SESSION 25: SURPRISE WITNESS
General Summary
Previous Session: SESSION 24: GAMMA TOWN
Next Session: SESSION 26 - THE BROTHERHOOD VERSUS GISCALA
Players: (The Heroes of St. Louis): Jefferson, Lex Garridan, Linda, Mister Man, Zero
*May 28th, 2317*
(Adventure Day 34)
Bob Hanssen sat in his office at the 9th Street Orphanage in Gamma Town, sorting through a few papers. A knock at the door made him rush up from his chair and answer.
"Mister Jefferson, I've been expecting you," Hanssen announced in his friendly, slightly greasy tone. "Sorry about the ceiling. Your mother spoke highly of you. I'm glad you've come. I think you can be a great help."
Jefferson, an intelligent deathclaw in a modest suit and glasses, ambled gently into the office, saying, "Thanks, Bob. I understand the Brotherhood is up to no good again?" He spoke in a thunderous voice, but upheld an amicable, folksy demeanour.
"Well, it looks like the Midwest Brotherhood is enacting martial law, and to do it they've got some mayor on trumped-up charges. Our organization doesn't have any special agenda on this one. Just give your honest, best effort in defending the mayor. There's already a group helping the defence, a team of locals known as the Heroes of St. Louis. They have more specific knowledge, so follow their lead."
Bob handed Jefferson his case notes and they left to meet the rest of the defence team. Linda was just out in the orphanage's yard, playing Atomic Blast with the children. She threw children up in the air and shouted, catching them to a chorus of laughter and delighted screams. Bob and Jefferson greeted her, getting a healthy dose of Linda's proselytizing.
Next was Zero, who was running a boxing lesson at the local public housing project. In the greater context of post-apocalyptic America, people living in a stable community with free shelter had a pretty cushy setup, but here in Gamma Town, these were considered underprivileged people. Zero was training with the local youngsters, advocating for altruistic living and personal growth. When Bob and Jefferson arrived, Zero clammed up. Out in the wastes, wild, unintelligent deathclaws were a serious threat - the nightmare of every caravan driver. Bob Hanssen noted that Zero was a talented speaker, and a good strategy might be for Jefferson to come up with arguments and for Zero to present them. They thanked the ghoul for his time and moved on to the next person.
Mister Man was outside of Lotsa Goddam Guns, tinkering at their public workbenches. Bob and Jefferson greeted the mister handy robot, more trying to find Lex than to talk. Mister Man spoke in a friendly, though strange tone, pointing them inside the shop where Lex was working on something. Before they left, the robot made sure to let Jefferson know that if he ever hurt Lex, Mister Man would promptly kill him.
Bob and Jefferson met with Lex inside Lotsa Goddam Guns. They talked a little bit about the Brotherhood’s case against Mayor John. Lex’s Aunt Alexa was a main witness in the case, having seen the fight start that the Brotherhood was now calling a riot. They agreed that not only had there not been a riot, but that it was neither Mayor John’s fault, nor could he have done anything about it. The entire case was a fraud. Bob warned that Alexa would have to be personable with the Brotherhood judges in order for her testimony to be taken seriously, and Lex noted that Alexa’s brusque attitude would make that difficult.
Before leaving Jefferson to his business, Bob apologized that his legal knowledge mostly concerned adoption, and he couldn’t be much of a help. He noted that to the best of his knowledge, their assignment was straightforward. They were supposed to win the case fair and square, with no violence. Jefferson was relieved, noting that he wouldn’t do anything unethical. Bob laughed, claiming that anything done for the good of the wasteland was ethical. Bob also noted that the group were usually joined by a scavenger named Mouse. This individual was strange and dangerous – definitely not to be trusted.
The group gathered at Joe’s Tavern, a dank little Gamma Town bar. The servers were afraid of Jefferson but waited on him politely. The team went over Bob’s case notes and talked about the details. They found that the case was full of holes, but in a Brotherhood hearing with Brotherhood judges, it might not matter. Paladin Hector’s after-action report on the alleged riot made note of a medical report which was not included in evidence. Having hacked into the Brotherhood’s computers earlier and downloaded all data pertaining to the case, Lex searched her Pip-Boy wrist computer for the appropriate file. And sure enough, it was there, with proof that the fighting in Emancipation did not amount to the significant injuries necessary to legally define it as a riot. They were starting to build a good case.
There was a strange name on the witnesses list, one Knight-Corporal Sadowski. This Brotherhood soldier was listed as serving in a place called Checkpoint Hazelgreen. It took them a moment to remember, but they realized that Checkpoint Hazelgreen was a bridge in Missouri where they had crossed back from the lands of Caesar’s Legion. This corporal must have seen them smuggling Doctor Antyllus across the border. Mayor John had wanted his former colleague Antyllus to come to Emancipation and swear that Caesar Aurelian was deeply opposed to using nuclear weapons, and was very unlikely to have committed the St. Louis Attack. This action, though beneficial to the people of the wasteland and not explicitly illegal, might look very bad in court. A Brotherhood tribunal might see their actions as having traitorous ties with Caesar’s Legion.
The party endeavoured to meet this corporal. They went to the Brotherhood headquarters at Bunker Gamma to research. They found that Sadowski wasn’t in the barracks but had been given a luxury suite at the North Village Inn. This was extremely odd treatment, especially for an enlisted soldier.
They found Corporal Sadowski sipping hot chicory at the inn’s patio café. She was in plain clothes, looking calm and restful. The party convinced the café’s server they belonged there, despite their appearance. They approached Sadowski, keeping friendly and polite. The corporal explained to them that she knew what the Brotherhood was up to. They had flown her up from Missouri in a vertibird, it was basically a paid luxury vacation. She knew they were buttering her up to get the most favourable testimony from her. They expected her to characterize the Heroes of St. Louis as Legion collaborators, and she was fine with that. She wouldn’t lie, nor would she lie. She didn’t have to, she saw them cross the border with a Legion doctor.
The group were ready to admit defeat and leave when they saw the server hit by a bolt of laser energy. The shot burned through him like a hot knife through butter. They took cover and scanned the area. There was a squad of six Gen 2 Synths across the street, armed with Commonwealth-style laser muskets. The expressionless, plastic skinned beings continued their assault, focused on Sadowski, but also shooting at anyone showing opposition.
The previously polite and friendly Jefferson sprung to action. His enormous claws tore one of the Synths apart. He held one in his hands, expecting a fear response. But the artificial being’s face was blank, entirely expressionless. The rest of the team prosecuted the fight aggressively. Mister Man zipped into the street with her incendiary laser gun. Even burning the Synths alive didn’t change their disposition. Lex switched between her pistol and rifle, changing as the assailants came closer. Zero’s practiced fists went to work and soon the Synths were defeated.
Corporal Sadowski had taken a shot from the laser muskets but wasn’t badly hurt. She thanked the party for their assistance. Seeing them in action, throwing themselves in front of hostile lasers to protect someone who was going to harm them, she was impressed. She said that she had to do her duty to the Brotherhood, but that she would characterize things as fairly as she could. The party thanked her and waited for the town sheriff to arrive.
They had a decent argument to make at the trial. They had a deathclaw lawyer to help. They had some documents. And now they had turned a key witness to their side. But this development was confounding. These fresh, new Gen 2 Synth bore no marks, nor were their intentions known. Qarla DiNovo, a journalist from The Commonwealth, had said that new Synths were impossible, and they had popped up again. They wanted Knight-Corporal Sadowski dead, presumably to interfere with the trial. But why or for whom could not be determined…
Next Session: SESSION 26 - THE BROTHERHOOD VERSUS GISCALA
Next Session: SESSION 26 - THE BROTHERHOOD VERSUS GISCALA
Players: (The Heroes of St. Louis): Jefferson, Lex Garridan, Linda, Mister Man, Zero
*May 28th, 2317*
(Adventure Day 34)
Bob Hanssen sat in his office at the 9th Street Orphanage in Gamma Town, sorting through a few papers. A knock at the door made him rush up from his chair and answer.
"Mister Jefferson, I've been expecting you," Hanssen announced in his friendly, slightly greasy tone. "Sorry about the ceiling. Your mother spoke highly of you. I'm glad you've come. I think you can be a great help."
Jefferson, an intelligent deathclaw in a modest suit and glasses, ambled gently into the office, saying, "Thanks, Bob. I understand the Brotherhood is up to no good again?" He spoke in a thunderous voice, but upheld an amicable, folksy demeanour.
"Well, it looks like the Midwest Brotherhood is enacting martial law, and to do it they've got some mayor on trumped-up charges. Our organization doesn't have any special agenda on this one. Just give your honest, best effort in defending the mayor. There's already a group helping the defence, a team of locals known as the Heroes of St. Louis. They have more specific knowledge, so follow their lead."
Bob handed Jefferson his case notes and they left to meet the rest of the defence team. Linda was just out in the orphanage's yard, playing Atomic Blast with the children. She threw children up in the air and shouted, catching them to a chorus of laughter and delighted screams. Bob and Jefferson greeted her, getting a healthy dose of Linda's proselytizing.
Next was Zero, who was running a boxing lesson at the local public housing project. In the greater context of post-apocalyptic America, people living in a stable community with free shelter had a pretty cushy setup, but here in Gamma Town, these were considered underprivileged people. Zero was training with the local youngsters, advocating for altruistic living and personal growth. When Bob and Jefferson arrived, Zero clammed up. Out in the wastes, wild, unintelligent deathclaws were a serious threat - the nightmare of every caravan driver. Bob Hanssen noted that Zero was a talented speaker, and a good strategy might be for Jefferson to come up with arguments and for Zero to present them. They thanked the ghoul for his time and moved on to the next person.
Mister Man was outside of Lotsa Goddam Guns, tinkering at their public workbenches. Bob and Jefferson greeted the mister handy robot, more trying to find Lex than to talk. Mister Man spoke in a friendly, though strange tone, pointing them inside the shop where Lex was working on something. Before they left, the robot made sure to let Jefferson know that if he ever hurt Lex, Mister Man would promptly kill him.
Bob and Jefferson met with Lex inside Lotsa Goddam Guns. They talked a little bit about the Brotherhood’s case against Mayor John. Lex’s Aunt Alexa was a main witness in the case, having seen the fight start that the Brotherhood was now calling a riot. They agreed that not only had there not been a riot, but that it was neither Mayor John’s fault, nor could he have done anything about it. The entire case was a fraud. Bob warned that Alexa would have to be personable with the Brotherhood judges in order for her testimony to be taken seriously, and Lex noted that Alexa’s brusque attitude would make that difficult.
Before leaving Jefferson to his business, Bob apologized that his legal knowledge mostly concerned adoption, and he couldn’t be much of a help. He noted that to the best of his knowledge, their assignment was straightforward. They were supposed to win the case fair and square, with no violence. Jefferson was relieved, noting that he wouldn’t do anything unethical. Bob laughed, claiming that anything done for the good of the wasteland was ethical. Bob also noted that the group were usually joined by a scavenger named Mouse. This individual was strange and dangerous – definitely not to be trusted.
The group gathered at Joe’s Tavern, a dank little Gamma Town bar. The servers were afraid of Jefferson but waited on him politely. The team went over Bob’s case notes and talked about the details. They found that the case was full of holes, but in a Brotherhood hearing with Brotherhood judges, it might not matter. Paladin Hector’s after-action report on the alleged riot made note of a medical report which was not included in evidence. Having hacked into the Brotherhood’s computers earlier and downloaded all data pertaining to the case, Lex searched her Pip-Boy wrist computer for the appropriate file. And sure enough, it was there, with proof that the fighting in Emancipation did not amount to the significant injuries necessary to legally define it as a riot. They were starting to build a good case.
There was a strange name on the witnesses list, one Knight-Corporal Sadowski. This Brotherhood soldier was listed as serving in a place called Checkpoint Hazelgreen. It took them a moment to remember, but they realized that Checkpoint Hazelgreen was a bridge in Missouri where they had crossed back from the lands of Caesar’s Legion. This corporal must have seen them smuggling Doctor Antyllus across the border. Mayor John had wanted his former colleague Antyllus to come to Emancipation and swear that Caesar Aurelian was deeply opposed to using nuclear weapons, and was very unlikely to have committed the St. Louis Attack. This action, though beneficial to the people of the wasteland and not explicitly illegal, might look very bad in court. A Brotherhood tribunal might see their actions as having traitorous ties with Caesar’s Legion.
The party endeavoured to meet this corporal. They went to the Brotherhood headquarters at Bunker Gamma to research. They found that Sadowski wasn’t in the barracks but had been given a luxury suite at the North Village Inn. This was extremely odd treatment, especially for an enlisted soldier.
They found Corporal Sadowski sipping hot chicory at the inn’s patio café. She was in plain clothes, looking calm and restful. The party convinced the café’s server they belonged there, despite their appearance. They approached Sadowski, keeping friendly and polite. The corporal explained to them that she knew what the Brotherhood was up to. They had flown her up from Missouri in a vertibird, it was basically a paid luxury vacation. She knew they were buttering her up to get the most favourable testimony from her. They expected her to characterize the Heroes of St. Louis as Legion collaborators, and she was fine with that. She wouldn’t lie, nor would she lie. She didn’t have to, she saw them cross the border with a Legion doctor.
The group were ready to admit defeat and leave when they saw the server hit by a bolt of laser energy. The shot burned through him like a hot knife through butter. They took cover and scanned the area. There was a squad of six Gen 2 Synths across the street, armed with Commonwealth-style laser muskets. The expressionless, plastic skinned beings continued their assault, focused on Sadowski, but also shooting at anyone showing opposition.
The previously polite and friendly Jefferson sprung to action. His enormous claws tore one of the Synths apart. He held one in his hands, expecting a fear response. But the artificial being’s face was blank, entirely expressionless. The rest of the team prosecuted the fight aggressively. Mister Man zipped into the street with her incendiary laser gun. Even burning the Synths alive didn’t change their disposition. Lex switched between her pistol and rifle, changing as the assailants came closer. Zero’s practiced fists went to work and soon the Synths were defeated.
Corporal Sadowski had taken a shot from the laser muskets but wasn’t badly hurt. She thanked the party for their assistance. Seeing them in action, throwing themselves in front of hostile lasers to protect someone who was going to harm them, she was impressed. She said that she had to do her duty to the Brotherhood, but that she would characterize things as fairly as she could. The party thanked her and waited for the town sheriff to arrive.
They had a decent argument to make at the trial. They had a deathclaw lawyer to help. They had some documents. And now they had turned a key witness to their side. But this development was confounding. These fresh, new Gen 2 Synth bore no marks, nor were their intentions known. Qarla DiNovo, a journalist from The Commonwealth, had said that new Synths were impossible, and they had popped up again. They wanted Knight-Corporal Sadowski dead, presumably to interfere with the trial. But why or for whom could not be determined…
Next Session: SESSION 26 - THE BROTHERHOOD VERSUS GISCALA
Character(s) interacted with
Report Date
14 Nov 2021
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