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>[MUSELLA'S CHOICE]: ENVOY [PALO VERDE NUCLEAR ZONE]

Your name is DEA Agent Robert Mazur and your undercover mission to infiltrate and bust Southern California's fastest growing meth operation has resulted in you becoming a high-level leader of a Civil War faction and a trusted cardinal of the "Catholic Church". So great is their trust in you that you have been given free reign to conduct a diplomatic mission representing the Sun Belt Crusaders meth cult while they are busy with the raid into the Gila region happening simultaneously. Looking at the map and weighing your options, you think the best faction to improve relations with is the Electric Union somehow still running the country's largest nuclear facility in the Palo Verde Nuclear Zone region. Given that the Electric Union's territory lies past the Lewis Correctional Protectorate, a brutal faction consisting of prisoners turned raiders led by a muscular masked warden that's an existential threat to the Crusaders should they choose to attack, their partnership could be useful in keeping tabs on the west and its potential dangers. Evidently, you're not the only one who sees value in the west while most focus on the east and its Maricopa-POZ proxy conflict, as it was another cardinal who first suggested an envoy west.

After being told that you should organize your own envoy you received an odd letter from Cardinal Trkulja urging you to go west. You probably would have done so anyway, but this is notable because he has become a sort of odd hermit in recent times who has decided to live in the desert "as John the Baptist did" and has apparently been seeing "visions" while refusing to eat or drink beyond the bare minimum to survive in the barren wastes, visions he says will aid you in your endeavors. He's probably going to just ramble incoherently about God or something, but despite Dragomir's current mental state his background in running logistics for Californian farmers (and before that Croatian militants) means that he might actually have some useful input. His hut is on the road west, and you figure that in the worst case scenario you might just waste a bit of time dropping him off some food and water.

You get into a full-size truck with a small group of guards and necessary supplies such as fuel, ammunition, and a few dozen kilograms of blue meth. You're driven along the narrow one-lane 238-highway that runs parallel to the rail-line that has been seemingly inactive for as long as the cult as been in the region until you reach a junction where a rural road goes up to your right. Trkulja's to the left past the shrubbery lining the highway, the broken down fence, and the abandoned rail-lines...

[1/???]

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>>6164936

[2/???]

"Sure you want us to wait out here, boss?" your driver asks as you head out.

"Yeah, don't worry. I just feel like it'd be better as a cardinal to cardinal talk, is all."

The guard, currently wearing a set of flowing robes inspired by the colors of the pontifical guard along with an empty plate-carrier, nods and grabs a cold drink from the cooler. "At least hand him this on my behalf."

You add the beer to your backpack, already filled with food and drinks, and head out.

The 'path' to Trkulja's hut consists of just following a ridgeline on a nameless hill, but it's easy enough. There's a good amount of vegetation on account of recent rains, but not enough to meaningfully slow you down as you get to the hermit's dwelling less than a mile away.

"Ah, Musella!" you hear from the shrubs as Trkulja gets up from surprisingly close to where you are and awkwardly walks toward you as he shakes sand off of his rags. "Forgive my appearance, I was in a state of meditation and prayer, one which God has evidently answered."

He's a lot calmer than before, but just as nuts as you thought he'd be. His full beard is wild and untrimmed, the dry desert air making it appear as rough as the sandpaper his skin seems to be turning into. He's lost a lot of weight since he's been in the desert, evident from his now prominent facial bones and sinking eyes. "Dragomir, good to see you," you tell him while pulling out a bottle of still cold water from your backpack and neglecting to end the sentence with 'alive.'

"Yes, it is Providence, as I have seen it." He nods up and down. "There is much to discuss. The plans for defeating Satan's armies, the finer points of the Crusade, so much work is to be done," he rambles as he walks over to his hut awkwardly as he's still shaking the sand out of his rags.

His hut, a hastily constructed structure little better than a tent slapped together with scrap material from Mobile, is not nearly as dirty or 'homeless' looking as you would have expected. The hastily nailed together wood floor is surprisingly smooth and free of debris. There's no furniture except for a small nightstand with a Bible on top...

>>6164937

[3/???]

"Dragomir, take this please." You hand him the beer. "It's from the Guard, a local Sonoran Spirits brew."

"Oh, thank you? But I cannot drink this, as I am fasting," he says while holding the can with both hands as if to savor its cold surface. "Then again, I have been asking God for sustenance. And you were sent by the Lord, surely. No, this is like the Manna God sent to the Israelites in the desert during the Exodus, I cannot turn this down!" He cracks open the beer and you barely have time to crack open your own before he chugs the entire thing. "Ah, truly a sign of God's-" he pauses to suppress multiple burps. "Of God's grace. I needed this, yes." You agree that he needs calories in his system. "It is from the Natives' Reservation you said. From Dick's friend, Kai was it?"

"Yes."

"I'll thank the both of them personally when I see them. Tell me, how is Dick doing?"

"He's still recovering. Doc said it's a miracle his leg wasn't blown clean off. Realistically, several weeks of recovery and physical therapy at least before he can walk."

"A miracle," Trkulja responds simply.

"Yeah, a miracle." It feels so strange being surrounded by people who really, truly believe in the supernatural and the Divine enough to starve themselves half to death in the middle of the Arizonan desert while having little faith yourself. "Anyway, I don't want to interrupt your whole prayer life and everything for too long. What exactly did you want to tell me?"

"Yes," he says with a focus in his eyes. "Yes. God has showed me the path forward. The future."

"What?"

"God has revealed to me your mission today. What you shall undertake, the ultimate mission, and the solution to it..."

>>6164938

[4/???]

"Ok?" You've heard more coherent sentences from homeless schizophreniacs. "May I ask how?"

"A dream. At the end of a three day total fast, my body barely able to move and my soul given entirely to the Spirit, I fell into a deep sleep where God revealed much to me."

"You saw it in a dream?"

"Yes." You're not going to argue with him on this.

"Sure. But what I meant was more how you see my envoy as working."

"Ah, of course. Yes, yes. Our faction, during a fight in Phoenix alongside traitorous free-lances you are friends with, obtained rare supplies useful for the preservation of the power-grid. We have little use for this, but to the Union it is a gift of the highest order. Bring it along during your envoy. The Satanic demons of the prison will not know of its value, but to those with eyes to see, it will grant you immediate audience with their most senior and form the foundation of a strong bond." Despite what he's saying, you can tell from the look in his eyes that he's completely sincere. "Then, and this is the important part, you must tell them we seek the annihilation of Satan's archdemon ruling over the Prison from his spire. The masked man," he trails off.

"The Warden."

"Get them on board, the Electric Union. Their work means they will be able to travel around the nearby Badlands and find worthy allies and keep us informed. And we must be informed, for nothing short of Nightfall is coming. Energy Nightfall. The Warden seeks to plunge the entire Badlands into darkness and snuff out the one light in this world of sin, the Sun Belt Crusaders! You agree, yes? Do you not see?!"

You can see he's nuts...

>>6164939

[5/5]

You can also see how he has a point.

The fundamental plan he describes is actually not a bad one. You don't know of too many factions to the west, and having a group like the Electric Union help in gathering info and getting others on-board would be efficient. And he's right that the reward for the infiltration (WWI Stormtrooper definition) into Phoenix is not quite useful to your faction, but would logically be very valuable for the Electric Union faction. Even though he described it in an overly dramatic and almost schizophrenic manner, there is sense to it. At least, assuming you buy into the fundamental premise.

The one issue with what he describes is that it presumes that the Sun Belt Crusaders and the Lewis Correctional Protectorate are destined to fight one another until only one faction is left. Given that the Warden's men did loot Mobile for their slaves and copious quantities of meth, it's not a bad assumption. Although in hindsight the Warden's men could have simply destroyed everything and the entire faction with their opportune moment of arrival. In any case, taking this plan of action would mean any possibility of allying with the Lewis Correctional Protectorate or bringing them to the Faith peacefully would be very, very unlikely even if you had a change of heart.

"Hmm, I do see your point." Your words are sincere.

Trkulja breathes a sigh of relief. "Ah, wonderful to hear. I feared you would call me a madman, or worse. Know this, I meditated and prayed after the prophetic dream, and I have come to the conclusion that, without doubt, it was an angel that granted me that vision and not a demon. Yes, the path is clear: we must destroy the Warden's faction with a coalition of the wastes, save the Badlands from the Energy Nightfall, and carve open a path to the Kingdom of Prester John. Brother in Christ, fellow cardinal of the one true Church, may I have your word that this plan you will act on?"

Your heart tells you he's right. Your guts tell you he's nuts. Which do you listen to?

>"Sorry Trkulja, I think we should avoid building a coalition against the Warden and try to avoid potential conflict. If he finds out it won't be good, so maybe let's hold off." [REFUSE]
>"Dragomir, you have my word. We'll drive back to Mobile to get those materials and move onto the Palo Verde Nuclear Zone. If God gave you that vision, then God Will It." [ACCEPT]
>Lie to Cardinal Trkulja, telling him one thing but actually planning to do another [SPECIFY]
>Try to think up something that's not a real acceptance or refusal to some end. [WRITE-IN]

Wasn't able to access the site for a while, especially with how the new rules have it so that you have to wait 15 minutes before posting (still can't get over that), but I did get in just in time for the Christmas stuff to still be going on, so that's good. There's a Christmas hat on the Christmas hat version of the opener pic!

Archives of previous quests are here: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Sun%20Belt%20Crusaders

>>6164940
LET'S FUCKING GOOOOO, LITTLE DID I EXPECT DRUNK QM TO EAT THE SANTA COOKIES!

>[ACCEPT]
but, with reservations...
"An inspired plan, Cardinal, but should we not care for the souls of those held in that infernal citadel? Their Earthly damnation we may rescue them from, God-willing, before they are truely condemned by the works of that masked devil that is our foe. Thus, before the promised crusade, I would send one to preach the gospel there at the gates of Hell if it can be done."
>[SINNERS]

>>6165100
In other words, we should try to sell meth & preach to the protectorate while we arrange an alliance in the background.

>>6165100
>>6165101
Never left, just the usual issues around November meant I didn't want to start a thread and have to abandon it for a period of weeks midway through... although I haven't been on /qst/ as much as I'd like also in part due to the 15 minute wait time and recent site changes making posting a pain. Anyway, yeah, trying to have openly good relations with the Lewis Correctional Protectorate is possible for a while, but going with Trkulja's plan to feel out the possibility of conspiring with the Electric Union to build an Anti-Warden coalition means that the eventual resolution is very likely to be bloody. Musella's envoy is the more "cunning diplomacy" side of the Crusaders in contrast to last thread's "blood, meth, and tears," so feigning friendliness wouldn't out of line or anything.

And regarding selling them meth and trying to get some converts, you'll be passing through their territory soon and will have a chance to speak to them when they come over for the "transit fees" of 2 Meth Units (you'll have a chance to try and haggle or otherwise weasel out of payment or ask about setting up an actual trade).

You should probably advertise in the /QTG/, or wait for a new one and then do so. You definitely have voters out there, they probably just don't know you're back.

>>6164940
WE’RE BACK BABY!

>>6165100
I’ll support this for brevity’s sake.

If this is God’s will (with that high roll), I will accept this burden, though I’m more open to the idea of peaceful conversion of the Protectorate than I was just after the Resurrection ngl. Main thing is getting to Pester John in my mind.

>>6165402
>although I haven't been on /qst/ as much as I'd like also in part due to the 15 minute wait time and recent site changes making posting a pain
I feel ya- same here. I only chime in on important votes/watching the catalogs for my favorites to come up, though I’ve been slacking/distracted as of late. But it’s all worthwhile now!

>>6165622
Damn right about that!

>>6164940
>>"Dragomir, you have my word. We'll drive back to Mobile to get those materials and move onto the Palo Verde Nuclear Zone. If God gave you that vision, then God Will It." [ACCEPT]
Praise God!

>>6164940
>>"Dragomir, you have my word. We'll drive back to Mobile to get those materials and move onto the Palo Verde Nuclear Zone. If God gave you that vision, then God Will It." [ACCEPT]

>>6164940
>>6165100
>>6166056
>>6166076
>>6166086

OPTION SELECTED:
>[ACCEPT]...
>Reserving the option engage in two-faced trade and preaching to the Protectorate while conspiring against them as per Trkulja's "vision"

Even though your guts say he's nuts, you listen to your heart. And, in true undercover agent fashion, you try to mirror his "zealous" way of getting ideas across.

"Dragomir," you start. "You have my word! But not without reservations: An inspired plan, Cardinal, but should we not care for the souls of those held in that infernal citadel? Their Earthly damnation we may rescue them from, God-willing, before they are truly condemned by the works of that masked devil that is our foe. Thus, before the promised crusade, I would send one to preach the gospel there at the gates of Hell if it can be done."

Trkulja listens intently, then stares at the wood floor, then suppresses a chuckle, and finally slams his fist into his chest. "I am flattered, Musella, almost as much as I am encouraged! I tell you this, as there is no path to the Father except through the Son, there is no path to the holy bounties of the West save through the blood of the raiders! Just as it is Christ's blood that allows man to enter Heaven, that holiest of blood that confers eternal life through death via purification of the spirit, the blood of our enemies will pave the way to the purification of this land! That you wish to seek the salvation of some of their number in the meantime is of no issue." He nods his head up and down as he places the empty can of beer next to the Bible on the nightstand and opens the drawer, at no point not looking you dead in the eyes. "And make no mistake. The Lewis is not the Gates of Hell. At least not in a literal sense. In a metaphorical sense, even in the context of the Crusade, sure. But I have seen that this will not stop once we have his head. Greater dangers, greater images of Hell lie in wait. The visions I have seen, by God, there is an ocean of blood and death and evil that awaits us on this journey. Unreasonable men of vast power with principalities far beyond anything we can fight against at their beck and call, reasonable men driven to unreasonable aims seeking the extermination of all in a twisted manner that's so close to God's Wroth during the Deluge it's painfully near holy, and factions and powers alien to anything we could even understand, all of these and more lie outside of the promised land the Messenger led us to during our Exodus, all of these and more God has revealed through his visions. Visions I have yet to truly parse the meaning of..."

[1/3]

>>6166598

[2/3]

You're pretty sure the 'meaning' is that he has traded being mad at the Protectorate with a different kind of madness. You don't interrupt him though, especially since he's not pushing back against the idea of finding some kind of use out of the Protectorate. The Messenger's unorthodox plan to calm down his "Hrvatski Rage" has clearly had an effect, albeit at the cost of inducing this different kind of madness.

"You gave me a lot to think about," you tell him. You radio to the group that you need them to go back to Mobile (a five minute drive) and get those materials Trkulja described and some extra meth.

"Musella," he says between heavy breaths. "Thank you, I-" Trkulja breaks out into a coughing fit and chugs the water you give him.

"Take it easy." You leave him a bunch of water and miscellaneous supplies as he gathers himself. "I have to head out now, but reach out if you need anything." He nods to you as he lays down to rest.

The walk back down is uneventful and you arrive right as the others do, this time with a few large containers on the pickup's bed. You get in and are driven along the desert highway going right to the town of Gila Bend, after which different connecting roads allow for more freedom of movement. A few miles out from Gila Bend you notice a car moving from a side road connecting to a water tank by the Gila Bend Airport down to the 238 until it blocks the narrow highway.

"The raiders," the driver mutters under his breath as the guards sitting in the back seats slide plates into their carriers. Hopefully it's unnecessary.

From the car, a modified truck with all sorts of gaudy spikes and painted designs, emerge two figures who stand in the middle of the road. As you come closer you can get a good look at the two of them, one of whom is a dark skinned man with a bright blue mohawk whose bare chest is covered in tattoos while the other is a bald white man with a leather jacket propping a rifle on his shoulder.

"This whole state really has gone nuts," you comment, before the truck slows down to a stop just in front of the raiders. "No rash moves, we're an envoy, not a raiding group..."

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>>6166599

[3/3]

"Well, well, look who finally came out," the white guy starts off as you're getting out of the truck.

"Nice threads, I dig the style." You can't tell if his partner, who you presume is Hispanic based on his accent, is making fun of the pontifical guard inspired garb or genuinely appreciating the unorthodox style.

Your guards, rifles ready but not pointed, stand tall and match the raiders, one of them pointing out to you that they have another guy in the truck.

"I'm Cardinal Musella of the Sun Belt Crusaders, and we're just looking to move along across the wastes. Not looking to start any trouble, though we will defend ourselves if anyone looks to give us trouble." If these guys are like the criminals you encountered routinely as a DEA agent, then you know better than to come off as too weak.

"Well, Fidelio and I won't give you any trouble if you cough up that Blue the Warden said you agreed to pay on moving through our territory. The Protectorate's an honest faction, and you have our word that you'll be able to travel safely from Sentinel to Mobile, from Gila Bend to Tonopah."

You're not sure what to make of this, but that they were posted here probably means they've at least conquered Gila Bend, which you can just barley make out across the horizon. That they're not actively shooting at you means they're probably at least somewhat reasonable.

As per the "Shotcaller's" message, movement through the Protectorate costs a total of 2 Meth Units. This normally staggering amount of drugs is less than a day's output and barely a dent on the massive stockpiles sitting in Mobile waiting for the day you find a good market for it. You could easily pay off this price and continue on. You could also try to be a bit more cunning and try to get some better deal or get some kind of information or do something else while you're here. Or alternatively just give the order for your guards to shoot these raiders for what they pulled at Mobile, if you for some reason think it's a good idea.

How do you proceed:

>Pay them 2 MU to fuck off
>Pay them just 1 MU without saying anything about it
>Tell them you won't give them any meth and try to negotiate some kind of alternative payment [What?] [Roll 2d20]
>Ask them or tell them something [What?]
>Pay them in "plomo" by ordering the guards to shoot them and continue on [Blatant Trap Option]
>Think outside the options and be creative [How?] [Write-In]

And if you proceed, where to?

>North to the Nuclear Zone where the Electric Union is as per Trkulja's plan
>Wander around Gila Bend and see how the town is doing
>Go to Lewis Prison and loiter around to collect intel
>Go somewhere else [Where?]

>>6165622
I'm not sure that would really do much? I don't really trawl there for quest recs, or at all really. Maybe it's just me rationalizing avoid that since I think most of the advertising on there is really tacky vote-begging, but I'm fine with waiting for people to trickle in or alternatively just posting to the fewer players (and lurkers, you're not forgotten!)

>>6166056
It's hard to comment too much on the Warden and the Protectorate since you guys hardly know them, but I do try to make sure that people/factions have some kind of internal logic and aren't just being crazy for the sake of it. That's not to say that you can't have crazy characters (arguably most of the cast is) or that everyone has to be reasonable or 'redeemable' (there will come times when violence is the only way) but that you may be able to work with people/factions that seem impossible to at first glance. I imagine the some of the Maricopans might think the same of the Crusaders.

Also, a thought crossed my mind: a lot of quests use pastebins to contain general info or to use as a starter (or similar, like the JustPasteIt site I think is in a lot of ways better). But have any used wiki type sites? Just thinking about it, it would be a more structured way of organizing things. Not sure it'd even be ideal for questing since anyone reading an archive wouldn't be able to click on it without being mega-spoiled, and I'm not even sure if those are something you can easily get hosted. Still, I do wonder why I haven't seen it used as an alternative to pastebins or shared docs.

>>6166602
>>Pay them 2 MU to fuck off
>North to the Nuclear Zone where the Electric Union is as per Trkulja's plan

>>6166617
Sworn to Valour Qst had a fan of it make a World Anvil but it seems like it's rather limited & the text displays poorly on mobile for some reason.

>>6166602
>Pay them M.U. x2
>Ask if they partake & would be interested in more, where they would otherwise get it from, & who else uses it amongst their faction
>Get the lay of the land: the places they've taken over, the places outside of their territory, reliable rumors from far away, etc.
>See if any of them or the communities they "protect" are religious, in need of medicine, or require medical aide in general

>Head on into Gila Bend if & only if they say it isn't a warzone or otherwise off-limits
>Otherwise &/or afterward, go North to the Electric Company

>>6166602
>Pay them 2 MU to fuck off
>North to the Nuclear Zone where the Electric Union is as per Trkulja's plan

>>6166617
I haven't really seen any wiki sites for quests recently. Rentry might be a good one, though I don't know how it's used.

>>6166602
>The Protectorate's an honest faction, and you have our word that you'll be able to travel safely from Sentinel to Mobile, from Gila Bend to Tonopah
Well fuck, they already control the area around the Electrical Union.

Sentinel’s pretty far as well- Jesus, that’s a lot of territory.

>Pay them 2 MU to fuck off
You don’t understand the temptation I felt just to blast them away- I am still quite wroth over it apparently.

>Bait information from them by being skeptical about their claims
That’s a lot of territory in so few a time- a mix of poking and stroking their pride (plus a bit of drugs to lubricate the mouth) will probably net us a decent amount- this is Bob’s element after all.

Given the Hispanic, there may be a cartel element active in Lewis- maybe someone Bob could really work some magic on, dunno.

Don’t really have an option on the destination, since I honestly want to hit them all- so long as we hit up the Electrical Union eventually this mission.

>But have any used wiki type sites? Just thinking about it, it would be a more structured way of organizing things. Not sure it'd even be ideal for questing since anyone reading an archive wouldn't be able to click on it without being mega-spoiled, and I'm not even sure if those are something you can easily get hosted
I believe so- I do remember something similar in a past quest or two.

As for spoilers, I think the main utility of the wiki format is to easily recall relevant information quickly- I can’t imagine a newly minted Crusader simply stumbling upon it if they’re going through the archives, but it may help us recall relevant we may have forgotten in the occasional Crusader sabbatical.

>>6166602
>Pay them 2 MU to fuck off
>Bait information from them by being skeptical about their claims

>North to the Nuclear Zone where the Electric Union is as per Trkulja's plan

Updoot pls Drunky

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>>6166620
>>6166622
>>6166624
>>6166658
>>6166818

OPTION SELECTED:
>Pay them 2 MU to fuck off

A guard picks up a large, heavy bag of pure blue meth and presents it to the raiders. For a moment, their tough outer shell seems to melt away as they look upon the ice with something approaching reverence. When the white guy goes to grab it he seems to slowly bring his hand to the large bag to rest it there for a moment, almost to confirm it's real, before snapping out of it and snatching it up with both arms and hauling it to the truck's back.

"Man, that's a lot of blue," the blue mohawked Hispanic remarks under his breath, barely audible and otherwise speechless, before the guard goes back and picks up another heavy bag of meth.

"There," you tell him as the guard hands over the other 'unit' of meth. "With that, we're good to travel your territories in peace. No extortion, no threats, not one hair on our heads touched."

"Yeah," the Hispanic says with the blue meth in his arms before heading back and placing it in his vehicle.

OPTION ADDED ON:
>Ask if they partake & would be interested in more, where they would otherwise get it from, & who else uses it amongst their faction

"Interested in more?" the white guy starts. "Look, I'm in a real good mood, so I'm going to give it to you straight. This stuff is legendary. You know what the state of the drug market in the Badlands is like? There's nothing, and I mean nothing that comes close to this." The prisoner-turned-raider seems quite passionate about his meth. "Getting drugs, getting anything, from outside is tough. Chinese California is sealed up along the river, the route to Nevada's dangerous, and Mexico and Yuma are Cartel land."

"Cartel land? Can't you just buy meth from them?"

"Cartel meth? You want to OD on fent, or what?"

"Plenty already have," the brown guy cuts in.

"And it's shit meth too. But this? The Blue? Man, this is where its at. Pure like nothing else, no cuts or fent or risking blowing yourself up in some RV lab."

"This one guy, get this, I heard he tried cooking in this van out in the desert, didn't come back. They thought he blew himself up, but when they got there the entire thing was filled with poison gas. Like, some of that World War One shit! For real! Shortages meant he didn't have the right ingredients, and whatever he substituted the chemicals with apparently turned into gas. Glad the Warden didn't let him use the prison." You're not a cook, but his story tracks with your DEA training. Mixing random chemicals in home labs, especially when substituting and using impure materials, can be a death sentence. Not that the addicts in those 'labs' think that far ahead.

"So you'd be interested in more drugs then? Sounds like we can make a deal. Something more long term," you suggest...

[1/???]

>>6170660

[2/???]

"Yea, about that," the Hispanic trails off with sweat dripping from his blue mohawk.

"Warden says we can't use too much. That the amount we have is enough. Whatever they bought-back from you guys is enough, plus this." You assume 'bought-back' is a euphemism for looting. Because that's what they did at Mobile.

"But I'm hoping with those guys from up-" the white guy elbows his partner in the side to shut him up. "But I'm hoping things might change."

They seem to be in a talkative mood. This should be a good opportunity to squeeze some more info on the lightly explored western region.

OPTION ADDED ON:
>Bait information from them by being skeptical about their claims

"Interesting. Well, I'm going to have to head on out. Let's hope those claims you guys made about all of that territory being safe are true."

As you start to turn around the white guy cocks his head and narrows his eyes. "Now wait a second: what do you mean 'claims'? You calling me a liar?" He's hooked harder than a pig carcass.

You turn back and smile. "Don't take this the wrong way, but that's a lot of territory. Sentinel? That's, what, somewhere on the 8 around halfway to Yuma?" You know Sentinel isn't quite that far, but by purposely making a mistake you can bait him into correcting you with more information than you would have gotten otherwise (a classic interrogation tactic.)

"Well, it's not quite that far, but it's a good way out. We're working along the 8 and securing 'protection agreements' with the settlements there."

"Yea," the Hispanic cuts in. "They were real cooperative once we told them how we made Gila Bend fold. Or should I say, Bend-t over!" As he laughs at his own dumb joke you can figure out that the Lewis Correctional Protectorate is not so much directly lording over these places but making them go along with one-sided agreements for 'protection' that let them claim influence. They're not even wrong, in a sense, but given that the guy also said Mobile was part of this 'safe territory' they're probably not interfering too much with their day-to-day goings on. At least not for the time being. As for long-term goals, anything's possible...

>>6170662

[3/???]

"If anyone from Gila Bend or, if you're going north, Arlington or H-town or wherever gives you trouble it's their funerals. I'd say the same to you, but you guys don't have the numbers to be a real threat to anyone." You're not sure if he's referring to your faction as a whole or just your little group. If the latter, he's not wrong then. The bulk of Crusader forces are currently in Maricopa preparing for or conducting some kind of counter-raid operation. The way things are going you feel like DoD might have been a better 3-letter-agency over the DEA in preparing you for these crazies. Although with what you heard about the eastern and mid-western US, maybe it's somehow for the better.

"How do we know we can trust you though?" one of your guards says unprompted. "You talk a lot about this town or that town, but what's stopping you guys from just trying to shake us down? From one criminal type to another, we're not the most trustworthy."

"And risk the Warden finding out?!"

"Yeah, last guys who tried that found their heads on spikes. You might meet them if you see a Protectorate party riding out in the Badlands. You might have already for all I know."

"Monopoly of Violence." The mohawked Hispanic wipes sweat off of his brow. "Monopoly of Violence is what the Warden calls it. In Protectorate territory, only the Protectorate can commit violence. And when the Protectorate does it, it's on the Warden's orders or with his blessings. That's the speech he gives."

The Warden's not exactly wrong on the fundamentals of how states function, even if the use of raider warbands is the textbook image of anarchy.

OPTION ADDED ON:
>Get the lay of the land: the places they've taken over, the places outside of their territory, reliable rumors from far away, etc.

"So clear this up for me," you start. "What places exactly do you control...?"

>>6170663

[4/???]

"The Lewis Prison,” the white guy starts. “Houses thousands, has arms and storage and tools and is built like a fortress. Is a fortress.”

“Yea, glad for all of that PI machinery for once,” the Hispanic says in reference to ‘Prison Industry.’

“For once. Yea, we have the area surrounding that, and Gila Bend, the town behind us. We’ve also made our presence known to the people of Sentinel, and they’ve complied. Mobile was visited by the Warden personally, and has been cooperative so far.” You hold back the urge to remind him that it was less visit and more looting. “The areas north on the far western end of Buckeye, a bunch of farms and some suburbs, either work with us or otherwise pay up to not get raided like the areas deeper into Buckeye.”

From what it sounds like their reach is indeed far, even if it exceeds their grasp. In some ways you figure they might prefer areas not paying tribute to have an excuse to raid. You believe Buckeye should be in (the furthest end of) the PCR, which you’d expect would be strong enough to stop raiders like these. Maybe they’re too thinly spread, maybe the raiders are stronger or more clever than they seem.

“So, don’t take this the wrong way, but what’s outside of your territory? What’s stopping you from going further?”

“Focus,” the white guy answers while raising his hand and forming a fist. “Each finger on its own is weak, easy to break. If you form a fist and focus all of your strength in one center, you can break anything. Like how the Warden united the blocks, we focus on one direction at a time. There’s little to the east worth taking, and any threats from there will be absorbed by you first, if anything.” He’s failing to consider that your faction might be a threat. With how easily you folded to the Warden you don’t blame him. “Highway 8 poses dangers, and promise, but the North is the direction to go. There are people there, farmlands, vital infrastructure,” he trails off. “We’re dealing with obstinate settlements in the far west of Buckeye, showing them the might of the Warden. They fall easily under the weight of rapid motorized warfare.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but you’re pretty open about how you guys fight and all.”

“We are,” the white guy responds. “We’ve told them how we fight and how we’ll break them. They still can’t do anything about it. Really, the biggest obstacle is the north west, which has all of these small areas that have to be scouted out, informed of the Protectorate, the whole deal. Warden says we can’t expand too quickly.” For a masked maniac, the way they talk about the Warden makes him seem like a surprisingly cautious and prudent figure. Then again, this person could be putting up some kind of front or otherwise lying. The only way to know is to keep pressing for info...

>>6170664

[5/???]

“So, earlier you mentioned something about Highway 8 having promise and dangers. Since you seem to know so much about the area, could you fill me in? Got any reliable rumors?”

“Oh, rumors,” the blue-haired raider cuts in. “I love this stuff! Hey, get this, I’ve heard UFO sightings far to the east in the mountains-”

“The guy said ‘reliable rumors’ not UFO nonsense.”

“For real tho! It’s real! They say far past the other end of Phoenix, past the Salt River Valley in the mountains and canyons, people have been seeing strange sights. Lights in the skies moving here and there as radios fill with static presaging odd disappearances and strange happenings at the hands of what some call ghosts!”

The white guy is stuck looking at his comrade dumbfounded for half a minute. “Man, you’ve been hitting the good stuff.”

“It’s true! It’s honest and reliable!”

“Sure. If you’re looking for non-UFO rumors, they say Yuma has totally fallen to Cartel elements. The Chinese said they wouldn’t cross the Colorado to help the city, and the local forces couldn’t hold against forces within. Now, the various Cartels fight for dominance.” He smirks. “At least that’s what some drunkard who escaped to Sentinel said.”

You have heard of plenty of Cartel activity in Yuma. You’d expect nothing less from a border town. The fact that the Mexican government let things get as bad as the rumor suggests though should be more worrying than what the Chinese in California decided to do in response. Maybe the situation’s not as bad as the rumor suggests, or perhaps it’s much worse.

“And south, I’ve heard the Natives are banding together for protection. You know, taking all of the villages and homesteads and evacuating them to some central place to stay safe.”

“Sounds like something the Protectorate could help with,” the Hispanic cuts in with a smile.

“We’ll get to them, I’m sure...”

>>6170665

[6/???]

It’s a vague rumor, but it is in line with the abandoned village the faction found. If the people there evacuated it would explain why there were no people, valuables, or signs of heavy fighting. But that just opens up the question of where they might be congregating.

“Interesting rumors. You going to ask us for any?”

“No, we won’t,” the white guy tells you while briefly staring at his partner. “We don’t need any more UFO stories. Got anything else or are we done here?”

“Well, there’s just one more thing.”

OPTION ADDED ON:
>See if any of them or the communities they "protect" are religious, in need of medicine, or require medical aide in general

“As the true Church, our job is to be the doctors of the soul, but we can only do that if we keep the body alive. We’re always looking for people who need healing, and not just in the spiritual sense. If you know anyone who might need medical supplies or aid, let them know.”

“Doctors of the soul huh,” he chuckles. “Yea, not sold on the religious stuff, but we could probably use the medical supplies if you have any. Know what, I’ll pass this onto the Warden and let him know you’re offering.”

“So you want us to send supplies to the prison?”

“Depends on what the Warden. We’ll contact you if we’re interested.”

“We done here?” one of your men asks with sweat dripping off of him as he’s in combat gear.

“Yea,” you tell him as you get back in the truck as you're driven to Gila Bend on the way to the Electric Union. As you leave you see in the side view mirror the sight of the raiders huddled around the bags of meth.

"I get you want to get info from them Cardinal Musella, but next time maybe let me take the plates out of the carrier, yeah?"

"Maybe," you respond to the guardsman. "Anyway, like I said earlier, we're heading to the Electric Union."

OPTION SELECTED:
>North to the Nuclear Zone where the Electric Union is as per Trkulja's plan

"Alright boss, taking the next right."

Instead of going to Gila Bend you bypass it and go straight north. While you don't pass by the town, you do pass by its airport.

"Hey, hey! Slow down," one of the guards backseat calls out. "Are those fighter jets?!?!"

File: Gila Bend Voodoo.jpg (664 KB, 2829x1337)

664 KB JPG

>>6170666 (Ominously Checked!)

[7/???]

The car slows down and eventually stops right where the highway connects to the airport. Sure enough, there are a pair of fighter jets just parked right outside the entrance so close you could touch them..

"Bros, look at these! They're as good as new!" The crusader, you're guessing an aviation enthusiast, just hops the tiny rusted fence to the right and starts touching it all over. The plane is indeed fairly well preserved, probably due to the dry desert climate. You know that a lot of America's old planes and tanks are left in the desert, but you weren't expecting to just stumble on a couple of these during exploration. Additionally, there seems to be nobody around stopping you. You're pretty sure that the entire thing has been looted, especially with the raiders nearby, but it is noteworthy that what was once a million dollar plus piece of high tech spies would have killed for physical access to is now just sitting in the middle of nowhere with some hooligan cultist hanging off of its wing.

"Jay, get off of that! It's a Voodoo, not a toy! Those things were worth more than you, show some respect!"

"Alright, alright, I'll- wait, what?"

"It's a Voodoo! They used to fly these in Vietnam! Used 'em as recon planes."

Right then you hear a voice coming from the radio.

"Hello, hello?!"

"Hello?" you respond. "It's Cardinal Musella, what's going on?"

"Musella? Ah, sorry, I've just ran into a problem on the recon mission. I had to just turn around and start flying in the-"

"Slow down," you interrupt him. You know it's poor form, but this guy sounds panicked and isn't making sense. "Tell me if you're in immediate danger and how I can help if you are. And if not, explain what's going on from the start."

You can hear him breathe in and out a few times. "Alright. Ok, not in immediate danger now. But I was earlier. Paul told me to fly around the Gila River area and let them know if I see anything. It's further than we've flown out before, but the weather is good and it's not a long distance or anything. Anyway, as I was flying I got word on the emergency frequency, it was the scariest thing I tell you. I don't remember what he said exactly, but it was something about there being a Southern US Air Defense Sector and that I didn't have authorization to fly in that region and that if I didn't leave immediately I would be blown out of the skies."

>Counter-Raid Aerial Recon Fate Revealed

"Wow. That's interesting, to say the least." You thought the US military basically pulled out of this area entirely with its men and materiel being massed in the east coast or deployed overseas or maybe even incorporated into that pirate state. "Can you confirm this was actually military? You have a lot of crazy types in the desert saying all sorts of crazy stuff, maybe one of them just tuned into the emergency frequency you mentioned and played a prank...?"

>>6170667

[8/8]

"Prank? Musella, he told me my exact speed and heading! I was told that I was going to be the next pilot to die in a fiery wreck! I'm not risking that! I did a 180, but I haven't been able to get in contact with anyone from Mobile. Not until now." You're no expert on airplane tracking or air defense systems, but if what the pilot says about his speed and heading is true then there's something serious going on in the area south of Phoenix.

"Well, I think you tuned into the wrong frequency while panicking or something, because it seems like you need to go back to Paul and the others."

"Right, right," he says as he pauses and mutters something indecipherable. "Ah, I don't think I have the fuel to complete the mission. I'm going to have to turn back to Mobile. If you want, I can do a sweep of some area nearby if you want and let you know if I see anything odd on the ground. I'm currently in the mountains in the middle of nowhere between Buckeye and the 238.

You look in the skies in the general direction and, sure enough, you can just barely make out a plane in that direction. "I think I see you. We're at the Gila Bend airport, the one with the fighter jets. We're heading north to the nuclear reactors area west of Buckeye."

"Fighter jets? Uh, ok, sure. If you want, I can do a sweep of the area north of you guys are heading out to, or check what's going on in some of the wilderness or farms west of the highway you guys will be going on. Or go along south, but I don't think there's much there. Your choice. Oh, and put in a good word for the rest of the cardinals, it was an honest mistake! I got panicked, it could've happened to anyone!"

You weren't expecting to get an aerial recon opportunity during this mission, or an explanation to what must be puzzling some guys on the other side of Mobile, but it's an opportunity to squeeze out a bit of info you might not have gotten otherwise (even if it's just to confirm that some area is indeed just boring wasteland.)

Where do you ask the panicked pilot to reconnoiter?

>"Check the farmland and nuclear zone north where we're going."
>"Check the farms and desert west past Gila Bend."
>"Check the deserts to the south."
>"Forget the recon, just go back to Mobile ASAP."
>[Write-In]

>>6168006
Apologies for the wait! I'd blame it being the New Year, but it was probably more just that getting to everything just meant a lot of writing and me not doing it fast enough. If only there were prisoner raiders holding me at gunpoint forcing me to write instead of me doing other things, but unfortunately I am not under their occupation! But, fun fact, that specific airport in Gila Bend does actually have two Cold War era fighter jets just parked out in the open. They don't seem to have their weapons on them or anything (and if they did you can bet that someone would have pilfered them already) but I think it's cool. As mentioned, the American deserts seem to have huge amounts of Cold War gear lying around

>>6170669
>>"Check the farmland and nuclear zone north where we're going."

>>6170669
>Apologies for the wait!
its alright, you're good for the delivery after some waiting.

>>6170660
KEK, nice meme
Nice to see some pieces fitting together like the abandoned church & recon comms-blackout.
>Head back to Mobile
We really don't want to play our hand with our aerial recon capabilities to the Protectorate, Cartels, or USAF apparently. Nor do we need recon on something that close that would be the prison raiders' problem if it is one while we're out here.

>>6170669
>"Check the farmland and nuclear zone north where we're going."
or
>"Check the farms and desert west past Gila Bend."

We’ll worry about the Indians later- West and North should be our main priority for now.

Also, as much as it grated on me, we should keep under the threat radar with Lewis for as long as possible.

>>6170701
I don’t think anyone really knows or cares about what a lonely cropduster is doing, or would know which faction it actually is- the AF may have warned us away, but that’s a far cry from figuring it was the Crusaders, and I doubt the Protectorate or the Cartels would think that it’s us.

>>6170669
>>"Forget the recon, just go back to Mobile ASAP."

Wouldn't want to risk a provocation

El Drunko?

>>6170701
>>6171935

OPTION SELECTED:
>"Forget the recon, just go back to Mobile ASAP."

Thinking about what you might realistically gain from some sort of fly-by and the possible risks. You figure that there’s probably nothing important enough and that the risk of some crazy getting a lucky potshot is too high.

“Head back to Mobile,” you tell him. “I appreciate the offer, but you sound like you could use a rest.”

“You got it.” It’s hard to tell with the crackly audio, but you think the pilot sounds a bit relieved. You hope the plane has a voice recorder so you can figure out just who was actually making all of those threats. On the surface of it, it seems really strange that flying around Mobile and its west is fine but going east to the “Sun Corridor” between Phoenix and Tucson isn’t. You don’t know enough about air defense to guess where they might be or what they’re using, but whatever they have sounds serious enough to be USAF or similar. Although the United States Air Force technically shouldn’t exist since the USA itself technically doesn’t exist, even if certain East Coast factions claim otherwise. If you had to guess most of them would have probably aligned themselves with the U.N.’s “Provisional Government” and their bases overseas, but then why would they have stationed air defense forces in the middle of the Southwestern Badlands while the most intense warfare in the country rages on in the east?

“Boss, is everything alright?” one of your guards asks while you’re lost in your head.

“Yea, just thinking over what the pilot said.” You notice that while a couple of them were running around the Voodoos the other two were keeping an eye on the empty road with rifles ready. “We’re heading out.”

You all gather up in the truck and drive north toward the prison area. The entire left hand side of the road is littered with farms and what look like minor settlements. To the right past the roadside shrubbery is a boring expanse of mountainous desert. To the left is much the same, except you can make out farms, ranches, and other small settlements by the old highway running parallel to the one you’re on a mile away. Continuing along, you pass by a billboard painted over with “LEWIS CORRECTIONAL PROTECTORATE” indicating the upcoming highway exit to the prison. The guard holding up a phone to show you pictures of him hanging out by the planes grabs his weapon, as do the others not driving.

“Easy, everyone. We’re just passing by, not looking to loiter around and attract attention. We paid them their meth, they’re not going to try anything. Just keep driving along...”

[1/???]

File: Lewis Correctionals Build(...).jpg (1.12 MB, 3344x2400)

1.12 MB JPG

>>6175146

[2/???]

There’s a brief, tense moment in the car as you all continue along the desert road toward the prison and veer into the exit. You see raiders milling about, presumably on patrol, but beyond a few looks they don’t seem to mind your presence or anything. Sure enough, your group keeps driving along and nothing happens as you drive parallel to the prison and even get a view of its white buildings from a few hundred meters out before heading down south and then west. As you drive past the prison toward uncharted territory it almost starts to feel like a boring desert drive as the road passes through a number of farms and agribusiness complexes.

“Alright, we’re going to take a left around Arlington by some church and continue until we hit a bunch of solar panels,” you tell the driver as you look over a map. “Then take a right, drive a bit, take a left, drive past some giant pools of stuff, take the next right, and just drive until we get to the reactors.”

“Uh, boss?” one of your guards starts. “Don’t you think they might find it suspicious some new guys are just driving around their nuclear plant?”

“Don’t worry about it. If we meet anyone we can just ask to see their leader right away and it’ll save us time.” You shrug.

You watch as the farmland gives way to a small village’s outskirts and then finally to a large field of solar panels and other electrical equipment. This definitely looks like the Electric Union’s home region...

File: Palo Verde Nuclear Zone.jpg (152 KB, 750x500)

152 KB JPG

>>6175149

[3/???]

You’re driven for a few miles until you can see a couple of white trucks blocking the road in the distance. They honk a few times as you close the distance and slow to a stop right by them. An older looking white guy steps out of one of them and you exit to meet him.

“Hi there,” a friendly sounding voice calls out with a noticeable midwestern accent. “Not sure I’ve seen you around. Or anyone dressed like that,” he says in reference to your guards. “This is a nuclear zone, what’re you doing here? You lost there, buddy?”

“No, I think our people met before. We’re from the Sun Belt Crusaders, and we’d like to speak to your leader.”

“Sun Belt Crusaders, eh?” He scratches his chin. “Rings a bell, but hard to keep track of everyone, you know? As for our leader, how about we act like I’m the leader for how. Tell ya’ what, how about you tell me what you want and I’ll tell you if we can help you out, buddy.”

“Cardinal,” one of your guards interjects while pointing in the way back. “They got a truck behind us on the road.”

“Don’t mind them, that’s just security. Standard stuff for a nuclear zone. We’re just having a friendly chat is all, right?”

“Right,” you play along. “We’re from Mobile, just a little to the east of Gila Bend. That ring a bell.”

“East of Gila- Oh, I remember you guys! You guys were running some kind of factory and using a crazy amount of electricity. There was an Eastern European type around I remember.”

“Eastern European type?” you ask since that doesn’t really narrow it down much. “Was it Dragomir Trkulja, by chance? He does logistics.”

“Yeah?” he asks himself, looking up in thought. “Yeah, I think so. How’s he doing nowadays?”

“He’s fine,” you lie. “He’s taking a bit of a religious sabbatical trying to get over some things, destress. You know, sometimes people need a break.”

“Absolutely, absolutely. Well, if I may ask, what brought you here? Doubt you just wanted to see the plant. If you’re looking for cooling towers, I’m sorry to say that we don’t have any of those. Not one of those plants. Though this is one of the most advanced facilities out there, capable of using mixed fuels that’ll let us outlast whatever Civil War nonsense is going on, and the largest plant in the whole country. We can’t let you in any of the buildings, and we’d really prefer you don’t touch anything. For our safety, and yours too...”

File: Generic Union Card.jpg (123 KB, 960x621)

123 KB JPG

>>6175151

[4/???]

“I appreciate the info, but we actually came to talk to you people, and specifically your boss, so we can work on maybe forging a bit of an alliance. We might have something of interest to you guys, but it’s the kind of thing we believe would be best shown to your leadership. We promise, it’s not because it’s dangerous or anything, but I have reason to believe it’d be quite valuable,” you tell him, hoping he doesn’t probe further since aforementioned reason is that a madman dreamt it..

“Leadership? You’re speaking to him,” he says while flipping out his wallet to show you a card. “Not to brag or anything, but if you look at the union president’s signature and my name, well, that’s not a coincidence is what I’ll say.”

You look at the laminated card on display and, sure enough, the names match. “I see! Well, glad to meet you Mister Schlefle-, Schlefbur-, err-”

“Call me the Union Boss, it’ll be easier.”

“Got it, Boss.” These Germans always have the worst names. “Anyway, the materials are in the truck’s back. I can’t tell you what they are since I can’t pronounce those names either, but we went through some trouble getting them,” you say, again hoping he doesn’t make you explain the story behind the bizarre mission fought for them. “It should show we’re serious about an alliance and about figuring out how to mutually help each other.”

“Hmm, well glad someone out there’s proactive about keeping up civilization instead of going all desert crazy,” he mutters as he walks over to the back of the truck whistling a tune. He stops whistling the second he opens the first lid, and is for a while speechless. “What in the- How did you get these?” He closes the lid and opens it again, as if confirm their contents. He then flips the lid over and scans the fine print with his fingers. “Holy smokes. Never mind, don’t tell me. Never look a gift horse in the mouth...”

>>6175152

[5/???]

“Do you like it, Boss?”

“Like it? Look, I’m not going to explain the chemistry of transformers and the finer points of preventative maintenance and electrical system repair, but I’ll say this: There’s stuff we really need but can’t produce or find anywhere with the war going. Stuff we’re real desperate for, stuff you’ve just offered us. The only place you could find these materials would be a big city like Vegas or Phoenix or somewhere, ‘specially in these quantities. We’ve tried asking Phoenix directly, but they’re not easy to talk to.” You nod your head in agreement remembering just how much of a pain the PCR is from personal experience. “And the road to Vegas might as well be a road to hell. Surprised anyone can make their way out here from there, ‘specially in all black. But you guys saved us a lot of trouble with this, without playing hardball, and without us having to hunt you down. So I’ll say this, we’re already on better terms with you than most others we’ve ’worked with’ in these Badlands.”

Looks like Trkulja was onto something with this decision. You still don’t know if they’re going to play ball with the whole ‘team up against the Warden’ part of his plan, but it’s looking good so far.

“I’m glad you can make use of it.”

“Oh yea, mister-?”

“Musella, but you can call me Bob.”

“Bob, I’m already thinking of places to send teams out to. Speaking of that,” he waves one hand in the air while using the other to whistle very loudly. A couple of guys exit out of his truck and come over. He orders them to take the materials while you and the Crusader guards stand back.

>Rare electrical materials gifted to faction: Electric Union [Extremely Effective]
>Automatically Succeed/Progress Diplomacy (Per Trkulja’s Plan)

“Hey, it’s real hot out here,” the Boss says while tugging at his collar. “Why don’t we continue chatting inside...?"

>>6175153

[6/???]

You take him up on the offer and follow him as he drives to one of the buildings nearby in the nuclear zone. You sit down with the Boss and introduce him to your faction in as ‘diplomatic’ of a way as possible, conveniently leaving out things like the industrial production of meth in favor of emphasizing medical supply production and generally trying to make as good of a first impression as possible. Given the very good mood you put him with that welcoming gift, he’s cooperative enough to not pin you down on the more questionable stuff and instead makes small talk about the colorful clothes your guards (a couple of whom seem to be playing cards with Union folk) and other such things.

As you talk you try to figure out whatever ulterior motives the Electric Union has. They might seem to be friendly infrastructural engineers on the surface, but you can never be too sure in the Badlands. As you press him on their recent activities, taking on the tone of a slightly nosy but well meaning neighbor, you learn that they have mostly been sending teams of workers out to the various factions around the region to try and preserve the electric grid and other basic infrastructure if possible. They’re not completely selfless in doing this in as much as not having a place to offload the nuclear plant’s power is apparently a very bad thing (you can only assume with your limited technical knowledge), but it’s as close to a purely good or at least neutral cause as reasonable. As to whether or not they’re a good fit for building an anti-Warden coalition as Trkulja’s ‘visions’ portend, you’re not sure.

By your assessment, the Electric Union seems to have a few natural strengths and a few glaring weaknesses as a general faction. Diplomatically, they seem perfect for sending envoys out. They provide an extremely valuable niche service such that most factions would at least tolerate an otherwise highly suspicious number of comings and goings. They also are very good for ‘PR’ as the kind of ‘everyday-heroes’ the more normal folk of the Badlands might appreciate. Their territory is also somewhat valuable on its own as it lies just west of the far western edge of the Greater Phoenix area, though what your faction might gain from that is for now somewhat nebulous. But they do unfortunately seem fairly small in number. Your faction isn’t very large either, but talking to the Boss you get the sense that the Electric Union’s domain really just is this “nuclear zone” and its workers living in surrounding villages with no means (or intention) of expansion. Furthermore, they aren’t very militarized. You don’t get a sense that they have much combat power and in a fight would probably just hole up in the (extremely defensible) reactor complex and hope their assailants don’t have a way of breaking through. When he confirmed to you that they are under the Warden’s ‘protection,’ it didn’t surprise you...

>>6175157

[7/7]

“You know, when you first described yourselves, I’ll admit I was skeptical. But you’re starting to win me over,” the Boss tells you in the comfort of the air-conditioned room. “Not converting if that’s what you’re wondering Cardinal Bob, but I do like the idea of working together.” He takes a breath and taps his fingers on the table. “You guys are resourceful, got muscle, and your heart’s in the right place. But somehow I get the feeling you want something more than having a nice chat and giving us some much needed supplies.”

It looks like it’s time to decide if you’re going to drop the proverbial bomb into the conversation, starting up a conspiracy to take out the Warden, or if you’re having cold feet on Trkulja’s plan after all. So far you do have to admit that despite the ‘esoteric’ dream-based reasoning, it’s gone quite well and you’ve at the very least managed to get very much on their good side with the initial offer.

How do you proceed with the Electric Union?

>Trust The Plan: Tell the Boss that you have reason to believe the Warden wants to “plunge the Badlands into darkness” and that you want his people to help with creating a coalition to destroy the Lewis Correctional Protectorate
>Lukewarm: Be vague about having potential future plans, but postpone actually letting the Boss know that you’re looking to take out the Warden until some later meeting
>Cold Feet: Scrap the idea and just say that you came here for trade discussion or something and figure out how you’ll break it to Trkulja later

Additionally, you may optionally [Write-In] anything else you want to talk about with the Electric Union or do in the area.

Given how people seemed to be on board with Trkulja's plan and this is a sort of "confirmation" vote, I think this is more of a "if there's anything (else) you want to do in this area or with these guys, this is your time" vote.

>>6170701
Yeah, the cropduster disappearing for a while felt like the right way to go for a plane entering that particular territory. It was kind of weird to write (and read I imagine) but aerial communications incidents where someone goes dark can happen, especially when there is more lax air traffic control like this case. Just because there's madness doesn't mean there's no method (or memes!)

>>6173977
I swear I'm not doing a weekly thing intentionally! Just went long, plus some weird stuff's been happening such that I couldn't write as I wanted to.

Also, off topic, but I saw the situation with LA's fires and couldn't help but remember the prequel quest where "LA burns!" was in the opener and the OP pic included the famous sign burning. I'm waiting with bated breath for Canadian ("-aligned") militants to occupy multiple state capitols and rolling tank battles on the East Coast. Any day now, surely!

>>6175160
>Trust The Plan: Tell the Boss that you have reason to believe the Warden wants to “plunge the Badlands into darkness” and that you want his people to help with creating a coalition to destroy the Lewis Correctional Protectorate
>Invite them to go to a Sunday service and/or request to send people here to speak of the faith.

>>6175170
QM predicts the future confirmed.

>>6175160
>>Trust The Plan: Tell the Boss that you have reason to believe the Warden wants to “plunge the Badlands into darkness” and that you want his people to help with creating a coalition to destroy the Lewis Correctional Protectorate

Supporting inviting them to mass.

>>6175160
>Trust the Plan (Divinely ordained though, not Russian White Movement or modern American boomer style)
>Mass/Preach
>Ask about other factions they've come into contact with, & get them to spread word about our faction's ability to create medications for the ill
>Get a list of materials/components/parts/equipment that they would have use for, but don't make any promises

>>6175160
>Trust The Plan: Tell the Boss that you have reason to believe the Warden wants to “plunge the Badlands into darkness” and that you want his people to help with creating a coalition to destroy the Lewis Correctional Protectorate
Divine Justice version like the other anon mentioned.
>Invite them to go to a Sunday service and/or request to send people here to speak of the faith.
>Ask about other factions.
>Get a list of stuff they need.

>>6175160
I want to at least see the Lewis PI before telling, but I’m fine with the plan, even if we are tiny in comparison to the Protectorate.

>See about the potential of a couple of Crusaders tagging along on their envoys/community outreach
I think asking this may be more fruitful than not, especially if this leads to freeing up an action towards opening up Phoenix to trade. Likewise, we can be their guide/insider with Maricopa, Casa Grande (when we open up negotiations for medical supplies), Arizona City, Sacton (assuming we’re still ‘influencers’ in said region), etc. I do hope we could get to Red Rock/that military outpost further East, but the real coup would be a sustained Westward presence or some industrial equipment we could use to fuel our growing industrial base.

>>6175174
>>6175291
>>6175355
>>6175808

OPTION SELECTED:
>Trust The Plan: Tell the Boss that you have reason to believe the Warden wants to “plunge the Badlands into darkness” and that you want his people to help with creating a coalition to destroy the Lewis Correctional Protectorate

You can't believe you're about to do this, but you're going to trust the plan of God.

"Boss, we have reason to believe that the Warden is planning something big. Something dangerous. Something that, one could say would 'plunge the Badlands into darkness' if nobody puts a stop to it." The Boss leans in, his eyes narrowing. "We might be on different sides of the prison, but we're both close to the Warden. Too close for comfort."

"What're you getting at?" The Boss's lively tone has become noticeably more tense.

"I'll say this," you start, leaning in. "The Warden's nuts. His whole faction is, just look at them. One of these days those raiders will wipe us off the map. We can't wait around for someone to save us. I've been to Phoenix, and I know neither the PCR or the POZ are going to lift a finger, not until it's too late." You recall your own experiences with the PCR shutting down your own diplomatic outreach over your refusal to wear a mask. "You guys are going God's work keeping the power up and running while the war rages. But if a thousand armed raiders show up to the reactor and decide they want to ransack it and send Arizona back into the Stone Age, what will it even matter? Us Crusaders aren't strong enough to stop him on our own, but if you can find allies in this, we'll find our own. Together, we can build a coalition to stop the Lewis raiders..."

You pause, looking to the Boss for a response. He's stone-faced, however. You choose to keep going.

"I know it's a lot to take in, and it's a big choice. I don't need a response now, but no matter what I promise this discussion won't leave the room. If you don't want to fight the Warden and his men, I understand. But know this: a fight's inevitable. It's just a question of whether it'll be on our terms, or his."

You take a deep breath, hoping your diplomatic skills are enough to win him over.

>Processing Electric Union Reaction...

Surely, this style of diplomacy won't go poorly...

>???

>!!!

[1/???]

>>6182779 (Holy shit the post finally went through and wasn't flagged as spam!!!)

[2/???]

"How do you know about the power fluctuations?"

"What?" This was not the response you were expecting.

"Bob, don't play dumb." He's staring you dead in the eyes. "We monitor the power grid every day. It's our job. We know the Warden is planning something with the grid. You know, he's taken control of more than a couple of power generating stations. There's a lot of solar out in these parts of the desert, and a lot of power infrastructure. At night, when use is low, we've noticed sections taken off of the grid and put back on. Once, chalk it up to some bored crazies. But there's a pattern. The Warden's planning something." You have no idea about any of this, but the Boss speaks with such conviction that you know he's not lying. "Now, that brings up the obvious question: how do you know about this?"

"Well, about that." You tug at your collar. "What if I told you one of our own has spent days, weeks even, in prayer and meditation and has received visions from God telling him this all. Divine dreams hinting at a divine plan?"

He chuckles. Then he starts to break out into laughter, almost crying. "Dreams!"

"God works in mysterious ways!" You laugh with him. "Is it so hard to believe in miracles?"

"Oh man," he says still working the laughter out of his system. "Dreams, ho boy! I've been in this job for a long time. Forty years working all over the country, and somehow I still haven't seen and heard it all."

This is not the response you were expecting, somehow a lot stranger but better than you would have expected. "What'd you say?"

"I say this: Either you're being real careful about your information, or maybe you're actually onto something with the religious talk. And either way, that's a good thing. Because if we're going to succeed in this, we're going to need to be damned careful or need a damned miracle. But you're right. We've seen what they did to the farming communities out here and to Gila Bend. I didn't expect anyone to just show up like that out of the blue, and I'd think you're way over your head or that this is some kind of ploy. But between those supplies and that intel, I think you're serious. And I think something needs to be done..."

>>6182782

[3/???]

You're a bit taken aback by just how accurate this 'divine revelation' based diplomacy has been, especially since you know for a fact it was just a crazy dream from a guy starving himself to the brink of death in the desert. It's almost enough to make you doubt.

>Diplomacy Auto Passed From Divine Revelations

"Sounds like you're on board then?" You extend your hand out. "You willing to shake on it?"

He nods his head and shakes your hand, squeezing it hard enough to hurt. "Wouldn't be a deal without it, Bob." While he talks you pull your sore hand back and rub it under the table. "Now, let's talk details. As I said before, we don't have a lot of guys ourselves. While normally we'd have about two thousand, three if you count contractors, about half of our workforce is unavailable for one reason or another and the ones left are worked like dogs keeping everything together. We're not fighters, and we're really not in a position to lose even more workers. We can't let the reactor or the electrical infrastructure near it go unmaintained, trust me."

"Sounds like you guys aren't willing to spare anyone."

"Ideally, we wouldn't be doing any of the fighting if it comes to it."

"C'mon Boss," you say with a smirk. "You have to bring something to the table. Can't expect us to do anything. We have our own obligations and people we won't be able to spare," you say knowing that a massive battle is likely raging to the east of Mobile."

He taps his fingers on the table. "You're right. Sure, we can talk to others. We regularly go to the Phoenix area and have free travel with both factions. We'll see if anyone there is willing to volunteer. I have a feeling the major factions won't send anyone, but maybe we can find some volunteers. Millions live there, so if we can convince even a fraction of a percent to join in, that'll be a real force."

"I'm skeptical they'll just let their guys risk their lives if they're busy with the war. But it's worth a shot."

"We'll do our best. How about you guys? We haven't really got great intel on all of those towns south of the Phoenix area. Got some names, population figures, average electrical consumption per annum, but probably nothing what you guys have."

"We have pretty close ties with Maricopa. They have a lot of guys, but honestly I'm not too sure how many guys they can spare. It seems like every other week there's a new problem or threat or thing that ties up their forces. Though we have good ties with them, so maybe we can convince their mayor to spare some M.M.P. forces."

"How many do they got, Bob?"

"I don't have exact numbers, but when they were preparing for a huge POZ assault they could muster about a couple thousand, quality varying from police to militia types mustered up to us."

"Holy smokes," he says wide-eyed. "The POZ attacked them?"

"Ah, not really. That whole thing blew over."

"Blew over?" His eyebrow's cocked...

File: Map ~ Western Arizonan Ba(...).jpg (1.5 MB, 3480x1777)

1.5 MB JPG

>>6182785

[4/???]

"Turns out they were a lot more reasonable than expected. The mayor and the Messenger ended up figuring out an uneasy diplomatic arrangement with a POZ leader in a sauna. Though we're raiding some of their Native proxies out in the desert, so that might not last."

"Huh, how about that? Tell me, was it some Russian guy?"

"I think so. They got some weird people out there." You pause. "Not that us Crusaders are ones to talk, but you know what I mean."

"Whole world's gone mad if you ask me. But going back, who else is around? What about Casa Grande? Florence? Arizona City? Have you figured out what's going on in Tucson?"

"Well, we haven't gotten all the way to Tucson. Or Florence. But from what we can tell, Casa Grande seem like a bunch of isolationists. Arizona City I think's fighting some kind of small scale war with one of their neighbors," you say, tactically evading the whole 'boomer-occupation' government situation there. "There are a lot of more rural areas. Some of them are abandoned and some we're fighting off."

"Sounds like you should go reach out to them. Can't afford not to, what with there being hundreds of thousands of people spread out all over."

"You're probably right about that. But tell me, what's going on in your patch of desert?"

OPTION ADDED:
>Ask about other factions they've come into contact with, & get them to spread word about our faction's ability to create medications for the ill

"Sure I can tell you about that," the Boss starts. "We've done some travelling along Interstate 10. There are a lot of farms and ranches with these little communities. Some of our guys actually live in the ones nearby with the vacancies."

"So you get along well?"

"Absolutely, absolutely. We help them out where we can, they give us food. A lot of food, actually. Been stocking up. But I don't think they're going to be willing to help. There not only aren't many of them, but they're under the Warden's 'protection.' Not as much as the ones south of us like Cotton Center, but still. You know, those guys had a militia and everything but the Protectorate rolled right over them."

"So let me guess, now those guys are fighting for the Warden?"

"Funny about that, not really," he says leaning back. "Seems like those prisoners like to be the ones who do the fighting. They let the others do all of the other work. Maybe they think it's beneath them or something? Not like they don't have enough fighters. You go a little west of Tonopah and you'll reach where the 10 forks into highway 60. If you keep along the 10 you'll get to Quartzsite, or "Free Quartzsite" as they call it. Got some militia 'patriot' types running the show," he says with exaggerated finger-quotes. "They say the Chinese are going to invade Arizona any minute now. Been saying it for as long as we've been in contact with 'em. They've allied themselves with Brenda, which seems to be the home base of sorts for a bunch of bikers..."

File: M60 Tank.jpg (202 KB, 1024x768)

202 KB JPG

>>6182786

[5/???]

"Bikers? I've heard of some of our guys encountering those types. You mean those guys came from Brenda?"

"Who knows," he shrugs. "Lots of those types out here. But yeah, might've been. Anyway, those guys seem to 'protect' the little string of villages and farms until you get to Aguila."

"What's at Aguila?"

"Don't know. Apparently the guys who drove out there were getting shot at so they just turned back. We're not fighters. But get this, the guys who went to the 72 toward Parker, they were checking up on the transformers, they said they say some of the guys out there riding a tank! Like, from WW2! How about that!"

"A tank? The bikers fixed up a tank?"

"Oh, that was Bouse, little town on the highway. They seem pretty normal. We didn't get much further and had to go back, but at some point we're thinking of doing a little expedition out to Parker by the Colorado river, right on the California border." He looks back and checks a clock mounted on the wall. You notice two of your guards have started playing cards with some of the Union guys while the others keep a lookout. "But yeah, west of us you have a lot of small places real spread out. Not a whole lot of people, but also not the same kind of fighting that you see out in Phoenix, so maybe some of them will be able to spare the effort."

"Hope so," you tell him. "What about north and to the east, though? Is it just PCR guys?"

"Oh yeah. They don't seem to pay too much attention to the Buckeye area, but it's theirs. They seemed kind of suspicious of us when we went north past the Tartesso development to Sun City Festival one to work on the nearby substation. Didn't even let us in. Weird place if you ask me, carving out a couple thousand acres in the desert to make a bunch of houses but only for senior citizens, but that's just me yapping..."

>>6182791

[6/???]

He might be 'yapping' but this is info that would otherwise require multiple expeditions worth of scouting, even assuming you don't end up in fights with the 'patriots' or the bikers or whoever else.

"During your envoys, could you spread the word about our faction? You know, about the true faith and how Mobile's always accepting newcomers. And also that we are in the business of producing medical supplies, first aid equipment, maybe even certain pharmaceuticals you can't get anywhere else."

"Huh. Well, you did say you sell medical supplies, so makes sense. Sure, when we send out maintenance crews and envoys and do outreach, we'll throw in a good word."

"Never know when someone out there in the Badlands will be left stranded without his ADHD medication," you remark deviously. "Wouldn't want that happening."

There's an awkward pause before the older gentleman comments. "ADHD medication?"

"Yes."

"Kids these days. Back in my day if you didn't pay attention in class we just called that being a boy, ha! Sorry, couldn't resist." You figure there'll be a good time later on to let him in on what you really meant by that.

Given that he mentioned their own envoys and outreach, an idea comes to you.

OPTION ADDED:
>See about the potential of a couple of Crusaders tagging along on their envoys/community outreach

"What if we tagged along with you guys? Sounds like your crews could use some muscle. Even if you're not getting shot at, you might get shaken down or worse."

"You'd do that?" he asks rhetorically. "I mean, I won't say no to more hands if you have 'em available. If you could spare maybe a dozen guys or something like that it'd help out a lot, even if just for a couple of weeks of outreach and work. You know, we do have armed guards and security. Some real tough guys, but they have to guard the reactors. Lost a lot of them in the initial chaos and can't spare any. Hell, even they have to haul bags most of the time. So yes, we'd appreciate the help," he chuckles. "Now, can't promise they won't get their hands dirty hauling stuff or turning wrenches, but it'll be for a good cause."

"I can't make any promises Boss, we have a lot of obligations already. I'd have to get it cleared with the Messenger," you tell him already picturing the objections about spreading your guys thinner with all of these troop reservations. "But I think it'd be a good way to help you guys and help us spread the Good Word."

"Spread the Good Word? If that's the only payment you'd ask for, that'd be fine by me!"

>>6182792

[7/???]

You feel like he's really opened up during the conversation. It's a bit early, but you think you might be able to get away with taking this to the next step.

OPTION ADDED:
>Invite them to go to a Sunday service and/or request to send people here to speak of the faith.

"If you want, you can come over to Mobile. See a thriving community living the Good life, the way its meant to be and experience a service for yourself. It's not the fake 'drums and guitars for Jesus' type of fakery most people are used to, but the kind of thing that really hits you right where it matters: the soul." You leave out the part with the meth-microdosed parties after services. "Or if you want, we can maybe bring people here and catch you and your people up to speed."

He laughs, not quite enough to be insulting but not a small amount either. "Already sending out an invite? Hah, a bit early but I can appreciate the enthusiasm. Sorry, but we got way too much work to travel, what, a hundred kilometers all the way to Mobile and spend the few hours or however long it might take."

"How about after things calm down and there's less work to do?"

"Electric grid's big, and the more time passes the more chance the grid gets worse and needs more work to be done."

"But say we take care of things with the Warden, can I get a promise you'd at least give it a chance?"

"C'mon Bob, aren't you thinking a little too far ahead?"

"Of course I'm thinking far ahead, we're talking about your soul here. Your eternal life into perpetuity. Thinking a few, what, months ahead is too much?"

He pauses, momentarily speechless as he rubs his balding head a bit before responding. "Fine. Maybe after we take care of things with the Warden. Really, that'd be the least I could give you..."

>>6182793

[8/???]

"Deal," you say while suppressing a smirk. You're not even too sure why you're pushing so hard if you don't actually believe in any of this yourself, but at the least it is your job representing the Crusaders

>Electric Union Evangelizing Rights Promised Upon Victory

"But Bob, I will say this," the Boss tells you with his finger pointed. "We don't have too many men to spare here. Not for the work we're doing. I'm not letting anyone leave this place, not for religious reasons like that. They can practice their faith on their own or find some abandoned building and make it a church, but I just want to be clear that we need more workers here, not less."

"No problem, you guys are running a nuclear reactor after all."

"Three, technically. But glad you understand." He looks over to a wall-mounted clock before continuing. "Been here for a while, but is there anything else you want to go over?"

“There’s one more thing.”

OPTION ADDED:
>Get a list of materials/components/parts/equipment that they would have use for, but don't make any promises

“So specifically, what kind of materials components or parts do you need?”

After a few seconds of thinking he responds. “If you asked me yesterday, I would’ve said parts for transformers, things like specialized seals without which you don’t have a power grid. Not for long. But it looks like that’s solved for now. We could make use of just about anything down to basic copper wire, but we have some stockpiles and don’t expect to meet any bands of meth-heads, so that’s not an issue.” You hold back the chuckle. “Thinking about it, we need sensors.”

“Sensors?”

“Yep, specialized sensor equipment. I’m not going to bore you with the technical details, I can write that stuff down and hand you manuals. But something people don’t understand about nuclear engineering is how many sensors and warning systems we have. A lot of them. Everything that needs to be tracked is tracked with three separate sensors, just in case the first two fail. Not even exaggerating. And the electronics are specialized, high quality stuff we can’t just jury-rig. Not sure you could get them anywhere in the Badlands except Phoenix, if that, but if you could find some spare sets, we’d be very, very grateful. These reactors can last a long, long time if you can catch the small problems early. And if you have the fuel.”

>>6182796

[9/9]

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to ask us for enriched uranium.” You've done some crazy stuff in your time in the DEA, but nuclear materials smuggling would be a bit much.

“Hah! No, we have plenty of fuel. And, without those pesky regulators, we can even mix the fuel in ways that’ll let us stretch out our supplies for a lot longer. Not going to bore you with the details, but fuel is not the problem. And before you ask, neither is waste.”

“Anything else?”

“You kidding me? Of course. But advanced sensors is the big one we’re stumped on how to get. If you can get the transformer seals and the oils and all of the other stuff, we can hope you’ll find that. Otherwise, it’s a lot of standard stuff any faction can use: spare auto parts, construction materials, batteries, the works.” You believe the faction lumps all of these things under the umbrella of ‘W.P.’ in internal accounting.

“Got it. Well, I’m glad we can work together on this.”

The Boss is silent for a good bit before continuing. “I hope this all works out. Really do. I’m going to stress. We’re going to have to be discreet about this. If the Warden finds out we’re going to get rolled over by two thousand screaming raiders before we can do anything about it. Once we get enough of a force, we’re going to have to strike first and hit ‘em hard. Not sure how you guys want to get others on board, but for our part we’ll forward you any intel we can get on the Warden and his guys.” He extends his hand out. “We’re not going to let a bunch of freaks plunge Arizona into darkness.”

Again, you shake his hand, squeezing it as hard you can.

>Anti-Warden Coalition Formed [Members: Sun Belt Crusaders (Founder), Electric Union]
>Electric Union Diplomatic Status: Secret Alliance

You’ve successfully made contact with the Electric Union, developed a full blown secret alliance, and have gotten a decent layout for the lands in the Badlands deserts west of Phoenix. You could return to Mobile satisfied with your performance. That is, if you don’t have anything else you want to do here.

Is there anything else you want to do with this diplomatic envoy?

>No, return to Mobile [Proceed to End of Half-Week]
>Yes [What?] [Write-In]

Holy shit uploading this was a nightmare. For some reason my posts were being flagged as spam. I just had to brute force random changes to the post and live with the 15 minute timer. Even got a 15 minute wait during the midst of posting. How badly does this site want to squeeze $30 a year?!

>>6182797
Sorry to hear about the difficulties, glad to see a new post.
If we could make it to Brena, that could be a solid trade opportunity, but then again it may be too far of a trip & a waste of effort if the Electrical Union is going to handle diplo.
If anyone else is up for making that journey I'll back it, otherwise we should head back.

>>6182933
They're handling diplo, but they don't know we're peddling meth. I'd say it's worth the trip.

>detour to Brenda

>>6182797
>Yes [Check out the Lewis Protectorate]

I’m just curious about their PI- I’d be open to potentially trading with them in the short term if it’s worthwhile, but really that’s just cover to get some intel on their economic situation.

I would also be open to trading medical supplies with Gali Bend, or any good faith aid desu.

>>6182797
>No, return to Mobile [Proceed to End of Half-Week]
Thank you for the big update, QM.

>>6182933
>If we could make it to Brena, that could be a solid trade opportunity, but then again it may be too far of a trip
For a sense of distances, which isn't always obvious with maps, Mobile to the Nuclear Zone is about 70miles/110km, and the distance from there to Brenda is about the same. The envoy's spent some hours with the Electric Union and getting to Brenda would take at least an hour assuming nothing else happens. You'd probably get there as the sun's starting to set and would have to drive back the entire way at night, but assuming a full tank you'd be able to make the round trip without having to tap into spare fuel. As the Boss said, nowhere on the road to there is much bigger than a highway rest area and there's no indication that there'd be something to really hold you up . The area west of the nuclear zone is rural, lightly populated desert with only a few towns here and there along roads.

It's up to you guys if you want to go now, or tag along with the Electric Union on one of their work trips in the area whenever they go. I was thinking that you guys would either have the option of reserving a group of Crusaders there sort of like what's going on with Maricopa or accepting semi-regular opportunities to use special diplo actions? As said in the posts it's something you guys would set up the details of later.

And yeah, I think I'm being punished for not going with the usual anti-curse countermeasures. But it'll get better, surely things must!

>>6183252
+1

>>6184074
Considering we’re on the 7th page rn, I’d rather we head home and begin progressing before this thread falls off- it’s been a year since we actually finished a half-week turn, and what better way to start off the new year with a new turn?

>>6184845
There are years where nothing happens, and there are half-weeks where years happen? Jokes aside, I too want to pick up the pace, but it's not (just) my quest and you guys have the ability to choose. On the topic of choice, should I consider this you switching your vote to just head back to Mobile?

>>6185482
Doesn’t really change things desu, so I’ll keep to the Lewis vote unless you think it’s better to return to Mobile. No real opinion on this beyond ‘It’s been awhile’.

>>6183252
>>6184356

As the meeting with the Electric Union winds down they hand you various technical manuals and other documents related to specific things they would want if your faction would happen to find them. You assure them that your faction has people with more technical aptitude than yourself, such as the Pope, who would look out for them.

"The Pope? Out here in the Arizonan Badlands?" the Boss responds to you off-handedly calling the Messenger the Pope. "You know what, I'm not even going to question it. Enough weird stuff's been going on for me to believe it."

"I get it," one of your guards interjects before you can say anything. "When I first heard it I thought it was nuts too. But, you know, with everything going in the Church and in the world, I decided to give it a shot. And staying at Mobile for a few days, I knew it was the right choice. You should visit some time." You remember this guard as being a Maricopan newcomer rather than one of the original ones from California.

"Huh. Maybe when this is all done." You can't get a good read of the Boss's expression. "Anyway, you guys heading back to Mobile, right?"

OPTION SELECTED:
>Yes
>detour to Brenda

"No, we're going to detour to Brenda. See what's going on there, chat with the bikers, see what's going on," you tell him.

"Really? Brenda's kind of far. It'd start getting dark by the time you get back, if you're quick, but I guess you folk know what you're doing."

"We'll be fine. We're under the Warden's protection, right?" you joke with a smirk.

"Well, only until Tonopah," he responds. "Past that it's a whole lot of nothing. Fifty miles of nothing, in fact, until you get to a gas stop. That's where I'd say that area of the Badlands starts, the patches where people live on the highways east of the Colorado."

"What about Tonopah then?"

"It's where a lot of us live. So consider it part of the Union. If they give you any trouble, tell them you're with the Boss."

"Right," you tell him. "Well, let us know if you get any info on what the Warden's up to, we'll do what we can with getting that coalition up."

"Please do. The Warden's got thousands of guys. Prisons might not have a lot of people, but just about all of them are hard, violent sons of guns in good fighting condition with the will to fight. And the gangs most of them are in are sort of like military structures on their own. The kind of lifestyle most of us are getting used to, the rough, violent, and poor kind, those folk have been living long enough to not even know anything else. So take it seriously."

"We will," you assure him.

"Hah, you think prison's bad?" one of your guards interjects. "Half of us live in tents and consider a day of drills and target practice in the desert a 'fun time' with the Crusaders. We'll tear that roided up shithead a new asshole, on God!"

[1/4]

>>6186678

[2/4]

"What he really meant by that-" the Boss interrupts you mid-sentence.

"No, no, I get it!" You can tell he's suppressing a laugh. "Really, I do. Anyway, safe travels."

"God be with you."

With that, you and your guards head north along the Nuclear Zone's roads until you reach Interstate 10. When turning onto the highway, you notice what look like a few locals watching you from the distance. You figure some of the locals just got bored and heard of some newcomers in the area. Your truck continues along it until reaching what must be the 'Highway Defenses' the locals have established. It just consists of one truck parked perpendicular to block the highway with a couple of guys on the back. It's nothing compared to the defenses at Mobile, but you suppose it's at least something.

As your driver slows down on the approach, the guys get off of the truck and drive a bit back toward the highway exit, allowing you all to pass without incident.

As you were promised, the road is 'a whole lot of nothing.' You're driven along miles and miles of boring, empty desert with nothing but the odd abandoned rest area or minor infrastructural site to break the monotony. There aren't even any other vehicles on the road. The sun slowly makes its journey down to the west. You flip down the sun visor and stare out at the endless desert landscape thinking about the big picture.

Last you heard the fighting on the East Coast and Midwest was still at a fever pitch between US military led by the U.N.'s provisional government against the general and those who reflected to his cause. Being realistic, there's no way that the country doesn't end up being taken by one of those East Coast groups. After all, that's where the US evacuated most of its military hardware and where most of the people live anyway. This whole thing about 'Coast to Coast Crusade' is a pipedream the zealots here hold onto. You're not even sure how it'd be possible given the sheer weight of the rest of the country's might, and that's even if the entire Badlands were united. Which it seems to be anything but. No, you just have to stick along with these guys until you're able to find a way back to Washington. Then, you'll just have to hope they can accept you and that you'll be able to rebuild your life. Hopefully with a nice retirement arranged. Emphasis on hopefully, because federal agents like you being able to count on collecting pension checks after a war like this isn't guaranteed, even if 'your' side wins...

>>6186679

[3/4]

"Hey boss, truck stop's up ahead," the driver says, breaking your train of thought.

"Think it's still running?" a guard in the backseat asks.

"Wouldn't be surprised if it is. What else are the people who work there going to do?"

"Just say in their hometowns?"

"Yea, but what if they live there?"

"It's a truck stop on the highway, nobody's living there?"

"Plenty of people live in Mobile, and it's not much bigger."

"Yeah, but Mobile has the Pope. What's some truck stop going to have?"

"Hey," another guard in the backseat interjects. "Slow down, there's something on the road."

You squint and try your best to get a good look against the sun setting in your eyes. "Bikers," you comment on seeing the silhouettes of the motorcycles moving in the horizon.

"That's your answer. Alright guys, get ready..."

File: Arizonan Sunset.jpg (326 KB, 2078x1171)

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>>6186680

[4/4]

>Encounter: New Hope Desert Bikers

The truck slows down on the approach until you stop at about shouting distance from the bikers. They're not pointing guns at you, but they are armed. Just like you all are as you walk out of the truck and approach them.

"We're just passing by!" you call out approaching them, your guards flanking you.

"Who the hell are you guys and what're you doing?" a gruff voice shouts out as he parks his bike and walks over. He's also got his own guys.

"What're these guys wearing?" one of lead's guys calls out. "You ask me they're dressed like a bunch of fagg-" He's interrupted by one of his guys elbowing him in the side.

They're dismounted, talking, and even interrupting their own guys throwing insults at you guards' uniforms. So far, it's going well.

"We're the Sun Belt Crusaders and we're just passing by here on the way to Brenda."

He visibly reacts to you mentioning 'Brenda' and carefully eyes you over as best he can as the two of you close the gap until settling at a comfortable distance.

"Brenda? The hell you guys want to do at Brenda?"

"We're exploring the area here after talking with the Electric Union at the Palo Verde Nuclear Zone. Just got done talking to the Boss. We were hoping to speak to the people there at the town. We've even heard there are some bikers around there patrolling the area. You wouldn't happen to know anything about them?"

"Heh, we might." He looks to his guys, then gives you all another good looking over. "You guys are dressed funny, but you don't seem like the raiders out east." The sun at this point is getting low enough to both paint the desert landscape with a variety of hues and signal that you shouldn't stay around here for too long. "What would you guys want from the Brenda bikers? Tell me like you were talking to them right now." You're pretty sure you are.

He brings up a good question though. What exactly do you want to accomplish from this little detour?

>Ask for info on the region [What Specifically?]
>Ask what they think about some faction or group [Who?]
>Tell them they should go live at Mobile and join the Crusaders
>Ask the bikers if they want meth
>Tell your guards to rob them
>[Write-In] [Always Welcome]


>>6185961
Understood, I just wanted to check in since it seemed like you wanted to go back but voted to continue with the envoy for one last thing (which is ok.)

>>6186681
>Tell them we've got a factory setup manufacturing medicines, some of which were pulled off of the open market....
>Ask them their thoughts on the Protectorate/Warden

>>6186710
Support

>>6186681
>Tell them they should go live at Mobile and join the Crusaders
>Ask the bikers if they want meth
Am fine with >>6186710, just wanted to shoot out a quick alternative. Expanding our organization would just help us accomplish our goals quicker.

>Ask for info on the region [Factions, Business Opportunities, any rumor/intel with teeth]
Don’t be afraid to ignore this if it gets too long in the tooth QM, unless you’re planning on another thread immediately after this one. I’ve been anxious to finally get to the turn processing phase to see how we’ve done so far.

Doesn't make sense to ask rando bikers we know next to nothing about to come join us. We're here to secure trade & possibly alliances.

>>6187001
Stranger things have happened than a bunch of methheads joining a criminal organization to accept free meth, and manpower is what we should be focused on here to improve our action-economy. The worst that can happen is that they say no thanks, they would rather trade for it.

>>6186681
>Ask the bikers if they want meth
>Ask them their thoughts on the Protectorate/Warden
And if they have a negative view of them
>Tell them they should go live at Mobile and join the Crusaders

>>6186886
>>6187001
>>6187074

No harm in offering I suppose, though we might be better served in extending our reach to their community instead.

>>6188961
Indeed, but would require the Basic Seminary, plus more manpower- either way, we lose nothing by asking. Besides, we have multiple other obligations and opportunities vying for our limited pool of actions- I wouldn’t mind a deal of setting up a passive influence entity (beyond the eventual radio tower we’ll build), but we require the capacity to build up our priesthood to create a social uniformity of thought to expand our organization beyond a military footing.

Like, I would love to set up an actual aid station and staff it with Maricopa’s unemployed here (same with the Gali), but beyond projects like that, all the organizational experience we have that can scale is either with violence or the meth trade, since the majority of our officer/middle-management core relies on our Californian druggy transplants or locals invested in their own community.

>>6186710
>>6186828
>>6186886
>>6188662

OPTION SELECTED:
>Tell them we've got a factory setup manufacturing medicines, some of which were pulled off of the open market....

"We're a Catholic faction, and while our main goal is to look after and heal the soul, we also have more standard medicines we sell. Can't save the soul if there's no body, after all. From basics like hemostatic gauze for plugging up bullet-holes to the more exotic sort of stuff nobody's producing, or at least shipping, after the War started."

"Exotic stuff," the biker in the center repeats with a few nods to his men. "What do you mean by that exactly?"

"Depends on what you request." You turn it back on him. "We won't produce it until you ask for it."

"But how can we trust you can actually make anything then?"

"Don't trust us. Submit a request, and we'll prove it to you."

He pulls back for a bit and exchanges whispers with some of his fellow bikers before continuing. "Alright, so how would we do that? Don't tell me you expect us to just travel all the way to your guys' place."

"Of course not. Not with the state of things. Contact the Electric Union and they'll pass it along to us. We'll use them as a go-between, maybe even they'll do transport. We'll see." You haven't actually gotten permission from them, but you figure the Electric Union might be amenable to it. Especially if you can get these guys as allies against the Warden. And while you're on that topic...

OPTION SELECTED:
>Ask them their thoughts on the Protectorate/Warden

"Earlier you mentioned something about 'raiders out east.' Were you talking about The Warden and the Lewis Protectorate, or is there another group I should know about?"

Even in the dimming twilight, you can still make out the biker's eyes darting back and forth among his guys. "Yeah, it was them."

"What do think of those guys?"

The biker spits on the ground. "That's what I think of 'em."

"Sounds like there's some bad blood between you."

"Yeah, that's one way to put it. Those assholes fought a group of ours a while back. We were killing 'em left and right, but they swarmed our guys. Captured the entire group and we never heard back from them again."

"Sick fucks probably chopped their heads off and put them on sticks," another one of the bikers add in.

"That's crazy," you respond. "I believe you though. Their leader is some big roided up guy called The Warden." You can tell from the look of disgust on the biker's face that he knows who you're talking about. "They operate out of the prison on Highway 85 and send groups of raiders out to do raids west of Phoenix and other places. Sounds like they got a presence here too..."

[1/???]

>>6190667 (Devil Trips successfully avoided)

[2/???]

"They do. But they ain't going to do shit here," he says after admitting that people in his faction were swarmed, captured, and never heard from again. "If we need anything from you guys, we'll let the Union guys know. It's getting dark here and it's poker night at Rocky's. And if you meet the Warden, tell him the Desert Legionnaires says 'fuck you'." With that the bikers go back and-

OPTION SELECTED:
>Ask the bikers if they want meth

"Wait!" you shout. The main biker turns his head and looks back to you, a look of confusion dimly visible. "Do you want some meth?"

"The fuck are you saying?" The aggression's obvious in his voice and the way he's walking toward you. "You think just because we're bikers we're methheads? Is that what you're saying, huh?!"

"It's blue."

"It's blue?" He looks over to his guys, briefly. "You mean you have the Blue? Like the stuff from California pre-War?"

"Want a sample?"

He quickly nods a few times and goes over to you. One of your guards gets between you and him and pulls out a small baggie. "Keep back from the boss."

The biker pulls out a small flashlight and examines the meth up close closely. "It looks real, doesn't have the specks like the knock-offs." He looks up to the guard, then over to you, and then to the meth before snorting it.

Immediately he starts nodding his head back and forth, then he starts rocking it while taking quick, but deep breaths. It's starting to hit.

"Yeah, yeah! Tight, tight, this is the tight shit! Whew!" He walks over to the desert to the side of the road, almost tripping over roadside shrubbery, and howls into the night like a wolf.

"Hey, are you ok th-"

"Yeah! Fuck yeah! No, this is the premium Blue, no doubt about it. Hey, you guys, Crusaders, got more of this?"

"Not now. But if you order 'Blue' from us, we might be able to get you some."

"Legionnaires, darts is going to be fucking WILD!"

"Right, keep in touch, we have to leave." You tell the biker before walking over to the truck, your guards flanking you and keeping an eye on the others, and start the trip back to Mobile.

You and your group travel through the pitch black of the desert back along the path you came to Mobile, passing by the Nuclear Zone, Lewis Prison, and the abandoned airfield...

>>6190668

[3/???]

"They said they were mowing down the raiders left and right," one of the guards comments during the ride. "Sure they got captured in the end but sounds like they're holding their own."

"C'mon man, that's cap." another guard responds. "For real, they're just saying whatever so they don't look like they got their shit kicked in. Maybe if they were, like, military organized but they're just dudes. Plus, how'd they know that if everyone was captured?"

"Hmm, yeah, I can see that. Thinking back, if we were rolling in with a full group of guys, warband style, we'd probably have wiped them out."

"Warband style, yo, that makes me think what's going on with the raid the guys in Maricopa were preparing for."

"Makes me wonder what happened with the raid the others were doing on the Gila."

The road home is empty and the ride back occurs without incident. You get on the 238, pass by Trkulja's hut, and are welcomed back at Mobile's highway defenses. Your plans of a nice, quiet evening are interrupted by the sights and sounds a mass celebration in the streets and among the tents and hastily constructed dwellings.

“Yo! Bob, my man you fucking MISSED IT!” It’s Jesse on another meth-fueled partying spree. He’s wearing blood-covered battle dress that he’s half-taken off and replaced with a patchwork of other clothes, and he’s also dragging along some short bald guy you don’t recognize with him.

“Cardinal Paul? What’s going-“

“We did it! That raid was LIT!” At this point another crusader, also obviously high on meth, hands him a cup of ice water he sips before dunking all over his head. “Yeah, HYDRATE!”

“You guys beat those Native POZ Proxies it sounds like?”

“Yo, we fucking SMASHED them! We took the town of Sacaton, killed their entire defending force! Eddy here gave the surrender and, yo, we had a mad prayer sesh! Glory to God! YOU HEAR ME SATAN, GLORY TO GOD!” His voice cracks as he screams at unseen demons and fetches more ice water...

>>6190670

[4/???]

You’re speechless. Not so much because of the meth-fueled weirdness, but because if what he’s saying is true, then this represents a massive win and basically ends the threat to Maricopa and Mobile by extension. As a cardinal you were part of some of the planning for the operation and seizing a properly defended Sacaton with a force less than a hundred men without heavy assets like artillery was so far-fetched it wasn’t even discussed. Between this and the recent diplomatic success with the Electric Union, you might have to actually start believing in miracles.

“Man, gotta save my voice. Bob, how’d the trip west go?”

“Well,” you respond. “Well, it went well. Had some very productive talks with the Union guys and dropped some stuff off for Trkulja on the way. I’ll spare you the details. Just to confirm, you said you militarily seized the town of Sacaton? You presumably took the other settlements on the way and I can only assume destroyed their raiding forces too?”

“Nah, not really. Well, we took the settlements, but the MMP kinda dropped the ball. Yo, you had to see that Greg guy in charge of them, he looked, like, cooked. For real! Raiders ran off to Phoenix and they went begging for help. I heard something about a President visiting?” You notice the bald sweating guy next to Jesse visibly reacts to this, but he doesn’t interrupt. “Yeah, there’s a bunch of politics stuff going on with The Messenger and the Mayor and all of that, I dunno, Pope told me to stay back and relax so, that’s what I’m doing. Throwing a nice party!” You think you’d also try to keep the blood soaked fighter on meth away from the high level politics, at least until he’s come down. “Oh, almost forgot, want some meth?” He offers you a pipe...

>>6190671

[5/5]

“No thank you, I need to sleep tonight.”

“Fair, fair, I’ll offer you some in the morning. Not like I’m going to be sleeping!”

You briefly consider prodding him about the details of just what exactly happened during the raid and what sounds like a crisis rapidly developing at Maricopa. But the day has been way too long and you feel like this is all going to be made very obvious soon enough. You’re checking out for the night and hoping all of this will somehow end well.

>[END OF ROBERT MAZUR POV]

>[END OF DIPLOMATIC ENVOY]

>[END OF THE ENDLESS HALF-WEEK?!?!]

>At the least, end of [Thread 2-8]

>Thanks for playing

Thanks for the patience throughout, this was definitely a lot slower than before with the infodumps and issues earlier on (still not as bad as November was.) Hoping it'll improve with the next thread, which I'll try to do on Page 11. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong. Had to delay this post by a day or so because the 15min timer meant I couldn't get it in earlier, (unfortunate because it'd be thematic to end it on Candlemas.) If you guys have anything you want to discuss or questions or want to fling shit, go for it. Until then I'll try to figure out the best way to deal with the whole "POZ Crisis 2" thing going on regarding actions and timing. I wasn't expecting you guys to just meth-charge the largest settlement in the region and blitz it down into surrender with next to no losses, and that complicates things. I'm currently leaning towards it having to take place before the next half-week actually starts because it's going to determine things like loot (there's a lot of loot), troop reservations, actions being locked in, etc.

Just a point of clarification on the vote, there wasn't an offer made to have them join since while I try to incorporate non-majority vote options when it's convenient and makes sense, that one had explicit opposition to it.

Also, it's been a while since I've done one and I have some characters left on the limit so I'd like to shout out the Fallout quest current running, which is also set in post-apoc Arizona where (You) run a small community trying to get by. So maybe if you're bored waiting for posts here you'd want to go check that out.

>>6190672
Godspeed QM!

Shame about the lack of a recruitment offer, given our ever-present hunger for manpower, but the Bikers were a bit of a sideshow anyways atm with the lack of time. Hopefully we can utilize this ‘crisis’ to bring Maricopa’s wayward churches into the fold asap, plus get in better with the Mayor and MMP.

I am curious how the Electric Union Secret Alliance is gonna work mechanically, but I’ll put my faith that Trkulja’s prayers and God’s ‘raised man’. Deus vult.

Solid stuff Drunk QM, are you still using proxy posters for new threads? If we manage to get some breathing room from the POZ, we should make that trip to Nee Vegas & drop off the Russian. Getting more artillery would be a massive boon.

>>6190693

Trying to sway the churches of Maricopa on the heels of our victory isn't a bad call.

>>6190672
Thank you for running, QM!

Has the thread been archived yet?

>>6190693
>curious how the Electric Union Secret Alliance is gonna work mechanically
The mechanics always come down to good choices and good dice rolls! Jokes aside, as the Electric Union mentioned it'll be about convincing others to join in the fight and building up enough of a force to take out the Protectorate. What "enough of a force" looks like and how "take out the Protectorate" would work exactly is up to your choices bound by constraints of who you can get and what you can do.

>>6190778
>are you still using proxy posters for new threads?
Unfortunately, the method I was hoping I could use to mobilize someone for it after returning wasn't available (some sites got nuked.) So my hand was forced.

>>6190852
It is now, thank you for the reminder.

>>6190778
I’d consider getting to Pester Juan to be more important, as it would support our action economy, but it’s not a bad play- I’m also thinking we could dedicate an action or two towards the East, maybe get Red Rock or Casa Grande on our side, or contact that military outpost, after we finish converting Maricopa.

The real coup would be selling our damn meth in Phoenix- like, it’s our main boon beside the Crusader faith, and it’s criminally underutilized. I’m hoping we can sell some to some of the Anarchist forces just to finally get some damn value from it.

>>6192538
Any ETA on the next thread?