Prelude (Part A) - Fort Ohm, Minnesota

The guard responds to your inquiry from atop the terreplein, "You've got the right place fella'. If you're here to volunteer with the Tesla Rangers that is!" He then turns and shouts below, "Raise the gate! We've got a Tesla Ranger volunteer coming in from Indiana." He turns back to you and says, "Come on in mister. Please see the guards on the other side of the gate. Welcome to Fort Ohm!" He waves you in.

You notice what appears to be a version of an ancient portcullis gate made of metal begin to raise. As it lifts you notice two guards flanking the gravel road that leads westward into the compound. The guards are dressed in what appears to be the standard military uniform for the National Army. An army that is now the remnants of the Civil War and initial robot onslaught. A taller guard approaches you and says, "Welcome to Fort Ohm. If you'll be so kind, we need to temporarily confiscate any firearms or explosive weapons you might have on you. At least until we get you registered tomorrow morning with the Tesla group." He eyes your horse and the boxes attached. Another gentleman approaches and says, "I'll take your horse to the stables, sir. Our stables are mighty fine and we promise that both your horse and confiscated firearms will be taken care of." He offers to take the reigns of your horse. The taller guard says, "Follow me to the barracks."After you abide by the guard's requests you are lead down the gravel pathway into the center of the compound. Along the way you might notice various soldiers going to-and-fro, performing their various duties. Some of these soldiers are lighting torches as the sun is beginning to set and you notice curious electric lamp posts just beginning to flicker on along each road. You see several buildings of various sizes, mostly wooden, along the roads and various paths branching around in the interior of the compound. Eventually, he leads you to a long wooden building. More narrow than wide. He says, "Here we are mister. This is the Ranger Barracks and will house you for the duration of your stay. There should be an open cot with an empty locker at the foot of the bed."

He opens the door for you and says, "Take whichever one suits your fancy. If you need anything, just find someone in uniform. I think the mess hall is about to close, but if you're hungry, it's' that way." He points to a large building about 75 feet to the east of the barracks. He continues, "But try to get some rest. You've had a long day I'm sure and tomorrow will start bright and early." He leaves you at the door to the barracks and walks off in the direction that he came from. Upon looking in you do see a handful of cots already claimed. Some simply messed indicating they're claimed and a few sleeping bodies.

The guard follows up with,"That's right. You sure do travel late mister, we're looking for almost anyone willing. And, a ticket west is almost guaranteed." He turns, "Open up, we've got another one." Turning back to you from atop the terreplein he says, "See the guards past the gate. Welcome to Fort Ohm."

The southern gate is quite large, you might notice it is some sort of lumber, banded and reinforced with iron. It gives a long creak as it opens revealing the interior of the compound. Two guards approach you as you enter through the gate. One shorter gentleman, wearing what you might recognize as the normal military uniform of the country, approaches you and says, "Welcome to Fort Ohm. We will need to confiscate any firearms you have on you until we get you registered and such in the morning. We will also take you horse to the stables. All will be taken care of, rest assured." The other guard, a taller skinnier man approaches and offers to take the reigns of your horse and lead it to the stables. The shorter guard continues, "Follow me.
I'll take you to the barracks and get you settled with a cot for the night. You'll want to get some sleep, being so late in the night already. No worries though, all of your basic needs will be taken care of here in the fort."As you and the guard are walking northward along the gravel path you might notice the general layout of the compound. Various buildings line the branching pathways to-and-fro inside the large ramparts (perimeter wall). The guard gives you an overall explanation of the key buildings; the hospital, the mess hall, headquarters and so on. Eventually you arrive at a long wooden building and he says, "Here we are sir. This is the barracks for the Tesla Ranger recruits. Just find yourself an open cot. They have a locker at the foot of the bed for anything you might need to store there. Get some rest. Goodnight." He yawns a bit and starts to walk back in the direction of the southern gate. Upon entering the barracks you notice several people already asleep for the night. The cots are small, single, simple beds. One row on each side of the building all the way down. They're spaced evenly providing enough room for a person and their essential belongings. there is a locker at the foot of each bed.

Travelers, strangers, wanderers...volunteers. You each arrived with your own purpose, own stories, your own experiences, and skillsets. Ready and willing to devote yourself to a great cause. Some of you have briefly met, others arrived during their own time frame and have settled in for the night. Rest easy travelers.