[Csjarrat]

Dunno...The dead fuckers I nearly drove over on the way back in
Looked like they'd not had chance to put up much of a fight.
Just need to know who to avoid. gotta scout further afield and don't wanna lose our shit if i step on anyone's toes.

[adamu]

Al shrugged at Ratchet. "Suit yerself." He was actually glad - that kit was kind of heavy.

Hell, right now his clothes were kind of heavy. With all these drenched people in here at the same time, it was so humid he wasn't drying out at all. He felt so wet he was afraid his tats would wash off.

And there was another thing besides cigarettes that the cafeteria did not have on offer. All the more reason for a side trip home before heading back to the site. Wasn't as though he was on any clock anyway. What would they do, fire him?

He listened with interest to the talk of gang skirmishes going on beside him. But he wasn't on that detail, at least not actively anyway. This Scrapheap feller seemed to have it well under control anyway. And his mouth was getting dry.

He stood. "Bit wet in here fer my tastes. An', at the same time," he added philosophically, "too dry. Anyone wants a little liquid dessert can come 'long ta Chez Al if'n ya got the time or the thirst fer it."

And without further ado he bussed his tray and headed for the abandoned auto shop he'd commandeered at the base of the hill.

[ChromeZephyr]

[Friday December 13 2075; canteen inside Mechanicals' Castle, Hells Kitchen/Orting, Puyallup]

"If you came in from dah nort', dose were Dire Wolves who t'ought dey wouldn't be seen scoutin' our turf.  Told 'em to beat it, dey tried pullin' steel and got dropped.  Dumb fucks."

[Jack_Spade]

"Gangers, huh? Do we need to saddle up and cave some heads in? I'm all healed up from last time - ready for round two."

To Al he said: "You got some beer? Don't have to drive tonight so, I wouldn't mind a little refreshment."

[Aria]

[Friday December 13th, 2075; Mechanical’s Castle, Hells Kitchen/Orting, Puyallup]

For those monitoring it, the AR jobs board flashes up a couple of new opportunities for the more adventurous minded

<< Volunteers wanted for a fetch and carry from Mayday station out in Hells Kitchen.  The weather is shit and the terrain is worse but we really need that tech. Bit has the details if you are interested!>>

<< Volunteers wanted for escort duty for a couple of our techs out to some friends on the far side of Fort Lewis.  It might involve getting your feet wet so don’t waste our time if you’re afraid of a bit of water!  Nimbus has the details>>

[Jack_Spade]

"Scratch that. Seems like there'll be some action after all. Maybe even a workout if the stuff is heavy that Bit wants"
He activated his commlink and send a short text to Bit: <<Yo Bit, Thorn here. What's that about that fetch'n carry?>>

[adamu]

"Hell, I could go fer a ride. An' not ta worry," he said to Thorn, "gotta swing by my place ta get the truck anyway, an' that's where the beer is!"

Al congratulated himself on his unfailing efficiency of action.

"Anyone else?"

[Csjarrat]

Cog wrapped up the last of his soy-bread into a scoop and dredged the bottom of the bowl with it, wiping a mucky sleeve across his face and clearing his throat to speak.
Nah, you guys take the fetch and carry, probably enough volunteers for that one. I'll go for the escort run. always preferred the wilds to the barrens myself..
He mentally dictated a message to nimbus as he took his bowl over to the cleaning station and set to work.
//Nimbus, its cog. I hear yer looking for volunteers for a wet run. put me down as interested pal.//

[ScytheKnight]

Ratchet was thinking of giving things a miss, but as the conversation started to spread about jobs she dropped her goggles down to read the AR feeds. The fetch and carry didn't particularly interest her. But then she read about the escort mission and she could feel Bear getting all den mother on her.

Really?

They would not need an escort if there wasn't any danger, even discounting those being protected your kith will need to protect each other. They're going a long way from any medical help if they get hurt.

The dwarven medic sighs and fishes out her comlink to type out a message <<Nimbus, it's Ratchet here. If your boys are going out that far you're going to need a medic so I'll be coming along.>>

[saithor]

"One more" Gunther said to Al. This seemed like a nice oppurtunity to get some goodwill from the Mechanicals, and it sounded less dangerous than the escort duty. A nice cheap, safe way to get a favor.  For an independent tradesman, a gold mine. "Jussst give me a chance to get sssome gear put together firssst. Won't take me long, I jussst need sssome time to cook a few thingsss up." Gunther said, and then he asked Ratchett "Isss there a place where i can do sssome quick alchemy?"

[ChromeZephyr]

[Friday December 13 2075; canteen inside Mechanicals' Castle, Hells Kitchen/Orting, Puyallup]

Scrapheap glanced at the AR scroll, then went back to finishing the last bits of his dinner. Not my problem, already on shift...  The thought was short lived, as his comm chirped with an incoming message.

<< @ DUMPTRUCK: You're helpin' wit the babysittin', chummer.  Already switched ya on the duty sheet.  Keep da body count down dis time,  yeah? >>

For a heartbeat he considered arguing with his boss about the duty change, then just shook his head.  What was dat sayin' from dat trid I watched last week?  "Once more inta da breach!"

<< @SCRAPHEAP: Yeah, yeah.  Tell Nimbus I might be late, gotta swap gear if I'm gonna get shot at out dere. >>

He stood up and cracked his knuckles.  "Looks like I'm gonna be keepin' da techies safe on dere field trip, mebbe I'll see some of ya later."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Pinion was all smiles at the responses as he sat to eat, nodding first to Gunther on his intent to sell goods to the tribe.  "Well isn't that wiz.  I'll get in touch with a couple of the others to see what they need.  Maybe we scratch each others back, no?  Ah..."  The teen girl gave a little shift at being identified by the outsider, the older man not missing a beat as he pulled her in from the side to sit next to him.  "Gunther, this is my daughter Sprocket.  I was out late today, so I couldn't bring dinner home.  Work life and all that.."  The teen gave a meek attempt to smile as she lifted a hand to wave slightly, squirming out of her pop's embrace, picking at her bowl idly.

The mention of the gangers gave pause, but Pinion said nothing on the matter.  Fortunate that I took the east end to scav today then.  Got enough to worry about without guns bearing down on me, heh...  Fortunately, it seemed like he wouldn't have to add to that topic, as at that point the AR job board blipped up in his vision, the messages playing by on repeat until he dismissed them.  And then the conversation shifted to who was doing what, at which point the older man finished his food and gave a little clear of his throat.

<<"Bit, it's Pinion here.  You know me, if there's a chance that tech might need cracked, you'll want me on that fetch.  I'm available and ready.>>

"Tech salvaging for me it is.  Got room for one more, Al?"  The man stood and gave a smile, seeing a win win for the opportunity of a lucrative job...and free beer as a bonus.  That particular detail was definitely not missed by the silent Sprocket, who had crossed her arms and had a glare on her face that could pierce a troll's hide, to which the man held his hands up defensively.  "Nothing like that, sweetie.  Just a job.  Go on home, I won't be too long, okay?"  Rolling her eyes, the girl got up, practically throwing her bowl in the cleaning station before curtly departing the Canteen for home in the rain.

Heaving a sigh, Pinion rubbed the bridge of his nose before turning to the others.  "Well...now I'm definitely ready.  Shall we?"

[pistolgrip]

Bent sighed as the table that was supposed to be empty began to fill up with random tribals and even a couple of outsiders. He drilled holes right through his plate with a stare meant to avoid any uninvited conversation. He nodded and gave a half-smile when addressed, but tried to make sure his mouth was full at all times as an excuse to not respond. This was meal time after all, right? These people used their mouths for anything but food, as demonstrated by Thorn.

When the jobs came in, Bent put away a yet-untouched mug of something pretending to be coffee and stood up, wiping his mouth on his grease-stained jumpsuit. "Let me get my gear. I'm with B team. Escort." He stopped to tap Ratchet on the shoulder in an awkward attempt to initiate a conversation. "Hey. Can you fix this bump?" he said, turning to show the knot on the back of his head from the hood of the Ford he'd been working on that day.

[adamu]

"Sure thing, Pinion," Al replied. It would be good to have at least one other round-ear on board. "We'll make 'er work. I was thinkin' on throwin' Thorn's Growler inna back o' the Gaz with mine, but she only seats three up front. So Thorn rides inna rain an' the dust, or we change off ridin' inna truck bed. Latter option shouldn't be too bad - take ol' Al about five minutes to throw up a little canopy or somethin' back there."

"I think Thorn's gittin' the details outta Bit." He tapped the ork on the shoulder to get his attention, then held up four fingers, nodding toward Pinion and Gunther, to let him know how many they would be as he communicated with the topkick dwarf.

"So soon as he's got the particulars, reckon we kin hit the road."

[ScytheKnight]

Ratchet smiles softly and giggles softly. "Honestly Bent, are you really that clumsy around that clapped out of thing, or are you trying to flirt with me with these lumps?" she giggles a little louder as Bent stiffens, the laughter isn't mocking, more of an older sibling teasing before she brushes the flesh fingers of her left hand against the knot, a whisp of magic flowing from them to help the body along. "Relax Bent, I'm just teasing. Just watch my back on this escort job OK?"

She sighs tiredly and stands. "Speaking of which, I need to go get the rest of my gear, I'll see you guys on the road, and hope someone has a working ride."