[Taocow PBEM] Chapter XVII - On The Border Of Doom

[Aaron Clausen]

> > [GM]
> > Even as the company tries to sort out this new arrival, there's a squawk
> > from the guard's radio.  He speaks in low tones for a few moments, his voice
> > becoming more frantic.  Snatches of phrases "how long... where...
> > reinforcements" can be heard.
> >
> > Finally the soldier looks up.  "Under other circumstances I'd say we question
> > this fellow, but we've got a serious problem.  Our scouts have spotted a large
> > force coming from the south.  They're maybe a half-day from the Last Bridge.
> > If you're thinking about leaving the kingdom, I'd say don't, but if you're gonna
> > anyways, then I'd say you'd best get across the Last Bridge by no later than
> > noon, 'cause we're gonna blow it up."
> >
> > The soldier looks at Owen and then to the Elvin lady.  "Lady Sialillion, I can
> > arrest this man for trespassing if you'd like."
> > [/GM]

> > [Alister]
> > "I'm thinking if he's looking for us, we need to question him." Alister says.
> > "Maybe his story's the same as mine, or maybe Koba's.  We seem to be
> > here for a reason, that's for sure."
> > [/Alister]

> [Ted]
> The lizard man levels his rifle on Owen without getting any closer. "Start
> talking."
> [/Ted]

> [Owen]
> "The nutshell version is this:  I stopped for the night in New Marlboro.  As
> I slept, I had a series of dreams that seem to be related," replies Owen.
>
> "In one dream I saw a party of adventurers moving through the ruins of
> some ravaged city, pursued by the Coalition, and by a terrible
> pale-skinned man with glowing red eyes. I assume you all were that party,
> since I know that you," (pointing at the lizard man), "were with that party."
>
> "I also saw a vision, of a small island on the Hudson River.  The ley lines
> of the region suddenly bent and moved towards the island.  This was
> followed by a woman's voice that told me to find the ancient bunker near
> hear, and to await my companions.  If you are my companions, I need to
> go with you."
>
> "As for how I got in here, I let myself in.  There was a guard here as I
> approached the bunker, but he bravely ran away in the face of the destruction
> caused by the movement of the ley lines, and didn't have the time to spend
> conversing with me."
>
> "Whoever directed me here had told me one other item of import that I feel
> I must relate:  She says we must get across the bridge before it falls, or all
> is lost."
> [/Owen]

> [Ted]
> "Hmm... Did she have a name?"
> [/Ted]

> [Koba]
> You said "She" told you to get across the bridge. Who was this She? Did she
> give you her name? If this is the same She I spoke with earlier, I think she
> has good intuition.
> [/Koba]

> [Owen]
> "Not that she shared with me."
> [/Owen]

> [Ted]
> "That is what I thought," the lizard man replied, shaking his head.
> [/Ted]

> [Carlos]
> Waving at Owen, Carlos says, "The name's Carlos. Nice of you to join
> us." He then hurries along towards the vehicles to inspect them. Carlos has
> no intention of waiting here any minute longer than he as to.
> [/Carlos]

[GM]
The vehicles appear to be in good shape.
[/GM]

> [Sia]
> Sialillion sighs upon hearing the stranger's explanation and lowers
> her weapon.  "Stand down, soldier," she says, addressing the guard.
> "He's coming with us."  And shaking her head in disbelief, she adds to
> no one in particular, "this business with the visions is getting to be
> disturbingly commonplace..."
> [/Sia]

[GM]
The guard nods, looking a little concerned.  "Yes, ma'am."
[/GM]

> [Sia]
> "Alright.  Our course is settled for us- we have to cross that bridge
> before they blow it.  Soldier, how far are we from the bridge, and
> what can you tell us about the forces amassed there?"
> [/Sia]

[GM]
"I don't know about the force.  Up until yesterday, we had maybe
three hundred regulars in the area, plus a Titan on patrol to the
east.  With the roads as screwed up as I've heard, there could be
delays.  It's almost as if someone unleashed that crazy-ass
tidal wave to make getting forces here as hard as possible.  Still,
I figure by nightfall we should have a pretty damned good force here."

The soldier pulls out a small computer and brings up a map.  He points
to the road that goes along the river.  "The main road ain't totally washed
out here, but it would be tough going."  He points to another road some
five miles to the west.  "This isn't much more than a cow trail at points,
but in those vehicles, it should be a lot quicker."
[/GM]

> [Koba]
> "Ok, so we have about 4 hours to get across that bridge." Turning to the
> guard, "Is there any way you can provide us directions. Not many of us are
> familiar with the roads around here."
>
> Koba hefts his pack onto his shoulder with an audible grunt and swings it
> into the back of the Mountineer. "If anyone knows how to drive these things,
> jump in. The keys are in the ignition. Whoever is rated to fly that cycle
> it's all yours. Lets just stay away from the Coalition. They don't like
> other people playing with their toys."
> [/Koba]

[Alister]
"Something tells me the Coalition is the least of worries right now." the
Technowizard says, getting himself into one of the vehicles.
[/Alister]

[OOC]
Wow, I guess the drivers are pretty obvious.  Only three characters
have Pilot: Auto so far as I can tell, and one of them has a motorcycle; so
that leaves Carlos piloting the hovercycle, Lady Frost piloting one of the
ATVs and Ted piloting the other.

Unless someone says different, this is who is in each vehicle.
Wastelander - Owen
Skycycle - Carlos
Lady Frost's ATV - Lady Frost, Talas, Alex, Alister
Ted's ATV - Ted, Sia, Koba

Both Mountaineers are nuclear, and are as per the Rifts book page 227,
with the following modifications:
1. All armor is +60 MDC
2. Lady Frost's ATV has a CR-4T laser cannon: 6D6MD per dual blast,
range: 4000ft, ROF: 6 per melee
3. Ted's ATV has a particle beam cannon: 2D4x10 per blast, Range:
2000ft., ROF: equal to hand to hand combat rounds
[/OOC]

[Lady Frost]
Lady Frost's icy form melts away in Amanda Connors.  "Well, we should
take as many vehicles as we can.  I hope these things aren't too hard to
drive."  With that, she hopes into one of the Mountaineer ATVs, and after
a bit of fumbling, gets it started up.
[/Amanda Connors]

[GM]
Once everybody is in their seats, the soldier directs them on to the elevator
platform, and raises the elevator.

He points to a stand of very large, ancient oaks.  "You can't see it," he says,
"but beyond those trees is that road I was telling you about.  Your vehicles
shouldn't have too much trouble.  Good luck to you, and I hope whatever you're
up to kicks those invaders in the you-know-whats for me.  Where's your
companion that needs the medical attention?"
[/GM]

[Amanda Connors]
"He's back at the boat." Amanda says.  "So, are we going to head out without
Osiris and that girl?"
[/Amanda Connors]

-- 
Aaron Clausen
mightymartianca at gmail.com