[Campaign] The Nebraskans

[Gadodel]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

Part 14:

 

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

 

 

To be continued...

[Gadodel]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

[/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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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?

[Gadodel]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

[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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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]

Re: [Campaign] The Nebraskans

 

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.