggy, keeping eyes on the retreating Wendys.

Meanwhile, Bank and Kodak are trying to help Motel, throwing blankets over him as he burns. The truck is lit up something fierce, that was a molotov cocktail.

What do you do?

Adam

Frakkers! "Get help for this truck, I'll deal with the lone Wendy!"

With that, I take off for the back entrance of Oliver's.

Rich

Stitch,

The have-a-nice-day guy raises an arm to block the bat. You slam a nail into his flesh and he grunts with pain and shoves you down. Your head slams into the floor hard. VB screams and runs away, calling for Bicycle. You're dazed for a few moments, Stitch, then you feel yourself flying.

No, you're not flying, he put you over his shoulder. He carries you off, throwing you onto the bike, sitting up. He spotted your stun gun, and he zaps you with it before he mounts his bike and rides off.

You're going to visit the Wendys.

Rich

Stitch,

Take 1 Harm from the hit, and S-Harm from the stun gun.

Rich

Kiddo,

You get around the back of Ollie's to see the retreating headlight of a bike, ziping off to the west.

VB and Bicycle are standing at the doorway, and Vb's crying on his shoulder. Bicycle says, "That frakker took Stitch, Kiddo."

The truck is still burning.

What do you do?

Adam

Bah! Frakkers! Gods damn frakkers the whole frakking lot of them! "Vee, get folks to put out the truck!" I'm bolting after Stitch.

Rich

Kiddo,

You rode out into the night, but before you got a good track on the frakker, he shut off his lights and rode blind. You lost him. He either took off like a shot, or there's a camp not too far away.

Back at Salt, Motel and the truck are burning. Well, Motel's out. VB is trying to get folks out to work on the fire. Jemma, Hump, Kelly and Topps are out, a few of the workers. But the damn thing is roaring.

What do you do?

Adam

Gods... What a frakking mess... Has Kodak at least moved the other trucks out of the way so they don't catch? I'll do it if he hasn't... Shy of that, I call out to Jemma, "You guys don't have shit for fires like this? Don't you guys have a mine here?" It's clear we'll need to fight this with something stronger than a few folks with pails of water...

Rich

Jemma nods, "Kiddo's right. C'mon, we got some fire suppressant drek in the mine." She starts pointing at folks, calling them to come make a fire brigade. KellyTires helps to organize.

Kodak was moving a truck, but Bank was caring for Motel, so you get the other one. In a short while, the fire brigade is up, throwing buckets of sand on the blaze. There might be a few items to salvage from the wreck. Topps has fetched a med kit and is trying to help Hotel, but the guy is hurt pretty bad, like some of the liquid from the bottle splashed on him.

Kiddo, VB is a wreck. Once the fire brigade started, she wandered over to Ollie's half fell, half sat down near the front, sobbing.

Adam

We've gotta move quick — every second that thing's on fire is another second something valuable can burn. That's my frakking paycheck after all... Once things look like they're starting to settle down, and the fire brigade has shit under control, I jog over to Vee, and plop down next to her.

"You OK Sweetie? What's wrong?"

Rich

Between sobs, VB murmurs, "That frakker, he took her, Kids! I just... I just ran away. I just ruh...ran..." She buries her face in your shoulder.

Adam

How the frak did that asshole lose me? Frakking hell, I should've stayed on him! I bite my lip when Vee buries her face in my shoulder, and wrap my arms around her, shushing her, and trying to comfort her, "It's OK sweetie, it's OK! I'm gunna get her back! I'm gunna get her back! C'mere..."

I let her cry a while, and gently kiss her forehead. "Sweetie... Sweetie, y'know what would really help right now? Help keep Motel in good shape, yeah? I need Motel to stay flash until I can find Stitch, yeah?"

Rich

VB is one of those girls who just loses all her pretty when she cries. Her nose turns bright red, her eyes puff up and her thin lips nearly disappear. She looks so worn, so utterly sad. But you reach out to her, give her something to do. After a bit of quiet, she nods. "So sorry.... Kids, I'm sorry. It was Chive. He scared the frak out of me with that... that mask. I just lost my drek."

Adam

I sigh — not disappointed or anything, just ... I dunno, worn too? It's been a long frakkin' trip with a lot goin' on, and in the last frakking leg we lose a member of the crew? I can't let that stand. It ain't frakking right!

I lift Vee by the chin, and plant a kiss on her. "It's OK sweetie. Chive's gunna be dead by sunup, and Stitch is gunna be back here, safe. Stay close to Rinny, yeah? Svenja and I are gunna go get our doc back!"

Rich

She swallows, "Why Svenja? Take Rinnie, he'll make sure you come back... I can't lose you, too. Kids. I really do. I really do love you." She blinks away a few tears, looks up at you.

Adam

Aw frak... Don't go soft Kiddo... I take a few heavy breaths through my nose, trying to stay tough; but my nose gets red, and I give Vee a tight hug to try and hide it. When I pull back from it, I shake my head. "They're not gunna get me sweetie, I swear! 'Sides — I'd feel better knowing you and Rinny are safe. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to both of us..."

I'm not gunna lie — taking Rinny would be a smart move; but I just can't bring myself to risk his life over this... I've gotta shoulder this. It's gotta be me. I take one last deep breath, and whisper, "I love you too, beautiful! Stay sharp for me, yeah?"

Rich

"I'm not gonna. I mean, in case you were worried." She sniffs, wipes at her nose with the back of her hand, "I'm not gonna take him from you, Kids. I wouldn't." She grabs your arm, looks at you all serious, "He's ours."

Adam

I nod a few times, and slip up onto my haunches, "damn right he's ours, and I want him in tip top shape when I get back with Stitch, yeah?" I offer her my hand to help her up.

Rich

VB looks at you for a moment, wipes her nose with one hand, then takes your hand with the other. She stands, then hugs you this time. Tightly. She whispers in your ear, "You know... I'm not into girls, Kiddo. I never lied about that. But... I'm into you. Please come back. With Stitch, too. OK?"

Adam

I return the hug, "You know I will!" I give her a kiss, and start heading back towards Gramma. When I'm in taking distance, I call out to Svenja, "Svenja, grab the bike yeah? We've gotta go find Stitch!"

I bite my lip and stand next to Gramma with a serious look on my face, "Gramma... I don't suppose there are any rumors about where the Wendys are holed up, yeah?"