AP: The Airfield

It was interesting to me how that one decision back when I rolled Reputation with iii started to shape Proust's character. Doing what she says became a gret key to what makes Proust tick, and starts to fuel play from that point forward.

Similarly, Hawaii fulfilled that role for Arobinson. I don't know if Andrew knew tht Hawaii would become so central to Robinson's story when he brought it up.

And here's Cobra's Mustang

And here's Cobra's Mustang!

Specials comes to Robinson in Wisher’s place and asks him what he should do about the food (Eager to Know). Robinson tells him to go get food for the people (Oftener Right). So, Specials heads up to the gardens at the top of Terminal. He sees they are in a pitiful state, an apple tree, stunted plants, some rice paddies. He goes to see Captain, who seems completely off his nut. “Food is control,” he says. “They can’t plot against me if they’re hungry. I have the food, and I have the guns, and with you, soon I’ll have an army.” Specials points out that his men may have guns, but they have families too, families that are part of Terminal. Families who are hungry. “That’s why I have all there families kept safe. They’re warm and safe and fed…and watched. Guarded.”

Cobra pulls the handbrake and does a bootlegger turn, then guns it straight toward the truck. Proust opens up out the window with iii’s AK and the driver of the truck loses control and spins off the road. Two other cars hit the road and take off after the Mustang. Cobra lets them catch up while Proust empties her AK, killing one of the drivers and sending the car rolling over the tundra. The road here is torn to shit and Cobra has to bring the car to a halt. Proust jumps out and aims her handgun at the oncoming car. Cobra shouts “Do NOT use my car as cover! Get over there!” As the car screams toward her, Proust opens her mind to the maelstrom (Miss!). She sees her daughter. The one she lost to the cannibal gangs back before she became an Operator. She remembers how Captain helped her get her revenge on them and then set her up in Terminal. She remembers how much she owes Captain.

“Stay in the car, Shazza” Cobra tries to attract the attention of the oncoming car as he sprints to the side. The car turns, trying to run him down. He dives for cover, but notices that Shazza has followed him and is now right in front of the car. Cobra jumps between her and the car, putting up his hands. The car pulls to a stop and two guys with guns get out, Tum-tum and Carl’s. Tum-tum is in charge here, and he wants a cut of everything that goes past.

Carl’s is holding an AK on Cobra, Proust tells Tum-tum that it’s his lucky day. She isn’t going to kill him. She starts to negotiate terms under which Tum-Tum can keep his shit. Carl’s is leering at Shazza and moves toward her, distracted. Cobra clocks him in the temple with his magnum as he walks past, caving in the side of his skull and dropping him in the snow. Tum-tum jumps Proust, but Robinson unfolds himself from the Mustang’s trunk (Bonefeel! Spending 1 hold) and puts a gun to the back of his head. Proust and Tum-tum come to terms, recruiting him into her crew. Before they leave, Cobra trades Tum-tum a ride in Mustang in return for him looking out for things Cobra might want. Of course, Tum-tum wants to drive the Mustang, but Cobra will have none of that.

That night around the campfire, Shazza approaches Cobra offering herself to him. She’s old enough to live her own life, no matter what Proust promised her father. She wants to stay with him. When Cobra refuses she seeks out Robinson, asking him for advice on how to get Cobra to sleep with her. Robinson says “With him, you have to be bold. Be forward. Go for what you want.”

Robinson sleeping with Prim was the first time a Special Move came into play. I'm pretty sure Colin's personal win condition at that point into get every character's Special Mive into the game. He's already working on Cobra. But Proust is tough. She needs another obligation gig like she needs a boot to the head.

And the story continues...

Proust and Cobra are seated in front of the campfire discussing the importance of keeping one’s word, so that people know they’re going to get a fair deal with her. To Cobra “keeping alive is more important than keeping deals.” Proust tells Cobra about how she became an Operator. About her daughter, and what the cannibal gangs did to her. “Keeping your word is about bringing civilization back to this world, when everything else has gone to shit. It’s more important than just surviving.”

As they head off to Bakersfield the next day, Shazza convinces Cobra to fuck, on the condition that she stays in Bakersfield when he drops her off. She agrees, but asks Cobra to tell her that he loves her. He does. Then he drops her off in Baker (Driver Special, Miss. You gotta go. It’s not like they own you or nothing).

Back at the Airfield, Specials has been having some problems. We all meet in the cockpit of Robinson’s DC 3. Specials demands that Proust take over the Airfield, “If you don’t do it, then I got to do it.” Proust agrees only to go and talk to Captain and see what can be done. Specials asks Robinson what he should do about Captain and Robinson replies “You don’t need these problems. You should take care of your own business before messing with Captain’s (Oftener right).”

Proust and Specials go off to see Captain. On the way, Proust is accosted by hungry Terminal folk. She tells them she is going to see Captain about getting them some food and they should meet her later by the hangar. It turns out Captain is batshit crazy. He wants Proust to find out who is plotting against him. He suspects everyone, including Proust. Specials has had enough, “Blah, Blah Blah!” he says as he pulls his pistol and puts it up to Captain’s forehead.

Matilda comes to Cobra with an offer from Wisher. He wants Cobra to join his crew, become part of the Family. Cobra refuses, and she leaves emptyhanded. Back at Wisher’s compound, Wisher offers the Savvyhead all the fuel he needs to get to Hawaii and then some—10,000 gallons of AvGas. All he has to do is hand over the Airfield. Robinson readily agrees.

Specials clubs Captain senseless and Proust turns to his gunmen, Rice, Mill and Bar. “Go distribute the food stores to the people in the marketplace.” She’s got her gun out and she isn’t asking. They open the storage rooms and people start crowding in, desperate to get to the food before it runs out. Specials tries to impose order before there is a full scale riot. Proust gets on the intercom and with the help of Robinson, who shows up with exactly the tools needed to get it operational (Bonefeel! Spend one hold), she tells them all to calm the fuck down.

Back in the hangar, Exit rushes in and tells Cobra that food is up for grabs. He and the platformers want Cobra to get his tank and seize the food. Cobra refuses, trying to calm them down, but they rush him (Read a Sitch, miss!). He unloads his gun into them, but they overpower him and deal him some harm. Cobra notes that Exit is now leading the platformers. They come to a deal. He leaves his car keys with Exit while he takes the tank out to get them some food.

And here's Cobra's tank, or at least the basis of it.



Of course you got to picture it with lots of sheet metal armor and one of these babies bolted on.

So, what with Cobra and Shazza, that's two Special moves out of four. Colin is halfway to victory ;)

Over in Terminal, shit is really hitting the fan, Specials and Proust are doing there best to calm the crowd. Captain locks himself into the control room. Proust and Robinson leg it out to the tarmac, pursued by a gang led by Hugo, Mimi’s father. Mimi, you remember? The girl Robinson killed over Mr. Coffee. Specials deals out s-harm, subduing a bunch of rioters, but Rice and the others open up on him, killing a couple of Terminal people in the crossfire. The rest scatter.

Cobra crashes through the terminal wall (Daredevil), Specials’ men open fire, blowing a wheel off the truck. Cobra fixes his gaze on Rice, drawing his attention (Dangerous & sexy) while Specials empties a clip into him. Run, Chack and Krin, some of Specials’ men try to bums rush Proust as she arrives, but Specials orders them to stand down, and for a wonder, they listen.

Things under control, food distribution begins. Captain has disappeared. Robinson tries to convince Specials to leave Terminal and fly to Hawaii with him. Not to take on this city’s problems as his own (Oftener right). Proust gives Robinson some barter and asks him not to leave until everyone is sorted out. Cobra warns Robinson about how militant his gang of mechanics have become under Exit. And, accepting some of Robinson’s jingle, heads off to Grip for some healing.

Cobra is headed out to Bakersfield with Specials, picking up some seeds for Proust. He sees some mines in the road up ahead (Bushwacked!). He spots a place where he should be able to gun it up a snowbank and jump the mines. That, or lose his shit and plow into a house. “Hold on, Freeze-Dry!” he says to Specials and floors it.

Robinson is fixing the Tank’s wheel, and thinking about finishing his plane. He’s figuring shit out, and realizes he needs parts from the Submarine. He grabs a couple of his platformer gang and heads for Wisher’s.

Proust goes looking for Captain. She’s put out word that she’s looking for him and spent some jingle. Food Truck comes to her and tells her he’s seen him in the Market. His head wrapped in towels so you wouldn’t recognize him, but Food Truck knows it’s him. He’s hiding out among the cars in the wrecker’s yard near the end of the airfield.

Cobra makes the jump (Act under Fire, 12) as Specials opens his mind to the maelstrom. The houses on the side of the road remind Specials of home. Of Before. One house in particular looks like his mom’s home in South Central. She always had Sunday dinner. You had to wash your hands. Specials never brought Tammy there. They wouldn’t have approved. He sees his mother at the door. He sees Tammy too. Tammy holding a baby…and a gun.

Cobra spins across the frozen ground and back onto the road, waving his shiny green cowboy hat out the window as 20 members of the cannibal gang pour out of the house to the beat of automatic weapons fire.

Robinson is talking to Wisher, Parcher, Corbett and Monk stand behind. Wisher is joined by Prim and Matilda. There’s a smell of smoke and booze and sex in the air. Robinson informs wisher that he’s leaving and he’s taking Specials with him. He’s going to need that AvGas. Wisher smiles and tells him to be sure not to betray him or he’ll create the largest bonfire Robinson’s ever seen, burn up the Airfield and him and his friends along with it.

Cobra and Specials arrive in Bakersfield. Shazza is there waiting. Herridan, the local holder comes out, wary of Specials because she recognizes his gear. Tammy has left, after killing three of her men in cold blood. She’s left for the mountains days ago. Specials knows she’s telling the truth (Read a Person, 12) and he barters for her to send an expert on planting in return for weapons. Herridan is happy to oblige, “The way I figure. The more food you have down there, the longer it takes before you’re coming up here. But I know one day, you folks are coming.”

Proust wanders the carpark looking for Captain, and finds him with a few refugees huddled up to a burning trashbin for warmth. Proust owes Captain, so she convinces him to leave peaceably. She gives him her word that he won’t be harmed. Captain finally agrees and they begin walking back to Food Truck. As they approach, Captain draws a small caliber pistol and draws a bead on Proust. However, Robinson steps out with a group of his dudes (Bonefeel! Gotta love it.) and forces him to stand down.

Cobra and Specials decide to head to the mountains in search of Tammy. Cobra takes Shazza along. They’re driving up a twisting mountain road when Specials opens his mind to try to reach out to Tammy (Miss!). He sees the sun. He sees blue skies. He sees how things used to be and it burns him. He reaches for the steering wheel, turning the Mustang towards the sheer dropoff. Cobra fights for control (Seize with Force, take definite hold) and he’s able to stop the car right on the edge, turning the car so Specials is suspended over the drop. Specials is laughing and bleeding from the ears and nose (psi harm), “Did you see it? Did you see the sun? None of you fucking knows how it should be. None of you fucking knows!”

Robinson wants to kill Captain, for trying to kill Proust, but she forbids it. She gave her word and her word is still good, regardless. The Platformers think that Proust is weak and she is making Robinson look weak. She threatens Robinson that if he wants to remain in the crew, he needs to do what she says (Intimidate, Miss!). Robinson has two of his men relieve captain of his weapons and walk him out of the city gates. But, when he gets there, Robinson and the rest of his gang are waiting. They execute Captain there, in sight of the market. Leaving his body lying in the street as a message.

Robinson wants to kill Captain, for trying to kill Proust, but she forbids it. She gave her word and her word is still good, regardless. The Platformers think that Proust is weak and she is making Robinson look weak. She threatens Robinson that if he wants to remain in the crew, he needs to do what she says (Intimidate, Miss!). Robinson has two of his men relieve captain of his weapons and walk him out of the city gates. But, when he gets there, Robinson and the rest of his gang are waiting. They execute Captain there, in sight of the market. Leaving his body lying in the street as a message.

This was the standout scene of the entire game for me. It hit me right in the face and could not be ignored.

Proust meets Robinson in the middle of the marketplace, drawing everyone’s eyes to them. At the top of her voice, she challenges Robinson. Saying if he’s not going to listen to her, then she can’t be in charge. She tells everyone in the market, that Robinson is now in charge. He will provide them food and water. She’s walks off to Grip’s place, trading some antibiotics for a place to lay low. People crowd in to Robinson, asking where they’re going to get food, but he ignores their questions and heads for his workshop.

Cobra leaves Shazza off at Bakersfield on the way back, promising her a “ride” whenever he’s in town. He heads back to the Airfield and drops Freeze-Dry off at Grip’s clinic before heading off to speak with Robinson. He sees Proust there, but she is uncharacteristically quiet, just makes sure Specials is going to be okay. Grip narco stabs Specials to give his mind time to heal and gives him a bio stab to speed the healing.

Special’s army has barricaded itself in Terminal and a horde of angry people are milling about outside. The men are well prepared and have a killing zone set up, just like Specials taught them. Cobra and Robinson are talking things over in the workshop when Specials walks in. He’s still reeling from the effects of the maelstrom and the narco stab, but he’s on the mend. Robinson’s gang is all for storming the food stores, which is going to get a lot of folks killed. But they manage to keep them in check. Robinson tells them that Proust got mad at him for killing Captain and quit. People are getting nervous and no one is in charge at Terminal. Everyone is desperate and scared. Specials is completely flabbergasted, “Proust quit?!? How the hell…! How can she just quit?”

Dremmer comes to Proust with an offer. “What do you want, Proust? Tell me. I like to give people what they want (Custom Move. Tell him what you want and take 1XP).” Proust looks at him, long and hard “I don’t know what I want.” Dremmer smiles, “Ah, you want purpose. Come with me.”

Specials, who did you lose? My son. I remember watching on the sub’s monitors as the bombs fell, obliterating my hometown (Past. GM Chooses one: Who did you lose?).

Proust is at Dodger Stadium with Dremmer and his army of 30 or 40 well armed men in plastic parkas, carrying A-K’s and machine guns. “What do you want, Proust? Let me give it to you. Let me give you the Airfield?” Skeptical, Prousts asks him why he would do that. “Because I want you to run it. I want a market. I want trade. And I think we can be friends. Captain was not my friend. Wisher is not my friend. Are you my friend, Proust?” Proust asks “From one operator to another, what’s the catch?” (Read a Person 7. What’s he really feeling?). Dremmer smiles, “You work for me” and Proust senses utter confidence. He is completely in charge. He knows what she will say before she says it.

Robinson catches up to Specials outside of his workshop. “Dwayne, I need to talk with you. I need some parts from your submarine to fix the plane.” Specials thinks for a second, “Well, I need to talk with you as well. I need you to get me access the to the sub’s archives. You don’t need the reactor right? (Read a Person, 5)” Parcher looks up briefly at that. Robinson hands Specials two airline tickets he’s printed out. They read Destination: Hawaii. Specials squints “Coach? Guess we can’t be too picky.”

Cobra goes looking for Proust and learns that Grip’s traded her to Dremmer for some medicine and a bit of independence. He heads out to Dodger Stadium. Dremmer waves Proust back as he goes to meet Cobra. Dremmer invites him up to the announcer’s box where they sit around a folding kitchen table.

Robinson is in the bridge of the submarine. He reaches out to the console with his senses Robinson sees a shadowy cabal of “generals” and “directors” who created the submarine and the stasis chamber, somehow connected to the End. He knows they are still down in the crio-tubes below. His mind’s eye sees Tammy at the console, recently. Opening up the stasis chambers and awakening her squad. (Bonefeel 12. Who Made this? Who handled this before me? What’s been done most recently with this?).

Specials is heading for the Psi isolation chamber. He sees open crio-tubes, empty save for drying goo. He can tell that these were opened hours ago. No one is nearby; they must have left the sub (Read a Sitch, 8. What is my enemy’s true position?). He opens the chamber and finds the body of Specialist Matthews, blood from his eyes and ears still drying. Long since dead, his mind and body must have been shattered by the psychic maelstrom when he was wakened. They tried to save him in the chamber, but it did no good.

Robinson has the access codes he needs. As he finishes, Parcher comes to him. “Robinson. Did Specials say something about a reactor? That could be good for us. The Platform would never be cold. Our people would be safe…and for other things.” Robinson reaches down to Parcher’s coveralls and pulls out the piece he broke to remind him of his limitations. “Be careful. Don’t touch anything. We’ll go down there together.”

Dremmer turns to Cobra, “What would it take to get you to burn Wisher’s compound to the ground? How much gas?” Proust steps in “Hold on! I don’t want a blood bath. You start killing Wisher and he’ll start killing you. Everybody dies. You want me to run the Airfield? You want a fucking market? Fine, I’ll do it. But, I’ll go in and talk to Wisher. He’s a business man. We can cut a deal (Manipulate 10).” Dremmer thinks Wisher is freaky, but he agrees to do it Proust’s way. “One thing though, Proust. I own you. I want to hear you say it.” Proust, swallowing her pride says “Fine, if that’s what it takes to keep everyone alive and fed. You own me, Dremmer.”

Specials is in the Psi Isolation Chamber, reaching through the Maelstrom to Tammy (Augury 7, You reach through the psychic maelstrom to something or someone connected to it.) He sees her about to go into a briefing, holding a swaddled baby and an assault rifle. She turns to him “You need to let us go. The Device didn’t get a chance. It was turned off too soon. It can end it. All of it. What’s left of it.” Specials tries to convince her not to end the world (Read a Person 6). He sees the Airfield, his men Mill, Bar, Chako and Krim are behind barricades, guns locked and loaded. “Is this what you want to save?” asks Tammy. “These people ready to kill each other for stunted potatoes? I won’t bring this here,” she says showing him the baby. Specials can see that it is a small skeleton. “Name one thing worth saving.” As his vision pulls back, he sees she is at Dodger Stadium.

Robinson and Parcher run into Specials in the passageway outside the reactor. “Specials turns to Robinson for advice. “My old girlfriend is about to destroy the world. What do you think I should do? (Read a Person. What do you wish I’d do?)” Robinson pauses for a second, “Fix her. Then head for Hawaii.” Specials shrugs, “Is there anything worth saving?” Robinson turns to him, “I’ve come this far, Dwayne. I’m not giving up until I find out.” That seems to satisfy Specials. He and Robinson head back to the Archives to see what they can find on Hawaii. The reactor will have to wait. Robinson is able to access the database and see that the islands are still there, but he can’t tell much else.

As Proust and Cobra are leaving, Dremmer pulls the Driver aside and offers him a Tanker full of gas and safety, if he’ll work for him. Dremmer’s only condition is that he will own Cobra. Cobra asks “why me (Read a Person, Miss.)?” but the man’s reasons remain his own. Cobra and Proust head to Wisher’s compound and are admitted inside by members of the Family. Proust tells Wisher that the Airfield is now hers. Wisher can kill her, but then Dremmer’s gang is going to burn him and his family out of his compound. She wants business as usual between them. “What will it take to make this deal? (Read a Person, 7. What will it take to get you to accept?)” Wisher’s response “Join the Family.” Proust agrees and they are wed. Cobra leaves as the orgy begins. (Operator special move. Proust gains the obligation gig, Keeping the Family happy).