[Campaign] The Nebraskans

[Gadodel]

Since 1867. A brief introduction to the current roster:

Ainsworth Gunslinger. 'If I am away from my spread for too long, there'll be hell to pay'. Possibly a rancher.

Chadron Weapon Specialist. 'I'm game! I'll open the park'. Possibly a park ranger.

Dodge Martial Artist. 'Sometimes I need a break from punching numbers'. Possibly a banker.

Hastings Field Medic. 'Handing out lollipops to new young patients simply isn't as fun as patching these guys up after a mission!'. Possibly a doctor.

Lincoln Team Leader. 'We're not on public record.' Possibly a civil servant.

Niobrara Soldier. 'Miranda? Never heard of her!' Possibly a police officer.

Omaha Infiltrator. 'My readers want to know.' Possibly a reporter.

Platte Techie. 'I push buttons, of all kinds and you'd never know it.' Possibly a professor.

Scottsbluff Transporter. 'I'll just get us there, to do that or find someone who will.' Possibly a businessman.

[Gadodel]

Synopsis:

Every governor of Nebraska has had the assistance of a roster of extraordinary citizens. They use the names of geographical features or towns as 'codenames'. The Nebraskans have been sent to do the bidding of the Governor in all areas of interest, but 'public safety' tends to be the 'catch-all' catergory. They have access to whatever they need in order to accomplish their mission. Average (read: lawful) citizens whom come in contact with or otherwise become aware of the Nebraskans or their missions are quietly asked to 'keep what they may know or think, confidential'. Resources are set aside to cope with any post-mission concerns or issues.

The truth:

'It's dirty work, but someone has to do it!'

The cold, hard truth:

'From the criminal to the dangerous, from foreign adversaries to simple thugs, you're headed to jail or six feet under. Meanwhile, the rest of us will be living the good life...'

[ahnen]

That would explain the Huskers near total domination of the football series with Iowa State. Thanks for the breaking news!

[Gadodel]

August, 2007:


Scottsbluff: We're coming up on Rose now. I never thought I would see a war zone in the middle of nowhere...Nebraska.

Hastings: Dear Lord! Lincoln did all of that by himself? Does he even need us?

Scottsbluff: Yes. I hope so. There he is, right in the middle of the highway...I'll put it down right near him, right on 183. Move quickly.

Hastings: He's giving the 'ok' sign, he's alright.

Scottsbluff: Good! It would have been a crappy way to celebrate 20 years of service and the privilege of meeting us!
The helicopter fills with laughter.

Niobrara: 20 years? What else do you know about our boss?

Scottsbluff: Hastings has the story, he got it from Father Murphy himself. He'll tell it while he checks on him, get Lincoln aboard. And Platte, radio the custodians and give them coordinates of the spill that needs to be cleaned up-tell them that at least 20 lost their contents.

[Gadodel]

Hastings starts checking on Lincoln.

Hastings: His vest saved him, he'll be alright.

Niobrara: Well, spill the beans!

Hastings: This is the Cliff's Notes version. The Nebraskans, led by Father Murphy had trailed two mafia bosses to a Red Lobster at 66th & O in Lincoln Nebraska. The first, a man named Joseph; was head of the Pacific Northwest branch of the Nortenos. The second, a man named Tetsuya; was head of the Yakuza in California. The two were together and were joined by Lincoln. The three had been friends since childhood. Father Murphy knew Lincoln and went in to...

Niobrara: Wait! The Nebraskan's last leader was a Catholic Priest?

Hastings: Yes. Hence the title 'Father'.

The helicopter filled with laughter.

Hastings: Let me finish! It was at that moment that Father Murphy knew he had found his replacement. He went in and pulled Lincoln aside for a moment. He convinced Lincoln to attempt to convince the two mafia bosses to simply surrender. The alternative was not something anyone would have wanted. Though shocked upon learning about the true nature of his friends, Lincoln tried his best hand at diplomacy. 10 minutes later, without a shot fired; Joseph and Tetsuya surrendered to the FBI. Lincoln didn't know, until then; that he was a natural negotiator...

Niobrara: No shots were fired? We are talking about the same Lincoln, right?

Hastings: Yes. Should. I. Talk. Slower?

The helicopter filled with laughter.

Niobrara: I'll-be-damned. I wonder what made him change his tactics from surrender to shoot-outs?

Lincoln sat up.

Lincoln: I didn't. Opponents willing to deal, handle things through diplomacy and lawyers-rather than with combat are simply a rare breed these days. A lot of things have changed in the last 20 years...

[Gadodel]

Lincoln: Scottsbluff, stay southbound on 183; we're after three white SUVs.

Scottsbluff: Roger.

Lincoln: Platte try to pick'em up on your screens. Chadron, go down below and prepare the Hellfires, I want all three vehicles taken out.

Platte: Got'em. Sir, what about the cargo?

Chadron: Roger. Should I go for a disabling shot once Platte can pick out which one has the cargo?

Lincoln: Yes. See what you can do.

Ainsworth: I was hoping for a smash n' grab.

Lincoln: I want all of the other mercenaries out there to think twice before they take the contract. $100,000 a month? Each! Someone's got some really deep pockets. Whatever cargo their protecting is something special, but not to us; no mercy due the enemy. Their wasting time even trying. I want the recruit pool to get shallow and quick! BUT, Platte; see what sort of chatter we can catch; just the same.

Dodge: They are a bunch of idiots! Do you think they'll learn that it is bad business to try to move their agenda and supplies through Nebraska?

Hastings: Well, they'll definitely learn that the Anger Management Anonymous sessions Lincoln has been attending have yet to work!

The helicopter filled with laughter.

Chadron: I've got a lock on all three.

Lincoln: Take'm out and then, take us in....

[Gadodel]

The helicopter landed about 100 meters from the wreckage of the SUVS. Ainsworth took the left flank. Chadron took the right flank. Niobrara went right up the middle. Dodge, Lincoln and Omaha followed Niobrara. The other three kept their posts in the helicopter.

Lincoln: Any cargo intact?

Niobrara: Jackpot!

Omaha: You mean Gold!

Lincoln: Dear Lord!

As the team closed in, everyone could see the contents of the broken crates: gold bars! 100 in all.

Lincoln: It's not weapons, but rather the means to barter for them?

Dodge: Someone is going through a lot of trouble to move a part of their economy around....

[Gadodel]

The helicopter was brought closer and the team started loading the gold onto it. Ainsworth and Chadron were competing to see who could carry more gold at once. Dodge and Omaha talked about the dollar value of the gold. Niobrara complained that they should talk less and carry more.

Platte: We're going to have company in about 10 minutes.

Lincoln: What are you picking up?

Platte: Six SUVs are trying to catch up to us and three helicopters are coming at us from the east. ETA 16 and 6 minutes respectively.

Hastings: I'm coming out to help.

Dodge and Omaha put away their calculators and starting carrying gold.

Omaha: Oh...Dear Lord...ah....

Dodge: Is someone out of shape?

Omaha: Can't you see that I am perfectly thin?

Lincoln: Less chatter, let's get moving.

Niobrara: I've got the last few bars.

Lincoln: OK, everyone back on the chopper and let's get out of here. Scottsbluff, head to the safehouse in Grand Island.

Scottsbluff: On it.

Lincoln: Platte, encrypt a message to Command; let them know where we're headed. Then, contact our folks in Grand Island and let them know that we are coming and to be ready.

Platte: On it.

Lincoln: 100 bars of gold. In Nebraska. What the hell is going on here and how did Father Murphy get this tip?

Hastings: Who, from the studio audience; can answer those questions?!?

Even Lincoln laughed.

Dodge: Sir, based on what I know; I think that this is someone's private stash of gold. Any bank or country that might want to move this amount of gold would certainly do it in a more professional manner.

Omaha: Exactly how did the firefight get started in Rose?

Lincoln: Father Murphy simply said I should walk up to them and ask them for their cargo, it would make their lives easier. They didn't even say anything and just started shooting.

Niobrara: I guess that's one way of finding out just what questions to start asking.

Lincoln: I am guessing that the intelligence came to him or the Church via a confession.

Dodge: Either way, someone is going to want it back.

Chadron: I hope the base in Grand Island has enough ammo.

Hastings: How many friendlies can we muster there?

Platte: 20 right away. Another 40 within 8 hours.

Lincoln: It's going to be dark soon.

Niobrara: Good. My favorite time.

[Gadodel]

Upon landing, the helicopter was unloaded and refueled. It was left on standby ready status. The team entered the house and got the base personnel ready for potential defense maneuvers. Meanwhile, Lincoln had a video-conference with Command.

Command: How did the team perform?

Lincoln: Excellent first day on the job.

Command: We're investigating the cargo.

Lincoln: I'll be contacting my source in a bit.

Command: Would like more support?

Lincoln: Have all the bases between here and there on the ready. We may have to hop-skip-jump our way back, maybe even by ground vehicles.

Command: We're on it. Excellent work. Out.

Lincoln: Thanks. Out.

[Gadodel]

After I let my players read the above transcript, they were asked to sort out among themselves which character they will be playing. Lincoln and the characters not picked will be NPCs for now. The characters were built using 100/100 points in mind, but with 50 points not yet assigned. The players will get to finish the characters to put their own touch on the team.

Hopefully, what will follow herein is the Campaign Journal of their exploits....

[Princedarkstorm]

Great idea !

[Gadodel]

Part 1:

The Helicopters and SUVS did not follow the Team. There was no counter-attack. This was a source of concern for the Team. There were more questions than answers.

Who was missing ten million dollars in gold?
Who were the mercernaries working for?
Where had the gold come from and where was it headed?
Why was Command unable to gather any clues through its sources?
Why was Father Murphy not answering his phone?

The Team decided to go find Father Murphy. They started off for Spalding, Nebraska that night. Using backroads and short-cuts, the trip would take less than an hour. The Team was prepared for anything.

Scottsbluff, Platte and Hastings stayed in the vehicle and kept it moving while the others went to St. Michael's on foot. No obstacles. No worries. St. Michael's was empty, but the Team did find a note:

Lincoln,

I had to leave abruptly, as you might have guessed. You can find me at the Safehouse #3. I'll be there for three days. I hope you are alive and well and will come see me there. If not, may God's will be done.

Father Murphy

The Team proceded to Safehouse #3. Again, using backroads and shortcuts. Though, the Team relied upon GPS so that they could go dark-possibly shaking any tails. The trip took only two hours.

[Gadodel]

Part 2:

Lincoln had Scottsbluff park the vehicle at a innersection in the middle of somewhere. Again, Scottsbluff, Platte and Hastings stayed with the vehicle. The others headed northwest on foot.

The Nebraska Sandhills. In August. With a full-moon. There was something peaceful about it, calming; one could let their guard down very easily. The Team didn't fall for charm. They could see the little farmhouse about quarter mile away. No sign of obstacles or worries. The Team spread out. Ainsworth to the left, Chadron to the right, Niobrara with the rest up the middle. Still no obstacles or worries.

A dog barking interrupted the stealthy approach.

Lincoln: St. Pius! It's me!!! The dog grew silent and rushed to greet Lincoln.

Father Murphy: Come in, come in! I've cold beer to share.

Lincoln: Come on in Scottsbluff.

Scottsbluff: Enroute.

Everyone cracked open a beer and waited to hear Father Murphy's story. Those five questions were on everyone's mind. They really wanted to know the answers.

Father Murphy: Unfortunately, all I can tell you at this point-until my superiors order me otherwise; is this: you must hold onto the gold until further notice. Take me to it and I must report back to my superiors. I know, I know. A lot of anticipation and excitement. I ask that you continue to be patient...and believe me: ready!

[Gadodel]

Part 3:

The Team, with Father Murphy; made it back to their safehouse in Grand Island. A lot of caution, but no obstacles or worries. Any tail certainly would have been shaken off a long ways out.

Father Murphy made a call on a safe phone. The Team heard his side of the conversation. It was brief and thought provoking:

'The Grail is safe. I am well. The Team wants answers. I can? Peace be with you!'

The Team: The Grail? They exclaimed in unison.

Father Murphy: Oh, I need rest. I am much too old to be running around like this. I'm not a 26 year old sergeant in the army anymore! I will tell you what I can after a nap.

[Gadodel]

Part 4:

The Holy Grail? In Nebraska?

As Father Murphy slept, the Team visited the vault. They had to take a closer look at the gold bars. They talked about what they knew about the Holy Grail. The Crusades and Knights Templars were discussed. King Arthur, The Round Table and even nation building was discussed. Conspiracy Theories, The Roman Catholic Church and Secret Societies were discussed. Platte got on line and brought up all sorts of sites. Books, comics, games and movies seemed to be what the Team talked about the most. All the while, they examined the gold bars just a little more closely.

At first glance, they could have been mistaken for scratches or wear and tear. However, the Team quickly realized that under each brick were grooves and lines. The bricks were pieces of jigsaw puzzle. A treasure map hiding in plain sight?

The Team spent the next three hours trying to assemble it. Father Murphy was taking more than just a nap-so he was not available to help. In the end, the Team put it together. A map of Nebraska. A place marked with a star. Words written in a language that no one on the Team was able to read. Exactly what this map would lead to was something they figured that they should ask Father Murphy about, when he woke up.

[Gadodel]

Part 5:

Father Murphy's story:

All I know:

All of you know about Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was mentioned briefly in the Gospels and was given Jesus' body for burial. However, his true role had nothing to do with the Gospels or religion, for that matter. Joseph was not only a member of the Sanhedrin, but also a personal councilor to Jesus. In effect, Jesus' lawyer.

I've been given tribute by Chieftan, General and Noble alike. An uncounted sum of wealth. That wealth was acquired through corruption, greed and war. It has no place in my heart. Too, it has no place in Court or Temple. Use it, quietly; for the common good and let no one dictate to you that end, from hereon.

Joseph became a philantropist. Not a fairy tale. Not a legend. Not a worker of miracles. A philantropist. Joseph enlisted only the very trustworthy to aid him and for centuries his followers worked as they were instructed. The Crusades interupted their mission.

The Brotherhood of Joseph divided up the wealth and hid it away for safe keeping. The Knights Templars were hired to move only a fraction of it and were paid enough to bankroll whatever endeavor they pursued. They were the ones who added the fairy tales and legends, if only to impose some sort of mystique around themselves. We know their fate, as a result. Don't follow their trail!

The Brotherhood of Joseph regrouped and decided that the wealth was not safe in Africa, Asia or Europe. It was moved to the 'New World' over the course of the 1500's.

The map you put together is but only one of three locations where the vast wealth has been stored for nearly 500 centuries. The wealth has been expanded and added to many times over in the last 2,000 years; yet used wisely for as long.

However, someone discovered what I just told you and made an attempt to go after the wealth. Like the Knights Templar, they were stopped...for now. Now, we must ascertain who they are and where they are.

Lincoln: Apparently 30 pieces of silver still goes a long way.

Omaha: Someone clearly failed to continue the tradition of trustworthiness and sold off the secret.

Hastings: How many people know about The Brotherhood of Joseph, including us?

Father Murphy: I do not know. Maybe as few as 100.

[Gadodel]

Part 6:

The Standoff.....

Platte: Sir, I am monitoring several incoming on foot and vehicle. Atleast 100 on foot and 10 vehicles.

Lincoln: Uninvited visitors.

Niobrara: About time.

Platte: Sir, there is one at the gate. He's holding a sign: 'Let's make a deal!'

Lincoln: Really?

Platte: Sir, you're not going to believe this; but there is a gunship overhead. It's got all of our visitors lit up and ready to be fired upon.

Lincoln: Who are they?

Platte: Unknown. They have not tried to contact us or them.

Lincoln: Let's see what our visitors do.

Niobrara: Who is trying to spoil our fun?

Hastings: Or who is trying to muscle in on our visitors?

Chadron: You want me to prepare something for them?

Lincoln: Be ready to light them up, but don't show what move we could make-not yet.

Platte: The plane has absolutely no distinguishing or identifiable markings.

Hastings: An unidentified flying object!!!

The tense moment was broken up by laughter.

Platte: Both the plane and the other visitors are all holding their positions.

Lincoln: Anything else?

Platte: Something big, really big is coming right at us. It's...it's hopping, sir?

Lincoln: What?

Platte: It is as if the object is moving towards us but leaping through the air from position to position.

Lincoln: Now what?

[Gadodel]

Part 7:

The Faceoff:

The big, hopping object attracted the gunship crew, they left to investigate. As expected, all hell broke loose. The base was taking fire from all sides. Someone went through a lot of trouble to bring a fair amount of firepower into the middle of the United States. That took a lot of planning, skill and wealth. A lot!!!

Platte: I am focusing the drone's minigun on the transports.

Chadron: I've got plenty of mortar shells ready to go.

Ainsworth: Platte, let me know which side I should start snapping claymores towards.

Niobrara: Finally, I get to test my new rifle out.

Lincoln: You other four, go load up the RV with the cargo and gear. Get ready for a fast paced pull out if our outer defenses collapse.

Platte: Chadron, fire away and Ainsworth-start north and go clockwise NOW!!!

Lincoln: Platte, what's going on with the gunship and big, hopping thing?

Platte: Neither are on radar anymore!!!

Niobrara: Everyone throw on a gasmask, there's a huge vapor of something coming our way!

Lincoln: Dear Lord! If the Feds weren't already on their way, they will be soon.

Hastings: Niobrara, can you estimate the size of the vapor cloud?

Niobrara: A country mile wide and about a football field high.

Hastings: OK, it might be a good idea to warn the neighboring police departments and get everyone indoors...just to be safe.

Lincoln: Platte, forget about the visiting vehicles and get on that.

Scottsbluff: I'm already working on it, Platte; keep those vehicles busy!

Lincoln: Good.

Niobrara: If we're going to boogie out here, we'd better do it soon; I don't see any reinforcements on the horizon-but that could change.

Lincoln: Everyone to the RV!

Vehicles from the base began scattering in every direction. Base personnel knew the protocol of covering an escape while getting themselves out in one piece. The attackers were in retreat-for now, so that helped. Scottsbluff headed south down the winding country road while Platte used a drone to give the Team air cover.

Part 6 & 7 required a lot of dice rolls and private notes to individual players. These posts might not capture the excitement that was running through the group at that time. Plus, I got a pretty hefty amount of exercise running back and forth GMing the whole thing. :)

[Gadodel]

Part 8:

The Brotherhood of Joseph treasure in Nebraska?

Lincoln: Father Murphy, we need to decide what we're going to do with the gold. Since we're 'Court' or government-technically and you're 'Temple' or religion-technically, neither of us should have or claim it.

Father Murphy: True. And I am only a researcher. I'd have no idea whom to turn it over to, but I can find out. It will take some digging.

Omaha: And this is something we don't want to publicize anymore than it already is.

Niobrara: That vapor cloud will be hard for the Feds to explain.

Lincoln: I need to alert command and let them know we're going into hiding for a time.

Chadron: My park is quite nice this time of year!

Platte: Sir, I am picking up on the radio that the vapor cloud is being described as a gas that had leaked from an overturned railroad car. Command has also sent out a ton of custodians to start cleaning up the mess we've left behind.

Lincoln: Still, command will want to know what is going on.

Omaha: I'll start working on a story.

[Gadodel]

Part 9:

The Team was already on Highway 2 headed northwest when Father Murphy got the text message. 'Procede to Antioch and we shall meet there-The Brotherhood'. It was an interesting, though not entirely surprising lead.

Father Murphy: Is Antioch even a town anymore?

Omaha: The railroad probably doesn't need a stop a there anymore, so I doubt it.

Platte: Hell, I can't even bring it up on a map. Zooming in leads to an empty space

Hastings: An empty space? In Nebraska? No way?!

Niobrara: Are we there yet?

Scottsbluff: Two hours out.

Lincoln: Why doesn't everyone eat and try to get a nap in. Obviously, except Scottsbluff.

Hastings: You've just robbed me of a chance to make a witty remark!

Dodge: I wonder if I'll dream of gold again...?

The Team got some rest. Antioch was a few abandoned buildings in the middle of nowhere. Scottsbluff parked the RV and the Team waited.

Platte: We've got company. He literally just appeared...

The Team saw a man outfitted like a monk standing on the old dirt road that went north.

The Monk: Please, leave all your weapons and your vehicle and follow me. No harm shall come to you.

Lincoln: All of us?

The Monk: Yes.

The Team, though reluctant; saw no reason not to follow the Monk. The Monk led them up the road and over a small hill.

Lincoln: Dear Lord! What the hell is that???

The Team spotted an aircraft of some sort. It was disc shaped and silver. Perfectly round and had no visible doors or windows. It was atleast 300 feet across and about 50 feet thick at its center.

Hastings: A UFO, I'm guessing.

The Team burst out in nervous laughter....

The Monk: The Brotherhood of Joseph is atleast 100 years ahead of the rest of the world because we've always used our wealth wisely.

At this point, the Team saw their RV being driven up and towards the craft.

The Monk: Don't worry. You'll be taken too.

The Team followed the monk into the aircraft, not really believing the whole situation at hand was happening; yet not overly worried about how they would come out of it.

[Gadodel]

Platte: 100 years?

The Monk: (smiling) Less time if the world cooperated 100%.

Moments later, the craft landed. The Team and their vehicle were placed on a road just outside of Father Murphy's safehouse. Father Murphy and The Monk had a conversation while the Team waited. After, Father Murphy joined the Team.

Lincoln: They may have their gold back.

Father Murphy: (smiling) I knew you would say that. In return, they offer each of you a gift.

Father Murphy handed each Team member a bracelet. The bracelet was a simple copper with engravings etched on both the inside and outside of the loop. The engravings seemed to be a language, akin to what was observed on the gold bars; but no one knew how to interpret it.

Platte: Interesting.

Father Murphy: I'm told that you will know what to do with them, eventually; when the time is right.

Hastings: Why so cryptic?

Father Murphy: It is what the Brotherhood of Joseph wants.

Father Murphy gave Lincoln a laptop.

Father Murphy: Study the contents of this computer, then destroy it. I must
go. I'll be in touch.

The Team watched as Father Murphy and the Monk returned to the aircraft. The aircraft left at a rate of speed that left even Scottsbluff in awe. The Team proceeded back to the main headquarters of the Nebraskans.

[Gadodel]

Part 10:

The Team studied the contents of the computer and pondered the utility of the bracelets. The former was simple to decipher, the latter was not. The Nebraskans found themselves in the middle of something old and terrible.

Dodge: So, on side we have the Brotherhood of Joseph and the other the Barrabas Guild?

Platte: Correct.

Niobrara: Help me out here: so who are the 'good guys' and who are the 'bad guys'? I like my targets to be as simple as possible.

Hastings: The Barrabas Guild appears to be the bad guys, they are lawyers after all.

Chadron: Cliche'! Getting desperate?

Niobrara: Criminal defense attorneys with lots of shading contacts and dealings, ok got my targets.

Hastings: Now, that's cliche! Wasn't there a movie out like that, Al Pacino...Tom Cruise...several different movies.

Platte: Sounds like the Brotherhood are interested in technology whereas the Guild are interested in drugs.

Dodge: Both of which, society has a demand for.

Ainsworth: There's gotta be a lot more than that to each organization, I just don't see it being that simple.

Scottsbluff: So what do we do about it?

Lincoln: We investigate it further and make sure that Nebraska doesn't become a quiet little battleground...again. In the meantime, let's head up to Arthur and find out exactly what or who the 'Castle' is that the file constantly mentioned.

[Gadodel]

The Team drove past Lake McConaughy, up Highway 61 towards Arthur, Nebraska. This part of Nebraska was flat, but scenic. The Ogallala Aquifer has created many creeks, lakes, ponds and rivers. These in turn created many lush green lines that have interrupted the rolling brown sandhills in many different places. Arthur was a quiet little town of about 300 people. In a blink of an eye, one might drive right through it!

The Team did not have to look for clues for very long. It stood out and was in plain view. An enormous juxtoposition to say the least. Exactly why the castle had never been discussed in either gossip or history was a mystery. Exactly who built the castle and why, was as well.

Platte: I'm rereading what has been written about the castle...and well, it appears that even the Brotherhood thought that it wasn't actually a place, but rather a codename for a person or a safehouse.

Lincoln: Did they ever look for it? I mean, we found it on our first trip!?

Platte: There were many expeditions and the area has been thoroughly explored time and again. They have been puzzled by this since 1864.

Chadron: How is it that we can see the castle, but no one else can or was not able to in the past?

Hastings: Apparently the same laws that govern a Fairy Tale, are governing this situation as well. Pixie Dust! You know?

Scottsbluff: Father Murphy said none of that applied to this story!

Hastings: That joke went so far over your head it's a danger to the space station.

Omaha: and UFOs!!!

Lincoln: Hold off on the jokes for now. Let's figure out what we do know. So, how did the Brotherhood learn about the 'castle' in the first place, if has never been associated with them?

Platte: In 1864, a member of the Barrabas Guild was captured and questioned. That member said that he was trying to find the Castle Estate. Which was located somewhere 'two days ride northeast of Lake McConaughy'.

Lincoln: OKaay...so, The Brotherhood essentially wants us to find what they can't and maybe deal with what they can't? Why?

Dodge: The map that was etched in the gold bars didn't lead this location, it lead to an area southwest of Lake McConaughy.

Ainsworth: The misinformation trail so far hasn't stumped us. I am guessing that someone in the Brotherhood isn't whom they claim to be. I'm guessing that the even the Barrabas Guild member waaay back in 1864 was lied to.

Niobrara: So, whoever is behind this; wanted people that not only were not interested in gold, but also could do what we do...fight?

Lincoln: Sounds like we just need to go the castle and find out for ourselves. Whomever is behind all of this essentially doesn't want either side to find it.....

This segment required rolls if the players couldn't remember what I had told them their characters had learned thus far. Only a couple of players bothered to mention that their characters studied the map closely. The computer was easier to work through because 'Platte' would ask what something was, cram a little and move on. 'Platte' was more interested in anything related to politics or technology...

[Gadodel]

In context, the Castle didn't belong in Nebraska. It might well as been in any other country that was once dotted with such structures. Platte got on the internet to try match the Castle in Nebraska with any other style found in history. In the end of the search, the Team concluded that the Castle had a style akin to 14th century England. Though, no one was for sure.

The Team carefully approached the drawbridge, which was already down. Three at the foot of the bridge and three on either side. Lincoln, Niobrara and Omaha crossed first. Then, Ainsworth, Platte and Scottsbluff. Followed by Chadron, Dodge and Hastings. The drawbridge rose and the gate dropped-seemingly on their own once the Team was inside.

Only cobwebs and eerie noises greeted the Team. Noises of calls, shuffling and in one case-laughter echoed through the courtyard and bounced off of the walls. Yet, no one was to be seen. The noises appeared to simply come out of abandoned places and dark windows. There was no sign of life, except for the weeds; which were knee high.

The Team made its way up a large stairway that presumably led to the Great Hall. The doors to the Great Hall had been battered down, long ago; but there wasn't anything left of the alleged battle. The Team entered the Great Hall and spread out in their previous groups of threes. The Great Hall was littered with old chairs, tables and tapestries. Though, one thing stood out; plain as day.

It was a white marble chair. Throne really. Like something one would find in an ancient Greek court or temple. At least, that's what Platte found on the internet. It was highly polished and for a moment...empty. In the blink of an eye, the throne suddenly had an occupant....

[Gadodel]

Part 11:

Lincoln approached the 'visitor' that sat upon the throne and was about to say something, when he was interrupted. Scottsbluff reported that the alarm to the RV was going off and Niobrara reported numerous infantry were making their way over the outer wall. The 'visitor' simply sat there.....

Lincoln: Check every side, see if there is a way out of here.

The Team scrambled around the Great Hall and everyone reported the bleak news: The Team was surrounded.

Lincoln: Can you get us out of here? Lincoln asked the 'visitor'

The Visitor: You've three choices: First, I can simply leave you here and await what fate has in store for you. Second, in exchange for safe passage; you will embark upon a quest of my choosing. Third, you can hand over the bracelets and face whatever consequences that await you, your people and your land.

Hastings: Blue, no green!

The Visitor looked at Hastings with a confused look. Lincoln's serious visage nearly broke with a smile. Niobrara warned that the attacking infantry was starting to scale the next wall. However, Hastings' remark gave Lincoln just a bit more time to think about the options.

Omaha: Who are you?

Ainsworth: What are the bracelets for?

Scottsbluff: Lincoln, can I open up on the attackers with my minigun?

Niobrara: I'm ready to fire too...

Chadron: And I!!!

Lincoln: Damn! Votes?

To a man, the Team voted for Option 2. Option 1 seemed foolhardy since they were outnumbered and not in a position of dominance or surprise. Option 3 implied something worse was to follow, plus everyone wanted to know what the bracelets meant. They had to keep them for the time being...

[Gadodel]

Part 12:

OPEN FIRE!!!

The 'Visitor' was surprised. The Team was surprised. Yet, Lincoln remembered his Team was young, he had to reel them out of their brief panic and worry. In a blink of an eye, 'The Visitor' left and the Team began showering out rounds.

Lincoln: Focus your fire in the direction we came in. Chadron, take out the Gatehouse and everyone in or on it. Platte, see if you can use the remote to move the RV to flank the north side-if you can't set off the self destruct to help scatter the forces on the west side.

Chadron hit the Gatehouse with all 6 rounds from his grenade launcher. Platte ended up setting off the self destruct which meant 500 pounds of explosives went off not more than 100 yards from the path leading up to the Gatehouse. The rest of the Team unloaded a hail of 7.62 rounds towards the west wall. It had the effect that Lincoln intended: the attacking forces between the outer and inner walls on the west side were in disarray.

Lincoln: OK, let's head through that hallway to the north.

The Team quickly moved north. To their surprise, the counter-offensive came in the form or arrows, boulders and spears. The Great Hall was battered and filled by the response. The Team responded by throwing smoke grenades in virtually every direction behind and to either side of their route.

When the Team arrived at the end of the long hallway, they entered a tower; which had a stairwell that led down. The Team continued to downwards with the hopes of finding a way out of the area. Once they reached ground level, the found an open courtyard.

Lincoln: Let's head towards the inner wall, that set of doors at the northwest tower.

Niobrara: I can see infantry using the hallway we just emerged from, they are about 200 yards behind us.

Chadron pumped a few grenades into the side of the wall of that hallway and then a few into the stairwell in which the Team just emerged. The Team ran to the doors of the northwest tower.

Lincoln: Ainsworth, take a look out.

Ainsworth: Open space between here and the outer wall.

Lincoln: Let's move.

The Team made its way to the outer wall, into a tower and up towards the top. They were shocked as to what they saw upon looking out beyond the Castle grounds...

[Gadodel]

Some 200 yards out were four riders. The first wore white robes, had a white bow and rode upon a white horse. The second wore red armor, had a large red sword and rode upon a red horse. The third wore black armor, had a flail in the shape of scales and rod upon a black horse. The fourth wore pale armor, rode upon a pale horse and was leading thousands of infantry-columns of troops as far as the eye could see.

The White Horsemen rode foward. As he closed in, it was obvious that he was 'The Visitor' that the Team had met in the Great Hall. How he got from the Great Hall to the outside of the Castle walls was certainly a mystery. As he rode further, the Team discussed their next move. They were quick to notice that the infantry that had attacked the castle were now encircling the tower in which the Team stood atop of.

Lincoln: Looks like we never had any options at all.

Hastings: and why did we come here again? Whereever 'here' is?

Omaha: The bracelets, remember? The key to all of this is the bracelets.

Platte: Father Murphy seemed to think that we'd know what to do with them, when the time was right.

Niobrara: I'd prefer to have more ammo...lots more.

Ainsworth: He's about to say something.

The White Horseman: Everyone has a price. What's yours?

Lincoln: For the bracelets?

The White Horseman: Yes.

Lincoln: Tell us what they are for, so I can assess their actual value.

The White Horseman: They enable the wearer to go back and forth between here and there.

Lincoln: This place and Earth?

The White Horseman: Yes.

Lincoln: How many of these are there?

The White Horseman: (laughs) You should have taken the time to decipher the language on them, your questions wouldn't sound so amateur. Since they are so far above your understanding, maybe we should just take them and be done with it.

Lincoln: Alternatively, we can aim our entire arsenal at you and stop you.

The White Horseman: You would be wasting your time.

[Gadodel]

Ainsworth: Anyone remember which word we might of said to get here?

Platte: We were talking about 'castle' being a codeword.

In a blink of an eye, the Team was standing in a hole. A crater really, where the RV was last parked.

Niobrara: That's it! Earth! Niobrara shouted.

Ahead of them, up the dirt trail they had driven; was the highway in which they left to get where they were.

Lincoln: It's a quarter mile: Let's run for it! Fire what you got along the way, that army will be closing in on us fast!

The Team sprinted towards the highway, firing whatever they could; when they could.

Hastings: Are we LARPing that scene from 'Blackhawk Down' or is this really happening?

Chadron: (laughing) It's happening! Watch our Six O'Clock if you don't believe me...you're a surgeon...give us your honest opinion!

Lincoln: Keep moving!

Dodge: Ouch!

Omaha: Oh! Hastings! Dodge just got nailed with an arrow right through his bicep!

Niobrara: I got ya covered, keep moving.

The Team made it to the highway.

Those in the advancing army that tried to follow simply disappeared.

The rest of the army came to a halt.

Platte: So, we know a word to get there and one to get back. It appears that there are 22 other words...I think.

Lincoln: Let's just catch our breath, see to Dodge, get back to base and then worry about the bracelets....

[Gadodel]

Part 13:

The Team made it back to HQ. They rested and recovered before examing the bracelets more closely. They debated whether or not to actually pursue the answers for awhile-but curiosity got the better of their will. They started to randomly toss out codeword possibilities. Words from the Bible were used since thus far, the ongoing mission had a Biblical theme.

The Team learned WHY the bracelets were so eagerly sought. The Team decided that the bracelets shouldn't be worn and should be hidden away in nine separate locations. Each Team member decided to hide their respective bracelet in a location that only they knew about and swore to never reveal the location to anyone, at any time.

(Again, my group is notorious for simply taking a dangerous and powerful item out of play; even if they do not really know all about it. I guess, Father Murphy and The Brotherhood of Joseph already knew that!!!)

The Team agreed that they wouldn't have any part of 'The End Times' unless it was to prevent those dark days. Though, everyone really wanted to know if they could kill The Four Horsemen. However, no one wanted to face their enormous army without a hell of lot more ammo and maybe even an army of their own.

Lincoln: So, we are all in agreement? The keys to the doors between here and there must never, ever be found or be allowed to be used by anyone?

The Team: Agreed!!!

[Gadodel]

Part 14:

Of course, things would not go as planned...


To be continued...

[Gadodel]

[/I]The trip to hide the bracelets was interrupted even before the Team could leave the compound...

Something, someone lept over the 12 foot high security fence and landed on the hood of Lincoln's Mustang. His 1965 Mustang. The assailant was larger than a typical man, much larger and he was armed with a rather large axe. Lincoln was scrambling out of his car as the assailant crashed his axe through the hood and pierced the headrest of the very seat Lincoln was sitting in. Lincoln unloaded a clip directly into the assailant with seemingly little effect. The rest of the Team scrambled out of their cars to assist their leader.

Again, the assailant seemed unharmed by a flurry of rounds fired at him. Though, the firing paused as the guard at the gate let in a person the Team didn't recognize. The unknown person threw and stuck a spear directly in the assailant's back, getting his full attention. The unknown person drew out a sword and moved in for another attack. The axe wielding assailant traded blades with swordsman, but the latter proved to be too much for the former. The assailant chose to flee rather than fight and the swordsman gave chase.

The compound filled with Nebraskan personnel eager to fight or to help. The Team watched as the mysterious swordsman caught up with the assailant and stopped him some 100 yards way from the front gate. Afterwards, the swordsman returned to compound.

Command: This is Keya Paha. You don't know him because he always works alone and on the stranger things to effect Nebraska.

('Keya Paha' is pronounced as one word, with three syllables. 'Ki-pa-ha'. 'Ki' like 'Ki' in the word 'Kill'. 'Pa' as in 'Pa' as in your 'dad'. 'Ha' as in 'haha' or laughter.)


Keya Paha: There are at least 100 more just like that axe wielding assailant waiting out there in the darkness. I had to interrupt their ambush or a lot more damage would have been done.

Lincoln: OK, let's move back into HQ. We needed to be briefed..

Keya Paha: Rearm your men with arrows, blades etcetera; if you've got them...in the meantime.[/I]

[Gadodel]

Niobrara: Firearms are my weapons of choice. I'm not well versed in weapons from the Middle Ages. Why the disadvantage?

Keya Paha: In the near future, you will find that using quiet weapons will be an advantage. Might as well learn how to use them now.

Lincoln: Was your opponent wearing body armor?

Keya Paha: An armor of sorts, yes.

Ainsworth: Slower, edged weapons work against it than better than bullets?

Keya Paha: Yes.

Chadron: What about high explosives?

Keya Paha: Oh, they'd work. However, HE would be dangerous to nearby friendlies and so loud that it would warn all opponents in the area.

Dodge: Why the emphasis on stealth?

Keya Paha: Members of the Cult will gladly fight an opponent one-on-one, in melee combat; simply for the honor. Firearms are considered an abomination and those using them can be teamed up against without a loss of honor.

Platte: Cult?

Keya Paha: That's what it's called. The Cult. Over the centuries, many Cults of Destruction have come and gone, but eventually were united. The Cult are essentially assassins. Raised from birth to kill. Their leadership, so far; has eluded me-but I've been working on it for only a few years.

Dodge: Another group living off of the 'supply and demand' principle?

Scottsbluff: That'd be my guess too.

Lincoln: So, why are they after us?

Keya Paha: Revenge. Who knows? What have you been up to lately?

Keya Paha and Lincoln exchanged recent mission notes at this time. Meanwhile, the Team headed down to the armory to try to arm themselves with whatever weaponry that had-in Hastings' words: 'a kick butt like in the Dark Ages' theme.

It was unknown if the recent missions were related or not, but Keya Paha wanted to study and learn more about the bracelets. The Team wasn't too keen on the pursuit, but at that time didn't really have choice. Command ordered it.

[Gadodel]

Keya Paha had a very interesting theory within a matter of minutes. The Guild of Barrabas-an organization consisting of lawyers, serves the White Horseman. The Horseman thought to conquer by less violent means. The Cult-an organization consisting of killers, serves the Red Horseman. The Horseman thought to conquer by violent means-such as war. If true, this meant that there were a minimum of two more organizations in which the Nebraskans might have as enemies.

Niobrara: I'm for taking the fight to them, but we would need an army of our own to strike into the heart of their territory.

Ainsworth: It's that or sit back and wait until were even more outnumbered.

Chadron: Where are we going to get that sort of army, sooner rather than later?

Command: Keya Paha? Ideas?

Keya Paha: Give me a moment to plot and scheme....

[Gadodel]

At this point, the Players had three questions derived from their discussion:

1. Were the bracelets high tech, magic or a plot device?
2. If the organizations to bring the End Times already exist, what has stopped them from acting?
3. What has prevented the Brotherhood of Joseph from acting against the The Guild of Barrabas, the Cult et al?

I have yet to answer them, why give away so much-so quickly? :eg:

[Gadodel]

Part 15:

The report written by the State Patrol caught some bureaucrat's eye at Command. These sort of things do. The report was written in response to what a Trooper had encountered just outside of Arthur, Nebraska:

'As I was driving northbound I observed a large campsite. I pulled in and stopped in order to determine if the campers had the proper permission or permits. It was an unusual campsite. It appeared to be some sort of festival with a Middle Ages' theme. I made contact with one participant calling himself 'Percival'(sp?). 'Percival'(sp?) informed me that the 'Lord of Arthur' had given the participants permission to set up camp outside of his 'Manor'. 'Percival' (sp?) pointed towards the town of Arthur when he referred to the 'Lord of Arthur'. At this point, I had Dispatch call the Mayor of Arthur to determine if 'Percival's' (sp?) account was accurate. Dispatch had made contact with the Mayor of Arthur, who confirmed that permission had been given to the campers. The Mayor of Arthur informed Dispatch that he believed that it was a 'Renaissance Festival' being held by an organization he called the 'SCA'. The Mayor of Arthur also informed Dispatch that over 10,000 participants were expected to attend...'

The report went on to say that no other actions were taken by the Trooper nor did he note any other 'unusual activity'....

[Gadodel]

Lincoln: We've gotta go check this out.

Command: Agreed.

Lincoln: Will you join us? He asked Keya Paha.

Keya Paha: Yes.

Niobrara: What about the Cult, do you suppose they are still lurking out there?

Keya Paha: They lost the element of surprise. They also made their point. They'll be out there, but not right outside of our door.

Niobrara: Do I still need to carry this big sword around?

Hastings: Don't you want to fit in at the festival?

Keya Paha: Go ready for any sort of combat....

The Team loaded up there replacement RV and started off towards Arthur, Nebraska-again.

Hastings: Maybe we can convince the SCA folks to be our army.

Everyone laughed, but Keya Paha thought that maybe the idea wasn't too far fetched or all that bad.....

[Gadodel]

Part 16:

It wasn't a 'campsite' anymore-it had all the things one might find in a city. Not a modern city, but one from the Middle Ages. It was dirty, loud and smelled of animal or human waste as well as a mass of unclean bodies. At first The Team thought that it was all 'special effects'. As they walked further into the 'tent city', it was clear that these folks were not taking a 'role' very seriously; but rather living as they 'normally' do.

Hastings: That woman had no teeth! That man had no arm!

Niobrara: Serious? All that for a 'Renaissance Festival'?

Ainsworth: I'm not so sure that this is what we thought it was going to be.

Keya Paha: People are calling me 'M'Lord' and giving me the strangest look.

Hastings: Odd. I thought Lincoln was our fearless leader?! 'M'Lord'?

Lincoln: Oh, oh dear lord-don't get started!

The Team continued towards the center of the 'Tent City'. As they did, the level of cleanliness increased and the appearance or overall health of the people improved. The smell of fresh bread was in the air. Fewer animals were underfoot. Folks seemed less drunk and noisy. Perhaps, more noble...

Chadron: These folks are walking around armed to the teeth.

Dodge: And all I have is this MP-5 and large sword!

Platte: Something tells me that the man over there is a legitimate blacksmith and is making a far superior sword than anything that we are carrying.

Scottsbluff: Maybe we should talk to him?

Hastings: Do you think he'll accept a credit card?

The Team laughed, but everyone knew; this wasn't the SCA and it wasn't a 'Renaissance Festival'. However, no one knew how or why a city straight out of 14th century Europe popped up in 21st century Nebraska...

[Gadodel]

Blacksmith: You've no gold?

Hastings: We had several hundred kilos of it, but gave it to a monk...

Lincoln: (interrupts) How about barter?

The Team had to shuffle and look away to hide their laughter...

Blacksmith: What'd'ya got?

Lincoln: (Pulls a roll of tools out of Platte's backpack) How about these?

Platte suggested it, figuring the blacksmith didn't have anything like a bolt cutter or needle-nose pliers.

Blacksmith: Where did you get these?

Hastings: From Lord Walmart!

Again the Team nearly burst out in laughter. Ainsworth had to pull Hastings away so that Lincoln could keep talking.

Lincoln: Well?

At that point the Blacksmith turned and shuffled away. The Team quickly realized that they were surrounded by at least 20 'city guardsmen' or 'knights. Indeed, strangers in town almost always attract the attention of the law...

[Gadodel]

Guard in Charge: Come with us! He bellowed.

The Team was escorted towards the center of the 'Tent City'. At the center was a large pavilion styled tent, one large enough to hold a circus; it seemed. The Team entered and found a large, open aisle that led to a deck. On either side of the aisle were hundreds of curious onlookers. On the deck was an occupied wooden throne. The occupant looked like he was in charge, but didn't do or say anything as The Team was prodded into approaching the deck.

Onlooker #1: It is them,they are wearing the bracelets!

Onlooker #2: All, but one; maybe his is hidden?

Onlooker #3: The Duke seems quite worried.

As Game Master I did my best to imitate an English accent.

Hastings: Do they realize that we are right here and can hear what they are saying?

Lincoln: They do now.

Keya Paha: That was perfect English.

Hastings: British English or American English? The latter is far from perfect.

Ainsworth: That was British English. They sounded just like the folks I've heard while watching BBC America.

Platte: Sounded more like an Australian accent.

Lincoln: I think that 'The Duke' is about to say something.

Hastings: You're not 'The Duke'! I am!' The player imitated John Wayne.

The Team burst out in laughter, just as the Duke started talking....

My group is fairly notorious for a lot of in game, in role joking around...

[Gadodel]

The Duke: The Priest said you had been here, would return and would still have the bracelets.

Lincoln: What are the bracelets for?

Keya Paha: Which Priest?

Hastings: Hi! I'm Hastings and you are?

The Duke: (laughing) I am Duke Roric. (back to being serious) The Priest's name is Zachariah. The Bracelets of Bewescpagl-are used to shackle evil, if evil goes unshackled it roams far too freely. (To Hastings) Pardon my rudeness.

Lincoln and Keya Paha look at one another and say in the unison...'The Bracelets of Bew...what?'

Hastings: (bows) I hope I did that right...nice to meet you, my man!

Ainsworth: Handcuffs?

Platte: 5 sets of them.

Dodge: One for each Horseman...and one extra.

Scottsbluff: Someone that has been either keeping ahead of us or just simply keeping out of sight?

Hastings: Try bowing when you speak. Everyone starts to bow...

Niobrara: Like this?

Hastings: That's terrible. Like recess indoors!

Random Courtier: Like this gentlemen. He demonstrates the technique and everyone duplicates it.

Lincoln: Enough of the line dancing. Are Ainsworth, Dodge and Platte right about what they are and whom they are for?

Duke Roric: Yes.

Hastings: Maybe we should barter with this guy: the Bracelets of 'B' for some better armor, weapons and whatnot? He's seems a bit more credible than that blacksmith...

Duke Roric: For the Bracelets of Bewescpagl, the Emperor would hand over whatever you wish. The End Times can not start on our world.

Keya Paha: 'Our World'?

Zachariah the Priest: (enters) He meant our time...

[Gadodel]

Part 17:

Lincoln: Huddle up. The Team forms a huddle.

Lincoln: Anyone else notice this? We discover that the bracelets operate some sort of system of unseen doors. These guys come along and say that the bracelets are actually handcuffs of some sorts.

Platte: Yeah, I caught on to that.

Ainsworth: So what's the real deal?

Keya Paha: Well, these guys have yet to attack us.

Hastings: True. And were out-sworded big time.

Scottsbluff: Is that even a word?

Hastings: It's where the phrase 'out-gunned' was derived from, it's Latin.

The Team laughs a bit.

Chadron: Hey, I am all for turning around and walking the hell out of here until we know what is going on.

Dodge: Seconded.

Niobrara: Thirded.

Scottsbluff: Now, I know that isn't a word!

Hastings: Correct. It's a number.

The Team laughs again.

Keya Paha: Your call Lincoln...stay and learn more or go...

Lincoln: I say we go.

The Team turns to leave.....

[Gadodel]

Zachariah the Priest: WAIT! Hear me out, please!

Lincoln: You have 2 minutes.

Zachariah the Priest: Our army marched upon the castle once. We swore to defeat the lords that dwelt there. The four lords that dwelt there swore to destroy the Empire. We have been locked in a constant struggle with the Four Horsemen since that day 664 years ago. We don't know how or why, but our battlefield pops up from time to time, in various times; inviting or welcoming more participants. The Bracelets of Bewescpagl have three functions: They allow one to time travel, we think...it's a temptation...those that fall for it-if wearing the right bracelets, get shackled to one era of time and finally they can lure the weak to join in on the battle....

Keya Paha: That last thing you said, makes some sense. For, here we are-but we are far from weak!

Platte: It's more nonsense. This really isn't a concern or even a threat to Nebraska. Our 'Oath' has nothing to do with their 'Oath'.

Scottsbluff: Yeah, I say we leave.

Lincoln: Yeah, let's move.

Zachariah the Priest: If you give us the bracelets, we can end the curse. We can return to our own time and to our own battle of oaths!

Dodge: I dunno, I say we let them have them and be done with this nonsense.

Keya Paha: I don't really want their battle to continue in the this space-time.

The Team decided to hand over the bracelets. Just like that. No further hesitations. The Team walked outside the 'Tent City' to watch what would happen next. The 'Tent City' vanished and a vicious storm front moved in with alarming speed. That little area outside of Arthur, Nebraska was full of lightning and a powerful tornado. As fast as the storm hit, it was gone; typical Nebraska weather....

[Gadodel]

Niobrara: Hold up. Do you guys see what I am seeing? Niobrara was looking back at the area in which the bizarre scene had just concluded.

Ainsworth: Now...that is...I don't know what that is.

Platte: It looks like Stonehenge.

Hastings: Quick, someone call the Queen of England and see if she is missing any rocks from her back yard!

Dodge: How in the hell did I get caught up in this totally weird situation again?

Lincoln: The Brotherhood of Joseph and Father Murphy have a lot of explaining to do...but I am not really in the mood to hear any of it, right now.

Keya Paha: The Brotherhood of Joseph gave you guys the bracelets, right?

Lincoln: Yep.

Keya Paha: They've a long history of being around just as a very old rivalry has concluded.

Platte: Stonehenge predates the story in the Gospels.

Keya Paha: Yet, do we know if Stonehenge predates The Brotherhood of Joseph?

Lincoln: What does any of this have to do with Nebraska?

Scottsbluff: Remember, they mentioned that they chose the US because it was safer than pretty much all of the rest of the world. Remember what they said about rivalries and how far behind the rest of humanity was behind them because of all of the rivalries?

Ainsworth: They had no idea that the what just happened here was actually going to happen here and now...

Hastings: Unless they can time-travel...

Everyone laughed for a moment...then, realized that Hastings just might be right.

Platte: It doesn't explain why something like like Stonehenge just popped up in the middle of Nebraska.

[Gadodel]

Part 18:

The Team began discussing the idea that the circle of stones was some sort of time-travel device. The Team stayed to explore the stones and to determine if their theory was correct. It was a very bizarre story, a weird way to be left with such a mystery-if their theory was correct. They all agreed that the story had holes in it, pieces of the plot were missing.

The Team wanted to speak with The Brotherhood of Joseph and get answers.........

[Gadodel]

The Team was standing in the middle of the 'stonehenge' discussing it and theorizing what it was actually for or what it meant. It was during this time that the Monk had returned. He said he had something for the Team.

The Monk: I have one for each of you. Plug it into any computer and all the answers you want are there for your reading pleasure. I'll visit you at your headquarters in 24 hours to hear what you have decided to do.

The Monk left.

The Team was eager to find out what was on their respective gadgets. Each started off with a letter...

*********

Dear [Insert Team Member Name]

You have passed our test!

You scored many points by returning the gold. It was a morality test.

You scored many points by realizing the bracelets were dangerous and should not be used. That was an ethics test.

You scored many points by not retreating in the face of a superior foe simply because you knew the foe had no virtue. That was a test of honor.

You scored many points by handing over the bracelets at the right time. That was a problem resolution test.

You scored many points by keeping your oath and resuming your original mission. That was a trustworthiness test.

You scored many points by passing many characteristic, skill and talent tests. That was a general knowledge test.

If you would like to join our organization, read further and then accept our invitation at the end of the read.

The Brotherhood of Joseph.

*********

Lincoln: Everyone continue reading and let me know what you decided...

[Gadodel]

[I handed each player a copy of notes about the Brotherhood of Joseph. I high-lighted things that might be of interest to their character and allowed them to discuss the situation]

Lincoln: The concept of a super-civilization appeals to me.

Keya Paha: Who would have thought that Atlantis was an individual?

Chadron: I'd like to try out the Mecha.

Niobrara: I'd like to try out some of the other weaponry.

Dodge: Everything done by retinal scans, including shopping and paying for things. That's pretty cool.

Omaha: Anyone can make a few extra bucks by acting as a reporter? That's got to make things incredibly competitive and quick.

Hastings: I figured Genetic Rehabilitation would be the direction health sciences would go...but no Geisha Androids! Damn!

Platte: Want to know more? Just buy the chip and put it in your port. People have longer to research and make new things like...

Scottsbluff: DID YOU READ ABOUT THE TELEPORTERS? (Worried) CARS ARE ILLEGAL!!!

Hastings: (comforts Scottsbluff) It's alright...

Ainsworth: Whole planets devoted to just farming? That would be one hell of a spread.

Keya Paha: Then, that whole Time Travel thing.

Lincoln: Yeah...we'd be Defenders of Perpetuity...police the Timestream or some such.

Keya Paha: THAT has more to do with Nebraska than any of the things that led us to knowledge of this future.

Lincoln: Yeah. What do you guys think?

Platte: Joining a secret-super-society does sound interesting...but also quite dangerous.

Niobrara: If we did it, we simply have to keep one another from being tempted in to stealing any of the knowledge or resources from the future.

Hastings: You just strung together a complete sentence in which I agree with...

Chadron: Seconded.

Platte: Thirded.

Lincoln: So, are we in?

[Gadodel]

Part 19:

Command: Adventures in Time-Travel will have to wait...no pun intended.

Lincoln: What'd'ya got?

Command: Something crashed into the bride over the Platte River just south of North Bend. It took out the west lane of Highway 79 and bounced into the North Bend Golf Course, located on the southwest corner of the town. The object is glowing and the residents are worried about what it might be. Local officials will not approach it and have asked for assistance from the state.

Scottsbluff: I'll get the helicopter ready.

Hastings: About time we deal with something ordinary like a mysterious disaster!

Keya Paha: Hell, even I am up for this!!!

Hastings: Are we going to need our swords for this one?

The Team gathered their gear and got aboard the helicopter. From HQ, it would took about 30 minutes to get there.

Lincoln: Platte, are you picking anything up?

Platte: The thing is hot, very hot. And there are smaller heat signatures that move away from it.

Chadron: Debris?

Platte: No. The object is spherical and appears to be intact.

Niobrara: Everyone put on their night-vision goggles and amplify by 4.

Everyone did what Niobrara asked them to do.


'What the hell is THAT!' was said practically in unison. For a moment or two, it was silent in the copter.

Platte: I am recording every bit of this and sending it back to HQ...

[Gadodel]

Hastings: It looks like an unfriendly Shrek!

Dodge: (laughing) I was thinking it looked like one of those bigger Orcs in Lord of the Rings...

Keya Paha: It's definitely not one of the Cult goons. It's three times as large!

Platte: 22 feet tall, to be precise.

Hastings: Anyone remember reading anything about this at all in the J-Files, cause I sure don't?!

Omaha: J-Files? Nice! And no.

Chadron: What in the hell is it?

Niobrara: He...it, has spotted us and is beckoning us to come to him...it.

Lincoln: Scottsbluff, drop us off and stay nearby, relatively speaking.

The Helicopter put down and dropped off the ground response. They approached the thing carefully, slowly. The thing stood up, started to run away from the ground response and jumped into the air. It disappeared into the night sky. The ground response was collected and the helicopter gave chase.

[Gadodel]

The Team chased the individual westbound, towards the city of Omaha. The individual could leap distances of three miles at a time. It moved very fast, but Scottsbluff was able to keep up with it while keeping a distance from it. It was as if the individual was leading the Team somewhere.

Platte: Sir, I am picking up another object on the radar. It is headed toward the individual we are chasing.

Lincoln: Parallel course.

Scottsbluff: Got it. And I am taking us higher.

They amplified their night-vision gear to try to catch a glimpse of what was headed toward the individual that they were on a parallel course with. Niobrara saw it first.

Niobrara: That is one big lizard!

Platte: It looks like some kind of dinosaur.

Hastings: Dear lord, I hope it's not purple and green and starts singing 'I love you! You love me! Or we're all doomed!

Ainsworth: Do you ever take anything seriously?

Hastings: Who says I wasn't serious?

The Rest of The Team: US!!!!!

The Team watched as the large humanoid began fighting the large lizard...

Keya Paha: I hope this isn't more J-Files testing and tricks.

Platte: Sir, the two combatants are rolling towards a railroad track and there is a passenger train headed their way.

Hastings: Suddenly, were on a Japanese Monster Movie set!!!

Lincoln: Hit the combatants with everything you've got and let's get ready to move in on foot........

BOOM!!!

[Gadodel]

The Team clown had to be serious...very serious.

The humanoid and reptilian combatants lept at one another, collided and bounced into the Team helicopter. The helicopter took blunt force damage as it spun into a hard landing. A very hard landing.

Hastings was the only one not injured. The Team could not have had better fortune-since he was a skilled doctor. Lincoln, bleeding from a head wound; had Niobrara check on the two combatants. Niobrara had to switch to a handgun as his left arm was broken. Scottsbluff had a broken ankle, but managed to drag an unconscious Platte from the wreckage. Keya Paha had a shoulder injury, but helped Hasting pull Ainsworth, Chadron, Dodge and Omaha from the wreckage. Lincoln had to help with the last two as the helicopter started on fire.

Hastings: Ainsworth definitely has internal injuries due to a large shard of metal lodged in his side. Chadron has a spine injury of an unknown extent. Dodge has two broken legs and maybe a broken pelvis. Omaha has extensive head trauma.

Keya Paha: I've got HQ on the cell, I am asking they send reinforcements and several choppers to carry out the wounded.

Lincoln: Niobrara, what about those critters?

Niobrara: Unconscious right now, maybe dead.

Hastings worked frantically on the numerous patients. Keya Paha, Niobrara and Scottsbluff assisted while Lincoln watched their backs. Lincoln also tossed flares to mark a landing spot.

Lincoln: Hastings, is everyone going to make it?

Hastings: Yes. Though, several will need months to recover.

Within the next two hours, the Team was retrieved and hospitalized. The two combatants were captured and taken to a secret wing of the zoo in the city of Omaha.

[Gadodel]

Part 20:

Medical Leave or Vacation, the Team was not on active duty. They were confined to the hospital or HQ. Four weeks of thorough medical care or absolute boredom was finally interrupted by a visit from a team from D.C. Command had briefed the Feds the week before, then D.C. repaid the gesture with a briefing of their own. Mysteriously, The Brotherhood of Joseph had not been heard from the entire time.

D.C.'s briefing was complicated, long and quite worrisome. The Nebraskans had unwittingly discovered and essentially joined in on one of the oldest, most secretive rivalries in history. D.C.'s involvment began in 1947. From there, the Feds outlined a story crowded with bureaucracy, conflict, science and secrecy. Essentially, Earth was a territory fought over by more than just rival nations of men.

The Feds put it this way: Earth was the 'ultimate toolkit'*. It had an ever evolving, huge, intelligent labor force. It had large tracks of undeveloped land and even larger tracts of ocean that regenerated itself over time. It had all the natural resources any civilization may need to advance. It was a beautiful, ripe, target that was distracted by chaos and mortality and other civilizations were becoming increasing aware of its existence.

D.C. vowed to defend the US and Earth in general. The Nebraskans readily agreed to join the cause. It was the 27th state to do so. This was one of those 'truths' that D.C. really didn't want out there too fast...not yet.


*The Fed talking joked that they bought the rights to use the trade marked phrase. 'With what money? The Feds are always in debt!' Hastings commented. 'Some lawyer might want to check into that claim!" Hastings added.

[Gadodel]

The very day the Team was cleared by doctors and reassembled, it was summoned. Literally, 'summoned' back to where it all began; Rose Nebraska.

A rancher was out surveying his land when he came across 'one of the strangest things', according to the recording that the Team heard. The rancher called the State Patrol and the call was recorded. The rancher had a difficult time explaining himself as what he saw was indescribable. However, everyone on the Team heard one part of the report loud and clear:

The Farmer: 'It's as if a very large man just emerged from the pond and started walking east-I can jump inside of one of the footprints! Next to these footprints are footprints just a bit larger than my own. Both sets head east and if I didn't know any better, the two are together!'

Everyone sat quietly...for a few moments.

Command: Head to Rose and start tracking the footprints. See just who or what is leaving them and report back.

Lincoln: I miss the days of trading off shots with criminals and thugs.

Hastings: It's like an episode of Sesame Street written by H.P. Lovecraft...

Keya Paha: (laughs) That'll work. I was about to suggest that everyone start watching 'Creature Feature'. That's how I got started.

Omaha: Your start?

Keya Paha: I hunt all sorts of monsters. From cultists to pedophiles and more. I don't need much of an imagination to take the fight to this or that Methed-out E.T.

Ainsworth: You've always worked alone, why did you join us?

Keya Paha: I was tired of being outnumbered...and out-gunned.

Niobrara: You just tell me where to shoot and I'll solve the latter problem.

Lincoln: Any idea of what we are facing?

Keya Paha: Aliens using our own mythologies against us...maybe.

[Gadodel]

Everyone thought about what Keya Paha had just said. The Brotherhood of Joseph may or may not be aliens. If aliens truly exist. Thus far, they have certainly done their best to recruit The Nebraskans. Their disappearance coincides with the Team learning about and joining the cause to defend Earth. Yet, what did the Team offer that they didn't already have?

An odd discussion about imagination and skepticism followed. Then, the Team arrived at the start of the footprints.

Lincoln: The new helicopter is so quiet and smooth.

Scottsbluff: I think we should use a drone instead. I don't want to be knocked down again.

Lincoln: Have one start from Ashland.

Platte: Working on it now.

It didn't take long to get the pilotless drone out and searching.

Platte: Take a look at that guys!

The Team was observing a site of absolute carnage. The remains of numerous cattle were found in one location. The two happened along the location and simply, savagely attacked and consumed as many as 25 head of cattle.

The Team also found a dead rancher. He had a rifle and had fired it several times before the rifle was taken away from him and bent like a pretzel.

Lincoln: Men with weapons pose a major threat...it would seem...to not only us, but to them as well. But, seemingly-more to them...

[Gadodel]

The Team caught up with the individuals making the tracks.

Hastings: It's Klaatu and Gort!!!

Keya Paha: I don't recall Gort being 100 foot tall.

Lincoln: I don't think we have anything in our arsenal that might convince them to talk or else.

Niobrara: I don't think that even the Pentagon has anything that'll stop that machine...robot...whatever it is.

Several Team Members in Unison: It's a Mecha!!!

The Team opted to land the helicopter in front of the pair and approach them on foot.

Lincoln: Hello! Someone like Lincoln trying diplomacy was absolutely ironic considering the various weapons he carried that were in plain view.

The Humanoid: Will you sacrifice your cities and towns or submit to our demands?

The Robot: I am ready to launch upon your command!

Hastings: The Day Nebraska stood Still!!!

Nervous laughter followed....and then the Team returned to the seriousness of the very dangerous standoff.

[Gadodel]

Part 21:

The Humanoid threw a sucker punch and connected with Lincoln's jaw. Lincoln staggered and fell backwards. Dodge countered with a strike to the Humanoids knee. Omaha countered with a strike to the face. Keya Paha wasted no time and struck with his sword. Niobrara tasered the Humanoid as the opponent lay upon the ground.

'The Robot' did nothing.

It wasn't a 'robot' afterall.

It too was a 'humanoid' of sorts too. An armored warrior.

It took off his helmet and spoke...

The Giant: I am at your service.

The Team looked puzzled.

Lincoln: What is your name and why are you on Earth?

The Giant: Hematite. I am...was...a destroyer in the service of the Paxians.

Lincoln: Paxians?

Hematite: The Paxians are an empire that enslaves and uses other species to keep the peace in their intergalatic realm. Destroyers like myself have the dishonorable task of pacifying other species. Your skills as warriors would have made you appropriate Destroyers. It's why the Paxian was here....

Lincoln: Why did you say 'I am at your service'?

Hematite: Because I am free and can do whatever I want, now. Hematite proceeded to lift his foot and smash the Paxian...much to the Team's horror...

[Gadodel]

Hematite was more of service than the Team ever imagined. Hematite showed the Team the Paxian Spacecraft which brought him and his former 'master' to Earth. It was hidden in a pond near Rose, Nebraska. The Team quickly notified Command and an investigation began.

The investigation was led by three new members of the Team: Ashland, Bellevue and Columbus. All three were Air Force colonels from Nebraska and were given permission by the Pentagon to return to their homestate to conduct the investigation. Hematite was more than cooperative, but for a price: sanctuary on Earth.

The Nebraskans became the first state level agency to secretly join the space race. The Paxian Spacecraft was so advanced that it would take years to study it and as long to apply the knowledge. Nevertheless, it also became the herald of what was about to come: the state of Nebraska was the new center of all interest, pursuit and study of extra terrastrial concerns.

The Team not only had the people, places and things in Nebraska to protect-in general, but also one of the largest secrets in US history. The other dilemna was exactly where to hide it AND Hematite...

[Gadodel]

Several weeks into the investigation...

Platte: If there are all of these other species out there and they are more advanced: why haven't they simply come to Earth and conquered it by now?

Keya Paha: No human leader or nation has been able to conquer all of Earth yet. Perhaps the variables that have been in place to prevent such a thing also happen on an intergalatic scale as well. Attempts have been blocked by costs, rivalries and time limitations.

Lincoln: That simple?

Ashland: Likely.

Bellevue: Even an advanced invasion force would have to consider the size of Earth and all of its geographical attributes. Not to mention Humanity just might pack more of punch than any invasion force was ready for.

Columbus: There's another reason: there's a lot of technology here-in the Paxian Spacecraft, that would be harmful to the natural resources of Earth. Preventing the destruction of what they might be after might be a problem their scientists can not find a solution to. The fuel in the spacecraft is highly explosive...imagine if that whole cell got detonated?

Lincoln: Wanting to preserve the spoils of war works to actually prevent the war?

Dodge: It sounds like the basis for a business deal.

Scottsbluff: We sell and trade resources for information, technology and treaties?

Omaha: Why not?

Keya Paha: How do we pick a side?

Lincoln: Maybe ask Hematite to help us?

[Gadodel]

Part 22:

Brewsky's, 27th and Cornhusker; Lincoln-Nebraska. Keya Paha's favorite bar and grill.

Keya Paha: We're entertainment? That's why we have yet to be overun by this or that Alien?

Hastings: Can you think of a better reason?

Niobrara: People can be a lot of fun to watch.

Hastings: Exactly. Who would you rather watch: funny, stupid people roaming around freely or people imprisoned and maybe plotting a rebellion?

Keya Paha: True. I don't know how many hours I've killed watching Youtube.

Niobrara: Or Break.com

Hastings: Think about all of the technology that has been developed strictly for entertainment. What if there was a really bad a$$ species out there that has been protecting Earth just for the sake of a good laugh.

Niobrara: You mean, like a pet?

Hastings: Six billion pets!!! Each with their own name, personality and proclivities.

Platte: You're making a lot of sense. Maybe you should check out that blonde over there. Maybe that will rattle that brain of yours and you'll be back to telling jokes.

The Team laughs as Hastings makes his way over to said blonde. A blonde that has everyone's attention...

[Gadodel]

Dodge: What does Nebraska have that an advanced civilization may need or want?

Ainsworth: Food.

Platte: Large, quiet, tracts of land in which to set up bases and research labs.

Scottsbluff: Small, less traveled media outlets and fewer military installations than a lot of states.

Omaha: Nebraska has always been a quiet place where privacy is respected. An excellent place to base a whole lot of secrets.

Dodge: Would it be enough to trade for technology far beyond our own?

Platte: Well, our own government has already claimed some of the best out-of-the-way places such as Alaska, The Dakotas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah etcetera.

Dodge: True.

Ainsworth: Looks like Hastings is the first to remember that we are humans and entitled to have some fun.

Everyone watches as Hastings makes a move on a blonde at the bar...

[Gadodel]

Ashland: The language on their computer was based on pictures. Sort of like Hieroglyphics.

Bellevue: Do you know any Egyptologists from Nebraska?

Columbus: There's a professor at UNL, I think.

Ashland: Let's ask Command to inquiry and recruit.

Chadron: Guys, check out Hastings!

This part of the Team takes a look and goes back to talking about the time they spent examining the Paxian Spacecraft. Chadron got bored and went over to play some darts...with a different blonde. His double take caught Niobrara's attention. The two looked at one another and realized that the two blondes were twins.

Niobrara: I must be buzzing. His head movement back and forth alerted Ainsworth as to what Niobrara was refering to.

Ainsworth: No...I'd say dreaming. But then, so am I! Ainsworth spotted yet another blonde...

Triplets, in one place. It didn't take the entire Team long to notice what Ainsworth, Chadron and Niobrara had caught onto. Ashland, Bellevue and Columbus continued to talk about computers...making the three undesirable tablemates.

[Gadodel]

Part 23:

Phone numbers were obtained. Promises to call were made. The bar was closing. The Team headed for the door. Niobrara gave the halt signal and everyone stopped right where they were. When Niobrara pulled out his handgun, everyone followed his lead.

Lincoln: What'd'ya got?

Niobrara: The lot is surrounded by heavily armed men.

Keya Paha: The blondes were a distraction?

Niobrara: That's my guess.

Hastings: I'm making a call, to see if it's legit. If it is, she'll only think that it was a drunk call.

'The number you have dialed has been disconnected or is not assigned contact your operator for assistance!'

Hastings: Damn it.

Chadron: I am checking the back exit.

Moments later, Chadron returned and reported that it too; was surrounded.

Lincoln: Well, last time I tried diplomacy; I got layed out!

Ashland, Bellevue and Columbus were still talking about the Paxian Spacecraft. Everyone turned to look at them and they didn't even flinch or even bother to catch up to what was going on in the moment.

Hastings: Hey! Human Shields!!!

Lincoln: (laughing) Let's do this....

The Team exited the bar and immediately spread out. Ten against thirty, maybe more...

[Gadodel]

The Team wasn't greeted by a flurry of bullets. An flash of brilliant light struck outward from them and towards the armed men. Their would-be opponents were stunned and in some pain, unable to wage any aggression towards the Team. The Team walked towards their row of motorcycles...

Niobrara: Any idea what that was?

Chadron: Golden flakes, falling from the sky?

Lincoln: Uh, anyone else hear a flute being played?

Scottsbluff: Let's get on our bikes and ride. We can talk about it later...

The Team got on their bikes, started them up and began riding. Westbound on Cornhusker Highway, then south on 14th street. 14th street became Antelope Vally Parkway. Scottsbluff led the team westbound again on Salt Creek, then southbound again on 14th. The vehicles that were chasing them wouldn't be able to make it through the University of Nebraska city campus.

Scottsbluff led the team past Andrews-the English Department, past Burnett-the Psychology Department, in between Avery-the Computer Engineering building and Hamilton-the Chemistry building. Then, finally; past Memorial Stadium-where the Option was killed by the West Coast Offense. From there, the Team headed north on Stadium Drive and over the pedestrian overpass. Once on 10th street, the Team knew that they had lost all of the vehicles that were giving chase.

The Team made its way to Adams and back over to 14th street. The Team took 14th street north and straigh out of town. The whirlwind ride was fun, but they were quite pleased to make it back to their countryside base. Yet, they were still wondering what the source of that bright flash of light was and who might have been behind it...

[Gadodel]

The Team drove onto their base and into a garage where they could park their bikes. As soon as they entered it was as if they had drove into a foreign...alien place! The floor wasn't concrete and the walls were not steel. Instead, the place looked more like a 'cargo bay'. After they parked and turned off their bikes, each complained about being jolted by some sort of unseen energy. Moments later, they were unconscious.

The Team, it would seem; were abducted...

[Gadodel]

The Team awoke with oxygen masks on...

A General: Sorry about that. We had to leave Earth abruptly and didn't have time to get you ready. You'll be ok.

Lincoln: and you are?

A General: General Wright-Patt. I'm from Ohio's Team.

Hastings: I'd better check everyone out.

Ashland: I can help, since I've been in space before.

General Wright-Patt: We're headed to Hangar 18.

Keya Paha: I've heard of that place. A UFO research center disguised as a hospital...if I recall correctly.

General Wright-Patt: (smiling) Something like that. We need to get you your new equipment.

Platte: What sort of equipment?

General Wright-Patt: Powered Armor. Weapons with superior fire power.

Niobrara: Really?

General Wright-Patt: (hands Niobrara a shell the size of the standar 7.62 round.) This can take out anything up to a Russian T-72 tank!

Chadron: Nice!!!

Lincoln: Why the generosity?

General Wright-Patt: Our top 10 scientists have been given permission by your Command to join the investigation of the Paxian Spacecraft.

Lincoln: How do you know about it?

General Wright-Patt: When 3 of my top pilots are suddenly taken away from me and sent elsewhere, I'm entitled to some answers. The General said while looking at Ashland, Bellevue and Columbus.

Ashland: I figured I could trust my own cousin!

In no time at all, the Team was on Wright-Patterson AFB and just outside of Hangar 18. They were led to the underground facility and given an opportunity to see just how far the United States government had progressed in the realm of Space Sciences. They also were told shown the Hall of Myths...a place they would later find themselves in for hours, studying.

[Gadodel]

Part 24:

The Team had been in the Hall of Myths for several hours when...

Lincoln: OK, someone-please; tell me you hear that flute.

Dodge: I hear it too, now.

Keya Paha: (walking around a display and not part of the conversation yet) I just learned the real reason why Native American tribes didn't develop technology at the same rate as their European counterparts. What?

Hastings: You don't hear that?

Niobrara: (walking around a display and not part of the conversation yet) I just learned the real reason why Native American tribes didn't develop technology at the same rate as their European counterparts. What?

Ainsworth: That was bizarre.

Chadron: Spooky even.

Hastings: Suddenly, I feel as though Scooby Do and the gang will emerge around the corner any minute now.

Keya Paha: (to Niobrara) I just said that.

Lincoln: The flute sounds Native American.

Platte: I'm hearing it too, now.

Scottsbluff: (walking around yet another display and not part of the conversation yet) My armor has shifted in appearance...from this...to, I don't know what you call it...that breast plate thing that some Native Americans wore as part of, I don't know what...

Hastings: Dances-with-Bluffs adds to the confusing Native theme going on.

Nervous laughter erupts.

[Gadodel]

Lincoln: Who was it that thought that Humanity was someone's toy or source of amusement?

The Team: Hastings!

Lincoln: Anyone else think that we are currently being led along in some way?

Keya Paha: It's just been too strange.

Hastings: Damn it Jim! I'm a Doctor, not a Puppet!!!

Platte: Just how long have you been waiting to use that line?

Hastings: Awhile, now.

Niobrara: I thought it was kinda funny.

A gust of wind blew through the area...

Lincoln: OK, now I can't be the only one that heard that!

Dodge: I heard 'so did I!!!'

Chadron: I heard that too. It wasn't one of us.

Ainsworth: It had an accent.

Platte: Guys, look at that! Pointing towards an area at the end of an aisle.

Scottsbluff: That's Chimney Rock...

Lincoln: It's almost as if we can step right through that wall and be near it.

Keya Paha: I'll try it.

Keya Paha stepped through and waved the others on to join him...and they did.

[Gadodel]

Atop Chimney Rock was a man. A Native America man wearing the attire one would expect an Indian to be wearing circa 1876 or thereabouts. The man was playing a flute, until he noticed the Team. The man stepped off of the tip of Chimney Rock and simply floated down to the ground. The Team looked at one another, but no one said anything.


The Man: Suddenly not as talkative as a group of old women!

Lincoln: I think we're still trying to figure out what is going on.

The Man: Have the man with the box search for Coyote and everything to this point might make some sense. The man was pointing towards Platte.

Platte: Well, you're clearly not the animal...

The Man: I can be! The man shifted from man to animal and back to man.

Everyone stepped back. It was instinct and uncertainty.

Platte: Coyote: the trickster God in some Native American tribal lore...I'm guessing.

Coyote: It took time, but I managed to get you to do my bidding...

[Gadodel]

Part 25:

Lincoln: Your bidding?

Coyote: I told a tall tale and all of the Ancestors were amused.

Keya Paha: So, none of this is really real?

Coyote: It's a matter of belief. Though, you did recover the Spirit Suit.

Scottsbluff: This? (pointing towards his chest.)

Coyote: I've lost it. You've found it. I would like to trade for it.

Scottsbluff: (taking off the chest piece of his armor) How about this for some truth?

Coyote: The truth? I told a story about several warriors. Warriors with character, imagination and potential.

Keya Paha: That's it?

Coyote: My Ancestors were pleased when I showed them your Spirits. It's been far too long since they've seen anything like them...62 years I think.

Platte: I'm with Keya Paha, I want to know what is really going on.

Coyote: Will you each wear the Spirit Suit and go through the Ceremony?

Lincoln: Coyote: the Trickster you said? How do we know this isn't another trick...some sort of lavish deception?

Coyote: Have you lost your sense of adventure?

Hastings: I'll go first, that way I can come back and watch everyone scream and twitch for nothing!

[Gadodel]

One by one, each of the Team members put on the Spirit Suit and entered the cave at the base of Chimney Rock. Each fully expecting to enter, go through the Ceremony and be reunited with the Team. This is not how it ended. The Spirit Suit put the Team member wearing it whence-so-ever they truly belonged.

Coyote: Are you ready to begin another story?

Lincoln: I am missing some of my Team-mates...

Coyote: They are where they really wanted to be, doing what they really wanted to be doing.

Keya Paha: Won't you at least let us talk about it?

Coyote: Of course.

The remaining members of the Team were standing on the Highway in Rose, Nebraska. Again, right where everything began.

Lincoln: If anyone wants to quit, nows the time to do it.

To a man, everyone agreed to stay on the Team. It was just bizarre, too weird; to abandon right then. However...

Niobrara: How is this Nebraska's business?

Keya Paha: Returning property to its rightful owner...I think.

Hastings: I just want to see where this is going to take us. If we are someone's pet, maybe we're going to get rewarded with some sort cosmic doggie treats or something.

Dodge: I have the feeling that we've been tested more than played with and that to Mr. Coyote; we've passed.

The Team agreed with that assessment. However, it still wasn't clear what meaning or purpose the story had so far. It was as if Coyote was somehow able to blur the lines between fact and fiction. Being the Trickster, it made sense that he had been doing this; but besides a good story-for what purpose?

[Gadodel]

As the Team stood on the road discussing the situation, they were approached by another Native American man...

The Man: May I speak with you?

Lincoln: I'd be bothered if you didn't.

Platte: I am going to guess: you're Wolf, Coyote's brother?

Wolf: I am.

Keya Paha: Please tell us that you'll be telling us what is going.

Wolf: I can not. That is my brother's role.

Niobrara: Then, what did you want to tell us?

Wolf: My brother will never give you a straight answer. However, since he has tampered with your Spirits in order to retrieve something he should have never lost, he now owes you a major debt.

Hastings: Are our Spirits ok? I mean, we can't have a disturbance in the force.

Even Wolf laughed...

Wolf: Your Spirits are intact. Strong in fact.

Niobrara: Your brother seems to be the type to never give, but always take.

Wolf: The Chief won't let Coyote stay in debt.

Keya Paha: Since we still don't really know what is going on, how do we actually get Coyote to pay his debt and know that he has paid it?

Wolf: Ask him...(At that time Coyote joins the discussion)

[Gadodel]

Coyote and Wolf morphed into their Canine forms and began to snarl at one another. The stand-off lasted for a few moments, then they morphed back into men.

Coyote: I don't like it when my brother interferes with my fun.

Lincoln: We don't like it when someone tampers with our Spirits!

Coyote: I already gave you an answer. I explored your character, imagination and potential while I got you to do my bidding. For retrieving my Spirit Suit, I'll help you in some way.

Wolf: Before that, the truth!

Coyote: (pointing out to the field) Join me in that tent.

The Brothers and the Team walked out to a very large tent. Coyote motioned for the Team to enter. Therein, they saw themselves unconscious on the ground.

Lincoln: How is this possible?

Coyote: I used your shadows.

Wolf: Make their bodies whole again!

Each Team member became whole again. However, the memories of what really happened were now a part of their consciousness. They lived a dream. Partially their dream-which was born in their imagination and partially Coyote's dream-his goal of retrieving a lost item. The Team happened by when Coyote was trying to determine his next move. In effect, the Team became an amusing tool in which to use.

Hastings: Dear Lord! I'd like to know how their going to write a book that will become a video game out of all that!?!

Lincoln: The lure was secret societies and super-high tech gadgets, wasn't it?

Coyote: (smiling) Perhaps.

Keya Paha: Do those people and those things exist?

Coyote: (smiling) Perhaps.

Niobrara: The dreaming was some sort of prophecy?

Coyote: You've tapped into a part of the Spirit World, Collective Unconscious-as you call it; that you didn't know existed until now.

Wolf: It sounds like you've got some negotiating to do so. The Tribe will be watching...

Niobrara: I'm wondering if we are still in the Hall of Myths or if we have learned that we shouldn't be fooled again.

Coyote: You'll make fine students, if you so wish to be...

[Gadodel]

Part 26:

Chadron: Something about this whole thing seems honest.

The rest of the Team looked at Chadron with both surprise and curiosity.

Lincoln: Now you're as confusing as Coyote.

Chadron: Don't you feel like we are being watched at the moment? I should have noticed sooner, but look right over there.

Niobrara: I see an open field.

Chadron: I see a fence with a spider's web. Why would a spider be out in the middle of the day?

Keya Paha: Platte, look it up on Pantheon.Org; but I think the spider has a role in Native American Mythology too. I think Chadron is on to something.

Platte spends a few minutes surfing...

Platte: It depends. A maker. A storyteller. And even a trickster. Take your pick.

Lincoln: Chadron, what are you thinking?

Chadron: Throughout this strangeness, three themes have come up time and again. Tests of our character via temptation-gold, technology you name it-was dangled in front of us the whole time. We've interacted with strange people and creatures-as if our imagination was being exercised or tested. Finally, someone was always trying to recruit us. Think about that last one; it has come up a lot.

Hastings: We've been cast in a children's book!!!

Keya Paha: The Spirit World is trying to recruit us for some reason? Is that what you're trying to say.

Chadron and Hastings: Yes!

Keya Paha: I wasn't talking to you Hastings...

[Gadodel]

Platte: (looking at the spider) What would a spider need with us?

Chadron: I think he's going to tell us.

The fence was swarming with spiders. They were efficiently and quickly writing out words. They used the fence much like we would use a piece of paper. The message was simple and to the point:

The Spiders: Our nations and people will soon face another major invader. Will you protect us?

Lincoln: Invasion?

The Spiders: They will come by ship, but not over water. It will attack us not by land, but from the air.

Keya Paha: Men?

The Spiders: Not men, nor spirits. Rather something else that wants to take our land and our lives.

Niobrara: Can they be killed?

The Spiders: They are mortal, but dangerous and will arrive soon.

Lincoln: Is this fact or fiction?

In a blink of an eye, one of the spiders became a man...

The Spider: Coyote has had his fun. We have found the help we need. The threat is coming. These are the facts. Will you help us?

Lincoln: What about your own warriors?

The Spider: This land is as important to us as it is to you. The last time they invaded your people and our people were divided. We can not continue the legacy of defeat and guilt.

Keya Paha: The invaders were here before?

The Spider: In 1864, by your calendar.

Platte: We've heard that year before during all of this.

Lincoln: I think this concerns us and our mission...I think. Can anyone think of reason not to do this and see where it takes us?

The Team stood silent...

[Gadodel]

The Team demanded more information about the 'invaders'...

The Spider: Vessels arrive over the land. Creatures the shape of men leap forth and begin hunting. The creatures look like men, but are not men. They are ten times or more, the size of men. They are fast, strong and very sneaky. They seem to have feathers instead of hair and scales instead of skin. Their fingers are like claws and can slice a man into two. They eat anything and everything in their path. It may take an entire war party to kill one.

The Medicine Men have forbidden us to share the tale with outsiders until now. The Medicine Men once believed that these creatures were sent to our lands to punish the nations. However, the time for their return is nearly upon us and our nations and people have grown weak since then...very weak. Many feel the punishment has been earned and they feel resigned to the outcome. In his own way, Coyote-not willing to give up; attempted to find aid. Wolf and I...and the others hope to finish what he started.

The Invaders shall arrive at the end of the year...

The Team listened.

Lincoln: A lot has changed since their last visit.

Keya Paha: I think it should be labeled as 'see it, to believe it' sort of thing.

Lincoln: When...IF they return we will return and regroup here.

The Spider: Thank you.

[Gadodel]

Part 27:

On a farm, near Rose; Nebraska...

Hayes heard the Team engaging their opponent in the barn. The crashes and screams of close quarter combat were like a magnet. Upon entering, it was clear that it was up to him to turn the tide against the opponent.

The opponent had one of its tentacles embedded into each of the Team members. Surely, each was adrift in nonsensical conversation and twisted imagery while the opponent took the time to try to recover from the initial, very damaging volley.

Hayes charged up and stuck his spear into the opponent's throat. Anything made of this Earth can harm them with ease and great pain-if one's accuracy or closeness can go unchallenged.

Hayes: Snap out of it! FIGHT!!!

Each Team member surged with one last act before falling into unconsciousness.

Ainsworth managed to wrap his bull-whip around the opponent's neck.

Chadron unloaded both barrels of his sawed-off shotgun into the opponent's gut.

Dodge landed an eagle claw into the opponent's right eye.

Keya Paha sliced off several of the opponent's terrifying tentacles.

Hastings slid a syringe of something into one of the four arms of the opponent.

Lincoln emptied his .44 into the opponent's chest.

Niobrara likely emptied a clip before punching his bayonet into the opponent's tail.

Omaha managed to push a pitchfork into the opponent's back.

Platte shattered his laptop over the opponent's tail.

Scottsbluff slid his switchblade into the opponent's tail.

Hayes: You'll be okay...I'll call the medics. You'd better be okay, this thing was only a baby!

Later, in the comfort and safety of the hospital; each recounted their 'Tentacle induced Tale'. None have ever done LSD before, but certainly; their few seconds under the influence of the opponent's poison was akin to that or worse. It was a bizarre, nightmarish trip and they had a hard time believing that they were on it for only a few seconds...it felt like days.

And they didn't know what was about to follow and if they had been told, they might not believe it...

[Gadodel]

Intermission

of sorts.

1. The players didn't know that the character they were playing was already in combat with the 'antagonist'.

2. Throughout the sessions, I had them roll their dice numerous times. I didn't tell them what it was for and it led to a lot of guessing...and even more wisecracks. Some players just rolled with it-no pun intended.

3. They didn't have any idea of what sort of campaign I was about to start because, in my customary way; things always start off bizarre.

4. The player that played Hayes was late to join the group, so naturally; I gave that player an important role so they felt included and welcomed.

5. Guess what sort of campaign The Nebraskans will actually be?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
spoilers...don't tell my group-nudge, nudge, wink, wink...
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
My style of Pulp Dark Champions-I think you can already tell whom I've been influenced by...I named him earlier... Please keep reading.

[Gadodel]

Part 28:

While the injured Nebraskans recovered, Hayes filed his report and proceeded to track the creature's 'parent'. It slowly carved a path of destruction some 40 miles towards the south and east. Its only need seemed to be water and it found plenty in the Calamus Reservoir. It sat upon its banks and simply drank.

The creature didn't move from its spot. Oddly, the creature seemed to grow. Within a week it was well over 100 feet long and over 25 feet tall. The Nebraskans evacuated the area and started to study the creature from afar. Hayes hoped that his fellow Teammates recovered soon as they would be needed again, once the creature was on the move.

The creature was an amalgam of many other types of lifeforms. It had four arms and four legs, which resembled a Komodo Dragon's. And it walked like that animal. It had a shell like a turtle and it was clear that the tentacles could be extended or retracted from the rim of the shell. The head and tail resembled an alligator's. The creature only consumed water and seemed to shun-but destroy anything else. Finally and most strangely, the creature appeared to be wearing some sort of collar; as if it was someone's pet! If so, the Nebraskans feared that the owner was a larger, looming threat!

[Gadodel]

While the Team observed the creature, a plane was picked up on radar.

Command: It's a twin engine plane that took off from Grand Island. It's originally from Colorado. It's registered to FX Enterprises...we're looking into that company now.

Team Leader: Everyone sit tight. Stay off of the radios. We're going to see what the pilot and or crew of this plane are up to. Have everything ready to go on a moments notice, though.

The plane was within naked eyesight. Its altitude was about 2,000 feet and it began circling the area. The creature got excited as if it were happy. The plane set down in a field near the reservoir. Three men got out of the plane and approached the creature. The creature got out of the reservoir and greeted them akin a dog greeting its master. It was an unexpected sight. Moments later, the creature stood on hind legs for a moment, then jumped with the agility and speed of a frog.

The three men returned to their plane, took off and followed the creature. The Nebraskans secretly followed as well. The creature was heading east...

[Gadodel]

Team Leader: I suggest we destroy the creature before it enters any heavily populated area. This part of Nebraska is fairly sparse.

Command: We're bringing a couple of F-16s in from the AFB in Lincoln. We've also sent a crew to the Calamus Reservoir to begin taking samples. We're also tracking the plane.

Team Leader: What have you found out about FX Enterprises?

Command: It's bogus. Nothing, so far.

Team Leader: I suggest we make that plane land so we can take the three men in for questioning.

Command: I'll have an F-16 diverted for that reason.

Team Leader: We'll mark out a spot for the forced landing. We'll take the the three to the Sheriff's Office in Wheeler County.

Minutes later...

Command: The first F-16s have engaged the creature.

Team Leader: We're watching another force the FX plane down. We should have three in custody soon.

Command: Once you have them, head to the site of the creature's corpse and secure that location. We better not get any of the locals involved, not yet.

The Three men gave up surprisingly quick. As if they wanted to be captured.

The Nebraskans set up a command post near the creature's corpse. Numerous investigators, researchers and security personnel were brought to the location.

The Air Force pilots had to use over 8 tons of ordinance to destroy the creature.

An unexpected set of obstacles presented themselves concerning the three men: the three had their eardrums and tongues surgically removed. They were deliberately made deaf and mute. They refused to communicate with interrogators in any way...

[Gadodel]

Part 29:

Hayes: C'mon guys, fight it!!! This isn't real. The moment you put your helmets on, aboard the helicopter; the program started. It's like a video game. C'mon guys we've got to get going to Rose. We've got to get to the weapons before they do!

The Team looked at one another and then at Hayes...

Hayes: Lincoln, c'mon; you're unstoppable. Hastings, check everyone's pulses; they are what you find when they would be asleep! Platte, check the onboard systems; something is draining their effeciency-its like a virus! Chadron, you were right; keep talking. Some of you have family up that way!

The Team began doing what Hayes had urged them to do...

[The players, remembering I'm the biggest trickster in the world; all asked to make a bunch of rolls-something that I had quit doing the previous session. Several players wanted to use things like Danger Sense and Luck etc]

Chadron tore off his helmet and saw everyone else slumped over in their seats. Meanwhile, both Hastings and Platte saw huge defiencies in the areas they were instructed to check, then alerted the others to their findings.

Ainsworth, Niobrara and Omaha-all of whom had Resistance were allowed to yank off their helmets as well. Niobrara took a huge risk in taking the helmets off of the others whom were still passed out. Save-Keya Paha, whom seemed to be in some sort of meditative trance.

Support crew began pulling the Team members out and began rousing them back to consciousness. They suffered from fatigue and stiffness akin to what someone might get from sitting in one spot, playing a video game for the last four hours...

[Gadodel]

Command: Other units and our auxilliaries have established a perimeter around the crash site. However, if you guys are up to it; I want my best on scene as soon as possible. I want to get there before the Feds do.

Lincoln: I am up for it. Just tell me who's with me?

The entire Team was more than ready to go and began getting aboard a new helicopter.

Hastings: I hope this one isn't cursed too. 'Snakes on a Plane?' How about some funky @$$ weird $#!t on a helicopter!!!

The Team burst out in laughter...

Platte: Can I stay and start picking apart that helicopter? He asked Lincoln.

Scottsbluff: Good idea, seconded.

Ashland, Bellevue & Columbus: (in unison) Thirded!

Niobrara: Oh Dear Lord! I'm rolling with a bunch of geeks!!!

Keya Paha: Hey! We'll see just how many you tally in the coming days!

Chadron: Count me in on that. I want to boom-boom the brainiac that installed that virtual reality program.

Ainsworth: I like the idea of keeping a tally...a little healthy competition won't hurt us at all.

Hastings: What, no fourthed?!?

Lincoln: Everyone's going. Just make sure you're shots are on the mark, I don't want a bunch of civilians killed just because you guys are trying to outgun one another. Take your killing seriously.

The laughing stopped. Something in Lincoln's voice was half a scolding from a parent and was half totally serious instructor in A.I.T.

[Gadodel]

In flight towards Rose, Nebraska...

Command: Team, you'll be pleased to know that we've caught the saboteur. He was a contractor working on the base. The investigation has only begun, but he's a real talker...an egomaniac for sure. He claims that he has ties to radicals in the M.E.

Lincoln: Good. How far out are the Feds?

Command: They're refueling over Iowa as we speak. They plan to drop in their response via parachute.

Ashland: M.E.?

Hayes: The Middle East. Go figure.

Hastings: I wish our troubles were more original, you know; like weird monsters straight out of some H.P. Lovecraft novel...

The Team laughed.

Keya Paha: You've got to admit, that was an unsual distraction.

Niobrara: Yeah, but who knew that there would be a crash and that we were going to respond too?

Scottsbluff: In that particular helicopter no less?!

Omaha: The antagonists seem to know what they are doing or they are just getting really, really lucky.

Chadron: Probably a little bit of both.

Ainsworth: Don't forget laziness of friendlies either. Someone has a lot of explaining to do.

Platte: I can't wait to pick that other helicopter apart! Atleast my headache is gone.

The Team: (in unison) Mine too!!!

Scottsbluff: We'll be there in three-zero minutes.

Lincoln: Everyone check your gear. Remember, make your shots count-if any unfriendlies show up.

[Gadodel]

The entire Team was dropped off some four hundred yards away from the B-52 debris field. The Team was excited about the prospect of engaging a challenge or threat. However, none existed. Everyone scanned the area with whatever equipment they had with them, but no one saw anything.

Lincoln: Platte, are you picking up anything?

Platte: Positive for Rads.

Hayes: I was told that 6 bombs were onboard. Let's spread out more and start looking.

Platte: Remember, no one touch anything.

Keya Paha: This is too simple. OUCH!!! Niobrara pinched Keya Paha. What'd'ya do that for?

Niobrara: Just to show that you are not dreaming! HEY!!! Ashland spanked Niobrara. An excellent example of why you should be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Niobrara got a punch in the arm for his sarcasm.

Lincoln: Stop flirting and keep your minds on the matter at hand. Lincoln growled.

Hayes: (to Lincoln) Go easy, you were 23 years old once-too!

Hastings: What was the Stone Age like anyways?

The Team laughed a bit until Lincoln gave each 'the eye'.

Chadron: (to Ainsworth) I bet he made his drill sergeant cry!

Ainsworth: (to Chadron) Man, I just hope I don't let him down; I'd rather die peacefully, in my sleep-at some ripe old age!

The Team established a tighter security perimeter and was able to account for all 6 bombs. The Feds, as usual; acted like they PLANNED the whole screw up and it was business as usual.

The Team was eager to return and begin working on the Saboteur's Case...

[Gadodel]

Part 30:

An interview room, in Eagle, Nebraska...

Hayes: Would you care to speak to us about your act of sabotage?

The Saboteur: I wish I could. (The Saboteur starts looking around.) I said: I wish I could!!! (Lets out a sigh of failure.)

Hayes: Who are you talking to?

The Saboteur: Mr. Babylon. I said, Mr. Babylon!!! (The Saboteur continues to look around.)

Keya Paha: Are you ok or is this some sort of joke? Do you expect us to fall for the whole 'I am crazy' routine?

The Saboteur: (crying) I am not crazy. You wouldn't believe me because I can't make him appear and prove that he exists. And only he can explain everything!!!

Keya Paha: OK...tell us more about 'Mr. Babylon'...

The Saboteur: I can't. All I know about him, is what I just said; I can't remember anything else. I know him, but can't remember anything about him at the moment. He's using his powers on me!

Hayes: Did he help you or make you make the Virtual Reality Technology virus?

The Saboteur: I wished that I could test it out and he fulfilled the wish. That's all I can remember...why did I mess around with scroll? (crying some more.)

Hayes: What scroll?

The Saboteur: It's in my locker...(crying and pointing towards the employee locker room.)

Moments later, Niobrara returned to the interview room with what appeared to be an old scroll. At the urging of everyone within the area, he didn't open it.

The Saboteur passed out with fear. Hastings checked him out and said he would be fine...at least physically.

Hastings: He'll be fine unless this Aladdin's Genie sort of character Mr. Babylon appears to be is actually the Boogey Man or some other terrible fantasy and kills him with fright.

[Gadodel]

Platte: Well, if Mr. Babylon really is a genie...

Niobrara: Hastings will have some competition if he's anything like Robin Williams.

Ainsworth: Look at Lincoln and tell me that your joking around is helping.

Everyone looked at Lincoln and the smiles disappeared.

Hastings: Even the Saboteur is frightened and he's passed out!!!.

That joke made everyone laugh...just a little.

Hayes: He can't be telling us the truth. C'mon guys, you just went through several hours in an alternate reality-you should be experts on BS by now!

Keya Paha: There's always that 'What if?' factor in everything that happens.

Chadron: Or he's simply delaying us in our effort to find out who might have wanted those nukes.

Dodge: We still don't know if our situation and that one are related.

Platte: The Saboteur didn't know whether or not we had the nukes back. Why would he continue on with the act, if it was one.

Hayes: I think the two situations are completely unrelated except for the fact that they happened at the same time.

Keya Paha: I agree. I say we go at this from a different perspective: someone took the time to hinder our operations. Let's find out who and why.

Everyone agreed. The Saboteur was a problem that still needed to be solved-no matter how crazy the prospect seemed.

[Gadodel]

The Team examined the scroll. No one touched it directly with their hands. No one read it. No one commented on it. Everyone was told to think about something mundane and unrelated. Despite the enormous amount of doubt about the Saboteur's story, the Team treated the Scroll as a dangerous, mysterious item.

After the Team examined the scroll for a while, they left the room to discuss it. Three facts about it immediately sprung into the discussion.
1. The scroll was covered with Arabic writing.
2. The scroll was made of leather and appeared to be very time worn.
3. The scroll was written with ink and it appeared to be quite new.

The Team decided that the best way to learn more was to try to use or activate the scroll themselves...since a few of them knew a bit of Arabic, they felt 'confident'...

[Gadodel]

The Saboteur was sedated and resting comfortably at an appropriate hospital. There was no evidence of illness, injury, stress or trauma that would make an otherwise healthy 25 year old man act in the ways that he had been over the course of this situation. Psychiatrists and other experts combed through his life and could not find anything to help them answer their many questions. The Saboteur, however was a gifted individual.

The Saboteur finished high school by the age of 13. He earned several college degrees by the age of 18 when he joined the Nebraska Air National Guard. The Saboteur's life was all about gadgets, research, technology and writing. The Saboteur was a millionaire simply due to the consulting work he had done and the subsequent patents that were in his name.

The Saboteur had the intellectual capacity and the drive to make the Virtual Reality Technology himself, but not in the present. Perhaps, in 15 to 20 years most experts agreed. Though, those very same experts were nowhere close to being in the Saboteur's 'league'-they openly admitted. They were, in effect; both baffled and humbled. There was also a hint of admiration, maybe even jealousy in their tone of voice.

The Team pondered the prospect that the Saboteur's story about 'Mr. Babylon' was rooted in some sort of dark, twisted truth...

[Gadodel]

Part 31:

It was 3 am. Everyone on the Team was drawn back to headquarters. Everyone talked about feeling like they were nudged awake and how each found a note on their bathroom mirror. It was written in Arabic. Those that couldn't interpret it, copied it down. Those that could, were very curious. The note read:

'A computer holds me, scroll to the correct icon and you'll see! The leather scroll is a spell, use it wisely or things will not end well~Mr. Babylon'.

Needless to say, the Team was amused, eager and very, very suspicious.

Lincoln: Anyone think this is the 'real' deal?

Hayes: I'm curious, but skeptical.

'As am I!' Chadron, Hayes, Keya Paha, Niobrara and Platte exclaimed in unison.

Lincoln: Platte, check it out.

Platte: Well, the only icon-that I can see; that seems to be related to the message is the one shaped like a scimitar.

Keya Paha: What about the leather scroll?

Lincoln didn't answer him...

Lincoln: Double-click the scimitar and see what happens.

Platte double clicked the icon and a face appeared on the screen. The face was that of an Arab man...

The Arab: I am Babylon! Your wish is my command! You have three, use them wisely.

The entire Team laughed...and paused to think...

[Gadodel]

A player made a very rash and independent decision...he read the leather scroll!!!

Keya Paha began examining the leather scroll...

Keya Paha: 'I can be bound-in this leather scroll you have found, my spirit shall be enslaved as you dare-fold, only to be set free by he who is bold, all one must say is-I dare not wish for anything today'

The Team looked at Keya Paha with absolute horror and shock.

Hayes: Dear Lord! I guess we'll see what's what!!!

Mr. Babylon's image as well as the scimitar icon disappeared from the screen of the computer. Meanwhile, the leather scroll folded; then rolled up into a tube shape. Thereafter, something even more strange and unexpected began.

The room began filling up with treasure. Precious metals such as gold and silver. Precious stones such as diamonds and rubies. Art such as pictures and sculptures. Ornate weapons such as spears and swords. Fancy and impressive suits of armor. Jewelry befit of a King or Queen. Tapestries that covered the walls and beyond. The floor was flooded with coins of all sorts and was easily three feet deep within a matter of seconds. It was as if the contents of a museum and treasury simply appeared in the room that the Team was standing in.

Hayes: (laughing) I don't know if magic exists, but if it did; I suppose it'd do something like this.

Hastings: I prefer a blond holding a six pack of beer and asking me if I wanted to have some fun...but, yeah; ok.

Everyone began laughing as they began digging and sliding their hands through the layers of coins.

Keya Paha: Um, sorry guys. I simply couldn't resist. My curiosity got the best of me...and well, I am speechless.

Ainsworth: Hell, even Lincoln is speechless.

Lincoln: (holding a sword) Yep, it's real and I like it. Everyone began grabbing something and checking it over. Everything in the room appeared to be real.

At this point the players began looking at me and began to wonder what exactly was going on. I didn't give them any clues...I told them to discuss it for awhile....

[Gadodel]

A couple of comments from the players can help summarize things up to this point:

Player 1: 'I think all of this has been about granting a genie asylum and he brought all of his belongings with him'.

Player 2: 'Someone wanted those nukes and I think the stories are related, if I know how Pete's very strange mind works'.

Player 3: 'I think the answer lies with The Saboteur. Where did he get the leather scroll?'

Player 4: 'We were distracted for awhile, but not stopped. I think our characters have been tested by Mr. Babylon-he/it wanted to know if he could trust us, for some reason. The Saboteur couldn't protect all of the treasure by himself, Mr. Babylon had to find someone who could: our characters.'

Player 5: 'Perhaps we should find out -who- had Mr. Babylon before the Saboteur?'

The players agreed to begin renewed questioning of The Saboteur and find out what the connection between Mr. Babylon and the Nukes really was...etcetera...

[Gadodel]

Part 32:

On the highway between the Calamus Reservoir and Rose, Nebraska. A group of old friends followed an object.....

Galen: Finally, after 25 years; we're finally going to be an audience to an awesome story.

Lance: I don't know, I've heard some pretty good tall-tales everytime we've met.

Anthony: This PI is filming it, I suggest you do the same.

Peter: I'm just making sure that I don't put the car in the ditch gawking!

Daniel: I can't pick up a single radio station. There's no phone service at all. I can't even get anything on my lap top.

Jeffrey: We're in the middle of nowhere, what did you expect. Just in case. (Began handing out loaded handguns.)

The six followed the object for 12 miles. The object arrived at a location just outside of Rose and landed. The SUV's engine died. The six discussed it and decided to set out on foot towards the object that just landed.

Upon reaching the top of a hill, they saw something quite bizarre and unexpected......

[Gadodel]

The object that landed was a smaller version of something larger already there. An unusual, spherical object floated out of the smaller object and joined three others just like it. The four were doing something to 9 unconscious men dressed in paramilitary outfits. The 9 men appeared to have arrived in a helicopter and a humvee. The side of the larger object was being used like a screen, akin to those used in old outdoor theatres. On that screen was a amalgam of odd-almost insane images. The images appeared to be coming directly from the 9 men. The four spherical objects appeared to be causing or creating those images in some way.

The six friends were busy recording what was going on. Not a word was being said between them as the situation at hand had their entire attention. Four loud bangs snapped them out of their trance like state. The bangs were most definitely the reports of firearms. Judging by the damage, the firearms were a very high caliber. The four spherical objects fell to the ground. They were behaving in a very unexpected way: they appeared to be bleeding and screaming. A green fluid was gushing out of their wounds. A high pitched wail was emitting from a large opening. The six were startled and quickly layed as low to the ground as possible. They witnessed numerous people, also dressed in paramilitary attire; swarm the area.....

[Gadodel]

The six friends crawled away from the scene, stood up and began running as far away as possible. They had to stop to talk...

Anthony: I go it all...all on film! And...what's this?

Jeffrey: It's as if you were recording what was on the side of that object.

Anthony: I've got four hours of film on here that I didn't have before.

Peter: Let's get back to the SUV and get the hell out of here. This place might be swarming with all sorts of secret agent type men any moment.

Galen: US Government vs Aliens! That was cool!

Daniel: Do we put our video on youtube?

Lance: Ohhh! Good idea! We might be asked to...

Peter: Crap! Get down!!! Someone is digging through our vehicle...

The six friends watched as a group of those paramilitary types searched, then towed their SUV. The six friends discussed it and opted to hike back towards their campsite at the Calamus River Reservoir. They assumed they would make it.....they hoped.

The campaign now has two groups of players, in cased you didn't notice. :cool:

[Gadodel]

Part 33:

Galen: OK, now I am sure of it. We're being followed, but I can't see anyone.

Lance: I thought I was just being paranoid, but yeah; I've felt the same way for the past hour.

Anthony: (puts on a pair of night vision goggles.) I am seeing a lone figure about 100 yards back and LOOK OUT!!!

A flash of light, akin to a camera flash; dashed in between and past the friends. They quickly trailed it with their heads. The flash of light suddenly became a human-like being. Out of habit, everyone drew their weapons; though no one knew if they would have any effect. The figure spoke...

The Figure: (chuckling and smiling) What is this 'youtube' you've spoke of?

Peter: You've been eavesdropping...who are you?

The Figure: You may call me...hmmm...I don't who I want to be today...lemme think abou it...OK? The Figure took off just as it arrived. However, they shot towards the night sky. It could have been mistaken for lightning.

Anthony: Excellent! I caught that on tape as well.

Jeffrey: Does it look believable? Or, well; like it was made in the fifties?

Anthony: Even CGI couldn't do this...not even close!

Galen: I think he...she...it is coming back...

[Gadodel]

The six started running. At first their flight was motivated by fear and panic. As they ran further, they began laughing. The kind of laughter where disbelief had started to set in.

Galen: Why are we running? That was pretty darn cool.

Lance: Yeah, wasn't that a good example of why we're out here?

Peter: OK, let's stop...look around...drink some water and hope that we've merely set foot on some episode of Punked...

Anthony: (pointing to the south...they way they were headed) Our friend has returned, it would seem and...he's not alone.

Jeffrey: 1, 2, 3,....7, 8, 9,....13, 14, 15...ok...we're outnumbered.

Daniel: Well, so far; we're still alive. Right?

The group of friends were surrounded by the group of strange figures. As the figures approached, they shifted in form from something ghost-like; to something more like a human being. As if they were trying to approach the friends in a more acceptable, less flamboyant style-unlike their last approach...it still unnerved the friends...

Daniel: We're still trying to get to our campsite right?

Peter: Yep. When I say 'run', everyone follow me and try to keep up. I'll try to remember that some of you can't run the mile in under 10 minutes anymore.

Everyone laughed. When they did, all of the strange figures laughed along. The former's laugh was, well; human. Whereas the latter's, was-well; more melodic, but haunting nonetheless.

[Gadodel]

The six started to run again....

Peter: We're not on an episode of Punked...it's more like were on the set of The Dark Crystal or Labrynth...

Galen: It's like we're running through a book illustrated by Brian Fround...this is soooo cool!!!

Anthony: I am going to try to film it, but I am shaking too dang much from running...

Daniel: I say we start walking...and just go with the flow.

Lance: Seconded. I think we should try to talk to one.

Jeffrey: Thirded...and I agree. Why not?

The friends stopped running. They paused by a creek. They found an area that would have made an excellent campsite. It had logs around an obvious firepit.

I asked each player-in just a word, what they were thinking. Two wrote 'campsite', two wrote 'conversation' and two wrote 'faeries!'....

In a blink of an eye, the six had their belongings right at their feet. In addition, a roaring fire was working in the firepit. Lastly, the strange figures became what the six had thought they were.

Peter: everyone introduce yourself...

Everyone did and were quite surprised by the response...

[Gadodel]

Part 34:

The Faeries spoke to the six...

The Gold Faerie: There's the good, there's the bad and there's the ugly.

The Silver Faerie: The good are curious and seek answers for their own sake.

The Purple Faerie: The bad are curious and seek answers to own.

The Blue Faerie: The ugly are curious and seek answers to do harm.

Peter: We're good guys. I'm pretty sure about that.

Galen: Putting the tape on Youtube might make them think otherwise.

Lance: Unless we want trouble, like those paramilitary types; we'd better hand over the footage...I'm guessing.

All of the six's recording devices were removed from their person and cast into the fire.

Anthony: I take it we're not going to talk about this? People are going to want proof.

Daniel: I guess they are going to have look for it and find it on their own.

Jeffrey: Unless the Faeries have an idea, they seem to be manipulating us in a particular direction.

The Green Faerie: This perfect boulder will surely inspire some curiosity. (At that moment, a large boulder-perhaps 20 feet high; appeared near the campsite.)

The Red Faerie: And for the troubles that you might find ahead...

At the feet of each of the six, appeared a sword.

After, the Faeries disappeared.

Peter: That was cool! The others agreed.

Peter: As is that! He exclaimed as he pointed. The others looked and there was their SUV.

The six picked up their swords, got into the SUV and drove off...

[Gadodel]

Acting on a hunch, Peter called Lincoln. The former knew that the latter had to be aware of what was going on outside of Rose, Nebraska. The pair agreed to meet. Peter, Daniel, Jeffrey, Galen, Lance and Anthony met with Lincoln and his Team several days later. All were acquainted, if not friends; since their days at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Everyone shared their story, what they knew or could remember; over drinks and fine food. The strange tales were nothing new, except; now they were not only able to talk about their secrets-but also were willing to believe that the stories may be somewhere near the truth. However, what was more clear than anything else was that the former was not harmed like the latter. Peter's group knew exactly why...The Faeries had already revealed that!

Three things emerged that made their common bond and story even more provocative:

~A boulder was left at the locations near Rose where the two encounters occurred.
~Each person involved received a sword.
~Each person had a bond with their sword that made the situation even more strange and even harder to understand*.

*At this point, I took each player aside and revealed the extraordinary quality of their sword: it had a personality of its own! It had the ability to communicate-via telepathy. It had intelligence. It had various characteristics, perks, talents, powers, skills etc. The swords also had a purpose. The characters they were playing had to make EGO checks in order to accept, understand and use their swords. Some characters had a difficult time whereas others simply couldn't do it....Those characters that succeeded in the checks 'bonded' with their sword and were given the character sheet of their sword. They were then asked to come up with questions about their sword. Those questions and the answers were emailed back-n-forth between sessions.

[Gadodel]

Peter: The Magi are the 'good guys' and the Low Void are the 'bad guys', is that what you've concluded too?

Lincoln: Yeah. Though, what the Faeries said sounds like a contradiction.

Galen: Not really. Whether it's high-tech or magic, they're synonymous. Humanity has the highest potential of advancing it. The Magi want to be our ally, the Low Void want to dominate us.

Keya Paha: It does have an Arthur C. Clarke theme to it. There's that word again-'Arthur'.

Peter: Lincoln, I believe that the Faeries were a manifestation of pure imagination. Imagination has its good, bad and ugly.

Lincoln: That part I understand. It's the swords I am still trying to accept. Sure, mine and I can communicate; but really-why choose a tool of violence to represent something ostensibly peaceful?

Galen: The Low Void, unfortunately; must be dealt with on terms they understand. Quietly, without the thirst for attention or glory. The sword has always been a symbol of defiance to the Low Void.

Keya Paha: The swords we've received not only give us something in common-a bond, but also mark us as clear rivals to the Low Void.

Peter: Humanity isn't the only sentient species-it'd be absolute arrogance to think otherwise. However, we're not inferior or superior in any way-except in our ability to imagine and create. We've got to do defend that in all times!!!

[Gadodel]

Hastings: Based on the tests we've run, our assailants were quite interested in our bodies...no, not like that; but rather much like we as humans are interested in plants.

Anthony: Food? Entertainment? Medicine?

Niobrara: Probably all three or more. Since they've abducted many, many people up to this point-they're probably interested in us for all sorts of things.

Daniel: I think we need to do something about it, no doubt about it.

Platte: Agreed, but they hooked us and read our thoughts; they're clearly trying to determine out threat potential.

Lance: However, after pooling our knowledge; we know a lot more about what is going on than they ever anticipated.

Lincoln: I am more than prepared to take the fight to them after what they did to us, but we have to be careful to not get caught up in this Eternal Struggle thing going on between the Magi and the Low Void.

Peter: Agreed. We must make sure that Nebraska doesn't become the new battleground, nor do we suffer any foolish losses.

[Gadodel]

Part 35:

After weeks of training and evaluations, a decision was made. Two Teams: one the 'Field Team', the other-the 'Support Team'.

Command: I think 6 should be on the Field Team.

Lincoln: Three from each? Or were you thinking something else?

Peter: A rotation would keep my friends and I quite happy.

Command's phone buzzed and he answered it-'Send'em in'.

Command: Gentlemen, this is 'DC'; the Federal liason that all states use to the President.

Lincoln and Peter stood up and shook 'DC's' hand.

DC: We received the briefing yesterday. The President, his staff and the command of every state are quite eager to learn what will happen next. They are most interested in what can be done about the missing people.

Command: We still don't have a total yet, do we?

Lincoln: We might never. Some folks, sadly; may not be missed therefore may not even be reported as missing.

Peter: The Feds won't interfere with us will they? Speaking to DC.

Command: I should have mentioned that 'Peter' is one of the civilians that has been fully involved in this situation.

DC: (smiling) Ah! The President has advised me to promise that the Federal Government will only act to enhance your own abilities and resources...we will not participate in any of the decisions or direct any particular agenda unless more than one state becomes involved.

Peter: (laughing) You got that in writing?

'DC' pulled out a pile of envelopes....

DC: Hand these out to all of those from Nebraska involved.

Command, Lincoln and Peter sat there stunned.

[Gadodel]

The campfire was large. It divided the campers. It wasn't meant to. On the east side was Lincoln and his team. On the west side was Peter and his friends. Quiet discussion. Roasted marshmellows. Cold beer. No one knew what Command's final decision was, just yet. When Command walked up, he had everyone's complete attention. Everyone said 'hello'. He was handed a roasted marshmellow. Someone handed him a cold beer. Everyone burst out laughing.

Command: Everyone of you is qualified to serve this state. Everyone of you is qualified to be out in the field of challenge. Everyone of you is qualified to be on the quest. Yet, some of you must remain behind-to continue serving the mundane-if I may use that word; 'mundane' needs of the state. As you know, there will be two teams. I've decided that 'Lincoln' will lead the 'Support Team' and 'Peter' shall lead the 'Field Team'. I've also decided that 'Peter' should be given the power to handpick his team. Though, I recommend that he consult with both Lincoln and I before he makes his final decision.

Lincoln: Agreed. I am your disposal. He spoke towards both Command and Peter. When Lincoln spoke, everyone listened.

Peter: Whoa! I had better take some time to pick wisely. If any objects, please speak up now...

Several tense moments followed, but everyone stood up and congratulated 'Peter' for being picked....

[Gadodel]

Yet, another intermission; of sorts.....

After a session, several players announced that their ability to participate in the coming weeks was going to be limited. 'Other Obligations'! The greatest threat to any gaming group, that everyone knows about; had reared its ugly head. I knew about it beforehand, so I planned accordingly. I promised to make every session more conclusive so that anyone could rejoin at any time and not be completely lost.

'Other Obligations' such as children/family, other things like birthdays or weddings, or even work were mentioned. Of course, these things can be more important than gaming and they always seem to come up at different times for different people. Of course, absent players are missed and are easily welcomed back-but there is so much missing when they are gone.

However, that being said; I am usually quite slow in revealing the core of the plot as it makes it easier to prepare for the eventualality of 'real life' crashing the adventuring party. My gaming groups rarely have the same players all the time. I call it the 'Nomad Effect': people roam in and out of my groups with spectacular ease. To be honest, I'd go into shock if any of groups had the exact same players for more than 12 sessions...

[Gadodel]

Part 36:

Peter left a voicemail to the other five members of the 'Field Team'. He instructed them to meet him at the cabin on Rattlesnake Drive, just south of Lake McConaughy. He instructed them to arrive the next evening. He figured they could find their way there...

The next evening...

Peter: Thank you for coming. Things are about to get more interesting and far more serious. I hope you brought all of your gear and are ready for the next chapter. First, let me introduce you to some new friends; they'll be our advisors and guides in the coming chapter.

All three were only fourteen inches in height, but had a presence that wasn't confined to their size. They had the shape of men, but were clearly not human. The first looked like the sun-lit sky of any given afternoon. The second looked like the star-lit sky of any given night. The third looked like a quick traverse acrossed the varied landscape of Nebraska.

Peter: Their actual names are too difficult to pronounce or remember. They've indulged my proclivity to use nick-names instead. I'm naming the first 'July', the second 'August' and the third 'September'. And collectively, the 'Prairie Fairies'.

The Prairie Fairies and the Field Team exchanged greetings.

Peter: They have instructed me that we can travel to where our fellow Nebraskans are being held if we give an offering of ourselves to Lake McConaughy. An offering that shows unselfishness. An offerning of blood. Upon doing this, we can make a path between here and there and use it as often as we would like. Who will follow me?

Peter walked to the edge of the lake, then waded in. Peter grasped the blade of his sword, whinced ever-so slightly, looked back...and disappeared. The others looked apprehensive, if not skeptical-of course; but waded into the lake as well. Each imitated what they had seen and they too disappeared.

[Gadodel]

The six broke the surface of a small pond. They were immediately confronted by a group of warriors clad in armor and weilding weapons of an archaic era. One of the warriors was yelling something and pointing a spear at the group. No one spoke his langauge, but his message was clear: DON'T MOVE!!! Being the leader, Peter tried to speak to the warrior...

Peter: Hello. We come in peace. My name is Peter. (pointing at the others.) Anthony. Galen. Max. Quinn. Simon. And that is July. August. September.

Another warrior, a woman-a very attractive woman, but a warrior nonetheless pushed the yelling warrior and another warrior aside and stepped to the front...

The Warrior: You're from Earth?

Peter: Yes. Hold it. We're no longer on Earth?

The Warrior: Not exactly. It's like Earth, but not Earth.

Peter: You are, humans; right?

The Warrior: Yes. We're from all sorts of eras, forced to live at the whim of our captors.

Peter: Hold it. So, it's not the 21st Century here?

The Warrior: No...nothing like it, I suppose. Come out of the water and we'll try to explain.

[Gadodel]

CHAPTER II:

'We tracked the strange lights to a farmhouse near Rose, Nebraska. We encircled the location, set up a plan and moved in. We've done hundreds of infiltrations and investigations. Sure, it wasn't 'routine'-but our SOPs have always stood up to any test. Not only did we walk right into an ambush, but also one of the strangest psychological attacks any of us have ever experienced. I heard the 'boom', then saw the flash of light. I staggered and fell to the ground.'

(sighs, catches his breath.)

I embarked upon the craziest, strangest dream that I have ever had in my life: read my report!

(regains his composure.)

I got a shot off. I know I hit a man...I think it was a man'.

'That's all you want to say about it?'

'What more can I say? Most of what happened was that hallucination or whatever you may want to call it.'

(defiance!)

'You did hit an opponent. We've found the blood. We think it's blood.'

'What's that supposed to mean?

'It wasn't a man. It wasn't anything...anyone...of this Earth.'

'And they got away?'

'Yes...for now. We've got some leads and we're planning on going after each and every one of them.'

'And the civilians that stumbled onto the operation?'

'They'll be included, they're old friends of ours!'

[Gadodel]

Three days later, three old friends met in the Bohemian Cafe in Omaha, Nebraska. After some time of greetings and reminiscing, they got down to business...

Peter: Your calls came about the same time and sounded quite urgent.

Joseph: A one hundred million dollar deal-that's what you stopped at Rose, Nebraska.

Tetsuya: It's entertainment that has drawn away many. Many have gone rogue, not just from our ranks; but also from many other families.

Joseph: Chinese, Colombians, Japanese, Italians, Lebanese, Pakistanis, Russians, Sicilians...even the Jews, crews of all makes are loosing people. They're selling out and selling the entertainment by the megabytes.

Tetsuya: It was only a matter of time before drugs disguised as chips would be used. Any business that sells computers can be a front.

Peter: Do you have any leads as to who is behind the new drug?

Both Joseph and Tetsuya shook their head 'no'.

Peter: Then, I've a story for you that is out of this world....

Both Joseph and Tetsuya listened with first awe, then skepticism. Though, they knew their old friend would never lie.

Joseph: The weapon he used...it would explain a rash of thefts where my boys were unharmed, but missing a lot of their goods.

Tetsuya: It would explain why our operatives have been unsuccessful in several key missions.

Peter: Have you heard similar stories to my own? As bizarre and vivid?

Both Joseph and Tetsuya shook their head 'yes'. Both added that they thought their people were simply indulging in the product and it had simply gotten out of hand.

Peter: Narcotics and Aliens. 'Alien Dust'-as we're calling it now and 'Alien Halluciguns'-as we're calling it now. An imposed 'Virtual Reality'. An unexpected and dangerous situation. Perhaps, an Alien Race is prepping Earth for something far more sinister.

Joseph: Perhaps starting with the underworld?

Tetsuya: Perhaps anyone with a computer is a target?

Perhaps...

[Gadodel]

It was a rude interruption.

Three entered the Cafe from the front door, three from the back. They barged their way through the Cafe towards Peter, Joseph and Tetsuya.

Tetsuya rolled over a neighboring table and landed a kick to the stomach of one, landed on his feet and struck a second with a closed fist.

Peter overturned another neighboring table into the path of the three coming from the front of the Cafe. The first to hurdle it was struck with a chair and knocked back into the two behind him.

Joseph finished his beer. The Czech beer made there was something he highly prized.

Tetsuya blocked a kick and landed one of his own. He followed it with an uppercut, dropping that particular attacker.

Peter lept over the overturned table and shattered what remained of the chair over the head of the same individual that he had just struck.

Tetsuya's bodyguards entered and swarmed the place.

Tetsuya: We should take this outside. Their answers might not please me.

Peter: I agree. I'll pay for the damages and join you in a moment.

Joseph: That was excellent beer. Nice fight, too!

The three and Tetsuya's five bodyguards led the six assailants outside. They entered the parking lot and realized that they had just walked into a ambush...

Peter: These six and those 20 against our eight, seven if Joseph decides to get distracted again.

[Gadodel]

It was a tense standoff, but only for a few moments.

An unusual looking man entered the lot. Maybe it was a man. His skin had the hues of the ocean. His hair was reminiscent of seaweed. It looked like he was wearing scuba diving clothes. He carried some sort of staff. It too was many different colors. He looked out of place. An understatement, to be sure.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare. It was obvious he wasn't 'with' either side, at first. Then, the man smacked the end of the staff on the ground. It emitted a wave of energy that produced a stunning effect on everyone. He walked over and tapped Peter, Joseph, Tetsuya and Tetsuya's bodyguards-freeing them from the effect. Meanwhile, all of their opponents were slowly slinking to the ground.

Tetsuya: Strange things appear to follow you, my friend. A strange fate, indeed.

Joseph: (doing the sign of the cross.) I'm a doubter no more, my friend.

Peter: (talking to the unusual man.) Obviously, you're here to talk. I'm Peter. This is Tetsuya-his men and Joseph.

Unusual Man: I am Sojero. (SO-JAY-ROW) You slew my rival at Rose, Nebraska. Thank you. I thought I would start repaying you by preventing these men from harming you.

Peter: Come with us and tell us all about it...

[Gadodel]

Sojero briefed the Nebraskans. As mysteriously as he appeared, he departed. His briefing, was-well brief. As was the discussion about it. The Nebraskans knew that they had stumbled upon something very, very big...

Lincoln: We're caught in the middle of a war with potentially innumerable factions and sides.

Hastings: There's us-the Humans, we're pretty chaotic. There's the Marites, the ocean based folks that have evolved right along with humanity-but have tried to keep to themselves since their last contact was a failure-Atlantis. Then, there's the Astroman-like E.T., but no where near as cute. And of course a whole bunch of mercs and underworld types. That's four...

Lincoln: I think you know what I meant.

Niobrara: If Sojero is right, we know that the Astroman have a base somewhere in Nebraska.

Keya Paha: and they have enough 'Alien Dust' for every man, woman an child to take a trip. Nebraska could be shut down...for 8 hours.

That prospect put a quiet over the room.

Peter: We've three options. First, find and destroy the base. Second, start working through the underworld to find more leads. Third, take the fight to Astronomy.

Hastings: You want to start beating up nerds? Cool! I say we smack around the Trekkies first!

The room filled with laughter. You know the kind, one long overdue and much needed.

Command: We shall split up into three teams. Base Hunters. Drug Hunters. Invaders.

Hastings: Our very own 'away team'!!!

Command: Decide which one you want to be on and why. Send me your written responses so that I can make a final judgment. Meanwhile, I am going to go brief the Feds....

[Gadodel]

At this point, the final roster of players was completed. I had three people interested in this campaign. And I had two others that were more interested in seeing me restart my old sword and sorcery campaign called 'Empire'.

'Empire' was for D&D and had been in use for years using that system. I mentioned one night that I was converting it to HERO and two of my players told me they 'loved me'. :D I might post the notes from those sessions over in the Fantasy Forum...

[Gadodel]

Lincoln: I chose the three of you to go undercover against the underworld. Frankly, you've got experience in these matters-plus you already know who's who in the community. Gunplay won't be a worry either. I don't want a bunch of rookies or folks that might be better suited elsewhere. I hope you have your personal affairs in order. Wills, etc.

Springview: I'm more than ready. I've been watching a lot of crime dramas to get me motivated.

Niobrara: I've been doing a lot of target practice. I don't plan on getting doped up again.

Keya Paha: What are we using to get by the locals wherever we go?

Lincoln: The card, as usual. Try not to flash it too often, we don't want to stir up curiosity or gossip.

Springview: Gossip? In a small town? That never happens!

Niobrara: We'll just tell'em were playing a game and it's not football.

Keya Paha: Now, we're sure that the Feds won't be playing in our sandbox every time we turn around right?

Lincoln: We're sure. Course, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Springview: So, we've got the Mexican Mafia and the Yakuza to stay out of Nebraska. What about the Pakistanis and Russians?

Lincoln: The Feds have yet to secure an agreement. Until then, clear all obstacles like usual.

Niobrara: The Russians won't like it for long, they'll return to the table.

Keya Paha: The Pakistanis prefer California anyways.

Lincoln: Doesn't matter who: clear all obstacles like usual and we'll let the Feds sort out the mess.

[Gadodel]

Springview: We know the consequences of failure. Narco-Nations like Afghanistan or Colombia are worse than tragic.

Niobrara: Think of the number of times other nations have tried to do something about them and failed. Worse, think about the nations that have deliberately fueled the fires there.

Keya Paha: Alien Dust is simply another drug that we're up against. Cocaine and Opium have a competitor, one backed by something not of this world. The Druglords have been clever about putting one side against another. The suppliers of Alien Dust won't have to work too hard to continue the trend.

Lincoln: Let's use Afghanistan as the model. The Druglords managed to put the US against the former USSR. Then, they managed to put the Jihadists against the US. Now, the Afghani Druglords are relatively free to do their business. Who would the Druglords put up against us besides other drug kingpins?

Springview: It's simple: users of Alien Dust that do not know whom they are really supporting by buying and using the drug. People like modern day slavers, people simply out to make a dollar. Though, a whole new breed of criminal altogether....

[Gadodel]

Urban Warfare. Not an easy task. Too much terrain. Too many buildings, too many doors, too many windows. Too many bystanders....

A curtain flapping in the breeze might makes you look one way, while shots start coming from another. Echoes and shadows throw off your senses. Booby traps, dead-ends and old maps can make getting from one place to another a nightmare. One can't tell friend from foe when one factors in bystanders.

Thank God that there are few truly urban environments in Nebraska...but sure enough, he decided to put us right in the middle of one. It was just the three of us and we were outnumbered. Maybe we were not even in the same league as those raining bullets down on us. The SUV we were using as a shield was slowing being shredded away. We needed either an escape route or a miracle. Redundant, perhaps.

We didn't think that we were going to get that computer that day. However, we decided to call in reinforcements and close down a part of Omaha. Holed up bank robbers. That story would work for a few days. Though, none of us wanted the siege to go on that long....

[Gadodel]

More to come...real life happens, you know?

Though, I am excited about posting the details of what The Nebraskans find. A cold war bunker...that has even the Pentagon puzzled?

[bubba smith]

interesting

[Gadodel]

No one was expecting the building to implode. Why would they blow themselves up? They were holding us off...easily. Seeing the debris, we started to figure out their motive. They wanted us to not find what we were looking for. It took weeks to dig through the rubble. We didn't find the computer, but we did find something very interesting below the vault.

Once we opened the reinforced steel door, we were able to get a glimpse down a long shaft. We climbed at least 100 feet. We found a corridor large enough to drive a vehicle through. And by the looks of it, a vehicle had been driven through; recently. We inquired with the Feds, but even they were unable to tell who had built the complex, when or why. It was up to us to do the dungeon crawl and find out.

After setting up a base camp in the vault above...we started going from room to room...

[Gadodel]

Part 1:

Lincoln: Are you serious? The roster has to be changed again? Now?

Command: Yeah. I don't like it either, but that's how it works sometimes.

Lincoln: Well, who's coming to the site?

Command: You'll find out when they get there....

It's funny, though really not; how people come and go and come back again. It's hard to plan, but I guess everyone enjoys surprises from time to time. Well, as long as they have enough bullets. Somehow, the idea of going into a underground structure that no one knows anything about makes me think it will be all about surprises and bullets....

[Gadodel]

Part 2:

Lincoln: Hastings? You're in on this one after all?

Hastings: Yeah, Command doesn't want to lose anyone so having an MD tag along isn't such a bad idea. Hey! I am this adventuring group's cleric!!!

thump. Niobrara drops his bag full of gear nearby and walks over.

Niobrara: I'm staying boss.

Hastings: Well, at least we have a fighter in the group!

Lincoln finally catches on and chuckles.

Keya Paha: As am I.

Hastings: As long as you don't try to be some sort of Drizzt wannabe, sure you can stay.

Springview: I'm starting to think that you're the Bard! Springview looked over at Hastings.

Niobrara: Besides Hastings, who else is rejoining us?

'We are!'

Platte: I guess I'm here to help map out the place.

Chadron: And I guess I am here to plant C-4 if things go from bad to worse and Command decides to just destroy the structure.

Lincoln: Yeah, I meant to tell you all that if we run into anything that the world can't handle or shouldn't see...BOOM!

The laughing and smiles stopped...

[Gadodel]

Part 3:

The Team spent the next day lowering gear down into the 'dungeon'. Lots of gear. Explosives, weapons and bullets. Lots of bullets. Plus, food and drink, medical supplies, computer and communication gear...etcetera, etcetera. And lots of bullets.

Everyone hoped that the answers about the place would be forthcoming faster than the order to destroy it. The Team had 24 hours to learn whether a threat existed or not. Not a lot of time and no one knew why a time table was suddenly ordered.

Guesses. Perhaps, the discovery was a piece in a larger puzzle. Perhaps, it was an attempt to control or stop the information flow. Perhaps, Command hoped to have an element of surprise. Perhaps, it was all of these things.

The Team began the adventure bright and early the next day...

[Gadodel]

Part 4:

You know the problem with moving in complete darkness? It's not whether one can see anything or not-goggles take of that, but rather whether or not one can move quietly. A group of people, each carrying a lot of gear; is even less likely to move quietly.

Lincoln: OK, I think stealth is no longer an option.

Platte: I agree. The pitter patter of my typing can't be helped let alone the pitter patter of our feet.

Hastings: A rogue! I knew we were forgetting something!!!

Niobrara: Yeah, I think if there is anyone down here; they've got the same problem.

Hastings: Not having a rogue?

Everyone tried to laugh quietly.

Niobrara: No! Having difficulty not giving their location or presence away.

Chadron: I'd feel a lot better if we spread out more. Lumped together makes us easy fodder.

Keya Paha: I'll fall back a bit further...

Niobrara: I'll move a little further ahead.

The facility was cold, drab and somewhat haunting. Someone put a lot of effort into making this place. It had to buzz with activity at one time, but now was akin to a ghost town. There was no sign of life other than the vehicle tracks in the corridor that seemed to stretch either direction indefinitely. The tread indicated that the vehicle headed south, so the Team proceeded in that direction. Niobrara took a lead of 50 yards.....

[Gadodel]

Part 5:

Niobrara led the way for another half hour before coming to a complete stop. He waved the rest of the Team over to his location. It appeared that Niobrara had stopped at the beginning of a descent.

Niobrara: You've gotta check this out! Niobrara exclaimed with a bit of surprise in his voice.

Hastings: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?!? Hastings exclaimed as he joined Niobrara and saw what he was seeing.

Lincoln: Platte, get as many pictures you can. Dear lord!

Platte: On it. Damn. How the hell did this get here?

Chadron and Keya Paha finally joined the Team.

Keya Paha: What the Frak!?!?

Springview: This...this is bigger than us...we're going to need more people!

The Team was overlooking a set a of stairs that led to an enormous cave. A cave large enough to hold an arena the size of any NFL Stadium. And that was precisely what the Team had found: an arena. Akin to Rome's. Similar in size and style.

Lincoln: Let's shed some more light on the subject and work our way down to the field. Stay alert. Load up a tracer clip. Watch for any movement.

The Team made its way down over 100 rows of seating...

[Gadodel]

Part 6:

The Team made its way to the arena field. Broken weapons from all eras, dried blood, remains in various stages of decomposition and a strange silence coated the field.

Lincoln: Hastings, check the bodies; see if you can determine when the field was last used. Niobrara stick with him, Chadron you stick with Platte. Keya Paha and Springview, perimeter.

Hastings: I'll see if my speak with dead spell works boss.

Niobrara: Linc, there's a body here that has bullet holes in it and a viking styled axe lodged in its head!

Platte: I'm filming this whole thing. Damn! I think that katana is the real the deal!

Hastings: Is its former user wearing a black leather trench-coat?

Platte: No..., but! Platte almost missed the joke. The Team tried to restrain their laughter.

Keya Paha: JESUS!!! I've got a live one....Hastings!

The Team made its way towards Keya Paha. The individual's appearance startled the Team. It was a young girl, maybe 13. She was covered in blood and dirt and had a couple of wounds of her own. She was still grasping a classic English longsword by its hilt.....

The Girl: Like, can; any of you dudes help me?

[bubba smith]

how would the nebraskans know about the highlander?

[Gadodel]

Part 7:

Lincoln: Get a stretcher assembled, get her on it and let's get out of here.

Hastings: I can't believe it. I'll know more once we get her on the table, but it appears that she's been stabbed all the way through. Her heart, lungs and spine somehow avoided damage.

Niobrara: I've heard of bullets doing that, but swords?

Keya Paha and Springview gently placed the girl on a stretcher and began carrying her as ordered.

Lincoln: What is your name? He asked the girl.

The Girl: Get me to Father Murphy's house and I'll tell you everything....

The Team looked at one another with stunned looks on their faces. Their bizarre travels seemed to be headed towards a full circle. Father Murphy didn't mention anything about what they might find and he certainly did not mention anything about a 13 year old swordsman...

[Gadodel]

Part 8:

The Girl was taken to the Team's hospital.

She wouldn't talk, not even to Hastings.

The under-ground complex was swarmed by The Nebraskan's support personnel. All kinds of folks. Historians and investigators. GIS led K-9 Units. Engineers and craftsmen. Soldiers. Lots of soldiers. With lots of bullets.

A call was made to Father Murphy. He agreed to come to the hospital.

When he arrived, he was absolutely silent. Worse, he looked pale; maybe even frightened.

Father Murphy: I thought...I thought we had until 2012!?

The Girl: The Light Bringer's minions have grown restless. They are starting to emerge from their slumber in higher numbers than usual.

Father Murphy: What are Michael's orders?

The Girl: Gather the forces of your choosing. Inform them of the truth. Train them in our ways.

Father Murphy: I must pick them? I was hoping that destiny would identify the ones.

The Girl: Everyone wrestles with time...

[Gadodel]

Part 9:

Father Murphy spoke for hours. He recounted a secret history. He unveiled a tangible reason for crime, war and general human weakness. A secret, if revealed to the masses; might unravel humanity as we knew it. None of us could fully grasp it as quickly as he spoke about it. We sat there, silent and in awe. It was, well; earth shattering news. 2012 wasn't too far away, but unlike most of the masses we had time to prepare. Well, maybe not to prepare; but to accept the situation. Well, maybe not to accept it; but rather not be surprised by it.

Lincoln: A killing spree. Callous, malicious; but the right answer?

Niobrara: Wow. Why not?

Hastings: Chemo for Earth?

Platte: The problem is: where do we start?

Chadron: And how do we make sure our actions don't start a world war and make the killing spree go out of control?

Dodge: There was only two nuclear weapons in play the last time someone had the idea. The corporate world we live in now, who knows how many would be in play this time.

Scottsbluff: Nevermind the ease of getting a Bio or Chem weapon into where ever a small twin engine plane can reach.

Omaha: Information, rumors; we'd have no control over that either. Internet driven propaganda would cause an unprecedented amount of paranoia.

Father Murphy: Find and eliminate the leadership. Quietly. Think: small picture.

Lincoln: That could take us out of our territory, but yeah; that makes the most sense. But, can we do that in less than three years? In three years it's likely the leadership won't matter. Will it stop the momentum?

[Gadodel]

Part 10:

The Team's discussion was interrupted by a text message that was sent to each member.....

'Come to Rose. For the first meet and greet. No tricks this time.'

Tricks.

It's what we've been chasing, working our way through and trying figure out what in the hell they meant this whole time. Why would anyone want to level the playing field now, when they had us chasing our tail so well-for so long?

Maybe, they know when we talk about a killing spree, one where the bad guys get out done; scares them beyond the norm. It was as if they were listening in on us and they realized that their own plans were about to run afoul.

They actually wanted to meet us.

It sounded like a trick to me.

[bubba smith]

any progress on this campagn?