The Crater at the End of the World

in which the end is nigh!

Gabe, the Driver has refitted his ambulance into a veritable tank.

Vision, the Hocus is undertaking a reformation of the cult. Violence is a disease. They have an all-nighter of philosophical and theological debate. Sliver (one of Clarion's favourites) goes for Clarion with a knife when things seem to be settled - she's betrayed everything they stood for! But Vision intervenes and gets stabbed in the guts for his trouble.


Kim is heading back to Gusher with Chaplain, the Gunlugger. They are going to take the hold back and make sure the key people (like LeMieux) are ok. Trans will help to convince the Parcher loyalists at Gusher's Gate that it'll be ok.

Chaplain and Kim are going to make the long walk from there to the main entrance into Gusher. Kim's got a folding ladder and once they scale the gate and take control of it, Gabe will drive down the causeway with Chaplain's gang behind. The traffic jam needs to clear too, so that's a pain in the ass as well.

The scuttlebutt from those getting out of Gusher is that Dune only has 10-12 of her people, everyone else went out hunting for Charlie, the Battlebabe. Behind Chaplain's people are a 7 or 8 of Parcher's people (who Reg wouldn't try to keep in the Gate) armed with machetes and crossbows.

So, with the sun setting Chaplain and Kim head down the causeway. It's a lonely, exposed walk, and they're challenged when they get inside bow-range.

Before he can be challenged twice, Chaplain brings his rifle up and starts shooting at the gate sentries. But one of the hot cartridges spins off the causeway and ignites the oil slick on top of the marsh.

Without a second thought (though with a curse), Chaplain charges the gate and suppresses or kills everyone in the vicinity to give Kim a chance to get the ladder set up. Chaplain clambers over, opening the gate for the others, but it's going to be a very long wait...

He conserves his ammo, but keeps Dune's people away with some controlled bursts. When Parsons' people start to arrive he starts using his grenades. Finally, Gabe arrives with Hard Eight uptop and Ghost in the cab. The mounted machine-gun turns the battle and Chaplain looks back to the rest of his gang humping it, out of breath but arrived.


From outside the hold, they hear impossibly loud screeching as the night lights up. A jet-black flying thing strafes and bombs the causeway. Chaplain runs outside to get everyone under cover inside the gates and then runs to catch up with Gabe's tank.

Parsons has used the opportunity to attack, but they push him back to the main square where his trucks are backed up by an armoured car. Gabe circles them, and Hard Eight lights up everything around them.

Into the centre of the main compound lands the black gull-winged gunship. It's big enough that the armoured car an just drive onto a ramp and inside.
Gabe revs up and smashes through the roadblock Parsons' trucks had constructed and breaks through and is about to ram the gunship's undercarriage when it looses rockets directly at it and Gabe careens out of control.

Chaplain runs underneath the thing as it rotates away, letting loose with everything into its belly - but it has no effect. As the gunship leaves it fires at the refinery, and the entire place starts to burn. They escape from this burning hell, and in the morning they just let the burnt dead walk through Gusher's Gate.

Vision walks to Maersk. He wants to warn Zeke about Bill & Ben and the water contamination. Zeke promises he'll send a message to Gusher about it. It's not a friendly meeting, Zeke has all his trustees with him for it, but it goes off without any trouble.

Back at the crater, he prepares for an augury, trying to get the dead to stop digging. But it's to no avail, and the dead refuse his bidding. They're home. And they tell him that the Others are coming. The fight will be here, at the Mountain. He gets a sudden vision of 7-foot tall black bug-eyed monsters. So he leans in and helps to make their efforts more efficient as best he can.


With more and more dead arriving everyday, they've dug out a huge metallic grey thing. Vision opens his brain, but feels a deep hatred and sees a vision of this giant ship crashing into the Mountain. A door opens, and a dull green light shines from inside it. Gabe and Chaplain explore, and they hit the jackpot, finding organic and metallic weapons which they're sure will be able to harm the Others.


Vision warns them that there are gunships coming in. The dead are raising weapons at them (or the weapons are using them to aim themselves?) but it's far too soon. Chaplain yells at everyone to hug cover until he gives the signal.

The gunships fire missiles from five klicks out, and the carnage amongst the dead is unmatched by anything that they've seen before. When the gunships are a klick out, they start to slag the Mountain itself. Only then does Chaplain stand up and take aim, he's got the biggest and baddest weapon which they recovered from the armoury and he makes it count. Before the others have raised their eyes he's taken out most of the gunships with terrifying accuracy.

The surviving gunships make another pass, but this time the remaining dead put up an effective screening fire, funnelling the gunships into Chaplain's killing zone and he wipes the rest of them out.


In the sudden silence, they realise that the dead have gone back to digging.
Everything they need is down there. The Others will be back in one hundred years.

FIN

On the Road to Somewhere

in which shit gets real.

There's a growing rift between the peaceful and violence-mongering sections of Vision's cult. Vision, the Hocus' nights are consumed by nightmares, as he senses that he must explore the winding paths on the mountainside.

Gabe, the Angel is coming up with a cure for the plague. He needs: a viable sample, to figure out what makes it tick, and to expose himself to the danger.

Vision heads to Maersk to get a motorbike and some fuel (for his exploration fix). Olympias is organising a crew to put up a ramp to make the route up practicable. On his return, Vision hears shouting from inside his hold. Mary-Kate has just brained Dual with a hammer, and Vision has to appeal to family values! Lamentations ensue, and he reasserts his control over the troubled settlement.

Gabe's examination of Vision shows that the virus is not active in him, but that his blood is no longer human.

Charlie, the Battlebabe limps into Tri-Hold North. He's not recognised without his signature hat and coat. Security's tight (there are 4 armed guards instead of the usual doddery old fella at the gate). He panics a little when he hears the sound of powerful bikes behind him. It's Hammer escorting the Exxon on its delivery here. It's an awkward meeting, Charlie feels like Hammer doesn't really think he's too special and didn't even realise he was here. Charlie is thirsty and Hammer tells him there's plenty to drink in the cab. Somehow he talks Hammer around to help him out.


Chaplain, the Gunlugger is on the warpath. Tran's motorbike's head off down the road to spot the ambush, but there's nothing on the road, and they get all the way to Tri-Hold South without seeing anything. Li is there waiting for them, all kitted up and no party to go to.

Chaplain tells his gang to rest up, something will come up. Beagle drives up in his mini-convoy and words are had with Chaplain, who's gone to meet him alone. Beagle acts like Chaplain should be grateful for his work on Leafy Hollow, but Chaplain disagrees. Killing them after Dust was gone was neither the letter of, nor the spirit of the agreement. Beagle goes to his usual weaselly chat, but Chaplain's having none of it.

He turns towards the rearward van, where Beagle's weird-ass helpers and all the gear are and unlooses a grenade underneath it. It explodes in a fiery ball, and the armoured van keeps everything inside so that no one can escape the mere moments of agony they have remaining. After an eternity of shock at the screaming and carnage inside, Beagle runs to the gates of Tri-Hold. But they're not letting him in.

Chaplain calls him back, and Beagle is terrified, but walks back to him anyway. Still feeling the heat from the burning van, Chaplain tells him the revised deal. He'll provide a nice shiny silencer for his rifle and that'll be the end of it. Beagle gets it out of his remaining vehicle and drives off, still cowed.

**

Gabe, on the way to Gusher, passes everyone leaving. Are the sessions over already? Looks like there's been a coup, and Parcher's been fucked out of it. Parsons' people backed it, showing up after dawn; Dune opened up the gates for him. Parcher's remaining loyalists are coming back in after the hunt for Charlie and there's a stand-off.

Gusher's gate is held by Reg and Parcher's people. The gate's closed, but Gabe convinces Reg to let him in.


Charlie wakes up. Hammer's looking concerned. He has no loyalty to Parcher, though Kim (the Exxon's her baby) is not happy about that. Hammer's thinking maybe he'll head to Maersk. Sell his services there.


Gabe is heading to Tri-Hold South to catch up with Chaplain. Reg and the other guys at the gate would be very interested in his location! When Tran arrives back, he gives them the all clear inside Tri-Hold. When Gabe tells them what's gone on inside Gusher, he reckons news of trouble inside Tri-Hold was just a move by Parsons to get him and Chaplain (and their two sizeable gangs) out of Gusher while he made his move against Parcher.


Vision's dreams are getting worse. He drives up the mountain on his bike. Always heading in the right direction. He comes to a huge crater in the side of the mountain - must be a klick wide. In the rubble, there are 70 or 80 of the dead clawing at it, trying to get deeper.

He feels at peace here. The only thing that can be improved upon this beautiful thing is organisation. He directs them as best he can, and then heads back, where he finds that Clarion has returned.

*

Eggers and Soss (who reveal their true names are Bill & Ben) find this all hilarious. In years of searching high and low, they never found the Mountain. They just had a few pieces of it - they left it (a jagged piece of metal) in Gusher, in the water pump house to do its work - it'll turn everyone who passes through the hold within a few months.

Their ranting becomes even crazier than usual - Vision starts to see some drawbacks to his way of living. He consults with Clarion, and for once she's the voice of reason - she agrees that they're fucking wacknuts.


Near Tri-Hold, Gabe does his blood-test on the guys, to discover that Charlie (who had been infected) is not human, but Chaplain still is.

The Bloody Sessions

in which deals are made, but the Bloody Sessions start to live up to their name.

Vision, the Hocus sends Clarion out with Knuckles (an old-timer), Egger and Soss (two new recruits in cowls and with hacked hair), and co-opts Charlie, the Battlebabe into his plan. The trip down is awkward for Charlie, caught between Sheila & Duke on one side and Clarion on the other.

When they get to Gusher they notice that security is a bit tighter and the general attitude much stricter. Charlie pulls the van into a space around the marketplace; opening up the back doors to display the distilling gear and mobile generator he's selling for Vision's hold.

Colonel arrives (they wonder if he'll spot the flowery green van), and then Parsons (with an impressive dozen vehicles. One of Parsons' crews, the Flaming Hand find Charlie's batch interesting. Smilz (in her shiny jacket and with an actual genuine smile) pushes a hard deal on the generator and a future supply of gear, but isn't so sure of Vision's reliability. Chaplain, the Gunlugger is wandering by and vouches for the deal, though when Charlie realises what that means (if they don't deliver) gives him pause - he agrees when he thinks about going back to Vision empty-handed.

Charlie's worst fears come true, when Colonel suddenly recognises the van. He and his soldiers start arming up to attack the owners of the van but Chaplain spots them getting ready with a practised eye. He wanders over to them, the soldiers, but Colonel is the least well armed and most vulnerable. Chaplain talks them down off the ledge, they're not going to start a fight right here, right now.

The two almost-victims, Silky and Junior have done a quick and quiet exit into a nearby bar. Charlie goes to talk to them, he hates to bother them, but he needs to find out a little bit more, but when they see the Battlebabe walk in with her guns, they run. Charlie gives chase, and when end up in the alley out the back he pulls his pistol and yells at them to stop! But Parcher's guards pick up on the commotion and intervene, he shoots at Silky but misses and kills one of the guards instead.

The heavies start chasing Charlie now and the bells are ringing out!

**

Charlie makes for the gate, but they spot him (mostly by dint of his fucking white hat!) and he detours for the wall, but crossing the wire means he has to leave his hat and duster coat behind.

Smilz comes back to complete the deal, but no one knows where Charlie is - he'll come back tomorrow.

Charlie gets out through the sludge along the causeways and gets to the roadway out of sight of Gusher. He avoids the Oil Vipers who hunt the marsh at night.


Parcher comes over to the parking zone looking for Charlie. The two guys have been caught - they're roughed up and nearly naked. Chaplain can't get Colonel to admit he was going to just kill the guys yesterday, but they admit that they bought the van from a 'Moonbeam' just last week just outside Leafy Hollow. They give a vague description (one of them had an orange top), but Chaplain suspects that they're describing Eggers and Soss (their shorn hairstyle sure suggests a quick change of apperance to him).

Search parties are sent out to Clarion and her lot. Sheila tells them that Clario looks for the biggest sucker in town the first night - to fuck him and bring him into the cult by morning.

Charlie makes his way out, but it's really difficult by foot. So he keeps a look out to waylay a traveler with a car, he gets to the crossroads when he has to choose between heading northwards to Parsons' area or south to Gusher's Gate. He tries to hijack a car, but it accelerates to go right through him, he grabs onto the bull-bars as he runs him over and is thrown clear as the car crashes into a rock trying to shake him off.

*

Chaplain is on the hunt for Vision (really for Eggers and Soss). Parcher insists that he leaves his gun behind, given he's on semi-official business, and Chaplain entrusts it to one of Parcher's lieutenants (who knows he'll reap some amount of trouble if anything should happen to it). He finally ends up in a SíBín down a twisting warren of alleyways. The old crone who runs it, tells her to look up Reg, definitely the easiest mark in Parcher's crew.

Rex's bunkmate tells them that he's taken then to the main rooftop inside Parcher's compound and they find them all underneath the main tank of the water-filtration plant. Chaplain isn't the least bit surprised when the badly beaten Silky and Junior identify Eggers and Soss as the guys who sold them the van - others are less convinced, guys who are beaten that badly will sell out the first people they think they can get away with.


Charlie clears his head from his collision with the edge of the road. Three doors open in the car, and impossibly tall moon-dark shiny things step out. They have jet-black leathery skin. There's nothing else to it, they're monsters. One of them raises a large bulbous phosphorescent gun and lights up Charlie as he runs. He shoots back and then the mini-guns open fire.

Charlie ain't got time to bleed and they chase him across the rocky terrain. He hears their guttural cries behind him, and he's about ready to give up and pick somewhere to die when the sun comes up. They quit the chase and he reaches the river near Tri-Hold.


Chaplain has a breakfast meeting with Parcher - she's busy coordinating the hunt for Charlie (Dune is planning the whole thing for her). Chaplain agrees with her when she reminds him of the law around her - firing a gun and killing her guards is well-beyond a disagreement. If it comes to that, Chaplain will help bring Charlie in.

Gruff shows up for Chaplain with news from Tran. Someone has been flashing luxe gear around again, so Chaplain musters the rest of his gang and rides out on a cheaply acquired flat-bed truck.

• Sweeney - can scrounge up just about anything
• DibDab - laughs like a hyena, especially during a fight/chase
• Ethyl - runs a still for some kick ass moonshine whenever the gang is in one place for a while
• Lamprey - always first in line to test one of Ethyl's new batches
• Box - everything can be decided by the ancient ritual of roshambo
• Ken - loves her long sword (not too shabby with it either)
• Hope - the savage outlier of the gang. Always first into the breach
• Kettle - usually the first to call people on their shit
• Mal - presents as a badass, but really has a heart of gold
• Captain - likes to stand up on things
• Fleece - palest skin you've ever seen, virtually see-through

Hearsay and Conjecture

in which things start to get really complicated, really quickly...

Gabe has been hard at work setting up his new infirmary - when he surfaces for air, he's a little bit shocked at the revolutionary changes which have occurred in the area and in Maersk itself.

Charlie has a love-in with Sheila - getting to know her shack-mates Odell and Duke a little bit better. Duke relates his take on the cult; especially on Clarion and Vision. He's always believed in Vision, despite everything that's happened.

Angel grabs Gabe and brings him up to one of the containers up on the top level of Maersk - one Gabe's never seen open, never mind been inside. Inside there are a few empty 20-gallon drums lying around the place, but at the back stand three full to the brim of military-grade antibiotics (obviously this is Angel's motherlode of medicine!). Angel dumps a few cupfuls of the capsules into Gabe's bag.

Now that word has gone out that Maersk is open for business, there's a large convoy of vehicles snaking up the road to the gate. Down the line, there's a green van with flowers on the side - Charlie pegs that this must be the vehicle identified by Colonel as being the source of the infection.

Charlie calls Gabe down to see if he can recognise the plague without bringing someone inside, and gets the Trustees to stop the van from getting any closer - they pull guns on the two people inside but no one really knows what's going on. Charlie intervenes to make sure they stay inside the van - Gabe and the Trustees start to lose control as other secure the perimeter, but they do stay in the van.

Charlie knows the van - it brought him down to safety when he was younger. The guys inside don't look familiar. (Is he Patient0 in the valley?). Meanwhile Vision is getting an experience of the last days from the van's occupants - the end will be a slow grinding death (or salvation) through the chaotic and fearful maelstrom.

The big guy in the van does all the talking - he's quizzed on the provenance of the van. He's got a good poker face, but is shitting himself because he doesn't know a way out of this situation. Angel wants to examine them, and they cooperate - as far as he can tell, they don't have anything untoward.

***

Chaplain was already walking down towards Crossroads alone and has left the drama at Maersk behind. He spots the Fuck Sisters looking at him from a bend in the road, and they withdraw as he approaches, but he calls out for a parley!

They send out an old one, and they have a peaceful conversation. (This is a first!). They blame the holds for the plague, but when Chaplain tells them about their dead turning too, they're surprised. They describe the van from the firefight which happened earlier, and Chaplain is pretty sure they're IDing Beagle's.

Back at Maersk, Charlie wonders if the two in the van are the guys. Opening his brain to the Psychic Maelstrom. Wondering what he will do if he finds the real guys he remembers from years ago. Whether they've been back up the mountains. If his vision of his father was true?

Charlie pulls the gun on Gabe to convince him to let people inside the gates. Accidentally he opens his brain when Gabe doesn't back down. Gabe channels the plague across to Charlie, who knows what's happened and that Gabe did that. He gets a crystal-clear vision of the original owners of the van.

Vision speaks truth to the mob! They lament the end of the world, and surge to open the gates into Maersk. But Zeke's formed up with a crew at the 2nd gate, and there's a face-off.

**

Down at Leafy Hollow, Chaplain calls on Lafferty. She's taking a snooze, but his long slow stride gives them all time to prepare for him. She receives him in her place, a small house to the side of the hold. She's nervous, but pours him tea.

They agree that there's no beef between them - she's interested to find out Vision's set up and is shocked when he reveals that he's not in Maersk anymore. This new understanding doesn't mean that she'll do anything about the walking corpses. Zeke will have to agree on a concrete deal to force her to do something about it. Mostly, Lafferty isn't looking for trouble; and Chaplain leaves, stopping off in the square, offering service to any toughs looking to join him. (Mud & Bones moved on sharpish after Dust was killed).

A few passing through take up the offer, and by the time he's had something to eat in Tri-Hold, Chaplain's new gang starts to form up:

• Hard Eight - always accepts a challenge, never takes the easy way out 
• Snake Eyes - unlucky as hell, makes up for it by being a ice-cold killer 
• Multi-Pass - always seems like she has a secret
• Ghost - always missing for head count, usually shows up when needed though
• Dump - licks everyone's canteen tins at the end of a night
• Bug - it's like we kicked over a rock one day and there he was. Just can't shake him now
• Fly - she's a girl, but most think she's a man. Best damn tracker in the valley
• Shots - will drink anyone under the table
• Max - no, not the guy from way down south; this girl killed him dead over the name
• Muzzle - never stops yapping. I mean never!
• Echo - not an original thought on his head, usually just repeats something he heard yesterday
• Nails - hard as. End of story
• Hush - has a big jagged scar across her throat. Doesn't (can't?) speak
• Bean - little and skinny. Always hungry and always getting into trouble
• Gruff - Bean's big brother. Always ready for a fight
• Zeus - will fuck just about anything she lays eyes on
• Absinthe - usually great fun, but every so often goes off the deep end into a very dark place
• Goggles - no one goes near him after dark unless they're very drunk
• Stan - very sharp indeed, sometimes shady
• Lauren - one hell of a biker, sometimes drives Stan around in her sidecar

In Tri-Hold, Tran has a quick chat with him. He's worried about a few of his men - they've shown up with shiny gear recently. Chaplain and Tran wonder about what happened at Swinetown with the coup and Beagle, who's selling on a lot of new gear.

Looking out on the Tri-Hold, all jetties and palisades on the green slimy river. Tran finds out about Vision's water purifier and the hold full of valuable junk. He asks if Chaplain will suggest a deal for a steady supply of salamander meat? Anyway, Tran's going to dig up dirt on his guys and maybe hire Chaplain to take care of those who are going behind Tran's back.

*

On the way back through Leafy Hollow, Chaplain sits down with Lafferty again, this time with her lieutenants. In the middle of their pot of tea, suddenly three of them seize up and die. With everyone shocked and confused, they raise up and shamble away.

According to Lafferty, they haven't been in contact with anyone from outside, and they all drank the same tea. Chaplain asks if there were hanging around with Beagle, but no more than anyone else.

But Chaplain realises that it was Beagle - their deal was planned for this night - and it happened as soon as the sun went down. Not really what they agreed though - None of these people were Dust's lieutenants anymore...

The Promised Land

in which Vision undertakes a great pilgrimage.

As the group returns to Maersk, there is a relief and a celebratory atmosphere. Travelling through the night to reach home was a gamble, but a calculated one. After some general revelry, Chaplain settles down with Zeke for some serious drinking and reminiscing about Grace, they realise that no one's had any genuine chance for grieving yet. Chaplain knows it's soon, but breaks the news to Zeke that he's thinking of leaving (at least for a little while). He'll stick around for the next Bloody Sessions. He's got a mind to assemble a gang - maybe leave someone else do the heaving fighting for a change. Both of them feel old for the first time in ages, they can't even polish off the entire bottle of whiskey that Zeke's broken out for the occasion.

Vision undertakes an augury the next morning. He looks towards the mountains for somewhere with prospects. A place with a long-term future. He gets a wonderful sensation, from another's perspective of a place, seven or eight miles past the great rock slide. There a pristine structure of shining steel and glass is to be found. Each member of Vision's cult get a good glimpse of the place as well, though from a different viewpoint.

***

Later on that morning the Exxon arrives on the road, with the usual escort of eight or nine Flames (with Hammer leading them) they park alongside the gate and hook up the pipes to transfer fuel across. This proves great respite to the people of Maersk, those who were wondering about leaving (but who only stayed due to the dangers of the road) breathe a sigh of relief.

Chaplain catches some of the news from Hammer - they just drove through Leafy Hollow, the Exxon had been on a routine run there when they found the gates up this way open, so they just came right up here (while they had the chance). Hammer hears that Lafferty (local trader, young but moved in Norville's orbit and not Dust's) is taking over there. After a bit of digging, Hammer is convinced to take a drive down there and fish around for Chaplain (he expects a few drinks on the house when he gets back).

When he gets back, Chaplain shares the rest of that bottle of whiskey with him - Lafferty's definitely running the show down in Leafy Hollow, though with a first among equals vibe for present; nothing solid. Story is that Mud and Bones high-tailed it as soon as they had a chance the morning after the attack. Hammer notices a new shambling corpse come up the road, and this brings talk around to Swinetown, where the coup showed outside influence - lots of shiny new gear showing up in the wrong peoples' hands. Maybe Parsons, though it's a bit of a stretch; Dust would make more sense.

**

The next day, Chaplain and Vision (with a few of the cult) head up to the rocky plateau on a scouting mission for this hallowed ground. The metalled road is barely there anymore, it's wrecked and crumbling. It's long walk through the low-lying hills and along the mountain sides, passing a few small mountain streams before they come to a small mountain valley. There, the near-desolation of this region becomes clear. There's a stench of sulphur, and some of the plants seem very strange. Any grasses or low scrub here are scorched and are barely hanging on. Oddly enough, it's the silence which is most off-putting; there seems to be no sign of any birds up here.

Off the road, and well hidden from sight (though Vision knows exactly where it is) lies a large building. It's a two-story concrete and metal block - all of the large windows are covered with metal shutters and even the doorway is bolted shut. This place is completely sealed up. There does seem to be a pulley on the rooftop, but they have to climb up the old-fashioned way to get there.

From the rooftop, there is a shaft and ladders down to the inside. It looks like all of the internal walls were torn down, but the rest is full of various mechanical gear and hundreds of crates, wedged full of stuff.

Poking around, they come face to face with a white-haired desiccated body - it seems much more ancient than any other shambling corpse they've previously seen, and their sense of unease goes through the roof when the rest of the family comes around the corner towards them. They're all oriented on Vision, who can't sense any connection between their bodies and their previous selves. They'll come back next time and set them free outside.

*

Back in Maersk, they spot someone hammering up someone on a cross at the top of the hold. It's Ba, and she's facing the hold below. Four Trustees with guns stand guard nearby, and they simultaneously nod to Chaplain while suspiciously eyeing Vision and his followers.

Nearby, sitting in a semi-circle of chairs, is Zeke and a few of the elders. Vision confronts him about Ba, but with a certain grimness and very little satisfaction, Zeke fills them in. Ba stabbed Joe-John (a twelve-year old) to death for no damned reason at all. Frankly if Vision had've been around, Zeke would have strung him up instead. He's obviously glad that Vision's taking his cult and going elsewhere.

There's a frosty atmosphere down on the bottom level where the entire cult are shut inside their tent, under the watchful guard of a few Trustees. Clarion tells Vision that Ba just lost the run of herself. She gave him no chance after he refused her sexual advances and her offer to join up with the cult. Clarion's non-plussed that they're leaving first thing - moving on after the havoc erupts is what they do best.

As Vision and the cult leaves the next day, Ba has finally died. But as the last of them pass by, her eyes snap open...

Dead Reckoning

in which Chaplain wreaks revenge.

Charlie catches up with the others  after their close encounter with the dead Fuck Sisters on the road. He fills them in on a few things.

After returning the bike to Hammer Charlie spent a few nights with The Flames. Mostly partying, but did a few runs with them for Parcher. After they got back, Bones turns up in Gusher, helped out of an old sedan, one arm mangled and shiny bandages wrapping up the terrible damage. Pale and grey she's buying in town. Spreading the jingle and making friends, but mostly buying a load of gear which'll turn a flat-bed truck into a war rig. 

Word is that Colonel has put out a big bounty on some entertainers in a colourful and flowery van. They're to be taken alive for him. More worries about what'll happen if that war rig gets going, Charlie buys a bike and heads back up to Maersk.

Anyway, Charlie's a bit horrified at the prospect of people getting back up after they're dead, not least when he gets to see one do it in person. It shambled back up towards Maersk, but the climb up the rockfall is too steep and treacherous for it, and eventually it ends up back at the front gate. Chaplain suggest they fix a rope to haul it up to the top of the ridge without going through the hold, and Vision's people jump to it.

Vision opens his brain to see a glorious sunset in the mountains beyond. It needs more. Vision is starting to identify with whatever's there - is it the mealstrom? His sense is that they are going to him.

Angel gets Gabe in to visit him - he thinks it's wise that the young medic get mobile, with the fighting heating up, the hold will need a second infirmary. They pick out a start to renovate a small truck.

When Charlie reunites with Sheila, he finds her with Duke and Odell - they've left the cult and have shacked up in a small place on the second level.

***

Chaplain brings Charlie scouting for that new war-rig, maybe they can intercept it on the road from Gusher, otherwise they'll have to plan an attack before it's fully kitted out and ready to assault Maersk. Gabe tags along for medical aid, and Vision assembles his followers to charge the main gate if it comes to that.

They find it parked inside the courthouse, with a new ramp set up so that it can drive straight out.The outer perimeter is weak, more of a trip wire to alert the hard core of the gang on the inside. They find a badly guarded breach in the perimeter - the river is low, more of a stream now, but everyone in Leafy Hollow must still think it's a full-blown river and impossible to walk through.

They make it to the town square just shy of the courthouse and instead of sneaking across the open ground, Chaplain just walks casually up to the double-doorway. Anyone who spots them doesn't think twice. The sentry sitting outside is still asleep. Inside, Dust is pulling an all-nighter, struggling with armour-plating sheets for the flat-bed. As Chaplain enters, Dust half-turns and is turning back to his welding torch when his brain catches up with him and makes sense of the silhouette at the doorway. He dives for his gun but Chaplain opens fire with his assault rifle and any of the return fire goes astray as Dust is distracted by the appearance of Charlie alongside him. Gabe takes care of the waking sentry with his taser and runs to the cabin of the truck to get her started with Chaplain and Charlie covering the stairwell and the square.

Gabe completely messes up the ignition and it doesn't look like the truck will get going in the short-term. Chaplain ushers them out and backs calmly back to the bridge, laying down suppressive fire as the local gang stands to and the bell starts ringing. Turning there for a moment, he sends a grenade into the ground floor and the explosion catches the ammunition and fuel there, turning the courthouse into a funeral pyre.

Unwelcome Visitors

in which various unwelcome visitors get mixed receptions.

As morning breaks and Vision collects his followers together for a ritual, Clarion, Duke and another few have disappeared. There is a vague recollection amongst the others that there got into a heated debated over why Duke didn't pitch in fully during the previous ceremony. Vision finds a severely bashed-up Duke near the latrines. He's not happy (and neither is Sheila) but won't explain exactly what occured.

The sentries at the gate alert Chaplain to come and see - they've spotted a old crone of a Fuck Sister slowly approaching the hold. When it gets closer, Chaplain can tell it's dead, just like Colonel's little girl. Vision comes down and make like to open his brain to see what it needs (he still has an urge to help her), but Chaplain just draws his 9mm and shoots her through the head. She falls to the ground slowly, but then gets to her feet and continues to shamble into the barricade at the gateway. He goes to work with a machete (borrowed from Buddy with thanks) and the body just becomes more pitiful as Chaplain cleaves into it - brain and spinal damage seems to be the only way with these things.


Vision convinces Chaplain to let him guide her through Maersk and beyond, with his cult escorting her to ensure nothing untoward happens.

***

Beagle's small convoy approaches. They're not let through the barricade - Chaplain explains that they've had a bit of trouble with the gate. They head over to Joe's Place to privately discuss their deal over a cup. Beagle says it's still on, but does add some interesting news that he's healed Mud up - she's definitely now 100%, but he had to act for profit or he'd be of no use to anyone. He's hatched a plan to take out Dust's other main lieutenants, and Chaplain will have to take advantage.
Chaplain wonders why he just doesn't let him get into the backseat next time he drives into Leafy Hollow and that'll sort them out, but Beagle won't sully his reputation by acting against Dust directly like that.

Meanwhile, Gabe has followed the old crone to the top of the settlement, where she's unable to find any purchase to get up above the rocks. He tries to heal her, but while he has some effect on the physical wounds, he doesn't sense any person (but rather something or an otherworldly presence) inside. He takes a machete to her, and eventually severs her spine (and covers himself in blood in the process).

Zeke wants to trade with Beagle, despite Chaplain's misgivings about him. They let the two black vehicles in through the barricade. Beagle's five or six helpers are all unsociable, and in fact uncomfortable if approached. Instead of talking to them, Gabe gets to speak with Beagle. He's very interested in the healing skills he used on Mud. Beagle explains he had a cache of luxe and hi-tech medical equipment which took care of her, the kind of one-off use items he probably won't see again. Beagle's very interested in Gabe's family history, and fishes out a couple of glow-sticks as a trade for the low-down on who his parents were and what happened to them.

Chaplain grabs Gabe to get some healing done, but as he takes a look at the battered shoulder of the Gunlugger, Gabe gets really pissed off - Chaplain's acting like some kind of asshole. He can't just go out picking fights and then expect Gabe to treat him at the drop of a hat. He won't be available next time Chaplain pulls this shit. Or he can take his meds like everyone else and rest for a few days.
Chaplain doesn't like that at all - Gabe doesn't understand that if Chaplain needs to protect the hold, he can't just sit around on his deck chair up next to his van, he's got to go out hunting or be ready to defend the walls. Anyway, the argument is unresolved, but Chaplain takes his bruised body up to the top-level.

**

Beagle stays for the night, there's a bit of a hooley, with food from Franklin's being laid on. Some find guitar playing from Chin. Beagle's quite the chatty fellow, stays up till the very end and charms the socks off everyone in the vicinity.

In the morning, Vision harasses his followers into becoming more hard-working and dedicated members of Maersk. He gets them to work, During the ceremony later on, Vision contacts Rebecca through her dreams. They discuss dead people, but she doesn't understand what Vision's hinting at in her dream fugue.

A few days later, a dozen naked rambling corpses come up the road to Maersk. The sentries are freaked out. Chaplain recognises GamGam from Swinetown and a few others (including her two sons). Vision has been pushing his people, but Chaplain recognises that they need an output for their violent tendencies. He suggests to Vision and Clarion to take care of them. The dozen or so culties grab clubs and whatever's handy and rush down the hill to beat them into pulp. They're exultant at this sudden and unexpected release. A few of them go crazy with decapitations, and Beagle is genuinely shocked - despite Chaplain's matter-of-fact explanation of what these things are.

Before he heads away Beagle arranges a timetable for their plan. It's a couple of weeks away now. Passing Beagle's vans on the way back in, the cult are redirected by Vision into fixing up the gate and doing a bit of work on the walls.

*

Over the next while, there is some probing and skirmishing between Leafy Hollow and Maersk, and some additional walking corpses appear. Three or four days later, Allison shows up with a few guys in her buggy. She's not going to help directly with Leafy Hollow (she would if Chaplain gave her the MG overlooking the gate though!). She does bring news of Swinetown - Golf murdered GamGam and all her loyalist in a coup. He dumped the naked bodies outside the hold; she's utterly gobsmacked by the revelation that these corpses are now walking around. Frankly she's a little bit downcast that her news has been trumped and can't bring her a-game to the usual witty banter.

They hear shots in the night, and when they go out to investigate they find a rocky trail with a circle of dead Fuck Sisters around it. It's obvious there was a couple of vehicles here with some heavy firepower - surprised the hell out of their ambushers. Then one of the dead stands up, right in front of them, and Chaplain suggests they follow it to see exactly where they're heading if they don't come up the road...

Difficult Conversations

in which people start to come to terms with their limitations.

Colonel relates a few more details of the bus he now deems responsible for spreading the infection and killing his daughter. He recalls a small yellow bus with hodgepodge of colourful graffiti. The two ring-leaders were called Stardust and Moonchild, useless layabouts. None of their lot seems to be sick, or armed (an almost impossible feat while travelling constantly).

***

As they talk outside the Beast, everyone hears banging from inside; it's impossible as no one else has gone inside, only Angie's body is in there. Vision opens his brain and can see a bright light escaping from every crack in the armoured body of the vehicle. The Maelstrom wants to know what his last moment will be spent doing; without any hesitation, he knows he will spend it as a shield to protect others, and the thing he would sacrifice for the greater good is himself. As Vision recovers from the blinding flash of light which overwhelmed him as the doors were opened. He knows he must help her to get where she's going.

Opening the back doors, they see Angie standing there - her skin looks fine and as they steps down her parents embrace her fiercely. As soon as they step away for a moment, she starts to walk away and Gabe examines her closely to find that she has no pulse, no body heat and isn't breathing. He hurriedly reports this to Angel who goes down to see for himself.

Gabe is left behind the middle gate when he hears something scrabbling at the iron and he realises that he's brought this thing back to his home. He starts to fall apart and babble to everyone in earshot that he's responsible for everything that's gone wrong today. Angel has sequestered her in an abandoned caravan, but returns to talk some sense into Gabe. Under no circumstances should he believe what he's just said, or say it again.

Vision augurs to locate Angie's soul, but only gets the faintest of flickering signs from far to the west. His cult are getting ornery - they've realised that her body is a thing.

**

Zeke calls a council. They need to decide whether to let Colonel and his people (and Angie) go or not. Balance the current safety of the hold with the risk of it spreading. Chaplain convinces Zeke to call in Vision and Gabe - their expert opinion must be worth something. After much discussion, they decide to try to convince Colonel to stay for a while. They'll be able to keep and eye on the girl, and his opinion may come around to their way of thinking. Also, they think tracking down this bus could be worth doing, and surely Colonel will help with that.

Chaplain, having made something of a connection with Colonel heads down to have a word with him. Everything seems to go OK, but a little while later, Colonel's people jump into the Beast and they smash through the front gate and disappear into the night.

*

Chaplain heads down the Leafy Hollow, again by himself. He has a mind to take a different approach and try to take out Mud this time. He takes a route around to the far side of the hold, but as he slides down a rocky outcrop to hit the road, he comes face to face with a small armed patrol. Three of Leafy Hollow's gang are as surprised to see him as he is to see them. As they all raise their guns, Chaplain warns them to lower them or else there'll be hell to pay! This close up, he can see their fear and they comply. They want to know he won't open fire, and he just tells them to keep walking out of town for an hour and so long as he doesn't see them again, he won't kill them. They're nervous and he pumps them for more information. Mud will join up with some patrols at the bridge soon. They keep walking and after a few minutes of quiet, Chaplain continues on his way.

As he overlooks the bridge, Chaplain starts to take fire from several sides. A real ambush is sprung and he quickly spots that the big volume of fire is coming from up the hill. He's also taking fire from behind but he pegs it up the narrow trail shooting, and he sends a grenade up to some rocks ahead. As he races for cover, the strap on the hunting rifle snags on a rock and he has to leave it behind. He finds the body of a machine-gunner behind some rocks and takes stock of the fuck-off big gun right in front of him. He changes his mind on escaping right now, and gets the gun ready for action. Opening fire on the town and the sniper's position he spotted earlier, he wreaks havoc on the gang trying to deploy against him. With everyone down there left reeling, he shoulder the weapon and gets out. That was a bit too close for comfort. He'll have to be smarter next time.

Crossroads

in which choices are made, and ass is kicked.

After passing the word around, Chaplain calls on Allison. She's not entirely happy about heading back the next morning, but accepts she has little choice but to follow suit.
Gabe has nightmares that night (his hands getting continually mauled) before he wakes up to find the infection has abated along with the fever.

As Vision and Charlie return without Rebecca, the cult members begin to worry. They aren't as trusting as before. Vision goes to Parcher to complain about the abduction, but without proof, won't get any action from her. She does want Vision to sent Jammy home; his mother is sick and needs him. But Vision con't promise to hand over one of the cult. With that outright refusal, Parcher kicks her out, even before she finishes her eggs.

****

The little convoy takes the Hill Road back, the quicker and safer route of the Valley Road goes through Leafy Hollow, so that's not an option. They come across a few trees down on the road, but no sign of a nearby ambush. They do find a few Blood Coyotes chewing on a huge 'mander on the side of the road. Unusual to find them down from the hills during daylight.

As they're stopped and clearing the road, Vision gets a scent of balm and menthol - suddenly Rebecca (Ba's mother) is sitting in the back seat with him. She warns him that they were trying to find out about him. Parsons is a puppet for the Night. They hate Vision, there's something about him that no one's seen before.

Coming up to Lookout Rock, they pile out to check for ambushes, someone notices a vehicle on the road behind them. Probably too far behind to be a concerted effort against them, but definitely worrying. Chaplain grimaces as he eyes up the ambush the Fuck Sisters have set for them. They're not at the usual ambush spot, but they're covering the Rock where someone would go to cover the convoy through. Clever girls!

As Chaplain advances, yelling back to let the others know what's going to happen, the Sisters open fire on him. But his response is devastating. He looses a few grenades at them and as they retreat in disorder he sprints up to the Rock to send them packing most definitely. Turning around, he sends the secondary ambush running for cover as well - they were behind some rocks at the tight switchbacks.

Recovering from the visitation, Vision looks out the back window of the truck - seeing a glint in the distance - and gets shot through the shoulder. Someone's up there with a seriously hi-tech sniper rifle. The convoy accelerates through to the switchback on the trail to guard against the attack and the vehicle coming up behind them.

Chaplain quickly spots the sniper's position, he races to come around behind it, keeping terrain in between him and the sniper. When he comes around the rock, the sniper has gone, leaving only a blanket and a single cartridge behind.

***

There's a bit of panic in the convoy as the following vehicle gets closer - it's a beast of an armoured vehicle which looks like it'd crush most of the convoy without breaking much of a sweat. But Gabe placates Fianelly - he recognizes Colonel's war rig. They bring them to Maersk, but as Gabe organises medical resources for Angie, someone pegs that there's an infection and they get locked out. Even Squelch (the local water carrier) gets caught up in things.

Waiting around, Chaplain and Colonel get to chatting; mostly about the Beast, but also about Colonel's circumstances. He's the hardholder of Stonebridge, at the far end of the valley. He picked up the Beast about 60 miles south, and while it's one hell of a battle-winner, he reckons Chaplain could give it a run for its money. Of course back in Stonebridge they've had a couple of real wars, not piddling little skirmishes like over this end of the valley.

Chaplain fills in Zeke about the Leafy Hollow situation, he puts in a request for a hunting rifle from stores. One way or another, he's heading down there to take care of Dust and his mates.

Gabe's quarantine lasts a while - Angel takes him to task for sending sick and contagious people their way, but Gabe didn't think but to offer help. Gabe yells at Angel to calm down and gets a straight-up punch in the mouth for his trouble. It does seem to calm Angel down. He dons his mask and gloves to give every one of Colonel's people an exam.

Gabe gets a strong impression that Angel has seen or heard of this kind of thing before - his questions are more laser-guided than usual:
-does everyone present with grey scaly skin?
-is there any association with strange visions from/of the Maelstrom?

Angel ropes in Vision to help out, telling Colonel that he can't help them. To him, Angie looks healthy and resplendent through the maelstrom. She speaks to him clearly there (though to everyone else her side of the conversation is gibberish and flailing), she relates that she's never felt better and that she's waking up.

Angie relates that about nine months previously, a strange band of entertainers arrived in Stonebridge in a wondrously painted bus. After that visit, Angie started to think about how the world should be, and life started to be better for her. The Mountains are so good - something there is going to heal the world.
Now her flailing is so bad that Colonel and Andromeda are straining to intervene, but Angel holds them back. And suddenly she loses consciousness and stops.

**

Chaplain stalks out of Maersk, and takes a winding route around to take up a position to the north overlooking Leafy Hollow. From there he can spy the square and tower without much trouble. But to his chagrin, someone's already on lookout in the tower, he gets show by whoever it is as he sets himself up. He spots Mud reloading her rifle but he guns her down - she's in serious trouble, even if she gets an angel to look after her right now.

Chaplain scarpers to avoid the inevitable hunting party - as he leaves he spots Beagle's two black vans approaching the hold. He goes well to the south before curving back towards Maersk, avoiding the dogs and taking measures against leaving much of a trail. He gets back home just as night begins to fall.

*

Back at Maersk, a terrible wail fills the dusk as Andromeda mourns Angie's passing.

Some Clarity

in which everyone involved tucks in for a second generous helping of this savage world.

As Parcher's gang stand to, and it's obvious that Chaplain, Charlie, and Beagle are standing alone in the middle of the square, negotiations continue, albeit at an accelerated pace. The final part of the deal falls into place; in which Beagle promises to help Chaplain get rid of Dust. Charlie tells him the Glassjaw Johnson was behind the assassination attempt and the deal is done.

Parcher's people are in force, over 50 of them; a lot of them armed with crossbows (Parcher takes the danger of fire seriously!). They circle the hold and square quickly and efficiently.

The only person not clearing out is Vision - he's overwhelmed by the psychic maelstrom - Baa's mother is in bits as swirling chaotic darkness surrounds him. It asks what Vision will do when everything goes wrong. He defiantly proclaims that he will protect everyone!

Chaplain take a deep breath and considers his options. Never thought he'd be fighting his way out of Gusher. But that will work to his advantage. The gang in Gusher never really have to think about people starting a real battle inside either. Internal security is usually confined to crossbows and bats. Their morale will crack easy if forced to fight inside their own hold. Fighting his way out will be relatively easy - they're drilled for an alert, but their positions were all assigned for an external threat. As Chaplain calculates angles to himself he grins - Oh, and that sniper in that watchtower will have to be the first one to go.

Out of the corner of his eye he notices that Beagle has positioned himself level/slightly behind Chaplain - just so they're aware of each other, but not in the way.

After what seems like an age Rex comes out (who's Parcher's 3rd or 4th lieutenant) to call them inside for a chat with her. Chaplain browbeats Rex into standing the gang down before they move an inch.

****

Pallor slips past Parcher's gang - he's never seen Vision so vulnerable. He tries to connect to Vision, but is immediately sucked into that chaotic maelstrom. Vision reads Pallor's brain clearly for the first time and sees his secret pains. He loves watching people, but they hate him because of his weirdness. He feels he must be an outcast, but he needs to be close to the very people who cannot stand to be around him.
He also craves forgiveness - back in his home settlement, he tried to get people to love him; but he hurt their brains and drove them all mad. Some of them died from the madness or had to be put down. He hasn't been back there since.

Finally, both of them start to come around - they feel polluted somehow, and when Gabe tends to them he discovers that they've got the same kind of infection as Colonel's daughter. A couple of aspirin aren't going to take care of this, especially when he realises that opening his brain while using his healing touch has led to his catching it too!

***

Chaplain, Charlie and Beagle are led over to a tight alleyway alongside the central compound. Parcher's newest bodyguard stands between them, with guards arrayed at both ends and by the gate inside.
She calls over Charlie. He plays the innocent, not giving her any information which might point the finger away from them and towards Beagle and/or Dust. Parcher seems to believe his story but doesn't trust him.
Beagle goes over next. But as they talk, one by one each of the people Charlie saw in Beagle's tent earlier come up to Parcher and have a quick conversation with her. As Beagle is about to finish with Parcher, some of her guys come up - they have Glassjaw Johnson and one is holding a sniper rifle. Glassjaw obviously has no idea what's going on, but Parcher passes judgement on him and is fed crude oil in front of the growing crowd.
A nasty way to go. Chaplain has a hard look on his face. And as Beagle passes him, Chaplain asks him if this is the price. Beagle smirks, but tries to give the impression that he has no idea what Chaplain is talking about.

As they make their way back to their trucks, they notice the Leafy Hollow contingent, now led by Dust preparing to leave. Chaplain can't resist a walk by and as he approaches, Dust's two lovers, Bones and Mud, close ranks. Dust waves them off, he's the same self-assured and cocky bastard as ever. They exchange a few pleasantries and then insults. But Chaplain's assessment is that Dust is grinning inside and out because he knows he got away with it. He'll go back and take over Leafy Hollow now (to start with). But really, he just wishes Chaplain would draw down on him - he's confident that the three of them would take care of him, and if not Parcher's people (or her brand of justice) would. Chaplain leaves them drive off, but doesn't want to give them too much of a head start, so he gets the Maersk lot ready to leave first thing in the morning.

**

One of Vision's cult, Rebecca, has disappeared. He and Charlie go looking for her. The main gate has no record of her leaving, In plumbing the maelstrom for sign of her passing, he sees Charlie brought before a throne, where sits his father. 'James' is disappointed in Charlie - not all who got sick died. Charlie recoils in horror. Did he leave his father to die alone in their cabin? But he snaps back to reality to share a sudden urge to look for a black muscle car - driven by AT (one of Parson's gang) through the gate less than an hour previously.

They get a bike from local tough Hammer to make chase. They need to sweet-talk Hammer into giving it up, maybe Charlie will have to give up something else to him when he returns. Vision disperses the mob which has gathered for blood.

They chase! Vision holding on for dear life as Charlie guns the throttle as much as he dares now that night has fallen. Somehow they do catch up with the car, Charlie pulls level and points his pistol in at the driver, but he swerves towards them and Charlie has to struggle to stay on the road. As the car accelerate away into the night, Charlie takes aim at the tires, but when the car hits a bump the rounds enter the boot instead - they both know Rebecca is inside.

As they try to make their way back to Gusher, their motorbike breaks down, and as they struggle to repair it, a truck, maybe a big 4x4, passes them. Vision looks inside, sensing utter terror inside the maelstrom - something monstrous is inside the truck.

*

Gabe is in a bad way back at Gusher. Looking for help, he pays off a local gang member to get him to Pallor. He finds temporary refuge with a young family - they look pristine to him. Clean and friendly, he has no idea how. Pallor picks him up in the morning when his fever has broken.

Chaplain goes to see Parcher before they leave. He tries to convince her to help him out, but she's not impressed. She doesn't want any more heat - he must make peace.

Blood and Oil

in which we contemplate the kind of shit sandwich we're going to have to eat.

Before the convoy leaves for Gusher, Angel grabs Gabe and gives him strict instructions on a trade he's to do with Parcher (6 mondo antibiotics in exchange for a large supplies of medicines). Gabe sleeps in the back of Chaplain's truck on the way up to Pipehold.

The vehicles (with about twenty people all-told) pulls up a few hours later outside of Alison's tightly controlled hold. They're a day early, so things are a bit frosty at first. But after a few minutes, Alison (resplendent as always) wanders outside to sit down at a little gazebo her people have set up for the meet. She and Olympias speak for a while, mostly about alternative arrangements in case the road through Leafy Hollow doesn't open up.

Chaplain has a chat with Fianelly (Alison's right-hand man), mostly just shooting the shit, but Chaplain does discover that Dust has holed up with Norville (psychologically making good the losses in Norville's gang since the battle with Chaplain outside Maersk).

Fianelly suggests that their convoy takes point around Lookout Rock (where ambushes would typically be set up on this road) and they make their way around to where the Valley and Hill roads meet to join up with the Smelt group.

***

Crossing the Greenwater Marsh, the smell of rotten meat and the constant annoyance of giant skeeters become the two dominant aspects of the journey. They begin to enter Gusher itself, crossing the fortified levees to get to the hold itself. Across the wide expanses of swamp water, lone skimmers punt around collecting oil for the refinery.

Early as they are, the convoy avoids most of the traffic associated with the Sessions; but still, security is high (someone's taking names of everyone who enters along with a description of their vehicles) - Parcher likes to keep a firm hand on the tiller. They get nice parking spaces near the corrugated iron warehouses that dominate the public area of Gusher and wander into the market after everyone arranges their hospitality for the few days.

Glassjaw Johnson is setting up his tent (he's a purveyor of fine luxe items and antiquities). Charlie is interested to catch up with him; mostly because he wants to get paid for the failed hit on The Beagle. Glassjaw Johnson isn't interested in entertaining him, but does agree on a sweetener if Charlie does the hit soon. Charlie surprised to hear that all of Beagle's men have the same kind of scar as was described to him and starts scoping out his escape options from Gusher.

As they wait for things to really get going, Chaplain and Gabe talk about Gabe's parents; what they went through in the mountains and why they really left Maersk. Apparently they found some kind of preventative cure for the fungal infection which ran rampant in the region years ago.

Vision opens his brain in the marketplace, seeing animalistic locals (sheep and goats) and a few true humans. One of whom is Baa's mother - they have a strange conversation about Vision's real mission. As Vision plumbs the psychic maelstrom, one of Parson's people (from way up north) has a violent fit. His mates drag him away, but it seems like they're aware that it was no accident. Maybe they noticed Pallor open his brain as well, but black out as the crushing fear of isolation overwhelmed him.

Chaplain escorts Gabe in to see Parcher. The grimy and haggard woman keeps immaculate quarters, with a precious tea set. As she eats her breakfast, she listens to Gabe outline the deal. She grins as she recounts how everyone Angel sends has been well briefed - it's like he suspects she'll stiff them on a fair deal!
She makes Chaplain promise to behave; if he makes no trouble, there'll be no trouble. She does acknowledge that Norville is an idiot and Dust is going to be dangerous - but no excuses for any havoc in her town.

They pass LeMieux on the way out - she brews up the petrol here.

Later on, Parson's guys pull out there guns in the crowded pub after their guy falls over convulsing again. They eye up Pallor and Vision across the way. Pallor definitely pegs them as 'looking wrong' but they glare at Vision as being responsible.
Charlie pulls his knives to get everyone to sit the fuck down, but someone on a nearby table clocks him with the heavy stock of a shotgun and he goes down like a bag of potatoes.

Chaplain walks calmly over to Parson's people, hands well away from his guns: "no one wants any trouble here, or Parcher will have our guts". The ringleader with the assault rifle tries to keep eyes on everyone, but quick and calm as you like Chaplain takes his gun off him, getting headbutted for his trouble but turning the gun on the rest of them pretty sharpish and yelling for them to drop their fucking weapons!
Just then Parcher, Rex and a few of the gang wade in. That's the end of it.

**

The next morning, the commons is properly bustling. The bus from Leafy Hollow arrives, Norville, a few of his gang, and Dust (he's sharper and more wiry than anyone Chaplain has ever seen).

Behind them Beagle's vans arrive, and Charlie perks up - he notices that someone from every gang in the town (but not Smelt, Pipehold or Maersk) visits his tent over the course of the day. He sells some serious hi-tech gear. Of course Pallor cannot resist and splashes out to buy some night-vision goggles from Beagle and a brain relay from Norville (oh joy, what could those be possible used for!).

Chaplain visits Imam - Tran's lieutenant from ThreeHolds. While she's sympathetic towards his actions and fears against Norville and Dust, she won't budge without some serious help. Turns out a box of tablets from Gabe's supply will sway her vote in any move against Norville tonight at the Council.

A monster APC rolls into town, a suited man called Colonel needs treatment for his daughter and Gabe springs into action. She has dull eyes, and a grey pallor to her skin. Her irises have lost a lot of their colour. She has cancer, but also some kind of viral infection. He can't help her, but does suggest that Angel might know some medicines that could do the job back in Maersk. He tries to make her feel better with his healing touch, but catches something in the process.

*

Chaplain organises a chat with Norville and gets Charlie to agree to name Glassjaw Johnson as the guy who hired  him to kill Beagle in return for getting off scot free. They're talking through the deal with Beagle when a shot rings out and Norville drops dead from a sniper shot - Chaplain knows it's Dust. They are stuck in the middle of the square as Parcher's gang stands to...

Inside the Tent

in which we discover the value of being outside the tent, pissing in.

Norville's been cutting off Maersk (and the other uphill holds) from the main supply route through Gusher. So with the Bloody Sessions coming up, everyone in the Valley will be heading down to Parcher's grand parley.

Zeke's showing a lack of resolve (in private at least) so Chaplain suggests two things - Olympias goes up to Pipehold to get a deal with Alison about sourcing food from her territory; Chaplain will lead the Maersk convoy down to get a deal with Norville and/or Parcher to solve the problem. Without Gusher's gas, things are going to wind down in the hold. More to the point, Chaplain'll convince Vision to take part, make him fight for the community instead of just causing trouble.

Gabe finds Angel, the old medic. The boy impresses him with some medical knowledge, it's obvious he's had some serious training (and not a little experience on the road). He cuts a deal with Angel to work for him, he'll draw supplies from the container and get room and board, but little else.

As Vision's cult enact their rites inside their big top, Pallor lurks outside feeding off the psychic energy seeping from the tent. As he does so, he gets a sinister feeling of being noticed by something much bigger than him.

After the cultists fall out of the tent, there's a bit of a ruckus downtown, and Chaplain and Zeke (and a few of the Trustees) find one of Vision's cult, a girl called Jenny, standing over a resident with a bloody rock nearby. As a shouting match erupts between Chaplain and Vision, Gabe rushes to the woman's aid, healing her (though leaving her drifting in and out of consciousness).
Pallor sidles up to Jenny in the chaos, and gets enough of a grip on her to make a connection. The cult's augury unleashes a terrible violent streak in all the participants.

Eventually, Pallor calms his people down and allows Zeke to enact violence; several sharp blows to the abdomen from his walking stick (which he only needs for walking in private). Some of the newcomers are shocked, but Chaplain makes them understand that any violence against people will be punished harshly; and "two strikes is out!" (whether that means snuffed out or exiled is up to the imagination).

Overnight, chaos erupts uptown as one of the two Trustees who held Jenny for punishment, III is found severely beaten up in his caravan. Chaplain gets Pallor to try to find out who did it, but III dies under Pallor's gaze. Chaplain, knowing it must have been one of Vision's cult, rushes down and roars into the tent for everyone to come out for questioning.

An argument breaks out, and Vision locks himself inside the tent. When Chaplain is on the verge of opening fire with his rifle and following up with grenades, Charlie notices a figure clamber out on the other side of the tent. They give chase, but the man vaults the perimeter wall and escapes before they can catch him.

However the howls of the Blood Coyotes erupt before too long. Chaplain reckons they'll get the guy before dawn...
When Chaplain and Charlie get back to the tent, things have calmed down and Vision agrees that if Putrid comes back into town, he'll give him up and there's be a proper trial. With that said, everyone starts preparations for the trip to Gusher.

Maersk

At the western end of the Valley lies the hold of Maersk.

Maersk was set up some fifteen years ago by a bunch of refugees out of the mountains. The small group was led by Zeke, with Chaplain and Olympias on either side and supported by Grace and Angel. Finding an old shipping container, they built the hold around it adding extra levels down the hillside as more people joined the community.

The top two levels are occupied by those who have almost been there since the beginning; more recent members of the community live on the biggest lowest level. Each level is divided by a fence and a gate, and the defensive perimeter is made of wrecked cars, tipped over on their side - though the main defensive feature is the rocky slope of the hillside.

Supplied by fresh spring water and the medicine inside the container, Maersk is probably the healthiest place around (despite everyone living in RVs and vans and the like).

Chaplain is the Gunlugger who helped found Maersk. Since then he's helped secure Zeke's reign.

He wears battered old armour, with a worn face and sad eyes.

When Norville's people came looking for Charlie (for killing one of The Beagle's guys) Chaplain stood firm - Pallor stood with him to fight them off, but Charlie didn't. Just left Chaplain bleeding in the dirt. Chaplain reckons Vision is the smartest (like a rattlesnake).

Recently a man called Dust entered the settlement, and when he started causing serious trouble on the lower level, Zeke called on Chaplain to kill him. Chaplain, thinking that was a bit extreme for someone who'd done no harm just kicked him out. But later that month, Dust returned with his armed gang and raided the settlement, killing several long-standing members (including Chaplain's lover Grace). Chaplain has had a hard time forgiving himself, never mind the disapproval of Olympias (Grace's sister) and Zeke.

Vision is the Hocus who brought his cult into Maersk a few month's back (after getting kicked out of Leafy Hollow).

Vision is tall and wears formal vestments. His mesmerising eyes set him apart.

Neither Charlie nor Pallor is part of the cult, even though they walked into Maersk with them. Strangely enough, it's Chaplain's soul he's seen into.

Vision's cult acts as his psychic antenna and they feed off his visions of the maelstrom. They are eager recruiters but disdain law and order and are prone to violent outbursts.
They've been kicked out of quite a few holds over the years, despite Vision's protestations that he does not encourage or foment violence.

Charlie is the Battlebabe who came in with Vision's cult. He does a bit of murder on the side whilst acting as the cult's security.

Charlie has a muscular body and arresting eyes. He wears a distinctive hat and a luxe longcoat. Underneath (but really on display) are his twin razor-sharp knives and silenced semi-auto pistol.

He does not trust Chaplin; no, not one little bit.

So, most recently, Charlie was hired by Glassjaw Johnson (a significant general trader) to kill The Beagle (a luxe/hi-tech merchant). Charlie used a sketch to find The Beagle and gunned him down. Unfortunately the story is that it was just one of his lieutenants and he may have kicked over a wasps nest.

Pallor is the Brainer who follows Vision's cult around (like a scavenger follows a convoy).

Pallor is tall and thin and wears formal wear (replete with top-hat and tails) and long black gloves (one of which is his much-loved violation glove).

Pallor has been watching Vision more closely than he lets on as he tags along with him.

Gabe is the Angel who just walked into town from the mountains a few days ago.

The young man (he's sixteen or so) recently lost his parents, has been scrounging his way for a while and looks the worse for wear.

Unbeknownst to anyone else in Maersk, Gabe was actually born there and his parents left the hold over a disagreement with the founders. All he knows is that Chaplain helped them out and practically saved their lives. Gabe can see that Vision is doomed to self-destruction.

[All the PCs are men! How did that happen?]