Punch Patrol (D11 EM-LM Patrol)

[John Slaktare]

"Seems like a bad idea, sure. I ain't gonna lie or anything cause I'm trash at that, but I guess we can just roll with it."

Butcher thinks for a few moments then flips the speakers back on.

"I ain't one to tell folks what to believe, and I ain't too up on the end times. If you think we're a sign all I can say is we're surprised at that. Don't mean it ain't a thing, just means we're as surprised at the meeting as you are."

[GM Yuusha]

This time the response over the speaker system is much swifter. "Then our holy seclusion is effective and the Lord continues to move in mysterious ways. May His Blessings be upon you. Pray take care in your war. Return to us should you wish to share further news or to break bread with us. Go in peace."

A few of the followers were coming out of cover now. A couple were even walking toward the mechs to get a better look at them. The vehicles that had started up were switched off.

It was almost peaceful.

[John Slaktare]

"Well... I was hoping we might chat for a bit. Just want to make sure that we can all get along, your folks and ours. Be good if we all understood each other better," he replies over the speakers. "I can hop out so we can talk if that's okay?"

[GM Yuusha]

"Then be welcome. I'll join you shortly. Followers of His Light, please greet them this blessed day."

The speakers cut off. More people were coming over now. They were all dressed casually, with no uniform dress code or anything of the sort. If anything they looked like farmers and hillbillys.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek chuckled a bit "seems like we're gonna get a bit more familiar with the local. Whip feel free to join or stay and watch the perimeter." He said as he readied to disembark his own mech.

Whip snorted "as if I want to spend time with some yokels." She replied and set off to maintain a perimeter while they were there

Alek disembarked meeting up with Butcher when he did the same "Well I certainly never expected to find a whole religion out here."

[John Slaktare]

Magician likewise stays with Whip. "This is dumb," she says, the eye roll almost audible.

John doesn't disagree but that's probably because he doesn't care enough to. When he joins Alek, he shrugs. "Well, we might be able to info on local stuff? Not that I am good at that kind of info gathering. But let's go say hi in person."

He indicates that Alek should lead the way.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek smiled "Aye makes sense to me, might be good to figure out what kind of religious community we're dealing with. They have quite a few guns for holy people." He remarked looking at the vehicle mounted machine guns.

Alek then nodded and began heading toward them. Alek kept his smile open and friendly to offset any possible Intimidation due to his size

"Hello friends as I said before I am the one known as Aleksandr though you may call me Alek." He said in greeting as they drew near his slightly Russian accented voice loud but full of welcoming and happy energy.

[John Slaktare]

John was a stark opposite of the positive energy, definitely more taciturn and quiet now that someone else was taking the conversational lead. He did offer a hand for a handshake once they got closer to Mr Mills and his folks.

[GM Yuusha]

The first few 'worshippers' they encounter offer handshakes and greetings. They seemed curious yet skittish. A few moved past to check out the Hatchetman and Battlemaster. Fortunately, nobody was stupid enough to try climbing up either of them.

As John and Alek move closer to the complex they see one of the bigger pairs of doors open and a tall yet rotund bearded man in bright robes step out accompanied by a small entourage. The nearest worshippers immediately put their hands together as if in prayer, bowing their heads as Mills walks past. He makes the same hand gesture at a few of them. Probably part of their religion.

When he sees John and Aleksandr he dramatically throws his hands up in the air. They're waved about as he is all smiles, confidently walking their way.

"A warm welcome to you this day, weary warriors. Come, let us offer you hospitality."

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek nodded and waved to the worshippers as they passed but did keep an eye on those that were inspecting their mechs, even though it was very unlikely that any of these people would be able to hijack a mech he still was made slightly uneasy by it.

As the man exited the compound Alek let that uneasy go into the back of his mind as he greeted the man "Hello Mr. Mills thank you for being so open to us. I am sure our CO wouldn't mind if we took a bit of time to talk with you and your people."

[John Slaktare]

John nodded in agreement. He suspected that if anyone tried anything stupid with their mechs, Magician and Whip would turn it into the last mistake they ever made. And so he wasn't too nervous about it.

"Yeah. I'm sure the commander'll be glad to know we got friendly neighbors. Hope things are going well for you."

[GM Yuusha]

After friendly greetings the pair are invited in for an early lunch. The leader of the group makes most of the conversation, asking about what was going on and what the pair of mechwarriors thought of the planet. Thankfully, it was nearly all harmless chatter.

The group's access to fresh produce and their mechanical skills could be useful. Furthermore, there were hints of wealth to the interior of the property. Graham mentioned an interest in purchasing an armoured vehicle in passing. It would be to guard the complex.

Maybe John and Alek could establish a good rapport with the man?

(Communications or Negotiation [Awareness] TN15 roll each please)

[John Slaktare]

"I can't really say if the company would sell any gear, but I can definitely arrange a chat with a logistics officer to see what we can arrange. I'm sure an exchange is possible, just ain't sure what my bosses are willing to exchange," John says, supporting the idea, but not knowing what could be on offer.

D11 EM-LM, Religious group, Communication, Edge +1k1, TN 15: 4d10o10k3 20

[GM Yuusha]

John makes a good impression with the group and the foundation for potential business is established. Someone else would need to follow it up of course, but the possibility was there.

The next thirty minutes or so go by quickly and each of the men are fed. After sharing news the pair are each given a small booklet outlining the group's beliefs and key dogma, as well as a few peaches. The group were growing them, and other fruit, inside a botanical building. Soon after, they're heading back to their mechs and things are much, much quieter than when they first arrived.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek stretched as they walk back to the Mech having eaten an impressive amount of food he sighed contentedly "Well this was certainly a patrol full of surprises eh? Prophecy, a home cooked meal, you being a charmer." Alek joked lightly as they walked.

[John Slaktare]

"Wouldn't say I'm a charmer. Prolly just get along with rural folks since I was one," Butcher replies.

"But yeah, more exciting than my last patrol for sure."

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek chuckled a bit "ahh there's that humility you're famous for." The big man said while taking a chunk from a peach.

"Oh Nado if gonna be jealous she missed out on a fresh home-cooked meal. Not that the food at the drop isn't nice but something about a fresh made meal with fresh ingredients, nothing much like it." Alek practically beamed talking about it

"So reckon command will actually part with a tank? Camp could use fresh produce but not sure they could actually afford one and Eric is always prickly over money things." Alek asked while he chewed.

[John Slaktare]

"Maybe an APC with mounted weapons? Depends on what the compound offers in return," Butcher says with a shrug. "For all we know they could be sitting on a pile of C-bills or might have intel worth even more. They're locals even if they do keep to themselves. They might have info nobody else has thought to ask for."

"And the rations aren't so bad. Got everything we need to be healthy."

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek nodded thoughtfully "maybe, only time will tell what they really have for trade. As far as borderline cultists go they seemed like nice enough people."

He mulled over something John had said for a second "So you always been real into health and stuff? I noticed you don't drink either."

[John Slaktare]

"Don't drink, don't smoke, avoid most processed sugar," he replies with a nod. " Been that way for a long time. Though there was a period in there when I was a drunk. Circumstances can be crazy."