CR Cragsand S2E22: Union Backing

===Chapter 22: Union Backing===
====Paying the Workers====
On the monitor is a message that Atlantis has taken over the repaired communications network and antenna in Scrap Town. From the message left by Horizon it was by the initiative of McCuldger and has been "signed off to CEO of Altantis Reynolds". Basically stealing Horizons work from out under him, he's not happy about it and after called Atlantis traitors he wished all wastelanders the best luck on their own, remarking his departure.
Ima is in dire need of bones and divulges a potential secret of his; that he needs bones to sustain himself to not be left bedridden. His previous desperation now make much more sense. He returns the scrap rifle for Sten to lend to someone else as he found himself a semi automatic from somewhere. He shows of his strange doll-like body to which Sten and Juno asks him how he came to be this way, but he doesn't know himself. Thinking him cyborg Sten recommends he gets his parts looked at by Mr Prowler, for lack of any better guesses.
Willie and Torok rolls in and the giant turtle has a noticeable somberness about himself. Torok lacking his "fix" is starting to remember bad things he explains. Sten recommends him to seek out the hookah bar in The Undercity run by the mushroom folk after getting paid and that he might even be able to bum some free samples. First time was free, the one and only time Sten partook. Willie asks about work and needs more money to pay for his medications. Sten offers them pay as long as they clock in the hours and they get to work. Willie tells of Torok supposedly eating rare gems such as diamonds in the past and having destroyed his toilet he plans to sift through his droppings. Unsure were to sell any such things Sten speculates that the bank in The Row would probably be the right place to trade them in.
Shiloh brings Ash's old helmet which he "inherited" - kind of - not really - and asks for some adjustments so that it fits him. Sten agrees to prioritize him as long as he pays half up front and gets to work. "Cactus" Charles pays his last payment plan on his gun and Sten tips him to team up with Ima if he's looking to head out scrapping. 
Willie overheard the need for flamethrowers from Sean and offers his input on manufacturing. The old hardy man tells of his cigarettes not being nicotine but medication and putting up with many ailments while worrying for an infection. Wanting him to keep going Sten pays him 2000 credits for his salary and considers increasing his daily pay in the future, he is a hard worker.
====Expanding the Business====
Deciding to take "Morningstar" the courier up on the offer she mentioned before about mercenaries being interested in unregistered firearms, Sten gathers some inventory for a trip to The Row. Possibly he may expand on his customers. Swinging by the restaurant Ront tells that they're going to hold a race. Telling Toolbox of his planned business he asks the ever dutiful sentry of scrap town if there was ever a funeral for Stein. Sadly the deceased mercenary didn't get much of a ceremony aside some placing flowers. To pay his respects Sten goes by visiting his grave later in the day, taking a moment to appreciate the fallen.
Moving to the row Sten sees some familiar faces and starts asking for the post office and eventually finds Morningstar, she has bad news however - the place is now occupied by someone else - and the mercenary named "Loch" has been missing for "forever". Regardless she offered to spread the word around to anyone interested in firearms. Entering the noodle shop Sten overhears someone mention guns and exclaims that if anyone needs unregistered guns, he's the right person to talk to. Recognizing the mushroom folk, Bo and Conk who purchased smithing services before, he is kindly received and orders todays special, being spicy noodles. Wanting to stock up on ammo and more metal sheets they agree to pay another visit down town the future. Showing off some of the firearms Sten recommends never going unarmed in the dangerous city and while Jimmy and Morel are doubtful at the thought of even carrying guns Conk purchases a revolver and a scrap pistol for them. Advicing against trying any guns in town, as that may set off alarms Sten welcomes them to try out their firearms at the practice range in Scrap Town. Morel, never having been outside the city asks for advice if they ever go there. Sten gives them the best recommendation and that is to stay in Scrap Town where its safe and all the flooring is reinforced with metal. If they ever plan on leaving its best to rent a caravan with a vehicle and an armed escort.
Taking a long detour before departing Sten meets Sean, Ima and Toolbox on his way, with Ima still desparate for bones. He finds a department store and purchases a lot of calcium which should hold him together. Exploring the row Sten finds a "Church of light", currently empty of worshippers he runs into a synthetic who explains she doesn't know of the cult it belongs to but that some locals only visit the place to get a bit of natural sunlight - something very rare. Sten recommends that if anyone needs a good dose of sunlight to take the lift down to Scrap Town and returns back down.
====Back in town====
Meeting Juno at the hospital she lost both her legs from an injury however being of a cactus-like plant-kin "ish" species that she is she can - and started to grow them back. Now having one leg she supports herself with crutches. A remarkable feat if any. Speaking of missing limbs, Hank tells he ha his stinger tail removed, as it had been slowly killing him from its own toxin. Hank ending up in this dump of a planet comes from getting trapped on the other side of the Sonitii warp gate after his military branch got disbanded. Originally from offworld he's been all over the galaxy in the past unlike many locals who grew up in the wastes. Moving on from bodyparts - or lack thereof they tell of some newcomers in town, a tall wolf-like beastkin and a short cat-lady. Sten remembers that a cat-person named Cleo fighting in the arena weeks ago and Hank pondered if they may be related but just grouping them together may be an unfair assumption. 
At the restaurant Conrad from Atlantis is back, recording arena fights and whatnot. Ordering lizard kebabs Shiloh is trying to fall asleep and Sten aids Jyggal in singing him a lullaby of sorts. After dining McCuldger informs that Trey is alive, though still missing, according to reports from Atlantis.
The mushroom folk come by asking to rent a vehicle and Sten directs them to Ront, they also ask about Hadwyn, thinking they might be able to aid in teaching how to grow plants for food. Walking about town Sten finds an abandoned datapad or something on the ground. It's locked but could be valuable to the right person. Spotting the beastkin returning in a truck with War-Togg he asks them if it belongs to them but no luck. Ryzy walks up and points to her ABC book, explaining it to be beginning with the letter "D" as in "datapad". This time, War-Togg reported they were successful in getting more scrap. Running out of meat they still need better luck on their runs. Asking the beastkin about their gun situation it seems a harpoon might serve them better. Getting a harpoon beneath the carapace of a worm should be great for reeling one in. Interested the male beastkin purchases one and introduces himself as "Garmir", a new resident of scrap town along with his tabaxi female friend "Femi". 
War-Togg borrowing the workbench at Stens shop in the company of the beastkins attempt to deck the datapad and unveil the secrets it holds, he is rather loud about it and fumbling he drops it on the ground while making a lot of noise. Borrowing the registry Femi deposits some credits to War-Togg for helping her with something.
====Building a proper gate====
Toolbox comes and tells that he needs Sten and a 1000 more of him, for some project and pitches his thoughts and an idea. The mayors doesn't trust the union, but the union wants to help the people and most trust Toolbox - so he has a proposition. Everyone who isn't corporate has to pitch in to help build a gate. Coming down from the city are more washed up union folk and asking more people to aid, War-Togg says he can swing a hammer and lend aid. Sten takes a look at the gates what could be needed and meets up with McCuldger who is in the works of making a deal with the owner of the undercity scrap yard, Bethady Esda and a dwarven smith currently situated in the row named Gungir "Ironbeard" to aid in the project. McCuldger mentions that Patches left plans for a gate in his home somewhere and throws the keys to Sten, going looking Sten does indeed find plans in his home. Back to the gathering, Gungir and Bethany are all in and McCuldger pays them up front to bring down both materials and manpower to get the work done as soon as possible. 
After the deal is done another Union man comes by introducing himself as Koi Zogin, head of security for the Galactic Union in the region on Corvanis 3. McCuldger distrusting Union members as much as any other corpo already rejected his offer to aid in the construction of a new gate. Sten humoring the meeting hears him out and remarks on the fact that most can't tell the difference between the union and the corporations. Koi explains that the union is unable to trade in any military related exchanges like weapons or armor, but can provide supplies for construction, mining and infrastructure tools. He explains that Scrap Town initially started out as an old mining colony long ago when Savior City was being built but that the profits from it turned sour. Sten ponders that if so then there should be some old sealed mineshafts somewhere that if found, could possibly be turned profitable. Koi being from the GU Sten cant help but mention Willie and peaking his interest he would very much like to meet and speak to the former GU soldier.
Before retiring before the sandstorms Wit tells of the villain Thaddeus, giving an apt description he describes him kidnapping the "spirit talkers". Sten ponders the possibility of picking him out from a distance and sniping a well placed bullet into his head at the right moment, but before even considering that option he would need to know how exactly what he looks like.
Finding Willie he tells him of the GU man Koi who might want a chat with him and gets an update on his "treasure hunting". Sifting Toroks droppings he found some old springs, bits and bobs that could be smelted down into their raw materials as well as a skull that they've been trying to sell but failing at it. Closing down the shop Sten finds a bug on the counter that he tries to shoo away. Before it leaves Femi turns up and hisses at it, chasing it away in a typical cat way.Twitch VOD: Callous Row RP S2 E22 Union Backing YouTube
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Category:Callous Row Cragsand Episodes