I've long had fascination with gaming in a post apocalyptic setting, with the original "Planet of the Apes" probably inspiring my first thoughts of toys in a post apocalypse. Despite buying my first figures for my own post-apoc gaming in 1987, it has only been during the last year or so, that I have actually brought this to the table as a full blown gaming project. Oh, there were a few one-off games over the years, but I just didn't have much to bring to the table until recently.
Though 'The Road Warrior" (1981) seems to have most directly defined the image of the genre, it wasn't until after The Terminator (1984), that I started to see the occasional post-apoc game at conventions. A little later, I started to see the more sci-fi heavy dystopian games, but rarely what I would truly call games of the post apocalypse.
My experience has been that a significant portion of gamers have interest in, and/or opinion about, post-apoc environments, stories, and gaming, disproportionate to the frequency of actually gaming the genre. I find this to be a curious thing, given the number of gamers that enthusiastically embrace a variety of post-apoc movies and books. It may simply be that the right form of post-apoc game did not, or has not yet, come along at the right time to bring about the "flowering" of the genre.
About ten years ago, I discovered The Post Apoc Wargames Forum, an online discussion forum dedicated to the genre. Over the years, I've come to appreciate it as an amazing place on the internet. The membership is exceedingly well behaved, sharing a variety of ideas and photos of some of the most amazing artistry in the hobby.
The work and ideas presented on this forum have greatly inspire me to develop my own post-apoc ideas and interests, and exposed me to a seemingly disproportionately large range of products available to the post-apocalyptic gamer.
This last thought, about the multitude of products aimed at, or compatible with, post-apoc gaming probably fascinates me more than anything. For a genre that has such a small presence in my decades of gaming experiences, why are there so many products in the form of games systems and miniature lines.
I realize that some of these products target "other genres", and simply have utility in what I qualify as post apocalyptic, but in many cases, those genres are still niches that are apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic in nature, and similarly appeal to under-represented segments of the hobby, given the scope of products and the expense to make those products available.
Somebody is buying this stuff, but who is gaming it? And where are they gaming it? Though I can find evidence of it on the internet, first person encounters have been rare.
Maybe most post-apoc gamers are similar to me in that they have had great intensions, but have just never been able to bring the game to the table. In my own case, I am hoping to start going to conventions again in the near future, and intend to present some post-apoc events, and see what sort of response they get. Maybe I can stop being my own self-perceived "problem".
In any event, I hope that if you have an interest in post-apocalypse movies and books, that you might consider the gaming possibilities, and that if you are already a post apocalyptic gamer, that you might consider sharing your exploits on the forum linked above, and otherwise within the gaming community.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Finding a New Home: Home At Last (3 of 3)*
Everybody's wounds were healing quickly, aided by both Tinker's skills, and the medical supplies from his med-kit. After only a couple of days, the Lt suggested that they try to cover some ground, and while much slower than they had been, they still made progress, heading towards wherever they were going.
They travelled for days, canyons gave way to hills, and hills to flat-lands. They made contact with a couple of villages, trading for some things and learning about the landscape of their new world. They found that some areas retained many of the place names from the Before, while others were completely different, or simply didn't exist in the Before.
As they continued south, they saw the scattered remnants of the Before, littering the vast emptiness of the wastes. Many sorts of structures and machine were seen, some of obvious utility, but many raised questions that would never be answered.
As they came into contact with people, they were warned about the Dalworth Texians, and about The Confederation, about places east, west, north and south. It seemed that everywhere was dangerous and should be avoided. Curiously, no one had heard of the Colorado Region Federal Defense Complex, which was fine by the Lt and his men.
As they travelled, a question began bothering the Lt. Were they still "his" men? By what right did he command them? Thus far, he had gotten two of them killed, and the rest wounded. Sergeant Cummings had been second in command, and had saved everyone's butt at one time or another, probably saved all of their lives in this last fight. And Obradovich, forever the comedian. The day tinker awoke and looked in the mirror to find that O'B had glued a mohawk made of paint brush bristles to Tinkers big, bald head was... well... just a memory now. O'B just made life better, and the Lt hadn't.
The more they travelled, the more they realized just how small their world had been in the complex. And how little they knew about the world in which they now lived. The things that they had fought, were known as Greenies, mostly only known as rumors. They had to watch for other mutations, giant scorpions and other "bugs" mostly. Then there were the "chompers". described as teeth with legs and roamed around the flatlands in little herds, eating whatever they came in contact with. Hadn't seen any of those yet, fortunately. Mostly, in the flatlands, there just wasn't much of anything, dust, rock, and endlessness.
After a few days of nothing, they finally saw a settlement in the distance. The team followed the old road that lead towards the settlement, hoping for a little hospitality there. Those hopes were dashed, when they heard shots ring out in the distance.
The team talked it over, and it was decided that the Lt would head out alone towards the settlement, and see if contact could be made. If the Lt was shot, it was agreed that the rest of the team was to simply leave. Everybody agreed to it, but none would leave him, and everybody knew it.
The Lt slung his weapon, and slowly advanced towards the settlement. After a few minutes, he stopped, at what he thought might be the limits of rifle range. "His" men impatiently watched, hoping to offer covering fire if shooting started, thought with the exception of Spooky, the sniper, their weapons would have little hope of hitting anything at this range.
After a couple of minutes, two men began to approach from the entrance of the settlement, weapons in hand, the others in the settlement obviously covering their approach. The situation was very tense, and the Lt particularly hoped that one of the settlers wouldn't panic and loose a shot, triggering an unhappy ending to the situation.
The Lt watched as the men approached, the men sizing up their opposites. They stopped a short distance from each other, and the settler on the left asked, "Out for a walk today?" The Lt replied that they were travelers looking for somewhere to stop and rest for a couple of days, mentioned their encounter with the Greenies, and offered to trade for whatever they might need.
The discussion went on for some minutes, with the man eventually inviting the Lt and his men to come into the settlement. Everybody slung their weapons, and though there was an uneasiness that comes with encounters between good men in the wastes, the danger had passed.
After that "cautious" initial contact, the team was well received, and much to the delight of the village, the team decided to stay for awhile, better acquainting themselves with the wastes and sharing their knowedge and resources with the locals.
______________________________
As I rolled up this scenario, I thought the Lt's team was toast. The settlement had three times the men, and the Lt's team had no cover. But the dice made this an encounter, not a battle, and created opportunity for a new storyline. Not sure what the future will hold for the Lt, his team, and the settlement, but for now they will rest, continue to heal, and the adventures in the wastes will move elsewhere.
They travelled for days, canyons gave way to hills, and hills to flat-lands. They made contact with a couple of villages, trading for some things and learning about the landscape of their new world. They found that some areas retained many of the place names from the Before, while others were completely different, or simply didn't exist in the Before.
As they continued south, they saw the scattered remnants of the Before, littering the vast emptiness of the wastes. Many sorts of structures and machine were seen, some of obvious utility, but many raised questions that would never be answered.
As they came into contact with people, they were warned about the Dalworth Texians, and about The Confederation, about places east, west, north and south. It seemed that everywhere was dangerous and should be avoided. Curiously, no one had heard of the Colorado Region Federal Defense Complex, which was fine by the Lt and his men.
As they travelled, a question began bothering the Lt. Were they still "his" men? By what right did he command them? Thus far, he had gotten two of them killed, and the rest wounded. Sergeant Cummings had been second in command, and had saved everyone's butt at one time or another, probably saved all of their lives in this last fight. And Obradovich, forever the comedian. The day tinker awoke and looked in the mirror to find that O'B had glued a mohawk made of paint brush bristles to Tinkers big, bald head was... well... just a memory now. O'B just made life better, and the Lt hadn't.
The more they travelled, the more they realized just how small their world had been in the complex. And how little they knew about the world in which they now lived. The things that they had fought, were known as Greenies, mostly only known as rumors. They had to watch for other mutations, giant scorpions and other "bugs" mostly. Then there were the "chompers". described as teeth with legs and roamed around the flatlands in little herds, eating whatever they came in contact with. Hadn't seen any of those yet, fortunately. Mostly, in the flatlands, there just wasn't much of anything, dust, rock, and endlessness.
The emptiness of the flatlands, broken up by a settlement.
After a few days of nothing, they finally saw a settlement in the distance. The team followed the old road that lead towards the settlement, hoping for a little hospitality there. Those hopes were dashed, when they heard shots ring out in the distance.
The Lt with the settlement in the distance.
A shot came from the tower.
The team talked it over, and it was decided that the Lt would head out alone towards the settlement, and see if contact could be made. If the Lt was shot, it was agreed that the rest of the team was to simply leave. Everybody agreed to it, but none would leave him, and everybody knew it.
The Lt slung his weapon, and slowly advanced towards the settlement. After a few minutes, he stopped, at what he thought might be the limits of rifle range. "His" men impatiently watched, hoping to offer covering fire if shooting started, thought with the exception of Spooky, the sniper, their weapons would have little hope of hitting anything at this range.
The Lt stops at a "safe" distance and waits
After a couple of minutes, two men began to approach from the entrance of the settlement, weapons in hand, the others in the settlement obviously covering their approach. The situation was very tense, and the Lt particularly hoped that one of the settlers wouldn't panic and loose a shot, triggering an unhappy ending to the situation.
Two men from the settler begin their approach.
The Lt watched as the men approached, the men sizing up their opposites. They stopped a short distance from each other, and the settler on the left asked, "Out for a walk today?" The Lt replied that they were travelers looking for somewhere to stop and rest for a couple of days, mentioned their encounter with the Greenies, and offered to trade for whatever they might need.
"Out for a walk today?"
The discussion went on for some minutes, with the man eventually inviting the Lt and his men to come into the settlement. Everybody slung their weapons, and though there was an uneasiness that comes with encounters between good men in the wastes, the danger had passed.
Entering the settlement
After that "cautious" initial contact, the team was well received, and much to the delight of the village, the team decided to stay for awhile, better acquainting themselves with the wastes and sharing their knowedge and resources with the locals.
______________________________
As I rolled up this scenario, I thought the Lt's team was toast. The settlement had three times the men, and the Lt's team had no cover. But the dice made this an encounter, not a battle, and created opportunity for a new storyline. Not sure what the future will hold for the Lt, his team, and the settlement, but for now they will rest, continue to heal, and the adventures in the wastes will move elsewhere.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Greenies
Back in late 2015, I thought that I was just about ready to start my post-apoc campaign, but some minor disaster interrupted that, with the result being that it took about two more years, before I got things going.
Anyway, around that time I started writing up intoductions to my various post-apoc factions, and posted the first one on the Post Apoc Wargames Forum, an introduction to the "Greenies" my repurposed orks as post-apoc mutants. Now it is old news, and a bit out of order now, but should be in here somewhere on the blog, so read on about the Greenies, if you haven't done so elsewhere...
The "Greenies"
Anyway, around that time I started writing up intoductions to my various post-apoc factions, and posted the first one on the Post Apoc Wargames Forum, an introduction to the "Greenies" my repurposed orks as post-apoc mutants. Now it is old news, and a bit out of order now, but should be in here somewhere on the blog, so read on about the Greenies, if you haven't done so elsewhere...
My first GW ork purchased around 1989, I think.
He never saw the table as an ork, but now serves as a
"Greenie" in my post-apoc games.
The "Greenies"
Greenies, as they have come to be known, are a race of bipedal humanoid mutants, the result of a bio-weapon research project that was nuked during the apocalyptic event.
They were to be engineered hybrid organisms, a combination of animal and plant DNA that would produce among other things, an engineered self-sustaining, fighting machine. Elements of the design were to be rapid growth to fighting maturity, large scale organ and tissue re-generation, and self-synthesis of food stuffs for sustenance through exposure to light. The program also hoped to facilitate “osmotic” water absorption, to further minimize logistical support and survivability.
The program R&D was conducted in a hardened lab in the south western United States, which was the recipient of a large yield intercontinental surprise on that dark day. The result was that the test specimens rapidly mutated into a plague that has spread across the land, limited mostly by the need to closely follow waterways. They manifest as intelligent, resourceful killing machines with the single purpose of exterminating humans.
Though information is limited, it is known that Greenies have a two stage life-cycle, starting from seed as a rooted plant, which develops a seed pod. The pod produces one or more seeds and a juvenile greenie that reaches maturity in a matter of weeks. Greenies are raised in “gardens” in greenie “villages”.
The villages are always located along rivers, streams or lakes, and manifest as a sort of base consisting of one or more gardens, and facilities for making weapons and training greenies in the use of the weapons. They are capable of complex engineering and production of weapons and war materials, have good tactical sense, seem to be able to communicate verbally as well as some sort of telepathic or other means undetectable to humans, and have been known to sing and laugh during attacks.
Not much is known about their social structure or culture if such a thing even exists. It is not known if they have "families", how or if they are parented, nor how they are educated.
In battle, they have some sort of structure, as lesser warriors follow the direction of "leaders" or "alphas", which tend to be larger and presumably older specimens. It is not known if groups operate independently, or if they are organized at a higher level.
Thus far, they have shown themselves to be fanatical and merciless in battle, leaving no survivors in human settlements that they overrun. For now, policy is simply to kill Greenies, whenever they are contacted. Otherwise, they will kill you.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Finding a New Home: Life and Death in the Wastes (2.5 of 3)
The Lt figured that they could make about 8 miles per day, and figured that they had 1-2 additional days before HQ would conduct a search outside the bunker. With any luck they would be 40 miles or more south, before anyone came looking.
As it turned out, the team had put 60 miles between them and the bunker, before the extraction team headed off in the wrong direction to look for the Lt's team. The team had left some confusing remnants behind before heading south, just to make the puzzle more fun for the extraction jokers.
The team had about two week's worth of supplies, and had already begun supplementing them by foraging off of the land. Additionally, they had old maps and had done additional research about survival in the Before, prior to going on the mission.
The team had now traveled eight days without incident, knowing that sooner or later, some excitement would find them. In the mean time, they just took in all that they could and marveled at how much they had missed, living in the complex.
As they followed a small stream south through a shallow canyon, they happened into a band of feral warriors. The Lt speculated that they were either mutants or some sort of genetically engineered survivors, given their size and the oddness of their features. They also covered themselves in green paint, which seemed to make little sense in a yellow and brown wasteland.
As near as they could tell, the team hadn't been detected, and after a brief talk, they simply decided to backtrack a ways, find a way out of the canyon, and just go around the green behemoths.
Shortly after they turned around, they ran into a second group of the green guys coming from the north. This group could not be evaded, and upon being spotted, the green guys opened fire on them.
The scene was very chaotic, as neither side had been expecting a fight, and both forces were awkwardly strung out at the time of contact. The green warriors were particularly savage in their manner, and reveled in battle. They alternatively yelled, chanted and sang, during the fight, and seemed to almost enjoy the wounds that they received, rather than being impaired by them.
It rapidly became clear that these things were not human. they didn't really bleed much from their wounds, and would only stop fighting after receiving massive traumatic torso or head wounds. Gunshots, and even loss of a limb, seemed to only irritate them at the most.
The battle progressed as follows:
Lt. Rogers saw Spooky just ahead, suddenly drop to a knee and begin shooting, but the target was out of the Lt's field a view. A second later, a 7 foot tall green heap of angry leveled a gun at the Lt. Rogers, Spooky, and someone behind him all fired simultaneously, at point blank range, hitting and dropping the green thing.
Instantly more green things appeared, from around both sides of a large rock. To the Lt's right, Joe blasted one of them, probably the leader, with his plasma gun, turning it into a flaming inferno of rage, which continued its charge. Spooky took a hit just in front of the LT, more shots hit the inferno to the right, and it fell down, struggling to crawl toward the team.
A small green thing took a hit and squealed, running back towards where it appeared from. Shots rang out from all around, and it was a miracle that the team wasn't shooting its own.
More of the big ones appeared, with two of them dropping instantly, one after receiving a head shot. Rinkman took a hit from a monster shotgun, and went to the ground. A couple more of the big guys advanced, taking hits. The plasma gun took out one, and then Tinker took a hit, but got back up and returned fire.
At around this time, Rinkman, laying on the ground, bleeding and in agony, screamed out that their are more to the team's rear, Chucker and the LT both turned and fired at the nearest target, both hitting it, and watching as it shrugged off two strings of holes in its body, and kept coming, firing wildly.
Someone, maybe Obradavich, dropped the last of the green guys to the north. Spooky took another hit, but not bad. Chucker, the Lt, and Joe all fired, most shots hitting at such close range. A green thing fell, another was up in flames, but sort of still coming. Tinker tried to carry Rinkman away.
Shots were fired in a continuous frenzy, the plasma gun overheated, and Joe took a hit, two more green things dropped, then a huge green thing with a giant machinegun came out of the stream and fired a burst at Obradovich, almost cutting him in two, and killing him instantly.
Joe got the Plasma gun back to life, and it cooked the big dude with the MG, before he took apart the rest of the team. A volley of shots hit the Lt, Chucker and Cummings, and it started to look really bad. Everyone in the team had at least a minor wound.
The Lt ended another green thing, while Joe took another hit and fell; Chucker immediately picked up Joe and tossed a grenade with a couple more greenies falling.
The last few green things advanced, as the Lt took another hit and went down. Tinker showed back up seconds later, having handed Rinkman off to Spooky, and pulled the Lt out of the fray. Cummings, already hit, covered the retreat, firing like a madman. The last two green things closed on Cummings, who took another hit, when Spooky fired from on top of the canyon wall, killing one of the green things with a head shot. But Cummings missed the other shot, and was hit fatally, before Spooky could fire again.
In an instant the shooting stopped, Sgt Cummins was dead. And Spooky was overcome with anguish. A half second quicker and Cummings would still be alive. Tinker and Chucker sat with their wounded comrades for a moment, tending the wounds as best they could, and let Spooky regroup. The shooting had ended, but ore green things could show up.
The team had lost two of their number, and had three members wounded badly enough, that they needed help to move. The team found a secluded spot amongst the cliffs, and tinker went to work, a little more seriously now, on everybody's wounds.
They would all live, at least for awhile, but the team was suddenly a lot less mobile. They would need a couple of days rest, before pushing on.
As it turned out, the team had put 60 miles between them and the bunker, before the extraction team headed off in the wrong direction to look for the Lt's team. The team had left some confusing remnants behind before heading south, just to make the puzzle more fun for the extraction jokers.
The team had about two week's worth of supplies, and had already begun supplementing them by foraging off of the land. Additionally, they had old maps and had done additional research about survival in the Before, prior to going on the mission.
The team had now traveled eight days without incident, knowing that sooner or later, some excitement would find them. In the mean time, they just took in all that they could and marveled at how much they had missed, living in the complex.
A view of the countryside.
And from the other side of the table, the team can just be made out, strung out
along the lower center of the photo, South is to the right in this case.
Spooky in the lead, spots something...
… big green somethings!
As near as they could tell, the team hadn't been detected, and after a brief talk, they simply decided to backtrack a ways, find a way out of the canyon, and just go around the green behemoths.
Shortly after they turned around, they ran into a second group of the green guys coming from the north. This group could not be evaded, and upon being spotted, the green guys opened fire on them.
Surprise! More green things.
The scene was very chaotic, as neither side had been expecting a fight, and both forces were awkwardly strung out at the time of contact. The green warriors were particularly savage in their manner, and reveled in battle. They alternatively yelled, chanted and sang, during the fight, and seemed to almost enjoy the wounds that they received, rather than being impaired by them.
It rapidly became clear that these things were not human. they didn't really bleed much from their wounds, and would only stop fighting after receiving massive traumatic torso or head wounds. Gunshots, and even loss of a limb, seemed to only irritate them at the most.
The battle progressed as follows:
Lt. Rogers saw Spooky just ahead, suddenly drop to a knee and begin shooting, but the target was out of the Lt's field a view. A second later, a 7 foot tall green heap of angry leveled a gun at the Lt. Rogers, Spooky, and someone behind him all fired simultaneously, at point blank range, hitting and dropping the green thing.
Instantly more green things appeared, from around both sides of a large rock. To the Lt's right, Joe blasted one of them, probably the leader, with his plasma gun, turning it into a flaming inferno of rage, which continued its charge. Spooky took a hit just in front of the LT, more shots hit the inferno to the right, and it fell down, struggling to crawl toward the team.
A small green thing took a hit and squealed, running back towards where it appeared from. Shots rang out from all around, and it was a miracle that the team wasn't shooting its own.
More of the big ones appeared, with two of them dropping instantly, one after receiving a head shot. Rinkman took a hit from a monster shotgun, and went to the ground. A couple more of the big guys advanced, taking hits. The plasma gun took out one, and then Tinker took a hit, but got back up and returned fire.
At around this time, Rinkman, laying on the ground, bleeding and in agony, screamed out that their are more to the team's rear, Chucker and the LT both turned and fired at the nearest target, both hitting it, and watching as it shrugged off two strings of holes in its body, and kept coming, firing wildly.
Someone, maybe Obradavich, dropped the last of the green guys to the north. Spooky took another hit, but not bad. Chucker, the Lt, and Joe all fired, most shots hitting at such close range. A green thing fell, another was up in flames, but sort of still coming. Tinker tried to carry Rinkman away.
Shots were fired in a continuous frenzy, the plasma gun overheated, and Joe took a hit, two more green things dropped, then a huge green thing with a giant machinegun came out of the stream and fired a burst at Obradovich, almost cutting him in two, and killing him instantly.
The Lt ended another green thing, while Joe took another hit and fell; Chucker immediately picked up Joe and tossed a grenade with a couple more greenies falling.
The last few green things advanced, as the Lt took another hit and went down. Tinker showed back up seconds later, having handed Rinkman off to Spooky, and pulled the Lt out of the fray. Cummings, already hit, covered the retreat, firing like a madman. The last two green things closed on Cummings, who took another hit, when Spooky fired from on top of the canyon wall, killing one of the green things with a head shot. But Cummings missed the other shot, and was hit fatally, before Spooky could fire again.
In an instant the shooting stopped, Sgt Cummins was dead. And Spooky was overcome with anguish. A half second quicker and Cummings would still be alive. Tinker and Chucker sat with their wounded comrades for a moment, tending the wounds as best they could, and let Spooky regroup. The shooting had ended, but ore green things could show up.
The team had lost two of their number, and had three members wounded badly enough, that they needed help to move. The team found a secluded spot amongst the cliffs, and tinker went to work, a little more seriously now, on everybody's wounds.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Finding a New Home: The Escape (2 of 3)
The mission involved finding an entrance to an abandoned research bunker located southwest of the complex, make contact with any squatters, and identify materials to be recovered. The team will be extracted five days after insertion.
In the past the team would have had its own wheels, but things had changed since that day with captain Martell. The team would be delivered to the target area, left on their own to complete the mission, and then picked up. To keep track of things, the team would report to HQ each evening.
After drop-off, they performed a quick recon of the area, then proceeded to try to locate the bunker entrance. The secondary entrance consisted of a single man sized door in a recessed concrete entryway, a sort of escape hatch for the bunker.
The team decided to operate per the mission requirements for the first day, locate the hatch, check in as directed, etc. They had some concern that they might be watched by HQ, and wanted time to determine if this was so. As the team neared the likely location of the bunker entrance, they heard voices in the distance. The Lt saw the gang members near the entrance just as he cleared a rocky intrusion from the valley floor, waving the team into position immediately.
The team advanced briefly, with the intention of gaining a tactical advantage and them giving the gang opportunity to surrender, but it wasn't to be. A gang member sighted them as they moved, and fired immediately.
With the team's two snipers, plasma gun, and advanced body armor, the gang was at a distinct disadvantage, in an eight on eight match-up. Upon the ganger firing the first shot, Spookie, one of the snipers, hit the ganger square in the chest and dropped him. The gang leader hit the Lt with a pistol round that didn't penetrate his armor. Both sides moved into better positions.
Obradovich, moving to the Team's left flank, took a minor hit, but continued to fight. A ganger near the hatch took two hits from Spookie and Rinkman and collapsed. Fire was exchanged with Obradovich hitting another ganger, while taking another minor wound, any further wound would put him out of action.
The team continued to advance, while a couple of gang members tried to move to the team's right. the gang leader took a hit, which seemed to just make him angry. He was armed with two pistols, which got a freak long range hit for no effect on the Lt's armor.
Shots continued to be exchanged, with the gang leader taking two more hits from Spookie and the Lt, and went down. The ganger at the team's extreme right also took two hits and collapsed.
At this point, the remaining gang members were feeling a little lonely and started to run. The Lt halted fire, and the team advanced on the hatch. Spookie, the Lt, and Flamin' Joe (with his plasma gun) got into position, the outer hatch already unlocked, was opened, only to find an empty chamber. The inner hatch was still sealed, and entry into the bunker was not immediately achieved.
Tinker, who served as both medic and mechanic to the team, tended to Obradovich's wounds, while the gang's leftovers were investigated. Each of the team members tended to their own needs, and at the directed time, Lt checked in with HQ, updating them about the firefight, and the status of the outer an inner bunker hatches. Lt informed HQ that the team would attempt to breach the inner hatch in the morning.
That evening, Tinker managed to open the inner hatch, which was located at the top of ladder recessed into the floor. There was a long drop, maybe 50 feet, and a God-awful smell. The power grid in the bunker appeared to down, and no further investigation was made.
The team arranged their watches for the night, keeping check on the outside world, and the doorway to the one below them. During the Lt's watch, he noted how clear the night sky was, and marveled at the multitude of stars. He loved the night sky; something seen by so few in the complex. His heavenly companions would watch the wastes with him for the next two hours, and then he would sleep.
In the past the team would have had its own wheels, but things had changed since that day with captain Martell. The team would be delivered to the target area, left on their own to complete the mission, and then picked up. To keep track of things, the team would report to HQ each evening.
After drop-off, they performed a quick recon of the area, then proceeded to try to locate the bunker entrance. The secondary entrance consisted of a single man sized door in a recessed concrete entryway, a sort of escape hatch for the bunker.
The team enters from the top right of the photo,
the bunker hatch is near the center of the table.
The team decided to operate per the mission requirements for the first day, locate the hatch, check in as directed, etc. They had some concern that they might be watched by HQ, and wanted time to determine if this was so. As the team neared the likely location of the bunker entrance, they heard voices in the distance. The Lt saw the gang members near the entrance just as he cleared a rocky intrusion from the valley floor, waving the team into position immediately.
A gang sighted in the distance.
The team advanced briefly, with the intention of gaining a tactical advantage and them giving the gang opportunity to surrender, but it wasn't to be. A gang member sighted them as they moved, and fired immediately.
Shots are fired as the team tries to spread out.
With the team's two snipers, plasma gun, and advanced body armor, the gang was at a distinct disadvantage, in an eight on eight match-up. Upon the ganger firing the first shot, Spookie, one of the snipers, hit the ganger square in the chest and dropped him. The gang leader hit the Lt with a pistol round that didn't penetrate his armor. Both sides moved into better positions.
Using a periscope to check Spooky's line of sight.
Obradovich, moving to the Team's left flank, took a minor hit, but continued to fight. A ganger near the hatch took two hits from Spookie and Rinkman and collapsed. Fire was exchanged with Obradovich hitting another ganger, while taking another minor wound, any further wound would put him out of action.
The team advances, exchanging shots with the gang.
The team continued to advance, while a couple of gang members tried to move to the team's right. the gang leader took a hit, which seemed to just make him angry. He was armed with two pistols, which got a freak long range hit for no effect on the Lt's armor.
The gang leader.
Shots continued to be exchanged, with the gang leader taking two more hits from Spookie and the Lt, and went down. The ganger at the team's extreme right also took two hits and collapsed.
A view from the gang's perspective.
At this point, the remaining gang members were feeling a little lonely and started to run. The Lt halted fire, and the team advanced on the hatch. Spookie, the Lt, and Flamin' Joe (with his plasma gun) got into position, the outer hatch already unlocked, was opened, only to find an empty chamber. The inner hatch was still sealed, and entry into the bunker was not immediately achieved.
The team continuing to advance,
several gangers have been hit by this point.
The team opening the outer hatch.
That evening, Tinker managed to open the inner hatch, which was located at the top of ladder recessed into the floor. There was a long drop, maybe 50 feet, and a God-awful smell. The power grid in the bunker appeared to down, and no further investigation was made.
Tinker and the Lt inspecting the inner hatch.
The team arranged their watches for the night, keeping check on the outside world, and the doorway to the one below them. During the Lt's watch, he noted how clear the night sky was, and marveled at the multitude of stars. He loved the night sky; something seen by so few in the complex. His heavenly companions would watch the wastes with him for the next two hours, and then he would sleep.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Finding a New Home: The Meeting (1 of 3)
This post introduces what I expect to be a new faction in my post apocalyptic world. Assuming they don't get killed off early, two or three more stories should follow along shortly, and then we will revisit them from time to time.
___________________________________
Lt. Rogers switched the audio jammer on, and turned, looking at the group of men that he had called together. These men, huddled together in his cramped quarters were all good men; they did their jobs well, and were dedicated to their cause.
All of them also had expertise in the wastes; at least, more than most living in the Colorado Region Federal Defense Complex (the CRFDC or "complex' as most referred to it). This made them unique in that they had a broader perspective of the of the post apocalyptic world outside, broader than that of their own leadership, most of whom, hadn't ever stepped outside the hatch.
Life was actually pretty good in the complex, probably better than almost anywhere else in the world at the moment. They had, or could make almost anything that they might need. Fusion reactors yielded endless power; technology, in some cases, was actually more advanced than it had been in the Before. Their single shortcoming had manifested only in recent years, as they consumed available resources. Despite extensive recycling, they had been forced to start "recovering" resources from outside the hatch.
The problem was something a mixed blessing, in that it committed the complex to finally start reclaiming and re-establishing the nation. They established allies, mostly impoverished villages that happily submitted to the complex for the aid that was offered.
Those who resisted were destroyed, hopelessly out-gunned by the highly effective weapons wielded by the CRFDC forces. To this point, the only thing limiting the CRFDC influence was the small population inside the complex that provided manpower to their forces.
Officially, the mission was to re-establish the nation through the reclamation of territory and the liberation of the survivors in the wasteland, through unifying wellfare and technology. Unfortunately the cause quickly became more … imperial in practice, than did the mission statement. Likewise, the CRFDC leadership had become less tolerant, less accessible, and more demanding as "progress" was made.
That was the reason that these men crowded into the little compartment this night. Just as had the Lt, each of them had at some point, hinted at their reservation about how the leadership was choosing to progress, about the validity and integrity of execution of some of their recent missions.
The Lt surveyed the collection of tough looking men, and greeted them, " Gentlemen, thank you for coming here tonight. I have something that I need to share with you..." And he proceeded to share his own hint of reservation, and the circumstances that it had brought about between he and Captain Martell (who by the way, had never been outside the hatch).
The Lt then shared his desire to leave the complex to forge his way in the wastes, and his willingness to forego the comfort and security of the complex, such that he might be true to himself. And... if he was right about those that he had invited, all would join him for this new expedition.
Only Sergeant Wallace seem particularly conflicted about the proposition, but he was the youngest and least experienced, and after some discussion, it was agreed that the Lt's feeling was shared. CRFDC leadership had lost its way. More discussion resulted in a plan; they simply had to wait for the right time.
___________________________________
Lt. Rogers switched the audio jammer on, and turned, looking at the group of men that he had called together. These men, huddled together in his cramped quarters were all good men; they did their jobs well, and were dedicated to their cause.
All of them also had expertise in the wastes; at least, more than most living in the Colorado Region Federal Defense Complex (the CRFDC or "complex' as most referred to it). This made them unique in that they had a broader perspective of the of the post apocalyptic world outside, broader than that of their own leadership, most of whom, hadn't ever stepped outside the hatch.
Life was actually pretty good in the complex, probably better than almost anywhere else in the world at the moment. They had, or could make almost anything that they might need. Fusion reactors yielded endless power; technology, in some cases, was actually more advanced than it had been in the Before. Their single shortcoming had manifested only in recent years, as they consumed available resources. Despite extensive recycling, they had been forced to start "recovering" resources from outside the hatch.
The problem was something a mixed blessing, in that it committed the complex to finally start reclaiming and re-establishing the nation. They established allies, mostly impoverished villages that happily submitted to the complex for the aid that was offered.
Those who resisted were destroyed, hopelessly out-gunned by the highly effective weapons wielded by the CRFDC forces. To this point, the only thing limiting the CRFDC influence was the small population inside the complex that provided manpower to their forces.
Officially, the mission was to re-establish the nation through the reclamation of territory and the liberation of the survivors in the wasteland, through unifying wellfare and technology. Unfortunately the cause quickly became more … imperial in practice, than did the mission statement. Likewise, the CRFDC leadership had become less tolerant, less accessible, and more demanding as "progress" was made.
That was the reason that these men crowded into the little compartment this night. Just as had the Lt, each of them had at some point, hinted at their reservation about how the leadership was choosing to progress, about the validity and integrity of execution of some of their recent missions.
The Lt surveyed the collection of tough looking men, and greeted them, " Gentlemen, thank you for coming here tonight. I have something that I need to share with you..." And he proceeded to share his own hint of reservation, and the circumstances that it had brought about between he and Captain Martell (who by the way, had never been outside the hatch).
The Lt then shared his desire to leave the complex to forge his way in the wastes, and his willingness to forego the comfort and security of the complex, such that he might be true to himself. And... if he was right about those that he had invited, all would join him for this new expedition.
Only Sergeant Wallace seem particularly conflicted about the proposition, but he was the youngest and least experienced, and after some discussion, it was agreed that the Lt's feeling was shared. CRFDC leadership had lost its way. More discussion resulted in a plan; they simply had to wait for the right time.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
A Few New Wanderers of the Wastes
Here are a few of the figs that I recently struggled to paint, the first is a fig from Moonraker, the second I believe is from Hasslefree, and the rest are Gaunt's Ghosts from GW.
I painted these up to form part of a faction for my "After" post-apoc storyline. The last five of them were purposefully painted in subdued uniform bits that make them truly unremarkable to look at, but will set them apart on the table, and make them not too obvious as well hiding in the terrain.
With any luck, they will show up soon in a game or two, as I'm just about done with a terrain piece that will let me finally play a game.
I painted these up to form part of a faction for my "After" post-apoc storyline. The last five of them were purposefully painted in subdued uniform bits that make them truly unremarkable to look at, but will set them apart on the table, and make them not too obvious as well hiding in the terrain.
With any luck, they will show up soon in a game or two, as I'm just about done with a terrain piece that will let me finally play a game.
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