Chapter 3: The Path of the Righteous Man

[Marullus]

*bump*

[redwarrior]

Hansel looks to Taavi and asks Do we try to send a drone through the portal, or get back on the road? Hansel is good either way, as long as we can slam the the portal closed if the drone sends back scary data

[jemmus]

Taavi
My vote is to investigate the portal. "Leave no stone unturned," as is said. And besides, the enchantress fiend said we'd fine the Sons there.

And I think sending a drone through first is a very good idea.

[greyarea]

Emile agrees, Yes, let’s send it to the space station first to see if that’s even habitable. Although I’m not sure I want to fight vampires or whatever these are in space any more than planetside.

[cybersavant]

Báleygr Gangleri

"AI, are you familiar with this portal or it's type?"

[Marullus]

The Heavy pulses. "There is no change from our investigationthree days ago. There is enough power remainingin the backup batteries for a single activation... though that would allow a minite or two. You could have a drone scout, return, and all pass through, but there would be no time for indecision in such a scenario. ."

With the suggestion that the portal might be used, Báleygr and Heavy spend the morning and give it an initial investigation. Balygyr determines that it is in good repair and operational, unless you break it, and shouldn't have any hardware issue. It has only the reserve battery, however, so is likely to be able to powered on and used once. With the solar arrays destroyed, it would need some other method to recharge after which is not currently extant. The Heavy pokes through its programming and software, finding more intriguing results. "This portal is indeed connected to a primary alternate location, which by my triangulation appears to be two days further vehicular-travel west at the approximate site of the Sons of Vokodlak. The woman was not dishonest in this. However, it does appear that it has a secondary location established in override programming... and that portal is in highly-eliptical orbit around this planet." The blue cube pulses for three seconds, then continues in its placid monotone. "Logs show that the last use was 22 hours ago to the surface location and passed through a large object with radical energy signatures, matching the power-core taken from the farm. Two individuals came through, obtained it, and returned through the portal with it."

"If you could take a day to repair some of the solar panel system, I will remain here to maintain and secure this end of the portal for your return. "

[Marullus]

So... your votes are to fire up the portal, send the drone through to the space station (not the werewolves), then jump through if the coast is clear before it closes?

Taking a day to fix the solar panels first and leave the Heavy here, or taking a one-way trip with the battery going dead behind you?

[jemmus]

The typically cautious Taavi says, Marshals, my vote is for taking a day to fix the panels. We don't know what foregone opportunities that may cost us. But we know that getting marooned on a space station probably won't serve anyone's interests.

[greyarea]

Emile agrees, Yeah, we don't want to get stuck, and even if that wasn't too off-putting, we would still want a known way out, just in case. I say we fix those panels, though I can't do much to help other than carrying things from A to B.

[redwarrior]

Hansel will set about doing a through inventory of the bar and the vehicles, matching cars to keys, etc. and being available to help as needed.

Fix and Pilot at 0, notice specialist

[cybersavant]

Báleygr Gangleri

"I'll begin on the panels right away. Oliver, you're a valuable assistant and i could use your help. AI, let's get started."

[Marullus]

Alright!

Ambiance: Dark Side

The group spends a fourth night at the strip mall, still more comfortable sleeping in the abandoned cars and on the truck bed rather than in the dark room with the now fetid corpses of their former owners. Báleygr directs the labor with the advice and planning of the pulsing blue cube, the others helping with the labor of recovering the panels from the rubble, running new electrical line, and re-installing them to the grid. Most of the panels were destroyed by the explosion, but enough are workable once Báleygr gets to make some small repairs that electricity soon is available at least fitfully. The Heavy gives instructions on how to hook itself to the power grid as well, and requests to be hooked up to the wiring near the portal and batteries, secure in the basement.

Hansel inventories the vehicles, matching the keys to each. The only gravcar is in the mechanic's shop, its engine providing the power to work the shop there until the solar panels can be fully restored. The other vehicles are running on a high-octane fuel, which is prevelant given the proximity to the pumpjacks and their refinery a few miles back. The tech is fading, but the badlands finding their own standard for the future.

It is dusk when the work is done, the sound of whirring printers in the garage as the sun drops to the horizon. The portal is powered up, ready for activation.

Well done! That's the end of Chapter 3. We'll go through the portal and into Chapter 4. (I will open the scene with the transit, so if you have specific factors regarding your transit order or plan, post them.)