Hondo's Cabin - After Chaos

Hondo I. Sackett

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2090 - Apr 18^th, 2017, 9:18pm

Not home yet. Stopped for fuel but thought I'd post a reply to some of the conversations. The brother broncos were 1/2 ton rigs, thought the 78 and 79 were closer to 3/4 ton rigs about f250 like. Valentine's bronco is an extended bronco centurion which is closer to a f350. Realize fords numbering is odd. Before the late 50's it was f1 to f6 then was changed to f100 to f800 thy dropped f100 in the late 60s and went from f150 to f850. Then in 84 they dropped the Ranger package and made it a model to be under f150. Chevy and dodge used 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 for 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton, and 1 1/4 ton. Ford has 150 for 1/2, 250 light duty 3/4, 350 heavy duty 3/4 or light duty one ton, 450 1 ton, 550 1 1/4 ton, and 650 as 1.5 ton light duty. Etc. and it changes some in each decade.

Now for the engine/transmission deal. I have a factory built 1979 Ford F-250 camper special 4x4 with a 400 and a t18 transmission. All factory. The 400 is a modified 351. It was called a 351m until around 77 where it officially took the 400 name. And yea the t18/19s were not used after the early 90s . They were replaced with the m5od or the zf5, depending on size. Both were not true 5 speeds. They were4 speeds with over drives. They also dumped the granny gear and tightened the ratios so 1st gear was now a take off gear. This was to save fuel on highways. This tranny wasn't was good off road or in the country so many farmer when the od blew as it wasn't meant to be used when hauling anyway, they replaced them with the old T series trannys. The 4 speed trannies had the low granny gear and then 3 road gears. They were tough and handled the hard farm uses. Ok. Got to go.

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Well the cowboy, like the red man, you had to leave your land
You can't raise your stock and plant your crop in the gumbo and the sand
Greed disguised as progress has put us to the test
They won't be glad until we're gone from our home out in the west
It's sad to see those good old days replaced with greed and doubt
Soon we'll leave the country, the campfire has gone out
Bid 'em all adieu, you can't turn the world about
The cowboy left the country, the campfire has gone out

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Fernando

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2091 - Apr 18^th, 2017, 11:19pm

Note: A slight detour, but it shows options one can have for power.
https://www.ecocapsule.sk

This is not a trailer home or camper, it is a "Tiny House," built and sold in Slovia (formerly part of Yugoslavia). It is a stand alone house, meaning that it makes its own power to run what is needed - water pump, heater, etc. Using Solar, Wind Turbine, Battery and can have a generator added to it, plus it can be wired up to the local power authority. It also needs to plugged into the municipal water and sewer lines.

But because of its size it is more set up like a camper/trailer than actual house. I would see this as a "Hunting Shack" or Vacation Home, not a place or permanent residence.

It's problem is its price. 75K Euros, or about $85K. I could build several cargo trailer box homes for that price. In fact, full sized homes in certain places in the USA would go for that much. One might as well put wheels on it and turn it into a trailer. A very expensive trailer home.

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Fernando

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2092 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 12:22pm

RPG with tie in to clean things up:

For a long as Maribelle and Marvin have been out, Karl sat down on the bumper of his SUV and had the meal Joanna had prepared for him. She waited patiently for him to finish his meal so she would take care of his head bandage and see how he is healing. He ate most of the meal, leaving a bit of crust and a puddle of soup at the bottom of the pot from which it was served.

“Had your fill?” Joanna asks.

Karl nods.

“Good. Hope you are feeling better.” Joanna says.

“Much better. Thanks.” Karl softly lets out.

Joanna takes the bit of crust and plops it into the pot before covering it and setting it aside. She then reaches over to Karl’s bandaged head and begins to unravel and roll up his bandages. As she takes off his bandages, he asks, “What happened?”

“I’m not sure, but from what I understand, you were beaten to an inch of your life by some gang in town. Fernando got you the best medical care possible, and a few other things happened, then you were brought here. I’m not sure what though. That’s all I know.” Joanna explains.

“Where’s Fernando now?” Karl asks.

“Something happened, and he and Hondo are in town dealing with it.” Joanna answers.

Karl sighs for the moment before asking, “Is there another wessen in the camp? I thought I saw a new face.”

“A couple of new faces: Marvin, La La and Li Li. They came in this morning, asking to leave town with us.” Joanna explains.

“Master Johnson’s Wessens?” Karl asks.

“You know them?” Joanna asks.

“We used to fight together in Fight Town when Master Jenkins and Master Johnson brought us there.” Karl answers.

“I see. I did not think you were a fighter.” Joanna comments.

“Compared to many in Fight Town, I’m not. I can barely hold out on my own. Marvin, however, can be vicious in the ring when needed. He’s just sheer force and strength.” He explains, and then asks, “So, they want to leave town with us? Something happened to their master?”

“I don’t know the details, all I know is that he is missing after their place was purged.” She answers.

“Just like us.” He says.

“Yeah. Anyways. Fernando wants you to rest up and take it easy so you can heal. We will be leaving after we meet up to discuss our next stop.” She tells him.

“I see.” Karl says more to himself than to her. He then asks, “Anything I can do, you know, to help?”

“Not really. Unless you want to sit there and keep watch like guard duty.” She tells him, adding, “You don’t have to get up and patrol the area. You can see everything from right here.”

“And where will you be?” He asks.

“I’ll be around. I got to tend to the girls cutting up vegetables for our dinner and check with the others, so I will be around.” She explains to him.

“OK.” He says.

The sound of two of motorcycles approaching the parking lot area are heard, making Joanna stay a bit longer with Karl, just in case there was trouble. Soon the motorcycles slowly pulled up behind Hondo’s trailer. Though their helmets hid their faces, their coats and rides made them recognizable, and Joanna seem them leave, so she’s seen their helmets before.

“Looks like they are back.” Joanna says to Karl. She adds, “I’ll go see what happened. You just stay right there.” She then picks up the pot next to Karl and starts heading back to where Hondo and Fernando were.

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Jeanette

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2093 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 5:11pm

Edit: Corrections made. Also, I forgot the bumper wrench. I added that along with my other corrections.

Moro returns to camp and gives the bag of roasted locusts to Chihiro.

Chihiro opens the bag and looks. "Are these safe to eat?"

"It's okay to eat these."

"Shortly after I arrived in Charlton I caught a mouse but I was scolded because mice are not kosher." Unlike the nomads who remove the wings and hind legs before eating, the cat eats the whole bug, legs, wings and all.

Moro receives a chime on her mobile device. "This is Moro."

"We located an abandoned full size truck out of town and away from anything else. There are no life signs anywhere near it. Short-range scanners show no indication of it being scavenged and we see what could be the set of keys away from the truck."

"Transport me next to the keys."

Moro is transported. She looks down and sees a set of Ford keys in the dirt.

The indention in the dirt, along with the distance from the truck, suggests the keys were thrown, perhaps out of aggravation, instead of simply falling out of someone's pocket.

Moro double-checks her mobile device for any life signs in the area other than her own. There aren't any.

She picks up the set of keys, walks toward the truck and continues. "It's a Ford F-350 4x4 with a four door cab, extended bed and a front bumper wrench." Moro notices some dripping. "It has a coolant leak." Moro puts her hand on the hood. "The engine is still warm." She opens the driver door. "It has a 4 speed stick and a CB radio."

Moro sits in the driver seat, puts the key in the ignition and turns it but does not attempt to start it yet. The instrument panel comes alive. "Hold on." Moro puts her mobile device down on the seat, puts her foot on the clutch and attempts to start it. The battery is too weak to start the engine. Moro picks up her mobile device off the seat. "It has a dead battery." Moro pulls the hood release and exits the truck. She releases the latch to the hood and props it up. "It has a 7.3 liter diesel engine." She walks around, looking at the truck and the tires. "The tires have slight uneven wear." Moro lowers the tailgate. "The spare tire, which is on its last leg, is in the bed of the truck. I'll call back when I have more information." Moro puts her mobile device away.

Moro looks under the hood again. The battery connectors are in sad shape. They need to be taken off and cleaned. That does not explain why the truck is abandoned. Moro places her hand on the engine. The engine "tells" her it's fine. She touches the alternator. It's fine too. She does not know about the wires but Moro will find out soon enough. The alternator belt looks good as does the other belts.

Moro places her hand on the power steering pump. Not only is it low on power steering fluid, it's also on its way out. Moro touches the pump until it is healed while the noise of metal moving can be heard.

Moro touches the radiator. It has a small crack and it's low on coolant. She heals the crack in the radiator. The hoses are old but they are currently holding up. There is one hose in particular Moro looks at. She has her concerns about it.

Moro crawls under the truck. She touches the transmission and finds the culprit. There are several problems with the transmission causing gears not to make contact. She touches the transmission until all the broken parts are mended, worn gears are back to normal and everything that's loose is tight again.

Moro gets up off the ground and is ready to start the engine. In all this time Moro has not checked her mobile device for any nearby life signs.

Note: I am leaving this Sunday morning and will be back the following Friday. I don't know how much access to the Internet I will have.

Jeanette Isabelle

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« Last Edit: Apr 19^th, 2017, 9:34pm by Jeanette »

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Hondo I. Sackett

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2094 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 6:02pm

Note: FYI it doesn't have rack and pinion....

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Well the cowboy, like the red man, you had to leave your land
You can't raise your stock and plant your crop in the gumbo and the sand
Greed disguised as progress has put us to the test
They won't be glad until we're gone from our home out in the west
It's sad to see those good old days replaced with greed and doubt
Soon we'll leave the country, the campfire has gone out
Bid 'em all adieu, you can't turn the world about
The cowboy left the country, the campfire has gone out

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Jeanette Experianced Posts: 1154	Re: After Chaos Reply #2095 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 6:39pm Quote from Hondo I. Sackett on Apr 19^th, 2017, 6:02pm: Note: FYI it doesn't have rack and pinion.... What does it have? Is there anything else that's off? Jeanette Isabelle
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Fernando

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NY City

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Gender: male

Re: After Chaos
Reply #2096 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 6:47pm

Note: OK on Absence. Will try to hold back on Time forwarding posts. May post actions/events that does not move the RPG forward.

A bit of personal concern about your last post; if the engine is warm then it may not be abandoned. The hints may show that it is. It can also say that a crime had happened. I’m guessing that it was part of a caravan, broke down, attempted to be repaired but failed and keys thrown out of frustration. Since the engine is still warm, they should be close. If it was part of a caravan, they would be further out than by foot and chances are may be returning with a tow truck or some other towing ability. A truck of that condition would be quite valuable as it is fixable.

Is this truck Stick Shift? If it is, it can be started with a push. It is a matter of getting it rolling and then pop the clutch on first gear and it should come to life. Or if Moro is crazy or stupid, she could pull start it with what I consider as a BoneHead maneuver as the car/truck can fall off the jack and run you over:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0naTvrigBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZAMmZFksmg

Do note that these are Front Wheel Drive Cars, but it works on any car/truck set to 2 wheel drive and you know which wheel is engaged to the transmission. But again, it is a danger maneuver to do. Better to get it rolling in neutral, hop inside and pop the clutch in 1st gear, aka – pushing starting the vehicle.

Note II: It would have a steering gear box that has a worm gear and pin that pushes the control rods and tie rods that connect to the wheels through a steering knuckle on the wheel hub. The Steering gearbox would be towards to the front of the car/truck with a connecting shaft that goes to the passenger compartment and connects to the steering wheel.

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Hondo I. Sackett

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2097 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 7:46pm

Like Fernando said, it has a worm gear style steering box and possibly for that size a steering helper which is nothing more than a small hydraulic ram connected to the control arm powered by pressurized fluid from the steering box to help stabilize steer By and turn in rough terrain. Also being diesel it would have 2 batteries.

Also, as far as posts go I have to get a post with Hondo talking to the girls. Jefe, you could always have your macey post too. That will probably keep us busy as we wait for you, Jeanette, to post.

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« Last Edit: Apr 19^th, 2017, 9:35pm by Hondo I. Sackett »

Well the cowboy, like the red man, you had to leave your land
You can't raise your stock and plant your crop in the gumbo and the sand
Greed disguised as progress has put us to the test
They won't be glad until we're gone from our home out in the west
It's sad to see those good old days replaced with greed and doubt
Soon we'll leave the country, the campfire has gone out
Bid 'em all adieu, you can't turn the world about
The cowboy left the country, the campfire has gone out

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Jeanette

Experianced

Posts: 1154

Re: After Chaos
Reply #2098 - Apr 19^th, 2017, 10:26pm

Note: The previous story post has been edited.

There's something bugging Moro. Granted, the truck was not able to move under its own power given the condition the transmission. However, setting aside the transmission, power steering pump and a couple of inconveniences, the truck is in great shape. She hasn't tested the CB radio but for the sake of what if, the radio isn't working. The driver would likely have no other choice than to take the shoe leather express. But why toss the keys? Even aggravated no one in his or her right mind would announce to the world that the truck is there for anyone who wants it.

Moro looks at the ground and sees two sets of footprints in the dirt: hers and the previous driver who has a larger shoe size. She looks around the truck to be certain. There's no third set. She also looked for tire tracks. There is only one fresh set. So whoever drove the truck here definitely walked out and did so alone.

Moro checked her mobile device again. Hers is the only life sign within a mile radius. If the driver were now dead, he or she would not show up on the life signs detector.

Jeanette Isabelle

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Jeanette

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2099 - Apr 20^th, 2017, 12:00pm

Moro is back on her mobile device. "This is Moro. I have more information. The battery terminals are in bad shape. I need tools to clean the battery connectors and two truck batteries. The engine, alternator and belts are fine. The power steering pump was on its way out, I fixed it but it's low on power steering fluid.

"The radiator had a crack, I fixed it but it's low on coolant. I need to keep an eye on one of the hoses but the rest are fine.

"The transmission had several problems, the most likely reason for the truck to be on the side of the road. I fixed it."

"Anything else?" Asks the voice on the other end.

"I have not tested the wrench or the CB radio."

"We'll send someone with the tools and supplies."

Minutes later a white male with black hair and wearing an enlisted uniform appears with tools, two truck batteries, replacement battery connectors, coolant and power steering fluid.

While the radiator is still cooling, Moro tops off the fluid in the power steering unit. What Moro did not catch is that the power steering system has a second leak.

Meanwhile the enlisted man removes the old batteries, replaces two of the battery connectors and cleans the other two.

Moro touches the radiator again. The pressure is now low enough to safely remove the cap. Some pressure is released when Moro removed the cap but no burning liquids spill out. Moro fills the radiator and puts the cap back on.

The enlisted man puts in the new batteries and tightens the connectors. "Let's test it."

Moro gets in the cab and sits in the driver's seat. She makes sure the parking break is set. It is. She puts her foot on the clutch and starts it. The engine wakes up and is ready to go.

Moro puts the stick in neutral and lets go of the clutch. She gets out of the cab and touches the alternator. Power is being drawn from the alternator. The magical grease monkey touches other essential components within reach. All of the parts that she touched "tell" her that they are working as they should.

Moro closes the hood. "I mentioned that the tires have slight uneven wear. I'll have someone with the right equipment take a look at that. From what I have observed it's most likely an alignment problem. The spare tire is a blowout waiting to happen."

The enlisted man checks the caps to the power steering fluid and coolant to verify they are on properly. They are. He opens a door to the back seat and puts the power steering fluid and coolant on the floor. He then uses the toolbox to secure them. "I'll leave the power steering fluid, coolant and tools in case you need them. I'll take the old batteries with me."

Moro gets back in the cab and closes the door. She puts on her seat belt, releases the parking break, puts it in gear and drives off. The truck is not experiencing problems.

The enlisted man and the batteries at his feat disappear.

After gaining speed the truck is transported to save time but it is transported outside of town so to not be seen doing so. Moro slows down, drives to the campsite, finds the nearest parking spot, pulls in and shuts off the engine. She gets out and closes the door, bringing the keys with her.

Moro looks for and finds Maribelle. "I know you need to maintain your illusion of power in front of your adoring audience. Now it's just us, the party. Before I buy a cargo trailer for the truck I just fixed, there's something I need to know now. Do you want to keep the wine and personal items that you left at your plantation or not?"

Jeanette Isabelle

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