Operation "Milk Run" - Day 1

As you lot group up at the western gate for departure the First Sergeant steps up, "Alright! 3 days ride west-southwest from here. Just follow the trail." Master Calvin interjects, "What about the shortcut First Sergeant? They could take the pass of El Diablo Canyon." The First Sergeant replies, "Well, that is an abandoned route, although it would lead to some saved time. Hmmm. I reckon I'll let this lot decide on their way. You should reach the old overgrown pass somewhere in the second day of travel if all goes well." With that, they both wish you all good luck and godspeed.

11:00 AM - Heading Out

Heading just outside the western gate of Fort Ohm you all cross the bridge over the Mississippi River and into "western" territory commonly referred to as "No Man's Land" since the robots previously purged the land of virtually every human. As you put a few miles behind you and the fort you'll notice the land beginning to give way to mostly plains with some rolling hills. The dry, yellowing grass grows tall and wild as you all move farther away from the safety of the fort and its Tesla towers. The wind shifts, it creates a bit of a rustling sound that makes you all jumpy. Dark clouds in the distance threaten to bring rain...but they're some ways off.

As the day progresses you all continue down the winding dirt road. A road that, as far as you can tell, sees a fair amount of traffic between Fort Ohm and Uncanny Valley. However, you can also tell it is still a relatively new trail given the condition of the grooves from wagon wheels.

After about 8 hours of travel or so, the sun is beginning to set.

The current time is approximately 7:00 PM.

9:00 PMThe night settles in...as Monte takes watch his companions settle in for some rest from the long day they just had. Perhaps he reflects on how the early morning started up until now. From the initiation process first thing in the morning to the impromptu mission thrown in your lap...oh...how the day has progressed. Here now, on your first official Tesla Ranger assignment. Maybe this will earn you a badge and give you a chance to fight and reclaim the life you desire?

The night rolls onward...

During the last hour or so of daylight Monte searches around the surrounding campsite area only to come up short-handed for both food and water. Perhaps the immediate area is a bit too arid and with the looming darkness, it is making it increasingly difficult to find signs of sustenance.

As his companions settle in, Monte begins his watch. Nearing the end of his watch, he thinks he sees a small red light in the distance...off in a westwardly direction from the campsite. However, as soon as he notices this suspicious light, it vanishes.

Indeed the temperature has dropped a bit and it is settling into a chilly night as Doc and Monte sit-up with the continued watch.

Nobody really specified one way or another, but it would seem logical that we would have made one.

As the next two hours press on, the night cools on down a bit more. The sky does begin to clear a bit and the stars and moon come out to illuminate the surrounding area ever so slightly.

About 30 yards outside of camp, and to the southwest, Monte can just make out that there is an animal or two heading in the general direction of the camp. From the sound of it and the outline, it appears to be a few coyotes or wolves. They seem to be heading in your general direction, albeit at a casual pace at the moment.

The small fire continues to provide a reprieve from the darkness and a bit of warmth from the cool night.

While listening to Doc's soft conversation, Monte would notice that the coyotes...or wolves...are slowing and looking up at their camp. Monte is fairly certain that they are aware of them. Whether or not this poses a problem is not entirely clear.

The animals come into view a little more and they pause, giving notice to the campsite. However, they veer off...perhaps it is the fire.

The night proceeds...a few hours pass and we are well into the night.

As Monte lays down for the remainder of the evening he notices the animals turn and move towards the southeast. Given his experience in the wild, he is fairly certain the campsite and presence of the group as a whole detoured them away.

The night looms a bit more towards morning...

As Vivian joins Doc the morning grows closer and closer. The night is dead, the sky has cleared...the fire is down a bit to warm glowing embers, providing enough warmth for both the would-be rangers and the coffee hanging in the pot.

The night moves along, mostly uneventful with the exception of the clearing sky and dropping temperatures. However, not below freezing. The embers of the fire have died down as the last of the group's appointed "watch" snuff out the remaining fire as down emerges over the horizon.

The sun emerges...the group begins to stir.