2. Rumors

[Pursuit]

About a week has passed since the Nemesis Shower, and life seems to be returning to some semblance of normal. Many of the colonists who fled in BODF ships or private vessels have returned, and Temptation is shaking off the after effects of yet another life altering event. The people of Banshee, humans and anouk alike, are hardy - and armageddon or no, everybody’s gotta eat, right?

You all receive missives from Major Bansen asking you to come in so he can give you some news in person. He gives you a date and time.

You arrive on a Saturday afternoon to the BODF garrison and, after making your way through a number of checks (one of which involves leaving any arms securely locked up - standard procedure as guests on a military installation), you find yourself in Bansen's office.

Bansen's right arm is in a sling and his face shows obvious signs of recent stitching, and he does not get up when you come in.

"I'd stand up, but it hurts like hell and I don't want to," he tells you all by way of explanation.

"I will cut to the chase. We have a few things to discuss, but the first is the most sensitive. You all remember Captain Alquist, the fella who owned the Reckless? Well, I guess somebody didn't like that the world got saved, because someone killed the ol' drunk. We are looking into it, but we are stretched short right now and don't have much in the way of manpower. Looks like a clear homicide, though; I'll spare you the grisly details."

For Blackcat's Eyes Only

You get butterflies in your stomach when you hear about Alquist. Your response is not disgust, as you might expect it to be. Rather, it's something like nervousness, anticipation, and satisfaction all rolled into one.

"I wanted to tell y'all to watch your backs, because Alquist's death could have greater portents for you lot. And also, I wanted to congratulate you, because you are now the proud owners of that piece of junk freighter. Nobody could figure out what to do with it with Alquist gone, and you all were the logical choice. You'll find the deed in yer name all legal like in that folder," he points to a manilla folder on his desk. "Consider it a bonus for hazard pay and services rendered."

"As for this 'giant bugs' story I heard about after I came back around, we ain't seen anything specific that supports it. I think your eyes or brains were likely playin' tricks on you under all the stress, or maybe the nuke scrambled your brains. But, that said, you saved the whole damn world, and I figure we owe it to you to at least keep our ears open. We've gotten reports of some homesteads and smaller communities mysteriously losing livestock and the like. Might be connected. I can give you the info, if you all would like to check it out."

"I have also had reports of them Reapers makin' trouble again. Folks have seen humans runnin' with some anuok clans and they've been raidin' like its the war again. Needless to say, that is a problem."

"If you all are looking for work, we could sure use some extra hands to help us handle some of these messes that are popping up."

He pauses to give you all a chance to respond to any of what he just said.

[Marti'i]

Between the gifts that she received from various tribes and the trades she made with humans here and there in her travels when Marti'i returns and shows up at the meeting, her backpack seems a bit heavier than it used to. She also is now wearing her armor rather than carrying it and has a shield added as well. If she had added more weapons she would look like some sort of weird cross between a warrior and a shaman. In her case, it seems that the tribes wanted to protect this strange shaman who mingles with humans and goes off planet to save it. When she sees the condition the man at the desk is in she twitches as if to go render aid but stops herself. It would likely be a bad idea to insult their doctors even if she thinks she could help. She can't guarantee she will never need their services after all.

She frowns when she hears that Alquist is dead. She passes the folder to Roxy figuring she seems the logical choice to keep it. She seems to want to do all the things but knows they can't. So she looks to her companions, do they investigate Alquist's murder, go talk to the communities with missing people or go after the Reapers?

[Blackcat]

Blackcat is suddenly very grateful that dead facial muscles don't twitch much--and that he keeps a bandana over his lower face most of the time, out of deference to folks not liking to be awash in the smell of a distillery every time he talks. He can practically hear the manitou snickering like a naughty schoolboy who just pulled off a great prank in the back of his head. And he DOES hear a smug, mocking, You're welcome, after they hear they now own their very own spaceship.

He's also very grateful that the man doesn't seem to expect them to investigate the murder; he'd hate to have had to work against his compatriots like that. When the Major finishes his spiel, he considers for a moment, mind turning. "Don't see why we can't try ta kill two birds with one bullet. We go out, help these new Reapers gain a sense of perspective and civility, and in the meantime, keep an eye out for cattle-mutilatin' space bugs, yeah?"

[Mick Maguire]

Mick, still plagued by a limp and a reliance on his walking stick, arrives with perhaps a speedier trip through all the checks thanks to his BODF connections. He is both saddened and angered to hear of Alquist's death, though he's made aware of his own mortal coil given his own advancing years. When Major Bansen finishes his spiel, Mick spoke up. "There's only so many free drinks a man can stomach 'fore the itch fer adventure calls."

"Besides, I'm under no illusion that the good ole 'Reserve Service Act' can be pulled on me." Added Mick. "So let's say I'm in 'fore I get voluntold fer this."

[Ames Jean-louis]

Ames leans against the door jam as Bansen says his piece. The razorjack wasn't too happy about leaving his newly acquired weapons at the checkpoint, but rules are rules. He nods in agreement as the others commit to helping out around Temptation.

"I suppose we have just about drunk our way out of our warm welcome back, anyway."

Ames, gives a nod a tip of his hat to Roxy in thanks. The new armor fit over his implants perfectly.

"I'm up for seeing what we can do about these Reapers. Livestock might be rustlers. We make an example out of the Reapers, cattle rustlers might think better of doing it again. If not, we will deal with that, too."

Ames could feel Del stirring with the potential of violence. He had not let the gravity spectre out in a while, which concerned him. Del had a tendency to not play nice after being cooped up for too long.

[High Command]

Roxy

[Pursuit]

After giving you some time to deliberate, Bansen says, ”I’m glad to have y'all on board. You're an odd group, but you came through for us in one hell of a pinch. My assistant will get you the info on where you can look for them Reavers, and we can lend you a few ATVs to get you where you're going. They run on alcohol, but I don't recommend drinking it." He looks at Blackcat in particular when he says this.

True to Bansen's word, BODF provides you with three 4-wheeled ATVs for your current assignment.

ATV Stats

These are stock ATVs from page 54 of the Lost Colony book. They are Size 2 (Normal), Handling +1, Top Speed 75 MPH, Toughness 9, Crew 1 (+1), with Exposed Crew, Four-Wheel Drive, and 2x Reinforced Chassis

Bansen's aide-de-camp tells you the name of the place you're going is a small farming town called "Open Spring" and it will take you about a half day of travel to get there using the BODF supplied ATVs. You could, of course, use your new spaceship to get there much faster... but jet fuel doesn't exactly come cheap.

Assuming you decide to save on fuel (and wear and tear on your already rickety space freighter) and take the ATVs, you spend some time traveling through the region the locals (well, the humans, at any rate) refer to as the Fertile Crescent. You pass through gentle plains and tall grasses. Some mud in depressions on the trails threaten to keep you from progressing from time to time, but the ATVs manage just fine and you make good progress.

After maybe 2 and a half hours, one of you hears the call of nature too loudly to ignore, and the group takes a break.

Who is it from your group that makes a break for the bushes? The volunteer will earn themself a Benny.

[Pursuit]

As posted on Discord, Marti'i is the one who needs the pit stop.

As she shuffles off for a bit of privacy while communing with nature, Marti'i gets a creepy feeling at the base of her neck, the same as you would get if you knew someone was watching you.

Please make a Notice roll, @Marti'i.

[Marti'i]

Notice 4

Notice 1d4!!: [1] = 1
Wild 1d6!!: [4] = 4

[Pursuit]

Marti'i hears it before she sees it - a rustling of brush and a sound like a cross between a cougar and a grizzly bear. Before she can react, something large and hairy slams into her, its teeth tearing into her side!

(The creature managed to approach unseen and rolled a 14 to hit Marti'i with a 12 for damage! Marti'i's compromising position made her Vulnerable, but the critter rolled too high for it to matter.)

Marti'i looks up, shocked by the attack, into the eyes of a short-tailed, long-eared feline that is at least as large as she is. The creature has two long, blade like canines that extend down past its lower jaw like hunting knives (or, you know, sabers).

Everyone must make a Fear check upon seeing this creature!

Note: Other than fear checks or role play (possible Soak rolls for Marti'i, should she so choose), please do not post any actions yet in response to this attack; I will put up another post with action cards and combat related instructions soon!

[Marti'i]

Soaked/No Fear!

Soak 1d6!!: [5] = 5
Wild 1d6!!: [3] = 3

Fear 1d8!!: [6] = 6
Wild 1d6!!: [4] = 4

There's a loud cry of pain from where Marti'i went but the pain passes quickly and is replaced by not fear but sheer indignation. How dare this thing interrupt her 'Communing with Banshee'! She begins yelling at the thing in her native language and wagging a finger at it as if the creature might be cowed by her yelling.

[Blackcat]

Passed Fear Check

Fear Check 1d6!!: [2] = 2
Wild Spirit 1d6!!: [4] = 4
Success!

Blackcat has seen uglier things than this saber-toothed wombat in the mirror every morning; he isn't fazed, and prepares to give the critter a taste of its own medicine.

[Mick Maguire]

Fear Check 5

Spirit 1d8!!: [2] = 2
Wild 1d6!!: [5] = 5

Though much of Banshee's fauna was often of the terrifying persuasion, Mick had largely grown accustomed to them...largely.

Thankfully this was one of the occasions where he wasn't fazed and upon hearing Marti'i cry out Mick drew his pistol.

[Ames Jean-louis]

1d8!!: [7] = 7 1d6!!: [5] = 5 Success, forgoing Guts reroll

Staring into the Abyss too long tends to numb you to terrestrial threats.

[Pursuit]

Round One!

The big cat got a free hit on Marti’i, but the anakra is angry, not hurt.

Action Cards!

Big Kitty - 7H
Marti’i - Black Joker! Everyone gets a Benny and Marti’i’s rolls for the rest of the round are made at +2
Blackcat - Jack of Clubs
Mick - Ace of Hearts
Ames - Red Joker! Everyone gets another Benny and Ames’s rolls for the rest of the round are made at +2
Roxy - 5 of Clubs


It looks like everyone but Roxy may go in any order.

Anyone looking to know what this critter is, please roll a Survival check.

If you succeed on Survival, read this

This is a Cat Beast, a gigantic feline species of unknown origins that has stalked the area around the Red River Valley (to the north of where you are currently) since sometime during the first war between the human settlers and the local anouk. They are fiercely territorial and frequently hunt game bigger than themselves.

If you get a raise on Survival, read this

Cat beasts are fast (Pace 10), have low light vision, make multiple attacks with relative ease (Improved Frenzy), and gain bonuses to attack and damage by pouncing on their prey (a modified version of Wild Attacking).

Some kitteh stats: Parry 7, Toughness 7
It is at medium range (approximately 13” on an imaginary battlemap) from everyone but Marti’i, with whom it is in melee. It is currently Vulnerable, so attacks against it are made at +2.

[Blackcat]

Blackcat raises a hand, but then lowers it. Best not to risk catching the lady in the crossfire. Instead of launching an attack, he simply moves forward, closing

Run Die 1d6: [4] = 4

, and then raises his arms, shouting, "Bad kitten! This ain't no place for you! NOW GIT!!!" As he does this, he catches the gaze of the critter, letting it experience the sight of the manitou behind the mask.

Spook

Spook Edge. The critter must make a Fear check at -2. I'm assuming that getting within 3" should be close enough (the rules are a bit fuzzy on the range of the one-on-one use of the ability, simply saying that he has to be able to get the target's attention.

[Marti'i]

Survival all the raises

Survival 1d4!!+2: [1]+2 = 3
Wild 1d6!!+2: [17!!]+2 = 19

After the yelling and sensing the presence of one of her companions she quickly pulls up her trousers then thumps her staff into the ground and swirls the top in a circle.

Banshee's Howl - Raise

Banshees Howl 1d6!!+2: [5]+2 = 7
Wild 1d6!!+2: [4]+2 = 6
Benny

Howl 2 1d6!!+4: [4]+4 = 8
Wild 2 1d6!!+4: [2]+4 = 6

After a brief moment the air in front of Marti'i whips up into a swirling Frenzy, beating and battering at the Cat Beast. Dust kicks up with the wind and blows into the creature's eyes and disorienting it so that it has trouble locating it's prey.

[Roxy]

Fear Check 1d6!!: [1] = 1 , 1d6!!: [2] = 2
Benny Reroll 1d6!!: [5] = 5 , 1d6!!: [2] = 2
Survival 1d4!!-2: [3]-2 = 1 , 1d6!!-2: [2]-2 = 0

Roxy takes to the ATV like a duck to water or an Annouk to the bush. She invites Marti'i to ride with her, preferring the immediate company of her drinking buddy to the men, though she happily helps them with learning the operation of the ATVs. Dressed in her new body armor, with her gun clamped to the handlebars for ease of retrieval, Roxy has completely changed her outward appearance. No longer does everything look taped and bonded together. She has a new Bike on the shuttle as well but decided that the ATVs would be better for carrying more things. When Marti'i opts for emptying her bladder, Roxy intends to follow her but lingers behind to make sure and loosen her shotgun first, just in case. Then she opts for a swig from her canteen, followed by a swig from her flask, and then another from the canteen. Might as well have something to empty, she thinks to herself.

When she hears the critter's call, she chokes on and then spits out that second drink of water, quickly capping and laying the canteen on the ATV and grabbing her gun, but slowly in comparison to the others.

[Ames Jean-louis]

You might want to do something about that thing, mon ami

Del's voice gave Ames just enough of a warning to act as the cat thing prepared to pounce. He did not

Survival 1d4!!: [7!!] = 7 1d6!!: [1] = 1 -2 Untrained +2 Joker = Success

much about cat beasts, but he had heard a few things in the saloons about how dangerous they could be. Right now, all that was important was that this one looked ready to attack.

Marti'i seemed to have been able to react fast enough to defend herself but Ames knew the best thing to do was to get some distance between her and it. He could feel power thrumming through his implants and knew Del agreed. Gesturing at a point behind the cat beast, Ames clenched his fist

Psionics 1d6!!: [5] = 5 1d6!!: [9!!] = 9 +2 =11 raise 5 PP spent

gravitational force that shimmered as it flew through the air finally

Crush with Damage modifier 3d6!!: [16!!, 3, 5] = 24 +2 Joker =26 Damage

and sucking the cat beast and everything within

MBT

towards it center with a gravitational force powerful enough to grind bones to dust.

OOC Comments

The idea is to place the center of MBT behind the cat beast such as to pull it away from Marti'i but not include her or anyone else. The cat beast can evade with an additional -2 due to the raise

[Mick Maguire]

Shooting 14, Damage 20

Shooting 1d6!!: [5] = 5
Wild 1d6!!: [3] = 3

Damage 2d6!!: [2, 3] = 5

D'oh! Forgot -2 for Medium range so Bennie....

Shooting 1d6!!-2: [5]-2 = 3
Wild 1d6!!-2: [16!!]-2 = 14

Damage 3d6!!: [11!!, 4, 5] = 20

Drawing a bead on the alien feline, Mick fired off a shot from his 9mm pistol and managed to land a perfect hit.

[Pursuit]

Things for the cat-brest get bad very fast.

First, it critically fails its Fear check and is Panicked (must use its full Pace plus running die away and is Shaken).

Before it can really get anywhere, though, Marti’i conjures up a Banshee’s Howl, leaving the cat-beast Distracted and Vulnerable (on top of Shaken).

Which is particularly unfortunate, given what happens next. Ames’ gravity well grabs the cat with both proverbial hands, and its unable to free itself, dazed as it is.

The creature is pulverized into so much fur and meat, and then Mick fries what is left with a well placed pistol shot.

All of that violence took only seconds, and the air falls still again.

[Marti'i]

Marti'i is a little bemused at how quickly the animal is dispatched. She offers a few words for the beast then looks at her companions. She herself seems perfectly fine. There's saliva on her armor from the beast trying and failing to eat her. But otherwise you wouldn't know she'd been attacked.

[Pursuit]

After the short excitement (if you want to call it that) of the posse's unplanned pit stop, the rest of the trip to Open Spring is pretty uneventful.

You arrive to see a town with a collection of low buildings and a one-road "downtown" area, surrounded by outlying farms and ranches. You get the side eye by any number of folks when you roll up, and people shuffle their kids inside at the sight of you. No one seems to want to meet your eye.

Anyone who would like to may attempt a Networking roll (SWADE p.133) to see what information you can garner from the townsfolk. Due to the skittish nature of the inhabitants, your roll will be made at -2.

[Blackcat]

Blackcat tilts his hat back a bit, eyeing the mauled beast. "Marti'i, you good? Everyone else good? Anyone here know if these things travel in packs, or prides, or whatever?"

Regardless, he encourages the group to move on, once it's confirmed that the Ahnouk is okay.

Once they arrive at the town, he picks up on the unwelcoming vibe almost immediately. Sure, he's used to townsfolk reacting to him like that, but most of 'em are looking down or away even before they meet his scarred gaze. He looks around for a drinking establishment, hoping the Great Edict of the Bar (namely, "mind your own bizness") applied even here in the sticks.

"Ah'd offer to help askin' 'round, but honestly, I have trouble getting folks ta be chatty on the best of days."

[Marti'i]

Marti'i quickly affirms that she doesn't have so much as a scratch. Then gets back into the vehicle with Roxy and rides along to town. She frowns at the reaction of the townsfolk noting that they don't seem to be looking at any one of their group in particular just generally not seeming good with strangers visiting. The bar seems a good place to go for information usually and she could really use a drink after the cat attack so she looks for that, breezing on in once she finds it. She pays careful attention to the reaction of the bartender.

[Ames Jean-louis]

Maybe don't ruin the pelt next time, mon ami

Ames ignored Del for the most part. The spirit always did this to him, give him a taste of power and then mock him for using it. Still, they had dispatched the beast in quite a messy manner. Ames wondered if these townsfolk might have seen what they'd done and that was the reason for the side eye. Even if that weren't the case, any townsfolk had good reason to be cautious if a posse like theirs rolled into town.

We may not mean them any harm, but they sure as hell don't know that

The razorjack made it a point to smile and nod as the group made its way down the main thoroughfare of town, despite the fact he wasn't getting any acknowledgment in return.

"The bar is about as good a place as any. Drink, especially if someone else is buyin', tends to lighten the mood. Still, best we keep our hands well away from our weapons till we can sus out what's going on and who is in charge."

[Mick Maguire]

Networking 8

Persuasion 1d8!!-2: [5]-2 = 3
Wild 1d6!!-2: [10!!]-2 = 8

With the alien feline dealt with, it proved to be an uneventful journey to the township of Open Spring. It was the run of the mill sort of frontier settlement that Mick had encountered across the width and breath of Banshee, on surface level little more than a rough collection of shacks but deep that was the human hope that could build a real sense of community out of it. Though from Mick's experiences some of them thrived whilst others....didn't fare as well.

However, Mick frowned when he noticed how skittish the townsfolk were. Given what they'd heard, that wasn't entirely unexpected even with the usual bumps in the night. The party seem set on the town's bar, something Mick was inclined to agree was a good a place as any to try and get some gen on what was going on. He put a generous amount of credits on the bar and nodded as the barkeep. "Yer best whiskey if ya got any please."

"Seem might bit quiet at the moment, town gearing up fer some festival?"

[Roxy]

To Roxy it made sense the crew would get the side eye. Her own kit wasn't low key. "I should find a duster or poncho to wear over my suit," she commented to herself as she removes her helmet. And that didn't count the rest of them. When Ames comments on keeping hands away from weapons, Roxy responds. "They probably think we're BODF, some militia or folks who killed such folks. Best thing we can do, except maybe Black Cat, is take a load off and relax, show em we're not here to cause trouble, but solve it. Worst case, find out something that's busted that needs fixing and I'll do that while the rest of you sus out what's happening. In the meantime, it's booze time!" She takes a pull from the flask she's been nursing the whole ride, emptying the last drops of the alcohol inside. Inside she orders a beer or the equivalent. Even as a connisour, she doesn't turn her nose up at any alcohol. The stuff she makes is barely drinkable and is more used for parts cleaner, so everything else is better by comparison. For her part she is pouring shots or drinks down her gullet as fast as the barkeep will give them out, so she doesn't really say much that's helpful. She's drinking as much water as she is alcohol because of how parched she is, but that's her only nod to her own wellbeing. "Marti'i, have some!" she offers her friend some as she drinks and buys a bottle of whatever they will sell for her.

Persuasion 1d4!!: [2] = 2 , 1d6!!: [1] = 1

[Marti'i]

Marti'i grins at Roxy. "You're speaking my language now!" She takes a seat and has the same as her best drinking buddy.

OOC Comments

Networking 1d4!!: [2] = 2
Wild 1d6!!: [3] = 3

She and her drinking buddy must have spent too long without a decent drink. They can't focus to ask the right questions.