The tiny caravan of two four-by-four pickups and a Mercedes van drove east towards Buck's Head and turned left towards Gerard Air Force Base. It was just after midnight. Rex's pickup developed engine trouble as they crossed the railroad tracks before the turn to the air force base. Rex pulled off and told the others he might be a while fixing this. They should go on and he'd catch up at the trading post.

The remaining two vehicles turned left on the county road and drove through the forest towards Lake Wilma. At the next intersection they found a pickup. It had been shot by lasers and exploded, parts lay everywhere. There was a man lying in the road unconscious. They stopped a few dozen feet back and advanced cautiously, weapons out, in case it was a trap.

Scout reached the man. The decal on the what was left of the side of his truck said "Allen Poulson, General Contractor". He was alive but in bad shape. Scout gave him first aid but it wasn't going to be enough. The man had serious injuries - broken legs and arms and possibly other. Plus it was near zero degrees outside. He wouldn't survive. They made a makeshift stretcher and put him in the back of the truck.

They reached the edge of the forest from Earth-Prime and crossed over into the desert of Earth-25. It was a fifty mile trip through rugged terrain at night. They weren't taking chances, driving no faster than 3-5 miles per hour. This would take a while.

Chapter 6 - A Nemesis for Rex

What follows is a play-through of an adventure scenario I'm writing for Overlords of Dimension-25. The scenario is a survival hex-crawl where the player characters and their entire town are transported to a strange new dimension, only to be attacked by armored invaders intent on rounding up the townsfolk for a mysterious and nefarious purpose.

This week, the team rescues Rex's old nemesis - Allen Poulson - who turns out to be kind of a jerk!

Dramatis Personae

Officer Bocephus "J.T." Tucker - Williamsburg police department - Level 2 Warrior
Rex Werthy - construction worker - Level 3 Engineer
Professor Thadeus Putnam - retired professor of anthropology - Level 2 Expert
Felix Silla-Rossi - 15 year-old juvenile delinquent - Level 2 Rogue
Scout Thomas - 16 year-old outdoorsman and YouTube personality - Level 2 Scout
Officer Steve - a German Shepherd, Officer Tucker's partner.
Vera - retired nurse - NPC
Mabel - Professor Putnam's elderly housekeeper - NPC
Ivana Soraya - elementary school teacher - NPC
Auguste Kristijan - locksmith - NPC
Qarma Blaze - teenager and retail sales clerk - NPC
Farah Subhash - retired truck driver - NPC
Alan Poulson - general contractor - NPC

Are We There Yet?

The truck and the van drove through the night, crossing difficult hilly terrain strewn with boulders and gullies. By dawn they were still only halfway to their destination - the Wasteland Trading Post.

Alan Poulson regained consciousness. The caravan stopped to check on him. He thanked them for saving him but immediately demanded to be taken back into town - there was something there he needed to retrieve. Scout told him that was impossible and that they were headed somewhere safe. Alan was dissatisfied with that answer and complained the rest of the trip.

A few hours outside of the Wasteland Trading Post, Felix caught sight of a wrecked vehicle - it was the size of a small house! Parts and debris were strewn all around it. Felix pointed it out to Officer Tucker and they diverted towards the wreck. Once they were about 800 feet out a lone humanoid figure - a woman - jumped up on top of the wreck and pointed a rifle at them. A laser beam flashed through the air from her rifle, striking the ground in front of Officer Tucker's truck. Felix readied his hunting rifle to return fire. Officer Tucker stopped and turned. Felix said, "We're not going to fight?"

"No, she's defending her salvage. We have no problem with her. She can have it."

They drove past. Felix waved at the woman. She watched them warily but eventually gave a hesitant wave in return. Felix, emboldened, gave her a thumbs up. She returned the gesture. This made Felix smile.

They arrived at the trading post at around 4 in the afternoon. The cold January sun was setting in the west beneath a hazy orange sky. To their surprise, Rex was waiting there to greet them.

"What took you so long?" he asked.

"How did you get here before us?" countered Tucker.

"I was in a 4x4 so I decided to pick up the pace. I got here like eight hours ago!"

"We've got the van. It's not made for off-road so we took it more slowly."

DM- The Overland Turns are eight hours long. A vehicle can Creep at 6mph (3mph in the hills) or Drive at 12mph (6 mph in the hills). Creeping is slower but the Driving skill roll is Easy. However, because of the slow pace, you'll have to make two rolls. Driving is faster but the Driving skill roll is Average. The faster pace meant Rex only had to make one roll.

Wasteland Trading Post

Qarma, the teenager rescued from Williamsburg on the previous night, saw the green-furred gorilla-hybrids guarding the entrance and became frozen with fear. When Rex and Vera took Alan Poulson's stretcher into the five story partially-disassembled rocket parked in the center of a large crater, her eyes grew wide and she began to stammer. When the purple-furred monkey-man came bounding out to greet them, she screamed and fainted.

Rex helped carry Alan Poulson to the field hospital inside the old rocket. Vera came down to help. Vera was a retired nurse and had decided to help earn her keep at the trading post by working for Brigid at the field hospital.

Rex and Alan went way back. They were both general contractors and were professional rivals. Rex had a very low opinion of Alan's work ethic.

Alan rolled his eyes, "Great. You escaped too. How did an idiot like you manage that?"

Rex said, "Nice to see you too. I managed to escape with the help of my friends, the ones who rescued your sorry ass."

"Where are you taking me?"

"To a doctor. She'll be able to fix your broken arms and legs. She's not free, though. What do you have to trade?"

Alan was confused, "What are you talking about? I have insurance? I can afford it, unlike you."

"Nope. Not any more. It doesn't work like that here. Don't worry about it. I'll cover you."

"I don't want your goddamned charity, Werthy."

"Too bad. I said don't worry about it. I'll cover you."

Shopping: the Role-Playing Game

Scout and Officer Tucker introduced the new arrivals to the Wasteland Trading Post. They took their newly acquired loot - 50 cartons of cigarettes, 125 bottles of alcohol at various levels of consumption, a month of coffee, some tea - to Mister Kubera's Curios and Knick-Knacks. Mister Kubera was a diminutive human, bald with a rotund belly, "Ah! Welcome back!" he said with a voice that dripped with honey and decadence, "What strange delicacy have you brought for me today?"

Scout and Tucker explained that nothing was free. This trading post functioned on barter. You bring in items and if one of the six shop owners buys it, you get credit that you can use at any or all of the other shops. Mister Kubera paid extra credits for vices and delicacies - alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, etc. This current haul from yesterday's trip into Buck's Head and Williamsburg netted them a staggering haul: 19,565 credits!

Scout and Officer Tucker had Mister Kubera split the scrip five ways - 3913 credits each!

Their first stop was to Brigid's Medical Services to give Rex his share. Rex immediately paid to have Brigid use her auto-surgeon to repair Alan Poulson's broken bones.

Scout, Tucker, and Rex next visited Sobeki's Arms and Armor. Sobeki had in his collection two suits of what looked like armor for an ancient knight. Sobeki explained that they were battle-suits - not merely suits of armor but powered exoskeletons that supported their own weight and could integrate with smart-suit accessories. Officer Tucker and Rex both purchased their own suit.

DM - The Wasteland Trading Post allows player characters to purchase any item from the Wasteland Scavenging Table. Roll d100. If the roll is less than the item's Availability rating, it is in stock for that day and can be purchased. Once someone fails a roll, that's it. No more of that item is in stock.

Item	Availability	Cost
Agricultural Equipment	60%	50
Alcohol, Bottle	60%	150
Backpack	80%	50
Battle Armor	40%	2500
Bio-Fuel Still	20%	3000
Bioscanner	30%	400
Body Armor, Light	90%	250
Bolt Gun	25%	250
Breather Helmet	2%	40
Camp Light	60%	30
Canteen	80%	1
Carry all	80%	10
Coffee, Preserved, 1 month	80%	100
Crawler	30%	50
Crossbow	40%	100
Cutlass	60%	100
Cutters	80%	20
Cutting Torch, Hand-held	10%	60
Dagger	80%	15
Dart	70%	15
Digging tools (5)	80%	40
Educational Computer	5%	500
Emergency Distress Beacon	20%	500
Entrenching Tool	40%	5
Fire Extinguisher	25%	10
Flier	5%	35000
Flight Pod	15%	15000
Floodlight	25%	15000
Food, Preserved, 1 meal	75%	5
Food, Preserved, 1 month	35%	120
Force Field	20%	900
Garments, 1 container	60%	50
Gillmask	60%	200
Goggles	75%	2
Grenade	50%	50
Grenade Launcher	45%	500
Grenade, Aerosol Mist	5%	50
Hand Light	60%	2
Heat Gun	20%	400
Heavy Gloves	70%	2
Hoverchair	15%	1500
Ice axe	75%	20
Jetcar	2%	20000
Knife	90%	10
Laser Gun	15%	300
Laser Rifle	10%	600
Laser Saw	25%	600
Load Lifter	25%	250
Locator	25%	70
Macroglasses	35%	150
Magnetic Keycard	45%	100
Mess Kit	65%	5
Microwave Gun	10%	350
Mono Knife	25%	200
Mono Sword	20%	2000
Needle Gun	35%	200
Net	60%	20
Night Vision Goggles	25%	50
Personal Communicator	40%	10
Personal Computer	35%	200
Personal Scooter	55%	200
Plasma Thrower	25%	800
Plasma Welder	25%	800
Plastic Crate	65%	2
Pole arm	75%	120
Power Generator	15%	600
Powerpack Charger	20%	200
Pressurized Tent	65%	250
Projector	55%	250
Rations, 1 week	75%	30
Remote Control	50%	30
Rocket Harness	60%	1000
Rocket Launcher	50%	1000
Rocket Pistol	40%	400
Rocket Rifle	30%	500
Rope, 50 ft	75%	25
Security Locker	85%	50
Shell, Aerosol Mist (5)	5%	50
Shells, Chaff (5)	5%	50
Signal Scrambler	55%	200
Sleeping Bag	60%	100
Small back-hoe	45%	500
Smartsuit	60%	1000
Snow Shoes	75%	30
Sonic Stunner	40%	300
Sports Ball	50%	5
Steel Cable, 100ft	80%	50
Swim Fins	65%	60
Sword	75%	150
Tarpaulin	65%	5
Technical Scanner	50%	500
Technical Tools	40%	150
Timer	30%	150
Tracer	25%	50
Traffic Regulator	65%	5
Translator	45%	40
Velocipede	55%	40
Watchbox	40%	400
Water, 10-gallon Container	20%	20
Water, 5-gallon Container	90%	10

In Roll20, each player typed what item they were rolling for. That kept it honest.

This created a fun little mini-game as the players went shopping. It also led to a little rule whereby a player could not ask me what an item was or did if it wasn't in stock. So a lot of rolls were just to see if one was in stock or not.

Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Rolling for Battle Armor = 26
Rex Werthy: Rolling for Battle Armour = 12
Felix: Rolling for Monotread = 55
Rex Werthy: NOICE!
Felix: Rolling for tech scanner = 72
Rex Werthy: Rolling for a Powerpack Charger = 10
Felix: rolling for smart suit = 87
Rex Werthy: ALL - I have enough money left to buy a Small back hoe. Thoughts? : D
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: Smartsuit = 26
Rex Werthy: nice roll, Prof!
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: rolling for Night Vision Goggles = 35
Fail
rolling for Signal Scrambler = 74
Fail
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: rolling for smart suit Security Package 35 cr = 75
Fail
Scout: Spacesuit Enhancement
Scout: rolling d100 = 93
Rex Werthy: Rolling for Technical Tools
Rex Werthy: rolling d100 = 37
BOOOM SHAKALA!!!!!
Rex Werthy: I AM ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scout: Backup Power Pack
Scout: rolling d100 = 73
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: Stealth Enhancement 25 cr = 26
Rex Werthy: Can't hit shit, but I can buy like a mutha fucker. : D
Scout: rolling d100 = 96
Electronic Warfare Enhancement = 97
Stealth Enhancement
Security Package = 9
Scout: Finally got one.
Communications Package = 27
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: Backup Power Pack 25 c = 68
No. Sigh
Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Laser Gun = 27
Fail
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: Watchbox = 30
Felix: rolling for bio scanner = 38
Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Grenade = 2
Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Found one
Felix: rolling for macroglasses
Felix: rolling d100 = 57
Felix: rolling d100 = 10 = 47
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: Force Field = 97
Very much no
Heavy Gloves = 40
Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Microwave Gun = 69
Fail
Felix: rolling twice for pressurized tent
Scout: Plasma Thrower = 60
Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Plasma Thrower = 91
fail
Prof. Thadeus Putnam: Bioscanner = 59
Felix: rolling for night vision goggles = 11
Officer Bocephus J.T. Tucker: Rocket Pistol = 14

Qarma's Really Bad Day

Qarma had regained consciousness but she was still having a nightmare. For three days she had to hide in a dirty stinky building with three old women. That was gross enough. Then, two days ago, they were rescued and taken in some rusty trucks across a dirty smelly wasteland. Now she was in this decrepit place surrounded by weird monsters. GROSS!

Felix checked in on her, "Feeling better?"

"No. Yes. I guess. Whatever."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Ew. No. Not from this disgusting truck stop - whatever it is. Hey, aren't you that weird kid with the skateboard?"

Felix introduced himself.

"Whatever. Hey, what's the deal with that other kid. I've seen him around high school. Isn't he like famous or something?"

"Scout? Yeah, I think he has a online video channel or something."

She stared off towards Scout and Officer Tucker as they led the others towards the trading post, "Yeah. Scout, huh?"

Felix scrunched his nose. "Yeah. Okay. Whatever. I'll check on you again later."

Felix went to look at the old junker vehicles for sale in Mister Gibbon's lot. Mister Gibbons wiped grease form his simian hands with an old rag and spoke in an accent like he was from Brooklyn.

Felix saw a strange vehicle - like a motorcycle but instead of two wheels it had a single long caterpillar tread. "What is this?"

"You got a good eye, kid. That there's a mono-tread. An older model. I put it back together myself. I tell ya what. If you want it, I can part with it for, say, 1250 credits."

Felix's eyes grew wide. "It needs more cargo capacity. Can you bolt on some cargo boxes?"

"You got it kid! I'll have that ready by the morning."

"SOLD!" Felix handed over his scrip receipt.

Norah Fernandez

Another mono-tread entered the gate through the crater wall. It pulled up to Mister Gibbon's lot. It was the woman from the vehicle earlier.

"Hey there, Gremlin!" she said towards Mister Gibbons, "I need a re-charge."

Felix called out, "Hey! You're the lady!"

"What are you talking about, kid?"

"You're the lady on that big wreck earlier. I waved! You waved back!"

"Yeah, I remember. You were smart to keep driving."

"You drive a mono-tread, just like me!"

"I do?"

"Yeah!" He showed off his new acquisition. The woman winced, "Kid, you might want to get some fireproof pants before you ride that old thing."

"Hey! I'm sorry! What's your name?" blurted Felix.

She hesitated before answering, "Norah. Norah Fernandez."

"What planet are YOU from?"

She paused and gestured towards her ragged green and white tunic, as if the question was stupid and that answered everything.

"I don't get it" admitted Felix.

"I'm from Earth. UEA."

"What's a UEA?" asked Felix.

"How can you know know what the UEA is?"

"Uh, we're kind of from a different planet."

"Which planet?" inquired Norah incredulously.

Felix thought carefully about his reply, "Earth. But not this Earth."

"What?"

Felix tried his best to explain but lacked the words, "Hold on. Let me introduce you to the Professor. HE can tell you! Professor!"

Felix led Norah to their camp and introduced the rest of the refugees from Earth-Prime.

"Professor. Tell her what happened!"

Professor Putnam embarked upon a long-winded technical explanation of what had occurred to the town of Williamsburg and surrounding area, including speculation regarding the involvement of the nearby research base.

Norah did her best to follow but it was all just too much, "Yeah. Uh, that's some story. So, what's your plan now?"

Officer Tucker said, "We're not sure. We came back here with trade loot to equip ourselves. We heard that Mister Kubera's always looking to buy artifacts from the ruins. We figure we'd hit there next."

"So what's the UEA?" asked Felix.

Norah said, "The United Earth Administration. They run the domes - what's left of civilization on Earth." She looked off into the darkness and sniffed, "They're just a puppet set up by the Consortium."

"What's the Consortium?"

"You really ARE from a different Earth, aren't you? The Consortium is a massive corporation owned by the ruling family of Mars. They're a bunch of imperialist fascist -" She cut herself off. "Anyway. That's the Consoritum."

"So what happened here? To Earth, I mean?" inquired the Professor.

"Well, a long time ago the entire Solar System was ruled by the Terran Empire here on Earth. They controlled the hypergate network that linked all the planets. Mars didn't like that so they rebelled. The Empire and Mars fought a huge war. The Empire controlled the hypergates but Mars had developed rockets. About five hundred years ago, the war ended when Mars sent an entire swarm of interplanetary neutron bombs to Earth. The Earth was devastated. As a result, the hypergate network was shut down for everybody. Forever. It hasn't been up since."

"What are the domes?"

"The domes were built by Martian colonizers about two hundred years ago. Part of what they called Reconstruction and Reparations. They set up the UEA as the government. The UEA is nominally in charge of Earth but really the Consortium is in charge. The Consortium was given exclusive charter by the UEA to exploit Earth's resources. It grants them legitimacy. So the Consortium set up these huge mining operations and big complexes like the one near Manhattan Island."

"That's where they took our people." said Officer Tucker.

"They what?"

"Armored soldiers from the Consortium flew in the day after we arrived and started stunning everyone. They rounded everybody up. Somebody told us they were being taken to Manhattan Island Complex."

Norah looked concerned, "I’m not sure why they attacked you and took your people, but the fact that they were stunned means they want to capture you alive. I wonder if they want to study you for some reason. That means there’s a strong chance you’ll be able to rescue your friends and loved ones."

Rex said, "Yeah! That's what I've been saying! Let's go rescue them!"

Officer Tucker admonished him, "With what? A cop, a construction worker, a retired professor, two teenagers, and a few stragglers? Where would we go after that? We need to find a way home!"

Norah said, “Yeah, no offense, there’s no way you’re going to help them in your shape. You’re going to need friends and allies. If I were you, I’d stay as far away from the Consortium as possible. I wouldn't go near the domes either. They’re just the puppets of the Consortium. No, your best bet is to contact the Earth Resistance."

She paused to gauge their reaction. When they showed interest, she continued, "As it happens, I know someone who can help you out. I can introduce you. She’s a lady named Mack. She runs a hostel for exiles outside the ruins of Buffalo Springs. Hey, it’s a long way out of my way, but I’d be willing to take you there and introduce you. We can take off tomorrow.”

Officer Tucker narrowed his eyes, he could tell Norah was sincere but was also holding something back, "What's the charge?"

"No charge!"

Felix stood up, "Great! Sounds like a plan! Also - Hey, Scout! I think Qarma has the hots for you!"

Scout looked confused, "Uh, what?"

Qarma stormed out, "Ew! Gross!"

Buffalo Springs

That night, Rex was tinkering with modifying the Void-born translator they had purchased. He was trying to adapt it to translate Officer Steve into English! At one point he was able to translate Officer Steve's barks to the English word "Bark! Bark!" With some more tinkering he got it to "Woof! Woof!" Some more work got it to actually translate but all the words were backwards! He was SO CLOSE!

The next morning, the team assembled and packed their equipment into their vehicles. They were leaving the van behind with Vera and Mabel.

Alan, his legs and arms fully healed thanks to Brigid's futuristic autosurgeon, said that he was going back into Williamsburg. He had some things he needed to retrieve. Ivana, Auguste, and Farah decided to join him. Ivana wanted to sneak into the high school and find out more about where the townspeople were taken. Auguste wanted to sneak aboard a Consortium transport, if she could, and follow it back to wherever it took everyone. Farah, meanwhile, just wanted to kill some Martians.

Qarma was done with all this and ready to travel north with the expedition. Mabel would stay behind at the trading post with Vera and the van and the ATV.

DM- I created a new table to flesh out the townspeople better and give them more motivation. Players can use it for PCs also.

So now when they encounter a townsperson I roll on a few tables to find out what they did for a living, where they lived, how are they equipped, their disposition, and their goal/motivation. Suddenly the NPCs became much more interesting!

Where they lived:

1	Williamsburg - East Side Residential
2	Williamsburg - East Side Residential
3	Williamsburg - East Side Residential
4	Williamsburg - West Side Residential
5	Williamsburg - West Side Residential
6	Williamsburg - West Side Residential
7	Buck’s Head
8	Lake Wilma
9	Gerard Air Force Base
10	Rural Home

How are they equipped:

1	Unarmed
2	Unarmed
3	Unarmed
4	Unarmed
5	Unarmed
6	Unarmed
7	Unarmed
8	Unarmed
9	Club (1d4)
10	Club (1d4)
11	Knife (1d3)
12	Knife (1d3)
13	Revolver (1d8)
14	Revolver (1d8)
15	Rifle (2d6)
16	Rifle (2d6)
17	Shotgun (1d8)
18	Sawed-off shotgun (1d10)
19	Semiautomatic pistol (1d8)
20	Semiautomatic rifle (2d6)

Their disposition:

1	Panicked. At the first sign of trouble, this individual will freeze or collapse in fear. During any fight or any time the group is detected by Consortium forces they will neither fight nor flee. They freeze up, sometimes collapsing into a ball, sometimes screaming, sometimes crying or whimpering. Only an Etiquette skill check will spur them to action.
2	Wary. The individual is selfish and hesitant to help others. A Fast Talk/Convince skill check is required to get them to follow orders, help search, or carry gear.
3	Cooperative.The individual is friendly and cooperative. They will follow orders and help search or carry gear.
4	Gung ho. The individual is ready to take the fight to the Martians! Their loud and foolhardy disregard for stealth or caution increase the chance of detection each turn by +10%. The next time the group is detected, they will choose to fight. Only a Leadership skill test will convince them to do otherwise.
5	Traitorous. The individual will pretend to be cooperative but will try to betray the rest of the group at an opportune moment in order to steal a vehicle or piece of important equipment.
6	Despotic. The individual attempts to take control of the entire group. They expect their commands to be followed and will bully, intimidate, or attack anyone who does not comply. Other townspeople might choose to follow this individual. Only a Leadership skill test or sound thrashing will bring them into line.

Their goal/motivation

1	Capture and interrogate one of the invaders.
2	Get out of town as fast as possible - anywhere is safer than here!
3	Get to Gerard air force base, that’s where its safe!
4	Get to the hospital to rescue a sick loved one.
5	Get to the hospital to retrieve a prescription or important piece of medical equipment such as oxygen or brace.
6	Get to the Pennsylvania National Laboratory to confront the scientists and find out what’s going on.
7	Investigate the high school to find out what’s going on.
8	Raid the police station to obtain a firearm or vehicle.
9	Return home to rescue a loved one or pet.
10	Return home to retrieve a firearm or vehicle.
11	Return home to retrieve a photo album or photograph
12	Return home to retrieve a prescription or important piece of medical equipment such as oxygen or brace.
13	Return home to retrieve an heirloom or item of personal value.
14	Return home to retrieve an important document such as a deed, a birth certificate, or financial statements.
15	Return home to retrieve jewelry, gold, or a gemstone.
16	Set up a safe defensible shelter in an abandoned coal mine.
17	Set up a safe defensible shelter in an old hunting shack in the woods.
18	Shoot down or otherwise destroy a Consortium flier.
19	Sneak aboard a departing invader transport.
20	Steal something valuable from a location downtown.

The expedition set off north with Norah leading the way on her mono-tread. The two trucks followed with Felix on his mono-tread. Felix soon learned that his mono-tread was a lemon! The engine was missing entire parts and worked at only 25 percent power! On top of that, the steering was shot! Norah gave the others a radio frequency so everyone was able to communicate on the same channel.

The expedition drove out of the hills of the Iron Uplands and along the easier terrain for eight hours, covering about 50 miles.

They decided to stop early and set up a camp. Rex went to work making repairs to Felix's mono-tread. He would have to finish Officer Steve's translator later.

The next morning the expedition covered another 50 miles, travelling along the coast of what in Earth-Prime was called Lake Eerie, but Norah called it Lake Erielhonan. By 3 in the afternoon they were driving past the ruined city of Buffalo Springs.

In the distance they could see the twisted skeletons of ancient skyscrapers. The area pocked with massive craters. Norah turned right and led the expedition to a small collection of buildings.

Buffalo Springs Respite

Norah led them to a ramshackle structure constructed from scavenged concrete blocks and rusted metal sheets. A sign outside the establishment read “Buffalo Springs Respite - All are Welcome”. There were a variety of mounts and vehicles outside including 4 giant coyotes with saddles, 2 monotreads, and a hovercraft.

The expedition exited their vehicles and entered the respite. Within they found a saloon that was one part Old West and one part Post-Apocalypse. A half-dozen surly looking patrons sat quietly at their tables. The man behind the bar eyed them suspiciously as they entered. He looked just as surly and as road-weary as the others - covered in dust and sores, unshaven and wind-blown.

Norah asked the man, "Where's Mack?"

The man hesitated before replying, "Mack is sick today, so I'm covering for her."

Officer Tucker, Rex, Professor Putnam, Felix, and Scout stood just inside the door. Felix and Scout looked at each other nervously. Felix said, "Hey, Scout. Let's talk outside real quick."

They turned to leave but they found the exit blocked by another two burly travelers, each carrying a hand-stunner.

Norah backed away from the bartender, "Yeah, we'll come back later." She turned to leave.

The bartender pulled a hand-stunner from under the bar. Simultaneously, the other patrons all pulled stunners from under their tables.

The bartender said, "You're not going anywhere!"

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

A Nemesis for Rex - The City at the Edge of the Universe, Chapter 6