The yearly frost has settled over Steel Horse, sending most residents packing. It’s pretty expected by now. But rather than scattering to the winds, lots of folks are migrating south of SHC proper to set up camp and begin work on the railroad from a middle point between the settlement and Milltown. If ya still need to get there and don’t want to hoof it, Astor and Frick have the rides, if there are enough people to drive them.
“Bootes isn’t a junk man, but if you need something, he’s got it or can tell you where to find it - for a fee. Camp’s set up a post system already. Bet you could drop him a note there.“
“Them Steel Bloods been real quiet when the snow started fallin’. Wonder what they have been up to?”
“I heard they have been dealing with “internal affairs”.”
“Shipments are already getting through for the new railroad, but there’s going to be need for folks who are good at finding things too. And guards. Raiders love noise.”
“It’s weird to think that we’re gonna put a train back on the old rails, but we still gotta go survey every inch on foot. It’s only been a couple years since the Iron Works tanked. You’d think them rails would still be useable, but things grow wild and fast up here. And who knew so many folks would start scrapping so quick.”
“Folks have been set up for a few weeks, but camp is pretty limited. Hope the influx of new people will mean a better repair center, for one. Ain’t gonna get much work done without one.”
“I heard them Steel Horse folks will let anyone sit down by their fire. We should send Oz to test that theory.”
Railworkers mentioned there’s a family who hasn’t come by in a while, that they ain’t been seen since the start of the year. They live secluded in the woods and only Bill, the father, came to town for essentials. Maybe somebody could check on ‘em?
“Navy Davy’s got eyes all over the coast.”
“Whatta ya mean? He one a them Remnant folk? I ain’t never seen one with a whole buncha eyes.”
“Naw, ya doofus, I means, he ain’t always got info just on the water work’n’s. He gets told all sorts a good knowin’. Good man ta have on yer right side.”
“Them silly fish-folk, don’t they know that the water’s all frozen up. They ain’t gonna be findin’ much fish out there.”
“What sorta thing you find under the ice?”
“Trouble, more’n likely.”
“Ever built a shipyard?”
“Nah, me neither.”
“Tell you what, it was the darndest thing. A bird remnant just wandered up to me and said if I wore this fancy blanket I could be the king of winter. I told them they need to lay off the hooch. What will they think of next?”
“Watch your ass walking on the riverbanks. Things have been thawing, then freezing again. Lotsa ice. You don’t wanna fall in - water is colder than a Rover mama’s stare when you put your feet up on the table.”
“I just saw the darndest thing out in the woods. Some Pure was out there in some deer romper yelling orders to some Vegasian beefcakes. I didn’t stick around to find out what they were up to, mostly because she probably would have asked me to do work.“
“Ya ever hear of Bubba? He was a tamer of rides, and collector of scrap. He stuck it to the Works by dismantling their boats and vanishing like smoke. He passed away not too long ago and left behind a mountain of treasure all for himself. They say someone even knows where it’s at, but if so, they’re not talking. Yet.”