Gloria raises a hand.
"I'll go with you, kid, if you want someone from Rapid Town. And I can see if Mrs. Smith wants to have a word as well."
|
Jack nods. He's a bit apprehensive about so many coming down, but a unified front of several people would be better than just, well, him. "Um, there will be six coming down with me. Myself, Ian, two tri--, erm, ah, native indigenous peoples, a ghoul and a local business leader." Mrs. Smith was a business leader, right? Ya, I'm sure she said something about that. And if not, well she is now.'
Ian sidles close to Jack and whispers, "You're not inviting John down?"
Jack shakes his head. "No, no I am not. We'll have a hard enough time convincing them without his nattering going on. B~~*@ all he wants, he can wait for the second trip. And the others wanna stay up here anyway, so no rush on that front."
"Fair 'nuff. You got a plan?"
"Don't worry. I'll have it all figured out by the time we reach the frontier."
Ian grins. "So what's that."
Jack returns the smile. "The frontier."
A what? And where are John, Kim, Abdi, Chelsea and Jessica...I thought you were supposed to find them Powers! Jack now recognizes this new voice as that of First Councillor Jack Reynolds. [/b] there's a pause and then YOU BROUGHT OUTSIDERS TO OUR DOORSTEP! in a screech that rattles the poor speaker. Jack hears the mechanism for the elevator come to a grinding halt.
Come down alone. Use the ladder. is all that is said next
John Malina frantically pushes the button We're here Jack! We're here! Let us come down! Kim glares daggers at Jack while Chelsea and Abdi look worried.
After a few moments the gears begin again and Jack Reynolds responds Only the Sheltered can come down. Leave the Surfacers there. I've got guards here, with guns. We'll kill anyone else.
Vulture rolls his eyes. "Friendly group of friends you have there, Jack. I'm climbing back upstairs. I don't trust these xenophobic f***s not to blow up the elevator with us on it."
".... Well, you make the case then Jack. Sure hope they see things your way."
Gloria follows Vulture out of the mine.
Abdi remarks to Vulture Not likely that anyone blows it up. That'd mean anyone down there would have to climb over 100 feet of ladder to get out...
John and Kim get on the elevator along with Jack and they mash the button Jack, its John. Abdi and Chelsea say they are staying up here...there's been a complication. Jack Powers is with us and we three only are going down. Don't shoot.
The Elevator then disappears below ground.
At the bottom of the mineshaft lights flare on as the elevator comes to rest.
Jack Reynolds stands with several armed men and says Explain yourself! What is going on up there?
|
|
Jack forces himself to remain calm. Indeed, a boyish full-teeth grin is displayed on his lips. "Gentlemen, gentlemen. Is this how you greet the conquering hero? I hath found that which you hath lost. And now I find guns pointed at me? Why do we not sit down and have a hot cup of soykaf and speak of this like PROPER intellectuals. Or do you wish to devolve into Homo sapiens Neanderthal before my very eyes and settle your little argument with your big sticks and sharp rocks?"
Jack refuses to play by his rules. By accepting his power only allows him to play the tyrant. Such a position would be untenable if word got to the technical caste. He'll need to keep the high road.
Jack Reynolds scowls at Jack's wordy rebuttal If he speaks again duct tape his mouth shut. he snarls to the heavily armed men next to him.
John actually looks uncomfortable at this development Now Jack, let's not be too hasty. he begins, but is silenced when Kim elbows him in the ribs
Ian however won't be silenced Now you wait here Jack Powers is a hero! he exclaims. Jack Reynolds shouts at Ian to Shut the f*@* up Boy
Tell me what happened out there, and why we have....visitors, at our gates.
John Malina reports the basics of what happened. They were two days into their foray when they were ambushed. He details their captivity by Fixit and eventual rescue by Jack along with the Surfacers. He also embellishes a bit about his own role in resisting Fixit. Then John reports Jack's plan to build a community at the mouth of the mine shaft.
What the f~&$ were you thinking Powers! Jack Reynolds says Do you realize what you've done! Now we can't ever leave, we can't let Surfacers come down here and infect us or ruin our beautiful home. he says, his voice rising.
That. a female voice pipes up behind the assemblage Is a question for the full Council. Not one man's decision. Councillor Samantha Vang comes into view. She looks much like her daughter Chelsea, who is currently on the surface with Abdi.
Oh hell woman. Fine. Jack Reynolds snarls, glaring pure murder and turning with his men and stomping into the Vault.
Come along, we have much to discuss. Samantha says to Jack.
|
|
Jack had considered starting to pantomime complex ideas, or maybe even starting some charades ("Sounds like 'va cuum'") but getting the thing before the council was where this was always headed, so, again, not much better could be expected.
He obligingly follow Ms. Vang, still keeping his mouth shut until he's far away from The Dumber Jack. ('That's good. I'll totally start calling him that up top!')
Brand sits at the top of the mine with the others, waiting for whatever may happen down in the Vault. He simply sits in silence for a short time, wondering what to do, before remembering the magazine in his bag. He pulls it out and taps his brother on the shoulder. "Hey, Vulture. You think you could read me this? Looks pretty neat-o."
Vulture shrugs. "Sure thing, B. Nothing better to do, except read this and wonder how much leverage we're gonna need to fill this entrance with boulders if these guys reject us..."
He looks at all the stares directed at him. "What? If they wanna be left alone forever, we'd only be ensuring their wishes come true."
Abdi doesn't take Vulture's joke lightly
That's my family you so casually joke about murdering Surfacer. he snarls. (-1 with Abdi and Chelsea)
The entire Council is convened, and the meeting room in the Shelter is packed with just about every one of the near 100 souls that live in Private Vault 16 aka The Iron Shelter. Jack spots the Councillors as they enter and sit at their large curved table. The current members of the council are Jack Reynolds, Samantha Vang, Marguerite Olsen, Frank Muhammad, and Ernesto Morales. Jack is certain he would have Samantha Vang's support for his plan, at least in part. He is also reasonably sure that he does not have Jack Reynolds as an ally.
Samantha Vang begins the meeting by calling the assemblage to order, and reciting, of all things, the Pledge of Allegiance. Once this formality is finished she explains the basics of Jack's plan and invites him to give a statement to the Council. Jack Reynolds seethes in his chair but remains silent.
Jack Reynolds- Nuclear Physicist(or what passes for one) , Conservative
Samantha Vang- Medical Doctor(or what passes for one), Liberal
Marguerite Olsen- Head Librarian, Conservative
Frank Muhammad- Technician (Jack's old boss), Conservative
Ernesto Morales-Hydroponic Farmer, Liberal
The Liberal/Conservative divide is a basic indicator of how much risk each Councillor is willing to take.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know I should walk on eggshells when talking about the people who threatened to shoot me on sight after rescuing their friends, you ungrateful mole person!"
V stands up and glares at his accuser.
Elder Freya rebukes Vulture You should take less offense Young one. We are all trying to work together. If we insult and offend at each turn, our egg will be engulfed in the frost. she finishes, using the imagery of Vulture's own vision walk.
He growls and sits back down, returning to read to his brother at the elder's words. "See, when Grognak rescues the women, how they say things like thank you
and their friends point their crossbows at the ground, and not him? That's because they're not ingrates, but normal human beings that know what the sun and air feel like..."
Roland stays in Wright Town for two days. One day to party like it's 2099, and one day to recover from the drawbacks.
On the morning (late morning) third day he feels well enough to leave, and gathers his gear (plus Jessica) and heads out.
"Huh." Brand looks at his brother and can't help grinning. "So this old comic is pretty meaningful to us, right now, huh? Who'd have thunk?"
|
|
Jack reflects on his plan. It's a good plan. Indeed, the word 'inevitable' might not be out of place here. He just has to make them -see- it.
After filling them in on the basics, he starts with the why. "Ernesto," the Shelter was too small for not having first-name basises, "why doesn't the Hydroponics area use a tenth of it's current space? That is, why don't we put all plants into 2 inch by 2 inch cubes, and then raise ten times the crops? The answer, as I'm sure we're all aware, is that a plant must grow and expand to thrive. You either grow, or you retreat.
Marguerite, what happens to the Protagonist at the end of a The Chocolate War? We all know, but, we all know that answer is wrong. Life doesn't end at high school. You go on to your specialized training, you go on to your Profession. You become an adult, meet a spouse, have a family, and the things that you did when you were younger fall away. Hence, the life doesn't end just because the writing stops. Life itself always has a next chapter.
So too is it with us: What is the end game? Do we just...stay here? Stay here in the Shelter? Is that what the Founders meant? I say that we are the germ-seed of humanity! We were placed away in safety, and that it is our duty to regrow the crop of humanity!
You that just said the Pledge, do you believe it? Of course you do, so believe me when I tell you that out there is NOT liberty! Out there is NOT justice for all! Out there is human trafficking and slavering and usury that is NOT for the advancement of a group!
Hence, why would we allow ourselves to remain here, as plant within a small box, when now is the time to let our roots expand and grow. I have with me many souls who have no where to turn to but to us. Let us see them as new ground upon which we might find fertile grasp! They shall be our grubstock with which we can emerge from our chrysalis and expand our roots!
Also, it is not only that we -may- not live here forever, but we -can- not. Our machines will not run in perpetuity, and our population will not remain stagnant. Sooner or later we will be forced to open door and take step. Why not do so now, when we have advantage and allies, rather than when we are already on death's door and in position of scarcity and need?
Frank, you know of the first mission. Do you know that there are technologies out there that we do not have? So, too, there are primitive machines that require but a modicum of effort to make dozens of people happy! Chelsea already has plots and plans to effect her will upon the outside. Would you not wish to see what harvest her effort reaps? New machines, new technology, new devices. An entire populace that doesn't even have electricity! Think of the wonder! Think of the opportunity!"
He pauses, staring at Jack. "Think of the profits?" He smiles, meaning no insult, but rather promising prosperity.
"Or we could stay here, patiently waiting the day that the lights go out, or the food runs sterile, or, heaven forbid, our water-purifying chip goes bad.
Or we could turn face to the sun...and thrive."
He takes a seat, ready for questions.
Jack's speech moves the crowd, especially his statement about feeling the Sun. This is something visceral, and something no one in the Shelter has ever felt before. The Crowd begins murmuring in assent and Jack sees heads nodding in agreement.
Jack Reynolds- -4
Samantha Vang- +4
Marguerite Olsen- -3
Frank Muhammad- -2
Ernesto Morales- +4
Jack Reynolds speaks Esteemed Councillors and people of the Shelter, may God preserve us. I ask only that you consider the risk. Consider what it is Jack Powers is asking us. That open our doors to...outsiders. That we allow potentially contagious and certainly dangerous people who have been exposed to Radiation and Viruses into our homes! Think of your children! What might happen if just ONE of these proposed "Tribals" or other Outsider brings a plague into our home. What then? We die that is what. Is this worth it? Do you hold such unsteady faith in our way of life that you would trade your health and your children's health for...a chance?
Jack Reynolds- -5
Samantha Vang- +5
Marguerite Olsen- -4
Frank Muhammad- -3
Ernesto Morales- +3
It looks as if Jack Reynolds' words resonate with the people of the Shelter. Public sentiment begins to move in his direction...
Samantha Vang speaks up Medical issues are my purview. There are many tests I can give to ensure the safety of our people. Also, this relationship need not be binary, an either or proposition. Perhaps we can allow this community to exist and contain any problems above. They could be a "buffer" perhaps between us Sheltered, may God preserve us, and the outside world.
Jack Reynolds- -4
Samantha Vang- +5
Marguerite Olsen- -5
Frank Muhammad- -1
Ernesto Morales- +4
Frank Muhammed, Chief Technician speaks up So, Chelsea has a plan does she? Did she find the Turbines we spoke of? Or the Reactor cores? Surely its not been long enough for her to find them?
Marguerite crosses her arms and frowns Perhaps we would be better off down here. she says
Ernesto says The limits on children could be lifted with additional resources added into the Shelter. Just one crop of corn above could push us to .097 efficiency with regards to caloric intake. you can tell he is excited by the prospect of farming on actual land instead of hydroponics.
Jessica Shaw
Race: Human
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d4, Vigor d6
Skills: Gambling d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d8, Riding d6, Streetwise d8, Guns d4
Charisma: +2; Pace: 8; Parry: 2; Toughness: 5
Hindrances: Big Mouth, Stubborn, Yellow
Edges: Attractive, Fleet-Footed
Gear: 10MM Pistol, 30 rounds of ammo
Sally Wright meets Jessica and Roland at the gates of Wright Town. She hands a package to Roland This was acquired at great expense. You will use it to communicate with us directly. You will keep us apprised of the situation with this new community. When Roland opens the package he sees that it is a Robco Pipboy 1.0 with a built in radio.
|
|
Jack exclaims at Samantha's point. "Yes! Who said that all of the outside populations will move in to the Shelter? Oh, no, no. We, in here, shall remain as we are. But we shall take on a radius, a corona, of humanity about us. Like the sun we shall nurture and trade with them, giving and taking. Giving knowledge and technology and finished goods, and trading food and raw materials and lostech.
Already have I established trade partners, willing to give unto us over a hundred pounds of corn on credit! And they do not have electricity. Think of it: WE might not even need to grow our own crops, but could instead export the craft of intellect: Electricity and knowledge.
Quite simply, there is no risk. We simply allow those to do as they find best, and we of us will do as each man is best for himself, and so, do what is best for the community, so sayeth Adam Smith, Blessed be his Name.
Indeed, to not would be to deny profit and advancement both. Why keep us shut away bereft of opportunities when Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness layeth on our very door!
We are now, as Father Jefferson, with pen held to paper, deciding to stay cleaved to the familiar tyranny of the Monarch, or to dare boldly into the unknown!
Jack Reynolds -3
Samantha Vang +5
Marguerite Olsen -4
Frank Muhammad +1
Ernesto Morales +5
Jack Reynolds, as First Councillor, declares the time for debate is over and declares the public portion of the meeting adjourned. He motions to the exits and the Sheltered begin filing out. Jack Powers is allowed to stay in the meeting room, to answer questions if any arise.
Jack Reynolds is only slightly less convinced that opening the Vault is a good idea. He agrees that perhaps a small trade with the surface is acceptable but only if strict provisions for safety are met. Samantha Vang and Ernesto are in complete agreement with the earlier plan to completely open the Vault to the surface. She is opposed vehemently by Marguerite Olson who disagrees with just about everything Samantha says. Frank Muhammed however proves to be a voice of reason, he is genuinely interested in expanding the technical knowledge of the world around him and he knows something that the others do not...the Vault is running out of power. He does not voice this concern publicly but it influences his decision.
The final vote is 3/2 to allow the settlement above the Vault and 2/3 to open the Vault entirely. Frank agrees with Jack Reynolds' statement about a quarantine. To that effect the Vault will remain a separate entity from the above community but the bottom of the elevator will act as a "Trading Post" of sorts where Dr. Vang will create her quarantine zone.
Roland is happy to be back on the road.
"Got a good feeling about this new community Jess. Who knows, maybe one day we'll have a thriving city! With electricity and robots, just like the old days!"
|
|
Jack takes a deep breath. The easy part is over!
The first order of business is to huddle with Sam, Frank, and Ernesto. Jack asks for their input on an overall plan of what they can 1) Export (i.e. knowledge, technology, maybe medicine, probably fertilizer?, some kind of electricity, so probably at least parts for turbines, machined goods, etc.) and what they'll need to 2) Import. Food is already on that list. Probably some raw materials, like metal, maybe wood, perhaps a few new books.
Jack also pushes for a 'recruitment' drive to see who wants to take a trip upstairs. He's sure once word is out almost everyone will want to take a look. And if we can get some people working to build/improve housing and craftworks, all the better.
Jack points out that for every person that moves out, that's one less person taxing the Shelter's resources.
Jack immediately puts in a request for as many sets of tools as he can get, but he needs at least one. (For himself. ;-) He also asks what they can export to their trade partners. He asks for a stocklist of surplus goods: Tools, weapons, ammunition, and other miscellaneous shinies that he can tell would be valued in the wasteland.
Jack takes the elevator up wearing a bright smile. He has everyone gather around and tells them the good news: They can stay. So, too, the Shelter will begin working on making this work for all!
Jack gathers with Abdi and Chelsea and has her detail out her electricity plan. In all likelihood many things that they'll start needing to do will need power. Unless they want to farm with stone knives and bear skins, they'll need electricity to make tools, and then run those tools. They can use the Shelter's facilities as a grubstake to get some basic machining going, and just go from there. So, yes, they're going to make machines that make machines.
Also, Jack tells the two that Wrighttown is going to want to be paid, and they have little to pay them with, but if they can get electricity going, that can be their coin.
Jack looks in on Jess, who is already converting a shack to a make-shift clinic.
Ian is already giving classes and impromptu instructions on farming, going back to his first area of interest.
Brand spends the coming days working to start setting up the community and keeping tabs on how the rest of his tribal band are doing. He is unable to do much strenuous labor the first few days, on account of his wounds from the battle at Rapid Town, but with some rest and medical attention he does his best to recover.
In terms of meeting with community leaders, Brand does his best to talk with everyone, but mainly focuses on serving as a liaison to Elder Freya. As a respected hunter and warrior for the tribe, with a surprising way with words, Brand serves well to put fears and concerns to rest among the Axers.
Jack's recruitment drive goes exceptionally poorly, mostly because leaving the Shelter seems to be off the table as it were. The Council decrees that anyone leaving the Shelter does so for good without the possibility of return. Exempted from this exile is only Dr. Vang and two of her closest associates who will run the "trading post". However Sheltered do make the trip to the sunlight above.
Frank Muhammed resists any attempt to export power out of the Shelter.
Chelsea says that it would take an immense amount of work to get power from the nearby Turbine, IF it even still there. Eagle Eye reports that something matching the description of the wind turbine is there but she has no idea if it is usable.
Jack's request for tools and equipment results in several crates of old but still usable equipment that could be traded (1 Build)
Elder Freya can actually make Healing Powder for you for free(if you get on her good side) or make it available to purchase if given enough time. She had several pouches but those were lost in the attack.
Jess is still at the bivouac site and will be meeting with Roland soon.
Roland is heading to the Bivouac site.
"Jack, we don't need the Vault for power. Doesn't water bring power? I told you, Axe Tribe can cut trees and dam the river! We only need your knowledge of how to turn the water into the electricity. The Rapid Towners and Wright Towners can provide the infrastructure to build the...whatever we need. The wind turbine would just be icing on the cake."
Requires: Engineer, 40 Build, 36 weeks; must be built in a hex containing a river. This hydroelectric dam produces enough power for 1,000 citizens. The cost also includes electrical wiring to the hex and all hexes connected by roads. Community Benefit: The community receives electricity. If this is the first electricity source, increase the community’s Economy and Morale by a die type. It also allows the community to construct any buildings that require electricity. PC Benefit: The PCs each receive one battery and can freely recharge all of their batteries.
That's the stats and requirements for a giant hydroelectric dam that services 1000 people. You guys have less than 100. So, if we divide the requirements by 10 to build a Dam/Power Station 1/10th the size it would be 4 Build, 4 weeks to build a Power station that services 100 people (which is still not enough to export power)
Gloria remembered a time, wistfully, when she loved talking to people- it was really something that she liked about working at the department store, she got to be friendly with a lot of people in town. Things were different the last few decades, what with looking like a shriveled up corpse. But she had to make a go of it now, or else she'd really start losing it.
So she approached Crayon Levy, the woman Roland cussed out before who had said she was a scrapper.
"How long did you work for the Wrights, hon? Can't say I really like their practices, but they seem like the only game in town if you don't want to be out on your own. I was thinking it might be a good idea to set up some scavenging parties- there's bound to be places that aren't picked over 'round here. You know any likely sites we can set to scrounging?"
Later in the week, she builds up the courage to approach the hunter, Eagle Eye. It's tough to find someone like her that hasn't lost her mind yet, so maybe there's some common ground even if she seems pretty warlike, like the rest of the tribals.
"... Uh, Eagle Eye was it? I wanted to express my condolences, since I heard you lost your husband. Were you both together a long time? Was he... like us?"
Brand joins Elder Freya after some time at the new settlement, looking at what people have done so far and hwo far they have to go--but with a plan. "Elder, these are good times here, yeah? Bad times with some folks dying, and captured, I know. But now they seem pretty good. And we can make a good life for us here. Keep working with other bands, and all that. Should be a good time."
He pauses and leans on his axe. "And we're all doing our parts. Vaulties can use tech, bring us light and power. The outsers from the town can trade us things we can't make. And we can cut trees, build houses. Walls. Make things ourselves, yeah?"
Brand turns to the Elder. "Maybe I shouldn't ask, but you know me an' Vulture got hurt bad saving you and everybody. And a lot of folks are still hurting. I think the vaulties and outsers have some stuff to help, but we could help too, with our powder, you know? If we get a bunch of us to start getting the stuff and making it, well, I think it'd go a way toward everybody being happy and healthy. Yeah?"
Afer a few days Roland arrives along with Jessica Shaw from Wright Town. Jessica states that they will be the trading representatives from Wright Town.
Elder Freya agrees with Brand's assessment that Healing Powder might be needed and says that she will try and make some, but it is a time consuming task and the community will need "all hands on deck" to get started, also Winter is Coming.
Eagle eye responds that her husband was not a Ghoul, and he wasn't her "husband" in the way you are thinking. In the Axe Tribe it is common for people to marry for no other reason than to join a new band. Her husband Ash had two wives, both were Santlose band, she was his first wife and they were hunters together. His second wife was Georgina and she is currently a member of the community. Eagle Eye has vowed to find those responsible for Ash's death and slay them, she says that she will soon be leaving to find those responsible.
Crayon responds that there are several spots that make good scrap there are several Dams nearby that can be salvaged for parts for Vulture's Dam he wants to build. There's a Wind Turbine nearby that Chelsea Vang has indicated might be a great spot to rebuild or salvage what can be salvaged. And of course there's Rapid Town which has been recently rapidly depopulated.
"We should clear out Rapid Town ASAP of any people, scrap, supplies, or whatever we can find. The Wrights know it's empty, and the raiders will soon, so the faster we move the better! Everything else has less of a rush factor."
He grins. "We should also set up explosives everywhere when we're through so the raiders coming to see what happened get a surprise. Obviously we warn the Wrights so they know we want to be friends, even if they aren't ready for that just yet - we don't want some friend of Roland blowing his arm up on an IED meant for a raider just because the Wrights are being cautious and waiting to see how we turn out nefore trusting us completely yet."
"That would've been something useful to know before I went back to town." Roland says, walking in on the tail end of that.
"Considering I don't want to tell them until AFTER we've scoured the town before they do, no, I don't think it would've been. I want to be friends, but until your step-pappy is 100% down with that, I'm pretty sure he sees us as rivals, at best."
|
|
Jack starts to divide his time on two ways: Coordinating with the Shelter (and always reminding them that it's in their best interest that Gateway thrive) and talking with the citizens of Gateway, diagramming out the first priorities.
To the Shelter, he asks for primarily information. Probably books. He asks for all the books they can spare, but certainly those they have on agriculture. "Look, it doesn't help you at all to have books on mass land-farming because you don't have any mass land and everything is already set up with the hydroponics. So if you want us to have extra food to give you, first we need to grow extra food."
Then he also asks for weapons. He details that the thriving community of Rapid Town was just wiped out by bad men with guns. "If you want us to have extra food to give you, after we grow it we need to make sure that those men with guns don't come by and just take it. And then kill us, which means we couldn't even grow more food."
Jack huddles with Vulture and Brand. "No, the FIRST thing we need is order. Order coms from having a chain of command where people take responsibility. We need a mayor, then we need a City Chief and an Assitant City Chief. I'm Mayor, Vulture, you're City Chief, Brand, you're assistant City Cheif.
Stop talking. I need to call myself something so the Shelter will still deal with me. And I'll be too busy talking to them to do anything and it's not like I'd be dumb enough to play the tyrant if I did. Also, you two are gonna be giving all the orders, so it takes heat off you because you can just say Whelp, this is what the Mayor wants. You can talk to him, but he might be down in th' Shelter 'till Tuesday so good luck.' or somesuch. We can worry about elections later, like after we've survived our first winter."
Jack points at Vulture. "You've got a good idea about Rapid Town. Absolutely. Take the wagon and most of us will go Scavange. Before we can build stuff, first we need stuff to make it. Might even find some food, too.
That's first priority. Power can wait until we've got decent roofs over our heads.
I'll not join you, because I'll stay back and try to build more wagons. But take people on the bicycles because we can put a lot on a bike. And even if we have people pushing wagons, that'll still make it easier than just hand-carting it.
After we get a decent trove, I'd -like- to make a machine shop. That will make scavenging easier, but we'll see. We'll see what we get and we'll see how the food looks."
When Roland arrives. "Well, hello there, Mr. Wright. We're just starting here and we're about to see about things. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I like where you're going Jack, but a few tweaks. First - people don't like me. Officially, we call Brand city chief. People like him, especially the tribe, and he's better at talking people into things than me. I'm better behind the scenes. Advisor, nothing official, unless it's something to scare people, like sheriff. Yeah, actually I like that - Sheriff. Roland is easy - Chief Minister of Finance and Grand Ambassador to Wright Town. We throw two extravagant titles on him, not only because the man was a caravan master and has been doing all the talking to Jed Wright for us, but also it shows Wright that we are opening the door with respect. Roland is our liaison with them and we'll be able to set up deals at first that are not screwing us as hard. Because, frankly, while the Vault itself has technology and knowledge, infrastructure will be difficult to get without Wright, because you don't vaulties produce anything new, physically speaking. Gloria, meanwhile, seems to be very well-liked even though she is a Ghoul, no offense to you, G. Many of our citizens who are not from the tribe might not listen as readily to Brand. Therefore, I propose we reference her as a council member, and we fill out the city council with Ian as our representative from the vault and Elder the obvious choice for head of the council, so that you can remain mayor without supposed favoritism as the Vault, the tribals, and the non-tribals from outside the vault will be representated by one individual each in the council."
He smiles, proud of his tweaks.
re:Projects The heroes can work on projects separate from the community if they have the requisite skillset. Ex: The Heroes can scavenge scrap from a site while the Community focuses on foraging/harvesting food.
|
|
As Jack works on putting together primitive carts for to make the moving of large quantities of items easier, he starts conversing with Chelsea on the Bigger Picture. As building material comes in, he keeps picking out choice items and asking her what key part it might play, always trying to get her more engaged and invested in Gateway.
To be clear though, you want both the Hero group and the Community Group to be harvesting resources from Rapid Town for week 2?
Rapid Town is Salvage Value 2, and there is a hydroelectric dam that Chelsea seems interested in.
Week 2 is in the books. The Heroes and a contingent of scrappers from Rapid Town manage to fill the wagon and quite a few backpacks to the brim with various goods and scrapped items.
The Heroes each gain 200 Trade (caps) worth of scrap (and everyone who participated can make a notice check at +2 )
I'll need some Week 3 actions.
Other things to note
1) Mysterious MU station coordinates
2) Map notations from Fixit
3) Need to repay Wright Town
4) As weeks tick by events will happen that should propel you guys into some adventures
Brand seems hesitant to take on a role like City Chief, but he accepts in the end. "I hope I don't need to do too much though," he says. "People like me enough but I'm maybe not always the smartest, yeah?" He pats his head and shrugs. "But you're smart, right, Vaultie? You give ideas, I tell people it's good?"
At the scavenging site, Brand assists with the others, getting as much haul as he can. He keeps his own personal nest egg set aside to work towards paying off Wright Town, although he doesn't outright say others need do the same.
As for Week 3, Brand suggests checking out one of the other sites while the town's normal workers keep scavenging or start construction. "Maybe that wind thing that the Vault lady wants?"
Roland is secretly pleased at his grand designation, and appoints Jessica as his "runner" to Wright Town and back.
"We should start sending half of what we salvage to Jeb. Even if we can't pay it back immediately, it'll probably mollify 'im that we're making an effort."