The Fall of Kettlemine

## Summary

Pirates are attacking your hometown of Kettlemine and the only hope for the future is you and the cargo you're carrying.

## Cast

* Eliz
* Andrea
* Lord Percy Ingram
* Ren
* Sketchy Galore

## Mission Requirements

Collect all of the required items to unlock this mission!

None

## Rewards

### Narrative Items

* Dustcap Headset
* Map of Dustland
* Handwritten Note
* Lockbox

## Transcript

### SCENE 1: Kettlemine Falls

AUDIO FADE IN: EXT. BEACH

ELIZ

Seven settlements, no one to trade with. Lord Ingram isn’t going to like this at all. I don’t know what their problem is, they’ve never acted this hostile before. I’m sure they need medical supplies as much as we need the food and seeds they have. Well, the seaside is done, I guess we can go back to Kettlemine and then tomorrow we can go inland. Have you ever been to any of the settlements there? Oh, then it will be a new experience. I appreciate you coming with me, I would have needed your help if we’d had anything to carry, but still the company was nice. Let’s pick up the pace, we need to get back home before--is that smoke?

SFX: crackling flames, distant screaming, an outside bell ringing- less like alarm clock and more like a dinner bell CLANG CLANG CLANG- sounds of a cannonball being fired and then hitting a wall, destroying it)

ELIZ (CONT'D)

Kettlemine! Pirates are attacking Kettlemine! But Lord Ingram said we had a truce! Come on, we have to go help. I know a back way in. SFX: same as before, volume growing. The whole west wall is gone, and they’re coming ashore! We need to find Lord Ingram and get him out of here! Wait, why are you running in that direction?

(her voice gets more distant as the player runs into the city)

You’re just adding to the body count! Come back! SFX: crashes and flame crackling as buildings fall.

ANDREA

(in obvious pain)

Help! Over here! Help me! Oh thank you, my leg is caught under a beam. I think my ankle may be broken. Can you lift it?

SFX: more crashes

ANDREA (CONT'D)

Thank you so much. I owe you my life. Go on, I’ll be okay. I can use one of these sticks as a cane to get free of the village. I won’t forget this. (voice grows distant)

Hang on, I didn’t catch your name! ... Thank you!

ELIZ

(from far away)

Over here! I found Lord Ingram! Run!

### SCENE 2: Hope in Ruin

AUDIO FADE IN: EXT. BURNING TOWN

PERCY INGRAM

Stop pulling me, Eliz! I need to get back into the house for one more thing!

ELIZ

Nothing is as important as your life, Lord!

PERCY INGRAM

This may very well be. I believe that’s what the pirates are looking for. If we can get that out of here, they may stop their attack.

ELIZ

What, you want bait??

PERCY INGRAM

You look like a strong runner. I need you to go into my house and fetch something.

ELIZ

Wait a minute, that runner was walking and running with me all day!

PERCY INGRAM

This is big, Eliz. Bigger than you, or me. We need to get this out of here. I need you here, and everyone else has either escaped into the mine or is dead. Runner, you’re our only hope. You need to get something and draw the pirates away from us. If you run inland you will have an advantage.

ELIZ

And you don’t think this runner may be tired? Think, Lord Ingram!

PERCY INGRAM

I did think. This is our only chance. And I think this runner will be fine. Fit legs, bright eyes. And adrenaline does wonderous things. Go inside my house. The back room, on my desk, there’s a wooden box. Grab it.

ELIZ

I can’t believe you’re sending them into a burning building.

PERCY INGRAM

The longer we stand here, the more dangerous it is! Go! Now listen, Eliz, you need to know this...

SFX: His words trail off as the player distances themselves. We have a sense of missing something important but we’re in a fire now, inside the burning building, then there’s a loud crash as the roof falls in.

ELIZ

Oh no! Why did you send

PERCY INGRAM

No, see, there they are. A bit singed, but fine. And you grabbed my headset too? That was a good idea. Here, I’ve written a quick note, take that and this box. Put it in your backpack - keep those medical supplies, you’ll need them. Take the headset too, that will help. You might be able to find an operator out there if you hit the right frequency. Go North until you hit the train depot, and then follow the tracks inland. If you see a train, hide. You will eventually come to New Alice Springs. Give the note to the first person you see.

ELIZ

I’ve got a map here to get you to the depot, but it’s mostly covering the coast.

PERCY INGRAM

Above all, draw the pirates away and do not let them catch you. You’re going to have to move like you never have before. Run!

### SCENE 3: Travelling Companions

AUDIO FADE IN: EXT. BEACH

SFX: CARNAGE NOISES FADING INTO THE BACKGROUND AS THE EPISODE GOES ON

ANDREA

Hey! You’re that runner that saved me! It looks like we’re the only ones who escaped. We are so lucky. I’m even luckier that it looks like I only sprained my ankle. Not that I’ll be winning any races. How did you get free? Running, I expect. Hey, I don’t suppose you have a strong wrap or ankle brace in that pack of yours. You do?? And painkillers, thank you!

SFX: backpack rustles, Andrea grunts in pain.

ANDREA

That’s better. You’re looking a bit nervous, I won’t bite. Oh no. The pirates are coming after you? I’ll slow you down, you go on ahead. No, I can’t go with you, I’m useless with this leg. All right, fine, death or busted ankle, I guess I know what I’d rather do. This is gonna hurt.

SFX: shouts from afar, a pistol fires.

ANDREA

(grunting, breathing hard)

That was too close! Oh... I’m close to panic. Here. Let’s tell each other about ourselves. I’ll go first. I’m from a northern settlement, coming to meet with Lord Ingram. Strange we didn’t pass each other on the roads. But things are tense between our villages, you know. Your Lord Ingram has been a bit stingy with his knowledge. I don’t suppose he gave you anything to carry on your way out of town?

(waits...)

I guess not. Oh, I forgot my manners. I’m Andrea. I’m more of a talker than a runner, but I can get from place to place. Usually, anyway. If we keep up this pace, we should be able to stay away from them, unless they get better aim. Hey, do you want to come back with me to my settlement? You can rest up and tell the mayor what happened. It’s safe there.

SFX: Static over headset, garbled VOICE, static. (Andrea doesn’t hear this)

ANDREA

I was sent me to Kettlemine with some diplomatic messages. My mayor wanted to set up a meeting with Lord Ingram. She’s pretty angry. Do you think he made it out alive? Oh, no, the whole settlement’s aflame. I don’t see anyone moving down there except for the pirates. I’m so sorry. Hang on, look back there. More pirates and, they’re loosing dogs?? Metal dogs? How did they--- those poor things! That is cruel! And they’re chasing us! They’re going to be better at chasing us down, we have a good head start but we should run.

SFX: Dog barks in the background, more static

VOICE

--should run!

### SCENE 4: Sketching In

AUDIO FADE IN: EXT. BEACH, DOGS IN DISTANCE- BARK IS TINNY LIKE BEING SENT THROUGH A METAL CAN. A BIT MORE STATIC.

ANDREA

Oh this is why you don’t run on a busted leg! Thanks for the support. And refusal to leave me behind. Those dogs are getting closer, and I don’t know who did that to them, but I’d like to-- what? Look ahead coming down the dune! A four wheeler!

SFX: Small ATV engine gradually getting louder.

ANDREA

It’s Ren! Hey! Ren!

SFX: engine gets louder, idles.

REN

Andrea, what happened to you?

(unfriendly)

And who’s this?

ANDREA

Pirates have sacked Kettlemine. I got my leg caught but this runner saved me. Twice. It looks like everyone is dead there except for us. And you wouldn’t believe what they’ve done to the dogs--

REN

Pirates? Did they get away with-- never mind. I’m sorry, runner. Thank you for helping my friend. And I’m sorry for your town, but you know why the pirates attacked, right?(waits one beat) Ah. So you don’t. Well, your Lord Ingram has been bragging about the latest artifacts his runners have unearthed in salt mine behind Kettlemine. There’s rumors he found some plans for a large desalinator. That could take make enough to serve an entire settlement.

ANDREA

A Desalinator That Large? That’s a game changer .Who ever builds that will be the richest person around. And The Biggest Target.

REN

Right, you saw what happened when just a small number of people knew about the plans. Pirates Are Always listening, Andrea. Now the settlement is gone, probably with the plans. But Those Dogs Are getting closer. Andrea, get on the ATV ,that ankle doesn't look good. Runner, I Can't Carry You As Well, although I would really like to We can take your backpack though and you can follow us to our settlement.

VOICE

(static, hard to hear)

Runner. Whoever is wearing Percy Ingram's Headset Come In. I understand you're escaping the fighting in Kettlemine. I’m a friend, and I can guide you to keep you safe. That lockbox I know you're carrying: don't give it up to anyone, friend or foe. I Know this con. I’ve run this con. And I've Seen These Two Before.

REN

(disappointed)

You Sure? You Don't Want Someone else to carry that load for a while?

ANDREA

Those Pirates Are Getting Closer, runner. You Want To Be Weighed down? Come With Us. You'll Want a rest after everything that happened!

VOICE

I Know You're Thinking, ‘who says I can trust this voice that's talking to me so melodiously through my headphones, but can you trust the one you're traveling with? That headset was created in my settlement, which is why I could track you. SO you know at least that part is true. I also think these folks are about to try something nasty.

REN

Last chance for us to take that load off your shoulders. Those dogs are getting closer.

ANDREA

No? All right, but promise us you’ll follow us--Ren! What are you doing?

REN

(grunts)

I’ve had enough of this polite nonsense. Hand over the backpack, Runner. This is our property now.

ANDREA

Wait, Ren, we can be reasonable, who taught you diplomacy? Don’t be like this! The pirates--

REN

I said give it!

VOICE

Wow. So I was right. I didn’t think they’d give themselves away that fast. Run down the dune and head inland. If you go through that dead forest to the west it’ll give some cover and they can’t chase as fast. SFX: ATV motor revs up, then fades, cries of alarm, barking dogs. Oh yeah, forgot about those dogs. Well they might all slow each other down. I don’t think you’re being directly pursued now, but I guarantee whoever wins that fight will be coming after you. Run!

### SCENE 5: Run For Their Lives

AUDIO FADE IN: EXT. A WIND WHISTLES THROUGH A FOREST OF DEAD TREE TRUNKS

VOICE

That was clever the way you surfed down that dune. You’ve got some distance, looks like. I appreciate you trusting me even though you have no reason to. Of course, you may not trust me at all, you may just be biding your time. Let me give you some information.

(clears throat)

So introductions first. My name is Sketchy Galore and I’m the head operator for Coyote Skull. That headset you’re wearing is one-of-a kind--ah! I have visual! Your helmet has a 360 degree camera on top to aid the operator and any rescue attempts. It looks like you connected the everything up correctly and the helmet is using your body energy to power itself. Wicked, huh? So about that box in your pack. There’s a tracker in that box, it was built by the same tinker who did your helmet. Inside the box, we think, are plans for a large scale desalinator. I don’t have to tell you how useful that would be. It’s locked with a bio key that opens only to Lord Ingram’s bloodline. It’s fossilized wood, so it would take a while to break into, past the biolock. Right now I want to get you somewhere safe, until we can get you here to Coyote Skull. I think you and me are going to be great friends, because I can keep you out of trouble so long as you keep that headset on. From where you are, New Alice Springs is a few kilometers west. It’s probably the closest and safest place to go and get some rest. When you get out of that forest, there will be the Shimmering Lake ahead of you, and the settlement New Alice Springs. Keep the pace up so you’re not in the forest come nightfall. I’ll guide you to New Alice Springs and we can move on from there. Lovely to meet you, runner.

THE END