- moosecow333
- Mar 15, 2007
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Super-Duper Supermen!
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Let’s say nothing skip a lot of steps and start punching Avenal in the face.
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Apr 13, 2022 05:47
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- Adbot
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ADBOT LOVES YOU
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Jun 5, 2024 13:48
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- achtungnight
- Oct 5, 2014
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I get my fun here. Enjoy!
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Report the sabotage.
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Apr 13, 2022 06:23
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- Tiggum
- Oct 24, 2007
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Your life and your quest end here.
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Snitches get stitches. Say nothing.
California Countdown posted:Both you and Rickenbacker are lost in thought as you climb back into the roadster and await the signal to leave. A few minutes later you hear that signal—three blasts from the air horn of Mike Gorgas’ Mack truck—and at once you lead the convoy out of Gila Bend, heading west on Interstate 8.
Five miles along the freeway you come to a small, deserted town called Smurr. A broken-down clan bike lies abandoned outside the town’s gas station, and you fear that this might mean that the Outlaws are lying in wait on the road ahead. To make sure that it is safe, the convoy waits here while you and Rickenbacker go ahead to check out Sentinel, the next town along the freeway.
Fifteen miles from Smurr, the freeway approaches the entrance to a pass through the Painted Rock Mountains.
We roll: 4 + 6 (Perception) + 23 (Endurance) = 33.
As you enter the pass and approach a section where a rocky outcrop overhangs the westbound lanes of the freeway, you notice a glint of sunlight reflecting off something perched on the peak of the outcrop. It occurs to you that it could just be a trick of the light, but it could just as easily be a clan sniper lying in ambush!
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Apr 14, 2022 02:56
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- moosecow333
- Mar 15, 2007
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Super-Duper Supermen!
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If it’s a sniper stopping sounds like a bad idea. Motor on!
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Apr 14, 2022 03:12
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- nelson
- Apr 12, 2009
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College Slice
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Stop. But get behind cover before checking it out.
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Apr 14, 2022 04:07
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- achtungnight
- Oct 5, 2014
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I get my fun here. Enjoy!
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Stop. Check for loot!
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Apr 14, 2022 05:53
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- Guy Fawkes
- Aug 1, 2014
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Lvl 62, +5 meadow defense
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A sniper would never expect us to keep driving in a straight line
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Apr 14, 2022 22:06
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- Decoy Badger
- May 16, 2009
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Always be looting!
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Apr 19, 2022 16:12
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- Tiggum
- Oct 24, 2007
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Your life and your quest end here.
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California Countdown posted:You stop the vehicle and tell Rickenbacker what you have seen up ahead. Together you stare at the outcrop for more than a minute but notice nothing unusual.
You focus your Combat Viewer on the top of the outcrop, and at first you see nothing untoward. Then, about a minute later, a puff of smoke issues from the rock, as if a bullet has smacked into its surface. Patiently you watch the outcrop, half-expecting something else to happen. You do not have to wait very long: within a few minutes there is a rumbling noise, like the sound of distant thunder, and several giant cracks appear in the outcrop. Suddenly a whole section gives way and hundreds of tons of rock come tumbling down the mountainside.
You watch open-mouthed as the landslide spills out across the freeway, blocking the lanes in both directions. Rickenbacker tugs at your sleeve and suggests that you turn around and drive back to the colony as fast as you can. Numbly you nod your head and reach out to restart the engine.
As you speed away from the pass, Rickenbacker glances over his shoulder at the settling mound of rock. ‘That’s one mess that’s gonna take a while to clear up,’ he says, trying to make light of your close escape.
‘Yeah,’ you mumble in reply, thinking about the unenviable task that lies ahead. Minutes later, as you approach the town where the convoy is waiting, you begin to dread breaking the bad news to the colonists. Unfortunately, there is far worse news awaiting you and Rickenbacker on your return to Smurr.
You return to the convoy to find many of the colonists in a state of shock. Several groups of women and children are huddled together for comfort, many of them sobbing. A few people are shouting incoherently, while others stare vacantly at the ground, or point seemingly at random at the surrounding ruins. Everywhere you look there is an air of chaos and confusion.
By far the largest group of colonists is gathered around Mike Gorgas’ truck. You stop nearby, and as you hurry over to find out what exactly is wrong, you see Cutter emerge from the group.
‘What’s wrong?’ you ask.
‘It’s Gorgas,’ he replies. ‘He’s dead.’
The news sends a cold shiver down your spine. ‘But h-how?’ you continue, your voice wavering.
‘Murdered, by the looks of it. Knife through the heart. Rex Tyler found him in his cab ’bout five minutes ago.’
You look over Cutter’s shoulder and see two Tucson men holding Rex Tyler firmly by the arms. Fear is stark in Rex’s eyes as another Tucson colonist launches a stream of questions at him, and jabs him repeatedly in the chest with his index finger.
‘Why are they holding Rex?’ you ask, growing concerned for your friend’s safety.
‘They reckon he’s the killer,’ replies Cutter.
‘But Rex wouldn’t hurt a fly,’ interjects Rickenbacker. ‘I can’t believe it’s him.’
‘Neither can I,’ says Cutter, ‘but it was his knife they found in Gorgas’ chest.’
‘What’s gonna happen to him now?’ you say.
‘I guess we’ll have to give him a fair trial—it’s the least we can do. Only it’s gonna have t’ wait. Macy and Langdon have spotted some Outlaw scouts on their way here. They’re heading a large pack, judging by their numbers, and they’re only ’bout three hours away, so they reckon. I hope you two didn’t find no trouble in Sentinel ’cause we’d better move out now if we’re gonna stay ahead of those clansmen.’
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Apr 20, 2022 06:24
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- achtungnight
- Oct 5, 2014
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I get my fun here. Enjoy!
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Investigate the murder.
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Apr 20, 2022 07:00
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- nelson
- Apr 12, 2009
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College Slice
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Apr 20, 2022 13:24
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- Guy Fawkes
- Aug 1, 2014
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Lvl 62, +5 meadow defense
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Tell them the road is blocked, that seems most urgent. (Also it'll only take 30 seconds and then we can go play detective.)
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Apr 20, 2022 19:28
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- Tiggum
- Oct 24, 2007
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Your life and your quest end here.
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Tell them the road is blocked
California Countdown posted:If Cutter is disappointed to hear that the freeway ahead is blocked by a landslide, he certainly does not allow it to show. ‘Hell, we’re jus’ gonna have t’ break out the brooms ’n’ shovels,’ he says, with typical Texan bravado, and goes off to break the news to the others.
The colonists listen to Cutter, and you watch their faces grow sterner and longer. You are worried that the bad news, coming so quickly after the shock of Mike Gorgas’ death, will cause the colony to disintegrate, but, to your surprise, it has completely the opposite effect. It re-focuses attention on the immediate problems and inspires them to pull together.
Within minutes the colonists are back aboard their vehicles and the convoy is ready to move out. You and Rickenbacker resume your position at the head of the line, and you lead them out of Smurr. When you reach the pass, you bring the convoy to a halt and go forward with several of the colony’s elders to assess the damage.
The westbound lanes are blocked by a solid wall of rock that is more than twenty feet high in places, but the eastbound highway has escaped the worst of the landslide and Cutter estimates that it could be made passable with a couple of hours’ hard work. He tells the others and immediately they set to clearing a way through.
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Apr 21, 2022 04:32
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- nelson
- Apr 12, 2009
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College Slice
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Keep a lookout
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Apr 21, 2022 04:35
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- achtungnight
- Oct 5, 2014
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I get my fun here. Enjoy!
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I had a feeling we wouldn't get the chance to investigate if we didn't do it when prompted!
Keep a lookout. No use exerting ourselves when it's not necessary.
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Apr 21, 2022 05:05
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- moosecow333
- Mar 15, 2007
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Super-Duper Supermen!
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Maybe if we ignore this whole sabotage thing the perpetrator will go away eventually.
As the convoy scout our job is looking at things, not moving rocks around.
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Apr 21, 2022 18:54
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- Guy Fawkes
- Aug 1, 2014
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Lvl 62, +5 meadow defense
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Apr 21, 2022 19:48
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- Tiggum
- Oct 24, 2007
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Your life and your quest end here.
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California Countdown posted:Macy and Langdon have taken up positions on either side of the freeway to watch for approaching clansmen. Macy welcomes your company, although you cannot help but feel that he thinks you are shirking your duty and should really be helping the others to clear a path through the pass.
Together you watch the surrounding landscape while the hard work progresses. During your vigil, you must take a Drink or lose 3 ENDURANCE points.
It takes a little over an hour to clear a path through the landslide. After an inspection, Cutter pronounces that the pass is once again passable, and he urges everyone to hurry back to their vehicles and get ready to press on without delay.
You lead the procession of vehicles successfully across the cleared ground and through the pass beyond. Then, as you emerge on the far side of the pass, you see Cutter signalling to you to stop. The convoy halts for a few minutes to allow him to go back and plant some grenades beneath one of the remaining outcrops. He sets the timers, allowing himself enough time to return to the convoy.
Patiently you wait for the grenades to detonate. When they explode, they bring down a mass of rock that seals off the pass behind the convoy.
‘That should delay the Outlaws for a while,’ he says, and almost cheerfully returns to take his place behind the wheel of DC1’s school bus.
It is mid-afternoon by the time you lead the convoy into the ruins of Sentinel. The town is deserted, and you are about to drive through without stopping when you see something in your rear-view mirror that makes you slam on the brakes. Fire is billowing out of the Landcruiser’s luggage store, which is situated directly beneath the floor of the passenger compartment and adjacent to the fuel tanks. The driver and the passengers seem unaware of the danger they are in—until you bring the convoy to a halt and run back to warn them.
‘Fire!’ you shout, as you race along the line of vehicles towards the stricken bus. Suddenly the colonists aboard the Landcruiser realize what is wrong and frantically they leap out of the burning vehicle, through windows and doors, to avoid the rising flames.
In response to your cry, Cutter leaps down from the school bus and throws you a folded blanket as you run towards the blazing Landcruiser. Desperately you shake it open and use it to beat at the flames, which are by now pouring out of a hole in the luggage compartment door. Despite your brave efforts, the flames grow steadily fiercer and you suffer first-degree burns to your hands and forearms. Soon you can tolerate the stinging pain no more and you are forced to retreat: lose 4 ENDURANCE points.
Uncle Jonas appears on the scene armed with a fire extinguisher, which he trains on the side of the blazing bus. A thick stream of foam gushes into the hole and arrests the flames just long enough to allow Cutter and a handful of the Tucson colonists to arm themselves with other fire-fighting equipment and put out the fire.
Although you were injured, your bravery and swift response prevented the fire from igniting the vehicle’s fuel tanks. However, there was nothing that could be done to save the contents of the compartment, which included all the colony’s food and the bulk of its water supply.
Endurance: 19/27.
Once the fire has been extinguished completely, you join the others in examining the charred remains for signs of what could have started the blaze. The stench of burnt food hangs heavily in the air, but it does not completely mask another smell: the oily aroma of gasolene. Nobody dares to say anything but you know that you are not alone in suspecting that this was no accidental fire.
Fortunately, the blaze was extinguished before it had caused major structural damage to the Landcruiser. The vehicle is still serviceable, although repairs will be needed before it can continue. As chief mechanic, Cutter examines the vehicle and estimates that the repairs will take at least four hours to complete. With sunset little more than three hours away, it is decided that the colony will camp here in Sentinel overnight, and then continue west at first light.
For protection, the convoy vehicles are drawn up nose-to-tail in a wide circle that skirts around the town’s main plaza. Those not involved with the repair of the Landcruiser are dispatched in groups to hunt for food, but very little is found among the dust-blown ruins of this derelict town. At dusk, after a sparse meal, the colony’s senior members decide that it would be an opportune time to consider the fate of Rex Tyler. A large table and seven chairs are salvaged from a nearby furniture store, and set up in the middle of the plaza where the trial is to be conducted. A discussion is held to determine the seven colonists who would be best suited, by virtue of their fairness and objectivity, to hear Rex Tyler’s case and judge whether he is guilty or innocent of the murder of Mike Gorgas.
At length the names of the seven judges are determined by popular vote and the list is read aloud to the gathered colony. Pop Ewell, Cutter Jacks and Uncle Jonas are chosen from DC1, Bob Grant from Big Spring, and Alice Yardum and Patrick Ohlde from Tucson. None of these choices come as a surprise, for they are the six most senior and valued members of the colony. But the seventh choice does evoke some murmurs from the gathered colonists. The seventh judge is you.
Watched by the surrounding circle of colonists, you approach the table and take a seat among your six fellow judges. A hush descends on the plaza as Pop Ewell calls for Rex Tyler to be brought forward to answer to the charge of murder. Flanked by two burly Tucson men, Rex enters the square, his head bowed and his hands tied before him. They escort him to a place in front of the table, where they untie his hands. Both men are armed with pistols, and they make it perfectly clear to Rex that they are prepared to use them if he is foolish enough to try to escape.
Rex is questioned at length by all the judges, including yourself, and earnestly pleads his innocence. He says that his knife, the weapon used to kill Mike Gorgas, went missing the previous evening. Your fellow judges phrase their questions cleverly in the hope of tripping Rex and finding a hole in his story, but steadfastly he holds to his statement that his knife went missing and that he happened upon Gorgas’ body by chance. When your turn to question him comes around for the final time, you decide to try a different tack. You ask him if he saw anyone in the immediate vicinity of the truck prior to discovering Mike Gorgas’ body. After much thought he says that he remembers seeing two men, both Tucson colonists. He does not know them by name, but when asked to pick them out, he scans the surrounding faces and points to John Barlow and Paul Avenal.
After you consult with your fellow judges, they agree to let you question these two men, who are both made to approach the table. You ask each of them in turn if he killed Mike Gorgas. Both strenuously deny having had anything to do with Gorgas’ murder. Avenal is so outraged by the proceedings that he accuses you of murdering Gorgas, and charges you with attempting to frame him. It is not until Cutter points out that you and Rickenbacker were scouting the pass at the time of Gorgas’ murder that he ceases his ranting and quietly fumes.
Your second request takes both men by surprise. You ask them to step forward and empty the contents of their pockets and packs onto the judges’ table. After a moment’s hesitation, the two men comply.
Avenal’s pockets contain the following items:
- Knife
- Cigarette Lighter
- Tin containing three cigarettes
- Pistol
- Twelve rounds of 9mm ammunition
- Screwdriver
- Solar Torch
- Map of Arizona
- Bottle of pain killers
Barlow’s pockets comprise the following items:
- Tool Kit
- Radio Transmitter
- Pistol
- Fifteen rounds of 9mm ammunition
- Detonator Cap
- Paper pack containing six cigarettes
- Wire Cutters
- Signal Flare
- Reel of cloth tape
After you have examined the items, the two men are allowed to retrieve them while you and the other judges pause to consider your verdict.
After a short deliberation, your fellow judges pronounce their judgements. Two find Paul Avenal guilty of the murder; two find John Barlow guilty; and two find Rex Tyler guilty as charged. As only a majority of one vote is required, the deciding vote rests with you.
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Apr 22, 2022 03:15
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- ulmont
- Sep 15, 2010
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IF I EVER MISS VOTING IN AN ELECTION (EVEN AMERICAN IDOL) ,OR HAVE UNPAID PARKING TICKETS, PLEASE TAKE AWAY MY FRANCHISE
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Whodunnit? Paul Avenal, John Barlow, or Rex Tyler?
Non-unanimous juries are bullshit, particularly in a capital case, and I will have no part in these proceedings.
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Apr 22, 2022 03:42
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- moosecow333
- Mar 15, 2007
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Super-Duper Supermen!
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I feel like Avenal is too much of a red herring.
Plus Barlow has wire cutters which he could have used to cut our breaks and detonator caps could be connected to the rockslide.
Too bad I think we ignored all chances to gather clues.
moosecow333 fucked around with this message at 06:41 on Apr 22, 2022
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Apr 22, 2022 04:52
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- nelson
- Apr 12, 2009
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College Slice
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Plus Barlow has wire cutters which he could have used to cut our tires and detonator caps could be connected to the rockslide.
Too bad I think we ignored all chances to gather clues.
nelson fucked around with this message at 09:56 on Apr 22, 2022
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Apr 22, 2022 05:27
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- achtungnight
- Oct 5, 2014
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I get my fun here. Enjoy!
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Barlow is guilty.
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Apr 22, 2022 05:31
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- Decoy Badger
- May 16, 2009
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Avenal already has a knife, why would he need to steal one? (Ignoring why knives are so inextricably tied to their owners here anyways) Barlow.
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Apr 22, 2022 16:51
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- Tiggum
- Oct 24, 2007
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Your life and your quest end here.
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Agreed on all points. Barlow.
California Countdown posted:Quietly you inform your fellow judges of your decision and, after a brief consultation, Cutter Jacks announces the verdict.
‘By the majority decision of this tribunal, we find John Barlow guilty of the murder of Michael Gorgas in the first degree. This crime is a capital offence punishable by death by firing squad. The sentence is to be carried out immediately.’
Upon hearing the verdict, the surrounding colonists utter a sound that is full of shocked disbelief. Barlow’s face contorts into a mask of hatred and he reaches, like a striking cobra, for the pistol he has tucked into his belt. However, the Tucson escorts are already moving forward to grab his arms, and swiftly they wrestle the gun from his hand. A lone voice in the crowd demands a re-trial, but it is ignored. Then another voice rings out, but this time it captures everyone’s attention. It is Macy, the convoy’s lookout, and he is screaming words that make your blood run cold.
‘The Outlaws are attacking!’
Without warning, two grenades explode simultaneously in the town square and the chatter of machine gun fire echoes along the empty side-streets. Screams of panic mingle with the dull booms of more explosions as the colonists rush to the vehicles to try to retrieve their weapons before it is too late. A burst of gunfire from a rooftop stitches a line of holes across the table and sends you, and the other judges, diving for cover. Suddenly everything is chaos; it’s every man for himself. You grab your gun and scurry towards a garbage cart that lies overturned on the plaza. As you skid to a halt behind the cart, you find yourself face to face with Barlow, the man you have just sentenced to death. The confrontation is shocking, but it is the sight of the screwdriver that he is holding poised in his hand that really strikes terror in your heart.
With a cry of pure hatred he lunges with the screwdriver and tries to drive it into your chest.
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 21
Owing to the surprise of his attack, you are unable to make use of a close combat weapon until the start of the second round of the fight.
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 21
Combat Ratio: -1
We roll: 8
Cal Phoenix: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 15
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 18
Combat Ratio: 2
We roll: 5
Cal Phoenix: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 13
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 13
We roll: 6
Cal Phoenix: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 11
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 9
We roll: 1
Cal Phoenix: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 7
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 6
We roll: 10
Cal Phoenix: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 7
Barlow: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 16 ENDURANCE 0
California Countdown posted:As the traitor exhales his last breath and falls dead on the ground by your side, Rickenbacker and Cutter come running across the plaza and take cover with you behind the garbage cart. Quickly you tell them how Barlow attacked you, and how you are now absolutely convinced that he was guilty.
‘You’re right,’ says Cutter, glancing down at Barlow’s body. ‘He must have been a clan infiltrator. I’d hazard a guess that this attack is an effort by the Outlaw’s t’ get him out o’ here.’
‘Well they’ve got here too late,’ you reply. ‘His sentence has already been served in full.’
From behind the metal lip of the garbage cart you survey the battle that is raging around the plaza. Most of the colonists have now armed themselves and taken cover, and they are putting up a worthy defence of the vehicles. The few clansmen you do see are either dead or attempting to escape from the town. All, that is, apart from one. He is a blond-haired thug, dressed in a studded leather vest and striped pants, who is busy hammering at the glass door panels of the DC1 school bus with the stock of his machine pistol. The sight of him senselessly attacking the door of the empty bus does not bother you unduly until you remember that there is one person still on board the bus—Kate—and your heart nearly stops with shock.
Endurance: 7/27
Medi-Kit: 7/12 - restores 3 Endurance per use
Rifle: 3 rounds
Machine Pistol: 34 rounds - uses 6 at a time
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Apr 23, 2022 04:13
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- Adbot
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ADBOT LOVES YOU
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Jun 5, 2024 13:48
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- achtungnight
- Oct 5, 2014
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I get my fun here. Enjoy!
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Machine Pistol
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Apr 23, 2022 05:44
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Apr 13, 2022 05:47
