Quote from Jeanette on May 8^th, 2017, 9:55am:

 
Note:
 
Children under 8 years old are usually open to what the adult introduces to them. In their eyes, they want to make their parents proud of them through what achievements they can do. Some will gravitate to a preference for single/self activities, but under group activities they tend to try to outperform “the competition.” It is rare that a child will say that they will not like something before trying it, it has happened, but in many cases that is because the kid is a spoiled brat who is too used to having things done their way (as in the case with today’s city minority children).
 
Fight Town is a town of Sin and Pleasure. It is a place of Ill-Repute. There are residences and basic services there (market, theater, restaurants, bars, hotels, vehicle repairs, law enforcement, hospital/medical, etc.) but is it not something one should go to get there as it will be the highest price anywhere. Law Enforcement is a joke as things tend to be run by the local mafia(s), and it is the mafias that run everything in Fight Town. You either have to bluff your way around the place or you need to stand up and fight if your bluff is called. Fighting brings in the most money in Fight Town, but there is also gambling, prostitution, “illegal drugs,” Stolen Goods Market, and of course Slavery. There are individuals and gangs (thereof) there who will not let you go into certain areas of Fight Town without paying a toll or “without permission from the local mob.” This is there the going gets tough, and the Tough gets going when someone tougher than they are calls their bluff. A lot more than someone’s feelings are going to get hurt if one crosses the wrong street.
 
Everything in Fight Town is heavily inflated. In the current town a new tire to replace a Flat tire will go for $5 - $15 depending on its size and popularity. In Fight Town prices can be 4X to 10X or higher, thus that same tire could easily go for $25 to $200. And chances are it will not be a new tire but a used tire in slightly better condition than what you have or they will “recondition” your tire with shoe polish and gouge out the rubber on the treads to make it look like it is a new tire. As soon as you hit the highway with that tire, it will blow out on you. Food bought at the market is “Buyer Beware.” You really need to eye the stuff you are getting with them, and make sure you are getting you order because they do not use “honest weights” to conduct “square deals.” If you order a pound of beef, you may be getting 15oz instead, and that meat may not be fresh. So inspect everything.
 

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Quote from Jeanette on May 8^th, 2017, 8:14am:

 
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Items will be obtainable but it will be expensive as everything will be in reverse – This town used take in the farmed goods and process them to be sold to other towns; this winter will be the opposite – raw and processed goods will need to be brought in as their crops have been decimated. This will artificially inflate the prices greatly for food items. Things will be brought in, so there will be ample supplies, like flour for the baker. But instead of 10-cent a loaf of bread, during the winter it will be $1 a loaf of bread. This is where the harness becomes apparent. Those who can make deals, like getting flour for the baker by being on the convoy for them, will be the ones that will get the bread for a lower cost. I’m just using flour as an example, as all crops of the area are affected. Only underground crops like carrots, beets, radishes onions, peanuts and potatoes are not affected as they were not burned being underground soil crops. This loss includes fruit trees, though they would be burnt and the fruit lost, they will recover to grow new fruit but that recovery will take more than a year to do.
 
Meat will be an issue though it is not mentioned. One has to think, “if the crops were burnt, what about the livestock?” They could have been killed off by the crop fires, they could have been rustled and stolen or they could have run away because of the fires. The thing is, is it recoverable? A small part might be. It depends and that has a lot of factors and variables.
 
The Housemother (seems to) know that even if the Town Council provides her a place to live and a job to pay for food and expenses while the children are away at school, the money she makes will be spend mostly on the food she buys, not because of the sheer amount of children she has to take care of, but because of the inflated prices she will be facing.
 
This is a situation where the older children need to know and understand the consequences if they decide to stay. Being in the Youth Corps will make sure that they are fed a descent meal, but that mean a lot of hard work needs to be done along with their basic studies. In better times the work needed may not be as hard but something needs to be done as there is no “Free Rides.” Is this something that they will want to do?
 

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RPG:
 
“The older children will need to know what they will be facing if they stay. But let me make the call to General Jastrey to get your vehicle fixed up and ready for you to leave tonight.” Lieutenant Benson says. She picks up her radio and Presses the ‘Talk Button’ on it, “Lieutenant Benson to General Jastrey. Lieutenant Benson to General Jastrey. The adult leader of the group accepted the terms of the arrangement for leaving tonight. There might be an issue with some of the older children which is being discussed. I will get back to you on this when their final decision is made.”
 
 A few moments of silence passes before there is a reply.
 
“Got it. The troop carrier will be sent in right now for preparations for them to have.” General Jastrey says on the radio.
 
“Got it.” Lieutenant Benson replies. She then puts down the radio. “Let’s talk to the children. If they say yes, then they can throw away that grub they found and let the rats feast on it. They will be getting a better meal when we arrive there. I will call in for a larger ride to transport all of us if they agree to leave.”
 
- - - - -
 
Putting down the radio, General Jastrey looks toward Fernando, “Looks like you are getting one more in your group.”
 
“Not a problem.” Fernando says. He adds, “They are going to need a couple more things. I’ll get it for them though.”
 
“What do you need? I’ll throw it in as part of the package.” General Jastrey says.
 
“Nothing fancy, a CB radio like a little Cobra 19 so they can communicate with the group and convoy. And one or two portable heaters in case it gets too cold out there like in the past couple nights.” Fernando points out.
 
“I’ll get you a radio system for them. The troop carrier already has a heater for winter transport, so you will not have to get one. This vehicle was used to support the troops as well as transporting them. Thus kitchen and bathroom facilities are already there. And the troops slept on bunks that folded up against the walls when not in use. There are tables, chairs and mess kits in the storage compartments. I’ll take up most of them but leave enough for 30 people for you. Storage compartments can be accessed outside by a panel door or inside through a trap door and it is water tight so things will be dry if you cross a river or are in a flood. Everything will be fixed up for them, and a new generator will be installed. We can put in a wool carpet so they will not have to walk on bare metal. That’s good enough for you?” General Jastrey points out.
 
“Good enough for me. If they can while they are fixing it up, to put in a spot weld on the outside panel doors so idiots outside can't get in them but if I have too, I can cut the weld to get access myself. At least they can have access inside from the trap doors.” Fernando replies.
 
“I’ll get that done for you.” General Jastrey says.
 
“Alright. I need to talk to Joanna about preparing more food for the additional people.” Fernando says.
 
“I can get you more food.” General Jastrey tells him.
 
“Aw come on, this is too much now.” Fernando throws at her.
 
“The military crawls on its stomach. We make a lot of food for the troops and Youth Corps and often we end up with a lot left-overs. So, you can have the left-overs. What were you planning to put on the menu?” General Jastrey says and asks.
 
“Soup and sandwiches as an ‘on-the-go’ road meal.” Fernando explains.
 
“You’re leaving at 1900 hours (7PM)? If you delay your exit for an hour or so, I can have the troops who are leaving with us assemble here and we can all eat a full dinner here. Steak meat, cooked vegetables, soup, and fruit pies. That enough to sweeten the deal for you?” General Jastrey says and asks.
 
“I would say yes but I do not answer for everyone.” Fernando tells her.
 
“I’ll say it for everyone - ‘Yes.’” Maribelle throws her voice in.
 
“You do not have that power or authority, Miss.” Fernando growls at Maribelle. He continues, “The Wessens have their own dietary needs, and Joanna has started cooking the soup.” He then turns to General Jastrey, “Let me talk to you in private...” as he points to the Kharkovchanka.
 
Fernando begins to walk to the tank-treaded vehicle with General Jastrey following.
 
He tells her as soon as they get there, “We have problem. Val has been kidnapped, and Hondo is going to leave early to try and save her. I have to go with him, like it or not, and deal with those who got her.”
 
“You know who did it?” General Jastrey asks.
 
“Only a hint, someone who wants our work done here to end.” He tells her.
 
“Let me talk to Hondo. If he can wait an hour more for the meal, you and he got us as your back up in finding Val.” General Jastrey says, “Even though you already have us as back up for the Raid on Lab Town.”
 
“They told us to go to Fight Town and do a few matches to get the next clue.” Fernando explains.
 
“We can help you there. We got contacts in Fight Town.” General Jastrey says, throwing in, “Let me talk to him.”
 
“Come with me then...” Fernando tells her.

Note:
 
Lieutenant Benson knows that it is about being a black wing Haibane as everyone has a problem with them. But she is under orders by General Jastrey herself to ignore the superstitions and deal with the real issues at hand. And she can read the actions and reactions Denver has towards Jade and how the others are following her and thus will need to deal with this accordingly. And to deal with it accordingly, the military/youth corp. way is something Denver is not going to like. But liking is not something one does in the military, one does or doesn’t do and face the consequences of their actions of not doing.
 

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RPG:
 
“You, Haibane. You got a problem? Because if you do, I will eliminate the problem for you.” Lieutenant Benson tells her sternly. “In fact, it is that attitude that will be eliminated because we don’t have prima-donnas in the youth corps. You are to do as you are told or else. If you got an issue with this girl, then you have an issue with me. And if your friends have an issue with this girl because you have an issue with her, then I will go doubly hard on them for following her. You need think with a level head, and not one filled with hate and emotions. What has this girl done to you? What?!!”
 
Lieutenant Benson waits for a reply and gets none, but in getting nothing, the message is perfectly clear to her.
 
“Nothing. Figures...I swear... You join the Youth Corps, and I will find another black wing Haibane to be your bunk mate, and if anything happens to that black wing Haibane, it will be you who will pay for the consequence of letting your bunk mate get hurt. In the Youth Corps and in the military you learn how to accept others by their character and their actions and not by the color of their skin, fur or feathers because you will need their support in what you need to do as they will need yours in what they need to get done. You will learn to work together with people you do not, will not like and it will be more important for you to put your dislike of others away and get the job done because getting the job done is more important than your petty hurt feelings. If you think you got a problem now, this will be nothing compared to the problems you will have in the Youth Corps where you are to do as you are told and not talk back. So you better take that attitude out of here and think with a rational and non-emotional head and come up with an answer that helps everyone and not your ‘you think you’re better than everyone’ self because if you fail by making the wrong decision, they will fail with you. And then what? Now, the choice is simple – you leave with your adult leader and you will be guaranteed good food in your bellies, a warm place to sleep and wash up in and all you have to do is do as she asks; or join the Youth Corps with me as your leader and if you screw up once – what you have in that bag will be the best meal you will ever have. Now decide because what you decide now will depends on whether what you brought in those bags will be your dinner or you get to have a descent cooked meal. And only decide for yourself because you do not decide for everyone. You do not have the rank or authority to think for everyone.” Lieutenant Benson tells her. She finally asks, “Before I ask the others, what is YOUR decision you choose for yourself?”

Lieutenant Benson looks at this argument go back and forth before she decides to step in.
 
“Enough!” Lieutenant Benson lets out. The children become quiet and look up at her, all except for Denver. She continues, “People live and die every day. It’s what they do in life that matters most, yet you dare disrespect that. If they were here now listening to this, they would probably slap you and rightfully so.” She takes a pause for a moment before continuing, “I swear. I swore by this uniform that I would give up my life in the help and protection of others but it is people with attitudes like yours that makes me want to give up and walk away from doing my job. It disrespects the lives of my friends and fellow soldiers who died in doing their job in the protection of the likes of you. Do you want that I go take my men away and leave all those like you unprotected and let the slavers take over and put you into a life of being someone’ slave, to be beaten and whipped when you do not do as you are told?!”
 
Lieutenant Benson waits for a reply and gets none, but in getting nothing, the message is perfectly clear to her.
 
“Nothing. Figures... I swear... If you would not like being beaten and whipped, how do you think she feels for what you have done to her? And for what you have done to her, you think she has a right to be angry at you? No, you do not think like that. You only think about yourself, not about others. That is where you are wrong. You need to change the way you think or else. We did not win the war against the slavers because the soldiers did it to gain fame and glory, we won because we fought together in the common cause of protecting this town and everyone in it – including you, I swear. Good people died in doing that job, but you would not care. If we went in with that attitude you have, the war would have been lost and everyone in this town, including you, would be slaves. Now, what is your decision?” Lieutenant Benson tells Denver.

Lieutenant Benson picks up her radio and Presses the ‘Talk Button’ on it, “Lieutenant Benson to General Jastrey. Lieutenant Benson to General Jastrey. The final decision has been made, they are all going.”
 
“Good to know, Lieutenant Benson. Gather them, have them pack up their things and transport them to the camp. Dinner will be served around 2000 hours (8PM). Roll-Out will be at around 2100 hours (9PM). They, at least their adult leader should be there by 1700 hours for a meeting of minds for details and intel for the ride ahead.” General Jastrey tells her on the radio.
 
“I will notify them.” Lieutenant Benson replies on the radio.
 
“And Lieutenant Benson...” General Jastrey calls to her.
 
“Yes Ma’am?” Lieutenant Benson replies.
 
“I am in private conference at the moment, and am not to be disturbed. If they need something they do not have, buy and I will reimburse you for it.” General Jastrey explains.
 
“Thank you. Radio silence begins now.” Lieutenant Benson states. She then turns to the Housemother and her children, “I will call for a ride to pick us up in a couple of minutes. You are all to get your things packed up and come back here.” She then reaches to the bags of recycled food and tosses them to the far reaches of the station, hoping it lands on the rail bed. “The rats can feast on that junk. You will all get better food at dinner time.” She then turns to the Housemother, “Is there something you need that you or the children do not have that I can get for you?”
 
One of the younger children complains, “I’m hungry now.”
 
Lieutenant Benson gets on one knee to be eye to with the child, “How would you like a sandwich with meat and cheese and tomato and lettuce and mayo, with some sweet-water berry juice?”
 
The child nods, holding back the urge to cry.
 
“Lunch for everyone then. Go get your things and put it in a bag you can carry.” Lieutenant Benson says, before picking up her radio, “Lieutenant Benson to Base, I need a large pick up to carry over 20 people, mostly children from the abandoned train station to take to town for a quick meal and then to camp.”
 
“We’ll be there in 10 clicks (minutes).” A voice answers on the radio.

“When it is either one’s skin or one’s stomach, the stomach always wins.” Lieutenant Benson says to herself. She then turns to the Housemother, “Not a problem. We can get back packs, clothes and shoes for them. But first, let get them fed first. While they eat, we get them backpacks and clothing from the depot and from what Mrs. Clean may have lying around. You know their sizes? In fact I forgot to ask, do either one of you know how to drive?”