ND Cragsand S3E16: Pinned

:Return to character article: Sten Berglund
==Season 3: Neon Divide==
===Episode 16: Pinned===
====Morning trades====
Spending the night at the shop Shura sells some stuff he got from his trip yesterday. 
:+Scrap Shotgun
:+1 Iron 
:-4,000 credits
Mercury restocks on ammunition. Running low and Willie still out of town Sten spends time punching some more in the press. 
:+8,000 
Charles asks about armor and listing the options they've been unable to find Titanium in the last 3 expeditions. It's value keeps on rising as it gets ever more difficult to get and he purchases Kevlar armor and the remaining shock grenade. 
:-1 Shock grenade
:+5,000
:-2 Steel
:-4 Nitrolium for kevlar
:+50,000
Shiloh asks to have 2 pieces of titanium processed and purchases a battery. 
:-1 Battery
:+8,000 credits
The pillbugs daily trade of the day are explosives but Sten can't agree on any trade he's willing to part with. 
Processing materials
:-1 Carbon
:-1 Iron
:+1 Steel
====Clown plans====
Torok and Crunch goes recruiting, looking for more interested for their planned Black Hole Carnival induction event. Charles agrees to join but will be needing a fitting carnival name. Those who may not wish to join the carnival can still paint their faces in blue to participate. Having lost his hammer Torok asks if he has a metal detector and a shovel. Finding one laying about Fee-Bee joins him and Crunch looking for the hammer. Returning successfully later its covered in sand and dirt and will require some cleaning so Sten assists. Telling Torok about the technojunkies he storms off to inspect the body for himself.
The council announces a town meeting and Sten attends after grabbing breakfast at the restaurant and water to refill his water flask. The first line of news is a highly infectious disease spreading in the middle city and Maya falling ill. She is recovering in the hospital and the upper section, which is off limits. In case anyone feels ill they are to report to the hospital in case they need to be quarantined. 
:-550 food and water
Herk picks up his remade fuel tank canister and pays for his remainder debt from yesterday. Offering to help install it with all the tubing he insists on doing it himself. 
:+15,000 credits
:-2 Iron
Fee-Bee purchases a hand canon from the shop out of her own pocket
:-1 Hand canon
:+30,000
====Bandit lord alliance====
Checking the gates Sheila is heading heading out to the oasis fishing and some strangers are invited inside. Norbert is followed by a floating orb drone named "Morgan", who explains he was just born. A tribe of insect-like people who live in the wasteland where their leader is one of the "bandit lords". According to Herk they saved Norbert and Sheila before and have been invited by the council for diplomatic efforts in forming an alliance against the technojunkie raider problem. Before entering they are carrying some unknown wastelanders and one of their members stabs them. Unsure what that was about they're carried to the hospital by Skully. Mercury vets the visitors on the rules of scrap town, to not cause any conflict but are free to roam around and acquaintance themselves with the locals and get to learn what they're defending. The insectoid guards keep making constant clicking noises and speak no shared language but their leader acts extremely courteous. When they visit the smithy Sten welcomes them warmly if they wish to trade for any weapons but their leader "Arnour" is very clear that their alliance is a temporary arrangement. After the shared threat of the cyborgs have been dealt with, afterwards they intend to go separate ways. Having some form of continued trade would foster a continued alliance.
While working two small what looks like rock elementals run into the smithy. Having heard the magic people speak about them being such Sten carefully approaches and does some gestures to attempt to communicate. They don't say or make any sound but one of them starts swinging back and fourth mimicking Sten. Dancing seems like a friendly enough response so he tells them he wont mind them as long as they don't touch or take anything. They eventually leave. Likely their appearance is because of the disturbance of the earth shrine. Learning later that one attacked Skully Sten tells him, Anna, Juno and Herk to be careful, not to scare them and teaches them his dance to appear less menacing. Spotting another of the rock creatures the dancing trick works out, even the champion scrap bot takes it to heart and manages to charm one. Being a fighting machine built for combat he's not exactly designed to communicate with critters.
Heading for a drink the bar is actually open with Anna behind the counter. Telling her how glad he is to see her she tells him that she's bored out of her mind. Ordering a bottle of strong Sten sits down for a bit and updates her on the recent events. Her sensors has picked up something strange that she thinks is either a huge engine or a dragon. 
:-1000 
:+Bottle of the right stuff
The Wyvern mercenary Titus who joined in an expedition weeks back, places and order to repair his inherited family armor. The local blacksmith in the city where he's at skipped town after getting exposed as a terrorist of all things. Sten tells him if he want reliable service he can always depend on the Scrap Town smithy. Accepting the order he has more future work, intending to attach a blade to a cybernetic arm in the coming days. Joining him in a chat with Mercury, Titus is updated on the situation with the technojunkie raiders. The Wyverns might be able to assist in getting rid of them. Calling them "rippers", it's is a term city people call those who get obsessed with getting more cybernetics. Generous, he pays more than asked for the repairs and up front and should be able to pick it up tomorrow.
:+30,000
Two new customers, one Jessica Harper, doctor in the undercity and Lux Kaine are looking to arm themselves for protection. Lacking experience both agree on a good price and since they're looking for some practice Sten tutors them in gun basics at the firing range. Safety, aiming, preparing for the recoil and reloading. 
:-2 Pistols 
:+60,000
Fee-Bee trusting Sten, tells him of the plans to take over the volcano outpost, currently held by Valkyrie. Henderson has put her in charge of a team leading the attack on the outpost where they will all pose as raiders. The new bandit group will put on cohesive disguises wearing sandworm and scales for armor and accessories. If he's to join them he's probably going to have to get sandworm scales from hunting.
Prowler tells of hearing of work something heavy and armored in the wastes and is working on making explosive arrows to fight off whatever it is. Sten gives him a harpoon gun and harpoons to work on. 
:-1 Harpoon gun
====Gathering interested scrappers====
Skully gathers interested for a scrapping expedition. Maxie is interested in joining but has issues with his cybernetics, needing them repaired first. Gathering up Fee-Bee, the goblin woman Vesma Bolt joins as well. She shows off her impressive Valkyrie sniper rifle she got as a birthday present. Handing it over for inspection Sten admires it's make and remarks of it's value probably being as much as the worth of his whole shop. 
Gathering more interested in scrapping a goblin mat shows off tricks outside the bar. He has some kind of portable holographic computer built into his hat that can project all kinds of showmanship effects. He catches Torok's fancy who swoons him with his romantic charm after summoning a cloud of rose petals. Trickling down from the air, Torok exclaims he would accept his advances but cannot for the fear of crushing him under his weight, not wanting to murder him with his love. Conversation interrupted by what looks like a huge explosion it was just a hologram. Introducing himself officially the tricksters name is Grabble. He shows a trick where he gets a hold up on Sten, pulling a gun without him noticing. Aside holograms he also does chemical pyrotechnics and will be aiding the carnival with fireworks. Up in the row he runs arena fights. Looking to purchase scrap armor he got an offer for 50,000 in the row which Sten tells him is overpriced. They agree on 5,000 for making armor as long as he brings the materials himself. Desperate for components he asks to join in the scrapping expedition and showing off his hologram skills he's invited. In a distracting trick he manages to get the holdup, point his gun on Sten.
Seeing Raleigh again Sten tells Grabble that she knows actual magic, once picking up Torok. As if overhearing she invites Torok into an embrace, remembering that he gives good hugs. Once more she demonstrates her magically enhanced strength. Picking him up the giant tortoise Sten yells for everyone to grab ahold of something and expect an earthquake. No earthquake, he does get stuck in the ground and hast to be pulled out again.
====Dangerous expedition====
Heading out with Skully, Sten calls on radio channel 21 to gather people. Maxie is out with the wanderers and says that "everything is blue". Asking if he's fishing at the oasis he's evasive, hesitant to give an exact location. What secrets could he be up to? Ren, Grabble, Crunch, Vethpa Bholt, Fee-Bee and Norbert. Passing pillar canyon safely gathering iron they head for and reach bramble canyon. 
While cutting through the vines the ricochets of gunshots fill the air, interrupt their work. "Cyborgs spotted!" Skully shouts out. Moving from cover to cover starting from behind the truck, Sten and Skully push ahead and return the shots. Fee-Bee fearlessly charges forward and starts taking them out. Sten takes a hit in the armor and uses up his large medical stim from Juno. Grinning through the pain and moving forward Fee-Bee and Skully have already taken them all out. Inspecting and scanning the body, it's the same as before and carrying the same signature insignia. Looting the bodies one of the bandits has a row high revolver. How the heck are these bandits getting better weapons than scrap town?! Lacking a good weapon Sten hands over the revolver to Ren. It's a bit too large for her so she'll have to use both hands to aim. Better than nothing.
Ima calls on the radio and tells the crew they're in need of more titanium. Learning of the attack they offer backup if needed so Sten and Skully request some medical and another vehicle to join them. 
Clearing the vines with Norbert driving, they move slowly, escorting the vehicle along the narrow passageways. Scaring off the smaller crabs they're initially don't meet any resistance until reaching an open area and a fork in the canyon paths. Behind vines and some plant a huge sand crab is spotted. Sten tells Grabble to attempt his holographic distractions, see if that manages to scare it away. Shooting his holograms the creature reels away at first but keeps idling back and fourth and after a standoff goes to attack. Skully and Fee-Bee engage the big one while a small one bites Grabble from the back. Peppering it with bullets and finishing it off with his crowbar, Sten makes the small one into short work. Looking up the large one is downed. Making sure that it's dead Sten goes to jam his crowbar into it's brain. Checking their injuries all seem unharmed except Skully, who took a lot of hits. Sten attempts to do some repairs using spare parts in the truck but it doesn't do much. Robotics, isn't exactly his field. Some small crabs around Grabble scares them off with his holograms. 
Clearing the small remaining crabs the open area seems walled in. Fee-Bee tells that they cleared this path in the past with help from Peaches. Peaches being a mining synth his huge drills cleared all the rubble. However its all back again. Making a mental note to bring Peaches along on the next expedition they all start digging. Realizing that a broken down tow-truck is right next to them. Missing it's hoverwheels it won't do much good, but Grabble suggests trying to get the hook and pulley working. Sten repairs the winch and using Fee-Bee's upgraded powercore to supply power they get it working. Commending Grabble on his good idea the rubble is successfully pulled away. The truck continues.
Guided by the truck through another open area some sand fleas attack but are made short work of. Glad to see some friendly faces the backup car from town arrives. Ima with Maxie, Jeremy, Juno and Yuna come to aid the crew. Juno bandages Stens wounds and Ima sees to repair Skully. Their reprieve is short lived however, as someone followed them rescue crew into the canyon. Gunshots blazing, its the blasted cyborg raiders again.
"DAMAGES SEVERE" Skully reports taking shots the brave champion tumbles to the ground with a thump. Returning shots and taking cover behind the vehicle Sten returns the fire. In the barrage Ima and Grabble get hit as well. Tired of it all Jeremy and Fee-Bee charge the bandits and get the upper hand. The last one down, Jeremy executes him with a closeup shot to the head. Would have been good to take a prisoner to interrogate though, Sten sighs at him. Regrouping Skully is near critical damage. Working together they manage to repair the damage to his memory core, so the Skully they all know will remain. Hoisting him into truck proves difficult, he weighs like a ton but they get him in the back eventually. 
Sten calls out to everyone that daylight is burning and that they have to get back before the sandstorms roll in. Norbert reflects over finding any titanium at all the expedition isn't quite a success. Starting to return Fee-Bee orders Norbert to exit the truck and leave the driving to her. At slight protests he complies. After some confusion and shouting that they have to return as soon as possible the crew gathers up. 
====Home safe home====
On the trip back complaints of regret resound from Grabble, but when questioned he still says that he had fun. Back in the safety of the town Sten breathes a heavy sigh of relief to be back. Driving up to Prowlers shop, he isn't around yet but Norbert opens up and together will everyone they drag the heavy Skully back up the stairs for repairs. Mumbling to himself "THIS UNIT IS NOW USELESS, SUGGEST SALVAGING", Sten protests. 
Ren hands over the big revolver that was looted from the raiders to Sten, with some maintenance it should be good for reselling. Ima also got one of them, and would like it refurbished in a smaller usable size. That was the purpose of the titanium, getting an upgrade. Torok attempts one of the large guns but it's still a bit too small for him. Fee-Bee has been working on a canon for him though which she says she might complete overnight. Handing over his completed hammer Torok is very grateful. Making a guttural sound he regurgitates something and hands it over in appreciation. "Here, have a glow melon!" Hesitantly thanking him Torok responds that it's nice and warm, having been in his "holding stomach". 
:+2 Row High Revolver 
Vethpa says she'll return tomorrow for payment. Grabble, still hurting from getting hit, asks how much scrap was gotten for his scrap armor. Giving him the sad news, Sten tells him that no scrap was gathered at all, just Carbon and Iron. Lighting his mood Sten tells him they might be able to make kevlar armor instead for 50,000. With a deep sigh he exclaims that was the same price estimate he got for scrap armor in the row. Looking and sounding really miserable Sten tells him he'll give him a little bit of a discount for all his trouble but ends with insists that he really should go see a doctor. Right way, pushing him along. 
Counting the spoils of the expedition turns out Fee-Bee did manage to find at least 1 titanium. 
:+4 Iron (one didn't spawn)
:+9 Carbon (two didn't spawn)
:+1 Titanium 
Since Skully is out of commission Sten and Fee-Bee pay Grabble and Ren with the shop funds. Ren originally declines payment, thinking it a favor for being invited to stay in town. Sten insists anyway, telling her that if Hendersson comes knocking, he's going to expect her to pay her rent regardless. Remaining to pay out are Crunch, Vethpa and Norbert.
:-16,000 credits
Lugging the heavy Skully around Yuna overcharged her cybernetic arm and purchases a spare battery for repairs. She tells of a mercenary in purple who said they were looking for someone who murdered a synth but didn't get a good look at them.
:+5,000 
:-1 Battery
Leon the mercenary stops by again and this time meets Fee-Bee. Although both being Astral they've never been acquainted. She inform him of the threat of the raiders. Sten tells Leon that although they may not be able to pay him much funds, if he aids them in hunting down the raiders their arsenal of weapons may pay for itself. Unsure and something he has to bring up with his superiors or consider taking a vacation day and do it "for fun". This guy is dangerous, but it might be a good thing for all involved. 
Staying at the shop overnight Sten does some work and aids Fee-Bee with Torok's canon and processes iron into steel in preparation for Grabbles armor. He also works on a disguise for raiding or infiltrating the volcano facility. The disguise is nothing fancy but an old mechanic jumpsuit, gas-mask and sunglasses.
:-4 Iron 
:-4 Carbon
:+4 Steel
:Next Episode: ND Cragsand S3E17: Chaos and Clowns
==Inventory==
Sten personal inventory tracker after episode...
==Store inventory==
Store inventory tracker after episode... This is shared with employees, credits are stored in the smithing registry.
==Links==
*Twitch VOD: Neon Divide Season 3 Episode E16: Pinned 
*YouTube VOD: Neon Divide S3 E16: Pinned
===Twitch Clips===
*Swing swing
*Grabble's romantic holographic tricks
*Grabble's tricks
*A gift from Torok
==Gallery==
ND Crag S3E16 01 Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 03 Pillbugs Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 04 Herk visor Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 05 Sheila fishing.png
ND Crag S3E16 06 Allied Bandit lord Onwar.png
ND Crag S3E16 08 Herk Bandit lord Onwar Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 10 Herk Mercury Bandit lord Onwar.png
ND Crag S3E16 11 Herk Mercury Bandit lord Onwar Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 13 Ty Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 14 Ty Sheila Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 15 Crunch Fee-Bee armored vehicle Ima.png
ND Crag S3E16 17 Bandit lord Onwar Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 19 Rock elemental dance Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 20 Rock elemental dance Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 21 Anna Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 22 Torok Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 23 Titus Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 24 Titus Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 25 Anna.png
ND Crag S3E16 26 Juno Skully Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 28 Vethpa Bholt.png
ND Crag S3E16 29 Vethpa Bholt Valkyrie gun Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 30 Vethpa Bholt valkyrie gun Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 31 Jessica Harper and Lux Kaine Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 33 Jessica Harper and Lux Kaine Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 35 Lux Kaine practice shooting.png
ND Crag S3E16 37 Lux Kaine practice shooting Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 38 Jessica Harper put the safety on.png
ND Crag S3E16 39 Jessica Harper put the safety on.png
ND Crag S3E16 40 Jessica Harper.png
ND Crag S3E16 41 Fee-Bee.png
ND Crag S3E16 42 Herk helmet.png
ND Crag S3E16 43 Morgan and Norbert.png
ND Crag S3E16 44 Morgan and Norbert.png
ND Crag S3E16 46 Toork Crunch Grabble Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 47 Torok Crunch Grabble Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 48 Mercury Titus.png
ND Crag S3E16 49 Mercury Titus.png
ND Crag S3E16 50 Grabble.png
ND Crag S3E16 51 Raliegh and Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 52 Raliegh Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 54 Grabble.png
ND Crag S3E16 55 Grabble hold up on Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 56 Grabble hold up on Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 57 Grabble Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 58 Fee-Bee Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 59 Skully Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 60 Skully Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 61 Stuck on how well translations are done.png
ND Crag S3E16 63 Fee-Bee Technojunkie and Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 64 Fee-Bee Technojunkie and Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 65 Ren.png
ND Crag S3E16 67 Fee-Bee Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 71 Skully Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 72 Fee-Bee Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 75 Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 76 Grabbles hologram explosives Fee-Bee Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 79 Rubble blocking the path.png
ND Crag S3E16 80 Skully Grabble Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 81 Skully Grabble Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 83 Skully and Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 84 Norbert.png
ND Crag S3E16 86 Sten inspecting the rubble pile Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 87 Rubble blocking the path Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 89 Grapple use the winch on old truck Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 90 Using crane engine to remove rubble Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 91 Bramble Canyon Sten Ima.png
ND Crag S3E16 92 Bramble Canyon Fee-Bee Grabble Sten Skully.png
ND Crag S3E16 93 Known custom vehicle Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 94 Juno treating Sten Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 96 Sten Skully Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 97 Ima Skully Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 98 Ima Skully Sten.png
ND_Crag_S3E16_98_Techjunkies attacking Anna Sten Jeremy Maxie.png
ND Crag S3E16 100 Jeremy finishing off technojunkie.png
ND Crag S3E16 101 Skully damaged Norbert Ren Yuna Ima Fee-Bee Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 102 Skully damaged Fee-Bee Yuna Norbert Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 103 Fee-Bee Yuna Norbert Ima.png
ND Crag S3E16 104 Fee-Bee Skully but Yuna knows not what to do.png
ND Crag S3E16 105 Norbert Yuna Skully Makes sense Sten Berglund.png
ND Crag S3E16 106 Crunch.png
ND Crag S3E16 107 Norbert.png
ND Crag S3E16 108 Bramble Canyon.png
ND Crag S3E16 109 Face legs Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 110 Face legs Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 111 Damaged Skully Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 112 Ren Damaged Skully Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 113 Grabble.png
ND Crag S3E16 114 Spoils Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 115 Torok tries big gun Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 116 Fee-Bee tells Torok his gun is almost done Ren Yuna Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 117 Crunch Ren Torok Yuna Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 118 Fee-Bee Sten Glow melon.png
ND Crag S3E16 119 Torok axe polished Sten.png
ND Crag S3E16 120 Ren.png
ND Crag S3E16 122 Leon Fee-Bee Sten.png
NeonDivideCreditsInfographicThingy.png|Neon Divide RP approximate prices infographic (outdated)
Category:Neon Divide Cragsand Episodes