FoE PNP G-Platypus Session 66

[18:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM> *****G-Platypus: The City of Broad Withers - Session 66*****
[18:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Opposition.
[18:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A force moving against your own, holding you back and making the goings tough.
[18:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Not all opposition is malevolent, sometimes the wastes itself is the most deadly adversary.
[18:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  What does one do when the way is blocked?
[18:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Perhaps our wastelanders know how to handle the opposition... or perhaps not...
[18:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session Start*****
[18:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Our wastelanders find themselves blocked off from where they want to be. A full on barricade across the west road and the east road mostly blocked with the cages. A pony could pick their way through the tossled parking lot with skill and some luck...
[19:02] * North_Star looks over the lot through the sights of his rifle, trying to judge a sneaky path through.
[19:07] * Blackberry_Jam is having trouble making sense of their situation for some reason, but eventually ordains that she should help Snack Cake for now, I guess?
[19:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star can see through his scope that it would be hard to move through that mangle silently, very hard, but a really skilled pony could probably pull it off.
[19:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam knows there are basically three ways she can go, west in the alley toward the barricade, east in the alley toward an unexplored road, and north up toward the cages, unless she wants to turn back. The urban ruins of Downtown can really work against a pony's sense of direction.
[19:12] * North_Star sighs and lowers his rifle, knowing he couldn't get over there unheard.
[19:12] * Snack_Cake is only looking to get to the cages, for now!
[19:14] * Blackberry_Jam is thinking that east may provide a new path to maneuver around that barricade. That's the direction she picks, then!
[19:14] * Scrap follows Blackberry_Jam because that's what this group does!
[19:15] * North_Star sees Blackberry_Jam move and turns his sights to the guards, just in case they become competent.
[19:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The guards don't seem to be that close to becoming yet, their indulgence in the flesh occupying all their senses for the time being. Snack_Cake moves up the road toward the cages at her best speed as the stallion inside gives out with a groan, making a big enough hole for the colt. The mother starts pushing and encouraging him out.
[19:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam and Scrap move down the alley toward the next street east. As they get to where the alley Ts off, they can see the remains of a sprawling grocery store. The road going north looks clear of obstruction. The two massive buildings along either side of the road give little opportunity to get off the road once they decide to head north.
[19:20] * North_Star waves Canary and Thunder to follow Blackberry, keeping his sights on the guards.
[19:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Vehicles litter the road here, providing cover that the previous roads lacked.
[19:20] * Blackberry_Jam breathes a smokey sigh of relief at the cover and begins moving up, crouching and keeping low.
[19:20] * Snack_Cake keeps moving toward the cages. She'll take the colt, but she also needs to tell the other ponies that they plan to get them out!
[19:21] * Scrap follows behind Blackberry_Jam and speaks softly. "Do you think they have this street covered too? We don't have North to shoot at snipers."
[19:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The colt gives one last look back to the mare and a gulp as he looks up toward the tower. He turns to Snack_Cake and bolts through the hole. The stallion tries to set it down as quietly as he can, his forelegs quaking. The mare meets Snack_Cake's eyes as the colt gives his best sprint toward the kind-eyed pink mare.
[19:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike keeps low to the ground and tucked in behind the others as they move east to the next road. North_Star having stayed back to watch Snack_Cake and the guards bumping extreme uglies up in the tower.
[19:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As Blackberry_Jam and Scrap take point, they pass quite a few gem-powered carts, most with their covers pried open and a void where the batteries and engine would have been. It's a bit of work to keep moving forward, but the cover is ample.
[19:30] * Snack_Cake keeps moving as the colt runs her way. Once she reaches him, she crouches down so that he can climb onto her back. "Come on, get on up. Hurry." She waits until the colt is settled on her back before continuing on. She still needs to tell the ponies the plan to get them out.
[19:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare looks a bit panicked and waves Snack_Cake back as she continues to approach. Her movements are as frantic as she dares be, lest the movement catch the rutting ponies eyes.
[19:31] * Blackberry_Jam nods slowly. "It's possible. We should stay as low as we can." She looks to her shotgun. "And... After earlier... I'm feeling confident in my sniping ability."
[19:32] * North_Star keeps his sights on the tower, lest one of them spot the pink pudgy pony.
[19:35] * Snack_Cake will make it quick. She hurries up close enough to speak quietly and mutters, "I've got him. But you have to be ready. We were sent to get you out. So we're gonna make sure the way is clear."
[19:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Sure, sure, just take him and go!" She hisses the pleading whisper as emphatically as she can, putting her hooves on the cage.
[19:37] * Scrap nods and keeps low. He keeps an eye out as they press forward from cover to cover.
[19:38] * Snack_Cake nods and starts running back to the other end of the street, where they crossed over from.
[19:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike's ears swivel and she presses up behind a car. "Voices." She points with a wingtip toward the massive store on their right. Canary can just pick up voices, but not the words, from where he is along the road.
[19:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star can see that Snack_Cake is on her way back, so far the guards are very busy and haven't noticed.
[19:41] * North_Star keeps watching, waving Snack_Cake towards where Blackberry_Jam and the others ran to.
[19:42] * Blackberry_Jam follows Thunder's wing, looking off towards the grocery store. "Let's try not to get involved."
[19:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The voices in the mall get louder, the group nearby able to hear an exchange between more than one pony.
[19:45] * Snack_Cake moves as quickly as she can toward where North_Star is waving her to.
[19:46] * Scrap listens as best he can, but keeps low and behind the various cover.
[19:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder and Blackberry_Jam catch a flick of color from the door up ahead. The blue tip of a tail in the doorway as somepony backs up a step. A bit more conversation spills out, more understandable. "I don't care if we've been here before, supplies are tight. We could have missed something."
[20:00] * Blackberry_Jam just keeps moving. "Whoever's last, keep an eye on them."
[20:01] * Scrap nods and drops to the rear to keep watch as they press on.
[20:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As the group moves to pass the door a stallion inside spots them. He uncerimoneously grabs the mare and pulls her in, drawing a weapon as he does. He glares out the door at them.
[20:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake makes it back to North_Star with the colt on her back .
[20:11] * North_Star nods. "Alright. Set him on my back, I can lug him about."
[20:12] * Blackberry_Jam looks agape at the stallon for a moment. She shakes her head. "We don't want any trouble!" She hisses.
[20:14] * Snack_Cake shakes her head. "I've got him. You need to be ready in case you have to help Berry."
[20:15] * North_Star looks at the last place he saw Berry and the others. "Alright. Stick close, we're going to regroup."
[20:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion stands protectively between the group and the mare. "Then go away, any food in here is ours." Blackberry's trained medical eye picks up on the slight buldge of the mare's belly.
[20:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion in the tower hollers a gutteral cry. It's a good guess he's done. North_Star and Snack_Cake slip down the alley after the others.
[20:16] * Snack_Cake nods and follows closely behind North_Star.
[20:17] * Blackberry_Jam nods slowly. "Of course. She needs anything you can get... Are you two... with..." She points in the vague direction of the barricade. "Them?"
[20:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion blinks, but his SMG doesn't come down from his defensive posture. "Fuck no."
[20:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Are you?"
[20:20] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "Fuck no. In fact, we're here to clear them out." She keeps her weapon, and the fact that she's not pointing it at them plainly visible.
[20:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The pair in the grocery store both sport black leather armor, form-fitting. It makes her little bump all the more noticable. They're both thin, but not to the point of looking malnourished. He seems to relax slightly, the muzzle of his SMG drifting away from point directly at anypony. North_Star and Snack_Cake arrive at the back of the group with the colt.
[20:22] * North_Star clears his throat, announcing his presance.
[20:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion's weapon snaps that way, but the mare covers it with a hoof. "You're being a rude-ass." He glances her way a second then corrects his aim not at anypony again.
[20:25] * North_Star points a hoof back towards the street they came from. "We ain't going back. Window's closed shut."
[20:25] * Blackberry_Jam bows a little and tips her beret to the two. "Good hunting..." She thinks for a moment. "Are you due soon?"
[20:28] * Snack_Cake takes the time to check her PipBuck map, to get a better idea of the surroundings, while Blackberry_Jam is talking.
[20:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare shakes her head. "Were just sure that's why I was missing my cycles recent... Just trying to eat regular... but raiders have been... weird... recently."
[20:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake can see that this building is one of the tagged options for the location. the two taller buildings to the north are also tagged. They are maybe a block and a half away.
[20:31] * Blackberry_Jam nods slowly. "That's why we're here, too. They've been organized, under a certain Mr. Butcher..."
[20:32] * Snack_Cake takes a hesitant step toward Blackberry_Jam. "Berry... this is one of the buildings TOM marked... the filly might be in here."
[20:33] * North_Star pokes his head in the doorway, reminded about the Filly. "Are you folks missing one?"
[20:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare gets a really weird look on her face and shakes her head. "No... That doesn't make any sense. They ain't been acting like Butcher's Boys."
[20:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion, closer to North_Star, hears the question. "No, it's just the two of us."
[20:35] * North_Star nods. "Alright then.."
[20:36] * Blackberry_Jam nods too. "I don't think this is the place, Snack. This place isn't teeming with ghouls..." She looks to the mare. "Could have sworn we passed one of his standards on the way here."
[20:37] * North_Star looks at Blackberry. "Maybe there's been a mutiny of sorts.."
[20:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare nods. "Yeah, that's Butcher's Boys, but they ain't been ridin' with raiders. They pretty much stay there and guard those pens. Stay out of nopony's land, and they don't do shit."
[20:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She looks over to the stallion. "They, what... get a shipment of stuff every week or so?"
[20:42] * North_Star looks at Berry, "There's an idea.."
[20:43] * Snack_Cake frowns, and checks her EFS, for any signs of somepony alone in the building.
[20:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The colt on Snack_Cake's back plops down and hugs her neck. He sniffles.
[20:44] * Snack_Cake glances back and gives the colt a little nuzzle. "Hey, it's gonna be alright... don't worry."
[20:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion looks back to his mare. "Something like that." He shows a bit of his back to the group, some kinda writing or picture on it. It seems they both have them.
[20:45] * Blackberry_Jam stashes her weapon. "Why don't we put down our guns and talk for a moment? I think you two know some things that could help us out with this raider mystery."
[20:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare nods, turning, giving a better view of the thing on their backs when she sits farther inside. A crescent moon shape with a winged pony reared up and standing inside the crescent. The white pegasus is wearing some kind of flowing garment and weilding a large scythe over its head. It's hard to see the lettering on top and bottom.
[20:50] * North_Star lets his rifle hang from his barrel on it's sling as he slipped inside.
[20:51] * Blackberry_Jam quickly steps inside after them. She's not all that familiar with the gangs of Buckago, outside of the ones that want to kill her, but she can guess that these ponies have something to do with a Grim Reaper, of sorts. Who else uses a scythe, anyway?
[20:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake's EFS shows these two in green for now, There are red and green indicators off to the west where the pens were. Nothing is showing up this far away to the north.
[20:52] * Blackberry_Jam is dotted with symbols of her own, too, if it matters to them.
[20:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion moves in with her, letting his SMG fall slack on it's sling. They move just inside the dark store so everypony can take shelter inside. Blackberry_Jam can spot some ink on them as well, though not well enough to define anything. Her eyes are sharp enough to catch the lettering on the backs of the jackets though.
[20:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The top rocker reads "Moonlight Marauders" and the bottom rocker reads "Buckago"
[20:55] * North_Star tips his hat up, now that there's no dust or light to shield his eyes from.
[20:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star and the others, as their eyes adjust, find the inside of this store to be massive with rows upon empty rows of items sprawling out as far as can be seen. The roof has collapsed in places, letting pillars of weak light in at random spots.
[21:01] * Blackberry_Jam regards their tattoos for a moment, smiling a little. "So... These raiders. What can you tell us about them, if they're not Butcher's?"
[21:06] * North_Star found a seat, thinking this might be a moment.
[21:08] * Snack_Cake brings the colt inside, and sets him down for a moment. She digs around in her pack before taking out one of her cakes to offer him.
[21:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion takes up a position to watch their guests as the mare settles down to talk. "They are definitely raiders, some of the bands we recognize. They're working together, which is weird enough, but it's what they are..." She's distracted by the cake Snack_Cake produces for the colt but quickly puts her gave back on Blackberry_Jam. "...are grabbing. Normally raiders just wanna get off. They'll take guns and
[21:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  weapons, maybe somthing to string together for armor... stuff to fight or fuck with, ya know? These one's are taking /everything/ though. Most raiders, they will grabs a hoofful of food and move on... these have been picking places clean..."
[21:13] * North_Star rubs his chin. "We've heard about a recent change in management for these raiders, maybe that has something to do with it."
[21:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion snorts. "Fucking parasprites is what they are..."
[21:14] * Scrap finally retracts his claws and finds a place to sit down and listen.
[21:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The colt takes the cake and starts eating it slowly, savoring it. "It's... sweet..."
[21:16] * Blackberry_Jam crosses her hooves, leaning on a wall that looked sturdy enough. "That's why I'm thinking Butcher has a hoof in this... First an orphanage's caravan gets hit, then the guards get sent right to his dogs... I'm thinking that he's reaching out to the locals, so to speak."
[21:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare seems to think it over. "Maybe... or maybe his boys happened to run into the raiders as they were going back and happened to be bigger and tougher. Ain't just righteous types that consider raiders free game."
[21:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare shrugs.
[21:20] * North_Star looks at Blackberry. "I 'unno about that.."
[21:22] * Blackberry_Jam looks between all of them with a frown. "It doesn't make sense, but not many ponies around here have the balls or the backing to organize raiders like this."
[21:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare shrugs. "It could be just as you say or it could just be some really successful warlord bringing them to heel."
[21:25] * North_Star scratches his chin. "Maybe. It could be Butcher, or it could be an out-of-towner trying to capitalize on some wild wasteland."
[21:26] * Blackberry_Jam doesn't seem to buy that. "If that's the case, no doubt that the gangs of this city would be all over them, protecting their turf... I'm not seeing rampant turf wars, are you?"
[21:27] <Scrap> "Maybe they were offer'd something to make it worth it."
[21:27] <Scrap> offered*
[21:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Northsiders and Southsiders don't wanna get too invested Downtown, they prefer their standoff. There's always turf wars down here, it just usually doesn't get this much steam behind it, ya know? Excluding Butcher, there isn't a real big faction in play Downtown."
[21:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare notes the colt licking his hooves after finishing the cake and gives a miniscule little sigh.
[21:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She looks back to Blackberry_Jam. "I mean, those Rangers swept in a while back and made a go at the Tower. What's left of them displaced the ponies at Soldier Field... so there's been more ponies having to fend for themselves or join up with a crew... but even that influx didn't lead to stuff like we're seein' now."
[21:31] * North_Star continues to scratch his chin. "Maybe it is an out of towner.."
[21:32] * Snack_Cake smiles and hugs the colt as he eats. She glances up at the mare, and nudges her bag a bit. "Would you like some...? I've got all different kinds of things. You can take your pick."
[21:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare looks to Snack_Cake and waves a hoof to refuse. "No, we make our own way. It's..." Her stomach rumbles out of turn.
[21:39] * Blackberry_Jam rubs her neck a little. "Whoever it is... The raiders haven't exactly been cooperating in telling us."
[21:39] * Snack_Cake gives a little smile. "Well, then maybe your foal wants a treat." She noses through her bag and takes out a cake and a sweetroll, and sets them aside for her. "Is it a filly, or a colt? Do you know yet?"
[21:39] * Scrap hmms and sits down next to Thunder_Strike. "Are you ok?"
[21:41] * Thunder_Strike was staring off into space. scrap may need to poke her and wake her up.
[21:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare's pride stays her hoof. "How would we? We'll know when it comes, I suppose." She can't help but keep looking at the offering though. The stallion picks up on it. "You... seem to be doing alright in the food department... we'd be willing to barter... work out something."
[21:43] * North_Star perks up at the mention of bartering, looking around at the others for a word in edgewise from them.
[21:44] * Scrap taps Thunder_Strike's shoulder. "Uh, Thunder? Are you ok?"
[21:45] * Snack_Cake frowns. "Please... I insist. You need to eat. If not for your sake, then... at least for the foal."
[21:46] * Thunder_Strike eeps and looks around. w..who's there.
[21:47] * Scrap moves a little back from Thunder_Strike. "It's just me is all."
[21:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare doesn't go for it. Owing a debt, no matter how small, is bad. The stallion looks to them. "Anything you ponies need?"
[21:51] * Blackberry_Jam looks them over. "Have you two scouted much of the area out? It's going to get loud here, as soon as we can get back to that barrier. Any intel you could give us would be appreciated."
[21:51] * North_Star checks his satchel. "Oh, hey. Almost forgot about these." He said, passing a small box of healing potions to BlackBerry_Jam.
[21:53] * Blackberry_Jam blinks at North_Star, but doesn't say anything. She's not in the slightest bit surprised that he'd forgotten.
[21:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare looks up to the stallion. "We've run this area a lot. We know as much as anypony about the lay of the land here. You have something in mind?"
[21:57] * Snack_Cake simply leaves the food out of her bag. She won't let the mare go hungry while she can help.
[21:57] * Thunder_Strike relaxes seeing him now then hugs him. ''sorry, I kinda zonked out.''
[21:58] * Blackberry_Jam nods. "We're looking to get the drop on that MG they have on the first barricade."
[21:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion looks the group over. "We... I... could be convinced to help, if the price is right."
[22:01] * Blackberry_Jam frowns slightly. She has a rather nice looking weapon on her back. "It's not firepower that we need... I think we have that covered. If you're asking us to buy information..." She looks cross.
[22:02] * Scrap hugs Thunder_Strike back. "Are you still feeing bad after that fall?"
[22:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion gives a neutral look right back to her. "Goods, services, information, it's all got value." He shrugs. "I'm willing to distract them, if the price is right."
[22:04] <Thunder_Strike> thunder smiles and nods. ''yeah alittle. but I should feel better soon.
[22:04] <~Blackberry_Jam> "We'd never ask you to do that. All we need to know is the best plan of attack. Set your price."
[22:06] * Scrap nods. "That's good. None of us want to see you feeling bad."
[22:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  They look at each other. "Could get position on them from the top of the fire department. Not easy to get in there unless you know the way."
[22:10] * North_Star looks at Blackberry. "How much coverage would that get us?"
[22:12] * Blackberry_Jam looks back at North. "And how much is it to know the way?"
[22:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "It's got reinforced walls that give some cover to the roof and it's higher than their tower. Not a good way in from the base though. Think somepony made a point to take out all the easy ways up. I can get somepony up there easy enough, without the tower flashin' or sparkin'."
[22:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Looks to Blackberry_Jam. "How much food are you offering?"
[22:14] * Blackberry_Jam looks between the dubiously. They were offering them food for free not even a minute ago. "Snack...?"
[22:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam might get the vibe that these ponies don't stomach charity particularly well.
[22:21] * Snack_Cake frowns a little. She doesn't like the idea of having ponies pay for food when they need it, but... She digs in her bag a bit, and produces, including what she offered before, four snack cakes, four sweetrolls, three boxes of chocolate frosted sugar bombs, and five cans of vegatables. Additionally, she sets aside 3 bottles each of Sparkle Cola, cherry and vanilla flavor.
[22:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare's eyes get a little big at the sizable offering. "That's mor..." The stallion cuts her off. "That'll do." He gets to his hooves.
[22:25] * Thunder_Strike smiles and cuddles alittle. ''thanks for... trying to save me.'' she says smiling.
[22:27] * Blackberry_Jam chuckles. "Ponies, we're rolling."
[22:27] * North_Star gets to his hooves. "Lead on, then."
[22:28] * Snack_Cake leaves the food for the two ponies to take, and adjusts her considerably lighter saddlebags. She gives the colt a little nudge. "Alright, get on up. Hold on tight."
[22:29] * Scrap blinks and blushes a bit, but keeps a hoof around her. "Uh, you're welcome, Thunder."
[22:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion stands and heads into the darkness farther back in the store. There's a mechanical whine as a gem-engine fires up and a single point of light flares to life. There's a squeal and the light rockets toward the group. He returns, laying on top of a two wheeled machine. He kicks out the legs on his left side and leans on them. Two wheels, one in front of the other, and a bench joining them that he's layed across. His hooves work some controls and there is a yoke resting in front of his mouth. "Alright. Who's riding bitch?"
[22:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM> *****Session End*****
[22:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  1000 XP, Snack_Cake gains 2 karma for saving the colt and offering food to ponies... again...