Session 28: Reconciliation and Renewal

The session began with a few days of rest after the mission to get the cure. After a while, Sharos checked on Kenny, who had hardly been out of his room since the fight with his master. Kenny was listening to "Carry On My Wayward Son," trying to play along on his guitar, and Sharos let him be. Just then, Kutter returned, enraged by the loss of Chokehold and his imprisonment. Gramps called to order the Liberators, suggesting a military tribunal. Gramps would be the judge, Wolfe would prosecute, and Kenny would defend Gerrek. The players had to decide Gerrek's guilt and punishment.   Kenny froze in his defense after being asked to give opening statements, which eventually devolved into Gerrek defending himself. Wolfe called Kutter, Jason, Benjamin, RM, and Blair to the stand. Their testimonies were scathing for Gerrek's defense. When Gerrek began to examine his witnesses, Kutter started sharpening an axe in the corner, making it clear he wasn't joking. Gerrek questioned himself and his own lawyer, who was not at the scene. Gerrek began to argue that he was in an altered or influenced state during his heinous actions, trying to resist. Jacob asked if he was admitting to drug use, which Gerrek denied.   Gerrek called Jason to the stand and asked if the operation he led was legal. Wolfe objected, stating none of the operations were legal, and Gramps agreed. But Gerrek pressed further, questioning the risk of the mission. Wolfe eventually got fed up and asked Gerrek if he needed help, which Gerrek gratefully accepted. Wolfe grilled Jason, bringing up the fact that most of the team asked him if they should retreat. Wolfe eventually tried to corner Jason by suggesting that his teammates did not believe in his cause, resulting in one death and one capture. However, Kutter defended Jason, stating that he and Chokehold were soldiers and it was their duty. Even though he did not agree with the decision to stay, it was Jason's to make. Wolfe pressed Jason again, pretty much blaming him for Chokehold's death. Jason went silent and was dismissed, giving Wolfe a death glare.   The players then deliberated. Everyone besides Kenny said Gerrek was guilty. The case continued as Wolfe called another witness, Old Man Jenkins. Jenkins described his and Gerrek's odyssey, how Gerrek and Leroy burned down his house and robbed him, how Gerrek and his ranger buddy settled with him instead of taking it to court, and how, after the compound was destroyed, he was homeless. The players, upon hearing this, offered for him to live there, which he graciously accepted.   The players deliberated once more. The consensus was still against Gerrek, but they began to think about all the times Gerrek had saved them in the wasteland—when he shot off Hercules's jaw to protect Kenny, killed all the robots in the RobCo Battle Zone single-handedly (which the players second-guessed), saved Kutter from a deathclaw (the players were fairly sure that didn't happen), and killed Andy Bates with his bare hands (the players knew this never happened). Despite these doubtful memories, the players wanted to acquit Gerrek and even promote him for making a better tactical decision than Jason, who got Chokehold killed. Kutter, RM, Blair, and Benjamin all fell under this spell. Kutter vehemently defended Gerrek in the courtroom.   Kenny suspected the chip and used a stunning strike on Gerrek to take the chip from him. Kutter tried to stop Kenny from attacking Gerrek, and Gerrek began to spasm, frothing at the mouth and trying to get the chip back. Wolfe tried to switch back to defending Gerrek, but the situation had escalated too far. Kenny tried to leave the building with the chip, but Kutter freed Gerrek and ran to the elevator, prying the doors open and sadly asking Kenny to give back the chip. Gramps rallied the troops to resolve the situation. Kenny tried to escape through the roof hatch, but Kutter pulled him to the ground and gave the chip back to Gerrek. As Gerrek got the chip back, lucidity returned to him and Kutter. Gramps told them to break it up.   Kutter was in awe, understanding Gerrek's actions. RM sedated Gerrek so the players could decide what to do with him with a more complete picture. RM provided some insight, saying the chip was of Institute design but did not belong to any division, meaning it was something secret to the Directorate, who were all dead except for her former handler Allie Filmore and CFRNL researcher Alan Bennet. RM suggested that supernatural influences weren't out of the question and recommended letting him keep the chip and keeping him safe, as removing the chip might have severe consequences. Kenny tried to take it one more time, but even as Gerrek was unconscious, taking the chip caused Gerrek to seize. They decided to give it back rather than destroy it, fearing for Gerrek's life. Leroy used detect magic on it, confirming it was definitely magical but unlike anything he knew. He said it was chaotic and different from the guy who influenced his armor and from Kenny's stuff. Gramps suggested they reinstate Gerrek and keep an eye on him, and Kenny volunteered to be his caretaker.   Centurion called, asking for a status update. They discussed Kutter's staged breakout, including an unpleasant alibi involving smuggling a bottle of Buffout in a certain cavity. Finally, Centurion spoke about the Glowing Ones and how more had been found south of Hollis and a shipment of the behemoth serum had been intercepted by the Navy Corps. Centurion told them to organize and get their house in order, as they needed to be a full fighting force in a month.   Gramps gathered all the NPCs and players for a meeting. They discussed recruiting Gunners with the Minutemen's permission and went over all their personnel, officially onboarding Benjamin and Todd. Gramps and Jason presented plans for a new base design with detailed blueprints. Alexander presented a detailed monthly budget. Gramps assured the players he'd train the troops hard. Benjamin declared that now that he was in the company, he and Jason would make a proper science team. Gramps discussed squad organization. With their 40 recruits, they decided to have three 8-man squads, each with one super mutant as a heavy weapons specialist. They pulled four men off for logistics, four men for the HQ division, and split the final eight into two sniper duos and one four-man CQB fireteam. They decided for the Gorillas to be guerrillas, using heavy weaponry and hit-and-run tactics to harass the enemy backlines as an autonomous unit.   Gramps went over their specialists. Benjamin ran the science lab. RM was asked if she wanted to run a squad, but she refused. Blair's expert handling of the trainees during the 1st Vanguard's bombing attempts was noted, and she was accepted as an operations commander. Wolfe remained on finances. Jeremy offered to help Sharos lead the snipers, and Todd was assigned to security. The players discussed different available weaponry. The G11 was floated as an idea but dismissed due to its complicated mechanics. The combat rifle and L86 were also dismissed. They finally decided on the FAL for its reliability and effectiveness against humans, mutants, and wildlife alike. The M60 was chosen for the super mutants' machine gun, with M2 .50 cals for when required. Breachers were added to each team with Browning hunting shotguns for CQB. The players organized regular shipments of missiles and 40mm grenades with their company's supply restock.   Finally, the meeting ended, and the players had to make it happen. Alexander tried to secure a loan from the bank, which wanted a 15% monthly interest rate. Wolfe floated a reluctant alternative, Sir Alexandru D. Albescu, who was willing to give the players an interest-free loan on the condition that he be allowed to float around the building as he pleased. The players were suspicious but allowed him to come over. He arrived in an hour and dropped a steamer trunk filled with 30,000 caps on the coffee table. The players remained suspicious of his interest but were reassured when he said he was just terribly bored. He offered to be a housekeeper. His offer was accepted, he was searched, and he made himself scarce, going to prepare a meal for the players and the recruits, telling them not to throw his name around in the business world.   The players then headed to Starlight, entering Patriot Manufacturing, the biggest factory in the town. They met a receptionist who wanted a bribe to get them an appointment with the managers. Kenny paid it after being humiliated by Gerrek. They headed up and met with The Scribe and Smiling Larry. They brought up some of the players' past actions, declaring they could only work with straight shooters. The players were upset but accepted, ratting out the receptionist for asking for a bribe. The managers wished them a nice day. They then headed to their second choice, Peacemakers LLC, where they got a meeting with Maverick Steele, the eccentric CEO, who gladly accepted their proposal and agreed to fulfill the contract in a month. He and the players got along well despite his abrasive personality, and he declared they would make a lot of money together. He did mention that he wasn't specialized in rations and suggested they find another supplier.   Kutter decided to talk to Warwick Homestead for their rations, as he had a good relationship with Roger Warwick. They headed up to Tenpines Bluff, but concerningly, Jason had begun to secretly day drink. They secured a contract with Snappy Co., paying extra for an expedited renovation of their base. At the end of all the negotiations, they had 3,500 caps left. Kenny and Gerrek had dinner with Gerrek’s folks. The Liberators then headed home to enjoy the feast waiting for them.