Oct 14 23:47:40 108 PA - A First Look

From Chronicles

Oct 14 23:47:40 108 PA.

KINGSDALE CITY GATES

In mid-October, it is starting to chill, with winds picking up and blowing in from the northwest. It's dawn, exactly when the people said they'd be here at the city gates. Traffic is normal, with merchants and other flowing in and out. There are three conspicuous Mountaineer ATVs sitting off to the side arrayed in single-file, idling. The dozen humans and D-Bees are standing near them, talking amongst themselves.

Jaxain arrives, fully loaded and ready for bear. He has absolutely no idea what to expect, so why not come prepared? He sees a few of those he spoke with previously, and makes his way over to them. "Hey guys! Ok, yeah I'm ready to go!"

Fizzlesnoot arrives on time, even checking his pocket watch as he arrives just to be sure. All he carries is his large Carpetbag slung over his shoulder. "Hello folks." he greets with a tip of his hat and friendly, but creepy looking smile.

None of the folks seem the least bit put off by Fizzlesnoot's appearance, and all of them are quite polite and folksy. One middle aged man wearing sturdy leather and denim introduces himself with callused hands. "Jack, thanks for coming out. There's no good road to get where we're going, so we'll need to pass through Whykin, then head north. Unless we get really lucky, it'll be at least one night in the wilderness. You both okay with that?" Right to the point, but in a nice enough manner. The others have slowly gathered near to listen, allowing Jack to do the talking. They are indeed a good fifty-fifty mix of humans and humanoid D-Bees who are getting along just fine.

Fizzlesnoot's three fingered hand accepts the calloused hand in friendship. "Hiya Jack, I'm Fizzlesnoot. Glad to help out if I can. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to humbly ask for your hospitality whilst out in the wilderness, as I am ill prepared for a night out in the open terrain."

Jack smiles. "No problem, Mr. Fizzlesnoot. And.. sir." After all, Jax didn't supply his name. "It shouldn't be an issue really, as long as we don't try the Run at night." He addresses a woman standing next to him, an attractive-enough human type. "Sandra, lets get 'em ready to push to the Junction tonight for our guest." There's a brief and quiet conversation, then Jack makes a brief gesture. "Hope you gentlemen brought something soft to sit on. C'mon, let's get going, we'll need the light." With that, the group begins to fade back to the ATVs in even groups, revving the big diesels a few times and waiting for passengers.

Fizzlesnoot loads up happily enough, hopefully in the same vehicle as Jack, he seems to be the one in charge. He gives a nod to Jax, "I've always traveled with others, or just short distances. I was in Whykin before coming to Kingsdale. Not really looking forward to going back."

As soon as the two are inside of Jack's vehicle - two D-Bees hopped out to make room - the engine roars, and Sandra gets the lead machine heading for the Kingsdale-Whykin trail. The only other occupant is a man - more of a boy, really - with the only energy weapon that has yet been seen, an old wilderness L-20. "Hey, Jax. Good to meet you. Anyway. Well, we have to pass through Whykin. Not actually into the city, but their area. Like I said, no direct route. Mind if I ask why you folks are interested in helping us out?" He quickly references an earlier question. "Worried about Coalition patrols around Whykin? Nah. Right now they're even letting some non-humans into the walls. More trouble up in Tolkeen to keep them occupied. A little."

Jaxain nods to the explanation, "Yeah, fair enough." he says to the words about the Coalies. He leans back in his seat, taking his backpack off and making it into a makeshift head-rest. "Well, seems like you guys need help, that's why, and you seem like honest enough folk." He shrugs, "Seems like good enough reason to me." He raises his eyebrows, looking at Fizz.

Fizzlesnoot smiles when he hears they will not be going into the city, it's just a drive by. "It didn't sound violent and don't like to see people get taken advantage of. What is, exactly, the goal of this negotiation?"

"No, no negotiation. Um. I think. Not quite sure what you mean. We just have a problem, and would prefer that some people take a look around." He taps Sandra's shoulder, nods to the boy "- that's Jeremy. Goin' up to a place called Arcadia. No one's ever heard of it, but everyone uses us. Mining town, mostly." He looks between the two guests. "What line of work are you guys in?" The Mountaineer takes a heavy *thump* as it turns off of the paved end of Main Street and east on to the messy trail to Whykin.

Jaxain nods his head, looking at Fizzlesnoot and then back at Jack. Jeremy gets a nod and a smile, "Hey." But then he turns back to Jack. "Ok, then what exactly are we going to be looking for? Give us a bit of a picture, so we can come up with a basic plan before we get there." He takes the bump roughly, not used to traveling in large vehicles like this one, but makes no complaint. "Me? Well, I'm an exorcist, I guess you could say. Help people with... extra-natural... problems."

Fizzlesnoot tilts his head slightly, maybe a bit confused. "Oh? The first gentleman I spoke with gave me that impression. Oh well. I'm sort of a Jack of all Trades." he shrugs, leaving it at that, listening for the answer to Jax's question to Jack.

Jack nods a bit as he listens. "Okay. Well, not sure that we really need an exorcist, but I guess you never know," he allows with a shrug. "Never know," Sandra chimes in as she tries not to slide into the trees. He hands over a map - one - that is fairly nice, as if a genuine cartographer may have had a hand in its construction. "Arcadia. Where we're goin'. I think we're about the size of your Laramy, but more spread out. Good place, good people, if you can get there. Like I said, best place you never been, most important place you never heard of."

Jaxain shrugs, "Well, if I can help I can help, if not, I damn well expect a free ride back." He laughs, enjoying the ride even though he prefers more open modes of travel. He looks at the map. "Oooooook." He studies it for a moment, seeming somewhat familiar with maps of this nature. "So what makes it so special, or important, then, and why do you need our 'help'?" He asks Jack with a raised eyebrow, looking at Fizz with a mildly confused shrug.

Fizzlesnoot skims over the map, making it look like he knows what he is doing, well attempting anyways. Still staying quiet for the most part, until Jax questions importance. "It's a mining town, that’s why its important." pointing out the obvious as politely as one can, then looks to Jack, "What do you mine for?"

"You'll have to see it to really appreciate it it, and yeah, it's important because we're miners," Jack says, nodding in approval at Fizzelsnoot's comment. "Iron ore. Gotta whole big mountain of pure quartz. Shepherd mountain. Right there," he taps the map for both to see. "But we don't touch that. It's.. it's like a massive good luck charm. It's Iron Mountain we use. Good ore, and a helluva lot of it." Clearly, there's more, but he's not about to give a speech. Just takes a moment to glance out the window.

Jax, not having a good grasp of economics (or ANY grasp, really) is more confused than ever. "Wait, miners? Like, people who dig stuff?" He looks between the other two for a moment, then just shrugs. If they say mining is important for some reason, he will just accept that.

Fizzlesnoot chuckles at Jax, "Of course friend. They dig it out and somebody makes stuff out of it and then somebody sells the stuff that was made from the ore, usually to build something else from what was made from the ore that they bought from the miners. Pretty simple really. Economics that is. Especially when it comes commodities like raw ore like this." then again looking to Jack, "Do you folks refine the raw ore or sell it off that way?" definitely curious to hear more.

Jack gives Jaxain a strange look, as if he wonders if he might not be a little slow. He speaks slowly and clearly. "Yeah, miners. People who dig stuff." A glance at Fizzlesnoot for a moment, perhaps wondering if he knows if there's some kind of issue with Jaxain. "No, no. We just mine it. We're real simple folks. Try to keep Arcadia nice, though. I think that you'll be surprised at how civilized bunch of dirt chuckers are." He laughs a little bit at his own personal insult. Or maybe it's a local term of pride. "We sell it off mostly to the Coalition, and the Federation. They're both close, you can see on the map. Can't really help but take orders, if you know what I mean. Couple of private interests, too."

Fizzlesnoot nods as Jack explains a bit, "So what is the problem? Sounds like you have a good thing going. Set trade routes and such. Somebody trying to cut in on your profits?"

Sandra's really tearing down the trail, with the two other vehicles presumably in tow. Jeremy has been keeping a sharper eye on Fizzlesnoot the whole time, but just as it was letting up, Jax had to go and ask an obvious question. He's nowhere near being belligerent or angry or even suspicious. But he still keeps an eye on the two men. Jack answers, "Oh it's kinda getting to be too much of a good thing. Our private interests are being pushed out, not much we can do about it. Kinda worried about the others."

Fizzlesnoot is used to getting stares and such and like always, Jeremy get a tip of his hat and a smile when its noticed. But being as Jack is the main speaker, his attention tuns back to him, "So you have tension with the super powers over the ore?"

"Not really tension. Not yet, anyway," Jack says with a shrug. "Just a lot of interest, because we found something new. Something special. But.. I'll tell ya more about it when we get there. Still, even with what we currently do, the Tolkeen thing is really starting to drag on the CS. Lookin' for ore sources from all around, particularly good ones like us."

Fizzlesnoot nods, "Alrighty then, sounds fair enough. Wait till we can see the problem. Are you the mayor of the town or something like that?" sounding kinda curious.

Jack shakes his head, then ducks a moment as the ATV takes another heavy bump. Sandra really must have souped up these things, because he says, "We're getting radio traffic from Whykin. Gonna be there in ten minutes or so. Ah... no offense intended or anything Mr. Fizzlesnoot, but you may want to lay low. They have been being real lenient, but you're pretty different, as I'm sure you already know. If one of the patrols bothers to stop us, just answer their questions directly, don't tell them any more than what they've asked for." He clears his throat. "Anyway, no, I'm not the mayor. Don't have a mayor."

Jaxain is still a bit lost when it comes to the economics of how an industrialized nation works, but then again maybe he is the only one present who wasn't able to attend some kind of formal education system. Psychic he might be, but some things are only obvious after you know them. "Huhhhh, ok so they can't make crap if you don't give them the ore." He says, this being somewhat of an epiphany to Jax. "Yeah, that makes sense. So neither of them want to risk messing things up, but you walk a fine line selling to both sides?" He asks with another raised eyebrow. The staring child isn't noticed unless he does something special, after all kids stare all the time. Only people who are *taught* manners have manners. He nods at the comments regarding the approach to the city.

Fizzlesnoot settles himself in a out of direct sight kinda spot in the vehicle. Not to look like he's hiding, just that’s where he belongs. So a cursory view might overlook him hopefully. "No problem, I understand the drill."

Perhaps because he sees no reason in bothering to discuss a potentially sensitive issue as they traverse Whykin's immediate area, Jack only makes minor conversation. Introduces Jeremy as Sandra's son, and Sandra as being a good friend, but nothing more. "You two don't really seem like you've been in the area long. That's not a bad thing, just curious. Coming from somewhere interesting?" Sandra's tone calls back a note - not a warning, just a note - that it looks like they will be stopped by a small security patrol.

Fizzlesnoot doesn't answer, letting Jax to take the conversation on. The little guy just tries to stay inconspicuous as a freaky little D-bee can be. He simply pays attention to what is going on when the patrol does stop them.

Jaxain nods, "Yeah, came from a village way way up north, mostly fishing and hunting." He smiles back at the memory, "Skiing and Snowboarding when it gets cold, after October or so. Not much mining or anything like that, though we did have a pretty good tree-felling operation going a bit further south I think." Jax has never had a 'job' per say, and is used to 'city folk' looking down on his simpler ways.

Jack almost finishes asking Jaxain about his northern upbringing when Sandra slows the ATV to a halt and the door pops open. Three CS soldiers wearing only uniforms - and weapons, of course - are there to peer inside. One of them has an electronic clipboard and seems to make some notes. Jack exchanges some numbers that are apparently some kind of license to pass through freely without further inspection. However, one of the soldiers asks Fizzlesnoot with surprising politeness, "Will you be looking to enter the city, or are you continuing to a further destination?"

Jaxain doesn't have anything special to add to the conversation with the soldiers, though he is a bit suspicious. He's seen them act startlingly less polite, at times...

Fizzlesnoot looks a bit surprised that he's the one addressed, not expecting it in that way, "Um, who me?" he shakes his head, "Oh no, Just passing through." keeping it simple.

The soldier nods silently to Fizzlesnoot and makes a note on his clipboard. "Thank you," he says to Jack. "Watch for a crater up ahead, we had a problem with a psychic this morning. Good day." Then the three of them are off to harass someone else. Easy stop, all told. The hatch closes with a poke of Jack's thumb, and Sandra gets the vehicle moving again. Inside, passengers will be able to feel the turn onto the north-south road. Jack can't help but laugh quietly. "Not bad. Next stop, the Junction. Looks like we got, oh..." he glances at his watch, "like to pull in before sunset. You were saying, up north? Like Iron Heart?"

Jaxain shakes his head, smiling, "Not quite, but yeah Iron Heart is a lot closer to where I grew up than here. Picture that, but a bit further west."

Fizzlesnoot chimes in now that the patrol has gone, "I'm from up around there too. Tolkeen. I've never been any further north though. Stayed some time in Chi-town burbs, Whykin, Kingsdale. And now I'll get to see Arcadia."

Jack listens with a smile. Jeremy listens very intently, now more interested than wary. The grown man speaks. "Yeah, yeah. I know that everyone's home is home, but I think you'll like our town. Good people, kept up nice and everything. As long as you listen to the locals who tell you where not to go, right? Some unfortunate visitors die by wandering off where they shouldn't. Bit of a black-and-white with D-Bees."

Jaxain blinks several times, not being streetwise, slangwise, or innuendowise (at least, not beyond his experience). "Huh?"

Fizzlesnoot looks to Jack questioning, "What do you mean Black and White with D-Bees? Can you tell us where on the map we should we avoid?"

"Oh, no, it's pretty obvious, Mr. Fizzlesnoot. It's completely safe inside the town, and we keep the forest cleared back. Still, people live out in the trees. Just certain places that I'll point out. Like I said, they're pretty obvious. The unfortunate thing is that the routes in and out of Arcadia are dangerous. Only way into the area is what we call the 'Run.' Because you have to run to survive. All sorts of nasty creatures, and occasionally a mage out of the Federation with some kind of grudge. Route up and back to Iron Mountain isn't the safest either, but we keep it staffed with some watchers. Everyone's in a rotation. Lots of people hire merc groups that are camped out just waiting to escort people in and out from the Junction and Arcadia," Jack says. says Jack...

Jaxain seems quite impressed with this information, "Wow." he says simply, not having had experience with this kind of thing before. "Ok, that's good to know. We won't have problems in these babies, but people are pretty isolated in your town then?" He still doesn't understand the black and white reference, but then again he's pretty patient so he doesn't bring it up again.

Fizzlesnoot nods with a smile seeming to get the idea implied. "That doesn't seem too out of the ordinary. The main reason I stay out of the wilds if I can help it. So, if there isn't anything else pertinent right now to the problem we need to know about, think I'll nap the rest of the way if you don't mind."

"No, no. Feel free to nap, if you can ignore the bumping. I'll wake you when we get to junction," Jack says to Fizzlesnoot. He looks to Jaxain. "And you?"

Jaxain nods, "Yeah, sounds good. Help me be more alert if something important happens." And with that, he closes his eyes, relaxing into his makeshift pillow. He doesn't actually sleep, choosing to Meditate instead, but the effects are similar.

Bumpity-bump, bumpity-bump, bumpity-bump. It takes about eight hours to get to Junction, with the three vehicle train pulling in late, around seven-thirty in the evening. Jack is already out the door, the engines having been shut off, while Jeremy does his best to gently and politely wake their passengers. "Um.. yeah, this is Junction. Sir. Sirs."

Jaxain opens his eyes, blinking slightly as he starts to move, his breathing resuming a more regular pattern. "Alright! Pretty smooth drive." He says, nodding to the kid as he gets out of the truck and follows Jack.

Fizzlesnoot is out like a light in no time, using his carpet bag as a pillow to help cushion the ride a bit. He drools, and snores quite noisily, along with clicking of his odd mandibles between snores. Once awakened, he wipes the slobber with the sleeve of his jacket and peeking out to get a look before hopping out himself from the vehicle. "Wasn't so bad a trip."

Jack and the rest of the Arcadians are disembarked at this point, with people from Junction swarming all over like Jawas. In fact, Junction is much like the Mos Eisley Spaceport, complete with the high tech and the alien creatures. "I got a room for you two. Only had one, and you'll have to share a bed," Jack says, his tone indicating that he obviously doesn't think anything of it. "They got food down the street, and beer if you want it. Women, if you want 'em," he says with a smirk. "Otherwise I'll get you early tomorrow. Gonna see if I can find someone to fly cover for us. Need anything before I head off?"

Jaxain looks at Fizz and shrugs, "Nah, I'm good I think." He chuckles at the sharing a bed comment. "Umm, I call floor." He looks around, a bit disappointed they have the spend the night in a populated area like this.

Fizzlesnoot shakes his head to Jack, "Nope. Nothing from me. Guess we'll meet ya in the morning." To Jax, he gives a shrug, "Suit yourself friend. I like beds myself."

The night passes uneventfully. True to his word, Jack is banging on the door just as the horizon begins to light. "C'mon, we want to get going. Animals will leaving the edges for a while, this is the best window for what we've got. Meet you at the trucks in fifteen."

Jaxain is ready to go in less than 5, and just waits for Fizz so that they can depart together. "Not bad so far." he says, "You think we are in for any big surprises today?" He asks, making his way down to the truck.

Fizzlesnoot is not as quick as Jax. He's a bit slower to get motivated from the night's sleep. But he does get going, maybe even making Jax a bit nervous that they may not make it in the 15. He does use just about every second of it to arrive just in time, and he's still only just buttoning up his jacket. "Alright, We're here. Who's got the coffee?"

If there's any coffee, it's not with the group of ATVs waiting outside to make a twenty mile dash through dangerous wilderness. Jack isn't even in the mood for chit-chat right now. Just waiting to button up and floor it heading west.

Fizzlesnoot loads up and readies himself for the Run, making the best of no coffee. The lack of chit chat doesn't seem to bother him, by the sound of the story last night, Jack's got a lot on his mind.

When it's all closed, Sandra floors it, and presumably the two other Mountaineers do as well. The Run isn't a very wide path - no one's willing to take the risk of coming out and widening it. Branches actually scrape the sides of the large vehicle. It's a horrible, bouncing, weaving twenty miles, punctuated with the screams of foul creatures attacking the vehicle and a few explosions. However, it does eventually come to an end, Sandra pulling the ATV into an obvious parking area in the town, within the very spacious safety of the area that isn't forested.

ARCADIA

Jaxain hops in the vehicle, more than used to a lack of coffee in the morning. "Ok, let's do this thing!" He seems, if anything, to enjoy the crazy ride. "Really, Fizz, that kind of thing is usual? Not where I come from..."

Fizzlesnoot hangs on trying to keep himself stabilized during the rough ride of the Run. "Huh? What kind of thing?" replying to Jax's question and comment.

Jack slaps the side of the ATV. "We're here. That's why you don't make the Run at night, or alone. C'mon out, I'll show you where not to go, and point you around. Answer questions, if you have 'em."

Jaxain looks back a the treeline, then at the city. He expected high walls, maybe some kinda sentries (either automated or not), but there appears to be nothing. "Huh." he comments. "So what keeps all the nasty crap in the woods?" He asks Jack with raised eyebrows. "The town looks like pretty easy pickings, for beasts like those."

Jack shrugs as he waves his two guests in toward town. After all, it does really only qualify as a town, not a city. "We don't really know for sure. Everybody who comes through asks the same question. Probably a magic thing, keeping the angry things over there. Lots of us actually live in the forest, nice little log cabins, cozy and everything, nothing much bothers us. Just spots here and there that even little kids know to avoid." The town is nice. It's neat and clean, its buildings in a state of generally good repair. Jack seems as if he knows everyone. Waving and smiling as he walks toward one building that stands out more than the others. He doesn't actually note it, just notes as the group passes by, "Little park here, great place to bring the kids."

Jaxain looks around the town, noting how different it is from most other places he has seen. "Yeah..." he says, starting to wonder what he has gotten himself into. "Nice place you got here."

"Thanks." Jack pushes open the door of the building, greeting a passing woman and presumably her child. "You two go on in, we can all talk. Not that it's a secret or anything. Not from us. Us being the Council and a few others. Just from everybody else right now."

Fizzlesnoot follows along just listening for now. In through the door to discuss the details. He waits until Jack is ready to start explaining before asking questions right off.

Jaxain nods, walking into the building and giving the woman and child a smile as he passes. He gives a small wave or a nod to everyone who acknowledges his presence, and then some who might not. "Alright, so what's the deal then?" He asks Jack with open curiosity.

There are other people inside the well-lit, well-ventilated building. Classy for such a town of this size. Four of these other people split from the others and approach, making their own greetings. A woman with a face that looks very similar to a snake, named Tyaany. Gin, a dwarf who looks like he could out-grump a hemorrhoid. Elana, obviously a D-Bee, but very humanoid, and then Falijero, a human man. All of them look like normal working folk. Jack smiles to the two visitors. "Gentlemen, the rest of Arcadia's Council of Five. We're glad that you've made the journey."

Jaxain nods, greeting them each in turn and giving a short bow to the assembly in general. "The honor is all ours." He looks around the room, taking a seat and making himself comfortable if one is available. Then he waits for them to speak.

Fizzlesnoot gives a polite bow and tip of his hat as the other people are introduced, "Fizzlesnoot, your honors." not really sure how to address them as he introduces himself, just that they deserve some sort of title or respect. "So what seems to be the issue?"

The Five take their own seats - even putting their feet up on the table, in the case of Gin and Falijero. It's all very casual, but with a certain commanding aura at the same time. "No, please. No honors. Technically we're 'Councilors' but no one around here stands of formality. The issue? The issue is, as I said, too much of a good thing." Jack stands and spreads out a much larger version of the map that had been made available earlier. "Now, this is us, here," he says, poking at Arcadia's center. "But all around, people actually live. Except for the shop owners and some of the techs and mechanics, we're miners, basically. All of us." He makes a sweeping motion with his arms, and the other four nod and mumble in agreement. "Already told you who we trade with, right?"

Jaxain nods, listening to the explanation unfold. "Too much of a good thing? So, you are worried they will start fighting over your resources?"

Fizzlesnoot nods looking over the bigger map, and remaining silent so Jax's question can be answered and the councilors don't feel bombarded with the third degree. He remains attentive to the discussion however.

"Not just too much of a good thing in that way. Kind of. The Federation and the Coalition have been fighting forever over who gets our ore, and so far they've been keeping it to themselves. But now that Tolkeen is starting to go south, the Coalition is really starting to draw more than their share. We've had to drop some of our private interests just to keep them satisfied." Gin grumbles, "I think the only reason we're still here's the Run!" Grumble grumble. Elana rolls her eyes in amusement. "He's always like that. We don't know what to do about the Coalition. Even with the Run, even with the Federation, we're sandwiched between Devil's Gate and Whykin. That's a lot of pressure. Now.. we found something new that worries us, in an unfortunate way."

Jaxain nods, having nothing further to add. He looks to Fizz, wondering if the little alien has any questions.

Fizzlesnoot tilts his head in interest, "Something new? What would this be? and, Second of all, who knows about it?" making his questions simple for now.

"Not many of us know about it right now, and we don't like keeping secrets for our own folk - but if it got out, the CS, or the Federation would be here in a heartbeat. Take us over, or whatever. The Coalition's already been sending out enough people with contracts trying to nail down our existing ore." Jack pokes at the map again, an otherwise unmarked spot. "This is an area called Pilot Knob. Flat as you can want. So flat that one of our more enterprising miners thought that he could open up a mechanic's shop. But... he started digging, and it's not just dirt. It's iron ore. But... better." He tosses one piece of metal onto the table. It's obviously some part of a high-impact steel construct.

Jaxain picks up the metal, examining it. He acts on instinct, opening up his mind as he holds the metal, wondering what this means, exactly.

Fizzlesnoot looks at the piece of metal but shrugs, "Just looks like metal to me at this point. How much of this have you surfaced?" he asks of the council.

Jack smiles and tosses another piece of metal onto the table. It looks very similar, except that it doesn't yet appear to have much of a defined shape. "Please," he gestures, inviting them to be examined. "The one I gave you first, that is armor-grade steel that originated from the ore we've been mining from Iron Mountain for decades. We mined it, it got shipped to a refinery, it was processed, smelted, molded and eventually ended up back here to be part of an armored truck. Lots of time, effort, and money. However, this -" he picks up the new piece "- was dug out of Pilot Knob yesterday, with normal hand-worked mining equipment. It's just as strong as the refined sheet, for almost no time and effort lost." Falijero, says in a rather rolling Spanish accent, "You might imagine what the Coalition would think of they knew about this."

Laughing to himself, Jax smacks his forehead. "Oh, I thought..." he says, shaking his head. He takes up the other piece of ore, again attempting to read what he can from it.

Fizzlesnoot nods appearing to understand, "So why bring in outsiders if you don't want it getting out? Seems a bit risky on your part."

Jack sits down. "We're hoping that you have new ideas on how to handle the Federation and the Coalition. Secrets can't be kept forever, particularly the really juicy ones that many bad people could profit off of. But like I said earlier - we're all just miners. The five of us were elected, but there's not really anything special about us. We dig. The contracts that we have with the Federation and the Coalition, they're probably getting the better of the deal. Our defenses? We can keep the animals and creatures at bay with little trouble, once someone's actually in Arcadia and out of the Run. But we don't know how to defend ourselves if there were to be a real problem." He looks to the others. The woman with the snake-like face says, "We're hoping that a fresh set of eyes might have ideas."

Jaxain nods slowly, frowning slighting as he considers the situation. This is definitely outside his training, but.... "It does seem pretty darn dangerous. Heck, if you could just cover the hole back up and forget it, that would be best. But it's past that point, I'm guessing..." He looks at Fizz.

Fizzlesnoot thinks about what the council has said for a few moments before he replies with another question, "How long before the contracts expire and are up for renegotiation?"

Jack chuckles, in fact everyone has a good chuckle at Jaxain's comment. "It's not a hole. This material, it's right at the surface, under less than two feet of soil. Just that nobody ever bothered to dig there before. You saw Shepherd Mountain as you came in. Well, if you took that block of quartz, inverted it, sank it into the ground deep enough that it was just barely covered, then converted it to this material? That's how much there is, which is why it's so dangerous. To everyone. To us. To Tolkeen, if the Coalition got their hands on it." The man has to glances over to Elana when Fizzlesnoot poses his question. She answers quickly, "The contract with the Federation will come up in about six weeks, and the one with the Coalition about two weeks after that."

Jaxain looks at Fizz, "Well, you are a salesman, right? What if we sell it for them but hide the source? Then they can use the funds to make their own army, maybe find some trustworthy mercs or something and give them a home as the start of a town guard." He looks back at the council. "Here is another idea. You guys are relying on that magic forest to protect you, right?" He looks around. "Well, why is it protecting you? Maybe this ore belongs to somebody, or something?" He shrugs.

Fizzlesnoot gives a sharp nod to the council, adding his questions with Jax's, "A few more quick questions. When is the next delivery or pickup scheduled? Which of the super powers do you prefer to deal with if you were forced to choose? and finally, may I see the terms of the contracts that are currently active?"

Jack shakes his head at Jaxain's first idea. "No, no. A good prospector will always find the source of something that he wants. I think that trying to hide it would just make people angry. Even Tolkeen, if they hear about it and want us to supply it. As for mercs, I mentioned that a number of companies make a living on both ends of the Run as hired guns. But I doubt they'd stay around to protect. Not sure that we want hired guns around anyway. Kind of like selling your soul. Guess that kind of sounds like we want it both ways, though." There's a murmur of ascent from the others. Elana answers Fizzlesnoot again. "We make a delivery of ore every week, on Friday, for the Coalition. Every other Wednesday for the Federation, and as per individual contracts for the private organizations. It all ends up at Junction, they take it from there. I guess you can see the contracts if you want." They seem to have a difficult if not impossible time determining which power they'd rather be forced to align with.

Fizzlesnoot gives a slight bow to the council woman, "Thank you. Once I look over the agreements, I can offer you some suggestions based on what I know. You really need to consider one side or the other as it will, one day, come to that decision. Better to be ready for it, rather than not. Just real quick, who buys more ore?"

Jaxain shakes his head, "No, there is more to consider than that. Which side you go with will give that side an advantage. You need to consider which side will let you live in peace. For as many people as possible." He looks at the non humans in particular. "Which side is willing to consider you intelligent beings, citizens. Many lives, not only your own, count on the outcome of this war."

Gin grunts, "Coalition takes more ore." Elana smiles, "Yes, the Coalition receives more ore than the Federation. Mr. Jaxain, you have to understand that ever since the founding of Arcadia, nearly a century ago -" they've kept the place up very well "- we have been dancing trying to keep the powers happy and balanced, because unfortunately, we cannot see any option that involves us being both free and happy, and also not beholden to one power over another."

Fizzlesnoot nods when answered, "I have an idea, but first I will need to look over the contracts. My first thought is up your prices for both sides and be firm about it."

After the suggestion of price increases, there's much discussion. Jack takes Fizzlesnoot and Jaxain out into the town, escorting them anywhere that they'd like to go within the area that everyone considers safe for new arrivals. Shephard Mountain is a high point used as one boundary, as is the western terminus of the Run. The other boundaries appear to be rather arbitrary as drawn by whatever hand draws Nature. Most questions will be answered without evasion, and to the best of anyone's ability. The Arcadians are looking for assistance. Still, Jack and the Council do their best to ensure that neither man will start blabbing about the existence of this special new ore to anyone that hasn't already been introduced as knowing it.