Rifts Adventure IC

[Vaneheart]

Sir Drutarak

Watching Gradicus and Bobo interact, the minotaur grinned, then shrugged and said "He seems alright. Polite and friendly even." Leaving the situation to Gradicus, he slung his weapon casually, and kept watch for any additional threats.

 

[Purr]

Gradicus grinned at the sight of him. A Bearman! A Bearman popped out of the bush! A big, talking bear with a plasma rifle dressed like an adventurer! And his name was "Bobo!" How cool was that?!

Gradicus accepted the handshake with a friendly grip. "I think I would, sir! Forgive me for I cannot return the favor." Then he called out to the rest of the team to show them who had been aiding them with plasma fire from afar. "Hail, friends! Meet... Bobo Bearman!"

Only on Rifts Earth did these things happen!

 

[Psychie]

Terra looks up at the tall DBee with curiosity. "I'm not quite sure what a resume or a business card is, but I will gladly shake your hand for lending your weapon to the fight." She shakes his hand, with her own hand being totally engulfed by the towering Bearman. "Do you know anything about these robots, and where they came from?"

 

[sirlabe]

Bobo reached into his pockets, and began handing out business cards. "It is quite nice to meet you all, do you guys happen to know what's been happening around here, and where everyone has gone?"

 

[Purr]

Gradicus admired the card for several moments before putting it away somewhere safe. "Besides one who was sent to the afterlife," the True Atlantean pointed at the remains of the human the robots had decimated, "we know naught of recent events." Having looted the robots, Gradicus examined the human corpse for any identifying markings or belongings. Perhaps he was kin or friend of some of the refugees aboard Capt. Raimus's ship. Gradicus wanted them to know.

"What have you seen here, Bobo? And what fuels your bravery to fire at killer robots who evidently desire to destroy non-robots without delay?"

 

[sirlabe]

"Ah, well it isn't the fact that I'm some form of hero." Bobo scratched his head, "Rather it has to do with how I was raised."The bearman sighed, "My father Bobo Senior, drilled three important life lessons in me, One is hard work will always pay off, two is that there is nothing a bear can't do, and three most importantly is that no matter what it is, all life should be protected." Bobo adjusted his tie putting it back into place. "As for what I've seen was, nothing but empty villages, so I've been looking for any trace of locals, and that is how I was lead here."

 

[Psychie]

Terra smiles at Bobo. "Those are good lessons for your father to have passed on. If everyone were to take them to heart, things in this world would be much brighter." She lets out a sad sigh. "We were warned about a horrible threat that has planted its seed here in our world, the beginnings of a Swarm that threatens all life. A seer that we were fortunate enough to come across has said that our Cyber Knight friend, Sir Dru, has already 'touched' this threat, and that we were heading right into the teeth of this evil. Perhaps it has something to do with the empty towns you have seen."

Kneeling down, she examines the robots and their weapons picking up one of the Thin Man's rifles to take a closer look at it, hoping to be able to evaluate its workings.

 

[Purr]

Having looted the robots, Gradicus handed Terra one of the rifles.

 

[Sherwood]

As you examine the weapons, you can see that these are not just a set of some slapshot equipment, but well made and powerful energy weapons. Here are the stats:

Weight: 25 Ibs (11.3 kg)
Mega-Damage: 1D4 X 10 M.D. per blast.
Rate of Fire: Five per melee
Effective Range: 4000 feet (1200 m).
Payload: E-clip is 15 or unlimited when linked directly to the robot.

There are four of these rifles.

The ten Runts have this weapon:

M-30 Robot Variable Laser Rifle (1, Optional): The M-30 is a variable light frequency laser designed to overcome laser resistant armor. The robot's combat computer will automatically analyze an opponent's armor (if not already preprogrammed into its memory). After one melee round (15 seconds) the weapon adjusts to the light frequency that will inflict maximum damage.
The weapon has an independent, 30 shot energy clip but can also be connected with a cable directly to the robot's power supply for unlimited rounds.
Primary Purpose: Assault
Weight: 10 Ibs (4.5 kg)
Mega-Damage: 2D6 M.D. or 4D6 M.D.; two settings
Rate of Fire: Aimed, burst, wild; see Modern Weapons Proficiencies.
Effective Range: 2000 feet (610 m)
Payload: E-clip is 30 or unlimited when linked directly to the robot.

 

[Psychie]

Terra gives each of the weapons some attention before placing them in a neat pile. "Those are some serious firepower. We'll need to be careful if and when we face these things again. Those Runts," she nudges one with her boot, "have less powerful weapons, but even after a while that will add up. Lets see if we can't find any other possible survivors or other robots in town before signalling to Capt. Ramius that it is safe to unload the refugees."

 

[Purr]

Gradicus opened his Bag of Holding and eyed the stash he had collected. "If there are other survivors here, perhaps these weapons would aid them in their survival. Otherwise, perhaps they should go to the refugees aboard Capt. Raimus's vessel for them to use or sell. An empty stomach can kill just as surely as a laser blast. What say you?" Gradicus's turned to everyone present.

While he waited for answers, Gradicus attempted to use his Tracking and Wilderness Survival skills to find fresh information, for both humans and killer robots trod this planet Earth the same way - with feet.

 

[Sherwood]

Searching the town, Gradicus spots signs of where these robots have been from their tracks and sadly, there are several other bodies found on the street, shot down as they ran from the attackers. You do find several survivors hiding in their homes, praying that they will not be found. There are no other robots in the town.

It takes some coaxing, but eventually you are able to get the survivors to come out of hiding. They are scared, but very thankful to the group for stopping the killer robots and for bringing their friends back that were taken by the Splurgoth.

 

[Purr]

As before at the naval port on Atlantis, Gradicus felt his heart go out to these survivors. He called out to everyone in his group including Bobo. "Let us escort these survivors with us and unite them with the refugees we rescued on Atlantis. They will be safer and happier amongst friends. Then we can continue along knowing they are in good hands. What say you?"

 

[Psychie]

Terra keeps a careful watch, both with her eyes and those of her Automations. "Yes, getting everyone together will be a good thing for their morale. Reuniting them with family and friends will make everyone feel better. From what I can see, there are no other robots in the town."

 

[sirlabe]

Bobo nods and smiles, "Nothing is better than being with family!" Then Bobo called out to the survivors, "Is anyone injured?!"

 

[Vaneheart]

Sir Drutarak

The cyberknight helped assist with the survivors in the village. He looked to their new Bearman companion and thought, Oh good, he is a healer as well as a accountant. That is very useful. Never met a Bearman before. He asked a few of the survivors in what he hoped was a peaceable tone "Do you know anything about the attackers? Where did they come from? Who are they?"

 

[Sherwood]

Looking about the town, you find several dozen survivors hiding out in various buildings, terrified of the mechanical monsters that were murdering anyone that they came across. Strangely enough, the robots were somewhat discriminating on their targets: several dogs and a few cats were seen out and about, crossing the path of the robots, and they were not targeted by the bots. It doesn't have to do with the fact that the dogs and cats were not attacking the robots, after all, unarmed people that were running away from their attackers were mercilessly gunned down.

 

[Purr]

Gradicus wondered how Bobo might answer Sir Dru's questions. What did the Bearman know?

After offering to take them to the refugees, Gradicus asked the survivors what else they had seen, however unusual. It was times like these that he also wished he could speak with animals. He often wondered what their perspective was like and what they had witnessed.

Keeping a watchful eye and ear for danger, Gradicus asked the team, "Shall we reunite the survivors with their neighbors now?"

 

[Vaneheart]

Sir Drutarak

He frowned in concern at the question posed by Gradicus. "Are we certain that it is safe yet to do so? These houses and structures don't seem very sturdy or defensible. There could be more robots on the way, or perhaps even the Splugorth in pursuit. Might be best to keep them all on the ship for now, and do a wide scouting run of the environs, before risking even more lives. There is still much that we do not know."

 

[Purr]

Gradicus shook his dark mane. At Sir Dru's question, the young Atlantean realized he should have chosen different words.

"Pardon my poor wording. I mean, bring the survivors to Captain Raimus's ship and reunite them with their neighbors. I fear for their safety if they remain here among the dead."

 

[Psychie]

Terra nods in agreement. "I think that as much as the people of Wangler's Knob want to be off that ship, it is the safest place for them for now. Until we can make sure that these killer robots won't be coming back here, that is. Lets get Capt. Ramius to pull in close and we can get everyone on board and have the benefit of armor plating between them and these robots."

 

[Sherwood]

Do any of you call Ramius and have him advance to the shore again? So far, you have discussed it, but no one has actually called him yet.

 

[Purr]

Guard raised for more danger, Gradicus made the call and guided the team and survivors to the shoreline.

 

[Sherwood]

Over the course of the next hour, the survivors of the robot attack are loaded into the captured Slaver Raider. The civilians are scared, but thankful that you are there to help them out.

As all of this is going on, Eric calls out on the squad radio, "Guys, I'm hearing a radio call that might be connected to these robots. A fellow calling himself Hagan is saying that he's in the middle of a fight, and is asking for support from anyone in the area. His signal is nice and strong, and the coordinates he's giving out are close by. Might be worth checking out."

 

[Psychie]

Terra looks over at Eric, then to the others. "I think we should go investigate. Anyone with me? Having some extra bodies along on this might be a good thing."